I was using this source to research a different Shackford and noticed an article about Katherine Shackford. I opened that newspaper file to discover this obituary for Mrs Catherine (Mullett) Shackford (first name sometimes spelled Katherine), my great great grandmother!
Catherine T Mullett married William Brown Shackford, my great great grandfather in 1837. She had at least two children, May Kate Shackford, in 1846 and Joseph E. Shackford, in 1849. Her husband, William was a tailor and she was a tailoress. They did not have much income and the family moved around a lot. Her husband, William enlisted in the 1st Regiment, Massachusetts Infantry in August 1862, fought in the civil war and became a prisoner of war at Gettysburg in July 1863. He died of stomach cancer in 1866 when she was 54 leaving her with two children, ages 17 and 20. Catherine remained in Boston until her daughter, May Kate, died in childbirth and then moved to Syracuse to live with her son Joseph Edward Shackford. When Catherine turned 87, the Syracuse Evening Herald published a great article describing her 87th birthday celebration which I'll share tomorrow.
I'd love to learn more about her parents, the Mullets, who were English and from Welch descent according to the Evening Herald article which also mentions that she attended the World's Fair and traveled to San Francisco from Syracuse alone.
Mrs. Katherine Shackford.
The death of Mrs. Katherine Shackford, aged 89 years, occurred yesterday at the home of her son J. E. Shackford of 210 West Beard-ave.
Mrs Shackford was born in Boston, Mass., and came to this city 16 years ago. She was a member of St. Mary's church but of late had attended St. Anthony of Padua.
The funeral will be held at 9 a. m. to-morrow at the home of her son and later at St. Mary's church. The remains will be taken to Boston for burial.
REFERENCE:
"Obituary. Mrs. Katherine Shackford.," The Syracuse Journal, 3 February 1902; Fulton History (http://www.fultonhistory.com : accessed 12 July 2013).
New York. Syracuse. Evening Herald. 23 October 1899
Copyright 2013 Joanne Shackford Parkes