What happens when your landlord dies? Ireland's Encumbered Estates and the fate of the Allen's and Sweeney's in Ireland Part 1

In 1875, Charles Powell Leslie III, the wealthy landlord for the Allen's and Sweeney's in County Meath, choked on a fish bone and died at the family mansion in Glaslough, County Monaghan. He was 50 years old, unmarried, and childless, so his vast estates were inherited by his younger brother, Sir John Leslie, who built the current Castle Leslie in Glaslough.

Although the tenant farmers had been on the land for generations, after the famine many landlords were selling or consolidating their lands, which surely provoked fear in the hearts of those who had only year to year leases on the land.

In 1858, Richard Allen, my 2nd great grandfather, had a year to year lease on 17 acres of land in Great Umberstown. Patrick Sweeney (likely Margaret Sweeney Allen's brother) had a year to year lease on 16 acres. (These records also show us other Allen's in the area- Rose Allen and James Allen in Ballinrig) 

But in 1874, Richard's son, John Allen, our only male Allen relative to stay on the family farm in Umberstown, had a change of fortune. 

In 1874, John Allen was leasing 17 Irish acres of land for 10 pounds a year, due on the first of May and the first of November, from John Leslie, Esquire (the heir of Charles P. Leslie.) 

But now John Allen's lease differed in a very important way from those of most of his neighbors, in that his lease was for an extended period of 35 years, while the others were almost all year to year tenancies- they could lose their lease or have the terms re-negotiated after only one year. This brings the obvious question of why John was granted what was basically a lifetime lease for the property. Why was he favored in this way by the Leslie landlord? 

His neighbors, Thomas Murrin, widow Mary Reilly, and Patrick Corcoran were all given only year to year leases on their farms. John Allen was 41 in 1874, so 35 years would bring him to age 76, in 1909, when he would be too old to continue farming. (He would die on the farm in 1918.)

The tenure, however, does hold restrictions. This was prime sporting land for the wealthy, and that is protected. 

"All mines, trees, etc. are excepted, and the exclusive right of shooting, sporting, fishing, and fowling, reserved."

"The right of the public to use the county roads running through these lands will be preserved."

"The right of way of the public on foot along the center of the double ditch which forms the south-eastern boundary of part of the lands of Umberstown Great ...will be preserved."

This clause gives us some insight into life of the tenant farmers during and after the hard times of the famine; the families were not permitted to hunt or fish for food on their leased land, and they could not cut down trees for fuel.

In addition to the agreement, there is a map of the Allen farm which shows land features on the adjoining Dangan lands, including the fairy fort by the Allen farm. At the base of the map we see that this is the estate of Charles P. Leslie, deceased. The 1847 lease is from his son, John Leslie, to John Allen and his neighbors.

Here is a close up of the map, showing John Allen's farm next to the fairy fort. (The Allen farm is the top spike next to the circle labeled "fort." The fairy fort and the lands to the right  are the Dangan estate. You can also see a curvy line running through the Allen land that is the Knightsbrook river- a river the tenants were forbidden to fish in.

There is a similar agreement for our Sweeney family. In 1875, Patrick Sweeney was given a 35 year lease on his 16 acre farm, versus the one year leases of his neighbors. His restrictions concerning hunting and fishing mirrored those of his neighbor and relative John Allen. 

So- while many of their neighbors remained on insecure, year to year leases, John Allen and Patrick Sweeney were given security in a 35 year lease, which would last their lifetime. The question is WHY?

Source:

Ancestry.com. Ireland, Encumbered Estates, 1850-1885[database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2020.

Original data: Landed Estate Records, The National Archives of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.

"The Encumbered Estates' Court was established to facilitate the sale of Irish estates whose owners were unable to meet their obligations because of the Great Famine, regardless of whether the land was entailed. The need for the Court was caused by the impoverishment of many Irish tenant farmers during the 1840s famine, rendering it impossible for them to pay their rents to the landlord who in turn could not make his mortgage payments. Until this Court was established, the lending bank could not get a court order to sell the mortgaged land because of the entail."

Allen Blog- Hugh's Story- The Fairy Fort

 

Hugh grew up in a magical place. Besides the ruins at Dangan Castle, Hugh's family farm was bordered by the most magical of places- a fairy fort.

                                  Allen farm on left and fairy fort on right

This enticing hill surrounded by rings of grass covered ridges and depressions that would have been a tempting place for young boys to play. But it was very likely forbidden- a place only entered upon by a childhood dare and then quickly exited at a full run. Or did the neighboring Allen children become so familiar with this place that they played comfortably there? If so, they were looked on kindly by the fairies.

