References
Mary Shelley nee Brennan was born in Dalystown Townland, RC Parish of Rochfortbridge, County Westmeath on February 9, 1858, baptized February 25, 1858 and died July 7, 1935. Her parents were Michael Brennan (1813-1881), and Mary Kainan (1827-1900). Mary reported she emigrated in 1880 in the 1910 US Census. We found Mary Brennan traveled on the SS Adriatic from the New York Passenger Lists. Kainan was found as her mother’s maiden name in her baptism record and those of her siblings. Below are the children of Michael Brennan and Mary Kainan.
Mary Shelley nee Brennan filed for a passport application in April, 1922. She reported that she planned to visit her brother and travel from the Port of New York on the RMS Scythia on May 24, 1922. Mary was 5’ 7”, had a high forehead, blue eyes, small nose and mouth, round chin and gray hair. After reviewing the 1901 and 1911 Irish census for County Westmeath, Civil Parish of Clonfad in the Townland of Dalystown (RC Parish Rochfortbridge), we found Joseph Brennan, who is her brother living with his wife Anne in a Class 3 house in Dalystown. Joseph is 37 and Anne is 25. The landlord is Francis Gavin and the lease is in the name of Mary Brennan. In the 1911 Irish census Joseph Brennan was married and reported as a farmer along with his wife Anne (Nannee), and four children: Mary, Joseph, Kate and Christopher. His landlord was Francis Gavin and the house was a Class 2 house.
Picture below: Mary Brennan Shelley between her daughter-in-law, Anna Cody, and son, Patrick Shelley (Mary Brennan’s oldest son), and her grandchildren Mary, Patricia, John Shelley, circa 1930
John Shelley and Mary Brennan married May 31, 1885 on a Sunday at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Highlands Falls, NY. Witnesses were Daniel McDonald and Mary Coffey. John and Mary Shelley had 7 children (see chart below); William and Catherine never married. All of their children were born at West Point Army Base and they lived in the Grey Ghost section on the north side of West Point. Patrick married Anna Cody, Michael married Margaret Gunning, Mary married Luke Rafferty, Thomas married Mary Toomey, and Annie married Andrew Boyan. The 1900 US Census showed John as a US Army soldier who owned his home; he had a mortgage. They lived at 27 Kleitz Avenue, Town of Highlands, Orange County, New York. In the 1930 US Census, John is retired living with his wife Mary at 6 Cozzens Avenue in Highland Falls Village, Orange County
Mary Brennan’s brother, Michael Brennan, married Margaret Rafferty, Luke Rafferty and Rose Wise’s daughter. Margaret was born in New York and returned to Ireland with her parents when they moved back to County Westmeath. Michael reported he emigrated from Ireland in 1893. Michael and Margaret Brennan had eight children including twin boys and lived in Sewickley, PA. All their children were born in Pennsylvania. A review of the 1910 US Census showed Michael and Margaret lived at the Mount Gallitzin Academy in Baden, PA where Michael worked as a gardener. Mount Gallitzin was a private Catholic primary school run by the Sisters of St. Joseph in Baden. It closed in 2009. A review of the 1920 US Census showed that Michael worked as a watchman for a metal company. They lived in Leet Township, PA. A review of the 1930 US Census showed Michael died in 1930 right before the census was taken as Margaret reported she was a widow and head of household. Joseph is a stenographer at a railroad, Rose is a stenographer at an insurance company, Luke works as an accountant at a steel mill, and Michael works as a time keeper at a steel mill.
Margaret Brennan Sturgis reported as the sister-in-law to Margaret Rafferty Brennan. Margaret was Michael’s older sister, and the younger sister of Mary Brennan. Margaret emigrated in 1883. She married George Sturgis of England. George emigrated in 1902. George was born in 1861 and died in 1924. They lived in the Sewickley area where George worked as a gardener for a private family. Many of the Brennans are buried at St. James Cemetery in Sewickley, PA.
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 9th Feb 1858 | |
| Date of Death | 7th Jul 1935 | |
| Mother (First Name/s and Maiden) | Mary Kainan (1827-1900) | |
| Father (First Name/s and Surname) | Michael Brennan (1813-1881) | |
