Bridget’s older sister, Catherine, was born in January 1887 and named for her maternal grandmother. Bridget followed in September 1888, and was named for her father’s deceased mother. Easter of 1891, their brother, John, was born on Pentecost Sunday. Nine days later their mother died, leaving Michael Molloy with Catherine 3-1/2, Bridget 15 months and infant John. Michael’s sister and BIL took care of the baby for a while, then Michael remarried.
Katherine and Bridget were good students. By the time they finished school, they were very efficient doing embroidery and monograms. This was the regular stage all daughters went through in Ireland. Bridget worked at a nearby dressmaker for some time, but she wanted to go to America to her Mother’s sister in Philadelphia.
October 5, 1907, Bridget sailed for America, and her letters home were joyful. Sister Catherine has no one else at home, so she borrows 20 pounds to sail for Ellis Island, with a destination of Philadelphia to stay with her aunt. Catherine had been courted by Neil McGroarty in Donegal, and now maintains this long distance with Neil in St. Paul, MN . Catherine and Neil marry in January 1911.
Neil began work right off as a conductor on the streetcars, and he became very friendly with his motorman, a young man named John Hodson, who had spent 7 years in Northern Ireland. Neil brought John home to meet his wife, Catherine, and they became good friends. In 1912 Bridget moved to St. Paul, lived with Catherine and Neil, and soon met John. In 1913 Bridget sailed home to get her father’s blessing, and she married John Hodson in St. Paul in October 1914.
Two of the first four children, born in St. Paul, survived. After moving to New York in 1919, four of the next five children survived. Those six children of this Irish/English mix went on to long, fruitful lives, with many more children in succeeding generations.
Contributed by Brian J. Hodson, Bridget’s first grandson born in May 1947, and third born of her many grandchildren. I am very proud of this part of my heritage, and my dual Irish citizenship, thanks to my grandmother.
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 18th Sep 1888 | |
| Date of Death | 15th Nov 1968 | |
| Father (First Name/s and Surname) | Michael Molloy | |
| Mother (First Name/s and Maiden) | Oona Brennan | |
| Townland born | Croagh, Donegal | |
| Number of Siblings | Two | |
| Names of Siblings | Catherine, John | |
| Spouse (First Name/s and Maiden/Surname) | John James Hodson | |
| Place & Date of Marriage | St. Paul, Minnesota, 01 Oct 1914 | |
| Number of Children | Six (that survived) | |
| First Child | William - 1915/1915 | |
| Names of Children | William, John James, Catherine Winifred, Elizabeth Anne, Thomas, Michael Leo, Raymond Francis, Claire Theresa, Neal Joseph | |
| Place of Death | Long Beach, Nassau County, New York. | |
