James Quinn (1883-1967)

Historian, Damian Shiels, on 25 November 2025 posted an interactive map with biographical information and addresses for over 700 people in Ireland who received U.S. pensions. His work is entitled, American Pensioners in Ireland c. 1845-1905.  Shiels spent 15 years researching the U.S. pension files. These payments from the U.S. were based on military service rendered between c. 1845 and 1905. About 80 percent of the pensions were the result of participation in the American Civil War.

Many of the pensions were paid to the widows of men who died while serving in the military or to mothers who were dependent on their sons who were killed. Some were paid to the veterans themselves who were wounded or injured while serving. It is a fascinating resource. Thanks to this work, we found a pension made to a Glenmore woman, Mrs. Margaret Quinn, of Rathinure, Glenmore. Her son Michael George Quinn was serving with the U.S. Marines when he died on 21 July 1905 in San Diego harbour. His ship the U.S.S. Bennington’s boiler exploded killing 66 crew (Shiels, 2025).

The 1905 U.S.S. Bennington Disaster

The U.S.S. Bennington (gunboat No. 4) was named for an important battle of the American Revolutionary War fought in Vermont in 1777. She was a 1700-ton gunboat of the Yorktown class. The ship was built at Chester, Pennsylvania, and commissioned in June 1891. Originally the ship served in the Atlantic and Europe, but was transferred to the Pacific in 1894. After the catastrophic boiler explosion on 21 July 1905 the ship was not repaired and sold for scrap in 1910. See the video “Revisiting the U.S.S. Bennington Explosion 120 Years Later” (ABC & San Diego History Center (2025)).

According to the Navy Casualties: Lost and Wrecked Ships, 1801-1941—Explosions 1804-194—Steam Casualties, 1855-1941, on 21 July 1905 when the U.S.S. Bennington exploded 62 service men were killed and 3 officers. “At 10:38 a.m. an explosion occurred in port fireroom compartment of the vessel, listing the ship to starboard. The ship shook violently for several seconds, large volumes of steam and ashes filling most of the living compartments and deck spaces.” A list of the men killed included “Quinn, Michael George, Oiler.”

Contemporary newspaper articles provide graphic details of the condition of some of the bodies found in the engine room. The crew had just finished loading coal and most were in their quarters cleaning up when the boiler exploded. Unfortunately, the crew quarters were over the boilers. The crew killed were buried in Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery. Quinn was buried in Section Bm site 28. To view his grave see Find-a-grave.

Notwithstanding the 1905 tragedy, the U.S. named an aircraft carrier the U.S.S. Bennington. The aircraft carrier served in the Pacific during World War II. After a refitting the U.S.S. Bennington (aircraft carrier) suffered an explosion in 1954. An old newsreel covering the 1954 disaster revealed that the aircraft carrier also suffered an explosion the year before.  Both of these explosions on the aircraft carrier resulted in loss of crew and serious injuries. All three of the Bennington explosions discussed above occurred during peacetime.  

Prior to Joining the Marines

According to the concise biography written by Damian Shiels, Michael Quinn was a 29-year-old fireman when he enlisted at Boston, Massachusetts on 24 September 1903. He served aboard U.S.S. Wabash, U.S.S. Cleveland, U.S.S. Straggler, U.S.S. Independence and U.S.S. Bennington. Shiels also noted that Margaret Quinn (née Conway) was 55 when she applied for the pension in 1906. She was married at Glenmore to Thomas Quinn on 28 October 1869.  Thomas Quinn died at Glenmore on 10 November 1902. Margaret Quinn (née Conway) died on 5 December 1914 (Shiels, 2025).

Today, it is generally thought that a fireman is a fire fighter. During the age of steam a fireman was the person who maintained the fire needed to produce the steam. Steam engines were used on railways and on ships. Buildings, particularly in cities with cold winters, heated with steam boilers.

The Battle of the Boston Papers

At least two Boston papers printed obituaries of Michael G. Quinn (1874-1905) just three days after his death. It is obvious that the Boston Globe was attempting to locate Quinn family members and published several false statements.  For example, the entire Quinn family did not emigrate. There were photos published by each newspaper allegedly of the deceased Michael G. Quinn (1874-1905). The two photographs do not appear to depict the same man. The men do not part their hair on the same side and one has straight hair and the other does not. Given that the Boston Herald actually interviewed the deceased’s brother Patrick Quinn we believe that the photo in the Boston Herald is the correct photo.

Obituary in the Boston Globe (Sun. 23 July 1905, p. 7)

MICHAEL G. QUINN—Bennington victim was a member of Jeffries Point R.A. [Rowing Association], and one of Winning Four at Centennial Grove.  Michael G. Quinn one of the victims of Friday’s explosion on the Bennington, was one of the best known young men of East Boston, and one who had figured prominently in athletics.

Quinn was born in the town of Glenmore, County Kilkenny, Ireland, and was 32 years old. At the age of 12 years young Quinn with his parents and brothers and sisters, came to this country and since most of his years had been spent in East Boston.

