Radleys of Cork

Elizabeth Jane ARMSTRONG, born 1825, married RICHARD HENRY RADLEY, ROCKVILLE,
AGHABULLOGUE, CORK, in 1853. Her father was REV.JULIUS ARMSTRONG, B.A. T.C.D Born
1792. He married CATHERINE JERVOIS MURPHY, about 1824. Catherine was the daughter of
ELIZABETH JERVOIS, and JOHN MURPHY.

REV. GEORGE ARMSTRONG and CHARLOTTE BESNARD were the parents of Julius .

SOURCE …. "MALLOW AND SOME MALLOW MEN" …..the Journal of Cork Historical and
Archaelogical Society, Volume 30. 1925, by Henry Twiss.

CLOYNE DIOCESAN SCHOOL. The next Head Master was Rev.Julius Armstrong. B.A. T.C.D.
ordained at Cloyne,1824, son of REV.GEORGE ARMSTRONG of Co. FERMANAGH, Head
Master of Ross Diocesan School, who married CHARLOTTE BESNARD, daughter of JULIUS
CAESAR BESNARD, owner of Linen Mills at Douglas,Cork.

Rev George was born 1762 and died 1837. He was educated at Potora School, Enniskillen,
by REV.NOBLE. He matriculated from Trinity College, Dublin, 23 May, 1780, aged 18 years.
He later became Chancellor of Ross University.

NOTES ON ARMSTRONG FAMILY supplied by ALAN TRENGOVE, who transcribed them from
various Cork Newspapers whilst looking for his ancestors ALLENs of CORK.
(Any info on Allens appreciated).

REV.GEORGE tutored Mr.Trengoves great great uncle Hugh ALLEN, before ALLEN was
admitted to Trinity College, Dublin in 1830.

CORK CONSTITUTION
Thursday, 26th February, 1790
Married last Saturday at DOUGLAS CHURCH,
REV.GEORGE ARMSTRONG to CHARLOTTE BESNARD, 2nd daughter of Julius Besnard Esq.

CORK MERCANTILE CHRONICLE
Fri.29th JUNE 1810
Advertisement.
Diocesan School, Rosscarberry (West Cork) Rev,Geo.Armstrong, will take boarders.

CORK ADVERTISER
Saturday 21st Dec.1811
Advertisement
Diocesan School Rosscarberry. REV..GEO.ARMSTRONG, master, the
REV..ANDREW ARMSTRONG 2nd master….

CORK MORNING INTELLIGENCER
Sat.4th Aug.1821
Advertisement
Rev. George.Armstrong will open a day school at South Mall.

CORK MORNING INTELLIGENCER
Thursday 29th Nov.1821
Advertisement
REV.GEORGE ARMSTRONG. Classical and general education. South Mall was formerly at
Rosscarberry…also prepatory school South Mall, to be opened by Messrs, Charles and
George Armstrong (sons of Rev.Geo.) under immediate inspection of father and Mr Prior and
Mr.Julius Armstrong.

T.C.(could be Cork Total Abstainer) newspaper.
Friday 25th June 1824
Advertisement
Diocesan school. Mr Geo.Armstrong, master.

Many thanks to Mr Trengove for transcription.

The ARMSTRONGs' original home was LIDDESDALE, near Scots/English border. They were
REIVERS, who lived by stealing, murder and kidnapping. After 1603 the power of the clans
was broken, and to escape persecution by the English Crown, they came across to
FERMANAGH, IRELAND.

THE ARMSTRONGS WERE THE MOST FEARED AND DANGEROUS OF THE BORDER CLANS.
The Archbishop of Glasgow, Gavin Dunbar, placed a 1500 word curse on the Reivers, and
excommunicated all Border thieves,

A plaque in front of the North West Castle Hotel in STRANAER, SCOTLAND, across from ferry
terminal, commerates the Scots who crossed into Ireland. Top of list is ARMSTRONG

An interesting anecdote. A visitor to Liddesdale noted a lack of churches. "Are there no
Christians here?" asked visitor. A quick reply…."Nae only Armstrongs and Elliotts. Nae
Christians here"

NOTES ON BESNARD LINEN MILLS.
From NOTES AND QUERIES Vol.Viii page 138

"IRISH SCUTCH MILLS (2ns S.viii 58) Your correspondent Ashra may feel an interest in the
following account of the MS of "FRONT VIEWS OF MILLS" now in his possession. The author
PETER BESNARD was descended from a HUGUENOT family who settled in Cork about 1700.
Shortly after, they appeared to establish a hemp manufactury at DOUGLAS in the south
Liberties of the city, to which, before the close of the century, a linen factory was added, at
that time, the most extensive in that part of Ireland.

MR BESNARD's intimate knowledge of this branch of trade procured for him the appointment
of INSPECTOR GENERAL to the Linen Board of Ireland for the provinces of MUNSTER,
LEINSTER and CONNAUGHT, the duties of this appointment caused his absence from home for
ten months of year.

Some time before the date of the MS, Mr Besnards' notice was called to a lad named JOHN
HARTY, who was educated in the foundling hospital at Cork and who exhibited a remarkable
skill in drawing, though he never received any instruction in that art. Mr Besnard employed
this lad in the capacity of clerk to accompany him on his yearly tour of inspection, during
which the materials collected are the work of John HARTY.

In 1820 Mr Besnard was appointed by the same board to proceed on a deputation to Holland,
for the purpose of inducing some Dutchmen to visit Ireland with a view to instruct the
inhabitants how to save seed of hemp. For heretofore it was customary to deposit the seed
with the stalk during the process of decomposition, so that seed had to be imported.

Mr Besnard's mission was attended with success. He returned with two Dutch Agriculturists
BOOZ and LINDOCH. The former returned to his country and later died in Tipperary.

PETER BESNARD was SHERRIF of CORK in1801 and filled the office of Mayor 1835.

The above narrative I had from his son JOHN BESNARD, Jr.J.P.

The City of Cork is indebted to BESNARD for a Police Court, which for architectural beauty is
not to be equalled in the kingdom.

An interesting note on BESNARD showing how these Anglo/Irish families intermarried…….

Samuel Harman of Glanmire and Cork, will dated 10/7/1808 proved 1809, married 7/8/1800
(Douglas) eldest daughter, MARY, of JULIUS BESNARD of Factory Ville, Cork and by her
had………………… (she died 4/12/1803…Mary was sister to my 3xgt gma CHARLOTTE).

1 SAMUEL THOMAS of whom presently
2 ELIZA BESNARD bapt Rathcconey /10/80
3. JANE of South Terrace, Cork, Vivens. 1880 unm.

Samuel Harman and MARY BESNARD's grandson (THE REV.SAMUEL THOMAS HARMAN)
married Elizabeth Edwards, second daughter of WILLIAM CROOKE RONAYNE in 1864 and
their son WILLIAM CROOKE RONAYNE HARMAN of Cork married Evelyn Gill.1913.

The Crooke/Ronayne genealogy is on a previous page.

They are connected to Besnards. William Crooke Ronayne HARMAN and myself have a
common Great Grandfather (various degrees) in Julius Besnard.

William Crooke of Dereen, is also our common Great Grandfather…….. Which unites the
Radley/Crooke/Ronayne/Cleburne /Leader/Armstrong/Jervois lines.

THE DOUGLAS LINEN INDUSTRY

FROM "HISTORY OF DOUGLAS" BY CON FOLEY - PART 4

MORE BESNARD GENEALOGY………….

At a linen board meeting on 6/10/1807, a petition from JULIUS, JOHN and PETER BESNARD
was presented, setting forth the extensive improvements in their mills and stating that from
the period of the last return, they had erected a further 220 spindles. There are several
records of the same nature claiming premiums for the erection of additional spindles.

In 1810, West stated that upward of 1000 hands were employed in the extensive concern
belonging to MESSRS BESNARD & SONS, who also at a short distance had an extensive rope
works. They had several grants for sail cloth and spindles (This would correspond with the
period of the Napoleonic Wars and Britain's preoccupation with strengthening her fleet
before the Battle of Trafalgar).

In 1817 PETER BESNARD was appointed Inspector General for the provinces of Leinster,
Munster, and Connaught in succession to Charles Duffin and towards the end of that year he
reported that there were five spinning mills in CORK but that only two of these, namely, THE
MILL of DENIS CONNOR at SPRINGVILLE and the mill of MESSRS BESNARD were working.

There is a list of Bleachgreens at work in Co.Cork in 1817. Four in number, one of them
belonging to JOHN BESNARD, address not given. Apparently the BESNARDS discontinued
flax spinning before 1820, but they continued in the linen trade, and in 1824 we find that
BESNARD and HERRICK with an address in Perry Street (probably a town office), were large
shippers of brown and white linen and beetled hollands.

In the same year, according to Pigot's directory, PETER BESNARD, was a sailcloth and duck
manufacturer. The firm of BESNARD and HERRICK was in business until at least 1830, and up
to that time were apparently the most influential shippers in MUNSTER.

By 1837 the business had declined owing to English competition, but the manufacturing was
being carried on, together with a trade in cordage which was held in high esteem.

The last record of the BESNARDS is in SLATERS MERCANTILE DIRECTORY, 1846. In this
volume JULIUS BESNARD JR is listed as a rope manufacturer.

In 1848 there was a transfer of lease from MRS MARY BESNARD to JULIUS BESNARD.

In 1862 from JULIUS CEASAR BESNARD to HUGH POLLOCK and JAMES WHEELER POLLOCK,
Merchants of BELFAST.

The firm of MORROGH BROS & Co.Ltd.appears on the scene in 1889.

Owing to financial difficulties the Pollocks closed the mill about 1885.

EXTRACT FROM HISTORY OF DOUGLAS.

NOTES ON REVEREND GEORGE ARMSTRONG…

There is a book "A memoir of the late Rev.George Armstrong with extracts from his journals
and correspondence" by R.Henderson on Google Book Search…... Full text……... I am unsure
whether this man is son of REV.George Armstrong, Chancellor of Cork Uni, or a person with
same name.

The dates fits………. Born 1792. and one advertisement in Cork Advertiser 21/12/1811 states that
the Rev. George and Andrew are school masters at Rosscarbarry……..Andrew was his
brother………………

If any Armstrongs are interested, they can read book as above and judge for themselves.

Another interesting Armstrong …….24th December 1851 CAVAN NEWSPAPER MR.GEORGE
ARMSTRONG of BROOKBOROUGH and student of TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN, while
proceeding to the house of a friend, his road lying on the bank of the Royal Canal, and the
night being extremely dark. Unfortunately missed his way, was precipitated into the water and
drowned….

Was this another ancestor??

BESNARD DEATHS from YASS COURIER AUSTRALIA

BESNARD ANNA LOUISA DE VERE relict of the late JOHN BESNARD J.Pof CORK, IRELAND, died
at the residence of her son in law, EDWIN SAWTELL Esq of BUNNAWARRA Young on
18/12/1877 aged 68 years. Yass Courier 1877.

BESNARD Miss Annie, eldest daughter of Mr PETER BESNARD of TANNGMANGAROO, who took
a trip to Young and Marengo .. Took ill a few weeks ago, on returning to Yass found to have
scarlet fever and inflammation of the lungs died at age 33 years Yass Courier 26/5/1899.

BESNARD miss Eleanor, eldest daughter of N.R. BESNARD J.P died Friday in North Yass aged
20 years. Yass Courier 13/10/1896

BESNARD Jane Heron, beloved wife of PETER BESNARD and 2nd daughter of late JOHN
BESNARD Jr. Esq J.P from St Patricks Hill, Cork, Ireland died at Euabendal KANGIARA on
20/5/1873 Yass Courier 25/5/1873

BESNARD JOHN died at KANGIARA on 22/6/1867. the fourth son of N.R.BESNARD Esq. aged 17
years Yass Courier 26/6/1867

BESNARD Julius, third son of late MR.N.R.Besnard JP of KANGIARA, brother to Messrs P & T
BESNARD of YASS died at his residence, YOUNG, on Saturday evening YASS COURIER
3/11/1885

BESNARD MR N.R. Sen. JP of KANGIARA ESTATE, native of DOUGLAS, County Cork, Ireland
died Thursday afternoon aged 82. YASS COURIER 18/4/1882
EXTRACTS FROM YASS COURIER.

