EARLY NEW HAMPSHIRE IRISH; SOME PRE-REVOLUTIONARY DENNISES, CORNELIUSES, PATRICKS AND MICHAELS.
BY HON. JOHN C. LINEHAN.
Among the Christian names common to the Irish people, especially to those of the Catholic faith, few were more numerous, a century ago, than those mentioned in the caption to this article. They were rare among the Scotch, English, or Welsh. None of them was of Gaelic or old Irish origin. They came to the ancient Irish with their religion, and, like their faith, have become nationalized.
According to Lecky, the conquest of Ireland by Cromwell’s soldiers was not more complete than the conquest of the soldiers by their Irish wives; their offspring assumed Irish given names, and were brought up in the faith of their mothers. This was the subject of a complaint against the Irish government to Henry Cromwell, the son of Oliver. How true this may have been, it is needless to discuss, but the presence of so many in New Hampshire before the Revolution bearing the names alluded to, is in part evidence of the truth of what Lecky wrote, and Prendergast commented on, for not a few of the surnames are English in appearance.
Darby Field came to New Hampshire in 1631. The date is so remote that no attempt has thus far been made to denationalize him. Consequently, he remains on the records as a plain “Irish soldier for discovery.” His home was in Exeter. He is credited with being the first in the English settlements to discover the White Mountains. That he was a useful citizen is evident from the provincial papers. How many American Fields are descended from him cannot be determined, but if there are any, there isn’t much doubt that they will locate the birthplace of their ancestor in Ulster. This fad extends even to some children of the modern Irish. The illustrious “Tim” Campbell, ex-member of congress from New York, has been classified as of “Scotch-Irish” descent, and recently a young man named Quinn, of the first generation born here, said, “His father was a Scotch-Irishman from Kilkenny, in the north of Ireland.” A little rough on the city paved with marble, but such is fad.
A good, sturdy representative of the Fields to-day in New Hampshire, as Irish in blood as Darby Field was, is the Hon. John H. Field, who was a member of the state senate in 1899–1900. His home is Nashua. He is of the faith of his fathers.
Darby Kelly was the ancestor of many American Kellys. His descendants are almost innumerable. Like Darby Field, he, too, was a soldier, as well as a schoolmaster and farmer. Gen. Benjamin F. Kelly, of West Virginia, was his grandson; the latter acquired distinction in the Civil War. The name Darby Kelly appears on the muster rolls of company and regiment from 1748 to the fall of Wolfe and Montcalm.
Of the Patricks, Patrick O’Flynn possessed a military record his offspring may well take pride in. His name appears quite often in the short wars preceding the struggle for independence. He represented the town of Bedford at Bunker Hill and served through the long war which ended at Yorktown. At its close he went West, dying in Illinois. His name appears on the United States pension rolls for 1825, with his company and regiment.
Another was Patrick Cogan. He was quartermaster of the First New Hampshire regiment, serving in that capacity under Stark, Cilley and Reid. He died in the service in 1778. His regiment was in Sullivan’s brigade at Ticonderoga in 1777. He represented Sullivan’s town, Durham. Stephen Cogan, possibly a relative, was a selectman in the same town in 1780, and with him were Joseph, William and Joseph Cogan, Jr.
A namesake, if not a relative of Darby Field, was Patrick Field, a soldier in the Continental army. Patrick Guinlan was teaching school in Concord before 1770. He is given mention in Bouton’s history of that place.
A well-known town in the south of Ireland is Dungarvan, and a well-known locality in Concord is “Garvin’s Falls,” just south of the city, on the Merrimack. The falls are named for Patrick Garvin, one of the first settlers. His name appears frequently as one of the defenders of the garrison against the Indians.
New Hampshire furnished to Iowa one of her most distinguished sons, in the person of the Hon. James W. Grimes, who acquired a national reputation during the Civil War. One of the first, if not the very first, of that name in New Hampshire was Patrick Grimes.
Patrick Gault was the ancestor of some of New Hampshire’s substantial citizens. His name appears early in the provincial papers. As much can be said of Patrick Taggart and his descendants.
Patrick White was the first of his line in the old Granite state. He came to Peterborough before 1740. Gen. Daniel M. White, commander of the New Hampshire National Guard in 1894, was one of his descendants.
Patrick Orr is a reminder of the slogan of 1798, “Remember William Orr.” Many useful citizens of the Granite state bear this name. It is not now so common as it was fifty or seventy-five years ago. John Orr served seven terms in the state senate, his legislative career ending in 1804.
