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#317. Abigail Richmond, 5 (Cyrus 4, John 3, Edward 2, John 1) was born in Stonington, Connecticut, July 16, 1743. She married Daniel Cunningham, who was born in Derry, Ireland [ca 1731], and died December, 1819. They removed to Canada in 1795, and lived in Hallowell, Prince Edward County. He was one of the survivors of the massacre at Fort Henry. [Daniel m. 1st Sarah Winslow; children Patience and Charles]
From the Ontario Historical Society:
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Their children per a message board:
William
William's children: Stephen, Stephen Spencer, Etta
Mary m. George Baker
Sarah m. Benjamin Leavens
Martha m. Amos Bull
From Pioneer Life On The Bay Of Quinte:
THE CUNNINGHAM FAMILY.
Many years ago a small boy, perhaps about twelve years old, was standing on the quay side of the River Liffy, in Dublin, watching the dock hands and sailors load cargo on the lighters which were 'to convey it out to the vessels lying in mid-channel. One of the sailors picked up the boy and took him on the lighter, which put off for the ship's side. The little fellow, whose name was Daniel Cunningham, thought the trip a delight, and was in great glee when the man suggested his going on board.
When discovered by some of the crew, Daniel was not unnaturally regarded by the captain as a stowaway; and stowaways were of frequent occurence and had to be dealt with after a summary fashion. The captain compromised matters in a way that was quite the custom in those days. He decided that to pay the passage money he would sell the boy as. an apprentice, when the ship reached New York. A Friend stood by and saw the boy while the sale progressed. He conceived a liking for his handsome features and well bred bearing, and felt great pity for his distressed condition. He bid, and fortunately for Daniel, bid the highest price.
Daniel, at first, was placed among the other servants, but his superior nature and breeding could not but be recognized by the good Friend and his wife. They decided to take him from the kitchen and rear him with their own family, which consisted of an only daughter. When Daniel was received at the board of his master and friend, he began the romance of his life. Having received a good education, and being endowed with a clever brain and a bright mind, he won, not the affections alone, but the confidence of his master, and thrived prosperously in business, being made a partner in the firm. If his progress in the well won esteem of his master was great, his hold on the affections of his master's daughter proved strong enough for her to become his wife; but she did not live for many years after her marriage, but died in giving birth to her only child, Charles.
After the death of his young wife, Daniel Cunningham is again lost sight of, until it is found recorded in the history of the Richmond Family that he married Abigail Richmond.
Daniel Cunningham, owing to the rules of the Friends' Society, went to Connecticut to marry his second wife. Some few years later, the Revolutionary War broke out, and Daniel was pressed to take up arms. But no matter what threat, what deprivation he suffered, he would not carry the " instruments of war." His aggressors might tie and lash' the arms to his body, but he would not voluntarily carry them; and under no consideration could he be made to use them. Seeing that these endeavours were utterly hopeless, it was thought that by placing him on board a man-o'-war he could be compelled to participate actively in some form of warfare. But he does not seem, even then, to have violated his principles, for after sailing for some time along the American coast he was imprisoned in the gaol at Richmond, Virginia, where he died after a couple years' confinement. By Abigail Richmond, his second wife, he had : William, who married Fanny White ; their descendants appear in the table annexed; Sarah, who married Benjamin Leavens; Mary, who married Joseph Barker and Martha, who married Amos Bull.
