Eliza Jennings was born in Newry, County Down, one of nine children of Andrew Jennings of North Street, Newry, County Down, and Catherine O’Toole.
She married John Caraher of Merchant’s Quay, Newry. He was a linen and woollen draper and had a house, stores, kiln, office and yard at no. 15 Merchant’s Quay.
A melancholy accident occurred in this town, on Tuesday last, to a respectable farmer, Mr David Poag, of Donaghmore (within a few miles of Newry). As the men were hoisting up a sack of oats into the cornstore of Mr John Caraher, Canal Quay, it by some mischance fell on Mr Poag: by which his breast bone, ribs etc., were so materially impaired and broken, that he only survived a few hours. He has, we understand, left a wife and large family to deplore his sudden and unexpected death.[2]
John Caraher was listed as a Merchant (General Commission) on Merchant’s Quay in Newry in 1824.[3] He also owned the ship JOHNS.
JOHNS Master: W. Savage. Built: 1828. Owner: Caraher. Port: Newry.[4]
Their daughter Elizabeth Caraher was born in 1826.
Catholic Church Records. Newry. Baptisms. Elizabeth Caraher of John and Eliza sps John A. O'Hagan and Mrs Jennings. 3rd September 1826. (By the Rt. Revd., Doctor Kelly.).[5]
There may have been a second daughter Sarah Catherine Caraher though this is not certain. Sarah Catherine Caraher was a baptismal sponsor, together with Andrew John Jennings, at the baptism of Margaret daughter of John O’Hagan who had been a sponsor at the baptism of Elizabeth Caraher in 1826.
In 1840 he was selling oats from Merchant’s Quay.[6]
By 1846 John Caraher was a coal and corn merchant, but also facing bankruptcy.
Mr O’Hagan appeared for John Caraher in the Bankruptcy Court in Dublin. The petitioning creditors were Messrs Sturge who for nearly twenty years had been John Caraher’s agents in England for the purchase of grain and other purposes. John Caraher fought the charge, but lost.
His name appeared in the Bankrupt and Insolvent Calendar 9th November 1846.
Bankrupts. John Caraher of Newry, in the county of Armagh, merchant, dealer and chapman, to surrender on Tuesday, the 10th day of November next, and on Friday the 11th day of December following.[7]
His property was placed for sale, including property and personal effects, from Warrenpoint, in 1847.
To be SOLD by auction…Dwelling-House and Premises with the appurtenaces, as now in the occupation of said bankrupt, which are situate, lying and being in Warrenpoint, in the County of Down… and on which the bankrupt has laid out a considerable sum of money…[8]
His Newry Premises were also later sold.
Desirable Business Situation. To be let or sold, that Dwelling-House, 18 Merchant’s-Quay, with Offices, Yard and Corn-Kiln, to which is attached a large well walled-in Garden that could be easily converted into a Timber and Coal-Yard. Application to be made to John Caraher, Newry, 14th April, 1851.[9]
He died in Warrenpoint in 1851.
Death. Sept. 23, of disease of the heart, at his residence Marine Terrace, Warrenpoint, John Caraher aged 60 years.[10]
Eight years later, on the 3rd of November 1859, Elizabeth Caraher, daughter of John Caraher and Eliza Jennings, and granddaughter of Andrew Jennings of North Street, married Patrick Hanlon in Newry.
[1] Field Books 1841? NAI MFGS/54/006.
[2] Belfast Commercial Chronicle 11 Dec 1822
[3] Pigot’s Directory, Newry, 1824.
[4] Lloyd's register of British and Foreign Shipping 1st July 1838 to 30th June 1839, London, 1838
[5] Catholic Church Records. Newry. 05501/09 nli.ie
[6] Newry Examiner and Louth Advertiser 29 August 1840
[7] Freeman's Journal, Sat, Oct 31, 1846
[8] General Advertiser for Dublin …20 Feb 1847
[9] Newry Telegraph, 10th June 1851
[10] Belfast News-Letter 01 Oct 1851
