Re: Kean Curry of Md.
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In reply to:
Kean Curry of Md.
Rebecca Anstine 10/01/00
The "gravestones" of Kean and Eliza Curry, West Liberty, Baltimore Co., Maryland are actually white marble memorials with the name of "Hutchison, Shrewsbury" in the corner. The memorials read:
Kean Curry: b. Dec. 16, 1806; d. Nov. 30, 1881
Eliza Curry, wife of Kean: b. Sept.4, 1816; d. Dec. 12, 1880
John, son of Kean & Eliza, b. Aug. 27, 1837; d. Aug. 22, 1864
Samuel, son of Kean & Eliza, b. Oct. 15, 1839; d. Oct. 20, 1861; Ord Sgt, Co. G-1 Md Cavalry, died Baltimore.
The 1850 census, p. 38, 2nd District of Baltimore, Co. listed Kean Curry as 44 years old, a farmer born in Maryland. (The Wharton Family Bible says that he was born a "Roman Catholic" and that he "came over" from Ireland.
The 1850 census continues:
Eliza, 39 years old, b. Pa.
Elizabeth, 19 years old, b. 1831
Isaac, 17 years old, b. 1833
Adam, 21 years old, b. 1829, Pa.
Ruth, 14 years old, b. 1836
John, 13 years old, b. 1837
Samuel, 10 years old, b. 1840
William 9 years old, b. 1841 (sic) My ancestor.
Alfred, 7 years old, b. 1843
Sarah, 3 years old, b. 1847
James, 2 years old, b. 1848
After the census, Eliza and Margaret were born to give 12 children.
I have a letter of Jan, 1, probably 1942 or 43, from Anne Peat to my parents that lists a lot of what I know of Kean Curry. She describes Kean Curry as a "'gentleman farmer' we would call him). He retired early, had a fine library, and entertained many friends from the Assembly down in Maryland. I learned about him from Aunt Sara, one of Papa's [Dr. William Henry Harrison Curry] older sisters whom I met in Cleveland..."
The letter continues: "She tells a fantastic story of her father (your great-grandfather) [Kean Curry] who was the heir to the Ireland estates of Curry and who came to this country long ago and changed his name from O'Currie to Curry -- maybe the old gent had a reason? Anyway, when he was written that as the last of the line he was to inherit the proerty over there, he wrote back he was so sick when he first croswsed the ocean he'd never risk it again! And the estate went back to the Catholic Church. He changed to Methodist when he fell in love with his wife, whose name was Kohler..."
I have looked into the land records of Kean Curry in Baltimore Co., Maryland and find an interesting historical fact which may indicate that he did actually inherit something from the Irish estates of Curry:
On June 10, 1842 he bought 108 3/4 acres as part of "Anderson's Hills anbd Dales-12 prs" with a mortgage that called for 10% interest payment plus all the principle.
On August 15, 1843 he paid $1000 cash plus interest for the land.
If he did inherit at least $1000, he must have known about it before June 10, 1842 when he agreed to buy the land, and he must have received the cash before August 15, 1843 when he paid for the land.
I am told that IF he did inherit the $1000, he would have had to provide some legal documents in order to get paid and that these legal documents might be of record. The agreements to buy the land are of record.
Of course, what I am interested in is what part of Ireland he came from and this is the only item that I have not followed up on the determine if there is something in our records that might show where in Ireland he came from. If you ever get into the records, be on the lookout for anything that might relate to the money that he used to pay for this land?
Sincerely,
Bill