Maurice Hennessy

Hi Jill

You will find the name Hennessy in almost every townland in County Cork.  Do you have a reason to connect your Maurice to Oldcastletown.  Have you heard any stories that connect  your Maurice to the Kildorrery area or Oldcastletown.  There is a family of Hennessys in Ballyvisteen,  Kildorrery which could be a possibility as the name Maurice runs in the family.  Let me know any bit of information you have and I will do some research for you.

Best wishes

Brenda Hennessy

Kildorrery Ireland Reaching Out Group

Dear Brenda,

Thank you so much for your reply to my message.

I have been advised by Cork County Library that the Hennessys did live in Oldcastletown, and the tithe books confirmed this for 1826.   We are pretty sure it is our Hennessy because a family of Kennedys also lived in Oldcastletown and there is an unfortunate link between Thomas Kennedy and Maurice Hennessy.

Maurice was transported to New South Wales in 1825 for life, his crime being aggravated manslaughter of Thomas Kennedy.    Apparently the Cork Constitution newspaper stated that they were at the fair of Kildorrery at the start of May selling sheep and lambs.    Thomas Kennedy was badly beaten and died next morning.   It also has a report, I understand, of the Inquest in the edition of 7th May, 1824 but I have been unable to obtain a copy.     The newspaper report states that Patrick Kennedy, the brother of the victim, was a witness to the crime.

Thomas HENNESSY, Maurice's younger brother, was also accused of the crime but was acquitted.

I have information on Maurice's life in New South Wales following his transportation.    There were opportunities in the Colony, and Maurice ended his days as a Police Constable, in 1843.

Any information you may be able to give me would be very much appreciated, as I know nothing of his family.   Maurice's occupation is given as Ploughman in the transportation records of 1825.

Many thanks for your interest.

Jill Hankinson.

Hi Jill

I checked with the Maurice Hennessy that I know and he was able to tell me that the Maurice comes from the female line and not from the Hennessys.  At least I can rule him out but I will keep your query in mind and if I find anything interesting I will get back to you.  While asking around I have heard so many stories. It seems that your Maurice wasn't the only one who was in trouble after the Kildorrery fairs!

Regards

Brenda

Hi Brenda

Thank you very much for your efforts on my behalf and hopefully I may hear from you again. Your interest is very much appreciated.

Best wishes

Jill