I'm researching my 4th great-grandfather, John McCandless. Here is what I know about him:
He was born about 1798.
He was Presbyterian.
We know nothing of his father.
His mother’s name was Martha and she was born in about 1773. She died at sea on May 8, 1848, on the voyage to the US with her son John, his wife Martha and her grandchildren.
John married a Martha Hanson, who was born around 1814 to William Hanson and Jane Rankin.
We know nothing of William Hanson.
Jane Rankin was the daughter of Hugh Rankin and Martha Rankin. She was born in Lisboy,
Aghadowey in 1784 and had a sister named Martha.
Martha had four siblings, most of whom, I believe, were born in Ballylintagh,
Aghadowey, Derry:
George “Big George” Hanson (Isabella Steen) (1809-1867)
William Marcus Hanson(Rosa McDowell Eccles) (1828-1895)
Margaret (Peggy) Hanson (? – 1863)
Mary Hanson (Daniel Ellis) (?-1861)
John and Martha had seven children that we know of. All but Annie were born in Ireland:
Samuel James (1833-1859)
William Hanson (1838-1893)
Matilda J. (1839 - )
John (1843-1917)
Mary (1845 - ?)
David Rankin (1848-1920)
Annie (1852-1906)
On June 12, 1848, John and Martha arrived with their children in New York, They had traveled from Liverpool on the HMS Fanchon. With them was also a David McCandless, age 18, who is listed as a saddler. John is listed as a farmer. They also had with them a servant named Eliza Boyce, aged 17.
I am trying to find out what I can about John McCandless’s life in Ireland. I have his life in America fairly well in hand, but his life prior to his coming here is a bit of a mystery. My grandfather knew that his mother’s people were from what is now Northern Ireland, but that is all he knew.
Sorry for the long-winded post, but I wanted to put as much information out there as I had in case it registers with someone. Any knowledge or insight shared is gratefully accepted and I am happy to reciprocate if I can.
