The story of our Cashmans begins in County Cork, in an old cemetery, in the townland of Ballynaglough.
Among the small plain markers stands a tall, ornate, newly cleaned headstone. The inscription reads: 'Erected'
by Cornelius and Daniel Cashman of Ballynaglough in memory of their father Daniel Cashman who departed this life,
May 2, 1831, aged 72 years. Also their mother Catherine died September 18, 1831, aged 60 years. "May their souls rest
in peace."
Daniel and Catherine are my earliest documented ancestors. Since records are scant for that period, we know of just three
children born to them: Daniel , Cornelius and Patrick. I am a descendent of Daniel.
Daniel was born circa 1810. He married Mary Cullinane born circa 1813. Daniel and Mary's children were Cornelius born
April 10, 1837 in Coolnakilla, in the parish of Lisgoold. Mary born April 4, 1840 and James born July 12, 1843. Patrick
was born in 1813. He married Bridget Curtin. Patrick and Bridget had just one daughter; Johannah born on June 15, 1843.
She married Timothy Kent. No record has been located for Cornelius' descendents.
The first Cashman ancestors to emigrate to the U.S. were Cornelius born April 10, 1837 along with his wife Bridget McGrath
and their children: Elen born on August 30, 1866; she married Edward Halloran of Rhode Island; Julia born on
November 6, 1870; she married John Foran of Northampton, Massachusetts. Mary born circa 1868; she married James M.
Clark of Bay State Village, Florence, Massachusetts; Margaret born June 22, 173 married James Wheeler of
Winsted, Connecticut. After his death, she remarried to John J. Miller of Rochester, New York; Daniel born July 11, 1875
married Margaret Clifford of Connecticut; Roger born July 16, 1877 never married; two other children passed on in
childhood: Catherine and William.