William James (Byrne) Burns (1860 - 1933)

Born May 1860 in Kilquade Parish, County Wicklow, Ireland

Ancestors

Husband of Anna Mary (Ivory) Burns — married 9 Apr 1888 in Kilquade Parish, County Wicklow, Ireland

Descendants

Died 4 May 1933 at about age 73 in Preston, New London, Connecticut, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Robert Haviland [send private message]

Biography

William James Byrne, son of John and Eleanor (Barry) Byrne, born in Kilquade Parish, County Wicklow, Ireland, May 1860; baptized in Kilquade Parish on 6 May 1860; died in the Norwich State Hospital, Preston, New London County, Connecticut, 4 May 1933, age 74; buried at St. John's Catholic Cemetery, Darien, Fairfield County, Connecticut; Roman Catholic; laborer, mason; married in Kilquade Parish, County Wicklow, Ireland on 9 April 1888, Anna Marie Ivory. [See below for sources.]

William's history is a combination of "family lore" and documented sources. There has been more than one William Burns in Stamford according to the Stamford City Directories and articles in the local papers. Every effort has been made to sort out which William is "our" William.

Family lore says William arrived in the United States then returned to Ireland and married Annie Ivory (also seen as Ivers). They both returned to the United States. William's brother John also immigrated to the United States but a year after brother William according to the 1900 census.^[1] Upon immigration, their surname changed from "Byrne" to "Burns".^[2]

William and wife Annie lost three children during their marriage including poor Nellie who died of burns from a bonfire^[3] (although the 1910 census^[4]states Annie had 8 children with 4 still living). Whether this contributed to William's troubles later in his life can only be guessed, but he did appear to have partaken with alcoholic beverages. According to family lore, William built the stonewalls at the old Singer estate on Palmer's Hill Road (now Edgehill Senior Living), and he lost his sight due to an accident while dynamiting boulders to create stones for walls. He entered the Norwich State Hospital on 16 April 1926 and died there in 1933.^[5]

Timeline

1860, May. Birth of William James Byrne in Kilquade Parish, County Wicklow, Ireland.^[6][7]

1860, May 6. Baptism of William at Kilquade Parish.^[7]

Glen O' the Downs.

About 1870. William was living in Glen of the Downs, County Wicklow, Ireland.^[2][8]

1883. The Stamford, Connecticut City Directory^[9] includes a William J. Burns boarding on Lafayette Avenue. Is this our William? It might be our William although the 1930 Census^[10] states he immigrated in 1884. Lafayette Street was a few streets east of Hawthorne Street ("Dublintown").^[11] Also, the 1926 Stamford Directory has the listing, "Burns William J died Feb 20 1925 age 64".

1884. William immigrated to the United States according to the 1930 Federal Census.^[10]

1888, Apr 9. Marriage of William James Byrne and Anna Marie Ivory in Kilquade Parish.^[6][12]

1888. Arrival of William and Annie back to the United States.^[4][6][13]

1889. The Stamford City Directory has a William Burns, laborer, living in a house at 10 Miller. This may be "our" William. Miller Street no longer exists but it is visible on the Stamford City Directories of this time.^[9] It is shown one street southeast to and parallel to Hawthorne Street. Hawthorne Street was part of what was called "Dublintown" in Stamford.^[11]

1890, Sep 19. Birth of son John Joseph Burns in Stamford.

1891 and 1893. The Stamford city directories for these two years list a William Burns, laborer in a house on Glenbrook Avenue.^[9] This may be "our" William. Glenbrook Avenue was a couple of streets away from Hawthorne Street.

1893, May. Birth of son Heugh Burns. Heugh died on 29 August 1894 in Stamford on 28 Miller Street.^[14]

1895, Oct 26. Birth of daughter Sadie Burns in Stamford.

1895. The Stamford City Directory^[9] list a William Burns, laborer, living in a house at 28 Miller. This is "our" William (as the address is given as the death place for son Heugh). However, an 1895 land deed calls William of Greenwich.^[15]

1897 - 1905. The Stamford City Directories have William Burns, laborer, living in a house off West Avenue near the Greenwich town line.^[9]

1898, Jul 17. Birth of son James Patrick Burns in Stamford.

1898, Oct 21. STAMFORD'S NEW CITIZENS ---- List of Those Applying to Be Made Voters. --- ELECTORS' OATH ADMINISTERED --- "Following is a list of those whose applications to be made voters have been filed with the Registrars, and who should appear before the Selectmen and Town Clerk, to take the electors' oath, . . . Burns, William, West Ave. . . . "^[16]

1900, Jun 1. U.S. Federal Census. The Burns family owning a house in Stamford, Fairfield County, Connecticut. Head of household William Burns, born May 1860 Ireland, age 40, married 12 years, immigrated 1888, alien, day laborer; wife Annie, born Nov 1854 [1864?] Ireland, age 35, married 12 years, six children and three living, immigrated 1888; son John, born Sep 1890 Connecticut, age 9, at school; daughter Sadie, born Oct 1895 Connecticut, age 4; son James, born July 1899 Connecticut, age 10/12.^[6]

1900. The 1900 Stamford City Directory included one automobile dealer (Mechaley Brothers at 68 Atlantic Street); one automobile manufacturer (Percy L. Klock at 216 Pacific Street); 22 blacksmiths (including 10 horseshoers); 14 carriage and wagon makers, repairers and dealers; 6 harness makers and dealers; 10 livery, boarding and sales stables; 29 barbers; and 69 saloons.^[9]

1900, Nov 27. Birth of son Hugh Lawrence Burns in Stamford.

1902, Apr 20. Death of brother John Burns in Stamford.

1903. "Orville Wright travels 40 yards in the first successful powered flight, at Kitty Hawk in North Carolina." History World.

About 1904. Birth of Daughter Mary Burns (1904 - 1907).

1905, Jun. "FOR SALE.--A good work-horse and cart. Apply to William Burns, West Avenue, Stamford."^[17]

1906, Mar. "FOR SALE.--Building stone. William Burns, West Ave."^[18]

1906 - 1919. The Stamford City Directories have William Burns, laborer, living in a house off West Avenue near Selleck.^[9]

1908, May 11. "William Burns of West Avenue was drunk and disorderly in South Street, Saturday, and Policeman Kurth brought him to the lockup. [Judge] Young listened to the evidence and imposed a fine of $7."^[19]

1910, May 4. U.S. Federal Census. The Burns family owning a home on Selleck Street Road [off Selleck Street?]. William Burns (age 50) head of household, laborer odd jobs; wife Anna (45) laundress private family; son John (20) plumber; daughter Sadie (14); son James (11). Anna had 8 children and 4 still alive; John married for 2 yrs.^[4]

1911, May 31. "William Burns, West Avenue, intoxication, got off with suspended thirty days jail sentence and a reference to the Probation Officer."^[20]

1913, February 3. The 16th Amendment to the Constitution made income tax a permanent part of the United States tax system. Wikipedia.

1913. As time went on, the electric refrigerator made the ice company obsolete. You did not need to have the ice delivered. You could make your own at home. The first “Domestic Electric Refrigerator” was marketed in Chicago in 1913. The Heart of New England.

1913, Nov. "Other transfers recorded include: Eastern Land Co., to William Burns, six lots on West Avenue Terrace."^[21]

1914 – 1918. World War I. "With five major European nations committed within a few days to hostilities, World War I begins." History World.

1918, November 11. "The war ends with the official cessation of hostilities at 11 a.m., the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month." History World.

1918, Nov 18. "Burns Celebrated. William Burns of West Avenue, arrested by Officer Kurth early yesterday morning, being unfit for yesterday's session of court was brought before Judge Young this morning. William has a record that dates back to 1898. No doubt Burns started on his career celebrating the end of the Spanish American war, and was arrested for celebrating the return of soldiers who, he declared, he had seen coming off a train. Frederick Britto, another old-times, was arrested by Officer Daily near the Atlantic Street bridge, being found all in. Both were fined $5."^[22]

1918. The flush toilet gains in popularity in the United States after World War I, when American troops came home from England full of talk about a "mighty slick invention called the crapper." (The name derives from Thomas Crapper who was instrumental in the development of the modern flush toilet.) The History of the Flush Toilet.

1919, January 29. Ratification of the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which banned the manufacture, transportation and sale of intoxicating liquors brought in the period known as the Prohibition. Prohibition ended with the ratification of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution in 1933 which repealed the 18th Amendment. History.com.

1920, Jan 30. U.S. Federal Census. The Burns family owning a home on Warsaw Street. William Burns (age 60) head of household, laborer in nursery; wife Annie (52); son John J. (28) plumber in shop; daughter Sadie (23) lock factory; son James P. (21) steam fitter in shop; son Hugh (19) plumber helper.^[13]

1920. "The Nineteenth Amendment to the US Constitution guarantees women the right to vote." History World.

1920, Dec 8. "Threw Hot Water on Wife. Sought by the police since last Monday, William Burns of West Avenue, was taken in custody last night, by Supernumary Officer O'Grady. Burns is being held on charges of assault and breach of the peace. It is alleged that, on Monday night, Burns, while under the influence of liquor, threw hot water at his wife, Annie Burns, scalding her. She was taken to the hospital, but is now at her home. Her condition is not serious. He disappeared from Stamford the same night, and was not seen here until last night. Mrs. Burns was unable to appear in court this morning. The case has been continued to tomorrow."^[23]

1921 - 1923. The Stamford City Directories have William Burns, laborer, living in a house on Warsaw.^[9]

1924 - 1929. The Stamford City Directories have William Burns, laborer, (wife Anna), living in a house on Warsaw.^[9] However, family lore says William entered Norwich State Hospital in 1927.

1926, Apr 16. William enters Norwich State Hospital.^[24][25]

1930, Apr 24. U.S. Federal Census. William Burns, Norwich State Hospital, Preston, New London County, Connecticut. Age: 70; Marital Status: Widowed [?]; Relation to Head of House: Inmate. ^[10]

1933, May 4. Death of William James Burns at the Norwich State Hospital, age 74.^[24][25]

Burns, William. Principle Cause of Death: Chr. Myocarditis. Secondary Cause: Arteriosclerosis. Physician: RJ Larson. (Certified copy - died in Preston, CT) Place of Death: Norwich State Hospital. Residence at death: Stamford. Occupation: Mason. Married. d. May 4, 1933 age 74. b. 1859 in Wicklow, Ireland. Father: John Burns b Ireland. Mother: Ellen Berry b Ireland. Buried: St Johns. Undertaker: JJ Lyons Co.^[5]

Research Notes

William James Burns Gravestone.

Birth Date. The 1900 U.S. Census^[6] states William was born in May 1860. The Kilquade Parish has his baptism on 6 May 1860.^[7] The Connecticut Bureau of Vital Statistics list his birth in 1859.^[5] This is in his death entry which states he died at the Norwich State Hospital, Preston, Connecticut. William's gravestone gives the dates 1861 - 1933.^[26] Additional research is warranted, but the May 1860 date seems reasonable.

Immigration. Family lore says that William came to the United States and then returned to Ireland and married Annie. We have the church marriage record that states they were married in Kilquade Parish on 9 April 1888.^[12] The 1900, 1910, and 1920 U.S. Federal Census state they both immigrated to the United States in 1888.^[4][6][13] However, the 1930 U.S. Census states Annie immigrated in 1880^[27] and William in 1884.^[10] In 1930 William was a patient at the Norwich State Hospital in Preston^[10] and Annie was living with her son John on Warsaw Road in Stamford.^[27] The Stamford City Directory for 1883 had a William J. Burns boarding on Lafayette Avenue. No Burns was listed in the 1881 directory. The 1872 directory only had one William Burns and he was not "our" William.^[9] Checking the 1882 and 1873 - 1880 directories may shed some light on William in Stamford.

Elizabeth's Sketch Map.

Warsaw Area 1898.

Residence on Warsaw. According to the Stamford City Directories, William lived in the area of Warshaw Place in Stamford (also seen as Warsaw). From the directories and the maps therein, it appears this road did not initially have the name Warsaw, but was an unnamed road off of West Avenue.^[9] According to William's granddaughter Elizabeth (Burns) Haviland, her grandparents lived on the north side of Warsaw Place, one lot in (east of) from Harvard Avenue.^[2]

On 6 Dec 1895 there was a deed executed (Book 84, p 210) for a lot 30 and buildings thereon (on a Map of Building Property of Charles H. Knapp) from Donato Boniso to William Burns of Greenwich for $815. Bounded north 65 feet, east 108 feet and 3 inches by land of Charles H. Knapp, south 81 feet by land of Joseph Gray and Charles Knapp, and west 65 feet by South Street, subject to a certain mortgage to the Citizens Savings Bank of Stamford.^[15]

On 20 Aug 1900 there was a deed executed (Book 97, p 161) for lot 14 and appurtenances thereon (on Map No. 52, "Property of C. H. Knapp, Richmond Hill") from Charles H. Knapp to William Burns of Stamford for $1.00. Bounded north 50 feet by land of Maria Hackmann, east 158 feet by Charles H. Knapp's own land, south 50 feet by highway, and west 159 feet by Charles H. Knapp's own land.^[28]

On 22 Aug 1900 there was a deed executed (Book 93, p 355) for a certain parcel of land with buildings thereon from William Burns of Stamford to the Citizens' Savings Bank of Stamford for $120. Bounded north by highway 65 feet, east by land of Charles O'Rourke 108 feet and 3 inches, south by land of Joseph Gray and William L. Marks 81 feet, and west by highway 65 feet. (William was taking out a mortgage on his property).^[29]

In Nov 1913 William buys from the Eastern Land Company six lots on West Avenue Terrace.^[21]

It is possible that William lived at more than one address in the Warsaw Place area. It is also possible some of the lots he purchased were sold or given to his children that lived in the Warsaw area. There is also a family tale that William had a farm in the area. It is unknown if this farm was on one of these lots, at another location, or might have been a small family farm of one or more of these parcels. Perhaps a visit to the Stamford Town Hall to review the land records will shed some light on his properties.

Residence in Ireland. Family lore, and some sources, gives us a few places in Ireland where the Byrne family lived. All places are in County Wicklow.
These places are Glen of the Downs, Delgany, and Bray. The marriage record for John and Ellenor Byrne states that Elenor's residence was Killincarig.
The Glen of the Downs is a little over a mile long wooded glacial valley with steep sides on the east coast of Ireland. It is about 14 miles south of Dublin. The village of Delgany, a small rural village, is a little over a mile to the east.
Bray is a coastal town about 12 miles south of Dublin. A fun fact is that in Bray, there is a tavern called The Harbor Bar. The Harbor Bar was established in 1872. It is fun to speculate that William and father John might have visited the tavern to lift a pint or two.
Killincarrig is a village between Greystones and Delgany.

Sources

Notes

1. ↑ 1900 Census for John Burns.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Haviland (Burns), Elizabeth Jean.
3. ↑ Daily Advocate, 8 Apr 1907, p 1.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3} 1910 U.S. Federal Census.
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2} Burns, William James entry, Death.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5} 1900 U.S. Federal Census for William.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2} Ireland, Catholic Parish Registers, 1655-1915, Baptism.
8. ↑ Burns, James Patrick, Letter to Irish Banks.
9. ↑ ^{9.00 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05 9.06 9.07 9.08 9.09 9.10} U.S. City Directories, Stamford
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4} 1930 U.S. Federal Census.
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1} Stamford Advocate, 16 Dec 1944, p 4.
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1} Irish Family History Foundation, William and Annie marriage.
13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1 13.2} 1920 U.S. Federal Census.
14. ↑ Burns, Heugh entry, Deaths.
15. ↑ ^{15.0 15.1} Land Records, Stamford, CT, Book 84, p 210.
16. ↑ Daily Advocate, 21 Oct 1898, p 2. STAMFORD'S NEW CITIZENS.
17. ↑ Daily Advocate, 19, 20, 21, 23 Jun 1905, p 5. FOR SALE.
18. ↑ Daily Advocate, 2, 3 Mar 1906, p 5. FOR SALE.
19. ↑ Daily Advocate, 11 May 1908, p 1. MONDAY COURT BUSY.
20. ↑ Daily Advocate, 31 May 1911, p 1. SUSPENDED SENTENCES RULE.
21. ↑ ^{21.0 21.1} Stamford Advocate, 20 Nov 1913, p 6. MR. JESSUP TAKES TITLE.
22. ↑ Daily Advocate, 19 Nov 1918, p 1. Burns Celebrated.
23. ↑ Stamford Advocate, 9 Dec 1920, p 1. Threw Hot Water on Wife.
24. ↑ ^{24.0 24.1} Connecticut State Library, Ramsey.
25. ↑ ^{25.0 25.1} Norwich State Hospital.
26. ↑ Saint John's Catholic Cemetery, William Burns Headstone.
27. ↑ ^{27.0 27.1} 1930 U.S. Federal Census for Annie.
28. ↑ Land Records, Stamford, CT, Book 97, p 161.
29. ↑ Land Records, Stamford, CT, Book 93, p 355.

Bibliography

• 1900 United States Federal Census. Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut; Roll: 134; Page: 1A, Dwelling 3, Family 3, Lines 15-19; Enumeration District: 0096; FHL microfilm: 1240134.

• 1900 United States Federal Census. Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut; Page: 20, Dwelling 374, Family 440, Lines 44-46; Enumeration District: 0106. [Census for John Burns]

• 1910 United States Federal Census. Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut; Roll: T624_130; Page: 29B, Selleck Street Dwelling 387, Family 599, Lines 68-72; Enumeration District: 0110; FHL microfilm: 1374143.

• 1920 United States Federal Census. Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut; Roll: T625_178; Page: 11A, Warsaw Street, Dwelling 283, Family 263, Lines 23-28; Enumeration District: 157.

• 1930 United States Federal Census. Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut; Roll: 283; Page: 17A, Military Highway, Line 2; Enumeration District: 0062; FHL microfilm: 2340018.

• 1930 United States Federal Census. Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut; Roll: 259; Page: 8B, Dwelling 108, Family 151, Lines 63-64; Enumeration District: 0188; FHL microfilm: 2339994. [Census for Annie.]

• Burns, James Patrick, Letters to Banks in Ireland, 1950.

• Burns, Heugh entry, Deaths in the Town of Stamford 1894, p 80, Town Clerk's Office, 888 Washington Blvd., Stamford, CT. [Aug 29, Heugh Burns, death place 28 Miller, age 3 yrs-1 mo-3 days, Father: William Burns b Ireland, Mother Annie Ivers b Ireland, Death Cholera.]

• Burns, William James entry, Deaths in the Town of Stamford 1933, Town Clerk's Office, 888 Washington Blvd., Stamford, CT.

• Connecticut State Library, Ramsey, Allen, Assistant State Archivist, Email dated 18 Apr 2018 to Robert Alan Haviland.

• Daily Advocate, Stamford, CT. One of the newspapers for Stamford, Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA. Some copies of the Daily Advocate are at the Ferguson Library in Stamford. Some copies also available on the website Genealogybank.com. This paper is no longer published.

• Haviland (Burns), Elizabeth Jean, Personal Recollection as told to Robert Alan Haviland in person, various times.

• Irish Family History Foundation, database online, Church Marriage Record, Church marriage record for William James Byrne and Anna Marie Ivory.. [Includes Date of Marriage: 9 Apr 1888; Parish/District: Kilquade, County: Co. Wicklow; Husband: William Byrne, Wife: Anna Ivory; Husband Address: Downs, Wife Address: Kilincarrig; Denomination: Roman Catholic for both; Husband's Father: John Byrne, Wife's Father: Eugene Ivory; Husband's Mother: Ellenora Barry, Wife's Mother: Sarah Louens; Witness 1: Michael Byrne, Witness 2: Elizabeth Ivory;]

• Ireland, Catholic Parish Registers, 1655-1915, database online, Catholic Parish Registers, The National Library of Ireland; Dublin, Ireland; Microfilm Number: Microfilm 06478 / 01, Ancestry.com. Also available at Kilqude Microfilm 06478/01, Archdiocese of Dublin, County of Wicklow, Baptisms 23 Aug 1826 to 30 Oct 1863, p. 153. http://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000633426#page/153/mode/1up, www.rootsireland.ie. [Under Dublin, Kilquade, 1826-1863, includes baptism on 6 May 1860 for William son of John Byrne and Eleanor Barry, sponsors John Barry and Esther Kavanagh.

• Land Records, Stamford, CT, Town Hall, 888 Washington Blvd., Stamford, CT.

• Norwich State Hospital From 31-10-19-28-4M for William Burns #2.

• Saint John's Catholic Cemetery (Darien, CT, USA). William James Burns Headstone. Personally photographed by Robert Alan Haviland, about 2005.

• Stamford Advocate, Stamford, CT. Main newspaper for Stamford, Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA. Older copies of the Stamford Advocate are at the Ferguson Library in Stamford. Some copies also available on the website Genealogybank.com.

• The Advocate, Stamford, CT. One of the newspapers for Stamford, Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA. Some copies of the Daily Advocate are at the Ferguson Library in Stamford. Some copies also available on the website Genealogybank.com. This paper is no longer published.

• U.S. City Directories]] Stamford, CT Directories (1883, p 61; 1889, p 126; 1891, pp 44, 45; 1893, p 48; 1895, p 53; 1897, p 38; 1898, p 40; 1899, p 38; 1900, pp 35, 36; 1902, p 39; 1903, p 40; 1904, p 43; 1905, p 46; 1906, p 48; 1907, p 50; 1908, p 85; 1909, p 87; 1910, p 89; 1911, p 91; 1912, p 91; 1913, p 93; 1914, p 92; 1916, pp 113, 564; 1917, p 104; 1918, pp 81, 539; 1919, p 109; 1921, p 110; 1923, p 124; 1924, pp 134, 135; 1925, pp 137-138, 733; 1926, p 151; 1927, pp 157, 158; 1929, p 158; 1930, pp 161, 162, 846).

See Also:

Find A Grave Memorial 45010023.