Mary St., Galway, Co. Galway

This is Mary St. This is where my great grandfather Patrick Francis Hazel was born 18 Sep 1845. He was a house painter by trade. He left Ireland as a young man and entered the Civil War in New York "Co.B", 2 May 1861. He was mustarded out 7 May 1863. He stayed in New York and married Sarah Cassidy. They has one daughter Sarah. His wife died when Sarah was very young. Patrick left daughter Sarah with her aunt and uncle who lived very close to him in the New York Mahattan area. Daughter Sarah married James McCannon Jr. in New York.

Patrick went back to Ireland and married 25 June 1877 Marie Hession (1851-1893). Marie died from cancer leaving 7 children. My grand father William was the 5th. He was sent to a "workhouse" where he ran away many times. It was there that he learned the trade of carpenter. The last time he ran away "they" figured he was old enough to take care of himself and they didn't bother to go after him. William stayed in the Galway area. He swam the Galway Bay every day. Today people still swim every day across the bay. William added the double "L" at the end of his last name. He also gave himself a middle name after his father.

William's brother Thomas V. Hazell also added the double "L" at the end of his name. He served in the British army. Some say he was drafted in, I however, feel that he made that choice rather than being sent to the workhouse. Birth records are unique for Thomas. Patrick recorded the birth record but gave the birth mother as Catherine Hession. This would be Marie's sister.

The oldest, Mary, took her 5 year old baby sister, Delia, and came to the USA. She was not about to be sent to a workhouse and would not leave her baby sister. Mary was 12 at the time of the voyage.

George came to the USA on the same ship with Maria Mellett the new bride of William. He was about 17 at the time. He left his girlfriend in Ireland with a promise to send for her. George died within about one year in the USA.