Richard Powers (abt. 1832 - 1902)

Born about Jan 1832 in Ireland

Husband of Ann (Brennan) Powers — married 1 Nov 1853 in East Boston, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts

Husband of Ellen (Shea) Powers — married 26 Aug 1860 in Charlestown, Middlesex, Massachusetts

Descendants

Died 7 Apr 1902 at about age 70 in East Boston, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States

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Biography

Richard Powers was born in Ireland Jan 1832 (1900 US Census), the son of John Powers and Margaret Flemming are given in his marriage to Ellen Shea.^[1] His marriage records give alternative birthyears: Richard Power of Quincy to Ann Brennan of Boston in 1853 gives his age as 32 which would put his birthyear at 1821 (and Annie's at age 33 at 1822); then Richard Powers of East Boston to Ellen Shea of Charleston gives his age as 36 which puts his birthyear at 1824 (and Ellen's at age 27 at 1833). Unless I have conflated two different Richard Powers the birth years from different censuses vary quite a bit: 1860 born 1825, 1870 born 1820, 1880 born 1830, death records in 1902 indicates birthyear of 1833.

Richard immigrated to the USA prior to 1853 as per his second marriage to Annie Brennan in Nov 1835, although the 1900 US Census indicates he resided in the US 35 years which would put immigration at 1865. This 1900 US Census record also does not fit with his children being born in Massachusetts from 1855-1861.

Not clear who Richard's first wife was but when he marries Ann Brennen or Brennan in 1853 it is his 2nd marriage (and her first).

Richard married second Ann "Annie" Brennan ( - 1860) on 1 Nov 1853 at St. Nicholas Church in East Boston.^[2][3] St. Nicholas was the first Roman Catholic church in East Boston, and established by Irish immigrants in 1844. It obtained the Maverick Congregational Church building (1837) on Maverick Street. After 1856 the church has been known as the Catholic Church of the Most Holy Redeemer. Their children were:

1. Mary Elizabeth (Powers) Lynn (b. 18 Aug 1855 Neponset, Dorchester, Boston, Mass, daughter of Rich and Ann Powers, married John H. Lynn 5 May 1898 in Boston)^[4][5][6]
2. James Joseph Powers, Sr. (b. 2 Jun 1858 211 Meridian, East Boston son of Rchd. and Ann-1903)^[7][8]

Richard married third (although certificate says 2nd) Ellen Shea (1833-1912) on 26 Aug 1860 in Charlestown, Middlesex County, Boston. They had a son with two entries but likely born 1861:

1. Michael F. Powers (b. 20 May 1861 (or 28 May 1860) New Street, East Boston- ), married Emeline T. Sheehan on 11 Jun 1913 in Boston.^[9][10][11]

In 1860 US Census we find Richard Powers, age 35, a laborer, with Mary age 4 and James age 3, but without either spouse. So Ann has passed and he is about to marry Ellen. In the 1870 US Census, RIchard is age 50, a laborer. In the 1880 US Census, Richard is age 50, a laborer.

In 1900 US Census, Richard Powers age 68, a Longshoreman, born Jan 1832 is married to Ellen Powers age 67 born Mar 1833, with son Michael 39, a Deckhand, born Jun 1861. Ellen listed as having 3 children and 2 are still living. Thus, daughter Mary has passed away. They reside at 256 Paris Street, East Boston, almost next door to son James Joseph Powers and his family (wife Mary and four children) residing at 252 Paris Street. In fact, James J. Powers and daughter-in-law Mary A. McGrath Powers had their son (Richard's and Ellen's grandson) John - his birth certificate says 252 Paris Street with his birthdate of 18 Oct 1899.

Richard Powers died at age 69 in 1902, residing at 256 Paris Street, East Boston, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, survived by his wife Ellen. Richard was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.^[12][13] His wife Ellen passed in 1912.^[14]

Death Notice

Death Notice Richard Powers in The Boston Globe (Boston, Massachusetts) 8 Apr 1902, page 11: POWERS–In East Boston, April 7, Richard, beloved husband of Ellen Powers. Funeral from late residence, 256 Paris st, Wednesday, at 8:15 a.m. Requiem mass at church of the Sacred Heart at 9 o’clock. Relatives and friends are requested to attend.^[15]

Notes

The family belief is that they are from County Waterford, according to Timothy Shawn Powers.

In 1860 US Census we find Mary and James by first wife Ann, then in 1870 and 1800 US Censuses we also see his second wife Ellen and raising their son Michael, along with Richard's two children by Ann.

In 1910 US Census Richard is not in entry with wife Ellen Powers, a widow, and son Michael Powers, a Gateman on the Ferryboat, and still living "near 256 Paris Street", just down the street from late son James J. Powers' widow, Mary A. Powers and her four children.

Sources

1. ↑ "Massachusetts State Vital Records, 1841-1925", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NWYL-CK3 : 16 November 2022), Richard Powers and Ellen Shea, 1860.
2. ↑ "Massachusetts Marriages, 1841-1915," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N4ML-4PP : 24 May 2018), Richard Power and Ann Brennen, 1 Nov 1853; citing Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States, State Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm 1,432,879.
3. ↑ "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FHYY-Q7Y : 4 November 2017), Richard Power and Ann Brennen, 01 Nov 1853; citing Marriage, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States, , town clerk offices, Massachusetts; FHL microfilm 818,097.
4. ↑ "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQDT-Q96 : 10 February 2018), Mary Powers, 18 Aug 1855; citing Neponset, Massachusetts, ; FHL microfilm 1,428,236.
5. ↑ "Massachusetts Births, 1841-1915," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FXDT-F6J : 11 March 2018), Mary Powers, 18 Aug 1855, Neponset, Massachusetts; citing reference ID #p109 #4905, Massachusetts Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm 1,428,236.
6. ↑ "Massachusetts Marriages, 1841-1915," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N4H2-6V9 : 24 May 2018), Richard Powers in entry for James H. Lynn and Mary Powers, 5 May 1898; citing Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States, State Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm 1,843,709.
7. ↑ "Massachusetts Births, 1841-1915," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FXDY-HKW : 11 March 2018), James Powers in entry Rchd. Powers and Ann Powers, 02 Jun 1858, Boston, Massachusetts; citing reference ID #118, Massachusetts Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm 1,428,237.
8. ↑ "Massachusetts Births, 1841-1915," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FXCY-RN4 : 11 March 2018), Richd. Powers in entry for Michael Powers, 28 May 1860, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts; citing reference ID #85 3814, Massachusetts Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm 1,420,997.
9. ↑ "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FHQL-3GX : 10 February 2018), Richard Powers in entry for Michael Powers, 28 May 1861; citing Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, 3814; FHL microfilm 592,869.
10. ↑ "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q29G-Z4YL : 15 March 2018), Richard Powers in entry for Michael Powers, 28 May 1861; citing Birth, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States, , town clerk offices, Massachusetts; FHL microfilm 592,869.
11. ↑ "Massachusetts Marriages, 1841-1915," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N46L-ZQV : 25 May 2018), Richard Powers in entry for Michael F Powers and Emeline T Sheehan, 11 Jun 1913; citing Massachusetts, United States, State Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm 2,409,946.
12. ↑ "Massachusetts Deaths and Burials, 1795-1910," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FH49-SPV : 11 March 2018), Richard Powers, 07 Apr 1902; citing , reference 3068; FHL microfilm 598,636.
13. ↑ "Massachusetts State Vital Records, 1841-1925", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NWL7-V2T : 14 December 2022), Richard Powers, 1902.
14. ↑ "Massachusetts Deaths, 1841-1915," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N46C-97F : 10 December 2014), Powers in entry for Ellen Powers, 13 Nov 1912; citing Boston,,Massachusetts, 649, State Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm 2,396,422.
15. ↑ Death Notice Richard Powers in The Boston Globe (Boston, Massachusetts) 8 Apr 1902, page 11. https://www.newspapers.com/image/430838288/?terms=richard%2Bpowers#

• "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZCW-JWB : 14 December 2017), Richard Powers, 1860.

• "United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MD3V-QDW : 12 April 2016), Richard Powers, Massachusetts, United States; citing p. 271, family 2217, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 552,139.

• "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHXX-24C : 12 August 2017), Richard Powers, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States; citing enumeration district ED 576, sheet 57A, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0552; FHL microfilm 1,254,552.

• "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M9Y9-GMJ : accessed 3 November 2018), Richard Powers, Precinct 6 Boston city Ward 1, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 1163, sheet 12A, family 240, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,240,676.

• "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2KF-MR1 : accessed 3 November 2018), Ellen Powers, Boston Ward 1, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 1263, sheet 18B, family 365, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 613; FHL microfilm 1,374,626.