Hannah Riordan

So we have seen that Ellen Keohane - daughter of Jack Keohane and Mary Pierce - had one child, Ellie Hurley, prior to her marriage to Edward Riordan. Then the couple had Hannah, Mollie, Edward, and John.

Hanna Riordan is born on 1 August 1898 in Dunderrow and is baptized that same day - 1 August 1898 - in the Church of St. John the Baptist in Kinsale. Godparents are Denis Long and Hanna Donovan.  I wonder if she was a sickly newborn and that is why she was baptized the same day. I sent for Hannah's baptismal record for our family reunion in 2006.

Then I found Hannah Riordan on a ship's passenger list on the Ellis Island website when I was searching for my great aunt Hannah Keohane. 

Hannah Riordan comes to New York with her first cousin Hannah Keohane on the S.S. Cedric, which leaves Queenstown on 1 May 1921. She is listed on line 28 List Q 9 as a 22 year old single domestic servant. She is able to read and write English. Her nearest relative in Ireland is her father Edward Riordan of Dunderrow, Kinsale. Her final destination is Boston, Massachusetts.

The ship docks in New York on 11 May 1921. Hannah bought her own ticket and has $25. She is joining her stepsister Ellie Hurley at 13 Chestnut Street in Boston. So here is Ellie! We have one more bit of information about her! But I still couldn't find her in a directory or  census.

Hannah does not plan to return to Ireland; she plans to remain in the United States and become a U.S. citizen. She is 5'6" tall. Her complexion is fair; she has brown hair and grey eyes.

Chestnut Street is on Beacon Hill - it runs parallel to Beacon Street.

13 Chestnut Street is the door on the right with black doors - this is where Ellie Hurley must be working.

By the way, first cousin Hannah Keohane on line 8 below lists her nearest relative in Ireland as her aunt Ellen Reardon of Dunderrow - Hannah Riordan's mother! 

We saw that Hannah was listed as Riordan when she herself was listed on the manifest, but as Reardon on her cousin's listing. So we can see how names are changed during immigration. Did Hannah Keohane not know how to spell Riordan or did the official compiling the information just spell it this way?

Hannah Keohane was coming out to my grandfather, John Keohane, in Watertown, Massachusetts. We'll talk more about her shortly.

I searched around for Hannah Riordan on www.ancestry.com in Boston and surrounding towns where I knew that there were relatives like the Hogans. 

I was surprised when I unexpectedly found that Hannah Riordan went back to Ireland at some point and then returned to Boston a year and a half after first arriving here.  

The Cunard Steam Ship Company Limited has her listed here as a 24 year old single female heading to Newton. So when she first arrived, she went to Boston to Ellie - now she is coming back to Newton. How did she get from Boston to Newton in such a short time?

Notice that a Julia Riordan is listed just above her. She is 30 and heading to Boston. We will see that she is from Cahirciveen in Kerry. 

And there is also a 23 year old Ellen Riordan from Knocknagree in County Cork - she is heading to Somerville. Knocknagree is close to the Cork-Kerry border. I don't know if any of them are related. Seems funny that 3 out of 13 names are Riordan. But looking again, Reilly/Rahilly is listed 3 times also - all going to different destinations.

Below, Hannah is listed on line 18 on the manifest for the S.S. Franconia, which left Cobh on 26 October and arrived in Boston on 1 November 1923.  Hannah is a 24 year old domestic servant who can read and write English. She is a British citizen – her last permanent residence is Kinsale, Ireland. Her closest relative in Ireland is her father Edward Riordan of Drumderren, Kinsale, Co. Cork. (I presume Drumderren is a misspelling for Dunderrow.) Hannah's final destination is Newton, Massachusetts.

Notice that Julia Riordan is line 5.

Hannah bought her ticket for her final destination of Newton. She has been to the U.S. before - in Newton in 1921. She is joining her employer W. L. Garrison of 65 Sterling Street in West Newton, Massacchusetts. Hannah intends to remain in the U.S. permanently and plans to become a U. S. citizen. A hand-written notation looks like it says she left the U. S. from Boston on May 26, 1923. She is 5 feet 8 inches with a fresh complexion, fair hair and grey eyes.

