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The Rest of the Story of Thomas K. Carr, Esq. (c. 1811-1869)
Sailing to Quebec
When we last discussed Thomas K. Carr (c.1811-1869) he had sold his assets in Ireland, gathered his family, boarded a ship in New Ross and set sail for Quebec. [See our previous post of 31 Aug. 2026.] The Montreal Gazette (Mon. 29 July 1850, p. 2) published that the “Ship Triton” under Captain Smith left New Ross on 13 June and arrived in the Port of Quebec on 25 July with 371 passengers. Another source provides that the Triton departed from New Ross on 1 June 1850 and landed in Quebec on 25 July 1850 (Jim Rees, “Fitzwilliam Tenants Listed in the Coolattin Estate Emigration 1847-56,” Carnew Historical Society website).
The Waterford Mail (Sat. 18 May 1850 p. 3) described the ship and her amenities as follows:
EMIGRATION FROM NEW ROSS: the following superior first class coppered and copper fastened packet ship is intended to be dispatched from New Ross to Quebec, The splendid and very fast sailing ship “Triton” 1300 tons burthen, J. Smith, Commander on the 1st June next. The above large and superior ship will be fitted up in the most approved manner for cabin, second cabin and steerage passengers; she is well ventilated and loft between decks, having a height of about 9 feet. She is to carry an experienced surgeon, and passengers by her will be supplied with water, fuel, breadstuffs, groceries etc., according to the new Government scale; she is to be followed by other equally fine passenger ships during the season. For freight or passage, as well as for fuller information, apply to W. Graves and Son.
PS—Owing to the small number of persons who landed at Quebec last year, it is expected that tradesmen and labourers landing there this summer will find a good demand for their services, and those bound to the western portions of the United States or of Canada, will find Quebec the cheapest landing port, from the great extent of cheap inland water navigation up the St. Lawrence and the vast lakes of America. New Ross, May 13, 1850.
Why Wisconsin?
Wisconsin became a State on 28 July 1848. It was the last State admitted to the Union which was located east of the Mississippi. Thomas K. Carr, per census declarations of family members, settled in Wisconsin in 1850. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Tues. 1 June 1852, p. 2) published a list of unclaimed letters at the Milwaukee Post Office which included a letter for Thomas Carr.
We know that Thomas K. Carr held his first dispersal auction at Castle Annaghs in August 1848. It appears likely, given the uncertainty regarding his lease of Castle Annaghs, that he began researching places where he might re-locate his family prior to 1848. In a newspaper search we came across several articles concerning advice for people wishing to emigrate to Canada and the United States. For example, “Emigration by Thomas Mooney” was published in the King’s Co. Chronicle on the front page of the 15 September 1847 edition. (King’s County is now known as County Offaly).
“Wisconsin Territory is about 300 miles in length—and, in the main, 150 to 200 miles in breadth. Its shape is triangular. The base line being formed for nearly 300 miles by the Great Lake Michigan; which is one of the greatest chain of inland navigation in the world…The soil and climate of Wisconsin Territory approaches nearer to the character of that of Ireland, than any other state of this union. The lands of Wisconsin are certainly the richest of the whole United States.” An adult traveling by ship from Quebec to Wisconsin (1600 miles) would cost two pounds. Children were half price and infants free.” [The correct distance between Quebec and Milwaukee is 1290 nautical miles.]
“There are three general inlets from Lake Michigan which is most open to emigrants: Milwaukee, Port Washington and Shebogan. Milwaukee is a busy growing city, of great traffic, and considerable manufacture. Ten years ago it was a dozen wooden huts that has grown into a population of 12,000 of which one third are Irish. The Irish in this place are superior to the average class of Irish emigrants, and command respect in the walks of trade, manufactures, and in the medical and legal professions, and have established a high character for Irishmen through the territory…A map of the lands to be sold by Government, can be had in Milwaukie, at the Government Land Office for 25 cents.”
Early Years in Wisconsin
Very little could be found regarding the Carr family from 1850 to Thomas K. Carr’s death in 1869 at the age of 58. We know that a farm was purchased in Oak Creek, Wisconsin where Thomas K. Carr remained for the rest of his life.
He sent his son, Edward K. Carr to the newly established Racine College where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1855. Racine College was an Episcopal preparatory school and college in Racine, Wisconsin, that operated between 1852 and 1933. A total of 5 graduates delivered speeches at the third Commencement of Racine College in 1855. Edward Kough Carr, of Oak Creek, delivered his speech on the Importance of Agriculture (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Mon. 30 July 1855, p. 2). “The pieces were very well written and very poorly spoken…We infer that elocution is the least cultivated of any branch of education at Racine College, at present. The degree of Bachelor of Science, was conferred…” (Daily Free Democrat, Fri. 27 Jul. 1855, p. 2).
In Oak Creek in the 1855 State Census there were 4 males and 2 females in the Carr household. In the 1860 Federal Census of Oak Creek, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, Thomas K. Carr (49) farmer, had real estate worth $6400 and $1200 in personal property. He provided in birthplace as Ireland. His wife Jane Carr was 50; His son George Carr was 19 and daughter Hannah Carr was 17.
Also present in the household were:
John Butler (49) farm labourer, born in Ireland.
Olla Olsom (39) carpenter, born in Norway.
Ellen Erhase (19) house servant, born in Ireland.
The Will of Thomas K. Carr
On 6 August 1855 Thomas K. Carr executed a Will with John Jackson of Oak Creek, Wisconsin and Michael Hickey (no address provided) as his Witnesses. It appears that Thomas K. Carr drafted his Will without the aid of a lawyer.
I, Thomas Kough Carr, of the town of Oak Creek, in the County of Milwaukee and state of Wisconsin, do make and publish this my last Will and Testament, revoking all former Wills be me made. I order all my just debts and funeral expenses to be paid out of my Estate.
I give and bequeath to my wife Jane Carr, all my real and personal estate of whatsoever kind and description I may die possessed of for her sole use and benefit.
I appoint my said wife, Jane Carr, the Executrix to this my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this sixth day of August one thousand, eight hundred and fifty-five, Thomas Kough Carr.
Per Thomas K. Carr’s headstone, he died on 23 February 1869, aged 58. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Wed. 24 1869, p. 1) published a one line death notice, “DIED: February 23rd, at his residence in Oak Creek, Thomas K. Carr, aged 58 years.” No obituary could be located however, the Munster Express (Fri. 27 Mar. 1869, p. 4) also published a death notice “—Feb. 23 at Oak Creek, State of Wisconsin, United States, Thomas Kough Carr, Esq., formerly of Castle Annaghs in the county of Kilkenny, aged 58 years.”
Estate of Thomas K. Carr Papers
The Estate Papers filed by Jane Carr after her husband’s death provides some detail concerning his 19 years in Wisconsin. The farm was named “Hope Farm” and its legal description was: the South half of the South East quarter and the south half of the North half of the South East quarter of section 10 in township 5 North, range twenty-two east and containing one hundred and twenty acres. The Court awarded the real and personal property to the widow Jane Carr on 8 July 1870.
