- John C. Devereux
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John C. Devereux (1774–1848) was a pioneering Catholic in Utica, New York and the first mayor of Utica.[1]
Devereux was born in Wexford, Ireland. His brother Walter was in several battles in the Rebellion of 1798, and his brother James was killed in the Battle of Vinegar Hill. His sister was the Superioress of the Presentation Convent, Enniscorthy.
He landed at New York about 1797, and in 1802 opened a store in Utica. He was elected the first mayor of Utica in 1840. With his brother Nicholas he founded the Utica Savings Bank.
He was an active Catholic; in 1813 he was a trustee of St. Mary's, in Albany. Missionary priests would stay at Devereux's home, where Mass was celebrated. He brought the Sisters of Charity to Utica to open an orphanage and each gave $5,000 towards the object.
References
- ^ John C. Devereux - Catholic Encyclopedia article
Categories:- 1774 births
- 1848 deaths
- People from County Wexford
- Irish emigrants to the United States (before 1923)
- People from Utica, New York
- Mayors of places in New York
- American Roman Catholics
- Irish Roman Catholics
- Roman Catholic biographical stubs
- New York mayor stubs
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