Catherine Ellen McCann (1861-1937) S3

Catherine Ellen McCann

Catherine Ellen McCann (1861-1937) S3
Birth: June 3rd, 1861 in Lee, MA.
Father: John McCann (1831-1910) S6
Mother: Mary Clasby (1834-1880?) S7

Married: Merrick Luther Smith (1856-1934) S2 on October 18th, 1883 in Lee, MA

Children:
Estella L. Smith (1886-1955)
Female Child Smith (1889-1889)
Florence Edna Smith (1892-1937) S1

Death: November 30th, 1937, Northampton, MA

1861-1880
Catherine Ellen McCann was born to John McCann and Mary Clasby in Lee, MA.  I have gotten a hold of her birth certificate, but need to scan it, so will post it another day.  We believe that she was the third of four children but have some conflicting information.  He little sister Lizzie Ann was born sometime in 1862 and her father, John, Enlisted in the northern army on July 17th, 1862.



Catherine and the other children drop out of the records after John enlists.  The only sign of any of the family is Mary Clasby living alone in the 1865 Massachusetts census.  The family legend says that some of the children where adopted out to some of John's sibling and Catherine was bound out to a cook.  Given that she was three or four when this occurred,  It is likely that she wouldn't even remember her parents.

Catherine does not show up again until the 1880 census under the nickname of Kate McCann.  She is living in Lee, MA as a boarder with a family consisting of Edward Dowd, Laura Down and their two children.  She is listed as working in a paper mill.  This is likely how she met her future husband. As a interesting note, her mother is listed as being from Ireland.  Some of the other census records say that she was from Massachusetts.

1881-1900

On October 18th, 1883 she married Merrick Luther Smith in Lee, MA.   The marriage was conducted by Reverend D. McCartney, pastor of the Methodist Church.  Merrick is listed as being a mill operator, likely at a paper mill.  Their first child, Estella L. Smith was born in Lee, MA on August 15th, 1886.  By 1889, the family had moved to West Springfield, MA and are living at 73 Front Street, in the Mitteneague neighborhood.



On June 23rd, 1889, they lost a baby daughter in childbirth.  Their last daughter, Florence Edna Smith, was born in West Springfield on March 19th, 1892.  The 1900 U.S. Census and the 1900 City Index shows that family still living at the 73rd Front Street address.  The census states that By 1901, they had moved to Housatonic village of Great Barrington, MA.


The 1910 U.S. Census shows the family renting a house on Park Street with a lodger, Margaret Scenlon.  The 1920 U.S. Census shows them still living on Park Street.

Merrick Luther Smith and Catherine Ellen McCann
and eight grand children

306 Maple Street house

By 1926, Catherine and Merrick had moved to a house on Maple Street.  The 1930 U.S. Census shows Merrick owning a house at 306 Maple Street, Housantonic, MA.  Merrick passed away on October 3rd, 1934 in Pittsfield, MA.

Catherine moved in with her daughter, Florence Edna Smith at the 67 West Street house in Northampton, MA. She lived there until her death on November 30th, 1937.  She is buried with her husband in Fairmont Cemetery, Lee, MA.

So, what happened to Catherine and her siblings during the lost years?  I'll try and figure some off it out as I work through her parent's lives, but may never be able to answer that question.

Sources:

• 1880 United States Federal Census, Year: 1880; Census Place: Lee, Berkshire, Massachusetts; Roll: 521; Family History Film: 1254521; Page: 215D; Enumeration District: 051; Image: 0432
• 1900 United States Federal Census, Year: 1900; Census Place: West Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts; Roll: 653; Page: 24B; Enumeration District: 0612; FHL microfilm: 1240653
• 1910 United States Federal Census, Year: 1910; Census Place: Great Barrington, Berkshire, Massachusetts; Roll: T624_572; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 0036; FHL microfilm: 1374585
• 1920 United States Federal Census, Year: 1920; Census Place: Great Barrington, Berkshire, Massachusetts; Roll: T625_679; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 18; Image: 1130
• 1930 United States Federal Census, Year: 1930; Census Place: Great Barrington, Berkshire, Massachusetts; Roll: 884; Page: 13A; Enumeration District: 0016; Image: 133.0; FHL microfilm: 2340619
• Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988, Year 1861, Volume 141
• Massachusetts, Marriage Records, 1840-1915, Merrick Smith and Kate McCann, October 18th, 1883
• Massachusetts, Death Index, 1901-1980, Volume Number 71, Page number 121, Index Volume Number 99,  Reference Number F63.M363 v.99 1937 - Northampton - 71 121
• U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, Find a Grave