Person:William Farrell (11)

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Childhood

William Farrell was born on 1st April 1885 in Dublin, the son of a tailor named John Farrell and his wife Rosanna Reid. He was baptised twelve days later at the Catholic Church of Saints Michael & John on the south bank of the River Liffey. The family's address was given as 19 Upper Stephen Street, which is where William's parents had lived since at least 1876. 19 Upper Stephen Street is an old four storey terraced house with a shop on the ground floor, lying on the southern edges of Dublin city centre.

William was the couple's eighth child, and there were another two children born after him. However, of the ten children, William was one of only three who lived to adulthood. The other two were his sisters Julia and Margaret, who were both a few years older than William, having been born in 1877 and 1878.

William's father John died some time between 1888 and 1901 - unfortunately the name John Farrell is extremely common in Dublin and there are many possible death certificates which may be him, making it hard to be certain when exactly John died. However, the 1901 census finds William living with his widowed mother Rosanna and his two surviving sisters, Julia and Margaret. Rosanna was working as a machinist tailor, whilst Julia and Margaret were both working in shops. William was still a scholar at this time. The 1901 census shows that whilst Rosanna and the girls spoke only English, William recorded that he spoke both Irish and English.

Priesthood

As a young man, William attended the National University of Ireland. He appears in the 1911 census as an undergraduate of the NUI living at the Carmelite College at Terenure on the outskirts of Dublin. He became a Carmelite priest, being ordained on 6th June 1914.^[19] As is common at ordination, he adopted an additional Christian name, Gerard. As well as taking an extra forename, from about this time he also consistently gave his surname as "O'Farrell", whereas in all records up until 1911 he had simply used "Farrell". The additional "O" probably refelected a desire to identify with the Irish nationalist cause - the National University when William attended it was known to be a centre of Irish nationalism, and the Carmelite Order he joined was also known for its advocacy of the cause. Thus William Farrell became Father William Gerard O'Farrell.

America

For the first year after his ordination, William remained in Dublin. In August 1915, he made the eight day crossing of the Atlantic, sailing from Liverpool to New York on the SS New York. In New York, he joined the 28th Street parish, where his work included parish missions and work at Bellevue Hospital.^[20] For three years he was based in New York but travelled around the United States on behalf of the Carmelite Order. He is also known to have visited Montreal in Canada for two weeks in 1916.

As well as his work, William pursued his interests in Irish literature and the arts, giving lectures and publishing a small book "An Appreciation of Pardaic H. Pearse" in 1919. In the period after the Easter Rising in 1916 in Ireland, William expressed his regret that his work prevented him from doing more for the Irish nationalist cause.

In 1919 William returned to Ireland, accompanying a Father O'Connor to the Provincial Chapter in Dublin. They travelled via England, arriving at Southampton on 4th September 1919. At the Provincial Chapter, William was appointed the first pastor of a new church to be established in the West Bronx area of New York City. The news of his appointment reached his new parishioners before he did - they heard the news in October 1919, whereas William did not reach New York until 3rd November 1919, having returned via England and Canada.^[21]

Initially, William continued to live in his lodgings on East 29th Street associated with his former parish, appearing there in the census of January 1920. Shortly afterwards he secured a site for his new church at the corner of 182nd Street and Valentine Avenue, purchasing an existing two-storey house there. The first Mass was offered on Sunday 28th March 1920 in the house. A new church dedicated to St Simon Stock was built on the site during 1921.

In 1922, William made another trip back to Ireland, visiting the Carmelite Order conference at the Whitefriars Carmelite Church at 56 Aungier Street - about two hundred yards from 19 Stephen Street where he had been born and brought up. He arrived in Ireland in July, and returned to America via England in September 1922. It was to be the last time he would visit his native land.

On 3rd November 1924, following the death of his colleague Father O'Connor, William became Commissary General, making him head of the Carmelite Order in the United States.

