19th Century
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Thomas K. Carr, Esq. (c. 1811-1869) of Castle Annaghs
Recently we toured Castle Annaghs, Rosbercon, (special thanks to the newlyweds Jason Shiely and his lovely Rathinure, Glenmore, bride, Eva née Roche). The Castle is in impressive shape for its age. I began performing a newspaper search of Castle Annaghs and stumbled upon Thomas K. Carr, Esq. (c. 1811-1869) of Castle Annaghs. He was at Castle Annaghs for twenty years commencing when he was about 19 and ending with his public emigration with his family from the quay in New Ross in 1850.
To put Thomas K. Carr, Esq. into context we shall briefly present his known siblings, parents and family connections as well as a few early newspaper articles.
Parents of Thomas K. Carr, Esq. (c. 1811-1869)
Edward Carr (c. 1780-1857) and Maria Keogh/Kough (c. 1791-1874) lived primarily in Arnestown township about 3 km from New Ross. Per the Ossory, Ferns, Leighlin Dioceses Maria Kough and Edward Carr obtained a marriage license in 1808. (Indexes to Wills, Probate Administration, Marriage Bonds and Licences, 1591-1866).
We could not verify who Maria’s father was although the Keogh/Kough families of New Ross were merchants and held land interests. During the 1798 Rebellion the Kough warehouses on the Quay of New Ross housed British troops after the Battle of New Ross.
Edward Carr and his wife, Maria Keogh had 11 children according to the testimony of their eldest son Edward Carr, Jr. (Munster Express, Fri. 25 July 1874, p. 5). The Carr family was Protestant, so most dates of birth etc. have been gleaned from surviving Church of Ireland records, or contemporary newspapers. Thomas Kough Carr was born circa 1811 at Arnestown, Co. Wexford, into an Anglo-Irish landed gentry family. His family enjoyed extensive ties to local property, the Church of Ireland and civic roles across Wexford and Kilkenny.
Thomas K. Carr’s Siblings
The known children of Edward Carr and his wife, Maria Keogh include:
[1] Edward Carr (c. 1809-1892) became a solicitor. He married Sarah Drake in 1833. They resided in Camolin, Co. Wexford.
[2] Thomas Kough Carr (c. 1811-1869) married Jane Kough in 1837. They lived at Castle Annaghs until the summer of 1850.
[3] George Whitmore Carr (c. 1814-1886) married Mary Kough in 1848.
[4] Rev. Elliott Elmes Carr (c. 1818-1908) Rector of Rathsaran. Married Anne Sydney Watson in 1850.
[5] Elizabeth Carr married Rev. Thomas Uniacke Townsend, Hilltown, Co. Down (Belfast Newsletter, Tues. 23 Apr. 1839, p. 2).
[6] William Wallis Carr (c. 1816-1895). Was a married and they resided on Priory St. New Ross. He was a merchant and died aged 79, on 31 March 1895.
[7] Dr. Jonas King Carr (c.1820-1907) It is alleged that Jonas was born 29 July 1820, but we could not verify this date. It is alleged that he married three times. An obituary entitled “Death of Rossman in England” was published in the New Ross Standard, (Fri. 15 March 1907, p. 5). “We regret to announce says the Gloucester Echo to announce the death at the age of 87 of Deputy Surgeon General Jonas King Carr, MD, FRCSI which took place at his residence, 11 Hatterly Place, Cheltenham, on the 11th March. The deceased gentleman, who was born in 1820, joined the medical department of the army as assistant surgeon on the 24th June, 1886 (sic). He was for many years attached to the 25th Regiment, (King’s Own Borderers), and next in the 32nd Regiment (the Cornwalls). He was subsequently at Woolwich Hospital. The deceased gentleman was the sixth son of the late Edward Carr, Arnestown, uncle of the present Mr. George Carr, Ardross, a kinsman of the celebrated pioneer of temperance of that name.”
[8] Nicholas Grifford Carr (c. 1821-1903) married 6 August 1885 at Ballylane House, New Ross, Elizabeth (Lizzie) Vero, the eldest daughter of Christopher Vero, Esq., of Ballybrennan, Co. Wexford (Dublin Daily Express, Sat. 8 Aug. 1885, p. 1). At his death in 1903, at the age of 81, he was described as a gentleman farmer with an address of Arnestown Cottage. Present at his death was Charles W. Carr of Priory St., New Ross.
[9] Henry Carr (c. 1825-1867) died on 18 January 1867 at his home at Frankfort Avenue, Rathgar. He was the youngest son of the late Edward Carr, Esq., of New Ross (Carlow Sentinel, Sat. 26 Jan. 1867, p. 3). In 1871, William Wallis Carr brought a suit against Gifford Carr, the executor of Henry Carr’s Estate (Wexford Independent, Wed. 26 July 1871, p. 3).
[10] Sarah Carr
[11] Eliza Carr
For earlier generations of the family see the incomplete family tree at wiki trees.
Newspaper Articles from the 1830’s
The Cork Constitution (4 Dec. 1834, p. 4) published an article that appears to indicate that Edward Carr held land interests in Kilkenny near Castle Annaghs. “On the morning of the 26th, as two bailiffs employed by Edward Carr, Esq., of New Ross, (A most indulgent landlord) was driving for rent, part of which has unpaid for the last six years, they were brutally assaulted by a number of persons. They were obliged to make a precipitate retreat. This outrage took place in view of the fatal Shambo County Kilkenny, where the unfortunate Leonard was murdered whose only crime was an attempt to recover a lawful debt; and where the hired assassin, Malone, and the conspirator Meany expiated their guilt to the offended law of their country (Wexford Conservative).” See our post of 9 Feb. 2020 regarding the murder of Catholic landlord Joseph Leonard.
The following year an article appeared in the Freeman’s Journal (10 Nov. 1835 p. 4) concerning a young Henry Carr (c. 1825-1867) who appears to have traveled alone on the river steamer from Waterford.
“On Saturday evening a man of the name of David Kearney, who was coachman to Edward Carr, Esq., of Arnestown, was sent by his master, to Ross, which is distant about a mile from his place, with a pair of horses to meet and take up his Mr Carr’s youngest son, aged about 9 years, who was returning by steam packet from Waterford to Ross. When about halfway from Ross the coachman alighted to recover his hat, which had fallen, but being exceedingly drunk, he was unable to remount or proceed on foot. On seeing this the child apprehending that the unfortunate man might be injured by the horses, most prudently and thoughtfully pursued his way home taking with him the two horses. On his arrival he dispatched a man to take care of the servant and bring him home. Michael Dunphy, the man so sent, on arriving at the place, found the unfortunate Kearney just taken out of the ditch by two policemen, where it is supposed he had fallen and been suffocated.
“We forbore communicating this earlier, waiting for an account of the inquest that would be held on the body by the Sovereign of New Ross, who, by virtue of his office is coroner for the borough; but on enquiry we found that the police officer at New Ross, Mr. Hutton, never either reported the circumstances to the Sovereign, or took the necessary steps to prevent the body being interred until the inquisition was held on it. We think that such palpable neglect on the part of a public officer, ought to be inquired into, as the men who found the deceased reported the circumstance to him in half an hour after it occurred (Wexford Independent).”
Castle Annaghs
In the late 1790’s a wealthy wine merchant from Cadiz, Edward Joseph Murphy, bought Castle Annaghs and its demesne. Murphy then proceeded to build the large and imposing Georgian mansion on the hill overlooking the Castle and Barrow. When Murphy fell into debt his creditors sought his assets. Murphy is thought to have died c. 1842.
George Kough became a tenant of Castle Annagh’s under the Chancery Court at least by 1822. A notice was published in January 1825 stating that the house and demesne with 300 arable acres would be let for three years as George Kough’s lease was ending on 25 March 1825 (Waterford Mail, Wed. 9 Jan. 1825, p. ).
It is not clear exactly when Thomas K. Carr, Esq. took up residence at Castle Annaghs, but in 1836 Miss Sarah Fitzgerald filed a notice as lessee, “against the casual ejector” of her intention to let by public auction at Shanahan’s Hotel, New Ross, the House and Demesne of Castle Annaghs, “being part of the Manor of Mount Boyle, otherwise Forstalstown, situate in the Barony of Ida, and County of Kilkenny, as now held by Mr. Thomas Carr” (Dublin Evening Post, Tues. 6 Sept. 1836, p. 1).
The lands were comprised of 335 Irish acres (or 536 statute acres). The term of the lease was 3 years, “provided Miss Fitzgerald’s interest shall so long last.” Two solvent persons were required to join the tenant in the lease as security for the rent (Dublin Evening Post, Tues. 6 Sept. 1836, p. 1).
