50 tragic portraits Irish Famine victims in the poorhouses of New York

Poor House records show how precarious life could be for Irish immigrants in 19th-century New York.

On 4th August 1865, an Irish immigrant woman from Cork City gave birth to a baby girl in New York. The child -Mary - had been dealt a tough start to life. Her mother was a pauper, and Mary had entered the world in Richmond County Poor House.

Mary’s brother and sister were also paupers, and her mother was described as ‘intemperate’- there were no details regarding her father. Circumstances allowed Mary to be discharged from the Poor House on 12th May 1868, but by 3rd November 1871, she was back in her birthplace. At least she was being given some education, as by 1875 she was able to read. Poor House staff noted that ‘she will soon have to go to service’ and remarked that ‘this child bids fair to be a good servant she is being taught all the requirements of the institution.’

This vignette of Mary Brown’s life is drawn from the records of residents in New York Poor Houses and Alms Houses. From 1875 State law required that institutions record details of individuals in their care on a standardised form to be sent to the State Board of Charities. The form recorded a number of details about the individual, their parents, their origins, and also the cause of their dependence. It also offered an opinion on the prospect of them escaping dependence in the future.

What is immediately apparent among the group is the dominance of older people. There were often catastrophic consequences for individuals who in later life found they could no longer make a living. The concept of ‘old’ is very different to ours - two of those in this sample who were admitted partially as a result of ‘old age’ were only in their 40s.

Also notable is how social status did not necessarily protect you from the Poor House if you found yourself alone - for example, Bridget Rowley’s father had been a minister, Rose McHegan’s father a distiller, and Esther Turner’s father a gentleman (and Esther herself a teacher), yet all ended up in institutions.

You will find brief descriptions of the circumstances of each of the 50 people I looked at below, based on their Poor House records. Each individual is listed chronologically according to the date of their original admission. If you are interested in learning more about Poor Houses and Alms Houses in the United States and their history you can read an essay by Dr. David Wagner on the topic here. For more on New York Poor Houses by county see here.

James O’Rourke, Co. Limerick. Admitted to Albany City Alms House, 7th June 1861.

James was recorded as a 40-year-old widower when he was admitted. He had spent his working life as a tailor, and in 1861 had one surviving child. His father in Limerick had been a farmer; James had received some education as he was able to read and write. The cause of his dependence was recorded as insanity, from which it was felt he would not recover. Despite this it was still felt that he may be able to do some farm work in the future. It was said that his ‘insanity is supposed to have been cause in this case by excessive drinking. Is very violent at times exacting much of the attendants time to keep him quiet. Is not unclean in person or habits. It cannot be learned that any other member of the family were insane.’

Ellen Griffin, Co. Waterford. Admitted to Kings County Alms House, June 1861.

Ellen was recorded as a 60-year-old widow. Her father and mother, both from Waterford, had been a farmer and housekeeper respectively. Ellen also listed her profession as housekeeper, and she had two living children. Her cause of dependence was rheumatism and destitution. Unable to perform any laborer, her entry records that she would later spend four months in Kings County Hospital. It was felt at the time that she would probably always remain dependent.

Jane Redding, Cork City, Co. Cork. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 27th September 1861.

Jane was a 30-year-old single woman when admitted. Her father had been a steward. Jane had some education growing up in New York, as she was able to read and write. She had spent her own working life as a domestic, but was now laid low as a result of rheumatism. Despite this, she was still able to carry out house work, but was nonetheless categorised as permanently dependent.

Elizabeth White, Dublin City, Co. Dublin. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 8th January 1862.

Elizabeth was a 50-year-old widow. Her father had been a merchant, a fact which undoubtedly helped her to gain an education, as Elizabeth could both read and write. Elizabeth worked as a domestic, but like Jane Redding was now afflicted with rheumatism. The main labor she could now pursue was sewing. Elizabeth was classed as being permanently dependent.

Bridget Rowley, Roscommon town, Co. Roscommon. Admitted to Columbia County Poor House, 4th February 1862.

Bridget was a 52-year-old married woman when admitted. Her father had been a minister, suggesting the family had some means. Her education was described as ‘common.’ Bridget was a housewife who in 1862 had one surviving child. She was classed as being dependent because of her ‘intemperate habits’ of which there was ‘but little chance for any change.’

Mary Foley, Co. Sligo. Admitted to Kings County Alms House, 1st May 1862.

Mary was a 14-year-old girl when admitted. She had no education; her parents who were also both from Sligo worked as a farmer and housekeeper. By 1862 she was sick and destitute, but remained able to perform housework. It was felt she had a very good chance of recovering from dependence. It seems she was not with her parents at this time, as it was noted that ‘This womans relatives are all in Ireland. She is entirely without education, but can now perform any kind of domestic work.’

Ann Sullivan, Longford town, Co. Longford. Admitted to New York city Alms House, 27th August 1862.

Ann was a 49-year-old single woman. Her father had been a laborer in Ireland, and she worked as a domestic. Ann was illiterate and had become dependent as a result of destitution. Capable of general housework, she was classified as permanently dependent.

Cornelius McCarthy, Co. Tipperary. Admitted to Monroe County Poor House, 1st October 1862.

Cornelius was a 63-year-old married man when he was admitted. Cornelius had a common school education and worked as a carpenter. His father had been a farmer. The reason for his admittance was old age and destitution- it was reported that he had been an inmate of Poor Houses for a total of eight years. In the remarks it was noted that ‘C. McCarthy is husband of No. 26 [his wife]- both drunkards‘.

John Haley, Co. Galway. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 3rd October 1862.

John was a 54-year-old married man when he was admitted. In Ireland his father had worked as a farmer. John himself was as a laborer, but could no longer make a living as he was now blind. He was recorded as permanently dependent.

James McCormick, Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 8th October 1862.

James was a 39-year-old single man when he was admitted. His father had been a farmer, and James had received some education as he was able to read and write. James himself was an ostler, or stableman and had become a naturalized citizen. He was admitted as he was partially blind, and it was felt he would remain permanently dependent.

Anne McMullan, Co. Down. Admitted to Kings County Alms House, December 1862.

Anne was an 80-year-old widow when she was admitted. Her father in Co. Down had been a farmer. Anne was recorded as having no occupation and no education. The cause of her dependence was given as old age and destitution, from which she was given no prospect of recovery.

Peter Finnerty, Ballymore, Co. Westmeath. Admitted to Kings County Alms House, 1862.

Peter was an 83-year-old widower when he was admitted- the oldest man in the sample. In the time since he had not become a naturalized citizen. He worked as a laborer and was unable to read or write. He had three children who were still living and was admitted as a result of old age and destitution. It was felt he would likely remain dependent. It was remarked that ‘This man’s children being in poor circumstance are unable to provide for him.‘

Margaret McNeely, Co. Antrim. Admitted to Sullivan County Poor House, 1862.

Margaret was a single-woman of unknown age when she was admitted. Her father had been a farmer and Margaret could read but was unable to write- she had engaged in housework as her livelihood. Her age appears not to have been recorded because Margaret was unable to tell them it. Her dependency was apparently a result of insanity, and it was recorded that she would always remain dependent. It was remarked that ‘This woman has been in the Poor House the greater part of her life time, and has to be kept confined as she is very violent.’

Bridget Nolan, Co. Westmeath. Admitted to Kings County Alms House, 1862.

Bridget was a 50-year-old widow when she was admitted. Her father had been a farmhand, and Bridget was a housekeeper. She was illiterate. The cause of her dependence, from which she was given no prospect of recovery, was paralysis.

Mary Traynor, Newry, Co. Down. Admitted to Sullivan County Poor House, 1862.

Mary was a 38-year-old married woman when she was admitted. Able to read, Mary could not write. Her occupation was recorded as housework- she had one child living from her marriage. Her dependence was recorded as being a result of insanity. She had spent two years in the Utica Asylum- although she was able to do house work every day her prospect of escaping dependency was classified as improbable. She was described as ‘a very mild and quiet and clean in her person and habits.’

Catherine Grievens, Ballymore, Co. Westmeath. Admitted to Kings County Alms House, 7th January 1863.

Catherine was a 44-year-old married woman when she was admitted. In Ireland, her father had been a Westmeath farmer, while her mother, who kept house, was originally from Longford. Her cause of dependence was ‘old age and destitution.’ Catherine was able for light domestic work, but it was felt she would probably remain dependent. In the remarks it was noted that ‘This woman is the wife of No 45 [indicating her husband was also in the Alms House]. He is performing light duties in Hospital department such as his condition will permit, as is her case, she doing domestic work at Almshouse.’

Bartley Haley, Co. Sligo. Admitted to Monroe County Alms House, 13th March 1863.

