Hi Sheila, thanks very much for sharing your research which attempted to show a link between the Rev. James Finucane McNamara (≈1800 - ≈1835) and Captain Michael McNamara of Greenpark, Ennis, and the 60th Rifles. I had immediately picked up that Mary Finucane would have been too young to be the mother of the Rev. James Finucane McNamara. Father Murphy in
The Diocese of Killaloe didn't provide any sources, but stated that he died in his early 30's in the 1830's. The 1859 obituary notice for Mary Finucane stated that she died at the age of 65, so born about 1794. The Finucane family tree source you mentioned stated a birth year of 1791. Either way, she was too young to have a son named James born about 1800.
Both the 1859 obituary and Finucane family tree could have understated her age. However, the known children of Michael McNamara and Mary Finucane of Greenpark were born between 1814 and 1824. See McNamara family tree below. If James Finucane McNamara, born about 1800, was their child, this would have created a large gap between births.
The McNamara's of Greenpark do appear to be a Catholic family of the same wealthy class as the Rev. J. F. McNamara. Their son Michael was an attorney, as you mentioned previously. Another son, was a surgeon and had been stationed in China for seven years prior to his death at a young age. Their eldest daughter, Emily, married the sub-inspector of Newmarket-on-Fergus.
Most interesting, and perhaps unbelievable, was the 1900 obituary (see below) for Michael McNamara, Jr., which stated that his father, Captain Michael McNamara of the 60th Rifles was stationed at St. Helena and part of the attachment sent to guard Napoleon. Apparently, Mary Finucane McNamara must have also been there, since according to this obituary, Michael Junior was born in 1819 on the voyage returning from St. Helena. A tall tale passed down through the generations? There is no evidence of the 60th Rifles ever having been on St. Helena.
Sheila, not sure why you had initial doubts that Michael McNamara could have been a Catholic based upon the fact that he was a Captain of the 60th Rifles. Catholics in the British army were not precluded from the officer class during his lifetime (will need to research further to obtain the year this was allowed). Maybe if he were a Captain in the local Clare militia, he would have unlikely have been a Catholic? But even this I'm not so sure.
Captain Michael MacNamara (≈1781 - 1859) and Mary Finucane (≈1791 - 1859) of Greenpark, Ennis
Michael MacNamara enlisted as an ensign with the 60th Regiment on 2 November 1809 at the age of 28 years, so born about 1781. The 60th Regiment was located at the Cape of Good Hope between 1811 and January 1819.
Per Griffith Valuation at the askaboutireland website, and viewing Clonroad More townland on the map view, Greenpark House was at Plot 48A. Michael McNamara, held Plots 48A and 48B; lessor Francis Gore; house, offices & land; over 27 acres; land value, £41, 15 shillings; house value, £8, 5 shillings. Total value: £50. Just south of Plots 48A&B was Plot 54, which is now St. Flannan's College, Ennis.
Michael MacNamara and Mary Finucane were the parents of at least four children:
1. Emily MacNamara (1813 - 1870)
Born on 10 December 1813, according to her father's reporting of "Names of Children" and "Dates of their Birth" on "Services or officers on Full and Half Pay. Returns to the circular letter 27 Oct., 1828" at the UK National Archives (see links in next posting). Birthplace was the Cape of Good Hope based upon the location of the 1st Battalion of the 60th Regiment (see news articles in next posting).
MARRIAGES.
At Greenpark, Ennis, by the Very Rev. Dean Kenny, John Donovan, Esq., Constabulary, Newmarket-on-Fergus, to Emily, eldest daughter of Captain Macnamara, half-pay 60th Rifles. [on 2nd of December per other newspaper accounts]
Limerick and Clare Examiner, Saturday, 9 December 1854
John Donovan and Emily McNamara, both reported as being from Ennis, were married on 2 December 1854 per the Drumcliffe Catholic marriage register of 1837-1880; witnesses Edward Blake, Helena Finegan.
DEATHS.
With unfeigned sorrow we announce the unexpected death on the 13th inst., at Greenpark, Ennis, the residence of her brother, Emily, the beloved wife of John Donovan, Esq., County Inspector, and eldest daughter of the late Captain MacNamara, 60th Rifles. The melancholy demise of this amiable lady has cast a deep gloom over a large circle of friends in that county.—Her remains will be interred at one o'clock on to-morrow, at the family vault, Drumcliffe.
Tipperary Vindicator, Tuesday, 15 March 1870
Emily Donovan's death was reported in Ennis in the second quarter of 1870, age 56 (civil death record not yet available). Emily MacNamara would have been about 40 years old when she married John Donovan in 1854. From reviewing the baptism registers of Newmarket on Fergus (where John Donovan was sub-inspector), as well as Drumcliffe and Six Mile Bridge parishes, they do not appear to have had any children.
2. John MacNamara (1816 - 1853)
Born on 4 May 1816 (same source as Emily in 1813). Birthplace was the Cape of Good Hope based upon the location of the 1st Battalion of the 60th Regiment (see news articles in next posting).
PROMOTIONS AND EXCHANGES.
War Office, March 15.
Hospital Staff.
John Macnamara, M.D., to be Assistant Surgeon to the Forces, vice Hoskins, appointed to the 1st foot.
Clare Journal, and Ennis Advertiser, Thursday, 21 March 1844
Dr. M'Namara, of Ennis, who has been for the last seven years in China, on the military staff, has returned to his father's house at Greenpark, county Clare, on leave of absence.
Cork Examiner, Friday, 24 January 1851
WAR OFFICE, APRIL 1.
30TH [Foot]—Assist. Surg. Wm. Johnstone Fyffe, M.B., from the Staff, to be Assistant-Surgeon, vice John Macnamara, M.D., who retires upon half-pay.
Cork Examiner, Wednesday, 6 April 1853
DEATHS.
December 9, at his father's residence, Green-park, Ennis, John Macnamara, Esq., M.D., late Assistant Surgeon 39th Regiment.
Cork Examiner, Wednesday, 14 December 1853
3. Michael McNamara (1819 - 1900)
Born on 24 January 1819 (same source as Emily in 1813). Birthplace near St. Helena as the 60th Regiment was being transported back to England from the Cape of Good Hope (see news articles on next posting).
DEATH OF MR. MACNAMARA, ENNIS.
We regret to have to announce the death of Mr. M. Macnamara, Green Park, Ennis, one of the oldest solicitors in Clare, which took place on Sunday after a few days' illness. Mr. Macnamara was born in 1819 on the voyage from St. Helena, where his father, Captain Macnamara, of the 60th Rifles, had been for some time as one of those in charge of Napoleon. After serving his time to the late Mr. M. Cullinan, Ennis, he was admitted to practice at the Hilary Sessions, 1842. The funeral will take place from the Cathedral at 12 o'clock.
Irish Independent, Tuesday, 16 January 1900
Death of Mary Gertrude [Sampson] McNamara on 11 March 1930; informant, son M.J. McNamara
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 332300.pdf
As noted in prior postings, Michael McNamara married Mary Sampson on 28 April 1874. Per the 1911 census, the widow Mary Sampson MacNamara reported that she was the mother of four children, three surviving (Michael Joseph, William Francis, Mary Charlotte).
<Clonroad More, Ennis Urban, House 1; Clonroad More, Ennis No. 4 Urban, House 1> However, per baptism/civil birth records Michael MacNamara (1819 - 1900) and Mary Sampson (≈1846 - 1930) were the parents of five children:
............ 3.1 Michael Joseph MacNamara (1875 - 1943) <Clonroad More, Ennis Urban, House 1; Clonroad More, Ennis No. 4 Urban, House 1>
Michael Joseph, residence Greenpark, Ennis, was born on 4 March 1875, to Michael McNamara, solicitor, and Mary Sampson (Ennis registration). Baptized on 7 March 1875 at Drumcliff Parish; baptism sponsors John Donovan and Charlotte McNamara (1824 - 1913), his aunt.
Michael Joseph McNamara, residence Greenpark, bachelor, 66 years, solicitor, died on 21 December 1943; informant Mary C. McNamara of Greenpark, sister of deceased (1944 Ennis registration).
............ 3.2 Emily Catherine MacNamara (1876 - 1951)
Emily Catherine, residence Greenpark, Ennis, was born on 11 October 1876 to Michael MacNamara, solicitor, and Mary Sampson (Ennis registration). Baptized on 15 October 1876, and also on 11 November 1876, at Drumcliff Parish; baptism sponsors Henry Sampson and Emily Finucane.
