The Hutchinson family were c 1700 extensive landowners in the greater Bantry area. The house at Blackrock is the nucleus of the present Bantry House. Their immediate Bantry estate was acquired over a period by Richard White in the early 18th century and was the basis for the Bantry/White Estate. They were left with residual townlands in the Durrus/Bantry area.
Nowadays there is virtually no local knowledge of the families existence.However given that there were large families there are probably many in Ireland and worldwide who may be able to trace their descent to the Hutchinsons.
The family is not to be confused with the Hutchins who are in various locations around Bantry Bay. Sometimes both families appear in deeds but they are not related.
The drop in fortunes seems to have commenced with the disposal of Richard White and culminated with the seal of the estate with large debts in the encumbered Estates Court in 1854. The sale was described as resulting in the death of Arthur Hutchinson with no known heirs. This is not true. His brother William was living in Bantry and was involved some time later in an altercation with Captain O’Flaherty, the owner of the mining lease of former family lands.
As late as 1804 when Hugh Hutchinson made his will he appeared to have £7,000 to leave to his extensive family. There were minerals discovered at various locations on the estate and while great hope was projected the mines came to nothing.
The first Ordnance Survey Map shows Clonee, Durrus an area associated with the family. Various wooded areas show it is possible that part of the planting was done in contemplation on the building of a house.
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Some Townlands Durrus/Bantry area included in Hutchinson Estate:
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It is likely in the 18th century that the family had a substantial house and building after Blackrock was sold to the Whites but location unknown. Perhaps when some of the 8 million Land Commission records stored in a warehouse see the light of day the picture may become clearer.
Enclosed below are extracts from various deeds, many of which have been transcribed by Ron Price.
Keady O’Donovan, Gent., Rosnacaheagh, Ahakista and Pilchard Point, Bantry, deeds of 1805 of Skibbereen town property, 1811 Skahanagh (Mealagh Valley), Bantry. Will 1829.
The people who appears in the deeds such as the Shannons of Durrus are affluent, contractors and in the 1790s advancing money to local impecunious landlords.
The Bantry Birs adre long esatablished fish merchant suggesting wiht the address Pilchad Pointsome marine involvment as seel as the 1802 store in Skibbereen.
Only a small fraction of the
The transcription of memorials is starting to throw up people of significance in the late 18th and early 19th century in West Cork who up to now have been hidden
Registry of Deeds Project, search by surname:
Interestingly here Keady O’Donovan is described as Gent., with various addresses. It is possibly that the Richard O’Donovan who died in 1795 at Pilchard Point, Bantry is his father.
Keady O’Donovan, Gent.
Other addresses are Rosnacaheragh the home of Richard O’Donovan, who build the house a O’Donovan Cove and whose three sons Timothy, Richard and Doctor Daniel were all landlords adn magistrates. It is possibly they were cousins of Keady. They look like they have a common place of origins at Ballaghadown, Caheragh/Drimoleague.
Extended O’Donovan family:
That O’Donovan family was sufficiently affluent to enable Richard to attend the University of Toulouse in France in the 1750s. Later Daniel O’Donovan in about 1820 qualified as a physician in Edinburgh.
O’Donovan Wills
1766, Denis Donovan, Cahergall, Kilcrohane, 1766.
1829, Keady O’Donovan, Ross Kearagh (Rosnacaheragh), Kilcrohane.
1795, Richard O’Donovan, Gent., Pilchard’s Point (O’Donovan’s Cove? Or Bantry), 1795.
1826, Richard O’Donovan, O’Donovan’s Cove, Durrus.
1752, Timothy (O’) Donovan, Ballyhadown (Caheragh) ancestor of Cove/Fort Lodge family, not clear if one or two in grants.
1843, Timothy O’Donovan, Ardahill, Kilcrohane.
1844, Timothy O’Donovan, Ardahill, Kilcrohane.
Keady O’Donovan, Ross Kearagh (Rosnacaheragh) d 1829, Prerogative Court.
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Type of deed
Date of current deed
27 May 1802
Vol
Page
Memorial
Rent Charge
Date of earlier deed
550
303
364897
No
Role(s) in earlier deed(s)
Role in current deed(s)
Family name
Forename
Place
Occ or title
A
A
P1
REYCROFT[ROYCROFT]
Francis
of
Breenymoor [Breeny More, Bantry], Co Cork
Esq
B
P1
REYCROFT[ROYCROFT]
Francis
of
Breenymoor [Breeny More, Bantry], Co Cork
Esq
C
P2
O’DONOVAN
Keady[?]
of
[illegible], Co Cork
A
D
WD
MCCARTHY
Daniel
of
Beach [Bantry], Co Cork
Rev; Clerke
E
WD WM
MCCARTHY
Jeremiah
of
Skibbereen, Co Cork
Gent
A
F
WM
MCENERY
Gerald
of
Skibbereen, Co Cork
Gent
A
Abstract
A & B granted B, a rent charge out of the lands of [illegible], Parish of Kilmocomogue, Co Cork.
MS
Date registered
13 Nov 1802
Date abstract added
20190913
Memorial faded:
Type of deed
Date of current deed
29 Jan 1811
Vol
Page
Memorial
Sale
Date of earlier deed
627
467
434141
No
Role(s) in earlier deed(s)
Role in current deed(s)
Family name
Forename
Place
Occ or title
A
A
P2, P1
P1
SULLIVAN
Jeremiah
of
Skibbereen, Co Cork
Shopkeeper
B
P2
BILKS
John
of
Skibbereen, Co Cork
Glazier
A
C
P1
DONOVAN
Keady
of
Pit..?..ers[Pilchard?] Point, Parish of Kilmocomogue, Co Cork
Gent
D
O prev
CLAYTON
James
of
Skibbereen, Co Cork
Mason; theretofore tenanted a hous in Skibbereen, Co Cork
E
P2
COLLINS
Daniel
of
farmer; had been granted a lease of a house in Skibbereen, Co Cork
F
WD WM
HUMPHREY
John
of
Bridgetown [Skibbereen], Co Cork
Writing Clark
A
G
WD WM
MAHONY
James
of
Bridgetown [Skibbereen], Co Cork
Gent
A
H
WD
LEARY
Henry
of
Derrigrea [Derrigra, Ballineen], Co Cork
farmer
Abstract
A sold to B, a lease of property in Skibbereen, Co Cork
MS
Date registered
6 Feb 1811
Date abstract added
20200203
Type of deed
Date of current deed
21 Feb 1811
Vol
Page
Memorial
Sale
Date of earlier deed
631
430
434955
No
Role(s) in earlier deed(s)
Role in current deed(s)
Family name
Forename
Place
Occ or title
A
A
P1
COPINGER/COPPINGER
James
of
skibbereen, Co Cork
B
P2
O’DONOVAN
Keady
of
Roscreagh [Rossnacaheragh], Parish of Kilborohane[Kilcrohane], Barony of W Carbery, Co Cork
Gent
A
C
O adj
CONNOLLY
Michael
of
had a house in Skibbereen, Co Cork
B
P2 O’DONOVAN Keady of Roscreagh [Rossnacaheragh], Parish of Kilborohane[Kilcrohane], Barony of W Carbery, Co Cork Gent C
O adj CONNOLLY Michael of
had a house in Skibbereen, Co Cork D
O COLLINS Timothy of
had a house & storehouses on the quay in Skibbereen, Co Cork E
WD WM MAHONY James of Bridgetown [Skibbereen], Co Cork Gent F
WD WM HENESY[HENNESSY] John of Bridgetown [Skibbereen], Co Cork Writing Clerk
In this 1811 deed the Roycrofts of Brennybeg, Kealkil are referred to. They may be related to the Roycrotfs of Clonee, Durrus. They are partners with the Drimolague O’Reagans as middlemen on the townland of Kealties adjoining Roscacaheragh
Type of deed
Date of current deed
27 May 1811
Vol
Page
Memorial
Assignment
Date of earlier deed
625
425
438561
No
Role(s) in earlier deed(s)
Role in current deed(s)
Family name
Forename
Place
Occ or title
A
P1
O’DONOVAN
Keady
of
Rossecragh [Rossnacaheragh?], Parish of Kilcrohane, Barony of W Carbery WD, Co Cork
Gent
A
P2
O’DONOVAN
Henry
of
Skehonough [Skahanagh, Bantry], Parish of Kilmocomogue, Barony of Bear & Bantry, Co Cork
Gent
P1
O’SULLIVAN
Jeremiah
of
formerly granted a lease of Skahanagh, [Bantry], Co Cork
P2
ROYCRAFT[ROYCROFT]
Thomas
of
formerly held a lease of Skahanagh, [Bantry], Co Cork
E
life
ROYCRAFT[ROYCROFT
Richard
of
formerly held a lease of Skahanagh, [Bantry], Co Cork
F
life
FIELD[?]
