"I was born at St. John's, where they lived for a short time"

This quote by Maria Monk is a reference to her birth place, St. John's. It is most likely that Maria was born in St. John's, a city in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The quote likewise suggests that her household did not remain in St. John's for long, as she states that they lived there for a short time. This could suggest that her family moved far from St. John's quickly after her birth, or that they had actually been living there for a brief amount of time before her birth.

The quote is a reflection of Maria's personal history and her connection to St. John's. It is likely that she has fond memories of the city, as it was the place of her birth. It is also possible that her family's move far from St. John's was a difficult experience for her, as she was still a young kid at the time. Regardless, the quote works as a pointer of Maria's roots and her connection to St. John's.