Martin Dowling (c1830 - )
 by Elizabeth Blazak
Martin Dowling.  Was one of the Dowlings of Johnstown, Hollywood in the County of Wicklow in Ireland.  He was born in 1830 to James Dowling also born in Johnstown.
After the Great Irish Famine Martin went to Dublin and enlisted, in 1854, for  the East India Company.  Shortly after he sailed out to Madras in India.

He became Gunner in "John's Company". 

Then he met and married Amelia Gray on 10th February 1862.  At that time Martin was a Sergeant No. 5 Battery, 23rd Brigade Royal Artillery.  They lived at St. Thomas' Mount in Madras. 

Royal Artillery Gunner in 1856 - click to enlarge (100720 bytes)

Catherine Amelia Dowling (c1867 - 1936) 

They had a daughter, Catherine Amelia Dowling who was born on the 16th January 1867 at Dinapore, near Patna, India.

While she was still a child both parents died of cholera in Lucknow, the site of the famous siege in 1857, and she was brought up in an orphanage.  Later we believe she was possibly adopted by a sea captain called Rule or Ruell.  

Catherine lived all her life in India and married Cornelius Aloysius Riordan at Madras on the 4th January 1888.  Cornelius was an Excise Inspector with Rangoon Customs from Cork.  The couple spent much time in Rangoon where they had several of their five children.  

Kate was an exceptional woman and a strong personality.  When her children were old enough she qualified as a nurse working in Calcutta.  Some of her children went to England and received monthly parcels from her.

Kate died on 20th April 1936 and is buried in the Lower Road Cemetery, Calcutta.

Descendant Elizabeth would love to hear from any relatives out there in Hollywood, Wicklow. 

E-mail her on eblazak@aol.com

Link to another Dowling in the East India Company