Clann Mhór
Clann Mhór Master List of Irish Workers and Slaves
We are pleased to be able to publish our Master List of Irish Workers and Slaves that we have been developing as a part of our research. This remains today a working document, as we continue to add names, or make corrections to our initial input. The names shown here are for Irish workers and their families, as well as the slaves, who we believe were involved in the construction of the Blue Ridge Railroad during the 1850’s. We have found these names on the census records, birth, marriage and death records, material ledgers and payroll records of the railroad, and mentioned in correspondence by other individuals associated with the railroad.
This list is not perfect, but it is a good working document that we want to share with the public, and encourage any feedback from those interested. Please contact us if you have any further information on any of these individuals, or if you have documentation for other individuals that worked on the Blue Ridge Railroad during the 1850’s.
Notes as to the column headings:
1.The approximate birth year and place of birth were primarily obtained from 1850 census records of Albemarle, Nelson and Augusta Counties. The source may also be from death records or inscriptions on burial headstones.
2.The residence information is taken from the 1850 Census records and we note the county and dwelling number used for each person. Sometimes the column notes “BRT” which means the source document states that the person was living at “the Blue Ridge Tunnel.”
3.The work information is taken from payroll records. We note Laborer P/W where the Nelson County Census recorder used the term, meaning a laborer working for the Virginia Department of Public Works, the state agency overseeing the railroad construction.
4.The Notes column is used occasionally and sometimes lists the dollar wage noted in the payroll records that the worker earned per 8-hour work shift.
5.The Source column lists the source document for our information. The census information is noted by county. The notes “TR online” or “TR Ledger” refer to Thornrose Cemetery, Staunton, Virginia. Records are available either online or from a physical ledger book. The many “BRR” entries indicate workers listed on the Blue Ridge Railroad payroll records and show the year and month that they first appeared on the payroll ledger. That ledger is available at the Library of Virginia. Please note that this ledger refers to the Blue Ridge Tunnel in Afton, Virginia only, and represents most of the tunnel construction period. Payroll records for other sections of the railroad, including the other three tunnels, have not yet been found.
6.The Other Notes column generally lists the monthly payroll number assigned by the railroad clerk, and notes if the employee was working on either the East or West side of the Blue Ridge Tunnel.