Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1856-1978 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
9pp
Context area
Archival history
The McHugh manuscript was donated to Kerby A. Miller by Mrs. M. Bayers of County Donegal in 1978.
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Scope and content
Materials pertaining to a poem by John McHue (also 'McHugh' and other variant spellings) written on his arrival in Philadelphia and sent home to his relatives in Kilmacrenan Parish, County Donegal, 12 May 1856.
Per Kerby A. Miller: 'McCue's poem refers to his home as in a place called Kinnevier. However, Kinnevier cannot be identified: i.e., by 1851 it was no longer an official townland, although it retained its name and significance in local lore. Fortunately, the donor of McCue's poem identified the emigrant's father as Ambrose McCue, a small farmer with two or three fields. The donor also identified the McCue farm as located in Cranford Townland, in the parish and barony of Kilmacrenan, Co. Donegal. The Passenger Lists of ships arriving in Philadelphia confirm the essential accuracy of McCue's poem. The ship, Superior, captained by Michael J. Mason, sailed from Londonderry on 2 April 1856 and arrived at Philadelphia on 12 May 1856. The immigrant/poet was listed as 'John McHugh', aged 23, origin Ireland, occupation laborer. No baggage for McCue/McHugh was listed. Judging by his proximity to their names on the lists, McCue may have sailed in immediate company with Neil and Barney McLaughlin (laborers, aged 21 and 14) and Eleanor McDermott (spinster, aged 20). There were no other McHughs/McCues on the shiplist. On this voyage, the Superior carried 202 passengers. Judging by their names, approximately one- third were Irish Protestant emigrants, the rest Irish Catholics. Mostly they were single men and women, aged 16 to 25, plus a few married couples with children. Unfortunately, it is impossible to trace John McCue/McHugh in America.'
The series contains a photocopied typed transcript of the poem, Miller's geographical research, and correspondence with the donor of the poem.
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Note
For further typed transcripts and Miller's research and correspondence regarding the poem, see P155/34/12.