CHAPTER XXX
(Page 2)
Present State of the Antiquities of the County of Carlow.
Parliament
met on the 5th February, 1789, when the members of our district remained
as last mentioned.
11th
March, 1789. — A petition of the undersigning subscribers for improving
the Barrow navigation between Athy bridge, in the county of Kildare, and
the tide-water at St. Mullin's, in the county, of Carlow, with a plan
and estimate annexed, was presented to the house, and read, setting
forth, that the petitioners have lately caused a plan to be made for the
improving of the navigation of the river Barrow from Athy, in the county
of Kildare, to the tide-water at St. Mullin's in the county of Carlow,
and also an estimate the expense of said proposed work, to which plan
and estimate they refer. That the petitioners are willing to undertake
the execution of said work in the term of ten years, to be computed from
the 1st July, 1789, on receiving from parliament an aid or bounty
equivalent to thirty thousand pounds or two thousand pounds per annum
for the term of seventeen years. That in case the petitioners shall be
encouraged to undertake said work, they propose to provide by
subscription (the particulars of which are annexed thereto) a further
sum of thirty thousand pounds in addition to such parliamentary aid,
subject to the provisions contained in the sixth resolution of the house
of the 25th March, 1788. That the said petitioners do not require to
receive any part of the said aid, except as they shall prove before the
commissioners of impress accounts, from time to 'time, the expenditure
of their and money, and they then humbly hope to receive a sum equal to
one half of what they shall have so proved to be expended, so as in the
end to receive half of the whole expenditure. That the petitioners, in
consideration of the said aid, do propose not to exceed three half-pence
per ton per mile fur coals, culm, flags, stones, bricks, sand, and such
like articles, two pence per ton per mile toll for all other goods, and
three half-pence per mile for each passenger: and therefore praying the
grant aforesaid.
Ordered —
That the said petition be referred to the consideration of a committee,
and that they do in the first place examine how far the orders of the
house of the 25th of March, 1788, have been complied with, and report
the evidence upon such examination to the house on the report of the
said petition. And a committee was appointed of Mr. Colville, Mr.
Griffith, and others, or any five or more of them, and they have power
to meet to-morrow morning, and to adjourn from time to time, and to send
for persons and papers, and all members who come are to have voices.'
16th
March, 1789. — Mr. Burton reported from the committee to whom it was
referred to take into consideration the petition of the subscribers for
improving the Barrow navigation between Athy bridge, in the county of
Kildare, and the tide-water at St. Mullin's, in the county of Carlow,
which report he read in his place, and after delivered in at the table,
where the same was read.
Ordered —
That the' said report be referred to the committee of the whole house,
to whom it is referred to consider further of the application of the
tillage duties.
27th
April, 1789.— Ordered— That the committee of the whole house to whom it
was referred to take into consideration a bill for the promotion and
encouragement of inland navigation, be empowered to receive a Clause or
clauses to enable the subscribers to the Barrow navigation to obtain
possession of the said river and
the works thereon from the bridge of Athy to the
tide-water at St. Mullin's, on the conditions and under the restrictions
therein specified, Parliament was prorogued on the 25th May, 1789, and
again met on the 21st January, 1790.
|
MEMBERS. |
|
|
County of Catherlogh, |
William Burton, Esq |
|
|
Sir
Richard Butler, Bart. |
|
Borough of Catherlogh. |
Sir
John Browne, Bart. |
|
|
Sir
Charles Desvoeux, Bart. |
|
|
Hon.
James Caulfield Browne, in the place of |
|
|
the
said Sir John |
|
|
Browne, now Lord baron Kilmaine. |
|
|
Sworn
21st Jan. 1790. |
|
Borough of Old Leighlin. |
Hon.
Arthur Acheson, , |
|
|
Sir
Edward Leslie, Bart. |
|
Parliament was dissolved on the 8th April, 1790, and a new
one assembled on the 2nd July, 1790. |
| |
|
MEMBERS. |
|
|
County of Catherlogh.' |
William Burton, Esq. |
|
|
Henry
Bruen, Esq., |
|
Borough of Catherlogh. |
Augus.
Cavendish Bradshaw, Esq.. |
|
|
John
Ormsby Vandeleur, Esq., of |
|
|
Kilrush, in the county of Clare, |
|
Borough of Old Leighlin. |
Hon.
Arthur Acheson, |
|
|
Edward Cooke, Esq. |
|
Parliament was prorogued on the 24th July, 1790, and met again
on the 20th January, 1791. |
| |
|
MEMBERS. |
|
|
County of Catherlogh |
William Burton, Esq. |
|
|
Henry
Bruen, Esq. |
|
Borough of Catherlogh. |
Augustus Cavendish Bradshaw, Esq. |
|
|
John
Ormsby Vandeleur, Esq. |
|
Borough of Old Leighlin. |
Hon.
Arthur Acheson. |
|
|
Edward Cooke, Esq. |
|
|
Patrick Duigenan, Esq. in the room of the |
|
|
Hon.