Bartley was a 50-year-old single man when he was admitted. He had arrived in St. John’s, Canada from Ireland before moving on to New York. He had worked as a laborer, and although he was able to read he couldn’t write. His father had also worked as a laborer. He was admitted as a result of consumption, for which he had also been a patient in St. Mary’s Hospital. He was given no prospect of recovery from his dependence.

James O’Harra, Co. Limerick. Admitted to Monroe County Poor House, 14th June 1863.

James was a 40-year-old married man when he was admitted. He was a laborer, as his father had been before him. He could read but not write and had never become a naturalized citizen. The cause of his dependence was recorded as a ‘rupture.’ He was thought able for light farm work, but the potential for his recovery was deemed improbable. It was noted that ‘J. O. Harra is a chronic pauper. He is husband to No. 34′ [suggesting his wife was also in the Poor House].

Rose McHegan, Galway, Co. Galway. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 27th August 1863.

Rose was a 59-year-old widow when she was admitted. Her father had been a whiskey distiller, suggesting he may have had some means, but despite this Rose was unable to either read or write. She had worked as a domestic during her lifetime. She was admitted as a result of old age and destitution, and it was felt she would remain permanently dependent.

Ann Bean, Co. Cork. Admitted to Monroe County Poor House, 1st October 1863.

Ann was 23-years-old and single. She was not a naturalized U.S. citizen, and could neither read nor write. She was single and worked as a domestic, but was also recorded as having one living child. She was employed in the Monroe County Alms House and by 1875 had been an inmate of Poor Houses for 12 years. She was said to have no prospect of recovery from her cause of dependence. It was noted that she first entered the Poor House system shortly after her arrival in the United States, and that she suffered from ‘Puerperal Insanity’- a mental illness that follows childbirth. The catalogue of hardships she had clearly faced in her young life since leaving Ireland are difficult to comprehend.

Mary McCarthy, Co. Offaly. Admitted to Monroe County Poor House, 1st October 1863.

Mary was a 49-year-old married woman when she was admitted. She had landed in Quebec before making her way to New York. Her father had been a farmer- Mary worked as a housekeeper. Her education was described as ‘academic’. Admitted as a result of old age and destitution, Mary had already been an inmate of Poor Houses for several years. She was given no prospect of recovery. It was recorded in the notes that ‘M. McCarthy is wife of no. 25 [her husband was also an inmate].’

James Mahon, Co. Wicklow. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 9th October 1863.

James was a 44-year-old married man when he was admitted and was now a naturalized citizen. His father had been a laborer, but James seems to have been at least somewhat upwardly mobile, as he was a blacksmith. The cause of his dependence was blindness- form which it was felt he had no prospect of recovery.

Daniel Sullivan, Co. Cork. Admitted to Monroe County Poor House, 21st November 1863.

Daniel was a 55-year-old single man when he was admitted. He had arrived in Quebec before moving to New York five years later. Again, despite his time in the U.S., Daniel had never become a naturalized citizen. He worked as a laborer, as his father had before him. He was not illiterate- although unable to write Daniel was able to read. The reason for his dependence was recorded as old age and destitution. He was still able for farm work, but it was thought he would remain dependent. It was noted that he ‘has no blood relatives in this Country.’

Patrick Carr, Co. Galway. Admitted to Monroe County Poor House, 26th December 1863.

Patrick was a 67-year-old widower when he was admitted. He was naturalized U.S. citizen who could read but couldn’t write. He worked as a laborer -as his father- and had one child living. The reason for his dependence was as a result of a crippled knee; he was given no prospect of recovering from his dependence in the future.

Mary Hill, Kinnegad, Co. Meath. Admitted to Kings County Alms House, 1863.

Mary was a 53-year-old single woman when she was admitted. Her father had been a physician so was presumably a man of at least some means. Despite this Mary only appears to have had a partial education; she was able to read, but not write. Mary was a housekeeper, but was admitted as a result of old age, destitution and impairment of the mind. She remained capable of light domestic work, but it was felt she would remain dependent. In the remarks it was recorded that ‘This woman states when she came to this Country she was placed in a poor house by her father, since deceased. Can learn nothing as to ancestors.‘

James White, Co. Galway. Admitted to Ontario County Poor House, 1863.

James was a 75-year-old single man when he was admitted. He had emigrated via Quebec before traveling on to New York. He was a laborer, as his father had been before him. Despite his unskilled position he was able to read and write. James had already spent a year in New York’s Poor Houses before this date. It was felt that his state of dependence was ‘fixed.’

Catherine Quinn, Dublin, Co. Dublin. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 20th January 1864.

Catherine was a 50-year-old widow when she was admitted. She was able to read and write and had worked as a tailoress- her father before her had been a carpenter. The cause of her dependance was Eryspielas (also known as St. Anthony’s Fire, an acute infection) and debility. She was able to work at sewing.

James Foy, Co. Cavan. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 16th March 1864.

James was a 42-year-old married man when he was admitted. A laborer, he had become a naturalized citizen and was able to read and write. He was described as being of intemperate habits, and although he was able to help around the ward it was felt that he would remain permanently dependent.

Esther Turner, Trim, Co. Meath. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 27th April 1864.

Esther was a 71-year-old married woman when she was admitted. Both her parents were English- her father, whose occupation was recorded as a ‘gentleman’, was from Salisbury and her mother was from Rockport. Esther could read and write and had worked as a teacher. Everything about her background suggested she should have avoided the Alms House, but she found herself there nonetheless. The cause of her dependence was blindness. It was felt she had no chance of recovery.

Mary Schackion,Co. Kerry. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 18th May 1864.

Mary was a 28-year-old single woman when she was admitted. Her mother had been from Kerry, while her father was a Co. Clare carpenter. Mary was unable to read or write and had worked as a domestic. The cause of her dependence was rheumatism, from which it was felt she was unlikely to recover.

Sarah Hanlan, Killeshandra, Co. Cavan. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 5th August 1864.

Sarah was a 40-year-old married woman when she was admitted. Her father had been a laborer- Sarah, who was illiterate, worked as a domestic. The cause of her dependence was listed as destitution and rheumatism. She was classified as permanently dependent and may have been abandoned by her spouse- it was noted: ‘husbands residence unknown.’

Hugh Kelly, Co. Down. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 19th November 1864.

Hugh was a 63-year-old single man when he was admitted. Like his father, Hugh was a laborer, but he was also able to read and write.The cause of his dependence was rheumatism and destitution- it was felt he would remain permanently dependent.

Michael Cox, Crosshill, Co. Roscommon. Admitted to Orleans County Poor House, 20th December 1864.

Michael was a 56-year-old widower when he was admitted. Described as having a ‘good education’, Michael’s father had been a Tyrone farmer, his mother was from Leitrim. Michael had made his living in America as a farmer and had become a naturalized citizen. The cause of his dependence was given as insanity and it was recorded that he was unable to labor. He was classified as likely to remain dependent.

Mary Quinn, Cavan town, Co. Cavan. Admitted to Kings County Alms House, 1864.

Mary was a 58-year-old single woman when she was admitted. She was a housekeeper- her father had been a farmer. Mary was able to read, but was now recorded as ‘very nearly blind’. She had no prospect of recovery and was unable to perform any labor. It was remarked that ‘This woman has been growing blind for the past twenty seven years so much so that she is very nearly totally so now.’

Mary A. Kirby, Belfast, Co. Antrim. Admitted to Columbia County Poor House, 15th February 1865.

Mary was a 55-year-old widow when she was admitted. Her father had worked as a laborer. Mary’s education was described as ‘limited’, and she had spent most of her life engaged in housework. She had two surviving children. Admitted partly as a result of sickness, she was given no prospect of escaping dependency.

Ellen Norton, Kildare, Co. Kildare. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 17th February 1865.

Ellen’s parents had both been from Co. Mayo. Her father had worked as a laborer, and Ellen was a domestic. She was unable to read, and no head money had been paid for her. The reasons for her admittance were destitution and partial paralysis. Although she remained able to sew, she was regarded as being permanently dependent.

Lawrence Smith, Co. Sligo. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 6th March 1865.

Lawrence was a 40-year-old single man when he was admitted. He had not as yet become a naturalized U.S. citizen. In Ireland his father had been a laborer, as was Lawrence. Lawrence was also able to read. The cause of his dependence was the fact that he was ‘diseased’ and had a stiff knee, making him unable to work. He was classified as permanently disabled.

Daniel Hayden, Co. Tipperary. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 21st April 1865.

Daniel was a 46-year-old married man when he was admitted. The reason for his admittance was recorded as insanity and destitution. He was described as capable of light work, but was permanently dependent. It was recorded that Daniel was ‘quite incapable of giving any reliable history of himself.’ He also spent time in a lunatic asylum.

Edith Delahunty, Co. Dublin. Admitted to Kings County Alms House, April 1865.

Edith was a 61-year-old widow when admitted. Her father had been a storekeeper, and she had engaged in housework. Edith was able to read and write and had one child living. Despite her surviving child it was noted that she was homeless and destitute, and was able to perform only light labor. It was felt that she would probably remain dependent.

Margaret Berry, Co. Sligo. Admitted to Kings County Alms House, 16th May 1865.

Margaret was 83-years old and widowed when she was admitted- the oldest woman in the sample. It was unknown how long she had been in the United States as Margaret was unable to tell anybody. The reason for her cause of dependence was described as ‘insanity’ and she was deemed to be unable to perform any labor. It was determined that she would remain dependent, and recorded that staff were unable to learn anything of her past history.

Catherine Reynolds, Sligo town, Co. Sligo. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 29th July 1865.

Catherine was a 61-year-old widow when she was admitted. Her father, a laborer, had been from Mayo, her mother  from Sligo. Catherine herself had worked as a domestic, but was unable to read or write. The reason for admittance was described as old age and destitution. She was classed as permanently dependent.

Ellen Clary, Ballinamona, Co. Tipperary. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 12th August 1865.

Ellen was a 61-year-old single women when she was admitted. Her father in Tipperary had been a farmer. Ellen was illiterate, and had spent her working life as a servant- blindness and destitution had forced her into the Poor House. She was listed as permanently dependent.

John Shay, Co. Cork. Admitted to Monroe County Poor House, 26th August 1865.

John was a 48-year-old single man when he was admitted. John worked as a laborer, as had his father before him. He was able to read, but unable to write. He was admitted as a result of Bright’s disease of the kidneys, which meant he was unable to work. John was given no prospect of recovery.

Bridget Hughes, Mohill, Co. Leitrim. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 1st September 1865.

Bridget was a 55-year-old widow when she was admitted. Her father in Ireland had been a farmer and Bridget had been a housekeeper. She was now blind and had no home. She was described as ‘permanently dependent.’

Patrick Haud, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan. Admitted to New York City Alms House, 11th September 1865.

Patrick was a 65-year-old widower when he was admitted. He had become a naturalized citizen. In Carrickmacross his father had been a wheelwright. Patrick had been a farmer but was admitted due to old age, deafness and general disability. He was described as permanently dependent.

Catherine Brown, Aghada?, Co. Cork. Admitted to Kings County Alms House, 1865.

Catherine was 50-years-old and widowed when admitted. She had been in New York for 8 years. Her father was recorded as being a farmer from Co. Limerick. She was unable to read or write and was a housekeeper by profession. She had one child. Her cause of dependence was described as resulting from old age and destitution. It was determined that she would remain a dependent.

Timothy Donovan, Co. Cork. Admitted to Ontario County Poor House, 1865.

Timothy was a 57-year-old widower when he was admitted. He had landed in Quebec before making his way to New York 12 years later. He had worked as a laborer but had a problem with drunkenness. The reason for his dependence was described as intemperance. He remained capable of doing light work around the house, but it was felt he had ‘no hope’ of recovering from his dependence.

John Dunn, Co. Dublin. Admitted to Kings County Alms House, 1865.

John was a single 40-year-old when he was admitted. Now naturalized, he outlined that his father had been a shoemaker from Co. Dublin and his mother was from Co. Offaly. He could read and write and worked as a laborer. However he was now completely unable to support himself, due to ‘paralysis and impairment of mind.’ He had previously been in Kings County Hospital, and it was felt he would most likely remain a dependent. It was remarked that ‘This man states he has seen none of his relatives for three years. His mind is very much impaired, beside being paralyzed: produced he says from inebriation.’

Bridget McGee, Banbridge, Co. Down. Admitted to Kings County Alms House, 1865.

Bridget was a 55-year-old widow when she was admitted. Her father had been a farmer in Banbridge- Bridget was herself a housekeeper. She was able to read and write and had three children living. The cause of her dependence was old age and destitution- she was completely unable for any work and was given no chance of recovery. It was noted that ‘This woman had three children alive when she came to the country but has received no intelligence from them for the past five years.’

Mary O’Connor, Co. Galway. Admitted to Kings County Alms House, 1865.

Mary was a 65-year-old widow when she was admitted. She could read but could not write. Her father had been a stone mason; Mary herself had no listed occupation. She had one living child. The cause of her dependence was old age and destitution- it was thought should would most likely remain dependent.

* Damian Shiels is an archaeologist and historian who runs the IrishAmericanCivilWar.com website.

* Originally published in January 2015. Updated in 2024.