Rawleighs of Rawleighstown/ Knockainey

Dear Mary:

Many thanks for your query to Ireland Reaching Out.

You might consider looking at a number of resources for tracking the Rawleigh family who lived in Rawleighstown.

There are a large number of Rawleigh (with variants) families who are listed in County Limerick in the Roots Ireland database.

In addition, the Tithe Applotment Books also listed 7 Rawleigh members who were living in the Knockainey area in 1833.

Griffith's Valuation might be another resource for you to look at the Rawleigh members who remained in the area.  This Valuation was completed in County Limerick in 1852.    It is available at the following link:

http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/.

Further, local histories and headstone inscriptions (which I note you have checked) are invaluable for trying to trace families before 1800 in particular.

If you have any further questions, please contact us. 

Kind regards,

Jane.

Jane,

Thank you for youe reply.

Mary

Hi Mary are you still seeking information?

John,
Yes, I continue to try to figure out how my family who was in Rawleighstown ended up in Old Knockainey Cemetery with the grave sites referencing Mough. Ultimately, my family resided in Ballyholohan/ Drumcomogue, Emly, Tipperary. The last person I know buried in Old Knockainey in an unmarked grave was my Great Uncle Jack Raleigh in 1969. Based on DNA, obituaries, and other research, I know I am connected to other Raleigh families in Tipperary/ Limerick. I assume records, if they existed, would show they all connect to Rawleighstown.
John, what is your interest?

Regards- Mary

Hi Mary

In the churchyard of Patrickswell Church near Lough Gur there is a grave to Elizabeth Raleigh of Raleighstown who died in 1841 aged just 13.

John,

Thank you I am aware of that gravesite but do not know how it connects to my family. Also in the book “The Farm by Lough Gur” by Mary Carbery, it is noted Michael O'Brien marries Johanna Purcell around 1800s and her mother was a Raleigh from Raleighstown. I have not read the book been have been told this. Not sure how she connects??

I have a lot of info but nothing to bring it all together.

Regards- Mary

John,

Is this the grave you mentioned or is there another one?

LI-LGTN-0068
Record Date:
19 April 2012
Graveyard:
New Church Lough Gur
Exact wording of epitaph:

In this humble grave
doth lie the remains
of Eliza Raleigh of
Raleighstown died
29 May 1852 aged 13
May her soul rest in
Peace

Take care- Mary

Hi Mary

My sincere apologies! Yes that Raleigh grave is in New Church but the grave in Patrickswell churchyard I referred to actually is the grave of the Michael O'Brien that you mentioned. He and his daughter Eliza both died in 1841.
Are you related to the O'Briens?

Exact wording of epitaph: 

IN ALL THY WORKS REMEMBER THY LAST END
AND THOU SHALT NEVER SIN
ECCLES LASTICUS
HERE ARE INTERRED THE REMAINS OF JOHANA THE
BELOVED WIFE OF MICHAEL O'BRIEN, LOUGH GUR
AND ALSO HIS DAUGHTER ELIZA, WHO BOTH
DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE YEAR 1841
MAY THE LORD HAVE MERCY ON THEM

Memorial Type: 

Wall or mural tablet

John,
I connect through marriage to several O'Brien families. A couple of years ago a descendant of the O'Brien family from Lough Gur and I tried to figure out if we connected through our Purcell families (we gave up trying to figure out our Rawleighs of Rawleighstown family) but never found a connection. My Great Grandmother was Ann Purcell, born in Knocklara, Limerick, to William Purcell of Monemore, Emly and Elizabeth Lane. I understand the family was originally from Loughmore, Tipperary. She married Patrick Raleigh of Drumcomogue, Emly, Tipperary.

I believe if we had records from 1600 and 1700 we all would know our relationships.

Are you part of the O'Brien family from Lough Gur or do you connect to the Raleighs or neither?

Regards- Mary

Hi Mary

I am no relation to either family but have an interest in local history. I do know a descendant of the O'Briens who I can put you in touch with. Who was the descendant you spoke with? Just so that I am not directing you to that same person again?

John,
The O'Brien descendant I was in touch lives in Australia. My focus is Raleighs, Rawleighstown, and Old Knockainey Cemetery. If they can assist me in my research, I would appreciate the contact.

Over the years, I have found sites on the internet focusing on the area, primarily the area around Rawleighstown. I would be happy to share if you feel comfotable providing an email account. If you have an account with Ancestry.com, my user name is MaryTV.

I have found the below site interesting because it covers who hand land before Cromwell and who took it over.

http://www.limerickcity.ie/Library/LocalStudies/BooksJournals/TheCromwe…

Regards- Mary

Hi Mary

My email address is johnocarroll0@gmail.com.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Best regards
John