Thomas Dawson of Ematris Parish Monaghan

Drumintin townland is located about 6km (~4 miles) north of the town of Cootehill Co. Cavan, and about the same distance west of Rockcorry - see the entry on the placename database (Logainm.ie), and attached Google map. 

There's a townland named Kilcrow in Ematris civil parish, it's located just south of Dumintin but the historic OSI maps show that 'Kilcrow Church' is actually the one in the adjacent Dawson Grove Demesne. The church is not visible from the road but is shown on Google Satellite view.

The townlands of Dawson Grove, Kilcrow and Dumintin are all very close to each other - see attached map diagram based on the placename database details.

The church now seems to be referred to as 'Ematris St John E (Dartry)' - Dartry is the later name for the house at Dawson Grove.

There's no Saint's name mentioned for the church on the c1840s map, but the later map c1890 show it as St. John's. The historic maps show a small graveyard attached to the Church at Dawson Grove, so likely that's where Thomas was buried. Baptism, Marriage records for Ematris Church of Ireland parish go back to 1766, burial records to 1811, and are held by the Representative Church Body Library in south county Dublin. Some transcripts for this parish are also available on RootsIreland (pay-website)

Hi Lynette,

Finding where someone is buried is difficult as people often returned to tradiional burial grounds sometimes as much as 10 miles away from their local burial ground even before they had access to  horse and cart.  Is this family related in any way to the main Dawson family that was there.  There is some more information on them here https://www.igs.ie/conservation/project/the-dartrey-mausoleum-or-dawson…  

Jonathan Smyth of Cavan Library recorded some of the burial grounds in Cootehill.  He listed the surnames in the burial registry for Ashfield Church, the name Magrane is there, no Dawsons.  The majority of marriages take place in the brides church, so I imagine her parish was Kilcrow. However as he was from Drumintin it is likely that they were neighbours and if of the same faith attended the same parish church.  As advised above do contact the church body.  

Cootehill had a very welcoming society as the local landlord tolerated people of all faith. There were meeting houses for Moravians and Quakers (with their own burial grounds), there were two Prebyterian Churches, Church of Ireland, Weslyan Methodist Church and a Catholic Church so all faiths were well served.  So if you can confirm which church they attended it might help, though I believe that due to falling numbers the Moravians & Quakers assimilated into the other faiths over time.  

When are you coming in September?  If I am available I could show you around, though I am from a neighbouring town.  

Regards Carmel

Dear Carmel,

We arrive in belfast on September 1 and have booked a motel there for 3 days so we go to PRONI. We intend to hire a car for about a week to travel around. We are going to Castle dawson for a few days to see the McCready's who are distant cousins, then hope to take a trip to Monaghan for a couple of days.

I believe Thomas Dawson's father, also Thomas Dawson was born in Castledawson on 1723 and other ancestors were born in Armagh. Thomas Dawson's son, also Thomas was baptised on 12 June 1841 at Clones and his father is listed as a farmer at Lisnaroo.  They belonged to the Church of Ireland. Frances and all the family migrated to Australia in the 1840-1860s.

Thank You for your work.

Lynette Genua

Hi Lynette,  

You are welcome, have a good trip and if you are stuck on anything you can ring me on 0035387224159.  Regards armel

Dear Lynette, Nice to read this. I am the great grandson of Gladys Dawson (1880-1965) herself descending from Richard Dawson and Ann 'O Brien. I have a good overview of all the descendants of Richard Dawson to share with you, and also elements up to 1550. I hope to travel to Monaghan with my mother after the summer. Michiel Scheffer