Thomas Gunning, New York City, to Major Charles O'Hara, Collooney, County Sligo, 26 January 1832
Description
In this excellent, long letter, Gunning describes how he and his wife were persuaded by two "scoundrels," the McGloin brothers and their partner, McMullan, Irish immigrants from County Wexford, to join the Irish agricultural colony in south Texas, which they were promoting with "extravagant expectations & promises," which proved false. Many colonists died of fever or gunshots; they were surrounded by "untrustworthy" Spaniards and hostile Indians; and severe drought burned up the crops they had planted. Gunning and his wife abandoned the colony, but she died just before they reached New Orleans. Gunning praises the opportunities, which Irish immigrants enjoy in New York City; and he gives a glowing description of high wages and general prosperity. Also provides information on US land prices. His brothers John and Michael, with their families, are in the process of immigrating.
Date
26/01/1832
Date Issued
27/03/2023
Resource Type
Text
Archival Record Id
p155/6/10
Publisher
University of Galway
Extent
8pp
Topic
Gunning Letters
Geographic
New York City,New York (state),United States,Annaghmore (townland),Collooney,Sligo (county),Ireland
Temporal
Nineteenth century,Eighteen thirties
Genre
Transcript,Reproduction
Note
Title, description and transcript text by Professor Kerby Miller.