Martin McNary

This is a picture of Martin's sword. It is currently presented on the wall of his great, great, great, great, grandson, Living McNary in southern California.

  Martin's father, whose name was David, went with a wealthy gentleman to Dungannon Ireland, as a land steward, and there died.  His widow, Janet,  returned to Greenock, with all the family except Martin, who remained with their employer.  He afterwards went to sea as a cabin boy and eventually came to America,  This Martin was a Catholic, supposed to have become so under the influence of his Foster Father in Ireland.  His wife was of Puritan stock, a near relative of the Missionary David Brainard; but being early orphaned, she was brought up in the Church of England. The children all followed the mother instead of the father in their religion.  The whole family is said to be of a mechanical turn of mind.

The name is also spelled "McKenery"

At the time of his marriage with Widow Blake, he had a son, Martin, " a young lad" (Probably by a former marriage) who settled in Litchfield, CT, and left a son George, whose descendants still live there. This George got his wife at Fishkill, New York

Martin's McNary's gravestone in the Old Ponsett Cemetery, Pokorney Road, Haddam CT reads as follows:

 Martin McNary

died Dec 8, 1809

     Age 85

---

    Mehitabel

     Wife of

Martin McNary

died Jue 10, 1827

      Age 85

The following letter was written by Stacey L McNary to his grandson Larry McNary in 1976, four years before his death at the age of 99. It is my strong opinion that when he refers to Micheal, he really means Martin. Michael is Martin's son.

For Larry McNary, Palo Alto, Calif. December 10, 1976.

Here is the story about the sword which hangs on the wall of my apartment, 7-J, The Sequoias.

This sword which is both a dueling and a fencing sword, was brot to the Colonies by Michael McNary, the first of the Clan to come to America. He left from Dunfries, Scotland and stopped at Havana, Cuba, where he fought a duel over some affair. He left Cuba for America but the date of his leaving Scotland or landing in the Colonies is indefinite. The deed to the farm which he purchased and which lies about five miles out from Middletown, Connecticut, is dated, I believe, 1760 so Michael must have left Scotland arrived in America some time previously.

It was sometime in the Twenties and I feel sure 1926, that we drove to Connecticut, Mom, Jane, Mary, George, your father, and me and visited with Frank Burke who then had possession of the place.

Uncle John McNary was a batchelor who inherited the farm from his father and who I first knew when I visited the farm in 1906. His sister Delia with two children Nellie and Frank had become widowed in her early marriage and Uncle John had them come and live with him and in our visit of 1926 Frank Burke was the only survivor.

We arranged for a Clan party at the farm on a Sunday and among the guests was Martha Mack Hall, a niece of Uncle John and the daughter of his older sister, Jeanette.

Martha was the historian of the Clan and in a discussion of the Clan, Martha asked if it was known where the sword which Michael McNary had brot to the Colonies could be. Frank Burke left the group and soon returned with the sword which had been kept in the carriage shed.

Martha identified the sword and the Clan later decided that I should have custody of it.

The sword is hand forged as were all such at the time and it is a grand bit of craftmanship. The sword was rusty and the cord wrapping of the handle was about gone. I had the rust removed and the present cord wrapping was put on by myself. I give the sword to you. Your grandfater, /s/ Stacey L. McNary

The following letter written by Martin McNary to his brother Morris in Dungarvon, Ireland. Either the letter was never sent or, as Mary McNary Bogart suggests, did the "son James" visit in Connecticut at the old farm --- and might he not have brought the letter received by his father Morris, with him to identify himself?

America, Middletown, State of Ct., June 9, 1785

Dear Brother: I received your letter dated last July in which you informed me of the hard times in Ireland and the bad circumstances you are in which grieves me much and you informed me about my brother John but not a word did you write me of brother James or sister Jane which makes me fearful they are not living.

  Last spring I wrote you a letter in which I informed you that I had thought of moving to Nova Scotia but I have not yet concluded whether to go there or about 200 miles west of this place where there is a new township and new land to be taken up and perhaps other advantages but taxes run so high here I must sell my land and move somewhere.  My journey to Nova Scotia cost me a great deal of money and I was obliged to see 2 cows to pay the expenses.

  I went there to see if I could take up land there to advantage hoping it would so happen that I might not only do myself service but be able to help my relations that stand in need.

  In your letter you informed me that your son James had a great mind to come and see me.  I should be glad to see him and I would be glad to have you give him some learning and have him ready tjo come when I send for him which I shall not do till I have concluded whether I move to Nova Scotia or to the west of this place.

