Robert Jones Lloyd Esq. : Short Biography

Robert Jones Lloyd Esq. (1762-1832) of Ardnagowan aka Smithhill, Elphin resided here in the late 18th and early 19th century. 

Smithhill (a translation of at Ardnagowna) was in the demesne of The Palace at Elphin. In the early 18th century, Smith-hill was the residence of the maternal grandfather of Oliver Goldsmith – the Reverend Oliver Jones. Either Goldsmith or his father was born here. See Robert Jones Lloyd's account here. 

In 1806, he advertised TO LET a residential premises in Strokestown (then occupied by Luke Taafe Esq.). Lloyd was acting as an agent for one of the Mahons of Strokestown namely one Luke Mahon Esq. of the 3rd Regiment of the Guards in London [Dublin Evening Post 25 November 1806]. By April 1808 the property had yet to find a new tenant. In December 1810, Lloyd advertised lands in Kilmacumsy to let on behalf of Lieutenant Luke Mahon. 

In 1807, Lloyd was named among the defendants in a Chancery case brought by John Goldsmith Esq. (plaintiff) Vs Robert Birchall, Esq., William Gore Ifdall, Esq., Thomas Naughton and Rebecca Naghten (otherwise Dunn, otherwise Ifdall) his wife; Robert Jones Lloyd; Archibald Fleming, Esqrs. and Michael Hoey, (Defendants).

PURSUANT to the Decree his Majesty’s High Court of Chancery in Ireland, bearing date the 14th day of May 1807, will on the 35th day of January next, at the hour of 2 o’clock in the afternoon, at the Chancery Chamber, Dublin, set up and sell by Public Cant, to the highest bidder, all that and  those the town and lands of Drumhauver, Drumbigger, Drumderg, Carradavara, Duffcarig, and Cornamucklagh, in the barony and county of Leitrim, or competent part thereof, for the purposes in said Decree mentioned.—Dated this 27th November, 1808. WILLIAM HENN. For such further information may be required, apply to F. Dickson, Plaintiff’s Solicitor, No. 3, Dawson-street, Dublin. [Evening Post]

NOTICE TO BREWERS

To be SOLD, or LET forever, on such terms as shall be agreed upon, the BREWERY, MALT-HOUSE and COMMERCIAL STORES, of SMITHHILLL. near Elphin, in the County of Roscommon, late in the occupation Thomas Lloyd. Esq. deceased, all in perfect repair. The Brewery (which will continue to be worked until disposed of) is well-established. The entire Concerns are only six years built, are all slated and well inclosed, and have a constant supply of water, with every necessary utensil in complete order – admirably situated for roads, and proximity to several market towns. Fifty barrels of Seed Barley hove been given to the immediate neighbourhood. The whole Establishment, winch every respect eligibly circumstanced, will found worthy attention. Proposals will be received by Robert Jones Lloyd, Esq. Smith-Hill, Elphin; Michael Fox, Esq. 81, Stephen’s-Green, South and John Lloyd, 24, Nassau-street, who will give any further information required.  [Evening Post - 1816]

From the 1820s onwards Robert Jones Lloyd Esq. J.P. was a magistrate for the county and sat on the Grand Jury for Co. Leitrim and Co. Roscommon. 

In 1828, he joined and became a committee member of the Brunswick Constitutional Club for Boyle (an ultimately doomed campaign to deny Catholics the right to enter both houses of the British parliament). In 1830, he attended a meeting in Elphin to establish a branch of the Protestant Colonization Society of Ireland, along with Lord Lorton himself, the Dean of Elphin, the Vicar General of Elphin, Owen Lloyd Esq. of Cloonahee, Owen T. Lloyd Esq. the Rev. John Lloyd, the Rev. Thomas Lloyd, etc.  

He died, aged 70, in December 1832:

On Thursday morning at his residence, Smith-hill, the 70th year of his age, Robert Jones Lloyd, Esq. sincerely and deservedly regretted by a numerous circle of friends and relatives.  [Roscommon Journal - 7 December 1832 ].

DEATHS At Smith-hill, County Roscommon, on the 20th ultimo, aged 72, Robert Jones Lloyd, Esq., many years Magistrate of that County. He was open-hearted, hospitable, and sincere in his friendship, universally known and universally esteemed. Beloved by the poor, to whom be Was generous benefactor-—his death has caused a vacuum in society that will be difficult till up. He has left a rich inheritance to his numerous family (an unblemished character), who will long, very long, mourn his loss and revere his memory. [Dublin Weekly Mail - 5 December 1832]