The life of Thomas Reynolds, Esq. : formerly of Kilkea Castle, in the county of Kildare (vol. 1)

Each story keeps the passage it was read from. Open one to read the passage as the book has it, and, where the companion has written its own telling, that too.

1. Reynolds Rides from Athy to Dublin to Settle Cope Dispute

   Athy · town · Kildare · 1798

   While at Athy, Reynolds received a letter from Valentine O'Connor warning him that a financial transaction with Mr. Cope was improper. He immediately rode from his uncle's house at Geraldine to Dublin without returning first, resolving the matter with Cope the same evening.

   Read the passage

   show my friends, which he gave me. He demanded payment of 1000/., a balance then due. I told him he had the benefit of all my father’s dealing and my mo¬ ther’s, and that he ought to place the 1000/. I gave him to the balance he claimed. We had much conversation about it. He said he would take a week to consider. I went to the country ; received a letter in Athy from Mr. Valentine O’Connor *, telling me the transaction was not right, and chiding me upon it. I instantly* without returning to my uncle’s j', from where I had set out, rode off to Dublin, went to Mr. Cope’s in Merionsquare, found him at dinner, and made him easy upon the subject before I left him. He knows best the nature of my conduct in this business.

   Did you ever deny to any person that the bond you got from Mrs. Cahill was not given back J to her ? — Not to my knowledge.

   Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 367

   As the companion tells it

   Coming up on Athy now, a town in Kildare. Back in 1798, Thomas Reynolds stopped here and received a letter from Valentine O'Connor that troubled him. O'Connor warned him that a financial transaction with Mr. Cope was not right, and chided him for it. Reynolds had been dealing with Cope over a balance of £1000 that Cope claimed was due. Reynolds believed Cope had already benefited from all of his father's and mother's dealings, and felt the £1000 he had already given should be set against the balance Cope claimed. Without even going back to his uncle's house at Geraldine, where he had set out from, Reynolds rode straight to Dublin that very moment. He went to Cope's home in Merrion Square, found him at dinner, and made him easy upon the subject before he left. Cope had said he would take a week to consider the matter. One thin record supports the place.

2. Rose Reynolds dies at Leixlip after long illness

   Leixlip · town · Kildare · 1791–1792

   A comfortable house was prepared at Leixlip for the family's return from abroad, where Rose, gravely ill, languished for a month before dying peacefully in January 1792. The house was chosen for its warm, pleasant situation near Dublin.

   Read the passage

   About a month after my father’s departure. Rose began to get visibly worse, and my grandmother, having no confidence in the physicians of that country, re¬ turned to London, where she remained about six weeks. Hope was now nearly gone ; still some idea remained that her native air might be of use : my grandmother and her charge made an effort to reach Dublin, which they accomplished in the month of De¬ cember. My father had a comfortable house pre¬ pared for their reception at Leixlip, a pleasant warm situation, about three miles from Dublin, and poor Rose languished about another month, and in January, 1792, she sunk Avithout pain, and almost without perceiving it, into the grave, totally exhausted and Avorn out. She seemed to die like an expiring flame ; placid, good-humoured, and almost cheerful to the last.

   My aunt Julia desired to take the veil, at the same time as Miss Clifford : and to this my grandmother con¬ sented. Soon after she had taken the veil, the convent Avas seized by the French, and the nuns fled to Eng¬ land. They purchased the house and demesne of

   Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 79

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Leixlip, this is where a comfortable house was prepared for Rose Reynolds and her grandmother when they reached Dublin in December, hoping her native air might help. The family had lost confidence in the physicians of the country they were in, and hope was nearly gone. They chose Leixlip for its pleasant, warm situation near Dublin. Rose languished here about a month, and in January 1792 she sank "without pain, and almost without perceiving it" into the grave, totally exhausted and worn out. She seemed to die like an expiring flame, "placid, good-humoured, and almost cheerful to the last."

3. Skirmish near Ballinascarthy between Clonakilty and Bandon

   near Ballinascarty · population centre · Cork · 1798

   On 19 June a few hundred insurgents attacked a detachment of the Westmeath militia between Clonakilty and Bandon near the village of Ballinascarthy but were quickly repulsed, with artillery fire dispersing a second rebel group on nearby heights.

   Read the passage

   Another very slight insurrection took place in the county of Cork, where, on the 19th of June, an attack was made on a detachment of the Westmeath regiment

   1798.

   Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0

4. United Irish alarm reaches Booterstown

   Booterstown · townland · Dublin · 1798

   A son of Sir Samuel Broadstreet reported that a United Irish man living near his mother at Booterstown had spread alarming reports of Reynolds's arrest.

   Read the passage

   him the letter. “ I rejoice to see it,” said he, “ for a United Irish fellow who lives near my mother at Booterstown,” (which place is three miles beyond Dublin,) “ had greatly alarmed us all with the report of your husband’s arrest, and, in fact, I came here pur¬ posely to inquire about him.”

   My mother lodged within a few doors of her sister, Mrs. Heavyside, and on the evening of the same day she went to take tea with her, when Edward Witherington unexpectedly arrived ; and, as he had come direct from Athy, my mother naturally asked him if he had any news, or if he had seen my father in the country. “ Oh, yes,” said he ; “ and you will know it to-morrow.” “ What is it? for God’s sake tell me !” said my mother. “No, no,” replied he, “you’ll hear enough to-morrow and nothing could induce him to give any explanation other than to say that it was bad enough, and she would know it all on the morrow.

   Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 231

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere around here, in 1798, a United Irish man living near Sir Samuel Broadstreet's mother at Booterstown had been spreading alarming reports of Thomas Reynolds's arrest. A son of Sir Samuel's said he had come expressly to inquire about Reynolds, having been told that Reynolds had been taken into custody. The reports had greatly alarmed the family. That same evening Reynolds's mother went to take tea with her sister, Mrs. Heavyside, who lodged just a few doors away. Edward Witherington arrived unexpectedly, having come direct from Athy. When asked if he had any news or had seen Reynolds in the country, he said, "Oh, yes, and you will know it to-morrow." He refused to give any explanation beyond saying it was "bad enough," and that she would know it all the next day.

5. Sale advertisement describes the Manor of Moone estate

   Moone · townland · Kildare · 1746–1797

   A newspaper advertisement for the sale of the Manor of Moone, county Kildare, describes it as leasehold for 999 years from 1746, comprising 847 acres including a demesne and deer-park of about 140 acres, let to respectable tenants at rents totalling £1098 1s. per annum.

   Read the passage

   * Capital freehold and leasehold estates, in the county of Kildare and city of Dublin, late the property of Benedict A. Yates, Esq., deceased. — For sale by auction, in the month of June next, in lots, in the city of Dublin. The capital estate, town, and lands of Moone, commonly called the Manor of Moone, in the barony of Moone and Kilkea, con¬ taining 847 acres, or thereabouts, comprising a large extent of well-cul¬ tivated land, and an excellent demesne and deer-park of about 140 acres. This estate is leasehold for the term of 999 years from May, 1746, and is subject to an annual head-rent of 303/. 10s. The whole of the estate is let to most respectable tenants, at moderate rents, amounting to 1098/. Is. per annum, and several of the leases will expire in a few years.

   H 2

   Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 100

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere around here was the Manor of Moone, an estate of 847 acres that went up for sale by auction in Dublin. An advertisement described it as the late property of Benedict Yates, deceased, with well-cultivated land and a deer-park of about 140 acres. The leasehold ran for 999 years from May 1746, subject to a head-rent of £303 10s a year. The whole estate was let to respectable tenants at rents totalling £1098 1s. per annum, and several of those leases were due to expire in a few years.

6. Cornwallis marches through Kilbeggan

   Kilbeggan · town · Westmeath · 1798

   The Marquis of Cornwallis, marching against the French, reached Kilbeggan on the evening of 27 August 1798, where he received news of the royal defeat at Castlebar.

   Read the passage

   Meantime, the Marquis of Cornwallis, who, as soon as he received intelligence of the landing of the French, had determined on marching against them in person, quitted Dublin on the 26th of August, and reached Kilbeggan on the evening of the 27th. There he re¬ ceived the account of the defeat of the royal troops at Castlebar, and he immediately advanced to Athlone, where some of the runaways informed him that the French had continued the pursuit to Tuam, and taken possession of that town. On the 30th of August his Lordship continued his march, and on the 4th of Sep¬ tember reached Hollymount, fourteen miles from Cas¬ tlebar. There he received intelligence that the French had evacuated that town the same morning, and had marched towards Sligo by way of Foxford.

   The French on leaving Castlebar were about nine hundred in number, including officers, and they were accompanied by a confused mob of undisciplined rebels. Their plan appears to have been to reach the coast in the county of Donegal, as being the most likely place at which they might expect succours from France ; but, surrounded on all sides by an army, little short of thirty

   Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 324

   As the companion tells it

   As you come through Kilbeggan in County Westmeath, this is the town where the Marquis of Cornwallis arrived on the evening of the 27th of August 1798. He had quit Dublin the day before, marching against the French who had landed in Ireland. Here in Kilbeggan he received the account of the defeat of the royal troops at Castlebar. He immediately advanced to Athlone, where runaways told him the French had pursued to Tuam and taken that town. He continued his march and reached Hollymount, fourteen miles from Castlebar, on the 4th of September, only to learn the French had evacuated that same morning and marched toward Sligo by way of Foxford. The French, about 900 including officers, were accompanied by a confused mob of undisciplined rebels, aiming for the coast of Donegal where they might expect succours from France.

7. Death of Thomas Reynolds's mother in Abbey Street, Dublin

   Abbey Street · street · Dublin · 1797

   On 6 November 1797 Reynolds's mother died suddenly at her residence in Abbey-street, Dublin, having been attended in her final illness by Mr. Prendergast and Dr. William James M'Nevin, later a director of the United Irish Association.

   Read the passage

   On the 6th of November, 1797, my father’s mother died at her residence in Abbey-street, Dublin. My father was then entirely occupied in preparing Kilkea Castle, and in removing his effects preparatory to the settlement of his family there. He had not seen her for several days, nor had he heard that she was unwell, when, on the morning of the 6th of November, at six o’clock, he was called from his bed by a message from Mr. Prendergast, who had passed the night with her, to say she was exceedingly ill. He immediately arose, and was at her bed-side before seven, but she was already dead. She had kept her bed for three days, attended by her usual physician, Dr. William James M‘Nevin, the same who was one of the five directors of

   104 LIFE OF THOMAS REYNOLDS. A.D.

   Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 104

8. Leinster Provincial Committee Meets in Dublin

   Dublin · city · Dublin · 1795

   The Leinster province of the United Irish association was very numerous and complete, with its provincial committee meeting in Dublin where the agent of the Directory attended and acted as secretary and president.

   Read the passage

   The province of Leinster was also very numerous and complete ; its provincial met in Dublin, where the agent of the Directory attended its meetings, and acted as its secretary and president, and through him all communications were made.

   1792.

   Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 143

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Dublin, this is where the Leinster provincial committee of the United Irish association met. The province was very numerous and complete, and the agent of the Directory attended its meetings here, acting as secretary and president, with all communications made through him.

9. Retaking of Newport and Westport

   Westport · town · Mayo · 1798

   The towns of Newport and Westport, previously held by rebels, were soon retaken by government forces in the aftermath of the French surrender.

   Read the passage

   When the Rebellion had thus been put down in the county of Longford, the attention of the government was directed to those places in the county of Mayo which still remained in the power of the insurgents. Castlebar had been occupied by the king’s troops since its evacuation by the French, and on the 12th of September it was attacked by a very numerous body of rebels. The garrison consisted of fifty-seven Fraser fencibles, thirty-four volunteers, and a troop of yeoman cavalry, under the command of Captain Urquart, who defended the place with this little force so valiantly, that he beat oft* the assailants and saved the town from plunder. The towns of Newport and Westport were soon retaken, and on the 22nd of September Ballina surrendered after a few discharges ol cannon. The rebels, commanded by Mr. True, a French officer.

   348

   Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 328

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Westport, this is one of the Mayo towns caught up in the 1798 rebellion. After the French surrender, the government turned to places in County Mayo still held by insurgents. On the 12th of September, Castlebar was attacked by a numerous body of rebels, but a small garrison of 57 Fraser fencibles, 34 volunteers, and a troop of yeoman cavalry under Captain Urquart beat them off and saved the town from plunder. The towns of Newport and Westport were soon retaken, and on the 22nd of September Ballina surrendered after a few discharges of cannon. The rebels were commanded by Mr. True, a French officer.

10. Reverend Edward Fanning's household in Grafton Street, Dublin

    Grafton Street · street · Dublin

    The Reverend Edward Fanning, a wealthy clergyman, resided in Grafton Street in Dublin, where he took his daughter Mrs Witherington's family, and later Mrs Groves and her daughters, to live with him after their husbands' deaths, treating the grandchildren as his own.

    Read the passage

    Edward Witherington was my mother’s eldest brother. His father was a lieutenant in the navy, and his mother was the favourite daughter of the Reverend Edward Fanning, a clergyman of considerable private fortune, and holding two valuable livings in the church of Ire¬ land. Mr. Fanning, after the death of his wife, who was a Miss French, placed his daughter, Mrs. Wither¬ ington, at the head of his establishment, and took all her family to reside with him, adopting them as his own children. His residence was in Grafton Street in Dublin. Mrs. Witherington’s family consisted of her husband and herself, two sons, and four daughters.

    i 2

    Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 115

    As the companion tells it

    Along here on Grafton Street stood the residence of the Reverend Edward Fanning, a clergyman of considerable private fortune who held two valuable livings in the Church of Ireland. After his wife, a Miss French, died, he placed his daughter Mrs Witherington at the head of his household and took in her entire family, adopting them as his own children. Her family consisted of her husband, two sons, and four daughters, all living under his roof in this street.

11. Royal garrison retreats to Foxford

    Foxford · town · Mayo · 1798

    The small garrison at Ballina, under Colonel Sir Thomas Chapman, retreated to Foxford, ten miles distant, after the French took Ballina.

    Read the passage

    In pursuance of the plan proposed. General Humbert sailed from Rochelle on the 4th of August with 1030 men and seventy officers, in three frigates, two of fortyfour guns each, and one of thirty-eight; and after a tedious passage arrived in the bay of Killala, in the county of Mayo, on the 2*2nd of the same month. The garrison of Killala was composed of fifty men, yeomen and fencibles of the Prince of Wales’s regiment. This little body attempted to oppose the entrance of the F rench, but was soon repulsed, and put to flight, leaving two men dead, and twenty-one prisoners, among whom were Captain Kirkwood of the yeomen, and Lieutenant Sills of the fencibles. The French then entered and took possession of Killala without further hinderance. On the following day General Humbert sent a detach¬ ment to Ballina,' a small town seven miles south of Killala. On their way they were met by Major Kerr with a party of carabineers and yeomen infantry, whom they repulsed, and on the evening of the 24th they took possession of Ballina. The little garrison, under Colonel Sir Thomas Chapman, retreated to Foxford, ten miles

    * Memoirs of Theobald Wolfe Tone, vol. ii„ p. 518.

    Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 321

12. Country houses at Black Rock and Rathfarnham

    Blackrock · townland · Dublin · 1794

    Reynolds' grandfather kept a country-house at Black Rock, and his great-grandfather one at Rathfarnham. When sold, their furniture was brought to town and stored, later used to furnish Kilkea Castle.

    Read the passage

    the house as made up the balance. My grandmother carried away with her all her securities which she held independent of, and unconnected with, the partnership; and of course retained to herself alone the claim on Mr. Warren for the settlement of the cash-account, which he signed a promise to settle without delay. My grandfather had had a country-house at the Black Rock ; and my great grandfather had had one at Rathfarnham. Those houses were furnished as well as their town-houses, and, when sold, the furniture was removed to town, and such parts of it as were not put to use remained piled in the attics. My grandmother took what she thought fit to furnish a suite of rooms to which she retired on my father’s marriage — the remainder was left with him, and enabled him to complete the furnishing of Kilkea; but with this Mr.* Warren had no concern — it was a transaction solely between my father and my grandmother.

    My grandmother continued to urge a settlement of the cash account, but all in vain. During the time that Mr. Warren conducted her affairs she had occasion to go to the Continent with my aunt, as I have already mentioned, and before her departure she gave him a very full power of attorney to act for her in Ireland. During her absence, a judgment for a considerable sum due to the estate of my grandfather was obtained against a gentleman of landed estate, named Hamilton, who offered to pay some part in cash, and to give a bond and judgment for the remainder; the offer was ac¬ cepted, and the bond was perfected to Thomas W arren,

    Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 95

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, Thomas Reynolds's grandfather kept a country-house, and his great-grandfather had one at Rathfarnham. Both were furnished as well as their town-houses. When the houses were sold, the furniture was brought into town, and what wasn't put to use stayed piled in the attics. Reynolds's grandmother later took what she needed to furnish a suite of rooms she retired to, and the remainder went to his father, enabling him to complete the furnishing of Kilkea Castle in Kildare.

13. Cornwallis reaches Hollymount pursuing the French

    near Hollymount · town · Mayo · 1798

    On 4 September 1798, Lord Cornwallis's forces reached Hollymount, fourteen miles from Castlebar, learning that the French had evacuated Castlebar that same morning.

    Read the passage

    Meantime, the Marquis of Cornwallis, who, as soon as he received intelligence of the landing of the French, had determined on marching against them in person, quitted Dublin on the 26th of August, and reached Kilbeggan on the evening of the 27th. There he re¬ ceived the account of the defeat of the royal troops at Castlebar, and he immediately advanced to Athlone, where some of the runaways informed him that the French had continued the pursuit to Tuam, and taken possession of that town. On the 30th of August his Lordship continued his march, and on the 4th of Sep¬ tember reached Hollymount, fourteen miles from Cas¬ tlebar. There he received intelligence that the French had evacuated that town the same morning, and had marched towards Sligo by way of Foxford.

    The French on leaving Castlebar were about nine hundred in number, including officers, and they were accompanied by a confused mob of undisciplined rebels. Their plan appears to have been to reach the coast in the county of Donegal, as being the most likely place at which they might expect succours from France ; but, surrounded on all sides by an army, little short of thirty

    Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 324

14. Death of Reynolds' grandfather and family bequests

    Rathfarnham · townland · Dublin · 1788

    Reynolds' grandfather died on 8 May 1788 leaving his property to his widow. He had also bequeathed Thomas Reynolds some houses in Dublin and a small property near Rathfarnham worth about £400 a year.

    Read the passage

    Some houses in Dublin, and a small property near Rathfarnham, had been bequeathed to my father by his grandfather, the whole being worth about 400/. a year. His grandfather had also bequeathed him a sum of 500/. in cash, which had been placed out by his father for him in a tontine, and was then worth about 1500/. ; so that my father had about 500/. a year, which would become his own independent property when he came of age. He might also reasonably expect a share of his father’s property, whenever it should be realised.

    The family at this time consisted of my grandmother, my father, and seven of his sisters — of these, three died within a very few years. Julia, the eldest, was in a convent at Liege, where she had been sent for her education. Maria, the second, married Mr. Francis Prendergast, who was deputy registrar of the Court of Chancery ; she died in consequence of an illness which followed her second accouchement. She left a son and a daughter. An estrangement arose between my father and this gentleman in consequence of some family mat¬ ters, which was not reconciled when my father quitted

    Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 67

15. Failed rebel attempts at Ballymena and Ballycastle

    near Ballymena · town · Antrim · 1798

    Rebel attempts were also made at Ballymena and Ballycastle during the Antrim rising, but these met with no success.

    Read the passage

    cient means of preserving the public peace. At two o’clock in the afternoon of that day a numerous body of insurgents attacked the town of Antrim, and, soon overpowering the garrison, had very nearly gained pos¬ session of it, when Major-General Nugent sent a body of troops to its succour. The rebels, who were already in the town, defended themselves bravely, and repulsed the vanguard of the royalists, who lost in killed and wounded twenty-three men at the first attack. Colonel Durham, who commanded the troops, then brought up his artillery, and soon obliged the rebels to abandon the town, together with three pieces of cannon. They were pursued with great slaughter as far as Randalstown. Colonel Lumley, of the 22nd dragoons, and some other officers, were wounded. On this occasion Lord O’Neill met his death. He had ridden into the town to attend the meeting of the magistrates, not knowing that the rebels had attacked it, when, his horse having been wounded, he was unable to keep up with the retreating troops. He was attacked by several rebels, one of whom he shot, when he was dragged off his horse, and so des¬ perately wounded with pikes that he died in a few days. Next day a small body attacked the town of Larne, but were repulsed by the garrison. Attempts were also made at Ballymena and Ballycastle, but met with no success. Disappointed and dispirited, the main body retired to Donnegar Hill, where they surrendered their arms and dispersed.

    Another rising began on the 8th of June in the county of Down. A body of rebels made their ap-

    Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 312

16. Reynolds collects returns from Daly at Kilcullen

    Kilcullen · town · Kildare · 1798

    After settling returns with his captains at Castledermot, Reynolds proceeded to Daly at Kilcullen to obtain the county returns before returning to Dublin to deliver them to M'Can.

    Read the passage

    On this second interview my father was unable to state positively that the meeting was finally fixed for the 12th, nor did he know the precise hour at which it would he held. To enable the government effect¬ ually to stop the further proceedings of the conspira¬ tors, it was necessary that they should be made ac¬ quainted with those particulars : my father therefore sought an interview with M‘Can, who refused to give him the information he required until he produced his returns of men and money from the committee of the county of Kildare, which as treasurer he was expected to do. In order to procure those returns my father went to Kilkea on the 3rd March, and on the 4th he went to Castle Dermot, where he met his cap¬ tains, and, having settled the returns with them, he proceeded to Daly at Kilcullen and got them, and on the 7th he returned to Dublin, and gave them to M‘Can, who promised to call on him on Sunday the 11th, which he did, when he informed him that the meeting was fixed to take place on the morrow at the house of Oliver Bond at 10 o’clock in the forenoon. My father then saw Mr. Cope for the third and last time on this subject, and at that interview merely gave him those particulars.

