Claire's ancestry - McConville

For the McConville photo gallery click here

On this page you will find details of my McConville family and also other related family names, McMorran/McMurran and Pepper.

I had a pretty tough time with the McConville side of the family as, when my father was about 3 years old, his father, Mark McConville Snr., died, leaving his mother, Susan McConville (nee Beggan) with 5 children. She had no alternative but to go back to her hometown of Roslea. I've spoken to various members of family, still alive, and that, along with things from my own memory, has helped me to put some kind of picture together.

Susan Beggan eloped with Mark McConville Snr. some time around the early 1920s. She had met him while he was stationed at an R.U.C. (Royal Ulster Constabulary) barracks in the Roslea area (his family were originally from Tandragee, Parish of Ballymore, County Armagh). They left by pony and trap in the middle of the night with all their belongings. It was a big blow for her father, John Beggan Snr., as Mark McConville belonged to the Church of Ireland and was in the R.I.C. Considering the Beggan family were Catholic with John Beggan Snr. being a very strict Catholic, it was not the done thing to marry someone from opposite religions and he made it known that his daughter, Susan, would no longer be welcome at his home.


Roslea R.U.C. Barracks	Mark McConville Senior in uniform

From Roslea, they went to Dublin, where they got married and lived for a while. It was here that they had their first child, my Uncle, Mark McConville Jnr on 4th April 1924. It's not clear to me, for now, how long they remained in Dublin or where their next two children, my Uncle John McConville (born 26th August 1925) and my Uncle Joseph McConville (born 1926/27) were born but, by the time my father, Ernest McConville, was born (12th May 1928), they were living at Aughlish Cottages, townland of Aughlish, Parish of Ballymore. Mark Senior's mother and sisters were living in the Mill Row Cottages in Tandragee, County Armagh. So called Mill Row as the cottages were home to workers of the local Sinton's Flax Mill Information here. The townland was called Tullyhugh and it came under the parish of Ballymore. This was the home where Mark McConville Snr had grown up and was the family home of the McConvilles. One more child was born to Mark and Susan McConville, in Aughlish, Tandragee. This was Sarah McConville Jnr (born 1929/1930).

Below is part of poem that was kindly sent to me by a contact of mine whose grandparents were neighbours of the McConville family in the Mill Row. The poem mentions the McConville's party and my grannie Susan Beggan of "Rossleigh". My contact told me there is more to the poem but this is all he has. I would love to know how the rest of the poem goes.

Sadly for my grannie, her husband died from either double pneumonia or pleurisy in April 1932, forcing her to return to Roslea with her children. I am told he is buried in St. Mark's Church of Ireland Church in the Parish of ballymore. The male children were sent to a catholic convent for a while, so she could get a place to live etc. I'm assuming that her daughter, Sarah, remained with her, although I can't say either way. My grannie was helped by a local family and eventually managed to bring her sons home to be with her. They moved in with my grannie's sister, Sarah Beggan at Annashanco.

It was only by chance that I came into contact with a lady who was the widower of a McConville cousin of my father. She was able to give me a lot of information on the McConville family members and history. Until this time, I only knew of Mark McConville Snr and one sister, Mary, who had married and had taken the name Borrell and was now living in Australia. This lady was able to tell me of four other sisters, Sarah, Susan, Maggie and Ellen, and three brothers, John, Joe and Tom Bill.

John died in the first World War on 1st July 1916 and some enilstment details are here I've since got hold of the full details from the site and they are below. Their mother, Sarah, attended the service at the war memorial in Tandragee every year until she died in 1961, aged 104 years.... John's name is on the war memorial as well as being on the war memorial at Thiepval. You can read about the Battalion John was in and how he and his fellow servicemen were killed in action here

Regiment, Corps etc	Princess Victoria's (Royal Irish Fusiliers)
Battalion/etc	9th Battalion.
Surname	Mcconville
Christian Name	John
Initials	J
Born	Ballynagarrick, Co. Armagh
Enlisted	Portadown, Co. Armagh
Residence	Tandragee, Co. Armagh
Rank	PRIVATE
Number	14570
Died Date	01/07/1916
Died How	Killed in action
Theatre of War	France & Flanders
Supplementary Notes

Below is the medal record for my Great Uncle John McConville

I am told that John's brother, Joesph McConville, also died in the first World War and have found these details, which may or may not refer to him.....

