Margaret Haughery (1813–1882) was a philanthropist known as "the mother of the orphans". Margaret Gaffney Haughery (pronounced as HAWK -r- ee) was a beloved historical figure in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the 1880s. Widely known as "Our Margaret," “The Bread Woman of New Orleans" and "Mother of Orphans,"Luck, Adrienne. “Margaret Haughery: "Friend of the Orphans"", New Orleans Historical, accessed March 15, 2020 Margaret devoted her life's work to the care and feeding of the poor and hungry, and to fund and build orphanages throughout the city.
An Irish immigrant widow woman of many titles, Margaret was also commonly referred to as the "Angel of the Delta," “Mother Margaret," “Margaret of New Orleans," the "Celebrated Margaret", "Head Mame", and "Margaret of Tully." A Catholic, she worked closely with New Orleans Sisters of Charity, associated with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans.
She opened up four orphanages in the New Orleans area in the 19th century. Many years later in the 20th and 21st centuries, several of the asylums Margaret founded as places of shelter for orphans and widows evolved into homes for the elderly.
A woman of great charity, Margaret became famed for her lifelong championing of the destitute. Some people considered her a living saint worthy of canonisation. Born into poverty and orphaned at a young age, she began her adult life as a washwoman and a peddler – yet she died a businesswoman and philanthropist and received a state funeral.
Early life
Margaret was born in a stone cottage in Ireland in 1813, the fifth child of William and Margaret O'Rourke Gaffney.Jenkins, Regina Randolph. "Margaret Haughery." The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 9. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910. 15 March 2020 Margaret's parents were from Tully South, in the parish of Carrigallen, County Leitrim. Her father had a small farm and was possibly a tailor.
in Ireland, 1816 was called "the year without a summer" and 1817 "the year of the malty flour". The year 1818 was one of high emigration due to a succession of wet summers followed by extreme winters. William, his wife Margaret, and three of their six children – including Margaret (then five), older brother Kevin and baby sister Kathleen – left Ireland for the United States. The three eldest children were to remain temporarily with their uncle Matthew O'Rourke in Ireland, until such time as they could be sent for. The final parting was so distressing that friends drew the children staying in Ireland aside, and before the divided family left Ireland they knelt to receive the curate's blessing.Hackett, Raymond and Reilly, Michael. "Carrigallen Parish-A History", 1996
Emigration to America The high seas journey by steamer took six months to reach America, as severe storms affected the ship's progress. Ship records reflect that the passengers despaired of ever reaching dry land again. At-sea provisions became so scarce that one passenger recalled that each person was allowed just one cracker a day. Almost all luggage was destroyed including the Gaffneys' trunk, whose lid Margaret's father then used to rock his young children. Eventually the ship reached Chesapeake Bay, then finally Baltimore. During the long voyage, a Welsh woman with the surname Richards became acquainted with the Gaffney family.
Shortly after the Gaffney family disembarked in Baltimore, Maryland, baby Kathleen died. Like all small tenant farmers of his era, Margaret's father William was ill-equipped for city life. His job opportunities were limited. Nevertheless, he secured employment as a carter at the Baltimore docks and soon sent money to his brother-in-law O'Rourke for the upkeep of his three children remaining in Ireland. He had almost saved enough to send for them when in 1822 a yellow fever epidemic ravaged Baltimore, claiming Margaret's parents, William and Margaret, who died within days of each other. They are buried in St. Patrick's cemetery in Baltimore. All household effects were burned, as was the custom, to prevent spread of the infection, with the exception of a prayer book, which was found twenty-seven years later and returned to the family.
Margaret, now nine, was homeless and soon alone as her older brother Kevin disappeared and was never heard from again. It is thought he may have gone out west. Mrs. Richards, who had made the overseas crossing with the Gaffney family heard of Margaret's plight. She had lost her husband to yellow fever. She took Margaret into her home. There Margaret remained for some years, where she worked for her keep. In fact she may have been little more than a servant. Margaret received no formal education, and never learned to read or write. When old enough, Margaret went into domestic service, which was common for Irishwomen in Baltimore at that time.
Marriage and move to New Orleans On 10 October 1835, at the age of 21, Margaret married Irish-born Charles Haughery in a ceremony at Baltimore Cathedral. Citing concerns about his health, Margaret argued that relocating to a warmer climate might be beneficial. The couple departed Baltimore aboard the ship Hyperion and arrived in New Orleans on 20 November 1835. Like many residents of the city at that time, they were exposed to recurring epidemics of yellow fever and cholera. Charles's health showed some temporary improvement, but this was not sustained, and medical practitioners advised that he undertake a sea voyage.
Charles resolved to return to Ireland, his country of birth. The journey was postponed for several months due to the birth of the couple's first child, a daughter named Frances. Charles eventually departed, but after some months Margaret was informed that he had died shortly after arriving. Within a few months, the infant Frances fell seriously ill and died. By the age of 23, Margaret had lost both her husband and child. Reflecting on this period, she later stated, "My God! Thou hast broken every tie: Thou hast stripped me of all. Again I am all alone.”
