Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

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Jimbo
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Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Jimbo » Wed Feb 06, 2019 1:16 am

Hi Sheila,

Thanks again for bringing up Miles McNamara of Glandree which led to the interesting debate in the Irish American Weekly on Irish soldiers who fought in the British military. This also led me to consider the motives for the missing Thomas McNamara of Glandree to enlist in the Union Army in the American Civil War. It certainly was not uncommon in the 19th century for Irish Catholics in County Clare to enlist with the British military. Thomas would have known of many such men as well as the stories of pensioners who had fought in the far reaches of the British empire. Growing up in this environment may have played a part in his own enlistment during the American Civil War.

Now getting back to your comment (from page 14) about who this missing Thomas McNamara might be:
The Tithe Applotment Books show just one And’w McNamara in Glendree, who I think must be Andrew (1802-1867) married to Margaret Clancy, and just one Andrew McNamara in Uggoon, who I think must be Andrew (1789-1869) married to Bridget McNamara. And I think there is a very good chance that Thomas is related to one, or other of these Andrews, because, as I’ve mentioned a couple of times already, an Andrew McNamara is witness at the marriage of Johanna (Mary?) McNamara to James Madigan (1860). Now it’s possible that Thomas’s father is not an Andrew, but, rather, a brother of one of those Andrews.
I also believe that the father of the missing Thomas McNamara might be a brother of either Andrew McNamara (1802-1867) of Glandree or Andrew McNamara (1789-1869) of Uggoon. I was looking at records on ancestry and family search for Andrew McNamara and noticed that the civil registration death records for Andrew McNamara of Uggoon have varying dates:

Family Search states that Andrew died on 6 January 1869 in Uggoon at the age of 89, so born about 1780: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... print=true

On ancestry.com, the civil registration death index states that Andrew McNamara, registration district Tulla, died in 1859, at the age of 89, so born about 1770. I believe the civil registration of deaths started in 1864, so this one must be a typo between 1859 and 1869. But still the age is 89 years old.

Sheila, could you please double check the death record that you obtained from the GRO (see page 9 of this thread, posting on 18th October) which had Andrew McNamara's death in Uggoon on 6 January 1869, at the age of 80 (so born about 1789). On a second look could this be age 89 years old?

Sduddy
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Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Sduddy » Wed Feb 06, 2019 3:11 pm

Hi Jim

That GRO record of the death of Andrew McNamara (that I received in October) gives the date of death as 06.01.1869, age as 89, address as Uggoon and informant as Bridget McNamara, present at death, Uggoon.

The record for other Andrew McNamara, who died in 05.02.1867, I was given in Sandfield House in Ennis. He was aged 65, his address is Glendree and the informant is Andrew McNamara, present at death, Glendree.
I think it’s safe to say that this second Andrew is Andrew who was married to Margaret Clancy, and that the Andrew who reported his death is his son who married Margaret McEvoy.

Sheila
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Jimbo
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Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Jimbo » Fri Feb 08, 2019 6:38 am

Hi Sheila,

Thanks very much for checking the GRO record to confirm that Andrew McNamara was indeed 89 years old when he died on 6 January 1869 - so most likely he was born in 1779. His wife Bridget McNamara was born about 1793, thus a fair bit younger than Andrew. Their marriage was prior to the 1819 start of the Tulla parish marriage records, but Andrew was likely over 30 years old when he married. What was he getting up to in his 20's? My suspicion is that as a young man this Andrew McNamara had enlisted with the British military. There were certainly many such opportunities for Andrew with the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815) or perhaps with a regiment that was sent to Canada.

From the article on the Clare Militia by Kieran Kennedy in The Other Clare that provided an estimate of 30,000 men from County Clare enlisting, I reckon during the period of the Napoleonic Wars that the numbers were far higher than the annual average of 250 calculated for the period 1793 to prior to WWI. In 1793 the British army had only 40,000 soldiers and at its era peak in 1813 had grown to 250,000 soldiers.

I found five Irishmen named "Andrew McNamara" who had fought with the British military in the late 18th and early decades of the 19th century. Only one was definitely born in County Clare, but have listed them all below:

1) Andrew McNamara, 60th Regiment of Foot. From the Regimental Register of Pensioners dated 7 December 1791, this Andrew was 46 years old, born in "Geashill, Kings County" about 1745. During this Andrew's 24 years of service, he likely saw action when the 60th Foot fought in the American Revolutionary War.

2) Andrew McNamara, 60th Regiment of Foot. From the "1792-1821 Certificates of Service" is a scrappy piece of paper that states Andrew McNamara of the 60th Regiment (what looks like "6()" was transcribed by ancestry.com as "11th Foot" in error). The purpose of the small paper appears to calculate his pension as it states "To have 1p p[er] day from 25 Dec 1806 to 24 June 1807 and from 25th July 1808 to 19th Nov 1812 and from 20 Nov 1812 to 24th June 1815". During this time period, Andrew likely fought with the 60th Foot in the Peninsular War. But can find no other pension documents to determine where and when this Andrew McNamara was born.

3) Andrew McNamara, 88th Regiment of Foot. From his statement of service dated August 1817, this Andrew was 32 years old (born about 1785) and had over 12 years of service. He had defective vision in both eyes which led to his early discharge at Edinburgh Castle in 1817. Andrew of the 88th Foot was born in Loughrea, Galway.

4) Andrew McNamara, 88th Regiment of Foot. From the Regimental Register of Pensions of August 1816 lists Andrew's residence as Castlebar, County Mayo. This soldier could be the same Andrew #3 born in Galway?

5) Andrew McNamara, 7th Dragoon Guards. From the "Canada, British Regimental Register of Service" of July 1796, this Andrew was born in "Tells, Clare" per the transcription and enlisted at the age of 22, so born about 1774. He was 5 foot 9 inches, dark hair, grey eyes, and fair complexion. I could not find a "Tells" in County Clare, and in viewing the original record the scribbled handwriting could easily be "Tulla, Clare". If he had just enlisted at the age of 18 years old, he would be a perfect match for the Andrew McNamara of Uggoon who lived from 1779 to 1869. There was no pension record for this Andrew McNamara; perhaps there are records somewhere providing evidence that he remained in Canada at the end of his service or did he return to Ireland?

So rather inconclusive if Andrew McNamara of Uggoon had served with the British military, but there is a possibility that he could be Andrew #2 of the 60th Foot or Andrew #5 of the 7th Dragoon Guards. Certainly in digging into these Napoleonic era records you really get the sense that it was it was not uncommon for Irishmen to enlist with the British military in the first decades of the 19th century. I read that the Duke of Wellington's troops in the Peninsular War were 40% Irish born. Unlike the Irish who fought in India where I could not find any specific history books on the topic, there are many books and articles written about the Irish soldiers who fought on both sides in the Napoleonic Wars. Two recent books on the topic are (1) "Irish Soldiers in Europe, 17th - 19th Century" by George B. Clark (2010); (2) "Irish Brigades Abroad: From the Wild Geese to the Napoleonic Wars" by Stephen McGarry (2014).

Sduddy
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Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Sduddy » Fri Feb 08, 2019 1:27 pm

Hi Jim

From the very little that I’ve read on this subject, I gather that until about 1750 Irishmen were more likely to go to France or Spain or Austria and join regiments in those countries than to join the British army. A great many of Irish Catholics in the first half of the 18th century would have supported the Jacobite cause. They would have seen themselves as enlisting in the rightful English army and those who were given uniforms insisted that they should be red – Kieran Kennedy says that when the rank and file was issued grey uniforms they dyed them red (but some historians say that red was worn by several regiments from other countries serving the French side and not exclusively by the Irish). The failure of the Jacobite cause after 1746 (Culloden) led to a fall off in recruitment to French/Spanish regiments. At the same time there was a relaxation of the Penal Law which had prohibed Irish Catholics from joining the British army. Whether this relaxation was in any way connected with the ripe harvest of men suitable for soldiering, I cannot say, but from that time on recruitment was mainly to the British army.
The year before he contributed the article on the Clare Militia (2002), Kieran Kennedy contributed an article to The Other Clare, Vol. 25, entitled "The Regiment of Clare 1689 -1775". This regiment is often called “Clare’s Dragoons” and was formed to support the Jacobite cause during the Williamite Wars in Ireland 1689-1691. When Lord Clare fled to France in 1691, his regiment went too (plus wives and children). From that time forward the regiment was in the service of France. Kennedy says that by 1775 it had been incorporated into the Berwick Regiment (the original Duke of Berwick was the natural son of King James).

