Nicholas Burke, Uileann Piper - Annaghdown and New York

Nicholas Burke was born in October 1837 [1] at Drumgriffin in Annaghdown Parish, son of James Burke (c, 1789-1887), a carpenter, and Margaret Glynn (c. 1792-1844). An older brother, John, was born about 1833 and died in Drumgriffin on 8 March 1867. A sister, Mary, was born in 1835 and married Peter Forde of Tonamace, Annaghdown. A flagstone in Corrandulla Cemetery, erected by James Burke, records the death of Margaret on 1 January 1844 and John in 1867.

In July 1858 Nicholas married Mary Forde of Tonamace, a sister of Peter above; the witnesses were Patrick and Bridget Forde [2]. They emigrated to Brooklyn, New York shortly after their marriage, where Nicholas worked first as a carpenter and eventually became a successful builder.

Writing in his book [3], Cork-born Chicago police officer Francis O'Neill (1848-1946), Irish traditional music collector, gave most of the credit for his success in collection to Burke:

In fact the gleanings were so disappointingly incomplete that this work may never have been undertaken but for the fortuitous discovery in Brooklyn, New York, of Mr. Nicholas Burke who knew and remembered the Irish pipers of his generation as well as Arthur O’Neill knew the harpers of his day.

The accompanying description of Burke places him at the centre of Irish traditional music in America, a focal point for traditional musicians arriving from Ireland:

...Being a music lover and musician, hospitable and helpful to those of similar tastes. Every piper and fiddler of prominence who crossed the Atlantic since the middle of the nineteenth century made his acquaintance.

 O'Neill's account includes a fine photograph of Burke, aged 75, with his uileann pipes, probably made by Drogheda-born pipemaker William Taylor (c. 1830-1901), based in Philadephia.

Based on available census and civil records, it is known that Nicholas and Mary had at least seven children:

1.  Margaret Burke was born about 1860.
2. Richard Burke was born about 1862 and worked as a cigar-maker in Brooklyn. He did not marry and died aged 46 on 28 March 1908 [4]. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Brooklyn.
3.  Patrick Burke was born on 15 March 1865 and worked as an iron-moulder in Brooklyn. He married and was predeceased by his wife. He died aged 49 on 15 August 1913 [5] and is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn. Patrick and Ellen had three sons:
1. Nicholas Burke, born about 1892 in Brooklyn.
2. George Burke, born about 1893 in Brooklyn.
3. Francis Burke, born about 1898 Brooklyn.
4. Nora Burke was born about 1868.
5. Mary Burke was born about 1869.
6. John Burke was born about 1874.
7. Francis Burke was  born about 1875.

Mary Burke died on 29 September 1916 [6] and Nicholas died on 5 June 1919 [7]; they are buried in Calvary Cemetery in Brooklyn.

Nicholas Burke, aged 75, c. 1912 [3]

Notes

1. Because of his first name, and his mother's surname, it seems likely that Margaret Glynn Burke was from either Cluidrevagh or Parkmore, as the forename Nicholas appears almost uniquely in the Glynn family in this area. Indeed, there are only two baptisms recorded in Annaghdown parish for this forename between 1834 and 1880. Anecdotally, the Glynn families in this area are known for their musical abilities, and descendants include the well-known sisters Sarah and Rita Keane, famous for their traditional unaccompanied singing (they descend from the Glynn family via their mother Mary Costello, daughter of Mary Glynn of Parkmore).
2. While no records of their transit from Galway to New York are forthcoming, it is certain that this occurred between their marriage in July 1858 and the birth of Margaret in New York c. 1860.

References

[1] Baptism Register for Annaghdown Parish, 1834-1880, microfilm, National Library of Ireland (http://registers.nli.ie//registers/vtls000631988#page/19/mode/1up : accessed 10 April 2016), Nicholas of Jas. Burke and Margt. Glyn, 16 October 1837.

[2] Marriage Register for Annaghdown Parish, 1834-1880, microfilm, National Library of Ireland (http://registers.nli.ie//registers/vtls000631988#page/175/mode/1up : accessed 10 April 2016), Nicholas Burke and Mary Foard, July 1858.

[3] Francis O'Neill: Irish Minstrels and Musicians : with Numerous Dissertations on Related Subjects, Chicago: Regan Printing House, 1913, p. 280. (available online at http://billhaneman.ie/IMM/IMM-XXII.html : accessed 10 April 2016).

[4] "New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2WY2-3GF : accessed 10 April 2016), Richard Burke, 28 Mar 1908.

[5] "New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2WNC-TTT : accessed 10 April 2016), Patrick Burke, 15 Aug 1913.

[6] "New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2WNJ-44P : accessed 10 April 2016), Mary Burke, 29 Sep 1916.

[7] "New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2WNR-3GT : accessed 10 April 2016), Nicholas Burke, 05 Jun 1919.

Paul Greaney

Last Updated:  10 April 2016