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In early February 1798, my ancestor Thomas Wright arrived in Philadelphia. Over many years, and with the help of DNA, it became clear that many of his close relatives also arrived aboard the same ship - for example, first cousins James Alfred Cameron, of Philadelphia, and John Johnson . While I'm now beginning to understand their relationship back in Ireland, I have also realized that these families stuck together for many generations.
Clark County, Missouri, was settled by descendants of three of these Irish families. In addition, I expect to discover other related settlers over time, which is what this project is all about.
The families list, so far:
- The Wrights - descendants of Samuel Wright of Ematris Parish, County Monaghan
- The Camerons - descendants of William Cameron, who married one of Samuel's daughters
- The Johnsons - descendants of John Johnson and Louisa Wright, another of Samuel's daughters
- The Johnstons - relatives by marriage; Samuel's wife's family intermarried multiple times with the Johnston family in the Fermanagh/Clogher area
- The Rogers - John Johnson's son, also named John Johnson, married Sarah Rogers shortly after arrival in Philadelphia. Sarah's entire family was on that boat and her father died on it.
- The McMahons - Samuel's granddaughter Grizelda Wright married Alexander McMahon and emigrated to New York. Other Protestant McMahons later arrived in places like Maryland.
- The Armstrongs - Samuel's wife was Mary Armstrong, daughter of John Joseph Armstrong. There are many Armstrong relatives Mary had; the problem is figuring out their relationship with Mary. But James Armstrong emigrated from County Fermanagh, and one of his sons went to Kahoka.