Am I Really Irish?

While celebrating St. Patrick's Day yesterday at work by dressing up all in green, I was asked if I was Irish, as LeMaster didn't strike a co-worker as a particularly Irish name.  I've been working on my genealogy off and on for years, and have identified a few Irish ancestors - though some were actually Scots-Irish.

My DNA results for ethnicity from Ancestry did show 17% Irish.  

Irish Ancestors :

[unknown] Gary : My paternal 4th-great grandfather, an as yet unknown man, was reported as being born in Ireland by my 3rd-great grandmother on the 1880 census.  Rachel Gary was born March 25, 1816 in Fairfield County, Ohio.  This is the only paternal Irish line that I'm aware of at the moment.

Martha McPheeters : Martha was my maternal 7th-great grandmother, the daughter of William McPheeters and Rebecca Thompson.  Martha was born in Ireland. She married Samuel Downey in Pennsylvania and died 1801 in Clark County, Kentucky. She was the mother of at least ten children: Ann, Betsey, Isabella, Margaret, Martha, Rebecca, Samuel, William, Mary and Janet.

Peter Swafford : Peter was my maternal 7th-great grandfather.  According to my database he was born circa 1740 in Dublin, Ireland and died in Greenville, South Carolina.  He married Rennie Howard and was the father of eight children.

Rennie Howard : Rennie was my maternal 7th-great grandmother, the wife of Peter Swafford.  According to my database, she was born circa 1745 in Dublin, Ireland and died in South Carolina.  She was the mother of eight children: Jacob, Isaac, William, Paul, Abraham, Aaron, John and Thomas.

Elizabeth Hedge : Elizabeth was my maternal 7th-great grandmother, the wife of David Crockett.  According to my database, she was born 1730 in Ireland and died August 1777 in Hawkins County, North Carolina.  She was the mother of at least three children: William, John and Alexander.

William Wardlaw : William was my maternal 7th-great grandfather, the son of Robert Wardlaw.  According to my database, he was born circa 1700 in either Scotland or Ireland.  He married Jane Harper and died in 1762 in Augusta County, Virginia.  He was the father of seven children : James, John, Hugh, Joseph, Robert, William and Margaret.

Joshua Hadley : Joshua was my maternal 8th-great grandfather, the son of Simon and Ruth Hadley.  Joshua was born March 6, 1703 in Kings County, Ireland.  He married Patience Brown in 1735 and died after 1760 in Cane Creek, North Carolina.  He was the father of nine children: Mary, Jeremiah, Joshua, Joseph, Deborah, Hannah, Catherine, Lydia and Simon.

William Millikan : William was my maternal 8th-great grandfather.  According to my database, he was born circa 1720 in Ireland.  He married in 1740 Chester County, Pennsylvania to Jane White.  He was the father of ten children: Abigail, Sarah, David, Mary, William, Benjamin, Hannah, Alexander, Martha and Samuel.

William McPheeters : William was my maternal 8th-great grandfather.  According to my database, he was born between 1687 and 1691 in Ireland and died in 1773 in Augusta County, Virginia.  He married Rebecca Thompson and was the father of eight children: Martha, Anne, Mary, John, David, Janett, Samuel and William.

Willam McPheeters : William was my maternal 9th-great grandfather.  He was born circa 1662 in Scotland.  He married Janet McClellan and died circa 1699 in Ireland.  

Simon Hadley : Simon was my maternal 9th-great grandfather, the son of Simon Hadley.  According to my database, Simon was born 1677 in Ireland and died 1756 in Chester County, Pennsylvania.  He was married to Ruth [surname unknown] and the father of eight children.

Ruth [surname unknown]: Ruth was my maternal 9th-great grandmother, the wife of Simon Hadley.  According to my database, she was born in 1677 in Ireland and died December 8, 1750 in Chester County, Pennsylvania.  She was the mother of eight children : Joseph, Deborah, Joshua, Simon, Hannah, Ruth, Catherine and Ann.

John Allen : John was my maternal 9th-great grandfather, the son of John Allen.  According to my database, John was born August 3, 1694 in Ireland.  He married Amy Cox in March 1719 in Chester County, Pennsylvania and died September 16, 1771 in Chester County, Pennsylvania.  He was the father of nine children : John, Rebecca, Amy, Elizabeth, William, Joseph, Mary, Phebe and Benjamin.

Simon Hadley : Simon was my maternal 10th-great grandfather.  According to my database, he was born 1640 in Ireland and died circa 1711.  He married Katherine Talbot and was the father of at least four children : John, Elizabeth, Jane and Simon.

Thomas Dixon : Thomas was my maternal 10th-great grandfather, the husband of Rose.  All I have in my database is that he was born before 1635 in Ireland and died after 1680 in New Castle County, Delaware. 

Rose [unknown surname] : Rose was my maternal 10th-great grandmother, the wife of Thomas Dixon.  All I have in my database is that she was born before 1641 in Ireland and died after 1671 in Delaware.  She was the mother of at least three children: William, Dinah and Rose.

Looking over these names, I realize I have a lot more research to do on these lines to fill in the gaps in the research.

Grover C. Ault household, 1940, Bledsoe County, Tennessee

Located the 1940 census record of the Grover C. Ault household in Bledsoe County, Tennessee.  Grover's wife, Ada, was my maternal 4th cousin 4 times removed.  Our common ancestors were Peter Swafford and Rennie Howard.  Ada's parents were Aaron Swafford and Nancy Alice Patton.

1940 U.S. Census, Bledsoe County, Tennessee, population schedule, 3rd District, enumeration district (ED) 4-7, SD 3, sheet 16B, household 253, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 8 January 2017); National Archives, Washingon D.C..

At the time of the enumeration, Grover and his wife were living in the 3rd District.  The census states that Grover owned his home and the value was $1000 and that he lived on a farm.  Grover was 47 years old and born in Tennessee.  His wife, Ada, was 41 years old and also born in Tennessee.  In 1935, their residence was the same place.

The record shows that Grover had completed 1 year of college and that Ada had completed 3 years of high school.  Grover's occupation was listed as operator of a general store, and Ada didn't have an occupation listed.

Also living in the household were son Wiley, age 21, born in Tennessee who had completed 2 years of college; son Windell, age 18, born in Tennessee who had completed 3 years of high school; and daughter Katherine, age 15, born in Tennessee who had completed 2 years of high school.

According to my database, there was a son Paul, who was not listed with the family in 1940 and another son, Jamie, who had died in 1939.

If you have any additional information or are connected to this family, I'd love to hear from you.

King Burials in Frankton K. of P. I.O.O.F. Cemetery

Located the following burials in the Knights of Pythias International Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery in Frankton, Madison County, Indiana from the book K of P I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana by Haroldine Zook, typed by Nancy Horn, 1995.  Some of these I know are definitely related to my King family, others will need to be researched.  These papers were part of my paper monster I've been trying to conquer.  Believe that I found the book in the Elwood Indiana Public Library.

page 14 -

King, Dollie A. 1889-1961
King, Clarence 1884-1971

page 24 -

King, Calvin 1840-1923
King, Jane 1858-1937

Calvin was the husband of Orinda J. King (1849-1879), my first cousin 4 times removed, daughter of George Washington King and Elizabeth Howard.  After her death, he married Jane.  Calvin is not a known relation.

page 26 -

King, Essie 1888-1979
King, Raymond 1884-1970
King, Gerald 6/27/1906 - 2/24/1913

page 30 -

King, Cleo F. 1894-19__ md. 6/18/1913
King, Hoy H. 1891-1970

Hoy Hubert King (1891-1970) was my first cousin 3 times removed, the son of David King and Litha May (see below).

King, Rosa M. 1886-1976
King, D. Victor 1882-1944
King, Litha A. 1857-1934
King, David 1854-1914

David King (1854-1914) was my 2nd-great granduncle, the son of Daniel King and Elizabeth Shaw.  His wife was Litha Ann May (1857-1934).  Their son David Victor King (1882-1944) and his wife Rosa M. Etchison are buried with them.

page 59

King, Lenna J. 1901-12/20/1990 md. 12/10/1921
King, Cecil P. 1900-1976

Surname Saturday : SWAFFORD

The SWAFFORD surname is in my maternal line.  The origins of the surname are believed to be Irish.


Stories and history:


Ahnentafel # 63: Mary Ellen Swafford (1854-1932).  Mary Ellen was born August 30, 1854 in Monroe County, Indiana.  She married July 2, 1873 in Monroe County, Indiana to James Austin Davis (c1850-1909).  James was born circa 1850 in Indiana.  They raised two daughters in Monroe and Owen Counties, Indiana.  They divorced and Mary Ellen married secondly on November 15, 1884 in Monroe County, Indiana to Robert Farrell Gilliland (1849-1916).  Robert was born November 27, 1849 in Pulaski County, Kentucky.  They raised two children in Monroe County, Indiana.  Robert died August 4, 1916 in Whitehall, Owen County, Indiana.  Mary died January 28, 1932 near Dolan, Monroe County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 126: Peter Kirkpatrick Swafford (1827-1885).  Peter was born June 12, 1827 in Mississippi.  He married April 3, 1853 in Owen County, Indiana to Mary Ann Crockett (1835-1865).  Mary Ann was born in 1835 in Owen County, Indiana.  They raised three daughters in Monroe County, Indiana.  Mary Ann died circa 1865.  Peter died 1885 in Spencer, Owen County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 252: Larkin Swafford (1790-1839).  Larkin was born in 1790 in Greenville County, South Carolina.  He married before 1817 to Nancy ________ (c1790-bef1850).  Nancy was born circa 1790 in Tennessee.  They raised six children in Tennessee, Mississippi and Monroe County, Indiana.  Larkin came to Monroe County, Indiana before 1839.  Nancy died after 1850 census of Monroe County, Indiana.  Larkin died 1839.


Ahnentafel # 504: Jacob Swafford (1762-1845).  Jacob was born 1762 in Greenville County, South Carolina.  He married in 1790 to Sarah Larkin (c1772-1852).  Sarah was born circa 1772 in Virginia.  They raised 13 children in Greenville County, South Carolina and Bledsoe County, Tennessee.  Sarah died 1852 in McMinn County, Tennessee.  Jacob died 1845 in Bledsoe County, Tennessee.


Ahnentafel # 1008: Peter Swafford (1740-    ).  Peter was born circa 1740 in Ireland.  He married Rennie Howard (c1745-     ).  Rennie was born circa 1745 in Ireland.  They raised 8 children in Greenville County, South Carolina.  Peter died in Greenville, South Carolina.


Related blog posts:

• Today in my database: Mary Ellen Swafford (b. August 30, 1854)

Surname Saturday – create a post in which you discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research. Surname Saturday is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

Family Milestones: March 10th

My paternal 6th-great grandfather, Joseph MAXSON, was born on this date in 1692 in Westerly, Rhode Island.  Joseph was the son of Rev. Joseph and Tacy (BURDICK) MAXSON.  Joseph married circa 1715 to Bethia MAXSON, daughter of John and Judith (CLARKE) MAXSON.  Bethia was born July 31, 1693.  They had 10 children.  Bethia died 1747 in Shrewsbury, Monmouth County, New Jersey.  Joseph died 1747 in Shrewsbury, Monmouth County, New Jersey.

My maternal 6th-great granduncle, Thomas SWAFFORD, was born on this date in 1783 in Greenville, South Carolina.  Thomas was the son of Peter James and Rennie (HOWARD) SWAFFORD, and the younger brother of my Jacob SWAFFORD.  Thomas married before 1801 to Nellie HOWARD.  They had 13 children.  Thomas died November 2, 1856 in Bledsoe County, Tennessee.

My paternal grandaunt, Vera Delphene HALEY, was born on this date in 1890 in Jay County, Indiana.  Vera was the daughter of Eli Weldon and Cora Belle (METZER) HALEY, and the older sister of my Ruth Pauline HALEY.  Vera married Clarence Leroy STUBER on February 14, 1915.  Clarence was the son of Henry and Martha (________) STUBER. They had 1 child and lived in Allen County, Ohio and Jay County, Indiana.  Clarence died May 20, 1981 in Portland, Jay County, Indiana.  Vera died June 1987 in Portland, Jay County, Indiana.

 

Family Milestones: March 2nd

My maternal 6th-great grandparents, Anthony RAINS and Nancy GRAHAM, were married on this date in 1787 in Randolph County, North Carolina.  Anthony was born October 13, 1757 in Caroline County, Virginia.  Nancy was born July 10, 1760, the daughter of Richard and Asenath [________] GRAHAM.  They had 9 children.  Anthony was a Revolutionary War veteran.  Anthony died March 25, 1837 in Randolph County, North Carolina.

My maternal 3rd-great granduncle, George Washington KING, was married on this date in 1845 in Madison County, Indiana to Elizabeth HOWARD.  George was born February 6, 1823 in Hamilton County, Ohio, the son of William and Sarah (SULLIVAN) KING.  Elizabeth was born July 18, 1825 in North Carolina.  They lived in Pipe Creek Township, Madison County, Indiana and had 13 children.  Elizabeth died November 15, 1902.  George died August 10, 1892.  Both are buried in the Sigler Cemetery, Frankton, Pipe Creek Township, Madison County, Indiana.

My maternal 3rd-great granduncle, John Vorhees LAMBERTSON, was married on this date in 1902 in Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio to Margaret Jane DEMONET.  John was born August 17, 1833 in Belvidere, Warren County, New Jersey, the son of John and Sarah A. (WILLSON) LAMBERTSON.  He was previously married to Hannah HUDSON and Annie E. OLIVER.  Margaret was born October 25, 1853 in Butler County, Ohio.  John was a veteran of the Civil War, serving as 2nd Lt. of Company F, 131st Ohio Infantry.  John died August 30, 1914 in Farmersville, Montgomery County, Ohio.  Margaret died in 1930.  Both are buried in the municipal cemetery in Farmersville, Montgomery County, Ohio.

My maternal 5th-great grandaunt, Amy BEALS, was married on this date in 1820 in Highland County, Ohio to Joseph THOMPSON.  Amy was born in 1797 4th month, 24th day in Grayson County, Virginia, the daughter of John and Mary (CARTER) BEALS.  I do not have dates of birth or death for Joseph.  They had 6 children.  Amy died in 1892, 12th month, 4th day in Hardin County, Iowa.

My paternal 4th-great grandaunt, Hannah MOULTON, was born on this date in 1783, probably in Rutland County, Vermont.  Hannah was the daughter of John and Avis (HURLBUT) MOULTON, and the older sister of my Selah MOULTON.  Nothing further is known at this time.

My paternal 5th-great granduncle, John George Peter KALTREIDER, was born on this date in 1747.  John was the son of George and Anna Ursula (HOLTZBAUM) KALTREIDER, and the younger brother of my Duvald KALTREIDER.  Nothing further is known at this time.

Family Milestones: February 6th

My paternal 3rd-great grandmother, Caroline Bishop WOOLSTON, was born on this date in 1826 in Vincentown, Burlington County, New Jersey.  Caroline was the daughter of Abel B. and Rachel (WOOLSTON) WOOLSTON.  Caroline married December 29, 1842 in New Jersey to Dr. Ezekiel Cooper CHEW, son of Rev. Nathaniel and Mary (WEST) CHEW.  Ezekiel was born January 17, 1822 in Gloucester County, New Jersey.  They moved to Darke County, Ohio.  Caroline died February 27, 1879 in Rossburg, Darke County, Ohio and is buried in the Webster Cemetery, Darke County, Ohio.

My maternal 3rd-great granduncle, George Washington KING, was born on this date in 1823 in Hamilton County, Ohio.  George was the son of William and Sarah (SULLIVAN) KING.  George married March 2, 1845 in Madison County, Indiana to Elizabeth HOWARD.  Elizabeth was born July 18, 1825 in North Carolina.  They raised 13 children in Pipe Creek Township, Madison County, Indiana.  Elizabeth died November 15, 1902.  George died August 10, 1892.  Both are buried in the Sigler Cemetery, Pipe Creek Township, Madison County, Indiana.

Haunting Errors of World Family Tree

Back when I first started putting my genealogy data into Family Tree Maker, I made the novice mistake of importing data from the World Family Tree files that came along with the software. While this data provided many clues for further research, so much of it was not sourced that it is practically useless and full of errors. I have attempted to slowly and methodically eliminate any traces of this imported data from my database, but unfortunately some still remains.

Case in point is a recent WorldConnect post-em regarding a marriage record of Thomas Swafford and Nellie Howard. I have the date as 1800 in Bledsoe Co., TN with a source of WFT. However, as the poster pointed out, Bledsoe Co., TN was not even formed until 1801, so the location is wrong.