Regiment, Corps etc	Princess Victoria's (Royal Irish Fusiliers)
Battalion/etc	8th Battalion.
Surname	Mcconville
Christian Name	Joseph
Initials	J
Born	Shankhill, Co. Armagh
Enlisted	Portadown, Co.
Residence	Lurgan, Co. Armagh
Rank	L/CPL
Number	18328
Died Date	17/08/1916
Died How	Killed in action
Theatre of War	France & Flanders
Supplementary Notes

*UPDATE* I have recently been told by a new contact, who knew the Mill Row family, that Mark McConville Senior used to do a lot of poaching and one day avoided getting caught by the police by wading out into a river. He had to wait quite a while before he could get to safety and by that time he was cold and wet. It was soon after that he died. More here.

The 1901 and 1911 Censuses for Ireland are now complete and online, and I have managed to find my McConville family, with a little detective work. In 1901 the family were living in house number 35 in Maghernahely, Camlough, County Armagh. The house and land was rented to William McConville by 'Bessbrook Sp Comp' which I believe is the Bessbrook Spinning Company. This is a completely new placename to me and I now believe it is probable that my grandfather Mark was born here rather than at the Mill Row, Tanderagee which is where I had assumed he was born.

Surname	Name	Relation to Head	Age	Y.O.B.	Religion	Status	Occupation	County of Birth	Notes
McConville	William	Head of Family	37	1862	Church of Ireland	Married	Agr Labourer	Co. Down	Great Grandfather
McConville	Sarah	Wife	37	1863	Church of Ireland	Married	blank	Co. Down	Great Grandmother
McConville	Margaret	Daughter	16	1887	Church of Ireland	Single	Yarn Reeler	Co. Down	Great Aunt
McConville	Joseph	Son	14	1889	Church of Ireland	Single	Laying Bobbis	Co. Down	Great Uncle
McConville	Susan	Daughter	13	1890	Church of Ireland	Single	Flax Doffer	Co. Down	Great Aunt
McConville	Sarah	Daughter	11	1892	Church of Ireland	Single	Scholar	Co. Down	Great Aunt
McConville	William	Son	9	1893	Church of Ireland	Single	Scholar	Co. Down	Great Uncle
McConville	Ellen	Daughter	7	1895	Church of Ireland	Single	Scholar	Co. Down	Great Aunt
McConville	Mary	Daughter	5	1897	Church of Ireland	Single	Scholar	Co. Down	Great Aunt
McConville	John	Son	3	1898	Church of Ireland	Single	blank	Co. Down	Great Uncle (died in WW1 in 1916)
McConville	Mark	Son	9mths	1901	Church of Ireland	Single	blank	Co. Armagh	Grandfather

In the 1911 Census the name was written McConvill by the census man and this was transcribed as McConvell, but it is certainly my McConville family. The family were living at house number 23 in the Mill Row, Tanderagee, Co. Armagh.This is one of the addresses I knew of already.

Surname	Name	Relation to Head	Age	Estimated Y.O.B.	Religion	Status	Occupation	County of Birth	Notes
McConvill	William	Head of Family	49	1862	Church of England	Married	General Labourer	Co. Down	Great Grandfather
McConvill	Sarah	Wife	48	1863	Church of England	Married	blank	Co. Down	Great Grandmother
McConvill	Maggie	Daughter	24	1887	Church of England	Single	Mill Worker	Co. Down	Great Aunt
McConvill	Joseph	Son	22	1889	Church of England	Single	Black Smith	Co. Down	Great Uncle
McConvill	Susan	Daughter	21	1890	Church of England	Single	Mill Worker	Co. Down	Great Aunt
McConvill	Sarah	Daughter	19	1892	Church of England	Single	Mill Worker	Co. Down	Great Aunt
McConvill	Willie	Son	18	1893	Church of England	Single	Mill Worker	Co. Down	Great Uncle
McConvill	Ellen	Daughter	16	1895	Church of England	Single	Mill Worker	Co. Down	Great Aunt
McConvill	Mary	Daughter	14	1897	Church of England	Single	Mill Worker	Co. Down	Great Aunt
McConvill	John	Son	13	1898	Church of England	Single	Scholar	Co. Down	Great Uncle (died in WW1 in 1916)
McConvill	Mark	Son	10	1901	Church of England	Single	Scholar	Co. Armagh	Grandfather

