(459) Battersby of Bobsville, Lakefield, Newcastle House and Lough Bawn

Battersby of Lough Bawn 

The earlier editions of Burke's Landed Gentry state that this family came over to Ireland with King William III at the end of the 17th century, and "claims to derive from an ancient house of the same name, formerly seated in the co. of York, of which was Nicholas Battersby of Harrabeare in Cornwall, who entered his pedigree in the Herald's visitation of that county [in] 1620, grandson of Nicholas Battersby of Battersby Hall, co. York". This claim was however, dropped from later editions, and it remains very doubtful whether there was such a connection. The genealogy below begins with William Battersby, who was perhaps the first of his family to settle in Ireland, and who came into possession of Smithstown and Cloneybrany in Co. Meath by the early 18th century. He had at least five sons, of whom the eldest, William junior (d. c. 1790) inherited Smithstown, but dying without issue bequeathed it to his brother-in-law, and thus out of the family. The second son, Robert Battersby (1721-85), inherited Cloneybrany and built a new house close to it in about 1765, which he called Bobsville, although whether the name represents 'the Irish taste for irony and self-mockery' or merely an acute poverty of imagination is unclear. The third son, John Battersby (1722-1803) bought a property in the same area of Co. Meath where he built Lakefield House (sometimes Leakfield in the records) in about 1774. John's son, Thomas Battersby (1767-1839), acquired or built Newcastle House near Oldcastle (Co. Meath), and his son, George Battersby (1802-80) built Lough Bawn House after 1837. The history of these four houses and of the families which owned them, are traced below.

Robert Battersby of Bobsville also came into possession, in right of his wife, of an estate called Lislin in Co. Cavan, which was left to his eldest son, Haynes Wade Battersby (1765-1841?). Bobsville passed to his second son, William Battersby (1767-1837), who was Lt-Col. of the Royal Meath Militia and served his turn as High Sheriff of Co. Meath in 1804-05. William's wife, Anna Maria (1776-1856), was the daughter of Col. Richard Hutchinson Long of Longfield (Co. Tipperary) by his wife or concubine, an Indian lady who is said to have been a daughter of the Nawab of Arcot. Over a period of twenty-four years, William and Anna Maria produced at least fifteen children. Of the eight sons who survived to adulthood, two went into the church and one each into the law and the army; the four youngest became farmers. The Rev. Robert Battersby (1796-1888) seems to have inherited Bobsville, but he got into financial difficulties and sold the estate through the Incumbered Estates Court in 1854. It would appear that the house and the core of the estate were bought by his younger brother, John Long Battersby (1814-85), who may already have been farming the estate. At his death the property passed to his son, Francis Robert Battersby (1859-1906), who died unmarried, and at some point following his death the estate was sold to the Gilsenan family.

John Battersby (1722-1803) of Lakefield married twice, and the estate descended at his death to the fourth son of his second marriage, John Battersby (1781-1839). The younger John left it to his second son, Robert Henry Battersby (1811-98), who was unmarried and had no issue. He farmed at Lakefield until he was in his early 80s, and then dispersed the estate at auction in 1893.

Thomas Battersby (1767-1839), the second son of the second marriage of John Battersby of Lakefield, purchased a lease of part of the Loughcrew estate in 1810 and was probably responsible for building Newcastle House on it soon afterwards. He and his wife had thirteen children. Newcastle House was left to his second son, Thomas Battersby (1803-87), perhaps because his eldest son, George Battersby (1802-80), had already acquired the Lough Bawn estate and begun to build Lough Bawn House on it, but also perhaps because George was providing for himself through a successful career at the bar (and later as a judge). The younger sons pursued a diverse range of careers: one in the navy, one in the law; one in the church and one in medicine. Newcastle House passed to Thomas junior's son, Thomas Battersby (d. 1888), and then to his brother, John Albert Battersby (c.1855-1937), and then to the latter's daughter Alice, wife of Fredrick Gordon Wood. Lough Bawn descended to George's son, John Radcliffe Battersby (1839-1912), a barrister like his father, and then to his son George Battersby (1877-1919), who died without issue. His brother, John Radcliffe Battersby (1886-1960) succeeded, and since he also died without issue, he left the estate to his nephew, Col. George Francis Maxwell (1911-76), whose daughter Verity is the current owner.

Bobsville House, Crossakeel, Co. Meath

Bobsville House, Crossakeel: entrance front in 2019.

A pleasant example of provincial Irish Georgian classicism, which is similar to nearby Belview, a house that has been attributed to Nathaniel Clements. Bobsville was built for Robert Battersby (1721-85) in about 1765. The house itself is of two storeys and three bays, with a basement and a hipped roof. The original sash windows were regrettably replaced by plate glass sashes in the 19th century, but the spacing of the windows is original. The doorcase, with rusticated pilasters supporting an open pediment, is a standard motif of the 1760s and can be seen on contemporary buildings in Dublin and Drogheda. The plan is two rooms deep, but the central hall opens directly into the handsome dog-leg stair behind it, which is lit by a round-headed window in the rear elevation. The staircase itself was evidently altered or replaced in the mid 19th century.

Descent: built for Robert Battersby (1721-85); to son, William Battersby (1767-1837); to son, John Long Battersby (1814-85); to son, Francis Robert Battersby (c.1861-1906)...Frank Gilsenan (d. 1943); to son, Matthew Gilsenan (d. 1993); sold c.1966... Patrick Gibney (b. 1941).

Lakefield House, Crossakeel, Co. Meath

Lakefield House, Crossakeel: entrance front, 2014.

Another mid 18th century house, probably originally very similar to Bobsville, and built for John Battersby (1722-1803), the younger brother of the builder of Bobsville. reputedly in 1774. The exterior of the house was remodelled in the mid 19th century, but the house was originally a three-bay, two-storey building with four principal rooms on the ground floor and a central entrance and staircase hall, as at Bobsville. Slightly set back from the main house are two wings, which housed dairies, sculleries, a harness room and servants quarters on one side and a ballroom (later converted to further staff accommodation) on the other. At the rear, a line of stables with a hay loft above adjoin the house and its wings and completely enclose a cobbled courtyard. Inside the house, some of the 18th century woodwork (lugged door surrounds) and chimneypieces (black marble with fossil inclusions) survive to establish the date of the building.

Descent: built c.1774 for John Battersby (1722-1803); to son, John Battersby (1781-1839); to son, Robert Battersby (d. 1898); sold 1893...John Frederick O'Neill (fl. 1957)... sold 2014.

Newcastle House, Oldcastle, Co. Meath

Newcastle House, Oldcastle: the entrance front in the early 20th century.

A roughly square, three-storey five-bay early 19th century building with a central porch on the entrance side, set in a small park north-east of Oldcastle village. It was probably built for Thomas Battersby after he leased the lands from the Naper family of Loughcrew in 1810, and is said to have had elegant moulded cornices to the ceilings in the dining room and drawing room on the ground floor.  After the Second World War the estate was slowly dispersed in sales and the house began to suffer from subsidence or perhaps just lack of maintenance: it was demolished in the early 1960s.

Descent: probably built c.1810 for Thomas Battersby (1767-1839); to son, Thomas Battersby (1803-87); to son, Thomas Battersby (d. 1888); to brother, John Albert Battersby (c.1855-1937); to daughter Alice, wife of Fredrick Gordon Wood; demolished c.1962.

Lough Bawn House, Collinstown, Co. Westmeath

Lough Bawn House, Co. Westmeath: entrance front

A modest and unpretentious house, built for George Battersby (1802-80). It is often dated 'c.1820', but the house is not shown on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey of Ireland 6" map surveyed in 1837, though it was probably built soon after that. As first built, Lough Bawn was probably of three bays and two storeys, with a central porch, and thus similar to Bobsville and Lakefield, although lacking the exposed basement. The wider fourth bay, on the left, is probably a later 19th century addition, as is the canted bay window on the dining room. As at the family's earlier houses, the central entrance gave onto a hall that ran back to the staircase hall behind, although at Lough Bawn the staircase rises centrally to a half-pace until a window in the rear wall, and then divides and returns in two flights to the first-floor landing. The two principal reception rooms on the ground floor have fine grey marble chimneypieces. The house is now operated as a luxury 'bed and breakfast', and further pictures can be found on the owner's website.

Descent: built for George Battersby (1802-80); to son, John Radcliffe Battersby (1839-1912); to son, George Battersby (1877-1919); to brother, John Radcliffe Battesby (1886-1960); to nephew, George Francis Maxwell (1911-76); to daughter, Verity Victoria (b. 1948), wife of William Robin Butterfield.

Battersby family of Bobsville

Battersby William (1676?-1762?). Parentage unknown; reputedly born in 1676. He married Mary, daughter of Ambrose Sherman, and had issue:

(1) William Battersby (d. c. 1790), of Smithstown (Co. Meath); married, 1737/8 (licence 12 January), Mary Garnett, but had no issue; buried at Kells (Co. Meath), will proved 1790, by which he left his property to his brother-in-law, John Garnett;

(2) Robert Battersby (1721-85) (q.v.);

(3) John Battersby (1722-1803) [for whom see Battersby family of Lakefield, below];

(4) Francis Battersby (d. c. 1753), of Monaghan (Co. Monaghan), merchant; married and had issue three sons; will proved 1753;

(5) Charles Battersby (d. c. 1757), of Phillipstown (Co. Meath), married, 1746, Susanna Hastings (who 'eloped from [him]' before 1752), and had issue one son and one daughter; will proved 1757;

(6) Elizabeth Battersby (d. 1736); married [forename unknown] Balls; will proved 26 January 1736/7;

(7) Caroline Battersby (fl. 1752); married [forename unknown] Hawkins;

(8) Mary Battersby (fl. 1752); married William Wallace (fl. 1785) of Dublin, merchant.

He was perhaps the first of his family to come to Ireland, and settled at Smithstown and Cloneybrany (Co. Meath).

He is said to have died at an advanced age in 1762. His wife's date of death is unknown.

