New Discovery Expands Duffy’s Cut Tragedy: Human Remains Found in Downingtown

In a groundbreaking announcement at Immaculata University’s Gabriele Library, William Watson, Ph.D., professor of history at Immaculata, and his twin brother, the Rev. Frank Watson, revealed the discovery of human remains in an undeveloped area of Northwood Cemetery in Downingtown, Pennsylvania.

They were joined by key members of the Duffy’s Cut team: retired police officer Bob McAllister; archaeologist and ground-penetrating radar specialist Matt Peace; forensic specialist Dr. Matt Patterson, Immaculata alum and former history department assistant Bob Frank ’10; and Immaculata alum and Philadelphia Archdiocesan archivist Rich Girkin’13. Also on the team was another Immaculata alum, Matthew McStravog ’12, who contributed to the project’s marketing, fundraising and advertising efforts, in addition to assisting with the excavations. After the official announcement, the speakers took questions from the attendees, including Downingtown Mayor Phil Dague and members of the local community.

The remains—believed to belong to a railroad crew of up to 120 men—predate Northwood Cemetery by more than 30 years and are now understood to be directly connected to the infamous Duffy’s Cut site in Malvern, Pennsylvania.

This new discovery comes 19 years after the Watson brothers and their team uncovered a mass grave of 57 Irish immigrant railroad laborers at a site known as Duffy’s Cut near Immaculata University in Malvern. According to William Watson, the laborers died—some from cholera, others by violence—while working on the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1832. Evidence now suggests a broader tragedy: cholera may have spread from one crew to another, carried by a single infected worker traveling from Mile 59 in Malvern to Mile 48 in Downingtown.

The link between the two sites was uncovered through extensive historical research, including documents from former Pennsylvania Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker and other records that led the team from Duffy’s Cut to Northwood. But it wasn’t just archival work that made the discovery possible; the project also required tireless physical effort. The Duffy’s Cut team cleared dense vegetation, dug by hand, sifted through soil and eventually uncovered teeth.

The Northwood site covers roughly an acre, just wide enough to fit three vans. On April 27, 2025, Peace detected an anomaly there. Excavations began on May 15, revealing human remains that confirmed the teams’ suspicions: another mass grave of railroad laborers.

“This is more than a historical breakthrough,” said William Watson at the news conference. “It’s a human story, a story of lives lost and finally remembered.”

The Duffy’s Cut Project, with support from Immaculata University, has been dedicated to restoring dignity to the victims buried in silence, honoring their memory through efforts such as the Duffy’s Cut Museum in Gabriele Library at Immaculata University.

“Immaculata was instrumental from the very beginning,” said William Watson. “The University supported our fundraising efforts, helped with petitions to secure the historical marker at Duffy’s Cut and assisted in negotiations with the homeowners’ association at the site. Without Immaculata’s involvement, the discovery at Duffy’s Cut—and ultimately the breakthrough at Northwood—would never have happened.”

Beyond its historical importance, the project has had a profound impact on those involved—personally and professionally.

“I’ve been involved with the project since my first semester freshman year [at Immaculata], fall 2006. Even though I ended up working in the IT world in higher education, there was a lot of experience that crossed over and helped in my current profession—mainly, the ability to research,” said Frank. “Working with the Duffy’s Cut project, we spent countless hours in archives, scouring newspapers, maps and other materials looking for leads. Now, when I run into an error or have to work with new software, having those tools and the mindset to find a solution has been invaluable.”

Others remain involved because of a shared commitment to truth and historical justice.

“One of the biggest motivators keeping me involved is just a passion for history,” said Girkin. “There’s only one timeline and one way things happened, but the truth isn’t always written that way. It’s up to people like us to get the truth out.”