September 13, 1840BirthMaryland
Annie Gertrude Murphy was born on a Saturday in Maryland. According to her marriage certificate, she was a daughter of B. Murphy.
1859MarriageHarpers Ferry
At 19 years old, Annie married Thomas Buchanon Welsh in 1859 at St. Peters Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry. Annie was likely pregnant with their first son, John Martin, during their marriage.
May 29, 1859Birth of ChildBakerton
Annie gave birth to her and Thomas' first born child, John Martin Welsh, in Oak Grove (Bakerton).
June 29, 1860CensusHarpers Ferry
Annie was living in the 28th district with her husband, Thomas B. Welsh and son John. Thomas' nephew, Michael, a young Elizabeth Slavin, and boarder William Jackson were also present in the household. Her husband was a laborer.
June 4, 1861Birth of Child
On a Tuesday, Annie's second child and son, Thomas Buchanon Welsh, was born. The couple named the little boy after his father, Thomas.
March 17, 1863Birth of ChildWest Virginia
Annie's third child and son, Patrick Henry Welsh, was born on a Tuesday. Patrick was likely named after Thomas' father.
April 25, 1866Birth of ChildBakerton
On a Wednesday, Annie's fourth child, but first-born daughter, Nora Frances Welsh, was born. Her husband likely named his daughter after his mother, Honora.
October 25, 1869Birth of ChildBakerton
On a Monday, Thomas' and Annie's fifth child was born ten years after their marriage. Their daughter took her mother's name, Annie Gertrude.
June 28, 1870CensusBolivar
Annie is enumerated in the 1870 Federal Census in her husband's household alongside her family near Bolivar (likely the Oak Grove area). Thomas' household neighbors the Flanagan's households. His occupation is listed as being 'work in stone quarry'. While Annie is listed as being born in Maryland, the parents of both Thomas and Annie are listed as being foreign born. She notes that her son, John, attended school within the year, and he can read but cannot write. Thomas lists himself as a citizen of the United States.
December 10, 1870Birth of ChildBakerton
On a Saturday, Annie gave birth to a daughter, whom they named Mary E. Welsh.
1871Death of ChildBakerton
Thomas and Annie lost their newborn daughter, Mary, early in 1871. Little information has been uncovered about her death. It appears as if the couple had Mary cremated, later to be buried with her younger brother and wife.
January 29, 1873Birth of ChildBakerton
William Franklin Welsh was born on Wednesday to Thomas and Annie.
1874Birth of ChildBakerton
Sometime during the year of 1874, the couple's was blessed with another daughter, whom they named Catherine Irene.
March 11, 1875WidowedBolivar
After only 16 years of marriage, Annie's husband, Thomas, died on Tuesday, March 11, 1875 due to pneumonia, leaving Annie with many small children. She laid him to rest in St. Peters Cemetery alongside his brother, Martin.
June 11, 1880CensusBolivar
Annie is enumerated with her children in the 1880 census five years after her husband's death. She notes that she and her father were born in Maryland, but that her mother was born in Virginia. Her three oldest sons appear to be working to sustain her household, all as laborers. Annie also notes that she is putting her two oldest daughters, Nora and Annie, through school.
April 19, 1910CensusBakerton
By the 1910 census, Annie is living in her son, Patrick's, household with her youngest son, William. They rent their home. Annie is listed as a 70 year old widow and a mother of 7 children (she did not include her deceased daughter in the count). She can both read and write, and notes that she was born in Maryland. Patrick works as a laborer for the quarry, and William is a cooper in the barrel shop.
January 30, 1920Census
In the 1920 Federal Census, Annie is living with her two single sons, Patrick and William. Annie is listed as head of household, and as an 84 year old widow. She notes that both her parents were both born in Ireland and spoke Irish as their native tongue. She also notes that her late husband, and the father of her children, also was born in Ireland and spoke Irish as his native tongue. Annie lists that she was born in Maryland with no language listed as her native tongue. From this information, we surmise that she considered her native tongue to be English, but she likely also spoke Irish. We know that her second born son, Thomas, could speak Irish fluently, and she likely spoke this language often at home while her husband was living.
November 17, 1922DeathBakerton
Annie died on a Friday at her home in Bakerton. Her death certificate lists 'senility' as the cause for her death. She was 82 years old.
November 20, 1922BurialHarpers Ferry
Annie was laid to rest on a Monday in St. Peters Cemetery. She was buried near her husband. Her will gave her executor, William, no specific instructions on her burial other than she was to be 'given a proper burial'.
November 22, 1922Will ProvedJefferson County
Annie's will was proved only five days after her death by C. D. Carter and J. S. Reinhart. She wishes that her youngest son, William, handle her estate, and that he pay each of her seven living children one dollar, including himself. For taking care of her during her last years, William is to take all of her property for his own, but pay any outstanding bills against her estate and any accrued funeral and burial expenses.