Battersby, Robert (1721-85). Second son of William Battersby (1676?-1762?) of Smithstown, near Crossakeel (Co. Meath) and his wife Mary, daughter of Ambrose Sharman, born 1721. He married, 1763, Marianne (fl. 1783), daughter and co-heiress of Haynes Wade of Lislin (Co. Cavan), and had issue:

(1) Haynes Wade Battersby (1765-1841?), born 1765; inherited Lislin from his father; married, 1804, Judith (1771-1847), daughter of Rev. Dr. Charles Woodward DD of Drumbarrow, and had issue two sons and one daughter; said to have died in 1841;

(2) William Battersby (1767-1837) (q.v.);

(3) Robert Battersby (1773-1824), born 1773; married, 1796 (licence 30 June) his cousin, Penelope, daughter of John Battersby of Lakefield House, and had surviving issue one son and five daughters; died 1824;

(4) (Thomas) John Battersby (c. 1775-1820?); an officer in the army (Lt. by 1817; retired on half-pay, 1819); will proved 1820;

(5) Edward George Battersby (1777-1856) of Hickory Lodge (Co. Meath); emigrated to America, 1835; married, about November 1809, Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. William Ryan of Kilvemnon (Co. Tipperary), and had issue three sons; died 20 May and was buried at Green Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York (USA), 21 May 1856;

(6) Francis Battersby; died young;

(7) Mary Anne Battersby (fl. 1783-1841), noted amateur botanical and wildlife artist who presented a collection of her drawings to the Royal Dublin Society; died unmarried;

(8) Abigail Battersby (fl. 1783-1813); married, 1813, Alexander Morland;

(9) Catherine Battersby (fl. 1783); married, May 1803, Edward John Smith.

He built Bobsville House in about 1765.

He died in 1785; his will was proved 5 October 1785. His widow's date of death is unknown.

Battersby, William (1767-1837). Second son of Robert Battersby (1721-85) and his wife Marianne, daughter and co-heiress of Haynes Wade of Lislin (Co. Cavan, born 1767. An officer in the Royal Meath Militia (Capt. by 1798; Lt-Col.); JP and DL for Meath; High Sheriff of Meath, 1804. He married, 17 June 1794, Anna Maria* (1776-1856), daughter of Col. Richard Hutchinson Long of Longfield House, near Cashel (Co. Tipperary), and had issue:

(1) Rev. Robert Battersby (1796-1888), born 22 January 1796; educated at Trinity College, Dublin (admitted 1813; BA 1819); ordained deacon and priest, 1820; priest-in-charge of Killeagh, 1834-73; chaplain to the Marquess of Headfort; inherited Bobsville but sold part of the lands in the Incumbered Estates Court in 1854, while the house and remaining land was bought by his younger brother, John Long Battersby; apparently died unmarried, aged 92, on 17 September 1888 and was buried at Loughcrew (Co. Meath); will proved 27 October 1888 (effects £920);

(2) Rosetta Charity Battersby (b. & d. 1797), born 12 May 1797; died in infancy, 17 June 1797;

(3) Richard Long Battersby (1798-1879), born 13 December 1798; an officer in the 15th Foot (Ensign, 1818; Lt., 1825; Capt., 1830; retired 1834); probably the man of this name who was declared insolvent and briefly imprisoned in the Marshalsea, London, 1835; died in London, January 1879;

(4) Rev. William Battersby (1800-82), of Boltown, Crossakeel (Co. Meath), born 1 January 1800; educated at Trinity College, Dublin (admitted 1816; BA 1821; MA 1832); priest-in-charge of Drumraney, 1824-44; married, 1840, Mary Maud (d. 1857), daughter of Lt-Col. William Caulfeild of Benown; died 12 July 1882 at Boltown (Co. Meath); will proved 25 August 1882 (estate £10,819);

(5) Haynes Wade Battersby (b. & d. 1800), born 29 November and died in infancy, 9 December 1800;

(6) Marianne Battersby (1802-21 or 41), born 1802; said to have died unmarried, 1821/1841;

(7) Thomas John Battersby (1804-37?), born 1804; educated at Trinity College, Dublin (admitted 1819; BA 1824; MA 1832), Lincoln's Inn (admitted 1824) and Kings Inns, Dublin (admitted 1826; called to Irish bar, 1829); barrister-at-law; Recorder of Kells, 1831-37; possibly the man of this name who died in Dublin, 22 February 1837;

(8) Edward Haynes Battersby (b. & d. 1805), born 1805 and died in infancy, 1805;

(9) Henry Battersby (1806-26), born 1806; died unmarried, 1826;

(10) Harriet Battersby (c.1808-78), born about 1808; died unmarried, aged 70, at Boltown (Co. Meath), 15 November 1878;

(11) Francis Battersby (1810-82); JP (from 1841) for Co. Meath; died 2 July 1882 and was buried at Oldcastle; will proved 25 August 1882 (estate £5,468);

(12) Charles Battersby (1811-55), of Fyanstown Castle (Co. Meath); educated at Trinity College, Dublin (admitted 1829 but did not graduate); JP (from 1849) for Co. Meath; died 28 or 30 July 1855; will proved 1855;

(13) John Long Battersby (1814-85) (q.v.);

(14) Anna Battersby (b. & d. 1817), born 1817, and died in infancy, 1817;

(15) Hercules Soane Jenyns Battersby (1820-59); probably the man of this name jailed for 24 hours for 'collecting a crowd' in 1852; subsequently emigrated to Australia, where he died 8 June 1859 and was buried at Calton North Cemetery, Melbourne, Victoria.

He inherited Bobsville House from his father in 1785.

He died April 1837. His widow died 19 July 1856.

* According to family tradition, she is said to have been the daughter of her father by his Indian wife or mistress, Hedjeba, who is alleged to have been a daughter of the Nawab of Arcot (India).

Battersby, John Long (1814-85). Tenth son of William Battersby (1767-1837) and his wife Anna Maria, daughter of Col. Richard Hutchinson Long of Longfield (Co. Tipperary), born 1814. JP for Co. Meath (from 1882). He married 1st, 17 March 1841 at St Peter, Dublin, Catherine (c.1818-42), daughter of Rev. Thomas Blakeney of Holywell (Co. Roscommon) and 2nd, February 1855 at Ballintemple, his half-first cousin, Charity alias Cherrie (c.1831-1921), eldest daughter of Samuel Cooper of Killenure Castle (Co. Tipperary), and had issue:

(2.1) Anna Louisa Battersby (1855-72), born 6 December 1855; died unmarried, 5 December 1872;

(2.2) William Cooper Battersby (1857-92), born 2 December 1857; died unmarried, 26 July, and was buried at St James' Cemetery, Liverpool, 28 July 1892; administration of goods granted 3 July 1893 and 21 July 1906 (effects £3,961);

(2.3) Francis Robert Battersby (1859-1906) (q.v.);

(2.4) Charles Austin Battersby (1864-99), born 16 May 1864; died unmarried, 4 June 1899; administration of goods granted 23 January 1900 and 21 July 1906 (estate £9,691).

He purchased Bobsville House from his elder brother in 1854.

He died 9 February 1885; his will was proved 14 March 1885 (effects £40,962). His first wife died 28 January 1842. His widow died 9 June 1921 and was buried at Oldcastle.

Battersby, Francis Robert (1859-1906). Second son of John Long Battersby (1814-85) and his second wife Charity alias Cherrie, daughter of Samuel Cooper of Killenure Castle (Co. Tipperary), born 13 August 1859. JP for Co. Meath; High Sheriff of Co. Meath, 1903-04. He was unmarried and without issue.

He inherited Bobsville House from his father in 1885. It was probably sold soon after his death.

He died 26 February 1906; his will was proved 24 April 1906 (estate £22,797).

Battersby family of Lakefield 

Battersby, John (1722-1803). Third son of William Battersby (1676-1762) of Smithstown, near Crossakeel (Co. Meath) and his wife Mary, daughter of Ambrose Sharman, born 1722. JP for Co. Meath. He married 1st, Elizabeth Shields of Monaghan, and 2nd, 7 September 1765, Sarah (d. 1830?), daughter of Rev. Henry Leslie of Nutfield (Co. Fermanagh), and had issue:

(1.1) William Battersby (1764-1847), of Freffans (Co. Meath), born 16 November 1764; educated at Trinity College, Dublin (admitted 1782; BA 1787), Kings Inns, Dublin (admitted 1785; called 1789) and Lincoln's Inn (admitted 1786); barrister-at-law; married Frances (d. 1856), daughter of Nathaniel Preston of Swainstown, and had issue five sons and three daughters; will proved 1847;

(2.1) Rev. Leslie Battersby (1766-1819), of Skreene (Co. Sligo), born 20 July 1766; educated at Trinity College, Dublin (admitted 1784; BA 1789; MA 1805; LLB and LLD 1819); curate, 1795-97; priest-in-charge of Lisnadill (Armagh), 1797-1800; rector of Skreen (Co. Sligo), 1801-14; vicar of Ardfinnan and Newcastle and rector of Mortlestown (Co. Tipperary), 1814-19; Vicar General of the Diocese of Killala; married, 5 July 1796, Anna Maria (d. 1834), daughter of Patrick Palmer, barrister at law and Fellow of Trinity College Dublin, and had issue nine sons and six daughters; died 9 July 1819;

(2.2) Thomas Battersby (1767-1839) [for whom see below, Battersby family of Newcastle House and Lough Bawn House]

(2.3) Isabella Battersby (c.1768-1852); married, about May 1791 (licence 8 April), Rev. Allen Noble Adams (1765-1805) of Shercock House (Co. Cavan), rector of Shercock, son of Richard Adams of Shercock House, and had issue six sons and three daughters; died 20 June 1852;

(2.4) Mary Battersby (d. c.1802); married, before 1801, Andrew Higginbotham, one of the founder members of the Dublin Lodge of the Orange Order, and had issue; died in 1801 or 1802;

(2.5) Penelope Battersby (fl. 1801); married, 1796 (licence 30 June), her cousin, Robert Battersby (1773-1824) [for whom see above], son of Robert Battersby of Bobsville (Co. Meath), and had issue one son and five daughters;

(2.6) Col. Francis Battersby (1775-1844), of Listoke House, Drogheda (Co. Louth), born 19 September 1775; an officer in the 8th Foot (Capt., 1801; Maj., 1809; Lt.-Col., 1812; retired 1826); appointed CB; married, 12 December 1823 at St Anne, Dublin, Elizabeth Jane, second daughter of George Rotherham of Crossdrum (Co. Meath), and had issue one son and one daughter; died 18 December 1844; will proved 1845;

