The Bowles of Crohane

Bowles were in the Crohane/Coolquill/Knocknahown area a few miles to the East of Killenaule from the late 1700's until recent times. See the family tree under development at the end of this page.

Killenaule was a walled market town but the much larger market was at Fethard about 6 miles south of Killenaule. If you were not a resident of Fethard you had to pay a market fee to the Corporation of Fethard if you wanted to sell your trade or produce in the Fethard Market . Larger merchants could also pay an annual fee in order to be granted Freeman status. The List of Freemen of the Corporation of Fethard lists a George Bowles of Coolquill in 1771. His Freeman status in Fethard would indicate that he was involved in trade, probably produce from his farm, at the Fethard market.

The cemetery of the Crohane Church of Ireland (built 1848) has two Bowles headstones:

Plot 28
Erected by Charles Boles of Knocknahone in memory of his father John BOWLES who departed this life June 16 1840 aged 78.

Plot 27
Erected by Susan Bowles of Crohane in Memory of her beloved William Bowles who died June 22nd 1851 aged 50 years. Also her son John Bowles who died Oct. 20 1868 aged 17. James Simpson, Crohane died March 9th 1967 aged 78.

The Church Tithes List for the Parish of Crohane Lower for October 1830 includes John Bowles holding two 4 acre plots under Anthony Guy Luther, Esq.

The Tithe Defaulters list of 1831 includes John Bowles, farmer, of Lower Crohane.

The 1850 Griffith's Valuation of the barony of Slieveardagh, Civil Parish of Crohane includes:

Ballyphillip

William Bowles Holding a house and land from Colonel Palliser 22 acres, 3 roods, 14 perches

Crohane Lower

William Bowles Holding a house and land from Messrs. Malcolmson, Pike & Fennell 42, 0, 35

William Bowles Another house (vacant)

Charles Bowles Holding a house and land under Guy Luther 13 acres, 2 roods, 6 perches

Note: 1 acre = 4 roods, 1 rood = 40 perches

Irish Civil Registration books contain a reference for Jane Bowles, daughter of William Bowles, marrying a James Simpson at Crohane on May 8, 1862. ref.

An 1863 Coroner's Report for Honora Holmes of Crohane was submitted by a Dr. George Boles ref.

The following is a possible family tree which fits the above references but has not been confirmed. This is presently a working hypothesis only.

George Bowles b. ~ 1735 (a Freeman of Fethard in 1771; lived Coolquill) m. ? ~ 1754

d. Feb. 9, 1777 (age 42) bur. Killenaule mem.

1. Susana Bowels b. ~ 1756 m. Mr. Graham d. Oct. 10, 1792 (age 36) bur. Killenaule mem.

2. John Bowles b. ~ 1762 d. June 16, 1840 age 78

m. ?

John has 8 acres at Crohane Lower under Luther in 1830, also there in 1831 (farmer)

2.1 Charles Boles b. ~ 1790

Charles lived at Knocknahone in 1840 has 13.5 acres at Crohane Lower under Luther in 1850 (inherited so oldest son)

2.2 William Bowles b. ~ 1801 d. June 22, 1851 age 50

m. Susan Bowles ~ 1840 (Susan lived at Crohane after 1851; probably with daughter Jane)

William with land and houses at Ballyphillip and Lower Crohane in 1850

2.2.1 Jane Bowles b. ~ 1844 m. James Simpson May 8, 1862 Crohane

2.2.1.1 William Simpson b. 1865

m. ? (Church of Ireland)

2.2.1.1.1 James Simpson b. ~ 1889 d. Mar. 9, 1967 Crohane (age 78)

m.(2) Johana (b. ~ 1864) ~ 1894 (Catholic)

2.2.1.1.2 Catharine (Kate) Simpson b. ~ 1895

2.2.1.1.3 Thomas (Tom) Simpson b. ~ 1896

2.2.1.1.4 John Simpson b. ~ 1897

2.2.1.1.5 Mary Simpson b. 1900

(note: James was baptized C of I, rest were baptized Catholic)

1901 Census

2.2.2 John Bowles b. ~ 1851 d. Oct. 20, 1868 age 17

Possibly a Dr. George Boles b. ~ 1840, son of either Charles or William

Need to check the C of I register for Crohane for more Bowles/Boles and for descendants of Jane Bowles Simpson after 1862. Need photos of the two Bowles stones in Crohane graveyard and any from Jane Simpson's line. Need to check RC register for Crohane for William Simpson's RC descendants.