Johannah O'BRIEN

<p>Hannah was born in County Cork, Ireland on May 15, 1846. Her father's name was Dennis O'Brien. We get this information from her death certificate in 1914 which was reported by her daughter MargaretHadley. Hannah named her first born son after her father Dennis.</p><p><p></p></p><p><p>Hannah immigrated from Ireland in 1857 when she was eleven years old. She arrived at Castle Garden New York onthe vessel Middlesex on 15 September 1857. She was accompanied by a Mary O'Brien, 18 years of age. Both were listed as "spinsters". This information was obtained from the passenger list for the Middlesex prepared at the time of arrival. The Middlesex sailed from the port of Liverpool located on the west coast of England. Many Irish Immigrants to America in those days crossed the Irish Sea to Liverpool to catch a larger vessel for the Atlantic crossing. From 1855 to 1890 Castle Garden, located at the tip of Manhattan Island, New York, was America's first official immigration center. At that time the area around Castle Garden was a tough slum dominated by violent gangs. Most likely Hannah and Mary departed for McHenry County, Illinois shortly after their arrival where they apparently had family.</p><p><p></p></p><p><p>The 1860 census records HANNAH BRIAN 15 years old living as a domestic in the home of a merchant in Marengo, Illinois. Marengo is the same small village in McHenry County,Illinois where a William and Margaret O'Brien were also recorded in the 1860 census with their family. A MARGARET O'BRIEN was the sponsor that stood up for Hannah when she married Richard Cahill in 1861 at 15 years of age. BRIAN and OBRIAN were spellings used in the 1860 census, probably variations of O'BRIEN. I believe that William O'Brien is Hannah's older brother. A William O'Brine was one ofthe godparents at my grandmother Emma Cahill's baptism in 1879.</p><p><p></p></p><p><p>Hannah married Richard Cahill on September 15, 1861. Because she was not yet 16 years of age the consent of an adult relative, Margaret O'Brien, was required. Between 1864 and 1888 Hannah and Richard had 14 children, 12 of whom lived to adulthood. During their married life the couple lived around Huntley, Illinois, at various locations.</p><p><p></p></p><p><p>Hanna died at the home of her daughter Margaret at 60 Crescent St. in Elgin. Her body was transported for burial from Elgin to Huntley (about five miles) by railroad. She and Richard are buried in the St Mary's Catholic cemetery in Huntley, Illinois in lot number 199. Also buried in Lot 199 is their daughter Agnes (died 1902) and Agnes' son Earl Dibble (died 1905).</p><p><p></p></p><p>Hannah's Death Certificate says she died of a bowel obstruction, possibly a carcinoma, which lasted four months. She also suffered from senility for her last three years.

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