Photo: Patrick Wren with Grandaughter Grace Simpson C1889
Patrick S. Wren, my 2nd great grandfather, per the 1866 NYC birth record of his daughter, Mary, was born in County Leitrim about 1825 and emigrated to NYC some time prior to 1850 when he appears in the US census with his wife Annie, residing in the 18th Ward of NYC. He was married to Annie Murray, born about 1829 also in County Leitrim per her daughter Mary's 1866 birth record, the daughter of John Murray and Catherine Hackett per her death certificate. She was apparently from Bornacoola Parish based upon the discovery of an 1830 baptismal record for a Eugene Murray with parents John Murray and Catherine Hackett in the townland of Keelagh.
Patrick S. Wren (Usually used the initial S. but what it stood for is not known though other Leitrim Wrens bore the given names of Simon and Stephen) worked as stonemason throughout his life. There is a curious reference to him in an 1892 NY TImes article about the mayoral election, noting that Patrick S. Wren of 312 East 24th Street, a member of the State Democracy and for years a strong anti-Tammany democrat had walked out. Not sure what was meant.
In the 1900 census, two years after Patrick's death, his widow Annie Wren responded that she had given birth to 12 children with only 5 still living. Known children were William Henry, John Joseph, Thomas, Mary, Jane, Annie, another Mary, James Edward, and Francis Patrick.
Photo: Wren family Circa 1886 NYC
I love the photo of him with his granddaughter, Grace Simpson, taken about 1890. I remember "Aunt" Grace who was my father's godmother and also shared his birthday.
Because Patrick was born as early as 1825 and with the many spellings of the last name of Wren, it has been difficult to place his family on the land in County Leitrim. On his death certificate, his parents names are listed as Patrick and Ann but those are also his and his wife's name so I am a little dubious, particularly since his first two sons were called William and John. But whether I ever discover his townland of origin, I am delighted to have come to learn so much about him over all.
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1st Jan 1825 (circa) | |
| Date of Death | 8th Nov 1898 | |
Since this original posting, I have discovered additional records.
In the 1866 obituary of Patrick's older brother, Peter Wrenn, a veteran of the Civil War, Peter is identified as a native of the Parish of Mohill, County Leitrim. An additional obit identifies Patrick as having brothers called John, Peter, James and Michael.
Also found Patrick's marraige record to Ann Murry in June of 1850 at Nativity Church, NYC, where his name appears as Patrick Rinn.
This Patrick "Mac" Wren was born in 1824 in Leitrim to Thomas Wren and Ann Slattery...
Name:Patrick MacwrenDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:10-Jul-1825
Address:Drumard JonesParish/District:BORNACOOLA ROMAN CATHOLIC
Gender:MaleCountyCo. Leitrim
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:Thomas MacwrenMother:Anne Slattery
Occupation:
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:
Sponsor 2 /
Informant 2:
Notes: from RootsIreland.ie
Hi Patricia,
Thank you kindly for posting this record. I actually had noted it myself some years ago when I had some credits on Roots Ireland.
What argues for it as a possibility is that while the Baptism occurred in Bornacoola Catholic Parish, the townland of Drumard Jones is also in Mohill Civil Parish, where Peter Wrenn's obit identifies him as a native of. In addition, Patrick's wife, Annie Murray, was apparently from the townland of Keelagh, also located in Bornacoola Catholic Parish but likewise in the Civil Parish of Mohill.
What makes me sceptical is the father with a given name of Thomas. The known sons of Patrick S.Wren in birth order are William Henry, John Joseph, Thomas, James Edward and Francis Patrick. There could be other infant deaths but the first 3 are certainly the first 3 sons and in the right order. Known sons of Peter Wrenn, Patrick's brother are Peter and John. Known sons of his brother, John, are Patrick and John and possibly Peter. And Patrick S's own death certificate show his parents as Patrick and Ann Wren but since that is the name of himself and his wife too, I'm not sure if the death certificate might be in error.
I have trouble locating the Mohill Parish records on the Tithe Aplotments - I think I have found some of those records scattered around different counties, and I have written to the Archives about it but received no response.
In Griffiths Valuations, there is a strong Wren/Wrenn/Wrin presence in the townlands of Sratrissaun North and South and Lismodaun, including Patricks, Peters and Johns. These townlands are in Mohill Civil and I believe Mohill Catholic parish.
Either way, I am delighted by recent progress and thank you so much for helping me along.
Best,
Ed
Hi Ed,
I have Wren/Wrenn/Rinn/Ryn/Renn/Rhinn ancestors from Toneywardan townland, Granard, Co. Longford, so your post caught my eye. I'd actually done some research on Patrick S., son of Patrick and Ann, a while back, thinking he might be a relative of my John Wrenn, as he also lived in Manhattan--on E. 29th St. I even have a photo of Patrick S.'s gravestone in Calvary. If you don't have it, I can try to post it on IRO.
Hi Patricia,
My personal Email is erstewart@gmail.com. John Wrenn (Wren) at least one John Wren who lived on East 29th Street was my Patrick S's brother. However, I have an obit showing at least "a" John Wren on East 29th Street was a native of County Leitrim. Also a John Rinn on East 28th Street but also a Leitrim native.
Here is one but I don't believe this one is mine:
John
Last name Rinn
Age 36
Birth year 1826
Death year 1862
Death date 25 Jul 1862
Birth parish Kiltoghart
Birth city Drumsna
Birth county Leitrim
Birth state/country Ireland
Parish -
Town/city 113 E 28th St
County -
State New York
Newspaper New York Herald
Newspaper date 26 Jul 1862
Record set New York City Death Notices, 1835-1880
Category Birth, Marriage & Death (Parish Registers)
Subcategory Civil Deaths & Burials
Collections from Americas, United StatesJohn
Last name Rinn
Age 36
Birth year 1826
Death year 1862
Death date 25 Jul 1862
Birth parish Kiltoghart
Birth city Drumana
Birth county Leitrim
Birth state/country Ireland
Parish -
Town/city 113 E 28th St
County -
State New York
Newspaper New York Herald
Newspaper date 26 Jul 1862
Record set New York City Death Notices, 1835-1880
Category Birth, Marriage & Death (Parish Registers)
Subcategory Civil Deaths & Burials
Collections from Americas, United States
Here is the other who is the brother of Patrick:
New York City Death Notices, 1835-1880 Transcription
First name(s) John
Last name Wren
Age 53
Birth year 1812
Death year 1865
Death date 8 Oct 1865
Birth city -
Birth county Leitrim
Birth state/country Ireland
Parish -
Town/city -
County -
State New York
Newspaper New York Herald
Newspaper date 9 Oct 1865
Record set New York City Death Notices, 1835-1880
Category Birth, Marriage & Death (Parish Registers)
Subcategory Civil Deaths & Burials
Collections from Americas, United States
Plus his actual obituary:
WREN—On Sunday, Oct. 8, 1865, John Wren, a native of the County Leitrim, Ireland, aged 63 years.
His friends,and those of his brothers, Peter and Patrick Wren, and also his son-in-law, Patrick Wall, are earnestly requested to attend the funeral, this Tuesday afternoon, at 2 o'clock from his late residence, 178 E. 29th Street. 453
Let me know if I can help you with clarifying anything.
Best,
Ed
