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Hi guys. Looks like we'll have to start a new thread if we want to continue our investigations.
Ken - I came across something I've had in my possession for some time, but clearly hadn't read closely enough until now. The document comes from the House of Commons Parliamentary Papers and it's dated "1812 - The second part of the eleventh report of the commissioners appointed to enquire into fees, etc... .
Under the subheading Arrears and Balances: Stamp Office Queen's County there's the line "4th July 1786. Paget Halpin, Esq. Ballynamoney, Queen's County; Boys Smith, Surgeon, Maryborough."
It seems Smith and Halpin owed £23 14 9..."The Distributor and Boys Smith, one of his sureties, are both dead, without leaving property. Mr. Paget Halpin, the other surety, is solvent."
It wasn't the fact that Paget cropped up in Queen's County that caught my eye, but that he should be in Ballynamoney. I know you'll find that interesting.
Moderator's Comment: here's a link to the 1st thread - Halpin of Co. Wicklow - Part 1 (http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,270348.0.html)
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Ray, a brilliant start to the second round. We’ll all have to try to keep up with you. The link between the different lines is starting to look better.
I had another look at the two Sweny pedigrees I have, and one looks like ‘Ballynamano’ and the other ‘Ballynamond’ with the downstoke on the ‘d’ going well below the line, like a tail. Anyway, Ballynamoney (?Money Town) sounds convincing.
I had a quick google and found a place of that name in Co. Antrim. I’ve always thought that it wasn’t a town in QC, rather a property. It could be called after a place where they lived before.
So, 1786, that’s nine years after Eliz. married Eugene Sweny. It’s starting to look as if she and Paget were siblings. I wish we could verify Mark as their father. I doubt that her mother was Mary Paget. That name was in the family 100 years earlier. Anyway, thanks again, and keep up the good work.
Ken
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This a response to Ronald’s post, Reply #297 and Reply # 298, to the now closed thread, Halpin Family of Wicklow.
1. Oliver Halpin, regimental surgeon in the 44th East Sussex Foot at Waterloo – I don’t know who this is but it would be good to know.
2. Marriage of Robert Crawford Halpin to Eleanor Wallace at Swords, Dublin, 18 November 1847 comes from an IGI entry but it is approximately confirmed by FamilySearch indexing of the Irish civil registrations from which you would be able to obtain the actual record.
3. Robert Crawford Halpin’s age. There are later census entries suggesting he was born about 1820. Such sources are notoriously wrong or self-serving. The Alumni Dublinenses record is much more contemporary. Indeed conceivably he could not have gone up to Trinity in 1833 aged only 13. (But, he was rather old to purchase a commission as an ensign aged over 20.)
4. William Halpin, Paymaster of the 1st Light Dragoons, King’s German Legion. This is very interesting stuff and well discovered. I don’t want to write now about his career as such but the information you have provided only serves to confirm the possibility of my theory propounded in Reply #294. You have provided information now about daughters born in Wicklow in 1808 and 1811 and a son William born about 1801. These fill some of the missing gaps that I wrote of, making more plausible that this was the same William as had earlier sons sent up to Trinity. Not evidence, just plausibility. It would be helpful if you could discover a will. If William became a Paymaster in1807, it is more than possible that he had an earlier career, either in the army or not.
5. These sons have births calculated from their ages entering Trinity College of Richard (1799), William (1801) and John (1803) all born in Wicklow to a soldier, William Halpin. There is your “son William (unmarried, b 1801, Limerick)”. Birth places recorded 7 or 8 decades later are frequently questionable, as with born France rather than Antwerp – again the Trinity record was contemporary and more likely correct. If this theory holds up, Richard 1799, William, John, Anna, Sophia and Robert Crawford 1816 are all siblings, the gaps between Anna and Sophia, and between Sophia and Robert Crawford explicable by William’s absences abroad on service.
6. So, what happened to Richard and John Halpin? Ray, any suggestions? In any event, if any or all of this holds together, here we have another successful, large family of Church of Ireland Halpins deriving, at least around late 1700s and early 1800s, from Wicklow.
7. It was almost universal that army officers had at least some family or inherited income. A brother of my Webster regimental surgeon ancestor was also a regimental surgeon. He died unmarried on service in Bombay and his estate consisted of a liability of £300 to his tailor in London, a huge amount of money. An officer retiring on half pay meant he was kept in reserve for active service. The pay of itself was far from enough to live on.
8. Finally for now, a coincidence. The widow of my Regimental Surgeon Richard Webster was born in Co Mayo as Margaret Parker and she died in Paddington, London, very close to your Bayswater, and they died in the same month and year, December 1862 and both are buried in Kensal Green cemetery (she in Grave number 17520 square 75 IR).
9. Oh, the possibilities of the connections to the Dukes of Cambridge, father and son – what better patronage could a family have possibly had?
Bill
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Bill, your Point 9
Connections to the Dukes of Cambridge ? This was not a hereditary title, it was given to a member of the royal family, the cousin of Queen Victoria, who was C in C of the Army. What do you mean by 'connections' ?
Ken
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As researched so well by Ronald, William Halpin over a lengthy and active period was Paymaster in the King's German Legion, 1st Light Dragoons whose colonel in chief was Field Marshall Adolphus Duke of Cambridge. The field marshall would have seen more of a headquarters staff officer than most others in the regiment. In those times, a colonel of a regiment was responsible for its raising and upkeep, with which a paymaster would have been intimately involved. William's son, Rev Robert Crawford Halpin, became Chaplain to the Forces and to the Duke of Cambridge (Obit contributed by Ray). Those are the connections to the Duke(s) of Cambridge I was alluding to. Perhaps I cold have used a better word.
Bill.
Bill, your Point 9
Connections to the Dukes of Cambridge ? This was not a hereditary title, it was given to a member of the royal family, the cousin of Queen Victoria, who was C in C of the Army. What do you mean by 'connections' ?
Ken
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Sorry Bill, I was a bit hasty. I didn't realize that there were two Dukes of
Cambridge (in modern times), as you say, father and son. The son of course, was C in C of the army.
Ken
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I quite understand, Ken.
While writing, I would like to add to my postulations about this Wicklow family. It has been noted that Robert Crawford Halpin had always been intended for the Church, the profession, as Ray noted.
If, as I feel, this is the one family and four sons were sent to Trinity College, it speaks of all or any of being from a prosperous, educated and thrusting family. University education was far from universal. Often a tradition in a family is the determining factor. Another tradition among established families, protestant or catholic, would be to see the church as the vocation for a younger son but rarely an only son. We now know that Robert Crawford's assumed father William Halpin had three other sons. It seems the military was a senior family calling. RCH, as the youngest (and possibly brightest) was prepared for the church.
To have sent 4 sons up to Trinity and not by scholarship speaks of family resources and ambition. Family resources could have come from enterprise but are nearly always backed by property. Property records and wills are often the best continuous evidence of early family connections.
In Ray's terms, we are finding more and more connections with the various Halpin lines, to include even Ken's Halpens and the pendulum seems to keep swinging between Wicklow and Queen's Counties with Dublin as the fulcrum.
Bill
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Ray has pointed out to me that children were indeed sent to university in those days frequently at young ages. There is always the TCD source that RCH was 17 in 1833 but I suppose the family could have fudged that. So I am prepared to concede that RCH could have been born a bit after 1816 - but would the family have still been in Antwerp, or France, much later than that?
Bill
3. Robert Crawford Halpin’s age. There are later census entries suggesting he was born about 1820. Such sources are notoriously wrong or self-serving. The Alumni Dublinenses record is much more contemporary. Indeed conceivably he could not have gone up to Trinity in 1833 aged only 13. (But, he was rather old to purchase a commission as an ensign aged over 20.)
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Ray,
I came across this in ancestry.uk
Michael halpin born 1736 likely emigrated to Co Clare from Co Wicklow by the late 1700s. He died near Newmarket on Fergus about 1830 and his wife Mary died there also 1848. A son William is believed to be the person who moved just a bit north to Tulla and started the Halpin line which continues there to this day. A son William Richard born 1825 married Bridget Clune and raised a family in Tulla. Upon their death in 1890 and 1893 respectively they were buried back in the home ground near Newmarket on Fergus.
Robert
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That's invaluable stuff, Robert. Because we already have a Michael Halpin kicking around the traps in Queen's County. The two M's could be linked, no doubt about it. At the moment I'm tied up with other duties and it may be a while before I get a chance to have a thorough look at your chap. I'll talk more about it to you in private. Cheers for now, R.
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It appears that a raft of the William Halpin family died in North London in the 1860s and possibly all were buried at the then fairly new Kensal Green Cemetery. I have given Ronald a connection there that may assist. From this news, the possibility of burial records and wills holds potential family information. These deaths were:
1. William Halpin buried 31 Dec 1862. In the Census a year earlier as found by Ronald, he was a Captain on half pay, living at 39 Leinster Square, Bayswater and, at age 84, still proudly avowing his birth in Wicklow (about 1777). Living there with him were the following:
2. Sophia Halpin died on 31st Oct or Nov 1862 (before her father) at Leinster Square. There was a death notice in the Times: ‘On 31st inst at 3? Leinster-square W, Sophia, youngest daughter of Captain William Halpin.’
3. William Halpin buried 28th April 1865. He died at 54 Belsize Road, Hampstead. Belsize Square, I think, was the address 20 years later of Rev Robert Crawford Halpin. Had the family acquired property there as early as the 1860s? William had retired in 1861 as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Madras Native Infantry upon which he was awarded the honorary rank of Major General.
4. Anna Halpin. An Anna Halpin is recorded in FreeBMD as dying in 1867 aged 57 in the Hampstead registration district, the same district as for William above.
The remaining known sibling (other than Robert Crawford, the youngest) was Richard Halpin (from Trinity College entries, the eldest). Richard Halpin is recorded as a Cornet 8th – 22nd July 1815 in his father’s regiment, the King’s German Legion (aged about 16). Thereafter, he went up to Trinity in 1818, was awarded his BA in 1822. It seems he had gone on half pay because we find in the London Gazette the following: 98th Regiment of foot. ‘To be Ensigns. Cornet Richard Halpin, from half-pay 1st Light Dragoons, King's German Legion. Dated 7th April 1825....’
I have been able to follow Richard’s trail only to 1833. From the same source: ‘To be lieutenants Without Purchase. Ensign Richard Halpin, from the 98th Foot. Dated 26th April 1828’ [49th Foot]. Then: ‘49th Foot, Lieutenant Richard Halpin to be Captain, by purchase, vice Morris. Dated 13th September 1833’.
If any of the service records of the army officers can be found in the National Archives at Kew, there may be much more information. Unfortunately Kew is a very long way from me.
Bill
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I can't resist observing that Captain William Halpin of Wicklow and my George Halpin, engineer of Dublin, seem to have been born two years apart, calculated birth years 1777 and 1779. Just how closely are they related?
William and all his children but RCH were born in Wicklow. This was an established and prosperous family. But, where in Wicklow?
Surely they left some traces: church, testamentary, legal, land or published records. If one or more of the latter could be found then a likely parish or two might lead to church records. The parish church for one line of Halpins just may be the same for a related line.
In my previous message I failed to mention another son, John. John and his two year older brother William (of the Madras Infantry) are recorded as entering Trinity College on the same day, 6 Nov, 1820. So far we have not seen John mentioned anywhere else except that he was awarded his BA in 1826.
Finally, for now, I had another ancestor who achieved Richard Halpin's ranks in the army about the same time. Units of his regiment were detailed to escort convicts out to, in his case, Van Diemens Land (Tasmania). His wife and (then) 5 children sailed with him and a few years later he resigned from the army in Sydney and here we remained. It is always a possibility to be entertained.
Bill.
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When I joined the forum the focus was on Wicklow in the 19th century. I am happy that I have helped to get it back 100 years, and to include Queen's Co.
As we are now talking about uniting the various branches, I want to summarise my findings on the Paget/Mark line of Maryborough.
The only record we have of Eliz. Halpen’s parents Mark Halpen and Mary Paget comes from a Sweny pedigreee, held at the Society of Genealogists, London. He was ‘of Ballynamoney, Maryborough, Queens Co., and Dublin’. Nothing more has been found about them in Ireland. As the name ‘Paget’ was noted in the family 100 years earlier, it is not necessarily the name of Elizabeth’s mother. So both Mark Halpen and Mary Paget are dubious figures.
Paget Halpin lived at Ballynamoney in 1786 (9 years after Elizabeth married Eugene Sweny), so he would seem to be either Elizabeth’s father or brother. There must have been four or five generations of Pagets.
+ HALPENNY, PAGITT, Pen (Dr Hinton, Queen's Co.), Nov 1, 1698, aged 16; son of Nicholas, Generosus; b. Queen's Co. from Alumni Dublinenses. (born 1682, pen=pensioner [paid own fees] generosus=gentleman, went up to Trinity College Dublin 1.11.1698, Dr Hinton- ? tutor)
+ A Handlist of Voters of Maryborough of 1760 (jstor.org) shows a Pagett Halpen- ‘in the army’.
+ A Lieut. Halpen was a passenger on the packet from Holyhead which arrived in Dublin, reported in Freeman’s Journal on 10.9.1763.
+ On the Army List of 1778 there was a Paget Halpen of Maryborough, a lieutenant on half pay (reserve) in the 124th Foot Regt.
+ House of Commons Parliamentary Papers dated 1812 - The second part of the eleventh report of the commissioners appointed to enquire into fees, gratuities, perquisites, and emoluments, which are or have been lately received in certain public offices in Ireland
Under the subheading Arrears and Balances: Stamp Office Queen's County: "4th July 1786. Paget Halpin, Esq. Ballynamoney, Queen's County; Boys Smith, Surgeon, Maryborough."
It seems Smith and Halpin owed £23 14 9..."The Distributor and Boys Smith, one of his sureties, are both dead, without leaving property. Mr. Paget Halpin, the other Surety, is solvent."
+ There was a copper engraver of the same name, of 44 Mecklenburg St., listed from about 1790-1810, one of several Dublin engravers named Halpen or Halpin. He is probably the same one who married Margaret Delane at St. James, Dublin on 9 May 1794.
+ Another Paget Halpen, aged about 29, arrived in New York by ship from St. Croix, Virgin Islands in 1824 (born abt 1795). No birthplace was shown, but he was a US citizen and a ‘shugar planter’. We do not know if he was a resident of St. Croix, or had been a visitor there.
+ The next Paget Halpen appears in Louisiana. He was one of seven signatories to a public notice in the Baton Rouge Gazette, of 17.3.1827. It read: “Charles Ash Mix is declared a liar, swindler and a villain; beware of him.” (Sugar was also grown in Louisiana, but not in New York !)
+ In the adjoining territory of Texas on 16 March 1839, Paget Halpen was one of 28 men at a meeting to establish Houston’s first Episcopalian church. (From ‘Houston, the Unknown City’ 1991 by Marguerite Johnston). Then, in Sept. the same year his name is found on the tax list in the Texas Morning Star as owing $13.75 to the City of Houston.
+ He is also on a list of men claiming a state pension for having fought in the ‘revolutionary’ war to ‘free’ Texas from Mexico, 1835-42. (Republic of Texas, later joined the union)
+ Later there are at least five entries for Paget Halpin in the Texas Land Titles Abstracts, from 1846 to 1856, and then one for “the heirs of Paget Halpin” in 1906.
Ken
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Ray, thanks again for that fantastic find. I've managed to get it myself.
I googled in 'Halpin Ballynamoney Queens Co' It was from a 'Google Books'
site. It may have been a different source to yours, but the content seems to be the same. Perhaps one of the legal experts can tell us what it means.
"The House of Lords The Sessional Papers 1801-1833
Vol. 51 (1812) Including 12th Report of Commissioners on Fees, Gratuities, etc (Ireland) also to examine any Abuses in same, and the present mode of receiving, collecting, issuing & accounting for Public Money in Ireland. (Index from P. 94)
On Page 126- Queens County
G. Webb Bond £600 4 July 1786 Paget Halpin Esq. Ballynamoney, Queens Co; Boys Smith, surgeon, Maryborough £117.14.6 / 1803
This distributor, in his Account for the year ending the 25th March 1799 acknowledges to have stock on hands- £783.10.8.
The Comptroller, in his first account, charges him with subsequent Consignments to the amount of £1106.0.11, of which there are Receipts in the Office for £1012.0.11 Total Charge £1795.11.7
The Comptroller, in the same Account, credits payments to Collector £613.14.5
Stamps handed over to S. Simpson £1158.2.5. Total credit £1771.16.10
Leaving a Balance which can be proved to be due, of only- £23.14.9
The Distributor and Boys Smith, one of his Sureties, are both dead. Mr Paget Halpin, the other Surety, is solvent. "
I guess Webb was the late distributor, the doctor is dead, and Halpin is left holding the baby.
Thanks again Ray,
Ken
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I should add-
From the same source as above, same period, there were references to two other Halpins, re legal fees paid:
P. 40 Christopher Halpin (?maltster)
P. 46 Charles Halpin
Ken
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Re previous message-
Not really sure what it's all about, but here are the details:
Page 40 19 December 1805. Fee with brief case to advise whether an appeal should be brought from the judgement of the Sub-Commissioners, where a decrease of malt in the stock of Christopher Halpin ..... Fee £2.5.6
Page 46, 29 April 1806 Roger Coleman Appellant, Charles Halpin Respondent
Fee with brief to argue appeal £2.5.6
1 May 1806 Ditto, Fee with brief to argue appeal in this case £2.5.6
It doesn't say where they were from. They mention excise fees.
Ken
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In support of one of Ken's Pagets. One of my reference libraries has a scattered range of Army Lists.
1801 Army List. (Page 504)
On the Irish Half-Pay
Disbanded in 1763 (What happened then?)
124th Foot
Lieut Paget Halpen
So, whether he was with the regiment when it disbanded in 1763 and he was still on half pay in 1801, I don't know.
Hey, we're on Page 2 already!
Bill
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Bill,
I estimate that Lt Paget Halpin would have been born abt 1740 or earlier.
he would have been abt 61 in 1801.
If the 124th foot was disbanded in 1763, that would explain why he was on the boat from Holyhead that year. I don't know how long they were on half-pay, 38 yrs seems a bit too long.
I wonder what happened in 1763? Perhaps peace broke out. What a dismal thought !
Ken
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It sounds to me as if Christopher Halpin was watering down his beer.
I've come across a reference to three or four Halpins distilling and brewing in Dublin around 1800 - Christopher, Richard, William and James. Also, it seems war abroad led to a shortage of essential spirit and malting ingredients at home - I think those ingredients must have been shipped out to feed armies. And since so many distilleries were also linked to fantastic fortunes made overnight and to the fomentation of seditious plots, I believe there must have been an effort made by the authorities to control the spread of such establishments - through a licensing system perhaps? I'll check it out. Thanks for the summary on Paget, Ken. I've come across a few Halpins located in Maryborough, Queen's County, which isn't far from Portarlington. One in particular, a Mary Halpin, seemed to be involved in the provision of bread. Cheers.
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Since everyone’s doing such a sterling job of nailing the story of the early 19th century Halpins, I thought I’d throw this into the mix – it involves a Halpin I can’t accurately identify – a “Peace-officer” (what’s that and how is one appointed?), and I’d like you all to keep an eye out for anything that might help me identify him. The story comes from a long defunct English newspaper which I came across in the National Library here in Dublin – The Morning Chronicle, Thursday, September 2, 1824.
ATTEMPT AT SEDUCTION.
On Saturday evening, about five o’clock, several persons were attracted to the upper part of Trinity street, by the wild and distracted cries of a female of about 14 years of age, that had just escaped from one of those houses of infamous character in that neighbourhood. She clang particularly to a woman in the crowd, of a decent and motherly appearance, who had a child in her arms, and besought her protection. When she recovered a little from her agitation, on being questioned as to the particulars of the transaction, she told the following story with the most heart-touching candour and simplicity: - She lived in Tullow, in the county of Carlow; her name was Anty (Anastasia) Simmons. Some people from that neighbourhood came to Donybrook to sell cheese at the fair; she purchased a small stock, and accompanied them. On Saturday, whilst in the fair, a man of sedate and respectable appearance, in company with a fine looking lady, came up to her, and, after some conversation, told her if she came into town he would immediately give her a good place in his family, as he wanted a servant of her description; that the lady and all the neighbours advised her to come into town, which she accordingly did, with the gentleman, who shortly after leaving the fair, parted from the lady. He brought her to the house ‘there beyand’, and took her up stairs; that a woman (after some whispering between them) immediately came up, and began to close the shutters, and he thereupon attempted to take liberties with her; that on perceiving his object, she screamed, and ran down stairs; the two women below thought to hold her, but she escaped from them. At the conclusion of her story, she turned round to the crowd in the most pathetic manner and said: “Oh, all I want in the wide world is that some good Christian will bring me back to the people I know in the fair, that I may get home to my own country. I had often heard of Dublin, but I never knew what it was before.” Here the poor creature burst into tears. A gentleman who happened to be passing requested she would accompany him to College street Police-office, where the above complaint was put in form on the day-constable’s book. There being no Magistrate at that time in attendance, Peace-officer Halpin, in the most praiseworthy manner, made her go along with him to the house to which she had been entrapped. The peace-officer being told by a person who had seen the gentleman follow the little girl from the house of ill fame, that he was walking up and down Dame-street, pursued him, and on addressing him, he assumed a most determined tone. He asked the peace-officer for his authority for stopping him; the other evaded the question, as he had no warrant for taking him into custody, and told him, all he wanted (and he would not let him go unless he gave it) was his address. He at length, after much altercation, went into a public house, and wrote a name and address, which he gave to the officer as his. The peace-officer then sent the child to her friends in the fair; she promised him she would come back yesterday (Sunday), but as the fair was broken up on Saturday evening, it is supposed she went home with her poor neighbours. Several persons attended the poor girl to the police-office, and some of their names were taken down, who saw her make her escape. – Dublin Morning Post.
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Ray,
Donnybrook Fair was an occasion when more security than usual was needed.
I believe that a 'peace officer' was recruited for that specific occasion.
Over the centuries Donnybrook Fair in South Dublin had become notorious for its riots and fights. The saying, ‘It was a regular Donnybrook’ meant ‘a scene of uproar, or free fight’. An item in ‘Pue’s Occurrences’ of 29 August 1758 describes the efforts made to keep the peace:
"Sunday 27th Dublin- This and the preceding day the Rt.Hon.the Lord Mayor, Alderman Thos Meade, and High Sheriffs Messrs Michael Sweny and Wm. Forbes, attended by the High and Petty Constables and a party of the Army, went to Donnybrook fair and staid there till night each day, by which means His Lordship preserved the peace, and prevented the many riots and disorders which frequently happen at said fair, to the great terror of the inhabitants and other persons who resort thereto."
The Donnybrook Fair was finally banned in 1855. Alderman Michael Sweny was
the uncle of Eugene who married Eliz Halpen.
Ken
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I didn't expect such an informative response so quickly - thanks, Ken. What you say makes sense.
Last year I posted a few pieces on an enquiry held into how markets and fairs in places like Wicklow were being used by Town Commissioners for corrupt ends. In those postings enquiry witnesses made mention of the tremendous violence that often broke out over the course of a local fair - as a result of the commission's findings I believe fairs like the one in Donnybrook were banned. Until you mentioned it, I didn't make a connection between the two events.
As for the piece above - it's worse than Dickensian in its violence. I'd like very much to pass the story on to those over on the Carlow site. The Simmons's may still have descendants in Tullow. And I'd like to clearly identify Peace-officer Halpin if I could.
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Good luck Ray. Here's another one for identification.
A contributor to the Sweny & Yeates sites has written:
"Trying to find a connection with his middle name of Talbot I found the following information.
1. JOSEPH THOMAS TALBOT Male
Birth: 12 NOV 1867 , Dublin, Ireland
Parents:
Father: THOMAS TALBOT
Mother: MARY ANNE HALPIN "
Anyone know who she is ?
Ken
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The Rev. N J Halpin had a sister named Marianne, who died unmarried. He also had a daughter, Mary Anne, who married a chap called Russell, of the USA. So Mary Anne ran in the family. I was only saying to Bill last night that we don't know what became of the Rev.'s brother Victor, who matriculated from Trinity in 1810, aged 19, which means he could not have been more than 16 when he began his studies. But he might have had children. Also, we forget the Reverend's other brother William Henry Halpin - I know he married, but Burke's peerage does not list his children, if indeed he had any. Extensive though it is, there are gaps in our knowledge, and Mr. Talbot's mother may have slipped through one of them.
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I mentioned quite some time ago that I would apply to the LDS for some films about Halpins applying to be a Cadet with the EIC. One film has just come through with significant information on William Halpin heading for Madras. I have images of the pages that I would be able to send off list.
The document is of 6 very official pages in which the applicant attests to his age and swears that no-one was offered any inducement to offer him a cadetship.
In essence the first page offers him a director’s nomination. In this, ‘I, Campbell Marjoribanks Esq., being one of the Directors of the East-India Company, beg leave to present the Petitioner as a Cadet for the Madras Infantry on the Nomination of the season 1820 provided......’
Marjoribanks signs, next to which it shows:
Recommended to me by His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge.
Signed East-India House 7th March 1821.
The applicant then fills in answers to a few ‘examination’ questions:
Is the signature to this Petition in your hand-writing? Answer: Yes
At what School have you been educated? Answer: Mr Falloon School Dublin
Of what nature has your education been? Answer: General
What is the profession, situation and residence of your parents or nearest of kin? Answer: My Father is an Officer resides at Dublin in Ireland
Who recommended you to Campbell Marjoribanks for this nomination? Answer: His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge
(Did anyone receive a pecuniary interest on account of your nomination)? Answer: Certainly not
Are you aware that (if so you may be) rendered ineligible ...? Answer: I am
(Signed) William Halpin
Signed in the presence of (his father’s signature), Dublin.
I am attaching an enlargement of his father William’s signature. To me it looks like WM Halpin, or WN. I have never seen a middle name for him – his army records?
After a page of officialese, there is an important page where the entry of his baptism in his parish church is attested to (by the curate and warden):
Extract from the Register Book of the Parish of Wicklow in the County of Wicklow. William Son of William and Eliza Halpin Baptized August 4th 1801.
His father then also attests to the above extract but here his signature is smaller and obscured compared to the earlier example.
On the last page amongst more officialese are interesting facts about how much each cadet is expected to pay towards his passage and how much luggage he can take.
The Captain’s Table and Charter-party Passage Money costs £110, added to which he must pay Third Mate’s Mess and Charter-party Passage Money of £70. Is this for a servant?
Here we learn that his mother's name was Eliza.
Bill
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Absolutely faultless, Bill. Couldn't be bettered. That kind of information puts real metal into the thread. I don't know what else to say. Thanks, mate.
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If I may add to the above, here we have William Halpin junior born in Wicklow Parish, presumably Wicklow town. All of the children (except Robert Crawford who was not born in Wicklow) were born before James Halpin married Anne Halbert in Wicklow town in April 1814. The records for this church may be in the RCB Library, Dublin, possibly including William's marriage to Eliza (surname unknown) around 1798. (Of course it could have been in Eliza's parish, which may have been different.) We believe William to have been born around 1777, a time when much was going on in America. I wonder if the surviving Wicklow church records go that far back.
Bill
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Eaton - Wicklow.
In Griffith's Valuations, mid 1800s, is the following entry.
Town of Arklow. Main Street.
Letitia Eaton
Rev Richard E Eaton
each seemingly leasing adjoining houses, offices and yards from William Fitzhenry.
Anything known of this pair?
At about the same time, Eaton Cotter Halpin, solicitor, was getting married (1852 aged about 34), had premises at 7 Ormond Quay Dublin and in Wicklow (Thom's Directory 1852). I don't know his wife's name but they were married in the Rathdrum registration district. He had at least one son, James Eaton Halpin. Eaton was the eldest son of James Halpin of the Bridge Tavern, Wicklow Town.
Bill
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From: Memorials of the Dead – S.E Wicklow. Compiled by Brian J Cantwell.
Wicklow Church of Ireland (i.e., Wicklow Town)
BESTALL. Two memorials side by side
a) Here lyeth the body of George Bestall who departed this life February the 8th 1743/5/8 aged 37 years.
b) Erected by Wm Laur Bestall Esqr of Templelyon House in memory of his son Richard Frederick Bestall ABTC DL RCSI who departed September 21st 1856 at the age of 28 years. Also the above named William Law Bestall who died May the 30th 1867 aged 67.
[Dr Stopford William Halpin, 5th son of James Halpin of the Bridge Tavern, married Susanna Frances Bestall at Arklow in 1857, daughter of William (Law?) Bestall. Their first child was named Richard Frederick Bestall Halpin.]
HALBERT. AD 1743. Here lieth the body of Elinor Halbert | & Ann Halbert Nov 20th 1749.
[Nearly 70 years later, in 1814, James Halpin of the Bridge Tavern married Anne Halbert.]
HALPIN. Four memorials, three (a,b and c) within an iron railed enclosure with d) outside to the north. The inscriptions on d) are carved on the granite kerb surround, a b and c are recumbent slabs.
a) In loving memory | of | George Halpin | died June 21st 1887 | also his wife | Eliza Halpin | died May 20th 1903 | and their daughters Louisiana Halpin | died February 12th 1887 | also Ida Isabella Halpin died March 29th 1961.
b) Erected by James Halpin to the memory of | his beloved Mother Mrs Elizabeth Halpin | who died Febr 8th 1814 aged 75 years | also ..... Ann Halpin and John Halpin | children to James and Anne Halpin | also to | Louisa Halpin daughter of George Halpin of Dublin | who died March 18th 1831 aged 21 years | Robert Halpin died Dec 5th 1835 | the above named | James Halpin | died October 4th 1847 aged 69 years also his| beloved wife Jane Halpin died August 7th 1849 | Eaton C Halpin Solicitor | died July 19 1857 aged 39 years | prayer | and also Captain Frederick Halpin nephew | of the above named James Halpin who departed | this life on the 26th of February 1859 aged 36 years | Margaret Halpin daughter of the above named | Elizabeth Halpin died April 15th 1862 |also the memory of John A. Halpin | son of the above James Halpin | who died at Bermuda West Indies Oct 8th 1864 | aged 32 years | Capt Tho J Halpin died June 2nd 1878 | aged 56 years.
c) In loving memory of | Stopford William Halpin of Arklow | born 15th January 1824 | died 27th February 1885 | and of his wife Susanna Frances | born 11th June 1829 | died 29th November 1906 | also of their children Stopford William | born 5th April 1864 | died 26th September 1864 | Susanna Frances | born 5th June 1870 | died 7th November 1870 |Nannie Caldow | born 2nd January 1868 | died 19th December 1933.
d) In loving memory of | Robert G. Halpin | died June 1st 1906 | also James H. Halpin | died May 5th 1916.
[a) The wife of George Halbert Halpin was Eliza Bradley, possibly of the Dublin family of solicitors.
b) i) James Halpin of the Tavern names his mother as Elizabeth, born about 1739.
ii) Here is mention of George Halpin of Dublin (my George Halpin?) and if so a previously unknown daughter Louisa, born a year after Oswald in 1810, and here showing a connection between the families.
iii) James’ wife is somehow called Jane instead of Anne (mistranscription?)
iv) Who is nephew Captain Frederick Halpin?
v) Here is a sister, Margaret, to James Halpin, dies 1862.]
Bill.
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Hi Bill,
Have not had anything to add to your posts of late, but am still following them with much admiration. The following are the dates for which the C of I records (actual ledgers) survive and are kept in the RCBL, Dublin.
Church of Ireland records for Wicklow Town in RCBL.
Parish Wicklow:
Baptisms: 1655 – 1991. Marriages: 1729 – 1998. Burials: 1729 - 1909
Julia
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Kenneth,
There is a good book entitled The Humours of Donnybrook. Dublin's Famous Fair and its Supperssion
by Séamas Ó Maitiú, for Maynooth Studies in Local History, No 4. (1995) Raymond Gillespie Series Editor.
Published by Irish Academic Press Ltd, Dublin ISBN 0-7165-2569-0.
And in North America by Irish Academic Press Ltd. c/o ISBS 5804 NE Hassalo Street, Portland, OR 97213.
Séamas teaches in Dublin and is well known as a lecturer in Local History. He was our course director when I studied for the Deploma in Local History.
Julia
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Thank you Julia, for the tip about Donnybrook Fair. Also about the BDM records
held at the RCBL. I wonder, do they also hold records for Maryborough and
Portarlington, do you know ?
There must be some trace of some of our Pagets & Marks.
Regards,
Ken
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Hi guys,
Mentioning a George Halbert Halpin marrying Eliza Bradley reminds me of this entry I have on record - from Griffith's valuation (incidentally, the great Sir Richard Griffith of Griffith valuations was my great great grandfather's elder brother). Brian
Tenant
Family Name 1 BRADLEY
Forename 1 JOSEPH
Landlord
Family Name 2 HALPIN
Forename 2 GEORGE
Location
County DUBLIN, CITY OF
Barony
Union DUBLIN NORTH
Parish ST THOMAS
Townland ORIEL STREET, LOWER
Place Name ORIEL PLACE
Place Type OTHER
Publication Details
Position on Page 40
Printing Date 1854
Act 15&16
Sheet Number 9
Map Reference 7
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Anyone near Dublin, with some time, able to spend a day or two in the warmth and dry at the RCB Library to trawl through these registers looking for any of the surnames mentioned above? You may have to ring first for an appointment.
I would assume that they are on microfilm but it would be even better to be able to go through the actual registers.
The earlier records are most of interest because the later the years the more other evidence exists. For example, if we could find William Halpin's baptism around 1777, that would be a tremendous start. (Bearing in mind that, depending on the Vicar or Warden, entries are sometimes terse and reveal disaappointingly little more than name, father and date.)
Bill
Sydney
The following are the dates for which the C of I records (actual ledgers) survive and are kept in the RCBL, Dublin.
Church of Ireland records for Wicklow Town in RCBL.
Parish Wicklow:
Baptisms: 1655 – 1991. Marriages: 1729 – 1998. Burials: 1729 - 1909
Julia
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I'll pop into the archives next week, guys. I've been there before, almost two years ago, and viewed the records for Oldcastle and Wicklow. Didn't spot anything out of the ordinary at the time, but I knew then nothing like what I know now, so a second visit may produce a different impression. As for the Portarlington records - they're actually stored down in Portarlington. The very fact that they exist at all is thanks to the negligence of authorities in the 1920s - had they sent the registers to Dublin they would have been stored at Custom House, which was burnt to the ground during the civil war in 1926, along with virtually all of the records in it. I contacted the curate in Portarlington and she told me the records for the period I was interested in - 1750 - 1800 - were "very patchy". Nevertheless, I hope to pay a visit this summer.
Relieved to see you're still watching us , Julia. And Bill - got those emails. Will respond tomorrow. Cheers.
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Terrific Ray,
What about Maryborough ? It's so close, you could jog over there.
Ken
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Forgive me everyone for posting again. May I just bring attention to some figures allied to names extracted from the latest.
James Halpin of Wicklow, age given as 69 on death in 1847, indicating birth up to 1777.
William Halpin of Wicklow, age given as 84 in 1861 Census, indicating birth up to 1777.
George Halpin of Dublin, age given as 75 at death in 1854, indicating birth up to 1779.
The generations of the Nicholas Halpin family are a bit out of sync with these.
William Henry Halpin married Crosthwaite in 1787. I suppose he could have been born by 1770 but more likely in the 1760s. His eldest known child Marianne was born about 1787.
When James Halpin had recorded in Wicklow the death of Louisa Halpin, "daughter of George Halpin of Dublin" in 1831 aged 21, if she had been his niece do you think he would have stated that? Later there is recorded the death of Captain Frederick Halpin in 1859, "nephew of the above named James Halpin".
In any event, because of all this, are James, William and George related and, if so, how? Is, perhaps, George a cousin of William and James, who are brothers, or are they all just cousins? Does that distill what the revelations of the last week or so reveal?
Don't forget that William Halpin of Wicklow had sons Richard, William, John and Robert. James Halpin in Wicklow had sons George, Thomas, Stopford William, Richard, two Roberts and two Johns, and a daughter Louisa, his first daughter after the death of George's Louisa.
As far as we know, George only had George, Oswald and Louisa but his son George had a son and grandson William as well as George, Robert, Margaret and Louisa.
Hope this helps.
Bill.
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May I extrapolate and speculate upon some other points about ages, dates, etc, from the recent material?
We have from these Wicklow gravestones new information about James Halpin and his mother Elizabeth, who is new to us; and we also learn of his sister, Margaret. (By the way, if Louisa Halpin came down to Wicklow from Dublin about 1830 to her uncle James, she also came down to her older aunt Margaret.)
Elizabeth’s age was stated as 75 when she died the same year, 1814, in which her son James married in Wicklow, he aged about 37 that year. So, Elizabeth would have been about 38 when James was born, around 1777.
These ages leave room for a few things (all speculative).
1. It is highly likely that Elizabeth had more, earlier, children than James, who was born when she was about 38. So, including Margaret (born about 1762), James more than likely had other siblings born in the 1760s and 1770s. (Was William one of them? And George?) We have to be awake for Halpins who may fit this timeframe.
2. If William Henry Halpin was also born in the 1760s, to Nicholas Halpin schoolmaster and Ann du Bois, it would possibly fit neatly that Elizabeth’s husband was a brother or cousin of Nicholas.
3. If so, did Elizabeth’s branch leave for Wicklow/Dublin as early as the 1760s from around Portarlington, or did perhaps the Portarlington lot come from Wicklow. As I have alleged before, the education boom in Portarlington would have sucked in people as booms do. Did Nicholas go where the opportunity was rather than deriving from Portarlington?
4. James, at about 37, was relatively late marrying. William and George had children born a decade before James married Anne Halbert. While I know of many men of this era who married late, or never married, the possibility remains that there was room for James to have had an earlier family to a wife who may have died. However, to date we have noticed no evidence for this, but the possibility has to be there.
5. Ray has suggested often, if I have it right, that James started out as a hot-headed distiller in Dublin with his brother William. Is that right, Ray? He has also painted the picture of many ardent Irish, especially protestants, seeing where their bread was buttered and quite quickly taking up with the establishment, where they were welcomed. William seems not to have taken up his paymaster army commission until about 1807, with a developing war against Napoleon creating opportunities. William would have been about 30. Was this his settling down, just as James went (back?) to Wicklow to run a tavern and raise a very successful family? Could someone in the Castle (who knew the Duke of Cambridge?) have got William his entry to the army at a relatively advanced age?
Bill.
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Away from all surrounding it, may I now reprise my question: who could have been “Captain Frederick Halpin nephew | of the above named James Halpin who departed | this life on the 26th of February 1859 aged 36 years”? Have we heard of him before?
If he was buried under or remembered on his uncle’s memorial stone, what happened to his parents? Is this another family feud?
In other words, James Halpin and Margaret (and William?) had a brother with a son Frederick who was a captain (military or nautical?) born about 1823.
Well yes, I think we know more about him. This must be the Frederick Halpin, hotelier of Wicklow, whose estate was contested in the same year, 1859, in which the solicitors Hone & Kinahan (strongly involved with the George Halpin family in Dublin) acted for the defendant/s, his two nieces, against Frederick's next of kin.
(See at: http://www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/wicklow/newspapers/irish-times-wick01.txt)
Do the nieces actually mean daughters of his own brother or sister or does this in fact mean his cousins, James' unmarried daughters, Eliza, Ann or Louisa? It would be useful to see the case transcript, if it survives.
So, who were his next of kin? Presumably his family did not have a burial plot in Wicklow Town.
Frederick's existence confirms my earlier point today that James in all probabilty had brothers and sisters we may not know.
Ray, where does your Robert Wellington Halpin, town clerk of Wicklow, fit into this?
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Now you've really made me sit up, Bill. Identifying the legal team as the same one looking after the sale of George's properties (see the Irish Times, Sat. June 12 1920) is a little master stroke - it helps square the circle, if you know what I mean (by indirect means we make perhaps meaningful connections). You may recall something I said last year, about the scattering of a few of the Halpin boys around the country to different aunts, which suggested to me the boys lost their mother at an early age. I'm afraid I'm drawing on the lore here, but it may account for some of the confusion we're in over exact lineage. I suppose a mother dying young in those days (the 1770s - 80s) would not have been unusual, sadly.
I was of the opinion that your Frederick was 'my' Frederick, so to speak - the hotel owner who died and left his property to fractious relations. But I hadn't made the connection between the legal teams - excellent work. Of course, last year I thought that the deceased Wicklow Frederick was the third brother of the Rev. Nicholas John Halpin, and thus represented a clear connection between Wicklow and Portarlington. But as Diane pointed out, this couldn't be correct, since the Reverend's brother was still teaching in Sandymount in the 1870s. The question then was - who was the deceased Wicklow hotelier? Well, we know how he fits into the frame now. However, despite the fact that I confused two different Frederick Halpins, the fact remains that the case you bring up may well provide some other link between the various branches of the Halpin family. It certainly requires further investigation. I might try to visit Wicklow town in a couple of weeks - put the wind up the locals. I mean, we used to own that town. I expect to find a red carpet at the bus depot.
As for my great great grand father, Robert Wellington Halpin (merchant trader, Town Clerk, Clerk to the Harbour Board, Postmaster and so forth - I think he was the kind of chap who would have expected you to remember such things in his presence), he was first cousin to Captain Robert Charles Halpin. Now his father, I've been told, was one of James's brothers - a chap by the name of Robert, who worked in Custom House as a tidewaiter or somesuch, but I have no documentation on him other than what I've been able to locate in the House of Commons Parliamentary Papers. It's all a bit frustrating, I'm afraid.
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A little of flesh for the old bones of Halpin's of Portlaoise from the www of The R.C.B. Library, Dublin
The principal town of County Laois, Portlaoise was known as Maryborough until independence in 1922. It was originally designed as an outpost for defence of the settlers, and it has played a significant role in the history of Ireland. You can see evidence of the town's long history in the remains of the old town walls and a circular tower.
Notable buildings include St Peter's Church, which was partly designed by James Gandon. It was the first building to be erected on the Great Green of Maryborough. It was opened in 1803 (and consecrated in 1804) as a replacement to Old St. Peter's Church which had been built during the reign of King Philip and Queen Mary.
In 2004, St Peter's celebrated its bicentenary which was a celebration of the church and its people; while November 2007 saw the beginning of the Gandon Steeple restoration project.'
For information regarding Portlaoise, the Rock of Dunamaise or Ballyfin please contact the rector, Revd Hilary Dungan.
Julia
Julia
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Hi Raymond,
The Bridge Tavern & Guest House, Bridge Street, South Quay, Wicklow Town
A substantial Landmark Licenced Premises and adjoining 10 bedroonm Guest House"
If you are visiting Wicklow perhaps you may be interested in the fact, 'The Bridge Travern' is for sale by private treaty. Perhaps the locals may think you are interested in investing!! See Wicklow People Wednesday 10th March 2010. p.50. property[at]morrisseys.ie. You must be quick as "Full and final offers to be submitted on or before Monday 22nd March 2910 at 4 pm".
Julia
Moderator Comment: e-mail edited, to avoid spamming and other abuses.
Please replace [at] with @
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Speaking of the hunt for information, I'm interested in finding the following:
Dublin-
Mar. Paget Halpen & Margt Delane, St James 9.5.1794
Birth Paget Halpen 1794-1800
M'borough-
Mar. Eugene Sweeny & Eliz (?or Margt) Halpen 27.6.1777
Mar. Mark Halpen & ? Mary Paget 1730-1760
Birth Paget Halpen 1700-1760
I'd love someone to find these for me before Xmas !
Ken
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Bill, re your post No.16-
"The 124th Regiment of Foot was an infantry regiment of the British Army, formed in 1762 and disbanded in 1763. Its colonel was Robert Cuninghame, 1st Baron Rossmore." from Wikipedia.
"With the end of the 'Seven Years' War' in 1763 the army was reduced in strength and several regiments were disbanded. Amongst these was the 96th Manchester Regiment." from Manch. Regt. website.
I still think 38 years on half-pay is too generous. I've checked again and can only find Paget Halpen in the 1778 Army List.
Regards,
Ken
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Re previous post-
Robert Cuninghame was appointed Colonel of the 124th foot in 1762. He had fought as a young officer at the Battle of Culloden on 16.4.1746. (On which side, I wonder ?)
Ken
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It seems the receivers are in. Shall we pass the hat around? Has the GFC done it in?
It seems Ray will be paying a visit shortly to reclaim our inheritances. But failing that, could he and Julia take some photos of the Inn and the gravestone enclosure (if the weather is agreeable) for the files of us a million miles away. If they could be saved to PDF file, like my trees, they wouldn't clutter the list.
Bill
Hi Raymond,
The Bridge Tavern & Guest House, Bridge Street, South Quay, Wicklow Town
A substantial Landmark Licenced Premises and adjoining 10 bedroom Guest House"
If you are visiting Wicklow perhaps you may be interested in the fact, 'The Bridge Tavern is for sale by private treaty. Perhaps the locals may think you are interested in investing!! See Wicklow People Wednesday 10th March 2010. p.50. property[at]morrisseys.ie. You must be quick as "Full and final offers to be submitted on or before Monday 22nd March 2910 at 4 pm".
Julia
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Just a quickie, Ken, to file away for a later date - my great great grandfather R W Halpin masterminded a seditious act in an attempt to screw Wicklow aristocrat Gun Cunningham out of his properties. There's a fantastic report done on the incident by a few Royal Commissioners, complete with minutes of evidence. The date is about 1877. I'm wondering if Gun Cunningham was descended from Robert Cuninghame. If so, Robert C must have fought for Crown forces, and been rewarded for his service with a grant of title over Wicklow land and property? I'll be addressing the issue when I eventually get back to the Wicklow Halpins. Cheers, R.
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I doubt it Ray. It’s a very long shot. One of the descendants of Wm Toone & Mary Sweeny married a Cuninghame. They were ‘a fine family’ and would have been well aware of the origin of the name. It does not mean a sly pig !
It comes from Middle English “kyning hām” pronounced approx. [kooning hame] which meant the home or place of the king.
Ken
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Ah, it was a longshot.
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Thanks Ray,
A bug in the system- should have been 'ham' with an accent, a flat, horizontal
line over the 'a' to make it 'hame' but anyway-
It's a snob thing to stick to the archaic spelling, so the Cuninghames would have looked down on the 'sly pigs', just as the Cokes looked down on the Cooks and Cookes, even though the pronunciation was the same.
But maybe you had a point, C'hame got an Irish title. Worth checking up on.
Ken
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Hi All,
Back to Rev Nicholas John Halpin and his botanical interests. Hope it hasn't been mentioned before but found an article, which I haven't seen, about him:
CUMULATIVE INDEX TO GLASRA AND OCCASIONAL PAPERS
OF THE NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS, GLASNEVIN, DUBLIN, 1976 – 1998.
GLASRA new series 2(2) (1995) publication date 3. vii. 1995
Reilly, P.A. (author) Nicholas John Halpin (1790-1850): a little known Irish botanist pp.165-177.
___________________________________________________
I also found a Nicholas John Halpin who qualified MD from TCD in 1880. Bit confused by this as the only NJH that would fit was the one born 1851 but I thought a surveyor who died unmarried in India:
British Medical Association Feb 7th 1880
UNIVERSITY OF DUBLIN. At the Winter Commencements, held on
Wednesday, December I7th, I879, in the Examination Hall of Trinity
College, the following Degrees in Medicine and Surgery were conferred
by the University Caput.
Doctors in Medicine.-Thomas Kinley Hamilton, Nicholas John Halpin, Edmund Sharkey, William Alexander Fitzgerald, and Stephen Flood (in absentia).
Brian
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There are quite a few Halpin boys graduating from Trinity right up to the 1920s, after which they seem to vanish for the most part - I think they and their families moved abroad, to England mostly, before and after the war of independence. I've never taken the time to find out more about them - this new chap, N J Halpin, is someone I know nothing about.
As for the new article on the botanical habits of the Reverend - I'll see what I can find out. Cheers Brian, R.
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If Mark HALPIN and Mary PAGET only married in 1750.
How did Lieut PAGET HALPIN get his name if he was born in 1740?
Surely it's reasonable to think that it is a combination of their names or have I missed something!
The name PAGEZ (Paget !)was recorded as being that of a Huguenot soldier in Co. Laois in the 1600's. Once again I have mislaid the source but still trying to find it.
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Maureen,
Where did you get 1750 ?
In my post on the old (Halpin Wicklow Forum) No. 202 I said 'Mark H. & Mary Paget mar. about 1740' and Paget was born abt 1740.
In fact, there's no proof that Mark or Mary existed, while there are many references to Paget Halpen.
I agree, P.H. would seem to come from the surnames of Mark & Mary (if they
existed).
But, we have found a Pagitt Halpenny of Queens Co., so the name Paget was in the family 60 years earlier.
Personally, I'm beginning to think that it was a put up job. You start with the desired result, i.e. a fine family to land in, then cook the books to get into that family.
There are other examples of this in the Sweny pedigree. I think someone has looked at the names Paget & Halpen and decided that they must be the parents' names of Eliz Halpen, who married Eugene Sweny.
Anyway we haven't proved anything yet.
Ken
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That sounds reasonable. It all gets so confusing. I was sure that I had come up with the name earlier. I stand corrected,
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Hi all.
A long time ago when I was starting my research in the Registry of Deeds, I took down the following, among other things, as you can see I did not know much about taking the correct information, but here goes, it may be of some help. I never mastered the Reg. of Deeds.
Up to room with Spiral stars. Green cover book index to Corporation Towns to Land Index 1708 – 1919.
Book 1895: Green Book no 971. Vol 2 Wicklow = page 185.
Corporation Towns 1865.
p.90. Wicklow Murrough:
Grantors: Halpin, Louise W & oth.
Grantees: Halpin, George H & oth.
Year of Registry: 1667. No of File = 13: No of Memorial = 73: page 329.
“Johnsvillle” at Wentworth Place fronting Church Hill.
Grantors: Halpin, Adelaide M & ano.
Grantees: Brennan John J.
Year of Registry: 1917. No of File = 9: No of Memorial = 282:
Page: 195.
Wicklow Corporation Rentals 1839-1851.
Dr. John Halbert: Folio No 29: 1840/41/42: Vineyards.
Lease No 54. Pd. by Miss Halbert for Vineyards.
n/b: The Old Church on Church Hill, was called “The Church of the Vines” my note
James Halpin: Folio No 74. Registry of Deeds
Lease No 108 & 109 for 30 yrs from 25th March 1841 @ 5/= Rent and 3d. Duties, for Collywell Cabins in Wicklow.#
Julia
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Dear Julia
May I encourage you to do more research like this! It does a tremendous favour for those of us who might wish to do it but are prevented from doing so for whatever reasons - in my case, geographical reasons. I don't know what time you have available or the ability to get to Dublin but there must be so much to be found in such records.
Re these findings: did you accurately describe Dr John HALBERT in the 1840s? If so, here is the Halbert family for whom nothing previously had been found since Anne Halbert's marriage in 1814 to James Halpin. I wonder if more can be found. Given the year, 1840s, Dr John may well have been Anne Halbert's brother.
Of course, when you found this you knew nothing of its relevance then, I suppose. Or that we would be looking so fervently for a family of Halpins. Perhaps the most important find that could be made would be an association with property, going back generations , for any of these families - Halpin, Halbert, Eaton, Cotter, etc. They could be anywhere in Wicklow County but more probably in, or near, Wicklow Town.
Many thanks for these. Bill.
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Griffith’s Valuations Wicklow County
Thomas Halbert had on lease from Earl Fitzwilliam nearly 140 acres in Kilmullin Townland, seemingly in a triangle of land formed by the N11, the road to Woodstock and the road in from Kilmacullagh. Which would the C of I parish church have been?
Esther Halbert had over 80 acres on lease from William H A Holmes at Ballynabarney, seemingly today between the N11 and the R751. C of I parish church? Wicklow?
Miss Esther Halbert also had just over an acre in Rathnew Parish of Corporation land that she leased to Henry McPhail. Could this have been in Wicklow Town, or in Rathnew?
A Patrick Cotter had a free house in Rathnew town, seemingly in a row of houses, low value.
Bill
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Part 1: Reply no 2 from the late Christopher who started the Halpin thread in November 2007, to Nina giving her a list of Halpins in G.P.V. I would like to clarify these records a little.
Rep. James, Wicklow, Bridge Street, Civil Parish of Kilpoole, Wicklow Town
George H., Wicklow, The Mall, Civil Parish of Kilpoole, Wicklow Town
Margaret, Wicklow, Fitzwilliam Square, Civil Parish of Rathnew, Wicklow Town
George, Island, Civil Parish Rathnew, ‘Island on Murrough’ Wicklow Rural
Robert, Ballynerrin Lower, Main St., Civil Parish Drumkay, Wicklow Town
Land Divisions: Borders didn't go back and forth so much as the division would cover more than one county. The best resource for finding out more about this, is www.from-ireland.net where explanation of Division of Land by County, Barony, Parishes, Townland as well as church parishes and Diocese. Poor Law Unions and Registration Districts (for after 1864 when mandatory registration took place) all cause confusion for the first while.
1 County: 2 Barony: 3 Parishes: 4 Townland: 5 church parishes
6 Diocese. 7 Poor Law Unions (P.L.U.) 8 Registration Districts
There was little ownership of land by common folk. Even Gentlemen and Esquires usually leased land as head tenants and sub-let to the regular folk. Some people would have more than one piece of land they farmed as many were let in small acreages, so you might find John Brown has a house and garden on one bit and he again has 1 acre down the road and another piece with 4 acres.
Information removed due to possible copyright violation. See http://www.rootschat.com/forum/copyright.php for more details
RootsChat must deal with any breach of copyright by its members.
For some time the team of Copyright Editors has been removing breaches of copyright and sending detailed personal messages to the member that had posted the information. Due to the volume of posts and members this is now impractical. Messages in breach will simply be deleted and this notice posted. We apologise for any inconvenience caused but are sure you will appreciate the importance of this issue.
Julia
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Information removed due to copyright violation. See http://www.rootschat.com/forum/copyright.php for more details
The Valuation Office: Located in Irish Life Centre, Abbey Street Lower, Dublin 1, it holds an archive of maps and rateable valuation records from 1850. This archive can be very useful in tracing occupation of particular properties over the years or can be used to locate the home of particular families if details of the townland or street name are available. Opening Hours: Monday to Friday-9.15am to 4.30 pm.
Estate records: Locating estate records is not always easy. You must first know the name of the estate owner. For 19th century families, Griffith's valuation, a "tax" assessed in the 1850s and 1860s, can be useful in determining the name. Other resources helpful in identifying estate owners have been published.
De Burgh, U.H. Hussey. The Landowners of Ireland: an Alphabetical List of the Owners of Estates of 500 Acres or £500 Valuation and Upwards in Ireland. Dublin:
Hodges, Foster, and Figgis, 1878 Landowners in Ireland. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., (1988). This is the same source as the previous cited reference but it is arranged by counties.
Lyons, Mary Cecelia. Illustrated Encumbered Estates Ireland 1850-1905. Whitegate, Co. Clare, Ireland: Ballinakella Press, (1993)
There are lots of good books out there which will help with your research. I mention only a few.
Grenham, John. Tracing your Irish Ancestors (1992 and reprinted 1999).
John Grenham, Tracing Your Irish Ancestor: the Complete Guide (Dublin: Gill & Macmillian Ltd., 1992)
Index to the Townlands and Towns, Parishes and Baronies of Ireland. Based on the Census of |Ireland for the Year 1851. (1861, 1984, 1986, 1992)
Mitchell, Brian. A Guide to Irish Parish Registers (1988).
Ryan, James G. Irish Church Records:
Ryan, James G. Irish Records; Sources for Family & Local History (1988) ISBN 0-916489-22-1
Z5313.17R83 1988 (CS483) 016.929’3415 87-70107.
Revised Edition: Hardcover ISBN 0-916489-76-0. Z5313.17R83 1997 (CS483) 016.9415 dc21.
Long winded Julia
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Thank you, Julia. You have reminded us that among the better known resources, we can sometimes be lucky if estate records have survived.
Fitzwilliam was a principal estate owner in and around Wicklow (was it to them that the Abbey devolved from the Eaton's?). Who were others? Does the local Wicklow historical society know of the survival of any local estate records?
As you say, families who were associated with land down many generations may have had that land from even bigger landholders, often English, and in the records of those estates were correspondence with tenants, lease details and all sorts of family research gold.
Bill.
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Stating again, in 1814 at Wicklow parish church (C of I), James Halpin aged about 37 married Anne HALBERT, aged only about 17. (These ages and place of marriage alone suggest that Anne was "of this parish" - but not necessarily James.)
Their first known child born about 1816 was Eliza. The next child, first son, was named EATON COTTER Halpin.
The next child was named George HALBERT Halpin.
I know that I have stated this before. But I want us to think about the implications of these names. Why would you give your wife's surname to your second son but call your first son Eaton Cotter? Let us think what this might owe to.
Was perhaps Elizabeth, James Halpin's mother, an Eaton or a Cotter? Or, was Anne Halbert of a strong family (with money or land or connections) and was her mother an Eaton or a Cotter? Or were perhaps these names that would link this family to Queen's County or elsewhere?
Did, perhaps, James in his Dublin days owe patronage to people of these names? To date I have found a few Halberts and a seemingly extinct Wicklow family of Eatons but not a single likely Cotter. It is an ongoing intriguing question to keep aware of.
Bill
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The questions of patronage and extended lineage certainly are intriguing, Bill, and for the past week or two you've made real inroads into the origins of some of Wicklow's early Halpins. I only wish I could contribute something of equal value but I'm tied up in other pursuits at the moment. So you're flying solo as it were. Thanks for the effort, mate. Once I get the time to really study the implications of your recent work, I suspect many of the questions I've been asking myself about the links between the various branches of the Wicklow Halpin family tree will be answered by your findings. And I hope my trip to the archives this week uncovers an answer or two to some of the questions you might be asking yourself. Cheers.
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Do you know there are ledgers in NAI for every County in Ireland, indicating lists to Dog Licences, Tree Licences, (if you wanted to cut down a tree, you had to prove you planted that tree). Persons having Licenses to keep arms - the Arms licences for Wicklow are ‘Lost’.
~~~~~~~~-------------------------------
1844 Loise = Ballinakill, Baronies of Culltnagh, Upper Ossory and Maryborough West, gives 433 names, with occupations, residences and types of arms. NLI ILB 04 P12.
1847 Loise = List of Voters in Queen’s Co. up to 1847 9mainly 1838-470. Gives approx. 1000 names by barony, with occyupation, residence, location of freehold etc. NLI ILB 04 P12.
Church of Ireland Records:
Maryborough (Portlaoise) Earliest Records – Birth 1793- : marriages 1794- : Deaths 1794- :
Status Local Custody; Indexed by LOFHR to 1899. The Catholioc registers have been indexed by the Laoise/Offaly Family History Research Centre. A search of the index will be conducted by the center for a fee.
Ryan, James G. Irish Records- Sources for Family and Local History. (1988) Laoise pp343-355
~~~~~~~~----------------------------------
List of Registered Voters in the Co. of Wicklow year ending January 1843. Barony of Newcastle p.156:
No of affidavit = 28: Halpin, James: Residence = Wicklow: Situation of Property = Wicklow: Value = 50:
Qualification = Freehold: Place & date of Registry = Wicklow, 30th March 1841.
~~~~~~~~----------------------------------
Headstone Rathnew Cemetery who? .I know they lived on Church Hill and had no issue. This was the last of the Halpin name to live in Wicklow Town. They lived on Church Hill.
"In Memory of | ANNE CLAIR HALPIN | 1933 – 1988 | also her husband | JAMES RAYMOND HALPIN | 1899 – 1990 | Together now forever”. I think her maiden name was Phibbs, I know she was a model."
In the 1911 census for all Ireland, there are 411 families of Eaton. 2825 Cotter: 10 Halberts, none born in Wicklow. 18 families of Stopford. Nil in Wicklow
Julia
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In 1668 Wicklow had about twice as many houses as Arklow, indicating a higher degree of prosperity – 140 houses in Wicklow and 68 in Arklow. In the civil parish of Wicklow there were 121 houses eligible for hearth money Taxes (17th century equivalent to the Civil Rates) which was assessed on the number of hearths (fireplaces) in each building. Among the prosperous residents of the town were, George Chapman, with hearts: Christopher Mawman with hearths: William Warren, Stephen North, John Halbert, Captain Flowers and Thomas Eliot. John Hacket’s house was the most substantial residence, with 8 hearts. 76 houses out of 100 in Wicklow town had one hearth.
Ref. Stan O’Reilly, ‘The Hearth Money Rolls for the County of Wicklow, 1668’ in WHSJ 1.6. (1993) pp 41-6. Liam Price, The Hearth Money Rolls for County Wicklow’ in JRSAI series 7, I, (1931 pp. 164-178. G.O. Ms. 677. Rolf Leober, ‘Settlers’ Utilisation of the Natural Resources’ in WH&S p.302.
Found in my many notes. Julia
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Any one living in the vicinity of Roundwood, Co Wicklow might be interested in their notice in the Wicklow People.
"Roundwood & District Historical and Folklore Society will hold their next meeting on Monday March 29th in the Old School, Roundwood at 8.30 p.m. Jim Rees will give a l
talk on Robert Halpin. Everyone is welcome."
Julia
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Those old records, like the hearth tax, are the types of sources that we need. My latest are not quite so old but I did find a Thomas Halbert in Newcastle and two Cotters, one at a very interesting date of 1781.
Extracts from A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland by Samuel Lewis, 1837, freely made available online at http://www.libraryireland.com/topog/.
NEWCASTLE, a parish, in the barony of NEWCASTLE, county of WICKLOW, and province of LEINSTER; containing, with the post-town of Newtown-Mount-Kennedy (which is separately described), 4517 inhabitants, of which number, 130 are in the two villages of Upper and Lower Newcastle.
Of the numerous other seats and villas, that add so much to the charms of this delightful district are .... Kilmullen, of Thos. HALBERT, Esq.
*RATHNEW*, a parish and village, in the barony of NEWCASTLE, county of WICKLOW, and province of LEINSTER, at the junction of the roads from Dublin, Rathdrum, and Bray to Wicklow; containing, with the post-town of Ashford and village of Bolinalea (both separately described), 3718 inhabitants, of which number, 544 are in the village of Rathnew.
The principal seats are ..... and Coolawinney, of R. COTTER, Esq. It is a rectory, in the diocese of Dublin and Glendalough, forming part of the union and corps of the prebend of Wicklow in the cathedral of St. Patrick, Dublin: the tithes amount to £377. 1. 6 1/2.
I think I have found elsewhere that this man's name was Richard Cotter. I don't think he was a churchman. It must have been an old rectory
[Found by Cara from records of Wicklow Gaol] http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/irl-wicklow/2003-05/1053248026
15th May 1781
On Wednesday evening, the 9th, prisoners in the upper gaol at Wicklow set
fire to their straw in the hopes of escaping from their confinement in the
confusion which would naturally be a consequence. In a few minutes the
volunteer company of Wicklow foresters were assembled and following the
sample of the officers Captain Foulkes and Lieutenant COTTER at the risk of
their lives extinguished the flames, which has with alarming violence burst
out of the front windows, secured nine prisoners who were on the point of
escaping and safely lodged them in the lower gaol.
Bill
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Photo's of
Captain Robert Halpins grave and The Bridge Tavern
Robert
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Captain Robert Halpin grave and Bridge Tavern
hope this works
Robert
http://www.photobox.ie/album/334306078
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You've all been busy while I was sleeping (in Australia) and I wake to find six new posts.
Just a comment on Julia's post- M'borough records-B from 1793, M & D from 1794. So it doesn't look as if we'll find the Marks & Pagets now.
Re the licences (I've posted this before)-
Q.Co- 1810 John Halpen of Woodville took out a game licence, from Faulkner's
Dub. Journal.
Ken
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You are all doing great work tying in everything. I'm afraid I can only add snippets. Perhaps you already have the headstone inscription.
Church Hill Churchyard:
“Here lyeth ye bodys of THOMAS | & MARTHA EATON & of TANNAT |
EATON their son who depart’d | this life the 30th day of Sepr. 1755 | to whose
memory this monument | is erected | (Note: This stone was originally part of a
marble monument within the Church but was removed owing to its dangerous condition.)
AG 1743 | Here lieth the bo | dy of ELINOR HALBERT | & ANN HALBERT Novemr | 20th
1749
Edward Gregg, nurseryman, was related to the Halpin family, hotel proprietors & stationers.
Relationships in Wicklow c 1851. Wicklow Harbour (chapter 2-Age of improvement p.23).
c 1901 = b6 Church Street, Wicklow 62/48.
Shop – Medical Hall, 2 windows in front of 2nd class house, 5 rooms occupied by 1 person.
No out offices.
Gregg, Francis Bland, head, C of I age 45 yrs. General Medical Practitioner. Sedgwick School of Medicine and College of Surgeons, Ireland, single
C 1911: b1 Church Street 65/52
Medical Hall, 3 windows in front of 2nd class house, 5 rooms occupied by 1 person.
1 out office = 1 store
Gregg, Francis B, head, C of I age 62 yrs. Born Wicklow, Medical Practitioner (I cannot read the initials) single.
Julia
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Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of the Queen [Out of Copyright]
WICKLOW County Extractions (1 Acre & Over)
Owner Name Owner Residence-1873-75
_________ ____________________
(p99) Halpin, R. xxxx London
Brownrigg, H. J. [Reps. Of] xxxx xxxx
Brownrigg, William H. The Strand Bray
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Ray,
I have been following this fantastic conversation/investigation for some time (as a guest) and I have just plucked up the courage to post.
Some of these names that you and others have mentioned are familiar to me. My father (now in the twilight of his life) has mentioned some of these names and places.
I feel like every week or month when I read the updated thread, the world has just got that bit smaller and it is great to see so many people assisting each other. It is like a mystery or puzzle and you are all doing such a great and passionate job working together to solve it. Well done
Who knows where it might lead to...London, Bahrain, Singapore, Darwin in Australia.
Keep it coming guys it is most enjoyable. :D
Aussie HALPIN
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It certainly is a small world!
On Tuesday J M mentioned Roundwood...a place of great memories, of all school holidays spent with members of my family who lived there
Yesterday Henry John Brownrigg of Wicklow my 3rd Gt Grandfather listed with Halpins.
Meanwhile I am supposed to be researching my husband's family tree. Halpins etc
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The most often repeated regret of family researchers is that NOW they can think of all the questions they should have asked their oldies THEN.
It is so important, if you are or think you may be interested in your family's history, to ask, to prompt and to note everything your oldies can reveal. Ask to see and to make notes on (make copies of) photos, letters, diaries - anything. You don't know now how much you may regret not doing it when you can no longer ask them. If they may no longer be capable, make notes NOW of what you remember them having said, because the more time goes by the less reliable your own memory will be.
In this case, the names and places your father mentioned might be of interest to any of us at this site. Your recording them here, where appropriate, would be a start on the above. As you can see, posting to the list is not hard.
Bill
Ray,
I have been following this fantastic conversation/investigation for some time (as a guest) and I have just plucked up the courage to post.
Some of these names that you and others have mentioned are familiar to me. My father (now in the twilight of his life) has mentioned some of these names and places.
I feel like every week or month when I read the updated thread, the world has just got that bit smaller and it is great to see so many people assisting each other. It is like a mystery or puzzle and you are all doing such a great and passionate job working together to solve it. Well done
Who knows where it might lead to...London, Bahrain, Singapore, Darwin in Australia.
Keep it coming guys it is most enjoyable. :D
Aussie HALPIN
-
To Bray,
Another coincidence for you-
Eliz Sweny nee Halpen must have died before her husband Eugene (druggist).
He remarried-
Eugene Sweny, James St, Gent and Lydia Jane Brownrigg 1.11.1794
She was bapt. 26.3.1761 St Peter & St Kevin Dub. parents John & Jane B.
No children recorded.
Ken
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Re Richard Halpin.
I am a little disappointed to report that I have found the death of one of the two, so far, missing sons of Captain William Halpin (the remaining one being John). I say disappointed because there was a Richard Halpin, tide surveyor and harbour master at Howth, who I was hoping fitted the bill.
However, as I believe I have previously reported but had forgotten, we have found a Captain Richard Halpin who died in a boating accident at Dinapore in India in 1839, serving with the 49th Regiment. He was reported as born in 1801, although the Trinity College records say about 1799. Probate was granted to his father, William Halpin of Castle Forbes, North Wall, Dublin in 1840.
I would like to know more about Castle Forbes as it puts William one street away from George Halpin senior's abode at the North Wall Lighthouse. One reference (http://www.chaptersofdublin.com/books//NorthDub/cosgrave12.html) states that it was about the oldest house in the area. It was of sufficient note for there now to be a street named after it, Castleforbes Street, which runs one street parallel and west of East Wall Road, between North Wall and Sherriff.
Bill
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Halpin Marianne Catherine Born 10-Aug-1847 Madras.
Just reporting this find made notable by the name Marianne. Can't think whose daughter she would be, though.
Bill.
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Halbert, Eaton and Cotter families around Wicklow.
[James Halpin married Anne Halbert. Their eldest son was named Eaton Cotter Halpin, born c.1818.]
I have assembled these scattered bits of information so as to have them in the one place. Much of the following is owed to Julia.
HALBERT
In 1668 Wicklow had about twice as many houses as Arklow, indicating a higher degree of prosperity – 140 houses in Wicklow and 68 in Arklow. In the civil parish of Wicklow there were 121 houses eligible for hearth money taxes which was assessed on the number of hearths in each building. Among the prosperous residents of the town were....John Halbert. [Stan O’Reilly, ‘The hearth Money Rolls for the County of Wicklow, 1668’ Wicklow Historical Society]
AD 1743 | here lieth the body of Elinor Halbert & Ann Halbert Novemr 20th 1749 [Church Hill churchyard]
Of the numerous other seats and villas, that add so much to the charms of this delightful district are.... and Kilmullen, of Thos. Halbert, Esq. The parish comprises two livings, a lay rectory and a vicarage, in the diocese of Dublin and Glendalough. [From: A Topographical dictionary of Ireland by Samuel Lewis, 1837. Freely available at http://www.libraryireland.com/topog/n.php] under NEWCASTLE, a parish, in the barony of NEWCASTLE, county of WICKLOW, and province of LEINSTER; containing, with the post-town of Newtown-Mount-Kennedy (which is separately described), 4517 inhabitants, of which number, 130 are in the two villages of Upper and Lower Newcastle.
Dr John Halbert: Folio No 29: 1840/41/42: Vineyards. Lease No.54 Pd by Miss Halbert for Vineyards.
[Griffith’s Valuations Wicklow County 1854]
Thomas Halbert on lease from Earl Fitzwilliam nearly 140 acres in Kilmullin Townland
Esther Halbert on lease from William H A Holmes over 80 acres in Ballynabarney Townland
Miss Esther Halbert leased to Henry McPhail over 1 acre in Rathnew Parish of Corporation (Rathnew?)
EATON
Here lyeth the bodys of THOMAS & MARTHA EATON & of TANNAT EATON their son who depart’d this life the 30th day of Sepr. 1755 to whose memory this monument is erected. [Wicklow parish church]
[Griffith’s Valuations for Arklow Town 1854] Main Street
No.96 Letitia Eaton
No.97 Reverend Richard E Eaton
Addendum to Eaton. See page 8
COTTER
15th May 1781
On Wednesday evening, the 9th, prisoners in the upper gaol at Wicklow set fire to their straw in the hopes of escaping from their confinement in the confusion which would naturally be a consequence. In a few minutes the volunteer company of Wicklow foresters were assembled and following the examples of the officers Captain Foulkes and Lieutenant Cotter at the risk of their lives extinguished the flames, which has with alarming violence burst out of the windows, secured nine prisoners who were on the point of escaping and safely lodged them in the lower gaol. [Found by Cara from records of Wicklow Gaol]
County of Wicklow Infirmary - Names of Governors
No.21 Mr Eaton Cotter (By subscription of 3 guineas per annum)
[Report and Memorial of the Commissioners to the Lords Commissioners 0f Parliament 1808
The Thirty Third Report of the Commissioners of Accounts of Ireland p.100]
Names and Residences of Gentry. Proceeding from Bray by Sea Road. (Just before Wicklow) Coalawiney, Eaton Cotter, Esq. [A Guide to the County of Wicklow by G. N. Wright, 1827, p.172. ]
The principal seats are.... and Coolawinney, of R. Cotter, Esq. It is a rectory, in the diocese of Dublin and Glendalough, forming part of the union and corps of the prebend of Wicklow in the cathedral of St. Patrick, Dublin: the tithes amount to £377. 1. 6 1/2. [From: A Topographical dictionary of Ireland by Samuel Lewis, 1837. Freely available at http://www.libraryireland.com/topog/n.php] under RATHNEW, a parish and village, in the barony of NEWCASTLE, county of WICKLOW, and province of LEINSTER, at the junction of the roads from Dublin, Rathdrum, and Bray to Wicklow; containing, with the post-town of Ashford and village of Bolinalea (both separately described), 3718 inhabitants, of which number, 544 are in the village of Rathnew.
Bill
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In a book about the history of ireland to the Act of Union, lists are published of “The original Red list of the Members who Voted against the Union in 1799 and 1800”, and the “Original Black List of those who Voted For the Union in 1799 and 1800”
In the latter list , on page 193, are
Sir J Cotter, privately bought over by cash
R. Cotter.
I believe these Cotters were from County Cork and the R Cotter was Rogerson Cotter, whose mother was Arabella Rogerson who married Sir James Cotter.
Bill.
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Hi
A database on the British Library website has :
March 21, 1839
Sacred to the memory of Captain Richard Halpin, H.M. 49th Regt. who departed this life March 21, 1839, aged 38 years; This Tomb is erected by his brother officers as a token of their high esteem; Dinapore Bengal Obituary p. 34 Burial
Diane
It appears that a raft of the William Halpin family died in North London in the 1860s and possibly all were buried at the then fairly new Kensal Green Cemetery. I have given Ronald a connection there that may assist. From this news, the possibility of burial records and wills holds potential family information. These deaths were:
1. William Halpin buried 31 Dec 1862. In the Census a year earlier as found by Ronald, he was a Captain on half pay, living at 39 Leinster Square, Bayswater and, at age 84, still proudly avowing his birth in Wicklow (about 1777). Living there with him were the following:
2. Sophia Halpin died on 31st Oct or Nov 1862 (before her father) at Leinster Square. There was a death notice in the Times: ‘On 31st inst at 3? Leinster-square W, Sophia, youngest daughter of Captain William Hamilton.’
3. William Halpin buried 28th April 1865. He died at 54 Belsize Road, Hampstead. Belsize Square, I think, was the address 20 years later of Rev Robert Crawford Halpin. Had the family acquired property there as early as the 1860s? William had retired in 1861 as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Madras Native Infantry upon which he was awarded the honorary rank of Major General.
4. Anna Halpin. An Anna Halpin is recorded in FreeBMD as dying in 1867 aged 57 in the Hampstead registration district, the same district as for William above.
The remaining known sibling (other than Robert Crawford, the youngest) was Richard Halpin (from Trinity College entries, the eldest). Richard Halpin is recorded as a Cornet 8th – 22nd July 1815 in his father’s regiment, the King’s German Legion (aged about 16). Thereafter, he went up to Trinity in 1818, was awarded his BA in 1822. It seems he had gone on half pay because we find in the London Gazette the following: 98th Regiment of foot. ‘To be Ensigns. Cornet Richard Halpin, from half-pay 1st Light Dragoons, King's German Legion. Dated 7th April 1825....’
I have been able to follow Richard’s trail only to 1833. From the same source: ‘To be lieutenants Without Purchase. Ensign Richard Halpin, from the 98th Foot. Dated 26th April 1828’ [49th Foot]. Then: ‘49th Foot, Lieutenant Richard Halpin to be Captain, by purchase, vice Morris. Dated 13th September 1833’.
If any of the service records of the army officers can be found in the National Archives at Kew, there may be much more information. Unfortunately Kew is a very long way from me.
Bill
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Hi,
Also on the British Library website is John Halpin born July 3 1805 died November 30 1848 was with the Madras Army.
Diane
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Bill
I was also pondering the question you posed about whether the Halpins went from Portarlington to Dublin and Wicklow or was it the other way around.
In the Portarlington Directory for 1787 the only Halpin listed is Nicholas Halpin, English Grammer School. I had expected to see more Halpins listed.
In the directories for the 1700's most of the Halpins seem to be in Dublin.
Mind you directories don't list everyone but it does bear thinking about.
Diane
May I extrapolate and speculate upon some other points about ages, dates, etc, from the recent material?
We have from these Wicklow gravestones new information about James Halpin and his mother Elizabeth, who is new to us; and we also learn of his sister, Margaret. (By the way, if Louisa Halpin came down to Wicklow from Dublin about 1830 to her uncle James, she also came down to her older aunt Margaret.)
Elizabeth’s age was stated as 75 when she died the same year, 1814, in which her son James married in Wicklow, he aged about 37 that year. So, Elizabeth would have been about 38 when James was born, around 1777.
These ages leave room for a few things (all speculative).
1. It is highly likely that Elizabeth had more, earlier, children than James, who was born when she was about 38. So, including Margaret (born about 1762), James more than likely had other siblings born in the 1760s and 1770s. (Was William one of them? And George?) We have to be awake for Halpins who may fit this timeframe.
2. If William Henry Halpin was also born in the 1760s, to Nicholas Halpin schoolmaster and Ann du Bois, it would possibly fit neatly that Elizabeth’s husband was a brother or cousin of Nicholas.
3. If so, did Elizabeth’s branch leave for Wicklow/Dublin as early as the 1760s from around Portarlington, or did perhaps the Portarlington lot come from Wicklow. As I have alleged before, the education boom in Portarlington would have sucked in people as booms do. Did Nicholas go where the opportunity was rather than deriving from Portarlington?
4. James, at about 37, was relatively late marrying. William and George had children born a decade before James married Anne Halbert. While I know of many men of this era who married late, or never married, the possibility remains that there was room for James to have had an earlier family to a wife who may have died. However, to date we have noticed no evidence for this, but the possibility has to be there.
5. Ray has suggested often, if I have it right, that James started out as a hot-headed distiller in Dublin with his brother William. Is that right, Ray? He has also painted the picture of many ardent Irish, especially protestants, seeing where their bread was buttered and quite quickly taking up with the establishment, where they were welcomed. William seems not to have taken up his paymaster army commission until about 1807, with a developing war against Napoleon creating opportunities. William would have been about 30. Was this his settling down, just as James went (back?) to Wicklow to run a tavern and raise a very successful family? Could someone in the Castle (who knew the Duke of Cambridge?) have got William his entry to the army at a relatively advanced age?
Bill.
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Hi,
In the Freeman's Journal, Dublin, Friday, March 22, 1839
On the 20th instant at his residence, North Great Georges Street, in the 79th year of his age, William Henry Halpin, Esq., late of the Military Account Office.
That would make him born around 1760.
I was hoping that he was the William Henry who married Marianne Crosthwaite but I guess it could also be the William who was the paymaster in the army.
I don't know how to prove it one way or another.
Diane
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Diane & others,
I have made a summary of the 1500 entries for Halpen/Halpin/Halfpenny etc.in the IGI Index, (not inc. Ancestral, Pedigree Resource files or Census).
County/ No. of entries/ Time span
Antrim 26, 1841-1950s
Armagh 1, 1865
Carlow 32, 1808-1879
Cavan 15, 1846-1878
Clare 75, 1788-1882
Cork 13, 1788-1877
Donegal 1, 1833
Down 9, 1864-1879
Dublin 217, 1 fem.mar.1727, rest 1760-1908
Fermanagh 10, 1865-1904
Galway 18, 1864-1880
Ireland (no county) 300, 1734-1946
Kerry 64, 1830-1880
Kildare 8, 1864-1878
Kilkenny 2, 1843-1866
Laoighis 5, 1756-1849 (inc 1 mar. & 2 approx birthdate for Eliz Halpen)
Leinster Province 19, 1781-1840 (few W’meath, mostly Ossory)
Leitrim 1 1834
Limerick 327, 1741-1905 (& 1 dubious 1676)
Longford 6, 1844-1880
Louth 55, 1783-1993
Mayo 1 1866
Meath 122, 1819-1966
Monaghan 13, 1812-1873
Tipperary 44, 1810-1912 (inc 4 birth & 4 mar. for same Honora H.)
Tyrone 3, 1846-1866
Waterford 19, 1709-1917
Westmeath 9, 1860-1878
Wexford 1, 1845 (mar.)
Wicklow 48, 1845-1879 (mostly 1860s & 1870s)
These figures are of course not conclusive, they are an indication only. Many events have been duplicated, and many others, probably the majority, are missing.
Leinster Province covered a number of counties, but most entries are from the Diocese of Ossory, which I believe was based in Kilkenny town.
The earliest reliable Halpen we know is Padgitt Halfpenny, of Queens Co. b. 1682 (from TCD Register).
Ken
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Di, Captain William Halpin, paymaster, gave his age as 84 in the London 1861 Census. While census ages are notoriously unreliable, this one rings true with other events in his life. This gives him a birth year around 1777, very close indeed to the estimated birth years of James and George. Also we have seen no evidence of him having a middle name.
By comparison, if William Henry Halpin married Marianne Crosthwaite in 1787, 1760 makes a very comfortable fit for his year of birth. In fact, it is the approximate year that I have given in my tree charts.
I intend to tentatively accept your find as his death. In which case, his published position, late of the Military Account Office, is very interesting news. Has anyone else seen this before? Could he have helped the 17 years younger William get an army commission as a Captain/Paymaster in 1807? Which, of course, again ties up these families.
Does anyone know anything of the Military Account Office? Also, where does North Great Georges Street fit into the disposition of the Dublin Halpins in 1839?
A very compelling find, Di. Bill.
Hi,
In the Freeman's Journal, Dublin, Friday, March 22, 1839
On the 20th instant at his residence, North Great Georges Street, in the 79th year of his age, William Henry Halpin, Esq., late of the Military Account Office.
That would make him born around 1760.
I was hoping that he was the William Henry who married Marianne Crosthwaite but I guess it could also be the William who was the paymaster in the army.
I don't know how to prove it one way or another.
Diane
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I Googled "Military Account Office", which brought up an 1815 Almanack by John Watson (I think) which showed this entry to be on page 151, which by sods law was missing!
However, doing an internal search for Halpin brings on page 55, under Merchants and Traders:
Halpin (Mary and Martha) Haberdashers, 5 Mecklenburgh-street.
I suppose these are the "Misses Halpin" that appear regularly in other directories. Don't know who they are, yet, but they are in Ray's Mecklenburgh Street. B.
-
I have just amended my list of Halbert/Eaton/Cotter by adding two references to an Eaton Cotter in 1808 and 1827 living at what I think is now called Coolawinna or Coolawinnia, about a mile equidistant north of Rathnew and east of Ashford. He was succeeded there by a Richard Cotter.
Because of James Halpin's and Anne Halbert's first son being named Eaton Cotter Halpin, about 1818, I conjecture that Anne Halbert's mother may have been of this Cotter family, who, in turn, may have married with the last of the Eaton family.
The Halbert family seems to have derived from around Ballinabarney, just west of Wicklow and south of Rathnew and also from Kilmullin, which is further north, near Newtonmountkennedy and Newcastle. All these distances are so close.
If their BDMs do not turn up in the registers of Wicklow Church of Ireland, where would have been alternate, closer C of I parish churches for them to attend and to possibly have left records?
Bill
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Bill,
If you do a Advanced Google Book Search putting Halpin in the first line and military account in the exact phrase spot you come up with a little more information.
Diane
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Hi All,
Interesting recent posts. Google books avanced search is very nice!
I found Halpin entries in 'The fifth (-thirteenth) annual report (covering 1829-1834) of the Juvenile association for promoting the education of the deaf and dumb poor of Ireland. It seems as though most of the gents and their wives gave to this charity and are listed according to the location of their local branch.
The only entries are:
Wicklow - Mr James Halpin and also, separately, Mrs Halpin.
Oldcastle - Rev N.J. Halpin and, separately, Rev G. Halpin
Also in The Gentleman's and London Magazine or Monthly Chronologer 1785:
Deaths June-July 1785 at Porarlington, Mrs Mary Ann Halpin.
Now who is she??
All best Brian
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Thought you all might like to see the following I knew I had it in ony of my many cardboard 'filing' spaces, at last have located it. I researched it 8th April 1997.
L.E.C. Rentals Wicklow Town: Drumkay Parish. N.A.I. Vol 38. No 30.
Co of Wicklow Rental & Particulars. Researched by JMF 8th April 1997
Town of Wicklow and also on the Murrough of Wicklow: Held under leases for unexpired terms of lives and years, and of years, to be Sold by Auction, in four lots By the Commissioners for the Sale of Incumbered Estates in Ireland: At their Court, 14 Henrietta St., in the City of Dublin.
ON Friday the 15th day of February 1856 at the Hour of 12.O’Clock Noon.
Descriptive Particulars and Conditions of Sale.
Lot No 1:
A Capital walled-in-yard, also a Quay for Vessels of large tonnage to come alongside, offering every facility for loading with copper sulphur ores, etc., for the storage of which, this Yard would be most valuable. There is on it a slated store, in the south-east-corner, next to the river, and fronting the quay.
There is also a Coast Guard Station of this Lot, in thorough repair, and let for £12. per annum. This Lot would be an eligible investment for mining Companies or Ship owners, as the proposed improvement for deeping (sic) the river of Wicklow to eight feet at low water (which is now rapidly progressing, will extend opposite the entire front of this plot, which is also within a short distance of the terminus of the Dublin and Wicklow Railway.
Valuation for Yard & Store ... ... ... ... ... £15. Per annum
Valuation for Coast Guard Station .. ... ... £12. Per annum
THE PROPERTY OF THE LATE
JAMES HALPIN
Lot no 1.
Held under lease bearing the date the 24th day of June 1823, made between the Portrieve, Burgesses, and Commonalty of the Borough of Wicklow, of the one part, and James Halpin, of the Town of Wicklow, Innkeeper, of the other part, of all that plot of ground situated on the Murrough of Wicklow, and in the Corporation of Wicklow aforesaid, bounded on the north by the road leading to the Old Bar, on the East by a road or passage leading to the river, and Mr George David Ronan’s holding, on the South by the River of Wicklow, and on the West by the unoccupied piece of ground between said plot and Mr. Solomon William’s holding from said Corporation, containing, from North to South, 80 feet, from East to West, 68 feet or thereabouts, to hold from the 29th day of September 1822, for the lives of Eliza Halpin, Eaton Cotter Halpin, and George Halpin, or for the term of 99 years from the date of said lease, whichever should be the longest last, at the yearly rent of 16/=, and 8/= duties, both late currency, and payable 25th March and 29th September.
