James Michael Finnigan was born in Ballyvourney, County Cork Ireland and emigrated to Boston MA in 1857 with several of his siblings. Shortly thereafter he moved to Canada and eventually settled in the Canton area of St. Lawrence County, New York.   At the time of the potato famine, the Irish government imposed severe penalties on the family members of those leaving the country and as a result the birth records traditionally held by the churches were destroyed to prevent the identification of parents and family members. Private records identify James’s parents as Thomas Finnigan and Margaret Buckley and Thomas’s father likely carried the same first name Thomas. James served in the U.S. Army Company A, 164 New York Regiment known as the infamous Corcoran's Legion.  Private Finnigan fought in many skirmishes and severe engagements and was wounded in battle, crippling him for the rest of his life. After six months in the hospital he returned to service, participated in the pursuit of Lee's army and was present with his army unit near Appomattox when the Confederate chieftain surrendered.