1851 Census Summary for Family of Richard Driscoll, Castlehaven in Pension search for Catherine Attridge.

Extract From Lost 1851 Census, Williamson Family, Droumatinaheen, Durrus, West Cork and Sullivans of Clonee who claim descent from O’Sullivan Bere., Vickery/Sullivan Marriage.

Droumatinaheen is where the new GAA pitch is being provided.  It is possible that the Williamsons and the Shannons, Johnsons came to Durrus from Armagh c 1740s in connection with the weaving, lines, wool enterprises.  The recently made available civil records online show a preponderance of thes  name sin that registration district.  Within the family is is believed that the Williamson of Rossmore and Brahalish originated inn Droumatinaheen.

The Clonee Sullivans descent from the marriage in the 1780s of Michael Sullivan, Hearth Tax Collector adn property holder under the Whites of Bantry a Catholic and Mary  Vickery of Whiddy Island.  Their children were brought up in the Church of Ireland, there are an enormous family worldwide descending.  Michael was reputed to be a direct descendant of O’Sullivan Bere.

Church of Ireland Search Forms for Old Age Pensions, from Durrus, West Cork  Parish Register and Extracts from Census of 1840s 1850s 1860s all Lost in Destruction of Public Records Office, Dublin, 1922.

These search forms are mainly to test claims of applicants for the Old Age Pension. Since civil registration was only introduced in Ireland in 1864, those applying for an old age pension in the early years after its introduction in 1909 had to rely on parish records. Since many births, marriages or deaths ended up not being recorded in the parish registers, confirmation of the applicant’s age would then be looked for in the 19th Century censuses.

Since so many Irish records were destroyed in the Public Records Office fire of 1922 these search forms provide an invaluable record of some of those lost records. Searches were generally requested on behalf of the applicant by whoever was certifying their claim, often a local vicar or Justice of the Peace. Many later forms have the address of solicitors or professional genealogists and may have been filled out as part of a probate claim after the named applicant’s death.

The forms were filled out by staff at the Public Records Office as they searched the various sources. You can often see their notes as they found other family members and for this reason the search forms can be a pot of gold if you are researching your Church of Ireland ancestors. Very often the whole family will be listed with dates of birth and the address. Sometimes you will see the letters NF written on the form, even if there are names and dates filled in. This means that the applicant was not found, even if members of their family were.

For the first 10 years the old age pension was set at 5 shillings a week for a single person and 7 for a married couple. It was later raised to 10 shillings. The figure was deliberately kept low to encourage people to save for their retirement but at a time when a labourer’s wage was only 10 shillings a week it was still a useful sum.

George T. Levis, 1902-1924, a native of Union Hall, BA Trinity 1892, ordained 1893, he married Sarah May Connolly daughter of Rev Quarry Connolly in Macroom in September 1902.  He was an athlete and cross country running champion, and brother of the GP Dr Levis.  He died in 1945 in retirement in Coachford.  His father was a popular landlord and one brother, F J was a solicitor in Cork and Thomas an auctioneer in Bandon.  Retired as Canon Levis.  1902. May 28. GEORGE THOMAS LEVIS, R. Durrus and Kilcrohane, per mortem Pratt. Instituted, loth June, by the Lord Bishop, in Durrus Church. George Thomas Levis, b. at Myross Cottage, Union Hall, Co. Cork, 17th May, 1866, fifth son of George S. Levis, of Kilbrogan Place, Bandon, by his wife, Martha, dau. of the late John Wood, of Famivane House, Bandon, and grandson of the late Samuel Levis! of Glenview House, Skibbereen, Co. Cork. Educated privately. Entered T.C.D. 1889, B.A., June, 1892 j Div. Test., June, 1893. Ordained Deacon, December, 1892, and Priest, December, 1893, both at Cork. Curate of Macroom, 1892 to 1902. He married, on 3rd September, 1902, Sara May, younger dau. of the Rev. John Quarry Connolly, M.A., Rector of Macroom. Assisted Public Records Office pre 1922 in pension queries from church Registers.

Durrus History:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/11Zd1e3qFvD2-lzpNWupF_gBwCkJQbvey1yFAXuCxmys/edit

Durrus Church of Ireland, Methodist Births:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1n7dtPLbsdWbCn0ZJL0Vg8bPeJ9h9PdMN_pcJDu5Nagk/edit#gid=0

Williamsons:

Sullivans:

Church of Ireland Search Forms for Old Age Pensions, from Durrus, West Cork. Parish Register and Extracts from Census of 1840s 1850s 1860s all Lost in Destruction of Public Records Office, Dublin, 1922. Names include Allen, Baker, Croston, Driscoll, Dukelow, Manders, Shannon, Sullivan, Varian, Williamson.

These search forms are mainly to test claims of applicants for the Old Age Pension. Since civil registration was only introduced in Ireland in 1864, those applying for an old age pension in the early years after its introduction in 1909 had to rely on parish records. Since many births, marriages or deaths ended up not being recorded in the parish registers, confirmation of the applicant’s age would then be looked for in the 19th Century censuses.

