The Maher Family of Madison Parish

Richard P. Sevier (dicksevier@comcast.net)

Madison Parish LaGenWeb Coordinator

February 2005

Mathew Maher	Louise Maher Graves and John Francis Graves
Philip Maher	Ada Maher Shadburne and George David Shadburne
Caroline Ewing Lowry	Other Madison Parish Mahers
Philip and Caroline Maher	DESCENDANTS OF PHILIP AND CAROLINE MAHER

NOTE: The data on the Maher family has been obtained from court records, census data, wills, tax rolls, newspaper reports, the Maher-Graves Family Bible, the Maher-Lowry Family Bible, the Social Security Index, Internet websites and family heirlooms. Mike Maher of Annapolis, MD, did the early Maher family research and kindly allowed it to be used in this report. There are many “missing links” in this family’s history, and anyone who feels that they can fill in some of the blanks is encouraged to do so. This website will be updated as additional data is obtained.

Maher Family? You say that you have lived in Madison Parish for over fifty years and never have heard of them? Well that is the reason this is being written because the Mahers lived in Madison Parish over 150 years ago and became an important part of Madison Parish history.

Many Maher descendants lived (or still live) in Madison Parish, including all of the descendants of William P. and Ada Graves Sevier (including former longtime Tallulah Mayor, W. P. “Buck” Sevier, Jr., former Madison Parish Tax Assessor, James D. Sevier, current Madison Parish Tax Assessor, “Jimbo” Sevier, Charlotte Sevier Ziegler and Bill Ziegler.) Also all of the descendants of George W. and Louise Graves Jordan (including former State Senator Irene Jordan Sevier wife of longtime State Senator Andrew L. Sevier and all of their offspring.) Many others live nearby or in neighboring states.

Philip Maher, the primary Madison Parish Maher, was engaged in extensive land trading, especially in the Milliken’s Bend area. This was done with his brothers-in-law Honoré Perigny Morancy[1] (who married Philip’s wife’s sister), Alfred Lowry (who was his wife’s brother) and his father-in-law Catesby B. Minnis (who married his wife’s mother after her first husband died.) During the 1830-1860 period these four men controlled much of the land in southeastern Carroll Parish and northeastern Madison Parish.

MATHEW FRANCIS MAHER

Mathew Francis Maher[2], brother of Philip and the first Maher to come to Louisiana, was born June 29, 1802 in Laghile, County Tipperary, Ireland. He arrived in Louisiana about 1820 at an age of about 18. From that date until he died in New Orleans on July 25, 1832 Mathew amassed quite a fortune. Among his extensive land holdings was prime property in downtown New Orleans. He also owned property in Ireland, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, Alabama and Milliken’s Bend, LA where he may have met his wife-to-be, Caroline Ewing Lowry. Mathew and Caroline were married in Vicksburg on November 1, 1830.

On April 3, 1832 Mathew bought the following property in Carroll Parish (Madison Parish was not formed until 1838) near Milliken’s Bend: Lot number 11, Township 17 (North) Range 13 East containing about 160 acres.[3] The property was purchased for $2,500 from Honoré Morancy who married Caroline’s sister, Eliza Jane in 1818. Unfortunately Mathew died three months later in July 1832, probably from yellow fever.

At the time of his premature death in 1832 Mathew’s estate was worth some $268,000[4] in cash and notes – not including the Milliken’s Bend property. In today’s dollars that would be about $6,000,000.[5] Most of Mathew’s estate was divided between his brothers Michael and Philip.

