Hi Sheila,
Thanks for the information on the Bowles family, we came across that Ambrose earlier (page 14):
In 1866 Patrick Bowles and his older brother James Bowles of Glandree didn't just willy nilly get on the Ship Shalimar at Liverpool on May 25th bound for Melbourne. They were following in the footsteps of their uncle or perhaps great uncle James Bowles (1775 - 1868), wife Mary Anne McMahon Bowles (1789 - 1872) and their entire family of nine children (including son Ambrose Bowles) who left Feakle for the Colony of Victoria one generation earlier.
The Australian descendants are well documented on ancestry, including a photo of Ambrose Bowles (1829 - 1889). And with the further research (page 16) into the Rev. James Bowles (1811-1881) we can prove that his father John Bowles (wife Margaret Molony); James Bowles (wife Mary Anne McMahon) whose entire family left Feakle for Australia; the Rev. Ambrose Bowles who drowned at Lahinch Bay in 1846; and Catherine Bowles who married Nicholas Kelly, a Limerick Town Councillor; were all the children of John Bowles and Margaret O'Connor. The Rev. Ambrose O'Connor (abt 1769 - 1849) was their uncle.
And the 1881 painting
"News of the Land League" by Howard Helmick was a great find, thank you very much for sharing the link. It would be nice to go to the National Gallery in Dublin to check it out someday. Their description of the painting, under "Label Text", highlights the "theme of literacy". Of course, there are different ways to interpret a painting, but the National Gallery seems to ignore the two young men in the left background that take up fully one third of the painting. The pair would be about the same age as Thomas McNamara, the Coercion Suspect from 1882, and like Thomas, are the sons of farmers. One sits leaning against his hand and elbow on the table with a look of boredom or even disdain as he watches the elderly farmers eagerly hear the Land League news. The farmers, through the Land League, were willing to take some risk to achieve a fair rent from their landlord. But it was the sons of the farmers, with the recklessness of youth, who wanted to destroy the entire landlord system. The two young men in the left of the painting are clearly Moonlighters.
http://onlinecollection.nationalgallery ... cf04&idx=1
The missing American Civil War soldier Thomas McNamara, last seen in Wawarsing, would be about the same age as the farmers in
"News of the Land League". His sister, Mary McNamara Madigan of Barnsley Yorkshire, posted her last missing advertisement in 1879, the same year that the Land League was founded. It is very doubtful that our missing Civil War soldier Thomas McNamara returned to County Clare.
Sheila, your discussion on Bridget McNamara completely ignored your brilliant theory (from page 7) that there were two independent families of John McNamara and Mary Kelly. One family in Glandree and a separate family in Derryulk. When I stated that this "opens several avenues of new research", I was thinking specifically that the Bridget McNamara born in 1834 was back in contention as "Elizabeth" of Wawarsing, since the Bridget McNamara born in Derryulk in 1845 was from a completely different family. My prior theory (page 3) that "Johanna" McNamara changed her name to "Elizabeth", because the first wife of Daniel Hornbeck was named "Jane Anne" was clever, but had one major fault. Joanna McNamara was born in November 1835. I reckon Joanna would have only been about 17 years old if she had married Daniel Hornbeck in 1852 or 1853. Most the young women of Tulla Parish that we've documented during this search seem to marry at the youngest at age 19. The headstone for "Elizabeth McNamara Hornbeck" states that she was born in 1833, much closer in age to Bridget McNamara, and more importantly, she would have been age 19 upon marriage. So any theory that would provide a reason why a "Bridget" born in Ireland would turn into "Elizabeth" when in America is most welcome.
I revisited the McNamara's of Derryulk and provide their updated family tree below; the information on pages 7 through 8 was disorganized. I was also looking for further evidence that John McNamara and Mary Kelly were two separate families in Glandree and Derryulk. Some new information discovered:
Anne McNamara of Derryulk married John Meehan in 1877, but we could never find her Tulla baptism record. I reckon she is the "Anne" born to "John McMahon" and "Mary Kelly" of Derryulk on 20 September 1841 and the priest made a mistake in the baptism register, which, take another look, is really just a scribble.
Honora Meehan, the daughter of John Meehan and Anne McNamara, arrived in New York in 1906 and she was traveling with her first cousin, Mary Halpin, of Tulla; their American contact was Mary's sister Lizzie Halpin living in Brooklyn. The sisters were the daughters of Patrick Halpin and Mary Meehan. Another interesting Halpin connection, but I don't believe these Halpins are related to Margaret Halpin of Ballyoughtra who married Michael McNamara, nor Anne Halpin of Ballyoughtra who married Matthew McNamara (see family tree on page 13).
I searched again for any clues to solve the mystery of what happened to John Meehan, the WWI soldier, who was last reported on the 1920 census living with his sister Nora Meehan Carroll. I mentioned previously that John Meehan arrived in NY in 1910 and appeared to be traveling with Thomas Halpin of Tulla who was going to his brother John Halpin. Actually, Thomas Halpin was crossed out on the passenger listing and would take another ship to New York. John Meehan (son of John Meehan and Anne McNamara of Derryulk) and Thomas Halpin (son of John Halpin and Margaret Meagher of Afflick) were not related to each other, but shared first cousins (the children of Patrick Halpin and Mary Meehan). I'm not sure if there is a name for this relationship in Ireland other than "not related". Thomas Halpin would end up working as the chauffeur for President Taft (I'll link to the Clare Past thread on this topic when the search feature is back up and running).
On his WWI registration, John Meehan reported that he was a chauffeur for the "Fifth Avenue Coach Co." of 102nd St., New York (see document on page eight). A fellow chauffeur, a County Kerry man, named Bartholomew O'Brien, reported on his WWI rego that he also worked for the "Fifth Avenue Bus Co." of 102nd St., New York. Bartholomew O'Brien, son of Philip O'Brien and Margaret O'Shea, married Kate Reills, daughter of Patrick Reills and Mary Murphy, in Manhattan on 9 June 1909. "Kate Real" was the daughter of the American Civil War soldier, Patrick Real, of the 1st New York Engineers, who married Mary Murphy in New York, had a son in NY, and ended up returning to Ireland and living in Tarmon, County Clare. The sisters Kate Reills (age 22) and Nellie Reills (age 21) were last spotted in the 1905 New York State Census working as servants for a multi-generation German-American family of Moyer / Gottschalk at 145 East 89th Street on the Upper East Side of Manhattan; see this thread (
http://www.ourlibrary.ca/phpbb2/viewtop ... f=1&t=5280), which I'll update another day. The Fifth Ave Coach Company was famous for their double-decker buses - photos below. Their old company files, including employee records & employee photos, are located at the New York Historical Society Library and might provide a further clue to solve the mystery of what happened to John Meehan who went missing after 1920:
http://dlib.nyu.edu/findingaids/html/ny ... ref88.html
McNamara's of Derryulk.
In the 1827 Tithe Applotment Books, there is only one McNamara, Patt McNamara, in Upper Derrulk, and none in Lower Derrulk. Unlike with the Griffith Valuation and the 1901 Census, there is no Middle Derrulk in 1827. It is likely that Patt McNamara of 1827 is the father of either or perhaps both (1) Patt McNamara, whose widow Hanna Keefe McNamara has Plot 4, Derryulk Middle, at Griffiths Valuation. (2) John McNamara of Plot 3, Derryulk Middle, at Griffiths Valuation.
1.0 Patt McNamara (died prior to 1855 Griffiths Valuation) and
Hanna Keefe (died prior to 1901) of Derryulk have seven children recorded in the Tulla baptism register. Hanna McNamara at Griffiths Valuation has Plot 4, 16 acres in Derryulk, Middle.
............ 1.? missing baptism register (March 1822 through August 1825)
............ 1.1 Mary McNamara (1826 in Derolk), mother Anne, sponsor Mary Kelly
............ 1.2
John McNamara (1828 in Derraolk; died 26 August 1898, age 68), sponsors Pat McNamara, Mary McNamara. John McNamara was married to
Bridget Naughten (age 65 in 1901; died 23 October 1902, age 71)
<Derryulk Middle, Kiltannon, House 4, x>
......................... 1.2.1 Mary McNamara (1862 in Derryulk), sponsors James Naughten of Feacle, Mary Naughten of Feacle.
<Derryulk Middle, House 4, House 5>
......................... 1.2.2 Patrick McNamara (1864 in Derulk), sponsors Jeremiah Keefe, Mary Keefe
<Derryulk Middle, House 4, House 5>
......................... 1.2.3 James McNamara (1867 in Derryulk), sponsors John Bourke, Honora Moroney
......................... 1.2.4 John McNamara (1869 in Derryulk), sponsors James Carty, Anne McNamara
............ 1.3 Stephen McNamara (1829 in Derulk), sponsor Dennis Mongaven
<Derryulk Middle, Kiltannon, House 4, x>
............ 1.4 Michael McNamara (1832 in Derulk), sponsors John Keefe, Mary Mungan
............ 1.5 Patt McNamara (1835 in Derraolk), sponsors Thomas and Mary Keeffe
............ 1.6 Bridget McNamara (1839 in Derulk), mother "Ellen", sponsors John Neil, Mary Neil
............ 1.7 Catherine McNamara (1840 in Derulk), mother "Ellen", sponsors John Keefe, Mary Mungan
2.0 John McNamara (about 1807; died on 27 November 1882, age 75, widower, at Derrulk, informant son Michael McNamara) married to
Mary Kelly (died prior to husband in 1882). John McNamara at Griffiths Valuation has Plot 3, Derryulk Middle, 18 acres. When more civil death records become available for Tulla and Galway registration districts, Mary Kelly McNamara's death prior to 1882 might be located.
............ 2.1
Margaret McNamara (1838 in Derra(?); age 70 in 1901; age 75 in 1911), sponsors Martin Harrison, Bid Malone(?). Margaret McNamara of Derryulk married
Thomas Meehan (died prior to 1901) on 20 May 1857; witnesses William Rouen, Mary Mealy. The Meehan family lived in "Clounderaown", an old townland adjacent to Cappafeean and Knockaloaghan.
<Knocklohane, Tuberbreeda, House 2, House 3>
......................... 2.1.1 Patt Meehan (born 1858 or 1859, prior to Crusheen baptism register)
<Knocklohane, House 2, House 3>
......................... 2.1.2 Hanna Meehan (1860 in "Clooneen"), sponsors
Stephen McNamara, Hannah King
......................... 2.1.3 Catherine Meehan (1862 in "Cloun"), sponsors Pat Molony, Bridget Meehan
......................... 2.1.4 Bridget Meehan (1865 in "Cloun"), sponsors Michael Meehan, Margaret Reddan
......................... 2.1.5 Honora Meehan (1867 in "Cloundera"), father listed as "John", sponsors John Meehan, Mary Meehan
......................... 2.1.6 John Meehan (1868 in "Cloundera"), sponsors James Culligan, Mary Culligan
<Knocklohane, House 2, House 3>
......................... 2.1.7 Eliza Meehan (1872 in "Clonen"), father listed as "Pat", sponsors John Reddan, Nancy Molony
......................... 2.1.8 Anne Meehan (1875 in "Cappafean"), sponsors Michael Meehan, Mary Meehan
......................... 2.1.9 Ellen Meehan (1877 in "Clonderowen")
<Knocklohane, House 2, House 3>
............ 2.2
Anne McNamara (unknown baptism or 1841?; age 55 in 1901; died prior to 1911?). "Mary Kelly" and "John McMahon" of Deryulk had a daughter "Anne" baptized on 20 September 1841, sponsor Margaret Kelly. The handwriting on the baptism register is a bit of a scribble, but could very well be "McMahon". Did the priest make a mistake between "McMahon" and "McNamara"? There are no other children born to a "Mary Kelly" and "John McMahon" in the Tulla baptism register. Anne McNamara, of Derryulk, daughter of John McNamara, married
John Meehan (age 61 in 1901; still living in 1910 when son John went to NYC; died prior to 1911?), son of Thomas Meehan (see note 1 below) on 14 April 1877 at Tulla chapel; witnesses Thomas Dooley, Mary Mack. Tulla church marriage record states groom as "Michael Meehan" in error.
<Derryulk Middle, Kiltannon, House 1, x>
......................... 2.2.1 Mary Meehan (1877, died prior to birth of sister Mary Anne?), sponsor Maria McNamara.
......................... 2.2.2 Margaret Meehan (1878), sponsors John Mack,
Mary Halpin <Derryulk Middle, House 1, House 1> arrived in NYC in 1908, contact sister Nora Meehan of 439 West 37th Ave., NY; Irish contact father John Meehan of Derryulk. Married Patrick Smith. Lived at 1292 Amsterdam Ave, NY. Died in December 1933 (
NY Times, 22 December 1933).
......................... 2.2.3 Honora Meehan (1880), sponsors Michael Dooley, Honor Dooley
<Derryulk Middle, House 1, House 1>. Norah Meehan, age 20, from Tulla, arrived in NYC on the
SS Oceanic on 14 September 1906; she was traveling with her cousin Mary Halpin, age 25, from Tulla, and their contact was Mary's sister Lizzie Halpin of 598 Madison Street, Brooklyn. The Halpin sisters were the daughters of Patrick Halpin and Mary Meehan (see note 1 below). Nora returned to Tulla, most likely to visit her father prior to his death, and is recorded on the 1911 census. Nora Meehan, age 25, from Tulla ("Julla"), arrived in NYC on the
SS Adriatic on 28 September 1911; contact brother John Meehan at 260 W 1st Street, NY; Irish contact was brother Michael Meehan of Knockjames. Nora Meehan married Patrick Carroll in Manhattan on 8 September 1912. Lived at 633 Columbus Avenue in Manhattan in 1920 to 1940 census reports. She died in February 1964.
......................................... 2.2.3.1 Anna Carroll (age 6 in 1920 in NYC)
......................................... 2.2.3.2 John Carroll (age 5 in 1920 in NYC)
......................................... 2.2.3.3 Veronica Carroll (age 1 in 1920 in NYC) visited Ireland with Aunt Bridget Meehan in 1933.
......................... 2.2.4 Michael Meehan (born 1 February 1882)
<Derryulk Middle, House 1, House 1> married Ellen Russell, of Ballyoughtra, daughter of James Russell (deceased), at Knockjames Chapel on 7 March 1916.
......................... 2.2.5 Mary Anne Meehan (born 4 May 1884)
<Derryulk Middle, House 1, x> arrived in NYC on the
SS Caronia on 16 November 1907; contact sister Nora Meehan of 239 West 37th Ave., NY; Irish contact father John Meehan. Application of intent to become a U.S. citizen was filed in 1928; she became a citizen in 1933 with sisters Mrs. Nora Carroll and Mrs. Margaret Smyth as witnesses. Probable death in NYC in February 1977 (birth reported as 17 April 1884).
......................... 2.2.6 John Meehan (born 2 November 1886)
<Derryulk Middle, House 1, x> arrived in NYC on 3 May 1910 on the
SS Arabic; contact sister Margaret McNamara of 210 East 29th Street, NYC; Irish contact was father John Meehan of Derryulk. Fought on Western Front in WWI with Company I, 321st Infantry, 81st Division. Living with sister Norah Carroll at 663 Columbus Ave, NYC in 1920 census.
......................... 2.2.7 Delia Meehan (born 1 February 1889)
<Derryulk Middle, House 1, House 1> arrived in NYC on the
SS Philadelphia on 6 September 1916. Lived with sister Nora Carroll at 633 Columbus Avenue. Died in New York City on 17 June 1978.
............ 2.? missing baptism register (1843)
............ 2.3 Bridget McNamara (1845 in Deryulk), sponsors Daniel McGrath, Bid Kelly
............ 2.4 Michael McNamara (1849 in Derulk), sponsor Hanna Keefe. Informant on the 1882 death record for father John McNamara. Could not find any marriage record, nor baptism record with Michael listed as father in the Tulla sacramental records, nor any civil death record for this Michael McNamara.
Note 1: Meehan Family of Derryulk:
Tom Meehan, of Kilday, married Mary Dooley, of Kilduf, on 7 February 1837, in Tulla Parish; witnesses Michael Dooley of Kilday, and John Brennan of Tulla. They had at least four children. At Griffiths Vaulation, Thomas Meehan has a house on Plot 9 in Derryulk Middle, and shares Plot 8 with a John Meehan who also has Plot 7. I reckon John Meehan of Griffiths Valuation is the father of Thomas Meehan; Thomas named his first born son "John" in 1838. Thomas Meehan possibly died in 1877 at the age of 68; the Tulla civil record is not yet available.
1) Mary Meehan (1837) of Derrygarrif married Patrick Halpin in 1872. Children: Michael (1872), Anne (1874), Mary (1876), Eliza (1878), Joseph (age 8 in 1901), Martin (age 6), James (age 4), Sarah (age 2), Thomas (infant in 1901). They were living in House 17 in Knocklough, Glenmore in the 1901 Census. Mary Halpin traveled to NYC in 1906 with her cousin Nora Meehan, their American contact was her sister Lizzie Halpin.
2) John Meehan (1838) married Anne McNamara in 1877, see above family tree
3) Michael Meehan (1840)
?) missing baptism records in 1841 & 1843
4) Bridget Meehan (1850)