Rathdonnell c. 1948


The McLaughlin landholdings in Rathdonnell

   The Griffith's Valuations cover a span of years, from 1848 to 1864. Seven of these years are copied on microfilm by the LDS, unfortunately undated. But they represent a considerable portion of the 18 years period during which the Griffith's Valuations of Land and Tenements were taken. As the leaseholdings changed, the old landowners names were crossed out and the new landholders written in. You can often tell when someone died or moved from this record as widows and sons took over the leases.

Year 1 Rathdonnell [the oldest year]

Lot 1E Patk. McLoughlin Jr.
Lot 1F Patk. McLoughlin Sr.

Lot 10 Alex. McLoughlin
A & B

   This is probably the first year of the Griffiths' (1848). It agrees perfectly with the printed Griffith's shown above. There were two McLaughlin families in Rathdonnell, in lots 1 and 10. We assume they are related but do not know for sure.


Year 2 Rathdonnell

Lot 4 Patrick McLoughlin Jr.
Lot 5 Patrick McLoughlin Sen.

Lot 14 Alexander McLoughlin
A & B

Year 3 Rathdonnell

Lot 2A Patrick McLaughlin Jr.
Lot 3 Rose McLaughlin
(Patrick McLaughlin Sen. crossed out)

Lot 13 Alex. McLoughlin
A & B


   In this year Patrick McLaughlin Sr. is crossed out meaning he probably died. His widow Rose McLaughlin (McDaid) took over the lease.


Year 4 Rathdonnell

Lot 2B Patrick McLoughlin
Lot 3A Cornelius McLoughlin
Patrick McLoughlin (crossed out)
Anne McLoughlin (crossed out)
Rose (crossed out)

Lot 13 A & B Alexander McLoughlin

   In this year the lot numbers changed but we still have two set of lots in Rathdonnell held by McLaughlins (lots 2B, 3A and 13). There are undoubtedly the old Lots 1e and 1f of the earlier Griffiths. Patrick McLaughlin Jr. is now holding lot 2B. A Cornelius McLaughlin of holding lot 3A while the name Patrick Mclaughlin is crossed out. Cornelius is probably a son of Patrick McLaughlin Jr. Rose (crossed out) is the widow of Patrick McLaughlin Sr. We don't know for sure who the crossed out Anne is. A possible scenario is that Patrick McLaughlin Jr. died and so did his wife, Anne. The other Patrick and Cornelius could be his sons.

   There has been no change in the other lot in Rathdonnell held by Alexander Mclaughlin. It's now called lot 13.


Year 5 Rathdonnell

Lot 2B Patrick McLoughlin (written faintly]
John Kelly
Patrick McLoughlin (crossed out)
Lot 3A Patk. McLoughlin Jr.
Cornelius McLoughlin (crossed out)

Lot 13 Patk. McLoughlin Jr. 1891
A & B Alexander McLoughlin (crossed out)


   It looks like in this year Patrick Mclaughlin Jr. died and the leaseholding went to John Kelly. In the other lot Cornelius McLaughlin has died and the property went to another Patrick McLaughin Jr, probably a son of the older Patrick Jr. In the other lot in Rathdonnell Alexander has died and the property is taken over by a Patrick McLaughlin Jr. (there's a date of 1891 for this change).

   Now things are really confusing; too many Patricks! But it's possible the Patrick Jr. who took over Alexander's holdings was the same Patrick Jr. in the other lots at the time. If so it may be an indication the two families were related. But at this point we can only guess.


Year 6 Rathdonnell

Lot 2B Mary McLoughlin (crossed out)
Patk. McLoughlin (crossed out)
John Kelly (written in faintly below)
Lot 3A Catherine Murray
Reps. of Patk. McLoughlin Jun. (crossed out)

Lot 13 Catherine Murray
A & B Reps. of Patk. McLoughlin Jr. (crossed out)


   If nothing else this year would seem to indicate that the same Patrick McLaughlin Jr. did hold both sets of lots in Rathdonnell. His name is crossed out in both. This is probably the Patrick McLaughlin (wife, Mary) who died at Rathdonell and whose intestate estate was probated at Londonderry in 1902.


Year 7 Rathdonnell

Lot 2B John Kelly (crossed out)
Lot 3 Edward McCay

A & B Catherine Murray (crossed out)

Lot 13 Bernard McHugh
A & B Doherty (crossed out)
Edward McCay (crossed out)
Catherine Murray (crossed out)


   Some of these names are familiar to us. Edward McCay was the husband of Rosie Murray, the daughter of Catherine McLaughin and Frank Murray.
   If I had to guess I'd guess that Catherine Murray was her mother, Catherine McLaughlin.

   It should be noted that the Griffith's were no longer being taken at this date. Instead the just updated the older versions by crossing out and writing in new names.


