The McDonalds of Tipperary

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Tying it all Together – Edward and Margaret Hill

 Now we try to determine where Margaret McDonald Hill and Edward Hill lived in County Tipperary.  We found two Griffith Valuation Surveys taken within a span of two years.  The first valuation is shown below and shows an Edward Hill living in Knockacappul townland in Kilnarath Civil Parish.  You actually see portions of page 71 and 72 of this valuation survey which shows all the residents of Knockacappul townland.  Edward’s neighbors were Ryans.  Incidentally, this area is the ancient homeland of the Ryan clan so one will find many Ryan families living here. 

One thing needs to be mentioned.  This is the only reference we found for ‘Edward Hill’ in County Tipperary.  Another thing you will notice is that this entry is located in an area where a number of McDonald families were known to live.  The first Valuation listed was printed in November 1848; however, this information was gathered in 1847. 

Griffith Valuation:   Printing Date, Wednesday, November 29, 1848

Looking at the Griffith Valuation Survey above one notices Denis Kennedy is listed as Lessor.  Actually, this property was part of the Ballyvowne Estate located in the Barony of Owney and Arra.  The owner, George Kinahan, leased this land to Anna Molony on April 25, 1816, for a period of 31 years or life.  Denis Kennedy represented Anna Molony in these proceedings and that is why his name and not her name appear on this list.  One of the tenants is Edward Hill, who has a house but no land in Section 1A. 

Several years later Edward’s name as well as other names found in this townland were struck out of the valuation list.  Were these families forced to move away?  Many landlords evicted Irish tenants because the land could only support so many mouths.  The 1900 US Census gives us a clue when the Hill family immigrated to America.  ‘Year immigrated’ was one question asked in this census.  Margaret McDonald Hill stated she immigrated in 1848.  In 1850 the US Census finds her family living in Concorde, Massachusetts.  The Griffith Valuation was first taken in 1847 and continued up through 1864. 

These two Valuation lists are consistent with our family history.  In 1847 to 1848 the Hill family lived in Ireland.  By 1850, when the subsequent Valuation list was created, this family was already living in America. 

Griffith Valuation:  Printing Date:  Tuesday, May 14, 1850

 We believe these Griffith Valuation Surveys refer to our great ancestor.  Unfortunately, no map exists for this townland.  The following map shows the Civil Parishes of Northern County Tipperary, which is known as North Riding.  Section #46 shows Kilnarath Civil Parish, which is located in the southwest corner of this map.

hese are the Civil Parishes mentioned in this document:   48 – Kilvellane 34 – Kilcomenty 46 – Kilnarath 41 – Killoscully 1 -   Abington 44 – Kilmore 61 – Nenagh 70 – Templemore 74 – Thurles  Toem (75) is where many Ryans from Allamakee County call home. John Bony can be found living here during the mid-nineteenth century.

Kilnarath in 1841 had 3,386 people living in its boundaries.  There appear to be two entries for ‘Section 46’ shown in the map above.

To the side is the ruins of the Kilnarath church and cemetery.  Down the road from these ruins is Newport Town, the largest market town in the area.  Even so, it was never considered a major center even in the nineteenth century.

Conclusion

This is a taste of the information we have regarding the McDonald families in County Tipperary.  More information about the Hill family can be found in other documents.

Kilnarath in 1841 had 3,386 people living in its boundaries.  There appear to be two entries for ‘Section 46’ shown in the map above.

To the side is the ruins of the Kilnarath church and cemetery.  Down the road from these ruins is Newport Town, the largest market town in the area.  Even so, it was never considered a major center even in the nineteenth century.

Conclusion

This is a taste of the information we have regarding the McDonald families in County Tipperary.  More information about the Hill family can be found in other documents.