James Cunningham
Tavern Keeper
1859-1870
James became the tavern keeper in October 1859. He and his wife, Caroline lived here at the Cunningham Hotel with their one-year-old son, Frank, when the Civil War began in 1861.
The Cunninghams saw an event at the Lower Ferry not seen since 1781. They saw hundreds of soldiers arriving and leaving at the ferry landing a few hundred yards away. This time, Union General Benjamin Butler led the 8th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment. Their mission was to quickly move south, secure Annapolis, and protect Washington, D.C., from possible Confederate attacks.
Associated Workers
Biographical Information
Born:
June 24, 1824 in Maryland
Parents:
unknown
Spouse:
Caroline Cunningham
Children:
Francis (Frank) Cunningham, son (b. January 30, 1859, in Cecil County, MD, d. November 29, 1899 in Woodlawn, Cecil County, MD)
Lived:
Perryville, Cecil County, MD
Port Deposit, Cecil County, MD
Wilmington, DE
Died:
August 12, 1871 at the Black Horse Hotel in Wilmington, DE
Additional Information
Information Sources
The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M653; Residence Date: 1860; Home in 1860: District 7, Cecil, Maryland; Roll: M653_472; Page: 621; Family History Library Film: 803472. Accessed through Ancestry.com at https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/53735769:7667
Delaware Public Archives; Dover, Delaware; Delaware Vital Records, 1800-1933; Series Number: Register of Deaths - 3 . Accessed through Ancestry.com at https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/95334:1674
