Seeking details on my Moran ancestors, Michael and Patrick, believed to be tenant farmers on the Burke’s Marble Hill estate in Gort (possibly Athlone). Researching William Moran (born c. 1780s) and their lives before emigrating to Australia.
Michael and Patrick Moran, sons of William Moran
Background Information Found So Far:
My ancestors, Michael and Patrick Moran (my great-great-grandfathers), were likely tenant farmers in Gort, County Galway, on the Burke property called Marble Hill. However, another branch of the family we tracked down in Australia believes they originated from Athlone.
Through Griffith’s Valuation, we found Andrew Moran in Cappagh (lessor: Sir Thomas J Burke) and Michael Moran in Ballynakill (lessor: Henry Pigott). Perhaps they left Athlone to find work in Gort.
Their father was William Moran, and their mother is unknown. Based on their ages at the time of transportation and death certificates, Michael was born approximately 1805 and Patrick approximately 1808-1811.
Naming Conventions:
- Michael Moran married Mary Byrnes in 1844 (Australia) and died in 1848.
- He had a son, Patrick, and we believe a daughter, Mary J, and a son, William Moran.
- Son Patrick had eight children: Michael J, Edward, William Charles, James Timothy, Mary Anastasia, Margaret Jane, Agnes Eugean, and Patrick.
- Patrick Thomas Moran (my great-great-grandfather) married Mary McMahon (Australia) in 1855.
- Patrick had seven children that we know of: Michael, Mary, John Thomas, Patrick Denis, Margaret Ellen, William James, and Winfred.
- Son Michael (my great-grandfather) had eight children: Patrick Francis, Mary Mildred, Winifred May, Helena Aloysius, Kathleen Agnes, Celia Margaret, Owen Alphonzie, and William John (my grandfather).
Transportation:
Both Moran brothers were convicted and transported to Australia from Cork on the ship “Eliza” in 1832 with the other Galway men convicted of being Whiteboys. I am unaware of the outcome for James Boland and Michael Quinn as they may have had the judgement of death upheld.
If there is any information on the above convictions of these Galway men that you may have, or any direct link with Michael and Patrick, I would love to hear from you.
Cheers
Jacinta Moran
On their shipping records, a cousin of theirs is listed as having been transported 12 years earlier: Peter Larkin, cousin of Michael and Patrick Moran. Peter Larkin was born in 1787 in Gort and died in 1879 in Dapto, New South Wales. He was tried with Gleeson and Patrick Staunton in Galway, Ireland, in August 1820. They were convicted at the Galway Assizes for burglary and seditious practices. Patrick Staunton was not charged with the capital offense. Peter Larkin and Gleeson were sentenced to death, but Larkin’s sentence was reduced to transportation for life. Peter Larkin and Patrick Staunton sailed from Cork on 16/06/1821 and arrived in NSW on 07/11/1821.
In March 1832 at the Galway Assizes there were about 27 Galway men convicted of being a Whiteboy in that same month. The following men were transported together on the “Eliza” in 1832:
Pat Manmon, Malachy Hardiman, Patrick Cannane, Michael Kelly, John Kelly, John Mulville, Edmond Mooney, Joseph Connors, Thomas Cavenagh, Laurence McDonagh, John Burke, John Gantley, Patrick Doolan, John Meskell, Patrick Hanna, John Larkin, Edmond (Edward) Naughton, Patrick Finn, John Heagey, Martin Heagey, John Sheedy, Michael Moran, Patrick Moran, Patrick Carey or Cazey, Patrick Halloran, Patrick Walsh, Patrick Hynes.