Category: Genealogy

It is difficult to be definitive as to the origin or meaning of the Timon Family name or any family name for that matter. Family historians and heraldists provide a range of suggested origins that on scrutiny lack consistency and indeed any logical credible evidence of the asserted origins of the name.

Often, it is asserted that the name Timon and its variant spellings (Tymon, Tyman) are modern anglicised synonyms of the Connaught name Timmons. That the name Timon in Ireland has been anglicised from the Gaelic name Ó Tiomáin is not in question and its different spellings (Timon, Tymon, Tyman) in various Church and Governmental records and publications probably reflect the imprecision and variability of a phonetic translation the Gaelic name ‘Ó Tiomáin’ into English. However, there is little convincing evidence that the name Timon is in any way a derivative of Timmons or Timony; rather Timmons and Timoney may well have been anglicised plural forms of the name ‘Ó Tiomáin’. The Gaelic ‘Ó Tiomáin’ name denotes descendent of Tiomáin.

It is of interest to note that translation into English of the Gaelic word ‘Tiomáin’ has the same meaning in a number of languages. It means to ‘drive’ or ‘steer’. It has similar meaning in the French, Spanish, Italian and Greek languages; possibly in some East European languages also. Indeed the family name Timon is quite common in France and Northern Italy and particularly common in parts of Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and Southern Germany. It is also worth noting that these countries straddle the route of the Celtic migration across Europe following the Le Téne period (500 – 900 BC) and that Celts reached Northern France (Brittany) and Ireland in the final stages of their migration.

It is also interesting to note that it was a Celtic custom to assign names to families relating to the work they did. Consequently, families assigned the role of ‘steersman’ or ‘driver’ would be called Timon. It is quite plausible, therefore, that the name Timon has a Celtic origin and the meaning of the Gaelic name “Tiomáin” was based on Celtic custom.

The Timon Family Name in Ireland.

Seventeenth and eighteenth century records make reference to the name Timon in mid Ulster (Fermanagh, Cavan), mid Leinster (Wicklow, Kildare and Carlow) and Connaught; the name was not uncommon in Mayo, Sligo and Roscommon. It has been suggested that the Timon family name followed the movement of St. Patrick’s christianising entourage (oxen drawn carriages and carts) across Ireland, passing through Tibohine in Roscommon in 437 AD and ending up in Mayo where it is said he spent much of his time.[i] St. Patrick’s travels across the then open countryside of Ireland would not have been possible without the protection of various chieftain-led clans along the way, one of whom is said to have been the O’ Rourkes of Breffny. It has been further suggested that the family names of the drivers of their oxen drawn carriages were called ‘Tiomáin’, following Celtic tradition, and that some of these families settled at particular points along the route.

The Timon Family in Tibohine.

As to the origins of the Timon Family in Tibohine there is anecdotal and circumstantial evidence that the family has been in the parish since the 5^th century; coinciding with the arrival of St. Patrick’s in the area and his setting up a monastery there. In fact, the name Tibohine owes its name to that monastery and its first bishop whose name was Baethin. Baethin was a son of St. Patrick’s sister, Lallocc. The name Tibohine is an anglicised synonym of the Gaelic place name Tígh Baethin[ii]. A quite comprehensive narrative on the history of the parish and St. Patrick’s visit there, as recalled by Edward Timon, with detail that most likely would only be known to direct descendents of the family (Ó ghlúin go glúin tradition) would suggest that the Timon family has been in Tibohine since the 5^th. Century[iii]. The reality that the family farmed the lands around the church and the ruin of the old monastery adds further credence to this claim.

Coat of Arms: The Timon Coat of Arms shown above has been issued and commercialised by Historic Families Limited, Clonskeagh, Dublin. Their interpretation of the coat of arms is as follows. “On a black field, traditionally the heraldic colour of Wisdom and Constancy, and between four white plates (representing Communion plates and denoting Christian faith, Charity and Generosity), is a white chevron representing the roof-tree of a house and denoting Protection. Upon the chevron is a pellet, representing a cannon ball, which was often borne by one who had braved a siege of war.” This statement makes interesting albeit comical reading but its validity and authenticity as relating to the Timon family name is very questionable. Firstly, the origin and existence of the Timon family name predates the Anglo Norman practice of developing Family Coat of Arms and there is no evidence that the indigenous Irish people ever embraced this practice as many Anglo Irish families found it prudent to do in post Cromwellan Ireland.

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[i] Timon, Patrick, 1986. Extracts from talk on Tibohine given to Lough Gara Historical Society, 1969. The Roscommon Archaeological and Historical Journal, Volume 1, 1986.

[ii] Ní Thiomáin, Úna, 1905. Tigh – Baethin (Tibohine). Dissertation written by the author in part fulfilment of the National Teacher Training programme. Roscommon County Library.

[iii]Ó Tiomáin, Pádraic, 1937. The Tibohine Parish – Story told to the author by Edward Timon, Christmas 1918. Published in the Irish Folklore Collection 1937, University College, Dublin.

 

Introduction

There is documented evidence that the Timon Family were living in Tibohine in 1700 (Elphin Diocesan Survey, 1749); on the other hand there is strong anecdotal evidence that the family may have lived in the parish of Tibohine perhaps as far back as the fifth century (Edward Timon, 1918). Whereas the family name, Ó Tiomáin/Timon, most likely has a Celtic origin, this does not necessarily establish that the Timon family is of Celtic origin; perhaps it is. Of particular interest is the fact that the translation into English of the Gaelic word ‘Tiomáin’ has the same meaning in a number of European languages. It means to ‘drive’ to ‘steer’ or ‘be at the helm’ (helmsman).

The name Timon has a similar meaning in French (Timonier), Spanish (Timonel), Catalan (Timoner), Galician (Timoneiro), Portoguese (Timoneiro), Italian (Timoniere) and Greek (Τιμων); in some other European (Slovakia, Hungary, Albania) and Baltic languages the root of the word ‘helmsman’ when translated into English, is Timon. The family name, Timon, is quite common in France, Spain (Celto-Iberian region) and Northern Italy and particularly common in parts of Greece*, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary and also in the Rhine valley of Southern Germany and Austria. It is worth noting that these countries straddle the route of the Celtic migration across Europe during the Le Téne period (500 – 700 BC), following the over-population of their settlements in Bohemia during the Hallstatt period. As the Celts spread across Europe they settled in several countries across the continent and established distinct Celtic cultures in France and Spain in the early centuries of the first millennium; different groupings spread to Britain and Ireland towards the final stages of their migration.

It is also interesting to note that it was a Celtic custom to assign names to families relating to the work they did. Consequently, families assigned the role of ‘helmsman’, ‘steersman’ or ‘driver’ would be assigned the family name ‘Timon’. As helmsman or steersman, at a period in time before the compass was invented (first developed in the 12 century), these people would have had to navigate and determine direction using their knowledge of astrology and the relative positions of the moon and stars; stellar positioning as it was called would have required particular skills. Consequently, families assigned the name Timon would necessarily be required to have considerable intelligence. It is quite plausible therefore that the name Timon has a Celtic origin and the meaning of the Gaelic name “Tiomáin” evolved from this Celtic custom; see Ó TIOMÁIN spelled in the Celtic Ogham alphabet on the next page. The corollary of this thesis is that there are not necessarily any genetic relationships between the many families that bear the surname ‘Timon’, be they in mainland Europe, Britain or indeed in Ireland.

The Celtic name

Ó Tiomáin in the

Ogham Alphabet

N

I

Á

M

O

I

T

Ó

The Ogham alphabet was developed by the Celts in the first century AD. The name Ó Tiomáin (Timon) would have been written as depicted in the illustration on the left. Words in Ogham were read from the bottom upwards. Ogham was the first written alphabet of Ireland, originally inscribed on stones to mark the burial of individuals, usually well known individuals such as chieftains of clans or heads of households. There are few if any records of written scripts or texts.

As regards the Timon family in Tibohine, there is anecdotal evidence that the Celtic origin of the family and family name may have originated in Spain; this is based on stories handed down within the family over the generations. In this context, it should be noted that there were two main Celtic migrations to Ireland, one prior to and during the Hallstatt period, and a second in the early centuries of the first Christian millennium (Chadwick, 1971). It has also been established that Celtic migrations to Ireland were sea based and that some of the Celts accessed Ireland along the west coast through the Shannon estuary. The location of the towns, Ennistimon and Attymon, in the Shannon river basin is not without significance in this regard. It might also explain the occurrence of Timon families in Connaught, particularly in earlier times. It should also be understood that the Celts emigrated from the Continent to England where the Timon name (often spelled Tymon) is not uncommon; quite possibly some Celts may have come to Ireland from these migrations also.

Timon of Athens – A Sceptic!

At present, the Timon name is not uncommon right across Europe, in the Americas and Astral-Asia. In the early part of the 20^th century one of the most common surnames of immigrants to the United States was ‘Timon’. Many of these came from Ireland, Germany and South Eastern Europe. Perhaps, the most notable bearer of the name Timon was the Greek – ‘Timon of Athens’. Shakespeare immortalised him in the play of that name and depicted him as an Athenian nobleman who fell on hard times and became a recluse if not a misanthropist. In reality, historical records show that Timon was a highly respected Greek philosopher who together with his teacher and mentor Pyrro founded the Sceptics Academy of Philosophy in Athens. He was born in Phlius circa 320 BC and is sometimes referred to as Timon of Phlius.

As a Sceptic, Timon questioned Socrates and Plato’s belief systems based on deduction theory (Russell, 2004). In essence he questioned their deductive arguments leading to the concept of God and Divinity; Timon argued that belief systems should be solely based on observable phenomena – a point of view that is widely shared by scientists today. He argued that the philosopher can achieve peace of mind only by suspension of judgement and indifference to externals. This may have little direct relevance to the genealogy of the Timon family. I simply mention it in the context of speculation on the belief systems currently held by members of the Timon clan.

Certainly, the belief system of the Timon family in Tibohine from the 18^th Century to the present day was and is predominantly Roman Catholic; indeed, as you will see later several members of the Timon family were actively involved in the Church as priests or nuns in addition to being active in the congregation as lay participants. Unfortunately, there are few descriptive records of the Timon family in Tibohine in the 18^th and 19^th centuries other than the Elphin Diocesan Survey (1749), the Applotments Survey (1825 – 1834) and the Griffiths Land Evaluation Survey (1850’s). All three surveys confirm that they were tenant farmers of lands owned by the French’s and later the De Freyne estate. Whereas most tenant farms within the De Freyne estate were small in acreage, the lands farmed by the Timon family in Tibohine were comparatively large; the Applotments Survey in the early 1800’s shows a valuation which placed the Timon farm as the largest in the townland of Tibohine. That, certainly, does not mean that they were well of.

The Timon Family in the Penal Times.

The first recorded generations of the Timon family in Tibohine would have lived through the Penal days, the period from 1695 when the Penal laws were first introduced up to 1782 when legislation was enacted to commence the repeal of these laws. These were very difficult times for Catholic families in Ireland as their rights were seriously curtailed. Primarily, they were not allowed to declare or practice their Catholic religion, to teach in or attend a Catholic school or to own property of any value or a horse worth more than £5. Nor, could they apply for any job or official post unless they swore an oath pertaining to the falsity of the Catholic Church. Quite clearly, it must have been a very difficult time for Michael (Elphin) Timon and his family, not only to have to accept the denial of his rights as an Irish citizen and Catholic but also to have to contribute some money to the Protestant Church; the specific purpose of the Elphin Diocesan Survey was to list those tenant farmers the size of whose farm was adjudged such that they should make an annual contribution the Church of Ireland.

Life in Tibohine in the 18^th and 19^th centuries.

Health and Living conditions.

Housing conditions of tenant farmers in North Roscommon in the 18^th and 19^th centuries were quite meagre (Young, 1776/77/78) particularly in the context of the large families that were common in those days; the houses, or mud cabins as Young described them, had at most three rooms with small open windows and were thatch roofed. Running water or indoor toilet facilities were not even dreamed of. Water was drawn from a ‘spring well’ which would be shared by all the neighbours in the village. Health services were non- existent; people sought to control or contain diseases through a range of local ‘cures’ or ‘procedures’ handed down from generation to generation usually involving the use of local herbs and a lot of superstitious beliefs. That these cures had little or no effects can be seen from mortality and life expectancy rates which were very different from today. Peri-natal and young child mortality rates were staggeringly high; 10% to 15% was quite common in the 18^th and 19^th centuries. Clearly, the Timon families in those times would have suffered much heartache.

Cooking was carried out on an open fire in the kitchen; turf was the main fuel. The fire in the kitchen was also the main source of heating in the house. For that reason, it was quite common to have a bed in an alcove off the kitchen, known as a ‘priste’ – a Gaelic word. From the three aforementioned surveys and the 1901 Census records, it appears that the Timon families in the townland of Tibohine (see Map on following page) had two houses and in the late 1800’s three small family houses side by side.

Farming the land – the only source of food.

Farming in the west of Ireland was very rudimentary in those days based essentially on manual labour. In addition, a series of changes in the Land Acts relating to Landlord/Tenant relations made for uncertainty and difficult farming conditions (Feehan, 2003). Consequently, the Timon families in Tibohine at that time would have had to work very hard simply to subsist. Most likely, they would have produced most of their own food which would have consisted predominantly of oaten meal porridge, milk, potatoes and cabbage and very occasionally meat (bacon or beef) on special occasions. Any money that they earned to pay their rent or to purchase clothes and household items (tea and sugar and flour would be high on this list) would have to come from the sale of livestock and oats after the harvest.

The farming system would entail livestock rearing (cattle, sheep and perhaps one or two pigs) and the growing of oats and potatoes; turnips and cabbage became popular towards the end of the 20^th century; some families would have small cultivated gardens for vegetables and perhaps apple trees. The average small farm (10 acres or less) would grow about 5 acres of potatoes and 2- 3 acres of oats. Oats would have been an important dual-purpose crop in that in addition to the use of oats as a food (oaten meal porridge, gruel and oaten bread) the straw was essential for thatching their houses. All of the tillage work would have been carried out by manual labour; the spade, shovel, fork, scythe, hook and flail being their principal tools. Quite obviously, several members of the family would necessarily work on the land; just imagine the work in digging 5 acres of ridges (lazy beds) for the potato crop!

The cutting and saving of turf would also be a very important annual job; it should be remembered that all cooking in those times would have been carried out on an open turf fire. Towards the end of the 19^th century horse or donkey drawn carts, ploughs, harrows and mowing machines would have gradually come into use. On days of special importance, such as threshing the corn, bringing home the turf, or bringing in the hay, neighbours would gather together to help in what were known as ‘meitheals’. The typical food offered on these occasions was oaten meal porridge for breakfast, Col Ceannan or Calaidh for dinner with potatoes and buttermilk as the evening meal. The area was so noted for the eating of potatoes that some workers from Mayo (spailpíns) passing through the parish in search of work, and who might stop off in Tibohine for a few days rest, were known to say:

“Fataí san oidhche, Fataí so ló, Agus dá n-éiríonn meadhin oíche, Fataí do geobfainn”.

The Townlands Of Tibohine Parish in the 18^th to the 20^th Century.

Initially and throughout history, Tibohine was the name of the parish now known as Fairymount (Timon 1971). The Timon family predominantly lived in the townland of Tibohine. But over the 19^th and 20^th centuries some members of the family moved through marriage or work to live in Lissergool (Patrick Timon, 1864 – 1949) and Liosdrumneil (Patrick Timon, 1902 – 1977). The Applotments Survey shows a Timon in Rathkerry in the 1820’s and in Moyne in the 1840’s; most likely these were related to the Timons in the townland of Tibohine. There were and still are Timons in Liosdrumneil that most likely originated in Tibohine; this possibility is discussed later. Currently, there are Timons living in the townlands of Tibohine, Liosdrumneil and Grallagh.

Social Life

Social life would have been very limited as measured by today’s standards. The ‘rambling house’ would be the main social event in the village. No doubt, each village would have established storytellers (seanchaí) and the telling of ghost stories and stories about the banshee and fairies would be a regular feature; the more outlandish and hair-raising stories would get most acclaim. However, recollections of local and national folklore and historical events would be a feature of these gatherings also; indeed an important learning opportunity for the younger members of the village. Traditional Irish music and dancing would also feature in what were known as ‘country house dances’ or outdoors in summer time as ‘crossroads dancing’. Particular families in the village known for their skills in music would be central to these Irish music sessions. Ballad songs and singing was also a common feature of these occasions. Weekly attendance at Mass was not only an important religious event but also an occasion for social interaction. The local fairs where livestock were bought and sold were also a major part of the social scene in those days.

Education

Educational opportunities in rural Ireland in the 18^th and 19^th centuries were very limited. Government supported National school education in Ireland was first introduced in 1831 following the establishment of a Board of Commissioners to launch and direct a non-denominational national education system across the country; however, this only became a reality in much of Ireland and particularly in the West of Ireland from 1860 onwards. Prior to the late 1800’s, Hedge Schools organized and paid for locally by interested parents were the only source of out-of-home education. They were thus named as they involved the teacher gathering children in small groups in a shed or indeed under a hedge in the village to teach them some rudimentary knowledge of reading, writing, arithmetic and catechism. These lessons were conducted in Irish – the spoken language of the people at that time. However, many families also took it upon themselves to educate their children within the home (ó Ghlún go glún) and to instil in them a love of learning and knowledge of local and national history and language. In addition to the Gaelic language, families would share with their children whatever knowledge they had of English, particularly in the context that several members of the family might be forced to emigrate. The Timon families in Tibohine appear to have placed strong emphasis on education particularly in the post famine period, 1850’s – 1860’s. It is also clear that they were quite knowledgeable on local history as is evident in Edward Timon’s (1836 – 1924) recollections, published by the Irish Folklore Commission (1937).

The Timon Family during the Famine.

Unfortunately, I have not been able to find any specific information on the fate of the Timon families in Tibohine during the famine (1846/1847). On the other hand, there is very clear information from official Census records that the famine had devastating effects on the parish as a whole; the population of Tibohine fell from 3016 to 2122 persons between 1841 and 1851 – a drop of 29.64%. Likewise in the same period, the number of homesteads fell from 522 to 379 – a loss of 27.39%. Certainly, some of these managed to emigrate but the majority would have perished and died. Some vivid and heart rendering recollections of the famine by parishioner, Luke Callaghan, as told to Padraic Ó Tiomáin, have been published by The Irish Folklore Commission (1937). In that same Folklore collection there is a short story by R. Ni Gadhra, who lived just over the road from Timon’s house in Tibohine that not only describes the stark horror of the famine but it also makes reference to John Timon’s role in burying the dead in Tibohine graveyard during the famine. The verbatim story reads as follows:

A Harrowing Time – Emigration

It must have been an extremely harrowing time. From this story it does appear that the Timon family in Tibohine were at least able to feed themselves. Yes, they would have lost the entire potato crop but most likely they also grew a reasonably acreage of oats (possibly up to 5 acres) and together with the slaughter of livestock they would have adequate food to survive. Certainly, three brothers (John, Michael and Edward), sons of John Timon and Margaret Maxwell, did survive and lived on in Tibohine well into the 1900’s. British Census data would suggest that two other brothers may have emigrated to England and settled in Derbyshire. Perhaps many more members of the Timon family emigrated in the 19^th century. Tibohine birth and marriage records, housed in the micro-film Archives in the National Library of Ireland, Dublin, list a number of Timons in Tibohine that I have not as yet been able to trace further. Most likely, many of these Timons may have emigrated to England or to the United States.

There is also a likelihood that some members of the Timon family in Tibohine may have moved up to Liosdrumneil as part of a Famine Relief Programme. The Griffith’s Land Valuation records show five Timon families in Liosdrumneil in the late 1850’s whereas there are no records of Timon families in that village in the 1820’s Applotments Survey. It appears that one of the Famine Relief Programmes involved the allocation of a small portion of land and turf cutting rights in the Liosdrumneil bog to tenants from Tibohine. Consequently, there is a strong possibility that some of the Tibohine Timons moved up to Liosdrumneil as part of that programme and that one of the Timon families still living in Liosdrumneil (Michael Timon’s family) is related to the Tibohine Timons. The Timon family in Tibohine still has turf cutting rights in the Liosdrumneil bog. Coincidentally, there is evidence that the second Timon family (Frank Timon’s) still living in Liosdrumneil may have come from Mayo at around the same time.

Politics and the Timon Family in Tibohine

There is little evidence that the Timon family in Tibohine openly engaged in politics in the 18^th or 19^th century. Indeed, political and cultural expression was so curtailed, particularly during the Penal days, such that small tenant farmers perforce did not openly express their political or indeed their religious feelings to any great extent. On the other hand, it was well understood within the family that they were strongly Gaelic in outlook and language and sympathised with the Fenians and the Land League as these movements emerged. However, as in many families across Ireland a ‘crisis of loyalty’ struck at the heart of the family as the Republican movement gathered pace in the beginning of the 20^th century. On the one hand, a number of members of the Timon family had joined the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) and the Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) in the late 1880’s and others had immigrated to England and joined the British constabulary. This was very understandable as job opportunities for young men in Ireland were very limited at that time.

Equally understandable, other members of the Timon family developed Republican sympathies following the Easter Rising of 1916. My father, Patrick Timon (1902 – 1977) became an active member of the IRA as a student in University College Dublin. The following story as told to me by Nora Timon (1916 – 2007) shows how family loyalty can and did compliment and indeed transcend political loyalty. On the one hand, Nora’s father John Timon (1868 – 1933) joined the RIC in 1888 and served in Tipperary, Galway and Mayo where he was appointed Sergeant in 1912. My father joined the IRA in 1919.

18^th and 19^th Century Timon Diaspora

In the 18^th and 19^th centuries, it was inevitable that many members of the Timon families in Tibohine were forced to emigrate. Family size normally ranged from 10 to 15 children and there was such an absence of work locally that emigration was inevitable. Thus far, it has been very difficult to find specific records of these migrations in the 18^th and early 19^th centuries. On other hand, it was widely understood within the family that several members did emigrate to England and the US. Perusal of 19^th century British and US Census records and in addition US emigration and military enrolment records, as available on the Internet, show several Timon families that originated in Roscommon; unfortunately, the records are not parish-of-birth specific and consequently, it is not possible at this stage to definitely determine if these families originated in Tibohine. That some of them most likely did can be gleaned from the popularity of Christian names that are common to the Tibohine families, viz., Michael, Edward, John and Patrick as boys names and Catherine, Margaret, Mary and Winifred as girls names. Where these male and female names coincide within a Timon family that originated in Roscommon, it is not unreasonable to suspect that the family may have originated in Tibohine. There are Timon families in the US (New York, Boston, California, etc.,) and in a number of counties in middle England that fit into this category; for example, families with an Irish father named Patrick, Michael or John, born in Roscommon but lacking in further information to establish their place of birth. As search engine databases are further updated eventually it may be possible to establish Tibohine parish specific links to these families. It should also be borne in mind that the name may be spelled Tymon, particularly in England as this English spelling was considered to be more phonetically precise.

20^th Century Timon Diaspora

On the other hand, there are several families in Britain and the US and indeed in several countries across the globe where it has been possible to definitely trace their ancestors back to Tibohine. The Timon Family Tree currently has more than 700 entries most of which are traceable back to Tibohine as direct relations or as relations through marriage. In any event, all of those Timons who emigrated had to undertake a very long and hazardous journey from Tibohine to reach their final destination. This was true right up to the mid-20^th century as public transport was very rudimentary and limited in those days. Dublin, Cork, Sligo and Galway to a lesser degree were the main emigration ports. The journey would begin by getting on a horse drawn coach that travelled along the ‘Coach Road’, which incidentally passed through Tibohine, en route to Athlone and later Dublin. There were coach stops in Ballaghaderreen to the west of Tibohine and Balliagare to the east. Travel times to Dublin would take 2 to 3 days with a change of horses at specified intervals. The subsequent sea journeys particularly the journeys to America on sailing ships were no doubt extremely hazardous. It’s little wonder that many of those emigrants never attempted a return journey.

Overview of the Timon Family

It is quite clear from my research that by and large the Timon Family has been and still is a very focused, competent and hard working group of people. Attempting to trace their lives over four centuries has not been easy not do I pretend to fully comprehend the difficulties that they faced nor am I fully informed on their achievements or failures. That they survived the harshness of the Penal days and the ravages of the Famine and that nine generations later the Timon family still farms the lands in Tibohine is a significant achievement in itself. But it doesn’t end there. There are today successful Timon families across Ireland, in England, in mainland Europe, in the United States and in Austral-Asia that trace their ancestry back to Tibohine.

Primarily, the Timons seem to be and have been quite a healthy family. I have failed to find any evidence of genetic disposition to diseases or ill health. It also would appear that as individuals they were strong, of relatively big physique and by and large good looking people. Nora (1916 – 2007) Timon, my initial source of information on the family, described the Timon men as follows – “They were tall, strong, good looking, full of life but a bit prone to the drink, some of them”. I can’t say that my research bears this out fully; certainly, there is evidence that a few members of the Timon family have had problems with drink. It is also true that in the 1830’s – 1940’s a number of individuals in different branches of the family died at an early age – in their twenties – thirties; both in Ireland and England. I can only presume that tuberculosis, a disease quite widespread across Ireland and England at that time, may have been the cause of these premature deaths. No doubt, like most other families they had their share of misfortunate and tragedies – skeletons that remain in the cupboard.

As to competency in work and the main professions it would appear that the Timon family record is quite favourable. Primarily, they were and still are good farmers. To have eked out a worthwhile living in very difficult times on what may be described as less than good land in North Roscommon is, in itself, not a bad achievement. That they highly valued education is quite evident from their orientation towards the teaching profession particularly in the decades immediately following the famine. The importance they attached to good handwriting is particularly noticeable in the very elegant signatures of the three brothers, John, Michael and Edward, on the 1901 Census forms. This emphasis on education continued in subsequent generations be it in the Timon families in Ireland, England or the US. Across the 20^th century, members the Timon family have and continue to embrace practically all the main professions; education, science, medicine, engineering, business, finance, catering, security, the media and even the arts. Many have reached or neared the pinnacle of their chosen careers and quite a few have successfully established their own businesses over the years. The family orientation towards the priesthood and religious orders, quite prominent in the 20^th century is not so noticeable today. Perhaps the scepticism of Timon of Athens is re-emerging!

As of this point in time, three branches of the Timon Family have been definitively identified on birth registration records going back to the 1820’s. There is most likely a fourth branch, based on a James Timon who moved to and married in Athlone; as yet this branch has not been added to the Family Tree pending further research. In the following pages the descendents of John (1829 – 1905) Timon, Michael (1833 – 1901) Timon and Edward (1836 – 1924) Timon, over three generations are listed and described. Information on their descendents in subsequent generations is presented on the Timon Family Tree as available on the MyHeritage.com and Ancestry.com websites.

Branches of the Timon Family.

Three Branches.

Genealogical Research to date has definitively established that there are at least three branches of the Timon family within which the current generation can trace their origins back nine generations to Tibohine. I have termed them – The John Timon Branch, the Michael Timon Branch and the Edward Timon Branch. John, Michael and Edward Timon were three of six brothers born in the 1820’s – 1830’ to John Timon and Margaret Maxwell. Their birth records are listed in the Tibohine Parish Birth, Marriage and Death Records as housed in the National Library of Ireland, Kildare St., Dublin. Family recollections suggest that there were three other brothers in this family and a number of sisters. It has not been possible to attempt to trace the girls in this or indeed other later generations in the absence of specific information on the names of their married spouses or career choices (e.g., nuns or teachers).

A Fourth Branch?

There is very strong evidence that there is a fourth branch of the Timon family which I term the ‘Athlone Timons. I have made contact with members of this branch currently living in Dublin and there is a general consensus that the Athlone Timons most likely originated in Tibohine. However, in the absence of definitive ‘origin of birth’ records linking the families I have been reluctant to include them on the family tree. However, there are three independent pieces of information that strongly suggest that the Athlone Timons are relatives. Firstly, Nora Timon (1916 – 2007) was quite definite that there were Timon relatives in Athlone, that they had a small shop and that she regularly got Christmas cards from them at an earlier part of her life. Secondly, Riain Timon (1941 to date) has clear memories of his father Kevin Timon (1905 – 1990) telling him that they had relatives in Athlone and that they had a small shop. Finally, I have clear memories of my father, Patrick Timon (1902 – 1977) regularly saying, as we passed a small shop in Athlone with the name Timon over the door, “They are distant relations of ours”. After much research I found a marriage record of a James Timon (born 1802 or thereabouts) who married a Mary Johnston in Athlone on 15 August 1841. His age as stated in the record is consistent with his birth in Tibohine. The Athlone Timons have been able to trace their ancestry to a James Timon. I’m awaiting their further research on this matter.

The John Timon Branch.

First Generation

John (1829 – 1905)Timon, a son of John Timon and Margaret Maxwell, was born in 1829; see John Timon’s 4 Generation Descendent Chart overleaf. John Timon married Winifred Cooney on 3 February, 1853. He died 28 August 1905 and is buried in the old Tibohine cemetery. He had at least four sons and two daughters; unfortunately the pages in the Tibohine Baptism Registry for the years 1859 to 1864 have been removed from the book and hence there may have been children born in that time frame that I have not yet identified. Quite clearly, John Timon, like his brothers, Michael and Edward, encouraged his children’s education and helped them to seek work other than farming in Tibohine – a widely held and very understandable post – famine attitude in Ireland in that period.

John (1829 – 1905)Timon’s eldest son, Patrick Timon, born on 20 January 1856, emigrated to the US and lived in Chicago. As of yet it has not been possible to trace this family any further.

John (1829 – 1905)Timon’s son, Michael Timon was born in 1858; he joined the RIC on 6 January 1881 and served for a very short time, retiring on pension on 16 July 1884. Nora Timon told me that he married a Ms. Conroy and lived in Dublin. I have not been able to find any further information on him, thus far.

John (1829 – 1905)Timon’s son Edward Timon was born on 21 May 1864. He joined the DMP, married Mary Thomasine O’Neil in 1899 and they had five children, Gertrude, Winifred, Kevin, Brendan and Maureen. He retired as Divisional Chief Inspector, DMP. He died in 1911 and is buried in Glasnevin cemetery.

John (1829 – 1905)Timon’s daughter, Nora Timon was a ‘seamstress’ and lived in Tibohine for much of her life. She eventually moved to Navan in Co. Meath to live with her sister, Katie Timon who had a shop in Navan. They were later joined by their sister, Winifred (Nina) Timon who had lived and worked in England for much of her life. It is presumed all three died in Navan.

John (1829 – 1905)Timon’s youngest son, John Timon, born in 1868, joined the RIC on 11 May, 1888. He served in Tipperary, Galway and Mayo, and retired as Sergeant, on 23 May 1920. He married Sarah Muldoon in 1902; they had 10 children. He died on 23 April 1933 and was buried in Tibohine cemetery. Several of this family, mostly born in Co. Mayo, emigrated.

Subsequent Generations

Edward (1864 – 1911) Timon’s daughter, Gertrude Timon, was born on 14 August 1900. She married Peter Egan from Loughrea, Co. Galway. Edward’s daughter, Winifred Una Timon, died at a very young age in 1904.

Edward (1864 – 1911) Timon’s son Kevin Timon (1905 – 1990) was born on 9 April 1905. He initially worked in the New York Stock Exchange during the depression. He returned to Ireland and married Kathleen Mary Moran in 1937. They had three children, Orla, Riain and Uillioc Timon – their marriages and descendents are listed in the Timon Family Tree. Kevin died 1 November 1990; his wife, Kathleen Mary, died 7 May 1988.

Edward (1864 – 1911) Timon’s son Brendan Timon (1907 – 2009), became a missionary priest and spent much of his life in Africa and the US. He died 1 January 2000 and is buried in Kimmage Cemetery, Dublin.

Edward (1864 – 1911) Timon’s daughter, Maureen Timon was born on 7 November 1908. She married Seymour Davis in 1938 and died in 1966.

John (1868 – 1933) Timon’s first son, John (Jack) Timon, was born on 24 October 1904. He emigrated to New York and died of heart attack in 1935.

John (1868 – 1933) Timon’s second son, Michael Joseph (Brod) Timon, born in 3 January 1906, also emigrated to New York where he married Josephine Courtney (from Cork). They had two children, Doris Timon and Irene Timon, both living in New York at present. Doris Timon married John Mc Mahon; they have six children, viz., Deborah, Dorian, Ellen, John, Dermot and Jennifer. Further genealogical records on these persons and their families are posted on the Timon Family Tree websites.

John (1868 – 1933) Timon’s daughter, Mary Gertrude (Una) was born in 23 April 1907 and died in 1988.

John (1868 – 1933) Timon’s sons, Gerard and Edward Timon, both died at a young age in 1919 and 1935 respectively;

John (1868 – 1933) Timon’s son Patrick Timon was born on 13 October 1913. He emigrated to England and died in 1942 during the war.

John (1868 – 1933) Timon’s daughter Sarah Kate (Kitty) Timon was born on 17 November 1910; she emigrated to the US and died in New York in 1982.

John (1868 – 1933) Timon’s daughter, Margaret Mary (Rita)Timon, was born on 7 February, 1912. She married Paddy O’Hanlon and had three children, Barry, Sean and Mary Patricia O’Hanlon. –subsequent details of their marriages and descendents are listed in the Timon Family Tree. Rita died in 1989.

John (1868 – 1933) Timon’s daughter, Nora Timon, was born on 24 May 1916. She married Dan Finlay on 9 August 1951; Dan Finlay had served in the Irish Guards during World War 11. Later he worked in the Irish Sugar Company. They had two daughters, Geraldine and Mary Finlay – records of their marriages and descendents are listed in the Timon Family Tree. Nora Timon Finlay died on 8 March 2007.

John (1868 – 1933) Timon’s youngest daughter Anne Timon, was born on 25 March 1918. She worked in Dublin as a hairdresser with her sister Nora throughout her life. She died on 2 September 2003.

The Michael Timon Branch

First Generation

Michael (1833 – 1901)Timon, a son of John Timon and Margaret Maxwell, was born on 27 July 1833. He married Maria Mc Dermott on 24 February 1859. They had at least nine children two of whom (Michael 1^st and Winifred 1^st) died in the first two years of life and a third (Mary) died at the age of 12 years. As in the case of his brother, John, there are no records of births for the first four years of their marriage as the Baptismal records are not available for those years. He died on 2 April 1901 and his wife, Maria, died on 25 March 1904; both are buried in the old Tibohine cemetery.

Like his brother, John, he clearly attached great importance to the education of his children. As a result, four of his children, Patrick, Michael, Catherine and Winifred became National School teachers – no mean feat for a small farmer in those days! All four began teacher training through the School Monitor programme – an Apprentice Teacher Training system offered to bright students that involved ‘in school’ training and study assignments for a period of up to seven years (Timon, 2004).

Michael (1833 – 1901) Timon’s eldest son, Patrick Timon, was born on 29 January 1864. He served his Teacher Training Apprenticeship programme in the old school in Tibohine and was appointed National School teacher in Killala, Co. Mayo where he served for 10 years and was appointed Principal in 1882. He entered the newly established St. Patrick’s Teacher Training College, in Drumcondra, Dublin in 1888 as its first student and graduated with a National School Teacher Diploma in July 1889. He was appointed to the old Don National School in Cortoon in September 1889 and became Principal of the newly built Don National School when it first opened in 1904. He clearly loved trees and was responsible for the planting of a wide range of trees and shrubs around the new school. They are beautiful mature trees to day, testament to his memory, and I’m proud to say that I have been able to grow ‘offspring trees’ from chestnuts collected in the school yard. He retired in 1928 and died 11 September 1949. He is buried in Kilcolman Cemetery, Ballagaderreen.

He married Bridget Gallagher from Lissargool in 1891 and in the process inherited 18 acres of land which presumably was her dowry. He set up what might be described as a ‘model farm’ in those days. It included a small nicely laid out orchard, a set of neatly arranged farm buildings including a trap house. He travelled to school each day in a horse and trap. Patrick and Bridget had seven children, viz., Eva, Austin, Ethel, Ambrose, Patrick, James and Dermot Timon.

Michael (1833 – 1901) Timon’s first daughter, Mary Timon, born on 24 June 1866, died of ‘dropsy’ at the age of twelve. His second daughter, Margaret Timon, born on 10 June 1868, became a nun and entered the Poor Clare’s Convent in Hampshire, England. This was a strictly enclosed Order and other than writing an annual letter home to her sister, Winifred, little is known of her; she died in the convent in Hampshire.

Michael (1833 – 1901) Timon’s second son, Edward Timon, was born on 29 May 1873. He remained at home on the farm, never married and died in 1924 at the relatively young age of 51 years.

Michael (1833 – 1901) Timon’s daughter, Catherine Timon, born on 4 July 1875, trained as a National School Teacher, initially as a Monitor in Tibohine National School, in the then National School Teacher Apprenticeship Programme. She completed her Monitress examinations in 1894 and was admitted to Carysfort Teacher Training College in 1895 where she completed the National School Teacher Diploma in 1897. She was appointed as a teacher in Tibohine National School for Girls on 1 January 1900. She moved to Kilkenny on marrying Michael Greally. They had three children, viz., Horace, James and Joseph Greally. Catherine Timon-Greally died on 1 August, 1945 and is buried in Kilkenny.

Michael (1833 – 1901) Timon’s eldest son, Michael Timon was born on 2 July 1878. Like his brother Patrick and sisters Catherine and Winifred, he initially trained as a National School Teacher within the National Teacher Apprenticeship Scheme, commencing his assignment as a Monitor in Tibohine National School on 1 July 1891. He entered St. Patrick’s Training College, Drumcondra, Dublin, in September 1896 and qualified as a National School Teacher in July 1898. He took up a post as teacher in Multifarnham National School. He married Mary Barry on 17 February 1917. In addition to teaching Michael Timon and his wife ran a small shop in Multifarnham. They had five children, four of whom entered the Church, viz., Vincent (Fr. Vincent was born in 1920), Maeve (Sr. Columba was born in 1922), Ambrose (Fr. Ambrose was born in 1926), Michael (Fr. Michael was born in 1928); their daughter, Una Timon, was born on 6 September 1926.

Michael (1833 – 1901) Timon’s youngest daughter, Winifred (Una) Timon, was born on 19 September 1881. Following in the footsteps of her three elder siblings, she also became a teacher. She initially served as a Monitoress in the Don National School, Cortoon, (alongside her older brother, Patrick) from 1896 to 1903, at which time she entered Carysfort Teacher Training College. She qualified as a teacher in 1905 and commenced work in the Don Girl’s School on 1 July 1905. She was awarded the National School Teaching Diploma on 11 February 1908. She later transferred to Tibohine National School for Girls in 1910 as Principal and she continued to work as a teacher in Tibohine NS up to retirement in 1947. She was a fluent Irish speaker and had a keen interest in Irish folklore. In this context, she had frequent contact with Douglas Hyde who collected many Irish Folklore stories in the Tibohine area. Winifred (Una) Timon died on 12 February 1960.

Subsequent Generations

Patrick Timon (1864 – 1949), like his father Michael, and uncles John and Edward, placed great emphasis on the education of his children, three of whom attended Medical School in University College, Dublin. However, Ethel was the only one to finish her studies and qualified as a doctor in 1927. Eva became ill with pneumonia (and perhaps TB which was prevalent in those days) and died in her first year in University. Her brother, Patrick, got involved in Republican politics in his first year in University (1920) and joined the IRA; he later entered St. Patrick’s Teacher Training College in 1926 and became a National School teacher.

Patrick (1864 – 1949) Timon’s oldest daughter, Marie Agnes (Eva) Timon, was born on 1 May 1893. Apparently, she was a very good-looking and talented girl, was admitted to Medical School in University College Dublin but tragically died (Pneumonia/tuberculosis) in 1913, whist on holidays during her 1^st year in University.

Patrick (1864 – 1949) Timon’s oldest son, James Austin Timon, was born on 6 April 1894. His father decided that he should remain at home to farm; to this end he spent some time in Agricultural College. He became a recognised judge of livestock, particularly horses and cattle. He married Margaret Feeney and they had three children, viz., Eva Maria, Leo and Ambrose Bernard. Ambrose died when he was five years old. Leo never married and died aged 40. Austin was tragically killed in a road accident on 23 August 1963 at age 69.

Austin (1894 – 1963) Timon’s daughter, Eva Timon, was born on 24 April 1928. She went to live with her aunt, Ethel in London when she was 7 years old. She was educated in England, studied Psychology in London University and worked as an Educational Psychologist in Surrey. She married Dermot Molony in 1960. They had one son, Neil, born in 1964. Records on Neil Molony and his family are entered on the Timon Family Tree.

Patrick (1864 – 1949)Timon’s youngest daughter, Ethel Timon, was born on 1 May 1896. She married Charles Ingham from Blackrock, Co. Dublin – a fellow medical student in Trinity College Dublin in the 1920’s. They both worked as medical doctors in London. Charles Ingham became Chancellor of the University of London and apart from his academic achievements he was a recognised sportsman having won the Irish Lawn Tennis championship in his student days in Dublin. They didn’t have any children. Ethel died on 24 August 1984. They were both buried in Esher, Surrey, London.

Patrick (1964 – 1949) Timon’s sons, Michael Ambrose (1896 – 1924), Edward James (1904 – 1923) and Dermot Francis (1908 – 1913) all died at a young age. All three are said to have died from pneumonia but as tuberculosis was prevalent in Ireland at that time it may well have been a factor. It has also been suggested that James Timon’s death was caused by injuries he sustained as a member of the IRA in Dublin (where his brother, Patrick, was also active a member) and that he contracted pneumonia when he returned home to recuperate.

Patrick (1964 – 1949) Timon’s son, Patrick A. Timon, was born on 18 April 1902. On completion of the Leaving Certificate in St. Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen, he enrolled as a first year medical student in University College, Dublin in 1919. On entering college he became involved in politics which was strongly influenced by the growth in Republicanism at that time. He joined the IRA and basically very little is known of his whereabouts (on the run) for the following four years. On 18^th January 1925, he entered the Patrician College, Mountrath, Co. Laois, to prepare for the entrance examination to St. Patrick’s Teacher Training College, Drumcondra, Dublin. He entered St. Patrick’s College in September 1926 and qualified as a National School Teacher the following year. His first teaching post was in Carraroe National School, in the Commemara Gaelthacht, where he developed a deep love for the Irish language which he retained throughout his life. He was a fluent Irish speaker and always wore a ‘fáinne’ which he was awarded in 1926, as a student in St. Patrick’s College. He was appointed Principal of the Don National School in 1928 on the retirement of his father. He taught at the Don School from 1928 until 1960 at which time he transferred to Fairymount National School as Principal.

He married Mary (May) Sherlock in the Pro Cathedral, Dublin on 23 April 1935. She was a teacher in Fairymount National School, having qualified in Craiglockhart Teacher Training College, Scotland in 1931. They lived in Fairymount and apart from their activities as teachers they were very much involved in Parish affairs and in particular in local drama and in the Lough Gara Historical Society. May Timon was an accomplished pianist and played the church organ in Fairymount church for more than 50 years. Patrick Timon’s chief interests apart from the Irish language were history and Irish folklore; he made several contributions to the Irish Folklore Commisssion collections and published a number of articles on local history. He was a lifelong supporter of Eamon De Valera and the Fianna Fail party. He also had much contact with President Douglas Hyde in reference to the collection of Irish Folklore stories in the Tibohine area. In this context, he published a triad of articles (in Irish) in the Irish Press shortly after Douglas Hyde’s death. Patrick Timon had two children, Brendan and Vivian Timon (myself). He died on 15 March 1977 (see tribute in Roscommon Herald over leaf); his wife May Timon died on 7 September 1993. They are both buried in Fairymount Cemetery.

Patrick Timon’s (1902 – 1977) oldest son, Brendan Timon, was born on 5 March 1936. He attended St. Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen from 1949 to 1955; studying for exams never interested him. On inheriting the Timon farm in Tibohine in 1960 he became a fulltime farmer – based on a love of animals which he had acquired as a child. Like his uncle Austin, he became quite expert in judging livestock and spent much of his life as a livestock trader to compliment his farming activities.

He married Maria Helena (Mel) Beirne in 1962. They had four children, viz., Maria, Padraic, Frances and Sean. Records of their families are listed on the Timon family Tree. Brendan Timon died on 30 December 2003 and is buried in the new Tibohine Cemetery.

 

Patrick (1902 – 1977) Timon’s, second son, Vivian Timon was born on 11 November 1937. Details of my family and their families are listed on the Timon Family Tree.

Catherine (1875 – 1945) Timon-Greally’s son, Horace Greally, was born on 18 September 1905. He married Frances Sheridan. They had one daughter, Clare Greally born on 9 May 1957.

Catherine (1875 – 1945) Timon-Greally’s second son, James Greally was born on 3 November 1907. He became a Franciscan priest (known as Fr. Hubert) and spent much of his life on the Missions. He died on 29 March 1993 in Cork. His brother, Joseph Greally, born on 5 June 1909, died in 1912 at three years of age.

Michael (1878 – ) Timon’s daughter, Una Timon, was born on 6 September 1926. She studied Nursing and married David O’ Connor. They lived in Dublin and had three children, viz., Marie Frances (Terry), David and Ciaran. Una Timon O’Connor died on 25 October 1995. Genealogical records on the subsequent members of this family are to be found on the Timon Family Tree.

The Edward Timon Branch.

First Generation

Edward (1836 – 1924)Timon, a son of John Timon and Margaret Maxwell was born on 27 October 1836. He married Maria Beirne from Banada in 1868. They had twelve children, two of whom were twins (Maria Catherine and Winifred) that died within three weeks of birth. Edward was known to be a very good storyteller and he had a wide knowledge of Irish history and folklore. He was a member of the Tibohine Branch of the United Irish League. There is a very interesting story on the history of Tibohine as related by Edward to his grand-nephew Patrick Timon (1902 – 1977), published by the Irish Folklore Commission, 1937. Both Edward and Maria lived to an old age; Maria Beirne Timon died on 6 January 1924 and Edward Timon died eleven months later on 21 December 1924. Amazingly, he had a headstone erected for his wife in that intervening period. They were both buried in Tibohine cemetery. In common with his brothers Michael and John, Edward encouraged his children to value education and to seek work other than farming.

Edward (1836 – 1924) Timon’s eldest son, John Timon, was born on 25 December 1869. He emigrated to England and joined the British Constabulary in Manchester. As he was being recruited his name was spelled Tymon and both he and his family retained that spelling thereafter. He married Ms. Ellis in 1894. They had two children, Mary (May) Tymon and Edward Tymon. His wife died shortly after the birth of Edward. John never remarried and died in 1938.

Edward (1836 – 1924) Timon’s second son, Michael Timon was born on 24 June 1871. He also emigrated to Britain and followed his brother’s footsteps and joined the British Constabulary. The spelling of his name and his subsequent family was also changed to Tymon. He married Mary Cunningham in 1900. They had 8 children, viz., Edward, Francis, Kathleen Mary, Leo Michael, Winifred, Valentine, Thomas and Leonard Tymon. He died in 1943.

Edward (1836 – 1924) Timon’s son, Edward Timon, was born on 27 March 1882. He also emigrated to England and worked in hotels all across the midland counties. He never married. He died in Salford, Lancashire.

Edward (1836 – 1924) Timon’s son, Martin Timon, remained on the home farm in Tibohine. He married Margaret Kilkenny. They had four children, viz., Maria Helena (Mel), Kathleen, Thomas Joseph and Margaret Ita Timon. Martin Timon died on 23 September 1953. His wife, Margaret Kilkenny Timon died on 18 March, 1973.

Edward (1836 – 1924) Timon’s son, Patrick Timon, was born on 6 November, 1886. He emigrated to the USA, travelling first to England to his brothers John and Michael, and then travelled from Manchester to the United States. He married Margaret Conlon in New York on 10 January 1917. They had four children, viz., Margaret Mary (Peggy), Patrick Joseph, Thomas Kevin and Edward Timon. Edward died in 1920 when just two years old. Unfortunately, his wife died on 6 November 1932, at the young age of 44, leaving Patrick to rear their children on his own. This was just prior to the Great Depression when like so many others in the US at that time he lost his job. Clearly it must have been a very harrowing time for him and his young family. However, he succeeded in rearing his children very successfully. He died in August 1951. Patrick Timon and his wife Margaret are both buried in Statin Island Cemetery, New York.

Edward (1836 – 1924) Timon’s son, Thomas Timon, was born on 9 October 1888. Firstly, he emigrated to England and in 1915 travelled from Manchester to New York. He was best man at the wedding of his brother Patrick in 1917. He returned to England and later to Tibohine where he worked as an Insurance Agent. He died prematurely at age 34 on 8 August, 1922. He is buried in the old Tibohine cemetery.

Edward (1836 – 1924) Timon’s youngest daughter, Mary Kate Timon, was born on 12 April 1892. She married Michael Maxwell from Callow, Frenchpark. They had four children, viz., Mary Josephine, Nora Bernadette, Teresa Margaret and Edward Kevin Maxwell. Mary Josephine died on 28 October 1937, aged 12 years. Michael Maxwell died on 13 June 1967; his wife, Mary Kate, died on 14 November, 1970.

Subsequent Generations

John (1869 – 1938) Tymon Timon’s son Edward Tymon/Timon grew up and lived intermittently between Manchester and Tibohine and never settled down permanently in either place; consequently, he was known as ‘The Hiker’. He was by all accounts a very likeable man but never took life seriously and hence never settled anywhere. He died in Roscommon County Hospital on 11 September 1972.

John (1869 – 1938) Tymon Timon’s daughter Mary Tymon was born in 1895 and died in 1957. She married John Connor in June 1920. They had five children, viz., Kitty, John, Mary, Nora and Margaret.

Mary (1895 – 1957) Tymon Connor’s eldest daughter Kitty Connor was born in 1921. At ninety years of age she is currently living in a nursing home in Stockport.

Mary (1895 – 1957) Tymon Connor’s oldest son, John (Jack) Connor, was born in 1923. He was a prisoner of war in Germany in World War 11. He never married and died in 2008.

Mary (1895 – 1957) Tymon Connor’s daughter, Mary Connor, was born in 1924. She married Douglas Jardine in 1952. They had three children, viz., Bernadette, Michael and Maureen Jardine. Genealogical records of the living members of their families are on the Timon Family Tree.

Mary (1895 – 1957) Tymon Connor’s daughter, Nora Connor was born in 1927. She married Denis O’ Neill in 1958. They had three children, viz., Gerard, Pauline and Collette Ann O’ Neil. Genealogical records of the living members of their families are on the Timon Family Tree.

Mary (1895 – 1957) Tymon Connor’s daughter, Margaret Connor was born in 1929. She didn’t marry. She died in 1983.

Michael (1871 – 1943) Tymon Timon’s oldest son Edward Tymon, was born in 1901 in Chorlton, Manchester. He never married. He contacted TB in his early thirties and died in Manchester Sanatorium on 6 May 1937. A will probated in June 1937 shows that he left £253.14.11 to his parents – a not inconsiderable sum in those days.

Michael (1871 – 1943) Tymon Timon’s second born son, Francis Tymon, was born on 11 March 1904. He studied journalism and became a stereo-typist; he initially worked with the News Chronicle and following its closure he worked with the News of the World for 21 years. He then moved to Blackpool where he worked as Chief Stereo-typist for the Blackpool Gazette. On retirement he worked as a Volunteer Lifeboat Keeper on Blackpool harbour for twenty years. In recognition of his service to the Blackpool Lifeboat Service he was honoured with a Civic burial following his death in 1980. He married Elsie Sutton in November 1931. They had three children, Mary, Patricia and Catherine Tymon.

Francis (1904 – 1980)Tymon’s daughter, Mary Tymon, was born in 1933. She married Mr Helsby. They had two children, Margaret and Michael Helsby.

Francis (1904 – 1980) Tymon’s daughter, Patricia Tymon, was born in 1935. She married David Verity in 1957. They had three children, viz., Antony, Cristina and Peter Verity. Later she married Fredrick Telfor. They had one son, James Telfor. Genealogical details of these children and their families can be found on the Timon Family Tree.

Francis (1904 – 1980) Tymon’s daughter, Catherine Tymon, was born 1939. She married Peter Hogg in 1960. They had four children, viz., Mark, Susan, Paul Francis and John Robert Hogg. Catherine Tymon Hogg died on 1 August 2008. Genealogical details of these children and their families can be found on the Timon Family Tree.

Michael (1871 – 1943) Tymon Timon’s daughter, Kathleen Tymon, was born in 1905. She married John Barnett in 1933.

Michael (1871 – 1943) Tymon Timon’s son, Leo Michael, was born on 27 June 1907. He didn’t marry and died in 1982.

Michael (1871 – 1943) Tymon Timon’s daughter, Winifred Tymon, was born in 1909. She married Michael Bollard in 1948.

Michael (1871 – 1943) Tymon Timon’s son, Valentine Tymon, was born in 1910. He married Mary Hart in 1935. He was a prisoner of war in Germany during World War 11. They had one son, Antony Tymon, born in 1942. Antony Tymon married Clare Mc Hugh in 1967. He worked with British Airways as Head Chef.

Michael (1871 – 1943) Tymon Timon’s son, Thomas Tymon, was born in 1912. He didn’t marry and died in1991.

Michael (1871 – 1943) Tymon Timon’s son, Leonard Tymon, was born in 1919. He never married and died in 1990.

Martin (1884 – 1953)Timon’s oldest daughter, Mel Timon, married Michael Beirne. They had seven children, viz., Marian, Dolores, Louise, Michael, Evelyn, John, and Donal Beirne. Mel Timon Beirne died in 2010. Genealogical details of their children and their families can be found on the Timon Family Tree.

Martin (1884 – 1953)Timon’s second daughter, Kathleen Timon, was born on 27 September 1926. She married Thomas Joseph Beirne in 1955. They had four children, viz., Cyril, Basil, Adrian and Declan Beirne. Kathleen Timon Beirne died on 4 September 1996. Thomas Joseph Beirne died on 10 August 2002. They are both buried in the new Tibohine graveyard. Genealogical details of their children and their families can be found on the Timon Family Tree.

Martin (1884 – 1953) Timon’s son, Thomas Joseph Timon, was born on 25 March 1928. He married Margaret Mulrennan and moved to live in Brenamore, Loughlinn, Co. Roscommon. They had four children, viz., Thomas, Michael, Brendan and Liam Timon. Thomas Joseph Timon died on 1 June 1990. Genealogical details of their children and their families can be found on the Timon Family Tree.

Martin (1884 – 1953)Timon’s youngest daughter, Margaret Ita, was born on 10 January 1931. She died on 14 January 2010. She is buried in the old Tibohine graveyard.

Patrick (1886 – 1951) Timon’s daughter, Margaret Mary (Peggy) Timon was born on 21 April 1919, in New York, USA. She initially trained as a secretary and worked for Prentiss Hall Publishing Company. Later, attending night school, she graduated with a BA in Education from Fordham University and later still received an MA from Wagner College, Statin Island. She then worked as a teacher in Elementary School on Statin Island for more than thirty years. On retirement she did voluntary work at St. Vincent’s Hospital on Statin Island. She also travelled a lot and regularly visited Ireland. She died on 3 August 2008.

Patrick (1886 – 1951) Timon’s son, Patrick Joseph Timon was born in New York on 13 April 1921. He graduated from St. Peter’s High School and shortly afterwards joined the US Army and saw duty in England, France, Belgium and Germany. On disbandment, he worked as a technical supervisor for the Getty Oil Refinery, Delaware. He married Rita Leonard (born 13 September 1925) in June 1949. They had one daughter, Noreen Timon, born on 20 December, 1950. Genealogical details of this family can be found on the Timon Family Tree.

Patrick (1886 – 1951) Timon’s son, Thomas Kevin Timon, was born in New York on 4 November 1924. He graduated from St. Peter’s High School and shortly afterwards joined the US Navy, serving from 1943 to 1946. On leaving the navy he went back to college and graduated from Manhattan College, NYC, in 1949. He worked in HR in the American Cyanimid Company for more than 35 years before retirement. He worked for a further six years with a retired Cyanimid colleague of his before finally calling it a day a few short years ago. He currently does voluntary work at Stamford Hospital.

Mary Kate (1892 – 1970) Timon- Maxwell’s daughter, Nora Bernadette Maxwell was born on 2 February 1927 in Callow, Frenchpark. She joined the convent in Loughlinn, run by the Franciscian Missionary of Mary. As Sister Bernadette she has served the order throughout Europe and Asia, including Ceylon and Pakistan. She is currently based in Limerick.

Mary Kate (1884 – 1953) Timon- Maxwell’s daughter, Teresa Margaret (Tess) Maxwell was born on 3 December 1928 in Callow, Frenchpark. She married Vincent Egan from Kilconly, Co. Galway and lived in Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo. They had five children, viz., Margaret Mary, Michael James, John Joseph, Kevin Vincent and Liam Patrick Egan. Genealogical details of their children and their families can be found on the Timon Family Tree.

Mary Kate (1884 – 1953) Timon- Maxwell’s son, Edward Kevin Maxwell, was born on 31 May, 1930 in Callow, Frenchpark. He exchanged farms through a Land Commission settlement and moved to live in Rathcroghan, Co. Roscommon. He married Nancy Higgins. He died on 20 January 1986. They had one son, Michael Maxwell born in 1968. Further genealogical details of this family can be found on the Timon Family Tree.

References

Callaghan, Luke, 1921. Famine Times. Recollections as told by Luke Callaghan to Pádraic Ó Tiomáin, December 1921 and published in the Schools Collection of the Irish Folklore Commission, 1937.

Chadwick, Nora, 1971. The Celts. First published by Penguin Books, 1971. Reproduced by The Folio Society, London, 1997.

Feehan, John, 2003. Farming in Ireland: History, Heritage and Environment. Faculty of Agriculture, University College, Dublin, 2003.

Lavin, Thomas, 1957. The ambush at Teevnacreeva. The Roscommon Herald Centenary Edition, 1957.

Russell, Bertrand, 1946. History of Western Philosophy. First published in 1946, republished by the Folio Society, London, 2004.

Timon, Edward, 1918. Tibohine Parish as related to Pádraic Ó Tiomáin and published in the Schools Collection of the Irish Folklore Commission, 1937.

Timon, Patrick, 1986. Tibohine – A paper presented to the Lough Gara Historical Society, 1969, and later published in the Roscommon Archaeological and Historical Society Journal, Vol. 1, 1986.

Timon, Vivian, 2004. Education and the struggle to survive: A desire to learn – A desire to teach. The Don National School Centenary Publication, 2004. The Print Shop, Balaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon.

Young, Aurthur, 1892. A Tour of Ireland with general observations on the present state of the Kingdom made in the years 1776, 1777 and 1778. George Bell & Sons, London, 1892.

Registers & Surveys

Fairymount Baptismal Register (1864 to date). The Parochial House, Fairymount, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon.

Tibohine Baptismal and Marriage Register (1833 – 1859). The National Library of Ireland, Kildare St., Dublin.

Roscommon Register of Births, Marriages and Deaths, HSE, Lansboro Rd., Roscommon.

Applotments Survey, 1825 – 1834. National Library of Ireland, Kildare St., Dublin.

Elphin Diocesan Survey, 1749. Published on the Leitrim – Roscommon website. www.Leitrim-Roscommon.com.

Griffith’s Land Valuation Survey, 1850’s. Published on the Leitrim – Roscommon website. www.Leitrim-Roscommon.com.

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* Not to mention – ‘Timon of Athens’, The philosopher – ‘Timon of Phlius’ or ‘Deacon Timon’ – one of the seven ‘Deacons of the Church’.