Seaching for Samuel Hicks McLean, Lieut. RA Ireland

[gillcasey]

Am researching McLean Family History.  Looking for early information on Samuel Hicks McLean, Lieut. RA Ireland.  Date of birth unknown.  1841 Census indicates he was 56 at that time.  Buried Carrigallen Church of Ireland County Leitrim 1878.  Married to Zephera McLean (nee Hewitt) 1840, son of marriage Henry Hicks McLean, born 1848.   Previous marriage 1807,  wife's name unknown, children possibly William, John, Frederick, Anne, George.     

[dathai]

See 1839 land records
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~colin/FergusonsOfIreland/Westmeath.htm

1841 for reference
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1841/Cavan/Tullyhunco/Killashandra/Shancor/6/

[myluck!]

There is reference to a family tree on line for a Samuel Hicks McCLEAN born 1815
Link to Baptism details
The actual record refers to Samuel as being a "serjeant of artillery"
and the tree refers to his birth being in Co. Leitrim, Ireland

FTR: This tree, I believe, may have some issues that require investigating.

However it refers to this Samuel Hicks McCLEAN's having siblings with similar names to those on the census return. They were Eleanor/Ellen, John, Sutcliffe, George, Frederick, Euphemia (Effie) and Henry

Link to 1858 marriage record of a Saml Hicks MCLEAN

There are two baptisms in Kiltoghert CoI Church in Co. Leitrim that match
Jul 12 1818 Frederick MacCLEAN (f) Samuel (m) Margaret
Aug 22 1819 Mary Anne MacCLEAN (f) Samuel (m) Margaret

There is a baptism on Feb 29 1812 of Sutcliff McLEAN to Samuel and Margaret
in St. Mary Magdalene's, Woolwich

There is a baptism for a Sutcliffe Paget  McCLEAN on Mar 22 1839
in Ballinrobe CoI, Co. Mayo;
his father's name is shown as Sutcliffe and his mother's as Harriet
This may be the baptism of a grandson of Samuel Hicks McCLEAN

Unfortunately I cannot see a marriage for a Samuel and Margaret but as he was in the army he may have moved about

[myluck!]

Quote " Previous marriage 1807,  wife's name unknown"

Did you get this year from an army record?
If the year is correct, you could see where Samuel was stationed to look for a marriage to a Margaret at that time.

[myluck!]

Also the 1841 census described son William's occupation as Army and born at sea

There is an army record for a Gunner & Driver names William Maclean
He enlisted to the Royal Artillery at Armagh aged 17 in 1826
He was discharged unfit in 1850 and died in 1886
However, it states he was born in Ballincallig, Co. Cork but is still worth keeping in mind

[gillcasey]

Information for 1807 marriage came from the 1841 Census.  My information shows that Samuel had the following children (William 1809, Frederick 1810, John 1811, Sutcliffe 1812, George 1813, Samuel Hicks 1815, Anne 1816.  He married Anne Weathered, 1830 but divorced prior to baby being born. During these proceedings the court was told that he had 10 children.  The census also shows that his children Frederick, John and Anne were around the 14-18 aged group which doesn't match with the birth dates.    Samuel remarried 1940 to Zepharia Hewitt and had the following children:  Eleanor(Ellen) 1847 married William Henry Patterson, Henry Hicks 1848 married Maria Gordon in Melbourne, Australia, Euphemia (Effie) 1853 married Thomas Sheridan.  Any further light to be shed on my search would be appreciated.

[Wexflyer]

Divorced, ca. 1830? That is difficult to accept. Divorce was only possible via a private Act of Parliament, which was both difficult and costly to obtain. That a mere lieutenant, or seargent in the army could afford such seems unrealistic.

[gillcasey]

Yes thought the same so not sure how else he could have remarried in 1840, or did he??   Maybe the marriage was annulled, is that possible?

[aghadowey]

Thought a divorce would have been reported in the newspapers of the day but I did find a few bits about Samuel Hicks McLean and wife Anne- perhaps the actual articles will reveal more details.

Warder and Dublin Weekly Mail, 18 Feb.1832:  INSOLVENT DEBTORS. Petitions to he heard on Wednesday, the 7th of March. Samuel Hicks M’Lean, late of Riversbank, near Killucan, county Westmeath, farmer, and Lieutenant on half-pay of Royal Sappers and Miners.

Belfast Commercial Chronicle, 25 Feb.1832: DECLARATIONS OF INSOLVENCY, Filed in Dublin last Week. Samuel Hicks M'Lean, of Riversbank, near Killucan, co. Westmeath, farmer, and Lieutenant on half pay of royal sappers and miners. 

Saunders's News-Letter (Dublin), 13 Mar.1832: Anne M‘Lean, otherwise Weatherhead, otherwise Browne, has withdrawn herself from Use House and Protection her Husband, Samuel Hicks McLean, of Rivers Bank, in the County of Westmeath, late an Insolvent; therefore the Public are hereby cautioned against…

Also, Zephera McLean d.31 Dec.1877 Kivey & husband Samuel died there 31 Jan.1878 (informant for his death Effie McLean inmate... )
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1878/020520/7200834.pdf