Allen Blog- Hugh's Story- Part 3 - Hugh's Home and Farm in Ireland

A typical cottage of the time in Meath

A thatched cottage in Meath

Although simple by today’s standards, Hugh grew up in a home that was comfortable compared to the typical Irish farm family. Based on the 1901 and 1911 census of John Allen, his brother, we can get a picture of the home that Hugh likely grew up in. The outside walls of the house were originally made of wood or mud brick, but were later covered with concrete or stone. There were three windows and a door on the front of the house. The roof was thatched - a traditional material in great demand by some homeowners now. Inside, the house had 2-4 rooms for the family of twelve to live in. [1] 

Weather in Ireland could be chilly and wet and the house would have had a central open fireplace to burn the traditional smoky peat turf for heating and cooking. A tea kettle and cooking pot would be hung directly over the fire. Furnishings would have been simple- tables, chairs, and beds or straw stuffed pallets with quilts for the family. 

The Richard Allen family home was taxed at 15 shillings- nearly 3 times the amount of most homes of farmers in the area- which leads us to believe that this was a fairly nice home.  In the valuation, we see that John Allen has a house and garden on Richard's farm. This was taxed for only 4 shillings. At first I thought that this was his son, John, but later came to a different realization- this may well have been his father (or both of his parents.)

John Allen is listed in the 1828 Tithe Applotment Books as living in this area. It would make sense that when he was too old to farm, he (and his wife) would retire to a smaller house with just a garden and leave the main house and farm to his son, Richard. Could John Allen be our ancestor? I think it is highly likely. All eight of Richard's sons would have been home- and unmarried- at the time of the 1854 valuation. It was not the tradition to give land or a home to a son until after they were married and starting their own family...and only one name is listed. John Allen.

Below- Richard Allen’s farm on Griffith’s Valuation of 1854. 

 Richard Allen leases from Charles P. Leslie. The valuation reflects the expected income for the year- thus the Allen farmland would be expected to produce a profit of about 12 pounds 5 shillings each year.[2]  

                                             The Farm

The Allen farm in Great Umberstown consisted of 17 acres of fertile farmland and green pasture. The Knightsbrook River ran through the property, providing abundant water for the family and their animals.[3] Fishing in its waters was likely a favorite pastime of Hugh and his brothers. 

Hugh's mother, Margaret Sweeney Allen, had plenty of room to keep a kitchen garden to provide the family with vegetables and herbs. His father, Richard would have also worked the field crops- which may have included oats, potatoes, and other staples which could be used by the family and for added income.

 Like most small farms of the area, Hugh’s family likely had at least one cow for milk, a flock of chickens for eggs and meat, and a family of pigs for meat and sale for cash at the local markets. With 17 acres, they probably had a donkey to help plow the land and to hitch to a cart to travel back and forth from town and church- but many families of the area walked. 

There would have been a number of outbuildings on the farm; in 1911 we see that there was a stable, cow house, piggery, fowl house, barn, and turf house.[4] (John Allen is #13 on the images below.)

1911 census for John Allen (#13), Great Umberstown, showing barns and outbuildings

1911 Census for John Allen (#13,) Great Umberstown, showing home information

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1- 1911 Census for John Allen, Great Umberstown, Meath, House and Buildings

2- Griffiths Valuation 1855, Richard Allen, Great Umberstown, Meath

3- Google Earth 

4- 1911 Census for John Allen, Great Umberstown, Meath,  Out-offices and Farmsteadings

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