John McCormack was born in Carrowkeel, Elphin, Roscommon circa 1855, named after his father. He was born shortly after the famine came to a close. No records of any of his other siblings have been found so presumably they were older and may have died young or emigrated as soon as they could. They lived on a small two room house on a seven acre farm with a cow house and piggery attached. They shared sixteen acres of bogland with neighbours.
John inherited the farm after his father died sometime between 1858 and 1888. He bought the land from Sir Charles H Coote, the landlord, under the Land Commission Act 1888.
John married Mary Jane McDermott of Clooneybrennan on 22 March 1888 in Elphin Church, witnessed by her sister Annie McDermott and John Lynch(cousin).
Children of John and Mary Jane
Thomas 15 Apr 1889
Julia 28 Apr 1890 Godparents-John and Anne McDermott
John 14 Apr 1891
James 25 Jul 1892 Godparents-Patrick and Mary Lynch
Edward 12 Oct 1893 Godparents-Peter Lynch and Brigid Conlon
Catherine 8 Feb 1895 Godparents-Edward Donaghy and Catherine Lynch
Annie Jane 24 May 1896 Godparents-Charles Cox and Brigid Beirne
John's wife Mary Jane passed away 6 June 1897 after having TB for ten months. She left him with seven young children.
On 13 July 1902, John died. His cause of death is described as decline for one year but this is confusing as if he was aware he was gonig to die, you would presume he would have made arrangements for his children and even possibly a will(most people made wills then and he had enough money to do so). Instead most of the arrangements for his children were made by other adults and the lack of a will caused other problems in the next few years as to the ownership of the land. Decline was sometimes listed then if no one could determine a cause of death.
Additional Information | ||
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Date of Death | 1st Jul 1902 | |
Father (First Name/s and Surname) | John McCormack | |
Townland born | Carrowkeel, Elphin, Co Roscommon | |
Spouse (First Name/s and Maiden/Surname) | Mary Jane McDermott | |
Place & Date of Marriage | 22 March 1888, Elphin Church | |
Occupation | Farmer |