Margaret Sweeney's relatives- Patrick Sweeney

Patrick Sweeney 

Patrick Sweeney was born in 1798. He was a nurseryman, who would have raised plants and tended the elaborate gardens of the nearby great estates; Dangan and Summerhill.


Patrick Sweeney and Mary McCall were married in the church at Dangan in May 1827. 

They lived just down the road from Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney and like them, their farm bordered the Dangan Estate.  

Patrick Sweeney farm (outlined in white) and Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney's farm (with red house symbol) were in Great Umberstown townland, Summerhill Catholic Parish, County Meath. 

At the time of the Tithe Applotment (1828) Pat Sweeney had a farm in the Dangan lands.

National Archives of Ireland, The Tithe Applotment Books, 1828-1837

 In 1841, Patt Sweeney signed the testimonial to Loard Morpeth so we have an actual example of his signature.

At the time of Griffith's Valuation (1855), Patrick leased 12 acres of land in Great Umberstown from Charles P. Leslie, the same landlord as Richard Allen.

He also shared 8 acres of land with James Mulary.

It is almost certain that Patrick Sweeney was the brother of Margaret Sweeney Allen. His children would have been the cousins of our ancestor Hugh Allen and his siblings. Hugh Allen was born in 1834, and his siblings from 1826- 1847, so these Sweeney cousins and neighbors were close in age.

Patrick Sweeney's children were:

Hugh baptized 1828- sponsors Mick Reiley and Anne Gallaher

Ellen baptized 1829- sponsors Patt ? and Mary Reily

Catharine baptized 1833- sponsors Andrew Young (husband of Elizabeth Allen) and Christian Fitzsimons

Thomas baptized 1835- sponsors Matt Galaher and Mary Young (wife of Peter Allen) 

*Patrick baptized 1836- sponsors Richard Allen and Margaret Murry 

Michael born 1839- sponsors Pat Fitzsimons and Bridged Murry

*Twins John and Luke born 1841- sponsors Richard Allen and Catherine Doran

Christopher baptized December 26, 1843 (may have been born Christmas day!)- sponsors John Martin and Anne Sweeney

Peter baptized November 34, 1845, sponsors 
John Young and Catharine Sweeney

Bernard 1848- sponsors William Doran and Margt Murry 

Andrew 1851- sponsors Richard Byrne and Mary Ruley

Baptismal sponsors and hints to close relationships: our ancestor Richard Allen was a baptismal sponsor to 3 of these children; Patrick, Luke, and John.

Catherine Sweeney was a sponsor for Peter- so she was likely a sister of Patrick Sweeney and Margaret Sweeney Allen.

Anne Sweeney was a sponsor for Christopher- so she was also likely a sister.

Patrick Sweeney died on the 6th of March, 1884, at the age of 86, in Umberstown. The record notes that he was a widower and he died of natural decline. His son, Luke Sweeney, was present at his death.