Coppingers of Barryscourt Descriptive List (Ref. U405)

Letters to William Coppingers, 1740-1843. From the collections of Cork City and County Archives Service.

Cork City and County Archives

Descriptive List

Identity Statement Area

Reference Code:

IE CCCA/U405

Title:

Coppinger of Barryscourt, Letters, 1740-1843

Dates:

1740-56; 1784-85; 1827-43 [1797]

Level of description:

Fonds / Item

Extent:

90 items

Context

Archival History

The ninety letters comprising this collection were formerly located at Bailick Cottage, Ballinacurra, Co Cork, the onetime residence of a Coppinger descendant who possessed them. On his departure, they remained at the house and came into the possession of a later occupant, Ms Ava Glasson. On changing residence, Ms Glasson brought the letters with her. In 2009 she contacted Cork City and County Archives (CCCA) for advice on preserving and making available the collection and its contents. In June 2009, the collection was transferred to CCCA. Both the originals and copies are in the custody of CCCA.

Biographical History

The Coppingers of Barryscourt were one of the leading Catholic landowning and clerical families in Cork in the era of the Penal Laws, which restricted Catholic civil liberties (c1695-1827). A Stephen Coppinger, having fled to France following the defeat of the Catholic King James II by King William of Orange in the 1690s, returned to Ireland in the early 1700s, leasing lands at Barryscourt from the earl of Barrymore. The family farmed extensive estates at Barryscourt and at Ballyvolane, Co Cork. Unusually, the Co ppingers held the right to present parish priests to the Catholic parishes of St Mary’s, Shandon, and SS Peter and Paul, both in Cork city, a privilege enjoyed since medieval times but which was to fall into abeyance in the late eighteenth century, and to be finally

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extinguished in the early nineteenth century (see Allied Materials below, and item U405/6).

The William Coppinger to whom most of the present letters were addressed seems to have been Stephen’s son, and flourished in the middle of the eighteenth century. He was apparently succeeded successively by his son and grandson, both William, the latter inheriting a heavily indebted estate in 1816. The elder William was connected through marriage and kinship to many other leading Catholic landowning families, including the Butlers of Kilcash, the Galweys of Lota, and the Sarsfields of Ducloyne. His brother Joseph was a prominent merchant, engaged especially in the wine trade, based at Cork. His grandson William (1779- 1863) was a friend of Daniel O’Connell , his sister being married to the Liberator’s brother. He never married, and on his death his estates, including one at Ballylean, Co Clare, passed to his nephew, Morgan John O’Connell. William’s brother Thomas achieved prominence as a miller, with mills i n the nearby town of Midleton. Throughout the generations, several family members became priests, with one, William Coppinger (cousin of the younger owner of Barryscourt), becoming Catholic bishop of Cloyne and Ross, serving in that office from 1791 to 1831. Allied Materials CCCA U229 Exham Flynn Solicitors’ Papers. This collection contains many letters and legal documents of the three William Coppingers, including an 1801 lease of the Barryscourt estate, leased from the earls of Barrymore (U229/102/1). Several documents relate to the right to present priests to the parishes of St Mary’s, Shandon, and SS Peter and Paul (e.g., U229/100/21, /34).

Content and Structure

Scope and Content Of the ninety letters present, seventy-nine are addressed to the elder William Coppinger, and range in date from 1740 to 1756. Only two are addressed to his son William (1784- 85). Of the remain ing letters, only one, from Daniel O’Connell, is addressed to the younger William Coppinger (1832). Three are directed to his brother Thomas, all from bishops. The letter from Bishop Collins of Ross is of particular interest, as in it he explains in detail the reasons why he must decline to support publicly the Catholic candidate in a forthcoming election (U405/87). One letter is addressed to ‘L’Abbé’ Stephen Coppinger, and one to Bishop William Coppinger (both 1827). A copy of a letter from Edmund Burke to Dr Hussey, Bishop of Waterford, is also present (1797). In it, Burke advises against the use by Catholic bishops of seals showing arms and a mitre, noting that ‘malignant enemies’ might interpret such use as implying a claim to temporalities held by the bishops of the Established Church (U405/82). The latest item present is a letter to a James Power, apparently a Coppinger relative, from Mary Coppinger, in Lucca, Italy (1843).

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The elder William Coppinger’s main correspondents were his brother Joseph (‘Joe’, the Cork wine merchant), his brother-in-law John Galwey of Carrigg, his nephew Stephen Coppinger, his cousin John Crotty of Ballygallane, various Gould cousins in east Cork, Dr MacKenna regarding parish clergy, and a Francis Flaherty of Agliss to whom William owed some money. The letters concern family affairs and relationships, religious piety, land, trade, and, occasionally, the politics of the day. As an example of their content, there are a few letters touching on each of the following subjects: Stephen Coppinger’s attempt to recover the residual estate of his brother who died in Sweden (U405/19, 21, 28) ; William Coppinger’s salting and barrelling of herring for sale by his brother Joe (U405/4, 14, 25, 27, 30, 42, 56); and John Galwey’s efforts to find an appropriate school for his son Billy (U405/50, 63, 64). William’s struggle with depression (e.g. U405/6, 10), and the births and illnesses of children (e.g. U405/41, 52) are recurring themes. The letters have been arranged in chronological order. A number of undated letters (No.s 73-79), all seemingly from the 1750s, have been placed after the last dated letter from the 1750s and before the next dated letter, which is from 1784. An ‘Index Note’ indicating which letters are from which correspondent precedes the list of items below.

System of Arrangement

Letters to William Coppinger I, 1740-56 Letters to William Coppinger II, 1784-85

iii Letters to William Coppinger III, his brother Thomas, and to other Coppinger relatives, 1827-43 [1797]

Publication Note:

Inside Their World , exhibition catalogue by Marita Foster, Cork Archives Institute (now CCCA), Cork, 1992. This catalogue contains a biographical note and selected list of documents relating to the younger William Coppinger (1779-1863) in the Exham Flynn Solicitors Papers (CCCA/U229).

Conditions of Access and Use

Open by appointment to those holding a current readers ticket.

Owing to the age and fragility of the original letters, only hard copies of scanned images of the letters may be produced in the Research Room. At the Archivist’s discretion, permission may be granted to allow examination of original items in some cases. Open for research by appointment and application form. Subject to the Rules Governing Access to Archives and other Material at CCCA.

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Archivists Note: Timmy O Connor, Local Government Archivist, Cork City and County Archives, August 2009

Contents

Index Note........................................................................................................................... 5 List of items ........................................................................................................................ 7 i Letters to William Coppinger I, 1740-56 (79 items) .............................................. 7 ii Letters to William Coppinger II, 1784-85 (2 items) ............................................. 37 iii Letters to William Coppinger III, his brother Thomas, and ................................. 38 to other Coppinger relatives, 1827-43 [1797] (9 items) ............................................ 38

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Index Note

Letters to William Coppinger I (fl. 1740s-50s), from:

Coppinger, Joseph, brother, Wine Merchant, Cork

U405/ 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 14, 17, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 35, 38, 39, 43, 44, 45, 54, 55, 56, 58, 59, 60, 62, 65, 66, 68, 70, 71, 72, 78

Coppinger, Stephen, nephew, Carhue U405/ 19, 21, 28, 37

Coppinger, Edward, nephew, Cork U405/ 32, 34

Galwey, John, brother-in-law, Carrigg

U405/ 3, 15, 33, 40, 42, 47, 48, 49, 50, 52, 53, 57, 61, 63, 73, 74

Galwey, Richard, brother of John, Huntingtown, Co Carlow U405/ 11, 64

Galwey, Margaret (Mary), niece of John, Borris, Co Tipperary

U405/ 46, 76

Crotty, John, neighbouring farmer and relative, Ballygallane, Castlelyons U405/ 9, 10, 12, 31, 41

Goold (Gould), Henry, Edmond, and Margaret, cousins U405/ 13, 51, 77, 79

Sarsfield, Maurice and Dominic, cousins U405/ 1, 69, 75

McKenna, Dr Matt, priest

U405/ 16, 18, 23, 24

Flaherty, Francis, neighbour and bond holder, Agliss U405/ 20, 22, 36, 67

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Letters to William Coppinger II (fl.1780s) from:

Galway, John, uncle, Carrigg U405/ 80

Sarsfield, Patrick, cousin, [Spain] U405/ 81

Letter to William Coppinger III (1779-1863) from:

O’Connell, Daniel, brother -in- law, ‘The Liberator’ U405/86

Letters to Thomas Coppinger (fl. 1820s-30s) from:

[Rolls], Charles, artist, London U405/ 84

Collins, N., Bishop of Ross, Skibbereen U405/ 87

Murphy, John, Bishop of Cork U405/ 88

Crotty, B., Bishop of Cloyne and Ross, Cove U405/ 89

Letter to William Coppinger, Bishop of Cloyne and Ross, from:

Comerford, John, Dublin U405/ 85

Letter to Stephen Coppinger, seminarian, Paris, from:

Coppinger, William, cousin, bishop of Cloyne and Ross (1791-1831) U405/ 83

Other Letters

U405/82

Edmund Burke to Dr Hussey, Bishop of Waterford, 1797

U405/90

Letter to James Power, London, from Mary Coppinger, Italy, 1 July 1843

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List of items

Letters to William Coppinger I, 1740-56

(79 items)

28 September 1740

Letter (to William Coppinger) from Maurice Sarsfield, Dublin, stating ‘I wrote you from hence and am of opinion you had heard all, I told you my mind before I sett out for this town I received two letters from my cousin Fraink. I am no further concerned in any informations but against Toller I have prevented the breaking twenty of the officers being Broake. You may hear a great deal by some of Toller’s friends but doe not believe a word of them until I see you my self. I wrote Mr Roger Griffin three letters he did not think meet to answer any of them. I hope youll spare your thoughts of me until I shew you proper Reasons of my being a wellwisher to my flesh and blood. I conclude with my best respects to all your family and to my cousin your brother. I beg youl speak to my unkle that he should write to me a letter in order to lett me know how he is. I would have wrote to him but that I am sensible he has not wherewithal to pay the postage I would be proud to hear from you but am afraid it would be troublesome. Ill go back again please god and return some of my friends thanks. Yours affectionate kinsman and humble servant, Mau: Sarsf ield’. In a postscript he adds ‘I pray youl make my Uncle Sarsfield write to me, I want for nothing & thank god there is noe embargo on me. I trust in god to live for some time longer’.

2pp

29 September 1747

Letter to William Coppinger ‘at Mr William Graces Merchant in Abbey Street, Dublin’, from Joseph Coppinger, Corke, e xpressing dismay that William is ‘no further advanced in your affairs than on your arrival in Dublin’, adding ‘I find by it that poor Teresa & I have nothing to expect but misery & poverty’. He asks ‘is there no hope or expectation for us to benefit in any shape by my poor brother’s will’. He notes that he has been told by Mr Kearney that the power to collect rents on behalf of William and his sister which he has received is such tha t he cannot compel the tenants to pay, ‘so that if any make any objection I must only submit to it until I am properly authorized’. He continues ‘I shall not pass any receipts for Killicloyne until you desire it, but have a charming opportunity to sollicit my Lord for the renewal of Ballincollig as I received a letter from him this day desiring to know whether I heard anything from you regarding the family affairs, but as I have nothing but what regards myself I can the better write him that I hope for his Lordships goodness in granting a renewal, which would be some help to steer through life but I own I have not much hope for success’. He states that he is sending the English

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horse to Barry’s Court ‘to be taken care of, for he was brought home in a most mi serable condition’ He asks how much the grey mare sold for. He reports that Doctor Walsh and Mr Butler ‘live in harmony’, both performing parish functions, but ‘who is to be the Mediator between them is not yet known’. He reports ‘Colonel Hyde was yesterda y chose Nemine Con – his election gott him scarce two [Th.ds] of Clarret, a sad thing when the Knight of the Shire for the county of Corke is elected at so little cost, at least its bad for Wine Merchants’. He adds that he is busy ‘regulating my accounts f or a close inspect ion’ by William and his sister.

3pp

20 October 1747

Letter to William Coppinger, Barry’s Court, from John Galwey, Corke, explaining that he has arrived in Cork after collecting his papers from Carrigg and ‘here I am prepairing for tomorrow & a disagreeable meeting it will I fear be for me’. He states that he has seen ‘our friend F.K.’ [Kennedy] and sends ‘a friendl y advice which I beg youll take notice of in every particular’ and ‘doe every thing as he desires’. He thinks it not wor th examining ‘R.S.’s freehold’. He informs Coppinger that ‘Kitty Galwey is certainly married to White & has been so these 14 or 15 months past. A brave match she has made as he is Im informed worth 300 Pounds & upwards’. [The letter is frayed along the bo ttom edge, affecting the text].

2pp

24 October 1747

Letter to William Coppinger ‘at Mr William Grace’s, Mer[chan]t, Abbey Street, Dublin’, from Joseph Coppinger, Cork, exhorting him to ‘for God sake banish all gloomy & afflicting thoughts & don’t ren der your friends more miserable by impairing a health so dear to us’. He reminds him that ‘we shall always see others in a more deplorable situation’ and advises ‘lett no tormenting ideas get the better of religion & reason’. He is glad that William intends to return home shortly, and notes that he will remain silent as to any business until then. He reports that their sister and her family are well. He also notes ‘They had a good draft of Herrings last night. Those that are all ready saved I can sell very well if they send them up to me, but they are not yet come’. He refers to the incident of ‘Mr Butler’s behaviour tow[ar]ds Mr O Bryon’ and Dr Welsh, including the use of an ‘indecent word’ in chapel, remarking ‘you never heard the like of it’. He adds that he has delivere d William’s letter to Dr Welsh.

3pp

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27 October 1747

Letter to William Coppinger ‘in Dublin’, from Joseph Coppinger, Corke, regarding the proving of a will. He expresses bewilderment that William’s latest letter ‘leaves me as much in the dark as your former ones’, as it makes no mention of proving the will, taking out administration, or of their sister taking out a writ of dower. He comments ‘there’s scarce one of the town but what knows more of the affairs of the family than we do’ . He asks that William be present when Mr Wall inspects the accounts kept by Joseph at the request of their sister ‘as you could remove any objection she should make’, adding ‘I know my transactions for my poor brother to be true and honest’. He hopes the matter can be discharged that day ‘as I would chuse to have it quite over without any second hand inspection, & have them closed with honour’. Joseph expresses the wish that William had taken the advice of cousin Kearney ‘by making the judicious friend he recommended you, a Confident of all your proceedings & those of the family, and by whom you ought entirely to be governed’. He states that on receipt of William’s authority to receive rents he shall ‘take care & oblige these backward gentlemen to pay’. He expresses his gladness that William and his sister like the dirge, and that they ‘continue in such harmony’. He adds ‘I have no doubt of her good intentions to save the family, but am sorry to hear the hint you give, that the Law is likely to deprive her o f the means’.

3pp

5 November 1747

Letter to William Coppinger from Joseph Coppinger, Cork, beginning ‘I wrote you the last post & then remitted you John Herns bill for £30 @ 15 days sight on Thomas Egan in Dublin, which I hope you received, as I find it is chiefly what causes your delay in Dublin’. He states his sister refuses to call on him as she will not leave the care of William’s children and business in Barry’s Court: ‘she thinks neither in safety but in her presence’. He is sorry that William’s letter ‘promises no kind of comfort to our familly’, but encourages him not to dwell on the ‘bare apprehension of misfortunes’ and to bear up against those it may be God’s will to send. He adds ‘I greatly fear you are quite overcome’. ‘To divert you’ he tells William of a clerical dispute involving Messrs Butler, Walsh, and O’Bryan, declaring ‘never was a campaign in Flanders so warm’. Having recited the dispute in detail, Joseph states ‘no time is certainly to be lost for your presenting him [O’Bryan?] t o the parish which right now actually invests in you for if 6 months expire without a formal presentation then your right is lost’. [The letter is frayed along the bottom edges, causing some loss of text]. [See also U229/100/21, 34]

3pp

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17 November 1747

Letter to William Coppinger ‘at Mr William Graces Merchant in Abbey Street, Dublin’, from Joseph Coppinger, Corke, 17 November 1747, expressing his ‘apprehension of your giving too much way to the misfortune you labour under’, and urging him to tru st in God. He hopes to see him soon, and expresses his confidence that William is ‘taking all imaginable measures to serve me, be assured in return I shall be grateful to the least of them, whether they are effectual or not’. He claims that he owes his own resolution to his sister’s ‘heroick behaviour’.

3pp

20 November 1747

Letter to William Coppinger ‘at William Grace’s, Merchant in Abbey Street, Dublin’, from Joseph Coppinger, Corke, advising ‘as to what Ben Sullivan said I would lay no stress on it, as I suppose the Doctor told him soe as an excuse for his proceeding against you. To be sure Mr Galwey is the proper person to give directions for the discharge of it, & undoubtedly will on your application. This first year of his Guardianship will certainly be the most troublesome, as all punctuality must be observed in the discharge of the interest, but Xmas will be too soon to call for the last rents become due, besides the difficulty to answer all other calls, that will be on him. What ever orders he gives me I shall be most punctual to them & you may depend particularly so where your interest is concerned’. ‘As to Donworth’s affair’ he states that he cannot proceed for the present, because ‘the cash I gave the remittances made, and the Doctor’s and m any other applications I have made has entirely exhausted my finances’. He thinks William should allow Commander Cavendish ‘for the [press] & stairs he made, with a good grace, & preserve him our friend than to be compell’d to do it & make him an enemy’. Regarding rent owed to Mr Kearney, he suggests that William make a complaint to him that Mr Rogerson has not allowed workmen into the gardens of Ballyvolane for six months, meaning no preparations for next spring have taken place. He adds ‘the Dung of the stables his [Rogerson’s] servants have been about selling, Maurice Nagle tells me he spoke to Mr Philpott about it, & hinder’d some people from buying it, so that instead of getting a garden well sett & in good heart with all kinds of vegetables & roots, as the Coll.r [collector] received it, it will be returned a barren wilderness with nothing but weeds’. He thinks it was not Mr Cavendish’s intention to have the land returned in that manner, and suggests ‘a proper hint to him may not be amiss’. He is glad that William mentions a proper fee for Mr Flaherty, ‘else resentment may be of some consequence’. He refers to a bill which William received from him. He also expresses surprise that William has still not found cousin Kearney’s paper, stating ‘he actually will sue for it, [as it] is of the last consequence both to his & other gentlemens Estates’. In a post script he informs that ‘old Mrs Roche is at last Dead, by which Mr Kearny gets, much good may it

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do him. This night she is to be interred privately tho’ the coffin I hear is covered with velvet’. [Frayed and torn along bottom ed ge, with some loss of text].

3pp

15 December 1748

Letter to William Coppinger, Barry’s Court, from John Crotty, Castlelyons, beginning ‘The Season approaches when the Melanch oly, the Splenatick and the entire part of Mankind that is any way depress’d endeavour to shake the load of their minds, either among their own familys, or their friends, & as I know you have indulged your self for a good while past in some mental solicitu des, I think you ought to give them a truce’. He tells William that his wife has discovered a ‘julep that is sovreign against Melancholy in general’, and insists he and his family come to them.

10.

16 March 1749

Letter to William Coppinger, Barry’s Court, from John Crotty, Corke, reporting that he and his household, including William’s son Billy, are well, adding of his wife ‘she is pretty well yet barks a little’. He notes that Billy’s eye is clearing, and comments humorously on his children’s obser vations on it. He states that he is two days returned from Ballygallane and travels to his namesake in Carrick [John Galwey] tomorrow, admitting that he has not been following ‘your example of fasting and praying’. He adds that Joe [Coppinger] will not be joining them. He states that he has received a letter ‘by the Widdow from Cove’ and that her ‘fears are removed & she shall be included in the partnership’. He advises that William seek to get over his ‘unfortunate moments’ [depression?] by more activity ‘ which I would recommend to you before a spiritual retreat’. He states ‘I am informed there is one come with £30,000 to Dublin to lay out on good security at £4 P Cent could you not apply to some friend there [around?] such a [ford?] for you’. He continues. ‘I hear for certain the Peers Dalila is gone to the shades, it is the only symptom of his getting into the road of salvation, but until he sends notice to the E_ l of C_ was to quitt the Palace. Ile believe nothing of his Reformation. I fear he’l not long hold, for the head of the great glass fell the other day & smashed a gilded table under it, but this rather prognostigates that his brittle head will shiver a golden fortune. It is no bad guess at prophesying’. He sends his best wishes to William’s family and asks that he tell Mr Sarsfield that he has purchased an excellent flute for him. [Paper is quite fragile, with some holes].

3pp

11.

28 September 1749

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Letter to William Coppinger, Barry’s Court, from Richard Galwey, Huntingtown, Carlow, 28 September 1749, regarding the directions received from Mr Eustace concerning ‘our case with regard to the securing our portions’. It is explained that Eustace prepared a paper to be copied and sent to Galwey’s uncle to be signed and perfected, which would allow Eu stace as executor of Galwey’s father’s will to appoint certain lands out of which the portions may be raised. Eustace is confident this would induce the Lord Chancellor to favour their petition should a decree of court be required. He promises to keep Will iam informed of his uncle’s response, and asks him for his opinion. He reports that his sister is growing stronger, but notes that a threatening continuing frost ‘makes the poor hereabout tremble for their potatoes’. [The letter is badly frayed along the bottom and some folds, with text missing]

3pp

12.

6 January 1750

Letter to William Coppinger, Barry’s Court, from John Crotty, ‘Corke 6 th Jan: 1749/50’, chiding him in mock serious words for his ‘breach of treaty’ in not visiting him and his wife. He ur ges him to ‘venture a mile from home’ and join Mr and Mrs Crotty and his brothers John and Joe. [Some fraying and small holes on lower part of letter]

13.

11 January 1750

Letter to William Coppinger, Barry’s Court, from Henry Goold beginning ‘Dear Cousin’. He states that he has delivered the bearer ‘a good 20 Inch Hand Saw, which I believe is large enough for the life you intend it for’. He also sends one English frying pan and twelve pad locks, the total price coming to eight shillings three pence charged to account.

14.

19 January 1750

Letter to William Coppinger, Barry’s Court, from Joseph Coppinger, Cork, acknowledging his, but explaining that he cannot at present forward the letter for cousin Galwey as he does not know where he is. He notes that the bearer delivered ten barrels of herrings to him, adding ‘I shall dispose of [them] as soon as possible there is no price offer’d for them that article being now Dead, but the arrival of Packetts may putt life in it’. He will also try to sell William’s ‘[hake?] but what price to sell at agreeable to you I know not’. He assures William not to be ‘uneasy about the Oates’ as ‘I shall always be thankful to you for it’. He asks that he tell sister Coppinger that next Monday ‘Ile

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endeavour to putt her s killets on their legs’. He sends him a couple of quires of his own writing paper, there being none of the ‘Grand Corné’ available at present. He explains that he has arranged to have wines delivered to William at a good price. He tells William that, owing to dull trade, ‘a growing charge, heavy rent, & a large house, I have taken a French young gentleman to lodge with me’. He pays twenty guineas a year, states Joseph, while assuring William ‘I have still preserved a good room & bed for you’. He reports ‘Cou sine Haly tells me Lady Bellew has left another of her sons that was in Paris & Mrs Coppinger is gone to her Mother who is in a dying way. Our chief town talk is turn’d on the roads being infested with footpads’.

3pp

15.

1 February 1750

Letter to Willi am Coppinger, Barry’s Court, from John Galwey, Carrigg, noting, in respect of the subpoena enclosed with William’s letter, that ‘I had wrote to my friend Kennedy long before that to appear for all the partys concerned on my side in that cause’. He adds ‘I had great hopes indeed that affair would remain unrevived during [the] minority but now that my kinsman Sr John takes it in hand I fear it must fall heavy on me, but bear it I must’. He expresses some annoyance at William’s recent silence and his claims that he and his wife are indisposed, noting that she is unlikely to recover her disposition ‘till she gets rid of her big belly… but… by producing you a lusty boy will I hope sett all your fabricks in order’. He adds that his wife Jane ‘goes on bravely’ and is determined to ‘stay quietly at home with Granny Walsh’ until her delivery. He speaks of cousin Sarsfield and cousin Paddy, Mr Mahoney, and Nanny Coppinger and her brother Jack. He notes that Mahoney is concerned that William will ‘start difficulties’ [a bout his marriage to Nanny Coppinger] by enquiring into his circumstances to see if he is entitled to her fortune. Galwey opines that he may not be entitled to her full fortune of five or six hundred pounds but ‘he will make it appear he is entitled to the first fortune agreed to vid £200, the rest he looks upon as a gift of the lady’s own’. He notes that it appears her brother Stephen Coppinger approves of the affair, and thinks William ought to be guided by this. He adds ‘your doing anything to prevent th is affair going on would be taken ill by manny’. [The letter is fragile, and is frayed along the bottom edge ] [See U405/73 below]

3pp

16.

6 June 1750

Letter to William Coppinger, Barrys Court, from Dr Matt MacKenna, Cahrue, sending his compliments and enquiring about the health of Mrs Coppinger. He continues ‘in my present circumstances at Carrigtouhil, where I had not much business or satisfaction, I freely accented of my superiors invitation of making a mission in places that want it more than Carrigt uohil, and have left Fr O’Neil in my place’. He asks that letters be sent to Mr Cavey’s in Fishambles lane. He inquires about the chapel and gives some directions

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regarding his horse. A note on the reverse, seemingly by Coppinger, appears to relate to a memo in connection with rents, and to be unconnected to the letter.

2pp

17.

14 June 1750

Letter to William Coppinger, Barry’s Court, from Joseph Coppinger, Corke, reporting that ‘we’ arrived safely in Cork, ‘but parted ou r two companions at Johnstown Gat e’.He is glad to hear sister Coppinger’s disorder ‘seems to him [not] a gout’, and promises ‘to supply her with such wine as will keep it both out of the stomach & head’. He adds ‘when I see Flaherty and Sarsfield next I will consult them on her change’. He thanks him for the rates and adds that he will send for them ‘when I get tackling the price of wool’. He refers him to Molly’s letter for ‘the light occurencies of the city’. In a post script he writes ‘I see there has been no foundation for Paddy Coppinger’s information but that affairs stil give vexation & instead of a ride of recreation you make a long peregrination inspite of D- & his Generation but there I leave it & for quotation the price of wool in this nation is eleven & eightpence [silk?] & variation, & so conclude without hesitation your nearest & most loving relation, here & there & in every station, this ends the tale of my narration’.

2pp

18.

20 June 1750

Letter to William Coppinger, Barrys Court, from Dr Matt MacKenna, Cahrue, stating ‘fearing that Mr O’Neil cannot stand for any time in my place for want of his confrere whom he desired me to send him from this neighbourhood, & who cannot join him at present, I send the bearer Mr Dalil whom the superior has recommended to me. He is the only secular that is not imployed. I do not know him much, but he has been formerly recommended to you. I am very sorry that Mrs Coppinger’s indisposition continues still. I hope that my retiring will make matters easy at that side. I have not time to say more on this subject at present. If you are pleased to address the copy of the warrant against me, together with any other news you have to Mr Daniel O’Donovan Pastor of Glankilly to be kept for M.K. it will come to hand. I suppose your warrant was sent to the high constable [Jo.n] Savage. This day I part from Cahrue where I have passed some days very agreeably with this worthy and very vertous family. They all give you their complements. I remain with my best respects to Mrs Coppinger, Miss Therese & the children your most humble & very ob edient servant, Matt MacKenna’.

19.

11 July 1750

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Letter to William Coppinger, c/o Joseph Coppinger, Cork, from Stephen Coppinger, Ostend, giving ‘a short journall of my voiage’. He discusses his journey to Ostend via Jerickzea, Champhier, and Sluice. He notes that [fellow traveller] ‘Br Hennessy fared as I did’. He sends his best wishes to William and his family, and to cousin Joseph’s and Mr Galwey’s families. He explains briefly his further travel plans, involving G othenburg and Amsterdam. He states that he has seen a letter from his brother to sister Hennessy in which he gives a bad account of his health, which prevents him from travelling. Stephen expects to reach him in fifteen or sixteen days. He asks that the ne ws of his brother’s poor health be kept from his brother Jack. [Letter frayed along top margin and on some fold lines].

2pp

20.

18 July 1750

Letter to William Coppinger, Barry’s Court, from Francis Flaherty, Agliss, complaining that William’s neighbour , Mr McCarthy, has not kept his promise of last May to pay arrears due on his bond for one hundred pounds. He writes ‘I’ve writ to him two or three letters to put him in mind of his promess, but as he looks upon my epistles as so many Duns, he, like some o f our Nobles, (with some of whom he has been acquaint’d,) putts ‘em in his pocket & doubtless makes a proper use of ‘em; The Gentleman knows how to write, this I can attest, for I saw him sign some Bonds very nimbly, but ne plus ultra from him’. He is sorry that William is concerned in another bond of McCarthy’s, and as there is now no hope of Mr Taafe, another party, settling his affairs, William is now, Flaherty explains, ‘my sole refuge and my onely mark’ for the debt. He notes that he has seen one daugh ter married ‘but now having another girl reddy for the same end, its impossible for me to answer her call without this money or part of the debt of Ballyvolane’.

2pp

21.

4 August 1750

Letter to William Coppinger, Barry’s Court, from Stephen Coppinger, Gottenbourg, explaining that as his brother left his affairs ‘in a very distracted way’, he fears he will be detained there for the winter at least. He states ‘I am in a strainge place without a friend to converse or consult with & have a great contest with an opulent widow who challenges almost all my brother left as hers in a presumptive promise of marriage as she says’. He opines ‘she is & ever was (if fame lye not) a very v le woman & my brother the most bewitched man on earth, God forgive him’. He remarks ‘I wish with all my heart I never came here’, but continues ‘If I have justice done me I believe I shall carry from hence 5 or 6000ll’. He sends go od wishes to all of the family.

2pp

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22.

[10] September 1750

Letter to William Coppinger, Barry’s Cou rt, from Francis Flaherty, Agliss, briefly relating in arch terms his ‘Don Quixote like progress’ from Barry’s Court and Youghal to Tallow and Cappoquin, before being ‘happily interrupted’ by an attack of gout which he believes prevented him being ‘dispatched to fight the Blacks’. He claims that Myles McCarthy, as ‘the occasion of the severe pains’ and of ‘the great danger Ive moved through’, owes him ‘speedy justice’. He states that, unless paid, he shall proceed against either Mr Gould or Mr Kearny at onc e, and will consider proceeding on the ‘joint affair’ involving them and William. He expects William to write to him on the matter.

23.

7 October 1750

Letter to William Coppinger, Barrys Court, from Dr Matt MacKenna, [Killury], stating ‘understandin g that Mr Donovan refuses to go to Barrys Court, I proposed to go to see you this day & to consult you on the choice we should make in Cork, seeing that I could get no proper person in this diocese, that would charge himself with the parish, but the bearer Mr O’Keeffe’s coming here this morning saves me that trouble. He now consents to serve that parish, though he absolutely refused it before. I take the liberty of recommending him to you as a very good subject, and do flatter myselfe that you will be well satisfied with him’. He continues ‘As soon as Dr O’Keeffe can begin his functions, Mr Dahil is ordered to retire, & and is not to perform any priestly function until further orders. I pray you will signify this to him’. He sends regards from Dr O’Brien, an d from himself, and extends his compliments to the family of Garrane Cloyne and of Rossmore.

2pp

24.

8 October 1750

Letter ‘to Mr Edward Moragh, Merchant, in Mallow Lane, Cork, to be forwarded to William Coppinger Esqr at Barry’s Court, from Dr MacKenn a, Charleville, thanking them for theirs by Mr [Vorry] and for their ‘constant friendship’. He states ‘I am sorry that Mr [Vorry] has changed his resolution since he saw that place, it seems that some persons there frightened him. The same has indetermined me concerning this place but I cannot quitt until I make something of a solid [visitation?] which cannot be sooner than next xt.mas’. He continues ‘As I understand that Mr Daliel is quite disagreeable & sinfull, I write this day to Dor. O’Brien, praying h im to send a proper person there without delay. I conceive that no man of merit will remain there, unless he has the same advantage I had at Barry’s Court. In case the Dor. does not speedily get a proper person,

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which is not as easily mett with as one may imagine, you are master to take one either secular or regular, to whom I give all necessary power in the interim. After next Christmas I may be master to visit any quondem parishioners, if you advise one to it. Your family is the chiefest motive that would engage one to return. My compliments if you please to Mrs Coppinger and to Miss Therese and your children and believe that none can be more respectfully yours’. [Some fraying and small tears]

25.

21 October 1750

Letter to William Coppinger, Barrys Court, from Joseph Coppinger, Cork, regarding the salting of the former’s fish for sale by the latter [a tear obscures the opening lines]. Joseph sends by the bearer one pound of French salt, as there ‘would not be any the Lisbon at present, so that for another opportunity, as they were apprehensive of losing the tyde’. He adds ‘I sold your two barrels Herrings for 12/ [shillings] so in Gods name send more as fast as you can save them for by del ay the price will grow worse’.

26.

21 November 1750

Letter to William Coppinger, Barryscourt, from Joseph Coppinger, Cork, expressing sorrow at hearing their ‘poor sister’s disorder becomes so serious’. He sends a gallon of ‘Sweet Mountain that I believe will answer, the End of sack kept in town and afflicted s o Colds’. He notes that Molly is taken with ‘a lowness of spirits’ since hearing the news, and reports that Mrs Nagle miscarried yesterday. He begs to be kept informed regarding his sister’s health.

27.

5 December 1750

Letter to William Coppinger, B arry’s Court, from Joseph Coppinger, reporting that his wife Molly ‘was last Wednesday night brought to bed of a fine boy’. He also tells that that he is suffering ‘with a most violent Rheum.m in my right shoulder, & am accompany’d with a boyl on the back of my right hand, & a most heavy cough’. He asks that brother Sarsfield be told to come to town ‘to swear to the value of his goats otherwise they’le not be cleared’. He states that Mr Carleton has just sent word that he will not take more herrings, as owi ng to William’s delay in sending them ‘he was obliged to buy else where’. He continues ‘those you sent him up the barrels were so bad they were obliged to return some from the ship, so you see how honest Mrs Fling serves you’.

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28.

8 December 1750

Le tter to William Coppinger, Barry’s Court, from Stephen Coppinger, Gottenbourgh, expressing joy at hearing from his brother that all are well at Barry’s Court, and that they have settled their ‘tangled affairs’. He continues ‘He informs me my affair with Mr Gallwey is finished, but cant help being surprised, he should lean so heavy on me, as he has done both in point of interest, & other expences. It is not what I expected from his usual regard, & tenderness, and respected assurances of friendship’. He has a lso heard that ‘Mr Gallwey has very lately discovered a bond of myne, for 100 l since in father’s time unpaid’, which he is surprised to hear of, explaining that he only ever received one hundred pounds from his father, and that was incorporated with other debts which Mr Galwey promised to cancel. He asks William to check the date of the deed and whether his father was joined in it. He expects to return in early summer. He continues ‘As to my unhappy affairs here I must tell you that I meet daily disappointments. I had an affair of about 1000 l under [deliberations?] which was first of this month given against me, contrary to the opinion of every one here, & contrary to the repeated declarations of the arbitrators themselves, even two days before it was published, by which you see what justice a strainger is to expect here & what a comfortable life I lead in this cursed place, buried in frost and snow among rocks and savages’. He continues ‘I can with great truth say that Mrs Hall the Curse and Ruin of our family has gott every way – Vitiis & Modis three thousand pounds of my brother’s substance God forgive his soul Amen’. He still hopes to collect ‘something above 4000 a small share in regard to what in justice it ought to be, it is too prolix a story to atte mpt to relate in a letter’. He sends regards to his relatives, and notes that he shortly has a meeting with the magistrates ‘who pretend a right to part of the effects of all foreigners who dye in the town’.

2pp

29.

29 May 1751

Letter to William Coppinger, Barrys Court, from Joseph Coppinger, Corke, sending by the bearer two dozen clams and four gallons of vinegar. He notes that the keg supplied by William was leaky, and that he lost some vinegar before he could get it staunched and hooped. He is, however, only charging for the four gallons this time. He sends his and his wife Molly’s best wishes to William and his family. A note of payment due is given at the foot of the letter, Joseph adding that this does not include the cooper’s charge for putting fi ve hoops on William’s keg. [Letter badly frayed along right edge and top fo ld line].

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30.

17 November 1751

Letter to William Coppinger, Barry’s Court, from Joseph Coppinger, Corke, informing him that Mr [Curiy], to whom ‘you apply’d by a letter which was a little untimely’ regarding the sale of herrings, has died. Joseph states that the herrings will bring a good price if there is no delay in bringing them to Cork, at least twenty four shillings a barrel or more. Owing to the spring tides which commence tomorrow, he advises waiting until the later part of the week. He reports ‘I find his Lordship does not mend & I fear never will. I hear nothing more of Taaffe than that of his being imprisoned’. He thanks him for some potatoes but adds ‘I find you m onopolised the franks what are extreamly scarce here’.

31.

25 January 1752

Letter to William Coppinger, Barryscourt, from John Crotty, Ballygallane, beginning ‘My Dear Cousin’. He explains that he has had a recurrence of ‘my old periodic disorder’ but hopes shortly to complete a promised task and thanks Coppinger for his patience. He refers to Dr Littlejohn’s recent losses [the death of children]. He mentions that the ‘guineas’ [guinea pigs], for one of which Coppinger had expressed a preference, are not to be disposed of. He wishes he could give him ‘the comfort abt your den.ds [demands] to the late Peer’ affecting the Cork estate and furniture of Castlelyons. Crotty explains that he did not meet Mr Fitzgibbon in Dublin, and so could not raise the matters mentioned in Coppinger’s letter. He states that he will bring the counterpart of a lease with him for Coppinger to amend. He states that he has engaged a servant, ‘Peter the French boy’. Crotty expresses the hope that on the return home of his son Stephen, Coppinger will ‘loose no time in putting so fine a Genius in the road of being properly cultivated. ‘As an encouragement’ he reports favourably of his own son’s progress at Poitiers, who is said to be ‘already at the head of above 80 of his class’. The letter is very frayed at its lower edges, causing some loss of text.

3pp

32.

4 February 1752

Letter to William Coppinger (Snr) ‘at West Court near Callen’ [Co Kilkenny], from Edward Coppinger, Cork, beginning ‘Dear Cousin’. Edward explains that, h aving secured Stephen Coppinger’s acceptance of his (Edward’s) proposal to marry his sister Betty, together with the approval of Stephen’s mother and cousin John, ‘I prevailed with the young lady last night to give me her hand’ [ie, to marry him by private exchange of

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vows]. He expresses the hope that ‘my now Dear Brother Stephen’ will ‘excuse & forgive our hastiness in concluding this affair’, and that William will act as their mediator. The letter is badly torn along its middle fold.

33.

27 March 1752

Letter to William Coppinger, Barry’s Court, from John Galwey, Carrick, expressing gladness that William has got home safely ‘for I confess I was much afraid that your Horse’s had catch’d the distemper from mine’. He asks that he and his cousin visit hi m on the way to or from their upcoming visit to West Court or ‘I will never forgive you’. He notes that the letter is delivered by Mr Robert Foulke ‘who is station’d an Officer in your neighbourhood & is brother to the Rev.d Mr Richard Foulke a particular friend of mine. Your friendship and good neighbourhood to him will very greatly oblige me’.

2pp

34.

28 April 1752

Letter to William Coppinger, Carrig, from Edward Coppinger, Corke, addressed ‘Dear Cousin’. He states ‘I received both your favours agreea ble thereto I delivered Murphy the Chairmaker your letter who insists it must be by some ill usage the chair was broak. The bearer carrys the stays Molly Sulivan says the gown will not be finished until the later end of this week. Ill take care to send Mr McCarthy letter by the first opportunity. I heard from Barrys Court yesterday they are all well except Dick who has gott [Inqueasy?]. I shall say no more but that brother William, Bess and I joyns in complements to cousin Coppinger and you and wish you both safe return home, & remain, Dear Cousin, your very humble servant, Edward Coppinger’.

35.

5 May 1752

Letter to William Coppinger ‘at West Court near Callen’, from Joseph Coppinger, Corke, sending his and Molly’s affections to him and his wife and nephew Stephen. He is surprised to hear of the accident which befell William’s new chair ‘notwithstanding Mr Morpheys assurances of extraordinary performance’. He writes of Mr Galwey’s reluctance to give written directions to cousin Nagle to take up his bond, expressing some surprise at William’s and Galwey’s attitude in this matter. He opines of Nagle ‘I believe he is a Scrub’. In a post script he reports ‘this day John Driscoll favoured us with a hundred & a half of your asparagus for the first time since I saw you. I hope he turns the m to a better account for you’. [See U405/74 below]

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3pp

36.

9 May 1752

Letter to William Coppinger, Barry’s Court, from Francis Flaherty, Agliss, informing him that he owes him two years’ interest since February on a bond entered into on 25 February 1750. He states that he is on his way to Cork and asks that William contact him to arrange payment at his brother’s house. In a post script he adds ‘your neighbour has cleared all the interest that was due on his other bond to this current year’.

37.

26 May 1752

Letter to William Coppinger ‘at West Court near Callen’ from Stephen Coppinger ‘of Carhue’, written at Carrig. He reports that all is well there and that he and Mr and Mrs Gallwey will travel to West Court in twelve to fourteen days time. He adds that Billy has gone home and that he will follow him tomorrow. He hopes William will not think of returning home until Stephen has seen him at West Court, and he sends best wishes to family and friends in Kilkenny. He ment ions a ‘melancholy affair’ at Ballyardmoy, where two of the men servants were poisoned by arsenic. A short note to William Coppinger from John Gallwey is contained on the reverse of Stephen’s letter. He refers to his sister Molly, commenting that her lette rs ‘still continue very queer’. In a post script he adds ‘tell my sister Miss St Leger is brought to bed of a fine boy, & will marry More of her female acquaintance – or knowing ones, therby taken in’ In a foot note he explains ‘taken in – (a sporting phr aise for being deceived)’. The top edges and the page con taining the address are frayed.

2pp

38.

11 July 1752

Letter to William Coppinger, Barry’s Court, from Joseph Coppinger, Corke, sending a dozen bottles of claret by the bearer, but noting that not all the champagne bottles were returned, and asking that William, if possible, ‘throw in a word in my favour… before Mrs Broderick’. He ad ds that he has secured the requested items from Mrs Foley but instructs ‘you must powder the Cream of Tartar yourselv es in a mortar as she never calcines any drugg’.

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