John lived at Bally-Haise, Co. Cavan and his name appears in various registers and deeds from 1708-1820 when land at Galoone, Dromore was assigned to him.

Listed here are the children of Catherine and Thomas taken from One World Tree:

William Armstrong M 22 May 1811 in Dublin, Ireland

Mary Aletta Armstrong F 22 Jun 1812 in Montrath,

Catherine Louise Armstrong 13 May 1813 in Montrath, Ireland

Margaret Elinor Armstrong 27 Jun 1814 in Mountrath, Ireland

Frances Armstrong F 2 Jul 1816 in Mountrath

Elizabeth Armstrong F 1 Dec 1817 in Castletown, Ireland

John Armstrong M 28 Nov 1818 in Castletown, Ireland

Thomas Armstrong M 14 Jun 1820 in St Croix, Bwi,

Charlotte Cornelia Armstrong 16 Sep 1821 in St Croix,

Anna Maria Armstrong F 3 Mar 1823 in St Croix,

Henry Cornelius Armstrong 21 Mar 1824 in St Croix, Bwi,

Ellen Augustine Armstrong 16 Jul 1825 in St Croix, Bwi,

William Armstrong M 2 Jun 1828 in St Croix, Bwi,

Emma Armstrong F 2 Nov 1829 in St Croix, Bwi,

Louisa Armstrong F 16 Jul 1834 in St Croix, Bwi,

Thomas Henry Armstrong M 12 Dec 1836 in St Croix, Bwi,

http://www.antonymaitland.com/hptext/hp0024.txt

Thank you to the Maitland family for this interesting account taken from the hyperlink above.

2/3. Thomas Armstrong born at Carrick, West Meath, Ireland, on

February 23/1787, died at New London, Conn., August 3/1863,

buried here with his wife.

Nothing is known of his early youth or education. He married on

May 31 1810, Catherine Louisa Cornelius, born at Springfield,

County Cork, Ireland, April 11/1792, died at New London, Conn.

May 5/1852. Her father, Henry Cornelius was said to have come

from Holland and was twice married, probably living at

Springfield, Cork, with his first wife, the pretty Kate Connor of

Cork. Henry married, 2nd, a widow named Mrs. Rogers, many years

younger than himself, and they lived at Montrath, Queen's County,

where Henry was agent of the Earl of Mountrath. This probably

explains how Catherine met Thomas Armstrong. Catherine was the

daughter of Henry Cornelius' second marriage, and she had two

sisters, Margaret, who married William Penrose Robinson of

Shaxarook Lawn, Douglas, County Cork, and Bessie Cornelius.

Catherine also had three brothers, Henry Cornelius, Captain

Charles Cornelius of the 71st Regiment, and Richard Cornelius a

captain in the army. Through the interest of her father Henry

Cornelius, Thomas Armstrong got a sinecure position in Dublin

worth £300, and they lived there nine years. This position he

resigned to go to St. Croix. During their nine years in

Ireland, eight children were born, four of whom lived to grow up.

In 1819, Thomas and Catherine Armstrong went out to St. Croix,

leaving five daughters behind. At St. Croix he bought an estate

called Lebanon Hill from Dr. Biggs: he also got an estate named

Mount Welcome which he got from his uncle William. The five

daughters left in Ireland were placed in the care of relatives,

and were sent to a school kept by Madame Despard in Dublin, and

were taught music, dancing and deportment In St. Croix, seven

children had been added to the family. Then preparations were

made for the five sisters to come out from Ireland in the care of

Dr. William Armstrong, who wanted his family to come over also.

So on September 25/1825, the regular packet ship "Silas

Richards", sailed from Liverpool, having on board as passengers,

the five sisters, and their twin boy cousins, all under charge of

the boys' grandmother Mrs. Taylor. After a somewhat tempestuous

voyage, the ship arrived at New York on October 28/1828, with dry

goods to Fish, Grinnell & Co. The ship was built in New York

about 1822 for Grinnell, Minturn & Co., who established the

Swallow Tail Line of packets: she was of 453 tons. The girl's

father Thomas Armstrong, who had become acquainted with Captain

Joseph W. Alsop of Middletown, Conn. was doing business with

him, and arranged that the little girls should go to St. Croix

in Captain Alsop's brig "Condor", Captain Goodrich commanding.

The next outward voyage was not for two months, so the little

girls had a delightful visit in New York. They stayed with a

friend of Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Cadwallader Golden, whom she had met

in England. They visited the Museum and other places of interest.

Mrs. Taylor liked to show them off when walking on Broadway and

they often heard persons passing by say:-"there go the little

English girls". The "Condor" sailed on December 23/1828 from New

York for St. Croix. The boys must have remained in New York with

their father, and I'm sure Mrs. Taylor never went to St. Croix: I

don't know what became of her. The little girls were in the care

of the captain and the voyage was

Subject 24 P6 (128)

progressing favorably, when one day the Captain observed a strange sail

on the horizon, coming nearer and nearer. The Captain, not liking the

looks or the vessel, grew very uneasy as it was in the days of piracy.

The Captain made the girls go down into the cabin and locked them in,

telling them to remain very quiet. The vessel turned out to be a

pirate, but unfortunately for the latter, the men were in a half

starved condition and weak from want of food, and told the Captain that

if he would only give them food, they would not molest them. The

Captain considered they had had a most fortunate escape, and told the

girls they might have been taken, but that he was prepared to shoot

them before letting them fall into the pirate's hands. The voyage must

have taken about three weeks, so around January 20/1829, they arrived

at St. Croix, to be greeted by the mother who they had not seen for ten

years, and by brothers and sisters they had never seen. I doubt that

there were any opportunities for education at St. Croix. Up to the

present, Thomas and Catherine had had fifteen children, several of them

having passed away, and ere eight years had flown by, three more were

added to the household. The name of the estate they lived at was Mount

Pleasant, though the name Mount Welcome comes to my mind. In December

1832 the family were in Middletown, Conn., at what is now 180

Washington St. At this time their child Anna Maria received burns from

the fireplace in the dining room, which caused her death. Thomas

Armstrong was in New London in June 1839, and still there in June 1940.

He was offered a lot by Captain Mather for $4000: the western half was

98 ft on Washington St. and 93 ft on the Rope Walk. At this time the

Robert Beattys came back to the States, and Thomas Armstrong and his

family went back to St. Croix, having bought the "Lebanon" estate from

Robert Beatty for $14,474.97. There was also a fountain which cost

$300. The family were in St. Croix in August 1844, by which time their

son Thomas had gone out west to where his brother William was living,

on the border of a lake where the hunting and fishing were excellent:

Thomas was devoted to both sports. Thomas had left a name in St. Croix

of being the most correct young man in business, and it was a pity that

his talents should have been wasted in the back woods. Thomas and

Catherine were still at Lebanon in 1849: there must have been an

insurrection previous to this time end many people feared there would

be another. There was a very strict Governor who was determined to have

the strict laws obeyed. They were still there in 1851. Catherine had

been in St. Thomas, as she was not well, and it was decided to send her

to the States in Captain Tikiole's vessel to New Haven, as the doctors

said it was the only chance for her health. Her husband Thomas had the

hardest time that summer to get along: he was anxious to sell out and

the family were anxious to leave St. Croix. Lebanon Hill was an estate

of 500 acres, and was appraised on November 2/1849 for $24,424. The

crops were sugar rum and molasses, which for the year 1849 were:-84

hogsheads and 145 barrels of sugar, 41 puns and 3 barrels of rum, and

53 casks of molasses, and the net proceeds were $3165.17. Mount

Pleasant estate was rented to Mr. S. Kelton for $298. Lebanon Hill

would rent for $200. Mrs. Mary Cummings, who died in 1846, and Mrs

Wittroz were interested in the Lebanon Hill property. Thomas, Catherine

and their family must have come to the states in 1852, the year in

which Catherine died unexpectedly. Their coming may

Subject 24 P7 (129)

have been hastened by the insurrection. They did not have a large

supply of this world's goods to bring with them. Thomas Armstrong's

last years were spent in New London with his daughters Frances and

Elizabeth keeping house for him. Amongst some of the silver of Thomas

and Catherine which has come down through the family, is a spoon, with

the crest of the Armstrongs of King's County, Ireland, which was "An

armed hand holding a broken ulig spear, ppr". The motto is "Vi at

Armis". The spoon has the hall mark of John Pitter, Dublin, 1810.

Issue:- (of Thomas and Catherine Armstrong)

Marriage 1832 from Irish Records Extraction database

Vital: Diocese of Cork & Ross, Cork²

Capt in Royal Artillery and Richmand St. M.S. 13 May 1819

Baptized in Anatrim Church

Baptized in Anatrim Church. No children.

Baptized in Anatrim Church

Burial: Mountrath Vault

Baptized in Mountrath Church. Never married.

According to a letter written by Alexander-her cousin- she was in poor health and was sent "to the sea"- Dublin- for the air. Maybe she had a respiratory illness? She died aged 24.

Burial: Anatrim Cemetery

*Married Richard Carroll Hyde at Anatrim church by Canon Kellett and his son Rev. Richard Kellet.

They had no children.

They clothed and educated their nephews Harry and Billy- seemingly a common practice when the families were so large.

* From the family bible

Burial: Anatrim

They had no children. Refer to a letter in the scrapbook written after the death of her sister Louisa, to her brother Harry in NZ.

She had an adopted daughter, Lilian who died on trhe ship Adriatic on Nov. 1st 1923.

Burial: Kilworth

Godmother and cousin of Emma Eleanor aka Eva Geraldine Cornelius

Spinster

Burial: Mangahoa, Pahiatua

Always known as Eva Geraldine, her father got drunk on the way to register her birth and couldn't remember the correct names so named her after his sisters, Emma and Eleanor! This was not discovered until the birth certificate was produced for the wedding.

She met her future husband, Johnny Shields, when he was serving in WW 1 for the Leics. Regiment and was sent to Ireland to recover from the effects of gassing in the trenches. There he met Eva at the home of the Countess of Mouncashell (Eva's cousin, Florence).

The story about Eva marrying John Shields was handed down to all the children in N.Z by the 5 brothers. I think there were either rather envious or totally stunned that their big sister could sit on the front fence of the farm and "snare" a very eligible English army officer , and then leave Ireland for a life of perceived luxury in England, where as they were sent to N.Z where they had to work extremely hard for their uncle to repay their boat fare. I get the impression things were pretty tough in Ireland at the time and that the family was living on past glories.

"The Marriage of Lieut. J.G. Shields R.F.A. with Miss Eva Geraldine Cornelius

July 26th 1917

(As taken from a newspaper account)

The marriage of Lieutenant John Shields R.F.A. to Miss Eva Geraldine Cornelius, took place at the parish church, Borris-in Ossory, Queens Co. Ireland, the home of the bride, on Wednesday. The bridegroom is the eldest son of Mr. John Gillies Shields J.P. C.C. (the agent for the executors of Lord Donington and Major Gretton of Donington Park), and a well-known agriculturist, and of Mrs. Shields, of the Manor House, Isley Walton, Leicestershire. Mr. Shields, who volunteered for service when the war began, will be best remembered as the popular captain of Leicestershire County Cricket Club and a member of the M.C.C. The bride, who is a cousin of the Countess of Mount Cashel, is the daughter of Mr. Alexander Fitzgerald Cornelius and Mrs. Cornelius of Ballytarsna House, Borris-in -Ossory, Ireland. The Rev. Robert Mollen, rector of Borris-in-Ossory performed the ceremony and the church was crowded. Mr. Reginald Cornelius, brother of the bride, was best man, the bridegroom having come from France on short leave for the wedding. There was one bridesmaid, Miss Ruby Cornelius, sister of the bride. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a dress made in German style of an old gold satin and nigger brown and a picture hat.

A reception was held afterwards at Ballytarsna House and the newly married pair crossed to England on Thursday and motored home from Birmingham on Friday morning. This was the bride’s first visit to England. They will reside in Breedon Hall. A large number of presents awaited them and the approaches to Isley Walton were gaily decorated."

Burial: All Saints, Isley Walton, Leics.

Born in Scotland, his family moved to Leicestershire in 1883.

He served in WW 1 for the Leics. Regiment and was sent to Ireland to recover from the effects of gassing in the trenches. There he met Eva at the home of the Countess of Mount Cashel (Eva's cousin, Florence). They met again later when he was out riding past Ballytarsna and Eva was sitting on the fence watching for him. He told his fellow soldier that he was going to marry "that red-head"!

They married July 26th 1917 and the notes for Eva contain an account of their wedding.

He took over as the Land Agent from his father and managed the estates and farms owned by the family- the farms were rented out- around the Castle Donington, Isley Walton area of Leicestershire.

Capt. of Leics. Cricket team and wicket keeper. The story goes that he bought steaks en route to a game and stuffed them into his gloves, to prevent bruising! He also played for the Gentlemen v the Players at Lords.

He was an excellent horseman and one of the best shots in the county.

After his death, his son J. Gilles Shields inherited, in trust, all the lands with the exception of the Manor House and grounds along with the living of the United Benefice of Breedon and Worthington, and Longcliffe Quarry. In 1976, Gillies broke the Trust and sold Donington Hall to British Midland Airlines and the Race Track and the lands at the Coppice where a Racing museum now stands.

Residence: 1901, Castle Donnington, Leicestershire, England^4,4

Reggie came home from the front in 1917 to be a witness at the marriage of his sister, Eva to Johnny Shields.

After he returned home from the war, he died shortly thereafter of influenza and is buried with his grandparents Alexander and Mary.

No Children.

He raised race horses for the Curragh. He lived at Guidanstoun House, Rathangan, Kildare

Widow of Brig. F. Jackson

The only one who paid his way out was Bertie, who at the time had a job in a bank in Dublin and was seen to have a job for life and his parents wanted him to stay in Ireland (probably to support them). He boarded the ship with 2 of his brothers apparently with out his parents knowledge. He was the most successful of the 5 brothers , but unfortunately died of Kidney Disease in his 50's. I can still just remember the drama of the 4 brothers going up to the funeral. Dad had just brought a new car, and none of the others would help with the driving and he was just about asleep at the wheel when the cops pulled him up for weaving over the road. They took some convincing that he was not drunk , then after the funeral and presumably after the wake they were heading home over a long one way bridge and met another car in the middle. The 4 very stubborn Irishmen refused to back up and apparently there was a bit of a stoush and they were probably lucky they were not locked up for the night. All of the brothers had really broad Irish accents and were something to behold when they got excited.

ALBERT EDWARD CORNELIUS-submitted by Colin Cornelius

Also affectionately known as BERTIE or PADDY

Born in Donnybrook, Dublin County, Ireland in 1901 where he did well at school, interested in sport especially tennis. Worked in the Bank for 6 years and had to learn to speak and write the Gaelic language.

Emigrated to New Zealand in 1925 with two of his brothers (George and Gerry). A rushed decision for him as his family had deliberately kept his brothers' travel plans secret. Worked on Harry Cornelius' sheep station at Mangahao, and afterwards at other sheep stations in the district. Became an excellent shepherd and an exceptional trainer and breeder of sheep dogs.

In the early 1930's he managed the Shamrock Hotel in Wellington before buying his first farm, in partnership with his brother Gerry (Cornelius Bros.), at Makarau, North Auckland in 1934. This farm ran south from the Makarau railway station to the tunnel. Eventually "The Bros" hard work resulted in a good mixed farm unit of dairy and sheep. Paddy bought out Gerry's half in about 1939-40. In 1945 he sold the Makarau Farm and bought 229 acres (Sanatorium) at Omana North Auckland and in 1948 bought another farm of about 400 acres (Kaitaringa Farm). On Sanatorium he ran mainly sheep and on the Kaitaringa Farm dairy and beef cattle. Also, leased the "Kauri Workings" for winter grazing - this was cutover native forest in the Tangihua Range.

He was a successful farmer.

In 1955 he was admitted to Greenlane Hospital with a kidney complaint and then followed nine dreadful months with eight major operations. Paddy died at his home at Omana on 14 January 1956 following a Coronary Thrombosis.

This quietly spoken Irishman was known far and wide as "Paddy" - a pet name.

Remembered by his wife Eve, for his courage, hard work for his family, his loving caring nature, and so cheerful, always.

Cause of Death: Coronary thrombosis following kidney problems

Farmer

Burial: Manakua Cemetery

Occupation: Farmer

At a young age, George was sent off to live with his maiden aunt, Alice, in Dublin. We are not sure why George was chosen but believe this might have been common practice amongst large families.

We believe he went to Dublin for his schooling so it could have being about 1910 when he left home. We know that he was in Dublin in 1916 (aged 13) as he was arrested during the Easter uprising for being in the wrong place at the wrong time (and probably throwing stones!!) much to the families consternation. From what Dad told us it was an experience he never wished to repeat, and it was only the efforts of Alice and his Mother that got him out of jail . These were rather interesting times in Dublin and not a time to be a teenager roaming the streets!

He emigrated to NZ in 1926 and worked for Harry Cornelius at Mangahao for a number of years. (Later, in 1931, he found Harry, dead and still on horseback, at Ross na Clonagh). He then milked cows at Ranfurly Road, just out of Pahiatua until he went to WW11. He joined the Hawkes Bay Territorial regiment in 1937, and then enlisted in the regular force on 23/10/1940. He served in the 1st battalion N.Z Scottish regiment as part of the New Zealand Army Service Corp. He entered camp in July 1942 and went overseas on the 10/11/1942 as a Driver, transporting ammunition to the front. He saw action in both the North Africa and Italian campaign arriving back in N.Z on the 20/11/1945. His army records show that he had pay deducted for speeding and reckless driving, and for being AWOL.

On returning to N.Z after the war the government of the day had a program to settle returning soldiers on to farms and George took advantage of this program. He purchased a dairy farm at Hukanui , south of Pahiatua where he farmed until his retirement in 1966. He married Maude Baker in 1946 and they had 5 sons. He died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 1967 aged 64 and is buried at Taradale.

Emigrated to NZ in 1926 aged 21.

Buried with her grandparents, Alexander and Mary Cornelius