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From: Bud & Trish Nicola <>
Subject: [HACKETT-L] O'Connor/Hackett-Westmeath-Wyoming Co., NY
Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2003 10:09:23 -0700


Hi,
Although this is mostly about Patrick O'Connor of Westmeath it does mention
his wife Catherine Hackett. The paragraph is from "History of Town of
Java, Wyoming County, New York, Compiled by Java Historical Society,
September 1, 1976., page 50."

"Patrick O'Connor, born in County Westmeath, was the settler on the
Northeast corner of Route 78 and the Cattaraugus Road. He was married to
Catherine Hackett of his native town. They migrated to New York about 1830,
and about 1833, settled on their farm at the Center. he was a shoemaker,
following this business, along with farming, for many years. For nineteen
consecutive years previous to his death, he was town clerk of Java Center.
On February 19, 1853, the first Post Office, under the name of Java Centre,
was established with Mr. O'Connor as the only postmaster until it was
discontinued in June 1868. During the Civil War years, Mr. and Mrs.
O'Connor were said to have read to parents, letters which came from their
sons in the service. Many emigrants were unable to read at the time. The
farmstead was subsequently owned by his son, Joseph, and is now occupied by
a granddaughter, Ann O'Connor. the family says the house was erected in 1839."

Trish Hackett Nicola
(My Hackett family was from Co. Leitrim, Ireland, and not related to this
Catherine Hackett although I grew up in this small town in western New York
state.)

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