Synopsis of the Search for Chambers Family Members from
Rosslea, Clones, County Fermanagh, Ireland
George J. Chambers
Jane Chambers, who was born in Ireland about 1803, died in Brooklyn, New York on 23 February 1888 at the age of 85. She immigrated to the USA in 1842 and was a first cousin to the author’s kin who arrived in the USA on 6 January aboard packet ship Joseph Walker. In Jane’s will she named her first cousins Elizabeth (Chambers) Breakley[1] and Sarah Chambers, both residing in Brooklyn. She also named her first cousins Thomas Chambers and Martha Chambers who resided in Rosslea Townland (Rosslea is also spelled Roslea.), Clone Parish, County Fermanagh, Ireland. This would make Jane’s father’s brother (her uncle) the father of Thomas and Martha. The names of these two “fathers” are unknown at this time — the quest goes on. The Brooklyn Surrogate Court performed its required due diligence by mailing copies of the probate petition and citations to appear to both Thomas and Martha. Neither responded as they were deceased (see below).
An Ireland records search was undertaken to identify Thomas and Martha and to learn who their parents were and about their lives in Rosslea Townland. Rosslea (Ros Liath in Irish) is located on the Fin River due west of Monaghan City, Co. Monaghan, and north of Tattenbarr Townland where Thomas lived (see below). In the 1880s there was a steam flax mill and a corn mill in Rosslea. There was also a dispensary and a National School in town.
The first record found was a court record of Thomas Chambers, a farmer, whose will was probated in Clones Civil Parish, Clankelly Barony, County Fermanagh, on 11 February 1895. Thomas died from old age and debility at age 91 (www.Irish Genealogy.ie). On 30 March 1896, Letters of Administration (LOA) for Thomas’ will were granted at Armagh, Northern Ireland, to Martha Chambers. Thomas left Martha, his “only sister,” £400, 2s, 6d. A record of a Martha Chambers who died of old age and debility in 1896 in Clones at age 86 was also located (www.Irish Genealogy.ie).
In the Tithe Applotments Book of 1832-1839 (tithes to the Church of Ireland), Thomas Chambers and John Chambers of Rosslea, Clones, Monaghan are listed together. This implies some relationship, perhaps brothers, with Thomas being the eldest based on their dates of birth calculated from their ages at the time of their death (see below).
In Griffith’s Valuation of Ireland (executed for tax liability purposes, printed in 1862), Thomas Chambers was listed as the occupier and immediate lesser of an office and land in Tattenbarr, a townland adjacent to Rosslea. The house was valued at £2, 0s, 0d and the land at £20, 10s, 0d. Martha Chambers was the immediate lesser of five houses and land in Tattenbarr, one of which she occupied.
There was also a John Chambers, the occupier of land and the lesser of a house, a yard and a small garden on Main Street in Rosslea. He had another house with a small garden which was occupied by a Mrs. Breakley, two other houses with yards and small gardens both of which were occupied (Griffith’s Valuation, 1862, p. 9, Sheet 36). He also had another house with a yard and small garden which was unoccupied. His landlord was John Madden, Esq. A John Chambers died in Clones on 14 October 1876 at age 75. His will was registered in Lisnaskea, the second highest settlement in Fermanagh (“The Early History of Fermanagh,” (Clough Record II, 1958, p. 293). The relationship between John and Thomas and Martha has not been determined.
The next records reviewed were the four Valuation Revision Books (updating Griffith’s) covering the period 1864-1913.
In the Valuation book covering the period 1864-1879, Thomas occupied land in Rosslea and was a lesser of a house with a yard and garden on Main Street, Rosslea. He also had land and an office in Tattinbarr as well as being the lesser of two vacant houses in Tattinbarr. John had a house with a yard and garden in Rosslea. His name was later struck out and Thomas inserted (1879-1881, p. 63). As mentioned above a John Chambers died in 1876.
In the Valuation book covering the period 1879-81, Thomas occupied land in the Rosslea Townland. He was also the lesser of land with a house and a garden on Main Street in Rosslea Town. Thomas also occupied an office and land in Tattinbarr as well as being the lesser of two unoccupied houses. Thomas leased the land from John Madden. Esq., J.P., who, in turn, was only a middleman and sub-tenant of the Trinity Colleges (The Morning News (Belfast), 11 January 1887, p. 3).
In the Valuation book covering the period of 1882-97, Thomas had occupied a house in Rosslea, however, his name was struck out. He was then the lesser of a house with a yard and garden. He was also the lesser of six home on which rents hadn’t been paid for a year. His name was then struck out on these properties. He had occupied a house on Main street in Rosslea Town, but his name was struck out and Martha Chambers replaced him. As mentioned above, Thomas died in 1895 (Group Registration ID 4015710).
In the Valuation book covering the period of 1898-1913, Martha had been listed as the lesser of a house with a yard and garden on Main Street, Rosslea Town. with two participants but her name was lined out. She also was the occupier of a house and land in Tattinbarr; however her name was struck out. As mention above, Martha had died in 1896 Group Registration ID 4239589).
In 1899, the Chambers farm was acquired by one Edward Nelson (Valuation Revised) who was the informant for both Thomas’ and Martha’s deaths. In 1902, the Chambers farm passed to one Thomas Hazzlet.
When Jane arrived in in New York on 6 January 1851 aboard packet ship Joseph Walker, she was accompanied by David Chambers, a farmer, age 35, Elizabeth Chambers, age 17, a farmer, Sarah Chambers, age 16, a farmer, and Thomas Chambers, age 35 also a farmer. I know all about their lives one they arrived in Brooklyn, where they lived, who they married and when they died. I also know of another David Chambers who died in Brooklyn in 1857 at age 95. His newspaper obituary stated the he was “From Monaghan.” I know nothing more about him except that he lived with the younger David’s in laws in Brooklyn. The younger David, my fourth great grandfather died in 1854. The difference in ages of the two David’s raises question as to their relationship and to the other individuals mention above.
There was another family member, Mary Chambers, who was born about 1827, a sister of James also immigrated to the U.S. from Ireland prior to June 1850. As in 1850, she was living with the younger David Chambers, aged 27 in the home of his future wife and in-laws. Some time prior to 1854, Mary married Oliver Langan who was from Donegal, Ireland. He was born in 1815 and had immigrated to the U.S. in 1836.
I would like to know more about the three individuals named above such as the names of their parents, where they were born, their religious affiliation, where they were buried, and anything else that would help me learn more about my U.S. kin.
Any advice, suggestions or other information that you could provide to help me resolve my family’s history would be greatly appreciated.
George J. Chambers
[1] Elizabeth married William A. Breakley, from Ireland, in Brooklyn on April 3, 1855.
George
Friday 5th Feb 2021, 05:14PMMessage Board Replies
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Duplicate post
Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Friday 5th Feb 2021, 08:58PM -
Elwyn,
Sorry, my mistake.
George
George
Sunday 7th Feb 2021, 10:39PM -
Part 2 of the Search for Chambers Family Members from
Rosslea, Clones, County Fermanagh
After I posted the recount of the search for my kin from Clones, Counties Fermanagh/Monahan, Mike asked me to post the history of my kin who left Ireland and lived in New York in the mid-19th century.
This Chambers genealogy starts on Monday, January 6, 1851 when David Chambers, age 49, a farmer, Thomas Chambers, age 35, a farmer, James Chambers, age 19, a farmer, Elizabeth Chambers, age 17, a farmer; and Sarah Chambers, age 16, also a farmer were all from Ireland and had arrived in New York City after a 55-day voyage from Liverpool aboard the packet ship Joseph-Walker. The true ages of these mentioned individuals and their family relationships have not been confirmed.
- David C. [Cowl] Chambers, who is assumed to be the progenitor of this family, was born in Ireland about 1761. There is a large discrepancy between the age given for this David and his age as reported at his death. The middle name "Cowl" has not been confirmed. It is assumed due to the recurrence of the name in future generations (see November 1879 below). It is further assumed that David’s wife was Mary Elliott who was christened on 17 July 1763 and that they were the great-grandparents of the other Chambers individuals who were born in Ireland discussed herein. Mary’s father was “Jno” (John?) Elliott, from Clones, Ireland. David, who was a “surgeon,” or “barber” resided at 32 Hudson Street, 5th Ward, Brooklyn in 1850. David, a widower, died due to asthenia, at 86 Prospect Street on Thursday, 9 April 1857. His obituary read: "Died, in Brooklyn on Thursday morning, the 9th instant, David Chambers, late of the county of Monaghan, Ireland, in the 95th year of his life. He died from “convulsions,” perhaps due to asthenia. If this David was “late of the county Monaghan,” we would like to know the townland that he lived in. On Sarah’s death certificate (see No. 6 below) her father was identified as David Chambers and her mother was (unknown) Elliott, both born in Ireland.
- David [Elliott] Chambers, Jr. was born in Ireland, possibly in 1818, and is assumed to be a son, or grandson, of David [Cowl] Chambers (discussed in #1 above) and a nephew of Jane Chambers (discussed in #5 below). He immigrated to the U.S. prior to October 7, 1850 as during the 1850 census of Brooklyn, David, a 27-year old clerk, and Mary Chambers, aged 23, both of whom were born in Ireland (see Mary, No. 3 below) were enumerated residing with David's soon-to-be wife. David’s given age of 27 years contradicts his age of 49 as given in the manifest of packet ship Joseph-Walker. By 1852, David, David was employed as a watchman at the Brooklyn Navy Yard before he died on Sunday, April 23, 1854. His obituary reads: "Died on Sunday, 23rd inst. David Chambers, Jr., aged 35 years and 7 months, late police officer of the Brooklyn Navy Yard.” This would indicate that he was born in September 1818.
- Mary Chambers, who was born about 1827, a sister of James (see No 8 below) also immigrated to the U.S. prior to June 1850 (see No. 1 & 2 above). In 1850 she was living with David Chambers, aged 27 (see No. 2 above). Some time prior to 1854, Mary married Oliver Langan who was from Donegal, Ireland. He was born in 1815 and had immigrated in 1836. He filed his Declaration for Naturalization on July 19, 1848. He had taken the Oath of citizenship on October 7, 1852 in the Common Pleas Court in New York County. Mary’s father's name was recorded as David and her mother's name as Mary on her death certificate. These two named individuals have not been identified. It is also not known who supplied this information. Mary’s sister Sarah Chambers’ father was listed as David Chambers and her mother as ______ Elliott. Mary and Sarah were sisters (see Sarah Chambers, No. 6 below).
- Jane Chambers, who was born about 1803 is assumed to be a daughter of David (Cowl) and Mary (Elliott) Chambers (Nos. 1 and 5 respectively, above) and a sister of David [Elliott] Chambers (No. 2, above). She was also a cousin of Sarah (No. 6 below) and a sister of James (No. 8 below). It is also possible that she was either David’s (No. 2 above) cousin or aunt. Jane immigrated to the U.S. in 1842 at the age of 39. She died unmarried at age 85 on February 23, 1888, from shock, the result of an accidental fracture of her femur. The accident occurred at the residence of her cousin James Chambers (see No. 8 below). She had lived in the U.S. for 46 years. Her will was written on March 2, 1882 and filed in Kings County, New York on 17 January 1889. When her cousin, Sarah Chambers (No. 6 below), file a protest in the Brooklyn Surrogate Court the executor of her will then identified several of her kin, namely: named Thomas Chambers and Martha Chambers, residing in Rosslea, County Fermanagh, Ireland, Elizabeth (nee Chambers) Breakey (No. 7 below), James Chambers (No. 8 below) and Sarah Chambers (No. 6 below), all of whom were named as her first cousins. Sarah, who was granted LOA on June 3, 1889 protested the probate of Jane’s will. William A. Breakey, widower of Elizabeth, told the court that his wife was deceased, therefore she could not testify. The executer of Jane’s will declared that no next of kin on her mother’s side could be found. The Brooklyn Surrogate Court performed its required due diligence by mailing copies of the probate petition and citations to appear to both Thomas and Martha; neither responded as they were deceased (see below).
- Thomas Chambers, a farmer, son of David C. and Mary (nee Elliott) Chambers was born in Ireland about 1816. and immigrated to the U.S. on 6 January 1851 at age 35. He was the brother of James (see No. 8 below). Thomas married Margaret J. Thomas on Thursday, December 7, 1854. Margaret was also from Ireland and had arrived in the U.S. around 1849. By June 25, 1855, Thomas, aged 40, a laborer, had lived in the U.S. for three years and his wife Mary, aged 26, had lived in the U.S. for six years. He died at home from pneumonia on November 2nd that year, aged 57.
- Sarah Elliott Chambers, a farmer, was born in Ireland about 1825 and immigrated to the U.S. on January 6, 1851 at age 16. His brother-in-law Oliver Langan, 40, who was from County Donegal. 1865, Sarah, aged 32, her brother James, aged 30, Mary, aged 22, and James and Mary’s daughter Mary, aged 1 6/12, were all living together (see No. 8, below). On 2 August 2nd , Sarah's age was recorded as 33. She was naturalized as a Citizen of the United States on February 20, 1872 in the County Court of Kings County. Both Mary and James’ parents had been born in Ireland. On June 16, 1900, she was aged 70, was born in 1830, and both her parents were born in Scotland. This contradicts the 1880 Federal Census. It is unknown who supplied this information for her death certificate. She was born in March 1830 and had immigrated to the U.S. in 1837 and had lived in the United States for 63 years. In 1905. Sarah died in Brooklyn on October 11, 1915 at age 87 due to senile decay and cardiac arrythmia. Her father’s name was listed as David Chambers and her mother's maiden name was given as Elliott on her death certificate. Both were born in Ireland (this contradicts the information in the 1900 census, see above). Her sister, Mary’s parents were identified as David and _____ Mary on her death certificate (see No. 3, above).
- Elizabeth Elliott Chambers, Jane’s 1st cousin (see No. 4 above) was born in Ireland about July 2, 1829. She had also arrived in the United States on January 6, 1851. Elizabeth married William A. Breakey on 3 April 1855, who was also from Ireland. She died from cerebritis and exhaustion on March 4, 1889, aged 59 years, 9 months and 20 days.
- James Chambers, Jane’s 1st cousin, was born in Ireland about 1833. He arrived in the United States on January 6, 1851, aged 19 years along with his other family members. On June 15, 1855 he was living with Oliver Langdon, age 30 (see # 4, above) who also was from Ireland and who had been naturalized and had lived in Brooklyn for two years; Mary [nee Chambers] Langdon, age 30, who also was from Ireland and who had also lived in Brooklyn for two years, James, age 23, and had lived in Brooklyn for four years, and Sarah (see #6 above) age 24, who had also lived in Brooklyn for 4 years. James and Sarah were identified as brother and sister. James filed a Declaration of Intent to become a U.S. citizen on May 19, 1862 in the Court of Common Pleas for the City and County of New York and was naturalized in the Superior Court, New York County on October 2, 1868. He died on May 22, 1891 at age 58 of Bright’s Disease and cirrhosis of the liver. His will was probated on June 8, 1891. He had named his wife Mary Margaret, his sons James and Charles, his sister Mary Langan (No. 3 above), widow of Oliver, his niece Mary (Chambers) Crawford, daughter of his late brother Thomas (No. 5 above), and his sister Elizabeth Breakey (see No. 7 above), all of whom were living in Brooklyn. He also named his sister Sarah (see No. 6 above) as executer.
David (N0. 2) was my direct ancestor.
George J. Chambers
George
Sunday 7th Feb 2021, 10:42PM