MISCELLANEOUS………EXTRACT FROM CORK PAST AND PRESENT.
From 17th to 19th century many Huguenots served as Sheriffs and Mayors of CORK. In the
commercial field many Huguenots were prominent in trade and textile manufacturer while as
craftsman they were noted as goldsmiths and silversmiths Some of the best known Huguenot
surnames in Cork included BESNARD. PICK, LAVIT/LAFITTE,PERRIER GODSELL, QUARRY,
HARDY, MALET, PEDRIAN and DELACOUR.

NOTES ON THE BESNARD FAMILY from MSS written 1870. taken from Con Foley's HISTORY OF
DOUGLAS

JULIUS BESNARD A pious man of excellent character. Married Miss Jane Heron of Kilkenny.
After his marriage he built a residence in Douglas and formed a hamlet of cottagers, who
worked in hs linen factory at FACTORY VILLE. For some time before his death he lived in his
town house at NELSON PLACE. Died 1815 in old age. (4xgreat grandfather)

PETER BESNARD Named after his French ancestor. Some of his family emigrated to Canada,
Australia and U.S.A.. He married ELLEN POPE of Cork. Their daughter SARAH POPE BESNARD
became wife of Bartholomew Gibbings J.P. Mayor of Cork and lived at Gillabbey.

JULIUS CAESAR
Solicitor of the firm of POPE AND BESNARD. 52 SOUTH MALL. Married Mary Pope sister of Ellen
Pope his elder brother's (Peter) wife and his partner Thomas.He was town clerk and law agent
for the Cork Corporation. Deeply interested in Art, literature and local antiquities. Died of a fever
in London while attending a committee meeting of the house of commons. Buried with his wife
opposite the West door of St Luke's church, Douglas, where so many Besnards lie.

JOHN BESNARD
Justice of the Peace,Alderman of the Corporation, manager of Cork Savings Bank, Married
Sophia Baker, daughter of Valentine Baker, a Bristol Merchant. One daughter married Rev.
William Wilson, Rector of Dungourney, afterwards Dean of Cloyne. The Besnard Pedigree was
compiled by Canon T.E.Evans, grandson of Julius Besnard Senior. After Canon Evans death, the
Mss was entrusted to John Besnard who outlived his brothers and sisters. Lived in residence
adjoining savings bank.

ROBERT BESNARD.
Medical Doctor . A highly gifted man with a talent for acting. Took part in many Shakespearean
plays for charity (Richard Milliken, the poet of Blarney and Castlemartyr, Co.Cork was one of the
company of actors). Struck down by paralysis a few years after qualifying, just before a
rehearsal of "The Merchant of Venice" This dramatic society,known as the Apollo Society, was
instituted in 1805. Performances were held in the King's Theatre, Tuckey Street.

JULIUS BESNARD
Son of Peter Besnard and Ellen Pope. Sheriff of Cork. Never married. A friendly club met at his
house in Douglas. A rose painted in the centre of the ceiling in the meeting room, indicated
freedom of speech and confidential communications…from the Latin "sub rosa"( literally under
the rose, but meant in confidence.) Meetings were said to have been entirely decorous, wit and
humour predominating, but in another quarter, "The Friendly Club" was looked on as an
insidious organisation designed to stifle what little democracy there was. Neither in any way
was Julius tolerant with anyone attempting to upset the political status quo. The Besnards
married into Perrier family of Cork, as well as other noted families.

Some interesting information regarding the name JULIUS CAESAR Besnard.

In the British Museum there is a letter from HENRY WRIOTHESLEY, who was the 3rd Earl of
Southampton 1573 to 1624.to famous JUDGE SIR JULIUS CAESAR. Henry tried to rouse London
against Elizabeth I and was sentenced to death, but was released by James I.

CAESAR (1558 to 1636), was the son of Bloody Mary's physician, Cesare Adelmare. In 1606 James
I appointed him Chancellor of the Exchequer and in 1614 he became
Master of the Rolls.

IN AN EXTRACT FROM " HUGUENOT SETTLERS " page 166. It is suggested that Besnards had a
connection with SIR JULIUS CAESAR. That may account for the name given to second son of
Julius Besnard.

BORDER REIVERS….The land between Northumbria and Scotland was never peaceful. James I
had yet to be crowned , when fighting broke out on the Border. A Royal Proclamation was
signed at GREENWICH on 17th MAY 1603.

ROYAL PROCLAMATION

The foule and intolerant outrages lately committed upon the Borders of our Realmes of
ENGLAND and SCOTLAND by persons accustomed in former times to live by rapine and spoyle,
praying daily upon our good and loving subjects without feare of God or man, hath given us just
cause to use all meanes convenient both for the reliefe of our Subjects daminified, and for
prevention of the like mischiefe hereafter. Wherefore as of late we gave commission to
proceede against these persones that were guiltie of these foul facts; So now againe, because
such redress hath not followed as both our honour and our goode subjects do require, We have
thought good to renew our commission to certaine persons of qualitie and good under standing
in the affairs of those our Borders. And withall, to publish by open proclamation to all men, but
specially too such as are guiltie, or were partakers of the foul incursions made upon our first
coming, to our Crowne of this Realme of England, or any others before or since, That whereas
some of them have of late submitted themselves, and some others seemed to be willing to
submit themselves, to our mercy, because they and all others shall now, that we are a Prince
that before all Worldly respects Whatsoever affecteth the preservations of Justice among our
people and the punishment of such as breake the Rules thereof, So that We are not indisposed
to shew mercy where there is cause to extend it, and where the same is sought at our hands in
such dutifull manner as is meete. We do therefore charge all persones whatsoever,who know
themselves to have bene Actours, Partners, or of consent to that incursion abovementioned, or to
any other breach of our peace within the Countries and Lymits heretofore called our Borders
both of English live and of Scottish, that THEY DO BEFORE 20th DAY OF JUNE NEXT COMING
RESORT TO SUCH PLACE, WHERE THEY SHALL UNDERSTAND OUR COMMUNICATIONS TO BE,
AND THERE SUBMIT THEMSELVES TO SUCH MERCY AND FAVOUR AS WE SHALL THINK GOOD
TO EXTEND TO THEM.

James I eventually broke the power of the Clans.

BESNARD GENEALOGY

My 4 times great Grandfather was Julius Caesar BESNARD married to JANE HERON about 1760. His
father was Pierre Besnard married to Marie Du Bois. They were French Huguenots who fled France
to avoid religious persecution (under revocation of Edict of Nantes).

Julius Besnard established the Linen Factory at Douglas, Cork. Trade collapsed at end of
Napoleonic wars in 1816 (Sail Cloth)

Source History of family Canon T.E.Evans.

Besnards emigrated to Australia.

Julius Caesar Besnard md. Jane Heron 1760 approx.

Charlotte Besnard md. Rev.Geo.Armstrong1790

Julius Armstrong md. Catherine Jervois Murphy1825

Elizabeth Jane Armstrong md Richard Henry Radley.1853

NOTES ON REV.GEORGE ARMSTRONG.Source Parochial Records of Cork. Cloyne and
Ross……William Brady

