The Last Colonel of the Irish Brigade: Count O'Connell, and Old Irish Life at Home and Abroad ...

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I. The Last Colonel

OF

THE IRISH BRIGADE m

THE LAST COLONEL

OF

THE lEISH BKIGADE

COUNT O'CONNELL

AND

OLD IRISH LIFE AT HOME AND ABROAD

174,5-1833

BT - I

MRS. MORGAN JOHN O'CONNELL m TWO VOLUMES VOL. I.

MIJS. MnuriAX J:>1IN (..">N\[

/A' iwr VOL r MI'S

Ki:'.AN PAl L, I 'i \« f{. I I.' J r Al i.AST Ca)\^j\ : ■

' 1 lIFfJ AT

1 /

\t)iM,AN JOiiN ■ ^XX: :.:

i.i viii Preface.

the transfer of the Catholic Irish French officers to the English Service withoat loss of faith or honour. He may fairly claim to represent the best type of the refined, scholarly, and scientific officer of the old time.

His brother Maurice, witty, wealthy, and wise, was a remarkable man in his own way. He lived in seeming seclusion and voluntary obscurity, yet amassed a great fortune in spite of the anti-Fopery laws, and carried on a most interesting political correspondence with the leading Protestants of his county. We find him about to be tried for his life in 1782, and appointed a Deputy-Governor for £erry a few years later.

Their many-childed mother, with her weird gift of Irish improvisation, her practical shrewdness and good housewifery, and the extraordinary influence she wielded in her family until her death at near ninety years of age, seems to me a figure of no common interest.

In the letters of ninety years, dry and formal indeed for the most part, we see the real life of the old Irish people at home and abroad. I confess these old letters upset most of our preconceived notions. Here we find Irish-folk abhorring drink and debt, and living on the best terms with their heretical neighbours. Some of them are fighting against England abroad, others defying English laws at home ; yet they share one sentiment, and in these pages they show a most curious desire to be suffered to be loyal.

These neatly traced letters are written by all sorts and conditions of men — ^generals and schoolboys, bishops and priests, lawyers, merchants, and politicians. My dear husband remembered his grand-uncle. Count O'Connell ; and I have met many other old people who had a lively recollection of a tall, straight, handsome old man, who was kindness personified.

The vicissitudes of Count 0*Connell's long life seem to me worthy of a careful record. I purpose to chronicle his escapes in battles and sieges and during the Revolution ; his

Preface. ix

honourable poverty and interesting negotiations with Pitt during the Emigration ; his late, though happy marriage; and his delightful family life among his French kindred. He had step-daughters who were devoted children to him, '' wealth, honours, troops of friends," Irish and French, and among his personal friends he could count his king, Charles X. I fancy few of the veterans of the old heroic Irish Brigade have left a fairer record.

As chronicler of the last set of Munster officers of the Brigade, I have collected such verses, old stories, and old pedigrees as are floating about among the southern shores and lovely hills of Kerry and South-West Cork. The critic may laugh at some of them ; yet I venture to say there are scores of Irish homes in the greater Erin beyond the seas and in remote colonial tracts, where these identical stories and pedigrees will give a keen sense of pleasure to offshoots of old historic stems.

Our task is threefold — ^the life-story of an honourable and honoured career ; an attempt to reproduce old Irish life without either sentimentality or caricature ; and an attempt to preserve old pedigrees, stories, verses, and traditions that otherwise would soon be hopelessly lost. In these pages we have stored such flotsam and jetsam as we could rescue from the waters of oblivion.

The articles signed "B. O'C." are contributed by Mr. Boss O'Connell, of Lake View ; and Mr. O'Connell, of Darrynane, has given a general revision and supplied those marked '' D. O'C. ; " and a girl-cousin has given precious help.

I grieve to record the death of two kind helpers. While this work was going through the press, the Liberator's daughter Kate, Mrs. O'Connell, of Ballinabloun, and the venerable Miss Julianna, oldest of all the O'Connells, have passed away to their reward.

MABY A. O'CONNELL.

LiONGPTSLD, CaSHXL.

THANKS.

