Ancestors of Christopher John Augustine Morry

Mary Phelan

Sex: F

Individual Information

Birth Date: Bef 17 Apr 1864 - Cloughjordan, Tipperary, Munster, Ireland ¹⁴ Christening: 17 Apr 1864 - Cloughjordan, Tipperary, Munster, Ireland ¹⁴ Death: Burial: Cause of Death:
Events
• Sponsors: James PHELAN and Eliza HOUGH, 17 Apr 1864, Cloughjordan, Tipperary, Munster, Ireland.

Parents

Father: Daniel Whelan ¹⁴ Mother: Jane Tuohy ¹⁴

Mary Phelan

Sex: F

Individual Information

Birth Date: 4 Feb 1859 - Back Creek, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia ¹⁷⁷² ^,7542 ^,7543 Christening: 6 Feb 1859 - Bendigo, Victoria, Australia Death: 1 Jun 1957 - Grey Lynn, Auckland, North Island, New Zealand ( at age 98) Burial: 4 Jun 1957 - Auckland, New Zealand Cause of Death:
Events
• Baptism: After 4 Feb 1859, Auckland, New Zealand.
• Arrival: Arrival, on board RESULT via Panama Canal, Nov 1863, London, Greater London, England. Returned to Ireland , via Suez Canal 1863.

Returned to England on the "Result" arriving London November 1863 (James age 29, Julia age 23, Catherine age 3, Mary age 4, Thos age 1) recorded as PHALAN.
.
• Immigration: aboard the NIMROD from London. via The Downs, Kent leaving 12 Aug 1864, 17 Dec 1864, New Zealand. Arrived in NZ 17 December 1864 on the Nimroud from London, England (departed The Downs, Kent 12 August 1864) accompanied by Julia (wife), Mary, Catherine, Thomas, and Julia.
.
• Occupation: Dressmaker, 2 Jun 1886, Auckland, New Zealand.
• Occupation: Dressmaker, After 1887, Auckland, New Zealand.
• Alt. Death: 1 Jun 1957, Auckland, New Zealand.

Parents

Father: James Phelan ¹⁷⁷² Mother: Julia Barry ¹⁴ ^,1772

Spouses and Children

1. *James Kelly ¹⁷⁷² Marriage: 2 Jun 1886 - Newton, Auckland, New Zealand ¹⁴
Marriage Events
• Minister/Priest: Rev. Father Downey, St. Benedict's, 2 Jun 1886, Auckland, New Zealand. Marriage Notes

280714 notres from David Stevens:

Extract from the Auckland Star 21 June 1886 - Marriages:
KELLY-PHELAN. - On June 2, at St. Benedict's, by the Rev. Father Downey. James Kelly to Mary, eldest daughter of the late James Phelan of Arch Hill.

Children: 1. Joseph James Kelly 2. Teresa Mary Kelly 3. Eileen Julia Kelly 4. Rita Catherine Kelly 5. Edmund Peter Kelly 6. Mildred Annie Kelly 7. Lillian Benedicta Kelly 8. Gregory Steven Kelly 9. May Helena Kelly

Notes
General:

191213:

According to the newspaper article written about her on the occasion of her 99th birthday, she had six sons and three daughters as well as 16 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren up to that time (1958).
Emigrated to NZ from Ireland, arrived on 17 December 1864 on ship Nimrod. Lived 3 Commercial Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland where all (9) children were born.

Was 27 when her father died (1885) and 49 when mother died (1907).

Extract from the Auckland Star 21 June 1886 - Marriages:
KELLY-PHELAN. - On June 2, at St. Benedict's, by the Rev. Father Downey. James Kelly to Mary, eldest daughter of the late James Phelan of Arch Hill.

1896 Eden Electoral Roll in Commercial Road; domestic duties - residential.
1905 - 06 Grey Lynn Electoral Roll in Commercial Road; home duties.
1911, 1914 and 1919 Grey Lynn Electoral Roll in Commercial Road; married.
1928, 1935 and 1938 Grey Lynn Electoral Roll at 3 Commercial Road; married.
1946 and 1949 Arch Hill Electoral Roll at 3 Commercial Road; widow.
1954 Grey Lynn Electoral Roll at 3 Commercial Road; widow.