So she went back to Dunderrow about a year after she first left there and was there for about 5 months. I wonder why?

65 Sterling Street is near West Newton.

65 Sterling Street where Hannah Reardon lived and worked.

Three years before, the 1920 U.S. Census for Newton’s Ward 3 Precinct 2 tells us a little about 65 Sterling Street – the address where Hannah Riordan is returning in 1923. William Lloyd Garrison, Jr. and his family are living there. Lloyd is a 45 year old bond broker; he was born in Massachusetts. His wife Edith is 41 and was born in New York. They have 6 children – William Lloyd, 3^rd who is 17, Claire who is 16, David who is 13, John B. who is 10, Faith who is 9, and Edith who is 6.  They all attend school – all can read and write except Faith and Edith. 

The family has 3 servants – Lillian McArtle, 37, who was born in Massachusetts and is a nurse; Mary A. Shea, 38, who immigrated from Ireland in 1900 and is the cook; and Agnes Fitzgerald, 39, who also immigrated from Ireland in 1900 and is the maid. I wonder if Hannah Riordan takes the place of one of these women? How did she find this job? When did she start working here? She originally went to her sister Ellie Hurley in Boston in May 1921 – Hannah was working for the Garrisons later in 1921 according to the ship manifest on her return from Ireland in May 1923. Did she have this job when she came out originally? Did stepsister Ellie Hurley find her the job? 

William Lloyd Garrison, Sr. also lives in Newton - he is a wool merchant from Boston. They told me at the Newton Historical Society that these Garrisons are related to the abolitionist of the same name, but they don't know the connection. 

If I was surprised to find Hannah Reardon returning to Boston, I was flabbergasted to find Denis Donovan on board the same ship!! You're wondering why I was so surprised? Because I know that Hannah Riordan married a Denis Donovan; Molly Riordan married his brother Timothy Donovan; and their sister Kate Donovan married my great uncle Jim Keohane. May Kiely's son-in-law wrote up all of Mary Pierce's descendants and gave me a copy - this is how I knew. Plus my mother and father visited Hannah Reardon in Kinsale. But I never knew that Denis might have been out here.

Denis is a 25 year old, single laborer whose last permanent residence is Kinsale, Co. Cork. He can read and write English. His nearest relative is his father, James Donovan, of Dunderrow, Kinsale, Co. Cork. His final destination is Newton, Massachusetts. 

His cousin bought his ticket, and he has $25. He is joining his cousin Hannah Riordan at 65 Sterling Street in West Newton. His cousin?!?! I didn't know that either! He is not planning to return to Ireland – he wants to become a U.S. citizen. He is 5 feet 10 inches   tall and has a brown complexion, black hair, and grey eyes.

So what kind of job does Denis Donovan find? I know that Hannah Riordan and a Denis Donovan marry – but I don’t know when or where. Is this him? We do know that Hannah returns to Dunderrow at some point and raises a family. But why return to Ireland and when? I haven't been able to find any other records for either Hannah or Denis.

What I do have are letters written by Hannah Reardon in Dunderrow to my aunt, Hannah Huliston, in Watertown.  I don't have the exact dates for some of the letters.

                                                               "25th Feb

Dear Hannie,

                      It is nearly time for me to write you a few lines. I hope you are all well. I was glad to get your letter at Xmas and thanks for the card and dollars. I didn't expect any money from you. I hope I will return you some little thing from Ireland some time. I am pulling away (and as the old saying - pulling the devil by the tail.) Your letter brought me back the old times. I had a good home in Belmont and Margaret and your father were very good. (My grandmother, Margaret Moriarty and my grandfather, John Keohane, lived for a while in Belmont - Hannah would go there on her days off.) It was the last street car for me any night there. I missed the Park Street one one night and had to run the car track to West Newton. How did I escape. I can't make it out. It was Sterling St. and I can picture the house now. They were a nice family. There name were Garrisons but the old cook and laundress didn't want me there."

