The following article was originally
published in the Carloviana Vol 1 No 3 January 1949 p101-103
St. Mary's church. Carlow
(Paper read by Archdeacon Ridgeway).
Mr. Ryan, the historian of Carlow, in his work
on the history and antiquities of this County, says--“that there are
but very few Vestry Books in the County of an old date. Most of them
commence subsequently to 1798, at which period many of them were
destroyed.” He apparently knew nothing of the Books belonging to this
Church. The Vestry Minute Books commence in 1669 and are complete to
the present day. The Registers of Baptisms, Marriages and Deaths are
complete from 1695.
These Books contain information of very great
interest. For example, there is a list of the householders of the
Parish of Carlow, as returned in the schedule annexed to the
assessment levied October 15th, 1669.
This is divided into four sections: Dublin
Street: Without the Gate: Within the Gate: Tullow Street. This list of
names was published in Society's Journal of 1927.
In 1698 we have the Parish making an
assessment for repairing the Belfry “for the conveniency of a. clock,"
and that Geo. Acton, the Parish Clerk, be allowed 12/- -per annum for
his care and trouble in looking after the clock.
The first entry in 18th century is for 11th day
of November, 1700, and is as follows:
“It was agreed to raise a sum of £15.10.4 for
raising the Church wall from the Frenchman's House to the Church six
foot high. "One wonders, said the Archdeacon, if this man could have
been -the Revd. Benjamin Daillon, who died here in 1709. You will find
his tomb in the extreme south-west corner of the churchyard, lying
north and south instead of east and west as all the other tombs. He
was a. French refugee, a. friend out the Marquis De Ruvigny.
The Church then standing was pulled down in
1726, in a. decayed and ruinous condition, and the present Church
built. The Right Rev. Josia Hort, Lord, Bishop of Ferns and Leighlin,
was present at Vestry on July 18th, 1726, and interested himself
greatly in the work and gave largely to the cost of rebuilding. Mr.
William Browne, of Brownes Hill, was nominated Treasurer of the Fund.
The Vestry met in the “Session House of Carlow" (Catherlough),
probably D.M. Hall.
Upon the completion of the Church, we learn
“that the accounts of William Browne, Esq., for the subscriptions
towards the rebuilding were received upon oath and allowed as fair and
just."The accounts are incorporated in the Vestry Book, inscribed in
beautiful handwriting. Every item of expenditure being set out --even
to the drink supplied to the Mason”—£1,163-18-6.
These walls within which we stand were those
built in 1727. In 1830 a new roof was added and the old’ ~belfry tower
taken down, and the graceful spire completed from designs and under
the superintendence of Thomas Cobden, an eminent architect.
Deaths Registered.
1788, Sept. 9th.
Died the 8th, at one
o'clock in the morning, Jocelyn
Davidson, Esq., aged 78 years, and
was taken at so early an hour as one o'clock (morning) to be interred
in the Burial Field at Old Derrig.
1789, Jany. 6th.
Died
John O’Brien, Esq.,
next brother to the Earl of
Michiquin, and was buried the 8th in
Carlow Churchyard.
The Dublin Chronicle,
10th
Jan., 1788, contains an article on this man which may be of interest:
This gentleman had formerly been a Lieutenant
in the Royal Navy, his Commission bearing date 28th Sept., 1747.
His connection with
Carlow, and his sojourn here at the time of his death was his
relationship to Sir Wm. Vigors
Burdett, Bart., who had married Mr.
O’Brien’s sister, Henrietta.
Here is what the Dublin Chronicle relates of
him.
Few men have been more unfortunate and yet few
so fortunate. His first misfortune was on the coast of India, where his
ship was wrecked and all on board but Mr. O'Brien and four other
persons perished. On his return to Europe, he was cast away near Cape
of Good Hope but providentially got on shore.
The Dutch Governor, finding him of ‘high birth,
supplied him with necessaries for the voyage and a cabin in one of the
Dutch homeward-bound Indiamen. But an Asiatic Governor then on his way
to Europe requested the Governor of the Cape -to leave the ship to
-himself and his staff.
Solicitous to oblige his country-man, he
prevailed on the passengers to accept accommodation in another
Indiaman which sailed at the same time, and in 24 hours after they had
Ieft the Cape, Mr. O'Brien saw the ship he had left founder and every
soul perish.
He was afterwards on board the Dartmouth of 50
guns which, after falling in with the Glorioso, a Spanish man-of-war
of superior force, gallantly engaged her, and whilst Mr. O'Brien was
in his station between decks, the gunner ran to him, and with despair
in his looks exclaimed: “O! Sir, the powder room.” The ship instantly
blew up, but Mr. O'Brien was found floating on the carriage of a gun,
with his clothes burned and torn to tatters, hence it was conjectured
that he had been blown out at a porthole with one of the guns. He was
picked up by the “Duke Privateer" and treated with every possible
attention. On coming to himself, he was introduced to the captain,
whom he thus gravely addressed:
“Sir, you will excuse me for appearing before
you in such a dress. I left my ship with so much precipitation that I
had not time to put on better clothing."
1787, July 81st.
Died
Edwardina Aldborlna Barbarina,
youngest daughter of Edward and
Eleanor A-Ramsfork, aged about 1
year.
1801, Nov. 17th.
Died suddenly at 12
o'clock at night, whilst at cards,
Mrs. Anne Mitchell, wife of Humphrey
Mitchell, aged 70 years.
I shall close with two pathetic entries.
1818, Jan. 1st.
Buried -Sir
Richard Moore, Bart. He died the
29th ult. in Carlow Gaol for debt, aged 80 years.
1807.
There -is recorded the death of a lady aged 37
years. After her name is inserted in brackets: see 8th Feb., 1787, and
the statement is added that she died of a broken heart.
When we turn to the entry of 1787, we discover
that it is her marriage. This seems to ‘cell a tale of domestic
unhappiness.
I may add that with the exception of a grant
from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners just before 1870, to put in the
present window mullions of granite, no other portion of the structure
is due to any other source than the voluntary contributions of the
people of Carlow.
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