.. The .. McGuire Family in Virginia With notices of its Irish Ancestry and some Dr. Edward McGuire, of Richmond, was a man who was keenly interested in many subjects outside of his profession. Among these was a history of his family. With the aid of various relatives (especially the late John P. McGuire, Sr., also of Richmond) he collected a very considerable amount of material in regard to the McGuires in Ireland and in Virginia. The pressure of a large and exacting practice and, later, failing health prevented Doctor McGuire from attempting to put his collections into shape farther than preparing an outline genealogy. A similar compilation was made by Mr. John P. McGuire. Sometime before his death Doctor McGuire asked me to take his collections and prepare a family history. At that time I was unable to undertake the work, but when, after his death, Mrs. McGuire and other members of the family renewed the request, I consented and have carried out their wishes to the best of my ability. As all who handle collections of genealogical data find, there were various gaps to be filled, and I am especially indebted to Mr. John P. McGuire (Jr.) for indispensable assistance. It is almost unnecessary to say that the members of the family have left me entirely free to treat the subject as I pleased, and I desire to emphasize the fact that in this history of the McGuires, there is not a word written by a McGuire. Births, marriages, deaths-all the skeleton of genealogy-were, of course, furnished from family records, but the biographies and estimates of life and character all come from sources not influenced by relationship. I lay stress on this because this little book is so largely made up of stories of eminent and useful lives and of tributes of public affection and gratitude. After I had carefully worked out the various lines of descent I was fortunate in having access to many biographical sketches, memorials and testimonials which had been published in books, pamphlets and newspapers. I deemed it best to use these in full, with only such brief additions as might be necessary to connect them and make the application plain. It is very rarely that one finds so many contemporary accounts and appreciations of the members of any one family. For myself, I can say, as I have been treating chiefly of those who have passed away, that it has been a deep gratification to me as a Virginian, to become intimately acquainted with the lives of such Virginia men and women as appear in this book. W. G. STANARD. |