Descendants of JAMES KERVIN
Generation No. 1
1. JAMES1 KERVIN was born 1830 in Drogheda, County Louth Ireland, and died 1897 in Livonia, NY bur. prob St. Michaels, Livonia. He married (1) MARY WHALEN Abt 1850. He married (2) JOHANNA RYAN Abt 1864. He married (3) MARY MEAGHER Abt 1866.
Notes
This information came from the research of John P Grattan, 121 Sagamore Dr., Rochester NY 14617, phone # 1-716-544-9507
James Kervin had a very difficult early life, and hopefully a more pleasant second half. He was about 15 when the misery of the great famine hit Ireland in 1845, and he emigrated to the States shortly thereafter, settling in Livonia. He married Mary Whalen (?) about 1850, and they had at least 4 children aged 4 through 11. James' second wife, Johanna Ryan, died October 1865. James and Mary Meagher were married shortly thereafter and had three children between 1867 and 1874; another of their children, John, apparently died young.
FATHER (JAMES KERVIN)
There are a number on inconsistencies in various data regarding James birth year and exact year of arrival here in the States, but the bottom line of it all is that he was born about 1830, and came here as a young man of 15-20 years, between 1845-1850.
Undobtedly he came here to escape the famine, wheich more than likely killed members of his family - - very few families were not directly affected. And so to understand James kervin's beginnings, it is useful to know a bit about the great famine of 1845-1850 in Ireland. From a cold, numerical perspective, of 8 million people in Ireland in 1845, roughly 1/4, more than 2 million, died or emigrated before 1850 because of the 'famine'. And of those who emigrated, many died on route, or shortly after arrival, because of conditions they were subjuected to on the 'coffin ships', as they came to be called back then. But to provide a somewhat more personal perspective on the famine, I have extracted a few quotes from a book written by Norrine Meagher of Livonia:
"From "The Story of the Irish Nation" by Francis Hacket: 'During those hunger years there was bountiful food in sight of the famine victims. During the years 1846-49 the English imported from Ireland 572,485 head of cattle; 839,118 head of sheep; 699,021 pigs; 2,532,839 quarters of oats; 1,821,091 hundredweights of oatmeal; 455,256 quarters of wheat 1,494,852 hundredweights of wheatmeal. The Irish peasants ate grass. They ate weaweed. They ate the rotting potatoes. In the midst of plenty, at the door of the wealthiest nation in the world, 729,033 victims died. ....Each death was a preventable death. Each death was due to causes over which mankind has control.'
"Surely every family in Ireland lost family members, relatives and friends during the famine. It would be insensitive to try to ascertain which of the many families of our Meagher Clan lost loved ones to death by starvation of famine diseases. I have not tried to do so. I do know that my great-great-grandfather, Lawrence Meagher, died in Borris-in Ossory during that period. Two of my great-great Uncles, Martin Meagher and Patrick Meagher, died in Ireland. The surviving members of the family: Catherine, Mary Julia, John (JG note: husband of Ann Kavanaugh) and Kieran all emigrated in the lat 1840's and early 1850's. Their mother, my great-great grandmother, Mary Campion Meagher, came a few years later. My great-grandmother (JG note: wife of above Kieran), Bridget Whalen Meagher, also emigrated in the early 1850's. A great-great aunt was fefused passage at the point of embarkation because her baby was ill in her arms. The baby died on the long trudge back to her little cottage. Her husband took passage and died at sea.
"Sad, sad stories were duplicated many times over.
When family members left for America, it was believed, sadly but unually correctly, that they and those left behind in Ireland would never see one another again. And accordingly, what came to be known as wakes then were held for those departing, as their loss to family and friends was as with death.
James was born in Droogheda, County Louth, which is north of Counties Dublin and Meath on the East Coast of Ireland. I don not know whether, when he came to the States, he traveled with any family or friends; I have run across a few other Kervins as noted later, but they may be his descendants. Nor do I know what brought him to Livonia, but it appears as though the very first Irish settlers in Livonia arrived just a few years before James.
