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.