Marriage
When Thomas K. Carr married on 9 January 1837, his address was Castle Annaghs. His bride was Jane Keough, the only daughter of George Keough, Esq., of Chilcomb Lodge, Rosbercon (Evening Freeman, Tues. 17 Jan. 1837, p. 1). The couple were married in St. Patrick’s Church of Ireland, Waterford City, and it was noted that Jane was from St. John’s Parish, Church of Ireland. It is not clear if his new father-in-law was the George Kough who held the Castle Annaghs lease until 1825. It is not clear whether the bride and groom were related.
Chilcomb Lodge
George Kough in 1841 advertised in the Waterford Mirror (Sat. 20 March 1841, p. 1) the sale or lease of the house, offices, gardens and demesne of Chilcomb Lodge, situated on the River Barrow, nearly opposite to and within 5 minutes’ walk of the town of New Ross.
“The house etc. built in the most substantial manner, within the last three years, and upon which a sum upwards of fifteen hundred pounds has been expended, is replete with every convenience for the accommodation of a respectable family, and the demesne consists of seventy-one acres of prime land, with a frontage to the river of upwards of seventeen hundred feet, and depth of water sufficient for vessels of large burdens. The situation is unrivalled for the beauty of the surrounding scenery. To be duly appreciated must be seen. For particulars apply to Thomas Tisdall, Esq., 73 Upper Baggot-street, Dublin; Robert W. Cherry, Solicitor, Waterford; or George Kough, Chilcomb Lodge, New Ross.”
Resignation from Castle Annaghs
The Carlow Sentinel (Sat. 16 Sept 1848, p.1) advertised a “strictly unreserved auction at Castle Annaghs for Thomas Keogh Carr, Esq. “who is obliged to resign possession of his farms, they being about to be sold under the Courts.”
Auction 1 (1848)
Strictly Unreserved Auction
AT CASTLE ANNAGHS, CO. KILKENNY Of Pure Short Horn Cattle, Weight Carrying Hunters, Young Horses, Thoroughbred Stallion, Sheep, Vehicles, etc.
JAMES MARSHALL has been highly favoured with positive instructions from Thomas Keogh Carr Esq. (who is obliged to resign possession of his farms, they being about to be sold under the Courts), to sell by strictly unreserved auction, at Castle Annaghs, County Kilkenny, within ten miles of Waterford and one of New Ross,
On THURSDAY, the 21st day of SEPTEMBER, the following valuable property:
40 Very handsome young cows and heifers;
11 Two year old heifers, in calf;
18 Choice Yearling Heifers;
32 Promising calves;
15 One and two year old bullocks;
1 Two year old Bull, “Atlas” by “Woolman” out of “Cranberry.”
1 Two year old bull, very highly bred;
2 Very highly bred yearling bulls:
2 Bull calves.
The above justly celebrated herd of cattle are from stock imported at great expense from the most eminent breeders of Short Horns in England; they possess great milking qualities, with good size, early maturity, and all the other necessary essentials for which this breed are so universally prized.
PEDIGREE OF EACH BEAST WILL BE GIVEN AT SALE.
LEICESTER SHEEP
30 Two year old Wedders;
70 Two year old Ewes;
40 Lambs;
5 Ram lambs;
6 Rams, one and two year olds.
HORSES
No. 1, Thoro’bred English racehorse, “Plato,” 6 years old, got by “Sweet Anchor,” out of Vesper, by Vehcepeds.
No. 2, Grey horse, “Badger,” a well known first rate hunter.
No. 3, Bay mare, 6 years old, by King William, a trained hunter, with great speed.
No. 4, Powerfully strong chestnut horse, by Welcome, able to carry 15 stones with hounds.
No. 5, Handsome strong bay mare, by Doncaster, 4 off, a magnificent fencer.
No. 6, Bay Colt, four years old, by Doncaster a trained hunter, very strong.
No. 7, A superior hunter for 13 stone, with any foxhounds, he is got by Vestria, out of Goblet’s dam.
No. 8, Three year old bay colt, by Doncaster.
No. 9, do do by Blacklock.
No. 10, Yearly colt by Blacklock.
No. 11, Yearly filly by Doncaster.
No. 12, Very promising colt foal by Plato.
No. 13, & 14 Two celebrated brood mares stinted to Pluto, pedigree at sale.
No. 15 Very stout cob pony, 6 off, quiet to ride and very fast in harness.
The horses can by inspected by a Veterinary Surgeon, (if required) any time prior to sale.
VEHICLES
Doubled bodied open phaeton, fashionable tax cart, modern outside car, with patent axles etc.
Terms Cash, or accepted Bills at 3 months, with stamp, and interest added, for any sum over £20. The commission of 5 per cent to be paid by the purchaser in addition to their bidding. JAMES MARSHALL, AUCTIONEER, 96 George St., Limerick, who must approve all bills intended to be passed prior to sale. Mr Marshall as usual will be happy to attend to such Commissions as may be entrusted to him.
Auction 2 (1850)
The second unreserved auction was advertised in the Waterford Mail (Wed. 24 April 1850, p. 3).
Strictly Unreserved AUCTION at CASTLE ANNAGHS, County Kilkenny; upwards of 70 head of valuable and highly bred short horn Durham stock; 20 horses; variety of farming implements of the most improved construction; entire household furniture, and numerous miscellaneous articles etc.
MR. JOHN WALSH has been favoured by THOMAS K. CARR (who is about to leave the country) to sell by auction at CASTLE ANNAGHS, County, Kilkenny, within 10 miles of Waterford, and 1 of New Ross, on Monday, the 20th day of April, 1850, and following days.
SHORT-HORN STOCK
25 highly bred Durham Cows, calved and to calve—4 dry and 2 fat cows. 3 Year old Durham Bull, by Sir Charles—2 yearling bulls, by Atlas—6 two year old heifers—10 yearlings—7 two year old bullocks—3 yearling do—19 heifer calves—9 bull ditto. Pedigree of each will be given at sale.
HORSES
Thoro’bred English race horse PLUTO, by Sheet Anchor; dam Vespers by Velocipede. Five year old hunter by Elvas; six year old do. By Middlethoope, dam by Empress, grand-dam by Old President. Seven year old Roadster and Harness Horse. Grey horse, 9 years old, beautifully trained to carry a lady. The horses can be inspected by a Veterinary Surgeon (if required) at any time prior to sale.
BROOD MARES
Harriet, supposed thoro’bred, with a colt foal at her foot. Taglioni, thoro’bred mare, by Giles, out of Spencer’s dam, in foal to New Fashion. Mare by Liverpool, sire of Lanercost. Three year old Mare by Concaster; dam, harriet, a foal at her foot. Three year old colt by Blacklock, dam by Liverpool. Two year old colt by Plato, dam by Franey. Yearling by Pluto, dam Harriet. Yearly by Despise, dam Taglioni. Useful family horse, 7 years old. 5 good farming horses.
FARMING IMPLEMENTS etc.
4 horse threshing machine, churning ditto, 2 winnowing machines; 2 hay cutters; drill machine; drill machine; turnip slicer; 4 rollers; Finlayson’s harrow; 2 scufflers; 2 double mould-board ploughs; 8 iron ploughs; 9 new carts; 3 drays; 6 double harrows; 2 iron corn stands; set of forge tools; corn separator; dairy utensils for 50 cows; farm harness, complete for 9 horses; with a great variety of miscellaneous articles.
Covered car with parent axles; London built gig; pony phaeton; light tax cart; 3 sets of jaunting car and gig harness, with saddles, bridles etc. About 150 barrels of heavy oats, with 20 ditto in stack; about 20 barrels of horse beans; a large quantity of upland and marsh hay; large heaps of farm yard manure; quantity of grass seeds, straw and seasoned timber.
Pianoforte, with additional keys, by Broadwood; kitchen range, by Turner; mangle; forcing pump; a gabbard, gig, and pram. A well broke pointer and two brace of young black setters. 1 highly bred Berkshire sow; 1 sow with 9 young ones; 1 fat pig.
The cattle and horses will be sold the first day.
Terms—CASH, or approved bills at 3 months with interest and stamp, for any sum over £20. Commission of 5 per cent, to be paid by the purchaser. Sale to commence each day at eleven o’clock. NB—the brood mares and young horses are well worth the attention of any sporting man.
Emigration from New Ross Quay
By 1850 Thomas K. Carr and his wife Jane (née Kough) had three children.
[1] Edward Kough Carr (c. 1838-1907)
[2] George Thomas Carr (c. 1840-1881) and
[3] Hannah Cornelia “Nina” Carr (c. 1843-1912).
It was widely reported regarding this families’ emigration from the Quay in New Ross. Perhaps it was due to the fact that the famine had caused the poorest to flee if they could flee. Here was a family of some standing and resources that chose to leave. Although Thomas K. Carr was a landlord he was also a tenant to the courts during his tenure at Castle Annaghs.
