John and William Smith

of Aghabog Parish

According to “Irish” John Smith, his father was named ‘Peter Smyth’, and he died in 1847 during the Irish Potato Famine.  We assume Peter died in County Monaghan, but during the famine years many Irish men traveled around the country seeking work.   Aghabog Parish, where “Irish” John’s family lived, was amongst the hardest hit during the great famine, and created much destitution and misery.

The 1827 Tithe Applotment records show William Smyth and John Smyth renting land in Aghabog Parish.  William rented land in Curravillly and Tonough.  John rented land in Curravilly, Tonough, Foltha and Rushnaglogh Under.  Before 1840 there was no standard way to spell Townlands in Ireland, and many times were spelled differently than what we see today.  Today Curravilly is known as Corravilla, Tonough is Tonagh, Foltha is Faltha and Rushnaglogh Under is Russnaglogh East.  John Smyth listed in the 1827 record is “Irish” John’s paternal grandfather, and William Smyth is Susan McPhillips’ maternal grandfather.  Susan McPhillips married “Irish” John Smith.  Susan was born in Corravilla Townland and “Irish” John was born in Rossnaglogh Under Townland.

Above, The Poor Law Records shown for 1840 list two Smith names, William and John.  This makes some sense since lease agreements were signed for long periods of time, and passed down from one generation to the next.  Will we ever find “Irish” John’s father, Peter, in any official document?  Maybe.  Maybe not.  Peter Smyth married Catharine Greenan in Ireland.  Catharine left Ireland, married William Rooney and lived in Bear Creek Township, Sauk County, Wisconsin.  Her obituary is confusing since it lists her first husband’s name as ‘John Smith’.  Our great uncle, Frank Smith, said years later that the name ‘John Smith’ had been used in our family for many generations.  In April 1847 a coroner’s inquest was held near Killeevan Parish, County Monaghan for a John Smith, but is probably not related to us although the death date is in the right year.  Killeevan Parish is next door to Aghabog Parish.  The 1911 Irish census shows a ‘John Peter Smith’ as head of household for Rossnaglogh Under, Aghabog Parish, County Monaghan.