What is exciting about this new information is that it confirms the existence of my Grandfather, Mark McConville. Although he is listed on my father's birth Certificate, I have not been able to find any other documentation for him so I had not been able to establish a rough year of birth or where he was born. The census record shows he was born about 1901 in County Armagh, making him the only one of the children born in the Mill Row. The others were no doubt born in Ballynagarrick, County Down and the family would have moved to the Mill Row sometime between 1898 and 1901. The house number at the Mill Row was 23.

What is quite sad is that my Grandfather was only about 31 years old when he died in 1932. I had thought he was quite a lot older than my Grannie but as she was born in 1903 he was only 2 years her senior.

The 1911 Census also tells me that William McConville was born in County Down and not County Armagh. His estimated date of birth is 1862 , although I am not sure how reliable this is since it has his wife as being born about 1863 when I know she was born in 1857. Perhaps she said she was younger as William was maybe younger than she was. According to the census, William and Sarah were married for 27 years and had 10 children, all of whom were still living, yet there were only 9 children listed and I have only found out about 9 children.

I have found a possible birth for William McConville...

WILLIAM MCCONVILLE

Birth:
06 NOV 1864 0238, Ballyward, Down, Ireland

Parents:
Mother: CATHRINE MCCONVILLE

Messages:
Extracted birth or christening record for the locality listed in the record. The source records are usually arranged chronologically by the birth or christening date.

Here are some Signatures from the Ulster Covenant. These were signed by my Great Grandfather (William McConville), his wife (Sarah (McMoran) McConville), his son, John, and three of his daughters, Sarah, Susan and Mary McConville, on 28th September 1912.

I'm positive Sarah McMoran's parents were Joseph McMoran and Susanna Pepper. These would be my GG Grandparents. They were married at Newmills Presbyterian Church, Parish of Tullylish, on 15th July 1858 by Rev.James Orr. Joseph's father was John of Ballynagarrick and Susanna's father was Edward of Lurgan, Parish of Shankhill. Witnesses were Joshua Fowler and Elizabeth Holland. You can find out more about this Church here just click on 'Newmills History' on the left. There is a photo of Rev. James Orr. He may also have conducted the wedding of my G Grandparents William McConville and Sarah McMoran.

Newmills Presbyterian Church

Here are two births from the Family Search website which are associated with my family.

Thomas John McMoran
Male

Event(s):
Birth: 01 APR 1876 , Down, Ireland

Parents:
Father: Joseph McMoran
Mother: Susanna McMoran Pepper

Messages:
Extracted birth or christening record for the locality listed in the record. The source records are usually arranged chronologically by the birth or christening date.
(From www.familysearch.org) *Probably a brother of my Great Grannie, Sarah McMorran. He would be my GG Uncle*

Susanna Pepper
Female

Event(s):
Birth: < 1837> Of Lurgan,Shankhill Parish, , Down, Ireland

Messages:
Record submitted after 1991 by a member of the LDS Church. No additional information is available. Ancestral File may list the same family and the submitter.

(From www.familysearch.org) *This is my Great Great Grannie* Susanna Pepper. She married Joseph McMorran*

Below is Susan (Pepper) McMorran with some of her children in the 1901 Ireland Census. They were living at house number 51 in Ballynagarrick, County Down. In house number 98, in Ballynagarrick, there was an Ann Jane McMorran. She was a 60 year old widow. It is possible Ann Jane was the widow of Susan McMorran's husband, Joseph.

Surname	Name	Relation to Head	Age	Y.O.B.	Religion	Status	Occupation	County of Birth	Notes
McMurran	Susan	Head	70	1831	Presbyterian	Widow	Housekeeper	Down	GG Grannie
McMurran	Joe	Son	30	1871	Presbyterian	Unmarried	Labourer on Farm	Down	GG Uncle
McMurran	Ellen	Daughter	28	1873	Presbyterian	Unmarried	Mill Winning	Down	GG Aunt
McMurran	George	Son	20	1880	Presbyterian	Unmarried	Agricultural Labourer	Down	GG Uncle
McMurran	Ena	Daughter	18	1883	Presbyterian	Unmarried	House Work	Down	GG Aunt

Here is a Richard McMorran and his wife Eliza living next door to Ann Jane at number 97 Ballynagarrick. Richard could be a brother of Susan's husband Joesph McMorran. If so, that would make him my great great great uncle.

Surname	Name	Relation to Head	Age	Y.O.B.	Religion	Status	Occupation	County of Birth
McMurran	Richard	Head	65	1836	Presbyterian	Married	Farmer	Down
McMurran	Eliza	Wife	50	1851	Presbyterian	Married	Blank	Down

Here is Susan (Pepper) McMorran in 1911, living at house number 55 in Ballynagarrick. You will notice there are 3 different estimations of birth year for Susan, 1831, 1835 and 1837. I do not know which of them, if any, is correct. Only Joseph is living with his mother at this stage. I am going to see if I can find any of the other known children in the 1911 Census.

Surname	Name	Relation to Head	Age	Y.O.B.	Religion	Status	Occupation	County of Birth	Notes
McMurran	Susan	Head	76	1835	Presbyterian	Widow	Blank	Down	GG Grannie
McMurran	Joseph	Son	38	1873	Presbyterian	Single	Farmer	Down	GG Uncle

Below is a marriage which might be related to my McMorran ancestors. I don't know where they would fit in but they were married in Tullylish parish and that is where my McMorran family lived.

THOMAS MC MORRAN

Parents:
Father: FRANCIS MC MORRAN

Marriages:
Spouse: RUTH CARR
Marriage: 29 NOV 1849 496, Tullylish, Down, Ireland

Messages:
Extracted marriage record for locality listed in the record. The source records are usually arranged chronologically by the marriage date.

(From www.familysearch.org)

Below are some Wills from the Proni website that are associated, or probably associated, with my McConville family. You can view these and search the wills at Proni.

Note: This information is subject to copyright by Proni. For details please go here

Forename: Joshua
Surname: Fowler
Alt Surname:
Date Of Death: 16/05/1908
Date Of Grant: 10/07/1908
Effects: Effects £290 5s. 0d.
Registry: Belfast

Full Abstract:
Probate of the Will of Joshua Fowler late of Ballinagarrick Gilford County Down Farmer who died 16 May 1908 granted at Belfast to Fergus Fowler Farmer and Joshua Park Mill Owner. *I believe this is the same Joshua Fowler who was witness to the marriage of Joseph McMorran and Susanna Pepper. I don't know how, or if, he was related to my family*

Below is the household of Joshua Fowler living in house number 53 at Ballynagarrick, County Down. Joshua was born about 1821 so would be old enough to have been a witness at my great great grannie's wedding.

Surname	Name	Relation to Head	Age	Y.O.B.	Religion	Status	Occupation	County of Birth
Fowler	Joshua	Head	80	1821	Presbyterian	Widower	Farmer	Down
Fowler	Ann Jane	Daughter	26	1875	Presbyterian	Unmarried	Farmer's Daughter	Down
Fowler	Fergus	Son	24	1877	Presbyterian	Unmarried	farmer's Son	Down
Fowler	Minnie	Daughter	22	1879	Presbyterian	Unmarried	Farmer's Daughter	Down

Forename: James
Surname: McConville
Alt Surname:
Date Of Death: 31/03/1893
Date Of Grant: 28/03/1894
Effects: Effects £180 6s. 9d.
Registry: Belfast

Full Abstract:
The Will of James M'Conville late of Ballynagarrick County Down Farmer who died 31 March 1893 at same place was proved at Belfast by William M'Conville of Ballynagarrick and Patrick M'Conville of Kernon said County Farmers the Executors. *As some of my family came from Ballynagarrick, this may be an ancestor. The William McConville mentioned could be my Great Grandfather*

Forename: John
Surname: McConville
Alt Surname:
Date Of Death: 14/02/1904
Date Of Grant: 14/09/1904
Effects: Effects £354 5s.
Registry: Belfast

Full Abstract:
Probate of the Will of John M'Conville late of Ballynagarrick Gilford County Down Farmer who died 14 February 1904 granted at Belfast to William M'Conville Commercial Clerk *As some of my family came from Ballynagarrick, this may be an ancestor. The William McConville mentioned could be my Great Grandfather*

Forename: Thomas
Surname: McConville
Alt Surname:
Date Of Death: 21/04/1911
Date Of Grant: 18/01/1912
Effects: Effects £10
Registry: Armagh

Full Abstract:
Probate of the Will of Thomas McConville formerly of Ballynagarrick County Down and late of Killicomain Road Portadown County Armagh Linen Merchant (Retired) who died 21 April 1911 at The Union Infirmary Belfast granted at Armagh to Bessie Fox Married Woman

Forename: Hugh
Surname: McConville
Alt Surname:
Date Of Death: 07/09/1914
Date Of Grant: 03/05/1915
Effects: Effects £17 15s. 0d.
Registry: Belfast

Full Abstract:
Probate of the Will of Hugh McConville late of Ballynagarrick County Down Farmer who died 7 September 1914 granted at Belfast to William McConville Clerk and Henry McConville Farmer *As some of my family came from Ballynagarrick, this may be an ancestor. The William McConville mentioned could be my Great Grandfather*

The only McConville I can find, in the Griffiths Valuation, who may match where my McConvilles came from is below....

Surname	Name	Townland	Parish	County
McConville	James	Ballymore/Tandragee Mill St	Ballymore	Armagh

****UPDATE***** While looking on a gravestone inscription site here I found some family members' deaths. Interestingly, they seem to be buried not in the Parish of Ballymore but in Lisnadill Parish.

Below are some deaths which I think are related to my McConville family (from www.findagrave.com)... There is also a Margaret Hogg (d. 24 June 1918) buried with these people but I could not find her on the site. *Update - Found Margaret Hogg*

First Name	Surname	Year of Death	Parish	County	Relationship	My dates
ADAM	MCCONVILLE	1964	LISNADILL	ARMAGH	Son of Susan McConville and William ? (Susan was a sister of my Grandfather, Mark McConville Sr.)	23rd Oct 1964
JOSEPH	MCCONVILLE	1931	LISNADILL	ARMAGH	I'm not sure where this person fits in but he is buried in the same grave along with the others here. Perhaps he is a brother of William who died 1929.	16th May 1931
SARAH	MCCONVILLE	1961	LISNADILL	ARMAGH	Sarah McConville (nee McMoran?) was my Great Grannie, who lived until her 105th Year	21st Apr 1961
SUSAN	MCCONVILLE	1970	LISNADILL	ARMAGH	This may have been Adam and William's mother.	7th Aug 1970
WILLIAM	MCCONVILLE	1929	LISNADILL	ARMAGH	I think this may be my Great Grandfather, married to Sarah (McMoran?)	28th Apr 1929
WILLIAM	MCCONVILLE	1961	LISNADILL	ARMAGH	This person is buried along with the others here but I do not know where he fits in.	6th Feb 1961
ELLEN	TIMMINS	1976	LISNADILL	ARMAGH	This is Ellen McConville, sister of my Grandfather, Mark McConville Sr.	3rd Apr 1976
WILLIAM	MCCONVILLE	1994	SEAGOE	ARMAGH	I think this may be another son of Susan (sister of my Grandfather) and William. This person is not buried in the same grave.	Died in Feb 1994 while fishing in Co. Mayo, along with his brother Winston.
MARGARET	HOGG	1918	LISNADILL	ARMAGH	I don't know who this person could be but she may have married into my McConville family. She is buried in the McConville family grave along with most of the others listed above	Died 24th Jun 1918

I found the following files on various sites, including EPPI

Two documents listing spirit grocers in Armagh. An Edward Pepper is listed in 1845 and 1847...

A Joseph Pepper is mentioned in the Muster Roll of the Lurgan Yeomanry 1868-1869. Since Lurgan is where Susanna (Pepper) McMorran came from, it is reasonable to assume Joseph could be related to her. I don't think Pepper was a very common name. Also, Susanna McMorran went on to name one of her sons Joseph and he was living with her in the 1911 Census of Ireland.

Below is a document from the Land Commission from 1891. It mentions Susan McMurren as a tenant of Mrs Letitia Wilson in Ballynagarrick. Susan is undoubtedly the Susan Pepper who married Joseph McMorran.