The Ushers/Usshers of Ireland

There seem to be numerous branches including The Ushers of Birr, Mount Usher, Usher's Quay and notables such as Primate Henry Ussher, Primate James Ussher, Arland Usher and Sir Thomas Ussher. This page is for general information regarding the Usher / Ussher branches in Ireland.

The Usher/Ussher Families in Ireland

For a long time I have wanted to consolidate some of the trees of the Usher/Usshers in Ireland as most of the links between them are quite well documented. At last I have taken this step and here is the tree from the various sources that I have so far put together. The individual trees that this replaces have been removed.

FAMILY TREE build 15 Jun 2004

Map

Here is a map of Ireland, 1641-1892

Books - general

book There was a book published by Rev. WM Ball Wright, M.A., T.C.D., in 1889 entitled The Ussher Memoirs that details many of these lineages.

Author:	Wright, William Ball, 1843- Betham, William, Sir, 1779-1853.
Title:	The Ussher memoirs ; or, Genealogical memoirs of the Ussher families in Ireland (with appendix, pedigree and index of names), compiled from public and private sources. By Rev. Wm. Ball Wright
Library:	New York State Library
Subject:	Usher family.
Publisher:	Dublin, Sealy, Bryers & Walker; 1889.
Edition:
Format:	3 p. l., xi, 306, [1] p. front., plates, coats of arms (part col.) 22 cm.
Bibliography:
Call Number:	R 929.2 U85 76-5333 R-REF
Notes:	Appendix XI, "Genealogy of the family of Ussher, as given Sir William Betham, Ulster king of arms. With additions and corrections": p. 281-195.

In an alphabetical index by a Belfast bookseller, there is also a suggestion of an 1899 edition:

"USSHER The Ussher memoirs or genealogical memoirs of the Ussher families in Ireland by the Rev. Wm. Ball Wright, Dublin and London, 1889 and 1899.

BLGI 1899. BLGI 1904. BLGI 1912.
BLGI 1958 BLG 1937 IS."

I assume the BL stands for British Library.

It would be very interesting to know if anyone has or knows of the existence of an 1899 edition.

The Duke of Wellington - Napoleon's nemesis - His great grandmother was an Ussher.

Robert Usher Somers writes:

You May or May not know that the first Duke of Wellington, was descended, from an Usher, albeit from a female. The reason I mention this is that there was an article recently in the The Times about some land, now in Belgium, then in Holland, which he was granted after his success at the battle of Waterloo.

This connection is referred to on page 167 of Ball Wright's book. Mary Ussher is listed as a daughter of Sir William Ussher by his second wife Ursula St. Barbe. Mary Usher married Henry Cowley or Colley, of Castle Carbery in 1674. They had a son Richard Colley who took the name Wesley on inheriting the property of his cousin, Garret Wesley, was created Lord Mornington and he married Elizabeth Sale. Their son Garret, Earl of Mornington married Anne (a daughter of Lord Dungannon).One of the sons of this marriage was Arthur Wellesley baptised at St. Peter's Dublin who became the first Duke of Wellington, Field Marshall, Commander-in-Chief of the Forces, Prime Minister of Great Britain. So his great-grandmother was an Ussher !

Documents

The Antecedents and childhood of Arthur Wellesley by Jemma Ussher
Primate Henry Ussher by Jemma Ussher
Primate James Ussher by Jemma Ussher
Sir Thomas Ussher by Jemma Ussher
Henry Essex Edgeworth by Jemma Ussher
Some Irish Ussher's in The British Army by Jemma Ussher
The Most Notable of the Ussher's by Percival Arland Ussher

Dr. Issac William Usher of Dundrum by Gwen Knowles

Places

Usher's Quay/Usher's Island

Ushers Quay sign The street got its name from an island formed by a branch of the River Camac which divided at the north end of Watling Street. One portion emptied itself into the Liffey at what was then known as Bloody Bridge. The other continued its course eastwards in a direction parallel to the rear site of Mr. Ushers House at the Bridge-Foot where it empties itself into an inlet of the Liffey, known as Usher's Pill. The Bridge-Foot where the Usher Mansion stood gave the name to the present Bridgefoot Street, formerly known as Dirty Lane. Sir William Usher (1610-71) when he lived in the mansion had large gardens which covered Usher's Quay and Ushers Island. The house prominently featured in director John Huston's film version of "The Dead". - [The two old ladies in James Joyce's story "The Dead" (Kate and Julia) moved from Stoneybatter "to the dark gaunt house on Ushers Island".

Extract from "If ever you go to Dublin Town" - a historic guide to the city's street names

Bridgefoot Street - off Usher's Quay

After the name of Sir William Ussher's house which was at the foot of the Old Bridge. Originally and picturesquely named Dirty Lane. The scene of conspiracy during the 1803 rising led by Robert Emmet. Called Bridgefoot Street in 1732 Usher`s Island originally an island created by the River Camac, one branch which turned northwards at Bloody Bridge (now Rory O'More Bridge) while the other continued eastwards some distance before emptying into an inlet of the River Liffey known as Usher's Pill near the town house of the Ussher family. In 1683 the eastern branch of the Camac was dammed and Bridgefoot Street laid out and Arran Bridge erected. The island was no more but the name was retained. Called after the Old English family of Ussher, long associated with the city. John Ussher was Mayor of Dublin in 1574; he had his rent for the island rebated "for his changes done and bestowed upon The Island... which island is bewest the bridge of the city of Dublin". James Ussher became the Protestant Archbishop of Armagh in 1625 and was later professor of divinity at Trinity College, a noted historian and prolific writer who donated his great book collection to the university. The Revd Henry Usher was the first astronomer appointed to Dunsink Observatory, opened in 1786. Called Usher's Island in 1562.

Ushers Quay

After the Ussher family. The Dublin Corporation leased the area to John Ussher in 1597. Both he and Sir William Ussher had houses nearby. Called Usher's Quay in 1728.

Usher Street - off Usher's Quay

After the Ussher family, originally Dog and Duck Yard from a tavern situated here in 1709. Called Usher Street in 1756. (See also Bridgefoot Street, Usher's Island, Usher's Quay).

Snippets of Info

Commenwealt War Graves Commission

BEVERLY WILLIAM REID USSHER

Major 17th Bn., Durham Light Infantry who died on Monday, 5th February 1917.

Commemorative Information Cemetery: South Ealing Cemetery, Middlesex, United Kingdom
Grave Reference/ Panel Number: E. G. 31.

Information supplied by Ian Woodason at the Keynsham Light Horse Web Site - a group of enthusiasts dedicated to the location of memorials to those involved in the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879.

Source: GC-Region of Kilkenny, Ireland Query Forum
URL: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/Ireland/Kilkenny?read=1690
Subject: Landowners

Per genealogy library reference book, the following individuals owned one or more acres of land in Co. Kilkenny, Ireland, the latter part of the 1870s.

....
18. Richard Usher, address New Ross, owned 187 acres.

Source: GC-Armagh Ireland Queries
URL: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/Ireland/Armagh?read=1953
Subject: Landowners

Per genealogy library reference book, the following individuals owned one or more acres of land in Co. Armagh, Ireland, the latter part of the 1870s:

....
27. Mrs. Usher, address Dublin, owned 101 acres.
28. James Ussher, address Lurgan, owned 1 acre.

URL: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/Ireland/Armagh?read=1166

35. Bennett and Usher, address Dundalk, owned 117 acres.

Source: GC-Wexford Ireland Queries
URL: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/Ireland/Wexford?read=454
Subject: Landowners

Per genealogy library reference book the following individuals owned one or more acres of land in Co. Wexford, Ireland, the latter part of the 1870s.

139. Richard Usher, address Landscape, New Ross, owned 153 acres.

Source: GC-Offaly Ireland Queries
URL: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/Ireland/Offaly?read=522
Subject: Landowners

Per genealogy library reference book, the following individuals owned one or more acres of land in King's County (Offaly), Ireland, the latter part of the 1870s.

91. Rev. John Usher, no address given, owned 151 acres.

Source: GC-Galway Ireland Queries
URL: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/Eire/Galway?read=322
Subject: Landowners

Per genealogy library reference book, the following individuals owned one or more acres of land in Co. Galway, Ireland, the latter part of the 1870s. Spelling of names and towns as found on the index:

1. William Usher, address Kilgerl, Kilconnel, owned 434 acres.
2. William Usher, address Heathfield, Kilconnell, owned 184 acres.
3. Christopher Ussher, address Eastwell, Kilconnell, owned 3,666 acres.

From an auction catalogue:
Land deed
Dublin: 1751 lease from Henry Usher for Land at “Donnybrooke”, 1821 from John Wilson and 1832 for tenement in Longford, good to very good, ms vellum. £20/£25

I wish I'd known at the time....

Source: GC-Leitrim Ireland Queries
URL: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/Ireland/Leitrim?read=1673
Subject: Landowners

6. Ann Usher born 1649, ?parents, (others named in source), relative Jacob William Pettry, Co. Leitrim, Corrick.
7. Emilia Olivia Usher born abt. 1754 to St. George Usher and Elizabeth Dominick, Co. Leitrim,
St. George, of Hatley.

Library of Tralee Ireland in Vol 2 of "old Kerry records". All date back in the 1800's

Robert Usher of Ballynashea M: Sarah Shewell only Daughter of Honra Stoughton & Edward Shewell 3 sons: Edward, Richard and Stoughton.

Tipperary

My great great grandfather was Patrick O'BRIEN, born about 1820 in Limerick. He was married to a Margaret Alice USHER born about 1820 in Tipperary.

I have only once found them in any official record, and that is the 1860 Vermont census, when they lived in Tinmouth VT. Children were at that time: Bridget b 1853 Charles b 1854 Daniel b 1856 William b 1858 ( my great grandfather) Martin born May 1860 the month before the census was taken.

Contact:
Patty Pickett

1881 British Census

Vessel:	"Achilles"
Census Place:	Royal Navy, At sea or in a foreign port.
Source:	FHL Film 1342354     PRO Ref RG11    Piece 5635    Folio 24    Page 1
			Marr	Age	Sex	Birthplace
Robert M. USSHER	U	22 	M	Dublin
	Occ:	Lieutenant R M S I

other info

Irish Records Extraction Database - you will need to be a member of Ancestry.com to view this. Don't forget to search for Usher and Ussher !

From "Irish Pedigrees", by O'Hart.
BALL of Dublin: Major Robert BALL, d. Jan. 25, 1637, m. Jana, dau. of Henry USHER, Archbishop of Armagh, and had 6 children.

Robert Usher-Somers writes:

A colleague at work has just returned from a few days visiting Dublin and brought with her a leaflet about a castle called "Ardgillan Demesne" at Balbriggan Co Dublin. The leaflet records:

"In 1658 the "Down Survey" records that Ardgillan was owned by a wine merchant, Robert Usher, of Crumlin, Dublin, and by 1737 the property had been acquired by the Reverend Robert Taylor ...."

Although referred to as a castle, the residence at Ardgillan is a large country-style house with casellated embelishments.

Ireland, The Royal Irish Constabulary 1816-1921
Name	Age	Birthdate	Birthplace	Marriage or Comments	Enlisted	Film	Page
USHER, Richard	18		Meath		1873	856067	60
USHER, Henry	20		Cavan	Y	1846	856058	205B
USHER, John	21		Westmeath		1848	856060	3
USHER, Hugh	19		Meath		1858	856063	30B
USHER, Edmd	18		Wicklow		1861	856063	183C
USHER, Richard	20		Tipperary		1864	856064	45B
USHER, John R. C.		1894	Northumberland		1920	852094	183B

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