Another long read but quite interesting. MCHUGH ( MCCUE): We have our first instance of an Irish family which settled here having had its origins in County Monaghan, Ireland. According to Dr. Brendan OGrady, retired English professor from the University of Prince Edward Island, now residing in Charlottetown, this is out of the ordinary since he states that the Monaghan Irish as a rule did not settle further west than Kinkora, P.E.I. There is a great abundance of them in the Fort Augustus-Johnstons River areas of the province. County Monaghan, which is largely Catholic, is situated in the extreme north-east of the Irish Republic facing County Armagh, a largely Protestant County of Northern Ireland. It is therefore unusual for Tignish Irish people to have originated anywhere near this area since the vast majority of all others have has their place of origin the southern counties of Ireland such as Waterford, Wexford, Kerry and so on, which either border the sea or are quite close to it. As a seemingly hard and fast rule, the family name has two spellings. Since we are concerned here with two founding members of one family who were brothers, Patrick and James, the descendants of the former have spelled it as McCue, whereas the descendants of the latter have spelled it as McHugh. Patrick and James were the sons of Patrick McHugh Sr. and Mary Wood, whose progeny is the subject of our present writings. Patrick McHugh Sr., born in County Monaghan, Ireland, was the first of the family to settle here. He emigrated from Ireland in 1818 and landed first at Cascumpec, P.E.I. He apparently was not too fond of this place and sought greener pastures among many of his compatriots in the vicinity of North Cape. It was for this reason that he took his wife Mary Wood and his two sons Patrick and James in a small boat around North Cape and landed them at Norway. He returned alone in the small boat to Cascumpec for the remainder of his belongings. On the second trip around the reef at the Cape his boat overturned and he was drowned. His body washed ashore near the Black Marsh, the shore nearest North Cape bordering Northumberland Strait. Patricks tragic end signalled, no doubt, the first recorded drowning along our shores in Tignish recorded history. His body was interred in the old pioneer cemetery at The Green. Patrick Sr.s wife, Mary Wood, who was born in 1789, came quite likely from England, although Woods may be found in Scotland. The name obviously suggests strong English derivatives. She passed away in 1871 and is buried at the present Roman Catholic Cemetery at Tignish. The fact that she married her second husband, William Handrahan, before a Justice of the Peace (John Large) in Tignish according to the Book of Common Prayer would certainly lend credence to the supposition that she was born in England, since the Book embodies the religious rites of the Church of England. She likely converted to Roman Catholicism upon marrying William, since in that day those of other faiths had to present a written statement to the Bishop of the diocese, firmly stating that all children born of such a marriage were to be raised as Catholics. Mary was unable to sign her name on her marriage certificate, and so signed with an X. Two sons were born to Patrick and Mary. They were Patrick Jr. who was born in 1813 and James who was born in 1816. One source states that both were born in Ireland. Yet, in an obituary written for James, he is listed as having been born in 1818 in Newcastle, N. B. This would lead us to conclude that his brother Patrick was also born there. Is this not again a prime example of shoddy genealogical research? In some instances, dates of baptisms have been given as dates of actual births of individuals. For such reasons, the writer, in order not to perpetuate further errors, has limited himself to listing the year of the birth only unless there exists a certain degree of certitude such as on tombstones, census records or actual entries in parish registers. Patrick Jr. settled on a 78-acre farm at Norway which bordered the Northumberland Strait and stretched across both sides of the Norway Road. The Nail Pond Brook flowed through it at one of its extremities. Thomas Nelligans farm was located north of him and Patrick Phee was located south of him. His brother James meanwhile had located on a 64-acre farm at Nail Pond West between the farms of Patrick Clohossey and Patrick Corrigan to his north and south respectively. Patrick McHugh (McCue) Jr. married Bridget Griffin (no dates). They had the following children: Joseph (no dates) m. Josie Phee (no dates); Peter (b._ d. 1930) m. Melinda Phee (b. 1862 - d. Feb. 28, 1942); Ellen (b. May 20, 1844) m. Mark MacFadden; Maurice (b. March 13, 1846 - d. Feb.5, 1914) m. 1. Mary Ann Doyle (1851 - 1889) daughter of Patrick Doyle, m.2. Agnes Ready (1848 - 1944); James (b. Jan 24, 1848 - d. April 11, 1918 at St. Stephen, N. B.) m. Bessie Patterson (b. 1872 at Salmon River, N. B. - died Dec.13, 1944); Thomas (b. Feb. 5, 1850) unmarried; David (b. Feb. 24, 1854 at Tignish - died Feb.17, 1944 at St. Martins, N. B.) M. Harried Charlton in 1900 who was born at Greer Settlement in 1872; Patrick (b. Sept 22, 1855). Patrick died Nov. 10, 1901 and is buried in Tignish Roman Catholic Cemetery. There was also a son named William (no dates) who remained celibate. Meanwhile, Patrick McCue Jr.s only other known sibling, James, took as his wife Mary Foley (no dates). They were blessed with a family of 14 children on his farm at Nail Pond West, as we have seen. They were Mary (b. 1843 - d. 1884) m. Peter McInnis; Patrick (b. 1844 - d. 1917) m. Mary Ellen Costain (1848 - 1921) who died at Tignish, daughter of Michael Costain (farmer) and Ellen Mansfield (born in Ireland in 1821). Nine children issued from their union and are listed as Mary Ellen (Molly) (b. 1871) m. Captain Pennington; Jane (b. 1873); Clara (b. 1875) m. Thomas Meed; Dr. Joseph Douglas (b. 1881); Michael Patrick (b. 1883) m. Mary Aylward; William Henry (Harry) (b. 1886 -d. 1932); Ada (b. 1889); Emma Pearl (b. 1892 - d. 1943) m. Emmett Shea. They had eight children. (See Shea); and Charles Edward McCue (b. 1894 - d. 1895). James McCues and Mary Foleys third child was Ann, born in 1845 (??) who married Maurice Gallant. Next there was Bridgit born in 1848 who married John Knox (see Knox). She was followed by Catherine, born in 1849, whose husband was John Gavin. Then there was Moses, born in 1851. He married Elizabeth Ann Keough. James, born in 1852, followed Moses. He had previously been wedded to Catherine (Kate) Phee before he drowned on the 24th of May, 1905. Margaret was born next in 1854. She married Jim Aims. She was followed by Elizabeth born in 1857 who married John Stewart. John was born next in 1861. His wife was Bridget Howard. Martin was the next offspring. He was born in 1865 and died in 1936 and had taken Clara Morrissey as his wife. There were three other girls born in the family: Victoria, Jane and Matilda, for whom no information is forthcoming at present, apart from the supposition that Victoria had possibly married a Foster and that Matilda was married to Edward Penorr. Based on an obituary for James McCue, son of Patrick McCue Sr. and Mary Wood, we note that he died at age 84, having been born at Newcastle, N. B., in 1818. He had removed to Nail Pond it states at an early age where he remained until his death in 1902. The entry states that he had been a farmer and died of old age, leaving seven daughters and five sons to mourn him. Since no mention is made of his wife in the obituary, we presume that she had predeceased him. It is important to note that the Norway McHughs descended from Patrick McHugh and that the Nail Pond West McCues descended from his brother James. Writing first about the inheritor of lands initially occupied by Patrick McHugh Jr., we discover that it was his son Peter who fell into the inheritance of the 78-acre farm at Norway. Peter (b._ d. 1930), son of Patrick McHugh Jr. and Bridget Griffin m. Melinda Phee (1862 - d. Feb 28, 1942). They had three children: Allister (b. June 28, 1897 - d. June 29, 1979) m. Annie Poirier (Perry) (b. Oct 20, 1914), daughter of Agape Poirier and Regina Arsenault; Nettie (b. Sept. 1903) m. Gus MacNab of Charlottetown; and finally Grace (b. _ d. Oct. 1939). She remained single. Peter McHughs land was passed on to his son Allister who died in 1979. Today it is inhabited by the latters son, Allister Jr. The acreage has diminished somewhat over the years due to sea erosion and numbers about 75 acres. Peter has a brother named Joseph who married Josephine daughter of Michael (Mick) Phee and a Wade woman. While Peter lived on the original McHugh property, his brother Joseph moved into the home of his wife Josephine (Josie) Phee, the original property of her parents where the land totaled about 33 acres, then and now. Allister McHugh Sr. (June 28, 1897 - June 28, 1979) and Annie Perry (Poirier) (b. Oct. 20, 1914), who has since remarried to Peter Boudreault and dwells in Montague, P.E.I., at 83 years of age, raised the following children who were born at Norway: Edward (b. July 24, 1938) m. Ethel Gavin (b. Nov 8, 1946). They have six offspring, Darryl (b. May 17, 1967) m. Cathy Hardy; Penney (b. May 24, 1969) m. Gary McRae; Trudy (b. May 12, 1970) m. Joey Morrissey; Crista (b. April 17, 1974) m. Thomas (Tommy) Arsenault; Wendy (b. July 14, 1975) and Gina (b. Sept 4, 1978); Secondly there was Frederick (Fred) (b. Aug 17, 1939) who married Carmella Harper (b. Nov. 14, 1944). They have four offspring: Suesanne (b. July 20, 1966), Shannon (b. May 25, 1971), Derrick (b. Jan 3, 1975) and Lily Marie (b. June 21, 1979). Thirdly at Christophers Cross there was Audrey (b. Sept 8, 1940) who married Fred Gallant (b. Feb 26, 1934). They have six offspring: Melvin (b. Feb. 25, 1965) m. Juanita Perry; Dougie (b. Dec. 15, 1967); Tammy (b. Dec 31, 1969); Barry (b. May 21, 1972); Shawn (b. March 24, 1975); and Robert (b. Feb 18, 1977). Fourthly at Harper Road there was Joe (spelled as McCue)(b. June 11, 1943) m. Dianne Doucette (b. Oct 1, 1950). They raised two children: Sheila (b. May 7, 1970) m. Rodney Gaudette, residing on Phillip Street, Tignish, and Shawn (b. Feb. 7, 1975). Fifthly at Norway there was Allister Jr. (b. May 20, 1946) who married Joanne McHugh (b. June 24, 1957). They raised three offspring: Allen (b. Aug 13, 1975); Jamie Lee (b. April 10, 1979) and Samantha (b. Aug 26, 1997). Allister Jr. and his family have inherited the lands of the first McHugh, namely Patrick who settled at Norway. Since it is well nigh impossible to list all members of the McHugh clan within the confines of this history, we must content ourselves by listing two more McHugh descendant families at Norway. These were the families of Gratten and Reginald McHugh, brothers, and sons of Joseph McHugh and Josephine (Josie) Phee. Reginald McHugh, fisherman, farmer, stevedore in Halifax, lumberjack and sealer (b. Dec. 31, 1901 - d. Aug 31, 1972) married Mary Catherine E. McGrath (may 23, 1907 - Oct 5, 1968) (see McGrath). They lived on a 67-acre farm at Norway bordering the Northumberland Strait between Bert Phees to the north and Martin A. Doyles to the south. Reginald had obtained his lands from Nelligans, Michael (Mick) and Thomas having an equal number of acres from each. Their offspring consisted of eight children, two of whom died in infancy and one at the age of three. They were Kenneth (b. July 28, 1929) who married Phyllis Morrissey, daughter of Percy Morrissey (see Morrissey) and Patricia Cahill. Phyllis was Leo Dorgans widow. She and her present husband live in the original McHugh homestead and have no children. After Kenneth, there was Raymond (b. Oct 22, 1931) who married Margaret Morrissey (b. July 10, 1925, one source has 1926). She was likewise a daughter of Percy Morrissey and Patricia Cahill and was the widow of Joseph Ready. Raymond and Margaret have six children who are Robert, John, Joanne, Debbie, Joey and Wayne. Aelred was born after Raymond on March 3, 1931. He has four children - Gail from his first marriage to Jean MacDonald from Souris, P.E.I., Gordon, an adopted child, then Brian and Glen from his second marriage to Sylvia Crocker. Aelred lives in Toronto. Geraldine McHugh was born next, on February 27, 1936. She married Gerald Hackett. Wilma was born after Geraldine on March 25, 1937. She is wedded to Clarence Griffin (b. Nov. 5, 1932). They raised five children at Brocton, P.E.I. (Near Elmsdale). There were two children born after Wilma: John Elmore who died young and Robert (June 30, 1945 - Aug. 17, 1948) who died at the age of three. An infant born before Kenneth also died young. Kenneth is the present owner of his fathers lands at Norway. Reginalds brother Gratten (b. Jan 15, 1906 - d. Nov. 19, 1984) had purchased about twelve acres of land at Norway, P.E.I. from a Kelly lady in the United States. This land was located next to Allister McHugh Sr.s farm and had once been in possession of Thomas Nelligan. Grattens wife was Celina Leonard (b. March 11, 1910 - d. March 3, 1992), daughter of William (Bill) Leonard, a Tignish blacksmith. Gratten and Celina lived at Norway for about fourteen years after which they moved in 1946 to a one-acre parcel of land located at the Green on the corner of Highway 14 leading to North Cape and the unpaved road which leads to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. This parcel of land had originally been owned by Urbain Gaudet (son of Sosime) who had sold it to Claude Leonard who sold it then to Gratten. Claude was a brother of Celinas and Leigh was a brother of Grattens. All of Grattens and Celinas children had been born at Norway except Catherine, who was born at Charlottetown Hospital. When the family settled at The Green area in 1946 they had a house built there by Melvin Hackett, Harold Cormier, Izaire DesRoches and Gratten himself. In 1951 the decision was made to move this house to Tignish where the family relocated on land owned by William (Bill) Leonard, Celinas father, on the east side of Church Street. Bill Leonard, as we stated, was a Tignish blacksmith. By now the blacksmith shop had ceased operating and was used as a barn after being moved behind Grattens house. Bill Leonards home was situated on the opposite side of the street between Alcide Boudreaults, formerly John Gaudet the tailors, and Aubin Gallants, formerly Agno Gaudets, Corbetts and Urbain A. Gaudets. The blacksmith shop and Grattens home had once stood where Grattens daughter Catherine (b. Feb. 17, 1944) built a new house for her mother and herself after Grattens death in 1984. Meanwhile, the home of her parents was moved a second time further south on Church Street on the opposite side of the road next to Henri Arsenaults, being the second house next to the Club Ti-Pa. After some renovations it serves today as the home of Grattens son Billy (b. Jan 27, 1936) who married Lucy Chiasson (b. Nov 11, 1937), daughter of Orville Chiasson and Margaret Martin, both of St. Roch. Billy and Lucy raised five children: Tammy (b. Aug 2, 1962); Sally (b. June 13, 1963); Grant (b. Sept 25, 1966), who was tragically killed Dec. 13, 1974 near his home on Church Street, having been struck by a motor vehicle; Jennifer (b. Nov 25, 1972) and Michael (b. June 9, 1974). Apart from William (Billy), Gratten and Celina had three other children: Leonard, the eldest (b. Nov 7, 1931) who lives unwedded in California; Frances (b. May 18, 1940 - d. Jan. 1992) whose husband was Norman Doucette; and Catherine (b. Feb. 17, 1944) who lives unmarried in California. Catherines home she had built a few years ago for herself and her mother, as is stated above, is presently being rented by her. Grattens other siblings - apart from Reginald, who we have referred to above - were Gladys (b. 1900 - d. 1977). She married Dr. Leon Howard, a dentist who practiced in Miami Beach, Florida. They had four daughters: Lorraine, Suzanne, Janet and Mary Lou. Then there was Glen (b. 1903 - d. Aug 1, 1991). He married Aldona Gallant on March 17, 1966 in Boston. She was a native of Alberton, P.E.I. They had no children and lived in Miami, Florida where Glen was a taxi driver. Glen was followed by Lillian (b. 1904 - d. Feb. 10, 1991). Her husband was Edward Garvey. They had a son named Glen born in 1936 who lived in Maryland, U.S.A. He is now deceased. Lorne was born next on May 6, 1911. He married Margaret Martin (b. Feb. 26, 1917) who lives today on the Gaudet Road in Tignish. Lorne passed away August 27, 1973. They had a son named Freddie (b. April 8, 1955) in Arlington, Mass., who married Dianne Meeham. Finally, there was James Leigh McHugh (b. Dec. 16, 1917), the longest serving taxi driver in the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia. He married Isabell Cameron. They have a daughter named Heather born Nov 6, 1959. Leigh is the only remaining survivor of the family. There were two McHughs (McCues) who were brothers; one living at Palmer Road North and the other living at Palmer Road South. One, Charles from Palmer Road North moved to Tignish Corner on a temporary basis at first where he presumably lived in a house once owned by Leo (Frank Jude) Arsenault, bookkeeper at the Tignish Co-operative and sometime before then worker at Myricks General Store at Tignish (Myrick) Shore. The home in question is now gone and was located on the Haywood Road at Tignish Corner next to David Kinchs, formerly James Kinchs. It was directly opposite the Normalization apartments there. Charles (Charlie) was born at Palmer Road on Sept 11, 1889 and was married to Henrietta Doucette (b. April 23, 1897). They married in Waltham, Mass. Three children were born to them, namely: Anne (b. July 10, 1934) m. Joseph Schilling; David (b. March 24, 1938) m. Dale Sharpe; and Ruth (b. Aug 9, 1939) m. Patrick LeBlanc. David is a highly qualified mechanic who lives on Maple Street in Tignish, while his sister Anne lives in Calgary and his sister Ruth dwells in Halifax, N. S. Their father Charlie owned 61 acres of land at Palmer Road North which he inherited from his mother Elizabeth Ann Keough who had become the wife of Moses McCue (b. Sept 1, 1851). Elizabeth (b. 1858 - d. 1939) was the daughter of Richard Keough and Mary Dawson (see Dawson). This parcel of land was in turn inherited by Charlies son David who has passed it on to his son Barry today. It is being rented as a farm. Charlie passed away Aug 25, 1981 and his wife Henrietta, who was a native of Cape Breton, passed away Jan 5, 1985. Both are interred in Immaculate Conception Cemetery at Palmer Road. Their three children were born at Palmer Road North.
Posted on: Sun, 23 Nov 2014 12:43:30 +0000
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