“Immigration—The ship Triton sailed from port of New Ross last week for Quebec with 350 emigrants of a more wealthy and respectable class than ever left that Quay. The state cabin was occupied by Thomas K. Carr, Esq. and family. Mr. Carr rented Castle Annaghs in the county Kilkenny, for the last 20 years, under the Court of Chancery and was considered one of the best practical farmers in Ireland. Castle Annaghs was recently purchased by a Dublin gentleman, not only had Mr. Carr to pay him the dead half year, but was obliged to pay six weeks rent in addition—say from the 25th of March to the 3d of May, the day on which possession was taken. Such acts, in these times, are sufficient to drive many as well as Mr. Carr out of this country” (Wexford Independent, Sat. 29 June 1850, p. 2). The same article was published in several Irish newspapers including Freeman’s Journal, Wed. 3 July 1850, p. 3].
Next week we will trace the Thomas K. Carr family from Quebec.
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com
The featured drawing above is Castle Annaghs from the Dublin Penny Journal of 30 Jan. 1836 . It was drawn during the time Thomas K. Carr, Esq. was in occupation of the estate.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
James Butler (1862-1933) Native of Flemingstown, Glenmore
Danny Dowling (1927-2023) was the Glenmore Village and Parish historian for 7 decades. His files are full of queries he answered from around the world helping people to connect with their Glenmore ancestors long before there were computers and other research conveniences. Danny often lamented that none die so well as the poor. What he meant was that little is left behind after they left this life such as land records, headstones, Wills or obituaries. Generally, only baptismal, marriage and death records may survive. However, every now and then a newspaper article or two provides information about a person. Today, we are going to present three short articles involving James Butler (1862-1933) who was a native of Flemingstown, Glenmore.
Horseshoeing Argument Leads to Criminal Charges
The New Ross Standard on 22 August 1896 in a column named “Notes From Beyond the Barrow: A Pistol Presented” provides a short description of two men who argued about horse shoeing.
“An ex-army man named Butler, a native of Glenmore, and lately living in Brownstown, Tullogher, was arrested by the Rosbercon police on Saturday on a charge of presenting arms at Thomas Leigh. On the previous day Butler had been around Rosbercon and on his way home in the evening met with Leigh, who is a smith. The conversation seems to have turned on horse shoeing, and they both became excited. Butler contended that the smith knew nothing about horseshoeing, and that if he wanted to know anything in that direction he should join the army. Leigh alleged that at this point Butler presented a pistol at him. He hastily retreated to Rosbercon and reported the matter to the police. The police found on Butler’s person a breach loading American pistol and four rounds of ammunition. He was remanded for trial to petty sessions” (New Ross Standard, Sat. 22 Aug. 1896, p. 4).
This event led to two different criminal charges against James Butler. The first charge was reported in the New Ross Standard of Saturday, 19 September 1896 (p. 4). The second charge of not having a license for the pistol was reported in the 17 October 1896 edition (p. 4).
The Charge of Presenting a Pistol
“The Queen at the prosecution of District Inspector Rainsford, and a native of near New Ross at Tinnakilly, near Rosbercon, on the 14th August, unlawfully presented a pistol at Thomas Leigh, Rosbercon, with intent to do him serious bodily injury. Mr. Colfer appeared for the defendant.
Mr. Rainsford said that the case was not so serious as at first sight might appear. He read the information of Thomas Leigh, Rosbercon, who was sworn, and who affirmed it, stating that at Tinnakilly, on the 14th August, he (Thomas Leigh) met defendant, James Butler. Deponent was a blacksmith, living in Rosbercon, and on that day had been brining a horse which had been shod, up to Thomas Shea. James Butler began to ridicule deponent and his father as to the way in which they did their business, and said they knew nothing about shoeing except driving nails. Deponent offered to bet £5 that Butler would not get a man who would shoe as well as his father, and Butler replied that if he wanted to know anything about horseshoeing he should enlist in the army. Deponent denied this, and thereupon defendant asked him did he mean to insult him, and pulling a pistol out of his pocket, presented it at his (witness’s) head. Deponent was a little afraid of Butler, and said he did not wish to have any argument with him. Deponent (sic) [should read Defendant] then put back the pistol and offered to shake hands with him. Witness shook hands with him and then left. The defendant had drink taken, but was not drunk. Deponent at first thought the defendant was a man named Ribby, but afterward found he did not know his name. When he reached Rosbercon he reported the matter to the police, and on the following day identified the prisoner.
Cross examined by Mr. Colfer—You did not know this man before? No. And he had no previous quarrel with you or anything of the kind? No. You say you were a little afraid of him? Yes. Did you think he intended firing it at you with intent to do bodily harm? He looked like it, but did not pull the trigger. Nor did he threatened to do so? No.
The District Inspector here produced the pistol, which with ammunition, was found on the prisoner after his arrest. Constable Kiggins gave evidence of having arrested the defendant, and found the pistol and four rounds of ammunition in his pockets. The Inspector said that that was his case.
Mr. Colfer said that in appearing for the defendant it seemed to him that there was no evidence that he meant to inflict serious bodily harm. No doubt he was instructed to plead guilty on behalf of his client to presenting the pistol, but there was not the slightest evidence that Butler meant to discharge it, if there was anything to discharge in it. Having reviewed the deposition, Mr. Colfer said it was clear there was no wrong inflicted. Leigh had not the remotest idea as to whom the defendant was. Nothing came of the arguments or bets between them, and when the defendant put up the pistol, he, in the half-inaudible way in which usually drunken men speak, asked the other to shake hands.
Defendant had been employed in the county Wexford for some time, and was now acting as caretaker in the county Waterford with a man named Mullins. When in the County Wexford, the defendant was made a present of the pistol, and when during the last month he was up seeing some friends in County Kilkenny he brought the pistol with him. Being in the army, he did not think it was necessary to have a license for it.
Chairman—That’s another matter. Mr. Colfer—Yes, quite so. Sufficient for the day—at all events he had this pistol with him. He did not know the law. He instructs me to say he was 12 years in the army, and was a non-commissioned officer when leaving. He was all through the Egyptian War, and he says he received a clasp for his action at Tel-el-Kibar, and also possesses the Kheldives brass medal for heroism (laughter). Of course this can only go for his character. Mr. Colfer then read a character for the defendant from Mr. P.J. Roche, Woodville, with whom he had worked for 13 months.
Mr. Rainsford said he wished to have the case dealt with as an ordinary assault. Of course were the case brought under the Peace Preservation Act there should be a court of two resident magistrates to hear it. The Chairman said the defendant would be fined a guinea [21shillings or 1£ 1s] or a month in jail, and he requested Mr. Rainsford to recommend to the Excise to have defendant prosecuted of carrying a pistol without a license (New Ross Standard, Sat. 19 Sept. 1896, p. 4).
Peace Preservation Act 1881
Sir Robert Peel in 1814 drafted the first Peace Preservation Act which established what would become the Irish Constabulary. In 1870 and 1888 during periods of agrarian agitation and the Land Wars, these Acts allowed the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland the power to suspend habeas corpus, declare specific areas or districts “proclaimed districts” where a person could not carry or possess any arms or ammunition without a licence. The defendant, James Butler was charged and tried before a special court under the 1881 Act.
Ironically, while James Butler was serving in the British Army putting down a nationalist uprising in Egypt, back in Ireland legislation was introduced to proclaim his home barony Ida a “proclaimed district” allowing for the suspension of habeas corpus etc.
“Subsequent to the court of petty sessions, Messrs Ulick Bourke, RM [resident magistrate] (chairman), and H.F. Considine, RM, sat as a court under the Peace Preservation Act, to dispose of the case of the Queen, at the prosecution District-inspector Ross C. Rainsford, against James Butler, an ex-army man, for having in his possession on the 15th of August, without license, a pistol and four rounds of ball ammunition.
Constable Kiggins deposed that on the 15th August he arrested James Butler for presenting a revolver at one Thomas Leigh on the previous day. The defendant made no statement. Witness brought him to the barrack and searched him, and found on his person a pistol and four rounds of ball ammunition (produced). The defendant held no license. The offence occurred in the barony of Ida, and witness was aware that Ida was a proclaimed district.
Chairman (to defendant)—Do you plead guilty? I do sir. I leave myself at your worship’s mercy. I have been away since I was a boy, and was most of that time in active service. I was used to arms, and did not know there was any necessity to have a license. When the constable asked me had I had it, I told him I had. [Appears to be referring to the pistol.]
Mr. Considine—How long are you back from the army? Three or four years. I had a good character. The district inspector on last court day prosecuted the defendant for presenting the pistol which was an American one, at Thomas Leigh.
Defendant—I thought no more about it then if it was a toy pistol. District Inspector—I would not like to get a pistol like that presented to me if it were loaded. All I have to do now is to hand in the Dublin Gazette of 1881, in which year the Peace Preservation Act was enforced within the Barony of Ida. The Gazette was then produced.
In consideration of the costs in the case, the fines and costs in the previous prosecution on last court day, and the good character of the defendant, he was allowed off with a fine of 5s, the pistol and ammunition to be forfeited (New Ross Standard, Sat. 17 Oct. 1896, p. 4).
The Defendant James Butler (1862-1933) Native of Flemingstown, Glenmore
James Butler was born on 26 July 1862 at Flemingstown, Glenmore to Thomas Butler (c. 1803-1888) and his wife Margaret Kneefe/Keefe.
Military Service
We were able to find the list of medals awarded to James Butler from 1881-1883 for the Egypt & India Campaigns. Corp. James Butler, Reg. No 2466, 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, was awarded the Egyptian Medal 1882 with a Tel-el-Kebir Clasp; and was also awarded an Egyptian Bronze Star (Medal Rolls, British War Office, file WO-100/57).
Marriage
James Butler of Flemingstown married 18 May 1893 a widow named Ellen Norris (c. 1859-1937) a native of Ballyvaria (sic) Glenmore. James was the son of Thomas Butler (mason and farmer). Ellen was the daughter of Michael Norris (labourer).
Ellen Norris’s first husband was Patrick Murphy (c. 1848-1892). The couple were married on 6 February 1879 at Rosbercon. Patrick Murphy (38) and Ellen Norris (20) were both recorded as residing in Brownsford, [Tullogher]. Their fathers were recorded as Sylvester Murphy (deceased) and Michael Norris. Her husband Patrick Murphy died 2 December 1892.
It appears that Ellen only had one child in her first marriage, Michael Murphy (c. 1888-1966). Michael Murphy emigrated to Peoria, Illinois in about 1909, became a police officer, married and raised a family.
Family Life
James Butler was only married for a few years when he was arrested and tried in 1896. The 1901 Census provides that the family was residing in New Ross. James (39) was working as a labourer. In addition to his step-son Michael Murphy (c. 1888-1966) there were four other children in the household: Tom Butler (6); Ellen Butler (5); Nicholas Butler (3) and Maggie Butler (9 mos.).
Before the 1911 Rosbercon Census Michael Murphy had emigrated. James Butler (49) was working as a farm labourer. His wife Ellen was 53 years of age. Tom (17) was working as a Brewer’s labourer. Nicholas (13), Margaret (10) and the last of the children Mary was 7.
In the 1926 Census of Raheen, Co. Kilkenny, James Butler was 63 and reported that he was born at Flemingstown, Glenmore. He was employed as a farm labourer for Patrick Dooley (farmer) who had 130 acres. Ellen Butler reported her age as 67 and that she was born at Ballyveria, Glenmore. Their daughter Margaret Butler was 25, was born at New Ross and was self-employed as a dressmaker. Mary Butler was 23, born at Raheen, and was employed as a shop assistant at O’Leary and Butler Grocery and General Store.
Deaths
James Butler died 19 November 1933 of bronchial pneumonia at his home in Raheen. His daughter Margaret was present at his death. His widow, Ellen Butler née Norris died 7 March 1937 at home in Raheen of apoplexy. Apoplexy is an old medical term for a stroke. Her son Nicholas was present at her death.
The Victim Thomas Leigh/Lee (1875-1955)
All we gleaned from the newspapers accounts was that Thomas Lee was a blacksmith and his father was a blacksmith. The 1901 Rosbercon Census provides that James Lee (46) was a blacksmith and his sons Thomas Lee (21) and James Lee (20) were also blacksmiths.
A New Ross baptismal record reveals that Thomas Lee was born on 24 March 1875. His parents were James Lee and Ann Hanlon. Thus, Thomas Lee was 26 in 1901 and 21 in 1896 when he argued with James Butler regarding horseshoeing.
Thomas Lee and Gertrude Mary Begely were married on 4 October 1904 at St. Mary Priory, Highland St., Liverpool. They were parents of Rev. Brother J. A. Lee, Superior, Colaiste Muire, Dublin. The celebration of their Golden Wedding Anniversary was published in the New Ross Standard (Fri. 1 Oct. 1954, p. 1). The 1911 Census reveals that Gertrude was born at Pembroke Docks in South Wales. In 1911, Thomas Lee stood for the New Ross Board of Guardians (Rosbercon Ward) (New Ross Standard, Fri. 5 May 1911, p. 2). In addition to their son the couple also had several daughters.
Thomas Lee died 1 May 1955 at Sugarhouse Lane, New Ross aged 80. In his obituary it was noted that he was a man of splendid physique and despite his eighty years, he worked with the vigour and skill of a man half his age (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 May 1955, p. 8). His wife Gertrude died of influenza on the 8th of October 1959 at the age of 80 at their home on the Quay, New Ross. Her daughter Maura Lee was present at her death.
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Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com
The featured photo above is from the Royal Collection Trust, included in Queen Victoria’s Album, Afghanistan and Egypt Portraits, 1879 & 1882. For another photo of members of the Second Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment in Egypt press here. The photo of a village blacksmith is from an old Sussex, England postcard.
For other Glenmore Butler families see our B surname page.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Dunphy Mill of Deerpark, Mullinavat & Its Glenmore Connection
We had the pleasure of a tour of the Dunphy water powered corn mill of Deerpark, Mullinavat. Special thanks to John Dunphy for the interesting tour and information. Thanks to Noah Bradfield for taking photos. (Any photos that are not crisp and clear were not taken by Noah). The mill rightfully won the 2025 Kilkenny Heritage Award, and the mill will be open for tours on 15 August 2026 as part of Heritage Week. It is well worth a visit to step back in time and observe the mill in action and hear the water hitting the mill wheel. John Dunphy is not only passionate concerning the mill, but he is also patient when answering questions along the tour. Please see Kilkenny Heritage Week for further details regarding tours for 15 August 2026.
The Glenmore Connection: Michael Dunphy (1839-1916)
The Mill can be found on the first black and white survey maps which were undertaken between 1829 and 1842. It is believed that the earliest miller was Patrick Hayes and his name does appear in the Tithe Applotment Books. We were able to find a marriage record for Patrick Hayes and Ellen Holden The couple married on 25 May 1839 in the Parish/District of Kilmacow. The addresses of the parties at the time of the wedding was “Park.” The couple had four known children.
The first Dunphy to operate the mill was Michael Dunphy (1839-1916) a native of Ballyfacey, Glenmore. Michael began operating the mill upon his marriage to Mary Walsh of Deer Park on 25 October 1877. The current John Dunphy believed that Richard Hayes transferred the mill to Michael Dunphy after his marriage to Mary Walsh. Mary Walsh was taking care of Richard. In the marriage records Michael Dunphy was a farmer and the son of Michael Dunphy (deceased farmer). Mary Walsh (1846-1906) was the daughter of John Walsh (farmer). The witnesses to the wedding were Richard Hayes and Mary Hynes. It is not yet known what relation Richard Hayes may have been to Mary Walsh.
Although a death record could not be located for Patrick Hayes we did find one for Richard Hayes (c. 1827-1901) in 1901. He was a 74 year old bachelor when he died at Deer Park. “Michael Dunphy, Landlord” was present when he died. Richard Hayes (c. 1827-1901) was perhaps a brother or nephew of Patrick Hayes, but given his age at death he could not have been one of Patrick Hayes’s children. Richard Hayes was about 50 years of age when Michael Dunphy and Mary Walsh married in 1877.
Training of Michael Dunphy (1839-1916)?
One of the questions that struck me was how a farmer from Ballyfacey, Glenmore, would have the experience to run a corn mill? Obviously he could have been instructed by Richard Hayes or others. However, in researching Michael Dunphy several names associated with the Gaffney Mill of Glenmore were found as godparents to Michael and his siblings raising the possibility that Michael Dunphy gained milling experience in Glenmore prior to his marriage.
William Gaffney (c. 1762-1798) of Glenmore Village, married Bridget Dunphy, of old Ballfacey, on 30 October 1783 at Slieverue. William Gaffney was a miller. During the 1798 Rebellion William was the leader of the local United Irishmen, captured and executed. His widow, Bridget Gaffney née Dunphy, kept the Glenmore mill operating and their son Nicholas Gaffney (bapt. 19 Sept. 1790-1873) eventually took it over and ran it until his death. The widowed, Bridget Gaffney née Dunphy married her second husband Richard Young and had at least three children with him.
Siblings of Michael Dunphy (1839-1916)
Michael Dunphy’s (1839-1916) godfather was William Young. Michael’s siblings include:
(1) Judith Dunphy, bapt 10 Sept. 1830, at Ballyfacey, Godparents: James Dollard and Mary Young.
(2) Mary Dunphy bapt. 13 Nov. 1831 at Ballyfacey, Godparents: Richard Phelan and Anastasia Dollard.
(3) Richard Dunphy bapt. 20 Dec. 1833 at Ballyfacey, Godparents: John Doherty and Mary Doherty.
(4) Bridget Dunphy bapt 20 Feb. 1836 at Balyfacey, Godparents: Nicholas Dunphy and Ellen Roche.
(5) Margaret Dunphy bapt 1 Oct. 1837 at Ballyfacey. Godparents: William Gaffney and Catherine Long.
It is possible that Michael Dunphy (1839-1916) worked at Gaffney’s Mill in Glenmore Village. He was not the eldest brother in the family and was not destined to take over the farm in Ballyfacey. If he worked at Gaffney’s Mill, or another mill, he would have gained milling experience. It also appears likely that his marriage may have been an arranged match as was very common at that time.
Michael Dunphy’s (1839-1916) Father and Possible Grandfather
Michael Dunphy’s (1839-1916) father per his marriage cert. was Michael Dunphy. Michael Dunphy (bapt. 1794) was the son of Nicholas Dunfy (sic) and Margaret Dunfy. Nicholas Donphy (sic) married Margaret Donphy on 18 Feb. 1792 at Ballefacy (sic). Witnesses to the wedding were: James Roach; Rev. John Deen and James Roach, Jr. We located a Nicholas Dunphy baptized at “old Ballyfacy” on 26 February 1770 to Morris Dunphy and Joane Roach. We cannot be 100% certain that this is the correct Nicholas Dunphy, but the name in Ballyfacy was not common. We were unable to locate a baptismal record for Bridget Gaffney Young née Dunphy, but if she married in 1783 she was born c. 1763 or before. The earliest baptismal records for the joint Glenmore-Slieverue parish is 1766.
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
See our post of 22 Feb. 2020 regarding William Gaffney’s (c. 1762-1798) execution during the 1798 Rebellion.
See our post of 12 Aug. 2024 regarding the discovery of William Gaffney’s (c. 1762-1798) skeleton.
From Danny’s Files: The Register of Infants, Ballyfasey Female National School (1871-1928)
Danny Dowling (1927-2021) for over 7 decades collected a vast amount of information and material regarding Glenmore and other local areas. One large item that Danny collected was a copy of the Register of Infants in Ballyfasey (sic) Female National School. This register consists of 7 pages with student entrances dates from 15 July 1871 to 8 October 1928 of 247 girls (with legible names). There are also 5 students whose names are not legible. The pages are 16 ½ inches (42cm) tall by 11 ½ inches (29 cm) wide. This register is just one of the Ballyfacey School Registers that Danny collected. Today, we are going to focus on page 1 of the Register.
The old Ballyfacey National School was built in 1868 on “Jolla Hill.” Micil Moore, of Knockbrack, Glenmore, built the school building at the cost of £95. Local men drew the stones and sand required and at the end of the building the extra $5 from the grant was spent on a barrel of beer for the men who drew the stones and sand. See our post of 6 September 2020 for further details regarding the building and repairs to the old Ballyfacey National school and early local hedge road schools..
The Register
Page 1 consists of 38 legible names with entrance dates from 15 July 1871 to 6 June 1878 recording 39 students. There are 8 primary columns for recording information including: date of entrance; pupil’s name; age of pupil on last birthday; religion; residence; occupation or means of living of parents; and annual examinations. The column examinations is divided into First, Second and Third perhaps reflecting the division of the academic year. Each of the three examination periods is divided into number of days present and result. No results were provided on this page, but attendance across the three exam periods was recorded and is reflected in the charts below. School attendance was not mandated until the Irish Education Act of 1892.
One of the more interesting aspects of this register reflects that children started school throughout the year. It appears that classes were held all year with no apparent summer break. How teachers coped with students beginning at different times is unknown and attendance for some students was very poor. Some of the girls started school at the age of 3 which seems very young. It also appears that in some entries the name Johanna is misspelled, and on page 1 Ballyfacy is spelled in three different ways.
Below are tables reflecting the information contained on page 1 of the Register. Due to the fact all children were recorded as RC (Roman Catholics) this column was eliminated from the tables. The days of attendance in the table reflects the three exam periods.
1871 Ballyfacy, Glenmore, National School
| Entrance date | Name | Age | Residence | Occupation | Attendance |
| 15 July 1871 | Kate Walsh | 4 | Ballyfacy | Farmer | 37—147—0 |
| 29 July 1871 | Mary Cashin | 5 | Weatherstown | Shoemaker | 26—83—178 |
| 27 May 1871 | Margaret Wallace | 4 | Ballyfacy | Shopkeeper | 62—183—0 |
| 3 July 1871 | Margaret Phelan | 6 | Ballyfacy | Farmer | 0—0—119 |
| 2 Oct. 1871 | Mary Grace | 6 | Kilbride | Farmer | 0—0—161 |
1872
| Entrance date | Name | Age | Residence | Occupation | Attendance |
| 29 May 1872 | Stasia Power | 6 | Kilbride | Labourer | 0—0—85 |
1873
| Entrance date | Name | Age | Residence | Occupation | Attendance |
| 24 April 1873 | Ellen Mullins | 6 | Flemingstown | Farmer | 0—0—47 |
| 5 May 1873 | Johanna Croak | 4 | Kilbride | Labourer | 37—169—126 |
| 2 June 1873 | Bridget Duggan | 5 | Weatherstown | Farmer | 0—20—111 |
| 28 July 1873 | Bridget Hartley | 4 | Weatherstown | Farmer | 0—75—110 |
1874
| Entrance date | Name | Age | Residence | Occupation | Attendance |
| 25 May 1874 | Kate Young | 4 | Ballyfacy | Carpenter | 0—33—0 |
| Not legible | Margaret Ivory | 4 | Kilbride | Cooper | 79—0–183 |
| 1 June 1874 | Johanna Culleton | 4 | Kilbride | Farmer | 10—0—120 |
| 8 June 1874 | Kate Hennessy | 3 | Ballyfacy | Labourer | 25—136—189 |
| 30 June 1874 | Bridget MacDonald | 4 | Ballyfacy | Farmer | 75—0—147 |
1875
| Entrance date | Name | Age | Residence | Occupation | Attendance |
| 6 April1875 | Stasia Malone | 5 | Weatherstown | Farmer | 0—168—0 |
| 21 June 1875 | Kate Mackey | 4 | Weatherstown | Farmer | 0—87—0 |
| 21 July 1875 | Stasia Irish | 4 | Ballinlammy | Farmer | 0—0—142 |
| 21 July 1875 | Stasia Ryan | 6 | Ballycurran (Tullogher) | Farmer | 0—0—0 |
| 27 April 1875 | Alice Donovan | 5 | Haggard | Labourer | 0—0—181 |
1876
| Entrance date | Name | Age | Residence | Occupation | Attendance |
| 28 Feb.1876 | Stasia Phelan | 3 | Ballyfacy | Farmer | 129—0—201 |
| 28 Feb. 1876 | Johanna Grace | 3 | Kilbride | Farmer | 63—172—0 |
| 28 Feb. 1876 | Johanna Hurly | 3 | Ballyfacy | Farmer | 156—0—155 |
| 1 March 1876 | Mary(?) Power | 4 | Kilbride | Labourer | 0—0—131 |
| 27 March 1876 | Kate Dempsey | 4 | Ballyveria | Labourer | 0—0—0 |
| 27 March 1876 | Stasia Grennan | 4 | Moulerstown | Farmer | 0—0—0 |
| 27 March 1876 | Bridget Murphy | 5 | Moulerstown | Labourer | 0—0—0 |
| Not legible | Margaret Purcell | 5 | Moulerstown | Farmer | 0—0—0 |
| 29 March 1876 | Margaret Crowley | 5 | Ballymartin (Tullogher) | Farmer | 0—0—0 |
| 8 May 1876 | Kate Donovan | 4 | Haggard | Dealer | 0—174—0 |
1877
| Entrance date | Name | Age | Residence | Occupation | Attendance |
| 6 Feb.1877 | Bridget Greene | 4 | Ballyfasy | Farmer | 0—0—0 |
| 21 May 1877 | Margaret Power | 5 | Knockbrack | Labourer | 0—0—138 |
| 18 June1877 | Mary Walsh | 5 | Haggard | Labourer | 0—0—74 |
| 18 June 1877 | Joanna Dempsey | 3 | Ballyveria | Labourer | 1—0—84 |
| 8 Oct.1877 | Joanna Berrigan | 5 | Ballyfacy | Labourer | 0—2—6 |
| 11 Oct. 1877 | Stasia Culleton | 3 | Kilbride | Farmer | 5—219—28 |
1878
| Entrance date | Name | Age | Residence | Occupation | Attendance |
| 28 May1878 | Kate Duggan | 5 | Weathetstown | Labourer | 0—41—92 |
| 6 June1878 | Mary Jones | 5 | Ballinlammy | Fowl dealer | 0—49—0 |
| Cut off page | Cut off page | 5 | Weatherstown | Labourer | 0—115—150 |
Most Popular First Names
The most popular first names recorded on page 1 of the Register resulted in several ties. For example, Stasia and Kate tied for first place with each name representing 7 students each. There was also a tie for second most popular name with Margaret and Joanna/Johanna each representing 6 students each. There was another tie for third most popular name with Mary and Bridget representing 5 students each. The least popular names were Alice and Ellen each representing just 1 student each.
