My ancestors - Humphrys - Contents

Anthony Humphrys, of Rath

Rath House, 1985.
See larger and full size.

Anthony Humphrys,
of Rath (pron. "Rah"), Abington par, Co.Limerick (see map),
the first one in Rath (Cracked Jack bought farms for each of his sons),
no Humphrys in Rath in the [Tithe Survey] c.1825,
mar Patricia Ryan,
he must be "Anthony Humphrys" who wit James' mar 1841,
Description of Rath in 1848 - A letter from Matthew Duhy, agent of Lord Cloncurry [2nd Baron] for Abington estate, to Hon. Edward Lawless [future 3rd Baron], 8th Apr 1848, says: "Rath - as you may perceive by the return there are 16 families living on about 35 acres of this townland. They scarcely ever pay any rent and are very poor.",
in [Griffiths Valuation, Dec 1850] we find "Anthony D. Humphrys" renting 3 acres in Rath from Hon. Edward Lawless, but also himself renting out the site for Liscreagh County Grand Jury in Liscreagh, Abington par,
in that survey we also have a "David Humphrys" renting a house (no land) in Rath from Robert Huston,
(todo) see records of Lord Cloncurry's estate 1852 in [Glenstal],
had issue:

John Humphrys, of Rath,
bapt 1st June 1830 [Murroe],
mar 5th Mar 1867 [Murroe, which notes that a dispensation was needed because they were cousins], (todo) see [GROI],
to Mary Humphrys [bapt 14th Dec 1845, poss. 1st cousins, though Bee Moynihan said 2nd cousins],
he was Clerk of the Petty Sessions of the districts of Murroe and Newpallas,
prob. got the job through the Barringtons,
he died Rath House, Tue 13th Aug 1895, age 65 yrs,
bur Abington, Co.Limerick,
he is "Humphreys" on grave, think children all adopted spelling "Humphreys",
see death notice in [Limerick Chronicle, 17th August 1895],

Mary is head of household at Rath in [Census, 1901],
in [Glenstal] there is an Order Fixing Fair Rent, landlord Lord Cloncurry [4th Baron], tenant Mary Humphreys, widow, for Rath House and surrounding lands between Abington and Abington Rectory (The Glebe House), and lands in Knockanerry and Rath townlands, 31st May 1902, "This holding .. is chiefly used as a dairy farm. .. Ample water supply (pump and stream). The Buildings consist of a substantial 2 storey slated dwelling house, and offices partly slated, iron and wooden roofed, and also a small slated cottier house.",
probate of will of "John Humphreys, farmer, Rath Murroe, Co.Limerick" granted at Limerick to "Mary Humphreys, widow" on 16th Aug 1911, estate £619 [NAI],

when she was young, Bee Moynihan knew Mrs.Humphreys and her sister Mrs.Ryan, used meet them in Kilkee, Co.Clare, every year, they regarded her as spoiled,
Bee said if she took porridge every day while she was there, she would get a present from them - a cup or a teapot or something - and she did it too,
there was a puritanical upbringing in the Humphrys household,
Mary died 30th Mar 1920, age 74 yrs,
bur Abington, Co.Limerick,
had issue:

1. Canon Anthony Humphreys, bapt 1868.

2. Sr. Margaret Mary Humphreys, nun,
   born Rath 1870,
   bapt 16th Mar 1870 [Murroe],
   entered Presentation convent, Ballingarry, Thurles, Co.Tipperary, 1889,
   taught in primary day school, was sacristan for most of her life,
   died Apr 1964 - Feb 1967, age 94-6 yrs [newspaper obituary, (todo) date it],
   not found in [GROI] 1963-8,
   bur convent cemetery, (todo) see grave, talk to convent.

3. Jim Humphreys,
   James Joseph Humphreys, born Rath,
   bapt 23rd Aug 1871 [Murroe par records], sp James Humphrys, Anne Humphrys,
   appointed Clerk of the Petty Sessions of Murroe and Newpallas when his father died 1895,
   called "The Clerk", or "The Rath man",
   died 16th April 1958 [gravestone, Abington], age 86 yrs.

4. Fr. John Humphreys, bapt 1873.

5. David Humphreys,
   David Anthony Humphreys, "Daisy", born Rath,
   bapt 16th Dec 1874 [Murroe par records], sp Timothy Humphrys, Anne Humphrys,
   stayed on farm in Rath,
   never married,
   died April 1940 [gravestone, Abington], age 65 yrs.

6. Cathy Humphreys, born Rath,
   bapt "Catherine", 7th Aug 1878 [Murroe],
   "Kattie" at marriage, [Dick, 1939] says "Katie", think NOT Kathleen,
   mar Tom Nix and had issue.

   
   

7. Tim Humphreys,
   Timothy, born Rath,
   bapt [Murroe] 9th Aug 1879, sp Michael Humphrys, Margaret Humphrys.

   
   

8. Mick Humphreys, bapt 1880, mar Rose ---- and had issue:
   1. Tony Humphreys, mar Anne ---- and had issue:
      1. Michael Humphreys.
      2. Rosanne Humphreys.
      3. Frank Humphreys, mar Helen ---- and had issue:
         1. (son) Humphreys.
   2. Mary Humphreys, mar A.J. Sumbler and had issue:
      1. Janine Sumbler.

9. Annie Humphreys, bapt 1882, mar --- Frost and had issue:
   1. Peggy Frost.
   2. Breda Frost, mar Willie Meagher.
   3. Sean Frost.

   
   

10. Dr. Joe Humphreys,
    Joseph, bapt 19th Aug 1883 [Murroe par records], sp David Humphrys, Margaret Ryan,
    mar Mary Hayes [Mary Patricia, born 1906, of Askeaton, Co.Limerick, poss. Mary Madden],
    died 23rd Feb 1967 [gravestone, Abington], age 83 yrs, apparently NOT 13th,
    Mary lived to 100,
    she died 29 Sept 2007, age 101 yrs [gravestone, Abington],
    had issue:
    1. Eva Humphreys, mar Gerry Hurley and had issue:
       1. Joseph Hurley.
       2. Geraldine Hurley, mar Colin Lloyd.

    
    

11. Dr. Louis Humphreys, bapt 1885, mar Philomena Hickey and had issue:
    1. Catherine Humphreys.
    2. Reena Humphreys, mar Paddy Meagher and had issue:
       1. Sally Meagher.
       2. Louis Meagher.
       3. Judith Meagher.
    3. Fr. John Humphreys.

12. Molly Humphreys, bapt 1886, mar Dinny O'Dwyer.

13. Dr. Frank Humphreys, bapt 1891, mar Olive Clowry and had issue:
    1. Dr. John Humphreys, mar Maura P. O'Quigley and had issue:
       1. Olivia Humphreys.
       2. Hilary Humphreys.
       3. Coleesa Humphreys.
    2. Brendan Humphreys, mar Gretta Lawlor and had issue:
       1. (5 daus) Humphreys.
    3. Niall Humphreys, mar Bridie Doyle and had issue:
       1. (2 daus) Humphreys.
       2. (son) Humphreys.
    4. Deirdre Humphreys.

Grave of John and Mary Humphrys of Rath, Abington, Co.Limerick.
See full size. Note grave of John Humphrys in background LHS.
Photo 2009 courtesy of Richard Humphreys.
See other 2009 shot and other 2009 shot.
See also 2006 shot light adjusted and original and close-up courtesy of Richard Humphreys.

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• Frances Egan said that when there was a dance on in Rath House, they used never invite anyone outside the family, the family was easily big enough.

• Apparently the Rath Humphrys' had land at "Ballyfookeen" (presumably Ballyfookeen, Bruree par, SC Co.Limerick - although John J. Egan said this was nr Pallasgreen, EC Co.Limerick).

• Ch.5 of [Cahill, 1990] lists "Dr. T. Humphreys" as Resident Medical Officer to Limerick Workhouse as at 1919.