    He decidedly refused to intrust Mr. Cope with any other name, or any further particulars ; and, when the latter urged him to make further disclosures, he assured him that the person who had been in com-

    Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 199

    As the companion tells it

    You are coming through Kilcullen, in Kildare. In March 1798, Thomas Reynolds came here to collect the county returns of men and money from a man named Daly. Reynolds was treasurer of the conspiracy, and the government needed those returns before they would share details of a planned meeting. Two days earlier, on the 4th of March, he had met his captains at Castledermot and settled the returns with them. Then he came here to Daly at Kilcullen and got the county returns. On the 7th he brought them back to Dublin and handed them over to M'Can, who had refused to tell him when the meeting would take place until the returns were produced. M'Can called on Reynolds on Sunday the 11th and told him the meeting was fixed for the following morning at the house of Oliver Bond at 10 o'clock. Reynolds then saw Mr Cope for the third and last time and passed on those particulars, but refused to give any further names or details.

17. Thomas Reynolds's father raised at Kilmead under a Catholic priest

    Kilmead · town · Kildare · 1771–1779

    The first years of the author's father's life were passed mostly at Kilmead, the seat of his maternal grandfather in County Kildare, under the care of a Roman Catholic priest, the Rev. Mr. Plunkett, before he was sent to school in England at age eight.

    Read the passage

    The first years of my fathers life were passed mostly at Kilmead, the seat of his maternal grand¬ father, in the county of Kildare, under the care of the Rev. Mr. Plunkett, a Roman Catholic priest. He remained there till he was eight years old, when he was sent to Dr. Crawfurd’s school at Chiswick, near London. Dr. Crawfurd was a Protestant clergyman, and his school was at that time one of the best and most celebrated in England. He wTas placed there as a parlour-boarder. The school was composed of eight parlour-boarders, and about sixty other lads. The par¬ lour-boarders lived entirely at the Doctor’s table, and joined in all his society as part of his family. In their walks they were usually accompanied by the Doctor himself, who very rarely intrusted that duty to an usher. My father passed four years in that establish¬ ment : during the three first he went but little out, as the other boys did, except occasionally for a day to dine at Mr. BarneweH’s or at Mr. Golding’s, in London : those gentlemen were merchants, corre¬ spondents of his father. But during the last year he passed all the vacations in the house of Sir Joshua Reynolds, who appeared to take pleasure in teaching him the first principles of drawing, in which he was afterwards a very tolerable proficient.

    The history of England, particularly the reign of Henry VIII., the Reformation, and the Revolution

    Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 62

18. Warehouse in Park Street, Dublin, for Malahide goods

    Park Street · street · Dublin

    A house in Park Street, adjoining the grandfather's dwelling and connected to Warren's house in Ashe Street, was given rent-free to serve as a warehouse for goods manufactured at Malahide.

    Read the passage

    weaving of corduroys, thicksets, calicoes, and such matters ; for which plenty of hands were to be had among the unemployed silk- weavers, and he gave the whole as a marriage gift to TV arren. The premises con¬ sisted not only of an extensive building and appurte¬ nances used in the manufacture, but also of a very ex¬ cellent detached dwelling-house, offices, garden, and three acres of grass-land. A person named James Gay nor was hired from England to superintend the works, which, in a short time, produced the finest mus¬ lins, and employed several hundred persons, one-third of whom were children from eight to fifteen or sixteen years of age, principally females. A house in Park Street, which adjoined my grandfather’s dwelling, and from which there was a free communication with War¬ ren’s dwelling in Ashe Street, was given rent-free, to serve as a warehouse to receive the goods manufactured at Malahyde until Warren could dispose of them. Meantime, 'Warren continued to occupy his old place in my grandfather’s service, his salary being increased to 200/. a-year : his duty was merely to attend to the book-keeping and bill department, in which he had an assistant under him, named Peter Sullivan, so that he had abundant leisure to attend to his cotton affairs, without neglecting his duty to my grandfather. Thus matters went on until my grandfather’s death in 1788. Warren had at that time one child, a daughter, whose name, I think, was Mary.

    The vast amount of the failures which had occurred among the Irish silk-mercers, during the last years of

    Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 88

19. Warren's rent-free residence in Ashe Street, Kilkenny

    Ashe Street · street · Cork

    After his marriage to Nancy Archdekin, Thomas Warren returned to Dublin where the residence of the author's great-grandfather in Ashe Street was made ready for his reception, fully furnished and enjoyed free of rent for seven or eight years.

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    My grandmother, who was particularly interested in Warren’s settlement, calculated, fairly enough, that this young lady might expect eventually the inheritance of her brother, as well as those of her two aunts, and perhaps of her sister also, who, not only from age, but also from disposition, was little likely to marry. She therefore resolved to obtain Miss Nancy’s hand for Warren, and, during the week or ten days that the ladies remained, all the preliminaries were adjusted. Warren accompanied them back to Kilkenny, where the wedding took place, and on his return the residence of my great-grandfather in Ashe Street was ready for his reception. The house consisted of a kitchen with vaults and cellars, a dining-parlour, two drawing¬ rooms, three best bed-rooms, two attics, &c., all com¬ pletely furnished — all of which he enjoyed free of- rent and taxes, until his final departure from Dublin, seven or eight years afterwards.

