Hi Kathy
Many thanks for your response. Just a couple of questions from what you wrote.
- What details do you have about Thomas? I am interested to know more.
- Why do you think that Owen Moraghan (1818 - 1904) who married Bridget Muldowney is not related to Owen Moraghan 1800 -1870 who farmed at Cleaheen?
Owen (1818 - 1904) farmed at Foxhill which is a short distance from Cleaheen. In the 1833 Tithe Applotment Books there are two mentions of an Owen Moraghan - one at Foxhill and one at Cleaheen. If (the younger) Owen was farming at Foxhill in 1833 then that would have made him a 15-year-old farmer - not impossible but mostly unlikely I would have thought. It could well be that his father was also Owen and different from ours (may need further investigation).
Sorry about any repetition from my postings above but I find it easier to read one article than having to go back-and-forth between articles.
I know that my Great (x2) Grandfather James Moore né Moraghan was born around 1832 in Roscommon (UK Census records). I know that his father was Owen Moraghan, farmer (28th April 1850 marriage certificate to Ann McLoughlin at St. Chads Cathedral, Birmingham, England). James is not shown on the 1841 UK Census but his wife-to-be, Ann McLoughlin, and her family are shown as living in John Street, Birmingham, England. Also living in the same tenement is Roger Moraghan and his family. Roger is from County Roscommon and his wife, Catherine Burke, is from County Galway. Roger and Catherine’s first male child, Owen, was born on the 14th September 1839 in Birmingham, England. Their first child, Nan (?) was baptised on the 9th July 1838 at St. Chads Cathedral, Birmingham, England. Roger Moraghan was born around 1809 and died on the 29th December 1871 in Birmingham, England.
From the records available I have assumed that James Moraghan arrived in Birmingham around the mid-1840’s - this would fit in perfectly with the timing of the Great Famine in Ireland. It could well be that he was sent to live with his uncle (?) Roger Moraghan in Birmingham and it is here where he met his future wife, Ann McLoughlin.
On the 1861 UK Census James Moraghan has living with him his brother, Andrew born about 1843, and their cousin James Higgins also born about 1843 - both from Ireland.
As mentioned previously, James’ father was Owen Moraghan, farmer, from County Roscommon. If James was born around 1832 then his father is more-than-likely to have been born before 1814. When I researched all the baptismal records for 1820 and before I could find none for Owen (Eugenii etc.) Moraghan (and its variants). I then decided to look at all the death records and, looking at all the available records (so far) for County Roscommon, I have found two very good possibilities:-
- Owen Morahan 1800 - 1870. Owen was a farmer at Cleaheen in County Roscommon (he is shown in the 1833 Tithe Applotment books and the 1858 Griffith Evaluations. Owen died on the 8th May 1870 at Cleaheen aged 70 and was a widowed farmer. The witness was Pat Morahan.
- Owen Morahan 1807 - 1867. Owen died on the 9th February 1867 aged 60. He was a widower and labourer and died at the Carrick-on-Shannon Workhouse.
There is a baptismal record dated 29th June 1843 for John Moraghan born to Eugenii Moraghan and Maria Gildea - the sponsors were Anthony Kellty and Bridget Moraghan. On the 2nd July 1843 a Eugenni Moraghan is a sponsor to the birth of an Ann (?) Reagan. I am still researching to find out when Maria Moraghan (Mary and other variations) died to ascertain whether she is the wife of either of the Owens previously mentioned. She should have died between 1843 and 1870.
I have previously requested on Ireland XO some information about the landlord of Foxhill and Cleaheen - Thomas Johnston Barton. If the rental records still exist then it might throw some light on both of the Owen Moraghan’s. On the 10th October 1851 the land at Cleaheen was put up for auction and the owner of the land was given as Wynne Peyton. Maybe his tenant records still exist? It looks as though, sometime in the very near future, I am going to have to pop over to Ireland to get some of these questions answered.
Please feel free to ask for any records I might have relating to the Moraghan’s. I am very happy to share.
Kevin