Unknown location in 1901 and 1911; possibly living in London. Emily Catherine MacNamara died in Dublin in 1951; her estate was left to her sister, Mary Charlotte MacNamara (see next posting).
............ 3.3 William MacNamara (1878 - 1954) <Clonroad More, Ennis Urban, House 1; Clonroad More, Ennis No. 4 Urban, House 1>
William Francis, residence Greenpark, Ennis, was born on 13 September 1878, to Michael MacNamara, solicitor, and Mary Sampson (Ennis registration). Baptized on 25 September 1878 at Drumcliff Parish; baptism sponsors William McNamara and Victoria Samson.
"Francis" McNamara, of Green Park, Ennis, bachelor, farmer, 60 years old, died on 14 August 1955 at St. Laurence's Hospital in Dublin (Dublin North registration).
............ 3.4 John MacNamara (1880 - 1889)
John, residence Greenpark, Ennis, was born on 1 August 1880, to Michael MacNamara, solicitor, and Mary Sampson (Ennis registration). John MacNamara, at Greenpark, Ennis, died on 25 April 1889 of bronchitis; informant his father, Michael MacNamara, solicitor (Ennis registration).
............ 3.5 Mary Charlotte MacNamara (1883 - 1955) <Clonroad More, Ennis Urban, House 1; Clonroad More, Ennis No. 4 Urban, House 1>
Mary Charlotte, residence Greenpark, Ennis, was born on 22 February 1883, to Michael MacNamara, solicitor, and Mary Sampson (Ennis registration).
4. Charlotte MacNamara (1824 - 1913)
Born in June 1824 (same source as Emily in 1813). Birthplace most likely in Ennis as father Lieutenant Michael MacNamara had returned in 1819 from the Cape of Good Hope, and was on half-pay. Drumcliffe (Ennis) Parish baptism records do not start until 1842.
Living with sister-in-law, Mary Sampson MacNamara, at Greenpark in 1901 and 1911 census.
<Clonroad More, Ennis Urban, House 1; Clonroad More, Ennis No. 4 Urban, House 1>
Charlotte Augusta MacNamara, at Greenpark, Ennis, age 88 years, daughter of a Captain in Army, died on 16 November 1913; informant, nephew M.J. MacNamara, present at death at Greenpark.
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 481792.pdf
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John Donovan, who married Emily McNamara in 1854, was the Sub-Inspector at Newmarket-on-Fergus for 23 years between about 1846 and 1870. During this period, the strong efforts of Sub-Inspector John Donovan were responsible for sending many a convict to Australia.
ADDRESS
TO JOHN DONOVAN, ESQ., COUNTY INSPECTOR CAVAN.
Newmarket-on-Fergus, June, 1st
DEAR SIR,—We the Magistrates, Clergy and others, resident in, or concerned with, your late district, in the county Clare, most sincerely congratulate you on your well-earned promotion to County Inspector; but, at the same time, we must express our regret at your departure from amongst us, after a residence of nearly twenty-three years, during which time you were the means of suppressing crime by bringing the guilty to justice, at a period when there was the greatest difficulty in obtaining evidence sufficient to procure a conviction; but, by your intelligence, courage, and determination, you eventually succeeded in overcoming all obstacles, and in reducing a very disturbed district to a very quiet one.
We request your acceptance of the accompanying Testimonial, as a slight mark of our appreciation of your very valuable services in this County.
We hope it is unnecessary for us to add how sincerely we wish you every possible happiness in your new County, and we congratulate it inhabitants on their acquisition of so valuable an Officer.—We remain, Dear Sir,
Your Sincere Friends,
Inchinquin, Lord Lieut., Dromoland (£10); Dunboyne, D.L., J.P., Knoppogue Castle (£5); Hugh P. Hickman, D.L., J.P., Fenloe (£10); Robert W. Studdert, J.P., Cullane (£3); Robert O'B Studdert, Cullane (£1); Thomas George Studdert, Cullane (£1); Charles F. Studdert, J.P., Newmarket House (£3); Theobald F.W. Butler, J.P., Knoppogue Castle (£2); William Halpin, Ralahine (£1); James Coffee, Crow Hill (£1); Edward Maunsell, Deerpark (£1); . . . Denis Molony, P.P., Cloughjordan (£1); . . . Michael McNamara, Greenpark (£3); . . .
REPLY.
