The Washington herald., 1908-05-31
CLINTONS, OF NEW YORK.
They Were Irish, Not English, as
Stated Heretofore.

They Were Irish, Not English, as
Stated Heretofore.
Editor The Washington Herald:
The removal Of the remains Of Maj.
Gen. George Clinton from the Congress
sional Cemetery. this city, where they
have reposed since April Is, 1872, 10 King
stOn. ~ Y. the ancestral home Of the
family. calls 10 mind the early history
OF the Clinton family In America, and
the great services rendered during the
war Of the Revolution by Maj. Gen.
George Clinton and his brother James.
Among the Irish Protestants who came
70 New York were many men OF bright
intellect and liberal mind who exercised
great power over the events which led
up TO the Revolution.
In this class Of emigrants was Charles
Clinton, who was born in the County
L0ngford. Ireland, in 1880 His grand
father. William Clinton. settled in Ireland
on the death Of Charles I, in 1915. and
died there, leaving one son. This son,
James Clinton, lived all his life in Ireland
and was the father Of Charles Clinton.
who emigrated 70 New York In his
! fortieth year, in 1729, and became the
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America.
Being a man Of influence in Longford,
/ Charles Clinton prevailed upon a large
plumber Of his neghbors and friends 70
| come 10 the New World with him. a re-
/ ceipt stiu preserved among his papers
/ evidencing the fact that he paid the pas
sages Of ninety-four persons.
/ They sailed from Dublin in a vessel
called the Anne and George on May %,
I729 Their captain proved a violent and
unprincipled villain They were poorly
supplied with stores and suffered from
disease and famine, many OF the paSsen-
gers including a son and daughter OF Mr..
Clinton. dying on the long voyage. They
were finally landed on the coast OF
Massachusetts on October 4. II29. the cap
tain refusing 10 60 TO New York or Phila-
deIphia, the latter port having been Clin-
tons original place Of destination The
whole party remained in Massachusetts
until the spring OF 1731. when they re
moved 20 the province OF New York, and
settled at q place called Little Britain
lust north Of the Hudson Highlands. az
lterward a part Of Ulster. and now part
of Orange County. Here. with the virgin
wilderness around him. Charles Clinton
made his home, and followed his occu-
patton Of farmer and land surveyor
He was afterward justice OF the peace.
county judge. and lieutenant colonel OF
the Ulster County militia. be took an
active part IN the Indian and French
wars. and was in command OF regiment
Al Fort Frontenac He was a man OF
pure and elevated character. OF dignifed
manners. and exerted great influence IN
the district where he lived Charles Gin
TON was married In Ireland 10 Elizabeth
, Denniston. an intelligent and accomplish
cd Irish woman. who shared largely IN the
: patrIotIc erdor OF her husband and sons.
. Charles Clinton died on November -.
, r-73 al his own residence, IN the eiGhty-
= third year OF his age. and IN the tull view
, ~ that Revolution in which his sons were
, destined TO act such noble and dis
: tinpr,isbed PARTS. His wife survived MN
six wears and died at the residence OF
, her son. Gen. James Clinton on christ
- mas Dav, I179 in the seventy-nIth war
I Of her age.
: This was the worthy couple who
2 founded the Clinton family In America
: They left four sons, Alexander, Charles
I lanes. and George. From his youth up
5 lanes was soldier, and rose 10 the
. rank of major general in the patriot
army He was married 10 Mary De
. WITT Of Holland ancestry He had four
B sons Alexander. Charles. and George
5 being prominent lawyers, and De Witt.
- governor OF the State of New York and
. protector of the Erie Canal
q George. the youngest son of Charles
C Clinton. the founder. was a soldier and
Z a statesman. He was a member OF the
I provincial assembly just before the Revo-
e Iution. and was fearless advocate OF
. his country's liberty. He was the nrst
Governor Of the state Of New York. and
- for twenty-one years was continued In
that high and responsible office, where
l he exerted a larger influence than any
d other man over the future destiries OF
, the Empire State. closing his eventful life
i while Vice President Of the United
[ States.
\ At the centennial celebration OF the
, New York Friendly Sons Of St Patrick
in 1884. Chauncey NJ Depew thus re-
ferred TO Gov. George Clinton. George
: Clinton. the first governor OF the state
; of New York. was a typical Irishman OF
i the grandeSt sort. full Of patriotism, full
: Of enthusiasm, fun OF fire and vigor and
u brains. ready to lay down his life tor
!, his honor or for the rights or man uh-
y der any flag He fought England De-
( cause ne thought he was fghtmg tyran-
i nv. We reverence his name as one OF
]; the best. purest. noblest, and most cour-
u aceous Of soldiers and of statesmen tha'
!, any race ever furnished TO any state 10
II this broad land"
3 Gen. George clinton was the first gov
e ernor- Of the State of New York, from
, IN to 1895. and again from 1901 20 1904
y he was Vice President OF the UniteC
3 States from 1905 until his death, in 1872.
d PATRICK J. HALTIGAN.
2, Nav q