Alicia Sproule Daughter of Dr Wallace Sproule of Drumquin

Written by Sheena McClure

Alicia Sproule was born about 1843, the daughter of Dr Wallace Sproule and his wife Margaret Beattie.  In her father’s will of 1868 (PRONI Will Calendars) she is named as Elitia.

Alicia was married on 2 April 1873 in Dromore Presbyterian Church to Dr John Johnston who was born 15 Sept 1849, eldest son of Richard Johnston and Margaret nee Caldwell of Munie, Castlederg.  John Johnston was a graduate of Queen's College Belfast (MD, MCh) and was a doctor in Drumquin, County Tyrone, he died on 2 May 1881 of apoplexy at Burrell’s Folly, Drumquin.  

John and Alicia had two daughters both born in Drumquin: Margaret Sproule Johnston born on 10 March 1874 and Susan Jane Johnston born on 7 June 1875.  After their father died Margaret went to the Masonic Female Orphan School in Dublin in 1883 and Susan followed in 1885 (information from the school archivist).  Susan died on 25 April 1886 in Dublin of tubercular meningitis.  

Alicia and Margaret emigrated to the USA in 1898 on the Furnessia and are both described as dressmakers on the passenger list.  Alicia died on 18 June 1924 in New York and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx.  Margaret died on 4 February 1961 in Daytona Beach, Florida and was buried with her mother in New York.  Margaret did not marry, was a nurse and kept in touch with her cousin Margaret Caldwell Johnston from Munie.  Margaret left no will and on her death her estate was split between her maternal and paternal cousins.  Margaret Caldwell Johnston (my aunt) was contacted and was thought to be Alicia’s only cousin – she informed them that there were 23 cousins on her father’s side.  On her mother’s side there were cousins from Alicia’s sister Susan who married Mathew Guy.

Margaret Sproule Johnston,
courtesy of the Masonic School

Margaret Sproule Johnston
Family Photograph

Passenger list from the Furnessia 1898

Death notice for Alicia Johnston 1924

Margaret Sproule Johnston Funeral card 1961

Thanks to Sheena McClure for this piece and for all of the ilustrations.