Ireland XO
Back to Message Board

Peter Hughes b. 1803

MeathRathkenny (Meath)

I am trying to learn more about a Peter Hughes who was born in Rathkenny in June or July 1803 to parents Christopher and Bridget Hammil. The "address" was Creewood. Did Peter have a sister named Catherine, b.ca 1811 who married Peter Cantwell and lived on Cantwell lands in Co Offaly? Did this Peter Hughes, b 1803, marry Biddy Burns (da of Thomas) and by 1844 live in England with Children Christopher, b. 1841 Co Offaly, Rosanna, b.1844 in England and John, b1847 in England?

If this connection can be established, the story of Father Christopher Hughes (1841-1908) will be of interest to those in the family tree. Father Hughes left Ireland as an infant, spent a few years in England with his family and then came to America with his mother and siblings in 1848. Father Hughes studied at the American College in Rome Italy and was ordained a priest there in 1866. He served in parishes in New Haven CT, Providence Rhode Island and finally, beginning in 1887, was pastor of St Mary's Cathedral in Fall River Massachusetts. Father Hughes was known for his beautification of the cathedral, installing 3 new alters, new pews and a heating system. He imiported new windows from Germany and built a rectory nearby. All the cost of improvements was paid off in 14 years.

If anyone has information about this Hughes family, I would be very grateful to be in touch. Thanking you in advance. Elaine Massena

emassena@hotmail.com

2 replies

Creewood is the name of a townland in Grangegeeth civil parish, and to the east of Rathkenny village (referred to as a population centre) and civil parish, there's also a townland of Rathkenny in which the village is located, both links are to the PlaceNames database.

For early Catholic records see the parish of Rathkenny (NLI record images) Grangegeeth, Monknewtown, Douth/Dowth and parts of the area were later associated with the Union of Slane (records only go back to the 1850s for this parish).

Rathkenny parish records include a baptism for a Peter Hughes on the 2nd July 1803, parents Chr. Hughes and Bid. Hammel - see here (2nd entry - left page NLI Register Images). Catholic baptisms usually took place soon after birth sometimes the same day, sp it's likely he was born at most a day or two before the 2nd. No residence is givien and the God-parents seem to be Mic. Marky & Bid. Conoly. I also spotted a baptism for a Cathrine Hughes 5th April 1805 in the same parish. Bride's usually married in their home parish but not always so finding a definite marriage for her outside Rathkenny could be difficult as details such as father's names dont appear on early marriage records and her surname is reasonably common.

It would be worth browsing through the register before and after this date to see if any other possible siblings show up..

 

shanew147IrelandXO Volunteer

Thank you so much for the information and especially the links.  I will try browsing the register and look for other Hughes children.

Elaine

emassena@hotmail.com

Reply

Reply
One image file up to 2 MB.