MySource:Frkeith/Brian MacDonald

Dear Gerald, I had a call yesterday from Liz Mahon during her visit home to Ireland from australia. She gave me a copy of your work on the McElgunns, for which I am very grateful indeed. There are one or two errors in the early period that you might like to correct and I can also fill you in on the McElgunn branch of my wife's family (ie the descendants of Philip McElgunn). With the assistance of the late Louis McElgunn I wrote a wee piece on the family back in the late 80s or early 90s and I think it is still largely accurate. 'Hugh McElgunn was born in 1776, his wife Bridget in 1782. The couple settled in the townland of Clonosey, Parish of Annagh, County Cavan. In the Tithe Applotment Book of 1825 they are recorded as sharing a holding with a McDonald family. The beneficial owner of the property is not named, but this is likely to have been land held by the local Protestant curate (as it contains an ancient church/burial site). The TAB entry reads: First (rate land) Second (rate land) Third (rate land) Tithe payable McDonald 50-0-0 £3-3-9 McIlgunn 17-1-30

I believe that Hugh and Bridget had seven sons and at least one daughter, Ann. It was Ann who married Alexander McDonald and through him inherited the holding at Kilturk North near Donagh in Fermanagh. The shared holding and intermarriage suggests a very close relationship between these families, both of whom undoubtedly originated in this part of Fermanagh. When Alexander and subsequently Ann died in 1889, the McElgunns got the holding.

From the large memorial stone in Clonosey, we know that Hugh McElgunn died on 6 December 1846. Bridget lived to 94 years of age, dying on 10 May 1876. Their sons (and presumably grandsons), meanwhile, had rented holdings of their own, as we can see from Griffith's Valuation of 1857. The return gives the name of the denomination, its map reference, the occupier, name of beneficial owner (landlord), whether the holding included H (house) O (offices) L (land), the extent of the landholding and the valuation. [I have left out the map reference]: Clonosey James McElgunn Revd Thos O'Rourke H-O-L 11-2-0 £28-0-0 Thomas McElgunn Eliz Allen & Revd O'Rourke H-L 6-0-25 £5-5-0

Ballinlough James McElgunn As above O-L 34-1-14 £16-0-0 Patrick McElgunn ditto H-O-L 48-3-0 £34-0-0 Bog 6-0-9 Vacant Patrick McElgunn O £0-15-0 Michael McElgunn Revd O'Rourke & Eliz Allen H-O-L 16-1-28 £13-5-0 Bog 2-2-2 Water 15-1-31

Corporation Lands (Belturbet) Patrick McElgunn The Provost & Fellows of TCD L 7-0-33 £8-0-0

Parish of Drumlane Kilnacranagh Hugh McElgunn Earl of Annesley H-O-L 32-3-29 £22-0-0

Teemore Philip McElgunn Revd Francis Saunderson H-O-L 31-2-7 £25-0-0

There is no mention of a seventh son amongst the above, but this was probably Edward who was living with his family in Clonosey in 1841. Edward was 42-years-old and had married in 1829. His family (as recorded in the census of that year) included his wife Catherine (then aged 40) , his sons Patt (aged 10), John (aged 8), daughter Ann (aged 5) and son James aged 3. There is no mention of the youngest in the family, Mary, who claimed (in making a pension application in 1912) that she was about a year old when this census was taken. In the paperwork concerning her application, it is revealed that the family suffered eviction from their holding. They then lived in 'a small cabin beside the Blackbog near Sugar Loaf, Belturbet, convenient to a field called "Stone park field" owned by Pat McElgunn'. We know that Mary married William Dolan and that they had 12 children of whom six were deceased by 1912 . Her eldest daughter Kate was descried as 'alive and married' aged 44, the youngest Annie was then 28. Mary claimed to have been married in 1867, at 26-years of age.

