THE MURDER IN COUNTY CLARE.
A SHOCKING CRIME.
ENNIS, FRIDAY.—Further particulars have been received with reference to the murder of the man Michael M’Namara, in the employment of John M’Namara, a small farmer, living at Killilina [Killanena], a mile distant from Kilkishen. The facts connected with the horrible affair are these:—He had been to the house of a neighbour named Pat Condon, and left it a little before ten o’clock p.m. He was within three yards of his master’s house when a shot was fired at him, and he received a large portion of the charge in the chest and about the face. He struggled to reach the house, and dropped dead on the floor as soon as he entered.
His employer was in bed, but his wife and daughter were in the kitchen. Deceased was about 40 years of age, and a widower. He had the character of being a quiet, inoffensive, industrious man, and the only reason assigned for the perpetration of the deed is that he was suspected of having given information that led to the arrest of a man who was convicted of a savage assault at Newmarket-on-Fergus. Two men named M’Inerney, of the labouring class, have been arrested on suspicion of complicity in the murder. The only evidence against them at present is that footprints quite close to the scene of the murder correspond with the boots they wore.
LIMERICK.—The inquest on the body of the unfortunate man, Michael M’Namara, who was so brutally murdered at Kilkishen on Tuesday night [31 August 1886], was held by Mr. J. Frost, coroner for the district. The circumstances of the case, as shown by the evidence given at the inquest, though meagre as to the probable motive which incited to the cowardly deed, are yet sufficient so far to characterise the murder as one of the most cruel and atrocious that has yet stained the annuals of agrarian or other agitation. It does not seem that the deceased had ever given offence against the written or “unwritten” code,” nor is it probable, after very careful examination, that the unfortunate man had ever been a member of any secret society whose displeasure it might have been his misfortune to incur for some act or other unknown, of course to the everyday world. The deceased occupied the humble position of a labourer on the farm of a tenant named John M’Namara, and the fact that the latter, as well as the murdered man, were said to be on friendly terms with their neighbors, make the crime all the more unexplainable and heinous. The deceased is said to have been about forty years of age, and was unmarried. He left his employer’s house at half-past eight o’clock on Tuesday evening, returning at ten minutes after ten. Just as he was about crossing the threshhold of the door, and when within sight of two of his fellow-servants and Mrs. M’Namara, the report of a shot was heard, and the unfortunate man staggered into the place mortally wounded, with blood flowing from his wounds. He moved towards the fireplace, and cried out, “Oh, murder, God have mercy on me; I am killed,” and, staggering again toward the spot where he had received the fatal wound, he fell dead near the doorway. A police patrol who heard the shot were immediately on the scene, but no trace of the cowardly assassins could be found. Great indignation is felt in the locality over the matter, and a large crowd collected yesterday when the inquest was being held.
Bridget Gleeson, a female servant, in the employment of Mr. John M’Namara, deposed that she knew the deceased, Michael M’Namara, for the past twenty years. She saw him about half-past eight o’clock on Tuesday evening, when he left the house after taking his supper. He came home about ten minutes after ten o’clock, and she heard a shot just as he entered the door. She saw the flash of light after the shot was fired, and her impression was that the shot had been fired from behind some turf deposited a short distance from the house. She was standing at a table not far from the door, and immediately after the shot deceased jostled in about the house. He put his hand to his mouth and made toward the fireplace. He roared out, “Oh, murder! God have mercy on me, I am killed.” He went back again towards the door, and fell dead near it. No person had said anything to deceased after he entered the house. No more than five minutes elapsed from the time he entered the house till he died. There was a lamp lighted in the kitchen before he came in, and there were no shutters on the windows. Mrs. M’Namara and Margaret Carmody, another servant, were in the kitchen at the time, and Mrs. M’Namara called on her husband to come down. Mr. M’Namara then came down and ordered her to go for his cousin, who lived at Enagh, about fifteen perches from the house. A voice called out, “Go back, Bid Gleeson, or you will be sorry.” She then ran back, and saw as she was running two “black shouldered” men near the gate, but she would not be able to recognise the person who thus addressed her.
Constable James Cochrane deposed that he was on patrol duty on the night of the murder. He was in company with Constable Riordan, and about ten o’clock they heard the report of a shot. They walked towards the direction in which it was fired, and met two persons—Daniel and Michael M’Namara—coming towards them for the police. They went to M’Namara’s house, and found deceased living inside the cross-door.
Dr. Stephen Scanlan stated that he had made a post-mortem examination of the body of the deceased. Externally on the left side of the chest there were four gunshot wounds, one of which penetrated the lungs, two others lodging in the substance of the lung, and one immediately under the skin. On the right side of the chest there were seventeen wounds, and on the right side of the neck there were seven wounds and on the left side three. On the right side of the face and forehead there were five wounds. There was one wound on the left eye, apparently made by a grain of the shot. He had taken twelve grains of shot from the body of the deceased, and he found a little particle of bone in the cavity between both lungs, and also some grains of shot. Several of the wounds were quite sufficient to cause death.
Dr. E. Frost corroborated the evidence of Dr. Scanlan, and
The jury returned a verdict of “willful murder against persons unknown.”
Belfast News-Letter, Saturday, 4 September 1886
The murdered Michael McNamara, described as “about 40 years of age, and a widower” was most definitely the Michael McNamara who had been married to Penelope Gleeson (1856 – 1883). The birth of their son in 1883, who died at just a few days old, was stated to have been at “Enagh”, but this was likely at “Enagh Cross” which is located partly in Killanena townland.
Michael McNamara was murdered on the 31st of August 1886. But where is the civil death record? I searched under “McNamara”, “MacNamara” and “Mack”, but could not locate one. Did the death of a murdered man, examined by a coroner, really go unrecorded? I then searched for the death of any “Michael” recorded in the Tulla registration district and discovered “Michael MNamara”, a widower, age 47 years old, farm labourer, died at Killanena on 31 August 1886. He “was feloniously murdered by some person or persons unknown to the jury”. “Certificate received from John Frost, coroner for East Clare. Inquest held 1st September 1886”. Registrar was Stephen Scanlan. Tulla registration district (reported in Galway in error).
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 785920.pdf
The discovery of the civil death record is an important one. In newspaper archives, it is necessary to search for “McNamara” as “MNamara” as the newspapers typically report as “M’Namara”. The same goes for other Mc surnames. But for the civil death record for Michael McNamara, and many others, this was not what was reported, and the transcription is, in fact, an error. McNamara was spelt with an elevated “c” and not an apostrophe. Interestingly, these errors in transcription were only made in two years, 1886 and 1892, and almost solely for death records. Most likely the transcription of these records was outsourced to a foreign country, where one individual responsible for 1886 and 1892 death records, and under limited supervision, was not aware of the Irish use of the elevated “c” in English writing.
A total of 113 “MNamara” death records were transcribed in 1886 and 1892. And 165 “Mmahon” death records were transcribed in 1886 and 1892. All need to be corrected by NLI. “McInerney” and “McCarthy” and other “Mc” surnames appear to be okay. From my experience, the NLI has been very quick on making corrections to their database. On the other hand, the National Archives on the census transcriptions appear to ignore any corrections submitted (such as “Reane” vs. “Keane”, an obvious error).
In my prior posting, Thomas McNamara (1847 – 1910) and Hanora Walker (1851 – 1942) of Kilkishen were the parents of four children, but only two were surviving according to the 1911 census. I could not locate the civil death record (and did not want to search a much larger population of birth records) for their unknown fourth child who would have died between the early 1890’s and 1911. Why? Did the death go unrecorded? No, the death record was transcribed as “Margaret MNamara”; she died in Kilkishen at 21 months on 13 December 1891, but reported in 1892, one of two years with incorrect transcriptions of McNamara:
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 721351.pdf
Sheila, with hundreds of civil death records no longer hidden under an incorrect transcription of the Irish elevated “c”, this might help other researchers unable to discover the whereabouts of a missing ancestor.
For the unfortunate Michael McNamara described in newspaper accounts as “about 40”, his civil death record stated his age as 47 years old. He was definitely the widower of Penelope Gleeson who died in I883, and I reckon that this Michael McNamara was also the son of Thomas McNamara (as agreed by Michael’s marriage record) and Mary White of Clashduff townland born in 1840. He and his brother John were orphaned during the Great Famine. It is still not clear who were the relatives who raised him, but the news accounts of Michael’s murder might offer some important clues.
The servant Bridget Gleeson testified that she knew the “deceased, Michael M’Namara”, for the past twenty years”. Obviously, Bridget was not a young domestic servant. She was likely related to Penelope Gleeson who married Michael McNamara in 1877. Penelope Gleeson was born in 1858, the youngest child of John Gleeson and July Halloran of Enagh/Newpark. The witness Bridget Gleeson was, most likely I reckon, born in 1846, the youngest daughter of Michael Gleeson and Margaret Vaughn of Enagh. The two Gleesons were likely cousins of some sort.
In the above testimony at the coroner inquiry, the servant Bridget Gleeson was ordered by her master, John McNamara, “to go for his cousin, who lived at Emagh [Enagh], about 15 perches from the house”. This is when a voice called out “Go back, Bid Gleeson, or you will be sorry.” The identity of the cousin was identified further by the testimony of Bridget Gleeson at the magisterial investigation held in Limerick on 14 September 1886:
Bridget Gleeson, a servant of John M’Namara, stated—The deceased, Michael M’Namara, was a servant with me in the same house. . . . [similar testimony as prior] . . . .Mrs. Carmody, my son, and a girl minding a baby were in the kitchen [clearly a newspaper reporter’s error, should read “Mrs. McNamara, her son (Michael McNamara, born 1884), and a girl (the other servant, Margaret Carmody) minding a baby (John McNamara, born June 1886). There was a lamp lighting in the kitchen, and it was hung opposite the door. There were no shutters on the window. After Michael M’Namara died I went out to call John M’Namara (Thady). That was about a quarter of an hour after M’Namara was shot. He lives at the Cross of Euoch [Enagh].
When as far as the gate of the long field on the way to John M’Namara’s house, did you hear or see anything: I heard a voice saying, “Go back, Bid Gleeson, or if you don’t you will be sorry for it.”
When you looked into the field did you see any shadow? I did not wait to see anything. I was afraid of my life. I had no sight in my eyes, for I saw murder before me.
When before the coroner you stated you saw two shadows? I don’t know if they were shadows or trees. If I took seven oaths I don’t know but that they were trees, because it was as dark as pitch.
Was it not inside the gate you saw the shadows? Yes, I don’t know whether it was trees or shadow I saw, if my father’s life was on it, or that I took seven oaths.
The witness was not cross-examined.
Margaret M’Namara, wife of the previous witness’s employer, gave corroborative evidence. . .
“The Late Murder in Clare”, Weekly Irish Times, Wednesday, 15 September 1886
From this later testimony it is now clear who is who. The employer of the murdered Michael McNamara was
John McNamara (1847 – 1928) of Killanena townland married to
Margaret Walsh (1857 – 1926). The cousin of John McNamara (1847 – 1928) that Bridget Gleeson was ordered to notify was
John McNamara (1850 – 1900) married to
Penelope Mullins (1853 – 1935) of Enagh Cross in Killanena townland. John McNamara (1850 – 1900) was the son of
Timothy "Thady" McNamara (≈1797 - 1899).
John McNamara (1850 – 1900) and Penelope Mullins (1853 – 1935) had a son named Timothy in 1880. Sheila, you may recall back in July 2021, on page 31 of this thread, when this McNamara family was investigated in the search for the Timothy McNamara who had been working on the Key West Extension railway in Florida and drowned and was eaten by sharks in July of 1917. Timothy born in 1880 died in 1889, and the identity of the Timothy McNamara of County Clare eaten by sharks is still a mystery. But it is amazing that a newspaper article from an 1886 murder investigation would provide the evidence that two McNamara families, one that had been previously researched, were related.
Despite being born three years apart, John McNamara (1847 – 1928) and John McNamara (1850 – 1900), both of Killanena townland, were not first cousins, but I reckon first cousins once removed. Timothy McNamara (≈1797 – 1899) was in his fifties when his son John was born in 1850.
Timothy McNamara (≈1797 – 1899) and
Roger McNamara (≈1772 – 1864), the grandfather, I reckon, of John McNamara (1847 – 1928), were
likely brothers, thus creating the cousin relationship noted at the time of Michael McNamara’s murder in 1886. When future evidence becomes available on-line, such as land records and the early civil death records from 1864 to 1870, it may further support this theory or disprove it.
Further evidence that Roger McNamara and Timothy McNamara were indeed brothers, under the family tree construction below, is that they both appear to have had a first born son named John McNamara. There was a John McNamara of Killenena townland in Clonlea Parish in the Tithe Applotment Books, dated 1 March 1827; the land valuation was £21.
http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarc ... _00100.pdf
Possible further evidence can be found in the Clonlea graveyard transcriptions (County Clare library), although no townland was reported and Rodger McNamara is a very common name in the other townlands surrounding Killanena:
If the headstone did in fact relate to the McNamara’s of Killanena, then the Roger McNamara who died in 1804 (say, born in 1710 or 1720), and who was the father of a John McNamara and a Rodger McNamara, then, I reckon, this John McNamara (say, born in 1750) could have been the father of Rodger McNamara (≈1772 – 1864) and Timothy McNamara (≈1797 – 1899). This created the cousin relationship when Michael McNamara was murdered on the evening of 31 August 1886 and the servant Bridget Gleeson was ordered by John McNamara to go to his cousin, John McNamara (Thady), of Enagh Cross, Killanena townland, Kilkishen.
At the coroner inquest for Michael McNamara, the location of John McNamara’s cousin was stated to be at Enagh, “about fifteen perches from the house”. One perch equals 21 feet. 15 perches would be 315 feet (or 96 meters), about the length of one American football field. Looking at the map that accompanies the 1855 Griffith Valuation report, the home of Timothy McNamara at Plot 8 at Enagh Cross in Killanena was just down the road from Roger McNamara and Michael McNamara of Plots 9abc. Visually looking at the map, and using their metric scale, I’d say it was closer to 150 meters or about 23 perches. The two-story stone house of Plot 9 where Michael McNamara was murdered in 1886 is still in existence today.
1.0 Roger McNamara (≈1772 – 1864) and wife Mary (≈1805 – 1871)
In the Tithe Applotment Books, dated 1 March 1827, there was a Roger McNamara at Kilenenagh townland in Clonlea Parish. The total valuation of his land was £32. However, this holding probably relates to the Rodger McNamara who died in 1836, per headstone transcription noted above.
At 1855 Griffith Valuation, Roger McNamara held Plot 9ac in Killanena (Clonlea); houses, offices, & land; lessor Henry Thomas Baylee; over 24 acres; valuation £18 and 5 shillings. At Plot 9b, Michael McNamara held a house, office & land, just 1 rood, valued at £1 and 15 shillings. Michael McNamara also held Plots 4ABC of “Land (See also 9b)” of about 34 acres, valued at £22. Most likely, I reckon, Michael McNamara was the son of Roger McNamara. See way below: 1.2 Michael McNamara (≈1816 – 1880).
Roger McNamara of Kilenenagh [Killanena] died on 1 April 1864 per the Clonlea Death Register (1843-1878). Per the civil death index, Roger McNamara died in 1864 at the age of 92 years. When the civil death record becomes available on-line, the informant’s name will be interesting and possibly confirm that Michael McNamara was indeed his son. Also, that Roger McNamara’s marital status in 1864 was “married”.
The “Widow McNamara” of Killenena died on 24 November 1871 per the Clonlea Death Register (1843-1878). Since after 1864, the civil death record must exist, but with no first name it was not easy to discover. “Mary Mack”, of Enagh, a widow of a labourer, died on 1 December 1871, informant
Michael McNamara of Killanenagh reported on 21 December 1871 (Tulla registration).
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 281053.pdf
Roger McNamara (≈1772 – 1864) and wife
Mary (≈1805 – 1871) were likely the parents of at least two sons, and likely daughters (several McNamara women of Killanena were married prior to 1864 in the O’Callaghan marriage register, however, I did not research).
.................. 1.1 John McNamara (≈1815 - <1855)
First born son named after his paternal grandfather. With a son born about 1850, John McNamara would have been born prior to the 1835 start of the O’Callaghan Mills baptism register. I could find no record for this John McNamara other than the 1889 marriage record of a Daniel McNamara of Killanena in which John was reported as his father. I believe that John McNamara died prior to 1855 Griffith Valuation.
Was John McNamara the “McNamara” who died of fever at Enagh Cross on 2 May 1849 per the Clonlea Death Register (1843-1878)?
Who was the Catherine McNamara at Griffith Valuation in Killanena townland Plot 7b, immediate lessor reported as “Free”, of a house with a valuation of 15 shillings? Was she the widow of John McNamara? Who does Plot 7b in Killanena get transferred to?
Who was the Mary McNamara at Griffith Valuation in Killanena townland Plot 5b, adjacent to the James McNamara in Plots 5ac? Combined acreage only 1 acre, 2 roods, and 30 perches; James with a valuation of only £1, and Mary with a valuation of 15 shillings. Was Mary McNamara the widow of John McNamara? Who does their land transfer to?
................................ 1.1.1 Daniel McNamara (≈1849? ≈1852? – 1924)
No baptism record has been discovered. When Daniel McNamara married in 1889 his wife was much younger than him. Daniel’s year of birth varied from 1858 when he married at the reported age of 31 in 1889, to census reports and his death record reflecting a birth in 1852. Entirely possible that Daniel was born in 1849, and his father was the “McNamara” who died of fever at Enagh Cross on 2 May 1849. This would explain why Daniel McNamara appears to have had no siblings.
Daniel McNamara and his bride married in Limerick outside their respective home parishes in Clare. Not sure why this would be done.
Daniel McNamara, “age 31”, farmer, of Killanena, Kilkishen,
son of John McNamara, married
Margaret Bugler, “age 18”,
daughter of James Bugler, of [difficult to read townland] in Mount Shannon, on 9 March 1889 at the church of the Immaculate Conception in Limerick; witnesses Rody McNamara and Pat Bugler.
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 911988.pdf
Margaret Bugler was born on 5 September 1866 to James Bugler and Bridget Fahy of [difficult to read townland] in Mount Shannon (Scariff registration). Her parents had five children baptized in the Clonrush Parish baptism register (1846-1880), but no baptisms were reported in the register from November 1865 to November 1866, the period when Margaret Bugler was born.
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 288569.pdf
At the coroner investigation regarding the death of Michael McNamara of Killanena in 1886, Constable James Cochrane deposed that he was on patrol duty on the night of the murder, accompanied by Constable Riordan. Walking toward the direction of shots heard on the evening of the 31 August 1886 they “met two persons—Daniel and Michael M’Namara—coming towards them for the police”.
Daniel McNamara, of Kilanena, married, 71 years old, farmer, died on 21 June 1924; informant his daughter, Mary McNamara (Scariff registration). Margaret McNamara, of Kilanena, widow of a farmer, 70 years old, died on 30 January 1932; informant daughter Mary McNamara (Scariff registration).
Daniel McNamara (≈1852 – 1924) and
Margaret Bugler (1866 – 1932) of Killanena were the parents of eight children:
<Killanena, Kilkishen, House 1, House 9>
................................................. 1.1.1.1 John Joseph McNamara (age 11 in 1901), of Enagh, was born on 2 April 1890 (Tulla registration).
<Killanena, Kilkishen, House 1, House 9>
JOHN McNAMARA of Killanena, Co. Clare, was tried by a District Court-Martial held at Limerick on 11th October, 1920, under Reg. 79 R.O.I.R. The accused who was not legally represented pleaded not guilty.
The evidence showed that at Killanena on 17th September 1920, a printed document when the house in which accused lived was searched a document was found entitled “Handbook No. 1, an introduction to Volunteer Training, Irish Republican Army, Official Publication.” The accused stated he had taken no part in the Volunteer Movement the four or five years and had never seen the document before . . .[unclear]. . . but it probably belonged to his brother or sister who went to [unclear words] or five years ago. The [unclear words] found guilty and sentenced to imprisonment without [unclear] for 4 months.
Ireland, Courts Martial Files, 1916-1922 (per ancestry website)
John McNamara, age 30, of “Killenona, Kilkeshen, Co. Clare”, was admitted to Kilkenny Jail on 7 October 1920 on the charge of “Retoration of Order in Ireland Seditions Literature”. Source: Ireland Prison Registers, 1790-1924.
................................................. 1.1.1.2 Bridget “Celia” McNamara (age 8 in 1901), of Enagh, was born on 8 January 1893 (Tulla registration).
<Killanena, Kilkishen, House 1, House 9>
................................................. 1.1.1.3 James Mathew McNamara (age 6 in 1901), of Enagh, was born on 11 May 1894 (Tulla registration).
<Killanena, Kilkishen, House 1, House 9>
................................................. 1.1.1.4 William McNamara (age 4 in 1901) <Killanena, Kilkishen, House 1, House 9>
................................................. 1.1.1.5 Mary McNamara (age 3 in 1901) <Killanena, Kilkishen, House 1, House 9>
................................................. 1.1.1.6 Josephine McNamara (age 0 in 1901) <Killanena, Kilkishen, House 1, House 9>
................................................. 1.1.1.7 Kathleen McNamara (age 7 in 1911) <Killanena, Kilkishen, x, House 9>
................................................. 1.1.1.8 Unknown McNamara
.................. 1.2 Michael McNamara (≈1816 – 1880)
Michael McNamara was born prior to the 1835 start of the O’Callaghan Mills baptism register. He was married to
Mary Malone sometime about 1840, but likely in a neighboring parish with no marriage records (or I missed finding it).
See land holdings at 1855 Griffith Valuation as noted under “1.0 Roger McNamara” above.
Michael McNamara was likely the informant in 1871 when “Mary Mack” of Killena died in 1871.
Michael McNamara of “Killennind” last paid for an annual dog license for his male grey sheep dog for the year ending 31 March 1880 (Six Mile Bridge courthouse dog register).
Michael McNamara, of Enagh, farmer, married, age 64, died on 27 November 1880; informant Marie McNamara, not stated, but his wife (per Tulla civil registration, reported as Galway in error). Mary Malone McNamara died between 1880 and 1901, possibly at a workhouse which acted as a hospital in later decades. She was not mentioned as being at the house of her son John McNamara on the night of 31 August 1886 when Michael McNamara was murdered. Thus, likely Mary Malone McNamara died sometime between 1880 and 1886.
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 856147.pdf
Michael McNamara (≈1816 – 1880) and
Mary Malone (≈1820? – < 1901) of Killanena were the parents of five children between 1843 and 1850:
................................ 1.2.1 Bridget McNamara (1843 – after 1901), “B. McNamara”, no residence reported, was baptized in December 1843; sponsors Rody McNamara and M. McNamara (O’Callaghan Mills baptisms, 1835-1850). The sponsors were likely her grandparents.
Bridget McNamara, of Kilenenagh, daughter of farmer Michael McNamara, married
Thomas Hanly, of Derrymore, a widower, son of farmer Robert Hanly, on 23 January 1875, at the Catholic chapel at Kilkishen, by the parish priest Patrick Quaid, witnesses Daniel McNamara and Mary Anne McNamara.
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 103654.pdf
There is no corresponding Catholic marriage record in 1875 in the O’Callaghan Mills parish register. There are just three marriage entries in 1875, followed by the comment “Rev. Denis Cleary appointed P.P. of O’Callaghan Mills, June 26, 1875”. The documentation of their marriage may have been lost in transition of the parish priest.
https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls ... 6/mode/1up
When married in 1875, the widower Thomas Hanly of Derrymore Carmody (Tulla parish) had previously fathered eight children with Bridget Bingham from 1855 to 1872.
Thomas Hanly (≈1826 – 1886) and
Bridget McNamara (1843 – after 1901) don’t appear to have had any children of their own. Bridget Hanly (age 55) was living with her sister, Elizabeth Donnellon, in the 1901 census. Her later whereabouts after 1901 are unknown.
<Clashduff, Kilkishen, House 5, unknown>
................................ 1.2.2 Elizabeth McNamara (1848 – 1935), of Enagh, was baptized on 29 June 1845; sponsors Daniel McNamara and Bridget ___gane (O’Callaghan Mills baptisms, 1835-1850).
Eliza McNamara, of Enagh, daughter of Michael McNamara, married
Patrick Donnellon, age 35, son of farmer Timothy Donnellon, on 28 May 1885 at the Catholic chapel of O’Callaghan Mills, by the curate Denis O’Brien; witnesses Frederick Boyle and Maria McNamara (O’Callaghan Mills marriages, 1835-1881).
Patrick Donnellan (≈1840 - 1900) and
Elizabeth McNamara (1848 – 1935) of Clashduff were the parents of two daughters, but still managed to keep their land in the Donnellan name for the next generation:
<Clashduff, Kilkishen, House 5, House 5>
................................................. 1.2.2.2 Mary Teresa Donnellan (age 16 in 1901)
Mary Teresa Donnellon, of Clashduff, daughter of Patrick Donnellon, married
Cornelius Donnellon, of Clashduff, son of Patrick Donnellon [and Mary Anne Fitzgerald per 1884 birth record], on 19 February 1908, at the Catholic church at O’Callaghan Mills, by the parish priest Denis Cleary; witnesses Patrick Donlon and Bridget Cecelia Donlon (Tulla civil registration).
<Clashduff, Kilkishen, House 5, House 5>
............................................................... 1.2.2.2.1 Patrick Donnellan (age 2 in 1911)
............................................................... 1.2.2.2.2 Elizabeth Donnellan (age 1 in 1911)
................................................. 1.2.2.3 Bridget Donnellan (age 12 in 1901) <Clashduff, Kilkishen, House 5, House 5>
................................ 1.2.3 John McNamara (1847 – 1928), of Kilenena, was baptized on 21 February 1847; sponsors Henry Carmody and Margaret Malone (O’Callaghan Mills baptisms, 1835-1850).
John McNamara, of Kilkishen (parish), “age 25”, son of farmer Michael McNamara, married
Margaret Walsh, of Cratloe, age 24, daughter of farmer James Walsh, on 18 February 1882 at the Catholic chapel at Cratloe by the parish priest H O’Farrel; witnesses Rody McNamara and Mary Anne Naughton (Limerick registration).
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 007248.pdf
On the evening of 31 August 1886, Michael McNamara, a laborer working for John McNamara, was murdered. John McNamara ordered his servant, Bridget Gleeson, to go to his cousin, John McNamara, at Enagh Cross. Bridget Gleeson and Mrs. Margaret McNamara testified at the magisterial investigation in Limerick on 14 September 1886.
“Margaret Walsh-Byrnes” was baptized on 11 February 1857, parents James Walsh-Byrnes and Mary Sitright of Cratloe, per Cratloe parish baptisms (1857-1877). The unusual dual surname of the baptism record solved the perplexing mystery why the first two children of
John McNamara (1847 – 1928) and
Margaret Walsh (1857 – 1926) had the mother’s maiden name as “Walsh” and the youngest three as “Burns”.
<Killenana, Kilkishen, House 2, House 8>
................................................. 1.2.3.1 Michael McNamara (age 16 in 1901), of Enagh, was born on 8 July 1884, mother reported as “Margaret Walsh” per informant, the midwife Bridget Turner.
<Killenana, Kilkishen, House 2, House 8>
................................................. 1.2.3.2 John McNamara (age 14 in 1901), of Enagh, was born on 22 June 1886, mother reported as “Margaret Walsh” per informant, the midwife Bridget Turner.
<Killenana, Kilkishen, House 2, House 8>
................................................. 1.2.3.3 Bridget McNamara (age 12 in 1901), of Enagh, born on 3 December 1887, mother reported as “Margaret Burns” by informant, father John McNamara.
<Killenana, Kilkishen, House 2, House 8>
................................................. 1.2.3.4 James McNamara (age 10 in 1901), of Enagh, born on 2 January 1891, mother reported as “Margaret Burns” by informant, the midwife Bridget Turner.
<Killenana, Kilkishen, House 2, x>
................................................. 1.2.3.5 Margaret McNamara (age 8 in 1901), of Enagh, born on 5 September 1892, mother reported as “Margaret Burns” according to informant, the midwife Bridget Turner.
<Killenana, Kilkishen, House 2, House 8>
................................................. 1.2.3.6 Unknown McNamara, parents of 6 children, 6 surviving per 1911 census.
................................ 1.2.4 Mary McNamara (1849 – unknown), of Enagh, was baptized on 4 May 1849; sponsors James Egan and Margaret Malone (O’Callaghan Mills baptisms, 1835-1850).
................................ 1.2.5 Margaret McNamara (1850 – unknown), of Enagh, was baptized on 20 September 1850; sponsors Daniel McNamara & Margaret McNamara (O’Callaghan Mills baptisms, 1835-1850).
*** below family tree based on research completed on page 31 back in July 2021, only renumbering and reformatting and minor changes:
2.0 Timothy "Teady" McNamara (≈1797 – 1899) and Margaret Mason of Killanena Townland
In 1855 Griffiths Valuation for Killanena townland in the Parish of Clonlea, Timothy McNamara has leased plots 8A and 8B; houses, offices & land; lessor Henry Thomas Baylee; about 10 acres with a valuation of £9 and 10 shillings. The location of his residence, and that of his descendants, was often given as neighboring Enagh townland. Timothy McNamara's Plot 8A in Killanena townland included the north and west quadrants of "Enagh Cross", the intersection of two roads which form an "X" on maps.
Timothy McNamara, at Kilanena, widower, farmer, 102 years old, died on 12 December 1899; informant son John McNamara of Kilanena (Tulla civil registration). The age of 102 was circled by a reviewer as perhaps the age was considered unlikely. Was Timothy McNamara born around 1797? Mary McNamara was born to Timothy McNamara and Margaret Mason in 1848, when Timothy would have been about 50 years old. Timothy would have been 60 years old when youngest son Michael was born in 1858. Possible of course, but I reckon probably an exaggeration of at least a few years.
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 633595.pdf
Timothy "Teady" McNamara (≈1797 - 1899) and
Margaret Mason (≈1820? ≈1830? - before 1899) of Killanena (at Enagh Cross) were the parents of five children between 1848 and 1855:
Their first born son, although with no marriage record this is an assumption, appears to be John McNamara, born in 1850 in Killenanagh. In the Tithe Applotment Books, dated 1 March 1827, there was a John McNamara at Kilenenagh townland in Clonlea Parish, possibly the father of Timothy McNamara.
.................. 2.1 Mary McNamara (1848 – unknown), of Killenena, baptized on 20 March 1848; sponsors Patt Grace, Betty Mason.
.................. 2.2 John McNamara (1850 – 1900), of Killenagh, unclear record (only traces of "J" and top loop of "h" are visible), baptized on 27 (?) July 1850; sponsors John O'Brien, Ellen Mason.
John McNamara, farmer, of Enagh, son of farmer Timothy McNamara, married Penelope Mullins, of Enagh, daughter of farmer John Mullins (and Mary Marinan per 1853 baptism) on 29 September 1877 at the RC chapel at O'Callaghan Mills; witnesses John Carmody, Ellen Murphy. John McNamara, at Enagh, farmer, married, age 49 years, died on 21 March 1900 (only three months after his "102" year old father); informant son James McNamara.
<Killenana, Kilkishen, House 3, House 10> Penelope McNamara, widow of a farmer, age "70 years" (in fact, 82 years old based upon baptism and consistent with 1901 and 1911 census age), died at Enagh on 29 March 1935; informant son Timothy McNamara of Enagh.
John McNamara and Penelope Mullins were witnesses at the February 1877 marriage of Michael McNamara (of Enagh, son of Thomas McNamara) and Penelope Gleeson (of New Park, daughter of John Gleeson). So there were two Penelope McNamara's living in the same neighborhood which could be confusing. See family tree in my prior posting.
When Michael McNamara was murdered on the evening of 31 August 1886, his employer, John McNamara ordered his servant, Bridget Gleeson, to go to John McNamara (Thady) at Enagh Cross about 15 perches away. The fact that the top priority was to notify John McNamara (Thady) of Enagh Cross, as well as John McNamara and Penelope Mullins being the witnesses at the 1877 marriage of Michael McNamara to Penelope Gleeson, point to a very close relationship.
John McNamara (1850 – 1900) and
Penelope Mullins (1853 – 1935) of Enagh Cross in Killanena townland were the parents of eight children:
................................ 2.2.1 Mary Anne "Marion" McNamara (1878 – 1959 in Chicago), of Killenenagh, baptized on 23 August 1878; sponsors Michael Carmody, Anastasia Carmody.
Arrived in USA in 1900 per 1920 census. Marion McNamara, "age 23", married
Patrick T. Harrington, "age 24", on 3 October 1906 in Chicago. The Harrington family were living in Chicago on Crawford Avenue in 1920; and North Talman Avenue in 1930. Marion Harrington died in September 1959. Obituary stated "fond brother of James"; surviving children included two nuns (
Chicago Tribune, 4 September 1959).
................................................. 2.2.1.1 Margaret Harrington (age 12 in 1920 census)
................................................. 2.2.1.2 Elizabeth Harrington (age 11 in 1920 census). Sister Mary Patricine, B.V.M.
................................................. 2.2.1.3 Baby Boy Harrington (died in infancy in 1910)
................................................. 2.2.1.4 Marion Harrington (age 8 in 1920 census)
................................................. 2.2.1.5 Genevieve Harrington (age 7 in 1920 census). Sister Mary Judette, B.V.M.
................................................. 2.2.1.6 Loretta Harrington (age 5 in 1920 census)
................................................. 2.2.1.7 Adelaide Harrington (age 3 in 1920 census)
................................................. 2.2.1.8 James Harrington (1920 - 1922)
................................................. 2.2.1.9 John Harrington (age 8 in 1930 census)
................................ 2.2.2 Timothy McNamara (1880 – 1889), of Killenenagh, baptized on 17 August 1880; sponsors James Mullins, Ellen Murphy. Tulla civil birth registration states residence as Enagh.
Timothy McNamara, age six years, son of a farmer, of Enagh, died of whooping cough on 3 January 1889; informant father John McNamara.
................................ 2.2.3 Michael McNamara (1882 – 1926), of Enagh, born on 13 September 1882 (Tulla registration); informant Bridget Turner of Kilkishen (a midwife in 1901 census).
<Killenana, Kilkishen, House 3, House 10>
................................ 2.2.4 John McNamara (1885 – < 1911), of Killenena, born on 1 February 1885 (Tulla registration); informant Mary Curtin of Killeen (the midwife).
<Killenana, Kilkishen, House 3, x>
Mrs. Penelope McNamara reported in 1911 that she was the mother of eight children, and six children were surviving. Since all other siblings were accounted for, John McNamara must have died between 1901 and 1911, but only if the 1911 census was accurate as far as "children living".
................................ 2.2.5 James McNamara (1887 – 1966 in Chicago), of Enagh, born on 20 August 1887 (Tulla civil registration). Informant on death record of father in 1900 (only 13 years old?).
<Killenana, Kilkishen, House 3, x>
Unknown location in 1911. James McNamara, age 33, single, of Kilkishen, left Queenstown and arrived in New York on the
SS Carmania on 25 February 1921; mother Penelope "McCarthy" (a clerk's mistake, several McCarthy's were directly below on the passenger listing); going to sister Mrs. P.T. Harrington of 948 N. Lockwood Ave., Chicago. Declared to become a U.S. citizen on 28 May 1921. Per 1927 U.S. naturalization, wife
Mary Gorman was born in Ireland on 22 September 1900; one witness was Cornelius Doherty (his brother-in-law). 1966 obituary: "James McNamara, beloved husband of Mary, nee Gorman; loving father of Marguerite and the late Mary Ellen; dear brother of Timothy of Ireland, and the late Marion Harrington, and Margaret Doherty. . . Resurrection church . . . Holy Sepulchre cemetery" (
Chicago Tribune, 17 January 1966).
................................................. 2.2.5.1 Mary Ellen McNamara, born in Chicago on 7 December 1926 per father's U.S. naturalization papers dated 17 October 1927. Died in Chicago on 29 March 1928.
................................................. 2.2.5.2 Margaret McNamara, (born in Illinois; age 2 in 1930 census)
................................ 2.2.6 Margaret "Gretta" McNamara (1890 – 1924 in Chicago), of Enagh, born on 10 February 1890 (Tulla registration); informant Bridget Turner of Kilkishen (a midwife in the 1901 census).
<Killenana, Kilkishen, House 3, House 10>
Gretta McNamara, age 21, single, of Killenana, left Queenstown and arrived in New York on the
SS Caronia on 13 July 1913; mother Penelope McNamara of Killenena, Kilkishen; going to sister Marion Harrington of Chicago. Married
Cornelius Doherty in Chicago on 18 January 1917 (see note * below). Obituary: "Margaret A. Doherty, nee McNamara, beloved wife of Cornelius, fond mother of Ellen, Cecilia, John A., and James E., sister of Mrs. P.T. Harrington, and James McNamara, born in Kilkishen, County Clare, Ireland. Funeral Monday, April 28 . . . Our Lady of Angels Church . . ." (
Chicago Tribune, 27 April 1924, page 10).
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/191 ... a.-doherty
................................................. 2.2.6.1 Helen Doherty (age 2 in 1920)
................................................. 2.2.6.2 John A. Doherty (age 0 in 1920)
................................................. 2.2.6.3 Cecilia Doherty (per above obit)
................................................. 2.2.6.4 James E. Doherty (per above obit)
................................ 2.2.7 Ellen McNamara (1892 – after 1911), of Enagh, born on 23 July 1892 (Tulla registration).
<Killenana, Kilkishen, House 3, House 10>
................................ 2.2.8 Timothy McNamara (1895 – after 1935), of Enagh, born on 23 March 1895, mother reported as "Mary Mullins" (Tulla registration); informant Bridget Turner of Kilkishen, a midwife .
<Killenana, Kilkishen, House 3, House 10> Timothy was informant in 1935 on death record of mother Penelope McNamara.
.................. 2.3 Margaret McNamara (1853 – unknown), of Killinena, baptized on 2 April 1853; sponsors James Mullins, Margaret Tracy (?).
.................. 2.4 Timothy McNamara (1855 – unknown), of Killenena, baptized on 13 June 1855; sponsors John McNamara, Mary White.
.................. 2.5 Michael McNamara (1858 – unknown), of Killonena, baptized on 27 March 1858; sponsors Michael McNamara, Honora Hallinan.
***************************************
The motive for the murder of Michael McNamara in 1886 that was initially reported by the newspapers at the time of the coroner’s inquest was that “the only reason assigned for the perpetration of the deed is that he was suspected of having given information that led to the arrest of a man who was convicted of a savage assault at Newmarket-on-Fergus”. How likely was that to be the true motive for the murder?
To be continued,