In 1926, William developed kidney problems which required surgery. However, he postponed the surgery until after the consecration on 11th May of the facilities at his old parish of St Simon Stock (a priory and school had been completed there during 1925). He also intended to return to Ireland to visit his mother, who was now alone after both his sisters had died in quick succession. In the event, William never made it back to Ireland. He had surgery for kidney stones but died shortly afterwards, on 15th June 1926, at St Vincent's Hospital in Manhattan, New York City. He was 41.

Back home in Ireland, his mother Rosanna lived to be 90, having outlived all ten of her children.

1. ↑ Births index, in General Register Office of Ireland. Civil Registration.

   One of:
   b. William FARRELL, June Quarter 1885, Dublin South Registration District, Vol. 2, page 661
   b. William FARRELL, June Quarter 1885, Dublin South Registration District, Vol. 2, page 672
   b. William FARRELL, September Quarter 1885, Dublin South Registration District, Vol. 2, page 601

2. ↑ ^2.0 2.1 Ss. Michael & John baptisms, in Irish Genealogy.

   Name: Guliulmus Farrell
   Born: 1 April 1885
   Baptised: 13 April 1885, Ss. Michael & John, Dublin
   Address: 19 Stephen St Up
   Father: Joanne Farrell
   Mother: Rosanna Reid
   Sponsor: Teresa Cashan

3. ↑ Census Office. Ireland Census 1901. (National Archives of Ireland)
   County: City of Dublin / Parish: St Peter / Ward: Royal Exchange / Street: Stephens Street / Schedule: 19, 31 Mar 1901.

   Address: 19 Stephen Street, Dublin
   Form A (about the family):
   Rosanna Farrell, head, Roman Catholic, Can Read & write, 40 [1860/1], female, Machinist Tailor, widow, born Dublin, speaks English
   Julia Farrell, daughter, Roman Catholic, Can Read & write, 21 [1879/80], female, Cashier, not married, born Dublin, speaks English
   Margaret Farrell, daughter, Roman Catholic, Can Read & write, 19 [1881/2], female, Shop Assistant, not married, born Dublin, speaks English
   William Farrell, son, Roman Catholic, Can Read & write, 14 [1886/7], male, Scholar, not married, born Dublin, speaks Irish & English
   Form B (about the house):
   Shop & Tenement
   No out-offices
   Walls of stone, brick or concrete
   Roof of slate, iron or tile
   9 rooms
   7 windows in front of house
   3 families in house
   Rosanna Farrell's household occupying 3 rooms (a John McKenna's family occupying 5 rooms and a Teresa Hall occupying one room)

4. ↑ Census Office. Ireland Census 1911. (Dublin: National Archives of Ireland)
   County: Dublin / Parish: Rathfarnham / District Electoral Division: Terenure / Townland: Terenure / Schedule: 18, 2 Apr 1911.

   Address: Carmelite College, Terenure, Rathfarnham, County Dublin
   Form A (about the people):
   [26 priests, undergraduates and scholars, including:]
   William Farrell, Catholic, Read & write, male, 26 [1884/5], Undergraduate N.U.I., single, born Dublin City
   Form B (about the building):
   Carmelite College
   12 out-offices
   Walls of stone, brick or concrete
   Roof of slate, iron or tile
   13 or more rooms
   42 windows in front of building

5. ↑ Always Faithful: The New York Carmelites, the Irish People and Their Freedom Movement, Alfred Isacsson, O.Carm., 2004, accessed 24 Nov 2011.
6. ↑ National Archives. Passenger Lists Leaving UK, 1890-1960. (London: Findmypast.co.uk).

   Wm O'Farrell sailed from Liverpool on SS New York bound for New York - priest, 30 [1884/5], last residence Ireland, intended future residence Ireland

7. ↑ New York, United States. New York Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island), 1892-1924. (FamilySearch Record Search)
   15 Aug 1915.

   SS New York, Departed Liverpool 7 Aug 1915, arrived New York 15 Aug 1915
   Family Name: O'Farrell
   Given Name: William G
   Age: 30
   Sex: m
   Married or single: s
   Calling or occupation: Clergyman
   Able to read: Yes
   Able to write: Yes
   Nationality: Ireland
   Race or people: Irish
   Last permanent residence: Dublin, Ireland
   Name and address of nearest relative or friend in country whence alien came: Mother Mrs O'Farrell, 4 Aberdeen Terr, Harold's Cross, Dublin
   Final destination: New York, NY
   Having a ticket to final destination: Yes
   By whom passage paid: Self
   In possession of $50?: Yes
   Ever been in United States before: No
   If joining a relative or friend, who and address: Friend Rev. E. Southwell, 338 E 29th St New York, NY
   Polygamist: No
   Anarchist: No
   Condition of health: Good
   Deformed or crippled: No
   Height: 5'8"
   Complexion: Fair
   Hair: Fair
   Eyes: Blue
   Marks of identification: Nil
   Place of birth: Dublin, Ireland

8. ↑ United Kingdom. Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960. (Provo, Utah, United States: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008)
   Class: BT26, Piece: 665, Item: 1, 4 Sep 1919.

   Ship: Lapland, White Star Line
   Arrival: 4 Sep 1919, Southampton
   Embarkation: New York
   No. 149
   Intended address: Terenure College, Co. Dublin
   Name: O'Farrell, Wm G.
   2nd class
   Occupation: Clergyman
   Age: 34 [1884/5]
   Country of last permanent residence: USA
   Intended country of future residence: foreign

9. ↑ National Archives. Passenger Lists Leaving UK, 1890-1960. (London: Findmypast.co.uk).

   22 Oct 1919: William O'Farrell, sailed from Southampton on SS Lapland bound for New York - Clergyman, 49 [1869/70], last permanent residence Ireland, intended future residence USA

10. ↑ Canada. Passenger Lists, 1865-1935. (Ottawa: Library and Archives Canada)
    Halifax, Nova Scotia / 1919 / October / Lapland / 11, 30 Oct 1919.

    Name: O'FARRELL, William G.
    Age: 34
    Sex: Male
    Single
    Been in Canada before? Yes - 1916, Montreal, 2 weeks
    Born: Ireland
    Race: Irish
    In transit to New York
    Occupation: Clergyman
    Religious Denomination: RC

11. ↑ Immigration and Naturalization Service. Border Crossings: From Canada to U.S., 1895-1956: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, RG 85. (Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc)
    Vermont / St Albans / Manifests / 1919 / October / 1560, 30 Oct 1919.

    O'Farrell, William G., 34, male, single, Priest, British nationality, Irish race
    Last residence: USA, New York
    Address of nearest relative or friend in country whence alien came: Mother Mrs Mary O'Farrel, 4 Aberdeen Terrace, Harolds Cross, Dublin ["57 Aingur st" crossed out]
    Final destination: New York, NY

12. ↑ New York, United States. New York Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island), 1892-1924. (FamilySearch Record Search).

    3 Nov 1919: William Gerard O'Farrell, arrived New York on SS Lapland from Southampton, aged 34y4m [Jun/Jul 1885]

13. ↑ New York, New York, United States. 1920 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration Publication T625)
    Manhattan Assembly District 12, Enumeration District 874, Image 626, 1 Jan 1920.

