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From: "ROBERT GREEN" <>
Subject: Irish in Susquehanna Co.
Date: Sat, 17 Jun 2000 05:50:33 -0400


<begin copy from Bill Grimes>
My Susquehanna Irish info only goes back to the 1830s. My Grimes
ancestors came from Tipperary to Susquehanna in 1835-36. They came
originally to work on the canals that were being dug in the area and
across the river in NY. Many Irish were recruited in Ireland to come and
do the dirty work.

There was a doctor who owned a large tract of land in Susq., like 10000
acres and was looking for people to settle there. His agent was an
Irishman who approached the Irish canal diggers and offered land and
tools, seed, and provisions for those with families to settle. A number
of famailies took up the offer including my Grimes ancestors.

In 1840 some more Tipperary people arrived including my Doheny ancestors
who settled next to the Grimes clan. The area was mostly forest so had
to be cleared first. This was hard work but most persevered and in time
prospered somewhat. The area of Susq. was the Middletown and
Friendsville areas.
. . . .
The original Cunningham that I know of was a Michael Cunningham,
probably from Tipperary. He was born about 1800. He had a daughter named
Alice, born c1830 who married Dennis Doheny in 1848 in Middletown. They
were among those that came to MN in 1853.

<end copy from Bill Grimes>

Thanks, Bill, for that interesting detail on the Irish in Susquehanna Co. who had originally come to work on the canal. And for that information on your Michael Cunningham.

My Michael Cunningham (born about 1813 in Ireland) came to Susquehanna County some time in the 1840's. He also had a daughter named Alice, but she was born 17 Feb 1844 in Little Meadows, and married Andrew McVinnie 9 May 1866. They continued to live in Little Meadows until Andrew died in 1907. My Michael Cunningham died in 1869 in Susquehanna Co. I've found census information on another Michael Cunningham living in Friendsville in that same time period, but this one was born about 1791 in Ireland. This other Michael is probably the one with a tombstone in the St. Francis Xavior Cemetery in Friendsville. That stone says he died 6 September 1876, age 86, a native of County Roscommon, Ireland. Both of these Michael's were married to women named Bridget, both of whom were born in Ireland. Makes me wish the Irish had been a little more creative in naming their children!

Thanks again for the information.
Bob Green

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