My Coleman Family and Kin

Biography of Maj Greene Malcolm

2011-11-22T17:50:00.003-06:00

In 1867, Major Greene Malcolm led approximately 30 families of Confederate refugees, 70 men,women and children,to establish a Confederate colony in the Republic of Honduras. The following biography was provided to me by one of his descendants:

Major Abednego Greene Malcolm
1st Battalion (McNairy’s) Tennessee Cavalry

Abednego Greene Malcolm, known also as Greene Malcolm and in some records as Greenbury Malcolm, was born September 18, 1821 near Frankfurt, Kentucky. Orphaned at nine years of age, he was the son of a Veteran of the War of 1812 and grandson of Revolutionary War Veteran, Nathanial Greene, of Revolutionary War fame. By profession, Greene Malcolm was a Physician, having graduated from the School of Medicine at Edinburg, Scotland. He traveled extensively over Europe, parts of Asia and the Fiji Islands and once declined an offer from Commodore Perry to accompany him to Japan.
On June 9th, 1846 he enlisted for service in the Mexican War at Louisville, Kentucky serving with the 1st Regiment (Marshall’s) Kentucky Cavalry. Stationed initially at Camp Patterson, Texas on October 31st, his unit was ordered to Monterey, Mexico in December 1846. During his Mexican War service he saw action in the Battle of Agua Nacoa and was with General Taylor at the Battle of Buena Vista. He carried a scar from that battle where he received a wound inflicted by a Mexican Cavalryman. He was afterwards with General Scot at the fall of Mexico City and was the second man over the wall at the fall of that fortress city. He was discharged from service following the war on June 1st 1847 at New Orleans. During the war he contracted chronic dysentery which he never got over.
In 1848, he went to California where he amassed a fortune and lost it all by the causes of fire , flooding and Indian raids and spent the next two years on the Texas frontier fighting Indians.
On June 15th, 1861, at the opening of the War Between The States, he enlisted in the 1st Battalion, (McNairy’s), Tennessee Cavalry serving in the rank of Major. His campaign participation included operations in Kentucky and Tennessee and he carried the last train out of Atlanta, Georgia just before its fall into the hands of Federal troops.
Following the War Between The States and the South’s defeat, rather than endure the persecution and humiliation of “Reconstruction,” he traveled to Mexico, where with other like-minded Confederate soldiers, he helped to plant a Confederate colony. Following the plantation of his colony in Mexico, he returned to Atlanta, Georgia where he planed and organized another colony of ex-Confederate soldiers and their families. Setting out in the Spring of 1867, his colony of thirty families made their way to New Orleans where they booked passage for Spanish Honduras (The Republic of Honduras). Despite their difficulties, upon arrival at Fortress Omoa, near Puerto Cortes, Major Malcolm led his colony of Southern refugees into the interior of Honduras where at Comayagua, Honduras he met with representatives of the Republic and presented a letter for President Medina of the Republic of Honduras explaining their reasons for emigration and an offer of services in exchange for citizenship, certain considerations and concessions:

“GENTLEMEN:
The undersigned respectfully submits to your consideration that on the 10th of April, after a passage of ten days, I arrived in the city of Omoa with seventy souls, emigrants to your beautiful land. These persons consist of men, women and children who are what might be termed the forerunners of perhaps thousands of the best citizens of the Southern States, of the United States. We wish to make this our home.
To find in this that which we have lost in our own native land, liberty.
To make this what our country was before it was destroyed by our enemies.
Our desire is to become citizens of the Republic at once, to be a part of your people, to claim your protection, to defend you with our lives from foreign invasion, and to do our whole duty to our adopted country.
In coming among you we would state that on account of our recent great misfortunes, many of us are greatly impoverished, and without going into further preliminary remarks, would give this as our reason for asking you to grant the following privileges and donations. ...

With the highest consideration,
I am gentlemen, your obedient servant.
(Signed) G. MALCOLM.
Comayagua, Honduras, C.A., May 3, 1867.”

Soon after establishing their colony near San Pedro Sula, and naming it the colony of “Medina”, in honor of the President of the Republic of Honduras, it was decided to place the government of their local interests under the control of a council, in order to avoid the necessity of assembling the entire colony when any question of interest or expediency should arise likely to affect their welfare. At a public meeting, an election was held of the following representatives:

Major Malcolm as their presiding officer, L. G. Pirkle, H.H. Briers, George W. Walters
J.H. Wade, and P. Goldsmith, Secy.

Major Malcolm was later appointed Minister of Immigration by the government of the Republic of Honduras in order to facilitate their transition of new arrivals to the colony.

About 1870, Major Malcolm removed to Texas where he remained till his death on December 11th, 1906 in Malakoff, Henderson county, Texas. Major Malcolm was twice married, first to Nannie Roark and second to Susan Francis Lee, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Strong) Lee of San Jacinto county, Texas. From these two marriages spring many descendants. Major Malcolm is buried in the Post Oak Memorial Cemetery in Malakoff, Henderson county, Texas.

Coleman Mills

2010-06-24T12:32:00.004-05:00

In the late 1800's, the Coleman brothers, William Allen Coleman, and James P. Coleman, known as Jim and Allen Coleman, owned and operated a Cotton Gin at Whooping Creek, Georgia about eight miles south east of Carrollton. Whooping Creek was later renamed "Clem," Georgia. The name being a contraction of "Coleman."

Photo Credit: Scott Jackson,of Carrollton, GA.

Tom Coleman

2010-03-10T09:20:00.003-06:00

James Thomas(Tom)Coleman, son of James P. Coleman, at work in the family jewelry store in Carrollton, Georgia (1890). Source: Georgia National Archives, Virtual Vault, Photos of Carrollton, Georgia.

Laura Coleman and Cleve Kingsbery

2010-01-06T17:52:00.002-06:00

Laura Kolb Coleman , daughter of William Allen Coleman of Carrollton,GA. and Clara Eliza Kolb of Marietta, GA. shown with her Fiancee, Edwin Cleveland Kingsbery, known as Cleve Kingsbery, son of Edwin Kingsbery and Emily Sharpe Cleveland.
This photo was taken on August 30th, 1905 in Carrollton, Georgia. The couple were married on August 8th, 1906 in Carrollton.

Riggs Family of Carroll county,Georgia

2010-01-01T10:01:00.005-06:00

The family of the Reverend John Riggs, Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, Sixth District, Carroll county, Georgia:

JOHN RIGGS, b. 22 May 1812, North Carolina, d. 30 Dec 1861(?),Georgia
Married: JANE FLORENCE, b. 22 May 1814, Lincoln co., GA.,(daughter of Thomas Florence and Lucy Blaylock of Lincolnton,GA.) d. 5 May 1869, Carroll co., GA.

CHILDREN:
Sarah M. Riggs, b. 1833, m. Thomas Cartwright
Josephine B. Riggs, b. 24 Dec 1835, m. William B. Adams
Cynthia Florence Riggs, b. 27 Mar 1837, m. William Allen Coleman
James Madison Riggs, b. 1839, m. Susan Florida Crockett
Alice W. Riggs, b. 1843, m. William J. Sims
Stephen Alexander Hamilton Riggs, b. 3 Sep 1846, m. Mary Jane McCain
John Q. Riggs, b. 22 Apr 1848, m.(1st)Anna V. Crockett,(2d)Lizzie D. ___?
Emma B. Riggs, b. 31 Jan 1850, m. Zachariah T. Kinney

Notes for Reverend John Riggs:John Riggs was born 22 May 1812 in North Carolina. At the age of 16, he came to Georgia where he became a Baptist minister. He resided in Butts county, Georgia where he is recorded as a member of the Grand Jury in 1845. In 1857, he is recorded in the Carroll county, Georgia Tax rolls for the sixth district.
In 1850 John Riggs was living in Butts co., GA. with Real Estate valued
at or funds of $500.00. He helped to take this census.
On 26 Jun 1854 John, Jane and Sarah Riggs are charter members of the
Bethel Baptist Church in Carroll county, Georgia.
Death: Died 30 Dec 1861 (not proven) Jul 7, 1862 (Ltrs of Admin., Carroll co., GA.). Place of burial is unknown.
LAND: Carroll county, Ga., Tax Digest, 6th district, 749 Military District:
(1)1857: John Riggs, 1 pole, 4 children 8-16, 405 acres land lots 147 and 124
6th district, Carroll co., Ga., land value $1620. Cash $90.00, other property
$325.00, total $2035.00
(2)1858: John Riggs, 1 pole, 405 acres, value $1600.00, cash $75.00, Other
property $475.00. Total $2150.00 tax $428
(3)1859: 1 pole, 4 children, 405 acres, $1600.00, cash $10.00. Other property
$425.00, tax $2.64
(4)1860: John Riggs, 1 pole, 4 children, 405 acres, $1600, cash $50.00, other
property $150.00, tax $531

BURIALS: Many of the Riggs family members are buried at the Bethel Baptist Church cemetery, near the town of Temple, in Carroll county, Georgia.

Kazuko & Siblings

2009-12-20T08:43:00.005-06:00

Kazuko Ozaki Coleman of Kobe City, Japan with her younger brothers and sisters, children of Kanekichi Katsu Ozaki and Miyo Yamashita. Kazuko was first wife of Elwood R. Coleman, Jr. and mother of John O. Coleman and Elizabeth F. Coleman.

Obituary, Major Henry A. Coleman

2009-11-22T01:56:00.005-06:00

Carroll Free Press, 31 October 1890, Carrollton, Georgia

DEATH OF AN OLD CITIZEN_

Major Henry A. Coleman died at the residence of his son, Mr. James Coleman, near this place, at 2 o'clock on last Monday evening.
About four years ago Mr. Coleman had a stroke of paralysis by which his health was seriously impaired. Thursday of last week he had another stroke from which he never rallied.
Major Coleman was 77 years of age at the time of his death. He was born in Putnam county, but was principally raised in DeKalb. He moved to Carroll in 1856 and has been a prominent citizen of this county since then.
The deceased was a member of the Baptist church and also of the Masonic fraternity. He was buried at Bethel church in the sixth district, the Rev. Mr. Coalson of Temple officiating at the funeral.
Mr. Coleman leaves nine living children among whom are Mr. James Coleman of this place and Captain W.A. Coleman of Lowell district.

In Memory of Kazuko Ozaki Coleman

2009-11-03T18:55:00.005-06:00

Died_ Kazuko Ozaki Coleman, on 1 November 2009 in Houston, Texas, first wife of
Elwood R. Coleman, Jr. of Slidell, Louisiana,devoted mother of John O. Coleman of Houston, TX, and Elizabeth F. Coleman Bartholmey of Baton Rouge, LA. Kazuko was born 7 March 1939 in Kobe City, Japan, daughter of Kanekichi Katsu Ozaki and Miyo Yamashita. In addition to her two children previously mentioned, she is survived by three grandsons: Andrew Coleman,William Bartholmey, Mathew Bartholmey; a grandaughter, Kaitlyn McCain, one brother and three sisters who live in Japan, and many friends and relatives through-out the United States and in Japan.

Hon. James Beall

2009-10-18T10:16:00.004-05:00

A biography of the Honorable James Beall:
An extract from "A Standard History of Georgia and Georgians," by Lucian Lamar Knight, 1917, The Lewis Publishing Company. (Vol. V, pages 2423-2424).

HON. James Beall. Now judge of the City and County courts of
Carrollton and Carroll County, James Beall has long enjoyed an enviable reputation as a lawyer, but his life and services have been only less noteworthy in the general field of citizenship, and in all movements connected with the best standards of community life, morality and religion.

Judge Beall was born at Palmetto, Campbell County, Georgia, February 7, 1860,a son of James J. and Sarah Matilda (Watts) Beall. James J. Beall was born in Rockdale County, Georgia, while his wife was a native of Alabama. The father died in 1900 at the age of seventy-five.
During the war between the states he reached the rank of captain in the Nineteenth Georgia Regiment of Infantry and was for four years identified with the army of Northern Virginia and passed through with only a slight wound in one skirmish. Professionally he was a teacher, and both before and after the war taught school in Campbell County, Georgia, and also in Haralson County,and was principal of the Palmetto schools. Judge Beall's grandfather was Josiah Beall, who added to the military distinctions of the family by serving during the Mexican war,in one of the battles of which he was killed. Josiah Beall was born in Maryland and founded the family name in Georgia, where he married Sally Butts. One of Judge Beall's uncles was Josiah Beall, who was killed in one of the battles of the Civil war. Another uncle, Egbert Beall,enlisted in the Confederate army from Texas, to which state he had removed prior to the. war. James J. Beall was the fifth in a family of ten children. His widow is now living with her daughter, Mrs. Dean, at Buchanan, Georgia, at the age of eighty years. Judge Beall was second in the family of ten children. The oldest, William Beall, who has been totally blind for many is a highly esteemed citizen of Campbell County and is serving as county treasurer. Jesse Beall, a twin brother of Judge James, is in the real estate business at Chattanooga, Tennessee. Thomas Beall is a prosperous farmer in Culman County, Alabama. Robert Augustus is engaged in stock raising and ranching in the State of Nebraska. John Beall is a farmer in Cullman County, Alabama. Henry Beall for a number of years has been a conductor on the Central of Georgia Railway, his run being between Atlanta and Macon. Egbert P. Beall is a farmer in Harrison County, Georgia. Charles is associated with his brother Jesse at Chattanooga, Tennessee. Sarah Jean Anette is the wife of James A. Dean, a farmer and merchant at Buchanan.
Judge Beall, though of a substantial and noteworthy family of Georgia, has partly as a matter of necessity and partly from choice been dependent upon his own abilities and resources since an early age. He graduated from Tallapoosa High School after having begun his education under his father. He read law with Judge Price Edwards of Tallapoosa and was admitted to practice by Judge C. J. James in June, 1896. In the meantime his early life had been identified with general merchandising at Waco, Tallapoosa and Bremen, Georgia. In that vocation he spent about twelve years. After admission to the bar he did his first practice at Bremen in Haralson County, and was a partner for a time with William Johnson as senior member of the firm and subsequently became senior partner with W. W. Edwards. He continued practice in Bremen until 1903 and has since lived at Carrollton. Here he was a member of the firm of Beall & Adamson, the latter being R. W. Adamson, and they enjoyed a large practice and success until Mr. Beall was elected judge of the City and County courts of Carrollton and Carroll County in 1908. He has since been re-elected to this office and is now serving in his second term. By temperament and by experience Judge Beall is well fitted for the judicial office and has given an exceptional administration. During his residence at Bremen he served in the office of mayor nearly all the years he spent there.

He has been quite a factor in democratic politics in his section of the state,and was largely instrumental in securing the election of Mr. Adamson to represent this district in the United States Congress. The duties of his office as judge of Carroll County preclude his private practice in the city or county, though outside of that jurisdiction he has a large clientele in the Coweta and Tallapoosa circuit. Judge Beall is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Royal Arcanum. His chief pleasure, however, is found in Sunday school work. He is a steward in the Methodist Episcopal Church and is assistant superintendent of the Carrollton Sunday School and has served for a number of years as president of the Carroll County Sunday School Association. Before assemblages of young people he is both a pleasing and instructive speaker, and his addresses have been frequently quoted in Sunday school and church magazines. Judge Beall also has farming interests in his part of Georgia.

On January 6, 1889, at Waco, in Haralson County, he married Miss Lydia T. O'Kelley, who was born at Grantville, in Coweta County, a daughter of Richard I. O'Kelley, a prominent lawyer, who during the latter years of his life had a high standing at the Atlanta bar. Judge Beall and wife have five children, Ruby D., born at Waco, Georgia, November 2, 1889, has gained a considerable reputation as a teacher of music. James Harvey, born at Waco December 15, 1891, read law under his father, was admitted to the bar December, 1914, and is now in practice at Carrollton. Jesse Ivy, who was born July 14, 1893, was one of twenty-six, applicants out of a class of 180 that passed the literary examination at the Annapolis Military Academy, but is now living in Spanish Honduras, associated in business with his fatherin-law, William Coleman, an extensive coffee planter and business man of Honduras and a native of Carroll County, Georgia. Jesse I. Beall was married in June, 1914, at Carrollton, to Miss Vera Coleman, who is a graduate of Shorter College. Thomas Julian was born April 28, 1897, in Carroll County, and Sarah Frances was born May 26, 1904. Mrs. Beall has found an enthusiasm similar to that of her husband in Sunday school work, is a teacher in the local schools, takes a leading part in church and missionary societies, and has frequently proved a popular entertainer through her talents as an elocutionist and a musician.

[] Notes from Woody Coleman:
[Note 1: The death of Judge Beall's grandfather, Josiah Beall,took place during the Texas War for Independence at Goliad, Texas while a member of Fannin's Georgia Troops, not during the Mexican War]

[Note 2: Lydia T. O'Kelly is also known as Louise T. O'Kelly]

My Confederate Ancestors and Kin

2009-09-17T01:43:00.006-05:00

Confederate ancestors & kin of Woody Coleman:

William Allen Coleman, Pvt., Company E, 1st Georgia Cavalry,(horse shot out from under him), married Cynthia Florence Riggs,s/o Henry Allen and
Sarah A. (Barnes) Coleman of Carroll co., GA.
Relationship: 2nd great Grandfather

James P. Coleman, Lt.,Company I, 7th Georgia Infantry (State Guards), s/o Maj. Henry Allen and sarah A. (Barnes) Coleman of Carroll co., GA.
Relationsahip: 2nd great Granduncle

John Henry Coleman, Pvt., Company E, 1st Georgia Cavalry,(Wounded in action),s/o Maj. Henry Allen and Sarah A. (Barnes) Coleman of Carroll co., GA.
Relationship: 2nd great Granduncle.

Phillip Marion Whisenhunt,Jr., Pvt., Company E, 1st Georgia Cavalry
Relationship: 2nd Great Granduncle thru marriage to Nancy C.
Coleman,d/o Maj. Henry Allen and Sarah A. (Barnes) Coleman of Carroll co., GA.

William G. McLellan, Pvt., Company H, 56th Georgia Infantry
Relationship: 2nd great Granduncle thru marriage to Sarah Jane Coleman,d/o Maj. Henry Allen and Sarah A. (Barnes) Coleman of Carroll co., GA.

Zachery Taylor Adams, Pvt., Company D, 10th Georgia Cavalry
Relationship: 2nd great Granduncle thru marriage to Rebecca Catherine
Coleman, d/o Maj. Henry Allen and Sarah A.(Barnes) Coleman Carroll co.,GA.

William L. Barnes, Pvt., Company F, 56th Georgia Infantry, s/o John H. Barnes of Cobb co., GA.
Relationship: 1st Cousin 4 times removed.

James Madison Riggs, Pvt.,19th Georgia Infantry and 10th Georgia Cavalry;
s/o John and Jane (Florence) Riggs of Carroll co., GA.
Relationship: 2nd great Granduncle

Stephen A.H. Riggs, Pvt., Company E, 1st Georgia Cavalry; s/o John and Jane (Florence) Riggs of Carroll co., GA.
Relationship: 2nd great Granduncle

William F. Young, Sgt., Company I, 26th Georgia Infantry;s/o William Redding and Mary (Kennedy) Young of Ware co., GA.
Relationship: 3rd great Granduncle

John Young, Pvt., Company L, 26th Georgia Infantry;s/o William Redding and Mary (Kennedy) Young of Ware co., GA.
Relationship: 3rd great Granduncle

Joseph L. Young, Pvt., Company L, 26th Georgia Infantry,died while in service of typhoid fever); s/o William Redding and Mary (Kennedy) Young of Ware co., GA. Relationship: 3rd great Granduncle

Sampson B. Carver, 3rd Corp, Company C, 50th Georgia Infantry; s/o
Jesse and Boissy Carver of Clinch co., GA.
Relationship: 3rd great Granduncle

Jesse Carver, Pvt., Company G, 4th Georgia Cavalry; s/o James and Sarah (Ricketson) Carver of Coffee co., GA.
Relationship: 2nd great Granduncle

Allen Carver, Pvt., Company C, 50th Georgia Infantry; s/o James and
Sarah (Ricketson) Carver of Coffee co., GA.
Relationship: 2nd great Granduncle

James H. Albritton, Corp., Company A, 50th Georgia Infantry; s/o Henry W. and Amelia Albritton of Pierce co., GA.
Relationship: 3rd great Granduncle

William J. Albritton, Pvt., Company G, 4th Georgia Cavalry; s/o Thomas H. and Mary (Strickland) Albritton of Clinch co., GA.
Relationship: 4th great Granduncle

Andrew J. Albritton, Pvt., Company E, 29th Georgia Infantry; s/o Thomas H. and Rhoda (Strickland) Albritton of Clinch co., GA.
Relationship: 4th great Granduncle

Samuel W. Register, Pvt., Company G, 50th Georgia Infantry,(wounded in action at battle of Manasses,VA.); s/o William and Luraney (Harnage)Register of Clinch co., GA.
Relationship: 2nd great Grandfather

John Taylor Register, Corp., Company G, 50th Georgia Infantry; s/o
William and Luraney (Harnage) Register of Clinch co., GA.
Relationship: 2nd great Granduncle

Guilford A. Register, Pvt., Company G, 50th Georgia Infantry; s/o
William and Luraney (Harnage) Register of Clinch co., GA.
Relationship: 2nd great Granduncle

Oliver Perry Register, Pvt., Company G, 50th Georgia Infantry; s/o
William and Luraney (Harnage) Register of Clinch co., GA.
Relationship: 2nd great Granduncle

The Three Sons Of Owen

2009-07-09T11:12:00.056-05:00

THREE SONS OF OWEN

The following excerpts are Chapters 3, 5, and 15 from the book, The Ulster Clans, written by Revs. T. H. Mullin and J. E. Mullin, published in 1966 by North-West Books, Limavady, County Derry, Northern Ireland, and reprinted in 1989.

It has been said that Irish history, as apart from legend and romance, begins with Niall of the Nine Hostages, so called because of the pledges he wrung from nine nations. Niall was a tall, fair-haired blue-eyed hero of Gaelic blood, who became High King of Ireland in A.D. 379. A renowned warrior, much of his life was spent in predatory excursions against neighbouring countries such as England, Wales and France. It is possible that it was on one of these raiding expeditions that Saint Patrick was carried off from Britain to become a slave who herded sheep on Slemish Mountain for his pagan master. Niall died on one of these military forays to France in A.D. 405.

He had eight sons, and one of these called Laeghaire succeeded his father as High King. He held this position during Patrick's missionary activity, and tolerated the new faith, although apparently he did not wholeheartedly accept it himself. He died in battle, and by his own orders was buried standing upright with his face towards his hereditary foes. Two other sons of Niall, Eaghan (Owen) and Conall marched northwards, conquered North-West Ulster and founded there a new state with its capital at Aileach, a prehistoric stone-built fortress on a hill near Derry, at the root of the Inishowen peninsula. The territory of Conall, now Donegal. was formerly known as Tir-Conall (the land of Conall). The O'Donnells were descendants of Conall. The territory of Owen was Inishowen (the island of Owen), still known by that name. Owen's clan later expanded into Tyrone (Tir-Owen, the land of Owen).

From Owen there descended families who have played a large part in the history of Ulster, O'Neill, McLaughlin, O'Cahan, O'Hagan, O'Mellan, O'Mullan and others. To understand the relationship of these families or clans, it is necessary to understand something of their history.

Information regarding the apportionment of Inishowen amongst the sons of Owen is derived to a large extent from the "Tripartite Life of St. Patrick." This was written in part in the 9th century, and consequently has to be used with great caution as a source of knowledge for Saint Patrick's life. Nevertheless, the journey to Inishowen which it describes is not inherently improbable, for Patrick was a great traveller as Eugene Mullen's poem says.

"To all the seven kingdoms thou didst go

With toilsome journeyings, in sore privation.

Armagh thy see Primatial thou didst make

God's angel guiding. On the Willow Ridge

By that proud hill, which Macha, golden-haired

With aureate pin had lined to trace the site

Of Eamhain Fort and shape a home of valour

For the bold Craobh Ruadh, thy pastoral staff now marked

The place of more enduring battlement.

'Great glory this last House shall have' said the Lord

Of Hosts 'and in this place I will give thee peace'.

To kindly Cineal Eoghain thou didst grant

Wide sovereignty, wielded from fair Aileach".

The account of this visit to Inishowen indicates how the peninsula was apportioned to some of Owen's sons at a very early date in the history of his descendants, and if one is sceptical about the prophecy which Patrick is stated to have made about the future of the three favoured sons of Owen, one must admit the substantial accuracy of the fulfilment.

The Tripartite Life tells how Patrick blessed the children of Conall, and then went over Bernes Mor into the country of Owen to Magh Itha, where he baptised Owen. "Then Patrick blessed Eogan (Owen) with his sons. 'Which of thy sons' saith Patrick, 'is dearest to thee?' 'Muredach,' saith Eogan. 'Kingship shall descend from him forever' saith Patrick. 'And after him?' saith Patrick. 'Fergus,' saith Eogan. 'Ordained persons from him,' saith Patrick. 'And then Eochu Bindech' saith Eogan. 'Warriors from him,' saith Patrick. The story then goes on to show how one son of Fergus, Coelbad by name, made a bad beginning in respect to the fulfilment of the prophecy, for he expelled the saint from his territory. The other son Aedh (Hugh), whose territory adjoined Coelbad's, gave Saint Patrick a loving welcome and there they erected Domnach Mor Mach Tochair. Patrick then proceeded into Bretagh, the district of Owen's son Ailill, and ordained Aengus, son of Ailill in that place, Domnach Bili by name.

Wherever the word Domnach (The Lord's [day or church]) is found in placenames, the hand of Patrick can be traced. Dr. O'Donovan places Domnach Mor Magh Tochair near Carndonagh, where the nearby Glen Tocher preserves part of the name. Bretagh may be discerned on the map of Inishowen as the name of a river in the north-east of the peninsula, while Domnach Bili is now Moville. The territory of the sons of Fergus extended beyond Carndonagh to Doagh and Lough Swilly, as the headquarters of the Mulfoyle sept of Clan Fergus was at Carrickbrachy in the vicinity of Doagh. The tribal land of Murdock and Ochy Binny (Muredach and Eochu Bindech in the prophecy), lay to the south of the lands of Fergus.

We have now examined the blessing of Saint Patrick on the three favoured sons of Owen, and indicated where their inheritance in Inishowen originally lay.

IO-Clery gives the ancestry of Sir Donnell O'Cahan from Owen and Niall of the Nine Hostages as follows- Domnall ballach m Ruaidri m Maghnusa m Donnchada an einigh m Seaain m Aiberne m Diarmada m Con mhuighe m Diarmada m Con muighe na nGall m Magnusa chatha duin m Ruaidri m Domhnaill m Eachmharcaigh m Raghnaill m Iomhair m Gilla Crist m Concionaedh m Diermada m Cathusaigh m Cathain (a quo h Chathain) m Drugain m Concobhair m Fergail m Maile duin m Maile fithrigh m Aedha uairiodhnaigh m Downaill ilcealccaigh m Muircertaigh m Muirethaigh m Eogain m Neill noigiallaigh.
(Analecta Hlbernica i 8).

In the centuries following the death of Saint Patrick certain veryt important clan expansions took place in Ulster. One of these concerns the territory of Dalriada in North Antrim. The name Dalriada derives from the word Dal, meaning descendants, and Riada, the nickname of a chieftain called Cairbre Righfada (Riada) ~-- Cairbre the long-armed. The name Dalriada is still used, but chiefly in its contracted form of the Route. A descendant of Cairbre Righfada called Fergus crossed over to the sister island and founded the kingdom of Argyle or Scottish Dalriada. The invading Gaels brought with them the Gaelic language, and gave their name (for in early times the Irish were called Scots) to Scotland. The descendants of this Fergus became kings of Scottish DaIriada, and ultimately of the united kingdom of the Picts and Scots in the days of King Kenneth MacAlpin.

In later years, Columba, who was of the race of Niall of the Nine Hostages, left Lough Foyle on the famous journey that took him to Iona, and made that lovely island with its green stones and white sands a centre of Christian missionary work for Scotland. Columba returned to Ireland for the famous convention of Drumceat which took place near Limavady. Later, too, the Scottish Macdonnells were to return and settle in the Glens of Antrim.

It is, however, with the expansion of the Owen clan that we are chiefly concerned here. From a focal point at the root of Inishowen the descendants of Owen fanned out in advances to the east and south. This expansion was not swift and overwhelming, but rather a gradual advance, as in the glacier age the ice moved inexorably forward from a centre in the Derryveagh mountains and Barnesmore hills in Donegal, following in its thrusts the line of least resistance and at length covering the countryside.

The first outward thrust of the Owen clan was that of the Clan Binny, which Dr. O'Kelly places as early as 563 A.D. This thrust apparently bypassed a hard core of resistance in County Derry, the Cianachta or children of Cian, whose name is preserved in the present barony of Keenaught. Swinging south-east into County Tyrone, it may have carried Clan Binny as the spearhead of the advance of the Owen clans right to the river Blackwater (or Davel) on the borders of Tyrone and Armagh. A pocket of the O'Hamills at Clonfeacle on the Blacklwater may mark, like an erratic boulder, the extent of their advance. Clan Binny ousted Oriella clans from the district Iying west of the river Bann, from Coleraine to beside Lough Neagh, and drove them across the river. There can be no doubt of the reality of the prophecy that the descendants of Ochy Binny would be warriors. A wealth of information about the Clan Binny is contained in Dr. James O'Kelly's "Gleanings from Ulster History".

Following upon the advance of Clan Binny came Clan Fergus. The O'Clery genealogies mention descendants of Coelbad, son of Fergus, from whom well-known septs derive. One was Ogain, from whom sprang the O'Hagans; another Coinne, from whom came the O'Quins; another Mael Fabaill from whom descended a long line of Mulfoyle chieftains. The Mulfoyle sept remained beside Lough Swilly, the others pressed forward into Tyrone in the wake of Clan Binny. Although Clan Fergus was to be distinguished for its clerics, the clan was not lacking in martial qualities. Dr. O'Kelly has described it as the fighting vanguard of McLaughlin and O'Neill, as these clans battled their way towards Tullyhog and Armagh to become masters of Tyrone.

The royal clans of Ulster, O'Neill and McLaughlin, were descended from Murdock Mac-Earca. O'Devlins and O'Donnellys probably sprang from a grandson of this Murdock Mac-Earca. An important point in the descent from Murdock Mac-Earca comes with Hugh Allen, king of Ireland, who distinguished himself by a series of victories over the descendants of Conall from Donegal. This king, Hugh Allen, had two brothers, Niall Frossach and Connor, whose descendants afterwards came into prominence. From Niall Frossach through Hugh Finlay were descended both the McLaughlins and O'Neills-the O'Neills taking their surname from Niall Glundubh (Niall Black-knee). The McLaughlin and O'Neill stocks provided vigorous leaders and kings for the Owen clans in Ulster, as well as reaching at times the position of high king of Ireland. Murdock's line, from which kings were promised, provided an ample fulfilment. From the other brother of Hugh Allen-Connor there arose certain strong clans by whose combined power these northern kings were supported and maintained. It is from the descendants of Connor, the Clan Connor, that the second important thrust from the Owen Clan came. This clan is often known as Clan Connor Magh Ithe, or the Fir Magh Ithe (men of Magh Ithe). Magh Ithe is the rich countryside stretching southward from Inishowen, later known as the Laggan district in east Donegal. According to the O'Clery book of genealogies, Connor had twelve sons, from one of which called Drughan were descended the O'Cahans (O'Kanes). The O'Mullans were also descended from Connor. The McCloskeys, later prominent in County Derry, were descended from a Blosky O'Cahan mentioned the Annals under the year 1196.

It will be remembered that in earlier advances the hard core of resistance in County Derry formed by the Cianachta had been bypassed. The Cianachta, whose leading sept was the O'Connors af Glengiven in the Roe Valley, had held their position for many centuries. The overthrow of the Cianachta and the O'Connors came oddly enough from their namesakes, the Clan Connor. Between the years A.D. 900 and 1000, according to Dr. Kelly's reckoning, the families of Clan Connor moved out from the cramped territory of Magh Ithe, and eventually established themselves in Ithe whole of the territory from the Foyle to the Bann in County Derry. No express record of the conquest of Cianachta exists, and the method of the conquest is a fascinating problem to which we must later turn. When the process of conquest ends, we find various septs of Clan Connor firmly settled in County Derry, the Clan Dermot and its chief family O'Carrolan south of the Faughan river, and the O'Cahans, O'Mullans and McCloskeys scattered elsewhere over North Derry. This intermittent expansion of the Owen clans, which has been described in the present chapter, occupied several centuries. Consequent upon this expansion, and concurrent with it, various other changes took place. These changes centre around the quest for power, and for a place from which the power obtained might be competently exercised.

In early times the headquarters of the sub-kingdom of Owen had been at Aileach near Derry. For a number of centuries the kingship of North Western Ulster alternated more or less regularly between the two chief branches of the conquerors, the Clan Owen and the Clan Conall. As the Clan Conall found it more difficult to expand owing to its geographical situation, the balance of power shifted decisively to the growing Clan Owen. The series of victories won over Clan Conall by the Owen chieftain Hugh Allen and his kin resulted in the exclusion of Clan Conall from the over-kingship of the whole territory by the end of the eighth century. Thus Clan Owen became the dominant Northern dynasty, and their seat at Aileach became the headquarters of the over-kingdom now held by Clan Owen.

This honour for Aileach was not lasting. As power shifted farther south, deep into Tyrone, a new capital was required. Accordingly a more central position at Tullyhog, near Cookstown, was chosen. Professor James Hogan, in his work "The Irish Law of Kingship", places this transfer of the seat of kingship from Aileach to Tullyhog somewhere between the years A.D. 1035 and 1050. So in succeeding years Aileach became what it is today a relic of the past, massive in earth and stone, but haunted by insubstantial memories of departed glory.

Alice Milligan's poem "The Dark Palace" catches its pathos:

"There beams no light from thy hall tonight

O house of Fame!

No mead-vat seethes and no smoke upwreathes

O'er the hearth's red flame;

No high bard sings for the joy of thy kings,

And no harpers play;

No hostage moans at thy dungeon rings.

As in Muircherteach's day."

As the domain of Clan Owen broadened in Ulster, its original home in Inishowen became more and more only a Northern outpost of the clan, from which a line of subordinate Mulfoy]e chieftains, planted at Carrickbrachy, kept watch on the restless sea, and their equally restless neighbours. A description of one of these Mulfoyle chiefs is given in a poem to be found in the Book of Ballymote, and translated by McCarthy as follows:

"Worthy much of excellence is Mulfoyle,

Beloved king, distinguished, handsome,

Brilliant eyes beneath a very haughty head

Yellow hair upon a fair shoulder."

Finally Inishowen was lost to Clan Owen from a succession of causes. First, there was the gradual exodus of Clan Binny, a big section of Clan Fergus and the royal clans descended from Muircherteach, This inevitably weakened the northern outpost and was followed by internal conflict within the remaining Owen clans over the rich lands of Magh Ithe which lay to the south of Inishowen. This further weakening of the clans enabled the O'Dobertys, a powerful branch of the Conall peoples from Donegal, to force their way into Magh Ithe and then to use this as a base for further excursiom into Inishowen. The Owen families who held the northern part of Inishowen were finally crippled in two great battles; the first, a combined attack in 1117 by the forces of Clan Conall; and the second, an invasion from Scotland about a century later in which Trad O'Mulfoyle, chief of the remnants. of Clan Fergus in Inishowen, was slain with many of his people. Thus it was that the O'Dohertys and Clan Conall made themselves masters of Inishowen, the homeland of Clan Owen.

