Francis Joseph Dufficy (abt. 1800 - 1848)

Born about 1800 in Clooncullaan or Ballydaly, Strokestown, Roscommon, Ireland

Husband of Alicia (Lane) Dufficy — married 1827 in Roscommon, Ireland

Descendants

Died 1848 at about age 48 in New Orleans, Jefferson, Louisanna, USA

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Terry Dufficy [send private message]

Biography

Francis was born in Clooncullaan or Ballydaly, Strokestown, Roscommon, Ireland in 1800-10.

He met and married Alicia Lane in Strokestown in 1827 and together they had 6 known children.

It appears that the Dufficy family farmed a little more than 1/4 acre near Strokestown and would have been most affected by the arrival of the potato famine. To support the family Francis acted as a "Herd" (shepard) for a George Clarke.

Three entries in the Parliamentary Papers on Crime in Roscommon 1845 relate the experience of Francis and his family.

• On April 20, 1845 (Clooncullaan) : Frank Dufficy : This night a party of 3 persons, unknown, went to Dufficy's dwelling and placing him on his knees and presenting pistols at him swore him to give up his employment as herd. Cause assigned, Dufficy having succeeded a discarded herd.
• On July 9, 1845 (Ballydaly) : Francis Dufficy : This night a party of persons, unknown went to Dufficy's dwelling and having sworn him to give up his employment as herdsman to Mr. Clarke handed him a Rockite notice addressed to his master.
• On Oct 6, 1845 (Ballydaly) : Fras. Dufficy : Between 8 and 9 O'Clock, P.M., seven or eight men, unknown, entered his dwelling and swore him to give up herding for Mr. Clarke. Cause assigned ; to give annoyance to Mr. Clarke.

It is also worth noting the following entry concerning Mr. Clarke :

• On Oct 19, 1845 (Ballydaly) : Mr Geo. Clarke : On the night referred to, an unoccupied house, belonging to Mr. Clarke was maliciously set on fire by some person or persons unknown and was entirely consumed. The house was to have been occupied in a few days by a new herd, in place of one who had been put away by intimidation.

Feeling threatened and concerned for his family's welfare, as well as the second crop failing, Francis, Alicia and their six children left Ireland, took up residence in Liverpool, England in late 1845 & then sailed for the USA in late 1846.

Francis passed away in New Orleans, Jefferson, Louisanna, USA in 1848 from Yellow Fever with his family then travelling on the "Falcon" to the Aspinwall, crossing the Isthmus to Panama and then on the "Northener" from Panama to San Francisco and arriving in California in December, 1852.

Cause of Death : Yellow Fever caught in New Orleans, USA.

Sources

• “Strokestown & the Great Irish Famine (Ciaran Reilly)
• www.ginaology.com.
• https://irishamericancivilwar.com/2016/04/09/the-voices-of-californias-irish-pioneers/
• Parliamentary Papers : The Police Reports in the County of Roscommon, 1845. https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/_/MHkSAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Francis+Dufficy+Parliament+Papers