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Mary HIGGINS (b 1883)

Mary Higgins is my paternal grandmother.

Mary Higgins was born on 24 Nov 1883 at 45 Adelphi Street in Glasgow, Scotland. Her mother reported the birth on 14 Dec and made her mark on the birth registration. Mary's neice, Mae Coleman, reported that Mary was the third of thirteen children born to James and Mary Ann Higgins, but I believe she was the fourth child and third daughter, and I have found only nine births.

Mary's parents came to Glasgow from Ireland sometime before their marriage in 1876, presumably in search of employment for her father. At the time of Mary's birth, her father was a Locomotive Engineer's Stoker. It was clearly physically demanding and probably poorly paid work. Her parents were married in St Alphonsus' Chapel in Glasgow on 03 Jan 1876 and her family was Roman Catholic.

Mary's family appeared in the 1891 Census conducted on 05 Apr 1891 at 21 Crown Street in Glasgow. Her father James (age 38) was a Locomotive Fireman. Her mother Mary was 32. There were six children in the household: Bridget (a daughter age 14), Ann (a daughter age 10), Mary (age 8), James (a son age 5), Catherine (a daughter age 3) and Michael (a son age 1). Bridget, Ann and Mary were all in school. Mary's maternal grandparents were in the same building and her mother's younger sisters, Ann (age 24) and Catherine (age 20), were still unmarried and living with their parents, Thomas (age 60) and Ann (age 50) Malone. Mary's parents, James and Mary Higgins, were both born in Ireland, but all of their children were born in Glasgow.

By 1901, Mary's family had moved north, across the Clyde River, to 184 Rose Street in Glasgow, a good bit closer to the neighborhood where her future husband, John Stuart, lived at 20 Raeberry Street. The household consisted of her parents, James (age 48, a locomotive works fireman) and Mary (age 42), and seven children, Bridget (age 24, a tobacco packer), Charles (age 22, occupation illegible but possibly iron turner), Mary (age 18, a domestic servant), James (age 15, an apprentice iron turner), Catherine (age 13, scholar), Margaret (age 2) and Agnes (age 8 months).

I know nothing of how Mary and John met. I know only that John emigrated from Scotland to the United States in the summer of 1906 under an alias, John Bain. By October of that year Mary had joined him in Trenton, New Jersey. John's naturalization petition reported that he arrived in New York on 30 Jun 1906 on the vessel Columbia. John's handwritten notes concerning his arrival in the United States read Arrived in Philadelphia 7th July 1906. Came on to Trenton about 7th Sept, 1906. Mary Higgins Arrived here October 10th, [19]06. Married in Trenton, New Jersey January 30th, 1907. I have surmised that there may have been some family upset over this relationship given John's travel under an alias and have presumed that the cause may have been religious affiliation. If there was uneasiness within either family at the time of their elopement, all was forgotten and forgiven in later years. Both John and Mary had strong family ties in later years.

Mary married John Stuart, a baker and presumably her Glasgow sweetheart, on Wednesday, 30 Jan 1907 in Trenton (Mercer) NJ. The ceremony was conducted by William A Frye, clergyman, in accord with Methodist Episcopal Church rites. John was age 24 and gave his residence as 439 N Montgomery, Trenton. Mary was 22 and living at the same address. An undated newspaper clipping with the headline 'Lovers in Scotland; Wedded in Trenton' reads as follows:

A friendship since childhood between Miss Mary Higgins and John Stuart, formerly of Glasgow, Scotland terminated in their marriage last evening at the parsonage of St Paul's M. E. church. The Rev William A Frye, DD, performed the ceremony. The bride wore sapphire blue gown and a picture hat. She was attended by Miss Viola Magee, and Arthur Attwood was the best man. After the ceremony the party went to the residence of Alonzo Magee, 330 West Hanover street, where a reception was given. (Alonzo Magee was a baker. Viola Magee, his daughter, and Arthur Attwood were later married.)

I have no direct knowledge of this couple's church affiliation, but I presume both were protestant and Presbyterian from the time of their marriage. Mae Coleman comments that her Aunt Mary "was Roman Catholic until she married." I know that my father, Mary's son, was a member of a Presbyterian church from his early 20s.

The couple moved from Trenton to Wilkes Barre (Luzerne) PA on 10 Mar 1907 and then to Nanticoke (Luzerne) PA on 15 Jun 1907. Mary gave birth to twin sons, William Theodore and Charles Edward, on 05 Dec 1907 at home at 127 Market Street in Nanticoke.

By 1910, the couple was resident at 252 Union Street in Lambertville (Hunterdon) NJ. They were there in the 1910 Census dated 07 May 1910 but the family surname was recorded as Strop. The household comprised John (head, age 27, baker), Mary (wife, age 25), Wm (son, age 2) and Chas (son, age 2). They were captured again on 25 Jun 1915 in the 1915 Census of New Jersey, living at 258 North Union Street in Lambertville. John was age 32, a baker, and a naturalized citizen. Mary was age 30. The boys William and Charles were both age 7 and in school at the Third Ward Public School.

Soon after the 1915 Census, John's bakery failed, and the family moved to Rochester (Monroe) NY. At the time of his registration for World War I on 12 Sep 1918 he reported that he was a baker for Wm Schaller at the corner of Jefferson and Plymouth Avenues in Rochester. The couple were living at 569 Plymouth Avenue. John died later that year, on 13 Dec 1918.

Mary did not remarry after John's death. She supported herself and her two sons by catering. Mae Coleman reported that she was a wonderful cook. The 1920 Census showed that the family was still at 569 Plymouth Avenue. School report cards show that Mary had moved to 110 N Fitzhugh Street in Rochester by 1925. In 1930, the Census found her at 202 Chestnut Street in Rochester. Mary reported that she was an independent caterer and a naturalized citizen. Only son William was still living with her. Son Charles was away at school, a student at Duke University in Durham (Durham) NC.

In April 1940, Mary was living with her son, William and daughter-in-law, Mary Onderdonk in their home on West Juneway Terrace in Chicago (Cook) IL. William was the editor of a trade magazine. Mary, now age 53, was reported to have completed high school. Later in 1940, William lost his wife Mary. Soon after, he moved to Westfield (Union) NJ and it seems likely that his mother Mary moved with him. By the end of 1946, however, Mary became ill, ill enough that she became resident at the New Jersey State Hospital in Marlboro Township (Monmouth) NJ. Correspondence between Mary's two sons at the time suggest that her hospitalization had been necessitated because she exhibited signs of what was thought to be a mental illness.

Mary died at the state hospital in Marlboro (Monmouth) NJ on 14 Apr 1947. The immediate cause of death was recorded as bronchial pneumonia; the secondary cause was initially recorded simply as brain tumor, but, two weeks later was corrected to adene carcinoma of pituitary. Mary's body was cremated on 15 Apr 1947 at the Rosehill Crematorium in Linden (Union) NJ.

Sources:

1876 Marriage Registration for James Higgins (b c1852) and Mary Malone: Citation: The National Records of Scotland. 1876 Marriages 644/4/57. Transcribed by the author from microfiche. Content: An entry in the 1876 Registry of Marriages in the District of Calton, Burgh of Glasgow, entry 57, records the marriage on 1876 3rd Jan at St Alphonsus' Chapel, Glasgow of James Higgins, Engine Work Stoker (Bachelor) and Mary Malone (signs with a mark), warehouse worker (Spinster). Groom: age 23, address: 100 High Street, Glasgow; parents: Patrick Higgins, Laborer, Bridget Higgins m.s. Higgins (deceased). Bride: age 17, , address: 100 High Street; parents: Thomas Malone, Laborer, Ann Malone m.s. Hinnigham. Signed Jeremiah I Buckley. Witnesses: Marlin Phillin, Maria Owens. Registered: 1876 Jan 15th at Glasgow.

1883 Birth Registration for Mary Higgins (b 1883): Citation: The National Records of Scotland. 1883/Births/644/12/1531. Transcript made by the author from microfiche. Content: An entry in the 1883 Registry of Births in the District of Gorbals (Glasgow City, Scotland), entry 1531, shows that Mary Higgins , female, was born on 1883 November 24th 2h 0m am at 45 Adelphi Street, Glasgow. Father: James Higgins, Locomotive Engineer's Stoker. Mother: Mary Higgins m.s. Malone. Married: 1876 January 3d Glasgow. Informant: Mary Higgins (her mark), mother.. Registered: 1883 Dec 14th at Glasgow.

