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Early 18th Century Introduction of Northern Weavers to Barony of West Carbery, Schull and Durrus, West Cork

Looking at some of the burial records for the Schull district many of the names which occur as weavers in Durrus recur.

 

Some Burial Records Church of Ireland and Methodist Schull District, West Cork.

In the 1830s the Reverend Caesar Otway travelling from Schull to Bantry remarked on the poor Protestants of Mizen relicts of a forgotten plantation policy.  Looking at the names quite a number probably originated from Co. Antrim, Armagh, Down, looking at the surname distribution in the 1901 census.

On the Mizen Peninsula one of the largest landowners were the Becher/Beecher family. Sometime after 1730 the Marmion family come down from Dundalk as Estate managers.  It is possible they introduced northerners as weavers and specialist in flax growing.

In Durrus the distribution of weaving families is confined to those  townlands which formed part of two separate Evanson Estates.  Crottees, Carrigboy, Clashadoo/Ahagona, Rossmore and Brahalish all likely to have had weaver colonies were once part of the McCarthy lands forfeit for Rebellion.  Around 1690 the Evansons acquired the lands due to financial distress c 1720 they sold to Bernards of Bandon who leased the lands back until c 1850.  ON the Mizen Peninsula the townlands of Ardgouna Dromreagh and Coolculaghta were acquired in fee simple from the Burlington Estate (Boyle) in the 1740s by the Evansons again the location of weaving activity.

The extant location of flax ponds, field names associated with flax adn leaching green suggest that flax/linen production adn weaving was far more widespread than believed up to now.  In the memoir of James Stanley Vickery of growing up in Molloch, Durrus in the early 1830 with his grandparents he refers to spinning wheels one large one small one for wool one for linen.

Recollections of James Stanley Vickery as a grandchild in Molloch, Durrus, Bantry (1829-1911).Parents Died of Cholera in Skibbereen.

The trade was a big factor in supplementing the enormous population pre 1830. The collapse of the business triggered mass emigration to Canada and Rochester, New York pre famine.

The Evansons had a close association with Bandon and seem to hav often kept residences there and in Durrus.  The Bandon ‘Clothiers’ families such as the Treselian, Wheelers, Sullivans, Biggs seem  to be brought a business system from the West of England woolen trade.  They sourced wool from the 17th century from as far north as Roscommon, it arrived by pack horse in Bandon and was the sent out to as far as Dunmanway and possibly further.  There it was processed in the houses of weavers.  Post 1800 the Act of Union, industrialisation  in English and the later Cork banking collapses (Leslies/Roches) brought a dramatic end to the industry.  This is reflected in the surviving records of the Local Loan Funds for Schull and Durrus.

1840, Reports on Local Loan funds Ballydehob, Dunmanway, West Cork and summaries of Expenditure Baltimore, Bandon, Ballineen, Berehaven, Castlehaven, Crookhaven with Honorary Corresponding Officer, Detailed Returns fro Baltimore, Glandore, Myross.

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Weaving Background

Many of the same names common in Co. Armagh and Down. Some are probably of Scottish stock who moved to Ulster in the 17th century.  They in turn are significant descendant of the Northern Irish who migrated to Scotland pre 1,000 AD.  Often very small holdings as in Durrus. Some of the names appear as discharged soldiers late 18th early 19th century.

Allen, Antrim, Down, Bishop Downes has Thomas Allen in Kilmoe (Toormore/Goleen) in 1700.

Cole, also Creagh, Inane,  moved to Coolculaghta in Durrus as master weavers.

Croston, possibly from Croston, Lankashire also in Durrus.

Johnson, Antrim, Down

King, Antrim, Down.

Love, Antrim, Down.

Melvin, Antrim, Down.

Shannon, Antrim, Down.

Whitley, Antrim

Williamson, Antrim, Armagh,

Willis, Antrim, Armagh, Down.

