Thomas Hassett was born in 1835 in Ireland. His wife Hanorah, also known as Norah, was born in Ireland around 1837. Hanorah came to the United States in 1859 when she was about 22 years old.

When they first arrived in the U.S., Thomas, Hanorah and their baby John lived with Lawrance and Mary Griffin and their teenage sons James and Martin. The 1860 census shows the Hassetts residing with the Griffins in Susquehanna Depot, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. Another Hassett family, John and Mary Hassett lived just three houses down.

Thomas and Hanorah had six children, all of whom were born in Pennsylvania: John in 1860, James in 1861, Mary A. in 1862 or 1863, Patrick in 1866, Martin in 1868, and Thomas in 1879.

According to Stocker's 1887 "Centennial History of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania," Thomas Hassett fought in the Civil War in Company F, 70th NY Volunteers. It was not unusual for Susquehanna County residents to cross over into New York to enlist.

In 1883, Thomas and Norah's daughter Mary married James H. Keefe. They also lived on Erie Avenue in Susquehanna Depot. Sometime before 1910, Thomas Hassett died. At the time of the 1910 census, his widow Norah Hassett moved in with her daughter Mary and son-in-law James Keefe.

John Hassett is presumably the eldest brother of Thomas Hassett. Because they are close in age, lived on the same street, and their children share many of the same names, there is a good probability that Thomas and John are brothers. Or they could even be cousins. The names that are seen repeatedly in these two families are Thomas, John and Mary.

John and his wife Mary J. were born in Ireland. He was born in 1830, she was born in 1838. In 1860 they lived in Susquehanna Depot, Pennsylvania. They had been in Pennsylvania for at least five years. John and Mary's children are: Thomas I., 1855; John Jr., 1857; George M., 1858; Michael W. (Mike), 1859; Mary J., 1861; Francis, 1864; and Sarah E., 1867.

In 1860 John Hassett worked as a laborer. By 1870 he had changed occupations and was working as a locomotive builder. Thomas, their eldest son, worked as an apprentice to a machinist. George, Mike, and Mary J., all attended school in 1870. Francis, age 6, did not attend school.

You can search my family tree for the HASSETT surname on RootsWeb's World Connect database. The following page will provide more in depth information on my family tree.

Descendant tree of Thomas Hassett

Descendant tree of John Hassett

Hassett Links

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