catcrazy12 on Family Tree Circles

Hello, My name is Marilyn Jennings Safranek. I am searching for the birthplace of my great-grandfather, Michael Jennings,born in Ireland in 1815-1819. His mother was Rose Murray, his father was William Jennings. He lived with his mother in Ireland until 1841. He was married in 1841 in Lancaster,Lancashire England to Alice Knowles who was a descendant to the Parrs of England. He departed from Liverpool to NYC on the Brig Morgan and arrived in NYC in April of 1842. He stayed in NYC until 1850 and had 3 children, MaryAnn,Theobald, and Richard.

Michael was a follower of Father Theobald Matthew and also an abolitionist. He became a friend to Garrett Smith who wanted to free the slaves. Garrett was a rich man and political and he started the UnderGround Railroad. As slaves were going to upperstate NY the plan didn't go far enough north so it was rerouted to Ontario. Also, land was vacated in NY state and Garret Smith sold parcels to the Irish, including Michael in Franklin County,NY. Michael headed South with his family, first to Michigan, where his last daughter Sarah was born. He went on to Chicago and then to Lake County and finally to Evanston, IL.where I was born. Michael started a freight business with his sons and was an entrprenour. I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW HIS IRISH HISTORY,Marilyn