Edward James Kenny

Chelsea, Mass. Late 1800s

Edward James Kenny (also spelled Kenney), was born in the Portland, Maine area on July 16, 1863. He spent his childhood in Bangor and later in Chelsea Mass which is across the Mystic river from Boston.  By the age of 17 he was working as an engineer and carpenter in Chelsea.  His father was a ship's captain who was home at least part time since he and his wife had time to produce at least 8 children.  Edward was the youngest. Since they lived near the sea, and dad and an older brother were sailors, he likely spent a lot of time along the New England wharfs in the 1870's and 1880's.


At the age of 25 (1888), he wed Mary Ann Higgins and they had four children, Edward (Jr), Ethyl, Henry, and George.  In 1900 they moved to Rutland, Vt.   He lost his wife in 1916 and came to live with his son Henry's family in Rutland by 1920.  He passed away on Aug 10, 1924 in Whitehall, NY likely while staying with his son Edward jr.


Below is his Obituary, and a rather modest headstone located at the evergreen cemetery in Rutland, Vt. (The inscription simply says "137")


"The funeral of Edward James Kenny, 60, who died Sunday evening in Whitehall and whose body was brought to this city yesterday and taken to his late home on Lincoln avenue, will be held at 2 o'clock this afternoon at the house. Burial will be in Evergreen cemetery.
Mr. Kenny had lived in this city for 20 years and was a member of the Carpenters and Joiners union of this city. He is survived by his daughter, Mrs. Ethel Cutting of this city; three sons, Edward J. Kenny, jr., of Whitehall, N.Y., George G. Kenny and Harry Kenny of this city, and by a brother."  (From the Rutland Daily Herald Aug 13, 1924).




Evidence:
Relatively straight forward timeline created with the city directory records from Portland, Chelsea, and Rutland, Several Census reports from 1860-1920, Cemetery records, and Marriage records.


Relationship Key:
Myself ---> Mom ---> Harry William Kenny ---> Henry William Kenny ---> Edward James Kenny











 

Esther Verona Bruce

Covered bridge in Bridgewater, VT

Esther Verona Bruce, My great grandmother, wife of Henry William Kenny, and mother to Harry W. Kenny was born in Woodstock, Vermont on Oct 16, 1899.  She was living with her parents and four older brother, Robert, Frank, George, and Wilbur in 1900 at the age of 8 months in the town of Bridgewater, VT.  Her father worked as a Sawyer in town. 

They were in Castleton, VT when she was 10 years old, and the family had added another brother, Kenneth.  At the age of 16 she married Henry William Kenny in Rutland, VT. and she moved to Rutland with him.  Their residence was at 26 Curtis Street in Rutland in 1920, and by then they had two children, Harry and Lester.

In 1927 they moved to Hartford, Conn., first on Brook Street, then Walnut Street.  In 1934 her husband passed away and two years later married Daniel Balkus who worked at Pratt and Whitney, maker of jet engines in Hartford.  Later she also worked for P&W.  For most of their marriage they lived on Chandler Street in East Hartford, and were still at that residence in 1977.  Esther died at 86 years old in 1986.  Amazingly she lived until two years before her Great Great Grandson was born.

Marriage Certificate for Henry William Kenny and Esther Verona Bruce