Adam and Harriet (Lavender) Flaherty

Adam Flaherty, was born on March 4, 1776, in Dublin, Ireland. He moved to America seeking new opportunities, and settled in Virginia. At 31, he married 16-year-old Harriet Lavender in December 1807. Harriet, born on December 12, 1791, in Virginia, came from a hardworking family.

They had several small boys when Adam was called up to serve in the War of 1812. He was a private serving under Lieutenant Colonel James McDowell who led a "flying camp" of Virginia militia around King George and Westmoreland Counties. This was part of an effort to protect Fredericksburg from British landing parties.

After the war, they lived in Botetourt County, Virginia, near the Appalachian Mountains. Adam died on December 16, 1848, at 72, leaving a legacy of family and service. Harriet continued living in the Roanoke area for another 16 years until her death on March 30, 1864, also at 72.

Adam and Harriet were married 41 years and had 9 children, 8 sons and a daughter. Both are buried in Wesley Chapel Cemetery in Eagle Rock, Virginia.