If I could magically get an answer to just one question re: this post, it would be this:
I have baptisms of 4 children of Thomas MacDonald and Mary Cavanaugh in Raheen, from 1825-1833. They were: Judith, James, Bridget, and Thomas.
I then have a marriage of Thomas MacDonald and Sarah Neil, 1833, Raheen.
Then the bap. records of their children from 1833-1849: John, James, Patrick (my 2x great grandfather), Andrew, Bernard, Michael, and Mary.
Although it certainly appears that Thomas remarried in 1833, I have some reservations.
I have a headstone transcription in Rathanna, for a John MacDonald, father of Thomas. According to the stone, John died in 1830. Also buried, according to the stone, are Michael and Mary, who are the son and daughter from Thomas and Sarah.
The other reason I believe these may be 2 different Thomas MacDonalds is the first-born sons' names. The first son of Thomas and Mary was James, born 1827.
The first son of Thomas and Sarah was John, born 1835. It seems likely that John would have been named after his grandfather, John. I believe that the John MacDonald buried at Rathanna was the father of the Thomas MacDonald who married Sarah, and named their first son John.
There are some problems with my theory. The most salient to me is the fact that, after 1833, there are no more bap records from Thomas and Mary Cavanaugh. The last was Thomas in May of 1833 (incidentally, Sarah Neil was a sponsor!). In April, 1834, Thomas and Sarah wed.
I'd be happy to hear any thoughts or knowledge of records or info I may be overlooking. It might be wishful thinking on my part. My line comes fro Patrick, John and Sarah's son. Actually, I should hope that this is the same Thomas, and he just remarried, rather than discovering there was yet another Thomas MacDonald in Raheen!!
Thank you!