True and Fascinating Canadian History
Cool Darah Cemetery
Coleraine, Ireland
In Memory of:
Reg.#34, Sergeant
Robert Hugh Giveen
In a story told by Reg.#2012, Corporal Robert Mathews, Robert Hugh Giveen was a Special Constable and a Sergeant in 1888 at Fort MacLeod, AB. At one point, Giveen thought he recognized 'Deerfoot' who was a wanted man by the NWMP, so Giveen gave chase & shot Deerfoot then brought the wounded man back to Fort MacLeod, AB.
But, it was a case of mistaken identity. It turned out that the man whom Giveen shot was actually 'Bad Dried Meat' a totally innocent man.
Then 'Bad Dried Meat' died, and Robert Hugh Giveen was dismissed from the NWMP.
In 1891, Sergeant Robert Hugh Giveen returned to Ireland.
He was buried on June 12, 1926. He was 74 years of age.
On July 17, 2012, Edmonton Vet AJH 'Joe' Collinson said, 'I am attaching five photos that I have received from Northern Ireland in regard to Special Constable Giveen as well as an extract from some of the correspondence that was exchanged.
"The burial records for Kildollagh Parish show that Robert Hugh Giveen was buried on 12 June 1926. He was 74 when he died. Although there is no inscription it appears that Robert Hugh was buried in the Giveen vault along with Fanny de Neufville Giveen ( who died on 13 Jan 1863) and her husband Butler Mildmay Giveen who died in June 1891 aged 67.
There is no memorial plaque in the church to Robert Hugh Giveen but there are two memorials to Fanny de Neufville Giveen (a rather impressive carved angel) and Butler Mildmay Giveen - brass plaque mounted on marble. I have attached photographs of these memorials and of the Giveen Vault.
I have also attached a photo of the other Giveen graves which lie close to the family vault.
Just below the vault you will notice a small stone grave marker lying flat on the ground. This stone marks the 3 graves of May, Jessie and Fanny Giveen (daughters of Bulter Mildmay Giveen). The stone is very weathered and the inscription is barely legible. To the right of the flat stone grave marker you will notice a single grave with a surround and low simple headstone. This marks the burial place of Susan Giveen (Robert's wife?) who was buried on 30 July 1954. She was 84 when she died.
There are no records of the burial of Fanny or Jessie in the parish records. This could be because their funerals were conducted in another church and the two sisters then interred in Kildollagh church yard. The parish burial records do record the burial of Emma Augusta May Giveen. She was buried on 5 June 1934. No age was recorded in the records for May at the time of her death.
I am sorry that there is so little that I can tell you about Robert Hugh Giveen other than the fact that his abode at the time of his death is shown as Cooldarragh. Unfortunately, the family home at Cooldarragh was demolished a number of years ago to make room for a modern bungalow. Older residents remember an impressive house. All that remains of the original farm are some of the two story stone built outbuildings.
I will send under separate cover a photo map showing the location of the Giveen graves. I hope that this information is of some use to you.
Please let me know if there is any other way in which you think I may be able to help."