Inventory of Thomas K. Carr Estate
Real Estate consisting of 120 acres known as Hope Farm $6,000
Farming Tools $229.87
2 Horse Buggy $100
2 Sets of Harness $30
Hens, Geese & Turkeys $13.50
2 Hogs $40
5 Pigs $15
Sheep & Lambs $95
3 Horses $300
1 Yearling Colt $25
A 3 year old colt $70
5 Cows $200
3 Heifers $75
1 two year old steer $25
4 yearlings $40
1 bull $25
2 calves $10
Gun and case $15
30 ? of wood $75
Jane named their three children as his heirs and next of kin. [1] Edward K. Carr was 30; [2] George Thomas Carr was 28; and [3] Hannah Cornelia “Nina” Carr was 25.
Death of Mother, Marie Carr née Kough (c. 1791-1874)
Seven years after Thomas K. Carr left New Ross, his father Edward Carr Esq. (c. 1780-1857) died. His mother survived Thomas by 5 years. Marie Carr née Kough died at Belview Terrace, Tramore, Waterford on 22 April 1874. Her occupation was listed as Lady and her age was provided as 83. Marie’s death in 1874 and a resulting lawsuit provided some interesting information concerning the family.
The Lady With No Assets
The Munster Express in 1874 published the case of Tandy v. Carr (Fri. 25 July 1874, p. 5). Wark was suing Edward Carr for £22 1 s 6d for his mother’s rent. Maria Carr became Wark’s tenant in 1869 of 2 Bellvue Terrace Tramore, under Mr. Carew at £36 per year. In May 1872 Carew’s lease expired. Work raised the rent to £40 and entered into a lease directly with Maria Carr. Mrs. Carr paid her rent with punctuality. After she died in April 1874, her son Edward Carr asked Wark to take the house off of his hands. Wark refused. He recommended that Carr leave the furniture in the house and Carr let the house for the summer. Instead, Carr held an auction the 14th and 15th of May and all the furniture was sold. The auction realized £254 15s 4d.
Wark testified that he saw Messrs Carr at the funeral, but did not speak to them. Wark attended the auction and was told that Edward Carr was only trustees. A Mr. Mason was looking for the house and Wark agreed to take him as a tenant. Mr. Mason offered to pay £30 in rent and Wark agreed to take £37.
Carr’s attorney argued that Mrs. Carr brought the furniture and plate from Arnestown to Tramore, but none of it belonged to her. Mr. Carr made his Will on the 22nd of May 1856, and left his property to his wife for her life only. She had no right to it. It was a portion of the residue of the late Edward Carr’s estate.
Edward Carr produced his father’s Will. “I told Mr. Wark distinctly that the furniture was not my mother’s. I offered to leave it to arbitration. I offered to give him £20 to take up the house. Wark refused. Edward Carr testified that the furniture sold at the auction had been in his father’s house. It was removed to Rathmines and thence to Tramore. He stated his mother had 11 children and 53 grandchildren and one of them always stayed with her. He was not aware of his mother buying or selling any furniture since his father’s death. He paid £37 for her funeral. He noted that up until the 26th of June the rent was paid.
The judge addressed the jury stating that Carr, the executor did not dispute the date, but on the date this suit was brought his mother’s estate had no assets. They were to consider whether the furniture was Mrs. Carr’s or had she only a life interest in it. The jury retired, and after a few minutes returned with a verdict for Edward Carr.
Maria Carr (c. 1790-1874) was buried in Mount Jerome Cemetery, Harold’s Cross Co. Dublin.
Thomas K. Carr’s Children
All three of the children of Thomas K. and Jane Carr were born in the Georgian big house at Castle Annaghs which boasted 10 bedrooms. The children were between 12 and 7 when they emigrated to Wisconsin with their parents. Between the Georgian big house and the Barrow River stood Castle Annaghs. It is not known if the Castle was inhabited or in ruins when the children lived there. It is not known if stories regarding their life at Castle Annaghs were passed down. We did find that Edward K. Carr’s daughter Frankie listed her father’s birthplace as New Ross.
[1] Edward K. Carr (1838-1907) married Eleanor Margaret Raney (1848-1914) on 24 March 1874 in Raymond, Racine Co., Wisconsin. Before 1880 the couple moved to Gillespie County, Texas. The US 1880 Census, provides that Edward K. Carr (41) was farming. The following persons were in the household: Eleanor M. Carr (wife, 31); Thomas K. Carr (son, 4); Hellen E. Carr (daughter, 2) and Nina Esther Carr (daughter, 11 mos.). Also in the household was Frank L. Raney (22) (brother-in-law).
The 1880 Gillespie, Texas, Agriculture Census provides more information. Edward K. Carr had 15 acres in grain; 545 acres in old fields not growing weeds; $3000 was the value of the farm land/buildings and fences; £100 was the value of farm implements and machinery; $260 was the value of livestock; $70 were the costs associated with building and repairs; $25 wages & board was paid in 1879 for labour; he had 3 weeks hired labour (excluding housework); $50 value of all production sold/consumed/retained for 1879. He farmed with 3 horses and 2 mules.
Edward K. Carr, died in 1907 and is buried in the Hill Crest Cemetery on the Morris Ranch, Gillespie County, Texas.
Edward and his wife had at least four children.
[1a] Edward George Carr (1886-1943) married Celeta E. Carr. Edward George Carr and his wife moved to Illinois before 1920. Edward George Carr died in Chicago, and is buried in Milwaukee. An obituary was found in the Chicago Tribune (Sun. 15 Aug. 1943, p. 24) as follows: Services for Edward G. Carr, 57 years old, 1304 Birchwood Ave. who died Wednesday, were held yesterday in the chapel at 5501 North Ashland Ave. Mr. Carr, an inventor and manufacturer, was one of the early advocates of concrete highways in Illinois. He had been engaged in building concrete runways for the army air forces. Surviving are his widow, Celeta Lewis Carr, one son Pvt. Richard L. Carr, a prisoner in a Japanese camp in the Phillippines, and four sisters. [His brother Tom also survived him].
[1b] Jean Alice Galbraith née Carr (1883-1979) married James C. Galbraith and had at least two sons. Jean remained in Texas.
[1c] Thomas K. Carr (1875-1962) married Mamie Brodie (1874-1962). He remained in Gillespie Co. Texas and was a stock farmer and ranchman on “White Oaks Ranch.” (Kerrville Mountain Sun, Wed. 17 Jan. 1962, p. 16). He and his wife had at least 3 children.
[1d] Frankie Raney Polk née Carr (1881-1948) married Sam C. Polk. Frankie was a retired school teacher when she died and had been widowed. She had at least one child. Frankie remained in Texas.
