Another grandson of Mrs. Taylor, Dr. James Ervin Godfrey, was educated in Paris and became a surgeon in the Confederate army, with the rank of major. He married in Madison, Ga., where he still resides, as do also many of his descendants. The youngest daughter, Mary, married Timothy Sullivan (O’Sullivan), a native of County Cork, Ireland, a merchant whose name is mentioned as a broker on Vendue Range, Charleston, more than eighty years ago. Mrs. Sullivan’s eldest daughter married Patrick Cantwell (also an Irishman), an officer of the customs in Charleston. Mr. Cantwell was a first cousin of Lieut. Stephen Cassin, one of the heroes of the battle of Lake Champlain, and also a nephew of Commodore John Cassin, U. S. N., who was commander of the naval forces at Norfolk during the War of 1812, and at Charleston from 1821–’22, where he died the latter year. His remains lie in St. Mary’s churchyard. Mr. Cantwell’s eldest daughter, Mary, married Daniel O’Driscoll, of the O’Driscolls of Baltimore, born at Cork, Ireland. Of their two sons, one is a graduate of the College of Charleston, and has entered the profession of teaching; the other, a student at the Military Academy of South Carolina.
Among the surviving descendants of David Hamilton are the Godfreys of Georgia, the Magills of Florida, the Harveys, Stroheckers, Pritchards, Knoxes, Poppenheims, Milers, O’Driscolls, Langleys, Cantwells, Nesbits and Morrisons of South Carolina, and a family of Prestons in Alabama. A granddaughter, Mary Pritchard, married Dr. Barnard of New Haven, Conn., and her descendants still reside in that city.
THE IRISH CHAPTER IN THE HISTORY OF BROWN UNIVERSITY.[[16]]
BY THOMAS HAMILTON MURRAY, WOONSOCKET, R. I.
The founding of Brown University marks a pivotal era in the educational history of Rhode Island. It is not the beginning of that history any more than it is the ultimate conclusion thereof. For, before the founding came the pioneers of education, the skirmish line, clearing the underbrush, paving the way, opening the battle for the cause of knowledge.
In the van, then, were the private teachers who received pupils into their homes or taught them at their own firesides. Many of these teachers in early Rhode Island history were talented Irishmen. Indeed, Irish schoolmasters were numerous throughout all the colonies. In reading the lives of the men of the Revolution, we are astonished at the number receiving their education from these Irish teachers.
Of the Irish masters who taught in Rhode Island at an early period may be mentioned Brown, MacSparran, Crocker, Knox, Kelly, Jackson, Phelan, Reilly and others.
Rev. Dr. MacSparran was a leading Irish preacher and teacher whose educational influence without doubt helped pave the way and render desirable the founding of a Rhode Island college. His arrival in these parts dates from about 1718, when he located in Bristol. Later, and for a period of nearly forty years, he was pastor of St. Paul’s church in Narragansett. Dr. MacSparran always had a warm affection for his native land, and loved to speak and read the Irish language. During his long period of service in Narragansett he received many pupils at his home, imparting a knowledge of the Greek and Latin classics and various other branches. Writing in 1752, he says: “Mr. Thomas Clap, president of Yale college, was my scholar when I came first to these parts, and on all occasions gratefully acknowledges his receiving the first rudiments of his learning from me, who, by the way, have not but a modicum to boast of myself.” MacSparran died in 1757.
Rev. Marmaduke Brown, an Irishman, while rector of Trinity church, Newport, opened a school for the instruction of negro children. In 1763 he had provided for teaching thirty pupils, fifteen of each sex. He likewise contributed in many other ways toward creating and perpetuating an educational spirit in the community. This Irishman, Brown, is mentioned in the charter of the university as a member of the first board of Fellows. He also appears as a member of the board in 1770. His wife was an Irish woman of sterling worth and fine intellect. His father, Rev. Arthur Brown, a native of Drogheda, in Ireland, came to Rhode Island about 1729, and was pastor of King’s church in Providence. Marmaduke Brown had a son, Arthur, who became senior Fellow of Trinity college, Dublin, and member of the Irish parliament. It is not known,—at least I do not know,—that these Irish Browns of Newport and Providence were related to the family from whence the university derives its name.
Stephen Jackson of Kilkenny was another Irish teacher. Some of his descendants have been identified with Brown university. Stephen came to this country in 1724. He was a resident of Providence in 1745 and is mentioned as a “schoolmaster.” In 1762 he was living on Benefit street. One of his sons married Susan Waterman. A grandson of this Kilkenny teacher was town clerk of Providence for many years, another was cashier of the Exchange bank, a third was president of the Washington Insurance company, while a great-grandson of the Irish immigrant became governor of Rhode Island and was always a warm friend of the university.