Humphrys genealogy

Genealogy research by Mark Humphrys.


My ancestors - Humphrys - Contents


John Humphrys, of Glenstal




The will of "John Humphrey", of Glenstal, was proved 1811.
Entry in [Vicars' index of wills 1536-1810].
This will was burnt in 1922.
This must be this John Humphrys of Glenstal.




John Humphrys,
born est c.1750.
Farmer at Glenstal, Co.Limerick.
Listed as "gent" and "farmer".
He must be "John Humphris" son of "John Humphris" of Glenstal, who is one of the three "lives" used in [Deed, 1756] for a lease of Knocknagorteeny, Abington par, to James Canter.
A lease for several persons' lives often used infants. So John might be born c.1750.
That birthdate also makes sense since he signed a deed in 1782, but separated from his wife in 1802. (One might separate in late middle age, but rarely older than that.)
He mar Ellen Glessane.

Gets long-term lease of Glenstal in 1782:
He is John Humphrys, of Glenstal, farmer, who in [Deed, 1782] gains a long-term lease of Glenstal from Hyde of Co.Cork.
The lease is for 80 years or the 3 lives of himself and his two nephews. Yearly rent £113.

Sets up Simon in 1797:
He is party to [Deed, 1797] which is marriage settlement of his nephew Simon Humphrys. He sets up an annuity for Simon's wife out of his lands at Glenstal in case she should survive Simon.

Unknown deed of 1797:
[Tenure Book for Glenstal, 1850] shows 7 different Humphrys plots in Glenstal, all leased from Barrington. It says they are all held under a long-term lease of 1797 (pre-dating Barrington).
What is the 1797 deed? It does not seem like [Deed, 1797] which is a marriage settlement for Simon Humphrys setting up an annuity. It seems like it must be some other 1797 deed, an update on the 1782 deed.
Though [Deed, 1817] did not mention a 1797 deed, and just said the lands were held under the 1782 deed.

John and Ellen separated 1802:
John and Ellen separated by [Deed, 1802]: "that dispute had arisen between said John Humfreys and Ellen his wife whereupon they had agreed to live separate and apart". He agrees to pay her the yearly sum of £30 for maintenance.

Sets up Patrick in 1807:
By [Deed, 1807] "as a marriage portion" at the marriage of Patrick Humphrys, he granted unto Patrick that part of Glenstal as "was held by John Humphrys deceased the father of said John".
Later, papers connected to [Deed, 1817] refer to: "That part of said lands of Glenstall claimed by Patrick Humphrys as having been in the possession of John Humphrys John".

Probably sets up John Humphrys David in 1810:
He is probably John Humphrys, of Glenstal, farmer, in [Deed, 1810]. This is the marriage settlement of John Humphrys David (may be John Humphrys, son of his brother David). John Humphrys of Glenstal grants unto John Humphrys David an annuity of £50 yearly payable out of the lands of Glenstal and "Brittis", Co.Limerick. This must be Brittas, Co.Limerick.

Probably died 1811:
He died before [Deed, 1815].
He must be "John Humphrey", of Glenstal, whose will was proved 1811.
[Deed, 1815] says that by his last will he granted other parts of Glenstal to Patrick Humphrys.







Cracked Jack's wife

Cracked Jack must have married Humphrys heiress of Glenstal:

Was Cracked Jack's wife daughter of this John Humphrys of Glenstal?

  
We start our line as follows:

  
  




Cracked Jack's father William was of Doonane (as shown here on his grave).
So how did Cracked Jack inherit Glenstal?
The story that he married Humphrys heiress of Glenstal must be true.


  

The O'Grady story

Timmy Humphreys said there was a story that Cracked Jack's wife (Humphrys of Glenstal) was a descendant of a marriage between Humphrys and Grady (or O'Grady) of Cappercullen, which was how Humphrys got their land at Glenstal.
Nora Costello heard this story also.
The story was that Humphrys met Standish O'Grady at a fair in Newport. A match was made between Humphrys' son and O'Grady's daughter. O'Grady gave land as a dowry to his daughter.

However, there is no real evidence of this.


Maybe Humphrys did get land at Glenstal or Brittas from Grady.
But there is no evidence of a marriage.
Humphrys barely appears in the extensive records for the Grady (O'Grady) family.
There are these scraps:

  1. David Humphrys witnessed the marriage settlement [Deed, 1789] of Standish Grady of Elton, son of Standish Grady of Cappercullen.
    He might be:

    • David Humphreys.
      Acting High Constable of Owneybeg 1812.
      High Constable of Owneybeg 1813.
      Owneybeg is the Barony in Co.Limerick that includes the Glenstal area. It covers Abington parish and two other parishes.

  2. There is a deed of 1812 in [Grady papers, Glenstal]. Rev. Standish Grady and Simon Humphrys.
    He might be Simon Humphrys of Murroe.

  

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