My ancestors - Humphrys - Contents

John Humphrys, "Cracked Jack"

• References:
  • Deed, Humphrys to Humphrys, 10 Aug 1809, [LR] Book 613, p.568, no.419862

Cracked Jack's gravestone in Abington.
See full size. Photo 2009 courtesy of Richard Humphreys.
See other 2009 shot.
See also 2006 shot and alternative and close-up courtesy of Richard Humphreys.

John Humphrys, "Cracked Jack",
born Doonane, Co.Tipperary, est c.1760,
came to Glenstal, Co.Limerick (nr Co.Tipperary border) by marriage,
mar ------,
supposed to have married a Humphrys cousin of his who was already in Glenstal,
which seems likely since his father is from Doonane, whereas Humphrys seems to have been in Glenstal since the 1600s,

[Timmy Humphreys] said there was a story that Cracked Jack's wife was a descendant of a marriage between Humphrys and O'Grady (or Grady) of Cappercullen, Co.Limerick (the neighbouring townland), which was how Humphrys got their land, however, there is no mention of Humphrys in the O'Grady papers or family tree, also, the O'Gradys don't seem to have owned Glenstal, the Humphrys seem to have got an unusual (for Catholics) 18th century lease of Glenstal alright, but they seem to have got it from Hyde of Castle Hyde (or Castlehyde), Co.Cork, later, in the 19th-20th cent, their landlord was Barrington of Glenstal, Co.Limerick, [Griffiths Valuation, 1850] shows that Barrington then owned all of Glenstal townland, Humphrys owned none of it (only leased it), in the 1882 dispute it is stated that Humphrys held Glenstal on an old lease before Barrington came (c.1830s),

Cracked Jack farmed at Glenstal, Co.Limerick,
in [Tithe Survey], townland of Glenstal, 1826, "John Humphrys" is listed as renting 107 acres and 17 acres from Matthew Barrington (probably the future 2nd Baronet, his father not yet created Baronet at this stage),
he fl 1831 (he erected the gravestone to his sons Michael and Nicholas at Abington),
died Glenstal, Co.Limerick, at advanced age, est c.1850, age est c.90 yrs,
(todo) search par records, newspapers,
bur Abington, Co.Limerick,
his gravestone says "In memory of John Humphrys aged 115 years" (note oldest proven Irish person ever was 111 yrs),
story that he put it up before he died, for the crack, wanted to be the oldest man in Ireland,
it was common to put up a stone before death in order to secure a spot in the graveyard, but not obviously to put an age on it,
[Ó Ceallaigh, 1957] though says that this stone is of the Squire's brother John rather than of the Squire's father,
had issue:

1. John Humphrys, junior,
   Jack, of Glenstal,
   [Deed, 1809] is a Deed of Lease dated 10th Aug 1809 from John Humphrys Senior, farmer, of Glanstall, Co.Limerick, to John Humphrys Junior of Glanstall, also farmer,
   he must be "John Humphry" who wit William's mar 1820,
   he must be "John Humphrys" who wit his brother James' mar 1841,
   he is probably "John Humphrys" listed in [Griffiths Valuation, 1850] as occupying 88 acres (with a house) and 23 acres (no house, just land) in Glenstal townland, leasing from Sir Matthew Barrington, 2nd Baronet,
   he or a son might be "John Humphreys" listed as owning 69 acres in Abington parish in [Owners of Land, 1876].

   
   

2. Michael Humphrys, born 1788,
   he might be "Mickey of Murroe" who mar 8 Jan 1816 [Murroe par records] to Mary Degan, (todo) see entry again,
   died 18th Jan 1818, age 30 yrs [grave, Abington].

   
   

3. (dau) Humphrys,
   mar --- Burke,
   note "Catherine Bourke" sp bapt of her niece Mary Humphrys 1845.

   She must be:

   Anne Humphreys,
   mar William Burke,
   he died pre-1878,
   she died Glenstal, 1878, (todo) see [Cork Examiner, 12 Sept 1878].

   
   

4. Margaret Humphrys,
   mar --- Ryan.

   
   

5. James Humphrys, "The Squire", of Glenstal,
   born 1805, Glenstal, Co.Limerick.

   
   

6. Nicholas Humphrys, born 1806,
   died 8th Apr 1831, age 25 yrs [grave, Abington].

and probably father of:

1. William Humphrys, of Brittas, born 1794,
   would be after grandfather.

   
   

2. Anthony Humphrys, of Rath.

---

• Must be related:
  • "John Humphrey", of Glenstal,
    will pr 1811, burnt in Four Courts 1922.

• Perhaps of family of John Humphrys, junior:
  • John Humphrys of Glenstal, head of household, separate family to James' family, listed in [Census, 1901].
  • (todo) see death of John Humphreys, Limerick, [GROI] 2nd qr 1909, age 89 (born 1820), vol 5 p 231.
  • Paddy Humphreys said there is a grave in Abington of John Humphreys, died 1903, (todo) locate this.
  • John Humphreys, farmer, age 62 (born 1849), and his wife Mary, no issue, living Glenstal (different house to Tim) in [Census, 1911]. (todo) go thru.

• Must be related to Mick Humphrys:
  • William Humphrys, or Humphreys,
    ran the pub at 49 Great Britain St, Dublin, before Mick Humphrys,
    listed as "family grocer" and "tea, wine and spirit merchant" there in [Thoms, 1890].
    Mick listed there in [Thoms] 1891 onwards.

• Hyde
  • Castle Hyde (or Castlehyde), outside Fermoy, Co.Cork, is an 18th cent mansion now owned by Michael Flatley.
  • This is the same family as Douglas Hyde.
  • Castle Hyde Hotel (or Castlehyde Hotel) is a nearby 18th cent courtyard building.