Because this was a real fairy hill- a place surrounded by superstition. These ancient fairy forts, dotted across Ireland, belonged to the realm of the fairies and were protected by them. Rumors of mysterious occurrences surrounded them- strange dancing lights or the sounds of soft lilting music in the dark of night. These curious places were not to be disturbed by humankind. There were stories of people who had gone into a mystical trance or even disappeared if they wandered onto them. Some believed that fairy forts had secret underground caverns that led to the other world. And woe betide anyone who disturbed this protected piece of earth in order to build human abodes- this would provoke the wrath of the fairies and bring seriously bad luck. To this day, the fairy forts of Ireland, including the one next to Hugh's childhood home, remain, respected and left alone by the local people.

In fact, the fairy fort next to Hugh's home was the very one that had given the name to the area in which they lived. "An Daingean" which later became Dangan, means "the fort."

We know now, that this was an ancient ring fort, also known as a rath. Dating back to the Bronze Age- 500-1000 A.D., these circular or oval hills had been the site of fortified homesteads or farmsteads. The oval ring at Dangan was 35 meters wide- and at that size was likely the abode of a Celtic nobleman. 

During Celtic times, there were eight chieftains, or Tuaths, in Meath, who served the King at Tara. Below these chieftains were free farmers, who also had smaller raths. These were built to protect the farmstead and its most prized possession- cattle- from raids.

The raised circular/oval hill was surrounded by earthen or stone banks for protection which were then surrounded by a fosse- a ditch of water that was the progenitor of later castle moats. A winding incline led up to the rath. The family lived on top of the ring fort, and their dwelling sometimes included an underground passage- souterrain- used as storage or a refuge during attacks. Some of these went quite deep into the earth, and are probably the origins of the later superstitions that these were fairy entrances into the other world.

The rings and depressions around the Dangan ring fort can be seen clearly in the satellite image below.

                                              Ring fort at Dangan

Watch the video below to learn more  about ring forts!

A video about Irish ringforts

Irish Fairy Tales to read online

Irish Fairy Tales by Stephens

Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry by Yeats

Sources:

http://www.meathheritage.com/index.php/archives/item/me01769-dangan-ringfort-rath

Cusack, Illustrated History of Ireland, 1868 Chapt XV

History: Trim, County Meath

                                Trim 1841 print by CT Dixon published in "Ireland, its scenery and character by Hall"


It was only four miles- about an hour and a half walk north- from the Allen farm in Great Umberstown/Dangan to the castle town of Trim. Situated along the river Boyne, the great castle and cathedrals were magnificent pieces of history for this part of Ireland. Agricultural markets and village shops were likely to have drawn our ancestors to the historic town.

The history of Trim far outdated our Norman ancestors likely arrival in Ireland.

A nephew of Saint Patrick, Saint Loman, built a monastery there during the fifth century, becoming the first Bishop of Trim. His successors were titled the Bishop of Trim and Abbot of Saint Mary's Abbey, where the "Yellow Steeple" can be seen today.

It wasn't until the twelfth century (1172) that King Henry II of England granted Meath to Norman Hugh de Lacy, who built the original structure on the banks of the River Boyne, leaving his nephew Hugh Tyrell in charge. Rather than surrendering the structure to the attempted invasion by the Irish King of Connacht, Tyrell burned it down and built a stone castle in its place. Hugh de Lacy died in 1186 and his son Walter became Lord of Meath. It was Walter who in 1204, founded an annual fair at Trim during the final week in February but by the 15th century, the fair was held in June or July.

The next attempted invasion came in 1210, when King John of England camped in a meadow outside the castle, giving the nickname "King John's Castle" to the edifice although he never stepped inside. His target, Walter de Lacy, locked up the castle, and then escaped. Afterwards, de Lacy further fortified the stone castle, creating what is now the largest Norman castle in Ireland. 

By the 13th century, Trim was one of the most important market towns in Meath. The walled medieval town had seven monasteries and three hospitals. Market day was usually held on Thursdays on Market Street. Goods available here included salted fish and meats, flour, oats, vegetables, butter, cheese and salt. Barrels of honey and wine were also sold. Live animals were traded, as were animal skins, leather, and wool. Various cloths were available- both simple linen or wool and finer silks. Some goods came by boat along the River Boyne, others were transported by horse and cart. Besides the market, regular tradesmen and craftsmen had shops in the town. There was a baker, and a wheelwright who made carts. Trim was a hub of trade.

The town was nearly invaded by the Scot Edward Bruce in 1315. At that time a Famine and the Black Death ravaged the countryside.

In 1399 King Richard II of England visited the castle, leaving behind two wards. One of the boys, Prince Hal, later became Henry V of England.

By 1600 the castle had been unoccupied for years and was in ruins. Cromwell's invaders captured the city in 1649 and his English followers were given estates and manors throughout the countryside. By the end of the 17th century, the town had lost its status as a center of Catholic wealth and power. 

(See Places to visit- Trim, County Meath)

Sources:

Richard Butler- History of Trim

http://irishwalledtownsnetwork.ie/page/trim/trim-info

http://www.irishidentity.com/extras/places/stories/trim.htm

http://mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/5121/1/Michael_Potterton_Vol-2_20140624131030.pdf

http://www.docbrown.info/docspics/irishscenes/ispage81b.htm

http://www.navanhistory.ie/index.php?page=navan-and-meath-2

History: Dangan castle

http://www.meathheritage.com/index.php/archives/item/me01770-dangan-castle-tower-house
https://www.libraryireland.com/Pedigrees2/wellesley.php
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dangan_Castle

The Tower House Castle at Dangan

Built about 1380 by Sir Simon Cusack, the manor of Dangan was later inherited through marriage by Sir Richard de Wellesley. The Wellesley's converted to Protestantism after 1640, thus allowing them to keep their lands at Dangan and elsewhere throughout Ireland.

At the time of the Civil Survey (1654-1656) Valerian Wellesley had 360 acres at Dangan, including a castle, a chapel, a mill and some thatch houses. He also had 600 acres throughout Laracor Civil parish.

The Manor passed down through the Wellesley family, until  Garrett Wellesley, who was a parishioner of Jonathan Swift at the Laracor Parish Church of Ireland, died childless and left it to his cousin Richard Cowley, who agreed to change his name to Wesley upon the inheritance in 1728. It is thought that Richard was the one who built the two story mansion that is still a ruin on the property, demolishing the castle.

Arthur Wellesley, later Duke of Wellington, was the 5th son of Garrett Wellesley, and was reportedly born at Dangan on May 1, 1769.

The caste burned in 1809 and was never restored.

http://www.meathheritage.com/index.php/archives/item/me01770-dangan-castle-tower-house

The Battery at Dangan Castle- 

This was a toy fort, built to entertain Garrett Wesley, who was born in 1735- the father of Arthur Wesley, Duke of Wellington, who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo.

A visitor to Dangan in 1748 described the grounds at Dangan as having a garden of 600 Irish acres, and a gravel walk to a 26 acre man-made lake, which had several ships- one a complete man of war. Garrett was her godson, who played there. 

(Diary of Mrs. Pendarves/later Mrs. Delaney)

Another visitor in 1752, Richard Pocoke, described the lake with an island fort and boats. On a hill near the Dangan house were a temple, and the hills around had obelisks and pillars.

The obelisk at Dangan

http://www.meathheritage.com/index.php/archives/item/me01788-dangan-battery

Sweeneys- What is a Scottish Gallowglass??

Margaret Sweeney was born about 1805, presumably in County Meath, Ireland.
She married Richard Allen in Summerhill, Meath, on the 10th of July, 1825. They had 10 children, most of whom came to America, and most of whom settled in Jerseyville. She was my 2nd great grandmother.

I decided to look into the Sweeney's in Meath. First- a name search and a surprise! The name "Sweeney" comes from the Scottish galloglasses. What in the world is a galloglass? Sounds ominous! Indeed, it was!

This term derives from the "Galloglaich" who were an elite class of warriors of Norse and Scottish origin, who were hired as mercenaries by the Irish Kings to fight the English (they also fought for Robert Bruce in Scotland.) They were an aristocratic infantry, wearing heavy armor, and were much in demand as warriors. They were known for their skill with a broad sword or claymore, and a two handed axe. They wore mail, and an iron helmet. Each warrior was accompanied by two young squires who carried their spears and provisions.

1521 drawing by Albrecht Durer (Wikipedia Commons)

Many settled in Ireland after losing their lands in Scotland after they fought for the losing side in the wars of Scottish Independence. In return for their service, the Irish nobility granted them lands, and paid them an annual tribute of cattle and grain. The warriors fought in units of about 100 men.

Queen Elizabeth I so feared this group that in 1571 she had 700 of them executed after the first of the Desmonde (Fitzgerald) rebellions in Ireland.

The first and most famous Gallowglass families was the MacSweeneys.

An Irish Chieftan- 1581 John Derricke

MacSweeney chief at dinner being entertained by a bard and a harper by John Derricke 1581

http://www.irishorigenes.com/content/gallowglass-do-you-belong-warrior-clan

The World of the Galloglass: Kings, Warlords, and Warriors in Ireland and Scotland 1200-1600 by Sean Duffy

The Twilight Lords: Elizabeth I and the First Irish Holocaust

By Richard Berleth

Margaret Sweeny's relatives- Catharine Sweeney Fitzsimons

Catharine Sweeney

Catharine "Kitty" Sweeney married Andrew Fitzsimons in February, 1819, at the church in Dangan.

Ireland, Select Catholic Marriage Registers, Meath, Summerhill, 1812-1854, p. 9

Andrew leased 12 acres of land in Clonmahon - a townland about 2  1/2 miles south of Dangan. Clonmahon was just outside of the village of Summerhill. His landlord was the Honorable Hercules Rowley- the owner of Summerhill Demesne. Unlike the ruins at Dangan, Summerhill house was a magnificent structure- one of the finest country estates in all of Ireland.

Ireland, Griffiths Valuation 1847-1864, Meath, Laracor p 3

Clonmahon (top left), the Village of Summerhill, and the Summerhill Demesne- Ireland Ordnance Survey 1824-1846 p 44

A visit to Margaret's sister Catharine and the Fitzsimon's cousins would have likely meant an exciting visit to the village of Summerhill, which sat in the shadow of the great house and estate at Summerhill.

The children of Catharine Sweeney and Andrew Fitzsimons were:
1-Christian baptized December 1819- sponsors Ratican and Gallaher
2-Catharine baptized February 1824- sponsors Michael Dunn and Alicia ?
3-Mary baptized May 1826- sponsors Pat Keeman and Mary Blake
4-Edward baptized February 1828- sponsors John Duff and Margaret Kennan
5-Margaret baptized April 1833- sponsors Richard Allen and Margaret White
6-James baptized February 1837- sponsors White and Kiernan

History: Why did our Ancestors Leave Ireland? Understanding the Famine

Why did our ancestors leave their homes in Ireland? This website gave me a better understanding of what they faced during the famine and their immigration to America.

The History Place- Irish Potato Famine Index

Before the Famine- Penal Laws to Impoverish Catholics

Tenant Farming in Ireland

The Blight and the Beginning of the Famine

1846-7 The Great Hunger

Coffin Ships

1847-9- New Poor Laws, Financial Crisis

Immigration, Irish in NY, Anti-Irish Sentiment

Ireland after the Famine

Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney of County Meath- Family Overview

Parents:
Richard "Dick"Allen b abt 1795 Meath d 1866 Great Umberstown, Summerhill Parish, Meath
married 10 July 1825 in Summerhill Parish to
Margaret Sweeney b abt 1805 d aft 1847 Great Umberstown, Summerhill, Meath

Townland: Great Umberstown, Laracor civil parish

Church: Dangan Church, Summerhill Parish

Children of Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney and baptisms/marriages

1-Mary bapt. 28 May 1826 at Dangan, married Patrick Byrne 1851 son of Patrick Byrns and Anna Murray in Summerhill, emigrated to NJ and then Jerseyville abt 1862

2- Francis "Frank" bapt 3 Feb 1829 Dangan emigrated to Jerseyville bef 1859

3- John Allen bapt 20 May 1833 Dangan- stayed at family farm in Great Umberstown- never married- d 8 Jan 1918 (should be buried at Dangan)
1901 census (farmer, age 62 with Jane Moran 19, cousin) 1911 census (age 76 with Thomas Byrne 37, nephew) 1918 died age 85, Magt Byrne present at death
(My aunt mary used to write to John Allen for his brother, Tom Allen, who was living with my mother's family in Jerseyville and a female relative in Ireland would read the letters to him and write in return)

4- Hugh Allen born 3 March 1834 (no bapt doc yet) emigrated to NY for a few years  then Jerseyville bef 1863 (see picture)

5- Patrick Allen bapt 5 June 1835 emigrated first to Jerseyville bef 1874 when he married there to Kate Byrne, dtr of Patrick Byrne- both from Summerhill) then Nebraska

6- Peter Allen bapt 20 June 1837 emigrated abt 1881 to Nebraska d 1905

7- Richard Allen bapt 15 sept 1839 Dangan d 1876 Jerseyville

8- Thomas Allen bapt 22 Nov 1841 Dangan emigrated to Jerseyville and married Bridget Julia Byrnes in 1872. died 1920 at home of his nephew Thomas Allen in Jerseyville when his clothes caught fire in the garden. He lived with them for many years as his wife died early and he had no children. My mother was very close to him as a child and he loved to play games with her (see picture)

