In the summer of 1854, cholera was spreading at the Blue Ridge Tunnel.  Clann Mhór has now documented 42 deaths from cholera that were located at the main tunnel.  How many other deaths were undocumented?  We may never know.  Newspapers and the railroad kept the information released to a minimum so as not to panic the public and scare away potential workers needed to complete the tunnel.  No one source has all of the victims listed; they are scattered among many sources. 

The following list is the most recent information found by Clann Mhór.  The resource is placed next to the name.

Mrs. Mary Barry, Thornrose ledger, George Hawke’s book

Mrs. Crowley, Alexander Family Papers

Patrick Crowley, Alexander Family Papers

Downey's son, from the Republican Vindicator, August 2, 1854

Downey's wife, from the Republican Vindicator, August 2, 1854

Old Downey, from the Republican Vindicator, August 2, 1854

John Driscol, Thornrose ledger

Morgan Driscol,age 40, reported by John Larguey, Augusta County records

John Dulaney, reported by John Larguey, Augusta County records

Mrs E.J. Duval, Alexander Family Papers

James Hagerty, Thornrose ledger

James Hagerty #2, Thornrose ledger

Joseph Hagerty, Thornrose ledger

Peter Hagerty, Thornrose ledger

Hamilton child, Rivanna Report

Hamilton's wife, Rivanna Report

Patrick Harnet, child, Alexander Family Papers

Harrington, from the Republican Vindicator, August 2, 1854

Daniel Harrington, from the Republican Vindicator, August 2, 1854.

Cain Holland, from the Republican Vindicator, August 2, 1854

Mrs. Holleran, Alexander Family Papers

Mary Hoolern, Thornrose ledger

Mrs. Hallar/Hollar/Hollon?, age 22, Virginia Death & Burial Index

William Hollar, age 22, Virginia Death & Burial Index

Joseph Hulvey, age ?, Parents: Phil and Marruh Hulvey, Augusta County records,

            August 12, 1854

Daniel Kalahan, (Name is spelled Kahulam and Kalalam)  reported by John Larguey,

           Augusta County records

Patrick Kilhar, Thornrose ledger

Margaret Lawler, Thornrose ledger

Redmond Levin, Thornrose ledger

Thomas Mahoney, age 30, Augusta County records

Franklin McCarty, age 9, reported by John Larguey, Augusta County records

J.W. McCarty, (James) age 7, reported by John Larguey, Augusta County records

Michael McCarty, Alexander Family Papers

William Newman, Alexander Family Papers

Rogan child, George Hawke’s book

Mick Slattery, Thornrose ledger

Cornelius Sullivan, age 40, reported by John Larguey, Augusta County records

Daniel Sullivan, from the Republican Vindicator, August 2, 1854

James W. Sullivan, age 22, reported by John Larguey, Augusta County records

William Sullivan, age 50, reported by John Larguey, Augusta County records

Edward Walsh, age 30, laborer, Augusta County records

Garrett Wright, Thornrose Ledger