By this time, however, the Clan rested securely on a far wider base of lands in central Ulster. At the apex of the power exercised from this base were the McLaughlins and O'Neills. As in earlier days the kingship of North-West Ulster had alternated between clans Owen and Conall, so now when the Kingship was lin Owen hands there was a see-saw of power between the McLaughlins and O'Neills, both houses ruling almost alternately for a time. Eventually the O'Neills, by a combination of circumstances, which need not be detailed here, secured for themselves the kingship, and the once dominant McLaughlins lapsed into obscurity. One could almost use the word "security" with equal truth, for often the common man can sleep in security while uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.

One final move must be mentioned; eventually the O'Neills removed their seat from Tullyhog, near Cookstown, to Dungannon:

". . . the town where the slow waters steal

Underneath a half-circle of stone

At the foot of the hill of O'Neill

In the middle of County Tyrone."

The main settlements around this area were those of Clan Fergus. As described in O'Dugan's Topographical poem, these vigorous chieftains "victorious over foes in every hill" who had once held territory as far north as Enagh Lough in County Derry, were now spread abroad in County Tyrone. Their lands were the very heart of the kingdom around Tullyhog. The sept of the O~Mellans had a large and well-defined territory which included Slieve Gallion to the north and what is now Cookstown to the south, the whole being known as the "Mellanaght." To the south of these lands lay the sept of the O'Hagans; some of this sept were transplanted later to a district just north of the O'Mellans. The O'Quins' land probably lay south-west of the O'Mellans in the vicinity of Lissan.

To complete the picture, we will glance briefly at the areas occupied by other Owen families. The Clan Ferady with its leading sept the MeCawellls settled around Clogher. Further north, the Clan Moen and its leading sept the O'Gormleys settled to the east and north-east of Strabane. The O'Devlins settled in the district between the Clan Fergus lands and Lough Neagh, while the O'Donnellys lived at Castlecaulfield near Dungannon. With this picture of settlements in County Tyrone the long expansion led by the favoured sons of Owen can fittingly end. It brings the O'Neills of Tyrone to the pinnacle of power within the clan, and to the verge of modern times. With the O'Donnells of Donegal who had risen to eminence within Clan Conall and shaken off O'Neill power, these representatives of the ancient ruling Gaelic race move forward to meet the challenge of a new age.

Chapter 5

O'KANES RISE TO POWER

We have viewed in the last chapter the broad territories over which the O'Cahans or O'Kanes held sway. Let us now look backwards into time, and ask how the O'Cahans had attained and kept this position. There is no express record of the capture of Cianachta by thc O'Cahans. The Irish Annals, especially in the earlier period, are records of isolated striking incidents rather than a connected historical or descriptive narrative. Thus we learn of the richness of the Irish woodlands incidentally, as when it is recorded twice in the eleventh century that the flow of the rivers was impeded by the enormous nut crops.

The capture of Cianachta by the O'Cahans took place in the century and a half which elapsed betweeen the invasions of the Norsemen and Danes, and that of the Normans. The Norse invasions are the feature of the ninth and tenth centuries. The Anna]s of Ulster record under the year 838 A.D.: "An expedition of Foreigners on Loch-Echach, from which they destroyed the territories and churches of the North of Ireland." Loch-Echach is Lough Neagh, and the Norsemen reached it by taking their long-boats up the Bann. The impression made by the Norsemen on this Northern coast (or Fochla, as it was called) is seen by another entry under the year 865: "Aedh, son of Niall, plundered all the fortresses of the Foreigners (i.e., on the coast of the Fochla) between Cinel-Eogain and Dal-Araide, so that he carried off their spoils and their flocks and herds, to his camp, after a battle. A victory was gained over them at Loch-Febhail (Lough Foyle) from which twelve score heads were brought." A few years later the Norsemen, accompanied by Clan Owen, performed the unprecedented feat of capturing the ancient fortress of Dunseverick by force.

The first part of the tenth century was also noteworthy for the activities of Norsemen and Danes. Among those killed by them was the famous Clan Owen leader, Muirchertach of the leather cloaks, and also the abbot of Coleraine. Churches and monasteries were particularly sought out by the Norsemen because of the treasures they were believed to contain. However, the Annals of Ulster record under the year 944 A.D. that Donnell and Flaherty, sons of Muirchertach, killed the foreigners of Lough Neagh and destroyed their fleet. Ten years afterwards it is recorded that Donnell took ships from the Bann estuary and embarked on a raiding expedition that took him to Lough Neagh and Lough Erne. The disruption and terror of the Norse age bit deep into Irish memories, and the Danes remain the first to be singled out for blame when some destruction has to be accounted for. The Battle of Clontarf, won by Brian Boru over tke Norsemen in 1014, marks ending of Norse hegemony in Ireland.

The eleventh century was a century of Clan Owen expansion. In the beginning of this century, a dominant position in Ulster was held by the Clan Owen chief known as Flaherty of the pilgrim staff, so called because he once made a pilgrimage to Rome. The rest of his career was marked by raids upon neighbouring clans, in which the pilgrim's staff was replaced by the restless sword. By the middle of this century the men of Magh Ithe (the Clan Connor) came into prominence by raids upon the Oriella, and on the Clan Binny of Loch-Drochait, whose territory has been placed by Dr. O'Kelly as the western side of the River Bann north of Lough Neagh.

Since the original territory of Clan Connor was in East Donegal, it would be natural to suppose that they conquered North Derry by crossing the Foyle and progressing eastwards. This interpretation is strengthened by the fact that under the year 1076 the Annals of Ulster record: "The defeat of Belat (was inflicted) by Aedh Ua Mael-Sechlainn and by the men of Magh-Itha upon the Ciannachta, so that stark slaughter of them was inflicted." Belat has disappeared as a p]ace name; but it appears on the Plantation map of Sir Thomas Phillips, covering the Grocers' lands, and is about a couple of miles east of the River Foyle. Here indeed, between the Foyle and the Faughan, part of Clan Connor settled, the Clan Dermot, who gave their name to the parish of Glendermott or Clandermott. Did Clan Connor then push on eastwards over the Roe to the Bann? This seems the most obvious route, and yet there are weighty considerations which suggest that the advance was made along the valley of the Bann. These considerations must now be summarised.

First of all, there are very definite signs of pressure by the Clan Owen upon the tribes to the west of Lough Neagh and the Bann during this century, a pressure in which the men of Magh Ithe or Clan Connor take part. Of these tribes, the Ui Tuirtre lay to the west of the northem part of Lough Neagh, the various septs of Clan Binny and Fir Li to the west of the Bann, and the Cianachta of Glinne-Geimhin in the valley of the Roe. The signs of this pressure are clearly recorded in the Annals in raid and retaliation. It has been already noticed that the men of Magh Ithe raided the most southerly of the Clan Binny septs, the Clan Binny of LochDrochait-this is recorded under the year 1053. Twice in the next quarter of a century it is recorded that the king of Tullyhog was killed by Clan Binny, while in 1081 they killed the chief of Ui Tuirtre. It should be noted that in the later occasions when Clan Binny appears in the Annals, it is always the sept known as Clan Binny of the Glen, which was the farthest north. At this particular period Clan Binny appear to be a buffer state between the northerly pressure of the Tullyhog chieftains and the Cianachta of North Derry. Earlier in the century the Annals record direct clashes between Clan Owen and the Cianachta; under 1014 when Denis Gough, chief of Cianachta, was slain; and under 1023, when the Clan Owen chieftain was slain by his own brother and the Cianachta of Glinne-Geimhin. It would almost seem as if the centre of pressure was moving eastwards during this century towards Lough Neagh and the Bann, just as the seat of the Owen kingdom moved from Aileach to Tullyhog.

In the opening years of the twelfth century, internal troubles appear in the Cianachta territory. In 1101 Echri Ua Maelmuire, chief of Cianachta, was killed by O'Connor of Glinne-Geimhin; while three years later the O'Connor chieftain of Cianachta was killed by his own people. Finally, in 1122, O'h Ainiarraidh, the chief of Cianachta, was killed by his own brothers in the middle tlle cemetery of Banagher.

Just four years previously it is recorded that the chief of Fer- managh was killed by a tribe living at Ardstraw and by the men of Craebh (or Creeve, near Coleraine). Then in 1138 it is recorded that "Raghnall, son of Imhar Ua Cathain, lord of the of the Craebh, Cianachta and Fir Li, fell through treachery and guile, the Ui-Eoghain of the Valley." The valley people are evidently Clan Binny, and the O'Cahan killed ushers the O'Cahan clan into a stormy future that occupies a large place in Ulster history for the next five and a half centuries. This is the first mention of the O'Cahans in the Annals, and it is perhaps appropriate that their coming was preceded by a great storm in the previous year. By 1138 they are obviously masters not only of the Creeve, but also of Cianachta and Fir-Li.

These changes pass silently in the Annals. It is difficult, however, to resist the impression that the centre of pressure moves toward Tullyhog, which was burned in retaliation in 1011, and had its trees uprooted by the Ulidians a century later. The best interpretation of the facts which are available seems to be that while Donnell McLaughlin, King of Clan Owen, was exerting pressure to the west and south from Tullyhog, Clan Connor and particularly the O'Cahans were pressing north until we find that the tribes of Fir Li and Ui Tuirtre are driven across the Bann, that Clan Binny is subdued and soon disappears from the Annals, while the O'Connors, once chiefs of Cianachta, are forced eventually into the position of small farmers in the district they previously ruled.

This interpretation of the evidence as pointing to the O'Cahan thrust against Cianachta as coming from the south up the Bann valley and then across the mountains must remain tentative. There is, however, some corroborating evidence. First, A. Moore Munn notes two townland names in the parish of Killelagh which he thinks point to the original settlcment of the O'Cahans, or Kanes, Tirkane (the country of Kane), and Half Gayne (the stone house of Kane). Tamneymullan, north of Maghera, must at one time have been occupied by an O'Mullan. Both the O'Mullans and the O'Cahans were descended from Connor.

By this period O'Cahan has assumed pre-eminence inside the Clan Connor. These place names confirm the tradition that O'Cahan's country at an early stage extended down to Lough Neagh.

Second, in the mountainous area between the Roe Valley and South Derry, there are a remarkable series of place names which may possibly commemorate struggles which have left no mark upon written annals of Ulster. They are as follows:
Slaghtaverty - parish of Errigal;

Slaghfreeden - parish of Lissan;

Slaghtbogy (Slatevoylagh, Slatgolan) - parish of Maghera:

Slaghtneill - parish of Killelagh;

Slaghtmanus - parish of Cumber Lower.

Similar names have been preserved which have not become modern townland names. The Phillips manuscripts give the following place-names on the Skinner's lands:
Slatelons,

Slatmone Latmiske.

In the parish of Rasharkin in the townland of Crushybracken is a place called Slaghttaggaart. It will be noticed that the word Slaght (meaning monument for the dead) is in a number of these instances connected with a proper name such as Neill, Manus and Averty. These may, of course, be connected with some earlier struggles, but it is noteworthy that Manus or Magnus is a Norse name, and that therefore this name is subsequent to the Norse invasions.

Finally, it may be noted that the O'Cahans, who were always generous benefactors to the Church, founded an Augustinian priory at Dungiven at a very early date. Their earliest connections with the North Derry area seem to be at the Creeve, and in the range of hills between the Bann and Roe. It is as O'Cahan of the Creeve, with the daughter of O'Henery (probably his wife), that the O'Cahan chief at the later date of 1192 presents the doorway of the refectory of the Black Church of Columkille in Derry. The O'Cahans sometimes regretted their generosity to the Church at a later stage.

This summarises the facts which point to the O'Cahan conquest of Cianachta as coming from the Bann valley and across the mountains. James O'Kane, of the parish of Swateragh, known as thc bard of Carntogher, wrote of this close connection with Dungiven in the lines:
"Dungiven, when darkness and silence surround you,

Enfolding your mountains that rise by the Roe,

I think of the glories that covered and crowned you,

Your power and your splendour in days long ago.

Here stood the strong castle and halls of O'Cahan,

Here spread the broad acres held under his sway,

Beyond the Moyola, the Bann and the Faughan,

And here lies the dust of their chieftain to-day.

Yes, here does he rest in your old church, Dungiven,

Who often in battle defeated the foe,

Unfurled Erin's flag to the free winds of Heaven,

And marshalled his troops on the banks of the Roe."

From 1138 the O'Cahans appear regularly in the Annals. The following references to them in the succeeding years illustrate the type of material which is available, which does not lend itself to connected narrative.

1156. Aedh, son of Ruaidhri Ua Canannain, lord of Cinel-Conaill (Donegal) was slain by Ua Cathain and Feara-na-Craeibhe (Men of the Creeve) by treachery.

1157. (The Cinel Owen lead an army into Leinster and Connaught and into King's County.) This host was defeated and many of them were slain, together with Ua Cathain of Creeve. (The Connaught men meantime had invaded Tyrone and plundered the country as far as Coolkeenaght in the parish of Faughanvale.)

1167. (The men of Leinster and lords of Desmond and Thomond dlivide Tyrone between Neill McLaughlin and Hugh O'Neill.) The part north of the mountain, i.e., Callainn (Slieve Gallion), to Niall Ua Lochlainn for two hostages, Ua Cathain of Craebh and Macan-Ghaill Ua Brain. (This illustrates the importance of the O'Cahans, for it was generally from the most important sub-clan that hostages were drawn. It also illustrates the close connection between the McLaughlins and the O'Cahans, a connection that Dr. O'Kelly has noted also between the McLaughlins and the the men of Magh Ithe.)

1171. A great predatory force was led by Maghnus Mac Duinn sleibhe Ua hEochadha and the Ulidians into Cuil-an-tuaisceirt, and they plundered Cuil-rathain (Coleraine) and other churches. A small party of the Cinel-Eoghain (Clan Owen) under Conchobhair Ua Cathain overtook them, and a battle was fought between them, in which the Ulidians were defeated, with the loss of 21 chieftains and sons of chieftains, with many others; and Maghnus himself was wounded, but he escaped from the conflict on that occasion. (Magnus McDonlevy, whose unrighteous doings are deplored by the Annals, was the ruler of the petty kingdom of Ulidia, which had its capital at Downpatrick in County Down. Twescard is a district in North Antrim stretching from Coleraine over to Armoy and Loughgiel. It is interesting to notice that this attack on North Antrim was countered by the O'Cahans, and it is probable that they had extended their sway from the Creeve to portion of North Antrim at a very early date.)

1175. The Kinel Enda were defeated and a great slaughter made of them by Eachmarcach O'Kane and Niall O'Gormley. (The territory of Enda was thirty quarterlands south of Inishowen. As already mentioned, the Gormleys were the leading sept of Clan Moen, and settled to the east and north-east of Strabane.)

1178. Randal, the son of Eachmarcach O'Kane, had been slain by the Kinel-Moen in the beginning of this summer. (Eachmarcach was the chief of the O'Cahans or O'Kanes at this period. Evidently the pact with Clan Moen was of a very temporary duration; this clan bordered on that section of Clan Connor Magh Ithe, known as the Clan Dermot, whose lands were north of theirs.)

The foregoing entries show the O'Cahans taking an active part in the tribal conflicts during the half-century or so which followed their expansion into the districts of Creeve and Cianachta. By the time of the last entry a new factor had entered Ulster history which was to exercise a continuing influence for two ceuturies on the area and clans in which we are particularly interested. This was the coming of the Normans.

John de Courcy, the younger son of a Somerset knight, without waiting for royal leave, set out to invade and conquer Ulster, which as the most warlike of the Irish kingdoms, and the most difficult of access. He is described as a tall, fair man of immense strength and remarkable daring, and he and the band of companions he assembled were well fitted for the adventures they were to undertake. De Courcy first conquered Ulidia, its capital fell into his hands in 1177, and firom this time Downpatrick was the centre of de Courcy's territories. From Ulidia, de Courcy turned northwards, where the north half of County Antrim found a champion in Cumee O'Flynn, the chieftain of Hy Tuirtre and Fir Lee. (It will be remembered that the advance of the O'Cahans had driven these tribes from their original territories across the Bann.) Cumee O'Flynn pursued a scorched-earth policy, and burned Armoy before de Courcy's arrival. However, the Normans reached and burned Coleraine and many other churches. Giraldus relates how de Courcy then received a severe defeat at Cumee O'Flynn's hands in the district of Fir Li. De Courcy was raiding some cattle when he was overpowered in a narrow pass and barely escaped with eleven of his knights to his stronghold at Down.

At this point we meet one of the factors which bedevilled the struggle for Irish independence for centuries, the inability of the clans on occasion to sink their tribal differences and to present a united front. The Ulidians and the Ui Tuirtre had borne the brunt of de Courcy's onslaught, and Rory McDonlevy and Cumee O'Flynn had been his chief opponents. They were a buffer which protected the territory of the McLaughlins and O'Cahans from the Normans. We therefore read with surprise in the Annals under the year 1181 that Donnell McLauglin has invaded Ulidia and defeated the Ulidians, Hy Tuirtre and Fir Li. In the same year the Eachmarcach O'Cahan already mentioned, with the men of Magh Ithe and the Clan Binny of the Valley (the latter evidently now Subordinate to the O'Cahans) mustered an army and crossed the Bann at Toome. They plundered all the territories of the Fir Li and Hy Tuirtre, and carried off many thousands of cows. At this point Fir Li as a state disappears from the Annals, and this is also the last appearance of the Clan Binny, who had first emerged in the Annals a century and a half previously. Cumee O'Flynn was killed by the Normans a few years afterwards, and Ui Tuirtre became a subordinate territory with an O'Flynn chief owning the Normans as overlords.

The short-sighted policy pursued by the McLaughlins and O'Cahans is thrown into relief by the happenings of the very next year. Donnell, the son of Hugh McLaughlin, marched with an army to Dunboe in Dalriada, and there gave battle to the English. Clan Owen were defeated, and among the slain was Gilchrist O'Cahan. This entry is also interesting in another way. Dalriada is generally thought of as being on the Antrim side of the Bann. O'Donovan, in his discussion of this entry, points out that this statement in the Annals of the Four Masters was carried over from the earlier Annals of Ulster and Annals of Kilronan. It may be remarked that in early times the Bann and Bann Valley did not divide so much as unite; this seems to be true of the Normans, of the O'Cahans, and probably of the Norsemen. Dalriada, therefore, may well have had its unrecorded extension at an early time on the Derry side of the Bann.

This mistake of pursuing tribal quarrels and personal vendettas in the face of a common enemy, which ended in the defeat of 1182, was to be repeated again. Under the year 1196, the Annals record that Murtough McLaughlin, described as presumptive heir to the throne of Ireland and destroyer of the cities and castles of the English, was killed by Donough, son of Blosky O'Cahan, at the instigation of Clan Owen. This Blosky, by the way, was the ancestor of the McCloskeys, who we later find as a sept in lhe country of O'Cahan. In 1197 we find the beginnings of the Norman settlement in the Coleraine and north Antrim area which was to exercise a profound influence on the neighbouring O'Cahans. Under 1197 the following entry occurs:
"John de Courcy and the English of Ulidia marched with an army to Eas Creeva, and erected the castle of Kilsanctan, and wasted and desolated the territory of Kienaghta. He left Rotsel Pitun (probably Peyton), together with a large body of forces, in the castle, out of which they proceeded to plunder and ravage the territories and the churches. Rotsel Pitun afterwards came on a predatory excursion to the harbour of Derry and plundered the churches of Cluain-I, Enagh and Dergbruagh. But Flaherty P'Muldory, Lord of Kinel-Owen and Kinel-Connell, with a small party of the northern Hy Niall, overtook him, and a battle was between them on the strand of Faughanvale, in which the English and the son of Ardgal McLaughlin were slaughtered, through the miracles of Saints Columbkille, Canice and Brecan, whose churches they had plundered."

De Courcy followed this up by further expeditions to Derry and Inishowen, and into Tyrone. De Courcy was finally expelled from Ulster in 1205, and King John gave to Hugh de Lacy all the lands of de Courcy which he could conquer. As de Courcy had made his centre at Downpatrick, so de Lacy made his centre at Carrickfergus, where the magnificent Norman castle dates from approximately this period.

Ulster resistance to the Norman onslaught continued unabated. The Ulster Annals mention in 1206 that an army was led by the son of Hugo de Lacy with the English of Meath and Leinster to Tullyhog, where they burned churches and corn, but obtained neither hostages nor pledges of submission from Hugh O'Neill on this occasion. The same people led another army into Kienaghta, they burned all the churches of that territory, besides driving off a countless number of cows. Churches at this period were sometimes used for storing corn, and for that reason came in for unwelcome attention.

De Lacy was expelled by King John in 1210, and although he was later restored to his lands in 1226-27 the interval saw a very significant happening in the grant of lands in north and north-east Ulster to a family of Scottish noblemen. In the spring of 1212, Alan, Earl of Galloway, was assigned on the King's behalf 140 knights' fees of land extending apparently over the whole northeast of the province from the River Foyle to the Glens of Antrim. From this grant were excepted ten knights' fees on each side of the River Bann near the castle of Kilsanctan, which were retained meantime in the king's hand. Under the year 1211 the Annalists relate that Thomas McUchtry (Alan's brother, and Earl of Athol) came with a fleet of 76 ships to Derry and plundered Inishowen.

King John granted him the next year that part of Derry which belonged to O'Neill. Thomas MacUchtry then in 1214 proceeded to plunder Derry, carrying off the precious articles of the church of Derry to Coleraine. The same year he strengthened his position in Coleraine by building a stone castle there, finding the materials by demolishing all the cemeteries and buildings of the town, except the church. This turbulent Scottish nobleman then received a grant from the king of Kilsantan and castle of Coleraine, with ten knights' fees on both sides of the Bann. Orpen has noticed that raids on Ulster by these men of Galloway were regularly followed by grants of land from the Crown. These grants to the Earls of Athol and Galloway, and to their uncle, Duncan of Carrick, mark the beginning of a long connection between the Scots and north-east Ulster which has continuing importance right up into modern times.

Meanwhile the Ulster chiefs were still resisting, and it is doubtful whether these grants had any real validity west of the Bann. Farrell O'Cahan, chief of Cianachta and Creeve, whose lands had on paper been granted to the Earl of Galloway, was killed in 1213 fighting against the English. However, the Ulster chieftains had not yet learned the paramount lesson of an united front, and it is surprising to learn that the next year Farrell's successor led the O'Cahans to seize the house of McLaughlin's son. The prior of the Abbey church of Derry, who with Christian zeal, but perhaps with less worldly wisdom, interposed to make peace between them, was slain on this occasion.

These grants to Scotsmen were obviously resented by the de Lacys. In 1222 the son of Hugo de Lacy came to Ireland without the consent of the king, obtained the assistance of Hugh O'Neill, and set out with him to oppose the English in Ireland. One of their first actions was to go to Coleraine where they demolished the castle that had been so recently built. When de Lacy was finally restored to his position in 1226-27, the lands of Alan and Thomas of Galloway were exempted from his grant. Shortly afterwards the castle of Coleraine was rebuilt, but we are not told by whom. The feud between the de Lacys and the Scottish nobles was long standing, and eventually the Scottish estates in Ulster disappeared. The feud had one unexpected by-product. Some years later Patrick, son of Thomas of Galloway, was murdered. Walter Bissett and his nephew John, who were accused of the crime and outlawed in Scotland, fled to Ireland, where they obtained grants of land in Glenarm and elsewhere in County Antrim previously held by the nobles from Galloway. Those grants must have been obtained from Hugh de Lacy, who died the same year without male heirs. The Bissett lands passed eventually to a girl who was the sole heiress. Mairi Bissett married a MacDonnell of the Isles, and through her the MacDonnells succeeded to the Antrim Glens from whence they rose to a position of great influence in Ulster.

Meantime the Normans had been profiting by the internal quarrels of the Clan Owen. Norman power had been gradually growing and under 1238 the Annalists note that the Lord Justice, with de Lacy, the Earl of Ulster, had deposed McLaughlin from the chieftainship of Clan Owen, and given the government of Tyrone to the son of O'Neill. This struggle for power between McLaughlin and O'Neill led three years later to the Battle of Cameirge, when O'Neill, with the assistance of the O'Donnells of Donegal, defeated McLaughlin, who was slain. The place-name of the battle is now unknown, but the traditional site is near Maghera.

At this point we reach a most interesting statement in the Annals as far as the O'Cahans are concerned, a statement which makes one realise the paucity of information in this early period. Under 1247 the Annals record:
"Eachmarcach O'Kane, Lord of Kienaghta and Firnacreeva, was slain by Manus O'Kane after having gone on a predatory excursion into his country as far as Armoy in Dalriada."

At the time of the Plantation of Ulster, a sept of O'Cahans was in possession of Dunseverick Castle, but we have no information as to how they came there nor does there seem to be any genealogy of them in this early period. This territory possessed by O'Cahans in the Route is most probably the remnant of O'Cahan possessions across the Bann in pre-Norman times. It has already been noticed under the year 1171 that Magnus McDonlevy's plundering expedition into North Antrim was countered by an O'Cahan.

The continuing power of the Normans is seen when under 1248 the Annals record that the Lord Justice of Ireland led an army to Tyrone to oppose O'Neill. Clan Owen held a council and agreed that as the English of Ireland had at this time the ascendancy over the Irish it would be advisable to give them hostages and make peace with them. On this occasion the English came as far as Coleraine, where they built a bridge across the Bann, erected the castle of Drumtarcy and a dwelling at Drom. This castle must have been erected to protect the bridge, and was almost certainly on the far side of the river, as a few years later there was a parish of Drumtarcy which apparently lay between Camus and Dunboe.

The peace so made was not a lasting one, and the Owen clans were soon to make a great effort to break the Norman yoke in the Battle of Druim-dearg at Downpatrick. Led by Brian O'Neill, Clan Owen went down in an honourable defeat in which the O'Cahans played a noteworthy part. For centuries the Irish had disdained the use of armour, and went into battle with their finest tunics, beautifully embroidered and dyed golden with saffron. The Normans, on the other hand, were heavily armoured, and this battle in particular made it apparent that courage, even of the highest quality, was not enough. Brian O'Neill was killed, and with him no less than fifteen of the O'Cahan chiefs. This shows the magnitude of the O'Cahan effort, and its dauntless quality.

We are fortunate to have two poems lamenting the Ulster losses in this battle, one by MacNamee, the bard of the O'Neills, and one by Fearghal Og Mac-na-Bhaird, whose particular interest was in the O'Cahans. MacNamee laments the loss of Magnus O'Cahan as being the most grievous after that of O'Neill himself.
"Bitter to my heart (to see) the grey Galls

Triumphing over the slaughtered Maghnus;

That the head of O'Cathain, attracting no notice,

Should be seen on the bridge of Dun.

At night did Maghnus of Macha remain

Between wounded bodies;

If Brian had not been in the slaughter

There would be no loss like O'Cathain.

Maghnus himself, Eachmarcach too,

Muircheartach, Dounchadh, Domhnall,

And Niall O'Cathain all falling with wounds:

Alas, it was not one loss only.

A misfortune to our children and our wives

Was the slaying of Maghnus O'Cathain:

That scion of Inbhear-Abhaigh never neglected

A son or a daughter of Eoghan's race."

The poems are translated in the Misccllany of the Celtic Society, 1849.

Inbhear-Abhaigh was probably the ancient name for the mouth of the River Roe. The six members of the O'Cahan family mentioned are probably heads of septs; they appear also in Mac-an-Bhaird~s poem. A Hugh O'Cahan is also mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters as having fallen.

In some ways Mac-an-Bhaird's lament is of slighter quality; but it strikes a more personal and pathetic note. It would appear that Magnus O'Cahan was, according to Irish custom, fostered and educated by Mac-an-Bhaird's father; the poet was his playmate and some years younger than he. Eachmarcach was Magnus' brother, and was similarly fostered in the Mac-an Bhaird home. The bonds of fosterbrothers were often very close, and it was so in this case. Some verses may be quoted:
"Though to me each man is a grief,

(For) O'Cathain the yellow-haired I most grieve;

He is the wound of the artery of my head,

This is the blood I cannot bear.

I gave him great love, ah, woe is me;

To him from the period of my fifth year;

Woe that I have not gone with my beloved;

Early I loved O'Cathain.

My love for O'Cathain of Cluaine

Was not the love of a woman for a man of one hour;

'Twas a love from the time of childhood hither

To my foster brother, to my tutor.

We used to give the chieftainship in our sports

To him, when high-spirited youths,

We and the king on a mound which he disgraced not,

Going thrice around it.

Until he would take me on his back

I used to continue to shed tears after him;

At all times I was the rider;

Our horse was (always) Eachmarcach."

The value of these poems lies not only in their quality, but in the fact that they are contemporary documents, and as such throw some light on the history and situation of the O'Cahans. How contemporary they are is shown by a verse from Mac-an-Bhaird's poem:

"As in the slaughter was not recognised

The fair-skinned body of O'Cathain,

And as he has not come alive to his home

They may have carried him away from the field."

The headless body of O'Cahan remained apparently on the field of battle until the next day, unrecognised among the slain. Macan-Bhaird must have written the poem before the body of Magnus had been identified, as he speculates that the fairies may have carried him off.

"In fairy mound west or east Who knows but he may still be living."

Mac-an-Bhaird's poem refers to O'Cahan of Clooney, which is near Derry. Evidently the O'Cahans at this time had a hold on North Derry as far away as Clooney. There is one verse that may throw some light on the earliest O'Cahan connections:
"The son of O'Cathain of the Craebh,

Son of Raghnall, King of Formaeil;

A tranquil meeting after him will be difficult;

The poetic art shall be an orphan."

O'Cahan is here O'Cahan of the Creeve, and is called King of Formaeil. O'Kelly takes this Formaeil to be that in the parish of Dunboe, where he also places the Glen of the Clan Binny of the Glen. But O'Donovan's suggestion that the Formaeil mentioned here is the Formaeil of Glenullin looks better, as does his identification of the Glen with Glenconkeyne-if indeed the Glen of Clan Binny be not Glenullin itself. O'Cahans certainly replaced Clan Binny in the glens and mountains in the approaches to the Roe valley.

The Battle of Down, as it has come to be known, uniting as it did the forces of Ulster and Connaught, has been described as the most formidable native effort that the English in Ulster had to meet in the thirteenth century, and in this the O'Cahans played an outstanding part. The impression made by this battle is shown bv the fact that not only Brian O'Neill, but also Manus O'Cahan and other chiefs who fell there are called "Catha an Duin" (i.e., in the Battle of Down) in the pedigree of their descendants in all the Irish genealogical books. The Battle of Down also marks an epoch Irish warfare, and in Ulster history. Norman superiority in equipment remained unchallenged, until it was met by the heavily-armed Scottish gallowglasses who had just made their first appearance in Ulster. From this period also Norman power becomes an increasingly dominant factor in north-east Ulster.

Chapter 15

CLAN FERGUS AND THE O'MELLANS

At this point let us glance back to the early chapter on the three sons of Owen, and to the genealogical chart given there. The Tripartite life of St. Patrick mentions the blessings said to have been given to Murdock, Fergus and Ochy Binny, sons of Owen and grandsons of Niall of the Nine Hostages. The blessings promised kingship to the descendants of Murdock, ordained persons to spring from Fergus, and warriors from Ochy Binny. Clan Binny made the first thrust into County Tyrone, and their story has been dealt with by Dr. O'Kelly in his book, "Gleanings from Ulster History." The history of the O'Neills and McLaughlins, who were descended from Murdock, and exercised kingship from Aileach and Tullyhog, is intertwined with Irish national history. In the earlier part of this study we have endeavoured to fill a gap in Ulster history by providing a sketch of the main septs or divisions of Clan Connor, the O'Cahans. McCloskeys and O'Mullans. We turn now to elaborate on the descendants of Fergus, son of Owen.

There are three sound reasons for dealing with Clan Fergus. First, information about the Clan is not readily available, except m scattered form. Second, there has been considerable confusion between the Clan Fergus O'Mellans and the Clan Connor O'Mullans. Third, some of the main territories of the Clan Fergus adjoin Clan Connor territory in County Derry. The main physical girder of the territory of the Owen clans is the range of the Sperrins. North of this range lay the homeland of the O'Cahans McCloskeys and O'Mullans, of Clan Connor. South of the range lay the chief territories of the O'Mellans, O'Hagans and O'Quins of Clan Fergus, at the centre of the Owen kingdom around Tullyhog, south of Cookstown.

From Clan Fergus ordained persons were promised. The Church in Ireland in which they were destined to serve was part of the wider Christian Church, but preserved its own distinctive flavour.

It had its own date for the celebration of Easter, and its own liturgical forms. Although its Clergy did not strictly observe celibacy, the church was strongly monastic in form. The bishops of the Irish Church seem often to have been subject to the abbots, and bishops were found very frequently living together in groups of seven. Aengus enumerated no less than 141 places in Ireland where there were, or had been, seven contemporary bishops in one place. A plurality of bishops in one place follows the New Testament examples of the churches of Ephesus and Philippi. One gathers, too, that the clan spirit entered largely into the appointment of bishops and abbotts as well as of other clergy. In his Life of St. Malachy, St. Bernard wrote of the Oriella clans that this proud and powerful people would not allow any bishop among them except one of their own clan. They monopolised the see of Armagh for 200 years, claiming it as their birthright.

In the centuries following St. Patrick's time, Clan Fergus provided some prominent clergy. The "Genealogiae Regnum et Sanctorum Hibernia" of the Four Masters records that Fiachna, a son of Fergus, became a bishop. However, it is through another son of Fergus called Hugh (ancestor of the O'Mellans) that the blessing of Patrick seems to find an early and continuous fulfillment. Several of Hugh's descendants, Breacan, Colman and Becan became bishops. The crowning distinction came when Mac Laisre of this family became abbot or (as the office was later), Archbishop of Armagh. With this appointment-the sixteenth in the lists of abbots of Armagh-the hold of the Oriella clan on the archbishopric was broken, and a representative of Clan Fergus appointed to the highest office in the Irish Church. Mac Laisre's descent is given as the son of Luighdeach, the son of Ronan, the son of Tuadain, the son of Hugh, the son of Fergus. Mac Laisre died 12th September of the year A.D. 622, and was followed by Tomene, son of the Ronan already mentioned, in the same high office. Tomene is mentioned by the Venerable Bede as replying to the Roman clergy concerning an accusation that the Irish Church was entertaining the Pelagian heresy. In later times the O'Mellans became prominent in ecclesiastical affairs.

Clan Fergus produced not only clergy, but also warriors. O'Dugan's topographical poem concerning the various clans of Ireland gives a large share of attention to the "Race of Owen of Valiant arms, who have obtained the palm for greatness without fraud, the acme of the nobility of Erin." O'Dugan writes of the vigorous chieftains of Clan Fergus, victorious over foes in every hill. One verse runs:

"Speak of the Siol Aedha of Eanach,

Their chieftains and their tribes.

To them the meeting was not thin

The O'Murchadhas and the O'Mellains."

The Siol Aedha, or children of Hugh, are the descendants of the Hugh, son of Fergus, with whom we have been dealing. Eanach is probably the Enagh near Derry which later became an O'Cahan stronghold, with its castle on the island in Enagh Lough.

Clan Fergus also pressed southward in the wake of Clan Binny into the heart of Tyrone. Dr. O'Kelly has described Clan Fergus as the fighting vanguard of the O'Neills and McLaughlins as they battled their way towards Tullyhog and Armagh. When the Owen clans conquered and settled in Tyrone (Tir Owen, the land of Owen) the septs of Clan Fergus obtained certain territories there. The territory of the O'Mellans (descendants of Hugh) was referred to as the "Meallanaght." It included Slieve Gallion to the north and Cookstown, to the south. As their influence in ecclesiastical affairs grew, the O'Mellans also came into possession of considerable church lands. They had for instance the church lands of Orritor. The privilege of being hereditary keepers of the Bell of St. Patrick is the chief distinction of the O'Mellan clan. Another section of the clan came into possession of lands around Donaghmore, north of Dungannon, where they were the keepers of the Bell of Clogher. Yet another section had moved to near Armagh where they were possessed "tyme out of mynde" of the territory of Lurga Ui Meallan (literally the Low Ridge of O'Mellan) which is now known as Lurgyvallen.

