John Carey's parents were married in the parish of Mahoonagh in County Limerick, Ireland in 1826. John's brother, Patrick was christened in Mahoonagh in 1838. No christening record has been found for John Carey, but the Mahoonagh parish register has gaps in the late 1830s.
 
 

Mahoonagh is a parish in the west of County Limerick. It is sometimes called Castlemahon. There are two main villages in the parish, Mahoonagh and Feohanagh. Mahoonagh is an ancient Irish name, which means "place of the tree stumps".
 

The first appearance of the Carey family occurs when Richard Carey married Johana Cullinane:

Richard Carey married Johana Cullinane on 30 January 1826 in Mahoonagh. The witnesses to the marriage were John Cullinane and Patrick Kiely.
 

Richard and Johana's son, Patrick is christened in Mahoonagh in 1838:

Patrick, son of Richard Carey and Johana Cullinane on 12 October 1838 in Mahoonagh.
 
 

Carey children baptized in the parish of Mahoonagh were:
 

Bridget, christened 25 January 1822, daughter of Jeffrey Carey and Mary Gibbon.
 

Mary, christened 25 December 1824, daughter of Jeffrey Carey and Mary Gibbon.
 

John, christened 3 March 1843, son of Thomas Carey and Margaret Connors.
 

Mary, christened 29 March 1847, daughter of Thomas Carey and Margaret Connors.
 

Honora, christened 18 September 1852, daughter of Thomas Carey and Margaret Connors.
 
 
 

In Griffith's Valuation, a tax valuation of landholders, for Mahoonagh in 1851 there is only one Carey listed. He is found in the townland of Curragh in lot 4:

Occupier: Johnias Carey
Immediate Lessor: John Meagher
Description of tenements: House and land
Area: 3,1,30
Net annual value: 2 L., 2 s., 0 d.
 

For more information about Mahoonagh, click here.
 
 

Richard Carey, Geoffrey Carey and John Carey are found in the townland of Common (An Coimin) or Commons in the parish of Ballingarry in the Griffith's Valuation of 1852. Ballingarry is situated a few miles east of Mahoonagh. Ballingarry means the "town of the garden". Ballingarry was a booming town in the early 1800s, and the important industries were weaving and linen. The town's economy was badly impacted by the Famine. The countryside around Ballingarry is dominated by the hill of Knockfierna, which means "the hill of truth". Common had about 88 houses, a school house, police barracks, and a commonage area of 198 acres. Patrick Carey is also shown as having land other than a house in the area.
 
 

Ballingarry is the site of a park dedicated to the famine houses – houses that were built and occupied on commonage land by those who were evicted by ruthless landlords in the potato famine. The Limerick Reporter for May 1847 recounts events that took place in the area during the Famine: "Seven carts of flour and four loads of Indian meal from Croom were being escorted by police to Ballingarry, when 500 men and women attacked the convoy near Kilmacow. When they were told the supplies were for the Relief Committee at Ballingarry, they took only one cart-load...On the same day as the attach, 300 people from Knockfierna Hill drove off fifty cattle and only gave up when they were promised work by the curate."
 

The Careys owned a small lot of land, which they subdivided. They owned it in fee, and did not pay rent or live in the commonage area in a famine house. They showed great resiliency to have survived, as the area was hard-hit by the famine. Richard's house was small - 15 1/2 feet by 21 1/2 feet, and he owned 3/4 acres of land. This is a cottier or farm laborer's size property.
 
 

Knockfierna cottages in stages of restoration

The following facts lend support to Ballingarry as the Carey's home:
 

• Jeffery (Geoffrey) Carey emigrated to America with Richard, lived near the Careys in Chicago, and is most likely Richard's brother. He was born about the same time as Richard. His obituary lists Ballingarry as his birthplace.

• John Carey's sister, Margaret married a man from Mahoonagh near Ballingarry, Thomas Clifford, who was christened in the parish in 1845, the son of Jacob Clifford and Joan Fitzgerald.

• Patrick Carey's wife, Bridget O'Brien came from the nearby parish of Ballingarry. Bridget O'Brien's obituary read: "Bridget Carey, March 27,1889, aged 70 yrs., wife of Patrick, nee O'Brien, native of Ballingarry, Co. Limerick."

Ballynahaha
Mary Carey
Michael Carey
Thomas Carey
Bridget Carey

Ballynoe
John Carey

Durraclogh
John Carey

Castle Street, Town of Ballingarry
Geoffrey Carey
 
 

Records created in 1849 in preparation for Griffith's Valuation give more details on the Carey's property.
 

A House Book record created in 1849 gives details about the size of their houses. The unit of measure at this time in Ireland was in feet. Richard's house was 21 1/2 feet long by 15 1/2 feet wide, and 5 1/2 feet tall. The height may be measured from the ground, with the house dug in to the ground inside. The quality rating for the house of 3C+ indicates that it was an old thatched roof house of stone walls with mud mortar, or mud walls of the best kind. It was old, but in repair.
 

Jeffrey's house had belonged to Bridget Carey in 1849, but was Jeffrey's by 1852. His house was smaller - 10 1/2 feet long by 15 feet wide, and 5 feet tall. The quality rating of 3C indicates that it was an old thatched roof house of stone wall with mud mortar, or mud walls of the best kind, which was old and out of repair.
 

John Carey's house was bigger, although he had the smallest property. It was 30 1/2 feet long by 16 feet wide by 5 feet tall. The quality rating of 3B indicates that it was a medium-age thatched roof house of stone walls with mud mortar, or mud walls of the best kind, which was of medium age, slightly decayed, but in good repair. John was living in a newer and larger house than Richard and Jeffrey.

Jeffrey emigrated to Chicago with Richard in about 1863, and is believed to be his brother. They were both about the same age. Patrick owned the land on which Richard, Jeffrey and John's houses stood, but Patrick owned no house. In another related record, he is shown to be living with John, and is most likely the father. John must be the oldest son, as the land passes to him.
 
 

A Land Book record shows the quality of the land the Careys owned. It is shown as clay, and moory arable. The value of the house and land did not exceed five pounds, so would not have been taxed. Thomas and Patrick Carey had owned pasture land nearby, but did not own it in 1852.
 
 

The Tenure Book gives details about the lease or ownership of the land. This record provides some very interesting details. Patrick and Richard Carey owned the land in fee, free forever, since 1827. Bridget, then Jeffrey also owned the land since 1827. John leased his house from Patrick, and they lived together, as indicated by the small arrow near their names.
 
 

Ballingarry appears to be the Carey's ancestral homeland.There are several Careys found in the Ballingarry Tithe Applotment of April 1827. They are all concentrated in the townland of Ballynahaha (which means the "town of the kiln"), with one addition. John Carey is found in the townland of Ballinoe. There are no Careys found in Mahoonagh in the Tithe Applotment.
 

The Tithe Applotment is a census taken of land holders. It was taken in Ballingarry in 1826. The land was assessed, and the assessed tithes were paid to the support of the Church of Ireland (Protestant), no matter the religion of the land holder. Ballinahaha is shown in this record as Ballinaha.
 

This is the complete list of occupiers in 1826 for Ballynahaha in the Tithe Applotment:

Lot #  Occupier
246    Timothy Duane
247    John Riedy & co
248    Thomas Carey & co  (acreage: just over 45 acres)
249    Own Deneely
250    Danl Sullivan
251    Thomas Mahony
252    Edmd Carey, hill  (Note: the word hill is a descriptor or agnomen to differentiate people of similar names. In this case it means that Edmond Carey lived on the hill. Acreage: just over 4 acres)
253    Simon Sheahan & co
254   Daniel O'Briene
255   Daniel     "        , commons
256   Thos O'Briene, Firon
257   Thos Wm O'Briene
258   John Carey & co (acreage: just over 11 acres)
259   Edward Carey  (acreage: just over 3 acres)
260   Edmond Kennedy
261   William Scanlon, Esq.
262    Edmond Kennedy

In Ballynaha, in the sub-denomination of Commons:

263    James Doyle
264    Edward Carey (acreage: just over 2 acres)
265    Michl Donahoe & co
266    George Lynch
267    Timothy Halloron
 

In the townland of Ballinoe:
829   Patrick Cullinane
831   William Cullinane
xxx   John Ceary
 

The Tithe Applotment records show four Careys living in Ballinaha: Thomas, Edmond, John and Edward. There is only one Carey - Edward, living in the Commons area near Ballynahaha, therefore he is likely to be the father of Patrick Carey, who owned land in Commons later. The Edward Carey in Commons, and the Edward in Ballynaha are probably the same person, as no differentiator or agnomen is used to identify them as separate individuals in the same townland area. It seems that Edward owned a small amount of property in Commons which was passed on to Patrick before 1849. From the tenure books, we know that the land in Commons passed to Patrick, Richard, and Bridget in 1827. Perhaps Edward died, the land passed to his son, Patrick, who subdivided it for his sons. Bridget may be the widow or a sister. We also know that Richard Carey had a son, Edward, who may have been named for his grandfather.
 

Careys are found in the Ballingarry parish registers:
 

Edmund, christened 26 June 1825, son of John Carey and Bridget Donohue.
 

Mary, christened 4 June 1826, daughter of Edmund Carey and Mary Sullivan. Sponsor: Margaret Carey.
 

Elizabeth, christened 4 September 1826, daughter of Thomas Carey and Mary Collins. Sponsor: Mary Carey
 

Anna, christened 23 September 1826, daughter of Patrick Carey and ______ Dwyer.
 

Jeffry Carey married Mary Donohue 25 February 1827. Witnesses: Honora Carey and John Carey.
 

Denis, christened 2 August 1827, son of Andrew Carey and Mary Keily. Sponsor: Jeremiah Carey
 

Bartholomew, christened 11 November 1827, son of John Carey and Bridget Burns.
 

Margaret, christened 28 November 1827, daughter of John Carey and Bridget Donohue.
 

John, christened 25 May 1828, son of Thomas Carey and Helen Connell. Sponsors: John Carey and Bridget Carey.
 

Margaret Carey married James McCarthy 18 February 1832. Witnesses: Honora Carey and John McCarthy
 

John Carey married Mary Houlihan 24 April 1833. Witnesses: Daniel Carey and Bridget Houlihan.
 

Richard Carey of Castletown married Helen Healy 26 February 1834.
 

John Carey married Bridget Hartigan 9 February 1834. Witnesses: William Hartigan and Mary Carey
 
 

Ballingarry is dominated by the hill of Knockfierna. A history in the late 1800s describes Ballingarry in this way: "The village of Ballingarry lies just within the upper or southern division of Connello Barony, about half-way between Bruree and Askeaton. Its population is roughly 400; in 1837 there were 1,685 inhabitants, these being largely weavers, boot, brogue and patten makers, turners or makers of piggins, harness makers, carpenters, wheelwrights, smiths, nailers and chain makers...Markets were held twice weekly, and fairs four times a year. The glory of Ballingarry has departed...The town is divided into two sections by the Grinoch (grannach, gravelly) stream. This flows between two hills or ridges, up the lower slopes of which the streets climb, Main Street toward Knockfierna, Turret Street passing up over a shoulder of the ridge opposite. "  Records of Ballingarry, G.F. Hamilton
 

For more information about Ballingarry, click here.
 

After Griffith's Valuation, additional valuation lists were created to show changes in ownership, and it is possible to trace the ownership of the land in Common. The next valuation is taken in about 1862, and shows only Richard and Geoffrey Carey. Patrick and John are not listed here. This may be an accidental omission, as they appear in the next update. Michael Donohoe is now shown as owning Lot 10c.
 
 

In the next update, about 1863-5, Jeffrey Carey has been crossed out in 1865, and Bridget Carey owns his house and land. Patrick Carey is shown at 10b, and is also crossed out, and Bridget owns his land. This may indicate that Patrick died in about 1865, and his widow Bridget inherited the house. Jeffrey's date reflects his immigration to America in 1863. Richard is still shown as owning his land, but has also immigrated.
 
 

The next list, in about 1866, shows Richard crossed out, and his land passing to John. Bridget is also crossed out, and her land also passes to John. Michael Donohoe's land has gone to Daniel Cagney.
 
 

In the next update, John Carey continues to own the land. In about 1873, the house is shown as down, and John owns only land. At the same time, in 1871 he begins to appear in the Carey Lot 4 in Ballynahaha, owing a house, offices, and about 26 acres. This supports the connection between the Careys of Common and Ballynahaha.
 
 

Throughout the 1880s and 90s, John Carey continues to own land only in Common, and a house in Ballynahaha. Since it is unlikely that this is the same John Carey (who would have been born in about 1800), John must have had a son named John.

In the 1901 census for Ballynahaha, John Carey is shown as head of the house, with his parents John and Kate Carey living with them:

John Carey, head, Catholic, can read and write, age 35, farmer, married, born Co Limerick, speaks English
Mary Carey, wife, Catholic, can read and write, age 40, housekeeper, married, born Co Limerick, speaks English
Ned, son, age 4
Con, son, age 2
Kate, daughter, age 5
Mary, daughter, age 3
Margaret, daughter, age 1
Eliza, daughter, age 1 month
John Carey, father, Catholic, cannot read and write, age 60, retired farmer, married, born in Co Limerick, speaks English and Irish
Catherine Carey, mother, Catholic, cannon read and write, age 65, married, born in Co Limerick, speaks English and Irish

The house is described as having five rooms, with three windows in the front of the house. John Carey is the owner. The walls are of stone, brick or concrete, not mud or wood. There are four outbuildings - a stable, cow house, piggery and fowl house.

In the 1911 census for Ballynahaha, John Carey is shown with his family:

John Carey, head, Catholic, age 45, farmer, married 17 years
Mary Carey, wife, age 50
Catherine Carey, mother, age 80, widow
Ned, son, age 15
Cornelius, son, age 12
Catherine, daughter, age 16
Margaret, daughter, age 11
Eliza, daughter, age 10
Hannie, daughter, age 8
 

This would make this John Carey born in 1866. Therefore it is probable that Patrick and Bridget Carey (born about 1780) had a son John (born about 1800), son Richard (born about 1802), and son Jeffrey (born 1807). John had a son, John, born in 1841 who married Catherine (born in 1836). They had a son, John, born in 1866, who married Mary in 1994.

Their son, Edmond (Ned) is shown owning the land in Common until at least 1970. He inherited it from his father who died in about 1945.
 
 

This research, along with other research, gives the following possible family groups:
 
 

Patrick Carey was born in about 1780 of Ballingarry, Limerick, Ireland, and was most likely the son of Edward Carey of Ballinahaha Commons. Patrick married Bridget Dwyer in about 1800. Patrick and Bridget had the following children:
 

1. John, born in about 1800 of Ballingarry; married Bridget; had son, John (b. 1841, who married Catherine in 1863).

2. Richard, born in about 1802 of Ballingarry; married Johana Cullinane 30 January 1826 in Mahoonagh; had children James, Patrick (b. 1838 in Mahoonagh); John Joseph, Michael, Edward and Margaret; died in about 1865 in Chicago.

3. Jeffrey, born in 1807 of Ballingarry; married unknown in 1826 in Ballingarry; married Mary Gibbon, had daughters Bridget (1822) and Mary (1824); married Mary Donohue (1827) had sons, Patrick (b. 1830) and Thomas (b. 1840); died 26 May 1884 in Chicago. Jeffrey lived with his son, Thomas, in Chicago at 79 Ewing St, 81 Ewing St, and was at 225 Ewing St when he died. His obituary read "Carey, Jeffery, May 26, 1884, father of Thomas and Patrick Carey, aged 79, native of Ballingarry, Co. Limerick. Funeral from his son’s resid., 225 Ewing Street to Calvary." At that time, John J Carey, Richard's son, lived at 250 Ewing St. In the 1890s, when John Carey died at 250 Ewing St, Thomas is shown at 245 Ewing St.

4. Anna, baptized 23 September 1826, daughter of Patrick Carey and _______ Dwyer in Ballingarry (mother's first name not legible). One sponsor was ______ Keeffe.

Another possible children is Mary, who immigrated with Richard and Jeffrey.
 

SOURCES: Griffith's Valuation; Tenure Books; Land Books; House Books; Tithe Applotment, FHL# 256569; research by Limerick Genealogy; limerick.brsgenealogy.com; http://home.att.net/~wexlababe/tithes_ballingarry_parish.htm: Ballingarry, Granagh and Clouncagh, County Limerick, Archival Records, 1800-1900, Christy Kerins; 1901 census Ballingarry, 1911 census Ballingarry.
 
 

If you have additional information about this family, please contact me at alice@boydhouse.com.