Henrietta Anna Margaretta Townshend (242)
| Date of Birth: | Unknown |
|---|---|
| Date of Death: | ca 1836 |
| Generation: | 6th |
| Residence: | The Prairie, Schull, Co Cork |
| Father: | Richard Townsend [221] |
| Mother: | Mellifont, Barbara |
| Spouse: |
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| Issue: |
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| See Also: | Table II ; Scrapbook ; Lineage ; Ancestors' Tree ; Descendents' Tree |
Notes for Henrietta Anna Margaretta Townsend
Married August 1816, as his second wife, Captain Philip Somerville (1) of The South Cork Regt (2) and The Prairie,(3) Schull, Co Cork. He was the third and youngest son of Thomas Somerville (4) of Drishane,(5) Castletownshend, Co Cork by his first wife Mary Townsend [506] of Derry. See Burke's Irish Landed Gentry 1912 - Somerville. See also ‘A Guide to Irish Houses’ by M. Bence-Jones, London, 1988 – “CASTLETOWNSHEND cor Drishane. Somerville 1790+. Built by Thomas Somerville.” Philip's first wife was Maria Townsend [5D07].
Henrietta's father, Richard Townsend [221] settled £800 on her marriage. She died sometime before 1841 as her father refers to her in his will as 'my deceased daughter Henrietta'. (6)
During the early years of the 19th century several close family members became involved in two trials involving the Rev Robert Morritt, who succeeded to the living of the parishes of Glanbarrahan & Curragrangemore (7) on 28 March 1807 from the Rev David Freeman, husband of Harriet Townsend [217].
The Rev Morritt is described in the pamphlet “Supplement to the Trials of the Rev Robert Morritt” as a “Clergyman who in a few years could render himself so obnoxious to his Parishioners as to be the subject of no less than eight civil actions and one criminal indictment”.
The first case against Morritt concerns the forcible eviction of a tenant of Mrs Somerville (Elizabeth Townsend [225] - Henrietta's aunt) and the second is an action for defamation brought by Mr Roche. In both cases Morritt’s counsel was Daniel O’Connell who managed to secure acquittals by claiming in both cases there was a Townsend family conspiracy against Morritt. Mrs Somerville is described on page 12 of the pamphlet as the “Queen of the Conspirators” and in the list of the 'Dramatis Personae' “one brother, four brothers-in-law, an uncle, two nephews, eight cousins” are shown as fellow ‘Conspirators’. They are listed at Note (8), which affords a classic example of the web of Townsend family relationships that existed then. Philip Somerville is shown as “A witness in both trials”. Published in 1819, rather strangely, the pamphlet was written by an ‘Anti-Conspirator’ who had access to private correspondence addressed to Henrietta's father that same year!
The pamphlet also describes how, when the Rev Morritt became a magistrate “Summons flew in all directions and to all distances, and when it was known that a lazy serving boy, or an idle apprentice, might punish his master by making him travel twenty or thirty miles to appear before Judge Morritt on a sixpenny complaint, the shop of justice could never lack customers.” He is reported as having neighbouring magistrates hear 600 summonses against his parishioners in respect of outstanding tithes. Morritt even wrote to the Honourable Board of Commissioners (for Excise) accusing Henrietta's father, Richard (the Collector), of “neglect of duty and connivance at peculation” and asking that he be dismissed. This was at a time when “the dangerous illness of a near relative had obliged him (Richard) to go to England and this appeared a favourable opportunity to bring forward complaints which could not be so conveniently managed had the Collector been at home.” After a full hearing, at which Richard was present, the Board of Commissioners wrote to him on 2 March 1819 and dismissed the complaint as “unfounded "; a copy of the letter is given in Henrietta's ‘Scrapbook’. Small wonder that Morritt was a thorn in the flesh!
Of the children:
Captain Thomas Somerville JP of The Prairie was born in 1817 and commissioned into the South Cork Militia. He married first in 1853 Mary Alleyne Hingston (dsp), younger daughter of Rev James Hingston (9) of Aglish,(10) Coachford, Co Cork, and Rector of Whitechurch, Cloyne. Thomas married second in 1858 his first wife's cousin, Millicent Harte, daughter of Michael Alleyn Becher of Ballyduvane House, Clonakilty, Co Cork, and had by her one son and three daughters - Thomas Philip Somerville, Eliza Somerville, Harriet Somerville and Millicent Somerville.
A report on the front page of the Cork Examiner of 26 November 1868 records that Thomas Somerville of The Prairie, John Henry Townsend [238], Samuel Nugent Townsend [432], Horatio Hamilton Townsend [6B05] and James Redmond Barry JP (11) were all members of McCarthy Downing’s Election Committee for the Cork County Election. He was duly elected on 30 November 1868 and served as a Liberal MP until 9 February 1874.
In 1883 Thomas was living at Clontaff, the former home of Richard Mellifont Townshend [236] before he moved to Nice, and was managing the estate for him, as well as that at Dunbeacon. In a letter dated 12 March 1883 to Richard, Thomas asks if he could live at Dunbeacon as he has given his house at The Prairie to his son. Richard must have agreed to this for subsequent correspondence from Thomas shows him living at Dunbeacon. He later had to leave the property as it passed to Richard Townsend [254] and Richard Arthur Townshend [259] in 1884 when Richard Mellifont Townshend died. Nevertheless, Thomas was left £3,000 in trust by Richard MT as well as all Richard’s estate in King's County and Queen's County. Thomas was to receive the income on the capital and the principal was to be divided amongst his children as he saw fit. Thomas’ will is dated 18 June 1888 and he died on 10 April 1891; at the time of his death he was living at Beach House, Bantry, (12) Co Cork. In his will he left the £3000 to his daughters and this was released on 6 October 1891 (13). At the time of the release Eliza was married to Philip Warren of Home Villa, Headcorn, Kent, Harriet was married to John French Somerville of 15 The Paragon, New Kent Road, London and Millicent, unmarried, was living with her sister Harriet in New Kent Road.
Elizabeth Mellifont Somerville (Dizzy) married on 7 October 1845 Richard Large (d. 8 March 1862), solicitor, of 35 South Terrace, Cork and had three sons – William Somerville Large (b. 3 December 1846), Brisbane Warren Large and Philip Townsend Somerville Large and a daughter. Under the terms of the will of Richard Mellifont Townsend they were entitled to share £1000 between them when they became of age. However, once of age, they forwent their respective inheritance and released the money to their mother on 16 April 1885. The indenture commences "Eliza M Large of Pelham Lodge, Bray, Co Dublin widow for the first part, the Reverend William Somerville Large of Pelham Lodge aforesaid Clerk, Brisbane Warren Lodge of the Army Medical Staff now in Ireland and Philip Townsend Somerville Large now of Kempter central Provinces India” (14). Elizabeth died on 29 October 1886 - Agnes Townsend [334] records in her diary - '1886 29 Oct Dizzy Large died'.
Philip Somerville was a Captain in the army. He married Ellen Bright.
Richard Somerville married Elizabeth Benson.
Mary Somerville married Brisbane Warren son of Thomas Warren and Anna Townsend [408] of Whitehall.(15) She died on 23 March 1853; Brisbane died on 19 August 1847.
An article in The Skibbereen and West Carberry Eagle records that a Grand Masonic Concert in aid of the Masonic Female Orphan Asylum Cork was held in the New Lecture Hall, Mardyke, Skibbereen on 9 April 1863. The following members of the family were amongst those who patronised the concert. Thomas Somerville, husband of Henrietta Augusta Townsend [234], Thomas Somerville of The Prairie, son of Henrietta Anna Townsend [242], William Warren of Clontaff, husband of Elizabeth Hildegardis Townsend [244], Samuel Richard Townsend [421], Lionel John Fleming of Newcourt, husband of Eliza Townsend [5D05] and Horace Townsend of Derry [5D12]. The cutting is reproduced in individual ‘Scrapbooks’.
(1) Philip was born in 1782 and died in 1861. He married first 1815, Maria Townsend [5D07], fourth daughter of the Reverend Horatio Townsend [5D00] of Derry, and died without issue. Philip married thirdly Isabella, fourth daughter of Redmomd Uniacke of Old Court, Co Cork and had by her issue:- Major Redmond Uniacke and Isabella Uniacke. Redmomd Uniacke's daughter, Martha, married Thomas Townsend [509]. Philip's sister, Agnes Somerville, married Commander John Townsend [316] in 1820.
(2) Probably the South Cork Light Infantry Militia. Their records show a 'Phil Somerville’ commissioned in 1811 - this is very possibly Philip who would have been 29 at the time. The Militia Act of 1793 sets forth that -"Every person who has been or shall hereafter be appointed an Officer of the Militia of any of the ranks following, shall be in possession of an estate for his own life or the life of another, or for some greater estate in land or heritage's in the United Kingdom of the yearly value hereinafter mentioned in connection with such respective rank, or be heir apparent of some person who shall be in possession of a life estate in property of the like yearly value. For an Ensign the sum was £20 a year, or heir to £200 personal property a year.”
(3) The entry for Lissacaha Cottage (The Prairie) in the University of Galway Landed Estates Database records "Phillip Somerville held this property in fee at the time of Griffith's Valuation, when it was valued at £12 10s. It is labelled "Lissacaha Cottage" on the 1st edition Ordnance Map but has become "Prairie Cottage" on the later 25-inch map. In 1906 it was owned by Thomas Phillip Somerville and valued at £15 5s. It is no longer extant."
(4) The entry for Somerville in the University of Galway Landed Estates Database records "Burke's ''Irish Family Records'' indicates that the first of this family to settle in Cork was Rev. William Somerville, who allegedly fled persecution in Scotland in the 1690s. Col. Thomas Somerville of Drishane, Skibbereen, owned over 450 acres in county Cork in the 1870s while other members of the family owned similar amounts. Thomas Somerville was among the principal lessors in the parish of Castlehaven at the time of Griffith's Valuation while Elizabeth Somerville held townlands in the parish of Skull at the same time."
(5) The entry for Drishane in the University of Galway Landed Estates Database records "Thomas Somerville held this property in fee at the time of Griffith's Valuation when it was valued at £35. Lewis also recorded it as the seat of Thomas Somerville in 1837. In 1906 it was owned by Aylmer Somerville and valued at £35. It is still extant."
(6) Lovera Papers 221/3.
(7) See pages 473 & 479 of Brady'sClerical and Parochial Records. Morritt resigned the living on 4 January 1824 and some time later moved to Paris where, in 1828, he brought an action for defamation against three Anglican Clergymen.
(8) The ‘Dramatis Personae’ shown on page 12 of the pamphlet and in the 'Scrapbook' are:-
Richard Townsend [221] “Magistrate who issued the arrest warrant” - Brother of Elizabeth Townsend [225] (Mrs Somerville).
Thomas Hungerford “Attorney who drew up the depositions” - Brother-in-law of Elizabeth Townsend [225] and son-in-law of Mary Townsend [506], who was sister to Rev Horatio Townsend [5D00].
Philip Somerville “A witness in both trials” – Brother-in-law of Elizabeth Townsend [225] and husband, first of Maria Townsend [5D07], and second Henrietta Townsend [242] the daughter of Richard Townsend [221].
Mr T Somerville “Attorney at both trials” - Nephew? Or son of Elizabeth Townsend [225]?
Rev Horatio Townsend [5D00] “Witness (in one trial viz Roche)” – Uncle.
Mr John French “Witness (in one trial viz Roche)” – Grandson of Susannah Townsend [505] and sister of Rev Horatio Townsend [5D00].
Rev Richard Townsend [310] – Referred to on page 25 as “Long Dick”; a cousin of Elizabeth Townsend [225].
Rev Philip French – Curate of Glanbarrahan whose wife was sister of Katherine Corker who married Rev Horatio Townsend [5D00].
Mr Thomas Robinson - Father of Dorothea Robinson who married Rev Richard Townsend [310].
Samuel Townsend [405] - A cousin of Elizabeth Townsend [225].
John Townsend - Could be John T [214], [222] or [303]; all close relatives.
Mr Becher Fleming - Husband of Judith Somerville, who was sister of Philip Somerville, and daughter of Mary Townsend [506].
Mr Richard Somerville – Brother-in-law of Elizabeth Townsend [225].
Richard Boyle Townsend [219] - Referred to on page 25. First cousin of Elizabeth Townsend [225].
