Mary Harrington 1823 : Short Biography

What follows is a transcription of a letter sent in 1855 by Mary Harrington to her brother Denis who was living in Galena, IL at the time.  Family stories always told that Edward and Mary were from County Kerry.  This is the most significant clue I have come across pointing to their townland.

There is a Mary and a William Harrington (Mary’s father’s name) on Griffith’s Valuation for Ireland in Townland Ballincollig Parish Obrennan, County Kerry. 

                                                                                                                                   Obrennan  Oct  22/55

My Dear Denis,

                 I received your letter of the 20th Sept.  last and am sorry to hear of the death of our poor father. I think he rests in peace for he was a good father. I have the melancholy duty of informing you that our grandmother died on the 1st July from a severe attack of ? may she rest in peace.   Since last August 8 years I had only one letter from you and I have written several times to you since and not receiving an answer to any of them I considered you were all dead – that it would be useless to write any more – however God is good and it was some consolation to me after the death of my grandmother to be told by _____ Harrington that he had a letter for me and on opening it how surprised I was to hear that any of you were alive.

 I have now to inform you that Dan Browne in a letter forwarded by him to his mother the 14th March last stated that our sister Elizabeth and her family went to California on the 4th March 1854 and since then I have not heard a word about them. Aunt Buckley and family are well and was much grieved at poor father’s death – she intends writing to you as we have found your address – I may now give you some short account of my life – with which you are very likely not acquainted – about 14 years ago my grandmother’s second husband Thos. Murphy died and in about 12 months afterwards my grandmother said to me – that she thought it would be better for to get married – and have a person to look after our affairs as we were then living alone – I took her advice and married Edmond Fitzgerald a neighbor of ours are were getting on pretty well when I pleased God send for him leaving me only a little boy who is now about 9 years old.

 When I was a child my father sent me home to my grandmother and on my way I received a hurt in my side which stuck to me ever since – left me partly disabled in my side – however Thank God I earn a little livelihood by needle work and this strives to support myself and my little boy as I am unable walk without a crutch. I am told that I could not be taken to any part in the United States as the law does not allow any disabled persons to be brought to any of these ports. I have rec a letter from Train Co. of Liverpool stating that my passage to Boston is pre-paid and the vessel will sail on the 5th March next though I have not rec a certificate to that effect from you. I have written to them this day that I am not ready to start until I’ve further intelligence from you. I have now fully stated to you how I am getting on.

My prospects in this country for myself and my little boy are not the best living as we do in a cabin on the side of the road there is no great chance of being able to do much for my poor child. However I trust I have seen the worst times and that you will be able to do something for us – you will on receipt of this letter write to me immediately and let me know what I am to do – as I have no other person to make my case known to.

I remain my dear Denis, your affectionate sister, Mary Harrington.

 P.S. William Harrington and his uncle are very much thank God and they trust that you will be able to do something for me now that I know where to address you.