We just saw the 1920 U.S. Census. No laundress was listed in the census, but Lillian McArtle, 37, who was born in Massachusetts was the nurse; Mary A. Shea, 38, who immigrated from Ireland in 1900 was the cook; and Agnes Fitzgerald, 39, who also immigrated from Ireland in 1900 was the maid. Is Mary Shea from Ireland the "old cook" who didn't want 24 year old Hannah Riordan working with her? Who was the laundress who didn't want Hannah? I'd hate to think that it may have been someone from Ireland who didn't want her working with them. In the 1930 U.S. Census none of these women are listed.  Anne Finnerty and Margaret Leary - both from Ireland - are the domestic servant and cook.  I wonder what happened to the others - maybe they got married - they would have stopped working then.

Let's continue with Hannah Riordan's letter:

"I went off to Boston to buy a pair of shoes one day with 10 dollars, with my head cocked in the air, and I swinging my hand bag - you'd swear I owned Boston"

"but I came back quicker and my bag empty and opened - all I had was a train ticket to go back. I was lucky for that same. Your father (John Keohane) was grand - God rest him - and so quiet. He was a father for us all. I could talk for ever about them times. We have very bad weather here especially the past week - all snow and dangerous roads. 

I had a quiet Xmas. One son (John) and two kids came and Jim, another son working in the Dock yard in Cobh - he takes a weeks holiday in July. 

I was glad to know all about your sisters and their families and our own. Ye are all doing fine. TG. I had no letter from Jack Reardon (her brother) at Xmas and I didn't bother with him. It isn't the old few dollars he would send but I would like to get an old few lines. I am sure that he was sick. My brother's house here is occupied now after nearly a year. I hates to see it closed up. I missed him terrible. (This must be Edward/Eamon Riordon who went to Britain.) Jim Keohane is fine also his wife, also Mona & Kathleen. I am writing to Nelly also. Have she any notion of coming this summer. May Keohane was handsome and so jolly.  We all laughed enough the hour she was here. She loved this country and around here."

I guess the next page is missing. 

Hannah mentions Jim Keohane, who is my grandfather's youngest brother, as well as Jim's wife and daughters. She is also writing to Nelly who is Nellie Keohane, my grandfather's younger sister. May Keohane is my grandfather's niece - her father is Tom Keohane. We'll talk about all of them a little later.

Hannah Reardon on the left with my grandmother, Margaret Moriarty Keohane, in Belmont. I always wondered if the boy is my uncle Jim Keohane before an accident when he was hit by a car.

The next letter is dated 13th December and may be 1978.

"Dear Hannie, just a few lines hoping to find you & all well. I always think of you although I didn't write with a while. It isn't in the want of time. I hope Margaret (my grandmother) is good & Johnny & your fine big man (my aunt Hannie's son John and husband Norman Huliston.) I had a letter from Nelly after she going back. How she enjoyed her trip. She is in great order always. She generally didn't stay to long when she strikes into us. But the last night here I thought she would never go. It was eleven o'clock when she went (although she only drank a cup of black tea & a biscuit.) Listening to John Manning (my father) singing we went all mad in the end. He is a hard case. All the Kents are fine, growing up. The youngest is eight. Another one on the way if things went right. I nearly died when I found out. Nora is 42 - a bit old but that don't count. She was a week in hospital. She is home & good. Hannah this is a secret (I must be talking.) Don't tell about it, it would come home some time. Tell Nellie not to say it.  Jim Keohane is fine & as happy as Larry. He has Ann Dwyer (his granddaughter) & husband next door to him now. I see him very often. He looks grand for a man of 80 next Easter Sunday."

                                                             

Page 2 of the letter goes on:

"Hannie, I am rambling away. I wrote to Eddie & Johnny Reardon. I didn't hear from them since last Xmas. How could they be bothering with me. I am not feeling to bad so long as I could do a Job, sit down I am finished, very forgetful. I looks for my glasses - put all in the house looking for them & I has them across my nose. Old age is funny. Our weather isn't to bad - mostly rain. We hear that the factory here is starting in the spring. It would be great. 