1891 Scotland Census, Household of James Higgins (b c1852): Citation: The National Records of Scotland. 1901 Census 644/11 1/3. Content: The 1891 Scotland Census of Govan, Hutchesontown, Glasgow on 5 Apr 1891, 21 Crown Street, a residence with two rooms with one or more windows and a household composed of (1) James Higgins, head, married, male, age 38, fireman on locomotive, born Ireland, (2) Mary Higgins, wife, married, female, age 32 born Ireland, (3) Bridget Higgins, daur, female, age 14, scholar, born Glasgow, Lanarkshire, (4) Ann Higgins, daur, female, age 10, scholar, born Glasgow, Lanarkshire, (5) Mary Higgins, daur, female, age 8, scholar, born Glasgow, Lanarkshire, (6) James Higgins, son, male, age 5, born Glasgow, Lanarkshire, (7) Catherine Higgins, daur, female, age 3, born Glasgow, Lanarkshire, (8) Michael Higgins, daur, female, age 14, scholar, born Glasgow, Lanarkshire.

1901 Scotland Census, Household of James Higgins (b c 1852): Citation: The National Records of Scotland. 1901 Census 644/11/6/0/0/032Z. Content: The 1901 Scotland Census of Govan, Glasgow, 184 Rose Street, a residence of two rooms with one or more windows and a household composed of (1) James Higgins, head, married, male, age 48, loco works fireman, worker, born Ireland, (2) Mary Higgins, wife, married, female, age 42, born Ireland, (3) Bridget Higgins, Daur, single, female, age 24, tobacco packer, born Lanarkshire, Glasgow, (4) Charles Higgins, Son, single, male, age 22, [occupation illegible], worker, born Lanarkshire, Glasgow, (5) Mary Higgins, Daur, single, female, age 18, domestic servant, worker, born Lanarkshire, Glasgow, (5) James Higgins, Son, single, male, age 15, apprentice iron worker, worker, born Lanarkshire, Glasgow, (6) Catherine Higgins, Daur, single, female, age 13, scholar, born Lanarkshire, Glasgow, (7) Margaret Higgins, Daur, single, female, age 2, scholar, born Lanarkshire, Glasgow, (7) Agnew Higgins, Daur, single, female, age 8 months, born Lanarkshire, Glasgow.

An itinerary of John's first months in the United States: The author possesses a facsimile of this handwritten itinerary.

1907 Marriage Certificate for John Stuart (b 1882) and Mary Higgins: Citation: The author possesses a facsimile copy of the certificate. Content: A 1907 certificate of marriage shows that John Stuart and Mary Higgins were married on Wednesday, the Thirtieth day of January AD One Thousand Nine Hundred and Seven at Trenton, New Jersey, according to the rites of the Methodist Episcopal Church ... Dated: Friday this First day of February AD 1907. Signed: William A Frye, Clergyman. Witnesses: Arthur Atwood and Viola Magee.

1907 Marriage Registration for John Stuart (b 1882) and Mary Higgins: Citation: State of New Jersey, Bureau of Vital Statistics. Marriages 1907. Entry 308. Transcribed by the author from microfilm (reel 226). Content: A 1907 State of New Jersey marriage aregistration shows that John Stuart and Mary Higgins were married on 30 Jan 1907 at Trenton, NJ. Groom: residence: 439 N Montgomery, Trenton; age 24; occupation: baker; birthplace: Glasgow, Scotland; father's name: Wm Stuart. mother's maiden name: Mary McHardy. Bride: residence 439 N Montgomery, Trenton; age 22; birthplace: Glasgow, Scotland; father's name: James Higgins; mother's maiden name: Mary Malone. Witnesses: Arthur Attwood, Viola Magee. Person officiating: W A Frye, Clergyman.

1907 Birth Certificate for William Theodore Stuart (b 1907): Citation: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Certificate of Birth. Registration District 650, Primary Registration District No 1351, Registered No 992. Facsimile copy in possession of the author. Content: A Pennsylvania birth certificate shows that William Theodore Stuart, male, legitimate, twin, birth order: 1, was born 05 Dec 1907 in Naticoke (Luzerne) Pennsylvania at 127 Market Street. Father: John Stuart, Nanticoke, age 25, born Scotland, occupation:baker. Mother: Mary Higgins, age 23, born Scotland, occupation: housewife. Number of children of this mother: 2. Attending Physician: Seth W Kistler. Nanticoke, attended birth of this child born on 05 Dec 1907 at 3pm. Filed 31 Dec.

