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The Colleton Family

The name Colleton derives from the Irish Gaelic name "Mac Codlatain", meaning "son of the sleeper", with the clan originally based in counties Wexford, Kilkenny and Carlow in Ireland. Variants of the name include Mac Culleten, Culleton, O' Colleton and Colleton, whilst the townland of Ballyculliton in north Tipperary is said to be named from a family of Collitons based there.

The Colletons in Calum's and Jamie's family history were, and still are, based in Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary. We have so far managed to trace the family back to the mid 19th Century, with the following family members discovered so far:

Martin Colleton (1800 - 3/11/1876) married Judith Phelan
Michael Colleton (1848 - Oct-Dec 1915) married Bridget Lonergan
Patrick Colleton (18?? - bef 1911)
John Colleton (1883 - aft 1911)
Martin Colleton  (1856 -  12/6/1922)  m: Catherine Phelan
Martin Colleton  (April 1884 - 2/11/1914)  never married
Annie Colleton  (bef 1892 - 1927)  m: Patrick Giles
Margaret Colleton  (1892 - 26/3/1922)  never married
Maryanne Colleton  (1894 - 25/3/1922)  never married
John Colleton  (aft 1894 - 19??)
Valentine Colleton (18?? - ????) married Biddy Conneely
Ann Colleton (19?? - ????)
Martin Colleton (19?? - ????)
John Colleton (19?? - ????)
Patrick Colleton  (1901 - 1942) married Margaret Cahill
Martin Colleton (1932 - )
Unknown Colleton (1934 - )
Unknown Colleton (1936 - )
Unknown Colleton (1938 - )
Mary Colleton (1939 - )
Margaret Colleton (1942 - )
 

NB: Family history charts can be accessed at http://www.tribalpages.com/tribes/chrispaton

Martin Colleton
1800 - 3/11/1876
 
Martin Colleton was Calum's and Jamie's three times great grandfather.
 
Martin was a baker in Carrick-on-Suir who had at least two sons, possibly three.
 
Martin married Judith Phelan on September 7th 1843 in a Roman Catholic ceremony in Carrick. The witnesses to the wedding were John Hanigan and Bridget Murphy. In the register Martin's name was recorded as Culiton (NLI registers: Mic 02456/02 Carrick-on-Suir).
 
In Griffith's Valuation 1851 - 1853, Martin is recorded under the name of Cullitan at Greystone Street in Carrick. He was renting the property from Thomas Fitzpatrick, with the building hired at an annual rent of £1. 
 
On 7 AUG 1865 an episode concerning Martin was recorded in the Waterford Mail, in which he unsuccessfully applied to become the inhouse baker at the workhouse in Carrick-on-Suir.
CARRICK-ON-SUIR
Board of Guardians - Saturday
(From our Reporter)
...
In consequence of the resignation of the baker to the house an election was held to day to supply the vacancy.
 
There were three candidates sent in applications. Cornelius cahill, whose father fills the situation of master baker in Clonmel union, and whose testimonials of general character included one from Rev. Dr. Burke, P.P., Rev. Robert Henneberry, P.P., the guardian of Clonel union, and others. James Driscoll, who had once been an assistant in Carrick workhouse bakery, but was subsequently in jail for twelve months "for a little misfortune in drink;" and Martin Culleton, who had been acting as baker since the resignation of the last baker. He had been previously baker in the house, and was dismissed by order of the board. His own account of the transaction was, that having had a little dispute with the then master (Mr. Horan), he threw the keys he had in his hand into Mr. Horan's face, hit him on the nose, and for this the magistrates were so "unconscienable" as to fine him £1 0s 6d.
 
Dr. Purcell - He gave him a mark on the nose, and it is still there.
 
Mr. Wilson said he would propose Culleton. Cahill had very good testimonials, but he (Mr. Wilson) knew nothing of him, and he did of Mr. Culleton.
 
Mr. Donnell - I think when we get a man from our own neighbourhood competent and qualified we ought to take him in preference to a stranger.
 
The applicants were called before the board separately. Amongst other questions in reply to Mr. Phelan, Culleton said he would take 36 gallons of malt out of a stone of barm, and a lb of hops; Cahill said he would take sixty gallons out of the same amount.
 
Mr. Phelan - Cahill is nearer to the mark; Culleton's barm would be far too strong.
 
Mr. Wilson - all Cahill's testimonials as to ability are dated '62 or earlier.
 
Mr. Phelan - Rev. Mr. Henneberry brought him to me yesterday, and highly recommended him. I will propose him.
 
Mr. Hanrahan - Unless he knew him well he would not recommend him.
 
Mr. Wilson - No persons in the world are more imposed upon.
 
Mr. Shea seconded Cahill.
 
Chairman - Does anyone second Mr. Wilson?
 
Mr. Wilson - You can.
 
Chairman - No. I don't think it a right thing for the chairman to second a motion.
 
Cahill was then declared elected at 15s per week.
The same incident was further reported in the Waterford News of 11 AUG 1865, and the Munster Express of 12 AUG 1865.
 
Martin's wife was recorded on a few occasions in the pawn shop ledgers for Carrick-on-Suir, now held at the town's heritage centre, as examined in August 2012. The ledgers cover 1864-1868, although those for July 1864-Oct 1865 and 1868 have so far only been checked. In these, as Mrs Colleton, she first appears on Saturday April 22nd 1865, where she is noted as having pawned a dark vest for 1s 7d. On Tuesday May 16th 1865 she again pawned a dark vest for 1s 1d, and in this record is described as a baker. On Saturday June 28th 1865 she again pawned a dark pair of trousers for 5s 1d, and is again noted as a baker. On Wednesday July 12th 1865 she pawned an "old Calton sa" for 1s 9d, and on Monday September 25th 1865 a dark frock coat for 6s 1d.
 
Martin tragically died in the workhouse in Carrick on November 3rd 1876, aged 76. The cause of death was diarrhea, and the informant was Thomas Dunne at the workhouse. Martin's occupation was again noted as baker.
 
 
CHILDREN of Martin COLLETON and Judith PHELAN:
John Colleton
b: abt 2/7/1844  d: Apr-Jun 1906
 
John was born in Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary, in 1844, and baptised there on 2 JUL, his address noted as Cregg Road . The online index to his birth notes him as John Culleton, with Martin as his father, and Judith Phelan as his mother. The sponsors were Michael Gaule and Bridget Larkin (RootsIreland).
 
On February 6th 1868 John married Ellen Grace, daughter of Edmond Grace, at Templeorum, Co. Kilkenny.(GROI M 1868 Vol4 p.769).
 
In the 1901 Irish census, John is noted as residing in the house of his sister, Eliza Dalton (nee Colleton), in Carrick-on-Suir, where he is described as a baker and a widower.  His mother is also listed, this time as 76 year old Johanna Colleton, a widow.
 
John died in Carrick between April and June 1906.
 
Children of John COLLETON and Ellen GRACE:
Michael COLLETON
b: 27/10/1868  d: Feb 1942
 
Michael was born at Kilsheelan, Carrick-on-Suir, Tipperary on October 27th 1868.
 
In the 1901 census, Michael is noted at the house of his aunt Eliza Dalton and her husband Walter. Michael is noted as Eliza's nephew and as a 31 year old baker. Also present in addition to the Daltons were Michael's father John and grandmother, noted as Johanna. Michael was able to read and write, and was Roman Catholic by way of religion.
 
In the 1911 census, Michael was noted as residing at Bridge Street in Carrick-on-Suir, at the house of his aunt Elizabeth Dalton once more, though he is noted simply as a 40 year old boarder, and working baker. His place of birth is noted as Kilsheelan, Tipperary.
 
Michael died in February 1942, with the following short notice listed in the Munster Express on Friday, February 27th 1942 (p.3):
POPULAR CARRICKMAN'S DEATH
 
The late Mr. Michael Colleton, Greystone Street, Carrick-on-Suir, had been for many years associated with the bakery business in Carrick. He was a much-respected resident of Carrick and a very interesting and estimable man.
 
 
Catherine COLLETON
b: 29/10/1868
 
Catherine was born at Kilsheelan, Carrick-on-Suir, Tipperary on October 29th 1868.
 
 
 
Michael Colleton

b: abt 1/6/1846  d: bet. Oct-Dec 1915

 

Michael was born in County Tipperary in early 1846, and baptised 29 MAY 1846. His parents were Martin Colleton and Judith Phelan, resident at Lough Street - the sponsors were Thomas Flynn and Elizabeth Grady, the priest was Father P. Byrne (RootsIreland).

 

On July 21st 1875, aged 27, he married 25 year old confectioner Bridget Lonergan, daughter of boatman James Lonergan. The witnesses were Walter Dalton and Anne Donnelly. In the record both Michael and his father Martin were noted as bakers (GROI M 1875 Vol. 14 p.250).

 

In the Freeman's Journal and Daily Commercial Advertiser of August 14th 1900, an M. Colleton was recorded as being present at a meeting of the United Irish League in the Town Hall of Carrick-on-Suir. This was almost certainly to have been Michael, the eldest son, though it may well have been his brother Martin. The meeting was held in preparation for a forthcoming general election, and the attendees pledged the following:
That this meeting endorse the programme of the United Irish League as laid down by the great National Convention recently held in Dublin.
 
That we pledge ourselves to take steps immediately to organise a collection for the General Election Fund in this town and district, as we believe, to make the General Election Fund a success is the most pressing duty of Irish Nationalists at the present moment.
 

In the 1901 census in Carrick, Michael is recorded as living at 2 O'Donnell's Lane, alongside his wife Bridget, and his two sons Patrick and John.

 

The family are also found there in the 1911 census, although Patrick had moved away at this point. In this census Michael was noted as a 62 year old Roman Catholic baker, resident at 2 O' Donnell's Land, his wife was 65, and his son John as a 28 year old billiard worker. He had been married for 36 years, meaning the marriage occurred in approximately 1874 or 1875.

 

Michael died in Carrick-on-Suir at some stage between October and December 1915, with his age listed as 68 (GROI D 1915 Q4 Vol. 4 p.373 Carrick-On-Suir). His wife Bridget died just over a year later between January and March 1917, aged apparently at 66 (GROI D 1917 Q1 Vol. 4 p.405).

 

 

CHILDREN of MICHAEL COLLETON and BRIDGET LONERGAN:

Patrick Colleton

b: 9/6/1876  d: bef. 1911

 

Patrick was born at New Lane, Carrick-on-Suir, on June 9th 1876, County Tipperary. His father was noted as a baker, his mother was the informant to the registrar on 20 JUN 1876.

 

In the 1901 census Patrick was recorded with his parents at O' Donnell's Lane, Carrick-on-Suir, where he was noted as a 23 year old general labourer. He was Roman Catholic, could read and write, and was unmarried. 

 

Patrick died before the 1911 census was recorded.

 

 

 

John Colleton

b: 1882  d: 19??

 

John was born in 1882 in Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary.

 

In the 1901 census John was recorded with his parents at O' Donnell's Lane, Carrick-on-Suir, where he was noted as a 18 year old general labourer. He was Roman Catholic, could read and write, and was unmarried.

 

In the 1911 census he was noted as a billiard worker, aged 28 and single, Roman Catholic and able to read and write.

 

 

Patrick Colleton
b: abt 19/6/1848
 
Patrick was born in Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary, in mid 1848 and baptised 19 JUN 1848. His parents were noted as Martin Culliton and Judith Phelan, resident at Lough Street, the sponsor was Margaret Kelly and the priest Father P. Byrne.
 
 
 
 
Patrick Colleton
b: abt 3/7/1850
 
Patrick was born in Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary, and baptised 3 JUL 1850. His parents were noted as Martin Colleton and Judith Phelan, resident at Lough Street, the sponsors were John Connors and Mary Power (RootsIreland).
 
 
 
Elizabeth Colleton
b: abt 12/1/1850
 
Elizabeth was born in Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary, and baptised 12 JAN 1850. Her parents were noted as Martin Colleton and Johanna Whelan, resident at Bridge Street, the sponsors were William Duan and Joanna Duan (RootsIreland).
 
 
 

Mary Ann Colleton

b: abt 2/7/1851

 

Mary was born at Lough Street, Carrick-on-Suir, in mid 1851, and baptised 2 JUL 1851. her parents were noted as Judith Phelan and Martin Colleton. The sponsors at the baptism were Stephen Kirby and Catherine Power, the priest was Father D. Power. 

 

Mary was recorded on many occasions in the pawn shop ledgers for Carrick-on-Suir, now held at the town's heritage centre, as examined in August 2012. The ledgers cover 1864-1868, although those for July 1864-Oct 1865 and 1868 have so far only been checked. In these a Mary Colleton, baker, is first recorded on Thursday November 3rd 1864 as pawning a cotton apron for 4s. On Saturday March 18th 1865 she is next down as a baker called Miss Colleton, where she pawned a calico shift for 1s 1d. On Saturday July 8th, as baker Mary A. Colleton, she pawned a gray vest for 1s 7d, and is again so described on Friday July 28th 1865, where she again pawned a calico shift for 1s 7d.

 

Mary Ann Colleton married Patrick Connelly in Carrick-on-Suir on 11 MAY 1877 (GROI 1877 Carrick on Suir Vol 14 p.257). Patrick was a cork cutter, son of Nicholas Connelly, butcher, and he was of full age. Mary Ann was also of full age, and daughter of Martin Colliton, baker. The witnesses were Walter Dalton and Mary Anne Power.

 

 

 

Johanna Coleton

b: abt 31/5/1854

 

Johana was born in Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary, and baptised 31 MAY 1854. His parents were noted as Martin Coleton and Judith Whelan, resident at Lough Street, the sponsors were William Hayden and Catherin O' Cavanagh (RootsIreland).

 

 

 

Martin Colleton

b: abt 23/2/1857  d: 12/6/1922

 

Martin was Calum's and Jamie's great great grandfather - see below.

 

 

 

Thomas Colleton - unconfirmed

b: 18?? d: 19??

 

Thomas Colleton is possibly another son of Martin, though this has still to be confirmed. He married in 1864 in Owning, Co. Kilkenny, to a woman called Margaret Daniel. The couple had a girl called Bridget Colleton born on January 26th 1871 in Carrick-on-Suir. 

 

 

CHILDREN of Thomas COLLETON and Margaret DANIEL:

Bridget Colleton

b: 26/1/1871  d: ????

 

 

Peter Colleton

b: 1875  d: 1875

 

 

Elizabeth Colleton

b: abt 12/1/1859

 

Elizabeth was born in Carrick-on-Suir and baptised on 12 JAN 1859. Her address was Bridge Street, her parents were Martin Colleton and Johanna Whelan, and the sponsors were William Quan and Johana Quan (RootsIreland).

 

Elizabeth married a baker called Walter Dalton in Carrick-on-Suir on February 7th 1880. Although parents for both of the couple are not listed in the certificate, Walter was a witness at Elizabeth's brother Michael's wedding in 1875, and so it is almost certain that Elizabeth was Martin's daughter.

 

In 1901, Elizabeth was resident at 22 Bridge Street in carrick on Suir, with husband Walter, and children John, Maryanne, Johanna, Walter, Michael, Ellen, Elizabeth and Alice. Also present were John, Michael and Johanna COLLITAN (noted as a baker).

 

In 1911, further information is provided. Elizabeth was noted as 50, wife to Walter Dalton, a 66 year old working baker. The couple had been married for 30 years and had had eight children, all of whom were still living. As well as children Minnie, Walter, Ellie, Elizabeth and Alice, also present in the house was 40 year old Michael Colleton, noted as a boarder, but in fact Elizabeth's nephew, who was also noted as a working baker. Whilst everybody in the house was noted as being able to read and write, and to understand both English and Irish, the registrar has subsequently written, rather curiously, the words "Treat as English only, therefore not registered". Possibly the Daltons or the registrar were playing politics here?

 

 

CHILDREN of Elizabeth COLLETON and Walter DALTON:

John Dalton

b: 8/12/1880

 

John was born on December 8th 1880 at Cook Lane, Carrick-on-Suir. His father was noted as a baker.

 

In 1901 John was present with the family at Bridge Street in Carrick, but not in 1911.

 

 

 

Maryanne 'Minnie' Dalton

b: abt 1883

 

Noted as Maryanne in the 1901 census, but as 'Minnie' in 1911, in which she is also noted as a 28 year old dressmaker, and single.

 

 

 

Johanna Dalton

b: 25/5/1884

 

Johanna was born on May 25th 1884 at Mill Street, Carrick-on-Suir. Her father was noted as a baker.

 

In 1901 Johanne was at Bridge Street with her parents, but was not present with the family in 1911.

