The McNalleys of Cleveland

Tracing the history of William H McNalley and his brother Thomas in Cleveland, Ohio, the following analysis of McNalley (McAnnelly, McNally, McNeil, McNelly, McNelley) addresses may suggest that most of the McNalley families from the 1830s to the 1860s in Cleveland are related to each other. It points to two early McNalley progenitors — Thomas and Henry McNelley. They have a close relationship that could be as siblings. The Thomas and William I am tracking seem likely to be sons of the elder Thomas and nephews of Henry McNalley. Examination by address follows here:

Thomas McNelley Sr.

A Thomas McNelly lived on 53 Parkman from 1845 until he died around 1856.

It is likely that Charles who is listed in 1848 is his son (but, of course, could be another relation). We might also suggest that Thomas McNelley, Jr in 1857 and, perhaps 1849 is his son. Following this logic, we might suggest that Wm McNalla on 32 Parkman in 1853 could be his son as well. We conjecture this is Thomas’ brother, Capt. William H. McNalley who is married the same year. More below on both Thomas and William.

After 1856, his widow is listed on 61 Parkman.

Thomas McAnella	1845	Laborer	53	Parkman	City Directory
Thomas McNelley	1845	Laborer	53	Parkman	City Directory
Thomas McNelley	1846	Laborer	53	Parkman	City Directory
Charles McNelly	1848	Laborer	53	Parkman	City Directory
Thomas McNalley	1849		50	Parkman	Tax Assessment
Thomas McNalley	1852			Parkman	Tax Assessment
Wm. McNalla	1853	Beef, pork on Canal	32	Parkman	City Directory
Ann McNally	1856	Wid of Thomas	53	Parkman	City Directory
Thomas McNelley	1857		59	Parkman	Tax Assessment
Mrs McNalley wid Thomas	1859		61	Parkman	City Directory
Mrs McNelley	1861	Widow	61	Parkman	City Directory

This Thomas could have been the same man who is on a tax record with Inad Kelley in 1837 on Bank Street. The name with Irad looks like Thomas McNelley… but it could also be Thomas M Kelley, which seems more likely.

In 1840 Mrs. E McNelly is listed in the census with 8 males (1 under 5, 1 15-20 and 6 20-30). I think it is most likely that this is a boarding house

Clearly William (who would have been 11) does not fall in this age range. But there are also an interesting 3 members of the family who are engaged in Lake, River or Canal navigation according to the census. Is it possible that Thomas Sr and some of his boys are not accounted for because they are not in Cleveland but are on ships?

Thomas McNelley, Jr

Between 1849 and 1863, it is likely that Thomas Jr lives on Parkman, Orange and Cross. There are no other McNelley’s at Orange or Cross. The 1857 tax assessment on Kinsman is interesting because it links Thomas to Peter McNalley, perhaps another son of Thomas Sr who would be Thomas’s brother.

Thomas McNalley	1849		50	Parkman	Tax Assessment
Thomas McNalley	1850	Bar		Hotel Ward 3	Census
Thomas McNalley	1852			Parkman	Tax Assessment
T F McNalley	1853	Clerk		Farmers Hotel	City Directory
Thomas T McNalley	1856	Clerk		Farmers Hotel	City Directory
Thomas McNelley	1857		59	Parkman	Tax Assessment
Thomas McNelley	1859		84	Kinsman	City Directory
Thomas T McNalley	1861	Collector	8	Orange	City Directory
Thomas McNally	1863	Clerk	50	Cross	City Directory

William H. McNalley

There are at least three William McNelly (and variants) living in Cleveland in the time period. It looks like William (brother of Thomas) is found first with his brother in the hotel of George Thompson on (perhaps) Union Lane. He might be the Wm. McNella found at 32 Parkman, but this does not identify him as a Sailor, so I think it is unlikely. He seems to be found next at 329 St Clair and then 435 St Clair. St Clair is connected with the family of Henry McNally. Henry’s son William was born in 1820 and I have not been able to track him. So it looks to me like William is living in the same region as his Uncle? Henry McNelly. He then moves to his permanent address at 38 Fulton by 1863.

William McNelley	1850	Sailor		Hotel Ward 3	Census
William McNelly	1851				Tax Assessment
Wm. McNalla	1853	Beef, pork on Canal	32	Parkman	City Directory
Wm McNelly	1856	Seaman	329	St Clair	City Directory
William H McNalley	1859		435	St Clair	City Directory
William H McNelley	1859	Captain	435	St Clair	Newspaper
William H McNalley	1861		435	St Clair	City Directory
Wm. McNally	1861	Sailor	34	Fulton	City Directory
William H McNalley	1863			Fulton	Tax Assessment
William H McNally	1863	Sea Captain	38	Fulton	City Directory

We have already looked at the Parkman McNalley’s, we move now to look at St Clair.

Tracking St Clair McNalleys

Henry McNalley is found from 1848 to 1852 on St Clair. The actual address is not listed. He apparently died before 1857 when Catherine McNally is found at 147 St Clair. However, Catherine is only listed as a widow in 1864, so it could be that Henry is not living at home.

Joseph McNalley is not listed in the 1850 Census that names the children of Henry and Catherine (Wm/1820, Daniel/1824, Henry/1826, Samuel/1828, Jane/1830, John/1833, Mary Ann/1834 and Patrick/1837). However, Joseph shows up at St Clair 1845/1853. He is a Drayman (someone who delivers beer). This could be interesting since 1850 Thomas (above) works in a bar.

Henry in 1856 could be the child of Henry and Catherine. He may be the H. McNeil, sailor, which would add another McNalley to the Great Lakes shipping business. Samuel on St Clair is also likely to be a son of Henry and Catherine.

William McNelley on St Clair from 1856 to 1861, is most certainly not the William son of Henry and Catherine. That William was born in 1820. The William on St Clair is verified by an 1859 newspaper article about the kidnapping of Oscar the son of Capt McNalley. William is not living at the same address as any of the Henry and Catherine McNalley family but he is on the same block with them. This could be a coincidence of course, but it does seem to suggest a close connection. I am surmising it is a good bet that Henry is William’s uncle…or close cousin.

Joseph McAnella	1845	Drayman		St Clair	City Directory
H. McNalley (w J Murray)	1848			St Clair	Tax Assessment
Henry McNelly	1848	Laborer		St Clair	City Directory
J McNelley	1848		25	St Clair	Tax Assessment
Joseph McNelly	1848	Drayman	189	St Clair	City Directory
H McNalley (w J Murray)	1849			St Clair	Tax Assessment
Joseph McMalley	1850	Drayman		St Clair	City Directory
Mr. McAnnelly	1850			St Clair	City Directory
Child of Joseph McNelley	1852			St Clair	Death
H McNeilly (w J Murray)	1852			St Clair	Tax Assessment
H McNeil	1853	Sailor		St Clair	City Directory
Joseph McNally	1853	Carriage Driver	187	St Clair	City Directory
Henry McNelly	1856			St Clair	City Directory
Wm McNelly	1856	Seaman	329	St Clair	City Directory
Catherine McNalley	1857		147	St Clair	Tax Assessment
Samuel McNalley	1859	Grocer	428	St Clair	City Directory
William H McNalley	1859		435	St Clair	City Directory
William H McNelley	1859	Captain	435	St Clair	Newspaper
Catherine McNally	1861		147	St Clair	Tax Assessment
William H McNalley	1861		435	St Clair	City Directory
Mrs C McNally	1864	Widow	401	St Clair	City Directory

There are more records that track Henry and other families on Kinsman