Notes for Celia Ann Finn: Celia Ann Finn was born in Ballyhaunis, county Mayo, Province of Connaght, Ireland in August 1865. She immigrated to the USA in 1881. I believe that accompying her was her sister Delia. The two were close all of their lives. She married John J. O'Brien in January 1887 (see notes under John J. O'Brien for details). Their first house was rented from P.T.Shean and it was located at the corner of School and Common St. Where the School building of St Joseph's Church now stands. Ten of their eleven children were born in this house, Katherine was born in the house on Thomas St. The house on Center Ave was purchased from Simon D Hatch in Oct 1909 and they moved in at the same time. Katerine has recounted to me the move was by horse drawn wagon, with she and her pet cat riding the Tailgate with all the family belongings packed on the wagon. Celia was know as "grandmother" to me. My first recollection of her was when I was about age 4 or 5. I would go, with my father, to visit. She was a very small person and at that time (circa 1933) was 68 years of age. She was a dour person full of pessimism with a stern countenance. She was very affectionate to me, but would lay down the law firmly. She was the matriarch and ruled with an iron fist. I am sure that the loss of her husband (1916) and the raising of 10 children gave her a survivors mentality. Every person in the family who earned money contributed most of their earnings to the family kitty, which she controlled and doled out, according to the needs of the family. She became ill (with what I believe was a form of gastronomical cancer) in the Spring of 1940 and died in August. Every child came to her funeral except William, who was living in California and could not make arrangements to return home in time for the funeral. The house was left to Mary and Katherine. Hugh stayed with them to keep up the house and "look after the girls". A dictum Celia made, literally, on her death bed. She lived almost 75 years to the day of birth. She is buried in the family plot in Belmont, MA.
More About Celia Ann Finn: Burial: 04 August 1940, Belmont Cemetery, Belmont, MA. Immigration: 1881, From Ireland to Boston, MA. Naturalization: 1886, Boston, MA.
More About Celia Ann Finn and John J. O'Brien: Marriage: 20 January 1887, St Agnes Church, Arlington, MA.
Marriage Notes for Celia Ann Finn and John J. O'Brien: Witnesses to the ceremony were William E. O'Brien and Delia Finn who were the brother and sister of John and Celia.
Children of Celia Ann Finn and John J. O'Brien are:
John Edward O'Brien, b. 24 June 1888, Belmont, MA, d. 20 December 1966, Lexington, MA.
Celia Ann Finn (b. August 1865, d. 01 August 1940)
Notes for Celia Ann Finn: