Margaret Sweeney's Relatives- Sweeney's in County Meath

Sweeney's in Summerhill Parish, County Meath- Likely relatives of Margaret Sweeney Allen

Sweeney is a fairly rare name to be found in County Meath. Sweeneys and Allens lived in the same area in Laracor parish, which is near Trim- 9 Allen families and 1 Sweeney family. Laracor parish includes Dangan, Summerhill, and Umberstown.


1823 Tithe Books

In 1828, there was a Pat Sweeney with 6 acres at Ballnirigg in Laracor Parish, Meath and a Michael Sweeney with 103 acres in Great Freffans, Laracor, Meath.
Michael Sweeney was living right next to John Allen, who had 108 acres. There was also another J. Allen with 47 acres in Great Freffans. Both of these townlands (Ballnirigg and Great Freffans) are listed near Dangan Park and Dangan Demesne.

In Umberstown is marked "Late Allen's farm" of 90 acres in Umberstown. In Ballinnrigg near Dangan was Francis Allen, 1 acre, and in Umberstown John Allen 22 acres. Nearby in Clondagan was Rich Byrne with 3 acres and Martin Byrne with 2 acres. Also near Dangan at Ballinngg was Widow Allen with 3 acres and William Allen with 8 acres.

In the Griffith's Valuation of 1855, there was only one Sweeney family living near Summerhill.

Patrick Sweeney farmed 12 acres of land, renting from Charles P. Leslie.

Patrick also shared 8 acres of land with James Mulary, renting from Charles P. Leslie.

Richard Allen had 17 acres of land (renting from Charles P Leslie) and John Allen had a house and garden on Richard's land.

1901 Census

In 1901, the Sweeneys were a household headed by Anne Sweeney, age 46, a widow and farmer,  Anne Sweeney her daughter, age 24, unmarried, and Patrick Sheils, 3, her grandson. In another house was Luke Sweeney, age 57, an unmarried nurseryman.

Living nearby was John Allen, age 62, an unmarried farmer, living with Jane Moran, 19, an unmarried cousin.

1911 Census

In 1911, Anne Sweeney, now 35, was farming,  living with Ellen McLeer, age 6, a niece who was in school. In another house was Luke Sweeney, now 70, living with his brother, Michael Sweeney, age 72, both single and  agricultural laborers.

Living next door was John Allen, now 76, and his nephew Thomas Byrne, age 37.

Another common name in this area is Byrne- and we know that in 1851 in Ireland,  Mary Allen married Patrick W. Byrne, born Aug 15, 1825, son of Patrick Byrne and Anna Murray.

Living in Great Umberstown was Joseph Byrne 60, wife Brigid 52, sons Thomas 22, Michael 14, John 11 and dtr Mary 4.


Church records for Laracor parish and summerhill- see ancestry and findmypast

Baptism, marriage records available for Summerhill from Apr 1812 to 1854
Death records from 1812 to 1836

Dangan, Summerhill- all children of Patrick Sweeney and Mary McCall

Hugh Sweeney b 2 March 1828
Ellen Sweeney b Apr 1829
John Sweeney b 3 Dec 1831
Catherine b 19 Feb 1833
Thomas b 1 Feb 1835
Patrick b 28 Nov 1836
Michael 12 Feb 1839
Luke Sweeney b 25 Jan 1841
Christopher Sweeney b 26 Dec 1843
Peter 28 Nov 1845 (address Mill Road)
Bernard 20 Mar 1848
Andrew b 24 Jan 1851



rootsireland best for index of parish records

Allen Blog- Three generations later. Going Home

 

                                             Allen Blog- Three generations later. Going Home.

                                           My trip back to County Meath Ireland in Spring, 2023.

In the spring of 2013- after nearly ten years of research, I was finally going back to see the home of my ancestors.

We stayed at Brogan's Bar and Grill in Trim. (If you go back to Ireland, get your bnb or hotel reservations early! Most places are filled, with an onslaught of tourists and Ukranian refugees.)

We walked across the oldest bridge in Ireland to explore the charming town of Trim...a market town surely visited by my ancestors who lived just a few miles down the road.

We looked in awe at Trim Castle and other medieval monuments that had stood, untouched, for centuries.

Since we were taking a train and bus around the country, I had asked about available transportation from Trim to Dangan on a Facebook page for Summerhill. We had planned on just walking around, and hoping to find the Allen farm from my information on Google Maps. Then one woman posted, asking for the name of our family who had lived in the area. I answered with details, never expecting the response which came. Amidst friendly offers for driving us to Dangan, came one that caught my eye. 

A gentleman named Martin said he would be glad to pick us up in Trim and show us the field where Johnny Allen had lived- which was now owned by his brother. Martin, who became a dear friend, had a home right across the road from the farm where our Allen ancestors lived so many years ago. 

He and his wife showed us the church in Dangan, new since our family left, although John Allen and Catherine Allen Burns would have worshipped there. 

Then he drove us by the old church where Hugh and his family worshipped. It is now a private home.

But the biggest thrill came when he took us to "Johnnie Allen's Field" - still called by that today- where our Allen ancestors lived so many years ago. Martin advised us that once there was a fine stone cottage there, where the Allen family lived. The cottage is gone, but we walked the fields among the cattle that graze there.

We saw the old bridge where the Knightsbrook river runs across the farm. Once, Martin said, it had been a good fishing river, full of salmon. We saw old trees nearby where the cottage once stood near the river.

We visited Martin's home and from his yard, we could see the ruins of the Dangan Estate, which bordered the Allen Farm.

The next day we had another wonderful experience! We met our Irish cousins! Valerie Byrnes showed us the stone cottage and store of Catherine Allen Byrnes- Hugh's youngest sister, who stayed in Ireland. It is being restored by another descendant of Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney Allen.

Valerie is a genealogist herself, and has kept many letters that Catherine sent to her daughter, Maggie, who immigrated to America. She had pictures as well, and had visited back and forth with that branch of the Allen family.

                                            We also met another cousin Paeder Byrnes, and visited the cemetery at Moy where our Sweeney ancestors are buried, including my 3rd great-grandfather, Hugh Sweeney.

Our hearts were full. It was the perfect culmination to years of research. We had connected with the roots of our past and made new friends. Now we vowed to bring more cousins home to Ireland, to experience the wonderful people and sights of the old country our ancestors so cherished.

Richard Allen's relatives- Elizabeth "Bess" Allen and Andrew Young

Elizabeth "Bess" Allen

Elizabeth "Bess" Allen married Andrew Young on 16 October 1836 at the Dangan Church. Their witnesses were Anne Allen McKeon and Michael Ruley.

In 1855, they were leasing land from Philip McKeon, right next to the church at Dangan. (See map from Philip McKeon and Anne Allen's blog post)

Their children were:

Bridget baptized September 1837 - sponsors Michael Ruley and Francis Tracey

Elizabeth baptized February 1839- sponsors James Allen and Mary ?

John baptized June 1841- sponsors Peter Allen and Mary Young

Mary baptized November 1843- sponsors Thomas Reynolds and Jane Byrne

Jane baptized February 1846- sponsors Thomas? and Catherine Byrne

Anne baptized August 1848- sponsors John Young and Mary Allen

So with Elizabeth Allen we see connections with:
James Allen
Peter Allen
Mary Allen

Anne Allen

update 2023: In Catherine Allen Byrne's letter to her daughter Maggie in Nebraska, she mentions that "Bess Allen is dead and berried." The letter is date August 22, 1899.

History: Lynch's Castle at Knock ( Summerhill)

Lynch's Castle, at "Knock" -Summerhill, County Meath

Lynch's Castle in what is now Summerhill was likely built in the late 1400's. It sat on the edge of the Pale, the area controlled by the English king. Lynch was a "Marcher" lord- one whose estate sat on the edge of the Pale- thus vulnerable to attack. This was an area of much conflict during the middle ages.

The Anglo-Norman Lynch family came to Ireland with or after Richard de Clare, known as Strongbow (around 1200) when he seized control of Dublin.


 "Peter Lynch of the Knock" was inhabiting the castle in 1524 although it was probably built at least 40-50 years before this. At that time King Henry VI granted monies to every (noble) man within the Pale who wished to build a castle. Peter Lynch was a tenant of a greater feudal Lord, Wellesley, who ruled from Dangan Castle, just a few miles to the north of Knock.

Cross of Peter Lynch on the Summerhill Village Green
http://www.tara.tcd.ie/handle/2262/39761

His son, Gerald Lynch forfeited the Estate after the rebellion of 1641 when Cromwell's troops took the castle and 800 acres of Lynch's land. In 1642, the castle was besieged by the (Irish) Earl of Ormonde. When the castle fell, all of the male defenders of the castle were executed. Gerald escaped but was accused of treason. In the 1660's, after the restoration of the British Monarchy in England, he appealed to have his lands restored  but failed. It is said the he lived out his days in a poor cottage not far from his old home.

In 1652, the castle and lands were given to Dr. Henry Jones, a protestant Bishop and scout for Cromwell's army. Jones sold the land to Sir Hercules Langford in 1666. The only Langford heir, Mary, married Sir John Rowley in 1671. The modern history of the site comes in 1732, with the building of Summerhill Demesne and Estate village following the marriage of the Hon. Hercules Langford Rowley.

This castle was occupied from the early 1600's until about 1850. It followed the plan of most tower house castles of the time.

There were actually two such castles at Knock- one was later converted to become part of the ice house for Summerhill.

Sources:

History of Summerhill

https://lynchscastlesummerhill.weebly.com/history-of-lynchs-castle.html

https://liaml05.wixsite.com/genealogy/lynch-castle

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Lynch-5104

The Ghosts of Dangan Castle

 

So, first of all these are not REAL ghosts, but rather former inhabitants of Dangan Castle. 

Our Allen and Sweeney ancestors who lived on the perimeter of the great estate would have known OF these people, and perhaps acted as groundskeepers or servants to the estate. We know that the Sweeney's acted as nurserymen in the area, so they may have worked on the grounds. We know that the Allen's had experience with horses; Frank Allen was said to have raised race horses on his farm. It is possible they worked in the stables for the gentry. Who knows? We of course have no records that far back, other than they live on and farmed pieces of land connecting to the estate. The Wellesley family ended up in debt, selling the now ruined estate at Dangan to Colonel Burrows, who then leased it to Mr. O'Conner.

Who lived at Dangan Castle?

The inhabitants of Dangan Castle were an illustrious family indeed.

Forfeited lands at Dangan after the battle of Dungan Hill in 1652 included lands owned by Catholics Robert Rochfort, Garrot Smith, and Valerian Wesley.

Garret Wesley- forfeited lands after the battle of Dungan Hill- so- how did he get them back? They became Protestants. Valerian Wesley owned 380 acres at Dangan in 1654.

Garret Wesley- circa 1665- died 1728- Represented Trim and County Meath in the Irish Parliament. Had no children and left Dangan to his cousin, Richard Colley.

Richard Colley Wesley, 1st Baron Mornington- born around 1690 as Richard Colley, inherited the estates of Dangan and Mornington in County Meath from his cousin, Garret Wesley, in 1728, changing his name. Represented Trim in the Irish House of Commons from 1729-1746, High Sheriff of Meath in 1734, became Baron Mornington in 1746. He was described as an eccentric, good-natured country gentleman. He was also extravagant and died in debt, resulting in his grandson Richard selling Dangan Estate 40 years after his death.

Garret Colley Wesley, 1st Earl of Mornington

Garret Wesley, 1st Earl of Mornington 1735-1781

Garret Wesley was born at Dangan Castle was a musician who excelled in the violin from his early childhood and later became a composer. It was said that Dangan Castle had two organs- one in the hall and one in the chapel, and a harpsichord in the breakfast room. He attended Trinity College in Dublin, becoming a professor of music in 1764. He represented Trim in the Irish House of Commons and succeeded his father in 1758. He married Anne Hill-Trevor in 1759 and had nine children, many of whom made their marks in history. Unfortunately he was careless with money, leaving the family in financial ruin, forcing the decision to sell their Irish estates.

His children included:

Richard Colley Wellesley- born 1760 Dangan Castle, attended Harrow, Eton, and Oxford, represented Trim in the Irish House of Commons in 1780 then inherited his father's title of 2nd Earl of Mornington in 1781, taking a seat in the Irish House of Lords. Due to the extravagances of his father and grandfather he was heavily in debt and most of his Irish estates were sold. He served as Lord Lieutenant in Ireland and was Governor General of India from 1798-1805. 