Your list of Andrew McNamaras is interesting. It’s very likely that Tells is Tulla.
I looked for all the Andrew McNamaras in Ireland in Griffith’s and found only 15. I see that there is one in Ettagh in Kings County (Co. Offaly today), and there are 5 in Co. Mayo, 3 in Co. Roscommon and 1 in Limerick. Of the 5 in Co. Clare, 4 are in Tulla. Among those 4 in Tulla is Andrew of Uggoon, but, as you say, we do not know if he was the Andrew who served in the British military.

Thanks for those suggestions for further reading. At the moment I am departed from my usual area of interest, 19th century Ireland, and am reading Jacobite Ireland 1685-91, by J. G. Simms. It was published 50 years ago and written in a style that is a bit old fashioned, but I like it. It was bought in a second-hand bookshop a long time ago, but I was never interested enough to open it till now.

Sheila

edited 4 Jun 2023 to amend "Sheedy" to "Kennedy"
Last edited by Sduddy on Sun Jun 04, 2023 9:31 am, edited 1 time in total.

Jimbo
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Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Jimbo » Sun Feb 10, 2019 8:09 am

Sheila, thank you for your research (and of course, your transcriptions) into the Tulla baptisms back on page 14 that listed out all the 9 Andrew McNamara's baptized between 1819-1881:
12.08.1828: Andrew Mac of Andrew Mac and Bridget Mac, Uggoon; sponsors: Michael Sheedy, Mary Pepper.
18.04.1835: Andrew McNamara of Andrew McNamara and Bridget McNamara, Uggoon; sponsors: John Molony, Mary McNamara.
??.??.1841-42: Andrew of Andrew Sheedy McNamara and Peg Clancy, Glandree; sponsors: Bridget Rochford.
??.12.1843: Andrew of Martin McNamara and Bid Foley; sponsors: T. Jones, Ellen Hayes.
15.08.1856: Andrew of Mat McNamara and Judith O’Dea; sponsors: John McInerney, Bridget O’Dea
13.03.1857: Andrew of Michael McNamara and Margaret Halpin, Glendree; sponsors: Andrew McNamara, Bridget McNamara.
08.11.1871: Andrew of Andrew and Margaret McEvoy, Glendree; sponsors: Patrick McNamara, Catherine O’Neill [Patrick’s wife].
31.07.1875: Andrew of Andrew Mack and Bridget Kerucan, Bonavoree; sponsors: Patrick Kearney, Mary Kearney.
09.04.1877: Andrew of Patrick McNamara and Ellen McMahon, Glendree; sponsors: Martin McNamara, Mary Cooney.
To add to this list, an Andrew McNamara died in Tulla in 1884 at the age of 66, so born about 1818 just one year prior to the start of the baptism register:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... print=true

Sheila, as far as which Andrew McNamara was the witness at the 1860 marriage of James Madigan and Mary/Johanna McNamara (sister of the missing Thomas McNamara of Glandree), my theory is that it was the Andrew who was the closest in age to the bride and groom. James Madigan was baptized on 12 April 1841 to "James Mangan" and "Peg Costelloe". I believe Mary McNamara was baptized in 1840; her most likely parents were either (1) John McNamara and Bridget Coffey or (2) Michael McNamara and Bridget McNamara. So I reckon the Andrew McNamara, baptized in 1841/1842, parents Andrew Sheedy McNamara and Margaret Clanchy, is the most likely witness. My second choice would be the Andrew born in 1843 to Martin McNamara and Bridget Foley.

We know that the Andrew McNamara born in 1841/1842 married Margaret McEnvoy, had 7 children, lived in Glandree Plot 47 in Griffiths, and was kicked by his horse and died in 1902. We also know that a large number of evictions took place in Glandree in March 1882 carried out by Clifford Lloyd, although I believe Andrew McNamara was a tenant of Sir Robert Kane and not the Major William Mills Moloney mentioned in this article:
Evictions were carried out on March 1st and the day before at Glandree, a mountain district within three miles of Tulla. The eviction of some twenty seven families, about one hundred persons, took place on the estate of Major William Mills Moloney, Deputy Lieutenant, Kiltanon. It appeared that the tenants fell into arrears two years since. The eviction force consisted of forty men of the 31st Regiment, and a strong force under Clifford Lloyd. Lodgings were procured in the neighboring houses and in Tulla, and the members of the Ladies' Land League in Tulla were present, and administered whatever comfort lay in their power, and telegraphed to the Metropolitan League for wooden huts to shelter the homeless tenants. In the Tulla district beyond Feakle twenty five families were evicted, the greater number of whom sought shelter in the workhouse.
Irish American Weekly, New York, 25 March 1882
As stated above the Ladies' Land League provided assistance to those who were evicted on 1 March 1882. One Ladies' Land League member from Dublin had arrived in Tulla in January 1882:
A LADY LAND LEAGUER SENT TO GAOL.

Miss Bridget McCormack, a member of the Dublin Executive of the Ladies' Land League was arrested at Tulla on Friday, and sentenced to gaol for three months. She was followed by an immense crowd to the railway station, whence she was conveyed to Limerick, and lodged in Limerick Gaol. Three farmers - Denis and Michael Murphy, of Laharden, and Andrew McNamara, of Glendaree, who figured in the demonstration, were arrested, and also sent to Limerick Gaol for six months.

The Derby Mercury, Derbyshire, England, Wednesday, 25 January 1882
An article in the Daily News of London provided much greater detail on the incident. Fortunately, I also looked at the Irish American Weekly of New York which appears to have copied much of its article verbatim from the London newspaper. However, where the Daily News just briefly listed the three arrested men, the Irish American Weekly provided greater detail including a variation in the name of Andrew which raises a few questions.
THE WAR AGAINST WOMEN. MORE IRISH LADIES PROSECUTED.
Limerick, Jan. 20

Miss McCormack, of the Dublin Ladies' Land League, was brought into Limerick this morning from Ennis, under escort, and lodged in the city jail, on a committal signed by Mr. Clifford Lloyd, the Superior Stipendiary for the counties of Clare and Limerick. Miss McCormack was seen speaking yesterday in Tulla to an old woman who is about to be evicted from her farm, and shortly after a policeman entered the hotel and arrested her. The accused was taken to the police barracks, where Mr. Lloyd attended and took evidence, the charge against Miss McCormack being, it is stated, intimidation. She indignantly denied the charge, but in default of finding bail Miss McCormack was sentenced by Lloyd, to three months imprisonment. She refused to give bail. The occurrence created great excitement. A large crowd surrounded the barracks, and shouted repeatedly for Messrs Parnell and Davitt and the Land League. It was feared the people would attack the barracks. The police made a sortie and arrested several persons, who were brought before Mr. Lloyd, who sentenced three young men to six month's imprisonment. One, Mr. Sheedy, is a young man in delicate health, a brother-in-law of the Rev. C. Stuart, the respected curate of Miltown Malbay. The others are brothers, named Denis and Stephen Murphy. The excitement ran very high and one shot was fired, it is said, from the barracks. The prisoners were conveyed to Ennis under a strong escort and lodged in Limerick Jail, this morning.

