31 Messages of Concern & Condolence: A List of Who Wrote John F. Armstrong after the Death of Sarah McAndrew Armstrong (c. 1846-1887)

March 16, 2018

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Sarah Theresa McAndrew Armstrong (c. 1846-1887)

Sarah McAndrew Armstrong (c. 1846-1887) died around 4 a.m. on January 1887 in Augusta, Georgia. In late January and February of 1887, her husband, John F. Armstrong (1845-1893), received messages of concern and condolence from across the United States.

In this collection, there are twenty-seven letters and one telegram to JF from family members, Catholic nuns, a Catholic priest, and colleagues in the Irish National League of America (INLA) and the secret Irish fraternity known as the Clan na Gael (CNG).

In addition, there is one letter from JF’s cousin in South Carolina asking about Sarah’s health, and a condolence letter to JF and Sarah’s sons, Jimmie and Johnnie. There is also a postcard to JF letting him know that Jimmie and Johnnie had arrived back at their Catholic boarding school after the funeral.

Below is a list of the letters, telegram, and postcard

1. Ker Boyce (1833-1891), Augusta, GA, businessman

2. M. P. Carroll (1841-1920), Augusta, GA, attorney

3. J. Duffy, M. Rich & Bros., Atlanta, GA

4. Sr. Ignatius (1822-1898), RSM, Atlanta, GA

5. Mother Clemence (1841-1910), SJS, Catholic boarding school, Sharon, GA (1 of 2 letters, also see postcard below)

6. Mother Clemence (1841-1910), SJS, Catholic boarding school, Sharon, GA: letter to Jimmie and Johnnie (2 of 2 letters, also see postcard below)

7. Sr. M. Joseph (1863-1959), RSM, Mercy Convent, Savannah, GA, Sarah McAndrew Armstrong’s 1st cousin, Sallie T. McAndrew

8. Thomas Hammond (1842-1915), Madison, GA, businessman, formerly worked at Daly & Armstrong

9. M. F. Kennedy (1844-1923), Charleston, SC, businessman

10. P. J. Moran (1848-1901), Atlanta, GA, journalist at Atlanta Constitution

11. Ellen Battle (1837-1922), Nichols, SC, JF’s 1st cousin (1 of 2 letters)

12. M. J. Doyle (c. 1833-1907), Savannah, GA, businessman

13. Wm. M. Collins (1820-1895), Louisville, KY, businessman

14. John Flannery (1835-1910), Savannah, GA, businessman

15. Wm. J. Gleason (1846-1905), Cleveland, OH, Secretary, Board of Elections

16. P. H. McMahon (1855-1920), Sts. Peter & Paul Church, Atlanta, GA, Catholic priest

17. O’Neill Ryan (1860-1939), St. Louis, MO, attorney

18. Alexander Sullivan (1847-1913), Chicago, IL, attorney

19. Ellen Battle (1837-1922), Nichols, SC, JF’s 1st cousin (2 of 2 letters)

20. Mother Clemence (1841-1910), SJS, Catholic boarding school, Sharon, GA (postcard)

21. John B. Killourhy (1842-1904), Savannah, GA

22. George C. Betts (1840-1901), Louisville, KY, Irish-born Episcopal minister

23. James McAlister (ukn-1901), Charleston, SC

24. Hugh J. Carroll (c. 1854-1913), Pawtuckett, RI

25. John J. Fitzgibbon (1836-1892), Chicago, IL

26. A. P. McGuirk (c. 1855-1920), Davenport, IA

27. James Mooney (1834-1910), Buffalo, NY

28. John J. Teevins (1849-1909), So. Boston, MA

29. Ellen Leonard Rooney (c. 1849-1932), Springfield, MA, JF’s first cousin

30. Edward Lynch, Marlboro, MA

31. Beesy Leonard Carmody (c. 1852-1930), Springfield, MA, JF’s first cousin