Extract from father's will: "I give and devise unto my daughter MARY and her heirs forty one feet of said lot 20 being the balance thereof the same, more or less."

Auckland Pioneer has 92nd Birthday
An Auckland Pioneer , Mrs M Kelly of Commercial Road, Arch Hill celebrates her 92nd birthday on ? Born in Australia, Mrs Kelly came to New Zealand when she was six , and has since then lived in the same house.
Mrs Kelly is remarkably fit and active for her age. She reads and works in her garden.
She spent Anniversary Day on the harbour front wtchng the yacht races.
Her Husband, Mr James Kelly, who was a well known plasterer, died about six years ago, aged 91.
Mrs Kelly is looking forward to her birthday party, given by her nine sons and daughters. Her 20 grand-children will also attend.
Mrs Kelly will cut a huge birthday cake decorated with 92 candles.

Birthday Party
Mrs Mary Kelly celebrated her ninety-sixth birthday recently at her home in Grey Lynn, Auckland. All her family of nine children were present for the occasion when Mrs Kelly cut the beautiful birthday cake made and presented to her by her daughter.
Also present at the party Mrs Kelly's sixteen grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren, the youngest of whom is one year old.
Mrs Kelly enjoys good health and is very fond of her flower garden.

Mrs Mary Kelly was 97 on Saturday
Mrs Mary Kelly, of 3 Commercial Road, Arch Hill, celebrated her 97th birthday on Saturday. Born in Bendigo, Australia, Mrs Kelly came to Auckland from Ireland in 1864 in the sailing ship Nimrod.
A party in her honour was attended by her eight children and a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mr Kelly died ten years ago, in his 91st year.

Article published (accompanied by a photo) about Mary.
99 NEXT BIRTHDAY
Another veteran who will soon be among the celebrated company of New Zealand centenarians is 98-year-old Mrs Mary Kelly, of No 3 Commercial Road, Grey Lynn. Born in Bendigo, Victoria, Mary Kelly was taken as a tiny tot by her parents for a visit to their native Tipperary in Ireland. Returning from the Old World to the new the family came to Auckland and settled in Grey Lynn, where this remarkable nonagenarian has lived for nearly 90 years, to see vast acrea of paddock and tea-tree superseded by the buildings and premises that comprise what is now one of Auckland's largest suburbs.
Mrs Kelly takes over from her late husband, James, who died at the ripe old age of 91, the distinction of being the oldest living parishioner of St. Joseph's. She still takes a very keen interest in everything that goes on around her, and is passionately fond of flowers, which members of the family, as well as kindly neighbours and other well-wishers take or send to the house. Although now bed-ridden, when "News & Views" called to see this grand old lady late one afternoon, it was to find her preoccupied, with one of her daughters, deciding on the best vegetables to prepare for the evening meal and very concerned lest the roast in the oven be over-done.
Mother of six daughters and three sons (the eldest deceased), and with 16 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, Mre Kelly can look back on a life of pioneering endeavour that has been richly rewarding, with a devoted family and a wide circle of friends as constant visitors-and it isn't everyone who can say: "I'll be 99 next birthday".

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Notes from David Stevens:

A widow living in Arch Hill, Auckland when she died.

Death Notices:
KELLY, Mary -On June 1, 1957 at her residence, 3 Commercial Road, Grey Lynn, beloved wife of the late James and deeply loved mother of Teresa (Mrs Nelson), Eileen (Mrs J townes), Rita (Mrs G Ryan), Edmund, Mildred, Lillian (Mrs A F Smith), Gregory, May (Mrs H Crowle) and the late Joseph, in her 99th year. Requiescat in pace. Requiem Mass will be celebrated at St Joseph's Church, Grey Lynn, at 9 a.m. Tuesady, June 4, the funeral then leaving for Waikumete Cemetery. Rosary at the church at 7 30 p.m. Monday.
KELLY, Mary-On June 1, 1957, dearly loved mother of May and Harold Crowle, and loved nana of James, Mavis, Kathleen, Moya and Maree. R.I.P.
KELLY.-Of your charity pray for the repose of the soul of Mary Kelly, dearly loved mother of Lillian (Mrs A F Smith), Aorang Road, Birkenhead. Requiescat in pace.
KELLY, Mary-On June 1, 1957, dearly beloved mother of Teresa, grandmother of Edmund, and great-grandmother of Michael and Paul. R.I.P.
KELLY, Mary -On June 1, 1957 at her residence, 3 Commercial Road, Grey Lynn, beloved wife of the late James and deeply loved mother of Teresa (Mrs Nelson), Eileen (Mrs J townes), Rita (Mrs G Ryan), Edmund, Mildred, Lillian (Mrs A F Smith), Gregory, May (Mrs H Crowle) and the late Joseph, in her 99th year. Requiescat in pace. Requiem Mass will be celebrated at St Joseph's Church, Grey Lynn, at 9 a.m. tomorrow (Tuesady), the funeral then leaving for Waikumete Cemetery. Rosary at the church at 7 30 p.m. tonight (Monday).
KELLY, Mary, dearly loved mother of Lillian (Mrs A F Smith), Aorangi Road, Birkenhead. Of your charity pray for the repose of her soul. Requiescat in pace.
KELLY, Mary. On June 1, 1957, dearly loved mother of May and Harold Crowle, and loved nana of James, Mavis, Kathleen, Moya and Maree. R.I.P.
KELLY,Mary. On June 1, 1957, loved grand-mother of Maureen and Eileen and great grandmother of Brett. R.I.P.
KELLY: Of your charity pray for the repose of the soul of Mary, who died on June 1, 1957, at her residence 3 Commercial Road, Grey Lynn; beloved wife of the late James, and dearly loved mother of Teresa (Mrs. Nelson), Eileen (Mrs. J Townes), Rita (Mrs. G. Ryan), Edmund, Mildred, Lillian (Mrs. A. F. Smith), Gregory, May (Mrs. H. Crowle) and the late Joseph. In her 99th year. - Requiscat in pace.

Obituary Notice
MRS. M. KELLY (Grey Lynn)
GREY LYNN lost its oldest parishioner with the recent death of Mrs. Mary Kelly at the age of 97.
Born at Bendigo, Australia, on February 4, 1859, Mrs. Kelly was the oldest of the five children on Mr. and Mrs. James Phelan. Not long after she was born her parents left Australia for Ireland, and finally emigrated to New Zealand in the ship "Nimrod", whe she was about five years old.
On arrival here the family settled in Arch Hill, and Mary's devotion to her faith was illustrated by the fact that while still quite a young girl she walked back and forth from Arch Hill to St. Patrick's Cathedral two or three times every Sunday to teach children their catechism.
In 1856 she married Mr. James Kelly in St. Benedict's Church. The couple made theri home in Arch Hill, where Mrs. Kelly lived untill her death, being predeceased by her husband in 1938.
Mrs. Kelly is survived by six daughters and two sons, 16 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. Her eldest son died in 1955.
The Rosary, said in St. Joseph's Church for the repose of her soul was very well attended, and the church was crowded for the Requim Mass the following morning. The Mass was celebrated by the Very Rev. Father A. E. Bennett, who had attended Mrs. Kelly during her last illness. He was assisted by the Rev Father Maguire.
Among those present at the Rosary and the Mass were Rev. Father B. Kelly, son of Mrs. Kelly's nephew, and other members of the Clergy.
May she rest in peace.

Memorial Card:
Of your Charity pray for the Soul of Mary Kelly who departed this life 1st June 1917, aged 98 years.
Eternal Rest grant unto her O Lord, and let Perpetual Light shine upon her.
May she rest in peace.
Amen.

