Sharp-Healy Family

The Story of the first two Generations

Mary Healy 1828-1891

This page has the story of Mary Healy, first-born daughter of Thomas John Healy and Bridget Connell, who was born on 7 December 1828, in County Galway, Ireland.

Mary's father was Thomas Healy, a farmer in the village of Menlough (Menlo), three miles from the City of Galway, with estates in Londonderry, Ireland. Her Roman Catholic christening records show her sponsors as being Mark Fox and Mary Connell (possibly her mother's sister). [Research by Des Sharp 1997 in Ireland, printouts from Full Birth Query, Castlegar, page 31.]

Thomas and Bridget Healy had five children that we know of:

Mary travelled to the United States when she was about 20 years of age, as we know she married in 1849 in New York. She was probably either a seamstress or domestic help, and was most likely escaping the great Irish potato famine, hoping for better prospects in America.

Marriage

Mary married John Needham, a tailor, on 24 June 1849, at St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Sixth Avenue, Manhattan, New York City. The marriage was witnessed by John Tucker and Mary A. Jennings. The bride's surname was entered in the register as "Haley".

John was born about 1825 in Ireland, died on 5 February 1888 in Manhattan, New York City, USA aged about 63 years, and was buried in February 1888 in Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, New York, Queens County, USA. Probate was awarded on 11 April 1888.

The couple are recorded as living in New York Ward 8 in 1850. They had seven children: Peter James, Catherine, Mary Ann, John, Michael, Francis and Henry E. all born in New York.

New York State Census records show the following details:

  • 1855 - John Needham, aged 30, May Needham 24, Peter Needham 3, Kate Needham 0
  • 1860 - John Needham 35 yrs, Mary 29, Peter J 8, Catherine 5, Mary Ann -, John 8 months
  • 1870 - John Needham, 45 (tailor), Mary Needham 40 (keeps house), Peter Needham 18 (apprentice tailor), Catherine Needham 15, Mary Needham 13, Michael Needham 7, Francis Needham 3, Henry Needham 3 months.
  • 1880 - John Needham 56 (tailor), Mary 50 (keeping house), Michael 17 (tailor), Francis 13, Henry 10.

Mary's death

Headstone - Mary Healy and John Needham, New York.

Mary died on 24 March 1891 in Manhattan, New York City, USA and was buried in March 1891 in Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, New York, Queens County, USA. [see headstone photo] Her name is shown on son John's death record as "Mary Healy". Several other members of the family are also buried there including her daughter Catherine.

References: Find a Grave, database and images: (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/227522338/mary-needham : accessed 31 March 2022), memorial page for Mary Needham (1836–1891), Find a Grave Memorial ID 227522338, citing Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, Queens County, New York, USA; Maintained by Inis Fada (contributor 47779739).

"New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2WCH-RQX : 3 June 2020), John in entry for Michael Needham, 27 Mar 1916; citing Death, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States, New York Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm 1,322,388.

Headstone transcript reads:

NEEDHAM1823 John 1888,1836 Mary 1891;EVANS1841 Charles 1903,1850 Catherine 1907,1894 Harry 1962,1894 Hilda 1987,1924 Frances Evans Rosen 1987

In total, Mary and John Needham had 7 children, 15 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. Three of her sons (John, Michael and Francis) did not have any children.

Mary's children

(1) Peter James Needham 1852-1915

The first child, Peter James Needham was born in 1852 in New York City and was baptised at St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church. He died on 3 February 1915 in Manhattan, aged about 63 years, and was buried in Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, New York, Queens County, USA. His death notice read: "Husband of the late Lottie Boyd Needham and father of James and Florence Needham. A Requiem Mass was held at St. Joseph's Church and interment at Calvary Cemetery. Source: The New York Times, February 6, 1915".

Peter married Charlotte R T Boyd in 1879 who was born about 1859 in Manhattan, and died on 28 March 1894. She was buried in Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, New York.

They had four children: Loretta Gertrude (1880-1940) [headstone pictured below], James Francis (1882-1950), Mary Jane (1884-1933) and Florence Venice (1891-1918).

Headstone - Loretta Fitzgibbons, New York City.

In the 1880 Federal Census, Peter is listed as being aged 30 years, living in King Street, New York City, and his occupation is cutter-clothing. His wife Lottie is aged 25 years, occupation Keeping House.

In the 1900 US Census Peter Needham aged 48, is recorded as living with his daughter Loretta Fitzgibbons and her husband John who had been married 3 years, and their son Thomas aged 2 (born January 1898). Also in the household were Mary Needham aged 16, James Francis Needham aged 19, Florence Needham aged 10 years.

In the 1910 Census, Peter J Needham is listed as being father-in-law, widowed, and living with his daughter Loretta and her husband John H Fitzgibbons, and their children Thomas 11, Charlotte 9, Margaret 7, Loretta 5, Florence 1, along with Florence Needham sister-in-law, aged 19.

(2) Catherine Needham 1854-1907

Catherine Needham (also known as Kate or Katie) was born about 1854-55 in New York City and died on 2 December 1907 in Manhattan aged about 52 years, and was buried in Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, New York.

She married Charles H. Evans on 25 February 1876. Charles was born about 1847 (headstone states 1851) and died on 1 November 1903 in Manhattan, and was also buried in Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, New York.

They had six children: John (1877-1925), Frances (1879-1882), Baby Evans (1884-1884), Charles R. (1885-1887), Edward (1888-1938) and Harry (1894-1962).

John was born in May 1877 in Manhattan and married Isabella Dawson (1883-1916), on 9 October 1904; they had one son John Edward Evans 1907- . John died on 7 July 1925 and was buried in Calvary Cemetery.

Frances is listed as being two years of age when she died on 16 July 1882 at 192 Varick St, Manhattan. She is buried in Calvary Cemetery. [Ref: "New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2W84-DDV : 3 June 2020), Frances Evans, 1882."

Charles R. is listed as being 2 years of age when he died on 4 January 1877, residing at 192 Varick St. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery.

Edward probably served in the military in World War I as a seaman. He married a Margaret Kaiser on 28 June 1927. His death name is registered as "Edwin" and he is buried in Calvary Cemetery in December 1938. No children are listed. His wife Margaret died on 7 March 1942 and was buried on 10 March at Silver Mount Cemetery, Staten Island, New York City.

Harry was drafted in both World Wars I and II. He married a Hilda Leshinke on 29 October 1916 at St Boniface Roman Catholic Church, Manhattan, and they had 5 children.

(3) Mary Ann Needham 1857-1881

Mary has born on 10 June 1857 in New York City and was baptised on 13 June 1857 at Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church, her sponsors being Patrick Creaven and Ann Rafter.

Mary married Frederick Sill Young on 2 November 1875 in Manhattan. They had one daughter Mary (1877-1934) who married Emil Rudolph Henrici (1878-1952). Mary Henrici was buried in Lot 6666, Section 62 at Green-Wood Cemetery, together with her husband Emil and father Frederick.

Frederick Young was born 26 August 1856, died 9 May 1932 aged 75 years, and was the first to be buried in the family plot in Lot 6666, Section 62, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn. FindaGrave page for Frederick: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/57215019/frederick-s-young. Find a Grave, database and images - (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/57215019/frederick-s-young : accessed 31 March 2022), memorial page for Frederick S. Young (unknown–May 1932), Find a Grave Memorial ID 57215019, citing Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, Kings County (Brooklyn), New York, USA ; Maintained by Athanatos (contributor 46907585). (Green-Wood Cemetery is a 478-acre (193 ha) cemetery in the western portion of Brooklyn, New York City.) Search Geeen-Wood Cemetery burial database.

Mary Young died suddenly on 31 July 1881 in Manhattan, 192 Varick St, aged 24 years, and was buried on 2 August 1881 in Calvary Cemetery. [Online Reference: "New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2W3V-85F : 2 June 2020), Mary Ann Young, 31 Jul 1881; citing Death, Manhattan, New York County, New York, United States, New York Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm 1,322,606.

(4) John Needham 1860-1860

John Needham was born 23 February 1860 in Manhattan, and baptised on 26 February at the Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church. Sadly he died before his first birthday of unknown causes on 20 December 1860 in Manhattan, and was buried in Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, New York.

(5) Michael Needham 1862-1916

Michael Needham was born in 1862 in New York City, died on 27 March 1916 in Manhattan, New York City, USA at age 54, and was buried on 30 March 1916 in Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, New York. It appears he did not marry.

FindaGrave listing: Unmarried son of John Needham and Mary Healy, both born Ireland. Michael was born 1862, US, and died in Manhattan, NY, aged 53 years. Interred at Calvary 30 March 1916.

Online Reference: Find a Grave, database and images - (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/204894709/michael-needham : accessed 03 April 2022), memorial page for Michael Needham (1862–27 Mar 1916), Find a Grave Memorial ID 204894709, citing Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, Queens County, New York, USA ; Maintained by Virginia D (contributor 48327939).

"New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2WCH-RQF : 3 June 2020), Mary Healy in entry for Michael Needham, 27 Mar 1916; citing Death, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States, New York Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm 1,322,388.

(6) Francis Needham 1867-1941

Francis Needham was born on 6 February 1867 in New York City, and died on 3 May 1941 in Red Hook, Dutchess, New York, at age 74. He was a De La Salle Christian Brother. It appears from immigration records that he went to England for 5 years in 1935 at the age of 68 years, but the reason is unknown. He arrived back in New York on 3 May 1941.

Online References: Needham, Francis (Albeus Jerome FSC), NY-409-1033, Box: 1. De La Salle Christian Brothers Archives of the New York District.

Needham, Francis (Albeus Jerome FSC), NY-409-1033, Box: 1. De La Salle Christian Brothers Archives of the New York District. https://archivesspace.manhattan.edu/repositories/2/resources/4936 Accessed April 01, 2022.

(7) Henry E. Needham 1870-1905

Henry E. Needham was born on 19 March 1870 in New York City, died on 8 September 1905 in Manhattan, New York City, at the age of 35 years, and was buried on 10 September 1905 in Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, New York. Findagrave listing.

In the 1900 Federal Census Henry is listed as being aged 30, a travelling salesman, his wife Margaret aged 29 years, and his children Helen aged 3 and Mary aged 1 year.

References: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/204902827/henry-e-needhamSon of John and Mary Needham, both born Ireland. Henry was widowed (probably spouse of Margaret Mahony), and a Salesman who resided in NY. Born about 1870, US, he died at 556 Hudson St, Manhattan, NY, abt age 35 years. Interred at Calvary 10 September 1905.

Find a Grave, database and images - (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/204902827/henry-e-needham : accessed 31 March 2022), memorial page for Henry E. Needham (1870–8 Sep 1905), Find a Grave Memorial ID 204902827, citing Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, Queens County, New York, USA ; Maintained by Virginia D (contributor 48327939).

"New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949", database, FamilySearch. Death cert #28673. GS Film Number 1323097.

Henry married Margaret G. Mahoney on 5 February 1896 in St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Sixth Avenue, Manhattan. Margaret was born about 1871, died on 14 September 1901 in Manhattan, aged about 29, and was buried in September 1901 in Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, New York. Her infant daughter Agnes Clair Needham was only 4 months old, but the cause of Margaret's death is unknown.

References: "New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:24C2-1YW : 10 February 2018), Henry Needham and Margaret Mahoney, 05 Feb 1896; citing Marriage, Manhattan, New York, New York, United States, New York City Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm 1,493,455.

Daughter of John and Ella (Ellen) Mahoney, both born Ireland.Spouse of Henry E. Needham, died after 1901. Margaret was married, and a housewife who resided in NYC. Born abt 1872, US, she died at 767 Greenwich, Manhattan, NY, about age 29 years. Interred at Calvary 16 Sep 1901.

"New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949", database, FamilySearch. Death cert 328214. GS Film Number 1322996.

Find a Grave, database and images - (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/204897306/margaret-g-needham : accessed 31 March 2022), memorial page for Margaret G. Mahony Needham (1872–14 Sep 1901), Find a Grave Memorial ID 204897306, citing Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, Queens County, New York, USA ; Maintained by Virginia D (contributor 48327939).

They had four children: Helen (1896-1972), Mary (1899- ), Marie Agnes (1900-1921) and Agnes Clair (1901-1901).

(1) Helen Needham was born on (25) or 28 November 1896 in New York, and was baptised on 9 December 1896 at St Veronica's Roman Catholic Church, Manhattan with her nickname "Ellen Jerome" probably in a nod to her uncle. She died a spinster on 27 September 1962 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, at age 65 years.

(2) Mary Needham was born in February 1899 in New York, USA (unconfirmed), death unknown.

(3) Marie Agnes Needham was born on 10 February 1899 in New York City, New York, and baptised in St Bernard's Roman Catholic Church, Manhattan. She died on 12 February 1921 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, at age 21 years, and was buried on 15 February 1921 in Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, New York. She was recorded as being a Bank Clerk. The cause of her death at such a young age is unknown.

Reference: "New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2WY8-PKV : 3 June 2020), Henry E. Needham in entry for Marie Agnes Needham, 1921.

(4) Agnes Clair Needham was born on 1 March 1901 in New York, USA, died two and a half months later on 15 May 1901 in Manhattan, New York City, USA, and was buried on 16 May 1901 in Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, New York.

References: Infant daughter of Henry E. Needham and Margaret Mahony, both born NYC, NY. Agnes was born about 1901, NYC, NY, resided in Manhattan, and died at 767 Greenwich St, Manhattan, NY, NY. Interred at Calvary 16 May 1901.

"New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949", database, FamilySearch. Reference ID 15153. GS Film Number 1322991.

Find a Grave, database and images - (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/204896191/agnes-needham : accessed 31 March 2022), memorial page for Agnes Needham (1901–15 May 1901), Find a Grave Memorial ID 204896191, citing Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, Queens County, New York, USA; Maintained by Virginia D (contributor 48327939).

It would therefore appear that Henry E Needham's family line died out as none of his grandchildren produced descendants that we know of.

Family Trees and Sources of Information

A family tree has been produced for Mary Healy which is available on request. The family tree is also online in Ancestry.com which you may be given access to by request. Please treat dates listed with caution as sometimes conflicting dates are noted on different records. All attempts to list correct information are made.

Sources of information have been provided where necessary to enable people to track back to the original records online via Ancestry.com.

Several DNA matches have been identified between Patrick Healy's family and Mary Healy's family.

Contact

If you know of any new information about Mary Healy, please contact Dale Hartle on 021 45 34 24 or email mjhartle at xtra co nz (please adjust the email address) or contact me at 171 Queen Street West, Levin, New Zealand 5510.