(520) Becher of Aughadown House and Hollybrook House

Becher of Hollybrook

The Irish branch of the Becher (sometimes spelt Beecher) family traces its origins to Phane Becher (c.1546-92), a younger son of the Bechers of Penshurst (Kent) and later of Howbury (Beds.), who will be the subject of a future post. Phane Becher was a London merchant, one of the few men of the merchant class who were tempted to invest in the plantation of Munster that took place after the death of the last Earl of Desmond in rebellion in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Phane received a grant of 12,000 acres around Castle Mahon in 1587, but his title was challenged by the dispossessed former owner, Daniel O'Mahony, and when judgment was given in Becher's favour in 1588, O'Mahony ransacked and burnt Castle Mahon and reoccupied the lands for some months. This action seems to have effectively discouraged settlers from taking leases of Becher's land, and when he died in 1592 his will ordered the property to be sold. His son, Henry Becher (c.1573-1610) ignored this instruction, and persevered with the development of the estate, only for it to be overrun in the 1598 rebellion. After recovering possession, he leased the seignory to Capt. William Newce and John Archdeacon, who assigned his portion to Richard Shepherd. Newce and Richard Shepherd's son John founded the town of Bandonbridge, and in 1609 Henry Becher secured the grant of a market and two fairs for the new town.

In 1610, Henry Becher was succeeded by his son, Henry Becher (fl. 1655), who was probably born in the early 1590s and was thus not yet of age. He gave the site for a new church in Bandon in 1614, but by 1620 had sold both halves of Bandon town and much of the rest of his land to Sir Richard Boyle (1566-1643), later 1st Earl of Cork. In 1637, the younger Henry Becher inherited Aughadown House from his wife's father, and this later became the family seat. Aughadown was a fortified manor house, but it did not offer sufficient security for the Bechers in the troubled years of the 1640s and Becher, who was a merchant at Baltimore (Co. Cork), seems to have decamped to Bristol when his pleas to Parliament for a detachment of 500 men to main security in south-west Ireland fell on deaf ears. By 1655 Henry Becher had recovered his estates, and he was probably still alive in 1659, but his death has not been traced. His son, Col. Thomas Becher (c.1640-1709), eventually succeeded to his estates, and at the time of James II's invasion of Ireland in 1689, he too felt it prudent to slip away to Bristol with his wife and family. The family were in Bristol long enough to apprentice one son to a Bristol merchant and to bury another, but Thomas himself is said to have joined the army of William III and been the King's aide-de-camp at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, being rewarded for his service there with the gift of the king's own watch. There is, however, no trace of him in the surviving army lists and commissions under King William before his appointment in 1692 as Governor of Inisherkin. He was MP for Baltimore in the Irish Parliament for three terms between 1692 and 1709. He and his wife had fifteen children between 1666 and 1688, and at least two of the younger sons made careers in England, one as a barrister and the other as a merchant in Bristol. Aughadown and his other properties passed to his eldest son, Henry Becher (1666-1738), who took an English wife (who probably died soon after 1710), and then to Henry's son, John Becher (c.1700-78).

It was John Becher who built a new seat for the family in the mid 18th century at Hollybrook near Skibbereen. The estate seems to have been acquired by his father in the early 18th century and there was probably an earlier house on the site which John replaced. Hollybrook became the family's principal seat and John's son, Richard Hedges Becher (c.1747-1825) split the two properties, leaving Hollybrook to his grandson, Richard Henry Hedges Becher (c.1799-1882) and Aughadown to his second son, Henry Owen Becher (c.1774-1841). Aughadown seems to have been abandoned after Henry's death, if not before. Unfortunately, Richard Hedges Becher had a reputation for profligacy and left the estate severely incumbered with debt. His grandson seems to have lived a rather hand-to-mouth existence but kept his head above water until the 1840s, when the collapse of rental income at the time of the Famine pushed him into insolvency. The 17,000 acre estate was sold through the Incumbered Estates Court in 1851, but Hollybrook and its demesne were acquired then by R.H.H. Becher's cousin, John Richard Hedges Becher (1825-1901), the son of Henry Owen Becher. He too found it impossible to afford the upkeep of the estate and in 1858 it was again sold through the Incumbered Estates Court. However, the purchaser was a local solicitor who seems to have been acting as a bare nominee for J.R.H. Becher himself. The purpose of this maneouvre is not entirely clear, but it was probably done to achieve a refinancing of his debts. After the sale, the estate was usually let until in 1893 Becher finally sold it to Col. & Mrs. Murray. 

John Richard Hedges Becher had a large family of twelve children, of whom the eldest, the Very Rev. Harry Becher (1852-1929), abandoned a mercantile career to enter the church, and became rector of Castlehaven, 1891-1914 and Dean of Ross, 1914-26. His only surviving son, Brig. Ralph Frederick Richard Becher (1896-1979) bought the former rectory at Castlehaven, in which he had been brought up, after retiring from the army in 1947, and lived there until 1972, when he sold it and moved to Drumearn House in Perthshire, which was sold by the family in 2002.

Aughadown House, Co. Cork

Aughadown House: Ordnance Survey of Ireland 6" plan, c.1840,
showing the footprint of the house more clearly than is apparent on the ground today.

An early 17th century fortified house, perhaps built for Thomas Notte (d. 1637), which consisted of a single-pile central block with four spear-shaped flanking wings at the angles. The entrance was probably on the north side, where the string-courses between the floors are more elaborate. The house was replaced as the principal family residence by Hollybrook House after 1751, but was evidently occupied until the mid 19th century, when it was abandoned and allowed slowly to collapse and fall into ruin. All that survives today is the west gable end and the two adjoining flankers, heavily mantled in ivy. In its heyday, the house had gardens with gazebos and other ornamental buildings.

Descent: Thomas Notte (d. 1637); to daughter, Elizabeth, wife of Henry Becher (fl. 1655); to son, Col. Thomas Becher (c.1640-1709); to son, Henry Becher (1666?-1738); to son, John Becher (c.1700-78); to son, Richard Hedges Becher (c.1747-1825); to younger son, Henry Owen Becher (c.1774-1841); probably abandoned after his death.

Hollybrook House, Skibbereen, Co. Cork

There was probably a 17th century house on the estate, but the earliest building of which anything is known was a seven-by-three bay Georgian house, said to have been built in 1751, which faced south. This had a three-bay projecting centre under a pedimental gable, with a porch across all three bays. A plan of 1851 shows that the house had front and back halls with a square open-well staircase between them. The dining room was to the left of the front door and the drawing room and sitting room to the right of the hall. Near to the house are the surviving early 19th century stables, arranged around two courts with pedimented gateways.

Hollybrook House: engraving of the Georgian house from the sale particulars at the time of the 1852 sale.

This Georgian house burned down in 1902, and was rebuilt in 1902-03 by Robert Shekleton Balfour of London for Lt-Col. A.H. Morgan, whose wife had inherited a Scottish industrial fortune. The new house is H-shaped and roughcast, with tall brick chimneys and a lower service wing to one side, and has windows of various sizes and types to suit the interiors, but which all seem rather small in proportion to the external elevations. The entrance front has a central Venetian window, an open segmental pediment and a low doorway with an oak canopy supported on elaborate wrought iron brackets. The garden front has a colonnade between the wings supporting a first floor balustraded terrace. Above the cornice, the Arts & Crafts style of the building is strengthened by a big roof with tile-hung gables, containing attic rooms lit by Diocletian windows. 

Hollybrook House: garden front of the new house

Hollybrook House: entrance front of the new house

Inside, the house is arranged around a domed two-storey galleried 'Living Hall' of the kind that was particularly fashionable in the Edwardian period, with oak panelling and carving and plasterwork in a 17th century manner. The dining room, study and drawing room are also richly decorated with Wrenaissance style decoration, and the drawing room has elaborate marquetry panelling on the dado and ceiling carved by Col. Morgan's aunt, Jane Morgan, which was made originally for her sister Middy's house on Staten Island, New York. Alongside the building of the new house, the Morgans built an elegant new lodge, on an elongated octagonal plan (also designed by R.S. Balfour, 1905), and laid out an important, though now overgrown, Japanese water and island garden, after Mrs Morgan sailed to Japan in her yacht Boadicea and brought back stone lanterns and two Japanese gardeners.

Descent: sold c.1720 to Henry Becher (1666?-1738); to son, John Becher (c.1700-78), who rebuilt the house c.1751; to son, Richard Hedges Becher (c.1747-1825); to grandson, Richard Henry Hedges Becher (c.1799-1882); sold through Incumbered Estates Court in 1852 to John Richard Hedges Becher (1825-1901), who offered it for sale through the Incumbered Estates Court in 1858, but bought it himself through a local solicitor, Noble Johnson; sold 1893 to Lt-Col. and Mrs. A.H. Morgan; bequeathed 1950 to niece, Cornelia (1894-1974), wife of Brig. Morgan John Winthrop O'Donovan (1893-1964), The O'Donovan; to son, Morgan Gerald Daniel O'Donovan (1931-2016), The O'Donovan; to son, Morgan Tiege Gerald O'Donovan (b. 1961), The O'Donovan. The estate seems usually to have been let between 1858 and 1893.

Becher family of Aughadown House and Hollybrook House

Becher, Phane (c.1546-92). Third son of Henry Becher (d. 1571) of Penshurst (Kent) and his first wife, Alice, daughter of Sir John Heron alias Hearne of Edgcumbe House, Croydon (Surrey). A merchant in London, who administered his Irish estate through an agent. He married, 12 May 1572 at Stratfield Saye (Hants), Susan (1549-1615?), youngest daughter of George Dabridgecourt of Stratfield Saye (Hants), and had issue:

(1) Henry Becher (c.1573-1610) (q.v.);

(2) Jane Becher; married Hugh Prescott of Staffordshire;

(3) Edward Becher (1576-1617?), baptised at Hartley Wespall (Hants), 20 July 1576; escheator of Munster, 1606-17; lived at Crookhaven (Co. Cork); married Alice Walche of Dublin, and had issue two sons; will proved 13 August 1617;

(4) Margaret Becher (1577-1609?), baptised at Hartley Wespall, 12 November 1577; probably died unmarried and was buried at Statfield Saye, 27 May 1609;

(5) Judith Becher (b. 1579), baptised at Hartley Wespall, 6 January 1579/80; perhaps died young;

(6) Elizabeth Becher (b. 1582), baptised at Hartley Wespall, 23 March 1581/2; married Randal Warner or Wardner (fl. 1617) of London and Kilcoleman (Co. Cork);

(7) Fane Becher (1582-1649), baptised at Hartley Wespall, 25 November 1582; Quartermaster General of forces in Ireland, 1649; married Susanna [surname unknown] (fl. 1649) (who is said to have married 2nd, John Godsuffe (d. 1670) of Kinsale), but apparently had no surviving issue; died in September or October 1649; will proved at Bristol and at Dublin, 1656; 

(8) Stephen Becher (b. & d. 1585), baptised at Hartley Wespall, 23 January 1584/5; died in infancy and was buried at Hartley Wespall, 28 January 1584/5;

(9) William Becher (b. 1585), baptised at Hartley Wespall (Hants), 25 July 1585; 

(10) Catherine Becher (b. 1588; fl. 1623), baptised at Hartley Wespall, 27 August 1588; married Richard Richmond alias Shepherd (fl. 1617), and had issue five children; living in 1623.

He obtained a grant of 12,000 acres in Co. Cork by royal warrant, 3 February 1586/7.

He was buried at St Olave, Silver St., London, 29 September 1592. His widow is said to have died in 1615.

Becher, Henry (c.1573-1610). Eldest son of Phane Becher (c.1546-92) and his wife Susan, youngest daughter of George Dabridgecourt of Stratfield Saye (Hants). Probably the man of this name educated at Brasenose College, Oxford (matriculated 1589; BA 1591; MA 1595). He and his lessees founded the town of Bandon (Co. Cork) and he secured the grant of a market and two fairs there in 1609. Some accounts state he was Lord President of Munster, 1604-10, but if he was not merely an Acting President,  his tenure was probably both shorter and contested. He married, as a child, 14 March 1586/7, Mary (fl. 1617), daughter of Rt. Rev. William Lyon (d. 1617), first Protestant Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, 1583-1617, and had issue:

(1) William Becher (d. 1601?), possibly the child of this name buried at Stratfield Saye (Hants), 16 April 1601;

(2) Henry Becher (b. c.1595; fl. 1655) (q.v.);

(3) Elizabeth Becher (d. 1601); buried at Stratfield Saye (Hants), 9 February 1601;

(4) Fane Becher; nicknamed 'Lying Becher'; left Ireland in 1639 for St Christopher's in the Caribbean, where he proceeded to organise a rebellion against the authorities in 1642;

(5) Edward Becher (b. 1601), baptised at Stratfield Saye, 2 August 1601; 

(6) Lionel Becher (d. c.1676); married, 29 November 1642 at Youghal (Co. Cork), Julian, daughter of [forename unknown] Budde of Bideford (Devon) and widow of Capt. Thomas Williams, and had issue at least two sons and one daughter; died about 1676;

(7) Alice Becher;

(8) Catherine Becher (fl. 1631?), possibly the person of this name who married, 1631, John Woodroffe (fl. 1641), provost of Bandon;

(9) Abigail Becher; lived at Castle Mahon (Co. Cork), which she and her husband sold to the Bernard family; said to have married Charles James;

(10) Susan Becher;

(11) Mabel Becher;

(12) Mary Becher; probably the woman of this name who married, 1641, Thomas Maddox.

He inherited his father's lands in the barony of Kinalmeaky and lived at Castle Mahon (Co. Cork).

He died in 1610. His widow was living in 1617; her date of death is unknown.

Becher, Henry (b. c.1595; fl. 1655). Second, but eldest surviving son of Henry Becher (c.1573-1610) and his wife Mary, daughter of Rt. Rev. William Lyon, Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, born about 1590. Merchant at Bandon and later Baltimore (Co. Cork); gave the site for a church at Bandon in 1614. JP for County Cork. He petitioned Parliament for the despatch of 500 soldiers in County Cork to protect English settlers from Catholic rebels in 1641, but later seems to have fled to Bristol. He married, before 1636, Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Notte (d. 1637) of Aughadown House (Co. Cork), and had issue:

(1) Elizabeth Becher (b. c.1637), born about 1637; married, 10 June 1656, Maj. Richard Tonson (d. 1693) of Spanish Island (Co. Cork), and had issue one son and one daughter;

(2) Col. Thomas Becher (c.1640-1709) (q.v.);

(3) Henry Becher; married, 1670, Elizabeth Reede;

(4) Mary Becher (fl. 1714); married, 1675, Stephen Fleming, and had issue at least one son; died after 1714;

(5) Susanna Becher; married William Field, and had issue one son and three daughters.

He lived at Bandon (which he sold to the Earl of Cork) and later at Baltimore (Co. Cork).

He was living in 1655 and probably in 1659, but his date of death is unknown. His wife's date of death is unknown.

Col. Thomas Becher (c.1640-1709) 

Becher, Col. Thomas (c.1640-1709). Elder son of Henry Becher (b. c.1595) and his wife Elizabeth Notte of Aughadown House (Co. Cork), born at Baltimore (Co. Cork) about 1640. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin (matriculated 1658). An officer in the army (Ensign, 1663) and in the Cork Militia (by 1666); JP for Co. Cork, 1665. In April 1689 he and his family fled to Bristol to avoid the fighting between James II and William III, but he is said to have later obtained a commission in the army of King William III (Col., 1690), and to have been ADC to the King at the Battle of the Boyne, 1690, after which the king presented him with his watch. There is, however, no reference to him in the commission lists for the period until his appointment as Governor of Sherkin Island off Baltimore in 1692, although he was then described as 'Col. Thomas Becher'. MP for Baltimore (Co. Cork) in the Irish Parliament, 1692-93, 1695-99 and 1703-09. He married Elizabeth (d. c.1721), eldest daughter of Maj. Henry Turner of Bandon Bridge (Co. Cork), recorder of Limerick, and had issue:

(1) Henry Becher (1666-1738) (q.v.);

(2) Thomas Becher (1667-1707), said to have been born 10 February 1667; educated at Trinity College, Dublin (admitted 1685); sometimes recorded in error for his father as MP for Baltimore, 1703-09; died, probably unmarried, in the lifetime of his father, 1707;

(3) William Becher (b. 1670), said to have been born 10 March 1669/70; probably died young and almost certainly before 1695 when his brother Edward was 'fourth son';

(4) Elizabeth Becher (1671-c.1707), said to have been born 17 February 1670/1; married 1st, 1697, Capt. Horatio Townshend (d. 1698?) and had issue one daughter; married 2nd, 1701, as his third wife, Rt. Rev. Dive Downes (1653-1709), Bishop of Cork & Ross, and had further issue one daughter; died between 1705 and 1707; will proved 4 August 1707; 

(5) Michael Becher (1674-1726), said to have been born 8 April 1674; educated at Trinity College, Dublin (admitted 1690; BA 1695); admitted as a burgess at Clonakilty (Co. Cork), 1711; MP for Baltimore, 1713-14, 1715-26; described in 1715 as Lt-Col, so perhaps an officer in the militia; married, 1698, Peniel (c.1682-1759) (who m2, 1730, Col. Richard Tonson), daughter of Col. Gates, and may have had issue one son, though he is not mentioned in his will; died after 8 March 1726;

(6) Richard Becher (b. 1675); said to have born 24 May 1675; probably died young and almost certainly before 1695 when his brother Edward was 'fourth son';

(7) Edward Becher (1676-1750), born 27 June 1676; educated at Trinity College, Dublin (admitted 1694) and Inner Temple (admitted 1695; called 1702); barrister-at-law; tenant of of Norwood Park, Southwell (Notts), 1731-47; married 1st, 1 September 1702, Bridget (1678-1735), daughter of Samuel Lowe the elder of Southwell, and had issue six sons and five daughters; married 2nd, 24 January 1738/9 at North Muskham (Notts), Mary, only child of William Booth and widow of William Law of Southwell, and had further issue one son; died 25 June 1750*;

(8) John Becher (1677-1743), of Bristol and Stapleton (Glos), born 1 September 1677; apprenticed to his future father-in-law at Bristol, 1690; merchant, shipowner, and slave trading agent in Bristol; sheriff of Bristol, 1713; mayor of Bristol, 1721; Master of the Bristol Merchant Venturers, 1722; married 1st, 17 October 1695 at St Werburgh, Bristol, Hester (c.1676-1705), daughter of Sir John Duddlestone, 1st bt., and had issue six sons [from the eldest surviving of whom descend the Wrixon-Becher baronets, who will be the subject of a future post] and two daughters; married 2nd, 1710 (licence 26 October), probably at Bitton (Glos), Mary Cranfield (d. 1753), and had further issue five sons and two daughters; died 9 July 1743; will proved in the PCC, 10 August 1743;

(9) George Becher (1678-89), said to have been born 6 September 1678; died young, October 1689 and was buried at St Mary, Redcliffe, Bristol, 2 October 1689;

(10) Dorothy Becher (b. 1679), said to have been born 22 November 1679; probably died young and almost certainly before 1705 as she is not mentioned in her father's will;

(11) Martha Becher (b. 1681), said to have been born 31 July 1681; married Dillon Newman (d. 1733) of Newbury and Dromineen (Co. Cork) and had issue at least four sons and three daughters; she predeceased her husband but her death has not been traced;

(12) Ann Becher (b. 1682), said to have been born 8 March 1682; probably died young and almost certainly before 1705 as she is not mentioned in her father's will;

(13) Mary Becher (b. 1683), said to have been born 16 December 1683; probably died young and almost certainly before 1705 as she is not mentioned in her father's will;

(14) Lionel Becher (1686-1770), of Sherkin House, born 9 March 1686; ran a prosperous fishery on Sherkin Island with his son-in-law, Randall Westropp; married, 1712, Catherine Dunscombe (fl. 1769), and had issue at least two sons and three daughters; died 10 February 1770; will proved 1772;

(15) Susannah Becher (1688-c.1738); said to have been born 16 March 1688; married 1st, 1709, Thomas Hungerford (c.1681-1715), and had issue one son and four daughters; married 2nd, 2 August 1719, as his first wife, Samuel Jervoise (c.1685-1764) of Braade House (Co. Cork) (who m2, 1741 Elizabeth Lapp and had another son), son of Joseph Jervoise, and had further issue one son; living in 1737 but will proved 1738.

He inherited estates at Aughadown, Sherkin Island and Castle Mahon (Co. Cork) and lived at Sherkin House and Aughadown House. Before 1686 he bought the barony of West Carbery (some 3,000 acres)

He died 10 October 1709 and was buried at Aughadown; his will was proved 11 March 1709/10. His wife died about 1721; her will was proved 31 March 1721.

* Some sources say 25 January 1750/1.

Becher, Henry (1666-1738). Eldest son of Col. Thomas Becher (c.1640-1709) and his wife Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Henry Turner of Bandon Bridge (Co. Cork), recorder of Limerick, said to have been born 29 March 1666. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin (matriculated 1684). He married, 1698 (licence), Henrietta Margaret (fl. 1710), daughter of Col. Henry Owen of Stadhampton (Oxon), and had issue:

(1) John Becher (c.1700-78) (q.v.);

(2) Elizabeth Becher (d. c.1745); married, 1724, as his second wife, Richard Townsend (1684-1742) of Castle Townsend, son of Bryan Townsend, and had issue three sons and three daughters; died between 1743 and 1745;

(3) Henry Becher (fl. 1708); living in 1708 when he was mentioned in his grandfather's will, but probably died young.

He lived at Aughadown House, and bought the Hollybrook estate near Skibbereen in the early 18th century.

He died in 1738. His wife was living in 1710 but may have died soon afterwards.