Arthur Acheson, now lord Viscount |
|
|
Gosford, Sworn 28th Jan., 1791. |
Parliament having been prorogued on the 5th May,
1791, met again on the 19th January, 1792, when the members for our
district were as last mentioned.
28th January, 1792. — The house being informed that
Mr. MacLean, secretary to the commissioners of account attended at the
door, was called in, and at the bar, presented to the house, pursuant to
act of parliament, an account of the Barrow navigation company from the
27th day of October, 1788, to the 8th day of January, 1791. First
account.
Parliament was prorogued on the 18th April, 1792,
and again assembled on the 10th of January, 1793, when the members from
the county of Carlow remained the same as last.
29th Jan. 1793.— The house being informed that Mr.
Mac Lean, secretary to the commissioners of account, attended at the
door, he was called in, and at the bar presented to the house, pursuant
to act of parliament, an account of the Barrow navigation company from
the 8th day of January, 1791, to the 25th day of February, 1792. Second
account.
5th Feb. 1793. — Ordered— That leave be given to
bring in a bill to establish a militia in the kingdom of Ireland, and
that the Earl of Hillsborough, lord viscount Headfort, Mr. Monck, the
Right Hon. Mr. Secretary Hobart, Mr. Bushe, and Mr. Hayes, do prepare
and bring in the same. [Bill for amending and reducing into one act of
parliament the laws relating to the militia of Ireland.] — Read first
time, March 4. Read second time, March 7. Read third time, March 19.
Agreed to by the lords, March 26. Received royal assent, April 9, 1793.
In pursuance of the bill just mentioned, a regiment of militia was
raised in the county of Carlow. Henry Bruen, Esq., of Oak Park, one of
the representatives for the county, was appointed colonel. Commissions
to the following gentlemen were signed by him:
|
To be
Major |
Walter Kavanagh. |
Dated
April 26th, 1793. |
|
To be
Captains |
Thomas Whelan. |
Dated
do. |
|
|
Philip Newton. |
Dated
April 27, 1793. |
|
|
John
Newton. |
Dated
April 28th. |
|
To be
Lieutenants |
John
Wolseley. |
Dated
April 28th. |
|
|
John
Bennett. |
Dated
April 27th. |
|
|
John
Leckey |
Dated
April 28th. |
|
|
William Astle.* |
Dated
April 29th. |
|
|
Abraham Jones. |
Dated
April 30th. |
|
|
Constantine Brough. |
Dated
May 1st; |
|
To be
Ensigns |
William Carter. |
Dated
April 26th. |
|
|
Ashley Crofton, jun. |
Dated
April 27th. |
|
|
Joseph Malone. |
Dated
April 28th. |
|
|
Haggerty, jun. |
Dated
April 29th. |
|
To be
Adjutant. |
John
Wolseley. |
Dated
April 26th. |
|
*Grand-uncle
of the author. He was afterwards a Captain in the regiment |
The following are the routes and quarters of the Carlow regiment of
militia. When embodied in 1793, it was ordered to Nenagh, thence to
Charles' fort, near Kinsale; to Cove; to Waterford ; to Trim ; to
Downpatrick ; to Blairismore Camp; to Drogheda to Navan, where the
regimenft was stationed in 1798, and from whence it proceeded to
Nittstown, on the banks of the Boyne, where an action took place with
the rebels. The latter fled almost immediately, although they were in
great numbers. From Navan the regiment marched to Robertstown; to Cork;
to Charles'-fort; to Middleton; to Mulling; to Roscrea; thence to
Carlow, in 1802, when it was disembodied.
Parliament was prorogued on the 16th August, 1793, and again met on the
2lst January, 1794, when the members for our district remained as last.
10th February, 1794. — Third account of the Barrow navigation company,
from the 1st day of February, 1792, to the 1st day of May, 1793
presented.
Parliament was prorogued on the 25th March, 1794, and again assembled on
the 22nd January, 1795, our district having the same members as last
stated.
31st Jan., 1795. — A petition of the Catholics of the county of Carlow,
whose names are thereunto subscribed, on behalf of themselves and others
of his majesty catholic subjects', was presented to the house and read.
Ordered — That the said petition do lie on the t able for the perusal of
the members.
14th February, 1795. — Fourth account of the Barrow navigation company
from the 1st May, 1?93, to the 3 1st December following, presented.
On the 5th June, parliament was prorogued.
In 1795, the Roman Catholic college of Carlow was established by Doctor
Keeffe, Romish bishop of Kildare und Leighlin. It was first opened for
the education of lay students, but has been since extended to the
preparation of priests.
The accommodations are calculated for the reception of one hundred
students of each class; but there has never been that number at one time
;in the establishment. The present officers of the college consist of
the president; professor of theology and vice-president; principal of
the lay-college and professor of natural philosophy; professor of logic,
and Hebrew; bursar ; dean of the ecclesiastical college ; two professors
of classics ; professor of classics, and dean of the lay college;
lecturer on natural philosophy; vice-dean of the lay college ; and
professor of mathematics, and of the study hall. Doctor Doyle, the
present Roman catholic bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, whose
publications under the signature of J.K.L. (James, Kildare and
Leighlin*) have rendered him so celebrated, 'entered the college of
Carlow in ISQ9, as professor of rhetoric, and a few years afterwards was
appointed professor of theology. Doctor Doyle was chosen for the office
of Romish bishop, which he now holds, in November, 1819. He has since
been examined by committees
of the houses of lords and commons ; and whatever may be thought of the
principles developed on those occasions, as well as in his writings, (of
which assuredly we do not approve), It must be confessed, that great
talent has been thus exhibited. Parliament met on the 21st January, 1
796.
|
MEMBERS. |
|
|
County of Catherlogh, |
William Burton, Esq. |
|
|
Sir
Richard Butler, Bart., in the room of Henry Bruen, |
|
|
Esq.,
deceased. Sworn 9th February, 1796.* |
|
Borough of Catherlogh. |
Hon.
Augustus Cavendish Bradghaw. |
|
|
John
Ormsby Vandeleur, of Kilrush, in the county of |
|
|
Clare, Esq. |
|
|
Sir
Frederick Flood, Bart., in the room of the said |
|
|
Augustus Cavendish' |
|
|
Bradshaw, who accepted a place of profit under the
|
|
|
crown. Sworn 25th February, 1796. |
|
Borough of Old Leighlin. |
Paterick Duigenan, Esq |
|
|
Edward Cooke, Esq., re-elected, having accepted a
|
|
|
place
of profit under the crown. Sworn 21st February, |
|
|
1796 |
29th January, 1796, Account of the Barrow navigation from the 1st
January, 1794, to the 31st December following, presented. From "an
estimate of the charge of militia regiments for one year ending at 31st
March, 1796," it appears, that the Carlow militia consisted of two
hundred and sixty-three men; its expense for the year, seven thousand
and sixty-five pounds, nine shillings, and eleven pence. In the year
ending 1797, the number of companies was five; of men four hundred and
four; the expense nine thousand and fifty-seven pounds, nineteen
shillings, and four pence*.
Parliament was prorogued on the 15th April, 1796, and met again on the
13th October, 1796.
- MEMBERS.
County of Catherlogh. William. Burton, Esq
Sir Richard
Butler, Bart.,
Borough of Calherlogh. John Ormsby Vandeleur, Esq.
Sir
Frederick Flood, Bart.
Borough of Old Leighlin. Patrick Duigenan, Esq.,
Edward
Cooke, Esq., re-elected, having accepted a
- place of profit under the crown.
- Sworn 26th October, 1796.
*On this occasion, John Staunton Rochfort, Esq., of Cloghgrenan,
addressed the county, but did not contest the election, with Sir Richard
Butler. Mr. Butler Notes.
Page 315
9th March,
1797. — Ordered — That the committee of the whole House to whom it was
referred to take into consideration a bill to explain and amend the laws
now in force relating to the militia of this kingdom, be empowered to
receive a clause or clauses to provide for the increase of the militia
of the counties of Carlow and Kildare to six companies each.
An
account of the monies paid into the treasury for recognizances forfeited
and fine imposed at assizes, commissions of oyer and terminer, and
general gaol delivery, and sessions of the peace, from the 25th March,
1788, to 25th March, 1796.
COUNTY
OF CARLOW. A.D. 1788,
Robert Cornwall, Esq., sheriff, twelve pounds, two shillings, and ten
pence. — 1790, Richard Mercer, Esq., sixty-two pounds, three shillings.
— 1791, Walter Kavanagh, Esq., three pounds, four shillings, and eleven
pence, — 1792, John Stewart, Esq., five pounds, two shillings, and seven
pence. — 1795, Jn. Maxwell, Esq., four pounds, eleven shillings, and one
penny.
Parliament
was dissolved on the 11th July, 1797. A new one met on the 9th
January, 1798
|
MEMBERS. |
|
|
County of Catherlogh.* |
William Burton, Esq. |
|
|
Sir
Richard Butler, Bart. |
|
Borough of Catherlogh. |
Henry
Sadlier Prittie, Esq. |
|
|
William Elliot, Esq. |
|
|
John
Wolfe, Esq., m the room of |
|
|
Mr.
Elliot, who made his election |
|
|
to
serve for St. Canice. |
|
|
Sworn 24th February, 1798. |
|
Borough of Old Leighlin. |
Edward Cooke, Esq. |
|
|
Sir
Boyle Roche, Bart. ** |
*This
election was contested. The candidates were, Sir Richard Butler, Bart.,
Walter Kavanagh, Esq., William Burton, Esq., and Philip Newton, Esq. The
votes, at the close, stood thus: Mr. Burton, 1072; Sir Richard Butler,
1068; Philip Newton, 936; Walter Kavanagh, 922.— Mr. Butler's Notes
** This
is the gentleman, the blunders of whose Irish oratory afforded so much
amusement; He is noticed by Sir Jonah Harrington in his Personal
Sketches.
31st
January, 1798. — The house being informed that an officer attended at
the door, he was called in, and at the bar presented to the house,
pursuant to act of parliament, Barrow navigation company, for one year
ending the 31st December, 1796, seventh account, two thousand, seven
hundred and eighty-six pounds, and four pence. Ordered to lie on the
table.
1st June,
1798. — Barrow navigation company, for one year ending 31st December,
1797. Eighth account, presented.
Parliament
was prorogued on the 6th October, 1798. From a list of all the
justices of the peace who have been appointed in this kingdom since the
1st day of June, 1789, to the 30th day of April, 1798, inclusive, we
collect the following names relating to the county of Carlow : Walter
Kavanagh, appointed in 1790; Rev. Henry St. George, 1791; Joshua Paul,
1791 ; Samuel Carpenter, jun., 1791; Edw. Eustace, 1792 ; Henry Bruen,
1793; William Browne, 1793; Beauchamp Coldough, 1795; David La Touché,
jun., 1795; John Staunton Rochfort, 1796; Bryan Kavanagh, 1796; John
Butler, 1796; R. Eustace, 1790; Richard Evans, 1797; James Butler,
1797; Joseph Hardy, 1797 ; Sir Charles Asgill, Baronet, 1797 ; Philip
Newton, 1797; Henry Rudkins. 1797; Reverend Jas. M'Gbee, 1797; Nicholas
Aylward Vigors, 1797 Thomas Hardy, 1797; Sir Richard Butler, Bart, 1798;
Edward Eustace, 1798 ; Thos. Kavanagh, 1798.*
The county
of Carlow was not exempt from the disastrous consequences of “The
rebellion of 1798”. We take the following account of the previous
transactions from the work of Sir Richard Musgrave, Bart., who from his
personal knowledge of many of the events of those times, as well as
opportunities of obtaining direct, authentic information, must be
considered a competent and sufficient authority.
Not only
in Carlow," says Sir Richard, " but in most of the counties of Ireland
the priests in the year 1791 and 1792, began to take an accurate account
of their sectaries in every family within the County. Respective
parishes, which were supposed to be done with a view of ascertaining
their relative strength by their numbers, when compared with the members
of the established church. About the same time, maps pointing out the
property of the old popish possessors, were printed and published. "
“The great
zeal with which the priests began about that time to establish religious
fraternities among the populace, of which the scapular was the most
prominent, gave an additional proof that a conspiracy was in
contemplation. This institution introduced among them an extraordinary
sanctity and austerity of manners, and. afforded a trial of their
silence, which was so essential to promote such a measure.
“The
insolence of the lower class of people was obviously increased about the
year 1793, by the following incidents: the priests were enabled to build
stately chapels by the subscriptions not only of their own flock, but of
Protestants; which formed a striking contrast to, and reflected on, the
ruined edifices where Protestants, less enthusiastic, worshipped their
God. At a time that a Protestant clergyman in that county could not
obtain a sum of money to build a church for three hundred Protestants,
whom he had attended for twelve years in a sooty cabin, the priest of
Carlow built a college and chapel, which must have cost from three to
four thousand pounds. "
In the
beginning of the year 1797, the insolent looks and haughty demeanour of
the peasants, who would not formerly approach a gentleman but with the
greatest humility, challenged his attention .with a broad stare, often
followed by a sardonic grin.
Such was
the state of the county of Carlow in the month of November, 1797, when
some information, sworn privately before a magistrate, gave
unquestionable proofs that a conspiracy was forming; and the following
event removed every doubt on that head. Mr. Bennett, who lived near
Leighlin- bridge, was rash enough to declare his detestation of a United
Irishman, and that he would give five hundred pounds for the head of
one; for which on the same night he was murdered, in the dead hour of
the night and his house was robbed of five hundred pounds in cash. This
money, and their success in gratifying their vengeance against so
respectable an enemy, inspired them so much with the hope of
accomplishing their main design that they began to assemble in great
numbers, and to organize with great celerity.
A
gentleman passing through Leighlin-bridge, said, he made it a rule to
give the people a drink; and having ordered a barrel of ale for them,
the conspirators in great numbers, who seemed prepared for the business,
mounted one of their drummers on the barrel, and proceeded in regular
array, and with some arms, to the house of a man at Moneybeg, (Bagenal's-town),
who had sworn examinations against some of them, and murdered him in his
bed ; they then proceeded to the house of Mr. Bagenal, a gentleman who
had formerly represented the county, but having kept behind a bank of
earth, it protected them from the shot of three of his Protestant
yeomen, who kept up a constant fire upon them, until an accidental shot,
from a blunderbuss of one of their own party, killed one of the
United men, of the inauspicious name of Paine."
“Six of
his popish yeomen were posted outside his house, behind a wall, (for he
kept the Protestants within it), Commanded by his lieutenant, who
afterwards recommended to Mr. Bagenal, not to depend on a papist, though
he, and his two sons, were of that persuasion, as he could not prevail
on the three others to fire on the assailants; and he declared, that he
never would serve with any of them. In their retreat they plundered and
shattered the house of Mr. Mullhallan, and beat and insulted him in the
most cruel and ferocious manner.
“From that
time they never ceased to plunder houses of arms, and other valuable
articles avoiding the patrols of Mr. Robert Rochfort, of Cloghgrenan,
and Mr. Cornwall, of Myshall-lodge who, much to their honour, never
ceased to harass those miscreants by night, at the head of their
respective yeomen corps; while other gentlemen, palsied by fear, sought
for protection by courting the priests. In short, I have been assured
that the county of Carlow would have been as much desolated as the
county of Wexford, but that those gentlemen, by unabated exertions and
the most undaunted courage, struck terror into them, by surprising and
arresting numbers of them, in their most secret haunts and recesses. "In
all their depredations, they never offered any injury to the property,
or insult to the person of a papist, except that income cases they took
arms from such persons of that persuasion, as were not likely to use
them, or were not engaged in the confederacy."
On
requiring arms of a widow of the popish religion, neat Leighlin, they
informed her that they were for her benefit, and that of the catholic
cause. A man of the name of Hughes, appeared before Mr. Cornwall, of
Myshall-lodge, a magistrate, on the 2 1st of July, and confessed that he
had been a lieutenant, under a captain James Nowlan; and he stated the
whole progress of the rebellion from its commencement. He stated that
the night previous to the attack on Borris, Leighlin-bridge, and
Bagenal's-town, he received orders from Nowlan, how he was to attack the
enemy; and on asking him whom he was to consider as such, the captain
replied, the king's troops and the Protestants in general. The popish
rabble, and numbers of Roman Catholics in comfortable, nay in opulent
situations, took oaths of allegiance before magistrates, who gave them
certificates of their having done so ; and an abundance of such
certificates were found in their pockets when they were made prisoners
at the battle of Kilcomney, and elsewhere. "
Many
Protestants were murdered, many of their houses were, burnt, and much of
their property was destroyed, in that part of the county of Carlow
bordering upon the county of Wicklow and Wexford. Most of the popish
yeomen in the County of Carlow were disaffected, and would, had an
opportunity offered, have turned their arms against their king and
country. "
In Sir
Richard Butler's corps of cavalry, nine papists of whom his permanent
serjeant was one conspired to murder its Protestant members. The
serjeant was to have posted in the rear the conspirators, who were to
have fired on the Protestants in action. Seven of them were convicted
and hanged, the other two fled, but coming in under the proclamation
obtained their pardon. ; '*
*
Memoirs of the different rebellions In Ireland.— Appen, p. 24. 4ta ad
1801,
Mr.
Burton, member for the county, had a corps of infantry, in which he
discovered twenty popish traitors, whom he expelled, and seventeen of
them were afterwards hanged or transported. The arms of his corps being
deposited in the guard house, and guarded by six popish members, when}
the insurrection was expected, they poured water into the muzzles, and
wet the pans, of their firelocks. "
About
thirty-six popish yeomen were shot in Carlow and its vicinity; but there
was not a single instance of disaffection discovered in a Protestant,
that I could hear of; except Sir Edward Crosbie, who was hanged at
Carlow; and it is well known that he had long piqued himself on being a
deist and a republican."•
ATTACK
ON CARLOW. — On the 25th May, 1798
ATTACK
ON CARLOW. — On the 25th May, 1798, the garrison of Carlow consisted
of a party of the 9th Dragoons, the light company of the north Cork
militia, commanded by Captain Heard, a party of the Louth militia, under
Lieutenant Ogle, Sir Charles Burton's corps of yeomanry cavalry, the
Carlow yeoman infantry, commanded by Captains William Burton and Hardy
Eustace, and forty volunteers; in all about four hundred and fifty.
Colonel Mahon of the 9th Dragoons had the chief command.
The
garrison had intelligence of the intended attack by an intercepted
letter, as well as from the vigilance of Lieutenant Roe, of the north
Cork militia, who had observed the common people assembling near the
town on the evening of the 24th May, Colonel Mahon, accordingly, made
immediate preparations for the defence of the town; which were not
unnecessary, as, about two o'clock on the morning of the 25th, the
rebels in number about 2000, having met at the house of Sir Edward
Crosbie,* marched thence into Carlow, under the command of one
Roche, shouting that the town was their own. But signal was their
disappointment. Their progress was unchecked until they reached the
potato market in Tullow-street, where they were spiritedly attacked by
two sentinels posted at the collector's door and a loyal Protestant who
joined them. And so effectual was the fire of these three persons that
the rebels were compelled to diverge towards the gaol, in which quarter
they met an equally warm reception. In short, such was the destructive
fire to which they were now exposed, that they were compelled to a
speedy retreat, and endeavoured to escape by the road on which they had
entered the town. Several of them took refuge in the cabins of that
outlet, which were fired by the soldiery, and many of the unfortunate
wretches were thus consumed. It is calculated that not less than 600
of the rebels were killed on this occasion; of which number, 417 were
buried in gravel pits at the Queen's county side of Graigue-bridge.
