Hidden Bonds: Sisters, Widows, and Companions

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Hidden Bonds: The O'Brien Family of Jamaica, Queens

EPISODE 5

Mary Ann and Elizabeth

Sisters, Widows, Companions

Two O'Brien sisters who weathered widowhood together—and whose descendants would forge an unexpected connection through marriage to the very family that served their brother's estate.

The Sisters O'Brien

Among the children of James and Margaret O'Brien of Jamaica, Queens, two daughters lived lives that intertwined in ways both ordinary and extraordinary. Mary Ann O'Brien and Elizabeth O'Brien grew up in the close-knit Irish-American community their parents had helped build. Both married, both lost their husbands, and both found comfort in each other's company through their final decades.

But the most remarkable twist in their story emerged a generation later, when Mary Ann's only son married into a family already deeply connected to the O'Briens—a union that would literally inscribe multiple family names onto a single gravestone.

Mary Ann O'Brien Smith (c. 1864–1936)

Mary Ann was born in Jamaica, Queens—the family's ancestral home in America—around 1864. Like her siblings, she grew up in a household where Irish heritage and American ambition existed side by side. Her brother James would become a Congressman; her brother Terrence would build a real estate empire. Mary Ann's path led her not to politics or business, but to family.

Primary Source

Thomas Martin Smith's birth certificate records his mother as Mary O'Brien, birthplace: "Jamaica Long Island," age 25 years—confirming Mary Ann's origins in the O'Brien family's American homeland.

Birth Certificate of Thomas Martin Smith, August 18, 1889 — New York City Birth Certificate #25259

Marriage to Martin Smith

Around 1888, Mary Ann married Martin Smith, an Irish immigrant from Galway, Ireland. Martin worked as a plasterer and later became a prominent builder in Manhattan. The couple settled in New York City, where their only child—Thomas Martin Smith—was born on August 18, 1889, at 2423 8th Avenue in Manhattan.

Thomas was Mary Ann's first child, and apparently her only one. The birth certificate notes under "Number of Child of Mother": One. This only child would become the sole bearer of the family line—and the bridge to an extraordinary connection.

Tracing the Family Through Census Records

Census records paint a picture of family evolution over five decades—from young family to widow's household to multi-generational home.

1900 Census — Manhattan

The Smith family appears in Manhattan's 23rd Ward: Martin Smith (head), his wife Mary, and their son Thomas, now 10 years old. Martin continues his work as a builder.

Primary Source

The 1900 census captures the young Smith family intact—Martin as a builder, Mary Ann keeping house, and young Thomas at age 10.

1900 U.S. Federal Census — Manhattan, New York

1910 Census — Brooklyn

By 1910, the family has relocated to Brooklyn, and tragedy has struck. Martin Smith died around 1915. Mary now heads her own household, living with her son Thomas and a welcome companion: her widowed sister Elizabeth Foley.

Primary Source

By 1910, the two widowed O'Brien sisters are living together—Mary Smith as head of household with her son Thomas, and her sister Elizabeth Foley as companion.

1910 U.S. Federal Census — Kings County, New York

1920 Census — The Sisters Together

A decade later, the pattern holds. Mary remains head of household at a Brooklyn address. Thomas, now 30, still lives at home. Elizabeth Foley continues as the faithful companion. Two widowed O'Brien sisters, united in their later years.

Primary Source

The 1920 census shows the same household arrangement continuing—two widowed sisters and Thomas, still unmarried at 30.

1920 U.S. Federal Census — Kings County, New York

1930 Census — Mother and Son

The 1930 census shows Thomas Smith, now 40, as head of household with his mother Mary living with him. Elizabeth Foley has passed away in 1933. Thomas has not yet married.

Primary Source

By 1930, Thomas has assumed the role of head of household, with his aging mother Mary still under his care.

1930 U.S. Federal Census — Kings County, New York

The Death Notices Tell the Story

The newspaper obituaries for Martin and Mary Ann Smith reveal the family's connections to the broader O'Brien network in black and white.

