Letter from Margaret McCracken Gaff to presumably to A.W. Falkenthal

Document #42

Dear Sir,

    I will answer your questions as near as I can remember.  I was born in West Moreland Co. Pennsylvania Jan 11th 1797.  Father's name was Alexander McCracken, Mother's Margaret Marshal.  Came from Ireland.  Father from County Terone {Tyrone}.  Mother from Co. Ermaugh {Armaugh}.  Father belonged to the Secession Church. Mother's People to the Church of England or Episcopalian.  You will find their names all on record in that church in Co. Ermaugh {Armaugh}.  Grand Father's name on Mother's side was Henry Marshall.  G-Mother's name I have forgotton But my Great Grand Mother's name was Martha Chambers.  My Mother's eldest brother's name was Michael Marshall, her sister's name after marriage was (Martha) Burns.  Her fatherinlaw was Dumb.  Naturally he always went by the name of Dummy Burns.

    Father & Mother were married by a Secession Minister in Ireland Co. Ermaugh {Armaugh} about three miles from her Father's House.  He not being willing they were forced to leave home.  But the minister's name I do not remember.  It was in 1776.  Migrated to America 1778.  Had one child and it died coming over.  Father & Mother were living still in Pennsylvania-Westmoreland County and I was 8 years old when they received the news of Grand Ma's death but I do not know when.  Grand Pa's did consequently do not know when they heard of the estate.  My Mother gave the Power of Attorney to Brother Alexander about 58 years ago to go over and collect it, But do not know why he did not go.

    The Estate I understood was in Ireland and mostly Co. Ermaugh.  & principally lands.  They had always lived in Ireland and suppose died there.  The Estate I have always understood to be a great amount, but do not know just the amount.  This Uncle Michael Marshal moved to Dublin and never was married died there and what became of his estate I know not.  All the information I ever got came through a niece (Mrs. Sarah Smith) she whom the friends sent it over to collect.  She reported it in the hands of the Government many years ago.  I understood this Uncle died in Dublin but do not know when.  Arthur McCracken's P.O. address is Helena, Arkansas.  I will send you Aunt Harbison's soon.  I have forgotten it. 

    I will send this to Robert that he may see it and he will forward it on to you.  If you undertake it I hope that you may be successful.

Yours respectfully,

Margaret Gaff

Transcribed from photocopy of original on 6/25/2004 by Linda K. McCracken