*
Gordon's History if the Rebellion of 1798. p. 77.-Sir Edward Crosbie
lived at Viewmount, near Browne's-hill.
It was
intended, that a junction should have been effected at Carlow between
the rebels of the Queen's and Carlow counties; but the intelligence that
two pieces of cannon were planted at Graigue-bridge, caused the former
body to change their route. They burned the houses of some Protestants
at Ballyckmoiler, and attacked the mansion of the Reverend John Whitty,**
situated near Aries, and about five miles from Carlow. " But," says Sir
Richard Musgrave, " it was bravely defended by himself and eleven
Protestants, who kept up a constant fire, killed twenty-one rebels, and
baffled all their attempts to storm or burn it. The conflict continued
from three to six o'clock in the morning." We have often heard this
defence mentioned in terms of the highest admiration, as one of the most
brilliant actions of the rebellion.
**Now
of Ricketstown, Rector of ther union of Rathvilly.
Executions
by martial law followed the battle of Carlow. Among the number who
suffered, was Sir Edward Crosbie, Bart. It is but justice to add, that
this gentleman's friends assert his complete innocence; and Sir Jonah
Barrington (who enters somewhat fully into this matter in his Personal
Sketches) warmly advocates a similar opinion. The truth seems to be,
that the unfortunate Baronet was somewhat tinged with the "liberal''
principles of the day, though perhaps he did not sanction the full
development of them, as exhibited in open insurrection.
BATTLE OF HACKETSTOWN.—
The first attack on this town occurred on the 25th of May. The rebels
were, however, repulsed by the yeomanry and a party of the Antrim
militia. The second and more serious affair took place on the 25th June.
The small garrison consisted of the yeoman infantry, fifty men,
commanded by Captain Hardy, and forty of the Antrim militia, under
Lieutenant Gardiner. The country people were seen assembling on the
24th, of which intelligence was forwarded to the commanders of the
neighbouring yeomanry corps; but, with the exception of Captain
Chamney's, none of them were enabled to render any assistance. The
rebels were 13,000 strong, commanded by Garret Byrne of Ballymanus, his
brother William, Messrs. Perry, M'Mahon, Michael Reynolds and Edward
Fitzgerald. The garrison issued forth to attack them, which served as a
feint, but on their retreat Captain Hardy and four men were killed. Some
of the infantry, whose entire force was about one hundred and twenty,
took possession of the barrack, while others entrenched themselves
behind a breast-work which had been previously constructed.
The rebels, supposing their victory certain, raised a tremendous yell,
and rushed towards the town, but they were received with a steady,
well-directed fire from the garrison. They then set fire to the houses,
every one of which, except the barrack and two more, were speedily in
flames. The scene at this period must have been horrible; the incessant
fire of the musketry, the cries of the rebels, the smoke, the flames,
the falling houses; but all did not daunt the spirit of the gallant band
who defended the town. The Rev. James M'Ghee had secured himself and
nine men in
one of the houses which remained untouched by the fire, and, together
with those within the barrack, maintained a deadly fire on the rebelsa;
who, finding all their efforts unavailing, retreated, at half-past three
o'clock. In this very severe engagement, which Continued for the greater
part of a summer's day, the loss of the rebels has been calculated at
five hundred killed; more than twenty cars loaded with dead and wounded
were removed by them. The loss of the loyalists was but eleven men
killed and fifteen wounded. The achievement was certainly glorious, when
relative numbers are considered, “we feel no small pride, that such
invaluable men as the Hacketstown YEOMANRY should have been found within
the boundaries of the County of Carlow. Do not such men merit
encouragement and protection?
With reference to the Rev. J. M'Ghee and his men Sir Richard Musgrave
remarks: "That gallant party would have Been unable to defend themselves
for want of ammunition, had not lieutenant Fenton, of the Talbot's-town
cavalry, been providentially prevented from attending his duty by a
contusion, occasioned by a fall from his horse, as he sat behind a pier
between two windows making cartridges; and to
the immortal honour of Mrs. Fentoii, she continued to go about the
house, and to supply the besieged with refreshments during their
laborious and perilous service ; and when their itoek of balls was
exhausted, she broke up her pewter plates, and cast bullets of them with
her own hand, which her husband made up into cartridges." — The garrison
retreated to Tullow in the evening. Subsequently to the battle, the same
body of rebels burned the house of every Protestant for a circuit of six
miles around Hacket'stown, and murdered all the inmates who fell into
their hands.*
BORRIS. — "Mr. Kavanagh, of Borris," says Sir Richard Musgrave, "
having been distinguished for his loyalty, and his activity as a
magistrate, was peculiarly the object of rebel vengeance." — On the
night of the 2-ith May, Borris house was attacked by a body of 5,000
rebels; they were, however, repulsed by Captain Kavanagh's yeomanry
corps, with, the loss of fifty men killed and wounded. On the 12th June,
a second attack was made on the town of Borris, when the rebels burned
the houses of Mr. Kavanagh's yeomanry. At the mansion house, which was
garrisoned by twenty of the Donegal militia and seventeen of the
yeomanry, they met a formidable resistance. They were commanded by
Kearns, a priest, who was afterwards hanged at Edenderry. The rebels had
a howitzer with which they attempted to break down the walls of the
house, but were unsuccessful. They were finally obliged to retreat, with
considerable loss. " One of the rebels," says Sir Richard Musgrave, "
who was wounded and could not retreat, proved to be a tenant of Mr.
