(We would ordinarily would not reprint an entire article from another publication, but I'm sure our friends at the Irish American News won't object to us doing it in this case. Please if you can, help this cause. These ancestors call out for the support of every Irishman and Irish-American from across the years.)

Normally, we don't post stories with gofundme as the option, but in this case, it's for a great cause, and we only need 14,000 $1 donors, or 2,800 $5 donors. We Irish can do this! Read the story, then donate HERE if you can.

Duffy's Cut is the name given to a stretch of railroad tracks about 30 miles west of Philadelphia, United States, originally built for the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad in the summer and fall of 1832. The line later became part of the Pennsylvania Railroad's Main Line. 

Railroad contractor Philip Duffy hired 57 Irish immigrants to lay this line through the area's densely wooded hills and ravines. The workers came to Philadelphia from the Ulster counties of Donegal, Tyrone and Derry to work in Pennsylvania's nascent railroad industry. Less than two months after their arrival, all 57 are believed to have died during the second cholera pandemic. 

While most died of the disease, forensic evidence suggests that some may have been murdered, perhaps due to fear of contagion, as the pandemic spanned several continents and many years.

The site is located near Malvern, Pennsylvania in East Whiteland Township near the intersection of King Road and Sugartown Road, where a Pennsylvania state historical marker has been placed.

Funds Needed

Amtrack has agreed to let geologists dig underneath the tracks after all these years, then the grant from the State of Pennsylvania to pay for the digging was pulled. The group needs $14,000 to finalize this project. Let's all give a little, and it won't take long to raise the funds to see this project thru to its completion.

Once again, you can donate HERE .

Views: 462

Tags: 19th Century America, Archaeology, Murders, Preservation

Comment by michael dunne on October 26, 2016 at 6:59pm

A sad account of Irish Emigrants. At least it had a happy outcome which was shown on RTE national television a couple of years ago. A big thank you to those who endured and brought this story to light. Equally for their endeavours in bringing home the remains to Donegal for a proper burial.


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Comment by Nollaig 2016 on October 27, 2016 at 4:45pm

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