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Notes on the Marmions of Louth, and the connections to the Marmions of County Down. According to the oral tradition Anthony married Ellen (Nellie) Dowdall and they had five children; Laurence, reputedly nine years old at his father’s death. Pat b. 13th May 1791 James b. 3rd May 1795 Mary b. 3rd April 1797 and Ellen born on the 23rd April 1799 - after her father’s death. In Pigot’s Dir. of Ireland 1820, is listed, in the Middle Ward Dundalk, an Ellen Marmion, tallow chandler and soap boiler. This Ellen might be the widow of Anthony. Also in the Middle Ward is William Marmion, publican. He came from Lurganconry, was an uncle of Arthur Marmion who married Catherine Murphy, and husband of Margaret Coleman of Dundalk. His death occurred in 1824. In Pigot’s Directory of 1824 – Laurence Marmion is located in the Middle Ward working as a tallow chandler and soap boiler. There is no mention of Ellen. Laurence would appear to be the son of Ellen and Anthony and to have succeeded his mother. Also named is publican Margaret Marmion, (widow of William). In Slater’s Dir., 1846, Laurence Marmion of 97 Clanbrassil Street is again recorded. William and Margaret Marmion’s son Thomas appears as a tanner and currier at 30 Clanbrassil Street. In Slaters Dir., 1856, at 97 Clanbassil Street, Mary and Ellen Marmion are named, as grocer, tallow chandler and soap boiler. They appear to have taken over from their brother Laurence. Thomas Marmion is still listed at the above address although he died in this year. From his death notice he appears to have been single. In Slater 1870 there is no mention of Mary or Ellen. Note: In the 1837 Valuation Record, Mrs Marmion (widow of William), Thomas and Richard, mother and sons, are living beside one another in Park Street. Valuations £45, £25 and £18 respectively. Mary Marmion of Dundalk, sister of Anthony, made her will in 1873. It was proved June 1875 (PRONI Mic/15c/1/4 No 159). She made bequests to her cousin Richard Marmion of Louth (this is probably Louth village) - £200. To her cousin Edward Ferrar of Dundalk - £150 plus all goods and chattels. To the children of her deceased brother Laurence £100 each; The eldest Eliza, a widow “and when I last heard of her in New York”. The second Bridget Mary “was married to Mr. Wiles Howard since deceased”. The third Laurence “is in New York”. The fourth “Anne, when I last heard of her was in New York”. Edw. Ferrar and Richard Marmion were appointed executors and the will was witnessed by Owen Byrne and Thomas Byrne both of Francis St., Dundalk. Note: Re. Ferrar. James Carroll b. 1727, d. 1804 married Anne Kieran. They had two sons of whom James b. 1754, d.1806, married Anne Marmion daughter of Bartholomew (brother of Anthony exec., 1798). Their only daughter Margaret married Edward Ferrar and had one son Edward, named in Mary’s will. Richard of Louth was most probably a son of Pat or James. Ellen is not mentioned, she probably predeceased Ellen. Anthony Marmion’s parents were believed to be Nicholas Marmion (b.1732, d.1773) and Elizabeth Boylan. Elizabeth’s will was proved February 1789 (PRONI, T/.664. p12-13). She is described as ‘relict of Nicholas, distiller’. In her will she mentions John, Francis, Anthony, Bartholomew and two daughters Judith Margaret and Anne’. She was obviously pregnant as she goes on to include “the child or children I am now encient with”. ----------------------------------------------------- In 1875 another Marmion died. Mary Anne, spinster, of Newry died 8 December 1875 and while her will was proved 4 February 1776, her death appears not to have been registered. She is sometimes confused with Anthony’s sister, Mary. When she made her will she was living at Laurel Cottage, Newry the home of her cousins Allan and Mary MacDonnel who in 1888 were to travel to Laredo, Texas, on the death of their brother Christopher Marmion MacDonnel. However when she died, Mary Anne was resident at the boarding school of the Misses Quigley, in Hill Street, Newry. In her will she bequeathed £200 to her uncle James Verdon of Plainsfield, New Jersey, USA. To her 2nd cousin Essy Graham of Liverpool £400 with various sums to her cousins Hugh McElroy and Rose Marmion of Mourne. To another 2nd cousin, Sarah Graham, she bequeathed £100. Fifteen pound to the parish priest of Cooley to be distributed to the poor. To the Convent of Mercy, Ardee, £5 for the poor of the district. In all she bequeathed over £1000 to various causes. She also stated that she was entitled to an annuity of £70 by the will of her late uncle Michael Verdon, payable by Thomas Verdon out of his property in Cooley. She appointed her friends Allan MacDonnel and George Denvir both of Newry executors and James Murphy of Newry, solicitor. We also know that she erected a headstone in Templetown Cemetery, Cooley, to the de Verdon family. The stone records the names of her uncle Richard de Verdon Esq., of Monksland, also his brother Michael de Verdon died April, 1831, Miss Elizabeth de Verdon died September 1845 and Richard died aged 66 years, 1855. We can conclude that Mary Anne was closely related to Arthur Marmion’s family in Mourne, that her mother was a de Verdon but who exactly her father and mother were we cannot say. She appears to have had no close family in Newry. Following her burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Newry, a simple headstone was erected by a friend. Bradshaws Directory for Newry in 1820 records Michael Verdon an apothecary of Castle Street. This might be the Michael Verdon who bequeathed her the annuity of £70. Thomas Verdon M.D. lived at Market Street. Did this Thomas go to Liverpool? Did Mary Anne’s mother belong to this Newry family? We know that these men were linked to the Verdons of Cooley. A James Marmion is recorded in the Post Office Directory for 1824 as a bookseller in North Street, Newry. He then disappears from the records. Was he a Marmion of Mourne, and possibly Mary Anne’s father? Did Mary Anne leave Newry only to return in later years? The answer is out there somewhere, the problem is finding it, Tom Cunningham - Aug 08 |