Mary Ann Henebery (b.c. 1849)

A couple weeks ago we received a query about Nicholas Henebery (1818-1891) and his wife Anastatia Dollard (c.1820-1905). The couple emigrated from Glenmore and died in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Last week we featured their eldest son’s survival from the Sea Bird disaster in Lake Michigan in 1868. Today, we are going to present information regarding Nicholas and Anastatia Henebery and their children.

As previously published during the Famine local families often emigrated from New Ross to Quebec and then settled in Wisconsin (See our post of 29 Sept. 2026). We also know that some Glenmore people, including John Dollard (1801-1888), went to the Green Bay area and founded a town called Glenmore, Wisconsin around 1850. (See our post of 17 Feb. 2025).

The Glenmore Wedding

On 21 April 1844, Nicholas Henebery married Anastatia Dollard of Alywardstown, Glenmore. The witnesses to the wedding were James Ryan and Johanna (Oats?). Unfortunately, their fathers were not recorded in the marriage record and there was no indication of what type of work Nicholas performed to support his family. In a Sheboygan newspaper article long after his death he was referred to as “Captain” Heneberry (Sheboygan Press, 12 April 1926) p. 3).

The Glenmore Wedding Witnesses

Johanna Oats is not a local name. We did locate a baptismal record of a Johanna Oats having been baptized in Waterford City on 7 November 1813 the daughter of Daniel Oates and Bridget Neill. A marriage record for this woman could not be located.  James Ryan is a common local name. A James Ryan was baptized at Glenmore on 20 June 1820 to Jac Ryan and his wife Bridget Malone of Moulerstown.  Another James Ryan was baptized 11 May 1817 at Glenmore to Wm. Ryan and his wife Margaret Casshin of Ballyveria, Glenmore. A third James Ryan was baptised on 5 May 1827 to James Ryan and Bridget Kehoe of Aylwardstown. Given the third James Ryan, and his father, in Aylwardstown it is likely that the third was the witness.

Children Born in Glenmore

The couple had at least two sons while residing in Glenmore. Their eldest child, [1] Edmond/Edward Henebery was baptized on 7 February 1844. The family residence was listed as Aylwardstown. Edmond’s godparents were John Irish and Anastatia Murry. A custom of this era was that children born out of wedlock had the word “illegitimate” or “bastard” recorded in the baptismal record often with the word highlighted to draw attention to it. In fact, several such notations appear in the Glenmore baptismal records in 1844. From the records it appears that Edmond was born in February 1844 and his parents married in April 1844, yet there was no notation regarding his status. Is this an indication that Nicholas was at sea, was their an error in the record or a friendly priest?

Their second child, [2] John Henebery, was baptized on 15 June 1846. The family was still residing at Aylwardstown. John Henebery’s godparents were Richard Heneberry and May Irish. John Henebery’s baptism was the last record of the family in Glenmore.

Children born in the US

In the 1900 US Census of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Anastatia “Annie” Henebery was a 79-year-old widow, residing at 1231 7^th St., she emigrated in 1850 and was the mother of 7 children and none were living in 1900. In searching the Census records after 1850 we were able to find more children, but it is not clear where all the children were born or when they died.

1855 Wisconsin State Census

The earliest Census record we could locate in Sheboygan was the 1855 Wisconsin State Census. It does not provide much information, but it does provide that there were 4 males and 3 females in Nicholas Henebery’s family, and three of the family were foreign born. Either John Henebery did not survive until the 1855 Census or the record is wrong there should have been at a minimum four foreign born family members. Subtracting the parents the family included 3 sons and 2 daughters in 1855.

1860 US Federal Census

The 1860 US Federal Census for Sheboygan provides several important names and details. The family lived in Ward 3 of the city and Nicholas (38) was employed as a gardener. He owned real estate worth $300 and personal property valued at $20. His wife, Anty was 37. [1] Edmund (sic) Henebery was 15 and his place of birth was listed as New York. [3] James Henebery was 13 and was also recorded as having been born in New York. [4] Mary Ann Henebery was 11 years of age and was also recorded as having been born in New York. [5] John Henebery was 8 and was born in Wisconsin. [6] Katy Henebery was 5 also born in Wisconsin as was [7] Richard Henebery, aged 2.

It is not clear why the parents listed their eldest son as having been born in New York when he was clearly born in Ireland. We could not locate a birth record for Mary Ann in Ireland or New York.

1870 US Federal Census

The questions were not addressed in the 1870 US Census. The family was still residing in Ward 3 of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Nicholas Hennebery (49) was employed as a day labourer for the post office. He owned real estate valued at $1,000 and personal property worth $300. Mary A. (sic) Henebery, his wife, was 52. [2] James Henebery was 22, born in Ireland, and he was employed as a sailor. It was recorded that James was out of employment for 4 months the previous year. [5] Katie Henebery was 15, born in Wisconsin, and still at school. [6] Richard Henebery was 12, born in Wisconsin and still at school.

1880 US Federal Census

By the 1880 US Federal Census, all of the children save [6] Richard were no longer living at home. However, a granddaughter had joined the household. Nicholas Henebery gave his age as 59. He was employed as a bridgetender. He was born about 1821 in Ireland and was married to Ann Henebery (58). Their unmarried son Richard (22) was employed as a sailor. Their grand-daughter Mary Henebery was just eight years of age. The family lived on Callamus Street, Sheboygan. We never determined who the granddaughter Mary Henebery’s (c. 1872-1901) parents were.

[1] Edmond/Edward Henebery (1844-1870) we do not believe that Edward ever married. For further details concerning his survival from the Sea Bird fire and sinking and his later death from his injuries see our post of  19 October 2026.        
[2] John Henebery (1846-?)
[3] James Henebery (b.c. 1848) per the 1870 Census. The only other information we found regarding James was that he was in Chicago in 1891. The Sheboygan Telegram (Fri. 16 Jan. 1891, p. 3) reported that “N. Hennebury is visiting his son James at Chicago.”
[4] Mary Ann Henebery (b.c. 1849)
[5] John Henebery (b.c. 1852)
[6] Katy Henebery (b.c. 1855)
[7] Richard Henebery (1857-1899) was the youngest child of the family. Richard married a woman named Mary. The couple had 7 children, but only three were living at the time of Richard’s untimely death while at work in 1899. The Sheboygan Telegram (Tues. 31 Jan. 1899, p. 8) published the following short obituary. “Richard Henneberry died at St. Nicholas hospital at 3:30 this afternoon from injuries received this morning at the yards f the C. Reiss Coal Co. Shortly before noon he fell from one of the coals bins a distance of nearly 20 feet and was rendered unconscious. He was taken in the patrol wagon to St. Nicholas hospital where he lingered in an unconscious condition until death came. The dead man was about 35 years of age and leaves a wife and family. He was a mill wright by trade.” His widow Mary died in 1924.

Richard Henebery’s Children

[7a] Nicholas E. Henebery (1888- 1963) married Veronica Bushmer on 11 Nov. 1922 (Sheboylan Press Telegram, 17 Nov. 1922, p. 18).  Nicholas E. Henebery, 75, of 1217 S. 7^th St. died following a lingering illness. He worked at C. Reiss Coal Co. for 47 years prior to his retirement in 1953 due to ill health (Sheboygan Press, Mon. 20 May 1963, p. 14). His widow, Vera died 21 Jan. 1997 at the age of 92.
[7b] Elizabeth Henebery (b. 1896) married Nicholas Gruenek in 1925 (Sheboygan Press, Sat. 16 May 1925, p. 6).
[7c] Katherine Henebery (1885-1962)  married Henry Seibold, of Stockbridge (Sheboygan Press, Tues. 12 May 1914, p. 8). She died at St. Nicholas Hospital in February 1962 (Sheboygan Press, Wed. 21 Feb. 1962).

Bridge Tender

In 1926 the Sheboygan Press (23 April 1926 p. 70) published an account of the two bridges that spanned the driver at Sheboygan five decades earlier.  One of the bridges was called the Eighth Street Bridge and the other was at Pennsylvania Avenue. The Pennsylvania Bridge because of its high elevation was commonly called the “Shanhai Bridge.”