Patrick Griffin represented a name as common here now as it is in Ireland. Simon G. Griffin, brevet major-general, was a New Hampshire soldier with a fine record in the Civil War.
Cornelius Connor represented a name famous in Ireland’s annals and familiar to the readers of New Hampshire state and provincial papers.
It is first mentioned in 1710. The occasion was the payment of a bill presented by him for moccasins, so it is fair to presume he was a shoemaker. The name Connor, or Conner, has been well known in the town of Exeter for nearly 200 years. An Exeter man, possibly a descendant of Cornelius, was Col. Freeman Conner, who commanded the Forty-fourth New York regiment in the Civil War. He was also assistant postmaster of Chicago under the late James A. Sexton, during the administration of President Benjamin Harrison. J. M. Connor, of Hopkinton, is one of the prominent grangers in New Hampshire, and an authority on agricultural matters.
James O’Conner, a native of Ireland, and a surgeon in the Continental army, was among the first settlers in the town of Sanbornton. One of his descendants went to the East Indies and was traffic manager of the Ganges canal in 1869. Cornelius Connor is the first of the name to appear on the provincial records. The family has been prolific—for the Connors are numerous—and is looked upon now as a distinctive New Hampshire name.
Another of the “Cons” was Cornelius Driscoll. His name appears first in 1715, attached to a petition praying for the settlement of a minister in Dover. The name is spelled Drisco, but there is no question about it being Driscoll, for two reasons: first, the given name Cornelius, as well as there also being a Teage Driscoll; “Tim” is the English of Teage; and second, the word Bristol is spelled Bristo. The name is still spelled Drisco by people bearing it. Later it appears spelled properly, “Driscoll,” in the state papers, but an interrogation mark is placed after the name, which is evidence of the mutilation of Irish names by those not conversant with their character. Teage Drisco’s name appears on the records of the town of Exeter in 1664, Cornelius Driscoe in 1725, and John Drisco in 1710. “Driscoll Hill,” in Francestown, is a locality spoken of in the Granite Monthly for August, 1897. Cornelius Drisco was one of the proprietors of the town of Gilmanton in 1727. Still another “Con,” who appears often in the records, is Cornelius Lary. He was in Exeter as early as 1674. Like other old Irish surnames, it was twisted out of shape by the English scribes, so that in various places it is spelled O’Leary, Lary, and Lear.
As is well-known, this is one of the great south of Ireland names. It would be of great interest to “Con’s” countrymen had he kept a diary relating his experience in those days. “The Curse of Crummill” was on the lips of many at that time, perhaps on his. Thirty-six years later, in 1710, the names of Daniel, Samuel, Thomas, and Cornelius Lary appear, perhaps the sons of the emigrant. It is still common in Maine as well as in New Hampshire as Lary. Col. Tobias Lear, of Portsmouth, was Washington’s secretary. Whether his name was Leary originally, cannot be determined. He married a daughter of Col. Pierse Long. The latter was the son of Pierse Long who came to Portsmouth from Limerick, Ireland. Colonel Long was with Sullivan at the capture of Newcastle, and commanded a regiment in the Continental army.
McDuffee has been a well-known New Hampshire family name for one hundred and fifty years. Col. John McDuffee commanded a regiment in the Continental army and some of the most substantial business men in the state are of the same clan. The “Cons” were also represented in this family in the person of Cornelius Duffee, whose name appears in the index of the provincial papers.
Of the Michaels, the most distinguished was Gen. Michael McClary. He was the grandson of Andrew McClary, who came over in 1726, to Epsom, and the nephew of Maj. Andrew McClary, who fell at Bunker Hill, and of Lieut. John McClary, who was killed in action at Saratoga. He was an ensign at Bunker Hill, and was appointed captain in the Continental army later. He filled many positions in civil life. He was the first adjutant-general of New Hampshire under the new constitution, and also served as United States marshal. The family was prominent in state affairs. John McClary was a member of the governor’s council five years before 1785, and of the senate six years. Michael McClary served in the senate twelve years, and James H. McClary, two years; Michael was elected, but resigned, and James H. was chosen in convention to fill the vacancy.
The original emigrant, Andrew, came over on the same vessel with James Harney. Their friendship was carried down to the third generation in the name of James Harney McClary. There were others of the same name in the state, but not of the same family. Whether as Cleary, Clary, or Clery—with or without the Mac or the O—the name is as Irish as the shamrock.
Another of the Michaels who, if not as distinguished as the one mentioned, was a useful citizen, was Michael Dwyer, who was one of the first settlers of Holderness, N. H. His name appears frequently in the state records; he was selectman of his town, and represented it in the state legislature, and it is evident that he was prominent in business and political affairs in his section of the state.
