Our "Missing Link" and a Tale of Three Walters
What a thrill it was to finally identify the "missing link" between our two subjects, both named Walter Hinds. The irony, of course, is that he, the Link, was also named Walter Hinds. He was the Grandson of Walter Hinds of the 1700s, the eldest son of Ralph Hinds, Walter's eldest son, and the father of Walter Hinds of the 1800s.
The connection was finally made as the result of the combined efforts of several new Hinds cousins we acquired along the way. We are very grateful for their invaluable contributions, including private family papers and photographs, their willingness to discuss and challenge our findings until we "got it right" and, most of all, for their untiring encouragement and spirit. We feel very fortunate to be a part of this delightful Hinds Family.
Walter Hinds of the 1800s, County Cavan, Ireland
Our search began some years ago with our ancestor Walter Hinds of County Cavan, Ireland, who was born about 1798. We knew nothing about his parents or siblings. He married Margaret Charters, probably around 1840, and they had eight children, most of whom immigrated to England and the United States: John Hinds married Harriett Annie Sanders, James Hinds married Jane Reilly , Robert Hinds married a woman named Mary A., Bella Hinds may not have married, Fanny Hinds married Henry Sutchiffe, Henry Hinds married a woman named Anna Marie, Edward Charter Hinds married Mary "Fanny" Gardner and Richard Hinds may not have married.
Walter Hinds of the 1700s, County Cavan, Ireland
Our research intensified with the discovery of three wills we found in Dublin at the National Archives of Ireland that introduced us to the earlier Walter Hinds (1703-1777) of Corrakane, his brother, John Hinds ( -1767) of Cornaseer, both in County Cavan, Ireland, and Walter's eldest son, Ralph Hinds (1741-1794) of Mulhussey, of County Meath, Ireland. The wills were of great help in trying to piece together the families and associates of these three individuals, and eventually led us to the all-important Memorial Deeds and land records that clarified and documented the family and their specific relationships.
Walter Hinds of Corrakane left a will dated 5 Aug 1777 which named sons, daughters, spouses, nephews, nieces, brothers, sisters and grandchildren. His wife's name was Martha and they had five children who were named in his will: Ralph Hinds, John Hinds, William Hinds, Thomas Hinds and Anne Hinds.
Walter's brother, John Hinds of Cornaseer, died ten years before Walter did and left a will dated 21 Sep 1766. John's will was helpful in adding more of their siblings to the family picture. Walter and John had brothers William Hinds, Thomas Hinds and George Hinds. Their sister Mary Hinds married a Stephens, who may have been James; Margaret Hinds married Robert Booth; another, whose given name was not identified, married a man named Clarke or Clark. There appear to have been additional siblings, as well.
Walter's eldest son, Ralph Hinds of Mulhussey left a will dated 15 Apr 1794. He had married Esther Cannon and had six sons. Their eldest son Walter Hinds "The Missing Link" (c1762-1804), married a woman named Jane, who was probably Jane Smith (1776- ), Matthew Hinds (c1763- ), their second son, married Sarah Gerrard, third son John Hinds ( -1794) married Rebecca Gerrard, fourth son Thomas Hinds (1764-1842) married a woman named Mary, fifth son Ralph Hinds ( -1843) married Catherine Kelly, and sixth son Alexander Hinds married a Floyd, and their son Thomas led us to the Gore Hinds connection we'd been searching for -- and also to our most recently discovered (2016) cousin! Ralph and Esther also had at least five, and probably six daughters. Clarissa Hinds (c1759- ) married William Stephens, Martha Hinds (c1766- ) married Christopher Matthews, Hester Hinds married a Dunn, Eleanor Hinds (c1770-1849) married the Reverend Thomas Smith of Laracor, Anne Hinds (c1773- ) married her first cousin Walter Hinds of Bruce Hall (c1768-1805), and Mary Hinds married James Walsh.
Too Many Walters
Neither Walter nor Hinds appeared to us to have been common names in County Cavan in the 1700s or early 1800s. So, when we identified the second Walter Hinds, this one of the 1700s, it just seemed unreasonable to ignore the possibility that these two Walters were very likely related. And, with joy, they were! However, just because the critical connection has been made does not mean our Hinds research is complete. There is a wealth more information concerning this family in the land records alone to keep us busy -- and happy -- for many more years!
As we mentioned above, the connection was finally made as the result of the combined efforts of our "new" cousins in England, Canada and the United States. Just in case you missed it before... we are very grateful for their invaluable contributions, including private family papers and photographs, their willingness to discuss and challenge our findings until we "got it right" and, most of all, for their untiring encouragement and spirit. We feel very fortunate to be a part of this delightful Hinds Family.
The first link below lists the known descendants, extended family and associates of the Hinds family of County Cavan, Ireland and the second link will lead to some additional information about the family learned by earlier researchers.