Garryduff, home of the Durneys

Like most of my Irish ancestors, my great grandmother, Margaret Durney Allen, came from County Kilkenny, Ireland.

The name Durney is fairly rare in Ireland, with most Durney's listed on the 1847 Griffith's Valuation were found in Kilkenny (20 families) and Waterford (9 families.) Outside of those areas, the family name was almost never found, so the Durney family apparently stayed in their place of origin. 

Her family lived in the southernmost part of Kilkenny, about 4 miles north of Piltown, the home of the Earl of Bessborough, who was largest landowner in the area, and the landlord for her family, who lived as tenant farmers in a tiny townland called Garryduff- An Garrai Dubh in Irish, which was spoken by many of the inhabitants. Garryduff encompasses about 520 acres of land.

https://www.townlands.ie/kilkenny/iverk/owning/templeorum/garryduff/

Garryduff today (Google Maps)

The homes of Garryduff were located along the sides of the road, with the farm fields stretching out behind them. 

Griffith's Valuation map of Garryduff

In 1835, a survey was taken to determine how much the tenants would be taxed to pay a tithe to the Protestant Church of Ireland (despite the fact that they were  all Catholics.) Most of the local tenants farmed 20-30 acres of land. There were several related families living in Garryduff- Pat Durney Sr., Pat Durney Jr., and their neighbors the Cuddihy's, Malone's, Kenneally's, Nowlin's, Bulger's, Whealan's and Ryan's. 

These families attended church in Owning, about 2 miles south of Garryduff- an easily walkable distance. Although in the 1700's Catholicism was strongly discouraged and Catholics had to celebrate mass in hiding, in personal homes or outside at "mass bushes," by 1800 there was a fine Catholic chapel built in Owning. In the beginning the interior was not finished, and there were no pews- the small congregation knelt or stood on the bare floor. 

By 1853, there were five Durney families in Garryduff.

Pat Durney Sr. had a house and land on 15 acres, while Patrick Jr., Thomas, and John Durney shared the farming of 166 acres with the Nowlan's, Whelan's, and Bolgers. Daniel Durney had just a house and garden (making it likely that his family had already left to emigrate to America.) The Cuddihy's and Malone's had separate plots of land, and Timothy Connolly (Kennealy,) like Daniel Durney, had just a house and garden. This was common for older, retired farmers.

Family timeline for Margaret Durney 1840-1884 and Hugh Allen 1834-1891 with documents

Timeline for family of Margaret Durney 1840-1884 and Hugh Allen 1834-1891

1834- March 3- birth of Hugh Allen, Great Umberstown, Summerhill Parish, County Meath Ireland

1840- January 1- birth of Margaret Durney, Garryduff, Templeorum Parish, County Kilkenny, Ireland

1863- April 20- Hugh Allen gets a mortgage for his 120 acre farm in Jerseyville for $1000 due in five years with 10% interest

Source: in possession of cousin Hugh Allen, Jerseyville

1863- July 1- draft registration for Hugh Allen 25 and his brother Francis 30

Source: p 22, Illinois 10th, vol 1-National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Consolidated Lists of Civil War Draft Registration Records (Provost Marshal General's Bureau; Consolidated Enrollment Lists, 1863-1865); Record Group: 110, Records of the Provost Marshal General's Bureau

1864- April 25- Marriage, Jerseyville

Source: Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield Sacramental Records, St. Francis Xavier, p 343

1865- birth February 28/baptism April 2- son Richard Allen, sponsors Michael Durney ad Anna Byrns at St. Francis Xavier

Source: Catholic Diocese of Springfield; Springfield, IL; Illinois, Church Records, 1853-1975

1865- July 3 Illinois State Census- Jerseyville

Source: p. 72 Illinois State Archives; Springfield, Illinois; Illinois State Census, 1865; Archive Collection Number: 103.010; Roll Number: 2177; Line: 1

1867- October 17 birth/Nov 4 baptism- dtr Margaret Allen, sponsors Patrick Allen and Mary Durney at St. Francis Xavier

Note: this record refers to Jos/Jas Allen and Margaret Durney- was Hugh's Christian name Joseph or James?

Source: p. 218, Catholic Diocese of Springfield; Springfield, IL; Illinois, Church Records, 1853-1975

1868- August 14 birth/baptism of dtr Rose Anna, sponsors Richard Allen and Bridget Power

Source: Catholic Diocese of Springfield; Springfield, IL; Illinois, Church Records, 1853-1975

1870- December 21/Jan 5- birth/baptism of son Thomas Allen

Source: Catholic Diocese of Springfield; Springfield, IL; Illinois, Church Records, 1853-1975

1870 census-

Note: Hugh is now listed as 40 (despite being listed as 29 five years earlier) and Margaret as 29 (listed as 25 five years earlier.) The farm is valued at $4000, and their personal property at $880. Hugh's younger brother, Patrick Allen, age 29, is living with them as a farm hand. Patrick cannot read or write.

