John McNamara, of Barberton, Ohio, returns to County Clare in 1892

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Jimbo
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John McNamara, of Barberton, Ohio, returns to County Clare in 1892

Post by Jimbo » Fri Sep 02, 2022 5:42 am

'Squire John McNamara, of New Portage, is getting ready for a trip to the "Old Country" to be taken in the near future. He will investigate the property he has fallen heir to during his absence.

The Summit County Beacon, Akron, Ohio, 13 April 1892
'Squire John McNamara, of New Portage, is preparing to leave in a few days for Ireland to visit his brother and other relatives. He was in town to-day arranging for his journey, which includes looking after claims held by his wife's father and family to estates in the old country valued at $80,000,000. Pleasant journey and full success, will be the wish of the 'Squire's hosts of Summit county friends.

The Akron Beacon Journal, Akron, Ohio, 21 June 1892
Squire John McNamara, of New Portage, left for New York City last evening, where he sails for Ireland. He will return about Sept. 15.

The Akron Beacon Journal, Akron, Ohio, 6 July 1892
John McNamara of New Portage (later called Barberton) was a justice of the peace, thus the use of the term "Squire" in above newspaper articles. Where in Ireland will John McNamara of New Portage / Barberton, Ohio be returning to 1892?

Below is a brief outline of his family tree:

John McNamara (born February 1833 per 1900 census) married Hannah Wood (≈1847, age 53 in 1900) on 4 August 1864 in Summit County, Ohio.

John McNamara was born in Ireland according to all census records; he was a grocer in the 1870 census. Hannah Wood McNamara was born in Ohio according to the 1870, 1880 and 1900 census reports. She was born in Kent [Ohio] according to her 1910 obituary. They were the parents of seven children, four living per the 1900 census. Five children can be identified through census reports:

............ 1.0 Mary McNamara (≈1865, age 5 in 1870, age 15 in 1880)

............ 2.0 James McNamara (≈1867, age 3 in 1870, age 13 in 1880)

............ 3.0 Alice McNamara (≈1869, age 0 in 1870, died prior to 1880)

............ 4.0 Stephen McNamara (≈1872, age 8 in 1880)

............ 5.0 Margaret "Myrtle" McNamara (≈1879, age 9 months in 1880)

............ 6.0 Unknown McNamara, mother "Anna" McNamara reported in the 1900 census that she was the mother of seven children, four living.

............ 7.0 Unknown McNamara

In the 1851 England census, there is a John McNamara; age 19 (≈1832); born in Kilkee, Clare, Ireland; a private with the 30th Regiment of Foot; living at the barracks at the civil parish of Walmer, in Kent, England. When viewing Ohio census records for John McNamara of New Portage using the ancestry website, this 1851 England census record is one of several "Suggested Records".

The 30th Regiment of Foot fought in the Crimean War (1853 - 1856), and in June 1861 was sent to Canada until 1869; while in Canada they were involved in repelling the Fenian Raids.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crimean_War

John McNamara of Barberton, Summit County, Ohio, arrived in the USA in 1853 according to the 1900 census. He is extremely unlikely to have been a private with the 30th Regiment of Foot in 1851. There are over 30 family trees on the ancestry website for John McNamara of Barberton, Ohio, but only about 5 or so have John McNamara in the 1851 England census or born in Kilkee, Clare. Not sure if ancestry software creates "Suggested Records" based on information on users' family trees; or the other way around.

Except for those providing a birthplace of Kilkee, none of the descendants of John McNamara reported the specific townland where he was born, only in County Clare. They are not aware that Squire John McNamara returned to his old home in Ireland in 1892. Where was he going to?

To be continued.

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

Re: John McNamara, of Barberton, Ohio, returns to County Clare in 1892

Post by Sduddy » Fri Sep 02, 2022 10:19 am

Hi Jimbo

I googled "John McNamara New Portage Ohio" and got this, but it doesn't get us any further with the origins of John. It doesn't mention Kilkee, but neither does it mention the Crimean War: http://www.ohiogenealogyexpress.com/sum ... 1908_m.htm.
The baptism records (online) for the Catholic Parish of Kilkee (the seaside resort) begin only at 1869 (there are earlier records but they are not available online). There is a townland of Kilkee in the civil parish of Ruan.The baptism records for Ruan and Dysert begin in 1845. So it will be very difficult to find the baptism of John. I see that Thomas McNamara and Peg Mulqueeny of Kilkee, Ruan, had a daughter, Margaret, baptised on 9 Mar. 1846: https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls ... 7/mode/1up.
The biographical piece suggests that there is a baptism record in existence and it says that his parents are Martin McNamara and Mary McInerny. Finding that record is another story!

Note: The Tithe Applotment book for Dysert (which includes Ruan) shows Thos McNamara, Michl McInerny and Patt Mulquiny listed consecutively in Kilkee West (Ruan): http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarc ... _00408.pdf

Sheila

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

Re: John McNamara, of Barberton, Ohio, returns to County Clare in 1892

Post by Jimbo » Thu Sep 29, 2022 6:23 pm

Hi Sheila,

Thank you for having a look at the Kilkee baptism records for a John McNamara, who in the 1851 England Census was a private with the 30th Regiment of Foot at their barracks in Kent. And thank you also for the discovery of the interesting biography on John McNamara of New Portage which will comment more upon another day. First, I've further researched the John McNamara of the 30th Regiment of Foot which ended up fighting in the Crimean War of 1854-1856 as per below regimental history.
The Victorian era
The regiment [30th Regiment of Foot] landed at Scutari in May 1854 and was present at the Battle of Alma in September 1854, the Battle of Inkerman in November 1854 and the Siege of Sevastopol in winter 1854 during the Crimean War. In June 1861 the regiment moved to Canada as Britain increased their military presence following the Trent Affair. The regiment remained there until 1869, and was involved in repelling the Fenian raids.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/30th_(Cam ... nt_of_Foot
Consistent with the above regimental history, I was able to find John McNamara of the 30th Regiment on award rolls for the Crimean War medal and various battle clasps. Sheila, we had briefly discussed McNamara's fighting in the British military during the search for the missing Thomas McNamara (on page 15). This was back in January 2019, and at that time I was surprised how many Irish fought with the British military. But I realize now that by using pension records as the primary source, this provided only a fraction of the true number of Irish born soldiers who fought in the British military. I'm sidetracking a bit from the story of John McNamara of New Portage and his return to Ireland in 1892, as I find the Irish soldiers fighting in the Crimean War very interesting.

The below research guide from the British National Archives highlights the lack of pre-WWI military records:
2. The surviving records

Finding information on a soldier’s service prior to the First World War presents a different and generally more complicated puzzle than it does from the First World War onwards. Self-contained service records of the kind created and retained for the First World War itself, and subsequently, do not exist. In most cases, a soldier’s service must, instead, be pieced together using the mixture of records that survive. These records typically include regimental muster books and pay lists, discharge papers and pension records. Attestation records were created but relatively few survive and those that do tend to be found only among the papers of those discharged to pensions.

In general, if a soldier died in service or/and did not receive an army pension it is much less likely there will be any detailed record of his service – muster rolls and pay lists may be all that survive.

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/hel ... to-pension
By searching the database "UK, Campaign Medal and Award Rolls, 1793 - 1949" on the ancestry website, and specifying "Crimean War" for the "Campaign or Service" field, I was able to come up with a total of 16 John McNamara's who fought in Crimean War of 1854-1856. Of course, not all of these McNamara's would have been born in County Clare. And other soldiers named John McNamara are on record as only having fought in other colonies such as India. I also searched British newspapers which frequently reported the names of those killed and wounded at various Crimean War battles; the source was the War Office.

The below link provides a history of the Crimean war medal and various clasps, including nice photos :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crimea_Medal

Below are 16 soldiers named John McNamara who fought, and several died, in the Crimean War, in regimental order:

1) 3rd Regiment of Foot, "The Buffs". John McNamara, Reg # 3037. First page of award roll stated that the 3rd Regiment of Foot, The Buffs", landed in the "Crimea on the 1st and 3rd May 1855", which was prior to the fall of Sebastopol on 9 September 1855, and thus entitled to the Crimea medal and the Sebastopol clasp.

John McNamara, Reg # 3037, then took part in the "Chinese Wars" and was engaged in operations in 1860. Per the award roll: he and his unit were not present at the "Capture of Canton" on 29 December 1857. He was marked as present at the "Capture of Taku Forts", which was an engagement in the Second Opium War. He was not present at the "Capture of Pekin". Written in the remarks column: "Dead".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of ... rts_(1860)


2) 9th Regiment of Foot, "Royal Norfolk Regiment"; John McNamara, Reg # 3335; remark: "Dead (25 November 1854)". The Royal Norfolk Regiment fought at the Siege of Sebastopol in the winter of 1854. Medals for those soldiers killed during the Crimean War were awarded to the next of kin.


3) 13th Regiment of Foot "Prince Albert's Light Infantry "; John McNamara, private, Reg # 2283; Crimea medal, with Alma and Inkerman clasps; remark on different report: "Serving with Service Co. Bengal" (this same comment for many soldiers). If awarded the Inkerman clasp, a soldier also received the Sebastopol clasp.


4) 19th Regiment of Foot; John McNamara, private, Reg # 1446; awarded Crimea medal with Alma and Inkerman clasps.


5) 30th Regiment of Foot; John McNamara, Reg #3131, appears on three separate award rolls, but not clear beyond the Crimea medal what battle clasps he received. On one award roll, under the columns for Alma and Inkerman battle clasps, unlike most soldiers in his regiment, he was not marked present. The other two rolls appear to be mark attendance and only provide a list of names and rank, with remarks stating whether killed or returned to England. John McNamara was not killed in the Crimean War.

In 1851 England census, was reported as a private with the 30th Foot, age 19 and born in Kilkee, County Clare, and living at the barracks in Kent, England. His regiment moved to Canada in June 1861 and took part in repelling the Fenian Raids. The specific whereabouts of John McNamara after the Crimean War are unknown. Several descendants of John McNamara of New Portage, Ohio, claim this John McNamara as their ancestor, but they are incorrect.


6) 47th Lancashire Regiment, John McNamara, private, unclear Reg #, awarded Crimea medal and Alma clasp (but not Inkerman); remark: "sent to England from Scutari, 11 November 1854". The military hospital at Scutari was visited by Florence Nightingale and noted for its high death rate and overall poor condition of its facilities.

A John McNamara, of the 47th Regiment of Foot, was reported as wounded at the Battle of Alma on the 20th of September 1854 (London Evening Standard, 19 October 1854).

John McNamara, of the 47th Regiment of Foot; rate: "8"; start date: 6 May 1856; residence: Limerick; remark: "Died 6 June 63".
Royal Hospital, Chelsea: Regimental Register of Pensioners, 1814 - 1857


7) 47th Lancashire Regiment, John McNamara, private, Reg # 3133, remark: "Invalided to England from Camp 6 July 1855". He might be the same as the John McNamara directly above, or perhaps there were two John McNamara's who fought with the 47th Lancashire Regiment.


8 ) 55th Regiment of Foot, John McNamara, private, Reg #x966; Crimea medal with Alma clasp (not Inkerman clasp); mysterious remark: "C";

He might be John McNamara of the 55th who deserted in 1862 — see below notice. However, the John McNamara who deserted was born about 1841, so quite young to have fought in the Crimean War (1854-1856), unless he lied about his age and enlisted as a drummer boy. Also, he had a different Reg #.
John McNamara; office #167982; Reg # 3926; 55th Foot; born Drumcliffe, Clare; 21¼ years old; 5 feet 4 inches tall; light brown hair, blue eyes, fresh complexion; deserted 27 February 1862 at Preston; remark: "off furlough"; remark: "to St. Helier's, Jersey".
Deserters from her Majesty's Service, Police Gazette, 26 March 1862

9) 57th Regiment of Foot; John McNamara, Reg #xx13, remark: "Joined from Malta, 1 June 1855"; remark: "Died in Camp of wounds".


10) 63rd Regiment of Foot; John McNamara; private; Reg# 2786; awarded the Crimea medal, both Alma and Inkerman clasps; mysterious remark: "B D"; remark: "Invalided 23 March 1855".

A private John McNamara, of the 63rd Regiment, was listed as a casualty of the Battle of Inkerman. (London Morning Post, 12 December 1854).

John McNamara, of the 63rd Regiment of Foot; rate: "10"; date of admission: 3 July 1855.
Royal Hospital, Chelsea: Regimental Register of Pensioners, 1814 - 1857.


11) 77th Regiment of Foot; John McNamara; private; Reg #2782; Crimea medal, not awarded the Alma or Inkerman clasps (not marked present), but received the clasp for the fall of Sebastopol.


12) 82nd Regiment of Foot; John McNamara, private, no Reg # listed, was awarded the Crimea medal, Sebastopol clasp for participating in the Siege of Sebastopol (8 September 1855) per award roll (pg 270 of 436). John McNamara, private, Reg #xx26, was also listed on a second award roll (pg 280 of 436) with two columns for clasps, presumably for the Alma (20 Sept 1855) and Inkerman (5 Nov 1855) battle clasps. These two columns were left blank for all soldiers of the 82nd Regiment. This is consistent with the short history of the 82nd Regiment on wikipedia, "it also saw action at the Siege of Sevastopol in summer 1855 during the Crimean War", but no mention of participating in either Alma or Inkerman battles.
The regiment returned to India in February 1857 to help suppress the Indian Rebellion. It took part in the recapture of Cawnpore in July 1857 and then took part in the reinforcement of Lucknow defending the residency until it was relieved in November 1857.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/82nd_Regi ... olunteers)
John McNamara, Reg # x469 [not 1826?], of the 82nd Regiment of Foot, was awarded the Indian Mutiny Medal (1857-1857). "Services for which entitled to medal": "Kaukhur" (sp?).

NEW INFORMATION: Per "Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioner Admissions and Discharges, 1715 - 1925" in a report entitled "Examination of Invalid Soldiers on 19 July 1864", John McNamara, Reg # 1826 (transcribed as # 1026), was 41 years old, birthplace "Clonlea, Kilkishen, Clare", laborer, 5 feet 7½ inches, fair hair, grey eyes, fresh complexion. He was disabled due to chronic rheumatism and bronchitis due to climate. He had served a total of 22 years and 2 months, including 9 years and 4 months overseas (Ionian, 1 year, 11 months; Malta, 7 months; Crimea, 11 months; India, 5 years, 11 months). His conduct was good and he had been awarded two [good conduct] badges.

His date of enlistment with the 82nd Regiment was not reported on the Chelsea Pension record, but based upon his years of service, it would have been about May 1842. John McNamara was 41 years old in 1864, so born about 1823, he would have been 18 or 19 years old when he enlisted with the 82nd Regiment.

OLD INFORMATION: John McNamara, Private, 82nd Regiment Foot, received his pension at Tulla as reported on "Army Form O" in 1882 & 1883 for "Chelsea Out Pensions" under "Tralee Pension District Advice List" for 4 pounds, 3 shillings, 8 pence.

See further below family tree research on marriage of John McNamara of the 82nd Regiment upon his return to County Clare.


13) 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade; John McNamara, corporal, Reg # 3841, present on return dated 8 September 1855 (this is the date for those who received the Crimea medal, Sebastopol clasp).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rifle_Bri ... t%27s_Own)


14) Commissariat Department (transportation, provision of supplies), John McNamara, rank: "driver"; remark: "Sent home at their year of service having expired"; another remark: "Sent home between the 15th and 31st December 1855"; another remark: "Sent home between 15 May and 31 December 1855"; another remark: "Sent home at the expiration of their year's service on 15 January 1856". Likely, more than one John McNamara served in the transportation corps.


* NOT listed in Campaign Medal and Award Rolls:

* 15) Royal Artillery. A private John McNamara, of the Royal Artillery, died on 9 November 1854 (The Sun, London, 29 November 1854). One of 4,676 soldiers who were wounded or died at the Battle of Inkerman on 5 November 1854.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Artillery


* 16) 1st Battalion, 21st Regiment of Foot "Royal Scots Fusiliers"; John McNamara does not appears to have received a Crimea Medal, although his pension records state that he had served in Crimea/Turkey for 1 year and 9 months. Per enlistment records, he had enlisted with the 21st Fusiliers just two months shy of his 18th birthday on 12 July 1853 in Dublin. He was born in the parish of Tulla, near the town of Tulla, County Clare. He was discharged on 15 April 1861 (Reg #3108) as had contracted bronchitis in Malta and was unfit for further service. His 7 years & 210 days of credited service included 1 year & 9 months in Crimea/Turkey and 4 years in Malta. At discharge, this John McNamara was 5 foot 10 inches, fresh complexion, blue eyes, brown hair. He was discharged at Birr Barracks (also known as Crinkill Barracks) in County Offaly. His "Intended Place of Residence" was left blank.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Scots_Fusiliers

NEW INFORMATION: Per "Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioner Admissions and Discharges, 1715 - 1925" in a report entitled "Examination of Invalid Soldiers on 29 April 1861", John McNamara of the 21st Regiment Fusiliers was listed with his trade reported as "servant"; the last column states "Limerick" which was likely his residence in 1861. Limerick was included as "Where Payable" for pensioners in "Tralee Pension District Advice List" for 1882 / 1883. Since John McNamara of the 21st Regiment Fusiliers was not included on the list, and given his poor health in 1861, he likely died in the 1860's. From a search of civil death records, John McNamara might be either the 28 year old or 32 year old who both died in Limerick in 1866 — these death records are not yet available on-line. Or, perhaps, John McNamara died prior to the 1864 start of civil registration of deaths.

British military records appear to be somewhat accurate on ages, so this John McNamara might be the son of Matthew McNamara and Anne McMahon of Lisofin, Tulla Parish, baptized on 24 May 1835.

*****************

Pensioner John McNamara of 82nd Regiment of Foot, born in Clonlea, Kilkishen, County Clare

John McNamara of the 82nd Regiment was one of several John McNamara's researched during the search for the missing Thomas McNamara of Glandree back in January 2019 (page 15 of this thread). As I recall the purpose was to locate a missing brother of the missing Thomas. The only information on John McNamara of the 82nd Regiment was that he collected his pension in Tulla in 1882. His identity was a complete mystery.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6965&start=210

Upon revisiting the British military records due to the discovery of John McNamara of the 30th Regiment of Foot in the 1851 England census, I've obtained new information about John McNamara of the 82nd Regiment of Foot including his age and discharge date to allow me to trace him forward in County Clare records.

James McNamara (born ≈1780?, ≈1790?, ≈1800? - died after 1855?)

A James McNamara, farmer, was reported in the 1864 marriage record as the father of John McNamara. Not certain if James McNamara was living or deceased at the time of this marriage. And was the reported residence of "Kilkishen" that of the father or the groom? I checked the post-1864 civil death records for a James McNamara of an appropriate age, there were none in Tulla registration district, but a few possibilities from Ennis registration district, such as James McNamara who died in 1867 at the age of 84, that are not yet available on-line.

In the military pension / disability documents for John McNamara of the 82nd Regiment, his birthplace was reported as "Clonlea, Kilkishen, Clare". The birth year reflected in these documents would be about 1823.

There was only one James McNamara reported in Griffith's Valuation for the Civil Parish of Clonlea. In the townland of Killanena, in Plot 5ac, was James McNamara; houses and land; a little over 1 acre; valuation £1. In Plot 5b, was Mary McNamara; house and land; shared acreage with Plot 5ac; valuation 15 shillings.

More evidence is required to determine if James McNamara of Killanena townland has any connection to the pensioner John McNamara. The small amount of land at Killanena reported in Griffith's Valuation might indicate that James McNamara was elderly, possibly supported by a son in the British military? Killanena townland is just south of Clonlea townland, which is just south of Teeronea townland, the location of Scart House. Three of the four children of the pensioner John McNamara and Catherine McNamara have the residence "Scarth" in their baptism records and "Scart" in the civil birth records - likely the nearest estate house to their own more humble abode.

John McNamara (born ≈1823 - died after 1882, prior to 1894?) and Catherine McNamara (prior to 1835 - after 1894?)

After serving 22 years and 2 months with the 82nd Regiment of Foot (see #12 above), John McNamara was discharged on 19 July 1864 and returned to County Clare. Only three months later McNamara was married, which would indicate that he likely still had family in Kilkishen to help arrange the marriage. John McNamara, bachelor, pensioner, of Kilkishen, son of farmer James McNamara, married Catherine McNamara, servant, of Kilkishen, daughter of farmer John McNamara, on 23 October 1864, at the Catholic chapel at Kilkishen, by the curate John Kennedy; witnesses Patt Donnellan and Bridget Donnellan (Galway registration district).
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie ... 282019.pdf

His bride, Catherine McNamara, was likely the daughter of John McNamara and Mary Walsh of Kilkishen, and born prior to the 1835 start of the O'Callaghan Mills baptism register. Two other daughters, Margaret (1835) and Bridget (1843) were baptized and reported in the register.

Pensioner John McNamara of the 82nd Regiment of Foot was reported as receiving a pension in 1882 / 1883 as noted in above military biography. He was also provided as a "next of kin" when his son Michael enlisted with Duke of Wellington's Regiment in 1882. When his other son, Patrick, enlisted with the Royal Artillery in 1895, mother Catherine McNamara was reported as "next of kin". I'm unable to discover a death record or 1901 Irish census entry for either John or Catherine McNamara.

John McNamara and Catherine McNamara were the parents of four children baptized in the O'Callaghan Mills baptism register. Thank you, Sharon for all your hard work transcribing this register.

............ 1.0 James McNamara was baptized on 23 July 1865, residence Kilkishen; baptism sponsors Michael Donnelon and Anne Lyons per O'Callaghan Mills baptism register. Per civil birth record, birth place was Kilkishen, and father's occupation was "Pensioner" (Tulla registration). A James McNamara, age 1, died in 1866; Tulla civil registration not yet available on-line.

............ 2.0 Catherine McNamara was baptized in February 1867, residence Scarth; baptism sponsors Patt Connelon and Ellen Cunningham per O'Callaghan Mills baptism register. Per civil birth record, birth place was "Scart", and father's occupation was "Pensioner" (Tulla registration). Later whereabouts are a mystery.

............ 3.0 Michael McNamara was baptized on 26 September 1869, residence Scarth; baptism sponsors Timothy Connelon and Mary Neal per O'Callaghan Mills baptism register. Per civil birth record, birth place was "Scart", and father's occupation was "Pensioner" (Tulla registration).

On 5 June 1882, Michael McNamara, "age 14", but really a few months shy of 13 years old, enlisted at Limerick with the 2nd Battalion, West Riding "Duke of Wellington's" Regiment for a period of 12 years of army service. Reg. # 230. His file contains an approval letter from the West Riding commanding officer that Michael McNamara would be trained as a drummer or musician. Michael McNamara was born in the "Parish of Scart, in or near the Town of Ennis in the County of Clare". His "next of kin" was reported as father, John McNamara. "Parish", "Town", and "County" were pre-printed on the military document. Was the Parish of "Scart" a misspelling of the Parish of Scariff? No, the writing is very clear and in later correspondence with the military in 1931, Michael reiterates that he was born in Scart, Clare.

On 5 June 1886, supposedly upon reaching 18 years of age, but in reality still only 16 years old, Michael McNamara was promoted from "boy" to "private". Appointed "bandsman" from 31 January 1888 to 4 June 1888. He was discharged on 13 March 1894 having served for 11 years, 10 months, including 3 years in India.

Unknown location in 1901. In the 1911 England census, Michael McNamara, age 42, born about 1869, was living at No. 5, Langstone Road, Milton, Portsmouth, with his wife Mary (age 28) and son Arthur Francis (age 2). Michael McNamara was an "Army Pensioner" and born in Kilkishin, Clare, Ireland. Mary McNamara was born in Saint Helens, Lancashire. They had been married for 3 years and their son Arthur was born in Glencallaghan, Tipperary, Ireland according to the census return.

A Mary Drew (Vol. 2b, page 2, no others listed on page) and a Michael McNamara (Vol. 2b, page 1142, 2 boys & 1 girl listed on page) were married in Portsmouth, Hampshire County, during the fourth quarter of 1907, according to the UK civil registration marriage index. Not sure why if married they wouldn't be on the same page; the actual marriage document (available on findmypast?) would hopefully confirm that Michael McNamara was the son of John McNamara.

............................ 3.1 Arthur Francis McNamara, born on 14 August 1908, in Glencallaghan, Tipperary; father, Michael McNamara of Portsmouth, a Pensioner; mother, Mary Drew McNamara; informant Catherine Drew of Glencallaghan (Clogheen registration district).

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 655990.pdf

Mary Drew McNamara appears to have left Portsmouth for Tipperary to give birth to her first child, likely to be with her sister, Catherine Drew (the informant on the birth record). Arthur Francis McNamara must have been named after his maternal grandfather, Arthur Drew. Catherine Drew (age 19, England) and Mary Drew (age 17, England) are living with Arthur Drew (age 40, Tipperary) in Punches Lane, Glentworth, Limerick in the 1901 census:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... e/1503340/

In the 1911 census, Arthur Drew, age 63, born in England (no longer Tipperary?), widower, labourer, Catholic, was living in House 7 in Glencallaghan in County Tipperary, the same townland where Arthur McNamara was born in 1908. His daughter, Catherine Drew Hickey (age 29, England) was living in House 1 in Glencallaghan.

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... an/814560/
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... an/814554/

Michael McNamara reenlisted with the West Riding Regiment ("Duke of Wellington's") on 27 August 1914, at the very start of the Great War. Reg # 22729. He was living in Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, and not in Portsmouth with his wife. His reported age was 43 years and 90 days — unlike his prior enlistment, he had now understated his age by around 2 years. On 17 August 1915, his unit was sent to Malta, where private McNamara would remain until 27 January 1919. He was discharged "at home" on 25 February 1919. Recipient of British War Medal. On 27 January 1931, according to correspondence to obtain a copy of his discharge papers, Michael McNamara was living at 53 St. Andrew's Road, Huddersfield.

While Michael McNamara was stationed in Malta during the Great War, Arthur McNamara and his mother were still living at Langston Road, Milton, Portsmouth.
PORTSMOUTH SCHOOLBOY'S GRIM CATCH.

The first juryless inquest held in Portsmouth were conducted by the Borough Coroner (Sir Thomas Bramsdon) on Wednesday afternoon at the Town Hall.

The finding of the body of a man in the sea near the South Parade Pier, on Monday, had its sequel in one of the two inquests held. The body was found by Arthur McNamara, aged 9, of Langston road, Milton, who, while fishing with other boys in the sea, got his line entangled with the body. The boys dragged it towards the shore, and were then hustled away by a lady.

The boy told this story to the Court, and the Coroner complimented him on his action and the way he had given his evidence. Speaking to the mother, he said she ought to be proud of so smart a lad.

The body was later identified as that of Filliam Charles Bradley, aged 38, . . .

Hampshire Telegraph, 23 August 1918
............ 4.0 Patrick McNamara was baptized on 12 September 1874, residence Scarth; baptism sponsors Pat Donnellan and Cath O'Neill per O'Callaghan Mills baptism register. Per civil birth record, birth place was "Scart", and father's occupation was "Pensioner" (Tulla registration).

On 8 August 1895, Patrick McNamara, age "20 years 5 months", laborer, enlisted at Ennis with the Royal Artillery for a period of 7 years of army service. Reg. # RA 10903. Michael McNamara was born in the "Parish of Kilkishen, in or near the town of Kilkishen in the County of Clare". His "next of kin" was reported as mother, Catherine McNamara. He had previously belonged to the Clare Artillery / Militia. Upon enlistment his physical description included the remark "White marks on right eye ball". Patrick was stationed in India from 29 October 1896, and it was in India that his eye had gotten progressively worse. The military surgeon deemed him unfit for service on 15 September 1897, and Patrick was sent home for discharge on 17 December 1897 from the Royal Victoria Hospital (Netley) in Southampton.

****************

John McNamara, a veteran of the Crimean War, had two sons who joined the British military. His son, Michael McNamara, enlisted with the West Riding Regiment twice, between 1882 and 1894, as well during the Great War between 1914 and 1919. Michael McNamara was 45 years old when he enlisted for the Great War, a bit unusual I suspect. Thus, I reckon that Michael McNamara would be one of very few County Clare born sons of Crimean War (1854-1856) veterans who fought in the Great War (1914 - 1919).

The Crimean War era military records are very lacking as noted by the British National Archives as well as with the above research. So many John McNamara's, who have no enlistment papers, appear to have simply gone missing with the only record being their award of a Crimean war medal. John McNamara of the 82nd Regiment of Foot is an exception and we can trace his return to County Clare and to another generation who joined the British military. I would not be surprised if James McNamara, the father of Crimean War pensioner John McNamara, had fought in the Napoleonic Wars (1803 - 1815). There were several soldiers named James McNamara who fought with the British military during this time period and in the 1790's who are included in the various military records.

It is interesting to consider what happened to the Crimean war medal with its Sebastopol clasp which was awarded to John McNamara of Clonlea Parish in 1855. Was it passed down to one of his children?

To be continued,

Sduddy
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Re: John McNamara, of Barberton, Ohio, returns to County Clare in 1892

Post by Sduddy » Mon Oct 03, 2022 9:35 am

Hi Jimbo

Yes you have indeed sidetracked from John McNamara of Barberton who returned to Ireland in 1892. You have given us something entirely separate, i.e. a good-sized sample of the John McNamaras who received British military awards. But I understand why you were diverted: it is because some descendants of John of Barberton describe one of these military John McNamaras as their ancestor. Those suggested records (by Ancestry) seem to be causing havoc. I suspect people seize on anything that might give a bit of colour to the family tree. But a good outcome (or spinoff) is the work you have done to show us what a very large number of Irishmen enlisted in the British army and engaged in action very far away. You have done good work on John McNamara in the 82 Regiment of Foot, born in Clonlea, Kilkishen, and good work on his return to Co. Clare, his marriage and family. It is a pity that his family does not appear in the 1901 census. I searched too, but found nothing and have nothing useful to add to your account. But you may enjoy "The Kerry Recruit" sung by Tom Lenihan: https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/cocla ... enihan.htm

Among Clare People (https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/cocla ... people.htm) is Joanna Bridgeman, who worked as a nurse in the Crimea: https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/cocla ... dgeman.htm. The Parish of Kilkeedy, edited by Frank Brew, includes a piece on Kells House and two Bridgeman sisters who were nuns in the Mercy Order:
Kells House: ...Kells house had long connections with the Bridgeman family. This particular branch lived first at Tiernea in Ruan parish just over the border from Kells.The Bridgemans were an old family in the county based mainly in Clonlara and the eastern side and they represented Ennis as Members of Parliament. Another branch of the family lived in Ross in Ruan and two nuns from this family accompanied Florence Nightingale in 1853 when she brought nurses to attend the British Army during the Crimean War.These two Sisters of Mercy later took part in the founding of the Convent of Gort. In 1848 Hewitt Bridgeman of Tiernea, M.P and magistrate married Marianne O’Brien of Kells East and it was probably about this time that the family left Tiernea and moved to Kells ...
For anyone interested in the Crimean War, I recommend The Reason Why, by Cecil Woodham-Smith. It is a very slim book (unlike her book, The Great Hunger), and gives us the story of Lord Lucan and Lord Cardigan, two great pompous asses.

Sheila

smcarberry
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Location: USA

Re: John McNamara, of Barberton, Ohio, returns to County Clare in 1892

Post by smcarberry » Mon Oct 03, 2022 3:02 pm

I have twice lost my message on John McNamara, army pensioner of Kilkishen, so maybe it is karma telling me not to try showing my theory on this fellow. However, I am trying once more to briefly show what might have happened to him and his family if they left Scart. I realize that the Rosslara baptism 1869 of Ann contrasts with the 1869 Scart birth/baptism of pensioner John' son Michael, as does the 1874 Scart birth/baptism of Patrick.

The 1864 marriage registration shows John at about age 42, evidently older than his new wife who was yet of an age to bear children. She, being a servant, perhaps worked at Scart House or the nearby Sunville estate. John could have lived off his pension while he developed his calling as a farmer. These are the births and baptisms for a couple named John McNamara and Catherine nee McNamara while they lived as Rosslara farmers in the Tulla RC Parish:

4 April 1869 baptism --- daughter Ann
8 Oct 1870 baptism/birth registration 14 Oct --- son John
28 June 1878 birth --- Peter
14 April 1884 birth --- Anne

This family was not intact in 1901. In the Tulla workhouse, a man J.M., army pensioner, is listed age 50, suffering from debility. At Rosslara in 1901 (later in the year ?), the census recorded widow Catherine McNamara age 56, with son Pat age 24 and daughter Ann age 16. On 23 Feb 1909, that Patrick, as son of John, married Honora Carmody, and then is listed 1911 as a Rosslara famer with his growing family and his mother Kate age 70. Patrick and Nora of Rosslara are eventually buried in Feakle Cemetery.

In New York City, a 9 Sep 1894 death record exists for an Irish-born laborer John McNamara age 23, son of John and Kate McNamara.

The RC cemetery back at Clonlea has no listings for anyone matching the family of John McNamara, army pensioner of Kilkishen.

I am posting this in case anyone wants to further develop this research.

Sduddy
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Re: John McNamara, of Barberton, Ohio, returns to County Clare in 1892

Post by Sduddy » Tue Oct 04, 2022 9:34 am

Hi Sharon,

No, John McNamara of Rosslara, Farmer, Widower, son of Michael McNamara, Farmer, married Catherine McNamara of Derrymore Carmody in 1867: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 223956.pdf.
He is not John of Kilkishen, Army Pensioner, son of James McNamara, who had married Catherine McNamara of Kilkishen in 1864: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 282019.pdf

Sheila

smcarberry
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Location: USA

Re: John McNamara, of Barberton, Ohio, returns to County Clare in 1892

Post by smcarberry » Tue Oct 04, 2022 10:01 pm

Sheila, I was fully prepared to hear something like that. Thanks for the additional details on the two John and Catherine McNamara households of Rosslara and Scart.

Sharon C.

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

Re: John McNamara, of Barberton, Ohio, returns to County Clare in 1892

Post by Jimbo » Tue Apr 11, 2023 2:57 am

The family of John and Catherine McNamara of Roslara has been discussed at length on page 30 of the search for the missing Civil War soldier Thomas McNamara of Glandree. The whereabouts of their son Timothy or Thadeus, born on 1 March 1882, are still unknown. There was some speculation that he was the Timothy McNamara who was eaten by sharks at Key West in Florida in 1917:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6965&p=13874&hilit=Roslara#p13874

I researched further Scart House. The pensioner John McNamara of the 82nd Regiment of Foot, upon his 1864 marriage to Catherine McNamara both bride and groom were reported as residents of Kilkishen. However, starting in 1867 with the baptism of daughter Catherine, his residence in O'Callaghan Mills baptism records was reported as "Scarth" and as "Scart" in civil birth records.

"County Clare: A History and Topography" by Samuel Lewis (1837) has a very brief reference to Scart stating "At Scart is a chalybeate [mineral] spring". Obtaining free access to this spring was most important to the local residents:

https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/cocla ... gh1837.htm
DARING AND UNMANLY OUTRAGE.

On Wednesday evening, last week, at half-past 7 o'clock, two men disguised entered the kitchen of Scarth House, near Kilkishen, Co. Clare, the residence of Surgeon Kenny, when one of the cowardly ruffians struck one of the servants, a female, a violent blow on the head with a pistol. They then delivered a written notice for the Doctor, directing the entrance gate to be kept open for the future, that the people of the neighborhood may have free access to a spring well on the lawn, and threatening Miss Bevan, an excellent lady and relative of the family, with the death of Messrs. Gloster and Carrick, if she did not discharge a particular female servant. Upon the first entrance of the burglars into the house, Miss Bevan fled, imagining they came for fire arms, and having climbed over the entrance gate, she alarmed the neighbors, but strange to say, none of them would go for the police, though not far off, nor return with her to the house. She, however, at all risks, returned by herself. The affair has been since taken up by the police, and the parish priest, and it is hoped that the perpetrators of this wanton and disgraceful outrage will be discovered, and punished as they deserve. Dr. Kenny, who has been for some time confined with gout, is greatly affected from such an outrage on his house. Dr. Kenny deserved different treatment, for he gives advice to, and prescribes for every one that comes to him from miles around ; and whenever he happens to be ill, that excellent lady, Miss Bevan, whose life has been so shamefully threatened, has often, in her own person, for whole months performed the duties of a surgeon among the people, several of whom she has benevolently fed, clothed, and supplied with medicines, wine, &c., and contributed frequently and liberally towards the burial of many of the poorer class. We regret extremely this unmanly and ungrateful outrage in return for such disinterested kindness and generosity, and we trust the perpetrators will be found out, and punished as they justly deserve.

Limerick Reporter, Limerick, Tuesday, 7 April 1846
John McNamara, born about 1823 in Kilkishen, Clonlea Parish, had enlisted with the 82nd Regiment of Foot about May 1842 so was not in Clare during the attack at Scart House.

Miss Bevan married six months after the attack:
MARRIAGES.
On Saturday morning, the 17th. by license, Samuel George Hutchins Esq., M.D., of Hartstonge-street, Limerick, to Miss Emma Emily Bevan, of Scarth House, County Clare, niece of M.W. Kenny, Esq., Staff Surgeon.
Limerick Reporter, Tuesday, 20 October 1846
It would appear that one or both parties in the marriage must have been Protestant as the civil marriage was recorded in 1846 (Catholic civil marriages were not recorded until 1864) and was held at the parish church of Clonlea "according to the rites and ceremonies of the United Church of England and Ireland (the Rev's name was difficult to read). Samuel George Hutchins was a widower according to the civil marriage record and an obituary of his first wife from 1844: ("DEATHS: June 14, at Hartstonge-street, Limerick, Anne, wife of Samuel G. Hutchins, Esq.", per Dublin Weekly Mail of 22 June 1844).

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 370785.pdf

Doctor Michael William Kenny of Scart House died on 2 September 1853:
At Scart House, Kilkishen, co. Clare, on the 2d inst., deeply and sincerely regretted, Michael William Kenny, Esq., late Staff Surgeon, First Class, aged 78 years, a truly upright honest man; independent in mind, generous in disposition, kind hearted and true, and punctual in all engagements. At the late Clare elections he was conveyed from his bed to Six-mile-bridge polling station, to record his vote for the Liberal candidates, though bending at the moment under age and infirmity. May he rest in peace, Amen.

Cork Examiner, 9 September 1853
Three hundred a year [his pension in £, I think] reverts to the crown by the death of Doctor Kenny (of Clare), a Peninsular and Waterloo officer, whose demise we recorded last month.

Limerick Chronicle, 5 October 1853
He was buried at Clonlea cemetery; see Clare Library for the lengthy headstone inscription:

https://clarelibrary.fotoware.cloud/fot ... 4.jpg.info

John McNamara, of Barberton, Ohio, arrived in Philadelphia about 1854 according to his biography (see link in Sheila's first posting). His origins in County Clare are still unknown. However, we can be certain that when McNamara returned to Ireland in 1892, his memories of County Clare would have little in common with the lifestyle of Scart House, whose farm and household items were auctioned off in 1854:
SCART HOUSE, KILKISHEN, COUNTY CLARE

AUCTION

OF DAIRY COWS, HEIFERS, SHEEP, POTATOES, FARMING AND DAIRY IMPLEMENTS, OUTSIDE CAR AND HARNESS, CHOICE HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, OIL, PAINTINGS, ENGRAVINGS, PISTOLS, DOUBLE FOWLING PIECE, DUCK GUN.

JAMES MARSHALL,
Has received peremptory instructions to Sell, by Unreserved Auction on MONDAY, the 11th day of DECEMBER, 1854, at Scart House, Kilkishen, (within 10 miles of Limerick and 10 miles of Ennis,) commencing sharp at 12 o'clock, with the Property outside doors, which consists of 15 Very Prime Young Ewes in Lamb, 1 Ram, Two-years old 2 In-calf Cows, time up in March; 1 Stripper, in Milk; 3 in-Calf Heifers, 16 Barrels of Leather-coat Potatoes, for Seed or Table Use; Fashionable Outside Car and Harness, nearly new; Barrel Churn, Keelers, Coolers, Winnowing Machine, Oat Bin, Iron and Stone Rollers, with several other Farm Requisites.

INSIDE DOORS — THE DRAWING ROOM.
Contains Spanish Mahogany Round Table, Square do., 2 Work Tables, 12 Handsome Chairs, 2 Card Tables, Sofa, Small Tables, Easy Chairs, Spring stuffed Reclining Chair, Window Curtains, Brussels Carpet, Chimney Glass, Lustres, Handsome Chimney Ornaments, Choice Engravings, and several valuable Oil Paintings by eminent masters; Sofa Table, Fenders, Fire Irons, Rare Shells, Curiosities, &c, &c.

IN PARLOUR.
Set of Dinner Tables, Sideboard, Mahogany Chairs in hair-cloth, Library Chair with steps, Steel Fender, Carpet and Hearth Rug, Butler's Tray, Set of Trays, Waiters, Plated Candlesticks, Cruet, Cake Baskets, Coasters, Tea and Coffee Pots, Filterer, 12 Silver Forks, Spoons and Ladles, Cut Glass Decanters, Jugs, Tumblers, Wines, Salts, Morning and Evening China, Muffineer, Meat Covers, Window Curtains, Stools, Mats, Pair of Pistols, in Case, by Mortimer; Double Gun and Case, by Colgan; Long Shore Gun.

THE SLEEPING APARTMENTS.
Contain State and French Bedsteads, very Prime Feather Beds, Hair Mattresses, Mahogany Sofa Bed, Chairs, Dressing Tables, Basin Stands, Commodes, Bidets, Toilet Glasses, Ottoman, Chamber Ware, Fenders, Fire Irons, Easy Chair, Hip Bath, also, Numerous Kitchen Requisites,

JAMES MARSHALL, Auctioneer,
96, George-st., Limerick

Clare Journal and Ennis Advertiser, Thursday, 7 December 1854
Scart House is located in Teeronea townland in Clonlea Parish. At the time of Griffith Valuation (1855 ish), Scart House in Plot 9 (over 107 acres, valuation £51) was leased by James Connellan; lessor, Reps. Michl. W. Kenny. The neighboring estate in Plot 10 (over 81 acres, valuation £80) was leased by Robert Hanley; lessor Thomas Prosser; and reported as "Sun Ville" on the related map, and more typically "Sunville" or "Sunvale" by the newspapers.
DEATH.
On the 15th inst., at Gloucester House, Hammersmith, age 84, Anne Dorothea Kenny, widow of Michael William Kenny, staff surgeon of the first-class.

West London Observer, Saturday, 26 June 1858

Jimbo
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Re: John McNamara, of Barberton, Ohio, returns to County Clare in 1892

Post by Jimbo » Fri Apr 14, 2023 6:58 am

MURDER OF ARTHUR GLOSTER, ESQ.

We regret to have to record the death of Arthur Gloster, Esq., of Moylish, yesterday (Monday) evening, by the hand of the assassin, instigated, it is supposed, to the appalling and direful act by the "wild justice of revenge." Mr. Gloster, a few years ago, purchased, under the Courts, an estate at Toonagh, between Kilkeshen and Spancilhill, in the county of Clare, for which he paid from ten to twelve thousand pounds. The tenants on the lands have been, for several years, in possession; and report goes to say, that deceased had notices served on some of them with large families, whether for non-payment of rent we have not been informed, and had proceeded there yesterday, preparatory to eviction, and was to have gone to-day also for the same purpose. But, on his return home last evening, between four and five o'clock, at a short distance from Kilkeshen, he was shot dead in his gig. This is an appalling state of things, and calls loudly upon the legislature for the enactment of some measure to interpose between landlords and tenants in this country. Mr. Gloster was unmarried, and was considered wealthy.
Limerick Reporter of Tuesday.

The following account of this fearful murder is from the Limerick Chronicle of yesterday:—
Between four and five o'clock in the afternoon, Mr. Gloster was waylaid on the road to the left of Kilkeshen, between that village and Quin, and near to Rathloobe, by assassins, who fired close at their victim as he passed, and sent two gun-shots through his body, perforating the heart and lungs. The shots were heard, one immediately after the other. Mr. Gloster, unprepared for the sudden attack, was unable to call out or resist the assassins, but leaning back, expired in a few minutes from his wounds, the horse proceeding along the road for near half-a-mile, when he turned aside, and some children then exclaimed, the gentleman was sick or asleep, for in that state did he appear to them whilst, probably, in the last agonies of death. He was then removed from the vehicle, without signs of life, blood trickling down his back, and his coat burned from the powder.—The mangled body was deposited in the police barrack at Kilkishen, to await and inquest, and a message was sent for his brothers in this city, who left that night for the awful scene. The remains of the ill-fated gentleman were brought this afternoon to his residence at Moylish, and will be interred to-morrow, at St. Munchin's Church. The verdict at the inquest, this day, was wilful murder against persons yet unknown. Mr. Gloster was an excellent grazier and dairy farmer, and by will of recent date, it is stated, left his property, which is considerable, to his only sister, Miss Gloster who lived with her brother. The deceased was unmarried.

Dublin Mercantile Advertiser,
Friday, 8 November 1844
Arthur Gloster had purchased the Toonagh lands in 1842:
Arthur Gloster, Esq., of Limerick, was, yesterday, declared purchaser under the courts of the fee simple estate of Tomah [Toonah], county Clare, "in re [John] Miller," for the sum of £12,700.
Morning Herald, London, Saturday, 4 June 1842
In April 1846 when Miss Bevan, the niece of Dr. Michael W. Kenny of Scart House, was threatened with the same fate as "Messrs. Gloster and Carrick" this was referring to the murder of Arthur Gloster in November 1844, as noted above, and Pierce Carrick in March 1846. Other landlords would receive similar threats, as did Crofton Moore Vandeleur on 31 October 1847 in Kilrush: "Take notice, Crofton Moore Vandeleur, that if you do not give relief to the young as well as the old, and not stop the works that you have; and also Captain Kennedy, if you do not be said by this notice, believe me I will do with ye, as I did with Pierce Carrick—so have your will made in time." (Limerick Chronicle, 19 January 1848).
The names of the persons committed to Ennis gaol, on charge of the murder of Arthur Gloster, Esq., are Patrick Neill, (a principal), Stephen Murray, John M'Namara, Patrick Curry, Daniel Sullivan, Patrick Sullivan, and Thomas Gorman. Three of these men were tenants on the lands of Teenagh [Toonagh], the property purchased by the late Mr. Gloster. An active member of the Limerick constabulary force [sub-inspector Kelly, per other reports] was mainly instrumental in the discovery of the accused parties.

Limerick Chronicle, Wednesday, 15 January 1845
From reviewing the Quin-Clooney baptism transcriptions sorted by father's name of 1816 to 1855, the three arrested men from Toonagh townland were John McNamara (married to Catherine Hehir), Daniel Sullivan (married to a McMahon), and Patrick Sullivan (married to Mary Lawler).

The four others, Patrick Neill, Stephen Murray, Patrick Curry, and Thomas Gorman, were quickly released from prison, as they were not mentioned in later news articles. They were replaced by Thomas Cuneen (of Toonagh) and three Neylons (of Cahircalla townland):
The following are now fully committed to Ennis gaol for trial at the ensuing Assizes:—Daniel Sullivan and Thomas Cunneen [the "principals"], for the murder of Arthur Gloster, Esq.; and for conspiracy to murder the same gentleman—James Nealon, and his two sons, Thomas and John Nealon, John McNamara, and Patrick Sullivan. To the resident magistrate of Ennis, Captain Leyne, Government and the friends of public justice owe a very considerable obligation from his unceasing efforts both day and night, to facilitate and strengthen the case prepared by the Crown against the prisoners, and which thanks to the indefatigable ingenuity of a Constable of the county Limerick, has been now fully perfected. Sub-Inspector Kelly, of the Clare police, also rendered the best co-operation in developing the murder and conspiracy.

Kerry Evening Post, Saturday, 8 February 1845
The evidence wasn't as solid as the newspapers reported. Their trial was delayed and five of the seven prisoners in Ennis gaol were released on bail in March 1845:
At Clare Assizes, of seven persons charged with the murder of Arthur Gloster, Esq., the principals, Sullivan and Cunneen, who fired the fatal shots, were, in consequence of the absence of a material witness, ordered to remain in custody; the other five were admitted to bail, themselves in £50, and two sureties in £10, each.

Westmeath Guardian and Longford News, Thursday, 6 March 1845
And four months later, the remaining two prisoners were released on bail. In reviewing the newspapers archives, it doesn't appear that anyone was ever sent to trial for the murder of Arthur Gloster.
Daniel Sullivan, and Thomas Cunneen, in custody since last assizes as principals in the murder of the last Arthur Gloster, Esq. of this city, were discharged by proclamation. Last assizes the Crown refused to admit the prisoners to bail.

Limerick Chronicle, Saturday, 19 July 1845
John McNamara of Toonagh townland in Clooney Parish was in Ennis gaol for only about two months from January to February 1845. John McNamara and Catherine Hehir continued to live in Toonagh townland as indicated by the baptisms of their sons in January 1846 and in February 1848. However, there were no McNamara's in Toonagh townland in Clooney (Bunratty Upper) Parish at the time of Griffith Valuation (1855 ish). Did the McNamara family emigrate to America or Australia?


McNamara of Toonagh Townland, Clooney Parish:

John McNamara, of Crevagh, married Catherine Hehir, of Clouney, on 26 October 1836; witnesses Edmond Corry and Patt Hehir of Toonagh, per the Quin Clooney marriage register (page 216).

https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls ... 6/mode/1up

John McNamara and Catherine "Kity" Hehir were the parents of five children in the Quin-Clooney baptism register (1816-1855):

............ 1.0 Michael McNamara was baptized on 28 September 1839, residence Toonagh; baptism sponsors John Hogan and Honor Enright per Quin-Clooney baptism register.

............ 2.0 Bridget McNamara, Bidy Mac was baptized on 30 April 1843, residence Toonagh; baptism sponsor Bidy Hogan per Quin-Clooney baptism register.

............ 3.0 Mary McNamara was baptized on 10 September 1844, residence Toonagh; baptism sponsor Pegy Moylan per Quin-Clooney baptism register.

............ 4.0 Patrick McNamara was baptized on 1 January 1846, residence Toonagh; baptism sponsors Daniel McNamara and Honor Enright per Quin-Clooney baptism register.

............ 5.0 John McNamara, John Mac was baptized on 16 February 1848, residence Toonagh; baptism sponsor Mary Moylan per Quin-Clooney baptism register.


To be continued,

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

Re: John McNamara, of Barberton, Ohio, returns to County Clare in 1892

Post by Sduddy » Fri Apr 14, 2023 9:53 am

Hi Jimbo

Thank you for that interesting posting on the murder of Arthur Gloster (and for the previous posting on Michael William Kenny and Scart House). I think there is very little to be found online regarding the murder of Arthur Gloster, but I found a passing reference to it here: https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_p ... ebell-wood.
In Griffith’s Valuation it is William C[opland Redmond] Judd who has the Toonagh estate; I see from this site on the Glosters of Limerick that the Judds were related to the Glosters through the marriage of William Copland Redmond Judd to Alicia Gloster in 1846: http://www.limerickcity.ie/media/limeri ... %20088.pdf. Alicia was a sister of Arthur Gloster, as this copy of Arthur’s will shows: https://books.google.ie/books?id=kHsSAA ... ck&f=false

The Quin Heritage Group includes Toonagh house among the “Big Houses” of interest in the area. The information is taken with the permission of Dr. Hugh W. L. Weir from his book, Houses of Clare, but there is no reference to Arthur Gloster: https://quinheritage.ie/the-big-houses- ... d-clooney/.
The Landed Estates Site information on Toonagh makes no reference to Arthur Gloster: https://landedestates.ie/property/2015.

I'm looking forward to the continuation of the story of John McNamara and Catherine Hehir and their children.

Sheila

P.S. The townland of Toonagh in the parish of Clooney (Bunratty) is not to be confused with the townland of Toonagh in the parish of Dysert.
And Abbey View house in the parish of Quin is not to be confused with Abbey View house in the parish of Inchicronan (Crusheen).

Jimbo
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Re: John McNamara, of Barberton, Ohio, returns to County Clare in 1892

Post by Jimbo » Fri Apr 14, 2023 11:38 pm

ASSASSINATION OF PIERCE CARRICK, ESQ.

The remains of the late Pierce Carrick, Esq., who fell by the shot of assassins, were conveyed from Tuoreen, on Wednesday night, to Ennis, where they were interred yesterday morning in the parish church, followed by a large and respectable concourse of persons. The unfortunate gentleman had died at 5 o'clock on Wednesday evening, of his wounds, which had been pronounced mortal at the first visit by the Doctors. Capt. Leyne, S.M. went from Ennis to Tuoreen, on hearing of the murderous attack, and had an interview with Mr. Carrick, from whom he received such information as enabled him to immediately arrest a man named James Molony, who resided near Dangan. He was brought into the presence of Mr. Carrick, who with remarkable coolness and patient decision, positively declared to his identity. When fully sensible that he was dying, Mr. Carrick reiterated his positive testimony that this man was the individual who fired at him, and described a peculiar hat he wore, and a conspicuous button in his breast coat.

Mr. Carrick was perfectly sensible to the last, and he made his will after the Faculty had seen him, leaving to his wife, and only child, Mrs. Finucane, wife of the High Sheriff of Clare [Michael Finuncane], all his property.

Thomas Whitestone, Esq. Coroner, on Thursday held an inquest upon the body, when Mr. Carrick's servant was examined, and the verdict was wilful murder against persons unknown.

The Magistrates have communicated with the Lieutenant of the county Clare, Sir Lucius O'Brien, now in Dublin, a request that he should make application at the Castle, for the issuing of a Special Commission at Ennis. There are several Crown cases lying over in jail, that it was intended to try last assizes, and which were postponed; but this last monstrous outrage may induce Government to anticipate the summer assizes, and send down a Commission.

If the foul murder, in noon day, on the public road, of Pierce Carrick, Esq., is not sufficient, with like deeds of fatal atrocity, recently on record in Limerick, Clare, and Tipperary, to accelerate the enactment of a bill for the protection of life and property in Ireland, the earnest appeal of a resident country Gentleman of Tipperary, a Liberal, and a friend of Mr. O'Connell, must satisfy all rational persons of the vital necessity of such a measure, in common justice and mercy to her Majesty's peaceable subjects in Ireland. The gentleman we allude is Mr. P.B. Ryan, of Liscahill, Thurles, who implores Mr. [Daniel] O'Connell, if he values the peace of Ireland, to give up his opposition to the bill.

James Brennan is committed to Ennis gaol, for the attack on Widow Meany's house at Dangan, and the murder of her son on the 6 ult. The man was observed and identified by the sister of the deceased at Chapel, on Sunday last.

Limerick Chronicle, Saturday, 21 March 1846
THE LATE PIERCE CARRICK, ESQ.
The Limerick Reporter says:—
"Molony has been committed upon the declaration of deceased, but we understand that two policeman state positively that they saw him at Tulla late in the afternoon, and that they were speaking to him on his way home some miles distant from where Mr. Carrick was shot, and at the very same hour. We also understand that Mr. Bridgman, near Broadford, declares that he saw Molony in Tulla on Tuesday, and was speaking to him afterwards on his way home at the hour deceased was shot, and nine miles from the spot.

"The remains of the lamented gentleman were interred this morning at seven o'clock."

Galway Mercury, and Connaught Weekly Advertiser, Saturday, 28 March 1846

In a debate over the "Protection for Life (Ireland) Bill" at the House of Commons on 3 April 1846, Daniel O'Connell, The Liberator, gave a very long speech and about half way through mentioned the assassination of Pierce Carrick:
. . . . He must also at once call the attention of the house to the case of Pierce Carrick, who had been most inhumanely assassinated. He wished the house to understand that he did not say anything for the purpose of reflecting on the unhappy murdered man, and he certainly would not do so to palliate the murder, for no one who was not fit to participate in a murder ought to offer any palliation for it; but he could not go into the causes fully without appearing to, though he did not really, palliate that murder. It was necessary, however, that the facts should be brought under notice of the house, that the house might be able to apply itself to the eradication of the causes of crime.—(Cheers.) It was necessary that they should know the causes which tempted to, though they could not justify the commission of crimes of this description.—(Hear.) He had in a local newspaper an account of the conduct of Mr. Carrick, which he could read, but which it would perhaps be more for the convenience of the house that he should state. This unhappy man [Carrick] was the agent of a young gentleman who was under age, and got the tenants to pay their rents under a promise that when the young gentleman came of age he would procure a reduction of twenty-five percent. What that young gentleman did come of age, however, Mr. Carrick did not call upon him to perform the promise he had made; on the contrary, he sent a valuator to the estates; and though the tenants thought that this was with a view to perform the promise, the valuer set the rents still higher, and made them exceed the rents which the tenants had heretofore paid. When the tenants came to expostulate with him, he was represented to have said, "Oh, it is not my valuation; I got it all cut and dry from Mr. Carrick." There was another estate of which this gentleman was agent; he told the tenants that they must take leases; he stopped 10l from each for the expenses of the leases; the tenants paid the 10l, and had not then got enough to pay their rent, which had to make up, but from that day to the day of Mr. Carrick's death they did not obtain a single lease, and if he had lived a week longer the tenants would have been turned out of 31 farms. Let it not be supposed that he excused the murder for these or any other reasons; the perpetrator of this horrible atrocity, the murderer, ought to receive the severest punishment that man could inflict upon him. The right hand of God would take vengeance on the murderer.—(Hear, hear.) But what they wanted to prevent was the recurrence of these murders, and as they were called upon to enact a coercion bill against the peasantry and the tenantry, he thought it was time to enact a coercion bill against the landlords, to prevent their abuse of property—which, though they had legal right on their side, was the real cause of and stimulant to the worst of crimes. Now, the amendment which he meant to propose was this:—"That while this house deplores the existence of outrage in Ireland, and is sincerely anxious for it repression, it is of opinion that such outrage will be aggravated, not removed, by the arbitrary, unjust, and unconstitutional enactments of the bill, and that it is the duty of Parliament to adopt such measures as will tend to eradicate the causes which produce these crimes, instead of resorting to laws which will harass and oppress the innocent without restraining the guilty, and which, being restrictive of public liberty, cannot fail to augment national discontent." His motion was intended to direct the attention of the house to the remedies for these crimes; he did not controvert any of the facts as to the existence of these crimes—upon that he was unhappily agree with the government—there was no doubt about the fact, murders had not diminished; the question was how they could repress them. If he thought that the government bill would effect that object, no man would be more ready to vote for it than himself—(cheers)—but he was convinced that the words of his resolution were true, that this bill would increase the anger and irritation, and would augment national discontent. Let them look at the bill for one moment. Did they find it calculated—even taken at the best—to effect its object by inflicting penalties on, and giving the many innocent in charge, for the purpose of reaching the few guilty? It certainly would be annoying to the many, and could they expect it to be efficient against the few. . .

Dublin Evening Packet and Correspondent, Tuesday, 7 April 1846
James Molony of Dangan, despite police witnesses who provided an alibi at the time of the murder, was not released from prison until July 1846. This James Molony of Dangan was married to Bridget Hogan and had three daughters reported in the Quin-Clooney baptism records of 1816-1855. Their daughter, Margaret Molony, baptized in 1833, married Michael McNamara, son of Thomas McNamara of Derryeaghra townland (frequently referred to as "Ayle") in Feakle, on 18 February 1865 at the Catholic church in Ennis. See McNamara family tree on page 42 of the search for the missing Thomas McNamara of Glandree:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6965&p=14563&hilit=Dangan#p14563
James Molony, charged with the murder of Pierce Carrick, Esq., in March last, was discharged by proclamation.

Limerick and Clare Examiner, Saturday, 18 July 1846

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

Re: John McNamara, of Barberton, Ohio, returns to County Clare in 1892

Post by Sduddy » Sat Apr 15, 2023 9:50 am

Thanks yet again, Jimbo - this time for that most interesting account of the murder of Pierce Carrick.

You mention that James Molony, the accused man, and his wife, Bridget Hogan, had three daughters. They also had a son, James, baptised on 6 Jun 1838 (the gap of several years between the first two baptisms and the last two baptisms suggests to me that there were more children whose baptisms were not recorded). James (jun.) married Margaret McDonnell from Cant, daughter of James McDonnell, on 9 Oct 1866, in Quin chapel: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 250829.pdf
A son, James, was born to James (jun.) Molony and Margaret McDonnell, of Dangan, on 9 Sept 1867; informant: Bridget McDonnell, Kant: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 271166.pdf. James was baptised on the 14 September. The mother’s name is mistakenly transcribed as Mary in the transcription of the Quin - Clooney baptisms 1855-1880. The sponsors were James Molony and Bridget McDonnell.
There are no Molonys in Dangan in 1901. I found no further records for James (jun.) Molony, or for his wife, Margaret, or for their son James b. 1867.

Although the address for the Molonys is given as Dangan in most records, I think they may have been living in the adjoining townland of Cragbwee at the time of Griffith’s Valuation. Cragboy [Cragbwee] is given as the residence of James Molony and Bridget Hogan at the baptisms of two of their children. According to Griffith’s Valuation of Cragbwee, a James Molony was leasing Lot 7 a, 64 acres and house, from Cornelius Creagh. Looking at the Griffith’s map, I see that the house on plot 7 is on the side of the road that divides the Dangan demense from the townland of Craghbwee (in order to find the townlands of Dangan and Cragbwee, stay at the darker side of the map). Cragbwee/Cragboy is given as “Craggline” in the 1901 census and this shows that an Owen Molony, aged 47, and family, were living there at that time (In 1911, the same townland is given as Cragbwee). However, the marriage of Owen Moloney to Kate Scanlan, on 5 Mar 1878, shows that Owen’s father was Patrick (not James): https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 060657.pdf

Sheila

P.S. Bridget Moloney, daughter of James Molony, the accused man, married Thomas Fitzgerald, from Sallybank, in Quin Chapel, on 30 Jul 1871: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 168887.pdf. The 1901 census shows a Thomas Fitzgerald, aged 40 (!), and his wife, Bridget, aged 65, living in “Craggline” [Cragbwee]: http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... e/1086801/. I wonder if this is the couple who married in 1871. They are not in Cragbwee in 1911.

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

Re: John McNamara, of Barberton, Ohio, returns to County Clare in 1892

Post by Sduddy » Sun Apr 16, 2023 9:58 am

I see now that, in 1911, Thomas Fitzgerald (aged 68), a widower, was living with his sister, Catherine Tynan, and her husband, Martin Tynan, in Oatfield (Cloontra DED), Clonlea parish: http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... ld/364662/
Catherine Fitzgerald, from Sallybank, had married Martin Tynan on 21 Feb 1860 (Doonass – Truagh marriages 1851 – 1883): https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls ... 6/mode/1up.
Thomas’s wife, Bridget Fitzgerald, Dangan, had died on 21 Jul 1909, aged 50: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 524828.pdf. If this Bridget is Bridget, daughter of James Molony and Bridget Hogan, who was baptised on 1 Oct 1829, she would have been aged 90 in 1909: https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls ... 6/mode/1up.

Sheila

Edit: No, Bridget Fitzgerald, baptised in 1829, would have aged 80 in 1909 (not 90).
Last edited by Sduddy on Tue Apr 18, 2023 9:40 am, edited 2 times in total.

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

Re: John McNamara, of Barberton, Ohio, returns to County Clare in 1892

Post by Sduddy » Tue Apr 18, 2023 9:38 am

Hi Jimbo

I mentioned the song, “The Kerry Recruit” (https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/cocla ... enihan.htm), in a posting above. You were interested in to see that the army pension was “ten pence a day”. According to this story, included in the 1930’s Schools’ Collection, a Peter McCormack, of Clooney parish, received only 8 pence a day:
Ghost Story: https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/5177641/5 ... ID=5177641

I wonder if Peter, who served in the Crimean War (Oct. 1853 - Feb. 1856), can be the Peter McCormack, who married Anne Murphy of Derryneask on 5 Feb 1869 (https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 192078.pdf); his occupation is given as Farmer, not Army Pensioner, plus he is aged only 58 in 1901: http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... e/1087137/. In 1911, however, he gives his age as 74, which, if correct, would make it much more likely that he was old enough to serve in the Crimea: http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... re/370261/.
That Peter died on 17 Jan 1914, aged 75: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 476649.pdf

If he is the Peter McCormack who, according to the story, was in the Crimean War, it would seem that not every retired soldier gave his occupation as Army Pensioner.

Sheila

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

Re: John McNamara, of Barberton, Ohio, returns to County Clare in 1892

Post by Jimbo » Wed Apr 19, 2023 7:21 am

Hi Sheila,

Thanks for sharing your further research into the descendants of James Moloney of Cragboy townland, near Dangan.

With regards to the Peter McCormack living in Derrymore in the 1901 and 1911 census, I agree that he would have been old enough perhaps to have fought in the Crimean War, but way too young to have been discharged during the Crimean War after 21 years of service. The story from the School's Collection stated that Peter had joined the British army at the age of 18 years old, fought for 21 years, and was discharged during the Crimean War (1853 to 1856). So he would have joined about 1832 or so, and born about 1814. There is no Peter McCormack listed on the 1882/1883 "Tralee Pension District Advice List" (an Andrew McCormack of the 49th Foot was paid in Killaloe; and a John McCormack of the 45th Foot was paid at Limerick). I suspect the pensioner Peter McCormack of the ghost story had died prior to the 1882 pensioner listing, and quite possibly prior the 1864 start of civil death records.

Sheila, the informant to the Peter McCormack ghost story was Thomas McNamara of Creevagh More townland, whose family you recently researched. This Thomas was likely the son born in 1872 to Michael McNamara (1841-1922) and Catherine Savage; and grandson of Thomas McNamara (≈1822 - 1888) and Ann Daffy. Both his father and grandfather were masons, and not being tied to the land moved around a bit. His father finally settled in Creevagh Beg, this according to your research from last July, " Thomas McNamara (abt. 1820 – 1888), Stone Mason (also called Tradesman)":

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7339

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In April 1846, Daniel O'Connell during the debate over the "Protection for Life (Ireland) Bill" at the House of Commons, stated that while there was no justification for the murder of Pierce Carrick, that his treatment of the tenants for which he was an agent was very poor. He described him as an "unhappy man" who "was the agent of a young gentleman who was under age". The identity of the "young gentleman" was not clear.

In June 1845, the Rev. Patrick Quade, parish priest of O'Callaghan Mills, also complained about Pierce Carrick's treatment of twenty-one tenants at the Landlord and Tenant Commission. This was less than one year before the murder of Pierce Carrick. Instead of acknowledging the poor treatment of the tenants for which he was their land agent and making suitable amends, he rebutted the claims by the Rev. Patrick Quade. The testimony at the land commission identified the "young gentleman" referred to by Daniel O'Connell in April 1846 as Charles George O'Callaghan:

LANDLORD AND TENANT COMMISSION
COUNTY CLARE.


The REV. PATRICK QUADE, sworn and examined—Where do you reside?—In the parish of Clonlea. Are you parish priest of that parish? Yes, Clonlea and Killooran [O'Callaghan Mills], in the county of Clare, and within four miles of Tulla. What is the district with which you are well acquainted? The district in the parishes over which I am priest particularly. In what manner is the rent usually recovered in the district from defaulting tenants? It depends a good deal upon the person, but generally where there is a distraint the driver claims fees. How much do they usually claim—by the day, or by the head of cattle? It is not by the day at all; it is by the visit to the land, just going there and distraining; I believe 4s. 6d. is generally charged; in some cases 3s. 6d; and in some cases 3s. How long is he occupied in making the distress? Perhaps not ten minutes. In some cases they only come upon the land and distrain the cattle upon the land; and when they are satisfied that the cattle will be forthcoming, or the rent paid at a given time, there is no more difficulty. Sometimes they drive to the pound. In most cases when they impound the cattle they give positive directions to the pound keeper not under any conditions to allow the cattle out of the pound for fifteen days and though the security is double the amount due, they refuse to let the cattle out, and there are expenses accruing to the pound keeper during that time.

I know a case where cattle were distrained and sold for a mere trifle, incurring all the expenses, and then the tenant allowed to bring them home; and then again soon after the same form, gone through, and attendant expense, heaping expenses upon the tenant. This took place upon Mr. O'Callaghan's estate. In the case of land under the courts, I have known where from twenty-one tenants sixty-three guineas have been acquired for leases, which leases were never executed. Do you know whether they had entered into any security or recognisance for the payment of the rent? No, but this I know, that a person was deputed in that case to take the land under the courts for the benefit of all the tenants, to avoid the necessity of each of them taking out a lease under the court; and this person demanded his 63 guineas, three guineas from each of the twenty-one tenants; and to my own knowledge one of them had to pawn his bed for the three guineas. He would not get possession of his land till he paid this money. Who was the person? The property is the property of John George O'Callaghan [should be Charles George O'Callaghan, as per Carrick's below statement]. He is now of age, the nephew of the gentleman examined, he is an officer in the army. Who took the money? A man named John Naylor [should be John Neylan, of Toonagh], the under-agent to the agent. Who was the agent? Mr. Pierce Carrick, who lives in Ennis. Do you know whether that circumstance ever came to the knowledge of the agent? That I cannot say; but I know that he was repeatedly on the land.

Statement of PIERCE CARRICK, ESQ. in reply to the Rev. Patrick Quaid.

"I totally deny that twenty-one or any number of tenants, to any lands over which I have been at any time receiver, ever paid, or were required to pay, sixty three guineas, or any sum, for leases which were never executed. The letting to John Neylan, alluded to by Mr. Quade, but very incorrectly described by him, did not take place within three years before he gave his evidence, but was made in August, 1839, from the 1st May previous, during the minority of Charles George O'Callaghan, which terminated November 1842. The mode of letting was thus:—the twenty-one tenants alluded to had been, previous to said year, under-tenants to the Rev. John Westropp, upon the expiration of whose lease, on the 28th February, 1839, Mr. O'Callaghan became entitled as owner in fee, to resume possession of the land; but in order to avoid the necessity of dispossessing the tenants thereon, and at the same time, the expense of separate leases under the court (which I believe would amount to £150 and upwards.) the friends of the minor suggested the fitness of letting the land to one responsible person, at the yearly rent of £363 11s, 2d, previously ascertained by the valuation of competent persons, and that said tenant should sublet to the occupiers, and undertake the collection of rents from them. John Neylan, referred to by Mr. Quade, but who is not, as stated by him, my under-agent, but is in the employment of the minor's family, was, as a trusty, intelligent, and solvent man, selected for this purpose. The land was accordingly leased to him, under the sanction of the court, from said 1st May 1839; and he sublet to the aforesaid twenty-one persons, at rents, in the gross only exceeding the sum reserved in his own lease by about £1 to cover the expense of receipt stamps. On the occasion of said subletting, the tenants voluntarily paid into my office, a sum of £63 for the purpose of indemnifying Neylan for the expense; trouble, and risk imposed upon him, and which sum I fully applied accordingly. Neylan's lease continued for three years and a half, and expired with the minority, in Nov. 1842, and he has paid me all rent due up to that time, save a sum of £33 11s. 2d., the greater part of which he assures me is still due to him by the tenant, and about the recovery of which he entertains strong doubts. He also assures me, that said tenants were, at the expiration of said lease, in a better condition than when it commenced. The distress alluded to was made on the 17th of August last, on James M'Mahon, one of the aforesaid twenty-one tenants, who, after the expiration of Neylan's lease, became, Mr. O'Callaghan's tenant at a yearly rent of £15 0s. 1d. and who then owed three half years of said rent. I am credibly informed that the keeper was employed for three days and nights, and that the distress was not released until the fourth day. Under those circumstances, I submit that 5s. was an insufficient payment for the keepers trouble. I am ready to vouch this statement on oath."

Limerick Chronicle, Wednesday, 18 June 1845
Daniel O'Connell at the debate in the House of Commons over the "Protection for Life (Ireland) Bill" in April 1846 mentioned two examples of Pierce Carrick's poor behavior (see my last posting). The circumstances of the twenty-one tenants mentioned at the Landlord and Tenant Commission by the Rev. Patrick Quade appears to the same as that mentioned by O'Connell, in the second example. Although O'Connell slightly exaggerated the number of tenants: "if he [Carrick] had lived a week longer the tenants would have been turned out of 31 farms".

Determining what townland the twenty-one tenants mentioned by the Rev. Patrick Quade and Pierce Carrick might not be possible. They must be from O'Callaghan Mills Parish, where Rev. Quade was the parish priest. Only one tenant, James McMahon, was mentioned in the above article and in reviewing Sharon's transcriptions of O'Callaghan Mills baptisms by father, 1835-1855, there are baptisms with a James McMahon as father from Backfield, and one baptism from Kilgorey.

Only 18 months after Pierce Carrick, the land agent for Charles George O'Callaghan, was murdered, Michael Walsh, the steward and caretaker for Charles George O'Callaghan, was murdered on Saturday, 30 October 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, Tuesday, 2 November 1847
The murder of Michael Walsh was discussed back in 2020 on page 27 of the search for the missing Civil War soldier Thomas McNamara of Glandree. But there was little understanding as to what could have been the motive. The murder of Pierce Carrick in March 1846 has provided at least some historical context to the later murder of Michael Walsh in November 1847, as both men worked for Charles George O'Callaghan.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6965&start=390

Sheila, you will remember that the murder of Michael Walsh, of Ballinahinch, was discovered while researching James Halpin, the son of Johanna Walsh (first marriage to John Harrison) and James Halpin, born in 1861. Whether or not Johanna Walsh was the daughter of Michael Walsh, murdered in 1847, and Catherine McNamara, has not been fully proven. I am more confident that Margaret Walsh Duncan, the proprietress of the Continental Hotel in Atlantic City, was the granddaughter of Michael Walsh and Catherine McNamara. See Michael Walsh family tree in link above.

To summarize briefly: the widow Johanna Walsh Harrison, when in March 1859 she was remarried to James Halpin, Sr., appears to have lost custody of her three children fathered by John Harrison. At the 1861 baptism in Tulla Parish of their son, James Halpin, Jr., one sponsor was a Michael McNamara. In one of the USA passport applications for James Halpin, he stated that his godfather Michael McNamara was his uncle and he had visited him in 1922. But the identity of this Michael McNamara remains a mystery.

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. I reckon there is a strong chance that this Michael McNamara was the baptism sponsor of James Halpin born in 1861, and thus may provide an important clue to his identity.

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 678416.pdf

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