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Elliot MacNamera - MacNamera Farms
MacNamera; the name goes back hundreds of years in the history of the Irish people and their former chieftains, and its legacy is proudly carried on by Elliot.
Elliot was born to genteel parents and raised in an exquisite manor in County Clare. Elias and Kathleen MacNamera were proud to bring their first born into the world on November 11th, 1818. A boy destined to receive the finest in education and to be raised in an aristocratic society. Growing up, it was evident very quickly that this young boy was different. He possessed a certain calming quality, an aura of soothing comfort. Perhaps it was his soft Irish lilt that he still carries with him today, or just his overall demeanor, nothing seemed to get to him. Such was not the case with his young younger sister. Caitlin, was three years the younger and was the exact opposite. Always in trouble and never knowing exactly how to stay out of it. Thus, it was Elliot’s job to take care of his younger sister and her endeavors. Fast forward.
Elliot’s life took a drastic change about sixteen years ago when he was just around 30. His wife, Ashleigh was killed in a riding accident. He blames himself to this day. It was the argument they had that sent her out in the storm. He had to get away. Thus he packed up all that he had and decided to embark on the second stage of his life. Heading to the American West. He had always been interested, and the allure was too much. Thus, he traveled by boat, all alone and in time ended up just outside of Lago, Wyoming.
He started a small farm, tending the fields and dealing in livestock. You know, chickens, cows, sheep, anything that you can get food from. He lived a simple life, not like his prior. Alone and content, this Irishman was set to ride his life out upon a farm in the middle of nowhere. Then it happened. A letter was received from his brother-in-law Dylan (Caitlinn’s Husband). Dylan had some issues of his own, he had taken to the bottle a bit and his marriage was on the rocks. His only child, a beautiful young lass named Niamh was probably the reason for his dependence on the bottle. He had to get his life together, and it was arranged for Niamh to come stay with her Uncle in Lago. Elliot had no children of his own, but he did love his Niece. Upon her arrival, it was clear that Elliot had his hands full.
The young lass was certainly going to age him quickly. Yet, the hardest part was this: She loved horses. Loved them. Elliot had shunned horses for a long time, a side effect from his wife’s passing. However, he has recently bout a few to please his Niece. Some people say his Niece is what he needed. A proud but broken man, who had chosen to shut out the world. Now, he has some life back and he has the young lass to thank for that. Perhaps they are good for each other, but only time will tell.
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Niahm MacNamera
Niahm's family is closely connected with Co. Clare and is the most important sept of Dál gCais - ancient Irish chieftains dating back to prehistoric times - after the O'Briens of this county. The name comes from Mac Conmara, meaning son of the hound of the sea, Co. Clare being on the Atlantic coast. Several castles have connections with the MacNamaras, including Bunratty Castle. The MacNamaras owned Bunratty Castle before it passed to the O'Briens. Knappogue Castle, nearby, was built by a MacNamara in 1487. Also in this part of Co. Clare is Cratloe Castle, built by the MacNamaras in 1610.
The most important site in Co. Clare associated with the MacNamaras is Quin Abbey, six miles east of Ennis. The abbey was founded by Sioda MacNamara in 1402 and contains tombs of the MacNamara family.
Elias McNamara, who died in 1845, owned the Falls Hotel in Ennistymon, Co. Clare, a delightful village with some shop signs still in Irish and the ever present falls. He was the father of Caitlin, who married the drunken but melodic English poet Dylan Atherton.
As Dylan married into the MacNamara family, he took on their last name and all of its benefits, enjoying the manner in which it catapulted his name in the higher society circles, enabling him to make a name for himself and eventually become a very well known poet. His drinking eventually toned down with the responsibilities that came with his newly acquired family, and he took up the responsibility of the Falls Hotel, bringing in customers with readings of his poetry, keeping them entranced. His wife worked as the hostess of the establishment, ensuring every comfort was met when needed.