(2.7) Elizabeth Battersby (d. 1836); married [forename unknown] Sheils; died in Dublin, 2 December 1836;

(2.8) Sarah Battersby (fl. 1801); married, 3 June 1799, Joseph Cooper (1776-1814), son of John Cooper of Barn Hall, Castletown (Co. Kildare), and had issue two sons and four daughters;

(2.9) John Battersby (1781-1839) (q.v.);

(2.10) Alexander Battersby (b. 1783), born 10 August 1783; woollen draper in Dublin (bankrupt, 1810); freeman of city of Dublin, 1804; married, 10 July 1807, Elizabeth, daughter of James Cusack of Lara (Co. Kildare), and had issue one son; he disappears from the records soon after his bankruptcy and perhaps died or went abroad;

(2.11) Capt. Henry Robert Battersby (c.1785-1816), born about 1785; an officer in the Royal Navy (Lt., 1806; Cmdr., 1809; Capt., 1814); married, 10 May 1816, Marianne (who m2, about November 1820, Edward Wells Bell), daughter of William Chapman and niece of Sir Thomas Chapman, 2nd bt., of Killua Castle (Co. Westmeath), but had no issue; died 28 November 1816;

(2.12) George Battersby (1788-1815), born 20 April 1788; an officer in the 1st Dragoon Guards (Cornet, 1808; Lt., 1809; Capt., 1813); he was unmarried and without issue; killed in action at the Battle of Waterloo, 18 June 1815.

He built Lakefield House in about 1774. 

He died in 1803; his will was proved in Dublin, 16 June 1803. His first wife probably died following childbirth in 1764. His widow may be the woman of this name for whose goods administration was granted in 1830.

Battersby, John (1781-1839). Fourth son of John Battersby (1722-1803) and his second wife, Sarah, daughter of Rev. Henry Leslie of Nutfield (Co. Fermanagh), born 28 June 1781. JP for Co. Meath. He married Frances (d. 1847?), daughter of Robert Wade of Clonabrany (Co. Meath), and had issue:

(1) Frances Letitia Battersby (c.1808-92), born about 1808; died unmarried, 13 August 1892; will proved 7 September 1892 (effects £395);

(2) Rev. John Francis Battersby (1809-77), of Drumelton (Co. Westmeath); educated at Trinity College, Dublin (admitted 1826; BA 1831); curate of Clondehorkey (Co. Donegal), 1833-44; rector of Vastina (Co. Westmeath), 1844-76; married, 23 January 1840 at Blackrock (Co. Dublin), Elizabeth (d. 1870), daughter of John Minton of Springvale (Co. Cork), but had no issue; died 30 September 1877; will proved 8 November 1877 (effects under £2,000);

(3) Robert Henry Battersby (1811-98) (q.v.);

(4) Thomas Battersby; probably the man of this name who was an officer in the Demifore Yeomanry in Co. Meath (2nd Lt., 1831); JP for Co. Meath from 1840; died without issue;

(5) Marianne Battersby (b. c.1813?); married, 4 October 1855, at St George, Dublin, John Daly of Lakeview, Mullingar (Co. Westmeath), son of Owen Daly of Mornington (Co. Westmeath), and had issue one daughter.

He inherited Lakefield House from his father in 1803.

He died in August 1839. His widow was probably the woman of this name who died in Kingstown (Co. Dublin) in 1847; her will was proved 5 November 1847.

Battersby, Robert Henry (1811-98). Second son of John Battersby (1781-1839) and his wife Frances, daughter of Robert Wade of Clonabrany (Co. Meath), born 1811. JP for Co. Meath. He was unmarried and without issue.

He inherited Lakefield House from his father in 1839, but dispersed the estate at auction in 1893.

He died 20 June 1898; no will traced.

Battersby family of Newcastle House and Lough Bawn House

Battersby, Thomas (1767-1839). Second son of John Battersby (1722-1803) and his second wife, Sarah, daughter of Rev. Henry Leslie of Nutfield (Co. Fermanagh), born 23 October 1767. JP for Co. Meath. He married, 16 October 1799, Margaret Catherine (1783-1862), eldest daughter of George Rotherham of Triermore (Co. Meath), and had issue:

(1) George Battersby (1802-80) (q.v.);

(2) Thomas Battersby (1803-87), of Newcastle House, Oldcastle (Co. Meath), born 16 October 1803; JP for Cos. Meath, Westmeath and Cavan; married, 17 May 1837 at Loughcrew (Co. Meath), Henrietta Mary Anne (d. 1894), daughter of John Rotton of Laura Lodge, Bath (Som.), and had issue five sons and two daughters; died 27 April 1887 and was buried at Oldcastle; will proved 19 August 1887;

(3) Edward Battersby (1805-39), born 3 May 1805; an officer in the Royal Navy (Lt., 1829); died unmarried, 4 October 1839, and was buried in Barbados;

(4) Catherine Battersby (c.1806-66); married, 16 November 1836, William Smith Harman (1804-76) of Upper Crossdrum House (Co. Meath), son of William Morton Harman, and had issue; died aged 60 on 15 December 1866;