PHILIP MAHER

Philip Maher was born about March 1812 in Laghile, County Tipperary, Ireland. He entered the United States December 4, 1827 on the Ship Princess Charlotte out of Liverpool. He gave his occupation as a Clerk and his age as 15. He was traveling with Thomas FitzWilliam[6] who owned a large plantation near Milliken’s Bend. Records show that Philip attended St. Joseph College in Bardstown, KY for at least one year in 1829.[7]

At the time of Mathew’s death in 1832 Philip was only about 20 years of age and probably living in New Orleans. By March 1833 Philip reached his “age of majority” (21) and was eligible for his inheritance from Mathew. The first mention of Philip and what was later to become Madison Parish was in March 1834 when he and his brother Michael bought 1128 acres from Honoré Morancy in Township 17 Range 13 E.[8] Also in March 1834 Philip and Michael sold 21 slaves to Catesby B. Minnis for the sum of $8,500.[9]

On March 1, 1835 Caroline Lowry Maher, widow of Mathew Francis Maher, sold to Philip and Michael Maher all of the community property she had inherited from her late husband for $8,840.[10] This included:

1. Two plots of ground with the improvements thereon situated on Magazine Street, Faubourg St. Mary between Poydras and Girod Streets.[11]

2. Two certain lots of ground situated in Faubourg Lafayette, Parish of Jefferson, in this state and designated by the numbers "3" and "4" in Square no. 14 as per the original plan of said Faubourg.

3. A certain lot or parcel of ground adjoining the town of Bardstown, Nelson County, State of Kentucky, being a part of a lot known in the plan of the outlots of the said town of Bardstown as No. 11.

4. One other lot of ground also adjoining the said town of Bardstown, containing between two and three acres.

5. Five certain lots of ground situated in the town of Belmont, County of Belmont, State of Ohio.

6. Two lots of ground situated in the City of Mobile, State of Alabama, with the improvements thereon.

7. A certain tract of land situated in the County of Tipperara (sic), Ireland containing about 22 acres and now in the possession of Patrick Maher.[12]

In addition to the sum of Eight thousand Eight Hundred and Forty dollars Philip and Michael agreed to:

“... assign and set over unto the said Mrs. Caroline Maher, a certain tract of land situated on the River Mississippi, Parish of Carroll, in this state and designated as Lot 11, Township 17, Range 13 East being the same purchased by the said Mathew F. Maher of H. P. Morancy on the 3^rd day of April, 1832. Also, a certain negro named Charity...”

On May 23, 1835, just three months after buying her property, Philip Maher married Caroline Ewing Lowry Maher, the widow of his brother Mathew, in Adams County, Mississippi.

CAROLINE EWING LOWRY

Caroline Ewing Lowry was born in Natchez, Mississippi May 25, 1811, the daughter of William Lowry and Nancy Fitzgerald Lowry, originally of Franklin County, Kentucky. The Lowrys appear to have moved to Natchez, MS about November 1810 when they sold their Kentucky house.[13] William passed away sometime between that time and November 23, 1815 when Nancy married Catesby B. Minnis in Natchez[14].

At some point between 1820-1830 the Minnises bought land in Madison Parish near Milliken’s Bend.[15] Caroline’s older sister, Eliza Jane, married Honoré P. Morancy of Natchez in 1818.[16] At that time Honoré was a professor of French, Greek and Latin at a college in Natchez.[17] They soon moved to the Milliken’s Bend area (then in Ouachita Parish) where Honoré became a Louisiana State Senator and was responsible for the creation in 1832 of Carroll Parish[18]. Madison Parish was created in 1838 and included the Milliken’s Bend area within its northern boundaries.

Caroline’s siblings were the afore-mentioned Eliza Jane (born 1803), Alfred J. (born 1808) and William, Jr. (born 8/30/1813.) Alfred later became a major landowner in the Milliken’s Bend area and is mentioned many times (along with the Mahers) in the book Brokenburn – The Journal of Kate Stone 1861-1868.[19] Eliza Jane died sometime after 1882, probably in Milliken’s Bend. Alfred died in Milliken’s Bend in 1867 and William Lowry, Jr. died in Adams County, Mississippi November 22, 1887.

Cover of Brokenburn The Diary of Kate Stone 1861-1868. LSU Press 1954.

Caroline, originally a Presbyterian, became a Roman Catholic after attending Nazareth Academy in Nazareth, Kentucky from 8/29/1825 through 7/17/1828 when she graduated.

Front and back of Caroline Lowry’s enrollment record at Nazareth Academy. Courtesy of Nazareth Academy - Nazareth, KY

It is presumed that Caroline lived in Milliken’s Bend between the time she graduated from Nazareth Academy in 1828 and the time she married Mathew Maher in 1830. Of course Mathew died in 1832 and she married his brother Philip in 1835.

PHILIP and CAROLINE MAHER

From the time they married in 1835 until the Civil War, Philip and Caroline Maher were prominent landowners and cotton growers in the Milliken’s Bend area. In June 1836, Philip arranged with his brother-in-law, Alfred Lowry, to have use of the Catesby Minnis plantation house for “his lifetime or as long as said Maher sees proper to live on said plantation.”[20] This house was reported to be one of the finest, if not the finest, in the Milliken’s Bend area. During that same month Minnis and his wife, Nancy Fitzgerald Lowry Minnis, (Caroline and Alfred’s mother) sold and renounced all interests in their plantation, consisting of about 2100 acres, to Philip Maher and Alfred Lowry for $150,000[21]. Also included in the sale were 41 slaves and “all the stock of cattle, horses, hogs, sheep, farming utensils now on said plantation.”[22] It is believed that Mrs. Minnis was apparently in poor health at this time as she passed away before the end of 1836.

An interesting sidelight to this agreement was found in the Concordia Parish records and provided that during the month of January 1842 the Negro slaves involved in the trade will:

“have the liberty of emigrating to Liberia and that any agent of any Colonization Society shall be permitted to have intercourse with and converse with the above named negroes during the month of January A.D. Eighteen hundred and forty two, and ascertain whether any or all of them are willing to emigrate to Liberia, those that wish to emigrate shall work on the plantation of the said Alfred J. Lowry and Philip Maher (this day bought of C.B. Minnis) one year, and as a compensation for the services of the said Alfred J. Lowry and Philip Maher shall furnish money for the expenses to Liberia and good clothes and provisions for one years ___? – all of which shall average one hundred dollars each, those of the above named negroes who are unwilling to have their freedom and migrate to Liberia shall then be slaves for life, the property of Alfred J. Lowry and Philip Maher, but those that refuse to migrate shall have the privilege of choosing as their master either of the above named Alfred J. Lowry or Philip Maher, should the division not be equal between the above named Alfred J. Lowry and Philip Maher of those who refuse to go to Liberia, they shall be valued at cash prices, and the one having the most shall pay over the differences to the other partner.”[23]

This unusual agreement, 25 years before the Civil War, was probably one of the first whereby a landowner would pay a slave’s way to Liberia.

About 1845 Philip and Caroline adopted a daughter whom they named Louise Watson Maher. Louise was born in New Orleans on December 8, 1844. Not much is known of Louise although it has been said that she was the biological child of either a Maher or a Lowry. Louise would later be credited with producing most of the known descendants of Philip and Caroline. Several years later the Mahers adopted another daughter and named her Ada C. Maher. Ada was born (probably in New Orleans) on March 13, 1847 as Ada C. T. Grivot. However, she is not listed with the Mahers in the 1850 census, and therefore must have been adopted after that date. The 1840 census lists two Grivots in New Orleans, A. and William, but there are no Grivots listed in the 1850 census.

According to the 1850 census Philip and Caroline’s Milliken’s Bend property was evaluated at $22,000, and they owned 84 slaves.[24] By 1860 their property value had increased to $300,000[25] and they owned 91 slaves. This was all about to change with the advent of the Civil War and, later, the southwestward migration of the Mississippi River.

Part of land in Milliken’s Bend area known to have been owned by Philip Maher. Note the location of the land relative to: (1) the pre-Civil War position of the River; (2) the current position of the River; and (3) the current levees.

Philip and Caroline were devout Catholics and as such were very concerned that they had no priest in their little church in Milliken’s Bend. On March 4, 1854 Caroline wrote the following letter to the Catholic Bishop[26]:

“I beg leave to address you in the name of the congregation of Milliken's Bend and state our situation to you. We have a very neat church of brick, 60 by 30 feet. We have just had a new altar and a melodeon, have a good choir, etc. The number of Catholics is about 30 permanent residents besides transients. About two years ago the Archbishop sent us a clergyman whose health has been so delicate that he has scarcely been able to preach since the first few weeks of his residence among us. He left for New Orleans on the 10th of January where he died on the 24th of the same month, and consequently we are without a pastor. We therefore beg to have a visit from you, as early as you can conveniently do so. Several families can accommodate you comfortably and would be happy to have you stop with them; among the number I include ourselves. Or if you cannot come, we hope you will be able to send us a clergyman at least during the season of lent. I believe Mr. Kelly (Father Kelly) had a salary of five or six hundred dollars a year."
signed C. E. Maher

This letter was quoted in Frances Alexander’s thesis Curtains for the Bend [27] as from “Mr.” Maher. However Caroline almost always signed her name “C. E. Maher.”

In Philip’s 1856 will he was very generous to Catholic charities leaving “$2,000 to the Catholic Male Orphan Assylum in New Orleans; $2,000 to the Widow’s home in New Orleans; $1,000 to the Female Orphan Assylum in New Orleans; $1,000 to the Female Orphan Assylum in Natchez and $1,000 to the Female Orphan Assylum in Louisville, KY.” In 1856 $1,000 was equivalent to $22,000 2005 dollars. Philip willed $100 a year for ten years to the Milliken’s Bend Catholic Church, “provided there is a resident priest there, if there is not a permanent Priest, then in that event, I wish the amount annually to be given for charitable purposes as may seem fit by my dear wife...” Philip also left to his two sisters in Bond County, Illinois and to a brother in Indiana, “the land on which they lived” (which he must have owned.) In addition he left the children of each sibling $2,000.

Caroline’s 1856 will bequeathed $1,500 to the: “Female Orphan Assylum in Natchez.” She also left $100 a year for ten years to the Milliken’s Bend Catholic Church with the same resident priest provisions as Philip had except that if there was no priest there the money was to be given “to the Catholic Female Asylum in Natchez.” In addition she willed “to each of my dear Brothers and Sister’s children, one thousand dollars.” By 1856 Caroline had at least fourteen nieces and nephews on her side of the family, so she was committing to them at least $308,000 in today’s dollars.

Philip and Caroline’s wills contained many more provisions including sufficient amounts for their daughters, Louise and Ada “to be paid or invested for her (their) use & benefit when she (they) shall have attained the age of eighteen years.” Both Philip and Caroline died sixteen years later and by that time were in no position to honor their 1856 wills because the Civil War had cost them dearly.

Caroline E. Maher? Courtesy of Jo Hutcherson

In 1852 Louise, at the age of only 6, was enrolled in Caroline’s old boarding school, Nazareth Academy in Nazareth, Kentucky. To send a 6-year-old child off to boarding school would be unthought-of today, but in the 1800’s, when there were practically no public schools, it was fairly common, especially among the wealthy cotton-growers of the area. However, this apparently was just too much for 6 year-old Louise, and she left after only four months. She reenrolled in 1856 at the age of ten and left again after a year, evidently to attend St. Joseph’s Academy in Emmitsburg[28], Maryland.

Louise Maher’s enrollment records at Nazareth Academy. Courtesy of Nazareth Academy- Nazareth, KY

Although Caroline’s enrollment records show her leaving in 1857, Nazareth’s Catalogue for 1858 shows her still there.
Courtesy of Nazareth Academy- Nazareth, KY

Louise and Ada were not listed in the 1860 census because they were probably attending St. Joseph’s Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland where they had to stay until the end of the Civil War. Emmitsburg was located only about ten miles from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania where Gettysburg, the turning point battle of the Civil War, was fought. In fact, “Emmitsburg Road” is mentioned in every account of the Battle of Gettysburg. Except for St. Joseph’s, there is no record of Ada, who is somewhat of a mystery anyway, ever having attended another boarding school.

Map showing Emmitsburg and its proximity to several important Civil War battles

Front page of St. Joseph’s Academy Catalog for years 1864-65. Courtesy of St. Joseph’s Academy and Mike Maher - Annapolis, MD.

Louise and Ada’s curricula at St. Joseph’s. Courtesy of St. Joseph’s Academy and Mike Maher of Annapolis, MD .

During the Civil War Philip’s plantation became part of a staging area for 20-30,000 Union troops under Generals Grant, Sherman and McLernan preparing to besiege Vicksburg. Houses were ransacked, and household items such as furniture, china, jewelry and silver were destroyed or stolen by Union troops or newly freed slaves. During this very tense time for Milliken’s Bend residents, many abandoned their homes and temporarily moved away to areas less likely to be involved in military activity[29]. Philip and Caroline were no different and appear to have moved to “Woodvil” then in the hills of Jackson Parish. Woodville is located about 7 miles southwest of Ruston and is now in Lincoln Parish, but of course there was no Lincoln Parish then.

Doodles on inside cover of one of Philip’s books showing that on October 3, 1865 he was living in “Woodvil”, Jackson Parish, Louisiana. Courtesy of Charlotte Donald Walter - Shreveport, LA

After the Civil War most returning landowners found their property in shambles, if anything at all remained. Homes, barns, levees, and most other farm infrastructures had to be rebuilt. As a result property values dropped to an all-time low. In addition, those who had borrowed money to purchase their slaves, which included most slave-owners, now had lost all of their slaves but still owed the banks for them. Slavery, as bad as it was, was not illegal at the time, and the unfortunate slave-owners were left “holding the bag.” Many formerly prominent landowners sold out, packed their bags and left.

This situation was no different for Philip and Caroline Maher. Although it is not certain exactly when they returned to Madison Parish, it was probably soon after the Civil War. The 1870 census lists no value for Philip’s real estate[30], which had been valued at $300,000 in 1860. However the real estate was now in Caroline’s name, but with a value of only $40,000. Louise is listed as “at home”, but Ada, having married George D. Shadburne on June 4, 1867[31], was now living in San Francisco.

Except for what they took with them to Jackson Parish, there was probably little left of the Maher’s household goods. However, some of their silver survived and is pictured below.

Maher Silver spoon. Courtesy of David and Brenda Donald - Jennings, LA

Close-up of spoon handle showing name engraved with a curlicue on end. Courtesy of David and Brenda Donald - Jennings, LA

Maher Silver napkin ring showing Caroline’s initials – CEM. Courtesy of Lottie Louise Lee Smith - Jackson, MS

Louise Maher married John Francis Graves on January 31, 1872[32]. Caroline Maher died in Milliken’s Bend 19 days later on February 19, 1872. From her will it is obvious that she had taken over the plantation business and that Philip, who passed away 5 months later on July 8, 1872, had been an invalid since before 1870. Both were believed to have had consumption (tuberculosis.)[33]

Caroline’s will[34], dated December 9, 1870, and directed to Louise provided in part the following:

My dear Louise, knowing the uncertainty of life I now make this my last holographic Will and Testimony. As you and Ada are not forced heirs at Law I wish to provide for you to the best of my ability. In case of my death before your fathers, I wish you to remain with and take good care of him. I wish some trusty person employed to take care of him, and the wages paid out of the proceeds of the crops of the Oakley Plantation & besides I wish you to have paid to you six hundred dollars per annum during his life for his support besides his clothing & Drs fees, which I also wish paid for out of the crops. I wish in the event of his death that he should be buried near me in the Natchez Cemetery, near my mother where we own a lot. (Their graves have never been located.)... I leave you sole executrix of my estate. Hoping you will frequently and fervently pray for the repose of your Father's & my Soul I remain as ever your devoted and affectionate mother, Caroline Maher, Oakley Plantation, Milliken's Bend Dec 9th 1870.

An inventory of Caroline’s property in 1872 included the following:

PLANTATION EQUIPMENT & STOCK THEREON

771 Acres of land known as the Oakley Plantation	$9252.00
4 cows	72.00
4 calves	16.00
4 mules	200.00
5 sweeps	5.00
12 plows	48.00
1 cart	50.00
1 2 horse wagon	65.00
1 gin stand	250.00
TOTAL	$9958.00

CONTENTS OF PARLOR IN DWELLING HOUSE

6 hair-bottomed chairs	$6.00
2 Ottomans	2.00
1 Rocking chair	4.00
1 Etagere	2.00
1 Brussels carpet	15.00
1 Sewing machine (old and broken)	25.00
TOTAL	$54.00

ROOM OPPOSITE PARLOR

1 Armoire	$10.00
1 Bedstead & bedding	20.00
1 Washstand, bowl & pitcher	6.00
1 Dressing table	2.00
1 Bureau	10.00
1 Easy chair	6.00
1 Chair for invalid (Philip?)	1.50
1 Carpet	8.00
4 Cane bottomed arm chairs	3.00
TOTAL	$66.50

SITTING ROOM

1 Armoire	$4.00
1 Washstand	4.00
1 Stove & pipe	4.00
1 Clock	5.00
1 Carpet	8.00
TOTAL	$25.00

ROOM LEFT OF SITTING ROOM

1 Bureau	$3.00
1 Lounge and bedding	6.00
1 Bedstead & bedding	12.00
1 Washstand, bowl & pitcher	3.00
11 Cane bottomed chairs	8.25
1 Carpet	5.00
1 Old Armoire	1.00
TOTAL	$38.25

ROOM IN GALLERY

2 Mattresses & bedclothes	$5.00
1 Washstand	1.500
1 Table	.50
TOTAL	$7.00

DINING ROOM

1 Safe	$5.00
1 Extension table	10.00
1 Desk	8.00
TOTAL	$23.00

MISCELLANEOUS

6 Lamps	$4.50
3 Wooden tables	1.00
1 Kitchen stove and fixtures	18.00
24 Milk pans	12.00
1 Milk bucket	.50
1 Lot of crockery	40.00
3 tubs	3.00
TOTAL	$79.00

RECAPITULATION

Plantation improvements & stock thereon	$9958.00
Contents of parlor in dwelling	$54.00
Contents of room opposite parlor	$66.50
Contents of sitting room	$25.00
Contents of room left of sitting room	$38.25
Contents of room in gallery	$7.00
Contents of dining room	$23.00
Miscellaneous	$79.00
TOTAL	$10250.75

Thus by the year 1872 when they both died, Philip and Caroline’s net worth had gone from $300,000 to a little over $10,000 in 12 years.

Louise Maher Graves and John Francis Graves

As mentioned earlier, Louise Watson Maher married John Francis Graves on January 31, 1872. This union would produce most of the Maher descendants. The Graves families were early settlers of Mississippi having come there from South Carolina before 1802 (Mississippi was admitted into the Union in 1817) and settled along the Comite River between Wilkinson and Amite Counties.

John Frances Graves was born in Amite County, Mississippi in 1838, the son of James J. Graves and Charlotte Ayers Graves. Charlotte apparently died shortly after John Francis’ birth and James J. died around 1846, leaving John Francis an orphan at age 8. He seems to have been raised by his grandmother, Rebecca Graves. He came to Madison Parish sometime before 1860 as he is listed in the 1860 census[35] as a clerk.

During the Civil War John Francis joined Company B of the 25^th Regiment of Louisiana Infantry in 1862; was released because of sickness; then in 1863 joined Company F of the 3^rd Regiment of the Louisiana Cavalry where he served until the war ended in 1865.[36]

Only known picture of John Francis Graves (in his Confederate uniform). Courtesy of Lottie Louise Lee Smith - Jackson, MS

Louise and John Francis Graves lived in the Maher house in Milliken’s Bend where they raised 5 daughters and a son. Born first was Carrie Maher Graves (named for her maternal grandmother, Caroline Lowry Maher), born October 15, 1872. Next was Charlotte Ayers Graves (named for her maternal grandmother Charlotte Ayers Graves), born February 19, 1874. Next was Louise Watson Graves (named for Louise), born November 5, 1875. Next was Ada Shadburne Graves (named for her aunt Ada Maher Shadburne), born August 28, 1877. Next was their only son, John Francis Graves, Jr. (named for John Francis) born October 14, 1879. And finally Mary Lucia Graves, the youngest, was born November 15, 1881.

Life became increasingly harder for Louise and John Francis and their family, which became larger and larger. The Mississippi River continually eroded away their land (see previous map and map below) such that the house had to be moved back at least 3 times. Today their original home site is located about a mile across and on the east side of the river. Also, most of what is left on the Louisiana side of their plantation is on the levee side of the river and therefore subject to annual floods. In addition John Francis became blind and Louise became an invalid, apparently crippled by consumption.

In 1876 The Citizens State bank of Louisiana foreclosed on Oakley Plantation, and the family must have moved to Lake Providence sometime thereafter.

Plat showing what remained of Oakley in 1876.

By the time that Louise passed away on August 24, 1892 the family was living in Lake Providence. Her obituary stated:[37]

Died in Lake Providence in the 47th year of her age, LOUISE MAHER GRAVES, beloved wife of John F. Graves, formerly of Madison Parish. The much loved child of fond parents, she was reared in a lovely home surrounded by all that wealth and affection could lavish. The tender years of her infancy and childhood were guided by these loving hearts, who ever instilled in her mind precepts of virtue and religion. As she grew and attained girlhood she was placed in a Maryland Convent, where her education was completed by the accomplished Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul. This early piety, so impressed on her youth, she retained in after years; even when sorrows and misfortunes overshadowed her life, until at times there scarcely seemed to be left a ray of hope to cheer her path. An invalid for years, she never faltered, constantly clinging to her faith, feeling that it is only in the shadow of the Cross a soul is dear to God, repeating with Job: The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord! (Job.1c.21v.) She has left a devoted husband and six children to mourn her loss. May God comfort their sorrow-stricken hearts?

"There is no death! What seems so is transition;

This life of mortal breath

Is but a suburb of the life elysian,

Whose portal we call death.

In that great cloister's stillness and seclusion.

By guardian angels led

Safe from temptation, safe from sin's pollution,

She lives whom we call dead!"

Looking down the vista of time, I see a vision of a fair, blue-eyed, sunny-haired child, whose life was replete with happiness and blessings - the petted idol of the household, whose budding childhood gave promise of a life that knew neither care nor sorrow - but lo! the said tidings are received of her death, of her long and painful illness, of her many crushing misfortunes! Oh! How forcible we realize the wisdom of withholding the future from our view! Could we lift the veil, who would dare do so! God is good, just and merciful, and dying as she lived in the faith of the grand old Catholic Church, we believe her translated to the land where reign only happiness and sunshine, where the memory of what she suffered is swallowed up in the fruition of eternal bliss. May she rest in peace!

AGNES.[38]

Milliken's Bend, Sept. 1st, 1892.

When Louise died in 1892 at age 47 the two youngest daughters, Ada and Mary, were 15 and 9 respectively. With John Francis blind and unable to care for them former Governor Lowry[39] of Mississippi (1882-1890) reportedly offered to adopt them. It this is true it lends credence to the notion that Louise’s biological parents were from either the Lowry or Maher family. In this case it would have been the Lowry family.

There was no adoption, however, and, following their mother’s death in 1892, the two girls were sent to a convent in Chicago[40] where they were educated. John Francis went to live in the Soldier’s Home in New Orleans.