In 1838 Bernard McKnight was born to Mary Fitzsimmons and John McKnight somewhere near the city of Armagh. Count Armagh, Ireland. There are still numerous McKnights in this region. Though some records show County Louth, this is most likely the point of departure, not the area where the McKnights lived. Mary and John probably named their son for his maternal grandfather, Barney Fitzsimmons. And like his grandfather was also called Barney. The McKnights undoubtedly had more offspring, as large numbers of children were very common in Irish families of the times. Barney surely grew up in an atmosphere of poverty and illiteracy. Farming was most likely the family's source of income. Ireland in the 1850s was not a land of opportunity for a young man. The Penal Codes restricted Catholics from owning land, and famine gripped the whole country following the failure of the potato crop. With the crushing of the Munster Rebellion in 1848 came constant British harassment. Barney, like many other Irish men, saw his future in America.
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Documentation
Mary McKnight's Declaration for Pension
Garvey Letter in support of the pension.
Death Certificate of Bernard McKnight
Death Certificate of Mary McKnight
Documents and References |
