Ulysses Simpson Grant ties to County Tyrone, Northern Ireland

18th President of the United States of America

Submitted by
Monreagh Ulster Scots Heritage & Education Centre
Carrigans, Co Donegal
office[at]monreagh.net

Ulysses Simpson Grant
Republican

The 18th American President was born April 27, 1822 in Point Pleasant, Ohio of Presbyterian stock, successfully commanded the Union Army in the American Civil War. He was President from March 4, 1869 to March 4, 1877. His mother Hannah Simpson was descended from the Simpson family from Dergenagh between Dungannon and Ballygawley in Co. Tyrone. His great grandfather John Simpson left Ulster for America in 1760. President Grant admitted he was more of a soldier and a farmer than a politician. In July 1878, Grant travelled to Ulster to receive the freedom of Londonderry/Derry and he also stopped off at the Simpson family homestead near Ballygawley. He died July 23, 1885 in Wilton, New York.