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Author: cjbellis123
Surnames:
Classification: queries
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.cain/3383/mb.ashx
Message Board Post:
McKean/McKain/Cain
Where it all began: Northern Ireland, possibly Donegal in the 1800's. At least two
brothers (it is rumored that there were at least two more) left Ireland for the United
States. Samuel arrived about 1835 and William about 1837. They brought with them their
wives and children.
In the 1850 census both families are living in the Cedar Ward of Philadelphia: Saml McKean
and Wm McKean.note the spelling. It was to change different times. Samuel's first wife
was Nancy (Ann, Annie) Bovard. They had five children: John, born in Ireland and Sarah,
Jane, James & Catherine, all born in Philadelphia. William was married to Catherine
Burney. They had six children: William was born in Ireland; Catherine was born "on
the sea" abt. 1837. John, James, David and Hester were all born in Philadelphia.
Catherine, daughter of Samuel and David, son of William would later marry.
William's family would eventually use the McKain spelling....EXCEPT for the oldest
son, William, who changed his last name to Cain.
Samuel bought a farm in Washington Twp., Butler Co., PA in 1854 and he and his first wife,
Ann, moved there. His son John bought a farm in Venango Twp., Butler Co. Sarah married and
lived in Emlenton, Venango Co., Butler Co., but died young. Jane married and stayed in
Philly. James married and lived in Scrubgrass Twp., Venango Co.; but, later moved to
Washington, Washington Co., PA where he died. Catherine married David McKain, son of
William McKean/McKain and Catherine Burney. They lived in Washington, Washington Co., PA.
Samuel's first wife died not long after they moved to western PA. In 1857, he married
Mary Ralston; and, they had three children: Margaret, Samuel and Mary....I am descended
from Samuel.
William B. Cain, son of William, Sam's brother, had six children. The youngest, Elwood
Cain moved to Beaver Co., Pennsylvania, married Ellen Mary Shannon, and they raised their
family there. They had three children. My "cousin", Lois Butler Cain and I are
working on this project together. She is descended from Elwood and Ellen's youngest
son, James Shannon Cain.
We are looking for anyone who knows anything about other McKean/McKain's who could be
brothers of Samuel and William.....and.....anything about where they came from in
Ireland.
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