The number of distinctive Irish names met in looking over the early
records of North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, and Kentucky is
simply wonderful. When are added to them the names more distinctively
Scotch, but fully as Gaelic in origin as the Irish, one is justified in
believing what Ramsay wrote in 1789, that:
“The colonies which now form the United States may be considered as
Europe transplanted. Ireland, England, Scotland, France, Germany,
Holland, Switzerland, Sweden, Poland, and Italy furnished the original
stock of the present population and have been supposed to contribute to
it in the order enumerated. For the last seventy or eighty years no
nation has contributed so much to the population of America as
Ireland.”[23]
Dr. Hart and William Coomes were the first Catholic settlers in
Kentucky, locating in Harrodsburgh in 1775. The doctor was the first
medical practitioner in the state, as Mrs. Coomes was the first teacher.
This credit is given them in Collins’ History of Kentucky. Among the
fortified stations or forts built for protection from the Indians by the
early settlers, not a few bore names familiar to Irish ears, denoting
the presence of many of the old race.
Among them may be mentioned Bryan’s Station, Dougherty’s Station,
Drennan’s Lick, Feagan’s Station, Finn’s Station, Fleming’s Station,
Hart’s Station, Higgins’ Block House, Irish Station, Lynch’s Station,
Logan’s Fort, McAfee’s Station, McFadden’s Station, McGee’s Station,
Sullivan’s Old Station, Sullivan’s New Station, Sullivan’s Station,
Daniel Sullivan’s Station, McGuire’s Station, McCormack’s Station,
McKeenan’s Station, McConnell’s Station, Kennedy’s Station, Givin’s
Station, McKinley’s Station, McMillan’s Station, Owen’s Station, Kilgore
Station, Hoy Station, Kinchelloe’s Station and Gilmore’s Station.
Ten Kentucky counties bear Irish names: Adair, Butler, Logan, Hart,
Montgomery, McCracken, Boyle, Carroll, Rowan, and Casey. John Carty, the
most successful merchant in Lexington, was the son of John Carty, a
native of Ireland who went early to Kentucky from New Jersey; and
General James Morrison, for many years one of the leading men of the
state, was the son of another Irish emigrant.
As late as 1840, among the surviving veterans of the Revolutionary War
residing in Kentucky were the following:
James McElroy,
Andrew Linam,
James McElhaney,
Michael Moore,
William Brady,
George Bryan,
Edward McConnell,
Michael Smith,
Michael Freeman,
John Hart,
Joseph Dunn,
William De Courcey,
David Driscoll,
John Short,
John Dehan,
Richard Wade,
Randall Haley,
Cornelius Sullivan,
Hugh Drennon,
Patrick McCann,
E. Madden,
John Burke,
David Kennedy,
Timothy Logan,
John Slavin,
James Logan,
John Martin,
John Herron,
Patrick Marvin,
Michael Hargan,
Daniel Bryan,
John Carroll,
John McGee,
John Murphy,
Joseph Casey,
Richard Bellew,
John Keen,
Stephen Collins,
William Lyons,
Jacob Dooly,
William Kelly,
Charles Hart,
William Conner,
Daniel McCarthy,
James Fitzpatrick,
Robert Burke,
John Reilly,
John Mahon,
Martin Hughes,
Joseph Sweeney,
Thomas Laughlan,
John Adair,
Patrick Coyle,
Dennis Dailey,
John McQuilty,
William Devine,
John Mitchel,
Gen. Richard Butler,
Maj. John Finley,
Col. James Morrison.
The following served in the several companies named, during the
Revolution, on detached service, mainly against the Indians, who were
the auxiliaries of the British:
In Captain Bourman’s company,—William Barry, Edward Bulger, Patrick
Doran, Isaac McBride, Robert McClanahan, Edward Murray, Joseph Michael
and Thomas Pendergast.
Captain Logan’s company,—Capt. Benj. Logan, Lieut. John Logan, William
Casey, George Flynn, Bartholomew Fenton, Stephen Houston, John
McCormack, John McElhone, James McElwain, John McKaine, Archibald
Mahone, William Neal.
Captain Harrod’s company,—Daniel Driskill, John Conway, Patrick McGee,
John Lewis, William Smiley, James Sullivan, James Welch.
Captain Boyle’s company,—Capt. John Boyle, Barney Boyle, Elisha Clary,
James Coyle, Owen Devine, Peter Higgins, Robert Moore, William Rowan,
Dennis Devine.
Captain Holder’s company,—James Barry, James Bryan, John Butler, William
Collins, William McGee, Hugh Ross.
Captain Boone’s company,—John Butler, Patrick Ryan, Morgan Hughes, John
McFadden.
An idea can be formed of the Irish blood in Kentucky during those
stirring times, from the character of the names given. Nearly all the
great Gaelic family names are represented, and the absence of Scriptural
(Old Testament) names, so common among those of the Presbyterian and
Congregational denominations, indicates that these men were of Catholic
stock when they, or their fathers, immigrated. The first settlers of the
“Blue Grass” state were from Virginia, North Carolina and
Pennsylvania,—nearly all of this stock, which no doubt accounts for the
gallantry and beauty of the modern Kentuckians, men and women, and the
superior quality of the whiskey and horses, for the usquebaugh, or
“mountain dew,” was first distilled in Ireland, and when first tasted by
the sluggish Saxons, the effect was such on their thick blood, muddied
by beer, that they considered it good not only as a beverage, but as
“cure-all” for medicinal purposes.
James McBride, an Irishman, has the credit of being the first white man
to enter the territory, “paddling his canoe up the Kentucky river in
1745.” Twenty years later Col. George Croghan, the well-known Indian
agent of the same stock, was at Shawane town, on the Ohio river.
When Daniel Boone left North Carolina for Kentucky in 1769, he was
accompanied by James Mooney, John Stewart, Joseph Holden, John Findlay
and William Cool, all but the leader being of Irish stock.
In 1775, James, George and Robert McAfee, and James McCowen went to the
territory on a surveying tour. In 1778 Capt. James Grattan, John Tuel
and John McManus were among those who laid the permanent foundation of
the city of Louisville. Bryan’s station was one of the earliest
garrisons for protection against the Indians, and two of the prominent
Indian fighters were Captains Orr and Shannon.
Captain Flynn was one of the founders of the town of Columbia, 1787, and
Dr. John Connelly was agent in 1778 for the British government in the
territory. The first newspaper established northwest of the Ohio, in
Cincinnati, was by William Maxwell, of the same stock.
Col. John Lutteral, an Irishman, was one of a party which left North
Carolina for Boonesboro’, Ky., in April, 1775. He was one of the
pioneers and a noted man for years. He was accompanied by John Hart and
John Kennedy. Daniel Boone was the leader. Captain Flynn, who has been
mentioned as one of the founders of Columbia, had as associates Francis
Dunleavy and John Riley.
Among the first settlers of Harrodsburgh were the families of McGarry
and Hogan, welcome acquisitions on account of their wives and children.
Major McGarry was one of the bravest, as well as one of the best known,
Indian fighters in Kentucky, having for an associate a brother Celt
named Major McBride, and another named Captain Bulger. The recital of
their deeds would alone fill a good-sized volume.
In an attack on Bryan’s station, a garrison named after another Celt, by
a party of 500 Indians, in 1782, the savages were repulsed, but some of
the women were killed. This enraged the whites in the vicinity, and a
party of 160 met at the station to arrange for the pursuit and
punishment of the Indians. The cooler heads, led by Daniel Boone, tried
to dissuade the hotheads from making the attempt, but in the midst of
the discussion the impetuous McGarry, putting spurs to his horse, cried
out for all but the cowards to follow him, and galloped in the direction
taken by the savage foe. Every man of the 160, nettled by the taunt,
followed him, but the result which was predicted, followed. They fell
into an ambuscade and sixty of the number were killed, among them
McBride and Bulger. McGarry fought like a madman and escaped unhurt.
Among the first Presbyterian ministers in the state were James McCready,
William McGill, Samuel McAdoo, Henry Delaney, A. M. Bryan, William
McGee, William McMahon and John Dunleavy; and among the first Methodist
ministers were James O’Cull, William Burke, William McMahon and John and
William McGee, all Irish enough in appearance to be staunch Catholics of
the old Milesian type, and it is not unlikely their fathers may have
been.
Among those who distinguished themselves in the history of the state as
legislators, soldiers or writers, were Wm. T. Barry, who was chief
justice of the court of appeals in 1825; one of a commission to digest a
plan of schools for common education; lieutenant-governor in 1820;
member of the National House of Representatives in 1810‒’11; and in the
United States Senate in 1814‒’16.
