Concordia in Cloud County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Mary & Catherine Burns
1851-1903 • 1855-1921
— Train to Champaign, Illinois in 1861 —
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 22, 2022
1. Mary & Catherine Burns Marker
In September 1860, Bridget Burns surrendered two of her three children, Francis, 11, and Mary, 9, to the New York Juvenile Asylum. The reason for commitment was destitution. It is unknown if Hugh Burns deserted his family or was unable to find work. In 1860 in New York City most Irish immigrants, like Hugh and Bridget, found themselves working as low-paid laborers. On April 12, 1861, the first shots of the Civil War rang out; Hugh enlisted in the Army without haste on May 8, 1861. By July 1861 Catherine, the youngest Burns child, joined her siblings in the NYJA at the age of 7. The reason for the commitment was that her father had gone to war and she was without a home.
The Burns sisters, Mary and Catherine, were sent west on October 28, 1861. They were indentured to Mr. and Mrs. Hezekiah Phillippe, wealthy farmers in Champaign, Illinois, where they were treated like family. Their older brother Francis arrived two months later and also found a good home in Champaign with R.F. Carter. Their mother contacted the children through the NYJA in 1863, just months after Hugh Burns mustered out of the Army. Although Francis made contact with their parents in 1864, none of the children would return to their parents in New York City.
Mary and husband Joseph Cornell had three children: Anna, Charles, and Ida. The family settled
this page online
Erected by National Orphan Train Complex; and Chuck and Amber Lambertz Family.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • War, US Civil • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.
Location. 39° 34.12′ N, 97° 39.532′ W. Marker is in Concordia, Kansas, in Cloud County. Marker is on East 9th Street just east of Broadway Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker and sculpture are located beside the entrance on the south side of the building at this address. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 East 9th Street, Concordia KS 66901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Michael and Walter Nolan (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Paul Young / Paul Clithero (about 500 feet away); Jessie Feit / Teresa Bieker (about 700 feet away); Holly Stoll / Hallie Garwood (about 700 feet away); Rudolph Jubelt (about 800 feet away); Henry Lee Jost
2. Marker detail: Mary Burns Cornell
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Orphan Train Movement
Also see . . .
1. A History of the Orphan Trains.
When the Orphan Train movement began, in the mid-19th century, it was estimated that approximately 30,000 abandoned children were living on the streets of New York. Over the 75 year span of the Orphan Train movement, it is estimated that between 150,000 and 200,000 children were relocated to new homes via the Orphan Trains.(Submitted on December 17, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. The Orphan Trains.
The story of this ambitious and finally controversial effort to rescue poor and homeless children begins in the 1850s, when thousands of children roamed the streets of New York in search of money, food and shelter — prey to disease and crime. Many sold matches, rags, or newspapers to survive.(Submitted on December 17, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
3. An Orphan Train Rider’s Story
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 22, 2022
3. Mary & Catherine Burns Sculpture
From approximately 1854 to 1929, the “Greatest American Migration” took place. Upward of 250,000 children were displaced from their homes on the East Coast, mostly from New York City, and sent to every state in the union, but mostly to the Midwest, in what has come to be called the orphan train movement. It displaced more children than any other movement in world history. The children were homeless, vagrant children or were from the local orphanages. They were sent westward by primarily the Children’s Aid Society, through the work of the Rev. Charles Loring Brace, or by the New York Foundling Hospital. Some of the children found good, loving foster homes. Others entered abusive environments, or were used as farm or domestic labor.(Submitted on December 17, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 22, 2022
4. Mary & Catherine Burns Marker and Sculpture
Credits. This page was last revised on December 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 15, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 185 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 17, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