[2] George Thomas Carr (1840-1881) was the second son of Thomas K. Carr and his wife Jane Carr. George Thomas Carr married Harriet Sutton (1854-1922) on 21 Sept. 1871 at Bingham, Leelanau Co., Michigan. George T. Carr was a lumberman per the 1880 Census. George T. Carr held land in Sutton’s Cove, Michigan and we have been unable to verify that he had a mill and dock. References have also been found that he was a grocer prior to his marriage and served as a postmaster in Sutton’s Cove. In any event, George and Harriet had two children die young and 2 children survive until adulthood
[2a] George Thomas Carr (1872—1935) and
[2b] Ella A. Carr (1874-1900) was just 25 when she died of appendicitis.
[2d] Mabel Carr died as an infant on 3 Sept. 1881. The Minneapolis Messenger (Fri. 9 Sept. 1881, p. 5) published an obituary. “Little Mable, infant daughter of Mrs. George F. (sic) Carr, died in this city on Saturday morning…Mrs. Carr is a daughter of Mr. H.C. Sutton, of this place, who buried her husband a short time ago at Sutton’s Bay, Michigan…The afflicted mother has the sympathy of the community. She has two bright children left her.”
Although George T. Carr died very young we have been unable to find any reference to his cause of death.
[3] Hannah Cornelia “Nina” Carr (1843-1912) was the only daughter of Thomas K. Carr and his wife Jane Carr. Nina married in Chicago two years after her father’s death. She married Alphonse William Perrin (1848-1922). The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Sat. 21 Jan. 1871, p. 4) published a marriage announcement. “PERRIN-CARR—On the 17th inst., at St. James’s Church, Chicago, Ill., by the Rev. C.V. Kelly, Alphonse W. Perrin, of San Antonio, Texas, to Nina, daughter of the late Thomas K. Carr, of Oak Creek, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.”
A.W. and Nina had a large family and lived twelve miles from San Antonio, Texas, on “Hope Farm” in Bexar Co. (San Antonio Express News, Sat. 24 July 1909. p. 6). The family lived on a 540 acre farm. In 1923 they deeded an acre to be used as a cemetery by the heirs of A.W. and Nina Perrin (deceased) (San Antonio Express News, Tues. 30 Oct. 1923, p. 17).
[3a] Jane “Jennie” Martha Perrin (1873-1950)
[3b] Raymond Perrin (c. 1874-1912). Raymond died in May 1912 unmarried. He was survived by his parents (San Antonio Express News, Sat. 25 May 1912, p. 14).
[3c] Ruth Nina Perrin (1876-1960) married William A. Conry of Allen Grove, Wisconsin in 1909. (San Antonio Express News, Sat. 24 July 1909, p. 6). The couple were living in Avion, Wisconsin in 1912. Ruth is buried in Wisconsin, and she had a second marriage to a man named Cox.
[3d] Martha “Mattie” Perrin (c. 1878- ?) married Judson
[3e] Francis “Fanny” Caroline Perrin (1880-1959) married Francis A. McClure. Per the 1950 census Bertha, Ruth and Jennie Perrin were all living with their sister and brother-in-law.[3f] Bertha Josephine Perrin (1884-1958) never married.
[3g] George Fredrick Perrin (1882-1960) applied for a passport in 1917 to accept a post as foreman of a coke plant in Mexico. His profession was steam engineer. In his sister Jennie’s obituary, he was again residing in San Antonio. George F. Perrin is not buried in the Perrin family cemetery.
What Happened to Jane Carr née Keogh/Kough?
In the 1880 Census Jane Carr was living with her daughter and son-in-law in Bexar, Texas. Alphonse Perrin was a 32 year-old farmer. He reported that he had been born in New York. His father was born in England and his mother had been born in Ireland. Nina in 1880 was 37 and Jane Carr was 70.
Several of the Perrin family are buried in the Perrin Cemetery, San Antonio, Bexter Co., Texas. In searching the Perrin Cemetery, we came across Jean (sic) Carr (28 Feb. 1809-17 Nov. 1891). Her inscription reads “In memory of Jean, wife of T.K. Carr, born in Ireland, Feb. 28, 1809, Died Nov. 17, 1891, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.”
Jane or Jean’s death notice was found in the San Antonio Express News (Thur. 19 Nov. 1891, p. 5) and provides, “Mrs. Jean Carr, a well-known old lady who has lived in this county for many years, died at her home on the Salado yesterday morning at the age of 83.”
Please send any corrections, additional information or photographs to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The featured map above has the Oak Creek Wisconsin area outlined in red. Milwaukee is to the North and Racine is to the south of Oak Creek. This interactive map is available on Wikipedia at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oak_Creek,_Wisconsin#/map/0 .
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
William Murphy (b. 1879) Native of Ballinlammy, Glenmore
Most people interested in football have heard of James “Jimmy” Murphy (1910-1989) the Assistant Manager of Manchester United. He is credited with keeping the franchise going after the 1958 Munich air crash that killed 20 of 40 passengers. Several of the dead were Man United players along with reporters and support staff. Jimmy Murphy’s friend, Matt Busby was the General Manager and was injured in the crash. Jimmy Murphy was not on the plane because he was coaching the Wales team that went to the World Cup finals in 1958. While Matt Busby was recovering from the crash Jimmy Murphy put together a Manchester United team and managed the hastily comprised team to the FA Cup Final.
Books have been written about Matt Busby and Jimmy Murphy that highlight how they met while serving in WWII, how they managed and built Manchester United etc. While very interesting men, today we are going to highlight the tragic and elusive life of Jimmy Murphy’s father, William Murphy, a native of Ballinlammy, Glenmore. At various times wrong information has been published concerning William Murphy, e.g. it was published that he hailed from Carlow and emigrated to Wales during the famine (see, Fergus Dowd, “Jimmy Murphy—y dyn a achubold Man United” (2021) A Bohemian Sporting Life). William was born in Glenmore almost 30 years after the famine ended. It was also published that Jimmy Murphy was “The Kilkennyman who Rebuilt Manchester United” (Kilkenny People, 27 Feb. 1998, p. 9). Jimmy Murphy was born in Wales, but his father William Murphy was born in Glenmore, Kilkenny.
William Murphy (b. 1879) native of Ballinlammy, Glenmore
William Murphy was the eldest son of Edmond Murphy (1839- 1923) and his wife Margaret Deady (1852-1894). William Murphy was born on 8 March 1879 at Ballinlammy, Glenmore. His parents were married at Glenmore on 24 February 1876.
William Murphy’s (b. 1879) Parents
Edmond Murphy was a farmer and at the time of his marriage his address was Ballinakill, Mullinavat. His bride, Margaret had an address of Ballyfacey, Glenmore. Their fathers were William Murphy (deceased, farmer) and Michael Deady (farmer). Thus, it appears that William Murphy (b. 1879) and his siblings were the first of the family born in Ballinlammy, Glenmore.
William Murphy’s (b. 1879) Grandparents
Edmond Murphy’s father, William Murphy (c. 1811-1874) died at Ballinakill on 11 April 1874. William Murphy was 63 years of age when he died of bronchitis. Robert Murphy was present at his death. In attempting to locate a record for William’s birth in 1811, we did find a William Murphy baptized on 29 June 1802 at Ballinloney (sic), Glenmore. He was the son of Patrick Murphy and Alice Welsh. We could not find any other children born to this union. We could not verify that this William baptized in 1802 was William Murphy’s (b. 1879) grandfather.
Children of William Murphy (c. 1811-1874) and Mary Wall (c. 1812-1882)
[1] Robert Murphy (bapt. 5 April 1837)
[2] Edmund Murphy (bapt. 26 Jan. 1839)
[3] John Murphy (bapt. 1 Mar. 1841)
[4] Catherine Murphy (bapt. 21 Feb. 1843)
[5] Michael Murphy (bapt. 25 Jan. 1845)
[6] Mary Murphy (bapt. 15 Mar. 1847)
All the children were born at Ballinakill, Mullinavat.
Within a few years of their father William’s death, Edmond and John Murphy married. As outlined above Edmond Murphy (1839-1923) married Margaret Deady (1852-1894) in 1876. The couple lived at Ballinlammy. In the 1926 Census, the Ballinlammy farm was described as containing 70 statute acres.
Uncle John Murphy (1841-1914)
John Murphy married Mary Dungan, of Buckstown, Mullinavat, on 4 May 1875. John’s address at the time of the wedding was Ballinakill. It is recorded in the marriage record that he was a 25-year-old farmer, the son of William Murphy (deceased, farmer). His bride, Mary Dungan was the daughter of John Dungan (farmer).
John Murphy continued to reside in Ballinakill after his marriage. His mother, Mary Murphy née Wall (c. 1812-1882) died at Ballinakill on 23 May 1882 at the age of 70. John was present at her death. John’s wife, Mary Murphy née Dungan (c. 1834-1891) died at Ballinlammy on 5 April 1891 of bronchitis. She was 57 years of age. John was present when she died. John died on 7 March 1914 at Ballinlammy at the age of 72. His nephew James Murphy was present when he died.
Children of Edmond Murphy (1839-1923) and Margaret Deady (1852-1894)
[1] Mary Murphy (b. 25 Jan. 1877)
[2] William Murphy (b. 8 Mar. 1879) Godfather was Robert Murphy.
[3] Catherine Murphy (b. 11 April 1881)
[4] Michael Murphy (b. 26 Jan. 1883) d. 1919
[5] Honor “Annie” Murphy (b. 25 June 1885)
[6] James Murphy (b. 16 Dec. 1886) d. 1961
[7] Anastasia Murphy (b. 18 Sept. 1889)
Margaret Murphy née Deady (1852-1894) died at the age of 41 on 12 January 1894 of scarlatina or scarlet fever. William Murphy (b. 1879) was 15 years old when his mother died.
In the 1901 Census there were 9 people recorded in the Ballinlammy household. Edmond Murphy gave his age as 50 and his brother John Murphy as 45. They were both widowers and their true ages were 62 and 60. William was recorded as being 21. His siblings in the 1901 Census were recorded as M. Anne Murphy (23); Mike Murphy (19); Annie Murphy (14); James Murphy (12); Stasia Murphy (10); and Eddy Murphy (7).
William Murphy’s First Marriage
The Kilkenny People (21 June 2019, p. 56) quoted a biography written about Matt Busby describing how Jimmy Murphy’s father emigrated to Wales. “Late in the first decade of the 20th century William “Billy” Murphy, a manual labourer from Kilkenny, a city in the South East of Ireland, arrived in South Wales with the intention of working in the pits. Billy was a widower and travelled with the son from his marriage, Patrick.”
As stated above William Murphy (b. 1879) was a native of Ballinlammy, Glenmore. As far as I can ascertain he never lived in Kilkenny City. In 1901 he was still single residing in Ballinlammy. At some point he married Johanna Dalton and the couple were living on Philip St. in Waterford City when their son Patrick was born on 29 October 1905. Patrick was baptized on 9 November 1905 and died on the 11th of November. His mother Johanna Murphy née Dalton (1885-1905) also died on the 11th of November 1905 of puerperal fever (childbirth fever). She was 25 years of age. William was present at her death.
Johanna Murphy née Dalton (1880-1905) Native of Knockbrack, Glenmore
We found a Johanna Dalton born on 13 March 1880 at Knockbrack, Glenmore to Patrick Dalton and his wife Catherine Whelan/Phelan. We were not able to find a marriage record for William and Johanna, nor could we locate a birth record for their son Edward Murphy (b. 1904). In the 1911 Wales Census Edward’s place of birth is recorded as Co. Kilkenny. See our post of 10 August 2026 for further information on the Dalton family of Knockbrack, Glenmore.
In attempting to find more information concerning the short marriage of William Murphy and Johanna Murphy née Dalton (1880-1905) we searched the 1901 Census of Philip St. in Waterford. In 20 Philip St., we found two Glenmore natives., namely Edward Murphy and his wife Catherine Grace both natives of Forristalstown. The couple were married on 26 April 1899 at Glenmore and one of the witnesses to the wedding was Johanna Dalton. See the obit of Edward Murphy (c. 1874-1951) of 14 Griffith’s Place on our M surname page. He worked for over 50 years at Strangman’s Brewery of Waterford.
Emigration to Wales
It is not known when William Murphy (b. 1879) moved to Wales, but in early 1910 William Murphy (b. 1879) married Florence Louisa Eynon née Scourfield (c. 1876-1960) in Pontypridd, Glanmorgan, Wales. Florence was the daughter of William Scourfield (grocer) and his wife Ada Nichols. Florence was widowed in 1905 when her first husband Benjamin Eynon (1876-1905)(butcher) died leaving her to raise their 5 children.
In 1911 there were 9 persons residing in the Murphy household. William Murphy (b. 1879) was 33 and employed as a colliery repairer. His place of birth was Co. Kilkenny, Ireland. Florence Murphy née Scourfield was 33 and her place of birth was Narberth, Pembrokeshire, Wales. They recorded they were married 2 years and one child was born to the marriage.
The Blended Family of William Murphy (b. 1879) & Florence Scourfield (c. 1876-1960)
In the 1911 Census the following children were in the household reflecting children of the first marriages of both William and Florence and Jimmy their child together.
[1] William J. Eynon (16) Asst. coal miner, b. Narbeth, Pembrokeshire
[2] Cyril Eynon (15) Asst. Coal miner b. Narbeth, Pembrokeshire
[3] Mary Eynon (13) b. Narbeth, Pembrokeshire
[4] Sydney Eynon (12), Narbeth, Pembrokeshire
[5] Benjamin Eynon (5) b. Ystrad, Glanmorgan
[6] Edward Murphy (6) b. Co. Kilkenny, Ireland
[7] James Murphy (8 mos.) b. Ystrad, Glanmorgan
The 1921 Census finds the family residing at 43 Treharne St., Pentre, Rhondda, Glanmorganshire, Wales. Work was not good after the War. William Murphy (42), was a collier hewer, for Cory Bros. , Pentro Colliery. It is noted that he was out of work. Florence was 43.