“Nicholas Henneberry, a pioneer in this county, was tender for both bridges. The structures were pile construction and both were provided with two leaves which could be raised by pulling on the heavy overhead frame with suspended chains. Whenever he had to hoist the leaves the bridge tender had to depend upon volunteer assistance. When a vessel was towed by a tug the passage through a draw required only a few minutes, but sail and ropes were often substituted for the tug.

Whenever the plaintive wail of the ship’s fog horn saluted his ears, Nicholas would have to quickly decide whether the ship or the land lubbers should have precedence. Many times people were rushing to catch a train at the depot which was then located at South Seventh and South Water streets, and this made things very embarrassing to Nicholas. But he was somewhat of a diplomat and he was generally successful in softening the expostulation of the irate captain or soothing the ruffled spirits of a hectic bus driver or someone who was caught at the open draw and missed the train. When the signal was given for the opening of the Shanhai bridge, Nick would hasten over and negotiate that draw.”

In addition to his diplomatic duties Nicholas also appears to have operated a lost and found. “Bridgetender Henneberry has a hat which blew off the head of a woman who was crossing the Eighth Street bridge. If the owner wants to reclaim it she can do so by calling at the bridge house” (Sheboygan Telegram, Sat. 1 Oct. 1887, p. 4).

Just months before Nicholas Henebery died the Sheboygan Telegram (Fri. 24 April 1891, p. 2) published the salaries of city employees.  The Chief of the Fire Department earned $700 per annum; the Chief of Police earned $720 and the Eighth St. Bridge Tender earned $420. In June 1891 “The bridge tender of Eighth street bridge lodged a complaint with the police that the bridge had become a hangout for a large number of men and boys in the evening. The bridge was in a shaky condition and the large crowd of loungers on it made it more difficult to open it and increased the liability of a break down. “It is a further annoyance to the women and children compelled to cross it and be obliged to pass through the crowd of loungers..,” (Sheboygan Telegram, Fri. 5 June 1891, p. 3).

Death of Nicholas Henebery & Annie Henebery née Dollard

We found Death Cert 01324 for Nicholas Henebery (1819-1891). He died on 13 Sept. 1891 in Sheboygan of a disease of the liver. He was 71 years of age and employed as a bridge tender. He was born in Ireland in 1820. His wife was Anna Henebery and his parents were Edmund Henebery and Mary Henebery. We located two obituaries that provide more details concerning Nicholas.

The Sheboygan Telegram (Mon. 14 Sept. 1891, p. 3) published that “Nicholas Hennebery, died yesterday morning at his home in the Fourth Ward at the age of 71 years. The immediate cause of death was an attack of jaundice. Mr. Hennebery was an old resident, having come here forty years ago. The burial will be made Wednesday forenoon in the North side Catholic cemetery.”

DEATH OF A PIONEER—Last Sunday morning at 5:30 o’clock Nicholas Henneberry passed away after suffering an illness of about two weeks. His death caused surprise, for it was generally supposed the illness which had confined him to his home was not of a fatal nature. The funeral occurred Wednesday morning from the family residence on Chestnut street and was largely attended. Mr. Henneberry’s career was one that witnessed many strange and sad events in his allotted time of over three score and ten years.

Born in Ireland seventy one years ago he came to Sheboygan in the 40’s and excepting a brief residence in the south, continued since then to make Sheboygan his home. About twenty years ago when Seabird burned a son, Edgar, a bright and promising young man, was one of the two survivors of the ill-fated steamer. But the terrible ordeal was too great, and he only came home to die.

A younger brother who was ill at the time followed to the grave a few days later. Throughout these misfortunes the father bore his grief as became a Christian. He was ever faithful in what he considered duty, and will long be remembered for his faithful care of the Eighth Street bridge, of which he had charge the past twenty years. As kindly hands lowered his remains to their resting place in the North side Catholic cemetery, sorrowing friends said, “Peace be with thee.” [Obit posted on Find a grave without name of newspaper provided. Nicholas is in an unmarked grave in Calvary Cemetery, Sheboygan, Wisconsin. See, Find a Grave .]

We were unable to identify any younger brother who died a few days after Edward Henebery in 1870. We were also unable to identify any other reference to Edward being known as Edgar.