 

 

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The proportion of Irish Protestant on the island has fluctuated between 20-25%, the actual figure taking a broad definition is higher as many Catholics have a Protestant background and visa versa. There are a number of home grown protestant churches, The Plymouth Brethren in Dublin, the Coonyites and Blairites in Cavan/Fermanagh and numerous others. From surviving genealogies of say the Arnopp, Limrick family of Mizen, Eddy outside Clonakilty and the descendants of Father/Reverend Daniel McCarthy and Sarah Blair it is clear that there was probably always significant intermarriage.  Apart from religious difference Irish people share a broad common culture. DNA testing is now suggesting that it was far more extensive than previously thought, a reasonable presumption given the lack or destruction of documentary records.

Pre famine, West Cork from Bandon to the Baronies of Carbery and Bantry had one of the most densely populated rural areas in the world, comparable to China, Indian and Haiti. This was enabled by the land tenure system, potatoes, the availability of sea sand, sea weed and the proximity of the expanding Cork markets.  The area is unusual in an Irish context in having a significant Protestant population many of whom are small farmers and formerly labourers and artisans, a trait share by the Ulster counties.  Apart from the present local population there is an enormous diaspora reflected in the fact that the vast majority of readers of this blog emanate from the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and  the UK.

Some Burial Records Church of Ireland and Methodist Schull District.  These records have been compiled from the gravestones of Altar (Teampal na mBocht), old Schull, family histories, military records and the online registration records of Schull registration district, free:

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/civil-search.jsp

Census Records:

chrome-extension://klbibkeccnjlkjkiokjodocebajanakg/suspended.html#uri=http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Cork/Dunbeacon/Cashelfean/1159133/

There are close familial links between those named here and communities in Durrus and Skibbereen.

There has been significant emigration to Rochester, New York, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and the Ottawa Valley in Canada since the late 1810s and local researches have identified many from the Schull area who died there.  In time it is hoped to include these records.

When the details of those born in the 1820s onwards are cross checked in the 1901 and 1910 census a significant number speak Irish.  The area would have been bilingual in their youth.  This is confirmed in the census records for Canada where many report themselves as Irish speaking.

Background to some of the surnames

Pre Celtic

Coughlan

Gaelic

Daly, probably related to the Kilcohane Dalys in area since 13th century when they arrived as ‘Rhymers’ to the McCarthys and O’Mahonys

Donovan/O’Donovan, they with the O’Sullivans, O’Mahonys were displaced by the Norman from Tipperary and Limerick.  Local people probably assumed their surname accounting for the multiple septs.  Due to cultural subjugation the ‘O’ and  ‘Mac’ was abandoned in the 18th century and in the 21st century almost universally restored.  Interestingly from the early 18th century various Protestant branches of the O’Donovan family claimed the Chieftainship which entitled the holder to be known as ‘The’ O’Donovan and they invariably retained the ‘O’ prefix.

Hegarty/Haggerty.  DNA evidence places the family in Donegal/Derry probably one of a cluster of West Cork names O’Neill, O’Donnell, Ward, Gallagher coming down as soldiers 1601 for the Battle of Kinsale remaining and marrying locally.

Kelly

McCarthy

Norman

Barry

German

Notter

Weaving Background

Many of the same names common in Co. Armagh and Down. Often very small holdings as in Durrus.  In famine related records they are often in the category as struggling or in poor circumstances. Some of the names appear as discharged soldiers late 18th early 19th century.

Allen, Antrim, Down

Cole, also Creagh, Inane,  moved to Coolculaghta in Durrus as master weavers.

Croston, possibly from Croston, Lankashire also in Durrus.

Johnson, Antrim, Down

King, Antrim, Down.

Love, Antrim, Down.

Melvin, Antrim, Down.

Shannon, Antrim, Down.

Whitley, Antrim

Williamson, Antrim, Armagh,

Willis, Antrim, Armagh, Down.

Huguenot

Camier

Connell (Quesnel)

Dukelow

Levis

Peer/Pier

Scots

Swanton, a local Minister early 18th century apparently stated the Swantons hailed from Scotland.  The general view was the family originated in Norfolk. What may support his contention is a small Scots Plantation in Castlehaven c 1690 which may account for the names Anderson, Hamilton in the area but Hamilton may be a Gaelic variation.

Landlord/Magistrates

Becher, once had enormous estate taking in most of peninsula and island.  Much sub let to middle men such as Swantons, O’Driscoll late 18th century.  Estimated at the time 1850s of the forced sale before Landed Estates court rental only one quarter of going rate, the rest going to middle men.

Coughlan, formerly vassals to the O’Mahonys.  The senior Carrigmanus line converted to the Church of Ireland c 1600 closely aligned to Hulls and Boyles.  Family were clergymen in the Church of Ireland.  Small estate at Carrigaline outside Cork.  Jeremiah (Jeremy) of the family an attorney 1690s and Seneschal of Dungarvan,  joint manager of West Waterford Devonshire Estate with Andrew Crotty a Catholic. Intermarried with Durrus Evansons.

Hungerford, main line at The Island, Rosscarbery

Sweetnam, agents on Becher estate, middlemen.

Cole family has destroyed Census:

Cole family of Durrus, West Carbery, Extracts from destroyed 18th and 19th Centuries History, published Belfast 1943.

Arnopp Genealogy:

Geneaolgy of Arnopp family in Dunmanway, Crookhaven and Kinsale, Co. Cork from 1666, related to Hulls of Leamcon, Evansons of Durrus, Coughlans of Crookhaven

Limrick Genealogy:

Chronology of Limrick name, including historical events in West Cork, by Reverend H.L.L Denny, including East India Company, Relation, O’Sullivan Mór.

Sweetnam Genealogy:

Genealogy of Sweetnam family of Clehane/Cloghane, Caheragh, West Cork, arising from Marriage 1812 of Mathew Sweetnam (Murrahin) to Elizabeth Connell with descendants, USA, Canada, Australia, England, Northern Ireland compiled 1952 revised 1988.

PDF

burials-schull-district

Version being updated:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oaIpcG9x-C8FBr62aJXcDlQ-jd3_sVtRU-HlkW5OmGM/edit#gid=0

https://www.google.ie/maps/place/Durrus,+Co.+Cork/@51.6439037,-9.4782915,17.69z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x48459fe7ccd270df:0x231e3744ac95441a!8m2!3d51.6217112!4d-9.521993

Burials at Durrus East (Moulivard) Graveyard, West Cork.

This graveyard is probably one of the most ancient in West Cork and still used on the odd occasion.  The ruined church may date from the 15th century and the walls are still in good condition with the exception of one which was buttressed by a Fás scheme i the 1980s.

In Durrus nowadays Catholics are buried in the graveyard attaching to the Church build in 1900s and members of the Church of Ireland and Methodists in St.James which dates from 1793.  That churchyard became so congested in the 1850s that lord bandon gave additional land for an extension.  The ground being rocks had to be lowered by quarrymen and soil obtained from the buffs near the pier about 500 metres away.   There are a number of Church of Ireland families buried in Moulivard, The Shannon family from Moulamill (Glanlough, lower house) with David Shannon in 1804, the Dukelows from Tralibawn from 1880 likely it originated in Crottees, Williamson from Brahalish, Fergusons, Sullivans/O’Sullivans.

Most of the burials originate in neighbouring townlands of Ballycomane, Moulivard, Letterlickery and part of Caheragh.  Some of those from other areas may have had an ancestor from nearby townlands.

About50 years ago a herd of sheep broke in and cleaned out the graveyard. In so doing they exposed the graves including that of Father Bernane.  The grave was covered by an array of coloured bottles. The was according to tradition fond of the sup an tis may have been a factor in him being sensed.  Grateful people who availed of his miraculous powers left the bottles in thanks.  His grave was exhumed adn his skull is supposed to be on the ledge inside the church polished by hundreds of years o kissing.

The question is where were those from Durrus to Ahakista buried pre 1900?.  There are at least two old burial grounds which we=were tough t be cillíns (Children burial areas) at West Brahalish an Ahagound/Clashadoo.  In fact the distribution of both small and large stone suggest that adults were buried there and the site at Chashadoo has a series of regular lines.