Becher, John (c.1700-78). Elder son of Henry Becher (1666-1738) and his wife Henrietta Margaret, daughter of Col. Owen of Stadham[pton?] (Oxon), born about 1700. He married 1st, 27 March 1740 in Cork*, Frances (d. 1752), daughter of Richard Hedges of Mount Hedges and Macroom Castle; 2nd, 1758, Elizabeth Baldwin (d. 1768), widow; 3rd, 4 February 1769 at Ross Cathedral, Barbara Hungerford, and 4th, October 1771, Barbara (d. c.1787), daughter of John Townsend of Skibbereen, and had issue:

(1.1) Richard Hedges Becher (c.1747-1825) (q.v.);

(1.2) Jane Becher (1748-1812), born about 1748; married (aged about 15), 1763 (settlement 2 April), as his second wife, Daniel O'Donovan (1703-78), The O'Donovan, of Bawnlahan (Co. Cork), and had issue two sons and two daughters; died in 1812 and was buried at Myross (Co. Cork);

(1.3) Michael Becher (d. 1778); died unmarried, November 1778;

(1.4) Eliza Becher (fl. 1782); married, 2 September 1777, William Evans (1747-96), third son of Hon. John Evans of Bulgaden Hall (Co. Limerick), and had issue two sons and three daughters; died after 1782.

He inherited Aughadown House from his father but built or rebuilt Hollybrook House near Skibbereen, c.1775.

He died 19 February 1778; his will was proved in 1790. His first wife died in about 1752; administration of her goods was granted to her husband, 28 April 1752. His second wife died 5 November 1768. His third wife died about 1772. His widow died about 1787; her will was proved in that year. 

* The marriage was conducted by the rector of Macroom and entered in the Macroom register.

Becher, Richard Hedges (c.1747-1825). Elder son of John Becher (d. 1778) and his first wife, Frances Eyre of Mount Hedges and Macroom Castle, born about 1747. Described in 1828 as 'a person of very extravagant habits, and... often in pecuniary difficulties'. He married 1st, 1769 (settlement 9 September), Letitia (d. 1774), younger daughter of Richard Hungerford (d. c.1784) of The Island (Co. Cork), and 2nd, 26 August or 1 September 1779 at St Nicholas, Cork, Mary (c.1760-1811), daughter of Thomas Alleyn of Ballyduvane, Clonakilty (Co. Cork), and had issue:

(1.1) Frances Eyre Becher (c.1771-1843); married, 8 July 1793 at Bath (Som.), her cousin, Richard Becher Hungerford (1771-1833) of The Island (Co. Cork) and had issue seven sons and two daughters; died 12 September 1843;

(1.2) John Becher (c.1774-1820) (q.v.);

(1.3) Henry Owen Becher (c.1774-1841) (q.v.);

(2.1) Anne Becher (c.1779-1860), born about 1779; died unmarried, 13 June 1860;

(2.2) Thomas Alleyn Becher (c.1780-1830), born about 1780; a freeman of Cork; died unmarried at Skibbereen, 12 March 1830;

(2.3) Richard Becher (c.1781-1804), born about 1781; an officer in West Cork Militia (Lt.); died unmarried, 11 June 1804;

(2.4) Elizabeth Becher (c.1782-1851), born about 1782; died unmarried, at Lakelands, January 1851;

(2.5) Mary Becher (c.1785-1833), born about 1785; died unmarried, 23 May 1833;

(2.6) Letitia Becher (c.1787-1826), born about 1787; married, 16 March 1805, Capt. Henry Richard Orpen (d. 1838) of Gortages and Bridgeville Park (Co. Cork), surveyor of customs, youngest son of Richard Orpen of Ardtully (Co. Kerry), and had issue six sons and three daughters; buried at Kenmare (Co. Kerry), 10 December 1826;

(2.7) Amelia St George Becher (c.1790-1841), born about 1790; married, 5 October 1824 at Creagh, Robert Stowards (c.1786-1849), an officer in the 37th Foot (Lt.) and later 10th Royal Veteran Battalion, who lost a leg at Antwerp, son of George Stowards of Leofana, Kinsale (Co. Cork), and had issue one daughter; died 14 October 1841;

(2.8) Lucinda Becher (c.1793-1848), born about 1793; married, 11 July 1812, Rev. James Hingston (1780-1851) of Aglish (Co. Cork), rector of Whitchurch, Cloyne, 1836-51, eldest son of Rev. James Hingston, vicar-general of Cloyne, and had issue one son and two daughters;

(2.9) Henrietta Becher (c.1795-1837), born about 1795; married, 17 July 1819 at Whitechurch (Co. Cork), Richard Edward Hull (d. 1846) of Leamcon Manor (Co. Cork) and had issue one son and two daughters; died 21 March 1837; will proved 1837;

(2.10) Michael Alleyn Becher (c.1799-1850), of Ballyduvant, Clonakilty (Co. Cork), born about 1799; married, 12 February 1831 at Rathcooney, Elizabeth Sherrard (c.1805-87); died 26 March 1850 and was buried at Kilgariff, Clonakilty (Co. Cork).

He inherited Hollybrook House from his father.

He died 8 February 1825; his will was proved in Cork, 1830. His first wife is said to have died 30 July 1774. His second wife died 23 May 1811. 

Becher, John (c.1774-1820). Elder son of Richard Hedges Becher (c.1747-1825) and his first wife, Letitia, younger daughter of Richard Hungerford of The Island (Co. Cork), born about 1774. He married, May 1798, Susanna (c.1773-1846), daughter of Thomas Hungerford of The Island and Fox Hall (Co. Cork), and had issue:

(1) Richard Henry Hedges Becher (c.1799-1882) (q.v.);

(2) George Cranfield Becher (b. 1801); living in 1842;

(3) Letitia Hungerford Becher (b. c.1802); married, 1 October 1842 at Creagh (Co. Cork), George Finch of Leap (Co. Cork);

(4) Richard O'Donovan Becher (b. c.1804); married, 5 June 1845 at Skibbereen, Elizabeth Charlotte (d. 1851), daughter of Thomas Hungerford (d. 1849), and had issue two daughters;

(5) Thomas Hungerford Becher (c.1806-66?); possibly the Thomas Becher who died at Skibbereen in 1866;

(6) Susanna Hungerford Becher (c.1807-44); died unmarried, 14 February 1844; will proved in Cork, 1844;

(7) Jane Charlotte Becher (c.1810-84); died 26 April 1884;

(8) Frances Eyre Becher, youngest daughter; married, 18 September 1837 at St Nicholas, Dublin, her cousin, Richard Becher Hungerford (d. 1904), second son of Richard Hungerford of The Island, and had issue one son and two daughters.

He died in the lifetime of his father, 20 February 1820. His widow died 26 December 1846. 

Becher, Richard Henry Hedges (c.1799-1882). Eldest son of John Becher (c.1774-1820) and his wife Susanna, daughter of Thomas Hungerford of The Island and Fox Hall (Co. Cork). JP for Co. Cork. A Conservative in politics. He inherited a large estate that was burdened with very heavy debts, and when the agricultural crisis and famine reduced his rents in the 1840s he became an insolvent debtor, and obliged to sell his estate through the Incumbered Estates Court, though Hollybrook House was bought by his cousin. He married, 1st, 12 February 1839 at Douglas Church, Cork, Melian (1797-1859), elder daughter of the Rev. Morgan O'Donovan, The O'Donovan, rector of Dundurrow (Co. Cork), and 2nd, 2 August 1861 at St Finbar's Cathedral, Cork, Mary Hungerford (c.1799-1878), daughter of Richard Neville Somerville (c.1765-1827), but died without issue.

He inherited Hollybrook House and some 17,000 acres from his father in 1821, but sold it in 1851 through the Incumbered Estates Court; the house and grounds were sold to his cousin, John Richard Hedges Becher (d. 1901) (q.v.). He lived latterly at Lakelands (Co. Cork).

He died 1 September and was buried at Aughadown, 5 September 1882; his will was proved 20 March 1883 (effects £217). His first wife died 28 May 1859. His second wife died 9 August 1878; will proved 20 August 1883 (effects of no value). 

Becher, Henry Owen (c.1774-1841). Second son of Richard Hedges Becher (c.1747-1825) and his first wife, Letitia, younger daughter of Richard Hungerford of The Island (Co. Cork), born about 1774. He was made a Freeman of the City of Cork, 1813. He married 1st, 29 June 1805 at Aughadown, Catherine (c.1783-1815), daughter of Henry Jermyn of Aughadown; and 2nd, Ellen (d. 1865), daughter of Samuel Jervoise of Braade House, Myross (Co. Cork) and probably the widow of Peter Cussen, and had issue:

(1.1) Marie Letitia Catherine Becher (1806-42); lived in Paris and later at Naples (Italy), where she died unmarried, 12 July 1842; her will was proved in Cork, 1843;

(1.2) Henry Owen Becher (b. 1809), born 29 November 1809; died young;

(1.3) Catherine Becher (1814-15); died September 1815 and was buried with her mother;

(2.1) John Richard Hedges Becher (1825-1901) (q.v.);

(2.2) Lucy Alleyne Becher (c.1830-1910), born about 1830; married, 5 April 1851 at Skibbereen, Very Rev. Dr. Henry Brougham (1827-1913), dean of Lismore, son of Rev. Henry Brougham, and had issue four sons and three daughters; died at Lismore, 28 May 1910;

(2.3) Harriette Ellen Becher (c.1832-75), born about 1832; married, 10 January 1854 at Holy Trinity, Cork, Edmund Waldo Meade-Waldo (1829-96) of Stonewall Park, Edenbridge (Kent) and Hever Castle (Kent) (who m2, 1879, Cicely Eleanor (d. 1935), eldest daughter of Henry Chandos-Pole-Gell of Hopton Hall (Derbys), by whom he had two further daughters) and had issue one son and one daughter; died 24 February and was buried at St Andrew, Hove (Sussex), 4 March 1875;

(2.4) Richard Edward Hull Becher (1836-99), said to have been born in 1836; died unmarried, 23 September 1899; will proved 16 October 1899 (estate £571);

(2.5) Michael Becher (1837-1915), of Corriganear (Co. Cork), said to have been born in 1837; an officer in the West Cork Artillery (2nd Lt., 1856); married 1st, 6 July 1860 at Ballymore (Co. Donegal), Mary (d. 1871), second daughter of Rev. Charles Frederick Stewart of Horn Head (Co. Donegal), and had issue four sons and one daughter; married 2nd, 17 April 1879, Elizabeth (c.1836-1920), daughter of Michael Alleyne Becher of Ballyduvane, Clonakilty (Co. Cork); died 21 January 1915 and was buried at Aughadown; his will was proved 10 April 1915 (estate £213);

(2.6) Ellen Jervoise Becher (c.1840-1913), born about 1840; married, 1873, Arthur Maxwell (1842-1909) of Corduff House, Donabate (Co. Dublin) and had issue four sons and three daughters; died 5 May 1913.