Will filed Auckland 21 June 1957, Probate #1311/57 - National Archives Auckland reference BBAE 1570 1311/57. Probate was granted with value under £1800 bequeathed to daughter Mildred Annie KELLY

Pte Maurice Phelan AIF

Sex: M
AKA: Maurice Alexander Phelan ⁷⁵⁴⁴
Individual Information

Birth Date: Cir Jan 1872 - Auckland, New Zealand ⁴⁷⁸⁶ ^,5459 ^,7544 ^,7545 ^,7546 ^,7547 ^,7548 Christening: Death: 16 May 1919 - Springvale, Victoria, Australia ( about age 47) ¹⁹⁴⁰ ^,3488 ^,5459 Burial: After 16 May 1919 - Springvale, Victoria, Australia ²³ Cause of Death: Influenza
Events
• Alt. Birth: Cir 1871.
• Occupation: Compositor, Between Oct and Nov 1911, South Australia, Australia.
• Court: Release from H.M. Gaols, 18 Nov 1911, South Australia, Australia. Charge of Larceny in Adelaide Oct 17 1911. Given 6 months but evidently only served one.
• Physical Description: 39 years of age, 5 ft. 4 in., Medium to strong build, Medium complexion, dark hair (turning grey), dark grey eyes, ink dot on left forearm, small mole on right side of nose, mole on left side of left eye, nose crooked, scar on right side of neck, 18 Nov 1911, South Australia, Australia.
• Military: Enlisted as Private (#3975) in AIF, 12th Reinforcements, 1st Battalion, but soon afterwards deserted, 4 Aug 1915, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia. Maurice Alexander Phelan

in the Australia, World War I Service Records, 1914-1920
View Australia, World War I Service Records, 1914-1920

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Name Maurice Alexander Phelan
Gender Male
Age 43
Birth Year abt 1871
Birth Place Auckland, New Zealand
Dossier Year Range 1914-1920
Enlistment Place Liverpool, New South Wales
Service Number 3975
Spouse
Alice Phelan
Next of Kin Alice PHELAN.
• Military: Private (#3975) Maurice Alexander Phelan Deserted from Military Forces of the Commonwealth, 15 Nov 1915, New South Wales, Australia.
• Occupation: Compositor, 15 Nov 1915, New South Wales, Australia.
• Physical Description: 44 years old, 5 ft 3 1/2 in, ruddy complexion, dark hair, blue eyes, RC, 15 Nov 1915, New South Wales, Australia.
• Occupation: Worker for Shepparton Times, 20 May 1917, Shepparton, Victoria, Australia.
• Court: Drunk and Disrorderly, Discharged, 21 Aug 1918, Geelong, Victoria, Australia. Maurice Phelan in 1918
Victoria Petty Sessions Registers
Victoria, Australia
View original record
Transcript of Maurice's record
First name(s) Maurice
Archive reference 310/P0/Vol 53
Last name Phelan
State Victoria
Year 1918
Country Australia
Event date 21 Aug 1918
Record set Victoria Petty Sessions Registers
Role Accused Or Defendant
Category Institutes & Organizations
Court Geelong Courts
Subcategory Courts & Legal
Description Victoria Petty Sessions Registers
Collections from Australasia, Australia
Sessions date 20 Jul 1918-18 May 1919.
• Alt. Death: Cir 1919, Melbourne South, Victoria, Australia. Registered Victoria 1919/8435.

Parents

Father: Thomas Edward Phelan ¹⁴ ^,4787 ^,4788 Mother: Hanora Gavin ⁶⁷³ ^,3220

Spouses and Children

1. Living Marriage Notes

300424:

Alice Purcell

in the Australia, Marriage Index, 1788-1950
Australia, Marriage Index, 1788-1950

Order Record

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Name Alice Purcell
Marriage Date 1897
Marriage Place Woollahra, New South Wales
Registration Date 1897
Registration Place Woollahra, New South Wales, Australia
Spouse
Meaurice Phelan
Registration Number 8764
Children: 1. Francis Maurice Phelan

Notes
General:

290424:

Note that it is possible that I had ascribed an incorrect marriage record to this Maurice Phelan. It may be that there was another Maurice Phelan who married Helen Josephine (or Jane) Fouhey with whom he was supposed to have lived and died in Western Australia. This requires more research. For now I have removed this marriage.

On his military file he attests that he has a wife named Alice living in Redfern but there is also a letter from a cousin (Miss N. Hogan in Paddington) who says that she saw him shortly after he enlisted and he asked her to be his beneficiary because his wife Alice and he had parted company 16 years before and she was living with another man.

So it is not clear if he really ever was married to either of these women, There is a marriage record for a Frederick Maurice Phelan to a woman named Alice (surname unknown). It could be he falsified his name for that marriage.

300423:

I have discovered numerous convictions and other court documents that appear to all pertain to this person. I have not bothered to copy all of them as they are primarily for minor offences (e.g. stealing a bicycle). I have recorded the court's efforts to have him apprehended after he went AWOL shortly after enlistin. He was never apprehended before he died in 1919 of the Spanish Flu epidemic that swept the world at the end of WWI.

Suffice to say, he was not an exemplary Citizen
Medical:

At Homeopathic Hospital. Melbourne according to testimony of cousin Mrs. N. Hogan before her letter was written on 13th April 1920

Osmond James Phelan

Sex: M
AKA: James Osmond Phelan ¹⁴, Osmond Phelan ¹⁴
Individual Information

Birth Date: Cir 1897 - New Zealand ⁴⁵⁸⁰ ^,7549 Christening: Death: 3 Aug 1969 - Auckland, New Zealand ( about age 72) ¹⁴ Burial: 5 Aug 1969 - Auckland, New Zealand ¹⁴ Cause of Death:
Events
• Occupation: Golf course supervisor.
• Military: 3rd Auckland Regt; 23rd Coy. Senior Cadets, Bef 1917, Auckland, New Zealand.
• Military: Pte. 70534, NZ Expeditionary Force, Between 19 Sep 1917 and 21 Jul 1919, Auckland, New Zealand.
• Occupation: Taxi Driver, 19 Sep 1917, Auckland, New Zealand.
• Physical Description: 5'5 1/4"; 139 lbs.; Chest 33-36 in; Fair Complexion; Hazel eyes; Light Brown Hair, 19 Sep 1917, Auckland, New Zealand. R.C. Religion.
• Residence: 232 Great North Rd., Grey Lynn, 19 Sep 1917, Auckland, New Zealand.
• Living: 11 Jun 1931, Auckland, New Zealand.

Parents

Father: James Phelan ¹⁴ Mother: Mary Theresa Moore ¹⁴ ^,548

Spouses and Children

1. *Thelma Florence Young ¹⁴ Marriage:

Notes
General:

Notes by David Stevens:

No issue.

1938 Auckland Central Electoral Roll at 11 Vernon Street; motor driver.
1946, 1949 Auckland Central Electoral Roll at 34 Sale Street; motor driver.
1954 Waitakere Electoral Roll at 154 Astley Avenue; driver.
1957 Auckland Central Electoral Roll at 40 Sale Street; caretaker.
1963 Eden Electoral Roll at 93 Dominion Road; caretaker.
1969 Tamaki Electoral roll at 8a Nihill Crescent; retired.

Patrick Phelan

Sex: M

Individual Information

Birth Date: Bef 16 Jul 1860 - Bendigo, Victoria, Australia ⁷⁵⁵⁰ Christening: 16 Jul 1860 - Bendigo, Victoria, Australia ¹⁴ ^,7551 Death: Cir 1941 - East Cowell, Victoria. Australia ¹⁴ Burial: Cause of Death:

Parents

Father: Martin Phelan ³⁸⁰¹ Mother: Sarah Costello ¹⁴ Marriage Did Not Marry ¹⁴

Notes
General:

Notes from David Stevens:

Batchelor

1903, 1909, 1914, 1919, 1924, 1936, 1937 Victoria (Rushworth) Electoral Roll at Burramboot East; farmer. Also present his sister Honora)

Living

Sex: F

Parents

Father: William McCarthy Phelan ¹⁴ Mother: Monica Sharpe ¹⁴

Spouses and Children

1. *Kevin Mutimer ¹⁴ Marriage: Children: 1. Living 2. Living 3. Living 4. Living 5. Living 6. Living

Sarah Phelan

Sex: F

Individual Information

Birth Date: Cir 1893 - Rushworth, Victoria, Australia ⁷⁵¹³ Christening: Death: Bef 2 Sep 1941 - Prahan, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia ¹⁴ Burial: 2 Sep 1941 - Corop, Victoria, Australia ¹⁴ Cause of Death:

Parents

Father: Thomas Martin Phelan ¹⁴ Mother: Anne McCarthy ¹⁴ Marriage Did Not Marry ¹⁴

Notes
General:

Notes from David Stevens:

1931, 1936, 1937 Victoria (Sandhurst East) Electoral Roll at 199 Bridge Street, Bendigo; home duties.
1942 Victoria (Brunswick West) Electoral Roll at 11 Ferry Crescent; home duties - living with brother William McCarthy PHELAN.

