Places: Understanding our ancestor's Townlands in Ireland

This is a wonderful article on understanding townlands!
What is a Townland?  (click to link to the article!)

Quick answer; a townland is the smallest geographical division in Ireland. Townlands have survived since medieval times and many retain their Gaelic names or a translation of that name. Their boundaries usually follow natural features such as rivers.

The Down Survey of Ireland (1656-8) was one of the first national surveys of land in the world. Its purpose was to measure lands which would be forfeited by the Catholic Irish and given to Cromwell's followers.  The Down Survey of 1656-8 (click to link to the article) Each townland was measured, and towns, houses, churches, and roads noted.

Griffith's Valuation again mapped Irish townslands for tax purposes.

Our ancestor's Townlands:

County Meath

Allen's and Sweeney's Townland- Great Umberstown
(Barony Lower Moyfenrath, civil parish Laracor)
Great Umberstown consists of .69 square miles, 439 acres
link with map- Great Umberstown

Children of Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney County Meath- John Allen 1833 Summerhill- 1918 Summerhill

"When distributing the estate of Richard Allen (1843-1872) in Illinois, John, Catherine, and Edward were listed as living at Summer Hill, County Meath, Ireland. Edward later came to U.S. in 1880." from genealogy notebook of Helen and Marjorie Allen

John Allen

John Allen was baptized in the Dangan Church in Summerhill Parish on May 20, 1833. He was a year older than his brother Hugh, our ancestor.

John remained single and stayed on the family farm with his parents, Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney Allen.

In the 1901 census John, age 62, was still farming and living in Great Umberstown, with a 19 year old cousin, Jane Moran. The census notes that John can read, but cannot write, while Jane can both read and write. This would fit with Aunt Helen's memories of her sister Mary Allen writing letters for their Uncle Tom Allen (who lived with their family until his death in 1920) to his brother back in Ireland. John would then have a female relative in Ireland write letters back.

In 1911, John, now listed as 76 (there doesn't seem to be much attention paid to ages, although the church baptismal records don't lie!) is farming in Great Umberstown, but his nephew, Thomas Byrne, 37 and single, is helping him with the farming.This notation of Thomas Byrne as his nephew was the key to unlock the mystery of Catherine Allen- the other sibling who remained in Ireland.

John died of old age on January 8, 1918 at the family farm in Umberstown. Margaret Byrne was with him at his death.

Our Irish Ancestral Names and Emigrants

        Our Irish Ancestral Names and Emigrants

Allen- County Meath

 RC Parish Summerhill, Townsland Dangan/Great Umberstown. 

Hugh Allen emigrated to Castle Garden, NY before 1862, possibly 1857

Stayed in Ireland John and Catherine Allen

Durney- County Kilkenny

RC Parish Owning and Templeorum, Townsland Piltown, likely Garryduff

Margaret Durney emigrated before April 1864 (marriage to Hugh Allen)

Sister Bridget Durney arrived 24 Feb 1851 on the Antarctic from Liverpool

Brother James before 1861

Brother Michael 1855 (married 1857)

Stayed in Ireland? Thomas Durney bap 10 March 1817 Owning Templeorum to Daniel Durney and Annastasia Walsh (illeg) Mullinbeg sp John Cuddihy and Mary Kennelly

Fitzgerald- County Kilkenny

Grace- County Kilkenny 

Kinsella- County Kilkenny

RC Parish Carigeen and Mooncoin, Townsland Clogga/Baronswood

Quinn- County Kilkenny

Sweeney- County Meath

RC Parish Summerhill, Townsland Dangan/Great Umberstown. Stayed in Ireland

Walsh- County Kilkenny

RC Parish Owning and Templeorum, Townsland Piltown, likely Garryduff

Hugh's Story- Jerseyville- Married to an Irish Girl

                                   Marriage

Almost a year to the day after buying his farm, Hugh, now 30 years old, was married. On April 25, 1864, he married Margaret Durney. Margaret had come from Kilkenny Ireland and her family had also emigrated to Jersey County. She had brothers and sisters in the area. At the time of their marriage, she was 24 years old. 

Nine months later, on January 24, 1865, their first child, Richard, was born. Soon more babies arrived; Margaret on October 17, 1867, Rosa on August 13, 1869, Thomas on December 22, 1870, and Hugh on March 5, 1873.

They started out on an 80 acre farm with an existing log cabin. But in time, Hugh built a new house. As his family was growing, so was his farm. Hugh saved and put his profits into buying more land. Eventually the boy who had grown up on a 17 acre rented farm in Ireland owned a 360 acre farm in America.

Mysteries and Clues: Allens and Sweeneys in Laracor Civil Parish- using Griffiths Valuation to find family connections

http://askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/

Griffiths Valuation lists families by civil parish and townland.
Using Google maps we can tell the distance and walking time between each of these Allen families.

Our ancestors, Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney, lived in Laracor civil parish, Great Umberstown townland. Richard rented land from Charles P. Leslie. What other Allens and Sweeneys lived in Laracor civil parish? Might they have been related?

Richard Allen, Great Umberstown, renting 17 acres from Charles Leslie.
John Allen, Great Umberstown subletting a house and garden (no acreage to farm) from Richard Allen.

Who was John Allen, who survived with just a house and garden, on the farm of Richard Allen? Surely John was a relative of Richards. This may well be his elderly father or both of his parents. There is a John Allen in Umberstown in earlier records- in the 1828 Title Applotments. This John Allen paid a yearly tithe (generally 1/10th of the yearly production) for his 22 acre farm.

Neighbors in Great Umberstown- Ellen, Richard, James, Mary, Patrick Reilly, Patrick Flynn, Thomas Murrin, Michael Connolly, John Corcoran, William and Patrick Doran, Patrick Sweeney- we see these names as baptismal sponsors for the Allen children.

Other Allens in Laracor civil parish- see the blog for the map of all the families:

Dangan- Richard Allen's land bordered on those of Dangan.

James Allen, Dangan, renting 5 acres from Thomas Burrows
Peter Allen, Dangan, renting 3 acres from Thomas Burrows.

Ballinrig

James Allen, Ballinrig, renting 26 acres from Charles Leslie.
Rose Allen, Ballinrig, renting 10 acres from Charles Leslie.
(Neighbors Peter, James, Thomas Byrne, Michael Doran, Walter Rattigan, James Connolly)

Clondoogan

John Allen, Clondoogan, renting 21 acres from Richard Rowley
Edward Allen, Clondoogan, renting 11 acres from Richard Rowley

Stokestown

Anne Allen, Stokestown, renting 32 acres from Charles Leslie and subletting land to Jane Huntheon

The only Sweeny in Laracor Parish was Patrick Sweeny, a neighbor of Richard Allen in Great Umberstown. We can be fairly certain that Patrick and Margaret Sweeny were related. Patrick rented  two plots  of land from Charles Leslie; one 12 acres and one 8 acres.

The amount of acreage tells us a good deal about these families.  James and Peter Allen in Dangan had very little land to live on. Might they have worked for the Dangan Estate? The landlord, Thomas Burrows, had leased the estate to Roger O'Conner, an Irish nationalist, who hoped to host a conquering Napoleon there, but after a questionable fire, the  castle was just a ruin after 1841. It was said to be the hiding place of plunder, and a den of thieves!

Allen Blog- Nebraska -Edward Allen and Mary Bryan- Part 2

Their first child, Richard, was born a year after their marriage, followed by more sons; James, John, Peter, and Edward, and a daughter, whom they named Maggie.

But then tragedy struck the young family. Edward had an attack of appendicitis, and the appendix ruptured. According to family stories, the country doctor, who had no anesthesia, attempted to remove it while five men held Edward down. He survived the surgery only to die a painful death from infection days later. (1)

 He was buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery, in Burchard Nebraska, his gravestone reading “Born in Summerhill Parish, County Meath, Ireland.” 

Now Mary Bryan Allen was left a young widow with six children to raise on her own. The youngest, Edward, was only a few weeks old. Mary stayed on their farm in Plum Creek, Nebraska, raising her family.

 Mary Bryan Allen never remarried. When she grew older, she left the farm and lived in a house with her son John and daughter Margaret. She died there in 1932, aged 79. Her gravestone reads “Wife of Edward, born in County Meath, Ireland.”

Sources:

Ancestry.com. U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.

Find A Grave. Find A Grave. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi.

1-Note on Ancestry.com by Mary Dillard, descendant of Edward Allen

Year: 1900; Census Place: Plum Creek, Pawnee, Nebraska; Page: 4; Enumeration District: 0131; FHL microfilm: 1240935

Allen Blog- The Story of Hugh's youngest brother; Edward Allen and his sweetheart, Mary Bryan Part I

Edward Allen, youngest brother of Hugh Allen

Edward Allen was born in March, 1844 to Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney. His sweetheart was Mary Bryan, the daughter of his neighbors, James Brien and Catherine Reilly, who lived about a half mile down the road from the Allens in County Meath, Ireland. Both families were members of the Dangan church in Summerhill Parish. Edward and Mary would have known each other growing up, but Edward would not have likely noticed Mary much until she was a young girl in her teens and he a young man in his 20’s. 

Even after his brothers left for American, Edward stayed on in County Meath, working the Allen farm with his older brother John, who inherited the farm after the death of his parents. He and Mary must have been fond of each other, but young men could not marry unless they had land on which to support a family.

 It wasn’t until 1880, when Edward was 30 that he decided he had to leave Mary in Ireland and immigrate to America to join his brothers and find his own way in the world. It is believed that he took passage in Liverpool and landed at Castle Garden, N.Y., following in their footsteps. He made his way to Jerseyville, and lived with his older brother Hugh and his family, helping on the farm, and almost surely saving money to send for Mary.

 Mary is said to have immigrated across the ocean by herself, leaving her parents and her family behind in Ireland, to join Edward in Jerseyville. They were married in May of 1885.

 In time they traveled westward across America to join Edward’s brother, Patrick, in Nebraska.



Sources:

Ancestry.com. Ireland, Catholic Parish Registers, 1655-1915 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016.

Ancestry.com. Ireland, Select Catholic Birth and Baptism Registers, 1763-1917 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.

Year: 1880; Census Place: English, Jersey, Illinois; Roll: 216; Page: 12A; Enumeration District: 093

Ancestry.com. Illinois, County Marriage Records, 1800-1940 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016.

Children of Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney- Catharine Part 2- Catherine's daughter- "Maggie" Byrne and her trip to America- Part I

There are many Margaret's- some nicknamed "Maggie" among Allen descendants. This story is about one of them, and dedicated to all the others!

Maggie was Catherine Allen Byrne's only daughter. She was baptized in the church at Dangan, Summerhill Parish, on April 25, 1875. The sponsors at her baptism were Catherine's brother, Edward "Ned" Allen, and Anne Byrne.

Maggie's uncle and godfather, Edward Allen, emigrated to America before 1880 and married Mary Byrne in Jerseyville in 1885. (See blog post on Edward Allen.) Shortly after his marriage, he and his bride traveled across the midwest to Pawnee County Nebraska. Peter Allen, Edward's older brother, who immigrated to America in 1881, also moved to Pawnee, Nebraska. The 1900 census shows Peter living on his own farm next to Edward's family farm. Edward, Peter, and the other Allen brothers surely sent letters home to the family in Ireland about their experiences in America.

According to a family story by one of Maggie's daughters, Owen Byrne told his oldest son and 28 year old Eugene, Maggie's half brothers, that they should emigrate to America because of the conditions and lack of employment in Ireland at the time. Two tickets were purchased, but at the last moment, the oldest son decided that he should stay. 18 year old Maggie decided to take his place. 

We can imagine Catherine's heartbreak at the thought of losing her daughter forever. The family held an "American Wake" knowing that they would likely never see Maggie or Eugene again.

After the grief of leaving their parents, siblings, and home in Ireland, the two young people must have begun their adventure with both excitement and trepidation. They had read the letters from family in America, and knew they would be meeting their Uncles "Ned" and Peter Allen, who owned farms next to each other in Plum Creek, Pawnee County, Nebraska. Eugene's information on the ship's log clearly states their destination as "Pawnee." Their plans for employment were simple; Eugene states he will do "labor" and Maggie lists she will be a "servant."

