Hannay, Andrew

Birth

Andrew was born at Galway, Scotland in 1733.

Occupation

He was a farmer.

Marriage & Children

At about 1755, he was married in his native country to a German lady. They had the following children:

• James Hannay
• John Hannay, married Adrian Whitmarch
• Andrew Hannay, Jr., married Mary Ann Swop
• Elizabeth Hannay, married George Swop.

Andrew married for the second time a widow named Elizabeth Ricord Towsick. They had the following child:

• David Hannay

Elizabeth Towsick died in 1800, and Andrew married for the third time, a widow named Hannah Wendell. No children were born of this marriage.

His Life Story

At the age of 24 Andrew enlisted in the King’s service and served for six years. At some period during his military service he married a German lady. After his discharge, he returned to his native town with his family.
In the year of 1774, he and his family left Scotland and came to New York. Some time later, he removed to Schoharie County and then to Delaware County, then back to Schoharie County. In the year of 1777, he raised a company of volunteers to assist General Gates in his struggle with Burgoyne. Upon reaching Albany, the news came of Burgoyne’s surrender so the company of volunteers disbanded and returned to their homes. Sometime after 1777 he removed to Bethlehem where his wife died. About two years later, he married his second wife, Elizabeth Ricord who lived in what was then the Town of Coeymans. They remained in Coeymans until Andrew obtained possession of a large tract of land in what is now Westerlo.
At about 1800, his second wife died. The names of his step-daughters were:

• Mary Towsick, who married Chris John Price and moved to Canada
• Hannah Towsick, who married ag Fineout and moved to Schenectady
• Catherine Towsick, who married a Fineout and moved to Canajoharie
• Elizabeth Towsick, who married Peter Grant and moved to Delaware Co.
• Eve Towsick, who married a Ramsey and lived in Bethlehem
• Christine Towsick, who married a Helegas and lived in Berne
• Sarah Towsick, who married a Swop and moved to Genesee County
• Margaret Towsick, who married a Helegas and moved to Berne

Death

Andrew died in 1808. At his request, his remains were buried near the road in a field on his own farm.

Additional Media

Sources

---