Our Smith Cousins of Cavandarragh Ardstraw Co Tyrone

The Smiths of Cavandoragh

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In Ireland state registration of all births, deaths and marriages began in 1864. Registration of non-Catholic marriages started in 1845

My Smith Ancestors page was before State Registration and showed that my Smith family were established on 2 farms in Ardstraw parish: -

Drumclamph (later called Cavandoragh) townland and Glenglush townland

Cavandoragh descent:- John Smith and his wife who offered lodging in 1768 to a travelling Methodist evangelist (on horseback). This John, I am fairly certain, was my 4th great grandfather He was born before 1744 and was still alive in 1796 when he was allocated Spinning Wheels in the Flaxseed Rolls.

John's sons:- There were 2 known sons - both became Methodist ministers - Robert 1764-1826 and James Bef 1772-1830. Their pictures are on previous page. There was likely another son born around 1770 who stayed to run the farm and who was my direct ancestor. His son was Robert, my great great grandfather - he was listed in the Tithe Applotment Books of 1834 as Robert Smyth

Robert had 3 known sons:-

John 1812-1895 from Drumclamph, now called Cavandoragh,
helped to build Cavandoragh Church in 1878 with a neighbour
John Scott 1833 -1906
(buried in Scarvagherin graveyard)

Matthew 1824-1901 my great grandfather

? Smith who died before 1961 and settled in Strabane

Scott tomb

John married Catherine Semple daughter of William from Glenglush on 05 Jun 1845 in St Eugenes C of I Ardstraw Parish Church. Catherine died before1895. The had 8 known children.

Jane married William Adams a farmer from Carnkenny on 14 Apr 1887 at Cavandoragh Church -
witnesses William McKee and Elizabeth Catherine Smith.

Landowners 1876 - Mrs. Adams,, address Carnkenny, Ardstrawbridge, Newtownstewart,, owned 44 acres.
1912 Covenant was signed by a William, Jane and Kathleen M - probably a daughter all from Carnkenny

Matthew Henry 1855-10 Aug 1902 - had heart problems

Eliza Catherine, born about 1860, married William Robb on 9 November 1887 - a farmer from Rathkelly
Witnesses John Joseph and Emily Louisa Smith. A daughter Selina was born about 1889.
In 1901 William was in Glasgow with his brother-in-law Edmund driving trams

1901-Census-William in Glasgow

John Joseph, born 1863, married Margaret Bird, born about 1877, from Aghyaran Castlederg on 16 June 1904.
Witnesses Edmond G Smith and Lizzie T Young

Margaret died in 1954. Margaret was brought up by her Uncle Robert & Aunt Lizzie - mother died of blood poisoning
See 7 children below

Photo Gallery

Photos of Smiths of Cavandoragh and neighbours

Alexander May 1864-Jun 1864 (premature) Andrew James 1865-1883 (appoplexy)

Thomas Walshe 1868-1869 (gastro enteritis)
Edmond George 1870- bef 1914 WWI - drove Glasgow trams	1901-Census-Edmund in Glasgow

Children of John Joseph and Margaret:-

John Kenneth born 1905 and died 1973 in Bangor Co Down - he married Martha
Robert Henry born 1906 died:1932 in New Zealand as a result of an shooting accident
George Edwin born:1907
Evelyn Allen Brownrigg born1909 - known as Evy - ran the home farm
Dora born:1911 - lived at home - had polio as a child
Phyllis Margaret 1912-2005 - married Thomas K Henderson in 1942
Selina Elizabeth 1915 -2006 - married Harold Godden - family moved to New Zealand

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