The Descendants of Finton T.

Phelan
One of Waterburys Pioneer Irish Catholic Settlers
by Robert G. Dorr

This writer, of Waterbury, served as the Democratic State Senator from the Fifteenth District in
1983-1984 session of the General Assembly. I am not the only descendant of Finton T. Phelan to serve,
as you will learn from this history. Our family has served our city, state, and country in so many ways.

Family Surnames: Delaney, Tynan, Barlow, Dowling, Phelan, (also Phalan, Phalen,
Phalon), Lahey (also Leahey), Healey, Marshall, Dalton, McDonald, Jamele,
Niebuhr, Anderson, Flanagan, Coughlin, Dorr, McCarthy, Dreher.
In this compilation, I will attempt to tell the story of one of Waterburys first Irish Catholics settlers,
Finton T. Phelan, we will look at his hometown in Ireland, and we will look at his arrival in Waterbury. I
decided to compile his story as I always heard various stories as a child. This story was not meant to be
a complete history of the family as I am always searching for more information and I encourage
submissions or corrections. He was also known as Fenton Phalan in census reports and his name has
been spelled various ways on deeds and documents. It has been noted that the correct Gaelic spelling
for Phelan is O'Faolain translating to "Little Wolf".
I am the fifth generation descendant of Finton, with him being the first. The line goes to Sarah Phelan
Dowling, his daughter (second generation), Sarah Dowling Lahey (third generation), Milicent Marie
Lahey (fourth) and then to me - the fifth generation. All of my cousins - the Coughlins - John, Terry,
Eileen, and Brian, the Laheys, Judy, Ned, Susan, and Billy, Tom Flanagan, and the Healeys are all
decdended from a man from Abbey Leix, Ireland, Finton T. Phelan. The children of Judy Lahey Dreher
(Christine Dreher Corey et al.) and Ned Lahey (Ed, John, and Tim) would be sixth generation
descendants of Finton. The three Healey boys, Frank, Joe and Ned, are fourth generation descendants
while their children are the fifth. Jack and Kay Dowling are fourth generation through their father, Edw.
T. Jr., while Tommy and Sheila Dowling, and the children of Jack and Jane Dowling, are like me, are
fifth generation descendants. The children of Susan Lahey McCarthy (m. William McCarthy) are all
sixth generation descendants of Finton. T. Phelan. Truly a wonderful family!
What we know is that Finton T. Phelan (sometimes spelled Phalen) arrived in Waterbury in or about
1842/43. He was born in Abbey Leix, Queens County (now Laois),
Ireland in 1798. (It was called Queens County until 1922, when
Michael Collins kicked out the occupiers. Michael, the leader of the
IRA, was shot and killed in August 1922, during the Irish Civil War).
An early Irish census shows Finton living in Ballymaddock and
leasing land to Richard Draper. Abbey Leix derives its name, which
is a translation of the older Irish name, Mainistir Laoighise, from the
Cistercian Abbey, entitled De lege Dei, founded here in honor of the
Blessed Virgin Mary, in 1183, by Corcheger or Conor O'More,
dynast of Leix, who peopled it with monks from the Abbey of
Baltinglass. (Ware.) The founder was interred within its precincts. A
house for religious is said to have been established there as early
as the year 600.
Finton was about age 44 when he came to Waterbury in 1842. He
first shows up in the Waterbury Land Records about Oct. 6,
1848/49 having purchased 5 acres more or less north of the
Waterbury Road from Doris Baldwin. Those 5 acres are now
known as Ridge Street and run to what was known as Stone Street,
now called Sylvan Avenue. Those 5 acres would sustain his family
for many years. His name also shows up on many deeds
throughout the city, especially on Dublin Street (now Hamilton
Ave.), Hill Street, and of course, Ridge Street. He sold the land that
once was the Merriman School to the City of Waterbury, and then built the home known as 78 -82

Ridge Street. The map on this page is from about 1872 and shows one
house on Ridge Street. That would be the home of Finton T. Phelan.
There are many deeds in Waterbury City Hall with his name, although it is
often spelled incorrectly. See V. 54, p. 490, V. 64 p. 311, V. 68, p. 308, 313;
V. 69, p. 355 which show Finton purchasing and selling various parcels of
land. He never stopped buying and selling property.
The census of 1860 shows Fenton Phalan, (b. Ire) age 60, living with his wife
Sallie (Sarah Delaney Phelan), (b. Ire)
age 58, and their children, Patrick,
age 16, Elizabeth, age 18, Mary, age
12, and Sarah, age 6, all born in
Connecticut. Fenton was listed as a
laborer. In the 1868 City Directory,
Finton Phelan is listed as a grocer
located near the Am. Pin Factory and
living at 30 Ridge ST. We know that
they were living on Ridge Street,
Waterbury, in the land purchased from
Doris Baldwin as early maps of
Waterbury show the first house on
Ridge Street to be the property of
Finton T. Phelan. Note that a Pvt. Timothy Phalan, age 16, a servant and
relative, answered Lincolns Call in April 1861, and was part of Company E,
of the 6th Connecticut Volunteers, under Col. Chatfield. He was drowned in
Photos: Above - The Waterbury
Button Shop where Sarah worked, on
South Main St. Right - a 1900 map of
Ridge Street showing the many
homes. The Phelan home was next to
the school. Left - the Phelan home at
67 Chestnut Avenue where the
teachers lived. Below - the Phelan
monument in Old St. Josephs.

June 8, 1862 in the attack on James Island, Charleston, South

Carolina, and was honored by this city when the Civil War
Soldiers Monument was erected in October 1884. Fort Sumter,
S.C., is located on James Island.
The 1870 census shows Finton Phalon age 70 living with his wife
Sarah, age 67, and their children Sarah age 18, and Mary age
10. Finton was listed as a day laborer, and Sarah was working at
a button shop. Patrick, then age 26, was not listed in the
household. (There may be an error in the listing for Marys age).
The census of 1880 shows more information about Finton T.
Phelan. He is listed as living at Ridge Street now age 77 with his
wife Sarah age 70. Now we see that his daughter, Sarah age 23,
is married to Edward T. Dowling, age 27 (b. 1855). Edward is
described as born in Ireland and working in Scovill Mfg. Julia
Dowling Marshall always said that her father, Edward T., was also

from Abbey Leix, Ireland. Living with them at 30 Ridge Street

was the Guilfoile Family, who rented an apartment and the
Bergin Family, who rented the house next door on Ridge
Street. Sarah Phelan Dowling now appears on the records for
the first time.
In 1884, a book was published by Price & Lee entitled Ye
Names and Ages of Ye Old Folks of Connecticut compiled by
Frederick Nash, of Westport. Prominently featured in the
listing of the City of Waterbury was Finton Phalen.
Finton Phelan died October 5, 1894, age 97, and his
monument is one of the largest in Old St. Josephs Catholic
Cemetery. His wife Sarah Delaney died April 1, 1887 at age
79. Patrick J. Phelan, their son, died May 13, 1920, and his
wife, Mary Tynan, died October 7, 1923.
The children of Patrick J. Phelan are also buried at the same location - Anne G., d. March 5, 1935,
Elizabeth A. d. May 20, 1944, Sadie C. Died May 16, 1955, and Helen C. died September 5, 1957 They
were known as the teachers and lived together in a lovely old Victorian home on 67 Chestnut Avenue.
I remember their old Packard Sedan in the garage, and the house filled with wonderful items.
The Finton T. Phelan Monument also lists the following: James, d July 24, 1887, Joseph A. d. July 30,
1900, Patrick J. Jr. d. March 19, 1916, and Mary d. June 7, 1925.
The census of 1900 shows Edward T. Dowling, now age 45 (b. May 1855 in Ire) living with his wife,
Sarah E. Phelan, age 40 (b. Feb 1860 in CT), and their children, Edward T. Jr., age 12, b. Nov. 1887,
Sarah age 10, b. 1890, Julia age 7, b. Feb. 1893, and Anna age 4, b. Nov. 1895. Edward was working
as a wire drawer. Also at the address was Edwards brother, John H. Dowling, age 50, b. May 1850,
Ireland, also working as a wire drawer. Their address was 82 Ridge Street, Waterbury. Living in the
same house on Ridge Street was the McCarthy family, John, age 39 and his wife age 38, and their
children Kate age 11 and Dennis age 9.
Sarah and Edward T. Dowling had four children: Edward T. Jr, Sarah, Julia, and Anna. Edward died July
26, 1928 and Sarah died April 3, 1935. Edward T. Dowling Jr. married Elizabeth G. Gilbar, b 1882, and
the 1920 census shows them living at 51 Ridge Street, Waterbury, with their son Edw. T III, age 1 y, 6
mo. They had two more children, Katherine G. (Kay) b. 1923, and John (Jack) b. ???.
Edward T. III b. 1918 married Mary Ricciardi and had two children, Thomas and Sheila. Thomas and
Sheila are the fifth generation descendants of Finton T. Phelan, as I am. Edward T. III served as a
Firefighter in the Waterbury Fire Department and retired as a Battalion Chief. Edward and Mary moved
from the home on 164 Chestnut Avenue to a place in Prospect. Edw. T. III died in 1994, and Mary died
in 2001. Kay died in 1996. All are buried in the Dowling plot in Old St. Josephs Cemetery. Also buried
there is Sarah Phelan Dowing and her husband, Edward T. Dowling (b. Ire).
The census of 1900 reveals more information about Patrick J. Phelan, age
52 son of Finton T, and brother to Sarah Phelan Dowling. Patrick J. was
employed in 1900 as a Policeman, and living at 353 Dublin Street (now
Hamilton Avenue.) His wife, Mary Tynan age 49 (b. Ire), their children Lizzie
(Elizabeth) age 30, Finton age 27 (b. August 21, 1870) (a lawyer), Ellen age
25, Patrick Jr. age 23, Mary age 22, Sara age 19, Anna age 17, Catherine
age 13, and Joseph age 11 (b. March 1889).
At age 32, Atty. Finton J. Phelan was elected to serve as a State Senator
from Waterbury to the General Assembly in the 1905 -1906 session. He
served with Sen. Henry H. Peck. He also served on the Board of Education
beginning in 1905 and is mentioned in William Harrison Taylors Legislative
History of Connecticut published in 1905. Finton J. Phelan, of Waterbury,

Democratic Senator from the Sixteenth District, was born in that city August 21, 1870. Senator Phelan
is the son of Patrick J. Phelan and Mary Tynan Phelan. He argued many cases before the Supreme
Court, and his name can be found in many decisions. His office was located at 65 Bank Street. Senator
Phelan was educated in the public schools of Waterbury and was graduated from Fordham College in
the class of 1894. In the January 15, 1895 issue of the New York Times, Finton was named as one the
top 3 students at St. Johns College, Fordham, by the Official Army Register, as published by Gen. John
Schofield of the War Department. He chose the profession of law and was associated with Judge
Charles W. Gillette in practice. Finton was admitted to the bar in 1897. In 1905 he gave his address to
the Board of Education as 355 Dublin Street, a building owned by his father. Finton T.
Atty. Finton J. Phelan went on to serve our city well, serving in many capacities. He married and the
census in 1930 shows him living at 54 Lexington Avenue, at age 49 with his wife Catherine age 37,
(Senator Phelan died in Waterbury November 11, 1951), children Finton Jr. age 11, (b. July 11, 1908)
Isabelle age 9, Joseph age 7, Catherine age 2 1/2, and Anna age 1 1/2. Finton J. Phelan Jr., his son,
also became an attorney, served in the US Armed Forces during WW2 and lived in Agana, Guam after
the war. He served with the United Nations on behalf of the Oceania Trust Territory. He died in Palo
Alto, CA in February 1983 at age 75. His name can be found on several decisions in the Federal Courts
for various appellants. He was associated with the firm of Crain & Phelan, Agana, Guam. See 233 F.2d
117 (9th Cir. 1956) (w. Atty. E.R. Crain), 394 F.2d 293, and 542 F.2d 511 (9th Cir. 1976). His law partner
was Edgar R. Crain (b. October 4, 1915 - d. May 14, 1997 in Guam), who in 1956 formed the Guam
Party after a legislative revolt in 1956 that led to the resignation of Gov. Elvidge of Guam on May 19,
1956.
Fintons daughter Isabelle later married Maurice Corbett, an accountant who lived on 223 Wood Street.
Isabelle Phelan Corbett died July 10, 1968. Maurice died March 3, 1970.
Joseph F. Phelan (b Nov 25, 1924,) (d. Feb 12, 1995) was clerk of the Superior Court.
Catherine daughter Finton? (b. 1927?) (MORE needed)
Edward T. Dowling - The children of Sarah Phelan Dowling and Edward T. Dowling were: Edward T.
Dowling Jr., b. Nov. 1887, Sarah, b. 1890, Julia, age 7, b. Feb. 1893, and Anna age 4, b. Nov. 1895.
The family lived at the homestead of Finton Phelan, at 78-82 Ridge Street for many years. The 1900
census shows John H. Dowling, Edws brother, living with them.
John H. Dowling (b. Ire) - the brother of
Edward T. Dowling, who married Sarah
Phelan. The 1910 census now shows
John H., age 59, living at 248 Walnut
Street with his wife Mary (b, Ire), age
59, and their children, all born in
Ireland: John R. age 34 b. Ire., Margaret
age 30, Mary age 28, Elizabeth age 24,
and a grand-daughter Jennie (Jeanette)
age 2. The census shows him arriving
in the US in 1892 and the rest in 1893.
A passenger manifest from Ellis Island
shows a Margaret Dowling, age 20 from
A b b e y d o r n e y, a r r i v i n g f r o m
Queenstown, April 29th, 1900, and
going to her sister B. Dowling in
Waterbury. CT. She sailed on the SS.
Etruria. The 1920 census shows John,
age 71, still living at 248 Walnut Street
with his wife Mary, age 67, and son
John age 42, Robert age 40, Mary age 36, Margaret (grand niece age 18, Hazel grand niece age 18,

and Jeanette grand niece age 12). I know very little about the
descendants of John H. Dowling. There seems to be quite a
few.
At this time in the story, I wish to write about Julia Dowling as
she was known to me and helped me so much through my
early years. She worked at Dexters Drugs as a young girl, and
that was located at the corner of East Main and North Main,
and was known as the Hotchkiss Block. (In the 1980s, the
cornerstone of the Hotchkiss Building was deposited next to
the new Courthouse on State Street after it was demolished).
Julia told me that she would travel downtown to buy tea for her
mother, Sarah. The formula was Oolong - Ceylon - Gunpowder
10/4/2. She would sing this ditty as she skipped downtown and
keep repeating it over and over. The 10/4/2 referred to the mixture
making one pound of tea. You can still make this mixture anytime
you are in a tea shop.

The home of Finton T. Phelan, 78 Ridge Street,

Waterbury. This home was occupied by various
members of the family for so many years. It was
located in was the Abrigador. It was not the first home
he built there - the original home was demolished and
the Merriman School built on the site. He also owned
82 Ridge Street.

Julia worked as clerk at Dexters Drugs, right in the center of Waterbury. This store was central to all
that was happening in Waterbury, and I can imagine Julia working and taking everything in. One of the
people she met was a man from Watertown who worked at 111 West Main Street selling newspapers
and cigars. That building is known as the Lilley Building. Leo J. Marshall was born in Watertown, son of
Silas Marshall, a farmer. They lived at the corner of Woodruff Avenue and Hillcrest. Leo worked with
Madeline Marshall, a stenographer at 111 West Main St. Madeline lived at 85 Ridgewood Street for
many years, even as I was growing up on Chestnut Avenue.
Silas Marshall shows up on the 1880 census, at age 22, living in Watertown and working in the silk
shop. He is listed as born in CT, with both his parents from Ireland. No address is given for rural
locations as the dwellings were just given a number.
The 1900 census lists Silas, now age 41, his wife Mary
Ann. age 39 (b. Ire), and their son Leo J. age 11 (b.
January 1889). Silas was then working a a brakeman on
the railroad. In 1920 Silas is now age 62 and settled on
Woodruff Ave with his wife Mary. Leo and Julia, now
married, were living at the Phelan homestead on 78
Ridge Street. Leo served in the Great War, in the US
Navy, and is listed on the records of the City of Waterbury
as a Navy veteran. The 1930 census shows Silas at age
72, with Mary Ann at age 64, at Woodruff Avenue. Leo J.
Marshall died in 1947, leaving behind Julia.
The Laheys - Patrick J. and his son John Lahey - By
1910, John Lahey had met Sarah Dowling and were
married and living at 78 Ridge Street with her mother
Sarah Phelan Dowling, and the rest of the family,
including Julia and Anna.
Patrick J. Lahey and his wife Catherine Barlow had many
children. The first
born was Molly Lahey (later m. Dalton), the 2nd was John Lahey,
3rd was Harriet Hattie (later m. Jamele, 4th was Celia Lahey
(later m. Phelan), 5th Genevieve (later m. McDonald), 6th was
Agnes (later m. Anderson), and Veronica (later m. Niebuhr).
In 1910, Patrick J. Lahey, age 49 (b. 1861), was living at 69 East

Liberty Street with his wife Catherine Barlow Lahey, age 47, (b.
1862 Connecticut - both parents b. Ire.) and their six daughters,
Mary age 23, Hariett (Hattie) age 18, Cecilia age 17, Genevieve
age 11, Agnes age 7, and Veronica age 5. Patrick has 5 other
children as listed on his grave stone in Calvary Cemetery. Hariett
later married Louis P. Jamele, (b. Nov. 7, 1891) a soldier who
served in the 26th Division (Yankee), 102nd Infantry during WW 1
(d. Jan. 1977). The 1930 census lists Louis Jamele age 38 (b. NY,
both parents b. Italy) and his wife Harriet age 38, living at 60 South
View Street, Waterbury. His is listed as a veteran of the World War,
and was employed as a bench worker in the rubber shop.
Veronica Lahey, Patricks daughter, later married Walter G.
Niebuhr - their son, Walter Jr. was a popular teacher of mathematics
(he taught me) at Sacred Heart High School. Veronica died in 1964 - her husband Walter G. died in
1975, and son Walter Jr. died in 1991.
Genevieve A. Lahey married Edward P. McDonald. Corp. Edward P. McDonald served in the Coast
Artillery during World War 1 and died Jan. 1, 1967. Genevieve died Jan. 23, 1967, less than 3 weeks
after her husband. He was living at 120 Columbia Blvd. in 1920.
Celia Lahey married a Phelan. Agnes Lahey married an Anderson, and Molly married Dalton.

Circa 1940 - The daughters of

Patrick J. Lahey - 1st row, l to r:
Molly Lahey Dalton, Genevieve
Lahey McDonald. 2nd row, l to r:
Celia Lahey Phelan, Agnes Lahey
Anderson, Veronica Lahey
Niebuhr, Harriet Hattie Lahey
Jamele

In 1915, the City Directory lists Patrick J. Lahey as living at 151 South Elm Street. Patrick Lahey is
listed as being born in Massachusetts. I am a fifth generation descendant of Patrick J. Lahey, as are my
Lahey cousins. The children of Judy Lahey Dreher, Susan Lahey McCarthy and Edward T. Lahey (Ned)
are all sixth generation descendants of Patrick J. Lahey.
I have been searching for the origins of Patrick J. Lahey and have not been able to find him. It has been
said that he came from Ridgefield where he worked as a farmer but I have not been able to confirm
that. The 1910 census lists him as being born in Massachusetts, as do subsequent census reports.
In 1920, Leo J. Marshall was settled in with his wife Julia Dowling and her mother Sarah at 78 Ridge
Street. Leo was working as a caster in the casting shop at Scovill Manufacturing. Also at the address
was John Lahey (sp: Leahey), age 30, (son of Patrick J. Lahey), his wife Sarah Dowling Leahey age
30, and their children: Millicent Marie age 8, Edward age 7, Sarah age 5, Catherine (Kay) age 3 y 10m,

and John (Jack) age 10 months. It must have been quite a household with all the children and Julia
too! John was listed
as working as a
machinist in the brass
mill. Leo and Julia
moved to 184
Chestnut Avenue soon
after and in 1930 they
were listed at that
address.
Sometime in the
1920s, Julia and Leo
acquired a cottage on
East Avenue, Milford,
CT To get there, take
Bayshore Drive, to
Orland St., to Summer
Place, to East Avenue.
This area was called
Bayview and it had
its own private beach,
Exchange Place - Dexters Drug at the corner of
owned by the Bayview
East and North Main Street circa 1905. This is
Improvement Association. They provided lifeguards, swimming
most likely the place that Julia Dowling met Leo
lessons, rafts and about 700 feet of really nice sandy ocean
Marshall.
beach. A tax was levied on the various cottage owners which
paid for the improvements - benches, cleanup, and fun. An
elastic and tag (like a dog tag) was given to each of the members but it really was not necessary as all
the lifeguards knew everybody anyway. The tag was really used for the renters. This family spent
decades of Summer fun at Bayview, Milford.
Anna B. Dowling Healey - One of the children of of Sarah Phelan Dowling and Edward T. Dowling was
Anna, b. November 1895. She was the youngest of the four, and was educated at city schools and New
Britain Normal School (for teachers). The census of 1920 shows Anna B. Dowling, then age 22, living at
80 Ridge ST with her mother and father. She was employed as a school teacher. At 78 Ridge Street in
1920 were Leo and Julia Dowling Marshall, and John and Sarah Leahey and all his children. Both
properties were owned by Sarah Phelan, and built by her father.
The 1930 census shows Frank (now age 33) and his wife Anna Dowling Healey (age 33) living at 156
Chestnut Avenue. They had two sons in 1930, Frank and Joseph. Frank was employed as an Attorney
in a law office. Living next door at 152 Chestnut were the Patrick Bergin and Maurice Culhane families,
most notably Carroll Culhane who went on to serve our city through his popular dental practice.
Living just up the street at 164 Chestnut Avenue in 1930 were the Dzinski Family, Joseph age 39 (b.
CT - both parents b. Poland), his wife Susie Bednaski Dzinski (b. Austria), and their four daughters,
Anne age 15, Irene age 10, Elizabeth age 8, and Dorothy age 4 1/2. Bernard had not arrived yet!
Earlier the 1920 census shows the Dzinski Family living at 91 Cherry Street, Torrington, CT, not far from
the various mills. At 91-93 Cherry Street were: Joseph then age 28 b. 1882 CT - both parents b.
Austria), wife Susie age 26 (b. 1884 - Austria - both parents Austria), daughter Anna age 6 (b. CT) (who
would later meet and marry Edward T. Lahey when they lived on Chestnut Avenue), and Irene age 8
mo. Other members of the Dzinski family listed at 91-93 Cherry Street were Susies parents, Andrew
Bednaski age 56 (likely Andrej Bednacsky arrived NY Nov 04, 1899 from Hamburg) (b. Austria) (arrived
in 1894?), his wife Susie age 57 (b. Austria), and their daughter Catherine Bednaski Kozlak age 21 (b.
May 21, 1898 CT - d. Sep 1974) and her husband August Kozlak age 20 (b. Austria). By 1930, the
August and Catherine Kozlak Family would grow to six children and would be living at 77 Riverside St,
Torrington, with his parents, Andrew age 78 and Catherine age 67. Also by 1930, Joseph and Susie
Bednaski Dzinski had moved their family to Chestnut Avenue, Waterbury and a new generation of our

