McCullough and Maffet Families - Rathfriland

Good day Elwyn,

 

Thank you for you kind reply and interest.  Yes, you are absolutely right in that the family was Presbyterian - I should have made mention of that, and, actually the Captain McCullough, master of the Minerva was indeed David McCullough, as I have now recently confirmed. I have found another resource which was of great help and was able to find some additional information there.  It seems this family were for several generations mariners and masters of their own vessels.

Source and highly recommended resource:

IED (Irish Emigration Database): http://www.dippam.ac.uk/ied

The Belfast Newsletter, Friday, 12 March, 1773

"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."

In this newspaper advertisement is also mentioned as a contact his nephew James (then a young men and at some point the cabin boy) who was also shipwrecked with his uncle (off of Wales) during one of these voyages (unsure if this was with the Minerva or some other vessel).

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

"

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."

 

In any case, my greatest thanks for the lead regarding this ship as it helped me uncover a wee bit more information...

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.