This week’s topic in the #52Ancestors Challenge is “Lucky.” Looking back on the McGees, Fish, Morgans, Parrs, Works, Carneys, Callaghans, and the rest, I don’t see any of the usual signs of luck—no winning of the lottery or finding the pot of gold hidden by the Leprechauns. But I find many examples of tenacity and survival under the most adverse circumstances. So is that our “luck?”
Tenacity and Courage in War
War was the precursor and sometimes cause of later health problems and family adversity.
Seven Years’ War (French and Indian War)
The Seven Years’ War pitted French and Spain against England. The British Colonials fought with the British but were not pleased with how Britain treated them. They were given lower pay and rank than the British born in England.
John Fish fought with his friends and neighbors from Pennsylvania on the plains of Abraham in what is now Quebec City. John was reputed to be at General James Wolfe’s side when he was wounded on the plains of Abraham. Benjamin West created this painting later to highlight the General and the British victory, but he never saw the soldiers present at the General’s death.
My children have ancestors on both sides of the Battle of Quebec.
American Revolution
John Fish’s son William joined the Continental Line at the start of the war.
John Fish and the same friends who fought for the British in the Seven Years’ War fought against the British in the American Revolution starting in 1780. John’s son David joined the militia with his father.
Elijah Towner of Connecticut was captured at Lake Champlain and was a British prisoner of war.
Arthur Parr, Jr. was drafted into the South Carolina militia at age 18 and saw his first battle at Charleston. He was also a British prisoner of war once released and re-joined the revolution.
Irish Rebellion
In 1798, the American Revolution principles spread to Ireland. But unfortunately, the British put down the rebellion and increased their attacks on the native Catholic Irish. This would have harmed the McGees and Carneys in County Down, the Duffys in County Longford, the Callaghans and McGeoughs in County Monaghan, and the Murphys and Duggans in County Limerick.
Despite the destruction of their farms and the constant barrage to make them “more English,” they had the tenacity to survive long enough that their descendants immigrated to America for slightly better economics and the hope for a better future.
United States Civil War
The McGees escaped the famine only to arrive in the United States just in time for our civil war. William McGee Sr joined the Wisconsin Regiment. After serving in the Union Army, he took his family by train and covered wagon to their new land in North Dakota.
(Christopher) Columbus, Enoch, and John Parr joined the 34th Iowa Regiment. Unfortunately, all three Parr brothers became sick during their service. Enoch was disabled for the rest of his life – most likely from a mosquito-borne virus.
According to the National Park Service Soldiers and Sailors Database, the 34th Iowa Regiment had 246 men die from disease during their military service. Only 12 died in battle. The Parr brothers did survive their illnesses.
Adverse Economics
Being poor and scrambling for survival can be good for the soul, but it is nearly always bad for the health.
The Great Hunger
Starvation causes health issues. This is especially true for parents giving up what they need to help their children survive. The Catholics were primarily tenant farmers due to legal restrictions. When the potatoes blight arrived in Ireland, these farmers not only lost their primary crop but were still required to supply their Lord with the usual amount of crops and animals. Some historical sources indicate that the levy of animals increased during crop failures and expanded the famine.
Tenacity in Homesteading
Homesteading required tenacity, determination, and some luck with terrain and weather. Homesteaders started with sod houses, food storage in underground pits, and no running water. As a result, food could rot, and water could become contaminated.
Effects of Adverse Family Stress
These issues are a subset of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES). However, enough ACES appear to cause chronic health problems in adulthood.
Enoch Parr’s Family
Enoch was severely disabled in the civil war and was unable to work. His disability was primarily invisible and embarrassing. According to his medical records, he had nearly non-stop diarrhea. He and his wife Harriet chose to go to Nebraska to homestead to build a better life for their children. Fortunately, they went with family members who were able to work together. Neighbors in this harsh environment helped each other and became a family with marriages between their children.
Harriet died after the birth of my great-great-grandfather, Elmer. This left no adult to meet the homestead criteria or care for baby Elmer. Charley was 17 and took on most homesteading duties: plowing fields, caring for animals, and maintaining the sod house. Effie Ann was 15 and became the mother figure to Samuel (13), Nora (2), Elmer (0), and her father’s caretaker. All this took a toll on the children’s health.
Charlie died when he was 41. Effie Ann died in childbirth at 26. Samuel became a doctor and lived until he was 68. Nora was 52 when she died. But Elmer lasted until he was 71.
Michael Callaghan’s Family Tenacity
Michael and Bridget Callaghan gave their children their best and did all they could to survive. But Michael and Bridget died young. They had arranged for their youngest child, Rose, to live with Bridget’s brother, Myles.
Before they died, Kate had been sent to North Dakota and found a husband. Kate then sent for her sister Maggie who married John Carney McGee. Eventually, Bernard and Marie Callaghan came and stayed with the McGees until they found a more permanent home. The two oldest brothers, Peter and Patrick, went to Pennsylvania, where they presumably had other family or friends.
John James Duffy’s Family
John’s death from a freak accident when his children were young caused generations of physical and emotional abuse. Before he died, my Dad told me that one of his biggest regrets was that he was unsuccessful at breaking this cycle of abuse despite his best efforts.
