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^ 929.2 , M277d 1760931 REYMCU. .. TORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION ^LIjEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01411 1212 "COAT OF ARMS" The Coat of Arms was adopted by the ]\Iahaffeys of Ireland in the 11th century, consisting of a shield, on which is a mailed arm raised in defense of the home, with a broken spear held in the hand and over it the inscription, "Factus Non Victtis," mean- ing, "broken but not conquered." All pieces of silverware, also furniture, as far back as 800 years has this engraved on it and is to be found among the old family relics in Dublin and other cities in Ireland. IMahafiey Descendants'^* Sketch of Reunions, Historical Records and Biographical Genealogy of Mahaffey Descendants -1914 Compiled by Estelle Kinports Davis and Mary E. Mahaffey Garst HARRISBURG. PENNSYLVANIA— 1914 Central Printing and Publishing House Harrisburg, Penna. 1760931 Mahafjpey Descendants PREFACE THIS work is promulgated by its authors not in any sense as a literary gem, but rather as a forced product in re- sponse to the decision of the majority. It lacks finish, and in a great many respects certain details which would have made it a more valuable work. However, it is hoped that the object has been gained for which it was printed, namely, the pre- servation of data collected for years, and fulfilling the desire of the older members of the Clan who wished to see a book of the genealogies of those who have met year after year at the Re- unions. This work is not confined to a single family, but to any who have, or descended from the name, who furnished data. The families will be taken up in the counties of Pennsylvania, where the first one of the name was known to locate. Necessarily the sketches must be brief, but it has been the aim to select those details which would help in establishing lines of either past or future generations, and for that reason this book is entitled to a place in every library of those who bear, or descend from the MahafTey name. Mention will also be made of those living in Ireland, who have for years taken an interest in members of the Clan here, and who have furnished us with interesting informa- tion concerning the early history of the family there. Space has been given to all who have furnished the necessary data in the way of biography, or history, of the present, as well as the past generations, but in most cases your historians have found it difficult to procure the needed data, possibly due to reticence, or modesty. We have aimed to avoid partiality in this regard, naturally were obliged to give only what we were able to procure. EsTELLE Kin PORTS Davis. ; ; —————— ; Mahaffey Descendants "OUR HISTORY" Fellow descendents, at last we have found Our His'try, and in a book it is bound It dates from the time this good Irish name Scotland forsook, and in Ireland took claim. Scotch-Irish we are, none better I'm sure, With others 'tis crossed, remaining as pure In the veins of the Clan, flowing to-day This His'try is proof—you cannot gainsay. In crossing the span of years we have tried To connect all the links, trusting you'll bide Tradition as facts, since much has been found, Authentic indeed in our His'try bound. Lib'ral we have been with our fellow man. Including all names in this Irish Clan Not only the Ma's and the Me's you'll find, But names that are common to all mankind. In writing this book dear Clan we have found. Much interest displayed in making our round You can judge for yourself, reading is proof, Some silence preferred, others remaining aloof. Not daunted by this, in silence the work Even though some few their duties did shirk. Was fin'lly completed—we did our best With data secured may it stand the test Of critics, which in our Clan you may find In censuring we trust they all keep in mind The efforts of those who this His'try wrote They hope not for glory, this you will note Simply to prove to generations to come. From whence they came, and to whom they belong We trust our struggle has not been in vain, And to all the world our "History" proclaim Mary E. Maiiaffe y Carst. Mahaffey Deiscendants HISTORY OF REUNIONS For ten years the Mahaffey's of Clearfield and Lycoming counties, Pennsylvania, have been holding family Reunions. This Reunion idea was first conceived in the brain of Mrs. Addie Hennigh, of Punxsutawney, Pa., daughter of David MahafTey, of Louisiana, and grand-daughter of Thomas Mahaffcy, of New Washington, Pa., and was formulated by her to W. T. Mahaffey and wife, of Cherry Tree, Pa., who were visiting in her home, June 10, 1905, and was to the effect that an organization be formed, called the "Mahaffey Clan," and that they should