References
John Walker Esq. (1805-1865) of Ardmore House, Croghan was a Catholic tenant landholder/ substantial grazier. He was a peer of the Staffords of Portobello, the Casserlys of Estersnow, the and the Boyds of Springfield. He was also close to the Dowds of Ryefield House and the Barretts of Finnor House.
Ardmore, in the 1830 Freeholders register and 1835 [TA] was the home of Michael Walker & Eleanor Grey (who baptised Edward in 1816). In 1830, John Walker (age 25) witnessed the marriage of Michael Quinn of Ardglass to Brigid McDermottroe. He was also was invited to godparent by John Barrett & Mary Hanly of Finnor [CroghanRC31/8/1834] , and by John Doud & Catherine McGreevy of Ryefield [CroghanRC 6/9/1835]. He may also have been a relative of Rev Thomas Walker of Ryefield Hut (there were at least 3 Walker priests in the barony). Rev. Michael Walker with Coote Mulloy was active in establishing the National Bank of Ireland in Roscommon in the 1830s.
In 1840, John Walker is recorded at Ardmore House valued at £4 10s [FB] (a thatch house with 4 windows to the front in 1901). His holding included 150 acres at 6&7 Ardmore (KILLUKIN) and 67 acres at Corskeagh (KILTRUSTAN). John Walker and Thomas Hughes brought Gregory Walker (husband of Anne Hughes Strokestown) to court in 1840 for a Sherriffs Sale on two townlands in Kilglass. He was a landholder in Boyle [1849] (see also Coolaspaddaun in 1855).
Like John Dowd of Ryefield and John Barrett of Finnor, John Walker Esq. was a Cess Payer, sitting on a Petit Jury in 1848 (with Chris. Taafe) and a Grand Jury in the 1860s Boyle [RLG 3/12/864]. He was the judge at Elphin Steeple Chase in 1853.
In 1851 John Walker (age 46) married Eleanor Golden (1823-1897) in the RC Parish of Boyle. Witnessed by Richard Stafford (Portobello House) & Margaret Rock. He was a horse-breeder and offered his horse STEEL BOY for sire in 1855 [Rosc Messenger - 10/2/1855]
In 1860, John Walker Esq. gave a testimonial address on behalf of the Catholic parishoners of Croghan to the Rev. Dr. Peter O'Connor (of Sligo) when his 7-year curacy there had concluded.
John Walker died, age 60, on 18 April 1865, in Newbridge Co. Kildare. "The remains, of the late Mr. John Walker, Ardmore, county Roscommon, will arrive by train in Longford tomorrow morning (Sunday) at 1140am and then by horse through Strokestown to the family burial place at Killukin". [Freeman's Journal - Saturday 29 April 1865]
He left effects under £1,500 to his wife Eleanor Golden Wlaker (1823-1897). In 1901 Ardmore House was the property of Patrick Golden, and occupied by Pat McKenna & family.
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1st Jan 1805 | |
| Date of Death | 1st Jan 1865 | |
