Churchtown's History

Rev Matthew Tierney

Paul Mansfield is writing a book on the history of of the parish of Enmore in Somerset much of which was held by the Percevals until 1833/4. One curious tie in with Churchtown was the rector from 1858-60. His name was Rev Matthew Tierney. He moved from Enmore to be rector at Churchtown before later moving to Clifton in Bristol. His links with Churchtown and Enmore and also the name 'Matthew' mean that he must have been related to the Tierneys. And he is … Apparently, John Tierney had a third son besides Matthew and Edward. His name was Thomas. He in turn had a son called Matthew who was in the Bengal Civil Service. Rev Mathew Tierney was the son of this Matthew. After leaving Churchtown he went to Hemel Hempstead and from there to Westbury On Trym before ending up in Clifton. The curious thing is that he was born in the East Indies. His mother's name was Mary - she was also born in or around India.

Egmont Papers (as written in an email to Gerry Murphy by Paul Mansfield)

Thanks for the information - it looks like there is a wealth of material in the Egmont letters. I have photocopies of a lot of the letters from the British library on the Enmore Egmont estates - a set of letters from John Gooding and William Moore when the 2nd Earl was buying up the estates in Enmore with details of the building of the castle there. I also have a couple of articles which mention their estates in Ireland by Tim Mowle. There are also a set of letters regarding a survey of the Enmore estates when the 4th Earl took over. It is clear that even by 1822 they were in real (financial) trouble and his surveyor suggests selling the estates in Ireland to save the Enmore estates - his wife sounds as if she is the driving force even at that time. They managed to hang onto the manor in Enmore until 1833 - in the case where they are forced to sell Edward Tierney gets a mention (he seems to be one of the claimants). Have you seen the large picture with plans of the floors of Enmore castle at centre with his castles in Ireland drawn around the outside (Kanturk etc).

Paul Mansfield is a local historian with an interest in Enmore (where the Mansfield ancestors lived). The info on Rev Matthew Tierney came from Burke's peerage 1852 and another book listing those who studied at Cambridge. Paul Mansfield ancester John Brooks came from Bantry to Cardiff around 1855 - his folks were bakers there so he has other links with Co Cork.

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