Thomas was a stone mason who lived in Kilkenny, Ireland, according to son Francis' death certificate. Thomas had 3 siblings that we are aware of, Frances born C1782, James born C1787 and Jonathan born 1794 - 1799.
The Sparrow family of Kilmanagh appears to have been reasonably affluent as Jonathan attended school and was literate. Both Jonathan & Thomas are recorded as being stonemasons by trade. Frances married William Wesley Cox on 20th Dec 1803 in Kilmanagh. She, her husband, and her brothers James and Jonathan migrated to Canada, settling in Huntgingdon, Quebec. Thomas remained in Ireland.
The only Thomas Sparrow in the Griffith's Valuations for Ireland is located in Kilmanagh, Kilkenny. He leased 2 properties and 12 acres of land there.
Records obtained from Rothe House in Kilkenny give details of a marriage of Thomas Sparrow to Elizabeth Coyne in the registers of St. Canice's Church of Ireland, Kilmanagh, Kilkenny and baptisms for 4 children.
The 1825 Tithe Applotment books for Kilkenny list Thomas Sparrow living in the townland of Glebe, in Kilmanagh, Kilkenny. He held 2 acres & 2 Roods of land that were classed as "good" with the tithe being calculated at 3 shillings per acre, and 3 pence per rood. His total tithe was calculated at 8 shillings and tuppence.
The 1824 General Assizes for Kilkenny on 20th August lists a payment of 7 pounds, 6 shillings and 9 pence to Thomas Sparrow and James P Poe Esq. "to repair and pave under the bridge of Graige Road, Kilkenny to Killenaule."
Sir Wheeler Cuffe, Bart and Thomas Sparrow were paid £24 2s to build a Quay wall at Courstown, on the road from Kilkenny to Thurles, as well as £3 8s 9d to repair the bridge of Curraghscateen, on the road from Callan to Freshford, according to the Spring/Summer Assizes of 1817. They were also paid £1 12s in Spring of 1818.
Son Francis' application to emigrate to Australia lists his parents as still being alive in 1844. When Elizabeth died in 1864 Thomas had pre-deceased her.
It appears that Thomas was still alive in 1862 as there are a number of cases where a Thomas Sparrow of Kilmanagh was fined for having stock wandering on a roadway. On 5th Nov 1853 Thos Sparrow (listed as a farmer of Kilmanagh in this instance) as having one pig wandering on the public road. He was fined one pence for the offence, and one shilling court costs. On the 7th Jan 1854 he was again fined for having pigs wandering on the public road (listed as farmer of kilmanagh, Kilmanagh). This time the fine was six pence, with one shilling court costs. On 29th Aug 1854 he was fined for having 10 pigs wandering on the road and was fined one shilling plus costs. (Again listed as a farmer of Kilmanagh, Kilmanagh). On 11th Nov 1856 he was fined 5 pence for having had five of his pigs roaming on the public road in Kilmanagh. He was fined again on 10th Aug 1857 for having 4 pigs wandering on the Dublin road, and again on 14th Feb 1862 when his Ass was wandering on the "public road" at Kilmanagh.
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Death | 1st Jan 1863 (circa) | |
| Names of Siblings | Frances "Fanny" M Sparrow, James Sparrow, Jonathan Sparrow. | |
| Spouse (First Name/s and Maiden/Surname) | Elizabeth "Ally" Coyne | |
| Place & Date of Marriage | 13 Jan 1814 St Canice's Church, Kilkenny, Ireland | |
| Names of Children | Frances, Susan, Elizabeth, Thomas & Francis | |
