Baltimore, Maryland
Shortly after the Gaffney family disembarked in Baltimore, Maryland, baby Kathleen died. Like all small tenant farmers of his era, Margaret’s father William was ill equipped for city life. His job opportunities were limited. Nevertheless he secured employment as a carter at the Baltimore docks and was soon sent money to his brother-in-law O'Rourke for the upkeep of his three oldest children remaining in Ireland. In fact he had almost saved enough to send for them to come to America. Then disaster struck. In 1822 a yellow fever epidemic ravaged Baltimore, claiming among its victims Margaret’s parents, William and Margaret, who died within days of each other. They are buried in St. Patrick's cemetery in Baltimore. All household effects were burned, as was the custom, to prevent spread of the infection, with the exception of a prayer book, which was found twenty-seven years later and returned to the family.
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