The Quinn Family hopes that readers of Simply Saratoga Magazine can assist in our search for
Missing Family Portraits WRITTEN BY KATHLEEN QUIN
Ann Brady Quinn born and raised in Edgeworthstown, County Longford, Ireland. While in Albany she married James Quinn. After he passed, she remained in the house on North Ferry for a couple of years.
Jim Quinn started it all. Worked hard as a cooper, then somehow learned to make mash and finally, opened his own brewery.
I
n the early 1840s our family emigrated from Ireland, by way of Canada to Albany, New York. James Quinn, from Gurteen, County Longford, opened the James Quinn Brewery and Malt House after working in Albany as a cooper for several years. He married Ann Brady, of Edgeworthstown, County Longford. They married in Albany. Their son, Terence John Quinn (TJ), worked in the brewery with James.
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After James’ passing in 1866, TJ and his brother-in-law, Michael N. Nolan (Mike) opened the Quinn & Nolan Brewery at the same site, enlarging it considerably and finally, to make Lager, they built the Beverwyck Brewery in 1878. It stood on North Ferry Street, right next door to Quinn & Nolan. While in Albany, TJ was in the Common Council, State Assembly and finally, was the first Irish Representative from Albany in Congress. In 1878, while in his first term in Congress, TJ passed away. His three children joined the Nolan household, meaning that Ann
Nolan, (TJ’s sister) had 8 kids to raise. While she tended to the household, Mike was busy with politics, becoming the first Irish Mayor of Albany. He was also elected to congress, serving for a time both in congress and as Albany’s Mayor. Both Mike and TJ were also Trustees at now historic St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands. The family had a large home in Albany across the street from the old St. Joseph’s Church. James Quinn had donated large stained-glass windows and Mike served as choir director with his rich baritone voice. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
