Maria McAuley

Maria Fahy was born in Ireland and immigrated to New York City.[5][6] She became a prostitute or "fallen woman" according to some sources.[7] Later, she said "she was a drunkard in a Cherry Street hovel, with only straw for a bed...."[8] In 1865, Water Street missionaries converted her friend Jerry McAuley who was a convict, drunkard, and a "river thief."[9][5][6] Fahy was interested in his new life, and was eventually also "rescued from a life of degradation."[10] She married McAuley in 1872.[5][6][11]

Together, the McAuleys founded the McAuley Water Street Mission on Water Street in 1872.[2][3][5][10] The purpose of the McAuley Mission was "to provide food, shelter, clothing and hope to people in crisis."[2] In 1882, they opened the Jerry McAuley's Cremorne Mission at 104 West 32nd Street in Manhattan.[5][10] The Cremorne Mission focused on helping women, especially prostitutes and other fallen women, turn their lives around.[12]

After her husband's death in 1884, she carried on their work, serving as matron or superintendent of the Cremorne Mission.[13][5] The position paid $600 a year and came with an apartment over the mission.[14] Perhaps due to managing the mission for eight years, her health began to fail and it was believed she would die in 1892.[5] On April 1, she resigned her position with the mission and moved to Cranford, New Jersey.[14]

On May 12, 1892, Maria married noted New York architect Bradford Lee Gilbertwere in Cranford, New Jersey.[15] Gilbert was a long time supporter of Jerry McAuley's work and was a former trustee of the Cremorne Mission.[16][17] The two had courted for five years, and Gilbert married her "when her health was poor and took care of her."[15][5]

Their marriage was the conclusion of a national scandal.[17] In addition to their age difference—he was 38 and she was 55—he was apparently married when they began courting.[18] In 1887, Gilbert separated from his wife and filed for divorce in New Jersey.[19] On October 13, 1887, Cora Gilbert served her husband with divorce papers during the intermission of a prayer meeting at Cremorne Mission on the basis of infidelity.[19][20][21] At the same time, she served Maria with a $50,000 lawsuit for alienation of affections, with allegations that "were numerous and specific."[19]

On October 16, 1887, at the Mission, Gilbert made a public announcement saying, "If it did not affect this mission and the noble Christian woman who conducts it, I would remain silent. I suppose you have all read in today's papers…a story reflecting upon Mrs. McAuley and myself. I pronounce it totally false. All those who know me will take my word, and all those who do not know me will see by the result that what I say is true."[22] Standing by Gilbert and McAuley were banker A.S Hatch, real estate agent Sidney Whittemore, Franklin W. Coe, and other ladies and gentlemen associated with McAuley Mission.[23] Hatch also spoke, saying "The very fact that I am on this platform tonight is sufficient for the purpose without saying a word; but I may add that my faith in Mrs. McAuley and Mr. Gilbert has not been shaken one jot by what has appeared in print, and I continue to have unwavering confidence in both."[23] McAuley also spoke briefly and "emphatically denied" the allegations.[23] In a few years, Gilbert obtained a divorce, and Cora Gilbert withdrew her lawsuit against McAuley.[24][25]

Maria and Bradford Gilbert lived at 225 Park Place in New York City and had a summer home in Accord, New York.[16] Neither continued an association with Cremorne Mission.[14] They adopted their niece Blossom, daughter of Maria's sister.[13] Gilbert died in 1911.[16] Maria Fahy Gilbert died on September 19, 1919 in her home at 585 Park Place in Brooklyn, New York.[5][6] Her funeral service was held at the Water Street Mission and she was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery.[5]