Source: Year: 1870; Census Place: Township 8 Range 12, Jersey, Illinois; Roll: M593_233; Page: 796A; Image: 811; Family History Library Film: 545732 p. 30

1873- March 5- birth of son Hugh Allen
Source: Illinois, Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916-1947

1874- November 3/December 8- birth/baptism of dtr Mary Anna Allen

Note: This is the first record we have of this child; she did not show on any family records so likely died very early, although no burial record was found- she is not on the 1880 census 

Source: p. 266 baptisms St Francis Xavier-Catholic Diocese of Springfield; Springfield, IL; Illinois, Church Records, 1853-1975

1880 Federal Census- 

Note: Hugh now shown as 45, Margaret as 40. Hugh's younger brother Edward Allen, age 30, is now living with them as a farm hand.

Source p.1 Year: 1880; Census Place: English, Jersey, Illinois


1880 US non-population Census source Selected U.S. Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850-1880

Note: Hugh is the owner of 115 acres of tilled land, 42 acres of pasture, 43 acres of woodlands, valued at $10,000. His farming machinery is valued at $300 and his livestock is valued at $790. Cost of fencing and repairs $450, labor $560. He has 14 acres of mown, 26 acres of not mown grass, and 7 acres of hay. He has 54 acres in corn, some oats, and 55 acres of wheat. He has a 2 acre orchard with 40 trees that produce 80 bushels of fruit. He does NOT grow any potatoes! (see 1880 non population census- very hard to read!

1884 November 11/ November 13 death and burial of Margaret Durney, age 45

Note: Margaret died of consumption. Richie was 19, Margaret 17, Rose 15, Thomas 14, and Hugh Jr. 11. Hugh never remarried.

Buried St. Francis Xavier Cemetery

1891- April 27- burial of Hugh Allen

Source p589- Illinois, Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield Sacramental Records, 1853-1975

Burial St. Francis Xavier

1891 May 4-Probate of Will of Hugh Allen- source probate records Vol B-D. Illinois, Wills and Probate Records, 1772-1999, Probate Records; Author: Illinois. County Court (Jersey County); Probate Place: Jersey, Illinois

-Family timeline for Bridget Durney 1822-1905 and Michael Power 1826-1880 with documents

Family timeline for Bridget Durney 1822-1905 and Michael Power 1826-1880

1822- April 7- baptism of Bridget Durney- Owning and Templeorum Parish, parents Daniel Durney and Anne Walsh, sponsors Dan Durney and Judith Cuddihy

Source:

National Library of Ireland; Dublin, Ireland; Microfilm Number: Microfilm 05020 / 01

Ancestry.com. Ireland, Catholic Parish Registers, 1655-1915 [database on-line].

Ossory- Owning and Templeorum 1815-1846, p. 41

1826- Sept 18- birth of Michael Power, Slieveroe Parish Kilkenny

1850/1851- Arrival of Bridget Durney in the U.S. per 1900 census

1858-June 8- marriage of Bridget Durney and Michael Power

Source: Ancestry.com. Illinois, County Marriage Records, 1800-1940 [database on-line].

1860- birth of son John Power

1860 census

Note: James Durney, age 25 (presumed younger brother of Bridget Durney) is living in the household of Bridget Durney and Michael Powers in 1860

Source: Year: 1860; Census Place: Jerseyville, Jersey, Illinois; Roll: M653_188; Page: 242-243; Family History Library Film: 803188

1862- Jan 1- Birth of James L. "Shug" Power 

1863- birth of Mary Ann Power

1865 Illinois state census- Jerseyville

Michael Powers 36, Bridget 30, John 5, James 3, MA 2. 

Neighbors included:

 Lawrence and Johnanna Powers

Margaret Kinsley 58 and John Quinn 70

 Thomas Quinn 40 and Ellen 30, Mary 6, Margaret 4, Ellen 3, Bridget 1

John Cudahee 30, Mary 36, William 1

Source: Illinois State Archives; Springfield, Illinois; Illinois State Census, 1865; Archive Collection Number: 103.010; Roll Number: 2177; Line: 16

1866- Birth of William Power

1870 census- Township 8, range 12, Jersey County

Note: Michael is now a U.S. Citizen. His father, James Power, age 76, is living with them. Although Michael and Bridget can read and write, James Power cannot.

Source: Year: 1870; Census Place: Township 8 Range 12, Jersey, Illinois; Roll: M593_233; Page: 788B; Family History Library Film: 545732

1874- March 1- death of Mary Ann Power

Source: Catholic Diocese of Springfield; Springfield, IL; Illinois, Church Records, 1853-1975

1880- April 7- Will of Michael Power

Source: Probate Records; Author: Illinois. County Court (Jersey County); Probate Place: Jersey, Illinois
Will Records Vol B-D, 1852-1897

Michael left all of his real estate and personal possessions to his wife Bridget until his youngest child turned twenty one, with the understanding that she continue farming and making a home for his children,
and paying off their mortgage to John Shepherd for the sum of  $4000, and allowing her to sell off their personal property as needed to continue the business of farming. When the youngest child (William) turned 21 the property would be divided between son John Powers, wife Bridget Powers, son James Powers, and they should pay William Powers $3000 when he turns 25.
(Note below that William Powers died at age 22)

1880 May 24- death of Michael Power

(Note- Parish is Slieverue- see slieverue.com for more information)

Note: Parents of Michael Power were James Power and Mary Gaul

Source:

Catholic Diocese of Springfield; Springfield, IL; Illinois, Church Records, 1853-1975

Ancestry.com. Illinois, Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield Sacramental Records, 1853-1975

Mike Powers, age 54, farmer, died of consumption in May 1880, resident of US for 30 years

Source: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington, D.C.; Non-population Census Schedules for Illinois, 1850-1880; Archive Collection: T1133; Archive Roll Number: 62; Census Year: 1879; Census Place: English, Jersey, Illinois

1880 Obituary for Michael Powers

Michael Powers, a prominent farmer living five mild west of here, died of consumption late Saturday night and was buried from St. Francis church in this city to-day, Rev. Father Hearty officiating. Mr. P., was a devout Catholic and possessed many amiable qualities. "Peace to his ashes."

Source: Alton Telegraph, Alton Illinois, 27 May 1880, p. 8

Buried at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Jerseyville

"Erected by Bridget Power In memory of her husband Michael Power, died May 20, 1880, age 53 years, born in Ireland, Co. Kilkenny, Parish of Glenmore, ?, RIP

Note: Slieverue RC Parish was later divided into Glenmore and Slieverue Parishes; Kilcolumb was a civil parish within Slieverue and Glenmore RC parishes.

1880 Census- June

Note: James Powers, age 91, Bridget's father in law, plus John Powers 57, her brother in law, and Mary Durney 23, her niece were living with the family in 1880. John 20 was farming and James 18 and William 14 attended school. Neighbors next door were Larrie (Laurence) Powers 52 and wife Rebecca, and 9 children.

Source: Year: 1880; Census Place: English, Jersey, Illinois; Roll: 216; Family History Film: 1254216; Page: 20A; Enumeration District: 093; Image: 0224

1887- August 24- James "Shug" Powers married Amelia Margaret O'Malley

Source: Ancestry.com. Illinois, County Marriage Records, 1800-1940 

1888 February 11- death of William Power age 21

Source: Catholic Diocese of Springfield; Springfield, IL; Illinois, Church Records, 1853-1975

Buried St. Francis Xavier Cemetery Jerseyville

1895- 14 November- John Power married his cousin, Mary Durney, the daughter of Thomas Durney and Mary Morahan. Mary was born in Garryduff in 1857.

Source:

1900 census-

Note: In 1900 Bridget is 67 (born January 1833) a widow living with her son James 58 and his wife Amelia 34 and their seven children. John Powers, widowed, born June 1822 in Ireland an uncle of James Powers, age 87, is also living with them. Of 5 children, Bridget has only 2 remaining alive in 1900. The census says that she immigrated in 1855 and has been in the U.S. for 45 years. She is not a naturalized citizen. She can read and write. Neighbors are Lawrence Powers 46 and wife Rebecca and family and Joshua Powers, a widower age 44 and children.

Source: Year: 1900; Census Place: English, Jersey, Illinois; Page: 5; Enumeration District: 0035; FHL microfilm: 1240309

1900 census-

Note: In 1900 John Powers, born June 1559 and wife Mary and dtrs Mary and Bridget are living in East St. Louis. John is a stock dealer.This census shows that Mary Durney Powers arrived from Ireland in 1880.

Source: Year: 1900; Census Place: East St Louis Ward 7, St Clair, Illinois; Page: 11; Enumeration District: 0106; FHL microfilm: 1240341

1905 February 2- death of Bridget Durney Powers

Ancestry.com. U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current