(9) The entry for Hingston in the University of Galway Landed Estates Database records "This family were settled in the parish of Aglish, barony of East Muskerry, county Cork from the early 18th century. In 1703 the town and lands of Aglish, 353 acres, were purchased from the Commissioners of Forfeited Estates by James Hingston, victualler of Cork. In the mid 18th century Smith refers to the "good house and plantations" of Mr Hingston. Three successive generations of Reverend James Hingstons descend from William Hingston of Aglish, son of the purchaser. James Hingston, born 1818, built the 19th century house. His second son the Reverend Richard Edward Hull Hingston is described as "of Aglish" in 1904 but he was resident in London. In Griffith's Valuation the Reverend James Hingston is recorded as holding land in the parish of Cloyne, barony of Imokilly. In the 1870s the Hingston family of Aglish owned 211 acres in county Cork while another branch of the family owned 150 acres. For detailed information about this family see http://www-civ.eng.cam.ac.uk/cjb/hingston/hn.htm"
(10) The entry for Aglish in the University of Galway Landed Estates Database records "The Hingstons were resident at Aglish from the early 18th century. At the time of Griffith's Valuation James Hingston owned a house valued at £21 in fee. An old mansion house is marked on the first Ordnance Survey map at the Grid Reference W469715."
(11) James Redmond Barry served on the Fisheries Commission at the same time as Henry Owen Townsend [223] and attended the dinner organized by Henry in 1839 in honour of Daniel O’Connell, the famous Irish political leader who campaigned for Catholic emancipation. He was also involved in setting up the Agricultural and Country Bank in Skibbereen in April 1835 along with Richard Townsend [221] and Colonel Thomas Somerville, husband of Henrietta Augusta Townsend [234].
(12) The home of his cousin Richard Arthur Townshend [259].
(13) Lovera Papers 242/1, 242/2 and 242/3.
(14) Lovera Papers 242/5(1).
(15) The entry for Whitehall in the University of Galway Landed Estates Database records "Edward Townsend held this property in fee at the time of Griffith's Valuation, when it was valued at £22. Lewis noted it as the residence of S. Townsend in 1837. In 1906 it was owned by the representatives of Samuel R. Townsend and valued at £21. Bence-Jones indicates that it later became the property of the Alleyne family." Horatio Townsend [5D00] describes Whitehall on page 342 of his book 'Statistical Survey of the County of Cork' - "Whitehall, the seat of Samuel Townsend, Esq. stands on the east side of Rincolisky, or Roaringwater Bay. It enjoys every advantage of land and water, but from the nature of its situation is unfavourably circumstanced for the growth of trees. The upper part of the ground commands one of the grandest prospects to be found any where, an immense expanse of water extending from Cape Clear on one side to the Mizen-head upon the other. The depth of this great bay is proportioned to its breadth, its shores are diversified by many jutting points and headlands, on several of which are ruined castles, and its ample bosom is inlaid with a great number of verdant islands, of different sizes and shapes. The cape forms a fine termination to the land view on the left, and the rocky summit of Mountgabriel appears to great advantage in the back ground on the right. Some of the islands are large, and contain a great many inhabitants; others small, and used only for summer feeding, are remarkable for the richness of their pasture. Exclusive of these considerations, they are extremely useful in breaking the force of the sea, and forming many secure stations for vessels." The property was sold out of the family in the early 20th century by Piers Townsend Hughes-Townsend son of Charlotte Frances Townsend [422].
For other Somerville connections see also Elizabeth Henrietta Townsend [225], Henrietta Augusta Townsend [234], Jonas Morris Townsend [237], John Townsend [316], Horatio Thomas Townsend [334], Letitia Mary Townsend [351], Mary Townsend [506], Maria Townsend [5D07]. See the entry for Mary Townsend [506] for a precis of the Somerville family and their connections with the Townsends.
For other Warren connections see also daughter of Richard Townsend [221], Elizabeth Hildegardis Townsend [244], John Townsend [318], Anna Townsend [408], Edward Henry Townsend [411] and Augusta Amelia Townsend [424]. During the early years of the 19th century several close family members became involved in two trials involving the Rev Robert Morritt, who succeeded to the living of the parishes of Glanbarrahan & Curragrangemore (7a) on 28 March 1807 from the Rev David Freeman, husband of Harriet Townsend [217].