The following passage presents one picture of the early Livonia to which James Kervin emigrated from Ireland; It references individuals or families related to James and my ancestors, and is taken from the section on St. Michael's Church (RC) in Livonia, from James H. Smith's book "History of Livingston County, NY", written in 1881:
"In 1848, John Whalen, B. Calligan, John Meagher, M. Martin, John McGinty and Daniel Whalen came to Livonia as the pioneer Catholic families. They attended mass which was celebrated by Rev. Father O'Connor, in a cooper-shop of John Brennan's in Lima. In the latter part of that year the priest made Livonia a charge, paying it regular visits, and saying mass in the dwelling house of John Whalen.
In 1851, Rev. Father O'Connor was succeeded by Rev. Father Kenney, who in 1852 was succeeded by Father Welch, after whom Fahter Tierney assumed charge, remaining two years. In 1855 Father Quigley, Sen., performed the duties of the then extensive charge connected with Lima and Livonia.
The parish about this time was increased by a few such earnest Catholics as John B. Kavanaugh, William Ryan, William and John Higgins, Robert Hoare, John Kavanaugh, T. Quigley and James Kerrivan. (JPG note: this is in all likelihood subject James Kervin - 0 written phonetically, Brogue and all.)
Rev. Father McGuire assumed charge of the parigh in 1857. In September of that year, after mass one Sunday, a few of the heads of families assembled in the store of William Ryan, where after a brief diliberation over one hundred and fifty dollars was subscribed and paid toward the erection of a church. With the result of this subscription, which in the hands of John Meagher soon amounted to a considerable sum, Father McGuire purchased a lot, on which a neat edifice 35 by 40 feet was erected.
In 1858 Father McGuire was called to Buffalo and Father O'Brien was sent to take his place. He died shortly after in Lima, and in 1859 the performance of the mission obligations devolved upon Father Quigley. He remained with the charge four years and in 1863 was succeeded by Father Clark, who officiated about a year, and then Father Gregg was given the Pastoral charge. ....
The above history of St. Michael's Livonia goes on to describe the succession of pastors, construction, etc., closing with the note that the congregation included about 500 people by 1881. The Rundel local history section has the book.
In the 1855 census it shows James' was just a bit older than his wife's, but would have put his birth year at about 1820, while most other data suggests a birth year of about 1830.
The 1855 census shows James occupation as 'farmer', and as having been in the U.S. 5 years.
James' obituary (from The Livonia Gazette, Friday, May 14, 1897, p2):
W.H. Kervin, who has charge of a department in the government printing office in Washington, was called home by the death of his father. (Para) The people of this village were surprised last Saturday morning by the announcement that Mr. James Kervin, an old and respected resident of Livonia, has died during the night. Mr. Kervin was in his usual health when he retired, and had been at work around the house during the day. His edeath must have been painless, as Mrs. Kervin supposed him to be sleeping when she called his name in the morning. He was born in the village of Dragheda (Drogheda), County Louth, Ireland, in 1830, and came to this country twenty years later, settling in this town, where he resided until his death. he leaves a wife, three sons and three daughters -- Mrs. Patrick Burke, Mrs. Goldhardt of New Yrok City, Mrs. F. J. Snyder, James and Michael of this village and William H. of Wahsington. The funeral which was held Monday, was attended by a large number of the friends of the family.
Note:James Kervin's children are number 1-8, the first four being those of Mary Whalen, and the latter four of Mary Meagher. It is possible that there were others who died young.
'Unidentified' Kervins
Four Kervins whom have not yet been able to place in the family:
First two are -
Anna S. Kirvin d. 1940 bur St. Michaels Livonia
Jane A. Kirvin d. 11/1927 bur St. Michaels Livonia
The other two mentioned, suspect they are children of James Kervin, son of James and Mary (Whalen?) Kervin. The information is quoted from obits; census data and/or death certificate info would clarify the relationships:
(Liv Cty Historian extract from Livonia Gazette Nov. 23, 1894, p3) "Fannie Kervin died at Livonia Center, Nov. 17, 1894, aged 7 years. Daughter of James Kervin (married a Shelly), Grand-daughter of William Shelly.