(5) Henry Battersby (1808-68), born 4 April 1808 and baptised at Oldcastle; educated at Trinity College, Dublin (BA 1829, MA 1832) and Kings Inns (admitted 1829); solicitor; JP for Co. Meath; married 1st, 13 February 1846, Frances (d. 1854), daughter of T. Rutherford of St. Doolagh's (Co. Dublin); married 2nd, 24 February 1857 at St Anne, Dublin, Anne Maria (1817-1910), daughter of Lt-Col. Richard Kelly, but had no issue; died in London, 11 September 1868 and was buried at Moyliska (Co. Westmeath); administration of goods granted 28 January 1869;

(6) Sarah Battersby (c.1809-81), born about 1809; married, 29 January 1841 at Oldcastle, Rev. Hugh Henry O'Neill (c.1804-72), rector of Knockbride (Co. Cavan), son of John O'Neill, and had issue at least two daughters; died 30 January 1881; administration of goods granted 31 May 1881 (effects under £800);

(7) Dr. Francis Battersby (1812-91), born 10 November 1812; educated at Trinity College, Dublin (BA 1834; MB 1836); physician and surgeon (FRCSI 1841); married 1st, 11 March 1852, Elizabeth (1828-55), daughter of Rev. Robert Stephenson Crooke, and had issue one son; married 2nd, 25 June 1861 at St Peter, Dublin, Charlotte (d. 1879), daughter of John Brien of Castletown (Co. Fermanagh), but had no further issue; died in Dublin and was buried at Loughcrew, 7 October 1891;

(8) Elizabeth Jane Battersby (1815-83), born 3 November 1815; died unmarried in Dublin, 3 May 1883 and was buried at Loughcrew; will proved 28 June 1883 (effects £3,157);

(9) Isabella Battersby (1817-1900), born 29 April 1817; died unmarried, 16 April 1900 and was buried at Loughcrew; will proved 2 July 1900 (estate £3,592);

(10) Frederick William Battersby (1819-47), born 15 May 1819; married, 9 October 1845 at Oldcastle, Margaretta Elizabeth Kannaun (d. 1869), eldest daughter of Captain Henry Keating of Millbrook House (Co. Meath), but had no issue; died of typhus fever, 16 April 1847;

(11) Charles John Battersby (1821-97), of Cromlyn, Rathowen (Co. Westmeath), born 3 February 1821; educated at Trinity College, Dublin (BA 1843); married, 12 January 1854 at Laracor (Co. Meath), Frances Isabella (1828-1909), daughter of William Battersby of Freffans (Co. Meath) [for whom see Battersby family of Lakefield, above], and had issue one son and five daughters; died 22 May 1897 and was buried at Rathowen; will proved 26 July 1897;

(12) Rev. William Alexander Battersby (1825-80), born 4 June 1825; educated at Enniskillen and Trinity College, Dublin (admitted 1842; BA 1845); ordained deacon, 1846 and priest, 1847; perpetual curate of Carrick, 1847-54; priest-in-charge of St Augustine, Derry, 1854-70, and rector of Bovevagh (Co. Londonderry), 1876-78, when he resigned; he was unmarried and without issue; found drowned in Tamneymore Basin, Derry City, 5 August 1880 and was buried at Derry; administration of goods granted 9 September 1880 (effects under £3,000);

(13) Barbara Jane Battersby (c.1828-1905), born about 1828; married, 6 August 1851 at Collinstown, Thomas White JP (1820-66) of Peppard's Castle (Co. Wexford), and had issue; died at Peppard's Castle, 8 February 1905 and was buried at Donamore; administration of her goods was granted 14 April 1905 (estate £2,057).

He purchased a lease of the Newcastle estate, Oldcastle (Co. Meath), in about 1810, and probably built Newcastle House.

He died 27 February 1839 and was buried at Loughcrew (Co. Meath); his will was proved 6 April 1839. His widow died in Dublin, 17 December 1862 and was buried at Loughcrew; her will was proved 8 January 1863.

Battersby, George (1802-80). Eldest son of Thomas Battersby (1767-1839) and his wife Margaret Catherine, eldest daughter of George Rotherham of Crossdrum (Co. Meath), born 8 September 1802. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin (admitted 1818; BA 1824; LLB and LLD, 1832), Lincoln's Inn (admitted 1824) and Kings Inns, Dublin (admitted 1826; called to Irish bar, 1826; bencher, 1861). Barrister-at-law (QC, 1844). Judge of the Dublin Consistory Court (abolished 1869) and later Chancellor of the United Diocesan Court of Dublin, Glenadalough and Kildare, 1869-80; senior Crown Prosecutor for Cos. Kildare and Offaly, and occasional substitute Assizes judge. JP for Co. Meath. A Liberal in politics. Author of a manuscript 'Tour in Europe' (c.1823), now in the National Library of Ireland. He married, 10 December 1830, Charlotte Sarah (c.1806-76), daughter of Rt. Hon. John Radcliff LLD, of Mespil House (Co. Dublin), judge of the Prerogative Court of Ireland, and had issue (with another son, stillborn in 1837):

(1) Bettana Catherine Battersby (1831-1913), born 16 October and baptised at St Peter, Dublin, 18 November 1831; married, 10 January 1852 at St Peter, Dublin, John Colley Pounden (1827-98) of Ballywater House, Gorey (Co. Wexford), and had issue two sons and eleven daughters; died 30 August 1913; 

(2) Thomas George Battersby (1832-71), born 9 October 1832; educated at Trinity College, Dublin (admitted 1850; BA 1855; LLB and LLD, 1862), Inner Temple (admitted 1854) and Kings Inns (admitted 1853; called 1856); barrister-at-law; married, 8 December 1864 at St Stephen, Dublin, Georgina Mary Bessy (c.1836-83) (who in 1875 assumed the additional name of Wybrants, married 2nd, 16 May 1876 at Victoria Hotel, Killarney (Co. Kerry), Capt. Temple Leighton Phipson (later Phipson-Wybrants) (1846-80), son of Thomas Barroll Phipson of Heathfield (Kent)), daughter of Col. William Middleton, and had issue two daughters; died 11 September 1871; will proved 6 October 1871;

(3) John Radcliffe Battersby (1839-1912) (q.v.).

He purchased the site of Lough Bawn House (Co. Westmeath) in the 1830s, and built Lough Bawn House after 1837. He had a town house at 20 Lower Leeson St., Dublin.

He died in Dublin, 9 June 1880 and was buried at Loughcrew; his will was proved 14 July 1880 (effects under £25,000). His wife died 17 August 1876.

Battersby, John Radcliffe (1839-1912). Second, but only surviving, son of George Battersby (1802-80) and his wife Charlotte Sarah, daughter of Rt. Hon. John Radcliff LLD, of Mespil House (Co. Dublin), judge of the Prerogative Court of Ireland, born 30 September 1839. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin (admitted 1858; BA 1862) and Lincoln's Inn (admitted 1862) and Kings Inns (admitted 1861; called to Irish bar, 1864). Barrister-at-law. JP for Cos. Meath and Westmeath. He married, 9 August 1873 at Rathconnell (Co. Westmeath), Augusta Helen (d. 1927), daughter of John Rynd of Reynella (Co. Westmeath), and had issue:

(1) Edith Frances Battersby (1874-1960) (q.v.);

(2) A female child (b. & d. 1876), born 15 February 1876 and died the same day;

(3) George Battersby (1877-1919) (q.v.);

(4) John Radcliffe Battersby (1878-79), born 15 December 1878; died in infancy, 8 April 1879;

(5) Millicent Battersby (1882-1965), born 26 November 1882; married, 22 July 1909, George Astley Rotheram (1874-1951) of Sallymount, Castlepollard (Co. Westmeath), and had issue one daughter; died 17 May 1965 and was buried at Loughcrew Cemetery (Co. Meath); will proved 20 January 1966 (estate £10,951);

(6) Rev. Augustus Wolfe Battersby (1885-1915), born 10 February 1885; educated at Corrig School, Kingstown and Trinity College, Dublin (BA 1909); ordained deacon, 1910; curate of All Saints church, Antrim, 1910-13; served in First World War with 4th battalion, Connaught Rangers (2nd Lt., 1914; Lt., 1915); died of fever at Douala (Cameroon) while attached to West African Frontier Force, 15 June 1915; will proved 27 November 1915 (estate £315);

(7) John Radcliff Battersby (1886-1960) (q.v.); 

(8) A female child (b. 1888), born 20 May 1888; apparently died in infancy;

(9) Dorothy Battersby (1889-1975), born 26 May 1889; served in First World War as a VAD nurse in England and later worked as a teacher; lived with her sister Mona at Carrick House, Ashwellthorpe (Norfk); died unmarried, 1 July 1975; will proved 20 August 1975 (estate £8,262);

(10) Thomas Charles Battersby (b. & d. 1891), born 9 January 1891; died in infancy, 27 March 1891;

(11) Rosalie Battersby (1892-1983), born 25 March 1892; worked as nurse with British Red Cross, 1916-19 and in Women's Royal Air Force, 1919-20; married, 20 July 1920 at Collinstown (Co. Westmeath), Cdr. Thomas Crauford Anderson RN (d. 1950), son of Thomas Anderson of Briggs Main House (Northbld), coal owner, and had issue two sons; died 17 March 1983; will proved 4 May 1983 (estate under £25,000);

(12) Mona Phillippa Battersby (1894-1984), born 9 November 1894; district nurse; lived with her sister Dorothy at Carrick House, Ashwellthorpe (Norfk); died unmarried aged 89, 1 March 1984; will proved 15 May 1984 (estate under £40,000).

He inherited Lough Bawn House from his father in 1880.

He died 9 October 1912; will proved 10 February 1913 (estate £8,337). His widow died 8 June 1927.

Battersby, George (1877-1919). Eldest son of John Radcliffe Battersby (1839-1912) and his wife Augusta Helen, daughter of John Rynd of Reynella (Co. Westmeath), born in Dublin, 11 January 1877. Educated at Cheltenham College and Portora Royal School. Farmer. He married, 23 December 1914 at the Dublin Registry Office, Katherine (d. 1959?), daughter of Michael Whalley, farmer, but had no issue.

He inherited Lough Bown House from his father in 1912.

He died of cancer of the throat and neck, 18 August 1919. His widow married 2nd, 30 June 1927 at St Andrew, Dublin, Thomas Joseph Burke of Cavan, chemist, son of Matthew Burke, farmer, and is said to have died in 1959.

