Unfortunately, we know little of Bridget Martins early life, other than that she was born in Ireland. Her year of birth is estimated at 1824 on the 1860 census, 1825 on the 1870 census, 1820 on the 1880 census, and 1824 based on her age in her obituary.
She married John Foley, presumably before the birth of their first child, but it's unknown if they married in Ireland or the US.
They had seven children that we know of:
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Edward, b.abt.1852, Pennsylvania, d.probably before 1883
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Ellen, b.1853, Pennsylvania, d.probably before 1860 (twin)
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Margaret, b.1853, Pennsylvania, d.1940 (twin)
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Henry James, b.1856, Pennsylvania, d.1930
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William, b.1858, Pennsylvania, d.1893
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Francis, b.1860, New York, d.probably before 1870
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Lucy, b.1861, New York, d.1929
Her husband was a stone mason, so we suspect the lack of records before the 1860 US census was because the family moved around following jobs. The children have at least four different birth locations.
She died in Kane, McKean County, Pennsylvania, 26 Apr 1899, Her obituary, in the Kane Republican, read:
Mrs. Bridget Foley died at the residence of her daughter Mrs. J.H. Grady at five o'clock this morning, aged 75 years. Deceased came to Kane with her husband and family about thirty-seven years ago from Jamestown, N.Y. and settled on a lot on what is now Wetmore avenue, where she resided for a number of years. Three children survive their mother, Mrs. J.H. Grady of Kane, Mrs. P.W. Kane of Toledo, O., and Henry Foley, who is employed on the P. & E. R. R. The funeral will be held from the Catholic church on Friday morning, Rev. Father Lavery officiating.
Note that Mrs. Grady was her daughter Margaret, and Mrs. Kane was her daughter Lucy.
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1st Jan 1824 (circa) | |
| Date of Death | 26th Apr 1899 | |