Smyth Families of Rossnaglogh and Corravilla

Smith Family Genealogy

Two Smyth families lived near each other in Aghabog Civil Parish, County Monaghan.  William and Mary Smyth lived in Corravilla Townland, while John and Susan Smyth lived in East Rossnaglogh Townland.  Both families are our Smith ancestors from two different sides of the family.  William and Mary’s daughter, Mary, married our great great grandfather, Michael McPhillips.  John and Susan Smith’s grandson was our ancestor, “Irish” John Smyth (Smith).  These Townlands are small tracts of land - Corravilla is .26 square miles, while East Rossnaglogh is .2 square miles.  Both Smyth families lived near each other, attended the same church, and we are quite certain knew each other in Ireland.  Were they related?  Probably.

In 1908 “Irish” John Smith stayed with a John Smyth family in County Monaghan.  We assume John Smyth lived in Rossnaglogh East Townland as the Smyths leased land in this Townland for many, many years.  “Irish” John wrote his birth home as ‘Russnaglogh’ in US Civil War pension papers.  An old 18th century map shows ‘Rossnaglogh’ adjacent to Corravilla.  It wasn’t until the latter part of the 19th century did maps consistently show ‘Rossnaglogh’ as ‘Rossnaglogh East’.

“Irish” John’s parents, Peter and Catharine Smyth, lived in Rossnaglogh.  After Peter died in 1847, Catharine may have moved her family to nearby Urcher Townland in Kilmore Parish.  Citing various documents we can trace our Smyth ancestors and cousins in this small segment of County Monaghan.

1839 Irish Poor Law Records

The Cootehill Poor Law Union was formed on August 10, 1839.  Although Cootehill was located in County Cavan, this Poor Law Union included southern County Monaghan and Aghabog Civil Parish.  Two ancestor names were listed in 1839 as one of the largest leaseholders or landowners. 

• John Smith:  Date of lease October 21, 1839; property assessed included house and land; Leased land in Russnaglogh, Tonagh and Corravilla Townlands.
• William Smith:  Date of lease June 25, 1834; property assessed included house and land; Leased land in Tonagh and Liscumiskey.  Later records show William’s home located in Corravilla Townland.

 

Irish Judicial Rent Records

Catholics were barred for many years from owning land.  Since our early ancestors were too poor to own land, we can trace them through judicial rent records. Records below show leaseholders for Rossnaglogh Townland.  In 1885 the record shows ‘Peter Smith’ and in 1886 the record shows ‘John Smith’.  Very confusing at first, until we realized these records might show two different people.  There was a John Smith from Rossnaglogh who died in 1896, and his two sons were named John and Peter.  I suspect the elder John Smith was “Irish” John Smith’s uncle.

Return of judicial rents fixed by Sub-Commissions and Civil Bill Courts, notified to Irish Land Commission, March 1885:

Parliamentary Papers, House of Commons and Command, Volume 54; By Great Britain Parliament House of Commons; H.M. Stationery Office 1886

Records dated 1900 show Owen Smyth leasing land in Corravilla.  Owen’s father was Edward Smyth, who also lived and leased land in Corravilla.  William Smyth and Mary McCannon were Edward Smyth’s parents and also Susan McPhillips Smith’s maternal grandparents.

Parliamentary Papers, House of Commons and Command, Volume 62; By Great Britain Parliament House of Commons; H.M. Stationery Office 1900

Last Will for John Smith of Rossnaglogh

John Smith died on March 10, 1896, probably at his home in Rossnaglogh. He sometimes was known as John Smyth.  The following will bequeaths his leased lands to two sons - John and Peter.  He also required his son, John, take care of his wife Nancy (Ann) after his death.  We believe “Irish” John Smith visited this younger John Smith in 1908.

Effects 196 pounds 10 shillings

 

Last Will for Edward Smyth of Corravilla

Edward died on September 26, 1895, in Corravilla with an estate worth 204 shillings. His children were Peter Smyth, William Smyth, Mary Smyth Flynn, Catherine Smyth Brady, and Owen Smyth. Edward left his Corravilla land, implements and cattle to his son, Owen. Edward and his wife raised one of Mary’s daughters from infancy to age 13; however, this granddaughter’s name is unknown.

 

 

 

As mentioned before, Edward’s parents were William Smyth and Mary McCannon.  William and Mary’s other known children included: Mary Smyth McPhillips of Sauk County, Wisconsin; Patrick Smyth of Sauk County, Wisconsin; and Peter Smyth of Sauk County, Wisconsin.

Last Will for Owen Smyth of Corravilla

Owen and his wife, Mary, had the following children: Mary, Bridget, Edward, Anne, Catherine and Margaret.  Owen’s will mentions his two daughters by name, Catherine and Maggie, and a son whose name is unmentioned.  From the 1901 Irish Census we know this son was named Edward.  Owen’s will does not mention his other daughters (Mary, Bridget or Anne) but we assume they were still living at the time of Owen’s death. 

Witnesses for this will were Owen Smyth and Edward McArdle.  Owen Smyth died on May 16, 1917, and his estate was worth 228 pounds 10 shillings.

 

Finally...

Last Wills are interesting in that they also tell us where our distant cousins lived in Ireland.  Our plans include visiting Ireland within the next two years, and we are trying to get many important place names identified before our trip.