    Some time previous to this, my grandfather had an offer from Colonel Talbot, at Malahyde on the seacoast, about seven miles from Dublin, of a lease of a cotton-mill on the Colonel’s estate ; he now accepted the lease, and purchased all the machinery ; and, as the mills had only been adapted for spinning cotton, he added 20 or 30 looms, with all their tackle, for the

    Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0

    As the companion tells it

    On this street was a residence belonging to the author's great-grandfather. His grandmother had taken an interest in Warren's settlement, and calculated that Miss Nancy Archdekin might expect the inheritance of her brother, as well as those of her two aunts, and perhaps of her sister also, who, not only from age, but also from disposition, was little likely to marry. She resolved to obtain Miss Nancy's hand for Warren, and during the week or ten days the ladies remained, all the preliminaries were adjusted. Warren accompanied them back to Kilkenny, where the wedding took place, and on his return the residence in Ashe Street was ready for his reception. The house consisted of a kitchen with vaults and cellars, a dining-parlour, two drawing rooms, three best bedrooms, two attics, all completely furnished. He enjoyed all of it free of rent and taxes until his final departure from Dublin, seven or eight years afterwards.

20. Family estates clustered around Kilkea: Kilmead, Geraldine, Leinster Lodge, Gurteen

    Kilmead · town · Kildare · 1794

    Kilkea Castle lay at the centre of several estates belonging to the author's family, including his grandfather's estate at Kilmead, his uncle's at Geraldine, his cousins' at Leinster Lodge, and his uncle Walter Fitzgerald's at Gurteen, all within three or four miles.

    Read the passage

    This residence would be still more desirable for my father, as it lay in the very centre of various estates belonging to his family ; his grandfather at Kilmead, his uncle at Geraldine, his cousins, Thomas Dunn at Leinster Lodge, and Patrick Dunn on a newly-pur¬ chased estate adjoining Leinster Lodge, his uncle, Walter Fitzgerald at Gurteen, were all around, and within three or four miles of Kilkea. Such were the properties he had in reversion, and in possession, on the day of his marriage.

    How all these brilliant prospects w^ere effaced, now remains to be told ; and as the person whose name I have so frequently cited, Thomas Warren, was a very principal cause of their failure, and as his family have since put themselves forward as the declared enemies of mine, I shall here give a full and true, and I hope a candid, account of that family, down to the beginning of the troubles in Ireland.

    Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 84

21. Fitzgerald family seat at Kilmead, County Kildare

    Kilmead · town · Kildare

    Rose Fitzgerald, the author's grandmother, was the eldest child of Thomas Fitzgerald of Kilmead in County Kildare, an intimate friend and relation of the Duke of Leinster descended from the Earls of Kildare. Colonel Fitzgerald, a cousin of the author's father, died at Kilmead not long before the writing.

    Read the passage

    Andrew Reynolds, my grandfather, married his second cousin, Rose Fitzgerald. This lady was the eldest child of Thomas Fitzgerald, of Kilmead, in the county of Kildare, the intimate friend and near relation of William Duke of Leinster, being descended from the Earls of Kildare. He left one son, Thomas Fitzgerald of Geraldine, my father’s uncle, whose only surviving son, Colonel Fitzgerald, my father’s cousingerman, died very lately at Kilmead.

    My father’s maternal aunts were Mrs. Delamar of Lakin, in the county of Westmeath, whose husband was high-sheriff of that county ; Mrs. Keon of Keonbrook, in the county of Leitrim ; and Anne Fitzgerald, a pro¬ fessed nun, in the King-street convent in Dublin, of whom I must speak again in another place.

    Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 57

22. Reynolds's Uncle's House at Geraldine

    Geraldine · townland · Kildare · 1798

    Reynolds describes setting out from his uncle's residence at Geraldine, Kildare, before travelling to Athy and then on to Dublin to resolve a financial dispute with Mr. Cope.

    Read the passage

    show my friends, which he gave me. He demanded payment of 1000/., a balance then due. I told him he had the benefit of all my father’s dealing and my mo¬ ther’s, and that he ought to place the 1000/. I gave him to the balance he claimed. We had much conversation about it. He said he would take a week to consider. I went to the country ; received a letter in Athy from Mr. Valentine O’Connor *, telling me the transaction was not right, and chiding me upon it. I instantly* without returning to my uncle’s j', from where I had set out, rode off to Dublin, went to Mr. Cope’s in Merionsquare, found him at dinner, and made him easy upon the subject before I left him. He knows best the nature of my conduct in this business.

    Did you ever deny to any person that the bond you got from Mrs. Cahill was not given back J to her ? — Not to my knowledge.

    Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 367

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, in 1798, Thomas Reynolds set out from his uncle's residence at Geraldine on a journey that turned into a financial dispute. The trouble was a balance of 1000 pounds claimed by a Mr. Cope. Reynolds argued that Cope had already had the benefit of all his father's and mother's dealings, and that money he had already given Cope should be set against the debt. Cope asked for a week to think it over. Reynolds travelled to Athy, where he received a letter from Mr. Valentine O'Connor telling him the transaction was not right and scolding him for it. Without returning to his uncle's house here at Geraldine, he rode straight to Dublin, found Cope at dinner at his home in Merion Square, and settled the matter before he left.

23. Belan demesne, seat of the Earl of Aldborough, adjoins Kilkea

    Belan · townland · Kildare · 1794

    The park-like demesne of Belan, seat of the Earl of Aldborough, adjoined Kilkea Castle, with the avenue to Belan Castle belonging to Kilkea and rented from its holder.

