John Hinch : Short Biography

John Hinch was born around 1838 in Carlow. His father was James Hinch, who was listed in Griffith's Valuation for Water Lane in Hacketstown, Shillelagh, Co. Carlow. There were 5 James Hinches listed in this area but the family was at that address in the 1901 Census so it's a safe assumption that this is the correct James. John himself was a land steward and family history has it that he originally worked in Lissadell House in Sligo as a gardener.

In any event, he married a Mary Elizabeth Hughes back in Shillelagh in 1872 and they had a daughter, Bridget, in 1874. Unfortunately, Mary died, possibly in childbirth, and John re-married on the 13 August 1878 to Ellen Rice, in Clonegal. He was farming in Ballylower at this time and Ellen lived in Sherwood. 

Ellen gave birth to 11 children between 1880 and 1898. The first six were born in Carlow and then the family moved to Co. Limerick, where the remaining five were born.They were, in descending order: Emily (13.6.1879); Jane (13.8.1880); Maria (9.10.1881); James (1882); Mary Elizabeth, known as Mollie (1.7.1884); John (18.8.1886); Julia Magdalene (1.10.1889); John, known as Jack (1.3.1892); Catherine (19.2.1894); George (12.4.1896); Henry, registered as William! (21.7.1898). Maria and the first son named John died young.  

The family moved several times, no doubt for John's work, to Limerick; Tiernascragh in Galway; and Corbally in Clare. John died in December 1913 and Ellen in 1929, both near Mullingar where there may have been a family link.