Kavanagh, who lived close to his house, and to whom he had been
singularly kind. On being asked why he embarked in this treasonable
enterprise, he confessed, that he was tempted to do so, by a promise of
obtaining a portion of his estate."
At Kilcomney, near Borris, a brief action took place; the king's forces
being commanded by Sir Charles Asgill. A few discharges of artillery
were sufficient to cause the flight of the rebels. They retreated to the
county of Wexford, through Scullogh-gap; pursued by the army with great
slaughter for six miles. The entire of their cannon, baggage, stores,
and provisions fell into the hands of the loyalists.
From a paper of the rebel conspirators read at their national committee,
on the 26th Feb. 1798, we learn that the number of their armed men in
the county of Carlow was 9,4 14; finances there in hand, 49/. 2s. lOd.
The following are two resolutions agreed to on the same occasion: "
Resolved — That each county who have not yet paid up their finances,
shall be requested to pay seventy-pounds, except the county of Carlow,
which shall only pay forty-pounds. Resolved — That the counties of
Carlow, Meath, Wicklow, Derry, Down, and Antrim deserve well of their
country, for their manly offer of emancipating her directly; but that
they be requested to bear the shackles of tyranny a little longer,
until the whole kingdom shall be in such a state of organization as will
by their joint co-operation, effect without loss their desirable point,
which is hourly drawing to a crisis."
We
remarked, that the immediate consequences of the existence of the
volunteer force were not unhappy. The following extract from a paper
circulated by the concocters of the rebellion will show the use to which
the organization and proceedings of that body were shortly afterwards
applied. We print the capitals and italics as in the original : — " And
we do call on and most earnestly exhort our brethren THE VOLUNTEERS
OF IRELAND, who may in fact establish, as they have in theory
restored, the independence of their native land : we call upon all our
countrymen in general to follow our example, and to form similar
societies in every quarter of the kingdom for the promotion of
constitutional knowledge and the dispensation of genuine Whig
principles; the people when thus collected will feel their own weight
and secure that power which theory has already admitted as their
portion, and to which ifl hey be- not aroused by their present
provocations to vindicate it, they deserve to forfeit their pretensions
for EVER. Nothing can more clearly demonstrate, than the preceding
passage, the pernicious, baneful consequences arising from the advocacy
of wild, undefined notions of popular liberty. The mind of the
unthinking multitude thus receives an impetus, which hurries them on to
lengths, from which, perhaps, the beginners or fomenters of the work
would themselves recoil. Let the Whigs behold what were considered their
genuine principles; let them learn, that they have been preached up as
sanctioning revolution, republicanism, and rebellion.
The first
lodge of the Orange Institution was founded in the county of Armagh, on
the 2 1st September, 1795. The name of Orangeman, however, previously
existed. "They were," says Sir Richard Musgrave, " merely a society of
loyal Protestants, associated and bound together, solely for the purpose
of maintaining and defending the constitution in church and state, as
established by the Prince of Orange, at the glorious revolution, which
they regarded as a solemn and sacred duty." This body was and is purely
DEFENSIVE in its principles. Its members are men attached to a limited
monarchical form of government ; they are supporters of genuine civil
and religious liberty ; they are admirers of the British constitution;
they are attached to British connection : they are not wild theorists ;
they are not lovers of revolution: they are not fond of innovation ;
they are not inclined to republican principles. They reckoned all, or
nearly all the Protestant yeomanry of 1798 in their body, and were
mainly the saviours of the country at that important crisis. They are
the men whom a sound and wise British government would cherish and
support. — The county of Carlow is indebted to John Staunton Rochfort,
Esq., of Cloghgrenan, captain of the Cloydagh yeomanry, for the
introduction
• By " An
account of the sums of .money claimed by the suffering loyalists in the
different counties in Ireland, for their losses sustained in the
rebellion of 1798, and laid before the commissioners appointed by act of
parliament for compensating them," we for the sum claimed by the county
of Carlow was 24,8541. 14s. 7d. Parliament met on the 22nd January, 1
799.
|
MEMBERS. |
|
|
County of Catherlogh. |
William Burton, Esq. |
|
|
Sir
Richard Butler, Baronet. |
|
|
|
|
Borough of Catherlogh, |
Henry
Sadlier Prittie, Esq. |
|
|
John
Wolfe, Esq. |
|
|
|
|
Borough of Old Leighlin . |
Edward Cooke, Esq. |
|
|
Sir
Boyle Roche, Baronet. |
1st March,
1799. — Ordered — That leave be given to bring in a bill for the
division of the barony of ldrone,in the county of Carlow; and that Mr.
