Historical sketches of Monaghan : from the earliest records to the Fenian movement

Each story keeps the passage it was read from. Open one to read it as the scan has it, and, where the companion has written its own telling, that too. The passages are read off photographs of the page by machine, so a word here and there comes out wrong; they are kept as the reading produced them, so you can check any of them against the scan.

1. New road building from 1806 across Monaghan townlands

   Clones · town · Monaghan · 1806–1834

   Beginning in 1806, by order of the Postmaster-General, new coach roads were constructed across numerous townlands in Monaghan, including routes to Clones, Aughnacloy, Glasslough, Armagh, Castleblayney, and Ballybay. The work proceeded in stages through named townlands over nearly three decades.

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   Thus were the roads when the Irish Parliament in 1777 ordered a survey, and from the completion of that survey up to within a few years of the Union, improvements were being made year by year, which rendered the transit of the mail coach easier. Amongst the principal changes was the widening of the old Armagh road, and its being brought into the town where it now runs ; alterations of the Aughnacloy road, and the road between Castleblayney and Castleshane. For a few years before the Union the great scheme for making new roads was suspended ; but in 1806, by order of the Postmaster-General, the schemes were put to work. The first road started was to Clones, to accommodate the mail coach which ran from Enniskillen to Belfast. Portions were begun through Mullaghadun,Mullacroghery, Knockconean, and Tullygraham. In 1813-14 it was extended to Tullybryan and Brandrum. In 1822 the part from Brandrum to Skeagh was completed, and in 1825 it was brought through Oarrowbarrow, whence the old road had been so much improved some years before as not to require a new one. The next road made was the new road to Aughnacloy in 1806. It was made through Dernagrew, CoolkilJ, Mullabrack, Legacurry, and Drumcam, in 1811 ; through Coolshannagh in towards the town, then through Mullmurphy, Killnadreen, Dernagrew, Coolkill, Tirnaneil, Enagh, and Mullabrack, forty-four feet wide. In 1811 an old road was widened, and new portions of the road made from Scarnageeragh to Aughnacloy, and in 1812 it was brought to Dheariugh's bridge. It 1805 a new road was begun to GJasslough by widening an old lane through Drumrutagh and Tullyhirm. It was continued in 1809 near Scroggy's Bridge. Some time between 181 1 and 1820 the road was joined to the Aughnacloy road where it joins it now. In 1820-21 it was extended to the Silver Stream, through Cavanreagh, Croghey, Corbeg, Cavally, and Tyravera ; but it was not until 1834 that it was fully finished into Glasslough.

   The new road to Armagh and Middletown began in

   Internet Archive historicalsketch00rushrich, Chapter 34

2. Railway and asylum construction sustaining Monaghan's population

   Monaghan · town · Monaghan · 1861–1871

   The population of Monaghan town temporarily increased in 1861 due to railway construction workers and was maintained in 1871 by the building of the lunatic asylum. Both infrastructure projects briefly offset the town's overall decline.

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   The increase in the population of the town in 1861 was due to the number of workmen employed in con-

   114 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF MONAGHAN.

   Internet Archive historicalsketch00rushrich, Chapter 61

3. Monaghan birth registrations and surname frequencies in 1890

   Monaghan · town · Monaghan · 1890

   A government return of births registered in County Monaghan in 1890 reveals the most common surnames, led by Duffy with 38 births, followed by Connolly, M'Mahon, and M'Kenna. This provides a demographic snapshot of the county's naming patterns.

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   According to a recent Government return, it appears that of the births registered in the Co. Monaghan in 1890, represent the following names and numbers: Duffy, 38; Connolly, 36 ; M'Mahon, 33; M'Kenna, 32 ; Hughes, 25 ; Murphy, 24 ; M'Cabe, 22 ; Martin, 19 ; Smith, 19 ; Kelly, 18 ; Quinu, 18 ; Maguire, 17 ; Murray, 17 ; Woods, 14.

   Next to the patronymic we find used a matronymic, by which the mother's maiden name was used, e.g. — M'Bride, O'Dhowna. Again we find some distinction from the appearance, such as Roe or M'Enroe (Ruadh — red), M'Colreavey (Colreavey — gray), etc. ; and some from the occupation Smythe (from Gowan, a smith), and Ward (from M'Bard, or M'Ward, the Bard), etc.

   Internet Archive historicalsketch00rushrich, Chapter 26

4. Old distillery behind Monaghan market-house

   Monaghan · town · Monaghan

   An old distillery stood in Monaghan town on the site later occupied by the houses of James Murphy and Patrick Kelly, behind the market-house. It had been idle for some years prior to the opening of the brewery around 1808.

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   From 1808 up to the end of the fifties the brewery flourished where the Convent now stands, and while it was working conduced considerably to the prosperity of the town. There had been an old distillery where the houses of James Murphy and Patrick Kelly are now situated behind the market-house, but that had been idle for some years prior to the opening of the brewery.

   The last Provost of Monaghan was Arthur Gamble Lewis. He was agent for the Rossmore estate, and married the widow of the Hon. Richard Westenra of Ballyleck, daughter of the last Scott of Scotstown, and grand-daughter of the last Owen of Monaghan. This marriage so annoyed the Rossmore family, who expected to get the Scotstown estate on the death of the present Miss Westenra, that he was dismissed from the agency of the Rossmore estate. He tried to assume the same power as Dacre Hamilton had held in Monaghan, and

   Internet Archive historicalsketch00rushrich, Chapter 42

5. Seven town pumps of Monaghan maintained by caretaker

   Monaghan · town · Monaghan · 1839

   In 1839, Monaghan town employed Peter M' Coy as caretaker and guardian of its seven public town pumps at a yearly salary of £30. The town also appointed a clock-keeper, town sergeants, and a bellman, reflecting the civic infrastructure of the period.

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   Caretaker and guardian of the seven Town pumps — Peter M'Coy, at the yearly salary of £30.

   Clock-keeper of the Town — John Baxter, at £4, 10s.

   Internet Archive historicalsketch00rushrich, Chapter 41

6. Bishop Edward Keirnan buried in Magheross

   Magheross · townland · Monaghan · 1844

   Edward Keirnan, Bishop of Clogher, was buried in Magheross upon his death in 1844. His burial there is a notable people-place association with the parish.

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   87. Edward Keirnan, buried in Magheross. 1844

   88. CharlesM'Nally, buried in St. M'Cartan's Cathedral. 1864

   Internet Archive historicalsketch00rushrich, Chapter 64

7. Bishop James Murphy buried in Tydavnet

   near Tedavnet · population centre · Monaghan · 1824

   James Murphy, Bishop of Clogher, was buried in Tydavnet upon his death in 1824. His burial there represents a notable people-place association with the parish.

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   86. James Murphy, buried in Tydavnet. 1824

   87. Edward Keirnan, buried in Magheross. 1844

   Internet Archive historicalsketch00rushrich, Chapter 64

8. Ballybay Orangemen under Sam Gray defy procession law

   Ballybay · town · Monaghan · 1835

   The Ballybay Orangemen, led by Sam Gray, openly defied the Party Processions Act and marched despite the law. They were tried at the Monaghan Lent Assizes of 1835 and acquitted, illustrating the partiality of local juries toward Orange defendants.

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   Towards the end of the Tithe war, the Government began to enforce the Party Processions Act in the county; and at the Monaghan Summer Assizes of 1833, four batches of Orangemen were put on their trial for violation of the Act at Monaghan, Glasslough, Emyvale, and Clones. The first batch tried were Ralph Campbell, James Gillanders, John Gillanders, Thomas Ryan, James Halliday, James Moore, Richard Turtle, Robert Thompson, Edward Graham, and J. Joseph Moore, for forming part of a party procession at Monaghan. The case was clearly proved, and though there was practically no defence except a political speech from their couDsel, they were acquitted. The Crown lawyers, seeing the hopelessness of proceeding with the case, got adjournments of all the others. Several similar incidents occurred at most of the Ulster Assizes, and threats were said to have been held out by the Crown of some strong measure of legislation which would empower the Crown to change the venue in all these party cases. The result was, that the following Assizes (Lent 1834), all these Orangemen pleaded guilty, and were let off with a fine of sixpence, on condition that they would not again violate the Act. The Ballybay Orangemen, led by Sam Gray, defied the law and marched in spite of the Act. They were tried at Monaghan, Lent Assizes 1835, and acquitted.

   Sam Gray was for many years a remarkable figure in this county. He rose to notoriety by being a very hot Orangeman ; and, having committed several crimes against Catholics, he had no difficulty in escaping with impunity, through the partiality of the magistrates and jurors. He kept a corner public-house in Ballybay, from which he hung as a sign a picture of King William crossing the Boyne painted on both sides of it, from which arose the expressive simile used by country

   Internet Archive historicalsketch00rushrich, Chapter 48

9. Francis M'Adam of Tirmacmoe, Rice's Ribbon rival

   Tirmacmoe · townland · Monaghan

   Francis M'Adam of Tirmacmoe emerged as a rival to John Rice within the Ribbon Society. Though less clever than Rice, he was regarded as more just and honest. Landlords and government spies exploited the rivalry to widen the split in the Ribbon movement across the county.

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   "the Captain," and though much looked up to by his ignorant followers, was laughed at by the landlords and Orange party; still the number of members of the confederation was increasing and internal quarrelling was decreasing. By degrees the landlords began to get afraid, lest when Rice had the lodges cemented together, they might suffer from the unity, and the terrible deeds perpetrated in other parts of Ireland be brought to their own doors. However, they found Rice had a rival named Francis M'Adam of Tirmacmoe, and were not slow to see that great advantage might accrue to themselves from this if properly handled; so the landlord and Government spies and their friends joined the party which united with M'Adam' s admirers and Rice's enemies, and thus widened the split in the Ribbon society in that part of the county. Rice made many enemies by unjust decisions, and though M'Adam was not so clever, still he was just, and many thought more honest. The effects of this split were soon felt by increased rioting in Monaghan, Ballybay, and Castleblayney fairs. The Orange and landlord parties enjoyed these fights, and the police seldom interfered until all was over, and then arrested some of the victors of the rows.

   At this time, 1840, a man in Buncrana turned informer. He was high up in the conspiracy, and all the leading men in Ribbon Ulster were known to him. Of course he knew John Rice, but did not know more of him than that he lived near Monaghan. Many of the leaders over the province were arrested and brought to Cavan to be identified, and the Government in Dublin could only think of the Rices of Leitrim being most opposed to British rule in the County Monaghan, and John Blayney Rice of Leitrim was arrested and brought by a strong force of police to Cavan, but when confronted with the informer, was found to be the wrong man, and was sent home again.

   Internet Archive historicalsketch00rushrich, Chapter 51

10. John Blayney Rice of Leitrim wrongfully arrested

    Leitrim · townland · Monaghan · 1840

    When Ribbon leaders were arrested and brought to Cavan for identification by the Buncrana informer, the Government mistakenly arrested John Blayney Rice of Leitrim, County Monaghan, believing him to be the Ribbon leader John Rice. Confronted with the informer, he was found to be the wrong man and released.

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    At this time, 1840, a man in Buncrana turned informer. He was high up in the conspiracy, and all the leading men in Ribbon Ulster were known to him. Of course he knew John Rice, but did not know more of him than that he lived near Monaghan. Many of the leaders over the province were arrested and brought to Cavan to be identified, and the Government in Dublin could only think of the Rices of Leitrim being most opposed to British rule in the County Monaghan, and John Blayney Rice of Leitrim was arrested and brought by a strong force of police to Cavan, but when confronted with the informer, was found to be the wrong man, and was sent home again.

    The principal Ribbonman in Monaghan was John O'Hanlon, son of a blue-dyer, named James O'Hanlon, who resided in Back Street, where Mr. Patrick M'Kenna

    Internet Archive historicalsketch00rushrich, Chapter 51

11. John O'Hanlon, principal Ribbonman of Monaghan

    Monaghan · town · Monaghan

    John O'Hanlon, identified as the principal Ribbonman in Monaghan, was the son of a blue-dyer named James O'Hanlon who resided in Back Street, Monaghan. He succeeded Rice and M'Adam as the leading figure in the local Ribbon confederacy.

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    The principal Ribbonman in Monaghan was John O'Hanlon, son of a blue-dyer, named James O'Hanlon, who resided in Back Street, where Mr. Patrick M'Kenna

    Internet Archive historicalsketch00rushrich, Chapter 51

12. John Rice 'the Captain' of Ennis, Clontubret

    Ennis · townland · Monaghan

    John Rice of Ennis in Clontubret emerged as a leading Ribbonman who settled internal disputes among lodges, initially on principle but later for a fee of one pound. Known as 'the Captain,' he rode a good horse and wore distinctive top-boots and spurs, commanding respect from followers while being mocked by landlords.

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    plan which worked well for a time. The Government had always spies and informers in the Ribbon body, and the landlords outrivalled the Government by getting persons in their pay to join the Ribbon lodges on their estates. These secret agents of the landlords were generally relatives of the bailiffs who could be relied upon to carry out the designs of their vile and tyrannical instructors, and in addition to giving information to the landlords of the intended doings of the Ribbonmen, managed to gather a strong party in each lodge who could turn away any danger that threatened their employers or any of the estate officials. Some of the larger landlords could boast that they swayed the whole Ribbon lodges of the barony in which their estates were situate. Though the landlords kept the Government officials informed of all the secrets of the Ribbonmen, the authorities seldom gave the landlords any idea of what they knew ; and the officials were often amused when complaints were made against their own informers by the landlords for the active part these prominent Ribbonmen were taking in propagating the society. When two neighbouring landlords or agents were on bad terms, their partisans in the Ribbon lodges generally fought, and by means of these secret agents endless quarrels and fights took place. There was seldom a market, and never a fair in Monaghan that riots did not occur and blood was not spilled in the streets — so that the Ribbon confederacy in Monaghan was dangerous to no one but its members, and would have continued so, had not one of the Ribbon leaders named John Rice of Ennis, in Clontubret,who was bettereducated,and had considerably more tact and ability than any of his brotherhood, taken upon himself to settle these quarrels. He succeeded well, in almost every case ; at first he performed these offices on principle, but ultimately he would not undertake such a task without receiving a fee of one pound from the lodge whose differences he was invited to settle. On all his journeys he rode a good horse, and wore a remarkable pair of top-boots and spurs. He went by the name of

    Internet Archive historicalsketch00rushrich, Chapter 51

13. Orangemen tried for party processions at Monaghan Assizes 1833

    Monaghan · town · Monaghan · 1833

    At the Monaghan Summer Assizes of 1833, four batches of Orangemen were tried for violating the Party Processions Act at Monaghan, Glasslough, Emyvale, and Clones. The first batch, tried for a procession at Monaghan, was acquitted despite clear proof, and the Crown lawyers adjourned all other cases.

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    Towards the end of the Tithe war, the Government began to enforce the Party Processions Act in the county; and at the Monaghan Summer Assizes of 1833, four batches of Orangemen were put on their trial for violation of the Act at Monaghan, Glasslough, Emyvale, and Clones. The first batch tried were Ralph Campbell, James Gillanders, John Gillanders, Thomas Ryan, James Halliday, James Moore, Richard Turtle, Robert Thompson, Edward Graham, and J. Joseph Moore, for forming part of a party procession at Monaghan. The case was clearly proved, and though there was practically no defence except a political speech from their couDsel, they were acquitted. The Crown lawyers, seeing the hopelessness of proceeding with the case, got adjournments of all the others. Several similar incidents occurred at most of the Ulster Assizes, and threats were said to have been held out by the Crown of some strong measure of legislation which would empower the Crown to change the venue in all these party cases. The result was, that the following Assizes (Lent 1834), all these Orangemen pleaded guilty, and were let off with a fine of sixpence, on condition that they would not again violate the Act. The Ballybay Orangemen, led by Sam Gray, defied the law and marched in spite of the Act. They were tried at Monaghan, Lent Assizes 1835, and acquitted.

    Sam Gray was for many years a remarkable figure in this county. He rose to notoriety by being a very hot Orangeman ; and, having committed several crimes against Catholics, he had no difficulty in escaping with impunity, through the partiality of the magistrates and jurors. He kept a corner public-house in Ballybay, from which he hung as a sign a picture of King William crossing the Boyne painted on both sides of it, from which arose the expressive simile used by country

    Internet Archive historicalsketch00rushrich, Chapter 48

14. Rev. Thomas Tierney, parish priest of Clontubret

    Clontibret · townland · Monaghan · 1841

    Around 1841, the famous Rev. Thomas Tierney served as parish priest of Clontubret. He was well known in circles of Irish society where priests seldom appeared, and at a Dublin party he astonished guests by revealing that a passport system still existed in part of Ireland, referencing Gray's control of Ballybay.

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    The famous Rev. Thomas Tierney was at that time parish priest of Clontubret. He was well known in many circles of Irish society, in which priests seldom appear, and at a select party in Dublin, where some high officials were guests along with Father Tierney, a discussion arose about the system of " Passports," which then still existed in some foreign countries. One gentleman began to hold forth on the length of time which English liberty had flourished since their abolition in these countries : whereupon Father Tierney astonished all present, by stating that there was still a part of his Majesty's domi-

    Internet Archive historicalsketch00rushrich, Chapter 49

15. Ribbonmen triumphal procession stopped near Ballybay

    Ballybay · town · Monaghan

    A triumphal procession of Ribbonmen and peasantry, estimated by General Thornton at 100,000, marched through south Monaghan and reached close to Ballintra, south of Ballybay. Armed Orangemen assembled in Ballybay to stop it, but troops under Thornton intercepted the marchers and, with local priests, persuaded them to disperse.

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    John Lawless, and on his return he formed a triumphal procession of the peasantry through the County Meath, and the southern part of Monaghan. What the exact object of this procession was is not clearly known, but it is a fact that most of the Ribbonmen in Meath, Monaghan, and the adjoining counties joined the procession, believing it was the beginning of a great national rising, though they were armed with nought but sticks. The triumphal march had reached close to Ballintra, south of Ballybay, and the Orangemen assembled, armed in Ballybay, for the purpose of stopping the procession. A large body of troops under the command of General Thornton intercepted the processionists, and, with the persuasion of General Thornton and the local priests, the people were induced to return home. General Thornton estimated this gigantic procession to have numbered 100,000, and he expressed great admiration of the physique of the men, stating at the same time, that if Wellington had had those men organized into an army, he could have swept Europe.

    In 1829 Catholic Emancipation was passed ; and, though it is now over half a century since it was placed on the Statute book, still it is almost a nullity in the county of Monaghan, where Catholics are excluded from almost all the Government and all the county offices, principally through the influence of persons who are always proclaiming their toleration, yet who reap the revenues and emoluments of these positions themselves.

    Internet Archive historicalsketch00rushrich, Chapter 48

16. Ribbon riots and bloodshed at Monaghan fairs

    Monaghan · town · Monaghan

    Rioting and bloodshed were endemic at markets and fairs in Monaghan, with fights also reported at Ballybay and Castleblayney fairs. The Orange and landlord parties reportedly enjoyed these conflicts, and police seldom intervened until the violence was over.

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    plan which worked well for a time. The Government had always spies and informers in the Ribbon body, and the landlords outrivalled the Government by getting persons in their pay to join the Ribbon lodges on their estates. These secret agents of the landlords were generally relatives of the bailiffs who could be relied upon to carry out the designs of their vile and tyrannical instructors, and in addition to giving information to the landlords of the intended doings of the Ribbonmen, managed to gather a strong party in each lodge who could turn away any danger that threatened their employers or any of the estate officials. Some of the larger landlords could boast that they swayed the whole Ribbon lodges of the barony in which their estates were situate. Though the landlords kept the Government officials informed of all the secrets of the Ribbonmen, the authorities seldom gave the landlords any idea of what they knew ; and the officials were often amused when complaints were made against their own informers by the landlords for the active part these prominent Ribbonmen were taking in propagating the society. When two neighbouring landlords or agents were on bad terms, their partisans in the Ribbon lodges generally fought, and by means of these secret agents endless quarrels and fights took place. There was seldom a market, and never a fair in Monaghan that riots did not occur and blood was not spilled in the streets — so that the Ribbon confederacy in Monaghan was dangerous to no one but its members, and would have continued so, had not one of the Ribbon leaders named John Rice of Ennis, in Clontubret,who was bettereducated,and had considerably more tact and ability than any of his brotherhood, taken upon himself to settle these quarrels. He succeeded well, in almost every case ; at first he performed these offices on principle, but ultimately he would not undertake such a task without receiving a fee of one pound from the lodge whose differences he was invited to settle. On all his journeys he rode a good horse, and wore a remarkable pair of top-boots and spurs. He went by the name of

    Internet Archive historicalsketch00rushrich, Chapter 51

17. Ribbon Society conference unifies secret societies, c.1820

    Monaghan · town · Monaghan · 1820

    Around 1820, leaders of all the rival secret societies held a conference in Monaghan and merged their organisations into the Ribbon Society. Crowds of young men joined, some to fight Orangemen and others hoping to free Ireland.

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    were wounded. The murderers were tried and acquitted at Monaghan Lent Assizes, 1819. Shortly after this, Errigle Trough was overrun with secret societies, and as was usual the rival societies began to fight each other. Riots took place between these rival factions at the fairs of Monaghan, Castleshane, Tydavnet, Knockbwee, and Scarnageeragh : so the leaders of all societies held a conference in Monaghan about 1820, and all the other societies were merged in the Ribbon Society. Crowds of young men joined it in the belief that in some indefinable way they could free their country — for traces and memories of the United Irish Society still remained amongst the people. Thus the membership of the Ribbon confederacy in Monaghan was composed principally of two classes, (1) those who were merely party men, and who wished to be united to fight the Orangemen ; and (2) those who were united to free their country.

    In the meantime the Government passed Coercion Acts, and several batches of young men were tried at different assizes at Monaghan, for association in these societies. On the other hand, the Government began gradually to withdraw the arms from the Yeomen and replace them with constabulary.

    Internet Archive historicalsketch00rushrich, Chapter 47

18. Rice and M'Adam Ribbon conspiracy trials in Monaghan

    Monaghan · town · Monaghan · 1840–1841

    Francis M'Adam and Rice, leaders of the Ribbonmen in County Monaghan, were arrested and tried for conspiracy in 1840. Political influence from the Westenra and Lucas families affected jury outcomes. Rice was convicted at Armagh Assizes and transported for seven years, while M'Adam pleaded guilty and received three months plus security for good behaviour.

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    now lives. He interfered between Rice and M'Adarn and made a sort of temporary compromise. The landlords loudly called on the Government to interfere, and both M'Adam and Rice were arrested. Both men carefully avoided bringing any incriminatory documents about their houses, but, strange to say, such documents were found in both houses. In Rice's house the find was most remarkable. Over the fire hung the famous top-boots, and the police-sergeant searched them as well as everything else in the house. A police-inspector entered the kitchen, and was told by the men that no documents had been found. The inspector thinking that the boots had not been searched, put his hand into them, and produced a bundle of documents, which of course he afterwards swore he found in one of them. At the Lent Assizes of 1840, both were put on their trials for conspiracy, and the Crown finding out beforehand that the trials were likely to be abortive, got adjournments for the following reason. During the Election of 1826, Rice so manoeuvred the Ribbonmen as to always have a powerful mob in the town, who continuously held the streets against the largest body of Orangemen that could be brought in. Mr. Westenra, the successful candidate,, was so pleased with Rice for his exertions on his behalf, that he promised Rice to be his friend, which he was, by using his influence amongst the jurors, so that no matter how the Government packed the jury, still it was certain that some one would get on who was under the influence of the Westenra family. On the other hand, the Right Hon. William Edward Lucas, who was politically and socially opposed to the Westenras, took M'Adam, who had been a tenant of his, under his protection. He had not the same influence with the jurors as Westenra, but had more influence with the Crown officials. So when M'Adam was put on his trial at the Summer Assizes of 1840, he persuaded the Crown officials not to pack the jury. After a long trial in which two police officers who proved the finding of documents, two informers, and two minor

    94 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES OF MONAGHAN.

    Internet Archive historicalsketch00rushrich, Chapter 52

19. Rice manoeuvres Ribbonmen during 1826 Monaghan election

    Monaghan · town · Monaghan · 1826

    During the Election of 1826, Rice organised the Ribbonmen to hold the streets of Monaghan town against Orangemen, supporting Mr. Westenra's successful candidacy. Westenra later repaid Rice by using his influence with jurors to protect him during his conspiracy trial.

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    now lives. He interfered between Rice and M'Adarn and made a sort of temporary compromise. The landlords loudly called on the Government to interfere, and both M'Adam and Rice were arrested. Both men carefully avoided bringing any incriminatory documents about their houses, but, strange to say, such documents were found in both houses. In Rice's house the find was most remarkable. Over the fire hung the famous top-boots, and the police-sergeant searched them as well as everything else in the house. A police-inspector entered the kitchen, and was told by the men that no documents had been found. The inspector thinking that the boots had not been searched, put his hand into them, and produced a bundle of documents, which of course he afterwards swore he found in one of them. At the Lent Assizes of 1840, both were put on their trials for conspiracy, and the Crown finding out beforehand that the trials were likely to be abortive, got adjournments for the following reason. During the Election of 1826, Rice so manoeuvred the Ribbonmen as to always have a powerful mob in the town, who continuously held the streets against the largest body of Orangemen that could be brought in. Mr. Westenra, the successful candidate,, was so pleased with Rice for his exertions on his behalf, that he promised Rice to be his friend, which he was, by using his influence amongst the jurors, so that no matter how the Government packed the jury, still it was certain that some one would get on who was under the influence of the Westenra family. On the other hand, the Right Hon. William Edward Lucas, who was politically and socially opposed to the Westenras, took M'Adam, who had been a tenant of his, under his protection. He had not the same influence with the jurors as Westenra, but had more influence with the Crown officials. So when M'Adam was put on his trial at the Summer Assizes of 1840, he persuaded the Crown officials not to pack the jury. After a long trial in which two police officers who proved the finding of documents, two informers, and two minor

    94 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES OF MONAGHAN.

    Internet Archive historicalsketch00rushrich, Chapter 52

20. Sam Gray's decline and death in Ballybay

    Ballybay · town · Monaghan · 1842–1848

    Sam Gray, an Orange leader in Ballybay, required passports for Catholics to travel through the area. After his agent William Millar was transported for impersonating a doctor at the 1842 Monaghan Assizes, and his son James was transported to Tasmania, Gray's power waned. He died on 7 September 1848, seldom heard of outside Ballybay in his final years.

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    his reputation received a greater shock. Amongst those who followed Sara Gray blindly, and did his bidding in all things, was Bradford Stewart of Clontubret, nephew of Sam's generous patron, Bradford ; and in the summer of 1841, he was tried for perjury committed to get Sam out of one of his charges. Stewart was considered by all to be the heir of Bradford's wealth ; but after Bradford's death it was found, to the astonishment of everyone who had this impression, that he left a will bequeathing all his property — not to his nephew — but to Sam Gray. Of course the will was disputed, and proved to have been a forgery, executed after the death of the alleged testator. The base ingratitude of Sam Gray disgusted many, but his blundering so far as to admit of detection, turned away from him most of his faithful followers who, up to that, believed firmly that he was above all the powers of law. Sam Gray for four or five years was seldom heard of outside Ballybay ; and the news of his death on 7th September, 1848, brought to memory many daring and desperate deeds of former times. Three of his sons came into notoriety. His son Edward was tried at Monaghan in 1866, for the murder of a Catholic at an election, and was acquitted. His son William contested the County Monaghan as a Liberal at the Parliamentary Election of 1867, and was defeated by the landlords and Orangemen ; and his son James, when released from prison, did not return home, but settled down in Tasmania, where he rose to a good position, and became member of the Tasmanian Parliament, and a democratic leader.

    In the end of the Thirties the tithes were added to the rents of the tenant farmers by the landlords, who, once they tasted the sweets of increasing the rents, and of evicting the tenants, follow it up with real energy. This had the effect of turning the Ribbon Society into an agrarian combination, which terrified the landlords of Monaghan by the terrible example of murders and outrages in several parts of Ireland, and they hit on a

    Internet Archive historicalsketch00rushrich, Chapter 50

21. Sam Gray's King William signboard in Ballybay

    Ballybay · town · Monaghan

    Sam Gray kept a corner public-house in Ballybay with a sign depicting King William crossing the Boyne, painted on both sides. This gave rise to the country people's saying: 'The same on the other side, like Sam Gray's signboard!'

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    Sam Gray was for many years a remarkable figure in this county. He rose to notoriety by being a very hot Orangeman ; and, having committed several crimes against Catholics, he had no difficulty in escaping with impunity, through the partiality of the magistrates and jurors. He kept a corner public-house in Ballybay, from which he hung as a sign a picture of King William crossing the Boyne painted on both sides of it, from which arose the expressive simile used by country

    Internet Archive historicalsketch00rushrich, Chapter 48

22. Sam Gray's passport system controls Ballybay at night

    Ballybay · town · Monaghan

    Sam Gray's gang of followers allowed no Catholic to pass through Ballybay or its neighbourhood after dark without a passport signed by Gray himself. The police were afraid to arrest him; a constable named Leary was tried and acquitted in 1836 for refusing to arrest Gray on a magistrate's warrant.

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    His gang of followers would allow no Catholic to pass through Ballybay or its neighbourhood after night, without producing a passport signed by Sam Gray ! ! The police were afraid to arrest him, and at the summer assizes of 1836, a constable named Leary was tried (and of course acquitted), for refusing to arrest Sam Gray, on a warrant handed to him by a magistrate. In 1840, the Sheriffs bailiffs refused to execute a writ

    * This conviction was afterwards quashed in the Queen's Bench on a question of law.

    Internet Archive historicalsketch00rushrich, Chapter 49

23. Secret societies spread to Errigal Trough parish

    Errigal Trough · parish · Monaghan · 1819

    Errigal Trough was the last parish in County Monaghan to be reached by the secret societies. Shortly after the Aughnacloy acquittals of 1819, the parish was overrun with rival societies that soon began fighting each other.

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    These societies laid strongest hold on the Catholic young men in the barony of Dartrey, where the constant rioting at Clones fair excited the public mind with a strong party spirit, so that the Catholics became an easy prey to the propagators of these societies. The last place in the county into which the secret societies made headway was the parish of Errigle Trough.

    On the 30th October, 1818, a riot took place at Aughnacloy races, between the Orangemen and Catholics. It lasted for some hours, and was renewed in the town of Aughnacloy. Ultimately the Trough people, who were Catholics, were induced to go home, but were followed out to the Blackwater by the Orangemen, and on the bridge the fight was renewed. Several magistrates were present, but none of them seem to have tried to restore peace except a Mr. Roger Ancketill, who got the contending parties separated, and negotiated between them. The Catholics, who were on the Monaghan side of the river, agreed to disperse if the Orangemen returned to Aughnacloy. But while Mr. Ancketill was striving to restore peace, a Mr. Falls from Dungannon succeeded in getting the Aughnacloy Yeomen called out under arms, and when the Orangemen found these allies coming, they renewed the fight, and the Yeomen fired on the Catholics, who scattered and fled. A few Catholics were shot dead, including a woman, and several

    Internet Archive historicalsketch00rushrich, Chapter 47

24. Sub-Sheriff Hugh Swanzy threatened by Sam Gray in Ballybay

    Ballybay · town · Monaghan · 1840

    In 1840, sheriff's bailiffs refused to execute a writ on Sam Gray, and Sub-Sheriff Hugh Swanzy attempted to do so himself. Gray tried to shoot him but the pistol missed fire; Gray then threw Swanzy back and escaped into the house. Police present were afraid to assist.

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    on Gray, and the late Mr. Hugh Swanzy, who was Sub- Sheriff that year, attempted to execute it himself. Gray attempted to shoot him, but the pistol missed fire, and Gray threw Mr. Swanzy back and escaped iuto the house and shut the door, thereby excluding the Sheriff. Some of the police who were present were afraid to take any part, or assist the Sheriff. Gray was indicted at several assizes for this offence, but as there was always some more serious charge against him, it was left in the background until finally it would be allowed to drop.

    About 1841 Sam Gray was at the zenith of his power. The law of the land had no terrors for him. An Orange jury had acquitted him in March 1841, of his last charge of murder, and he seldom now had need to break the law. His gang were ever ready to carry out his wishes. His public-house flourished, and he had a loan bank, out of which he lent the money of a great and wealthy admirer of his, named Bradford, and through this he attained the gratitude of some, and the popularity of all. Prior to this period the principal party cries of the Orangemen were to cheer for King William, and curse Phelemy Roe and the Pope, while on the other hand, the Catholics cheered for Phelemy Roe and cursed King William. From this period on for many years the Orangemen cheered for Sam Gray, and cursed O'Connell and the Pope, while the Catholics adopted the opposite expression. However, Sam Gray's fall was near at hand, and came about in this way.

    Internet Archive historicalsketch00rushrich, Chapter 49

25. Tithes added to rents, evictions intensify in Monaghan

    Monaghan · town · Monaghan · 1837–1839

    In the late 1830s, landlords in Monaghan added tithes to tenant farmers' rents and, having discovered the financial benefits of raising rents and evicting tenants, pursued both practices vigorously. This drove the Ribbon Society to transform into an agrarian combination that alarmed local landlords.

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    In the end of the Thirties the tithes were added to the rents of the tenant farmers by the landlords, who, once they tasted the sweets of increasing the rents, and of evicting the tenants, follow it up with real energy. This had the effect of turning the Ribbon Society into an agrarian combination, which terrified the landlords of Monaghan by the terrible example of murders and outrages in several parts of Ireland, and they hit on a

    Internet Archive historicalsketch00rushrich, Chapter 50

26. Two Ribbonmen inform on each other at M'Kelvey's door

    Monaghan · town · Monaghan

    Two neighbours who quarrelled in a Ribbon lodge both decided to inform on each other and the whole lodge. They arrived simultaneously at Sub-Inspector M'Kelvey's house in Monaghan, and when the door opened, both fled in opposite directions.

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    was brought, and the other, whose names were never divulged, and without the other informers knowing it, kept a watch on them, and on all the Ribbon leaders. Some of the most active members of the society in the county were found amongst these secret agents. To so great an extent did this custom of betraying their comrades lay hold of the Ribbonmen, that the police refused information from several. A story is told of two neighbours having a quarrel in a lodge, and both made up their minds to inform, and both came to Monaghan with the intention not only of betraying each other, but of betraying the whole lodge. Both men met at the door of Sub-Inspector M'Kelvey's house, just as the door was opened by M'Kelvey, and the worthy trio stood spellbound. M'Kelvey was first to speak, and asked what they wanted, whereupon both the Ribbonmen took to their heels in opposite directions !

    There was no great national object in the Society. Some wished it to be run on national and anti-English grounds — these were the majority of the rank and file — while some wished it only for protection against the landlords. This class included a large proportion of the leaders. Others wished it as a counter society against the Orangemen, and others again wished it only as a society for fighting amongst themselves, and encouraging factions. Most of the informers belonged to this latter class. O'Connell's speeches were being then extensively read throughout the country, and they inculcated a strong national feeling, and roused the dormant patriotic sentiments in the breasts of many Ribbonmen. Nine out of every ten who read or heard read the speeches, took all O'Connell's declarations about peaceful methods of regaining their independence, to mean the very opposite of what he said. So some of the Ribbonmen pressed to have the society turned into a regular revolutionary body ; the unprincipled men who headed the different lodges in this county resisted the change, and numbers of young men left the society, and joined themselves to the remnants

    Internet Archive historicalsketch00rushrich, Chapter 53

27. Week-long election rioting in Monaghan town, 1826

    Monaghan · town · Monaghan · 1826

    During the General Election of 1826, continuous rioting was kept up for a week in the town of Monaghan as rival candidates negotiated with Ribbon leaders. The violence was so severe that the Government issued a commission of inquiry, though it came to nothing.

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    The General Election of 1826 had the first corrupting influence on the Ribbonmen, but at the same time it united them in the County Monaghan. The rival candidates began to negotiate with the Ribbon leaders, and Mr. Westenra's politics being the most agreeable, and nearest to the wishes of the Catholics and Nationalists of County Monaghan, they sided with him. Continuous rioting was kept up for a week in the town of Monaghan ; so great was the rioting that the Government issued a commission to inquire into the cause of it, which, however, came to naught.

    The return of O'Connell at the famous Clare election of 1828 caused great excitement all over Ireland, and helped to infuriate the Orange party throughout the country. Among O'ConnelPs supporters at that election was a newspaper proprietor from Belfast, named

    Internet Archive historicalsketch00rushrich, Chapter 47