The Remarkable Journey of Hugh Kerr: From Ireland to America
- Jon Marie Pearson
- Jul 11
- 2 min read
The stories of our ancestors often carry threads of resilience, love, and the quiet strength that builds generations. One of those stories belongs to my 2nd great-grandfather, Hugh Kerr, a man whose journey from Northern Ireland to western New York has left a lasting mark on my family tree.
Born in Clonavaddy
Hugh Kerr was born on February 28, 1866, in the district of Clonavaddy, Union of Dungannon, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. The Irish name for the town is Cluain-a-mhadaigh. He was the son of Henry Kerr of Millese and Mary Jane (Cuddy) Kerr.
His father passed away in 1893. While I’m still searching for the exact date of Mary’s passing, records suggest she may have died before her husband.
Love in the Irish Countryside
At 22, Hugh married Annie McFarland on October 25, 1894, at Ballgawley Church of Ireland in Errigal Keerogue Parish. They came from different towns, which makes me wonder, how did they meet? The marriage witnesses, Robert Robinson and Rachel McFarland, might offer clues to their shared story.
Chasing the American Dream
Just one year after marrying, Hugh and Annie boarded the State of Nebraska and sailed for New York. They arrived at Ellis Island on May 21, 1895, completing their journey in less than the expected 32 days, a sign of clear skies and smooth sailing.
Their initial destination was East Orange, New Jersey, and while I’ve found a Kerr family there, I haven’t yet uncovered the exact connection. Eventually, they settled in western New York, where their American chapter truly began.
A New Life in New York
Hugh and Annie had five children:
Mary (“Mamie” or “Massie”)
Margaret Jane
Annie L. (“Anna”)
Gladys Louise
Robert Henry
They first appear in the 1900 Federal Census in Clarendon, Orleans County, New York, and by 1905, the family had moved to nearby Kendall.
Tragedy struck in 1906 when Annie passed away, leaving Hugh to raise their five children on his own. The years that followed weren’t easy—census records reveal inconsistencies in names, occupations, and ages, but they also show the strength of a family doing its best to carry on.
Loss and Legacy
The 1920s brought both joy and sorrow. Hugh’s daughters married:
Margaret to Claude Brooks
Anna (my great-grandmother) to Arthur William Stinson
Gladys to Ellsworth A. Wilson
But in 1927, Anna passed away from Pulmonary Tuberculosis, leaving another generation to navigate grief.
By 1930, Hugh and his son Robert were living with Margaret’s family in Clarendon. Just two years later, on July 8, 1932, Hugh passed away.
His journey—from a small village in Northern Ireland to a life of quiet perseverance in New York—reminds me how far we’ve come. His strength lives on in every generation he helped create.
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