Solving Another Newspaper Mystery: Who Was Father Marrin?

Note on Marrin Surname
The surname Marrin was recorded in historical documents with many variations, including Maren, Moron, Mearin, Mearine, Merin, and Marren. Eventually most family members settled on the spelling “Marian.”¹ The standardized spelling of Marrin is used here; source citations will spell the surname as it appears in each document. 

FATHER MARRIN'S FIRST MASS²  

The clipping is undated, the newspaper is unnamed. Kept amongst my aunt’s genealogical finds, the newsprint is old, dry, and yellowed. Why was such an old newspaper clipping handed down through the Gilbride family? 

A clue in the text—this man's first Mass as a Catholic priest was celebrated at Holy Rosary Church—placed the event in Scranton, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania—the Gilbride family’s home in the mid-late 1800s.³ 

Though the exact newspaper where the clipping was published is undetermined, another news item commemorating the Mass was published locally on 11 January 1892. The family-held clipping states the Mass happened “yesterday morning” or 10 January 1892.⁴  But who was Peter G. Marrin and what was his significance to the Gilbride family? Previous research identified Michael Marrin as the male witness to the 1875 marriage of Michael Gilbride and Catherine Ryan (my second great grandparents). Could Father Peter G. Marrin be related to Michael Marrin?
 

Who Was Father Marrin?

Rev. Peter G. Marrin was born to John and Mary (Langan) Marrin who made their home in North Scranton's Providence section.⁵ Rev. Marrin was ordained to the Catholic priesthood on 6 January 1892 at St. Vincent's Seminary in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and celebrated his first Mass for his home church congregation.⁶ 

Shortly after this event, Rev. Marrin moved to Asheville, North Carolina, where he served in a local church. He also ministered at a mission church in nearby Henderson, where he cared for tuberculosis patients.⁷ He eventually was honored with the title Monsignor for his exceptional service to the Catholic Church.⁸ He frequently visited Scranton to visit his mother and other relatives, often accompanied by his brother Rev. Patrick Marrin, his assistant in his Asheville ministry. Monsignor Peter Marrin died in 1924 and was buried in Asheville.⁹  

While the Gilbride family may have clipped this article to commemorate a local young man enjoying a respectable career in the Church, there may be another reason why the clipping was kept. 

 

 

Who Was Michael Marrin? 

Indeed, Rev. Peter G. Marrin and Michael Marrin were brothers. Michael was born in Providence, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, on 24 November 1855, the son of John and Mary Marrin. He was baptized at St. Peter's Cathedral on 26 November 1855. Among his siblings also baptized at St. Peter’s Cathedral were James Marrin born in 1860, Peter Marrin born in 1862, and Catherine Marrin born in 1864.¹⁰ Brother Patrick was born in 1870.¹¹

Michael Marrin was employed in North Scranton coal mining operations beginning around 1873; he worked as a laborer, a runner, a fire boss, and a fireman, as well as a tracklayer on the High Works, the nickname for a railroad project in the Providence neighborhood.¹²
 

Michael "Maren" witnessed the marriage of Michael Gilbride and Cathrine Ryan.

A Tale of Two Michaels  

In February 1875, Michael Marrin witnessed Michael Gilbride and Catherine Ryan’s marriage at Holy Rosary Church in Providence.¹³ Usually, marriage witnesses were either related to the bride and groom, or close friends, so Michael Marrin was likely a good friend of Michael Gilbride. 

Michael Marrin died on 24 May 1908 at age 52. He was buried at Cathedral Cemetery in Scranton.¹⁴ 

My second great-grandfather Michael Gilbride was born about 1854, the son of James Gilbride and Bridget Eagen.¹⁵ Various records indicate his New Jersey birthplace. Perhaps he was born at a relative’s home, though the family lived in Providence (now North Scranton) by 1860.¹⁶ 

Like Michael Marrin, Michael Gilbride worked in the North Scranton coal mines. Beginning about 1873, he labored at the Cayuga Mine. He moved up through the ranks and eventually became a miner in 1888. Like Michael Marrin, Gilbride also toiled on the High Works as a laborer.¹⁷ 

After Gilbride’s marriage to Catherine Ryan in 1875, the couple welcomed one son, John Joseph Gilbride in 1876.¹⁸ In 1877, Catherine bore a second child which was stillborn. Within weeks, she declined into mental illness and was institutionalized at Danville Asylum in Montour County in April 1876; she died there in 1881.¹⁹ 

Following Catherine’s death, Michael Gilbride remarried in 1885 to Mary Gallagher, and they had eight children.²⁰ Michael died on 29 May 1908, only five days after Michael Marrin. And like Marrin, he died in his early 50s and was buried at Cathedral Cemetery.²¹ 

Next week, I'll take a look at other connections between the Marrin and the Gilbride family, and resolve a conflict on the identity of the female witness to Michael Gilbride and Catherine Ryan's marriage.  

Until next time...

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© Nancy Gilbride Casey, 2024. All rights reserved.

NOTES

¹"Mrs. Mary Marion Died Yesterday," Asheville (NC) Citizen-Times, 14 June 1907, 4:4; database and images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91323777/mrs-mary-marion-obit/ : 15 March 2023). Also: “Well-Known Man Dead,” The Scranton Truth, 25 May 1908, 9:5; database and images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81514106/michael-marion-obit/ : 15 March 2023). Also: “High Mass for Father Marion in Asheville,” Knoxville (Tennessee) Sentinel, 7 August 1922, 4:2; database and images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85404113/obituary-for-patrick-f-marion/ : 15 March 2023).

² “Father Marrin’s First Mass,” undated newspaper clipping, ca. January 1892, from unidentified newspaper. Privately held by R. Firestone, [address for private use,] Willowick, Ohio. Firestone is the great, great granddaughter of Michael Gilbride of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 

³ 1860 U.S. Census, Luzerne, Pennsylvania, population schedule, p. 87, Providence Twp., line 36, dwelling 650, family 651, James Kilbride; database and images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7667/images/4292153_00278 : 13 March 2023); citing NARA microfilm publication M653_1135, Washington, D.C. Kilbride was a known surname variation of Gilbride. 

⁴ “North End,” The (Scranton) Tribune, 11 Jan. 1892, 3:1; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87816945/the-tribune/ : 9 March 2023).

⁵ Proof of family residence: The Scranton Directory 1870-71 (New York and Providence R.I. : Webb Brothers & Co., 1870), p. 304, John Merrin; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/3063794 : 13 March 2023), image 151. Also: B.S. Shuta, transcriber, Holy Rosary Church (Scranton, Lackawanna, Pennsylvania), "Holy Rosary Research," 15 May 2019, Baptismal Records, 1860-1887, James Mearin, Peter Mearine, Catherine Mearin, children of John and Mary Mearin/Mearine/Mearen; transcribed from digital images, "Teresa M. McAndrew Memorial Catholic Record Collection," Northeast Pennsylvania Genealogical Society, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

⁶ “Father Marrin’s First Mass,” privately held by R. Firestone. Also: "Our Sons and Daughters of Faith," Holy Rosary: The Vision Endures, 24 May 1996, n.p., names Rev. Peter Marin in "Priests of the Parish."

⁷ “Personal and Pertinent,” Msgr. Peter G. Marion obituary, The (Scranton) Times-Tribune, 9 July 1924, 6:4; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/531429561/ : 9 March 2023).

⁸ “High Mass for Father Marion in Asheville,” Knoxville (TN) Sentinel, 7 August 1922, 4:2; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85404113/obituary-for-patrick-f-marion/ : 9 March 2023).

⁹ “Death of Rev. Father Patrick F. Marion,” Fayetteville (NC) Observer, 11 Aug 1922, 3:1; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85404 040/obituary-for-patrick-f-marion/# : 9 March 2023). Also, North Carolina State Board of Health, Certificate of Death, #433, Peter G. Marion, 4 July 1924; database and image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/363198:1121 : 12 March 2023); citing State Archives, Raleigh. 

¹⁰ B.S. Shuta, transcriber, Holy Rosary Church (Scranton, Lackawanna, Pennsylvania), "Holy Rosary Research," 15 May 2019, Baptismal Records, 1860-1887, James Mearin, Peter Mearine, Catherine Mearin, children of John and Mary Mearin/Mearine/Mearen.

¹¹ 1880 United States Census, Lackawanna, Pennsylvania, population schedule, ED 54, Second Ward, Scranton, p. 38C, line 19, Patrick Mayron, age 8 in the home of Mary Mayron; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/6742/images/4244365-00669 : 17 August 2023); citing NARA microfilm publication T9, Washington, D.C.

¹² The Scranton Directory 1873, (Providence, R.I. : Webb Brothers & Co., 1872), p. 257, Michael Merrin; database & images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/3063490 : 14 March 2023); image 84. Also: The Scranton Directory 1875, (New York, Providence, R.I. : Webb Brothers & Co., 1874), p. 222, Michael Merrin; database & images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/3065075 : 14 March 2023); image 111. Also: M.W. Lant & Bro.'s 1879-80 Scranton City Directory, (Valatie, New York : M.W. Lant & Brother, 1879), p. 178, Michael Marin; database & images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/2605275 : 14 March 2023); image 94. Also: Taylor's Scranton City Directory for the Year 1895, (Scranton, Penns. : Taylor's Directory Company, 1895), p. 385, Michael Marrin; database & images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/2683477 : 14 March 2023); image 217. Also: R.L. Polk & Co.'s Scranton City Directory 1908, (Scranton, Penns. : R.L. Polk & Co., 1908), p. 507, Michael Marion; database & images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/2985530 : 14 March 2023); image 261.

