The Next Puzzle to Solve (1654-1766-1800)
One of the more significant events for the Irish occurred in 1654. It was at this time that most of the Irish Catholics lost their lands. A few years earlier, Cromwell ravaged Ireland and put down an Irish rebellion; and subsequently, Catholic lands were reassigned to soldiers and "adventurers." In April of this year, surveyors made their way to Tipperary to begin dividing lands for later distribution.
The baronies to be divided first were to be assigned to the soldiers who helped Cromwell crush the rebellion. Among the first lands distributed were the traditional homeland of the Ryans (at that time, they were known by their ancient name "the O'Mulryans"). Dr. Petty, the chief surveyor, "anglicized" the surname, and from that time all O'Mulryans became known simply as Ryans:
(1) the baronies and territories of Kilnamanagh, Kilnalong (-hurty). Upper Ormond, Lower Ormond, Owney and Arra, Owney-Mulrian, Slieveardagh and Comsy" (soldiers). (2) the baronies of Middlethird, Clanwilliam, Iffa and Offa, Eliogarty, Ikerrin and Ileagh (Adventurers)."
The territory of Owney-Mulrian was included in the Civil Survey of the barony of Arra and Owny where, in the description of that barony, the following statement is made: "This Barony is and hath been antiently divided into two distinct Terytoryes" the one called by the name of Arra or Dowgharra, the other called Owney als Owney-Mulrian, The Territory of Arra being the North pte of the Barrony, and the Territory of Owny the South."
The lands around Cully Castle and Newport were distributed to a handful of English families whose descendents were still in the territory when the James Ryan family left Ireland in the 1860s. These new lordships included the Phillips, Sympsons, Wallers, Mitchells, and Allens. It would be the Wallers who would eventually obtain Cully Castle and have it renamed Waller Castle. The ruins of this castle remain today and is currently in the possession of a Ryan descendent.
As the surname "Hill" is of English origin, it is possible that our ancestors benefited from this land distribution. Hill is not a common name in Tipperary, and in the surveys the "Hill" surname is predominantly Protestant. One of the earliest references to the Hill family was in 1637, as this pedigree notes:
In later years we see the Hill and McDonnell family living near one another, and based on Catholic records, appear to have a very close relationship. In addition to marriages between the families, we also see baptismal and marriage sponsors.
Baronies of Tipperary 1654 - Click to Enlarge
Neighbors of the Ryans (click to Enlarge)
What do We know....
(1) We can make conclusions from the following records in 1766 (see 1766 census records)
* There was one McDonnell family living in the Newport area in 1766, and that was Sandy McDonnell. It is likely that he is our direct ancestor.
* There was a Patrick and Edward Hill living around Newport, also Catholic. We believe that these are both our direct ancestors - father and son.
* There are two Caseys living in Newport Parish, Moses and Michael. These could both be our direct ancestors - father and son.
* As for the Ryans, there are 190 to choose from...but at least one is our direct ancestor.
A hundred years earlier, as reflected in the Down Civil Survey of 1654, there were 83 males living in Arra and Owney with the Ryan surname. The number of families is around 55, and we could further reduce the possible matches by looking only at those town lands surrounding Gortnaskehy. This appears to reduce the list to 10 families that we could possibly link into.
...One of the challenges we want to try and solve in the future.
This picture shows the "kingdom" of O'Mulryan in Tipperary. It was one of the dominant lordships in Upper Ormond, and was first documented by Irish journalists in the 13th century. To get a better perspective where this kingdom was in Ireland, Click to Enlarge for "total Ireland View".
