William Mulholland is the youngest son of Samuel Mulholland sr and Jane Bullock's known children. Like his older brother Samuel jr, William Mulholland spent his life as a farmer in Superior Township after arriving from Ireland. While Sam was out adventuring in the new world, William was the good son who stayed home then helped move the family to Michigan in 1833 at age 19. His role in aiding family members continued throughout his lifetime, as his farm was constantly the shelter for his siblings and other relatives when they needed a refuge. While little is known of his life, the surviving evidence indicates he was a man who others relied on.
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| William Mulholland |
Throughout his life, William sought to build his holdings and his community. He first appears in the records in early 1834 as a signer of a petition to Congress requesting road improvements to connect communities from Washtenaw to western Michigan. This road would ultimately become Michigan Avenue, connecting Detroit to Chicago. He was also buying and selling land in Ingham and Livingston counties (places he never lived but bought initial land patents) with his father and brother Sam jr, using the gains to expand his farm in Superior Township where he ultimately became one of the prominent citizens in the community.
Initially William lived with his parents and siblings. William married Mary Pounder in 1844 when she was 18 and he was in his late 20s. Like brother Sam and his wife, Eliza Pounder Mulholland (the two brothers married two sisters), William had a large family with ten children.
Just months after his wedding, William purchased land from his parents in Section 17 of Superior Township for $800 in May 1845. He owned 100 acres having started with very little. In his mid-50s, his farm was valued at $8000, a substantial holding back in 1870. At that time, he had four horses, three milk cows, four cattle, forty sheep, and six pigs. He grew winter wheat, Indian corn, oats and buckwheat, with 60 acres of undeveloped woodland. His farm later grew to 160 acres with a second parcel in a nearby area. William was considered very well off for his time, making money through prudent land purchases and sales, including in neighboring counties and as far away as Nauvoo, Illinois. As suggested by the stories of his sisters, land was a highly prized commodity for these once land-poor Irish immigrants.
In the 1881 History of Washtenaw County, William is described:
Just months after his wedding, William purchased land from his parents in Section 17 of Superior Township for $800 in May 1845. He owned 100 acres having started with very little. In his mid-50s, his farm was valued at $8000, a substantial holding back in 1870. At that time, he had four horses, three milk cows, four cattle, forty sheep, and six pigs. He grew winter wheat, Indian corn, oats and buckwheat, with 60 acres of undeveloped woodland. His farm later grew to 160 acres with a second parcel in a nearby area. William was considered very well off for his time, making money through prudent land purchases and sales, including in neighboring counties and as far away as Nauvoo, Illinois. As suggested by the stories of his sisters, land was a highly prized commodity for these once land-poor Irish immigrants.
In the 1881 History of Washtenaw County, William is described:
William Mulholland ranks among the honored and aged pioneers of the fertile valley. He was born in Ireland in 1816 and is a son of Samuel and Jane (Burlock) Mulholland, who emigrated with their family to America in 1835. He settled in Superior tp. the same year, where William grew to manhood. In 1845 he married Mary Pounder. The fruits of this union was the birth of 10 children, 9 of whom, 3 sons and 6 daughters are living. Mrs. Mulholland departed this life in 1880. The names of the children are - Eliza, Margaret, Mary Jane, Anna, William H., Elceba, Josie, John J. and Samuel L. Mary died September, 1880. Mr. M is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. His wife was a faithful and consistent member of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Mulholland is Democratic in politics, and has served the citizens of Superior tp. in various official positions. He has many warm friends in this country, who desire to see him prosperous in life. (1881 History of Washtenaw County, p. 1086)
William died in 1883 at the age of 66 of heart disease, three years after his wife. At the time of his death, five of his children were living at home. His mentally disabled sister MaryAnn Mulholland had been living with him since about 1847 when their sister Jane Mulholland Stebbins died. At various times he had others living on his farm, including Joseph Crawford, son of Martha Crawford Mulholland of the Dixboro ghost fame and stepson of William's deceased brother, John Mulholland. Also living near him were his newly-wedded sister-in-law Margaret Pounder and husband Francis Collier.
William is buried in the Dixboro Cemetery along with his wife Mary and many of their children and grandchildren.
William is buried in the Dixboro Cemetery along with his wife Mary and many of their children and grandchildren.
