Agnew- County Antrim, Parish unknown

My gt grandfather John Agnew was born abt 1819 in Co. Antrim,  Family lore indicates he left home at an early age which must have been when he became a tailor's apprentice.  He "appeared" in Upstate N.Y. in the early 1840's where he lived for a short time in Plattsburgh with Guy Dunham, a tailor.  Soon John purchased land, married Mary Ann Howard (Morrison descendant) and bought a lovely home while still in his early twenties. Their children were Margaret Helen, Mary Emma, Anna Louisa, Samuel John, James and Myrtle (a male).

Family lore indicates he was given a gold watch by his father when he left home sailing out of Belfast.  The watch was listed in his possessions when he died, and in today's money would be valued at $600.00.  He had a library indicating he was well educated because his book collection contained the poetry of Moore and Scott, atlases, biographies of famous Americans and religious books.

A manifest nor his entry into the U.S. has never been found for him or for his sister and her husband although we suspect they came via Canada.  Eliza Jane, his sister, was married to James C or G. Gettys both from Co. Antrim.  They also had the resources to purchase land after arriving in the early 1850's in Beekmantown, NY.

The Gettys were related to Geddes from Co Tyrone who lived in Canada.  Their children married Irish McCreas, Palmers and Moores.  The Getty boys were James, Andrew, Archibald and William, all born N.Y.

I hope someone can help with our Irish origin.

Thanks in advance.

Barb Agnew Miers