We have a few records that refer to our McLaughlins in Donegal as "of Whitehill" and others as "of Rathdonnell." The records were confusing because there were a couple of townlands in Donegal named Whitehill, one of them not far from Rathdonnelll. Here's an example:
John McLaughlin
b. 1788 d. 1870 at Rathdonnell; death witnessed by a
Patrick McLaughlin of Whitehill, who made an xxx for
his mark.
So which was it? Rathdonnell or Whitehill? Whitehill is also referred to in the Will of John McLaughlin, who left his money to his brothers and sisters in Donegal cutting brother Daniel "who moved to Iowa" out of his will.
5th - My legatees herein named
live in the County of Donegal,
Ireland, their parish being Kil
McCrennan, township of Whitehill.
But when they showed up at the Bank in Letterkenny to get their money they listed Rathdonnell as their residence.
In presence of: Patrick McLaughlin, Rathdonnell
A detailed map of Rathdonnell from the Griffith's Valuations explains the mystery. Whitehill is shown as a sort of small village or location name within Rathdonnell.
Patrick McLaughlin Sr.(the father of Daniel) and Patrick Jr. leased two small parcels of land (they're described differently in different sources but they are really lots 1e and 1f of Rathdonnell. If you go to the top part of this map you'll see Whitehill, a location within Rathdonnell. Just to the left and down a little you can see e and f marked on the map. Those are the two lots owned by our McLaughlins in Donegal.
Griffith's Valuations Year 1 Rathdonnell [1848]
Lot 1E Patk. McLoughlin Jr.
Lot 1F Patk. McLoughlin Sr.
Lot 10 Alex. McLoughlin
A & B
Lot 10 A & B held by Alexander McLaughlin is somewhat to the southeast of Whitehill.
Both lots 1E and 1F are described as follows in the Griffith's.
House, Offices and Land
Area: 8 (A) 5 (B) 0 (P).
I assume this key refers to arable [acres], bog and pasture but I don't know for sure. If so each lot contained 13 acres, 5 of which were bog. .