The story of the Larkin family begins in two small townlands in County Meath, Ireland. Christopher Thomas Larkin was born in June of 1860, most probably in the townland of Castletown, parish of Rathmolyon, near Trim. He was the son of Michael Larkin, a laborer, and Mary Larkin. In fact, a listing in Griffith's Valuation for the parish of Rathmolyon finds Michael Larkin leasing a house as a tenant of a Richard Hanbury.

Not far from Castletown is birthplace of Katherine Bridget Farrell. Katherine was born in September of 1863 to Dennis Farrell, also a laborer, and Elizabeth "Bessie" Hines. On the 10th of June, 1883, Christopher and Katherine were married in the Chapel of Kill, District of Summerhill, Trim, County Meath. Like his father, Christopher was a laborer while Katherine worked as a housekeeper.

Christy and Kate, as they were known, were soon parents to two little girls-Mary Anne born in April of 1884 and Bridget born on July 25, 1885. As toddlers the two girls along with their parents set off for a new life in the United States. According to the family story the four left Ireland from Cork around the year 1888. By 1891, the family had settled in Bridgeport, Connecticut and Christopher had found employment at the Union Metallic Cartridge Company on East Washington Avenue. The family moved frequently, perhaps reflecting the new additions-William (circa 1890-February 27, 1892), Francis (January 31, 1892), Christopher (June 10, 1894), Irene Catherine (August 3, 1895-April 30, 1896), Florence (March 21, 1897), Thomas (August 24, 1899-October 18, 1899), and William Edward (October 13, 1900).

In September of 1901 a terrible tragedy would forever change the Larkin family. On the evening on September 7, 1901 the two oldest of the Larkin children, Mamie (Mary Ann) and Delia (Bridget) along with a few friends decided to take a swim in Pembroke Lake, not far from their home. Mamie swam out into water above her head and soon began to sink below the surface. Her sister swimming to her aide soon found herself in the same danger. According to witnesses at the time quoted in The Morning Telegram-Union, "As the girls sank they screamed loudly and several young men...plunged into the lake and went to their assistance. They could not arrive in time to save the girls' lives." The bodies of the two girls were brought to the shore where a local doctor tried in vain to revive them.

The Telegram-Union paints a particularly poignant picture of the grief-sticken parents: "The parents of the two girls were completely overcome. When the alarm was first given both rushed down to the water in the vain hope that they could render some assistance in rescuing the drowning girls. Mr. Larkin was very much excited, and falling to the ground, rolled into the lake. He was rescued by one of the young men who had run to the assistance of the two sisters. Mrs. Larkin was at the point of jumping into the water, but was restrained by her husband. Both were prostrated and are now under the care of a physician." For a full transcription of the articles written about the incident, please click here.

A funeral was held on Monday, September 9 in the Larkin home followed by a service at Saint Mary Church. The two sisters are buried together in the same unmarked grave in the children's section of Saint Michael Cemetery, Stratford.

On January 10, 1910 Katherine Larkin died in her home from a combination of tuberculosis and exhaustion. She was 46 years old. Her obituary pays tribute to a woman who must have displayed great courage in the face of much sadness, "She had lived in this city many years and was held in high esteem by all who knew her." Katherine is buried in a single unmarked grave in Saint Michael Cemetery, Stratford.

Christopher Larkin died on January 5, 1917 of cardiac asthma. He was 57 years old. He also is buried in a single unmarked grave in Saint Michael Cemetery.

Surviving their parents were three sons and one daughter. Francis "Frank" and Florence would marry and begin families of their own. Christopher would marry later in life and did not have children. William joined the U.S. Navy, serving from September of 1919 until June of 1921. The 1920 census finds William among those enumerated onboard a navy submarine.

On November 28, 1923 William Larkin married Anna Morgan Beach, daughter of Leonard Beach and Anna Elizabeth Cosgrove. The couple had six children-three sons and three daughters.

In 1925 William Larkin would find his name in the news as an outstanding Recreational League pitcher. William was instrumental in leading his team to the league's championship that year. He would remain an avid baseball fan throughout his life. William died on January 28, 1966. His wife Anna died on August 20, 1992. They are buried together in Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport, a short walk from the house they called home for many years.