Anthony Cleary
Although it had previously been thought that Anthony was the son of another Peter Cleary, it is now reported that he was the son of John Cleary. There are no documents to confirm this, but it is based on strong family tradition related by a senior member of the Cleary family who was raised in the midst of the family and its traditions in Illaun, Miltown Malbay, County Clare.
Based on information in the record of his death, Anthony was born in approximately 1807, living all his life on the family farm in Illaun, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare, Ireland. Anthony Cleary, a farmer (a tough existence in mid 19th century Ireland), married Bridget McMahon. The children of the marriage are listed with information about Bridget.
The Clare Heritage and Genealogical Centre reports that the Griffith Valuation of 1855 was undertaken to determine the amount of tax each tenant should pay towards the support of the poor within his Poor Law Union. In addition to giving the name of the occupier or tenant, the Griffith Valuation Book of 1855 provides the name of the immediate lessor, the name of the townland or city location, the area and the value of holding and value of the house.
photo provided by Denise Ritter,
Anthony's great grand-daughter.
The 1855 Land Records list Anthony Cleary leasing a house, office (shed) and land at Illaun. He was leasing the property from Sir Edward Fitzgerald. The land area amounted to 18 acres 2 roods and 30 perches. It was valued at £6 (six pounds), while the house was valued at 5/- (five shillings), bringing the total property valuation to £6/5/-.
In that same valuation, three other persons of the same surname are recorded at Illaun and these would have been undoubtedly related but available records are not old enough or detailed enough to learn the connections. These people were Thomas Cleary, Martin Cleary and James Cleary.
A well-known local historian told that Anthony Cleary used to keep greyhounds whose catch of rabbits would have helped to feed the family and also given him something to sell or barter. On one occasion he was caught poaching (details not known but possibly setting his hounds to catch rabbits on someone else's property).
Anthony died on 19 July 1897, never having the opportunity to meet his grandchildren in faraway New South Wales and Victoria.
His death certificate shows that he was 90 years of age and his son Frank, who was present at the death, was the official informant.
