Wild Geese - McCarty's from Ireland to France to the US?

by Henry Singer

Aug 31, 2021

I recently acquired the book - "History of David McCarty and his Family in America 1765 to Present, by Dale Eugene McLellan. 2010.

David McCarty (1737-1812) was my 5th Great Grandfather. In the book the author reveals that some family histories have the McCarty family relocating from Ireland to Lorient in France in the early eighteenth century, and that they were "Wild Geese". We believe that his father's name was William.

I am hoping to confirm or otherwise this story and would appreciate any help offered.

Thank you.

Henry


  • Founding Member

    Nollaig 2016

    David McCarty was a man of some prominence at Al-
    bany before the Revolution. The ''Journal of the New
    York Legislative Council" ^^ shows that on March 9,
    1775, he was recommended to the Governor for an ap-
    pointment as Justice of Albany County. He was a
    member of the Committee of Safety for Albany County
    during the Revolution and appears also to have served
    in the field, and from 1793 until the time of his death
    he was General of State troops. According to American
    Ancestry,^^ he came from Ireland to Albany prior to
    1771  https://archive.org/stream/mccarthysinear00obri/mccarthysinear00obr...

    Aug 31, 2021


  • Founding Member

    Nollaig 2016

    Furthermore he came from Northern Ireland

    Aug 31, 2021

  • Henry Singer

    Thanks for the reference. There is clearly some discrepancy in the record.

    I had found the following about William McCarty, who is purported to be David's brother. Which is consistent with the LOrient ....

    From George Washington to the United States Senate, 28 May 1794
    To the United States Senate
    United States 28th May 1794

    Gentlemen of the Senate,

    I nominate the following persons to be Consuls and vice Consuls for the United States of America, at the places affixed to their names respectively.
    ...

    William McCarty, to be Consul for the United States of America, in the Isle of France.
    ....

    4. William Macarty (c.1743-1819) was a merchant of L’Orient, France. He resigned this post before May 1797, when his successor was nominated.

    https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-16-02-0124#GE... 


    Sep 1, 2021