In Ireland
The Boys of Gull - my
Newest Research!!!
Okay, so we know that he was born in Co. Kilkenny and that there is a parish of Galmoy there. I haven't yet been able to find a John Hynes matching our John in any of the available documents but many are not available to me unless I pay for their use or hire a researcher in Ireland. As I get more definative information I will look into getting access to those documents.
I have been able to find that John Hynes received a grant for the land he cleared in Ferryland in 1869. This grant is on file with the government office of lands and I will be obtaining a copy in the next few days. This may include additional information about him, it may be able to tell us if he was literate or not (if it contains a mark "X" or a signature). UPDATE 5 DECEMBER 2003: The 1869 grant document belonging to John Hynes was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1892 in St. John's. I was reassured by the staff at the Dept of Lands (Howley Bldg) that these documents did not contain signatures or a great deal of information beyond what I had, name and discription of land. Still it would have been nice to have that original document in our hands as a tangible link to John Hynes.
Keep checking back because this search is heating up......
Whitefoot Oath of Allegience
Below is the oath taken by members of a secret society The Whitefoot. This name became synonymous with all secret societies in the early to mid 1800's. This version was given by an informer to HB Wray, Queen's County Police, January 1832. (original spelling used)
1st I solmly sware to be loyall and true to the New Ribbon Act
2nd I sware, I will to the best of my power, cut down Kings, Queens and Princes, Duks, Earls, Lords and all such with Land Jobin and herrisy.
3rd I sware that I will never Pity the moans or groans of the Dying, from the Cradell to the Cruthch and that I will wade knee Deep in Orange Blood.
4th I sware I am to Bear My right arm to be cut of and trow over the left shoulder and nailed to the traples Door of Armagh before I will way lay or betray or go in to any Court to Prosecute a Brother, known him to be such.
5th I sware I will go 10 miles on foot and 15 miles on horse Back in five minutes warning.
6th I sware I will give Money to Purchase and repair fire arms amunition and the Like, and every other weapon that may be wanting
7th I sware I never will tell the man's name nor the man's name that stood by making me a Ribbonman or whitefoot to any one under the Cannopy of heaven, not even to Priest, Bishop, or any in the Church..
8th I sware I will not stand to hear hell or confusion Drank to a whitefoot or Ribbonman without resisting the same or quiting the company.
9thI sware I never will keep a robber's company Nor harbour him, except for fire arms
10th I sware I will not make foul freedom with a Brother's wife or Sister Known them to be as Such.
11th I sware I will not Keep the second Coat or the Second Shilling and a Brother be in want or relief, Known him to be such.
12th I sware I will not be present at the making of a ribbonman or Whitefoot without Praper orders from our Captain.
In pursuance of this spirituall Oblagation So Healp mee God.
It is possible that John Hynes if he was a member of one of the many Secret Societies that existed in the 1820's and 30's would have made a similar oath. It is a great insight into the feelings of bitterness, betrayal and distrust that was rampant in Ireland at the time.
HOW YOU CAN HELP!!!
Much of the information I have gathered about John Hynes came as a result of the "Oral History" of our family - the stories he told. If anyone in the family has any family "tidbits" they would like to share please contact me. Even if it doesn't seem like much it can be a virtual mine of information if looked at from the right angles.
For instance, it is said that Ellen Meany would sing a song to John in his later years when he lived with her and Edward. This song was about some landmark or land feature (lake, mountain, place etc) that was close to his home in Ireland. The song was said to bring tears to his eyes and he told Ellen that the "thing" (whatever it was!) could be seen from the doorstep of his home. Does anyone have a clue what the song might be?! I was thinking of the song "Sleivenamon" which used to be quite a popular song on the Southern Shore and Sleivenamon is a range of mountains in Southern County Kilkenny, which is quite a distance from the Parish of Galmoy. If anyone has any clue about this please pass it along as well as any other stories you may have heard.
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