    Address: 338, East 29th Street, Manhattan, New York
    O'Connor, Rev. Dennis, Head Priest, male, white, 48, single, immigrated 1902, naturalized 1908, born England, parents born Ireland, Clergyman
    Slattery, Rev. Christopher, Priest, male, white, 45, single, immigrated 1909, alien, born Ireland, parents born Ireland, Clergyman
    Delvin, Rev. Hugh, Priest, male, white, 42, single, immigrated 1911, alien, born Ireland, parents born Ireland, Clergyman
    O'Farrell, Rev. William, Priest, male, white, 34, single, immigrated 1915, alien, born Ireland, parents born Ireland, Clergyman
    Metcalfe, Rev. Robert, Priest, male, white, 30, single, immigrated 1916, alien, born Ireland, parents born Ireland, Clergyman
    Flanagan, Rev. Lawrence, Priest, male, white, 37, single, immigrated 1906, naturalized 1912, born Ireland, parents born Ireland, Clergyman
    Caldwell, Annie, servant, female, white, 36, single, immigrated 1900, alien, born Ireland, parents born Ireland, Servant, Cook
    Dylewaka, Agatha, servant, female, white, 29, single, immigrated 1913, alien, born Poland, parents born Poland, Helper, Kitchen
    Neuburger, Clara, servant, female, white, 45, single, immigrated 1895, alien, born Austria, parents born Austria, Maid, Kitchen
    Malinowski, Frank, servant, male, white, 26, single, immigrated 1902, naturalized 1918, born Poland, parents born Poland, Engineer, Church & School

14. ↑ United Kingdom. Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960. (Provo, Utah, United States: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008)
    Class: BT26, Piece: 716, Item: 17, 2 Jul 1922.

    Ship: Adriatic, White Star Line
    Arrival: 2 Jul 1922, Queenstown
    Embarkation: New York
    Name: O' Farrell, William
    Intended residence: 56 Aungier St, Dublin
    2nd class
    Occupation: Clergyman
    Age: 30
    Last permanent residence: USA
    Intended future residence: foreign

15. ↑ National Archives. Passenger Lists Leaving UK, 1890-1960. (London: Findmypast.co.uk).

    9 Sep 1922: Rev William O'Farrell, sailed from Liverpool on SS Celtic bound for New York - Clergyman, last residence c/o 56 Angier St Dublin, 37 [1884/5], USA citizen, intended future residence USA

16. ↑ National Archives and Records Administration. New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957. (Washington, D. C.: National Archives and Records Administration)
    1922 / September / 17 / Celtic / 34, 17 Sep 1922.

    O'Farrell, William, 37 [1884/5], male, single, Priest, Nationality British, Race Irish
    Last permanent residence: New York, USA
    Address of relative or friend in country whence alien came: Carmelite Order - Conference, 56 Anger St., Dublin, Ire.
    Final destination: New York, NY

17. ↑ Deaths index, in Italiangen.org.

    d. William O'FARRELL, 15 Jun 1926, Manhattan, New York, aged 40 [1885/6]

18. ↑ The New York Times. (New York, New York)
    16 Jun 1926.

    FATHER W.G. O'FARRELL DIES
    
    Head of Carmelite Order in This Country Was 41 Years Old.
    
    The Very Rev. William G. O'Farrell, head of the Carmelite Order in this country and former pastor of the Roman Catholic Church of St. Simon Stock, 182d Street and River Avenue, died yesterday in St. Vincent's Hospital after a relapse from an operation.
    Father O'Farrell was 41 years old. For three years he travelled this country in behalf of the Carmelite Order. In 1919 he became first pastor of the Church of St. Simon Stock, and last Fall was made head of the Carmelite Order here.
    Father O'Farrell was planning to return to Ireland soon to visit his mother. A short time ago his two sisters in Ireland died within a short time of each other.
    Divine service will be read on Thursday evening in the Church of St. Simon Stock and a mass of requiem will be said on Saturday morning. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

19. ↑ Always Faithful: The New York Carmelites, the Irish People and Their Freedom Movement, Alfred Isacsson, O.Carm., 2004, accessed 24 Nov 2011
20. ↑ The Carmelites: The Province of St Elias, Alfred Isacsson, O. Carm, 2003, accessed 24 Nov 2011
21. ↑ Parish History, Saint Simon Stock Church, accessed 24 Nov 2011