A Famous Person from Carrigallen
Margaret Gaffney, known by many titles such as The Angel of the Delta, The Bread Lady of New Orleans, The Celebrated Margaret, Margaret of Tully, and Mother Margaret, was born in 1813 in Tully, Carrigallen. Her remarkable journey from humble beginnings to becoming a beloved philanthropist is an inspiring story.
A Famous Person from Carrigallen: Margaret of New Orleans
At the age of five, Margaret emigrated to America with her parents, who settled in Baltimore. Tragically, both parents succumbed to yellow fever when she was just nine years old. A Welsh woman, Mrs. Richard, took Margaret in and raised her.
In 1835, Margaret married Charles Haughrey and moved to New Orleans. Charles, suffering from tuberculosis, traveled to Ireland in hopes of recovery but passed away shortly after arriving. Their only daughter, Frances, also died in infancy.
Despite these personal tragedies, Margaret devoted her life to charitable work. She befriended Sister Frances Regis, who managed an orphanage, and eventually gave up her job in a laundry to assist with the orphans. Her commitment to helping vulnerable children led her to manage the orphanage and establish her first orphanage in 1840. She opened another in 1862, further expanding her efforts to care for the destitute.
Margaret also ran a bakery, famously known as Margaret’s Bakery, which became the first steam-powered bakery in the southern United States. The business thrived, employing many people, and allowed her to continue her charitable endeavors. Margaret was known for her practical generosity, often giving a loaf of bread cut in half to beggars and those struggling with alcoholism to ensure they consumed it rather than selling it. Throughout the 1850s and 1860s, Margaret established additional orphanages, solidifying her reputation as a tireless advocate for the vulnerable.
Margaret died in 1882 at the age of 69 and was honored with a state funeral. She was buried in St. Louis Cemetery next to her friend, Sister Frances Regis. She left her wealth to charities, with the exception of her bakery, which she bequeathed to her foster son, Bernard Klotz.
In 1884, a statue was erected in New Orleans to honor Margaret. This monument was the first in the United States dedicated to a woman, a testament to her lasting impact on the community. Margaret’s legacy as a compassionate and determined humanitarian continues to be celebrated to this day.