But what about the others recorded in Griffiths. James (of Clonosey with land in Ballinlough) [date of death not known] Thomas (of Clonosey) died on 11 August 1875 aged 62 years. Letters of Admin were granted to John McElgunn of Clonosey... aforesaid the son). Patrick (of Ballinlough and with lands in Belturbet) died in 1876 aged 70. His will was proved in 1884 by John McElgunn of Clonosey in said county, Farmer, one of the executors. Again, this probably refers to John, son of Thomas as we know that John, son of Edward, died in Glasgow c.1881. John, son of Thomas, is also likely to have been the person recorded present at the death of Bridget McElgunn (hs grandmother). Michael McElgunn (of Ballinlough). In 1884 'letters of administration of the estate of Michael McElgunn late of Illinois, USA, farmer, who died as is believed in 1864 ... were granted to Margaret McElgunn of Ballinlough .. the widow.' A Margaret McElgunn is recorded as having died in 1886, aged 57. Hugh McElgunn (of Kilnacranagh) died 7 February 1892.

I discovered two relevant marriage records in the register for Annagh (although the quality of the microfilm was deplorable). The first was dated 15 January 1860 or 1861 when a Patrick McElgunn married Mary Martin (witnessed by John McElgunn and Ann Fitzpatrick), the second dated 13 February 1860 or 1861 when Anthony McElgunn married M[argaret?] [Ma[hon?] (witnessed by John McElgunn and Ann McDonald.

Baptisms were as follows: 26 April 1850 Ann d. of Patrick & Ann McElgunn sponsors James McElgunn & Ann Leddy 10 August 1851 Anthony McElgunn was a sponsor at the baptism of Mary Ann, d. of Pat & Bridget McDonnal [sic] 20 November 1851 Eliza d. of Patrick & Ann McElgunn sponsors John Leddy & Bridget McElgunn 2 April 1854 Ellen McElgunn was a sponsor at the baptism of Ann d. of Thomas & Rose Sheils 19 September 1854 Margaret McElgunn was a sponsor at the baptism of William s. of James Wallis and Catherine Doogan 13 May 1855 Phillip s. of Patrick & Ann McElgunn Sponsors Michael Leddy & Margaret McDonald 12 Jan 1856 Ann McElgunn was a sponsor at the baptism of Michael s. of Thomas & Rose Sheils 7 November 1856 Michael McElgunn was a sponsor at the baptism of Catherine, d. of James Wallis & Catherine Doogan 12 March 1857 Margaret d. of Patrick & Ann McElgunn Sponsors Francis McDonnell & Mary McElgunn 16 July 1857 John McElgunn and Ellen Leddy sponsors at baptism of Patk s. of Thomas & Rose Sheils 15 September 1857 Catherine McElgunn sponsor at baptism of Ellen d. of Robert & Bridget Vance 23 September 1857 James s. of Michael and Margaret McElgunn sponsors John McElgunn & Eliza Wallis 6 June 1860 Ellen McElgunn sponsor at baptism of Francis s. of Thomas & Rose Sheils 8 September 1860 Margaret McElgunn sponsor at baptism of James s. of Robert & Bridget Vance 13 Oct 1860 Bridget McElgunn a sponsor at baptism of Mary d. of Michael & Susan Doran 8 Dec 1860 Eliza d. of Michael & Margaret McElgunn sponsors Pat & Ellen McElgunn 30 Dec. 1860 John s. of Patrick & Mary McElgunn sponsors John McElgunn & Ann Fitzpatrick 22 November 1861 John McElgunn a sponsor at baptism of Margaret d. of John & Rose McCaul 4 January 1862 Patk McElgunn sponsor at baptism of [?] of Ptk & Bridget McDonald 20 August 1862 Mary d. of Anthony & Margaret McElgunn sponsors were Edward McElgunn & Joanne McMahon 30 August 1862 Catherine McElgunn sponsor at baptism of rose d. of Robert & Bridget Vance 18 June 1864 John McElgunn sponsor at baptism of Rose d. of Thomas & Rose Sheils 12 Feb 1868 Thomas McElgunn & Ann Mcelgunn sponsors at baptism of Pierce s. of Thomas & Margaret McGaghran 8 May 1870 Patrick s. of Patrick McElgunn & Mary Martin Sponsors Hugh McElgunn & Mary McElgunn of Ballinlough 15 Dec 1870 John s. of James McElgunn & Kate Murray 4 Aug 1872 Lizzy McElgunn a sponsor at baptism of Mary elizabeth, d. of Terry & Mary McGrath 27 Feb. 1873 Catherine d. of Pat McElgunn & Mary Martin, sponsor Thomas McElgunn 25 March 1873 Mary d. of Mary McElgunn and William Dolan 6 Oct 1874 Terence s. and Ann d. of Mary McElgunn & William Dolan. Rose McElgunn was a sponsor for Terence, while Pat McElgunn sponsored Ann. 5 May 1875 Patrick s. of Patrick McElgunn & Mary Martin sponsor Teresa McElgunn

