Hi Sheila,
Thanks for your feedback on the 1847 Freeholder listing. The purpose of "senior" and "junior" was to distinguish between two people with the same name, not for family relationships. I reckon they could be father and son, or they could be two men with the same name but different ages. Either way, the terms "senior" and "junior" could be used to distinguish between the two freeholders. If an expert on freeholder listings stated that "senior" and "junior" were only used to reflect father and son relationships, then I would want to know how were two men of the same name, but not father and son, living in the same townland, reported on the freeholder listings.
In Garruragh townland, there were two men named James Quinlivan, one born about 1806, the son of Laurence Quinlivan, and the other born in 1812, the son of Thomas Quinlivan. Clearly, the two men are not father and son. In 1847, the year of the freeholder listing, both James Quinlivans were married with children reflected in the baptism records; they both appear to be well-to-do farmers; their descendants are living in the 1901 and 1911 census reports. They are the most likely explanation for the two men reported on the 1847 freeholder listing.
However, I agree with you that there are other possibilities. A James Quinlivan, say the one reported on the 1827 Tithe Applotments with a very small land holding. Or the one reported in the 1829 Freeholder listing, if he was still living in 1847, could have been the brother of Thomas Quinlivan (your suggestion) or else even the father of Thomas Quinlivan.
Another theory, which I like more and more, is that "Laurence Quinlivan", the father of James Quinlivan (≈1806-1879) was, in fact, a James Laurence Quinlivan. The marriage announcement of Honora Quinlivan in 1874 in Australia stated her father as "James Laurence Quinlivan". "James" and "Laurence" could have been used interchangeably to distinguish between father and son over the generations.
Sheila, it will not be possible with 100% certainty to identify the two men named James Quinlivan on the 1847 freeholder listing. And it may not be that important to do so. Under any of our scenarios, the two Quinlivan family trees of my prior posting are not altered. The 1847 clue did provide new information:
• The Rev. Mr. Quinlivan was the Rev. Patrick Quinlivan who died in 1860.
• Thomas Quinlivan, the father of James Quinlivan (≈1812-1883), was still living in 1847. But Thomas appears to have died prior to the 1852 meeting attended with Rev. Patrick Quinlivan and his two nephews to discuss their lands at Garruragh (Plot 13 at Griffith Valuation). Was the father of Thomas, likely another James? I think so. We he also living in 1847? I think rather unlikely.
• There were two men living at 1847 at Garruragh named John Quinlivan.
The two men named John Quinlivan on the 1847 freehold listing are even more difficult to identity than the James Quinlivans. We know of one John Quinlivan, who appears to be the son of Thomas Quinlivan, married to Mary Boland in 1841. Another John Quinlivan was reported on the 1825 Freeholder's list as one of three "lives on lease" for Laurence Quinlivan. And, lastly discovered, was the 1821 listing of freeholders, dated 18 January 1813, with a John Quinlivan of Rathill, Rath, and "lives" reported as John Quinlivan. The last John Quinlivan in 1813 appears to be a father and son. But were both living in 1847? Unlikely, I reckon. There are a total of four possible John Quinlivans.
Since we only have detailed information on the John Quinlivan of Rath married to Mary Boland, it is not clear at all who both men named John Quinlivan on the 1847 Freehold listing could be. Equally, we can't be certain whose cow in 1849 was stolen at Garruragh:
John Dowdle was indicted for stealing a cow, the property of John Quinlivan, of Rath, on the 22d June last.—Verdict, Guilty, to be transported for 10 years.
Clare Journal, and Ennis Advertiser, Monday, 9 July 1849
Was the cow the property of John Quinlivan of Rath, married to Mary Boland? Possibly not, since there were two men listed as freeholders in 1847 and both could still be living in Garruragh in 1849. We do know that the John Quinlivan, married to Mary Boland, would go to Victoria in 1854 with four of his children (presumably he was a widower). It would have been really awkward if the convict John Dowdle crossed paths with his accuser in Australia. However, in fact, John Dowdle, was never transported to Australia, or anywhere else for that matter. John Dowdle had been 18 years old when he was convicted for cow stealing in 1849. He died at the prison on Spike Island, in County Cork, on 1 March 1855.
http://findingaids.nationalarchives.ie/ ... earchfocus
The cow stolen by John Dowdle wasn't the only cow stolen from Garruragh in June of 1849:
George Tuohy was indicted for stealing a cow, the property of Pat Earls, of Garrura, on the 25th June last.—Verdict, Guilty, to be transported for 10 years.
Clare Journal, and Ennis Advertiser, Monday, 9 July 1849
I could not locate any convict records for a George Tuohy. Patrick Earles and Kate Hartigan of Garrura had children between 1845 and 1851 as reflected in the Tulla baptism registers. A stolen cow from their family would have been devastating in 1849. Also in the Tulla baptism records were Thomas Earles and Hanna Flanagan of Rath, who had children between 1841 and 1847. Sheila, these two Earles households of Garruragh would be part of the decline in Garruragh's population as reported from the 1851 to 1861 census reports as we've previously discussed.
Sheila, thank you for providing the field book for Garruragh which reported two houses occupied by Henry Bolton and William Molony. I had never previously utilized the "Valuation Office house, field, tenure and quarto books 1824 – 1856", which have been available on-line at the National Archives since November 2016.
https://www.nationalarchives.ie/article ... e-records/
http://www.genealogy.nationalarchives.ie/
As you've noted, William Molony was the occupier of the smaller house, known as "Garruragh Cottage" in newspaper accounts, and not the larger "Garruragh House", occupied for a short time by Henry Bolton. When researching the history of the Tulla Fever Hospital, and specifically when it started operations at Garruragh House, I researched various lease transactions that were reported by the Chancery Court in Dublin. Prior to Griffith Valuation, when landlord Charles George O'Callaghan was a minor, any rental transactions went through the chancery courts. But previously, all rental transactions associated with the widow, Mrs. Martha Harrison Comyn, also went through the chancery courts where she was reported as a "defendant". I do not know why Mrs. Comyn was named as a defendant in these numerous chancery "matters", but it did provide detail on who was occupying some of her Garruragh lands through the 1820's and 1830's. Martha Harrison Comyn was living in Garruragh House until about 1838, and during her long period of occupancy was unable, I reckon, to afford to spend much on repairs and maintenance. After Charles George O'Callaghan obtained possession, "a large sum of money" was spent on Garruragh House "in repairing the Dwelling House and Offices at the Minor's expense".
Henry Palmer, Esq., Plaintiff
Nicholas Comyn, Esq. and Martha Comyn, otherwise Harrison, his Wife, which said Martha is Executrix of John W. Harrison, deceased; J. Harrison, Esq. and Wife, and Others, Defendants.
Pursuant to the Decree of his Majesty's Court of Exchequer in Ireland, made in this Cause, bearing date the 22nd Day of February last, I will on WEDNESDAY the 14th Day of December next, at my Office, on the Inn's Quay, Dublin, set up and sell by public Cant to the highest and best Bidder, the Lands and Premises in the Pleadings in said Decree mentioned, that is to say, the lands of GARRURA, MOYREE and RATH, with the Appurtenances, situate in the County of Clare, part thereof held under a Fee Farm Lease for ever, and the remainder under a Lease for Lives renewable forever, or a competent part thereof for the purposes in said Decree mentioned.—Dated this 26th Day of Nov. 1808.
W.W. POLE.
☞ For Particulars, apply to MR. WILLIAMSON of Moore-street, Dublin, Plaintiff's Attorney.
Limerick Gazette, Tuesday, 13 December 1808
DEATHS.
On Thursday last, at Garruragh, County of Clare, Nicholas Comyn, Esq.
Saunder's News Letter, Tuesday, 14 April 1818
During the 1820's and through to 1838, Martha Comyn appears every few years in the "chancery" legal section of newspapers:
Wm. Russell, and others, Plaintiffs.
Martha Comyn, Widow, and others, Defendants.
Pursuant to the Decree of his Majesty's High Court of Chancery in Ireland, made this Cause, bearing date the third day of July, 1822, I hereby require all persons having Debts, Charges, and Incumbrances affecting the Real and personal Estates of Nicholas Comyn, late of Garruragh, in the county of Clare, deceased, to come in before me at my Chambers, on the Inns-quay, Dublin, on or before the tenth day of October next, and prove the same, otherwise they will be precluded all benefit arising from the said Decree.
Dated this 24th day of August, 1822.
THOMAS BALL.
Cornelius O'Brien and Barry Collins, Plaintiff's Solicitors, No. 32, North Cumberland street, Dublin.
Dublin Weekly Register, Saturday, 31 August 1822
On 3 July 1823, another legal Cause in Chancery Court by William Russell against Martha Comyn was to open to the highest bidder, for a term of three years, the "Demense of Garruragh, including the several parts thereof, in the possession of
Henry Bentley, Michael Kerwick, Thady Kerwick, John Hogan, and John Markham, save the House Division, containing 25 acres". (
Dublin Evening Post, 8 July 1823).
Three years later, another legal Cause, dated 7 March 1826, by William Russell against Martha Comyn and other legal defendants, was fairly identical to the 1823 Cause listing Henry Bentley, Michael Kerwick etc as "formerly in the possession", but also stating "as now held by John O'Brien" who thus appears to have been the highest bidder in 1823. (
Dublin Evening Post, 23 March 1826).
In the Tithe Applotment report dated 11 February 1827, Michael Kerwick and Thady Kerwick occupied lands in Ballyaskill, Garruragh. John Hogan in Rath, Garruragh. John Markham in Quillinagh, Garruragh. Henry Bentley was not listed.
"Mrs. Comyn" was reported in Garruragh townland in the Tithe Applotments, as the occupier of 28 Irish acres, with 30 Irish acres of bog reported in the far right notes. "Save the House Division, containing 25 acres" was noted in 1823: Mrs. Comyn appears to continue to have occupied Garruragh House and its immediate surrounding garden and lands (later Plot 13 at Griffith Valuation, the auxiliary workhouse and fever hospital).
http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarc ... _00622.pdf
Three years later, yet another legal Cause, dated 5 May 1829, by William Russell against Martha Comyn and others, to open the Lands of Garruragh, formerly in the possession of "Henry Bentley, Esq., and others, and as lately in the tenancy of Thomas Browne Burke, Esq., containing 67 acres, 1 rood, and 2 perches, late Irish plantation measure. The new term was to be seven years. (Dublin Evening Post, 9 Mary 1829).
Mrs. Martha Harrison Comyn appears to have carried on at Garruragh House throughout the 1820's and late 1830's. She and her sister-in-law, Mrs. Elizabeth Comyn Brown of Newgrove, were patrons in education, as noted by Sharon in a recent posting (page 48) on this thread discussing education in Clare:
While Kilkishen may have been above-average for East Clare in acceptance/toleration of its Protestant gentry, other schools in Clare at that time likewise had good statistics for enrollment, such as Newgrove (patron Mrs. Brown): 130 male & female; Garruragh (Mrs. Comyn, patron) 166 males & female.
Nine years after the previous Chancery court session, on a legal Cause dated 5 June 1838, the plaintiffs Frances Westby O'Callaghan, George O'Callaghan, and Charles George O'Callaghan, were up against defendant Martha Comyn, widow, and others. This time was not a short term lease but "sell by Public Cant, the highest bidder, all that and those the Town and Lands of Garruragh and Rath" on the 21st day of June at the chambers of Thomas Goold, Inn's-quay, Dublin (
Limerick Chronicle, 13 June 1838). Cornelius O'Brien was the highest bidder.
The Garruragh estate, in this county was sold a few days ago for £13,200 to Cornelius O'Brien, Esq., M.P.
Clare Journal, and Ennis Advertiser, Monday , 2 July 1838
The solicitor of Charles George O'Callaghan was Cornelius O'Brien, Esq. M.P., who was also named in the various Chancery actions between 1822 and 1829 relating to Martha Harrison Comyn. Thus, Charles George O'Callaghan appears to have been the actual purchaser for £13,200 in late June 1838. A "matter" in his name was discussed in a Chancery Court filing a few months later:
IN CHANCERY.
In the Matter of Charles George O'Callaghan
Pursuant to an Order made in this Matter, bearing date the 5th August, 1839, in pursuance of my Report of the 29th July, 1839, I will on Saturday, the 24th day of August inst., at the hour of one o'Clock in the afternoon, at my Chambers, on the Inns-quay, City of Dublin, set up and Let, pending the Minority of the said Minor, all that and those, the House, Offices, and Demesne Lands of Garruragh and Rath, containing 25 acres, as lately in the possession of Mrs. Martha Comyn; as also that part of said Lands lately in the possession of Mr. Patrick Burke, containing 67 acres and 1 rood, or thereabouts, situate in the County of Clare, being part of Minor's Estates—Dated the 14th day of August, 1839.
THOMAS GOOLD.
N.B.—A large sum of money is about being laid out in repairing the Dwelling House and Offices at the Minor's expense.
The Tenant or Tenants will be required to take out Leases under the Court, and enter into the usual Security by recognizance.
Apply to P. [Pierce] Carrick, Esq., the Receiver, Ennis; or to William Henry McGrath, Solicitor to the Minor, 20 Summer-hill.
Dublin Evening Post, Thursday, 15 August 1839
Thomas Goold (≈1766 - 1846) was a master of the Court of Chancery in Ireland:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Goold
The various legal actions between 1822 and 1838 in Chancery Court naming Mrs. Martha Comyn as the defendant, may have actually been for her benefit or at least she had the legal right to remain at Garruragh House? By 1838 or 1839, Martha Comyn was no longer living at Garruragh House and had moved to the town of Tulla where she died on 1 January 1846.
January 1, at Tulla Cottage, Martha, relict of Nicolas Comyn, Esq., of Garruragh, county Clare, and sister [in-law*] of Thomas Browne, Esq., Newgrove.
Dublin Evening Mail, Monday, 5 January 1846
* Thomas Browne of Newgrove was married to Elizabeth Comyn, so Martha Comyn was the sister-in-law of Thomas Browne.
Browne family landed estates:
https://landedestates.ie/family/2040
Charles George O'Callaghan came of age about 1842 and thus subsequent rentals of his properties no longer went through the Chancery Court. Advertisements to let the Garruragh property were made in 1843 and again in 1848:
COUNTY OF CLARE.
TO BE LET
For such terms as may be agreed on, from the 25th of March next, the House, Offices, and Demesne of BALLINAHINCH, containing 150 Acres Plantation Measure or thereabouts, Arable, Pasture, and Meadow, with right of Turbury, situate in the Barony of Tulla, County of Clare. The House and Offices are in Tentable Repair, and the Demesne is highly ornamented by Wood and Water, and in a Sporting Country. About 9 acres of Rich Soil have been in the present Spring carefully laid down with a Crop of Oats, and the Kitchen Garden prepared for crops.
Also, the House, Offices, and Demesne of GARRURAGH, containing 90 acres Plantation Measure or thereabouts, all prime Tillage and Fattening Land, with right of Turbury, situate in the same Barony, and within a mile of the post-town of Tulla. About 6 Acres have been laid down in a similar manner with a Crop of Oats, and the Kitchen Garden also prepared for Crops.
Also that part called GARRURAGH COTTAGE, containing 17 Acres or thereabouts, now in the possession of WILLIAM MOLONY, Esq.
Also that part of the said lands of BALLINAHINCH, late in the possession of JOHN SCANLAN, and that part of the lands at CARHUGAR, in the Barony of Bunratty, late in the possession of DENIS LYNCH.
Application to be made to CHARLES GEORGE O'CALLAGHAN, Esq., 29 Landsdowne-place, Cheltenham, or to P. CARRICK, Esq., Ennis.
Michael Walsh, Carekeeper at Ballinahinch, or John Neylon, of Toonagh, will show the several Premises.
1st March, 1843
Limerick Chronicle, Saturday, 11 March 1843
Henry Bolton, Esq., appears to have taken up the lease for Garruragh House. The birth of a son on 26 May 1845 and a daughter in June 1846, both with a residence of Garruragh, were noted in the Irish newspapers.
Pierce Carrick, appointed as receiver for Charles George O'Callaghan, was murdered on the 18th of March, 1846. The following month, Daniel O'Connell, The Liberator, gave a long speech at the House of Commons on 3 April 1846 which referred to the murder of Pierce Carrick, "an unhappy murdered man". While O'Connell, of course, would never condone a murder, he went on to provide details of the prior actions of Carrick which led to his murder. News articles of both the murder and O'Connell's speech were given on the thread "John McNamara, of Barbeton, Ohio, returns to County Clare in 1892":
http://www.ourlibrary.ca/phpbb2/viewtop ... f=1&t=7343
One week later, Pierce Creagh, in a letter to the editor of the
Limerick Chronicle, provided a long and spirited defense of his murdered friend, Pierce Carrick, and interesting details to the land transactions of the Charles George O'Callaghan estate:
The facts are simply thus:—Mr. Carrick was about the year 1833 appointed receiver by the Court of Chancery, in the matter of Charles George O'Callaghan, a minor, over certain lands in the County of Clare, and continued to act as such receiver till about a year since, when Mr. O'Callaghan attained his full age; and I believe by the advice of his guardians—his mother, Lady William Somerset, and Cornelius O'Brien, Esq. M.P., the latter being also his solicitor—caused a new letting to be made of his lands, (the former tenancies having been only pending his minority, of course terminated with it,) and for the purpose of such new setting, Mr. O'Brien, M.P., recommended a person in this employment, named Neylan, to value Mr. O'Callaghan's lands, and to new model and fix the size and boundaries of each tenant's farm. With these proceedings, Mr. Carrick had nothing whatever to do; he merely received such valuation, that he might as Mr. O'Callaghan's agent, collect his rents in accordance therewith, but he never interfered to prevent the fulfillment of any promise made by Mr. O'Callaghan to his tenant's, which promise, if ever made, Mr. O'Callaghan, as an officer and a gentleman, would, I doubt not, have fulfilled; and Mr. O'Connell ought to be aware that his friend, Mr. O'Brien, would not have sanctioned either a breach of faith with those tenants, or an unjust valuation of their lands.