Irish American Weekly, New York, 11 February 1882
At first I thought the arrested Andrew McNamara, also known as Andrew Sheedy, might be the Andrew Sheedy McNamara born 1841/1842, but he is clearly not. Those arrested were "young men", and Andrew Sheedy McNamara in 1882 would have been 40 years old. He was married with seven children, thus unlikely to be described as in "delicate health" but as a "farmer" with a large family. The arrested men were most likely single men, perhaps even out to impress Miss McCormack from Dublin? Who were they?

There is some confusion in the newspapers if the two Murphy's were the brothers "Denis and Stephen" or else "Denis and Michael" of Lahardan with no mention of being brothers. If Stephen is correct then he is the 45 year old "Publican General Grocer" living in House 23 in Tulla in the 1901 census, married with six children ages 17 to 6 years old. Stephen was baptized on 27 December 1855, the son of Michael Murphy and Catherine Molony of Lahardan, Tulla Parish. Stephen has several siblings, but I could not find one named Denis Murphy. There are three Murphy families living in Lahardan having children in the 1846-1862 Tulla baptism register; several boys baptized Michael as well as Daniel, but not a single Denis.

The "Rev. C. Stuart" is the Reverend Charles Stuart, age 46, R.C. Clergyman, living in House 1 in Goal Road in Ennis in the 1901 Census. Charles Stuart was baptized on 23 December 1854 in Ogonnelloe Parish, the son of Edmond Stuart and Bridget Minogue.

Most likely the arrested "Andrew Sheedy McNamara" was friends with the Murphy brothers and born about the same period 1855. So he could be either (1) Andrew born in 1856 to Mat McNamara and Judith O’Dea or (2) Andrew born in 1857 to Michael McNamara and Margaret Halpin of Glandree. Both these Andrews would be considered "young men" in 1882. I believe, but not 100% sure, that these two Andrews are first cousins. This would be the first time "Sheedy" was discovered to describe any of the children or grandchildren of Andrew McNamara (1879-1869) and Bridget McNamara (1793-1883) of Uggoon. Bridget McNamara of Uggoon was still living when her grandson was arrested, but which Andrew was he? One way to solve this mystery would be to determine how Andrew Sheedy is a brother-in-law to the Rev. Charles Stuart. In Ogonnelloe Parish baptism records (thank you, Jeff Fitzsimmons of Adelaide for the transcriptions), Edmond Stuart and Bridget Minogue had the following children: Charles (1855); Michael (1856); John (1862); Pat (1864); James (1865); Dominick (1867). Did one of the brothers of the Rev. Charles Stuart marry a McNamara from Glandree?

As far as Miss Bridget McCormack, after three months in jail she appears to have continued the Ladies' Land League fight in neighboring County Limerick. In the UK Parliamentary record dated 9 June 1882, a Mr. O'Sullivan asks the attorney general for Ireland if "he is aware of the fact that, on Wednesday last, while a young lady named McCormack was walking in company with two respectable married ladies in the town of Kilmallock, the head constable came up and demanded Miss McCormack's name, telling her at the time that she should leave the town; and, under what statute has a constable such power, and who directed him to take such summary proceedings?" Here is the complete response:

https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/1 ... ssMCormack

Here is an interesting article on Anna Parnell, sister of Charles Stewart Parnell, who founded the Ladies' Land League in January 1881: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Catherine_Parnell It appears that the Ladies' Land League didn't have any support from the gentlemen Land Leaguers once the men could renew campaigning; the Catholic clergy condemned them; and finally even Charles Stewart Parnell paid off their debts in exchange for their disbandment in August 1882. Anna Parnell's account of her Ladies' Land League years is told in "The Tale of a Great Sham" which finally found a publisher in 1986. Not sure what became of Bridget McCormack. The young woman from Dublin who fought for the rights of Tulla tenants, after 1882 her voice appears to have gone silent from the pages of Irish history.

Sduddy
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Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Sduddy » Sun Feb 10, 2019 5:23 pm

Brilliant work, Jim. That’s a most interesting piece.

The Andrew, who died in 1884 aged 66, had married Bridget Kerucan in 1862 (see bottom of page 6 and see also middle of page 13). The Andrew who was born in 1875 was his son. I have found no further trace of this Andrew (born 1875).

Reading about the Murphys of Lahardan, I was reminded of another Andrew McNamara and of his brother Timothy, both of whom lived in Lahardan. However, they may not have originated there. Here is what I’d written on page 13 – you will notice that when Timothy died in 1921, aged 74, it was a Pat Murphy who reported his death. If that age is correct Timothy was born in 1847. Andrew died in 1918, aged 80, and if that age is correct he was born in 1838. I don’t see their baptisms in the Tulla baptisms. But that Andrew was aged 44 in 1882, so probably not the “young man’ of the report:
There is another Andrew that I am wondering about: He is Andrew McNamara in Lahardaun, a townland in the south east of Tulla parish. Also spelled Laharden (Kyle D.E.D.)
1901: Bridget McNamara, aged 87, mother, and Andrew aged 55, Agriculural Labourer, brother (I don’t believe he is Bridget’s brother)
1911: Timothy McNamara, aged 69, single, and brother Andrew aged 72, single.

1918: Death: Andrew McNamara, Lahardin, Gardener, aged 80; informant: Thady McNamara, brother, present at death.
1921: Death: Timothy McNamara, Bachelor, aged 74, Farmer; informant: Pat Murphy, Lahardin.
Here is a marriage connection between Rev. Stuart and Denis Murphy:
21.04.1880: Denis Murphy, Lougharden, son of Michael Murphy, Farmer, married Winifred Stuart, Ballybrohan, daughter of Dominic Stuart, Farmer, in Ogonoloe Chapel; witnesses: Denis Purcell, Ellen Corbett.
I think the reporter got it wrong and that it was Denis Murphy who was the brother-in-law of Rev. Stuart and not Andrew McNamara. But it’s possible, I suppose, that the McNamaras (Timothy and Andrew) were cousins of Denis’s father, Michael Murphy.
Denis and Winifred lived in Laharden and the 1901 census shows that Denis had died and that Winifred is a widow, aged 48. Her son Michael Joseph aged 17 is living with her. Interestingly, a James Madigan, servant, aged 28, is included in the household.

Lahardaun is in Kyle D.E.D and the 1921 Rate Book for Kyle shows that Thady McNamara is living in one of 4 Tulla Rural Distrct Council houses. Interestingly his house is situated in Lot 11 – the farm of Michael Joseph Murphy (199 acres): http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclar ... e_ded1.htm

Jim, the only small quibble I have is that I think it’s a mistake to assume that the Andrew who was arrested is a grandson of Bridget McNamara of Uggoon.

Bridget McCormack is an interesting person. I would like to know how her life went afterwards. It is surprising that we do not know more about her. Maybe she married and is hidden under a new name.

Yes, Parnell changed tack while in prison and returned to constitutional politics. He had advocated a non-violent “war” from the beginning and was uncomfortable with the violent incidents that occurred under the unbrella of that war, but of course he was well aware that this bubbling up of violence gave him great leverage in Parliament. When we look back at Parnell now, he seems a bit tame (in the light of later events), but I think his great gift was that he was the equal of anyone in Parliament and imparted to Irish people a new confidence in themselves and in the justice of their demands. Because he was educated in England, he spoke with an English accent. His demeanour was that of an aloof gentleman. He did not join any club in London, nor try to ingratiate himself with anyone. He felt no fear whatsoever when speaking out – at least he showed none – and in this way communicated great self-belief to his followers. The image he projected could only be maintained by adhering to constitutional politics, I think. Later on, when most of his followers had left him, he called again on the “hillside men”. His death soon afterwards leaves people questioning how sincere this call was - and what it might have led to (or how it might have failed) had he lived.
I am not trying to excuse his treatment of the Ladies Land League, of course – just trying to understand it. But I need to learn more about the Ladies Land League. I hadn’t known of Anna Parnell’s book and hope I get to read it.

Sheila

Jimbo
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Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Jimbo » Mon Feb 11, 2019 12:09 am

Hi Sheila,

Thanks for your feedback. As far as who was the Andrew McNamara who was arrested in 1882, I was correct with my first guess! He was Andrew Sheedy McNamara born 1841/1842, the son of Andrew McNamara and Margaret Clanchy. Most of the articles in the regional UK newspapers described the three arrested men as "farmers" and not as "young" nor "sons of farmers". Today I checked the index for the "Irish Prison Register 1790-1924" on findmypast, and there is an Andrew McNamara, born 1842, arrested 1882, in Limerick Prison. His description of being in "delicate health" in 1882 by the Irish American Weekly is not inconsistent with a man who in 1904 was killed by his own horse.

The Murphy brothers should be on the same Limerick Prison Register page with their correct names (Stephen versus Michael) and birth years to determine who they are. I couldn't find them in the index, but will have a look at the original record at my next visit to a Mormon library. I reckon the two Murphy men of Lahardan will be closer in age to Andrew McNamara.

I was most confident on the identity of "Rev. C. Stuart of Miltownmalbay", but after more research this is very much in doubt. There were two priests named Charles Stuart in County Clare in 1882. One a priest at Miltownmalbay and the other at Feakle. I have my doubts that a priest born in 1854 would be described in 1882 as "the respected curate"; sounds like the brother-in-law of Andrew Sheedy McNamara might be an older priest? The Freeman's Journal of Dublin on 7 November 1882 had an article with "Lists of subscriptions to the Diocesan College, lately erected at Ennis, from the Bishop, Priests and People of the Diocese of Killaloe". Long listing of Clare priests includes "Rev. C. Stuart, C.C. Miltownmalbay (£70)" and much lower down "Rev. C. Stuart, C.C. Feakle (£10)". The Charles Stuart born in 1854 could possibly be the parish priest of Feakle with the smaller donation? There was also a Rev. Charles Stuart in Dublin in the 1840's who frequently got his name in the paper. In searching the newspaper archive, frequently the search hits would be for "Charles Stuart Parnell", the older brother of Anna Parnell of the Ladies' Land League.

Andrew Sheedy McNamara born 1842 had at least two older siblings Michael (born 1829) and Mary/Marg (born 1831) that no record of marriage has been discovered (see family tree on bottom of page 13). Their parents Andrew McNamara of Glandree and Margaret Clanchy of Laccarue married in March 1824, I doubt very much that Michael born in 1829 was their first child. Likely there were other children baptized in the missing Tulla baptism pages for the periods March 1822 to August 1825; and June 1826 to May 1827. To determine how Andrew Sheedy is a brother-in-law of the Rev. Charles Stuart of Miltownmalbay, it would probably best to first obtain more information on this Rev. Charles Stuart and his siblings.

Sduddy
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Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Sduddy » Mon Feb 11, 2019 12:44 pm

Hi Jim

In the 19th century and early 20th century, going for the priesthood was a tradition within some families, so I imagine that all those Charles Stuarts belong to the same extended family.

About Mary, the sister of Andrew Sheedy McNamara (good that you have confirmed that he was the man who was arrested), you will recall that we decided that she was the Mary McNamara who married Richard Nash in 1865 - I had sent for the GRO record and that gave the following information:
16.01.1865: Richard Nash, Glendree, son of Richard Nash, married Mary McNamara, Glendree, daughter of Andrew McNamara, in Tulla Chapel; witnesses: Michael Noonan, Anne O’Hara.

Jim, I’m still inclined to think that it was not Andrew McNamara who was brother-in-law of Rev. Stuart, but, rather, Denis Murphy through the marriage of Denis to Winifred Stuart.

Those newpaper reports are great. The event certainly got a lot of publicity.

Sheila

Jimbo
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Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Jimbo » Tue Feb 12, 2019 4:48 am

Hi Sheila,

There is a good possibility that Andrew McNamara born in 1842 has an older sister named "Margaret" born in 1831. Several of the baptisms for Andrew Sheedy McNamara and Margaret Clanchy are very unclear in the register, including the 1831 baptism - is it "Mary" as transcribed or "Marg" same as the mother? Also, the 1833 baptism of "Andy" the priest appears to have written above an abbreviation for "Margaret", ancestry.com has transcribed this 1833 baptism as "Margt" - I agreed with you that it was Andy.

Their daughter Mary McNamara definitely married Richard Nash in 1865, but it is not very clear when Mary was born. Was she age 34 at marriage? My year 1843 (on page 13) assumed she had been baptized on one of the missing baptism pages, this theory was a carry forward from when I had Mary incorrectly with another family. So not sure about her birth year now. On the 1901 census, Mary Nash is age 62 (born about 1839); on the 1911 census she is age 74 (born about 1837). Could she be the "Mary" born in 1831 with a youngest child born in 1878? I reckon the missing baptism page of 1841 is more likely for the birth of Mary McNamara who married Richard Nash.

The 1882 arrest of Bridget McCormack did receive a lot of publicity, including this paragraph from a larger article on the Land War in an obscure Wisconsin newspaper:
Clifford Lloyd, the hunchback tyrant, who is said to wear constantly a coat of mail, even though constantly guarded by policemen, is conducting himself in pashalic with all the brutality expected of him. As the dispatches have told you, he has out-Heroded the other magistrates by sending a young girl, Miss McCormack, one of the traveling agents of the Ladies' League, to jail for three months, and three men who cheered her as she was passing along the street on her way to jail to six months each.
The Radical Review; Madison, Wisconsin; 23 February 1882
I had to look up the term "coat of mail"; it's a coat of armor made up of small metal rings - very medieval looking. Clifford Lloyd who was responsible for the arrest of Bridget McCormack and Andrew Sheedy McNamara appears to be a villain straight out of central casting.

The UK parliament had a long debate over Clifford Lloyd when discussing the Royal Irish Constabulary Bill in August 1882. Here an English MP defending his tactics is interrupted by Tim Healy, MP from Wexford:
...Mr. Clifford's Lloyd's career, he thought he proved himself to be a most proficient public servant; and, even if he had not, he should have been disposed to defend him, in view of the personal attacks which were constantly being made on him in that House. He was in great personal danger. [MR. HEALY: He wears a coat of mail.] He was quite sure if the Honourable Member from Wexford was in the same position as Mr. Clifford Lloyd he would wear 10 coats of mail. Mr. Lloyd was in a portion of Ireland which had always been one of the most troubled districts; he was sent there to quell disturbance, and the moment he arrived at his post Irish members from that side of the House below the Gangway have lost no opportunity of attacking and vilifying his character...

Source: Hansard's Parliamentary Debates, Royal Irish Constabulary Bill, 7 August 1882
The Irish Folklore Commission’s scheme (1937 - 1938) includes a poem about Clifford Lloyd written in the 1880's by Miss Frost, a National School Teacher:
Clifford Lloyd

This man was resident magistrate in Co. Clare during the Crimes Act 1880. He was noted for his cruelty but the poem shows how truly justice was meted out to him.
i
Hand me down my coat of mail, says the bold Clifford Lloyd
And I'll fill each Irish jail says the bold Clifford Lloyd
Hand me down my coat of mail with the peelers at my tail
And 'tis the devil if I fail says the bold Clifford Lloyd
ii
With £4,000 a year says the bold Clifford Lloyd
With £4,000 a year says the bold Clifford Lloyd
With £4,000 a year, I will have the County clear
Or you may cut off my ear says the bold Clifford Lloyd.
iii
I'm a King in Parliament says the bold Clifford Lloyd
I'm a King in Parliament says the bold Clifford Lloyd
I'm a King in Parliament and I'll make them pay the rent
Or by Jingoes they'll repent says the bold Clifford Lloyd.
iv
Though a King can do no wrong says the bold Clifford Lloyd
Though a King can do no wrong says the bold Clifford Lloyd
Though a King can do no wrong fill my flask with whiskey strong
For the Ennis Road is long says the bold Clifford Lloyd.
v
But a storm of wind and rain caught the bold Clifford Lloyd
But a storm of wind and rain caught the bold Clifford Lloyd
The lightening took no bail for it struck his coat of mail
And as dead as a door nail fell the bold Clifford Lloyd.

