Researching the Preston Family from County Longford. We believe William Preston married Jane Fry and they had three children William born 1824-5, Thomas born 1826 and Margaret. Interested in finding out more about William and Jane, when born, married and died.
William, Thomas and Margaret went to Australia on the Bussorah Merchant in 1841.
I am almost certain that these Prestons attended St George's Church of Ireland Church in Keenagh, Co Longford, Parish of Kilcommick. I think there may be some Preston graves at the church.
I think they had a farm at Clough, Keenagh, Co Longford which became Crooke's as I think Henry Crooke married a Preston lady and had a large family. . His son also Henry married Ruth Mills and had at least 5 children. Farm & house is still owned by the Crooke family today. One of the last remaining thatched farm houses in Co Longford, it still stands on the Keenagh - Ballymahon road.As a child my family visited the house to visit Granny Crooke - my Aunt was Daphne Crooke married to my mother's brother - Joseph Bigley, Daphne was born there and is the last surviving member of that generation of her family. Granny Crooke was Ruth Mills before she married & lived to be 99, a lovely warm lady in the best tradition of Irish farmers wives..
Much of the land around Keenagh in the 19th & early 20th century was part of the King Harmon Estate based at Newcastle House, Ballymahon, so the Prestons were probably tenants of that estate.
There was also the Kingston (otherwise McCloughry) family at Mosstown House, Keenagh, Co Longford who held a considerable independent estate near the village of Keenagh. Keenagh Village origins was as a settlement for the Mosstown Estate workers with many people employed in the Mill at Mosstown.
RCB Library in Dublin would hold the Church records for births, marriages & details in Kilcommick Parish, Diosese of Ardagh, Co Longford
Dear John,
Just found your email and I apologize for the delay in responding. I have been chasing other ellusive ancestors from Ireland.
Doubt if it is the same Preston family as the information I was given is that Thomas was baptized on August 1, 1826 in the Parish of Tagshinny, Church of Ireland which was Protestant.
I have found several Preston in the Tagshinny area and I am sure they are all related. I have been unable to access the Church of Ireland records in Tagshinny on line. I was also told that Thomas and his brother William served in the Longford Military Muster at Cartronboy near Ballymahon but have been unable to find any information on line.
Again, thank you so much for responding and if you find anything else out I would be most appreciative.
Cherrill
I am certain the Preston's at Clough, Keenagh are the same family group. My thinking is that Preston's were in Keenagh (Parish of Kilcommick) and Fry's were in Abbeyshrule (Parish of Tashinny). They had either returned to Jane's home parish for the Christening or had moved to farm some land held by Fry family.