Michael E. Haffey is one of fourteen Haffey family members buried in St. Mary of the Springs Cemetery, an old Catholic cemetery located near Rayville, in Madison County, Mississippi. Haffey, born in County Donegal, Ireland, was 74 years old when he died on January 7, 1921. He is one of many early immigrants to the United States who migrated to Madison County, Mississippi in the mid-late 1800's who are buried in St. Mary of the Springs Cemetery. Haffey's aged and weathered gravestone is pictured here.
Just one year before Michael Haffey's death, two Haffey households were enumerated on the U. S. Census, taken in Madison County. One household was headed by Michael, a 73 year-old farmer, and included his South Carolina-born wife, Mary, age 67, two adult sons, and four adult daughters. Haffey's parents were born in Ireland, and Mary's parents were born in Germany and England. Michael Haffey immigrated to the U.S. in 1865, was naturalized in 1874, and was the only member of his family not born in the United States. The two adult sons in the household included Jim, a farmer, age 45, and Will J., age 29, a laborer. Two of the four Haffey daughters, Sadie and Kate, were not employed. Maggie, age 43, worked as a bookkeeper, and Edith, age 27, was a teacher. All members of the Haffey household spoke English.
The second household enumerated in 1920 was headed by Catherine Haffey, a 75 year-old Irish-born widow, and both families lived in the Sulphur Springs community near St. Mary's Catholic Church. Ironically, Catherine and Michael died in the same year. Other Haffey family members buried in St. Mary of the Springs Catholic Cemetery are:
Ann Haffey, b. 1877, d. 1954
Catherine Haffey, b 1844, d. 1921
Charley Haffey, b. 1877, d. 1933
Edward Haffey, b. unk, d. unk
James Michael Haffey, b. unk, d. Aug. 14, 1959
Kate A. Haffey, b. unk, d. Apr. 1, 1974
Maggie Haffey, b. 1871, d. 1928
Haffey, Maggie E., b. unk, d. Oct. 9, 1929
Haffey, Mary F., b 1851, d. 1947
Michael Haffey, b. unk., d. Jan. 7, 1921
Patrick Haffey, b. 1845, d. 1899
Sebastian L. Haffey, b. unk, d. unk
William Haffey, b. unknown d. Aug. 4, 1909
William J. Haffey, b. 1891 d. 1948
The grave marker pictured here identifies the final resting place in St. Mary of the Springs Cemetery, Madison County, Mississippi, of Walter Semmes, Ignatius Semmes, and Emily Semmes.
