A special note to Desmond researchers in Michigan & Canada
Genealogy Brooklyn, NY O'Brien Calhoun Sullivan Desmond McCarthy Hourihan Sweeney Healy Tanquary Quinlan Healy McNamara Hyland Koster Clyne

Daniel Desmond & Catherine Mahony - my GGG Grandparents

Daniel Desmond married Catherine Mahony of Ballymacowan on 11 February 1834 at the church of the Immaculate Conception, in Clonakilty, Cork, Ireland.

* Be aware that there remains contradictory indications that Catherine Mahony was not the mother of Timothy Desmond (b. 1838, Clonakilty). There simply isn't enough good evidence at this time to say with confidence that we are positive one way or the other. That being said, this information is presented as tentative until proven otherwise.Thanks to cousin Mary Anne Bryne for all her research on Daniel & Catherine, they had seven children: (this is new information Aug 2002)

1). Daniel (b. Mar, 1835) Baptised 6 Mar 1835. His godparents were Sylvester Keohane and Ellen Mahony. We have no idea at the present time what became of Daniel. We suspect he arrived in Brooklyn before his younger brother but have no proof. If you are researching Desmonds from Brooklyn do follow the link above to the Brooklyn Directory listings we have assembled. Nearly every Desmond "head-of-household" since 1848 is can be found there. You can work backwards in time from a known relative based on occupation, address, etc… to track your ancestors. Since Timothy, Daniel's brother was an early resident of Red Hook it's likely his brother settled nearby as well.

2). Timothy (b. Jan 1838, Clonakilty, Cork, Ireland - d. 10 Jan 1910, Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY) His godparents were Michael Mahony and Ellen Bread. On Timothy's death certificate from the City of New York, his mother is listed as Ellen Sullivan. Ellen is listed as Timothy's godmother on his baptismal certificate dated 14 Jan, 1838, from the church of the Immaculate Conception in Clonakilty. His godfather was Michael Mahony

Timothy may have arrived in or about 1851, settling in what is now called Downtown Brooklyn. This area is between the Brooklyn Bridge and the Brooklyn Navy Yard. This area, variously called "Vinegar Hill" and "Irishtown" was becoming heavily settled by the Irish, particularly those fleeing the Great Famine. We strongly believe that by 1856 he had moved to Red Hook, Brooklyn.

About 1855 Timothy Desmond married Ellen McCarthy (b. May 1839, Ireland - d. 10 Apr 1903). Daughter of John McCarthy & Mary (Carroll) Ellen McCarthy had a brother named Charles, who we have no proof ever took a bride, or had his own children, and one sister Julia. We do know that Julia married a man named McKeon. He was an orphan. Julia McCarthy-McKeon's children:

Another enigma which remains to be solved are the Dolan's. Somehow related to Charles McCarthy, was Lillian Dolan ( d. 12 Nov 1964 ) who married Peter A. Dolan (b. 1896 - d. 14 Apr 1960) Peter A. Dolan was the News Editor of The Sun of New York. He was the son of Michael Dolan (farrier, NYPD) and Anistasa O'Connell. These were her children:

Between 1856-1920 most of the Desmond families lived together at 422, 447 & 449 Columbia Street, Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY. Timothy sold horses and ran a trucking business from his home and a yard at the intersection of Coffey & Creamer St's called Desmond Brothers. Co. They were also stevedores and contractors. Timothy was active in the local (12th Ward) Democratic Party, and was a Trustee of the St Vincent de Paul Society and the Holy Name Society. He was also a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He was a prominent parishioner of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church at 98 Richards St, and assisted in the rebuilding of the church in the late 1800's after the original building was destroyed. Timothy commissioned a beautiful Tiffany stained glass window for Visitation Church.