From the above, it is reasonable to assume that Rose Sheils and Bridget Vance were both McElgunns prior to marriage.

A further birth is recorded for the 26 May 1879 when Ellen d. of Patrick McElgunn & Mary Martin was christened. The sponsors were John McElgunn & Mary McElgunn. A note in the register informs us that Ellen married Patrick Connell on 15 May 1924 in the church of St Paul, New York City. There are several further births and marriages of McElgunns recorded in the neighbouring parish of Drumlane. Most of these relate to the famioly of Philip McElgunn, another son of Hugh & Bridget who is recorded in Teemore townland in the Griifith's valuation above. He was apparently married to a woman named Seery. Amongst their children, Mary married Patrick Fitzpatrick of Clowniny, son of John Fitzpatrick of Teemore. We also know that Phillip's son John married Catherine Timmins (Kate Tummon) of Goladuff in Galloon parish, Fermanagh (a very short distance by water). They wed on 29 November 1877. The witnesses in St Mary's Newtownbutler were Kate's sister Alice and John's brother? Thomas. With the death of his aunt Anne in 1889, John inherited a 120 acre farm at Kilturk. Their home in the 1901 census was described as a thatched four-room cottage. Of their children 1. Phillip Louis born 1881. He married Kathleen Clifford of Corradillar near Lisnaskea. They had Seán, Louis (died 28 Feb 1996), Joseph (Josie) electrocuted as a young man, Emma, Kathleen (Mrs O'Grady in Clones), Baby (died aged 7), Dympna (Mrs Holland of Clones), Eithne and Annie.

2. Mary Alice born 1883. She married Thomas Corr of Killeevan, County Monaghan and they had Tom, Paddy, James, May and Bridie (who married Pat Grue of Clones).

3. Annie born 14 April 1883. She married James McConnell of Greaghcashel in Galloon parish. Their children included Kitty, Terence, Gerald, Teresa (Baby) (my mother-in-law recently deceased) and Jimmy.

4. Brigid born 1887. She married Luke Bogue of Aughahinch, Newtownbutler. Their children included Jim, Kevin, Seán, Emma, Mary and Alice. Jim (RIP) married Mary Moore and was father of Liz Mahon.

5. Kathleen (Cassy) born 1889. She married James Hughes of Bunnoe, County Cavan. They had Mary Jane, Teresa (Mrs Monaghan of Clones), Barney, Séamus and John.

6. Eliza Jane (Lizzie) born 1891. She married another Luke Bogue, a cousin of her sister's husband from Mountgibbon, Brookeboro. Their children included Pat, Gerald, John, Annie and Mary.

7. Emily Agnes born 1893.

This is all I can give you for now. I suspect that Brdget's surname was not Fitzgerald (as you speculate) but Fitzpatrick. This is a very common surname in that part of Cavan, whereas Fitzgeralds would be be very sparse and would tend to be Protestant around these parts.

all the best Brian MacDonald Aisling Boyher Rockcorry County Monaghan