1907 Birth Certificate for Charles Edward Stuart (b 1907): Citation: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Certificate of Birth. Registration District 650, Primary Registration District No 1351, Registered No 991. Facsimile copy in possession of the author. Content: A Pennsylvania birth certificate shows that Charles Edward Stuart, male, legitimate, twin, birth order: 2, was born 05 Dec 1907 in Naticoke (Luzerne) Pennsylvania at 127 Market Street. Father: John Stuart, Nanticoke, age 25, born Scotland, occupation:baker. Mother: Mary Higgins, age 23, born Scotland, occupation: housewife. Number of children of this mother: 2. Attending Physician: Seth W Kistler. Nanticoke, attended birth of this child born on 05 Dec 1907 at 3pm. Filed 31 Dec.

1910 US Census, Household of John Stuart (b 1882): Citation: Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Year: 1910; Census Place: Lambertville Ward 3, Hunterdon, New Jersey; Roll: T624_895; Page: 19A; Enumeration District: 0017; FHL microfilm: 1374908. Content: The 1910 US Census of Lambertville City (Hunterdon) New Jersey on 07 May 1910, 252 Union Street, rented, lists a household composed of (1) John Strop (sic), head male, age 27, married (first, for 3 years), born in Scotland, parents born in Scotland, year of immigration is 1906, baker in a bakery working on his own account, out of work for 0 weeks in 1909, (2) Mary Strop (sic), wife, female, age 25, married (first marriage, for 3 years, 2 children ever born, 2 living), born in Scotland, parents born in Scotland, no occupation, (3) Wm Strop (sic), son, male, age 2, single, born PA, (4) Chas Strop (sic), son, male, age 2, single, born PA.

1912 Declaration of Intention for John Stuart (b 1882): Citation: The author has a facsimile copy of the document provided by the Immigration and Naturalization Service in 1993. Content: USA Declaration of Intention (No 87, Duplicaate, 1148393), State of New Jersey, County of Mercer, District Court of ?? reads: I John Stuart, aged 29 years, occupation Baker, do declare on oath that my personal description is: Color: white, complextion light, height 5 feet 2-1/2 inches, other visible distinctive marks; pit mark on left cheek bone. I was born in Glasgow, Scotland on the 26 day of September, anno Dominin 1882; I now reside at 252 Union Street, Lambertville, NJ. I emigrated to the USA from Glasgow, Scotland on the vessel Columbia; my last foreign residence was Glasgow, Scotland. ... I arrived at the port of New York on or about the 8 day of July, anno Domini 1906; I am not an anarchist; I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy; and it is my intention in good faith to become a citizen of the United States of America and to permanently reside therein; So Help Me God. [signed] John Stuart. 07 Mar 1912,

1914 Naturalization Certificate for John Stuart (b 1882): Citation: The author has a facsimile copy of a form watermarked original. Content: A USA Certificate of Naturalization (No 236366) provides a description of the holder: Age: 31; height: 5 feet 2-1/2 inches; color: white; complexion: Fair; color of eyes: Brown; color of hair: Brown; visible distinguising marks: pit mark on left cheek bone; Name, age, and place of residence of wife: Mary; 29 yrs; Lambertville, NJ; Names, ages, and places of residence of minor children: Charles E and William T, Both 6 years old, reside at Lambertville NJ. Signed: John Stuart ... State of NJ, Hunterdon County ... Court of Common Pleas ... 24 Sep 1914 ... John Stuart ... residence: 258 North Union, Lambertville, NJ. Seal: 24 Sep 1914.

1918 Death Certificate for John Stuart (b 1882): Citation: Verified Transcript from the Register of Death, 1918, Register No 4569, Office of Vital Records, Rochester, New York. Content: The transcript reads: Date of death: Dec 13 1918; Register No: 4565; Name of Deceased: John Stuart; Sex: Male; Age: 36 years, 2 months, 17 days; Married; Race: White; Occupation: Baker; Birthplace: Scotland; How Long a Resident: [Blank]; Father's Name and Birthplace: William, Scotland; Mother's Name and Birthplace: Mary S, Scotland. Place of Death: 569 Plymouth Ave, Rochester, NY; Cause of Death: Chief cause: Lobar Pneumonia; Other causes: Splenic Leukaemia; TIme from Attack till Death: [Blank]; Medical Attendance: S J LePard; Informant: Mary Stuart; Undertaker: Strauchen; Place of Burial: Mt Hope Cem.

