IRELAND'S CROP FAILURES, PARTICULARLY POTATOES
Son of Thomas Cullen, both native sons of Ireland as is his mother. Thomas is reported as having immigrated to the U.S. in 1843, at age 11. This was a couple of years before the rapid spread of the potato blight of the Great Irish Famine, id est, an Gorta Mór, which started in Western Ireland during July-August 1845.
While most people nowadays think only of the Great Famine caused by the "blight" (Phytophthora Infestans), many other potato failures had occurred rather frequently during the 1800s causal to dry rot disease and or the "curl" virus. To wit, the provinces of Munster and Connaught in 1821 and 1822 and in the western counties of Donegal, Mayo and Galway during 1830 and 1831. Significant losses were experienced during 1832, 1833, 1834 and 1836. The province of Ulster, which includes our maternal McElroy ancestral county of Monaghan, had failures in 1835.
In similar but in a more widespread manner in Ireland there were failures during 1836, 1837, 1839, 1841 and 1844. Given that to date we do not have documented immigration records for Thomas, his father and brother Edward, nor records of their homeland county, the 1841-1844 periods are noted with interest, with 1839 being an outlier. Refer to Thomas' brother Edward's memorial in re the down-turn of the flax (linen) cottage industry.
LIFE AND FAMILY IN NEW YORK
Thomas is the older brother of Edward (refer to memorial no. 19874448) who may have been born in New York City, possibly aboard ship being within the waters of New York City or that was docking/docked at the Port of New York. Refer to Edward's memorial for details concerning their ancestry in Ireland.
Beloved husband of Catherine, nee Cravai [sp.; (p) Cradal, Craven, Crada, or similar]. Catherine, a native daughter of Ireland, is reported as having immigrated to the U.S. during 1846, at age 18± or age 10±. As noted foregoing, this was a time during the Great Irish Famine where starvation was extremely prevalent, destitute living conditions were the norm, which in turn give rise to epidemics such as tuberculosis, typhus and cholera. There is a write-up of the Great Famine within the memorial for his brother Edward.
Thomas is the loving father of James, Edward, Catherine, Mary Elizabeth, Alice and Thomas (III).
LIFE IN NY DURING THE 1850s
I searched the 1850 U.S. Census for Thomas, but to no avail. As a matter of fact there were only 8 screened results for "Cullen", five of which were "sound like" surnames.
In 1855, we find a 23 year old Thomas, working as a laborer, along with his wife Catherine, reported as being age 27 rather than age 17±, and one year old infant son James residing in a wood frame house within the "Northern Blocks" of the 8th Election District of the 16th Ward, which contained eight Election Districts. The metes and bounds of the 16th Ward in 1855 were east bound on West 26th Street from the North (Hudson) River to Sixth Ave; then south bound on Sixth Ave to West 14th Street; then returning west bound on West 14th St to the North River. Now the 8th Election District was the northern most of all within the 16th Ward. It contained that area bound by West 26th Street between 8th and 6th avenues and down to 23rd Street. The value of their house was noted as $2,500, a tidy sum in those days. As a comparative note, their residence was among stone buildings that carried a $7,500 value.
If ever there was a time line demarcating the surge of New York City growth, still defined largely as the borough of Manhattan, this is clearly the time. As a historical note of interest, 1855 Manhattan can be viewed as halved north south around the low 40s. The southern half had high building and population densities, accompanied by like engineering structural and infrastructure demands to make it all work. The northern half was still rolling hills, streams, grazing animals, and shell fish along its coast lines. The creation of Central Park would essentially start around 1858. The southern half was experiencing continued further density growth from the outside in from each shore line. The shore line along the East and the North (Hudson) rivers were natural for piers and docks to bring in demanded goods such as foodstuffs in the form of cattle and sheep, as well as fruits and vegetables from America's interior.
The Industrial Revolution had already been taking place between, say, 1810 and 1850, in the northeast. This transitioned into the rail road boom westward during, say, 1850-1890. Of course, such an explosive boom, experienced a burst, such as the Panic of 1873, which lead to the "Long Depression". There were also a number of other variables that came into play at this juncture, including among others post-Civil War inflation.
There were goods flowing down to the City's concentrated population demands once the Erie Canal was operational. There were also shipping lanes coming up from the south hauling warm climate fruits, spices and other like product. This in turn led to slaughter houses and distribution markets along the shore lines, in from the piers. In turn, as the economic cycle of free enterprise goes, there was a demand for housing for the employees of these trades. This results in housing complexes. All of this created demand for services such as banking and insurance, which also led to other financial institutions.
There were other demand from the cycle for shoemakers, horse shoers/blacksmiths, tailors, women clothiers, mom & pop shops, schools and so churn the wheels of the free enterprise system. Can you imagine what would have developed if this natural course of free enterprise was hindered with burdensome taxes all along the way - at each point trade monies were exchanged? Can you imagine how that flow or velocity of money would have been slowed down? Can you then imagine how some or many would simply have relocated to a place that treats these money flows better? There was, of course, a need for minimal tax dollars for coordinated roads and other engineering improvements and advances in technology. Consider among these, storm and sanitary systems, systems of transportation, systems of lighting and so – these too creating jobs and causal to their utility – demand. The efficacious role is one of a guiding hand as opposed to self-enriching, political power mongers, buying favors and promising things all with other people's monies.
CIVIL WAR & POSTBELLUM PERIOD
Moving ahead in time, as of this reading, I have not been able to locate Thomas' and Catherine's and family whereabouts for 1860. I've filtered the 1860 U.S. Census with only 27 results; after having checked out about 90% of them, none appear as a "fit" for the family. Further, note that the 1865 New York State Census records for New York County, along with 13 other NYS counties, are missing.
In the 1860 Census I did find a Thomas Cullen, a Liquor Merchant, 60 years of age with an estimated birth year of 1800 and an Ireland emigration year around 1839, his wife Mary is 48 and their New York born children, John, an 18 year old lawyer, 16 year old Catherine, Thomas J. age 15, James age 12 and Mary Ann age 8, in downtown Manhattan at Pitt St. It appears that over time the liquor merchant became a grocer. The family were all together in 1870 Census. Their father Thomas passed away May 29, 1879. By 1880 the family maintained their grocery store. John had gotten married to Margaret and they have a son Thomas 7 and daughter Minnie; refer to memorial #131185191. Refer to the memorial (no. 18796415) for Sarah Jane "Mother" Hickinson Cullen for other Cullen families around this Postbellum time period before the turn of the century.
