Flack Families in NEW YORK STATE (1790-1840)

INTRODUCTION

I have tried to compile a list (at the end of the document) of all the Flack Trees's in the website database that have New York State as its main base for the family. They are listed in age order of oldest known Head of Family.

(One assumption: Its probably a fair assumption at the start to say that any Irish Flacks born after 1765 are not directly related to James Flack & Margaret McCarter, or James Flack and Martha Harsha, or either of their parents, as both James Flack's are thought to have come to USA from Ireland as part of the 'Cahans Exodus' in 1764.)

The family trees have been sourced as best I can with census records and historical reference documents. I do have to say though, that they are often a 'little sketchy' when you get beyond 1850 and I am often quite sceptical about the accuracy of some of the frequently quoted historical genealogy based reference books - eg:- "X amount of Flack brothers, sons and cousins (Tom, Dick and Harry etc.) all set out from County Blarney in 17xx and landed in New York , Two went West, while the others went North, South and East, but James (or John) went to PA." - I'm sure you have heard the story!
I really dont mean to be harsh about folklore either, as some of it is always factual, but the rest can send you on a wild goose chase, making you spend many fruitless years searching for non existant people.

Some of the resultant family trees, using the early census information, often tend to be very small as its hard to link them together using just the earlier census limited information.

In this database, there are three main New York based family trees at the moment:-
(1) James Flack and Margaret McCarter.
(2) James Flack and Martha Harsha.
(3) New York Strays - Which is one 'catchall' tree that contains all the smaller ones that can't really be linked together yet.

Its never easy findng quality 'source information' before 1850, so I really must make an effort somehow. to visit the "The Washington County Historian’s Office" in Fort Edward as I see they have a "Flack Journal" and "The Goodspeed Collection" which I am told contains some very early Flack genealogy material for the area. Whatever I find there must help to fill in the gaps a little better.

THE DATABASE FLACK TREES

The primary source of a lot of the American Family Trees in this database is from census records. Some tree's initially came via a gedcom, or a paper tree printout, but in most cases I then had to go through the process of trying to sourcing each tree to ensure I knew what was fact, and unfortunately in some cases, what was fiction.

I use 'Ancestry.com' a lot for access to the census records and also its collection of older historical records, but few are Flack specific, although you do get lucky at times. 'Ancestry' of course gives me access to other peoples online trees as well and that is often helpful while 'sourcing' things too. But when you look at the majority of the American trees in the database you will always find census records used a great deal.

I do mention the two families of Flack/McCarter and Flack/Harsha a lot, but they were, after all, the first two Flack families recorded in New York State. Because these two families are recorded at the same time, and in the same place, you have to take care not to mix the children of the two families up - or just 'lump' all the children you find onto one family and ignore the other families existence.

Some of the older 'historical genealogy reference books' do mix them up at times in my opinion. You have to consider when the books were written and try to imagine for yourself what research resources were available at that time.
Did their computer, with all the internet resources we have today, sit on their writing bureau next to their quill pen ?
I'm just trying to point out that the further you go back in time, the harder it must have been to source the information.
Having said that of course, its often too easy today to just copy/paste information without checking it's accuracy - post it on the internet - scores of other people then copy/paste this same information until it gets a life of its own and virtually becomes fact itself.
SO DO - CHECK YOUR SOURCES - and - QUOTE YOUR SOURCES .

THE US FEDERAL CENSUS, 1790-1840 (recorded Flacks)

I have set out the census records in tabular format to try and help me 'capture' everyone in this time period. For those of you interested in the 'numbers' of recorded Flack's in New York State, they are as follows:-

• 1790 = 2 families, 8 people
• 1800 = 4 families, 20 people
• 1810 = 7 families, 53 people
• 1820 = 13 families, 82 people
• 1830 = 17 families, 119 people
• 1840 = 25 families, 156 people

I have also (at no extra expense) provided a set of maps, which in my opinion greatly helps to visualise where everyone actually was. The only thing to remember is (when I stick the pins in the map) that all I have to go on, is a place name and not a farm address (so its an approximation).

If you start by taking a look for Flack families in the 1790 census, which is a very 'rough and ready' guide and really only gives the name of the head of family, you will see that there are initially only two Flack families (spelt Flack anyway) in the whole of the State. I must admit I was quite amazed at this myself, as I naively thought that they would eminate outwards from New York City/County. After all, it is the "the Big Apple" - to me as an Englishman anyway.

The small numbers should theoretically, be a good starting starting point (in my view), as it greatly reduces the possibility of guessing at the wrong Flack families. But just to counter this good luck, they both have the same name.