    Read the passage

    it on one side, a fine turnpike road on the other, and the park-like demesne of Belem, the seat of the Earl of Aldborough, adjoining. The avenue up to Belem Castle belonged to Kilkea, and was rented at a yearly take from the holder of Kilkea. There was also a strip of land, of seventy acres, running along the farside of the turnpike road, which served for cottage lands, and other such matters, so that all within the demesne of Kilkea remained undisturbed.

    This residence would be still more desirable for my father, as it lay in the very centre of various estates belonging to his family ; his grandfather at Kilmead, his uncle at Geraldine, his cousins, Thomas Dunn at Leinster Lodge, and Patrick Dunn on a newly-pur¬ chased estate adjoining Leinster Lodge, his uncle, Walter Fitzgerald at Gurteen, were all around, and within three or four miles of Kilkea. Such were the properties he had in reversion, and in possession, on the day of his marriage.

    Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 84

24. Corbetstown estate lease assigned on marriage

    Corbetstown · townland · Kilkenny · 1794

    On his marriage, the author's father's mother assigned him one-half of the beneficial lease of an estate at Corbetstown, which though not yet productive was estimated at 12,000 pounds.

    Read the passage

    profits of the business, according to the power vested in her to that effect by her articles of partnership with Warren. She also assigned to him one-half of the beneficial lease of an estate at Corbetstown, which, though not yet productive, was estimated at 12,000/., so that his share was considered as worth 6000/. He received 1500/. with my mother. His Tontine pro¬ perty, which he sold shortly afterwards, yielded him 2100/. He had a balance due to him for rents, inter¬ ests, and other matters, from the firm of Reynolds and Warren, of 1760/. ; and his Dublin houses and the Rathfarnham property were worth about 8000/., the whole making a property of 20,000/., exclusive of his half of the capital of the business, and his share of the profits. He had further, the life-interest in the Jamaica property left by Mr. John Meade, whatever it might eventually turn out, and the promise of the beneficial lease of Kilkea Castle and lands from the Duke of Leinster. This castle was the ancient residence of the barons and earls of Kildare previous to their removal to Cartown. It had been let on lease, with about 350 acres of land, to a family named Dixon, for three lives, one only of which now existed, an old bed-ridden man, whose death was daily expected. William Duke of Leinster owed a considerable sum of money to my great-grandfather, Fitzgerald, and on his application, his Grace promised my father the reversion of Kilkea for three lives, renewable for ever, at an easy rent. It was the finest land in the whole county, and delightfully situated, having the river Greece bounding

    80

    Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 83

25. Rathfarnham family residence furnished the Kilkea move

    Rathfarnham · townland · Dublin · 1794

    The Rathfarnham country house, like the one at Black Rock, was furnished as well as the town-houses; unused furniture from these houses eventually helped furnish Kilkea Castle.

    Read the passage

    the house as made up the balance. My grandmother carried away with her all her securities which she held independent of, and unconnected with, the partnership; and of course retained to herself alone the claim on Mr. Warren for the settlement of the cash-account, which he signed a promise to settle without delay. My grandfather had had a country-house at the Black Rock ; and my great grandfather had had one at Rathfarnham. Those houses were furnished as well as their town-houses, and, when sold, the furniture was removed to town, and such parts of it as were not put to use remained piled in the attics. My grandmother took what she thought fit to furnish a suite of rooms to which she retired on my father’s marriage — the remainder was left with him, and enabled him to complete the furnishing of Kilkea; but with this Mr.* Warren had no concern — it was a transaction solely between my father and my grandmother.

    My grandmother continued to urge a settlement of the cash account, but all in vain. During the time that Mr. Warren conducted her affairs she had occasion to go to the Continent with my aunt, as I have already mentioned, and before her departure she gave him a very full power of attorney to act for her in Ireland. During her absence, a judgment for a considerable sum due to the estate of my grandfather was obtained against a gentleman of landed estate, named Hamilton, who offered to pay some part in cash, and to give a bond and judgment for the remainder; the offer was ac¬ cepted, and the bond was perfected to Thomas W arren,

    Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 95

26. Rathfarnham property valued among father's marriage assets

    Rathfarnham · townland · Dublin · 1794

    Among the property assigned to the author's father on his marriage were Dublin houses and the Rathfarnham property, together worth about 8000 pounds.

    Read the passage

    profits of the business, according to the power vested in her to that effect by her articles of partnership with Warren. She also assigned to him one-half of the beneficial lease of an estate at Corbetstown, which, though not yet productive, was estimated at 12,000/., so that his share was considered as worth 6000/. He received 1500/. with my mother. His Tontine pro¬ perty, which he sold shortly afterwards, yielded him 2100/. He had a balance due to him for rents, inter¬ ests, and other matters, from the firm of Reynolds and Warren, of 1760/. ; and his Dublin houses and the Rathfarnham property were worth about 8000/., the whole making a property of 20,000/., exclusive of his half of the capital of the business, and his share of the profits. He had further, the life-interest in the Jamaica property left by Mr. John Meade, whatever it might eventually turn out, and the promise of the beneficial lease of Kilkea Castle and lands from the Duke of Leinster. This castle was the ancient residence of the barons and earls of Kildare previous to their removal to Cartown. It had been let on lease, with about 350 acres of land, to a family named Dixon, for three lives, one only of which now existed, an old bed-ridden man, whose death was daily expected. William Duke of Leinster owed a considerable sum of money to my great-grandfather, Fitzgerald, and on his application, his Grace promised my father the reversion of Kilkea for three lives, renewable for ever, at an easy rent. It was the finest land in the whole county, and delightfully situated, having the river Greece bounding

    80

    Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 83

27. Reynolds family visits to Nugent seats in Westmeath

    Clonlost · townland · Westmeath

    The author's father was always a welcome guest at Clonlost, Dysart, and Dunmore, three capital seats of the Nugent family in County Westmeath, being received by them as one of their own kin under the name Fitzgerald Reynolds.

    Read the passage

    considered my father as one of themselves, distinguish¬ ing him in conversation by the name of Fitzgerald Reynolds, from the name of his mother. He was always a welcome guest at Clonlost, at Dysart, and at Dunmore, which are three capital seats of the Nugents in the county of Westmeath; and when the Marquis (afterwards the Duke) of Buckingham was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, his lady and her aunt, Miss Nugent, went continually to visit at my grandmother’s. My grandfather was then dead, and a week never passed without one or both of them going to breakfast or dine in the family, considering them as their own relations. The Marchioness was a Miss Nugent, only child and heiress of the great Earl of Clare.* George Nugent Reynolds returned with the Marquis when he left Ireland, and died at Stowe. There was a family named Reynell, at Reynellagh, in Westmeath, where my father was also received as a relation, but I do not know in what line. Both my grandfather and my grandmother reckoned the De Lacies among their ancestors. This De Lacy family claimed to be de¬ scended from the De Lacy who had been Lord Lieu¬ tenant of Ireland during the reign of Henry II., was Prince of Meath and Earl of Ulster in 1179, married the daughter of Roderic O’Connor, and was killed in 1188. The De Lacies also claim descent from the old princes of Desmond.

    All these matters are now idle and foolish, but for-

    Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 59

28. Reynolds' round of visits to relatives across Ireland

    Kilmead · town · Kildare · 1789–1791

    After returning to Ireland, Reynolds paid a continual round of visits to relations, including his grandfather at Kilmead, his uncle at Geraldine, uncle Delamar at Lakin in Westmeath, and Mrs. Nugent at Clonlost.

    Read the passage

    My grandmother, being totally unacquainted with mercantile affairs, had, during my father’s tour, made arrangements with Thomas Warren, who had been a clerk in the house for many years, that he should abandon every other concern and take the entire ma¬ nagement of her business, for which he was to receive one-third of the yearly profits, which then amounted to about 2500/. ; so that his share would produce him 800/. or 900/. a year net. He was not required to put in a shilling of capital. The entire capital belonged to my grandmother ; and all the houses, warehouses, &c., as well as three others adjoining, belonged to my father. The partnership placed a yearly rent of 200/. to his credit for them, but they had no lease. My grandmother, in the articles of partnership, retained a right to place, whenever she thought fit, any one of her children as a partner on an equal footing with War ren, by giving such child one-half of her own two-thirds. Her intention was to hold that provision open for my father if he should choose that line of life, although in fact she never was very anxious that he should embark in trade if any other course could be struck out for him. The succession of visits which he was encouraged to pay after his return to Ireland greatly indisposed him for any serious occupation. He made continual visits to his grand¬ father, at Kilmead; his uncle, at Geraldine; his uncle Delamar, at Lakin, in "Westmeath ; Mrs. Nugent, at

    1791.

    Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 73

29. Warren carries partnership papers to Killeen, Queen's County

    Killeen · townland · Laois · 1794–1798

    Thomas Warren testified that he took unsettled partnership cash-account papers to his brother's house at Killeen in the Queen's County, travelling by mail-coach, and lost them en route, never returning to settle the accounts.

    Read the passage

    Where did you carry them to ? — To my brother’s in Killeen, in the Queens County. I took a seat in the mail-coach, and lost them in the mail-coach ; I made the most diligent search for them.

    Did Mrs. Reynolds make any inquiry since ? — I do not know. The parties knew my conduct ; I have lost severely by the dealing. My Lord, I was asked re¬ specting a society ; I never belonged to any political society these four years.

    Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 394

30. Warren family origins at Killeen, Queen's County

    Killeen · townland · Laois

    Mr. Warren of Killeen in Queen's County had married a sister of the author's grandmother's father and died in poor circumstances, leading his youngest son Thomas Warren to be taken in by the author's grandfather.

    Read the passage

    Mr. Warren of Killeen, in the Queen’s County, having, as I already stated, married a sister of my grandmother’s father, died in such poor circumstances.

    1794.

    Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 84

31. Witness Eleanor Dwyer Born in Leixlip

    Leixlip · town · Kildare · 1798

    During cross-examination in the trial, the witness Eleanor Dwyer states that she was born in Leixlip, providing a biographical detail tied to the location amid testimony concerning Mrs. Cahill's bond dispute.

    Read the passage

    In the period of two months ! Where were you born ? — In Leixlip.

    Did you hear her speak in terms of friendship or otherwise of him ? — I heard her say that she should be sorry that any of the family suffered.

    Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 385

    As the companion tells it

    Coming through Leixlip now. In 1798, a witness named Eleanor Dwyer told a court she was born here. She was being cross-examined about Mrs. Cahill's bond dispute, and said she had heard someone say she would be sorry if any of the family suffered.

32. Peter Sullivan's residence in Francis-street, Dublin

    Francis Street · street · Dublin · 1797–1798

    Peter Sullivan, a witness and former United Irishman who gave evidence at the trial, stated he had resided in Francis-street, Dublin for a year prior to the trial after leaving Mr. Reynolds' household.

    Read the passage

    Where do you reside? — In Francis-street.

    How long have you resided there? — A year.

    Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 398

    As the companion tells it

    Along here on Francis Street, Peter Sullivan had been living for a year when he gave evidence at the trial. He was a former United Irishman who had left Mr Reynolds' household before moving here. He stated his residence plainly: "In Francis-street," and said he had resided there "a year."