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Birth
I was born in Ireland on April 12, 1839. I lived with my mother and 8 siblings. I lived their until 1855 then I moved to the United States. It was a peaceful place from what I remember. i have little to remeber Ireland. There are not many pictures. -
Experiances on the Boat
My family and I move to America for a better life and to escape the harsh poverty from the potato shortage. As we headed to Ellis Island, New York I saw the Statue of Liberty. It was a breath taking shight. Everyone rushed to that side of the beat to catch a view of it. It was one site that gave me hope for a better life in the U.S -
Immagration Station
As I got off the boat I had to go through the immigration process. First i was checked to see if i had good health. Then since I passed, I got to go to a place where I could exchange my Irish money from U.S money. After that Iwent over met up with the rest of my family and got a room to stay in for a couple nights. -
Living expierences
After we left the apartments at the immagration station we moved to slum in NY. It was a small apartment that we shared with 3 other families. The streets were filled with waste from humans and animals. It smelled horrific. Inside our home it was very crouded. When one person got sick we all got sick. Also the room very hot and cramped. -
Drafted into the Civil War: Union army
I was drafted into the Union Army on May 28, 1861. I did my training then stayed at a base until I was called up for what was supposed to be the worst battle ever. My unit was sent to Gettysburg, PA. There I fought the battle of Gettysburg. It was horrific, men dying everywhere. Limbs everywhere, I was shaking so bad at the end that I thought I was going to die. After that I went back to my family and I NEVER forgot that horriable battle. -
Building skyscrapers
After I returned from the war I got a job building skyscrapers. The pay was very low and work was demanding and dangerous. If someone slipped up even a little, they could fall off and die. I was nervous when I started but as I kept doing it I got used to it. Not many people died during construction. My job was to inspect everything and make sure nothing would break or fall. My boss was a fair boss but he gave me very hard task and low wages about 10 cents a day