Two other prominent clans were descended from Coelbad, Hugh's brother, the O'Hagans and the Quinns. The O'Hagans were the hereditary custodians of Tullyhog, the hill where the Ulster kings were inaugurated. O'Dugan's poem includes a verse on the O'Hagans:

"A stout chief over Tulach Og

O'H Ogain, chief of the white roads

The plough has passed through every wood of it,

Another O'H Ogain is near it."

Some of the O'Hagan sept were transplanted at a later date to a territory lying to the north of, and adjoining that of the O'Mellans. The territory of the O'Quins of Clan Fergus, though not clearly defined, would appear to have lain to the south-west of that of the O'Mellans in the vicinity of Lissan. (There was another sept of O'Quins in the neighbourhood of Omagh who are not to be confused with the O'Quins of Clan Fergus, as the Omagh O'Quins belonged to the Fir Magh Ithe.)

The O'Hagans held a very important position in Clan Fergus. Their leading role in the inauguration of the O'Neill has been described earlier. Their leading position within Clan Fergus can be deduced from statements in the Annals. In 1081 the Annals of the Four Masters record that Magrath O'Hagan, Lord of Cinel Fergus, was slain. Under the date 1103 the Annals of Ulster mention that Raghnall O'Hagan, "the lawgiver of Tellach Og," was slain by the men of Magh Ithe. A further reference in the Annals of the Four Masters informs us that there died in 1122, Donnsleibhe O'Hagan, chief of Cinel Fergus and lawgiver of Tullyhog. The O'Hagan held the position of Brehon or judge, and the O'Hagan clan was the leading one in Clan Fergus.

It has been mentioned already that as the Owen clan gradually expanded in the heart of Ulster, Inishowen became more and more an outpost to the north. Eventually the seat of the kingdom was changed from Aileach, near Derry, to Tullyhog. Tullyhog had apparently been a place of importance from an early date. In A.D. 914, according to the Annals of Ulster, a peace was concluded at Tullyhog between the king of the province of Ulidia and the famous clan Owen leader known as Niall Glundubh. At a later date when Dungannon became the O'Neill capital, the inauguration of the O'Neill still took place at the ancient seat of power, Tullyhog.

As the O'Hagans were custodians of the historic site of Tullyhog, so the O'Mellans were custodians of that greatly venerated relic of the past, the Bell of St. Patrick's will, which may be as old as the fifth century A.D. The large majority of the bells used in the Celtic Church appear to have been portable, and to have been rung by hand. These bells are all of the type of cow or sheep bells, as used at the present day in many European countries. Ireland was probably the original home of these four-sided ecclesiastical bells, and they have been found in many areas influenced by the Irish Church, as far away as Brittany and Switzerland. A bell was one of the important items presented to ecclesiastics in the early church in Ireland, and through their associations bells were often venerated and enshrined. They were used down to modern times for the taking of oaths, and for cursing. This was a chief function of the bells, and it is mistaken to comment on them as of little use in calling people to worship. According to tradition, St. Patrick's Bell had power to ensure victory to its possessors over any enemy with which they were engaged.

The profound veneration in which the Bell of St. Patrick was held is shown by the following incident. Under the date 1044, the Annals of Ulster relate that the son of the king of Aileach raided the Ui Meith and carried off 1,200 cows and a great many prisoners in revenge for the profanation of the "clocc-ind-edechta" (the Bell of the Testament). It will be seen a little later that the desecration of Tullyhog was met with equally exemplary punishment.

In this century we find increasing strife between the O'Neills and McLaughlins to secure the kingship of Ulster. Under the date 1051 we find that Ardgar McLaughlin, who was then king, was expelled from the kingship of Tullyhog by Hugh O'Neill. However, Ardgar's son, Donnell, succeeded as king of Aileach in 1083: he held this kingship for 11 years, and then succeeded to the High Kingship of Ireland which he held for 27 years until his death at Derry in 1121. Donnell McLaughlin is described as the most warlike and capable ruler of his time. In the year 1111 an army was led by the Ulidians to Tullyhog and they cut down its ancient trees. In revenge Neill McLaughlin made a raid upon the Ulidians, and carried off 3,000 cows. Two years later Donnell McLaughlin at the head of an army deposed the king of Ulidia, retained a portion of Ulidian territory, and divided the remainder into two parts under petty chiefs. It may have been at this time that some of the O'Mellans became possessed of the lands of Kinel Awley, near the town of Banbridge.

Donnell McLaughlin caused a most magnificent shrine to be made for the better keeping of St. Patrick's Bell. On this shrine was inscribed Donnell's own name, and also the name of the keeper of the bell at that time, Chathalan O'Mulholland. A Mulholland is also mentioned as keeper in 1365. But the Annals in 1356 record the death of Solomon O'Mellan, keeper of St. Patrick's Bell, and in 1425 the keeper was also an O'Mellan. The reasons behind this system of two keepers for the Bell are not readily apparent. Dr. O'Kelly recalls that St. Columba had found the Bell of the Testament in A.D. 552 in St. Patrick's tomb, according to the Annals of Ulster, and suggests that the dual system of keepers may have been a compromise between the prestige of Patrick and Armagh and the prestige of Columba. Another possibility is that the system may be due to the struggle for power between the McLaughlins and O'Neills and their respective supporters. The working of this dual system is also obscure. Was the Bell entrusted to a keeper of one family, and then on his death to another keeper maybe of the other family? Or did Mulhollands and O'Mellans exercise a joint charge over the Bell, one keeping possession of it, the other entitled to use it in oaths and on other public occasions? The reason for this dual system, and the method of its operation are alike obscure.

The contest between McLaughlins and O'Neills to secure exclusive title to the kingship of Ulster continued for a lengthy period. In 1167 it is recorded that the rivalry was settled temporarily by force from outside. Under that date the Four Masters record that the men of Leinster and the Lords of Desmond and Thomond divided Tyrone. The part north of the mountain (Slieve Gallon or Slieve Gallion) was assigned to Neill McLaughlin, while the part south of the mountain was assigned to Hugh O'Neill. It was only an interruption of the rivalry, which continued until the O'Neills defeated the McLaughlins decisively and finally at the battle of Caimeirge in 1241. At this point the McLaughlins sink into comparative obscurity, and the O'Neills became and remained the premier Irish dynasty until the Ulster Plantation period.

It is during this period of O'Neill supremacy that the O'Mellans of Clan Fergus come into increasing prominence. Their chiefs attain to positions of importance and great honour in the kingdom, while other members following in their ecclesiastical tradition rise to prominent positions in the Church. At this period, therefore, O'Mellans are frequently mentioned in the records both of Church and state. In the following pages some of these records will be referred to, and the place of the O'Mellans in the history of the times evaluated.

The Annals of Loch Ce mention Bishop Thomas O'Mellan (Bishop of Enach-duin), who died in Rome in the year 1328. The same Annals mention, under the date 1356, the death of Solomon O'Mellan, steward or keeper of the Bell of St. Patrick. This latter event is also recorded in the Annals of the Four Masters; and is translated by Dr. O'Donovan as follows: "Solomon O'Mellan. the general patron of the Clergy of Ireland, died." Conellan's translation of the same passage has it that O'Mellan was "the most illustrious of the Clergy of Ireland."

This emphasis upon O'Mellan as patron of the clergy of Ireland is not without significance. At this time the English prelates of the Pale were putting forward strenuous efforts to support their claim that Ireland, as far as matters ecclesiastical were concerned, had been given to them by the Pope. These medieval prelates worked in conjunction with the civil authorities to promote English influence and to undermine the power of the Irish chiefs and the old Gaelic regime. This encroachment on the old order of things met with considerable opposition from the chiefs and from the Irish clergy. The O'Mellans were prominent figures in the ecclesiastical resistance. It may have been by his support of the Irish tradition that Solomon O'Mellan earned the description of general patron of the clergy of Ireland.

The importance of the O'Mellans in secular affairs can be seen from an entry in the Annals of Ulster under the date of 1425. The magnates of Ulster went to meet the Earl of March at this time, and the names mentioned included O'Neill, Owen O'Neill. and O'Menan, keeper of the Bell of St. Patrick's will. Dr. Reeves comments that O'Mellan here takes rank with some of the highest northern magnates.

The O'Neill mentioned above was Donnell Bog, son of Henry Avery. He had the support of O'Mellan and Cian Fergus; but on the other hand encountered bitter opposition from the foregoing Owen O'Neill, who was supported by O'Cahan. In 1432 Donnell Bog was in O'Cahan's country with Patrick Mulholland and O'Mellan's son, the joint keepers of the Bell. O'Cahan's two sons attacked and killed them, having captured the house where they were. Following this, Owen O'Neill was inaugurated as chief at Tullyhog.

During the term of Owen's kingship, the O'Mellans were involved on his side in a disastrous battle in 1444. Owen O'Neill and a number of Ulster chiefs led a force against the clan of Hugh Boy O'Neill, who had attained independent status in the district that came to be known as Clanaboy (Clan Aodh Boy). Their forces were defeated by the Clanaboy O'Neills and McQuillan, who demanded a large number of hostages. The hostages delivered included the son of O'Mellan, and this indicates the continuing importance of the O'Mellans.

In 1455 Henry O'Neill took his father, Owen's place, and was inaugurated at Tullyhog by O'Cahan, Mac Uidhir, Mac Mathgamna, all the O'Neill clans and the successor of Patrick. The reference to the "successor of Patrick" indicates the triumph of the English ecclesiastical party. The successor referred to is John Mey, the Archbishop of Armagh. Archbishop Mey arranged for the traditional Irish inauguration at Tullyhog to be followed by an act of confirmation at the Archbishop's residence in Armagh. This confirmation, which took place the following month, consisted of the imposition of hands by the Archbishop. This innovation was calculated to bring O'Neill under ecclesiastical authority.

Meantime, apart from their appearances in the secular sphere, the O'Mellans played a leading part in the struggle between the Irish clergy and the pro-English clergy. The Irish clergy are frequently referred to as "Inter Hibernicos," whilst the English clergy were known as "Inter Anglicos." Reeves refers to the O'Mellans of this period as "the turbulent O'Mellans."

It will be remembered that the O'Mellans had extensive territories in central Ulster which included both clan lands and Church lands. They had also a recognised and important position and office among the Owen clans. Consequently they were able to make effective resistance to English clerical encroachment in their area. One stubborn figure around which resistance gathered was Dean Charles O'Mellan.

Charles O'Mellan was Dean of Armagh in 1430, and apparently opposed attempts to further the aims of the pro-English ecclesiastics. It was decided to remove him from his office, and appoint someone willing to co-operate, namely Dionysius O'Cullen, of the Oriella clan. Accordingly in 1441 the register of Archbishop Prene pronounces Dionysius O'Cullen to be Dean of Armagh and stigmatises Charles O'Mellan as usurping dean. The extent of Dean O'Mellan's support can be judged from sentences passed at the same time upon John O'Connelly, Abbot of St. Peter and Paul, upon the Chancellor of the Chapter, on the Prior of the Culdees, on the Rectors of Clonkarney and Clonfeacle and on the Vicars of Donaghmore, Termon, Argillkieran and Clonfeacle. All these were said to have abetted the usurper O'Mellan, and this gives an idea of the support which upheld the central figure of Dean Charles.

In the same year 1441, the Primate removed the custody of St. Patrick's Bell from John O'Mellan, and conferred the charge upon the other keeper, Patrick Mulholland. The O'Mellans were thus deprived for intruding into Church lands, and for failing to account for the revenue received from the Bell for the years 1417-1441. It is interesting to notice that in the following year Nachtan O'Donnell. chief of Donegal, with the Dean and Chapter of Raphoe, were excommunicated by the Primate because they had "usurped and seized and detained the fruits and profits of the Bishoprick (of Raphoe)." In both cases revenues were detained locally which the central ecclesiastical authority claimed for itself.

The intensity of the struggle in which Dean Charles O'Mellan played a leading part can be realised when we see by the registers that a year earlier Owen O'Neill himself had been involved. In 1440 it is recorded that the Primate wrote of Eugenius (Owen) father of Henry O'Neill, Captain of his nation, and says "that whereas he (Owen) had sworn on the Baculum Jesu, in the Church of the Holy Trinity, Dublin, not to disturb the Church's possessions, the Primate had sent Phillip MacKewyn to him, and O'Neill promised to produce Charles O'Mellan, intruded Dean. Mandate to him to recognise D. O'Culean as true and rightful Dean, if not he is threatened with the secular arm." There was however, no stronger secular arm in Ulster than the O'Neills themselves.

In spite of the foregoing efforts to oust Dean Charles O'Mellan the O'Mellans seem to have won the battle. In 1466 Primate Bole addressed to Charles O'Mellan, Dean of Armagh, and the rest of the Armagh clergy, letters executorial against two of the O'Mellans. We see that a quarter of a century after the early troubles and attempts to unseat him, Charles O'Mellan is still in the Deanery saddle.

The two O'Mellans now in trouble were Toal and John. In 1466 Primate John Bole paid an official visit to Armagh, the first paid by a Primate for nearly 200 years. The visit of a primate was like waving a red rag to a bull so far as some of the O'Mellans were concerned, for they well remembered that Archbishop Prene had deprived the O'Mellans of the custody of the Bell. Accordingly Toal and Jobn O'Mellan stole the primate's travelling horses: an act not so much in the nature of an ordinary theft as an indication that the primate's visit was unwelcome. The two O'Mellans were detected in the offence, and despite their plea for clemency as ecclesiastical and privileged persons, were publicly sentenced and the Deanery of Airthir placed under an interdict. One other point may be made here. From the time of Toal and John O'Mellan the public history of St. Patrick's Bell ends for many centuries. In spite of these efforts to subdue the turbulent O'Mellans, they continued to fill an important place in Clan Owen in the inauguration ceremony. Their authority and importance appears in an incident of 1493, when there was a dispute over the succession as O'Neill between two brothers, Donnell and Henry. Donnell was the elder brother, and was supported by the O'Donnells of Donegal. Nevertheless, Henry the younger was inaugurated as chief by O'Mellan and Sean O'Cahan, the vigorous and decisive O'Cahan chief. According to the Annals the act was unlawful, yet such was the authority of O'Cahan and O'Mellan that it was not set aside.

Towards the end of the fifteenth century, and in the following century, there seems to have been quite a degree of development in that section of the O'Mellan sept located in County Armagh. Their chiefs appear to be differentiated from the O'Mellan himself by the addition of Oge to the name, as in 1514 when Felim Oge O'Mellan is mentioned, and as around 1600 when Owen Oge O'Mellan is named as chief of the sept there. The reference in 1514 runs as follows in the Annals of the Four Masters: "An irruption was made by Hugh, the son of Donnell O'Neill, and Con, the son of Niall, into Cluain Dabhail, against John, the son of Con; and they , burned John's town, and they sent the preys of the country before them. O'Neill and MacDonnell, with a strong body of troops, pursued and overtook them, deprived them of the preys, and routed them. In the conflict were slain five of the descendants of Art O'Neill. There are fell on the side of Hugh, the two sons of MacaGhiorr. There were also slain there, Felim Oge O'Mellan Con O'Connor."

The above account indicates that the O'Mellans of County Armagh had developed also into a fighting force. We learn from other sources that they had extensive possessions in County Armagh, mainly on Church lands. The name O'Mellan, particularly in Armagh, was at this time undergoing a change: the "O" had been dropped to a large extent and it had become Mallen. Changes were manifest also in the counties of Down and Tyrone. In Down the name had become sometimes MacMullan, and even MacMillan. Commenting on the number of persons in the priesthood in County Down who bore the name MacMullan and MacMallen, and on the general incidence of these names throughout the county, Dr. O'Laverty suggests that the change from its original form to that of MacMallen, &c., parallels the change in the name O'Lochlainn which gradually became MacLochlainn. The O'Mellans are referred to in some English records as O'Mallans The Fiants of Elizabeth state that the O'Mallons were amongst those who followed the great Shane O'Neill in north Clanaboy, most likely during his expedition against the MacDonnells.

In spite of the developments within the O'Mellan sept, they remained aligned with the O'Neills, and the O'Neills reposed great trust in them. The Calendar of Documents relating to Ireland records in 1594 an expedition on behalf of the Earl of Tyrone, who was acting for the English government, against Connor Roe Maguire. The names of the chief men involved in the expedition are given as O'Hagan, O'Quin and Patrick O'Mellan. These names will be recognised as the three chief septs of Clan Fergus. From the same source, under date 1596-7, we read that the Earl of Tyrone gives as a pledge to the English "O'Mellan, chief of his name." Under date 1600 a spy reported to the English that "Tyrone's daughter, and O'Mellan's wife are in the Camp (Tyrone's)-earnest suitors to Tyrone to draw all his forces to this country." The camp was in the region of Muskerry. where Tyrone was fighting at the time. These instances show the close relationship between the O'Mellan sept and the O'Neills (now Earls of Tyrone).

Obituary of James Clarence Coleman

2009-07-05T23:19:00.005-05:00

Obituary: James Clarence Coleman
Times Picayune Newspaper, 7-22-2007

00179 Coleman - James 'Jim' Clarence Coleman passed away on the afternoon of Friday, July 20, 2007, due to complications following surgery. He was the son of the late James Mitchell Coleman and Nena Romero Dymond, and stepson of the late Alma Meyer Coleman. He was born in New Orleans on September 7, 1940 and was a long term resident of Metairie. He graduated from Alcee Fortier High School in 1957. Jim was a self-made entrepreneur. He owned and operated Foodways, Inc. on Causeway Blvd from the early 1970s through the late 1980s. He bought Mama's Place Bar in 1987 and put his heart into it for all of his days. He had a passion for horses and participated in shows with the Kenner Mounted Drill Team. He was an active member of Good Shepherd United Church of Christ. His big heart and compassion for others will be greatly missed. He was an avid antique automobile collector; he won various awards and appeared in several movies with his cars. He is survived by his loving companion Peggy Gros; his daughters Deborah Coleman Schmidt, Stephanie Coleman, and Stacy Coleman; his granddaughters Megan Schmidt and Paige Coleman; his former spouse Fay Weller Coleman; his stepbrothers Steve Coleman, Kenny Coleman, George Norton, and Timothy Norton; and his stepsisters Ravan Coleman Lafitte, Barbara Norton Roussel,and Nancy Norton Forst. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Services at LAKE LAWN METAIRIE FUNERAL HOME, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. (in MetairieCemetery ) on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 12:00 PM. Interment will follow in Metairie Cemetery. Visitation on Monday from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM and Tuesday from 10:00 AMuntil service time. In lieu of flowers donations preferred to the Kidney Foundationof Louisiana, 8200 Hampson St., N.O.,LA 70118. To view and sign the guest bookplease go to http://www.lakelawnmetairie.com/.
Times Picayune 7/22/2007

Family Historian's Note: James Clarence Coleman, son of James M. Coleman of Honduras and Nena R. Dymond, was a Great Grandson of William Forrest Coleman of Carrollton, Georgia and San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

The Coleman-McCollum Family of Alabama

2009-06-30T23:03:00.008-05:00

A biographical sketch of the family of William Allen Coleman, (son of John H. Coleman),and wife Theresa McCollum of Etowah co., Alabama and Honduras .
by Charles Perry Smith

"The family of William A. Coleman & Theresa McCollum"

Just in case any of William Allen Coleman's descendents should some day want to look up their family lineage, I am putting on paper as much as I know about the Coleman family history. I must admit that my knowledge of the family is somewhat limited.
W. A. Coleman was the son of John Henry Coleman. John H. was from the Carrollton, GA area. He was a veteran of the Confederate Army, having served in the 1st Georgia Cavalry regiment. John was a large man, well over 6 feet tall and probably weighed close to 300 pounds.
I did not know him personally, but I remember seeing him sitting on his front porch on Elmwood Avenue (#312). He lived there during the 1920's and early thirties. He died in 1932 and is buried in the cemetery at 1st Baptist Church, Hokes Bluff, AL. As far as I know he was a retired farmer. I believe he was 91 years of age when he died. He and his wife Sally were the parents of William Allen, John Henry II, Mary, Genie, Dora and Kendrick.
John Henry II was a railroad man. Mary married a Doctor Friddell and lived at Boston, GA. Dora married a Mr. Fore and lived in Birmingham, AL. Genie married a Mr. Palmer. She was divorced, I believe, and lived with John and Sally on Elmwood.
W. A. went to Honduras, Central America, about 1897 or 1898. (I say this because his oldest child Laura was born around 1899 - 1900). He married Maria Theresa McCollum, a 13-year-old orphan girl who was living with the family where W. A. was boarding. Her mother had died when she was a small child and then her father was drowned in the Chaloma River (crossing on a horse - the horse made it).
W. A. had a cousin, W. F. Coleman, who had been in Honduras for some time and was quite wealthy. At first, W. A. was engaged in the logging business. Later on he bought land and owned and operated a 1400-acre banana plantation. When he died in 1930, his estate was worth about $300,000 and consisted of land, cattle and equipment. When it was settled (in 1949 or 1950), it was worth about $15,000. W. F. Coleman was the administrator of W. A.'s estate until his death in 1941 or 1942, when the Honduras Court appointed a successor. By the time the estate was finally settled, all of the assets had disappeared except the land.
In 1937 (or thereabout) a hurricane destroyed the banana crop. The next year insects destroyed it. The next year a disease damaged it, and the United Fruit Co. quit buying bananas from that area because of the disease.
W. F. had begun raising cattle in earnest to replace bananas when he died.
We used to get a monthly financial statement from W. F. on which he showed a cash balance of about $20,000. During the years that the banana crop was not producing, the cash balance fluctuated up and down from the $20,000 figure. Then one month, he called attention to the fact that he had been administrator of the estate for so many years, during which time he had paid himself no salary. He stated that he had decided to pay himself $250 per month for all the years he had been administrator. Needless to say that took care of the cash balance.
The Coleman children (W. A. and Maria Theresa's) were Laura, Lucille, James, Margaret, Teresa, John Hugh, Lois Elizabeth, Henry and Pearl. All the children, except Laura, were sent over to the states for their education. James went to St. Louis to study or learn how to be a diesel engine mechanic. Lucille went to New York where she worked for a Honduras diplomatic or trade commission. All the others came to Gadsden, eventually.
In 1930, W. A. brought his wife, and Henry and Pearl, to the states to establish permanent residence. He was on his way to Florida (where he planned to live) and had stopped at Boston, GA to visit his sister Mary. While there, he became ill with pneumonia and died there. His widow and four youngest children stayed in Boston for several years before they came back to Gadsden. They lived in the house on Elmwood where John Henry and Sally Coleman had lived. John Hugh and Lois were graduated from Gadsden High School in 1935.
Lois and I were married on December 8, 1936. We began housekeeping on Chestnut St. in Gadsden. The Gadsden City Hall is located in the block where we had an apartment. Our landlady was Miss Emma Barrett, to whom we paid $20 per month for the furnished apartment with utilities included.
In Honduras, the Coleman's lived at Choloma, San Pedro, Sula. I believe that is near Porto Cortez on the Caribbean side of Central America.
Maria Theresa McCollum was of Irish descent. I understand that the McCollum family was quite wealthy. One of the sons who was studying to be a priest got married instead and was dis-inherited where upon he went with his bride to Honduras. He was the one who drowned.

Charles Perry Smith
March 3, 1997

Note: William Allen Coleman, 1875-1930, was the son of John Henry Coleman and Sarah Elizabeth Pentecost. He was also the nephew of William Allen Coleman of Carrollton, Georgia who served in the 1st Georgia Cavalry with his brother, John Henry Coleman. John Henry Coleman went to Honduras with his brother William and returned to Carrollton, GA. where he married Sarah E. Pentecost. The Coleman-Pentecost family then moved to Hoke's Bluff, Gadsden, Alabama.
Woody Coleman

The Conquered Banner

2009-06-16T16:46:00.009-05:00

The Conquered Banner

by Father Abram Joseph Ryan

Furl that Banner, for 'tis weary;

Round its staff 'tis drooping dreary;

Furl it, fold it, it is best;

For there's not a man to wave it,

And there's not a sword to save it,

And there's no one left to lave it

In the blood that heroes gave it;

And its foes now scorn and brave it;

Furl it, hide it, let it rest!

Take that banner down! 'tis tattered;

Broken is its shaft and shattered;

And the valiant hosts are scattered

Over whom it floated high.

Oh! 'tis hard for us to fold it;

Hard to think there's none to hold it;

Hard that those who once unrolled it

Now must furl it with a sigh.

Furl that banner! furl it sadly!

Once ten thousands hailed it gladly.

And ten thousands wildly, madly,

Swore it should forever wave;

Swore that foeman's sword should never

Hearts like theirs entwined dissever,

Till that flag should float forever

O'er their freedom or their grave!

Furl it! for the hands that grasped it,

And the hearts that fondly clasped it,

Cold and dead are lying low;

And that Banner, it is trailing!

While around it sounds the wailing

Of its people in their woe.

For, though conquered, they adore it!

Love the cold, dead hands that bore it!

Weep for those who fell before it!

Pardon those who trailed and tore it!

But, oh! wildly they deplored it!

Now who furl and fold it so.

Furl that Banner!

True, 'tis gory,

Yet 'tis wreathed around with glory,

And 'twill live in song and story,

Though its folds are in the dust;

For its fame on brightest pages,

Penned by poets and by sages,

Shall go sounding down the ages,

Furl its folds though now we must.

Furl that banner, softly, slowly!

Treat it gently, it is holy,

For it droops above the dead.

Touch it not, unfold it never,

Let it droop there, furled forever,

For its people's hopes are dead!

Obituary; Elwood Ransom Coleman, Sr.

2009-06-10T15:48:00.007-05:00

The Times Picayune; Sunday, May 31st, 1998

New Orleans, Louisiana.

Elwood Ransom Coleman, Sr. On Tuesday, May 26, 1998 at 11:30 p.m. Husband by first marriage of Anita Register Young and by second marriage of Lillian Valesquez Coleman. Father by first marriage of William Lester, Elwood Ransom, Jr., John Allen, Marie Antoinette C. Whitman and the late James Michael Coleman. Father by second marriage of Ranson and Evana Coleman. Son of the late John Allen Coleman and Marie Antoinette Follin-Perez of San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Grandson of William Forrest Coleman of Carrollton, GA. and Yndelacia Paredes of Honduras. Brother of John Robert Coleman , the late John Dean (Coleman) and Ethel C. de Buining. Also survived by 13 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Aged 78 years. A native of LeCeiba, Honduras and a resident of New Orleans, LA. for 73 years.

Relatives and friends of the family; also VFW Post 5174 in Slidell,LA. are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home Chapel, 4747 Veterans Blvd. near Clearview on Monday, June 1, 1998 at 2:00p.m. Interment at Garden of Memories Cemetery.

Transcribed from an original copy of The Times Picayune newspaper, New Orleans, Louisiana, Sunday May 31, 1998, page B-5, by Woody Coleman on 6-10-09.

Death of Mrs. Allen Coleman

2009-06-07T10:26:00.009-05:00

Obituary, Carroll County Times, February 9th, 1877: Death of Mrs. Allen Coleman,(maiden name: Cynthia Florence Riggs wife of William Allen Coleman ) of Honduras.

On last Monday evening the remains of Mrs. Coleman, wife of Mr. Allen Coleman of Honduras, were received at this place. From what we can learn, Mrs. Coleman left Honduras some thirty or forty days ago for the purpose of returning to this county where she formerly lived for the restoration of her health. She was accompanied by her brother in-law Mr. Jno. Coleman who went out to Honduras, from this county, last spring, besides she had along with her two children, one a son of twelve or thirteen years of age, and the other a baby some six or seven months old. As we have stated, Mrs. Coleman left Honduras sick, and in crossing the Gulf of Mexico, on the way to New Orleans, her troubles were no doubt added to by the death of her babe. Being far from land at the time of its death there was no other alternative but to cast the remains of the little one into the Gulf. This was no doubt a terrible shock to the mother, already very feeble, and she did not long survive. She died we are told after she had arrived in this country, on the cars between New Orleans and Montgomery, (we have not been able to find out, at what exact point). and her remains were coffined in Montgomery, and brought on as we have stated to this place Monday evening. From here they were carried Monday night to the Sixth district of this county, where they were buried the next day.Mr. Allen Coleman the husband of the deceased is a son of Major Coleman of this county. He went to Honduras after the war. His wife, the deceased, was also a native of this county. Her maiden name was Riggs.February 16, 1877 ------We understand that the babe of Mrs. Coleman, who died on her way from Spanish Honduras to this county, was not thrown over in the Gulf, as stated in the notice in reference to her death, but was buried in Balize, British Honduras.

**********************************************************************************

Burial: Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery, Carroll county, Georgia.
Headstone Inscription:

"Sleep my dearest sleep, My sorrow cannot disturb thee, Altho I should ever weep, and ever sacred thy memory keep."
SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF MRS CYNTHIA F. COLEMAN
Wife of W.A. Coleman and Mother of J.W. & W.F. Coleman

Born March 27, 1837 Died February 3rd, 1877; Aged 39 years 10 months and 24 days;
Neighbor and devoted christian 21 years;Member of the Missionary Baptist Church"

Note: Photograph above is that of Cynthia Florence Riggs Coleman and her son, William Forrest Coleman. Date & location (probably Carrollton, GA.) unknown.

Mercer University,Junior Class, 1881.

2009-05-30T18:03:00.004-05:00

EXTRACT From: "1880-1881 CATALOGUE OF MERCER UNIVERSITY OF MACON, GEORGIA." Published by J.W. Burke & Co. Printers,Stereotypers and Binders, Macon, Georgia.

The following is a transcript of the 1881 Junior Class at Mercer University, Macon, GA., transcribed from a true copy of the original document.
(Repository: Mercer University Library, Macon, GA. )

Transcribed, 05-30-09, by: Woody Coleman, woody.coleman@yahoo.com

1881 CATALOGUE OF MERCER UNIVERSITY. (page) 7
JUNIOR CLASS.
NAME & RESIDENSE.

James L. Anderson ,..............Bibb co., GA.
Joseph L. Anderson,..............Jones co., GA.
Charleton E. Battle,.............Stewart co., GA.
Frank L. Cato,...................Sumter co., GA.
Robert E. Cato,.................Sumter Co., GA.
Samuel E. Chambliss,.............Bibb co., GA.
W. Harvey Clarke,................Polk co., GA.
John W. Coleman,.................Cobb co., GA.
William F. Coleman,..............Cobb co., GA.
Mortimer T. Davis,...............Houston co., GA.
Walter G. Green,.................Burke co., GA.
Franklin Bartow Gregory,.........Stewart co., GA.
James O. Hamilton,...............Pulaski co., GA.
Richard I. Harris,...............Washington co., GA.
David W. Hill,...................Bibb co., GA.
William S. Howell,...............Greene co., GA.
Henry H. Kilpatrick,.............Richmond co., GA.
Hugh H. Kilpatrick,..............Greene co., GA.
Edmund T. May,...................Washington co., GA.
Arthur H. McBryde,...............Bibb co., GA.
Rufus E. Murrow,.................Burke co., GA.
Lewis B. Paullin,................Bibb co., GA.
Micajah B. Pickett,..............Sumter co.,GA.
Schiller B. Poland,..............Laurens co.,GA.
Sylvester S. Powell,.............Liberty co.,GA.
James T. Ross,...................Houston co.,GA.
John P. Ross,....................Houston co.,GA.
Walter M. Ryals,.................Bartow co.,GA.
James A. Smith,..................Houston co.,GA.
Clem P. Steed,...................Bibb co.,GA.
J. Berrien Walker,...............Bibb co.,GA.
Jed. Daniel Walker,..............Coweta co.,GA.
Broadus E. Willingham,...........Bibb co.,GA.

Quotes From The Past

2009-05-29T16:22:00.005-05:00

" This country with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can excercise their constitutional right of amending it, or their revolutionary right to dismember or overthrow it." ABRAHAM LINCOLN, First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1861.

Memorial Day Message

2009-05-24T02:19:00.015-05:00

Paratroopers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, Vietnam, 1965-1966

In Memory of Those That Didn't Come Back

"FREEDOM IS NEVER MORE THAN ONE GENERATION AWAY FROM EXTINCTION.WE DIDN'T PASS IT TO OUR CHILDREN IN THE BLOODSTREAM.IT MUST BE FOUGHT FOR, PROTECTED AND HANDED ON FOR THEM TO DO THE SAME,OR ONE DAY WE WILL SPEND OUR SUNSET YEARS TELLING OUR CHILDREN AND OUR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN WHAT IT WAS ONCE LIKE IN THE UNITED STATES WHERE MEN WERE FREE."

President Ronald Reagan

As we approach MEMORIAL DAY, this Monday, May 25th, 2009, we again are called to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Its been many years since I retired from the United States Army but
several verses from the Code of Conduct and the Army Oath of Enlistment ,which I stll hold sacred, still reverberate in my conciousness:

"I am an American fighting man, I serve in the forces which guard my
country and protect our way of life ...I will never forget that I am an
American fighting man, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free... I will trust in God and the United States of America" (from the "Code of Conduct)

"I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of
the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic...that I
will bear true faith an allegiance to the same...So help me God." (Oath of Enlistment)

All US Armed Forces men and women are familiar with the content of these two affirmations, the principles of which, are embodied in our American "Declaration of Independence," and "US Constitution."

The principles defined and implied in these documents are what our armed forces men and women, past and present, fought and died for in order to bequeath to us and our posterity, the blessings of liberty.

Let us remember them and their sacrifice as we remain true to the fundamental principles and ideals upon which our country was founded, and teach our children reverence for the same!

Woody Coleman
Command Sergeant Major, US Army, Retired

50th Georgia Infantry Regiment

2009-05-20T20:03:00.010-05:00

The 50th Georgia Infantry Regiment was formed in March, 1862, in Savannah, Georgia. It served with the Army of Northern Virginia from July, 1862 until it's surrender at Appomattox Court House, except during Longstreet's 1863 expedition to Georgia and Tennessee. Upon reaching Virginia, it was assigned to Drayton's Brigade. During the Battle of Antietam, the regiment was assigned to Toomb's Brigade. After the battle, the 50th Regiment was permanently assigned to Paul Jones Semmes's Brigade. The subsequent brigade commanders were Goode Bryant and James P. Simms.

