Wexford Wanderings

by Hugh E. Conway

Children in Wexford
Cemetery - Part III

On 15 September 1871, Patrick Cassidy lost the love of his life as his wife young, Bridget Cassidy, passed away. Bridget was 17 years and three months old when St. Peter at the pearly gates of heaven called her home. Bridget probably died from complications shortly after childbirth. Her lovely daughter, Mary A. Cassidy, was born on 11September 1871 and died on 22 August 1872.
Gertrude Hart was born on 27 June 1871 and died on 9 August 1872, having slightly over one year to share with her loving parents.
Angelina Sullivan born in 1860 died on 17 November 1872. A young lass is lost to this earth.
James Hennessy, son of J. and M. Hennessy, died 2 October 1873 at the age of three years and 11 months. Another young soul leaves the earth to find rewards in heaven.
Rosie (Rosa) Finigan (Finnegan) was born in Missouri February 1858 and died on 4 March 1874 at the age of 16 years and 1 month. Her parents were Thomas and Ellen Finigan. She will be deeply missed by family and friends.
Thomas Delaney was born on 6 July 1860, died on 19 May 1874. He was 13 years, 10 months, and 7 days old. Young Thomas was a delight to his parents (John and Mary) and will be sorely missed.
Katie Thornton was born on 6 February 1874 and died on 7 September 1874. Seven short months on this earth.
Mary Emilie Crepin, daughter of E. A. and M. Crepin, was born on 9 Mar 1875 and died on 16 September 1875. An old fable tells that when a young soul passes to heaven a bell rings and another angel in heaven receives their wings.
Esther Martelle was born in 1863 and died on 18 September 1875. Gideon Martello (Mertin) was born in 1874 and died in 1876.
James Keenan was born on 17 April 1859 and died on 1 June 1877.
Infant Heatley child was born on 15 February 1878 and died on 9 July 1878.
Taylor Burns was born in 1876 and died on 9 November 1878.
Thomas and Rosella Burns had a large family and lost three children who were less than 17 years old. James Burns was born in 1868, died 7 February 1885. His brother Matthias was born in 1875 and died in 1892, again slightly less than 17. Francis was born in 1878 and died in 1879 after but a year on this earth.
Elizabeth Dungan, daughter of James and Mary Dungan, passed away on 12 February 1877 at the young age of 8 years 10 months and 7 days.
Francis Kelleher was born in 1877 and died in 1879. Francis Kelleher was born and died on 1 May 1881.
John Mooney was born in 1866 and died 21 January 1880.
James Joseph Calvey died 1 February 1881. He was the infant son of Peter and Catherine Calvey.
Life was tough during childbirth in Wexford’s early history. Below are three cases of young lives cut short at birth.
Infant Murphy child was born and died on 10 March 1881.
Infant Mooney child was born and died on 7 August 1881.
The resting place of one Callaghan Family is written on one of the tombstones. John Callaghan died on September 1882 at the age of 16 years, Maggie Callaghan died on 25 October 1901 at the age of 28 years old, and Mother Callaghan from this Irish family died 4 December 1904 at the ripe old age of 72 years.
Infant O’Leary child was born in 1882 and died on 2 October 1882.
Infant Killgariff child was born and died on 25 February 1883.
Mary A Downs was born June 1875 and died on 10 October 1883 at the age of 8 years 4 months. Her parents were John and Mary Downs.
Mary A. Luth was born in 1882 and died in 1884.
The Murphy family lost two young children. Katie Murphy lived from 1874 to 23 March 1884, a short ten years. Their daughter, Nellie, lived almost one year, from 28 July 1883 to 1 April 1884. An epidemic or disease may have been the culprit in ending their short lives.
Jennie Thornton was born on 12 April 1882 and died on 15 April 1884.
Cathy Stafford was born on 15 October 1870 and died on 20 August 1884.
Maggie Thornton was born on 22 March 1884 and died on 15 September 1885.
Michael Gilroy was born on 15 April 1881 and died on 4 August 1886.
Infant Crowe child was born and died on 17 February 1887.
Johnie Thornton was born on 9 December 1869 and died 21 March 1887.
Nellie Sullivan born in 1871 died 8 September 1887.
Infant Thornton child born and died 19 Dec 1887.
Alexander F. Marello (Mertin) was born and died in 1888.
Infant Manning child was born and died on 19 January 1888.
Little five-year-old Joseph Flood was born in 1883 and died on 18 June 1888.
Charles Martin and Charles A. Martello were both born in 1883 and died in 1889.
Little Frances Thornton passed away on 8 February 1889. His short period on this earth was but 23 days, being born on 15 January 1889. God must have had plans for him in heaven.
Alfred Healy was born on 5 October 1881 and died on 8 March 1889. His twin brother, Thomas, died on 31 March 1891 and was buried at Wexford with no tombstone currently standing. Parents were Thomas and Jane Healy.
In memory of Tommy Manning, son of John and Maggie Manning, who departed this life on 10 December 1889 at the young age of 6 months and 1 day.
John Manning was born on 24 May 1889 and died on 10 December 1889, the same day that Tommy Manning died.
In the second two years at Wexford, grieving parents, relatives and neighbors mourned the loss of a child at least 46 times. The rigors of pioneer life cost a toll. The pioneer settlers were hardworking, proud people who lived difficult lives. Unfortunately, early death was a common occurrence during the first 40 years at Wexford.