Nellie Donovan in good shop is fine. She is 21 years in the job. This big yank walked in to see her a few weeks ago - the father and mother and three boys from Kinsale went away to America a good while ago. It was one of those boys walked into see her. She looked after them when they were young & he will be one of the bosses over the factory if it will go on. A few big shots came to Kinsale about it from America. You will think it is a book I will writing to you. I must finish. Remember me to Helen & all. I might see you all again. PG. (Please God.)

                                                               All the best Hannie.

                                                             Love from H. Donovan

                                                                                    XXX"

                                                                                 "Friday 20th

Dear Hannie, Just a few lines in answer to your lovely St. Patrick's card and your few short lines which I got a few days ago. How good it was of you to think of me. Sorry for not writing sooner, but I was keeping going.  There is another baby here since the fourth of March. A girl (six girls & two boys now.) She was born at 1/2 six in the morning. She weighs 9 lbs 3 oz and her name is Margaret. The father is in Germany with six weeks & won't be home for a few more. He is on the Innisfallon, the ferry boat between Cork and Wales, and that was sent to Germany for repairs. We managed ok. Nell helped, and my old man took care of them from the fire. There is two very small ones - three years & a year and a half - and five going to school. I was glad to see their mother home. I suppose it take the lonely off of me at times to hear of them all going on. "

Page 2

"Hannie, I was sorry to know of Mrs. Reardon's death (Hannah Riordan's sister-in-law) and so soon after John (Hannah's brother.) God love her. The family will miss her. I got her prayed for in the two chapels. I am sure Nellie will go straight to heaven - she is always doing good to people. What a heart she has and what herself went through. Tis hard on me to think that Molly (Molly Riordan - Hannah's sister) is dead, looking out for her to come in and have an old yarn. I should go to Mollys every Sunday at dinner time. The meat and the price of it and every thing and maybe we didn't agree about things or someone we see at Mass, but it was life and then at nights a game of cards around the fire. Some one would see her home then maybe at midnight. How they all loved her and how I miss her. 

Hannie I am writing away ramdom I am sure and you will be fed up but I can't help it.

I had a letter & a Mass card from Hannah (Keohane) and one from May Keohane and I must answer it."

Page 3 

"I am writing to Nellie now also. How is my Johnny? If I could send him any little present may be later on. PG. We had a very hard winter and lots of rain. Molly's husband came back to his cottage only once since she died but he may live there for the summer. He would be company and the door would be open. 

Peg Donovan writes to me from England. She miss Molly and had a nice home to come to for her holidays. She is married and had one boy and sent him over to Molly when he was two years old. He is eleven now. He was very useful to her and good company. They took him back to England. Eddie (we call him Bun) lives in Wales. He is married to an Italian. She had loads of money & had a cafe call the Mayflower. She was terrible nice and spent a month with Molly every year. They loved it here. She had four kids. They took her over to Wales several times so you see she enjoyed her life. [Eddie is Molly's son also.]"

Page 4

"Hannie remember me to Margaret - also all the Cooneys and Josie. Her father and mother are fine. Thank you for the dollar. Don't be sending them to me. I keep going alright. If I will live long enough, you will have an Arran cardigan and you will be a smasher. I can't think of no more. 

Forgive me for not writing to you soon.

Hannah"

                                                                               "5 Feb 1979

Dear Hannie,

What must you think of me from not writing to you after all the long time. You must excuse me as I always think of you and all my yanky friends.  I am not the best of writing. I will do the devil but, when the time come I am hopeless. Hope you and all are well. I can't start. they are all here and a very hard winter - plenty of snow and dangerous roads. It is Feb and no change in the weather yet. I was glad to see Josie during the summer - had a month here in Eire and I loved her to come in. She was a real old timer. It was sad to hear that Jim Keohane died (her father) very sudden. Just a week (not sick) but got a pain in his chest. The doctor didn't make a bit of it - that it was muscular pains. But he died a week before Xmas. I missed him - the only Keohane is left now except Mrs. Cooney. He lived on his own - quiet fine man - never had a bad word. He died as he lived. I always kept track of him - always ask about him. He did a little work but it kept him going and was his own boss. He would be 81 Easter Sunday"

Page 2

"and I would be 81 in Aug next. I am not much good - able to get up some part of the day. I have plenty company if it is good for me, to much at times, just carry on. I won't speak of kids. They are all grown up and a type of their own. All they want is style. No work like we had to. Any of Mona Dwyer's family don't want their uncles cottage. She is letting it rent and it is a great centre with the factory building here.

