Rock of Monaghan

[jackstorey]

The Rocks of Tyholland & Donagh Parishes are listed as emigrating to Geelong, Victoria, Australia. They lived at the Billis Farm, Donagh, also at Aghnagap in Tyholland Parish.   They had married Steensons, Douglas, Smith, Gilmours, Jebbs, Taylors & Gordons (at Legnacreeve).  Those who lived at the Billis Farm emigrated to the USA, England & Australia.  Some remained in Ireland until the late 1950's and were listed as living at The Billis Farm, Donagh Parish.  The Church Records of Donagh, once the Official Church of the Monaghan Militia, are huge and contain much data about the Rock Families.  Another Rock Family lived at Mucknoe Parish, near Castleblayney.  The family of James Rock & Eliza Jane Gilmour included Sarah (b.1865) probably died young, Letitia (b.1867), Sara (b.1868) Matilda (b.1869), Rebecca (b.1869) probably died young, Rebecca (b.1872), Martha (b.1874), James Joseph (b.1876), Isabella (b.1878), Sophia (b.1880), Charlotte Lucinda (b.1884)  - the tradition of renaming children using the same name as one who had died, predominated in the family of James Rockk & Eliza Jane Gilmour at Billis Farm.

[GramH]

Greetings from NZ,
I have a James Rock b1830  m Martha Littlewood b1832 , Castleblaney in my tree. James, as the tale goes,was supposedly a doctor who emigrated hurriedly to Australia in 1858. ( A price on his head?) Martha followed with 2 children Anne & William in 1864. They resided in the Malmsbury area where James ended his days in Winters Flat as a Railway employee, buried Castlemaine, 1893. There is some confusion over his father whether he was John or Thomas and maybe also have been a doctor. I was unaware of the other Rock families in Castleblaney and Geelong and would appreciate any further information.

[jackstorey]

The "Rock" surname is very popular in Clontibret, Donagh & Errigal Trough Parishes.  It seems that they were mostly Anglican in religion there.  However, following the 1798 Rebellion in Ireland I notice that several Anglican - Presbyterian marriages took place with the Rock families. Prior to 1798 Presbyterians were heavily discriminated against but many laws were relaxed after 1798.  The families adapted to local conditions as changes took place so it is important to take local conditions into account when researching Family History.