On 13 May 1889 Cornelius and Johanna Sullivan and their five children arrived at New York, passengers on the ship Edam, out of Amsterdam. According to the passenger manifest, they occupied a "family cabin."Cornelius made his first appearance in the New Britain, Connecticut City Directory in the 1890-91 issue, where he is listed as an employee of the New Britain Gas Light Co., residing at 33 Lawlor Street.
Their last child, Patrick Joseph Sullivan (known as "Joseph"), was born on 13 March 1891. He was baptized on 15 March at St. Mary's Church; baptismal sponsors were John McNamara and Maria Lynch. On 26 September 1892 his sister Bridget (Delia) died at age 7 of cerebro spinal meningitis.
Cornelius made his second, and last appearance in the 1891-92 city directory, where his death was noted. On 25 May 1891 he was struck by a train on the way home from work, and died shortly afterwards. He is buried at the old St. Mary's Cemetery; in the same plot is daughter Bridget/Delia, who died of meningitis in 1892. The plot was owned by Eugene Sullivan (who is not buried there), and I have often wondered if he were a relative, but have not been able to ascertain his place of birth.
In the same 1891-92 New Britain City Directory, Johanna, now called "Susan," is listed as widow, and still living at 33 Lawlor Street. Residing at 32 Lawlor was John McNamara (husband of Catherine O'Dea, Johanna's first cousin).
By the time of the 1900 census, Johanna was living at 44 Lawlor, which I believe was a duplex. Her first cousin John Cunningham lived with his family on the other side at 46 Lawlor, and Johanna's parents, my 2nd-great grandparents George and Bridget Cunningham, were diagonally across the street at 33 Lawlor. Which probably explains why a young widow with six children was able to avoid the poor farm - she had her own personal support system.
NEWSPAPER NOTICE OF CORNELIUS' DEATH
Sullivan/Swieton HOME Sullivans in England