Folders of research material by Kerby Miller. Includes catalogue entry, 46 letters, 1-28 in NLI, rest in private hands. Includes descriptions, transcripts (92pp) and copies of the letters (180pp). Extensive correspondence with Lalor descendants and Kerby's extensive research notes. Many of the letters are to Richard Lalor of Tinakill, Queen’s County [County Laois]. The Lalors were prominent businessmen and politicians. For information on the family see https://www.dib.ie/biography/lalor-patrick-patt-a4646#co-subject-A ; see also the Dictionary of Irish Biography entry for their brother James Fintan Lalor https://www.dib.ie/biography/lalor-james-fintan-a4645 . The letters relate to various members of the family over three generations, mainly giving their news and circumstances both in the States and Ireland, as well as discussing the political situation in both countries. For details of individual letters see https://imirce.universityofgalway.ie/p/ms/search?ASSET_COLLECTION=893&c=893&from=0

Folder of research material by Kerby Miller. Includes transcript from Grimshaw Letters, held in PRONI (T1116) (10pp). Kerby transcript, 1 letter (3pp), and folder of research on possible William Browns in New Orleans at that time. William Brown, New Orleans, writes to Robert Grimshaw, Belfast, of his desire to be again in his company (and that of "the ladies") in Belfast and looking forward to returning home, in a few years from a "swamp in the very head quarters of disease and dissipation" once he has made enough money. Brown has entered into a valuable business with their mutual friend Hugh Cading, establishing a "general Commission house" in a "fertile territory" with a rapidly increasing population as the "vast forests of the west" are being quickly cleared for agriculture and urban settlement. He notes the importance of steam-boats in this endeavour and the rapid increase in trade of cotton and sugar from the state. However, Brown deplores that "Slavery, detested Slavery prevails [...] in this land of freedom where equal rights and emancipation are the theme of every tongue" and concludes with news of other friends in Nashville and Florence, while entrusting this letter to a "true Irishman" James Hopkins, visiting home after amassing a huge fortune here of £3000 per annum. See https://imirce.universityofgalway.ie/p/ms/iiif/17479/view#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=0&xywh=-1722%2C-182%2C5987%2C3635

Folder of research material by Kerby Miller. Includes transcripts of 4 letters, held in PRONI (T1727) (18pp). Copies of originals (36pp), some published in "Ulster Genealogical and Historical Guild” (1984). Letters from James and Robert Wray from New York and Pennsylvania back to their brother Thomas, along with their mother and sister, living in Quilleybane, Parish of Dunboe, bear Coleraine, County Derry. The letters recount family news, including their brother John who lives near Kentucky, as well as asking after family at home and their good situation teaching in the States. For individual letters see https://imirce.universityofgalway.ie/p/ms/search?ASSET_COLLECTION=863&c=863