History Bytes: Honora Pyne

March 11, 2015

One of the oldest gravestones in St. Joseph’s Catholic churchyard on Barney Street was made for Honora Pyne (1765-1835), an Irish immigrant from Charleston, SC. The daughter of O’Brien and Margaret Smith, she was born in Tavistock, Ireland. She and her husband John Pyne emigrated to Charleston in 1808 and prospered as plantation owners.

Detail of stone cross found in Barney Street cemetery.

Detail of stone monument in St. Joseph’s cemetery on Barney Street.

As a widow, Honora moved to New York City. She died in Newport in August 1835, probably while visiting such Southern friends as the Middletons, Izards, and Pringles.