Twenty-three years later, there's a mid-April 1903 manifest of alien passengers that had a 47 year old James Cullen, also a Spirit Merchant, from Cavan listed who was on his way to see his brother John in New Jersey. After screening the 1901 Census of Ireland for a James Cullen in Cavan and looking at the actual Form A submission, the "best fit" match was one that lived at house 2 on Mill Street in the town of Cavan, Cavan. Refer to the memorial (no. 107938338) for Teresa "Tessie" McEntee Haskins McGlynn, our Grand Aunt Tessie, for some other details, particularly in regard to Cullen familial ties in Jersey City, NJ.
Getting back to our Thomas, some 15 plus years past 1855, at the start of 1871, two years before the Panic of 1873, we find Thomas being reported as 38 years of age, and his wife, Catherine, as age 37. Other family members and ages were James 18, Edward 8, Catherine 6, Mary 5, Alice 3 and baby brother Thomas (III) just 3 months of age. Their address at the time of this 2nd Enumeration is recorded as Rear House 322 within the 4th Election District, 16th Ward. There were now eighteen (18) Election Districts within this ward (as opposed to 8 back in 1855). The ward was still bounded south and north by West 14th and 26th Streets and east and west by 6th Avenue and the North (Hudson) River. In turn, their 4th Election District was that area between 18th and 19th Streets and 6th and 8th Avenues. Stop to visualize and ponder this for a couple of seconds as it conveys some idea of the growth in population density.
Having been blessed with an eye for the obvious, I note a demonstrable trait between all sides of the family, that goes as far back as researched. The trait is that the women in the family have this God given gift of not aging as fast as the men, nor even that of time. To wit, take the case at hand, Catherine aged only 10 years in the 15 year period between 1855 and 1870. Oft times, even at time of death, our familial females are recorded as having exited at a younger age then the time they spent, from start to finish, during their earthly visit.
At this time Thomas' occupation was now that of a "carman", that is, a transporter. He is listed exactly as such within Trow's 1872 New York City Directory having a home residence at "r 322 W. 17th". Also listed, of note, is a James and John Cullen – each a separate listing – who were listed as "Drivers" – as in cattle and sheep drivers. They were both listed at the same address of 357 Madison Avenue, which is by 45th Street in Manhattan. Herd animals were driven cross town through the 45th Street area back around 1855, but I doubt that they were in 1870, although possibly further north towards the tip top of Manhattan.
I subsequently researched the 1870 Census to track down this James and John Cullen, not having any idea of their ages, where they were born and other helpful screening criteria, it was a somewhat tedious process. I believe I eventually found them within in the 1st enumeration.
They were residing in the 9th District of the 7th Ward (of 22 Wards). This ward is down on the east side of the southern tip of Manhattan. As described within the 1869 Manual of the Corporation of the City of New York, the 7th Ward is "bounded south-westerly by Catherine Street; northwesterly by Division and Grand Streets; east by East river; south-westerly by South street." The 7th Ward contained eleven (11) Election Districts. The 9th Election District was bounded by Division, Grand, Jackson, Monroe, and Gouverneur streets.
Possibly the address of 357 Madison (45th St.) was their garage or they simply moved sometime over the two year period. While the 1872 Trow's lists them separately as "Driver", the 1870 Census 1st Enumeration appears to clarify that they were each a "carman". Their surname is spelt as "Cullins" within the 1870 Census – 1st Enumeration. James was age 40 (b. 1830±), John age 25 and there was a Susan age 35 in the household. I wonder if they were siblings to Thomas and Edward or paternal first cousins. Refer to Thomas' brother Edward's memorial (no. 19874448) under the section titled "INTRA-FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS" for a further thought on James, John and Susan.
Within the enumeration they were family 463. Family 470 was the Peter, age 35 and Margaret, age 30, McElroy Family along with daughters Mary 2 and Katy 3 months.
LIFE & DEATH DURING THE GILDED AGE
In 1880 we find Thomas' family had relocated to 425 West 13th Street, still in the lower Chelsea area. Thomas was now 48, Catherine 44, having aged only 7 years in the 10 year period. James is not enumerated. Edward is recorded as 18, Catherine 15, Alice (written as Alicia) 11, Mary (written as Maria) 13 and baby Thomas was now a 9 year old boy. It appears that both Alice and Mary were taking after their mom, each having aged only 8 years over the ten year period.
Nearly some four and a half years later, directly across town, almost shore to shore, Thomas' passage through the flow of life would exit. Calvary Cemetery records indicate that Thomas was age 52 at time of death, as does New York City Vital Records – Death Certificate No. 511005 (1884) Manhattan.
Thomas had a fatal fall from his wagon in front of 349 East 13th Street on Tuesday the 25th day of November 1884 at which time he was taken straight up First Avenue to Bellevue Hospital at 29th and 30th Streets for emergency care. He passed away during the evening of the next day at 7:00 P.M. the day before Thanksgiving. An inquest was held at the coroner's office as to cause of death. The findings were that the fall was accidental and that he passed on causal to brain damage from it. Almost four (4) years later to the date his brother Edward would exit the flow of life, 11/29/1888, also from a fatal fall, refer to memorial no. 19874448 for Edward Cullen.
As a side note: Chapter 410, Section 1773, Laws of 1883 require, i.a., "If a person dies from criminal violence or by a casualty, or suddenly while in apparent good health, or when unattended by a physician or in prison, or in any suspicious or unusual manner, the case must be referred to the Coroner; any person who may become aware of a death in this manner stated shall report such death forthwith to one of the Coroners, etc., etc.."
When I was a child we would often hear adults negatively comment that someone should be committed to Bellevue. So, I grew up thinking it was some psychiatric place - well actually by other names. Bellevue is far more than that and always has been. It is the oldest public hospital in the United States dating back to the end of March, 1736. The first maternity ward in the U.S. was at Bellevue in 1799. Bellevue is the location of the first morgue in NYC. Harper's Weekly published an article about the new morgue on July 7, 1866. Their outpatient department, referred to as "Bureau of Medical and Surgical Relief for the Out of Door Poor" dates back to 1867, among one of the first in the U.S. They already had an emergency ambulance service in place by 1869. In the year that Thomas left us, Bellevue had established a pathology and bacteriology lab. Thomas' niece Mary would pass on from tuberculosis on 12/02/1888, 3 days after her dad Edward. It was Bellevue who reported that tuberculosis is a preventable disease the year later in 1889. The list just goes on and on.
Thomas' grave site was bought by and is owned by his wife Catherine Cullen, who would join him Spiritually, as well as her earthly remains, after the new year of 1894. There are a total of four (4) interments at this grave site. The first was Thomas in 1884, then Catherine in 1894, and the remaining two (2) were in 1895 and 1897.
Son of Thomas Cullen, both native sons of Ireland as is his mother. Thomas is reported as having immigrated to the U.S. in 1843, at age 11. This was a couple of years before the rapid spread of the potato blight of the Great Irish Famine, id est, an Gorta Mór, which started in Western Ireland during July-August 1845.
While most people nowadays think only of the Great Famine caused by the "blight" (Phytophthora Infestans), many other potato failures had occurred rather frequently during the 1800s causal to dry rot disease and or the "curl" virus. To wit, the provinces of Munster and Connaught in 1821 and 1822 and in the western counties of Donegal, Mayo and Galway during 1830 and 1831. Significant losses were experienced during 1832, 1833, 1834 and 1836. The province of Ulster, which includes our maternal McElroy ancestral county of Monaghan, had failures in 1835.
In similar but in a more widespread manner in Ireland there were failures during 1836, 1837, 1839, 1841 and 1844. Given that to date we do not have documented immigration records for Thomas, his father and brother Edward, nor records of their homeland county, the 1841-1844 periods are noted with interest, with 1839 being an outlier. Refer to Thomas' brother Edward's memorial in re the down-turn of the flax (linen) cottage industry.
LIFE AND FAMILY IN NEW YORK
Thomas is the older brother of Edward (refer to memorial no. 19874448) who may have been born in New York City, possibly aboard ship being within the waters of New York City or that was docking/docked at the Port of New York. Refer to Edward's memorial for details concerning their ancestry in Ireland.
Beloved husband of Catherine, nee Cravai [sp.; (p) Cradal, Craven, Crada, or similar]. Catherine, a native daughter of Ireland, is reported as having immigrated to the U.S. during 1846, at age 18± or age 10±. As noted foregoing, this was a time during the Great Irish Famine where starvation was extremely prevalent, destitute living conditions were the norm, which in turn give rise to epidemics such as tuberculosis, typhus and cholera. There is a write-up of the Great Famine within the memorial for his brother Edward.
Thomas is the loving father of James, Edward, Catherine, Mary Elizabeth, Alice and Thomas (III).
LIFE IN NY DURING THE 1850s
I searched the 1850 U.S. Census for Thomas, but to no avail. As a matter of fact there were only 8 screened results for "Cullen", five of which were "sound like" surnames.
In 1855, we find a 23 year old Thomas, working as a laborer, along with his wife Catherine, reported as being age 27 rather than age 17±, and one year old infant son James residing in a wood frame house within the "Northern Blocks" of the 8th Election District of the 16th Ward, which contained eight Election Districts. The metes and bounds of the 16th Ward in 1855 were east bound on West 26th Street from the North (Hudson) River to Sixth Ave; then south bound on Sixth Ave to West 14th Street; then returning west bound on West 14th St to the North River. Now the 8th Election District was the northern most of all within the 16th Ward. It contained that area bound by West 26th Street between 8th and 6th avenues and down to 23rd Street. The value of their house was noted as $2,500, a tidy sum in those days. As a comparative note, their residence was among stone buildings that carried a $7,500 value.
If ever there was a time line demarcating the surge of New York City growth, still defined largely as the borough of Manhattan, this is clearly the time. As a historical note of interest, 1855 Manhattan can be viewed as halved north south around the low 40s. The southern half had high building and population densities, accompanied by like engineering structural and infrastructure demands to make it all work. The northern half was still rolling hills, streams, grazing animals, and shell fish along its coast lines. The creation of Central Park would essentially start around 1858. The southern half was experiencing continued further density growth from the outside in from each shore line. The shore line along the East and the North (Hudson) rivers were natural for piers and docks to bring in demanded goods such as foodstuffs in the form of cattle and sheep, as well as fruits and vegetables from America's interior.
The Industrial Revolution had already been taking place between, say, 1810 and 1850, in the northeast. This transitioned into the rail road boom westward during, say, 1850-1890. Of course, such an explosive boom, experienced a burst, such as the Panic of 1873, which lead to the "Long Depression". There were also a number of other variables that came into play at this juncture, including among others post-Civil War inflation.
There were goods flowing down to the City's concentrated population demands once the Erie Canal was operational. There were also shipping lanes coming up from the south hauling warm climate fruits, spices and other like product. This in turn led to slaughter houses and distribution markets along the shore lines, in from the piers. In turn, as the economic cycle of free enterprise goes, there was a demand for housing for the employees of these trades. This results in housing complexes. All of this created demand for services such as banking and insurance, which also led to other financial institutions.
There were other demand from the cycle for shoemakers, horse shoers/blacksmiths, tailors, women clothiers, mom & pop shops, schools and so churn the wheels of the free enterprise system. Can you imagine what would have developed if this natural course of free enterprise was hindered with burdensome taxes all along the way - at each point trade monies were exchanged? Can you imagine how that flow or velocity of money would have been slowed down? Can you then imagine how some or many would simply have relocated to a place that treats these money flows better? There was, of course, a need for minimal tax dollars for coordinated roads and other engineering improvements and advances in technology. Consider among these, storm and sanitary systems, systems of transportation, systems of lighting and so – these too creating jobs and causal to their utility – demand. The efficacious role is one of a guiding hand as opposed to self-enriching, political power mongers, buying favors and promising things all with other people's monies.
CIVIL WAR & POSTBELLUM PERIOD
Moving ahead in time, as of this reading, I have not been able to locate Thomas' and Catherine's and family whereabouts for 1860. I've filtered the 1860 U.S. Census with only 27 results; after having checked out about 90% of them, none appear as a "fit" for the family. Further, note that the 1865 New York State Census records for New York County, along with 13 other NYS counties, are missing.
In the 1860 Census I did find a Thomas Cullen, a Liquor Merchant, 60 years of age with an estimated birth year of 1800 and an Ireland emigration year around 1839, his wife Mary is 48 and their New York born children, John, an 18 year old lawyer, 16 year old Catherine, Thomas J. age 15, James age 12 and Mary Ann age 8, in downtown Manhattan at Pitt St. It appears that over time the liquor merchant became a grocer. The family were all together in 1870 Census. Their father Thomas passed away May 29, 1879. By 1880 the family maintained their grocery store. John had gotten married to Margaret and they have a son Thomas 7 and daughter Minnie; refer to memorial #131185191. Refer to the memorial (no. 18796415) for Sarah Jane "Mother" Hickinson Cullen for other Cullen families around this Postbellum time period before the turn of the century.
Twenty-three years later, there's a mid-April 1903 manifest of alien passengers that had a 47 year old James Cullen, also a Spirit Merchant, from Cavan listed who was on his way to see his brother John in New Jersey. After screening the 1901 Census of Ireland for a James Cullen in Cavan and looking at the actual Form A submission, the "best fit" match was one that lived at house 2 on Mill Street in the town of Cavan, Cavan. Refer to the memorial (no. 107938338) for Teresa "Tessie" McEntee Haskins McGlynn, our Grand Aunt Tessie, for some other details, particularly in regard to Cullen familial ties in Jersey City, NJ.
Getting back to our Thomas, some 15 plus years past 1855, at the start of 1871, two years before the Panic of 1873, we find Thomas being reported as 38 years of age, and his wife, Catherine, as age 37. Other family members and ages were James 18, Edward 8, Catherine 6, Mary 5, Alice 3 and baby brother Thomas (III) just 3 months of age. Their address at the time of this 2nd Enumeration is recorded as Rear House 322 within the 4th Election District, 16th Ward. There were now eighteen (18) Election Districts within this ward (as opposed to 8 back in 1855). The ward was still bounded south and north by West 14th and 26th Streets and east and west by 6th Avenue and the North (Hudson) River. In turn, their 4th Election District was that area between 18th and 19th Streets and 6th and 8th Avenues. Stop to visualize and ponder this for a couple of seconds as it conveys some idea of the growth in population density.
Having been blessed with an eye for the obvious, I note a demonstrable trait between all sides of the family, that goes as far back as researched. The trait is that the women in the family have this God given gift of not aging as fast as the men, nor even that of time. To wit, take the case at hand, Catherine aged only 10 years in the 15 year period between 1855 and 1870. Oft times, even at time of death, our familial females are recorded as having exited at a younger age then the time they spent, from start to finish, during their earthly visit.
At this time Thomas' occupation was now that of a "carman", that is, a transporter. He is listed exactly as such within Trow's 1872 New York City Directory having a home residence at "r 322 W. 17th". Also listed, of note, is a James and John Cullen – each a separate listing – who were listed as "Drivers" – as in cattle and sheep drivers. They were both listed at the same address of 357 Madison Avenue, which is by 45th Street in Manhattan. Herd animals were driven cross town through the 45th Street area back around 1855, but I doubt that they were in 1870, although possibly further north towards the tip top of Manhattan.
I subsequently researched the 1870 Census to track down this James and John Cullen, not having any idea of their ages, where they were born and other helpful screening criteria, it was a somewhat tedious process. I believe I eventually found them within in the 1st enumeration.
They were residing in the 9th District of the 7th Ward (of 22 Wards). This ward is down on the east side of the southern tip of Manhattan. As described within the 1869 Manual of the Corporation of the City of New York, the 7th Ward is "bounded south-westerly by Catherine Street; northwesterly by Division and Grand Streets; east by East river; south-westerly by South street." The 7th Ward contained eleven (11) Election Districts. The 9th Election District was bounded by Division, Grand, Jackson, Monroe, and Gouverneur streets.
Possibly the address of 357 Madison (45th St.) was their garage or they simply moved sometime over the two year period. While the 1872 Trow's lists them separately as "Driver", the 1870 Census 1st Enumeration appears to clarify that they were each a "carman". Their surname is spelt as "Cullins" within the 1870 Census – 1st Enumeration. James was age 40 (b. 1830±), John age 25 and there was a Susan age 35 in the household. I wonder if they were siblings to Thomas and Edward or paternal first cousins. Refer to Thomas' brother Edward's memorial (no. 19874448) under the section titled "INTRA-FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS" for a further thought on James, John and Susan.
Within the enumeration they were family 463. Family 470 was the Peter, age 35 and Margaret, age 30, McElroy Family along with daughters Mary 2 and Katy 3 months.
LIFE & DEATH DURING THE GILDED AGE
In 1880 we find Thomas' family had relocated to 425 West 13th Street, still in the lower Chelsea area. Thomas was now 48, Catherine 44, having aged only 7 years in the 10 year period. James is not enumerated. Edward is recorded as 18, Catherine 15, Alice (written as Alicia) 11, Mary (written as Maria) 13 and baby Thomas was now a 9 year old boy. It appears that both Alice and Mary were taking after their mom, each having aged only 8 years over the ten year period.
Nearly some four and a half years later, directly across town, almost shore to shore, Thomas' passage through the flow of life would exit. Calvary Cemetery records indicate that Thomas was age 52 at time of death, as does New York City Vital Records – Death Certificate No. 511005 (1884) Manhattan.
Thomas had a fatal fall from his wagon in front of 349 East 13th Street on Tuesday the 25th day of November 1884 at which time he was taken straight up First Avenue to Bellevue Hospital at 29th and 30th Streets for emergency care. He passed away during the evening of the next day at 7:00 P.M. the day before Thanksgiving. An inquest was held at the coroner's office as to cause of death. The findings were that the fall was accidental and that he passed on causal to brain damage from it. Almost four (4) years later to the date his brother Edward would exit the flow of life, 11/29/1888, also from a fatal fall, refer to memorial no. 19874448 for Edward Cullen.
As a side note: Chapter 410, Section 1773, Laws of 1883 require, i.a., "If a person dies from criminal violence or by a casualty, or suddenly while in apparent good health, or when unattended by a physician or in prison, or in any suspicious or unusual manner, the case must be referred to the Coroner; any person who may become aware of a death in this manner stated shall report such death forthwith to one of the Coroners, etc., etc.."
When I was a child we would often hear adults negatively comment that someone should be committed to Bellevue. So, I grew up thinking it was some psychiatric place - well actually by other names. Bellevue is far more than that and always has been. It is the oldest public hospital in the United States dating back to the end of March, 1736. The first maternity ward in the U.S. was at Bellevue in 1799. Bellevue is the location of the first morgue in NYC. Harper's Weekly published an article about the new morgue on July 7, 1866. Their outpatient department, referred to as "Bureau of Medical and Surgical Relief for the Out of Door Poor" dates back to 1867, among one of the first in the U.S. They already had an emergency ambulance service in place by 1869. In the year that Thomas left us, Bellevue had established a pathology and bacteriology lab. Thomas' niece Mary would pass on from tuberculosis on 12/02/1888, 3 days after her dad Edward. It was Bellevue who reported that tuberculosis is a preventable disease the year later in 1889. The list just goes on and on.
Thomas' grave site was bought by and is owned by his wife Catherine Cullen, who would join him Spiritually, as well as her earthly remains, after the new year of 1894. There are a total of four (4) interments at this grave site. The first was Thomas in 1884, then Catherine in 1894, and the remaining two (2) were in 1895 and 1897.
IRELAND'S CROP FAILURES, PARTICULARLY POTATOES
Son of Thomas Cullen, both native sons of Ireland as is his mother. Thomas is reported as having immigrated to the U.S. in 1843, at age 11. This was a couple of years before the rapid spread of the potato blight of the Great Irish Famine, id est, an Gorta Mór, which started in Western Ireland during July-August 1845.
While most people nowadays think only of the Great Famine caused by the "blight" (Phytophthora Infestans), many other potato failures had occurred rather frequently during the 1800s causal to dry rot disease and or the "curl" virus. To wit, the provinces of Munster and Connaught in 1821 and 1822 and in the western counties of Donegal, Mayo and Galway during 1830 and 1831. Significant losses were experienced during 1832, 1833, 1834 and 1836. The province of Ulster, which includes our maternal McElroy ancestral county of Monaghan, had failures in 1835.
In similar but in a more widespread manner in Ireland there were failures during 1836, 1837, 1839, 1841 and 1844. Given that to date we do not have documented immigration records for Thomas, his father and brother Edward, nor records of their homeland county, the 1841-1844 periods are noted with interest, with 1839 being an outlier. Refer to Thomas' brother Edward's memorial in re the down-turn of the flax (linen) cottage industry.
LIFE AND FAMILY IN NEW YORK
Thomas is the older brother of Edward (refer to memorial no. 19874448) who may have been born in New York City, possibly aboard ship being within the waters of New York City or that was docking/docked at the Port of New York. Refer to Edward's memorial for details concerning their ancestry in Ireland.
Beloved husband of Catherine, nee Cravai [sp.; (p) Cradal, Craven, Crada, or similar]. Catherine, a native daughter of Ireland, is reported as having immigrated to the U.S. during 1846, at age 18± or age 10±. As noted foregoing, this was a time during the Great Irish Famine where starvation was extremely prevalent, destitute living conditions were the norm, which in turn give rise to epidemics such as tuberculosis, typhus and cholera. There is a write-up of the Great Famine within the memorial for his brother Edward.
Thomas is the loving father of James, Edward, Catherine, Mary Elizabeth, Alice and Thomas (III).
LIFE IN NY DURING THE 1850s
I searched the 1850 U.S. Census for Thomas, but to no avail. As a matter of fact there were only 8 screened results for "Cullen", five of which were "sound like" surnames.
In 1855, we find a 23 year old Thomas, working as a laborer, along with his wife Catherine, reported as being age 27 rather than age 17±, and one year old infant son James residing in a wood frame house within the "Northern Blocks" of the 8th Election District of the 16th Ward, which contained eight Election Districts. The metes and bounds of the 16th Ward in 1855 were east bound on West 26th Street from the North (Hudson) River to Sixth Ave; then south bound on Sixth Ave to West 14th Street; then returning west bound on West 14th St to the North River. Now the 8th Election District was the northern most of all within the 16th Ward. It contained that area bound by West 26th Street between 8th and 6th avenues and down to 23rd Street. The value of their house was noted as $2,500, a tidy sum in those days. As a comparative note, their residence was among stone buildings that carried a $7,500 value.
If ever there was a time line demarcating the surge of New York City growth, still defined largely as the borough of Manhattan, this is clearly the time. As a historical note of interest, 1855 Manhattan can be viewed as halved north south around the low 40s. The southern half had high building and population densities, accompanied by like engineering structural and infrastructure demands to make it all work. The northern half was still rolling hills, streams, grazing animals, and shell fish along its coast lines. The creation of Central Park would essentially start around 1858. The southern half was experiencing continued further density growth from the outside in from each shore line. The shore line along the East and the North (Hudson) rivers were natural for piers and docks to bring in demanded goods such as foodstuffs in the form of cattle and sheep, as well as fruits and vegetables from America's interior.
The Industrial Revolution had already been taking place between, say, 1810 and 1850, in the northeast. This transitioned into the rail road boom westward during, say, 1850-1890. Of course, such an explosive boom, experienced a burst, such as the Panic of 1873, which lead to the "Long Depression". There were also a number of other variables that came into play at this juncture, including among others post-Civil War inflation.
There were goods flowing down to the City's concentrated population demands once the Erie Canal was operational. There were also shipping lanes coming up from the south hauling warm climate fruits, spices and other like product. This in turn led to slaughter houses and distribution markets along the shore lines, in from the piers. In turn, as the economic cycle of free enterprise goes, there was a demand for housing for the employees of these trades. This results in housing complexes. All of this created demand for services such as banking and insurance, which also led to other financial institutions.
There were other demand from the cycle for shoemakers, horse shoers/blacksmiths, tailors, women clothiers, mom & pop shops, schools and so churn the wheels of the free enterprise system. Can you imagine what would have developed if this natural course of free enterprise was hindered with burdensome taxes all along the way - at each point trade monies were exchanged? Can you imagine how that flow or velocity of money would have been slowed down? Can you then imagine how some or many would simply have relocated to a place that treats these money flows better? There was, of course, a need for minimal tax dollars for coordinated roads and other engineering improvements and advances in technology. Consider among these, storm and sanitary systems, systems of transportation, systems of lighting and so – these too creating jobs and causal to their utility – demand. The efficacious role is one of a guiding hand as opposed to self-enriching, political power mongers, buying favors and promising things all with other people's monies.
CIVIL WAR & POSTBELLUM PERIOD
Moving ahead in time, as of this reading, I have not been able to locate Thomas' and Catherine's and family whereabouts for 1860. I've filtered the 1860 U.S. Census with only 27 results; after having checked out about 90% of them, none appear as a "fit" for the family. Further, note that the 1865 New York State Census records for New York County, along with 13 other NYS counties, are missing.
In the 1860 Census I did find a Thomas Cullen, a Liquor Merchant, 60 years of age with an estimated birth year of 1800 and an Ireland emigration year around 1839, his wife Mary is 48 and their New York born children, John, an 18 year old lawyer, 16 year old Catherine, Thomas J. age 15, James age 12 and Mary Ann age 8, in downtown Manhattan at Pitt St. It appears that over time the liquor merchant became a grocer. The family were all together in 1870 Census. Their father Thomas passed away May 29, 1879. By 1880 the family maintained their grocery store. John had gotten married to Margaret and they have a son Thomas 7 and daughter Minnie; refer to memorial #131185191. Refer to the memorial (no. 18796415) for Sarah Jane "Mother" Hickinson Cullen for other Cullen families around this Postbellum time period before the turn of the century.
Twenty-three years later, there's a mid-April 1903 manifest of alien passengers that had a 47 year old James Cullen, also a Spirit Merchant, from Cavan listed who was on his way to see his brother John in New Jersey. After screening the 1901 Census of Ireland for a James Cullen in Cavan and looking at the actual Form A submission, the "best fit" match was one that lived at house 2 on Mill Street in the town of Cavan, Cavan. Refer to the memorial (no. 107938338) for Teresa "Tessie" McEntee Haskins McGlynn, our Grand Aunt Tessie, for some other details, particularly in regard to Cullen familial ties in Jersey City, NJ.
Getting back to our Thomas, some 15 plus years past 1855, at the start of 1871, two years before the Panic of 1873, we find Thomas being reported as 38 years of age, and his wife, Catherine, as age 37. Other family members and ages were James 18, Edward 8, Catherine 6, Mary 5, Alice 3 and baby brother Thomas (III) just 3 months of age. Their address at the time of this 2nd Enumeration is recorded as Rear House 322 within the 4th Election District, 16th Ward. There were now eighteen (18) Election Districts within this ward (as opposed to 8 back in 1855). The ward was still bounded south and north by West 14th and 26th Streets and east and west by 6th Avenue and the North (Hudson) River. In turn, their 4th Election District was that area between 18th and 19th Streets and 6th and 8th Avenues. Stop to visualize and ponder this for a couple of seconds as it conveys some idea of the growth in population density.
Having been blessed with an eye for the obvious, I note a demonstrable trait between all sides of the family, that goes as far back as researched. The trait is that the women in the family have this God given gift of not aging as fast as the men, nor even that of time. To wit, take the case at hand, Catherine aged only 10 years in the 15 year period between 1855 and 1870. Oft times, even at time of death, our familial females are recorded as having exited at a younger age then the time they spent, from start to finish, during their earthly visit.
At this time Thomas' occupation was now that of a "carman", that is, a transporter. He is listed exactly as such within Trow's 1872 New York City Directory having a home residence at "r 322 W. 17th". Also listed, of note, is a James and John Cullen – each a separate listing – who were listed as "Drivers" – as in cattle and sheep drivers. They were both listed at the same address of 357 Madison Avenue, which is by 45th Street in Manhattan. Herd animals were driven cross town through the 45th Street area back around 1855, but I doubt that they were in 1870, although possibly further north towards the tip top of Manhattan.
I subsequently researched the 1870 Census to track down this James and John Cullen, not having any idea of their ages, where they were born and other helpful screening criteria, it was a somewhat tedious process. I believe I eventually found them within in the 1st enumeration.
They were residing in the 9th District of the 7th Ward (of 22 Wards). This ward is down on the east side of the southern tip of Manhattan. As described within the 1869 Manual of the Corporation of the City of New York, the 7th Ward is "bounded south-westerly by Catherine Street; northwesterly by Division and Grand Streets; east by East river; south-westerly by South street." The 7th Ward contained eleven (11) Election Districts. The 9th Election District was bounded by Division, Grand, Jackson, Monroe, and Gouverneur streets.
Possibly the address of 357 Madison (45th St.) was their garage or they simply moved sometime over the two year period. While the 1872 Trow's lists them separately as "Driver", the 1870 Census 1st Enumeration appears to clarify that they were each a "carman". Their surname is spelt as "Cullins" within the 1870 Census – 1st Enumeration. James was age 40 (b. 1830±), John age 25 and there was a Susan age 35 in the household. I wonder if they were siblings to Thomas and Edward or paternal first cousins. Refer to Thomas' brother Edward's memorial (no. 19874448) under the section titled "INTRA-FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS" for a further thought on James, John and Susan.
Within the enumeration they were family 463. Family 470 was the Peter, age 35 and Margaret, age 30, McElroy Family along with daughters Mary 2 and Katy 3 months.
LIFE & DEATH DURING THE GILDED AGE
In 1880 we find Thomas' family had relocated to 425 West 13th Street, still in the lower Chelsea area. Thomas was now 48, Catherine 44, having aged only 7 years in the 10 year period. James is not enumerated. Edward is recorded as 18, Catherine 15, Alice (written as Alicia) 11, Mary (written as Maria) 13 and baby Thomas was now a 9 year old boy. It appears that both Alice and Mary were taking after their mom, each having aged only 8 years over the ten year period.
Nearly some four and a half years later, directly across town, almost shore to shore, Thomas' passage through the flow of life would exit. Calvary Cemetery records indicate that Thomas was age 52 at time of death, as does New York City Vital Records – Death Certificate No. 511005 (1884) Manhattan.
Thomas had a fatal fall from his wagon in front of 349 East 13th Street on Tuesday the 25th day of November 1884 at which time he was taken straight up First Avenue to Bellevue Hospital at 29th and 30th Streets for emergency care. He passed away during the evening of the next day at 7:00 P.M. the day before Thanksgiving. An inquest was held at the coroner's office as to cause of death. The findings were that the fall was accidental and that he passed on causal to brain damage from it. Almost four (4) years later to the date his brother Edward would exit the flow of life, 11/29/1888, also from a fatal fall, refer to memorial no. 19874448 for Edward Cullen.
As a side note: Chapter 410, Section 1773, Laws of 1883 require, i.a., "If a person dies from criminal violence or by a casualty, or suddenly while in apparent good health, or when unattended by a physician or in prison, or in any suspicious or unusual manner, the case must be referred to the Coroner; any person who may become aware of a death in this manner stated shall report such death forthwith to one of the Coroners, etc., etc.."
When I was a child we would often hear adults negatively comment that someone should be committed to Bellevue. So, I grew up thinking it was some psychiatric place - well actually by other names. Bellevue is far more than that and always has been. It is the oldest public hospital in the United States dating back to the end of March, 1736. The first maternity ward in the U.S. was at Bellevue in 1799. Bellevue is the location of the first morgue in NYC. Harper's Weekly published an article about the new morgue on July 7, 1866. Their outpatient department, referred to as "Bureau of Medical and Surgical Relief for the Out of Door Poor" dates back to 1867, among one of the first in the U.S. They already had an emergency ambulance service in place by 1869. In the year that Thomas left us, Bellevue had established a pathology and bacteriology lab. Thomas' niece Mary would pass on from tuberculosis on 12/02/1888, 3 days after her dad Edward. It was Bellevue who reported that tuberculosis is a preventable disease the year later in 1889. The list just goes on and on.
Thomas' grave site was bought by and is owned by his wife Catherine Cullen, who would join him Spiritually, as well as her earthly remains, after the new year of 1894. There are a total of four (4) interments at this grave site. The first was Thomas in 1884, then Catherine in 1894, and the remaining two (2) were in 1895 and 1897.
Son of Thomas Cullen, both native sons of Ireland as is his mother. Thomas is reported as having immigrated to the U.S. in 1843, at age 11. This was a couple of years before the rapid spread of the potato blight of the Great Irish Famine, id est, an Gorta Mór, which started in Western Ireland during July-August 1845.
While most people nowadays think only of the Great Famine caused by the "blight" (Phytophthora Infestans), many other potato failures had occurred rather frequently during the 1800s causal to dry rot disease and or the "curl" virus. To wit, the provinces of Munster and Connaught in 1821 and 1822 and in the western counties of Donegal, Mayo and Galway during 1830 and 1831. Significant losses were experienced during 1832, 1833, 1834 and 1836. The province of Ulster, which includes our maternal McElroy ancestral county of Monaghan, had failures in 1835.
In similar but in a more widespread manner in Ireland there were failures during 1836, 1837, 1839, 1841 and 1844. Given that to date we do not have documented immigration records for Thomas, his father and brother Edward, nor records of their homeland county, the 1841-1844 periods are noted with interest, with 1839 being an outlier. Refer to Thomas' brother Edward's memorial in re the down-turn of the flax (linen) cottage industry.
LIFE AND FAMILY IN NEW YORK
Thomas is the older brother of Edward (refer to memorial no. 19874448) who may have been born in New York City, possibly aboard ship being within the waters of New York City or that was docking/docked at the Port of New York. Refer to Edward's memorial for details concerning their ancestry in Ireland.
Beloved husband of Catherine, nee Cravai [sp.; (p) Cradal, Craven, Crada, or similar]. Catherine, a native daughter of Ireland, is reported as having immigrated to the U.S. during 1846, at age 18± or age 10±. As noted foregoing, this was a time during the Great Irish Famine where starvation was extremely prevalent, destitute living conditions were the norm, which in turn give rise to epidemics such as tuberculosis, typhus and cholera. There is a write-up of the Great Famine within the memorial for his brother Edward.
Thomas is the loving father of James, Edward, Catherine, Mary Elizabeth, Alice and Thomas (III).
LIFE IN NY DURING THE 1850s
I searched the 1850 U.S. Census for Thomas, but to no avail. As a matter of fact there were only 8 screened results for "Cullen", five of which were "sound like" surnames.
In 1855, we find a 23 year old Thomas, working as a laborer, along with his wife Catherine, reported as being age 27 rather than age 17±, and one year old infant son James residing in a wood frame house within the "Northern Blocks" of the 8th Election District of the 16th Ward, which contained eight Election Districts. The metes and bounds of the 16th Ward in 1855 were east bound on West 26th Street from the North (Hudson) River to Sixth Ave; then south bound on Sixth Ave to West 14th Street; then returning west bound on West 14th St to the North River. Now the 8th Election District was the northern most of all within the 16th Ward. It contained that area bound by West 26th Street between 8th and 6th avenues and down to 23rd Street. The value of their house was noted as $2,500, a tidy sum in those days. As a comparative note, their residence was among stone buildings that carried a $7,500 value.
If ever there was a time line demarcating the surge of New York City growth, still defined largely as the borough of Manhattan, this is clearly the time. As a historical note of interest, 1855 Manhattan can be viewed as halved north south around the low 40s. The southern half had high building and population densities, accompanied by like engineering structural and infrastructure demands to make it all work. The northern half was still rolling hills, streams, grazing animals, and shell fish along its coast lines. The creation of Central Park would essentially start around 1858. The southern half was experiencing continued further density growth from the outside in from each shore line. The shore line along the East and the North (Hudson) rivers were natural for piers and docks to bring in demanded goods such as foodstuffs in the form of cattle and sheep, as well as fruits and vegetables from America's interior.
The Industrial Revolution had already been taking place between, say, 1810 and 1850, in the northeast. This transitioned into the rail road boom westward during, say, 1850-1890. Of course, such an explosive boom, experienced a burst, such as the Panic of 1873, which lead to the "Long Depression". There were also a number of other variables that came into play at this juncture, including among others post-Civil War inflation.
There were goods flowing down to the City's concentrated population demands once the Erie Canal was operational. There were also shipping lanes coming up from the south hauling warm climate fruits, spices and other like product. This in turn led to slaughter houses and distribution markets along the shore lines, in from the piers. In turn, as the economic cycle of free enterprise goes, there was a demand for housing for the employees of these trades. This results in housing complexes. All of this created demand for services such as banking and insurance, which also led to other financial institutions.
There were other demand from the cycle for shoemakers, horse shoers/blacksmiths, tailors, women clothiers, mom & pop shops, schools and so churn the wheels of the free enterprise system. Can you imagine what would have developed if this natural course of free enterprise was hindered with burdensome taxes all along the way - at each point trade monies were exchanged? Can you imagine how that flow or velocity of money would have been slowed down? Can you then imagine how some or many would simply have relocated to a place that treats these money flows better? There was, of course, a need for minimal tax dollars for coordinated roads and other engineering improvements and advances in technology. Consider among these, storm and sanitary systems, systems of transportation, systems of lighting and so – these too creating jobs and causal to their utility – demand. The efficacious role is one of a guiding hand as opposed to self-enriching, political power mongers, buying favors and promising things all with other people's monies.
CIVIL WAR & POSTBELLUM PERIOD
Moving ahead in time, as of this reading, I have not been able to locate Thomas' and Catherine's and family whereabouts for 1860. I've filtered the 1860 U.S. Census with only 27 results; after having checked out about 90% of them, none appear as a "fit" for the family. Further, note that the 1865 New York State Census records for New York County, along with 13 other NYS counties, are missing.
In the 1860 Census I did find a Thomas Cullen, a Liquor Merchant, 60 years of age with an estimated birth year of 1800 and an Ireland emigration year around 1839, his wife Mary is 48 and their New York born children, John, an 18 year old lawyer, 16 year old Catherine, Thomas J. age 15, James age 12 and Mary Ann age 8, in downtown Manhattan at Pitt St. It appears that over time the liquor merchant became a grocer. The family were all together in 1870 Census. Their father Thomas passed away May 29, 1879. By 1880 the family maintained their grocery store. John had gotten married to Margaret and they have a son Thomas 7 and daughter Minnie; refer to memorial #131185191. Refer to the memorial (no. 18796415) for Sarah Jane "Mother" Hickinson Cullen for other Cullen families around this Postbellum time period before the turn of the century.
