Erin McCauley

Notes:

Name:
Erin is a word which refers to the country, Ireland, apparently anglicized from Éirann. During the period when William & Matthew were born, Erin was not commonly used as a given name (although it became popular much later on, especially in the United States where so many Irish and Scottish immigrants came to live).

Mary Ann Gattis has been shown by many, including on this site, as married in Ireland to William Erin McCauley. However, there is no record of such a relationship, but there is a marriage record between Mary Ann Gattis and William O. McCauley in Orange County, North Carolina on 5 Jan 1847 (70 years or so after these brothers emigrated). Therefore, Mary's record has been detached from the family of Erin McCauley. Also not found was documentation that Erin McCauley of County Antrim, Ireland was William Erin McCauley. For lack of documentation, his birth and death years have also been removed. He would need to have been old enough to have adult sons emigrate great distances in the 1770s. Further and perhaps most important is that no documentation has been found that William McCauley's father's name was Erin McCauley. It is unclear where this traditional information came from.

Birth:
Some have presented a birth year of 1712, and Carrickfergus as Erin's birth place. This place makes sense, as he allegedly lived there, but documentation is lacking. The year estimate fits as well, although making him 35 years old when Matthew was born. It may well be (and is likely) however, that Matthew and William had siblings unknown to us; who did not emigrate.

Died:
Some have presented Erin as having died in 1780 in Ireland. Lacking documentation about his death, this year has been removed. A death place of Ireland is probable, but unproven.

Erin married in Carrickfergus, Antrim Co, N Ireland. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:
This marriage location is presumed since Erin's two sons were reported to have been born there. Erin's wife is not known.

1. Col. William McCauley was born on 1738 or 1747 in Carrickfergus, Antrim Co, N Ireland; died in 1825 in Hillsborough, Orange Co, NC.
2. Maj. Matthew McCauley was born in 1750 in Carrickfergus, Antrim, N Ireland; died on 6 Sep 1821 in Orange Co, NC; was buried in McCauley Cemetery, Chapel Hill Township, Orange Co, NC.