I'm looking for anyone with knowledge of JAMES E. SMITH (born Co. Cavan circa 1825) and his wife MARY BRADY (also born circa 1825). They married in Co. Cavan, but emigrated to NYC in 1855 on the "Drover" with two young sons, Patrick and John. A daughter Catherine Smith was born after arriving in U.S. Their names appear on an Emigrant Savings Bank record dated Nov 1866, showing James was working as a Gardener in Staten Island, NY. At some point, James E. Smith disappeared. Mary (Brady) Smith and her children sought refuge on the farm of her paternal Uncle Patrick Brady of Websters Corner, Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada. Also living on PEI, was Patrick Brady's brother, Rev. James Brady (originally of Drung parish, Lappanbane townland, Co. Cavan). Rev. James Brady had been assigned to the Ft. Augustus parish on PEI and had a devoted following (google his name).
Note: I am not blood related to either the Smith or Brady families. My partner Steve Smyth (so spelled) is a direct descendant of James E. Smith and Mary Brady, through their son Patrick (who apparently changed the surname spelling to Smyth).
Rita Jane
Friday 10th Nov 2023, 11:01PMMessage Board Replies
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Hello,
I looked at the Emigrant record you mentioned, which states that the couple had 3 children in 1866.
Then I looked at the 1860 federal census on Ancestry for a James and Mary from Ireland living in SI with James being a gardener. It shows two children born at that time, Michael and Mary. There is no Patrick and no John. So, it may be that the Emigrant record was for another couple. I know the maiden name given is Brady, but the name Brady is ubiquitous in Cavan.
NameJames Smith
Age35
Birth Yearabt 1825
GenderMale
RaceWhite
Birth PlaceIreland
Home in 1860Southfield, Richmond, New York
Post OfficePort Richmond
Dwelling Number314
Family Number336
OccupationGardener
Personal Estate Value100
Inferred SpouseMary Smith
Inferred ChildMary SmithMichl Smith
Household Members (Name)Age
James Smith35
Patricia