This discussion had me rummaging around in a bunch of old papers my late uncle Robert (Bob) sent me a few years ago, just before he died. He was really big into our family history. A few tidbits:
My Great Great Gand Father, John Staunton: My Great Great Grand Father, John Staunton, landed at Ellis Island in 1852 or 1853 (I've seen different accounts). He can from Ireland, Country Galway, Parish of Kiltormer (a very tiny place from looking on Google Earth). From New York, he made his way to Connecticut were he worked as a shoe maker for 3 years. Then, he migrated to Grafton West Virginia (not far from where I grew up) and later (1857) to Randolph County West Virginia in the "Roaring Creek " district where he purchased 350 acres of land and farmed and also continued to work as a shoe maker. He also taught school at some point and, during Grant's second administration, 1873, he was appointed Post Master at the Middle Fork Post Office where he served until 1884 until he was removed by Grover Cleveland, but was reinstated under William McKinley and served the remainder of his life (died in 1895). He is buried in St Vincent's Cemetery, Kingsville, Wva (also a very tiny place). He had 5 or six children. I am a descendant of his son, George Staunton (who later changed his name to Stanton, I think to make it should more English and less Irish for business purposes).
From a newspaper clipping, regarding my Great Grandmother's untimely death, my Great Grandfather (George Staunton/Stanton) and Great Grand Mother, Honora (nee Joyce) were on their way home from Church services (in Elkins West Virginia) to their home in Coalville. When they reached the James T. O'Connor Hill, two miles west of Coalton, the tug on the buggy shaft broke, letting the weight of the buggy come on the horse. --- Long story short - the horse bolted, the buggy tipped over and both were tossed from the buggy. He was beat up pretty bad but able to go to a nearby home and get help. She was taken to that home and two ladies rode into nearby Coalton to get a doctor. She died in that home later that evening (8:30PM) on Sept 15th 1909. She is also interred at St Vincent's Cemetery in Kingsville.
One of these days, I'd like to visit that area and maybe see if I can find their grave sites.