He was admitted as CHANCELLOR 28 June 1798…….1807 Chancellor is non resident and has no
care of souls. 1834 Chancellor in right of his dignity has a revenue of Eleven Pounds One Shilling
and 6pence ha’penny. Rent reserved by lease of land called the ploughland of Gahiniffmore in
Parish of Rathbarry, containing 178 ac 0 roods 29 perches and let to Thomas Hungerford of
Rosscarberry. There is no residence for them as such. The duties consist of preaching in rotation
with the other members of Chapter in Ross Cathedral.Has no patronage as such. George
Armstrong of Fermanagh was ordained a priest at Cloyne 9/12/1787. In 1794 he was licensed to
the curacy of St.Paul’s Cathedral, Cork. In 1796 became Reader at Ross Cathedral and in 1798
was Chancellor of Ross. And in 1818 was V. Templequinlan both of which he held till his death in
1837. He was also in 1825 Diocesan School Master of Ross. He married CHARLOTTE daughter of
JULIUS BESNARD of CORK, ESQ and had issue.

1.JANE wife of MICHAEL MURPHY of NEWTOWN, Bantry

2.JULIUS who was ordained at Cloyne on 14 Oct 1825 who married CATHERINE MURPHY(possibly
sister of Michael) …. daughter of Eliz.Jervois and John Murphy Esq. Newtown, gdtr of Samuel
Jervois of Brade House esq. Myross.

3.Margaret wife of Rev Wright V of Kilcashkin.

4& 5 Charlotte Louise and Isabella died unm.

6 PHILIP ANDREW MD married Charlotte Louisa dtr of Major BAILLIE of KILLEAGH C.DOWN.

7. MARY wife of SAMUEL ABBOTT esq CORK

8. CHARLES MD

9. LOUISE wife of John FENNEL HARVEY esq

10. ELLEN wife of JOHN TOWNSEND esq only son of HENRY TOWNSEND CASTLETOWNROCHE

11 RUTH d.u.

12 SOPHIE wife of WILL LANE ESQ

NOTES ON ELIZABETH JANE ARMSTRONG

ELIZABETH JANE ARMSTRONG is buried. (under a second marriage name) in Toowong
Cemetery, Brisbane, Qld, Australia. It is strange that the lady, who came from a wealthy and
aristocratic family in Ireland, should rest across the river, in Brisbane, from her Great
Granddaughter. She married RICHARD HENRY RADLEY ESQ in 1853 and her ancestors were as
follows…

SIR ROBERT FREKE md to ALICE SWAYNE. He was teller and auditor to HenryVIII,Edward
VI,Mary, and Elizabeth. ************* Their son WILLIAM FREKE married ANNE SWAYNE (probably a
cousin) daughter of SIR ARTHUR SWAYNE of SARCEN, HAMPS. ************ William’s son JOHN
FREKE married FRANCES BERNARD, daughter of FRANCIS BERNARD of BERNARD CASTLE.******
Their daughter ELIZABETH married JOSEPH JERVOIS, of MYROSS. Joseph’s son SAMUEL
JERVOIS Married his cousin ELLEN and inherited BRADE HOUSE.**** His daughter, also
ELIZABETH married JOHN MURPHY ESQ. of NEWTOWN.**** They had a daughter CATHERINE
MURPHY who married REV.JULIUS FRANCES ARMSTRONG. Their daughter was ELIZABETH JANE
ARMSTRONG, my great grandmother.

Source is Burkes and Frakes Genealogy/ Jervois Genealogy

The following names were taken from DICK EASTMAN’s GENEALOGY NEWSLETTER. The subject
was titled “LES GUILLOTINES DE LA REVOLUTION FRANCAISE. (The victims of Guillotine during
French Revolution) These are probably my ancestors as they came from Loire.

Pierre Besnard was a Huguenot who fled from the persecution of the Huguenots in 17th
century.and ended up in Cork, Ireland, then his descendents on to Australia. He was my 5th great
grandfather

BESNARD RENE, D’ANGERS, Conspirateur

BESNARD CLAUDE , Traitor to Country

BESNARD JACQUES

BERNARD FRANCOIS

BERNARD JULIEN 21/6/1793

BERNARD MATHURIN LOIRE
BERNARD ALEXIS LOIRE
BERNARD ALEX

BERNARD PIERRE

BERNARD MARGER LOIRE