James Aylward (c. 1831-1916)

[updated]

The families of Glenmore, like so many other families in agricultural parishes across Ireland watched their young people leave to seek opportunities elsewhere. Families tended to be large, and farms could generally only support one family. Often the eldest son was earmarked for the family farm and his siblings left. Sometimes the young people went across oceans to settle in Australia, Canada or the US. Many went to England and some sought their livings in New Ross and Waterford. Today, we are going to feature John Aylward (1870-1929) a native of Rochestown, Glenmore who went to Waterford to learn the grocery trade and became a successful businessman. Notwithstanding his success in business his love of the land appears to have remained with him. He purchased a farm five miles outside of Waterford City, in Kilcop, Woodstown, Co. Waterford.

Rochestown, Glenmore

John Aylward was born on the 16^th of February 1870 to James Aylward (farmer) Rochestown and Mary Aylward née Aylward. John’s parents were married at Ballyknock, Rosbercon on the 12^th of February 1857. As highlighted in our previous post of  24 January 2022, Mary Aylward née Aylward was a cousin of Edward Walsh (1862-1946) the proprietor of the Munster Express.

John Aylward and his wife, Mary Aylward née Aylward, had at least 11 children including: (1) Patrick Aylward (1858-1928) of Kill; (2) Ellen Aylward (b. 1859); (3) Tobias Aylward (b. 1860); (4) Catherine Aylward (b. 1862); (5) John Aylward (c. 1863/1864); (6) Thomas Aylward (b. 1865); (7) Bridget Aylward (b. 1867); (8) James Aylward (b. 1868); (9) John Aylward (1870-1929) of No. 1 Arundel Square, Waterford; (9) James Aylward (b. 1872); (10) Rev. Michael Aylward (b. 1874)(Christian Bros. Australia) and (11) Bartholomew Aylward (1876-1929) of Michael St. Waterford.  As often happened in large families if a child died a younger sibling was often given the name of the deceased sibling.

The Aylward farm where James and Mary Aylward raised their family in Rochestown, Glenmore is presently owned by Paul Harney and his wife Ann Marie (née Doherty). Paul’s mother was Nellie Aylward (c. 1934-2011), the granddaughter of James Aylward (1872-1959). Nellie married Michael Harney (c. 1924-1996) of Co. Waterford. Interestingly Michael Harney had Glenmore roots prior to his marriage as he was the grandson of one of the Hoynes of Glenmore.

Aylward’s of the Square

John Aylward (1870-1929) moved to Waterford City about 1889 as apprentice to the grocery trade with the late Mr. Philip Murphy (Irish Examiner, Fri. 1 March 1929, p. 13.) About five years later his brother Bartholomew (1876-1929) also moved to Waterford as an apprentice to the grocery trade, but he went to James Knox (c. 1836-1904) of 1 Arundel Square to learn the trade.  After the apprenticeship period the brothers purchased premises at Peter St. and opened a business there. The 1901 Census records John (29) and Bartholomew (23) living at No. 1 Peter St., Waterford. Also in the household was Mary Wyse (53) a widow who was their domestic servant. John was a grocer & publican while Bartholomew was a grocer’s assistant. The building was listed as a “public house” and the three occupants occupied 2 of the 5 rooms. Later, John Aylward took over the Knox Arundel Square premises and Bartholomew went into business by himself on Michael Street (Munster Express, Fri. 19 April 1929, p. 8).

On the 30^th of April 1901 John Aylward (shopkeeper) married Margaret Raftice (1877-1922) (shop assistant) at St. Patrick’s Church, Waterford City. The bride was the daughter of Nicholas Raftice and his wife Joanna Fitzpatrick. Margaret Aylward née Raftice was born on the 25 April 1877 at Thomastown. Her father Nicholas was a cooper when she was born, but the marriage record reflects that he was a farmer. In the 1901 Census Margaret Raftice was 23 years of age, a confectioner, and a visitor in William Fitzpatrick’s public house, No. 10 Black Friar’s. It is assumed that William Fitzpatrick was Margaret’s uncle. William Fitzpatric was 58, a grocer and spirits trader and was born in Kilkenny.

At least 14 children were born to John and Margaret Aylward (per the obituary of their son James (Munster Express, 28 Dec. 1990, p. 8).   The known children include: (1) Nicholas Aylward (1904-1964) born at 2 Peter St., Waterford City; (2) Mary Josephine “Mai” Aylward (b. 1905); (3) James Joseph Aylward (b. 1902); (3) Johanna Aylward (b. 1906); (4) James Aylward (b. 1907); (5) Michael Aylward (b. 1908); (6) Ellen Aylward (b. 1909); (7) Margaret Mary Aylward (b. 1911); (8) Catherine (b. 1912) born at Kilcop, parish of Killea, Waterford; (9) Brigid Aylward (1914-1922) born and died at Kilcop; (10) John Aylward; (11) Bernard Aylward; (c. 1916); (12) Bartholomew Aylward (c. 1919 -1939) and (13) Teresa Aylward. Unfortunately, Irish birth records after 1917 are not available to the public. However, from the births of John & Margaret’s children we know that John acquired 1 Arundel Square about 1905 and Kilcop House & farm about 1912.

James Knox (c. 1836-1904) of 1 Arundel Square was a native of Ullid, Kilmacow, Kilkenny. He moved to Waterford City and became a grocer and tea, wine and spirits merchant. Knox was an alderman and became mayor of Waterford in 1897.  Thanks to the advertised public sale of the Knox business we have details concerning John Aylward’s business commencing. The following details are from the Munster Express (3 Sept. 1904, p. 5) “No. 1 Arundel Square, Waterford Re: Alderman James Knox, Deceased. Executor’s Sale of Valuable 7 day Licensed Premises; Highly Important to Grocers, Tea, Wine and Spirit Merchants. Lease, 115 years; rent £19 10 s License £11.

To be sold by public auction as a going concern, on the premises on Tuesday 20^th Sept. 1904 at 12 o’clock by the direction of the Executors of the late Alderman James Knox. The valuable leasehold interest and good will (with the benefit of the fillings which deceased held for many years from John Jameson and Sons, Ltd) and extensive business concerns at present in full working order, and doing a most lucrative trade, known as No. 1, Arundel Square, Waterford.

The shop is double-fronted, fitted with plate glass windows, new counters, shelves, drawers, and gas; front and side entrances; bottling room, store, etc.; hall and staircase, breakfast room and dining room, drawing room, 3 bedrooms, attic, kitchen, yard and w.c. All held under Lease from the Waterford Corporation for an unexpired term of 115 years, at the nominal rent of £19 10s. per annum; License £11.

The premises are situated in the centre of the city, close to Barronstrand street, and command a large proportion of the City of Waterford and Co. Kilkenny trade. The shop is admirably fitted with every accommodation for the carrying on a first-class wholesale wine, whiskey and Family Grocer’s Business. The entire premises are complete and in perfect order, not requiring one penny outlay. The attention of intending purchasers of licensed property is invited to this sale, as no better house, situation, and nominal rent has been offered in Waterford for many years.  Immediate possession will be given. Immediately after will be sold the Stock-in-Trade of tea, sugar, fruit, sauces and miscellaneous items appertaining to the trade. Whiskey barrels, glasses, measures, pump, scales, weights, tea bins and canisters, Iron safe, truck, forms, chairs, tables and some few articles of furniture. P.A. Murphy solicitor and Thomas Walsh & Son, Auctioneers.”

The 1911 Census reveals that John was 40 and Maggie was 33. The couple had 6 children under the age of 8.  Also present in the household were three young men (grocer assistant and 2 grocer apprentices); and two young women (a cook and nurse maid). The premises were listed as No. 1 & 2 of Arundel Square. It was a first class house and the 13 members of the household occupied 9 rooms.

1922

Sometime around 1912 John Aylward bought Kilcop House and farm although No. 1 Arundel Square appears to have remained the official address of the family. On the 5^th of February 1922 his daughter Brigid Aylward died. Although the newspapers extended sympathy to Mr. and Mrs. John Aylward, Arundel Square on the death of their 8 year old daughter in the flu epidemic, the death certificate reveals that Brigid died at Kilcop. The child died of bronchial pneumonia which may have been a complication of the flu. Her mother Margaret was present when she died (Munster Express, 11 Feb. 1922).

