The Irish diaspora reaches far and wide, even to the White House. Many US Presidents, including John F Kennedy and Joe Biden, have proudly claimed their Irish roots.
JFK was not the first, but his pride in his heritage made him a favourite among the Irish. Biden has also been open about his Irish heritage, strengthening the bond between Ireland and the US.
Unlike JFK, Biden, and Barack Obama, the late President Jimmy Carter’s Irish roots date back to pioneer times, through his maternal grandmother, Nina Pratt. Nina’s family tree includes Irish ancestors on different lines, tracing back to Isaac Cowan, born in South Carolina around 1764, whose father, Andrew Matthew Cowan, was born around 1740.
While some reports suggest Andrew hailed from Co Antrim in what is now Northern Ireland, records indicate his birthplace was likely South Carolina or Virginia. His father seems to have been born in Ayrshire, Scotland, and the surname Cowan has Gaelic roots in both Ireland and Scotland.
Future president: Jimmy Carter as a baby in Georgia circa 1925
(Image: Bettmann/Getty Images)
Andrew’s maternal grandfather, Archibald Woods, appears to have migrated to Virginia, then British Colombia, from Co Donegal. So, even if Andrew didn’t reside in Co Antrim, Isaac’s lineage traces back to Ireland.
Jane had Irish ancestry on both sides of her family. Records show her mother, Elizabeth McCullough, was born in Co Derry around 1752.
Elizabeth moved to America as an adult, with her parents’ place of death listed as Ireland and hers as South Carolina. She married a fellow immigrant who left Ireland with his parents as a child.
Andrew’s maternal grandfather, Archibald Woods, appears to have migrated to Virginia
(Image: Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
Elizabeth’s husband, James Seawright, was born around 1742 in Co Derry. His place of death is also listed as South Carolina, as were his parents, Andrew Seawright of Co Derry, and Mary Eleanor Dickinson of Co Donegal.
Carter’s Irish heritage stems from his sixth great-grandfather, Archibald Woods, and fourth great-grandparents, Elizabeth McCullough and James Seawright, all born in Ireland.