Person:Mary Kelleher (5)

Mary Kelleher was born around 1847 in Ireland, most likely in County Louth, the daughter of James and Ann Kelleher. Their last name has also been shown as Callaghan. James was a farmer in Dundalk, Louth. When she was about 20, Mary was working as a servant. She married Owen Curtis, a baker from Dundalk, at the Roman Catholic Chapel of Dundalk on August 20, 1867 in the presence of James Callaghan and Mary Rorke. The following year, Owen and Mary left their homeland and traveled to the United States. They settled in the Boston area, where Mary gave birth to her first son, James, on December 23, 1869 in Taunton. The following year, a second son, John Joseph was born on November 18, 1870. Mary had her hands full because a third son was born on October 18, 1872. We don't know why but the family apparently lived briefly in New Hampshire where her only daughter, Elizabeth Ann, was born. They moved back to Boston, and then to Manhattan, possibly to live near one of Owen's relatives. On September 25, 1878, Mary had another baby, Francis Robert, and then on August 2, 1886, her last child, Patrick Joseph. That same year, Owen, and by relation, Mary, became citizens of the United States with a John Curtis as witness.

In August 1888, Mary became ill from a cerebral hemorrhage. Doctor Thomas Courtney attended her from August 11 through the 13th but she passed away at 8:00 pm at her tenement apartment on the fourth floor of 535 East 12th Street. Owen managed to purchase a grave site at Calvary Cemetery and Mary was buried there on August 15, 1888. Although her exact age is uncertain, she was only around 38 to 41. She left behind 6 children ranging in age from 2 to 18, and today, many of her descendents enjoy happiness and prosperity in the United States.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} City of New York. Certificate of Death - Mary Kelleher Curtis.