Robert James Kemp RIC Constable from Cavan

[Teelinboy]

Hi,

I am trying to find out more about my Great Grandfather Robert (James) Kemp who was born abt. 1860 in Cavan (possibly in Arvagh).  Robert was a farmer's son, his father's name was James.  Robert joined the RIC in Cavan on 30/03/1881 at age 21 1/3 per RIC Records.  He served in Antrim 1881-1890 where he met and married his wife Mary Ann Laverty in 1890.  He was subsequently moved to Donegal where he remained until discharged in 11/05/1897.  He had 3 children who remained with Mary Ann's family members, their descendants still living in Co. Antrim today.

Robert was Protestant in faith but later became RC (per church marriage and RIC records).  I cannot find any trace of him after he left the RIC - his wife returned alone to her family home area in Antrim where she lived out the rest of her days.

There were many Kemp farming families living in Cavan in 1800's but I cannot tie Robert to any of them having checked most on-line records and Kemp family forums. Any help would be appreciated.

[Loughguile]

Hi Teelinboy

I am the Grandson of James Laverty - Mary Ann's brother.

Robert and Mary Ann's family - Robert, Jack and Fred would have stayed with James and were recorded on the census. Jack had no partner or family and Fred was married to a molloy but no family? Robert (son) born around 1891 had a big family - do you have their details?

My information was that Robert (james) died at sea but not sure when or what the cause was.

Hope this helps but great if you have any other info on Robert James family or Mary Ann Laverty?
I have Mary Ann parents as Henry Laverty and Margaret Dillon?

Regards.

[Teelinboy]

Hi Loughguile,

Thanks for the post - I am one of many Great Grandchildren of Robert (James) Kemp who was Mary Ann Laverty's husband.  His son Robert was my Grandfather Robert who had a family of 11, 5 boys and six girls, one boy died an infant, one female died very recently, the rest are living including my father who is 89 years of age, one of his sisters being the oldest at age 90.  Most of them and their families live in Co. Antrim with some (2 sisters) living in the USA.

Mary Ann stayed with her sister Ellen and husband Dan McCambridge on their farm for many years after she returned from Donegal though she does not appear on either 1901 or 1911 census - I think she lived alone initially in what my father called the small house on the lower farm but later moved in with Ellen and Dan.  I am pretty sure she is buried in Dunloy, a cousin of mine says he has seen her grave.  My father has many memories of Mary Ann or 'Granny Kemp',  as he spent many summers on the farm in Dunloy.  He told me recently that she had worked in a hotel near Lough Swilly and was great at making cakes.  I am hoping to speak to my oldest aunt soon to see if she can remember any more and will post any further information.

We are definitely talking about the same Mary Ann as I have details of marriage, birth of children etc.  Would love to know more about your info on Robert (James) death at sea - I have drawn a blank on him so far since he left the RIC and cannot locate his ancestors in Cavan even though there were many Kemp's there.  One interesting fact is that a Thomas Kemp joined the RIC in Cavan on the same day - perhaps his brother, he also served in Anrim but died in 1893 from 'fever'..

Regards