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Sgt. John Phillips, 11th Regiment of Foot, of Donagh, Monagh, Ireland

MonaghanDonagh (Monaghan)

My mother, Barbara Winchenbach, always said she wasn't Irish--that was a foolish thing to say, since her mother and grandmother were both adopted. I've been researching her British ancestry recently, and surprise! More Irish ancestors.

John Phillips was born at parish Donagh, Monaghan, Ireland, about 1805, and was a weaver before enlisting as a private in the 11th regiment of foot at Belfast, on 23 December 1823, at the age of 18.   He served at Portugal 1 1/2 years, in the Ionian islands 10 years, North America 2 1/4 years, and worked his way up the ranks to Sergeant.  He was married at Corfu 7 May 1835 to Maria Jane Campbell of Gibraltar. Witnesses at the marriage were F. Campbell Sgt 11th Regt and and J. Boyd Sgt 11th Regt.

John Phillips and Maria Jane (Campbell) Phillips had two children born at county Devon; his son Sergeant John Campbell Phillips had a career in the Royal Engineers, and his daughter Maria Jane Phillips married Sgt. George Cole of the Royal Engineers.

John Phillips was discharged at Chatham 24 January 1845;  age 39 years height 5'10 3/4 inches hair dark eyes dark.

I have tracked his children and grandchildren, but I am not sure where he retired.  So many John and Marys!  I haven't located them in the British census except in 1841.  There is a John Phillips listed in parish Donagh in Griffiths valuation, could it be my third great grandfather?

His grandson Frank Hickling Phillips was Wesleyan Methodist, he may have been Wesleyan Methodist or Presbyterian.

Clues, anyone?

 

 

BMcAleer

3 replies

Hi there,

Thank you very much for your query to Ireland Reaching Out.

Unfortunately, baptism records for the parish of Donagh are only dated from 1836. It would be great to find out his parents names. Have you tried checking the land records called the Tithe Applotment Books (1823-38)? You know the location where he was from, so perhaps his parents were still living in the area during this time.

There are also records (with Church of Ireland) for the parish at PRONI (Public Records of Northern Ireland): MIC.1/127 for the year 1832.

If you have his parents names after all of that, you could check the 1796 Spinning Wheel Premium List, which has 4,400 names for Co. Monaghan.

Kind regards,

Sinead Cooney

 

IrelandXO member

Hi, Sinead,

 

There was a William Phillips listed in the Tithe Applotment Books at Cornacreive, Donagh.

In Griffiths valuation there are  Phillips families listed at Emyvale and Carrigans.

No Phillips or McPhillips are listed at Donagh  in the 1796 Spinning Wheel list.

Thanks for the advice.

Beth

 

BMcAleer

With some help, I discovered from the pension muster rolls that John Phillips died 7 May 1850 at Glasgow, Scotland.  I will continue the search. Beth

BMcAleer

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