Father Martin Barry Tuttle; an Irishman in Puerto Rico

Martin Barry Tuttle, an Irish Priest in Puerto Rico, was born on November 8, 1879. His baptism is on December 25, 1879, in Erie, Ireland. The legitimate child of Patrick Barry and Susanah Tuttle.

Fortunately, many family stores involved father Martin Barry Tuttle. He officiated in many of the baptisms, marriages, and deaths of my family in Orocovis, Puerto Rico. Well, he was known for his hot temper. Hence, some of the stories about him are comical.

They say that Father Martin Barry had a strong character and would scold people for different things. Therefore, as a strict catholic priest, he made sure all paperwork is in order. In addition, he was known to have a few physical altercations. If he didn’t see you attending mass regularly, he would question your faith. Below is a timeline of his life in Puerto Rico that spanned 57 years.

Timeline of the life of father Martin Barry Tuttle

1901: He appears in anIreland Census record. Insribed as a student, his religion is Catholic, and he can read and write.
1907: Emigrates to the United States, and arrived to Puerto Rico. He is liveing at the Bishop’s house on Cristo Street, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and is staying indefinitely.
1910 Census: He is living in Naranjito, Puerto Rico on Calle del Fuerto street. Occupation; clergy.
1920 Census: he is residing on Calle Muñoz Rivera street, located in town, and is forty years old.
1926: He visits Ireland and left New York to San Juan Port, his final destination.
1930 Census: Is living on Lived Luis Muñoz Rivera street, located in town, and is fifty years old. Occupation; Priest at the local church.
1935 Census, he is residing on Villalba road, Luis Muñoz Rivera and employed as a Presbyte at the Catholic Church.
1940 Census. Seems this is when he arrived to Orocovis and lived on Pedro Arroyo Street. He is sixty two years old and employed as a priest at the local catholic church. This church is also know as Saint John the Baptist.
1942 WWII draft card: Living on Muñoz Rivera Street, 63 years old.
1943, Nationalized.
1964, on the 13th of August he dies in San Juan, Puerto Rico.