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MARGARET MCAULEY O'BRIEN

At the age of 26, Margaret McAuley opened a millinery shop at 161 Canal Street and built it into a successful business, importing fashionable goods from New York and abroad. In 1872, she married John A. O’Brien, a commission merchant, and continued to operate her shop. In September, 1875, while on a buying trip to New York City with her husband, she died from complications following a miscarriage. After her death, her husband attempted briefly to continue the business, but within a few months, the stock and fixtures, along with the unexpired portion of the lease, were auctioned.
Ad advertisement announced the opening of Miss McAuley's new millinery shop. In the 1860 census, her occupation is given as "seamstress," possibly employed at that time by John Todd, who onwed a millinery shop on Chartres Street for many years.

(Daily Picayune, September 20, 1863)

This invoice from the period before her marriage gives an idea of the goods and services Miss McAuley's shop provided.

(Succession of Margaret O'Brien. Orleans Parish Civil District Court, #38244)

A bill for goods purchased by Mrs. O’Brien from the New York firm of Washington and Smith in 1875 gives an idea of the goods and services the shop provided. In March, April, and September of that year, she purchased $1724.73 worth of ribbons, silks, hats, and other fancy goods from this firm. The succession includes three bills from Washington and Smith, the last dates from her final trip to New York in September, 1875.

(Succession of Margaret O'Brien. Orleans Parish Civil District Court, #38244)