Glenmore Townlands Recorded
There are 11 townlands recorded for residency on page 1. Nine of the townlands are within the Parish of Glenmore and two (Ballycurran and Ballymartin) are not. The top three townlands on the page are Ballyfasy (10); Weatherstown (7); and Kilbride (8) or 25 of the 39 students or 64% of the students recorded on page 1. Haggard and Moulerstown each had 3 students; Ballinlammy and Ballyveria had 2 students each and all the rest had 1 student each (ie Ballymartin, Ballycurran, Flemingstown and Knockbrack).
Ages of Students on Starting at Ballyfacey National School
There were 4 ages recorded for admissions on page 1 of the Register of Infants namely: three-year-olds; four-year-olds, five-year-olds and six-year-olds. The largest group was comprised of fifteen 4 year olds (38.5%); the second largest group was comprised of the twelve 5-year-olds (30.7%); there were seven 3-year-olds which represented 17.9 % of the admissions and the five 6-year-olds represented the lowest group (12.8%).
The 3 Year Olds
Given that 3 seems extremely early to start school we attempted to verify the ages of the girls recorded as being 3 on their admission to the Ballyfacy National School from 1874 to 1877.
Kate Hennessy (Catherine Hennessy was born 12 Nov. 1871 at Ballyfacy to Richard Hennessy (labourer) and his wife Anne Doherty. She entered school on 8 June 1874 at the age of 3 years, 7 months.)
Stasia Culleton (Anastatia Culleton was born on 16 Oct. 1873 at Kilbride to John Culleton (farmer) and his wife Bridget Walsh admitted 11 Oct. 1877 just five days before her fourth birthday.)
Stasia Phelan (Anastatia Phelan was born 8 Jan. 1872 at Ballyfacy to John Phelan (farmer) and his wife Catherine Forristal. She entered school on 28 Feb. 1876 at the age of 4 years, 1 month.)
Joanna (sic) Grace (Johanna Grace was born at Kilbride on 2 Feb. 1873 to Patrick Grace (farmer) and his wife Mary McDonald. Johanna entered school on 28 Feb. 1876 and had just turned 3.)
Joanna (sic) Hurley (Johanna Hurley was born 12 Nov. 1871 at Ballyfacy to James Hurley (labourer) and his wife Margaret Shea. She started school on 28 Feb. 1876. Johanna was 4 years 8 months old when she started school.)
Joanna (sic) Dempsey (Johanna Dempsey was born on 15 Oct. 1873 at Ballywairy, Glenmore, to Patrick Dempsey (labourer) and his wife Mary Norris. Johanna entered school on 18 June 1877, thus she was 3 years 8 months old when she started school.)
Subjects Taught
In another register the subjects the girls had in 1872 included reading, spelling, writing, arithmetic, grammar, geography and needlework.
The Old Ballyfacey National School
Ann Grennan wrote a wonderful article “The Story of Ballyfacey School,” that was published in Glenmore Times: Millennium Memories ((2000) Glenmore Millennium Committee) pp. 19-21. The article focuses on the early 20th century but provides some interesting facts concerning the fate of the old school house. She noted 26 years ago that there was no trace left of the old school building. When the new school was built about 1957 the stones of the old school were reused for a pig house. “The only remains were a small bit of a wall belonging to the toilet and also the gate leading into the school.”
Please send any corrections or additional information or photos to glenmore.history @gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The old photo featured above was taken in front of the old Ballyfacey National School. Special thanks to Jackie Walsh for sharing the old photo.
If you believe that your ancestor may have attended Ballyfacey National School please send on his/her date of birth and townland and we shall check the registers Danny collected for information for you.
From Danny’s Files: Mr. Justice Gardner Budd (1904-1976)
Our founder Danny Dowling (1927-2021) corresponded with people from all over the world. Some were people doing family research, others were academics researching specific events or industries, and one correspondent was a sitting member of the Irish Supreme Court, Mr. Justice Gardner Budd (1904-1976).
Today, we are going to present a letter Danny wrote in 1969 to Mr. Justice Gardner Budd who was seeking apparently information on the Budd’s of Kilmacow. There were apparently other letters, but they have yet to be uncovered in Danny’s vast collection. Carefully pinned by Danny to a copy of the discovered letter was an obituary for Mr. Justice G. Budd which Danny clipped from the Irish Independent (Tues. 10 Feb. 1976, p. 12). The featured photo above is from that obituary.
The Letter from Glenmore
Below is the letter in full and any additional information has been placed in square brackets. The letter is typed, 2 ½ pages in length on thin paper, measuring 8 inches (20 cm) by 10 inches (25 cm).
Justice Budd, Esq.
73 South Hill
Dartry
Dublin 6
30th May 1969
Dear Mr. Justice Budd,
Thanks very much for your letter of the 1st May which I received but am sorry for the delay in replying which was due to the fact that I was in hospital for three weeks.
The Budd family lived in the townland of Blossomhill, in the parish of Kilmacow Co. Kilkenny, until about the year 1881, when the last male member of the family in the locality left the homestead and went to live for a short time with Mr. William Power, of Christendom, in the parish of Slieverue near Waterford. He was William Joseph Poulter Budd. Whilst with Mr. William Power he became ill and was taken to London by his daughter Florence.
According to a letter from this Miss Florence Budd from London, dated the 30th of October 1881, to Mr. William Power her father had died and was buried in London. In this letter she thanked Mr. Power for his kindness to her father and she also stated that she was leaving her father’s furniture etc. to Mr. Power. This Mr. Budd had no male issue—only two daughters. One was married to an English Army Officer—Colonel Free, and the other daughter Florence to a gentleman named Blake, who was a Deputy Lieutenant for Co. Kilkenny. Mrs. Florence Blake had a son Poulter Charles Blake and they lived in London. According to Mr. Patrick Power, the present owner of the Budd property, two sons of the Blakes are living in Culpeper, Virginia, U.S.A.
The Budd residence at Blossomhill is now in ruins but a fine residence nearby, which the said William Joseph Poulter Budd, built but never actually lived in, still stands. Due to some trouble or other, he never put the finishing touches to this fine house but went to live as already stated with Mr. William Power of Christendom. I enclose herewith photographs which I took of the ruins and the aforesaid house which is now a cattle shed.
[Rev. Joseph Poulter (c. 1738-1789) of Dunkitt]
The Budd family is buried in the old Churchyard at Dunkitt and there is a tomb there with the following inscription which is now almost undecipherable:
“Here lieth the remains of Mary Ann Budd, wife of Tobias Budd of Dunkitt Esq.; who departed this live October 6th 1817, aged 35 years”
This Mary Ann Budd (1781-1817) was the youngest daughter and co-heiress of Rev. Joseph Poulter, Rector of Dunkitt, by his second wife, Margaret, daughter of the Rev. William Dennis D.D. of Waterford, and was born on the 12th of November 1781.
On another monument in the same graveyard is the following inscription:
“Sacred to the memory of Mary, wife of Thomas Lewis Mackesy M.D., a daughter of the Rev. Joseph Poulter, who died 18th October 1818.”
This lady was the eldest daughter of Rev. Joseph Poulter and his wife Margaret Dennis and was born on the 11th June 1776. Mrs. Mary Ann Budd and Mrs. Mary Mackesy (1776-1818) were sisters. The Poulters lived in Dunkitt House which is now occupied by a Mr. Porter. The aforesaid Rev. William Dennis was Rector of Kilculliheen, and he died on the 11th of April 1815 aged 59 years. From what I can ascertain the above Rev. Joseph Poulter had only two daughters in his family, Mrs. Budd and Mrs. Mackesy, and he divided his estate between the two of them. [See generally Wiki Family Tree for Joseph Poulter (c. 1738-1789.]
Attached to the Blossomhill residence of William Joseph Poulter Budd was an estate of about 100 acres at the time of his departure from there. As well as farming he worked a white limestone quarry, situated on the lands. He had about 40 men working for him in this quarry.
