Irish Immigrants to United States and the Horrors of the Civil War

Question

Hi Wikitreers,

We have a 19th century Irish family who came to America it appears with the hopes and dreams of a bright future. Denis and Bridget (Maloney) Hartnady alt spelled “Hartnet” came to reside in Belmont, Franklin County, New York and along the journey in America were blessed with children a Ellen and Michael but the story seems to take a tragic turn as the U.S. Civil War would tear the nation they now found themselves in apart. Denis would lose his wife in the year 1861 then finds himself enlisting December 1st 1863 into the 106th New York Infantry Regiment Company B. He would be KIA at the Third Battle of Winchester September 19, 1864 in Virginia. He left behind his little ones the couple set their hopes and dreams upon. The question now remains what happened to Michael and Ellen and did they have other siblings? Did the family adopt them maybe a uncle or aunt? The story I do hope had a happy ending.

Any collaboration is appreciated as the wiki community already has been so helpful

Thank you 

Answer 1

Hello, Andrew, on Bridget Maloney Hartnady's profile, Maloney-3890, there is a reference to "Approved Pension Application File for Ellen Hartnady, Minor Child of Dennis Hartnady, Company B, 106th New York Infantry Regiment (Application No. WC88978) https://catalog.archives.gov/id/116914635". It indicates Ellen and Michael were the only two children. A Daniel McGrath is mentioned as their guardian part way through this file, at https://catalog.archives.gov/id/116914635?objectPage=21 and at https://catalog.archives.gov/id/116914635?objectPage=26. A clue to start off with.

Comments

I wonder how Daniel McGrath fits into the picture maybe a friend of the family or their church could he be a possible relative. Another idea possibly the Irish community coming together to help?

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Added a profile for guardian Daniel McGrath McGrath-5216.

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Thank you 

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I’d like to find Daniel and Ellen’s memorials and obits if available.

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I did a bit of looking, but was not able to locate anything. If Daniel passed away in Cohoes NY in late 19th cent (as per 1875 NY census placing him there), the Catholic parish would have been St. Bernard's. They have no records online that I am aware of. Calvary cemetery was the associated cemetery. It was closed in 1958 and eventually became inaccessible.

Here is the info from FindAGrave: "Calvary Cemetery was owned by St. Bernard's Roman Catholic Church, which was the first Catholic Church in Cohoes (cornerstone laid in 1847). After Father Keveny arrived in Cohoes in 1855 he purchased land for Calvary Cemetery. Calvary Cemetery was last used in 1936 and was permanently closed in 1958. Some of the burials were re-interred in other cemeteries. Calvary Cemetery is located at the one way part of Bridge Ave where it meets Lincoln Ave. It lies south of Bridge street and west of Saratoga street, along the Delaware & Hudson Railroad line. It is posted "Private Property" with permission needed to enter. There are only two visible markers left (Rev John Talbot Smith and Michael English), and they have already been photographed." https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/64113/calvary-cemetery

Answer 2

Found Ellen in 1875 with the McGraths.  

"New York State Census, 1875", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VTDH-WPX : Wed Oct 04 23:56:04 UTC 2023), Entry for Daniel McGrath and Ellon McGrath, 1875.  

Comments

Interesting! I wonder how the McGrath family ties in? Seems they did have a home maybe together

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It seems likely that Ellen McGrath could be the maternal aunt of Ellen and Michael.

Answer 3

perhaps records in the Catholic Church. St. Joseph (Malone, New York)  microfilm https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/271932

Comments

Ah interesting maybe…it appears Irish Catholic.