Battersby, John Radcliffe (1886-1960). Third and youngest surviving son of John Radcliffe Battersby (1839-1912) and his wife Augusta Helen, daughter of John Rynd of Reynella (Co. Westmeath), born 26 January 1886. Educated at Corrig School, Kingstown (Co. Dublin). Merchant trading in Argentina before the First World War, when he served with the 3/4th King's African Rifles and the the East African Mounted Rifles. He married 1st, 2 July 1927, Phyllis Frances (c.1904-45), eldest daughter of Charles Henry Alley of Hill of Ward, Athboy (Co. Meath), and 2nd, 26 December 1948, Elise Evelyn Hope Margeurite (1899-1987), daughter of Thomas Albert Clear of Wandsworth (Surrey) and widow of Herbert Judge, railway worker, but had no issue.

He inherited Lough Bawn House from his elder brother in 1919. At his death it passed to his nephew, Col. George Francis Maxwell.

He died 14 August 1960. His first wife died 25 March 1945 and was buried at Loughcrew Cemetery (Co. Meath). His widow died 13 August 1987; her will was proved 26 February 1988 (estate in England & Wales, £6,513).

Battersby, Edith Frances (1874-1960). Eldest daughter of John Radcliffe Battersby (1839-1912) and his wife Augusta Helen, daughter of John Rynd of Reynella (Co. Westmeath), born 5 September 1874. She married, 5 May 1909 at Collinstown (Co. Westmeath), George Maxwell (1874-1837), an Inspector with the Royal Irish Constabulary, son of Arthur Henry Maxwell (d. 1909) of Corduff (Co. Dublin), and had issue:

(1) Col. George Francis Maxwell (1911-76) (q.v.).

She and her husband lived in various places in connection with his job but Ireland eventually became too dangerous for Protestant RIC officers and they moved to Brittany (France). They eventually returned to live at Lough Bawn in the 1930s.

She died 23 December 1960; her will was proved 14 September 1961 (estate £4,996). Her husband died of pneumonia, 12 June 1937 having caught a cold while out fishing on Lough Bawn; administration of his goods was granted in 1938 (estate £3,949).

Maxwell, Col. George Francis (1911-76). Only child of George Maxwell (1874-1937) of Lough Bawn House and his wife Edith Frances, eldest daughter of John Radcliffe Battersby of Lough Bawn House, born 1911. An officer in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (2nd Lt., 1932; Lt., 1935; Capt., 1940; Maj. 1942; Lt-Col., 1954; Col., 1958; retired 1961). He married, 1939, Stella Mary de Beauvoir Jeayes (1914-2004), daughter of Rev. Wilfred Arthur Jeayes of Verwood (Hants), and had issue:

(1) Bridget Michelle Maxwell (b. 1941), born 20 August 1941; educated at Harper Adams Agricultural College, Newport (Shrops.); married, 5 September 1964, David John Murry Taylor (b. 1940), elder son of W/Cdr. Donald Taylor, and had issue two sons;

(2) Verity Victoria Maxwell (b. 1948), born in Kenya, 17 June 1948; now of Lough Bawn House; married, 1 June 1968, William Robin Butterfield, younger son of Geoffrey Butterfield of East Haddon Hill (Northants), and had issue three daughters.

He inherited Corduff House from his father in 1937 and Lough Bawn House from his uncle in 1960. In 1976 Lough Bawn was occupied by his elder daughter, but it is now operated as a B&B by his younger daughter.

He died 27 November 1976; his will was proved in Dublin, 16 May 1977 (estate in Ireland, £208,339), and in London, 1 July 1977 (estate in England & Wales, £6,433). His widow died aged 89 on 28 September 2004; her will was proved 30 May 2007.

Principal sources

Burke's Landed Gentry, 1850, vol. 1, pp. 70-71; Burke's Landed Gentry of Ireland, 1912, pp. 33-34; Burke's Irish Family Records, 1976, pp. 814-16; J.J. Howard & F.A. Crisp, Visitation of Ireland, vol. 5, 1911, pp. 129-34; J. Smith (ed.), The Oldcastle centenary book, 2004, pp. 192-95.

http://www.turtlebunbury.com/history/history_family/hist_family_maxwell.html;

https://www.genealogy.com/forum/regional/countries/topics/ireland/meath/71/.

Location of archives

No substantial accumulation is known to survive, but papers may remain with the family.

Coat of arms

Or, a saltire paly of twelve ermine and gules, a crescent in chief sable.

Can you help?

• Can anyone provide earlier or better drawings or photographs of any of the houses discussed in this article? 
• Can anyone provide fuller information about the ownership of Bobsville or Lakefield House since they were sold by the Battersby family?
• I should be most grateful if anyone can provide photographs or portraits of people whose names appear in bold above, and who are not already illustrated.
• As usual with Irish families, the very limited online availability of parish registers and the poor survival of many other records means the genealogical details above are thinner and less reliable than I would like. If anyone can offer further information or corrections I should be most grateful. I am always particularly pleased to hear from descendants of the family who can supply information from their own research or personal knowledge for inclusion.

Revision and acknowledgements

This post was first published 12 June 2021, and updated 29 July 2021.