Descriptive Summary
The American Catholic Research Center and University Archives
1870-1902
James McMahon, 1817-1901
James McMahon Papers
.5 linear feet; 1 box
McMahon was an Irish born priest who spent 40 years in New York City on mission work as well as investing in real estate. He retired to The Catholic University of America (CUA)in 1891 and spent his last years there. He donated properties worth nearly $400,000 to CUA, with which McMahon Hall was built. The papers contain correspondence, deeds, mortgages, abstracts, financial statements, bills and receipts.
357
English
Biographical Note
James McMahon was born in the north of Ireland in 1817. He trained from his early years for the priesthood, a student in that famous institution, Maynooth College, he followed the highest theological studies. Passing to France, he entered the Society of Saint Sulpice, and was assigned to work in the mission at Montreal, Canada. A friend of Archbishop John Hughes of New York, he was induced to enter into mission service in the archdiocese and became assistant to Dr. Storrs, pastor of St. Mary's Church. Later, McMahon was made under-pastor of the Church. Nearly forty years of his priestly life were spent on the mission in New York City. He resigned his parish and retired to The Catholic University of America (CUA) in Washington, after having made a donation of properties amounting to nearly $400,000 with which McMahon Hall was built. The patrimony he possessed was invested in real estate which brought him considerable wealth with which he endowed CUA. he took up residence at CUA in 1891 and remained there until he died on April 15, 1901.
Scope and Contents
The first series is Correspondence, 1891-1902. It is primarily related to real estate, mostly in English with some Latin items, and with a mix of handwritten and typescript.
The second series is Financial Records, 1870-1902. This includes deeds, mortgages, abstracts, financial statements, bills and receipts. The majority are in file folders though there is a financial ledger with material dating 1892-1901. The folders are arranged chronologically.
Arrangement
The James McMahon Papers consists of two series:
- Series 1: Correspondence, 1891-1902, Box 1
- Series 2: Financial Records, 1870-1902, Box 1
Restrictions on Access
None
Related Material
Index Terms
This record series is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.
Persons:
James McMahon
Organizations:
Catholic Archdiocese of New York
Catholic University of America (CUA)
Places:
New York, New York
Washington, D.C.
Subjects:
Donations
McMahon Hall
Acquisition Information
Donated by the McMahon estate.
Processing Information
Processing completed circa 1980 by Anthony Zito, Sister Ann Crowley, et. al. EAD markup completed in 2012 by W.J.Shepherd.
Select Bibliography
Ahern, Patrick H. The Catholic University of America, 1887-1896, The Rectorship of John J. Keane, Washington, DC: The Catholic University of America Press, 1948.
Hogan, Peter E. The Catholic University of America, 1896-1903, The Rectorship of Thomas J. Conaty. Washington, DC: The Catholic University of America Press, 1949.
Malesky, Robert P. The Catholic University of America: A Photographic History. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2010.
Nuesse, C. Joseph. The Catholic University of America: A Centennial History. Washington, DC: The Catholic University of America Press, 1990.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1: Correspondence,
1891-1902
(1 Box)
1
1
Correspondence,
1891-1902
Series 2: Financial Records,
1870-1902
(1 Box)
1
2
Deeds, Mortgages, Abstracts,
1870-1889
1
3
Deeds, Correspondence, Contracts, Insurance etc.,
1889-1902
1
4
Financial Statements, Bills, and Receipts,
1874-1887
1
5
Financial Statements, Bills, and Receipts,
1888-1890
1
6
Financial Statements, Bills, and Receipts,
1891-1899
1
7
Financial Statements, Bills, and Receipts,
1900
1
Financial Ledger: The McMahon Estate,
1892-1901
Bound volume