Dunleavy”s Great Grandfather & his Brother

Betrayal:  a book carefully researched for decades by Brian E. Dunleavy, highlights an aspect of the history of the U.S. Civil War not previously explored. It brings to light General George McClellan’s reluctance to fully fight the Confederates. While he did not personally feel one man should own another, he was willing to tolerate the practice if others felt strongly about it. In short, he was not really willing to fight a civil war over slavery. And he did not share his views with President Lincoln. Instead General McClellan accepted Lincoln’s proffer of the leadership of the Union Army.

With his timidity and slowness in fully fighting, Mr. Dunleavy states that McClellan betrayed the Union cause and caused the death of General Kearny and countless soldiers in the Peninsula Campaign.

This fascinating book written by Brian Dunleavy was encouraged and aided by his wife. He began researching his family after retiring as a chemical engineer and discovered that his great grandfather and several of his brothers were U.S.Civil War Veterans who had served in The Peninsula Campaign. Further researching other Irish-Americans in the campaign, he came across General Philip Kearny. Extensively documenting the Peninsula Campaign for 25 years he wrote this book to document the injustice that he discovered.

At The Historical Society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood meeting on Tuesday March 25th, Brian Dunleavy will give a power point presentation complete with maps. He will also distribute a list of interesting historical books to read. He will have his book available for sale.  Sales will be donated to the Historical Society and additionally he will match the proceeds 2 for 1 and send a donation through UNICEF to the Children of Ukraine.

Everyone is invited to attend this free, open to the public meeting of the Historical Society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood at our upcoming meeting on Tuesday March 25th. The meeting begins at 7:30 PM and is held at the historic Shady Rest Country Club, 820 Jerusalem Road (at the corner of Plainfield Avenue) in Scotch Plains. Come and learn a new angle on the U.S. Civil War from a man who has always had a profound interest in learning about American History and has added further information to digest. Afterwards enjoy refreshments and fellowship with the Historical Society. For questions, please email Info@HistoricalSocietySPFNJ.org or call 908/322-6700 Extension 230.

Many people are familiar with Thomas Edison’s “invention factory” in Menlo Park, where he patented the phonograph, the light bulb and many more inventions. Yet many other ideas have grown in the Garden State too. New Jerseyans brought sound and music to movies and built the very first drive-in theater. In addition to the first cultivated blueberry, tasty treats like ice cream cones and M&M’s are also Jersey natives. Iconic aspects of American life like Bubble Wrap, the boardwalk, the Band-Aid, and even professional baseball started in New Jersey. Life would be a lot harder without the vacuum cleaner, plastic, air-conditioning, and many other important advances in medicine and surgery that were developed here.

The Historical society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood wants you to come to our first 2025 meeting on Tuesday evening February 25th at 7:30 PM at the Historic Shady Rest Country Club and join author Linda Barth as she explores groundbreaking, useful, fun, and even silly inventions and their New Jersey roots.

Linda Barth has been a fan of New Jersey for a long time. A lifelong resident of the Garden State, Linda has written two books on the D&R Canal and three children’s picture books, Bridgetender’s Boy, Hidden New Jersey, and Alice Paul: Champion of Women’s Rights. She has also authored the book about inventing listed above and New Jersey Originals. With her husband she has published The Millstone Valley Through Time and Somerville Through Time. She has also contributed to the Encyclopedia of New Jersey.

Linda Barth spent 45 years in the Bridgewater-Raritan School District, teaching fourth grade and then substituting after retirement. She is the executive director of the League of Historical Societies of New Jersey and president of the D&R Canal Watch, a friends organization of the D&R Canal State Park.

The Historical Society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood is thrilled to have Linda Barth as the speaker for the Historical Society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood at our upcoming meeting on Tuesday February 25th. Come to this free, open to the public, meeting and learn more about Where Ideas Grow in The Garden State.The meeting begins at 7:30 PM and is held at the historic Shady Rest Golf & Country Club, 820 Jerusalem Road (at the corner of Plainfield Avenue) in Scotch Plains. Refreshments and fellowship follow the presentation. For questions, please email Info@HistoricalSocietySPFNJ.org or call 908/322-6700 Extension 230.