Flanagan, Forrest and Twomey of Drishane More , Killeagh County Cork Irleand

Hi

If you haven't already - You could try checking the land records called the Tithe Applotment Books (1823-38) or the later Griffith's Valuation (1848-64) for other members of the family.. The Tithe Applotment Books (1823-38): Microfilm copies of the books for all of Ireland are available at the National Archives of Ireland (NAI) http://www.nationalarchives.ie/genealogy1/genealogy-records/tithe-applotment-books-and-the-primary-griffith-valuation/ or the Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS). Griffith's is freely available here: www.askaboutireland.com or here: www.failteromhat.com Failte Romhat has lots of other useful links you could try looking at.

You could try to post as much information as you can regarding the people you are researching. The more information you post, the more likely it is that one of our volunteers will be able to advise or assist you. Also include information concerning which sources you may have already used so others may further your search.

For further assistance you might try contacting 

Cork City Ancestral Project,
c/o County Library,
Farranlea Road,
Cork City.
Tel: +353 (0)21 4346435
Email: corkancestry@ireland.com

Regards,

 The Tithe Applotment Books of 1828 show a James Flanagan, John & James Forrest and a William Forrest living in Drishane More.

In addition James forrest, John Forrest and James Flanagan are mentioned as Tithe defaulters

Later in 1853 in the Griffiths Valuation of Tenements Bridget Forrest, John Flanagan Jun, John Forrest, William Forrest and a Mary Flanagan are recorded as living in Drishane More and could well be relations of the Lawrence Flanagan who emigrated to the States.

I have also passed on you enquiry to a well known historian in Killeagh who is a Forrest. Hopefully furtheR information will be coming from this sourca as well

All this information and more  is recorded in the Book, "Killeagh Parish Through the Ages" published in 2011 and is available for sale.

I am wondering what details you have regarding the different members of the families that went over with Lawrence.

The details available to you are much greater then what we have here. The Killeagh Church records are from 1823 for Marriages and 1829 for Baptisms.

I have a Michael Forrest who married Mary Flanagan in 1837/8 (Must check the exact date) and had Catherine in 1839 and Richard in 1841.

I have 2 Ellens. 1 in 1841 my family and one in 1844 to William  and Eliza Walsh with sponsors John Flanagan and Eliza Forrest.

2 Marys also  1 in 1829 to James and Mary Smyth sponsors Jeremiah Colbert and Mary Linahan

1. In 1839 to Richard and Mary Brouder (Now Broderick) sponsors Martin Cahill & May Forrest.

I do not think your Mary and Ellen were sisters as that would mean Lawrence married his 1st cousin.

The 1901 and 1911 census @ www.nationalarchives.ie have the following for Drishane More

Patrick Forrest 60 (O1) and 69 in (11)

Bridget (wife) 52 and 66 Quite common to not have a 10 year difference

William Flanagan 50 & 60

Ellen  wife 40 & 50

 John 8 &18

Mary 6 &16

William 8 months and 10.

2 headstones next to each other in Dangan Donovan graveyard which is part of Killeagh Parish has the following readings

1.Erected by William Forrest in memory of his wife Mary White who died December 24th 1801 aged 45.

2. Remember Death & Fear the Lord. Erected by John Forrest of Drishane in memory of his wife Hanora Forrest alias Higgins who Departed this life Oct 1st 1841 aged 59 years

I await your reply and in the meantime check what other information I have.

Thank you all for your quick replies.  I have some of this information regarding the Tithe defaulters and the cencsus.  Not knowing if John and Mary Forrest Flanagan came over to the US, limits me as to the information I have on the older generations.  I do not know the parents names of John and Mary.  I will list what I know of the Flanagans, Forrests and Twomeys who were here in the US. as soon as I am able.  I will also check back with the Parish of St. John's of Worcester MA, as they have all the earliest records of the Irish here in Worecester and surrounding towns.  This will take a little time and I will get back to you.  Chris

Michael Twomy and Ellen Forrest married 25/01/1835 Killeagh Parish, County Cork both Roman Catholic witnesses Thomas Forrest and Bridget Twomy Fathers Twomy and Forrest Mothers unnamed.

Immigration records;  Michael Twonny(sic) Worcester naturalized 2 March 1846 Born parish of Cork City Ireland 1810 Age 35.  Arrived Boston 1838. Intention March 1844 Worcester.  Residences Leicester, Worcester.  Witnesses Josiah L. Lamb  & Patrick Ferrell (patrich Farrell b.Middleton Co. Cork 1800 died 1858  St. John's Cemetery)

Michael Twoomey died 30 Nov. 1847 Worcester MA Dysentary age 45

Ellen Forrest Twoomey died 19 Nov 1847 Worcester MA Dysentary age 36

Worcester Historical Museum O'Flynn papers Recordings of Early Headstone Inscriptions:

Michael Twoomey

Native of Killeagh County Cork Ireland

died Nov 30 1847

age 40 years

Ellen Forrest

his wife

died Nov. 19th, 1847

Aged 34 years

May their souls Rest in Peace Amen

Erected by their Children Edmund and William

Children of Michael and Ellen Twoomey

Edmund Twomey of Michael and Ellen Twomey baptized 11 Sep 1838 Charlton MA USA witnesses Mary Cooey (sic) and Thomas Forrest. Edmund died 11 Aug 1862 death date also given as 19 July 1862 and 9 Aug 1862 Union soldier for the Civil War. died at Harrison's landing VA. USA. body returned to Spencer MA USA. Said to have died of homesickness.

