Peter, Rose (Barrett) McAndrew Family, Glencastle to Erin Prairie, Wisconsin. SS Prussian
by ionaddeirbhile
Bill and Jerrilyn McAndrew at Elly Bay, an inlet of Blacksod Bay, County Mayo.
Peter and Rose McAndrew with their family Anthony, Anne, John, Henry (Harry), Helen, Cath, Twins Rose and Bridget, and Mary, (another Rose McAndrew was also travelling with the family) ranging in age from twenty to ten months, boarded SS Prussian on Friday 11th May 1883 at Blacksod Bay. The older children were born in Ederglen, near Glencastle. By 1883 the family were living in Glencastle (Belmullet-Erris Region).
The McAndrews arrived at the Port of Boston twelve days later, Wednesday 23rd May. An onward destination for the family was stated as Baldwin, Wisconsin. On the 1900 U.S. Census, Peter, Rose and family were farming, in Erin Prairie. Three of the girls were teachers. As with many families, who left these shores, given the chance and opportunities, they prospered. On the same sailing as the McAndrews, a Willis/Wills family, from the Mullet Peninsula, also with a destination to Baldwin, settled and farmed in Erin Prairie. Other ships of the “Allan Line” leaving from Blacksod, brought families by the name of Kennedy, Lavelle, O’Rourke, O’Boyle, McGuinty and Donnelly to Fond du Lac, Elroy, Tiffany and Erin Prairie in Wisconsin.
Bill and Jerrilyn McAndrew, from Colorado, U.S.A. recently visited Ionad Deirbhile Heritage Centre in Eachléim. Bill is a Grandson of John McAndrew, aged 16 on leaving Blacksod Bay.
The Belmullet-Erris region has a strong connection with Erin Prairie. Many of the families, who emigrated during the 1840s, including Barretts, McNallys and Stephens, also Geraghtys in the 1900s, settled in St Croix County and farmed in Erin Prairie. Many of our local families are now laid to rest in St Patrick’s Cemetery, Erin Prairie,
Hello Bill! My Grandmother was Catherine McAndrew, who was a younger sister of your Grandfather John. Catherine married John Meath of Erin Prairie WI. The Meaths where are prominent farm family in Erin Prairie. On the land of the first Meath farms is where the cemetery in Erin Prairie is located as well as St. Patricks Church. John Meath and his sons William and Thomas donated the land for the church and cemetery. The Meaths of Erin Prairie are also known as Meade. Its the same family.
Most of the siblings of your Grandfather John (our great Aunts and Uncles) who sailed on the Prussian from Blacksod Bay in 1883, are buried in the St.Patricks Church Cemetery in Erin Prairie. 2 of your great aunts, Bridget and Rose were twins…and Bridget was known as Byda. I remember Byda as a child. I visit Erin Prairie cemetery from time to time, although the farms are no longer owned by our families.. The Meath house where my father lived with my grandparents Catherine and John is still there.
I am looking at farm plots to see where the McAndrew farm was. In 1914 there was a farm of J P McAndrew as well as an Edward McAndrew. Later maps show an Allen McAndrew farm. Im thinking the JP McAndrew farm was probably your Grandfather Johns and Peters, though not sure.
I am in touch with other descendants of your Great Aunts and Uncles from the ship. When we went to Ireland we visitied our cousins Thomas McAndrew and Monica McAndrew. We went to see the home where your grandfather lived as well. Its in Glencastle and is sinking into a bog. It was a moving life changing experience. There is a song about Blacksod Bay immigrants as well. When we were in Belmullet the bartender at McDonnells sang it to us.