(Mt. Morris Union, Thursday, Sept, 1906, p3) Frank Kerwin, died at S. Lima, Sept. 19, 1906: Frank Derwin, the son of Mr. and Mrs. James A. Kerwin of Livonia was killed at South Lima last Wednesday afternoon by being run over by a wagon. The young man, who was about 18 years old, was employed by Mr. VanDerMeide at his muck farm at that place. He was up on a wagon load of crates and was driving the team from one side of the crib, where they had unloaded part of the crates, around to the other side, when in some way, probably by the toppling of the remainder of the crates, upon which he was standing, he fell from the load. He struck upon the whiffletrees, which frightened the horses. They started to run throwing him to the ground, and the wagon passed over him, killing him instantly.
Note: This paragraph also entered under Frank Kervin 1856.
James Kervin had a very difficult early life, and hopefully a more pleasant second half. He was about 15 when the misery of the great famine hit Ireland in 1845, and he emigrated to the States shortly thereafter, settling in Livonia. He married Mary Whalen(?) about 1850, and they had at least 4 children before she died in March 1864, leaving the children aged 4 through 11. James' second wife, Johanna Ryan, died October 1865. James and Mary Meagher were married shortly thereafter and had three children between 1867 and 1874; another of their children, John, apparently died young.
Children of JAMES KERVIN and MARY WHALEN are:
i. MARY J2 KERVIN, b. Abt 1853, Livonia, NY.
ii. JAMES (JONAS?) KERVIN, b. 1854, Livonia, NY.
iii. FRANK KERVIN, b. 1856, Livonia, NY.
iv. JULIA A KERVIN, b. 1859, Livonia, NY.
Children of JAMES KERVIN and MARY MEAGHER are:
2. v. MICHAEL EDWARD2 KERVIN, b. September 12, 1867, Livonia, NY; d. August 28, 1940, buried in St. Michaels Cem. Livonia.
3. vi. ALICE KERVIN, b. 1869, Livonia, NY; d. 1901.
vii. WILLIAM (WILL) KERVIN, b. 1871, Livonia, NY; d. August 28, 1940; m. NORA KANE.
viii. JOHN KERVIN, b. Livonia, NY.
Generation No. 2
2. MICHAEL EDWARD2 KERVIN (JAMES1) was born September 12, 1867 in Livonia, NY, and died August 28, 1940 in buried in St. Michaels Cem. Livonia. He married KATHERINE THERESA MURPHY 1893 in Livonia, NY, daughter of MICHAEL MURPHY and ANN HINCHEY.
Notes
This information came from the research of John P Grattan, 121 Sagamore Dr., Rochester NY 14617, phone # 1-716-544-9507
Ironically, Michael died on the same day as his brother William, 28 August 1940, while the latter was visiting from Washington, DC. As I understand it Michael died in the morning, and William died that afternoon. There was also an Anna Kervin who died in Livonia in 1940.
Children of MICHAEL KERVIN and KATHERINE MURPHY are:
4. i. ANNA MARIE3 KERVIN, b. April 08, 1898, Livonia NY; d. July 20, 1978, Livonia, buried in St. Michaels Cem. Livonia.
ii. WILLIAM J KERVIN, b. September 15, 1894, Livonia, NY; d. January 31, 1984, Rochester NY Highland Hosp. bur Holy Cross Cem Dansville NY; m. LILLIAN PFUNTER, September 18, 1945.
3. ALICE2 KERVIN (JAMES1) was born 1869 in Livonia, NY, and died 1901. She married FRANK SNYDER.
Notes
This information came from the research of John P Grattan, 121 Sagamore Dr., Rochester NY 14617, phone # 1-716-544-9507
Alice and her husband must have moved from Livonia sometime between 1894 and 1906.
Children of ALICE KERVIN and FRANK SNYDER are:
5. i. EDWARD3 SNYDER.
ii. LEO SNYDER.
iii. WALTER SNYDER, m. JOSEPHINE (LNU) SNYDER.
