Henry Connor: Last record found dated October 8, 1908

Henry Connors, Thomastown, Kilkenny

I posted a message here about Henry Connors, my Grandfather (Patrick Connors/O'Connor) younger brother, on December 26, 2024. I did receive a message that someone replied to my message but I was not able to access it.

I found out from Ireland XO that on December 26, 2024 a new website was implemented. A number of problems were detected including that very recent messages were lost including my original message and the reply to my message sent on December 27, 2024. So…

Henry Connors was born and baptized on July 12, 1886 in the Workhouse Hospital in Thomastown, Kilkenny. His mother was Johanna Connors, a servant and his father's name was not recorded.

Johanna’s parents were Patrick Connors, a shoemaker, and Ann Dempsey. She married Richard Hanrahan, a widower, on February 9, 1891 in Thomastown, Kilkenny.

The 1901 Census of Ireland, records Henry (listed as Hanrhan in the Census) as 15 years of age, Roman Catholic, could read and write, in school. He was living with his mother, Johanna, his step-father (listed as his father), his brother Patrick (listed as Hanrhan in the Census) and his 3 half-sisters, Mary, Johanna and Margaret (listed as Hanrhan in the Census).

On October 2, 1901 Henry was arrested for throwing stones at and breaking the windows of the home of Mary Hutchinson. The Justice dismissed the charge. As it happens Henry agreed to join the British Army/Militia for County Kilkenny on the same day as his trail. This likely had a bearing on the charge against him being dismissed.

His Attestation Papers state he signed up on December 3, 1901. He said he was born in Thomastown, Kilkenny in 1884 and was seventeen years and six months old (he was actually two years younger born in 1886). He joined the 5th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment (same as his older brother Patrick). His Soldier/Service Number was #2766.

Henry was arrested a second time and was brought in front of Justice on February 6, 1906. The Cause of Complaint was "Drunkenness on… the 1st day of February 1906." Henry was convicted and ordered to pay a fine of two shillings and sixpence and for the costs the sum or one shilling & sixpence. Henry paid the amount on the same day.

Henry was arrested again and brought before the Justice on October 6, 1908. Again, the Cause of Complaint was "That the Defendant was found drunk …on the 26th day of September 1908.” Henry was convicted and ordered to the fine of the sum of three shillings and sixpence and for costs the sum of one shilling and sixpence forthwith. He did not pay the fine on that day, so a Writ was issued on October 7, 1908 for his arrest. He paid the fine on October 8, 1908.

This is the last confirmed record that I have for Henry Connors.

Any help in finding out what happened to Henry after 1908 would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance. Susan O'Connor