Catherine O'Brian/Draper/Connolly, born ~1776 in Dublin, Ireland (raised by a "Draper").
I’m looking for information on a woman named Catherine Connolly, very likely born in Dublin around 1776. Connolly would eventually be her married named but I believe her maiden name was Catherine O’Brian.
Anecdotal information from family members long passed away states that Catherine O’Brian was raised by a man who was not her biological father. I only know his last name: Draper. Is suspect all of this took place in and around Dublin, Ireland but I cannot be entirely sure. This so called Draper was said to have been a wealthy man. I letter written by a family member of mine many years ago refers to him as a “fox hunting squire.” I have what I believe to be a small portrait of his and in the back are the initials “D.D”. I believe this to be “Draper” but I am unsure.
It was said that Catherine O’Brian was actually raised as Draper’s daughter, even though she was not. In her adulthood she was told that Draper was not her true father, which is recollected to be the shock of her life since she adored him. What else happened I do not know.
Catherine O’Brian/Draper went on to marry a man named Charles Connolly, probably in Dublin. They had at least three children, one of which was my great great great grandmother Catherine Connolly, born in April 1808. In her adult life Catherine Connolly married a man named William Rudkin, whose family was originally from County Carlow. William Rudkin attended the University of Dublin where he was a chemist.
William Rudkin, Catherine Connolly and Catherine’s mother Catherine O’Brian/Draper/Connolly immigrated to the United States in the early 1850s. There they established a very successful “essences” business (substances used for flavoring alcohol) at No. 74 William Street in Manhattan, New York. The business was first known as “William Rudkin & Sons” and then later renamed “William Rudkin’s Sons” after William died. The family prospered and eventually settled in Brooklyn, New York at 594 Henry Street.
Catherine O’Brian/Draper/Connolly died in 1866 at 63 West Baltic Street in Brooklyn, New York. Her son in law William Rudkin died in 1873 and his wife Catherine Connolly Rudkin died in 1899.
I am searching for anyone near or far who can give me more information on this family. I have researched them thoroughly in the United States but and particularly interested in discovering who this “Draper” figure was, that is, the man who raised Catherine O’Brian as his own daughter. Catherine O’Brian was said to have been born in Dublin so I guess that Draper may have been from there, but I cannot be sure. Any further information on the Rudkin family and the Connolly family in Ireland would be most welcome. I can be reached her or on ancestry.com where I have a very thorough family tree pertaining to this family.
Many thanks for reading.