Timothy's great love was horses. According to his obituary dated Wed, 12 Jan, 1910 in "The Brooklyn Daily Eagle", Timothy's "daily recreation for years was driving fast horses down the Ocean parkway, and he was known to all the owners of trotting horses in Brooklyn, being a familiar figure at all trotting meets". (special thanks to Dr. Miles D. MacMahon, great grandson of Timothy Desmond, for sharing much of the information presented here)

Back to Timothy Desmond and Ellen McCarthy's children, together they had at least ten, all in Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY:

1) Daniel (b. Jun 1857 - d. 7 Oct 1929)  

Married Annie McQuade (b. Sep 1871, England - d. 27 Jul 1907, Brooklyn) in 1895. Annie McQuade was the daughter of Michael McQuade & Catherine Devlin. No children descend from this union.

Daniel married a second time. That time to Anna "Jane" Gibbons (b. 1873 - d 13 Feb 1920), the daughter of Austin Gibbons & Bridget Conway. Unfortunately, no children from this marriage either.

Daniel was active in 12th Ward Democratic party politics. He was known in horse trotting circles around Brooklyn. He made trips to the midwest with his father to purchase horses.

Dan and his horse Kisber were familiar figures in Brooklyn. In the late 1920's he took his nieces, Anne & Barbara (Mary Frances) with her infant son Miles to Niagara Falls and Montreal. He was living with Mary Frances MacMahon at 217 Terrace Place, Brooklyn, NY when he died.
 
Daniel Desmond, age 72
   

2) Timothy Edward (b. 28 May 1858 - d. 8 Dec 1941) married Margaret C. Sweeney (b. 14 Sep 1860 - 16 Jun 1931), daughter of John Sweeney (b.1834 - d.1904) and Johanna Hourihan (b.1831 - d.1906).

by 1903 they had moved to 65 Lorimer Street, Brooklyn, NY
by 1908 at 71 Lorimer
by 1910 71 Lorraine
sometime after 1920 they lived at 483 - 14th Street in Park Slope

(Of these Desmonds, Margaret Desmond-Koster, Johanna F. Grigsby, Loretta V. and John were interred in Green Wood Cemetery beside their parents and grandparents).

T.E.D.'s business logo, circa 1910
T.E.D.'s logo circa 1910

Sometime between 1905 and 1933 Timothy developed a business called "Desmond Coal & Coke Co." which was located at 869 E. 42nd Street near Glenwood Road, Brooklyn, NY. He also had another business called "Kings Borough Haulage Corp". He invested in real estate, traded in horses and had a trucking business.

A curiousity of note is that Timothy Edward had 2 fingers missing from one hand and 'some' missing from the other, apparently he lost these while working on a truck late in his life, although he told grandchildren that he lost them while 'breaking' wild horses as a young man.

courtesy of T. Edward Desmond of Rockville Center, NY

These were the children of Timothy Edward Desmond and Margaret Sweeney:

• Helen Althea (b. 26 Jan 1882 - d. Mar 1983) reached the ripe old age of 101, also known as "Nell", Helen married Harry I. Dumbleton, the family lived 619 Carlton Avenue, Brooklyn. They had three children:

Harry James (b. 25 Sep 1912, Brooklyn - d. Sep 1984) Harry was working for Robin's Dry Dock in 1936.
Eugene
Althea M., married a gentleman named Oliver Benson, who became disabled, possibly during the Great War, after his passing, she returned to live with her parents at their Carlton Avenue home. Althea had two children named:

Genevieve

Anthony

• Johanna Frances (b. 8 Jul 1883 - d. 25 Feb 1950)

Johanna was a milliner and worked for "Knox Hattery" New York.

She married a Mr.Grigsby, they moved out west for a time, but the marriage dissolved and Johanna returned to Brooklyn, they never had children.

the photo on the left shows Johanna (seated)
with her baby sister Loretta

• Timothy Edward, Jr. (b. Jan 1885 - d. 1972, Middleton, NY)

Between 1920-1930, T.E.Desmond Jr lived at 475 2nd St. Brooklyn.

