Hancock family of Whitechurch, Wexford
Thomas Handcock married Olivia Potts
born circa 1754 November 1787 born circa 1763
died 2 May 1826 Athlone died 14 Mar 1851
Kilmokea Dublin
Thomas Handcock born circa 1754 son of Rev Elias Handcock graduated Trinity College and
took Holy orders. He married Olivia Potts in November 1787 at Athlone. Olivia was the
daughter of William Potts and Eleanor Young of Castlerea. Rev Thomas Handcock of Kilmokea
Glebe, and Whitechurch Co Wexford from 1817 and was also a local magistrate. Thomas died
2 May 1826 at Kilmokea and was buried at Whitechurch. Olivia died 14 Mar 1851 at Grenville
Street, Dublin.
1 Thomas Handcock born circa 1793 graduated Trinity College took Holy orders and was
curate of Whitechurch, Co Wexford in 1823. His licence was revoked for immoral
conduct in 1824 by the Bishop of Ferns. He appealed to the archbishop but to no avail.
Apparently, he carried on a clandestine friendship with a local girl called Alice from a
well to do family who was only 13 using a book by Don Juan as a means of
correspondence. As this time Thomas was engaged to Alice’s governess. It is thought
he went to Canada as chaplain to HM forces.
2 John Elias Handcock second son born circa 1799 married Eleanor Deborah Smith at
Monkstown Church in August 1839. Elizabeth was the second daughter of Francis Smith
of Athenry, Co Galway. John was a cashier with Bank of Ireland. John died 22 Aug 1877
at 15 Richmond Hill, Rathmines.
1 Thomas Handcock born 5 Jun 1840. He was working in Chicago in 1869 and left
for Ireland in 1869 after a big send off by his friends and colleagues. He had
been 3 years in America as an insurance agent. On his return he stayed with his
father at 16 Charleston Terrace, Rathmines. He returned to Chicago and married
Cora Galusha of Warrenville, Illinois on 23 Jun1871 at the Rectory of St John’s
Church, Chicago. He died 22 Jun 1913 in Chicago.
2 Maria Louisa Handcock eldest daughter born at Usher’s Island on 14 Oct 1841
baptised at St Audeon’s on 24 Oct 1841. She married Laurence Monckton Creagh
on 31 Oct 1862 at St Peter’s Church. Laurence was the second son of Stephen
William Creagh formerly of Castle Park, Co Tipperary. They were living at Garville
Road, Rathgar in 1901 and they had six children. Laurence, a post office clerk died
3 Jun 1901. Maria died 24 Nov 1915 at Waterloo Road, her brother Frederick her
executor.
3 Albinia Henrietta Handcock second daughter born at Usher’s Island baptised at St
Audeon’s on 20 Dec 1843. She died at Ranelagh Road on 14 May 1851.
4 Verling Charles (Charles) Handcock second son born September 1845 at 24 Mount
Pleasant Avenue baptised at St Peters on 26 Jul 1847. He was manager of the
Munster bank and married Margaret Isabella Armstrong on 27 Apr 1882 at
Castletown, Co Cork. Margaret was the daughter of Dr Philip Andrew Armstrong.
He secondly married Kathleen Charlotte Jarvis in 1899 at Portsea Island, Hampshire.
He died 20 Feb 1911 at Castletown Berehaven.
1 Francis Verling Handcock only son born circa 1900 at Portsea. He married
Vera Constance Adams in 1939 at Farlington, Hampshire.
5 Llewelyn John Handcock third son (twin) born 20 Oct 1850 at 72 Ranelagh Road
baptised 14 Jul 1851 at St Peters. He was an insurance clerk and married Jessie
Beatrice Flood on 18 Nov 1886. Jessie was the daughter of Oliver Flood and was
living at Dorset Street. He died from typhoid on 21 Nov 1890 at Baggot Street
Hospital.
