The headstone of Timothy Ryan of County of Tipperary discovered under the brick floor of St. Augustine Chapel in South Boston. The grave marker was discovered on the 179th anniversary of the man's death in 1842. Pilot photo/courtesy Father Robert Casey
The altar area of Augustine Chapel pictured in 2017. Many of Boston’s first priests are entombed under the floor of the chapel.
Pilot photo/Gregory L. Tracy
The headstones of St. Augustine Cemetery surround the chapel.
Pilot photo/Gregory L. Tracy
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SOUTH BOSTON -- On Feb. 9, 1842, an Irish immigrant named Timothy Ryan died of consumption. Exactly 179 years later, his headstone was discovered -- not marking his grave, but buried under the floor of a cemetery chapel.