1841 Cork County election, Shenanigans, Patrick O’Sullivan, Millcove, Senescahal, leading Conservative party from Castletown Berehaven on Schooner ‘Sophia’ to Bantry via Adrigole, Leaving Bantry 4am, Breakfast in Dunmanway , Bandon 2pm.  Attacked by Mobs in Bantry, Bandon and Upton, Parish Priest of Bantry Father Barry and his Curate Father Ragley pass through Bandon in a Coach Greatly crowded, Festooned with Handkerchiefs, Branches Of Trees Waving, A Great Deal of Noise.

The losing parties in the election Messrs Leader and Longfield (to Daniel O’Connell and Roche) petitioned Parliament to investigate the election.

This is from the evidence of Patrick O’Sullivan, Agent for the Bereaven Estates of Lord Bantry and his English Bankers. He was bringing a party of mostly Catholic Tenants and middle men to Cork to vote.   The questioning of him suggest an element of undue influence on his part as most of the Catholic electors voted for o’Connell and Roche.  Longfield paid the expenses of the voters.

The appendices give the voters.

 

Although the O’Sullivan lands were forfeit for rebellion, most of their area remained under their de facto control in either the Bantry/White or Kenmare Estates with the families being agents or middle men well into the mid 19th century.

https://durrushistory.com/2012/09/17/letter-to-the-earl-of-bantry-1854-criticising-his-conduct-towards-his-tenants-or-a-warning-to-english-purchasers-of-the-perils-of-the-irish-incumbered-estates-court-exemplified-in-the-purchase-by/

 

 

1836 Patrick O’Sullivan Seneschal of Altham, Mill Cove, Berehaven, Bantry and Donemark from 1843. Millcove, Castletownbere. Either Lord Bantry or the Kenmare estate appointed. Not legally qualified. Parliamentary Report 1837, Eppi. Baronial collector since 1825 deputy Denis Murphy (Irish speaking) as collector. Ran Berehaven Esatte for Lord Bantry and his Englis Bankers, Somers Payne ran the rest. In 1841 election rounded up tenants and middlemen from Castletown and Adrigole to vote in the Conservative interest in Cork.

 

 

 

 

 

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