At the time, New Orleans was administratively divided into three municipalities. The first comprised the French Quarter and Faubourg Tremé. The second consisted of Uptown, then defined as all settled areas upriver from Canal Street. The third encompassed Downtown, covering the remainder of the city from Esplanade Avenue downriver.
Following these events, Margaret became involved in charitable work, focusing in particular on the needs of widows and orphans. The Sisters of Charity, under the direction of Sister Regis Barrett, operated the Poydras Orphan Asylum, which had been established by Julien de Lallande Poydras. Margaret donated surplus income from her employment at the laundry of the St Charles Hotel to support the orphanage. She later left her position at the hotel and took up work with the Sisters of Charity as manager of the orphan asylum."Margaret Haughery", The Historic New Orleans Collection When food supplies were insufficient, she purchased provisions using her own earnings. The Female Orphan Asylum operated by the Sisters of Charity, constructed in 1840, was financed through funds generated by Margaret's work.
Businesswoman During the yellow fever epidemic in New Orleans in the 1850s, Margaret visited households across the city to provide care to those affected, without distinction of race or religion. She also offered reassurance to dying mothers by undertaking responsibility for the care of their children. In this period, she assisted in the establishment of St. Theresa's Orphan Asylum on Camp Street. St. Theresa's Church was likewise constructed largely through her efforts, in cooperation with Sister Regis.
Using savings from her wages, Margaret purchased two cows to provide milk for orphaned children. She later acquired a small milk cart and sold surplus milk in the Vieux Carré (French Quarter). This activity developed into a dairy operation with nineteen cows, which proved commercially successful and was subsequently expanded. Margaret increased production to include cream and butter, and within two years the herd had grown to forty cows. The dairy became a profitable enterprise, and she was widely recognised as a businesswoman who sold her goods directly within the community. She also financially supported the St Vincent de Paul Infant Asylum at Race and Magazine Streets, which opened in 1862.
While continuing to provide assistance to orphans and the poor, Margaret's financial resources increased. At one stage, she took employment in a bakery to supplement her income. She later loaned money to a baker but discovered that the business operated by Monsieur d' Aquin was close to insolvency. As she had become the principal shareholder, Margaret concluded that assuming control of the bakery was the only means of recovering her investment and proceeded to manage the business herself.Rogers, Rosemary. "The Mother of Orphans", Irish America, June/July 2016
Operating as Margaret's Bakery, the enterprise expanded rapidly and became the primary source of her wealth. She continued to distribute bread personally using a handcart, which replaced her earlier milk cart. The bakery supplied both the local market and export customers. All orphan asylums in New Orleans received bread from her bakery at a nominal cost. Continuous improvements were made to the operation, and it became the first steam-powered bakery in the southern United States, employing a substantial workforce. Located on New Levée Street, the bakery remained profitable throughout the Civil War, despite widespread destruction elsewhere in the region.
As her bakery prospered, Margaret's business became well known. Operating under the name Margaret Haughery & Company, it marketed "Margaret's Bread", and she became popularly known as the "Bread Woman of New Orleans". She later owned a retail establishment known as the Klotz Cracker Factory, associated with the Klotz Bakery.
The poor and homeless frequently gathered on Levée Street, where the bakery was located. Margaret routinely provided them with bread, distributing loaves cut in half to prevent resale for the purchase of alcohol.
Civil War The American Civil War had significant social and economic effects on New Orleans, contributing to an increase in the number of orphans and residents requiring assistance. Margaret undertook measures to alleviate hardship by supplying food to those affected by wartime shortages. She distributed wagonloads of bread and flour from her bakery to residents of the city during the period of occupation.
In 1862, following the occupation of New Orleans by the Union Army and the imposition of martial law, the commanding officer, Benjamin Franklin Butler, established military barriers and curfews restricting civilian movement. Despite these restrictions, Margaret continued to deliver food and milk to individuals living beyond the established lines. General Butler warned her that further violations could result in severe punishment. She asked whether it was the intention of President Abraham Lincoln to allow the poor to starve. Butler replied, "You are not to go through the picket lines without my permission; is that clear?" Margaret answered, "Quite clear." Butler then stated, "You have my permission."
During the Reconstruction period, Margaret supported Union efforts to maintain order in Louisiana. This support is evidenced by a ceremonial sword she donated to US General C. Colon Augur, which is held in the collection of the Louisiana State Museum.
Life in New Orleans
After the Civil War, during the Reconstruction Period, Margaret accumulated sufficient resources to construct a large steam-powered bakery. By this stage, she was widely known in New Orleans. Residents from across social classes sought her advice, and she was frequently consulted by business owners as well as individuals experiencing poverty. She often sat at the open doorway of her office, engaging with visitors regardless of their social standing.