Twenty-three years later, there's a mid-April 1903 manifest of alien passengers that had a 47 year old James Cullen, also a Spirit Merchant, from Cavan listed who was on his way to see his brother John in New Jersey. After screening the 1901 Census of Ireland for a James Cullen in Cavan and looking at the actual Form A submission, the "best fit" match was one that lived at house 2 on Mill Street in the town of Cavan, Cavan. Refer to the memorial (no. 107938338) for Teresa "Tessie" McEntee Haskins McGlynn, our Grand Aunt Tessie, for some other details, particularly in regard to Cullen familial ties in Jersey City, NJ.
Getting back to our Thomas, some 15 plus years past 1855, at the start of 1871, two years before the Panic of 1873, we find Thomas being reported as 38 years of age, and his wife, Catherine, as age 37. Other family members and ages were James 18, Edward 8, Catherine 6, Mary 5, Alice 3 and baby brother Thomas (III) just 3 months of age. Their address at the time of this 2nd Enumeration is recorded as Rear House 322 within the 4th Election District, 16th Ward. There were now eighteen (18) Election Districts within this ward (as opposed to 8 back in 1855). The ward was still bounded south and north by West 14th and 26th Streets and east and west by 6th Avenue and the North (Hudson) River. In turn, their 4th Election District was that area between 18th and 19th Streets and 6th and 8th Avenues. Stop to visualize and ponder this for a couple of seconds as it conveys some idea of the growth in population density.
Having been blessed with an eye for the obvious, I note a demonstrable trait between all sides of the family, that goes as far back as researched. The trait is that the women in the family have this God given gift of not aging as fast as the men, nor even that of time. To wit, take the case at hand, Catherine aged only 10 years in the 15 year period between 1855 and 1870. Oft times, even at time of death, our familial females are recorded as having exited at a younger age then the time they spent, from start to finish, during their earthly visit.
At this time Thomas' occupation was now that of a "carman", that is, a transporter. He is listed exactly as such within Trow's 1872 New York City Directory having a home residence at "r 322 W. 17th". Also listed, of note, is a James and John Cullen – each a separate listing – who were listed as "Drivers" – as in cattle and sheep drivers. They were both listed at the same address of 357 Madison Avenue, which is by 45th Street in Manhattan. Herd animals were driven cross town through the 45th Street area back around 1855, but I doubt that they were in 1870, although possibly further north towards the tip top of Manhattan.
I subsequently researched the 1870 Census to track down this James and John Cullen, not having any idea of their ages, where they were born and other helpful screening criteria, it was a somewhat tedious process. I believe I eventually found them within in the 1st enumeration.
They were residing in the 9th District of the 7th Ward (of 22 Wards). This ward is down on the east side of the southern tip of Manhattan. As described within the 1869 Manual of the Corporation of the City of New York, the 7th Ward is "bounded south-westerly by Catherine Street; northwesterly by Division and Grand Streets; east by East river; south-westerly by South street." The 7th Ward contained eleven (11) Election Districts. The 9th Election District was bounded by Division, Grand, Jackson, Monroe, and Gouverneur streets.
Possibly the address of 357 Madison (45th St.) was their garage or they simply moved sometime over the two year period. While the 1872 Trow's lists them separately as "Driver", the 1870 Census 1st Enumeration appears to clarify that they were each a "carman". Their surname is spelt as "Cullins" within the 1870 Census – 1st Enumeration. James was age 40 (b. 1830±), John age 25 and there was a Susan age 35 in the household. I wonder if they were siblings to Thomas and Edward or paternal first cousins. Refer to Thomas' brother Edward's memorial (no. 19874448) under the section titled "INTRA-FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS" for a further thought on James, John and Susan.
Within the enumeration they were family 463. Family 470 was the Peter, age 35 and Margaret, age 30, McElroy Family along with daughters Mary 2 and Katy 3 months.
LIFE & DEATH DURING THE GILDED AGE
In 1880 we find Thomas' family had relocated to 425 West 13th Street, still in the lower Chelsea area. Thomas was now 48, Catherine 44, having aged only 7 years in the 10 year period. James is not enumerated. Edward is recorded as 18, Catherine 15, Alice (written as Alicia) 11, Mary (written as Maria) 13 and baby Thomas was now a 9 year old boy. It appears that both Alice and Mary were taking after their mom, each having aged only 8 years over the ten year period.
Nearly some four and a half years later, directly across town, almost shore to shore, Thomas' passage through the flow of life would exit. Calvary Cemetery records indicate that Thomas was age 52 at time of death, as does New York City Vital Records – Death Certificate No. 511005 (1884) Manhattan.
Thomas had a fatal fall from his wagon in front of 349 East 13th Street on Tuesday the 25th day of November 1884 at which time he was taken straight up First Avenue to Bellevue Hospital at 29th and 30th Streets for emergency care. He passed away during the evening of the next day at 7:00 P.M. the day before Thanksgiving. An inquest was held at the coroner's office as to cause of death. The findings were that the fall was accidental and that he passed on causal to brain damage from it. Almost four (4) years later to the date his brother Edward would exit the flow of life, 11/29/1888, also from a fatal fall, refer to memorial no. 19874448 for Edward Cullen.
As a side note: Chapter 410, Section 1773, Laws of 1883 require, i.a., "If a person dies from criminal violence or by a casualty, or suddenly while in apparent good health, or when unattended by a physician or in prison, or in any suspicious or unusual manner, the case must be referred to the Coroner; any person who may become aware of a death in this manner stated shall report such death forthwith to one of the Coroners, etc., etc.."
When I was a child we would often hear adults negatively comment that someone should be committed to Bellevue. So, I grew up thinking it was some psychiatric place - well actually by other names. Bellevue is far more than that and always has been. It is the oldest public hospital in the United States dating back to the end of March, 1736. The first maternity ward in the U.S. was at Bellevue in 1799. Bellevue is the location of the first morgue in NYC. Harper's Weekly published an article about the new morgue on July 7, 1866. Their outpatient department, referred to as "Bureau of Medical and Surgical Relief for the Out of Door Poor" dates back to 1867, among one of the first in the U.S. They already had an emergency ambulance service in place by 1869. In the year that Thomas left us, Bellevue had established a pathology and bacteriology lab. Thomas' niece Mary would pass on from tuberculosis on 12/02/1888, 3 days after her dad Edward. It was Bellevue who reported that tuberculosis is a preventable disease the year later in 1889. The list just goes on and on.
Thomas' grave site was bought by and is owned by his wife Catherine Cullen, who would join him Spiritually, as well as her earthly remains, after the new year of 1894. There are a total of four (4) interments at this grave site. The first was Thomas in 1884, then Catherine in 1894, and the remaining two (2) were in 1895 and 1897.
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