Marshalls in Monaghan

Thank you!

Michael and Mary were protestant.  Not entirely sure if Presbyterian or Church of Ireland, but given Mary’s family’s long Presbyterian history (at least back into the early/mid 1700s), my hypothesis is that together they were also Presbyterian.  They were practicing Protestants once settled in USA, but when they got to western Michigan in 1848, there wasn’t a Presbyterian church in the area until mid 1850s.  There is evidence the eldest son, Richard, attended the local Episcopal church to have his son baptized in 1848 and 1st wife buried in 1856.  3 of 6 of Mary’s and Michael’s known children married into the Catholic faith, but it didn’t stick too well, even in the next generation of descendants.

What I don’t understand is with Mary in Knocknalosset, Cavan and few, if any Marshalls in Cavan, how would the distance to Monaghan or a further north County be bridged if that was where Michael was born?  In other words, how would they have met and courted?  How mobile were people in the early 1800s?  Was there a “network” of church congregations that would support connection of young people?  Or some other common network or method? 

The entry in the Tithe Applotments for Michael Marshall in Carnaveagh in 1829 is my best lead, All related Marshalls in the US were farmers with no other apparent trade for a few generations, so I assume they were farmers in Ireland, possibly dairy as primary.  My plan is to check Presbyterian churches, looking for son’s baptisms, starting with those in closest proximity.  I’ve already checked records for Crieve/Creeve Presbyterian and no baptisms found for sons.  Next in line are Ballybay 1st (PHS has best date range) and Cahan (FHL or PRONI), which would have been within 1hr or less walking distance of Carnaveagh (5-7km) or a short wagon ride.  I haven't had access to Corraneary Presbyterian records later than 1812, so that’d also be possible,  That’s where Mary’s roots were deep, but the 19 km distance seems a bit too far for a back and fourth every Sunday and other events when other options were much closer.

Does all this make sense?

Thank you again,

Bruce Bowers

I have confirmed Michael Marshall was born in Monaghan County. His initial application for US citizenship, filed in Clinton County, New York in 1840, indicates he was a native of Monaghan and born circa 1798-1799. This strengthens hypothesis that the Tithe Applotment of 1829 was for him indicating he lived in carnaveaugh townland, ahgnamullen parish. Likely emigrated from there to USA circa 1835.