Patrick J. Lennon, jumped ship, ended in RI?
We have a phantom in our family, my gGrandfather, Patrick Joseph Lennon. The family story is that he was sweet-talked (as a young man, 18-20) by a British recruiter, and woke up in the pub with a shilling in the bottom of his pint, meaning he was a part of the British Army. Story has it that in port, he jumped ship to the next one, heading to America. We are not sure where he landed (though there is talk of New Orleans?), but he ended up in Providence, RI.
The first real record we have is of him in 1898 in the RI Volunteer Infantry during the Spanish-American War (but he enlisted under an alias, Francis J. Lennon!). In 1899, he married my gGrandmother, Mary A Rodgers, and they had 4 children: Mary Helen, Rose Veronica, Francis Ambrose, and Gerald Joseph.
We have no idea where Patrick was from, or how or why he got to RI. The basic facts we know are:
Claimed birthday: March 17, 1873 (but could be 1871-1874)
Parents:John and Mary A. Lennon. (from marriage cert.)
Born in Ireland
Arrived in US about 1893
We are just hoping someone's family has a similar story from the other side, of a brother, uncle or son who left or disappeared from the family. A long shot, but any help is appreciated!