View Flack's in New York State - 1790 Census in a larger map

In 1790 (see the map on left) - The two enumerated families are both in Hebron, Washington County, and both families have 'heads' called James Flack. The census actually calls them James Flack (a family of nine) and James(2) Flack (a family of three). This actually fits the fact that 2 James Flack's are known to have lived in the same area, although it has never been thought that they were actually brothers. In my experience, parents never give their children exactly the same name, unless one has died and then the forename may get used again for a later child. So as far as I am concerned the chances of James and James(2) having the same father is extremely remote. What is MUCH more likely is that their fathers were brothers. (i) James Flack (1755-1840, thought to be born in Ireland) and Margaret McCarter (1751-1835) are buried in Old Hebron Cemetery. (ii) James Flack (1761-1836, thought to be born in Ireland) and Martha Harsha (1755-1832) are buried in Wood Cemetery, North Argyle.

To an extent, you may think that it doesn't matter which James is which in the 1790 census, as long as they are both there. But it does matter later on, when you 'think' you have found their children and then try to go back and match the 'numbers' of children shown in the census.
I have to say that I dont think I have ever got ANY to match exactly, in ANY family tree I have compiled.

One question I have asked myself is:- In the census itself, does the enumerator use the term James (2) Flack to mean 'the second James Flack I have counted in this census' , or maybe 'the younger of the James Flack's I have counted', or does he mean 'James 2nd (son of James)' as this really could makes a difference in sorting out the 2 James Flack's. Especially as James (2) Flack is thought to be the son of James Flack and Hannah Whyt(e), so in this case it would make sense for it to be James 2nd (or James junior).

I'll leave the detailed subject of exactly who the children of these two familes are to their own family data page ( links provided later in a summary) but I will just mention that BOTH these families appear in the same actual tree in the database, as they cant easily be seperated.
The 2 families dont interlink themselves, to my knowledge, but with living in the same geographical location for decades, the children themselves marry into other local families and sometimes both Flack familes marry into the same 'middle family' - or by a couple of sideways marriages anyway.
So thats why the 2 seperate familes are in the one tree.

In 1800 (using the same 1790 map above), two more Flacks appear in Hebron, Richard and John Flack, although its fairly well accepted that these are sons of one of the existing Flack families. So we now have 4 Flack families in Hebron In 1810 however (map right) , the 2 Flack children (Richard and John) relocate to (Lisbon, St Lawrence County), and one of the sons (James, who is not shown as moved yet) eventually has Flackville named after him. You should also note in 1810 that three new Flack families appear in New York State. (i) Alexander Flack (1769-1854, born Ireland) and living in Hebron, Washington County. (ii) Michael Flack (b.abt.1778 -1830/1840) and living in Albany, Albany County. (iii) John C Flack (b.bef 1765) and living in Canajoharie, Montgomery County From where they all appeared I really dont know.

View Flack's in New York State - 1810 Census in a larger map

View Flack's in New York State - 1820 Census in a larger map

In 1820, James Flack (son of James Flack and Margaret McCarter) appears in Lisbon with his two brothers John and Richard. James (H) Flack (son of James (2) Flack and Martha Harsha) has left home and moved across to Argyle, Washington County. Alexander Flack (b.1769) moves up to Willsboro, Essex County, but another three new Flacks appear in Willsboro too. One of them is Willam Flack (b. 1771, Iireland) who, taking into account his age, didnt appear with Alexander in the 1810 census numbers, so its impossible to say if related or not. The other two are John Flack (b.1799) and George Flack (b.1801). My current view is John is a son of Alexander's (70/30 chance) but I really dont know about George yet. Michael Flack moves from Albany up to Lansingburgh, Rensselaer County.

For 1830 and 1840 , I will leave you to look at the census sheets and the maps below to see for yourself the spread of the Flack families within the State.

View Flack's in New York State - 1830 census in a larger map

View Flack's in New York State - 1840 Census in a larger map

PLEASE CONTACT ME via the website email ....
... If you can help in any way with new source material or have any other relevant information on ANY of the New York State families.

List of families sorted by 'Head of Family' age first:-

NOTE: I have purposely omitted the actual children of Flack/McCarter & Flack/Harsha from the list below as I am fairly confident they are (all but one) correctly placed.

James Flack (1765-1840) & Margaret McCarter: - Birthplace probably Ireland - First appears in 1790 in Hebron, Washington County - Children go to Lisbon, St Lawrence County and 'founded' Flackville - Stays in Hebron until his death in 1840 - Buried in Old Hebron Cemetery, Washington County. Thought to be the son of Richard (or John) Flack.

James Flack (1761-1836) & Martha Harsha: - Birthplace Ireland - First appears in 1790 in Hebron, Washington County, then in 1830 moves to Argyle, Washington County. Dies 24 Dec 1836 and is buried in Wood Cemetery, North Argyle, Washington County. Thought to be the son of James Flack (b.1735) and Hannah Whyt(e) from Ballybay, County Monaghan, Ireland.

John C Flack (b.bef 1765): Birthplace Unknown - First appears in 1810 census at Canajoharie, Montgomery County, then disappears again in 1820 census.

Alexander Flack (1769-1854) & Ruth King: - Birthplace Ireland - First appears in 1810 in Hebron, Washington County - By 1820 in Willsboro, Essex County & stays in Essex County (Willsboro and Essex) until his death in 1854 - Buried in Brookfield Baptist Cemetery, Essex, Essex County.

William Flack (abt 1771/1780-1856) & (1) Mary, (2) Polly: - Birthplace Ireland - First appears in Willsboro, Essex County in 1820 Census (similar age to Alexander but where was William in 1810??) - 1830 in Willsboro and 1840 in Lewis - cant find in 1850 but buried 9 Dec 1856 in Brookfield Baptist Cemetery, Essex, Essex County.

Michael Flack (abt 1778 - 1830/1840) & Hannah: - Birthplace Ireland - First appears in 1810 in Albany, Albany County - He is in Lansinburg/Troy, Rensselaer County in 1820 and 1830 - He disappears in 1840 but replacing him in the same location in 1840/1850 is Hannah , who I believe is his wife. Michael is recorded in the Albany 'business directory' between 1801/1825 as a 'Commercial Merchant'.

Betsy Flack (1781-1853) & James Fuller: Born New York - Never in the census as a 'Flack' but appears with husband James Fuller in Queensbury, Warren County, and in Lewis, Essex County, throught the census period.

Hugh Flack (1791/1800): - Birthplace unknown. - Only appears once in 1840 in Willsboro, Essex County - possibly a son of Alexander Flack.

Hugh W (Wellington) Flack (1791-1867) & Catherine Tomlinson: - Birthplace Ireland - First appears in 1830 in Willsboro, Essex County (another source shows him as getting married in 1825 in NY City) - In 1840 he is in Black Brook, Clinton County - In 1850 in AuSable, Clinton County - In 1860 in Franklin, Franklin County - Dies on 10 Dec 1867 and is buried in Union Cemetery, Franklin, Franklin County. (Note - the 3 locations in Clinton and Franklin Counties are quite close to each other.)

Male Flack (1790/1800) & Margaret: - Birthplace New York - He doesnt actually appear in a census but his wife Margaret, with children Samuel and John, appear in Troy, Rensselaer County, in 1850.

John J Flack (1799-1876) & Elizabeth Nelson: - Birthplace New York - First appears in 1820 in Willsboro, Essex County - Believe to be a son of Alexander Flack - John has 'Flackville', Willsboro, named after him. - By 1850 census he has moved to Joliet, Will County, Illinois - Died 1876 and buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Joliet, Will County, Illinois.

George Flack (1801-1832) & Jane: - Birthplace Unknown - First appears in 1820 in Willboro, Essex County - In 1830 he is in Peru, Clinton County - Dies on 15 Nov 1832 and is buried in Old Riverview Cemetery, Clintonville, Au Sable, Clinton County. (Quite possibly a brother of James W/M Flack who was also in Peru, clinton County, in 1830)

Robert Flack (1801-1874) & Sarah Stafford: - Birthplace New York - First appears in 1840 in Willisboro, Essex County - Believed to be the son of Alexander Flack - He is in Essex, Essex County by 1850 and stays there until he dies in 1874. - Buried in Old Burt Cemetery, Essex. Essex County.

William S Flack (1804-aft.1890): - Birthplace New York - First appears 1840 in Willboro, Essex County. - Believed to be the son of Alexander Flack. - 1850/1860 & 1870 in Essex, Essex County but is in Troy, Rensselaer County by 1880. - Last recorded in 1890 as the owner of the "Troy Globe Valve Co." in Lansingburgh, Troy, Rensselaer County.

James W or M Flack (1804) & Jane: - Birthplace Ireland - James W Flack first appears in Peru, Clinton County, in 1830 and then Willsboro, Essex County in 1840 and then he disappears. In 1850 James M Flack then appears as a Merchant in Troy, Rensselaer County with wife and daughter. I am asssuming until proven otherwise that 'James W' and 'James M' are the same person. Possibly a brother of George Flack (1801) as they were both in Peru in 1830 census.

Joseph Flack (1805) & Margaret:- Birthplace Ireland or Canada - First appears in Lisbon, St Lawrence County in 1840 and then again in 1850 (with current stated birthplace there cannot be any connection with the 'Flackville' Flacks who were all born in Washington County)

Samuel Flack (1808-1847): - Birthplace Unknown - Appears only once in 1830 in Willsboro, Essex County. Dies 15 Jun 1847 and is buried in Brookfield Baptist Cemetery, Essex, Essex County, New York, USA.

Adams W Flack (1808?-aft.1892) & Pauline Bennett: - First appears as A W Flack in 1840 in Queensburg, Warren County - 1850 Glenn Falls, Warren County, 1860/70/80 in Queensburg, Warren County. Last seen in a Glenn Falls 'Directory' in 1892.

William Flack (1811/1820): - First appears in 1840 in Moriah, Essex County.

Daniel Flack (1815) & Catherine: - Birthplace England - Appears in NY, NY, NY in 1840 and again in 1850 census.

PLEASE - this page is VERY new with LOTS of links - if link doesn't work, or goes to the wrong person, then please let me know.

Jim Flack - 25 March 2011.
(That's 25/3/2011 if your English - but 3/25/2011 if your American - -WHOOT!)