Quote:
Originally posted by Peaches-n-Cream
Hi honeychile, I am sure that his name is in the Patriots record. Here is my story:
I come from a long line of Sullivans from Newport, RI and New York. There is a Major General John Sullivan who fought in the Battle of Long Island and the Battle of Rhode Island. The name struck me since we have so many men in my family with the same name. Truthfully, I have no idea if there is any relation. My mother can trace our family tree to the mid 1800s in Newport, RI. A few years ago we went to Newport and checked their property records. My great great (great?) grandfather bought a house there in the 1850s or 1860s. That is as far back as I can go in my family tree. There were John Sullivans galore in those records. It is not an uncommon name so we probably aren't related to the Major General, but it would be cool if we are.
Anyway, I'm not pursuing membership in DAR. I actually never even thought about it until this thread. I am more interested in filling out my family tree. I am just not certain how to do this. It is entirely possible that my Sullivan ancestors came to the US from Ireland after 1847 due to the famine, but I haven't seen concrete evidence of this.
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*BIG GRIN*
That's how we started, too - just proving the family stories, filling out the family tree! I can distinctly remember a time when my mama & I made the conscious decision to abandon all hopes of any lineage society and search for the truth. Well, the truth led down the road to the DAR, UDC, etc! Many people think that the DAR is all about snootiness, and don't realize that the DAR has supported schools for the Native Americans and several other charities LONG before it was in vogue! The ladies of the DAR are there when new citizens are sworn in, and to help with veterans hospitals. We're more hands on than most people realize.
[/soapbox]
Okay, I have the newest Patriot Index open in my lap. There are 2 John Sullivans - the first born in VA, died in SC and the second born in MA and died in NH. That doesn't mean that there ISN'T a Major General; it just means that his lineage hasn't been pursued by someone in the DAR. Both Adrienne & I had to prove a New Patriot; it's a bit more work, but worthwhile. Working on a new lineage means a chance to see more clearly exactly what they did; in my case, I actually held the Fort Day Book and saw where my ancestor signed for his pay. A lot of people don't get that rush!
But let's back up to Newport in the mid-1800's: my one ancestor, Catharine McCann married Peter Carlin on September 27, 1857, with Ann and Andrew McCourt as witnesses at St. Mary's (incidentally, where JFK got married), but supposed she was a Baptist. It's her parents, Michael McCann & Caroline Challis, that have us hung up. Any help from your research?
ETA: I have ancestors on both sides of the Civil War - and they fought in the same battles! Talk about your inlaw troubles! Anyhow, we did join the United Daughters of the Confederacy (which is a whole story unto itself, as we didn't want to be involved with any racism), and have a sponsor lined up for the GAR/Union Ladies. Both are in DC, though. We used to get there about once a month, but not as much since my daddy died. We were to go this weekend, but it looks as if it's off.