Timothy married Eva Cecilia "Bridget" Finucane of Chicago (b. 24 Jul 1886, Cappamore/Oola, County Limerick, IR - d. 1969, Middleton, NY) the daughter of Morgan Finucane & Bridget Stapeton

… and had seven children:
Timothy Edward Desmond, Jr.
in 1972 at age 87

1) Eveline (b. 1909) married a Mr. Nickerson of Rhode Island and had one son:

    Michael

2) Ruth (b. 1912) married, but at present, her husband's name is unknown. She did have one daughter:

    Lynn

3) Timothy Gerard (b. 2 Aug 1913 - d. 16 Apr 1998 Callao, VA) ironworker, married Evelyn ??? and had one son:

    John

4) John (b. 1917) married Marge Collins

  1. John
  2. Barbara
  3. Margaret

5) Morgan (b. Feb 1918 - 20 Feb 1945, 10th Mountain Div., US Army, Riva Ridge, Italy) married Mary Jo Madden of Yonkers, NY (b. 1915) and had one son:

Morgan

6) Benedict Vincent (b. Nov 1919) married Helen Gordon, their children:

  1. Kevin James
  2. Brian Joseph
  3. John Patrick
  4. Mary Agnes
  5. Timothy Edward
  6. Thomas Vincent
  7. Francis Xavier

7) Patricia ( b. 27 Mar 1926 - d. Oct 1999) married John Thomas "Jack" Redmond, their children:

  1. Christine
  2. Mary
  3. John Patrick
  4. Timothy Edward
  5. David
  6. Philip Joseph
  7. Patricia Anne

• John (b. 26 Jul 1886) baptised at Visitation Church
(Godparents: David Sweeny & Mary Desmond) John may have died during the Influenza Epidemic of 1919

• Margaret Ruth (b. 18 Nov 1889 - d. Jan 1973) married a young soldier named Charles William Koster that died during or soon after WW I. Margaret returned with her sons to live with her parents at their 14th Street home.

Charles Barromeo Koster (b. 29 Jul 1908 - d. Jan 1943) Known to all as "Hub", worked for Turner Dock Transfer before WW II. Hub was a airplane pilot. He had a plane at Floyd Bennet Field. He was in the Navy Reserve when the war broke out and quit to join the Army. He died when his plane crashed at an American base, possibly in Pennsylvannia.

Patrick William Koster (b. 17 Mar 1910 - d. Aug 1980) "William" married Marie Beneville (b. 23 Dec 1910, Bronx, NY - d. Jul 1980, Franklin, NH). Marie was the daughter of Loris Beneville and Anna Fowler. Together, Patrick William and Marie had two children:

Anthony, called "Loris" by his mother, who began playing the stock market at 13 making his fortune by the time he was 16
Corine, who became a nurse, married a doctor and moved away from Brooklyn, possibly to Franklin, New Hampshire

• Mary (b. 25 Sep 1891) baptised at Visitation Church
(Godparents: Timothy Donovan & Mary McCarthy) Mary too, may have died during the Influenza Epidemic of 1919

• Loretta Vincent (b. 6 Mar 1894 - d. 26 Sep 1988 at age 94) the last of her siblings at the time of her death; she never married and worked as a gal friday for Desmonds Dependable Coal at the E. 42nd Street location. Loretta was the last Desmond to live on 14th Street, Brooklyn. Just prior to her death, she sold the old home.

• Percy Gerard (b. 13 Mar 1897 - d. Oct 1978) married Olivia Catherine Buettner-Lee (b. 1 Mar 1892, Johnstown, Cambria County, PA - d. Nov 1981, Falls Church, VA). Olivia was the daugher of Michael Buettner and Mary Kartes. Percy was an attorney, author, radio and television personality, lived for a time during 1937 at 647 E 7th Street, Brooklyn:

  1. Roderick
  2. Percy Gerard, Jr., poor Percy died of a brain tumor when only 18
  3. Victoria Regina (b. 23 Sep 1938, Brooklyn, NY - d. 10 Mar 1995) Victoria worked at St. Anthony's Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL beginning in 1954.

• David Francis (b. 20 Mar 1899 - d. Jan 1969) worked for Desmond's Dependable Coal and in the insurance business. David married Anna R. McGonnagle, lived at 1146 E 43rd Street, Brooklyn and later in East Meadow, Long Island, NY and had 2 daughters:

  1. Audrey
  2. Geraldine

• John Joseph (b. 20 May 1902 - d. Oct 1951) John married Viola Hickey, their children:

  1. Timothy Edward, known to all as "Edward", married Alice ???
    • Timothy Edward
    • Rory
    • Elizabeth
    • Peter (d. 1981)
    • David
    • Mary Alice
  2. Dolores
  3. Shirley
  4. Loretta Johanna "Joan Lor" (b. 25 Jun 1931 - d. 27 Apr 1991). Joan never married.

