Jane PARKES (PARKS) (c. 1831-1918)

Jane's date of birth is uncertain since no birth certificate exists. She is in the 1901 Census, age 70, making her possible birthyear 1831. In notes of the Irish 1851 census Jane's age is given as 20, again indicating she was born in 1831. However, she is also is listed in the record of Interments in St. Joseph's RC Cemetery, Castlerea as dying on 10 January 1918 but her age at time of death is not given. The registered entry of her death on 10 January 1918, gives an age of 96 years indicating she was born circa 1822. This, however, is less likely and therefore 1831 is recorded here as the approximate year she was born.

 

Jane did not marry and the Cloonree land fell into her hands when brother, Richard, died. The aging Jane allowed the land to be taken over by farmboy, Thomas Flynn, and full ownership eventually went to the Flynn family. Valuation Office records show Cloonree lands "1907 Aa Jane Park. . .in fee. . .L.A.P and Ba. . .Jane Park. . .in fee. . .L.A.P." In 1908, name on these lands changed to "Thos Flynn. . .in fee. ..L.A.P." (L.A.P. simply means the land was purchased from the lessor under the Land Act Purchase Scheme.)

Local gossip is that Jane Parkes and Thomas Flynn had a long and scandalous

relationship. Reportedly, she was called "Lady Jane," always acted as

"gentry" and was escorted and driven everywhere by Flynn in a horse

and carriage.

NOTE: No record found of will or deed bequeathing property to Flynn. However, may have been destroyed in the 1922 uprising.

DOCUMENTED SOURCES:Old Age Pensions search applications (1908-1921) of the

census of 1851 show Jane and her application received 24 Aug 1916, numbered

S/25/581, with address c/o Wm F. Forcle (sp?), Castlerea, Co. Roscommon and

parents given as Richard & Elizabeth or Catherine Parkes (Flynn). Second

residence, presumably of alleged parents, is listed as Co Ros. Bar:Castlereagh Par:Kilkeevin Td:Cloonree. (Note: Richard and Elizabeth were, in fact, her grandparents.), National Archives, Bishop Street, Dublin; Land Valuation Office,Ely Place, Dublin, O.S.20, Cloonree, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon; Death Certificate, Deaths Registered in Ireland, General Register Office, Lombard Street, Dublin; Headstone, St. Joseph's Cemetery, Castlerea; Interment Register, St. Joseph's R.C. Church, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon.