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1. James¹ Keenan. He is the oldest known ancestor of the Keenan family. No dates are known. James Keenan held lands at Sreenty on the Shirley Estate and part of the townland of Ardragh and Sreenty. The townlands of Sreenty, Faraghy and Ardragh are in the Barony of Farney, the Parish of Magheross and the Poor Law Union of Carrickmacross. He distributed a portion of his lands in the northwestern extremity in the townland of Sreenty to his son Thomas Keenan. He also had an interest in the townland of Faraghy adjoining the lands of Sreenty. He divided portion of this holding in equal moietys to an elder brother and to his grandson Hugh Keenan. He devised the western moiety of his farm to his grandson Daniel Keenan (son of Thomas Keenan).[1]

+

2.

i

Thomas2 Keenan

2. Thomas² Keenan (James¹) He was married to Betty Smith.[2]

    

	3.	i	Daniel3 Keenan died prior to 1840.
+	4.	ii	James Keenan died in July 1851.
+	5.	iii	Rosanna Keenan
+	6.	iv	Hugh Keenan born about 1795 or 1803, died 23 April 1882 at Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan, Ireland.

4. James³ Keenan (Thomas², James¹) He is believed to have died in July 1851, since his will was recorded on 29 July 1851. He moved to Pennsylvania, from Ireland. He was a man of some wealth. His will listed a flour mill, a saw mill and a farm that he owned. He was a supporter of the Roman Catholic Church, giving Michael O'Connor, the Bishop of Pittsburg, $200.00 to build a church in Youngstown, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. James Keenan selected "Hugh Keenan [his brother], Hugh Toner, Peter Shannon, Honble Albert G. Marchand and Robert West [father of Lucy Ann West who married James Keenan's son John Barclay Keenan] exuctors of my estate." The biography of his grandson, Edward W. Keenan, records the occupation of James Keenan as "a miller of Youngstown." He was one of the managers of the Stoystown and Greensburgh Turnpike Road Company during the period 1816 to 1821.[3]   

James Keenan was married to Isabella (Isabelle) Johnston of Unity Township, Westmoreland Co., Pennsylvania. They were married by Greshum Hull, Esq. Notice of the marriage was published on 28 June 1822. Isabella A. Johnston was born about 1795 in Ireland. She died on 13 January 1877 at age 82 and was buried in the St. Clair Cemetery at Greensburg, Pennsylvania. She appointed John W. Turney and James C. Clarke as the executors of her estate.[4]

         

+	7.	i	James4 Keenan born about 16 September 1823 at Youngstown, Westmoreland Co., Pennsylvania, died 22 May 1862 at New York, New York.
+	8.	ii	Thomas Johnston Keenan born 24 November 1824 at Youngstown, Westmoreland Co., Pennsylvania, died on 9 January 1900 at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
+	9.	iii	Isabella Keenan probably born before 1824.
	10.	iv	Rebecca Keenan died before August 1845, based upon her father's 1845 will which requested that he be "... buried convient to or alongside my daughter ..."[5]
+	11.	v	Alexander Keenan
+	12.	vi	Rosanna (Rosannah) Keenan probably born before 1824.
+	13.	vii	John Barclay Keenan born 12 February 1832 at Youngstown, Westmoreland Co., Pennsylvania, died 8 May 1864 in the battle of Spottsylvania courthouse.
+	14.	viii	Edward Johnston Keenan born 3 April 1834 at Youngstown, Pennsylvania, died 1 June 1877 at Greensburg, Pennsylvania.
+	15.	ix	William W. Keenan born about 1838.

5. Rosanna³ Keenan (Thomas², James¹) Based upon her brother's will which was written in 1845, she was the widow of Patrick Hanlin of Youngstown. Her brother, James Keenan, left her $100.00 in his will. His will lists the names of her two sons.[6]

  

	16.	i	Patrick4 Hanlin
	17.	ii	Thomas Hanlin

6. Hugh³ Keenan (Thomas², James¹) According to his biography in The Twentieth Century Bench and Bar of Pennsylvania, he was born near Castleblayney, County Monaghan, Ireland in 1795. However, based upon the age at death recorded on his tombstone, he would have been born about 1803. Which of these years is correct is a matter of speculation. He died 23 April 1882. He is buried in the cemetery at the Catholic Church at Castleblayney, Ireland. The family grave site is to the left, rear side of the church as you walk up from the street.[7]

He was reported to have emigrated to the United State when he was eighteen in the year 1813 (if born in 1795) or the year 1818 (if born in 1803). He applied to become a citizen of the U.S.A. on 5 November 1823 in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He became a citizen 17 September 1828.[8]  

Thomas J. Keenan (Hugh's nephew) stated "He studied law under the Hon. Walter Forward of Pittsburgh, was admitted to the Bar, and for near 20 years traveled annually between Europe and America & through their principal cities transacting a general law agency ...." in his letter of 10 March 1851 to Daniel Webster, Secretary of State. After studying law with Walter Forward of Pittsburg, he was admitted to the bar on 3 May 1830 on motion of John Kenney.[9]

In pursuing his law practice in England, Ireland and Scotland, he had completed nine trips by June of 1836 and twenty one trips by June of 1847. Handbills from New York, dated 1 June 1836 and 1 June 1847, advertising the Law and General Agency of Hugh Keenan, Attorney and Counsellor at Law, and European Agent, Pittsburgh, PA, are contained with his papers of application in the National Archives. An advertisment for his business in Harris' Pisttsburg Business Directory for 1837 read "H. Keenan European Law Agent, and attorney at law. Office in the Diamond, at that of Mahon & Livingston's." .About 1851 after 20 years of trips across the Atlantic Ocean, Hugh tired of traveling "... and fixed his residence in Dublin near which he had some little property." James May, in a letter of 2 November 1847 to Secretary of State James Buchanan, wrote "... Mr. Keenan, I presume, is worth fifty or sixty thousand dollars ..."[10]

Passport 1203 was issued to a Hugh Keenan by James Buchanan, Secretary of State, on 13 July 1845. The following data are recorded in the register: age - 31; stature - 6 feet 7/8 inches; forehead - high; eyes - gray; nose - ordinary; mouth - rather large; chin - (first word illegible) incut; hair - brown mixed with gray; complexion - fair; face - (first word illegible) flat.[11] A review of the actual passport register (which includes many original applications) did not reveal the presence of any information that could be used to establish the relationship of this individual. If this individual was the Hugh Keenan, son of Thomas Keenan, and if the age is correctly recorded, then he would have been born about 1814. If the Hugh Keenan who is listed as person # 6 in this family history had been born in 1795 and emigrated to the United States at age 18 about the year 1813, then the Hugh Keenan who applied for this passport could have been the son of Hugh Keenan #6.

On 27 September 1847, he was appointed Consul of the United States at Dublin, Ireland, by President James K. Polk. His appointment as consul to Dublin was confirmed by Congress on 4 January 1848. His replacement was James Foy, who was appointed 27 September 1850. He notified the State Department of his arrival at Dublin "... and entry upon the duties of Consul for this Port" on 18 December 1847. Thomas J. Keenan (Hugh's nephew) reported "... he continued discharging the duties thereof, giving perfect satisfaction as far as we know, until Oct. 1850, when he was superceded by the appointment of Mr. James Foy the present incumbent" in his letter of 10 March 1851 to Daniel Webster, Secretary of State.[12]

He also served at Cork (Cobh), Ireland, under President Franklin Pierce. He was appointed on 2 August 1854 and served until his replacement Robert Dowling was confirmed on 13 January 1859.[13]

"Afterwards he purchased an estate and located near his birthplace, and although a naturalized American citizen, the British government commissioned him local magistrate for Monaghan, which office he efficiently administered until his death."[14]

Hugh Keenan's will of 19 November 1881 listed the names of his wife and eight children. His estate was valued at £7,480 11s 2d. The lands and money were divide up among his sons. Each of his sons was given £500 in the will. His daughter Louisa Anna was given the sum of one guinea and no more. Among the things of interest in his estate was the General Keenan china walking stick. This is undoubtably a reference to a possession that came from his brother General James Keenan.[15]

At the time of the birth of his son, Daniel Xavier Keenan, the family was living at 398 York St., Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan, Ireland. In 1874 Hugh Keenan of Castleblayney owned 842 acres of land worth £725 and 5 shillings.[16]   

Hugh married Mary Anne Duffy. She was born about 1829. She died 21 March 1908 and is buried in the cemetery at the Catholic Church at Castleblayney, Ireland.[17]

          

+	18.	i	Thomas Vincent Keenan 4 born about 1852 in Dublin, Ireland.
	19.	ii	Francis Joseph Keenan born about 1861, died 8 June 1886, buried at Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan,Ireland.[18]
	20	iii	Louis Mountesque (Monstequien) Keenan born 30 March 1864 at Drumbaldra House, Castleblayney, Ireland.[19]
	21.	iv	Charles Henry Keenan born 10 March 1866 at Drumbaldra House, Castleblayney, Ireland.[20]
+	22.	v	Daniel Xavier Keenan born 4 May 1869 at Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan, Ireland, died 8 October 1945 at St. John of Gods Stillorgen in the County of Dublin, buried at Latlurcan Cemetery, Monaghan, Co. Monaghan, Ireland.
	23.	vi	Hugh Washington Keenan died before November 1881.[21]
	24.	vii	Isabella Maria Keenan died before November 1881[22]
	25.	viii	Louisa Anna Keenan married James Murphy before November 1881.[23]

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References

[1] Hand written notes of John Edward Keenan, copied by writer in July 1980.

[2] Hand written notes of John Edward Keenan, copied by writer in July 1980.

[3] Will Book 3 for Westmoreland Co., Pennsylvania, p. 331-334, 1851, will of James Keenan; Biographical and Historical Cyclopedia of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: John M. Gresham & Co., 1890), p. 107-108, entry for Edward W. Keenan, Pennsylvania State Library, Harrisburg, PA, photocopy in possession of the writer; Document Preservation Committee Ligonier Valley Observance American Bicentennial, The Stoystown & Greensburgh Turnpike Road Company (Minutes: 1815-1826) (np: Southwest Pennsylvania Genealogical Services, 1976)

[4] Della Reagan Fischer and Minnie McMurry Wilson, Marriage and death notices from weekly newspapers 1818-1865, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, typescript, Vol. 1, p 22; George Dallas Albert, History of the County of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania with Biographical Sketches of many of its Pioneers and Prominent Men, (Philadelphia: L. H. Everts & Co., 1882), p. 511, Library of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Washington, DC.; 1870 U.S. Census, Pennsylvania, Westmoreland Co., Greensburg Borough, page 30, dwelling 218; estimated year of birth based upon age at death and age in 1870 census; Will Book 6 for Westmoreland Co., Pennsylvania, p. 169-170, Will No. 11, 1877, copy of the will of Isabella Keenan, copied obtained by Pat Bair in possession of the writer.

[5] Will Book 3 for Westmoreland Co., Pennsylvania, p. 331-334, 1851, will of James Keenan.

[6] Will Book 3 for Westmoreland Co., Pennsylvania, p. 331-334, 1851, will of James Keenan.

[7] The Twentieth Century Bench and Bar of Pennsylvania, Vol. II, entry for Hugh Keenan, p. 829; Based upon the inscription on his tombstone in the cemetery at the Catholic Church in Castleblayney, County Monaghan, Ireland. The tombstone reads " Hugh Keenan April 23, 1882 Age 79." Seen by writer at Castleblayney, Ireland, in July 1980.

[8] The Twentieth Century Bench and Bar of Pennsylvania, Vol. II, entry for Hugh Keenan, p. 829; Citzenship document from the Supreme Court at City of Pittsburgh dated 7 March 1851, National Archives, Diplomatic Branch, Record Group 59, Applications and Recommendations for Public Office, Box 35 (also microfilm M873).

[9] Thomas J. Keenan to Daniel Webster, letter of 10 March 1851, National Archives, Diplomatic Branch, Record Group 59, Applications and Recommendations for Public Office, Box 35 (also microfilm M873); The Twentieth Century Bench and Bar of Pennsylvania, Vol. II, entry for Hugh Keenan, p. 829.

[10] Handbill advertisements of Hugh Keenan, National Archives, Diplomatic Branch, Record Group 59, Applications and Recommendations for Public Office, Boxes 19 and 35 (also microfilm M873); Harris' Pittsburg Business Direcoty for the Year 1837 (Pittsburg: Issac Harris, 1837), p. 85 of advertisments, seen at the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, 4338 Bigelow Boulevard, Pittsburg, PA 15213; Thomas J. Keenan to Daniel Webster, letter of 10 March 1851, National Archives, Diplomatic Branch, Record Group 59, Applications and Recommendations for Public Office, Box 35 (also microfilm M873); James May to James Buchanan, letter of 2 November 1847, National Archives, Dispatches from U.S. Consuls in Dublin, Nov. 26, 1790 - Dec. 31, 1850, Microfilm T-199, Roll T-1

[11] Entry for Hugh Keenan, Passport no. 1203, Register of Passports issued by James Buchanan, National Archives, Microfilm M3171, roll 2, frame 73.

[12] Entry for Hugh Keenan under Dublin, Ireland, National Archives, Diplomatic Branch, List of U.S. Consular Officers by Post. 1789-1939. Vol. 7; Hugh Keenan to James Buchanan, letter of 14 January 1848, National Archives, Diplomatic Branch, Record Group 59, Applications and Recommendations for Public Office, Box 35 (also microfilm M873); Thomas J. Keenan to Secretary of State Daniel Webster, letter of 10 March 1851, National Archives, Diplomatic Branch, Record Group 59, Applications and Recommendations for Public Office, Box 35 (also microfilm M873).

[13] Entry for Hugh Keenan under Cork (Cobl), Ireland,National Archives, Diplomatic Branch, List of U.S. Consular Officers by Post. 1789-1939. Vol. 6; also microfilm M587, roll 6.

[14] The Twentieth Century Bench and Bar of Pennsylvania, Vol. II, entry for Hugh Keenan, p. 829.

[15] True copy of the original Probate of the last will and testament of Hugh Keenan, Phillip S. Smith, Solicitor, 17 August 1888. Irish Land Commission, Record Department, Dublin, Ireland. Box 298, Record 841. Seen at the Irish Land Commission in July 1997, notes transcribed by the writer, identifies Isabella Maria as a daughter who was deceased by November 1881.

[16] Birth Certificate for Daniel Xavier Keenan, Certificate UM 102/40, Registrar of Births and Deaths, Monaghan, Ireland; The birth certificate for Daniel Xavier Keenan records the address of the family; Return of Owners of Land in Ireland (n.p.:reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., 1988), p. 269.

[17] Birth Certificate for Daniel Xavier Keenan, Certificate UM 102/40, Registrar of Births and Deaths, Monaghan, Ireland; The birth certificate for Daniel Xavier Keenan records Mary Anne Duffy as being the wife of Hugh Keenan and mother of Daniel Xavier Keenan.. Copy of birth certificate obtained by John Edward Keenan in possession of writer; Estimated year of birth based upon the inscription on her tombstone in the cemetery at the Catholic Church in Castleblayney, County Monaghan, Ireland. The tombstone reads " Mary Anne Keenan 21 March 1908 Age 79." Seen by writer at Castleblayney, Ireland, in July 1980.

[18] Year of birth based upon the inscription on his tombstone in the cemetery at the Catholic Church in Castleblayney, County Monaghan, Ireland. The tombstone reads " Francis Keenan 8 June 1886 age 25." Seen by writer at Castleblayney, Ireland, in July 1980; True copy of the original Probate of the last will and testament of Hugh Keenan, Phillip S. Smith, Solicitor, 17 August 1888. Irish Land Commission, Record Department, Dublin, Ireland. Box 298, Record 841. Seen at the Irish Land Commission in July 1997, notes transcribed by the writer, identifies Francis Joseph Keenan as his second son.

[19] Entry for Louis Mountesque Keenan, Quarterly Returns of Births 1864, Vol. 8-1, p. 188, entry #46, LDS microfilm 0,101,087, includes names of parents, date and place of birth; True copy of the original Probate of the last will and testament of Hugh Keenan, Phillip S. Smith, Solicitor, 17 August 1888. Irish Land Commission, Record Department, Dublin, Ireland. Box 298, Record 841. Seen at the Irish Land Commission in July 1997, notes transcribed by the writer, identifies Louis Mountesquien Keenan as his third son.

[20] Entry for Charles Henry Keenan, Quarterly Returns of Births 1866, p. 190, entry #386, LDS microfilm 0,101,122, includes names of parents, date and place of birth; True copy of the original Probate of the last will and testament of Hugh Keenan, Phillip S. Smith, Solicitor, 17 August 1888. Irish Land Commission, Record Department, Dublin, Ireland. Box 298, Record 841. Seen at the Irish Land Commission in July 1997, notes transcribed by the writer, identifies Charles Henry Keenan as his fourth son.

[21] True copy of the original Probate of the last will and testament of Hugh Keenan, Phillip S. Smith, Solicitor, 17 August 1888. Irish Land Commission, Record Department, Dublin, Ireland. Box 298, Record 841. Seen at the Irish Land Commission in July 1997, notes transcribed by the writer, identifies Hugh Washington as a son who was deceased by November 1881.

[22] True copy of the original Probate of the last will and testament of Hugh Keenan, Phillip S. Smith, Solicitor, 17 August 1888. Irish Land Commission, Record Department, Dublin, Ireland. Box 298, Record 841. Seen at the Irish Land Commission in July 1997, notes transcribed by the writer, identifies Isabella Maria as a daughter who was deceased by November 1881.

[23] ; True copy of the original Probate of the last will and testament of Hugh Keenan, Phillip S. Smith, Solicitor, 17 August 1888. Irish Land Commission, Record Department, Dublin, Ireland. Box 298, Record 841. Seen at the Irish Land Commission in July 1997, notes transcribed by the writer, identifies Louisa Anna Keenan as his daughter and James Murphy as her husband.

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