Monaghans at Samsonagh, parish of Cleenish, near Enniskillen

I am seeking details of the origins of "my" Monaghans. My great-great-great-grandmother, Mary Monaghan, and her sister (or sister-in-law), Margaret Smith were tried at Enniskillen in July 1841 of theft of a cow belonging to Samuel McKeague at Samsonagh. Samsonagh is located about 4 miles south of Enniskillen, a little to the south of Drumboy in the parish of Cleenish. Mary was a house servant and Margaret was a farm servant. In family lore, Mary's husband John Monaghan, a miller and Orangeman, who had been murdered one night while inspecting his mill. I understand that Co Fermanagh was gripped by the Tithe Wars during the years 1831-37 and the alleged murder may have occurred toward the end of this period. His widow, Mary, was apparently reduced to a state of destitution.

Mary Monaghan and Margaret Smith wereeach sentenced to 10 years transportation. The two women were transported to Van Diemen’s Land by the Mexborough which departed Dublin and arrived at Hobart Town on 26 December 1841.  Both Mary Monaghan and Margaret Smith were ‘protestant’, and were accompanied by their children, Mary by her two daughters, Mary Ann aged 12 years and Margaret (my great-great-grandmother) aged 9 years, and a son, John aged 7 years; Margaret by her son, Richard aged 7 years. Mary may have left a fourth child behind. The womens’ ages on arrival were given as 36 years for Mary and 40 years for Margaret, and both gave ‘Co. Fermanagh’ as their ‘native place’.

That is about all the detail I have. I would like to establish the circumstances surrounding John Monaghan's alleged murder, the location of his mill, the dale and place of John's marriage to Mary; the baptismal records of the children; and the nature of the relationship between Mary Monaghan and Margaret Smith.

Can anyone out/over there assist?

Thanks in anticipation

Mark St Leon

Sydney, Australia