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Good day to all,

First, I must give my compliments as I find this a beautifully made website!  The format and ease of use is inviting and I predict great success...

I am looking to find any information regarding these families (McCullough and Maffet) both, apparently, from County Down in or near Drumballyrooney, Drumgath - Rathfriland.

My ancestor was Elizabeth McCullough who emigrated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1765 or thereabouts.

She left with her husband Robert or David  (there are conflicting accounts of his given name) Maffet, along with

her mother (name unknown) and two brothers, James and David.  A third brother, William, apparently stayed behind and later emigrated to England.

David McCullough was apparently born/christened in Rathfriland on April 7, 1738, was a sea captain, and traded to Ireland, in bringing over passengers, on his last trip, he and his brother James were wrecked on the coast of Wales (date unknown), lost their ship, but survived.

This is the same family which was featured in an episode of the American genealogy show "Finding your Roots" in May 2012 and which featured the lineage of the famous Jazz artist and movie actor Harry Connick Jr. (as he is a descendant of David McCullough).

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1c9jqd_finding-your-roots-s01e01-branford-marsalis-and-harry-connick-jr_tv
The segment dealing with David McCullough begins at 44 minutes 27 seconds...

Any help would be greatly appreciated in helping us trace our lineage in Ireland (and, with any luck, further back into Scotland).

 

Thursday 6th Apr 2017, 02:52AM

Message Board Replies

  • You don’t say what denomination David McCullough was though I would guess he may have been Presbyterian. Unfortunately there are no church records for the Drumballyroney area for the 1700s. The Church of Ireland records start in 1838 and the Presbyterian ones (Ballyroney) in 1819. If David was born in Rathfriland in about 1738 there probably isn’t nay record of him at all.

    I have searched the Belfast public record office e-catalogue for him and his ship and cannot find any mention of him. There was a Captain McCullough, master of the Minerva, who was in Belfast in 1773 bound for Philadelphia, but I suspect that’s not your man.

    McCullough’s a pretty common name in the area. There were 965 of them in the county in the 1901 census (23 were named David).  You might need to try DNA testing to locate any living descendants in the area today.

    Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Saturday 8th Apr 2017, 08:48PM
  • Thank you for your interest and response, Elwyn,

    Yes you are quite right in that the McCullough's and Maffet's were staunch Presbyterians.

    Also your suggestion regarding the ship Minerva, was priceless as it was indeed, I have recently found, captained by my David McCullough and mention is also made of his nephew James (his cabin boy at the time) who later on became a Master of his own vessel.  Additionally, I have also found that he was Master of the Phoebe and Peggy previously in 1772.  This ship, it seems, was likely named after his wife (Phoebe Boyd McCullough) and daughter (Margaret "Peggy" McCullough). Most of this information was found in the IED (Irish Emigration Database) website:

    Please see below:

    The Belfast Newsletter, Friday, 12 March, 1773.; CMSIED 9312083

    " For NEWCASTLE, PHILADELPHIA and BALTIMORE.

    The fine Ship MINERVA, Burthen about 350 tons and upwards, Captain David McCullough, Commander, (now in this Port) will positively sail (Wind and Weather permitting) the 10th Day of April next for the Ports aforesaid. For Freight, Passage, Redemption or Service, apply to David Gaussan, Merchant, in Newry, the Captain at Mr Darby Kene's or Mr James McCullough, who will give due Attention at said House, and Mr Archibald Herrons, in Banbridge, every Monday; every Wednesday at Mr Andrew Armurs in Rathfryland; and every Saturday, at Mr McKey's, in Dromore. The Ship is very compleat [complete?] for the Passenger Trade, being nearly 6 Feet high between Decks, the Captain a humane good Man, well acquainted in the Trade, and carried out of this Port last Season upwards of 423 Passengers, whom he landed safe, and received the Applause of every Individual on board. Proper care shall be taken to have the Ship well Victualled, and with every Necessary to render the Passage comfortable and agreeable as the Captain is determined to continue in the Passenger Trade. Newry 1st March, 1773. N.B. Servants of all sorts will meet with the greatest Encouregement [Encouragement?]; particularly Tradesmen by applying above. N.B. Three days after Arrival at Newcastle, any Persons inclining to go to Baltimore may be offered that they shall be Accomodated [Accommodated?] with Carriage for that Purpose, they paying 6s 6d Sterl. [Sterling?] Addition to common Passage."

    --------------------------

    The Belfast News-letter, Friday 25 February to Tuesday 1 March, 1774; CMSIED 1200043

    "For NEWCASTLE and PHILADELPHIA,
    The Ship MINERVA, David McCullough, Commander,
    Burthen 350 Tons, a prime Sailer, which carried a
    Number of Passengers from hence the 28th of April last,
    and made the speediest Passage of any Vessel from this
    Port, is now returned, and will be clear to sail from
    hence the 10th of April next. This Ship is well
    calculated for the Passenger Trade, being near six Feet
    high between Decks; the Captain's Humanity to his
    Passengers is so well known, that it is unnecessary to
    mention anything about that. Those who intend to
    embrace this favourable Opportunity, for Freight,
    Passage, Redemption, or Service, are desired immediately
    to apply to David Gaussan, Merchant; or the Captain who
    will attend at Mr. Francis Forster's, North-street,
    Newry, on Thursdays; at Mr. Archibald Herron's in
    Banbridge, on Mondays; and at Mr. Andrew Armer's in
    Rathfriland
    , on Wednesdays;: Said Gaussan will take
    particular Care to have plenty of best Provisions and
    Water laid in, so as to render the Passage comfortable,
    nor shall a greater Number be received than can be well
    accommodated, as the Captain means to continue in the
    Trade.
    Any who chuse [choose?] to go to Baltimore in Maryland,
    shall be sent there from Newcastle for the additional
    Sum of six Shillings and Six-pence.
    Newry, 12th February, 1774."

     

    Thank you once again for your help, as it contributed greatly in finding more information.

    Wednesday 12th Apr 2017, 09:45PM

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