Embedded Files
Thurlow | Lucey | Berthelsen | Hanran | Madden | McPherson | Storrie | Dewe
Occupiers of the Land
Occupiers of the Land
James, son of Patrick Lucey, inherited "Cahireen", the family farm at Bawnatanaknock in the parish of Clondrohid. James was born in 1794 and died in 1864. It is not known for certain how many siblings James had but family lore has made it known that his brothers (unnamed) "... to their great credit, were prominent in the Land Movement of the time, and suffered for it. One of them was killed in Carriganima by British troops. His horse galloped home without him!" This is thought to be a reference to the skirmishes occurring in 1822 when a Cornelius Lucey is mentioned; his family connection (if any) remains unconfirmed to date of writing.
The Griffith's Valuation, Ireland of 1848-1864, discloses the following Lucey tenant farmers in the parish of Clondrohid, townland of Bawnatanaknock:
The Griffiths Valuation, Ireland of 1851-1853, aka the Householders Index, further reflects the above record with the names of James, Margaret and John Lucey still being occupiers of land at Bawnatanaknock. The relationship to Margaret and John is not known but it could be assumed that they were related in some way1.
As mentioned earlier, the Lucey farmers were absolutely opposed to paying tithes to the Church of Ireland and were listed (among other locals) in 1831 as defaulters. Good fortune however came their way in 1850 when, as reported in the Cork Examiner on 5th April, Henry Harding, the landlord, waived "all arrears due [and] voluntarily reduced ¼ of the Rents..." All signatories wrote to the newspaper to express the farmers' "very sincere and heartfelt thanks to Mr Harding and Mr Barry, [Harding's agent].
It cannot be said that James rushed into marriage too soon for it was not until 1835, at the age of 41, did he wed his bride, Mary Murphy. Again, it is uncertain how many children were born to James and Mary but they are thought to have included the following with (maybe) the addition of Margaret and John shown above.
Honora was born in Bawantanaknock in 1838.
Cornelius (b 1843, d 1921, Bawnatanaknock. He inherited "Cahireen".
Patrick (Patsy), born at Bawnatanaknock in 1849. He emigrated, as did so many Irishmen, to the USA and is thought to have married a Mary Fay but there was no issue. Patsy worked for a motor coach company in Chicago.
Bridget, born at Bawnatanaknock in 1851 married Mick Lynch, a Macroom merchant.
Jeremiah (Jerry), born in 1855 (1859 (?) according to US records) at Bawnatanaknock also emigrated to the USA looking for better prospects.
Two of Jeremiah's sisters are also thought to have followed Patsy and Jerry to the USA but nothing is known of them, not even their names.
In matters financial, and as examples of their charity, James is recorded as contributing 10 shillings to the Parish of Clondrohid Relief Fund in 1846; six shillings to the 1860 fund set up as a "Tribute To His Holiness Pio Nono (the Pope); and two-shillings and six-pence in 1870 to the "French Sick and Wounded" fund. Patrick Lucey and Cornelius Lucey each paid one-shilling.
1. One school of thought: Margaret is unlikely to be James' wife or sister. The main route to becoming head of household for women (and therefore being listed in Griffith's) was to become widowed. His wife would not be listed. His sister would be unlikely to have set up her own home on the family farm unless she got married, in which case her name would be different and she wouldn't be listed anyway - her husband would be listed. If related at all, Margaret might be the widowed mother of James if he got the family farm and built a house for himself before his father died, leaving his parents in the original house for example. Another possibility is Margaret could be the widow of a brother or uncle of James. Unfortunately, it's impossible to be sure without other sources to confirm or refute the various theories. [James' father was Patrick; his mother's name has not yet been established.]
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse