Memorial to Abbeyside man willing to die for Ireland

It was indeed a great day for Nicholas Graves and myself to finally see the memorial erected to this great Abbeyside man. For those who are not familiar with Cashman’s pedigree I’ll give a brief rundown.

My first contact with Denis Cashman’s people was through much research and finally tracking down one, Susan Sullivan, in Boston, great, great, great, granddaughter of Denis. Susan put me in touch with her mother, Mary Sheehy, whose husband was great great grandson to Denis.

Previous to this, Nicholas Graves had made the trip to Boston, to try and locate Denis’s grave at the Holyhood cemetery, Brighton, Massachusetts. He did find a small stone with the name, ‘Denis’ written on it. I suspected that this was just a surname. Nicholas returned none the wiser.

Years of corresponding with family, graveyard authorities, etc, we eventually got details of the exact location of the Cashman grave. This then resulted in Nicholas making a return trip to Boston, this time with his daughter, Noirin. I made arrangements for the duo to meet up with Mary and Susan. This trip also, and unfortunately, proved fruitless. The graveyard was covered in snow. But the meeting with the Sheehy’s was indeed a historical occasion.

But as time passed, we seemed to be getting nowhere with our battle to have a memorial erected to Denis.

We next decided to make contact with a number of historical organisations. This included The National Graves Association. They immediately took up our cause, even making the trip to Boston and bringing ‘The Fenian Memorial Committee, USA’ on board.

There were other obstacles to overcome, costs in particular. Our sincere thanks to Aidan Lambert, NGA, who started a GoFundMe page.

Denis Bambrick Cashman and his family’s last resting place was commemorated at Holyhood Cemetery in Boston on September 13. Keep in mind that the family grave was unmarked up until now.

Now, just to put things into perspective, writing to Kate from Fremantle prison, February 28, 1868, Denis speaks about being depressed not hearing from his wife, Kate.

“I am very depressed at not hearing from you for so long a time.” 

Further on he says, “I am very anxious to learn how our dear boys are progressing, whether they are good and obedient as when I was with them. I presume Willy will soon be able to write me a note eh? Tell them all that I send them a x and that I want them to grow big boys quick (you may tell them my reason, you know it!)” 

Sadly and unknown to Denis at the time of writing this letter both Denis and Arthur had already died. Are they also in an unmarked grave since Denis’s transportation had left Kate with nothing?

Kate and William finally made the trip to Boston to meet up with Denis.

William had been baptised in Ballybricken, and it is through his line that the Sheehy family are connected. Mildred Cashman was William’s daughter. Dave Sheehy was the son of Mildred Cashman, whose great great grandfather was Denis.

Mary Sheehy told me, “Mildred lost her parents early in life, but maintained possession of the diary for years. She gave it to her oldest son, Al Sheeh. He, in turn, donated it to the library at East Carolina University in 1982, where his daughter attended. It was in fragile condition. It is still there in the library. It was here that Professor Sullivan came across it, edited it, and sold the story. However, before the book came out, we had a copy of the diary. We had never seen it, but had heard a lot about it.” 

When I first contacted Susan and Mary, Dave was in ill health and during those years of corresponding he died. Mary also told me that, “Dave's mother, Mildred Cashman, was very tight-lipped about the entire affair. We know she was brought up by a stranger, but always kept the diary sacred until she gave it to her son, Alfred M. Sheehy.”

Also, during correspondence with Mildred’s son, John, who I contacted in 2018, he told me that, “I regret that my knowledge of Denis Bambrick Cashman is limited, my mother, Mildred Mary Cashman seldom spoke of Denis, except to tell us that he was a great friend of John Boyle O’Reilly, a fellow convict, who was also carried to Australia on the convict ship, Hugemont, and was a shipmate of Denis. He was banned from ever returning to The Emerald Isle. His wife, Catherine (Kate Veale) also went to the U.S. before Denis after losing two of their children who remained in Ireland. The third child was William Cashman, whose name was given to me as my middle name. William and his wife are buried about 100 yards from Denis. My mother had one sister, Eleanor, and one brother, William. Both have been deceased for 45 or 50 years. Neither had any children. I have other bits of information in my mind, but at eighty-one years, my mind doesn't function as well as it did when my wife and I spent a day and a night in Waterford City, about 10 or 12 years ago. I will give this matter more thought and will get back to you with further information, as it is pulled out of my sometimes reluctant brain. There are no relatives now living who are related to Denis, who possess the proud Cashman name. John William Sheehy, grandchild.” 

The following is from the NGA on the occasion of the unveiling of the memorial: “Irish Fenian Denis B. Cashman now has a fitting memorial above his final resting place. A great event was held on 13th September to unveil the headstone in Brookline, Massachusetts. The National Graves Association is grateful for the assistance of the Fenian Memorial Committee of America, the A.O.H., Div. 14, Watertown and the many others who participated and supported the event right from inception to completion. Buíochas speisialta le Nioclás Ó Grifín and Eddie Cantwell in Waterford and also to Aidan Lambert (NGA) and George McLaughlin (FMCA).” 

Introductions were made by George McLaughlin (Fenian Memorial Committee of America), with the following included in the ceremony: Piper - Rich Ceallachán; Flag Party A.O.H., Div 14, Watertown; Chairperson Seán Whelan (National Graves Association); Unveiling - Melissa Emplit and Edith Reherman (family); Wreath was laid by Susan Sheehy O’Sullivan; Poetry - Margaret Buehler: ‘A Vision’ by D.B. Cashman and ‘The Dead who died for Ireland’ by J.B. O’Reilly; Flute - Peter Maguire.

A number of video clips are available and can be found on the National Graves Association Facebook page. 

Just to close, I received this from Susan, addressed to Aiden and myself: “Just wanted to thank you again for the wonderful tribute to Denis Cashman! Finally we have a headstone in place and it is beautiful! I am including Eddie in the thanks and I do hope Nicholas Graves knows all that has transpired! Everyone that worked so hard to make this happen – we thank you from the bottom of our full hearts! Much Appreciation! Susan O’Sullivan, Great Great Great Granddaughter of Denis.” 

Finally, Nicholas Graves and myself would like to thank sincerely all those who contributed to the GoFundMe and to the NGA, and all those who made this possible, 2010-2025.