Arnestown New Ross

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 11^th March. The deceased gentleman, who was born in 1820, joined the medical department of the army as assistant surgeon on the 24^th June, 1886 (sic). He was for many years attached to the 25^th Regiment, (King’s Own Borderers), and next in the 32^nd 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 21^st 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 20^th 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 25^th 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