Synopsis of the Search for Chambers Family Members from
Rosslea, Clones, County Fermanagh, Ireland
George J. Chambers
Jane Chambers, who was born in Ireland about 1803, died in Brooklyn, New York on 23 February 1888 at the age of 85. She immigrated to the USA in 1842 and was a first cousin to the author’s kin who arrived in the USA on 6 January aboard packet ship Joseph Walker. In Jane’s will she named her first cousins Elizabeth (Chambers) Breakley[1] and Sarah Chambers, both residing in Brooklyn. She also named her first cousins Thomas Chambers and Martha Chambers who resided in Rosslea Townland (Rosslea is also spelled Roslea.), Clone Parish, County Fermanagh, Ireland. This would make Jane’s father’s brother (her uncle) the father of Thomas and Martha. The names of these two “fathers” are unknown at this time — the quest goes on. The Brooklyn Surrogate Court performed its required due diligence by mailing copies of the probate petition and citations to appear to both Thomas and Martha. Neither responded as they were deceased (see below).
An Ireland records search was undertaken to identify Thomas and Martha and to learn who their parents were and about their lives in Rosslea Townland. Rosslea (Ros Liath in Irish) is located on the Fin River due west of Monaghan City, Co. Monaghan, and north of Tattenbarr Townland where Thomas lived (see below). In the 1880s there was a steam flax mill and a corn mill in Rosslea. There was also a dispensary and a National School in town.
The first record found was a court record of Thomas Chambers, a farmer, whose will was probated in Clones Civil Parish, Clankelly Barony, County Fermanagh, on 11 February 1895. Thomas died from old age and debility at age 91 (www.Irish Genealogy.ie). On 30 March 1896, Letters of Administration (LOA) for Thomas’ will were granted at Armagh, Northern Ireland, to Martha Chambers. Thomas left Martha, his “only sister,” £400, 2s, 6d. A record of a Martha Chambers who died of old age and debility in 1896 in Clones at age 86 was also located (www.Irish Genealogy.ie).
In the Tithe Applotments Book of 1832-1839 (tithes to the Church of Ireland), Thomas Chambers and John Chambers of Rosslea, Clones, Monaghan are listed together. This implies some relationship, perhaps brothers, with Thomas being the eldest based on their dates of birth calculated from their ages at the time of their death (see below).
In Griffith’s Valuation of Ireland (executed for tax liability purposes, printed in 1862), Thomas Chambers was listed as the occupier and immediate lesser of an office and land in Tattenbarr, a townland adjacent to Rosslea. The house was valued at £2, 0s, 0d and the land at £20, 10s, 0d. Martha Chambers was the immediate lesser of five houses and land in Tattenbarr, one of which she occupied.
There was also a John Chambers, the occupier of land and the lesser of a house, a yard and a small garden on Main Street in Rosslea. He had another house with a small garden which was occupied by a Mrs. Breakley, two other houses with yards and small gardens both of which were occupied (Griffith’s Valuation, 1862, p. 9, Sheet 36). He also had another house with a yard and small garden which was unoccupied. His landlord was John Madden, Esq. A John Chambers died in Clones on 14 October 1876 at age 75. His will was registered in Lisnaskea, the second highest settlement in Fermanagh (“The Early History of Fermanagh,” (Clough Record II, 1958, p. 293). The relationship between John and Thomas and Martha has not been determined.
The next records reviewed were the four Valuation Revision Books (updating Griffith’s) covering the period 1864-1913.
In the Valuation book covering the period 1864-1879, Thomas occupied land in Rosslea and was a lesser of a house with a yard and garden on Main Street, Rosslea. He also had land and an office in Tattinbarr as well as being the lesser of two vacant houses in Tattinbarr. John had a house with a yard and garden in Rosslea. His name was later struck out and Thomas inserted (1879-1881, p. 63). As mentioned above a John Chambers died in 1876.
In the Valuation book covering the period 1879-81, Thomas occupied land in the Rosslea Townland. He was also the lesser of land with a house and a garden on Main Street in Rosslea Town. Thomas also occupied an office and land in Tattinbarr as well as being the lesser of two unoccupied houses. Thomas leased the land from John Madden. Esq., J.P., who, in turn, was only a middleman and sub-tenant of the Trinity Colleges (The Morning News (Belfast), 11 January 1887, p. 3).
In the Valuation book covering the period of 1882-97, Thomas had occupied a house in Rosslea, however, his name was struck out. He was then the lesser of a house with a yard and garden. He was also the lesser of six home on which rents hadn’t been paid for a year. His name was then struck out on these properties. He had occupied a house on Main street in Rosslea Town, but his name was struck out and Martha Chambers replaced him. As mentioned above, Thomas died in 1895 (Group Registration ID 4015710).
In the Valuation book covering the period of 1898-1913, Martha had been listed as the lesser of a house with a yard and garden on Main Street, Rosslea Town. with two participants but her name was lined out. She also was the occupier of a house and land in Tattinbarr; however her name was struck out. As mention above, Martha had died in 1896 Group Registration ID 4239589).
In 1899, the Chambers farm was acquired by one Edward Nelson (Valuation Revised) who was the informant for both Thomas’ and Martha’s deaths. In 1902, the Chambers farm passed to one Thomas Hazzlet.
When Jane arrived in in New York on 6 January 1851 aboard packet ship Joseph Walker, she was accompanied by David Chambers, a farmer, age 35, Elizabeth Chambers, age 17, a farmer, Sarah Chambers, age 16, a farmer, and Thomas Chambers, age 35 also a farmer. I know all about their lives one they arrived in Brooklyn, where they lived, who they married and when they died. I also know of another David Chambers who died in Brooklyn in 1857 at age 95. His newspaper obituary stated the he was “From Monaghan.” I know nothing more about him except that he lived with the younger David’s in laws in Brooklyn. The younger David, my fourth great grandfather died in 1854. The difference in ages of the two David’s raises question as to their relationship and to the other individuals mention above.
There was another family member, Mary Chambers, who was born about 1827, a sister of James also immigrated to the U.S. from Ireland prior to June 1850. As in 1850, she was living with the younger David Chambers, aged 27 in the home of his future wife and in-laws. Some time prior to 1854, Mary married Oliver Langan who was from Donegal, Ireland. He was born in 1815 and had immigrated to the U.S. in 1836.
I would like to know more about the three individuals named above such as the names of their parents, where they were born, their religious affiliation, where they were buried, and anything else that would help me learn more about my U.S. kin.
Any advice, suggestions or other information that you could provide to help me resolve my family’s history would be greatly appreciated.
George J. Chambers
[1] Elizabeth married William A. Breakley, from Ireland, in Brooklyn on April 3, 1855.
