Copyright 1999 Perry Streeter (Content updated 22 October 2002) (c) 1999 Perry Streeter mailto:perry@streeter.com http://www.perry.streeter.com This document is Copyright 1999 by Perry Streeter. It may be freely redistributed in its entirety provided that this copyright notice is not removed. It may not be sold for profit or incorporated in commercial documents without the written permission of the copyright holder. I am seeking all genealogical and biographical details for the family documented below including their ancestors, children, and grandchildren and the spouses thereof, including the full names of those spouses' parents. All additions and corrections within this scope, however speculative, will be greatly appreciated. Dennis Hamilton of West Union, Steuben County, New York The majority of Irish Hamiltons came to [Ireland] from Scotland at the time of the Plantation of Ulster, but some families of the name were established in Ulster before that; a Hamilton appears in the contemporary list of Co. Down gentry in 1598 and another in Co. Cavan. The name is now very numerous in Ulster, particularly in Counties Antrim, Down, Tyrone and Derry. (Edward Lysaght, Irish Families) MacKendrick is to be distinguished from the Antrim name MacKendry which is a variant of MacHenry. (Edward Lysaght, Irish Families) 1. ____-A Hamilton was born in [Culfeightrin Parish, County Antrim, Northern Ireland]; he married Mary _____, born in [Culfeightrin Parish, County Antrim, Northern] Ireland circa 1775 (1855 New York State Census) and died, probably in the Town of West Union, Steuben County, New York after 1860. From the 1855 New York State Census, we know that Dennis and Margaret (McKendry) Hamilton settled in West Union, Steuben County, New York in 1853. Dennis was a Farmer and a naturalized citizen, residing in a frame house. Alex and M. McCambridge resided in a log home next to the Hamiltons; they had settled in West Union in 1852. The McCambridge household also included Alex's mother-in-law Mary Hamilton (70) and brother-in-law John Hamilton (35), both of whom were born in Ireland. In the 1860 Federal Census, "Marey" Hamilton (85) resided with John and "Raichail" Hamilton, next door to the household of "Allicksanders" and "Marget" McCambridge; James McCarry and "Dinis" Hamilton were also immediate neighbors. From the proximity of these families, it seemed reasonable to speculate that Mary Hamilton was the mother of not only John Hamilton and Margaret (Hamilton) McCambridge, but of Dennis Hamilton as well. In the Liber Baptizatorum of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church of Rexville, Town of West Union, Steuben County, New York, we find that "Dionsius Hamilton et Margarita McKendry" served as baptismal sponsors on 11 July 1853 for Margaret Anne McCambridge, daughter of "Alexandro McCambridge et Margarita Hamilton." This record further supports the conclusion that Dennis Hamilton was a brother to Margaret (Hamilton) McCambridge. Alexander and Margaret (Hamilton) McCambridge also served as baptismal sponsors for a child of Daniel and Alicia (McAuley) Hamilton, indicating that Daniel was another sibling or other close kinsman to Margaret, John and Dennis. The 1850 Federal Census of West Union includes the household of Daniel Hamilton (40), Alicia (30), John (10), James (7), Mary (5), and Dennis (1). Also residing in the Hamilton household was 70-year-old native of Ireland, "Bridget McCauley." In 1855, Daniel and A. Hamilton, natives of Ireland, resided in West Union; they had settled there in 1850 (1855 New York State Census). Daniel (45) was a Farmer and still of Alien status. His household included his wife, A. (36), son J. (14), son J. (9), daughter M.J. (5), son D. (4), and daughter, A. (2). From the ages and birthplaces of their children in the 1850 and 1855 census records, it is evident that this Hamilton family emigrated from Ireland to Canada by 1840 and migrated to Steuben County, New York from Canada by 1848. Of