I TENDEB my thanks to the following kind helpers who aided me in various ways : —

To my three fellow-workers: Boss 0*Gonnell, of Lake Yiew ; Daniel O'Gonnell, of Darrynane ; and a yoang kinswoman who wishes to be nameless.

For letters^ State papers^ and traditional information, to Christopher Fitz-Simon, of GlancuUen ; Sir Maurice O'Connell, of Lake View; Mr. Fitz-Patrick, Fitz-William Square, Dublin ; Mr. Leyne, Begistry of Deeds, Dublin ; La Marquise de Sers, of Madon, near Blois; Judge Kelly, of Newtown ; Mr. Lecky, the historian ; Mrs. Ffrench and Mrs. O'Gonnell, daughters of the Liberator ; Miss Julianna O'Gonnell, Darrynane ; Miss Evelina McCarthy, Yogelhaus ; Mrs. Anne O'Mahony, late of Gullina ; Miss O'Geran, Bushmount ; Miss Lizzie 0* Sullivan, Kenmare ; Mr. Mahony, of Dromore ; Mr. Marshall, of Gallinafercy ; Mr. Morrogh-Bemard, of Faha; Dr. George Sigerson, Dublin, who has given some notes over his initials; Mr. Hickie, of Eillelton; Bev. L. Gilligan, G.G., Labasheeda ; General Sir Martin Dillon, and others.

For information on Lish topics, Irish verses, translations, and Celtic lore generally, to the Bev. Peter O'Leary, C.C., Doneraile; Bev. John Martin, C.C, Gahirdaniel; Professor O'Loony ; Mr. McSweeney, B.I.A., Dublin ; Sergeant O'Connor, B.I.C., Cork; Mr. O'SuUivan, Maylor Street, Cork; Michael Houlahan, Cork; to Daniel Sullivan, John James Gallavan, and Mary Sullivan Lia, all from Darrynane.

CONTENTS OF VOL. I.

BOOK I. OLD nam lite at home

Birth and parentage of Daniel Charles O'Gonnell— Short sketch of his family — ^Darrjnane a oentary ago— Donal Mor O'Gonnell and Manr-ni-Dbniv CyDoM^ne, his wife—How Manr-ni-Dhniy mled her household — One Terse of her spinning-song — Rhymed dialogue with a tenant— Her elder children — ^Maarioe goes to a finishing school — Descriptive letter to John — John marries Mary Falvey, of Faha — Letters to and from Maurice (1748-49): educational, admonitory, descriptive, amatory — Death of John — Maurice's statement about the young widow, with five of her letters (1751-53)— Anecdote of Daniel's boyhood— Fisberied— Connell goes to France— Then goes to sea— Curious absence of bigotry in Kerry — Letter from Arthur Blennerbassett to John O'Connell— From Coimell to Maurice— From Connell to F. O'SnlUvan— Marriage of Maurice O'Connell to Mary Cantillon, of Ballyphillip— Smuggling — Natural facilities of Darrynane for the purpose— Smuggling letter from Maurice O'Connell (1754)

PAOB

Note A. „ B.

Notes to Book I.

Pedigree of Donal Mor O'Connell

Fish in Kerry

Xahony of Dunloe

07alTey of Faha ** The Poor Scholar's Blessing Weather-slated Houses in Munster Oaatillon of Bally heigue

...

... 48

... 41»

... 50

... 51

... 52

... 57

... 60

... 61

Book II. Irish Dots Abroad

1761 1769.

How the young cousins, Daniel O'Connell of Darrynane, and Morty of Tannons, went to serve abroad— Maur-ni-Dhuiv*s parting lament— xiv Contertts,

