| Scope and content |
Materials reflect the political and literary activities of Denis B. Cashman and his friendship and literary collaboration with Irish poet John Boyle O'Reilly. Of particular importance is the diary kept by Cashman between 1867 and 1868. It contains details of his incarceration at Millbank Prison near London and the prisoners' voyage to Australia. Some entries pertain to the Wild Goose, a newspaper edited by Cashman and published by prisoners while aboard the convict ship Hougoumont. The diary includes poems by O'Reilly, Cashman, and John Flood. A small book of poetry contains transcriptions of verse written by a variety of poets. Also includes letters from Mrs. Cashman concerning family matters, a letter of Cashman briefly describing his adjustment to prison life and the activities of other prisoners, and a letter of Cashman's son, Willie, about his schoolwork at the College of Ottawa. Additional items include examples of Cashman's published poetry, a photograph of Cashman taken in Australia, a newspaper clipping discussing O'Reilly's escape from Australia, and a copy of Cashman's book, Life of Michael Davitt (Boston: Murphy & McCarthy, 1881). |
| Access restriction | The original materials located in Box 1 are restricted from access and use. The copies of these materials in Box 2, however, may be freely accessed. |
| Cite as |
Denis B. Cashman Papers (#458), Special Collections Department, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA. |
| Terms of use | Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law. |
| Acquisitions source |
Joyner- Gift of Dr. Alfred Sheehy. |
| Acquisitions source |
Joyner- Gift of Sullivan, C. W. III. |
| Biographical note | Denis B. Cashman, an Irish immigrant, worked as a journalist in Boston and partner of a printing firm. John Boyle O'Reilly (1844-1890), also an Irish immigrant, settled in Boston in 1870, where he was an editor and published works of poetry and fiction. Prior to immigrating to the United States, both men participated in the Irish Republican Brotherhood (Fenians). After being arrested, they were transported in 1867 to a penal colony in Fremantle, Western Australia. O'Reilly escaped in 1869, and while it is unclear how Cashman left Australia, it is thought that they escaped together. |
