Frances Meehan was born in 1829 in Bruree, County Limerick, the eldest surviving child of John Meehan and Margaret Shanahan. Bruree, with its rolling green fields and close-knit community, was a typical Irish village where life was often challenging but filled with moments of joy. 1829 was a memorable year as it was the year of the “Catholic Emancipation Act“.
A dozen years earlier, in the same village, John Collopy was born to Thomas Collopy and Margaret O’Regan. By the time Frances was born, John was already a spirited twelve-year-old, likely more interested in exploring the countryside than thinking about the future.
On February 24th, 1846, Frances and John were married in Bruree. Their wedding, witnessed by Timothy Meehan (her paternal uncle) and William Collopy (I am assuming this was John’s uncle but so far have not found him on the ancestoral tree), marked the beginning of a partnership that would see them through both good times and bad.
On December 8. 1851, John Collopy became a citizen of the United States of America. The Naturalization Declaration shows John Collopy immigrated from Limerick, Ireland in July 1847. So John and Fanny left Ireland for the USA a little over a year after their marriage.
Children
- 1850 – 1919 – John W. Collopy born in New York
- 1852 – Margaret (may have died as she is not with the family on the 1865 census)
- 1855 – 1900 – Thomas J. Collopy born in New York.
- 1858 – 1927 – Michael A. born in New York.In the 1880 census, Michael Collopy, age 25, was a school teacher who lived in West Troy, NY, with other siblings. In the 1920 census, Michael is living at Sixth Ave., Watervliet. He is single and age 62.
- 1860 – Bridget born in New York.
- 1863 – Ellen born in New York.
- 1865 – Fanny born in New York.
- 1865 – Patrick born in New York.
The Collopy family began building their American story not long after setting foot on New York soil. Their first child, John W. Collopy, was born in 1850—a new generation arriving with the promise of fresh beginnings. That same year, the U.S. Census recorded the family living in West Troy, Albany, New York. John Collopy, aged 30, was listed as a laborer, with his wife Fanny (Frances Meehan) just 22. Their newborn son, John W., only seven months old, rounded out the little household.
By 1852, a daughter, Margaret, was born. But her story feels unfinished—she’s not found with the family in the 1865 census. What became of Margaret? It’s a quiet mystery—one that lingers in the margins of the records, waiting for an answer.
1850 – US Census: The head of the family is the father, John Collopy and his occupation is a labourer aged 30 and Fanny is 22. John W. Collopy who was born earlier in the year is now 7 months old. They are living in West Troy, Albany, New York.
1850 Census
In 1855, another son, Thomas J. Collopy, came into the world, followed by Michael A. Collopy in 1858. Michael would grow up to become a teacher—a steady, respected profession. The 1880 census would later find him at 25, living in West Troy with his siblings, already shaping young minds. And by 1920, still unmarried at 62, Michael was recorded living on Sixth Avenue in Watervliet, continuing his life as an educator.
The 1855 New York State Census placed the Collopys in Watervliet. John, now 40, continued his work as a laborer. Fanny, aged 26, managed the home, while six-year-old John W. and three-year-old Margaret filled the house with the restless energy of childhood. They weren’t alone—an 18-year-old boarder from Ireland, Johanna McCarthy, also lived with them.
By 1860, John was still listed as a laborer, now aged 40, and Fanny as 30. Their growing family included 10-year-old John W., five-year-old Thomas, and three-year-old Michael. But Margaret, who should have been eight, was missing from the census—a quiet omission that raises more questions than answers.
The family continued to grow. Bridget Collopy was born in 1860, followed by Ellen in 1863. That same year, sorrow found its way across the ocean. Frances received word that her father, John Meehan, had passed away back in Bruree, County Limerick. Even with grief resting heavy, life pressed forward.
In 1865 there was a surprising addition to the family when twins Fanny and Patrick were born.