In September 1903, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy being assigned from the Charlestown Navy Yard to the U.S.S. Cleveland. He served on the Cleveland till April last, when he was transferred to the Bennington. Quinn was a member of Jeffries Point rowing association of East Boston, and two years ago was a member of the four oared crew of the club which won the race at Centennial Grove. 

The day before the Boston Globe printed that the deceased Michael G. Quinn had a sister Kate Quinn in East Boston. She formerly lived on Pleasant Street, Winthrop, but she moved to East Boston and could not be located. A brother of was said to live in Somerville (Boston Globe, Sat. 22 July 1905, p. 3).

Obituary in the Boston Herald (Sun. 23 July 1905, p. 4)

Michael G. Quinn, one of the victims of the Bennington disaster, was well known in East Boston, having been a member of the junior four-oared crew of the Jeffries Point Rowing Association which won at Centennial Lake in 1902. His brother, Patrick Quinn, of 88 Marginal Street, East Boston, is a member of the intermediate four of the same association and was to have rowed with that crew in the Metropolitan regatta yesterday, but on receipt of the dispatch from the secretary of the Navy announcing his brother’s death, he retired, and his place was taken by substitute Frank Walsh.

The man killed was born in Waterford, Ireland, about 30 years ago. He came to this country when a lad of 15 years and lived in New York for about a year, when he went to sea finally becoming a member of the British naval reserve. At the break out of the Boer War he volunteered in the Grenadier Guards and served in South Africa under Lord Roberts, taking part in the siege of Kimberly, where although in the thick of the fight, he escaped injury. At the close of his enlistment period, he received a Boer war medal and then returned to this country, making his home with his brother in East Boston. He worked for the Cunard company, and also as a fireman for the Merchants and Miners’ company.  

In October 1903, he enlisted in the navy and did duty on board the Wabash, and later at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Then he was assigned to the Cleveland, when that vessel was accepted by the government, and remained on board her until she was sent to join the European squadron. The last letter his brother received from him came from Florida in April. In it he stated he expected to come north in time to be in Boston for the Fourth of July. Since then he had not been heard from.

His mother and one sister still live in Ireland; a brother lives in Bristol, England; his brother Patrick, as stated, lives in East Boston; a sister Mrs. James Howland, lives at 63 Everett Street, East Boston, and another sister, Nora Quinn, lives in Somerville. [This obituary was also published in the Derry Journal (Wed. 9 Aug. 1905, p. 1) but we were unable to locate it or another obituary in newspapers local to Glenmore.]

The Quinn Families of Rathinure, Glenmore

There were two Quinn brothers, and their families, that resided in Rathinure in the late 19^th century. Thomas and Patrick Quinn were sons of Stephen Quinn and his wife Catherine Haberlin. Stephen Quinn and Catherine Haberlin were married on 11 February 1834 at Glenmore. They resided and farmed in Coolnaleen, Glenmore. There were six known children born to this couple: [1] Patrick Quinn (1835-1906); [2] Honor Quinn (b. 1836); [3] Richard Quinn (b. 1839); [4] Mary Quinn (b. 1842); [5] Thomas Quinn (1843-1903); and [6] James Quinn (b. 1846).

Patrick Quinn (1835-1906) of Rathinure, Glenmore

Patrick Quinn (1835-1906) was baptized 16 March 1835 to Stephen Quinn and his wife Catherine Haberlin at Glenmore. Patrick Quinn of Rathanure (sic) married Ellen Tracy of Ballyfacy (sic) on 24 February 1873 at Glenmore. The bride’s father was George Tracy (a smyth (sic)) and her mother was Catherine Conway. George Tracy, of Haggard, married Catherine Conway on 8 February 1843 at Slieverue. Ellen Tracy was baptised at Ballinlammy, Glenmore on 17 March 1847.

Patrick Quinn died at the age of 80 in the Waterford Workhouse Hospital on 29 July 1906 of hemiplegia. In other words, one side of his body was paralyzed. His widow, Ellen Quinn née Tracy (1847-1932) continued to live in their small house until she went to live with a daughter. The small house where Patrick and Ellen lived was to the east of Sean Óg Kennedy’s (c. 1885-1962) house (where Johnny Garvey presently lives). The house in the 1901 Census was described as one room. It was owned by Patrick Quinn. Ellen Quinn née Tracy’s Memory Card is recorded on our Memory Card page.

Children of Patrick Quin and Ellen Tracy of Rathinure, Glenmore

The following children were identified in the parish and civil birth records: [1] Unnamed child (1874); [2] Honor “Nora” Quinn (1875); [3] Stephen Quinn (1876); [4] George Quinn (1878); [5] Catherine Quinn (1880); and [6] Honor Quinn (1883). In the 1911 Census, Ellen Quin née Tracy stated that she had six children and 4 were alive in 1911. Peter Walsh of Rathinure recalls that his mother said that Ellen’s youngest daughter Nora was handicapped and became abusive toward her elderly mother. Nora was placed in a home.