Spinster. Died in her early 40's.

Sarah Phelan

Sex: F

Individual Information

Birth Date: Cir 1873 - Corop, Victoria, Australia ¹⁴ ^,7552 Christening: Death: Cir 1873 - Burrumbeet, Victoria, Australia ¹⁴ ^,3801 ^,7553 Burial: Cir 1873 - Corop, Victoria, Australia Cause of Death:

Parents

Father: Martin Phelan ³⁸⁰¹ Mother: Sarah Costello ¹⁴ Marriage Did Not Marry

Thomas Phelan

Sex: M

Individual Information

Birth Date: Cir 1857 - Sandhurst, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia ¹⁴ Christening: Cir Jan 1857 - Sandhurst, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia ¹⁴ ^,7554 Death: Cir 1857 - Sandhurst, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia ¹⁴ ^,7555 Burial: Cause of Death:

Parents

Father: Martin Phelan ³⁸⁰¹ Mother: Sarah Costello ¹⁴ Marriage Did Not Marry

Thomas Phelan

Sex: M
AKA: Phelan, Thomas Edward Whelan ¹⁴
Individual Information

Birth Date: Cir 1795 - Tipperary, Munster, Ireland ¹⁸⁸ Christening: Death: Bef 1851 - Killurane, Cloughjordan, Tipperary, Munster, Ireland ⁶⁹⁶ ^,6594 Burial: Bef 1851 - Cloughjordan, Tipperary, Munster, Ireland Cause of Death:
Events
• Occupation: Labourer, 2 Sep 1856, Auckland, New Zealand. Note that this record only reported on the occupation that the father had occupied in life. He was long since deceased at the time of the marriage.
• Occupation: Farmer, 24 Jul 1867, Tipperary, Munster, Ireland. Note that this record only reported on the occupation that the father had occupied in life. He was long since deceased at the time of the marriage.

Spouses and Children

1. *Catherine McLoughlin ¹⁴ ^,696 ^,697 ^,698 Marriage: Cir 1818 - Cloughjordan, Tipperary, Munster, Ireland ¹⁸⁸ Marriage Notes

290424:

Note that the National Libarary of Ireland does have online access to RC parish registers for births and marriage but that for Cloughjordan (Killaloe Parish) these only cover the years from 1833 to 1880.

Prior to 1829, while a blind eye was turned to the formerly strict penal laws that prohibited Catholics from celebration Mass and the sacraments, the churches generally did not keep records for fear of reprisals by the Church of Ireland controlled government. Even after the end of the Penal Laws with Roman Catholic Relief Act (Emancipation) in 1829, many parishes were still somewhat informal and without permanent churches in which to carry out services and keep records. Thus the absence of records for this parish prior to 1833.
Children: 1. Living 2. Roseanna Whelan 3. Daniel Whelan 4. James Phelan 5. Julia Whelan 6. Eliza Whelan 7. Martin Phelan 8. Thomas Edward Phelan

Notes
General:

270714:

Thomas Edward Whelan and Catherine (Kate) McLoughlin are reported by David Stevens to be the parents of Eliza Whelan and her siblings. I await information from him to support this. They were reported to have lived in the Killurane area outside of Cloughjordan at the time of their deaths and were supposed to have been buried in the "parish churchyard" (which one?). I am awaiting further support for these conclusions as well.

Killurane is a townland associated with the Borrisokane Poor Law Union in the Barony of Lower Ormond and the parish of Modreeny in the old terminology for that time. The DED (District Electoral Division) for the 1901 and 1911 Censuses for this area is known as Mertonhall. Most of these geographic descriptors are no longer used today but it is important to know them in order to position people who lived back then.

Thomas is reported by David to have died prior to 1851 based upon immigration papers of his son James (which I have not seen). Kate was living at the time and it seems from Grittiths Valuation that she was still living at some time between then and 1864. The Valuation took place over a long period from 1848-1864 so it is not always possible to nail down the specific year in which a person's land was valued.It appears that the information pertaining to Catherine was gathered in 1852. Here is the information from Griffiths Valuation for Catherine Whelan:

Griffiths Valuation Record Information
Tenant
Family Name 1WHELAN
Forename 1CATHERINE

Landlord
Family Name 2HEAD
Forename 2WILLIAM H.

Location
CountyTIPPERARY, NORTH RIDING
BaronyORMOND, LOWER
UnionBORRISOKANE
ParishMODREENY
TownlandMODREENY
Place NameMODREENY
Place TypeTOWNLAND

Publication Details
Position on Page20
Printing Date1852
Act9&10
Sheet Number10,15
Map Reference1 A

Note that the location given is not Killurane but rather Modreeny. This townland is only slightly removed from Killurane to the south.

050714:
Something needs to be clarified concerning the church attended by the families of Whelans/Phelans, as well as the Houghs and the families into which they married in Ireland, in the 1800s, and hence where they were all buried, if they died in Ireland. David Stevens and I researched this but it was his wife Maree who found the crucial missing information online.

The centre of life in this part of Tipperary, North Riding, prior to the purges and depredation of Oliver Cromwell's forces was not the modern town of Cloughjordan but rather Modreeny. After the destruction of the old RC church and most of the homesteads of Catholics in that vicinity, a movement toward what is now Cloughjordan began to take place. But a Church of Ireland was erected in Modreeny on the same spot previously occupied by an ancient medieval RC church believed to have been destroyed by Cromwell. The Modreeny C of I church was only replaced by worshipers in that faith by the current church in Cloughjordan (St. Kieran's) in 1837.

The following information is found in the book In and out of School-In the home of the MacDonaghs by Roche Williams. Page 93: "Up to this time the only Catholic church in the area was located in Grawn, a mile and a half from the town (of Cloughjordan). During the Penal Days a small thatched chapel was situated there on the opposite side of the road from the present structure, beside what was then the priest's house; this house was in place up to forty years ago when it was demolished. In 1830, the then parish priest, Fr. Thomas Dunne built a new church at Grawn on a site provided by the O'Kennedys of Coolnamona. This was a spacious building, cruciform in shape, the place of worship for the Catholic people of Cloughjordan and the surrounding areas for many years, who travelled by horse, pony or donkey and trap or who walked along the many Mass-paths that linked the countryside to the place."

The townland name given is Grawn, although that townland name is no longer in use. I believe the name "Grawn" comes from another adjacent townland called Garraunorish.

There seems to be an absence of information on this church, or rather a great deal of conflicting information about it is given online. Once thing is certain, before this church was built, it was the practice to bury Catholics as well as Church of Ireland adherents in the one cemetery that did exist, that surrounding the Modreeny church. And after the Grawn church came into being, the Catholics would have been buried close to it. So when one sees reference to a Catholic being buried in Modreeny cemetery, it is probably true, but they may also be buried in the area surrounding the ruins of the old RC Chapel of Grawn. Most likely earlier burials were at Modreeny and later ones at Grawn.

Only late in the 1800s did the centre of faith for RCs shift to the town of Cloughjordan with the construction of St. Michael's and St. John's. Still, even then, some of the burials of the older RC parishioners would have taken place in the old location in Grawn or even in Modreeny to be amongst their ancestors. C of I adherents had no choice, since the new church did not have a cemetery in the churchyard. They are still buried to this day in the Modreeny cemetery.

It is worthy of note that the Quinlisks of Behamore/Laughane/Silverstream, who were inter-related with the Houghs and Whelans by marriage, tended to bury their dead across the border in County Offaly at the cemetery of Kilcomin near Shinrone. The reason seems to be that it was closer than the cemeteries in Modreeny and Grawn. Only in the 1900s did some of them begin to be buried in the churchyard of St. Michael's and St. John's.

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