More on George McCann's census records - First Posted March 11th, 2017

Yesterday, I stepped through some of the available census records for George McCann and in the process found out the name of his daughter and sister. Being that the sister was also from Ireland, and George's wife was suppose to be from Wales, we can list Jane as one of the sisters of George and John.  Here is what we know so far:

• Father: A Protestant who died in Ireland married Mother in Ireland, she was a Catholic who was born 115 years before the article was written and died 20 years before writing
• George McCann, a Presbyterian, born about 1834 in Ireland, Immigrated 1845-1850
•  Benedicta McCann-born 1865 in New York
• John McCann, married a Catholic, died before the article was written
• Daughter married a Cummings, is 82 when the article was written
• Bartley Cummings-lives in Pittsfield, MA
• Daughter married a Walsh and has passed away before the article
• George H. Walsh-Lives in Pittsfield, MA
• Jane McCann, born about 1840 in Ireland.  Married Mr. Price.  She immigrated in 1865.
• Daughter

Two of the daughters are Catholic and the other two are protestants.  

If we go back another 5 years to the 1900 U.S. Census, George is living at 142 E. 18th Street.  George was 66 years old and listed as being born in January of 1834 in Ireland.  Both his parents were born in Ireland and he immigrated fifty years earlier in 1850 and is a naturalized citizen.   He was working as a janitor.  

George was a widower who was married in 1867 and listed as having one child who lived.  This has been crossed out on the form.  I think this is because the census taker was only suppose to collect this information for mothers.  He is living with his daughter Benedicta.  She was 33 years old, being born in January of 1865 in New York.  Her father was from Ireland and mother from England.  She is working as a bookkeeper.  

Once again, we find George's sister Jane Price living with him.  Jane was listed as being a 63 year old widow who married in 1872.  She was born in August of 1837 in Ireland.  She is listed as having two children, and both of them were alive and living with her.  Her son, Walter H. Price is 23, born in May 1877.  Both his parents are listed as being from Ireland.  Walter was working as an Elevator Operator.

Jane's Daughter, Lillie Price,  was living in the house as well along with her husband, John C. Stagg. She was 25, being born in January of 1875 in New York.  She married John in 1899.  John was 29, being born in May of 1871 in New York and worked as a Travelling Salesman.

• Source: 1900 United States Federal Census; Year: 1900; Census Place: Manhattan, New York, New York; Roll: 1101; Pages: 15B, 16A; Enumeration District: 0420; FHL microfilm: 1241101

I have found a marriage record for Lillie that shows they got married on June 6th, 1899.

• Source: New York, New York, Marriage Index 1866-1937; Name Lillian Price, Gender Female, Marriage Date 6 Jun 1899, Marriage Place Manhattan, New York, USA, Spouse John C Stagg, Certificate Number 8706

I haven't found any records between the 1880 census and the the 1900 one, so we will drop back to the 1880 to see what we can find out.

George is living at 142 E. 18th Street address.  He is  46 year old widower working as a janitor.  He is living with his daughter Benedicta, age 15 who is attending school.  His sister Jane is also living in the house.  She is a 44 year old widow.  but there is no sign of her two children.  There is also a Nellie Hughes living in the house, listed as George's Neice.  She was 16, born in Illinois and is attending school.  He mother is listed as being from Wales, therefore, I suspect that she is George's wife's niece.

• Source: 1880 United States Federal Census; Year: 1880; Census Place: New York City, New York, New York; Roll: 870; Family History Film: 1254870; Page: 21B; Enumeration District: 070; Image: 0045

If we go back another 10 years to the 1870 U.S. Census, we find a bit more information.  George was 37, born about 1833 in Ireland.  He was working as a Janitor.  His wife's name was Mary and she was 30 years old.  Therefore she was born abt 1840 in Wales.  So she died sometime between 1870 and 1880.  There are two children listed as living in the house.  Benedicta was 6 years old.  The second child, George is a bit of a mystery.   He was listed as being 12 years old, born in 1858 in New York.  If we look back at the 1900 census, George McCann said he only had one child.  Who is this younger George and what happened to him.  I suspect that he may have been John McCann son, and therefore my 2nd Great Uncle, but I have no proof of this and can find no other record of this George. 

