Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

children : Jennie V., born September 30,
1906; Allis Alfrida, September 10, 1908;
Frank Alfred, August 19, 1910; Carl Eric,
October 17, 1912; Anna L., March 14,
I9I5-
CARROLL, Patrick,
Agriculturist.
The annals of the State of Connecticut
have been enriched by the deeds of those
of her adopted sons of Irish birth who
have made homes and won substantial
success within her borders. There are to
be found a multitude of examples where
men of strong character, sound common
sense and courage have come with no
other asset than a stout heart filled with a
love of liberty and a strong desire to give
their children the benefits of freedom,
denied themselves. Such men have
gained honorable standing in the com-
munities in which they settled, and in
many instances have become respected
and influential citizens. Records of suc-
cess are always interesting and they teach
a useful lesson, particularly when difficul-
ties of an unusual nature are overcome.
No matter whether our hearts are warmed
by deeds, brilliant or spectacular, or
whether the battle has been won by pa-
tient toil and persevering effort there is a
lesson to be learned and he will be bene-
fitted by a perusal of the life of Patrick
Carroll, one of the gifts from the Emerald
Isle to the State of Connecticut.
The Carroll family of Ireland were
brought prominently into notice in this
country when Charles Carroll, "of Car-
rollton," affixed his signature to the immortal
declaration, the only signer to add
his place of residence. The record in that
branch of the family shows descent from
ancient Irish Kings of the eleventh cen-
tury. The family bore arms, as follows:
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
160
Arms—Argent, two lions rampant, combatant
gules, supporting a sword point upwards, proper,
pommel and hilt or.
Crest—On the stump of an oak tree sprouting,
a hawk rising all proper, belled or.
Motto— In fide et in hello forte.
Patrick Carroll was born in the village
of Fenry, County Roscommon, Ireland,
in 1822, and died at Carroll's Corners in
the town of Granby, Hartford county,
Connecticut, June 5, 191 1. He spent his
youth and minor years in the land of his
birth, being there variously employed
until his twenty-fourth year. He grew
up strong, healthy and ambitious, determined
to make a name for himself in the
world. The way not opening for him in
Ireland he sailed for the United States in
January, 1846, on the sailing vessel "R. J.
Skipper," and six weeks later, after a
tempestuous voyage, arrived in New London,
Connecticut. He made his way from
there to Rhode Island, where he was
employed on a railroad. He was next employed
in Willimantic for several years,
going from there to Bristol, always work-
ing and gaining financial strength, slowly
but surely. Finally, in 1857, he came to
East Granby, Connecticut, where for
three years he lived near the railroad station.
Then he located at what became
known as Carroll's Corners, where he had
a small farm which he cultivated with the
aid of his children, for all these years he
had been a railroad employee. He con-
tinued working and living at the Carroll's
Corners farm and also retaining his rail-
road position until 1899, when he resigned
the latter after a term of service in East
Granby, covering a period of forty-two
years, 1857-99. His entire service as a
railroad man there and elsewhere comprised
a full half century, a most remark-
able record of fidelity and honorable serv-
ice. After retiring from the railroad he
lived at the Carroll's Corners farm until