This page can be used as a general area for posting comments and queries. Fill in the comment box below.
Archives, notes and stories from the village
This page can be used as a general area for posting comments and queries. Fill in the comment box below.
I’ve been researching Powerscourt for quite a a while. No mater where I search, trying to find our exactly where the “Family Burial Plot” is, no one mentions it. Most of my search is hampered by info on the “Pet Cemetary” I am keen to find out more about, and potential access to the graves of Richard Wingfield 5th. and his two wives. Lady Jocelyn and Lady Theodosia Anne Howard. Tragically, all of these people and many of their relatives died early deaths. I was baffled by that for a long time, until I discovered the cause was consumption, or TB, as we call it today.
Dear Ralph,
The graveyard is near the house, but access is restricted. They were an unhappy three. Theodosia Jocelyn died after a long illness just a few years after her marriage in 1814. Diaries of her sister recount the tale of going to Madeira for her health, but to no avail. It is a long and upsetting read. Richard re-married Theodosia Howard, but he died the following year. The three were heavily involved in the evangelical Christian movement in the early nineteenth century, and from diaries, seemed to feel it was their lot to live an unhappy life.
Michael
Hello Michael
Thanks for your swift reply. Theodosia Anne also took Richard to Madeira, in an attempt to nurse him back to health. This also, was to no avail. I can only imagine, how winters spent in the old house was detrimental to their health, especially having contracted TB. And of course, many others of those extended families would meet the same fate.
Could you tell me where I could find access to her sisters diary.
I tried to look down on the Powerscourt house from Google Earth, but so far, I can not make out the exact location of the Graveyard. And while the history of Powerscourt is so very interesting, the story of this family is to me, so very captivating.
Regards
Ralph
Hi again Ralph,
Anne’s diaries are type-written transcripts and are in the Manuscripts department of the National Library. They are tough going, generally a tale of woe! The call number is MS 18,430. I have seen it suggested that the earlier years are in fact Theodosia herself. Her health declined over a long time. Near the time of her death, Anne records that “Dodea” says to her:
“Oh, I was only saying oh that I could lay this wretched body down and be at rest in Jesus’ bosom”.
This was Fri 5th May, 1820. She died later that month.
The graveyard is completely secluded by trees on Google maps, but this is the location: http://goo.gl/maps/bfXOZ
My email is enniskerrylocalhistory@gmail.com if you want to continue the conversation there!
Michael
The graveyard you appear to be searching for is separated from the main gardens by a wall near the Pepperpot Tower. Alternatively, the road to “The Killing Hollow” about quarter mile before the main house.
also borders the cemetery.
Morning Dominic (and Michael)
Thanks for responding to my query. It seems you are talking of the same graveyard as Michael mentioned. Is this graveyard totally walled or fenced in? Are you aware of any available pictures of this graveyard.(entrance gates, tombstones, vaults, etc.?) The area, as viewed from Google Earth, seems to be heavily treed, which may mean that it would be kind of a dark and dreary place, on even a sunny day.
Ralph
Hello Again
In regards to the death of Theodosia Anne, I had assumed that she too had become infected by TB from all those around her and therefore had met the same fate. However, the real cause of death came on very fast, and was a result of scarletina (scarlet fever, as we call it today.) I was also intrigued by the fact that Theodosia Ann, was also an evangelist, in her own right and a flamboyant one at that. She at least held services in Brussels, Belgium, and for certain in other areas.
As I am in Canada, I am still having a problem accessing the diary of Anne Jocelyn, sister of Theodosia Jocelyn (first wife of Richard Powerscourt and first cousin to Theodosia Ann (Howard) Powerscourt.)
This was, in reality, an “All in the Family Story”
Can anyone help me here?
Ralph
Is there such a thing as a picture of Theodosia Ann (nee Howard)? Also was there an Orangery in the grounds of the house – any more infor available?
I am looking for information on the John Kennedy and his family. John Kennedy, who was born in 1790 and immigrated to Canada in 1836, along with his family, was the land agent for the Powerscourt Estate. There must still be some Kennedys around the area….
My grandmother was born in Glencap Commons, Caroline Hill (later Mills), her father was Thomas Hill and mother Mary Curran. Her grandfather was Joseph Hill. Does anyone now about the hill family?
Greetings from Napier, New Zealand. What an awesome, informative website. Thanks so much for all your incredible work. I assume there would have been loads of various different agricultural trades people associated with the estate back in the day but I am somewhat perplexed. From the later Australasian records, my ancestors were clearly associated with the the estate but their names – even surnames – don’t seem to pop up in relation to it. My great grandfather, x4, James Nicholas Smyth, was a ‘forester’ at Powerscourt – circa 1820s- 1860s – but neither his name or that of his wife – Mary Mulligan/Milligan – or even their surnames -show up in those wonderful, extraordinary parochial records, while many generations of other local workers families do. My great grandmother x3 Maryann O’Hare, Aheir, Hare – then Shields – (nee Smyth) was born at Powerscourt circa 1840/41 but I could find no sign of her birth either. She married twice, both times to Irish master mariners, and ended up living in Port Chalmers, Otago, New Zealand. She died in 1921. Our much loved family dog, who is ginger and cream coloured huntaway cross is aptly named ‘Uisce Beatha’ – after the Irish whiskey. Her previous owner Riona grew up in a village near the Powerscourt estate. Small world!