1876-1939
Catherine Lynch was the founding Secretary of the Phyllis Wheatley Society and secretary of the Board of Management of Colored Home for Aged and Orphans, for 32 years. She was also involved in the 250th anniversary of Newark celebration.
In 1941, a plaque was unveiled in her honor at the Colored Home.
Catherine grew up in Queens, NY. Listed as “Indian” at 7 Arch St in 1920 and listed as Black in Montclair in 1930. She died in Montclair and her funeral was at St. Philips Church in Newark, where she was a member.
Catherine married Albert Lynch in 1907 after the death of his first wife, Sarah/Sadie Evans, granddaughter of Peter O’Fake, famed Newark music teacher and musician.
Bibliography
1920 Census
“Phillis Wheatley Club Materials” Newark Associations Collection, Newark Public Library
1930 Census
“Lynch, Albert” New York Age May 24, 1917
“Mrs. Catherine M Lynch” New York Age Feb 4, 1939
“Mrs. Albert E Lynch” Montclair Times Jan 31, 1939
“Home for Colored Chest Participant” Newark News Oct 18, 1923, pg 9
“Mrs. Catherine M Lynch” Newark News Jan 30, 1939, pg 7
“Unveil Tablet to Mrs. Lynch” New Jersey Herald Nov 2, 1941, found in O’Fake-Lynch Family Papers, NJHS