Life in 19th-century America, much like in Ireland, had its hardships. In July of 1870, Frances passed away at the age of 41 from consumption, leaving behind a grieving husband and a young family that cherished her memory. John, bearing the weight of this loss, continued to raise their children. Sometime after Frances died, John’s sister Kate came to live with the family to help care for them.
The 1870 census, taken that August, found the Collopy family still in West Troy, living at 1511 The Village. John, now 55, was listed alongside his children: John W. (20), Thomas (15), Michael (12), Bridget (10), Ellen (8), Fanny (5), and Patrick (3). The older boys—John W. and Thomas—worked as laborers alongside their father, carrying the family forward, one hard-earned dollar at a time.
By the 1875 New York Census, John was 60 and listed as living with Kate Collopy, aged 40, recordeded as his sister and housekeeper. The household included Thomas (20), Michael (18), Bridget (15), and Fanny (11). Two boarders, John Collopy (30) and James Collopy (26), also from Ireland, were staying with them. John W. had moved out after getting married, and Ellen (who would be 15 now) and Patrick (Fanny’s twin who would be 11 now) were not listed. What happened to Ellen and Patrick?
The 1880 Census reveals Michael, aged 22 and a school teacher, as head of the household, though he had not been employed for two months. Thomas J, aged 25, worked in a car factory, while Bridget, aged 19, was ill with a hemorrhage of the lungs. Fanny, aged 16, made collars, and their aunt Catherine (Kate), aged 49, looked after them and the house. She had been in the USA for the past 57 years. They lived at 157 West Troy.
John Collopy passed away in 1877 in Westbury, New York, at the age of 60, bringing the story of Frances Meehan and John Collopy to a close. However, the family legacy continues through their surviving children.
In 1900, Thomas J., who had married Alice Jane Shanahan around 1890 or 1891, died in Watervliet at the age of 45.
By the 1905 Census, Michael Collopy—now 47 and working as a clerk—had settled into a new home at 2313 Sixth Avenue, not far from 23rd Street. S haring the house with him was his Aunt Kate, aged 70, still very much a part of the family’s daily life.
Just two doors down, at 2309 Sixth Avenue, lived his older brother John W., now 50 and holding the rank of Police Captain. Living with John were his two children—Mary G., aged 21 and working as a collar worker, and Joseph A., 18, still attending school. The family, though scattered across a few doorsteps, remained tightly woven into the fabric of the neighborhood.
While John W. and his family continued their lives in New York, another member of the Collopy family faced tragedy in Kentucky. Officer John T. Collopy, first cousin to John W., being the son of his uncle Patrick, served with the Lexington Police Department. Born around 1851, John T. had a career marked by dedication, but it was cut short on May 14, 1919, when he was fatally struck by a vehicle on Walnut Street. He and another officer were attempting to stop the car for driving without headlights when the driver swerved, striking John T. The driver was arrested and charged with manslaughter. Officer John T. Collopy had served for three years and was survived by his wife and ten children.
1927 – “Michael A. Collopy, a well-known resident of this vicinity, died at the residence of John M. J. Flanagan, 3245 Sixth Avenue.
He was the brother of the late John W. Collopy who was captain of the Watervliet Police Department for many years. Mr. Collopy was a school teacher, and later he was employed in a clerical capacity at the Green Island branch of the Delaware and Hudson Railroad Co. He retired about five years ago and came to Troy to reside. While in this city, Mr. Collopy was an attendant at St. Patrick’s Church. He is survived by three nephews: Harry, Edmund, and Walter Collopy. Walter Collopy and his family resided in Philadelphia, PA, during this time. The deceased was also predeceased by another brother, Thomas J. Collopy.
The bearers were Harry and Edmund Collopy, John Ray , John and Herbert Flanagan and Edward Saunders.
- John Flanagan was son-in-law to Michael Collopy’s brother Captain John W. Collopy and Herbert was probably a brother
- Daniel Rae was another son-in-law to Captain John W. Collopy so John Ray was possibly Daniel’s brother or other relation.