History and Genealogy of the Beatty Family James Beatty,
Esquire, of Ballycanew, County Wexford, His Irish Origins and
American Descendants. JOHN D. BEATTY Fort Wayne, Indiana CHAPTER
SEVEN: THE CROSSING John Beatty was eighteen years old in 1792
when he made his first crossing to the new world. His reasons
for wanting to make such a journey can now only be surmised.
Perhaps he had grown up hearing his father’s friends discuss the
American Revolution, comparing it favorably with the aspirations
of the Irish Volunteers. Perhaps he had read for himself some
revolutionary tracts, such as those by Thomas Paine, and heard
of the economic opportunity afforded those who desired to
immigrate. In either case, his curiosity was piqued. He resolved
to learn once and for all if America was where he wished to
invest his inheritance and launch himself in a profitable
career. Obtaining permission from his father was essential to
the successful fulfillment of his plan. James Beatty, upon
hearing the boy’s arguments in favor