Thomas Quinn (1843-1903) of Rathinure, Glenmore

Thomas Quinn (1843-1903) was baptized on 19 December 1843 at Mullinavat to Stephen Quinn and his wife Catherine Haberlin. Margaret Conway was baptized on 14 July 1843 at Carrigloney the daughter of Michael Conway and Mary Barry. Thomas Quinn (23), of Rathinure, (labourer) married Margaret Conway (22) of Carrigcloney on 28 October 1869. Per the 1901 Census Thomas and Margaret Quinn were renting their 1 room home in Rathinure, Glenmore from John Kennedy. We assume that this was Sean Óg Kennedy (c. 1885-1962).

Children of Thomas Quinn & Margaret Quinn née Conway of Rathinure, Glenmore

[1] Stephen Quinn (bapt 8 May 1871-15 May 1871) Died of convulsions in Carrigcloney
[2] Catherine Quinn (22 July 1872-19 Nov. 1913) emigrated to the US in 1900. She married James M. Howland on 25 July 1904 at Boston. James Howlan was born c. 1876 at Tarrytown, New York, the son of Nicholas Howland and Margaret Cummins. They had a son [2a] George Michael Howland (b. 9 Nov. 1905) just 4 months after her brother Michael was killed. The couple also had two daughters: [2b] Margaret M. Howland (1907-1992) and [2c] Catherine M. Howland (1909-1998). Catherine Howland née Quinn died in 1913 of diabetes. See our H surname page for her short obituary. 
[3] Michael Quinn (1874-1905) died in the U.S. Marine Corp on board the U.S.S. Bennington.
[4] Patrick Quinn ( 28 Feb. 1876) emigrated to Boston.
[5] Mary Quinn (b. 15 Feb. 1878) married John Curran (laborer), of Carrigcloney on 28 September 1909 at Glenmore. John was the son of Richard Curran (carpenter). John and Mary had one son [5a] Richard Curran born 13 August 1910.
[6] Stephen Quinn (18 March 1880-5 Feb. 1929) in 1900 married Margaret Dalton of Knockbrack, Glenmore. Margaret was the daughter of Patrick Dalton.  The couple had at least 5 children: [6a] Ellen Quinn (1901); [6b] Patrick Quinn (Rathinure); [6c] James Quinn (1908) Knockbrack; [6d] James Quinn (1910) Fahee; and [6e] Johanna Quinn (1913).
[7] James Quinn (bapt. 5 Feb. 1883—22 Aug.1967) emigrated to the U.S. On 28 August 1916 he married Helen Davis (1886-1949) in Detroit, Michigan. His WWI draft Registration (1918) provided that he was 32 years of age, working as a fireman for Detroit Edison, and living at 913 Ellery St., Detroit. He had blue eyes, dark brown hair medium height and medium build. His WWII draft registration showed that he was 56 years of age, born in Waterford and worked for the Detroit Edison Co. He and his wife had six known children. [7a] James Thomas Quinn (1917-1979); [7b] William George Quinn (1919-1998); [7c] Patrick J. Quinn (1922-1994); [7d] Margaret Helen Chaney née Quinn (1924-2022); [7e] Sr. Mary E. Quinn (1925-2008); and [7f] Kathleen C. Quinn (b. 1929).
[8] Thomas Quinn (b. 5 Feb. 1883)
[9] Honor (Nora Theresa) Long née Quinn (30 April 1885—12 Feb. 1957) emigrated 29 July 1903 to Boston via the ship Ivernia. Information gleaned from her Naturalisation Declaration (16 April 1914) provides that she claimed that she was 26 years of age, unmarried, with fair hair, 5’4” tall and weighed 180 pounds. She worked as a cook and lived at 23 Garden St., Cambridge Mass. She gave her birthdate as 1 May 1887. Nora married Alvin Wallace Long (1894-1989) on 1 November 1922, in Detroit Michigan. Nora died in 1957 in Royal Oak, Oakland, Michigan.

Death of Parents

Father, Thomas Quinn (1843-1903) died on 14 November 1903 at the Waterford Union hospital at the age of 60. His cause of death was heart disease and bronchial pneumonia.

Mother, Margaret Quinn (1843-1914) died the 5^th of December 1914 at Carrickcloney, aged 71, a widow of a labourer. With no medical attention before her death. John Curran of Carrickcloney was present at her death. The 1911 Census reveals that Margaret was living with her daughter Mary Curran née Quinn and her husband John Curran in Carrickcloney. With Margaret Quinn’s death the pension ended.

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The featured photo of the U.S.S. Bennington was described as “dressed with flags in harbour, probably while serving with the Squadron of Evolution, c. 1891-1892. Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1969. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Catalog No.: NH 67551.”

The photo of Michael G. Quinn (1874-1905) was published in the Boston Herald (Sun. 23 July 1905, p. 4).

For more information on the U.S.S. Bennington see the webpage entitled U.S.S. Bennington.

Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com

Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh