Jimmy Jacks

Hughie Ferry

Born
Died September 16, 1971
Buried St Finnian Graveyard, Falcarragh

Hughie was born in 1897. Of all the sons, he was the one that loved to farm and was good at it. As a young fellow he won a contest cutting over 5 acres of corn (oats in American) in one day with just a scythe.

During the time of WW I, he worked in the forests of Scotland, but returned to Falcarragh around 1918. When it was clear that older brothers and sisters had no interest remaining on the small farm, Hughie took up its duties, replaced his aging father. He told me that he often wondered how his life would have turned out, had he followed the others in emigration. At the end, though, he said that he was satisfied to have made the decision that he did to remain. He was married to Bridget Ferry, from Myra. They had no children. Hughie died of stomach cancer September 16, 1971. At the time of his death, his brothers Dan and Joe had come back to the farm, to help Aunt Bridget, see Hughie through his final illness.

Picture taken in front of house at Forth, summer of 1958. On left, Hughie's brother Joe, Biddy, Hughie and Joe's son, Jim Ferry.

With dogs, outside the house, 1958

1958. At the Forth, on the occasion of brother, Joe's first trip home since 1929. From left - Hughie's nephew, Seamus Clarke, brother-in-law John Duffy, Joe, Hughie, nephew Dick Duffy.

Hughie on the flank of Errigal, above Dunlewy at the Poison Glen, June 1970

The five JimmyJacks at a convoy for Hughie. He had visited States in October of 1970. From left,his brothers Dan and Joe, sister Annie, Hughie, sister Grace.

Dan and Hughie in 1962. Hughie was an expert with the scythe - he could make a field look like it had been shaved. Here they are working at the ripe corn (oats). Dan was on his first visit home since he had emigrated more than 35 years earlier.

Hughie with his grandneice and grandnephew in October of 1970. The babies are O.G. Swan, and twin sister, Derry Swan, children of AnnMarie Ferry Swan. AnnMarie is the daughter of Hughie's younger brother, Joe.