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Classification: Query
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Message Board Post:
Hi Gayle - Yes they do. The problem is that there are no specifics on James' military
records to determine which one he is. For years, descendants have found the record of
"a" James Carnahan and assumed it was their ancestor. I believe there are only
2 military records of James Carnahans in Pennsylvania - and they have been used for DAR
applications for several different men. You really have to undertake to do a study of all
of the James Carnahans of the era to be able to tell them apart.
Capt. James Carnahan of Westmoreland County was Captain of a group of men from Armstrong
Twp. If you check the tax records of the Rev. War time period - you can see all the same
men in the regiment as are on the tax records of Armstrong Twp. So it follows that the
James Carnahan who lived in Armstrong Twp was the one who was the Capt. of this group.
That James Carnahan was the brother of Adam and David Carnahan of the Blockhouse. He was
not married to Jane Freyer.
The other Capt. James Carnahan became a Major and lived in Cumberland County - moving to
Westmoreland as the war ended. He was the one who drowned in the Allegheny River.
Following a paper trail of his move from Cumberland to Westmoreland County and the probate
of his estate shows him to be James Carnahan who married Hannah Mahan.
It doesn't mean that James who married Jane Freyer didn't serve - but there is no
evidence in the military records that he did.
There are similar problems with DAR applications for other Carnahans as well.
I hope that helps explain it a little better.