Interesting to see the February 1 post on TYFK and the link to the obituary of James McHugh. He was ‘born in Killybegs’ in about 1835, and died in the U.S in 1903.   Some of his great- great grandchildren may still be alive there.  There are no birth records going back to the 1830s that would indicate exactly where James came from.  There were seven McHugh households in the parish of Killybegs in the early 1830s, including the premises where Hegartys’ Spar store is now located on the Diamond.  On the other hand, McHugh may have come from Kilcar, as Killybegs was the Post Town for Kilcar back then and many Kilcar people gave Killybegs as their address.  The name was very often written as ‘McCue’ in the old days, and was very prominent in Kilcar, especially in the townlands of Croaghbeg and Muckross.  Anyway, James got on well in America, as the obituary below makes clear. The American Civil War is very well documented, and a lot of detail about the battles in which McHugh fought can be Googled.

FUNERAL OF CAPT. McHugh.   Services to be held at the Church of SS. Peter and Paul tomorrow.  The funeral of James McHugh, who died on Saturday night at his home, Meridian and Twenty-second streets, after two weeks’ illness, will take place tomorrow at 9 a.m. The funeral service will be held at the church of SS Peter and Paul.

He was born in Killybegs, County Donegal, Ireland, sixty eight years ago. He emigrated to this country in 1854, and after a brief sojourn in New York, came to Indiana, settling in Terre Haute.  From that place at the breaking out of the civil war, he enlisted as a private in Company A, Thirty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, the Irish regiment.  He served four years and two months and came out of the service with the rank of captain, gained by gallantry in the field.  He was made second lieutenant for gallantry at Stone’s river; first lieutenant at Chickamauga, and captain for noted service in the Atlanta campaign.  At the close of the war he settled in Indianapolis and married Miss Elizabeth Burns, who, with one son, William Todd McHugh, survive him. Shortly after their marriage, Captain and Mrs McHugh engaged in the millinery business in South Illinois street.  This business continued until six weeks ago, and in it they acquired a competency.  In 1882 Captain McHugh, who had long been recognised as a quiet but effective Democratic leader, was elected a member of the Indianapolis Board of Aldermen, and in 1892 was elected a State Senator from Marion county.  IN 1893 he was appointed by Governor Matthews one of the commissioners to assist in locating the position of Indiana troops on the field of Chickamauga.   In recent years Captain McHugh had travelled a great deal, both in this country and in Europe. He spent several summers in Donegal, where he took great interest in yachting in Killybegs bay, and was known as the American commodore from the fact that he always flew the American flag from his yacht.  (Indianapolis News, 21 December 1903)

This below is from another paper:

SENATOR McHUGH DIES SUDDENLY AT HIS HOME.Born in Ireland, Prominent in Political Circles and Held Many Offices of Trust.AN EXTENSIVE TRAVELLER, Senator James McHugh died last night at 7.45 at his home on Meridian and Twenty-second streets, of haemorrhage of the stomach after a lingering illness of two weeks. Senator McHugh’s death was quite unexpected for a few minutes before his demise he was talking with the members of his household gathered around his bedside and appeared in best spirits.  Senator McHugh was born in Killybegs, Donegal, Ireland, and emigrated to this country, landing in New York.  After remaining in that city a short time he came West in obedience to the advice of Horace Greeley and after travelling through the West for some time, Senator McHugh settled in Terre Haute, Ind.  Mr McHugh enlisted as a private in Company A, Thirty fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served throughout the war, winning for himself a great name as a valiant and brave fighter.  At the close of the war he came to this city to reside and shortly after married Miss M. Burns.  Senator and Mrs McHugh opened up a millinery store on Illinois street, which was operated until about six weeks ago. He was planning a trip to the Philippines and the Hawaiian Islands at the time of his death.  Surviving him is his wife and one son, William Todd McHugh.  (Indianapolis Journal, 20 December 1903)

 Captain McHugh is recorded as a judge on the Flagboat at Killybegs Regatta of 1897. He was present again at the 1900 Regatta, where he was Vice-commodore and also a judge.  His yacht, Fusilier, came third in one of the races, but it is not known if he sailed himself. His last visit to Killybegs was for the Regatta of 1902, when he was Vice-commodore and also a judge of the yacht races. On the day before this Regatta, young Hugh Cunningham of Spout Street was drowned from his boat while sailing in the harbour.  As a result, no Regattas were held for several years.