Sons of Leitrim
McBride
Barney
Soldier Profile: Barney McBride
Corporal, Co. B, 80th New York Volunteer Infantry
Barney served with the "Ulster Guard," a regiment primarily raised in Ulster County, New York. Though he joined the fight in the war's final act, he rose to the rank of corporal and participated in the climactic siege that finally broke the back of the Confederacy.
Early Life and the "Candy Maker"
Born: November 5, 1842, in County Leitrim, Ireland.
Emigration: Barney arrived in the United States in 1851 at the age of nine.
The Apprentice: After a few years in New York City, he moved to Rondout in 1854 and then to Kingston in 1857. It was here that he mastered the art of candy manufacturing—a trade that would define his professional life for over half a century.
Marriage: He was married to Julia A. Styles, with whom he raised a family in Kingston, including two sons, Charles and Francis.
Military Service: The Ulster Guard
Barney enlisted on September 27, 1864, for a one-year term. At the time of his enlistment, the Union was desperate for men to finish the war, and Barney was paid a combined town and county bounty of $800—a small fortune for a young confectioner.
Siege of Petersburg: Barney joined the 80th New York (also known as the 20th State Militia) during the grueling Siege of Petersburg. He was present for the final spring campaign of 1865 that led to the fall of Richmond.
Corporal Promotion: His reliability was noted by his officers, and he was promoted to Corporal on May 15, 1865.
Mail Boat Duty: In the weeks following the Confederate surrender, Barney served as a guard on a U.S. Mail Boat, ensuring communications remained secure in the occupied South.
Mustering Out: He was honorably discharged on June 17, 1865, in the captured Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia.
Kingston's First Ice Cream King
Upon returning to civilian life, Barney became a pillar of Kingston’s business community.
The Parlor: In 1871, he became the city’s first ice cream manufacturer, opening a parlor at the corner of Broadway and O'Neil Street.
Community Service: A man of deep faith, he served as the Sunday School Superintendent at the Clinton Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church for an incredible 40 years.
The G.A.R.: He remained a proud veteran, active in the Pratt Post 127 of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Final Resting Place
Barney applied for an invalid pension in 1904 as age began to catch up with him. He passed away on June 26, 1915, at the age of 72.
Burial: He is buried in Wiltwyck Cemetery in Kingston, Ulster County.
Grave: Plot Block 92.
Historical Note: While his headstone carries a birth year error, his records clearly trace his origins back to Leitrim and his arrival in 1851.
Service Timeline
Date Event Location / Detail
Nov 5, 1842 Birth County Leitrim, Ireland
Sept 27, 1864 Enlisted Kingston, NY
Winter 1864–65 Siege of Petersburg Virginia
May 15, 1865 Promoted to Corporal Richmond / Mail Boat Duty
June 17, 1865 Honorably Mustered Out Richmond, VA
1871 Business Milestone Opened Kingston's first Ice Cream Parlor
June 26, 1915 Deceased Kingston, NY