 

 

 

Walter Dalton

b: 1/5/1886

 

Walter was born on May 1st 1886 at Mill Street. His father was noted as a baker.

 

In 1901 Walter was with his parents at Bridge Street for the census. In 1911 he was still with his family, and was a single baker.

 

 

 

Michael Dalton

b: 12/8/1888

 

Michael was born on August 12th 1888 in Carrick-on-Suir. His father was noted as a baker.

 

In 1901 Michael was living with his family at Bridge Street, but was not with them in 1911.

 

 

 

Ellen Dalton

b: 25/9/1890

 

Ellen was born on September 25th 1890 at Mill Street, Carrick-on-Suir. Her father was a baker.

 

In 1901 Ellen was with her family at Bridge Street, and in 1911 was noted as a 19 year old single dressmaker.

 

 

Elizabeth Dalton

b: 1894

 

Elizabeth was noted in the 1901 census with her family at Bridge Street in Carrick, and in 1911 as a 17 year old girl with no occupation.

 

 

 

Alice Dalton

b: 1898

 

Alice was born in 1898 in Carrick-on-Suir.

 

In 1901 she was noted with her parents at Bridge Street during the census, and again in 1911, where she was noted as a 13 year old scholar.

 

 

Martin Colleton
abt 23/2/1857 - 12/6/1922
 
Martin Colleton was Calum's and Jamie's great great grandfather.
 
Martin was baptised in Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary, Ireland, on 23 FEB 1857. The sponsors were Michael Heogh and Catherine Tynan, and the family was resident at Greystone Street (NLI Registers: 0245/04 p.202 Carrick-on-Suir). His age at the time of death was also later recorded in 1922 as 66 years old.
 
On September 19th 1882, Martin, noted as a 24 year old baker, married 22 year old spinster Catherine Phelan, daughter of labourer John Phelan, and more colloquially known as Kate. The witnesses were Daniel Mulcahy and Bridget Crotty (GROI 1882 M Q4 Vol.4 p.193).
 
In his daughter Ann's wedding certificate, it is learned that Martin was a baker by trade. In fact, Martin's wife Kate was famous in the town for producing a type of bread roll known as "Colle's Baps"!
 
In the 1901 census, Martin is listed with his wife and children Martin, Annie, Maggie, Marianne, John and Patrick, as living at 30 Greystone Street in Carrick. When his son, also called Martin, joined the Second battalion of the Connaught Rangers on October 22nd 1902, the family address was again noted in his service records, along with the names of Martin's and Kate's other children, Patrick, John, Anna, Margaret and Maryanne. In 1911 Martin and the family are then further recorded as being at number 20 Greystone Street, (with Marianne simply listed as Mary in this census). 
 
In 1914, Martin's eldest son, also called Martin, having been a member of the 2nd Battalion of the Connaught Rangers for a decade, travelled to France and then Belgium to fight the Germans, but within weeks, on November 2nd 1914, he was tragically killed in action at the first battle of Ypres, an event that must have been deeply distressing for the Colleton household back home in Tipperary. 
 
Martin and Kate were notified of their son's death on December 8th 1914, and two days later, the regiment received a letter from Martin senior, requesting further details on his son's death. The letter survives amongst Martin junior's service records at the UK's National Archives at Kew, though is very difficult to read, being part of the "burnt records" series, WO 363, which was badly damaged by fire during a Luftwaffe Blitz attack in London during the Second World War. Although the letter is barely legible, parts can still be made out. Martin starts by saying that he has received a letter about the death of his son, private Martin Colleton, service number 7585, and requests of the officer to whom it is addressed to "kindly let me have the true facts of the case to help to withdraw us from this terrible ordeal". His signature confirms that by this stage the family are now listed at Mill Street, Carrick-on-Suir.


Letter to the army from Martin Colleton, December 8th 1914

 
In the following year, on June 4th 1915, a further army note requests that all of Martin junior's belongings be returned to his father at Greystone Street, Carrick-on-Suir, although four days later it was ascertained by the Army records office that there were no belongings to be returned. Some four years later, a slip of paper records that Kate Colleton had signed a receipt for the 1914 Star to which her son had been entitled. In this record, Kate is noted as residing at Mill Street.
 
In March 1922, Martin and his wife suffered yet another huge trauma with the death of two of their daughters, Maryanne and Margaret, one day apart from each other. The cause is as yet unknown, but the possibility may be that they died accidentally at such a young age. A search of contemporary newspapers may throw some light on this in the future.
 
Just three months later, a heartbroken Martin died on June 12th 1922 in Carrick-on-Suir, the cause as yet unknown. His wife followed two years later. They were both buried in Carrickbeg, across the river Suir from Carrick-on-Suir, in St. Mary's Cemetery. The headstone still stands, and reads:   
In loving memory of
Martin Colleton died 12th June 1922 aged 66 years
and his wife Cathrine died 21st June 1924 aged 60 years
also their daughters Maryanne and Margaret
died 25th and 26th March 1922 aged 28 and 30 years
R.I.P.
 

 

CHILDREN of MARTIN COLLETON and CATHERINE PHELAN:
Martin Colleton
b: April 1884  d: 2/11/1914
 
Calum's and Jamie's great great uncle.

Martin was born on September 7th 1883 at Greystone Street, Carrick-on-Suir. His father was baker Martin Colleton, his mother Catherine Phelan, who was also the informant (GROI 1883 B Q4 Vol.4 p.514). 

Martin initially trained to be a baker, like his parents. In the 1901 Census, he is listed as living with his parents in Greystone Street, Carrick-on-Suir, Tipperary, Ireland. 

At some point around this time, Martin signed up to join the Tipperary Royal Garrison Artillery Militia. Aged 18, however, he soon got into a spot of bother with the law, having been arrested for drunkenness and sent to Clonmel Prison for a term of seven days, along with four other men - 24 year old John Ryan, 20 year old Michael Uniacke(?), 21 year old Richard Moroney, and 21 year old Michael Tobin.Each was given 7 days hard labour and discharged on July 14th 1901. The record notes that all were labourers, and that Martin was 5 foot 3 inches tall, fair haired, blue eyed, fresh complexion and had a 'prominent lower jaw' as a distinguishing feature. He was committed to the prison by E. Dowley of the Carrick TGA (Tipperary Garrison Artillery).

After a short period with the TGA, on October 22nd 1902, he then decided to sign up to the Connaught Rangers in Carrick-on-Suir, after receiving a notice from Sergeant Richard Dillon of the RGA Militia. From Martin's military records, his age in October 1902 is stated to be 18 years and 6 months, placing his birth around April 1884; however, his prison record states he was 18 in 1901, placing his birth in 1883.
 

Upon his enlistment at Galway, a physical description was recorded of Martin. He was five foot three and a half inches tall, weighed 116 pounds, and had a fresh complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair, with a scar on the palm of his right hand extending to the middle of his index finger. He was considered fit for service.
 
From October 22nd 1902 until October 4th 1904, Martin was based in Ireland. After some initial training, on March 1st 1903 he was posted at Mullingar. From thereon in, Martin had what can only be described as a colourful career...!
 
On May 1st 1903, Martin was arrested after creating a disturbance in the town of Mullingar at about 11.15, having had a little too much to drink. he was reported by Sergeant Lally, Corporal O' Rourke and Sergeant Bingham, and after being charged was fined seven shillings and sixpence by Lieutenant Colonel M. G. Moore, and confined to barracks for ten days. No sooner had he wiped the slate clean than he was posted to Finner Camp, where on June 9th he then created a disturbance within the barracks, again due to drink, at about 11.30pm. He was again reported, this time by Corporal Bruden and Sergeant Poole of the RFA, fined another two shillings and sixpence, and confined to barracks again for seven days by Lieutenant Colonel Lambert. On August 27th 1903, Martin was again prosecuted, this time for being drunk on the line of service - he was fined seven shillings and sixpence and confined to barracks for eight days by Captain Alexander.
 
Obviously so much time being confined to barracks was making its mark on Martin, so much so that he resolved to do something about it. On October 31st 1903, he duly went absent without leave! He returned to Carrick-on-Suir, where he was subsequently arrested by the civil police and returned to Mullingar to face the wrath of Lieutenant Colonel Moore. Sentence, ten days confined to barracks, with fourteen days pay forfeited, after which he was returned to duty on November 14th 1903. 
 
For the next few months things wnt uneventfully for Martin at Finner Camp in County Donegal, until July 29th 1904. On this date he broke out of the camp at about 8.00am and remained absent until he was apprehended by the picquet at Bundoran at about 8.15pm. He was drunk, and on this occasion was guilty of an additional offence, being improperly dressed. Being reported by Sergeants Piper, Gangham and Deveney, Martin was fined five shillings, docked a day's pay and confined to barracks for ten days. Soon after, he was again posted to Mullingar, where on September 22nd 1904 he was listed as "absent from furlo from tattoo until 10.05am 24th inst." Having been absent wiothout leave again for two days, he was confined to barracks for seven days by Colonel Moore and docked three day's pay.
 
It is clear from the above that Martin was certainly spirited, and despite his misdemeanours, he was granted a service pay bonus of fourpence. The bonus was granted on the first day of his next posting - the Indian town of Ahmednagar, near Bombay - where he was to serve for the next six years.
 
Two months later, on December 1st 1904, Martin extended his service to complete eight years with the colours authority. On April 8th 1905, he was once again in trouble, having become drunk in the Sudder Bazaar, at about 2.45pm, and then breaking away from the escort when a guard room prisoner. Two days later he was fined 7 shillings and 6 pence, and confined to barracks for seven days by Major Hume. On June 6th he was again drunk, this time in the barracks, and fined another 10 shillings by Hume. Three weeks later, on June 29th, he was again drunk and found guilty of creating a disturbance in 'the bungalow' at Ahmednagar. Another ten shillings were duly deducted, by Colonel Wood, but on this occasion the authorities decided to up the pressure on Martin by also sentencing him to 168 hours of hard labour.
 
Unfortunately, the list goes on! On August 15th 1905 Martin was fined 10 shillings and confined to barracks for ten days after being drunk on parade at 'Retreat'. For the next year however, he seems to have settled down a bit. It is not until November 4th 1906 that Martin is once again found to have been in trouble, this time having wilfully destroyed his equipment, namely his bandolier, worth five rupees. he was ordered to do another 168 hours hard labour and to pay for a new bandolier. 
 
Things did not improve for Martin in 1907. On January 7th, now stationed at Poona, he was found drinking in the canteen and sentenced to 96 hours detention by Lt. Col. Hume. On May 3rd he was absent from his bungalow when supposed to be on duty as a bungalow orderly, for which he was fined 7 shillings and 6 pence, detained for 48 hours and given extra duties as a bungalow orderly.
 
On December 25th 1907, Christmas Day, Martin then made quite a serious error, by deserting his post early when he was supposed to be acting as a sentinel. He was arrested and found guilty at a court-martial on January 7th 1908, receiving a sentence of 56 days detention, though he was given nine days off the sentence. he returned to duty on February 23rd.
 
On August 8th 1909, Martin was found drunk in the barracks at about 9.00pm and fiend 5 shillings. The following year, on March 3rd, he was prosecuted for being drunk and causing a disturbance in the central gymnasium - another 5 shillings were deducted. Later that year, on a date that is illegible on the record, he was drunk in the barracks yet again, and fined seven shillings and sixpence, and confined to barracks for two days.
 
On January 6th 1911, Martin was transferred back to Ireland, and appears to have been transferred to the 1st Battalion, where he became a special reservist. Just a few months later, in the 1911 Census for Ireland, he was listed once more as being at home with his parents on Greystone Street in Carrick-on-Suir.
 
Some two years later, Martin got into trouble with the civil authorities, again through drink. He was arrested for drunkenness in Carrick-on-Suir on February 9th 1913, and at the Town Court on the 17th was sentenced to seven days imprisonment at H.M. Prison Waterford, or a fine of 3 shillings, though it appears that he served time at the prison rather than pay the fine. Upon his discharge from prison on the 24th he was arrested by the military, though the records do not say whether he was punished any further.
 
As a member of the Army Reserve, Martin's time in the service was due to expire on October 21st 1914. With the First World war underway, Martin re-engaged with the Connaught Rangers at Pontypridd in Wales. His description on his re-enlistment papers states that he was five foot five inches tall, had a chest width of 36 inches, a waste of 33 1/2 inches, wore size 7 shoes and wore a size 21 1/2 helmet.
 
On August 14th 1914, the rest of the battalion had already embarked on their journey to the Continent, as part of the original British Expeditionary Force, landing at Boulogne, France. From their, the battalion made their way to  Le Touret, Bethune, and soon after found themselves at the the Belgian war theatre known as the Ypres Salient. Martin would soon join them.
 
Having reached France, the 2nd Battalion had already seen action at the Battle of Mons (23rd to 24th Aug 1914), The Retreat from Mons, the Rearguard Action of Le Grand Fayt (26th Aug 1914), the Battle of the Marne (6th to 9th Sept 1914), and the Battle of Aisne (13th to 26th Sept 1914). On October 19th 1914, the battalion was to embark on its first major push to block the German offensive, at the Belgian area of Ypres. Full of confidence, singing their newly composed regimental song "It's a Long Way to Tipperary" (see Favourite Songs page), Martin and his colleagues were led to believe that the whole crusade would be over by Christmas, and that it would be "the war to end all wars". Sadly, the forthcoming assault at Ypres would see Martin's first and last operation of the war.
 
Going over the top from the water infested muddy, bloody trenches, Martin was tragically killed. His body was never recovered from the muddy fields of Flanders, and he is now remembered with nearly 55,000 other missing British troops at the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres (now Ieper).  
 
A memorial internet site for Irish soldiers from Tipperary has the following listing for Martin:
COLLETON Martin. Reg. No. 7585. Rank: Private - Connaught Rangers 2nd Batt. Killed in action November 2nd 1914. Born: Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary.
Martin was subsequently awarded the Victory Medal and the British Campaign Medal for his actions (PROEng:WO/372/4/914655/30100).

On the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website, the following memorial is also to be found:

In Memory of
Private Martin Colleton
 
7585, 2nd Bn., Connaught Rangers
who died age 29
on 02 November 1914
Son of Catherine Colleton, of Mill St., Carrick-on-Suir,
and the late Martin Colleton.
 
Remembered with honour
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
 
Commemorated in perpetuity by
the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
 
 
Annie Colleton
b: before 1892  d: 1927
 
Calum's and Jamie's great grandmother - see below.
 
 
 
Margaret Colleton
b: 3/1/1889  d: 26/3/1922
 
Margaret was born on January 3rd 1889 at Greystone Street, Carrick-on-Suir. Her father was noted on her birth record as Martin Colleton, baker, whilst her mother, the informant to the registrar, was Kate Phelan.
 
In the 1901 census Margaret was noted as Maggie, a 12 year old scholar who was able to read and write, and being Roman Catholic by way of religion. In the subsequent 1911 census she was noted as being 20 years old, unmarried, and still noted as Maggie.
 
 
 
Mary Anne Colleton
b: 18/8/1891 d: 25/3/1922
 
Mary Anne was born on August 18th 1891 at Greystone Street, Carrick-on-Suir. Her father was noted on her birth record as Martin Colleton, baker, whilst her mother, the informant to the registrar, was Kate Phelan.
 
In the 1901 census Mary Anne was noted as Marianne, an 8 year old scholar able to read and write, and Roman Catholic by way of religion. In the subsequent 1911 census she was noted as being 19 years old, and unmarried, though this time recorded as Mary Anne once more.
 
 
 
John Colleton
b: 18/2/1894  d: abt 9/8/1935
 
John was born at Greystone Street, Carrick-on-Suir, on February 18th 1894. In his brith record his father was noted as a baker, and his mother was Kate Phelan (GROI B 1894 Q2 Vol 4 p.473).
 
In the 1911 census John was recorded at 20 Greystone Street with his family. In the record he was noted as a 17 year old apprentice baker, single, able to read and write, and a Roman Catholic.
 
John later married and had three sons.
 
John appears to have died in 1935. A John Colleton is noted as having died on about August 9th 1935 in the Munster Express of Friday, August 16th 1935. The article reported his funeral as follows:
Carrick I.R.A. Man's Funeral
 
There was a very large attendance on Sunday to the Friary, Carrickbeg, at the funeral of the late Mr. John Colleton, Well Road, Carrick-on-Suir.
 
Deceased was an active and highly-esteemed member of the I.R.A. during the struggle from 1919 to 1923. A guard of honour and a large number of members of the Carrick District I.R.A. marched with the funeral on Sunday. Mr. Colleton belonged to an old and respected Carrick family and was very popular.
The index for this death indicates this John was 38, meaning a birth year of 1897. There is however, no birth record for a John Colleton that year, and no 14 year old John Colleton in the whole of Ireland from Tipperary in the 1911 census. It is therefore almost certain that this John was in fact Martin Colleton the soldier's brother, and the son of Martin Colleton the baker. If so this shows the tragedy of the Irish situation during the striggles for independence - one brother fighting and dying for the British Army in France, the other fighting just a few years later against the British Army. It may well be that Martin's senseless slaughter in France was a contributing factor to John's decision to fight with the I.R.A.
 
On August 30th, there was one final newspaper article about John in the Munster Express:
Vote of Sympathy
 
At a special meeting of Carrick O' Hanlon Fianna Fail Cumann held on Thursday, a vote of sympathy was passed to the widow and relatives of the late John Colleton and Martin Fleming.
 
 
CHILDREN of JOHN COLLETON and (UNKNOWN):
Valentine Colleton
b: 19??
 
Val settled in County Kilkenny and married a lady by the name, it is believed, of Biddy Conneely. They have several children, but only one is known about for definite.
 
 
KNOWN CHILDREN of VALENTINE COLLETON and BIDDY CONNEELY:
Ann Colleton
b: 19??
 
Ann married a gentleman by the surname of Kerwin.
 
 
 
Martin Colleton
b: 19??
 
Martin married Noreen Torpey, daughter of John and Mary Torpey, in August 1968, as recorded in the Munster Express of August 16th 1968:
Wedding: Colleton-Torpey
 
The marriage was solemnised at St. Nicholas's Church, Carrick-on-Suir, on Saturday last, of Mr Martin Colleton, Treacy Park, Carrick, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Colleton and Miss Noreen Torpey, youngest daughter of Mr. John Torpey and the late Mrs Mary Torpey, 36 Ard Mhuire, Carrick. The ceremony, with Nuptial Mass and Papal Blessing, was performed by Very Rev. Michael O' Neill. SVD, Superior Divine Word College, Donamon, Co. Roscommon (first cousin of the bridegroom). Mr Val Colleton, brother of the bridegroom, was the best man, and Mr. John Colleton, brother of the bridegroom, was groomsman. The bridesmaids were Misses Patrica Travers and Bridget Power. The trainbearers were Master Sean Lonergan and Miss Linda Grant. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a full-length gown of white satin and lace with veiled head-dress, and carried a bouquet of lemon carnations, yellow roses and maidenhair fern. The bridesmaids were attired in short dresses of red satin, with head-dresses of rosettes. They carried bouquest of white carnations. During the ceremony, appropriate music was rendered by organist Mrs M. Shelley. The reception, attended by a large number of guests, was held at the Hotel Minella, Clonmel, and afterwards Mr and Mrs Martin Colleton left for the honeymoon, which is being spent on a motoring tour. Going away, the bride wore a fawn-coloured two-piece suit with brown accessories. The bridegroom is a member of the staff of Messrs Miloko Ltd., Carrick, while the bride was attached to the Well Shop, Clonmel Road. Both are most popular figures in their native town, and carry the best wishes of their many friends for every happiness in the future. 
 
 
 
John Colleton
b: 19/6/1933  d: Dec 1986
 
Nothing is as yet known of John.
 
 
Michael Colleton
b: 8/12/1897 
 
Michael was born December 8th 1897 at Greystone Street, Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary. His mother was Kate Phelan, and his father Martin, noted as a baker, was the informant to the civil registrar in Carrick.
 
It is not yet known what became of Michael, but as there is no sign of him in the 1901 aor 1911 censuses it is possible that he died in infancy.
 
 
 
Patrick Colleton
b: 18/1/1900  d: 1900
 
Patrick was born in Greystone Street, Carrick-on-Suir, on January 18th 1900. His father Martin was noted as a baker, and his mother as Kate Phelan. Patrick unfortunately died in infancy at some stage in this year.
 
 
 
Patrick M. Colleton
b: 16/3/1901  d: Apr-Jun 1942
 
This Patrick Colleton was born to Martin Colleton and Kate Phelan on March 16th 1901 at Greystone Street, Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary. His father, noted as a baker, was the informant to the registrar.
 
In the 1911 census for Carrick-on-Suir, Patrick was listed at 20 Greystone Street as a ten year old scholar, and Roman Catholic by religion.
 
Patrick Colleton, like his brother John, served as an IRA Volunteer in the Irish War of Independence and as an irregular in the subsequent Civil War. In his witness statement submission to the Irish Bureau of Military History in 1955, a fellow Volunteer, Seamus Babbington, recalled one of the operations Patrick was involved in, when he and a fellow Volunteer Thomas Torpey were ordered to warn off a young woman from Kilsheelan who was fraternising with British troops at the barrack in Carrick-on-Suir.
 
In summary, Thomas never showed up and his brother Frank instead took his place. Although Patrick and Frank carried out their instructions, they were spotted by a woman noted by Babbington as "a thorough pro-Britisher and anti-Sinn Fein", who immediately reported them to the police. The following is then stated in his report:
Poor Colleton, a rather delicate man, got twelve months in prison, but was released after nine months at the general amnesty. Later, during the Civil War, he was again imprisoned for one and a half years.
 
The full report is available online from Limerick Archives at http://tinyurl.com/d7hek37 (page 98-99).  
 
Patrick married Margaret Cahill in Clonmel in the first quarter of 1931, and then set up home in Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary. here he apparently raised a family of six children, three of whom are believed to have tragically died in infancy of meningitis, although only evidence for the existence of four of these children has as yet been found.
 
On Wednesday March 18th Patrick was a sponsor at the baptism of his nephew Martin Giles, the son of his sister Anne and Patrick Giles.
 
Paddy died quite young, in the second quarter of 1942, although the death index appears to incorectly list him as 36 years old. According to his son Martin he had not been in the best of health for a few years before he died. His wife must also have died young, as Martin was raised with his cousins in Carrick.
 
A short piece on Patrick's death and funeral was again written by Sean Babbington in his submission to the Bureau of Military History in 1955:
When he (Patrick) died some years later, there was not enough to take in his coffin into the church. Worse still, next day we had to wait and call someone passing to give a hand in bringing his coffin and remains from the church to the hearse. He was a member of a very old, honest and respectable Carrick family - the Colleton's of Greystone Street. Typical of the reward paid to many patriots, for centuries.
Babbington also added in an earlier section that Paddy Colleton was "long since dead, R.I.P." Further coverage of his funeral was reported in the Munster Express of 3 APR 1942:
LATE MR P. CULLETON
 
The death has occurred of Mr. Patrick Colleton, Carrick-on-Suir, who took an active part in the Anglo-Irish struggle. He suffered imprisonment in Spike Island in 1920-'21, and also in Clonmel and Kilkenny. The remains, draped in the tricolour, were borne by his former comrades to St. Nicholas's Church on Tuesday, and interment took place in the family burial ground Carrickbeg, on Wednesday. R.I.P.
 
 
CHILDREN of PATRICK COLLETON and MARGARET CAHILL:
Martin C. Colleton
b: Jan-Mar 1932
 
Martin was born in Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary, Republic of Ireland in the first quarter of 1932 (GROI B Q1 1932 Carrick-on-Suir, mother's surname: Cahill).
 
As a young lad Martin was raised by his mother and father until the age of ten, when his father died. It is not known if his mother had also died by then, but Martin was later raised by cousins in Carrick.
 
As a young boy, Martin worked as a messenger boy in Carrick, and then became a shop assistant, a job he held until approximately 1994 when he was made redundant. It is believed that this may have been Cleary's shop in Carrick, but that remains unconfirmed.
 
Martin never married, and still lives in Ard Mhuire, Carrick-on-Suir to this day. Thanks go to Martin for a conversation in August 2004 with Calum's father, which gave him much information on the Colleton family.
 
 
 
Anne M. Colleton
b: Apr-Jun 1936  d: 1938
 
Anne was born in Carrick-on-Suir in the second quarter of 1936 (GROI B 1936 Carrick on Suir Vol 4 p.329). She died in infancy in the second quarter of 1938, it is believed of meningitis (GROI D 1938 Q2 Vol4 p.273)
 
 
 
Mary F. Colleton
b: 1939
 
Mary now lives in Dublin. It is believed that she may have married, but nothing more is known of her.
 
 
Margaret P. Colleton
b: 1941
 
Margaret now lives in Dublin. It is not yet known if she married.
 
 

Anne Colleton
1879 - 2/4/1927

Anne was Calum's and Jamie's great great grandmother.

Annie was born in Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary, Ireland, in about 1879, and entered service in the town as a domestic servant. 
 
In the 1901 census, Annie is listed with her parents and siblings at 30 Greystone Street in Carrick. She was listed as a fourteen year old servant, Roman Catholic, born in Co. Tipperaray, and able to read and write (Source: National Archives of Ireland, 1901 census). When her brother Martin joined the Second Battalion of the Connaught Rangers on October 22nd 1902, she was again listed at the same address (Source: British Army Service Returns, Ancestry).
 
In 1911, Annie was at 20 Greystone Street with her family, and noted as single, a Roman Catholic, able to read and write, and from Co. Tipperaray. No occupation is listed for her (Source: National Archives of Ireland, 1911 census).
 
Annie married Patrick Giles in the Roman Catholic church of St. Nicholas in Carrick-on-Suir on 28 JUN 1922, the service carried out by Father Michael O' Byrne, with the witnesses being her brother John Colleton and Katherine O'Neill. She was Patrick's second wife.
 
The couple went on to have two children, but Annie tragically died at the District Hospital in Carrick-on-Suir on 2 APR 1927, when her son Patrick was only six months old. The cause of death was pulmonary tuberculosis, as suffered for four months, and cardiac failure. In her death record she was noted as reesidsing at New Street, and as the spouse of Patrick Giles, mechanic (GROI/IrishGenealogy D 1927 Group Reg ID 1839967).
 
Annie was buried on April 2nd 1927 at St. Mary's Graveyard, Carrick-on-Suir, in section L, plot 33L.
 
The following story was published in the Munster Express of 8 APR 1922:
Death of Mrs Giles
 
The death occurred on Saturday of Mrs Giles, wife of Mr. Patrick Giles, New St, Carrick. The late Mrs. Giles, who had been ill for some time past, was very popular, and her death is much regretted.
 
The interment took place at Carrickbeg. The chief mourners were:- Mr. Patrick Giles (husband), Messrs. John and Patrick Colleton (brothers), Mr. J. Colleton (cousin).
 
CHILDREN of ANNE COLLETON and PATRICK GILES:

Johanna (Josie) Giles
b: 8/9/1922  d: 2/8/1980

Josephine married Harry Fox in 1946 in Irvine, Scotland. They had three children, Joanne, Ann and James

 

Patrick Joseph Giles
b: 13/8/1926 d: 19/4/2001

Calum's and Jamie's grandfather - see Giles page.

 

Connecting to Calum and Jamie

Anne Colleton married John Patrick Giles before 1926.

Son, Patrick Joseph Giles, married Mary Pauline Prendergast on 16/8/1960.

Daughter, Claire Patricia Giles, married Christopher Mark Paton on 24/6/2000.

Sons, Calum Graham Paton and Jamie Christopher Paton.

 

 
Is your family history as bare as you think?