1901 Census Rathdonnell

relation Rel. Educ. Age

Patrick McLaughlin head of family RC Read 60
Catherine Murray sister RC Read & write 45
Rose Murray neice RC Read & write 25
Edward McBay servant RC Read & write 21

Relation Rel. Educ. Age
Mary McLaughlin head of family RC farmer 51


The Estate of Patrick McLaughlin
Probated at Londonerry 1902
Intestate estate

"In the goods of Patrick McLaughlin, deceased, and Mary McLaughlin, of Rathdonnell, Letterkenny, in the County of Donegal, widow.

"I desire to obtain a grant of administration of the personal estate and effects of the above named Patrick McLaughlin, of Rathdonnell, Letterkenny, in the county of Donegal, farmer and a married man, who died at Rathdonnell aforesaid on the 21st day of December, 1899."

"The deceased left a widow, no lawful issue, no lawful parent, no grandparent surviving."

Inventory

Value of estate: 169 pounds (English)
Cash in the house: 6 pounds
Household goods, 1 pound
horses, etc.
Stock, farm 12 pounds
implements
Value of tenancy; 150 pounds
(26 acres, held on
a yearly tenancy at
9 pounds)
_______
169 pounds (total)


Kilmacrenan parish record - Marriage, 1 Mar. 1895

Patricius McLaughlin of Whitehill son of Jacobi McLaughlin of Whitehill
and
Maria Boyce of Drumfree(sp?) dau. of Joannes Boyce of Meenacross
Witnesses: Rose Gallagher
Susan Gallagher

   Two other Mclaughlins appear in the Kilmacrenan Parish records as patrons at baptisms for different families. Patrick McLaughlin of Whitehill

Jane McLaughlin of Whitehill
1867

   [This appears to be Patrick Mclaughlin, the brother of Daniel, and his unmarried sister, Jane, both named in the will of John Mclaughlin]

Cornelius McLaughlin of Whitehill
Catherine McLaughlin of Whitehill
1876

   [This appears to be Cornelius McLaughlin, possibly a son of Patrick Jr., and his aunt, Catherine McLaughlin. It could not be Catherine Mclaughlin Murray, since she married Francis Murray 9 Feb. 1872]


Franciscus Murray of Curreen, son of Nigelli Murray, of Curreen
and
Catherine McLaughlin of White Hill, dau. of Patricius McLaughlin, of
Whitehill
9 Feb. 1872
Witnesses: Edwardus Kelly of Reghegy
Johannes Murray of Lashean

Edwardus McKay of Rathdonnell, son of Bernardi McKay, of [location blank]
and
Rosa Murray of Rathdonnell, dau. of Franciscus Murray, of [location blank]

1 Dec. 1903
witnesses: Patricius McFaden of Stragrady
Catherina McLaughlin of Carnaganagh

Under "Impediments" is the notation:
In 3 deg. et 3 deg. gradibus consanguintatus
[3rd cousins?]


Civil Service Registrations of Deaths

John McLaughlin
b. 1788 d. 1870 at Rathdonnell; death witnessed by a
Patrick McLaughlin of Whitehill, who made an xxx for
his mark.

Jane McLaughlin
b. 1790 d. 1880 farmer's widow, at Rathdonnell;
death witnessed by a Patrick McLaughlin of Whitehill
who signed his name.

Alexander McLaughlin
b. 1797 d. 1891 at Rathdonnell, a farmer; death
witnessed by a Patrick McLaughlin of Whitehill who made
an xxx for his mark.

Rose McLaughlin
b. 1810 d. 1877 farmer's widow, at Rathdonnell;
death witnessed by a Patrick McLaughlin of White
hill who made an xxx for his mark.

Patrick McLaughlin
Died at 87 years of age on Dec. 21, 1899; at
Rathdonnell; a farmer; died of cancer after two
year's illness; death witnessed by his widow Mary, who
made an xxx for her mark.


   Our only other records on the McLaughlins of Whitehill comes from the Tithe Applotments Books of 1825.

Tithe Applotment Books - 1825

Whitehill

Patrick McLaughlin
James McLaughlin


   The following records may apply to the family but we don't know for sure.


Flax Growers Bounty List - 1796

Kilmacrenan Parish

Daniel McLaughlin
Michael McLaughlin
Patrick McLaughlin


   Lastly we have an old age pension claim in 1921.

The Old-age Pension Claim of Catherine
McLaughlin in 1921 (sister of Daniel).

Patrick Mclaughlin = Rose McDaid
of Whitehill b. 1810
 | d. 1877
 |
Catherine
McLaughlin


   An old age pension claim was filed by Catherine McLaughlin, the sister of Daniel, in 1921. The document established that Patrick Mclaughlin and his wife Rose McDaid were the parents of the siblings named in John's will.