Ann Mulrooney, born in Co. Roscommon, Ireland about 1817 was the daughter of Peter and Cicelia Mulrooney. This age was estimated based on information from her death certificate. However, the 1870 census of the 1st Ward of the town of Orange, NJ which shows Ann as "keeping house" at an age of 58 which would equate to a birth year of 1812.
Ann married Patrick Burns in the Kilkeevin/Baslic area of the Castlerea PLU in approximately 1843. They raised a family of six children throughout the so called “Potato Famine” or more correctly the “Great Starvation” which began in 1847. County Roscommon was apparently one of the most hard hit areas by this disaster. Family legend has it that her husband, Patrick is supposed to have preceded her in emigrating to the United States. Apparently, after waiting four months, she decided that Patrick was taking too long in calling for her and the children, so she "packed up the family" and came across in steerage. Given the time of her travel, it was most likely on a sailing ship, and after the end of the Irish famine.
According to the 1900 Census, son James claims an immigration year of 1860. This aligns with family lore that she followed Patrick when son James was 6 years of age, which agrees with his estimated birth year of 1854. In addition to James, she also was accompanied by sons Peter, age 9, William, age 4, and Catherine, age5. It is possible that Sarah, age 16 may have preceded her. She left daughter Bridget, her second eldest child, behind. Bridget married Thomas Crane in Corlis, Baslic, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon Ireland, and never came to America, although at least three of her seven children eventually did.
Ann resided at her home at 249 Burnside Street, in Orange until, probably, Patrick’s death in 1878. In 1880 she resided with her son, James at 190 Burnside Street, from 1888 until 1895 she resided at 50 Burnside Street, She died on March 26, 1896 on Mt. Pleasant Ave at the ripe old age of 77, supposedly puffing on a clay pipe until the time of her death. She is buried in St. John the Evangelist cemetery, St. John section, Block U, Grave 1. This grave was purchased by daughter-in-law Mary Fahy Burns, wife of son James.
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1st Jan 1817 | VIEW SOURCE |
| Date of Death | 26th Mar 1896 | |
| Townland born | Co. Roscommon, Ireland | |
| Father (First Name/s and Surname) | Peter | |
| Mother (First Name/s and Maiden) | Cicelia Mulrooney | |
| Spouse (First Name/s and Maiden/Surname) | Patrick Burns | |
| Place & Date of Marriage | In the Kilkeevin/Baslic area of the Castlerea PLU in approximately 1843 | |
| Number of Children | 6 | |