family would begin. From Judy Lahey Dreher: My mother's mother was Susan (Bednartisk) Dzinski.
Her parent's were Susan and Andrew Bednartisk both buried in St. Francis Cemetery in Torrington.
Susan died July 15, 1947 and Andrew died September 21, 1950. I do remember both of them when I
visited them in Torrington when I was a kid. Most of my grandparents (Dzinski) and (Bednartisk)
families were from the Torrington area.
My grandfather had six brothers and sisters and my
grandmother had one brother and one sister (note: Kozlak). Joseph and Susan, my grandparents' had
5 children. Ann, Irene, Elizabeth, Dorothy and Bernard. After my grandmother died my grandfather
remarried a woman named Bachinsky from the Bristol area.
Already living at 184 Chestnut Ave were Julia Dowling Marshall and her husband. Leo. Julia was
Annas sister. Down the street were the Phelan sisters - in 1930 they were Elizabeth A. age 47 (head of
household), Sadie C. age 45 (sister), Anne G. age 37 (sister), Catherine T. (sister) age 31. Sadie, Anne,
and Catheirne were listed as teachers. In 1930, the house at 175 Chestnut Avenue, where I was born,
was then owned by Lieut. Joseph Stevens. John Lahey and his wife Sarah Dowling had not yet arrived.
But the Chestnut Avenue era of our family had begun.
Millicent Marie Lahey, my mother, was a graduate of Waterbury Catholic High School, and was in its
first graduating class in 1929. Through her attendance at the class, she became friends with Marjorie
Dorr, daughter of John Francis Dorr, (b. 1872- NY) who had moved to Connecticut from New York. The
friendship would be life changing for Millicent.
John was from a long line of early settlers of America, his father being
Thomas Dorr. Thomas (b. 1840 - Long Island) served as a soldier in the Civil
War, in Co. F of the 139th New York Volunteers. Organized in Brooklyn, they
left in September 1862, the 139th NY were primarily in the Peninsula
Campaign and the assault on and fall of Richmond. After the war, Thomas
returned to Brooklyn and owned a teamster business. His son John Francis
was born in 1872. Thomas was named after his uncle, Thomas Wilson Dorr,
Governor of Rhode Island, who was arrested in 1842 after his attempt, as
Governor, to institute one man - one vote in Rhode Island. The whole
incident was known as the Dorr Rebellion, and Thomas Wilson Dorr was
imprisoned. His case made its way to the Supreme Court and he was
pardoned. Rhode Island did institute proportional representation shortly thereafter. Oddly enough,
Connecticut did not get around to adopting one man - one vote until 1965 when we held our
Constitutional Convention!
John attended local NY schools and was graduated from the Brooklyn Academy in 1890 and became
associated with his fathers business. In April of 1898 when war with Spain was declared, John
volunteered with the 71st New York Infantry, and was shipped to Tampa where they trained for the
invasion of Cuba. His unit shipped out to Cuba in June and landed at Siboney. They were joined by
several brigades and a cavalry division, one of which was led by Col. Theodore Roosevelt.
On July 1, an attack was ordered on the defenses of Santiago, Cuba, and a battle was fought at
San Juan Hill. The 71st NY was there when the hill was charged by the Rough Riders. John
was discharged from the US Army in 1899 and returned to live at 560 Willoughby Ave.,
Brooklyn, with his father.
Later, John moved to Manhattan and met a young Irish woman. Margaret McGuire (b. Ire), who
he married. Their first son, Francis (Frank), was born in New York in 1907, their second son, my
father, Harold Joseph, was born in 1908. Margarets brother was living in Naugatuck, with his
growing family. John F. Dorr moved to Waterbury about 1915 with his entire family and rented a
farm on Park Road (corner of Newfield), where he raised his family. The old farmhouse
foundation can still be seen, as can the old orchard and fish pond he made. The land is now
owned by the State of Connecticut for future expansion of the community college.
When I was a young boy, I remember Grandpa John telling me this: Come here, little one, and
sit on my knee, and let me tell you all about Siboney. He would then tell me the story of the

Photo circa 1947 - Sarah Dowling Lahey, John

Francis Dorr, Marjorie Dorr Mora, and Millicent
Marie Lahey Dorr, go for a Sunday Drive to
Hamonasset Beach in Edwin Moras 1947 Nash
sedan. Millicent had just been married earlier that
year.

war, and how he bravely fought against 10,000 Spanish regulars at San Juan Hill, and drove the
Spanish out of Cuba. When he came to Waterbury, John was a member of the Emerson H. Liscum
Camp No. 12, USWV. I have his medals and a few of his books on the war. John died in 1959, when I
was age 10. but I will never forget his stories of the War with
Spain, and how the Americans did the right thing by freeing
the Cuban people from the tyranny of Spain.
The friendship of Millicent Lahey and Marjorie Dorr would last
for the rest of their
lives. Their high
Circa 1913 - Brooklyn New York. at the home of
school would bring
Civil War Veteran Thomas Dorr, his grandchildren
pose in the garden. L - Harold Joseph b. 1908, C - them together and
the later marriage
Raymond b. 1910, and R- Francis b. 1907. Photo
of Millicent and
taken at 560 Willoughby Ave.
Marjories older
brother Harold
after Harolds service in World War 2 would bind them
forever.
Although Millicent was struck with polio as a young girl she
always managed to do well, and was employed for some time
at Worths Department Store, on Bank Street. She worked in the credit department until her marriage to
Harold in 1947. Other children of John and Sarah Dowling Lahey also thrived in Waterbury.

One of the children was Sarah Lahey (b. 1915). She married Francis T. Coughlin in the 1930s and then
began their family with the birth of Terrance in 1939. The Coughlin Family appears on the 1920 census
living at 102 Charles Street. Terrance, the head of the household
age 37, (b. Massachusetts), his wife Annie age 37, and their five The Coughlin House at 102 Charles St.,
children, Mary age 20, Edward age 19, Joseph age 17, Gertrude Waterbury, CT, where they lived for many years.
age 15 and Francis age 9. Terrance was employed at a
storekeeper at the railroad. Edward and Joseph were both
employed in manufacturing as machinists.
The 1930 census reveals the widowed Anna living at 102 Charles
Street, Waterbury. The head of household was Anna age 59 (b.
CT) with both her parents born in North Ireland, Gertrude age 25

(father b. Massachusetts), and Francis T. age 20 (father b. Northfield, Massachusetts). By 1930, her
son Joseph was now married and living at 1183 Bank Street, not far from his mother on Charles Street.
Joseph now age 27 had a wife Mary age 27, and two children Joseph Jr. age 4 and John age 1. Her
son Edward, now age 29. was also married and living at 103 Platt Street, off Hill Street near Tudor, with
his wife Florence, also age 29.
Next chapter: the arrival of John & Sarah Dowling Lahey at 175 Chestnut Avenue - Helen & Tom
Flanagan, Jack Lahey and Helen Bergen Lahey, and Susan, William, Edward, and Judy Lahey.
Thomas Flanagan, Terrance, John, Eileen, and Brian Coughlin.
To be added: Children of Healeys.
all data collected by Robert. G. Dorr -203-591-1919 - email: bobcva4064@aol.com