Forget Me Not: Mary McGovern Brady of Ansonia CT

Mary McGovern Brady Renker

12 Jul 1860 England - 20 Aug 1927 CT

Daughter of Thomas McGovern & Bridget Farrell

Mary Brady & 2 of her children; St. Mary's Cemetery, Derby, CT

Useful Life Ends; Death Comes Early This Morning to Well Known Resident of Ansonia

Mrs. Mary Brady, wife of Owen Brady, passed away early this morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Daniel J Corcoran, 133 Tremont street. Mrs. Brady enjoyed excellent health until a short time ago, her last illness developing into pneumonia. Last night her condition took a turn for the worst, the end coming shortly after 5 o’clock this morning.

The announcement of Mrs. Brady’s death will be received with sincere regret by a large circle of friends ans acquaintances, not alone in this city, but in Shelton, where she was known to many of the older residents of that city. Mrs. Brady came to Ansonia from Shelton 30 years ago and made her home here ever since. She was born in St. Helen’s, Lancashire, England, and came to this country when young.

Mrs. Brady was well and favorably known in the community. Endowed with those qualities that make and hold friends, she was held in high esteem by all who enjoyed her acquaintance and her kindly ways and generous disposition will ever remain a pleasant memory to those who mourn her loss. During her long and useful life her first thought always was for others, unswerving devotion to her family and loyalty to her friends… [unreadable]

Mrs. Brady is survived by a husband Owen Brady, who is at present in Ireland; three daughters, Mrs. Corcoran with whom she made her home; Mrs. Michael J McGlynn, Shelton and Miss Agnes Brady, who is in charge of the box office at the Sherman theatre; Eugene Brady of this city [unreadable] Miss Ida Corcoran and Robert, Eugene and Joseph Brady of this city and three sisters and several nephews in England.

[unreadable] The arrangements for the funeral, which will be held Tuesday, have not been completed. Undertaker Edward J Shay and Son have charge of the arrangements and for the funeral.

"Useful Life Ends; Death Comes Early This Morning to Well Known Resident of Ansonia."The Ansonia Sentinel 20 Oct. 1927: 3.

1 Mary McGovern b: 12 Jul 1860 Lancashire, England, d: 20 Aug 1927 Ansonia, New Haven, CT

... + Owen Brady b: c 1849 Ireland, d: Unknown

......2 Catherine Brady b: Aug 1878 England, d: Unknown

...... + Daniel J Corcoran b: c 1874 Ansonia, New Haven, CT, m: 9 Jun 1904

......2 Thomas Brady b: Dec 1881 England, d: Unknown

......2 Margaret Brady b: 24 Aug 1883 New Haven, CT, d: 25 Jul 1884 New Haven, CT

......2 Mary Brady b: 15 Jan 1886 New Haven, CT, d: Unknown

......2 Elsie Brady b: 25 Jul 1891 Shelton, CT, d: 15 Jan 1988 Shelton, CT

...... + Michael J McGlynn m: 23 Sep 1918

......2 Eugene Stevens Brady b: 16 Jun 1892 Ansonia, New Haven, CT, d: Unknown

...... + Phoebe Early b: 1897 PA, m: 1916, d: 06 Jan 1976 CT

.........3 Robert E. Brady b: 06 Oct 1919 CT, d: 17 Nov 1998

.........3 Eugene W. Brady b: 1 Sep 1923 CT, d: 15 Nov 1981

......... + Ruth Bilsky

.........3 Joseph L Brady b: 1 May 1925 CT, d: 15 Jan 1993

......... + Mary M. Lynch

......2 Agnes V. Brady b: 2 May 1897 CT, d: 20 Aug 1978 in Derby, New Haven, CT

...... + George Paul Renker b: 1 May 1898 Seymour, New Haven, CT, m: 18 Sep 1929 CT, d: 29 Sep 1970

Thankful Thursday – Thanksgiving

I am thankful for

Vibrant autumn colors,

Busy cooks with favorite recipes,

Sparkling china plates and crisply folded napkins,

Laughing, smiling family members sharing a meal and a day,

Board games, pumpkin pie, posing for pictures, a glass of wine, watching the parade & getting big hugs.

I am thankful for another Thanksgiving with the people I love!

John Frederick Wolf, 1779 PA - 1872 PA

John Frederick Wolf

30 June 1779 PA – 24 April 1872 PA

Son of Johann Jonas Wolf & Appollonia Dick

My 4x Great Grandfather

John Frederick Wolf was born during the Revolutionary War. His father was a Second Lieutenant during that war. John lived during the administrations of the first eighteen presidents of the United States, from George Washington to Ulysses S. Grant. He outlived three presidents who died in office:  President William Henry Harrison died a month after being sworn into office; President Zachary Taylor died after a brief term of office; and on 15 April 1865 President Abraham Lincoln was shot.

John Frederick Wolf was the son of Johann Jonas Wolf & Appollonia Dick. His siblings were: Jacob, Appolonia, John, Catherine, Adam, Johan Jonas, Christianna, Maria Elizabeth & Andrew. The children are mentioned in the estates of their parents, recorded in York Co., PA.[1],[2]

John Frederick Wolf was a member of the second generation of ourWolf family to be born and live their lives in Pennsylvania. To understand where the family of John Frederick Wolf lived it is necessary to have a basic understanding of the history of that section of the state. The family’s lives were centered in Berwick. When John Frederick purchased almost two hundred acres of land there in July 1796 it was in York County.[3] On 22 January 1800 Adams County was formed from York County. The new county, named after President John Adams, is twenty–four by twenty–seven miles, containing five hundred and thirty–one square miles. The lower portion of the county was settled by the Germans. Berwick was now in Adams County with York County bordering it on the north and east. Further confusing the location of this family, on 29 August 1810 Hamilton was formed from parts of Berwick. Therefore, the family’s residence had changed from Berwick in York County to Hamilton in Adams County without ever moving.[4]

The 1795 Berwick Township tax list shows John Frederick Wolf with 155 acres of land, three horned cattle and two horses.[5] A 1799 tax list shows his tax assessment as $692.[6]

On 8 April 1800 John married Esther Barbara Shaffer.[7],[8] They had at least ten children together.

John Frederick and his family can be found in the Berwick area in 1820[9] and 1830[10]. 1834 land records show him owning land in Berwick Township.[11] In 1850 John Frederick was a farmer in Huntington Township[12]. He was 73 years old and his wife, Esther Barbara (Shaffer) Wolf was 72.  Their real estate was valued at $2,500. 

In 1850 John Frederick Wolf owned one hundred acres of land. Seventy five of those acres were ‘improved’ acres on which he had three horses, three milk cows, two other cattle, and seven swine.[13] He made two hundred pounds of butter and grew 250 bushels of wheat, 10 bushels of Indian corn, 30 bushels of oats, 12 bushels of Irish potatoes and 15 tons of hay.[14] Their son, John Jonas Wolf lived next door.[15] Another son, Frederick Wolf, was a blacksmith in Abbottstown.[16]

In 1860 John Frederick Wolf was still a farmer in Huntington.[17] Ten years later he was 92 years old.[18] Although the census tells us he had retired from farming, he now had one hundred improved acres of farm land generating an estimated $2,300 of farm products.[19] Nearby lived a twenty three year old John Wolf who worked as a farm laborer.[20] It would not be unreasonable to guess this was a grandson or other relative who worked the farm. In 1870 the farm produced 50 bushels of winter wheat, 100 bushels of Indian corn,100 bushels of oats and 8 tons of hay. They made 100 pounds of butter.[21]

In 1867 John Frederick Wolf wrote his Last Will and Testament. The cost of the will with copies, the seal and tax was $6.38.

I, Frederick Wolf of Adams County, of Huntington township and the State of Pennsylvania, yeoman, being of Sound mind, memory and understanding Do make and publish this last will and testament herby [sic] revoking and making void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made void. And first I Direct my body be Decently interred in a burying ground according to the rites and ceremonies of the church and that my funeral be conducted in a manner corresponding with my estate and Situation in life. As to such estate as it hath pleased God to in trust me with I Dispose of the Same as follows:

I will and Bequeath to my children all my estate to be divided equally Share and Share alike, except my son Henry shall have one Hundred Dollars less than the rest of my children.

Lastly I appoint George H. Smith and Jonas Wolf my Son to be the executors of this my Last Will and Testament. In witness where of I Frederic Wolf the testator have to this my will written on a sheet of paper Set my hand and Seal this the twenty eighth Day of December A. D. one thousand eight hundred and Sixty Seven.[22]

John Frederick Wolf died in 1872. The papers for his estate show a long list of debts left behind, totaling over $1,000, including money owed to: Jonas Wolf ($13.75), Henry Wolf ($158.29), Frederick Wolf ($24.10), Jonas Wolf ($100) and Jonas Wolf ($50). The petition to the court said, “That the personal estate will nearly all be required to pay debts and expenses of settlement.”[23]

He and his wife are buried in the Emanuel Reformed Church Cemetery in Abbottstown, Adams County, Pennsylvania.[24],[25]

Related Posts:

• Historic Home - John F Wolf - in PA
• Bible of Esther Barbara Wolf
• PA Research for Wolf family

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[1] Young, Henry James. Genealogical Reports for The Historical Society of York County: Evidences of the Wolf Families of York County before the Year 1850, 1938. From York County Heritage Trust, 250 East Market Street, York, PA.

[2] York County PA Abstracts of Wills; 1749-1820; Genealogical Society of PA; pp 570-71; FHL book US/CAN 974.841 P2y; NOTE: Will of Jonas Wolf, 1787. [Researched by Tad D. Campbell, Gilroy CA].

[3] Hively, Neal Otto. Original Pennsylvania Land Record Series: Berwick, Oxford, Hamilton, Reading, Tyrone, Huntington and Latimore Townships. Volume II. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania: The Adams County Historical Society, 2009.

⁴Reilly, John T. History and Directory of the Boroughs of Gettysburg, Oxford, York Springs, Berwick

and East Berlin, Adams County, PA with Historical Collections. Gettysburg, PA: J. E. Wible Printer, 1880.

[5] Vital Record Index Cards from the York County Heritage Trust, York, Pennsylvania.

[6] 1886 History of Adams County, Pennsylvania. 1977 Reprint. Chicago: Warner, Beers and Company, 1886.

[7] Letter and family group sheets from Ethel (Johnston) Barnes, Louisburg KS, to Tad D. Campbell in Gilroy CA; Letter dated 10 Jun 1992; in poss of Tad D. Campbell, Gilroy CA.

[8] Wolfe, J. Arthur. Jonas Wolf of Berwick Township, York County, Pennsylvania: A History and Genealogy of a Colonial Ancestor and Some of His Descendants. Privately Published: 1987. Copy of book owned by York County Heritage Trust, 250 East Market Street, York, Pennsylvania.

[9] 1820 United States Census, Hamilton Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania, page 52, M33, Roll 96, National Archives. Frederick Wolf.

[10] 1830 United States Census, Huntington Township, Adams Co., PA, page 130, M19, Roll 96, National Archives. Frederick Wolf.

[11] Frederick Wolf in Berwick Township, Land Records from York Co. Heritage Trust, 350 East Market Street, York, Pennsylvania.

[12] 1850 United States Census, Huntington Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania. Frederick Wolf.

[13] 1850 United States Agricultural Schedule, Huntington  Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania, Microfilm #T1138, Roll #1 Line 8; National Archives and Records Administration, National Archives Building, Washington, D. C. Farmer, Frederick Wolf.

[14] Ibid.

[15] Ibid.

[16] Ibid.

[17] 1860 United States Census, Huntington Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania, Page 63. Frederick and Ester Wolf.

[18] 1870 United States Census, Huntington Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania. Frederick Wolf.

[19] 1870 United States Agricultural Schedule, Huntington  Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania, Microfilm #T1138, Roll #20 Line 39; National Archives and Records Administration, National Archives Building, Washington, D. C. Farmer, Frederick Wolf.

[20] 1870 United States Census, Huntington, Adams County, Pennsylvania. John Wolf.

[21] 1870 United States Agricultural Schedule, Huntington  Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania, Microfilm #T1138, Roll #20 Line 39; National Archives and Records Administration, National Archives Building, Washington, D. C. Farmer, Frederick Wolf.

[22] Last Will & Testament of Frederick Wolf, 28 December 1867, Huntington Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania. Original held at Adams Co Historical Society, 111 Seminary Ridge Road, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

[23] John Frederick Wolf, Will, Inventory, Petition and other Estate Papers held at Adams Co Historical Society, 111 Seminary Ridge Road, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

[24] Wolf family papers and charts from Christine Ann (Klessins) Zengler, Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin.

[25] Lau, Michael W. Wolf families of York County, Pennsylvania and Surrounding Areas. Privately Published, 1997. Copy of book owned by York County Heritage Trust, 250 East Market Street, York, Pennsylvania.

Forget Me Not: Bridget Brady

Bridget Hart O'Reilly Brady

8 Apr 1855 Ireland - 2 Aug 1914 CT

Daughter of Connor Hart & Bridget Honer

Mrs. Bridget Brady, wife of William Brady, a highly esteemed resident of this city, passed away late last evening at her home at 157 Hawkins street. She had been ill for some time and her recovery had been doubtful although during the past few days she was apparently better. Death resulted from a complication of the disease.

She was a woman of many sterling qualities that won her many friends and endeared her to all with whom she came in contact. Genuine expressions of grief were heard when the news of her death became known. She was a devout Catholic and worked zealously in the interests of St Mary’s church. She was a member of Star Hive, L. O. T. M. As a kind wife and loving mother she will be mourned by her family.

She is survived by a husband and six children, five daughters and, Mrs. N. D. McGrath, Mrs. William Halse, Mrs. William Larkin and the Misses Helena and Bridget Brady and one son, E H Brady of Philadelphia. She also leaves a sister, Mrs. Anne Murphy of this city. The funeral arrangements are in charge of Stapleton Bros., the undertakers.

"Mrs. William Brady: Died at Her Home on Hawkins Street Last Evening." Evening
Sentinel [Ansonia, Connecticut] 03 Aug 1914.

 Bridget H O'Reilly, Wife of William Brady

Note: When her husband died his obituary said he was survived by four daughters. The obituary above says Bridget had five daughters. Adding other clues, like tombstone inscriptions has led us to believe Bridget was married previously and had one daughter, Mary Hart O’Reilly, usually called Mary Hart Brady and usually listed as William’s daughter.

1 William Brady b: 1 Oct 1848 Ireland, d: 4 Oct 1926 New Haven, CT

... + Bridget Hart O’Reilly b: c 1852 Ireland, d: 2 Aug 1914 New Haven, CT

......2 Mary Brady b: c 1873 Ireland [probably a daughter from Bridget’s 1^st marriage]

......2 Katherine V Brady b: May 1879 CT, d: Unknown

...... + William Halse m: 18 Oct 1909 New Haven, CT

.........3 Marion Halse b: 1913 New York, NY

.........3 Mildred Halse b: 1901 New York, NY

......2 Bridget Brady b: Dec 1881 CT, d: Unknown

...... + Milo Chaffee

......2 Ann Brady b: 10 Apr 1883 New Haven, CT

...... + William F Larkin b: 14 Oct 1883, d: 22 Jul 1959

.........3 William N Larkin b: 9 Feb 1914, d: 15 Apr 1996

......... + Evelyn A Sommers b: 2 Aug 1912, d: 27 Oct 1995

............4 William N Larkin b: 27 May 1943, d: 20 Jan 2005

............ + Georgina Coates b: 10 Apr 1941, d: 15 Jan 1995

............4 Jeffrey B Larkin

......2 female Brady b: 19 Feb 1885 New Haven, CT, d: 19 Feb 1885 New Haven, CT

......2 Helena C. Brady b: 3 May 1886 New Haven, CT, d: 26 Feb 1972

......2 Eugene Hart Brady b: 13 Mar 1888 New Haven, CT

Johannes Ritter, 1771 PA - 1864 OH

Johannes Ritter, Jr.

8 August 1771 PA – 15 May 1864 OH

Son of Johannes Ritter Sr. & Maria Elisabeth Keck

My 4x great grandfather

Johannes Ritter was born 8 August 1771 in the United States before our country was the United States. He was just a child at the time of the Revolutionary War. He lived through the War of 1812 and the Civil War. He probably had many stories to tell about those times. One can only wish there had been a genealogist with a tape recorder or even a quill pen to preserve those stories for us.

Johannes Ritter was the second child of Johannes Ritter, Sr. & Maria Elisabeth Keck. He was baptized at the Jerusalem Lutheran and Reformed Church in Allentown, PA.[1],[2]  His known siblings were: Catherine, Anna Margaretha, Johann Heinrich, Johann Philip, Christian, Jacob, Maria Barbara & Mary Magdelena.

Johannes married Anna Mariah [surname unknown] on 26 February 1795. "Early in the spring of 1796, John Jr. and his new bride left Salisbury Township, Northampton County, PA with his parents, two brothers and three sisters. Together they made the 120 mile journey to Beaver Dam Township, Northumberland County, PA. There, John Jr. helped build his parents new log house at 'Fallowfield' and lived with them in it for a short time until he was settled into his own house."[3]

"On the 10th of May 1822 they sold their 119 acres in Beaver Township, Union County. PA to Jacob Maurer Jr. and started for Ohio with nine of their twelve children."[4] For reasons unknown to us Johannes and Anna Mariah left Pennsylvania with some of their children for Ohio. Their youngest son, Isaac Ritter, was born in Ohio.

In 1850 Johannes Ritter, Jr. was in Wayne Township, Wayne County, Ohio. He was 80 years old. His sons, John and Jacob, were in the same area. He owned 80 acres of improved land and another 40 acres of wooded land. His farm was valued at $4,500 and his farm machinery was valued at $100. John owned four horses, seven milk cows, eight other cattle, twenty-five sheep and twenty-two swine. He made 700 pounds of butter. The farm produced 200 bushels of wheat, 500 bushels of Indian corn, 500 bushels of oats, 105 pounds of wool, 60 bushels of sweet potatoes, 30 bushels of buckwheat, 25 tons of hay, 6 bushels of clover and 2 bushels of flax seed.[5]

In 1860 Johannes Ritter, Jr. was living in Jackson Township in Ashland County, Ohio with his daughter, Margaret Ritter Hartsel and her seven children. Margaret’s real estate was valued at $2,400 and her personal estate was valued at $300. John was 91 years old.[6] We can imagine the many changes he had seen in our country since his birth in 1771. He died in 1864 at the age of 92.[7]

1 Johannes Ritter Jr. b: 8 Aug 1771 Salisbury, Lehigh, PA, d: 15 May 1864 Albion, Ashland, OH

... + Anna Mariah Ritter b: 12 Dec 1777 PA, m: 26 Feb 1795 PA, d: 30 Apr 1842 in Wayne, Wayne, OH

......2 John Ritter b: 1796 PA, d: 6 Jul 1887 Wayne, Wayne, OH

...... + Catherine Treaster b: c 1801 PA, m: Abt. 1820, d: 21 Feb 1865 OH

......2 David Ritter b: 28 Apr 1798 West Beaver, Snyder, PA, d: Unknown

......2 Jacob Ritter b: 19 Nov 1799 West Beaver, Snyder, PA, d: 8 Jan 1879

...... + Mariah A. Hartzel b: c 1796 PA, d: Unknown

......2 Elisabeth Ritter b: 1801 Beaver Twp., Northumberland, PA, d: c 1824

...... + Henry Knepp

......2 Henry Ritter b: 18 Jan 1803 Beaver Twp., Northumberland, PA, d: 12 Jul 1894

...... + Mary Harpster b: Abt. 1812 PA, m: 25 Aug 1824, d: c 1880

......2 Anna Maria Ritter b: 23 Aug 1805 Beaver Twp., Northumberland, PA d: Unknown

......2 Theobald Ritter b: 26 Jul 1808 Beaver Twp., Northumberland, PA, d: 22 Feb 1878

...... + Catherine Hartzel

...... + Ruth Fishbaugh

......2 Barbary Ritter b: 3 Dec 1810 Beaver Twp., Northumberland, PA, d: 12 Feb 1895

...... + Frederick Miller b: Abt. 1803 MD, m: May 1836, d: Unknown

......2 Frederick Ritter b: 26 Nov 1812 Beaver Twp., Northumberland, PA, d: 23 Sep 1898

...... + Elizabeth Kope m: 19 Apr 1838

......2 Margaretha Ritter b: 20 Oct 1813 Beaver Twp., Union, PA, d: 17 Nov 1896

...... + Peter Hartsel b: 1819, m: 20 Sep 1840, d: Unknown

......2 George Ritter b: Abt. 1816 Beaver Twp., Northumberland, PA, d: 1847

...... + Sarah

......2 Philip Ritter b: 10 Mar 1820 in Beaver Twp., Northumberland, PA, d: 07 Jun 1898

...... + Louisa Ann Kope m: 1 Dec 1844

...... + Martha Gillander

......2 Isaac Ritter b: 1823, d: 05 Aug 1880 Chester, OH

...... + Isabell Fisher b: 5 Apr 1828 in Bethlehem, Stark, OH, m: 16 Nov 1848 Plain Twp., Wayne, OH, d: 08 Mar 1870 Chester, Wayne, OH

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[1] Neimeyer, Stoudt, Rath, Reinhard, and Kemmerer. History of Jerusalem Lutheran and Reformed Church. Allentown, PA: H. Ray Haas & Company Publishers, 1911. page 122.

[2] Humphrey, John T. Pennsylvania Births, Lehigh County 1734 - 1800. Washington, D. C.: Humphrey Publications, 1992.

[3] The Ritter Family. Privately Printed, 1999.

[4] Ibid.

[5] 1850 United States Agricultural Schedule, Wayne  Township, Wayne County, Ohio, Microfilm #T1159, Roll 11, Line 22; National Archives and Records Administration, National Archives Building, Washington, D. C. Farmer, John Ritter, Sr.

[6] 1860 US Census, Jackson Township, Ashland Co., Ohio. Margaret Hartsel and Johannes Ritter.

[7] The Ritter Family. Privately Printed, 1999.