Patrick Thomas Moran 1811 : Short Biography

MICHAEL AND PATRICK MORAN sons of WILLIAM MORAN

Background information found so far: My ancestors Michael and Patrick Moran (my g-g-grandfather), we believe were tenant farmers in Gort, on the property owned by the Burkes called Marble Hill, but another branch of the family we tracked down in Australia were told they were from Athlone. We can find Andrew Moran through the Griffith's Valuation at Cappagh, Lessor: Sir Ths J Burke and Michael Moran at Ballynakill, Lessor: Henry Pigott. Maybe they left Athlone to find work in Gort ???

Their father was William Moran, mother unknown. Based on their ages at time of transportation and death certificates Michael was born approx.1805 and Patrick approx.1808/1811.

Naming conventions:

**Michael Moran married Mary Burns in 1844 (Australia) and died in 1848.

They had a son Patrick who married Margaret Jane McManus and lived in the Singleton NSW area, a son William Moran who married Mary Kelley and moved to Tamworth NSW and a daughter Mary J who married a William Kiely and lived in Glendonbrook NSW.

Son Patrick had eight children: Michael J, Edward, William Charles, James Timothy, Mary Anastasia, Margaret Jane,Agnes Eugean and Patrick McManus.  

**Patrick Thomas Moran (my g-g-gf) married Mary McMahon (Australia) in 1855.

They had nine children losing two when very young.  Surviving children: Michael, Mary, John Thomas, Patrick Denis, Margaret Ellen, William James and Winfred.  

Son Michael (my g-gf) married Eellen McCosker and had eight children: Patrick Francis, Mary Mildred, Winifred May, Helena Aloysius, Kathleen Agnes, Celia Margaret, Owen Alphonzie and William John (my gf)

In March 1832 at the Galway Assizes there were about 27 Galway men convicted of being a Whiteboy in that same month. The following men were transported together on the "Eliza" in 1832: Pat Manmon, Malachy Hardiman, Patrick Cannane, Michael Kelly, John Kelly, John Mulville, Edmond Mooney, Joseph Connors, Thomas Cavenagh, Laurence McDonagh, John Burke, John Gantley, Patrick Doolan, John Meskell, Patrick Hanna, John Larkin, Edmond (Edward) Naughton, Patrick Finn, John Heagey, Martin Heagey, John Sheedy, Michael Moran, Patrick Moran, Patrick Carey or Cazey, Patrick Halloran, Patrick Walsh, Patrick Hynes.

Thomas Keneally's "The Great Shame" TERRYALTISM: "Up to the moment we write, there have been ... about thirty unfortunate individuals convicted under the Whiteboy Act, and therefore destined to spend the remainder of their lives in a clime far, far distant from their native homes - from the land which holds all that is dear to them in the world." Galway Free Press, 31 March 1832. Whilst it hints to this event there does not appear to be any other information on these convictions.

My Ancestors Conviction: Record in Assizes (Court): Michael Quinn, John Sheedy, Michael Moran, Patrick Moran and James Boland, whiteboy offence, judgement of death recorded.

Another newspaper article read: "James Boland, Patrick Moran, Michael Moran, James Sheedy and Michael Quinn for the assembling of arms and attacking the house of Martin Glynn (Glinn) in May Last: Guilty Galway Advertiser 1st October 1831: Committed to Galway Jail 9th September by Walter Moloney Chief Magistrate at Gort: John Sheedy alias Silk charged having on 20th May aided by an armed party attacked the home of Martin Glynn (sometimes spelt Glinn) who was severely wounded. On same day he committed Michael Quinn charged with having on 28th August, aided by others, committed a burglary at Patrick Glynn's house who was wounded in the last attack - John Sheedy alias Silk aided him."

On their shipping records state a cousin of theirs was transported 12 years earlier: Peter Larkin - cousin of Michael and Patrick Moran. Peter Larkin born in 1787 in Gort and died in 1879 in Dapto NSW. Tried with Gleeson and Patrick Staunton in Galway Ireland in August 1820 convicted at the Galway Assizes for burglary and seditious practices. Patrick Staunton was not indicted on the capital charge. Peter Larkin and Gleeson were sentenced to death but Larkins was reduced to transportation for life. Peter Larkin and Patrick Staunton sailed from Cork on 16/06/1821 and arrived in NSW on 07/11/1821 on board the "John Barry"

Transportation: Both Moran brothers were convicted and transported to Australia from Cork on the ship "Eliza" in 1832 with the other Galway men convicted of being Whiteboys. I am unaware of the outcome for Michael Quinn as he may have had the judgement of death upheld. James Boland was transported to Australia after appeals of his innocence were dismissed.

If there is any information on the above convictions of these Galway men that you may have, or any direct link with Michael and Patrick, I would love to hear from you. 

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