[1] Edward Murphy (16 yrs 8 mos) son, collier boy, Cory Bros, Pentro Colliery (out of work)
[2] James Murphy (10 yrs 10 mos. ) son, was still at school
[3] William Eynon (26 years) step-son, miner, Cory Bros. (out of work)
[4] Sidney Eynon (22) step-son, miner, Cory Bros, (out of work) served in WWI. Awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
[5] Benjamin Eynon (15) step-son, was a collier boy, Cory Bros. (out of work)
[6] Mary Eynon (23) step-daughter m. 1937 Arthur P. Lewis. Mary Lewis née Eynon died in August 1987.
Back in Ballinlammy, Glenmore
It is not known if William Murphy (b. 1879) ever returned to Glenmore. His father Edmond died at Ballinlammy, on 8 May 1923. His son James Murphy was present. His age was given as 67 when in fact he was 84.
James Murphy (1886-1961) played on the Inter County Kilkenny Gaelic Football team from 1910 to 1924. He also joined the Glenmore Co. of the Old IRA. His obit is on our M Surname page. See generally the list of men in the Glenmore Company of the old IRA. In 1926 only three of William’s (b. 1879) siblings were residing in Ballinlammy. All three were single. James was 35; Michael was 39 and Anastasia was 32. They had an 18-year- old servant named Thomas Murphy (b. Glenmore) also residing in the household.
Patrick Bookle contacted the Kilkenny People in 2019 and explained that William Murphy was his granduncle and hailed from Ballinlammy, Glenmore, not Kilkenny City. Patrick confirmed that William moved to Wales, Ned moved to the US, and two brothers remained in Ballinlammy. James [Murphy] was Patrick Bookle’s grandfather. James was the goalkeeper on the Glenmore football team (Kilkenny People, Fri. 13 Sept. 2019, p. 62).
Unknown End
While we were able to locate a newspaper account of the death of Florence Murphy née Scourfield we were unable to verify when William Murphy (b. 1879) died. We hope that one of our readers may be able to shed some light on when William died and where he is buried.
Florence Louisa Murphy née Scourfield of Treharne Street, Pentre, Wales, died in January 1960.
SAD TIME FOR JIMMY MURPHY—It was a unhappy homecoming last weekend for Manchester United Assistant manager, Jimmy Murphy. For his mother, 82-year-old Mrs. Florence Louise Murphy of Treharne St., Pentre, passed away after a long illness. Mrs. Murphy was a loveable character, who will be sorely missed by neighbours and also members of the Welsh international team, such as John Charles and Ivor Allchurch, who as far as she was concerned were not great footballers but boys she could mother (Pontypridd Observer, Sat. 30 Jan. 1960, p. 3).
Mrs. Florence Murphy of Pentre, Rhondda, with her daughter, Mrs. Mary Lewis reading the good news that her son, Jim Murphy (Manchester United) had been appointed Welsh Soccer team manager (Western Mail Wed. 10 Oct. 1956 , p. 10).
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Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@glenmore-history
The feature photo above is an old postcard of Pentre , Rhondda, Wales circa 1920.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
From Danny’s Files: Who Paid for Aunt Johanna’s Glenmore Funeral?
In Danny Dowling’s (1927-2021) voluminous files is a folder Danny simply labelled “Joe Flynn of Busherstown”. Within the file were several old letters, four from a woman named Anna to “Mr. Flynn.” Three are typewritten and one is handwritten and dated 7 September 1935. The two-page typewritten letter is dated Friday, 27 February 1942 and one of the shorter one-page typewritten letters is dated 26 September 1935. Another one-page typewritten letter is undated. Our focus today is on the two-page typewritten letter, but relevant excerpts from the other letters will be utilized to try to identify the author Anna, her mother, her mother’s people in Glenmore and Mr. Flynn. This letter highlights the difficulty of communications during World War II as well as the tragic circumstances of emigration for those who emigrated and those who stayed. Thanks to the Census records in Ireland and the US we have been able to gain insight into the struggles of the sister who remained and the sister who emigrated.
Letter of Friday, 27 February 1942
Dear Mr. Flynn,
Mother received your letter, dated January 18th, this morning, and evidently my letter written around the latter part of January, has not reached you. Your letter was addressed to 1285 Merriam Avenue, but Mother moved from that apartment four years ago, and, as noted in my letter to you, her address is now 1315 Merriam Avenue.
To say Mother was grieved about the collection fund for the burial of Aunt Johanna is really using the term mildly. In all her years here in America (I think she came in 1888), she never once forgot her people at home. Times were hard with her when we were young, but I can remember when I was ten or twelve years of age, I knew how to get to the post office and fill out the money order blanks for the little, she was able, at that time, to send home to Ireland.
Last November she sent five dollars to Aunt Johanna, which probably arrived in late December. When she received a letter from Mrs. Power, regarding Aunt Johanna’s death, and this letter was dated January 14th (later on in this letter I am going to incorporate contents of two letters received from Mrs. Power, so that you may know.) Mother had my sister Madeline send another five dollars to Mrs. Power, pending receipt of further word from her as to the amount of the burial expenses incurred.
I wrote to you incorrectly when I stated Mother had had a lettr from Mrs. Fitzgerald—both were from Mrs. Power, and I misunderstood her, in the telephone conversation she made to my home that day.
Now Mr. Flynn, I am going to quote the first letter received from Mrs. Power, which was dated January 8th
‘I am so sorry to have sad news about Johanna. I got word from the
sister in care of her, saying she was bad in hospital and she wants
to know what I am going to do with regard to her burial. If anything
happens to her, would you please give me some little help to bury
her in her own place. Everything is very dear here for a funeral expense.
She has no friend to look after her by myself. You might be thinking
about Mr. Flynn but he never went near her for the past 7 years.
As I wrote to you before about her, I think you will have two letters.
I am after spending 3/15/0 on her this past six months, trying to
get nourishment, but I don’t mind that if you would give me a little
help to cover the cost of her expenses.
Could you cable and let me know what to do—just a little to help
me as she is the last of you all here I would like to see her brought
from Kilkenny to Glenmore to be buried.’
[Page 2]
Mr. Flynn this next letter from Mrs. Power was dated January 14th, two days after Aunt Johanna had passed away
‘Just a few lines to let you know that Johanna died on Monday,
the 12th of January. I have written to you before about her ill-
ness, hoping you got that letter. Now, Mrs. Murphy, I asked you
in my last letter if you would help me bury her. I am sending you
the bill.’
Let me interrupt here Mr. Flynn. We have received no bill as yet, and Madeline, when she wrote Mrs. Power, asked her to obtain one from Mrs. Fitzgerald. The mails are delayed considerably, and I know we will hear in some way from her, but in this letter which I am going to continue to quote, you will note she makes no mention of any subscription fund which she made…
‘to let you know how much it cost me to bring her home from
Kilkenny. I Did everying (sic) possible for her as she had no
friends that would spend one shilling on her. I went to Mrs.
Fitzgerald, the undertaker, and got everything from her, and
paid for it, so I said I would send you the bill so that you would
believe me. I got mass said the morning she died, and mass
said the morning of the funeral. I paid the bell man, and the
two men who made the grave so you can see I Did every-
thing that I could do for her. I hate looking for money but
you can understand that it cost me a good sum to do all
this for her. I am sending this by air so that you would
get it. I am sure this will be a shock to hear of her death
but God knows best. From your sister’s only friend—’
I do not know what else to comment, Mr. Flynn. Mrs. Power seems to have done many kind things and Mother is grateful. But this collection fund has disturbed her considerably and is there any way we could ascertain what moneys were paid in, and by whom, so that these people could be reimbursed for their kindness. We want to take care of this debt, and I do know that if you had been called in, it never would have happened.
Mother was so happy this morning to receive your lovely letter of sympathy. She knows all through these years of your faithful friendship, and naturally anything you might write us, on this matter, will never be divulged to Mrs. Power, in any way. We will not send any further money until we get a bona fide bill from Mrs. Fitzgerald, or until you may have further word for us. In ever grateful appreciation, Anna.’
Other Letters
In the letter of 27 February [without a year] Anna wrote to Mr. Flynn that she used to send newspapers to Uncle John when he was alive, and she worked for a publisher.
In the handwritten letter of 7 September 1935 Anna asked Mr. Flynn how her Aunt Johanna was doing. She then noted that her sister Frances had married that summer. Anna also mentioned that her brother-in-law, George Maloney, was living with them as her sister Alice died 14 years ago “next February”.
Anna was purchasing Irish Sweepstakes tickets through Mr. Flynn. The Irish Hospital Sweepstakes started in 1930. See, RTE (2026) “The Rise and Fall of the Biggest Lottery in the World.”
Mrs. Fitzgerald the Undertaker
We shall begin with the easiest person to identify. We believe that Mrs. Fitzgerald was the wife of Tom Fitzgerald of Weatherstown (1862 -1935). See, our post of 8 December 2019 regarding local funeral practices and a paragraph concerning Tom Fitzgerald and his undertaking premises and butcher shop on the Quay, New Ross.
The Flynn Family of Busherstown, Glenmore
Joe Flynn of Busherstown, Glenmore, was the name Danny Dowling had placed on the file containing the letters sent from Anna to “Mr. Flynn”. Joseph Flynn was born 30 September 1908. He attended Glenmore National School with Thomas Walsh (1908-1992) of Rathinure, and formerly Davidstown. Tom described Joe Flynn as the best dressed boy at school. Tom told his son Peter that Joe’s father was a sort of agent.
Patrick Flynn (1874-1956) of Busherstown, Glenmore
Joseph Flynn’s parents were Patrick Flynn (1874-1956) and his wife Catherine “Kate” Malone (1870-1953). The couple were married at Rosbercon on 28 October 1898. Patrick Flynn was the son of Michael Flynn (farmer) of Jamestown and his wife Anastatia Gaule. Kate was the daughter of Joseph Malone of Coolien and his wife, Catherine Howlett. In the 1911 Census, for Busherstown, Patrick Flynn (37) was working as an agricultural labourer living with his wife, Kate (39); Joseph (2) and the household also contained Catherine Malone (79) Patrick’s widowed mother-in-law. The Census states that Patrick and Catherine were married 12 years and had two children, but only one child was alive in 1911.
A few months after the 1911 Census, Catherine Malone (c. 1829 -1911) died at Busherstown on 20 August 1911 aged 82 years. Patrick Flynn, her son-in-law, was present at her death. The 1926 Census provides that Patrick Flynn (54) was working as a carpenter, his wife Kate was 54; Joseph was 17 and Anastatia Flynn was 13.
It is unlikely that Joe Flynn (1908-1986) was the Mr. Flynn that Anna was corresponding with. Joe Flynn (1908-1986) married Bridget Walsh of Ryleen, New Ross at St. Mary’s of New Ross on 13 June 1934. Per Bridget Flynn née Walsh’s (c. 1911-1991) obituary the couple left the area in 1936 and eventually settled in Macroom, Co. Cork (New Ross Standard, Thur. 21 Nov. 1991, p. 24). See our F Surname Family page for the short Flynn obituaries. Anna was still corresponding with Mr. Flynn regarding her Aunt Johanna’s death in 1942. We believe that Mr. Flynn was Mr. Patrick Flynn, Joe Flynn’s father.
Clerk of the Kilmakevogue Old Age Pensioners
We did not locate any records regarding Patrick being an agent, but we did find that he sought a post in the 1930’s to collect rent for the County Council. However, he did serve as clerk of the Kilmakevogue Old Age Pensioners’ sub-committee for the Kilkenny Co. Council. It is not known when he took up this post, but in 1945 he was granted an increase in his salary to £10 per annum (Kilkenny Journal, Sat. 12 May 1945, p. 6).
Patrick remained in this post until early September 1956 when he resigned from it and also resigned as the temporary clerk of the Dysertmoon OAP Sub-committee due to “impaired health.” It was stated that “in both positions he gave general satisfaction and was most efficient in the discharge of his duties. His many friends wish him a speedy recovery to health” (Kilkenny Journal, Sat. 8 Sept. 1956, p. 8).
Two months later, Patrick Flynn (widower) died on 11 November 1956 at Butlerstown, Waterford, at the home of his son, Joseph Flynn. Patrick wife, Catherine Flynn née Malone (c. 1879-1953) died 8 December 1953 at the age of 77. Patrick was present when she died at Busherstown, Glenmore. No obituary could be located for either Patrick or Catherine Flynn. Their names are recorded on a headstone in St. James’s Cemetery, Glenmore, without a date of birth or death.
Aunt Johanna of Glenmore
We located in the death register a death of a woman named Johanna on 12 January 1942. Johanna Walsh, Glenmore, spinster, aged 65, died in the County Home on 12 January 1942.
We believe that Aunt Johanna was Johanna Walsh born to Thomas Walsh (labourer) and his wife Margaret Grant on 24 April 1876 at Busherstown, Glenmore. Thomas Walsh, of Ballyreddy, married Margaret Grant on 30 May 1859 at Rosbercon.
Children of Thomas Walsh & Margaret Walsh née Grant
The following known children were born to this couple:
[1] Mary Walsh (b. 21 Jan. 1860)
[2] Catherine Walsh (bapt 11 June 1862)
[3] John Walsh (b. 12 Aug. 1867)
[4] Bridget Walsh (b. 11 Nov. 1867) emigrated to US.
[5] Ellen Walsh (b. 3 March 1870)
[6] Margaret Walsh (b. 31 Dec. 1871)
[7] Anastatia Walsh (b. 8 Oct. 1873) m. John Gaul (b.c. 1867) of Knockbrack on 5 June 1893.
[8] Johanna Walsh (b. 24 April 1876) Never married; died 12 January 1942.
[9] Alice Walsh (b. 17 Feb. 1879)
The Decline of the Thomas Walsh Family of Busherstown, Glenmore
The Census records reflect that the family grew then went into decline. In the 1901 Census there were a dozen people living in the Walsh home in Busherstown. Thomas was 69, and his wife Margaret was 60. Mary Walsh was 34; Alice Walsh was 21 and their daughter Anastatia Gaul was 27. Also present was her husband John Gaul (36) and their 5 children. Another granddaughter Bridget Phelan (1) was also in the home.
In the 1911 Census, Thomas Walsh was 77, Margaret was 74 and two unmarried daughters were also present: Johanna (34) and Alice (32). A granddaughter Bridget Walsh was also present and aged 11. In the 1926 Census the only members of the family left in Busherstown were Johanna Walsh (50) living with her mother Margaret (90). Margaret died on 28 February 1927 at Busherstown as a 94 year-old widow. Her daughter Alice was present when she died although she was not living in the home in 1926.
We found a John Walsh, aged 69, (b.c. 1865) who died on 3 March 1934 at Busherstown. He was a widower, and his sister Johanna Walsh was present at his death in Busherstown. He died of pneumonia. Johanna was the last of her family to reside in Busherstown.
Bridget Murphy née Walsh (1867-1953) native of Busherstown, Glenmore
With the information that Anna provided regarding the death of her sister, Alice in February 1922, and her brother-in-law’s name George Maloney, it was relatively easy to find Alice Veronica Maloney née Murphy. Alice was born on 2 June 1897 in New York City. Alice died 24 February 1922. She is buried in Woodside, Queens, New York with her father and mother. See Findagrave .
George Thomas Maloney married Alice Veronica Murphy, aged 22, on 18 June 1919 at Sts. Peter and Paul of the Bronx. The groom was a 24-year-old accountant born in New York City to Michael Maloney and his wife Bridget Tracey. The bride was the daughter of William Murphy (c.1866 -1906) and his wife Bridget Walsh (1867-1953).
The 1900 Census
The 1900 Census provides that William J. Murphy and his wife Bridget Murphy had been married for ten years. William J. Murphy was 34 and emigrated to the US in 1890 while Bridget was 32 and emigrated in 1887. In 1900 William was employed as a bricklayer. The couple had 5 children, but only 4 were living in 1900.
William J. Murphy died in 1906 leaving Bridget with six children to raise from 14 to 3 years of age. The 1910 Census shows that Bridget was employed as a housekeeper for an industry called “flat house.” This apparently meant that she was employed in a tenement that could house garment makers etc. Her eldest child Joseph Patrick Murphy was 18 and employed as a bricklayer. Mary Murphy at 15 was employed as a dry good packer. Her youngest four daughters were attending school. In the 1910 Census Bridget reported that she emigrated in 1888.
The Children of Glenmore Native Bridget Murphy née Walsh (1867-1953)
All of Bridget’s children were born in the Bronx, New York City.
[1] Joseph Patrick Murphy (1890- ) worked as a bricklayer
[2] Mary A. Murphy (1896– ) m. Thomas Cullen.
[3] Alice Veronica Murphy (1897-1922) m. George T. Maloney (b.c. 1895)
[4] Madeline Murphy (1899- )
[4 ] Anna Murphy (1901- )
[5] Frances Murphy (1904- ) Worked as a telephone operator. Married in the summer of 1935.
1930 Census
In the 1930 Census, Anna Murphy is listed as the Head of the Household. Anna is 28 years of age and employed as a stenographer for a publishing house. Her sister Frances is 26 and employed as a telephone operator. Her mother Bridget is 60 and not employed. On the 1930 form Bridget’s year of immigration is 1890. Anna’s sister Madeline is 30 and is employed as a stenographer. Also in the home is George Maloney, her brother-in-law. George is a 34 year-old widower employed as a salesman for National Cash Register.
The 1940 Census
In 1940 Bridget Murphy née Walsh was 72 and living with her was her widowed son Patrick Murphy (49) who was employed as a bricklayer with the WPA. George Maloney her son-in-law was 45 and was employed as a dental caster? Also, in the household were two of Bridget’s grandchildren: Thomas Cullen (21) a bank cashier and Audrey Cullen (19) a dental nurse. All reported that they lived at the same address in 1935. This was the last Census in which we could locate Bridget Murphy née Walsh. We could not locate an obituary. On the brink of WWII we sought to determine what happened to her grandson Thomas F. Cullen.
Thomas Francis Cullen (1918-2000)
Thomas Francis Cullen of Merriam Ave., New York registered for the draft. He was 22 years of age having been born at New York on 11 Sept. 1918 He listed his father, Thomas Francis Cullen of 11 Ann St. E. White Planes, Westchester, New York, as the person who would always know his address. He was employed at the Central Hanover Bank and Trust Co. He was described as 5’ 11 ¾” tall, weighed 140 pounds with Brown eyes, brown hair and a light complexion.
According to his obituary (The Record (Havensack, N.J.) Mon. 28 Aug. 2000, p. 24) he died aged 81and was a resident of Leonia. “Before retiring in 1981, he was a senior vice president at Manufacturers Hanover Trust Co., New York City, where he worked for 45 years. He was an army veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He was a graduate of Rutgers University in New Brunswick.”
Please send any corrections or additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The featured photo above is an old Irish Sweepstakes ticket.
The Tragic Death of Johanna Fitzgerald (1910-1916) of Moulerstown, Glenmore [Updated]
Recently while attempting to track a Glenmore emigrant in New York, I came across the report in the Irish American Advocate (1916) that referenced a 6 year old girl from “Moulerstown, Glenmore” being killed in her father’s haggard (barn yard). The Irish Times (Fri. 4 Aug. 1916, p. 7) carried the same two sentence report. “While Johanna Fitzgerald, aged six years, was seated in a horse cart in her father’s haggard, at Moulerstown, County Kilkenny, a bee stung the horse, which took fright, overturning the cart. The girl was caught underneath, and died in a few minutes.”
A quick review of the death certs verified that Johanna Fitzgerald, aged 6, died on 26 July 1916 at Moulerstown. Her cause of death is listed as “injuries to head caused by the accidental overturning of a cart. Death instantaneously.” Father of the deceased, John Fitzgerald, was present at her death.
However, the newspapers closer to Glenmore carried a slightly different story and did not mention a bee. Unfortunately, the Coroner was on holidays and his replacement did not think it necessary to hold an inquest. Thus, there is no record of what actual witnesses at the scene 110 years ago observed.
Kilkenny Moderator (Sat. 5 Aug. 1916, p. 5)
SAD DEATH OF A CHILD—A little girl named Johanna Fitzgerald, aged six years, daughter of Mr. John Fitzgerald, a large farmer residing at Moulerstown, Glenmore, has been the victim of an unfortunate accident, which resulted in her death shortly afterwards. It would appear that at abour five o’clock on the evening of the 26th of July a number of men were engaged in carting hay from a field on Mr. Fitzgerald’s farm to his haggard, and after emptying a load one of the horses was allowed to go loosely around while the other horses were being unloaded.