Since so many Irish records were destroyed in the Public Records Office fire of 1922 these search forms provide an invaluable record of some of those lost records. Searches were generally requested on behalf of the applicant by whoever was certifying their claim, often a local vicar or Justice of the Peace. Many later forms have the address of solicitors or professional genealogists and may have been filled out as part of a probate claim after the named applicant’s death.

The forms were filled out by staff at the Public Records Office as they searched the various sources. You can often see their notes as they found other family members and for this reason the search forms can be a pot of gold if you are researching your Church of Ireland ancestors. Very often the whole family will be listed with dates of birth and the address. Sometimes you will see the letters NF written on the form, even if there are names and dates filled in. This means that the applicant was not found, even if members of their family were.

For the first 10 years the old age pension was set at 5 shillings a week for a single person and 7 for a married couple. It was later raised to 10 shillings. The figure was deliberately kept low to encourage people to save for their retirement but at a time when a labourer’s wage was only 10 shillings a week it was still a useful sum.

George T. Levis, 1902-1924, a native of Union Hall, BA Trinity 1892, ordained 1893, he married Sarah May Connolly daughter of Rev Quarry Connolly in Macroom in September 1902.  He was an athlete and cross country running champion, and brother of the GP Dr Levis.  He died in 1945 in retirement in Coachford.  His father was a popular landlord and one brother, F J was a solicitor in Cork and Thomas an auctioneer in Bandon.  Retired as Canon Levis.  1902. May 28. GEORGE THOMAS LEVIS, R. Durrus and Kilcrohane, per mortem Pratt. Instituted, loth June, by the Lord Bishop, in Durrus Church. George Thomas Levis, b. at Myross Cottage, Union Hall, Co. Cork, 17th May, 1866, fifth son of George S. Levis, of Kilbrogan Place, Bandon, by his wife, Martha, dau. of the late John Wood, of Famivane House, Bandon, and grandson of the late Samuel Levis! of Glenview House, Skibbereen, Co. Cork. Educated privately. Entered T.C.D. 1889, B.A., June, 1892 j Div. Test., June, 1893. Ordained Deacon, December, 1892, and Priest, December, 1893, both at Cork. Curate of Macroom, 1892 to 1902. He married, on 3rd September, 1902, Sara May, younger dau. of the Rev. John Quarry Connolly, M.A., Rector of Macroom. Assisted Public Records Office pre 1922 in pension queries from church Registers.

Durrus History:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/11Zd1e3qFvD2-lzpNWupF_gBwCkJQbvey1yFAXuCxmys/edit

Durrus Church of Ireland, Methodist Births:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1n7dtPLbsdWbCn0ZJL0Vg8bPeJ9h9PdMN_pcJDu5Nagk/edit#gid=0

Church of Ireland Search Forms for Old Age Pensions, from Durrus, West Cork  Parish Register and Extracts from Census of 1840s 1850s 1860s all Lost in Destruction of Public Records Office, Dublin, 1922.

Castledonovan:

https://www.google.ie/maps/place/Castledonovan+Castle,+Castledonovan,+Drimoleague,+Co.+Cork/@51.6920405,-9.2850499,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x484507d428e1a61f:0x62bb5de887ee57e9!8m2!3d51.6920372!4d-9.2828559

Courtesy Mike Collins:

https://youririshheritage.com/castle-donovan/

Genealogy of O’Donovan Family from Castledonovan, West Cork to Malaga Spain.

Records in the National Library, Dublin.

The O’Donovan lands were forfeit adn the Evanson family Cromwellians came into possession c 1690 they later sold and moved to Durrus.

The O’Donovans were displaced in the 13th century from Co. Limerick by the Normans along with the Mccarthys, O’Mahonys. It is likely that it was not a mass migration rather that of an elite group. DNA evidence would suggest that the indigenous population of West Cork adopted these surnames.

Some branches of the O’Donovans converted to the Church of Ireland and Methodist Church.   The Chieftainship passed to the Protestant Branches ‘The O’Donovan’.   These features as Magistrates.  Interestingly these ‘The O’Donovans’ retained an affinity with historical scholarship looking at book subscription lists adn membership of learned societies.

Lt Col Richard O’Donovan of Bawnlahan, Skibbereen, West Cork, son of Daniel O’Donovan, The O’Donovan of Clancahill’ and Jane Beecher, 1768; Major in 6th Dragoons 19 December 1799; Lieutenant-Colonel 2 May 1800; brevet Colonel 25 July 1810; subsequently Major-General 4 June 1813; Lieutenant-General 27 May 1825; Recognised at ‘The O’Donovan’, died Ireland November 1829.

