Andrew Jennings [abt.1793 – 1869], North Street, Newry, County Down. Part 3.

Andrew in this account is described as an attorney.

Once the rent reached a critical mass, it became a political machine of impressive efficiency. The rent paid for the attorneys and barristers who took on cases for victimised Catholics. Between 19 June 1823 and the end of 1824, more than twenty five percent of the association’s expenditure went to attorneys, such as Andrew Jennings, who received £20 in August 1824 for ‘carrying on Orange prosecutions at Newry, in the case of McEvoy against Weir, when the latter was found guilty and sentenced to twelve months

imprisonment, and also for defending Hacket against the Orange party at Down sessions.[1]

And at the marriage of Mary Marmion and Alexander Macdonnell in 1826, Andrew Jennings is named as one of the trustees.[2]

In 1860 Andrew was appointed to the post of Stamp Distributor for Newry District and County Down and remained in this position until his death.

Stamp Distributor for Newry District and County Down - The Dundalk Examiner announces the appointment of a successor to the late Mr. Williams, in the person of "Mr. Andrew Jennings, of Newry, who" it was added, "from his fellow townsmen, is well qualified for the situation, and whose appointment would give general satisfaction throughout the town and neighbourhood." We have much pleasure in echoing the sentiments of our contemporary. New Telegraph.[3]

In 1864 Andrew bought four graves in St. Mary’s Catholic graveyard, Newry.

List of graves...1864 Sept. 4. Four graves for Mr. Andrew Jennings.[4]

His eldest daughter Mary Catherine had died in Dublin in August of the same year and is buried in Newry.

Andrew died in 1869.

Jennings - April 12, at Newry, of congestion of the brain, Andrew Jennings, Esq., Distributor of Stamps for County Down, aged 76 years.[5]

He died intestate.

Jennings, Andrew. (Intestate: Principal). 1869.[6]

Andrew is buried in St. Mary’s Catholic graveyard, Newry, with his daughter Mary Catherine, and his granddaughter Ellen McDonald who died as a child aged 3 in 1866.  His widow Mary Anne Jennings is not buried here, but in Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin.

There is an inscription on a slate headstone in St. Mary's graveyard, Newry:

Erected by Andrew Jennings of Newry in memory of his daughter Mary Catherine who departed this life on 19th August 1864, also Ellen McDonald who departed this life on the 16th February 1866, Andrew Jennings departed this life on the 12th April 1869 aged 76. Requiescant in pace. [7]

Mary Anne was his executor.

Letters of administration of the personal estate of Andrew Jennings, late of Newry, county Down, ironmonger, who died 12 April 1869 at same place were granted at the Principal Registry 9 September 1869 to May Anne Jennings of Newry, the widow of said deceased. Effects under eight hundred pounds.[8]

As there was now no one remaining in Newry to carry on the business, the spade mill at Finnard and the forge at 11 North Street were sold.

This Day, sale of Spade and Shovel Mill at Finard with Finishing-Forge at North Street, Newry.

To be sold by Public Auction, on Saturday, the 31^st instant, at 11 North Street, Newry, at TWO o’clock, the PLANT and Interest of the late Mr. Andrew Jennings in the Spade and Shovel Factory at Finard, and in the Finishing Forge, Stores, and Premises adjoining no. 11, North Street.

Rent and Tenure of the above will be stated previous to sale, or may be had before then, by application to the Liquidator, Mr. T. S. Malony, 6, Marcus Square, Newry.

Purchasers to pay 5 per cent Auction Fees.

Joseph Loughran, Auctioneer. 21^st July 1869.[9]

Andrew’s widow Mary Anne moved to live in Phibsborough, in Dublin, with her daughter Elizabeth, an artist, and her son Charles Clarke. They were close to her sister-in-law Sophia, widow of Charles Jennings, who lived at 8 Cabra Parade with her daughters and son. Mary Anne died at 35 Goldsmith Street in Dublin in 1876. She was 65.

 Death. Jennings, June 7, at 35 Goldsmith-street, Dublin, Mary Anne, relict of Andrew Jennings, Newry.[10]

Mary Anne is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery with her son Charles Clarke Jennings who had died in 1870.[11]

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[1] http://eprints.maynoothuniversity.ie/2899/1/MJK_Money_and_nationalist_politics.pdf

[2]  http://www.marmionfamilytree.com

[3] The Belfast News-letter, Friday, Feb., 10, 1860. Issue 13611

[4] NLI Pos 5502.

[5] The Belfast Newsletter, 1869, Apr 16.

[6] Irish Will Calendars, 1858-1878

[7] St Marys Newry Graveyard Plot No. 461 Section Old C

[8] Old Families of Newry and District...edited by R. S. J. Clarke, Belfast, 1998.

[9] Newry Reporter, 31^st July 1969

[10] Freeman's Journal, Thur., June 8, 1876

[11] Glasnevin Cemetery, MB, 11, SOUTH.