1960s: Robert and Edith Cuddihy: Kilquhanity Pupils.
Two of a family of five orphans
‘America’s Irish Catholic rich have long enjoyed the designation of F.I.F., or First Irish Family or “Real Lace”, as it delineates their place in the “Irishtocracy”, where names such as Cuddihy, . . . inspire respect and awe. Yet, in almost every case, their origins in this country were humble. Fleeing the Irish potato famine in the 1840s, they found themselves penniless in the slums of New York and Boston where they were regarded as “invaders” and a curse, humiliated by signs that said ‘No Irish Need Apply’ and forced to accept jobs too degrading to be accepted by native and other immigrant populations. Nonetheless, they possessed one important advantage over other immigrants: they spoke the language. They were also, by nature and tradition, political. And they had ambition, courage, a fighting spirit, and—perhaps most important—Irish charm.’
Stephen Birmingham: Real Lace: America’s Irish Rich
The Cuddihy family by the 1940s were owners of the publishing house Funk and Wagnall. (our own family dictionary was a Funk and Wagnall my father often telling me to ‘look it up in your Funk and Wagnall!) Funk and Wagnall were a hugely successful, profitable publishing house with numerous titles.
Robert known as Bob, Edith known as Deedee, Sean, Michael known as Mikey and Christopher known as Chrissy were tragically orphaned in America following the death of their parents in two separate automobile accidents. Their Uncle Tom became their legal guardian.
On May 10th Ena Neill – A.S. Neill’s wife - wrote to John Aitkenhead.
I am not sure how Uncle Tom knew of Summerhill. It would appear he accepted ‘Summerhill’s’ advice as Bob and his younger sister Deedee came to Kilquhanity. Their three younger siblings starting at Summerhill – although not all of them remaining. Sean would later move up to Kilquhanity and Chrissy moved to Sutton Park in Dublin from which he was later excluded.
Mikey was the only Cuddihy to remain at Summerhill. She later wrote an account of her schooldays: A Conversation About Happiness: The Story of a Lost Childhood: Summerhill: Atlantic Books 2014.
To be orphaned and then to be shipped across the world from a life of privilege to be split up from your brothers and sisters to the rural existences of Summerhill and Kilquhanity can only be considered as traumatic. And so it turned out to be!
Whilst at Kilquhanity Uncle Tom wrote many letters to John and some to the children. It would appear from the content of some of these letters that Tom received many letters from John but sadly I am unable to reference these letters.
On March 6th 1963 Tom wrote to John
Bob and Deedee would sometimes phone Tom in New York or write to him.
A letter from Tom to John on 3rd April 1963 acknowledged the children’s desire to have access to some of the finances and lifestyle they had enjoyed in America.
As mentioned above John kept in communication with Tom this letter written on 4th November 1963 was never sent but I assume something similar was.
It would appear from the letter that following a ‘tiff’ with other senior pupils Deedee and another girl hitch-hiked to London. Bob appears to remain concerned but calm about his sister misadventures.
By the beginning of 1964 Summerhill had had their fill of Sean and Neill was seeking a transfer from Summerhill to Kilquhanity. John agreed a trial placement as Kilquhanity was working hard with both Bob and Deedee.
Tom wrote to John February 8th 1964
On April 24th 1964 Tom wrote to John
Neville please insert Scans BC 15 and 16 here.
By December 1964 Tom recorded real progress with Bob and the positive influence of schooling at Kilquhanity. On December 3rd 1964 he wrote to John.
Neville please insert Scan BC 17 here.
By 1965 tom was becoming concerned about Mikey and Chrissy continuing at Summerhill. On August 1st 1965 he wrote to John.
Neville please insert Scans BC 18 and 19 here.
By 1967 both Bob and Deedee had left Kilquhanity. They both stayed in Scotland; Bob moving around quite a lot; Deedee finding a place in Glasgow.
Bob moved into lodgings in Edinburgh staying at the house of Donald MacKenzie in Shandon Crescent. It would appear that Sean stayed there in holidays and Tony Graham – another Kilquhanity pupil also stayed. Donald wrote to John on 13th January 1967.
Bob and Sean’s story continues here.
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