The journal of the American-Irish Historical Society, Vol. VI, 1906 — John Shaqi
The journal of the American-Irish Historical Society, Vol. VI, 1906Various
History
The journal of the American-Irish Historical Society, Vol. VI, 1906
Various
American-Irish Historical Society -- Periodicals; Ethnology -- United States -- Periodicals; Irish Americans -- Periodicals
Among the earlier Irish inhabitants of Carlisle is found the
Prendergrass family, whose name is identified with almost all the larger
settlements west of Carlisle. Kline’s _Carlisle Gazette_ of November 29,
1797, gave an account of the death of the aged Philip Prendergrass,
which occurred two weeks previously, in which it described him as “an
old inhabitant of this borough.” The name is found on the “list of
taxables” in 1762. He took part in the expedition of Kitanning, in 1756,
to repulse the Indians. It was a member of this family, Garrett
Prendergrass who, in February, 1770, purchased the ground now occupied
by the city of Allegheny, from the Six Nations. The old Prendergrass
homestead was near Hanover, and is still occupied by the family. It was
built in the last century by an Irishman names Byrnes, who married into
the family.
Wing’s _History of Cumberland County_ mentions John and Charles McManus,
as settlers in Carlisle in 1762, the latter as “one of the oldest, most
progressive and successful business men in the community.”
“The large and commodious dwelling he erected on East Street,” says
Ganss, one of the historians of Carlisle, “still remains as a monument
of post-colonial massiveness, spaciousness and solidity, with its marble
slab conspicuously placed in the second story, bearing the date of its
erection, 1797, and the name of its builder, and which gives evidence
not only of enterprise and wealth, but cultured taste. Originally, he
was proprietor of one of the largest distilleries in the county, and
amassed a sufficient competence which permitted him to live, if not in
luxury, at least in ease and comfort. After the death of Mrs. Mary
McManus (born 1703, died 1809), the name becomes less prominent,
although that of Charles is still found on the pew list of the Catholic
Church as late as 1823. The descendants drifted to Mexico and
Philadelphia. The former branch of the family, in the course of time,
founded the prosperous and famed banking firm of McManus & Co., an
institution of international reputation and the largest and most
prominent in our sister republic. The Philadelphia family likewise,
achieved more than ordinary success in life.”
Here we have a conspicuous example of the class of men whom Ireland gave
to America in her early days.
John Frazer, who was born at Glassborough, County Monaghan, in 1709,
left Ireland in 1735 and located in Philadelphia. In course of time
he became a very wealthy man. He was a shipping merchant, owning
several vessels engaged in the West Indian trade. He married Mary
Smith, who was born in Cleary, County Monaghan. He died in
Philadelphia in 1765. His son, Patrick Frazer, commanded a company
of the Fourth Pennsylvania, a regiment under the command of Anthony
Wayne. He became lieutenant-colonel of the Fifth Pennsylvania, and
was brigadier-general of Pennsylvania militia. His grandson, Robert
Frazer, was a distinguished lawyer at Thornbury, Pa.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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