John
of
formerly held a lease of Skahanagh, [Bantry], Co Cork
G
WD
DONOVAN
Richard
of
Rossceragh [Rossnacaheragh, Parish of Kilcrohane, Barony of W Carbery WD], Co Cork
Type of deed
Date of current deed
27 May 1811
Vol
Page
Memorial
Assignment
Date of earlier deed
625
425
438561
No
Role(s) in earlier deed(s)
Role in current deed(s)
Family name
Forename
Place
Occ or title
A
A
P1
O’DONOVAN
Keady
of
Rossecragh [Rossnacaheragh?], Parish of Kilcrohane, Barony of W Carbery WD, Co Cork
Gent
A
B
P2
O’DONOVAN
Henry
of
Skehonough [Skahanagh, Bantry], Parish of Kilmocomogue, Barony of Bear & Bantry, Co Cork
Gent
C
P1
O’SULLIVAN
Jeremiah
of
formerly granted a lease of Skahanagh, [Bantry], Co Cork
D
P2
ROYCRAFT[ROYCROFT]
Thomas
of
formerly held a lease of Skahanagh, [Bantry], Co Cork
E
life
ROYCRAFT[ROYCROFT
Richard
of
formerly held a lease of Skahanagh, [Bantry], Co Cork
F
life
FIELD[?]
John
of
formerly held a lease of Skahanagh, [Bantry], Co Cork
G
WD
DONOVAN
Richard
of
Rossceragh [Rossnacaheragh, Parish of Kilcrohane, Barony of W Carbery WD], Co Cork
H
WD
MCCARTHY
Jeremiah
of
Rossceragh [Rossnacaheragh, Parish of Kilcrohane, Barony of W Carbery WD], Co Cork
Teacher
I
WD WM
O’DONOVAN
Daniel
of
Roskenagh [Rosskerrig?, Parish of Kilcrohane], Co Cork
farmer
A
J
WM
MCAULIFFE
Michael
of
City of Cork
Writing Clerk
A
Abstract
A assigned to B, a lease of Skahanagh, [Bantry], Co Cork, for the lives of E & F plus 39 years.
MS
Date registered
25 July 1811
Date abstract added
20200203
Abstract made by: RonPrice
..
Skehanagh is in the Mealagh Valley to the southwest of Kealkill straddling the road from
Skehanagh is in the Mealagh Valley to the southwest of Kealkill straddling the road from Donemark leading into the Mealagh Valley. It’s about a mile from Breenymore.
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Type of deed
Date of current deed
3 Jun 1815
Vol
Page
Memorial
Sale or Release
Date of earlier deed
715
411
489346
No
Role(s) in earlier deed(s)
Role in current deed(s)
Family name
Forename
Place
Occ or title
A
A
P1
BARRY
Catharine[Catherine]
of
Droumadoonen [Dromdoneen, Bantry], Parish of Kilmocomogue, Co Cork
Spinster
B
P2
SHANNON
John
of
Brahalish, Parish of Durrus, Co Cork
C
P2
SHANNON
Robert
of
Dromersy[?], Parish of Durrus, Co Cork
D
P3
DONOVAN
Henry
of
Cappanaboul [Bantry], Parish of Kilmocomogue, Co Cork
The Skuce family of Coosane, Ballydehob, emigrated to Canada in 1850, and settled in Mount Horeb, near Omemee, Ontario, Canada, they took apple seeds with them, so they could plant them when they settled. They had a special way of storing the apples through the cold winters in special straw lined pits and apparently they were delicious. This was all mentioned in a family write up. In another area where another branch of the Skuce’s settled, near Bark Lake, in a more remote part of Ontario, there are some the old farmsteads that have been left derelict, at one of these we discovered someone had gone out with a quad bike to collect fruit from the very old apple trees, that are were abandoned close to these homesteads, the crop looked amazing, and I do wonder if these were grown from seeds that were brought out by the new settlers, including the Skuce’s, when they first emigrated back in the mid-1830s or so. Bark Lake is where some of the Skuce family who had left Clashadoo/Bantry settled.
1484, World’s First Common Law Woman Lawyer? Rose Bron, Dublin, Apprentice to Justice Philip Bermingham.
Sergeant Alexander Martin Sullivan, defending Roger Casement, on his grave in Glasnevin he is ‘The last Sergeant of The Kingdom of Ireland’. Celebrated Painting Shows Charles Gavan Duffy, Instructing Solicitors, female Relation Attend Court by Special Permission, A First on Attorneys Bench. Constitutional Conundrum does The Kingdom of Ireland Still Exist?
1893, Obituary of Judge John FitzHenry Townshend, Castletownshend and Dublin, Oldest Judge in the then United Kingdom. A Fine Specimen of an Old Irish Gentleman and Old Irish Judge.
Courtesy Colonel John Townsend. This family history is fact based and apart from the Townsend/Townshend family it is valuable record of the times.
Rent Roll Bishop of Cork 1676, Schull/Crookhaven to Sir Richard Hull, Drumkilmore, Letterlickey, Durrus to Boyle Hull, Kilmocomogue (Bantry), to John Hull, Kilcrohane to Richard Hull,Clonee, Durrus to George Sims in trust for Widow Burridge, Skart, Aghagoheen, Durrus Abbey of Gneeves, to John Read, Esq.,
Dioceses of Bishop of Ross 1679, Tenants included Hungerford, Emanuel Moore, Richard Travers,Henry Beecher, Richard Tonson.
Dioceses of Cork 1699, Rent Roll Dioceses of Cork. Excluding one half of the wrecks of sea for Schull area and the islands,and Dunmanway area.
1605 Acquisition of Interest in Certain Church Properties at Schull, Myross, Killemuck Barony of Carbery and Garryvoe by Sir (Great Earl of Cork) Richard Boyle.
These properties and those at Bantry, Durrus, Kilcrohane were held by the College of Youghal and St. Catherine’s of Waterford. Presumably a legacy of small Norman incursions. Some of these properties appear at late as 1780 in the account books of the Cathedral of St. Finbarrs Cork and are available for inspection at the RCB Library in Dublin
This is from a commentary by Dr. Richard Caulfield of Dr. Smith’s History of Cork
This is an attempt to see how the descendant of the old Gaelic families fared after the ancestral lands were forfeit or confiscated for ‘rebellion’ against the English Crown and administration. It is impossible to be definitive but is likely that many of those represented here are of the old lines. In the long run they have done well and even thrived.
In contrast those families granted estate, Beechers, Townsends or those like the Whites of Biantry or Bernards of Bandon who bought land cheaply early 18th century from the Hollow Blade Company did not fare as well. Few of the West Cork Landed families invested locally in productive assets. Even of the large estates the rentals were modest compared to the larger Irish estates. An exception would be Cox in the development of the Dunmanway linen industry or Addelry in Innishannon. The building of large houses, ostentatious lifestyles residences in Dublin and London ensued large debts and ultimately little disposable income. Papers such as the Chief Secretary are replete with Petitions from the West Cork Gentry for Government aid for road, harbour building various types of distress. However their individual personal contribution can characterised by the following during the cholera epidemic in 1833:
1833, John Roberts, Bantry, Magistrate, reported 15th April 1833, death of one of his policeman Ferguson of cholera. Has been prevalent since the 11th March, 20 cases 5 dead many more now being treated. This is a miserable neglected town without any resident gentry and the few who do, don’t exert themselves whether by contribution or otherwise to check the advance of the disease. The Board of Health do not have the money to open a hospital which is the cause of this disease.
There is an untold story of economic development by the likes of the Bandon Clothiers and textile entrepreneurs, the millers, shippers, brewers such as the Deasys of Clonakilty of McCarthys of Skibbereen, the Bantry Vickeries who were the founders of West Cork tourism. Of Thomas Vickery who founded the hotel and pioneers the ’Prince of Wales Route, Bantry to Killarney, ‘he did more for the people of Bantry and surrounding area all the belted Earls.
The section of deeds in the Bantry/Durrus shows the emergence of a class up to now invisible. They comprise Catholic and Protestant farmers of substance, merchants, Grand Jury road contractors who were in a position to advance loans to the local small Landlords such as the Blairs of Blairs Cove, Evansons of Durrus, Hutchinson of Clonee, Durrus. These are either by way of mortgage or rent charge. Ironically the advances commenced in the late 1780s a time of unparalleled prosperity when a well managed estate should have being doing well. It is estimated the land rent went up by a factor of 3 between 1780 and 1815 the dated of the Battle of Waterloo.
Introduction, p.1
Subject area, p.2
General Charles Vallancey (1731-1812) Survey Report 1778, p.5
Crowley Wills ,p. 8
Professionals
Apothecaries, Doctors p. 16
Lawyers, p.18
1825 Balance of economic advantage grievance of Catholics excluded from Juries, p.19
Convert Rolls/Converts, p.23
Game Certs (Gun Licences), p. 25
Grand Jury Records, Cess payer representatives, p.26
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