Ellen Twomey born 1844 Leicester MA USA  married Lawrence Flanagan 22 Feb 1868.  Died 23 Jun 1882 Burial plot purchased at St. John's Cemetery by husband Lawrence but Ellen and infant daughter that passed soon after are not on burial card.  Cemetery office says there are many burials not recorded accurately at that time by recording clerk.

Mary Twomey born abt 1845 Married Michael A. Hickey 24 Apr 1873 Worcester MA.  Died 14 Jan 1909 age 66 Worcester MA USA burial Worcester MA. USA

William Twomey baptized 20 Sep 1846 St. John's records. witnesses John Forrest and Anastasia Fenton.  Possible death Sep 1919 burial St. John's Cemetery Worcester MA USA.  Appears to have never married.

All four children are listed as living in Spencer, MA USA on the 1850 US Census.

Edmund is living with Michael and Ellen Forrest, Ellen with William and Honora Leahy, Mary with John and Abbie Forrest, and William with Thomas and Ellen Forrest.

More to follow.     Chris

Hi Chris,

Great to get the information which looks like adding to the puzzle!!!!

Have you the details of the 1850 census for the different families? The ages would be of interest as it might give us some idea of when they were born or married.

I thought Edmund living with Michael and Ellen Forrest could be the Michael Forrest i had but his wife is Mary Flanagan.

John and Thomas may be brothers as there is a headstone in Mogeely graveyard which reads

Erected by Thomas and John Forrest in memory of their mother Mary Forrest nee Hayes who died Apr. 7th 1833 age 50,

Their father William of Ballygibbon died Dec. 10th 1842 aged 67

Mogeely is only 3 miles from Killeagh and Ballygibbon is a townland about 2 miles north of the village. It is also very close to Dangan Donovan where the Drishane graves are. Mogeely and Killeagh Parishes meet up at Dangan cross.

The story is the headstone in Mogeely was put up by the family in America??Looks as if it could be true.

Also later Forrests from Ballygibbon went out to telations in the USA. Must check that out as it was info. given to me by someone else regarding her family.

I will try and get a map showing the different townlands and how close they are all to each other.

They certainly had a hard life in the States when they got there.

We will keep working on it and hopefully sort it out.

Regards for now. Keep in touch. Anne.

Hi Anne

Have Census and other information, so here goes:

Have not located 1840 Census yet,

1850 US Census  All living in Spencer Massachusetts USA

 Thomas Forrest age 43 Bootmaker

Ellen Forrest age 37

William Forrest age 6

I suspect William Forrest is actually William Twomey, as he is living with Thomas in later Census and I have yet to find any connection with Thomas and marriages or death of any William Forrest.

1860 Spencer Massachusetts USA

Thomas Forrest 50 Bootmaker

Ellen Forrest 35

William Forrest 14

1870 Spencer MA USA

Thomas Forrest 60

Ellen Forrest 52

William Toomey 22

1880 Spencer MA USA

Thomas Forrest 68  Illness Kidney

Ellen Forrest 65

William Toomey Salloon Keeper

Thomas Forrest died 17 Dec 1880 Spencer MA USA buried Worcester MA USA age 75 years 8 montths 17 days occupation listed as Mechanic  born Ireland of William and Mary. no maiden name of mother listed. Death recorded at Spencer MA USA

Newspaper Publication Spencer Sun VOL IX  Friday Dec. 24 1880

Thomas Forrest , who was interred last Monday, was one of the oldest foreign residents in town, and was noted as being the first Irishman who ever treed a boot in Spencer-perhaps in the State.  He also learned to tree in the oldest boot manufactory in the country and under the care of the founder of the American sale boot industry, the late Josiah Green.  This was in 1838..  Previous to that time none but native Americans had worked at the business.

Ellen Forrest died 15 Sept 1883 Spencer MA USA  86 years of age  parents unknown

Thomas Forrest, Ellen Forrest and William Toomey are all buried in same plot at St. John's cemetery.  There are two smaller stones for a William and John.  I have yet to locate death records for any children born of Thomas and Ellen Forrest.  Not sure who John and William are.

Found a marriage record for an Ellen Forrest of Thomas that married John Cayhill 14 Oct 1855 at the age of 20.  John died 18 Apr 1858 and she then married a Thomas Jennings in 1863.  No mother's name is listed on either marriage record.  This could be Thomas' daughter.  Just a thought.  She would have been born in 1835 and was born in Ireland on both records.

Will add more later on John Forrest and Michael Forrest.  Chris

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the information which i was studying.

I was given access to ancestry for a month and was looking at the records too for the Forrests in Spencer.

The age difference in each census makes interesting reading and studying!!!!!

It looks s if you are right about William being William Toomy.

Just a quick comment on the William and John on the headstone,  Could they be children of John and Abbina Forrest who lived next door to Thomas and Ellen in 1850 with John age 5, William 3, Joseph 2 and Mary 0 and by 1860 only had Mary age 11 living with them? No Joseph!!!

I will study what i have and get back to you.

If you like you can email me direct at anneoneillk@gmail.com as i am looking forward to collecting all the information and hoping we can sort the families out. I do not have your direct email either. It may be easier.

Regards for now. Anne.