Julia
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Excellent, Julia.
1. Do you think the latter describes the site of the Bridge Tavern?
2. What is a Murrough (as opposed to a burough and town)?
Bill.
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Hi Ray,
came across this on google dates might be useful
Rathdown Civil Registration District or Poor Law Union
Ireland
Birth Register Indices - Reference extracts (Vital Records
http://www.from-ireland.net/extrs/p/r/rathdobirths1.htm
Surname & Name Year Quarter
Halpin Agnes 1869
Halpin Bridget 1873
Halpin Catherine 1873
Halpin Edward Laurence 1876
Halpin George 1871
Halpin Jeremiah 1877
Halpin John 1873
Halpin Lucy 1884
Halpin Mary 1875
Halpin Mary Anne 1869
Halpin Patrick Joseph 1877
Halpin Sarah Anne 1877
Halpin Teresa 1885
Halpin Thomas 1884
Halpin William 1885
Rgs Robert
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"To John & Benj. HOPKINS, and John HALPIN, jun. To repair 73 perches (about 400 yards) from Tinnahaly to Carlow, between the widow Hopkins's haggard and a thorn bush on Lau. FALLON's (probably TALLON) ditch on Stratnakelly, £14/12/-."
[Source: Accounts, Presented to the House of Commons. Presentments Passed by Grand Juries of Ireland. County of Wicklow. Spring Assizes 1807 p.443]
Stranakelly is in SW Wicklow, probably about 25 miles from Wicklow Town by road. The name John Halpin junior is enticing but possibly not related. From reading the pages surrounding, I get the impression that, for smaller contracts like this, payments were made to locals to repair/build the road near their own property.
Bill.
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I'm inclined to think that John Halpin jnr is the son of John Halpin of Portarlington and Custom House (the chap stung by the live-in Dublin prostitute I told you about a few weeks back). John Halpin snr retired to Portarlington in about 1800, on an excellent annual pension.
John snr's position in Custom House, and other positions like those of tidewaiter and landwaiter, were invented by the British administration for the relatives of members of Grattan's Parliament (situated in Dublin, which ended in 1800). The Irish Parliament voted itself out of existence in response to the Rebellion of 1798. Many Irish Parliamentarians were reluctant to support the idea of a 'Union' with Britain, but substantial numbers agreed to it when the right bribe was offered (money, land, well-paid public appointments, etc). So it is very likely that the Halpins of Portarlington were closely related to a member of Grattan's Parliament, someone who sold his support for the Union in return for substantial favours. This probably accounts for the presence of so many Halpins at Custom House, working in a professional capacity on the Dublin docks - their positions being rewards of gratitude for political support.
I wonder which member of Grattan's Parliament the Halpins were related to? I once stumbled across a Halpin-Greville or Grenville, who was supposed to be the first Irish born member of Grattan's Parliament, but my memory of the reference is very hazy and I've never been able to recover the attribution or to confirm it. Sorry about that. By the way - I believe there was a Greville (a Major?) living in Cavan town at the time of Dr. Charles Halpins presence there.
Something else to consider - the Rev. Nicholas John Halpin was born in Portarlington. Clearly, he acquired his father's Christian name, but did he also acquire his 'uncle' John's first name too? Which would mean John Halpin snr and Nicholas Halpin schoolmaster were brothers.
Another thing to think about: over a year ago I drew your attention to the announcement of the death in India of a John Halpin, Orientalist and Surveyor/Engineer. That announcement was recorded in Cavan Town's local newspaper, The Anglo-Celt. I'm away from my desk at the moment so I can't give you guys the exact date of the announcement, but it coincided with Dr. Charles Halpin's presence in Cavan town, and I speculated that it was made for Dr. Halpin's benefit, which probably meant the two men were related. Sadly, I've never been able to find out any more about John Halpin, our Indian Orientalist. But if my suspicions are right, then it seems likely he was the son of John Halpin snr, of Portarlington and Custom House. In other words - he is the John Halpin jnr in Bill's posting above, and at some point after 1807 he took up a good position out in India, where he died (he may be Diane's John). Naturally, if he is the son of John Halpin snr, then that would make him first cousin to Dr. Charles Halpin of Cavan town, and it would explain why his death was announced in the Anglo-Celt (and in no other newspaper, as far as I can tell).
PS - I have a few weeks work - the first in 9mnths, god help me. The work's miles from anywhere, which is why I've been off air for a while. Just ducked into town today for a few hours, and saw the recent activity. Everyone's been pretty busy and there's much to absorb. Will have results of an examination of the Parish Registers for Wicklow for you next time I get in touch. Am off out to the sticks for another two weeks (at the most). All the best, R.
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Ray, are you saying here that Nicholas John Halpin was a son of Old Nick Halpin, schoolmaster? According to our only documented account, the Burke's entry, he was the son of William Henry and the grandson of Nick. Otherwise I have had John as a possible undeclared brother of William Henry but no problem with his being his uncle. In line with your thesis, we have seen recently, from Diane, that William Henry seems to have had a sort of sinecure in the Military Account Office about 1815.
Welcome back and good news.
Bill.
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Sorry Bill - got myself mixed up. Too hasty with the reply. In a bit of a rush. I should have put John down as a cousin of William Henry Halpin, who was father of the Rev. N J halpin. That would make John an uncle of the Reverend and his brother Charles Halpin, MD. Perhaps I should go away and think more clearly about this.
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Re Halpin Greville, to which Ray referred.
First there is publicly available research at the site http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/h/e/y/Max-Heywood/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0850.html. Here the will of Henry Halpin Greville (1785-1837) refers to property at Kilmainham Co Dublin that he inherited from his father John Halpin Greville (d.1829 London).
John Halpin Greville's parents are shown as John Greville and Hannah Halpin, married 1740 Dublin. Apparently nothing was known at the time about Hannah Halpin's family but her name being joined to her husband's seems to suggest some family substance. I wonder what we can find out?
Her husband, John Greville, is shown as born 1710 at Carrickmines and died 1757 in Ballycreagh, both Co Dublin, and that he had land at Carrickmines known as Newmarshes Farm. (Could this be Kilmainham or is that elsewhere?)
It seems to me that these are people whom our Halpins would have known.
Second, Greville is an English aristocratic name (Earls of Warwick, I think) who would have moved in the same circles as the Villiers (Earls of Clarendon and Jersey). I do not know, of course, but these Dublin Grevilles may have been minor relatives.
But this reminds me of a much earlier mention here about George Villiers, 4th Earl of Clarendon (1800-1870), a most impressive man dedicated to public service, who had the prime ministership offered to him more than once but declined on principle. In, so far vainly, searching for an Irish connection between the Greville and Villiers families, I noticed that for nearly 10 years in the 1820s he was a Commissioner for Customs, including Ireland. He spent a lot of time in Ireland, later as Lord Lieutenant at a time that included the Great Famine.
I, of course, am interested in any Villiers connections because Julia Villiers (1815-1889, parents unknown, wife of George Halpin, jun.) is one of my ancestors. Here is this most prominent of Villiers a Commissioner of Customs in Ireland at about the time of the Nicholas Halpin family being at the Customs and George Halpin senior at the height of his achievements at the Port of Dublin and elsewhere. (I am not suggesting parentage. For one thing, the dates don't fit and I don't think he was in Ireland in 1815 - although she was not necessarily born in Ireland.)
Bill
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From Register of Kilkenny School 1685-1800 by T.U.Sadleir:
HALFPENNY PADGET, 13 years, Aug. 31 1696, (son of Nicholas of Queens Co.)
He is obviously the same one who entered TCD in 1698, aged 16. (see old forum P.18) Kilkenny School actually seems to have been in Kilkenny.
From 'Dalton (family) Data Bank, re convicts in Australia:
Thomas Halfpenny. Trial 5/4/1840. Convicts daughter, Rose Halfpenny granted a free passage to NSW. His niece, Rose Dalton, also seeks free passage. They reside in Kingscourt, Co. Cavan. (But in the index it says T.H. of Naas, Kildare)
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In reply to a message I posted 'Local Help Needed':
"The best possibility I can see is a townland named Ballymooney located about 4km east of Portlaoise (Maryborough) - see google map Ballymooney, Co. Laois" Sent by ShaneW 147.
Ken
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My granddaughter Emily age 16 yrs came down yesterday to teach her grandma new tricks. I have never been on You Tube before, but she wanted to show me pictures of Wicklow. I am very glad she did and I would like to share this information with you all.
First Google ‘You Tube’ next click on ‘You Tube – Broadcast yourself ‘, then type in Wicklow Flooding 1965. This flooding, due to torrential rains happened on the Bank Holiday of August Monday when the regatta was in full swing. The amateur video (not very clear) was taken around The Bridge Tavern.
“Bridges of Wicklow”: There is a nice side picture of the Church of Ireland building, Church Hill, Wicklow. The church yard is situated to the left of this picture where the Halpin family graves are. It also shows the ‘Stone Bridge’ with Wire Ropes on one side of the bridge and The Bridge Tavern on the other side, where the flooding took place.
Also type in “Wicklow Pictures”. There are lots of other pictures around Co Wicklow well worth seeing. Hope you enjoy them.
Will send on more information on the Murrough and photo of some of Halpin property mentioned.
Julia
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(1) Who do we think the John Halpin, bookseller of Dublin, was, and what are the dates of recorded evidence about him? When is he first recorded? From these, can we deduce a likely age and time of birth for him? Were there any other John Halpins about at the same time?
(2) Current evidence suggests that Old Nick's son, William Henry Halpin, was employed at the Military Account Office and that he died in 1839 at his home in North Great Georges Street aged 79 (according with his being born 1760), a widower from Marianne for over 30 years, since 1808. I wonder how early he started with the Military Account Office and what was this? Was it another Halpin sinecure?
Bill
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I have found two 'citations' from a website 'jstor' that seem relevant.
It quotes from "A Handlist of the Voters of Maryborough 1760" by H F Kearney, 1954. Irish Historical Studies, Select Documents from Drogheda MSS. Nat. Lib. Ireland.
Halpen Mark, Ballymony
Halpen Pagitt, in the Army
Both seem to be "under Mr. Westenraa's influence" which means I presume that they voted for him. I believe there were about 400 electors.
I assume that it was for the Corporation of M'borough, or maybe Governor of the County ? I wonder:
Who would be eligible to vote ?
Would there be a minimum age requirement (I think Pagett was about 20) ?
Ken
Moderator's Comment: Query about this source also posted on LAOIS Board:
www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,449483.msg3115974.html#msg3115974
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Bill,
Re J.H. Bookseller,
There's a resume of his life on a google book site, "A Dictionary of Members of the Dublin Book Trade 1550-1800" He's on Page 269. If you google in his name you get Page 1, but if you google in 'Paget Halpen, engraver, Dublin Book Trade', you get P. 270, and you can scroll back.
He mar. Jane Stamer in Aug.1786 and died in Nov. 1810, Will 1811.
Ken
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That's excellent Ken. The body of the information needs interpretation but the genealogy and dates are clear. By the way, scrolling down, note that the engraver John Edmund Halpin is shown as the son of Patrick Halpin. Also note the apposite comment on page 270 by the author, writing about Patrick Halpin, that "the Halpen family has proved particularly elusive". Amen.
What do you think this shows about John's age? He marries 1786, the year before William Henry Halpin marries, aged 27. It is only at this time that he starts to register as a bookseller. Presumably he himself served an apprenticeship but this is not mentioned in the book, I think. Do you get the impression that John is a contemporary, age-wise, of William Henry, therefore born 1760, or do different sources suggest otherwise?
Do you think that there would have been a prosperous living as a bookseller? I have the feeling that these professions of bookseller, engraver, etc. were somewhat dilettante-ish pursuits of those with comfortable backgrounds. I don't mean that they were not serious about their professions, merely that there was something to fall back on. If, as it seems, that Jane Stamer came from good family, it is likely that John would have had to measure up, status-wise.
I also note that Patrick had a job in the Stamp Office as William Henry had one in the Military Account Office. These are establishment jobs.
Bill.
Bill,
Re J.H. Bookseller,
There's a resume of his life on a google book site, "A Dictionary of Members of the Dublin Book Trade 1550-1800" He's on Page 269. If you google in his name you get Page 1, but if you google in 'Paget Halpen, engraver, Dublin Book Trade', you get P. 270, and you can scroll back.
He mar. Jane Stamer in Aug.1786 and died in Nov. 1810, Will 1811.
Ken
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Bill,
I wouldn't like to speculate too much. I have not followed him up, as he does not seem to be closely related to 'my' Halpens.
But it would be reasonable to assume that he was born about 1740-1750. In his class, it was usual to have a few years under your belt before marrying.
But one thing I should say is- I had previously assumed that he was the same John Halpen (of Woodville, QCo.) who married Mrs. Eliz. Swettenham, nee Toone (widow of the former Lord Mayor , Alderman S.) Refer old forum Nos 239/240.
Now I see that John H. bookseller was survived by his widow, Jane.
Could be an error, or was it a different J.H.?
Ken
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Addendum to Halbert, Eaton and Cotter families around Wicklow, from page 6.
EATON
Lease for 32 years and counterpart from Thomas Eaton of Dublin, gent., to John Mosely of Wicklow, gent., of a garden called Paradise 'inclosed with four Mudd Walls', and a house in front of the barracks of Wicklow with the waste house and garden adjoining, all being near the 'harling Lease' in Wicklow. [TNA UK CR 132/74-75 6 Oct. 1707]
Lease for 11 years from Martha Eaton of Dublin, widow, guardian of her son Tanat, to Walter Byrn of Killoghter, co. Wicklow, gent. [TNA UK CR 132/36 24 Apr. 1742]
Lease for lives from Catherine Eaton of Dublin, spinster, to William Hodgins of Wicklow, malster. [TNA UK CR 132/39 17 Nov. 1767]
Lease for 61 years from Katherine Eaton to John Burne of Moneystown, farmer, of part of Moneystown. Plan annexed. [TNA UK CR 132/41 20 Dec. 1784]
Lease for 61 years from Katherine Eaton to Hugh Burne of Moneystown, farmer, of part of Moneystown. Plan annexed. [TNA UK CR 132/42 24 Dec. 1784]
Lease for lives from Katherine Eaton of Wicklow, spinster, to Patrick Kavanagh of Exchequer St., Dublin, merchant. 2 plans annexed. [TNA UK CR 132/52 1 Nov. 1785]
HALBERT
Of part of Lower Ballynebarney, 50a., Barony of Newcastle, Co. Wicklow. Recites original lease, 1 February 1759 from late Thomas Holmes of Yarmouth, I.W., Esq., to Frances Darragh, widow of William Darragh of Ballynebarney, farmer, for lives of John Darragh, Catherine Darragh and Anne Darragh her children at rent of £40 p.a. with a clause for inserting new lives at £3 8s. 3d. each. Further recites possession of the lease by (1), and falling in of all the lives. Present renewal in names of (2), Thomas Halbert, Gent., his elder brother and Hester Halbert, his sister
(1) Sir Leonard Thomas Worsley Holmes of Newport, I.W., Bart.
(2) George Halbert of the town of Wicklow, Gent.
[Ex HBY/639P]
[TNA UK Renewal of lease for lives JER/HBY/73/3 25 January 1813]
Kindly acknowledge the above to research by Cara.
Bill
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GEORGE HALPIN Born WICKLOW, Wicklow. Served in [Not Known]. Discharged aged 22. Covering date gives year of discharge. Miscellaneous: Abe
Date: 1800
[Source: The Catalogue of The National Archives
Royal Hospital Chelsea: Soldiers Service Documents WO 97/1184/103]
This date and age aligns with my George Halpin senior. Is this my Eureka moment?
1779 is his calculated year of birth derived from his age being given as 75 when he died in July 1854, suggesting he would be 21 in 1800, the year he is reported to have commenced work with the Dublin Ports.
If so, it gives his place of birth as Wicklow and 1 or 2 years after Willam Halpin, paymaster King's German Legion, being born also in Wicklow.
So, who was their father in Wicklow (or their separate fathers)? Despite all the scattered evidence of Cotter, Eaton and Halbert families in and around Wicklow Town, I have yet to see evidence of a Halpin family there pre-1800.
Bill.
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As far as I can discover, Moneystown, where the Eatons granted leases, is the adjacent village to Kilmullin where the Halbert family are recorded some years later. I don't know which is the local C of I parish church but you would think it likely that the Eatons and Halberts may figure in the records there.
There seems to be a direct road east from there to Coolawinna, just on the other side of Ashford, where the Cotters are recorded.
Maybe our Halpin family came earlier from around this part of Wicklow, to the north of Wicklow Town.
Bill.
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Bill,
Re my reply 105-
John Halpin, bookseller died Nov 1810 and was survived by his wife Jane (Hamer).
Was he the same as John Halpen of Woodville Q.C.?
The different addresses are no problem as affluent people from the country
often had a 'town house' in Dublin, and Dublin people often had a country house.
I decided to recheck the latter J.H., hoping to find him alive after Nov.1810, and thereby eliminating him from the picture.
But the last mention of him was from Cavan Old news, a list of game licences isued in Maryborough. John Halpin, of Woodville took out a cert. for killing game. The list is from 25.3.1810 to 18.9.1810.
So we still can't be sure. As for the different wife, perhaps the source of the
Book Trade list was unaware that he had remarried, and had assumed the wife that survived him was Jane, but in fact it was Eliz.Swettenham nee Toone.
Ken
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Recapitulation:
I have had a lot of help on this forum to sort out my branch of the Halpens from Queen’s County for which I’m very grateful. I’d like to recapitulate:
Mark Halpen, my 5xGr grandfather, b.abt 1710 was from Bally(na)money Q.C.
This is probably the modern day Ballymooney, 4 km. east of Maryborough.
He was noted in the 1760 Voters List for M’borough at Ballymoney.
He was named as the father of Elizabeth Halpen, of Ballynamony when she married in 1777.
Paget Halpen lived at Ballynamony in 1786. Most likely Mark had died, and Paget, b. abt 1740, was the eldest son, and Elizabeth’s brother.
The name Paget had been in the family since 1682 or earlier.
There is no sign of ‘Paget’ as a verified surname at any time.
Speculation:
I have rechecked, but I am not at all clear about Nicholas, headmaster of Portarlington School. He is said to have been the brother of John, bookseller & publisher, born 1764, but also the grandfather of Nicholas John, b. 1790. If the latter is correct, he must have been born about 1740, making him 24 years older than John.
It has been suggested that he came from another county to start the school, during the education boom in Portarlington. In any case he was active in Queen’s County.
Nicholas is not really a common name. Is it possible that he is descended from Nicholas (Generosus) b. abt 1650, father of Padgett Halpenny of T.C.D. who was born in 1682 ?
If born about 1740, he could be a brother or cousin of Paget & Eliz. Halpen.
They were children of Mark, who was probably the son or nephew of Padgett b. 1682.
This would make Nicholas, the headmaster, a great grandson and namesake of Nicholas Generosus.
All comments welcome. I’ll be waiting for someone to shoot me down.
Ken
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I have reported this before but in Wilsons Dublin Directory for the Year 1801, under Merchants, Traders &c, are listed
LELAND CROSTHWAIT at 28 Bridge Street, wholesale bookseller and printer
John Halpen, bookseller and stationer at 19 Sackville Street
Paget Halpin, engraver, is at 32 Mecklenburgh Street
Halpins and Hannon, distillers, are in Petticoat Lane
Halpin, Mary & Martha, Haberdashers, 5 Mecklenburgh Street.
Bill
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Anyone with an interest in the family of Frederick James Halpin and Maria Howse seen the following?
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=168-xans&cid=5#5
Bill
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Are any of the following of interest? They cost a small amount of money for a copy. Bill
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?queryType=1&resultcount=1&Edoc_Id=6609922
Probably the will of Rebecca Woodriff, widow of John Edmund halpin:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?queryType=1&resultcount=1&Edoc_Id=90308
More on the Halpin/Howse family:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=168-xans&cid=1#1
Or: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?queryType=1&resultcount=1&Edoc_Id=595016
I think this may be the missing son John of William Halpin:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=059-iorlag_3-2_2&cid=1-1-1-1-586#1-1-1-1-586
Bill
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The IFHS has advised that it has many Wicklow parish register entries available online (for a fee but freely searchable). http://wicklow.brsgenealogy.com/.
From 1720 - 1800 there are about 30 Halbert baptisms, 13 Cotters, including Eaton Cotter in 1757, and 2 female Eatons. Over the same 80 year span, there are 2 Halpins, Maria in 1741 and Richard in 1799; there are about 70 Halfpenny and Halpenny variant baptisms and no Halpen.
Of the Halfpennys, there is no George, a very few Williams (1781, 1792) and James (1786, 1788), a few others earlier. The available Wicklow Town C of I parish records are among the oldest existing but these records are for all available County Wicklow registers, Catholic and C of I. The website publishes its list of sources.
I am becoming more confirmed in my belief that the Halpin family that we know of in Wicklow Town did not go there until James married Ann Halbert, whose family definitely did come from there. It is more probable that they came from elsewhere in County Wicklow that has poor surviving church records.
The Halbert family had property west of Ashford, at Kilmullin. The Wicklow Halpins could have come from near there, or from Bray, or even from near the Carlow/Kildare border. It may take a fluke to find out. Three of my Halpin family, in the 1800s, found brides in Carlow and I even then wondered if the family had some connection to that area.
However, William Halpin, paymaster, his son William of the Madras NI, and the George Halpin whose 1800 army discharge I reported a few days ago, all give their birthplace as Wicklow, George's even perhaps incorrectly showing Wicklow, Wicklow.
One perhaps remote possibility is that, before coming aboard the established church, they were Presbyterians. Evidence seems to suggest that the family of Leland Crosthwait were Presbyterian. (Search the IGI for "Leland Crosthwait".)
Of course they could have come from Queen's County but why did so many profess to come from Wicklow?
The fascinatingly evasive Halpin family.
Bill
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Family of Captain William Halpin
Back again, now having visited Kensal Green Cemetery (thanks BillW). With a little difficulty, I found the two Halpin graves there, lying stones, almost buried (needed to borrow a spade from the gardeners to uncover the main grave (see photos attached)! Inscriptions were very difficult to read in parts on very soft stone. I have re-buried the inscriptions in order to preserve them.
Grave 1 inscriptions: Here lies Captain William Halpin. Light Dragoons KGL Died .... 1862
and his daughter Sophia Halpin died 5 November 1862
on the other side: Major General William Halpin
son of Captain William Halpin died . . . . 1865
Grave 2 inscription: Colonel George Halpin ??Madras . . . ."
Second son of Capt William Halpin ?Kings German Legion?
Died 22 November 1891
According to the burial records the first grave ("with ledger and railing") was granted to William Halpin on 5th Novemebr 1862 for £3,3, of No 39 Leinster Square, Bayswater, Middx. Captn in Army; Sophia Halpin was buried on 5th November 1862 (aged 51), Captain William Halpin was buried on 31st December 1862 (aged 85); Major General William Halpin was buried on 28th April 1865 (aged 60). Also in this grave is Anna Halpin who was buried on 26 July 1867 but for whom there appears to be no inscription.
The second grave, which was higher above ground ("cross ledger and rail on a landing"), was granted to Robert H Halkett of 47 Broadhurst Gardens, London, on 24 November 1891 and contains only Colonel George Halpin. Robert Halkett was the husband of Eleanor Sophie Halpin, daughter of the Rev. Robert Crawford Halpin and granddaughter of Captain William Halpin (Neice of Colonel George Halpin); Robert Halkett was a bank manager and died himslf in 1896 aged 43. Thus from this grave we have another son of Captain William Halpin of the KGL, George, b 1808 - presumably the George born 1807 in the Dublienses Alumni, said to have been born in Dublin, father William, Armiger (soldier)?
Two more photos and more on this family in my next post.
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Re: Family of Captain William Halpin 2
Colonel George Halpin: From the East India Register and Army List of 1855 George Halpin was a Major in the 25th Regiment Native Infantry of the Madras Army, appointed to the regiment in 1825 (aged about 17), made Major in the Regiment 21 June 1853. From the same Register, his elder brother William Halpin was a Major in the 26th Regiment Native Infantry, Madras Army, appointed to the regiment in 1820, Major in the Regiment 10 November 1846 and Lieutenant Colonel in the Army from 20 June 1854 and in command of his regiment. George Halpin was appointed Lieutenant Colonel on 14 January 1859 (London Gazette) and full Colonel 31 December 1861.
From his grave, he was the second son of Captain William Halpin, born about 1808; from the Census for 1881 he was living at 54 Belsize Park in Hampstead, London with three servants as "Retired Colonel of Army" aged 70, born Tullamore, Ireland; in 1891 he was staying as a guest with the Earl Of Lanesborough (Captain, retired, Royal Navy) and his family at Swithland in Leicestershire, aged 80, as "Colonel of HM Indian Army", born Kings County, Tullamore, Ireland. (I believe Kings County is now County Offaly). He died in November 1891 in Hampstead. With reference to his place of birth, the 1st Regiment of Dragoons of the King's German Legion, in which his father Captain William Halpin was serving as Paymaster, was based at Tullamore from August 1807 (25 officers, 6 staff officers, some 600 men and 638 horses). There was an incident between troopers of the KGL and local Irish Militia in Tullamore in which a number were wounded and two died.
Colonel William Halpin, George's elder brother, was made Major General in 1861: "Officers of Her Majesty's Indian Military Forces retired upon full pay to have step in honorary rank as follows: Colonel William Halpin, Madras Infantry, to be Major General, 8 October 1861". [Bill your cadet William Halpin is most probably this one; note WM can be abbreviation for William].
I have also come across the reference to Captain Richard Halpin of the 49th Foot, died 21st March 1839 (BillW Post #76) but had no link from this to Captain William Halpin of the KGL. Was William Halpin of Castle Forbes Dublin the same and if so why no title? Again it is quite possible that the John Halpin of the Madras Army, born 3 July 1805, died 30 November 1848 may be another son of Captain William Halpin of the KGL.
More on some other Halpins in my next post.
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Re: Other Halpins (3)
Among other Halpins picked up during my recent research were:
a Mr M. Halpin, Bengal Ordnance Commissariat Department (1855)
From Army lists for 1877 and 1883: Nicholas John Halpin MD with the Bengal Medical Department
From the Medical Directory for Ireland of 1858: George H. Halpin, Wicklow, LRCSI 1851, LSA Irel 1847, LM Combe Hosp. 1847
Several Halpins in the Medical Register for 1913, including William Oswald Halpin, MB, MD (Dublin 1912) of The Laurels, Foxrock, Co. Dublin and a James Henry Halpin, LRICS, KQ Coll Phys. Irel. registered 1885, of Wicklow (no address).
From the Times of London 15 May 1848: Died: "On the 8th inst., at Newcomen-terrace, Dublin, in the 54th year of his age, Wliiam Henry Halpin, Esq., second son of the late W. H. Halpin, Esq., of that city. Mr Halpin was for upwards of 30 years connected with the metropoilitan and provincial press of England." [ I believe well known in connection with newspapers in the west of England].
William Halpin, born Limerick about 1846, served as Quartermaster (Hon. Lieutenant) with the Norfolk Regiment [Quartermaster from 20 Sept 1882], made Hon. Captain in 20 Sept 1892 (Times London, 17 Sept 1892) although the 1900 Army List has him as Hon Captain from 20 Sept 1887; he served with the Burmese Expedition 1885-88 and had the Medal with two Clasps; he lived with wife in Norwich (where the regiment was based) in 1891 (son Arthur W F Halpin) and retired on retired pay on 10 March 1900, living in Beccles, Suffolk in 1901. There is also listed earlier in the London Gazette for the 20th September 1882, The Royal Munster Fusiliers, Quartermaster-Sergeant William Halpin from Devonshire Regiment to be Quartermaster. He was with the Royal Munster Fusiliers until at least 1886. The Royal Munster Fusiliers were formerly the Royal Bengal Fusiliers.
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Sterling work, Ronald. If I had known you were going, I have two other burials in that cemetery from about the same time, two direct antecedents on my father's side. I once asked about whether gravestones can be protected from further decay or if indeed they should be. In essence I recall that the answer was that they can't and that you have done the right thing by photographing and re-covering them. The other suggestion was to put near to them a new sign transcribing what can be deciphered from the inscriptions.
Dr William Oswald Halpin 1886-1918 was a grandson George Halpin junior, killed at the end of WW1 serving with the RAMC, buried in the Commonwealth War Graves at Villers Brettoneux.
Dr James Henry Halpin 1861-1916 was a son of George Halbert Halpin and Eliza Bradley, lived at Wentworth Villas, Wicklow Town, and was married to Adelaide Maud Sutton. From 1900 they had 4 known children: James Raymond, Robert Everst, Damaris Margaret and George Herbert Halpin.
From my point of view, the confirmation of a George Halpin in the family of William Halpin of Wicklow only further adds to my belief that my George Halpin in all likelihood is connected to the Wicklow Halpins, wherever in Wicklow that was. There is zero use of the name George in the families of the Portarlington Halpins. Or, perhaps as Ray would possibly maintain, this is all part of a family schism, a differentiation among branches of the one family.
Your news will take a while to assimilate and I will add much of it to my records.
Bill.
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To Bigbird 68,
Diane gave us a short list of Latin titles in the old Forum, Post 269:
Generosus - Gentleman
Clericus - Clergyman
Armiger - Esquire
Publicanus - Tax Collector
Centurio - Officer
Miles - Soldier
Capitaneus - Captain
Ken
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Latin dictionaries online give 'armiger' as 'arms bearer' or 'bearing arms'.
But the use of Latin by clerics and officials can be erratic.
What they actually meant is sometimes anyone's guess.
Ken
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Robert, if on his 1891 gravestone Colonel George Halpin is described as the second son of Capt William Halpin, what happened to Richard, the eldest? If Richard had died over 50 years earlier, unmarried, in a boating accident in India, it seems he may have become forgotten. Robert Halkett and/or his wife Eleanor, daughter of the youngest son Robert Crawford, may never have known of him. Her father had died two years earlier.
So, to your later musings on Richard. A William Halpin’s son Richard went up to TCD in 1818 and was, with John and Robert Crawford, one of the ones who completed to graduation, in 1822. He started with his father’s KGL regiment but this was disbanded more or less after 1815, so it seems he went to university. (Cornets. Richard Halpin. 8th - 22nd July 1815. [Campaign of 1815] - History of the King's German Legion by North Ludlow Beamish (via Google Books)). Then, after graduating, he joined the regular army, as an ensign by purchase with the 98th Foot, in 1825. All those dates fit although he was old to be an ensign at about 26. However he was a lieutenant by 1828 and a captain 5 years later aged about 34.
Why no rank was mentioned for William Halpin of Castle Forbes I don’t know. Perhaps it was not the custom with estates or probate records. We would need to sight Richard’s army records to confirm his parentage (what a good idea – are you able to visit the NA at Kew?). Or, to maintain an open mind, there may be no relationship, but I doubt this.
Robert, to complete the picture, what are your sources for the John Halpin of the Madras Army? I think we should be including him as the missing John. What are the details you have found? I believe we can see reference to his application for an East India Company cadetship in 1825/6 at http://www.search.fibis.org/frontis/bin/aps_detail.php?id=724370.
It would seem that of all William and Eliza Halpin's children who had been so well educated and for the careers found for the sons, the only grandchildren came from Robert Crawford Halpin. For them I have son George and daughter Eleanor. Any more?
Bill
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Hi all
I found this report from Frank Pelly of the Irish Lights Service, which he had written in Beam Magazine. I had filed with my Wicklow Halpins and forgot I even had it, until your mail of today Bill. Hope it will answer some of your questions. Sorry not to have found it before now. Happy reading. It is too large to post in one lot so have to break it down. hope the 4 sections make it to you all.
Julia
26BEAM No. 25BEAM No. 24
BEAM Magazine No. 33. George Halpin Senior 1779 - 1854. Founding father of the Irish Lighthouse Service. by Frank Pelly
THE 150th ANNIVERSARY of the death of George Halpin senior fell on 8 July 2004. George Halpin joined the Corporation for Preserving and Improving the Port of Dublin (the Ballast Board) on 26 September 1800 as Inspector of Works in place of Francis Turnstall, deceased. The report of the Commission of Inquiry into the municipal corporations of Ireland (1835) defined Halpin as ‘not an Engineer in the professional sense but was brought up as a builder’.
This description understates Halpin’s actual attainments and responsibilities—the design, construction, and maintenance of all civil and mechanical works within Dublin port, from Sutton to Bullock Harbour, including the management and containment of the River Liffey from Islandbridge, and the lower reaches of the rivers Tolka and Dodder. A number of Dublin’s bridges was built by Halpin and port works for which he was responsible resulted in the creation of Bull Island.
In 1810 responsibility for Irish lighthouses was transferred from the Revenue Commissioners to the Ballast Board. The Board extended Halpin’s responsibilities by appointing him Inspector of Lighthouses in addition to Inspector of Works. His extra responsibilities encompassed identifying the requirements for aids to navigation; the design, construction, and maintenance of lighthouses; and the appointment and management of construction and quarry personnel, lighthouse keepers, tenders, tender crews, and stores personnel. During the following 44 years Halpin oversaw the construction and establishment of 53 new lighthouses and the modernisation or rebuilding of 15 others, in addition to the establishment of numerous minor aids to navigation—buoys, beacons, and perches. Most of the construction was by direct labour. He also set in place the management and administrative procedures for the Lighthouse Service.
During Halpin’s period the Corporation’s statutory functions were financially controlled and managed as three separate departments: the Port Department: the Anna Liffey Department, and the Lighthouse Department. Halpin’s input into the management of all three departments was such that he received a salary from each. Halpin was the public face of the Lighthouse Department, and its chief liaison officer with Trinity House and other bodies. In around 1830 his son George Halpin, a qualified civil engineer, was appointed as his assistant.
George Halpin senior died suddenly in July 1854 while carrying out lighthouse inspections. His date of birth is unknown; however, his headstone in Mount Jerome Cemetery, Dublin, gives his age as 75 years. He was succeeded by his son George Halpin (junior).
With the increased administration resulting from the enactment of the Mercantile Law Amendment Act, 1853 and the continuing expansion of the Lighthouse Service the work load of the Port and Lighthouse Departments became too much for one person. During the 1860s both remits were gradually separated.
The Dublin Port Act, 1867 finally separated the control and management of the Port and Lighthouse Departments into two independent organisations—Dublin Port & Docks Board, and the Commissioners of Irish Lights. Frank Pelly is Civil Engineering Operations Manager in the Commissioners of Irish Lights.
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Part 2.
Published Works: BOOKS. THE DOCKLANDS - GEORGE HALPIN, FATHER & SON
'Dublin Docklands - An Urban Voyage’ is a work in progress, commissioned by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, and due to be completed in the autumn of 2008. The following tale represents research undertaken for the project which may or may not be used in the final book.
George Halpin Senior (1775 – 1854). George Halpin, Senior, was one of the most competent civil engineers operating in Ireland during the 19th century. He was an administrator of exceptional ability, praised in equal measure for the number of works he carried out and the intense perfectionism applied in each case. Following the death of Francis Tunstall in 1800, Dublin Corporation sought a new Inspector of Works to the Corporation for Preserving and Improving the Port of Dublin (commonly called the Ballast Board). On 26th September 1800, 21-year-old George Halpin emerged from nowhere to take up the challenge. We do not know where he was born or who his parents were. The report of the Commission of Inquiry into the municipal corporations of Ireland (1835) defined him as 'not an Engineer in the professional sense but was brought up as a builder'. In other words, he was a trained mason, a builder by trade. He never attained any academic engineering qualifications. And yet he was responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of all civil and mechanical works within Dublin Port, from Sutton on the north side of Dublin Bay to Bullock Harbour on the south. This included he management and containment of the River Liffey from Islandbridge and the lower reaches of the rivers Tolka and Dodder. He also oversaw the building of at least 53 lighthouses, as well as the modernisation and re-equipping of the previously existing lighthouses. This was in addition to supervising the construction of new docks, bridges and other projects for the expanding Dublin port.
Halpin, the Port and the Estuary: His work on both port and estuary was remarkably extensive. To ensure he had absolute mastery of the latest techniques in port organization and marine building, he made several visits to England and Wales. In 1810, for instance, he spent more than a month in London and the south of England studying dock design, lighthouse equipment and the latest techniques in stream dredging and tunneling. It was after this visit that he remarked how he ‘would rather have 2 Irish than 3 English labourers’ and how he had dismissed a lantern maker in London as ‘the most trifling and unsatisfactory kind of man I ever had any dealings with’. In 1814, he introduced stream dredging techniques to the Dublin estuary.
Halpin & the North Bull: In 1818, he was asked to carry out a new survey of the outer harbour at Dublin and of a proposed northern breakwater, the North Bull Wall, in order to make Dublin a deepwater port. As research, he went to study the breakwater at Plymouth but found little to assist him. He duly recommended Francis Giles be commissioned to survey the harbour and bar. Giles commenced this survey in June 1818, aided by Halpin, and their joint report was submitted to the Board in May 1919. The design for the breakwater was based on earlier proposals from 1786 by William Chapman and two members of the board, Maquay and Crosthwaite. When built, the north and south breakwaters enclosed a large volume of water and this was employed on the ebb tide to scour the sand deposits from the bar, thus allowing Dublin to develop as a deepwater port.
OTHER PROJECTS. In 1816, while preparing to construct the Bull Wall, Halpin also oversaw the creation of a new channel for the River Tolka from Clontarf Island across Brown’s Patch to the Liffey. Among the other major and manifold projects he was involved with were: raising part of the South Wall east of the Half Moon Battery to its present height; strengthening the base of the Poolbeg lighthouse; conferring with Charles Blacker Vignoles on the extension of the Kingstown railway on a causeway across the old Dun Laoghaire harbour; consultations with Thomas Telford and Sir William Cubitt about the deep-water berths at North Wall Quay; constructing the large new berthing-pool in the earth-banked basin of East Wall (known as Halpin’s Pond and later incorporated into the Alexandra Basin) and steering the first graving dock projects through to the appointment of William Dargan as contractor. In 1846, he helped ward off a proposal by the Tidal Harbours Commissioners to divert the Dodder through Irishtown and form a new basin by the South Bull. He designed the structure for the first patent slip to be built in the port. In 1839, he proposed a bascule or swivel bridge where the Talbot Memorial Bridge would be built 140 years later.
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Part 3 of 4
Halpin & the Lighthouses: In 1810 the Ballast Board was made responsible for all lighthouses, beacons and seamarks around the coast of Ireland. The Board extended Halpin’s responsibilities by appointing the 31-year-old Superintendant of Lighthouses as well as Inspector of Works. At the time there were only 14 lighthouses around the Irish Coast, many of them in what Halpin described as deplorable condition, badly maintained and baldy managed. By 1867, when responsibility was transferred to the Commissioners of Irish Lights, there were 72 lighthouses. Over the next four and a half decades, Halpin oversaw the construction and establishment of 53 new lighthouses and the modernisation or rebuilding of 15 others, in addition to the establishment of numerous minor aids to navigation - buoys, beacons, and perches.
Some other lighthouses were subsequently discontinued because their location proved ineffective. In other words, he designed and built a new lighthouse every fifteen months. Most of the construction was by direct labour. These included the Bailey (1813) at the entrance to Dublin Bay, the Tuskar Rock (1815) guarding the approach to Rosslare Harbour, as well as Inishtrahull (1813), Skelling Michael (1826), Tory Island (1832) and Fastnet (1854). Arguably his greatest achievement was the Haulbowline Lighthouse, built on a dangerous semi-submerged rock at the entrance to Carlingford Lough. Strong tidal conditions of up to five knots added to the danger and technical difficulties but the lighthouse was successfully completed in 1824. Halpin also oversaw the repair and re-equipping of the previously existing lighthouses, effectively rebuilding the Poolbeg lighthouse (1819-20).
Under his direction the Ballast Board established an effective management structure for the design, construction, and maintenance of the Lighthouse Service, initiated a vital program of inspection and regularized the employment of construction and quarry personnel, lighthouse keepers, tenders, tender crews, and stores personnel. Gradually during the early nineteenth century a proper marine aids to navigation infrastructure was put in place.
Private Work. Somehow Halpin also found time to engage in some private architectural work. It seems likely he was involved with the new Corn Exchange on Bugh Quay.
Sudden Death. George’s wife Elizabeth died in July 1850 and was buried at Mount Jerome Cemetery, Dublin. Four years later, George Halpin collapsed and died suddenly while carrying out a lighthouse inspection in July 1854. He was buried in Mount Jerome, where his headstone gives his age at the time of death as 75 yrs.
George Halpin Junior (1804 – 1869): So far, virtually nothing is known of the Halpin family history. It is known, however, that George Halpin, Junior, was a qualified civil engineer employed by the Board as assistant Inspector of Works & assistant Inspector of Lighthouses from June 1830. As such, George Halpin junior shared a good deal of the workload. Between 1834 & 1840, the younger George was greatly involved in deepening the channels & building new quay walls east of the Custom House. During this time, he married Julia Villiers (1815 – 1889),who begat him nine children, two of whom died young. The first three were daughters - Isabella Julia Halpin (who married Thomas Thorpe & had 7 children), Mary Halpin (who died before 1880, married Patrick Byrne and left a daughter Annie Byrne) & Margaret (who died in Ireland aged10 months). Next came two boys, William Osborne Halpin (see below) and George Halpin (see below). Then, a fourth daughter, Annie Caroline Halpin (who married Arthur Henry Thompson and had three girls) and a third son, Robert Halpin (who married Mettie in England and had two children, Maud and George Alfred). The fourth son, Alfred Halpin, died aged four in Ireland while a fifth daughter Louisa Halpin was born in 1856 and died unmarried in 1934).
Like his father, George also went to England to converse with the likes of Telford, Giles and Cubitt. In later life, he carried out the design of the single-span metal arched Rory O’More Bridge. He designed several lighthouses, including that at Aranmore in Donegal, completed in 1865. In 1847, he was elected a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers of Ireland (to which body his father never belonged), and served as a member of its council from 1848 to 1851. Two months after George Halpin senior died in 1854, George Halpin junior was promoted to the posts of Inspector of Works and Superintendent of Lighthouses. However, by 1859, George was dogged by ill-health, probably due to 'the burden imposed on him by reason of his necessary attendance on new lighthouses or those being renovated in various parts of the country'. The Ballast Board decided to reduce his duties in respect of the Port and leave him to focus on lighthouses. His duties at the Port were carried out by Bindon Blood Stoney who had been his assistant since 1856.
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part 4
THE FALL OUT WITH STONEY: By 1861, 33-year-old Stoney was acting as executive engineer. A rift soon emerged between Halpin and Stoney. Halpin was frequently out of Dublin on lighthouse duties. The travel and long absences did his health no good. While away, his ambitious assistant submitted a proposal to the Port and Dock Board advocating the extension of the North Wall Quay by using 350 ton super-blocks, to be put in position by means of a special floating crane and diving bell. Halpin was furious Stoney had gone to the Board without first consulting him. He argued that the size of the proposed blocks was unfeasible. Stoney begged to differ, pointing out that blocks of that size had been successfully used in the port of London for many years and were also being used at Southampton. The Board were eager to act on Stoney’s cost-effective proposals but did not wish to offend Halpin. As it happened, George Halpin saved their embarrassment when he retired in March 1862. Stoney was appointed the new Inspector of Works and, in 1868, became the first chief engineer of the newly constituted Dublin Port and Docks Board. George Halpin Junior died in Dublin in 1869.
LT. OSWALD HALPIN (1810- - 1834): George may have had a brother, Oswald Halpin, registered as 'Pen (Mr Baillie), July 4, 1825' in the Alumni Dublinenses, 1846. Oswald was born in Dublin in 1810, the son 'of George, Generosus'. The Calcutta Christian Observer 1834 (p. 536) notes the death on August 14th of Lieutenant Oswald Halpin, 7th Regiment Bombay NI, aged 25 years.
WILLIAM HALPIN George Halpin Junior's eldest son was William Osborne Halpin. In 1869, he purchased a grave plot at Mount Jerome Cemetery in Dublin. William's sister Louisa (1856 - 1934) was buried there on 29th October 1934. William appears in Thoms Dublin directories from about 1880 to at least 1900 and lived at The Laurels, Torquay Road, Foxrock, now a very wooded, upmakret area between the golf course and Leopardstown racecourse. In the 1911 Census of Ireland, his presumed widow Anna Maria Halpin was living at The Laurels with a servant and her son, William Oswald Halpin. She is registered as 62 years of age, Church of Ireland, married for 30 years and mother of two sons, William and George.
William Oswald Halpin was most likely at school at the High School, then in Harcourt Street, but later removed to Rathgar, Dublin. He seems to have left there in 1900 aged 13 or 14 and then gone on to Trinity College Dublin aged 17 in 1904. In 1911, he was described as a 24 year old medical student. He obtained a BA from Trinity College Dublin. During the Great War he served with the Royal Army Medical Corps. He seems to have died aged 31 of wounds received on 10th August 1918, the day after a hostile aeroplane dropped a bomb on the regimental headquarters of the 4th (Queens Own) Hussars with whom he was working. He is buried at the at the Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery near Ameins in France. His name is etched on the war memorial in the Tullow Church of Ireland on Brighton Road, Carrickmines, Co. Dublin.
William's brother George, a doctor based in Reading, England, married Antoinette Berthe Ermerins, of Dutch origin. They had a daughter, Elizabeth (who was living in France in 2003) and George Ermerins Halpin (a doctor who died in service in 1942 and is buried in Egypt).
* 1911 Census, Stillorgan DED, Galloping Green South Townland. GEORGE HALPIN III
George Halpin Junior's second son, George Halpin III (1843 – 1910) is of personal interest on two accounts.
Firstly, his wife Annie Watters (1849 – 1927) was a daughter of a farmer, Bartholomew Watters and Mary Malone of Rathmore, a former Bunbury property in Co. Carlow. George and Annie were married in my local village of Rathvilly, Co. Carlow, on 4th June 1868.
Secondly, their daughter Eva Halpin went to South Africa and married the ill-fated Alfred Rudall, nephew of my wife’s great-grandfather. The extraordinay Tale of Alfred and Eva may be found here.
George Halpin III was born in Tinryland, County Carlow, in 1843 or 1844. Why was he born in Carlow? Perh
Thats all for now folks. Was this helpful?
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Thanks Julia. I knew all of this but I hope others are interested. The latter part was compiled by author Turtle Bunbury who has been very interested in the Halpins and been a considerable supporter. There is one mistake at the end, which I have advised to Turtle but he has not yet amended. The man he refers to as George Halpin III was a son of George Halpin junior. He was not born in Tinryland, Carlow, but his wife Annie Watters was. He was born in Dublin. They were my mother's grandparents.
There was also another slight error in Bunbury's account, in the 4th part of Julia's contribution. The name Osborne should be Oswald and therefore his full name was William Oswald Halpin. This was in tribute to William's uncle Oswald Halpin who died unmarried in India.
As Ray tells us, during the Troubles the Halpins were viewed as one of the class of landlords over the poor classes of Dublin and much of their property was attacked and the family hounded. This property was all developed by George Halpin senior. You can see from the above life that he was an extraordinarily energetic achiever and, in his lifetime, was valued and well paid. As a builder he employed his income in property development, a fruit of his industry. In the 1930s, I seem to recall, the estate was finally wound up and my grandmother received a distribution of about £90.
Bill.
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In reply to BillW’s post 121:
Re: Children of Captain William Halpin (Paymaster in the First Dragoons, King’s German Legion,
1807-1816 (went on to British Army half pay 25 June 1816)
1.
Five sons now known, Richard b 1799, William b 1801 Limerick, John b 1805, George b 1807 Tullamore, Robert Crawford b 1816 Antwerp
Two daughters identified to date: Anna b 1808 Wicklow, Sophia b 1811 Wicklow
The only descendent to be married and have children appears to be Robert.
In the Archives of the East India Company, Applications for Cadetships are recorded for:
William Halpin L/MIL/9/143 Folio 371-74; John Halpin L/MIL/9/162 Folio 138-41, George Halpin
L/MIL/9/162 Folio 373-75, and for an Oswald Halpin L/MIL/9/163 Folio 281-83 [British Library
references; these records are on LDS Films 1951860 and 1951890].
Oswald Halpin died in 1834 as a Lieutenant in the 7th Regiment Native Infantry. Was he another son?
There is also data on the family from records of the Madras Military Fund in the National Archives, established in 1808 and providing pensions for officers’ dependents. From these records [NA references]:
HALPIN, William 1801-1865 IOR/L/AG/23/10/1 no.1826 [n.d.]
Contents:
Madras Army, b 4 Aug 1801, d 25 Apr 1865
Retired 31 Jul 1861
HALPIN, John 1805-1848 IOR/L/AG/23/10/1 no.2392 [n.d.]
Contents:
Madras Army, b 3 Jul 1805, d 30 Nov 1848
HALPIN, George 1807-1891 IOR/L/AG/23/10/1 no.2394 [n.d.]
Contents:
Madras Army, b 3 Oct 1807, d 22 Nov 1891
Retired 31 Dec 1861
None of these officers appear to have been married or have dependents.. We now have dates of birth and death for each. Note John died 1848 and that Richard was in the British Army, not the Madras Army of the EIC.
I have previously detailed much of the service of William, George and Robert and will send separate posts with the details I have of Richard and John.
It is clear from the records we have that Richard Halpin's father was Captain William Halpin formerly of the First Dragoons, KGL and the father of William, George, Robert etc. From Richard Halpin’s death records in 1839 / 1840 William Halpin was living in Dublin in Castle Forbes and was also living in Dublin in 1821 (Cadetship applications). It would be good to know what he did in Dublin after leaving the Army - presumably he had some official post of some sort? In 1840 he was about 63 years old so presumably retired.
From English Census returns he was not in England in 1851 so presumably still in Dublin but was in London in Bayswater in 1861 - maybe he came to London with his unmarried daughters in 1852-1860, possibly after his wife Eliza died?
Shaw's Dublin City Directory for 1850 [ http://www.dublin1850.com/dublin1850/ ] list several Halpins but not William. Edward George Carolin was living in Castle Forbes in Sheriff Street in 1850 and the Carolins are noted there in other records. Castleforbes is now the name of a street in North Wall,
Dublin, but did not exist in the 1851 Dublin Street Directory (see Irish Origins).
There is a good description of North Wall, Dublin on
http://www.chaptersofdublin.com/books/NorthDub/cosgrave12.html ; Castle Forbes itself apparently is an old house, built in 1729 in Upper Sheriff Street, still in existence, interestingly near the docks and also near a prison which housed French prisoners of war from the Napoleonic War.
I will also post separately on the family of Robert Crawford Halpin.
Ronald
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Re: Children of Captain William Halpin (Paymaster in the First Dragoons, King’s German Legion, 1807-1816)
2.
Richard Halpin:
b 1799 [Note: from History of the King's German Legion, born 1799 which agrees with the Trinity College records]
London Gazette 22 July 1815: to be Cornets: -- Halpin, Gent, vice Kircher, 8 July 1815, King's German Legion, 1st Regiment of Light Dragoons
In History of the King's German Legion, First Dragoons, 118 Richard Halpin 9th - 22nd July 1815 Cornet
First Dragoons, King's German Legion disbanded in Hanover on 24 February 1816, officers not entering Hanoverian Army went on to half pay. Richard Halpin went on to half pay on 25 April 1816 (1824 Army List).
Richard Halpin enters Trinity College Dublin 1818; BA 1822
1826 Army List: 98th Regiment of Foot: Ensigns include R. Halpin cor. D. 8 July 15 [cor = cornet; d = detached, i.e not serving with the Regiment]
To be Lieutenants without purchase: 26th April 1828 From 98th Regiment of Foot (Prince of Wales's) Ensign Richard Halpin to 49th Foot (Princess Charlotte of Wales's or Hertfordshire) [Note: 49th Foot embarked for foreign service 1821; China Expedition; in 1839 serving in Bengal]
13th September 1833: 49th Foot, Lieutenant Richard Halpin to be Captain by purchase vice Morris.
[Richard, as the eldest son must have had money since he could purchase a commission; the other brothers all went into the Madras Army in which the purchase or sale of commissions was forbidden and promotion was by merit].
Army List 1839: 49th Foot Captains include: Richard Halpin, Ensign 8 July 1815, Lieutenant 26 April 1828, Captain (by purchase) 13 September 1833; 15 years' service on full pay, 9 1/12 years' service on half pay.
From Inscription on tomb at Dinapore, Bengal, "departed this life March 21st 1839, aged 38 years". Probate granted to father William Halpin of Castle Forbes, North Wall, Dublin. Record is from 1840 East India Register, states he was a bachelor and refers to £300, Pts.
I agree Bill, he was a little old to be a cornet at 26 but there was a great deal of unemployment among both Army and Navy officers (and men) after the Napoleonic War; he was probably had influence to obtain a full pay post and note he was on detached duty from the 98th.
Ronald
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Re: Children of Captain William Halpin (Paymaster in the First Dragoons, King’s German Legion, 1807-1816
3.
John Halpin:
From records detailed before, John was born on 3rd July 1805, was a cadet in the EIC, served in the Madras Army and died on 30th November 1848.
From the Anglo-Celt, published in Cavan, February 9, 1849
DEATH OF CAPTAIN JOHN HALPIN. - It is with no ordinary regret we announce the decease, at Berhampore, on the 20th November, of Captain John HALPIN, of the 33rd regiment, and Assistant-Surveyor-General of the Ganjam district.
Chronic dysentery, brought on by exposure in the performance of his professional duties in a jungly country, was the cause of this much-lamented officer's decease; and, truly may we say it, that in Captain John Halpin the Madras army has lost one of its brightest ornaments, as a man of science,
an eminent Orientalist, and a first-rate surveyor. The Ganjam Survey Department, which is now under charge of Mr. HOWARD, Deputy-assistant Surveyor, left Barhampore on the 27th ult., to pursue its duties. - United Service Gazette.
Note: this 33rd regiment does not refer to the British Army (John Halpin is not listed in any British Army List but to the 33rd Regiment of Madras Native Infantry (from 1824).
Ronald
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Thanks Ronald. An excellent bringing-together of this family. A few brief comments.
Oswald Halpin was a son of George Halpin senior. That he took the same East India Company cadetship route as the sons of William Halpin reinforces the likelihood of family connection. Unlike the others, however, he served with the Bombay Native Light Infantry, not Madras.
Castle Forbes in Sheriff Street where William Halpin was in 1839/40 is barely one block away from where George Halpin senior was living at the same time. Around that time George was a significant property developer in this very area.
I refer you to my reply #24 in this series. I had managed to obtain one of the LDS films you refer to that contained the cadetship application of William (I have the other film on order). Note that this cadetship procedure cost £180 in passage money (presumably plus uniforms, etc.) This was also undertaken for sons John and George. Adding to the cost of Richard getting his commission, I believe it was their father William who outlaid a considerable investment in his sons' military careers.
Note from the above that William produces evidence that he was baptised in Wicklow Town on 4 August 1801.
It is good that you have been able to combine our knowledge of John being the son of William Halpin with the information previously canvassed by Ray about the John Halpin who was the noted Orientalist.
Finally, as we have both noted, Richard's military career was with the regular British Army. I have army officers in another branch of my family and obtaining their records from the National Archives completely opened up my knowledge about them. The army kept complete and detailed records about their career, marriage, family, etc. If you possibly had the chance to look up Richard's army records from TNA at Kew, this could throw even more light on this family.
Bill
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DEEDS Index: James Halpin, distiller. Mortage Vol.469, Pg. 206, #299421 Yr. 1793 Mo. 06 Day 26 (Thanks to researcher Annette Code)
According to his gravestone inscription, James Halpin, innkeeper of Wicklow Town, was aged 69 when he died in 1847, indicating birth in or before 1778. But even if he were older when he died, he would have been young both to be a distiller and to undertake a mortgage in 1793.
Can this mortgage still be inspected, for more info?
I reported about a week ago from Wilson’s 1801 Dublin directory: Halpins and Hannon, distillers, Petticoat Lane. Is this likely to include the same James Halpin?
Bill
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Wicklow County marriages.
JOHN HALPIN, father Alexander Halpin, to Lucy Susan Saunders, father Michael Saunders, 27 Nov 1851, Rathdrum (district) FHL film 101330
RICHARD HALPIN, 25, father James Halpin, to Sarah Gregg, 22, father Edward Henry Gregg, 24 Aug 1852, Rathdrum (district) film 101340
EATON COTTER HALPIN, father James Halpin, to Elizabeth Jones, father Owen Jones, 17 Mar 1852, Killiskey, film 101340
THOMAS HALPIN, father James Halpin, to Mary Ann Dillan, father Thomas Buckly, 18 Apr 1854, Powerscourt, film 101360
(Thanks to researcher Annette Code, sourced from Vital Records Index)
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Found this at an antiquarian book site:
A Disclosure Connected With the Late State Prosecutions in Ireland ; With a Narrative of Seven Months Imprisonment Under the Habeas Corpus Suspension Act.
Halpin ( Thomas Matthew ) Secretary of the Irish Confederation.:
Bookseller: Gresham Books (Somerset, United Kingdom)
Book Description: Dublin : Published by the Author. 1849., 1849. 1st edition. 8vo.48pp
Brian
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Family of Robert Crawford Halpin
[Reverend Robert C Halpin, Chaplain to the Forces etc.]
Details of Robert C Halpin have been posted by me and others previously; [son of Captain William Halpin, formerly Paymaster to First Dragoons, King’s German Legion; born about 1821 Antwerp, Belgium while father serving there with KGL; died 1889, Belsize Square, Hampstead, London].
Married Eleanor Wallace 18 November 1847, Swords, Dublin (IGI) [Eleanor Wallace, b ca 1825, Co. Down, Ireland, father Robert Wallace; died 1903, Belsize Square, Hampstead, London]
Not known where Robert or Eleanor were buried.
Known children:
1. George William Halpin, b 1850 Ireland, Civil Engineer; married Kate Wemyss 6th December1876, St Paul’s Chapel, York Place, Edinburgh; 1881 census living with wife in Duddingstone, Edinburgh (with one servant).
died 5 July 1922 Buenos Aires, Argentina, “aged 73" (Ray Halpin).
[Comment: this is the Halpin I was originally searching for, but have no other information on him or on Kate or any descendants].
2. Eleanor Sophie Halpin, b 1853 Dublin; married Robert Halket Halkett, 25th July1882, St Peter’s, Belsize Park, Hampstead, London; died 1921 Hampstead “aged 69".
Robert Halket Halkett was born in 1851 in Bridgend, Glamorgan as Robert Halket Smith (father Thomas George Smith, a bank manager, and Jessie Halkett; Thomas George Smith, Esq. and Miss Jessie Halkett married in Edinburgh in September 1847; Jessie was daughter of Samuel Halkett, Esq., a merchant, and I imagine Robert changed his surname as part of an inheritance). Robert was a bank manager.
Known children: see next post (Halkett)
Robert Halkett died in 1896 aged 43, in Eastry, Kent.
Eleanor Sophie Halkett died in 1921 in Hampstead, “aged 69".
3. Eliza Halpin, b 1856 Dublin; unmarried in 1891 when living with mother and brother in Hampstead; no records thereafter (?married in Ireland).
4. Arthur F Halpin, b 4 May 1862 Dublin
1881 and 1882 3rd Officer (Mate) on SS Devonshire on runs to Sydney, Australia; On the 1881 census he is in Kent, described as a sailor; in 1891 living with mother and sister in Hampstead, described as Navigating Officer, HMTS Monarch [in 1891 HMTS Monarch laid the first GPO submarine telephone cable between Dover, England and Sangatte, France, enabling the first international telephone call between Paris and London].
There is no confirmed further data on Arthur but there was a Lieutenant Arthur Halpin in the 16th Middlesex Volunteers (London Irish) to 1887, to which the Rev. Robert C Halpin was Chaplain, also to 1887; there is a Major Arthur F Halpin on passenger lists to and from America in 1896 and Arthur F Halpins in America (New York and the Philippines) in 1900, 1910 and 1920 Census records but I am not convinced these are the same.
5. Henry E B Halpin, b 1864 Dublin
Married Maude Mary Tremellan in Machynlleth, Wales in 1904 [Maude was born in1865 in Islington, London, daughter of a solicitor, and was at private school in Hampstead in1881 (where Henry was also at school and no doubt they met socially); in 1891 she was living alone, with one servant, in a cottage in Machynlleth, “living on own means”, so was of independent wealth at that time. Henry must have pursued her there!
Henry Halpin died in 1929 in East Preston Sussex, England and Maude also died there in 1930. There is no evidence for children.
This summarises the data on this family. The only one with known children was Eleanor Sophie Halkett (Halpin) but there is no evidence these offspring were ever married. Given that none of the other known children of Captain William Halpin were married, his Halpin line may have died out (except just possibly for Eliza and George William??).
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Children of Robert Halket Halkett and Eleanor Sophie Halkett, nee Halpin
[Eleanor Sophie Halpin, b 1853 Dublin; married Robert Halket Halkett, 25th July1882, St Peter’s, Belsize Park, Hampstead, London; died 1921 Hampstead “aged 69"]
2a Esmonde Robert Crawford Halkett, b 31st July 1883, bapt 27 August 1883, St Peter’s Belsize Park, Hampstead, family at 3 Hemstall Road, West Hampstead
Died 1884, Hampstead. Aged 1
2b Guy Wallace Halkett, b 26 February1886, Hampstead, bapt 24 March, St Peter’s; family at Broadhurst Gardens, Hampstead
1901 at Repton School in Derbyshire (played cricket for Repton School against Malvern College 1904); Passenger lists show him as a tourist in Canada in 1910, not on UK1911 census; Lieutenant Guy Wallace Halkett in on the 1914-1919 Roll of Honour of the London Regiment (28th Battalion, Artists Rifles), listed in the Reserve Cavalry Regiment from 23 May 1918 and with the final rank of Brigade Major; 1923 and 1924 passenger lists show him on ships to and from Buenos Aires, Argentina (see George Halpin in previous post); described as a schoolmaster, Malvern College; however, thereafter no further record and no evidence for marriage, death etc in England.
2c Alan Templeton Halkett, b 1889 Hampstead; 1911 census an engineer draughtsman in Bridgend; National Archives show 2/Lieut. Alan Templeton Halkett in the Indian Army Reserve of Officers for 1916-1918, London Gazette has him relinquishing his commission on 29 January 1919, 6th Reserve Regiment; passenger lists for 1917, 1919, 1934 and 1939 show him as a tea planter, travelling to and from India; apparently unmarried; South African records show Alan Templeton Halkett d. 1949, Cape Town, estate papers available.
2d Moira Katherine Esmonde Halkett, b 16 October 1890, Hampstead, bapt 16 November 1890, St Peter’s, from Broadhurst Gardens, Hampstead; no evidence for marriage or death in England
The 1901 census shows the widowed Eleanor Sophie Halkett living with her widowed mother at 22 Belsize Square, Hampstead (no children present; 3 servants); in 1911 she was at a school in Eastry, Kent , described as a professional musician, born Dublin but nationality “Scotch”, with her daughter Moira, aged 20 but still described as a “schoolgirl”.
Robert Halkett died in 1896 aged 43, in Eastry, Kent.
Eleanor Sophie Halkett died in 1921 in Hampstead, “aged 69".
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Further information received about this George Halpin 1800 source.
That his regiment is unknown is an indexing error; whoever indexed this record failed to identify his regiment.
However it is quite clearly stated in a number of places on the record to be the Loyal Dublin Regiment of Yeomen Infantry. I believe this was a Militia Regiment, raised the previous year by its Captain Commandant, John Claudius Beresford.
George Halpin was discharged with service of 1 year and 7 months "having received a wound in the right hand when drawing the charge from his Carbine it accidentally went off and the ball passed thro two of his fingers, which has deprived of the use of them, he is thereby rendered incapable of further service. This accident happened on the 28th day of September 1799"
His description is as follows:
George Halpin, height 5' 10 1/2", age 22, Trade Stone Cutter, Born Wicklow, County Wicklow.
The Surgeon's certificate notes;
"I do hereby Certify, that the above-mentioned George Halpin of the Loyal Dublin Yeomen Infantry has a wound in the right hand which he received on the 28th day of September 1799 when cleaning his Carbine, it accidentally went off, and the ball passed thro' two of his fingers, by which he is deprived of the use of them and rendered incapable of earning his Bread at his trade and whereby he is rendered incapable of further Service, and a fit Object of his Majesty's Royal Bounty of Kilmainham Hospital.
Given under my Hand the Day and Year above-mentioned
William Swan, Surgeon."
Kilmainham Hospital dated back to 1679 and administered Army Pensions for regiments on the Irish Establishment until 1822 when they were taken over by Chelsea. There are records of service in WO 119 for men discharged to Kilmainham pension though I'm not sure that they will give any more detail than the above.
[Thanks to Mike Shingleton, military researcher]
Bill
GEORGE HALPIN Born WICKLOW, Wicklow. Served in [Not Known]. Discharged aged 22. Covering date gives year of discharge. Miscellaneous: Abe
Date: 1800
[Source: The Catalogue of The National Archives
Royal Hospital Chelsea: Soldiers Service Documents WO 97/1184/103]
This date and age aligns with my George Halpin senior. Is this my Eureka moment?
1779 is his calculated year of birth derived from his age being given as 75 when he died in July 1854, suggesting he would be 21 in 1800, the year he is reported to have commenced work with the Dublin Ports.
If so, it gives his place of birth as Wicklow and 1 or 2 years after Willam Halpin, paymaster King's German Legion, being born also in Wicklow.
So, who was their father in Wicklow (or their separate fathers)? Despite all the scattered evidence of Cotter, Eaton and Halbert families in and around Wicklow Town, I have yet to see evidence of a Halpin family there pre-1800.
Bill.
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One of my Australian Halpin cousins has more than once recounted that she clearly remembers her grandfather telling her that a relative of his was a Harley Street, London, ear, nose and throat specialist doctor.
Anyone know anything to confirm this?
Bill
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Here's a turn up. In the above 1799 discharge of George Halpin from the Loyal Dublin Regiment of Yeoman Infantry, his spidery signature (possibly with his left hand because his right had just been shot) is witnessed by a RICHARD HALPIN.
I have no evidence before this of any Richard Halpin old enough to witness a signature in 1799.
Who was he? Was he George's father??? Or uncle, or brother?
In this context it should be borne in mind that William Halpin paymaster's first son was named Richard, born this same year, 1799, baptised Wicklow. And of course he also had sons George, John and Robert. And James Halpin likewise had sons called George, Richard, John and Robert.
Are we possibly squaring a circle here?
Bill
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35 years after the 1798 rebellion, a lengthy article appeared in Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Vol 35, pp221ff. (Moderator please note this is a brief, edited transcription by me from an online version of a magazine 176 years ago that anyone can consult without payment.)
In passing it mentions John Claudius Beresford, revealed yesterday as the Commandant of the Loyal Dublin Regiment of Yeoman Infantry and it makes an interesting reference to the Customs House.
During the Rebellion, he had commanded a troop of cavalry, formed chiefly of the principal persons connected with the Customhouse, of which his father, a man of different class and character, had been Chief Commissioner. The natural unpopularity attached to Customhouse officers had not been in the slightest degree palliated by seeing them decorated with sabres and pistols, and acting under the orders of a Beresford. The troop, who were violent in their politics, and, of course, fully aware of the popular opinion, returned it with sufficient reciprocity; and by their zeal in the seizure and punishment of supposed rebels, so rendered themselves conspicuous, and conspicuously hated by the people......During the rebellion, the riding-house of the troop had been, unluckily for their reputation, a chosen spot for flogging the suspected....(End excerpts.)
This article relies more on hearsay and opinion than scholarship but it is clear that Beresford's troop was regarded as being connected with the Customs House. I don't know that George Halpin's being an infantry regiment makes any difference.
Bill
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Hi Bill,
I have been away from my computer for a while, but on opening it today
I found a message for you from Jim Rees in Arklow, posted on Saturday last.
Julia
Dear Julia,
I haven’t heard from your contact Bill, but he is more than welcome to contact me. On a related matter, I received a letter the other day from a man who lives outside Mullinavat in Kilkenny wondering why Jessie Halpin was buried in a small, remote graveyard there. This was news to me as I had assumed that she was buried in the same plot as Robert. Her name is on the headstone, but it is ambiguous and she could well be buried elsewhere. Do you ever hear of such a possibility?
I am useless with chatlines or beboing or whatever. I have no idea on to get on to these things. I’d be grateful if you could post it on the Halpin site and see if anyone has any information about it. I’m looking for the exact location and inscription in Mullinavat and will be in touch.
Jim
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Re my post No. 102
I have finallly managed to access and copy the document concerned- A Handlist of the Voters of Maryborough Corporation 1760 by H F Kearney, 1954. Select Documents from Drogheda MSS. Irish Historical Studies,Vol. 9, No. 33.
It was not a final list of the voters, but rather a prognosis of how each of them was expected to vote, prepared by the interests of one of the candidates.
There were 400 burgesses and freemen enrolled, but only 70 resided in Maryborough, and many in other counties. A number were expected to “serve him that gives most money”.
The two Halpens were:
Halpen Mark, Ballymony, Under Mr. Westenra’s influence.
Halpen Pagitt, in the Army, Under the influence of Sir Ralph Gore and Mr. Westenra.
The only other name that might be of interest was:
“Stopford William, Esqr. (no place of abode) Mr. Ben: Burton has some influence over him.”
But the note (dead) was added, so it seems he had died before the election.
Benjamin Burton of Burton Hall, Co. Carlow was a wheeler-dealer, active in several counties.
As for the Halpens, it is clear to me that Mark Halpen of Ballymony is the same as M.H.
of Ballynamony, and therefore my 5xGr. g’father, and Pagett is related, most likely his son,
who resided at Ballymony in 1786.
Ken
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To Diane,
In your Post No.83, you seemed to doubt that it was the same Wm. Henry who married Marianne Crosthwaite in 1787.
I have him as born abt 1760, and now I see you found his death in 1839, aged
79. It fits in perfectly, and it must be him. He was the son of Nicholas, the headmaster of Portarlington School, and his son was Nich. John, born 1790.
Ken
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Am I right in saying that many of the Irish Halpins/Halpens are descended from
Nicholas, headmaster of Portarlington School ?
To me, he seems to be the linchpin, the connection that will bring all the various branches of the family together.
I have him tentatively placed as a son of Mark Halpen of Maryborough, and a brother of Paget (in the army), Elizabeth (mar. Eugene Sweny) and perhaps Patrick (engraver) and John (bookseller).
I have now received a message off-line from Diane. She has found the baptism of a Nicholas Halpenn in 1726 at St James, Westminster, parents Mark Halpenn and Catharine.
I had previously found three other children to the same parents: Mary 1719, Grace 1721, Mary 1725, baptised at the same place.
Mark was one of the ‘three Mark Halpens’ who may turn out to be one and the same person:
1. Father of four children born in London 1719-1726
2. Husband of Lady Eliz Lawley 1730 and charged with assault, involved in litigation at courts of Exchequer and House of Lords.
3. Voter in Maryborough 1760 and father of Paget (army) and Elizabeth (Sweny).
We know that No.2 was an Irishman and had been an apothecary. He was last heard of in England when his appeal to retain control of Lady Lawley’s estate was rejected in 1735. She died in 1739. Paget must have been born about 1735-1740, (also voted in 1760).
Now, perhaps Nicholas, headmaster was not born in Ireland, but was the one born in London in 1726. He would have been a half brother of Paget and Elizabeth. Diane says she is starting to think along the same lines.
How do we go about proving or disproving this theory ?
Ken
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Kenneth, very interesting theories that deserve to be tested. Can't say that I know enough one way or another to be constructive but I can think of some cautions.
One, somewhat peripherally, is that the entity known as 'Portarlington School' does not emerge until, I think, Nicholas was probably dead. There is a reference to its founding as late as the 1830s: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:1k2qLxWyMGcJ:sources.nli.ie/Record/PS_UR_095900+%22portarlington+school%22+site:.ie&cd=17&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=au
In Nick's time, we know that Portarlington was a melting pot of schools of all sizes (but likely none of any great size) and that any early knowledge we have of him is as an employed teacher in one or two of them. It seems that relatively late in his career he may have founded his own school by buying out another school teacher. Contemporary references refer to him as 'Old Nick'.
According to the Burke's entry for his great great great grandson John Ralph Halpin, besides William Henry, Nick had a daughter Susanna: "Lineage - Nicholas Halpin, Headmaster of Portarlington Sch., living 1809, m. Anne du Bois, and had issue, with a dau. Susanna, an only son William Henry Halpin ..." We have cautioned here previously about relying on the accuracy of this entry provided at so many removes from the actual events. As far as I know, nothing else genealogically is known of Nick.
However, that lack of knowledge leaves plenty of room for your theories, Ken.
But, if it is true that he had an only son William Henry, then the Wicklow Halpins who have been amply demonstrated to have had connections with the Portarlington family possibly stem from a brother of Nicholas. In which case, if he came from England, his brother did too. And even if he did come from England, Halpin is an essentially Irish surname meaning that Halpins in England at some point originated in Ireland.
Bill.
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Thanks Bill,
You've given me something to think about, which is what I wanted when I put forward the theory.
Meanwhile, I have just found the following:
Morrice Halpenn b. 17.12.1723, bapt. 29.12.1723 St.James W'minster, parents
Halpenn & Catherine.
Burial of Mrs. Halpen 6.11.1727 Bunhill Fields London, Non-conformist.
There were a number of Halpen/Halpenny entries so they were about in 1500s & 1600s in London.
I know all this is circumstantial, but it gives us a possible scenario to check on.
Ken
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Hi,
I have some more information to add about Nicholas Halpin. He is listed as a freeholder in Queen's County - January 12, 1768. In the Portarlington directory for 1787 he is listed as: Halpin Nicholas, English Grammer-school. There are no other Halpins listed in Portarlington at that time.
Diane
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Thanks Bill and Diane,
I did not really say that the Halpens of Queens Co. came from England. I meant that perhaps Mark Halpenn, an Irishman, came to England, married twice, then returned to Ireland with his English born children, inc. Nicholas, who later became a teacher and settled in Portarlington. Mark married a third time in Ireland.
I thought that Wm Henry & M. Crosthwaite had at least six children, Rev.Nich. John, Wm. Henry, Fredk.,Victor, Dr. Charles, & Marianne, or have I got it wrong ?
About the name, I'm sure many O'hAlpin and hAlpene became Halpin or Halpenny, but you can't explain the 'f' in Halfpenny that way. We can't prove anything but I believe that Halfpenny was an English name, and came to Ireland later than Mac/O' hAlpin.
Anyway, looks like the Forum has kicked off again.
Regards,
Ken
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Hi,
Yes William Henry and Marianne had six children. I have never found any information on Victor other than the entry for Trinity College.
Diane
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Now, Diane, 1768 is getting back closer to where we need to be. If I was near Dublin, I would be in to the archives trying to find where Nicholas held land in 1768 and anything the accompanying documentation might show. By my back of the envelope calculations, Nick would have been about 33 and, agreeing again with Ken, young William Henry aged about 8.
Any other Halpins in those accounts Diane? By my most recent delvings, I think we need to be looking for a Robert Halpin somewhere in the 1700s. It would be wonderful to find him but I fear we would already have noticed him by now.
Bill
Hi,
I have some more information to add about Nicholas Halpin. He is listed as a freeholder in Queen's County - January 12, 1768. In the Portarlington directory for 1787 he is listed as: Halpin Nicholas, English Grammer-school. There are no other Halpins listed in Portarlington at that time.
Diane
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This may interest you Ken,
In the publication "Votes of the House of Commons, in the first session of the Parliament of Ireland, appointed to meet at Dublin the nineteenth day of May, 1761; ...."
That the committee to whom it was referred, to inquire into the Application of the sum of two thousand Pounds given last session of Parliament to be applied to remove the obstructions in the River Barrow, from the tide-water at St. Mullins to Monasterevan, be revived; and they are to meet next Friday morning.
A petition of names .....Mark Halpen...more names... inhabitants of the Town and Borough of Maryborough in the Queen's County....
So that places a Mark Halpen in Maryborough in 1761.
Diane
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In a directory for Wicklow, County of Wicklow in 1787 there are:
Cotter Eaton, malster and builder
Halbert John, currier
Halbert James, currier and leather cutter
There aren't any Halpins listed but they are family names.
Diane
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Thanks Diane,
So Mark probably died between 1761 and 1786, when Paget was at Ballynamony.
Nicholas was at Portarlington in 1787, and was listed in Q.Co in 1768.
I would repeat Bill's query- where was he in 1768 ? Wouldn't it be great if he turned up in Maryborough. I wonder if we could find out.
Regards
Ken
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Diane, what Wicklow directory was that , please?
I suppose a currier was a leather curer. Was that different to a tanner? Probably a smelly business. I suspect that Anne Halbert's parents were connected to the Cotter and Eaton families.
Ray has expressed the theory that William and James Halpin were distillers, which may have been a neat fit with Eaton Cotter as a mal(t)ster. At the time of this directory, both of them were about 10 years old, leaving the question as to what their father(s) was/were.
John Halbert may have been Anne's father. Just as James seems to have been determined to name a son Robert, it seems they were equally determined to call a son John, the first, John James, born and dying in 1830, to be followed by John Augustus in 1832.
Bill.
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In 1729 Wicklow ale, was sold at Donnybrook Fair. ref. The Humour of Donnybrook Fair by Seamus OMaitiu. can't put my hand on it at the moment.
Brewing Industry in Wicklow “The Report on the State of Popery in Ireland in 1731”
Page 1: Paragraph one:
“As can be seen from the taxes of 1620, there was a brewing industry in Wicklow
Page 1: Paragraph two:
“In 1620 The Castle had 45 acres of land and every person selling beer in Wicklow town was obliged to pay to the use of the Castle four sextaries (pints) for every bushel of malt brewed. According to “The Report on the State of Popery in Ireland in 1731”
Page 1: Paragraph three:
In 1788 some verses on Good Wicklow Ale were discovered in the portfolio of a literary chapterer in London. The verses included these lines:
‘Tis a toss-up of head or tail
‘Twixt Burgundy and Wicklow Ale,
Ladies hate the weak and pale,
Not so the man who drinks good ale;
Stout and ruddy, strong and pale,
You’ll sure succeed on Wicklow ale’.
Ref: Wright, G.N.: A Guide to the County of Wicklow, London, 1827, p 69.
There were at least 4 Brewers in Wicklow in the middle or late 1800s:
1. Kilmantin Hill Called The Warrants.
2. Fitzwilliam Square, later the Rialto cinema, & now Rialto House,
3. The Green Tree, Fitzwilliam Square, later the Green Tree Hotel, This building was later divided,
a) Robert Conway lived and ran a sweet shop, then a sports shop by his son John & Grandson Declan Conway
b) Clarke Delahunt Auctioneers, now also divided. Left = ‘Re/max’ Auctioneers. Right was a coffee shop, “The Griddle” occupied by Mrs Lou (nee Porter) Sillery until 2007 when she retired, and then Eamonn Sheridan office accommodation planning application in Wicklow People 2nd Aug 2007 p53.
4. Don’t know where – yet?
Upper Monkton Row – now called St Dominick’s Road was also knows as “The Long Bar” up until about 1950 – reason, every house was supposed to be a shee-been. The residents bought the beer down the street for c 1d then on Sunday morning, when the public houses were closed, they sold it on to customers for 1½ d. Ref. Local knowledge.
Julia
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MILD ALES - WHAT ARE THEY AND WHERE DID THEY COME FROM? By Dr. John Harrison
“Defining Mild Ale. In Table 1, I have collected some 16 examples of beers called mild, or apparently mild (e.g. denoted X, XX or XXX, in brewbooks), or whose formulation suggest a mild ale, e.g. Wicklow Ale. Two of the ales, Cobb's mild and Tetley XX have hop rates so high as to raise questions about whether they should be included. Taking the rest at face value, then a mild ale can have any OG between 31 and 125, a hopping rate per barrel of any value between 0.75 and 2.9 and any colour between pale amber and brown. These are pretty wide limits. How ever, with the possible exception of the Tetley B and C, the common thread that limits the others is the modest hop rates, particularly in relation to the gravity of the samples. However, it is known that sweetness on the palate has a masking effect on perceived bitterness (11).
Wicklow Ale 1805. OG = 125: Hopping lbs/barrel = 2: Colour = Amber: Comments = Genuine high gravity mild: Ref. = 3: Address Index = 1.6"
Just another little bit of information. found on the www.
Julia
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I know I have proved nothing as yet, but I’m not going to sit staring at a blank sheet of paper. I’ve written a possible scenario for the early Halpens of Queen’s Co., the first five generations:
Nicholas Hal(f)penny ‘Generosus’ of Queens Co. c. 1650 m. ? Paget
Padgett 1682 Mark c. 1690
?Nicholas Headmaster Paget (army) ?Patrick,engvr Eliz.
c.1730 c. 1735 c. 1740 c.1750
Wm Henry Paget c 1765 John 1764 John Paget Sweny
Engraver Min. Painter
Rev Nich John Paget 1795
to USA
We know that Padget 1682, student at T.C.D. was the son of Nicholas ‘Generosus’ of Queens Co. Most likely Mark of Ballynamony was another son. Paget (army) seems to be his son, who later lived at Ballynamony. The name Paget continues in Mark’s line, but there is no Nicholas as yet.
Nicholas, headmaster, fits into the same generation as Paget (army), and is probably a brother or cousin. Patrick, the engraver, also belongs to that generation, and it would be logical to assume that he is the father or uncle of the next Paget c. 1765, also an engraver.
We have found no Pagets in Nicholas the headmaster’s line, but his name links him to Nich. Generosus, who is most likely his grandfather.
The several Mark Halpens in England and Nicholas b. 1726 in London are not verified, but even if they were, they would be compatible with the scenario above.
Ken
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Searching the 1901 Census by Halpin/Wicklow/Church of Ireland, I came to the household of Dr James Henry Halpin in Wentworth Place, Wicklow Town, who was a son of Dr George Halbert Halpin and Eliza Bradley.
I had recorded that his wife had been Adelaide Maud Sutton. The census records that living with them was his unmarried sister-in-law, Martha Florence Eatton (sic), and both Adelaide and Martha state that they were born in Wexford. Their three Catholic and unrelated servants state that they were born in Co Wexford so it can be assumed that Adelaide and Maud may have been born in Wexford Town.
Had the Eaton family moved south, to Wexford, and is this a much later tie-up between the families?
Bill.
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(1)
In reply #24 of this series, Page 2, I reported on the application by William Halpin for a cadetship with the East-India Company to serve in Madras. I did this more or less in full. As also reported, I had applied for another LDS Film of the same sort of applications from William’s brothers, John and George, as well as by George Halpin’s son Oswald. I have now inspected this film, LDS Film 1951860, series L/MIL/9/162-3. The applications all take the same form so in this report I will only extract details.
John Halpin (1805-1848, 3rd son of William Halpin paymaster KGL)
Produced King’s Commission City of Edinburgh. Nominated for the Madras Infantry by EIC director Neil B Edmonstone on the recommendation of John’s father, in exchange from a nomination by Mr Morris in exchange for the Bombay Infantry. Under examination, John declares that he was educated by Mr John Falloon, Dublin, the nature of that education was classical and mathematical. His father is Captain Halpin King’s German Legion and now resides in Dublin. Witnessed by M. Mackenzie (relative or friend present when examined).
Extract from the Register Book of the Parish of Wicklow in the County of Wicklow, “John, Son of Captain William Halpin and Eliza his wife Baptized July 3rd 1805.” Signed by the curate, Robert (illegible) and church wardens ?B Keoghan and Joseph Sutton.
The parent’s certificate acknowledging the application is signed by William Halpin 14th March 1826.
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(2)
George Halpin (1807-1891, 4th child and son of William Halpin paymaster KGL)
Produced King’s Commission City of Edinburgh. Petition of George Halpin as a Cadet for the Madras Infantry is nominated by EIC director John Baillie Esq. at the recommendation of and signed by the Marquis of Huntly 21st April 1826.
Under examination, George states that he was educated at the University of Dublin, the nature of the education Clafsical and Mathematical, his father a Half Pay ret. Captain residing near Dublin, he was recommended by the Marquis of Huntly, signed in the presence of Frederick Haldane.
Extract from the Register Book of the Parish of (Killeseide?) alias Tullamore in the County of King’s County Ireland. George Halpin Son of William and Elizabeth Halpin was born the 3rd of October 1807 and Christened October 12th 1807 by the Revd William (illegible). Signed Joseph Meredith Curate, Geo McMullen and Wm Deverell wardens.
Parent’s acknowledgement of the application signed by William Halpin 26th March 1826
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(3)
Oswald Halpin (1810-1834 younger son of George Halpin sen.)
The petitioner is desirous of entering the Military Service of the Company, as a Cadet for the Bombay Infantry, nominated by EIC director George Smith at the recommendation of Colonel McDonald. Signed by Oswald 3d July 1826.
Under examination, at what School has your education been – University of Dublin, the nature of that education – Clafsical and Mathematical. What is the profession, situation, and residence of your Parents or nearest of kin?- Civil Engineer, Irish Government, the Father, lives at Dublin.
Signed in the presence of Thomas (can’t read) N(or 1)5 Cheyne Row Chelsea.
Extract from the Register Book of the Parish of St Thomas’s in the County of the City of Dublin. Oswald son of George and Elizabeth Halpin baptised 10th day of January 1810. Baptized by me John (Tea?) Curate of St Thomas’s, John Hewson, ? Edwards, Church Wardens of St Thomas.
Acknowledgement of the application signed by George Halpin 20th June 1826
It would appear that the parents' consent was earlier obtained and the sons took away their applications for completion in, possibly, Edinburgh and London.
I mentioned in the Page 2 posting that the cadets committed to Captain’s Table and Charter-party Passage Money costs of £110, plus Third Mate’s Mess and Charter-party Passage Money of £70. In the application, the petitioners acknowledge that they have been furnished with the Articles of War, that they shall “as a Condition of his Appointment, subscribe to the Military Fund at his respective Presidency" (eg Bombay) and they indemnify the Company against loss and non-payment of such funds.
Oswald got to Bombay from Bordeaux in France. [Source, the Bombay Calendar 1828.] Arrival Jan 23 1827 by French ship Anna Maria, captain Pelletier. Mr O Halpin, Cadet, passenger and ship origin Bordeaux, 1st port The Cape.
Bill.
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Bill,
You were asking about the title of the book containing the directory for Wicklow.
The full title on the library's Eighteenth Century Collections Online is:
The Cork directory. For the year 1787, including the adjacent out-ports of Youghal, Kinsale, Cove, Passage, and the manufacturing towns of Innishannon and Bandon, in the county of Cork, Kingdom of Ireland dedicated to the Right Hon. Earl of Shannon. Containing An accurate list of the names and places of abode of the bankers merchants, manufacturers, gentlemen of the law and physick, and principal traders in this opulent city and envirions, and the adjacent out ports of Youghal, Kinsale, Cove, Passage and the manufacturing towns and Bandon and Innishannon; alphabetically arranged so that the particular residence of any individual in each place, may be instantly known, & which work is immediately necessary to be in the hands of every person conerned in trade and commerce. By Richard Lucas. To be continued annually, carefully corrected.
On the title page for Vol 2 the title is "A General Directory of the Kingdom of Ireland or Merchant and Traders by Richard Lucas 1787-88.
I know the title and contents of Volume 2 don't jive with the title of Volume 1 but that is how it is catalogued.
Diane
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Diane, that is a valuable resource because its contents are 30 or 40 years before most comparable directories. Its head title would have misled me so thank you. Were there no Halpins (of various spellings) anywhere or just not in Wicklow? Perhaps frustratingly it does not extend to Queen's or Dublin.
Bill.
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Odd entries for Halpen/Halfpenny
Flax Growers of Ireland 1796:
Monaghan- Halfpenny- Christy, Nicholas, of Magheracloone;
Henry, Monaghan & Peter, Tedavnet; Halpen Thomas, Innishkeen
Meath- Halpen James, Oristown
Griffiths Val. ?1850s
Halfpenny Nicholas, Corradooa, Killinkera, Cavan
1641 Rebellion- Co. Louth, names from 1641 Deposition:
Halfpenny William
Marriages from Walker’s Hibernian Mag. 1771-1812:
1.6.1779 Phillip Boylan, Abbey St. & Mary Halfpenny, Phoenix St. ?Dublin
Documents connected with the City of Kilkenny Militia in the 17th & 18th centuries, by John G.A.Prim- ‘the troubled period of the wars of James and William’.
A muster of the qualified citizens bearing arms (Oath of Supremacy required, so only Prots.):
“Nicholas Halfpenny was Portreve of Irish Town in 1662” i.e. chief officer or mayor.
The City of Kilkenny then consisted of Irishtown and Englishtown. It is 40 km. from Maryborough.
Ken
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Re my posts 143 & earlier-
Great Pulteney St., Westminster, St. James, was laid out during the redevelopment of the Pulteney estate in the early 18th century. Between 20.3.1719 and 27.8.1722, Sir William Pulteney granted 38 leases, all due to expire around 1780, to 20 odd lessees, most of whom were building craftsmen.
No. 40 Great Pulteney St. East side:
60 years from Xmas 1718, lease dated 15.9.1719, Rent £5 p.a. Frontage 19 ft. Lessee Wm.Ludby, citizen & carpenter of St. James. First occupant- Mark Alpen or Halpenn, period of residence 1720-1728. From ‘Survey of London Vol.31 & 32, St. James Westminster Part 2’ F H W Sheppard (general editor) 1963.
‘Our’ Mark Halpenn’s first child Mary, was baptised at St. Martin in the Fields in 1719. The next four were baptised at St. James, Westminster between 1721 and 1726.
This indicates that it was most likely the same family, who lived in Gt. Pulteney St. But of course it does not prove that this Mark was Irish, or related to our Halpens.
Ken
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From the Universal Spectator and Weekly Journal, Saturday April 24th 1731:
The Lady Lawley, Relict of Sir Thomas Lawley, Bart. And Neice of Dr. Bateman, was lately marry’d at Somerset-House Chapel to Mr. Halpen, who formerly kept two Apothecary-Shops at the same Time, one at Tunbridge-Wells, and the other in Town, but has some Time ago left off Business, having had a considerable Fortune fallen to him.
From the 1756 edition of A General Abridgement of Cases in Equity...
(K) Of Suits and Proceedings by and against Baron and Feme; - and also inter se.
1. The Court was of Opinion, that though a Man could not have a Bill against his Wife for Discovery of his own Estate, yet where before Marriage she enters into Articles concerning her own Estate, she has made herself as a separate Person from her Husband; and she was ordered to answer in a Week’s Time. East. 1691. Sir Robert Brooks and Lady Brooks, Prec. In Chan. 24.
2. A Feme Covert may sue her Husband by prochain Amy (a); this agreed to be the Course of the Court. Hil. 1708. In Casu Kirk and Clark, Prec. In Chan. 275.
(a) Upon a suggestion of ill practice between the husband and the wife’s prochain Amy, a new one was appointed upon his giving a Recognizance to pay the full Costs of any Award. Halpin and Halpin, MS. Notes.
From the 1792-93 edition of the above publication we see this added to the MS. Notes – Lady Lawley, alias Halpen and pin, in Seace.’ Bush. Rep. 310. S.C. states it thus: a feme covert brought a bill against her husband by her prochain amy, but having some suspicion that he and prochain amy were in a conspiracy, she moved to change her prochain amy, after there had been a considerable [progress in?] cause. [A line follows that is generally illegible, but it appears that Lady Lawley was granted a new prochain amy].
From the Gazetteer and New Daily Advertiser, Saturday August 13th 1768:
DIED: At Bath, suddenly, Mark Halpen, Esq; in the 83rd year of his age; he was formerly an apothecary to her Royal Highness the Princess Amelia, married Lady Lawley, relict of the late Sir Thomas Lawley, Bart. and in the wars of 1745, and the last wars, attended the Britannic military hospitals in foreign parts, with great reputation.
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From the London Evening Post, Saturday February 16th 1760:
His Majesty has been pleased to constitute and appoint Sir Ralph Gore, Bart. to be Lieutenant Colonel Commandant of a Battalion of Foot, to be forthwith raised in Ireland.
Joseph Lewi Feyrack, Esq., to be Lieutenant Colonel to the said Regiment.
Peter Labilliere, Esq., to be Major to the said Regiment.
William and Paul Gore, among many others, listed as Lieutenants in the said Regiment.
...Paget Halpen and George Gore (ditto) to be Ensigns in the said Regiment.
From the General Advertiser (1744), Tuesday October 3, 1749:
Dublin, Sept. 26.
A few days ago a boy was so severely crushed between the wheels of two carriages in Arran street, that he is since dead.
Yesterday, the examinations began in Trinity college for three Professorships; one in Physick, a second in Chifurgery (?!) and Midwifery, and a third in Pharmacy and the Materia Medica in the city of Dublin, founded by the late Sir Patrick Dunn. The following Gentlemen stand candidates, viz. Dr. Stephens. Dr. Hewetson, Dr. Barber, Dr. Relham, Dr. Quin, Dr. McMahon, and Dr. Barry, jun.
His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant has ordered Letters Patent to be made out for presenting the Rev. Mr. George Sandford to the deanery of Ardagh, and the Rev. Mr. George Sandford to the Deanery of Ardagh, and the Rev. Dr. Isaac Mann to the Chantorship of ChristChurch, Dublin, both void by the death of Dean Saurin.
Last week one John Maxwell was found guilty at the assizes of Trim, for the murder of his own child, and sentenced to be hanged and quartered.
Saturday last Patrick Lawler was executed at Trim, for the murder of Mr. James Dowdal, and afterwards hung in chains. It is said he confessed some other murders he had been concerned in, particularly the murder of Mr. Halpen near Blue Bell [Blue Bell is in Inchicor, west Dublin].
The Amazon ship of war and the Scorpion and Grampus Sloops arrived in Belfast Lough.
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God help us, Ray is back . And we were having a nice quite time !
Your new post is very interesting. How do you find all this when I can't ?
Anyway, my comments:
Mark H. & Lady Lawley- "lately married", actually a year before, in secret.
"a considerable fortune has fallen to him" His father has died ? (He didn't want to be an apothecary anyway.) If it was Nich Generosus, born abt 1650, his time was due (1731).
Re the case abt Lady L., we need someone to explain the archaic legal jargon.
As I see it, a woman with a significant estate was vulnerable and needed a
protector/guardian/champion. In this case it was her new husband, M. H., himself not entitled to the estate, but she soon lost confidence in him, for obvious reasons. So she had a new guardian appointed (prochain amy= next friend) but he was in cahoots with Halpen.
M.H. died at Bath in 1768 aged 83 (b.1685). He fits in perfectly as a brother of Padgett 1682 (TCD). Our M.H. of Ballymony died after 1761.
Re Paget in the army, we know that he was expected to vote for Sir Ralph Gore in M'borough in 1760, and in return I guess he got into Gore's battalion.
Ken
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Having problems formatting this stuff - hope it's readable.
1806 (6) (Ireland) Report of the commissioners appointed to enquire into the fees, gratuities, perquisites, and emoluments, which are or have been lately received in certain public offices in Ireland; and also, to examine into any abuses which may exist in the same; and into the present mode of receiving, collecting, issuing, and accounting for public money in Ireland (p. 350 of 386).
[/b]
List of Persons who, having been in the Public Service, receive any Pensions, Annuity, Emoluments, etc.
at the Time of Resignation.
Right Hon. J. Beresford First Commissioner of Length of Annual Resigned: 26th
His Majesty’s Revenue. Service: 32yrs. Salary: £2000 March 1802*.
Annual amount of other Emoluments, and description thereof: In lieu of furnished House adjoining this Custom house, with Coals, Candles, and other Accommodations, which he had in right of his Office, and had given up on retiring therefrom - £400. Annual Pension: £2000.
A few places down the list we find:
John Halpin Landwaiter, L.O.S: 14yrs. A.S: £45 Resigned: 5th
Custom-house Quay Aug. 1795.
Annual amount of other emoluments...: £255 Fees and Emoluments of Office. Annual Pension: £300.
Robert Owen is also recorded as having served for 41 years as a surveyor, receiving an annual salary of £200, with an unspecified additional salary of £100 per annum. He retired 15 April 1803 on a cumulative annual pension of about £300.
[On page 276 we find this:]
Report of the Commissioners on Fees, Gratuities, &c. – Customs.
Dock Master Richard Halpin Appointed by Commission Duration of Interest – Pleasure How Executed – Person Salaries and Fixed Allowances - £60 Fees - £60
Four Assistants at 2s 2d per day each - £158 3s 4d
Gross Amount of Salaries and fixed Allowances (excluding fees) - £218 3s 4d.
[Very helpfully, for our purposes, this report comes with definitions of the various positions]:
“The Dock Master regulates and appoints the Births for all Ships and Vessels that enter the Custom House Dock, and attends at all times necessary for that purpose.”
“Discharging and Shipping Officers at Out Quays: Surveyor – the surveyor superintends the discharge of timber, deals, coal, salt, bark, &c. Inwards, at the Out Quays, and the shipping and discharging of goods coastways; he also visits the Tidewaiters on duty, and compares their books with the landing orders; he likewise rummages ships, and discharges the Tidewaiters from duty.”
“The Landwaiters discharge the abovementioned Goods Inwards at the Out Quays, and ship and discharge goods coastways.”
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1808 (28) (Ireland) The thirty-third report of the Commissioners of accounts of Ireland (p. 103 of 132).
42.
Queen’s County Infirmiry.
The Governors give an account of the Charges and Discharges of the Infirmiry “for one year to the twenty-fourth day of December one thousand eight hundred and six.” That account is followed by a numbered list of “Names of Governors and Governesses.”
Governors for life by Subscription.
1. The Earl of Upper Ossory.
2. John Fallon, esq.
3. Thomas Parnell, esq.
4. Rev. Mr. Avoril.
Governors for one year ending 24th June 1807, as subscribers of one guinea and under twenty guineas (I note only the names that I think may have a bearing on our interests):
2. Anthony Pim.
5. George Gore, esq.
25. Captain Gore.
33. John Halpin, esq.
35. Sir Charles Coote, Bart.
44. Robert Onions.
72. Arthur Parnell, esq.
73. William Parnell, esq.
84. James Pim.
102. Sir C. Coote, Bart.
103. Mrs. C. Coote.
121. Anthony Pim.
122. Mr. Halpin.
137. Lord Castle Coote.
138. Lady Castle Coote.
139. Sir Eyre Coote, K.B.
It then goes on to detail “Particulars of Estates, Property, and Funds”, particulars about patient numbers (ie how many were cured, discharged as incurable, died, eloped or were transferred to “Externs”) and “Number and Names of Officers and Servants”, which are of no relevance to our interests.
1812 (36) (Ireland) The thirty-eighth report of the Commissioners of Accounts of Ireland. (p. 128).
Queen’s County Infirmiry
(most details are exactly as above)
28. Robert Onions
41. John Halpen, esq.
45. Henry Moore, esq.
61. Sir Geo. Pigott, bart.
64. Anthony Pim, esq.
92. George Gore, esq.
99. Sir Erasmus Burrowes, bart.
109. Ja’ Pim, esq.
116. Thomas Parnell, esq.
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For 1766 Religious Census of Papists & Protestants in County Tipperary –
note the surnames: Solomon Delane (famous landscape painter – dau. Married a Halpin), Nugent, Napper, Evans, Cooper, Edmund (NOTE: John Edmund Halpin), Maunsell, Dr. Edward Moore.
http://www.igp-web.com/tipperary/census1766/religcens2.htm
I'm trying to establish a little database of names in an attempt to recreate the social circles our ancestors must have belonged to. It's my hope that where these circles meet, or overlap, there we'll find the connections that more fully reveal exactly how the various branches of the Halpin family tree interweave.
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I was given the name of this website while I was in Wicklow a few weeks ago. I am the Great Great Niece of Robert Halpin of the Great Eastern and have often thought I must have Halpin relatives somewhere. My Granmother was Georgiana Halpin, twin daughter of Dr George Halpin, she married Robert Kent and they had 6 sons and 2 daughters, my father was the 5th son. Her twin sister Ida never marrried, and lived on Church Hill. When they were 94 a photo of them on their joint birthday party was published in the Irish Times as they were thought to be the oldest living twins in Ireland. There brother Robert died in Falmouth and the twins had to travel to identify his body. Another brother, James married Adelaide Maude, and I see from the 1901 cencus that a sister in law of James was Martha Florence Eatton. I was always told that we were related to the Eatons, but never how. Also that we were related to the Bayleys of Carlow. JAmes and |Maude had 3 children, as far as I know. Raymond, Ernest and Marjorie, when James died Maude took them to America, Ray was the only one to return to Ireland, he married Belle Phibbs daughter of Bertram Phibbs of Wicklow, I saw a suggestion that she was a model but she wasn't, however her sister Clodagh was a well know dress designer. I would be very interested to see a copy of the Halpin family tree if there is one, and look forward to reading more about the family.
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Delighted to have you on board, mkent. It's uncanny, but less than an hour ago I came across this in my research:
Twins Aged 90 Years.
90th birthday celebrations of twin sisters Mrs. Georgiana Kent and Miss Ida Halpin, Wicklow. They recall receiving the first telegram ever sent to Wicklow. This came from their uncle, Captain Robert C. Halpin, commander of the famous Great Eastern telegraph ship.
- from The Irish times, Tuesday December 21st 1954.
As for a complete family tree, well, that's sort of what we're attempting to put together here. Bill Webster is making tremendous progress in that direction. If you send me an email address, I can post you a ton of stuff on the Wicklow Halpins not yet posted on the rootschat site. Cheers, R.
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Agricultural Intelligence.
Potato Disease – Public Meeting at Enniskillen.
1a.
Tuesday last, at twelve o’clock, there was a public meeting held in the Court House of Enniskillen, convened by the Earl of Erne, Lieutenant of the county, for the purpose of considering the state of the potato crop, with the object of applying the best remedies for the preservation of the present sound part of the crop, and immediately converting the partially diseased into wholesome food. The noble Earl and a committee of gentlemen had sat the previous day (the fair of the town), in the Grand Jury Room, to receive the information of gentlemen and farmers, as to the extent of the failure in their respective localities, that his lordship and the committee might thereby be enabled to lay properly authenticated information before the meeting. The meeting was attended by a large number of the landed proprietors, merchants of the town, and farmers of the county.
...Lord Erne having taken the chair, addressed the meeting at some length, and was followed by Dr. Halpin, of Cavan, who spoke as follows: - My Lord and Gentlemen, I have for a considerable time been engaged in the investigation of the state of the potato crop, not only as to the cause of the disease which it is now suffering so severely from, but I have also devoted myself to ascertain what are the methods we should employ, that are most likely to prevent the disease from attacking the healthy potato; as also what may be done to prevent the extension of the disease in potatoes that at the present may be but slightly affected. This, I take it, is the great question; for, although it is very desirable that the diseased portion of the crop should be converted into starch, which may hereafter be made available as an article of food, or used in the arts; still I have no hesitation in saying, that, if your efforts are to end here, you will have accomplished very little indeed, towards averting the famine that you so greatly apprehend. I will endeavour to lay before you, as briefly as I can, the actual state of things at the present moment. We are not without advisers in this crisis. Government, fully alive to the welfare of the people, have taken such steps as they thought most advisable to ascertain the true state of the fact, and this knowledge attained, they would then feel most confidence in proposing remedial measures; for this purpose they appointed three commissioners, whose instructions were to inquire into this subject in all its bearings, report upon it to Government, and give such instructions as they thought most likely to avert impending danger. These men, Professors Kane, Playfair, and Lindley, have acquired in their respective walks in science, a more than European celebrity. They have already issued three reports. The first report...is dated 24th October. The moment I cast my eye over it, I perceived that the greater part of the advice it contained was calculated to do irreparable mischief; and yet there was sufficient in it to divest me of alarm on the subject, for the most dangerous part of it was so palpably dangerous that no practical man would be misled by it, and the least dangerous was utterly impracticable. I addressed a letter to the Lord Lieutenant, (Evening Mail, 29th October), in which I stated my charges firmly, but respectfully, and I then announced to him a plan which I had devised, by the adoption of which I had strong reason to hope the progressing disease of the potato crop would be checked. A means of procuring through ventilation through all the potato pits in the country by means at once simple, easy of accomplishment, and so cheap that the poorest cottier in the land could avail himself of it. His Lordship referred my letter to the Commissioners to report on it, and, as a matter of course, their report was, as I expected it would be, adverse to my plan of ventilation. What did they say to my charge of “having given advice that, if acted upon, would be productive of an incalculable deal of mischief?” Not one word. They had told the people that, in the event of a continuance of fine weather, they recommend that the potatoes be allowed to remain in the ground for the present; but, if wet weather intervene, they should be dug without delay!!! This is advice No. 1, from gentlemen who tell you in the same report that moisture hastens the spread of the disease – that dryness arrests it. The same number of the Mail that contains the report with which they honoured my plan of a ventilating pit (Oct. 31), contains another report from them, in which they reiterate their instructions concerning dryness, and not satisfied with their former directions on this head,
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1b.
they direct you to kiln-dry your potatoes – this is advice No. 2. How is this to be done? They admit that the corn kilns of the county are fully occupied, but all the lime kilns of the country can be employed in this drying process, “without interfering with their ordinary operations.” Do they know so little of the actual state of the country as to be ignorant of the fact that there are not five lime kilns at work at the season of the year in this great country [passion, indignation, sarcasm]? But then this is to be no obstacle – “the people can raise hurdles in the fields and dry the potatoes on them.” Do they not know that the town classes seldom have as much turf provided for their winter firing as will serve for the ordinary requirements of cooking. If this scanty store of fuel is consumed in kiln drying their potatoes on hurdles in the fields, where are they to procure the means of boiling them for consumption? Do they not know that in many parts of Ireland there is no turf? The greater part of Meath, for instance, where the winter fire consists of stubble pulled from the corn fields, and the straw of their crops, which should be used as fodder for their cattle, and for manure. They appear to be ignorant of these things. I wrote a second letter to the Lord Lieutenant, 3rd November, in which I gave my reasons for stating that the ventilating pit would be found valuable in storing the healthy potato, and called his Excellency’s attention to the circumstance, that the Commissioners had altogether passed over the grave charges I brought against their first report, and I quoted a leaf from the diary of a farmer, comprising five days of the week that had just passed. I would beg your attention to this diary, as it really represents the state of the weather for those days, and shews what would have been the fate of the crop if the Commissioners’ advice had been followed out. A marvellous “change now comes o’er the spirit of their dream.” [try to source this quote – I’m betting it’s Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, a personal favourite of all three Halpin brothers] In the Mail of the 5th November, I find another report in which they abandon all their former counsels of “digging potatoes in wet weather,” “kiln drying,” and the like, and direct that potatoes now are “to be dug in dry weather,” “get dry somehow, as fast as you can,” “keep DRY,” with various other instructions anent drying; and they also give a very pretty model of a ventilating pit, with this drawback that, although they see the necessity for ventilation, they take means to prevent it effectually by “cramming the pit with packing stuff.” They direct that potatoes shall also be kept cool. Now, you cannot keep them cooler than the surrounding atmosphere – this condition is fully attained in the ventilating pit. Lord Farnham examines all his pits every morning before they are opened for the day. He does not trust this part of his experiment to another; and in no one instance did he detect the slightest elevation of temperature in any of them. This post has brought me another report. Will your Lordship credit me when I tell you that they have discovered that the potato disease is to be cured on Homeopathic principles. The fundamental doctrine of this sect is - “like drives out like.” But the most curious part of this is that while they are Homeopathists in principle, they are Hydropathists in practice. Homeopathy and Hydropathy united, like the Siamese twins. Bog water is the cure!!! Ireland need only be converted into a great Hydropathic establishment; and the disease having been pronounced to labour under Hydrophobia, or dread of water, you have nothing on earth to do but plunge them neck and crop into bog water and they come out as sound as a bell. It appears paradoxical that bog water should cure this watery disease of the potato; yet, if we examine the matter, we will find that it possesses this principle, no doubt from its containing a large portion of tannin or tanning material. I now put the question to you, farmers and labourers, is not this the very thing you have ever been wishing for, but which you never could construct – a pit that you can let the wind through whenever you please, without disturbing the earth from off it? And now my lord, I would call upon you and the gentlemen that surround me, to peruse e’er you vote upon the amendment I am about to propose – Are these men, who, on the 24th of October, tell you not to dig your potatoes in fine weather but tell you to dig them in the rain, and who abandon this advice on the 3rd of November, and tell you to dig your potatoes in dry weather and get them dry at any cost, worthy of your confidence in so grave a matter? (hear hear) They tell you on the 31st of October, that there is nothing to save you but kiln drying your potatoes.
They tell you on the 8th of Nov. that the cure is Bog Water. These men have tried the powers of air, earth and fire and finding no good result in these elements, they plunge into water – Bog Water!!! If
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1c.
you think this course of proceeding entitles them to your confidence, you will of course vote against my amendment, and add the great weight of your names to the promulgation of advice that I am fully convinced will be followed by the total destruction of the potato crop. But on the other hand, if you think that the plan for preserving the healthy crops of potatoes which I have had the honour to bring before you this day, is based on correct principles – that it is reasonable, in accordance with your views as practical men, capable of judging dispassionately on this subject; if you find that it has been tested by various persons, in various parts of the country, with whom I have no acquaintance, and if you find those persons stating their experience of its utility through the press – if you find it simple, cheap, easily constructed – if, in fact, you think it adequate to meet the emergency, I then feel confident of your support to the amendment I have had the boldness to move. If I had access to the Viceroy I would thus address him – I would say, “Your Excellency must perceive that there is a wide difference of opinion amongst the faculty respecting the best method of treatment to be pursued in the disease that is now causing so much just alarm to the people of this country, and I have no doubt but that this difference of opinion will result in good to the patient; but I would respectfully submit that the State Physicians, called in by your Excellency, would be instructed to confine their attention to the theoretical questions that arise in the progress of the case, and I implore you, as the patient’s best friend, to leave the practical part of the treatment in my hands.”
Dr. Halpin resumed his seat amid thunders of applause, which continued for several minutes. Dr. Halpin then moved a resolution in accordance with his views above stated, which was carried. Several other resolutions were also carried, but no memorial for the opening of the ports. The meeting then separated. (Compiled from the Erne Packet)
- from The Belfast Newsletter, Tuesday November 18th 1845.
The tragedy of this wonderful assault on the powers that were, for their failure to produce effective measures to treat the blight, is in the awful knowledge that, despite his efforts, Dr. Charles Halpin was in the end no more effective than ‘the State Physicians’ he so brilliantly ridiculed. In political terms, the implications of the Doctor’s attacks were very worrying – he was, in numerous ways, undermining the authority of the state. And I suppose it ought not surprise us in the least that the high Tory newspaper – The Dublin Evening Mail – was eventually enlisted by the Castle to discredit Charles and his ‘method’. Need I remind any of you that the Rev. Nicholas John Halpin was editor of the Dublin Evening Mail? I wonder what the brothers had to say to each other about the issue? Were they even divided on it? Each day I take these questions to the archives, and search for answers.
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Just a short comment, Ray-
So there was a John Halpin/pen in Q.Co. in 1807 & 1812.(Q.Co. infirmary list)
Solomon Delane's daughter Margaret married Paget Halpen in Dublin in 1794.
He was either the one who voted in Q.Co. in 1760 (?son of Mark), then aged abt 55, or his son.
Paget & Margt's son Paget, b. 1795, went to America.
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Re Mark Halpen, apothecary-
From British History Online:
Calendar of Treasury Books Vol. 28, 1714 by Shaw & Slingsby editors, 1955.
Declared accounts: Army
Money paid for several ordinary and extraordinary services- Pay of the officers at the hospital at Dunkirk:
Mark Halpen and Robert Taylor, at 5 s. a day as Apothecary's mates,
25.12.1713 to 24.6.1714- 91 pounds.
(Total at Dunkirk L8226.0.9)
Ken
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This is an excellent contribution, just the sort we need. May I pose some follow-up questions?
1) Would you care to advise the list of Georgiana's children and who they married. This is a Wicklow list and any such information can be of general interest.
2) Why do you think it was significant for you to have been told you were related to the Eatons? The Eaton family has been a focus of attention here and any more knowledge welcome. As you may know, Georgiana's senior uncle was named Eaton Cotter Halpin and the significance of the Eaton and Cotter families to these Halpins is of interest.
3) As Ray would say to you, there is family lore about aunts in Carlow. Do you know anything abut the Bayleys of Carlow and the relationship? Do you know if it was definitely spelled that way as I will make inquiries.
4) If you look (much) further back in these pages or their forerunners, there was more information on Ida and, I believe, a photo.
Bill
I was given the name of this website while I was in Wicklow a few weeks ago. I am the Great Great Niece of Robert Halpin of the Great Eastern and have often thought I must have Halpin relatives somewhere. My Granmother was Georgiana Halpin, twin daughter of Dr George Halpin, she married Robert Kent and they had 6 sons and 2 daughters, my father was the 5th son. Her twin sister Ida never marrried, and lived on Church Hill. When they were 94 a photo of them on their joint birthday party was published in the Irish Times as they were thought to be the oldest living twins in Ireland. There brother Robert died in Falmouth and the twins had to travel to identify his body. Another brother, James married Adelaide Maude, and I see from the 1901 cencus that a sister in law of James was Martha Florence Eatton. I was always told that we were related to the Eatons, but never how. Also that we were related to the Bayleys of Carlow. JAmes and |Maude had 3 children, as far as I know. Raymond, Ernest and Marjorie, when James died Maude took them to America, Ray was the only one to return to Ireland, he married Belle Phibbs daughter of Bertram Phibbs of Wicklow, I saw a suggestion that she was a model but she wasn't, however her sister Clodagh was a well know dress designer. I would be very interested to see a copy of the Halpin family tree if there is one, and look forward to reading more about the family.
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Ray has recorded Dr Halpin in Arklow being threatened by riots in 1880 for causing some unsanitary water pumps to be closed.
At the court hearing, a newspaper reports: Dr. Halpin and Mr. JAMES EATON HALPIN were examined as to the alleged attempt to burn the doctor’s house..... (my caps).
Some time ago I recorded the birth of James Eaton Halpin in 1861 as being to Eaton Cotter Halpin, who had married Elizabeth Jones at Killiskey Wicklow in 1852. This date is contained in an Ancestry family tree that I can't now access but someone subscribed may be able to at: http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/person.aspx?tid=129337&pid=-706467927.
But since then I have learned that Eaton Cotter Halpin had died in 1857. So whose son was James Eaton Halpin, here reported in Arklow in 1880?
The only Halpin doctor that I know of at this time in Arklow was Dr Stopford William Halpin who had trained with Dr Charles Halpin in Cavan. His first son Richard Frederick Bestall was born in Wicklow in1858 and I don't have another child recorded until Stopford in 1864 in Arklow. Is James Eaton a child have missed between these two? It would appear so.
Bill
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I remember my Grandmothers cousins Aileen and Bessie Halpin talking about Uncle Stopford, they used to spend holidays with him in Arklow, I think there is a window dedicated to him in the church there. I don't know anything about the Eaton connection, apart from the fact I was always told we were related, as to the Bayleys, that is the correct spelling, I am very close to some who farm just outside Carlow, they have always been told about the connection, but like me have no idea how it comes about.
I also remember as a child being taken to Tinnakilly to see Belle, Captain Halpin,s daughter, I don't know if anyone knows Tinnakilly, but her bedroom then was the room where the bar is now, and I remeber a very old lady in bed by the window, she had asked the gardners to cut the trees down so she could see the sea. I will send the Kent connections to Bill, when I figure out how to use this site properly!
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Memorial Plaque in St. Saviour’s Church, Church of Ireland, Arklow:[/b]
This window is erected by the parishioners and numerous friends in memory of Stopford William Halpin, for many years Medical Officer to the district
Who died February 27th 1885 aged 81.
He was Secretary to the Life Boat Institution and an energetic worker
In the parish taking a lead in every useful work and his kindness
To the poor will be long remembered.
Also to his son Dr. Richard F.B. Halpin who likewise practised in the
Town and district for 18 years
And who will also be long remembered for his kindness to the poor.
He died October 18th 1903 aged 45 and was Parishoners Church Warden
At the time of his death.
(Memorials of the Dead)
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Riot In Ireland.
[/b]
Our Dublin correspondent telegraphed last night: - “A serious riot occurred in Arklow on Friday night, and was renewed yesterday, in consequence of three of the town pumps having been closed by order of the Local Government Board, after a report had been made by Dr. Halpin, medical officer of health, and an analysis of the water by Dr. Cameron of this city. The fishermen and their families, who had used the pumps, were indignant at their being closed, and, having assembled with other townspeople to the number of several hundreds strong, lighted paraffin and rolled tar barrels through the town to the terror of the respectable inhabitants. They proceeded to Dr. Halpin’s residence, broke the windows, and attempted to burn the house by placing a lighted tar barrel at the door. Dr. Halpin, on passing through the town, was followed by a mob of 500 persons, who hooted and threatened him, and the disturbance became so serious that it was thought necessary to have 40 additional policemen draughted into the town last evening. Two constables were seriously injured while endeavouring to quell the riot on Friday night. One of them was knocked down, kicked, and a lighted tar barrel was rolled over him, some of the rioters even attempted to hold him down under the barrel. An attempt was made last night to burn Dr. Halpin in effigy, and 33 of the rioters, whose names have been obtained by the police, have been summoned before the magistrates [what happened to them? Any mention of either the riot or the trials of the rioters arrested in the Wicklow/Arklow newsletters?]. The police were stoned last night, and had to patrol the town all night. Dr. Halpin cannot leave his house in consequence of the threats of violence, and has been obliged to support a deputy.”
- The Times, January 26th 1880.
Similar story printed in the Hampshire Telegraph and the Sussex Chronicle.
It seems very little is needed to produce a riot in Ireland just now. This perhaps is not to be wondered at, considering the condition of the people in many districts and the amount of agitation there has been. But the riot reported from Arklow was more than ordinarily unjustifiable. It seems that three pumps in the place were found to supply water unfit for human consumption and two doctors certified to this fact. The pumps were accordingly closed by the police. This did not meet with the approval of the fishermen who used them, and they expressed their ill-feeling against Dr. Halpin, who had analyzed the water, by breaking the windows of his house and attempting to burn it down with lighted tar barrels. Then they rolled flaming tar barrels through the street, passing one of them over the body of a policeman whom they knocked down. On Saturday night the riot continued, the police had to patrol the town, and Dr. Halpin could not leave his house. It seems rather hard upon the respectable inhabitants and the police that they should be kept in fear of their lives because the fishermen hold a different opinion from a doctor on the abstruse question of laboratory and palate analysis. One is afraid, however, to speculate as to what might happen in London if all our doubtful supplies of water were cut off.
- from The Pall Mall Gazette, “Occasional Notes”, Monday January 26th 1880.
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THE LATE SWINDLE AT WICKLOW.
[/b]
2a.
A gentlemanly-looking young man named Walter Sorrell alias Martin was indicted for obtaining the sum of 1s. 6d by false pretences from Mr. Edwin Halpin on the 17th September, 1875.
Sergeant Armstrong, Messrs. Ryan Q.C., and Anderson appeared for the Crown.
Mr. Lover, instructed by Mr. Duff, defended the accused.
Sergeant Armstrong opened the case. He said the traverser was charged with the serious offence of obtaining money under false pretences. Amongst other means of public entertainments which were latterly becoming fashionable was the reading of pieces from select authors, chiefly in the English language, accompanied occasionally by musical contributions. These or kindred entertainments had been respectably brought forward and respectably conducted, and proved very remunerative. With these circumstances the prisoner appeared to have been thoroughly aquainted, and being in want of that very necessary commodity in this life – money – he conceived the design of representing to the people of Wicklow that a concert and reading were about to be given for the entertainment and gratification of all those who could afford money. Besides the mere circumstance of this announcement the prisoner appeared to have surrounded it by every suggestion that could attract interest to the object. That it might add additional zest it was stated that the money was to be applied towards promoting an object which attracted considerable public attention, namely, the testimonial to Captain Webb, who swam across the Straits of Dover. The prisoner hired the coffee room of the Marine Hotel, for which he agreed to pay 30s. He then proceeded to Mr. McPhail and ordered circulars and posters. In the circular he had the audacity to announce that Miss Florence Marryat would give a reading, assisted by Signor Tagliafico, the popular basso, and Miss Ellen Corrani, prima donna, Royal Italian Opera Company, and Lindsay Sloper, solo pianist. The first named lady was now married to Colonel Rosschurch, but Florence Marryat was the name by which she was known in the world of letters. She represented to a certain extent the genius of her eminent father, Captain Marryat – a man in his time who contributed much to the beautiful and instructive literature of the day. She bore a name attractive, therefore, from ancestral connexion, and additionally attractive by her own personal graces – Et virtus gratier, veniens in corpora pulchro. It would be proved that Miss Marryat had no communication whatever with the prisoner, and that she had no intention of coming over to Ireland at that time of the year. Mr. Halpin seeing the posters went to the hotel, and purchased a ticket from the prisoner. Of course, no entertainment took place, and the prisoner decamped by the 8 train to Dublin.
Mrs. Rosschurch examined by Mr. Ryan – Before I was married my name was Florence Marryat. I am a daughter of Captain Marryat. I was in London in the month of September last. I never saw Walter Sorrell before today. I never authorised him to announce that I would appear in the county Wicklow. I never had communication with him on any subject. I did not engage with anybody to appear in Wicklow. I did not come to Ireland in that part of September.
Cross examined – I have been in the habit of giving readings in Ireland as well as in England. I gave readings for Mr. Frazer in Cork, Belfast and Dublin. He was not at all like the prisoner. He was in the telegraph office in Dublin. He owes me £89. I applied to a solicitor, and he made him give me three bills which were all dishonoured. Those persons generally have subordinates under them.
Mr. William McPhail stated – I am a printer and stationer in this town. In the month of September last I recollect the prisoner coming into my office. He told me an entertainment was to take place in the hotel, and ordered me to print handbills, which were to be circulated. He told me
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2b.
Miss Florence Marryat was coming. I purchased some of the tickets, and went to the hotel. There was no entertainment.
Mr. W. F. McPhail stated he was present when the prisoner came into the printing office on the 15th September. He ordered circulars to be printed, and sent by hand to the gentry living near Wicklow, and particularly to his Grace the Archbishop of Dublin. Upon seeing the prisoner on the following Friday witness asked him why he had not printed tickets. He expressed surprise they had not been sent, and he then wrote the tickets. The prisoner told witness that he was not regularly employed by Miss Marryat, and that he was only obliging her. Witness went to the hotel, but did not witness any entertainment. The prisoner told him that Miss Marryat and party had been at the Seven-churches that day and had stopped at the residence of his Grace the Archbishop of Dublin on their way to Wicklow.
Mr. Robert Halpin – I am Postmaster in the town of Wicklow. The prisoner came to my office on the 15th Sept., and handed me a letter purporting to come from Mrs. Rosschurch authorising him to announce a musical entertainment. He asked me to furnish him with the names of the resident gentry. I wrote a list. I told him that half-penny wrappers would do to enclose the circulars in. No, he said, Miss Marryat had another style of doing business, and had her crest and monogram on her envelopes. He objected to the paper on the room in the hotel.
Edwin Halpin stated – I recollect in the month of September last seeing a poster announcing that Miss Marryat was coming. On the evening of the 17th I went to the hotel and purchased a ticket from the prisoner. The train was coming in, and he said Miss Marryat is now coming.
Miss Florence Banks said – I was at the hotel that evening. I could not identify the prisoner at all. The gentleman at the hotel told me he expected Miss Marryat and the party.
Mr. Lover’s defence was that the accused was acting for another person, who had previously swindled Miss Marryat.
The jury, without leaving the box, convicted the prisoner.
His Lordship in sentencing him said he had been found guilty on evidence which could leave no doubt on the mind of any person that this offence of fraud had been committed by him. It was no doubt a very audacious fraud, and one which could not be tolerated in any society. Day after day they had passed sentences upon poor wretched creatures who were driven to crime owing to want of education and other causes; but it was difficult to know how to deal with a case of this kind. The prisoner looked like a man of education – of good presence and of gentlemanly demeanour. He had apparently mixed in good society. He (his Lordship) knew nothing of his antecedents; but whether they would be in the prisoner’s favour or not he was not aware. He should make no inquiry about them; but would deal with the case as he found it. He went on to remark on the unwarrantable use the prisoner had made of the names of Miss Marryat and others; but the public should be protected from adventurers of his class. The sentence of the court would be that he be imprisoned for four months with hard labour.
This concluded the criminal business of the assizes.
- The Wicklow Newsletter, Saturday, March 25th, 1876.
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I am attaching as promised to Marie (mkent) a tree of the James Halpin family. I have not accepted information on more than a few generations as it is not my personal family but I am always happy to accept amendments and additions. Not shown in this chart is that we know James' mother was Elizabeth and that he had a sister Margaret. However, I suspect he had perhaps many more siblings.
Bill
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Re Post 165, from Ray:
Mark Halpen, an Irish apothecary who married Lady Lawley in 1730, died at Bath, England in 1768 (reported 13.8.1768).
Where would his will, if any, have been processed ? I imagine that, if he left an estate in England, it would have been processed there, otherwise in Ireland.
I have managed to obtain details of an Irish will before (Bentham's abstract),
which gave only names of the beneficiaries, and their relationship, the wife, eldest son, and then other children, including the married names of daughters.
If the will had been processed in England, how would I go about getting the details ?
Ken
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Hi all, including Marie L. Remember me in Wicklow when you came to visit Miss Manning? Had no address for you or e-mail. Lovely to make this connection with you again.
Have just made the Halpin/Eaton connection today
Census 1901: b2 in Wentworth Place (Wicklow Town, Wicklow)
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Wicklow/Wicklow_Town/Wentworth_Place/1817952/
Julia
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Hi, I thought I must know you! I am still around and visiting Wicklow, I am sending this link to a decendent of Eaton Halpin, she has been trying to sort the family tree out.
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Hello. Thanks to mkent, i have found your site. I am researching my husbands line. His mother was grand daughter of Margaret Brown and James Eaton Halpin. They had 2 children, Dorothy Frances Bestall Halpin b 1892and Stopford John Halpin b 1894. Dorothy married Eric Muschamp and Margaret my mother in law is their daughter b 1922.I would love any information on this line. I will plough through this iste as well.
Thanks.
Debbie
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I spoke to my cousins the Bayleys in Carlow yesterday, all they could tell me about the family was that their father's name was Abraham, born 1880, proboly in Moneygrath, he had four brothers, Bill, Ben, John and Sam. Theirs father's name was also Sam. They apologise for not being able to be of more help, but would love to know what the link is between Bayleys and Halpins.
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Re Bayley, Marie, I have done a search at the FamilySearch Pilot site and have produced a couple of pieces of information that may assist. The spelling that follows is copied from that source.
Abraham Bailey - birth 21 Nov 1880; birthplace - Moneygrath, Ireland. Father's name - Samuel Bailey. Mother's name - Rosanna Levingstone Bailey
If connected, also listed is:
John Abraham Bailie - Birth: Jan - Mar 1920. Registration district - Dublin South
For those, like me, not knowing where Moneygrath is, I found it close to the Carlow/Wexford/Wicklow border intersection, between Myshall and Kildavin, about 10 miles east of Bagenalstown. This is not that far away, I suppose, from the John Halpin junior who was recorded being paid to repair a road near Shillelagh but that is taking quite a leap in connection.
I will try to make further enquiries in Co Carlow.
Bill
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I have updated the tree of the descendants of James Halpin of the Bridge Tavern Wicklow now including the new contributions of Marie and Debbie. Unfortunately it is no longer confined to one page, the daughters of Captain Robert Charles Halpin, the most junior branch of the family, on a second page. If printed out, it should be easy to cut and paste those to the top page.
Not showing on the chart, I have added Robert Wellington Halpin and what family I have of him (Ray's family) as a nephew of James, making something of a leap of faith that RW's father was a Robert Halpin, tide surveyor of Dublin (perhaps also or later at Wicklow?), and therefore a brother of James and Margaret, children of Elizabeth. Their father of course is still sought.
Bill
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Marie, in the Griffith's Valuation, which for this location seems to have been in 1852, in the Barony of Forth, Union of Enniscorthy, Parish of Barragh, the Townland of Moneygrogh (so spelled) seems to have been entirely occupied by Bayleys leasing from Sir Thomas Butler, Bt. Edmund Bayley had a bit over 45 acres and Elizabeth Bayley (wife, sister, mother?) had a bit over 30.
The site is adjacent to the old Barragh Church, even then described as in ruins, with a graveyard.
I found this enticing connection to that church:
alexander eaton my great-great grandfather married ellen neving on oct 23,1861 in barragh church,barragh parish,county carlow. church of ireland ceremony. the marriage certificate states that alexander was of full age ,a widower,a schoolmaster,and that his residence at time of this marriage was barnahask,county carlow.it also states that his fathers name was george eaton a farmer. [http://genforum.genealogy.com/eaton/messages/6087.html]
I don't know if this has any significance.
In Carlow Town, a Robert Bayley and a William Bayley are shown to have been lessors of properties in Athy Street and Tullow Street. Bill.
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In a newly released series of church transcripts (http://churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/), entering Halpin with Wicklow turned up two marriages.
(1) Area - DUBLIN (COI) , Parish/Church/Congregation - ST. ANNE
Marriage of SWINTON HENRY BOND of 57 YORK ROAD KINGSTOWN and MARY ANNE HALPIN of LEITRIM LODGE CO WICKLOW on 12 April 1882.
Husband Swinton Henry Bond of 57 York Road Kingstown, Esq, bachelor of full age, father Joseph Bond, Agent. Wife Mary Anne Halpin of Leitrim Lodge Co Wicklow,spinster of full age, father Richard Halpin, Captain. Witnesses Wm Wat Oneill (for husband), C E Bond (for wife). [http://churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/details/c4a47d0878365]
This is a daughter of Richard Mathews Halpin who was previously unknown to me. Being of full age, she must have been born before 1861. And we learn, or have confirmed, that Richard Mathews Halpin was a Captain. Richard has been reported by Ray as having come to the aid of his 9 years younger brother Captain Robert Charles Halpin when the latter was in trouble with US authorities.
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(2) Area - DUBLIN (COI) , Parish/Church/Congregation - RATHMINES Marriage of JAMES HENRY HALPIN of 1 WENTWORTH PLACE WICKLOW and ADELAIDE MAUDE SUTTON of 25 CHARLESTON AVENUE RATHMINES on 16 November 1897 . Husband James Henry Halpin, 1 Wentworth Place Wicklow, Surgeon, bachelor, full age, father George Halbert Halpin, Surgeon. Wife Adelaide Maude Sutton of 25 Charleston Avenue Rathmines, Gentlewoman, father Samuel R Sutton, Gentleman. Witnesses Martha Florence Sutton (for husband), Robert George Halpin (for wife).
[http://churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/details/8467430873774 ]
So, Marie, here is your great aunt Adelaide Sutton with information on her father, Samuel R Sutton. They were living in Rathmines but Adelaide and Martha were born in Wexford. I have also found that Martha was the younger sister, born Wexford in 1874.
We are left with why, in the 1901 Census, Martha shows as Martha Florence Eatton, spinster.
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I should add that, as yet, there are no actual Wicklow records in the above series - to save you looking. Those quoted were from Co Dublin. Bill
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That is very interesting, I remember talk of Aunt Maude, why oh why didn't I take more interest in the family chat and ask questions!! I think though that if that was the Eaton connection my Dad's sister Louise, who was a great one for family links and connections would have known about it and I clearly remember her saying that she didn't know what the connection was.
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William David Bradley marriage to Mary Anne Isabella Halpin 1882 Dublin can be seen at http://churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/reels/d-708-3-1-047.pdf. Was Eliza Bradley who married Dr George Halbert Halpin in 1859 at Kilmeague related? Bill
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Thanks a lot Bill for finding my grandparents marriage certificate - I am so grateful to this thread for allowing me to find out more about my great granmother, Mary Anne Isabella Halpin. Brian
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We've raised the issue of the Bradley's before - here's a reminder (Reply 177 in the previous Halpin thread):
"Bill’s posting of Wed. July 1st 09 (Reply 133) presents the following info:
Eliza Bradley, born 1831 County Carlow, married Dr. George Halbert Halpin, who was a resident of Wicklow town.
George was also Captain Robert Charles Halpin’s brother and my great grandfather Edwin’s uncle. Eliza had Bradley relatives living next door to another Wicklow resident – Doctor James Henry Halpin. If we can link the Bradleys of Wicklow/Carlow to the Bradley who married Mary Anne Isabella, then we can credibly claim something my family lore has always maintained – that the Halpins of Laois (Queen’s county, Portarlington) and Wicklow town were blood relatives. It is something we need to keep in mind from this point on."
I maintain my faith in the importance of this 'link' - I'll try to make it a priority next week.
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There is another Bradley-Halpin connection:
Griffiths Valuation (1854) (http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/index.xml?action=doNameSearch&Submit.x=31&Submit.y=14&Submit=Submit&familyname=bradley&firstname=joseph&baronyname=&countyname=DUBLIN%2C+CITY+OF&unionname=&parishname=)
I don't know who Joseph Bradley is but he could be the brother of one of my solicitor Bradley ancestors.
Brian
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Brian, I don't normally condone taking up precious space for thank yous (we are up to 14 pages of this second list already) but your thanks today is appreciated. Contributing and receiving back is all that any of us should want but it is nice to receive acknowledgement (which can also be done by personal message). I know that it includes all of us. It has been a delight to be part of all this, without exception. Bill.
Thanks a lot Bill for finding my grandparents marriage certificate - I am so grateful to this thread for allowing me to find out more about my great granmother, Mary Anne Isabella Halpin. Brian
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I am not sure if Eliza Bradley's father was named before but he is in the newspaper announcement of her marriage.
Freeman's Journal, Dublin, October 22, 1859
Marriages
October 13, in Kilmeague, George H Halpin, Esq, M.D., Wicklow, to Eliza, only daughter of the late Henry Bradley, Esq, of Boolderough, county Carlow. The bride was given away by Wilson Simmonds, Esq of Grouse Lodge.
Diane
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Booldurragh, so spelled in Griffith’s Survey of the 1850s, is about 2 miles west of Myshall towards Bagenalstown, Co Carlow. Whether coincidentally or not, this makes it about 5 miles west of Moneygrath where Marie’s Bayleys were at the time, and still are. In Griffith’s, William Bradley held a herd’s house, land and offices of just over 40 acres leased from Earl Bessborough in that Townland. In the neighbouring Townland of Raheenwood, he held land of just over 10 acres from the same landlord.
Wilson Simmonds held over 150 acres of leasehold land in the Parish of Kilmeague, Co Kildare, in the Townland of Allenwood North. Kilmeague is about 20 miles NE of Portarlington and about 5 miles NW of Naas. A Michael Bradley had a smallholding in the Townland of Grangeclare West, just south of Kilmeague. A Rosanna Bradley held freehold a house and small lot in the town of Ballymore Eustace just south of Naas.
If Wilson Simmonds of Kilmeague Kildare gave away Eliza Bradley of Booldurragh Carlow, the Bradleys of Booldurragh were possibly connected to the Bradley of Kilmeague. At the moment I can’t discern any connection to the Bradley solicitors of Dublin. However this is the second connection between the Wicklow Halpins and families in the Booldurragh and adjoining Moneygrath townlands of Co Carlow in the mid 1850s.
Bill.
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Go to http://griffiths.askaboutireland.ie/gv4/town/?town=dublin&lat=53.344&lon=-6.257&zoom=2&mysession=2173539242968
for view of Mecklenburgh Street and Halpin's Court.
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Thanks Bill, I have just been able to look at the family tree you sent, so my Great Great Grandmother was Eliza Bradleu of CO.Carlow, there were photos of her and George Halpin in my Grandmother's house when I was a child and I hate to confess this but I think I threw them away when I was clearing the house! Back to the tree, there are several names missing, Aileen and Bessie Halpin and their brother Gilbert were my Grandmothers cousins, I think their mother must have been Francis Gilbert, Gilbert had two children, Maureen and Richard, I lost touch with them years ago, the last I heard of Richard he was a Captain in the Cheshire Regiment late 60's early 70's. Also somewhere there were Kennedys, when I was about 10 we attended the opening of the Halpin Maritime exhibition and I met 'Cousin Gertie Kennedy' a very old lady who had an ear trumpet! |Thanks to everyone for all their information.
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Hi, Marie. Ken sent me this in a private message last week:
Ray,
Just found a reference which may interest you.
Other doctors:
Robert Charles Halpin Kennedy of Clarenot, Rydebom, Wicklow
1873 BA, MB, Bch, BAO, Trin.Coll.Dub, RMO Royal I.W. County hosp.
He served on the Isle of Wight.
The site is "Some facets of Isle of Wight Medical History, Alan Champion"
If you google in Some facets etc & Halpin, you'll find it.
Ken
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Thanks Ray, I knew there were Kennedys somewhere along the line, but the only names I could remember were Cousin Gertie and a 'Frank'. I do have a feeling though that some were on the Isle of Wight.
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Marie, given the family's tendency to call people by their middle names (e.g. Adelaide Maude was Aunt Maude), do you think Gilbert was Frances' son Richard Stopford Gilbert Halpin, born 1889. I have noted the following: The engagement is announced, and the marriage will shortly take place, between Dr. R.S.G. Halpin, Wallington, Surrey, son of the late Dr. R.F.B. Halpin, Arklow, and Miss Kathleen Ballance, elder daughter of Mr. And Mrs. G.W. Ballance, Gresford, Denbighshire. [Irish Times, July 23rd 1935.]
Presuming so, I will add Aileen and Bessie as his sisters. Their father was a doctor in Arklow.
I see now that I had noted from somewhere a probate record: Halpin, Richard Frederick Bestall - Physician/surgeon, Arklow Co. Wicklow...d. 19th Oct. 1903, estate granted to Susanna Frances Halpin of Stokerville, Dalkey Co. Dublin (widow), lawful guardian of Aileen Grace Gilbert Halpin 16 yrs, Stopford Richard Gilbert Halpin 15 yrs, Frances Elisabeth Gilbert Halpin 13 yrs.
From the same source I had noted Frances' probate: Halpin, Frances E, Reenmore Arklow, wife of Richard EB Halpin (MD), appoints her father John Gilbert, her cousin the Rev. Thomas White Manning, sister-in-law Nannie Caldour Halpin and sister Sidney Tomasina Gilbert. Witnesses Rose Undrell (?) and Polly Gilbert....17th July 1897. Frances dies at Beaumont, Terenure Road, Dublin.
Dr Richard and Frances had died young so his mother, Susanna Frances (Bestall), apparently became guardian of the children, Aileen, Gilbert and Bessie. I some time ago attached a photo of their graves at Mount Jerome Cemetery, Dublin. I believe the link is http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,270348.30.html.
I note the mention of the Kennedys but I don't know where they fit in yet. Bill
Thanks Bill, I have just been able to look at the family tree you sent, so my Great Great Grandmother was Eliza Bradleu of CO.Carlow, there were photos of her and George Halpin in my Grandmother's house when I was a child and I hate to confess this but I think I threw them away when I was clearing the house! Back to the tree, there are several names missing, Aileen and Bessie Halpin and their brother Gilbert were my Grandmothers cousins, I think their mother must have been Francis Gilbert, Gilbert had two children, Maureen and Richard, I lost touch with them years ago, the last I heard of Richard he was a Captain in the Cheshire Regiment late 60's early 70's. Also somewhere there were Kennedys, when I was about 10 we attended the opening of the Halpin Maritime exhibition and I met 'Cousin Gertie Kennedy' a very old lady who had an ear trumpet! |Thanks to everyone for all their information.
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Thanks Bill, Yes, that would be Gilbert, Kathleen was his second wife I think, Richard's mother, Aileen and Bessie were brought up be seperate relatives, one of them be Aunt Vi, who I met once, she is mentioned on the tree you sent. Your message solved another query for me, nothing to do with Halpins, but with Betty Manning in Wicklow who I always looked on as a surrogate Grandmother, she always said she wass related to Aileen and Bessie and I see Francis' cousin was a Manning. This is all fascinating! Marie
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I have found that Gilbert first married in early 1914 in the Rathdown registration district but the type of record I can view does not reveal his wife's name. There is a reference for it if anyone wants to order the certificate and find out. (It is Marriages Rathdown district Jan-Mar 1914 Vol 2 p.752.)
After that Marie, I am getting a little confused, I'm sorry. So you think Richard was Gilbert's second wife Kathleen's child. The marriages were 20 years apart so Richard was much younger than his half sibling/s. So Maureen was a child of his first marriage?
Aileen and Bessie were Gilbert's sisters, weren't they? If they were farmed out to aunts such as Vi, I suspect the other aunt would have been Nannie Caldour Halpin.
Lastly, if you wanted to look up Thomas White Manning's marriage to see whom his wife may have been and therefore the connection, the certificate for that could be ordered, reference Marriages Dublin South 1875 Vol 7 p.568. Bill.
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While doing the above searches, I noticed that a Gilbert Halpin, female aged 40, immmigrated at New York from the port of Liverpool in 1923.
Also, Stopford John Halpin and his wife Geraldine Bond had at least one other child, Louise Frances Halpin born 1 Sep 1898 because there is a record of her death in Vancouver BC, single aged 78 on 22 Mar 1977.
And a Stopford Halpin, married aged 37, immigrated through New York in 1903, sailed from the port of Londonderry, which would be Stopford John above. The record does not show children. I have their son Stopford Richard Arthur dying aged 13 in 1908, presumably in the US or Canada. Bill.
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Sorry to be hogging the pages but I am on a proverbial roll. It all stems from Marie’s marvellous arrival in our midst.
Marie, you had an uncle, Robert Grey Kent, born 1894. There is an incomplete record, in which the child's name has not been recorded (or is illegible to the transcribers), of a female child born 17 Dec 1864 at Ashford, Wick(low), father George Kent (which we knew to be your grandfather Robert John’s father’s name) and Jane Grey (quite a historic name!). I feel sure that this is your great grandmother.
The same unnamed child to George Kent and Jane (no surname) is born 17 Dec 1864 (same day) recorded as Dunganstown Wick(low?). By the nature of such record transcripts, this could be the same child, not necessarily a twin. This unnamed female birth is also recorded a third time clearly stating the birth is in Wicklow and the mother is Jane Grey.
I have not come across the birth of this child's brother, your grandfather Robert John Kent, but I do have a recording of his marriage from the Wicklow C of I registers (did Maeve give us this?): 31st Dec. 1889 The marriage of Robert John Kent, Bachelor, of Claremont Villa, occupation Miller, son of George Kent, Merchant, & Georgina A Halpin, Spinster, The White House, Wicklow, daughter of George H Halpin, Surgeon & Physician. Witnesses: Samuel Herbert Kent & James H. Halpin.
Was Claremont Villa in Ashford or in Wicklow? Was Samuel Herbert Kent Robert's brother?
And Robert John Kent’s death is recorded as in Oct-Dec 1932 in the Rathdrum registration district, age given as 69 which, if reliable, indicates he was born about 1863, the year before his unnamed sister above.
Lastly, also found is the marriage in Oak Bay BC Canada of your uncle John Mason Kent to Eileen Nora Allen in 1923. It says that they were both born in Wicklow. Her father was John Walsh Allen and mother Sarah Hunter. You can inspect at http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#givenName=robert%20john&surname=kent&searchType=close&p=recordResults.
Bill.
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Samuel Mason Kent death Rathdrum reg. dist. 1908 aged 51, estimated year of birth 1857. Samuel Mason Kent married 1884 Dublin South reg. dist. Robert John Kent's second son was named John Mason Kent. I can find no records for a Samuel Herbert Kent. What is the origin of the name Mason?
Henry John Sutton b.1879 Wicklow, parents William Sutton, Maria Mason. There are literally hundreds of Mason bdms just in Wicklow but this one caught my attention. Bill.
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I have Stopford John Halpin's death certificate from the B.C. archives and it states that when he died in 1944 he had been in Canada for 30 years.
Diane
While doing the above searches, I noticed that a Gilbert Halpin, female aged 40, immmigrated at New York from the port of Liverpool in 1923.
Also, Stopford John Halpin and his wife Geraldine Bond had at least one other child, Louise Frances Halpin born 1 Sep 1898 because there is a record of her death in Vancouver BC, single aged 78 on 22 Mar 1977.
And a Stopford Halpin, married aged 37, immigrated through New York in 1903, sailed from the port of Londonderry, which would be Stopford John above. The record does not show children. I have their son Stopford Richard Arthur dying aged 13 in 1908, presumably in the US or Canada. Bill.
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Gilbert Halpin's wife Kathleen was a schoolgirl when she first met him, she used to tell her friend about the nice young Dr, his wife and little daughter, the schoolfriend was my Betty Manning, Gilberts cousin! so their was a big age gap between Maureen and Richard. I do know more about the Kents as my Dads cousin traced the tree. The name Mason comes from my Great Great Grandmother Margaret Mason of Prestwich, Lancashire. Samuel Mason was Robert Johns brother, there is no mention of Samuel Herbert, but Samuel Masons nephew was Mason Samuel. The child you mention would be Jane Mary Kent, born 17.12.1864 at Brittas Bay, died at Southport England 17.4. 1937, the name was originally Keent. there is an idea floating around that they came from Holland, but I have no idea is that is true.
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From Registry of Deeds Index Project:
Halfpenny Nicholas, agreement, 29.2.1751
” Patrick, gent, Dublin, Deed, 1753
” ” City of ” Conveyance, 1.12.1757
” William, yeoman, Dublin, 23.10.1762
” ” ” ” Deed of Assignment, 1.12.1757
Hallpenn, Mark, M (?mortgage), 1709
Halpen John, Esq., Dub. City, Conveyance of 32 North Strand Dub.,1797
” Mark, gent, Ballynamona, Q.Co., Conveyance ? (no date)
Halpin George, builder, Dub City, Mortgage,1829
” James, distiller, Mortgage, 1793
You can google in ‘registry of deeds index project’ to see more. A copy of a deed costs 20 Euros.
I will send off to get M. Halpen of Ballynamona, and will post the details when I get it.
Ken
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Great find Ken! Look forward to hearing the results.
Diane
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Thanks Diane.
Re Mark Halpen of Q,C.-
By scrolling to the extreme right, I also found the comment:
'A confirmed to B the tenement of GROUSIC ? in the town of Maryborough'. Unfortunately the volunteer transcribers are not local people.
Anyway, I've sent off my Euros, we'll see what turns up.
Ken
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Re my post 163:
Nicholas Halfpenny was Portreve (mayor) of Irishtown Kilkenny (town) in 1662.
Therefore, well established in Kilkenny.
Nicholas Halfpenny of Queens Co. sent his son Paget, 13 yrs. to Kilkenny School, Kilkenny, 40 km. away, on 31.8.1696.
Coincidence ?
Ken
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First class finds, Ken.
Below, I've posted one or two things on a distiller, James Halpin.
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1.A
IRELAND.
Dublin, September 27.
[/b]
On Saturday night several villains were secured in the house of Mr. Halpin, of Great George Street, who had entered it on a preconcerted plan to rob the house and murder its principal. Mr. Halpin had early in the day received an anonymous letter respecting the project of the robbery, in consequence of which Sheriff Darley placed a Military Guard in the house. At the hour indicated in the letter a rap was given at the door, which the servant answered, and four or five villains rushed into the house. Preparations being made, they were received at the point of the bayonet, and the whole set of ruffians secured, one of whom appears to have acted a short time since as one of his carters.
At the Commission on Wednesday, William Begley, Simon Molloy and John Molloy, were given in charge to the Jury on several indictments; first, for conspiring to murder James Halpin, Esq., George Street; secondly, for burglariously and feloniously breaking and entering into the house of the said James Halpin, with an intent to murder him; and, thirdly, with breaking and entering into the said house with intent to rob.
The Attorney General stated the case, observing upon the nature of the several indictments. Mr. Halpin, examined by Mr. McNally, deposed that he lived in Great George Street, and that on the 21st of September last, at six in the evening, having received information from Mr. Sheriff Darlay, that a banditti intended that night to break into his house, for the purpose of robbing and murdering him, he made proper preparation to prevent their intent, by procuring a guard of soldiers from the Sheriff, whom he placed in his parlour.
At a quarter past eight o’clock, it being then dark, a knock was given at the door, which, by his direction, was opened by a servant boy, when five men rushed into the hall, one of whom immediately locked the door. The witness called out to the soldiers, who came from the parlour, seized the prisoners before any of them spoke, and brought them into the parlour. It was then quite dark. The prisoners were not disguised, nor did he see arms with any of them. Begley, he said, had lived in his service four months, and had been discharged six weeks before the 21st of September.
Mr. Halpin was cross-examined by Mr. Green, in order to shew that the admittance of the prisoners was with his assent, which he admitted.
James Murray, a servant boy of sixteen, corroborated Mr. Halpin’s evidence, and produced a knife, at least fourteen inches long, an unloaded pistol, and a heavy iron poker, which were found on the mat in the hall, immediately after the prisoners were apprehended. The prisoners made no defence on their merits: one of them only called a witness to character.
The Jury brought in a verdict of Guilty on all the indictments.
- The London Packet or New Lloyd’s Evening Post, Monday November 4th 1799.
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1.B
Dublin, October 31.
COMMISSION INTELLIGENCE.
Wednesday, October 30.
[/b]
William Begley, and Simon and John Molloy, stood charged on an indictment, comprehending three counts, of a conspiracy to murder, an intent to rob, and a burglarious entry into the house of Mr. Halpin, George’s Street, on the night of the 2nd of September last.
The Right Hon. the Attorney General shortly stated the case for the prosecution; in the course of which he took occasion to mention that Mr. Halpin was a gentleman who raised himself to opulence and consequence in society by his industrious habits [do I detect a note of irony in this statement?]. Mr. Halpin had private information, through the medium of Sheriff Darley, that a plot was formed by several ruffians to commit a burglary and robbery in his dwelling, at eight o’clock on the night aforesaid. Prosecutor, a man of strong body and mind, of a good and courageous heart, on this prepared himself to give the robbers a proper reception, had some soldiers in the house, and a military guard stationed in convenient approaches without. After anticipating the evidence in most part, and making apposite observations, the Attorney General felt it his duty to say a short word on the point of law; and accordingly quoted from Judge Blackstone, in support of his argument, to shew, that although Mr. Halpin had opened his door to the burglars, yet the intent which constituted the crime of burglary, substantiated by several attendant circumstances, would, he trusted, fully appear, and justify a conviction of the offenders.
Mr. Halpen deposed that on the night of the 21st of September aforesaid, he, at Sheriff Darley’s desire, having provided a guard and procured the assistance of his brother, and brother’s clerks [are these the Dockmaster’s assistants, or the Landwaiter’s assistants?], was ready at eight o’clock to admit the ruffians. About that hour a rap was heard, and prosecutor standing at the lower extremity of his hall, desired his boy to open the door wide; the boy did so, and five ruffians immediately rushed in, one of whom pushed the servant aside and locked the door. On their proceeding in through the hall, five soldiers in waiting to receive the robbers, came forth to seize them. One of the fellows on this unlocked the door, two effected their escape, and the three prisoners at the bar were taken on the spot. One of them, Begley, had lived in the service of prosecutor as a carter, and knew and was known to every individual and servant in the family but one. Prosecutor identified the three as he stood during the transaction in his hall and saw them taken into custody. Begley urged on his apprehension that he mistook the house for another in the street, where he during the day took some coal and was going in order to receive payment. Prosecutor could not swear to seeing on them a pistol, long knife and poker, found by the servant after their entrance lying in the hall, but identified them as the weapons so discovered.
Edw. Murray, a very young boy who admitted the prisoners, in general corroborated his master’s evidence in a very clear manner. He was so terrified at their entrance that he could not charge his memory with seeing in their hands the weapons above stated, but found the pistol and knife on the matt in the hall, when the prisoners at the bar were taken into a back parlour. He discovered the poker the ensuing morning. Witness swore to the persons of the prisoners.
A house maid of Mr. Halpen’s [the spelling of Halpin’s surname actually changes throughout the text] swore that during the transaction, as she was coming up from the kitchen, one of the prisoner’s at the bar was rushing down, struck her a blow upon the head, and hid himself in the larder. Witness identified John Molloy as the person so described by her.
Mr. Halpen’s brother, who assisted on the night aforesaid, attended and corroborated most of the above mentioned facts.
The prisoners called on several persons to appear to their character; one only appeared, who bore testimony to J. Molloy’s honesty, so far as he could know, by an acquaintance of some years. Begley applied to Mr. Halpen himself for a character. Prosecutor said, that during prisoner’s time in his service he behaved well; but he understood that his subsequent behaviour was questionable.
A very able defence was made by Messrs. Green and Powel for the prisoners; but particularly by Mr. Green, whose pleading was much felt and duly acknowledged by the Court and Mr. Attorney General, who together with Mr. McNally, replied at large to the points of Law so made. The substance of which was, that no proof appeared of a previous conspiracy; that the opening of the door by prosecutor rendered the act of a forcible entrance incomplete, and that no subsequent act of the prisoners was sufficient to prove a constructive burglary.
After numerous Law Authorities were adduced on both sides, by the prosecutor’s and prisoners’ Counsel, Judge Downes recapitulated the evidence, gave due attention to the arguments of Counsel on both sides, and clearly laid down the applicable points of law*.
The jury retired for about half an hour, and having returned, declared the prisoners Guilty of all the charges laid in the indictment.
- True Briton (1793), Tuesday November 5th 1799.
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1.C
*The Morning Herald, Wednesday November 6th 1799, was a little more detailed about the points of law made by the prisoner’s counsel:
Their counsel submitted two points of law to the Court – first, that as to the conspiracy to murder, there was no evidence applicable to that offence. Secondly, that as to the burglary, the entry into the house was not accompanied by that breaking which the law requires. These two positions were argued by Messrs. Jona Green and Powell for the prisoners. They were answered by Mr. Attorney General and Mr. McNally on the part of the Crown.
The learned Judges, Mr. Justice Downs and Sir Michael Smith, considered the objection to the indictment for burglary new and ingenious; and though they thought it strongly answered, yet they would reserve it for the opinion of the Twelve Judges, if the Jury convicted the prisoners of the burglary and acquitted them of the conspiracy.
The Jury retired for ten minutes, and then brought in a verdict of Guilty on all indictments.
IRELAND.
Dublin, November 16.
On Monday last a vessel arrived at Cork, from Danzig, with a cargo of wheat.
We have the pleasure to add that there was a tolerable market of corn and flour on Wednesday.
This day William Begley and John and James Molloy, for entering the house of Mr. Halpin, to commit robbery, were executed in front of Kilmainham gaol.
• Morning Herald, Saturday November 23rd 1799.
NOTE: Remember the name McNally. He will play a prominent role in the aftermath of the rebellion as counsel for the rebellion’s leaders and as agent for the Castle – he had a foot in both camps. He also bore eloquent witness to the reactionary extremism of the Portarlington Protestants in response to the unrest.
1818 (154) (Ireland) The sixth report of the commissioners for auditing public accounts in Ireland. (p. 186)
(82.) - Post Office - continued.
Thomas Halpin, for his exertions in the apprehension and conviction of J. Begley.....£23.
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THE SINKING OF THE CUSTOM HOUSE QUAY.
The Freeman's Journal gives the following particulars of this landslip, briefly noticed in The Times of Friday: -
"On Tuesday evening, about 8 o'clock, a very singular occurrence took place at the Custom House quay, and immediately in front of the Custom House - a portion of the quay about 130 yards, having suddenly sunk from its usual level upwards of seven, and in some places 15 feet in depth. The breadth of the breach varies from five to seven yards and, what is very strange, the outer wall next to the river kept its place, sinking a little, but not slipping from its original position. The breach was immediately filled with water, as the river rushed into it, and a good deal of apprehension prevailed for some time, as it was feared that additional damage might be done to the Custom House itself, which is built upon piles, and the site was originally a marsh. It is the opinion, we understand, of very able engineers that the building has been erected too near the river; and a scientific gentleman said he had no doubt that the vast [illegible - "(r?)aperincumbent"?] weight of the immense pile has, in no slight degree, aided in the action of the water, in causing the occurrence. A person looking up from the narrow road would imagine that there appears a certain inclination on the part of the dome, and its vast weight of figures and pilasters. The accident was not altogether unexpected, as a crack was observed in the quay in the course of the evening, and Mr. Halpin, the engineer, with his assistant, was on the alert. When the ground did give way, they at once procured lights, and, by their directions, a temporary paling was in a short time erected, so as to prevent any accident to life or property. A proper watch was placed on for the night, and in the morning the extent of damage done was found to be considerable. Every exertion was made from preventing the front wall from falling in, and a great number of the ballast boats was employed throughout Wednesday in bringing mixed gravel and stones, which were thrown against the wall to prevent it from falling into the river, consequent on the pressure of the sunken portion of the quay outside. The appearance of the place is very curious, and several eminent engineers have stated that it is a singular circumstance how the outer wall stood while the back portion fell so low. A large number of men were engaged on Wednesday clearing out the place preparatory to the commencement of repairing the breach. There is a sufficiency of the carriage-way preserved, but it was feared that more might fall in. We understand that the foundation of the this portion of the quay was on a blue clay bottom, which must have been cut away by the constant ebb and flowing of the tide, but the difficulty which arises here in reference to the preservation of the outer wall is not so easily solved. The wall, however, was built on a foundation sunk very low; the materials of the wall too are all very heavy stone, while the back was filled in loosely without any precaution as to the foundation, and this may account for the accident to the latter. It was stated to us that the repairing of the damage will cost some 4,000l or 5,000l. The apprehension of further damage for the present is removed in consequence of the precaution taken to confine the accident to the portion of the quay already fallen in, but from the neglected state of the Custom House sewers scientific men are of opinion that the foundation which supports the building itself (one of the finest in Europe) must eventually suffer. This should be looked to in time, as further neglect may cause a serious calamity.
- The Times, October 19th 1844.
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Reply 224, Ray:
I think that word is "superincumbent" meaning 'lying above', which
makes sense. (I looked it up, it's not part of my normal vocabulary)
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I don't think I will ever look at Custom House again without recalling the word "superincumbent", Ken. Relieved to hear it's not part of your normal vocab.
On another matter - these tidbits may interest you. From the House of Commons Parliamentary Papers.
1818 (294) Return of the names of the officers in the army, who receive pensions for the loss of limbs, or for wounds; specifying, the rank they held at the time they were wounded, their present rank, the nature of the cases, the places where, and the year when wounded, the amount of their pensions, and the dates from which they commence.
[/b] Page 2 of 28.
1st Dragoon Guards - Sweny, John Paget - Captain - for wounds - Waterloo - 1815 - £100 - Commenced 19th June 1816.
Interestingly, and worth keeping in mind, I think, is this - a little further down the list:
9th Light Dragoons - Gore, George - Captain - Present rank: Lt Colonel - for wounds - Afzulghar, 1805 - £100 - 25th December 1811.
Why should this interest us? Because the 9th Dragoons , led by Colonel Mahon and Major Dennis, were involved in one of the worst massacres in Irish history. During the Rebellion in 1798, the 9th Dragoons ended up in Carlow town, where hundreds were slaughtered. We know the Gores have a close association with the Halpins, and in 1798 were situated in and around Portarlington. The rebels in Carlow were almost certainly intent on murdering many Protestant inhabitants of Carlow, and were expecting to be supported by a contingent of rebels from Portarlington, so a massacre of some sort appears to have been inevitable. This incident puts into context the early and most impressionable years of the Reverend N J Halpin, who grew up to become a staunch Loyalist and editor of the High Tory newspaper the Dublin Evening Mail. William Henry Halpin (the Rev.'s younger brother) on the other hand, became a committed Liberal - so early experience of violence and carnage does not necessarily determine your political outlook, only - perhaps - the fact that you will HAVE one.
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This may also interest you, Ken - in 1831, after a convention on the matter (prompted by the anti-Slavery campaign led by Wilberforce, with the broad support of the British people?), Britain and France agreed to actively suppress the Slave Trade. After notification of the affected parties, a number of ships were dispatched to enforce the terms of the convention. From the little I've read of the correspondence, not many of the commanders believed they were doing the right thing. They were very definitely merely following orders:
1833 (007) Class A. Correspondence with the British Commissioners, at Sierra Leone, Havana, Rio de Janeiro, and Surinam, relating to the slave trade. 1832 (HCPP)
In 1833, among the ships so dispatched to the "West Indian Station", were the Winchester, commanded by Captain Lord William Paget, and the Gannet - Commander Sweny.
Later, in a dispatch from the Marquess of Sligo to the Earl of Aberdeen, dated Highgate, Jamaica, 14th May 1835, we learn that the Marquess set sail for the Grand Caymanas in the Forte, accompanied by Commander Sweny in the Serpent. Wasn't there a slave rebellion about that time in that part of the world?
At any rate - the info may or may not be of relevance to your Sweny forebears. Cheers - R.
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Thanks for that Ray.
The two Swenys you mention in the last two posts are relevant. Their mother was Eliz. Halpen, daughter of Mark, and sister of Paget.
John Paget Sweny was badly wounded at Waterloo in 1815 and taken prisoner by the French. He received 17 sabre wounds, and the story goes that he was taken to be questioned by Napoleon, who ordered his own surgeon to attend to his wounds.
His brother, Mark Halpen Sweny, was a veteran of Trafalgar. It was not his first trip to the West Indies on the Gannet. In Nov.1830 he took Capt. Trefusis who was to sail the Winchester back from there. Also on board was Francis Austen jnr, brother of his friend Jane Austen. Lord Paget was not related. There were plenty of slave rebellions but I can’t find any reference to any in the Caymans.
The Marquis of Sligo was a planter, and when England freed all slaves in 1834
(with conditions) he freed his slaves unconditionally. He became Governor of Jamaica in 1834. There's a town named after him- Sligoville.
As for Napoleon, the Swenys had the last word. He was exiled to the island of St.Helena in the Atlantic in 1815. Mark Sweny was the senior lieutenant on the ship which carried him there, the Northumberland.
Ken
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Marvellous response, Ken - an example of what a genealogical forum can produce at its best.
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As most will already know by now, the Rev. N J Halpin, Dr. Charles Halpin (of Cavan) and William Henry Halpin (journalist and satirist) were brothers born in Portarlington, Co. Laois in the 1790s. All appear to have been men of social conscience and tremendous character. My feeling is that Charles acted as a bit of a peace-maker between the Reverend and William Henry - both of whom occupied opposite ends of the political spectrum. The Reverend was a Tory, and his younger brother William was a Whig. Since we've never featured all three together, I thought I'd take the opportunity to do so today.
The first extract is from the introduction to an account of a meeting at Cavan which took place in 1827, at the height of the Second Reformation movement. The Reverend N J Halpin - who was curate at Oldcastle, County Meath, at the time - wrote the introduction in response to accusations that recent Catholic conversions had been 'bought' with food or monetary inducements. He wanted to set the record straight, I suppose.
The second extract is a rather sad one, and speaks for itself, I think. And the last extract, gleaned from a number of very long accounts of the trial of William Henry Halpin for libel, sheds light on a fascinating period in Irish and English history (when O'Connell was championing the Irish cause to the chagrin of the Reverend N J Halpin, who was a fierce opponent of O'Connell) and lets us in to the life of William Henry in a very intimate way.
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1A.
AUTHENTIC REPORT
OF THE
SPEECHES AND PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
MEETING HELD AT CAVAN
ON THE 26TH JANUARY, 1827,
FOR THE PURPOSE OF FORMING A SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING
THE REFORMATION.
FOR WHICH ARE ADDED,
NOTES AND APPENDIX,
Containing many interesting Documents,
EDITED BY
THE REV. N. J. HALPIN, A.B.
CURATE OF OLDCASTLE.
1827.
OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY.
[/b]
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1B.
PRESIDENT,
THE RIGHT HON. LORD FARNHAM.
COMMITTEE,
HENRY MAXWELL, ESQ MP.
ROBERT SAUNDERSON, ESQ.
BEDEL STANFORD, ESQ.
GEORGE MARSHAL KNIPE, ESQ.
ANDREW BELL, ESQ.
SAMUEL MOORE, ESQ.
FRANCIS THOMPSON, ESQ.
WILLIAM GRAHAM, ESQ.
MICHAEL BABINGTON, ESQ.
THE CLERGY WHO ARE SUBSCRIBERS.
TREASURER,
THE REV. GEORGE SPAIGHT.
SECRETARY,
THE REV. JAMES COLLINS.
PREFACE.
[/b]
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Having enjoyed peculiar opportunities of observing the commencement and progress of the Reformation begun at Cavan, and now extending to every part of Ireland, it was my intention to have published a brief outline of the principal circumstances of this great moral revolution; of the causes which gave it birth, and the means employed in its advancement. For this purpose, I had collected, by personal observation, and from the reports of ear and eye witnesses, the most authentic information. The speeches, however, delivered at the meeting held in Cavan to promote the progress of the Reformation - and particularly the very able and luminous detail of Lord Farnham, have so completely anticipated the information I had procured, and in a form at once so much more popular and authentic, that I have thought it better to abandon my original design, and content myself with giving to the public the only full and corrected report of the very important proceedings of that day that has issued from the press. The speeches have all been revised with great care. Much, that, from the limits of a newspaper report, was originally ommitted, is here restored. A detail of several most interesting circumstances, which the lateness of the hour to which the meeting was protracted, prevented the seconder of one of the resolutions from delivering in the form of a speech, will be found in a letter addressed to the noble chairman, by his Lordship's domestic chaplain; and I have added an Appendix, containing many valuable documents, which I thought necessary, either to explain some allusions in the speeches, or to rebut some calumnious accusations with which the enemies of this good cause have not failed to manifest its importance, and their uneasy forebodings of the certainty of its final triumph.
To the information contained in the speeches, I have added, in the form of notes, some interesting facts, which tend to show the prevalent feelings of a large body of our Roman Catholic countrymen. They are eager for information - they thirst after scriptural knowledge - and whenever they do attain it, almost invariably perceive the errors of the church; and secretly condemn, though they may not yet have the courage to renounce the fopperies and superstitions into which they were born, and to which they have remained attached, from no conviction of their truth, but through ignorance of a better and surer way of salvation.
In opening the way for the moral regeneration of Ireland, Cavan has taken a distinguished lead. Here first the Reformation dawned in Ireland. Here the Apostolic Bedel laboured to diffuse the knowledge of God's word; and having translated the Gospel into the vernacular language of the country, strewed the seed, which, though tardy in its growth, promises, in the present generation, an abundant harvest. But the spirit of reformation is not confined to Cavan. The list of conversions in various parts of the country (which will be found in the following pages) shows that a similar tendency very generally prevails, and that every county in Ireland has already furnished its first fruits, nearly in proportion as its circumstances were favourable or adverse to the development of religious principles. There were many circumstances, however, in the situation of Cavan, and the relative position of its Protestant and Roman Catholic population, which naturally gave it the advantage at the outset of the work. The numerical preponderance of Romanists does not exceed two and a half to one Protestant; whilst in every other respect - in intelligence, information, wealth and rank, the Protestants enjoy such a superiority as more than counterbalances the defect of numbers. Roman Catholics, therefore, who felt convinced of the errors of their profession, were enabled boldly to profess the truth, because they were certain of protection in life and property; and it is a consideration of no small weight with the convert, as yet librating between the pangs of an awakened conscience, and the dread of persecution, to know that, in the free exercise of his Christian liberty, he will be countenanced by an intelligent and loyal yeomanry, encouraged by the gentry of his neighbourhood; and protected from the rage and violence of the communion he has abandoned, by the power and influence of a nobleman of Lord Farnham's rank and consideration. Circumstances such as these have cheered and comforted the fearful, and determined many a wavering mind; and the security thus afforded has considerably tended to augment the numbers who, at the doubtful twilight of this glorious day, have conformed in Cavan Church. Were circumstances equally favourable elsewhere, there can scarcely be a doubt of results equally important. That Lord Farnham and the members of his family have, in this manner, contributed to the rapid development of the Reformation, wherever their influence extended, is a fact as notorious as the Reformation itself. But to say that they or others have held forth worldly inducements, or
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any temptations different from the ordinary protection, which in Ireland is absolutely necessary to secure the life and (if he have any) the property of a convert, is to utter at once a falsehood and an absurdity. Were these noble persons weak enough to purchase a hollow conformity, are they also simple enough to imagine their fortune sufficient enough to bribe the whole population en masse, and to retain it in its new profession? And yet without this, they would have beggared themselves in vain. Let any Roman Catholic, who, without examination, has believed the tale, ask himself whether he could be bribed to renounce his religion; and if he feels he could not, let him consider how many millions of his countrymen there are, who, if they believe in the truth of their profession, would equally spurn at the insulting proposal. No wealth, therefore, could possibly purchase the whole, or even a greater part of the population. And yet the friends and the promoters of the Reformation expect to convert the whole. Either then bribery forms no part of the system of conversion they pursue, or they are at once the silliest and the wickedest of all enthusiasts. Yet several of the most prominent among them are known to be neither weak nor wicked. Many have distinguished themselves by the display of no ordinary talents - some have risen to great eminence by the prudent and laborious exercise of a masterly and well-regulated genius; and not one of them is known to be deficient in goodness of heart or honesty of character. Were it not then a strange thing that men who had shown themselves wise and benevolent in all other concerns of life, should in this betray the utmost imbecility of mind and depravity of disposition? The thing is incredible. No man, who circulates the fable, believes it; and those who, through interested motives, have put it forward, are perhaps the most thoroughly convinced of its utter worthlessness. Were anything but the bare exposure of it necessary to confute the fabrication, and could individual testimony add conviction to the internal evidence of falsehood, the Editor of these pages, as being intimate with all the proceedings at Cavan, and a close and constant observer of almost every occurrence there since the commencement of the business, would feel himself called on to record his solemn conviction of the whole untruth of the charge; and he is conscienciously enabled to declare that, to his own knowledge, so far from bribery or worldly inducements being held out to procure conformity, the persons who expressed a desire to recant, were constantly warned to consider well the purity of their motives - of the danger they incurred by a false profession: - that if they had formed notions of worldly advantage in the change they were about to make, they were grossly deceived; and further, that they would encounter, and must be prepared to endure, privations and calumny, contempt and persecutions.
Neither is the Reformation to be attributed to the political agitations of the country. It is true, that together with the protection afforded by Protestants, the tyranny and monstrous usurpations of the Romish Clergy, have been among the most proximate causes of the spirit evinced at this time and in this country. The Priests have indeed driven the people to an earlier, and perhaps a more simultaneous assertion of the rights of conscience, that might otherwise have taken place; and have thus hurried forward the present extraordinary manifestation. But the true and efficient cause of the Reformation have been long since laid; and though a little more remote, are not the less obvious. As these will be found explained with great clearness and brevity in Lord Farnham's speech, I shall not here anticipate them; but merely add that the discussions which so frequently occurred on the subject of the Bible, excited a profound curiosity amongst the people to know the contents of this much-disputed book; and opened the understandings of many to the truth as it is in the Gospel. The spiritual despotism also of the Priests at the late election, and the temporal misery it had brought upon their deluded followers, rendered a liberation from their power, if possible, a desirable object; and the total failure of those miraculous powers which they assumed to control the rights of the elective franchise, soon showed the vanity of their supernatural pretentions, and the possibility of effectual resistance. The infallibility of the Priest was broken down. Wherever, therefore, there existed a conviction of the errors of the Romish system, there was wanted nothing more to complete the emancipation of the people, but personal protection and friendly countenance from Protestants. These Lord Farnham was happily both willing and able to extend: and the result has been that singular moral phenomenon, which, in its consequences, promises the restoration of Ireland's happiness and glory.
[This extract give us an excellent insight into the kind of man the Reverend was.]
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THE POTATO DISEASE.
[/b]
The Irish opposition papers were last week silent in reference to the potato disease. They can no longer ring their alarm-bells, and, instead of admitting the fact of the abatement of the disease, they prefer a dignified silence. Even this is most gratifying. The Waterford Mail has the following article:-
"There never was seen in Ireland so large a crop of all kinds of corn as in the present year. There never was in Ireland, either in extent or produce, so large a crop of potatoes. Much loss has been allowed and compensated for by the overplus production of that esculent. We have now been drawing on its supplies for nearly six months out of the twelve, and have experienced none of the symptoms of scarcity, whether in the abundance or quality of the supply or the rise of price. Few men living remember potatoes at so low a price as at the present day, in this season of the year; and not more than perhaps one-fourth of the general crop - certainly not more than one-third -has been dug out. The prevalent disease has also been checked by the cold weather, and an invaluable means of preservation has been discovered in the ventilating pits invented by Dr. Halpin, of Cavan. With these facts before us - with the abundant produce of the corn crops in our view - with the precautionary measures of the government for providing additional food and extensive labour, also to be taken into account - what grounds exist for the alarm which it is the policy of the demagogue to aggravate? We are at a loss to discover any motives but the worst; and those worst are not the fancies and conjectures of our own mind, but are suggested to our senses by what we see going forward in the political and executive circles of the repeal agitation."
- The Ipswich Journal, Saturday December 6th
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CIVIL SIDE.
[Before Mr. Justice Gazelee and a Special Jury.]
LIBEL.
The King v. William Henry Halpin - This was an indictment charging the defendant with the publication of a most wicked and malicious libel, concerning the plaintiff, in a certain pamphlet, of which the defendant was alleged to be the author.
Mr. Campbell, Mr. Phillpots, and Mr. C. Phillips, were for the prosecution; and Mr. Curwood and Mr. Busby for the defence.
Mr. Campbell, in stating the case to the Jury, said, that the libel was one of a kind so peculiar, that he would not trouble them with any detailed account of its nature. He felt, indeed, that it was of such a kind as to justify his putting it to his Learned Friend (Mr. Curwood) whether he would not, upon the mere proof of publication, submit to a verdict of guilty. The prosecutor, Mr. Samuel Young Griffith, was a gentleman of the very highest respectability, the proprietor of the newspaper called The Cheltenham Chronicle, and the author of a valuable and useful work, of considerable celebrity, called "The Cheltenham Guide," which contained, besides the usual information, for the benefit of the casual visitor, an account of all the curiosities and antiquities of Cheltenhan and its neighbourhood, and traced its progressive rise from an inconsiderable village to its present condition of wealth and importance. The defendant, Mr. Halpin, had been at one time in the employ of the plaintiff, as an assistant in the management of The Cheltenham Chronicle. Before, however, he touched upon the libel, he would merely mention it as a kind of illustration of its merits, that the prosecutor, Mr. Griffiths, had been at one time the secretary of Mr. Webb, a man of eccentric habits, and who, it was probable, many of the Jury recollected as a man travelling as a species of philanthropist through the country for the purpose of seeking out those objects of distress to whom he could afford charitable relief. The prosecutor, upon quitting the service of Mr. Webb, succeeded his brother as the Proprietor of The Cheltenham Chronicle, and the defendant then, under circumstances which it was not necessary to make public [a frustrating decision, this - since we could really use such information], entered his employment and continued in it until his conduct rendered it necessary that the connexion should be dissolved. It was not necessary to state the reasons which induced the Proprietor to part with the defendant, but the defendant on that occasion declared, he should take an occasion to report it - and it appears he was as good as his word, for he must even then have been plotting the publication of one of the most atrocious libels which ever disgraced the public Press, or issued from the pen of any human being. This libel was contained in a Pamphlet entitled "An Account of the Life and Adventures of James Webb, the noted Philanthropist, together with the Birth, Parentage, and Adventures of his equally notorious Secretary, detailing the whole of their most extraordinary adventures at different places, as collected and compiled from the manuscripts of the late Miles Watkins." The defendant, as would be proved, took this pamphlet to a printer in London, and though he did not disclose his name, he told that printer that the pamphlet had received the approbation of Mr. Prince, an attorney of Cheltenham (the attorney for the defendant to defend this indictment), and that Mr. Prince had declared he did not consider it to be a libel, as no one could take it to himself. This was Mr. Prince's law, and on its authority a Mr. Duncombe was induced to publish it. It would be proved, that the defendant corrected the proof-sheets; that he gave directions for several copies to be sent to the different booksellers of Cheltenham; and that he actually received from the booksellers the price of the copies so sent. That the defendant was the author of this pamphlet, and that he took means to distribute it through the county of Gloucester, would be proved beyond doubt, and still more, it would be proved, equally beyond doubt, that the defendant had inserted an advertisement in a Cheltenham Paper, calling attention to the work, and stimulating public curiosity to its perusal. For that advertisement it would be proved the defendant had paid ten shillings, and he afterwards paid at the same rate for the insertion of a paragraph describing the contents of the work, and
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announcing its publication in the ensuing week. The defendant, therefore, it appeared, had taken every opportunity to procure an extensive circulation of this slanderous libel, and it was not his fault that the character of the plaintiff had not been utterly ruined; but the firmness of the prosecutor was not to be shaken, although a copy of the pamphlet had been actually sent to his father-in-law, and firm in conscious innocence, he felt it to be a duty he owed his family and the public to bring the offender to this Court, to receive that punishment which his conduct deserved. The book could not be opened at any one of its pages without disclosing libels the most scandalous and the most disgraceful. It would be sufficient, perhaps, for the purpose of the prosecutor, to read one or two passages, but even in reading these passages, their purport must be explained to the Jury. The name of the prosecutor was, they had already heard, Samuel Young Griffiths. In the pamphlet he was described as young Zamiel Gripeall, and the Jury would hear the terms of that description. The Learned Counsel then read a number of passages from the pamphlet, in which the most odious, revolting, and degrading propensities were ascribed to the prosecutor, Mr. Griffiths, and in which he was, even from his earliest youth, declared to be cunning, cruel, selfish, and dishonest. The pamphlet then proceeded to describe the introduction of the author to Mr. Webb, and to charge young Zamiel with taking a 100 pound note out of that weak minded young man's (mr. Webb's) papers, which 100 pound note immediately afterwards disappeared. It was then alleged that the prosecutor, young Zamiel, had acknowledged he never submitted a genuine petition to Mr. Webb or a real case of distress, but that, as beggars hire children to excite compassion, so he had hired persons to surround the door of Mr. Webb, and whenever a real case of distress was forced upon his notice, and he gave a pound or two to relieve it, Mr. Webb always paid him with 100l; and that where 50 pounds were given, he had appropriated to himself above 500 pounds. After reading several extracts from the pamphlet, of the same nature, the Learned Counsel concluded by saying, that after laying these extracts before the Jury, he would content himself with calling the prosecutor into the box as a witness, & by subjecting him to the cross-examination of the defendant's Counsel, prove that there was nothing in the connection of the prosecutor with Mr. Webb, which could form a ground for the slightest slander. That his character was irreproachable, and that no one had ever dared to impute to him the slightest act of misconduct, until he had been thus maliciously and unwarrantably assailed by the defendant. The Learned Counsel then called the following witnesses: -
John Duncomb, the younger: I am a printer and publisher, living in Queen Street, Holborn, London; I received from Mr. Halpin, during the last summer, a manuscript pamphlet, concerning Mr. Webb, the philanthropist; I saw Mr. Halpin several times while the work was going on, and he desired me to print five hundred copies; after it was printed he said he wished to send a copy to his attorney; this copy he enclosed when it was ready, to Mr. Prince, who was, he said, his attorney, and he sent a letter at the same time; Mr. Halpin corrected the proof-sheets, and he gave me directions to send one hundred copies to Mr. Williams, a bookseller, of Cheltenam; fifty to Bettison; fifty to Weller; twenty-five to Harper; and twelve to Miss. Roberts; three of these persons are, to my knowledge, booksellers in Cheltenham; I received also a list of individuals to whom copies were to be sent; Mr. Naylor, of the Plough, and Mr. Pruen were to have copies; Mr. Naylor, I have since heard, is Mr. Griffith's father-in-law; a copy was also to be sent to Mr. Nicholls; after the copy was forwarded to Mr. Prince, Mr. Halpin called and said he would take them himself, as he understood the pamphlet was not a libel, and as his Attorney said so, he would come forward and acknowledge they were the parties [Halpin orders 500 copies of the pamphlet to be printed and then consults his Attorney for legal advice on the issue of libel? This seems back to front to me, and suggests Halpin had every intention of publishing the material, regardless of legal opinion. Only long-lasting, deep-rooted enmity accounts for that kind of recklessness. And he makes sure Griffith's father-in-law gets a copy? Clearly his desire to hurt is intense. What could Griffiths have done to Halpin to prompt that kind of revenge?]. He expressed some wish to have a frontispiece of young Zamiel, the principal personage in the book; and he intimated an opinion that there he had seen a print of Madame Vestris in Captain Macheath, which might do, but he could not get a copy of it. After the publication
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I received a note from Mr. Halpin, telling me there were some persons belonging to Cheltenham in town, and entreating me to be cautious in my conduct [This note was produced and identified].
Cross-examined: I can't say he mentioned Mr. Prince as his Attorney; when the parcel was sent off, an action was threatened about a month after against me, but no action was brought; Mr. Halpin did not say Mr. Prince had seen the manuscript of the pamphlet.
Mr. George Arthur Williams: I am a bookseller of Cheltenham, and remember receiving, in September last, a parcel containing the Adventures of Mr. Webb; it contained books for other booksellers - for Mr. Harper, Mr. Weller, Mr. Bettison, and Miss Williams; I sent those books to their directions immediately upon the arrival of the parcel.
Cross-examined: I have known the prosecutor sixteen years, and the defendant nine or ten years; I have sold some of these publications, for I began to sell them immediately after their arrival in September; I sold about sixteen copies out of the 100 sent to me, and received no copies of this pamphlet from any other person; I do not know whether I sold this copy, but it was one of my 100; I gave Mr. Griffith's (the prosecutor's) solicitor three or four copies; the remainder I gave to the prosecutor, and I kept one myself. Before the last Assizes the prosecutor threatened to proceed against me, and I gave up my remaining copies since these Assizes; the prosecutor threatened to prosecute me at the time I received the pamphlets, and told me he had three sealed copies, which had been purchased by different persons for that purpose; he served me with notice on the first day I began to sell them, and told me if I had not sold any more, he would forgive me for all I had sold previous to the notice; he afterwards said he would bring an action against me in 24 hours, but I snapped my fingers at him, and defied him. That was soon after the last Assizes; and no action, indictment, or criminal information, was brought against me.
Mr. Curwood was proceeding to put questions to the witness with respect to his knowledge of the character of Mr. Griffith, the prosecutor, when Mr. Campbell objected to that course, and Mr. Justice Gazelee decided that questions of that kind, upon the trial of an indictment, could not be put by the defendant's Counsel.
Mr. John Joseph Hadley, proprietor of The Cheltenham Journal, produced the manuscript of two advertisements inserted in his paper, by Mr. Halpin, and announcing the appearance of the pamphlet containing the Adventures of Webb and his Secretary. Mr. Halpin paid for these advertisements.
Mr. Busby, for the defendant, submitted to the Court that the parcel sent by Duncombe was not sufficiently identified.
Mr. Duncombe was then recalled, and proved the pamphlet produced to be one of those he printed, but he was unable to say whether it was one of those sent to Cheltenham, because he did not make up the parcel, or carry it to the coach-office.
Mr. Justice Gazelee thought this sufficient evidence, and Mr. Samuel Young Griffith, the prosecutor, was then called: I am now the proprietor of The Cheltenham Chronicle, and have been so for ten years; I was secretary to Mr. Webb in the year 1814, and had a salary of 250l a year; I remained in his employment about twelve months; I have resided in Cheltenham ever since the year 1818; I employed Mr. Halpin to assist me in conducting the paper; he left me about fifteen months ago; he was so dissipated I could not well keep him; and yet I could not, from the nature of his engagement, discharge him, for it is not expired yet; but he told me he could not stay any longer, unless I gave him a larger salary. I refused, and he said I should repent it, as he was at full liberty to leave me upon giving me so many weeks notice. I was bound to keep him, if he desired it, to the termination of his engagement. I thought by telling me I should repent it, that he meant to start a rival paper. I believe that I am the person called "Young Zamiel" in the pamphlet.
Cross-examined: I do not understand the passages of the pamphlet to relate to me because they refer to transactions with which I am acquainted, but because I was secretary to Mr. Webb; before I became secretary to Mr. Webb, I was part proprietor with my brother in The Cheltenham Chronicle; I first became acquainted with Mr. Webb in 1813; he was a very liberal man; about 600l or 700l came into my hands to distribute as charity; I never received a large sum of money at Dover, nor did I ever
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follow Mr. Webb along with a Mr. Miles Watkins; I never received a large sum of money from Mr. Webb; he was a strong-minded man, and not an idiot; I never heard of any affair at Brighton, and although I am the proprietor of a newspaper, I never heard of the way in which this great philanthropist ended his career; I left him because he was going to the Continent, and I followed him to Calais with a trunk, according to his directions; he treated me kindly to the last, and told me as he was going to the Continent, he did not require my services any longer; he never told me that at a Police-office; I have seen Miles Watkins at Dover, but I never slept in the same room with him; I have seen a Mr. Sharman, a London attorney, but I never heard he was employed to frame a bill of indictment against me; I swear positively that Miles Watkins never slept with me in the same room in Dover; Mr. Williams first brought me one of the pamphlets; I told him I understood he recommended Halpin to get the work printed at Duncombe's in London, and threatened to prosecute him; he never told me that I might bring my action, for it was substantially true, and he would justify its facts; I had action against Mr. Gardner, at Gloucester, and my attorney can tell how and why that action was compromised; Mr. Gardner consented to submit to a verdict for 1,000l damages, and make an apology to the effect that he was exceedingly sorry for having mixed himself up in such a villainous transaction.
Mr. Justice Gazelee here objected to this course of examination; and the witness said, "My Lord, I am seeking for these inquiries."
Examination resumed: I know a Mr. Hayward, but he never accused me from extorting money from Mr. Webb, nor did I ever give him money to say nothing about it; Mr. Hayward is here.
Re-examined: This is a most infamous calumny. I published the apology of Mr. Gardner in our report of the proceedings at the last Assizes.
The apology, expressing regret for having circulated what must be considered a foul calumny, was then put in and read.
On re-examination, the witness repeated what he asserted before, that he had not received any money of Mr. Webb beyond his salary, and that they parted on good terms. Before Halpin came into my employment, I received a letter directed to my deceased brother, begging in the most humble terms for employment; I then employed him, and gave him clothes to make him fit to appear in; he was so destitute of clothes at that time, that the printers considered him to be a journeyman printer out of employment, and were deliberating about relieving him.
Mr. Henry Sisson, a druggist, of Cheltenham, proved a meeting with Halpin since the publication of the Book, and that he told Halpin it was a disgraceful publication, and that the author ought not to be submitted into civilised society; witness told him [Halpin] he was suspected to be the author, and Halpin replied, that whoever was the author, he had motives in abundance for writing the Book.
Mr. Curwood then addressed the Jury for the defendant, and observed that he did so with considerable difficulty, as the case was oppressive to his feelings. He begged it, however, to be understood that he was totally unaquainted with either of the parties, and spoke solely in the strict discharge of his duty and according to the tenor of his instructions. If the course of defence he had adopted was injurious, the consequences must fall upon those who had instructed him to adopt that course; for he was willing to admit, that if the accusations contained in the Pamphlet were wholly untrue, it was a very bad libel indeed. Whatever might, however, be the opinion of the Jury, he could not but feel that Mr. Griffiths had very little to be proud of in this inquiry. If the accusations were as false as his Learned Friend (Mr. Campbell) was pleased to call them, why, he would ask, had not the plaintiff, who talked so much of the justification of his character, brought an action, and then the defendant would have an opportunity of pleading, and proving a justification? Or why had he not filed a criminal information, when the defendant might have been called upon to answer for the charges he had brought forward? Fortunately he conceived it to be the law of libel was altered; and if the Jury could not bring themselves to believe that the defendant had been actuated by malicious motives, they were at liberty and bound to acquit him. The Learned Counsel then entered into a general review of the Law of Libel, and observed, in conclusion, that if his client had not been a man of sense and capable of judging for himself, he (Mr. C.) would have felt some difficulty in adopting
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such a line of defence in a proceeding of this kind, where he was precluded from calling evidence to vindicate his conduct. The Learned Counsel then commented at some length upon the evidence of Mr. Griffiths, and upon the course he had pursued, which precluded the defendant from calling witnesses to substantiate his statements. It was due, he observed, to Mr. Prince to say, that he had never been consulted about the publication of the pamphlet, or seen it until after it was printed.
Mr. Busby then called Miles Watkins: I knew Mr. Griffiths for some years past; I met him in 1814, your Honour, in Piccadilly, and I mean to tell nothing but the truth; Mr. Griffiths went to hire two saddle horses; Mr. Webb had left London, and I went after him with Mr. Griffiths to Dover; we went to Wright's Hotel, your Honour; Mr. Griffiths and I slept there in the same bed for about a quarter of an hour, and the chambermaid came up.
Mr. Justice Gazelee interrupted the further progress of this examination [just when it was getting interesting], by declaring it wholly irrelevant to the question.
Mr. Campbell then briefly addressed the Jury in reply. Mr. Justice Gazelee having observed it was scarcely necessary upon such evidence, the Learned Counsel said he merely wished to remark that the prosecutor had brought an action, and having obtained an abject apology, and the disclosure of the name of the real author, he felt himself bound to adopt this course in order to bring him to the punishment he deserved. He concluded by expressing his regret, from what he had seen of this case, that the pillory was abolished as a punishment for libel; but he had one consolation, and that was, the tread-mill still remained.
Mr. Justice Gazelee having briefly summed up the leading facts of the case, the Jury almost immediately pronounced the defendant Guilty.
- The Morning Chronicle, Monday November 24th 1828.
[William Henry Halpin spent a year in prison. It didn't seem to hurt his prospects, because he went on to become a prominent journalist in the provincial press in England, spent time in France editing a popular magazine arguing for closer ties between England and France, became a Director of many boards of investors set up during the Railway Mania in the 1840s, before being ruined by the bursting of the speculative Railway bubble (the more things change...) and retiring to bankruptcy in Dublin. A final point worth mentioning here is that Samuel Young Griffith was an Engraver - an art practiced by quite a few Portarlington and Dublin Halpins.]
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Re my post 216 of 28 June-
I have just got the copy of the deed I mentioned:
Strange to Halpen, Indented deeds of Lease & Release 5 & 6 April 1771
A. John Strange of Dublin, pensioner of Chelsea, England, son of late John Strange of Abbyleix QCo and Margt Gorman, sister of Wm Gorman, apothecary,
of Maryborough, deceased.
B. Mark Halpen of Ballynamoney Q.Co., gentleman,
A. to B. The Tenement or Plott of ground, formerly called George Early's plott, (formerly possessed by Mr. Wm Gorman)
Signed & Dated 3.5.1771
What is interesting is:
M H did live at Ballynamoney
He was alive in 1771
The vendor was the nephew of a previous owner, an apothecary.
The Plott thickens !
Ken
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We really have to do something about Ken's punning. Maybe the moderator should get involved.
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Below are a few brief extracts from an account of the imprisonment of Thomas Mathew Halpin, who was arrested by Dublin Castle (seat of the British administration in Ireland) on suspicion of being heavily involved in the Young Ireland Uprising in 1848. Halpin has since been dismissed by Irish historians as a "piker" - that's an Australian term usually applied to someone who caves in under pressure. Halpin is considered by Irish historians as primarily at fault for failing to order clubmen (thousands of ordinary citizens dedicated to the liberation of Ireland) to rise up in conjunction with the Young Ireland leader - William Smith O'Brien - with the aim of overpowering British garrisons. Halpin's account of what actually happened has been, as far as I know, completely ignored. It seems the British slander - that he was an informer - has deceived the very people who consider themselves to be reliable interrogators of all Castle claims. Maybe it's time Halpin was rehabilitated. As for T M Halpin's connection to us - it has yet to be proved. He was a young man of unimpeachable integrity and it seems a real shame that he remains an overlooked and misrepresented figure in Irish history.
A Disclosure Connected With The Late State Prosecutions In Ireland; With A Narrative Of Seven Months Imprisonment Under The Habeas Corpus Suspension Act By Thomas Matthew Halpin, Secretary Of The Irish Confederation. Dublin 1849.
To The Men Of Ireland
These pages are dedicated as a lesson from the past, which may be a warning for the future, by their Friend and Brother...
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The following expose...was written during my imprisonment in Kilmainham gaol. I must confess, that insofar as those facts relate to myself personally, I would prefer that they should remain in obscurity; for notwithstanding all the efforts of the hangers-on of the Castle – the animals who did the dirty work for Brown – aided by the black sheep of the press, who for some months did their best to impress the public mind with the idea that I had been “subsidized” by the crown, I do not believe that I need now publish one line of this narrative to vindicate my character; though I admit, that when I commenced the task, this was one of the motives which impelled me to it. But, after enduring upwards of seven months close and painful imprisonment – three months of which I passed in solitary confinement, subject to all the persecutions which the petty malignity of slavish and little-minded officials could suggest – I do not conceive any vindication necessary.
But I believe the relation of those facts now, will serve the cause of truth and justice – that they will tend to teach Irishmen the folly of mistrust and suspicion; that the knowledge they will attain from their perusal, will help to inspire them with that confidence in each other’s truth, without which they need never hope to succeed in any national struggle. For I believe one of the principal causes of the disasters of ’48 was the people’s want of confidence in their leaders, and in each other.
[At this point I skip forward to part of Halpin's wife's testimony - she has a good deal to tell about how Augustus Guy - a Castle detective employed in G Division (a 'G man') - attempted to induce her to co-operate with the British and inform on her husband's colleagues]
We went away without making him [Guy] any reply, but on the following day, the 9th September, a messenger came to my father’s, to say that Mr. Guy wished to see me particularly. My father replied that I was not in town, and that I should not again go to him; but a friend who happened to be present, advised strongly that I should go, as I was desirous of getting an order to visit my husband [in prison], and that I could easily conceal my feelings, without promising anything, until I got the order, which, once given by Mr. Redington, would scarcely be withdrawn, otherwise I might not be able to see my husband again during his imprisonment. Accordingly I was sent for by my father out to Ranelagh, where I was residing, and told the circumstance. From what I had suffered in Belfast, I was strongly inclined to take the advice of my father’s friend; so I came into town, and went to Guy’s office in the Lower Castle Yard, where I was told he was expecting me. He invited me upstairs to a private apartment, where his wife was sitting, engaged in some needlework. He then told me that the order for me to see my husband had gone down to the governor of Naas gaol; ‘but’, he said, ‘we cannot do much, as the governor is an independent man, but I suppose he will not like to disoblige the government.’ He then went on to say: ‘We are desirous of obtaining Mr. Halpin’s services on the forthcoming trials, but we merely want him to prove to the minutes of the Council, and if he will do so, his family, and your father, and all your sisters, and, in fact, any friends whom you wish, shall be sent out of the country to any part of the world you like, free, with thousands of pounds in your pockets; yes,’ he said, repeating it, ‘thousands of pounds’. Your father, he went on to say, ‘is an old fool; he would try to make me believe that they had no illegal object in view – alarming the citizens with their nightly marchings of clubmen; but Mr. Halpin is, I suppose,’ said he, ‘a man of sense, a man of the world, having a true regard for his own interests and the welfare of his family. I believe that his principles were not involved,’ said he, ‘in the late proceedings, as I have read his application for the situation of secretary, in which he apologises and assigns reasons for not having taken a very active part in the agitation prior to that.’
He used many more persuasive arguments which I now forget, striving to show why my husband could, nay ought to give, his services to the government, and ridiculed the romantic notions which he said some persons entertained about honour and fidelity, and all that sort of thing; at the same time he said your husband can give all the information we require, and then get himself produced as a witness for the defence; ‘they’ll throw him overboard,’ said he, ‘and we’ll take him up.’
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1C.
[Again I jump forward to T M Halpin's Comment on his wife's testimony]
My wife’s narrative requires no comment from me; I give it to the world as I received it, and will merely content myself with directing the particular attention of the reader to it, asking him to ponder well on the account which she gives of her several interviews with this chief detective, and to observe the cunning with which he, at the first interview, strove to win upon her confidence by his skilful affectation of sympathy for me; and then his efforts to excite her cupidity to give up the minute-book, and deceive me. Afterwards his attempt to intimidate her and her mother, by trying to make them believe the vast amount of information he possessed, not only with regard to the Clubs generally but to their nearest and dearest relatives; and then his promises that I and my family, &c., should be sent free to any part of the world, or should be established in comfort and independence for life, in one of the colonies, and landed with thousands of pounds. It may be said, perhaps, that Mr. Guy had no authority to make such offers, and the government knew nothing whatever about his proceedings. Perhaps so; but I confess I am rather sceptical upon the point; and why? Reader I will tell you. Guy’s brilliant offers, Guy’s rascally intimidation had failed to produce any effect – the party to whom the offers had been made goes down to Clonmel, and informs the prisoner’s counsel of the entire proceeding; she leaves her husband in the gaol of Naas, a solitary prisoner, in a miserable, damp cell, but where Mr. Redington’s order permitted her to see him daily. On her arrival in Clonmel she is sent for by one of the crown lawyers, and asked, now that her husband’s character is destroyed in the eyes of his own party, will he give evidence and accept the offers made to him. If Guy had made those offers from himself alone why did Mr. Dunne ask my wife would I then consent to accept them? He then threatens her with my transportation. Transportation for what? Is it for conspiring to overthrow her Majesty’s crown and government? Is it for open and advised speaking? No, it is not for having been guilty of either of those atrocious felonies; it is because her husband “will not accept our offers,” will not become “independent,” and live in comfort to the end of his days, with “thousands of pounds in his pocket, in a beautiful colony, one of the finest countries in the world.”
...I began to suffer severely in my health from my long and close confinement in that gaol, having been three months in a small cell entirely alone, and never being allowed near a fire, I wrote up to Mr. Redington [the Under Secretary of State for Ireland], stating these facts, and requesting a removal up to one of the Dublin prisons. In a few days I was brought up to Kilmainham, where I remained along with Messrs. O’Higgins, Meyler, Rea, Brennan, and Meany, the last of the untried state prisoners, until the third of March, 1849, when we were all liberated on bail, by an order from the Privy Council.
Before I conclude I cannot avoid inserting here a statement written by Mr. Keely[T M Halpin's father-in-law], giving an account of an interview which he had with the head detective.
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1D.
[This is the last extract I intend to post of T M Halpin's account of his treatment at the hands of Castle detectives in the wake of the failed 1848 Young Ireland rising. I hope Halpin receives better treatment from Irish historians in future, and that his account will receive more attention than it has. I also hope readers of this site might be able to tell us more about the man himself.]
Mr. Keely says:
“Having been six weeks hiding, I became so weary of my situation that I determined to return home at all risks, particularly as the arrests had discontinued, and ‘all tranquil along the line’ was the daily telegraph, stereotyped by Johnston.
“Accordingly I returned home on Tuesday morning, September 4th, about ten o’clock, and before twelve a messenger came to my house to say that Inspector Guy wished to know whether we had received any letter from Mrs. Halpin, as he had written twice to her and received no reply to either; he therefore began to suspect that he was on a wrong scent.
“This man (as all such men at that time did) boasted largely of the immense amount of information which the police possessed regarding the clubs, &c. I answered that of course I knew they could procure any amount of information they paid for, but if they received correct information they would not have acted as they had done – that they had arrested some parties, and had the name of others in the Hue and Cry who would not hurt a snail, much less fight against the government.
“He said that that was not right, and if the Government had correct information they would let those gentlemen out.
“The same man called the next day to request that I would go over to the Castle and tell what I knew regarding the innocence of the men I had spoken about the day before. I refused to go, saying that any persons who saw me going to the Castle at that time would naturally suspect I was going there for the purpose of turning informer. He departed, but called again the same day to urge me to grant a private interview to some official of the government, at any hour or in any place I liked to name. This I also declined, but said that any person who desired to meet me on equal terms, as man meets man, and ask me a fair honest question respecting those gentlemen I had no objection to answer him, and whoever desired this could easily find out where I lived. He then went away again, but about seven o’clock on that same evening, while at my tea, I was told Mr. Guy was in the shop below, and wished to see me. I accordingly came down stairs, and he asked me, ‘are you Mr. Keely?’ ‘I am,’ I said. He then requested me to retire with him to a private room, as he wished to have some conversation with me; to which I replied that he could have nothing private to speak to me about, and that anything which he had to say he could say it there (I had previously told the members of my family who were in the house at the time to come down and hear all he had to say).
“He then turned towards me and said, Mr. Keely, I have called to know from you whether you will become a witness on the forthcoming trials.
“I replied that it was exceedingly probable I should be one of the witnesses, but not on his side, and that I had no information that would be useful to the government in their present mode of doing business.
“Oh,’ said he, ‘that will not do.’
“To which I replied: ‘Well, sir, I have nothing to tell that would operate against those gentlemen about to be tried, and if I had, the crown of England is not able to buy me.’ He then appealed to my wife and daughters, who were present to intercede for him, and induce me to comply with his wishes, and then turning to me, asked me would I sacrifice my children.
“I replied that before I would consent to fulfil his wishes I would see every one of them, my wife and all hanged before my face; and one of my daughters said they would die of hunger [the Famine] before they would consent to my doing so.
He then asked some few general questions about individuals, which I answered honestly, and he departed, saying that he would call again – but he forgot the place.”
Signed “James Keely.”
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1E.
I have concluded an unpleasant task, but one which circumstances rendered necessary. I have made some disclosures which will not, I am assured, be without value if “pondered fittingly.”
Two motives urged me to this task; one was selfish – but, I believe, justifiably selfish; I desired to clear my character of a stain which had been cast upon it – a stain which burned while it remained. I sought to defend my reputation from the dangerous attacks of the malignant and from the foolish insinuations of the unthinking; and I have a proud consciousness that I have not laboured in vain.
But I had another and higher motive: I desired to benefit my countrymen by tearing the cunning mask from official villainy, and showing the danger of ill-placed suspicion. Not in our own ranks are we to look for traitors and deserters; our men were true and loyal to their cause – brother does not strike brother, as in the primal crime. Spies and knaves have been amongst us, it is true; but remember, my countrymen, that they came from the camp of the enemy. I have spoken bold plain words, fearless of consequences. I have pursued the detective to his place of refuge, and unmasked the mysteries of the Castle; no consideration for the “affectionate regard” of my “countryman” and my “father’s neighbour,” Mr. Guy – no fear of clashing with the prejudices or hurting the dignity of those in high places, or offending the “heredity loyalty” of Mr. Dobbyn have weighed with me for a moment; I have shown the naked truth – prudery may shudder at it, but honesty must admire.
And now a parting word.
Let us, in the name of brotherhood, lay aside mistrust for ever; let us look into each other’s eyes, seeking there the ingenuous expression of honour, not the shrinking glance of treachery. Let us banish from our vocabulary the words of suspicion and hate, and drive all notions of treachery from our minds for ever. There is always truth in a People – in a people’s oppressors falsehood is found. My narrative, if it has no other effect, will surely be a proof of this.
Confident, then, in each other’s honour, as full of faith in our brethren as of hate in our tyrants – cherishing the “new commandment” which Christ spoke unto men, “love ye one another,” determined by mutual trust and confidence in the present to redeem the errors of the past – let us, hand in hand and foot to foot, and heart in heart, Enter The Gates Of The Future.
Thomas Matthew Halpin.
The following gratifying note I received from Mr. Duffy, after his having read the foregoing narrative in manuscript. I also received a long and able letter from my friend, Mr. Joseph Brenan, editor of the Irishman, which I regret not having sufficient space to insert here:
Newgate Gaol, March 1st 1849.
My Dear Sir – I have read your narrative with great interest. It makes plain what needed no new evidence to me – your public and private integrity.
During your official connection with the Irish Confederation you were an officer of singular accuracy, industry, and integrity, and you have ended your labours and your services as you conducted them throughout – with credit and honour.
“Believe me, my dear Sir, very faithfully yours,
C. G. Duffy.
- T. M. Halpin, Esq.”
Note Well this friendship – Charles Gavan Duffy went on to run for the Premiership of the Australian state of Victoria, I think. His son also played a prominent role in Australian politics. My initial claim that C G Duffy became Australian Prime Minister was mistaken (I'd read it on Wiki). Thanks to Bill W., who pointed out the blunder.
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Re my reply 241 of 13 July-
The main thing we learn here is that Mark Halpen, Irish apothecary, who died in England in 1768 aged 83 (b. abt 1685), can not be the same person as his namesake of Ballynamoney, Queens Co., as that person was still alive in Ireland in 1771 (named in a deed of that year). But they could have been related.
The first one seems to have had a number of children, born in England. It is unlikely that he or any of his children would have had any reason to return to Ireland, so I don't believe that any of them are our ancestors.
Ken
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Hi Ray, Bill & Kenneth,
Have just found some information on the N.A.I. page.
Part 1. The mission of the National Archives is twofold:
To secure the preservation of records relating to Ireland which warrant preservation as archives
To ensure that appropriate arrangements are made for public access to archives
What's new: 1901 census - all counties available online.
Church of Ireland records for Dublin, Kerry and Carlow now online
What church records are available online? What information is contained in the church records? Update of progress on the computerisation of the records. About the Church
Under the first phase of the project, church records for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kerry are now available as are a subset of the Church of Ireland parishes in Kerry. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Kerry includes parishes in western and north-western areas of County Cork. The church records for a subset of the Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland parishes in Dublin City are also available as are a small number of Presbyterian records relating to a congregation in Lucan.
Under the second phase, which is due to be launched on 16th June 2010 by Mary Hanafin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport and the Archbishop of Dublin, The Most Rev. Dr. John R.W. Neill, the remaining Church of Ireland records of Dublin City, County Kerry and County Carlow will be added. Also a subset of the Roman Catholic parishes in the Diocese of Cork & Ross will also be added. In addition to these records, digital images of the originals of these church records will also be available to view on this website.
Work is progressing on the completion of the Dublin City Roman Catholic records and the South & West Cork Roman Catholic Records. The release of further records for online access will proceed on a phased basis. Please refer to the update of progress section in this website for news of upcoming releases.
I entered HALPIN and DUBLIN there are lots & lots of births, marriages & burials but I did not recognoise them, but I think some of the one's posted here are relevant to your research.
Found the following which I think may be your family Ray Do you know who?
Area - DUBLIN (COI) , Parish/Church/Congregation - ARBOUR HILL BARRACKS . Baptism of ELEANOR SOPHY HALPIN of 3 CONYNGHAM ROAD on 5 November 1851
Datee.g. 13/08/1710: Name ELEANOR SOPHY HALPIN : Date of Birth N/R N/R N/R : Address 3 CONYNGHAM ROAD : Father ROBERT CRAWFORD HALPIN : Mother ELEANOR HALPIN
Further details in the record: Father Occupation CHAPLAIN TO THE GARRISON
About the record: Book Number Page Entry Number Record_Identifier Image Filename : N/R 35 N/R DU-CI-BA-343 d-268-1-1-035
Area - DUBLIN (COI) , Parish/Church/Congregation - ST. GEORGE : Baptism of EDWARD EVELYN HALPIN of 7 RUSSELL PLACE on 17 November 1854
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Datee.g. 13/08/1710: Name EDWARD EVELYN HALPIN : Date of Birth 19 October 1854 : Address 7 RUSSELL PLACE: Father NICHOLAS JOHN HALPIN : Mother REBECCA HALPIN
Further details in the recordFather Occupation ESQRE
Book Number Page Entry Number Record_Identifier Image Filename : N/R 131 N/R DU-CI-BA-73593 d-298-2-6-038
Area - DUBLIN (COI) , Parish/Church/Congregation - ST. GEORGE : Baptism of NICHOLAS JOHN HALPIN of 6 RUSSELL PLACE on 29 September 1851
Datee.g. 13/08/1710: Name NICHOLAS JOHN HALPIN Date of Birth 12 September 1851 ; Address 6 RUSSELL PLACE ; Father NICHOLAS JOHN HALPIN : Mother REBECCA HALPIN
Father Occupation GENTM
Book Number Page Entry Number Record_Identifier Image Filename : N/R 46 N/R DU-CI-BA-73268 d-298-2-5-050
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Name MARIANNE ISABELLA HALPIN : Date of Birth 18 November 1857 : Address 7 RUSSELL PLACE: Father NICHOLAS JOHN HALPIN: Mother REBECCA HALPIN
Further details in the record. Father Occupation ESQRE
Book Number Page Entry Number Record_Identifier Image Filename . N/R 23 N/R DU-CI-BA-73875 d-298-2-7-030
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Part 2. Area - DUBLIN (COI) , Parish/Church/Congregation - RATHMINES
Marriage of JAMES HENRY HALPIN of 1 WENTWORTH PLACE WICKLOW and ADELAIDE MAUDE SUTTON of 25 CHARLESTON AVENUE RATHMINES on 16 November 1897
Datee.g. 13/08/1710: Husband Wife :
Name JAMES HENRY HALPIN ADELAIDE MAUDE SUTTON
Address 1 WENTWORTH PLACE WICKLOW 25 CHARLESTON AVENUE RATHMINES
Occupation SURGEON GENTLEWOMAN
Father GEORGE HALBERT HALPIN SAMUEL R SUTTON
Mother N/R N/R
Husband Age FULL : Husband Marital Status B
Wife Age FULL : Wife Marital Status S
Husband's Father's Occupation SURGEON
Wife's Father's Occupation GENTLEMAN
Witness 1 MARTHA FLORENCE SUTTON (WITNESS FOR HUSBAND)
Witness 3 ROBERT GEORGE HALPIN (WITNESS FOR WIFE)
Book Number Page Entry Number Record_Identifier Image Filename
N/R 5 10 DU-CI-MA-3600 d-545-3-5-005
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Area - DUBLIN (COI) , Parish/Church/Congregation - ST. STEPHEN
Marriage of WILLIAM OSWALD HALPIN of THE LAUREL FOX ROCK DUBLIN and ANNA MARIA BURGESS of 25 HOLLES ST on 2 August 1881
Datee.g. 13/08/1710
Husband Wife
Name WILLIAM OSWALD HALPIN ANNA MARIA BURGESS
Address THE LAUREL FOX ROCK DUBLIN 25 HOLLES ST
Occupation ESQ N/R
Father GEORGE HALPIN WILLIAM BURGESS
Mother N/R N/R
Husband Age FULL: Husband Marital Status B
Wife Age FULL : Wife Marital Status S
Husband's Father's Occupation CIVIL ENGINEER
Wife's Father's Occupation FARMER
Witness 1 WILLIAM BURGESS (WITNESS FOR HUSBAND)
Witness 3 WILLIAM MALONE (WITNESS FOR WIFE)
Book Number Page Entry Number Record_Identifier Image Filename
N/R 8 16 DU-CI-MA-61347 d-46-3-5-008
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Area - DUBLIN (COI) , Parish/Church/Congregation - GLASNEVIN : Burial of ROBERT HALPIN of DUBLIN on 21 August 1821
Datee.g. 13/08/1710
Name ROBERT HALPIN : Address DUBLIN : Age 31 : Date of Death N/R N/R N/R : Occupation N/R
Book Number Page Entry Number Record_Identifier Image Filename
N/R 75 N/R DU-CI-BU-11682 d-244-4-1-075
Area - DUBLIN (COI) , Parish/Church/Congregation - ST. ANNE
Marriage of SWINTON HENRY BOND of 57 YORK ROAD KINGSTOWN and MARY ANNE HALPIN of LEITRIM LODGE CO WICKLOW on 12 April 1882
Datee.g. 13/08/1710
Husband Wife
Name SWINTON HENRY BOND MARY ANNE HALPIN
Address 57 YORK ROAD KINGSTOWN LEITRIM LODGE CO WICKLOW (Now the Hostel you visited on Bachelor's Walk, where we parked the car.)
Occupation ESQ N/R
Father JOSEPH BOND RICHARD HALPIN
Mother N/R N/R
Husband Age FULL: Husband Marital Status B
Wife Age FULL : Wife Marital Status S
Husband's Father's Occupation AGENT
Wife's Father's Occupation CAPTAIN
Witness 1 WM WAT ONEILL (WITNESS FOR HUSBAND)
Witness 3 C E BOND (WITNESS FOR WIFE)
Book Number Page Entry Number Record_Identifier Image Filename
N/R 91 182 DU-CI-MA-8191 d-344-3-6-091
(You can view the Church Record and print a copy of it)
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Julia
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Very good to hear from you Maeve. Comments may best come from others on some of these. The one that intrigues me most (the only one I know nothing of, I think) is ROBERT HALPIN buried from Glasnevin parish in 1821 aged 31.
At present I don't think I know of any Robert Halpin born around 1790. Who is this?
Bill.
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Hi Bill,
Have no idea who this Robert is, but seeing the name Halpin had to post it. I must go back to the original thread and remind myself what has already been posted. I note you had already posted the above way back in June.
Julia
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This is a photograph of some of the descendants (deceased) of Robert Wellington Halpin (1816 - 1883; 1st cousin of Captain Robert C. Halpin and Town Clerk of Wicklow). My grandfather, James Albert Halpin (d. 1975; RW Halpin's grandson), is standing slightly side-on in the front row on the far right of the picture. The photograph was taken in about 1951, on the day of my aunt's wedding. She (Marian) is the blushing bride with the high cheekbones standing at the centre of the photo - my grandfather's eldest daughter. William Halpin, my grandfather's eldest brother and veteran of the 1916 Rising, is not featured in the picture (but his wife, Tilly, is). He had to excuse himself on account of a bad lung complaint - the very complaint that was to take his life within a few weeks of Marian's wedding.
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Robert Wellington Halpin was Robert Halpin's cousin, so their fathers must have been brothers. Does anyone know where they were born? I once looked at the Irish History site and found James Halpin born the same year, I think in Killkenny. I didn't have the time to take it any further and have tried since to get the same info. but can't find the record. By the way Ray, I have just seen your photo in the Wicklow People, hope you enjoyed your visit.
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Marie, I have discovered that the 1825 Tithe Applotment records of the Parish of Barragh in Co Carlow are freely available online (http://www.from-ireland.net/car/tithes/barragh.htm) . Some names listed:
Bailey Aby Moneygrath (Townland)
Bailey George Esq Kilbride
Bailey Wm Moneygrath
You have said that there is supposed to be some connection between the Baileys (Bayleys) of Moneygrath and the Wicklow Halpins. I wonder if a wife of one of these Bayleys just may have been one of the Halpin “aunts” in Co Carlow who figure in Ray’s family lore?
Bill
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This is a photograph of my grandfather's younger brother, Cecil Halpin. Both he and my grandfather (James) ran away from home in 1914 and joined the British Army. Their older brother William - a captain in the Irish Citizen's Army - was furious with them. He followed both to Ulster and "bought them out." The boys were only 16 and 15 respectively, and had lied about their ages to enlist. William had them home at Hawthorn Terrace (East Wall, Dublin) only two weeks before they ran away again. This time they were not followed, and both spent the war, from start to finish, as privates in the 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers fighting at the front.
My grandfather was, for a time, a very effective sharpshooter. I don't know if Cecil specialised in anything. What is remarkable is the fact that both men saw so much action and survived. It was a rare feat, and whenever my grandfather was asked what he attributed his survival to, he always said "Luck - a lot more than me fair share if it." He didn't escape unscathed, though. Suffering from the effects of shell shock he returned to Ireland unable to speak, and spent about a year at Leopardstown Hospital (a Protestant-run institution in Foxrock, Dublin, which specialised in the care of veterans), where he learned to talk again. His treatment included a great deal of work with animals, which did a lot to restore Jim, since he had greater respect for animals than people. I don't know if Cecil suffered from war-related illnesses or injuries, but I do know that he joined the Free State Army after Independence in 1922. An aunt of mine thinks that's when the photo below was taken, on the day he enlisted.
