Northumberland Fencibles
| Northumberland Fencibles | Francis Blake | 1795.02.28-<1801> |
Richard Martin ( 1779 - 1837 )
He became an expert soldier with the Northumberland Fencibles in 1798 during the Irish rebellion and rose to become a Quarter Master Sergeant in the Grenadier Guards. He fought with the ‘Guards in Spain, Portugal and Waterloo and yet was never wounded.
Samuel Smith of Oakland House, Crisklewood, Willesden co: Middx., formerly a Surgeon in the Northumberland Fencibles. Born 8 Sept. 1774. Bapt. at Christ Church aforesaid. Died 15 May 1866. Buried at Calais.
According to McManus the number of troops in the Barony of Moycashel was 70 Northumberland Fencibles (they had first come to Ireland on 26th May 1797 and were discontinued on 25th August 1802- they had a full strength of 589), 40 Grange yeomen infantry, Tyrellspass and 30 Grange yeomen cavalry in Moate. On this particular night the best information indicates that Kilbeggan was in the hands of 60 Northumberland Fencibles led by Captain Thatcher, a company of 30 Fertullagh yeomen cavalry, and a large number of Protestants either local or some who had taken refuge in the town. The yeomen were led by Captain Berry and it has also been mentioned that Col.Blake was in Kilbeggan at the head of his Northumberland militia. Estimates of about 120 men against 3-400 were probably wrong on both counts.
"June 22, 1798
My Lord,
With the concurrence of several magistrates of the county I beg leave to suggest to Government the propriety of putting a stop to a fair that is to be held in this town on 4th July as a very large concourse of people appear on that day, some various disturbances may take place within this precaution, particularly as the present force in Mullingar comprising horse and foot scarcely exceeds one hundred and sixty men. It is an undeniable fact that the late disturbances in Kilbeggan which terminated so honourably in the King’s Troops was planned at a fair on the day preceding the attack. Being unwilling to put a stop to the Fair without the sanction of Government I request your Lordships answer and have the honour to be,
My Lord Your most obedient humble servant
Francis Blake Col. North. Fencibles"
16 Sep 1795.
PETER COOKE WHEELER sworn.
Q. You are a serjeant in the Northumberland Fencibles? - Yes.
Q. Who commands the corps? - Colonel Blake.
Q. Do you remember, on the 12th of July, being at Ostliff's, in the evening? - Yes.
Q. It was on a Sunday, was it not? - It was, between the hours of five and six.
Q. Who were in the house at his time? - Mrs. Ostliff, for one; Mrs. Napping, Lewis Galley, a recruit belonging to our corps, and a lieutenant belonging to Chatham, named John Steward.
Q. Look at the prisoner at the bar, did you see him in the house? - Yes.
Returned to his native land lieth all that was mortal of Lieutenant Taffe McGovern, late of Northumberland Regiment of the Fencible Infantry. He fell in a duel on the 2nd March 1802, in the 23 year of his age. If the esteem and regard of his brother officers who have erected this stone to the memory could assist his soul in its flight to heaven, its ascent must have been rapid and its reception good.