McCullough and Maffet Families - Rathfriland

You don’t say what denomination David McCullough was though I would guess he may have been Presbyterian. Unfortunately there are no church records for the Drumballyroney area for the 1700s. The Church of Ireland records start in 1838 and the Presbyterian ones (Ballyroney) in 1819. If David was born in Rathfriland in about 1738 there probably isn’t nay record of him at all.

I have searched the Belfast public record office e-catalogue for him and his ship and cannot find any mention of him. There was a Captain McCullough, master of the Minerva, who was in Belfast in 1773 bound for Philadelphia, but I suspect that’s not your man.

McCullough’s a pretty common name in the area. There were 965 of them in the county in the 1901 census (23 were named David).  You might need to try DNA testing to locate any living descendants in the area today.

Thank you for your interest and response, Elwyn,

Yes you are quite right in that the McCullough's and Maffet's were staunch Presbyterians.

Also your suggestion regarding the ship Minerva, was priceless as it was indeed, I have recently found, captained by my David McCullough and mention is also made of his nephew James (his cabin boy at the time) who later on became a Master of his own vessel.  Additionally, I have also found that he was Master of the Phoebe and Peggy previously in 1772.  This ship, it seems, was likely named after his wife (Phoebe Boyd McCullough) and daughter (Margaret "Peggy" McCullough). Most of this information was found in the IED (Irish Emigration Database) website:

Please see below:

The Belfast Newsletter, Friday, 12 March, 1773.; CMSIED 9312083

" For NEWCASTLE, PHILADELPHIA and BALTIMORE.

The fine Ship MINERVA, Burthen about 350 tons and upwards, Captain David McCullough, Commander, (now in this Port) will positively sail (Wind and Weather permitting) the 10th Day of April next for the Ports aforesaid. For Freight, Passage, Redemption or Service, apply to David Gaussan, Merchant, in Newry, the Captain at Mr Darby Kene's or Mr James McCullough, who will give due Attention at said House, and Mr Archibald Herrons, in Banbridge, every Monday; every Wednesday at Mr Andrew Armurs in Rathfryland; and every Saturday, at Mr McKey's, in Dromore. The Ship is very compleat [complete?] for the Passenger Trade, being nearly 6 Feet high between Decks, the Captain a humane good Man, well acquainted in the Trade, and carried out of this Port last Season upwards of 423 Passengers, whom he landed safe, and received the Applause of every Individual on board. Proper care shall be taken to have the Ship well Victualled, and with every Necessary to render the Passage comfortable and agreeable as the Captain is determined to continue in the Passenger Trade. Newry 1st March, 1773. N.B. Servants of all sorts will meet with the greatest Encouregement [Encouragement?]; particularly Tradesmen by applying above. N.B. Three days after Arrival at Newcastle, any Persons inclining to go to Baltimore may be offered that they shall be Accomodated [Accommodated?] with Carriage for that Purpose, they paying 6s 6d Sterl. [Sterling?] Addition to common Passage."

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The Belfast News-letter, Friday 25 February to Tuesday 1 March, 1774; CMSIED 1200043

"For NEWCASTLE and PHILADELPHIA,
The Ship MINERVA, David McCullough, Commander,
Burthen 350 Tons, a prime Sailer, which carried a
Number of Passengers from hence the 28th of April last,
and made the speediest Passage of any Vessel from this
Port, is now returned, and will be clear to sail from
hence the 10th of April next. This Ship is well
calculated for the Passenger Trade, being near six Feet
high between Decks; the Captain's Humanity to his
Passengers is so well known, that it is unnecessary to
mention anything about that. Those who intend to
embrace this favourable Opportunity, for Freight,
Passage, Redemption, or Service, are desired immediately
to apply to David Gaussan, Merchant; or the Captain who
will attend at Mr. Francis Forster's, North-street,
Newry, on Thursdays; at Mr. Archibald Herron's in
Banbridge, on Mondays; and at Mr. Andrew Armer's in
Rathfriland, on Wednesdays;: Said Gaussan will take
particular Care to have plenty of best Provisions and
Water laid in, so as to render the Passage comfortable,
nor shall a greater Number be received than can be well
accommodated, as the Captain means to continue in the
Trade.
Any who chuse [choose?] to go to Baltimore in Maryland,
shall be sent there from Newcastle for the additional
Sum of six Shillings and Six-pence.
Newry, 12th February, 1774."

Thank you once again for your help, as it contributed greatly in finding more information.