Gen. John Adair held high command in the War of 1812‒’15; received the
thanks of the Kentucky legislature for gallantry at New Orleans; was
governor of Kentucky in 1820; in the National House of Representatives
1814‒’16, and had served in the United States Senate in 1805‒’06. John
Rowan was secretary of state in 1804; Benjamin Logan was presidential
elector in 1793, William Logan in 1809, and Robert Ewing, William
Irvine, William Casey and William Logan in 1813.
The indomitable Matthew Lyon who went from Vermont to Kentucky was again
sent from Kentucky to congress in 1829‒’33‒’35, and his son, Chittenden
Lyon, was there in 1827‒’35. Colonel Chittenden Lyon was a veritable
giant in size, being considerably over six feet in height and weighing
over 350 pounds. The admixture of Irish and Yankee blood in his make-up,
if anything, increased the pugnacious spirit inherited from his father,
who had married one of the Vermont Chittendens; and the stories told of
his prowess as a wrestler and a boxer are countless.
Being at one time a candidate for a public office, when the margin was
close, he was approached by a political opponent, his rival in
fisticuffs as well as in politics, and fully his equal in size and
weight, and challenged to a boxing match, the condition being that the
loser would vote for the winner. This Lyon agreed to, and they went at
it, over 700 pounds of bone and muscle. After a severe contest the
spectators interfered and it was declared a draw, Lyon, however,
receiving his rival’s vote.
Thomas Dougherty was clerk of the House of Representatives in 1815.
Among native Kentuckians who served in Congress from other states were
James B. Foley from Indiana, 1857‒’59; Willis A. Gorman from the same
state, 1849‒’53, and also a major-general in the Civil War; Edward A.
Hannegan from the same state, in 1855‒’57; and Cornelius L. L. Leary
from Maryland.
Among the noted military men of the Irish stock were Generals John
Boyle, Adair, Croghan and Commander Prendergast.
Among Kentucky poets were Dr. John M. Harney, brother to Gen. W. S.
Harney, Theodore O’Hara, Gen. W. O. Butler, W. D. Gallagher, Noble
Butler and William M. Harney. Among legislators and educators, in
addition to those already named, were McNamara, Hogan, Kane O’Hara, “the
great educator” and father of Colonel Theodore, the poet; Judge James
O’Hara, brother to Kane, and Major James O’Hara, son of the Judge. John
McGill, James McGinty, Cassidy, O’Bamon, Kennan and Finley were also
honored names in the “dark and bloody ground.”
Michael Cassidy, born in Ireland and a soldier of the Revolution, went
to Kentucky in 1782. He was small in stature, being barely five feet in
height, but he made up in courage what he lacked in size, and was, in
addition, as tough and wiry as a hickory sapling. He was considered one
of the most noted Indian fighters in his day, and many anecdotes have
been printed about him.
Dr. John M. Harney, mentioned elsewhere, went to Kentucky from Delaware.
He was born in 1789. He was the son of Major Thomas Harney. Major
Benjamin F. Harney was an elder brother. In 1847 he was the senior
surgeon in the United States army. A younger brother was Major-General
W. S. Harney, who distinguished himself in the Florida and Mexican War.
He was prominent for a while at the outbreak of the Civil War, being in
command at St. Louis until relieved by General Fremont.
Dr. John M. Harney married the daughter of another Celt, the celebrated
John Rowan, in his day one of the best known and respected men in
Kentucky. In his latter years Dr. Harney returned to the faith of his
fathers, dying in the Catholic fold at Bardstown, the original seat of
Catholicity in Kentucky, on January 15, 1825. Gen. John Adair, for whom
the county of that name was called, was born in South Carolina in 1757.
He served in the Revolutionary War. He was one of Kentucky’s pioneers
and first citizens. His name denotes his origin.
Daniel Boone, it is said, was a descendant of one of the original
Catholic settlers of Maryland. Let that be as it may, some of the name
are still found in Maryland, who cling to the old faith. His is the
greatest name among the early pioneers of the state. Boyle county was
named for the Hon. John Boyle, for many years chief justice of Kentucky,
who was a native of Virginia. Butler county received its name from
Major-General Richard Butler of Pennsylvania, who fought through the
Revolutionary War and was killed in St. Clair’s disastrous defeat,
November 4, 1791.
Few of the prominent families, not only of Kentucky but of any state in
the Union, have been so distinguished in many ways as this of General
Butler. The emigrant ancestor was Thomas Butler, born in Kilkenny,
Ireland, April 8, 1720. Five of his sons attained eminence in America.
Of these, Richard, William and Thomas were, like their father, natives
of Ireland. Percival and Edward were born in Pennsylvania. All were
officers in the Revolutionary War. Edward was too young at first, but
entered it before its close. Richard was the second in command of
Morgan’s rifle regiment. He was afterwards its colonel and commanded
Wayne’s left in the attack on Stony Point. All these brothers and their
immediate descendants were engaged in the military service of their
country, in all the wars before 1800; while their survivors were in the
war of 1812, and not less than nine of a younger generation were in the
Mexican War.
Gen. Percival Butler migrated to Kentucky in 1784. His son, Col. Thomas
L. Butler, was aide to General Jackson in the battle of New Orleans. A
second son, Gen. Wm. O. Butler, also served in the war of 1812, received
the commendations of General Jackson for bravery at New Orleans, was
afterwards appointed on Jackson’s staff and was a major-general in the
Mexican War. The third son, Richard P. Butler, was assistant
adjutant-general in the campaign of 1812.
Campbell county takes its name from Col. John Campbell, a native of
Ireland. He received a grant of four thousand acres of land, located
near Louisville, and during life was one of Kentucky’s noted men.
Carroll county takes its name from Charles Carroll, of Carrollton.
Casey county derives its name from Col. Thomas Casey, who went from
Virginia to Kentucky in 1779. Daviess county was named in honor of
Joseph H. Daviess, who fell at Tippecanoe. He was born in Virginia, of
an Irish father and a Scotch mother. “The warm heart, free and off-hand,
and ready sentiment told in language plainer than words, that the blood
of Erin flowed fresh in his veins.”
Fleming county was named for Col. John Fleming, who was born in
Virginia. Fulton county was named for Robert Fulton. Hart county derived
its name from Capt. N. G. T. Hart. His father, Col. Thomas Hart, was
from Maryland. Kenton county takes its name from the celebrated Simon
Kenton. “His father was an Irishman, his mother of Scotch descent.” He
was born in Virginia. His name is familiar to every reader of the early
history of Kentucky.
Knox county was named for Gen. Henry Knox of the Revolution. He was born
in Boston of Irish parents, and was a member of “The Irish Society” of
that city. Logan county derives its name from Gen. Benjamin Logan. His
parents came from Ireland. He was born in Pennsylvania. His is one of
Kentucky’s great names. It is claimed that his son, William Logan, was
the first white child born in Kentucky. McCracken county was named for
Capt. Virgil McCracken, who was killed in the war of 1812. Meade county
was named for Capt. James Meade, who was killed in the same engagement
with Captain McCracken. Montgomery county derives its name from Gen.
Richard Montgomery, who was killed at Quebec. Wayne county was named in
honor of Gen. Anthony Wayne, who was born in Pennsylvania. His name
appears on the roll of members of the “Friendly Sons of St. Patrick” of
Philadelphia.
Another noted Kentucky family was that of the O’Haras. Kane O’Hara went
to Kentucky in the latter part of the eighteenth century, and became in
time one of its most distinguished educators. He was accompanied to this
country by his father and two younger brothers. Of the two latter,
Charles went to Georgia, where he followed the same profession; James
remained in Kentucky teaching for some years, but later was admitted to
the bar, and acquired the reputation of a profound lawyer and able
advocate.
He was the father of Judge James O’Hara, Jr. Among the large number of
pupils of Kane O’Hara who became famous after, were several of the
Marshalls and Browns,—Major Croghan of the United States army, and
President Zachary Taylor. When on his way to Washington to be
inaugurated, General Taylor departed from his line of travel in order to
visit his old teacher in Frankfort. “It was an affecting scene when the
great soldier, then an old man, bowed himself in grateful homage before
the venerable preceptor of his youth, and in few but earnest words,
thanked him for the care bestowed on his early education, to which he
attributed all the achievements of his after life.”
Col. Theodore O’Hara, poet, journalist, and soldier, was the son of Kane
O’Hara. He was educated by his father with the greatest care, but
received his collegiate finish, and graduated, at St. Joseph’s College,
Bardstown, with the first honors of his class. His “Bivouac of the Dead”
has made his name immortal:
“The muffled drum’s sad roll has beat
The soldier’s last tattoo!
No more on life’s parade shall meet
That brave and fallen few;
On fame’s eternal camping-ground
Their silent tents are spread,
And Glory guards with solemn round
The bivouac of the dead.
* * * * *
Rest on, embalmed and sainted dead!
Dear as the blood ye gave;
No impious footsteps here shall tread
The herbage of your graves;
Nor shall your glory be forgot
While Fame her record keeps,
Or honor points the hallowed spot
Where valor proudly sleeps.”
A great and magnanimous government has had these verses, the composition
of an ex-Confederate soldier, cast separately in bronze and set up in
appropriate places in all the National cemeteries.
It is worthy of mention that a lady bearing a now historic name, at
least in song, Mrs. Ann McGinty, brought the first spinning-wheel into
Kentucky, and made the first linen in the territory. She is also
credited with making the first butter there, and with bringing within
its borders the first chickens, ducks and hogs. The first Catholic
priest in Kentucky was Father Whalen, who was in Bardstown in 1787.
There were then fifty Catholic families in the state. The first families
to settle there were those of Daniel Boone, Hugh McGary, Thomas Denton
and Richard Hogan. As has been mentioned, the first practising physician
was Dr. Hart, and the first school teacher was Mrs. Coomes, both
Catholics from Maryland.
Col. Matthew Lyon, mentioned elsewhere, is alluded to as the most
remarkable character among the public men of southwestern Kentucky. He
was born in Wicklow county, Ireland, in 1746. His father, for being
engaged in conspiracy against the English government, was tried,
condemned and executed. To secure his passage, Matthew bound himself to
a sea captain to work for twelve months after his arrival in America.
The captain sold him to a Connecticut farmer for two bulls; he served
his time faithfully and became a free man. His favorite by-word was
forever after “By the bulls that bought me.” It is worthy of record that
Rudyard Kipling has put these words in the mouth of one of his recently
created characters, without, however, giving Matthew proper credit. It
is very evident that Colonel Lyon never forgot his father’s execution,
for he was, up to the day of his death, an inveterate hater of the
English government.
After he gained his freedom, he made his home in Vermont. He founded the
town of Fairhaven in 1783, where he built saw and grist-mills, an iron
foundry, engaged in paper making from basswood, and a variety of other
occupations. He served in the Vermont legislature ten years, and for
some time was assistant judge. He served in congress from his adopted
state. He was one of the first arrested under the alien and sedition
laws, was convicted of a libel on the president, John Adams, fined one
thousand dollars, and served a jail sentence in addition.
While in congress, on the thirty-sixth ballot he decided the protracted
seven days’ voting for president by casting his vote and that of Vermont
for Thomas Jefferson, making him president in preference to Aaron Burr.
Shortly after the beginning of the present century he went to Kentucky
with his family. He served in the legislature of his newly adopted
state, and from it, between 1803 and 1811, was in congress eight years.
Eighteen years after his death congress voted to refund with interest
the amount of the fine inflicted on him in 1798. This was done on July
4, 1840. He had a son of the same name who was the father of Gen. H. B.
Lyon. Col. Chittenden Lyon, Matthew’s oldest son, represented his state
in congress eight years, and was fully as impetuous and honest as his
father. Of Matthew Lyon, Gov. John Reynolds, of Illinois, said, “His
Irish impulses were honest, and always on the side of human freedom. His
leading trait of character was his zeal and enthusiasm, almost a madness
itself in any cause he espoused.” This covered his zeal.
The opinion of the members of the first Continental congress, of the
Irish in Ireland, and in the colonies, is well expressed in an address
issued by that body in 1774. In part it said: “Your parliament had done
us no wrong; you had ever been friendly to the rights of mankind, and we
acknowledge with pleasure and gratitude that your nation has produced
patriots who have nobly distinguished themselves in the cause of
humanity and America. Accept our most grateful acknowledgments for the
friendly disposition you have always shown towards us.”
The record made by the men whose names appear in this paper, is evidence
that they were worthy of the tribute paid in this address. What the
feeling was in Ireland, a little more than a year later, was well
described by Gen. Ethan Allen, who said that the people of Cork when
they found he was in the harbor, a prisoner on one of his majesty’s
vessels, sent him a plentiful supply of money, food, and clothing; that
it aroused the ire of Captain Simonds, his keeper, who put an end to the
contributions, saying that “the damned rebels of America should not be
feasted by the damned rebels of Ireland.”
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