John Staunton Roohfort, (of Cloghgrenan, member for the borough of Fore,
county Westmeath), colonel Barry, Sir Richard Butler, Bart., Mr. William
Burton and Mr, Cornwall do prepare and bring in the same.
2nd March,
1799. — Mr. John Staunton Rochfort presented to the house, according to
order, A bill for the division of the barony of Idrone in the county of
Carlow; which was received and read a first time, and ordered to be read
a second time on Monday next. [Said bill passed, March 6. Agreed to by
the lords, March 12 Assent, March 25.] Parliament was prorogued on the
1st June, 1799, and again assembled on the 15th January, 1800, when the
members for oar district were as last stated.
14th
February, 1800.— Petition of the freeholders of the county of Carlow
against a legislative union with Great Britain, presented. Ordered —
That the said petition do lie on the table for the perusal of the
members.
4th March,
1800.— Petition of the freeholders of the county of Carlow against a
legislative union with Great Britain, presented.
Ordered —
That the said petition do lie on the table for the perusal of the
members. 7th June, 1600, — The house was moved that the order of the
day, that an engrossed bill for the union of Great Britain and Ireland,
be read the third time, might be wad. And they said order being read
accordingly,
* The
author's father, (a member of the Tullow yeoman cavalry in 1798) joined
the Orange Society. — He was a member of the Tullow lodge.
A motion
was made, and the question being put, that the said bill be read a third
time on Friday the 2nd day of January next, It passed in the negative.
Then the said bill, according to order, was read a third time. A motion
was made, and the question being put, that the said bill-do pass ; and
that the title be, An act for the union of Great Britain and -Ireland.
It was carried in the affirmative. A motion was made and the question
being put, that the Right Hon. lord viscount Catherlogh do carry the
said bill to the lords and desire their concurrence, It was carried in
the affirmative. [Said bill agreed to by the lords, August 16. Received
the royal assent on the 1st August, 1800.]
1st July,
1800. Ninth account of the Barrow navigation company to the 1st
February, 1800, presented. On the 2nd August, parliament was prorogued,
and in consequence of the Act of Union, did not again assemble in
Ireland The borough of Old Leighlin was abolished, and that of Carlow
deprived of one .member. A meeting of the freeholders of the county of
Carlow, was held on the 21st January, 1799.
EDWARD
EUSTACE, Esq., high sheriff, in the chair; when the following
resolutions were agreed to:
Resolved
unanimously — That no advantages this country could derive from a union,
would be a compensation for the loss of its independence.
Resolved
-unanimously — That our representatives have not the power to annihilate
this parliament, and to transfer to that of another kingdom the right of
legislating for this nation.
Resolved
unanimously — That it is highly dangerous and improper to agitate the
question of a union in the present unsettled state of this kingdom.
Resolved
unanimously — That the high sheriff be requested to communicate as
speedily a possible those resolutions to our representatives in
parliament.
Resolved
unanimously— That the conduct of the speaker deserves our warmest
thanks; and from his opposition to the measure, and his knowledge of the
interests of this country, and constant attention to them, we are
strengthened in our present opinion.
EWD.
EUSTACE, Sheriff.
Below a
copy of letter from Sir Richard Butler, Bart., M.P for the county of
Carlow ,to Edward Eustace, Esq., high sheriff of the county of Carlow.
“Dear Sir,
I have had the honour of your letter, enclosing the
resolutions of the freeholders of the county of Carlow. I shall be
always happy to receive and obey the instructions of my constituents. I
lament extremely that I happened to be absent when the question of a
legislative union between this kingdom and Great Britain was brought
forward. Had I supposed that a measure of such importance would have
been discussed in parliament, on the first day of the session, I
certainly would have attended,
notwithstanding the very precarious state of health of
the dearest part of my family. My sentiments on that question perfectly
coincide with those expressed in the resolutions — and if the measure
shall be again brought forward, be assured I will oppose it to the
utmost of my power. I am &c.
“Garryhunden, January 27th, 1799. RICH. BUTLER."*
Such, it
appears, were the sentiments of the freeholders of the county of Carlow
OH the subject of the legislative union with Great Britain. Matters are,
however, so much changed since the occurrence of that event ; the
tremendous evils apprehended from the union not having arisen ; the
Romanists being since admitted into parliament ; the pernicious
revolutionary spirit at present abroad; these circumstances, as well as
others, have placed the question in an aspect so different, that we are
fully convinced, that not one ot the land owners, gentry, or
Protestants, who might formerly Lave opposed the Union, would now desire
to behold its repeal.
Walker's
Hibernian Magazine for 1789.
("Spelling are as seen in the book")
CHAPTER XXXI
- The information contained in these
pages is provided solely for the purpose of sharing with
others researching their ancestors in Ireland.
- © 2001 reland Genealogy Projects,
IGP TM By
Pre-emptive Copyright - All rights reserved
Back to the top