In 1848 Niahm Lorinna MacNamara was born, a feisty little red-headed child with sea-green eyes and a lusty set of lungs. She was raised to be a proper lady, enjoying classes of archery and horseback riding when she wasn’t instructed on literature by her father. As she grew she blossomed into quite the fanciful young woman, men asking for her hand and attempting to court her despite her fathers’ contempt of the situation. It was decided in 1859 to attempt a diversion of the attention of Niahm and her suitors that she would be sent to live with one of her uncles in Lago, Wyoming who had immigrated there to have his piece of the wild west. She finally arrived after a long voyage on the sea in 1860, not exactly happy with the prospect of living in what she considered an uncouth environment with ‘Cowboys and Indians’ conflicting all the time. Hardly the place for a proper young woman to spend her leisure time, and hardly the place to expect any educational merits to come about, however she didn’t get much choice in the decision.
However time has made the United States grow on her somewhat, she’s still young and so very naive, not entirely understanding the way the world works though she puts on a brave front most times, using her education as a shield. It has helped that she has her favorite Uncle to have as a support, Elliot MacNamera. Elliot himself by all means is a very respectable gentleman, with his own farm and staff, raising wheat and livestock.
Niahm is at that point in her life where she doesn’t really know what to do next. She has aspirations to become a champion Archer but with no family immediately about to celebrate with her and cheer her on there isn’t much of a point. She doesn’t even know of an Archer outfit that exists in Lago. Perhaps set one up and give lessons? She could teach literature but would that fulfill her life’s aspirations? Seventeen years old is still a tender age, and for a girl who hasn’t had to work for much suddenly she’s finding herself without much to do. So she has taken on the duties of a ranch maid, moving out from her uncles farm to Black Star Ranch to work for Captain Parker. Time will tell if the young woman is suited to cooking and cleaning after men, or if like jobs before she moves on when the mood hits her, inclinations taking her elsewhere, everywhere, and possibly nowhere. Or right back to her Uncle, safety of home.
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Clara Mary Kent - Kent Farms and Orchard
Clara Mary Kent was born in the blooming year of 1848 in the Riician slums of New York City. Her mother, Elizabeth Swansea Kent, worked as a maid in the boarding house. A small section of quarters was reserved for them in the basement, and they all lived somewhat happily there. Thomas Kent, Claras father, worked as an inksetter in a printing house. Both her parents had immigrated from England as young people with their families, had met up and married in the boughs of New York. Clara had three younger sisters, Kathleen, Bridgete, and Elinor. Clara also had one older brother, Christopher.
Clara, being the oldest sister, was very much in charge of keeping her younger sisters in line while her mother and father worked. All in all, it was a very happy household if not for being unbearably cramped and often hot and muggy. Being in the basment afforded the family little to no ventilation, but they managed to make the best of things. It was often a crazy household, made crazier by Christopher and his long line of drunken stunts, lackluster speeches, and menial, often unstable jobs.
Maybe it was the lack of breathing space afforded to the Kent family that made Clara dream so fondly of the west and the wide open spaces it so heartily promised. Perhaps she was tempted by the freedom of living, the clean air, the chance to start her own life. Whatever it was, it was her dream and she desired it more than anything else.
Clara would get her chance on July 12th, 1863. Her elder brothers name came up for draft and he, like so many others, joined in the riots in the streets. His father went out to find the boy, and in the end neither one of them would return home. The Kents were fortunate: the owner of the tenament would let them stay if the daughters worked as maids and cooks for her. They would get board and food and a bit of pocket change at the end of the month. A menial living that afforded no chance to move up in the world, merely to survive.
Kissing each of her sisters and her mother in turn, Clara would make no such living. The other girls would work as maids and cooks with their mother, but not Clara. Packing her bags and waving goodbye, the teary-eyed girl explained that she was heading west where she would make a living and send for them to come live with her in the wide open spaces. They gave her all they could, including the money from the deaths of the men in the family, and she went off to build a new life for her family. It was a promise.
Clara has since then been moving from place to place, working at each stop until she could afford to move on, trying to get out West. Although she has many a story to tell, this 18 year old girl is still as innocent and sweet as ever. Clara is never able to believe that a person could be purposely cruel or mean, she's far too apt to like people in general. Full of smiles, yet quiet, there is a determination underneath her soft words and actions that runs deeper than any could imagine.
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