¹³ Holy Rosary Church, (Scranton, Luzerne, Pennsylvania), Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Marriages 1860-87, p. 212, marriage of Michael Gilbride & Catherine Ryan (2 Feb. 1875); digital image, "Teresa M. McAndrew Memorial Catholic Record Collection," Northeast Pennsylvania Genealogical Society, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, supplied to Nancy Gilbride Casey, Tioga, TX.

¹⁴ Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Certificate of death #49951, Michael Marion, 24 May 1908; database and images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/5164/images/41381_2421401757_0394-01829 : 12 March 2023); citing Bureau of Health Statistic and Registries, Harrisburg.

¹⁵ 1860 U.S. Census, Luzerne, Pennsylvania, population schedule, p. 88, Providence Twp., line 2, dwelling 650 (shown previous page), family 651, Michael Kilbride; database and images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7667/images/4292153_00279?pId=1977950 : 17 August 2023); citing NARA microfilm publication M653_1135, Washington, D.C.

¹⁶ Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Death Certificate 49971, Michael H. Gilbride, 29 May 1908; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/5164/images/41381_2421401757_0394-01849 : 17 August 2023); citing Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission, Harrisburg. Also: 1860 U.S. Census, Luzerne, Pennsylvania, p. 88, Providence Twp., Michael Gilbride. 

¹⁷ The Scranton Directory 1873, (Providence, R.I.: Webb Brothers & Co., 1872), p. 226, Michael Kilbride; database & images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/3063474 : 147 August 2023); image 69. Also: William’s Scranton Directory 1888 (Scranton: The Republican Press, 1888), p. 227, Micheal Gilbride, miner; database & images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/2695138?lang=en-US&pId=1189994752 : 17 August 2023); image 138. Also: Webb’s Scranton City Directory 1876-7 (New York: W.S. Webb & Co., 1876), p. 109, Michael Gilbride, laborer Back Road High Works; database & images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/2687644?ssrc=&backlabel=Return : 17 August 2023); image 58. 

¹⁸ Holy Rosary Church (Scranton, Luzerne, Pennsylvania), Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, Baptisms and Marriages, Combined Register, 1860-1887, p. 146, baptism of John Gilbride, (20 Jan. 1876); digital image, "Teresa M. McAndrew Memorial Catholic Record Collection," Northeast Pennsylvania Genealogical Society, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, supplied to Nancy Gilbride Casey, Tioga, TX.

¹⁹ Catharine Gilbride patient record, 1887-1881, Record Group 23, Records of the Department of Public Welfare, Danville State Hospital, Female Case Books, Book A, pages 81, noting date of admission, stillbirth, diagnosis; photocopies supplied by Pennsylvania State Archives, Harrisburg, PA to Nancy Gilbride Casey, Tioga, Texas. Also: Pennsylvania. Lackawanna County, City of Scranton, City of Scranton Department of Public Health, death certificate for "Catharine Gilbride," 27 Jan 1881; "Record of deaths, 1878-1905, in the city of Scranton, Pennsylvania," digital image, FamilySearch, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9YG-R95K-X? : accessed 27 Jan 2019); FHL film 007700813, image 1411.  

²⁰ Holy Rosary Church, (Scranton, Luzerne, Pennsylvania), Baptisms and Marriages, Combined Register, 1860-1887, p. 235, marriage of Michael Gilbride & Mary Gallagher; digital image, "Teresa M. McAndrew Memorial Catholic Record Collection," Northeast Pennsylvania Genealogical Society, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, supplied to Nancy Gilbride Casey, Tioga, TX. Also: 1880 United States Federal Census, Scranton, Ward 1, Pennsylvania, population schedule, ED 46, sheet 1A, lines 28-36, Rose, Michael Jr., Stella, Joseph, Annie, Lauret, and James Gilbride, children of Michael Gilbride; database and images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7602/images/4115106_00005 : 18 September 2023); citing National Archives and Records Administration, microfilm publication T623, Washington, D.C. Also: Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, Marriage License Docket, p. 186, #2186, marriage of William F. Gilbride to Rose F. McCormick, 1 October 1925. Record notes parents Michael Gilbride and Mary Gallagher; image, "Marriages 1885-Present," Lackawanna Public Inquiries (www.lpa-homes.org/LPA_Public_Inquiries/Views/CAXMLW_Views/MRG460DW.aspx : accessed 18 September 2023).

²¹ Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Death Certificate 49971, Michael H. Gilbride, 29 May 1908.