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[This information is from Vol. III, pp. 1191-1196 of Hudson-Mohawk Genealogical and Family Memoirs, edited by Cuyler Reynolds (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1911). It is in the Reference collection of the Schenectady County Public Library at R 929.1 R45. Some of the formatting of the original, especially in lists of descendants, may have been altered slightly for ease of reading.]
The Walsh family, says Burke, came to Ireland, A. D. 1170, with Strongbow, and settled in county Kilkenny, where they acquired large possessions, now known as the "Walsh mountains" in the barony of Iverk. These possessions were confiscated during the Cromwellian period and in the reign of William III, after which members of the elder branch immigrated to France and Austria, and took military service in those countries. In France the title of "Count Serrant," still extant, was conferred upon the first representative of the elder branch. The first of the family who came to Ireland with Strongbow was Philip Walsh, who was called by the Irish "Brannagh" (or the Welshman). He particularly distinguished himself in 1174 at a naval engagement against the Danes at Cork by boarding the ship of their commander and slaying his son. Hayle Walsh, son of the first Philip by his wife Eleanor, daughter of Sir Maurice De Burgh, built the castle in the Walsh mountains called after him "Castle Hayle." He married Catherine Le Gros, and founded the numerous and emigrant Irish family of Walsh. The Walsh family of North Troy (Lansingburg), New York, herein considered, was founded in Lansingburg in the year 1799 by Alexander Walsh, of Tyrone county, Ireland. By the marriage of his son Alexander (2) to Ann Van Wyck, an alliance was formed with one of the oldest Dutch families of the Hudson Valley. By the marriage of his grandson, Alexander (3), two English families, Barton and Bird, were united with Irish and Dutch blood. These four family lines are traced in his record to the American emigrant, and connect collaterally with many noted New England families: Arnold, Greene, Brown, Carver, Alden and others. The Bartons are a noted revolutionary family, and were closely associated with the business interests of North Troy in their day, while four generations of Walshs have been prominent in the business, social and church life of that part of the present city of Troy.
(I) The first of this old Troy family to settle there was Alexander Walsh, who was born in the village of Glencannon, Tyrone county, Ireland, in 1737, died in Lansingburg, New York, March 24, 1807. He was the son of well-to-do Irish parents. He adopted a mercantile life and kept a store on the main village street. A photograph of the street shows the store was located in quite a large building near the Protestant Episcopal church, where all his children were baptized. He married Jane, daughter of Thomas Smith, of Dare, Tyrone county, Ireland. She was born in 1740, died in Lansingburg, New York, March 24, 1807. In 1799, with his wife and five children, Alexander emigrated to the United States. He did not sell all of his stock of merchandise on leaving Duncannon, but brought part of it to the United States with him, and late in 1799 was established in a store in Lansingburg, New York. He later built a store and residence on what is now State street, that afterward was burned. He was a prosperous merchant, active in the Episcopal church, and highly respected. Children, all born in Duncannon, Ireland, and all came to the United States, except the eldest:
(II) Alexander (2), son of Alexander (1) and Jane (Smith) Walsh, was born in Duncannon, county Tyrone, Ireland, in 1783, died in Lansingburg, New York, August 4, 1849. He came to the United States with the family about 1799, and was engaged in business with his father in Lansingburg, and afterward carried on business for himself. He dealt largely in the grocery line and imported teas and coffees on a large scale. He was an active and useful citizen and deeply interested in the growth and prosperity of his town. He was closely connected with the Rensselaer County Agricultural Society, and did a great deal to advance its interests. He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church of Lansingburg, and was one of its strong supporters. He married Ann Van Wyck, born July 28, 1789, died in Lansingburg, March 25, 1825, daughter of Theodorus Van Wyck, of Fishkill, New York (see Van Wyck VI). Children, all born in Lansingburg:
(III) Alexander (3), son of Alexander (2) and Ann (Van Wyck) Walsh, was born in Lansingburg (now Troy), New York, November 9, 1820, died there May 4, 1879. He was educated in the public schools and at Lansingburg Academy. With the exception of a short time spent in New York City, his entire life was spent in Lansingburg. He first clerked in his father's store. When a young man he entered the employ of the Bank of Lansingburg, first as teller in 1842, and as cashier for twenty-five years from his appointment in 1851. At his death he was cashier of the banking house of D. Powers & Son. His entire business life was spent in his banks, and he was a most valuable and efficient official. He had the entire confidence of the business public and was entrusted with the care and settling of many estates as executor or administrator. He was well educated in the laws of finance, and was a reliable authority on questions involving a knowledge of those laws. Outside his business and his home, to which he was devoted, Mr. Walsh's next great concern was for the welfare of Trinity Episcopal Church, always the church home of the family. He was a member of the vestry and at his death a warden. The care of the church finances fell largely upon him, and his duty was faithfully performed. His Christian life was a perfect one and merited the eulogy pronounced by Bishop Doane, "Thus passes away from earth the noblest work of God, an honest man." He was in complete sympathy with the principle of the Republicans, which he supported with vigor, but would never accept office for himself. He was a warm friend of Lansingburg Academy, and served as trustee for many years until his death. He was a member of the independent Order of Odd Fellows of Lansingburg, and a member of long standing. His death was very sudden, and came without a warning preceeding illness.
He married, in 1847, Maria Louisa Barton, born March 7, 1825, daughter of Rufus and Eleanor Ranger (Bird) Barton, of Lansingburg (see Barton VIII). She survives her husband, and resides in the old Barton homestead in North Troy (Lansingburg) with her daughter Eleanor and son Theodore B. She is a devoted member of Trinity Episcopal Church, and with husband and children has been one of the main pillars of that congregation for the past half century. For many years Mrs. Walsh has been deprived of her sight, and death has taken her sons and a daughter, but all this has not dimmed her spiritual sight, nor broken her dauntless, happy, cheerful spirit. At eighty-five she is clear in mind, capable in business, and in close touch with modern thought and development. Her life is devoted to good works and her charities are many. Deploring the desecration of the old Trinity Church burying ground, she obtained from the vestry a lease of the graveyard, erected a substantial iron fence, enclosing it, engaged capable gardeners, restored the grounds, beautified them with flowers, shrubbery and trees; converting a barren waste into one of the most beautiful of "God's acres." She has a wide acquaintance, and is greatly beloved by all. Children, all born in Lansingburg:
Thomas Bird was born in England about the year 1613. He came to America prior to 1646, as in that year he joined the church at Dorchester, Massachusetts, after its reorganization under Rev. Richard Matheo. He was by occupation a tanner. His tanyard was opposite his home on what is now Humphreys street. In 1654 he was made a bailiff. He died June 8, 1667, aged fifty-four. His will was proved July 17, 1667. His estate inventoried about one thousand pounds. His widow, Ann Bird, died August 21, 1673. Children:
(II) Thomas (2), eldest son of Thomas (1) and Ann Bird, was born May 4, 1640, died January 30, 1709-10. He married Thankful Atherton, born 1644, died April 11, 1719. Among his effects, forming part of the inventory of 570 pounds, was a negro man servant valued at 45 pounds, and a negro maid valued at 30 pounds. Children:
(III) Joseph, eldest son of Thomas (2) and Thankful (Atherton) Bird, was born October 1, 1666, died March 9, 1711-12. Blake, in his annals under date of 1712, gives the particulars of his death: "This year, March 9, Joseph Bird died by a wound in his forehead occasioned by his gun flying out of ye stock when he fired it at a fowl being upon ye water in his canoo." He married (first) Miriam ————; (second) Johannah, daughter of Joseph Leeds. Johannah survived her husband, and was one of the administrators of his estate. Children by first wife:
Children by second wife:
(IV) Aaron, eldest son of Joseph and his first wife, Miriam Bird, was born August 28, 1690. He married Mary Hooper, of Boston, May 27, 1712. Aaron and his wife Mary died the same day, January 1, 1745. Children:
(V) Matthew, sixth child of Aaron and Mary (Hooper) Bird, was born June 20, 1729. He married Elinor Ranger, March, 1753. Children:
(VI) Matthew (2), eldest son of Matthew (1) and Elinor (Ranger) Bird, was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts, January 7, 1756, died January 11, 1816. He served in the revolutionary army. He enlisted August 15, 1775, in Captain Thomas Foster's company under Colonel Richard Gridley of General William Heath's brigade. He married, in New York, Mary Cone, in 1778. She died May 27, 1835, aged seventy-six years. Children:
(VII) Eleanor Ranger, fourth child and second daughter of Matthew (2) and Mary (Cone) Bird, was born June 21, 1790, died September 19, 1852. She married, June 1, 1811, Rufus Barton, of Lansingburg, New York (see Barton VII).
The Barton family of Warwick and Warren, Rhode Island, from which the Bartons of Troy, New York (Lansingburg), descend, was founded in America by Rufus Barton, whose date of coming is unknown. He first settled where the city of New York now stands, where he was an early settler (said to have been the first). He soon removed to Long Island, thence to Aquidneck and finally to Warwick, Rhode Island, where he died. He built a "Thatch house" on the road that led down the "Neck." (Part, or all, of his homestead in 1875 was owned by a descendant of the seventh generation, Benjamin Rufus Barton.) He was a member of the Society of Friends. His wife's name was Margaret. In 1641 he had a grant of land in Warwick. In 1647 he was a member of the town council; in 1648 was town magistrate. He died in 1648. His children are mentioned in his will, which was made for him by the town council in 1648, he dying intestate. Children of Rufus and Margaret Barton:
(II) Benjamin, only son of Rufus and Margaret Barton, was born in Warwick, Rhode Island (where he always afterward lived), in 1645, died 1720. He became a very prominent man of affairs in the colony. He was assistant 1674-75-83-84-99-1700-01-02-03; deputy, 1679; fourteen terms until 1717. He was one of those appointed to settle the boundary lines between Rhode Island and Connecticut. July, 1700, he contributed a hog, £1 8s 6d, toward a meeting house for Quakers to be set up at or near Mashapaug "Which is to be a free house for the worship of the Lord God of Heaven and Earth (that is) for all true worshippers who worship in spirit and truth." Contributions continued to be taken up for some three years, and among the charges for constructing were 9s for raising frame and 10s. 6d. paid for beer. In 1703-04 he was speaker of the house of deputies. October 22, 1720, his will was proved. He married Susannah Gorton, died May 28, 1734, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Gorton. Children:
(III) Andrew, son of Benjamin and Susannah (Gorton) Barton, was born in Warwick, Rhode Island, and died there April 19, 1723. He married Rebecca Low, died 1723, a descendant of William Arnold.
(IV) Captain Benjamin (2), son of Andrew and Rebecca (Low) Barton, was born 1703. died April 22, 1773. He was of Swansea, Massachusetts, and Warren, Rhode Island, dying at the latter place. He married Lydia Brown, born 1720, died October 9, 1808, a descendant of Joyn Brown, of Reboboth, Massachusetts, William Bucklin, of Rehoboth, and Robert Peck, of Hingham, England.
(V) General William, son of Captain Benjamin (2) and Lydia (Brown) Barton, was born in Warren, Rhode Island, May 26, 1748, died in Providence, October 22, 1831. He volunteered in the revolutionary army after the battle of Bunker Hill; was corporal, lieutenant, captain, brevet-colonel of continental troops and brigadier-general of Rhode Island militia. He captured the British General Prescott, July 10, 1777, for which he received a sword, the thanks of congress, and the rank of brevet-colonel. The house where he made his famous capture still stands near Newport, Rhode Island. He performed this feat by taking picked men across the bay in whale boats, seizing the general in bed, the door of his room being broken in, it is said, by the head of Colonel Barton's negro servant, Guy Watson. At Papasquash Point he was shot in the thigh and a long and tedious illness resulted. After the war he purchased a township in Vermont, where a town is named for him, but a suit concerning the title to a part of it resulted in a judgment against him for costs, and he was detained for fourteen years nominally a prisoner for debt till 1824, when his friend, Lafayette, visiting America and learning of it, paid the judgment without his knowledge and set him free. He boarded at the hotel in Danville, Vermont, was well treated and apparently contented, but could not leave. Whittier's poem, "The Prisoner for Debt," is said to have been suggested by his experience. He was a member of the state committee that adopted the constitution of the United States; a member of the legislature and inspector of customs. In 1877 he wrote a book entitled "Capture of General Prescott." He married, April 26, 1771, Rhoda Carver, born 1749, died December 15, 1841, daughter of Joseph Carver, of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, and a descendant from John Alden of the "Mayflower." Children:
(VI) William (2), eldest son of General William (1) and Rhoda (Carver) Barton, was born in Warren, Rhode Island, December 18, 1771. He married and had issue.
(VII) Rufus, son of William (2) Barton, was born in Warren, Rhode Island, died in Lansingburg, New York. He engaged in mercantile business in Lansingburg in 1811, and continued until his death. He was a man of decision and energy, upright in character and served in many positions of honor and trust. In 1812 he enlisted in Captain Bullard's company, and July 25, 1816, he was commissioned "ensign" of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth New York Regiment. He was a Democrat in politics until 1856, when he left his party and allied with the Republican. He was opposed to human slavery, and was a strong supporter of the Union. He married, June 1, 1811, Eleanor Ranger Bird, born June 21, 1790, died September 19, 1852, daughter of Matthew and Mary (Cone) Bird (see Bird VII). Children, all born in Lansingburg:
(VIII) Maria Louisa, daughter of Rufus and Eleanor Ranger (Bird) Barton, was born March 7, 1825. Married, 1847, Alexander Walsh (see Walsh III). Mrs. Walsh is the only surviving member of Rufus Barton's family (1910).
The first of his name to settle in America was Cornelius Bareutse [Barentse?] Van Wyck, of Flatbush, Long Island, probably from "Wyk," in North Brabant. He emigrated in 1650, settled in Flatbush, and was a member of the Dutch colony in 1677; took oath of allegiance 1687. He descended from Chevalier Hendrick Van Wyck, who lived in 1400. In 1575 Jan Van Wyck of the council of Utrecht married Wyander Van Asch, the last of that family. She received her brother's property provided her descendants would join the family arms and carry the name Van Asch Van Wyck. (A descendant, Robert Anderson Van Wyck, was first mayor of greater New York. He was a founder and president of the Holland society, and a lawyer and jurist of high standing.) From her son Jacob, born at Utrecht, 1584, died 1635, married Anna Van Rynevelt, the whole Protestant branch of Van Wycks descend. Cornelius Bareutse married (first) in 1660, Ann, daughter of Rev. Theodorus Polthemius and his wife, Catherine Van Werven; married (second) Jannetyn ————. Seven children.
(II) Theodorus, son of Cornelius Bareutse Van Wyck, was born September 19, 1668, died September 4, 1753. He was of Great Neck, Long Island. He was justice of the peace and supervisor. He married Margareta Brinckerhoff, granddaughter of Joris and Susanna Brinckerhoff. Children: Barent, Cornelius and Theodorus.
(III) Judge Theodorus (2), son of Theodorus (1) and Margareta (Brinckerhoff) Van Wyck, was born October 29, 1697, died 1774. He married Elizabeth Creed, born October 26, 1697, died 1794.
(IV) William, son of Judge Theodorus (2) and Elizabeth (Creed) Van Wyck, was born July 13, 1727, died November 24, 1793. He married Martha Caumen, born May 17, 1732, died July 8, 1772.
(V) Theodorus (3), son of William and Martha (Caumen) Van Wyck, was born May 1, 1757, died February 11, 1823; married Sarah Young, born October 3, 1772, died December 4, 1808. He was of Fishkill, New. York.
(VI) Ann, daughter of Theodorus (3) and Sarah (Young) Van Wyck, was born in Fishkill, New York, July 28, 1789, died March 25, 1825. She married Alexander Walsh (see Walsh II).
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