A contemporary of his in Holderness was Capt. Bryan McSweeny, a veteran of the old French, Indian, and Revolutionary wars.
Others of the name of Dwyer were in New Hampshire before Michael’s day, for the name of Edward Dwyer appears on the Exeter town records in 1695, also that of James Dwyer. Time has probably changed the name to Dyer.
Michael Johnston was one of the first two settlers of Haverhill, N. H., going there from Haverhill, Mass. His brother, Col. Charles Johnston, in point of character, it is written, was the most prominent of Haverhill’s first settlers. He also had a son Michael. Whether Irish or Scottish, Johnston is the English for McShane or McIan.
The name Carroll, borne by Maryland’s “first citizen,” was represented among the New Hampshire Michaels, in the person of Michael Carroll. A county also bears his name, and it is quite common in New Hampshire. The New Hampshire national bank examiner is the Hon. E. H. Carroll, and the labor commissioner is Col. L. H. Carroll. A brother of the bank commissioner is superintendent of schools in Worcester, Mass.
Michael Annis, perhaps Ennis, bore the name of the man who built the first house in the town of Warner. His father came from Enniskillen “in Great Britain,” so the history reads, but Ireland would be more correct geographically. Adding the Mac and spelling the name properly it would be McGuinis, McInnis, McGinnis, McGuinness, or Magenis.
Michael Chatterton was the first of the Michaels to appear on the New Hampshire records. He was one of the servants sent over by Capt. John Mason, coming at the same time as Darby Field, between 1631 and 1640. With him was William Dermit. Albee, the historian of Newcastle, wrote that Portsmouth’s first settlers were Celts from Devon and Cornwall. There was more or less trade between the colony in its early days and Limerick and Kilkenny, Ireland, Kilkenny rugs and Limerick bacon being spoken of.
Michael Clark represented another widely known New Hampshire family name, well represented at the bar, on the bench, and in the upper and lower branches of congress.
Michael Fitzgerald was one of the great Norman Irish clan which in time became more Irish than the Irish themselves. Edward Fitzgerald, one of the first settlers of Boscawen, was reputed to be well educated and prosperous. Col. John Fitzgerald was Washington’s favorite aid.
As a rule, the New Hampshire descendants of the Fitzgeralds have divided the name. Some are known as Fitzes, others as Geralds.
Michael Kelly was a grandson of Darby Kelly mentioned, and the brother of Gen. B. F. Kelly, of West Virginia, as well as the father of ex-Mayor F. H. Kelly, of Worcester, and of Capt. Warren Michael Kelly, of Donohoe’s Tenth N. H. regiment in the Civil War.
Michael Lyons was a namesake of the impulsive Matthew Lyons, of Vermont and Kentucky (who thanked God, when in congress, that he was not one of “Cromwell’s bastards”), and also of Gen. Nathaniel Lyons, one of the gallant soldiers and martyrs of the Civil War.
Michael Metcalf bore the same surname as the only Knownothing governor-elect of New Hampshire. The latter, maternally, was sprung from a respectable Irish family named Montague, so the historian of the town of Newport wrote, which perhaps accounts for the appearance of Michael among the Metcalfs; and here was also a Michael Metcalf, Jr., which showed that it took one generation to make the name unpopular.
Michael Smith bore a numerous family surname not confined to any one of the British Isles, but common to all. He was in New Hampshire early, and with him was Patrick Smith. No doubt both were Irish.
Michael Butler represented another great Irish family, whose most distinguished member, produced in New Hampshire, was Gen. Benjamin F. Butler. About the first to appear in the colony was John Butler, who was in Dover in 1647. James Butler was in Woburn, Mass., in or before 1676; his son, John Butler, came to Pelham, N. H., in 1721. They are the ancestors of many of the name in the state.
The foregoing sketches have been written in order to show the kind of men some of those New Hampshire Dennises, Corneliuses, Patricks and Michaels were. A modern Irishman, bearing any of these names, would never have his nationality questioned. All are appended here so as to have them placed on record as another piece of evidence to illustrate the presence of Irish in New Hampshire before the Revolution.
This is a pre-Revolutionary list:
Dennis Andrews, Dennis Bohonnon, Dennis Bickford, Dennis Callahan, Dennis Loughlan, Dennis Hight, Dennis Haley, Dennis McLane, Dennis Johnson, Dennis Sullivan, Dennis Pendergast, Dennis Stanley, Dennis Wood, Dennis Burger, Dennis McLaughlan, Dennis Organ (O’Regan).
Cornelius Bean, Cornelius Brooks, Cornelius Boule (Boyle), Cornelius Blunt, Cornelius Busiel, Cornelius Campbell, Cornelius Cuyler, Cornelius Connor, Cornelius Cook, Cornelius Driscoll, Cornelius Clough, Cornelius Denbow, Cornelius Dunsey, Cornelius Lary, Cornelius Duffee, Cornelius Dinsmore, Cornelius Danley, Cornelius Goodell, Cornelius Innis, Cornelius Kirby, Cornelius Laurence, Cornelius Roberts, Cornelius Sturtevant, Cornelius Thompson, Cornelius Warren, Cornelius Wheeler, Cornelius Johnson, Cornelius Cornell, Cornelius White, Cornelius Cady (Cody), Cornelius Culnon, Cornelius Stowell, Cornelius Davoe, Cornelius Dillingham, Cornelius Neall, Cornelius Uart (Hart?), Cornelius Ludlow, Cornelius Lowe, Cornelius Stratton, Cornelius Osborne, Cornelius Winslow.
Patrick Bourn, Patrick Burns, Patrick Bradshawe, Patrick Campbell, Patrick Cogan, Patrick Clark, Patrick Bonner, Patrick Douglass, Patrick Donnell, Patrick Field, Patrick Furness, Patrick O’Flynn, Patrick Fisher, Patrick Fassett, Patrick Gault, Patrick Guinlon, Patrick Grimes, Patrick Henry, Patrick Jameson, Patrick Kinelty, Patrick Larkin, Patrick Lieless, Patrick McDonnell, Patrick Kennedy, Patrick McMurphy, Patrick Cavanagh, Patrick Furlong, Patrick Madden, Patrick McGee, Patrick McGrath, Patrick McLaughlin, Patrick McMitchell, Patrick Moore, Patrick McCutchin, Patrick Murray, Patrick Murphy 1, Patrick Murphy 2, Patrick Markham, Patrick Garvin, Patrick Tobin, Patrick Melvin, Patrick Landrigal, Patrick Roach, Patrick Tobeyne, Patrick Greing, Patrick Taggart, Patrick Straton, Patrick Jennison, Patrick Manning, Patrick Smith, Patrick Farrell, Patrick Dougherty, Patrick White, Patrick Burt, Patrick McKey, Patrick Pebbles, Patrick Thatcher, Patrick Orr, Patrick Griffin.
Michael Anderson, Michael Bowdoin, Michael Bowler, Michael Barrus, Michael Brown, Michael Arbuckle, Michael Archer, Michael Cook, Michael Carroll, Michael Chapman, Michael Annis, Michael Coffin, Michael Chatterton, Michael Cressy, Michael Carew, Michael Clark, Michael Dalton, Michael Doherty, Michael Doulton, Michael Davis, Michael Dwyer, Michael Doran, Michael Ames, Michael Dearborn, Michael Falker, Michael Fitzgerald, Michael Field, Michael Gordon, Michael Gibson, Michael Grant, Michael George, Michael Gilman, Michael Haley, Michael Hailstock, Michael Heffron, Michael Hoyt, Michael Hilands, Michael Hayes, Michael Hicks, Michael Flanders, Michael Jennings, Michael Keef, Michael Kelly, Michael Lovell, Michael Lanning, Michael Lyons, Michael Lannon, Michael Logan, Michael Ludden, Michael Looney, Michael Larney, Michael Keep, Michael Martyn, Michael Metcalf, Michael Moulton, Michael McClary, Michael Martin, Michael Mann, Michael Miles, Michael McClintock, Michael Metcalf, Jr., Michael Mitchell, Michael Mosher, Michael Poor, Michael Parke, Michael Perry, Michael Quinn, Michael Reade, Michael Ryan, Michael Saunders, Michael Sutton, Michael Stocker, Michael Sargent, Michael Smith, Michael Shalletoo, Michael Tamtor, Michael Thomas, Michael Tebo, Michael Traynor, Michael Tilton, Michael Troy, Michael Tinney, Michael Veal, Michael Salter, Michael Reed, Michael Verli, Michael Wentworth, Michael Worthen, Michael Whidden, Michael Sudrick, Michael Silk, Michael Ward, Michael Vincint, Michael Johnson, Michael Woodcock, Michael Woodcock, Jr., Michael Johnston, Michael Scruton, Michael Fowler, Michael French, Michael Mudge, Michael Herring, Michael Warring, Michael Butler, Michael Burnham, Michael Colley, Michael Dunning, Michael Duff, Michael Farley, Michael Huffuel.