Primary Source

Martin Smith's obituary explicitly identifies him as "a brother-in-law of ex-Congressman James H. O'Brien"—confirming Mary Ann's place in the O'Brien family tree.

Obituary of Martin Smith — Brooklyn newspaper, c. 1915

Primary Source

Mary Ann's obituary confirms she was "born in Jamaica" and a "sister of Congressman James H. O'Brien"—and reveals her son Thomas had risen to Captain in the New York Fire Department.

Obituary of Mrs. Martin Smith (Mary Ann O'Brien) — Brooklyn newspaper, October 1936

The Marriage That Completed the Circle

When Thomas M.J. Smith married Rose A. Higgins in 1937, he was marrying the daughter of the man who had served as executor for his uncle Terrence O'Brien's estate.

This is where Mary Ann's story intersects with the broader O'Brien family saga in an unexpected way.

Thomas Martin Joseph Smith (1889–1963 or 1983), Mary Ann's only son, built a distinguished career with the New York Fire Department, eventually rising to the rank of Captain—and later Chief, according to some records. He remained unmarried until relatively late in life.

On April 10, 1937, at age 47, Thomas married Rose A. Higgins, age 51, at St. Anselm's Church in Brooklyn—the same church where his mother's funeral mass would be offered just months earlier. The marriage certificate reveals a stunning connection:

Primary Source

This marriage certificate reveals the extraordinary connection: Rose A. Higgins's father was Thomas J. Higgins—the same man who served as executor for Terrence O'Brien's estate. Two families already bound by legal trust became bound by blood.

Marriage Certificate of Thomas M.J. Smith and Rose A. Higgins — April 10, 1937, Brooklyn, New York

The Connection Explained: Thomas M.J. Smith (Mary Ann O'Brien's son, Terrence O'Brien's nephew) married Rose Higgins (daughter of Thomas J. Higgins, Terrence O'Brien's executor). Two families already bound by legal and financial trust became bound by marriage.

Note also that both bride and groom shared the same address—611-81 St., Brooklyn—before the wedding. This was Mary Ann's home, where she had died just months earlier. Rose Higgins may have been a caretaker or companion to the ailing Mary Ann, or the families may have already been living in close proximity due to their longstanding connection.

The Smith Family Continues

Thomas and Rose Smith had two sons who carried the family forward:

Name	Birth	Death	Notes
Thomas M.J. Smith Jr.	1932	2021	Named for his father; lived to age 89
Martin Gerard Smith	1933	2010	Named for his paternal grandfather Martin Smith

Note: Both sons were born before their parents' 1937 wedding, suggesting Thomas and Rose were together for several years before formalizing their union—perhaps waiting until after Mary Ann's death in 1936.

1940 Census — The New Family

Primary Source

The 1940 census captures the newly-married Smith household with their two young sons—Thomas Jr. and Martin.

1940 U.S. Federal Census — Kings County, New York

1950 Census — The Family Matures

By 1950, Thomas M.J. Smith continues as head of household at a new address. His occupation is listed as "Butchers Chief" for the N.J. Fire Department [likely a transcription of "Battalion Chief" for the N.Y. Fire Department].

Primary Source

The 1950 census shows Thomas and Rose with their teenage sons Thomas Jr. and Martin.

1950 U.S. Federal Census — Kings County, New York

Written in Stone

Perhaps no single artifact captures the intertwining of these families better than the gravestone at Saint Monica Cemetery in Jamaica, Queens. On this single monument are inscribed the names of three connected families:

Primary Source

This gravestone tells the story of three families united: Higgins, Smith, and (through Mary Ann) O'Brien—father-in-law and son-in-law sharing the same memorial.

Family gravestone at Saint Monica Cemetery, Jamaica, Queens — Photo courtesy Find a Grave

The Gravestone Inscriptions

THOMAS JOSEPH HIGGINS
Son of Thomas and Rose Higgins
Born August 20, 1887 — Died March 21, 1904
Aged 16 Years and 7 Months

THOMAS J. HIGGINS
Died January 15, 1926

ROSE A. HIGGINS
"In Memory of My Beloved Wife"

THOMAS M.J. SMITH
1889 — 1963*

ROSE A. SMITH
Died 1962

*Note: The gravestone shows 1963, while Find a Grave records indicate 1983. Further research needed to resolve this discrepancy.

