Griffin/Saunders Family of Knocknaboley Wicklow

Thomas Griffin(the elder) supplanted John Griffin on his lease in Knocknaboley by 1830. The following justifies the claim that he is our ancestor.

In the 1839 Rental Book (NLI, MS 6082) Thomas Griffin's part of the lease was occupied by Margaret (30 acres) and William (20 acres). Margaret was probably Thomas' widow, age 65 with 2 sons and 1 daughter. William was 60 and had no wife and unknown children.

By 1848 Margaret and William were replaced by Peter and Thomas (junior) respectively. In fact the entries in 1848 were:

Peter Griffin, age 30, wife age 25, 1 son and 1 daughter. Thomas Griffin, age 32, wife age 25, 1 son and 1 daughter. and Samuel Fisher, age 30, wife age 26.

The 1850 Tenant census was similar and shows Thomas' family just before they left for Canada. This record shows that this particular Thomas Griffin is the same man who moved to Durham Co Ontario in 1850, because Samuel Fisher gave his immigration ticket to Thomas, according to the Emigration records of the Coolatin Estate.