|
a.
|
Note: rding to Mary's older sister Bridget, the family immigrated in 1848. Her exact birth date is in question because of variances in census data from the 1850 count: she was reported as 20 in 1870 (rather than 22), as 31 in 1880, as 40 in 1900 (not 52), as 47 in 1910 (rather than 62)! There's no doubt as to identification of the person; perhaps her and her parents' illiteracy accounts for the variances. Mary J. Houlihan appears in the 1870 census living with her parents and siblings in Union Township, Allegheny Co., PA where her father, brother and uncle were coal miners. She was 20 and unmarried. At the 1880 census, she was reported to be 31, unmarried and unable to read or write. She was living in the Pittsburgh home of her older brother and his wife, John and Mary Agnes, her parents and several brothers, with her occupation shown as "assisting keeping house." She was living with her brother William in 1900 at 5115 Carnegie St., just 3 houses from David and Barbara Houlihan and was also there in 1910. William was a music teacher and, according to Pittsburgh Directories, used his home for business as well as a residence. Allegheny Co. Will Book records the will of Mary "Hollihan" as follows: "I Mary Hollihan of City of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, being of sound mind and reason, do hereby make, publish and declare this to be my Last Will and Testament, in manner and form following: hereby revoking any will or wills heretofore made by me. First: I direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be fully paid and satisfied, as soon as conveniently may be, after my decease. Second: I give and bequeath unto my niece, Gene Rawlins, all of my bedroom furniture. Third: All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate and property of whatever character whether real, personal or mixed or wheresoever the same may be situated at my decease, I give, devise and bequeath unto my sister Katherine Rawlins her heirs and assigns forever. I do hereby make constitute and appoint my sister Katherine Rawlins to be Executrix of this my Last Will and Testament. In Witness Whereof, I Mary Hollihan the Testatrix above named, have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal this thirteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and sixteen." (Signed) Mary Hollihan (her mark) Witnesses: Mrs. Katie Jacob, George Vetter, Jr. The will was entered into probate 8 Jan 1917. An affidavit was filed stating that the Testatrix died 14 January 1916 at 12:55 am. The executrix, Katherine Rawlins, was actually "Kate" McCarthy Rawlins who had been "adopted" by John and Margaret Houlihan (see Notes: Catherine "Kate" McCarthy). Kate was also the primary inheritor of Mary's brother, William G. Houlihan. Mary's niece "Gene" Rawlins was most likely Regina Rawlins who would have been about 17-18 yrs old at the time of her aunt's death. Mary Jane Houlihan was buried at Calvary Cemetery, Pittsburgh, on 17 Jan. 1916 along with her brother William, Kate Rawlins and her family in Section M, lot 298, grave 2. Her name is shown as "Mary Hoolihan" and her age as 50 (she was actually 68 years old). On 19 April 1998 I visited this burial plot and found no markers or tombstones for Houlihan or Rawlins. Her death certificate also states her age as 50, her paents as John Hollihan and Bridget Hollihan, info provided by a J. Byrne.
Note: Mary Jane Houlihan was the first child of John & Margaret Houlihan born in the US. The 1850 census shows her as a 2 year old and she was likely born in Butler Co. where the family first settled. Acco
|
