Saving the Farm

I have always been drawn to stories of the past, the situations our ancestors encountered, and the struggles they endured to provide for their generation and future generations with a better way of life. Often these stories are passed down from one generation to the next, but no one documents them and they become lost forever. This motivated me to try and capture our family story.

Our story begins with an orphaned young man in Ireland stowing away on a sailing vessel in 1787 to fulfill his dream of coming to the new America. His cleverness and determination assisted him in reaching his goal in a very young America, finding love, owning property, and rearing five productive children. From that generation to now, they slowly moved westward, making their own way in a new land. They encountered many hardships along the way, always in search of a better tomorrow for them and their children. We must never forget the sacrifices of those who came before us to make our way better.

This story captures some of their challenges, not so different from today’s difficulties encountered by young families, only the times and conditions were different. We take away from these stories that life requires faith, optimism, strength, and perseverance to reach our goals.