The above poem was composed by a teacher in Miltown named Miss Frost. On that account she was dismissed and went to live in Kilmaley near the present P.P's house. She afterwards lived somewhere in Ennis.

The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0625, Page 009, Image and data © National Folklore Collection, UC
School: Shanvough, Sráid na Cathrach in Shanavogh West, Co. Clare
Teacher: Seosamh Ó hAodha
https://www.duchas.ie/ga/cbes/4922396/4877819/5076464
The last stanza has a bit of poetic license/justice as in fact Clifford Lloyd would leave Ireland in 1883 for his next posting in Egypt. His assignment was to create a new police force in Egypt by engaging men from the Royal Irish Constabulary.

Jimbo
Posts: 591
Joined: Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:43 am

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Jimbo » Fri Feb 15, 2019 12:06 am

Andrew Sheedy McNamara who was imprisoned at Limerick jail in 1882, I believe also appears in the County Clare Petty Sessions as a complainant on the 22 August 1884 order book:
Complainant: Andrew McNamara of Glandree

Defendant: John Casey of Magherabaun

Cause of Complaint: For forcibly taking possession of complainant's swarm of bees at Magherabaun on the 22nd day of June 1884 contrary to his consent and to law.

Particulars of Order or Dismissal: No appearance
Not sure why Andrew McNamara of Glandree would keep his swarm of bees in neighboring Magherabaun in Feakle, but I believe this clearly identifies him as Andrew Sheedy McNamara (son of Andrew McNamara and Margaret Clanchy) living at Griffiths Plot 47 in Glandree as it is right on the border with Magherabaun.

Absolutely fascinating that Andrew McNamara, a likely cousin of the missing Civil War soldier Thomas McNamara of Glandree, kept bees. I was surprised to learn that Ireland from the earliest times has had a strong bee-keeping culture and was known for its abundance of honey. Early Irish Brehon Laws included many specific rules related to bees, called the Bechbreatha (Bee-judgments). The rules on how honey was split between finder & owner of land as well as with neighboring farms were very detailed. John Casey may have had a solid claim under Bechbreatha to a portion of the honey, but unfortunately his defense is not reported in the petty sessions. Here is more on Irish bee culture and old Irish bee laws:
https://www.libraryireland.com/SocialHi ... XVII-7.php

The John Casey of Magherabaun who was accused of taking Andrew McNamara's bees without his consent, I believe beyond a reasonable doubt is a first cousin of both Patrick Bowles, the Australian hero of the Cardigan Mining Disaster (see page 14), and Margaret Bowles McNamara (who in Glandree had land at Plot 28 and a house in Plot 26, very close to the border with Magherabaun).

The above Petty Session of 1884 might be the only record for the accused John Casey, but I believe there is enough circumstantial evidence to support this conclusion. All the Casey descendants living in Magherabaun appear to be descendants of Patrick Casey of Feakle and Ellen Bowles of Glandree who were married in Tulla Parish on 22 March 1841. American descendants are aware of this 1841 marriage and five of their children are listed on several family trees on ancestry.com (Jeremiah, 1846; Margaret, 1850; Mary, 1853; James, 1855; Michael, 1856). They are missing daughter Bridget Casey baptized in January 1845 in Tulla Parish. And also missing from their family tree is the aforementioned John Casey, possibly his baptism was recorded on the 1843 Tulla missing page or perhaps later when the family moved to Feakle? Nor are they aware that their ancestor "Ellen Bowels" of Glandree was the daughter of John Bowles and Margaret Molony. The evidence for this is that Margaret Bowles was a witness at the marriage of her cousin Margaret Casey in 1871; and Mary Casey at the marriage of Margaret Bowles in 1870; the cousins were also sponsors at their children's' baptisms. Plus, more importantly, there appears to have been only one Bowles family in Glandree. Under Irish naming tradition, Ellen Bowles Casey, the daughter of John Bowles, would have certainly named one son "John Casey" after her father.

John Bowles and Margaret Molony had at least three children:

1.0 John Bowles (prior to 1819 - ??) married Ellen Foley on 8 November 1839 at Tulla Parish, witnesses Michael Foley and Tom Ford
............ 1.1 James Bowles (1842 - ) arrived in Melbourne, Australia in September 1866 on the Ship Shalimar with brother Patrick. In the 1915 obituary of brother Henry Bowles of Pittsburgh, James is reported to be in Australia, but he is difficult to locate in Australian records. He is easy to confuse with (second?) cousin James Bowles (1820 - 1899) born in Feakle whose family moved to Australia in the 1840's or 1850's, and who married Jane Maly, daughter of John Maly and Judy O'Dea of Tulla. Three O'Malley sisters born in Tulla (Mary Anne in 1834; Jane in 1837; Eliza in 1842) moved to Victoria.

............ 1.2 Patrick Bowles (1846 - 1913) arrived in Melbourne, Australia in September 1866 on the Ship Shalimar with brother James. Married Mary Josephine Bourke in 1879. Lived in Haddon, outside of Ballarat, Victoria. A hero who saved three fellow miners in the Cardigan Mining Disaster of 1902, as mentioned in his obituary. Australian death index states parents as "Jno Bowls" and "Ellen Foley".

............ 1.3 Ambrose Bowles (1848 - appears to have died young?)

............ 1.4 Margaret Bowles (1850 - ) married in 1870 to James McNamara (age 65 in 1901; age 78 in 1911), witnesses James McNamara and Mary Casey <Glendree House 13, House 13>

............ 1.5 Henry Bowles (1853 - 26 October 1915 in Pittsburgh) moved to Washington D.C. around 1870, then to Pittsburgh around 1882 according to obituary. Married on 9 February 1886 to Anna McPoland (1856 in Ireland - 23 December 1928) in Allegheny.


2.0 Ellen Bowles (prior to 1819 - ??) of Glandree married Patrick Casey () of Feakle on 22 March 1841 at Tulla Parish, witnesses Jerry Casey and Mary McNamara
............ 2.? missing baptism page (January through March 1843)
............ 2.1 John Casey (?? - )
............ 2.2 Bridget Casey (1845 in Tulla Parish)
............ 2.3 Jeremiah Casey (1846) married Ellen Minogue on 2 March 1878 in Feakle < Magherabaun, Ayle; House 4, House 3>
............ 2.4 Margaret Casey (1850) married Martin McCarthy on 15 February 1871 in Feakle, witnesses John McCarthy and Margaret Bowles
............ 2.5 Mary Casey (1853) married William Davoren < Ballyloughmane, O'Gonnelloe; House 16, House 13>
............ 2.6 James Casey (1855) married Winifred Turner <Magherabaun, Ayle; House 21, House 19>
............ 2.7 Michael Casey (1856) < Ballyloughmane, O'Gonnelloe; House 16, House 13>

3.0 Ambrose Bowles (baptized 4 July 1819 - ??), sponsors John Fahey and Mary Bowles



So what happened to John Casey? There is no record of John Casey actually being convicted of stealing bees, as the petty sessions states "no appearance" as the outcome. Could he have left Ireland in haste? Whether or not John Casey was convicted, Australia is a possible destination since he had Bowles cousins in Victoria. But John Casey also had McNamara relations living in Washington DC. In the 1900 Census there is a John Casey, age 54, single, born in Ireland living in Washington D.C., who immigrated to America in 1888 according to the census. He is reported as an "Inmate" at the "Government Hospital for the Insane", the same place where the daughter (Margaret McNamara Bond) of his first cousin (Margaret Bowles McNamara) was working in 1900. Is this only coincidental??

John Casey in 1900 at the Government Hospital for the Insane (St Elizabeths Hospital) in Washington D.C.:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... print=true

Jimbo
Posts: 591
Joined: Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:43 am

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Jimbo » Sun Feb 17, 2019 2:11 am

Hi Sheila, thanks again for your feedback and especially the below comment on the priesthood. It was certainly true for the Bowles family of Glandree.
In the 19th century and early 20th century, going for the priesthood was a tradition within some families, so I imagine that all those Charles Stuarts belong to the same extended family.
The day after posting the revised Bowles family lineage, a desperate shot in the dark google search for Thomas McNamara using "missing glandree civil war" led me of course to this "Information is Wanted of Thomas McNamara of Glandree" thread, but on the second page of search results was a most curious entry: "The history of the Bowles family; containing an accurate historical lineage of the Bowles family from the Norman conquest to the twentieth century, with historical and genealogical notes and some pedigrees of Bowles families in various sections of the United States and Britain". And the start of the below paragraph was visible in the search result:
HENRY BOWLES, born 1859 In Glandree, Tulla Parish, Clare County, Ire. The father of Henry was John Bowles, whose brother James was parish priest of Tulla for many years. The sisters of John were Bridget and Ellen. John's children were Henry, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; John (dead); James and Patrick, of Ballarat, Victoria, Australia; Ambrose, who came to America; Mary, in Australia; Margaret, in the homestead in Glandree, Clare County, Ireland.

https://archive.org/stream/historyofbow ... q_djvu.txt
The Bowles history book was published in 1907 in America, when Henry Bowles of Pittsburgh was still living; he died in 1915. "This Roll of the Bowles family was compiled by Mr. George Bowles, of London, one of the best of the English genealogists, and has been accepted unchanged after surviving the scrutiny of experts in Britain..." It appears that the American authors took this older European data compiled by George Bowles and then updated it with a "Roll" of various Bowles families in America. City directories were probably used to track down Henry Bowles and other contributors. Henry provided some interesting information on his family line. His brother Ambrose Bowles did not die young as I had assumed but had gone to America, and a previously unknown sister Mary went to Australia. He also had a brother John Bowles who had died. Since his other siblings have a specific location (brothers in Ballarat, sister Margaret in Clare on the family homestead), it appears that Henry may have lost touch with Ambrose * in America and Mary in Australia; they were not listed in his 1915 obituary.

The short biography stating that his father John Bowles had two sisters named "Ellen" and "Bridget" provides further evidence that Ellen Bowles Casey was indeed a sister to John Bowles.

Also found it interesting that Henry's father John Bowles was a brother to the Reverend James Bowles, a long time parish priest of Tulla. Was always a bit curious which priest was doing the recording in the Tulla baptism and marriage registers. The Rev. James Bowles died on Christmas Day in 1880, his obituary highlights how there were three generations of Bowles in the Catholic priesthood:
The Very Rev. James Bowles, P.P., V.F., died at his residence, Tulla, on Christmas Day, at the advanced age of 70 years. He was born in the parish of Tulla, on the 10th of August, 1811. In the year 1832 he entered St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, where he studied with much distinction, and was ordained priest in 1837. His first mission was in Kilbanon, as curate to his uncle, the Rev. Ambrose Bowles. After a short time he was appointed to the important curacy of Nenagh, under his distinguished granduncle, Very. Rev. Ambrose O'Connor, P.P., V.G. In the year 1851 he was appointed to the curacy of Birr, where he spent four years. He was then appointed as Parish Priest of Borrisokane, and was thence translated to Tulla, in the year 1856, by the Most Rev. Dr. Vaughan. From that time till the day of his death he labored most assiduously in the interests of religion and education, and was very much respected by all the priests of his acquaintance and by the flock of whom he had charge. The obsequies took place in the parochial church of Tulla, on Dec. 28th. The Most Rev. Dr. Ryan, Bishop of the diocese, presided. Celebrant, the Rev. D. Sheehan, C.C., Birr; deacon, the Rev. J. McMahon, C.C., Nenagh; sub-deacon, the Rev. T. Hogan, C.C., Ennis; master of ceremonies Rev. D. Cleary, P.P., O'Callaghan's Mills. The chanters were - Rev. B. Scanlan, P.P., Doora, and Rev. M. Carey, C.C., Quinn. Immediately after High Mass, which was attended by a very large congregation, the coffin was borne on the shoulders of his relatives and friends around the church in funeral procession, and the final absolution having been read by the Bishop, the coffin was lowered to the vault prepared for it in the interior of the parochial church.

Irish American Weekly, New York, 22 January 1881
* In the 1870 US census of New York for the Marine Barracks in Brooklyn is a 24 year old "Ambrose Bowles", born in Ireland. However, the age is two years off and more importantly on the 1867 military enlistment register his birthplace is listed as "Tipperary, Ireland".

Sduddy
Posts: 1826
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Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Sduddy » Sun Feb 17, 2019 7:31 pm

Hi Jim, That's a perfect example of a "priestly" family. The Bowles history was a good find.

Sheila

Jimbo
Posts: 591
Joined: Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:43 am

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Jimbo » Wed Feb 20, 2019 5:56 am

Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?

Do you hear the people sing?
Say, do you hear the distant drums?
It is the future that they bring
When tomorrow comes!

Les Misérables
Hi Sheila,

I realize now that I mistakenly use the term "parish priest" as a general term for a Catholic priest, while in Ireland "Parish Priest" or "P.P." is appointed by the Bishop and is an honored rank for each Catholic Parish. Curates (C.C.) were the priests who were subordinate and assisted The Parish Priest. I stated that the "Rev. C. Stuart, the respected curate of Miltown Malbay" was the parish priest of Miltown Malbay which was incorrect. Both Stuart priests from Miltown Malbay and Feakle were curates, and not the "Parish Priest". Sheila, I am sure you are already aware of this distinction but have grown tired of correcting all my mistakes! As you stated there does appear to be a tradition of going for the priesthood in some families such as the Stuarts and Bowles families (but not so much for the McNamara's?). There also appears to be a tradition of nepotism and favoritism on who is appointed the Parish Priest which could on occasion bring great controversy and scandal to a parish. In 1849 the Reverend James Bowles as a curate in Tipperary was stuck in the middle of one such unfortunate incident that provides a revealing look at Catholic parish life in mid nineteenth century Ireland.

As stated in his obituary, the Reverend James Bowles was at first a curate for his uncle Ambrose Bowles, the Parish Priest of Kilbarron and Terryglass - he appears in their baptism register only during 1841. The Reverend Ambrose Bowles drowned in 1846 while bathing at Lahinch Bay in County Clare and I believe the below announcement is related to choosing his successor; like most other appointments, this would bring no apparent controversy:
The presentation to the union of Kilbarron and Terryglass, near Borrisokane, vacant by the death at Lahinch, by drowning, of the Rev. Ambrose Bowles, brother-in-law of the late Mr. Nicholas Kelly, of this city, Town Councillor, is in the gift of the Right Rev. Dr. Kennedy - Limerick Chronicle
The Freeman's Journal, Dublin, 4 September 1846
Mr. Nicholas Kelly, the above mentioned Limerick Town Councillor of Patrick Street Ward from 1841 to 1845, must be the Nicholas Kelly who on 15 June 1834 married Catherine Bowles at Nenagh, County Tipperary. In viewing the Nenagh parish register, the priest who performed the marriage was the Reverend Ambrose O'Connor, the uncle of the Rev. Ambrose Bowles (and his sister Catherine) and great uncle of the Rev. James Bowles. Have a look at the Nenagh marriage register, for each marriage it specifies which priest performed the marriage: either the Parish Priest, the Rev. Ambrose Bowles or else one of his two curates, the Rev. Nicholas Power and the Rev. Thomas Kenny are listed:
https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls ... 7/mode/1up

The Rev. Ambrose O'Connor of Nenagh died in 1849 at the age of 80 years. Prior to being transferred to Nenagh in 1818, he had been at Tulla Parish for some years. Here is his obituary from the Boston Pilot:
https://newspapers.bc.edu/?a=d&d=bpilott18491110-01.2.8

Who would the Right Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Bishop of Killaloe, choose as the Rev. O'Connor's successor for the Parish Priest of Nenagh?
The Rev. Nicholas Power ... and the Rev. Mr. Kenny were nominated curates to the parish of Nenagh in the early part of the year 1830. They arrived here within the same week, and were, we understand, ordained upon the same day. Our late Parish Priest, the Very Rev. Mr. O'Connor, was even then almost incapacitated, through age and infirmity, from the active discharge of his pastoral functions, and the majority of us have a vivid recollection of the zealous co-operation which the Very Rev. Gentleman, at that early period, received from the Rev. Mr. Power, in the arrangement and government of the Parish. In fact, we, even then, regarded him as the acting Parish Priest, and we can recall hundreds of instances in which the Rev. Mr. O'Connor devolved his authority upon the former, referring us to him upon parochial matters.

Such was the state of affairs for eight years the Rev. Messrs. Power and Kenny contemporaneously remained as Curates of Nenagh. During that time the former was indefatigable in the establishment of Schools, Catechetical Societies, Religious Fraternities, &c, all of which continued to flourish ... instructing, edifying, and consoling us as men and Christians. We remember well that in all these pastoral labours, the Rev. Mr. Kenny bore no part - to all duties in which self-advantage entered, he was not inattentive, but to all others he seemed indifferent. The more grave labours of his colleague frequently furnished him with matter of mirthful remark among the "SELECT FEW" of the parishioners with whom the Rev. Gentleman consorted. It is necessary to state that these were not the Catholic portion of the people - for these he appeared to have little care, further to receive with great zeal their quarterly contributions. It may not be doubted that the time the Rev. Mr. Kenny did not spend in the discharge of clerical functions was not entirely or unprofitably employed. At the end of eight years - that is, in 1838 he was collated to the Parish of Castleconnell. The Rev. Mr. Power remained Curate of Nenagh. ... Mr. Kenny took his departure from this Parish - without visiting, without leave-taking or any interchange of the courtesies usual on such occasion, and which are inevitable when such reciprocal friendships are formed, as should be expected after eight years' residence among a people... For twelve years that the Rev. Mr. Kenny dwelt in the Parish of Castleconnell, only a few miles distant from Nenagh, and almost on the high road to Limerick, he never received, that we know, a visit from any Catholic Parishioner of Nenagh, and never paid one, of course, to any of them.

A short excerpt from the very long "THE CASE OF THE ROMAN CATHOLICS OF NENAGH IMPARTIALLY STATED", The Freeman's Journal, Dublin, 1 December 1849
As you might have guessed, the Rev. Thomas Kenny was promoted to Parish Priest of Nenagh on 1 October 1849 and not the Rev. Nicholas Power as anticipated by the parishioners. The Rev. James Bowles of Glandree was then 38 years old and in a truly awful position as Curate of Nenagh. The Nenagh parishioners first appealed to the Bisphop of Killaloe "to remove Mr. Kenny, and for the sake of peace and the advancement of religion appoint Mr. Power to the Parish. Both prayers his lordship peremptorily refused. In the exercise of his patronage he should, he said, be free and unshackled; and he would listen to no request on such a subject from the laity."

The parishioners ended up barricading the Nenagh Parish church doors and windows not allowing either the Rev. Kenny or Rev. Bowles to enter the chapel. The Rev. Bowles would provide Mass at the gaol and the workhouse, but even there the occupants joined the boycott and were only later forced to attend. The Nenagh parishioners attended mass at nearby chapels. Despite the appeals of the Rev. Powers and Rev. Bowles, the parishioners would not take down the church barricade. "The heroes of the French barricades never maintained republican principles with greater pertinacity than the barricaders of the chapel at Nenagh" reported the Nenagh Guardian in October. The Rev. Mr. Kenny resorted to force to storm the barricades:
NENAGH CHAPEL
REMOVAL OF THE BARRICADES
Nenagh, October 31st

Soon after five o'clock in this morning, 100 of the constabulary, commanded by Charles G. O'Dell, Esq., S.I., and Head Constable Hayes, took up their position in their lane leading to the chapel, and at the Barrack-street entrance, a strong body of police was stationed. At six o'clock the marching down Summer Hill of a large body of the 79th Highlanders, consisting of over 100 men, commanded by Major Ferguson, together with Capt. M'Call and Lieut. Harrison, showed that something decided was contemplated. They were accompanied by R.M. Plunkett, Esq., R.M., and the Rev. Messrs. Kenny and Bowles. On arriving opposite Chapel-lane, the military were extended in open column at either side along Castle-street. Sentries were also judiciously posted. Everything being secured, the Rev. Thomas Kenny, P.P. of Nenagh and the Rev. Mr. Bowles, C.C. of Nenagh, each rev. gentleman armed with a formidable crowbar in one hand, and a stone hammer in the other, proceeded towards the doors, and commenced demolishing the barricades; and, after some time, the stone and mortar of the Nenagh belligerents gave way before the rev. labourers; but the doors being so firmly nailed, they could not force them open. They pulled out the window of the sacristy, in through which they went, and took possession of the interior of the chapel. They quickly commenced to make an onslaught of the principal door, which, after much laborious exertion, they opened, by drawing out the immense nails by which it was held fast, and Mr. Kenny took possession of the chapel. At 9 o'clock the military were withdrawn, but a large body of police remained in and about the chapel during the day. An apprentice boy, belonging to the Vindicator office, was sent out to give the alarm, but was arrested by the police, and taken into custody. After a short time, however, he was liberated, and so the matter ends for the moment.

A body of constabulary was placed around the chapel bell for the purpose of preventing any person from ringing it and cause the alarm to be given; but in a short time it was made known that the chapel was being forced open, and some of the inhabitants went about shouting out, "Fire! fire! the chapel is on fire!" This had the desired effect, for a large number of people assembled at the approaches to the chapel, further than which they were not permitted to go. They endeavored to force their way, but the police prevented them from doing so, whereupon they armed themselves with stones, and said they would face the constabulary with pike, pitchfork, &c, hand to hand. Mr. O'Dell and Head-constable Hayes peaceably remonstrated with them, pointing out to them the dangerous consequences of such an illegal proceeding, and telling them that they were there to perform their duty, from which they would not flinch. The mob then desisted. Fathers Kenny and Bowles were vociferously yelled, groaned, and hooted. -- Nenagh Guardian

The Daily News, London, 3 November 1849, Saturday
Obviously being the curate at Nenagh Parish under the Rev. Thomas Kenny was not the best assignment for the Rev. James Bowles. "Angry expressions were uttered against them; startling menaces were held forth; they were loudly denounced and bitter invectives were hurled at them as they coolly and calmly held prostate the barriers to the doorways. They were designated 'cutthroat priests', 'Judases,' 'government men,' who tried to pawn themselves on the people at the point of the bayonet" reported the Ballina Chronicle of County Mayo. The stress of the situation for both priests must have been immense. However, the period of time for the Rev. James Bowles to be a curate subordinate to the Rev. Thomas Kenny would not last even one year:
We have to announce the death of the Reverend Thomas Kenny, parish priest of Nenagh, which took place last night at his residence, Summer-hill, after a severe attack of malignant typhus fever. He was appointed administrator of the parish of Nenagh on the 1st of October, 1849. - Limerick Reporter
The Freeman's Journal, Dublin, 15 July 1850
The Rev. Vaughn, P.P. of Killaloe, would take over as Parish Priest of Nenagh, and in 1851 the Rev. James Bowles would be transferred to the curacy of Birr. It was not until 1856 that the Rev. Bowles was able to return to Tulla as their Parish Priest. Most likely the Rev. James Bowles would have known the parents of the missing Civil War soldier Thomas McNamara of Glandree. He would have been the Parish Priest at the time of the marriage of his sister Mary/Johanna McNamara to James Madigan on 13 February 1860 in Tulla; Andrew McNamara as a witness. But one important take away from this story, is that although their marriage is recorded in the Tulla marriage register, it is not clear if the Rev. James Bowles, P.P., was the officiating priest at the marriage or was it one of his curates? Tulla Parish is large so there must have been a few curates assigned to the Rev. James Bowles. Unlike the Nenagh Parish records, the officiating priest is not recorded in the Tulla marriage records. For that matter, while the marriage took place in Tulla Parish the exact location is uncertain if it was at the church in Tulla or perhaps at either of the chapels at Knockjames or Drumcharley both of which are closer to Glandree.

Sduddy
Posts: 1826
Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2010 10:07 am

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Sduddy » Wed Feb 20, 2019 2:03 pm

Hi Jim

Thank you for that fascinating story. That Rev. Thomas Kenny belongs to a family whose history has been donated to clarelibrary.ie by Margaret Gallery. You will find it in Donated Material under “Family Histories, Biograpies & Memoirs”: http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclar ... 0_1800.htm.
Here is the piece on Rev. Kenny – it includes a report on the barricading of the church which is almost exactly the same as the report in the The Daily News quoted by you, so I’ve left it out and have moved on the the end of the piece giving details of his will:

"Rev Thomas Kenny pp Nenagh (about 1804 -1850)
Thomas Kenny was ordained in Maynooth in 1830 (Murphy, 1992). He was a curate in Nenagh in 1836 (Limerick Times, 1836). He was later PP of Castleconnell and then of Nenagh. Cecil S Kenny recounts that he was very popular in Castleconnell, that his parishioners wanted to keep him there and that they erected a pulpit in his honour (standing in 1915). That I have been unable to confirm.
The bishop brought him in to Nenagh as administrator with the intention of him taking over as parish priest from the existing PP who was old and ailing. However there was an existing and very popular locally curate in line for the job Father Nicholas Power. Father Power had been accused of writing letters against the bishop in the case of a priest accused of wrongdoing who was widely believed to be innocent. The bishop was very angry with Father Power. Thomas Kenny was appointed PP over Father Power to the great annoyance of the parishioners. Father Power had organised the building of the church. The parishioners strongly felt he should be appointed as Parish Priest. They barricaded the church doors and refused to let him Father Kenny in to say mass. They had meetings in the Temperance Hall, raised petitions to get Father Kenny removed and were totally up in arms at the injustice done to Father Power.
Father Kenny had a terrible time, he was threatened and the windows of his house in Summerhill were broken. Father Kenny said mass in the jail and said confession in the workhouse and was boycotted. Father Power pleaded with the demonstrators not to do this on his behalf. At this stage the demonstraters had bricked up the church door. Father Power was ordered to Kinnitty, he left late at night and quietly. Father Kenny found an obscure piece of legislation dating from James I, which made blocking up the church illegal, and got the police to break down the door. Here is a stirring article from the Ballina Chronicle reproduced from irelandoldnews.ie (Ballina Chronicle, 1849):
“REMOVAL OF THE BARRICADES BY TWO PRIESTS!- OPENING OF THE CHAPEL DOORS!!- THE MILITARY AND THE POLICE CALLED OUT!!!

Will of Thomas Kenny PP of Nenagh dated 17th May 1850
Thomas Kenny PP of Nenagh leaves £285 to his father and sister and also the proceeds of his household effects which he directs to be sold. His house and premises at Summerhill, Nenagh he leaves in trust to the Rev D Kennedy RCB as a convent for the Sisters of Mercy. He leaves his watch and chain, outside car and harness to the Rev K O’Leary carriage and harness to the Right Rev. D Kennedy. Three policies for insurance on his life 500, 200, 300 he leaves to his father and sister.
Execs very Rev John Kenny right Rev Pat Quinlivan
Administration with will annexed granted to Matthew Kenny Esq of Ennis his father and sole next of kin." End of quote.

Jim, I'm afraid I don't know if there was a McNamara family with a tradition of going forward for the priesthood. Fr. Ignatius Murphy's history of the diocese of Killaloe may have some information, but I've never read any of that history.

Sheila

Jimbo
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Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Jimbo » Thu Feb 21, 2019 5:16 am

Hi Sheila,

Thank you for providing a link to the excellent Kenny family history by Margaret Gallery - that is certainly one "priestly" family! The Rev. Thomas Kenny had been the Parish Priest for about 12 years at Castleconnell when he was transferred in 1849 to Nenagh; while the Rev. Nicholas Power in 1849 was "by far the oldest Curate in the diocese" (1) . Perhaps the views of the Nenagh parishioners on their native son Rev. Nicholas Power were not so "impartial" as the title of The Freeman's Journal article from my last posting would suggest.

And a correction on the timing of the barricading of Nenagh Chapel in relation to the death of the Rev. Ambrose O'Connor. The Rev. Thomas Kenny, P.P., was appointed "administrator" of Nenagh Parish on 1 October 1849. The chapel had been barricaded by the parishioners by the 3rd of October when the Rev. Kenny visited the chapel - the Rev. Ambrose O'Connor, P.P., was still alive at this point. "Thursday [11 October], at the instance of the Rev. Mr. Power, a meeting was called, soon after the death of the Rev. Mr. O'Connor. Mr. Power implored of the meeting to open the chapel for the performance of high mass for the Rev. Mr. O'Connor. However, the doors are not, nor are they likely to be opened" (The Standard, London, 16 October 1849). The Boston Pilot obituary stated that the Rev. O'Connor died "at half past six on the morning of Thursday", so I believe his death must have been on the 11th of October - a full week after the barricading of the chapel.

The biography comment by Cecil S Kenny that the Rev. Thomas Kenny, P.P., was very popular in Castleconnell is certainly evident from the below article.
GRATITUDE TO A CLERGYMAN - NOVEL PROCESSION

At one o'clock on Wednesday, the inhabitants of the town were somewhat surprised at observing a vast number of car loads of turf passing through the streets in a regular line; but all anxiety as to the meaning of such an occurrence was set at rest by the foremost horse and car being drawn up opposite the residence of Rev. Mr. Kenny, P.P., Summerhill. On inquiry we found that the parishioners of Castleconnell and the farmers of the district, over which Mr. Kenny is P.P. for a long time, gratuitously volunteered, as a manifestation of their respect, esteem, and veneration towards him, to convey his turf from Castleconnell to Nenagh, a distance of 16 miles. The cars extended from Summerhill nearly to the Market Cross, and were about 100 in number. The most amusing and musical part of the scene was, the procession being headed, as it entered the town, by an Irish piper, playing on the Highland pipes the celebrated air of "Scots wha hae" to which the drivers attempted to march. A real specimen of an Irish piper was seated on the top of a load of turf in the middle of the cortege. He was blind. His name is "Mick Connell," and his fame and reputation as "one of the best players in the country" have been well known among the rustic terpsichorians of Castleconnell and its vicinity. Lest he should fall from the elevated position he was "barricaded" on every side by turf, and as he squeezed his old and familiar bagpipe, he oscillated his head and right leg. He played with force and precision, while passing Castle-street, an old Irish tune. The rear of the procession was brought up by another piper. When the cavalcade halted, the pipers, in military style, marched up and down at either sides of it. After the lapse of five hours, the turf was housed - the carts were emptied, and the drivers received substantial refreshment from Mr. Kenny. In the evening the parties returned home in an imposing body.
Nenagh Guardian
The Freeman's Journal, Dublin, 30 November 1849
After typing out the above transcription, I did a google search (unsuccessful) for the blind Irish pipe player Mick Connell, only to find the above article was also published by the Ballina Chronicle on 5 December 1849. This article and others were transcribed here on irelandoldnews.com :

http://www.irelandoldnews.com/Mayo/1849/DEC.html

(1) The Freeman's Journal, Dublin, 1 December 1849

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