CUNNINGHAM - family - Putnam

Thursday Aug 19, 1920 was a memorable day in the lives of a number of residents of this part of Putnam and adjoining counties when the members of the Cunningham family met in what is known as Spencer Grove a short distance south of Russellville made new acquaintances and renewed old ones, and enjoyed a most bountiful dinner at the noon hour.  

The history of this family in America is one or more than ordinary interest.  It began with the immigration of a Scotch lad of some 10 0years of age in the year 1745 named Andrew Cunningham and the birth of another Scotch babe on the Atlantic ocean in the year 1735.  The name of the latter was Paul Conyngham. The names of the parents of both these boys are lost to the present members of the family.  But it is known that both grew to manhood and married, Andrew marrying a girl by the name of Elizabeth Logan and Paul marrying Sarah Curruth.  To both families children were born to Andrew a son who was named David Logan Cunningham to Paul a daughter named Jean Conyngham.  In course of time Jean or Jan Conyngham became the wife of David Logan Cunningham.  At that time the families were living in South Carolina. During the Revolutionary war the two older men were engaged in business and in the unsettled times following the war the older sons of both took an active part in all military movements, including the War of 1812 with Great Britain and the various Indian wars and uprisings as well.  Several of them were killed and others wounded in these engagements and later some of them went to Texas and took part in the winning of Independence for that country.  In religion both families were Scotch Covenanters and were intensely earnest in their convictions. These views were held by David Logan Cunningham and his wife Jane Cunning.  The destitutions of Negros __ was even then arousing considerable antagonism and these two Presbyterians of Scotch blood could not harmonize this condition with the tenants of their religious faith and they determined to locate in free territory, thereby placing themselves on record as among the very first abolitionists in America. So they left SC going first to Virginia and then to what is now Chilicothe, Ohio. This was about 1810 or 1812 but in about 1816 they made another move, coming to Indiana and stopping in Jefferies (Jefferson) County, Indiana where they remained until 1829 when they again moved, coming to Putnam County and settling near Portland Mills where they lived out the remainder of their lives.  Of the descendants of David Logan and Jane Cunningham present at the reunion last Thursday William Andrew Burnside, a grandson is the oldest and Ruth Maxine Cunningham a great great granddaughter and daughter of Earl Cunningham of Indianapolis was the youngest.  According to the information available James Curry Cunningham son of John Alexander of Richmond, Kan is the oldest member now living.  He made a visit to relatives here just recently.  Another son Andrew Galbraith Cunningham and a daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Kelsey also live at Richmond.  Children of Robert Henry reside in California, in Colorado and Oklahoma and four son of Sarah Cunningham Ramsay live in Kansas.

A very earnest effort is being made by the relatives to secure a complete record of every member of the family, a great deal of correspondence has been had and much information has been secured in this way but quite a bit remains to be done.  According to present information it is known that there were 9 children of David Logan Cunningham, 41 grandchildren, 75 great grandchildren, 121 great great grandchildren and 30 great great great grandchildren.  It is thought that when reports are complete records will show a total of some 325 descendants of whom about 200 are now living.  Of these the great number live in Kansas and many in Indiana while the remainder are scattered from Maine to California and Minnesota to Texas.  Among them are found farmers, skilled mechanics, physicians, nurses, minister, teachers and one lawyer.

Arthur D. Cunningham an attorney of Lafayette Ind by whose untiring efforts this happy occasion was made possible gave the address of the day which was greatly appreciated by all.  Following the address, letters, containing greetings from those living at a distance and who could not be present in person were read.  Letters received from Andrew Cunningham and Boston Kelsey, Richmond, Kan; Dr. Mattie Cunningham, Ocean Parke, Calif; Mrs. Ona Murphy, Galveston, Tex and Miss Florence Akin, Ottawa, Kan were read.

By unanimous consent it was agreed to hold the next meeting at the same place next year and as nearly as possible on the same date.