6 Eliza Olivea Handcock (twin) born 20 Oct 1850 at 72 Ranelagh Road baptised
14 Jul 1851.
7 Frederick Mervyn Handcock born 31 Mar 1855 at 72 Ranelagh Road baptised
15 Aug 1855 at St Peter’s. He was a clerk at Guinness’ and married Charlotte
Madeline Philips on 23 Mar 1880. They were living at Bray in 1911 and all four of
their children had survived. He was an accountant at James’ gate and died on
12 Sep 1920 at Amiens Street Railway Station. He is buried at Deansgrange.
8 Francis Valancy Smith Handcock, youngest son born at 72 Ranelagh Road baptised
23 Mar 1859 at St Peters died 26 Nov 1868 at 16 Charleston Road, Rathmines.
3 Elias Handcock born circa 1804 at Wexford. He graduated Trinity College and took Holy
orders and was curate of Ballyhack in 1833. He married Roberta Arthure on 27 Feb 1838
at St Peter’s Church. Roberta was the youngest daughter of the late Thomas Arthure, MD
of Richview. He was curate of Stradbally from 1835 to 1858. He died 18 Apr 1870 at
Kiltaile. Roberta died 13 Aug 1899 at 24 Belgrave Square, Rathmines and is buried at
Mount Jerome; Probate to Roberta F Handcock, spinster of the same address.
1 Son Handcock born 25 Oct 1839 at Stradbally.
2 Olivia Handcock born 15 Dec 1841 at Stradbally. She married James Dobson in
1866.
3 William Benedict Handcock born 20 Oct 1844 at Stradbally emigrated to New
Zealand.
4 Roberta Florinda Handcock born circa 1857 died 12 Jan 1947 at a Dublin nursing
home and is buried at Mount Jerome.
4 Gustavus Dake Handcock, fourth son born 6 Jun 1808 married Augusta Georgiana Montford
on 12 Aug 1841 at Athboy church. Augusta was the third daughter of the late Harman
Montford of Clondeliver Lodge, Co Westmeath. Gustavus was living at Belmont Place,
Galloping Green, Stillorgan in 1845 and Valetta near Bray by 1863. Gustavus died 6 Jun 1892
at Colebrook, Wexford and is buried at St Paul's Graveyard, Balloughton, Co Wexford.
1 Gustavus Frederick Handcock, son and heir Handcock born July 1846 at Stillorgan. He
worked at the Public Record Office in London. He married Lucy E Demoney on
16 Jul 1884 at St Jude’s, Herne Hill. Lucy was the youngest daughter of James Domoney.
Gustavus died at a nursing home on Eccles Street on 19 Jan 1912.
1 Gustavus Mcmahon Handcock born 1885 in Chelsea.
2 John Little Handcock youngest son born circa 1853 at Bray. He married
Nannie Harriet Harvey on 4 Oct 1887 at Trinity Church, Rathmines. Nannie
was the youngest daughter of Jonas King of Barristown, Co Wexford.
5 Florinda Olivia Handcock eldest daughter died unmarried at the residence of her brother
in law (Dr Trenor) Killucan, Co Westmeath, late of Grenville Street on 19 Jan 1863. She left
£1500 in personal estate, her brother Gustavus her executor.
6 Margaret Lucy Handcock, second daughter born circa 1806 died 26 Apr 1829 in
Marlborough Street, Dublin.
7 Charles Handcock youngest son born circa 1810 graduated Trinity College in 1829. He
died on 14 Apr 1841 at Grenville Street. He was buried at St Patricks Cathedral with his
spinster Aunt Catherine at St Patrick’s Cathedral.
8 Robert Handcock born circa 1817 died 13 Aug 1899 and is buried at Mount Jerome.
9 Sarah Handcock born 1816 married Dr William A Trenor, MD of Sackville Street on
27 Apr 1854 at Stradbally Church. She died 3 Mar 1903 and was buried at Mount Jerome.
10 Olivia Maria Handcock youngest daughter died 23 Apr 1828 at Marlborough Street.
© June Bow & Karen Poff - September 2025
Thomas Handcock married Olivia Potts
born circa 1754 November 1787 born circa 1763
died 2 May 1826 Athlone died 14 Mar 1851
Kilmokea Dublin
Thomas Handcock born circa 1754 son of Rev Elias Handcock graduated Trinity College and
took Holy orders. He married Olivia Potts in November 1787 at Athlone. Olivia was the
daughter of William Potts and Eleanor Young of Castlerea. Rev Thomas Handcock of Kilmokea
Glebe, and Whitechurch Co Wexford from 1817 and was also a local magistrate. Thomas died
2 May 1826 at Kilmokea and was buried at Whitechurch. Olivia died 14 Mar 1851 at Grenville
Street, Dublin.
1 Thomas Handcock born circa 1793 graduated Trinity College took Holy orders and was
curate of Whitechurch, Co Wexford in 1823. His licence was revoked for immoral
conduct in 1824 by the Bishop of Ferns. He appealed to the archbishop but to no avail.
Apparently, he carried on a clandestine friendship with a local girl called Alice from a
well to do family who was only 13 using a book by Don Juan as a means of
correspondence. As this time Thomas was engaged to Alice’s governess. It is thought
he went to Canada as chaplain to HM forces.
2 John Elias Handcock second son born circa 1799 married Eleanor Deborah Smith at
Monkstown Church in August 1839. Elizabeth was the second daughter of Francis Smith
of Athenry, Co Galway. John was a cashier with Bank of Ireland. John died 22 Aug 1877
at 15 Richmond Hill, Rathmines.
1 Thomas Handcock born 5 Jun 1840. He was working in Chicago in 1869 and left
for Ireland in 1869 after a big send off by his friends and colleagues. He had
been 3 years in America as an insurance agent. On his return he stayed with his
father at 16 Charleston Terrace, Rathmines. He returned to Chicago and married
Cora Galusha of Warrenville, Illinois on 23 Jun1871 at the Rectory of St John’s
Church, Chicago. He died 22 Jun 1913 in Chicago.
2 Maria Louisa Handcock eldest daughter born at Usher’s Island on 14 Oct 1841
baptised at St Audeon’s on 24 Oct 1841. She married Laurence Monckton Creagh
on 31 Oct 1862 at St Peter’s Church. Laurence was the second son of Stephen
William Creagh formerly of Castle Park, Co Tipperary. They were living at Garville
Road, Rathgar in 1901 and they had six children. Laurence, a post office clerk died
3 Jun 1901. Maria died 24 Nov 1915 at Waterloo Road, her brother Frederick her
executor.
3 Albinia Henrietta Handcock second daughter born at Usher’s Island baptised at St
Audeon’s on 20 Dec 1843. She died at Ranelagh Road on 14 May 1851.
4 Verling Charles (Charles) Handcock second son born September 1845 at 24 Mount
Pleasant Avenue baptised at St Peters on 26 Jul 1847. He was manager of the
Munster bank and married Margaret Isabella Armstrong on 27 Apr 1882 at
Castletown, Co Cork. Margaret was the daughter of Dr Philip Andrew Armstrong.
He secondly married Kathleen Charlotte Jarvis in 1899 at Portsea Island, Hampshire.
He died 20 Feb 1911 at Castletown Berehaven.
1 Francis Verling Handcock only son born circa 1900 at Portsea. He married
Vera Constance Adams in 1939 at Farlington, Hampshire.
5 Llewelyn John Handcock third son (twin) born 20 Oct 1850 at 72 Ranelagh Road
baptised 14 Jul 1851 at St Peters. He was an insurance clerk and married Jessie
Beatrice Flood on 18 Nov 1886. Jessie was the daughter of Oliver Flood and was
living at Dorset Street. He died from typhoid on 21 Nov 1890 at Baggot Street
Hospital.
6 Eliza Olivea Handcock (twin) born 20 Oct 1850 at 72 Ranelagh Road baptised
14 Jul 1851.
7 Frederick Mervyn Handcock born 31 Mar 1855 at 72 Ranelagh Road baptised
15 Aug 1855 at St Peter’s. He was a clerk at Guinness’ and married Charlotte
Madeline Philips on 23 Mar 1880. They were living at Bray in 1911 and all four of
their children had survived. He was an accountant at James’ gate and died on
12 Sep 1920 at Amiens Street Railway Station. He is buried at Deansgrange.
8 Francis Valancy Smith Handcock, youngest son born at 72 Ranelagh Road baptised
23 Mar 1859 at St Peters died 26 Nov 1868 at 16 Charleston Road, Rathmines.
3 Elias Handcock born circa 1804 at Wexford. He graduated Trinity College and took Holy
orders and was curate of Ballyhack in 1833. He married Roberta Arthure on 27 Feb 1838
at St Peter’s Church. Roberta was the youngest daughter of the late Thomas Arthure, MD
of Richview. He was curate of Stradbally from 1835 to 1858. He died 18 Apr 1870 at
Kiltaile. Roberta died 13 Aug 1899 at 24 Belgrave Square, Rathmines and is buried at
Mount Jerome; Probate to Roberta F Handcock, spinster of the same address.
1 Son Handcock born 25 Oct 1839 at Stradbally.
2 Olivia Handcock born 15 Dec 1841 at Stradbally. She married James Dobson in
1866.
3 William Benedict Handcock born 20 Oct 1844 at Stradbally emigrated to New
Zealand.
4 Roberta Florinda Handcock born circa 1857 died 12 Jan 1947 at a Dublin nursing
home and is buried at Mount Jerome.
4 Gustavus Dake Handcock, fourth son born 6 Jun 1808 married Augusta Georgiana Montford
on 12 Aug 1841 at Athboy church. Augusta was the third daughter of the late Harman
Montford of Clondeliver Lodge, Co Westmeath. Gustavus was living at Belmont Place,
Galloping Green, Stillorgan in 1845 and Valetta near Bray by 1863. Gustavus died 6 Jun 1892
at Colebrook, Wexford and is buried at St Paul's Graveyard, Balloughton, Co Wexford.
1 Gustavus Frederick Handcock, son and heir Handcock born July 1846 at Stillorgan. He
worked at the Public Record Office in London. He married Lucy E Demoney on
16 Jul 1884 at St Jude’s, Herne Hill. Lucy was the youngest daughter of James Domoney.
Gustavus died at a nursing home on Eccles Street on 19 Jan 1912.
1 Gustavus Mcmahon Handcock born 1885 in Chelsea.
2 John Little Handcock youngest son born circa 1853 at Bray. He married
Nannie Harriet Harvey on 4 Oct 1887 at Trinity Church, Rathmines. Nannie
was the youngest daughter of Jonas King of Barristown, Co Wexford.
5 Florinda Olivia Handcock eldest daughter died unmarried at the residence of her brother
in law (Dr Trenor) Killucan, Co Westmeath, late of Grenville Street on 19 Jan 1863. She left
£1500 in personal estate, her brother Gustavus her executor.
6 Margaret Lucy Handcock, second daughter born circa 1806 died 26 Apr 1829 in
Marlborough Street, Dublin.
7 Charles Handcock youngest son born circa 1810 graduated Trinity College in 1829. He
died on 14 Apr 1841 at Grenville Street. He was buried at St Patricks Cathedral with his
spinster Aunt Catherine at St Patrick’s Cathedral.
8 Robert Handcock born circa 1817 died 13 Aug 1899 and is buried at Mount Jerome.
9 Sarah Handcock born 1816 married Dr William A Trenor, MD of Sackville Street on
27 Apr 1854 at Stradbally Church. She died 3 Mar 1903 and was buried at Mount Jerome.
10 Olivia Maria Handcock youngest daughter died 23 Apr 1828 at Marlborough Street.
© June Bow & Karen Poff - September 2025