• Benedict Leo
(b 12 Feb 1905 - d. 1966)

My grandfather

Benedict was an ironworker for Bethlehem Steel, who worked on the Empire State Building. Benedict survived falling several stories but spent his remaining years in a great deal of pain. His nickname was "Jocko". He married Grace Calhoun and they lived in an old house at 867E. 42nd Street near Glenwood Road, East Flatbush section of Brooklyn.

Benedict and Grace are interred at Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn.

Together they had 5 children:

Ben tearing up Brooklyn on his bobtailed horse

Benedict, Jr.
Marilyn
Carol Maria married Raymond Paul Maiara
David
William

3) Matthew (b. 1860 - d. Jul 1923) married Anne Shields (b. 1870 - Apr 1944) Their children were:

• Timothy (b. 13 Sep 1891 - d. Feb 1922) baptised at Visitation Church (Godparents: Patrick O'Neill & Annie Britt)
• Matthew (b. 7 Feb 1895 - d. Mar 1900) baptised at Visitation Church (Godparents: Charles Cooper & Ann McCarthy)
• James (b. 25 Dec 1896 - Christmas Day! - d. Jan 1978 in New Cumberland, PA) James was baptised at Visitation Church (Godparents: Edward McCarthy & Katie Desmond). James married in 1924 to Catherine Smith (b. 1901 - d. Apr 1990). These are their children:

  1. James Jr.
  2. Catherine
  3. William
  4. Howard

4) Francis Anthony (b. 6 Jan 1863 - 12 Mar 1934)

Visit my cousin Timothy Desmond's website for more
detailed infomation about Francis Anthony and his descendants
and many Census Records for the Brooklyn Desmonds!

Francis was baptised at Visitation Church (Godparents: Richard Kirby & Catherine O'Mahony) married Catherine Hyland (b. Aug 1871 - d. 18 Jun 1921) and had 3 children:

  1. • Daniel (b. 2 Mar 1891 - d. Oct 1969, Carrrabelle, FL)
  2. • Katherine (b. Oct 1892 - d. Feb 1980)
  3. • Francis Anthony Jr. (b. 12 Jul 1901 - d. Jun 1974)

5) Denis (b. 18 Jul 1865)
baptised at Visitation Church <Godparents: Peter Donovan & Mary Feehan> married Mary Mullin (b. Oct 1869) in 1887. Together they had the following children:

• Frank (b. Jul 1887) married Alice McCabe (b. 3 Dec 1894 - d. Jul 1976) the daughter of John McCabe & Margaret O'Brien and had eight children:

There are their eight children:

  1. Francis (b. 7 Oct 1918 - d. 29 Feb 1996, Charleston, SC) married Ruby
  2. Daniel (b. 1929) married Theresa Engelman (b. 12 Jun 1931 - d. 12 Jun 1999)
  3. Gerard
  4. Thomas
  5. Dennis
  6. Joseph
  7. Theresa
  8. William (b. 27 May 1932 - d. Feb 1981)
a very dapper Frank Desmond steppin' out

• Charles (b. 8 Jan 1889 - d. Mar 1976) married Margaret Sheldon (b. 12 Dec 1894 - d. Jul 1981) the daughter of Samuel Sheldon & Sarah Hastings and had three children:

Charles (b. 30 Apr 1914 - d. 19 Apr 1997 Boyton Beach, FL) married Mercedes Steckel, and had three children:

  1. Eileen
  2. Dennis
  3. Charles


Margaret (b. 1917) married William Hayes, and had two children:

  1. William, Jr.
  2. Marion

John (b. 8 Feb 1928) who married Helen Sargeant (b. 23 Jun 1928) and had six children:

  1. Lillian
  2. John
  3. Jerome
  4. Janet
  5. Anne
  6. Robert

• Irene (b. Jun 1895)

*5) Denis (b. 18 Jul 1865) married a second time to Catherine Cairns and had one son:

6) Charles (b. 11 Apr 1869 - d. Dec 1875)
baptised at Visitation Church (Godparents: Michael Leary & Ellen Regan)

7) Ellen (b. Nov 1871 - d. Dec 1871)

8) Mary Ellen (b. 29 Jun 1874 - d. 12 Jun 1962) married 30 Oct 1900 to Miles Francis McPartland (b. 22 Aug 1864 - d. 18 Oct 1931). Miles was the son of James McPartland (b. 27 Aug 1840 - d. 14 Jun 1913) and Mary Flaherty (b. 1840 - d. 1 Jan 1875). Miles owned a horsehoeing shop on Columbia St. It was by visiting the Desmond's business, also on Columbia St., that Miles came to court Miss Mary Ellen Desmond. Mary Ellen attended a business school and was a bookkeeper for her father's businesses. Once Miles and Mary married, they lived at 449 Columbia St. with the Desmond family. By 1917, they had moved to 1325 Prospect Avenue in Windsor Terrace. The McPartland's also had a bungalow at Breezy Point where their family summered. Miles was active in the 12th Assembly District Regular Democratic Organization and was a leader in the Ancient Order of Hibernians of Kings County. He received a medal from the Hibernians of Kings County in December 1895 in appreciation of his efforts. As an executive of the Kings County Hibernians, he was a signator of the pact which resolved a serious national dispute in 1897 in Trenton, NJ. He was the president of the Master Horseshoers Association, president of the Windsor Terrace Civic League and a member of the Royal Arcanum. Miles was leading a procession from the Immaculate Heart of Mary delegation back home from a sermon at St. Rose of Lima Church on the subject of political corruption when he suffered a massive heart attack in front of 624 Beverly Road. Mary & Mile's children:

9) Honora "Leonora, Nora, Aunt No" (b. Apr 1878 - d. Jul 1935) married on 2 Jun 1900 at Visitation Church, Thomas A. Clarke (b. 3 Nov 1878 - d. 28 May 1935). Honora was escorted to a Democratic picnic in Prospect Park by her brother Daniel where she was introduced to Thomas A. Clarke. They married on 2 Jun 1900. Thomas was a prosperous contractor who built churches, schools and public buildings throughout New York City. He also built the Halsey Theatre, Arcadia Hall and the Broadway Arena in Brooklyn. Thomas had a substantial interest in Palm Beach, Florida and was responsible for developing much of that area including the construction of the landmarked Palm Beach Hotel. Thomas owned and opperated the hotel until his death. His obituary from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle may be read here. More information about Thomas A. Clarke, his parents and siblings can be found at Dan Gilmartin's website. Honora & Thomas's children:

10) unknown child

 

back to top

Eugene Francis Calhoun & Ellen Josephine O'Brien

Eugene F. Calhoun (b. 1883 - d. 4 Mar 1919) the son of John F. Calhoun and Hannah Tanquary (b. 1865, Ireland - d. 8 Nov 1926, Brooklyn, NY). Hannah was the daughter of John Tanquary and Julia Healy. Eugene was a clerk who, died tragically after falling while trying to catch a trolley. His wife, Ellen J. O'Brien (b. 1887 - d. 30 Dec 1921) the daughter of William O'Brien and Josephine Quinlan, died a few years after her young husband died. Their passing was a great hardship on their four young children. Family stories say that William O'Brien came to live with the children after their parents deaths in order to keep the family together until Helen was old enough to support her siblings - which she did.

Helen Marguerite (b. 30 Jun 1902 - d. Feb 1976) forced at an early age to care for her siblings after the untimely deaths of their parents, Helen never married and worked for a jeweler in Manhattan. She was also quite an accomplished seamstress and fashioned costumes for her sister Irene's dance studio.

Grace Eugenia, (b.26 June 1909 - d. 15 May 1995) intered at Holy Cross Cemetery. Grace was my grandmother.

She was a telephone operator for New York Telephone Co. and married Benedict L. Desmond.

"Gracie" took me to the Metropolitan Museum to see the knights shining armor, she took me to show openings at the Modern, she brought me to countless Broadway matinées. Gracie was a kid's best friend on a rainy day. She always had art supplies on hand or great new books or some treasure to show me.

During the 1964 World's Fair, Gracie and I went "extra early" to see Michelangelo's "La Pieta". She made sure we were the first on line. When we were allowed up to the velvet rope for a close look, Gracie pushed me down on the smooth terrazzo floor and slid me under the rope and directly toward that magnificent sculpture. I stopped sliding when I struck it's base with my knees and my outstretched hand landed on Jesus's hand. I was terrified...still am!

I love you Grandma xoxoxoxox

Grace E. Calhoun

Irene, was a dancer, and owned a studio called "Miss Reneé's Studio of Dance" located at 354 - 9th St., Brooklyn. She married Anthony Shields, who managed a local Ralston's store, and had two sons:

Kevin
Mark Jude (b. 1946 - d. 26 Sep 2000), became a professional dancer and was part of the cast of West Side Story on Broadway when drafted into the US Army during Vietnam.

Eugene Francis, Jr. (b. 5 Mar 1914 - d. Feb 1976) as gifted as his sister Irene was as a dancer, Eugene was part of his sister's studio as a manager, dancer and pianist. He married May ??? and had two daughters:

Doreen
???

back to top

John Sweeney & Johanna Hourihan

John Sweeney (b. 1834 - d. 19 Feb 1904) married Johanna Hourihan (b. 1831 - d. 8 Jan 1908). Johanna was the daughter of David Hourihan and Bridget Sullivan.

John and Johanna Sweeney lived at 38 Dikeman Street, Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY from 1872 until John's death. They had three children:

Margaret C. (b. 14 Sep 1860 - d. 16 Jun 1931)

David (b. 12 Mar 1861 - d. 8 Oct 1917) David never married, but rather it seems he remained at his parents home and after the death of his brother-in-law Henry Clyne stayed to help raise his nephews and niece.

Mary C.(b. 15 Nov 1863 - d. 21 Jan 1948) Mary married Henry Clyne (Kleine)
(b.? - d. Sep 1902), Henry's surname is spelled both ways in various records. Henry was the son of Charles Kleine (b. 26 Feb 1826, Germany - d. 21 May 1896, Brooklyn)

In 1884, both Charles and Thomas Clyne were living with the Sweeneys at 38 Dikeman St. Later Henry Clyne is shown in the Brooklyn Directory of 1896 as living at 44 Dikeman St. One thing is for sure, that the Sweeney/Clyne family lived there at 38 Dikeman St. until at least 1910. Mary C & Henry's children:

Margaret (b. 1881 - d. ?) Margaret is listed as working for "The Drughouse" as a clerk. She may have married a man named Chambers.

Henry H. Clyne (b. 1 Apr 1894 - d. 18 Aug 1922) by the age of 16 Henry is listed in the 1910 Census as working for a fire insurance company as a stenographer

John W. Clyne (b. 28 Jul 1896 - d. Mar 1976) married Anna C. O'Leary (b. 21 Oct 1896 - d. Jul 1981). John W. Clyne, was a NYPD police officer and was working at 240 Centre St., New York, NY in 1943. Anna C. O'Leary was the daughter of Cornelius O'Leary and Mary McSweeney.

back to top

Dumbleton Family

Thomas Dumbleton & Son, Ovenbuilders Co. was at 619 Carlton Avenue, Brooklyn, NY

Thomas & George S.lived at 619 Carlton in 1897

John C. lived at 578 Carlton in 1897

back to top

McNamara Family

I have but little information on this family. I do know there are several McNamaras buried along with the Sweenys and Desmonds at the family plot in Green Wood Cemetery. They are:

Henry J. McNamara buried 24 Apr 1936
John J. McNamara buried 19 Apr 1949
Rose McNamara buried 18 Feb 1953, Rose may have been a Clyne, and Henry J. & John J. her husband and/or sons

back to top

© 2000 Copyright Raymond P. Maiara - All Rights Reserved