1639 Ode In Old Irish (Translated) to Daniel O’Donovan, Superintendent of the West of Munster…Illustrious Chieftain of the Corenian Blood. From the papers of Lieutenant General Richard O’Donovan (The O’Donovan), Bawnlahan (1768-1829)

Daniel O’Donovan, 1686

Henry Wintrop ‘The O’Donovan’ (1812-1896),  TCD, MA, DL. Pre 1910, Clann Cathal, Lis Ard, Skibbereen, son Rev. Morgan, Corl ed Dr. Coughlan, m Amelia d ‘The O’Grady’, Courcy O’Grady, Kilbollyowne, Co.Limerick.  Son Colonel Morgan William MA, JP, ‘The O’Donovan’ and Alicia Jones.

Colonel Morgan William O’Donovan or ‘The O’Donovan’ -1870), MA, ‘The O’Donovan’, Mountpelier, Douglas, Cork,  son Rev. Morgan Donovan (1769-1839) m  Alicia Jones, 1863 d William Jones Cork.  On the death 1829 of Lieutenant General O’Donovan, Bawnlahan he became Chieftain of the O’Donovan family a claim disputed by some.  patron Masonic concert Skibbereen, subscriber 1861 to Smith’s History of Cork. 1835 received benefit from Morgan O’Donovan of rent charge at lands at Carrigfadda and Lisardreeher entitling him to vote.   Member Irish Society Antiquaries 1861.  1861, correspondence with Dr. John O’Donovan re genealogy.  Probate to son Henry Winthrop O’Donovan, Lissard, Skibbereen, £35,000. Land record, 1870, 3,620 acres.

Rev. Morgan O’Donovan (1740-1802), Ballinacalla, West Carbery, m. Melian Towgood French c 1776, Daughter Mary m John Townsend Beecher with £5,000, died Blackrock.

Colonel Morgan William ‘The O’Donovan’ Oxon (1861-1940), CB, D.L., MA, 1888, ‘The O’Donovan’, Clann Cathal, Lis Árd, Skibbereen, son of Henry Winthrop ‘The O’Donovan’ MA, DL. and  Amelia d ‘The O’Grady’, Courcy O’Grady, Kilbollyowne, Co. Limerick. Ed. Haileybury and Oxford, Lieutenant-Colonel Munster Fusiliers, Colonel South Cork Militia Boer War, Succeeded Colonel Aylmer C. Somerville 1899 as President Carbery Agricultural Society.  Presented organ to Creagh Church to commemorate the Jubilee of Queen Victoria.  M Mary Eleanor, (Madame) odo Rev. J Yarker Barton, Chaplain to British Forces, she chaired the Women’s Emergency Recruiting Committee WW1, Skibbereen, listed 1921.

W(inthropp) O’Donovan, Skibbereen, 1861 ‘The O’Donovan’.

Historical definition of Townland as the area that could be ploughed by a Seisreach (A Six-Horse team) in Forty Eight Days.

This is from Pádraig Ó Loingsigh history of the parish of Caherdaniel.

Seisreach [shesheragh], a measure of land; sheshera, shesheragh, sistra.

• (verb, noun, adjv   )

Durrus Townlands:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qr2IvZp2f3ort8IL-50C6pqG7KVPtayXIRgGjVSg3fA/edit#heading=h.362l5f3y36ck

The Irish House of Lords Journal recorded the introduction of White as Lord Bantry in Cork ‘Richard White, Esq. being by letters patent dated 24th day of March 1799 created Baron Bantry of Bantry on the County of Cork, was this day, the 22nd Jan 1799, in his robes, introduced between Lord Tyrawley, and the Lord Mock also in their robes; the Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod and Ulster King of Arms, in his coat of arms, carrying the said letters patent preceding: his lordship presented the same to the Lord Chancellor.

From Colm Priestley PHD Thesis for Bantry p. 250

Click to access PhD%20Thesis%20Ciaran%20Priestley.pdf

Richard (White) -1851), 1st Earl of Bantry, Bantry House (bought 1730 from Hutchinsons as Blackrock House) Pre 1831, 1822, Created Baron White for his part in alerting British of French landing at Bantry Bay 1797, 1801 advance to Viscount Berehaven 1816 created 1st Earl of Bantry.  1799 married Margaret Hare, daughter of William Hare, Earls of Listowel (they had been Cork provision merchants). Subscriber 1821 Dr Thomas Wood’s ‘Primitive Inhabitants of Ireland.  1822 seeking support from Lord Lieutenant for Bridewell and market House in Bantry.  Notified as Magistrate of Catholic Meeting on Loyalty to King 1825.  Correspondence with Chief Secretary promoting road Bantry to Skibbereen, sitting Bantry, 1835, listed 1838, Quarter Sessions, Bantry 1842.  Receiver appointed to Estate rents 1837 on a charge of £46,150.  Member provisional Committee projected Bandon to Bantry Railway 1845. The Irish House of Lords Journal recorded the introduction of White as Lord Bantry in Cork ‘Richard White, Esq. being by letters patent dated 24th day of March 1799 created Baron Bantry of Bantry on the County of Cork, was this day, the 22nd Jan 1799, in his robes, introduced between Lord Tyrawley, and the Lord Mock also in their robes; the Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod and Ulster King of Arms, in his coat of arms, carrying the said letters patent preceding: his lordship presented the same to the Lord Chancellor.