The stone tells the story: Thomas J. Higgins, the O'Brien executor, is buried here with his wife Rose and their son Thomas Joseph, who died tragically young at 16. Below them lie Thomas M.J. Smith (Mary Ann O'Brien's son) and his wife Rose A. Smith (née Higgins)—the daughter of Thomas J. Higgins. Father-in-law and son-in-law share the same memorial.

Three surnames—Higgins, Smith, and (through Mary Ann) O'Brien—united on one stone in a Queens cemetery, bearing witness to generations of connection, service, and family bonds.

Elizabeth O'Brien Foley — The Sister Who Stayed

Unlike Mary Ann, who was born in Jamaica after the family emigrated, Elizabeth O'Brien was born in Ireland around 1866—making her part of the family's journey to America as a young child. Her death certificate notes she had lived in New York City for 64 years, meaning she arrived around 1869 at approximately three years old.

Elizabeth's path to marriage came later in life than was typical for the era. On August 19, 1902, at approximately 36 years old, she married Patrick S. Foley in Manhattan.

Primary Source

Elizabeth O'Brien's marriage certificate confirms her father as James O'Brien of Ireland—linking her definitively to the Jamaica, Queens O'Brien family.

Marriage Certificate of Elizabeth O'Brien and Patrick S. Foley — August 19, 1902, Manhattan

The marriage was tragically brief. Patrick S. Foley died sometime before 1910—a marriage lasting perhaps only seven or eight years. By the 1910 census, Elizabeth appears as a widow living with her younger sister Mary Ann Smith in Brooklyn.

Two Widowed Sisters

After losing Patrick, Elizabeth found a permanent home with Mary Ann's family. The 1910 census lists her as Mary's "sister," a widow, living in the Smith household. By 1920, she is still there—two widowed O'Brien sisters keeping each other company while Mary Ann's son Thomas, still unmarried at 30, shared the home.

Elizabeth remained with her sister for over two decades. She died on August 11, 1933, at approximately 67 years old.

Primary Source

Elizabeth's death certificate reveals she had lived in New York City for 64 years, having emigrated from Ireland at age 3. Her sister Mary Smith served as informant—evidence of their close bond to the end.

Death Certificate of Elizabeth Foley — August 11, 1933, Brooklyn, New York

Primary Source

The obituary confirms Elizabeth as "(nee O'Brien)" and "sister of the late Congressman James H. O'Brien"—and notes her funeral was held from 611 81st St., the family home.

Obituary of Elizabeth Foley — Brooklyn Eagle, August 13, 1933

Elizabeth was buried in Calvary Cemetery—the same cemetery where her sister Mary Ann would be laid to rest three years later in 1936. The two sisters who had shared a home for over two decades now rest in the same sacred ground, their bond continuing beyond life itself.

A Note on the Address: The obituary lists Elizabeth's home as 611 81st St., Bay Ridge—the same address where Mary Ann would die in 1936, and where Thomas M.J. Smith and Rose Higgins both resided at the time of their 1937 marriage. This was clearly the family home for decades.

Timeline: Mary Ann O'Brien Smith

c. 1864

Born in Jamaica, Queens, to James and Margaret O'Brien

c. 1888

Marries Martin Smith, plasterer/builder from Galway, Ireland

August 18, 1889

Son Thomas Martin Smith born in Manhattan

1900

Census shows family in Manhattan; Thomas age 10

c. 1910

Family relocates to Brooklyn

c. 1915

Husband Martin Smith dies; Mary Ann becomes a widow

1910–1933

Lives with widowed sister Elizabeth Foley in Brooklyn

August 11, 1933

Sister Elizabeth dies; Mary Ann serves as informant on death certificate

October 13, 1936

Dies at 611 81st Street, Brooklyn, after long illness; buried Calvary Cemetery

Timeline: Elizabeth O'Brien Foley

c. 1866

Born in Ireland to James and Margaret O'Brien

c. 1869

Emigrates to America with family at approximately age 3

August 19, 1902

Marries Patrick S. Foley in Manhattan at approximately age 36

Before 1910

Husband Patrick S. Foley dies; Elizabeth becomes a widow

1910–1933

Lives with sister Mary Ann Smith's family in Brooklyn

August 11, 1933

Dies of liver cancer at age 67; buried Calvary Cemetery

Family Summary

Mary Ann O'Brien Smith (c. 1864–1936)

Daughter of James and Margaret O'Brien of Jamaica, Queens. Sister of Congressman James H. O'Brien, Terrence O'Brien, and Elizabeth O'Brien Foley. Born in Jamaica, Queens. Married Martin Smith (c. 1847–1915). Mother of Captain Thomas M.J. Smith, FDNY. Grandmother of Thomas M.J. Smith Jr. and Martin Gerard Smith. Died October 13, 1936. Buried Calvary Cemetery, Queens.

Elizabeth O'Brien Foley (c. 1866–1933)

Daughter of James and Margaret O'Brien. Born in Ireland; emigrated to America c. 1869 at age 3. Sister of Congressman James H. O'Brien, Terrence O'Brien, and Mary Ann O'Brien Smith. Married Patrick S. Foley on August 19, 1902. Widowed before 1910. Lived with sister Mary Ann Smith's family in Brooklyn from 1910 until her death. Died August 11, 1933, of liver cancer, age 67. Buried Calvary Cemetery, Queens.

Thomas Martin Joseph Smith (1889–1963 or 1983)

Son of Martin and Mary Ann (O'Brien) Smith. Nephew of Congressman James H. O'Brien and Terrence O'Brien. Career: New York Fire Department (rose to Captain/Chief). Married Rose A. Higgins on April 10, 1937. Father of Thomas M.J. Smith Jr. (1932–2021) and Martin Gerard Smith (1933–2010). Buried Saint Monica Cemetery, Jamaica, Queens.

Rose A. Higgins Smith (c. 1886–1962)

Daughter of Thomas J. Higgins (1842–1926, executor of Terrence O'Brien's estate) and Rose A. Connolly Higgins (1856–1921). Married Thomas M.J. Smith on April 10, 1937. Mother of Thomas M.J. Smith Jr. and Martin Gerard Smith. Buried Saint Monica Cemetery, Jamaica, Queens.

Document Gallery

PRIMARY SOURCES: The documents below represent the original records used to reconstruct the lives of Mary Ann O'Brien Smith and Elizabeth O'Brien Foley. Click any image to enlarge.

1936 — Mary Ann Smith

Sister of Congressman O'Brien

Obituary

c. 1915 — Martin Smith

Brother-in-law of Congressman

Obituary

1889 — Birth Certificate

Thomas Martin Smith

Birth

1900 — Census

Manhattan, Smith family

Census

1910 — Census

Sisters living together

Census

1920 — Census

Two widowed sisters

Census

1930 — Census

Thomas with mother Mary

Census

1940 — Census

Thomas with wife Rose

Census

1950 — Census

Family with two sons

Census

1937 — Marriage

Thomas & Rose Higgins

Marriage

1902 — Marriage

Elizabeth O'Brien & Foley

Marriage

1933 — Death Certificate

Elizabeth Foley

Death

1933 — Elizabeth Foley

Brooklyn Eagle obituary

Obituary

Find a Grave

Mary Ann O'Brien Smith

Memorial

Find a Grave

Thomas M.J. Smith

Memorial

Family Gravestone

Smith-Higgins-O'Brien

Gravestone

Continue the Story

← Hidden Bonds: Series Overview ← Episode 4: James Henry O'Brien Orphan, Engineer, Congressman Episode 6: Miles Murtha Lawrence O'Brien → Orphan, Scale Maker, Father of Ten

Hidden Bonds: The O'Brien Family of Jamaica, Queens

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