James Robbins : Short Biography

James Robbins was recorded in the Tithe Applotment books as an occupier of The Townland of Lisheeny in Ballinakill Civil Parish in 1824. This is the only known direct record of James Robbins. His son, Patrick Robbins, recorded his parents as James Robbins and Anne Moran and his birth Parish as Ballinakill. Patrick Robbins was recruited into the British army in about 1840 in Ireland, and served in Canada where he married, started a family, and eventually settled in Northern New York State. 

Four potential children of James Robbins and Anne Moran have been found in Ballinakill Parish records and historical records, and are as follows:

-William Robbins who married Catherine Ryan and had at least three children: Honora (b. 1840), Honora (b. 1841), and Patrick (b. 1845). Individuals listed as baptismal sponsors include: John Murphy, Cath. Kean, Patrick Conway, Bridget Robbins, John Fox, and Mary ?Egan?. Patrick Conway is likely a son of Peter Conway of the townland of Lisheeny during the Tithe Applotment, and Bridget Robbins is likely a sister of William (see below). William was arrested in 1847 alongside 10 others for his role in a string of robberies in the parish, and was sentenced to 14 years transportation to Bermuda, where he died in 1853.

-John Robbins who was arrested alongside his brother, William, in 1847, convicted, and sent to Bermuda. He died there in 1848.

-Margaret Robbins who married Peter Conway and had at least on child: Mary Conway (b. 1841). Individuals listed as baptismal sponsors include: John Breheny and Cath. ?Danny?. John Breheny is likely a relative of Patrick Breheny, an occupier of Lisheeny during the Griffith Valuation, and Margaret’s husband, Peter, is likely a son of Peter Conway of the same townland. Margaret may be the Ann Conway who was married to a Peter Conway of Lisheeny and died in 1891 in Lisheeny. If this is the case then they also have a son, Patrick Conway, who was present at the deaths of Ann and Peter, and inherited the lease of Peter Conway’s holdings in Lisheeny.

-Bridget Robbins who married Thomas ?Connaire/Connair/Connear? (name is unclear in the record) and had at least one child: Thomas Connaire/Connair/Connear (b.1843). Individuals listed as baptismal sponsors include Maria ?Connaire/Connair/Connear?. A Thomas Connear is living in the townland of Tonroe, which is immediately south of Lisheeny, during the Griffith’s Valuation.