Excerpt from "The Murder of Mr. Carrick", Limerick Chronicle, Wednesday, 15 April 1846
A new model? To fix the size and boundaries of each tenant's farm? What could go wrong? Pierce Creagh in the defense of his friend against Daniel O'Connell's prior comments appears to be saying that Carrick was merely following the orders of Charles George O'Callaghan and his solicitor Cornelius O'Brien. He also believed that the revaluation of these lands could never possibly be unjust. How naive. From the tenants' perspective anyone associated with these changes would have been a fair target. In the same letter of April 1846, Pierce Creagh correctly foreshadows the violence which was to come in 1847:
It is notorious that, at the present time, in Clare several land agents and magistrates of that county are obliged to use the greatest caution for their personal safety, and that if Mr. Carrick had been equally circumspect in that respect, his life would have been spared.
The land agent of Charles George O'Callaghan of Ballinhinch, Michael Walsh, would obtain police protection for a period, but, I reckon, it would have unlikely lasted longer than one year.
ATROCIOUS MURDER.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIMERICK AND CLARE EXAMINER.
Fortane More, October 29, 1847.
Dear Sir—At eight o'clock this morning a most cruel murder was committed within a quarter of a mile of my house. The victim was Mr. Michael Walsh, steward to Charles George O'Callaghan, of Ballynahinch. He was on his way to Ennis, to arrange some business with Mr. Enright, and had not proceeded more than half a mile from his own house, when he was shot dead and his brains dashed about the road.
Yours very truly,
A Subscribe.
Limerick and Clare Examiner, Saturday, 30 October 1847
More details and the family tree of Michael Walsh, the steward and land agent of Charles George O'Callaghan, were discussed back in 2020 on page 27 of this thread. Michael Walsh was the grandfather of Margaret Walsh Duncan (1867 - 1928), who was the owner of the Continental Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
http://www.ourlibrary.ca/phpbb2/viewtop ... &start=390
Henry Bolton, Esq., and his young family, wisely leave Garruragh House, which in April 1848 is again advertised . . .
To be Let,
FROM the first of May next, the House and Demesne of BALLYNAHINCH, containing about 160 Acres of Prime fattening and Meadow Land, all (including the House) in the best possible order; also, the House and Demesne of GARRURAGH, containing about 100 Acres of superior LAND; also the farm of BOHERARD which contains 40 Acres of first rate land.—
Ballynahinch is within three miles of Tulla, and Garruragh two.
Application to CHARLES GEORGE O'CALLAGHAN, Esq., 1st Dragoon Guards, Dorchester; or JOHN ENRIGHT, Esq., Templemaley House, Ennis.
April 15.
Limerick Chronicle, Saturday, 29 April 1848
Was the next occupier of Garruragh House the Tulla Fever Hospital leased by the Scariff Union (later Tulla Union)? See timeline history of the Tulla Fever Hospital on page 53 of this thread. I knew for certain that the Tulla Fever Hospital was at Garruragh House in early 1850, at the same time as the Tulla Temporary Workhouse (for women only). And we know for certain that the Tulla Fever Hospital was in existence in March 1849 due to reports of a cholera outbreak. And based upon the number of patients treated, had likely started its operations in late 1848. Based upon Garruragh House being advertised for rent in April 1848, the Tulla Fever Hospital appears more likely to have started there in late 1848. Unfortunately, there are no newspaper accounts to prove this theory.
When Charles George O'Callaghan, gentleman, widower, 74 years old, died at Ballinahinch on 29 October 1895; the informant, present at death at Ballinahinch, was a
Michael McNamara. The identity of this Michael McNamara has been discussed previously but still remains a mystery.
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 678416.pdf