MY LORDS, REVEREND AND DEAR FRIENDS—Twenty-one years have passed since the Grand Jury of Clare, and the Magistrates of the Districts of Newmarket-on-Fergus and Sixmilebridge unanimously expressed their high approval [through an earlier "testimonial"] of my conduct and exertions in the suppression of crime which then unhappily prevailed in your County, when I was almost a stranger there, and now, after having continued for so long a period amongst you, it affords me more than ordinary gratification to learn that I have all through retained your confidence, and that on my promotion you have deemed me deserving of this valuable Testimonial as a proof of your kind approbation and regard.
It is too true that agrarian outrage had existed to a fearful extent when I went to Clare, and that at the Special Commission held at Ennis in January, 1848, and at the three following Assizes, large numbers of criminals were brought to justice, and made pay the forfeit of their crimes; but, in the particular instances I was concerned the fortunate results were mainly attributable to the cordial co-operation at all times received by me from those of your respected body more immediately concerned, and to the very efficient aid rendered by several of the old and faithful men then under my command, to whom great local knowledge and untiring zeal the greatest merit is due.
I feel much satisfaction, however, in being now able to state that for several years past agrarian crime had altogether disappeared from the district, and that the good sense of the people resisted some attempts that were made to re-establish the "Reign of Terror" that formerly prevailed, and that I have left Newmarket-on-Fergus—as I always hope it will long continue to be—one of the most peaceable and prosperous districts in Ireland.
The recent domestic affliction [death of his wife, Emily McNamara Donovan] which it pleased the Lord to visit me with, prevented an earlier reply to your very kind address, or my receiving at your hands the costly service of plate accompanying it—a testimonial indeed which the highest public servant in the land might justly feel proud to receive.
In conclusion, I beg leave to say that this unsolicited and valuable expression of the high sense you have pleased to entertain of my humble merits, shall be ever remembered by me with feelings of the most sincere gratitude and respect, and I shall preserve it as a fond souvenir that cannot fail to stimulate me, as well as others, to persevere in the faithful and impartial discharge of the duties connected with the important office I hold.—I have the honor to remain, my Lords, Reverend, and Dear Friends, your faithful and obliged,
J. DONOVAN, County Inspector.
CAVAN, 7th June, 1870.
Clare Freeman and Ennis Gazette, Saturday, 11 June 1870
Not all convicts sentenced to transportation were sent to Australia. In 1849, four men from Newmarket-on-Fergus (or nearby districts) were sent to Bermuda to build the British Navy dock at Ireland Island. These men, Mortimer Collins, Thomas Collins, John Boland, and Michael McMahon, were convicted in Ennis on 9 July 1849 of the October 1846 attack and robbery of guns of Hugh Palliser Hickman of Fenloe. There was "the greatest difficulty in obtaining evidence sufficient to procure a conviction", yet three years after the attack, the young Sub-Inspector John Donovan, through his "intelligence, courage, and determination", and "overcoming all obstacles" succeeded. Sub-Inspector John Donovan was generously rewarded for obtaining their conviction:
Sub-Inspector Donovan, whom the Ennis grand jury complimented for his zeal and efficiency in bringing to punishment at the late assizes the party who grievously assaulted Mr. Hickman, of Fenloe, has received from his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant a purse of 25 sovereigns **.
Limerick Chronicle, Saturday, 28 July 1849
** A "sovereign" is a British gold coin worth one pound sterling. Many Irish of the 19th century, I reckon, would consider "25 sovereigns" morally equivalent to "thirty pieces of silver" of biblical times.
On the Clare Past Form, back in April 2018, Polycarp in the thread "Convicts, transportation, tickets of leave" transcribed a news article from 1860 which stated that these four men were allowed to return to Ireland:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7001
But were Mortimer Collins, Thomas Collins, John Boland, and Michael McMahon even guilty of attacking the Hickman family of Fenloe? Or was the evidence against them manufactured? And what happened to the four Bermuda convicts if they indeed were able to return to Ireland?
To Be Continued (on "Convicts, transportation, tickets of leave" thread, linked above)
Edit 1 on 6 June 2023: update MacNamara family tree of Greenpark, Ennis, based upon discovery of 1828 military record for Lieutenant Michael MacNamara at British National Archives; also include five children of Michael MacNamara, Jr., and Mary Sampson in family tree.