Cemeteries in Torboy, Longford

Sharon,

Just seen your note looking for Crawfords at Torboy, Moydow, Co Longford. My great grandfather William Farrell born 1811 d 1882 took over the leasehold of the Crawford farm at Loughan ( next townland to Torboy) c 1839. William's father Roger Farrell (or sometimes O'Farrell & sometimes Ferrall) appears to have been a farm manager or herdsman for the Crawford family. The house at Loughan which was almost certainly the Crawford residence is still extant & occupied. Records show the death of a son at age 15 in a shooting accident which may have caused them to leave the farm & move away. Not sure if these Crawfords are the same Crawfords who appear as clerics at Newtownforbes & others who acted as Sherrif of Longford in the 1860s - grandparentsof the famous Alan Turing.  Perhaps you can clarify on the different branches. Don't know if I can add much more on the Crawfords.  Kind Regards    John C Farrell

John,

Just found your reply. Thank you for your kind response. As far as I can tell this Alexander and Mathew are not related to the Newtonforbes Crawfords. Different DNA. Have found nothing on Alexander and the records I have on Mathew's descendents are sketchy. Do you happen to know the name of that son and his parents? That may help clarify.

Sharon

John, 

Ran across this. 

https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/13402302/lo…

Is this the house you were speaking of?  It's interesting that it mentions a James Crawford, (1734 -1793) Matthew had 2 sons, James and John. John died in the 1798 rebellion in Ballygarvey and left his house there to James son Matthew. Had 2 sons listed for James but no other information on him. The 1734 sounds about right. Will look to see what else I can find on him. 

Sharon

Yes - that is the house. My grandfather Robert Farrell (sometimes Ferrall) was born there in 1873. It is still owned by Ferrall cousins & occupied.

From what I can surmise the Crawfords were part of the Williamite military occupation force that arrived in Ireland in the late 1600s.

In lieu of payment many of the officers & soldiers were given tracts of land and effectivly garrisoned the island of Ireland for 50 years or so until these families became part of the civil administration on behalf of the British crown. I don't know if records exist as to who was in these Williamite armies but that would certainly be an avenue worth exploring.

There was an overwhelming number of Scottish officers & soldiers in this army with probably most being Presbyterian in religion. As the colonial adminstration settled if became much more advantageous to be part of the Anglian Established Church & so many of these families conformed to what is the present day Church of Ireland.

Today most of the Church of Ireland & indeed many Roman Catholic families who can trace their ancestory back to the 1700's in Co Longford, would have historic family connections to these soldiers. There are also a few who remained Presbyterian and are still present in the county.

The Crawfords would appear to be among the leaders of this military group and were almost certainly Presbyterian. It is worth looking at the story of the Presbyterian Exodus led by George Clinton in 1729 on the ship George & Anne. This exodus was largely as a result of discrimination in the administration against Presbyterians. The premise being that you left Ireland or conformed to the Established Church.

I dont have my full notes at hand but I have a record of

Andrew Crawford, Loughan, Co Longford married Elizabeth Handy of Bracca Castle, Co Westmeath in June 1803

Matthew Crawford, Rathaspick, Co Longford married Margaret Hicks of Creta, Co Roscommon in June 1790

The Crawfords of Loughan would have marriage connections to several families living in the same Co Longford locality including McCloughrey (otherwise Kingstone) ,Bickerstaff & Gosselin 

John Farrell,

I looked at that picture and heard my late grandmother's favorite response. "Just like the rich." Lol. It really is quite a beautiful home though. I'm sure your grandfather had fond memories of growing up there.

Don't know the occupation of Alexander & Mathew's father John yet. He did marry the daughter of a Clinton who was awarded land in the area for his military service. Seems to me I recall reading about a great number of O'Farrell's/Farrells that had land stolen from them in connection with that occupation. The tricks of the rich seem to vary little country to country and never stop.

Mathew and Alexander's brother and sister, Joseph and Mary traveled to America on the George & Anne. Believe the captain was later drawn and quartered back in England over his thieving and the murderous hell he inflicted on the passengers. So yes, Joseph and Mary were Presbyterians and dirt poor by most accounts I've read and very lucky to have survived their passage. By following the Presbyterian angle to Belfast I may have found John's roots. Hopefully I can put that issue to rest soon. Military angle is a great suggestion though and makes a huge amount of sense. Will look into that next if this other is a bust. Thank you for the suggestion.

Believe that Mathew Crawford that married Margaret Hicks was the son of James (1734 - 1793). He died 01 November 1832 in Terlicken. Was Sheriff there in 1797. Have no children for them. I could be wrong, but I believe that the Andrew that married Elizabeth Handy belongs to the the Newtonforbes Crawfords. Though if they don't claim him he may be Mathew's brother and another son of James. ;)

Sharon