The following is from "The History of Mifflin County" by Joseph Cochran, published 1879. This was written with the information being given by James Cupples' youngest son John.

"JAMES CUPPLES, SENR; - Came from Antrim county, Ireland, in the year preceding the revolutionary war. An English man-of-war gave their emigrant ship a severe chase, but a dense fog saved them from capture. He, like many others of the early emigrants, first located in Chester county. After his marriage he removed to Mifflin county, and settled in Derry township, in Dry Valley, on a farm which he bought of a Mr. Burns. He raised a family of 21 children, only 3 of them sons. Was 3 times married. The youngest of these sons, John Cupples, was born in Dry Valley, in the year 1800, December 22. Was married July 28, 1828. His brother James died at the age of 88, and his brother Robert at the age of 80, showing the immense, almost unprecedented, vigor and vital energies of their race. His descendants are 6 sons and 2 daughters, of whom ther are now (1879) living 4 sons and 1 daughter........For many years he has been a resident of Ferguson's Valley, where his influence for good and the well-being of his neighborhood are so generously exerted. Though of an advanced age he enjoys excellent health, and bids fair yet to remain long with us; and so may it be."