Patrick Calhoun (immigrant)

Patrick Calhoun (c. 1666 – c. 1741) was an Ulster-Scots (Scotch-Irish) immigrant to the American colonies, and the patriarch of a prominent Calhoun family in the United States. Born in County Donegal, Ireland, he emigrated to Pennsylvania around 1733, likely seeking greater economic opportunity and religious freedom.

Details regarding his life in Ireland are scarce, but it is believed he was a farmer. Upon arriving in Pennsylvania, Calhoun initially settled in Lancaster County, a popular destination for Scotch-Irish immigrants. He later moved south, settling in what is now South Carolina, specifically in the Long Canes region.

Patrick Calhoun played a significant role in establishing the Calhoun family's presence and influence in the American South. He acquired land and established a homestead, contributing to the development of the frontier. He married Catherine Montgomery, also an immigrant, and they had several children, including James Calhoun, who became a prominent figure in his own right and the grandfather of U.S. Vice President John C. Calhoun.

Patrick Calhoun's immigration and settlement in the American colonies marked the beginning of a long line of Calhouns who would become influential in politics, law, and agriculture. His story is representative of the broader Scotch-Irish immigration experience, driven by hardship and the promise of a better life in the New World. His descendants played prominent roles in the development of South Carolina and the United States, though their legacies are often complex and tied to the history of slavery and states' rights.