• Source: 1870 United States Federal Census; Year: 1870; Census Place: New York Ward 18 District 4, New York, New York; Roll: M593_1001; Page: 161B; Image: 326; Family History Library Film: 552500

I haven't been able to find any other census records for George so below is a summary of what we know now:

• Father: A Protestant who died in Ireland married Mother in Ireland, she was a Catholic who was born 115 years before the article was written and died 20 years before writing
• George McCann, a Presbyterian, born in January, 1834 in Ireland, Immigrated 1845-1850, married Mary in 1867.  
•  Benedicta McCann-born January, 1865 in New York
• John McCann, married a Catholic, died before the article was written
• Daughter married a Cummings, is 82 when the article was written
• Bartley Cummings-lives in Pittsfield, MA
• Daughter married a Walsh and has passed away before the article
• George H. Walsh-Lives in Pittsfield, MA
• Jane McCann, born about 1840 in Ireland.  Married Mr. Price.  She immigrated in 1865.
• Walter H. Price, born May 1877 in New York.  
• Lillie Price, born January 1875 in New York, married John Stagg on June 6th, 1899 in Manhatten, New York.
• Daughter

Two of the daughters are Catholic and the other two are protestants.
A child name George McCann was born in 1858 and was living with George McCann in 1870.

Census Records for George McCann - First Posted March 10th, 2017

Here is what we know so far:

• Father: A Protestant who died in Ireland married Mother in Ireland, she was a Catholic who was born 115 years before the article was written and died 20 years before writing
• George McCann, a Presbyterian, born 77 years before the article was written, Immigrated before 1851
•  Daughter-Lives with George in New York at the time of the article
• John McCann, married a Catholic, died before the article was written
• Daughter married a Cummings, is 82 when the article was written
• Bartley Cummings-lives in Pittsfield, MA
• Daughter married a Walsh and has passed away before the article
• George H. Walsh-Lives in Pittsfield, MA
• Daughter
• Daughter

Two of the daughters are Catholic and the other two are protestants.  

So, the next stop is to look at census records related to George McCann.  Remember, George is my Great, Great, Great Uncle.  Given that I thought the article was written around 1910 or 1911 I looked first at the 1915 New York Census.  Here is what I found.

George McCann living at 142 E. 18th Street, Manhattan, New York, New York.  He is 84 years old, therefore born about 1831 in Ireland.  He is working as a Superintendent of the building.   He is living with his daughter, Benedicta McCann.  She is 50 year old and therefore was born in 1865.  She is working as a Bookkeeper.

• Source: New York State Archives; Albany, New York; State Population Census Schedules, 1915; Election District: 17; Assembly District: 25; City: New York; County: New York; Page: 11

If we jump forward to the 1920 U.S. Census we can find Benedicta McCann living in a boarding house at 113 West 12th Street.  We can assume that her father died sometime between 1915 and 1920.

• Source:  1920 United States Federal Census: Year: 1920; Census Place: Manhattan Assembly District 10, New York, New York; Roll: T625_1203; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 722; Image: 83

Looking back at the 1910 U.S. Census, we find some more information.  George McCann is living at 142 E. 18th Street.  He is listed as being 75 years old, being born about 1835 in Ireland.  He is an English speaker  and both his father and mother where from Ireland.  He is a naturalized citizen that immigrated in 1850.  He is working as a janitor for the apartment house.  

George is a widow and living with his daughter Benedicta McCann.  She is 45 years old, being born about 1865 in New York.  Her father is listed as being from Ireland and mother from Wales.  She is working as a bookkeeper for a church.  Since George was listed as  being Presbyterian, this was likely at one of the Presbyterian churches nearby.  They have two boarders living with them.

•  Source: 1910 United States Federal Census: Year: 1910; Census Place: Manhattan Ward 18, New York, New York; Roll: T624_1036; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 0982; FHL microfilm: 1375049

If we step back again to the 1905 New York Census, we find George still living at 142 E. 18th Street. He is 71 Years old, being born about 1834 in Ireland.  He is listed as being an Agent, a citizen and having immigrated 60 years earlier.   Therefore, he immigrated about 1845.  

George is living with his daughter, Benedicta.  She is 40 years old and working as a bookkeeper.  He is also living with his sister, Jane Price.  She is 65 years old and therefore was born about 1840 in Ireland.  She was an citizen who immigrated in 1865.  Given that she doesn't show in the 1910 census, she likely died between 1905 and 1910.

• Source: New York, State Census, 1905: New York State Archives; Albany, New York; State Population Census Schedules, 1905; Election District: A.D. 18 E.D. 01; City: Manhattan; County: New York; Page: 10

There is more census information which I will cover next, but for now lets summarize:

• Father: A Protestant who died in Ireland married Mother in Ireland, she was a Catholic who was born 115 years before the article was written and died 20 years before writing
• George McCann, a Presbyterian, born about 1834 in Ireland, Immigrated 1845-1850
•  Benedicta McCann-born 1865 in New York
• John McCann, married a Catholic, died before the article was written
• Daughter married a Cummings, is 82 when the article was written
• Bartley Cummings-lives in Pittsfield, MA
• Daughter married a Walsh and has passed away before the article
• George H. Walsh-Lives in Pittsfield, MA
• Jane McCann, born about 1840 in Ireland.  Married Mr. Price.  She immigrated in 1865.
• Daughter

Two of the daughters are Catholic and the other two are protestants.  

Dissecting the Berkshire Eagle article for information - First Posted: March 9th, 2017

Let's see what information we can glean from the first part of the article:

Mr. McCann, Now in Pittsfield, Has Held One Position in New York 41 Years

• George has been in New York for at least 41 year and working at the same place

In charge of the Stuyvesant building, 142 East 18th street, for 41 years, until this summer he had never had a week's vacation.  Remarkable record that. Feeling that a change would be beneficial, his physician advised him to get away from the noise and tumult of the great city and hike to the hills.

"You don't need any medicine. All you want is the tonic of the Berkshires," his medical adviser told him and that is how it happens that man 77 years old, somewhat below the medium height, but well built, active, clear of brain and as straight as an arrow, his hair and closely chopped beard pure white is staying for a season at the pleasant residence of Mrs. Connor at 576 North street. 

• He is 77 years old at the time of the visit.
• He is staying at Mrs. Connor's residence, 576 North street (though I don't think this is relevant)

In coming to this city Mr. McCann was accompanied by his only child, a daughter, who has returned to New York to look after the duties which her kindly father had abandoned for a while.

• He has a daughter who is living with him in New York

Thirty-two years ago Mr. McCann's wife died and husband and daughter of the immediate family remain.  Bartley Cummings and George H. Walsh, both in public service of Pittsfield, are nephews of Mr. McCann's.

• He has two nephews living in Pittsfield, Bartley Cummings and George H. Walsh

Born in Ireland Mr. McCann, when a child, came to Pittsfield with his mother.  His father had died in the old county. He attended the common schools of Pittsfield.  Way back in 1851 Mr. McCann was employed in a machine shop conducted at different times by McKay & Hoadley and by Dodge & Francis.  Upon leaving this city while a young man Mr. McCann went to New York where he was employed for a time by Brown Brothers & Company, the bankers and brokers. He filled other positions and finally was given charge of the Stuyvesant building. He has a considerable force of men employed under him there now.  He has apartments in the block and is entirely responsible for its management.

• He was born in Ireland
• Came to U.S. with mother as a child
• Father died in Ireland before the family immigrated
• Lived in Pittsfield in 1851, so the family had to immigrate before that
• He lived in the apartment building where he worked

Mr. McCann's mother died in Pittsfield 20 years ago. She was 95 years of age. She is buried in St. Joseph's cemetery and her son visited her grave the other day. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church.  His father was a Protestant and in religious matters the son as with the father. His wife was a native of Wales and a Protestant.  In Mr. McCann's family were six children, three of them, two sisters and a brother, married Catholics and had membership in the catholic church. Mr. McCann and two other sisters married protestants and attended the Protestant church. A sister of Mr. McCann, who is mother of Bartley Cummings, is 82 years old. She and Mr. McCann are the only members of that family who are living.

• His other died 20 years earlier in Pittsfield, MA at age 95 so she was born 115 years before the article was written.
• She is buried at St. Joseph's cemetery.  This is a Catholic cemetery so she was likely a Catholic.
• George is a Presbyterian
• His father was a Protestant, which is interesting if his mother was a Catholic
• There were six children, 2 brothers (George and though the article doesn't state it, John) and 4 sisters
• 2 sisters and George are Protestants
• 2 sisters and John are Catholic
• George and 1 sister are the only ones still alive
• She is the mother of Bartley Commings and is 82

Lets summarize:

• Father: A Protestant who died in Ireland married Mother in Ireland, she was a Catholic who was born 115 years before the article was written and died 20 years before writing
• George McCann, a Presbyterian, born 77 years before the article was written, Immigrated before 1851
•  Daughter-Lives with George in New York at the time of the article
• John McCann, married a Catholic, died before the article was written
• Daughter married a Cummings, is 82 when the article was written
• Bartley Cummings-lives in Pittsfield, MA
• Daughter married a Walsh and has passed away before the article
• George H. Walsh-Lives in Pittsfield, MA
• Daughter
• Daughter

Two of the daughters are Catholic and the other two are protestants.  

Since we know George has been living in New York at the same address for 41 years, the next step is to hit the census records.  I'll do that in the next post.

Berkshire Eagle article on George McCann's visit to his home town - First Posted: March 8th, 2017

One of the documents that have been passed to me is a newspaper article from the Berkshire Eagle about George McCann's visit to Pittsfield, MA.  George was John McCann's brother.  Unfortunately, the date of the article had not been tied to it, and I haven't located it online yet.  I believe that it was in 1910 or 1911.  I am going to transcribe it first and then step through it putting some of the puzzle together.

HAD CHARGE OF THE FIRST APARTMENT HOUSE

Mr. McCann, Now in Pittsfield, Has Held One Position in New York 41 Years

George McCann has come up from New York to spend a few months in Pittsfield in an effort to win back health that was shattered by long years of faithful application of his time and energies to one position.

In charge of the Stuyvesant building, 142 East 18th street, for 41 years, until this summer he had never had a week's vacation.  Remarkable record that. Feeling that a change would be beneficial, his physician advised him to get away from the noise and tumult of the great city and hike to the hills.

"You don't need any medicine. All you want is the tonic of the Berkshires," his medical adviser told him and that is how it happens that man 77 years old, somewhat below the medium height, but well built, active, clear of brain and as straight as an arrow, his hair and closely chopped beard pure white is staying for a season at the pleasant residence of Mrs. Connor at 576 North street. 

The Stuyvesant building was erected in 1869 by Rutherford Stuyvesant who died suddenly in the streets of Paris on July 4 one year ago. He was a very wealthy man and was traveling abroad for pleasure when his heart failed him. The property is now held by his heirs.  The trustee is the New York Life and Trust company to whom all the rents are paid.

In coming to this city Mr. McCann was accompanied by his only child, a daughter, who has returned to New York to look after the duties which her kindly father had abandoned for a while.

The Stuyvesant building was the first, the very first, apartment house built in New York city. It proved so great a success that other similar houses were constructed as a matter of course and as a good investment.  The Stuyvesant contains 20 suites. Many famous people have lived in the building. In the list may be mentioned Bayard Taylor, famous as a writer.

Thirty-two years ago Mr. McCann's wife died and husband and daughter of the immediate family remain.  Bartley Cummings and George H. Walsh, both in public service of Pittsfield, are nephews of Mr. McCann's.

Born in Ireland Mr. McCann, when a child, came to Pittsfield with his mother.  His father had died in the old county. He attended the common schools of Pittsfield.  Way back in 1851 Mr. McCann was employed in a machine shop conducted at different times by McKay & Hoadley and by Dodge & Francis.  Upon leaving this city while a young man Mr. McCann went to New York where he was employed for a time by Brown Brothers & Company, the bankers and brokers. He filled other positions and finally was given charge of the Stuyvesant building. He has a considerable force of men employed under him there now.  He has apartments in the block and is entirely responsible for its management.

Mr. McCann's mother died in Pittsfield 20 years ago. She was 95 years of age. She is buried in St. Joseph's cemetery and her son visited her grave the other day. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church.  His father was a Protestant and in religious matters the son as with the father. His wife was a native of Wales and a Protestant.  In Mr. McCann's family were six children, three of them, two sisters and a brother, married Catholics and had membership in the catholic church. Mr. McCann and two other sisters married protestants and attended the Protestant church. A sister of Mr. McCann, who is mother of Bartley Cummings, is 82 years old. She and Mr. McCann are the only members of that family who are living.

His room is on the second floor, on the west side of the house, which, by the way, was once the residence of the late Dr. Morgan L. Woodruff.  There Mr. McCann has an unobstructed view of the western hills and the gorgeous sunsets.

"I enjoy just sitting here hour after hour and looking at the scenery." Mr. McCann told an Eagle reporter who called to see him, just at twilight last night. "God may make more beautiful scenery and better air than you have here, but I don't know where they are to be found."

  

A bit of a random start: piecing together information on John McCann First posted: March 7th, 2017

I started out with a limited amount of disjointed information on my Great Great Grandfather, John McCann.  For the next series of post, I am going to walk through how I came up with what I have on him and conclude with putting it together into a brief biography.  My mother and cousin have done research into him and I will be building upon their efforts.

Here is my starting point:

• Catherine McCann's Massachusetts birth record shows that she was born on January 3rd, 1861 in Lee, MA to John McCann and Mary Clasby
• Catherine's obituary list her parent's as John McCann and ELizabeth Gillespie
• John paritcipated in the Civil War
• John had a brother named George
• John immigrated from Ireland

Moving back to the McCann's

I worked on the McCann connection a year or so ago, but got pulled into other areas.  I am now picking it back up.  Over the next few days I am going to re-post my earlier work to remind me where we were.  I'll then continue on that research track.

The Smith History of Paper Making

This generation shows a strong preference for the paper making industry.  Here is a list of all of my Smith relatives who where Paper Makers.

Generation 4:

• 3rd Great Grandfather: John Smith(1786-UNKN)-S8

Generation 3:

• 2nd Great Grandfather: Edward B. Smith(1815-1863)-S4
• 2nd Great Grandmother: Lydia Edna Kilborne(1814-1898)-S5

Generation 2:

• 2nd Great Uncle: Franklin Adelbert Smith(1842-1864)
• 2nd Great Uncle: Charles F. Smith(1843-1914)
• 2nd Great Uncle: Ezekiel G. Smith(1846-1905)
• 2nd Great Aunt: Martha A. Smith(1848-1921)
• 2nd Great Uncle: Riley C. Smith(1850-1914)
• 2nd Great Uncle: Grove C. Smith(1854-1921)
• Great Grandfather: Merrick Luther Smith(1856-1934)-S2