In 1777, a Thomas Gormly erected a memorial to his father, Lawrence Gormley (1711-1777), interred at Kilcorkey cemetery.
This Thomas Gormely, to afford a gravestone for his father, had a stronger source of income than most. He may have emigrated and sent money home, or he may have been a substantial farmer / freeholder in the Bellanagare district.
TAX RECORDS
In 1830, a Thomas Gormley had 3 titheable acres in the townland of Ballinagare (Bellanagare Village). While the amount of land he held was small, he was a freeholder ...
In 1832, Thomas Gormly of Ballenagar (parish of Kilcorkey, barony of Ballintobber, Co. Roscommon) farmer (with a house and land at Ballinagare) freeholder (annual value of £10) applied to the voters' register. Source: Roscommon Journal, and Western Impartial Reporter - Friday 14 December 1832
POVERTY LOANS
In 1843, Thomas Gormely of Bellanagare applied for a Poverty relief loan of £2 at Frenchpark Loan Fund Society. His guarrantors were Edward Gormely of Bellanagare and Paul Casserly of Kilcorkey (8 acres at farm #1a).
Earlier that year (in January and in June 1843) Edward had applied for loans at Frenchpark, his guarrantors being the same Thomas Gormely (signed "X - his mark") and Paul Casserly. There are no Tithe Applotment records for Edward. Paul Casserly was likely a Gormely in-law or cousin.
HOUSE & LAND RECORDS
In 1853, Thomas Gormely is recorded in the Village of Bellanagare at house #19 (& yard) "rent free - an old lease" and as the leaseholder of house #20. This "old lease" would suggest this man was a Thomas Gormely Sr.
In 1857, Thomas Gormely's house (rateable value £1 5s p.a.) and 3 acres of land (matching his 1830 Tithe Applotment Record), can be found in the name of Thomas Gormely [Griffith's Valuation]. We can see he was residing at the crossroads in the Village of Bellanagare (house #19) and held the lease to two additional houses, adjoining (# 20 and # 21) which he sub-let to other tenants. His farmland, at #6, was just north of the village, opposite Bellanagare Castle.
DEATH RECORDS
There are no civil death records for this Thomas Gormely (deceased circa 1858-1864).
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1st Jan 1758 (circa) | |
| Date of Death | 1st Jan 1858 (circa) | |
Where can one view the Poverty Loan Records referenced above? Are they online anywhere? If not, in what repository can they be found? Is it possible that the surname Casserly, mentioned above, is a variation of the surname Costello? Grateful for any additional information.
Poverty Loan Records are searchable in findmypast.ie (subscription only). Click here for the link to Thomas Gormely's 1843 record at Frenchpark.
The surname Costello has numerous variants in the spoken language, however, the root surname from which it was Anglicized – Mac Coisteala (VAR: Costelloe / Costollo / Costellow / Costily / Costely) – is distinct from the root of Casserly – Mac Casarlaigh ... VAR: MacCasserly / Caserly / Cassorly/ Cassidy/).
Both of these surnames were common in this district, but each was considered a very distinct family name. Costello (and variants) being distinguishable by the T sound. No Casserly variations carry a T.
Hope this helps!
