James Macan
“After over thirty years (silence?) I am thankful to be once more able to address a few lines to you…” James Macan, Liverpool 1887
8 New Road
Tue Brook Liverpool
Nov 16th 1887
My dear Brother
After over thirty years (silence?) I am thankful to be once more able to address a few lines to you, in the first place thanking God that we are (spared?) still alive to hear from each other for indeed it was many an anxious thought I had concerning you. And if __ the “KeIters” address in New York came I would have written to them about your address. I was reluctant to entertain the idea that you were dead so you must believe me when I (say?) the news of you still being alive ___ made my old heart rejoice. And I have to ask you to kindly write me a letter at your earliest convenience and I shall gladly reply to it at once my dear brother it is not likely we (will?) page 2 have many more years at most to enjoy the privileges of writing to each other as I find my strength failing very much but my trust is that we shall all meet at Gods right hand ____ _____ to past.
(Well?) John (maybe?) just ten years after you left (Ballyhawly?) for America I got married to a young woman of the name of Ann Jane McWilliams was reared on the hill above McHayses of Mayhery. but very likely you forgot most of the old neighbours. We came to Liverpool and remain in and about (our ?) ______ ____ ____ ______ ___ Daughter we named her Martha – Jane – Elizabeth she died in her l7th(?) month. The second a son whom we named James aged now 20 and the third a son we named him Robert John aged now 18. They are fine boys. James is strong and healthy. Robert John is not so he page 3 __ is very much (re?)minded to go to __ a few voyages thinking this will improve him but I may say his mother is unwilling to concent for him to go. At — (wents?) he will winter with us now.
It is with _____ (Martha?) ____ sending this she is this length. On her way to you as she very readily and thankfully concented to undergo the perils of the journey to you in reply to your invitation to go out to you and she tells me that you would —— I would let you have _______e which I take(?) from fathers old Bible. John Macan born (Oct?) 12th 1816. If I calculate right – you are just 71. Mary Ann Macan born Feby 9th 1824. If I calculate right just 63 last birthday. Martha Macan born Feby 3rd, 1832. If l calculate right – 55 last birthday. When I am giving you so much I may also give the date of Fathers death page 4 which was on ____ember 25, 187-. Joseph told me aged 99 was on the coffin but I think from what I heard them say he was 96 only. Mother died November 14, 1870. Can’t say at present her age. Aunt Sally died December 10, 1870 after 94 years.
I think you have as much of the family record as you will be interested in for the present. If at any time you should desire any more _____ be happy to let you know if (in?) my power. Meanwhile John I ___ to ____ ask you to write me as ___ ___ is sister Martha (reaches you?) which I hope God will give (her peace?) on her journey and land her safe with you. And may the Almighty give us all grace to strive for the bread of life while we are struggling for the bread that – (perisheth?).
And in his own good time take us to be with him for ever the prayers of your affectionate brother
James
Submitter William D. Silverthorn: James Macan, living in Liverpool, wrote his brother John in the Americas (Canada) in 1887 to talk about their Irish family. There are four siblings (two additional to James and John), with only James not immigrating to the America’s. I have yet to trace John (addressee) and sister Martha, but their other sister (Mary Ann) is my ancestor. I would be most interested in linking up with other Macan (McCann) & TEMPLE researchers in Canada, Michigan and Ireland. I would love to be able to trace my MACAN ties to Ireland:
1. Robert Macan; born circa 1775 at Ireland died circa 1875 at Ballyhawly?, Ireland. Children of Robert Macan were as follows:
2 i. John Macan; born 12 Oct 1816.
+ 3 ii. James Macan, born circa 1820; married Ann Jane McWilliams.
+ 4 iii. Mary Ann McCann, born 9 Feb 1825 at Ireland.
5 iv. Martha Macan; born 3 Feb 1832 at Ireland.
Generation Two 3. James Macan (Robert); born circa 1820; married Ann Jane McWilliams circa 1865 at Ireland. Children of James Macan and Ann Jane McWilliams all born at Ireland were :
6 i. Martha Jane Elizabeth Macan; born 1866; died 1867 at Ireland.
7 ii. James Macan; born 1867.
8 iii. Robert John Macan; born 1869.
4. Mary Ann McCann (Robert Macan); born 9 Feb 1825 at Ireland; died 27 Nov 1901 at Port Austin Twp., Huron Co., MI, at age 76 . She emigrated circa 1855; Richard and Mary Ann (McCann) Temple, with their infant daughter Margaret Ann, emigrated from Ireland (assumed through Liverpool) to Canada in 1855. She and Richard Temple immigrated in 1870; From Canada to US in 1870. However they show up in Canadian Census a year later. Her father (Robert McCann), husband, first child and herself were born in Ireland. Her first child is listed as being born in Wexford County, Ireland.
Children of Mary Ann McCann and Richard Temple born in Hamilton Ontario