The majority of the burials are unrecorded,

If anyone has an ancestor there I would be happy to include in the record if details are forwarded.

Burial record:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_ZJPGOWONtCouo_0bFweremkr333Pi8QIMFRe_6MhdE/edit#gid=0

Rounds, Holy Wells, at Rooska, Moulivard and Father Bernane from 1938 School Folklore Collection, Carrigboy National School, Durrus, West Cork.

Moulivard (Ward, the Bard’s Hillock) Church, Durrus, West Cork.

Sale of Durrus/Bantry, West Cork Estate of Arthur Hutchinson Deceased by landed Estate Court, 1854 including to Townlands of Derrivahallow, Killovenogue, Clonee, Ahagoheen, Parkanna, part of Moulivard, Gutheyclona, Middle and West Letterlickey with valuable Lead Deposits with Legal Tenure, Maps, Tenant’s details:

Monastery pre 1650 at Moulivard Church (Durrus East), Co. Cork

Christy Moore sings John Spillane’s Gortatagort (Gort an tSagairt), Chief Francis O’Neill, Pilgrimage to Moulivard Church and Irish Sinologist.

1892. Immense Funeral of Mrs Thomas Dillon, nee Roycroft, Husband Thomas Poor Law Guardian (PLG) Bantry, Obituary a Who’s Who of West Cork.

1601. Reputed Ambush and Massacre of O’Sullivan Bere Troops at Bishopsland Bridge, Caheragh, West Cork, by O’Mahonys, returning from The Battle of Kinsale.

Trinkets, Coins, and Momentoes at The Statue of Our Lady of Tralibawn, Bantry, West Cork, Probably Pre Christian in Origin Also in Brittany.

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1875.  Parish of Slanes, Upper Ards, Co. Down, ‘At the time of my visit, a workman wa engaged in deepening the fading letters on an old limestone inscription, to preserve a little longer, from total oblivion, the memory of some obscure name. From Alexander Knox, ‘History of Co. Down’

https://books.google.ie/books/about/A_History_of_the_County_of_Down_from_the.html?id=pZIiAQAAIAAJ&redir_esc=y

 

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Earliest Irish script in Latin Antiphony of Bangor, 680 AD, Irish Scribes First to use initials for articulating texts, Late Printing in Irish with Kearney’s Catechism 1571, examples of Gaelic Script, Elizabethan 1571 AD, Vatican, 1675 AD, Jacques Guerin 1732 AD, Petrie 1841 SD.

 

Antiphonary of Bangor, Co. Down c.690 ad, Mount Stewart and Nugents of Portaferry.

 

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1822, Cork Trustees of London Relief Committee for Distress.

 

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This arose from a major disaster due to potato failure.

 

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https://books.google.ie/books?id=pGUUAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Committee+for+the+relief+of+the+distressed+districts+in+Ireland%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi06pfLy7jRAhWHC8AKHXdfBSoQ6AEIDzAA#v=onepage&q=bantry&f=false

 

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The Dr. Albert Casey of Birmingham, Alabama, collection has the details as does the accounts of the Estate on the Irish Manuscripts Commission site online.

 

 

1741.  Major Tenants on Kenmare Estate Bantry District, Tim Casey, Newtown £18, David Gallwey, Glaunreagh,  Dromsullivan £47, James Gallwey, Donemark £38, Patrick Gallway Gurteenroe £22,  Richard Goodwin, Beversham Harman, Laheran £15, Thomas Hutchins, Ballylickey, £19, Gilbert Mellefont, Donemark ,£38, Rev. Thomas Miller, Reendonegan, £43, Michael Murphy, Donemark, £18,  Rev. Richard Schofield, Ards and Coomleigh, £28, William Sullivan, Ards, £53, Richard Tobin, Donemark Mills, £3, John Young, Direenkollig, £5,

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Tim Casey, Newtown £18,

David Gallwey, Glaunreagh,  Dromsullivan £47, James Gallwey, Donemark £38, Patrick Gallway Gurteenroe £22,

Genealogy of David Gallwey, Bantry, West Cork, son of Henry and Mary McCarthy conformed to the Church of Ireland 1770, Adjutant Bantry Volunteers, Left for Lisbon, son Consul for Portugal in Cork ancestor of Galweys in Portugal, Brazil, Tenerife, USA, Peru.

1742, Kenmare Estate in Bantry Area, collection of Rents by James Galwey of Cork and Depositing them In Hoares and Development of 18th century Cork Banking.

1700. Claims Entered of Lands Forfeit by Rebellion, in Baronies of Bere and Bantry and Carbery, West Cork with Chichester House, Dublin.

Richard Goodwin,

Beversham Harman, Laheran £15,

Petition from John Winspeare, c 1648, Shipwright, living near Bantry Bay, West Cork, Timber for Staves, Propositions for Felling, and Deed of 1724 Robert Winispeare probably Durrus

Robert Winispeare probably Carrigbui (Durrus), Deed 1724, names Beversham Harman, Lahern, Hutchins also probably involved in timber trade and fishing.

Thomas Hutchins, Ballylickey, £19,

Gilbert Mellefont, Donemark,£38,

Proceedings at the High Court of Justice at Dublin and Cork 1652–1654 for Trying Irish Catholics Arising from Rising of 1641. Mentioned Belgooly, Bandon, Garretstown, Included : ‘Triall.Jo. Long. Philip Barry oge Ja: Roch. Rich. Roch. not here.David oge Reagh. Catherine Dolbier at Belgooly . Pierse Gogan. saved by him. Co. Corke Gerot Nugent. Laghlyn o Line. Philip Roch. Ric. Barry. Jo. Roch. W Mollifont for murdering Pascha Trudgeon’ 54. Jo. Long. – Guilty.55. Philip oge Barry. – Not Guilty.56. James Roch. – Not Guilty.57. David oge Reagh – Not Guilty.58. Philip Roch – Not Guilty.59. Rich. Roch. – Not Guilty.60. Laughlin Ô Line. – Not Guilty.61. W. Mellifont. – Not Guilty.62. Pierse Gogin – Not Guilty63. Rich. Barry – Not Guilty.64. Gerot Nugent – Not Guilty.65. Jo. Roch. – Not Guilty. Trial of Charles MacCarthy Reagh, Dermot McNecrimineh and John Burrows; Trial of Lieutenant Colonel Bourke; Trial of Dr Hely; Trial of John Barry

Mellifonts of Donemark, Bantry, West Cork.

Rev. Thomas Miller, Reendonegan, £43,

Michael Murphy, Donemark, £18.

1822. Local Fishery Committees, Kinsale, Clonakilty, Glandore, Baltimore, Crookhaven, For Bantry, Timothy O’Donovan J.P., O’Donovan’s Cove, Durrus, Michael O’Sullivan, Rev. Edward Jones Alcock, Rector, Durrus, John Jagoe later Fishery Commissioner, Michael Murphy, Newtown, Bantry, Rev. M McChean, Bantry, John Sandys Bird. Background to Memebers Mainly Magistrates

Updated Early. 19th Century Political Figures in Bantry and Carbery District, Tithes, Cess Payments, Baronial Constables, Drivers, Village Pounds

Rev. Richard Schofield, Ards and Coomleigh, £28, William Sullivan, Ards, £53.

Shofields of Dunmanway associated wit Fenwicks/Blairs/Whites in acquiring lands for Hollow Blade Company.  Possible Sullivan a Bandon/Dunmanway attorney possibly married into Shofields.

Richard Tobin, Dnemark Mills, £3.

There were a number of Richard Tobins later in Kicrohane including the well known “King’ Tobin.

John Young, Direenkollig, £5,

1799. General Plummer Young, (c 1740-, Bantry born Siege of Seringapatam, India and Extended Bantry, Young Family, Fish Merchants. Land Owners, Apothecaries and Doctors in Bantry since c 1600.

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