[1] Lucas Sullivant was of paternally of Irish descent;[2] the original family name was of the ancient surname Ó Súilleabháin[3][circular reference] of southwestern Ireland.

This original settlement was abandoned a year later in 1798 when a flood submerged most of the town.

To encourage people to move to the new settlement, Sullivant offered free land for anyone willing to build a house along Gift Street, near the eastern edge of his plat.

Along with platting and settling the town, Sullivant also built several structures out of brick and glass from Philadelphia.

They had four children, William Starling, Michael, Joseph, and Sarah Ann.