Generation No. 3
4. ANNA MARIE3 KERVIN (MICHAEL EDWARD2, JAMES1) was born April 08, 1898 in Livonia NY, and died July 20, 1978 in Livonia, buried in St. Michaels Cem. Livonia. She married GEORGE THEODORE SCHUSTER November 26, 1924 in St. Joseph Church, Livonia NY, son of HENRY SCHUSTER and LOUISE EVERMAN.
Notes
Born in Livonia - graduated from Livonia High, and Geneseo Normal School, Geneseo, NY.
Died at home - Brest cancer in 1976, metastasis to lung to skin
OBITUARY
Marie K Schuster, died Thursday, July 20, 1978 at her home in Livonia. She was the widow of George T. Schuster St. who died in 1963.
She was born in Livonia Apr. 8, 1898, the daughter of Michael and Katherine Murphy Kervin.
After graduating from Livonia High and Geneseo Normal, she taught in Livonia until her marriage in 1924.
Marie was the organist in St. Joseph's Church for 50 years and a charter member of its Altar and Rosary Society.
Survivors are five daughters and two sons: Mrs. robert (Kathryn) Walrath, Canandaigua, Mrs. Gerard (Rose Marie) Joyce, Pittsford, Rita M. Schuster, Rochester, Mrs. Richard (Barbara) Nowakowski, Conesus, Alice Ann Schuster, Montpelier, Vt., George and Vincent Schuster Livonia; one brother, William J Kervin Livonia, one sister-in-law, Angela Schuster Pelton, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla; and 19 grandchildren.
The Mass of Christian Burial was offered in St. Joseph's Church on Monday, July 24. Celebrants of the Mass were: The Rev. Jerome F. Schifferli, the Rev. Vincent LeFois, the Rev. Walter Carron.
Marie's six eldest grandsons were bearers, they were: Jim and Mark Schuster, Bill and Bob Schuster, and Jeff and John Nowakowski.
Interment was in St. Michael's Cemetery.
Marie K. Schuster dies; was teacher
Livonia - Marie K. Schuster, 80, former Livonia School teacher, died Thursday.
Mrs. Schuster, who lived on Big Tree Street, had taught the fourth and fifth grades in the Livonia School District after she graduated from Geneseo Normal School.
She assisted in managing the family farm until her husband's death in 1963.
Mrs. Schuster was a member of St. Joseph's Church in Livonia where she sang with the choir and served as organist for 50 years.
Children of ANNA KERVIN and GEORGE SCHUSTER are:
i. KATHRYN LOUISE4 SCHUSTER, b. September 26, 1925, Big Tree Street Livonia, NY at home; m. ROBERT D WALRATH, August 08, 1955, St Jeromes Church, East Rochester, NY.
ii. RITA MARIAN SCHUSTER, b. June 29, 1927, Livonia NY, Livingston County.
iii. ROSE MARIE SCHUSTER, b. June 29, 1927, Livonia NY; m. GERARD FRANCIS JOYCE, June 24, 1967, St Anne Church Rochester NY.
iv. GEORGE THEODORE SCHUSTER , JR, b. March 16, 1931, Dansville NY @ N. Noyes Memorial Hosp.; m. JOAN MARIE CROWE, October 26, 1957, St Monicas Church Rochester NY.
v. VINCENT WILLIAM SCHUSTER, b. July 10, 1932, Dansville, NY, N. Noyes Memorial Hospital; m. (1) JANE ELIZABETH WHALEN, October 22, 1955, St. Rose's Church, Lima NY; m. (2) PATRICIA ROSE HELLING, October 03, 1981, Livonia, NY.
vi. BARBARA MARY SCHUSTER, b. May 13, 1935, Dansville, NY, N. Noyes Memorial Hospital; m. RICHARD NOWAKOWSKI, May 11, 1957, St. Joseph's Church, Livonia, NY.
vii. ALICE ANN SCHUSTER, b. September 14, 1942, Dansville, NY.
5. EDWARD3 SNYDER (ALICE2 KERVIN, JAMES1). He married MARGIE (LNU) SNYDER.
Child of EDWARD SNYDER and MARGIE SNYDER is:
i. EDWARD4 SNYDER.