GLEESON OF BALLINCAROONA


Margaret Gleeson was born in about 1780 of Knocklong, County Limerick, Ireland. Her birth pre-dates the start of the parish registers in  Knocklong, and her parents are not known. She married Patrick Leddin in about 1800. Patrick was a farmer in Ballincaroona (Ballinacaroona), County Limerick.


Ballinacaroona

Ballincaroona

Patrick Leddin was listed in the Tithe Applotment in 1833 in Ballincaroona. Ballincaroona is a small townland in County Limerick of 613 acres, covering less than one square mile. The Tithe Applotment was a tax list of leaseholders. James Gleeson was a near neighbor in Ballincaroona, possibly a father for Margaret.
Ballinacaroona Tithe

Tithe Applotment, Ballinacaroona, 1833

The inhabitants of Ballincaroona in the Tithe Applotment of 1833 were:

Ballincarroona
Joseph Gubbins Esq
Kenmere Castle
Wm English
Widow D Hennessy
Jno & P. Roorke
Michl Deely
Richd Molony
Widow Gubbins
Patk English
Wm Hennessy Jr
Widow Wm Hennessy
Lauce English
Dens Hennessy
Wm Hennessy Sr
Patk Ledden
Maurice Carroll
James Gleeson
Patk Hurly
Thos Molony
Timothy Kirby
Thos Morgan
Tho Real
Joseph Gubbins Esq
Wm Carroll
Widow Molony
Mr. M O Brien
James Barry
Thos Quinlan
Jno McCormack
Francis Triss
James L Hickey
Memorial of Deed Gleeson

Marriage settlement for William Gleeson and Johanna Crowe in 1838


James Gleeson and his son Denis were mentioned in a marriage settlement deed for Denis' son William in 1838:

Gleeson and Crowe’s Marriage Settlement
12 August 1839

To the Register appointed by act of Parliament for registering deeds wills and other conveyances. A memorial of an indented deed of marriage settlement on paper bearing date the second day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty six between Denis Gleeson of the Town of Tipperary Merchant and William Gleeson his son and Patrick Gleeson of Breansha farmer of all in the Barony of Clanwilliam and County of Tipperary reciting an intended marriage between the said William Gleeson and Johana Crowe spinster sister of said Patrick Crowe and reciting that the said Denis Gleeson held eighty eight acres of the lands of Glenbane by lease from Miles Clancy Esq of Manister in the County of Limerick the thirtieth day of April one thousand eight hundred and seventeen at the yearly acreable rent of two pounds late Irish currency being equivalent to one pound sixteen shillings and eleven pence present currency for and during the term of three lives namely the life of Denis Gleeson and William Gleeson above mentioned and Denis Gleeson to James Gleeson of Ballincarona The said indenture witnessed that the said Denis Gleeson Senior for the considerations theyin did grant bargain sell assign and set over unto the said William Gleeson his heirs and assigns All that and those twenty three acres of the lands of Glenbane Irish plantation measure that is to say sixteen acres there in the possession of Michael and James Crowe and seven acres and half in his own possession at and for the acreable rent and during the same term of lives above mentioned bounded as therein To hold the same to the said William Gleeson at the yearly acreable rent of one pound sixteen shillings and eleven pence present currency during the natural life and lives of Denis Gleeson Senior and William Gleeson his son therein before mentioned And Denis Gleeson son to James Gleeson of Ballincarona or any other term time or space that the said Denis Gleeson might there after obtain from the heirs or assigns of the said Miles Clancy and the said Denis Gleeson and William Gleeson and thereby covenant promise and agree to and with the said Patt Crowe and Johana Crowe that after the death of the said William Gleeson the said Johana Crowe was to have and to hold the said twenty three acres of land at the above mentioned yearly acreable rent and during the surviving lives the execution of which said deed by the said Denis Gleeson William Gleeson Johanna Crowe and Patrick Crowe witnessed by Daniel Crowe Breansha and Patrick Hourigan of Bally Robbin both in the said County  of Tipperary farmer and the escrow of this memorial by the said Patrick Crowe and Johanna Crowe once Gleeson is witnessed by the said Daniel Crowe and Patrick Hickie of the Town and County of Tipperary Gentleman.

Patrick Crowe Seal Johannah Gleeson Seal Signed and sealed in presence of Daniel Crowe Patrick Hickie The above named Daniel Crowe maketh oath and saith Witness to the deed of which the above writing is a memorial And to said memorial saith herein said deed Signed sealed and executed by the above named Denis Gleeson William Gleeson Johanna  Crowe and Patrick Crowe and said memorial  Signed Sealed and duly executed by the said Patrick Crowe and Johanna Gleeson once Crowe the executing parties to said deed and memorial And saith the name Daniel Crowe subscribed as a witness to said deed and memorial duly is this deferments proper name and handwriting. Daniel Crowe sworn before me at Tipperary in the County of Tipperary this 7th day of August 1839 a commissioner of her Majestys Court of Bench in Ireland for taking affidavits at said town and I know Patrick Hickie who knows the deponent. Samuel Hunston Counsel  (Memorial #183915175; Transcripts of Memorials of Deeds Conveyances and Wills)

William Gleeson was likely about 25 years old at the time of his marriage settlement, so was born in about 1811. His father Denis' birth year can be estimated at about 1780, about the same time that Margaret was born, so Denis was of an age to be Margaret's brother. James of Ballincaroona would have been born in about 1750, and was likely Margaret's father. Patrick Gleeson of Breansha, farmer, was also mentioned in the document without identifying his relationship. Perhaps this is the Patrick Gleeson who takes over the farm at Ballincaroona after James dies, and is likely James' son.

In 1837, the Gleeson family experienced a event which changed the lives of all of the Gleeson family. Denis, his son William, and his brother-in-law Cornelius Bourke (brother of Denis' wife Mary Bourke) were all convicted for manslaughter, sent to Kilmainham Jail, and then transported to Australia in 1838. (Information provided by researcher Janice Borg)  A history of the Gleeson family in Australia gives these details: "In about 1818, Denis became tenant to parts of the lands of Glenbane, County Tipperary, containing 88 acres under a lease during three lives, executed to him by Milo Clancy. This was a substantial holding of land in Ireland at that time. Denis sublet a portion of the land to one Garrett Hayes. Times were poor and the income from farming uncertain. From time to time, including late in 1837, Denis was obliged to distrain (seize) parts of the land held by the Hayes to recover the rent due to him. On one earlier occasion, whilst distraining the lands, Denis was opposed by Hayes and his family. Denis was severely beaten and suffered a fracture of the skull. In September 1837, Denis again served the Hayes family with notice to quit the land by 25th March 1838. Meantime, on 23rd January 1838, a memorable day in the history of the Gleeson family in Ireland, Denis Gleeson (Snr.), accompanied by his sons William and Denis, his brother-in-law Cornelius Bourke, and assisted by Thomas Gleeson, John Batters, William Gleeson, James Crough, Laurence Bourke, Michael Ryan and Robert Horan, proceeded to the lands held by the Hayes to distrain them for overdue rent. An altercation broke out in the Hayes home. James Hayes, the brother of Garrett, was struck on the head two or three times with the handle of a pitchfork by Cornelius Bourke, causing James to fall into a ditch. At that stage, Denis Snr. and William threw some stones at James Hayes as he lay in the ditch. Hayes had been knocked senseless and eventually succumbed to the injuries he received. The police were called and Denis (Snr.), his sons William and Denis, Cornelius Bourke and the other members of the party, were arrested and taken to Clonmel in custody. An inquest into the death of James Hayes was conducted on 26th January, at the conclusion of which the jury returned the following verdict: “That James Hayes came by his death in consequence of blows of a pitchfork on the head inflicted by Denis Gleeson (Snr.) and William Gleeson, John Batters, Denis Gleeson (Jnr.), James Crough, Laurence Bourke, Michael Ryan, Thomas Gleeson, Robert Horan and William Gleeson...Judge Moore sentenced Denis (Snr.), Cornelius and William to be transported for life. The eight co-accused, including Denis Gleeson (Jnr.) were ordered to be imprisoned for 12 calendar months with hard labour each alternate month...On 10th September 1838, when the Clyde berthed in Sydney, Denis was taken to Port Macquarie prison north of Newcastle. The convict records reveal his personal details: Height 5 ft. 5 ½ inches; complexion – ruddy and freckled; hair colour – brown mixed with grey; eyes – hazel/gray; religion – Catholic.” (Memorials of an Irish Family – The Gleeson Story, written by”representatives of the family line of each of those children”: Stanley Gleeson, Bud Martin, Norman O’Bryan Geoffrey Gleeson, Jean Duffus, Bridget Clucas, and Marie Wood) Mary and the rest of the family sailed to Australia in 1841 to Denis and William. It must have been sad for James, then probably in his eighties, to see his son leave for Australia, never to return. Two Gleesons mentioned in the court case are not identified - William (not Denis' son) and Thomas Gleeson. They weren't Denis' children. Were they Denis' brothers?

The event must have been a heartbreak for the entire family. Margaret died just a few years later. Margaret was buried in the old Hill of Knocklong Cemetery. Her gravestone reads: "This small testimony of sorrow was erected by William Leddin of Ballencarroona in memory of his mother Margret Leddin alias Gleeson who died the 30 Dec 1841 aged 59 years."
Margaret Gleeson gravestone

Margaret Gleeson Leddin's gravestone in the Hill of Knocklong cemetery


An outrage report files in 1839 may indicate further troubles for the Gleeson family. Both James and John Gleeson, likely the sons of James Gleeson, and Margaret's brothers, were listed in Knocklong parish in the Tithe Applotment of 1833. An outrage report (crime report) in 1839 describes this incident: "On the night of 27th inst. the houses of John Ryan & James Gleeson at Ballynalong, parish of Knocklong, were attacked by a party of men unknown who beat the inmates." (Ireland Outrage Reports, 27 January 1837, www.findmypast.com) John Ryan was also listed on the Tithe Applotment in Knocklong.
James Gleeson outrage report


In Griffiths Valuation in 1851 in Ballincaroona, James Gleeson had died, and Patrick Gleeson now occupied house, offices and land in Ballincarroona.
Griffiths Ballincarroona

Griffiths Valuation, Ballincarroona, 1851


Patrick leased just over twenty acres of land from Joseph Gubbin. A House Book, created 24 April 1849, described the Gleeson's house. His house was large, 52 feet long by 19 feet wide, and 6.9 feet tall. He also had a porch house that was 6 feet long by .8 feet wide and 6.9 feet tall. The house was rated 3B-, which was a thatched house of stone walls with mud mortar or mud walls of the best kind, in medium condition, deteriorated by age, and not in perfect repair. The porch house was rated 2B, a thatched roof house of stone or brick with lime mortar, medium, slightly decayed, but in good repair. He also had a stable and barn. This may be the house that Margaret grew up in.
Gleeson House Book

House Book for Patrick Gleeson in Ballincaroona, 1849
OS map Ballincaroona

Ordinance Survey map of Ballincarroona, 1851, showing James Gleeson
and William Leddin's properties,


The Ordinance Survey map of the townland of Ballincaroona shows the changes taking place in the townland. James, then Patrick Gleeson in Lot 3 lived just footsteps from the Leddin's home in Lot 10a. Lot numbers were lined out on the map, as the land was consolidated. By the 1901 census there were no Gleesons or Leddins in Ballincaroona.


Patrick was listed on a loan in 1846:
Patrick Gleeson loan

Ireland Poverty Relief Loans

In A List of Defaulters Summoned to Petty Sessions court in 1847, many of the farmers of Ballincaroona are listed:
Ballincaroona defaulters

A List of Defaulters Summoned to Petty Sessions, 1847



From Ballincaroona, the list includes:
  • John Riordan
  • William Leddin
  • John Hennessy
  • William Hennessy
  • Thomas Molony
  • Patrick Gleeson
  • William Hennessy
  • Patrick Gleeson
  • Daniel Molony
  • Thomas Mitchel
  • Patrick English
  • Thos Mitchell
  • John Hennesy
  • John Woods
  • William Hennesey
  • Thomas Molony
(Ireland, Sustainability Loan Fund, 1812-1868, www.ancestry.com)
OS map Gleeson house

Ordinance map of the Gleeson home in Lot 3a.
The house is shown at the top of the lot, near the road.



These Gleesons are found in the early Knocklong parish records, from 1809 up until 1820:


James Gleeson, farmer and Ellen McNamara of Ballincaroona had children:
Patrick Gleeson, farmer and Mary Harney (Meany?) of Ballincaroona had children:
John Gleeson of Ballincaroona married Mary Meagher 19 November 1815. Witnesses were Jeremiah McCarthy and William Meagher.
John and Mary had children:
Pat Gleeson and Margaret Bourk had children:
Pat Gleeson and Maria Morroney of Ballingarry had children:
James and Alice Gleeson of Ballenchruch had children:
John Gleeson married Margaret Carroll in 1819


Peter Gleeson and Caty Clearey had children:
Laurence Gleeson of Knockgarrin married Ellen Cafferty 5 February 1810 in Knocklong. They had children:
George Gleeson and Mary Ryan of Ballinfruta had children:
Timothy Gleeson and Mary Carroll of Kilfrush had children:
There is a gravestone for Patrick Gleeson of Knocklong in the Ballinard cemetery. The monumental inscription reads: "IHS John Gleeson erected this in memory of his father Patrick Gleeson late of Knocklong who died Sept the 7th 1825 aged 50 years Requiscat in Pace Amen".

Patrick Gleeson gravestone

     Patrick Gleeson gravestone in Ballinard


The Gleesons in Ballincaroona - James, Patrick and John, were likely siblings of Margaret. They were all having children born and christened in Knocklong at the same time, in the early 1810s. John and Patrick were sponsors for John and James at their children's baptisms. The Gleeson home was only a few hundred feet from the Leddin home, and they surely knew each other. Ballincaroona was a small townland, only one square mile, and only one Gleeson family was listed there in 1833 - that of James Gleeson. James was of an age to be the father of Margaret, James, Patrick and John, and is known to be the father of Denis.

This family group is speculative:
FAMILY GROUP RECORD OF
JAMES AND MARY GLEESON


James Gleeson was born in about 1750 of Ballincaroona, Knocklong parish, County Limerick, Ireland. James married Mary. Several Ancestry trees name his wife as Mary Ryan, but no sources are cited for this information. James likely died between 1836, when he was listed on a marriage settlement and 1846 when Patrick took over the farm at Ballincaroona and applied for a loan.


James and Mary  had the following children:


1. Patrick, married Mary Harney or Meany; had children Margaret (1814), Mary (1817).


*2. Margaret, born in about 1780; married Patrick Leddin; had children Michael, John, William, Mary Ann (1813), Margaret (1815), and Catherine.


3. Denis; born in 1782; married Mary Bourke about 1805 in Bruff, had children Mary, William, John, Edmond, Honora, Denis (christened 1820 in Hospital), and Patrick; In 1838, Denis, his son William, and his brother-in-law Cornelius Bourke (brother of Denis' wife Mary Bourke) were all convicted for manslaughter, sent to Kilmainham Jail, and then transported to Australia; died 1857 in New South Wales, Australia.  Australian convict records show that: "Denis Gleeson was transported, along with his son William, and his brother-in-law Cornelius Bourke.  Denis was married to Mary Bourke, sister of Cornelius. Denis was a genteel and well educated landowner from Tipperary.  He was 5’5” tall, with hazel/grey eyes and brown hair.  He was involved in a fight with his tenant, James Hayes, who was not paying the rent.  James Hayes died as a result.  No one knows who killed James, if anyone did.  Eleven men were tried.  It is believed that James died while running away, and the exact cause of death isn’t clear but a verdict of “a most aggravated case of manslaughter” was found on Denis, his son William and brother-in-law Cornelius. Their land was confiscated and given to the Hayes family. All were transported on the Clyde and Denis and William sent to Port Macquarie, Cornelius was in the Braidwood district. Denis’s wife and children, Margaret, Honora and sons Edmond and Patrick arrived per “Livingstone” in 1841 and had gone to Port Macquarie to be with Denis. Denis was pardoned by the Governor of Victoria.  Denis became a school teacher in Port Fairy (known as Belfast). 1857: Denis died and is buried at the Tower Hill Cemetery, near Warrnambool." (convictrecords.com.au); Australia Death Index, 1787=1985 listing Denis' parents as James and Mary Gleeson.

Death Index

4. James, married Ellen McNamara; had children Mary (1813) James (1817).


5. John, married Mary Meagher; had children Patrick (1817), Bridget (1819).


Gleeson Family Name

"The surnames Gleeson and Gleason developed from the Irish name O Glasain, which originated in East County Cork. The Gaelic prefix “O” means male descendant of, and Glasain derives from “glas,” literally meaning “green” in the sense of inexperience as opposed to the color. There are many variations of the name, including Gleason, Glisane, Glison, Glyssane, O’Gleasane and O’Glassane. The Gleesons belonged to the ancient territory of Mac Ui Bhriain Aradh’s country, the area between Nenagh and Lough Derg in North County Tipperary."  (www.irishcentral.com)
Gleeson Penders Census

In a "census" of inhabitants in Penders Census of 1659, 17 O'Glissane/O'Glassanes were found in the barony of Small County, which includes Knocklong. (http://clanmaclochlainn.com/1659cen.htm#Limerick)


SOURCES: Knocklong parish register; Tithe Applotment, Ballincaroona; Griffiths Valuation, Ballincaroona; Transcripts of Memorials of Deeds Conveyances and Wills, Memorial #183915175; information supplied by researcher Janice Borg; Gravestone inscriptions, the Hill of Knocklong cemetery; Gravestone inscriptions, Ballinard cemetery; Valuation List, Ballincaroona; A List of Defaulters Summoned to Petty Sessions; Penders Census 1659; convictrecords.com.au; www.ancestry.com; Australia Death Index, 1787-1985.