9- Edward Allen bapt 4 March 1844, married Mary Byrne 1885 Jerseyville died 1897 Nebraska (6 children) Mary Byrne was born in Summerhill Parish, dtr of James Byrne (1817-1907 Mill Road/ Ballinrig) and Catherine Reilly (1827 Mill road-1903 Ballinrigg- both were on the 1901 census with son Richard Reilly)
(see picture)

10- Catharine Allen bapt 21 May 1847 Dangan, married Owen Byrne 1872 in Summerhill. This was Owen's 2nd marriage and he had 5 children when they married. Catherine had 3 children; Thomas b 1873 Clonmahon, Margaret Mary born 1875 d 1951 and Edward b 1887 d 1937 (all baptized Summerhill Parish)In 1901 Owen was 78 and Catherine 50 and they lived in Clonmahon with Thomas 26 and Edward 13. In 1911 Owen was 90 and Catherine 69 and they still lived in Clonmahon with Edward 23. Owen died in 1916, and Thomas was his primary beneficiary (effects 53 pounds) so Catherine likely died before this. Thomas Byrne was also the nephew who lived with John Allen on the 1911 census. Margaret Mary "Maggie" Byrne emigrated to Nebraska (where her uncle Edward "Ned" Allen lived) and married John Patrick Carmichael there before 1910. Edward Byrne was born in 1887 in Clonmahon and may have moved to Dublin.

Close friends of Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney in Summerhill Parish
Thos Gallaher (marriage witness 1825)
John Reilly, Mary Murran (for Mary bapt 1826)
Patk Mahon, Alicia Gogarty (for Mary's marriage 1851)
Peter Allen  and  Mary McCann (for Francis' bapt 1829
Patk Gogerly, Rose McCann (for John's bapt 1833
Walter Ratican and Catherine Brennan (Hugh and Mary were sponsors for dtr Bridget 21 Nov 1846 in Summerhill)
Pat Sweeney and Kate McCan (Peter's bapt 1837)
Richard Reiley, Honor Corcoran (Richard's bapt 1839)
Thomas McCann, Christine Flynn? (Thomas bapt 1841)
Patk and Catherine Reilly (Edward bapt 1844)
Thomas Murin, Ellen Sweeney (Ellen bapt 1847)
Patt Young, Mary Reilly (witn marriage of Catherine Allen and Owen Byrne
Patk Young, Mary Reilly (sp baptism Thomas Byrne, son of Catherine Allen and Owen Byrne)
Ned Allen (may be Catherine's brother, Edward Allen) and Anne Byrne (sp for margaret 1875, dtr of Catherine Allen and Owen Byrne- Summerhill Parish)

Griffiths relatives and neighbors in Great Umberstown (see map in Hugh Allen Blog)
Ellen Neilan, Ellen Reilly, Richard Reilly 12 acres, James  Reilly house from Richard, Mary Reilly sr and jr, Elizabeth Mahon 3 acres, Richard Allen 17 acres, John Allen (likely sr) house and garden from Richard Allen, Patk Reilly 30 acres, Patk Flynn house from Patk Reilly, Thomas Murrin 16 acres, Michael Connolly 7 acres, John Corcoran 8 acres, William Doran 5 acres, Patk Doran 11 acres, Patk Sweeney 12 acres, James Mulary 6 acres, James Mulary and Patk Sweeney 8 acres together

Census Great Umberstown
1901- Anne Sweeney, Patk Flynn, Luke Sweeney, Richard Reilly, Julia Doran, Wm Mulvey, Patk Corcoran, Joseph Byrne, John Mahon, Patk Reilly, Charles Mc?, Ellen Murrin, John Allen

1911- George Halligan, Bridget Byrne, Patk Reilly, John Mahon, Elizabeth Byrne, Peter Connor, Julia Doran, Wm. Mulvey, Anne Sweeney, Richard Reilly, Ellen Murrin, Luke Sweeney, John Allen

Griffiths relatives and neighbors in Dangan

(need to do)

Census Dangan
1901- Patrick Young 50, Wm Young 35
John Sweeney 65, Rose 60, Patrick 35, John 25
Elizabeth Young 60, George Young 40 and family
Bridget Allen 72, Fanny 50
Thomas Allen 44 and family
Dowd has Allen nieces living there so an Allen woman married Dowd

1911
Patrick Young 71, George Young and family, Eliz Young 72
Patrick Sweeney 45 and large family- incl. John b 1911
Bridget Allen 79 and fanny 45
Thomas Allen 52, James, Peter, Bridget

Relatives who stayed in Ireland
John Allen (Great Umberstown)
Catherine Allen Byrne (Clonmahon), son Thomas Byrne
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
To do:
Mary's 1851 marriage doc
look for other children's births and deaths in Summerhill parish
print: John Allen's death cert, 1901 and 1911 census
print: same for Catherine Allen Byrne (wife of Owen Byrne)
Get thomas byrnes death information
make a digital photo album of these people
Research- Bridget Allen Married Thomas Byrne, son Thomas Byrne born 23 march 1879 (witn micheal mccann and eliz reilly)
Research close friends/neighbors, relatives
contact Facebook site"summerhill house of stories"- share emigration information

My family Heritage service is in Batterstown, near Summerhill
https://myirelandheritage.com/


To do in Ireland:
1-Cemetery- graves of John Allen, Richard and Magt  SweeneyAllen
Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Dangan
Tel 046-955 7021- very rev. Michael Meade- parochial house, Dangan
R158, Ginnets Little, Co. Meath, Ireland
2- See Dangan school built 1856, remodeled 1890

2- Cemetery at Moy (south of Summerhill on New Moy Rd) grave of Hugh Sweeney d 1824.

2-Great Umberstown- find house of John Allen 1911- house had 3 windows in front, 3 rooms, wood or thatch roof, stone or concrete walls (see map in Hugh Allen blog)

3- Visit Dangan ruin- see https://visionsofthepastblog.com/2012/08/19/dangan-castle-summerhill-co-meath/ "Just outside Summerhill, Co. Meath stands the ruins of Dangan Castle. Beside Dangan church a long laneway leads up towards the ruin, in a field to the right as you advance towards the castle a three arch bridge – now unused – crosses a small brook"

4- drive through village of Summerhill on way from Dublin to Dangan

5- continue to base in Trim and other sites in Meath (see my map)
Trim- see River Boyne, Trim Castle, and walk over oldest bridge in Ireland over the Boyne River, visit St. Mary's Abbey,  St Patricks church, pubs- Marcie Regans Pub (one of the oldest in Ireland, right on the river Boyne, and Fri night music) James Griffin Pub, the High Horse Pub, overnight at bnb's

https://www.parishoftrimandboardsmill.com/gallery
St Patrick's Trim (built 1902)


Photos:

Generation 1- emigrants from Summerhill Parish, children of Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney

My ancestor Hugh Allen 1831-1891 (son of Richard Allen and Magaret Sweeney)
and wife Margaret Durney



Thomas Allen (1841-1920) brother of Hugh Allen, and my mother, Pauline Allen



Edward "Ned" Allen (1844-1897) brother of Hugh Allen

Generation 2- grandchildren of Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney- born in US

                                           My grandparents- Thomas Allen 1870-1933 (son of Hugh Allen) and wife Nellie Quinn

Home of Thomas Allen and Nellie Quinn at Allen farm in Jerseyville

  Generation 3-My mother- Pauline Allen 1915-2007 (dtr of Thomas Allen)

Generation 2-
Children of Hugh Allen, born in Jersey County, Illinois-

 Home of Richard Allen and his family- part of Hugh Allen farm in Jerseyville

Margaret, dtr of Hugh

Rose, dtr of Hugh (1869-1964) on left, with Nellie Quinn

Hugh Allen, son of Hugh Allen (1873-1920)

Generation 3

Margaret Mary "Maggie" Byrnes (dtr of Catherine Allen) 1875-1951, Husband John P Carmichael, and family in Nebraska

Children of Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney of County Meath- Thomas Allen 1841 Summerhill- 1920 Jerseyville

 

Thomas Allen was the seventh son born to Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney. The seventh son was thought by some to hold special powers; the seventh son of a seventh son was though to be a healer. (We don't know Thomas' father Richard Allen's birth order!)

Hugh was seven years old when his brother Thomas was born. We can only imagine the tiny cottage full of little boys; the eldest child, Mary, now 15 years old, was the only girl to help Margaret when this new baby was born.The family was predominantly boys; Frank 12, John 8, Hugh 7, Patrick 6, Peter 4, and Richard 2. 

The baby was baptized at the church at Dangan on November 22, 1841. His baptismal sponsors were Thomas McCan (likely his uncle- the husband of Mary Sweeney, his mother's sister) and Christine Fitzsimons (also likely Sweeney relations- Catherine Sweeney, another of his mother's sisters, had married Andrew Fitzsimmons.)

On the 1900 census, Thomas reports immigrating in 1864. But we see no records for him for the civil war draft.

 However, we do know that on New Years Day in 1872, Thomas married Bridget Burnes/Byrnes at St. Francis Xavier Church in Jerseyville. Richard? and Anna Burns were the witnesses.

In 1880 they were living at 251 Tea Street in Jerseyville.

There were no children born to the union, and we can only assume that Bridget died young. Her burial record shows she  died Sept 28, 1887. She was buried in St. Francis Cemetery.

In 1900, Thomas was 59 years old, living and working on the farm of newlywed John J. and Catherine "Kate" Maloney Quinn and their family, including John's parents- 76 year old Thomas Quinn and 64 year old Ellen Kinsella Quinn (my great grandparents), who note their immigration date as 1855, and Richard Quinn, John J. Quinn's brother who was born in 1869 and would die that year.

In 1910 he is listed as 65 (again, ages seem to be vague to this generation of Allens- according to his baptismal record he was 69) and living with his nephew, 39 year old Thomas Allen (my grandfather) and his 38 year old wife Nellie Quinn (the daughter of Thomas and Ellen Quinn above) and their family.

         My grandparents- Nellie Quinn and Thomas Allen as newlyweds

He was still with them in 1920, when my mother, Pauline Allen, was 4 years old. His age is now listed as 80, which would be close to correct.

My mother never knew her grandparents; they all passed away before she was born. So her great-uncle, Thomas Allen, was the closest thing she had to a grandfather. She remembered him very fondly; he would often sing and play games with her. As the youngest child in a large family, she was the "baby" of the family, and he was the eldest member, so they enjoyed their special time together. Her oldest sister, Mary, would write letters for him back to John Allen, his brother who still lived on the old family farm in Summerhill Ireland, and read the letters to him that came back, written by John's niece.

                  Pauline Allen and her great-uncle Tom Allen

One day Tom was helping in the garden, burning grass, when his trousers caught fire and he was badly burned. He must have suffered terribly; the burns were so severe that he died several days later. My mother lost one of her dearest friends.

He died on the last day of March in 1920 and his funeral was held at St. Francis Xavier Church in Jerseyville. This would have been the first time my mother experienced the funeral of someone she loved, although another Allen death would come just a month later- the sudden death of her 47 year old uncle, Hugh Allen, who lived on the farm just across the road from her home. Both services were held by Father Clancy, a priest who would serve Jerseyville and the Allen family for many, many years to come.

He was buried at the cemetery at St. Francis, next to his wife, Bridget. 

He was the last of the children of Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney to pass from this world.

Children of Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney of County Meath - Peter Allen 1837 Summerhill -1905 Nebraska

 We don't know much about Peter Allen.

He was baptized on June 28, 1837 at the church in Dangan. His father was listed as "Dick" Allen and his mother as Margaret Sweeney. His baptismal sponsors were Pat Sweeney (his uncle) and Cath McCan. 

                      Ireland, Selections of Catholic Parish Baptisms, 1742-1881

The only census we have for him is the 1900 census. On that document, he reports that he arrived in the U.S. in 1881. So, Peter was one of the last Allen siblings to immigrate from Ireland.

We notice in the Allen documents and especially in the census records that there is a lot of discrepancy about birth dates and ages. Peter clarifies this for us by simply stating his birth date on the census as "Don't know." This is despite the fact that he states that he can read and write. Birth dates were apparently not all that important to the Allen's in Ireland, and since many could not read and write, they were not readily recorded. It is a good thing that we have the church baptismal records!

In 1900, Peter was a naturalized citizen, and owned his own farm, adjacent to that of Mary Allen, his brother Edward's widow. With 6 children under the age of 15, Mary was probably very glad for Peter's help on the farm. Edward had only died 3 years earlier.

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

Peter died 5 years later, on January 5, 1905. He was 67 years old. He was buried at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Burchard, near his brother Edward. His grave gives us a great clue as to where the Allen family lived in County Meath. It is inscribed "Aged 61 y. born in Umberstown, Ireland."

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 12 August 2020), memorial page for Peter Allen (20 Jun 1837–5 Jan 1905), Find a Grave Memorial no. 33061916, citing Sacred Heart Cemetery, Burchard, Pawnee County, Nebraska, USA ; Maintained by LoNe Searcher (contributor 46845051) .

We know now that Umberstown is the tiny townland where the Allen family farm was located- near Dangan, where they attended church in Summerhill Catholic Parish in County Meath.

 The inscription on Edward's grave says " born in Summerhill Parish, Meath Co., Ireland." His birthdate on findagrave is given as March 14, 1844 and his death date as May 27, 1897- aged 53. 

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 12 August 2020), memorial page for Edward Allen (14 Mar 1844–27 May 1897), Find a Grave Memorial no. 33302035, citing Sacred Heart Cemetery, Burchard, Pawnee County, Nebraska, USA ; Maintained by LoNe Searcher (contributor 46845051) .

Mary (Bryan) Allen would also be buried there in 1932,  as would her son, John J. Allen, buried in 1966.

There is a puzzle in the Burchard Cemetery as well-

James Allen, b 1888, died May 25, 1897 (two days before Edward)- age 9.  Edward's son James was still listed on the 1900 census as 12 years old. He did not die until 1930. So- who is this child?

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 12 August 2020), memorial page for James Allen (1 Jan 1888–25 May 1897), Find a Grave Memorial no. 33302068, citing Sacred Heart Cemetery, Burchard, Pawnee County, Nebraska, USA ; Maintained by LoNe Searcher (contributor 46845051) .

Children of Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney County Meath- Patrick Allen 1835 Summerhill- 1910 Nebraska

 

Hugh and his younger brother Patrick were close in age- just one year apart. Patrick was baptized at the church in Dangan on June 5, 1835. 

He had joined his brothers in Jerseyville by 1874, when, on April 8, he married Catherine "Kate" Burns at St. Francis Xavier Church. His brother Hugh was a witness for his wedding.

Their first son, Richard, was born on January 27, 1875 and baptized at St. Francis Xavier church in Jerseyville.

Shortly after his birth, the couple moved to Beatrice, Gage Nebraska, where their first daughter, Mary Ann was born.

By 1880 Patrick was living in Mud Creek, Gage Nebraska. Patrick was farming, and they had four children.

In the 1900 census, Patrick noted that he immigrated in 1870, so had been in the U.S. for 30 years, and was a naturalized citizen. He owned the farm they are living on.

The couple lost their eldest son, Richard, in 1890. He was only 14 years old. He was buried at St. Joseph Cemetery in Beatrice, Gage Nebraska.

In the winter of 1909, Patrick became ill. He was diagnosed with pneumonia. Just after Christmas, on December 29, his 27 year old son, Frank, died suddenly. Patrick died just days later on January 2, 1910. 

Catherine stayed on the farm for a time, but by 1920 she was living at 429 6th Street in Beatrice. The census showed her as 72 years old. She later moved to Vermillion, South Dakota. She died on November 20, 1926, and was buried with Patrick at St. Joseph Cemetery in Beatrice.

Patrick and Catherine Allen's children were:

Richard b January 27, 1875 Jerseyville, died 1890 Nebraska age 14

Mary Ann b Sept 7, 1877, Beatrice married Lawrence J. Houlton in 1897. Lawrence was a farmer in Vermillion, South Dakota. He and Mary Ann had nine children. Mary Ann lived until age 92, dying in November, 1969.

Thomas was born January 1879. Thomas remained single throughout his life, and at age 41, was living with his sister, Cecilia Allen Reddon and her family on Gage St. in Potsdam, Nebraska, working as a stock buyer. By 1930 he owned a farm in Green Valley, Nebraska. He later moved to Stuart, Nebraska, where he died in August, 1941. He was buried at the cemetery in Beatrice.

John A. b Oct 6, 1880 married Dora Mae Olds in 1905. John was a farmer, worked at Dempster Mill, and helped build the first Catholic church in Crab Orchard, Neb. He was living at 918 S. 6th street in Beatrice, when he died at age 89. He was buried at St. Joseph's cemetery in Beatrice.

Frank Allen born 1882 died 1909 age 27.

Cecilia Allen b Aug 15, 1884, married Charles J. Reddon August 5, 1903 in Beatrice. They had 7 children and lived in Blue Hill, Nebraska. Charles died in 1937. In 1940, Cecilia was living with two of her daughters and providing nursing care in a private home. She died in 1965 at age 80 and is buried at Blue Hill cemetery.

Bernard Charles Allen b September 22, 1886 married Ellen Shaughnessey in 1912 in Axtell, Kansas. They had 8 children. Bernard was a farmer. He died in 1945 at age 58.

Edward Robert Allen b March 11, 1889, married Rose Murray in 1910. They had 7 children. In 1940 they were living at 428 North 6th St. in Beatrice. Ed was driving a truck for a refinery. He died in 1964 at age 75.