English rhymed translation— How Chevalier Fagan get Daniel into the French Service and the Royal Swedish Regiment-^Brief account of last campaign of the Seven Years' War, wherein the boys smelt powder on opposite sides — Chevalier Fagan*s letter to Maurice O'Conne^l, describing Dan's admirable conduct during it, and prophesying his future eminence — Morty gets taken prisoner — Father Guardian O'Brien helps him, and writes to Maurice O'Connell, enclosing a letter from Morty, and consulting Maurice about the feasibility of making a match between Marshal Browne's son and Lord Kenmare's daughter — ^Daa'a letter (Fort Louis-on-the-Rhine, February 12, 1764) — Answers to Maurice about his going into the Spanish Service— His reasons for not doing so — Money matters — Letter from brother Connell (1764) to Maurice — Satisfaction at Dan's conduct — Shelbourne leases — Irish pilots — Letter from Dan to Maurice (Schleatatt, in Alsace, April, 1765) — Friendship of Captain Fagan — Brother Oonnell's death — Notice of him — Some of his letters — Letter (Schlestatt, August 6, 1765) from Dan to Maurice — Wants help to accept colonel's offer of a place in Academy — Expectations of wars — Hopes of promotion— Kindness <^ his colonel — He expects to join the staff— Offer of place in Carabineers — His tAmikm — Looking forward to serve his own king and country — Letter (Strasbourg, December 27, 1765) from Dan to his father, deprecating his displeasure — ^Death of the Dauphin — ^Loyalty of the French — School letter (Strasbourg, February 12, 17t>6) — Military School — ^Probable advancement — Some hopes of war — ^Letter (Schlestatt, June 16, 1766) from Dan to Maurice — Joins his regiment — Gets commission as first lieutenant — Sets out for Switzerland with his colonel — Anecdotes of Morty of Tarmons — Letter (Cambray, 1766) from Dan to Maurice — ^Marching with his regiment — Sister Abigail abroad — Cousin John FitzMaurice — Tulks of wintering in Paris — Letter (Aire, August, 1767) from Dan to Maurice — Movements of the regiment — He acts as '* 0£9cier Major " — ^Meets relations — FitzMaurice — Mahony — His cousin the Abb^ — Daniel S winey — Robin Conway — ^Talks of a trip to Ireland — Orders to appear befoie the King — Cousin Maurice Jeffrey — Notice of Burkes of ComabuUiagh — Letter of Father Guardian O'Brien to Hunting Cap (Buttevant, December, 1767) — Sir Walter Esmonde — ^Influenza — Chapter in Athlone — ^Blakes — ^Intends setting out for Spain — ^Mrs.

Blake's visit to Darrynane — ^Rev. James Bland to Hunting Cap, on roads — Outlaws in Iveragh — Dangers to respectable Catholics — Smuggling — ^Letter from Dan to Hunting Cap (dated Loudon, January, 1768) — Accompanies his colonel to London — Impressions of London roughs — ^A letter from Gravelines (March, 1768) to Hunting Cap— The post of " Sub- Aide Major "— Colonel's kindness — Letter (Graveline*, May, 1768) to Hunting Cap — Movements of the regiment — ^Indisposition of the Queen — Sister Nelly's marriage to Arthur O'Leary — Robin Conway — ^Penal law enforced against Tim McCarthy — First letter of 1769, dated from Mauburge — The affairs of Corsica — Paoli — ^Regimental affairs — ^Armorial bearings — Matrimonial letter from Captain Robin Conway to Maurice O'Conuell from Bergued (January, 1769)— -The Sheriff goes smuggling — Letter from Dan to Maurice (dated Paris, August, 1769) — The camp— Captain Fagan — Paris and the gay world — Claims of preferment — ^Hopes of going home — Movements of the regiment — Stephen Fagan 66

Contents. xv

Notes to Book II.

PAOK

Note A. Irish Pilots and Seamen 131

M G. Conway of Bodrhyddan 13.5

„ D. Shevaun-ni-DhaiT'B Vengeance 136

„ K The Two Bed Boqnelanres 138

„ F. Penal Papers in 1775 139

„ G. Hunting Cap's Visit to London 141

«, H. Louis de France 145

BOOK m.

IN THE IBI8H BRIGADE.

1769-1779.

Daniel Charles O'Connell joins as aide-major to **• Clare's" (October, 1769) — Kerry Ckromde on Dan — Colonel Meade — ^Royal Swedes — First letter from Dan on entering Brigade — ^No promotion in Royal Buedois Regiment — Snoceeds Conway as aide-major in ** Clare's *' — ^Regimental affairs — ^Debts — Chevalier Fagan helps — ^Lord Kenmare's advice — Chevalier Fagan to Hunting Cap— Dan's sense of honour — Series of letters to Maurice O'Connell: from Dan, Rochefort (December, 1770)— Sailing for East Indies— Captain aide-major— His father's death — ^Letter from Chevalier Fagan— From Dan (the Road of Rochefort, Jaaaary, 1771) — Farewell letter— Dan's first letter from Mauritius (July, 1771) — Six months' voyage — Hopes for war — ^Provisions scarce — Hard times — Chevalier Fagan again — ^Hunting Cap at home — ^Morgan 0'Ck>nnell of Carbon's marriage — Catherine 0*Mullane — ^Morgan of Carhen — Maur-ni-Dhuiv again — Romantic anecdotes — Arthur O'Leary, •*the Outlaw"— Fair Mary Baldwin's love-story— Niece Abby— 1772: James Gould writes to cong^tulate Maurice on the major's return — Smuggling — Hugh Falvey, of Faha, the friendly "discoverer" — From Daniel (Clonakilty, April, 1773)— Tralee— Cork— Finds a ship for Dunkirk — ^Hopes to march in June fat Poland or Italy — Jerry McCrohan — ^Ample sea stores — ^Dunkirk (April, 1773) — After a passage of four days — ^Military acquaintances — Alliance with England — ^Military movements — Setting out for Betbune — Jerry Falvey — Family affairs — Bethune (April, 1773)— McCarthy Mor, the real chief of the family — Charles McCarthy — ^Margaret McMahon — Lawsuit with Herberts — ^Lord Clare — ^No war at present — South Sea discovery — Late for Indian promotion — Arthur O'Leary, **the Outlaw," shot — Eileen's grief — Vengeance — ^Bethune (June, 1773) — ^Poor Arthur — ^His widow and orphans — ^Preparations for war laid aside — Military gossip — Tom Conway — Bethune (September, 1773) — ^McCarthy Mor — Irish Parliament — Certificate in favour of a rebel — Nancy's marriage — ^Hunting Cap's wife — Leaving for Rocroi — Eugene McCarthy — Affairs of the nation — Chevalier O'Mahony — Count O'Mahony — Lord Clare— Rocroi (Febxvi Contents.

PAOB

ruarj, 1774)— The Dake d'Aiguillon and military affairs— Mighty changes expected — Miss Browne's marriage — Talk of visiting Ireland again — ^Rocroi (July, 1774) — Death of the king— Dnke d*AigQillon — A well-wisher to Ireland— Military gossip— Fears a dissolution of the Brigade^Hopes of going to court— Eugene McCarthy — Colonel Meade —Lord Thomond— Bocroi (August, 1774)— Visit to Ireland in October —Colonel Meade— Clohina— Death of Colonel Meade— Bocroi (October, 1774)— Going home —Regimental movements — Death of Mrs. Fitz- Maurice— Major Bnllivan— Paris (October, 1774) -Trip to Ireland postponed — Military affairs — Friendship of Doctor Mahony — ^Administration in France — Mr. Croebie, of Ardfert— Lord Shelboume — Colonel James Conway— Abb^ 0>nnell— Episcopacy of Kerry — Doctor Mahony and the chevalier — ^Paris (December, 1 774) — ^Money matters — ^Mr. Hickson — Military constitution— Changes in the Brigade—" Bulkeley's" — "Clare's^-^Dillon's**— Major Conway— The Murquis of FitzJames- Gloomy forebodings- Lord Kenraare— Bfarquis de Syvrac— Paris (January, 1775)— The critical situation of the Brigade— Courtly acquaintances — Evil forecasts— Bishopric of Kerry — Abbe' CJonnell— The prince at Borne— Obligations to Doctor Mahony— The last of " Chire's "— Dan pays a visit to his family — He hopes to serve his country — ^The Count de Maillebois— Sir John O'Sulli van -Cork (March, 1776)— Clohinar— Abby Gould — Passage in the Havre packet — Troops marching — Cork the rendezvous for troops bound for America — Dr. 0>nnell —Jemmy Baldwin — Letter from Robin Conway — ^Morgan in (3ork — Mr.

Wise — Havre (March, 1776)— Passage takes six days— Denis McCrohan— Going to Paris— Cambray (June, 1776)— Expectation of military changes— Formation of regiments, etc.— McCarthy Mor— Walsh's regiment — ^Dan on other people's small boys — Introduced to the Ministers — Studies— Cakis (July, 1776)— FamUy affection— Bad health— Eugene McCarthy in Count Walsh de Serrant's regiment— Jeffirey Maurice O'Conneirs boy— Death of Daniel O'Connell, of BuUinablown— Intercedes for Arthur CyLeary's widow— CaUis (September, 1776)— Quite well- Regimental movements — Talks of a trip to Paris — Le (Domte de Maillebois in command — His kindness— Young Falvey — Mick Falvey — Birth of Morgan's second son — Gravelines (December, 1776)— Military preparations — Flattering offers of the American (yongress — Major 0>nway— A tour to Paris next month — Jeffrey Maurice's boy— Abb^ Moriarty— James Baldwin — Notice of ** Berwick's "—Paris (January, 1777>— Forms a design of going to America — He is refused permission to go — ^M. de Maillebois presents him to the Ministers — Faction and intrigue— Chevalier O'Mahony— Rickard O'Connell— Gambling— Tom FitzMaurice— Cousin Morty in Germany— Paris (March, 1777) — Roguery of Dan's servant— Presented at court by M. de Mnillebois— Difficulties of promotion — American plan — American War — Chevalier CMahony—Mr. Trench — ^Mrs. Mahony— Mr. Mahony, lieut.-colonel in the Spanish Service— Count Mahony, ambassador at Vienna — Burses founded by Dr. Connell — Certificate of baptism— Arms— Pedigree — Gravelines (May, 1777)— Where to send a boy (in reply to Hugh Falvey) — Dijon — Jerry Falvey — Majur Conway— Florence— James Mahony — Captain Rick O'Connell— Paris (October, 1778) — Pleasing news of laws in favour of Roman Catholics— Sighing for the liberty of Bpilliiig his

Contents. xvii

FAGK

blood in defence of the EogliBh king— Friends and distinguished acquaintances — Some advantages offered in the East— Befuaed— His aiatez^s Ulnesa— The pedigree— Paria (October, 1778)-Biok GonneU arrivea — ^Linen and genealogy reqoired — ^Bumoored death of Tom Conway of desperate wounds — His recovery — Campaign in Bohemia — Military talents of Lacy — General Dalton — Army gossip^ Sister Nancy — Captain Bickard CConnell takes up the pen — ^His personality — His flirtationa — Captain Biokard on Dan— ^Bickard's relations, etc.- Plot to murder him — His letter to Maurice Leyne— Waits on the Earl of luchiquin — His friendship— Beligion a bur — Daniel Charles 0*Connell a major in ** Berwick's "—Major O'ConncU's ad vice— Hunting Cap lends money for Bickard's advancement — ** Alps of difficulties'* — Gratitude — His adored patron (our hero) — Camp near St. Malo (September, 1778)^ Captain Bickard to Maurice Leyne — Joins the Brig^e— Begimental duties — ^Colonel O'Connell — Chevalier 0*Mahony — Colonel Conway-«- The drum beats !— March, 1779: Captain Bickard writes to Colonel O'Connell in Paris — Biokard to Maurice Leyne — Illness — Bickard sentimental — ^Approbation of the colonel — A letter from Ckilonel O'Connell to Biokard, telling him of 0>nnt Walsh de Serrant's favour — Captain FitzMaurice — Offer of a commission in ** Dillon's " — Going to Martinioo — ^Wants Colonel O'Connell's approval — Colonel 0*O>nnell says No— Bickard's commission in ** Walsh's" — Captain O'Connor— August, 1779 : Captain Bickard writes again to Maurice Loyne— Bickard a rebel — ^French war news — Cousin Conway — Dr. Sheehy — ^Pfero Felix vF j^empsey ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• •!• xto

Notes to Book IIL

Note A. XoCarthj Xor and ODoBoghno of the Oleni 225

y, B. O'Donoghue of the Oleni and O'Donoghne DhuT; and Female

Descents of the O'Donoghue Dhuvi 232

C. The Strong Chieftain and the Smith 237

D. Dirge of Arthur O'Leary 287

E. Baldwin of Clohina 246

F. A Century and a Half of Dr. Leynes in Tralee 246 n

n n