James McAvin Pre-Famine Immigrant to U.S.

My ancestor James McAvin was born about 1808 in Ireland.  Because McAvin is not a common surname, and because most references I have found to McAvins in Ireland are in County Monaghan, I am posting this query here. None of the sparse records that he generated in the U.S. list his place of origin other than "Ireland."  James appeared in Manhattan in New York City by about 1830, and soon after married Mary McCosker/McCusker. He is enumerated in the 1840 U.S. census as head of household living in Ward 14.  By 1850, he had moved to Shullsburg, Wisconsin where he worked as a lead miner. His wife died at some point after 1850 and before 1860.  The couple had several known chilldren including: Ellen, John, Thomas, William, Hannah, James Jr., Mary A., and Rose. About 1865, James Sr.moved a short distance south of the state border to Apple River Township, Jo Daviess County, Illinois.  He had scraped together enough money to buy a small 40 acre farm.  The American Dream!  However, he did not die there. Instead, he either gives or sells his land to his son-ln-law Patrick Meade who had married his eldest daughter Ellen.  Then he and his youngest daughter Rose and her husband James Hicks take off west for the Dakota territory.  I discovered this from James McAvin's sister-in-law's probate papers.  I speculate that they may have gone there trying to strike it rich by mining gold in the Black Hills.  I have not been able to find any documents generated by him there yet, so his death date is unknown.

If James McAvin followed traditional Irish naming patterns for his children, then his father should be named John McAvin.  I found a John McAvin listed in the Tithe Applotment Books.  He lived in the townland of Kilfahavin in the parish of Ennigal Trough in County Monaghan in 1826.  This might be either the father or some other relative.  The only other clue I have as to his Irish family may be the Elizabeth McAvin who lived in a nearby county to James when he was in Shullsburg, Wisconsin.  She was married to Edward McGovern and had several children.  Elizabeth was the correct age to be a sister to James McAvin, but she left behind no record to tell where she was from in Ireland.

Are there any McAvin descendants out there who can provide information on this family?