Hi Sheila,
According to the 1856 will of John Harrison, if Johanna Walsh Harrison was to remarry, a £20 I.O.U. along with £60 would be provided to Johanna. I agree that this £20 I.O.U. appears to have been a dowry provided by Johanna's mother to John Harrison upon their marriage in 1853. So in 1853 the mother of Johanna Walsh appears to have been a widow.
Rather grim evidence, but I believe the following newspaper articles provide the tragic circumstance on how Mrs. Walsh of Ballynahinch, the mother of Johanna Walsh, became a widow in 1847.
The Limerick Chronicle states it has received the following from a county Clare magistrate:—
"SCARIFF, SATURDAY.—Another of those horrible murders which disgrace our unfortunate country has just been committed on the public high road, leading from Killaloe and Scariff, to Tulla and Ennis in this county. The unfortunate victim was Michael Walsh, steward and care taker to Charles G. O'Callaghan, Esq., of Ballinahinch. This respectable man, when on his way to Ennis this morning, at the hour of eight o'clock, on the public high road, near Fort Anne, was fired at from behind a wall, and shot dead. One ball entered his mouth, and took with it the roof of his skull. The second entered his head. Both shots were heard distinctly by persons immediately near, but no clue has been obtained of the perpetrators.
The Freeman's Journal, Dublin, 2 November 1847
THE LATE MURDERS
The Gazette of last night contains offers of £100 reward to the person or persons who shall give such information as will lead to the arrest of the parties engaged in the murder of Major Mahon (*), of Michael Walsh, and of the Widow Darmody; and another £100 to those who shall give evidence to prosecute and convict in the two former cases.
The Freeman's Journal, Dublin, 5 November 1847
* "The Killing of Major Denis Mahon, A Mystery of Old Ireland", by Peter Duffy (2007, Harper Collins). I bought this book years ago but never got around to reading it. The first sentence of the prologue: "In the early evening of November 2, 1847, an Anglo-Irish landlord from County Roscommon was driving a horse-drawn carriage through his property when a single gunshot was fired from a ditch on the right side of the road."
In London, at the House of Commons, Sir George Grey gave a very long speech on "Crime and Outrage in Ireland" on 29 November 1847. He provided lot of statistics and the growth in crime, broken down by several categories. It is a very long speech. In a nutshell, while the three counties of Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary made up less than 13 percent of the population of Ireland, they made up 71 percent of the crime (139 out of 175 criminal acts) during the month of October 1847. He stated that the crimes "are directed, not against one class, that is, not against the landlord class, speaking of the class as it is customary to speak of it in this house, as composed of gentlemen of property with a large body of tenantry, but are directed also against the class of landowners, either from motives of revenge, owing to the person having taken land of which others had been dispossessed, or from a determination to intimidate the collector of rent, and to prevent the landlord's rights from being enforced by the terror of death." He continues to describe several cases, including the murder of Michael Walsh, with more detailed information than the initial reporting of the event:
CRIME AND OUTRAGE IN IRELAND
. . . The next case is the murder of Michael Walsh, in the county of Clare. The report states:—"I have to report that, on this morning (Oct. 30), about half-past seven o'clock, or near it, Michael Walsh, of Ballynatwich [Ballynahinch], steward to Charles O'Callaghan, Esq, (Dragoon Guards), and of Ballynabuck [?], was proceeding to Ennis to pay money to Mr. O'Callaghan's agent, he was fired at from one of the Maryfort plantations, on the roadside, and shot through the head with a ball, and instantly killed; two shots were heard by several persons in the neighbourhood, but the persons who committed the murder were not seen by the persons who came up almost immediately; the second shot wounded him in the hand. He was riding at the time, and had a sum of money on his person, which was taken by the murderer—the amount of which cannot as yet be ascertained, but it was over £17. Michael Walsh was acting as steward and driver on the estate at the time the late Mr. Carrig was shot, and shortly after gave up the collection of the rent, but retained his situation as steward, and in charge of the domain. He occupied some lands from which some tenants were dispossessed by ejectment about three years since; his arms were taken from his house, as reported on the 15th of June, 1845, and for some months after Mr. Carrig's murder we gave him police protection by patrol, &c., as I then considered his life in danger." The next case . . .
The Morning Chronicle, London, 30 November 1847
Initially, I thought that the murdered Michael Walsh might have been a Michael Walsh, either Sr. or Jr., who was reported as living in Glandree in the 1827 Tithe Applotments. No Walsh families were still in Glandree by the 1855 Griffiths Valuation, so did Michael Walsh move to Ballynahinch to become a steward for Captain O'Callaghan? There were no Walsh families in Ballynahinch townland in 1827; further support that the Walsh family had moved from Glandree? I was doubling down on my theory that Johanna Walsh Harrison Halpin was the daughter of Michael Walsh and Bridget Harrison, baptized in Tulla Parish in November 1829 as "Jane". And upon further examination of the actual baptism record for "John(?)" in 1833, he appears to be an "Edmond", and I reckon Johanna Walsh of Ballynahinch did indeed have a brother named "Edmond". But this theory is incorrect as there is a far more logical explanation.
The Michael Walsh shot in 1847, as well as his descendants, while they stated that they are from Ballynahinch townland, were actually from adjacent Kilnoe townland, a very short distance from Ballynahinch House. Unfortunately, recorded in the 1827 Tithe Applotments of Kilnoe Townland in Kilnoe Parish there is only one entry for "Cornelius O'Callaghan, Esq", and the note states "And Tenants". Michael Walsh and Kate McNamara had only one son recorded in the Kilnoe Parish records (1832—1881), William Walsh baptized on 4 January 1839; sponsors William Walsh and Mary Gleeson. William was their youngest child, a bit of a straggler, as their other children were born prior to the 1832 start of the Kilnoe baptism register. Catherine [McNamara] Walsh was reported in Plot 12, 21 acres, Land only, in the 1855 Griffith Valuation for Kilnoe Townland. She appears to have been a widow, likely living with her eldest son, Edmund Walsh, in Plot 11abcd, "House, office, and land, cottier's houses & gardens" in Kilnoe Townland.
Michael Walsh (died in 1847) and
Catherine McNamara (still living in 1853 at marriage of daughter; and also reported in 1855 Griffith Valuation) were the parents of at least four children:
1.0 Edmond "Ned" Walsh (born: ≈1820 per 1900 death record; ≈1828 per 2nd marriage) and
Anne Harrison (≈1835 per 1871 death record) of Ballinahinch / Kilnoe in Kilnoe Parish were the parents of eight children between 1853 and 1868. Could not locate their Catholic marriage record, nor the baptism record for their daughter Catherine born about 1860. In the 1855 Griffith Valuation, for Kilnoe Townland, Edmund Walsh holds Plots 11abcd, "house, office, and land, cottier's houses & garden", about 26 acres, valuation £37. The Scariff civil death record index states that an Anne Walsh died in 1871 at the age of 36; online record not yet available. On 1 August 1873, Edmond Walsh, age 45, a widower, farmer, of Kilnoe,
son of Michael Walsh (deceased), married
Kate Collins, age 33, spinster, of Kilnoe, daughter of the farmer John Collins (deceased) at the RC chapel at Bodyke; witnesses Michael Doherty and Bridget Conway. Edmond Walsh, widower, age 80 years, farmer, died at Kilnoe on 5 October 1900; informant son Edmond Walsh (Scariff registration).
............ 1.1 Pat Walsh, of Ballinahinch, baptized on 4 October 1853; sponsors John and Bridget Harrison.
............ 1.2 Michael Walsh, of Ballinahinch, baptized on 25 May 1855; sponsors John Harrison, Bridget Liddy. Immigrated to New Zealand.
............ 1.3 Edmond Walsh, of Kilnoe, baptized on 7 September 1857; sponsors
John and Maria Walsh. Edmond Walsh, of Kilnoe, son of Edmond Walsh, married Ellen McKenna, of Bealkelly, daughter of Michael McKenna, on 23 February 1884 at St Mary's O'Gonnelloe Parish (Scariff rego). For the 1911 census, "Eadhmonn de Breathneach" completed the form in Irish.
<Kilnoe, Boherglass, House 1, House 3>
......................... 1.3.1 Michael Walsh (age 15 in 1901)
......................... 1.3.2 Edmond Walsh (age 13 in 1901)
......................... 1.3.3 Mary Walsh (age 12 in 1901)
......................... 1.3.4 Patrick Walsh (age 10 in 1901)
......................... 1.3.5 Annie Walsh (age 8 in 1901)
......................... 1.3.6 Thomas Walsh (age 7 in 1901)
......................... 1.3.7 Bridget "Delia" Walsh (age 5 in 1901)
......................... 1.3.8 Eileen "Lena" Walsh (age 3 in 1901)
............ 1.4 Catherine Walsh, born in 1860, per McMahon of NZ family tree (no baptism record). Immigrated to New Zealand. Married Matthew McMahon.
............ 1.5 John Walsh, of Ballinahinch, baptized on 10 February 1862; sponsors Pat and Mary Harrison.
............ 1.6 Bridget Walsh, of Kilnoe, baptized on 3 February 1864; sponsor Michael Conway. To New Zealand. Married John Berggren.
............ 1.7 Anne Walsh, of Kilnoe, baptized on 5 April 1866; sponsors Thomas Hussie, Kate Balton. To New Zealand. Married Samuel McMahon.
............ 1.8 Mary Walsh, of Kilnoe, baptized on 13 April 1868; sponsors Thomas Harrison, Bridget Liddy.
According to a McMahon family tree on ancestry, four of the eight children of Edmond Walsh and Anne Harrison would move to New Zealand. Two Walsh daughters would marry McMahon's. The NZ family is the focus of the family tree (no information on Edward Walsh, Sr. or Jr., in Ireland etc). Michael Walsh, born in 1855, died in Auckland in 1943 at the age of 91. His headstone states "Michael Harrison Walsh" which is strong evidence that Michael and his sisters in NZ were indeed the children of Edmond Walsh and Anne Harrison of Ballynahinch:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/166 ... ison-walsh
2.0 Johanna Walsh was likely born prior to the start of the Kilnoe parish baptism register in 1832. Johanna Walsh of Ballinahinch and
John Harrison of "Curamera" (Corramery Hill in Clogher townland) were married on 6 May 1853 in Kilnoe Parish; witnesses
Pat and Mrs. Walsh of Ballinahinch.
............ 2.1 Eliza Harrison, of Ballynahinch, baptized on 2 March 1854; sponsors
Pat and Maria Walsh. Eliza Harrison, of Ballinahinch, daughter of farmer John Harrison, married Michael Gunning, of Kileagy, farmer, son of Thomas Gunning, on 6 February 1883 at Bodyke chapel; witnesses: Michael Ryan,
Eliza McNamara.
<Clogher, Ballinahinch, House 3, House 4>
......................... 2.1.1 Thomas Gunning (age 17 in 1901)
......................... 2.1.2 John Gunning (age 13 in 1901)
......................... 2.1.3 Annie Kate Gunning (age 11 in 1901)
......................... 2.1.4 Christie Gunning (age 9 in 1901)
......................... 2.1.5 Willie Gunning (age 7 in 1901)
......................... 2.1.6 Michael Gunning (age 5 in 1901)
............ 2.2 Catherine Harrison, of "Clonmoher" (Corramery Hill in Clogher townland), baptized on 27 February 1855; sponsors John and Mary Harrison. Catherine was working as a live-in domestic servant in the 1910 USA census on Madison Avenue in Manhanttan; immigration year reported as 1890. Catherine Harrison died on 27 January 1931 in the Bronx at 2029 Valentine Avenue, the home of Thomas Nash and Marion Callaghan Nash.
............ 2.3 John Harrison, of "Cudmurra" (Corramery), baptized on 6 August 1856; sponsors
John Walsh, Mary Harrison. Possibly died young, prior to start of civil death records in 1864?
John Harrison left a last Will dated 1856 and he appears to have died soon after.
Johanna (Walsh) Harrison of "Cur?" (Corramery) married
James Halpin of Quin Gardens in March 1859 at Kilnoe Parish; witnesses John Cullinan, Ellen Halpin, Newmarket & Tulla.
............ 2.4 James Halpin, of "Curmary" (Corramery), baptized on 19 December 1859; sponsors William Walsh and Mary Gooney (Kilnoe Parish). Died prior to birth of James William Halpin in 1861.
............ 2.5 James William Halpin, of Tulla, baptized on 27 December 1861; sponsors Michael McNamara and Bridget Quin (Tulla Parish). In passport applications and census reports, James Halpin stated that he had arrived in the United States in 1877 or 1878. In both the 1900 and 1910 census reports, James Halpin was a grocer with a shop in Brooklyn at the corner of Rutland Road and New York Avenue. His Irish born wife, Harriet, died on 25 February 1917, and her parents were reported as John and Anne Bateley. James Halpin took several trips back to Ireland in the 1920's. He married Ida Mae Blum in Danville, Livingston County, NY on 3 October 1927. James Halpin died on 17 January 1943 in Carrolton, Ohio at the reported age of 82 years.
3.0 Patrick Walsh was likely born prior to the start of the Kilnoe parish baptism register in 1832. Pat Walsh and
Johanna McMahon of Ballinahinch/Kilnoe in Kilnoe Parish were the parents of nine children between 1859 and 1873. Unknown marriage record. Patrick Walsh died prior to the marriage of his son Pat in 1892. Johanna Walsh, of Ballinahinch, widow of a farmer, 80 years, died on 21 April 1905; informant daughter-in-law Anne Walsh (Galway registration).
<Ballinahinch, Ballinahinch, House 2, x>
............ 3.1 Michael Walsh, of Ballinahinch, baptized 20 February 1859; sponsors
William Walsh, Mrs. Harrison (the widow Johanna Walsh Harrison, soon to marry James Halpin).
............ 3.2 Maria Walsh, of Ballinahinch, baptized 16 May 1860; sponsors Margaret McMahon, Mrs. McMahon.
............ 3.3 Catherine Walsh, of Ballinahinch, baptized 27 December 1861; sponsors Mat McMahon, Mary Crowe. Kate Walsh, of Ballinahinch, daughter of farmer Pat Walsh (deceased), married Michael Brazeil [or Brazil, Brassil, Brassel], of Tulla, blacksmith, son of Dan Brazil, blacksmith, on 4 November 1893, at the RC chapel at Bodyke; witnesses P.F.Halloran and E Brady.
<Tulla, Tulla, House 3, House 109>
......................... 3.3.1 Daniel Brassil (age 17 in 1911)
......................... 3.3.2 Eliza Brassil (age 16 in 1911). Elizabeth Brazil was working at the Continental Hotel in Atlantic City owned by her aunt Margaret Walsh Duncan in the 1920 census; also included in her will.
......................... 3.3.3 Michael Brassil (age 14 in 1911)
......................... 3.3.4 Patrick Brassil (age 5 in 1911)
............ 3.4 John Walsh, of Ballinahinch, baptized 5 June 1863; sponsors Thomas Whalon,
Maria Walsh.
............ 3.5 Pat Walsh, of Kilnoe, baptized 26 June 1865; sponsors Pat Crow, Bridget Brohan. Patt Walsh, of Ballinahinch, farmer, son of Patt Walsh (deceased), married Anne Tuohy, of Coolagoree, daughter of farmer Thomas Tuohy, on 16 February 1892, at the RC chapel at Scariff; witnesses John McMahon, Bridget Molony.
<Ballinahinch, Ballinahinch, House 2, House 16>
......................... 3.5.1 Josephine Walsh (born about 1893, unknown civil baptism record). Not sure where living in 1901 census. Was working at the Continental Hotel in Atlantic City owned by her aunt Margaret Walsh Duncan in both the 1910 and 1920 census; also included in her will. Married Timothy Tracy in Limerick City on 12 February 1924.
......................... 3.5.2 Mary Anne Walsh (age 17 in 1911). Was working at the Continental Hotel in Atlantic City owned by her aunt Margaret Walsh Duncan in the 1920 census and was included in her will.
......................... 3.5.3 Patrick Walsh died 3 May 1900, age 4½ years, at Ballinahinch; informant mother Anne Walsh.
......................... 3.5.4 Catherine Walsh died 23 April 1900, age 2½ years, at Ballinahinch; informant mother Anne Walsh.
......................... 3.5.5 Michael Walsh (age 10 in 1911). On the
SS Celtic arriving in New York in October 1924, his contact was Aunt Margaret Duncan of the Continental Hotel in Atlantic City; also named in her will.
......................... 3.5.6 Margaret Walsh (age 8 in 1911). Named in the will of aunt Margaret Walsh Duncan of Atlantic City.
......................... 3.5.7 Patrick Walsh (age 6 in 1911)
......................... 3.5.8 Kathleen Walsh (age 4 in 1911)
......................... 3.5.9 Thomas Walsh (infant in 1911)
............ 3.6 Margaret Walsh, of Ballinahinch, baptized 11 April 1867; sponsors Mat and Mary McMahon. Proprietor of the Brevoort Hotel in Atlantic City. Owner and proprietor of the Continental Hotel of Atlantic City. Married Thomas Parks Duncan of New Castle, Delaware in Atlantic City in October 1907. Died in Atlantic City on 1 October 1928 leaving a large estate to seven nieces and nephews.
............ 3.7 Tom Walsh, of Ballinahinch, baptized 24 March 1869; sponsors Tom McMahon, Mary Crotty. Immigrated to USA in 1890 according to 1910 census. Had a 37 year career with the U.S. Army from 1898 to 1935 (see detail on page 28). Married Mary T. Cummins, who was born in County Mayo and worked at the Continental Hotel in Atlantic City, on 15 August 1909 in Polk County, Iowa. Mary Walsh died in October 1938; Thomas J. Walsh died in El Reno, Oklahoma on 24 January 1939.
......................... 3.7.1 Mary J. Walsh born 15 August 1909 in Des Moines, Iowa.
......................... 3.7.2 Margaret G. Walsh born 22 January 1911, in Jolu Island, Philippines.
......................... 3.7.3 Thomas J. Walsh born 11 June 1913, in Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas.
......................... 3.7.4 John F. "Jack" Walsh born Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas (age 4 in 1920)
......................... 3.7.5 Elizabeth "Betty" Walsh born in Texas (age 9 in 1930)
............ 3.8 Hanna Walsh, of Ballinahinch, baptized 14 March 1871; sponsors
William Walsh, Lizzie Harrison. Johanna Walsh, of Kilnoe, age 19, daughter of farmer Patrick Walsh, married Henry Brady, of Scariff, widower, shopkeeper, son of Michael Brady, on 8 November 1891 at the RC chapel at Bodyke; witnesses John Fitzgerald and Mary Lynch.
<Scariff Town, Scariff, House 105, House 81> Four other children from Herny Brady's first marriage were recorded in the 1901 census.
......................... 3.8.1 Mary Kate Brady (age 8 in 1901). Was working at the Continental Hotel in Atlantic City owned by her aunt Margaret Walsh Duncan in both the 1910 and 1920 census; also included in her will.
......................... 3.8.2 Josephine Brady (age 17 in 1911)
......................... 3.8.3 Michael Brady (age 16 in 1911)
......................... 3.8.4 Patrick Brady (age 14 in 1911)
......................... 3.8.5 Ellen Brady died 20 June 1899, age 12 months, shopkeeper's daughter, at Scariff; informant mother Johanna Brady.
......................... 3.8.6 William Hugh Brady (age 12 in 1911)
......................... 3.8.7 Cecilia Brady (age 11 in 1911)
......................... 3.8.8 James Joseph Brady died 9 May 1905, age 3½ years, at Scariff; informant father Henry Brady.
......................... 3.8.9 Thomas Edward Brady (age 6 in 1911)
............ 3.9 Edmond Walsh, of Ballinahinch, baptized 17 February 1873; sponsors
Ned and old Mrs. Walsh. Immigrated to USA in 1893 according to 1910 census. Married Margaret M. Murphy (born in PA) on 14 April 1904 in Philadelphia. Edward Joseph Walsh died in Philadelphia on 18 June 1913; death certificate states father as Patrick Walsh, mother as Josephine McMahon, both of Ireland. Margaret M. Walsh died in Philadelphia on 10 January 1949, father James B Murphy, mother Mary A. Brennan.
......................... 3.9.1 Margaret M. Walsh born 27 January 1905; died 28 February 1906, in Philadelphia.
......................... 3.9.2 Edward J. Walsh born 5 June 1907; died 15 November 1907, in Philadelphia.
4.0 William Walsh, of Ballinahinch, was baptized 4 January 1839; sponsors
William Walsh and Mary Gleeson. William was the only child of Michael Walsh and Catherine McNamara of Ballynahinch to be recorded in the Kilnoe baptism register as other children were born prior to 1832. William Walsh, farmer, of Ballinahinch, son of Michael Walsh (deceased), married
Mary Minogue, of Clonusker, daughter of farmer John Minogue, on 23 February 1876 at the RC Chapel at Clonusker; witnesses
Matthew McNamara and Mary Tuohy (registrar's district of Feakle, in the Union of Scariff; but where reflected in Catholic parish records?).
<Ballinahinch, Ballinahinch, House 5, House 6> In 1901, William Walsh was reported as age 55; and in 1911 as age 65; and he died on 12 August 1923 at Ballinahinch at the age of 77 years, informant son Edmond Walsh. His age consistently reflected a birth year about 1846, about 7 years later than his presumed 1839 baptism.
............ 4.1 Michael Walsh, of Ballinahinch, baptized on 24 November 1876; sponsors
Ned Walsh and Kate Harrison.
............ 4.2 William Walsh, no location reported, baptized on 1 October 1879; sponsors
Ned Walsh and Margaret Walsh.
............ 4.3 Edmond Walsh (age 19 in 1901)
<Ballinahinch, Ballinahinch, House 5, House 6>
............ 4.4 Mary Margaret Walsh (1885)
............ 4.5 Catherine Walsh (age 15 in 1901)
<Ballinahinch, Ballinahinch, House 5, x>
............ 4.6 Thomas Walsh (age 11 in 1901)
<Ballinahinch, Ballinahinch, House 5, House 6>
............ 4.7 Unknown Walsh (in 1911, reported 7 children, 6 living)
The above Walsh family tree structure with Michael Walsh and Catherine McNamara having four children (Edmond, Johanna, Patrick, William) is a theory. Further evidence would prove that they were indeed siblings. On ancestry.com there are several family trees which provide an alternative theory. That William Walsh, who married Mary Minogue in 1876, was indeed born in 1846 (baptism record gone missing?) and that he was the son of a Michael Walsh and Mary Minogue of Newtown, Ballinahinch. The assumption is that this William Walsh was the brother of Jeremiah "Darby" Walsh, baptized on 12 July 1855 in Newtown, Kilnoe Parish. This assumption would contradict my theory that Michael Walsh was murdered in 1847, since he had a child in 1855. When Jeremiah Walsh married Bridget Malone on 6 February 1878, his father was reported as "Michael Walsh" in the civil record. However, on the 12 July 1855 baptism record, Jeremiah's father was reported as "William Walsh", mother as "Mary Minogue". Jeremiah Walsh would be the informant on the death record for his mother Mary (Minogue) Walsh of Newtown in 1888 at the age of 74 years. This Mary Minogue Walsh, born about 1814, would have been too young to be the mother of Edmond Walsh of Ballynahinch, born between 1820 and 1828. No documentation was provided on the "father", Michael Walsh, other than the 1878 marriage of Jeremiah Walsh.
I reckon that William Walsh, baptized in 1839, son of Michael Walsh and Catherine McNamara of Ballynahinch, was the not so young man from Ballynahinch who married Mary Minogue in 1876. He (or his wife) consistently fudged his age by 7 years in the 1901 and 1911 census reports to make him closer in age to his spouse. At the baptisms for their first two children, the baptism sponsors were Ned Walsh, Kate Harrison, and Margaret Walsh — they were William's nephew and nieces who were old enough to be baptism sponsors. If Michael Walsh had been the father of both William and Jeremiah, there would be quite a large age gap between William Walsh (born 1839, or even if in 1846) and Jeremiah Walsh (born 1855) with no other siblings recorded in between. I believe that Jeremiah's parents were William Walsh and Mary Minogue as per his 1855 baptism record. And that perhaps this William Walsh of Newtown could be a first cousin to the above mentioned siblings Edmond, Johanna, Patrick, and William Walsh of Ballynahinch.
My theory that the parents of Edmond, Johanna, Patrick, and William Walsh were Michael Walsh and Catherine McNamara does have supporting evidence. The second born daughters of Patrick Walsh & Johanna McMahon; and William Walsh & Mary Minogue were both named "Catherine", after their mother Catherine McNamara Walsh? Johanna Walsh Harrison named her second daughter, Catherine Harrison, not her first daughter, which would have been following Irish tradition. Edmond Walsh & Anne Harrison named their first born daughter Catherine (born in 1860 according to NZ records, no baptism record).
When additional civil death records become available on-line, the records for Catherine Walsh will be interesting, including from Scariff district, CW died in 1871, at age 60. And from Galway district: CW died in (a) 1869, age 80, (b) 1873, age 74, (c) 1872, age 65, (d) 1875, age 65.
Further evidence of a McNamara connection is when James Halpin, son of James Halpin and Johanna Walsh, was baptized in 1861 at Tulla Parish, one of the baptism sponsors was Michael McNamara. In one of the USA passport applications for James Halpin, he stated that his godfather Michael McNamara was his uncle. Possibly a younger brother of Catherine McNamara Walsh? Or possibly a first cousin of Johanna Walsh; James Halpin could have called him "uncle" out of respect for an older relative. I believe these McNamara's were from Tulla Parish. This Michael McNamara had to be old enough to be a baptism sponsor in 1861, and still be living when James Halpin visited Ireland in 1922. When William Walsh of Ballynahinch married Mary Minogue in 1876, one witness was Matthew McNamara — perhaps a McNamara cousin as Sheila has speculated? Also, when Elizabeth Harrison married Michael Gunning in 1883, one witness was Eliza McNamara — another cousin? I must think about how or if Catherine McNamara Walsh, as well as Michael, Matthew, and Eliza McNamara, could be related to the other McNamara's we've come across during the ongoing search for the missing Civil War soldier Thomas McNamara of Glandree. But I'll think about it tomorrow.
Johanna Walsh certainly had a tough life. When her father Michael Walsh was murdered in 1847 while traveling from Ballynahinch to Ennis, she was only a teenager. Her 1853 marriage to John Harrison, brought them three children, but sadly her husband died about 1856. John Harrison left a Will which basically prohibited Johanna from remarriage if she wanted to stay in her home with her children. After Johanna Walsh was remarried to James Halpin in 1859, she was a defendant in a court action brought on by the executors of the will. After three hearings the courts finally ruled against her in January 1861. If she was not able to raise her own children, what was there to do? Oh, what was there that matters? Yet, Johanna had the gumption to survive. She decided to go to Tulla, the ancestral home of her mother, Catherine McNamara Walsh. Was this not from where the McNamara's got their strength, the green hills of Tulla? With the spirit of her people who would not know defeat, even when it stared them in the face, she raised her chin, "Tulla. Home. I'll go home. And I'll think of some way to get my children back. After all, tomorrow is another day!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIRqL689rBI