He inherited Aughadown House from his father.

He died 21 March 1841; his will was proved in Dublin, 3 April 1841. His first wife died 30 September 1815 and was buried at Aughadown, where she is commemorated by a ledger stone. His widow died at Lough Ine House, 1 November 1865.

Becher, John Richard Hedges (1825-1901). Eldest son of Henry Owen Becher and his second wife, Ellen, daughter of Samuel Jervoise of Braade House (Co. Cork), born 2 December 1825. He was an officer in the 27th Foot (Ensign, 1844; Lt., 1847; retired 1850). JP for Co. Cork. A freemason from 1846. He married, 14 September 1850 at St Nicholas, Cork, his first cousin, Lucinda Jane Elizabeth (1829-1908), younger daughter of Richard Edward Hull of Leamcon Manor (Co. Cork), and had issue:

(1) Very Rev. Harry Becher (1852-1929) (q.v.); 

(2) Henrietta Anne Margaretta Becher (c.1853-1932), born about 1853; died unmarried, 16 January 1932; will proved 2 May 1932 (estate £322);

(3) Capt. Richard Edward Hull Becher (1854-1940), of Abbots Ann (Hants), born 4 September 1854; educated at HMS Conway, 1867-70; officer in the merchant navy with Union Castle Shipping Line (second mate, 1876; first mate, 1884; master mariner, 1890; retired 1916); became deaf in his later years; married, 25 April 1900 at Christ Church, Sunderland (Co. Durham), Emily Constance (1858-1947), daughter of Ralph Milbanke Hudson (1813-1908) of Sunderland (Co. Durham), but had no issue; died 13 May 1940; will proved 16 July 1940 (estate £3,268);

(4) Ellen Henrietta Lucinda Becher (c.1856-1942); married, 11 February 1904 at Creagh (Co. Cork), as his second wife, her cousin William Hungerford (1836-1908) of Sun Mount, Clonakilty and Castle Ventry (Co. Cork); died without issue at Sun Mount, 18 January 1942;

(5) Lucy Brougham Becher (c.1857-1925), born about 1857; died unmarried, 6? April 1925 and was buried at Creagh (Co. Cork);

(6) Edmund Waldo Becher (1859-1930), of Ardagh House, Lismore (Co. Cork), born 21 March 1859; land agent to Duke of Devonshire's Lismore Castle estate; married 1st, 23 June 1896 at Monkstown (Co. Dublin), Marcella Ellen (k/a Ella) (b. c.1858; fl. 1911), daughter of Richard Ussher Roberts and widow of Edward Bickers, and had issue one son (who was killed in the First World War); married 2nd, 20 January 1925 at Lismore Cathedral, her sister Martha (1857-1940), widow of Robert Henry Power; died 23 November 1930 and was buried at Lismore Cathedral; will proved 19 October 1931 (estate £1,454);

(7) Ven. John Richard Hedges Becher (1861-1946)*, born 13 March 1861; educated at King William's College, Isle of Man and Trinity College, Dublin (MA); ordained deacon, 1885 and priest, 1886; rector of Kilrush, 1887-90 and of Lorum, 1890-1940; archdeacon of Leighlin, 1922-40 and of Ossory, 1925-40; retired 1940; married, 22 June 1887 at Kilkenny Cathedral, Nicola Sophia, youngest daughter of Sir John Blunden (1814-90), 3rd bt. of Castle Blunden (Co. Kilkenny), and had issue at least two sons; died 11 May 1946 and was buried at Slyguff Cemetery, Bagenalstown (Co. Carlow);

(8) William Henry Hull Becher (1862-1940), born 14 August 1862; educated at King William's College, Castletown (IoM); emigrated to New Zealand; married, 21 November 1901 at St John the Baptist, Hunterville (NZ), Mary Caroline Tennent (1856-1934), but had no issue; died 14 November 1940 and was buried at Levin Old Cemetery, Manawatu-Wanganui (NZ);

(9) Amelia Maria Becher (1864-1941), born 16 May 1864; married, 4 September 1899 at Creagh (Co. Cork), Alfred George Milbanke Hudson (1855-1908), son of Ralph Milbanke Hudson of Shotton Hall (Co. Durham); died 20 October 1941; will proved 21 January 1942 (estate £2,052);

(10) Catherine Anna Maria Brougham Becher (1866-1940); married, 13 June 1893 at South Qu'Appelle (Canada), Arthur Atherton (1857-1942) of Fort Qu'Appelle (Canada) and had issue five sons and two daughters; died near Lestock, Saskatchewan (Canada), 9 December 1940;

(11) Lionel Fane Becher (1868-1910), born 25 January 1868; educated at King William's College, Castletown (IoM); emigrated to Medicine Hat, Alberta (Canada), c.1903; died unmarried in Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada), 14 November 1910, and was buried at Queen Charlotte Cemetery, Graham Island, Vancouver;

(12) Frederick William Becher (1870-88), born 31 July 1870; emigrated to Australia but found it too hot and insect-ridden, and so returned home, but he drowned when he was lost overboard from the Araby Maid en route to the Cape of Good Hope, 1 December 1888.

He seems to have acquired Hollybrook House through the Incumbered Estates Court in 1852. In 1858 he offered it for sale through the same court, but bought it himself through his solicitor. He subsequently let the house until he sold it in 1893. After 1858 he lived at Lough Ine House, Skibbereen (Co. Cork).

He died of pneumonia, 15 April 1901; administration of his goods was granted 19 February 1913 (effects £10). His wife died 24 July 1908; administration of her goods was granted 18 September 1908 (effects £91).

