Help Us Rebuild History at the Saint-Colomban Cemetery!

Join us in preserving the rich heritage of the Saint-Colomban Cemetery by supporting our fundraising campaign to rebuild the crumbling wall that safeguards numerous historic monuments. Together, we can ensure the protection and restoration of this sacred site for generations to come.

The Need

The existing wall supporting the monuments in the Saint-Colomban Cemetery is deteriorating, putting at risk the precious monuments that bear witness to the history of this cherished community. Without prompt intervention, these irreplaceable artifacts may be lost forever. We aim to raise $30,000 to rebuild the wall and safeguard the memory of the past.

Our Goal

With your generous contributions, we will rebuild the wall, reinforcing its structural integrity and preserving the historic monuments within its protective embrace. Your support will directly impact the preservation of this sacred space, enabling future generations to connect with their ancestors and appreciate the heritage that defines us.

Why it Matters

The Saint-Colomban Cemetery is not just a resting place for the departed but also a living testament to the cultural and historical legacy of our community. By rebuilding the wall, we are not only honoring the memory of those who came before us but also ensuring that their stories and contributions endure.

Join Us

Help us reach our $30,000 goal by making a donation today! Every contribution, big or small, makes a significant impact on the restoration of this sacred site. Together, let's watch the thermometer rise as we strive to rebuild history, one brick at a time.

Donate and Make a Difference

Visit our donation form to make a secure online donation. You can also contribute by sending a cheque to CIMPN at 61 rue Somerset, Baie D’Urfe, Quebec, Canada, H9X 2V8. Let's work together to rebuild the wall and preserve the remarkable legacy of the Saint-Colomban Cemetery.

Thank you for your support and for joining us in this important endeavor. Together, we can ensure that the past continues to inspire and educate future generations.

William Carroll - A journey from St. Columban to California

SC-Irish Admin - Tue, 10/13/2020 - 14:34

From An Illustrated History of Sacramento County, California... published 1890.

William Carroll, an enterprising and successful farmer of Lee Township, was born in 1833, in Canada East, about forty-five miles from Montreal, in a settlement almost entirely Catholic, known as as St. Columban.  His parents, William and Catherine (Cunningham) Carroll, were both born Irish, the father being a native of Fermanagh, and the mother of Longford.  They were married in New York State about 1828, and their oldest son was born there, being about two years old when they settled at St. Columban's in 1831.  They were the parents of ten sons and two daughters, all living in 1889, except one, who died at the age of fourteen.  William received the usual education of what was the equivalent of our district schools, but with a certain fee or contribution attachment.  At the age of nineteen or twenty he hired out as a steamboat hand, and worked at different lines of work until he was twenty five.  In the fall of 1858 he set out for California by way of New York and Cape Horn, arriving in San Francisco in March, 1859, after a voyage of 133 days from New York, in the clipper ship Gray Feather.  He engaged in the sheep-raising business on Government land, free to all, until he bought a possessory right in 1863, part homestead and part purchased from the railroad, which he increased by further purchase at intervals until he owned 720 acres.  About 1881 he sold 320 acres, making his present holding about 400 acres, on which he raises the usual grain crops.  He was married in 1878 to Mrs. Lucy (Scanlan) Kavanaugh, a native of Kerry, Ireland.  They have no living children, but Mrs. Carroll is the mother, by her previous marriage, of two, a son and daughter, the latter now being Mrs. Louis K. Callison, of San Jose.

So, John Carroll is the oldest son and he was born in New York and William and Catherine Cunningham were married in New York and settled in St. Columban in 1831.  Very interesting.  Also, all the children are alive in 1889, except Patrick.  A little correction, the daughter of Lucy Scanlan Kavanaugh (Lucy Kavanaugh born June 14, 1856 in Kenton, Kentucky died September 29, 1901 in San Jose, California) was the wife of Louis Callisch not Callison.  The son is Michael A. Kavanaugh (can't find anything on him). 

Gregory Carroll