1918 Rochester Times Union Obituary for John Stuart (b 1882): Citation: Rochester Times Union, [Rochester, NY] 13 Dec 1918, page 9, col 12. Content: The obituary reads: STUART-- Entered into rest in this city, Friday evening, December 13, 1918, at his home, 569 Plyouth Avenue, John Stuart, aged 35 years. Deceased is survived by his wife, Mary Stuart; two sons, William and Charles Stuart of this city, and his parents, William and Mary Stuart of Glasgow, Scotland. Deceased was a member of the Masonic Order, and of the Leni Lenapi Lodge, I. O. O. F. of Lambertville, New Jersey. Funderal from the home Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Interment will be made in Mount Hope Cemetery.

Find A Grave Memorial for John Stuart (b 1882): Citation: Find a Grave Memorial 151247436 for John Stuart (b 1882)

1920 US Census, Household of Mary Higgins Stuart (b 1883): Citation: Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Year: 1920; Census Place: Rochester Ward 19, Monroe, New York; Roll: T625_1125; Page: 9B; Enumeration District: 234. Content: The 1920 US Census of 17th Election District of Rochester (Monroe) New York on 08 Feb 1920, 269 Plymouth Avenue, rented, lists a household composed of (1) Mary Stuart, head, male(sic), white, [no age recorded], widow, can read write, father born Scotland, mother born ?Ireland?, musician in a picture theater, wage earner, (2) William T Stuart, son, male, white, age 12, single, in school, can read/write, born Pennsylvania, parents born Scotland, (3) Charles E Stuart, son, male, white, age 12, single, in school, can read/write, born Pennsylvania, parents born Scotland.

1925 New York State Census, Household of Mary Higgins Stuart (b 1883): Citation: Ancestry.com. New York, U.S., State Census, 1925 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. New York State Archives; Albany, New York; State Population Census Schedules, 1925; Election District: 01; Assembly District: 04; City: Rochester Ward 01; County: Monroe; Page: 3. Content: The 1925 New York State Census of Rochester (Monroe) New York on 01 Jun 1925, 110 North Fitzhugh Street, lists a household composed of (1) Mary Stuart, head, white, female, age 40, born US (sic), citizen, housewife, (2) William Stuart, son, white, male, age 17, born US, citizen, in school, (2) Charles Stuart, son, white, male, age 17, born US, citizen, in school.

1930 US Census, Household of Mary Higgins Stuart (b 1883): Citation: Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002. Year: 1930; Census Place: Rochester, Monroe, New York; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 0012; FHL microfilm: 2341183. Content: The 1930 US Census of Rochester City (Monroe) New York on 11 Apr 1930, 202 Chestnut Street, rented $40, has radio, lists household composed of (1) Mary H Stuart, head, female, white, age 43, widow, age 20 at marriage, can read/write, born Scotland, father born Northern Ireland, mother born Scotland, came to US in 1906, naturalized, independent cateress, own account, worked on last working day, (2) William T Stuart, son, male, white, age 22, single, can read/write, born Pennsylvania, parents born Scotland, estimator for electrical contractor, wage earner, not a veteran.

1940 US Census, Household of William T Stuart (b 1907): Citation: Ancestry.com. 1940 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. Year: 1940; Census Place: Chicago, Cook, Illinois; Roll: m-t0627-01020; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 103-3122. Content: The 1940 US Census of Chicago (Cook) Illinois, West Juneway Terrace, rented $45, shows HH of (1) William T Stuart, head, age 32, married, completed HS-4, born PA, residence in 1935: Rochester (Monroe) NY, occupation: editor of trade magazine, (2) Mary O Stuart, wife, age 26, married, completed HS-4, born NY, (3) Mary H Stuart, mother, age 53, widow, born Scotland, naturalized, completed HS-4.

1947 New Jersey Death Certificate for Mary Stuart (b 1883): Citation: New Jersey Department of Health. Bureau of Vital Statistics. Content: A New Jersey Death Certificate dated 14 Apr 1947 shows that Mary Stuart, female, white, widowed, wife of John Stuart, born 24 Nov 1883, age 63 years, 4 months, 21 days, died on April 14, 1947 in Monmouth County, Marlboro Township, New Jersey at the NJ State Hospital where she had been resident 6 mos, 6 days. Former or Usual Residence: 2066 Hilltop Road, Scotch Plains (Union) NJ. Immediate cause of death: bronchial pneumonia due to brain tumor [amended on 28 May 1947 to read adene-carcinoma pituitary]; Informant: NJ State Hospital Records. Place of Burial: Rosehill Crematorium in Linden, NJ on 15 Apr 1947. Funeral director: Gray, Inc. in Cranford, NJ. Recorded 14 Apr 1947.