Cemetery: Armagh Cathedral - Sir Thomas Molyneux

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Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives
Armagh Index
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Contributed by C.Hunt

CEMETERY: ARMAGH CATHEDRAL - SIR THOMAS MOLYNEUX
  [From Thos. U. Sadleir.]

'White marble monument to Sir Thomas Molyneux, who is
represented reading. Beneath the statue, which is by
Roubilliac, is a carved panel representing the interior of a
sick room':-

     In memory of Sir Thomas Molyneux, Bart., M.D., F.R.S.,
     Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, and
     Physician
     General of the Forces of Ireland, second son of Samuel
     Molyneux, of Castle Dillon, in County of Armagh,
     Esquire, by Margaret, his wife, daughter of William
     Dowdall, of the County of Meath, Esquire. He was
     lineally descended from Sir Thomas Molyneux, Knight,
     Chancellor of the Irish Exchequer in the reign of
     Queen Elizabeth, and was greatly distinguished in his
     generation for professional skill, varied learning and
     private worth. Born 14 April, 1661. Died in the year
     1733. This monumental statue, executed at the
     expence of his son the Rt. Hon. Sir Capel Molyneux,
     Bart., was placed in the Cathedral by his grandson,
     Lieutenant General Sir Thomas Molyneux, Bart., of
     Castle Dillon. Roubiliac sculpsit. Thomas Molyneux,
     Eq. Aur., M.D., Obiit 13 Oct MDCCXXXIII, aetat 72.
     Filius Capel Molyneux, Eq. Aur. posuit, A.D. MDCCLII.
     L.F. Roubiliac invt. et. sct.

  Note about the carved plaque in front of the pedestal of
  the  statue of Sir Thomas (Dr.) Molyneux, Bart., M.D.,
  F.R.S., &c.,  Armagh Cathedral, by Mr. J. R. Garstin.

  'This carving appears to represent allegorical figures. A
  sick man appears, lying on a long couch. Beside him is a
  female draped figure, probably to represent his wife.
  [The verger thinks this figure represents Death, but what
  he thought ribs of a skeleton are part of dress,
  indistinct.] At the foot of the couch are three  figures.
  One seems to represent a physician, but it is not probabl
  a likeness of Molyneux; and even if it was so, it can no
  longer be so described as the head was renewed, as were
  two other parts of the sculpture. The other figures
  apparently show an apothecary holding  a medicine cup, and
  AEsculapius with the usual staff or rod, round which is
  twined a serpent. On the base of the actual statue is an
  inscription giving the name and date of death, 19th
  October, 1733,  and at the back another stating that the
  statue was carved nineteen years afterwards by Roubilliac.
  Another inscription on the side of the pedestal, undated,
  but much later, records that the statue was placed in the
  Cathedral by Sir Capel Molyneux, of Castle Dillon. It may
  have been brought from Dublin, where it was injured.


SOURCE: Journal of the Association for the Preservation of
the Memorials of the Dead in Ireland (source: vol. 9 - FHL #
1279285)