Just 7 months later Margaret Aylward née Raftice died on the 7^th of September 1922 at Kilcop. Margaret was only 44 years of age. The death registry records that she died of TB. Margaret’s obituary notes that she “belonged to good old South Kilkenny stock,” (Munster Express, Sat. 16 Sept. 1922, p. 4). Before the end of the month John placed the Kilcop property for sale. The advertisement for the sale in the Waterford News & Star (Fri. 22 Sept. 1922, p. 3) reflects details of the property as well as John’s apparent wealth.

“Kilcop Lower—within 5 miles of Waterford and 1 mile of Woodstown Strand

Mr. John Aylward (owing to a recent family bereavement has instructed us to sell by public auction, on the lands, on Tuesday, 26^th September 1922, at 12 o’clock, the interest in his valuable holding at Kilcop Lower containing 44a. 24r. 0p., S.M. of prime grass and tillage land, on which is erected a first class two storeyed dwellinghouse. It contains entrance hall, dining room fitted with ornamental mantelpiece, drawing room with white marble mantelpiece, stair case, 6 bedrooms, 2 servants’ rooms, kitchen with Stanley range, scullery, pantry, store room, fruit and vegetable garden. FARMYARD—stables, lofted; coach house, barn, dairy, boiler house, cow and cattle houses, slated and in good repair. All held in fee simple subject to an annuity of £18 11s. 2d. payable to the Irish Land Commission; also a Tithe Rent Charge of £1 11s. 4d. per annum. Poor law valuation, £40 3s. 0d. The Crops: about 5 ½ acres potatoes, turnips mangolds and cabbage will be included in the sale of the lands. This is a most compact holding, highly manured, well fenced and watered. Immediately after will be sold: 3 dairy cows, 5 calves, 2 goats, quantity of poultry, bay gelding, 5 years, trained to all work. Bay Mare, 4 years, most promising, trained to all work; two handsome ponies, 3 and one year old. Crops—Rick 2^nd crop hay, about 7 tons; 8 large stacks of oats. Farm Implements—sociable trap and harness, saddle and bridle, training gear, trap cart with sideboards (equal to new), spare wheels, 2 sets of tackling, back straps and chains, plough, scuffler, the Victor Mower and reaper, spring and double harrows, stone roller, chaff cutter, turnip cutter, wheelbarrow, set of creels, large metal pot, 2 pig trough tubs, larch posts, crosscut saw, hammers. Stable requisites, dairy utensils, churn, pans, tins, galvanised iron tank to hold 150 gallons, ladders, etc. Household Furniture: 6 Mahogany chairs in hair cloth, lounge, dining table, side table press, brass fender, c? vase overmantel, oilcloth, oil painting ship “Drumeraig” off the harbour, metal umbrella stand, side table, oilcloth, lamps, 6 double and single iron bedsteads, spring palliasses, hair mattresses, 2 feather beds, chairs, wardrobes, chest of drawers, window hangings and poles, kitchen tables, chairs etc. Immediate and clear possession together with the root crops now growing on the land will be given to the purchaser. For further particulars apply to P. R. Buggy, Solicitor, O’Connell St., Waterford or to Thomas Walsh & Son, Auctioneers and Valuers, The Mall, Waterford.”

1929

After Margaret’s death John did not remarry and the family lived above the business at 1 Arundel Square. In November 1928 his brother Patrick died in Kill, Co. Waterford (Irish Examiner, Tues. 27, Nov. 1928, p. 8). On the 28^th of February 1929, at the age of 59 John died from pancreatic cancer. His brother, Bartholomew Aylward died on the 12^th of April at his residence, Michael Street (Munster Express, Fri. 19 April 1929, p. 8). The death register records his cause of death as stomach cancer. Thus within 5 months three of the Aylward brothers raised in Rochestown, Glenmore died in 1929.

In a future post we will reveal what happened to the children of John and Margaret Aylward of No. 1 Arundel Square, Waterford.

For posts concerning other Glenmore men who had grocery, wine and spirit businesses in Waterford see: William Aylward of Parkstown, Glenmore discussed in our post of 21 June 2020, and Nicholas Forristal Phelan (1857-1942) posted on 24 January 2021.

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

Updated 16 Oct. 2022: The featured photo above is James Aylward (c. 1835-1916) and Mary Alyward née Aylward (c. 1838-1908) of Rochestown, Glenmore. Special thanks to their great-grandson John Aylward for sharing today his family tree and photos.

Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh