North Street, Newry, County Down

North Street, Newry, County Down
North Street, Newry, County Down

Sunday 29 November 2020

Julia Jennings [1842- 1919], Francis Street, Dundalk, County Louth.

Julia Jennings was the fourth daughter of Patrick Jennings and Anne Coleman. She was born in Francis Street in 1842.  She was baptised on the 17th of April 1842.  Her baptismal sponsors were Bernard Coleman and Ann Jennings.

Julia was present at the profession of Miss Casey of Bonmahon, County Waterford in St. Malachy’s Convent of Mercy, Dundalk, in October 1864, along with her brother Patrick Jennings jr., in spite of the heavy rain which had descended steadily from an early hour of the morning and prevented several ladies and gentleman from attending.[1] St.Malachy’s was the convent where her sister Anne Jane had been professed in 1862.

Julia appears in the 1911 Census living in Francis Street with her brother Patrick Coleman Jennings, though she does not appear to have been there in 1901.

She died in Francis Street in 1919. She was 77 years old, a spinster, and described as a lady of private means.  Her brother Joseph Daniel of Seatown Place, was present at her death. Patrick Coleman Jennings who also lived in Francis Street died three years later in 1921.

Julia left a will. Her brother Joseph Daniel Jennings was named as the executor.



[1] Newry Examiner and Louth Advertiser 22 October 1864

 

Thursday 26 November 2020

Catherine Jennings [1838 - ], Francis Street, Dundalk, County Louth.

Catherine Jennings was born in 1838 in Francis Street, Dundalk, County Louth. She was the third daughter of Patrick Jennings and Anne Coleman. She was baptised on the 13th of April 1838.  Her baptismal sponsors were Daniel Jennings and Julia Coleman. Nothing further is known about Catherine Jennings.

Charles Jennings [1840 - ], Francis Street, Dundalk, County Louth.

Charles Jennings was born in 1840 in Francis Street, Dundalk, County Louth. He was the third son of Patrick Jennings and Anne Coleman. He was baptised on the 1st of April 1840.  His baptismal sponsors were Thomas Coleman and Margaret Carroll.

Whether he attended Clongowes Wood College like his older brother Daniel cannot be confirmed until the College Archives reopen.

Mary Bridget Jennings [1836 - ], Francis Street, Dundalk, County Louth.

Mary Bridget Jennings was born in 1836 in Francis Street, Dundalk, County Louth. She was the second daughter of Patrick Jennings and Anne Coleman. She was baptised on the 28th of May 1836. Her baptismal sponsors were Peter Coleman and Catherine Coleman. Nothing more is known about Mary Bridget Jennings.

Monday 23 November 2020

Anne Jane Jennings [1834-1878], Francis Street, Dundalk, County Louth.

Anne Jane Jennings was born in Francis Street, Dundalk, County Louth in 1834. She was baptised on the 18th of January 1834 and named after her mother Anne.

Patrick’s eldest daughter Anne Jane became a Sister of Mercy in St. Malachy’s Convent in Dundalk. She entered the convent in 1860 when she received the white veil.[1] She was professed with the black veil in 1862 when she took the name of Sister Mary Ursula.

RECEPTION AND PROFESSION IN THE CONVENT OF THE SISTERS OF MERCY.

We witnessed this morning in the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy, Dundalk, one of the most solemn and interesting ceremonies observed in the Catholic Church, in which Miss Jennings, (in religion Sister Mary Ursula), daughter of Patrick Jennings, Esq., of this town, made her vows, and received the black veil…The ceremonies took place in the beautiful Chapel of the Convent, and were witnessed by a considerable number of the   most respectable families belonging to the town and county…. The ceremonies were performed in the unavoidable absence of the Lord Primate, by the most Rev. Dr. Moriarty, Lord Bishop of Kerry.[2]

Anne died in February 1878 in the Convent of Mercy, Dundalk. She was forty four years old.

 



[1] Weekly Freeman’s Journal 28th July 1860

[2] Dundalk Democrat and People’s Journal 11th October 1862

Bernard Jennings [1832 - ] Francis Street, Dundalk, County Louth.

Bernard Jennings was born in 1832 in Francis Street, Dundalk , County Louth. He was the second son of Patrick Jennings and Anne Coleman. He was baptised on the 21st of April 1832, and following traditional naming patterns he was called after his maternal grandfather Bernard [Brian] Coleman. The baptismal sponsors were Bernard Coleman and Catherine Carroll.

Nothing more is known about Bernard Coleman. Whether he attended Clongowes Wood College like his older brother Daniel cannot be confirmed until the College Archives reopen.

Thursday 19 November 2020

Daniel Jennings [1830-1847], Francis Street, Dundalk, County Louth.

Daniel Jennings was born in Francis Street, Dundalk in 1830. He was the eldest son of Patrick and Anne Jennings. He was baptised in Dundalk on the 17th of August 1830 and named after his paternal grandfather Daniel Jennings who had died in Newry, County Down, three months earlier. His baptismal sponsors were James Carroll and Catherine Coleman.

He attended Clongowes Wood College in County Kildare from 1841 to 1843 and again from 1846 to 1847. The reason for his absence from 1843 to 1846 is not recorded, but it may have been due to ill health. More information about Daniel might possibly be found in the Clongowes Wood College Archives, but these cannot be accessed at present due to Covid-19.[1]

Daniel died in 1847. 

On Saturday night, in the 17th year of his age, Mr. Daniel Jennings, son of Patrick Jennings, Esq., Francis Street, Dundalk.[2]



[1] Newry Telegraph 7th October 1847


[2] Archivist Clongowes Wood College 15th September 2020

Wednesday 18 November 2020

Patrick Jennings [1799-1873], Dundalk, County Louth. Part 3.

Patrick Jennings first appears as a defendant in the Petty Session Courts on the 31st of August 1855, charged with having illegal weights in his possession. He paid a fine and costs, and the weights were forfeited. In 1857 he was again charged with having illegal weights in his possession in Dundalk. He paid costs, and the weights were to be returned for adjusting.In 1870 Patrick Jennings of Francis Street Dundalk was again in the Petty Sessions Courts, this time for having in his possession in Dundalk in said county [Louth] on the 28th day of May 1870 the following light or unjust weights – one 56lb one 4lb one 2lb and one 1lb. He was fined one shilling and one shilling costs.

These were not the only occasions Patrick Jennings was a defendant at the Petty Session courts. On at least one earlier occasions he was charged with having an unlicensed dog. But in 1868, 1869 and 1870 he owned and licensed a black male Newfoundland. He was also charged in the Petty Sessions Courts with failing to pay a labourer the wages due to him.

Patrick died in Dundalk on the 18th of November, 1873. His will was proved at Armagh by the oath of Anne Jennings of Dundalk aforesaid the Widow and one of the Executors.[1] Anne died on the 18th of May 1897. Patrick and Anne are both buried in St. Mary’s Church (Old Chapel) Cemetery, Newry, County Down, with Patrick’s parents Daniel and Bridget Jennings.[2]

 



[1] PRONI 14869.

[2] Section- Old B Plot- 69

 

Wednesday 4 November 2020

Patrick Jennings [1799-1873], Dundalk, County Louth. Part 2.

Patrick began his business in Dundalk in 1826 by taking over the premises of the late Mr Charles on Francis Street.  He was 27 years old.

DUNDALK.   

IRON AND DEAL YARD.

Patrick Jennings begs leave to acquaint his Friends and the Public, that he has commenced the IRON and DEAL TRADE, in that concern formerly occupied but he late Mr Charles, Frances-Street, Dundalk, where he has now an assortment of those Articles of best quality, which he will sell at moderate prices. He daly [sic] expects the Endeavour, from Dronheim with a Cargo of DOUBLE DEALS, PLANKS, &c _ 1st Nov. 1826.[1]

He quickly began to make his mark in the business life of the town, assisted no doubt by his connection, though his marriage in 1829 to Anne Coleman, to the Coleman family.

 In 1828 he was a steward in the Louth Independent Club together with John Colman M. D. and James Carragher who was Croupier, this was, historically the assistant chairman at a public dinner, seated at the lower end of the table.[2]

Patrick Jennings used advertising extensively to promote his business with obvious results.

NEW

CROWN MEMEL TIMBER,

DEALS, STAVES AND LATHWOOD,

Patrick Jennings,

OF DUNDALK,

Is now Landing the Cargo of the Bellona. T. T. ZIEPKE,

Master, from Memel, containing

224 pieces Crown Memel Timber;

500 Ditto Crown Redwood Deals, twelve to twenty feet;

720 Ditto Crown Oak Pipe Staves;

4 Fathoms Lathwood;

 Which he offers for SALE, at his stores, Frances-Street,

Dundalk, June 5, 1837.[3]

In 1838 the Valuation Office Books gave a comprehensive description of his premises.

Francis Street. A good business street, only a few private houses in it composed mostly of shops and public houses.

Patrick Jennings. House, Stores, Offices and Yard. Good Coal and Timber yard and gateway entrance from street. Altogether a good concern well fitted up for the Coal, Timber and Iron Trade.[4]

In 1847 Patrick’s eldest son Daniel died. He had been a student at Clongowes College, in County Kildare.

There was widespread famine in the country. Little was being done to help the starving and cuttings from the Newry Examiner for December 19th 1847 show sailings into Dundalk consisted mainly of coal with only one of Indian corn [meal]. The ISABELLA, under Captain Mathews, brought coal for Patrick Jennings from Cardiff, 

On the other hand, sailings from Dundalk listed immediately below the arrivals were ships laden with all kinds of food.

On December 18th the PRIDE OF ERIN had sailed for Liverpool  carrying a cargo of 12 boxes of eggs, 10 boxes of dead fowl, 11 Crates of live fowl, 16 boxes of butter.326 firkins of butter, 94 bags of oatmeal, 24 bags of oats, 134 bags of shellfish, I horse, 265 sheep, 283 pigs, 24 cows.

The PRIDE OF ERIN sailed again for Liverpool on the 23rd of December with a similar cargo except this time she also carried 13 puncheons of whiskey, 1 hamper of rabbits and 90 cows.

Meanwhile deaths from starvation continued to be reported in the press.

 

In 1862 Patrick’s eldest daughter Anne became a Sister of Mercy in the convent in Dundalk. She had entered the convent in 1860. She took the name Sister Mary Ursula.

RECEPTION AND PROFESSION IN THE CONVENT OF THE SISTERS OF MERCY.

We witnessed this morning in the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy, Dundalk, one of the most solemn and interesting ceremonies observed in the Catholic Church, in which Miss Jennings, (in religion Sister Mary Ursula), daughter of Patrick Jennings, Esq., of this town, made her vows, and received the black veil…The ceremonies took place in the beautiful Chapel of the Convent, and were witnessed by a considerable number of the most respectable families belonging to the town and county…. The ceremonies were performed in the unavoidable absence of the Lord Primate, by the most Rev. Dr. Moriarty, Lord Bishop of Kerry.[5]

Anne Jennings died in 1878 in the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy in Dundalk. She was 44.

 



[1] Drogheda Journal, 4th November 1826.

[2] Google Oxford Languages

[3] Newry Examiner and Louth Advertiser 14th June 1837

[4] Valuation Office Books 1838

[5] Dundalk Democrat and People’s Journal 11th October 1862