Richard Wellesley 1760-1842

3- William Wellesley-Pole, 3rd Earl of Mornington- born 20 May 1763, Dangan Castle. William was educated at Eton and then entered the Royal Navy. He represented Trim in the Irish Parliament from 1783-1790. He became 3rd Earl of Mornington in 1842 after the death of his elder brother Richard.

William Wellesley, aged 14, 1777- painting by Benjamin West

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington- born 1 May 1769, Dublin, raised at Dangan Castle. He was educated at the diocesan school in Trim before furthering his education including attending Eton. One of the leading military and political leaders in Britain, one of the commanders who defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, twice prime minister of the United Kingdom.

Gerald Valerian Wesley, the fifth son of Garret Wesley, the 1st Earl of Mornington, was born at Dangan Castle on 7 December 1770. He graduated with a Doctor of Divinity. He was "prebendary" (canon) of Durham Cathedral and Chaplain to the British Royal Household. He is buried at Durham Cathedral in England.

Rev. Hon. Gerald Valerian Wesley 

These boys played briefly in the halls of Dangan Castle, and around its grounds, getting their earliest education before being sent to school in Trim, then Dublin or England. For our ancestors, they might as well have been living on another planet. Their elevated means was beyond the imagination of the Irish Catholic tenants, who had only brief glimpses of the extravagances of that way of life.

Why aren't our Allen and Sweeney Ancestors Buried at the Dangan Church? Where ARE they buried?

Apparently our ancestors are not buried in the new churchyard at Dangan, which was built after most of them left for America. A local lady checked for me with no results. But it appears that the tradition was to be buried at Moy, on the Summerhill Estate, where there was once an ancient church, now gone, and older family graves.

For all you cemetery troopers- here is how you can explore the Moy Cemetery where our Sweeney (and likely Allen) relatives, neighbors and related families are buried in County Meath.

History of Moy

(See Allen blog on the history of Summerhill, Dangan and Moy with illustrations- History)

Moy Cemetery is within what was once the Langford Estate near Summerhill.  In 1654 Garett Lynch of Knocke owned the townlands of Summerhill and Moy. There were two castles, a mill, and an old chapel. The only trace of this church is the circular cemetery at Moy. This type of round cemetery is very rare. The graves start in the middle and are arranged in rings from the center to the outside edge.

http://www.meathheritage.com/index.php/archives/item/me01825-summerhill-demesne-church

Google Maps

If you go to Google Maps, you can explore this on your own. Just type in Moy, County Meath. If you move the little man up to the road to get a view, you will see little circles off the road where it says "Cemetery." Then move the little man around the circles to see the cemetery.

Here are some pictures I just found taken in Moy Cemetery. Most of the graves are old and in poor condition.

Gravestones 1

Gravestones 2

Gravestones 3

Who is Buried at Moy?

I knew that our ancestor, Hugh Sweeney (father of Margaret Sweeney, wife of Richard Allen, maternal grandfather of our immigrant ancestor Hugh Allen) was buried at Moy. So I wondered who else was buried there.

I knew there were inscriptions for some of the graves, but could not access them. The memorial inscriptions from 1761-1969 are in "The Irish Ancestor" Volume VI, no. 2, 1974 p. 85-96  (Family History Library Ref 941.5 B2i v.5-6. Moy, near Summerhill, Co. Meath by Beryl F.E. and Josephine Maguire-Tombstones in Moy Graveyard 1689-1972

BIG FIND- Kept me up all night long!I found the records online! Here are our ancestors and their relatives and neighbors!   https://meathhistoryhub.ie/moy-summerhill/- lists graves 

Moy Cemetery Graveyard Records

Row 7

51) *SWEENEY 1824 – Recumbent slab with top to east and inscription uppermost, so if re-erected it will need turning over or the inscription will face the wrong way.
Semicircular sunburst with cross, IHS and Heart inside an octagon. ‘Gloria in Excelsis Deo’ underneath and on each side a very fancy urn (or Chalice) with an elaborate lid. Border around the inscription. “Erected by Patrick Sweeney in memory of his father Hugh Sweeney who departed this life March the 4. 1824 aged 64 years. RIP”.