hold reunions beginning that fall. Mr. Mahaffey, in his usual en- thusiastic manner, agreed to this, and they at once formed a temporary organization, electing Mr. Mahaffey President, and Mrs. Hennigh Corresponding Secretary, she agreeing to send out invitations to all known Mahaffeys to assemble at Mahaffey, Clearfield Co., Pa., to perfect the organization. In response to these invitations seventy-five relatives gathered at Mahaffey on the 12th day of September, 1905, and the first "REUNION" of the "Mahaffey Clan" in Pennsylvania, was held. The following officers were elected to serve one year : W. T. Mahaffey, Cherry Pa., President Mahaffey, Clearfield, Pa., Vice Presi- Tree, ; James dent ; W. P. Mahaffey, Clearfield, Pa., Secretary and Treasurer. The second reunion was held at Mahaffey, Pa., August 9th, 1906, with one hundred and seventy-five present. The same officers were re-elected, with the addition of Porter Kinports, of Cherry Tree, Pa., as Historian. The reunions continued at Mahaffey, Pa., with the same officers re-elected, increasing numbers and growing enthusiasm until six had been held—these had always partaken of the nature of all-day picnics and were heartily enjoyed. The success of the gatherings being largely due to the un- tiring efforts of Aunt Kate Mahaffey and her immediate family. At this sixth meeting, August, 1910, Asher C. Mahaffey, of Williamsport, Pa., was elected Vice President, the other officers being retained as before. Several committees v/ere appointed. ; 6 Mahaffey Descendants Committee on Arrangements—Mrs. A. C. Mahaffey, Wil- liamsport, Pa. ; Mr. and Mrs. Moses Mahaffey, Hepburnville, Pa. Mrs. W. T. Mahaffey, Cherry Tree, Pa. Committee on Invitation—Harry B. Mahaffey, Harry Con- ner, Mrs. Maggie McMurry, Moses Mahaffey and Miss Rachael Mahaffey, of Dublin, Ireland. Committee on History—Mr. and Mrs. Porter Kinports, of Cherry Tree, Pa.; Mrs. W. T. Mahaffey, Williamsport, Pa.; Samuel Mahaffey, Marion, Ohio ; Dr. John Pentland Mahaffey, Dublin, Ireland. Committee on Finance—R. F. Mahaffey, Frank Flinn and J. R. McMurry. A vote was taken on place of meetng for the next year and carried in favor of Williamsport, Lycoming Co., Pa. (the cradle of most of these branches of Mahaffeys). President W. T. Ma- haffey gave a talk on his travels in Europe the year previous, and related the incidents of his visit to relatives of the Clan in Ireland, where he had the pleasure of seeing many old relics, which in- cluded some antique furniture which had been in the possession of the Mahaffey family for several hundred years. He read a letter from Dr. John Pentland Mahaffey, of Trinity College, Dublin, which was received with much enthusiasm. At the seventh reunion, August 31st, 1911, and the first one held at Williamsport, Pa. ; Ezra Rathmell was elected Vice Presi- dent, other officers remaining the same. The business meeting was held at the "Arlington Hotel." Several new features were introduced at this meeting.. 1. The reading of an authentic His- tory embracing the then known data. 2. The presentation to each member present of a facsimile of the "Coat of Arms," adopted by the Mahaffeys in the 11th century. 3. The delight- ful entertainment at the Acasia Club, by John Hall. The eighth reunion was again held in Williamsport, August, 1912, this time at the New Crawford Hotel. In the election of officers the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer were retained ; Mrs. Geo. N. Davis, of Coffman, W. Va., was elected Historian, in the place of her father. Porter Kinports, who died the March previous. Mrs. O. Watson Bennett, of Wil- liamsport, Pa., Corresponding Secretary. Souvenir badges, with Mahaffey Descendants 7 a print of the old Mahaffey Homestead, were presented to those present. At this meeting Mrs. O. Watson Bennett loaned a grandfather's clock, a chair, a curious sun-dial and a book of prayers, the property of Thomas MahafTey, Sr., for the inspection of his descendants. The assembly was again entertained at the Acasia Club, by John Hall. The ninth annual reunion of the Mahaffey Clan was held in the Y. W. C. A. Assembly Hall at Williamsport, Pa., August 14th, 1913. The same officers were re-elected with two additional ones, Mrs. Kate Long, Howardsville, Assistant Secretary, and Mrs. M. E. Mahaffey Carst, of Harrisburg, Pa., Assistant Historian. The walls of the hall were handsomely draped in American flags. The flag of Ireland and the Mahaffey "Coat of Arms," occupy- ing prominent places immediately above the President's chair. The poem, "To the Clan," and the song, "Our Native Land," sung to the tune of "America," composed by Mrs. M. E. Mahaffey Carst, were easily the features of the day.

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