* He needs to be carefully distinguished from another clergyman of the same name who was a near contemporary: John Richard Hedges Becher (c.1866-1929), son of Michael Becher of Ardrain (Co. Cork), who was Archdeacon of Ross, 1921-29.

Becher, Very Rev. Harry (1852-1929). Eldest son of John Richard Hedges Becher (1825-1901) and his wife Lucinda, younger daughter of Richard Hull of Leamcon Manor (Co. Cork), born 4 August 1852. Educated at Midleton College. He became a clerk in a shipbroking company in London, but abandoned a commercial career and entered the church, being ordained deacon, 1883 and priest, 1884. After holding curacies at Lislee (Co. Cork) and Houghton-le-Spring, he became Rector of  Castlehaven (Co. Cork), 1891-1914; Dean of Ross (Co. Cork), 1914-26 and Canon of St Finbar's Cathedral, Cork, 1922-26. He married, 18 September 1888 at Easington (Co. Durham), Zoe Louise (1859-1930), daughter of Ralph Milbanke Hudson of Oak Lea, Sunderland and Shotton Hall (Co. Durham), and had issue:

(1) Henry Owen Dabridgecourt Becher (1889-1915), born 14 August and baptised at Houghton-le-Spring, 9 September 1889; educated at Haverfordwest GS, Marlborough and RMA Sandhurst; an officer in the Scots Rifles (2nd Lt., 1910; Lt., 1913; Capt. 1915), who served in the First World War and was killed in action during the retreat from Mons, 13 March 1915; he died unmarried;

(2) Brig. Ralph Frederick Richard Becher (1896-1979) (q.v.).

He died 20 September 1929; his will was proved 7 December 1929 (estate £1,048). His wife died 9 April 1930; her will was proved in London, 30 September 1930 (estate £14,847).

Becher, Brig. Ralph Frederick Richard (1896-1979). Second son of Very Rev. Harry Becher (1852-1929) and his wife Zoe Louise, daughter of Ralph Milbanke Hudson of Shotton Hall (Co. Durham), born 6 December 1896. Educated at Uppingham. An officer in the Scots Rifles (2nd Lt., 1916; Lt., 1918; Capt., c.1922; retired 1937; returned to service as Maj., 1939; retired as Hon. Brigadier 1947), who served in the First World War (mentioned in despatches) and the Second World War (mentioned in despatches twice); Deputy Head of Personnel, Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force, 1944; Deputy Director of Organisation (Officers), War Office, 1944-46; appointed CBE, 1946. He married, 4 January 1928, Edith Jessica (1905-2001), only daughter of Albert Edward Cox of Dungarthill, Dunkeld (Perths.), and had issue:

(1) Zoe Louise Becher (b. 1930), born 11 October 1930; married, 11 August 1955, Derrick Roch Penrose (1929-2006) of Park House, Baslow (Derbys), only son of Evelyn Cooper Penrose of Woodhill, Cork, and had issue three sons and one daughter;

(2) Elizabeth Anne Becher (b. 1933), born 18 August 1933; married, 4 July 1964, Charles Allen Budden (1919-93) of Wolfeton Farm, Charminster (Dorset), son of George Allen Budden of Wolfeton and had issue two sons and one daughter;

(3) Diana Mary Becher (b. 1939), born 3 September 1939; educated at Royal School of Music and Royal College of Music (ARCM); married, 6 September 1962, William Phillips Field FICE (b. 1938), son of Duncan Phillips Field (d. 1971) of Northwood (Middx), and had issue one son and one daughter;

(4) Richard Fane Dabridgecourt Becher (b. 1945), born 9 March 1945; educated at Uppingham, High Wycombe College of Art and Royal College of Art (M.Des); designer and joiner; lived at Old Alresford (Hants); married, 22 September 1973, Judith Helen (1949-2008), daughter of Timothy Derouet of Fells Farm, Braintree (Essex), and had issue two sons.

He bought Castlehaven House (Co. Cork), the former rectory in which he had been brought up, in 1947, and made many improvements to it. He sold Castlehaven in 1972, and bought Drumearn House, Comrie (Perths.), which was sold in 2002. His widow lived latterly at Haywards Heath (Sussex).

He died 7 January 1979. His widow died aged 95 on 17 June 2001; her will was proved 21 August 2001.

Principal sources

Burke's Irish Family Records, 1976, pp. 99-103; M. MacCarthy-Morrogh, 'The Munster Plantation, 1583-1641', Univ. of London PhD thesis, 1983; M. Bence-Jones, A guide to Irish Country Houses, 2nd edn., 1988, pp. 70, 94, 154; M.C. Lyons, Illustrated Incumbered Estates, Ireland, 1850-1905, 1993, pp. 200-01; F. Keohane, The buildings of Ireland: Cork - City and County, 2020, pp. 220, 436-38;  http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~becher/genealogy/index.htm

Location of archives

No significant archive of the Irish branch of the family is known to survive.

Coat of arms

Vairé, argent and gules, on a canton or, a stag's head couped, sable.

Can you help?

• If anyone knows why J.R.H. Becher sold the Hollybrook estate through the Incumbered Estates Court but bought it himself through an agent, please let me know!
• Can anyone provide better photographs of the present Hollybrook House?
• Can anyone provide photographs or portraits of the people whose names appear in bold above, for whom no image is currently shown?
• If anyone can offer further information or corrections to any part of this article I should be most grateful. I am always particularly pleased to hear from current owners or the descendants of families associated with a property who can supply information from their own research or personal knowledge for inclusion.

Revision and acknowledgments

This post was first published 22 July 2022.