Dean Swift ‘A Patriot is One Who enables 2 Blades of Grass Grow where 1 Grew Before’. Sir Richard Griffith Road Engineer, Fits the Bill. 1824 Progress Report, Skibbereen/Bantry, Skibbereen/Crookhaven, Castletownbere/Glengariff, Kenmare/Bantry.
Griffith’s ‘Wellesley Roads’ included Skibbereen to Crookhaven, 46 km. built between 1826 and 1829 and costing £13,466,
Continued here and elsewhere in Griffith’s reports is progress following the completion of the roads, new houses in Castletownbere, three story stone houses and larger fishing vessels. On the Mizen peninsula before the road no wheeled vehicles, there alos the only place in Ireland outside of Ulster he had poor Protestants labouring on the roads.
Griffiths Cork projects known as the ‘Wellesley Roads’ included Skibbereen to Crookhaven, 46 km. built between 1826 and 1829 and costing £13,466, Bantry to Skibbereen, Crookhaven to Bantry and the road to north Cork to Banteer. His works are characterised by a high degree of engineering excellence. It was said that in building bridges he insisted on going to bed rock for foundations, the Grand Jury contractors would be happy with building on gravel resulting in so many were washed away in floods. His schemes highlights the deficiencies of the Grand Jury system and might be looked at like the recently completed motorway schemes in Ireland. The effects were dramatic, on the Mizen Peninsula they first wheeled carts made their appearance. Alexander Nimmo (1783-1832), the Scots Engineer who was also involved said the North Cork Road opened up the entire area to commerce with a beneficial result.
His colleague Alexander Nimmo a Scots Engineer reported on the opening of the road over the Boggeragh Mountain. The the whole area of North West Cork and East Kerry was accessible to the Cork market with general prosperity following. Nimmo was scathing on Captain O’Sullivan, a Landlord and road contractor on the road works around Glengarriff. He paid his workers who were his tenants in vouchers redeemable against rent.
The common perception is that the tithes were owned by the Church of Ireland clergy. They certainly owned some but many were owned by lay impropriators non clerical. Here among those are the Duke of Devonshire, the Earl of Shannon who are descendants of Richard Boyle the Great Earl of Cork. He acquired many of the parochial tithes of Cork in the early 17the century. Lord Riversdale is of the extended Hull family of Leamcon, Schull associates of Boyle. Often the Clergy mortgaged or leased the tithes sometimes to wealthy Catholic businessmen.
CSO/RP/1832/4660. Letter from A O’Driscoll, Shepperton, [County Cork], to Maj William Miller, [Inspector General], forwarding threatening and anti tithe notices [extant] posted in Drimoleague [Dromdaleague] and reporting on outrages in his area and recommending the strengthening of the military in the area
1832, Drimoleague, Anti Tithe Notice Posted ‘Dear Nebour Pay No Tythe Money Go According to Pereshners if Not Make Your Will or You be Beheaded Quartered and Gelded’
Judging by the Chief Secretary papers the country was on the verge of insurrection in 1832 because of the tithes. The first district to be rid of tithes was Durrus/KIlcrohane. Among those who masterminded the campaign was Timothy O’Donovan, a wealthy Catholic Landlord sn Magistrate of O’Donovan’s Cove. O’Driscoll was part owner of the Durrus tithes with Durrus Landlord Nathaniel Evanson and the Rev. Alcock. On one day their heavies tithe proctor, drivers) collected the entire arrears. The Parish Priest Father Quin had refused to pay tithes adn the tithe proctor was about to seize his furniture including his bed but were restrained by Fr. Quin’s Protestant neighbours.
Captain Alexander O’Driscoll, 1827, Clover Hill, Superseded 1810-30, Restored 1843. Norton Cottage, Skibbereen (two of the same name at time), Ancestor Alexander married daughter of McFineen Dubh O’Sullivan, son of Tim ‘The Gauger’, sister Mrs Freke of Baltimore Castle. 1820 signed Memorial for new road Glengariff to Castletownbere. Married to the daughter of Thomas Attridge, Ballydehob. Correspondence with Chief Secretary appealing dismissal of 1820. Bridge at Bawnlahan 1820. 1822 subscriber as Clover Hill, Church Building Fund Durrus, he held tithes in Kilcrohane with Rector and Rev. Alleyn Evanson. Present at enquiry Skibbereen 1823 into enquiry into fatal affray at Castlehaven caused by Rev. Morritt’s tithe extraction. Grand Jury Presentments attending 12 from 1838-1840 at Norton Cottage. Probably engaged with his crew in marine salvage of Clio out of Crookhaven 1825. 1826 City election voted O’Callaghan conservative. Voted 1835 election as out of town Freeman address Shepperton. Public support for him on dismissal 1835 by fellow Magistrates Lord Bantry, Simon White, John Puxley, Samuel Townsend Senior, Samuel Townsend Junior, Hugh Lawton, Thomas Somerville, Rev. Alleyn Evanson, Richard Townsend Senior. Enquiry attended in Bandon 1841 into suspension arising from conduct with Stipendiary Magistrate J. Gore Jones and Sub-Inspector Andrew Creagh attended Earl of Bandon, Lord Viscount Bernard, on. H. White Hedges, Macroom Castle, Henry Bernard, Castle Barnard, Abraham Morris Dunkettle, Captain Henry Wallis, Drishane Castle, Lieutenant Colonel St. John Clerke, Overton House, William Cooke Wallis Junior, Castlecook, Mathias Hendley, Mountrivers, Henry Leader, Mount Leader, George Browne, Coolcower, St. Ledger Aldworth, Newmarket, Charles Evanson, Carlemont, Cork, Sir Thomas Deane, Thomas Hungerford, The Island, Nicholas Dunscomb, Mount Desert, Richard Henry Hedges Becher, Hollybrook, Skibbereen, John Isaac Heard, Kinsale, John Wheeler, Junior, James Gillman, Retreat, MD, Clonakilty, Thomas Herrick, Coolkerry, Captain R.A. Rogers, Petersfield, Michael Gallway, Gurtnagreena, John Nason, G. Nagle, Ballinamona Castle, Samuel Wallis Goold Adams, Jamesbrook, Jeremiah E. McCarthy, Rathduane, William F. Austen, Greenshela, Thomas R. Sarsfield, Ducloyne, Arthur Pery Aylmer, Castlefreke, Thomas Cuthbert Kearney, Garretstown, Joseph Haynes, Maryland House, Charles Connell, Cloverhill, John Barter, Cooldaniel, Francis G. Woodley, Leeds, Lawrence Corban, Maryville, E. Millett, MD, Cove. 1841 supported Conservative Longfield Longueville, Mallow even though Catholic hosted meeting attending John Ross, Rossford, Thomas Morris, Mahonagh, Thomas Wood, Dereeny, Listed 1838, dead….. with address Mount Music/Bunaulin, Caheragh when daughter Kate married Herbert Baldwin Esq., 1845. 1835 Subscriber at Gortnascrena, Skibbereen, Lewis Topographical Dictionary of Ireland 1837. Suspended for a period as J.P. reinstated after altered by a sitting of over 70 Magistrates in Bandon from both political sides. 1828 Bandon Quarter Sessions. His lands managed by Bird. Member Provisional Committee projected Bandon to Bantry Railway 1845, address Norton Cottage. Believed to have been committed to a debtors prison in Cork by his wine merchant where he died. Norton Cottage was lived in once by Dr. O’Donovan, J.P., and bought 1925 by Jasper Woulfe, Solicitor, Crown Prosecutor and TD,
1822. From Diary of Richard O’Donovan, of Bawnlahan, (Bán Chlocháin), Skibbereen, Co. Cork, Ireland, said the Whiteboys had been caught in a pitched battle with police and troops on January 25th nine had been found guilty of Insurrection Act and hanged. This was prompted by an Excise raid on a Poteen Making Operation which developed into a running battle with the Whiteboys. Some Local Customs Personnel.
Attempt to build new bridge at Bealkenmar (Béal Cinn Mara). Covenant in leases to fertilize with 4 boat of sea sand, he builds his own Sand Boat. Mr Hull calls with News of Failure of Roche’s and Leslies Bank in Cork. Bawnlahan Fair, Ascension Thursday. Flax grown on Estate. Various varieties of early Potato. Tree Planting , Landed by Boat from Cork.
Manor Court Decree” taken by Richard Connell against Edward Butler, both of Kealfada, County Cork, demonstrating that the legal costs far outstrip the amount of the original debt; decree originally signed by John Sweetnam, seneschal [of Aghadown and Schull Manors], 4 October 1823.
Francis Jobson’s Map of West Cork, 1589 including Cape Clear (Iniskyran), Baltimore, O’Driscolls, Rosbrin, Crookhaven, Bantry, Muintervara land of Rymers (O’Daly’s Bardic School), O’Sullivan Bere, Priest’s Leap.
1825, Travails of Blair Family of Blairs Cove, Durrus, with some McCarthy/Patrickson Genealogies.
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CSO/RP/1825/1634. Petition of William Blair, late lieutenant, south Cork regiment of militia, Galway, County Galway, to Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquis Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant, Dublin Castle, requesting appointment of himself or his son to a situation of employment under government. Recall his own loyal contribution to the crown having served for a period of 25 years in the Cork militia and stresses his need to provide for the interests of an elderly mother and family of 7 children. Claims his brother, Thomas Blair, acted as naval surgeon for 19 years on the ship ‘Majestic’ and was ‘present with Lord Nelson at the Battle of the Nile’. He also refers to the military service and sacrifices of three other brothers. With attached certificate in his favour from Richard White, 1st earl of Bantry, County Cork.
Half Pay Officer on 2s 6 pence a day insufficient to make provision oe educate family of 3 boys, oldest 17 and 4 girls and a delicate wife.
Brother Thomas Blair, a Ships Surgeon on Majestic and other ships. Served with Nelson at the Battle of the Nile died as a consequence of disease contacted while on service.
Alexander Blair, for 6 years a mid ship man in the British Navy
Another brother an Ensign in the 11th Regiment of Foot, died in consequence of fatigue
4th brother Charles Blair, lost his life in the West Indies
A recent loss of property the principal reason for soliciting your Excellency’s aid
The late Paddy O’Keeffe estimated that around 1820 there were around 22 half pay officers in the Bantry area. Post the Battle of Waterloo there was a huge reduction in the British Military forces.
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Under lease 1783. Three lives renewable for 99 years.
This refers to the above lease.
The lives in the lease 31st Jany. 1783 mentioned above were: Richard Blair, aged 14 years, William Blair 13 years, Hamilton Blair, 8 years
FRom a descendant: William Blair, the Attorney, was also a Lieutenant in the South Cork Militia and born in Bantry in 1862. He was the brother of my 4 x Gt Grandparent Sarah White Blair, born 1755 & Reverend Daniel Blair, 1755-1828. Sarah White’s Brother, William Blair of Bantry was born on 20 December 1795. Richard Blair of Blair’s Cove, 1758-1855 was my 5 X Gt Uncle and Father of Richard Lewis Blair, 1793-1858. Catherine Blair, Richard Lewis Blair’s wife, was born in 1803. Elizabeth Lewis, b 1768, was the wife of Richard Blair of Blair’s Cove, 1758-1855. Hamilton Blair, b 1776, was the youngest son of Richard Blair, 17720-1791, and his wife Honora, nee Pattison, my 5 x Gt Grandparents.
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HI sister Sarah married Daniel McCarthy, late Parish Priest Durrus, from whom a very large number of world wide descendants :
Patrickson monument in St. Mary’s Church, Dunmanway, West Cork. Here are Deposited the Bodies of Rev. John Patrickson, AM, Chantor of the Cathedral of Cloyne and Ross who Died 1717 aged 73, Martha his daughter By Frances Daughter of Sir Emanuel Moore Bart, and His 2nd Wife daughter of Colonel Robert Phaire Died 1717, Among connected Families: Blairs of Blair’s Cove, Durrus, Children and Descendants of Father/Rev. Daniel McCarthy (Muclagh) and Sarah Blair, Clearys of Dunbeacon, Durrus.
The case was brought by John Jagoe, B.L. on behalf of his wife Anne Dowe. The case concerned the authenticity of a will and related to former Coughlan lands at Carrigmamanus.
1844 Jagoe V Hungerford. Throwing light on Genealogy of Mizen Peninsula Genealogies of mid 18th Century Middlemen, Coughlan, Dowe, Driscoll/O’Driscoll
Ann Dowe was the maternal great granddaughter of Charles Coughlan. His son Richard married Miss Anne Driscoll 1768. Through the O’Driscoll connection the family is connected to a large network of O’Driscoll network of middlemen on Mizen, Skibbereen, Creagh, Caheragh, Catholic and Protestant. Another possibly son Benjamin and Jeremiah. Richard and two sons Richard and Cornelius who died without issue and a sister Alice who married Mr. Josiah Dowe in 1793, their eldest son Richard who died without issue as did Alice and through his daughters were parties to the action, Mrs. Jagoe and Alice Jagoe. Jeremiah Coughlan was a brother of Charles Coughlan and Joshua Dowe was in occupation of the Carrigmanus estate for many years.
Post 1768 Charles Coughlan sons, Benjamin, Richard 1768, married Miss Driscoll marriage settlement lands at Gurrycurihane and Carrigmanus, Richard Coughlan’s Cornelius d 1798, Richard d 1804, daughter Alice m 1803, Joshua Dowe, their daughters Alice and Miss Dowe married John Jagoe, Barrister, Bantry. 1844 Court Action Cork Assizes unsuccessful to recover lands at Carrigmanus
Possibly of extended family:
Magistrate, Daniel Coghlan, Seaview, Kilmoe, Lloyd’s Agent, later J.P. brother Naval Commander Jeremiah Coghlan, gun certificate, Crookhaven (Small Landlords, Protestant since 1600), member fishery committee, alleged to have been a smuggler.
Convert Rolls, Driscoll, West Carbery:
Cornelius Driscoll/Driscole, Gent 1766 Skull of West Carbery Dr. Casey has a marriage 1770 Cornelius Driscoll and Rebecca Williamson Appears in 1766 deed for 3 ploughlands from Richard William Hull, Gunpoint. 1766 Cornelius, Denis, Timothy Driscoll make over 3 ploughlands at Dunbeacon to John Townsend
Alexander O’Driscoll Landlord, Magistrate, Skibbereen, In trouble Again before the Lord Chancellor, He Had 40 Men Dig the Potatoes Of a Defaulting Tenant, while there cattle from a neighbouring farm strayed and were seized by his Drivers, Another Incident of Whipping a Boy on the Hunt. Maintains a Local Vendetta Against Him. Charges Concocted by a certain class of Individuals named ‘The Arbitration Committee of the Repeal Association’ consisting of A Dealer of Tapes and Small Cottons, A Village Schoolmaster, A Ci-Devant Village Saddler, A former Maker of Felt Hats and A Bankrupt Corn Dealer.
The the time there was another local Alexander O’Driscoll prominent in Skibbereen and another alos a Magistrate in Passage outside Cork. It is sometime difficult to see who is who.
The was a whole infrastructure of enforcement of tithes, cess, rents. The tithe proctors, drivers, bailiffs. Every village had a pound. Often a Landlord’s driver at midnight would seize cattle of defaulters and place then in the pound for auction. Not only cattle but eggs were restrained as in the Bandon Estate Records.
In extreme cases as in the tithe agitation of the 1830s the police and military were called in. The Rev. Kenny of Kilmeen had a gun boat called to Clonakilty to enforce tithe collection at Kilmeen.
O’Donovan Rossa in his recollection said it was common for farmers corn to be distrained while in the corn mill or store. This happened to his family.
Our Alexander is probably the one who had the tithes of Durrus and Bantry rented and was seeking military assistance to enforce collection.
CSO/RP/1833/3107. Letter from Alexander O’Driscoll, Skibbereen, [County Cork], to John Roberts, Chief Magistrate, Bantry, [County Cork], requesting police protection to recover lay tithes he has on lease in the parishes of Kilmacomogue [Kilmocomoge] and Kilcrohane, [County Cork].
Captain Alexander O’Driscoll, 1827, Clover Hill, Superseded 1810-30, Restored 1843. Norton Cottage, Skibbereen (two of same name at time), Ancestor Alexander married daughter of McFineen Dubh O’Sullivan, son of Tim ‘The Gauger’, sister Mrs Freke of Baltimore Castle. 1820 signed Memorial for new road Glengariff to Castletownbere. Married to the daughter of Thomas Attridge, Ballydehob. Correspondence with Chief Secretary appealing dismissal of 1820. 1822 subscriber as Clover Hill, Church Building Fund Durrus, he held tithes in Kilcrohane with Rector and Rev. Alleyn Evanson. Present at enquiry Skibbereen 1823 into enquiry into fatal affray at Castlehaven caused by Rev. Morritt’s tithe extraction. Grand Jury Presentments attending 12 from 1838-1840 at Norton Cottage. Probably engaged with his crew in marine salvage of Clio out of Crookhaven 1825. 1826 City election voted O’Callaghan conservative. Voted 1835 election as out of town Freeman address Shepperton. Public support for him on dismissal 1835 by fellow Magistrates Lord Bantry, Simon White, John Puxley, Samuel Townsend Senior, Samuel Townsend Junior, Hugh Lawton, Thomas Somerville, Rev. Alleyn Evanson, Richard Townsend Senior. Enquiry attended in Bandon 1841 into suspension arising from conduct with Stipendiary Magistrate J. Gore Jones and Sub-Inspector Andrew Creagh attended Earl of Bandon, Lord Viscount Bernard, on. H. White Hedges, Macroom Castle, Henry Bernard, Castle Barnard, Abraham Morris Dunkettle, Captain Henry Wallis, Drishane Castle, Lieutenant Colonel St. John Clerke, Overton House, William Cooke Wallis Junior, Castlecook, Mathias Hendley, Mountrivers, Henry Leader, Mount Leader, George Browne, Coolcower, St. Ledger Aldworth, Newmarket, Charles Evanson, Carlemont, Cork, Sir Thomas Deane, Thomas Hungerford, The Island, Nicholas Dunscomb, Mount Desert, Richard Henry Hedges Becher, Hollybrook, Skibbereen, John Isaac Heard, Kinsale, John Wheeler, Junior, James Gillman, Retreat, MD, Clonakilty, Thomas Herrick, Coolkerry, Captain R.A. Rogers, Petersfield, Michael Gallway, Gurtnagreena, John Nason, G. Nagle, Ballinamona Castle, Samuel Wallis Goold Adams, Jamesbrook, Jeremiah E. McCarthy, Rathduane, William F. Austen, Greenshela, Thomas R. Sarsfield, Ducloyne, Arthur Pery Aylmer, Castlefreke, Thomas Cuthbert Kearney, Garretstown, Joseph Haynes, Maryland House, Charles Connell, Cloverhill, John Barter, Cooldaniel, Francis G. Woodley, Leeds, Lawrence Corban, Maryville, E. Millett, MD, Cove. 1841 supported Conservative Longfield Longueville, Mallow even though Catholic hosted meeting attending John Ross, Rossford, Thomas Morris, Mahonagh, Thomas Wood, Dereeny, Listed 1838, dead….. with address Mount Music/Bunaulin, Caheragh when daughter Kate married Herbert Baldwin Esq., 1845. 1835 Subscriber at Gortnascrena, Skibbereen, Lewis Topographical Dictionary of Ireland 1837. Suspended for a period as J.P. reinstated after altered by a sitting of over 70 Magistrates in Bandon from both political sides. 1828 Bandon Quarter Sessions. His lands managed by Bird. Member Provisional Committee projected Bandon to Bantry Railway 1845, address Norton Cottage. Believed to have been committed to a debtors prison in Cork by his wine merchant where he died. Norton Cottage was lived in once by Dr. O’Donovan, J.P., and bought 1925 by Jasper Woulfe, Solicitor, Crown Prosecutor and TD,