Organization: The regiment was organized as follows:
Field staff and band

Colonel William R. Manning (March 22, 1862 thru July 31, 1863, Resigned)
Colonel Peter Alexander Selkirk McGlashan (July 31, 1863 thru end of war [captured at Sailor's Creek, Virginia, April 6, 1865, Released from Johnson's Island, Ohio, July 25, 1865])
Lieut. Colonel Francis Kearse (March 22, 1862 thru July 2, 1863, Killed at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) Lieut. Colonel William O. Fleming (July 31, 1863 thru December 22, 1863, Resigned)
Lieut. Colonel Pliny Sheffield (December 21, 1863 thru November 28, 1864, Resigned [Wounded in right arm necessitating amputation at the Battle of the Wilderness on May 6, 1864])
Major Phillip Coleman Pendleton (March 22, 1862 thru October 8, 1862, Resigned)
Major Duncan Curry (October 8, 1862 thru February 24, 1863, Resigned)
Major William O. Fleming (February 24, 1863 thru July31, 1863, Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel)
Major Pliny Sheffield (July 31, 1863 thru December 21, 1863, Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel)
Major John M. Spence (December 21, 1863 thru February 14, 1865 when granted a leave of absence)

Adjutants:
James M. Fleming (March 22, 1862 thru March 23, 1863, Died)
James P. Graves (March 23, 1863 thru September 17, 1863, Resigned)
R. T. Roberds/Roberts (September 17, 1863 (?) thru November, 1863, Killed at Knoxville, Tennessee)
A. McGlashan (April 12, 1864 thru October 19, 1864, captured at Cedar Creek, Virginia [Released at Fort Delaware, Delaware in June or July, 1865])

Companies:
Company A - Satilla Rangers (Pierce County)
Company B - Ware Volunteers (Ware County)
Company C - Coffee County Guards (Coffee County)
Company D - Valdosta Guards (Lowndes County)
Company E - Thomas County Rangers (Thomas County)
Company F - Decatur Infantry (Decatur County)
Company G - Clinch Volunteers (Clinch and Echols Counties)
Company H - Colquitt Marksmen (Colquitt County)
Company I - Berrien Light Infantry (Berrien County)
Company K - Brooks Volunteers (Brooks County)

Assignments:
Mercer's Brigade, Military District of Georgia, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida (April-June 1862) Military District of Georgia, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida (June-July 1862) Drayton's Brigade, Drayton's Division, 1st Corps, Army of Northern Virginia (July 1862) Drayton's Brigade, D. R. Jones' Division, 1st Corps, Army of Northern Virginia (August-October 1862) Drayton's Brigade, McLaws' Division, 1st Corps, Army of Northern Virginia (October-November 1862) Semmes'-Bryan's Brigade, McLaw's Division, 1st Corps, Army of Northern Virginia (November 1862-September 1863) Bryan's Brigade, McLaw's Division, Longstreet's Corps, Army of Tennessee (September-November 1863) Bryan's Brigade, McLaw's-Kershaw's Division, Department of East Tennessee (November 1863-April 1864) Bryan's Brigade, Kershaw's Division, 1st Corps, Army of Northern Virginia (April-August 1864) Bryan's Brigade, Kershaw's Division, Valley District (August-November 1864) Bryan's-Simms' Brigade, Kershaw's Division, 1st Corps, Army of Northern Virginia (November 1864-April 1865)

Campaign and Battle Participation:
Second Bull Run (Manasses),(August 28-30, 1862)
South Mountain (September 14, 1862)
Antietam (September 17, 1862)
Fredericksburg (December 13, 1862)
Chancellorsville (May 1-4, 1863)
Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863)
Chickamauga [not engaged] (September 19-20, 1863)
Chattanooga Siege (September-November 1863)
Knoxville Siege (November-December 1863)
The Wilderness (May 5-6, 1864)
Spotsylvania Court House (May 8-21, 1864)
North Anna (May 23-26, 1864)
Cold Harbor (June 1-3, 1864)
Petersburg Siege (June 1864-April 1865)
Cedar Creek (October 19, 1864)
Sayler's Creek (April 6, 1865)
Appomattox Court House (April 9, 1865)

Ancestors and Kin:
The following ancestors and kin of the Coleman-Young family served in the 50th Georgia Infantry:
Private Samuel W. Register , Clinch co. GA., Company G.
(Wounded at Battle of Manasses Aug. 30th, 1862.)
Private John Taylor Register, Clinch co., GA., Company G.
Private Guilford A. Register, Clinch co., GA., Company G.
Private Oliver Perry Register, Clinch co., GA., Company G.

Source: (Extract: From the Compendium of the Confederate Armies: South Carolina and Georgia, by Stewart Sifakis, Copyright 1995.

Abednego Greene Malcolm

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Major Abednego Greene Malcolm, 1st Battalion, (McNairy's), Tennessee Cavalry:

Abednego Greene Malcolm, known also as Greene Malcolm and in some records as Greenbury Malcolm, was born September 18, 1821 near Frankfurt, Kentucky. Orphaned at nine years of age, he was the son of a Veteran of the War of 1812 and grandson of Revolutionary War Veteran, Nathanial Greene, of Revolutionary War fame. By profession, Greene Malcolm was a Physician, having graduated from the School of Medicine at Edinburg, Scotland. He traveled extensively over Europe, parts of Asia and the Fiji Islands and once declined an offer from Commodore Perry to accompany him to Japan.
On June 9th, 1846 he enlisted for service in the Mexican War at Louisville, Kentucky serving with the 1st Regiment (Marshall’s) Kentucky Cavalry. Stationed initially at Camp Patterson, Texas on October 31st, his unit was ordered to Monterey, Mexico in December 1846. During his Mexican War service he saw action in the Battle of Agua Nacoa and was with General Taylor at the Battle of Buena Vista. He carried a scar from that battle where he received a wound inflicted by a Mexican Cavalryman. He was afterwards with General Scot at the fall of Mexico City and was the second man over the wall at the fall of that fortress city. He was discharged from service following the war on June 1st 1847 at New Orleans. During the war he contracted chronic dysentery which he never got over.
In 1848, he went to California where he amassed a fortune and lost it all by the causes of fire , flooding and Indian raids and spent the next two years on the Texas frontier fighting Indians.
On June 15th, 1861, at the opening of the War Between The States, he enlisted in the 1st Battalion, (McNairy’s), Tennessee Cavalry serving in the rank of Major. His campaign participation included operations in Kentucky and Tennessee and he carried the last train out of Atlanta, Georgia just before its fall into the hands of Federal troops.
Following the War Between The States and the South’s defeat, rather than endure the persecution and humiliation of “Reconstruction,” he traveled to Mexico, where with other like-minded Confederate soldiers, he helped to plant a Confederate colony. Following the plantation of his colony in Mexico, he returned to Atlanta, Georgia where he planed and organized another colony of ex-Confederate soldiers and their families. Setting out in the Spring of 1867, his colony of thirty families made their way to New Orleans where they booked passage for Spanish Honduras (The Republic of Honduras). Despite their difficulties, upon arrival at Fortress Omoa, near Puerto Cortes, Major Malcolm led his colony of Southern refugees into the interior of Honduras where at Comayagua, Honduras he met with representatives of the Republic and presented a letter for President Medina of the Republic of Honduras explaining their reasons for emigration and an offer of services in exchange for citizenship, certain considerations and concessions:

“GENTLEMEN: The undersigned respectfully submits to your consideration that on the 10th of April, after a passage of ten days, I arrived in the city of Omoa with seventy souls, emigrants to your beautiful land. These persons consist of men, women and children who are what might be termed the forerunners of perhaps thousands of the best citizens of the Southern States, of the United States. We wish to make this our home.
To find in this that which we have lost in our own native land, liberty.
To make this what our country was before it was destroyed by our enemies.
Our desire is to become citizens of the Republic at once, to be a part of your people, to claim your protection, to defend you with our lives from foreign invasion, and to do our whole duty to our adopted country.
In coming among you we would state that on account of our recent great misfortunes, many of us are greatly impoverished, and without going into further preliminary remarks, would give this as our reason for asking you to grant the following privileges and donations. ...With the highest consideration, I am gentlemen, your obedient servant.(Signed) G. MALCOLM.Comayagua, Honduras, C.A., May 3, 1867.”

Soon after establishing their colony near San Pedro Sula, and naming it the colony of “Medina”, in honor of the President of the Republic of Honduras, it was decided to place the government of their local interests under the control of a council, in order to avoid the necessity of assembling the entire colony when any question of interest or expediency should arise likely to affect their welfare. At a public meeting, an election was held of the following representatives:

Major Malcolm as their presiding officer, L. G. Pirkle, H.H. Briers, George W. WaltersJ.H. Wade, and P. Goldsmith, Secy.

Major Malcolm was later appointed Minister of Immigration by the government of the Republic of Honduras in order to facilitate their transition of new arrivals to the colony.

About 1870, Major Malcolm removed to Texas where he remained till his death on December 11th, 1906 in Malakoff, Henderson county, Texas. Major Malcolm was twice married, first to Nannie Roark and second to Susan Francis Lee, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Strong) Lee of San Jacinto county, Texas. From these two marriages spring many descendants. Major Malcolm is buried in the Post Oak Memorial Cemetery in Malakoff, Henderson county, Texas.

William Forrest Coleman

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Notes for William Forrest Coleman

BIRTH: William Forrest Coleman was born March 17, 1864 in Carrollton, Carroll county, Georgia. His parents were William Allen Coleman and Cynthia Florence Riggs of Carroll County, Georgia. His paternal grandparents were Major Henry Allen Coleman and Sarah Ann Barnes of the 6th District in Carroll county, Georgia. His maternal grandparents were the Reverend John and Jane (Florence) Riggs also of the 6th District, in Carroll county, Georgia. (Ref. Bio of W.A. Coleman, Memoirs of Georgia,Vol 1, 1895)

NAME: William's middle name "FORREST," was given him in honor of Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest, a former Commander of his father, William Allen Coleman. Family lore has it that Nathan Bedford
Forrest was William Forrest Coleman's godfather. Ref. Interview of John Forrest Coleman, 1996.

EVENT: In 1866, W.F. Coleman's father, William .A. Coleman of the 1st Georgia Cavalry, joins a group of like-minded friends and ex-confederates who decide to immigrate to Spanish Honduras. Ref. Laura Kolb Coleman, Letters and Interview -1963.

EDUCATION: Attended Mercer University

OCCUPATION: W.F. Coleman was a PLANTER and INDUSTRIALIST. He was the Proprieter of LA W.F. COLEMAN INDUSTRIAL,SA, and the director of LA C.J. WARREN INDUSTRIAL,SA. in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. In addition, he served as the AMERICAN CONSULAR AGENT to San Pedro Sula from May
1927 til that post closed in December 1930. Ref. (1) Bio of W.A. Coleman, Memoirs of Georgia, 1895. (2) Department of State Records for San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Ref. (1) Department of State Records,
National Archives. (2) Biografia De San Pedro Sula: 1536-1954" by Rodolfo Pastor Fasquelle,1989, CENTRAL IMPRESORA, S.A.

MARRIAGE to Yndalecia Paredes, d/o Juan Angel Paredes and Dominga Paz , a prominent family of Santa Barbara and San Pedro Sula, Honduras. CHILDREN:

i. John Allen Coleman, b. 10 Oct 1888, m. Maria Antonia Perez-Follin;

ii. William Edgar Coleman, b. 8 Dec 1890, m. Manuela Mana Madrid;

iii. James Clarence Coleman, b. 15 Dec 1892 , m. Teresita Mitchell;

iv. Vera Coleman, b. 15 Dec 1894 ,m. Jesse Ivey Beall;

v. Arthur Bailey Coleman, b. 1896

vi. Maria Coleman, b. 10 Oct 1898 , m. William Adolf Bahr.

NEWS ARTICLE: February 7, 1896, CARROLL COUNTY FREE PRESS, Newspaper, Carrollton, GA." Mr. W. F. Coleman, of Spanish Honduras, son of Mr. W. A. Coleman of this place, is on a visit to his father here. He came in on last Tuesday night. He is accompanied by his little boy about seven years of ge. He will remain over a month or two. He was last in the states in 1892. He comes for the benefit of his health."

NEWS ARTICLE: February 21, 1896, CARROLL COUNTY FREE PRESS, Newspaper, Carrollton, GA."Mr. Will Coleman, a son of Capt. W.A. Coleman, who is here on a visit from Honduras, has his little six year old boy with him, and he can't speak a word of English, and our little boys consider him quite a curiosity, and they in passing him to talk "furrin talk. " (Note: The child was William Edgar Coleman)

EVENT: In 1907, W.F. Coleman introduced the first automobile, a Ford Coup imported from New Orleans, LA., to the city of San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Ref. La Prensa Newspaper, June 29, 1976, page 16, San Pedro
Sula, Honduras.

EVENT: February 7, 1916. ARREST & DETENTION W.F. COLEMAN.

Following his arrest and detention in a Honduran jail. W.F. Coleman wrote explaining the circumstances of his arrest to the American Consular Agent who was then James M. Mitchell, Jr., a close friend of the family:

From W.F. Coleman to Dr. J.M. Mitchell,Jr., American Consular Agent, San Pedro Sula, Honduras, dated February 8, 1916:

Dear Sir: I beg to hand you the following account of mal-treatment at the hands ofauthorities here, not for the purpose of obtaining monetary remuneration, but that it may serve to put an end to the many petty
annoyances to which we have been subjected during the past few years, and which have become remarkably more frequent and more annoying due to the fact that they have been allowed to pass by without any attention on the part of the American Goverment. If your instance will serve to fix the attention of the American Goverment on the abuses to which we are being subjected, and obtain a disavowel of the tyrannical and arbitrary acts of high officials, the extremely unpleasant and dangerous experience through which I passed will not have been in vain. About 2:30 p.m. of the 7th instant I was "cited" by a policeman to
appear at the police station. As I have always made it a point, no matter how inconvenient, to obey these "citations" on the instant, I went immediately tothe police station and presented myself to the officer at the desk whom I supposed to be the chief of police. I was asked if my name was William Coleman. I replied that it was. I was then informed that I was fined one peso for nothaving my dwelling decorated on the first of February. I answered that I had not done so because I had considered that it was a voluntary act
and not obligatory, but that it had not been my intention to do so in deference to thecustom of the country, but not finding suitable material (with) which to do so, it had not been done. I based my action to a great extent on the fact that my dwelling house is in the suburbs of the town, and in fact, not within the city limits. Also on the fact that none of my neighbors had decorated and there noticed that none of these had been
fined. I reiterated my belief that such act was not obligatory and refused to pay the fine. Fortunately the amount involved was so insignificant, being only 35 cents U.S. currency, that this did not enter into the matter in so far as determined to the action I took. I was then informed that I had to pay. On my reiteration that I would not pay, the chief called up (telephoned) the Governor, (an act entirely irregular, as such matters pertain exclusively to the Alcalde Politico) and informed him that that I, calling my name, had refused to pay.
While I could not catch all of the conversation, I inferred from their succeeding actions that drastic measures were to be taken. I was then ordered into the section set for the barracks, and in a few minutes was
called into a cell set apart for drunks--I foundmyself in a small room without any ventilation except what could come through a hole in the door about six inches square, with the floor partly boarded and partly bare ground, covered with the litter of its recent occupants for whom it had served as a water-closet as well as
sleeping apartment, without light and without anything to sit upon except the ground, which was running with vermin and uncleanness. I was informed that I was "incomunicado" and was not allowed to send word
to anyone. In this place, in a standing position, without light, water or nourishment of any kind, I was kept until about 6 p.m. Then as I had become faint from the position I was compelled to keep and from the lack of water and ventilation I requested the attention of a physician. No attention was paid to my request though informed that I was suffering. About one hour later, however, I was informed that Doctor Paz had been called. I believe that this concession on their part was actuated only by the activity of yourself and other friends. The Doctor came to see me and went away to prepare the medicine that I required. He returned shortly with some, telling me to take it with water. I asked the guard for water and was informed that there was water inthe cell. I groped around in the dark and found an earthen vessel with some kind of fluid in it which appeared to me rather the vomitings of some late occupant of the cell, consequently entirely undrinkable. In the meantime, theDoctor having heard my request for water, begged them to give me some
that I could take the medicine. At his request it was brought to me. Shortly after this, Mr. F.P. Blas, my partner, after a great deal of trouble as you are aware, was allowed to see me. He wished to bring me
something to (eat), but in the condition I was in and with my surroundings it would have been impossible for me to have taken even a mouthful. I requested a cup of coffee and prepared to spend the night as best I could, as no provision had been made for a seat, much less a board to lie upon. At eight o'clock the door was opened and I was informed that I was at liberty. After resting a few minutes in the station I requested to be informed on what ground my release had been ordered. I could get no satisfaction whatever from the Chief excepting
that it was by order of his Superior. This is the true relation of the incidents as they occurred and are in no way exaggerated for the occasion. The condition of the cell can be verified at anytime and the hours that I was confined in a standing position are known to all my friends. At my age, and being actually under treatment for
stomach trouble, as you are aware, it is remarkable that I was able to retain sensibility for so long a time. I beg to repeat my desire for this to be carried as far as you can get the American goverment to listen to you, not for my benefit that (may) accrue to me directly, but that such action may be taken as will prevent a like experience for another. Yours very sincerely, W.F. Coleman
NOTE: Enclosure # 6; a follow up letter to Dr. J.M. Mitchell,Jr., American Consular Agent for San Pedro Sula, from W.F. Coleman, dated February 10, 1916.

Dear Sir: Referring to the subject matter of my communication to you of the 8th instant, I have brought to mind an incident that happened some two days previous to my imprisonment which might have some bearing on the irregularity of the proceedings taken with me. In conversing with the Alcalde Policia who exercises the same functionas the Police Commissioner with us, regarding the orders given for the cleaning up
the town, he remarked that he had been compelled to place some fines, but that the work as a whole had been well done. He said further, "I was sent a list of those who had not decorated their houses on February
1st, but I refused to collect the fines indicated as I did not consider it in keeping with the spirit that should make it a voluntary act, and that, furthermore, it would be bitterly opposed as not in accordance
with previous customs and traditions." He indicated that, very probably, the fines would be collected through other channels by order of the Governor. I also wish to inform you that I have consulted my lawyer on the legal facts, and am informed that the proceedings were entirely irregular. Begging that you will addition this to my above referred to communication of the 8th, I am very respectfully, W.F. Coleman

EVENT: Co-Founder in 1921 of the Casino Sampedrano, a distinguished social club in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

MEMBERSHIP: Augsust 2, 1923; William F. Coleman, MASTER MASON of Lodge No. 69 under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Scotland and Grand Lodge of Georgia, Member of Lodge Cortes. Puerto Cortes, Honduras, No. 1315.

EVENT: Application of W.F. Coleman as Consular Agent at San Pedro Sula Honduras to the Secretary of State, Washington, dated January 15, 1926.( An American colony existed in San Pedro Sula for which it was
considered necessary to have the post of an American Consular Agent in that city). Extract of Letter from Honorable Ray Fox, American Consul:Sir: I have the honor to forward, for the favorable consideration of
the Department, the application of Mr. W. F. Coleman, an American citizen and registered as such under the Department's Serial No. 5,332 of August 16, 1917,for appointment as American Consular Agent at San Pedro Sula, Honduras, under the jurisdiction of this office. Mr. Coleman is quite familiar with the duties of the Agent having usually acted as such when the former Consular Agent, Dr. J.M. Mitchell Jr., was absent. He is also one of the oldest residents in this section of Honduras, inpoint of years, and is very familiar with past and present conditions, political and economic. On numerous occasions he has demonstrated his zeal in guarding the
rights and security of American citizens resident within his jurisdiction, and has at all times endeavored to maintain the dignity and authority of his office. As proprietor of the La W.F. Coleman Industrial S.A., and Director of La C.J. Warren Industrial S.A., together with interests in other
important enterprises, marks him as one of the leading Americans, industrially, in this Department. I do not hesitate to recommend that the Department grant to this application its favorable consideration.
I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, Ray Fox American Consul. Ref. Department of State Records, National Archives.

EVENT: Letter dated July 12, 1927 from Herscel V. Johnson, Charge d'Affaires ad interim of the Legation of the United States of America contained the following biographical information: COLEMAN, William
Forrest--Born in Carroll county, Georgia, March 17, 1864; attended Mercer University; engaged in business in Honduras; appointed Consular Agent at San Pedro Sula May 24, 1927. Ref. Department of State Records,
National Archives.

EVENT: Extract-- Sir: I have the honor to inform the Department that leave of absence, with permission to visit the United States, was granted to the American Consular Agent, William Forrest Coleman, at San
Pedro Sula, Honduras, and that he departed from his post on October 15, 1927. I have appointed James Henry Coleman as Acting Consular Agent
during the interim, and am enclosing a specimin of his signature under the seal of theAgency. I have the honor to be,Sir, our obedient servant, Ray Fox .. American Consul.

NOTE: In 1927, W.F. Coleman took a four month leave of absence from his post as American Consular Agent. During that time his brother, James Henry Coleman, acted as consular agent. Ref. Records of the US
State Department. Note: This was the same year that W.F. Coleman's son, Arthur B. Coleman, died in Carrollton, GA.Leave of Absence Granted to the Consular Agent... dated October 25,1927 at Puerto Cortes, Honduras.Ref. Department of State Records, national Archives.

EVENT: American Consulate, Puerto Cortes, Honduras; February 9, 1916.
describing the political outlook as ripe for revolution. ------ Legation of the United States, Tegucigalpa, dated September 1, 1928:
Reporting information that William Coleman, son of William Forrest Coleman, is actively engaged on the north coast, in a campaign of propaganda in favor of General Tosta, which is incendiary and inciting
to revolution. Ref. Department of State Records, National Archives.

DEATH/BURIAL: W.F. Coleman died Februaury 10, 1944 in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. He is buried in the Coleman Family Mauseleum located in the Old Central City cemetery, San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

EPITAPH: "In Memory Of Our Beloved Father; William Forrest Coleman; March 17, 1864 to February 10, 1944".

Braswell-Carver Pedigree

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An account of the BRASWELL-CARVER pedigree as it pertains to Merle Anita (Young) Coleman, wife of Elwood R. Coleman, Sr. of New Orleans, LA.

Braswell-Carver Pedigree

1. Robert Braswell,(Bracewell), born 1612, London, England;was a graduate of Oxford University,and an Anglican Clergyman.He was a Virginia Plantation owner of lands totaling 1500 acres;Elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses;His wife's name was Rebecca;He died 1 May 1668, Isle of Wright, Virginia.Robert Braswell was the eighth great-grandfather of Merle Anita (Young) Coleman.

2. Richard Braswell,born 1650, Isle of Wright, Virginia;son of Rev. Robert and Rebecca Braswell;married Sarah Sampson,b.abt 1652,d.1720;his occupation was Planter.Richard Braswell,Sr. died 1720, Isle of Wright,VA.

3. Richard Braswell,Jr., born 1672, Isle of Wright, Virginia; son of Richard Braswell and Sarah Sampson;He married Ann Carver,b.1697 in Chowan county, North Carolina, daughter of William Carver and Jane Moore of Chowan co., NC.;Occupation, Planter. Richard Braswell, Jr. died about 1747 in Bladen county, North Carolina.His wife, Ann, died about 1759.

4. William Carver,(alias Braswell), son of Richard Braswell,Jr. and Ann Carver; born 1729 in Bertie, North Carolina, William's parents, Richard Braswell, Jr. and Ann Carver were not married at the time of his birth, and though they later married William assumed the maiden name of his mother "Carver" as was the custom of that day. William Carver (alias Braswell), married Mary Wilson. William died 1767, in Cumberland county, North Carolina.
Notes:
(1) William Carver was an illegitimate son of Anne Carver and Richard Braswell, Jr. As an illegitimate he bore his mother's name as was the custom, however, his parents were married in later life.
(2) In the 17th century Virginia, and later in N.C., the name was written as Braswell or Bracewell but sounded as Brazwell. That practice led to the use of Braz or Braze as a favorite nickname for the sons.
(3) Notes for William Braswell Carver:William and brother Robert both died in 1767 in Cumberland county, North Carolina, testate. William's will was dated December 10, 1766 and was probated May term court 1767. William's will bequeathed to his wife Mary and their children Sampson, William, Jr.,Samuel, Robert, Jesse, James, John, and Mary. There, may have been another son Isham. Several of William and Mary's sons served in the Revolutionary War.

5. Sampson Carver, born 1755 in Cumberland county, North Carolina, and was the son of William Carver(alias Braswell), and Mary Wilson,; He married Rhoda Edmundson,b. 1760 in North Carolina. Sampson Carver was a Revolutionary War Soldier.He moved from North Carolina to Burke county,Georgia about the year 1800. He died in 1838 in Ware county, Georgia. His wife Rhoda, died 1853 in Coffee county, Georgia.

6. Jesse Carver, born 1786, in Cumberland county, North Carolina, was the son of Sampson Carver,(R.S), and Rhoda Edmundson. His wife's name was Boissy who was born about 1795. Jesse Carver died in 1866 in Clinch county, Georgia. His wife Boissy, died in 1855. Jesse and Boissy Carver had six known children: John B. Carver,James Carver,b. abt 1814;Susan Carver, Joshua Carver, b. abt 1825,William Carver, b. abt 1831, and Sampson B. Carver, b. abt 1834.

7. James Carver, born 1814, in Georgia, son of Jesse and Boissy Carver. He married Sarah Ricketson. Had a younger brother named Joshua Carver.
Notes: James grew up in Telfair Co., Georgia and at the age of 21 married Sarah. After their marriage, they moved to a farm on the then Ware and Telfair county line, where it later became Coffee County in 1854.James' will dated Sept. 12,1859 was probated May term 1860, Coffee Court of ordinary, and bequeathed his daughter Mahulda $100 and the remainder of the estate to his wife and other children. Son Jesse was the executor. James died about 1860.

8. Joshua Carver,born 1825 in Ware county, Georgia, son of Jesse and Boissy Carver; younger brother of James Carver;He married Rhoda Albritton,b. 1834 in Bryan county, Georgia.Joshua died 1875 in Coffee county, Georgia. Their daughter, Nancy Malinda Carver, born 16 May 1851, in Ware county, Georgia, married Peter Aaron Young, Sr. of Ware county, Georgia.

9. James Jefferson Carver, born 5 Apr 1850, in Telfair county, Georgia, son of James Carver and Sarah Ricketson (No.7). James Jefferson Carver married 15 Dec 1864 to Anna Jane Parker. Their daughter, Eliza Jane Carver,born 1875 in Ware county, Georgia, married Peter Aaron Young, Jr. ; James Jefferson Carver died 5 Mar 1934.
Note:
(1).Nancy Malinda Carver, wife of Peter Aaron Young, Sr. and Eliza Jane Carver, wife of Peter Aaron Young, Jr. were First Cousins one time removed. There common ancestors were Jesse and Boissy Carver.(2). Peter Aaron Young, Jr. and Eliza Jane Carver were the grandparents of Merle Anita (Young) Coleman, wife of Elwood R. Coleman, Sr.

WILL of William Carver (alias Braswell)

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LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT:
Will of William CARVER (alias BRASWELL)
Written 10 Dec 1766, in Cumberland County, North Carolina
Probated May Court ,1767
Typed 16 Jan 1996 by me (James W. Green III) to the best of my ability to read, from negative & positive photostats made for me 7 Jan 1972 by the NC Archives, from the original handwritten will in the packet.

In The name of God, Amen. The Tenth Day of December anno Dom. oneThousand Seven hundred and Sixty Six. I William Carver of Cumberland County in theProvince of North Carolina. Being very Sick and weak in Body, but of perfect mindand memory, Thanks be given unto God: Therefore Calling unto mind the mortality ofmy Body, and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to Die, do make and ordain this my last will and Testament, That is to Say, Principally, and first of all, I give and Recomend my Soul into the Hands of God that gave it, and My Body I recommend to the Earth, to be Buried in Decent Christian Burial at the Descretion of my Executors; Nothing Doubting but at the General Resurrection, I Shall receive the Same again by the mighty power of God, and as touching Such worldy Estate where with it hath pleased God to bless me in this Life, I give, Devise and Dispose of the Same in the following manner and form. Impremis, It is my Desier That first of all, my funeral Charges Shall bePaid, and also after that, all my other Debts to Be payd and Discharged out of my Estate,
Item. I give and Bequeath to my Son Samson Carver, Two negros viz. Bet and Jo and Five Cows and Calves five Sows and pigs, One feather Beds and furniture, Belonging Thereto, one Still, and the plantation and Land I Bought of Richard Dunnin Bladen County, and Two horses and Two Breading mairs, to him and his heirs and assigns for Ever .
Item. I give and Bequeath unto my Son William Carver, Two negros viz John and Luce and also five Cows and Calves, five Sows and pigs, Two horses and Two Breading mairs, one fether Bed and furniture there of; and a peace of Land Lying and Joyning Elwells Land and Down the River to the Bottom a place known By that name, and then to Run Square of from the River to the Back line and So round to the first Station to him and his heirs and assigns For Ever, ---
Item. I give and Bequeath unto my Son Robert Carver, Two Negros viz Soney and Venice, and also five Cows and Calves and five Sows and Pigs, Two horses, and Two Breading mairs, one fether Bed and its furniture and also a peace of Land Begining at the Bottom Williams Loer line and Down theRiver to the loer End of a field called atkinsons field and to Run out from the river Through a thicket Before the Door, and to Continue to the Back lines and So Round toThe first Station, to him and his heirs and assigns for Ever,
Item. I give and Bequeath unto my son Samuel Carver, Two negros viz Mingo and a garl Called littel Luce, and also five Cows and Calves, five Sows andPigs Two horses, and Two Breading mairs, one fether Bed and its furniture and also a peace of Land, Beginning at the loer End of a field called Atkinsons field and Down the River to Loer End of my land and So round to Roberts line and to the first Station, to him and his heirs and assigns for Ever,
Item I give and Bequeath unto my son Jesse Carver, Two negros viz Simon and Rose, and also five Cows and Calves, five Sows and pigs Two horses, and Two Breading mairs one fether Bed and its furniture, and also a peace of Land in Bladen County known by the name of Gillils meadow, The Patent is at John Rice's at or near Newbors and I have his Receipt, to him his heirs & assigns forever Item, I give and Bequeath to my Son James Carver, Two negros viz, Jemone and Nan, and also five Cows and Calves, five Sows and pigs, Two horses and Two Breading mairs, one feather Bed and its furniture, to him his heirs & assigns Item, I give and Bequeath unto my Son John Carver, Two negros viz Oliver and Henery, and also five Cows and Calves, five Sows and pigs, Two Horses, Two Breading mairs, one fether Bed and its furniture, to him and his heirs for Ever, and I also give and Bequeath unto my Son William Carver one more negro named Tom, and I order that he Shall pay his Brother John Carver when he Coms of age the Sum of fifty pounds proclamation money,and I also give and Bequeath unto my Son Samson Carver, the one half of all my housel goods for Ever, And I order that he Shall pay his brother John Carver when of age the Sum of fifty pounds proclamation money,and I also give and Bequeath unto my Son James Carver, one more negro named George to him and his heirs and assigns for Ever, and further order That my Sheep Shall Remain ondevided for the use of the Children Till the younger Coms of age, and then to be Equally Devided Among all my Children and also I order that the Genie Shall not Be devided Be and Remain for the use of keeping all the Beds in Repare Till the younger Children Com of age, then to be Equally Devided amongst all my children And Let in Case any of the Children Before mentioned Shall Die Before they Should have an heir Lawfully Begotten, (for want of ? Heir, order that his or their portion Shall be Equally Devided amongst them That are alive, Item I give and Bequeath unto my Dear and well Beloved wife Mary Carver, Two negrows viz Jim and patience and also five Cows and Calves Five Sows and pigs, one feather Bed and its furniture, Two horses, Two breading mares, to her and her assigns forever, Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Carver, Two negros viz Sal and John, that is called Littel John, five Cows and Calves, five Sows and pigs, one fether Bed and its furniture, one horse and Side Saddel and Bridel, to her and her heirs and assigns for ever. I further order and Desire that my Children Shall all have Good Schooling and have Left Three negros viz, Jack, harry, Vilet, their Labour is toPay for the Schooling of my Children, and further order that the negros Shall not be hired out, or Taken from the Plantations or Labour I Formely followed, But kept to Geather abought their usual Labours And I further give and Bequeath unto my Deer wife Mary Carver the other half of my Househel good, for Ever, and Leave her actel possessen of the house, During her Widowhood, or till my Son Robert Carver Shall marrey, and after he marreys, if She Continues a widow To have the Liberty of of the Loer grant or the upper grant of this House During her widowhood, And Lastly I Constitute, make and ordain my Loving wife Mary Carver one of my Executrix and Joseph Dunn and Silvenus Wilson My Executors, of this my Last Will and Testament and I do here by utterly Disallow, Revoke and Disanul all and Every other and former Testemente, Wills Legacies and Bequests, and Executors, by me in anyways Before named, willed and Bequeathed, Ratifying and Confirming this and no other to be my Last will and Testament, In witness Where of I have here unto Set my hand and Seal the Day and year Above written
Signing }
William Carver
Signed, Sealed, Published, Pronounced and Declared by the Said William Carver as his Last will and Testament, in the presence of us The Subscribers - - - - -

Richd Elwell , North Carolina Cumberland County
? May Cort 1767
Richard Richardson

Then was the Exn of this Will in Open Court proved
Benja Cooper
By the Oath of Richd Richardson & Benjamin Elwell two of the subscribing Evidences thereto and Mary Carver Executrix & Silvanus Wilson & Joseph Dunn Executors therein Mentioned Qualified Agreeable to Law -- Ordered that they have Letters --
Testamentary -- Thos Rutherford CC
Exor Mary Carver Silvanus Willson & Joseph Dunn

WILL of Robert Braswell

2009-04-04T22:20:00.005-05:00

Last Will & Testament of Robert Braswell

Isle of Wright County, Virginia
Will and Deed Book I, Volume A ,page 52

"In the name of God Amen,I Robert Bracewell being very weake & Sicke of Body but of perfectt memorie,doe make this my last will and testament,revokinge all former wills whatsoever,Imprimis I be queath my Soule into the hands of my Redeemer,who gave it mee, And my body unto the ground from whence it came to be decently buried, and for thos temporall goods God hath given mee I dispose of them in manner as followeth,I give unto my daughter Jane Stokes her children three cowes, To Rebecca West my daughter one cow and Calfe and one cowe and calfe to the next child she may have, and the rest of all my estate unto my two sonnes Robert and Richard whome I make my full and sole executors of this my will, and the Mill I desire shall be finished with what speed my bee and to be lett out,only reserving corner for themselves, and the p.duce of the mill to be equally divided between them both, and reserved to build a new mill hereafter and when built to be left wholly to my sonne Richard likewise I give seven hundred acres of land where I now live and six hundered acres at the western Branch of Nancemond County to be equall divided between my two sonnes Robert and Richard likewise it is my desire that noe part of parcell of the estate shall be disposed of nor none of the land untill they both are of full age nor no wayes divided but if it shall please God that either of them shall depart this life before he comes of age that then the survivior shall enjoye the whole likewise I give unto my servant Elizabeth Hall when she shall b e free one heiffer of two years of age and likewise it is my desire that my lvonign friends Mr Richard Izard and George Gwillim to be guardians unto my children in the time of their minoritie and to see this my will performed likewise I give unto the said Richard Izard and George G willim fortie shillings to each of them to buy them each one ring,likewise I give unto my daughter Ann Bagnall one cow and calf and one cow and calf to her first child,if it please God she have any and likewise it is my desire that my two sonnes Robert and Richard shal be put to scholle until they can both read and write. And this being my will I testifie it with my hand this 15th of February 1667.

Rob Bracwell

In Wittness of
George G willim
Richard Izard
This will was proved in open court helf for the Isle
of Wight County this first day of May 1668 and then recorded

WILL of James Carver

2009-04-04T22:11:00.003-05:00

WILL OF JAMES CARVER
Taken from Minutes & Garnishment Book A - 1854-1861 at the Coffee County Probate Office Submitted by Melody Moore McCook
COURT OF ORDINARY
JANUARY TERM 1861
STATE OF GEORGIA
COFFEE COUNTY

In the name of God Amen I James Carver of said State and county being of advanced age, deem it right & proper, both as it respects my family & self, that I should make a disposition of the property of which a kind providence so has blessed me.
I do therefore make this my last will & testament, hereby revoking all others hearto fore made by me.
Item 1. I desire and direct that my body be buried in a decint & christian like manner suitable to my ____in life my Soul I trust that my soul will return to rest to God who give
Item 2. I desire that all my just debts be paid without delay, by my executor hearin after appointed as I am unwilling my creditors should be delayed in there respects ______no necessity for delay.
Item 3. I give and bequeath to my daughter Hulduh Minix, wife of John Till____ ____ _____ the despositions of her _____or any _____ _____husband One hundred dollars of my Estate. I appoint my trusty & _____ son Vincent Ricketson ______of the money hearin given bequeathed to my daughter Hulduh Minix and her children(?).
Item 4. All the remainder of my property both real and personal, shall be equally divided amongst the remainder of my heirs Except my son Jesse which I have given him ___ ___ Jesse his portion of my property.
Item 5. I hereby constitute and appoint my worthy son Vincent Ricketson Executor of this my last will & Testament this January 14th 1861

James X Carver his mark
Signed Sealed & declared and published by James Carver as his last will and Testament in presence of us the subcribers who subscribed herunto in the presents of said Testator his special instances & requests and of each other this January the 14th 1861.
James R Smith
Henry _ C harper
Daniel Newbern __C
State of Georgia,
Coffee County
Personally appeared in open court James R Smith and after being duly sworn says that he saw James Carver sign seal and declare this written above named will and signed the same as a witness & that he saw Henry _ C Harper & Daniel Newbern do so likewiseSworn to subscribe before me this 14th day of January 1861
James R Smith
A M ___
Ordny

Albritton Pedigree

2009-04-02T09:43:00.019-05:00

An account of the Albritton pedigree as it pertains to Merle Anita (Young) Coleman,d/o Peter L. Young and Mary Belle Register, wife of Elwood R. Coleman, Sr.

Albritton Pedigree

1. Francis Albritton, born 1609 or 1610 in England.

Notes:

(1). Francis Albritton was born 1609 in England. He married an Irish girl who bore him seven children. He immigrated to America with his family about 1650. Early Virginia records show Francis Albritton, (spelled Albrighton), purchased land in York county, Virginia on January 19th, 1651 from John Fleet, a Virginia planter. In 1655, He purchased additional land adjoining his first purchase. He filed his WILL in York county, Virginia on April 9, 1667, naming his seven children: Richard, Francis, Elizabeth, John, Amy Ann, Margaret, and George Albrighton. He signed his Will as Francis Albritton. His sons, Richard, John, and George later signed their Wills as "Albritton," as well.

(2). Dr. E.C. Albritton of Bethesda, MD. has done consideralble research on the Albrittons of Virginia. He noted that one "Robert Alberton," came in the first supply ship to the Jamestown colony of Virginia in 1608 and said: "surely Robert is the father of Francis Albrighton of York co., VA."

(3) Francis Albritton was the 12th great-grandfather of Elwood R. Coleman, Jr. on the maternal side of his family.

2. George Albritton, born 1636 in Virginia, son of Francis Albritton of England.

Notes: George Albritton, an early Virginia Planter, was the son of Francis Albritton. He was born about 1636 and died about 1690 in York co., VA. In January 1689, He told the court he was 53 years old "or there abouts". His only surviving issue was Ralph Albritton.

3. Ralph Albritton, born 1656, York county, Virginia, son of George Albritton of Virginia.His wife's name was Mary. Ralph died 21 Jan 1701 in York co., VA.

Notes:(1). Ralph Albritton, son of George, was born 1656 in York co., VA. and died there on January 21, 1701. According to Charles Parish, Virginia records, 1648-1789, (pp 42-43, 201), he was married to MARY and had seven children born to them, all in Charles Parish: Thomas b. 1 Aug 1682, Edward b. 17 Dec 1686, John b. 2 Sep 1688, William b. 7 JUl 1691, Ralph b. 10 Jul 1692, Richard b. 19 Apr 1698, and Benjamin b. 22 Jul 1700.

(2). The Albritton family bloodline extends from Ralph's son, Thomas, who was the only son to survive.

4. Thomas Albritton, born 1 Aug 1682, Charles Parish, York county, Virgina;son of Ralph and Mary Albritton of York county, Virginia.His wife was Agness;she died 1727.

Notes:

(1). Thomas Albritton, the only surviving son of Ralph and Mary Albritton, was born 1 Aug. 1682 in Charles Parish, York co., VA. He married AGNES in York co., VA. in 1704. Two children issued from this marriage; James born in 1705 and Agnes born 13 May 1707. Agnes died by the year 1730.

(2). Thomas purchased 57 acres on Eastern Shore, Lenhaven Parish, Princess Anne county, Virginia on 2 Apr 1715 and three years later bought additional property. On 3 Apr 1727, he sold some of his land and Agnes released her dower rights. Within the year , (1727),Agnes died and Thomas remarried ANN in Princess Anne county, Virginia.

(3). In 1731, Thomas made his Last Will and Testament dividing his property between Ann and his only son, James Albritton. Thomas died on 3 May 1731 in Princess Anne co., VA. at the age of 49 years leaving his son James as Executor of his estate and "all my saddle tools." There is no record of any children issued from his second marriage to ANN.

5. James Albritton, born 17 Sep 1705 in Charles Parish, York county, Virginia, son of Thomas and Agness Albritton of Charles Parish,York co., VA. His wife was Elizabeth Lanier.

Notes:

(1). James Albritton moved with his family to Princess Anne county, Virginia in 1715. He inherited the family plantation on Kendall's Island after the death of his father. In addition, according to his father's WILL, he inherited a horse, mill, and his father's saddle tools.

(2). James married first to ELIZABETH LANIER about 1725 in Princess Anne co., VA. To them were born: Matthew b. 1727, Thomas b. 1729, James b. between 1733-1736, Peter b. 1742, and George b. 1743.

(3). After the death of his first wife, James remarried AMY (PETIT ?). To them were born Richard b. 1745, and Henry b. 1748 .

(4). In March 1741, James sold his property on Kendall's Island in Princess Anne co., VA. and moved to old Beaufort county, North Carolina , now Pitt county, NC. He purchased a plantation there in 1744. James spent the rest of his life in Pitt co., NC where his occupations were Planter and Saddler.

6. Thomas Albritton, born 1729 in Princess Anne county, Virginia; son of James Albritton and Elizabeth Lanier of Charles Parish, York county, Virginia. His wife's name was Margaret.

7. John Albritton,born 1750 in Pitt county, North Carolina, son of Thomas and Margaret Albritton of Princess Anne county, Virginia. In 1774, He married Averilla Altherton,born 1758 in Pitt county, North Carolina.

Notes:

(1).John Albritton was a Revolutionary War Veteran, He served during the war in the North Carolina Militia.

(2). In 1776, John and his uncles George and Richard,together with their families, left Pitt county and traveled west to Rockingham, North Carolina. He later moved to South Carolina and spent a number of years there eventually removing to the state of Georgia.John's earliest recorded residence in Georgia was in Effingham County, where he had 126 acres surveyed on September 6, 1784. He lived in that portion of Effingham County that later was made into Screven County. John was granted 200 acres of land in Effingham and 250 acres in Burke County, April 26,1798. John received additional grants in 1802 of 435 acres of land in Bullock County and 200 acres in Effingham County.John moved from Bullock to Bryan County, Georgia, around 1794 and was appointed Justice of the Peace for the First District of Bryan County, January 6, 1795. He was also a judge of the inferior court in Bryan County and was reappointed Justice of the Peace on April 1, 1799. His name also appears on the jury list for Bryan County in 1797.John later moved with his family to Wilkenson County, Georgia in 1807. John purchased 185 acres from John Dukes on Ashes Branch. He was a charter member of the Popular Springs Baptist Church and served as a moderator at its first conference held August 22, 1807. He lived there until his death in 1815.

8. Thomas Henry Albritton,Sr., born 1776 in Pitt county, North Carolina, son of John Albritton and Averilla Altherton;He married Mary Ann Strickland of Robeson county, North Carolina,daughter of Joel J. and Elizabeth Strickland.

Notes:

(1). Thomas Henry Albritton, Sr. had three marriages: First wife, Elizabeth Strickland 1788-1828;Second wife,Mary Ann (Polly) Strickland 1792-1831; Third wife,Rhoda Frances Strickland 1802-1868

(2). Thomas was born in North Carolina in 1776. He came with his parents to Effingham County, Georgia as a child and grew up there. His father's land was cut into Bullock County in 1796.

(3). Thomas was commissioned a Lieutenant in the Bullock County Militia, August 26, 1808.In 1823, He served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Bryan co., GA. Militia., 19th district. where he also served as Sheriff of Bryan county from 1824 to 1826. Thomas served in Captain James Walker's Company of the Ware couny, Georgia Militia during the 1838 Seminole Indian War. His sons: Henry, Noah, Thomas H., and James also served with him in the 1838 Seminole Indian War.

(4). About the year 1805, Thomas married Mary Ann ,(Polly) ,Strickland. She was born in 1792, daughter of Joel and Elizabeth Strickland. She died in Bryan,County Georgia about 1831.Thomas and his first wife, Polly, were received by letter July 22, 1809, into Popular Spring Baptist Church in Laurens County, Georgia, from Black Creek Church in Bullock County. This shows that Thomas and family moved to Laurens along with his brother Matthew, and their father moved to Laurens along with his brother Matthew, and their father, John, but they did not stay long. The Popular Spring Church records show that Thomas was expelled for fighting, November 7, 1812. He then moved back to Bullock County where he was granted land the next year. About 1818, he sold his 500 ace plantation in bullock and moved to Bryan County, where he made his home on Savage Creek. Thomas was granted 600 acres there in 1820. Between 1824-1826, Thomas's first wife, Polly, died and about a year later, Thomas married secondly to Mrs. Rhoda Parker, the widow of John Parker of Liberty county. Rhoda was the daughter of David Strickland. Rhoda and Polly , Mary Strickland), were cousins. In 1835, Thomas sold out and moved to the 590th District of Ware County, Georgia. He was Justice of the Peace from 1841 - 1845. In 1858, Thomas removed from Ware co., Georgia to Pierce,(now Brantly), county, Georgia.Thomas died in Pierce co., GA. on 18 March 1865 leaving his son, Henry W. Albritton as Administrator of his estate.(Anotherr source gives his death as 26 Aug 1853 ?)

9. Henry W. Albritton, born 1806 in Bulloch county, Georgia, son of Thomas Henry Albritton, Sr.,and Mary Ann Strickland of North Carolina. His wife's name was Amelia.He reportedly died in Ware County, Georgia.

10. Rhoda Albritton, was born 1834 in Bryan county, Georgia,daughter of Henry W. and Amelia Albritton.Rhoda Albritton married Joshua Carver of Ware county, Georgia. Their daughter, Nancy Malinda Carver, 1851-1898, married Peter Aaron Young, Sr., P.L. Young,Sr. and Nancy M. Carver were the great grandparents of Merle Anita Young, wife of Elwood R. Coleman, Sr.,of New Orleans, Louisiana.

Artillery Mission

2009-04-02T04:25:00.005-05:00

Sergeant John Allen Coleman, Jr., checks gun aim before he and his crew fire their howitzer.

Confederate History

2009-03-30T15:24:00.007-05:00

Robert Edward Lee

"All that the South has ever desired was the Union as established by our forefathers should be preserved and that the government as originally organized should be administered in purity and truth." --- General Robert E. Lee, CSA

"Governor, if I had foreseen the use these people desired to make of their victory, there would have been no surrender at Appomattox, no, sir, not by me. Had I seen these results of subjugation, I would have preferred to die at Appomattox with my brave men, my sword in this right hand." --- General Robert E. Lee, CSA - as told to Texas ex-governor F. W. Stockdale

Casino Sampedrano Board of Directors (1921)

2009-03-30T14:56:00.006-05:00

Casino Sampedrano 1921
Board of Directors, San Pedro Sula, Honduras

(Junta Directiva 1921)

Presidente: Francisco Paredes F.
Vice Presidente: James H. Coleman
Vocal Primero: Ricardo Lopez
Vocal Segundo: Juan R. Lopez
VocalTercero: W.F. Coleman
VolcalCuarto: Adolfo Zuniga
1er. VocalSuplente: Luis Bogran
2do. VocalSuplente:J.M. Mitchell
3er. VocalSuplente: Presentacion Centeno
Secretario: Vidal Mejia
Pro-Secretario: Presentacion Centeno
Tesorcro: Julian Barrio
Sindico: Juan M. Galvez
Bibliotecario: Harry F. Panting

Source: Invitation celebrating the 75th Aniversary of the"Casino Sampedrano", on November 9, 1996. Provided by: John Forrest Coleman (deceased), San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

Confederate History Month

2009-03-25T20:17:00.010-05:00

This young Confederate soldier gave his life in defense of his family and homeland!

April is Confederate History Month of Remembrance

Essay by Calvin E. Johnson, Jr.

April is an important month in America's history. The Great Locomotive Chase, where Union spies attempted to steal the Confederate Locomotive "The General" and destroy rail lines and bridges, took place on April 12, 1862. The month of April has become to be known as Confederate History and Heritage Month. Please share this story with your family.

The Congress of the United States has officially in past years recognized America's war of, 1861 to 1865, as the War Between the States. This tragic war claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of brothers, uncles and husbands. Though they were enemies on the battlefield, after the war, the men of blue and gray sponsored reunions at such places as Gettysburg. The soldier told war stories while the United States and Confederate flags flew briskly in the warm summer breeze.
Why do some schools ignore the teaching of American history? Boys and girls once learned about American soldiers who for over 200 years marched off to war. The church hymn book once included "Onward Christian Soldiers." The young people read about: George Washington, Robert E. Lee and Booker T. Washington. Northern and Southern children stood up proudly to sing patriotic songs from a standard song book that included "Dixie".
After the end of the War Between the States, Northern and Southern women formed memorial organizations. They made sure all soldiers were given a Christian burial and a marked grave. Memorial Days were begun in many states North and South of the famous Mason-Dixon Line. Confederate graves were also cared for in the North and Union graves in the South. Great monuments were also erected that still cast a giant shadow over many town squares and soldiers' cemeteries across the U.S.A.
April 26, has become to be recognized as Confederate Memorial Day in many states. For over one hundred years the Ladies' Memorial Association, United Daughters of the Confederacy and Sons of Confederate Veterans have held memorial services on or near this day. Other Southern States recognize this day ,which began as Decoration Day, on May 10th and June 3rd. Confederate President Jefferson Davis was born on June 3rd.
April, Confederate History and Heritage Month, is significant as it is the month the War Between the States began (1861) and ended (1865).
Efforts to mark Confederate graves, erect monuments and hold memorial services were the idea of Mrs. Charles J. Williams. It is written that she was an educated and kind lady. Her husband served as Colonel of the 1st Georgia Regiment during the war. He died of disease in 1862, and was buried in his home town of Columbus, Georgia.
Mrs. Williams and her daughter visited his grave often and cleared the weeds, leaves and twigs from it, then placed flowers on it. Her daughter also pulled the weeds from other Confederate graves near her Father.
It saddened the little girl that their graves were unmarked. With tears of pride she said to her Mother, "These are my soldiers' graves." The daughter soon became ill and passed away in her childhood. Mrs. William's grief was almost unbearable.
On a visit to the graves of her husband and daughter, Mrs. Williams looked at the unkept soldiers' graves and remembered her daughter as she cleaned the graves and what the little girl had said. She knew what had to do.
Mrs. Williams wrote a letter that was published in Southern newspapers asking the women of the South for their help. She asked that memorial organizations be established to take care of the thousands of Confederate graves from the Potomac River to the Rio Grande. She also asked the state legislatures to set aside a day in April to remember the men who wore the gray. With her leadership April 26 was officially adopted in many states. She died in 1874, but not before her native state of Georgia adopted it as a legal holiday. It is still officially recognized in Georgia today.
Mrs. Williams was given a full military funeral by the people of Columbus, Georgia and flowers covered her grave. For many years a yearly memorial was conducted at her grave following the soldiers' memorial.
Robert E. Lee said, Duty is the sublimest word in the English language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less."
The South can be proud of their men and women who served this nation from the Revolutionary War to the War in Iraq. It is important to also remember those men and women who defended their homes, families and states during the War Between the States.
Among the gallant women was Captain Sally Tomkins, CSA who was the first woman to be commissioned on either side of the War Between the States. Commissioned by Jefferson Davis, she took care of thousands of soldiers in Richmond, Virginia until the end of the war.
Those who served the Confederacy came from many races and religions. There was Irish born General Patrick R. Cleburne, black Southerner Amos Rucker, Jewish born Judah P. Benjamin, Mexican born Colonel Santos Benavides and American Indian General Stand Watie who was born in Rome, Georgia.
Lest We Forget!
Please contact the Sons of Confederate Veterans or other historical organizations about the events during Confederate History and Heritage Month. Be a part of this month long tribute, in April, to the men and women of Dixie.
A native of Georgia, Calvin Johnson lives near the historic town of Kennesaw, home of the locomotive "The General" from the War Between the States.

Father and Son In Iraq

2009-03-25T19:27:00.004-05:00

First Sergeant John Allen Coleman (on the left), and son: Staff Sergeant John Allen Coleman, Jr. serving in Iraq in 2008. Both hale from Lake City, Florida. First Sergeant Coleman is a retired soldier who volunteered to return to active duty to serve his country. He had previously served multiple combat tours in the Vietnam War and served with the 508th Parachute Infantry in Grenada.

Family of James P. Coleman

2009-03-23T18:20:00.006-05:00

Family Group No.119

Husband: James P. Coleman

Birth: Sep 1833, Cobb co.,GA.

Death: 1911, Georgia

Burial:

Occupation: Businessman, Miller, Farmer

Military Service: Lieutenant, Company I, 7th Georgia State Guards

Father: Henry Allen Coleman

Mother: Sarah Ann Barnes

Marriage: Georgia

Wife: Mary A. McClellan (Mclelland)

Birth: May 1838, (GA or SC)

Death: 15 Jun 1925, Clem, Carroll co., GA.

Burial:

Father: George Guthrie (?)

Mother: Georgina McClellan (Mclelland)

Children:

1. Henry M. Coleman, b. 1854; m. E.F. Whittle

2. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, b. Jan 1856, m. John Henry Jones

3. John William Coleman (Willie), b.1858, m. Mary Emma Tuggle

4. James Thomas Coleman (Tom), b.15 Jan 1860, m. Charity Mariah Cox

5. Tallulah L. Coleman (Lullie), b. 1864

6. Joseph J. Coleman, b. 1869; d. 1870

7. Etta Rowena Coleman, b. 18 Jun 1871; m. William Alonzo McBrayer

8. Lottie Virginia Coleman, b.24 Sep 1875; m. George Wilson Lumpkin Davenport

The 82nd Airborne Division

2009-03-22T19:58:00.009-05:00

As an old former paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division, I've often been asked,"What's it like to jump out of a perfectly good airplane?" Here's a perfectly good answer!

Note: You can stop the music player located at the bottom of this page while this video runs.

Family of Jose Dolores Perez-Gomez

2009-03-20T15:56:00.006-05:00

Family Group No.13

HUSBAND: Jose Dolores Perez-Gomez

Born: 1861, Bayamo, Santiago,Cuba

Died: 15 Oct 1931, San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Buried:Central City cemetery, San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Father: Santiago Perez

Born: Bayamo, Santiago, Cuba

Mother: Maria Antonia Gomez-Baez

Born: Dominican Republic

MILITARY SERVICE: Captain and aide to Generalisimo
Gomez-Baez,Cuban Revolution

OCCUPATION: Railroadman,Planter, Cattleman,
Businessman and mayor of the city of San Pedro Sula

MARRIAGE: San Pedro Sula, Honduras

WIFE: Paulina Follin

Born: 1864, San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Died: 5 Mar 1936, San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Buried: Central City cemetery, San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Father: Charles R. Follin

Born: 1836, Honduras

Mother: Maria Tomasa Bardales

Born: Honduras

CHILDREN:

1. Carlos Perez, b. Honduras

2. Alonso Perez, b. Honduras

3. Lisandro Perez, b.Honduras;d . 1945, New Orleans, LA.

4. Zoila America Perez, b. 26 May 1890, Honduras

5. Marie Antionette Perez, b. 1 Feb 1892,Honduras ;married John Allen Coleman.

6. Leonela Perez, b. Honduras

7. Josefa Dolores Perez, b.25 Apr 1897, Honduras; married Jose Maria Zepeda

8. Maria Angelina Perez, b. 24 Dec 1903, Honduras; married _____? Jeffre.

9.Celia Regina Perez, b. 26 Mar 1907, Honduras; married Robert Wilson Bonner.

Family of Sieward S. Buining

2009-03-14T17:03:00.004-05:00

Family Group No.15

Husband: Sieward Steve Buining

Born: 16 Dec 1888, Mobile, Alabama

Died: April 1982, New Orleans, Louisiana

Buried:

Father:Buining (Naturalized Citizen)

Mother:

MILITARY SERVICE: Battery C, 2nd Field Artillery, United States Army; Honorably Discharged after three years active duty on 3 Oct 1913 at Fort McKinley, Philipine Islands.

His character was cited as "Excellant."

Occupation: Chief Marine Engineer, United States Merchant Marine. (Service in WWII).

Married: New Orleans, Louisiana

Wife: Ethel Marie Coleman

Born: 19 Oct 1923, San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Died: 8 Oct. 1965, New Orleans, Louisiana

Buried: Greenwood Cemetery, New Orleans, Louisiana

Father: John Allen Coleman

Mother: Marie Antionette Perez-Follin

CHILDREN:

Sieward Steve Buining, Jr.

The Follin Pedigree

2009-03-13T20:30:00.013-05:00

An account of that branch of the Follin family pedigree belonging to Elwood R. Coleman, son of John Allen Coleman and Marie Antoinette Perez-Follin.

The Follin Pedigree

1. Michel Follin of Picardie France; married Mariam Esambour.

2. Francois Michel Auguste Follin,(son of Michel Follin and Mariam Esambour), born October,1731 in Beauchamps, Picardie, France; Died September 20, 1813 in Charleston, South Carolina; married Marie Francoise Juneau, b. 1755, in New Orleans, Louisiana, died December 1813 in Charleston, South Carolina. Francois Michel Follin moved to the French colony at Mole, St Nicholas, St Dominque,(now Haiti) . During the slave revolt in that country, his family refugeed to Charleston, SC . He had three sons and one daughter:

(1)Auguste Firmin Follin, the eldest son, born abt 1777 in St Dominque; married Melanie Noel of
France. (2)Jean Charles Auguste Follin, b.1779 in St Dominque; married Marie Joseph Hebert.(3)Mathew Firmin Follin,(known as Firmin),b.1789; married Magdeline Victoria Hebert.

(4) Eulalie Follin; married Joseph Phillip Times.

3. Auguste Firmin Follin, eldest son of Francois Michel Auguste Follin and Marie Francoise Juneau, born about 1777 in St Dominque; died about 1833 in Alabama. After his family refugeed to Charleston, SC, he moved to Philadelphia, PA. where another large French population resided. He became associated with other Bonapartists who planned to establish a French colony in the territory of Alabama,(now Marengo county Alabama),called the "Vine and Olive Colony," which ultimately failed. Many of these colonists then moved to the French colonies at Mobile, Alabama, and the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. Auguste Firmin Follin married Melanie Noel, b. abt 1785 in France; died 1851 in Mobile, Alabama. Augustus Firmin Follin had five sons and three daughters:

(1) Charles R. Follin, b. Sep 30, 1799; married Susan Danforth. Their daughter was the
well known publisher, Miriam Florence Follin of New Orleans, also known as "Frank Leslie."

(2) Almaide Eugine Follin, b. 1806;married Lemuel G. Sanderson.

(3) Armand Augustus Follin, b. 1804. (4) Virginia Follin ; married Lewis Edward Bayol.

(5) Adolphus J. Follin, b. abt 1814. (6) Theodore M. Follin, b. abt 1817.

(7) Hortense J.G. Follin, b. 1818; married Gorham Davenport.

(8) Aristide F. Follin, b. abt 1821 in Alabama;married Mary Adela Bridges.

4. Armand Augustus Follin,(known as Augustus Follin), born 1804 in Philadelphia ,PA. He removed from that place with his family to the "Vine and Olive Colony," in Marengo county, Alabama. About 1827 he went to Spanish Honduras where in addition to being a merchant he was appointed as the American Consulate for Omoa and Truxillo. He continued to serve in that post until his death in January 1862. He is known to have had a large family but at present, only two children are known: (1) Charles R. Follin, b. 1836 in Honduras; married Maria Tomasa Bardales.(2) Hortense Follin, b. 1847 in Honduras.

5. Charles R. Follin, born 1836 in Spanish Honduras, son of Armand Augustus Follin of
Philadelphia, PA. He married Maria Tomasa Bardales of Honduras and they had at least two children: (1) Paulina Follin, b. 1864 ; married Jose Dolores Perez-Gomez.

(2) Augustus Follin, b. abt. 1866. Charles R. Follin began his career under the employ
of Ephraim George Squier,(second husband of Charles' cousin, Mariam Florence Follin), known for his field-work in Central America and Peru in the fields of Archealogy and Anthropology.

He traveled thru-out Central America with Squier in 1853 as his assistant and interpreter. Charles was fluent in the English, French, and Spanish languages. He was a Planter,
Merchant, and later, succeeded his father as the American Consulate for Omoa and Truxillo, Honduras . He was present at the arrival of Confederate immigrants to Spanish Honduras in 1867-68 and facilitated their establishment of the Confederate colony of Medina near San Pedro, Honduras as laison between them and the goverment of the Republic of Honduras.
Of the known children of Charles R. Follin of Spanish Honduras:(1)Paulina Follin, b. 1864, married Jose Dolores Perez-Gomez, a Cuban Patriot and nephew of Generalisimo Maximo Gomez-Baez, who remained in Spanish Honduras after traveling there with his
Uncle to gain support for the Cuban revolution. Paulina Follin was the maternal grandmother of
Elwood R. Coleman, son of John Allen Coleman and Marie Antoinette Perez-Follin.

(2)Augustus Follin, b. abt 1866, married Philipa Estrada. For a time, the family lived in New Orleans. After the death of Augustus Follin, his wife and children resided in Los Angeles, California.

Family of William G. McClellan

2009-03-12T11:19:00.004-05:00

Family Group No.350

Husband: William G. McClellan (McClelland, McLelland)

Birth: 1836, Georgia

Father:

Mother: Georgina McClellan

Death: 17 Dec 1872, Carrollton, Carroll co., GA.

Burial:
Occupation: City Marshall, Carrollton, GA.

Military Service: Company H, 56th Georgia Volunteer Infantry Regiment, CSA

Married: 24 Dec 1857, Carroll county, Georgia

Wife: Sarah Jane Coleman

Birth: 1836, Cobb co., GA.

Father: Henry Allen Coleman

Mother: Sarah Ann Barnes

Death:

Burial:

CHILDREN:
1. James B. McClellan, b. 1859

2. Joseph McClellan, b. Abt. 1860 , d. 8 Apr 1879

Family of Philip Marion Whisenhunt, Jr.

2009-03-11T18:44:00.004-05:00

Family Group No.342

Husband: Philip Marion Whisenhunt, Jr.

Birth: 1839, Carrollton,Carroll co.,GA.

Death: 1900, Haralson co., GA.

Burial:

Occupation: Farmer

Military Service: Company E., 1st Georgia Cavalry Regiment, CSA

Father: Philip Marion Whisenhunt, Sr.

Mother: Elizabeth Bell

Married: 11 Aug 1857, Carroll county, Georgia

Wife: Nancy C. Coleman

Birth: 1834, Cobb co., Georgia

Death: Lindale, Smith county, Texas

Burial:

Father: Henry Allen Coleman

Mother: Sarah Ann Barnes

CHILDREN:

1. John Lewis Whisenhunt, b. 20 Sep 1859 ; Married Sarah Jane Grey Meredith

2. William G. Whisenhunt, b. Oct. 1861

3. Margaret C. Whisenhunt, b. Abt. 1863

4. Sarah L.A. Whisenhunt, b. Abt. 1865

5. Henry C. Whisenhunt, b. Abt 1869 ; Married Dochia Searcy

6. Mary L. Whisenhunt, b. Abt. 1872

7. Cintha C. Whisenhunt, b. Abt. 1874

8. Emmett W. Whisenhunt, b. Abt. 1877

Family of John Henry Coleman

2009-03-09T16:13:00.004-05:00

Family Group 111

Name: John Henry Coleman

Occupation: Farmer

MILITARY SERVICE: 1st Georgia Cavalry Regiment,CSA

Born: 1 Jul 1840, Cobb co., GA.

Died: 21 Jan 1932, Hoke's Bluff, Etowah co., AL.

Buried: 1st Baptist Church cemetery, Hoke's Bluff.Etowah co., AL.

Father: Henry Allen Coleman, b. 28 Jan 1814

Mother: Sarah Ann Barnes, b. 27 Aug 1807
Married: 15 Nov 1870, Carrollton, Carroll co., GA.

Wife: Sarah Elizabeth Pentecost

Born: 21 Oct 1853, Campbell co., GA.

Died: 10 Jul 1938, Hoke's Bluff, Etowah co., AL.

Buried: 1st Bapt. Church Cem., Hoke's Bluff, Etowahco., AL.

Father: John Samuel Pentecost

Mother: Temperance Patience Arrington

CHILDREN:

1. John Henry Coleman, Jr., b. 31 Aug 1871; Married: Lynford O'Della Abernathy

2. Mary E. Coleman, b. 1874; Married: W.F. Fridell

3. William Allen Coleman, b. 3 Mar 1875 ; Married: Mary Theresa McCullom

4. Cynthia Eugenia Coleman, b. 1878; Married: R.W. (Bud) Palmer

5. Lemuel Kendrick Coleman, b. Abt. 1880 ; Married: Mimmie _______.

6. Dora F. Coleman, b. Abt. 1886 ; Married: Albert Holloway Fore

Death of Francois Michel Auguste Follin

2009-03-08T05:03:00.008-05:00

LAST WILL & TESTAMENT; Michel Follin Charleston, SC, Jun 27, 1812
On the 27th, of June 1812 at Seven O'Clock in the morning before me Barthelemy Vallenet, Chancellor of the Consulate of the French Empire in Charleston, S.C. resident there the undersigned in the presence of witnesses herein after named also undersigned at the request of Mr. Michel Follin a merchant living in said Town I am carried to his residenceon King Street, No. 102, and on arriving there found Mr. Follin in a lower room of the said mansion giving towards the Court seated in an Armchair, sick of body, and sound of mind, memory and understanding and ____________ thus he appeared to me and to the undersigned witnesses by his speech, gesture, manner _____________
his last Will which he himself declared without influence or suggestion from any one and which I have written in my own hand word for word as he said it.
"I am named Michel Follin. I am a native of Beauchamps of Picardie and age eighty-one and it may please God to dispose of me in the sickness with which I am afflicted.
I will and declare that my establishment situated at the corner of Berry and Penthieves Streets in the Town of Mole, St. Nicholas, the Island of Saint Domingo, to be and belong to my little daughter Eulalie Times and that my home in the Soucerome to be and belong to the children of my eldest son now living in Phildelphia, Pa.
As for my jewelry, silverware and other little objects which may be found in my apartment in the house where I am actually residing I give them entirely to my wife Francois Juneau in recognition of good service which she has rendered to me.
I declare anew that the mulatto Charles is the legitimate property of my wife and that nobody has any right to free him for less than a sum of One Thousand gourges I being responsible for this sum since my wife (is indebted?) to my eldest son now in Philadelphia.
I declare that what may be found in the house in which I live belongs to my two sons Auguste and Firmin and that it all came from their gains and savings which they have left me to help take care of my subsistence since the first of May _______________________________
I give to my said two sons, Auguste and Firmin my _______________
and as for the Box which contains my papers it shall be sent to my eldest son.
And to execute the present Will of mine I name as my Executors Auguste and Firmin Follin my children who shall render me this last service."
This was done, said, spoken, dictated and named by said Testator before me the Chancellor and by me read and repeated to him which was well understood by him to contain his last Will in the presence of Mr. Francois Gaspard, Etienne LaComb, Jean L. Pezant and Louis Pezant all French Refugees from Saint Domingo actually residing in the City of Charleston, witnesses required who after having read have signed together with the Testator before me the said Chancellor also signed on the minute.
(Signed) Follin
F. Gaspard, E. LaComb, J. Pezant, L. Pezant and Vallenet,
Chancellor.

DEATH REGISTRATION (Extract): Translation of original document.

CONSULATE OF FRANCE AT CHARLESTON, Extract from Register of Acts, of births, marriages and deaths, in the Chancellory of France at Charleston, South Carolina.

This day, the twentieth of September, One Thousand, Eight Hundredand Thirteen, Five O'Clock in the evening. I, Louis de Fourcroy, Chevalier of the Empire, Member of the Legion of Honor, Consul of His Majesty the Emporor of France, King of Italy,at Charleston, South Carolina. Upon the information given to me by Sieur Auguste Follin, merchant living in this city that Sieur Michel Follin aged Eighty-Two Years, native of Beauchamp in Picardy, husband of Francoise Juneau, had died this day at a quarter before Mid-day, at Boundry Street where he made his residense, I was hastily carried to said home where I found in a lower room of the said house the dead body of Sr. Michel Follin, all of which I have expressed by word of mouth to the Chancellor of the Consulate, and the said Sr. appearing signed with me above Consul and said Chancellor also signed on Register. Follin, Fourcroy and Vallenet (two words erased).Collated and Stamped B. Fourcroy.
Seal of the Empire here Consul de France Charles Town around the Imperial Eagle.

BURIAL,(EXTRACT): Register of St Mary's Church cemetery, Charleston, SC" Book 11, Page 25: September 21, 1813 - Today there was buried in the cemetery of this Church the body of (?) Francois Michel Augustin Follin, native of Beauchamps in Picardy son of Michel Follin and Lady (dame) Mariam Esambour, age 82 years, 11 months, and 2 days. Merchant and resident of this City, where he had refuggeed from Mole, St Nicholas, Saint Domingo. In presence of _____Benoist, J.L. Pezant, J.J. Lapeune, F.G. Pague (?), J. Cheuman (?), Cloriviere (cure)"

****

Note:

1. Francois Michel Auguste Follin was born October 1731 in Beauchamps, Picardie, France. His wife, Marie Francoise Juneau, was born 1755 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Died December 1813 in Charleston, SC).

2. The name of the Follin family Chateau was "Chateau de Gama," located at St Dominque or Paris Two Lions.

3. The eldest son living in Philadelphia was Auguste-Firmin Follin, His brother Mathew Firmin Follin, was known as "Firmin."

4. Francois Michel Auguste Follin, b. Oct. 1731, was the 4th Great Grandfather of Elwood R. Coleman, Sr., (1921-1998), of New Orleans, Louisiana, son of John Allen Coleman and Marie Antoinette Perez-Follin.

Sources:
1. Historical and Genealogical Research of the FOLLIN family by Mrs. C. Ritchie Simmons, Charleston, SC (1939): Provided by Mrs. Mary A. Potter, Philadelphia, PA.
2. Last Will & Testament of Michel Follin, June 27th, 1812, Charleston, SC.
3. Certificate of Death, French Consulate at Charleston, SC (French to English translation), Sep. 20, 1813
4. St Mary's Church, Charleston, SC., Church Register, Register of Marriages, Births, Death and Burials.
5. Obituary of Jean Charles Auguste Follin, Ref. "The Charleston Courier," March 15, 1835, Charleston, SC
6. Book of Internments, 1818-1837, St Mary's Catholic Church cemetery, Charleston, SC.
7. Deed, 1839, Marengo county, Alabama, Grantors: Follin family & Davenport family, Grantee: Stewart.

Last Will & Testament of Benjamin Register

2009-03-08T04:43:00.001-05:00

Death of the elder Benjamin Register Date: April 5th, 1811
Notes: The Last Will and Testament of Benjamin Register of Sampson co., NC

"In the name of God Amen, I Benjamin Register of the county of Sampson and State of North Carolina being of sound mind and perfect memory blessed be God, do this fifth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eleven make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form that is to say.In the first place, I give and bequeath unto my son John Register my negro Penny, to him and his heirs forever my said negro woman Penny being old and somewhat infirm and having been hither a faithful slave to me in consideration thereof and for the taking of said negro woman in case she should become helpless, as it is likely she may and within a few years. I also give and bequeath unto my son John Register ten dollars, to be paid in money, also what property my negro woman Penny has of her own, to wit, a bed _____ and furniture, a chest, a table and two chairsd, etc. I give and bequeath unto my son John Register in care for my said Negro woman Penny, it being my wish she should enjoy them together with a cotton wheel and two pair of cotton cards.Secondly I give and bequeath unto the heirs or children of my son Silas Register deceased the sum of forty shillings to be paid them in money by my executors, and to be equally divided among them.Thirdly and lastly, I give and bequeath the balance of my estate unto my sons Thomas Register, Benjamin Register, John Register, Joseph Register, and my daughter Mary Cook to them and theirs forever to be equally divided among them, and I hereby make and ordain my son John Register and my trusty friend John Bryan, Executors to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal the day and date above written.

Signatures:Benjamin Register signed with his mark which looks like a capital "B"

Signed, sealed published and declared by the said Benjamin Register the testator as his last will and testament in the presence of us who were present at the time of signing and sealing thereof.
John Bryan
Burrell Register
John Register
Elias Sutton

Death of William Register

2009-03-06T17:41:00.005-06:00

The following obituary of William Register, 1814-1893, was published in the "Valdosta Times," newspaper, on October, 7, 1893 and was reprinted in the "Register Family Magazine."Obituary of William Register, "Valdosta Times," October 7, 1893."

OBITUARY : William Register, 1814-1893

"Mr. William Register passed away Sept. 4, at the age of 79 years, having been born in Bulloch County, Ga., Sept. 29, 1814. When a boy, he removed with his parents to Cat Creek, Lowndes County, where he resided for a number of years, and then moved near where Stockton is now; his father once owned the entire landed interest where that town is now situated. While his father resided there, the subject of this sketch united in marriage with Miss Luraney Harnage of Lowndes County, who still survives, Rev. William A. Knight, officiating. After his marriage, William and his young wife located one mile west of where DuPont is now located. While living there he enlisted in the Seminole War as a private under the command of Zachery Taylor, where he remained on and off duty until the close. During the time, he displayed wonderful courage equal to the bravest; not only in the engagements, but as a scout, was most remarkably alert. Many were the successes attained by Taylor's command. Mr. Register with others, opened and cut the first public road penetrating the wilds of South Florida where not only the savage man but the more savage beasts were ever hiding to surprise the unsuspecting pioneer. He too was one of the brave little band of twenty-five who so bravely put to flight the hostile tribe of Indians from what is now known as Indian Hammock on the Suwannoochee Creek. Many noble acts of heroism, privation, and peril characterized this little band of braves.""After the close of the war with the Seminoles, Mr. Register moved twelve miles south of where DuPont now is, where he lived until his death on the 4th of Sept. 1893, covering a period of 48 years. In 1849, he received a sunstroke which rendered him a comparative invalid the remainder of his life. He raised an interesting family of nine sons and two daughters, all of whom survive him; also his descendants are numerous, leaving 71 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, most of them now living in this section. Five of his sons enlisted ( also as did their father for a short while) in the late war and remained until its close, and remarkable as it seems, only two were wounded and none killed or died.""Mr. Register was a farmer and stockraiser by profession. In both he was eminently successful, and before his death had accumulated quite a fortune. For twenty years or more he was a faithful member of the Primitive Baptist Church and his remains now rest beside his father and a sister, from their toils, under the shades in Wayfare Church cemetery in Echols County. Honesty, integrity, and truth nobly followed him everywhere and in all his dealings; and he bequeaths not only to his children his earthly inheritance but a life pure as pure can be and as spotless as the glittering gems of paradise. His sons are industrious, useful, and noble examples of integrity, one of them, Samuel W. Register, now being the efficient clerk of the Superior Court of Clinch County.""In closing this sketch, it seems proper to say that in the death of Mr. Register this county (Clinch) and southeast Georgia loses one of its best citizens __ that class or school of citizens or men who make any country. He has nobly done his part in the advancement of the material prosperity and development of this part of Georgia. His career antedates that of railroads in this section; they were hardly dreamed of. Commerce and trade was carried on by wagons and carts with Darien, old Center Village and a few other minor places. Justice was bi-annually dispensed at old Magnolia, now an old field of pine saplings. Men were honest and their words were gilt-edge security, shin-plasters plentiful __ then indeed, it is sad to see the virtuous of these good old times pass away to the "silent land of sleepers" when we see so few of them left to relate the history of such times.""A a son, Mr. Register was dutiful; as a father, he was affectionate; as a husband, loving; as a citizen, brother and neighbor, obliging and true. Let us ever cherish his memory and endeavor to emulate his noble examples."Homerville, Ga., Sept. 24, 1893 _A FRIEND.

Benjamin Register

2009-02-28T15:55:00.003-06:00

Extract from "The Registers And Our Kin," by Lamar Wells, Gateway Press, INC., Baltimore, 1989.

Benjamin Register is the progenitor of all the Registers and their kin mentioned in this book. Spouses of his descendants may or may not have been his descendants. In many cases they were.
He was a Revolutionary War soldier after all his children were born. He owned a considerable amount of land. His name is mentioned several times in land records as the buyer and sometimes the seller.
Land records show that there were five other Registers that lived in the area with him before his children were born. They were John, William, Thomas, Joseph, and Silas. I believe they were all brothers. One of them may have been father to the rest. It has been told that there was another, named David, that was the father of Jesse, who ran away as a teenager and went to South Carolina for awhile and went from there to Laurnes co., Georgia, area. In all my research, the only mention of David that I have found is that he is the father of Jesse in "Pioneers of Wiregrass, Georgia," by Huxford. I believe that there was one by that name.
Several sources have said that Benjamin had a son by named William. I could be mistaken, though. He would have been born between 1760 and 1764.

Children:
1. John Register, b. about 1760, d. about 1835, m. Dorcas Rowell Nov. 16, 1781. She was b. about 1763, d. about 1810. Note: Benjamin Register was the 5th Great Grandfather of Merle Anita (Young) Coleman; Benjamin's son , John b. 1760, was her 4th Great Grandfather.
2. Silas Register, b. 1761, d. before 1811, m. unknown.
3. Thomas Register, b. 1766, wife unknown.
4. Benjamin Register, Jr., b. 1770, wife unknown.
5. Joseph Register, b. in the 1770's, wife unknown.
6. Mary Register, b. 1776, m. James Cook who would have been considerably older than she as there are land records concerning him before her birth."

John Register

2009-02-27T17:18:00.003-06:00

Extract from "The Registers And Our Kin," by Lamar Wells, Gateway Press, INC., Baltimore, 1989.

"John Register, said to be a Revolutionary War soldier, was born about 1760, son of Bejamin Register, a proven Revolutionary soldier. John was married on Nov. 16, 1781 in Duplin co., NC, to Dorcas Rowell, born in 1763 in the same county and died 1810. He moved with his family to Bulloch co., GA. area, and after his wife died, he went to Laurens co., GA. area, and died there in 1835. To John and Dorcas were born:

CHILDREN:
1. Nancy Register, b. 1782, d. 1873, m. William Tomlinson, b. 1781, d. 1866.
2. Unity Regster, b. about 1783, m. Edward Mathis.
3. Sallie Register, b. Sept. 11, 1785, d. 11867, m. John Bennett who d. May 11, 1849.
4. Samuel Register, b. Dec. 1, 1786, d. Apr. 8, 1869, m. Elizabeth Skinner, b. Apr. 5, 1789, d. Aug. 20, 1871.
Note: Samuel and Elizabeth (Skinner) Register were the parents of William Register b. 1814, and were the 3rd Great Grandparents of Merle Anita (Young) Coleman of Clinch co., GA.
5. William Register, b. 1787, d. 1848, m. Ricy Johnson, b. about 1790, d. about 1840.
6. Mary Register, b. 1796, d. 1876, m. Samuel Griffis.
7. Abraham Register, b. Oct. 21, 1800, d. Nov. 1872, m1st. Mary Stewart, b. 1804, d. 1855, Feb. 3, 1825, m2nd. Sarah Ann Tyre, b. 1832, d. 1910, Dec. 23, 1858.

John Register evidently went to Laurens co., GA., area because he had cousins living there, the details of which have not yet been established. I think it is fairly obvious that John Register after his wife Dorcas died in 1810, first went to Sampson county, N.C. to visit his father Benjamin. It was the next year, 1811, that Benjamin wrote his will and made John co-executor of his will with John Bryan. How long he remained in North Carolina before he went to Laurens county, Georgia, I don't know.

Marriage Bond of John Register and Dorcas Rowell16 Nov 1781 State of N. Carolina, Duplin County:
Know all men by these presents that we John Register and Benja Register all of the county aforesaid held firmly-bound unto his excellancy the Gov. in the just and full sum of five hundred pounds current money to be paid to said governor or his successors in office to which payment will and truely be made we bind ourselves our Heirs, Executors and Admin" jointly and severally firmly by these presents sealed with our seals and dated this 16th day of Nov. 1781.The condition of the above obligation is such that wheras the said John Register above bound hath the day and date hereof made application to this office for licens of marriage between him and Dorcas Rowell of the said county singlewoman and hath obtained the same. Now if therefore it shall happen at any time hereafter that there is any lawful cause or just impediment to obstruct the said marriage then the above to be void or free to stand & remain in full force power and virtue.

Signed Sealed and delivered in the presence of John Register (Seal)
Benja Register (Seal)
Wm. Dukson C.C.

Samuel Register

2009-02-27T16:55:00.006-06:00

Extract from "The Registers And Our Kin," by Lamar Wells, Gateway Press, Inc., Baltimore, 1989.

Samuel Register, son of John and Dorcas, was born in Sampson county, NC., Dec. 1, 1786, and died at his home in Clinch county, GA., April 8, 1869. He was married in April 1806 to Miss Elizabeth Skinner, native of South Carolina where she was born April 5, 1789. She died at her home in Clinch county, August 20, 1871. Her parents are thought to have been Edward and Anna Skinner who lived in Darlington District, SC. That her mother was certainly Mrs. Anna Skinner is evidenced by the fact that she made a deed of gift to home-place of 150 acres and her personal property in Bulloch county, GA. to her son, Randall Skinner, January 4, 1828 (deed book "A", page 525, Bulloch county). Randall Skinner was a known brother of Grandmother Register and was born in 1802 and moved down to this section before 1830 and lived and died in Clinch county. He is the ancestor of te Skinners of South Georgia and a good many of the name in Florida.

Children:

1. Zilpha Register, b. Feb. 4, 1807, m. John Tomlinson (1st cousin).
2. Eady (Edith) Register, b. Mar. 1, 1809, m. Thomas Mathis of Berrien co.
3. Guilford Register, b. Jan. 7, 1811, m. Pricilla Ann DeVane.
4. David Register, b. Apr. 10, 1813, m. Matilda McDaniel of Bulloch co.
5. William Register, b. Sept. 24, 1814, m. Luraney Harnage from Liberty co.
Note: William Register was the father of Samuel W. Register and 2d Great Grandfather of Merle Anita (Young) Coleman of Clinch co.,GA.
6. John Register, June 10, 1819, m1st. Elizabeth Cowart, m2nd. Mary Ann Fiveash.
7. Rebecca Register, b. Apr. 5, 1821, m. Hillery Cowart of Echols co.
8. Phoebe Register, b. Aug. 15, 1823, m. Zachariah Lee of Clinch co.
9. Jincy Register, b. June 15, 1824, m. Moses C. Lee of Berrien co.
10. Ivy Register, b. Apr. 22, 1825, m1st. Leta Lee, m2nd. Lavinia Arold, no issue.
11. Samuel E. Register, b. Sept. 16, 1826, m1st. Seneth Lee, m2nd. Mary Hutto, m3rd. Josephine Guthrie, lived in Berrien co.
12. Elizabeth Register, b. Aug. 21, 1828, m. William Patten of present Lanier co.
13. Reubin Register, b. Nov. 25, 1830, m. Harriet Brown, lived in present Berrien co.
14. Martha Register, b. Dec. 18, 1831, m. Hillery P. Mathis of present Lanier co.

It is not known just where Samuel and Elizabeth Register were married. It is known that the Register family was in Bulloch county at the time of the marriage of his sister, Nancy, to William Tomlinson in 1804 (that marriage being of record there). It is possible that the marriage of Samuel took place there and that the license was never recorded, or, it may have taken place in the adjoining county of Burke (where a large Skinner family lived), the records of Burke having been burned about 1856-58. The court records of Bulloch show that Samuel Register served as a grand juror and as a petit juror at various terms of the Superior Court prior to 1824. No deeds appear of record there to show he was a land-owner there. He moved from Bulloch to Appling county in either 1824 or 1825. He lived there until about 1826, when he moved to Lowndes county and settled in the 10th land district, near the present town of Ray City in present Berrien county, and on a farm in recent years the home-place of the late J.S. "Dock" Shaw. The 1827 Land Lottery showed that he registered to participate in it, as a resident of the 10th district of Lowndes, and was classified as "soldier," thus denoting he had taken part in the War of 1812 ("soldiers" were entitled to free draws in the lottery). About 1840-42, he sold out his home-place referred to above and moved to where the town of Stockton now stands, and acquired lot of land No. 500, 11th district. (This territory was taken out of Lowndes in 1850 and put into the new county of Clinch, and in 1920 was cut out of Clinch into Lanier county.) The deed records do not show anything about the ownership of this lot of land prior to 1860. The town of Stockton was laid out of a portion of Lot 500, by Grandfather Samuel Register, as soon as it became a certainty the new railroad would be built through there from Savannah to Thomasville. He named it "Registerville," but the railroad people changed the name to "Stockton" by 1860, in honor of one of their contractors, a Mr. Stockton, who had charge of the road construction. The railroad was first known as the "Atlantic & Gulf Railroad" and is now the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. Three or four deeds are on record from Grandfather Register to lots in "Registerville" but the deeds to other town lots have either never been recorded or if recorded, the record was burned when the Clinch county courthouse was burned in 1867 and all records lost. The map prepared for "Registerville" is also lost. A description of the new town of Stockton is found in a news item published in "The Savannah Morning News" of Savannah, in its issue of April 6, 1860:
" A writer in the Thomasville Watchman gives an account of his trip over the Atlantic & Gulf to Stockton, the present terminus of the road, and compliments of Capt. T.J. Naylor, the conductor of the train. The writer was struck with Stockton which he describes as a brisk little place with its hotel and livery stable, to say nothing of its numerous refreshment saloons. The writer said he found 120 bales of cotton awaiting shipment over the road, together with much other freight."
Living on the railroad apparently did not suit Grandfather and Grandmother Register, as they moved from there about 1863-4, to Lot of Land 230, 12th district of Clinch county, which was located about two miles from where their son, William Register, was living at the time. They later lived four or five miles south of old "Magnolia," the former county seat of Clinch. It was there that the old couple spent their last days in quietude, honored and beloved by their large family of fourteen grown children and an ever-increasing circle of grandchildren, and revered and respected by their neighbors.
The first of the fourteen children to die was the daughter, Eady. She had journeyed to Clinch from her home in Berrien county, to visit her aged parents, being called there by the enfeebled condition of her father. Soon after arriving there, she herself was taken sick with a cold which developed rapidly into pneumonia, and she died on the 10th of February, 1869. Her short illness and untimely death bowed her parents with grief. Her father could not long survive the shock, and himself died two months later, the 9th of April.
Grandfather Register acquired lot of land No. 230 aforesaid, from his brother, Abraham, by deed July 13, 1853; and on Oct. 25, 1853, he bought adjoining Lot 275 from the Hon. James W. Staten. He owned these two lots until he died. On Dec. 2, 1869, all the heirs, except Mrs. Jincy Lee and Samuel E. Register, met at the old home of their deceased father, and made arrangements for the care of their mother and disposition of the estate property. The son, William, agreed to take care of his old mother, and support her, and a short instrument to that effect was drawn up and signed. The home-place lot 230 was deeded him for $572.00 Lot 275 was deed to the son, Guilford. Grandmother Register joined in the execution of the instruments which were sent to the two absent children, and signed by them. Thomas Mathis signed for himself and the children of his deceased wife, Eady.
So far as is known, Samuel Register never united with any church. His wife was a faithful member of the Primitive Baptist Church for over forty years prior to her death. She first united with the Fellowship Baptist Church in Appling county; and on Sept. 13, 1828, was received by letter from that church into Union Church. She remained a member there until April 10, 1841, when she , with others, was dismissed by letter and entered into the organization of Wayfare Church in May 1841. She was granted a letter of dismissal from Wayfare Jan. 6, 1855, but came back by letter Sept. 5, 1868, and died a member. Where her membership was from 1855 to 1868 has not yet been ascertained."

William Register

2009-02-27T14:37:00.006-06:00

EXTRACT from pages eight thru nine of "The Register Family Magazine," (date published unknown)

WILLIAM REGISTER, 1814-1893, Son of Samuel And Elizabeth
"William Register was born in Bulloch County,(Georgia) Sept. 29, 1814. He was the third son of Grandfather Samuel and Elizabeth, his wife. He was 10-11 years old when his parents moved to Lowndes now Berrien County. He was married May 24, 1838, to Miss Luraney Harnage. She was a native of Liberty County, where her father, Jacob Harnage, had died a few years before (1831). The estate records in Liberty County show that her brother, Isaac Harnage, became her guardian and qualified as such September 3, 1832, also he became guardian at the same time for her sisters, Winnifred and Elizabeth. When Isaac and family moved to Ware County (territory now in Clinch County) about 1835, he brought his sisters or wards with him. Winnifred later married George B. Williamson of Ware County (Georgia), and Luraney married William Register; we are unable to learn what became of Elizabeth. Mrs. Luraney Register was born in Liberty County (Georgia), March 1st, 1818, and was therefore 20 years old when she married. To her and William Register were born eleven children, viz:"
CHILDREN:
1. Samuel W., b. Aug. 5, 1839, m. Mary Stanford, dau. of David.
Note: Samuel W. Register was the maternal Great Grandfather of Merle Anita Young of Clinch co., GA.
2. John Taylor, b. Feb. 10, 1841, m. 1st. Sarah Stalvey, dau. of Benj., 2nd Katie O'Kane, dau. of James O'Kane.
3. Guilford A., b. Apr. 13, 1842, m. Rachel E. Hughes, dau. of William.
4. Oliver Perry, b. Jan. 22, 1844, m. Mary Clifton, dau. of Ezekiel.
5. Abraham R., b. Feb. 8, 1846, m. Elizabeth Stalvey, daughter of Benjamin.
6. Harris, b. July 31, 1848, died Nov. 5, 1852.
7. Mary E., b. Nov. 26, 1850, m. 1st. E.B. Allen, 2nd J.D. Weaver. No Issue.
8. Martha, b. July 22, 1853, m. Ezekiel S. Sirmans, no surviving issue.
9. Moses C., b. Oct. 1, 1855, m. Annis Tomlinson, dau. of Sherod.
10. Orren, b. Mar. 15, 1858, m. Victoria Burkhalter, dau. of James M.
11. William J., b. Oct. 23, 1860, m. Eliza Stalvey, dau of Benjamin.

Obituary/Biography:
The following obituary of William Register, 1814-1893, was published in the "Valdosta Times," newspaper, on October, 7, 1893 and was reprinted in the "Register Family Magazine."

Obituary of William Register, "Valdosta Times," October 7, 1893.
"Mr. William Register passed away Sept. 4, at the age of 79 years, having been born in Bulloch County, Ga., Sept. 29, 1814. When a boy, he removed with his parents to Cat Creek, Lowndes County, where he resided for a number of years, and then moved near where Stockton is now; his father once owned the entire landed interest where that town is now situated. While his father resided there, the subject of this sketch united in marriage with Miss Luraney Harnage of Lowndes County, who still survives, Rev. William A. Knight, officiating. After his marriage, William and his young wife located one mile west of where DuPont is now located. While living there he enlisted in the Seminole War as a private under the command of Zachery Taylor, where he remained on and off duty until the close. During the time, he displayed wonderful courage equal to the bravest; not only in the engagements, but as a scout, was most remarkably alert. Many were the successes attained by Taylor's command. Mr. Register with others, opened and cut the first public road penetrating the wilds of South Florida where not only the savage man but the more savage beasts were ever hiding to surprise the unsuspecting pioneer. He too was one of the brave little band of twenty-five who so bravely put to flight the hostile tribe of Indians from what is now known as Indian Hammock on the Suwannoochee Creek. Many noble acts of heroism, privation, and peril characterized this little band of braves."
"After the close of the war with the Seminoles, Mr. Register moved twelve miles south of where DuPont now is, where he lived until his death on the 4th of Sept. 1893, covering a period of 48 years. In 1849, he received a sunstroke which rendered him a comparative invalid the remainder of his life. He raised an interesting family of nine sons and two daughters, all of whom survive him; also his descendants are numerous, leaving 71 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, most of them now living in this section. Five of his sons enlisted ( also as did their father for a short while) in the late war and remained until its close, and remarkable as it seems, only two were wounded and none killed or died."
"Mr. Register was a farmer and stockraiser by profession. In both he was eminently successful, and before his death had accumulated quite a fortune. For twenty years or more he was a faithful member of the Primitive Baptist Church and his remains now rest beside his father and a sister, from their toils, under the shades in Wayfare Church cemetery in Echols County. Honesty, integrity, and truth nobly followed him everywhere and in all his dealings; and he bequeaths not only to his children his earthly inheritance but a life pure as pure can be and as spotless as the glittering gems of paradise. His sons are industrious, useful, and noble examples of integrity, one of them, Samuel W. Register, now being the efficient clerk of the Superior Court of Clinch County."
"In closing this sketch, it seems proper to say that in the death of Mr. Register this county (Clinch) and southeast Georgia loses one of its best citizens __ that class or school of citizens or men who make any country. He has nobly done his part in the advancement of the material prosperity and development of this part of Georgia. His career antedates that of railroads in this section; they were hardly dreamed of. Commerce and trade was carried on by wagons and carts with Darien, old Center Village and a few other minor places. Justice was bi-annually dispensed at old Magnolia, now an old field of pine saplings. Men were honest and their words were gilt-edge security, shin-plasters plentiful __ then indeed, it is sad to see the virtuous of these good old times pass away to the "silent land of sleepers" when we see so few of them left to relate the history of such times."
"A a son, Mr. Register was dutiful; as a father, he was affectionate; as a husband, loving; as a citizen, brother and neighbor, obliging and true. Let us ever cherish his memory and endeavor to emulate his noble examples."
Homerville, Ga., Sept. 24, 1893 _A FRIEND.

Samuel W. Register

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Biographical Data:

OCCUPATION: Justice of the Peace, Mayor & member of Board of Education.

MILITARY: Confederate Veteran, Company G, 50th Georgia Infantry Regiment.

MARRIAGE: Married 18 Aug 1859 to Mary Stanford, d/o David and Agnes (Akins)Stanford, natives of Bullock county, Georgia.

Samuel W. Register: b. 5 Aug 1839, Clinch co., GA._d. 17 May 1908 ; son of William Register and Luraney Harnage. Married Mary Stanford, b. 11 Dec 1840,Lowndes co., GA. _d. 7 Sep. 1915 ; daughter of David Stanford and Agnes Atkins.

CHILDREN:
Delia Register, b. 17 Mar 1861 m. Nov 13 1902 to Eli J. FutchSalena
Victoria Register,b.16 Apr 1868 m. Feb 28 1864 to Mitchel H. Hilliard.
Malinda Register, b. 13 Jun 1870 m. Feb 7, 1889 to James Stewart Bennett.
Henrietta Register, b. 18 Feb 1872 m. Jan 28, 1902 to Harlan McLain(McLean)
Augustus Otis Register, b. 20 Nov 1872 m.1st:Apr 14, 1898 to Margaret Inman.
Note: Augustus Otis Register was the father of Mary Belle (Register) Young and the maternal grandfather of Merle Anita (Young) Coleman.
Lillie Jeanette Register, b. 25 Apr 1876 m. Aug 26,1896 to Henry J. Griffis
Meddie Delphia Register, b. 5 Jan 1878 m.1st:Jun 15,1897 to David E. Kirkland
Effie Evelyn Register, b. 16 Jun 1879 m. Jul 17,1904 to Julian E. Jordan
Julia M. Register, b. 15 Jul 1881 d. 21 Oct 1881
Bertha C. Register, b. 2 Aug 1882 m.1st:Jul 31,1898 to Levi Stokes Malone

BIOGRAPHY:
Samuel W. Register was a life-long resident of Clinch county, Georgia and lived in the Withers(1365th) district of Clinch county until 1893 when heremoved to Homerville where he lived until his death. When the Civil War came on, he volunteered May 1, 1862. in Company "G," 50th Georgia Regiment, which was a company made up of Clinch county men and was mustered in at Homerville May 1st, 1862. He served throughout the war, and lost three fingers on his left hand in the Battle of Manasses, Virginia, August 30, 1862. He was paroled in Virginia in April 1865, and returned to his home in Clinch county. In the next county election in January, 1866, he was elected tax collector of Clinch county, and served 1866-1868. When the first Board of Education of Clinch county was set up in 1872, he was appointed by the grand jury as a member, and served four years. He was elected Justice of the Peace in the newly-formed 1365th (Withers) district in 1885, and served in that office until 1890 when he resigned. He was defeated in January,1891, for clerk of superior court; he was the Democratic nominee, but was defeated by the incumbent, W.A. Ecord, who was the Populist nominee. But two years later, he was the Democratic nominee and defeated his Populist opponent by a vote of 326 to 162. He assumed office about two weeks later, and by continuous re-elections held the office until his death the 17th of May, 1908, having held the office longer than any other incumbent in the county's history. Mr. Register was a member of the Masonic fraternity for over fifty years at his death, and had a distinguished service in the order. He first received his Masonic degrees in Stockton Lodge, No. 266, at Stockton, in 1867, and in that lodge served in the offices of junior deacon 1869, 1870, 1871, and senior warden 1872, 1873. Then after that lodge was dissolved about 1876, he affiliated with Cassia Lodge No. 224 at Homerville, Sept. 27, 1879, and there served as senior deacon in 1885, and as worshipful master four years, viz.,1887, 1888, 1889, 1891.
About that time a movement was launched to organize a lodge at DuPont, which was much nearer to his home, and he entered in as a charter member Oct 27, 1892. The next year he became worshipful master and served 1893, 1894, 1895, 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900. Due to advancing age he thereafter declined any further office but was a frequent attendant in the meetings until his death. The Masonic funeral service was conducted at the grave when he was buried, a large concourse of Masons from both the Homerville and DuPont lodges attending. He was not a member of any church. Mr. Register served as mayor of his town, Homerville, in 1906 and 1907.

Source: Register Family Association; Rt.4, Box 818, Palatka, Florida,

Jose D. Perez-Gomez

2009-02-24T15:19:00.006-06:00

Patriot, Railroadman, Promotor, Agriculturist And Senator

Biography from "Honduras," an English-Spanish trade magazine published in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, written in 1930.

Nephew of the famous generalissimo and "Grand Old Man" of Cuba, Maximo Gomez,the subject of this biography Jose Perez Gomez came to Honduras in the year 1881, on a visit with his uncle Maximo to stir up propaganda in favor of the Cuban Revolution. After exerting his every effort in favor of his native country he finally decided to settle in Honduras to which end he married the charming Miss Paulina Follin from which union were born nine children, as follows: Carlos, Alonso, Francisco, Lisandro, Antonia (now married to Mr. John Coleman), Leonela, Dolores (today the beautiful wife of Mr. Jose Maria Zepeda), Zoila, Angelina, and Celia. During the early years of his residence in this country, he was in the employof the railroad, later on he decided to strike out for himself in agriculture,(bananas cultivation and cattle breeding), and today he is the proud owner of one of the finest mixed ranches in the country. Still later on we find him branching out as theatre proprieter having built and is now operating the theatre "Variedades" in the city of San Pedro Sula. In the year 1894, in San Pedro Sula, the Masonic Lodge Eureka No. 5 was founded, and of which Mr. Perez Gomez has several times been Venerable Master,and as a matter of fact he is today the only survivor of the original charter members or founders. In the year 1889, he had the honor to be elected municipal mayor of the city of San Pedro Sula, serving a full term of four years. In Mr. Perez Gomez one finds an energetic worker, a man of strong initiative and brilliant ideas, a man who has proven a success entirely due to his own personal efforts and attention to business.

Cyrena M. McDonald

2009-02-23T19:49:00.013-06:00

An Account Of The Allied Family of Cyrena M. McDonald
Of

Clan Donald

Cyrena M. McDonald, born February 16, 1821, was the third great grandmother of Elwood R. Coleman, Jr. on his maternal side of the YOUNG family of Ware and Clinch county, Georgia. She was the daughter of Randall McDonald (son of Donald), born April 24, 1797 on the Isle of Skye, Scotland,(Died December 21, 1864, Ware co., GA.), and Catherine Miller, born December 16, 1799 in Screven co., GA.(Died July 14, 1877, Ware co., GA.) Cyrena M. McDonald married James Inman ,(b. December 10.1814 ),in which issued thirteen children. One of these, James Hershell Inman,(b.12 Nov 1850 in Ware co., GA.), married Isabella Knowels,(b. about 1862), and of this marriage was issue of eight children. One of these, Margaret Cyrena Inman,(b. Jul 1875 in Ware co., GA.), married Augustus Otis Register, (b. 20 Nov 1873 in Clinch co., GA.), and to them were born Mary Belle Register, (b. 2 Oct 1900 in Clinch co., GA.). Mary Belle Register married Peter Lester Young,(b. 5 Jan 1894 in Ware co., GA.), who was the father of Merle Anita Young, mother of Elwood R. Coleman, Jr.

NOTES:
NAME: Also spelled Serina
CENSUS: 1860 Census, Ware county, Georgia. 39 year old female, member of household of James Inman.
1. Ware County, August 17, 1852
Page 267: James Inman to Donald J. McDonald, both of Ware County, 8th District, Lot # 75, for $50. Signed by: James Inman. Witnessed by: D.E. Knoles and John F. Sweat, J.I.C. Rec. 2/25/1876.
(Source: HGSM, Vol XXVI Number 3, page 172)
2. Note: James Inman, grantor, 1814-1897. His first wife Cyrene McDonald was a sister of the grantee, Donald J. McDonald, 1825-1874, (Vol.V). They were children of Dr. Randal McDonald, (Vol. I). James Inman was a son of John Inman, 1775-1845, (Vol. V). Witness, D.E. Knoles same as in the above deed and was first cousin of D.J. McDonald.
(Source: HGSM, Vol XXVI Number 3, page 172)
3. Ware County, October 25, 1847 (?)
Page 291: William A. McDonald to Nathan Brewton, both of Ware County, for
$25, 1/2 (one half) of Lot # 31, 8th District, Ware County, 245 acres, south side of Mill Creek. Signed by: William A. McDnald: Witnessed by: James Fullwood and James Inman, J.I.C. Rec. 2/26/1876.
(Source: HGSM, Vol XXVI Number 3, page 177)

DEATH/BURIAL:
Cyrene Inman, wife of James Inman and daughter of D. R. and Catharine McDonald, was born February 26th 1831 and died in Clinch county, Ga., May 23th 1875. J. R. Booth
SOURCE: DEATH AND OBITUARY NOTICES FROM THE SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE 1867-1878. Issue of August 18, 1875.

A partial reminiscence of our branch of the Clan Donald. By Angus Robertson MacDonald, Montgomery, Alabama, U.S.A. 1902.

John MacDonald, son of Angus, who was son of Samuel, son of James, was born in the year 1749 in the Village of Dalavilla, four miles S.E. of Armadale Castle, the residence of the lords MacDonald on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. Of the lineal ancestors named, - Angus, Samuel and James, the writer knows but little. Tradition says that they were rental agents of the lords. It is also said that they rented farming and grazing lands themselves, and sub-rented the same at large profits to themselves. This office our line holds to this day. Tradition also says that James, the last named above was a man of extraordinary size. He was so strong that it is said he could twist the leg bone of an ox into fragments by the strength of his hands. As to the truth of this tradition, "this deponeth saith not".

The said John MacDonald had three sons - Archibald, Angus, and Donald, my father. Archibald remained in Scotland, and his sons went to New South Wales in Australia when the gold mines in that country induced imigration from all civilized countries. We have, for many years, been in correspondence with their children and grand-children, who have uniformly been intelligent and leading citizens of that country, both in Church and State. They and other enterprising Scots were the founders of Presbyterianism in that country. One daughter with her husband went to Nova Scotia. Of them I know nothing more. Two daughters, Mary and Flora, married in Scotland, but their descendants are now in New South Wales and New Zealand. The father, my grand-father, John MacDonald, his two sons, Angus and Donald (my father), and his daughter, Mrs. Sarah McGillivray, came to America in 1799. They crossed the Atlantic in a sailing ship, and were three months on the water before reaching Wilmington, N. C.

They came up the Cape Fear River to Cross-Creek, now Fayetteville, in a pole boat, that being the kind of craft that plied the rivers. from Cross Creek they went north to Moore County, and bought land near Deep River. He died there in the 54th year of his age. Mrs. Sarah McGillivray died in Moore County, leaving three sons and three daughters. John, Alexander and Donald; Jeanette, Margaret and Nancy. John was a merchant at Newnan, Coweta County, Ga. He then went to Sylvan Hill in Hancock County; there he married, and finally went to Texas, where he and his wife died, leaving a refined daughter, his only heir.

Jeanette married Alexander Johnston. They came to Sylvan Hill, Ga. but went from there to Milledgeville to educate their only child, John, who died there during his collegiate course. The parents then went back to Moore County, N.C., where they died.Alexander married a Miss Morris, and died leaving a large family.

Margaret died un-married.

Nancy married a Mr. Morris, and died leaving a small family.Donald married Miss Nancy McIver, a lady of great social and moral worth. They have been defrauded out of their portion of the parental estates went to Texas, where they both died.

Angus McDonald.The second son, Angus, first married in Scotland. His first wife died in N.C., leaving one daughter, Janet who married a Mr. Donald Kelley, a man of property and moral worth. The Rev. James Kelly, a Presbyterian preacher, and an eminent educator, of Bladen County, N.C. is a son of his. The highly educated and refined Mary Kelly, who became the wife of my brother-in-law, Robert McCadden, late of New Salem, N.C. was her only daughter. The mother and daughter are both dead. The sons died, all but James, in the civil war.

The second wife of said Angus was Isabella MacDonald, who died leaving two sons and two daughters. The eldest son, John B. married Miss Katherine Worthy, and came to Sumter County, Ga., where by an honest, industrial and economical life, he accumilated a good property. Two of his sons, Angus and Worthy, died in the civil war. He died leaving four sons and four daughters Hugh MacDonald, a prosperous merchant of Atlanta, Ga. John A. MacDonald, a very wealthy farmer and merchant, of Plains, Ga.; Dr. Collons M. MacDonald, late of Leesburg, Ga., and Kenneth M. MacDonald, a large and prosperous planter of Sumter, Ga.; were all sons of the highly esteemed and much missed John B. MacDonald. These four sons inherited largely the lovable characteristics of their lamented father. his living daughters are Mary, the wife of Frank Market, a prosperous farmer of Sumter, Ga., who has raised a large and highly esteemed family; and Misses Lizzie and Maggie, who are yet unmarried. Their social and christian merits are highly appreciated by their large circle of acquaintances. Flora, the youngest daughter died in early life. Having a kind and social nature, and being a devout christian, her kindred and large circle of warm friends mourned her early departure, but she was too ripe a christian to be left here in a world of sin and sorrow, hence she was taken up to her eternal home in Heaven.

Isabella, the eldest daughter, married Duncan T. McLain, who is a prosperous planter near Herod, Ga. He accumilated a property that amply enabled him to give all of his children a liberal business educaation. He is still living on the farm upon which he made his little fortune by scientific farming. His amiable wife, Isabella, was always of a delicate constitution, and finally succombed to the grim messenger, greatly lamented by all who knew her. She left an indellible impress of her lovely character on the minds of all her children, four of whom are in the spirit world. James, the oldest, was a prosperous farmer, who died leaving a loving young wife and lovely children to mourn their irreparable loss. The bereaved mother is on the rich and well-ordered farm near Herod, making a competency and giving her children a collegiate education.

Kenneth, the next oldest, was given a collegiate education preparatory to his becoming a foreign missionary. He married, went to Siam, and preached to the heathen until the ill health of his wife compelled him to return to America. He preached a few years in the Georgia conference, and died, leaving a widow and son to mourn the death that was to him the gate-way that admitted him into the Celestial City, to be eternally with the Christ whom he ardently loved and served. George was a young man of great promise, but he died in the beginning of a mercantile life in Dawson, Ga.

Annabel, the only daughter, a most charming young lady, received a collegiate education. Her health failed. All that medical skill and travel could do was tried, but after a few years of invalid life her sweet spirit quitted its earthly tenement and was undoubtedly wafted by a convoy of angels to join her sainted mother in Heaven.

William A. the next oldest son was happily married to an Alabama lady of highly cultivated intellect, - a lady well fitted to be a leader in the social and religious world. Mr. McLain is a merchant in Dawson, Ga., and has been almost wonderfully successful in his business. The other sons, Duncan and Robert, are also in a prosperous mercantile business, but are unmarried. The children were all noted for their moral and religious character.

Murdock, the second son of the second wife of my Uncle Angus, came to Talladega, Ala. in early life. There by industry and strict economy he accumulated a competency, married the daughter of Colonel _________. He finally moved to Texas, where as an architect and contractor he made and saved a good property. He died there, leaving a family of whom I know only that two of his sons are now successful merchants at Houston.

Nancy, the eldest daughter of the second wife of Angus, married Angus B. Kelly, of whom I know only that he died in Moore County, N.C., leaving a family, one of whom was a charming daughter named Margaret, who married a man of Statesville, N.C., and that the mother and the rest of the family went to Houston, Texas.

Isabella, the second daughter of the second wife of Angus, was a twin sister of Murdoch, and married a Mr. Daniel Campbell, near the place of her birth. They both died recently, being nearly one hundred years old. They were both of extraordinary notoriety for their moral and religious character. They raised a family that represented them truly. John, the eldest son, married a Miss McRae when very young. He is living at Carthage, the Capital of Moore County, N.C. A son of his, Kenneth a Campbell, is the pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Attala, Ala. He married a sister's daughter of Governor Candler, of Georgia. Mary Jane Campbell, the only daughter of said Daniel Campbell, married a Mr. Duncan Sinclair. Of them I know only that they lived a happy and pious life, and are now dead. Of Daniel and Isabella Campbell's other children I know nothing.

Angus MacDonald, of whose descendants I am now writing, married a third time, the name of his wife being Katherine Mathis. His team became frightened and ran over him, he receiving internal injuries, died in a few days. He was a man of great integrity and a successful farmer. He left four sons and three daughters, children of his third wife. Her oldest son, Alexander M. was a successful physician, who accumulated a handsome property by his profession, and died at an old age, unmarried. He lived a pious and consistent life. Archibald, the second son, was respected and loved by all who knew him. He died at the age of eighteen years. The third son, John M. was first a teacher, and afterwards a lawyer in Texas. He married and died in Texas. I know nothing of his family. Ronald, the fourth son, is now an old bachellor of highly appreciated moral and religious character, a successful farmer on the old farmstead.The three daughters by the last marriage were, Mary, Christian and Flora. They died unmarried. Flora died a natural death at middle age. Christian was shot through the head by a negro robber who knew that their brother Ranald, with whom they lived, kept a large sum of money in the house; Christian fell dead on the floor. He shot Mary through the lower jaw and the roof of her mouth and left her for dead, but she lived several years afterwards. This closes what I know of my Uncle Angus and his descendents.

I will now treat of my father, the youngest of those who imigrated to America. From the fact that from early manhood my father was a prominent Ruling Elder of the Presbyterian Church, he was designated as "Donald MacDonald the Elder". He was born at Dallavilla, near Armadale Castle, in the Isle of Skye, Scotland, about the year 1781. his father sent him away to school at an early age. His education being completed about the age of 21, he obtained a commission as First Lieutenant in Lord MacDonald's first regiment, raised for the protection of the commerce and the royal revenues of Scotland. The head-quarters of the regiment being in the City of Iverness, he there became acquainted with a highly educated and refined lady, Janet Monroe. He secured his discharge from the army, and they married and came to America, as previously stated, and settled in Monroe County and became a farmer, though his mind was so deeply absorbed with the study of the Scriptures, books of theology, church and profane history, that he never accumulated more than a competency. He lived honored and admired by a large circle of devoted friends. He died of inflamation of the stomach and bowells in the year 1844, in the 63rd year of his age. He raised four sons and eight daughters. His first wife died leaving three daughters, Janet, Elizabeth and Flora. Janet, when quite advanced in years, married Daniel Ferguson. He was an elder of the Presbyterian Church, and was noted for his high standard of moral character and christian walk and conversation. His ruling passion was to lay up treasures in Heaven, to enjoy when he departed from his tenement of clay several years ago. his wife Janet was to an extraordinary degree self-sacreficing to promote the interest and comfort of her family and friends. She had only two children, John and Betsie Jane. John died bravely fighting for his country in the Civil War. Betsie Jane married a Mr. Monroe, and they are living at Cameron, N.C.Elizabeth married Kenneth McIver, for whom she had two children, John and Katherine. She died much lamented, when they were quite small. Their father was a school teacher, and died many years ago. John died in the Confederate Army. Katherine married Mr. Joel E. Griffith, of Randolph Co., N.C., who came to Union Springs, Ala.., where he now lives on what he accumulated by industry and economy during his more youthful years and vigor. His wife, Katherine, died many years ago at Union Springs, leaving five small daughters, Emma, Jennie, Addie, Lizzie and Katherine. The thoughtful father had these motherless daughters finely educated. Emma, the oldest, is now living in her own plentiful home at Union Springs, the widow of Dr. Thomas Harris. She has three children, two daughters and one son. The other four daughters are unmarried and living with their father.

My father's third daughter, Flora, died at an old age unmarried, at Union Springs. During the Civil was she was robbed of the costly jewelry left her by her mother, and the gold upon which she depended for her support in her old age. This was done by North Carolina mountaineers who sympathized with the North.

Three or four years after the death of my father's first wife he married my mother, Nancy Robertson, the daughter of Daniel Robertson of famously noted ancestors of Skye, Scotland. She died in Asheboro, N.C. in the 99th year of her age. Of her merits, delicacy forbids me to speak. She died singing a hymn beginning with the lines: - "The hour has come, I'm going home, I hear a voice that bids me come." She was the mother of ten children; four sons and six daughters. They are: Mary, John R, Archibald, Angus, Robertson, Nancy, Sarah, Katherine, Isabella, and Donald. Mary, the oldest, died when three years old. John R. the second child, was a mechanic and farmer. He married at the age of forty-five, a widow Goff, who had one daughter. They had three children: Asa, John and Mary Ann. He went to Arkansas, where he died at an old age, an humble and devoted Christian. His son John was a consecrated Christian boy, who craved to get into the Presbyterian ministry, but his hearing was so defective that he could never acquire the necessary education. I know nothing of the whereabouts of the family now.

Archibald, my twin brother, married in South Carolina. Charlotte, the eldest daughter of the late John McKay, Esq., and came to Alabama. He was at an early age made an Elder in the Presbyterian Church which he loved. He was a Free Mason of high degree, and a civil magistrate in Montgomery County, Ala. for more than twenty years. The people honored him with many responsible positions, and their confidence was never abused. He died in the full enjoyment of a triumphant faith, based solely on the imputed righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. His living children: Donald Christopher, Mrs. Ann McKay, and Alexis McDonald, are all living near San Marcos, Texas, and are prominent, prosperous, and useful members of the San Marcos Presbyterian Church.

Donald, my youngest brother, was twice robbed of all he had, while away in the Confederate army. He married Miss Fannie Spencer, of Randolph County, N.C. Three of his children are yet living: - Donald S. McDonald, and Mrs.. Nannie Hancock, both of Castleberry, Ala., and Mrs. Belle Hancock, of Georgianna, Ala.

Nancy, my mother's oldest daughter, married Mr. Samuel McCadden, a Virginian. He was a manufacturer, and a man of great moral worth. He and his wife were devoted members of the Presbyterian Church - "Israelites in whom there was no guile". They died leaving no children.

Mary married Mr. Robert McCadden, a brother of Nancy's husband. He was an Elder in the he Presbyterian Church at Greensboro, N.C. He was a manufacturer, and a scientific and successful farmer. Their happy wedded life was of short duration, she having died within twelve or fifteen months after their marriage. He afterwards married our loved Cousin, Mary Kelly who also died about a year after her marriage.

Isabella, the youngest of my mother's daughters, a girl of admirable personal attractions, married Dr. William Swain of Randolph County, N.C. She was taken to her eternal home soon after her marriage.

Sarah married Mr. James Swain of Randolph County, N.C. He was a man of exemplary character and untiring energy. He went to Arkansas, and there raised a large family of children. One son is a noted politician, and another is a Presbyterian Minister. James Swain died many years ago, but his widow is yet living at Lonelm, Arkansas.

Katherine married Rev. Pinkey Baldwin of Montgomery County, N.C. He raised a family in Randolph County, N.C., but was called up higher many years ago. Of his children, John is a farmer; Marion is a Baptist Minister, and James M. is a successful saw-mill operator. His three daughters are all married, but I do not know their names, nor the names of their husbands.

I was born December 1, 1815, came to Alabama in 1844, and married January 1, 1846, Mary McKay, the youngest daughter of John McKay, Esq., of South Carolina. In her were concentrated more of those mental qualities that constitute the Christian lady, daughter, wife, mother, and unswerving and true friend, than can often be found in mankind. She was immorally fixed in her convictions of right, always willing to hazard all other considerations in the maintenance of truth and elevated humanity. But more of Heaven could not live upon earth, therefore the Lord took her to her blissful and eternal home. She was the mother of ten children, seven of whom survived her. Donald Warnock, the first son, died at Louisville, Ala., aged three years. Lexie, a child of sweet character, died in Montgomery County, Ala., aged ten years. Knox, a boy of fixed manliness of character, died near Inverness, Ala., aged twelve years. Rethune, who survived his mother, died at the age of twenty-four years, while living in Montgomery, Ala. in March 1888. He was a son of whom any father could be justly proud. He possessed a mind of unusual force and brilliency and a gentleness, yet manliness of character which endeared him to all good people who came to know him. He was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, and before his death had acquired a position in the business world which gave promise of a most successful and useful career.

Of my children still living there are two daughters and four sons: - Mary Ann; Florella; John K; Donald; Malcom; and Frank. The character of the living members of my family, including myself, I leave for some other pen to portray.

Donald MacDonald - "Dahl Mach' Ahhuir" - (Donald, Son of the Sheriff), a cousin of my grandfather, ( John MacDonald) came to America with my grandfather and his three children. He had an only child, Ranald, about fourteen years old, whom he brought with him. He remained in Moore County, N.C. a few years, and came to Georgia and settled among the Indians, at what is now Waresboro, in Ware County. There he was bitten by a rattlesnake, and died suddenly. His widow, then past middle age, married Thomas Brown, a Scotch adventurer from North Carolina. He and his wife died, leaving the young Ranald to endure the meandering vicissitudes of a life among the redmen of the woods. Ranald, being a sprightly, kind, social, just, industrious, and economical boy, soon became a favorite "Pale-face". This important advantage enabled him to turn his time and opportunity to great advantage, and he soon acquired ample means to educate himself, and he became a practical scholar. He studied medicine, and became a successful physician, and the only doctor in the whole country [sic]. With these advantages he soon became wealthy and influential. He was the Nestor of civilization, education, and religion in an extensive region of country. He was a popular and sucessful political leader, and represented his country in the legislature whenever he would consent to do so. He married Miss Catherine Miller and reared several children, all of whom became prominent and useful citizens. He died in 1867. His son William Angus was born in 1817. He served four years in the Indian Wars. He represented his county six terms in the legislature and five terms in the State Senate. He attained great success as a business man, politician, and a Minister of the Gospel. He was the founder of the villiage of McDonald in Coffee County, it being named for him. His father largely aided in building the Rail-road from Brunswick as far as Waycross on which the town is located. He raised a company for service in the civil war, and was elected its Captain. He was soon promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor, and reluctantly resigned, but though incapacitated for field service, his time and large means were freely spent for the relief of the poor, the sick, and the wounded at home. Colonel McDonald now resides at Waycross, Ga., and was the father of twenty-two children, eleven of them having departed this life, fifty-eight grand children, and ten great grand children. He was a successful preacher for thirty-five years, and raised and educated many poor orphans, thereby fitting them for useful lives. He is now gone to receive a crown of many stars in a world of eternal felicity. He died a few months before reaching 80 years of age.John Claugh McDonald, a prominent citizen of Waycross, Ga. is the youngest child of Colonel McDonald's first wife. This scion of the honored old stock is destined to maintain the high grade of citizenship attained by his illustrious ancestors.I, Martha Crawley, grand-daughter of Randal McDonald, wish to make a correction in the above statement. My grand-father, Randal McDonald, had a sister Nancy, two years younger than himself. She married Washington Knowles and had five sons; Daniel, James, Martin, John and Eleck. Daniel Knowles married Charlotte Sweat, sister of my mother (Tobitha Sweat) wife of William McDonald. They had two sons and six daughters.

[signed] Martha Crawley

Witness: T. B. Crawley

The MacColman Family

2009-02-19T10:10:00.006-06:00

EXTRACT: “Miscellanea Scotica, A Collection of Tracts Relating To The History,Antiquities,Topography, And Literature of Scotland.” Vol. IV, By Henry Maule, Published by John Wylie & co.,Glasgow, 1820. [p. 284]

An

Account

Of The

MacColmans

The ancestor of the MacColmans was Colman, third son to Anselan, third of that name, and seventh laird of Buchanan, being brother to Gilbert, who first assumed the surname of Buchanan, and to Methlan, ancestor of the MacMillans. Colman was an ordinary Christian name of old in this kingdom; as, for instance, Colman, bishop of Lindisfarn in Northumberland, and afterwards abbot of Icolmkill, in the reign of king Ferquhard I. Also one of the Scottish nobility, who made an oration against concluding the league with France, in the reign of Achaius.
The time and cause of this Colman’s son’s going to Argyllshire is not very evident, but it seems very probable to be in the reign of king Alexander III. within a short space of his cousin MacMillan’s going into that country, whose good reception there might have been the principal motive of his cousin MacColman’s following him.
The only written document I find relating to the MacColmans is a charter, or life-rent-right, granted by Duncan MacPharlane, of part of his lands, to Christian Campbell, daughter to Sir Colin Campbell of Lochow his lady, dated in the year 1395, and in the reign of king Robert III. The trustees employed by Sir Colin to see this right completed, were John Campbell, dean of Argyll, and John MacColman.
I had an account of the MacColmans transmitted to me by that judicious and learned gentleman, the reverend Mr. Alexander MacColman, minister of Lismore and Appin, which justly deserves the greater regard and credit, seeing it exactly agrees with that sent me by MacMillan of Dunmore, near the same time, in relation to his clan, as also with a written document, which came not to my hands several years after receipt of the said account. That delivered me by Mr. Alexander MacColman concerning the origin of that sept, asserts, that the ancestors of the MacMillans and MacColmans were brethren of him who first assumed the surname of Buchanan, though the same be not testified by any written document, but by a continued and inviolable tradition handed down from one generation to another, with which they are satisfied, always cheerfully acknowledging their original descent to be of the family of Buchanan, though they cannot so very distinctly tell the manner and circumstances of the same.
There is also a very great evidence of the MacColmans’ blood-relation to the name of Buchanan, from this, that notwithstanding of the great distance betwixt the respective residences of these two names, and upon that account the seldomness of their mutual converse, or correspondence with one another, yet they have the same inviolable love and entire respect for the name of Buchanan, that they have for one another of their nearest relations, although no preceeding acquaintance or good offices intervene.
Moreover, although the MacColmans have resided in Mucarn, and other adjacent places in Argylleshire, upwards of four hundred years, yet they never gave any bond of Manrie, or other acknowledgement, to, or had the least dependence upon, any person or clan in these parts, though there is no other sept in the same circumstances in all those countries, but what are obliged to give some such bond or acknowledgement. The principal places in which these reside are in Mucarn, and Benedera loch in Upper Lorn, in the shire of Argyll. The men of best account of them are Mr. John MacColman, son to the said Mr. Alexander, who hath a little interest in Lismore; also another Mr. John, brother to the same Mr. Alexander, who hath ten sons, all men of good repute.
Besides these, there are sixty effective men of that name in these parts.
There is another sept of these MacColmans in Kintail, in the earl of Seaforth’s land, descended of one Mr. Murdo, (or, as the Irish term it,) Murcho MacColman, who went from Argyllshire into that country, near two hundred years ago. These are termed in Irish MacAmhaisdirs, or Mastersons, but term themselves in English Murchisons, from Murcho, their ancestor’s ancient name. The principal man of these is Murchison of Ouchtertyre, in the parish of Locheilg in Kintail. These term themselves Dowes when in the Lowlands, and assert the Dowes upon Forth and other places to be descended of them, which Dowe of Arnhall, the principal person of that name, in a great measure owned, there being upon that account great intimacy betwixt the late laird of Buchanan and him; but both their estates being gone to other families, through want of male issue, that correspondence betwixt the two names is ceased.

Clan Buchanan

2009-02-18T22:35:00.007-06:00

Extract: “The Scottish Nation ; or The Surnames, Families,Literature, Honours And Biographical History of the People of Scotland,” By William Anderson ; A.Fullarton & Co., Edinburg and London, 1862. Vol. 1 , p. 459

Buchanan, a surname belonging to a numerous clan in Stirlingshire, and the country on the north side of Loch Lomond. The reputed founder of the Buchanans was Anselan, son of O’Kyan, king of Ulster in Ireland, who is said to have been compelled to leave his native country, by the incursions of the Danes, and take refuge in Scotland. He landed, with some attendants, on the northern coast of Argyleshire, near the Lennox, about the year 1016, and having, according to the family tradition, in all such cases made and provided, lent his assistance to King Malcolm the Second in repelling his old enemies the Danes, on two different occasions of their arrival in Scotland, he received from that king for his services, a grant of land in north Scotland. The improbable character of this genealogy is manifested by its farther stating that the aforesaid Anselan married the heiress of the lands of Buchanan, a lady named Dennistoun; for the Dennistouns deriving their name from lands given to a family of the name of Danziel, [ see Dennistoun, surnamre of,] who came into Scotland with Alan the father of the founder of the abbey of Paisley, and the first dapifer, seneschal, or steward of Scotland, no heiress of that name could have been in Scotland until after the period here referred to. It is more probable that a portion of what afterwards became the estate of Buchanan formed a part of some royal grant as being connected with the estates of the earls of Lennox, whom Skene and Napier have established to have been remotely connected with the royal family of the Canmore line, and to have been in the first instance administrators, on the part of the crown, of the lands which were afterwards bestowed upon them.

The name Buchanan is territorial, and is now that of a parish in Stirlingshire, which was anciently called Inchcaileoch, (‘old woman’s island,’) from an island of that name in Loch Lomond, on which in earlier ages there was a nunnery, and latterly the parish church for a century after the Reformation. In 1621 a detached part of the parish of Luss, which comprehends the lands of the family of Buchanan, was included in this parish, when the chapel of Buchanan was used for the only place of worship, and gave the name to the whole parish.

Regarding the etymology of Buchanan (or, as it was formerly spelled, Bouchannane) the following curious passage occurs in Bleau’s Atlas, published in Holland in 1658: “Buchanan qui ont de belles Signeuries sur la riviere d’Aneric du coste du Midi, et sur le lac de Leimond du coste du l’occident, l’une desquelles appartient au chef de la famille, qui s’appelle vulgairment Buchanan, laquelle a donne le nom a toute la maison: le mot, qui signifie une possession, est compose, et veut dire un terroir bas et proche des eaux, car Much on Buch signifie un lieu bas Annan de l’eau; et en effect il est ainsi,” &c. [Tome vi. Pp. 96,07.] We have not a doubt that the name Buchanan has the same origin as the word Buchan (see ante, p. 458), being its diminutive of Buchanino or Buquhanino, the little Buquhan or cattle-growing district.

Anselan (in the family genealogies styled the third of that name) the seventh laird of Buchanan, and the sixth in descent from the above-named Irish prince, but not unlikely to be the first of the name, which is Norman French, is dignified in the same records with the magniloquent appellation of seneschal or chamberlain to Malcolm the first earl of Levenax (as Lennox was then called). He and two of his sons, Gilbert and Methlen, are witnesses to a charter granted by the same earl to Gilmore son of Maoldonich, of the lands of Luss, in the reign of King Alexander the Second, a nobleman of no great influence or power, descended from administrators of one of the abthaneships of Dull, or royal lands reverting to the crown by demise of younger branches, in which charter they are more correctly designed the earl’s clients or vassals. In 1225, this Anselan obtained from the same earl a charter of a small island in Lochlomond called Clareinch, witnesses Dougal, Gilchrist, and Amalyn, the earl’s three brothers, the name of which island afterwards became the rallying cry of the Buchanans. The same Anselan is also mentioned as a witness in a charter granted by the earl of Lennox of the lands of Dalmanoch in mortification to the old church of Kilpatrick, by the designation of Absalon de Buchanan, Absalon being the same as Anselan. He had three sons, viz. Methlen, ancestor of the MacMillans ; Colman, ancestor of the MacColmans ; and his successor Gilbert.

His eldest son, Gilbert, or Gillebrid, appears to have borne the surname of Buchanan. There is a charter of confirmation of that of Clareinch, and some other lands of Buchanan, granted in favour of this Gilbert by King Alexander the Second in the seventeenth year of his reign, and of our Lord 1281. The same Gilbert is also witness to a charter, by Malcolm earl of Lennox, to the abbot and monks of Paisley, dated at Renfrew in 12 74. [Chartulary of Dumbartonshire ]

Buchanan Pedigee

2009-02-17T18:18:00.008-06:00

Buchanan Pedigree
Clan Buchanan of Scotland

Source: Americans of Royal Descent, Second Edition,By Charles Henry Browning, Phildelphia, Porter & Coates, 1891.

PEDIGREE XIII.______________
1.__Fargallus [Fargal], the 156th Monarch of all Ireland, who was killed A.D. 718, by Moroch, King of Leinster, had:
2.__Conchobhar [Conner], Prince of Leim-an-Madaidh, Londonderry, brother of Niall Frasach, 162d Monarch of Ireland, d. 773, who had: Gruagan, who had: Dungan, who had: Cathain, who had: Cathusach O'Cathain, or O'Kyan, who had:
7.__Dermod O'Kyan, KIng of the southern part of Ulster, who had:
8.__Anselan Buey O'Kyan, or O'Bocainain, anglicized Buchanan, who succeeded as provincial King of Southern Ulster. He took part in the slaughter of Turgesius, the Danish general, and his army, at Limerick, and was, with his followers, compelled to leave Ireland, by King Canute, and flee to Scotland, in 1016, and soon after entered into the service of King Malcolm II. against the Danes. He so signalized himself in this monarch's service that he obtained from him many grants of land in the northern part of Scotland as a reward, among which were the lands of Pitwhonidy and Strathyre, and was recognized as the first Laird of Buchanan. He m. the heiress of the Laird of Deniestown, and had:
9.__John, second Laird of Buchanan, who had:
10.__Anselan, third Laird of Buchanan, who had:
11.__Walter, fourth Laird of Buchanan, who had:
12.__Gerald, fifth Laird of Buchanan, who had:
13.__MacBeath, sixth Laird of Buchanan, who had:
14.__Anselan, seventh Laird of Buchanan, who was Chamberlain to Malduin, Earl of Lennox, in 1225, and obtained a charter from him of an island in Lochlomond, which he called "Clareinch," the slughome, or war-cry, proper to the family of Buchanan. He had:
15.__Gilbert Buchanan, eighth Laird of Buchanan, who was the first to assume the surname of Buchanan. He suceeded his father as Senechal, or Chamberlain, to the Earl of Lennox, and had:

[Note: Gilbert had two brothers: Methlan, ancestor of the MacMillans and Colman, ancestor of the MacColmans]

16.__Sir Maurice Buchanan, Knt., ninth Laird of Buchanan, who had:
17.__Sir Maurice Buchanan, Knt., tenth Laird of Buchanan, who m. the second daughter of Sir John Monteth, d. 1324, second son of Walter Stuart, Earl of Monteth,1258 (third son of Walter Stuart, Lord High Steward of Scotland, and his wife, Lady Beatrix, daughter of Gilchrist, Earl of Angus), and his wife, daughter of Mauritius, Earl of Monteth, and had:
18.__Walter Buchanan, Knt.,eleventh Laird of Buchanan, who had:
19.__John Buchanan, of that ilk, only son,d. v.p. He m. Lady Janet, the heiress of John Buchanan, Laird of Lenny, and had:
20.__Sir Walter Buchanan, Knt., second son, twelth Laird of Buchanan, and Laird of Lenny. He m. Lady Isabel Stewart, daughter of Murdoch, second Duke of Albany and Governor of Scotland, a grandson of Robert II., King of Scotland, and had:
21.__Thomas Buchanan, third son, younger brother to Patrick, thirteenth Laird of Buchanan, from whom he had, in 1461, a grant of the lands of Gartincaber, and who was, in 1476, the first Laird of Carbeth. He had:
22.__John Buchanan, of Raster-Ballat, second son (younger brother of Thomas, second Laird of Carbeth, who d. s.p.), who d. before his brother, leaving issue:
23.__Thomas Buchanan, who succeeded as third Laird of Carbeth, in 1555. He had by his second wife, Janet, a daughter of the then Laird of Buchanan:
24.__John Buchanan, of Gartincaber, eldest son, who was a half-brother of Thomas, fourth Laird of Carbeth, and a brother of William Buchanan, of Blairnborn, whose grandson, Archibald Buchanan, settled in Virginia. He had:
25.__George Buchanan, of Blairlusk, who had:
26.__John Buchanan, of Blairlusk, who had:
27.__George Buchanan, who sold Blair lusk to his brother, William Buchanan, and removed to the north of Ireland. He had:
28.__Thomas Buchanan, of Romelton, County Donegal,in Ireland (brother of William Buchanan, of County Tyrone), whose grandson:
30.__John Buchanan, of Romeelton, County Donegal,had:
31.__James Buchanan, who removed to America in 1783, and settled near Mercersburg, in Franklin county, Pa., where he d. in 1821, leaving issue by his wife, Elizabeth Speer, whom he m. in Adams county, Pa:
1.__James Buchanan, President of the United States of America, who d.s.p.
2.__William Speer Buchanan, d.s.p. aged 22.
3.__George W. Buchanan, d.s.p., aged 25.
4.__Rev. Edward Young Buchanan, D.D., of Philadelphia, Pa., who m.,1833, Ann Elizabeth, daughter of William B. Foster, of Pittsburg, Pa. etc., ...

(Note: This is a partial extract of the Buchanan pedigree. Notes by Woody Coleman)

O'Neill of Ulster

2009-02-09T22:03:00.020-06:00

The O'Neill Pedigree; An Extract from: Irish Pedigrees; or The Origin And Stem of The Irish Nation, by John O’Hart, Vol. 1. Dublin, James Duffy And Co., Ltd., 14 and 15 Wellington Quay , 1892. Part III, page 708

O’Neill . * (No. 1)

Monarchs of Ireland, Kings of Ulster, and Princes of Tyrone.

Arms: Ar. a sinister red hand couped at the wrist affrontee gu.

Fiacha Srabhteine , + third son of Cairbre-Lifeachar, the 117th Monarch of Ireland (see p. 667) who is No. 83 on the “O’Hart” pedigree, was the ancestor of this branch of that family.

84. Fiacha Srabhteine, King of Conacht, and 120th Monarch of Ireland : son of Cairbre-Liffechar; married Aoife, dau. of the King of Gall Gaodhal. This Fiacha, after 37 years’ reign, was, in the battle of Dubhcomar, A.D. 322, slain by his nephews, the Three Collas, to make room for Colla Uais, who seized on, and kept, the Monarchy for four years. From those three Collas the “Clan Colla” were so called.

* O’Neill : There were four distinct families of Hy-Niall or O’Neill, in Ireland; namely_
1. O’Neill, of Ulster; 2. O’Neill , of the county Clare, from whom the Creaghs of Munster are descended; 3. O’Neill, in the barony of Shillelagh, in the county Wicklow, which (see Annals of the Four Masters, A.D. 1088) is sometimes called Farron O’Neale ; 4. O’Neill, of the Ui Eoghain Finn tribe, in Northern Deisi, in the present county Tipperary.

+ Fiacha Srabhteine : The three Collas being very valiant, warlike, and ambitious princes, combined against their uncle King Fiacha, and aspired to the Monarchy; they collected powerful forces, and being joined by seven catha (or legions) of the Firbolg tribe of Connaught, they fought A.D. 322, a fierce battle against the army of the Monarch Fiacha, at Criogh Rois, south of Tailtean, in Bregia, in which the royal army was defeated, and many thousands on both sides, together with King Fiacha himself, were slain. This was called the battle of Dubhcomar, from “Dubhcomar,” the chief Druid of King Fiacha, who was slain there; and the place where the battle was fought was near Teltown, between Kells and Naven, near the river Blackwater in Meath. After gaining the battle, Colla Uais became Monarch and reigned nearly four years; when he was deposed by Fiacha’s son, Muiredach Tireach, who then , A.D. 326, became Monarch of Ireland. The three Collas and their principal chiefs, to the number of three hundred , were expelled from Ireland (hence the name “Colla:” Irish, prohibition ; Gr. “ koluo,” I hinder), and forced to take refuge among their relatives in Alba ; but, through the friendly influence of their grandfather, the king of Alba, and the mediation of the Druids, they were afterwards pardoned by their cousin, then the Irish Monarch, who cordially invited them to return to Ireland.__Connelan.

85. Muireadach Tireach : son of Fiacha Srabhteine; m. Muirion, dau. of Fichadh, King of Ulster; and having, in A.D. 326, fought and defeated Colla Uais, and banished him and his two brothers into Scotland, regained his father’s Throne, which he kept as the 122nd Monarch for 30 years.
86. Eochaidh Muigh-Meadhoin* [Moyvone] : his son; was the 124th Monarch; and in the 8th year of his reign died a natural death at Tara, A.D. 365 ; leaving issue four sons, viz., by his first wife Mong Fionn: _I. Brian;II. Fiachra; III. Olioll; IV. Fergus. And by his second wife, Carthan Cais Dubh (or Carinna), daughter of the Celtic King of Britain,_V. Niall Mor, commonly called “Niall of the Nine Hostages.”
Mong Fionn was dau. of Fiodhach, and sister of Crimthann, King of Munster, of the Heberian Sept, and successor of Eochaidh in the Monarchy. This Crimthann was poisoned by his sister Mong-Fionn, in hopes that Brian, her eldest son by Eochaidh, would succeed in the Monarchy. To avoid suspicion she herself drank of the same poisoned cup which she presented to her brother; but, notwithstanding that she lost her life by so doing, yet her expectations were not realized, for the said Brian and her other three sons by the said Eochaidh were laid aside (whether out of horror of the mother’s inhumanity in poisoning her brother, or otherwise, is not known), and the youngest son of Eochaidh, by Carthan Cais Dubh, was preferred to the Monarchy.
I. Brian, from him were descended the Kings, nobility and gentry of Conacht__Tirloch Mor O’Conner, the 121st, and Roderic O’Conner, the 183rd Monarch of Ireland.
II. Fiachra’s descendants gave their name to Tir-Fiachra (“Tireragh”), co. Sligo, and possessed also parts of co. Mayo.
III. Olioll’s descendants settled in Sligo _ in Tir Oliolla (or Tirerill). This Fiachra had five sons: __ 1. Earc Cuilbhuide ; 2. Breasal ; 3. Conaire ; 4. Feredach (or Dathi) ; and 5. Amhalgaidh.

87. Niall Mor + : his son; a quo the “Hy-Niall” * of Ulster, Meath, and Conacht. He was twice married: __ his first Queen was Inne, the dau. of Luighdheach, who was the relict of Fiachadh ; his second Queen was Roigneach, by whom he had Nos. !., II., III., IV., V., VI., and VII., as given below. This Niall Mor succeeded his uncle Crimthann; and was the 126th Monarch of Ireland. He was a stout, wise, and warlike prince, and fortunate in all his conquests and achievements, and therefore called Niall Naoi-Ghiallach or “Niall of the Nine Hostages,” from the royal hostages taken from nine several countries by him subdued and made tributary : viz., __1. Munster, 2. Leinster, 3. Conacht, 4. Ulster, 5. Britain, 6. the Picts, 7. the Dalriads, 8. the Saxons, and 9. the Morini __ a people of France, towards Calais and Picardy ; whence he marched with his victorious army of Irish, Scots, Picts, and Britons, further into France, in order to aid the Celtic natives in expelling the Roman Eagles, and thus conquer that portion of the Roman Empire ; and , encamping on the river Leor (now called Lianne), was, as he sat by the river side, treacherously assassinated by Eocha, son of Enna Cinsalach, king of Leinster, in revenge of a former “wrong” by him received from the said Niall. + The spot on the Leor (not “Loire”) where this Monarch was murdered is still called the “Ford of Niall,” near Boulogne-sur-mer. It was in the ninth year of his reign that St. Patrick was first brought into Ireland, at the age of 16 years, among two hundred children brought by the Irish Army out of Little Brittany (called also Armorica), in France.
Niall Mor was the first that gave the name Scotia Minor to “Scotland,” and ordained it to be ever after so called; until then it went by the name “Alba.”

* Muigh-Meadhoin : From the Irish “Magh,” a plain ; and “Meadhoin,” a cultivator .

+ Niall Mor : This Niall of the Nine Hostages was, as above mentioned, son of Carinna, daughter of the king of Britain ; and his son Eoghan (og-an : Irish, a young man) or Owen, was also married to another princess of Britain, named Indorba ; a proof of the intimacy which existed in the fourth and fifth centuries between Britain and Ireland. From A.D. 378 to 405 __ the period of the “Decline and Fall” of Druidism in Ireland__Niall of the “Nine Hostages” was Monarch ; and he was so called in reference to the principal hostile powers overcome by him and compelled to render so many pledges of their submission. He was chiefly renowned for his transmarine expeditions against the Roman empire in Britain, as well as in Gaul. In one of those expeditions Niall Mor, A.D. 388, carried home from Gaul some youths as captives ; amongst whom was Succat (meaning “brave in the battle”), then sixteen years of age, with his sisters Dererea and Lupida. That Succat afterwards, as St. Patrick ( “Patrick:” from the Irish Padraic ; Latin , pater ; Ital., padre , a father,__here meant in a religious sense), became the Apostle of Ireland.
(See St. Patrick’s pedigree, p.43.) And when, many years later, that illustrious liberated captive , entering, in a maturity of manhood and experience, upon his holy mission, was summoned before the supreme assembly at Tara, to show why he presumed to interfere with the old religion of the country, by endeavouring to introduce a new creed, it was Laeghaire [Leary], the son of his former captor Niall, who presided as sovereign there. __ O’Callaghan.
Happy captivity, which led to Ireland’s Christianity !

* Hy-Niall : A branch of the Hy-Niall (or Ui-Niall ) settled in Gaul, at an early period, and are mentioned by Caesar, as the Unelli , which is the Latinized form of Ui-Neill , but here meaning descendants of this Niall Mor, the 126th Monarch of Ireland. Caesar also mentions the Eberdovices or Eberdocii , meaning descendants of Eber , or Heber , the eldest son of Milesius, of Spain.
Some of the Unelli of France settled in England before the English invasion of Ireland, and assumed the following names : O’Ni’el, Neylle, Nihil, Noel, Nevell, Newell, Nevil, Nevill, Nevylle, etc. One of the family, Sir Geoffrey Neylle, was, A.D. 1205, a subscribing witness to the Charter of Waterford. In 1408, Thomas Neoylle was made Dean of Ferns; and, in 1480, Dr. Lawrence Neoylle was made bishop of Ferns, by Pope Sixtus IV. David Nevell, Baron of Nevill, was attainted in the reign of King Henry VIII., and suffered the loss of extensive landed property in the county Wexford. See the “Needham” pedigree for another Neville family, but which was of the Ithian race.
+ Niall : The cause of the difference between the Monarch Niall, and Eocha , Prince of Leinster, arose out of two distinct causes :___On the death of Niall’s uncle, Crimthann, this Eocha, being ambitious, attempted to take possession of the Royal Palace at Tara, by sleeping there nine nights in succession, so as to qualify himself for the Monarchy of Ireland. For doing this he was severely censured by the Arch-Druid, as no person who had not the order of Knighthood dare sleep in the Royal Palace. Then Eocha withdrew from Tara, and in shame and vexation, relinquished his pretensions to the Crown.
On Eocha’s journey from Tara to his own province, he arrived at the house of Laidhgon, the son of Bairceadha, the Arch-Druid ; whilst staying there he took offence from some expressions made use of to him, and , in a rage, he slew the Druid’s son. Immediately, Niall was applied to for justice ; he then invaded Leinster, and, after some skirmishing, to avoid bloodshed, the people delivered up the murdering prince into the Monarch’s hands. The Druids chained Eocha to a rock where criminals were wont to be executed ; but when he saw the executioners coming to dispatch him, he, by a nearly superhuman effort, wrenched asunder the chain, and effected his escape to Scotland. On arriving in Scotland, Eocha requested and obtained the protection of Gabhran, the son of Domhangairt, the General of the Dalriada, with whom he went into France so as to get near Niall, and murder him. The Irish Monarch, on being informed of Eocha being in the allied army, would not allow him into his presence; but he one day secreted himself in a grove near a ford of the Leor, and, whilst Niall was in the act of crossing, the assassin shot him through the body with an arrow.

Niall had twelve sons: __ I. Eoghan ; II. Laeghaire (or Leary), the 128th Monarch, in the 4th year of whose reign St. Patrick, the second time, came into Ireland to plant the Christian Faith, A.D. 432 ; III. Conall Crimthann, ancestor of O’Melaghlin ; Kings of Meath ; IV. Conall Gulban, ancestor of O’Donnell (princes, lords, and earls of the territory of Tirconnell) , and of O’Boyle , O’Dogherty , O’Gallagher , etc. ; V. Fiacha, from whom the territory from Birr to the Hill of Uisneach in Media Hiberniae ( or Meath) is called “Cineal Fiacha,” and from him MacGeoghagan , lords of that territory , O’Molloy , O’Donechar, Donaher (or Dooner), etc., derive their pedigree; VI. Main, whose patrimonywas all the tract of land from Lochree to Loch Annin, near Mullingar, and from whom are descended Fox (lords of the Muintir Tagan territory), MacGawley, O’Dugan, O’Mulchonry (the princes antiquaries of Ireland), O’Henergy, etc. ;
VII. Cairbre , ancestor of O’Flanagan, of Tua Ratha, “Muintir Cathalan”
(or Cahill) etc. ; VIII. Fergus (a quo “Cineal Fergusa” or Ferguson), ancestor of O’Hagan, etc. ; IX. Enna ; X. Aongus or Aeneas ; XI. Ualdhearg ; and
XII. Fergus Altleathan. Of these last four sons we find no issue.

88. Eoghan (Eugene,* or Owen) : son of Niall Mor ; from whom the territory of “Tir-Eoghan” (now Tirowen or Tyrone), in Ulster is so called. From this Owen came (among others) the following families : O’Cahan, or O’Cane, O’Daly of “Leath Cuinn” (or the kingdoms of Meath, Ulster, and Conacht), O’Crean, Grogan, O’Carolan, etc.
This Eoghan , Prince of Ulster, was baptized by St. Patrick at the Royal Palace of Aileach ; and our Ulster Annalists state that it was his foot which was pierced by the Bacchal Iosa during the ceremony. (See the “Line of Heber Stem,” No. 91.)

* Eugene : Before the arrival of St. Patrick in Ireland, this son of Niall the Great aquired the territory of Aileach, which in many centuries afterwards was called after him__”Tir-Owen” or Owen’s Country. At Aileach he resided, A.D. 442, when he was converted to Christianity by St. Patrick. “The man of God,” says the old biographer of the Apostle, “accompanied Prince Eugene to his court, which he then held in the most ancient and celebrated seat of kings, called Aileach, and which the holy bishop consecrated by his blessing.” The MacLoghlins being descended from the same family stem as the O’Neills, a MacLoghlin, or an O’Loghlin, as well as an O’Neill, was sometimes Prince of Aileach, until A.D. 1241, when Donell O’Loghlin, with ten of his family, and all the chiefs of his party, were cut off by his rival, Brian O’Neill, in the battle of “Caim-Eirge of Red Spears ;” and the supreme power of the principality of Aileach thenceforth remained with the O’Neills.___O’Callaghan.
In the thirteenth century the “Kingdom of Aileach” ceased to be so called , and the designation “Kingdom of Tir-Owen,” in its stead , was first applied to that territory. Sixteen of the Ard Righs or Monarchs of Ireland were princes or kings of Aileach ___descended from this Eugene or Owen.
The O’Neills had their chief seat at Dungannon, and were inaugurated as princes of Tyrone, at Tullaghoge, a place between Grange and Donaghenry, in the parish of Desertcreight, in the barony of Dungannon ; where a rude seat of large stones, called Leach-na-Ree or the Flag stone of the kings, served them as a coronation chair. ___Connellan.
We learn that, about A.D. 442, St. Patrick visited Ulster ; at which time he took his route through that romantic pass called Bearnas-mor of Tir-Aodha ; thence he emerged into Magh Ith, an extensive plain in the present barony of Raphoe, where he founded the church of Donaghmore, near the town Castlefinn. The Prince Owen kept his private residence at Fidh-mor, now called Veagh, between the church of Donaghmore and the palace of Aileach. St. Patrick went into the Aileach, and before entering he said to his people, “Take care that you meet not with the lion, Eoghan, the son of Niall.” So as to honour St. Patrick, Owen sent a guard to meet him, under the command of Muireadhach, his son, who being in front, was accosted first by Seachnall in these words:___”You shall have a reward from me, if you could persuade your father to believe.” “What reward?” asked he. “The sovereignty of thy tribe should for ever belong to thy heirs,” said Seachnall. Muiredhach agreed to this arrangement. The Saint first saw Eoghan at Fidh-mor, preached to him there, when he embraced the Faith, a large leac (or stone) being set up there to commemorate the event. St. Patrick promised this prince:___”If you would receive the salutary doctrine of Christ in your country, the hostages of the Gaedhil should come to you;” meaning that in his posterity the Regal Race should be__a promise verified by time.

Eoghan held the Castle of Aileach forty-seven years prior to St. Patrick’s visit. This fort the Apostle blessed, left the old coronation stone there, and prophesied that Kingship and
pre-eminence should be over Erinn from Aileach: “When you leave your fort out of your bed to the flag, and your successors after you,” said St. Patrick, “the men of Erinn shall tremble before you.” He blessed the Island of Inis-Eoghan (Inishowen was an Island then), and after this gave a blessing of Valour to Eoghan:

“My blessing on the tuatha [territories]
I give from Belach-ratha,
On you the descendants of Eoghan
Until the Day of Judgement.

“Whilst plains are under crops,
The palm of battle shall be on their men,
The armies of Fail [Ireland] shall not be over your plains;
You shall attack every tetach [tribe].

“The race of Eoghan, son of Niall,
Bless, O fair Brigid !
Provided they do good,
Government shall be from them for ever.

“The blessing of us both
Upon Eoghan MacNeill;
On all who may be born from him,
Provided they are obedient.”
(i.e., as long as they keep the Faith.)

These blessings were pronounced from Belachratha, now known as Ballagh, barony of Inishowen East, parish of Clonca, near Malin Head, where are the ruins of a church founded by St. Patrick.
Eochaidh, son of Fiachra, son of Eoghan, was baptized with Eoghan: during the ceremony the Apostle’s Staff is said to have accidentally pierced the naked foot of the prince.
The old Fortress of the Irish Monarchs, and Princes of Ulster, was an ancient Tuatha da Danaan Sith or Lios, and called Grianan Aileach, which here signifies “a stone house in a beautiful or sunny situation.” Formerly there was a great wood around it, to Whitefort and along the east banks of the Foyle. This fort stands on an elevation of 802 feet, and lies in the parish of Burt, barony of Inishowen. The outermost enclosure on the circular apex of the hill contains 5 ½ acres ; within the second are 4 acres ; within the third about one acre ; while within the Cashel there is about ¼ acre of surface.
The Cashel has been restored, since 1874, with great labour and expense, by Dr. Walter Bernard, of Derry. A square headed doorway enters the Cashel, and three distinct platforms ascend by means of side stone steps within the circle, which reaches interiorly 77 feet 6 inches from wall to wall, at the base, is about 13 feet. Several old roads from this Cashel can still be traced on the hill-sides.
Here is still seen a stone called after St. Columbcille, and believed to be the old coronation stone of the Tuatha da Danaan, and the Hy-Niall races, blessed by St. Patrick as stated above. (See the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick.)

89. Muireadach (III.) : son of Eoghan ; was married to Earca, dau. of Loarn, King of Dalriada in Scotland, and by her had many sons and daus., two of them are especially mentioned : ___Muirceartach Mor, and Fergus Mor, both called “Mac Earca.” From this Fergus Mor descended the Kings of Scotland , and thence, through Queen Matilda, the Kings of England, including the Royal Houses of Plantagenet, Stuart, and D’Este.
This Muireadach who had a brother named Eachagh Binneach, had twelve sons : ___I. and II. Above mentioned ; III. Fearach (or Fearadach), ancestor of Mac Cathmhaoil (or Cowell, Campbell, etc.) ; IV. Tigernach, ancestor of O’Cunigan, and O’h-Easa (anglicised Hosey, Hussey, and O’Swell) ;
V. Mongan, ancestor of O’Croidhen (Creedon or Croydon), O’Donnelly, etc. ;
VI. Dalach : VII. Maon, ancestor of O’Gormley, O’Maolmichil, O’Doraigen, (“dor:” Ir. A confine ; “aigein,” the ocean), anglicised Dorrine, Dorien, and modernized Dorrian ; VIII. Fergus; IX. And X. named Loarn; XI. And XII. Called Aongus.
In the 20th year of the reign of the Monarch Lughaidh, the son Laeghaire, with a complete army, Fergus Mor Mac Earca,* (with his five brothers, VIII., IX., X., XI., and XII., above mentioned went into Scotland to assist his grandfather King Loarn, who was much oppressed by his enemies the Picts ; who were vanquished by Fergus and his party, who prosecuted the war so vigorously, followed the enemy to their own homes, and reduced them to such extremity, that they were glad to accept peace upon the conqueror’s own conditions ; where-upon, on the King’s death, which happened about the same time, the said Fergus Mor Mac Earca was unanimously elected and chosen king as being of the blood royal by his mother. And the said Fergus, for a good and lucky omen, sent to his brother, who was then Monarch of Ireland, for the Marble Seat called “Saxum Fatale” (in Irish, Liath Fail, and Cloch-na-Cinneamhna , implying in English the Stone of Destiny or Fortune), to be crowned thereon ; which happened accordingly; for, as he was the first absolute King of all Scotland of the Milesian Race, so the succession continued in his blood and lineage ever since to this day.

* Fergus Mor Mac Earca : According to the Linea Antqua, Muireadach had only two sons by his wife Earca. But some writers confound this Fergus Mor Mac Earca, the grandson of Loarn (the last King of Dalriada, in Scotland), with Ferghus Mor, son of Earc, who is No. 96 on the “Genealogy of the Kings of Dalriada,” and who was therefore a brother of Loarn, the last King of Dalriada.

90. Muirceartach (or Muriartach) Mor Mac Earca : his son. This Muriartach, the eldest son of Muireadach (3), was the 131st Monarch of Ireland ; reigned 24 years; and died naturally in his bed, which was rare among the Irish Monarchs in those days ; but others say he was burned in a house after being “drowned in wine” (meaning that he was under the influence of drink) on All-Halontide (or All-Hallow) Eve, A.D. 527. Married Duinseach, dau. of Duach Teangabha, King of Conacht. He had issue___I. Donal Ilchealgach ; II. Fergus, who became the 135th Monarch; III. Baodan (or Boetanus), who was the 137th Monarch of Ireland, and was the father of Lochan Dilmhain, a quo Dillon, according to some genealogists; IV. Colman Rimidh, the 142nd Monarch; V. Neiline ; and
VI. Scanlan.
91. Donal Ilchealgach (Ilchealgach : Irish, deceitful): eldest son of Muirceartach ; was the 134th Monarch; reigned jointly with his brother Fergus for three years: these princes were obliged to make war on the people of Leinster; fought the memorable battle of Gabhrah-Liffe, where four hundred of the nobility and gentry of that province were slain, together with the greater part of the army.
In this reign Dioman Mac Muireadhach, who governed Ulster ten years was killed by Bachlachuibh. Donal and Fergus both died of “the plague,” in one day, A.D. 561.
92. Aodh (or Hugh): Donal’s son; Prince of Ulster. This Aodh Uariodhnach was the 143rd Monarch; he had frequent wars, but at length defeated his enemies in the battle of Odhbha, in which Conall Laoghbreag, son of Aodh Slaine, was killed. Soon after this battle, the Monarch Aodh was killed in the battle of Da Fearta, A.D. 607.
93. Maolfreach : his son; Prince of Ulster; had at least two sons:__1. Maoldoon; and II. Maoltuile, a quo Multully, Tully, and Flood of Ulster.
94. Maoldoon : his son; Prince of Ulster; had two sons: !. Fargal ; and II. Adam, who was ancestor to O’Daly of “Leath Cuin.” His wife was Cacht, daughter of Maolchabha, King of Cineall Connill.
95. Fargal: son of Maoldoon, was the 156th Monarch of Ireland; was slain, in A.D. 718, by Moroch, King of Leinster. Married Aithiochta, dau. of Cein O’Conner, King of Conacht. This Fargal had four sons: I. Niall Frassach; II. Conner (or Conchobhar), who was ancestor of O’Cahan; III. Hugh Allan (or Aodh Olann), the 160th Monarch, and ancestor of O’Brain, of Ulster; and IV. Colca, a quo Culkin.
96. Niall Frassach: son of Fargal; married Bridget, dau. of Orca, son of Carrthone; was called “frassach” from certain miraculous showers that fell in his time (a shower of honey, a shower of money, and a shower of blood); was the 162nd Monarch of Ireland; and, after seven years’ reign, retired to St. Columb’s Monastery at Hye, in Scotland, A.D. 773; issue: Aodh Fearcar, and Aodh Ordnigh.
97. Aodh Ordnigh: son of Niall Frassach: was the 164th Monarch; and, after 25 years’ reign, was slain in the battle of Fearta, A.D. 817. Was married to Meadhbh, dau. of Ionrachtach, King of Durlus.
In his reign prodigious thunder and lightning occurred, which killed many men, women, and children all over the Kingdom, particularly in a nook of the country between Corcavaskin and the sea in Munster, by which one thousand and ten persons were destroyed. In his reign occurred many prodigies__the fore-runner of the Danish Invasion, which soon after followed. This Monarch had four sons:
I. Niall Caille; II. Maoldoon, a quo “Siol Muldoon;” III. Fogartach, ancestor of Muintir Cionaodh or Kenny ; and IV. Blathmac.
98. Niall Caille: son of Aodh Ordnigh; was the 166th Monarch of Ireland; and was so called after his death from the river “Caillen,” where he was drowned, A.D. 844, after 13 years reign. He fought many battles with the Danes and Norwegians, in most of which although the Danes were worsted, yet the continual supplies pouring unto them made them very formidable; (so much so) that in his reign they took and fortified Dublin and other strong places upon the seacoasts. Married Gormfhliath, dau. of Donogh, son of Donal. This Monarch had five sons: I. Aodh Finnliath; II. Dubhionracht, a quo O’Dubhionrachta;
III. Aongus; IV. Flahertach, ancestor of O’Hualairg or Mac Ualairg, anglicised Mac Goldrick, Goderick, Golding, Goulding, Waller, etc. ; V. Braon, a quo Clan Braoin of Mogh Ithe (Moy Ith).
99. Aodh Finnliath, i.e. Hoary : son of Niall Caille; was the 168th Monarch of Ireland; reigned for sixteen years, during which time he fought and defeated the Danes in several battles and was worsted in others; he died at Drom-Enesclann, A.D. 876. This Aodh married Maolmare or Mary, dau. of Keneth, the son of Alpin__both Kings of Scotland. He had two sons: I. Niall Glundubh; and II. Donal, who was King of Aileach, and ancestor of the family of MacLaughlin
(or O’Laughlin), some of whom were Monarchs of Ireland; and of O’Donnelly, whose chief was, A.D. 1177, slain at Down by Sir John de Courcey, first “Earl of Ulster.”
100. Niall (“niall,” gen. “neill:” Irish a champion) Glundubh [gloonduv]: son of Aodh Finnliath, was the 170th Monarch of Ireland; and reigned for three years. He had many conflicts with the Danes, in which , generally, he was victorious.
At length, making up a great army, in order to besiege Dublin, a great battle was fought between them, wherein the Monarch lost his life, and after great slaughter on both sides, his army was routed, A.D. 919. He revived the great Fair at Tailtean. From this Monarch the sirname O’Neill* or “Clan-na-Neill.” Neilson, Nelson and Nilson are derived. Niall Glundubh left issue: Muriartach na-Cochall, Prince of Ulster, who left no issue; and II. Murchertach.
101. Murchertach : that second son (called “The Hector of Western Europe”) and Roydamna; was married and left issue. This Prince was slain by Blacaire, lord of the Danes, 26th March, A.D. 941.
102. Donal of Armagh:* his son; was the 173rd Monarch; died at Armagh, after 24 years reign, A.D. 978. During his long reign we find but little progress by him (made) against the encroaching Danes; he wholly bent his arms against his subjects; preying, burning, and slaughtering the people of Conacht, whether deservedly or otherwise we know not, but we know it was no reasonable time for them to fall foul upon one another, while their common enemy was victoriously triumping over them both.

* O’Neill: Niall Glundubh attained to the Monarchy, A.D. 914, after the death of Fian Siona, King of Meath; and was slain in a battle with the Danes, at Rathfarnham, near Dublin. The following passage from one of the many “Lamentations,” written at the time by the Irish bards on his death, shows the affection entertained for him by his people:__

“Sorrowful this day is sacred Ireland,
Without a valiant chief ‘hostage’ reign;
It is to see the heavens without a sun,
To view Magh Neill without Niall.”

“ Magh Neill,” here mentioned, signifies the plain of Niall : meaning, no doubt, the “O’Neill-land” forming the two baronies of that name in Armagh, which constituted the ancient patrimony of the Hy-Niallain, or the decendants of Niallan, who was collaterally descended in the fifth degree from Colla-da-Chrioch, who, writes O’Callaghan, “overthrew the dominion of the old Irian Kings of Uladh,” whose heraldic emblem was the “Red Hand of Ulster.” That emblem The O’Neill in after ages assumed, together with the Battle Cry of “Lamh Dearg Abu” [lauv darig aboo], which means___The Red Hand for Ever.
In the humble but honourable position of a Teacher of a National School (see No. 134 on the “ONeill” (No.2) pedigree), the lineal representative of the Monarch Niall Glundubh now (1887) resides in a secluded part of the co. Cork, under a name which some of his forefathers assumed, in order to preserve a portion of their estates, which, however, have since passed away from the family. But, modest though be his position, the gentleman to whom we allude is, perhaps, more happy___he is certainly far more free from care__than were the latest of his illustrious ancestors on the throne of Tirowen, the Principality of the ever-famed O’Neill ; of whom the following lines convey but a faint idea:

“His Brehons around him__the blue heavens o’er him,
His true clan behind, and his broad lands before him,
While group’d far below him, on moor, and on heather,
His Tanists and chiefs are assembled together;
They give him a sword, and he swears to protect them;
A slender white wand, and he vows to direct them;
And then, in God’s sunshine, “O’NEILL” they all hail him:
Through life, unto death, ne’er to flinch from, or fail him;
And earth hath no spell that can shatter or sever
That bond from their true hearts__The Red Hand Forever!

Proud lords of Tir-Owen! high chiefs of Lough Neagh!
How broad-stretch’d the lands that were rul’d by your sway!
What eagle would venture to wing them right through,
But would droop on his pinion, o’er half ere he flew!
From the Hills of MacCarton, and waters that ran
Like steeds down Glen Swilly, to soft-flowing Bann__
From Clannaboy’s heather to Carrick’s sea-shore
And Armagh of the Saints to the wild Innismore__
From the cave of the hunter on Tir-Connell’s hills
To the dells of Glenarm, all gushing with rills__
From Antrim’s bleak rocks to the woods of Rostrevor__
All echo’d your war-shout__”The Red Hand for Ever!”
____O’CALLAGHAN.

* Donal of Armagh: This Donal was succeeded in the Monarchy by the famous Malachi the Second, King of Meath; and is by some writers called Donal O’Neill; but it is to be observed, that it was not until some time after the death of Malachi the Second (who died A.D. 1023), and, who, as Monarch, succeeded this Donal of Armagh, A.D. 978, that Moriartus-na-Midhe was the first of the family that ever assumed the sirname “O’Neill.” Donal of Armagh ascended the throne,
A.D. 954, and died A.D. 978. He was the son of Muircheartach (Murkertagh or Murtagh), the northern chieftain who was the “Roydamma” or heir apparent to the throne, as being the son of Niall Glundubh, above mentioned. Donoch the Third of Meath succeeded Niall Glundubh in the Monarchy, A.D. 917; and, with the exception of a victory over the Danes, at Bregia (a part of the ancient kingdom of Meath), passed his reign in comparative obscurity.
Muyrkertagh (muir : Irish, the sea; Lat. Mare: Arab, mara; and ceart ; Irish, righteous; Lat. certus) had conducted a fleet to the Hebrides, whence he returned flushed with victory. He assembled a body of troops of special valour, and, at the head of a thousand heroes, commenced his “circuit of Ireland :” the Danish chief, Sitric, was first seized as a hostage ; next Lorcan, King of Leinster; next the Munster King, Callaghan of Cashel (who then had leagued with the Danes, and in conjunction with them invaded Meath and Ossory, A.D. 037), “and a fetter was put on him by Murkertagh.” He afterwards proceeded to Connaught, where, Connor, son of Teige, came to meet him, “but no gyve or lock was put upon him.”
He then returned to Aileach, carrying these Kings with him as hostages; where, for five months, he feasted them with knightly courtesy, and then sent them to the Monarch Donoch, in Meath. Murkertagh’s valour and prowess procured for him the title of__”The Hector of the west of Europe;” in two years after his justly famous exploit he was, however, slain by “Blacaire, son of Godfrey, lord of the foreigners,” on the 26th March, A.D. 941 ; and “Ardmacha (Armagh) was plundered by the same foreigners, on the day after the killing of Murkertagh.”
___MISS CUSACK.

103. Moriartach na-Midhe* : his son; was the first that assumed the sirname and title of “The Great O’Neill, Prince of Tyrone, and of Ulster.”
104. Flathartach An Frostain: his son; Prince of Ulster.
105. Aodh Athlamh : his son; Prince of Tyrone; had two sons:__
I. Donall an Togdhamh; and II. Aodh Anrachan, who was ancestor of MacSweeney.
106. Donall an Togdhamh : his son; Prince of Ulster, had a dau. Joan.
107. Flahertach Locha Hadha : his son; was Prince of Tyrone.
108. Conner na-Fiodhbha : his son; Prince of Ulster and Tyrone; was murdered, A.D. 1170.
109. Teige Glinne : his son; Prince of Tyrone.
110. Mortogh Muighe Line : his son; Prince of Ulster.
111. Aodh (or Hugh) an Macaomh Toinleasg : his son; slain A.D. 1177, by Malachlan and Ardgal O’Loughlin (his kinsmen), but the latter fell by the hand of O’Neill in the conflict. This Aodh was styled “Lord of Tirowen,” “King of the Cineal Owen,” “King of Aileach,” “King of North Erin,” etc. He had two sons__
1. Niall Ruadh; and 2. Aodh (or Hugh) Dubh, who some say was the elder son. But as the Linea Antiqua, in the Office of Arms, Dublin Castle, continues the line of “O’Neill,” Princes of Tyrone, from Niall Ruadh, we give the descent from him in the “O’Neill (No.2) pedigree, next infra. And from his brother, Aodh (or Hugh) Dubh, we give , in the “O’Neill” (No. 3) genealogy, the pedigree of O’Neill, Princes of Clanaboy.

* Moriartach na-Midhe : This name , analysed, means “Mor-Neart na Midhe” (moirneart: Irish, mighty power ; na Midhe, of Meath) ; and, as the word “neart” means great strength, implies, that this prince was powerfully strong__in person or in the forces at his command.

O'Cahan of the Cenél Éoghain

2009-02-05T08:48:00.020-06:00

The O'Cahan (O'Kane) Pedigree; An extract from: Irish Pedigrees; or The Origin And Stem of The Irish Nation, by John O’Hart, Vol. 1. , Dublin, James Duffy And Co., Ltd., 14 and 15 Wellington Quay , 1892. Part III pg 622

O’CAHAN. (No. 1.)

Princes of Limavady, County Londonderry.

Arms: Az. On a fess per pale gu. And ar. betw. in chief out-of the horns of a crescent, a dexter hand couped at the wrist and apumee, surmounted by an estoile, betw. on the dexter a horse counter-saliant, and on the sinister a lion ramp. each also surmounted by an estoile, and in base a salmon naiant all ar. on the dexter side three lizards pass. bend sinisterways gu. and on the dexter an oak tree eradicated vert, over all an escutcheon ar. charged with a cross calvary on three grieces ppr. Crest: A cat-a-mountain ramp. ppr. Motto: Felis demulcta mitis.

Conchobhar [Conner], Prince of Leim-an-Madaidh [“Limavady”], and a younger brother of Niall Frasach, the 162nd Monarch of Ireland, who is No. 96 on the (No. 1) “O’Neill (of Tyrone) pedigree, was the ancestor of O’Cathain; anglicized O’Cahaine, O’Cahane, O’Cahan, O’Cane, O’Kane, O’Keane, O’Caen, O’Chane, Cahan, Caine, Cane, Gahan, Gethan, Kane, Kean, Keane, Keen, Kyan.

96. Conner: second son of Fargal, the 156th Monarch of Ireland; a quo O’Conner, of Moy Ith, county Donegal; had a brother named Hugh.
97. Gruagan (“gruag:” Irish, the hair), meaning “the hairy man:” his son; a quo O’Gruagain, anglicized Grogan and Gregan ; had a brother named Dermod, who was ancestor of O’Conner, of Moy Ith.
98. Dungan: son of Gruagan.
99. Cathan (“cath:” Irish, a battle, and “an,” one who; Heb. “chath,”
(terror ) : his son; a quo O’Cathain.
100. Cathusach: his son.
101. Dermod : his son ; had a brother named Flaitheartach.
102. Conn Cionntach* O’Cahan : son of Dermod ; first assumed this sirname ; had a brother named Annselan, who was the ancestor of O’Bocainain ( “bocain:” Irish, fairies ; “an,” one who ), anglicized Buchanan. This Annselan was the first of the family who settled in Scotland.

103. Giollachriosd : his son.
104. Iomhar: his son.
105. Ranall : his son:
106. Eachmarcach : his son.
107. Donall : his son.
108. Rory : his son.
109. Manus Catha an Duin : his son; Prince of Limavady ; killed by the English in the “battle of Down,” A.D. 1260: hence the epithet Catha an Duin.
110. Cumagh-na-nGall ** (or “Cumagh of the English”) : his son.
111. Dermod (2) : his son.
112. Cumagh (2) : his son ; living , A.D. 1350.
113. Dermod (3) : his son.
114. Aibhneach : his son ; had a brother named Henry, a quo the “Clan Henry,” or Henry.
115. John ( or Shane) : son of Aibhneach ; d. 1498.
116. Donoch-an-Einigh (or “ Donoch the Affable”) : his son ; a quo Macaneinigh, anglicized MacAneny ; *** d. 1523. Had a brother named Donall or Daniel, **** who was ancestor of Keane, of Cappoquin, and Keane, of county Clare, etc.
117. Manus : son of Donoch an Einigh ; slain 1548.
118. Rory Ruadh [roe] : his son ; d. 1598.

119. Donall Ballach :* his son ; lord of the Route, and of Limavady, in the county Derry. ……

* Cionntach : From this name (“cionntach :” Irish, guilty) some derive MacCionntaigh , anglicized Maginty and Ginty .

** Cumagh-na-nGall : On the tomb of this Cumagh O’Cahan, in the church of Dungiven, the Arms of this Prince of Limavady display the salmon, as do the Arms of the O’Neill , from whom the O’Cahan family are an offshoot.

*** MacAeny : This name in Irish is more properly written Mac-an-Eineaigh, and is derived from the Irish “ eineach,” affability. Some genealogists confound this family with
Mac –an-Eanaigh . (See the Note “MacNeny,” under the families of Ulster descended from Colla-da-Chrioch, who is No. 85 on the O’Hart pedigree, infra .

**** Donall : From this Donall (or Daniel), the fourth son of John O’Cahan, No. 115 on this Genealogy, also descended General Sir Richard O’Cahan, of the 18th Foot, who was Governor of Minorca, etc. This Sir Richard was b. on 20th December, 1666, and
d. 19th December, 1736. According to the subjoined epitaph, he first entered on his military career at the Siege of Derry. The descent was as follows : _______

116. Daniel, of Coolbryan, son of John, had
117. Richard, of Coolbryan and Dungiven, who had
118. Thomas, m. to Catherine O’Skullen, and had

DNA Test Results for Woody Coleman

2008-12-05T14:34:00.014-06:00

Double Click photo for a larger view
Woody Coleman's Paternal DNA Test Results performed by Ancestry DNA show him to be a member of the Haplogroup "R1b"

Family of Franklin Young

2008-02-13T09:14:00.014-06:00

Husband: Franklin Young
Born: 1832 Place: Ware county, Georgia
Died: Abt 1880 Place: Georgia
Buried:
Married: Abt 1850 , Georgia
Husband's father: William Redding Young
Husband's mother: Mary Kennedy (Canady)
(Note: Mary Kennedy was the widow of 1st marriage to Drury Hobbs of Bulloch co., GA.)

Wife: Mary Jane Riggins
Born: 1831 Place: Georgia
Died: Place:
Buried:
Wife's father:
Wife's mother:

Children:
1. (M) Peter Aaron Young, Sr.
Born: 6 Oct 1851 Place: Ware county, Georgia
Died: 26 Jan 1899 Place: Clinch county, Georgia
Buried: Ramah Church cemetery, Homerville, Clinch county, Georgia
Spouse: Nancy Malinda Carver
Married: Bef 1870, Clinch county, GA.

2. (M) David Young
Born: 1852 Place: Georgia
Died: Place:
Buried:
Spouse: Mary Caroline Nunez
Married:

3. (M) John M. Young
Born: 1855 Place: Ware co.,Georgia
Died: Place:
Buried:
Spouse :
Married:

4. (F) Margaret Young
Born: 1856 Place: Ware co., GA.
Died: Place:
Buried:
Spouse:
Married:

5. (M) William F. Young
Born: 1856 Place: Ware county, Georgia
Died: 22 Apr 1875 Place:
Buried:
Spouse: Lucinda Griffin
Married:

6. (F) Mary A. Young
Born: Abt 1858 Place: Ware co., Georgia
Died: Place:
Buried:
Spouse: Isham Reddick Williams
Married:

7. (M) Francis (Frank) Marion Young
Born: 2 Apr 1861 Place: Ware co., Georgia
Died: Place: Ware co., GA.
Buried:
Spouse: Miriam (Mollie) Spence
Married:

8.. (M) Robert F. Young
Born: Sep 1861 Place: Ware co., Georgia
Died: Place:
Buried:
Spouse:
Married:

9. (F) Susannah H. Young
Born: 1867 Place: Georgia
Died: Place:
Buried:
Spouse: Jeremia M. Spikes
Married:

Colonel William Edgar Coleman

2008-02-06T21:37:00.007-06:00

BIOGRAPHY: William Edgar Coleman, also known as Guillermo Edgardo Coleman, or Willie, was born December 8th, 1890 in San Pedro Sula, Honduras,the son of William Forrest Coleman of Carrollton, Georgia and Yndalecia Paredes of San Pedro Sula, Honduras. His paternal grandparents, William Allen and Cynthia (Riggs) Coleman were Confederate refugees who went to Honduras to escape the the era of"Reconstruction"in Georgia after the Civil war. He was a former U.S. Marine and by profession , a businessman. In addition to working in his father's business of cattle and fruit cultivation, he was involved in the mahogany lumber trade and served for a while as San Pedro Sula's Chief of Police. He became frequently involved in the politics of Honduras and during the Honduran presidential election campaigns of 1927 and 1928, his activities came to the attention of the U.S. State Department which critisized him for spreading propaganda and inciting the local population to rebellion. In the 1932 Honduran revolution , he was actively involved as a Colonel of rebel forces and on November 13th, 1932, led a successful assault on the city of San Pedro Sula which resulted in it's capture. During the following mop-up operations in the city , he was asassinated by two of his own men.

William Edgar Coleman was married to Manuela Mana Madrid of Santa Rosa de Copan. To them were born 4 children: Arturo Hector, Guillermo Edgardo, Yndalecia, and Carlos Coleman.

Biographical Note: William Edgar Coleman was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. (Woody)

Editor's Note: In an interview of my father, (Elwood R. Coleman, Sr.), before his death in 1998, he told me that he was in Honduras during the 1932 revolution and that he observed his grandfather, William Forrest retrieve the body of his son and bring it home. He said that his father, (John Allen Coleman), and his Uncle Willie were very close, and when he heard the news of his brother's death, he went to investigate and learned the identity and location of the two killers. My father said that he observed my grandfather, John Allen Coleman , arm himself, mount his horse and ride off into the mountains. My father said that when my grandfather returned, he told him that ,(in more colorful language), he had taken care of his brother's killers. ... Woody Coleman

DOCUMENT: (Transcribed by Woody Coleman)
Letter from the "Legation Of The United States Of America," Tegucigalpa, Honduras, September 1, 1928, to The Honorable Secretary of State, Washington.
(National Archives file# 815.00, Presidential Campaign 1927/28; an extract follows:)

Sir: I have the honor to report for the information of the Department that William Coleman, son of William Forrest Coleman, American Consular Agent at San Pedro Sula, is now, according to reliable reports received by the Legation, actively engaged on the north coast in a campaign of propaganda in favor of General Tosta. This propaganda is said, unfortunately to be not of
a political but of an incendiary character, deliberately inciting to revolution. According to Vice Consul Myrick at Puerto Cortes, Mr. Coleman was last registered in that consulate as an American citizen, four years ago. The Foreign Office states that he has not made application for naturalization as a Honduran citizen. In view of these circumstances I do not know whether or not the Department would now consider Mr. Coleman to have American nationality, but in any case his activities are highly reprehensible, and due to the fact that on occasions convenient to himself he is reported to lay claim to American citizenship, they are even damaging to American
prestige.
I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, George T. Summerlin.