Maggie and Eugene set sail from Queenstown (Cobh) in County Cork aboard the Cunard Line's ship Lucania, heading for the port of New York. (Two other famous ships would set sail from Queenstown/Cobh- the Titanic and the Lusitania.)

The Lucania was a new ship; built only four years earlier in 1893. It was magnificent; the largest and fastest passenger liner on the ocean. The first class compartments were amazingly opulent. If you have seen the "Titanic" you can picture the level of comfort those passengers enjoyed; as well as the contrast between first class accommodations and those in steerage, where Maggie and Eugene stayed. A steerage ticket cost about $12.

The Lucania arrived in New York on April 3, 1897.

We can only imagine their feelings as they sailed through New York harbor and proceeded through immigration. We don't know how they managed to travel across the country to Nebraska. Did they stop in Illinois to see Maggie's aunt and uncles there? In any case, both Eugene and Maggie were soon on their way westward.

What awaited them there was unexpected.


Sources:

Year: 1880; Census Place: English, Jersey, Illinois; Roll: 216; Page: 12A; Enumeration District: 093

Ancestry.com. Illinois, County Marriage Records, 1800-1940 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016.

Year: 1900; Census Place: Plum Creek, Pawnee, Nebraska; Page: 4; Enumeration District: 0131; FHL microfilm: 1240935

Year: 1897; Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: M237, 1820-1897; Microfilm Roll: Roll 672; Line: 41; Page Number: 14

History: The 1833 Tithe Applotment in Ireland 1825-1835

Tithes were a common practice in Christian churches. Parishioners donated a portion of their income (tithe comes from a tenth) to help support their parish church and local diocese. This became a standard practice during medieval times. The problem in Ireland came when the Catholic Church, which most of the population belonged to, was disenfranchised, and all of the monies were given to the Protestant Church of Ireland, which was the formally recognized state church after the Cromwellian reformation. Now Catholic parishioners were required to pay a tithe to support the Protestant state church, which they did not attend. Meanwhile they supported their own Catholic clergy with donations. This unfair tithe fell heavily on the back of poor Irish farmers.

The Tithe Applotment Books began in 1823, recording land quality and corn prices on which each farmer was made to pay cash based on the quality of their land and the price of corn. The farmers were outraged by this.

In 1829, the Roman Catholic Relief Act was passed. Led by Daniel O'Conner, and supported by the Marquess Wellesley (Hugh Allen's neighbor)This did away with the remaining Penal Laws of Cromwellian times. Catholics could now be represented in the government with members allowed seats in Parliament. Catholic farmers hoped this would be the end to Protestant Tithes.

When the Tithes remained, violent "Tithe Wars" broke out across Ireland.
When efforts of civilian collection were thwarted, police began enforcing the tithes, often seizing livestock or property if monies were not paid.

In 1838, tithes were reduced and were to be paid to landlords as part of the yearly rent. Of course, most landlords just raised the rent to cover the tithe.

It was 1871- decades after our ancestors left for America- before the tithes were abolished.

Allen Blog- Mary, the elder sister of Hugh Allen

Hugh's eldest sibling was his sister, Mary.

Mary Allen, the daughter of Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney, was baptized in Summerhill Parish on May 28, 1826. 

Ireland, Select Catholic Birth and Baptism Registers, 1763-1912

Hugh was a young man of 17 when his 25 year old sister Mary was wed to Patrick Byrne at the Dangan Church in Summerhill Parish. It was a winter wedding, taking place on February 16, 1851.  The witnesses were Patrick Mahon and Alicia Gugerty. The church would have been full of friends, relatives, and neighbors. The Allen family at the time consisted of Dick Allen, 56, Margaret Sweeney Allen, Frank 22 (if he was still in Ireland,) John 18,  Hugh, Patrick 16, Peter 14, Richard 12, Thomas 10, Edward 7, and little Catharine age 4.

A biographical article on Patrick B. Burns, of County Meath, shows him born Aug. 15, 1825, the son of Patrick and Anna Murray Burns, who came to America and settled in New Brunswick N.J., where they remained until their deaths.

According to the family history, Patrick and Mary settled for a time in New Jersey, likely with his parents in New Brunswick. Their first two children were born in New Jersey; Anna in April 1855, and Patrick in 1856. The family notebook says that Patrick Burns worked for three years until he could purchase his land. 

Source: Notebook of Helen and Margie Allen

They had moved to Illinois before the birth of their other children; Francis "Frank," John, Hugh, Mary Louise, and Richard. By 1870, they were living on their own farm in Township 8, Range 11, in Jersey County. The land was valued at $1600, and their personal property at $625. It was noted that although Patrick Burns could not read or write, Mary Allen Burns could read. Patrick is listed as 45, Mary as 46. Anna 15, Patrick 13, Franklin 11, and Hugh 9, were all in school. John 7, May 3, and Richard 1 were still at home. 

Year: 1870; Census Place: Township 8 Range 11, Jersey, Illinois; Roll: M593_233; Page: 702B; Family History Library Film: 545732

By 1890, Patrick and Mary were both listed as 70, with Hugh 37 and John 35 helping on the farm. Again, in 1900, Hugh and John are doing the farming. This census has some interesting information. Patrick and Mary are both listed as 70 years old, born in Ireland, and married for 40 years. Mary is listed as having had 9 children, 7 of whom survive. Their immigration date appears to be 1860, having lived 40 years in the U.S.  (We know this cannot be accurate) Here it says that Patrick can read but not write, and Mary cannot read or write. Patrick owns the farm, but has a mortgage on it.

Year: 1900; Census Place: Jersey, Jersey, Illinois; Roll: 309; Page: 11A; Enumeration District: 0037; FHL microfilm: 1240309

Mary Allen Burns died December 19, 1902 and was buried at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery in Jerseyville. Patrick died in 1905. (picture needed of gravestone-not on findagrave)

Catholic Diocese of Springfield; Springfield, IL; Illinois, Church Records, 1853-1975

Mary Allen Burn's children were:

  Anna b April 1855 New Jersey married Henry Malloy July 2, 1884 in Jerseyville. Henry worked in the restaurant business. The 1900 census shows that of the four children she bore, only one survived; Charles Hugh Malloy. The family lived on Vine St. in Jerseyville. Anna's death date is unknown, but it was before the 1930 census. Her husband Henry died in 1931. Anna's son, Charles Hugh Malloy lived at 200 East Prairie St. and worked as a grocer. He died in 1965.

Patrick William b 1856 New Jersey married Mary Ann Maher on Feb 5, 1883.

Patrick was a farmer in Jersey County. He died of a sudden heart attack at his son's store in Jerseyville on December 31, 1927. He was buried at St. Francis.

Francis E. "Frank" Burns was born abt. 1858. He married Jennie Delmour/Delmar on January 20, 1891 in Jerseyville. On the 1900 census, Frank was shown doing farm work in Jerseyville, but in 1910 the family had moved to East St. Louis, where he was a foreman in a slaughter house. Frank died prior to the 1920 census.

Hugh J. Burns was born abt 1865? He stayed helping on the farm of his parents for a number of years, and  married Daisy Reed on Dec 29, 1908 in Jerseyville and continued farming in Jersey County. Hugh died Nov 5, 1928 and is buried in St. Francis Cemetery. 

John A. Burns was born Feb 1863. He stayed helping on his parents farm for a number of years, marrying Annie Furlong in 1904. By 1910 he had his own farm in Piasa, Jersey County and was still farming there in 1930. He later retired to Alton, Illinois.

Mary Louise "Mamie" born in 1867 married John Grady on Nov 6, 1899 in Jerseyville. They moved to Kansas City, Mo. She died Sept 13, 1920 (possibly in California?)

Richard Burns b Aug 7, 1871 in Jerseyville, where he stayed for many years before moving to St. Louis, where he worked as a motorman in one of the city cars. He later moved to Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois and married Mary "Mayme" Rospial. He was living at 319 Maple St, Edwardsville when he died on July 12, 1927. He was buried at Calvary Cemetery in Edwardsville.

Sources

1-Ancestry.com. Ireland, Selections of Catholic Parish Baptisms, 1742-1881 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.