I’m looking for any and all information regarding one John Lennon, born between 1844 and 1846 in the Mount Talbot (but more likely the Cloonakilleg area), who immigrated to the US about 1869. This John Lennon could read and write, had money upon arrival in the US, and was very successful as a grocer in South Boston, Massachusetts from the early 1870’s until his retirement in 1912 and eventual death in Boston in 1926. His parents were William Lennon and Mary Collins (could also be Killion, accounts vary). In a History of Tisrara Parish, there is a William Lennon listed in 1836. He might be whom I'm looking for.
All of the following Griffith’s Valuation properties were taken from Athlone, Tisrara, Cloonakilleg area., and this group seems to be a better match with what we know about the John Lennon we’re concerned with. The landowner for all these leases is one Denis H. Kelly, of Castle Kelly, nearby. The Griffith’s in Cloonakilleg was accomplished in this area in 1858. From my understanding of the Griffith’s (and seems to be suggested here), is that this is a single 275 acre holding, held in common and separately by these individuals living in separate cottages/homes in the hamlet (I hesitate to call it a village), and the “(w/12 others)” notation may mean that this landholding (44.1.a-n) had only the individuals mentioned here as separate cottage holders, or it could also mean this landholding was comprised of nearly 155 additional people living here. They are differently assessed fees for their portion of this 275 acre plot, Michael Collins being assessed 20 pounds 5, and John Lennon assessed 14 pounds 10.
Thank you, Dan Lennon
Dan Lennon 3
Monday 28th Mar 2016, 03:10PMMessage Board Replies
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Dan:
Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!
If John Lennon was born in 1844-1846, he would not be listed in the Griffiths Valuation which I believe was conducted in 1855 for Co. Roscommon. If William was deceased, his widow would normally be listed.
The RC baptismal records for Dysart/Tisrara parish do not start until 1850 http://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0544
Let me know what questions you have.
Roger McDonnell
Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Monday 28th Mar 2016, 07:22PM -
Hey Roger,
Well, at this point, I’m looking for pretty much anything, actually.
About 10 years ago I talked with Father Bierne (Tisrara Parish) and Thomas Gacquin about William Lennon, and got few results. So he’s a mystery. Several sources have John Lennon (my great-grandfather, 1846-1926) being the son of William and Mary Collins, another has him as the son of William and Mary Killion. This could have been her second married name, there is an idea she married Joseph Killion after William Lennon died (around 1850) but all that is conjecture.
John Lennon had two sisters, Bridget (1842-1915) who married a Peter Mitchell and settled in Wayne County, Indiana; and Catherine (1845-1880) who married a Matthew Tierney and settled in Boston. I’ve got all of them and John’s progeny, just not where John or his sisters came from. Death certificates indicate their father’s name is William, mother’s name is Mary, and that’s where the confusion with Collins/Killion creeps in. Two certs have Collins, the third Killion.
What I have been able to ascertain over the years is that William is not of the Athlone/Drum Lennon’s, he’s definitely from the Mount Talbot/Cloonakilleg area. Now you know pretty much as much as I do, except that John could read and write, Bridget couldn’t, and it’s unknown about Catherine.
Thanks! Dan Lennon
Dan Lennon 3
Tuesday 29th Mar 2016, 11:01AM -
Dan:
You may want to consider autosomal DNA testing.
Roger
Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Tuesday 29th Mar 2016, 08:16PM -
Already did that DNA thing about 8 years ago now. My nearest match is with someone i don't know who has a related person to me 180 years ago (or six generations). Didn't help much...
Dan Lennon
Dan Lennon 3
Wednesday 30th Mar 2016, 10:25AM