[Glenmore Landlords]
As far as the parish of Glenmore is concerned, a Tobias Budd, a minor, owned in 1830 the entire townlands of Flemingstown and Weatherstown. This information is from the Tithe Applotment Books of the old Civil Parish of Kilcoan. According to the same document a Mr. Budd is shown as the occupier of 12 acres and 2 roods in the townland of Flemingstown. Whether or not this Mr. Budd lived there I cannot say. In Griffiths General Valuation or Ireland circa 1850, a Mrs. James Budd is shown as the owner of the entire townland of Ballybraghy containing 160 acres and 2 roods and 32 perches. The family of Mackesy were also extensive landowners in Glenmore Parish. [See our post of 3 March 2025 regarding Glenmore landlord Dr. Mackesy].
As a matter of interest, I will now quote two entries from the Catholic Register of Marriages for Glenmore Parish which is now preserved in the Library of St. Kieran’s College, In Kilkenny:
“14th February 1780. Joyn’d in Wedlock by ye Certificate of Mr. James Budd; Mary Brenon of Ballinlammy unto Rich. Wallice of Mullinahone. Witness ye Rev. James Newman, Mr. James Cody and Mr. Patrick Brennon.”
“12th November 1780. Joyn’d in Wedlock by ye Certificate of Mr. Tobias Budd; Michael Mullally unto Mary Murphy both of Nicholastown. Witnesses Michael O’Naile, James O’Naile and William Murphy.” [During this period landlords sometimes provided certificates to regulate the lives of their tenants, manage their estates by ensuring that unauthorized subletting did not occur, and enforce the moral and behaviour the landlord set.]
With reference to the Budd Estate at Ballybraghy in the old Civil Parish of Kilcoan which is now part of the present Catholic ecclesiastical Parish of Glenmore, I would suggest you look up Record No. S. 4931 in the Records Branch of the Land Commission at 24 Upper Merrison St., Dublin.
Any information which you have on the Budd family and estate would be much appreciated by me as I am collecting material for the history of my area. I would also like to get a copy of said Record No. S.4931 and perhaps you could help me in this as well as copies of any old Estate maps which you may have.
When next you visit the area, please let me know beforehand and I will only be too glad to show you where the Budds lived and are buried etc.
In conclusion, I would like to correct the impression which you possibly got from my previous correspondence. I am not a member of the Garda force but a Health Authority employee—a Health Inspector.
Yours Very Sincerely,
Daniel Dowling.
Mr. Justice Gardner Budd (1904-1976)
Mr. Frederick Gardner Orford Budd was born on 11 April 1904 at Ennis Co. Clare. His father, Samuel Duquid Budd (c. 1864-1934) was employed as a bank manager at the time of his birth. His mother, Fanny Beatrice Orford (c. 1865-1955) was the daughter of Dr. Frederick James Orford of Leicestershire, and she was the second wife of Samuel D. Budd. His parents were married on 12 July 1899 in Surrey, England.
Samuel D. Budd married his first wife, Susan West Stuart (c. 1854-1897) on 30 May 1882 in a Church of Ireland in Galway. His father was recorded as James Budd, a merchant and Susan’s father was John Simson Stuart, a Senior R.I.C. Inspector. Susan West Budd, of Bindon? St., Ennis died on 27 January 1897, of albuminuria at the age of 43. She was the mother of 5 children.
Gardner Budd was educated at the Manor School, Fermoy, Co. Cork; Felsted in England and Trinity College, Dublin. He was a scholar of T.C.D. in history in 1925, the year in which he obtained a B.A. (Mod.) in history in 1925 and political science to be followed two years later with an LLD. He was called to the bar in 1927 and to the Inner Bar in 1940. [He married Oonah Blennerhassett in Sligo in 1931 and the couple had four children.] In 1951 he represented TCD on the university panel in Seanad Eireann. Later that year he was appointed a Judge of the High Court, a position he occupied until 1966 when he was raised to the Supreme Court. He retired from the Supreme Court right before Christmas 1975 and died 9 February 1976 (Irish Examiner, 10 Feb. 1976 p. 14). (For a concise outline of his important decisions see, Pauric J. Dempsey, Dictionary of Irish Biography.)
Waterford City Roots
The obituary of Sanuel D. Budd (c. 1864-1934) (Irish Examiner, Mon. 27 Aug. 1934, p. 4) provides some interesting details regarding Justice Gardner Budd’s Waterford City Roots.
“The death has taken place of Mr. Samuel Duguid Budd, a Waterfordman, who reached a very high position in Irish banking circles. He was son of the late Mr. James Budd, of [Waterford City*], and father of Mr. F. G. O. Budd, the well known barrister on the Waterford circuit. After a distinguished career in the Provincial Bank of Ireland, during which time he was for many years manager in Cork, the late Mr. Samuel Budd became Chief Officer of the bank. He retired from this position [in 1919 per the Southern Star (Sat. 2 Aug. 1930, p. 10)] and, was succeeded by his son-in-law, Mr. D. Bradshaw, the present Chief Officer. The late Mr. Budd was co-opted a member of the Representative Body of the Church of Ireland.” [*per the Munster Express, 31 Aug. 1934, p. 7]
James Budd of Waterford City
Samuel D. Budd (c. 1864-1934) reported in the 1901 Census that he was born in Waterford. Danny in a handwritten note recorded that in the Thomas S. Harvey (1865) Waterford Almanac & Directory for 1866 there were two entries for James Budd in the Directory. The first James Budd was listed as a commercial traveller living on Barker St. A second listing was for James Budd & Company, Guano Merchants on Thomas Street. [Guano was the excrement of seabirds and bats. It was historically prized as a fertilizer and a key ingredient for the production of gunpowder.]
Hopefully further correspondence between Danny and Justice G. Budd is discovered and we shall be able to update this information.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
From Danny’s Files: The Gorman’s of Ballycroney, Glenmore
Danny Dowling (1927-2021) often referred to surnames that were no longer found in Glenmore Parish as extinct names. One such name is Gorman or O’Gorman. At one point Danny noted in correspondence in 2001 with Patrick Gorman of Illinois that two Gorman families resided in Ballycroney, Glenmore.
Willie Holden, of Ballycroney, yesterday confirmed that there were Gorman’s in Ballycroney in the past. They lived where Bolger’s once lived and Bernard Walsh lives there now. Neddy Holden, of Clune, told Willie, that P.N. O’Gorman’s people came from Ballycroney. For our international readers P.N. O’Gorman and his wife in 1924 established an auctioneers/estate agents/valuers business in New Ross that can still be found on the Quay today.
Today we are going to review the early Glenmore Parish records to determine how many Gorman families resided in Ballycroney, highlight the two Gorman brothers in Illinois and attempt to determine who went to New Ross.
Review of Early Glenmore Parish Records
Denis Gorman & his wife Eleanor Murphy
A review of the combined Slieverue/Glenmore parish records reveals that the first Gorman we could confirm as being in Ballycrone (sic) was Denis Gorman and his wife Eleanor Murphy. Their son [1] Patrick was born there in 1785 and they had 5 more children the last being born in 1797 just before the 1798 Rebellion. The 5 children include:
[2] Mary Gorman (1787);
[3] Catherine Gorman (1789);
[4] Richard Gorman (1790);
[5] James Gorman (1792); and
[6] Michael Gorman (1797)).
Michael Gorman & his wife Mary Cody
The second oldest confirmed record we could find was for Michael Gorman and his wife Mary Cody. They were married at Glenmore on 13 November 1812, and had 9 children in Ballycrony from 1813 to 1835. The witnesses at their wedding were William Gorman and Walter Bolger. It is not known if this Michael was the son of Denis Gorman and his wife Eleanor Murphy. He would have been just 15 when he married in 1812, thus it is not likely. He may have been a younger brother of Denis, a nephew or no relation at all.
The children of Michael Gorman and Mary Cody include:
[1] Catherine Gorman (bapt. 13 April 1813)
[2] Juny Gorman (bapt. 16 March 1815)
[3] William Gorman (bapt. 8 Dec. 1816)
[4] Denis Gorman (bapt. 1 May 1819)
[5] Patrick Gorman (bapt. 18 Feb. 1822)
[6] Edmund Gorman (bapt. 20 April 1825-18 Nov.1888) Emigrated to Illinois before 1852.
[7] Mary Gorman (bapt. 17 July 1827)
[8] James Gorman (bapt. 24 Aug. 1828)
[9] Richard Gorman (bapt. 4 Nov. 1835-14 Aug. 1914) Emigrated to Illinois in 1867.
James Gorman & Bridget Wallis [Wallace]
The third family we found in Ballycroney was James Gorman and his wife Bridget Wallis. They had at least five children from 1826 to 1834.
Their eldest child [1] Denis Gorman was born in 1825. The record states that the father’s name was Denis. However, given that 3 of the other children were the children of James Gorman and Bridget Wallis {Wallace] we believe an error was made on the eldest two children’s baptismal records. The other children include:
[2] (father given as John) William Gorman (1826);
[3] Mary Gorman (1828);
[4] Mary Gorman (1832) and
[5] Ellen Gorman (1834).
It is likely that this James Gorman was the son of Denis Gorman and his wife Eleanor Murphy (born in 1792). The traditional naming patterns of this time holds true. The eldest male child was named Denis after his paternal grandfather. The second eldest girl was named Ellen after her paternal grandmother.
Other Gorman Families in Early Glenmore Parish Records
Carrigcloney, Glenmore
The early combined parish records also provided that one Gorman family resided in Carrigcloney, Glenmore. Richard Gorman and his wife Honor Foley married on 1 March 1810 at Kilmacow. They moved to Carrigcloney, Glenmore and had [1] Michael Gorman in 1811;[2] John Gorman (1814). The family moved to St. John’s Parish in Kilkenny where [3] James Gorman was born in 1816; [4] Patrick Gorman (1818); [5] Edmund Gorman [1820]; [6] Thomas Gorman (1823); [7] Mary Gorman (1825) and [8] Peter Gorman (1827).
Parkstown, Glenmore
Parkstown, Glenmore—Denis O’Gorman and his wife Catherine Donovan had their son Patrick O’Gorman baptized on 17 March 1827. No other baptismal records could be located for this couple.
P.N. O’Gorman of New Ross
Peter Nicholas O’Gorman (1876-1947) was the youngest child of William Gorman (c. 1829-1889) and his wife Mary Finn (c.1840-1898) His parents were married at New Ross on 10 August 1861. P.N. was baptized at New Ross by Fr. D.J. Gorman on 9 Sept. 1876. William was employed as a cooper, and the family lived on Mary Street, New Ross.
We believe that P.N. O’Gorman’s father was William Gorman (bapt. 11 June 1826) to John (sic) Gorman and his wife Bridget Wallis, Ballycroney, Glenmore. However, we have no definitive record or obituary that gives his place of birth as Ballycroney or provides the names of William’s parents.
The children of William Gorman (c. 1829-1889) & Mary Finn (c. 1840-1898)
[1] Elizabeth Gorman (1862-c. 1888) Died of meningitis, aged 25.
[2] Eleanor Gorman (1863-1920) Ellen O’Gorman, of Mary St., married a widower, Elias Thackery Vickers (c. 1864 -1908) (solicitor from South St.) on 27 April 1897 at St. Mary’s New Ross. She listed her father William as a farmer/merchant. Witnesses to the wedding were James J. O’Gorman & Lizzie Finn. Elias Thackery Vickers died in 1908. Ellen Vickers née Gorman died 16 January 1920, in Haughton Hospital, a widow, at the age of 52 of paralysis. Elias Thackery Vicker’s first wife was Caroline Fegan of Tramore, Co. Waterford. They married in the Church of Ireland on 27 Sept. 1881 at Tramore. His father was Samuel Vickers and her father was William Fegan. Both fathers were retired RIC officials. Reginald George Vickers was born at New Ross on 5 Jan. 1886. He died 20 Feb. 1914 at home on South St. he was a watchmaker (28, bachelor). His step-mother Eleanor was with him at his death.
[3] Fr. Richard Gorman O.S.A. (1865-1921) was an Augustinian priest. He died in Cork.
[4] James Nicholas Gorman (1867-1871) died of Bright’s disease at the age of 4.
[5] Mary Joseph Gorman (1873- 1884) died of enteric fever aged 9.
[6] James Joseph Gorman (1874-? ) per P.N. O’Gorman’s 1947 obit James died in the US.
[7] Peter Nicholas Gorman (1876-1947) (P.N. O’Gorman)
Sometime after the birth of the children the family began to use the surname O’Gorman. William O’ Gorman died 3 Sept. 1889 at home on Mary St, New Ross. His widow Mary was with him when he died. She provided that he was 60 and a cooper. Mary O’Gorman née Finn died the 28th of June 1898 at her home on Mary St. Her youngest son, P.N. O’Gorman, was present when she died. He provided that she was 58 years old and the widow of a butter merchant.
Peter N. O’Gorman married Elizabeth Sullivan ( ? -1959) on 26 April 1922 at St. Mary’s, Haddington Road, Dublin. She was the daughter of Daniel Sullivan (merchant) and from Northumberland Rd., South Dublin. The couple lived in Ivy Cottage, Rosbercon, and shorty after their marriage they established P.N. O’Gorman Auctioneers/Valuers in Rosbercon. The business later moved across the river to the New Ross quay.
Peter O’Gorman served in several public offices. He served as Chairman of the Urban Council which under his chairmanship completed 3 housing schemes , all streets were renovated and the quay concreted. He was a member of the Harbour Commission and served on the Wexford Co. Council during 1917-1919. He was a member of the New Ross Agricultural Society and followed the Kilkenny Hounds under Major McCalmount of Mount Juliet. He was a Governor of Haughton Hospital (New Ross Standard, Fri. 14 Nov. 1947, p. 4).
Peter Nicholas O’Gorman (1876-1947) died 7 Nov. 1947 at Ivy Cottage in Rosbercon. He was 71 years of age. At the time of his death, for his service to New Ross, he was given a public funeral. His widow, Elizabeth died in January 1959.
Gorman Brothers in Illinois
Thanks to Patrick Gorman’s extensive research and correspondence with Danny Dowling we know of at least two Gorman brothers emigrated from Ballycroney and settled in Illinois. These brothers were the sons of Michael Gorman and his wife Mary Cody. The Peoria area became the home to several Glenmore families as emigrants tended to go to family or friends already settled in the U.S. See our post of 30 Sept. 2024 regarding the McDonald Family of Ballyfacey, Glenmore in Peoria.
Edward Gorman (1825-1880) Native of Ballycroney, Glenmore
Edward Gorman (1825-1880) married Ann Morrissey (c. 1825-1893) on 27 April 1852 at Peoria, Illinois. Edward became a naturalized citizen in 1856 in Peoria. In the 1870 Census Edward was employed as a labourer and the couple had 5 children from 16 to 5 years of age.
[1] Mary A. Gorman (1855-1938)
[2] Katherine Burns née Gorman (1858-1935)
[3] Michael P. Gorman (1858-1940)
[4] William M. Gorman (1863-1921)
[5] John Edward Gorman (1865-1947)
By the 1880 Census, Edward was farming in Stark County, Illinois about 35 miles north west of Peoria. Edward died on 19 Nov. 1888 in Stark County, Illinois. He is buried in St. Mary of the Woods Cemetery in Princeville, Peoria County, Illinois and has the most amazing information recorded on his headstone. See Findagrave for a photo of his gravestone.
Edward Gorman died Nov. 19, 1888
A native of Glenmore, Kilkenny Co., Ireland
May his soul rest in Peace.
A husband kind, a father dear, a faithful friend lies buried here.We mourn his loss while here we stay but hope to meet in bliss someday. The photo of Edward Gorman is from Findagrave and was added by Patrick Gorman and he provided the transcription of the marker to Danny Dowling.
Richard Gorman (1835-1914) Native of Ballycroney, Glenmore
Richard Gorman (1835-1914) was the youngest child of Michael Gorman and his wife Mary Cody. It appears that he married twice. His first wife was Catherine Flynn (c. 1844-1884). We located a marriage between a Richard Gorman and Catherine Flynn held on 18 Sept. 1865 at Killea, Co. Waterford (near Dunmore East).
The 1880 US Census for Marshall, La Prairie Co., Illinois reveals that Richard and Catherine were farming and their son Michael Gorman (1870-1956) was 7 having been born in Illinois. Both Richard and Catherine noted that they could not read or write. A farm labourer named William Gorman, aged 16, was living with the family. William was born in Illinois, but both of his parents were born in Ireland.
Catherine Gorman née Flynn died on 29 April 1884 at Camp Grove, Marshal, Illinois. She is buried in St. Patrick’s Cemetery. See Findagrave. A few years later Richard married his second wife, Bridget Grant, who also may have been a native of Glenmore.
Per the 1900 US Census for Lee, Harmon Co., Illinois, Richard emigrated in 1867 and his second wife, Bridget Grant (c. 1845-1921) emigrated in 1885. In 1900, Richard was 61 and his Bridget was 54. His son Michael Gorman was 27 (b. Dec. 1872 in Illinois) and his daughter Nellie (1888-1965) was 11.
Richard died on 14 August 1914 in Wyoming, Stark County, Illinois. He is buried in St. Dominic’s Cemetery, Wyoming, Illinois with his second wife, Bridget Gorman née Grant. See, Findagrave.
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com . Special thanks to Willie Holden for the information on Ballycroney and to Patrick Gorman of Illinois who provided his excellent family research and photos to Danny Dowling.
The featured photo above is an old postcard of Peoria, Illinois.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh