Western Pennsylvania Genealogy
Compiled by Douglas H. Lusher


Family Group Record



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[Ancestor] Carnahan




Husband [Ancestor] Carnahan

           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 
       Marriage: 



Wife

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         Buried: 


Children
1 M Adam Carnahan 1 2

           Born: 22 Nov 1777 - Carlisle, Cumberland Co, PA 1
     Christened: 
           Died: 25 Aug 1853 1
         Buried: 
         Spouse: Ruth McElwayne (1781-1853) 1


2 M A. J. Carnahan 3

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         Buried: 




General Notes: Husband - [Ancestor] Carnahan


The first authentic information relating to this family dates back to the year 1540, when three Irish tribes or clans by the name of Carnochan, Carnaghan and Carnathan, entered into an agreement to unite for self protection. Previous to this time, tradition says, they subsisted by the right of the strong arm, as was the custom of the day, preying upon the weaker tribes and levying tribute in lands, cattle and servants. Inhabiting the rough and stormy coast of the north part of Ireland, one of their chief means of support was from the wreckage of vessels driven ashore, and they were even accused of luring them ashore by means of false lights. When these three tribes had no mutual enemies to assail they fought each other until their numbers were greatly diminished. When the great religious reformation spread over Ireland, they embraced the Calvinistic faith and doctrines, and in 1540 united under the leadership of one James Alexander Carnahan. That they were strong and firm in their beliefs is evidenced by the fact that they met in numerous pitched battles the soldiers of Mary X Tudor (1553-58). In the latter year they were almost exterminated, their chief slain, and goods and lands confiscated to the crown. Many suffered imprisonment or death. Some escaped and of these there are traces of two branches who took refuge in Scotland; one settled at or near Dumfries, and the other at Aberdeen. The Dumfries branch became weavers by occupation; the Aberdeen branch became hewers of stone, or stone masons, and at one time owned and worked large quarries. That they became people of some importance is known, for one John Andrew Carnahan was a delegate to the convention in France from which resulted the celebrated Edict of Nantes (1585).
But little is known of the family again until 1709, when James Alexander Carnahan was born in Aberdeen, Scotland. He is supposed to be the direct ancestor of the branch of the family hereinafter described. He is reputed to have been a man of powerful build, standing six feet four inches in his bare feet, and weighing about two hundred and fifty pounds, of a dark and swarthy complexion, self-esteemed, and very determined in his religious views. He had fourteen sons and five daughters. Of the sons, James, Hugh and John emigrated to America with their families between 1760 and 1770, and settled in the Cumberland valley at Carlisle, Pennsylvania. 4

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Sources


1 Charles A. Babcock, Venango County, Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1919), Pg 761.

2 John W. Jordan, LL.D., Genealogical and Personal History of the Allegheny Valley, Pennsylvania (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1913), Pg 340.

3 —, History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Its Past and Present (Chicago, IL: Brown, Runk & Co., Publishers, 1888), Pg 481.

4 John W. Jordan, LL.D., Genealogical and Personal History of the Allegheny Valley, Pennsylvania (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1913), Pg 339.


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