Annie Henebery survived her husband by 14 years dying in 1905. At the time of her death Annie had buried all seven of her children as well as her granddaughter Mary Hennebery (b.c. 1872-1901) who lived with Annie at least from 1870 until her death in 1901. In the 1900 Census Mary was living with her grandmother on 7^th Street near to Richard Henebery’s widow (also Mary) and his three children. The following year Mary Henebery died at the age of 29 in the home of her grandmother, Mrs. A. Henebery, at the corner of 7^th and Alabama Ave. due to pneumonia (Sheboygan Telegram, Sat. 4 May 1901, p. 3). A short death notice was found for Annie. “Mrs. Hennebery, aged 80 years, died at St. Nicholas hospital,” (Sheboygan Telegram, Tues. 15 Aug. 1905, p. 4).

Thus, Nicholas and Annie emigrated from Glenmore around 1850, and after 55 years and the birth of 7 children and at least 8 grandchildren, only three grandchildren from their son Richard survived Annie.

Nicholas Henebery’s Parents and Siblings

There were several Nicholas Heneberys in the Glenmore area. However, thanks to the information in Nicholas’s 1891 death certificate we know his father was Edmund Henebery and his mother was Mary. Nicholas Henebery was baptized at Glenmore on 8 February 1818 the son of Edmund Heneberry and his wife Mary Delahunty.

[1] Nicholas Henebery (1818)
[2] Richard Henebery (1823) 
[3] Ellen Henebery (1825)
[4] Thomas Henebery (1829)
[5] Catherine Henebery (1831)
[6] Edmund Hennebery (1844)

It is not known if any of Nicholas Henebery’s siblings emigrated to Wisconsin, but a Richard Henebery was found in Hale’s Corner, Milwaukee. Richard married Mary Rooney (1834-1877) on 17 Oct. 1853 in Milwaukee. Richard died in 1891.

Anastatia “Annie” Heneberry née Dollard’s Parents

Based upon the lack of children named Anastatia Dollard/Dullard in Glenmore born around 1820, and the traditional naming pattern, there are two contenders.  Annie may have been  baptized at Glenmore on 29 May 1819 the daughter of John Dullard and Mary Walsh of Ballyveria.  However, there was a Catherine Dollard baptized at Rochestown (next to Aylwardstown) on 28 December 1819 the daughter of John Dollard and his wife, Catherine Forristal. Perhaps if a Wisconsin death certificate could be located for Annie we could narrow down her place of birth and parents.

Unusual Newspaper Account

While researching the Henebery family we came across an article from 1934 long after the immediate Henebery family was dead. The Sheboygan Press (Fri. 6 April 1934, p.  7) published a short interview of Mrs. Adelaide Evans née Carr  (c. 1859-1944) who was a resident of the Anna M. Reiss Home for the aged. Per her obituary Adelaide and her husband Franklin moved to Sheboygan in 1880 ten years after Edward Henebery (1844-1870) died.

“Mrs. Adelaide Evans a resident of the Anna M. Reiss Home for the aged as a girl was a neighbour to the Henneberry family in this city. Her personal interest in the sinking of the ship is due to her acquaintance with John Henneberry who was on the Lady Elgin when it sank in Lake Michigan after being rammed by a schooner north of Chicago. Mr. Henneberry was saved but died about a year later presumably from the effects of exposure for several hours in the cold water of the lake.”

The Lady Elgin disaster took place on 8 September 1860. It is unlikely that any member of the Nicholas Henebery family was on that ill fated boat. We believe Adelaide confused the Lady Elgin with the Sea Bird.

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

Special thanks to Kate Hephner for contacting us about Nicholas and Anastatia “Annie” Henebery.

Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh

The 1920’s postcard of the Eighth St. Bridge of Sheboygan, WI is courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society. The old postcard of St. Peter Clavin, of Sheboygan, WI, featured above is courtesy of Sheboygan History. St. Peter Clavin (1580-1654) was a Spanish priest and missionary who dedicated himself to caring for Africans enslaved. He is also a patron saint of seafarers due to his ministry on the slave ships.