R.W.Bro. John FitzHenry Townshend, LL.D.,
Deputy Grand Master, 1855 - 1868.
R.W.Bro. John FitzHenry Townshend
Deputy Grand Master, 1855 - 1868, (1st January, 1811 - 2nd February, 1893) |
The Townsend/Townshends of Castletownshend in County Cork can trace its roots back to Colonel Richard Townesend (sic) who was an officer in Cromwell's Irish Army. Much research has been undertaken to trace Colonel Richard's origins but nothing is known about him before 1643 when he was appointed to command a company in Colonel Ceely's Regiment.
Colonel Richard retired from the army sometime before 1654 and finally settled at Castletown, which later became Castletownshend, in about 1665. He died on 25th September, 1692 and was buried in the churchyard at Castlehaven; his tomb lies in the chancel of the old church and is marked by a slab bearing the words "This is the burial place of the Townesends". He had a large family of which there were seven surviving sons. Of these it is only through his son Colonel Bryan Townsend that survivors in the male line exist and the family thrives today in the UK, Ireland, Australia and Canada. |
He studied at Trinity College, Dublin, and the Graduation List records that he obtained his B.A. in the Summer of 1829 and his LL.D in the Spring of 1847.
An early portrait of Bro. Townshend from 1847
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Judge John Fitzhenry Townsend, of Seafield, Castletownsend, owned over 600 acres in County Cork in the 1870s. He was one of the principal lessors in the parish of Kilcoe, Barony of West Carbery, at the time of Griffith's Valuation.
Following his degree John studied at King's Inn, Dublin and qualified as a barrister Trinity 1834. He was appointed Q.C. on 8th February, 1865, sworn in as a Judge of the High Court of The Admiralty in Ireland on 4th November, 1867 and appointed a Bencher in 1877. |
The Admiralty Court had exclusive legal jurisdiction on matters which occurred at sea, including the shore and river estuaries, such as acts of piracy or the condemning of ships taken under letters of marque and reprisal, i.e. by privateers. It had been split off from its parent court in 1784, even though a separate Irish Admiralty did not exist. Prior to that date the court had the status of an Admiralty court sitting in Dublin. This court accepted 'commercial law' which was a commonly accepted international law based on Roman Civil Law. Appeals were made to the Court of Delegates as was appropriate in a Civil Law court. |
Certificate confirming his appointment as Judge of the High Court of Admiralty on Tuesday, 3rd day of November 1867.
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Masonic Career.
John FitzHenry Townshend was Deputy Grand Master from 1855-68; Grand King, Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter 1875-1891; President, Grand Chapter of Prince Masons 1874-1893 and Sovereign Grand Commander, Supreme Council 33° 1874-1893. He achieved the highest office in every branch of the Order save that of Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, which was at that time was normally held by a high ranking peer. The Grand Master during his time as Deputy Grand Master was Augustus, 3rd Duke of Leinster.
Bro. Townshend was known for his knowledge of Freemasonry and gave many Lectures on the subject - several of these lectures are reproduced on this Website and can be accessed through the Victoria Lodge IV page and the "Masonic Literature" section of the Website.
Bro. Townshend was known for his knowledge of Freemasonry and gave many Lectures on the subject - several of these lectures are reproduced on this Website and can be accessed through the Victoria Lodge IV page and the "Masonic Literature" section of the Website.
Obituary of John FitzHenry Townshend
Journal of the Cork Historial and Archaeological Society
Series I, Volume II, page 56, 1893.
Called to the Bar in 1834, and appointed Judge of the High Court of Admiralty of Ireland in 1867. He was the oldest judge in the United Kingdom. The following sketch of Judge Townshend appeared in an Irish journal two or three years ago:
"But for all his eighty winters he is still a hale and vigorous man, able to attend to whatever duties his office imposes on him, and willing to do a great deal more if it were to be done. His intellectual faculties remain absolutely unimpaired; he is an admirably patient and painstaking judge. There is naturally an old-time air about him that is vanished from the other courts, where the judges, besides being younger men, are more in touch with the modern world and its notions. Judge Townshend is a fine specimen of an old Irish gentleman and of the old Irish judge, dignified, courteous, and kind. He commands respect by his mien and by his manner, and he shows respect to the advocates who practice before him. It is impossible to imagine in his court an unpleasant incident, a quarrel among counsel, or an interchange of warm words between the Bench and the Bar. His genial presence causes warm and kindly feeling to flourish in the little company round the barrister's table, and everybody instinctively recognizes that it is a professional duty to make the Judge’s position as pleasant and as free from irksomeness as possible. Judge Townshend has a quiet humour of his own (rather of the dry English kind), which discloses itself on rare occasions, and makes you think what a pleasant couple of hours you might spend sitting at a cosy fire with him, and hearing him discourse on his favourite topics. Men of his own time, his personal friends, say that he is a charming companion, most rich in excellent matter of conversation, and most interesting in his manner. In addition to his knowledge of maritime law, he has a practical acquaintance with nautical matters, and is a capital seaman."
It would appear that John died rather suddenly for his account book for Richard Arthur Herbert Townshend shows that he was still working on 5th January, 1893. Probate was granted on 24th March, 1893 and Bro. Townshend is buried in the Mount Jerome Cemetery, Harold’s Cross, Dublin. His headstone (No 1094) is inscribed :
"JOHN FITZHENRY TOWNSHEND
for twenty five years
Judge of the High Court of Admiralty Ireland
died 2nd February 1893
also ELEANOR his wife
died 20th April 1878.
“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord”"
for twenty five years
Judge of the High Court of Admiralty Ireland
died 2nd February 1893
also ELEANOR his wife
died 20th April 1878.
“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord”"