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Archiver > CURRY > 2001-03 > 0986063387


From: "Diana C. Binks-Proulx" <>
Subject: RE: CURRY - Pre Revolution
Date: Sat, 31 Mar 2001 13:29:47 -0500
In-Reply-To: <01c0b7f3$12fa3fa0$5d0949d8@default>


Hi James and List - (looking for the Canadian Curry's)

I'm terribly afraid that a great deal of the confusion may have been created
by my g-grandmother. She was Aurelia Curry McBean who married Ward Campbell
Hughson. It was she who initiated, in the 1890's/early 1900's the search
for an UEL connection. At least she retained the Family bible of John Curry
& Elizabeth Snyder which I believe is now at Upper Canada Village at
Morrisburg, sent by her son, Hugh. It was Aurelia (I have the original
design's & notes in my file of the design of the "large new stone" (20th
century granite) and picture of Aurelia at the dedication when it was
erected) who arranged for the move and re-interrment of James & Margaret's
bodies to the 2nd Concession St. Andrew's churchyard. It would appear that
James Curry & Margaret Van Nostrand were originally buried on Jame's lot (8
concession 2). I have two photo's of a stone (not much but a stone) and on
the reverse, Aurelia has written "Old stone on Great grand father and Great
grand mother Curry's graves on Joseph Quinn's farm at Curry Hill. James
Curry & Margaret M. Van NOstrand. James Curry Born May 1st 1733. Margaret
M. Van Ostrand Born April 25th 1740 married 21st August 1764 Died about
1827. Taken by H.M. Hughson October 23rd, 1923". There's another photo of
the old brick church (originally on John Curry's land) which was torn down
about 50 years ago.

Aurelia seemed to rely on a letter she received in 1925 from Miss Cora Curry
of the National Genealogical Society in Washington, D.C. The transcription
follows:

QUOTE

The National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Committee on Publication - Miss
Cora C. Curry Jan 21, 1925

Mrs. W.C. Hughson
352 State Street
Albany, New York

Dear Mrs. Hughson:

Your most welcome and interesting letter did not reach me in time for this
to meet you Jan 20th at Albany, so I delayed a little expecting a letter
that might have something more of interest to you. I am delighted to know
that you are not only in possession of quite a bit of your family data but
also are seeking for more in America and on the other side.

Let me first introduce myself. Not of your branch on this side of the
ocean, my line runs like this:
Lt. Robert, b. near Belfast Ireland Dec 31, 1741, m. in Belfast Presbyterian
Church Mch 1770 Jane McWilliams - by the bride's cousin Rev. John Gibson -
their son James, b. Feb 12, 1771. To America 1771 - Apr - Cap. Robert
Curry, son of James was my grandfather. My father was Rev. and Honorable
William Wallace Curry 1825-1921.

A chance mention of James Curry, wife Van Nostrand - from Ireland to Mohawk
Valley New York - thence before 1786 to Canada - and the fact that he was a
Loyalist reminded me of a very interesting line that I got some years ago
from another line which would seem to be of your own ancestry. It runs like
this.

In the days before and during the War between England and her Colonies,
feeling ran very high in Ireland, political as well as religious.

The Scotch Curry's (Corry) were Presbyterians - from Dumfrieshire. Most
were of Covnenanter stock.

A certain Curry was murdered in Ireland; 4 of his sons came to America;
Ephraim and James came together - Both joined the U.E.L.'s - both were in
the British service. Both moved to Canada. Descendants of both in Canada
and also in the United States - the other two brothers came later; one was
named William and the other is thought to have been named Robert. These two
were in the American Army and their descendants are in the United States.

These four brothers never met again after the parting in Ireland - when
Ephraim and James came to America.

I have also data of a Robert Curry 1754-1838 whose daughter married William
Van Nostrand (Van ordstrand).

I presume that you have been told that some of the families now called
Ostrander are of the same Dutch Van Nostrand ancestry - I have never gone
into these families - although I have friends in all of them of the present
day - and can readily do it.

Lord Belmore (Lowry-Corry's) of Castle Cool County of Fermanagh Province of
Ulster wrote me that while the old family in Scotland is usually called
Corry - the spelling of the name has been a matter apparently of utter
indifference. In his very earliest deeds - in his chest of records - going
back to 1656 - in the same paper the name will be found in various
spellings - for instance - one paper will have it as Corry, Correy, Corray,
Curry, Currie, etc. Any and every sort of spellings.

My own ancestors spelled it as Correy - until about 1812-1814. Since then
all seem to spell it as Curry.

Was the Patrick Quinn (owner of James Curry (your ancestor) farm, the U.S.
Shipping Commissioner of New York City at one time? I know that this Mr.
Quinn's wife was a Curry but on account of his name and politics took it for
granted that she was of the Catholic Curry's of Ireland - the O'Corra's of
Cavan. One of the clerks in the office of the U.S. Shipping Commissioner,
at Boston, Mass. is Patrick Quinn.

I hope that what I have mentioned in this letter will be valuable enough
recompense you for the very great amount of time and trouble that you gave
to me in writing your fine letter - for which please accept my very great
appreciation and thanks.

Very truly yours,
Cora C. Curry

"UNQUOTE"

So, what do you think? I'll bet that most of us searching now and getting
it from this source. However, if Miss Cora Curry has left her files with
the National Genealogical Society in Washington, D.C. - we may be in luck
for some clues.

Back soon,
Diana Binks-Proulx
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada

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