This is our ancestor, Hugh Sweeney

His son Patrick Sweeney died 1890, Anne Reilly Sweeney 1852-1905 

Row 5

27)* BYRNE 1836 – Modern stone with Chalice and Cross on top of each side. “Erected by Owen Byrne of Clonmahon in memory of his beloved wife Julia Byrne who died 10th May 1868 also his father Richard Byrne who died 21st Decr. 1862. His mother Mary Byrne who died 17th April 1836, his brothers James and John who died 18th Feb. 1847. His son Thomas who died 9th March 1939. His wife Annie who died 19th July 1953 RIP”.

This stone was erected by Own Byrne of Clonmahon, who was the husband of our Hugh Allen's sister, Catharine. He erected this in memory of his first wife, Julia. 

So where are Catharine Allen Byrne and Owen Byrne buried? Their son, Thomas Byrne, who cared for the Allen Farm with John Allen in 1901 is buried here with his wife.

There are no Allen's on the list for Moy, but there are Ason's. Since there are no Ason's living in the area during that time, I am hoping that this might be an misreading on an old tomb. Here are the Ason's.

86) ASON 1739 – Small old stone with Cross and IHS at top. “Here lyeth the body of John Ason who died 10th Dec. 1748 aged 62 year. Allso (This is the spelling of ‘also’ on this stone) Eliz His wife who depd. March 15th 1739 aged 59 years. Allso Willm aged 2 and John aged 4 years, Ye sons of Jams and Margy Ason who both depd in Jany 1750. Mercy. . .” Last words can’t be read.

Below is a list of familiar names that are likely related and/or neighbors buried at Moy.

Row 5

26) BYRNE 1921 – Modern Celtic Cross. Richard Byrne died 1921. His wife Mary Agnes Byrne died 1950 aged 87 yrs.

27) BYRNE 1836 – Modern stone with Chalice and Cross on top of each side. “Erected by Owen Byrne of Clonmahon in memory of his beloved wife Julia Byrne who died 10th May 1868 also his father Richard Byrne who died 21st Decr. 1862. His mother Mary Byrne who died 17th April 1836, his brothers James and John who died 18th Feb. 1847. His son Thomas who died 9th March 1939. His wife Annie who died 19th July 1953 RIP”.

31) GOGARTY 1909 – Modern white Marble Celtic cross with carving of BVM in a praying attitude. “Matthew Gogarty Summerhill died 1909 aged 80 yrs. and his wife Mary in 1910 aged 70 yrs. Daughters Mary 1910 aged 43; Kate 1921 aged 58 yrs. Jane 1929 aged 52, son Matthew 1936 aged 69. Patrick 1954 and his wife Elizabeth in 1959”.

Row 6

39) KEEFE 1768 – Old stone low in ground and wider than most. On each side at the top we get a small Maltese cross in a circle (4 ins diameter), while in the centre is the usual cross and IHS. A row of beading occurs under the above and then the inscription. “This stone was erected by Joseph Keefe in memory of his father James Kefe who departed this life May 7th 1768 aged 35 years”.

43) MORAN 1773 & MOORE – Old heavy stone leaning backwards, with Cross, IHS & Heart pierced by 2 barbs in a half sunburst. On each side of inscription is a plant (not in a pot) with straight leaves growing out of the stem on each side and a flower at the top like a tulip. Here lieth the body of Anne Moran alias Moore who departed this life June Ye 3rd 1773 aged 58 yrs. and her parents. Also her husband John Moran died March Ye 20th 1784 aged 72 years. This stone was erected by their dauer Mary Moran”. Underneath this inscription is a big 1774 in a triangle. Some S’s are of the old-fashioned long type.

Row 7

47) SWEENEY 1890 – An iron cross. Hugh Sweeney died 1890 and his wife Anne in 1905.
Row 8


51) SWEENEY 1824 – Recumbent slab with top to east and inscription uppermost, so if re-erected it will need turning over or the inscription will face the wrong way.
Semicircular sunburst with cross, IHS and Heart inside an octagon. ‘Gloria in Excelsis Deo’ underneath and on each side a very fancy urn (or Chalice) with an elaborate lid. Border around the inscription. “Erected by Patrick Sweeney in memory of his father Hugh Sweeney who departed this life March the 4. 1824 aged 64 years. RIP”.


53) FITZSIMONS 1922 – Small modern stone. Joseph Fitzsimons of Clondoogan died 1963 and his wife Annie 1922.


Row 9

66) FITZSIMONS 1769 – Small old crude stone with simple cross and IHS. “Erected by Martin Fitzsimons in memory of his wife Elizabeth Duffy and his son Edward January 1769”.

67) FITZSIMONS 1764 – Plain old stone with Cross and IHS (same design as 66). “Here lieth the body of George Fitzsimons departed March Ye 10 1764 aged 65 years. Also 6 of his children. Erected by his son Richard”.

Just in front of row 9-


71) GOGARTY 1866 – Large stone some 6 ft. high with Maltese cross at top. A stopper stone occurs on each side of the upright slab at base. “IHS of your charity pray for the soul of Catharine the beloved wife of Mathew Gogarty Moy who departed this life Septr 8th 1866 aged 74 years. Also her husband Mathew Gogarty who departed this life Septr. 27th 1880 aged 90 years”.

72) COUGARTY 1857 Large 5ft. upright stone with cross above, and lamb on a cross below. “Erected by Mr. Patrick Gougarty of Summerhill in memory of his beloved wife Mary who died 9th Decr. 1857 aged 30 years and of their infant child John. Also the above Patrick Gogarty (Here spelt without the U) died 9th June 1907 aged 85 years. And of their son Edward Gogarty died 28th Nov. 1882 aged 25 years. Mathew Gogarty died 29th Decr 1883 aged 30. Patrick Cogarty died 26th Aug. 1907 aged 52 years”.

Row 10

86) ASON 1739 – Small old stone with Cross and IHS at top. “Here lyeth the body of John Ason who died 10th Dec. 1748 aged 62 year. Allso (This is the spelling of ‘also’ on this stone) Eliz His wife who depd. March 15th 1739 aged 59 years. Allso Willm aged 2 and John aged 4 years, Ye sons of Jams and Margy Ason who both depd in Jany 1750. Mercy. . .” Last words can’t be read.

I am hoping to go over on a visit in late summer 2023! Anyone interested? Here is a fine place for a group to stay if we do a visit together!  Secluded Georgian home- Summerhill

Dangan Church

 History of Dangan Church

100th year celebration pamphlet and history

Dangan Church built in 1793 and closed in 1914- the church our ancestors worshipped in

Dangan church history, also Dangan estate, Summerhill estate

In 1799 Burroughs leased Dangan to Roger O'Conner, who was imprisoned and charged with high treason by 1796. By 1807 Dangan house was in ruins, and the timber around it cut down. It burned in 1809. It was still the property of Col. Burrowes in the 1830's, but just a ruin.

This article says that Peter Allen occupied the ruin of Dangan house in the 1830's and showed visitors around. 

Dangan House 1840

History from publication on Moy

 

Jervais stained glass window from Dangan Estate now at Agher Church, south of Summerhill, where Jonathan Swift (Gulliver's Travels) was parish rector in 1700

Stained glass window from Dangan Estate

digital copy of Moy area history and graveyard inscriptions

start on page 1000 for Laracor parish

This publication mentions that "Cogan says that Mass was said at the backs of the ditches in Dangan in Penal times." p 1004

It also reports that no permanent church was ever built in Moy cemetery, which was built on a height overlooking the plane of Moy. "Cogan says there was a temporary mudwalled thatched one (church) in the Penal days.

The author notes that the town of Summerhill had no market, but had a fair four times a year for black cattle and sheep.

It is said that Sir Walter Scott visited Laracor and Dangan when he came to Trim

When Jonathan Swift was the Rector of Laracor he reported 3 very bad harvests between 1726 and 1729 which resulted in famines which caused thousands of deaths throughout Ireland. England provided no help and Swift concluded that they wanted to get rid of the RC population of Ireland, even giving the King of France permission to send recruits over to conscript those who survived the famine of 1729.

Laracor Church- Some protestant Allen's have gravestones in the church, as well as McCann's, Byrne's, 

Samuel Allen of Frffane, Peter Allen 1797, John Allen d 1838, wife Ann, son Charles d 1848, John Allen of Braymount and wife Bridget 1811

"Here also rests the remains of John Allen of Dangan who depd this life in Sepr 25th 1868 aged 60 yrs.- Domed stone with a rose in the center and vine trails at each side.

Laurence Byrne d 1736 faithful servant of Richard Wesley esq.

Terrence McCann for his father who died 1771 aged 53

Daniel Byrne d 1777

Found Laracor parish but did not find Moy cemetery... no index but keep looking

Allen Blog- Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney as Baptismal Sponsors in Summerhill Parish

Traditional Irish Baptismal Sponsors

For wedding witnesses,  first cousins or even close friends may have been chosen, but baptismal sponsors were most frequently chosen from a sibling or the spouse of a sibling.
Luckily for figuring out relationships, women's maiden names were used for these records even if they were married.

In January 1818, Margaret Sweeney, not yet married to Richard Allen, was a baptismal sponsor for Thomas McCann, the son of Mary Sweeney and Thomas McCann of Umberstown. Pat Sweeney was the other baptismal sponsor. So it is likely that both Margaret Sweeney and Pat Sweeney were siblings of Mary Sweeney (McCann.)

Mary Sweeney and Thomas McCann had been married in Dangan on March 27, 1815. Their wedding witnesses were
Thomas Reilly and Hugh Sweeney. So it is likely that Hugh Sweeney was a brother of Mary Sweeney.

          Source: Ancestry.com: Ireland, Select Catholic Marriage Registers 1775-1942, Meath, Summerhill 1812-1854, page 5 

In April, 1833, Richard Allen was a baptismal sponsor of Margaret Sweeney, daughter of Catherine "Kathy" Sweeney and Andrew Fitzsimons of Dangan. So it is likely that Catherine Sweeney (Fitzsimons) was also a sibling of Margaret Sweeney.

Source: Ireland, Select Catholic Birth and Baptism Registers 1763-1917, Meath, Summerhill, 1812-1854 p 72

In January 1841, Richard Allen was a baptismal sponsor for Luke and John Sweeney, the twin sons of Patrick Sweeney and Mary McCall/McCan. So again, it is likely that Patrick Sweeney was the brother of Richard's wife Margaret Sweeney.

Source: Ireland, Select Catholic Birth and Baptism Registers 1763-1917, Meath, Summerhill, 1812-1854 p 109


Patrick Sweeney and Mary McCall had been married on May 6, 1827. Peter Allen and Mary Young were their witnesses. (Peter Allen and Mary Young would also marry in March 1829!)

So- These records show that Margaret Sweeney's siblings likely included:

 Mary Sweeney (McCann) of Umberstown
Catherine Sweeney (Fitzsimons) of Dangan
Patrick Sweeney of Umberstown
Hugh Sweeney

See next post- about these families, Margaret's presumed siblings. 
See n

Mysteries and Clues: Baptismal Sponsors

1-Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney were themselves baptismal sponsors.

In January 1818, Margaret was a baptismal sponsor for Thomas McCann, the son of Mary Sweeney and Thomas McCann of Umberstown. Pat Sweeney was the other baptismal sponsor. So it is likely that both Margaret Sweeney and Pat Sweeney were siblings of Mary Sweeney (McCann.)

In April, 1833, Richard Allen was a baptismal sponsor of Margaret Sweeney, daughter of Catherine "Kathy" Sweeney and Andrew Fitzsimons of Dangan. So it is likely that Catherine Sweeney (Fitzsimons) was also a sibling of Margaret Sweeney.

In January 1841, Richard Allen was a baptismal sponsor for Luke and John Sweeney, the twin sons of Patrick Sweeney and Mary McCall/McCan. So again, it is likely that Patrick Sweeney was the brother of Richard's wife Margaret Sweeney.

So- Margaret Sweeney's siblings likely included:
 Mary Sweeney (McCann) of Umberstown
Catherine Sweeney (Fitzsimons) of Dangan
Patrick Sweeney of Umberstown

2-Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney were married in 1825. They then chose the sponsors for their own children. These included:

1-Sweeney Connections:
In June 1837, Pat Sweeney was a baptismal sponsor for Peter Allen.
In November 1841, Thomas McCan (husband of Mary Sweeney) was a baptismal sponsor for Thomas Allen.
 In May 1847, Ellen Sweeney was a baptismal sponsor for Catherine Allen.

So- we can likely add Ellen Sweeney to the list of Margaret's siblings, and confirm that Pat Sweeney and Mary Sweeney were likely siblings.

2-Allen Connections:
In February, 1829, Peter Allen was a baptismal sponsor for Richard Allen's first born son-Francis Allen.
So- we can likely assume that Peter Allen was Richard's brother.

So- here is a look at those most likely related families in Dangan and Umberstown.

Family of Peter Allen- Dangan
Peter, likely brother of Richard Allen, was born about 1800 in Summerhill Parish, County Meath.
On March 1, 1829, he married Mary Young. Their witnesses were Philip McKeon and Anne Allen (who themselves married a week later, on March 7, 1829.

In March, 1820, Philip McKeon (husband of Anne Allen) was a baptismal sponsor for their first child, Elizabeth.
In February 1834, Andrew Young (husband of Elizabeth "Bess" Allen) and Mary Sweeney, were baptismal sponsors for John Allen.
(Mary Young, wife of Peter Allen, was also a baptismal sponsor for Patrick Sweeney's son Thomas in February, 1825.)

So- Anne Allen and Elizabeth "Bess" Allen were likely sisters of Peter Allen.

Allens- Peter

Sweeneys- Patrick, Ellen

McCan's- Mary, Rose (married to Thomas Allen), Thomas (married to Mary Sweeney)

Ruley's- Pat, Catharine, Richard

Likely siblings of Margaret Sweeney- 

Patrick Sweeney

Ellen Sweeney

Mary Sweeney (wife of Thomas McCan)

Likely siblings of Richard Allen-

Peter Allen

Thomas Allen

John Allen

Baptismal sponsors for Peter Allen and Mary Young's (married 1829) children in Dangan include:

McKeon- Philip (husband of Anne Allen- married 1836)

Young- Andrew (husband of Elizabeth "Bess" Allen- married 1836)

Sweeney- Mary

Likely siblings of Peter Allen:

Anne Allen McKeon (married 1826)

Elizabeth "Bess" Allen Young (married 1836)

Baptismal sponsors for Thomas Allen and Rose McCann's children in Dangan include:

Allen- John

Sweeney- Catharine

Young- Elizabeth "Bess"

Baptismal sponsors for John Allen and Bridget Butler's (married 1822- Wit Wm Allen and Mary Reilly) children in Umberstown include:

Allen- Francis/Frank, Anne

McCann- Anne, Bryan, Thomas, Bridget

Likely siblings of John Allen:

Francis/Frank Allen

Anne Allen

Baptismal sponsors for James Allen and Jane Byrne's children in Dangan include:

McKoen- Philip, Ellen

Baptismal sponsors for Elizabeth "Bess" Allen and Andrew Young (married 1836) children include:

Allen- James, Mary, Peter


Baptismal sponsors for Patrick Sweeney and Mary McCall's children

Patrick Sweeney was a neighbor of Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney.

The  church records show baptismal sponsors of his children include:

Richard Allen (husband of Margaret Sweeney)

Youngs- Andrew, John, Mary

Dorans- William, Catharine, 

Sweeney- Catharine and Anne plus the husband of Margaret Sweeney- Richard

Likely siblings of Patrick Sweeney- Margaret, Catharine, Anne

Baptismal sponsors for Mary Sweeney and Thomas McCan's (married 1815-Dangan- Wit Hugh Sweeney and Thos Reilly ) children- Umberstown (both were sponsors for the children of Richard Allen and Magaret Sweeney)

Sweeney- Hugh (wit at marriage)

Likely siblings of Mary Sweeney- Hugh

Baptismal sponsors for Catharine Sweeney and Andrew Fitzsimmons (married 1819 Dangan)

Allen- Richard (husband of Margaret Sweeney)
Likely sibling of Catharine Sweeney- Margaret