David O'Neill Power (c. 1788-1863)

David O’Neill Power, of Snowhill House, Slieverue was the landlord of the townlands of Ballinlammy, Ballyhobuck, Gaulestown, and Ballinclare in Glenmore during Griffith’s Valuation circa 1829.  David O’Neill Power was a tragic figure as he suffered from some form of mental illness that lead to his sons bringing a petition for the Commission de Lunatico Inquirendo, in the Court of Appeal in 1835.  Roughly translated this was a Commission established to determine the sanity of David O’Neill Power. At that time David O’Neill Power was described as a gentleman of considerable landed property (Drogheda Journal, Tues. 27 Oct. 1835, p. 4) with vast holdings in Tipperary, Kilkenny and Waterford which generated rent in excess of £4,000 per year.  

Snowhill House and Estate

An article in Sliabh Rua: A History of its People and Places provided that the house was built about 1765 by the Snow family. In 1792 Elizabeth Snow was the heir to Snowhill and she married Patrick Lattin. Patrick Lattin apparently got into financial difficulties and the property was sold in 1808. The buyer was Nicholas Power, of Knockaderry, near Kilmeadon, Waterford. The Powers of Knockaderry were large landowners in Co. Waterford. Nicholas Power was married to Rachel O’Neil of Dublin and their family became the O’Neil Powers. David O’Neill Power married Elizabeth Nash, of Cork in 1807. It is speculated in the article that Nicholas bought the estate for his son David when he married. (Jim Walsh (2001) “Snowhill House and Estate,” in Sliabh Rua: A History of its People and Places, p. 429.)

However, a newspaper search revealed that N. Power was residing at Snowhill in 1799 when at a General Meeting of the Roman Catholics of the City of Waterford, and its Vicinity, held on the 28^th of June 1799, he signed a Declaration calling for a “complete and entire Union between Great Britain and Ireland, founded on equality and liberal principles…” (Saunder’s News-Letter, Mon. 22 July 1799, p. 3.) Of course, Nicholas Power may have leased the property before he bought it.

Snowhill House was an impressive three storey Georgian mansion. The house was comprised of 40 rooms which included 17 bedrooms.  Around 1850 one room was converted to a private chapel.  “This alteration was designed by Pugin, one of the foremost Church architects of the period and was regarded as a special feature of Power Hall.” The house was renamed Power Hall. We believe based on David O’Neill Power’s death notice the name change occurred after his death in 1863. Snowhill continued in the ownership of O’Nell Power family until 1953. The new owner Richard Power (no relation) had it demolished about 1955 due to its poor condition. (Jim Walsh (2001) “Snowhill House and Estate,” in Sliabh Rua: A History of its People and Places, p. 429.)

Commission de Lunatico Inquirendo—13 October 1835

On the 13^th of October 1835, “a highly respectable jury, of whom Alderman Arthur Perrin was foreman, was empanelled in the Court of Appeals, Four Courts, to determine if David O’Neill Power was sane. Master Townsend and Messrs Mitford and Beatty were the commissioners. The petitioner was identified as Edward O’Neill Power, the middle son. His barrister, Mr Moore addressed the commissioners and the jury and asked that they determine whether David O’Neill Power was sane, to determine which periods he had been sane, and determine the extent of his property, real and personal as well as his heirs of law and next of kin.

By way of background the jury was informed that “the gentleman, who was alleged to be a lunatic,” was 50 years of age, a widower, his wife having died several years before; his family consisted of three sons, the youngest was still under age; and the two eldest had only lately attained the age of twenty-one.  The barrister went on to state that David was a gentleman possessed of considerable property in landed estates, but all of his life he was a person of “weak intellect.”

 In 1822 David went with his family to France and took up his residence in Paris. He appeared to have become insane. “It being ascertained that he was possessed of property, he got into the hands of evil designing person, and he parted with some of his property under circumstances” leaving no doubt he was not capable of managing his affairs. Although a commission of lunacy was considered in 1822 it was determined that it might be better for his family that he not be declared a lunatic at that time. His property was entrusted to trustees, and he was not allowed the management or direction of his own property affairs.

It was explained that the petitioner and his elder brother Nicholas were not happy with how their father’s property was being administered, or with the degree of attention that was paid to their father. Two witnesses William Rounan and Patrick Hogan were examined however the newspaper account does not indicate what their said. Master Townsend adjourned the court and ordered that a communication be sent to Nicholas O’Neill Power informing him of the case. It was noted that he was at his father’s residence in Kilkenny (Saunders’s News Letter, Wed. 14 Oct. 1835, p. 1).

Commission de Lunatico Inquirendo—23 October 1835

Witness 1: Dr. Harty

The investigation resumed. The first witness called by the Petitioner was Dr. Harty.

Dr. Harty testified that he was asked to visit David O’Neill Power in August 1835 at his residence in County Kilkenny, near Waterford to assess his condition. The doctor stated he conversed with David very freely. He was introduced to David as Mr. Hart because he did not want to disclose his profession or mission. He opined that he had every opportunity during his visit to judge David’s state of mind. In his opinion David was both weak in mind and deranged in intellect and was not capable of managing his affairs.

The newspaper account reported in detail what the doctor observed during his visit. When Dr. Hartly arrived he was introduced to the family. He was speaking to Nicholas, the eldest son, when Edward, the petitioner, introduced the doctor to his father David. David took the doctor by his hand and entered into a conversation with the doctor. David was scarcely seat when he talked very loudly to himself regarding matters the doctor could not follow. It was a fine summer’s day, and it was proposed that the family and their guest should take an excursion down the river in a boat. The ladies of the family promised to go on the boat. The doctor reported that David, with a knowing wink, objected to waiting for the ladies, and said, “let them remain where they are.”  David took the helm of the boat, under the guidance of Hogan (his keeper) and the men sailed to Dunbrody Abbey.

During the trip David was childish, and exclaimed, “D—-n the rascal! I wish he were hanged.” The doctor asked if David was alluding to Hogan and David replied, “Oh I thought it was you who said it.” David was observed constantly slapping his stomach. When asked why he did it David replied, “to keep down the flesh.” When they landed at the Abbey, they examined the building, and sat in the shade. Hogan produced some wine and bread. David then commenced talking incoherently about his property and woods. David denied that he received rent and spoke about shots being fired. David did not appear to be concerned about his safety “because his mind did not dwell for any time upon any one subject.”

At times David would speak rationally during casual conversation. At dinner that evening he sat at the foot of the table and spoke incoherently to himself. The remainder of the evening was spent listening to music which David seemed fond of. David amused himself by playing tricks on the young ladies. David showed perfect obedience to Hogan who appeared to act as David’s keeper.

Witness 2: Lady Maria Cecilia Browne

Lady Browne testified that she was David’s sister-in-law. She knew him for many years because he was married to her sister. In 1816 she did not think that he was insane. “He was not in very good circumstances” before his father’s death which occurred in 1816. Lady Browne explained that he was in the habit of drinking which made him noisy and violent when drunk. She spent two months in the household before her sister died in 1818. Lady Browne believed that he was capable of managing his affairs at that time. He made a settlement for her sister the day before she died of £1,200 a year for her three destitute children. There was no settlement made before the marriage.

In 1822, Lady Browne considered him sane, but noted that he was imposed upon by everyone. By 1828 he was not making any rational use of money and appeared to be insane. Lady Browne visited in 1830 and last saw him in 1831 when she stayed six or seven weeks at his home. “He fancied that there were persons constantly under his window, abusing him, and cracking whips.” He wanted to burn his title deeds. David would remove his shoes and dance to music. She witnessed him crushing the hat of Mr. William Rowan in 1830. She also related that there is a picure at Snowhill of the Virgin and Child, which David believed was a drawing of one of Lady Browne’s friends. Mr Rowan warned Lady Browne of David’s propensity of “secreting articles.” David took her spectacles, shawl and gloves. She found him one day in a closet where he was burning some of her vouchers. Lady Browne summed up,  “I would not trust him with the rational expenditure of a pound.”

Third Witness: Denis Doyle

Denis Doyle testified that he was a gardener at Snowhill since April 1831. Being engaged by Mr. David O’Neill Power, he frequently saw him. Denis noted that he often heard his employer talking to himself. The gardener reported that on at least 50 occasions David stated that “his insanity lies in the suspicion of his being taken by some persons who have the charge of his property.” David expressed fear of a sheriff’s bailiff or a policeman, and of red cuffs and red collars. Since May of 1835 David was placed under the direction of Hogan, whom he dreads. Denis testified that Nicholas and Edward Power placed their father under Hogan’s care. Denis opined that from what he observed of Mr. Power, he is insane. By way of example, David once asked Denis for a spade because he wanted to bury some bills. The gardener agreed that the mansion was in good condition and Mr. Power appeared to be comfortable and “well off since Hogan is minding him.” He noted that Mr. Power talks about bagpipes being played across the river at Cheap-point (sic). The witness knew there is a public house and there may be dances, but he never heard bagpipes. (Saunders’s News-Letter, Sat. 24 October 1835, p. 2).

Commission De Lunatico Inquirendo—27 October 1835

The investigation  resumed on Tuesday the 27^th of October 1835. Captain Thomas Pratt Barlow and Lady Browne were examined regarding a trust deed executed in Paris by Mr. Power in 1822. A lengthy conversation took place as to whether another medical man should examine David regarding his state of mind. Surgeon Cusack was the agreed doctor. The Solicitor-General expressed his readiness to produce Mr. Power in person to the jury. (Saunders’s News-Letter, Wed. 28 Oct. 1835, p. 2).

Commission De Lunatico Inquirendo—19 November 1835

The jury in the case of Mr. Power, after hearing counsel for and against the petition, and also a very able and elaborate charge from Master Townsend, returned the following verdict, “We find that David O’Neill Power is of unsound mind, and incapable of managing his affairs, and had been so since February 1823, with the exception of a lucid interval on the 18^th August 1823. The jury meets this day to find the amount of the property, real and personal, and the heir or heirs belonging to the lunatic (Saunder’s News-Letter, Wed. 18 Nov. 1835, p. 2). That Nicholas O’Neil Power, his eldest son, is heir-at-law, and that the said Nicholas, together with Edward and Joseph O’Neil Power, his other sons, are his only next of kin, and that the said Edward O’Neil Power (sic) [David] had lands in Tipperary, Kilkenny and Waterford, with an annual value of £4,000 and upwards and that he had personal property of £5,000 and upwards (The Pilot, Friday 20 Nov. 1835).

Thus the jury by its findings, after at least four days of hearings, endorsed the prior arrangments of providing an annual income to his sons and the work of the trustees by finding that David was sane when crucial agreements were entered into. No record could be located that David was ever found to be sane after 1835.

The Death of David O’Neill Power

David died at Snowhill on the 19^th of August 1863. It was reported that although he had been labouring for some time under “mental aberration” he died suddenly of disease of the heart. An inquest was held on Monday by T. Izod, Esq. county coroner, and on the evidence of the servants and Dr. P.E. Connolly a verdict of “death from natural causes” was returned (Waterford Standard, Sat. 5 Sept. 1863, p. 3).

Below is the obituary that appeared in the Waterford News (Fri. 4 Sept 1863, p. 3).

Died at his residence, Snow Hill, county Kilkenny, on the afternoon of the 29^th of August. David O’Neill Power, Esq. the venerable head of that ancient and highly respectable branch of the steadfast Catholic Powers. The deceased gentleman was born at the old family mansion at Williamstown, near this city, about 80 years since, and although he had been for a considerable period in a delicate state of health, yet his death was, we regret to state, quite sudden and unexpected at the moment.

On Tuesday morning last, his remains were taken out for interment, and after High Mass and Office had been celebrated for the eternal repose of his soul, at which the Lord Bishop of Ossory, the Right Rev. Dr. Walsh, presided, assisted by several clergymen from his diocese and from Waterford, they were deposited with those of his grandchildren in the graveyard at Slieverue. The funeral cortege was very numerous and respectable stretching from the door of the magnificent mansion of Snow Hill along the avenue which winds through the splendid demesne out far on the high road, the numerous tenancy of the estate on horseback and foot, leading the way, followed by many respectable citizens of Waterford, Tramore etc. and then the carriages of several of the gentry of Waterford and Kilkenny.

Following the chief mourners were the Bishop and clergy, and next a large number of vehicles and occupants, the entire line of procession being marked with the funeral emblems of hat bands and scarfs which were worn until the funeral service was complete, and all that was mortal of David O’Neill Power, Esq., had been consigned to their last earthly home. Requiescat in pace. The deceased is succeeded in his estate by his son, Nicholas O’Neill Power, Esq.

The National Library has several photos in the Poole Collection of Snowhill House/Power Hall as well as several photos of some of David O’Neill Power’s descendents. Click here for the Catologue search page. For a list of Ballinlammy tenants in 1829 see our post of 14 December 2022.  

Please send any corrections or further information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.

Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh