Halpins of Co. Wicklow, Portarlington and Dublin City - Part 2

[Shanachai]

     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.
     
     

[Shanachai]

     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.

[Shanachai]

     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)

[Shanachai]

     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)

[Shanachai]

     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").

[BillW]

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

[BillW]

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

[BillW]

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.

[BillW]

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.