Joseph Hadden was born about 1800, judging by his age at death in June 1888. He was recorded as age 88 in both his civil death record and in Ballygawley Presbyterian Church's "deaths" register. He was the son of Joseph Hadden and Hanna Armstrong, who married in 1793 and had children for the next two decades at Ballygawley and at their farm on Goland townland, a few miles east of Ballygawley.

Joseph (junior) wasn't the oldest son in the Hadden family, but the older son(s) had died or left Ireland, so Joseph inherited the family farm -- and the "Lough Park" home built by his father in the early 1800s -- as the oldest son who remained in Ireland. At least 7 of his own children emigrated to the United States and Australia in later decades.

Joseph Hadden married Jane Beatty of Mulnahunch in Killeeshil parish about 1827, judging by the birth dates of their known/identified children. Their marriage was probably at a church near Jane's home -- most likely Upper Clonaneese or Lower Clonaneese Presbyterian Church, both in Killeeshil parish and both attended by Beattys and their relatives and neighbors.

The Joseph Hadden counted at Goland townland in the Tithe Applotments in 1827 was probably Joseph senior, the father. The elder Joseph Hadden seems to have died within a few years, however, and later mentions of "Joseph Hadden" at Goland refer to his son, born about 1800, who married Jane Beatty.

At the time of Griffith's Valuation in County Tyrone (with first records published in 1860), Joseph Hadden and Archibald Hadden were leasing their Goland farms from Robert Montgomery Moore. Their properties were the largest in the townland -- over 27 acres for Joseph, and more than 35 acres for Archibald.

Joseph's name appears in court records and church records for decades. He was one of the highest cess (tax) payers in his district, served on juries, and was a member of various organizations. His name appears as a witness on the marriages of relatives and friends. He was a ruling elder in Ballygawley Presbyterian Church, as was his son James.

Joseph and his wife Jane both died in 1888 at Lough Park, their home on Goland townland. Ballygawley Presbyterian Church records include a "Register of Deaths in the Congregation of Ballygawley since May 1872." Several decades of church members' deaths are in this priceless ledger, including the deaths of Joseph Hadden and his wife Jane Beatty.

The Ballygawley "deaths" pages include:

(age) 88 - Joseph Hadden - (residence) Loughpark - 23.6.1888

(age) 80 - Mrs. Joseph Hadden - (residence) Goland - 17.11.1888

Also, in the lists of Ballygawley church's pew holders, Joseph Hadden & Mrs. Joseph Hadden have notations by their names of "Dead, 1888."

Joseph's civil death registration gives his cause of death as "Old age," and at age 88, he was certainly a venerable resident of County Tyrone in the days when the average life expectancy was quite a few decades lower.

Superintendent Registrar's District: Clogher

Registrar's District: Aughnacloy, Union of Clogher

Counties of Tyrone & Monaghan

DEATHS - Page 59, No. 165

Twenty first June 1888

Goland, Tyrone

Joseph Hadden, married, farmer, age at last birthday: 88 years

Old age, uncertified, No m. attendant

Informant: James Hadden, son of deceased, present at death, residence: Goland

Registered Tenth July 1888 by J. R. Phillips, Registrar