Kilcavan/Kennystown Farms (between 1808-1868)
My sister Susan and I hired a researcher named John O'Neil of Dublin that provided much of the information I have regarding the Kenny Farms of Kilcavan/Kennystown, County Wicklow. Below are excerpt of these reports. Matching the people to the ones who lived in various plots of John's reports are obtained from several sources such are baptism, birth, marriage and death records.
These areas were broken down in plots, with what appears to be different families on each plot, but nonetheless, all these Kennys would be siblings or 1st cousins.
KENNYSTOWN as a name is seen first in 1808. In an older MSS dating from 1728 with MAPS there is KILCAVAN but no KENNYSTOWN. KENNYSTOWN is in fact a small part of KILCAVAN and I think once a number of KENNYS got leases in this area it became known as KENNYSTOWN.
The information that follows were parts of the "Lease" given to these tenants. Below are the important parts of information on these leases. See an example of an actual lease here. and how this information fits in.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ANYTHING IN THIS BLUE ARE MY NOTES OR EXPLANATIONS WHO INDIVIDUAL ARE.
The RENTALS of 1808 show the following KENNYS with others living in KILCAVAN :
Plot 1
WILLIAM KENNY ( born about 1751 and prob. brother to James is plot 3) , 29th August 1808 (An uncle of Bartholomew "Batt" birth 1767 -Father's brother)- Part of KILCAVAN, 13 acres 1 rod 39 perch, late in lease to Nicholas Kempston and William Hume both deceased. In the LIFE of HANNAH KENNY 4th daughter of WILLIAM KENNY then aged 10 years old. #15 residence and #10 to plant 100 forest trees and 20 apple trees. Liberty to coppice one acre.
Plot 2.
PHILIP c. 1772, HENRY? and WILLIAM KENNYc. bef.1772 ( All brothers. Called brothers in Ms. 6030 dated 1811-1813) 26th August 1808. All of KILCAVAN farmers, 50 acres 2 rod 37 perch. Late in lease to KEMPSTON and HUME. In the LIFE of ROBERT ROCHE 1802 youngest son of ROBERT ROCHE c. pre 1785 of MOTYBOWER, Co. Wexford, now 6 years old. (in MS.6030 dated 1811-1813 it states opposite the ROCHE names =" Cestu Que Nic Dead"). Robert Roche Sr. is dead? #57 residence and #38 to plant 400 forest and 80 apple trees. Liberty to copice 5 acres. (note that this is the relationship I mentioned between ROCHE of MOTYBOWER and the KENNYS of KENNYSTOWN and later in 1839 we find THOMAS KENNY living with this same ROCHE/ROACH family. So perhaps there is a family relationship or something between them ? One of these -Philip, Henry, or William’s daughter probably married Robert Roach Sr.
Plot 3.
JAMES and BARTHOLOMEW KENNY (James would be our 5th great grandfather, with his son, Batt -birth 1767) , 26th August 1808 BARTHOLOMEW KENNY named as a son of JAMES KENNY both of KILCAVAN, 34 acres 10 perch. Formerly in lease to KEMPSTON and HUME. In the life of THOMAS KENNY 1794aged 9 years old the THIRD son of BARTHOLOMEW. #37.5.0 residence and #25 to plant 200 forest and 60 apple trees. Liberty to copice 3 acres. (note that there is some speculation whether this Thomas is my 3rd great grandfather. All rationale point to him, but many records indicate a variety of birth years. The poor Irish did not keep good track of births and ages. This is a fact. I know many were illiterate. Many records show this Thomas, all with a variety of ages. We know from actual birth records that this Thomas was born in 1794, but other records fluctuate with records indicating 1799, 1802 and 1803. When he immigrated in 1851 it said he was 48 and his wife 35. This Thomas , no doubt, married a MUCH younger woman and he would have actually have been 57 with a 35 year old wife. More on Thomas, He disappeared from the property on the 1827 records and the life of lease must have been given to perhaps his brother Richard, an ancestor to the Kennys presently presiding in Kennystown. It is believed that he was cast off or perhaps left on his own accord, but when he showed back up in records, he was completely land-less and no longer lived on the family farms. This most likely would never happen unless there was resentment. Thomas is later found in Motabower, living with first the Roches, then the Connors. More mentioned below
Plot4.
PATRICK SHANNON of KILCAVAN 25 acres 2 rod 38 perch and 17 acres 3 rod 8 perch. 26th August 1808. #31.10.0 residence and #21 to plant 250 forest and 50 apple trees. In LIFE of ROBERT PAGE the youngest son of JOHN PAGE of PARKMORE.
Others who got LEASES in KILCAVAN in 1808 were :
JAMES BYRNE (LIFE of LOUGHLIN DEEGAN aged 14 years 2nd son of DENNIS DEEGAN of TOMACORK deceased 1808)
JAMES BYRNE the butcher (LIFE of JAMES BYRNE eldest son of JAMES aged 5 years in 1808)
MATHEW BYRNE (LIFE of MATHEW BYRNE 2nd son of MATHEW aged 6 years in 1808)
MICHAEL BYRNE the elder (LIFE of MICHAEL BYRNE youngest son of MICHAEL aged 6 years in 1808)
JOHN and WILLIAM COLLINS
THOMAS DORAN (LIFE is ROBERT ROCHE son of ROBERT ROCHE of MOTYBOWER)
PETER and JOHN HICKEY
FARRELL KEOGHOE ( LIFE is PAGE)
FRANCIS MURPHY ( LIFE is JOHN SYNNOTT son of JOHN SYNNOTT aged 8 in 1808 of PAULBEGG)
RALPH TAYLOR.
The RENTALS of 1827 show the following KENNYS with others living in KILCAVAN :
PLOT 1 :
BARTHOLOMEW KENNY on 19 acres 1 rod. (This Bartholomew would most like be a 1st cousin to our Bartholomew who married Anne Breen), BARTHOLOMEW KENNY born 1778 aged 49 in 1827 with his wife Nancy Farrell b.1785 aged 42 with 3 sons and 4 daughters with them in 1827. He was a farmer in 1827 on 19 acres but also called a QUARRYMAN in 1839.
ELIZABETH KENNY aged 59 b.1768, 2 ROD.
JOHN KENNY aged 46. b.1781 LABOURER (Would be this Batt's 1778 brother)
(all three probable children of William in Plot 1 in 1808)
JOHN KENNY WENT FROM HERE BY 1839 BUT FOUND IN KILCAVAN 1839 UNDER MICHAEL BYRNE. JOHN KENNY 55/36,1 DAU, LABOURER. HE IS THEN FOUND UNDER WILLIAM MURPHY IN 1848. JOHN KENNY 68/50, 1 SON 1 DAU., LABOURER. ALSO THERE IN 1850.
Also on this plot... PATRICK MULLERY 29/27, 3 DAU, LABOURER.
JAMES CARNEY, 26/40, 1 SONS 3 DAU, LABOURER.
----
PLOT 2: (Our Family)
JAMES born before 1745- dead before 1827 ( Same as in Plot 3, in 1808, but already dead)
BARTHOLOMEW KENNY age 1767 on 34 acres 10 perch BARTHOLOMEW (Batt) KENNY 1767 aged 60 and his wife aged 57 1770 Anne Breen on 4 acres with 3 sons and 3 daughters. He was called a MASON. (James would be the father of Batt 1767) ( Same as in Plot 3, in 1808)
RICHARD KENNY 1795 aged 32 with his wife aged 20. On 11 acres. A labourer and farmer. (This would be Batt 1767 son and a direct relative to the Kennys that live in Kennystown, today)
THOMAS KENNY(1769 aged 58 and his wife aged 1767 60. On 11 acres. They had 2 daughters with them in 1827. He was a farmer. (This would be Batt's 1767 brother) but not our Thomas1794
PHILIP KENNY b. 1803 aged 24 and his wife aged 22. They had 4 acres and 2 daughters lived with them in 1839. He was a LABOURER. (This would be Batt 1767,son)
(in 1839 PHILIP KENNY aged 34 and his wife aged 32 lived here on 5 acres 3 rod with THOMAS BALF aged 36 and his wife Sarah Kenny 1811 aged 28 on 11 acres 2 rod living beside him. They had 3 daughters with them in 1839 and he was called a LABOURER. We believe that the wife of THOMAS BALF was a daughter of BARTHOLOMEW 1767 KENNY. I could find no children for THOMAS KENNY 1769 though he is referred to below as a sponsor in 1794 for child of BARTHOLOMEW).
Also on plot 2.... JAMES DOYLE 36/40, LABOURER ON 3 ACRES 1 ROD.
EDWARD KAVANGH AND JAMES MURPHY 26 ACRES 1 ROD 22 PERCH.
EDWARD KAVANAGH 50/40, 4 SONS 3 DAU, FARMER ON 12 ACRES 3 ROD 10 PERCH
MARGARET KAVANAGH AGED 80
BARTHOLOMEW KENNY ON 13 ACRES 12 PERCH FARMER "DOES NOT RESIDE IN THIS, ADJOINS"
PLOT 3 :
PHILIP KENNY c. 1790 prob. son of Philip c.1769 Sr. Later, EDWARD BALF on 50 acres, took this plot of land from the Kennys. (Most likely son of Philip in Plot 2 in 1808)
WIDOW KENNY 1770 aged 57 on 1 acre. This is probably DOROTHY KENNY Philip senior’s1769 wife. With one daughter with her in 1827.
Even though KENNYSTOWN is not referred to in the rentals in 1827 and 1839 you can take it that these KENNYS were living in what was known as KENNYSTOWN.
PLOT 4
PHILIP KENNY NOW IN LEASE BY EDWARD BALF 50 ACRES EDWARD BALF age 54 wife 52, 37 ACRES, 2 SONS (BUT BLOB OF INK ON THIS), FARMER.
MICHAEL HANDRICK 36/30, 12 ACRES, 3 DAU, BROGUEMAKER.
MARY BALF WIDOW, 50 YEARS, 3 SONS 3 DAU.
WIDOW KENNY, 1 ACRE, 57 YEARS, 1 DAU.
JAMES SUMMERS, 35/27, LABOURER.
PLOT 5
PATRICK KENNY NOW LEASE TO WILKIS? 13 ACRES 1 ROD 39 PERCH.
PLOT 6
PATRICK SHANNON 20 ACRES 1 ROD 31 PERCH
BRIDGET SHANNON WIDOW 20 ACRES 1 ROD 31 PERCH., 60 YEARS. 2 DAU.
The RENTALS of 1839 show the following KENNYS with others living in KILCAVAN :
Plot 1
BARTHOLOMEW KENNY 19 ACRES 1 ROD. ( Same person as Plot 1 in 1827) age 52 wife 50 , ON 19 ACRES., 3 SONS 4 DAU, ONE MALE SERVANT. FARMER AND QUARRYMAN.
JAMES BRENNAN 36/30, 1 SON 3 DAU, LABOURER.
>ELIZABETH KENNY 68 YEARS, A MAID. ( Same person as Plot 1 in 1827)
Plot 2
RICHARD KENNY b. 1795, 34 ACRES 10 PERCH. age 36 wife 24, 1 SON, 2 FEMALE AND 1 MALE SERVANTS. 17 ACRES 1 ROD. (Same person as Plot 2 in 1827 and a direct relation to the present day Kennys)
PHILIP KENNY, age 34 wife3 2, 1 SON 3 DAU, LABOURER ON 5 ACRES 3 ROD. (Same person as Plot 2 in 1827)
THOMAS BALF, age 36 wife 28, 3 DAU, 11 ACRES 2 ROD, 1 MALE SERVANT. ONE WIDOW AGED 80. (According to the researcher, this most like was Anne Breen Kenny) The wife of this Thomas Balfe is Sarah (Sally) Kenny, who is most likely a sister to Thomas Kenny.
MICHAEL HUSSEY, 54/50, "TENANT TO Thomas BALF".
Plot 3
EDWARD KAVANAGH AND BARTHOLOMEW KENNY
26 ACRES 1 ROD 22 PERCH.
NOTE: NOBODY LIVING IN THIS SECTION IN 1839. PROBABLY USED AS FARM. HOUSES PROBABLY THROWN DOWN.
Plot 4
KENNY NOW EDWARD BALF 50 ACRES. (Same person as Plot 4 in 1827) EDWARD BALF (NO DETAILS)
MICHAEL HANDRICK ( NO DETAILS) (Same person as Plot 4 in 1827)
WIDOW KENNY 2 ROD, 70 YEARS, 1 DAU (Same person as Plot 4 in 1827)
THOMAS BALF 30/26, 11 ACRES, 3 DAU, FARMER. (Maybe same person as Plot 2 in 1827, but it could be another Thomas too.)
Plot 5
MAURICE KENNY 36/22, 13 ACRES 1 ROD 39 PERCH.
Plot 6
Was Patrick SHANNON- NOW JAMES TOMKINS 20 ACRES 1 ROD 31 PERCH. age 46/30, 1 SON 1 DAU.
The RENTALS of 1848 show the following KENNYS with others living in KILCAVAN :
Plot 2
RICHARD KENNY SENIOR b. 1795, 34 ACRES 10 PERCH. age 50 wife 38, 2 SONS 1 DAU, 1 MALE SERVANT, 28 ACRES 1 ROD 10 PERCH. ( the 2 sons would be Bartholomew 1839 and Denis 1845 and daughter, Ann 1842) and a direct relation to the present day Kennys)
ELLEN KENNY WIDOW, 40 YEARS, 5 ACRES 3 ROD, 3 SONS 2 DAU. This Ellen would be Philip's b. 1803 wife (Same Philip as in Plot 2, 1827)
ELLEN KENNY SENIOR, 56 YEARS, HOUSE ONLY. ONE RELATIVE LIVING WITH HER RICHARD KENNY JUNIOR 30 YEARS. 40 ACRES 3 ROD 34 PERCH. 4 RELATIVES.
ARTHUR BOURKE 44/32, 1 SON 2 DAU, HOUSE AND KITCHEN GARDEN. LABOURER.
Plot 6
JAMES TOMKINS 20 ACRES 1 ROD 31 PERCH. age 60/35, 1 SON.
MAURICE KENNY 50/30, 4 SONS 1 DAU, 13 ACRES 1 ROD 39 PERCH.
In 1850 - JAMES TOMKINS 62/40, 1 SONS 1 DAU.
In 1850 - ELLEN KENNY WIDOW, 33 YEARS, 4 SONS 1 DAU, 13 ACRES 1 ROD 39 PERCH.
The RENTALS of 1868 show the following KENNYS with others living in KILCAVAN :
Plot 2
RICHARD KENNY b. 1816, 3 SONS 2 DAU. 38 ACRES 2 ROD 5 PERCH. BUILDINGS IN BAD REPAIR.
RICHARD KENNY SENIOR b. 1795, REPS. 34 ACRES 10 PERCH. (Same person as Plot 2 in 1827 and a direct relation to the present day Kennys) At this time additional children were born since 1848. They were Mary 1849, Rose 1851, Richard 1855 and Catherine 1858. This Richard would go on and marry Margaret McDonnell around the year c. 1878.
Here are Church records of individuals shown to be living in Kennystown from 1833 - 1903