Cecil was only in the Free State Army a few weeks, however, before he deserted - an offence that could have got him shot. His sister, Bridget, had to borrow money from her husband (a wealthy Turf Commissioner), to buy Cecil out. I have asked why Cecil absconded - it seems he was reviled by other Freestate troopers for "takin' the King's shillin'," - for fighting for the British Army in WW1, that is. He tolerated the abuse until a few 'Freestater's' began to slander those who had died on the battlefields of France and Belgium. The dead of that war, both Irish and English, were mostly poor, young, working class lads like himself, and, apart from their shared social background, Cecil - quite naturally I suppose - had a veteran's regard for fallen comrades and could not abide some of the things being said about them. Beside himself with rage one night, and in the company of my grandfather, Cecil roamed the streets of Dublin looking for his tormentors. He found them in a city-centre pub and "called them out." After a terrific brawl, which the brothers won (as far as the story-tellers in my family are concerned, the boys won every fight they ever fought), Ces and Jim were told they were marked men. In other words, in the eyes of the IRA and the like, by their behaviour they had proved that they were less than wholly patriotic and, therefore, in line to be murdered. After all, they had - at a crucial stage in the formation of the new Irish state, showed less than total respect for a few mouthy "true believers" - the implication being that all true believers were Freestaters, entitled to absolute deference regardless of what they thought of their fellow-countrymen. It was at that time even more dangerous to express any sympathy whatsoever for an Englishman, or for any Irish man who had already disgraced himself by serving in an English army to appear to be less than contrite about that fact, or - worse - to appear to be proud of it. At any rate, it was after the threat to his life that Cecil decided to desert - he fled the country on a boat to England. My grandfather, Jim, meanwhile, chose a different strategy and went looking for his would-be assassins (he was crazy, I 'm told, and genuinely feared in North Dublin right into old age). My father thinks that on this occasion Jim was spared a bullet not because he was riding his luck once again, but because his brother, William - prominent in the Republican movement at that time - intervened on his behalf and had him protected.
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After it was safe to return, Cecil settled in Dublin for a while and became an entertainer, specialising in song and dance. He married and a little over a year later his wife gave birth to a son. Work of any kind was scarce in the post-war years, and Cecil thought he'd try his luck in England. His wife was frightened of the idea of a trip abroad, and the two had the first serious row of their marriage. Mrs. Halpin packed her bags and left with her infant son for her mother's. She returned home to Cecil the next day, but not before her mother issued her with an ultimatum: "Either make your marriage work or come home to me for good. You can't come and go as you please. If he upsets you again, come back to me. But if you do, you won't be going back to him. You'll stop here for good, or I'll never speak to you again. And if you go to England, we'll disown you." In the opinion of my aunt, this deeply affected Cecil's wife. She wasn't a strong woman, she was illiterate and poor and like many young women at that time depended heavily on an extended family of elderly aunts (and her mother and sisters) for support in raising her child. That degree of dependency seems to have decided the matter - after another row, Mrs. Halpin returned to her mother's home in Ringsend and remained there.
Distraught, Cecil did everything possible to reassure his wife - he had relatives in England. They were expecting him and would be only too happy to accommodate his wife and child. But the girl was terrified of losing the support of her mother, so the marriage was effectively over.
Cecil went to England anyway, where he pursued a career on stage, in cabaret bars, that sort of thing - he was known mostly for his entertaining song and dance routines, which won him more than a few regional "Allstar" talent shows. He eventually ended up as a bit player in the British film industry, in a few instances as Alec Guinness's stunt-double and stand-in. And the photo below (he's on the left) is of him in a film my aunt thinks was called "Trotty True." It sounds memorable. The pretty actress photographed beside him went by the stage name of Jean Kent - any relation to you, Marie?
No one can remember exactly when or where Cecil died. It was somewhere in England, after my parent's wedding (which he attended in 1960). He was a womaniser, apparently, and when the last woman he was with found out he had secretly spent all her money, she kicked him on to the street.
My aunt, who had a relationship with Cecil in his final years, was still on friendly terms with his wife, and when she told her that she intended to visit him in England, the woman asked if she could come along too. My aunt wrote to Cecil, asking if he'd like to see his wife (they had never been divorced). He wrote back that the idea of a reunion after so many years was out of the question. He reminded my aunt of the many trips he'd made to Dublin with the aim of seeing his son. On every occasion he had been denied access. "She destroyed my life," he said.
When he died, Cecil died alone, among countless empty bottles of porter.
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HI all Halpins,
I have just had the following request. Can anyone help please?
"My husband, Richard Conway Halpin, is related to Captain Robert Charles Halpin (1836-1894) but we don’t know exactly how. My husband’s Grandfather was Thomas Halpin (born 1853 in Ireland. Died 1929 in Liverpool, England) We would be very grateful if you could kindly put us in touch with someone who could help with our family history enquiries. Thank you."
Julia
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Julia, can we get more info? There is no available record of a Thomas Halpin born around 1853 except one who died in Dublin in 1902. Can we at least find where and when Thomas married - the record may name his father, or there may be an interesting witness to the marriage.
This has potential importance for all of us. Thomas is not an acknowledged desendant of the Captain, who only had daughters that we believe all remained unmarried. If Thomas descends from one of the Captain's brothers (who were all older), he has escaped detection. That is not impossible but I would be surprised.
But if he descends from a brother of the Captain's father James Halpin (therefore a cousin of the Captain), that is quite exciting. We have demonstrated here that James' mother Elizabeth was nearly 40 when James was born, allowing years prior for many siblings. We have one name, Frederick, which is inscribed in James' burial plot in Wicklow. We also believe Ray's likely antecedent, Robert Halpin, tide surveyor, was another brother of James.
Bill
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Hi, I'm new to this so bare with me please. My granmother was Connie (Constance ) Halpin and had a sister called Tilly as we called her. I know my granmother always said to me that I was related to the Captain (Halpin) of the first trans -Atlantic cable ship. I also remember that my gramother mentioned I was also related to Constable the Artist, I don't know if this true but my mum seems to think it is. Its late and I am SO tired I hope this helps and also some one can help with more facts about the Halpins
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Hi Sean - Constance and Tilly were (as far as I know) daughters of William Halpin snr. and 'Tilly' Halpin (nee Henry). William Halpin was my grandfather's oldest brother. Sons of William and Tilly included William jnr. and John. William jnr. is deceased - he followed his father onto the Docklands, where he sometimes stood in for Willy as head Union rep., deciding who among the thousands of labourers to turn up to the docklands every morning would receive a day's work. I'm told that John is still alive, in his 90s now, living in the centre of Dublin city.
So, just to clarify that for you: William Halpin snr married Tilly (Matilda?) Henry, and they had many children, four of whom were William (jnr), John, Constance and Tilly. William snr's brothers were James Albert Halpin - my grandfather - and Cecil Halpin (see photos above). William snr. had one sister - Bridget. I will talk about Bridget next week.
William's daughter Constance was named after Constance Markiewicz, the Irish revolutionary 'hero', who was active in the 1916 Rising. William snr. knew Dame Markiewicz personally, since he took over joint leadership of the ICA's Army Council after she stepped down. Tilly (snr) was active in Cumman na mBan - the 'Women's League' - an Irish Republican Women's paramilitary organisation formed in Dublin in 1914. The organisation was closely linked to the Irish Volunteers who, in conjunction with the Irish Citizen's Army, formed the short-lived 'Army of the Irish Republic.' Patrick Pearse was appointed overall commander of this organisation, and James Connolly (to whom William snr. is said to have been very close) commanded the Dublin Division of it. The 1916 Rising began when, on the 23rd of April, Pearse and Connolly (among others) occupied the GPO and read out a proclamation declaring a Republic. You probably know what happened next.
William and Tilly lived at 26 Hawthorn Terrace, Eastwall, Dublin. Sean O'Casey - the great Irish playright, Socialist, and historian of the Irish Citizen's Army - lived right next door. The house on Hawthorn Terrace had originally belonged to William's father, Edwin Halpin, who was born (1855) in Wicklow town to Robert Wellington Halpin (Postmaster and Town Clerk, etc) and Frances Marbella Halpin. Edwin and his people were Protestants. When Edwin married Marianne Murphy (Wexford Town - her father, William, was a master shoemaker), he was marrying a Catholic, which meant that he was excommunicated, in a manner of speaking, by his people in Wicklow. The marriage took place in 1883, barely a month after the death of Edwin's father, and about six months after the death of his mother. The rule at the time was that if a Catholic married a Protestant, she or he could only do so legally if they agreed to raise their children as Catholics. That's how our branch of the Halpin family became Catholic. I believe the house on Hawthorn Terrace is still in the family. And it's said that Edwin played a big part in influencing Sean O'Casey's decision to become a Socialist. Edwin and Marianne loved the theatre, and conducted little theatricals in their home, which were attended by everyone on the street. O'Casey attended and sometimes took part and, after the shows were over, stayed behind with others to listen to Edwin talk radical politics.
I'll leave things there for the time being, Sean, as I'm throwing things down in a disordered manner just as they come to my mind. But before I finish up, I'll tell you a story we were told as kids. One of Edwin's great friends, a man by the name of Frank Scarry, lived all his adult life as a bachelor and border in the Halpin household. Frank was a Telegraphist (like Edwin) and worked in the GPO. It was said to us as children that when Pearse and Connolly attempted to occupy the General Post Office, the front door was locked and no one could get in. So someone sent a runner to Hawthorn Terrace to get the key from Mr. Scarry, who duly obliged. The 1916 Rising, therefore, would never have gone ahead, we were told, without Frank Scarry's key.
An apocryphal story? Not for us. Cheers for now - Ray.
PS - I am not aware of a connection to Constable, the English landscape artist. There are, however, other links to artists (Solomon Delane sp?) to be found on the Portarlington branch of the Halpin family tree. I'm sure Ken Cooke will attest to that. I am also aware of a renowned Irish landscape artist by the name of Henry (a possible relation of Tilly's?), who was active around the turn of the 20th century. The Portarlington Halpins were, I believe, linked by marriage to the Henrys, who were 18th-19th century millers situated in the region of Carlow and County Laois. Hence the name William HENRY Halpin - the Henry being the name of the wife of one of the Halpins, her name retained and placed before the surname of her son to indicate that her social status was higher than that of her husband's. I want to stress, however, that I'm just tracing associations here. I haven't looked into these 'connections' in any depth. My point merely being to raise possible future routes of inquiry - the Henry's being painters of renown, and possibly related to Tilly Henry, may have at some stage made their way to the Constables via a shared interest in the art of painting. It's a pretty long shot, though.
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Guys - you may find this document of interest.
1830 (522) Voters, (Ireland.) Returns of the number of persons entitled to vote at the election of members for cities and boroughs in Ireland; specifying the number of electors for each place, so far as the same can be made up. Page 9 of 14.
FOR CITIES AND BOROUGHS IN IRELAND.
13. - DUBLIN CITY - continued.
Corporation of Cutlers, Painters and Stationers.
Return of the Number of Persons of the Corporation of Bricklayers and Plasterers who
are entitled to vote at the Election of Members of the City of Dublin.
Halpin, James
Halpin, Richard.
[a little over 60 names are on the list. I recognise none of the usual Halpin associates.]
On page 6 of the same document, we find the following:
Corporation of Carpenters.
Return of the Freemen of the Corporation of Carpenters, &c. &c. of the City of Dublin, who are entitled to vote at election of Members for said City.
Arthur Battersby.
Henry J. Brownrigg.
John Brownrigg.
Richard Cotter.
Thomas Cotter.
Robert Crosthwaite (went to America).
Benjamine Eaton.
Benjamine Eaton jnr.
William Gore.
George Halpin.
George Halpin jnr.
William Halpin.
(HCPP)
In the 1830s a Battersby and the Rev. Nicholas John Halpin jointly wrote a report on the condition of the poor in the district of Oldcastle.
There are Brownriggs prominent in Wicklow town – contemporaries of Captain Robert Charles Halpin (one served as a clergyman in the church of the vine – the Captain’s home chapel). There was, if I recall correctly, a Brownrigg named as personal friend to the deceased Charles Graham Halpine.
The surname of Crosthwaite is well known to most of you – they married into the Portarlington Halpin family. And there are the Crosthwaites who had a close professional relationship to George Halpin (Lighthouse Engineer).
The Gores had a long association with the Halpins in Portarlington, County Laois (or Queen’s County, as it was known at the time).
The Cotters and the Eatons have already been mentioned in the context of marriage to the Halpins of Wicklow town. And, of course, Georges senior and junior have already been linked to a Wicklow Halpin who went by the name of William – William being the name of quite a few Portarlington Halpins prominent there before the birth of the Rev. N J Halpin in 1790 (they appear to have been heavily involved in the Royal Navy).
So the above document may well be an important one. It doesn’t prove anything – it simply tantalizes us with connections that may, after further discoveries, prove useful.
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And the following document is the only one I've uncovered linking a Charles Halpin to the day-to-day running of Dublin's Custom House.
1812 (35) (Ireland.) Supplement to the eight and tenth reports of the commissioners appointed to enquire into the fees, gratuities, perquisites, and emoluments, which are or have been lately received in certain public offices in Ireland; and also, to examine into any abuses which may exist in the same; and into the present mode of receiving, collecting, issuing, and accounting for public money in Ireland: being a reply to a memorial of the Attorney General and Solicitor General of Ireland, and the two counsel to the Boards of Customs and Excise, addressed to the Lord Lieutenant; on the subject of such parts of those reports, as relate to the revenue law expenditure; and presented to the House of Commons on the 27th of May 1811. (p. 46)
No. 9.
An Account of Fees due to the Right Hon. the Attorney General, for Business done by him in the Inland Excise Department of the Revenue; commencing the 22nd day of April, and ending the 5th November 1806, both inclusive.
1806, April 22nd. Fee with brief case on the letter of Henry Moore, Esq. Collector of Maryborough, to advise whether Sub-Commissioners should proceed to the condemnation of Spirits seized in Commissariat Stores, and which had not been claimed.....£2 5s 6d.
April 24th. William Nugent and others Complainants. Abraham Hughes Respondent - Fee on attending hearing before Magistrate.....£5 13s 9d.
Roger Coleman against Wine claimed by Joseph Coleman; Fee with brief information and case to advise process.....£5 13s 9d.
April 26th. Same against same; Fee with brief for trial at the Custom House.....£11 7s 6d.
April 28th. Same against same; Fee on attending trial at Custom House.....£3 8s 3d.
April 29th. Same against same; like.....£3 8s 3d
Roger Coleman Appellent. Charles Halpin Respondent. Fee with brief to argue appeal.....£2 5s 6d.
May 1st. Roger Coleman Appellent. Charles Halpin Respondent. Fee on arguing appeal in this cause.....£2 5s 6d.
(HCPP)
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Lastly, these two documents contain what may prove to be useful information in regard to the Robert Halpin we've been trying to place before a few, possible, Wicklow descendants (my great great grandfather Robert Wellington Halpin perhaps being one).
1837 (480) Third report from the Select Committee on Fictitious Votes, Ireland; with the minutes of evidence, appendix and index. (p. 345)
741 Halpin, Robert, Castle Forbes, North Lots, gent.....freeman.
[There are 71 names on this page of the list. Only two come without short descriptions of the property they own/occupy. And what does this report mean when it refers to "fictitious votes"?].
(HCPP)
1856 (112) Accounts of supperannuations and retired allowances, in public departments, for the year 1855. No. 1 - 1 - No. 38. (p. 23)
In Public Departments: 1855.
No. 18 - Customs - continued.
Compensation Allowances ceased within the year:
Dublin.....R. Halpin.....Tide Surveyor.....Died 30 April 1855.....£250 per annum.
(HCPP)
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And I'd welcome comments on this document:
1805 (2) Proceedings of His Majesty's government in Ireland, respecting the better collection of the revenue, 1800 - 1804: presented to the House of Commons, in pursuance of their orders of the 9th of July 1804. Page 180 of 196.
We have signed Mr. Halpin's commission, as Teller of Stamps, and sent it up for his Excellency's approbation. His Excellency has been pleased to direct that two books should be kept by the Teller of Stamps; in one of which the goods taken out of the head office are to be entered; and in the other are to be entered all stamped goods that are for the use of the Distributors; these two books to contain the whole of the business done for the kingdom, and to prove a check upon all parties.
But we humbly beg leave to state to His Excellency, that the additional business of keeping such books is totally incompatible with the present duty of Teller of Stamps, the business of his Department has so much increased, as to be almost more than equal for the ability of any one person to execute; when the Stamp Duty on Bank Notes took place, Mr. Halpin represented that he could not, in addition to his other duty, find time to tell the Bank Notes, which, on its being examined into, he proved so completely to the satisfaction of the Board, that the Commissioners were under the necessity of directing, that the Supervisor (although it is inconsistent with his office) should undertake that duty, which he has executed ever since; the Teller of Stamps keeps all the Stamping Warrants.
(HCPP).
While I can't prove it, the feeling I get is that this document may be about the only one we've come across that refers to the Rev. N J Halpin's father - William Henry Halpin, son of the Portarlington headmaster Nicholas Halpin ("Old Nick").
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Ray, I have recorded William Henry's death on 20 March 1839 noting the following: On the 20th instant at his residence, North Great Georges Street, in the 79th year of his age, William Henry Halpin, Esq., late of the Military Account Office.
Of course a lot would have happened subsequent to proceedings in 1805 including a 10 year campaign against Napoleon. But it would seem that his positions were all related to revenue in one form or another. I hardly think that he himself would have done the stamping, do you? Bill
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One candidate for the Robert Halpin at Castle Forbes in 1837 is Robert Crawford Halpin. From the dates we have of him he would have come of age that year (21) and was probably still at TCD. We had his father William resident at Castle Forbes about the same time.
It could have been the Robert Halpin, tide surveyor. We don't know where he lived. Bill
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Marie, in the deluge of contributions, I don't think anyone addressed this one from you. I don't think we know where any of them were born. It would be good if you could verify your earlier discovery.
We have lately tentatively accepted that Robert Wellington Halpin's father was Robert Halpin, tide surveyor, who therefore has to be a brother of James Halpin of Wicklow if RWH was a first cousin of Captain Robert Charles.
To put the dates into perspective, James is likely the youngest, c.1777-1847. Robert died 1855, presumably at a great age. They had a sister Margaret who died at an even greater age in 1862. Their mother Elizabeth is recorded at James' Wicklow burial plot as dying 1814 aged 75.
A nephew of James is also commemorated there, Captain Frederick Halpin, dying 1859 aged 36. So Frederick is either a brother of Robert Wellington or the son of another unknown brother. The birth years of the cousins are about 1816 for Robert Wellington, 1823 for Frederick and 1836 for Captain Robert Charles.
I hope this is clearer, rather than muddier. Bill
Robert Wellington Halpin was Robert Halpin's cousin, so their fathers must have been brothers. Does anyone know where they were born? I once looked at the Irish History site and found James Halpin born the same year, I think in Killkenny. I didn't have the time to take it any further and have tried since to get the same info. but can't find the record. By the way Ray, I have just seen your photo in the Wicklow People, hope you enjoyed your visit.
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Has anyone reported a KENNEDY family in relation to the Wicklow Halpins?
Louisa Halpin was the 2nd youngest child of James Halpin, born about 1833. A Louisa Halpin, dau. of James Halpin, married at Rathdown on 25 Apr 1867 WILLIAM HUGH HARRIS KENNEDY, son of FRANCIS M. KENNEDY.
An unnamed possibly stillborn child is recorded the following year. The only other children I have been able to discover are FRANCES FREDERIKA KENNEDY, born 16 Dec 1869 in Co Wicklow and ROBERT CHARLES HALPIN KENNEDY, born 31 March 1873 at Ashford.
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As a child I remember meeting cousin Gertie Kennedy, a very old lady in a whicker bath chair! (I was about 11 or 12, so I suppose anyone over the age of 50 would seen very old), she had a nephew called Frank, somhow I have finished up with a copy of her will so I will try and find it among all the bits of paper I have. Thanks Bill for the info on James Halpin, Marie
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From the 1911 Census, at 17 in Main Street Rathdrum, who might have been:
ROBERT JAMES HALPIN, head, 38, born Louth, national teacher; wife ALICE 35, born Kilkenny, national teacher; children SAMUEL JAMES HALPIN, 6; ROBERT GEORGE HALPIN, 3; HENRY GRATTAN HALPIN, new born, all Church of Ireland. It was the name GRATTAN that attracted me to this family.
(It is possible that a family in Drogheda, Louth in the 1901 Census headed by Samuel Halpin, 54, Mill-Wright, born Co Wicklow, could be the same family. http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Louth/Drogheda_Town/Chord_Road/1566380/)
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She was indeed quite old. Gertrude was 44 in the 1911 Census. I can now add more to this family, more daughters of Louisa Halpin and William Hugh Harris Kennedy, from the census, living at 6 Wentworth Street Wicklow(http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Wicklow/Wicklow_Urban/Wentworth_Street/899016/).
LYDIA KENNEDY, aged 43 (b. 1868), head of the family; FRANCES, 41 (see above); GERTRUDE KENNEDY, 40 (b. 1871); one domestic servant. I wonder what happened to their young brother Robert Charles Halpin Kennedy. By your family's naming habits, Marie, he was probably called anything but Robert. In fact, from the 1901 census I see that Gertrude's proper names were Louisa Gertrude. Also listed in 1901 is that their father was a Clerk of Petty Sessions, born Limerick City.
A FRANCIS KENNEDY, solicitor, is listed at 6 Church Street, Wicklow, age not shown but his wife Winifred was aged 31.
As a child I remember meeting cousin Gertie Kennedy, a very old lady in a whicker bath chair! (I was about 11 or 12, so I suppose anyone over the age of 50 would seen very old), she had a nephew called Frank, somhow I have finished up with a copy of her will so I will try and find it among all the bits of paper I have. Thanks Bill for the info on James Halpin, Marie
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Hi Bill - Samuel Halpin was Robert Wellington Halpin's eldest son. He settled in Drogheda, where he seems to have worked - for a time at least - as a carpenter. He passed away in about 1915 if I remember correctly (I'm away from my desk at the moment, so I can't vouch for the accuracy of my dates).
I believe Robert James Halpin was Samuel's son (the port town of Drogheda, where Samuel settled, is in County Louth).
Samuel had two brothers - Robert and Edwin (my great grandfather). Robert Halpin was born in about 1852, so by the time of the 1911 census he would have been in his late 50s. After Robert Wellington Halpin died in 1883, Robert (jnr) took over his father's responsibilities as Town Clerk. The appointment didn't last long, however, and he practically vanishes from the record after that, resurfacing only twice in a couple of press clippings, which describe him saving a drunken man from drowning (a feat of local 'heroism' that Edwin was to emulate), and some time later as being horribly disfigured in a dockside brawl with another merchant seaman. So it seems Robert took to the sea soon after his father died, while his nephew - Robert James Halpin - became a teacher.
On a final note, Henry Grattan Halpin ended up a Second World War hero for some reason. Will get back to you on that.
As for the actual duties of a "Teller of Stamps" - one of the reasons I posted the document was in the hope that someone might shed light on the sorts of things a Teller of Stamps did to earn a crust. I wonder if an email to the Dept. of Revenue in England would help. Maybe they'd have info on the Halpin mentioned.
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I don't know if this is of any interest but I have found Gertrude Kennedy's will. Her nephew was Frank Robert Barnard Howard Kennedy of Wootton Bridge Isle of Wight,, she also had a nephew Terence William Kennedy and Niece Noreem Sim.
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According to FreeBMD, Gertie’s young brother Robert Charles Halpin Kennedy married on the Isle of Wight in the September quarter of 1903. He would have been 30 years old. His wife could have been Clara Gerson or Nora Florence Clarke. Without getting a certificate I cannot tell.
Frank Bernard (sic) H Kennedy is listed born Sep 1905. Noreen Kennedy Sep 1907. Terrence William F Kennedy Sep 1909.
Robert C H Kennedy dies Sep 1927 age given 53. Noreen Kennedy marries Thomas Sim Sep 1928. Frank R B H Kennedy marries Janet R Gardiner Mar 1932
There is an unexpectedly large number of Kennedy registrations for the Isle of Wight. I suspect that Robert may have gone there to join a Kennedy relation. But his spinster sisters back in Wicklow did not join him.
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I've checked back and I'm fairly sure that these have not appeared before.
These are all the Halpin headstones at Mt. Jerome Cemetery Dublin. There are also photos of all the headstones on their site.
No.384
WILLIAM OSWALD HALPIN | The Laurels | Foxrock, Co. Dublin | born 14th March 1840 died 22nd Dec. 1908 | Fondly loved and deeply mourned |
“Him that cometh to me I will in no wise | cast out” John VI. 37. | also of his son | Capt. WILLIAM OSWALD HALPIN | M.D. R.A.M.C | (Attd 4th Hussars) | who died of wounds received in action | Nr Caix in France | 10th August 1918 | laid to rest in Amien’s Military Cemetery | “I have done my duty” | also of his wife | ANNA MARIA HALPIN | born 10th June 1848 died 4th February 1933
No.230
Erected | by RICHARD F. B. HALPIN M.R.C.S. etc | in ever loving memory of | his devoted wife | FRANCES ELIZABETH (BESSIE) | who entered her heavenly rest | 22nd Decr. 1896 | “God is our refuges and strength, | a very present help in trouble” | Psalm XLVI. 1. | also of the above |RICHARD F. B. HALPIN | who died the 19th Oct 1903, aged 45 | “Trusting in Jesus”
No.1297
Beneath lie the remains of | ELIZABETH | wife of GEORGE HALPIN of the North Wall. | She died 3rd July 1850 aged 65 years
No.1298
Back of number 1297:- Sacred to the Memory of | GEORGE HALPIN C.E. North Wall|who died (-)th July 1854 aged 75 years. | “To be with Christ which is far better” Phil. 1.2.3.
No.1561
Erected | by his widow in memory of | GEORGE HALPIN C.E. | Rathgar, County Dublin | who died 4th June 1869 | aged 65 years | also of their daughter MARGARET | died 3rd Octr. 1849, aged 10 months | and their son ALFRED | died 1st April 1855, aged 4 years | He was a most affectionate |husband and father and a true friend |
JULIA widow of GEORGE HALPIN C.E. | died 6th October 1889 aged 74 years |and also In Loving memory of | their youngest daughter | LOUISA HALPIN | died 26th October 1934
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Ray,
Donnybrook Fair was an occasion when more security than usual was needed.
I believe that a 'peace officer' was recruited for that specific occasion.
Over the centuries Donnybrook Fair in South Dublin had become notorious for its riots and fights. The saying, ‘It was a regular Donnybrook’ meant ‘a scene of uproar, or free fight’. An item in ‘Pue’s Occurrences’ of 29 August 1758 describes the efforts made to keep the peace:
"Sunday 27th Dublin- This and the preceding day the Rt.Hon.the Lord Mayor, Alderman Thos Meade, and High Sheriffs Messrs Michael Sweny and Wm. Forbes, attended by the High and Petty Constables and a party of the Army, went to Donnybrook fair and staid there till night each day, by which means His Lordship preserved the peace, and prevented the many riots and disorders which frequently happen at said fair, to the great terror of the inhabitants and other persons who resort thereto."
The Donnybrook Fair was finally banned in 1855. Alderman Michael Sweny was
the uncle of Eugene who married Eliz Halpen.
Ken
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For those who may be interested;
...Alderman Thos Meade was married to Harriet Brownrigg, daughter of Henry Brownrigg of Wingfield, Co. Wexford who died in 1723.
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For those who may be interested;
...Alderman Thos Meade was married to Harriet Brownrigg, daughter of Henry Brownrigg of Wingfield, Co. Wexford who died in 1723.
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A recent article in the Irish Times referring to a donation to the Dublin City Library of issues of the Dublin Evening Mail from 1838 to 1855 can be freely viewed at http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0803/1224276088126.html. Have these never been viewable before? Could be invaluable. Bill
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Reply to Pacobirdcr-
Eugene Sweny, after the death of Elizabeth, nee Halpen, married Lydia Jane Brownrigg, daughter of John & Jane, of Dublin, on 1.11.1794. She was bapt. 26.3.1761. They had no children.
Then there was General Brownrigg who defeated the King of Kandy and claimed Ceylon for the British.
Ken
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Correction: there were two men of god associated with the Protestant church in Wicklow town - Rev. Brownrigg and Rev. Rook. Going on recollection, I claimed above that a Brownrigg turned up as a juror in the wake of Charles G. Halpine's death in New York City (witnessing the coroner's postmortem, disputing his findings). I've rechecked - the man's surname was Rook. Sorry about the mix-up.
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A recent article in the Irish Times referring to a donation to the Dublin City Library of issues of the Dublin Evening Mail from 1838 to 1855 can be freely viewed at http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0803/1224276088126.html. Have these never been viewable before? Could be invaluable. Bill
Bill,
Are copies of the paper viewable online or just the newspaper article about the donation?
Nicholas John was the editor of the Dublin Evening Mail. I tried finding copies for interlibrary loan but it was only available in two libraries, Galaway and an American library. I thought it might be a good source for Halpin obituaries plus I was interested in his editorials. Would be great if it was online.
Diane
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No Diane, the article was about the donation of actual copies of the newspaper covering that period that had been accumulated by a collector. I don't know about other copies. I presume that in time these will be viewable in Dublin and eventually scanned or microfilmed. I agree that these papers could contain very valuable information including the death of George Halpin senior on 8th July 1854 and his wife in July 1850, NJH himself in 1850, James Halpin in 1847, just to name a very few. Bill.
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Extracted from Wicklow Directory dated 1910.
HALPIN James Henry Wentworth Villas L.R.C.P.S.I., L &L.M., Physisian and surgeon medical officer, Wicklow Dispensary, Admiralty surgeon, and surgeon to the Royal Irish Constablulary
KENNEDY Francis Church Street and 17 Clare St Dublin Solicitor, and land agent, Commissioner for Oaths, agent for the Royal Exchange Assurance Co.,
KENT G A Abbey Street Family grocer, provision merchant and Italain Warehouesman
KENT MASON S & CO, George And sons South Quay Wholesale and family bakers and flour merchants
HALPIN Miss Bachelor's Walk
HALPIN Miss Ida Wentworth Cottage Church Hill
HALPIN James Henry L.R.C.S.I Wentworth Cottage Church Hill
HALPIN James Main Street
KENNEDY Francis Church Street
KENNEDY Miss Lydia Wentworth Place
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Was the Miss Halpin at Bachelor's Walk Louisa Grace 1867-1937 or Sarah d. 1915 or Frances Margaret 1858-1926, daughters of Richard Mathews Halpin and Sarah Gregg? I believe this family lived at Leitrim Lodge in that street. Sisters Frances Margaret and Sarah were executors for the estate of their brother Richard James Augustus, engineer who died in Sierra Leone. A witness to that will was Francis B Gregg MD. Would this have been Sarah's father or brother? I understand that the only member of this family who married was Mary Anne Halpin whose husband was Swinton Bond. When Frances died, she lived at 1 Church Street.
And who was the James Halpin in Main Street? I think the only Halpin that I have recorded in Main Street was Robert Wellington Halpin who died in 1883.
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We are already on Page 20 of this, our second series, and we (Ray) may well be asked to start a fresh series. I am sure you all agree that there is plenty of life still left in this topic.
I have been led back to a posting on Page 6 of this series and there noticed Reply 82 by Diane that incorporated a summary by me. On re-reading this, the general hypothesis stands. May I suggest that you may care to re-read this also before we head off to new fields?
Bill.
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Copies of the Dublin Evening Mail (from its inception onwards) are held in the National Library here in Dublin. I'll have a look at the death's notices for the Halpins you've mentioned, but I'm not optimistic about finding much. For example - the Rev. N J Halpin was editor of the paper from about 1837 until (I presume) his death in 1851, so you'd imagine he'd receive a fairly generous obituary. I've looked and found only a couple of lines containing little of value by way of information (I've already posted what I uncovered). That puzzled me, and suggested a possible falling-out with the paper's proprietor. People expressed surprise when it was revealed after his death that the Reverend left little or nothing behind, except debts, perhaps. This suggests to me that the perception people had of N J Halpin was of a man who, at the very least, was comfortably off. I wondered if the reverend's brother - William Henry Halpin - might have had something to do with his declining fortunes. W H Halpin had been declared a bankrupt after investing heavily in the railway mania in the mid to late 1840s. Were there associates and friends of the reverend who had also invested in the railways, at the behest and recommendation of the reverend's brother? If so, they too would have lost heavily and this may account for the silence that seems to surround N J Halpin after his death. The obit in the Dublin Evening Mail was cursory, even begrudging. It's possible that the reverend used his own financial resources to cover his brother's debts, which in turn meant there was nothing left in the kitty to take care of his wife and family after his death. I'm only speculating, of course, but the lack of an expression of real appreciation for Halpin from the paper he served well for so long is a genuine puzzle, and needs to be accounted for.
There's more to consider here - by the time of Halpin's death, the famine had killed upward of a million and had driven many more into exile. Contemporary accounts describe scenes of absolute horror in which emaciated women and children die in ditches, on the sides of country roads, in dark mud huts and at the gates of village cemeteries. Dogs fought over the remains of the dead. If we recall the endeavors of Dr. Charles Halpin, who struggled admirably and desperately to alleviate the effects of the famine before it took such fantastic toll on the poor, we have to wonder what his brother, the reverend, made of it all. He was editor of a newspaper that fiercely supported London's response to the blight - a paper that made a point of attacking Charles Halpin's suggestions for the construction of ventilation pits. We know that at one stage at least, the brothers were close - they had worked together on Lord Farnham's estate cataloging the local flora, and had together discovered an important antiquity. It seems reasonable to me to conclude that the reverend N J Halpin must have regarded the Mail's attack on his brother as regrettable. Could there have been a difference of opinion between N J Halpin and the Dublin Evening Mail over that paper's craven support for the British government's policy response to the famine? If there was, that too could account for the paper's apparent coldness toward Halpin at the time of his death in 1851.
Finally - throughout the 1840s Daniel O'Connell had been struggling to convince the British to repeal the Act of Union and re-establish a form of Home Rule in Ireland. Initially, at least, the Dublin Evening Mail was strident in its opposition to O'Connell, with Halpin leading the way. But a visitor to the country in the mid-1840s (James Grant, Impressions of Ireland and the Irish, London, 1844, p. 276 - see quote below) wrote about his encounters there, and in it he claimed that the Dublin Evening Mail was reconsidering its opposition to repeal. It's possible that this change of heart was prompted by the reverend N J Halpin. As it turned out, the paper held to the party line, and continued to oppose repeal. But it's an incident that may have resulted in Halpin being ostracised by members of the Anglo-Irish community - provided he was in fact behind the paper's flirtation with O'Connell's campaign.
These are just a few things to consider when thinking about the Reverend N J Halpin and his relationship with the Dublin Evening Mail.
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It may help us put the Reverend's activities into perspective if we look briefly at the historical context in which he became prominent.
What is known as the Tithe War took place in 1831-36. At that time Catholics were obliged to support the (Protestant) Church of Ireland by paying a tithe. Naturally, this caused resentment. Daniel O'Connell led a non-violent campaign of opposition to the tithe - essentially, it involved a refusal to pay up. But the campaign turned violent when the Irish Constabulary seized land and property in lieu of the tithe. Throughout this 'war', the Rev. N J Halpin (still a curate in Oldcastle) wrote powerful critiques of O'Connell's campaign. I'm guessing that the decision to appoint Rev. Halpin to the editorship of the Dublin Evening Mail was made in response to his arguments in defence of the payment of a tithe. By virtue of those arguments he had proven himself an articulate proponent of the Castle's preferred view.
After his campaign against the tithe, O'Connell focused on Catholic Emancipation and a Repeal of the Act of Union (1801). The Repeal movement met with huge public support, resulting in a series of "Monster Meetings", at which O'Connell addressed crowds of over 100,00 people. Unnerved by the popularity of O'Connell's campaign, Peel's government banned a proposed monster meeting at Clontarf, Dublin. O'Connell's refusal to defy the ban resulted in dissent within the Repeal Association. That dissent was led by four men: a Mr. Keeley, a Mr. Halpin (described as a "prominent Dublin businessman"), a Mr. Crean and a Mr. Hollywood. Together they produced a 'remonstrance' (a written critique), which was regarded with contempt by O'Connell's supporters. A split in the movement then occurred, and (along with others) Halpin and Keely formed their own organisation, called the Irish Confederation, which was led by William Smith O'Brien, leader of the Young Irelanders, who went on to stage a pathetic rising in 1848, which was quickly put down by the authorities. Part of Thomas Mathew Halpin's account of his subsequent arrest can be read above (see Reply 243, Tues. July 13 2010). Needless to say, throughout all of this unrest, the Dublin Evening Mail remained loyal to the Crown - that is until someone at the paper (possibly the Reverend N J Halpin), made their dissatisfaction with the government known to a traveling diarist. On 12th October 1849, the Dublin Evening Mail summarized British rule in Ireland since the Act of Union (1801) thus:
England has for fifty years had in her hands the supreme authority over Ireland. She has not been restricted in the exercise of her power, even by the shadow of an Irish representative system; for those who are elected Irish members of Parliament, seldom bring with them to Westminster the slightest tincture of national feeling; and even if the whole hundred and five were to join in opposition to the Minister's Irish policy (as they may be said to have done in opposing the poor law), still their united voice would not be heard amid the clamour of five hundred and fifty-three opponents. Well, what has England done for Ireland during the half century now closing...According to Downing Street...Ireland is, for her own good, passing through a purgatorial time, which is to eventuate about the time of the millennium in a state of freshness and hope. ('The Result of British Rule in Ireland.')
This is fairly hard-hitting criticism from an ultra-Tory newspaper supposedly loyal to Dublin Castle (the seat of British rule in Ireland). It's also unsigned, so it's impossible to know if it is an editorial written by the Reverend N J Halpin (was there more than one editor at the paper?). Rather than attribute such views to a radical change of heart at the Dublin Evening Mail, I think we have to change our assumptions about the kind of people who wrote for it - they were not blinded by ideological blinkers to the reality of life in Ireland. They could plainly see what was plainly visible. I'll say no more than that for now, since I think it's a little early to be interrogating the mind-set of political adversaries in mid-19th century Ireland. We can conduct those inquiries in our own time - I'm certainly not well-informed enough to do it here.
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In July 1849, a murderous Orange Order (ie, ultra-Protestant) clash took place at Dolly's Brae, County Down. It resulted in the deaths of a 70 year old woman and a boy. The local Magistrate, Lord Roden, was dismissed by Clarendon for supposedly approving of the fratricide, a dismissal roundly applauded by the Times in London. The Dublin Evening Mail (and the Reverend N J Halpin?) must have approved of Clarendon's action, because it reprinted the piece in the Times on the 19th October, 1849 - only seven days after its criticism of fifty years of Ireland's Union with Britain (see immediately above):
"You may starve, shoot down, even corrupt, a generation of Mitchels and O'Briens, but with Rodens still reminding the people that they are a conquered and contemptible race, your pains are worse than fruitless."
These aren't the sentiments I'd expect to find in an Ultra-Tory newspaper like the Dublin Evening Mail. Do they indicate a shift in loyalties, or a softening of attitudes? Are they indicative of an editorial change-of-heart? At this point in time it's not possible to answer these questions, and they may remain unanswerable, because as far as I can tell there have never been any studies conducted into the private lives of the personnel behind the various newspapers published in Dublin in the early to mid 19th century.
And what does the writer mean when he says "your pains are worse than useless"? What was the British administration in Ireland "at pains" to achieve?
I'll finish here by reminding you that this climate of famine and political unrest was the very atmosphere in which Charles G. Halpine formed his political worldview. C G Halpine was the son of the Rev. N J Halpin, and he would later become one of the most effective political journalists in Civil War America, placing his skills as an Irish persuader at the service of Lincoln and the North. He must have learned a great deal from his father, even though his political sympathies were much closer to those of his uncle - another journalist, and a Whig - William Henry Halpin.
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1915. Halpin, Richard of Lord-street Coventry retired watch glass manufacturer died 4 April 1915. Probate Birmingham 4 May to Robert Halpin gentleman and Catherine Wickes (wife of Henry Wickes). Effects £2549.14.3.
[Age given elsewhere as 85, born Dublin 1830]
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"I'm told that John is still alive, in his 90s now, living in the centre of Dublin city."
Dear Ray, forum members,
Apologies if this is slightly off-topic.
I stumbled on this forum, while looking for information on locating and old friend of mine.
His name is John Halpin, he was born in XXXX and we've been great friends for nearly 20 years, since we met in Dublin in 1991.
John had a land line installed in his XXXX flat only a few years ago, and he does not use a mobile. The last time I spoke with John on the phone was in Autumn 2009. I tried several times since then, but never got anyone to answer the phone. Unfortunately, I never in all these years thought of asking for a phone number from one of his 10 children, some of whom I would meet from time to time.
I sent John my Christmas greetings last December, and sent him a book as a birthday present in early 2010, indicating my e-mail, land line and mobile phone in the letter, but never heard anything back.
John had some health problems recently, and that is why I am a bit worried. I won't have a chance to visit Ireland soon (and in any case, it would not be easy for me to trace him, apart from visiting his XXXX address.)
I read with interest Ray's messages in particular, and the information you relate about William Halpin, who took part in the Rising in Connolly's ICA. John told me many stories about his Republican family, particularly about his father William and sister Tilly, as well as about his ancestor, Capt. Halpin of Wicklow.
You write: "John is still alive, in his 90s now, living in the centre of Dublin city." I'm 99% sure you may be referring to my friend John.
Would you have any information that might help me in tracing John? Pls feel free to send me a private message. I would be really grateful for any help.
Many thanks for your time.
Carlo
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Carlo- Rootschat isn't a forum for tracing living people and we arem't allowed to post their details here. After you've made 3 posts you can use PM (personal message) to contact another member (as long as they also have at least 3 posts).
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Sincere apologies. I should have read forum rules more carefully.
Carlo
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Dear Carlo - if you post a few more messages, even just to ask for clarification about some of the details I've passed on recently, you'll rack up enough posts to qualify for access to the personal messaging system. That way we'll be in a position to exchange personal details securely - addresses, emails, phone numbers and the like. I have never met your friend John, but a couple of years ago I met his nephew Colm at a political rally here in Dublin. It was he who told me that John was still living in the city center. Hope to hear from you soon, mate - regards, Ray H.
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Carlo, welcome and a very interesting post. We are all very interested in John's stories. As I have said many times, we have to record the stories of the elderly before they are lost. In particular we would love to have recorded John's stories about his ancestor, the Captain. Bill
I read with interest Ray's messages in particular, and the information you relate about William Halpin, who took part in the Rising in Connolly's ICA. John told me many stories about his Republican family, particularly about his father William and sister Tilly, as well as about his ancestor, Capt. Halpin of Wicklow.
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I mentioned my doubts about the likelihood of informative obituaries in the Dublin Evening Mail, and had them confirmed when I examined that paper recently for information on any of the Halpins mentioned in Bill's post on Tuesday, Aug. 10. These are all I found, and typical of most deaths notices:
Death: July 3, after a long and painful illness, Elizabeth, wife of George Halpin, Esq., deeply and sincerely regretted. - (DEM, Fri. July 5 1850).
Death of G. Halpin, Esq. - We regret to have to announce the death of G. Halpin, Esq., Inspector of Irish Lighthouses. Mr. Halpin died at his residence in Dublin on Saturday morning. - (DEM, July 25 1854).
Also, I recorded the death of George W Halpin a while back, but neglected to source it:
Death: Halpin. On the 5th July at Buenos Aires, George W Halpin, son of the late Robert C Halpin, of Belsize, London, Chaplain to the Forces in England, aged 73. Relations please communicate with Kieth and co., Edinburgh. - (The Times, Saturday August 5 1922).
Quite by accident I stumbled across the death notice of Druitt Halpin, son of Charles Halpin, MD, of Cavan, and a distinguished Engineer and writer (of technical papers):
Death: Halpin - On the 27 Feb., at 45 Harvard Road, Gunnersbury, W., after a long illness, Druitt Halpin, M. Inst. C.E., M.I. Mech. E., deeply lamented. - (The Times, Wednesday March 1, 1922).
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Lots more details posted here but the thread has reached 20 pages so I'm going to lock it now. If another thread is needed please let me know and I'll post the link here for you.
Link to new thread - Halpin of Co. Wicklow - Part 3 (http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=476972)