Henry GUMBLETON

Curraglass House was originally rented by Henry Conner Gumbleton in the 1790s. His son William, and his wife Georgiana, née Purcell, lived there after his death. William (then of Curraglass) died in 1840 and his widow is believed to have lived there after his death. She died in 1870 and probate of her will was issued to her youngest son who was Henry Gumbleton of Curraglass House.

Henry, the heir, had been born in 1836 and died in Tallow Street, Youghal, in 1878. So this Henry had connections to Curraglass and Youghal, was a gentleman (actually a solicitor) and died a bachelor. He is certainly a likely candidate for the father of the persent Henry Gumbleton.

On 9 Feb 1888 Henry Gumbleton married Margaret Anne Bennett at the Roman Catholic Chapel, Youghal, Co. Cork.

In May 1900 he appeared at Cork Petty Sessions, on the charge that defendant has refused and omitted to contribute towards the support and maintenance of his two children Lizzie Ellen and Mary Josephine Gumbleton who were committed to Saint Colmans Industrial School at Queenstown from this Petty Sessions on the 24th of February 1899 and that said children are still inmates of said industrial school and maintained therein. At this time he was of Flannery's Court, Youghal.

The Industrial Schools were boarding schools set up to care for 'neglected, orphaned and abandoned children’. They were intended to give those children a basic education and prepare them for the world of work. St Coleman's Industrial School, Spy Hill, Belvedere, Queenstown (Cobh), was one of the schools.

In June of the same year, Henry and his wife (of Flannery’s Court) were complainants in another case—that against Margaret Hurley of Copperalley, Youghal. There were two accusations:

That Defendant on the 5th May 1900, at Youghal in the Co. of Cork did unlawfully assault and beat Margaret Gumbleton and abuse and threaten her and call her filthy names. That Defendant on the 5th of May 1900, at Youghal in the Co. Cork did unlawfully and maliciously break two panes of glass value for about 2/- in the window of Complainants dwelling house. Margaret Hurley was bound over to keep the peace and was ordered to pay 10 shillings compensation (and a further 2 shillings costs) for the breakages. The 1901 census shows the family living in Tallow Street, Youghal. Henry, aged 33, was a general labourer and Margaret, 30, was a tailoress. In Jun 1909 he appears in the gaol book for Cork Gaol, although it appears he was there only briefly before being bailed. He was charged with assault. The gaol book gives some physical details and gives Henry’s place of birth as Curraglass Co Cork. Henry Gumbleton died in South Infirmary, Cork, in 1935.

Fíona de Buitléir has researched their children as Ellen (Eileen, Eily), Harry, Danny, Imelda, Annie, Julia, and Josephine.