Belleville

Photo by Marian Hardiman

Belleville/ Diméin Belleville

The Down Survey Map

This link may or may not provide information on the town land

O’Donovan’s Field Names Books 1838

According to O’Donovan’s Field Names Books 1838, the alternate Irish name for the town land is Carán which translates to round hill. The town land is situated 3 miles N.S.W. of Monivea. Bounded on the North by Farrawaun. West by Lackagh Parish. South by Athenry Parish and East by Cauraun T. Land. It is described as being all under tillage. There is a demesne in this town land. It is the property of Major Mahon. It is all laid out as a demesne and near its centre is the residence of the Proprietor. The road from Galway to Monivea forms its South boundary for a considerable distance.

Griffith’s Valuation 1855

According to Griffith’s Valuation 1855, Thomas Mahon’s 245 acres, 1 rood and 8 perches which consisted of a house, offices and land was in fee and was valued at £105-0-0. The total value of rateable property paid in Belleville was £105-0-0 for 245 acres, 1 rood and 8 perches of rented holdings.

1901 Census

Belleville in 1901 consisted of 2 households. The total population was 16, 7 males and 9 females. 10 of the occupants were born in Co. Galway, 2 were born in Co. Mayo, 1 was born in Co. Tipperary, 1 was born in Scotland, 1 was born in Queensland and 1 was born in Dublin City. 11 occupants identified as Roman Catholic, 4 were members of the Church of Ireland and 1 identified as a Presbyterian. Both houses were made of stone, brick or concrete while their roofs were made of slate, iron or tiles. It is worth noting that household 2 was divided into 2 sections which were listed as “Household 2.1” and “Household 2.2”.  There were 7 Irish speakers and 9 non-Irish speakers. The heads of the households were Michael Hession, Mary S Persse and Burton W Persse

Michael Hession (34) was a coachman and domestic servant who lived with his wife Bridget (30) and his three unmarried children, Mary (8) who was a scholar, Patrick (6) who was also a scholar and Malachy (3). Michael spoke Irish and English while this information is not listed for the rest of the household. Bridget could read and write while the rest of the household could not read. Bridget was born in Co. Tipperary while the rest of the occupants were born in Co. Galway. All occupants were Roman Catholic.The house was listed as a private dwelling and was a 2^nd class residence with 2 front facing windows and 2 rooms. The house was made of stone, brick or concrete while the roof was made of iron, slate or tiles. There was 1 out office and farm steading on the property which consisted of 1 turf house. Bryan Mahon owned the land on which the house was situated.

Mary S Persse (50) was the head of household 2.1. She was a landed proprietor and widow who lived with 7 servants, Bridget Glynn (53) was a cook and domestic servant and widow. Margaret Lavelle (22) was an unmarried parlourmaid and domestic servant. Bridget Prendergast (20) was an unmarried housemaid and domestic servant. Bridget White (19) was an unmarried kitchenmaid and domestic servant. Sarah Wilcon (21) was an unmarried ladysmaid and domestic servant. Tim Fahy (45) was a married groom and domestic servant. Patrick Flanagan (20) was unmarried and was also a groom and domestic servant. Jesse Persse (20) was an unmarried visitor who was staying at the house. Bridget Glynn, Bridget Prendergast, Bridget White, Tim and spoke Irish and English while this information is not listed for the rest of the household. Bridget White could not read while the rest of the household could read and write. Bridget Prendergast, Bridget White, Tim and Patrick were born in Co. Galway. Bridget Glynn and Margaret were born in Co. Mayo. Mary was born in Dublin City, Jessie was born in Queensland and Sarah was born in Scotland. Bridget Glynn, Bridget Prendergast, Bridget White, Tim and Patrick were Roman Catholic, Mary, Jessie and Margaret were members of the church of Ireland and Sarah was a Presbyterian.

Burton W Persse (47) was the head of household 2.2. He was an unmarried landed proprietor and J.P. who lived with his servant, John Shaughnessy (35) who was also unmarried and was a groom and domestic servant. John spoke Irish and English while this information is not listed for Burton. Burton was a member of the Irish church while John was Roman Catholic. Both occupants were born in Co. Galway and could read and write. The house was a 1^st class residence with 15 front facing windows and 16 rooms, 13 of which were in household 2.1 with the other 3 being in household 2.2. The house was made of stone, brick or concrete while the roof was made of iron, slate or tiles. There were 20 out offices and farm steadings which consisted of 8 stables, 2 coach houses, 1 harness room, 2 cow houses, 1 piggery, 1 fowl house, 1 boiling house, 1 barn, 1 potato house, 1 shed and 1 forge. The name of the landholder is not listed.

1911 Census

Belleville in 1911 consisted of 2 households. The total population was 8, 4 males and 4 females. All occupants were Roman Catholic. 7 occupants were born in Co. Galway while 1 was born in Co. Tipperary. There were 4 Irish speakers and 4 non-Irish speakers. Both houses were made of stone, brick or concrete while their roofs were made of slate, iron or tiles. There were 26 out-offices and farm-steadings which consisted of 9 stables, 1 coach house, 1 harness room, 2 cow houses, 1 calf house, 1 dairy, 1 piggery, 2 fowl houses, 1 boiling house, 1 barn, 1 turf house, 1 potato house, 1 workshop, 2 sheds, 1 store and 1 laundry. The heads of the households were Ellen Gill and Michael Hession.

Ellen Gill (21) was an unmarried Cook and Domestic Servant who lived with Martin Murphy (23) who was an unmarried Farm Servant. Mary Anne Robbit (19), an unmarried Dress Maker, was also visiting the house at the time. Ellen and Mary Anne could read and write while Martin could not read. All occupants were born in Co. Galway, identified as Roman Catholic and spoke Irish and English. The house was listed as a private dwelling and was a 1^st class residence with 18 front facing windows and 30 rooms. The house was made of stone, brick or concrete while the roof was made of iron, slate or tiles. There were 25 out-offices and farm-steadings which consisted of 9 stables, 1 coach house, 1 harness room, 2 cow houses, 1 calf house, 1 dairy, 1 piggery, 1 fowl house, 1 boiling house, 1 barn, 1 turf house, 1 potato house, 1 workshop, 2 sheds, 1 store and 1 laundry. Bryan Mahon owned the land won which the house was situated.

Michael Hession (45) was a Coachman and Domestic Servant who lived with his wife, Bridget (35) and his three unmarried children, Mary (17), Patrick (15) who was a Scholar and Malachy (12) who was also a Scholar. Michael and Bridget were 18 years married as of 1911. Their marriage produced three children with all three still living at the time. Michael spoke Irish and English while the rest of the household spoke English only. Michael could not read while the rest of the household could read and write. Bridget was born in Co. Tipperary while the rest of the house hold was born in Co. Galway. All occupants identified as Roman Catholic. The house was a 2^nd class residence with 2 front facing windows and 3 rooms. The house was made of stone, brick or concrete while the roof was made of iron, slate or tiles. There was 1 fowl house on the property. Bryan Mahon owned the land on which the house was situated.

Note: The links provided for the 1901 and 1911 Censuses only contain information from the old versions of these Censuses as the updated versions do not contain information on this townland as of 17/05/2025.