Heritage Week 2019. The County Louth Archaeological & Historical Society (https://clahs.ie/) tour of Termonfeckin led by Declan Quaile takes in the Church of Ireland (St Fechin’s). The church is due for sale. All the monuments are recorded here.
Please visit the website of Termonfeckin Historical Society for all aspects relating to the history of the town.
Here we present an article in 2007 Termonfechin Review
Plaque Inscriptions and Heraldry in Termonfeckin
Parish
(Seamus
Bellew and Declan Quaile)
PLAQUE
INSCRIPTIONS IN ST FECHIN’S CHURCH
The present Church of Ireland (St
Fechin’s) at Termonfeckin was built in 1792 to the design of Francis Johnston,
with a tower and wooden spire. A broach spire of limestone ashlar was designed
by another Armagh architect, Samson Jervis. It was erected after 1903, when
Elizabeth Jane Brabazon bequeathed £2,000 towards its construction (Casey and
Rowan 1993, 498). The inscriptions appearing on the monuments and brasses
inside the church now follow.
Brabazon
(Wallop & second wife, Margaret Crane)
Sacred to the memory of Wallop Brabazon of Rath Esqr. who departed
this life on the 28th day of October 1831 aged 61 years. “Blessed are
the dead who die in the Lord” His piety was deep and earnest tho unobtrusive
while his conduct throughout an active and useful life gave unvarying evidence
of the practical Christian. He was an affectionate husband, a tender father, a
kind master, a humane and impartial magistrate, a liberal and indulgent
landlord, possessing a mind richly informed and variously gifted with an open
and generous heart, courteous manners and a cheerful social disposition. He was
highly estimable as an acquaintance, invaluable as a friend. This monument
erected by his afflicted widow affords a very inadequate testimony of his
endearing worth and of her enduring affection.
(Below on a separate plaque)
Also to the memory of Margaret widow of the above Wallop Brabazon
Esq. and daughter of William Crane Esq. She was married 17th Nov.
1810 and died 4th Dec. 1864, aged 75. Her remains lie in the
catacombs in Kensal Green cemetery. Of her twelve children nine survive who
mourn the loss of a most tender and devoted mother.
Brabazon
(Elizabeth Jane)
This tablet is
erected to the memory of Elizabeth Jane Brabazon of Rath House, who died at
Nice 19th March 1903, aged 74. She left liberal offerings for this
parish including two thousand pounds for the erection of the present church tower
and spire. All her bequests being to the glory of God, and in memory of her
father the Rev. William Brabazon, her eldest brother Dupre Alexander Brabazon
and herself. “Lord, I have loved the habitation of Thy house.” Ps. xxvi
Brabazon
(Revd. William)
In loving memory
of Revd. William Brabazon late rector of Sydden, Co. Meath and of Rath House in
this parish. Born 6th May 1798. Died 13th Sept. 1882. And
of Georgina, his wife. Born 10 August 1800. Died 29th Sept 1884.
This tablet is erected in sure & certain hope of a happy reunion by their
surviving son and daughter. (Brass)
Brabazon
(Jane Du Pre, first wife of Wallop)
In a vault near
this church lie the remains of Jane, wife of Wallop Brabazon, of Rath, Esqre.
She was daughter of the late Josias Du-Pre, of Wilton-Park, in Buckinghamshire,
Esqre. She was born on Saturday the 9th of May, 1769, was married on
Saturday the 19th of March, 1796 and departed this life at Hung
Road, near Bristol, on Friday the 21st of Novr 1800, aged 31 years
& 6 months, leaving two sons and two daughters.
Brabazon
(Anthony & wife Mary Donagh)
Near this lie
the remains of Anthony Brabazon of Carstown Esqr. who died the 6th
of July 1771 aged 72. He married Mary daughter of Phillip Donagh Esqr. who
erected this monument of her love & regard to his memory. Captain James
Brabazon father of the sd Anthony married Mary daughter of Henry Colley of
Castle Carberry Esqr. He was 6th son of James Brabazon the second
son of Sr Anthony Brabazon, brother to the First Earl of Meath. Also in the
same tomb lie the remains of Mary relict of the aforesaid Anthony. She departd
this life the 15th day of July 1793 aged 84 years.
Plate 1: The monument of Anthony Brabazon and his wife Mary.
Hawkshaw
To the memory of
Thomas Hawkshaw, late of the 5th regt of foot who died 22d Jan 1793
aged 42 years. Also to the memory of his son John William, Lieut in the 90th
regt. Born 11th Octr 1785, and died 14th Novr 1812. And
of his son Thomas, who was born 9th Decr 1788 and died in 1802. And
of his son Wallop Brabazon Hawkshaw, late Lieut of the Vigo man of war, who was
born 30th June 1790, and died 30th Septr 1813. Captain
Thomas was son to the Revd. John Hawkshaw of the Co. of Monaghan. His widow
Vincentia, daughter of Wallop Brabazon Esqr, has erected this monument to the
memory of her husband and all her offspring. Also to the memory of Vincentia,
widow of the above Captain Hawkshaw. She died 1st Feby 1825, aged
78.
McClintock
Sacred to the
memory of Alexander McClintock of Newtown House Esq. who died Dec. 14th
1796 aged 50 years. And Mary his wife, daughter of Samuel Perry of Perrymount,
Co. of Tyrone Esq., who died Feby 9th 1817 aged 55 years. In the
same vault in the adjoining churchyard are also deposited the remains of Jane
their eldest daughter, relict of Henry Bird Esq. Major of the 18th
or RI regt of infantry, who died April 22nd 1811 aged 28 years. And
of her infant son Henry who died Octbr 7th 1810 aged 9 months. Also
the remains of Maria Catherine their second daughter who died Augt 20th
1837 aged 46 years. Also the remains of Jane, wife of Samuel McClintock Esq.
their second son. She was the third daughter of Col. L. Lane of the Honble E.I.
Compys Service and died Novbr 21st 1837 aged 36 years. Her son
Alexander who died August 15th 1822 aged 5 months rests beside
her.
Pentland
(George)
To the memory of
George Pentland Esqr of Black Hall in this parish who died on the 17th
of August 1834 aged 64 years. And to Mary his wife who died on the 24th
of September 1832 aged 55 years. Also to Robert their eldest son who died on
the 5th of September 1832 aged 36 years.
Plate 2: The
Pentland monument.
Pentland
(George Henry)
To the memory of
George Henry Pentland of Black Hall who died 20th June 1882 aged 82
years. He married firstly Rebecca, eldest daughter of Wallop Brabazon of Rath
House who died 22nd Oct 1844, leaving one daughter. And secondly
Sophia Mabella, second daughter of the Revd. Alexander Johnstone Montgomery of
Beaulieu who died 17th August 1897, leaving four sons and two
daughters by whom this tablet is erected in loving memory of their parents.
(Brass)
Pentland
(Augustus)
In memory of our
beloved brother Augustus Tichborne Pentland died 5th June 1900, aged
43 years. (Brass)
HERALDRY IN TERMONFECKIN PARISH
As a system, heraldry arose in the early twelfth century in response to
the need for a means of identifying knights in the battlefield; they were clad
in mail (body armour) from head to toe. The term ‘coat of arms’ usually refers to the device on the shield but
also recalls the practice of repeating this on the surcoat worn over the armour
(Crotty 1997, 6).
After medieval times heraldry lost its practical use, nevertheless
families illustrated their importance and kinship with influential families
through heraldry. Termonfeckin parish is endowed with heraldry mainly in St
Fechin’s church and in the adjoining graveyard
. There are also coats of arms of interest in Carstown House.
Heraldry in the church:
Four of the monuments in the church bear coats of arms. The first to
Alexander McClintock (of Newtown House) bears the McClintock crest (a lion) above the
inscription. The McClintock and Perry impaled coat of arms and the McClintock
motto are beneath the inscription. An impaled coat of arms has the husband’s arms appearing on
the ‘dexter’ side (left to the
viewer), while the arms on the ‘sinister’ side (right to the viewer) are for the wife.
In this case the dexter side has the McClintock arms (containing three
escallops) and the sinister side has the Perry arms (containing three crowns)
as shown in plate 3 for Alexander McClintock and his wife Mary Perry. The
McClintock motto is ‘Virtute et labore’ (‘By valour and exertion’).
Plate 3: The McClintock and Perry coat of arms.
Plate 4: The McClintock and Perry coat of arms at Seskinore.
The other three monuments in the church of heraldic interest are
connected through the Brabazon family. The monument to Wallop Brabazon and his
wife Margaret Crane, has the impaled arms of Brabazon (containing three
martlets) and the arms of Crane (containing three crosses). The Brabazon crest
(a falcon) is above the coat of arms, while the family motto ‘Vota vita mea’ (‘Prayers are my life’) is beneath the coat
of arms. The coat of arms also has a crescent, a mark of cadence indicating a
second son. This impaled shield is shown in plate 5. The monument in the porch,
to Elizabeth Brabazon has the family coat of arms, crest and motto. The final
monument of heraldic interest in the church is to Captain Thomas Hawkshaw
husband of Vincentia Brabazon. Beneath the inscription lies the Hawkshaw crest
and coat of arms (shown in plate 6). Thomas was the son of John Hawkshaw who
was Rector of Monaghan (1740-59).
Plate 5: The Brabazon and Crane coat of arms.
Plate 6: The Hawkshaw coat of arms.
Heraldry in the Churchyard:
There are two
stones of heraldic interest in the graveyard. The first is the Dillon headstone
for Michael Eric, 20th Viscount Dillon, who died in 1979. The
photograph of the headstone was shown in this review (Quaile 2003, 11). The
arms on the headstone are those of Dillon quartered with those of Lee as shown
in plate 7, also included are the Viscount’s coronet and the Dillon crest and
motto ‘Dum spiro spero’ (‘While I live, I shall hope’). Charles
12th Viscount of Costello, Gallen, Co Mayo joined the State Church
in 1767 and assumed the name and arms of Lee (Cox 2000, 85). He was the son of
Henry Dillon, 11th Viscount and of Lady Charlotte Lee, eldest
daughter and heiress of George 2nd Earl of Lichfield. The 20th
Viscount, bought Rath House in the 1950s and he changed the family name back to
Dillon. The family sold Rath House in 1981.
Plate 7: The Dillon and Lee coat of arms.
The older Dillon Headstone
The Dillon Headstone erected after 2008
The second stone of interest, near the east window of the church is that
belonging to Edward Kerr of Termonfeckin. Edward’s wife, Mary died in 1799 and their daughter,
Sarah died in 1816 (Quaile 2003, 17). Above the inscription is a coat of arms
and crest. On either side of the shield are the words Anno Domini and the date
1793. The coat of arms is now very worn but it appears to be divided into four
quarters and it is reasonably clear in the first and fourth quarters (top
left-hand and bottom right-hand quarters) that we have three mascles (diamond
shapes with a hole in their centre). The second and third quarters are unclear.
The Termonfeckin Kerr arms resemble those of Ker of Sesfuirde, Scotland,
at least in the first and fourth quarters. These arms (shown in plate 8) are
anciently recorded in Scotland given in Sir David Lindsay’s Armorial in 1542
cited in the website given below. The quarters with the mascles are for the
Weapont family, obviously an ancient family that the Ker (Scottish spelling)
family married into. As the second and third quarters at Termonfeckin are worn,
we are not sure if they match the corresponding quarters of Ker of Sesfuirde.
These quarters each contain a chevron with three mullets, this is one of the
Kerr coat of arms. Whether Edward Kerr of Termonfeckin was entitled to carry
these or similar arms is unclear. The crest at Termonfeckin appears to be the
head of an animal possibly a unicorn’s head matching a commonly used Kerr crest.
Plate 8: The coat of arms of Ker of Sesfuirde.
By kind permission of Stephen Plowman for the use of the Kerr photograph from his website (heraldry-online.org.uk),
By kind permission of Stephen Plowman for the use of the Kerr photograph from his website (heraldry-online.org.uk),
Heraldry in
Carstown:
The house at Carstown dates from the seventeenth century. Casey and
Rowan (1993, 182-4) note that the building is a rare survival of an Irish manor
house, which followed the late medieval tower houses of the fifteenth and
sixteenth centuries. They also note the presence of two coats of arms, one
above the entrance (this is internal as there is no coat of arms on the outside
of the house) and the other above the principle chimneypiece, both of which
bear the date 1612 and the initials O.P. and K.H., which are identified as
Oliver Plunkett and his wife Katherine Hussey, daughter of James Hussey of
Galtrim. Oliver Plunkett’s father, Alexander was the sixth son of Oliver, first Lord Louth. The
house is not accessible at the moment but the coats of arms were previously
recorded by Fitzgerald (1906, 586-7) and by Tempest (1943, 219-21).
In 1899 Revd John Segrave, Parish Priest of Termonfeckin, took a rubbing
from ‘a
sculptured stone in a very massive limestone chimney-piece in the dining room
of Carstown House’ (Fitzgerald 1906, 586). The rubbing has the inscription IHS and the
initials O.P. and K.H appearing above the coat of arms, a photograph of
Segrave’s rubbing from Fitzgerald’s article is shown in plate 9. There is also
a decorative feature between both initials. The impaled coat of arms of
Plunkett and Hussey is within a decorative wreath. Fitzgerald also notes the
legend in two lines under the arms as follows:
IN DMNO
CONFIDO 1612
Plate 9: The
Plunkett and Hussey coat of arms on the chimneypiece at Carstown.
The second impaled coat of arms recorded by Tempest is also that of
Plunkett and Hussey. The letters IHS and the date 1612 are above the arms while
the initials O.P. and K. H. are on either side. As in the previous case, the
arms are within a decorative wreath. Tempest’s (1943, 220) drawing is similar
to the image on one of the photographs from his collection. The photograph
(shown in plate 10) now with Noel Ross shows a rubbing of the impaled coat of
arms and the other features just described.
For whatever reason Tempest appears to confuse the two coats of arms. He
states that his drawing was from ‘the room to the left of the hall, on the
massive stone mantle over the fireplace’, but his drawing and photograph are different
from Segrave’s rubbing. However he goes onto note that the same arms are carved
over the Hall door. Casey and Rowan (1993, 183) note the massive limestone
chimneypiece that is 9 feet wide and 5 feet high. They also point out that the
chimneypiece lintel has five joggled joints and that the sculpted plaque of
1612 is on the central keystone. Tempest’s drawing appears to be that of the coat of
arms over the hall door.
Plate 10: The
Plunkett and Hussey coat of arms over the Hall door at Carstown.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
County Louth Archaeological and
Historical Journal abbreviated to C.L.A.H.J.
Journal
of the Association for the Preservation of the Memorials of the Dead, Ireland
abbreviated
to JAPMDI.
Bellew, S. 2005 ‘McClintock
Inscriptions and Heraldry at Drumcar, C.L.A.H.J.,
xxvi, 1, 134-39.
Burke, B. 1871 A Genealogical and Heraldic History of
the Landed Gentry of
Great Britian and Ireland, London.
Burke, B. 1884 General Armory of England, Scotland,
Ireland and Wales,
London.
Casey, C.
and 1993 North
Leinster, London.
Rowan, A.
Crotty, G. 1997 ‘Heraldry in Ireland, Part One’, Irish Roots,
Issue No. 21, 6-7.
Cox, L. 2000 ‘The
Dillons, Lords of Kilkenny West: Part One’, Ríocht na
Mídhe, xiv, 71-87.
Fitzgerald, W. 1906 ‘Carstown House, Parish of Termonfeckin’, JAPMDI,
vi, 3, 586-7.
Quaile, D. 2003 ‘Termonfeckin Graveyard Inscriptions’, Termonfeckin
Historical
Society Review, iii,
5-36.
Tempest, H.G. 1943 ‘Two Fireplace Inscriptions 1584 and 1612’, C.L.A.J., x, 3, 216-21.
Website http://heraldry-online.org.uk/kerr/kerr-arms.htm
APPENDIX 1: HERALDIC TERMS
The reader is referred to the General Armory for more technical
definitions.
Tinctures: gules = red, or = gold, sable = black, vert = green, argent
= silver, azure = blue,
a bend is a diagonal bar,
a chevron
is a rafter shape,
a cross fitchée is a particular type of cross as shown on the Crane coat of arms
(plate 5),
an escallop
is a shell,
an estoile
is a star shape
a fess is a horizontal bar,
a lion rampant
is a lion standing on his back paws
per pale means the coat of arms is split in half with one colouring on the left and another on the right.
APPENDIX 2: FAMILY COATS OF ARMS
All the coats of
arms are taken from the General Armory (Burke 1884). The page numbers are not
given as the names are listed in alphabetic order in the General Armory.
Brabazon: Gules
on a bend or, three martlets sable. Crest: On a mount vert a falcon rising or,
belled gold.
Crane: Argent a fesse between three
crosses crosslet fitchée gules.
Dillon: Argent a lion rampant between three
crescents gules overall a fess azure. Crest: A demi lion rampant gules holding
in the paws an estoile wavy or.
Lee: Argent a fess between three crescents sable.
McClintock: Per
pale gules and azure a chevron ermine between three escallops argent. Crest: A
lion passant argent.
Hawkshaw: Argent
a chevron gules between three hawks’ heads erased proper each gorged with a ducal
coronet or. Crest A hawk’s head erased and gorged as in the arms.
Hussey: Barry
of six ermine and gules, on a canton gules, a cross or.
Plunkett: Sable, a bend argent in sinister chief
a tower triple-towered argent.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks to Mrs
Juliet Lush for access to the church to carry out the transcriptions, to
Stephen Plowman for the use of the Kerr photograph from his website
(heraldry-online.org.uk), to Gerard Crotty for his help with some of the
heraldic detail and finally to Noel Ross for access to Walter Fitzgerald’s
article and for permission to reproduce H.G. Tempest’s photograph.
Additional Photographs
Additional Photographs
The Kain gravestone carved by Patrick Corrigan
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