special interest is the fact that this household also included Daniel's mother-in-law A. McAuley (76), a widow and native of Ireland; a sister-in-law, C. McUrdy (31), also a widow and native of Ireland; and a nephew, M. McUrdy (7), born in Ireland. Bridget McAuley had also been a resident of West Union since 1850 but the McUrdys did not arrive there until 1854, probably following the death of Mr. McUrdy. McUrdy is an obvious synonym for McCurdy. Children, probably all born in Culfeightrin Parish, County Antrim, Northern Ireland: i. [Daniel-1; b. ca. 1810; m. Alica McAuley, b. Ireland ca. 1820, d. West Union before 20 March 1898 (Steuben County, New York Probate Records, Will 29:532), dau. of _____ and Bridget (_____) McAuley. Children, surname Hamilton: 1. John, b. Canada ca. 1840. 2. James, b. Canada ca. 1843; [m. Catherine-2 O'Keeffe, b. [Canandaigua], Ontario Co., NY ca. 1849, dau. of my direct ancestors, Dennis-1 and Mary (Dunne) O'Keeffe]. 3. Mary, b. NY ca. 1845. 4. Dennis A., b. NY ca. 1849. 5. Alicia, b. NY ca. 1853; m. John-2 McGill (William-1), sponsors Bernard _____ and Margaret Hamilton, son of my direct ancestors, William-1 and Mary Ann (Loughlan) McGill. 6. Margaret "Maggie," b. NY ca. 1859; m. _____ Kane.] ii. John-1, b. ca. 1820; died in West Union before 15 December 1891, leaving his wife, Rachel, and sons John and William James (Steuben County, New York Probate Records, Will 27:550); m. Rachel McCambridge, b. 25 Aug 1825, d. 6 Sep 1917, dau. of John and _____ (Jolly) McCambridge. John Hamilton and Margaret Hamilton were sponsors at the baptism of Mary Jane Hamilton, dau. of Dennis and Margaret (McKendry) Hamilton. Children, surname Hamilton: 1. John, b. 27 Sep 1860; bapt. 14 Oct 1860, sponsors Dennis and Margaret ([McKendry]) Hamilton. 2. Jane, bapt. 1863, sponsors John Kane and his wife. 2. iii. Dennis, b. ca. 1823, m. Margaret McKendry. iv. Margaret, b. 1826, d. 28 Sep 1911; m. Alexander McCambridge, b. ca. 1823, d. [West Union] 16 March 1886 (Steuben County Wills and Administrations, dated 11 February 1884, 7555 20 310), possibly another child of John and _____ (Jolly) McCambridge. Alexander "McEndrige" [McCambridge] and Margaret Hamilton served as baptismal sponsors for Margaret Hamilton, b. 25 Jan 1859; bapt. 6 March 1859, dau. of Daniel and Alicia (McAuley) Hamilton. Children, surname McCambridge, all resided in West Union as of 11 February 1884 (1855 New York State Census, father's will): 1. Mary, b. 15 July 1847; d. 11 Sep 1933. 2. Patrick, b. 1 May 1850; d. 23 Feb 1937. 3. Margaret Anne, b. [West Union] Steuben Co., NY 4 July 1853; bapt. St. Mary's Church, Rexville, NY 11 July 1853, sponsors Dennis and Margaret (McKendry) Hamilton; m. _____ Bassett. 4. Alexander, b. 23 July 1862; bapt. 23 Aug 1862, sponsors Daniel Kane and his wife; probably the same Alex McCambridge (1864-6 Feb 1902). 5. Catherine, m. 10 May 1881 William Coleman, son of Daniel and Catherine (Dunne) Coleman. 2. Dennis-1 Hamilton was born in [Culfeightrin Parish, County Antrim, Northern] Ireland about 1823; he died in the Town of West Union, Steuben County, New York. He was probably the Dennis Hamilton that died on 26 April 1899 "age 80." Dennis was married to Margaret McKendry; she was born in [Culfeightrin Parish, County Antrim, Northern] Ireland about 1827 and died in West Union and was buried with Dennis. Dennis and Margaret named their eldest daughter Mary Jane. Dennis's mother was probably Mary (_____) Hamilton. Perhaps Margaret was the daughter of Jane McKendry who was born in 1803 and died in West Union on 10 March 1889. Perhaps they followed family members from Ireland to West Union. As of 8 June 1855, J. McKendry had been a resident of West Union for 13 years. Born in Ireland circa 1820, he may have been the brother of Margaret (McKendry) Hamilton. In the 1860 Federal Census of West Union, the Hamilton household included "Dinis" (35), "Marget" (28), "Marey" (6), "Margit" (3), and James (1). In the 1891 Directory of Steuben County, New York, two men named Dennis Hamilton were named as residents of West Union; one farmed 113 acres and the other farmed 240 acres. James and Joseph R. McKendry were also residents of West Union in 1891. It is virtually certain that Dennis and Margaret (McKendry) Hamilton were natives of the County Antrim in Northern Ireland. According to family legend, their daughter, Rose Ann (Hamilton) McGill, was a first cousin to another one of my direct ancestors, Daniel-1 "Dan" Brown. It follows that the maiden name of Dan's mother was probably McKendry or Hamilton; the available evidence favors McKendry. Dan was a native of Kilcroagh Townland, Armoy Parish, County Antrim, Northern Ireland; he married Sarah Stewart; Dennis and Margaret probably originated nearby. Hamilton is a Scottish name that came to Ireland during the plantation of Ulster (Northern Ireland) and the rare name, McKendry, appears to be unique to the County Antrim or nearly so. In 1803, information was gathered in Ireland to prepare for the possibility of invasion by Napoleon (John Craig and Constable, Antrim List of Stock 9th Nov 1803: 23 Townlands in the Barony of Cary [hereinafter ALS]; transcription by Harry Doyle). The residents of Kilcroagh Townland were "Jno" [John] Brown, "Patt" [Patrick] Brown, Derby Coning, John Darragh, Patrick Dealit, Hugh Doragh, Thomas Dorragh, Daniel McAmBridg, Patrick McAmbridg (2), Dennis McAuly, Daniel McDowel, Henry McDowel, John McVicker, Patrick Meighan, Patrick O'Hergan, and Nickles Scullin. 200 years later, there are still members of the McAuley family residing in Kilcroagh. Note the connection in Kilcroagh Townland between the surnames of Brown, McCambridge, McAuley and recall that these same surnames are associated with the Hamiltons of West Union, Steuben County, New York; other early settlers of West Union were named O'Hergan [O'Harrigan] and Meighan [Meehan]. The only Hamilton or McKendry residing in Armoy Parish in 1803 was Mrs. McKendry, widow of Caralaverty Townland, which borders Kilcroagh. Within the neighboring Parish of Culfeightrin there were numerous Hamiltons: Alexander of Ballinloghan Townland; Charles of Ligadaghtan Townland; Dennis of Torcorr Townland; James of Curragh Townland; John of Tornamoney Townland; Mary of Tornarone Townland; Robert of Whitehouse Townland. When Griffith's Primary Valuation was taken, starting in the late 1840s, there were several McKendry households identified in Armoy Parish, yet the Hamilton surname remained unknown in Armoy. The Hamiltons of Culfeightrin were: Robert of Altagore; Alex. and Patrick of Cushleake Mountain Middle; Alexander of Ligadaughtan; and Duncan and Patrick of Tornamoney. Other residents of Cushleake Mountain Middle Townland included William Browne, Archibald Darragh; John and John Sr. McHenry; these surnames are also common to Kilcroagh Townland, home of Daniel Brown. Other residents of Tornamoney Townland included John McCauley; Alexander and Daniel McCurdy. Could this be the Townland of origin for Daniel and Alicia (McAuley) Hamilton of West Union whose household included mother-in-law McAuley and sister-in-law McCurdy? Edward McKendry was residing in Kilcroagh Townland with a Daniel Brown by the time of Griffith's Valuation. Combined with an absence of Hamiltons in Armoy, the close proximity of Edward McKendry and a Daniel Brown suggests that Daniel's mother was probably a McKendry rather than a Hamilton. The other McKendrys of Armoy Parish (GV) were: Edward of Aghrunniaght; James of Ballykenver; and Charles and Patrick of Cromaghs. As noted above, McKendry is unique County Antrim surname variation of McHenry. It seems likely that the McKendrys of Armoy Parish were an offshoot from the large McHenry/McHendry clan in the neighboring Parish of Culfeightrin. In 1803, a large number of Culfeightrin residents were named McHendry (ALS): Barney (2), Daniel, Francis, and Hugh of Ballypatrick Townland; Daniel of Aghnaholl Townland; Daniel and Nougher of Torr Townland; Dennis of Corramellagh Townland; Hendry (sic) of Parkure Townland; Hugh of Twentyacres Townland; James of Culnagoppag Townland; John and Neal of Torcorr Townland; John (2) and Michael of Loghan Townland; John and Patrick of Farinmacallan Townland; Michael and Michael Jr. of Cregfad Townland. By the time of Griffith's Valuation, there were 26 McHenry households in Culfeightrin. Additional evidence suggests that Dennis and Margaret (McKendry) Hamilton originated in Culfeightrin Parish. As noted below, Cornelius and John McCarry served as baptismal sponsors for two of Dennis and Margaret's children. The McCarry name appears to be relatively rare. Only three households bearing this surname are documented in ALS, all in Culfeightrin: John of Ballynaglogh Townland; John of Coulnagoppog Townland; and Nougher of Ballypatrick Townland. The 1860 Federal Census of West Union includes a McCarry household with James (51) and John (21), both natives of Ireland. When I analyzed all of the records available in ALS, I discovered that Culfeightrin is the only Parish in County Antrim in which the surnames of Brown, Hamilton, McAmbridg [McCambridge], McAuly, McCarry, McCurdy, McKendry, and Stewart co-existed in 1803. Within Culfeightrin, Torcorr is the only Townland in which Hamilton and McHendry [McKendry] co-existed. The only other resident of Torcorr, in addition to those cited above--Dennis Hamilton, John and Neal McHendry--was a Mr. McCaghern?. Recognizing the potential significance of Irish naming patterns in which the eldest son was typically named after the paternal grandfather and the next son was typically named after the maternal grandfather we should note in particular the following residents of Culfeightrin cited above: James Hamilton of Curragh, Francis McHendry of Ballypatrick, and James McHendry of Coulnagoppog. These gentlemen were probably of the right generation to have been grandparents of Dennis or Margaret (McKendry) Hamilton and probably had namesakes in the next generation. Ultimately, we may be able to determine if Dennis and Margaret (McKendry) Hamilton originated in one of these Townlands or Torrcorr. None of these Townlands are more than ten miles from Kilcroagh in Armoy. Of those I have located on a map, their order of proximity to Kilcroagh is Curragh, Coulnagoppog, Torr. I could not locate a Ballypatrick Townland, but Ballypatrick Forest is even closer to Kilcroagh than Curragh. I have also noted that in all of ALS, there were only two men who bore the unusual first name of Nougher; Nougher McCarry of Ballypatrick and Nougher McHendry of Torr, both cited above. The only surname remotely resembling Nougher in ALS is that of Patrick Nocher of Maghremore Townland, Ramoan Parish; Ramoan borders both Armoy and Culfeightrin Parishes. Children, all born in West Union, Steuben County, New York: i. Mary Jane, b. 11 April 1854; bapt. 19 April 1854, sponsors John Hamilton and Margaret Hamilton; d. 1865; bur. Old Catholic Cemetery, West Union, Steuben Co., NY. ii. Margaret, b. 14 Sep 1856; d. Hornell, NY 5 Oct 1936; m. ________ Maroney. iii. James, b. 24 Dec 1858; bapt. 23 Jan 1859, sponsors Daniel and Mary (McCoy) McNiel; d. 1865; bur. Old Catholic Cemetery, West Union, NY. iv. Catherine-2. b. ca. 1861; d. Hornell, NY in 1925; m. 5 Feb 1890 James A. Campbell, b. 1859, d. 1921; both bur. St. Mary's Cemetery, Rexville, NY. Child, surname Campbell: 1. Mary M., b. 1898; d. 1923. * v. Rose Ann, b. 4 Sep 1863; bapt. 4 Oct 1863, sponsors John and Mary McCarry; d. West Union, NY 8 April 1930; m. James J.-2 McGill (William-1), b. West Union, NY 5 Aug 1861; d. there 29 Dec 1926, son of William-1 and Mary Ann (Loughlan) McGill; see William McGill of West Union, Steuben County, New York for more information. vi. Francis, b. 5 Feb 1865; bapt. 4 March 1865; sponsors Cornelius McCarry and Rose McCarry; d. Seattle, WA in 1942; m. Delia Mary Veale. Children, surname Hamilton: 1. James; was a priest in Seattle, WA. 2. Donald F. 3. John.