John Hawkins Dillon

[Liz F]

Hi, trying to find the father of the above who was born 1814 in Donegal. In 1847 his mother Anne died and his spinster sister Mary was living in Dublin. I believe the Dillon family owned quite a bit of land in Donegal as his daughters were listed as owning over 3000 acres. Any help appreciated.

[aghadowey]

For reference-
grave of John Hawkins Dillon (d.1872)- http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=59320164

? 1 Dec.1849 Post Office Appointment- John Hawkins Dillon (Donegal) Cahir___

Mother Anne died 1847 but in 1873 (after son John died), daughter Mary was living in Dublin and she applied to administer the estate which John had not done-
http://www.willcalendars.nationalarchives.ie/reels/cwa/005014890/005014890_00458.pdf

When John died in 1872 sister Mary was listed as living in Donegal-
http://www.willcalendars.nationalarchives.ie/reels/cwa/005014890/005014890_00093.pdf

[aghadowey]

Londonderry Sentinel, 15 May 1847: In Donegal, on Saturday last, after a few days illness, to the expressible regret of her family and relations, Mrs. Dillon, relict of the late Mr. Dillon, of the Arran Arms Hotel.

1847 Slater's Directory: Timony James, proprietor Arran Arms Hotel, Diamond {Donegal Town]
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~donegal/1857dir.htm

Londonderry Sentinel, 4 Nov.1853: On Monday, the 31st ult., at her residence in Donegal, Eleanor, the beloved wife of John H. Dillon, Esq., aged 27.

1880 directory: "In the Diamond is situated the Arran Arms (under the patronage of the Earl of Arran, to whom the town belongs), one of the best hotels in Ulster."
Hotels - The Arran, Robert Blain
http://www.lennonwylie.co.uk/PT_D1880.htm

Not really seeing anything pointing to great wealth but suspect that 3000 acres of land in Donegal might only be good for grazing sheep. Since very few people actually owned their own land they were more likely to be tenants. What's the source for this?

[aghadowey]

Londonderry Sentinel, 23 Nov.1849: On Tuesday, the 20th inst., at the residence of her father, by the Ven. Archdeacon McCarron, John Hawkins Dillon. Esq., Donegal, to Eleanor L., daughter of Thomas White, Esq., Waterside, Derry.

[Liz F]

Hi,
thank you so much for all this information, some I have seen but a lot I haven't. The info re land ownership was from 1876 Landowners of Donegal transcription which had:
    Mrs Mary Byrne and Miss Frances Dillon, address Blackrock, Co Dublin, owned 3,379 acres.
I assumed that it meant absolute ownership rather than leasehold, but you are probably right.
Reading the entries from both Wills Calender entries I realise that the Mary referred to is the daughter of John Hawkins Dillon, not his sister. Mary married William Henry Byrne, a well known Dublin architect in August 1873.
I have now found an 1824 entry from Pigot's Directory which lists Charles Dillon, Head Inn and Hotel so think this is probably the father.
I really appreciate your help with this.
Liz

[conahy calling]

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~donegal/1876land.htm

Link to Transcription of Landowners in Donegal 1876 referred to in previous post

[aghadowey]

Hadn't even noticed that there were 2 different Marys mentioned in the Will Extracts so am glad that you noticed that.

For reference here's Charles Dillon in 1824 Pigot's directory-
http://www.ulsterancestry.com/Pigots_Directory_1824-Donegal_Towns.html

Just noticed 2 entries for William Byrne married 31 Aug.1873-
Mary Owen- http://churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/details/f152e90025925
Mary Dillon- http://churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/details/345f0d0431464