Would you have the birth of Mary Anne Johnston born about 1843 to Robert Johnston, grocer, Millquarter. Looking for the name of her mother.
mary Anne married Robert Mawhinney Oct 9,1869 at 2nd Presbyterian Church at Ahoghill, Parish of Ahoghill.
Her father Robert died Dec23, 1889 in Millquarter, Ballyscullion. Her mother survived that date.
Robert was born about 1814. The names of his parents would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Peggy
Peggy,
Robert Mawhinney’s father was William who appears to have lived in Grange. Occupation weaver.
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/marriage_returns/marriages_1869/11434/8200202.pdf
Robert Johnston is listed in Griffith's Valuation (1862) as having plot 14a (just over half an acre). The property was beside the Quaker Meeting House (gone now, but there is a plaque on a farm across the road to record where it was). His wife appears to have been named Rose. Robert's death:
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/deaths_returns/deaths_1889/06127/4749786.pdf
Probate abstract from the PRONI wills site:
Probate of the Will of Rose Johnston late of Millquarter Toome County Antrim Widow who died 22 March 1906 granted at Belfast to John Kennedy and James Hamill Farmers.
Abovenamed Rose’s will is on the PRONI website. Her husband was Robert and the will names her daughter Mary Ann Mawhinney or Johnston.
Rose in 1901 census:
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/Ballyscullion/Millquarter/941425/
Tradition was to marry in the bride’s church. In Mary Ann’s case that was Ahoghill 2nd. So that was perhaps the family church. It has records from 1835/36. There’s a copy in PRONI in Belfast. (Personal visit required to view them).
The Ballymena Observer of 10.10.1879 reported that a woman named Johnston had been arrested for the murder of her brother in Millquarter. This would appear to be the relevant death for Joseph Johnston:
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/deaths_returns/deaths_1879/06500/4871519.pdf
Perhaps related to your family? Or maybe just a common name in the area.
Thank you so very much, Elwyn. Robert Mawhinney and Mary Anne Johnston named their first child, a female, Rosanne so it all fits. Perhaps William’s wife was Ann.
i wonder the name of the Johnston woman who was arrested for the murder of her brother Joseph.
I will check the Proni website for Rose’s will.
My gg grandfather was James Johnston was born in Co. Antrim so who knows if related.
Thanks again
Peggy
Peggy,
I did a bit more digging and think I have identified those involved in the murder/manslaughter.
The case was reported in the Belfast Newsletter of 28.10.1879. The deceased’s father was John Johnston of Grange. It appears that he had a son named Joseph who was described as weak-minded and very violent when agitated (perhaps autistic today?), and that he had had an altercation with his sister in law (Margaret Johnston nee Brooks). She had hit him on the head with an iron crook (as you do) and as a consequence he died. She was committed for trial. Copy of newspaper article attached. Death cert here:
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/deaths_returns/deaths_1879/06500/4871519.pdf
This looks to be the accused’s marriage:
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/marriage_returns/marriages_1868/11471/8216538.pdf
Grange is immediately adjacent to Millquarter. The family in the murder lived just a few hundred yards away from yours. So perhaps related.
Peggy,
A newspaper article that gives a bit more background. Don't know the outcome of the trial.
Thanks again Elwyn. This does give more information. I would imagine there would be a follow up news article regarding the outcome of the trial.
I wonder the name of John’s wife.
Peggy
Peggy,
Unfortunately I haven’t been able to establish her name. There’s no mention of her being present at the time of the murder, and I wonder therefore if she was dead by 1879.
Thank you.