Josie wrote me a few times and the last news is Aunt Nellie and her are coming home this summer. 

I had a letter from Nellie long after Xmas about Jim's death. Isn't she wonderful and the age she is, I'd say 85 this year. Eddie Reardon didn't write to me this Xmas but Johnny did. I am kind of expecting Eddie home this spring. The last news is that Aunt Hannah has died. Mona was telling Nell my daughter in town. I don't hear no more about it but I am very sorry. She is a long time bad and jim's death finished her. The husband must be strong yet. I see their snaps lately. She looked ghastly the creature. May God be good to them all.

Page 3 

"Hannie that is enough about my old sorrowful news. It will be a day before all of us. I hope I will see you during the year - John Manning, Helen, and that fine man of yours and Johnny. I was glad to see Rita & Dick Walsh - no time - flying like the Yanks as always. That old stroke knocked me about a lot last May. Hard for me to speak. I was a great hand at that - plenty old guff. Hannie forgive me for not writing to you before now. I had the same gnaw for you and all my own. Nora and Nell and all wishes to be remembered to you and wish you a Happy New Year. This old country is gone to the dogs - strikes and trouble. Two of the Kents got engaged during Xmas. One got jealous of the other. God get them sence.                        

I will finish. Be sure and write to me some time and remember me to your mother and all.      All the best.

Love from Hannah

Page 4 

"I will finish that page if I can. This is about old times but I remember it well. Your father, John Keohane, and Aunt Hannah stood up for two babies (sponcers - Godfather & Godmother.) Your father, a young man, worked in a farm and this family, their names were O'Brien, were very poor. So the baby came on and your father stood up for her and two years or so Hannah stood for the second baby. They shifted off and got well off. One to England and the other stayed in Ireland. I met the two lately and there we were confabbling away about old times. It was remarkable. It was on jim's removal and we started it all over again. Her name was Babe O'Brien & the other Dolly. Aunt Nellie may remember it (O'Briens from Horse Hill.) You will think I am doting mad now but it happened. I hope I am making you lonely but I loves to think over it.              This few dollars are for a few sweets for Johnny. must be a big man now.

God bless"

Aren't these great letters!! I wish there were more of them surviving!! 

In this letter, she mentions the O'Briens whom you might have noticed in the 1911 Irish Census of Horsehill More North.

John O'Brien is the 32 year old head of the family - he is a general labourer. Hanna is his 30 year old wife - they have been married for 10 years and the 6 children born to the marriage are still living. There are 10 year old John, 8 year old Jeremiah, 6 year old Patrick, 5 year old Michael. Then there are 3 year old Mary and 6 month old Hanna who must be the two babies for whom my grandfather and Aunt Hannah Keohane were Godparents - Babe and Dolly, which are nicknames.

I received an email from Eddie Reardon, John Reardon's son, when we were planning the family reunion in 2006. He wrote that Hannah Riordan married James O'Donovan from Court Mashery/ Dunderrow. So this is a little different from the information I have. 

I remember hearing that Hannah Riordan wrote to my aunt Hannie asking her to get some kind of papers when Hannah was applying for her Irish pension. Was it her marriage certificate?

My father and mother would visit Hannah Riordan each time they visited Ireland - you heard what she said about my father. Doesn't her humor comes through in her letters? I wish I had met her. She must have died before I visited Kinsale with Aunt Nellie Keohane in 1981 because we didn't go to visit her. I wished that I had been able to meet her - even once!

Reardon/Riordon graves in Dunderrow cemetery. I was helping/carrying Aunt Nellie through the cemetery trying to find her parents' graves when I spotted the Reardons.

Denis O'Donovan's grave - I can't make out what is written on the stone under his name.

So that is it for Hannah Riordan.