Derry Line — Mother of Thomas Jr.
Mary A. Johnson Derry
? – ?
Probable
Life
Mary A. Johnson is named in the 1884 Portrait and Biographical Album of Gratiot County as the mother of Thomas Derry Jr.: "Thomas and Mary A. (Johnson) Derry, natives of England, where Thomas, Jr., was born, in Cambridgeshire, Jan. 26, 1832." She emigrated with her husband Thomas Derry Sr. and their son in 1854 and settled in Wayne County, New York. Nothing else is known: her birth and death dates, her birthplace in England, her parents, and any other children are not recorded in the sources found. Johnson is a very common English surname, so the name alone gives no lead on her origin.
Timeline
- 1854Emigrated1854, with her husband and son, to Wayne County, New York (1884 album); a descendant's note names the ship Quickstep from London, 17 May 1854 — unconfirmed
Claims in the record
Johnson (as printed '(Johnson) Derry' in the 1884 album)
Thomas Derry Sr. (b. 1808, Lichfield per family records — unverified)
Thomas Derry Jr. (b. 26 Jan 1832, Cambridgeshire). Thomas Jr.'s brothers William, John and Alfred are probably also her sons, but no source states this.
A native of England (1884 album and 1913 history; county not stated)
1854, with her husband and son, to Wayne County, New York (1884 album); a descendant's note names the ship Quickstep from London, 17 May 1854 — unconfirmed
Unknown — research needed
1884 Portrait and Biographical Album of Gratiot County, p. 260 (Thomas Derry entry)
Places
Sources
Probable
1884 Portrait and Biographical Album of Gratiot County, p. 260 (Thomas Derry entry)
Research next
Find her in the 1860 and 1870 US censuses for Wayne County, New York (age about 50–60, born England) and in New York death records. In England, the 1841 and 1851 censuses (Cambridgeshire, with Thomas, about 33, and a son Thomas, about 9 and 19) and the marriage of Thomas Derry and Mary Johnson before 1832 in Cambridgeshire or Staffordshire. Cambridgeshire Archives hold parish registers; FreeREG does not transcribe the 1830s at Fen Drayton.