James Patrick Kenny : Short Biography

James Patrick Kenny is first definitively identified as he entered the Capuchin order sometime between 6 Oct 1808 - 10 Apr 1809 at St. Mary of the Angels (Capuchian Friary, Church-street, Dublin). In mid-1822 he began to consider leaving the Roman Catholic Church and converting to the “Established (ie, Anglican) Church”. When this became known, the tabloids of the day had a heyday and the story was published widely across Ireland.

It is difficult to fully discern fact from fiction: an article in the London Morning Chronicle on April 12, 1823 tells of rumors of death threats and forceable confinement. There is no question but the Church of England used his conversion as a denunciation against Catholics and he was promised a clergy position within the church. On 6 Jul 1823 he made a very public recantation before Archdeacon Potts and a large congregation at St. Martin of the Fields in London.

In April and December 1825 he wrote letters to Sir Robert Peel, Member of Parliament and British Home Secretary (later Prime Minister). The letters requested a position within the ministry and told of his inadequate financial situation. He did not receive a response to his correspondence. However,  the following year he was serving as a clergyman in St. Marylebone parish in London.

On 16 Oct 1826 he married Alexvina Gilmour in St. Marylebone Church in London. He and Alexvina had six children including: James Burgess Edmonstone Kenny, Charlotte Greenlaw Kenny, Alexander John Kenny, George Wink Kenny and Joseph James Spears Kenny. The first two children were born in London; Alexander was born in Greenwich, Kent; George and Joseph were born in Canada. This indicates the family migrated to Canada some time between 1833 and 1836.

Rev. James Patrick Kenny died in Montreal on 3 Dec 1843.