Willistown Township near Malvern in Chester County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Duffy’s Cut Mass Grave
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 6, 2008
1. Duffy’s Cut Mass Grave Marker
Nearby is the mass grave of fifty-seven Irish immigrant workers who died in August, 1832, of cholera. They had recently arrived in the United States and were employed by a construction contractor, named Duffy, for the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad. Prejudice against Irish Catholics contributed to the denial of care to the workers. Their illness and death typified the hazards faced by many 19th century immigrant industrial workers.
Erected 2004 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1832.
Location. 40° 2.01′ N, 75° 31.772′ W. Marker is near Malvern, Pennsylvania, in Chester County. It is in Willistown Township. It is at the intersection of W King Road and Sugartown Road, on the right when traveling west on W King Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 36 Sugar Ridge Ln, Malvern PA 19355, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania and in Greater Philadelphia. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Revolutionary War Patriots (approx. 0.4 miles away); Site of the Paoli Massacre (approx. half a mile away);
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Duffy's Cut. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on December 27, 2011, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.)
2. Duffy's Cut Mass Grave - Behind the Marker. ExplorePAHistory.com (Submitted on July 14, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
3. Secrets of mass grave revealed. The BBC website's article on the recent discovery by researchers from Immaculata University in Philadelphia of what is believed to be the long-lost mass grave. The story is illustrated with a shot of the historical marker. (Submitted on March 27, 2009.)
4. With Shovels and Science, a Grim Story Is Told. New York Times article on excavation of mass grave, including a photo of the marker. (Submitted on March 25, 2013, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.)
via Wikipedia, unknown
2. Duffy’s Cut Mass Grave
The enclosure where the majority of human remains are believed to rest, possibly after having been moved.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 6, 2008
3. Duffy’s Cut Mass Grave Marker
Photographed by Keith S Smith, October 11, 2011
4. Malvern Town Marker
It is accross the street from the Duffy’s Cut Mass Grave Marker. They are unique to Pennsylvania and are called Keystone Markers. Not very many remain and they are no longer maintened by the Department of Transportation.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 5,506 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 7, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on November 10, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on November 7, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4. submitted on October 12, 2011, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.
