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

Griffith's Valuation; Understanding the Details

Griffith's Valuation was completed in County Kilkenny by July 1853 and in County Meath by July 1855. In lieu of a census, this is the most accurate information we can get about our Irish Ancestors just before they immigrated to the United States.

I understood a lot more about the Valuation after I read this article; "Is there more in Griffith's Valuation than just names?" You might want to read it yourself, but I have put some notes on the article below.
http://www.leitrim-roscommon.com/GRIFFITH/Griffiths.PDF

Griffith's Valuation is divided by the civil parish or administrative area (not the catholic church parish) and the townland- a small group of farms.

Relatives
Overall, we learn more about our ancestor's possible relatives in their own townland and adjacent townlands. Most people walked from place to place, so close relatives were often within a walkable distance (although people walked much longer distances in those days than most of us do now!)

Spouses
Spouses, also, were generally met and courted within walking distance, and it could be assumed that they likely lived within the same Roman Catholic parish, where the young people would see each other at church on Sunday.

Neighbors
Within each townland, the names within the valuation were listed in the order valuated, not necessarily the order of the adjacent farms. So- it is necessary to look at the maps to see who lived next to each other. (Still, townlands are generally so small that most people within them were close neighbors.)

Farm/Economic Status-
"Large Farmers" held more than 30 acres.
"Small farmers" held 5-30 acres. "Cottiers" or "laborers" held less than 5 acres.
Leases did not expire at the end of a year; they went on indefinitely unless the tenant chose to move elsewhere or the landlord took the tenant to court.
It was not unusual for a farmer to subdivide a holding to ensure the economic success of all. The names of the subdivided tenants are enclosed in parentheses. This was often done with relatives; sons, brothers, or son-in-laws. So if there is a different name within the parenthesis, it would be wise to check this person out as a possible marriage connection; perhaps a son in law or brother in law. During and after the famine, things changed. Many leases were limited to one year; at which point the tenant could be evicted if rents were not paid.

Homes and farm structures

The term "house" implies a dwelling place. There are different classes of houses which are taxed at different rates, based on the materials they are built with and their condition. The term "office" includes all of the outbuildings on the farm; sheds, barns, etc. This would include cow barns, piggeries, storage sheds, etc.

(add on- details from Griffiths on house ratings)




Maps

One of the most exciting elements of Griffith's Valuation is the inclusion of maps which show the exact land plot that our ancestors lived on. This can be compared to Google Maps to show where to find that land today.

You can explore Griffith's Valuation here!

http://griffiths.askaboutireland.ie/gv4/single_layer/place_name_search.pdf

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

More information on the valuation here:

https://www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com/Griffiths-Valuation.html

Our Allens in Laracor Parish, Meath (Laracor is the civil parish name- these Allens lived in the Summerhill Catholic Parish)

http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/index.xml?action=doNameSearch&Submit.x=53&Submit.y=11&Submit=Submit&familyname=Allen&firstname=First+Name&baronyname=&countyname=MEATH&unionname=&parishname=LARACOR

History: Summerhill attacked during the Irish Confederation Wars- The Historic Battle of Dungan's Hill

We have to wonder if our ancestors were at Umberstown and Dangan in the 1600's. We know they were certainly there by the 1700's, so it is very likely. If so, they witnessed, and perhaps took part in, a bloody battle of epic proportions and its terrible aftermath.

In the 1600's there was a fine house and old castle in Knock (now Summerhill,)  a fine stone house in Dangan with a bridge and mill, and a few cabins in Umberstown and other townlands. There were  small castles in the surrounding townlands of Readstown, Little Freffans, Adamstown, and Laracor.

If you visit Summerhill, you will see this ancient stone pedestal on the village green It is the cross of Peter Lynch of Knock, who had been associated with the Irish Catholic rebellion of "Silken Thomas" (a Kinsella) in 1535. By 1609 there was a new castle on the land and the 1640 survey showed Garrett Lynch of Knock owning 590 acres, with two castles, a mill, an old chapel, and many cottages.

                                      Ruins of Lynch's castle in Summerhill

But in 1642, while Gerald/Garrett was away, the castle at Lynche's Knock was attacked by the forces of the Protestant Irish Royal Army under James Butler, Earl of Ormonde.  All of the male defenders of the castle were executed. This was one bloody scene only 3 miles from our ancestors' cottages at Dangan. But a far worse battle was yet to come.

James Butler, Earl of Ormonde

The Irish Confederation Wars (Eleven Years' War) 1641-1653

From 1642-1649, the Irish Catholic Confederation, based in Kilkenny, ruled 2/3 of Ireland. It had been formed by Catholic nobles, clergy, and military leaders after the Irish Rebellion of 1641, which sought to regain Irish Catholic rights. It held allegiance to the Catholic king of England-King Charles I. 

The Irish Confederation Wars (Eleven Years War) lasted from 1641-1653. The Irish Catholic Confederation allied with English and Scottish Royalists against the English Parliamentarians. Small bands of civilians were raised by local lords to attack the opposing side.

During this horrific war over 25,000 Irish were killed on the battlefield, and over 200,000 civilians died from famine and disease, with 12,000 being transported to the West Indies by 1660. 

In 1645 King Charles I was defeated during the English Civil War, with Parliamentarians taking power. In June 1647, James Butler, The Marquis of Ormond, who had been loyal to Charles, agreed to surrender Dublin to the Parliamentarian army under Col. Michael Jones.

The Battle of Dangan (Dungan) Hill

http://bcw-project.org/military/confederate-war/dungans-hill

At first, I thought this referred to Dangan. Luckily I was off by a few miles. The Down Survey refers to a place called Dunganstown, with a large bog, which is just south of Summerhill. Still, these armies of thousands of men would have marched very close to our ancestors cottages as they passed down the main road from Trim and the horrible battle took place just a few miles from their homes. If they were indeed living there at the time, the battle itself and the aftermath of that battle, would have had a terrible effect on their lives. The map shows the proximity of the battle to the townlands of our ancestors- Umberstown and Dangan (bottom left.) Dungan hill and bog, the site of the horrific battle, was only a few miles away. (Map is not aligned north/south.)

The Down Survey describes the battle this way:

On Sunday, August 8, 1647, near Knock (later Summerhill) and on Dungan Hill, there was a great battle between the the Irish Confederates and the English Parliamentarians. The Irish Confederates were led by General Thomas Preston, who were planning to march on Dublin, which was held by the Parliamentarians. The Irish Confederate army consisted of about 4,000 foot soldiers pikes and heavy muskets, and a small cavalry of about 800 horses. They had been attempting a siege of Trim, but when the Parliamentarian force left Dublin, Preston decided to strike Dublin.

The Parliamentarian force, commanded by Colonel Michael Jones, had about 5,000 foot soldiers, a 1500 horse cavalry, and artillery. He caught Preston about ten miles south of Trim at Dangan. While the Irish cavalry waited on Dangan Hill, the Irish foot soldiers forces were hidden in a field of tall wheat preparing for a surprise attack, but this strategy made it hard for them to see anything. The Irish cavalry was then caught on the road by the English.

 The English won the battle, slaying nearly over 3,000 Irishmen, and taking over 900 prisoners, including surviving leaders. Three of Garrett Lynch's sons died in the battle. According to Irish accounts, the troops were slaughtered even after attempting a surrender.  The English, too, had heavy losses of over 2000 men. Preston, himself, escaped through the bogs with about 2000 men. He requested a burial of the dead, but received no reply. It appears that Jones wanted the bodies of the dead to remain as a haunting reminder of the battle. Some reports say that the dead were not buried until 4 months later. 

The Battle at Dungan Hill was a turning point that signaled the end of the Irish Confederacy.

In 1652, Dunganstown, the town of Knock and lands belonging to Gerald/Garrett Lynds/Lych , now an outlaw rebel accused of treason, were granted to Henry Jones.

 but despite this, Garrett did not recover his lands at Knock after the 1660 royalist restoration.

Forfeited estates after the battle included over 4,175 acres of land in Laracor's townlands. The owners who forfeited their lands included Garrett Lynch (743 acres in Knock/Summerhill) Valerian Wesley (Umberstown, Clondoogan, Clonmahon, Dangan,) Richard Lincham- an Irish Catholic ( Clondoogan, Adamstown, Collinstown, Somertown), Christopher Lincham (Great Freffans) Robert Rochfort- an Irish Catholic (Dangan) Garrot Smith (Dangan) George Stoakstowne (Stoakstown) and George Vaher of Dublin (Little Freffans)

Cromwell's War- 1649-1653

Cromwell, leader of the English Parliamentarians, invaded Ireland from 1649-1653.
In 1642, the Protestant Duke of Ormonde besieged and captured the castle at Knock. It was occupied by Cromwell's forces in 1647. Knock Castle and land was forfeited during Cromwell's invasion, and given to the Protestant Bishop of Meath, Henry Jones.

In July 1649 the castle at Trim was taken by royalists under the Earl of Ormonde, who gave directions that it should be destroyed if conquered by Cromwell, however the castle survived after he took it, and was occupied until about 1690.

Sources:

http://www.meathheritage.com/index.php/archives/item/me01814-summerhill-demesne-house-16th17th-century

http://bcw-project.org/military/confederate-war/dungans-hill

http://old.scotwars.com/battle_of_dungan.htm

Laracor Parish in early days

Trim- Its Ecclesiastical Ruins, its castle, etc. 1886

https://books.google.com/books?id=MvcRAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA38&lpg=PA38&dq=great+freffans+meath&source=bl&ots=_EN4IZR84Q&sig=jDyAIaBRNz-luY8R84_313-ujLM&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi-2MzzyqjcAhVCEawKHeAHBIM4ChDoAQhCMAU#v=onepage&q=great%20freffans%20meath&f=false

The Down Survey of Laracor Parish, County Meath

 

The Down Survey of Ireland, conducted from 1656 to 1658, was an ambitious project to map all existing land ownership in Ireland. Its purpose was sinister; those lands that would be forfeited by Irish Catholic landowners would be given to Cromwell's supporters and English Protestant soldiers. Nevertheless, it is one of the earliest maps of its kind, and shows us a great deal about Ireland before the massive land confiscations. The Down Survey website also provides an interface between the ancient maps and modern maps.

Down Survey Maps

Here is the map for Laracor Parish, County Meath, where our Allen and Sweeney Ancestors lived.

A close up reveals Dangan, owned by Valerian Wesley, and Umberstown (home of our Allens and Sweeneys) owned by Valerian Wesley and Robert Lincham. Many of the surrounding areas also show Gerrald Linch as part owner.

I realized these maps are not aligned N-S - the map below shows Umberstowne, Dangan (Dingen), Clonmahon and Clondougan, and "Lynchknock" (later Summerhill) with the ill fated Dungan Hill and bog just outside of Lynchknock and its castle. (see separate blog on the Battle of Dungan Hill.)

The survey went on to show the proprietor of the land, the acreage, and how many of those acres were profitable.

Umbrestowne, owned by Valerian Wesley and Richard Lincham, was 273 acres, all considered profitable land. Dangan (Dingan) owned by Valerian Wesley (papist) was 589 acres, all profitable. Valerian Wesley saved his lands, by, as the conquerors had hoped, converting to the Protestant religion.

Knocke, owned by Garrett Linch was 743 acres, all profitable. But notice that after Garret's name it shows "pap." This marks the land as among those to be confiscated. While Garrett Linch was away, the castle was stormed by the Marquis Ormonde and the male inhabitants slain. It was sold by the Protestant Bishop of Meath, Henry Jones, to Sir Hercules Langford in 1661.  Sir Hercules Langford would be the builder of Summerhill Estate.

The survey describes the soil of the area as good, with arable meadows and pastures and only a little bog on the southwest end. It then goes on to describe the Battle of Dinganhill, where more than 5800 men were slain. (See separate post)

It describes in Knocke a fair house and an old castle in repair, some very good woods and a mill. It also describes a town at Clomahon and Clondoggan and some small villages at Umberstowne with a few cabins and a fair stone house in Dangen. 

The 1670 Survey showed how forfeited lands in the area had been transferred to Protestant landowners.

At Dangan, 589 plantation acres that were owned by Catholic Valerian Wesley now belonged to Protestant Garrett Wesley.

At Great Umberstown, 273 plantation acres that were owned by Valerian Wesley were now owned by Sir John Stephens.

At Clondoogan, 401 plantation acres that had belonged to Richard Linchamp (who was a Protestant) now belonged to Sir John Stephens as well.

The Summerhill Demesne which had belonged to Varerian Welseyin 1641 now belonged to Garrett Wesley, as did Moy.

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

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

History: January 6, 1839- The Night of the Big Wind

January 6, 1839- The Night of the Big Wind- the worst storm in Ireland's History



Inside their cottage, Margaret Sweeney Allen was looking forward to "Nollaig na mBan" also known as "Little Christmas," the Feast of the Epiphany. In Ireland, a sweet tradition held forth that on "Little Christmas" or "Women's Christmas," the women of the family had a much anticipated day off from their household chores. For the rest of the year, a man would be ridiculed should he lift a finger to help with women's work, but on January 6th, the men of Ireland gave their wives the night off. They cared for the children and handled the household chores so the women could leave the home to gather with their female friends and family and celebrate their own "Little Christmas" without all the cooking and other chores that had been their responsibility during the preceding Christmas season. The hard working women of Ireland looked forward all year to this, their special day. Children often gave their mother's small gifts, as children do today on Mother's Day. This year Margaret had a big family to be thankful for;Mary was 13, Frank 10, John 7, Hugh 5, Patrick 4, and the baby, Peter, was only 2.


But this year the celebration was not to be. On Saturday, a heavy snow fell across the county, the first snowfall of the year. However by Sunday, the weather turned warm and eerily still. After they attended church that morning the snow was melting to slush, and as they had their Sunday dinner, a gentle rain began to fall. As it turned dark, which happened early in the winter in that northern latitude, the rain became a storm. Soon hail. sleet, and heavy rain were pounding the windows and the roof. As the children went to bed, Richard and Margaret worried at the intensity of the storm. All night it raged, wreaking havoc upon the land around them and on their own small cottage.

Reports show that many roofs gave way or were blown off by the hurricane strength winds, many precious glass windows were shattered. Chimneys were brought down and families fled their homes to avoid being crushed or killed. Some fled to neighbor's homes or nearby churches, others huddled for temporary safety in low lying areas the countryside, soaked to the skin in the freezing rain. Many fences and stone walls were also collapsed, and livestock ran in fear. Fires spread from the turf fires which were kept burning in every cottage, alighting the thatch roofs.

In nearby Dublin, the Shannon flooded. The great trees in the parks were blown down, and even stone buildings collapsed. The bell from St. Patrick's Cathedral was tossed out like a toy. As buildings fell, fires spread throughout the city. It is said that a quarter of the buildings in the city were destroyed.



The surges of the sea were so great that it was said that waves came up over the cliffs of Moher on the east coast, and on the west coast near Dublin the flooding sea enveloped the land. Ships under sail and in the harbors were wrecked, their passengers drowned.

The aftermath found many families in Meath homeless, their roofs gone, stone cottages damaged, their crops badly ruined. In the midst of winter, it was a devastating experience that would not be forgotten in the lifetimes of those who lived through it.

(You may want to read- "The Big Wind- a novel of Ireland" by Beatrice Coogan)

Allen Blog-1841 Ireland- A 420 meter scroll and a new find!

       This is the 1841 signature of my great-great grandfather,  Richard Allen. This is significant, not just because it is his signature, but because it shows that unlike many Irishmen of the time, Richard Allen was literate.

                      George Howard- Lord Viscount Morpeth

I came across this by accident today, while researching another relative. In 1841, Lord Viscount Morpeth (George Howard) was retiring from his post as Chief Secretary for Ireland. He was given a gift of a 420 meter roll of parchment consisted of 652 pieces of paper signed by 160,000 people from all over Ireland. The signatures included men from all levels of Irish society. There were some famous people of course, including the great Daniel O'Conner, but most of the signatures were those of everyday farmers and businessmen.

In 2013 the scroll was sent on a 14 month tour of Ireland, where it could be seen by the public for the first time in 170 years. It was also digitized at Ancestry.com and can be seen online.

 If you look at my Allen Family Tree on Ancestry, you can see Richard Allen's signature on the scroll. Many of his relatives and neighbors at the time also signed the scroll.

Patrick Sweeney was a neighbor of Richard Allen in Great Umberstown, and likely the brother of Margaret Sweeney.

Peter Allen and John Allen of Dangan were likely Richard's brothers and Andrew Young of Dangan was the husband of Elizabeth Allen-likely Richard's sister. 

The scroll is full of the names of many neighbors and friends of the Allen's and Sweeney's.

The names led me to more questions (of course) What relation was this Francis Allen and this John Sweeney?

Here is a look at part of page 442- can you find Rich'd Allen?

Source: page 442, The 1841 Irish Testimonial to Lord Morpeth, Castle Howard, York, England
Caste Howard Estate Ltd., Ancestry.com. Ireland, Lord Viscount Morpeth's Testimonial Roll, 1841

Historical Morpeth Roll is digitised (Click to read article)

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.