Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1855-2003 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
2 sub-series
Context area
Archival history
The reproductions of the Dever-Nugent Letters were donated to Kerby A. Miller by J.J. Mulholland of Rathfarnham and his cousin M. A. Timoney of Clontarf via letter of 22 May 1978.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Materials pertaining to the Dever-Nugent letters written between family members in New York, Detroit, and Donegal in 1848-1867.
William and James Dever, alternatively 'Diver', emigrated to America and wrote letters from Williamsburg, New York and Detroit, Michigan, to family near Ballyshannon, Donegal. William emigrated to New York sometime before 1848 where he studied law and eventually settled in Detroit, Michigan where he was admitted to the bar, became a United States citizen, became fluent in French and German, and was one of only two Catholic lawyers in the city. William contracted tuberculosis and died in 1855, with his brother James caring for him until his death. James had emigrated in 1853, first to New York where he worked as a labourer before joining his brother William in Detroit and attending a 'Commercial College', where he learned bookkeeping and other business skills. After William's death, James worked tirelessly to pay off William's debts, doctor's bills and funeral expenses. This series also contains letters from James Nugent in Alcott, New York to his aunt and family in Donegal.