The little girl got into the empty cart unobserved and the horse pulled the cart over some obstacle, overturning it and pinning the child underneath. When extracted the little one was in a dying condition and expired shortly afterwards. Dr. P.J. Murphy, Thomastown, who is acting for Dr. D.J. Walshe, J.P., Graiguenamanagh, Coroner for South Kilkenny, who is away on holidays, was communicated with, but did not consider an inquest necessary. Needless, to state, much sympathy is felt for Mr. Fitzgerald in the terrible bereavement that has befallen him.
Johanna Fitzgerald’s Family
Parents
Johanna was born 25 February 1910 to John Fitzgerald (1881-1970) and Marian “Mary” “Molly” Fitzgerald née Fitzgerald (1884-1960). Her parents were married on Sunday, 1 July 1906 at St. Saviours in Waterford City. (Diary of James Aylward of Ballyhobuck, Glenmore; verified with parish records.) The father of the groom was Thomas Fitzgerald of Moulerstown, and the father of the bride was Paul Fitzgerald of Knockbrack. John and Molly Fitzgerald would have 11 children comprised of 6 boys and 5 girls.
Grandparents
Johanna’s Paternal Grandparents
Johanna’s paternal grandparents were Thomas Fitzgerald (1839-1910) and Ellen Roche (1850-1922). Her paternal grandparents were married on 19 February 1879 at Rosbercon. A dispensation was granted as the couple were distantly related. The groom was a farmer from Moulerstown and the bride was the daughter of a farmer from Ballycurran. The groom’s father was John Fitzgerald and the bride’s father was Luke Roche. The witnesses to the wedding were Patrick Fitzgerald of Weatherstown, Glenmore and Mary Wall of Ballynakill, Tullogher. Thomas and Ellen Fitzgerald lived in Moulerstown, Glenmore, and had at least six known children.
The 1911 Census reveals that Ellen Fitzgerald née Roche was 60 years of age and her youngest child James Fitzgerald was only 9 years older than her eldest grandchild by her son John, i.e. Ellen “Eily” Ryan née Fitzgerald (1906-2001).
Johanna’s Maternal Grandparents
Johanna’s maternal grandparents were Paul Fitzgerald (1854 -1923) and Johanna Freyne (c. 1857-1945). Paul Fitzgerald, of Knockbrack, married Johanna Freyne, of Kilbride, at Glenmore on 14 November 1883. Their fathers were Michael Fitzgerald (deceased farmer) and James Frehne (farmer). Paul and Johanna had at least 8 known children born and raised in Knockbrack.
The Children of John Fitzgerald and Molly Fitzgerald née Fitzgerald of Moulerstown, Glenmore
Most of the obituaries relating to John and Molly Fitzgerald, and their children, note that the couple had 11 children comprised of 6 boys and 5 girls. Thus, although no cemetery marker could be located that preserved Johanna Fitzgerald’s (1910-1916) name she was remembered as one of the 11 children in the family obituaries. Unfortunately, a lot of information concerning Johanna’s siblings had to be gleaned from newspaper sources because of current privacy laws that limit access to official records deemed old enough to release. This creates quite a lacuna in family research.
[1] Ellen “Eily” Fitzgerald (1906-2001) was born on Francis St. in Waterford 26 days after her parents married in Waterford City. It is quite an unusual arrangement, but it may have been due to parental objection(s). It was not unusual for dowries to be demanded in order to ensure that unmarried sisters could make a match and to help educate brothers not destined to receive the farm. What happened to delay this marriage is not known today. Nevertheless John and Mollie Fitzgerald married and in the 1911 Census they are living in Moulerstown with John’s mother Ellen Fitzgerald (60) and four of John’s siblings.
Eily Fitzgerald married Richard Ryan of Guilcogh, Rosbercon on 30 April 1930 at Glenmore. The couple farmed at Fisherstown, Campile, Wexford. New Ross Standard (Fri. 11 Aug. 1961, p. 10) FIRE—New Ross Fire Brigade, under Station Officer Joseph Furlong, was called out on Friday of last week to deal with an outbreak of fire at the premises of Mr. Richard Ryan, Fisherstown, Campile. About 35 tons of first crop hay were destroyed in the fire. The Brigade, which was hampered by lack of water, succeeded in saving nearby out offices.
[2] Thomas Fitzgerald (1908-1992) had Catherine Fitzgerald incorrectly listed as his mother. Thomas was an athlete as a young man and never married.
[3] Johanna Fitzgerald (1910-1916)
[4] Paul Fitzgerald (1912-1995) never married.
[5] Luke Fitzgerald (1914-1983) my resident expert stated that he recalls it being said that Luke moved to Fisherstown to help his sister Eily Ryan after her husband Richard died. Luke later returned to Glenmore. Luke did not marry.
[6] Anastatia Fitzgerald (1916 -1980) married John Phelan ( ? -1972) of Ballyfacey, Glenmore. Anastatia was born just five months before her sister Johanna died in 1916. Statia and John Phelan had a large family.
[7] James Fitzgerald (b. 3 Apr. 1915 )(per various family obits lived in Hanwell, London)
[8] John Fitzgerald, Jr. (1917-1979) Never married.
[9] Ann Fitzgerald [See correction below]
[10] Josephine “Josie” Fitzgerald (c. 1921 -2004) married Patrick Doolan, and the couple lived in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dubln.
[11] Michael “Mickey Fitz” Fitzgerald (1924- 2018) married, Moira Talbot (c. 1944-1998) a widow, and continued farming the home place until his death.
[Only 8 children are listed in the 1926 Census, although the form indicates 11 children were born to John and Mollie Fitzgerald of Moulerstown, Glenmore.]
[Correction 10 July 2026: Ann Fitzgerald RIP.ie death notice–Ann Ryan (nee Fitzgerald) 98 Patrician Villas, Stillorgan, Co Dublin and late of Moulerstown, Glenmore, Co Kilkenny died 19 Oct 2015. Ann; beloved wife of the late John (Jack) and mother of Cathy, John and Richard. Deeply regretted by her loving family, brother Michael, grandchildren, great-grandchild, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and many friends.] Special thanks to Patty Brown for sharing the death notice for Ann Ryan née Fitzgerald]
Register of Infants in Ballyfasy Girls’ National School
Per the Register of Infants in Ballyfasy Girls’ National School (p. 6) Johanna Fitzgerald of Moulerstown (father farmer) started school on 1 May 1916 at the age of 5. No attendance was recorded in the upper half of page 5. Johanna’s eldest sister, “Ellie” Fitzgerald, started school 29 April 1912 (p. 5) at the age of 5. She attended 36 days in the First Examination Period.
Johanna’s younger sister, Anastasia Fitzgerald, started school in May 1920 (p. 6) at the age of 4. She attended 21 days in the first annual exam period and 159 days in the second exam period. Johanna’s youngest sister Josephine “Josie” Fitzgerald started school in May of 1927 (p. 7) at the age of 5. She attended 20 days in the first exam period.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Most of the family obituaries or death notices are on our Glenmore Family Surname pages. Please note that married women are listed under their married names. Our F Surname page may be accessed via this link.
The Register of the Ballyfasy Girls National School can be accessed via our Lists page.
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com
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