There are deep rabbit holes in genealogy. The research for this well-known Galway township family started simply enough, but as we progressed, the ‘tree’ became a tangled web. The most ravelled part was the maiden names of the wives of the subjects. These led us to connections which we never anticipated. Yes, there is a ‘Hicky’ on the Peter Robinson ships manifests. It is Johana, a widow who, with her 6 children came to Canada West on the ‘Star’ and was settled in the Gore of Emily (Ennismore). This is when the stories started. Some sources said that her husband was executed in Ireland for being part of the ‘whiteboys’ movement of rebellion against the non-Catholic landlords and control. There are Hickeys still in Ennismore who are related to this widow and her rowdy husband. Paul Hickey, from the township, actually went to Ireland a couple weeks ago to be present for a wreath laying at the harbour from which the ships sailed 200 years ago, to honour his ancestors. He is descended from Johana and one of her children.
This is from a FB post that shows Paul and his brother, Chris checking out the Irish homelands of their ancestors:
“Today was a remarkable event as we had the honour of showcasing the Doneraile and Ballyhoura area to Paul and Chris Hickey in commemoration of the Bicentennial anniversary of The Peter Robinson Settlers. It was incredibly moving to learn about Paul’s connections to Castlepook, Skehanagh, and Carker, and to walk the land that his ancestors once inhabited.
Paul’s great-grandfather was significantly involved in the Whiteboy movement of the 1820s, ultimately facing execution for his actions. Meanwhile, Paul’s great-grandmother, along with her six children, emigrated to Canada as part of The Peter Robinson Settlers Programme.
The execution of John Hickey is a notable moment in history, leading up to the Doneraile Conspiracy involving Daniel O’Connell, a tale chronicled by Canon Sheahan in his book, The Glenanaar.
Delighted to have all of this documented by Chris for an upcoming documentary.”
So, back to our Galway Twp. Pioneers. On the settler’s map which we did in 2017, we show 3 Hickeys settling in Galway twp., Maurice, David and Cornelius Francis (Frank) (David’s son). From what we’ve found, the PRS connection is not through the Hickey’s, but their in-laws. The wives seem to have connections in 2 other families, the O’Connells and the O’Briens. Frank (b. 1866) married Catherine O’Brien. She is the Peter Robinson connection. Her lineage goes back to her father, Michael O’Brien (b.1833 in Douro), and his father, Maurice, born in Cork in 1788. Maurice is the nine ships traveller. He came over on the Resolution and was settled in Douro Twp. Vincent Maurice Hickey was born in 1912 on C 12 L15 Galway and married Margeurite O’Connell, born in Emily Twp., her father being Simon O’Connell (b.1862) and his father Dennis O’Connell, who came to Canada West on the Regulus and settled with his family in Emily Twp.
The Doneraile Conspiracy, as previously mentioned included a John Hickey and a Daniel O’Connell…..it seems like these lads and men were involved in some activity that got them in trouble. In another issue, we will examine the trials and punishments of the Whiteboys and Rockites and lots of other Irish shenanigans.
We’re not sure that this John Hickey isn’t connected in some way to the Hickeys from Ennismore or Galway, but he got sent to Australia for his crime of being an Irish rebel.
Maurice John Hickey and Ellen Mae (DeFinney) Hickey
Margueritte( O’Connell) Hickey 1909–2005
Born Downeyville, Emily Township
Died Lakefield, Peterborough
Her grandfather was a PRS.
Burial at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery beside Galway Hall and Firehall.
1909 Homestead of Maurice and Minnie Hickey C12 L10 Galway