Synans Of Virginia

The Synans of Virginia are descended from the ancient and noble Synan clan of County Cork in southern Ireland. With roots in Normandy, they came to Wales after the Norman invasion of 1066 A.D. and then migrated to Ireland in 1172 A.D. Here they owned twelve thousand acres of land, built castles, endowed churches, fought battles with their neighbors, and became a leading and powerful Irish family. This is the story of how a twelve-year-old lad, William Synan, came over to America in 1812, was stranded in Petersburg because of the war with England, and never saw his native land again. For almost two hundred years the Synans of Virginia have lived in America, fought in the nation’s wars, raised huge families, and contributed to the drama and richness of American life.