  I beg you to write me the first opportunity and let me know of all our relations there and how many children you have.  I would inform you that I have 8 sons and 2 daughters  whose names and ages are as follows: 1st Martin a blacksmith aged 25 years, 2nd Morris a joiner aged 21 years, 3rd Samuel learning a carpenters trade aged 16 yrs, 4th John aged 15 years, 5th David - which is cratched out and Richard added - aged 12 years, 6th James aged 10 years, 7th Michael aged 7 years and 8th William aged 4 years.  My oldest daughter Peggy is 19 years old and my youngest daughter Mary is 2 years old.

 Let Morris Hart know that his son John is dead in the West Indies.  Mr. John Magner was well the last I heard of him.  I was at his house but did not see him.  You may depend upon seeing my son Morris in Ireland within 18 months  from this time if God is willing and prospers us and then you shall know all our circumstances that I can not now inform you of conveniently.

 My wife and children all send their love to you and yours and to their Uncle John and all their relations in Ireland and I wish you all happiness and that we shall meet in Heaven hereafter and be with God in all eternity.

 I remain your loving and affectrionate brother, Martin McKenery

I charge you to give your children all the learning you can. I have experienced the want of it and am satisfied it is the best portion (potion?) you can give them. Adiew, God bless you.

 My wife delinces very fast and I am afraid she will not live long but my children are healthy and well.  M. McKenery.

---

GEDCOM Note

<p>Martin's father, who name was David, went with a wealthy gentleman to Dungannon Ireland, as a land steward, and there died. His widow, Janet, returned to Greenock, with all the family except Martin, who remained with their employer. He afterwards went to sea as a cabin boy and eventually came to America, This Martin was a Catholic, supposed to have become so under the influence of his Foster Father in Ireland. His wife was of Puritan stock, a near relative of the Missionary David Brainard; but being early orphaned, she was brought up in the Church of England. The children all followed the mother instead of the father in their religion. The whole family is said to be of a mechanical turn of mind.</p><p> </p><p>The name is also spelled "McKenery" About 1775 or 1776 Martin changed his name to "Canary". After 1800 the family name changed again to McNary.</p><p> </p><p>At the time of his marriage with Widow Blake, he had a son, Martin, " a young lad" who settled in Litchfield, CT, and left a son George, whose descendants still live there. This George got his wife at Fishkill, New York</p><p> </p><p>Martin's McNary's gravestone in the Old Ponsett Cemetery, Pokorney Road, Haddam CT reads as follows:</p><p> Martin McNary</p><p>died Dec 8, 1809</p><p> Age 85</p><p>

---

</p><p> Mehitabel </p><p> Wife of </p><p> Martin McNary</p><p>died Jue 10, 1827</p><p> Age 85</p><p> </p><p>The following letter was written by Stacey L McNary to his grandson Larry McNary in 1976, four years before his death at the age of 99. It is my strong opinion that when he refers to Micheal, he really means Martin. Michael is Martin's son.</p><p> </p><p>For Larry McNary, Palo Alto, Calif. December 10, 1976.</p><p>Here is the story about the sword which hangs on the wall of my apartment, 7-J, The Sequoias.</p><p>This sword which is both a dueling and a fencing sword, was brot to the Colonies by Michael McNary, the first ofthe Clan to come to America. He left from Dunfries, Scotland and stopped at Havana, Cuba, where he fought a duel over some affair. He left Cuba for America but the date of his leaving Scotland or landing in the Colonies is indefinite. The deed to the farm which he purchased and which lies about five miles out from Middletown, Connecticut, is dated, I believe, 1760 so Michael must have left Scotland arrived in America some time previously.</p><p>It was sometime in the Twenties and I feel sure 1926, that we drove to Connecticut, Mom, Jane, Mary, George, your father, and me and visited with Frank Burke who then had possession of the place.</p><p>Uncle John McNary was a batchelor who inherited the farm from his father and who I first knew when I visited the farm in 1906. His sister Delia with two children Nellie and Frank had become widowed in her early marriage and Uncle John had them come and live with him and in our visit of 1926 Frank Burke was the only survivor.</p><p>We arranged for a Clan party at the farm on a Sunday and among the guests was Martha Mack Hall, a niece of Uncle John and the daughter of his older sister, Jeanette.</p><p>Martha was the historian of the Clan andin a discussion of the Clan, Martha asked if it was known where the sword which Michael McNary had brot to the Colonies could be. Frank Burke left the group and soon returned with the sword which had been kept in the carriage shed.</p><p>Martha identified the sword and the Clan later decided that I should have custody of it.</p><p>The sword is hand forged as were all such at the time and it is agrand bit of craftmanship. The sword was rusty and the cord wrapping of the handle was about gone. I had the rust removed and the present cord wrapping was put on by myself. I give the sword to you. Your grandfater, /s/ Stacey L. McNary</p><p> </p><p> In a handwritten document dated August 27, 1923 Martha T. Hall writes about the "foil" or sword of Martin McNary: This foil belonged to Martin McNary born 1724 died 1809. He was great, great, grandfather of Hattie and Carrie, Stacey and George McNary. Martin McNary was a teacher of fencing. Had pupils in N.Y. City and taught in a private school in Middletown and had private pupils. He would never allow his sons to learn the manly art of self-defence. He was a handsome man, over six feet tall, light complexion, with brilliant blue eyes. His great grand daughter, Martha T. Hall Aug 27, 1923 At Middletown, Conn.</p><p> This document continues but the handwriting is that of Carrie McNary. </p><p> Martin McNary's father went from Grenock, Scotland into Ireland to take charge of the estates of an Irish lord. This man had a son near the age of young Martin and the two became great friends. The lord, noticing that young Martin was an intelligent lad, offered him the choice of a university education or training in the art of fencing. The latter at that time was considered a high art, only open to the sons of wealthy men. This was young Martin's choice but in later life he regretted what he considered a very foolish choice. It is said that at one time a famous Cuban swordsman upon his arrival in New York sent out a challenge for a match. Martin McNary accepted as the play continued Martin saw that the Cuban, rather than endure defeat, was aiming at his heart. With the skill of an adept surgeon, Martin removed one of the Cuban's eyes with his sword point.</p><p> For many years the old sword could not be found. Last Saturday when twelve of the relatives were having a reunion at the old farm, someone expressed a desire to see the old grain threshing basket. Frank Burke went to the wood shed loft to get it and upon his return he brought the old sword in the basket. Martha Hall at once recognized it as the sword of her great grandfather familiar to her in childhood. She gave it to Hattie and Carrie McNary, who were present to be given in turn to their five year old nephew, George T. McNary.Middletown, Conn. August 27, 1923 (By Carrie McNary, dictated by Cousin Martha).</p><p> (J.M.B. Note: This orginial "letter" will be forwarded to Larry McNary, son of George T. McNary. Larry isin possession of the sword. In my possession is a picture of Frank Burke holding the basket -- sans sword). </p><p> </p><p>The following letter written by Martin McNary to his brother Morris inDungarvon, Ireland. Either the letter was never sent or, as Mary McNary Bogart suggests, did the "son James" visit in Connecticut at the old farm --- and might he not have brought the letter received by his father Morris, with him to identify himself?</p><p> </p><p>America, Middletown, State of Ct., June 9, 1785</p><p> </p><p>Dear Brother: I received your letter dated last July in which you informed me of the hard times in Ireland and the bad circumstances you are in which grieves me much and you informed me about my brother John but not a word did you write me of brother James orsister Jane which makes me fearful they are not living.</p><p> Last spring I wrote you a letter in which I informed you that I had thought of moving to Nova Scotia but I have not yet concluded whether to go there or about 200 miles west of this place where there is a new township and new land to be taken up and perhaps other advantages but taxes run so high here I must sell my land and move somewhere. My journey to Nova Scotia cost me a great deal of money and I was obliged to see 2 cows to pay the expenses.</p><p> I went there to see if I could take up land there to advantage hoping it would so happen that I might not only do myself service but be able to help my relations that stand in need.</p><p> In your letter you informed me that your son James had a great mind to come and see me. I should be glad to see him and I would be glad to have you give him some learning and have him ready to come when I send for him which I shall not do till I have concluded whether I move to Nova Scotia or to the west of this place.</p><p> I beg you to write me the first opportunity and let me know of all our relations there and how many children you have. I would inform you that I have 8 sons and 2 daughters whose names and ages are as follows: 1st Martin a blacksmith aged 25 years, 2nd Morris a joiner aged 21 years, 3rd Samuel learning a carpenters trade aged 16 yrs, 4th John aged15 years, 5th David - which is cratched out and Richard added - aged 12 years, 6th James aged 10 years, 7th Michael aged 7 years and 8th William aged 4 years. My oldest daughter Peggy is 19 years old and my youngest daughter Mary is 2 years old.</p><p> Let Morris Hart know that his son John is dead in the West Indies. Mr. John Magner was well the last I heard of him. I was at his house but did not see him. You may depend upon seeing my son Morris in Ireland within 18 months from this time if God is willing and prospers us and then you shall know all our circumstances that I can not now inform you of conveniently.</p><p> My wife and children all send their love to you and yours and to their Uncle John and all their relations in Ireland and I wish you all happiness and that we shall meet in Heaven hereafter and be with God in all eternity.</p><p> I remain your loving and affectrionate brother, Martin McKenery</p><p> </p><p>I charge you to give your children all the learningyou can. I have experienced the want of it and am satisfied it is the best portion (potion?) you can give them. Adieu, God bless you.</p><p> My wife declines very fast and I am afraid she will notlive long but my children are healthy and well. M. McKenery.</p><p> </p><p>Notes from the McNary Family book:</p><p> </p><p>Martin McNary, who was born in Greenock, Scotland in 1723, came to this country</p><p>before the Revolutionary War. He died in 1809 in his 86th year.</p><p> </p><p>NYS Library in the Connecticut section, CT Historical Society. French and</p><p>Indian Wars:</p><p> </p><p>Martin McKiniry and Dennis McKiniry each enlisted at Middletown CT. Dennis was</p><p>killed in the wars. Martin served four times from 1756 to 1759.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Some of the family history provided to the authors of the McNary Family have been verified but some is unverifiable. One such story is that, Martin, the progenator of this line in America, served in the French and Indian War. When he returned home, he brought with him the belongings of a fallen comrad and took them to his young widow. He later married her.</p><p> </p><p>That marriage didn't take place for another 4 years after the end of the war, so it is likely that Martin's wife was still alive in 1759.</p><p> </p><p>Having been born in 1723, the approximated date of his firstmarriage would have been at about 1743-45. It is likely that there were other children born in the first marriage of Martin McNary.</p><p> </p><p>Dinnis McKiniry and Matthew McAnary are tentatively placed as brothers to Martin, but it is possible that they were actually his sons.</p><p> </p><p>Other family history relates that the son of Martin, James, chose to use the name Canary based on his father's military records which had the spelling Makinary. That doesn't seem likely to be the reason for the name change.</p><p> </p><p>From the Barbour Collection, a published set of records of births, deaths, and marriages of Connecticut:</p><p>McKENERY Middletown, CT. Vital Records Vol. 3, p 406</p><p> </p><p> * John, son Martin & Mabel, b Aug 30, 1770, in Haddam</p><p> * Martin, m Mabel BLAKE, Sept 28, 1763</p><p> * Morris, son Martin & Mabel, b Sept 8, 1764</p><p> * Peggy, dau Martin & Mabel, b Aug 30, 1766</p><p> * Samuel, son Martin & Mabel, b Aug 2, 1768</p><p> </p><p>McNARY</p><p> </p><p> * Albert, m Sarah G MANNING, Nov 13, 1846, by Rev W G Howard</p><p> * Amelia C, dau Martin, gunsmith, & Lucy, b May 28, 1850</p><p> * Delia, m Howell BURKE of Middletown, Oct 9, 1853, by Rev Frederic J Goodwin</p><p> * Hepsabeth Melissa, of Middletown, m Alfred PENFIELD of Chatham, May 15, 1838, by Rev John Cookson</p><p> * Lucy Alice, died July __, 1848, age 2</p><p> * Margaret, of haddam, m Ira HUBBARD of Middletown, June 27, 1836, by Rev John Cookson</p><p> * Mortena, m Samuel HARRIS, Dec 10, 1842, by Rev Arthur Granger</p><p> * Orpha, dau Deborah, m John LUCAS of Middletown, Oct 31, 1847, by Rev Joseph Holdrich</p><p> * Roxy Ann, m Moses HARRIS of Middletown, Mar 11, 1835, by Rev Chandler Curtis</p><p> *

---

, child of Martin & Lucy W, b July 27, 1848</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Headstone inscription:</p><p> </p><p>Martin McNary died Dec 18, 1809 ae 85</p><p> </p><p> Deaths Extracted From The Two Hundredth Anniversary of the First Congregational Church</p><p>Of Haddam, Connecticut:</p><p>1809-Dec. 11 Martin McNARY, age 80.</p><p> </p><p>Source: DAR, Vol. 26, page 27 Application of Frrs. Frances C. Mack Mann</p><p>Martin McNary served as a private in the militia.</p><p>I have found no evidence that this Martin served in the Revolutionary War. There was only 1 McNary name on the CT rosters and the pension file of Martin, his son, indicates that it was he, and not his father.</p><p> </p>A family story, related by Lewis Smith, Martin's great grandson, states: "His great-grandfather, James McNary, was in the war between England and France. Being taken prisoner, he was confined in the hold of a vessel for seven days without food, except a pair of calf-skin boots, which, being cut in small pieces, was eaten by himself and his comrades. They afterward overpowered the crew, brought the vessel to America, entered the American Army and served in the war ofthe Revolution, being honorably discharged at its close; was also in the war of 1812."