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Derry (Londonderry) / Re: Henrys of Derry County - Pre 1800
« on: Saturday 01 August 09 02:19 BST (UK) »
I too have found the other John and Rachel Henry in Derry, but I don't believe them to be the parents of this particluar John Henry born in 1789 as by my information, Rachel McMillan was born in 1791, and they were not married until about 1816, and had 12 children of their own. (Incidentally, I think these are the John and Rachel referred to by Gortinanima's comments on 2 nov 2008). I have read some of the history of John Henry (1763-1854) in the book written by Heber Homer Henry in 1922, of which I am sure you are aware, and here it does mention that he first sailed to Philadelphia in 1788, but I guess it was possible he left his pregnant wife in Ireland, or even that the child was born in 1788 as 1789 is only an estimate of his birth based on his age at death in March 1875 (86 years old). This is why DNA tracking for Philip would be of interest, as it would also be a direct male line back to the Irish John Henry, and would establish if it is the right family. There are so many Johns, they can become quite confusing!