Key Service Telephone Numbers
The Famine in Newry
June 1849
“EMIGRATION: FRANCIS CARVILL ESQ., CAPTAIN SULLIVAN
Amongst the dreadful accounts, which from time to time reach us, of hardships endured by irish emigrants on shipboard, it is most gratifying to find that the vessels of our energetic fellow-townsman, Francis Carvill, Esq., have been distinguished not more for the excellence of their accommodation than for the humanity of their commanders.
Next to a good ship is a good commander; and these two great boons to the emigrant, Mr. Carvill has for a long series of years most successfully combined. In the present instance we are happy to find that the passengers on board the “BROTHERS” from Newry, impelled by a high appreciation of the excellence of the vessel in which they left these shores for a foreign land, and a just sense of unremitting attention of the humane commander to them, during the voyage, have in a public address testified their gratitude to both parties.
The prayer of the emigrants for these gentlemen is fervent and touching in the extreme, and proves that kindness in any shape is deeply felt and affectionately remembered by our fellow countrymen.
It will be seen by our advertising column that that very excellent and fortunate packet-ship “BROTHERS” sails again from Warrenpoint on the 1st August next for New York. Those therefore, who intend to emigrate, should embrace this opportunity where they have a guarantee that their comforts will be attended to:
Subjoined is the complimentary address:
“We the Passengers on board the “BROTHERS” from Newry, think ourselves in duty bound to express publicly what we feel at heart, our unfeigned thankfulness to Captain Sullivan, commander of that vessel, for his unceasing kindness and attention to us since we left our native shore. In health, he used every exertion to promote our happiness; and, in sickness, all means sympathy or medicine could suggest to alleviate our sufferings, which (thank providence), by the Captains unremitting care, was comparatively slight. We trust the Almighty may spare him long life and good health to be enabled to comfort others similarly situated. The need of our praise is also justly due to the owner of the vessel Francis Carvill, Esq., Newry, for the very comfortable manner in which all was fitted up for our reception.
Signed on behalf of the Passengers,
George Walker
Richard Lindsey ”
The shipping manifesto for the “BROTHERS” tells us that there were 200 passengers onboard the ship which landed at New York Port on 31st May 1849. The above mentioned George Walker was 46 years of age when he made the journey to America. Also with him on that voyage was his wife Elizabeth aged 35, and their 6 children - Mary Ann 18, Sarah 17, Thomas 15, Elizabeth 13, Letitia 10 and George 10. The US Census of 1850 shows that the Walker family were living on a farm in McHenry County in the State of Illinois. The image below shows Warrenpoint Dock where many families like the Walkers sailed from during this period of mass emigration in Ireland.