LITTLE GIRL ON A STRAND, 1918 - WILLIAM PERCY FRENCH
(realised 14k at Whytes auction in 2006.
Song of William, Inspector of Drains
Let others betake them to the Western Plains
And ease the redman of his ill-gotten gains;
No tomahawk ever shall inure the brains
Of William, the local Inspector of Drains.
He mounts his tall trap, gives his charger the reins,
And gallops away through the green county lanes,
The Board pays the posting the balance remains -
With William, the Local Inspector of Drains.
He finds out the holding and what it contains,
Then maps out his system in furlong and chains
And points out positions for 'miners' and 'mains' -
Such wisdom has William, Inspector of Drains.
Let others betake them to the Western Plains
And ease the redman of his ill-gotten gains;
No tomahawk ever shall inure the brains
Of William, the local Inspector of Drains.
He mounts his tall trap, gives his charger the reins,
And gallops away through the green county lanes,
The Board pays the posting the balance remains -
With William, the Local Inspector of Drains.
He finds out the holding and what it contains,
Then maps out his system in furlong and chains
And points out positions for 'miners' and 'mains' -
Such wisdom has William, Inspector of Drains.
Johnston/Percy Family of Beverston, Mount Anville
Rev William Alexander Percy of Carrick on Shannon eldest son of Henry Percy married Elizabeth Lloyd
daughter of Robert Jones Lloyd of Smith Hill, Roscommon circa 1822. William was Rector of Carrick-on-
Shannon, Leitrim. He was the grandfather of the famous songwriter Percy French.
Rev William Alexander Percy married circa 1822 Elizabeth Lloyd
born about 1796 Elphin born circa 1800
Leitrim Roscommon
died 27.02.1869 died 18.03.1847
at Bundoran at the Rectory, Carrick on Shannon
1 Henry Richard Percy MD eldest son born circa 1824 married Emma Ord youngest daughter of
Major John Bertram Ord of Westwood Hall, Northumberland on 17.11.1851 at St James’s
Church, Kensington. Henry died 10.07.1860 aged 33 years at Leitrim and is buried at St John’s
Church, Drumshambo. Emma died on 03.07.1867 at York.
1 Elizabeth Anna Maria Percy baptised 06.04.1853 at Surrey.
2 Robert Jones Lloyd Percy born circa 1826. Robert late Paymaster of Her Majesty’s 34th Regiment
of Foot died unmarried on 25.04.1859 at Faizaba.
3 Susan Emma Percy married Christopher French of 4 Fitzwilliam Square son of William
Christopher St George French on 12.02.1851 at St Peter’s Church, Dublin. Witnesses: J Caulfield
and Robt J Percy. Christopher died on 08.05.1897 aged 75 years at 5 Raglan Road and Susan died
on 29.12.1914 aged 86 years at 3 Wellington Road.
1 Elizabeth Jane (Bessie) French eldest daughter born circa 1852 died at 5 Raglan Road on
3 Dec 1906.
2 Arthur-John-St George French born 24 Feb 1853.
1 Maeve Pauline French married in 1931
3 William Percy French 2nd son born 01.05.1854 at Clooniquin House, Co Roscommon
graduated from TCD with a degree in civil engineering in 1881 and worked for the Board
of works as an Inspector of Drains. He was a journalist, song writer, poet, actor and artist.
He married Ethel Kathleen Armytage-Moore of Arnmore, Cavan, 2nd daughter of William
Armytage-Moore on 28.06.1890 at St Stephens Church. Ethel died on 29.06.1891 aged
20 years at 3 St Johns Road, Sandymount.
1 Ethel Florence Cecilia, infant daughter died 6 Jul 1891.
Percy married secondly Helen May Cunningham Sheldon of Burmington House, near
Shipston-on-Stour eldest daughter of Jonathan Sheldon on 24.01.1894 at Burmington
Parish Church. Percy died on 24.01.1920 and is buried in the churchyard of St Luke’s
Parish Church, Formby.
2 Ettie Gwendoline French born 4 Nov 1894.
3 Mollie Helen French born 13 Mar 1896.
4 Emily Lucy French born 07.08.1859 at Clooniquin House, Co Roscommon was educated
privately at home. She moved to London, trained as a nurse at Bethnal Green Hospital
and moved to China in 1888 where she met Doctor De Burgh Daly who was a medical
officer to the HM Consulate. She married Charles Calthrop de Burgh Daly, youngest son
of Ulick J Daly at Ningpo China circa 1890. They moved to Newchwang in 1893 and Charles
was awarded the Order of the Double Dragon giving him the rank of Mandarin in 1896.
They returned to Dublin in June 1912 and lived at 71 Park Avenue, Sandymount. Emily
died on 13 Nov 1835 at Priory Lodge, Stillorgan and Charles died at Raford, Knocksinna
Road Stillorgan in 1947. He left over 20K in personal estate.
5 Dorothea French born circa 1856 born Co Roscommon.
6 Alice Kathleen French born 8 Jun 1857 at Clooniquin married Alfred MacDonald Bulteel
Irwin of the Bengal Civil Service at Elphin Cathedral on 30 July 1884.
1 Dorothy Irwin born circa 1892 born Pegu, Burma
2 Alice Irwin born circa 1894 born Dublin.
7 Henry Percy French born circa 1866 died in Liverpool on 3 Apr 1939 and was buried at
Mount Jerome.
8 Christina French born circa 1870 in Derby, England.
9 Christopher St George French youngest born circa 1873 died at St Joseph’s Hospital,
Victoria on 24 Jun 1940.
4 Lucy R Percy 2nd daughter born circa 1830 died on 26.03.1883 aged 53 years at 4 Crawford Square,
Londonderry the residence of her brother- in-law Rev J Potter.
5 Anna Margaret Percy 3rd daughter born circa 1831 married Zachariah Johnson MD of Kilkenny
eldest son of late William Johnson of Wexford on 15.10.1850 at Attanna Church, Queens County.
They divorced in 1872. Anna Margaret married Dr Alfred Ginders and went to live in New Zealand.
6 Sarah Jane Percy born circa 1833 married William Johnston of Kinlough House, Leitrim 21.10.1856
at St Anne’s Church, Dublin. Witnesses: Robert Johnston and Robert Percy. William died on
15.02.1888 at Kinlough House. Sarah Jane was living with her daughters Emma and Lucy at
Beverston in 1901. Sarah Jane died 22.12.1916 aged 83 years at Beverston, Dundrum.
1 Sophia Mary Johnston, 2nd daughter born circa 1861 died unmarried on 06.03.1922 aged
61 years at Beverston.
2 Emma Caroline Johnston born 1862 Cork was granted Probate of her Mother’s Will.
3 Lucy Katherine Johnston born 12.11.1868 at 65 Fitzwilliam Square.
7 John Alexander Percy born circa 1836 late Captain of H.M.’s colonial forces married Sarah Jane
Irwin only daughter of John Irwin of London on 06.05.1873 at the Parish Church, Cheshire.
8 Elizabeth Sophia Percy born circa 1840. Elizabeth was living at the home of her late sister
Catherine Potter in 1901 and in Killiney with her sister Lucy in 1911. Elizabeth died unmarried on
08.06.1923 aged 83 years at Beverston, Mount Anville and is buried at Mount Jerome.
9 Gilbert Francis Percy born circa 1841 at Carrick on Shannon a Law Agent married Elizabeth
Warren circa 1871 at Dunedin, New Zealand. Elizabeth died 1898. Gilbert died 29.07.1920 aged
79 years at Kimberley Hospital late of 62 Slockdale Street, Kimberley, South Africa.
1 Ethel Muriel Percy only daughter born circa 1879 married Noel Standfast on 27.10.1903
at Cape Town. While her husband was away in Africa, Muriel moved into Beverston with
Lucy Johnston her cousin in 1905. After her marriage she had undergone an ear operation
in London followed by an attack of acute hysteria and had been put into a home. At the
end of November Dr Goff of Tynton had been sent for as she had another attack and he
gave her a soothing medicine. There were blisters on her fingers but no bottle of acid
could be found to explain them and it was put down to religious mania. He did not think
she should be put in an asylum until she attacked him and said he was the Devil. He called
the police and two constables were dispatched to Beverston to check out a dangerous
lunatic. She was found in a violent state in her bedroom standing in her night dress with
broken glass and furniture all around. She ran to the fireplace where the fire was lit and
put her head in the grate and they pulled her away. She had broken delph in her mouth
which she was trying to eat. She was restrained and brought to St Patricks Hospital.
The medical superintendent of St Patricks stated that when she arrived at the hospital
she was in a condition of acute delirium and was violent, incoherent and dangerous to
those near her.
She had extensive burns on her hands, arms, both soles of her feet and on one breast.
There were several wounds on her legs. Everything possible was done for her but she
died on 1 Dec 1905 at St Patricks. An inquest was held the following day at the Hospital
on the remains of Mrs Muriel Standfast aged 26 years a lady of independent means but
no postmortem carried out. There were injuries that could not be explained but a verdict
was arrived at, an outcome that would not be acceptable today. The Jury found that
death was caused by acute delirious madness accelerated by superficial burns self
inflicted at her residence.
10 Jane Catherine Caroline Percy born circa 1839 married Joseph Potter on 05.07.1873 at Rossinver.
Joseph had previously been married to Mary Crosbie who had died in 1871. Jane died on
16.05.1884 aged 37 years at 4 Crawford Square, Londonderry and Joseph died 31.10.1905 aged
63 years at Glendooen.
11 William Digby Percy late of Drumliffin Glebe died unmarried on 01.05.1852.
© June Bow & Karen Poff – September 2021
Rev William Alexander Percy of Carrick on Shannon eldest son of Henry Percy married Elizabeth Lloyd
daughter of Robert Jones Lloyd of Smith Hill, Roscommon circa 1822. William was Rector of Carrick-on-
Shannon, Leitrim. He was the grandfather of the famous songwriter Percy French.
Rev William Alexander Percy married circa 1822 Elizabeth Lloyd
born about 1796 Elphin born circa 1800
Leitrim Roscommon
died 27.02.1869 died 18.03.1847
at Bundoran at the Rectory, Carrick on Shannon
1 Henry Richard Percy MD eldest son born circa 1824 married Emma Ord youngest daughter of
Major John Bertram Ord of Westwood Hall, Northumberland on 17.11.1851 at St James’s
Church, Kensington. Henry died 10.07.1860 aged 33 years at Leitrim and is buried at St John’s
Church, Drumshambo. Emma died on 03.07.1867 at York.
1 Elizabeth Anna Maria Percy baptised 06.04.1853 at Surrey.
2 Robert Jones Lloyd Percy born circa 1826. Robert late Paymaster of Her Majesty’s 34th Regiment
of Foot died unmarried on 25.04.1859 at Faizaba.
3 Susan Emma Percy married Christopher French of 4 Fitzwilliam Square son of William
Christopher St George French on 12.02.1851 at St Peter’s Church, Dublin. Witnesses: J Caulfield
and Robt J Percy. Christopher died on 08.05.1897 aged 75 years at 5 Raglan Road and Susan died
on 29.12.1914 aged 86 years at 3 Wellington Road.
1 Elizabeth Jane (Bessie) French eldest daughter born circa 1852 died at 5 Raglan Road on
3 Dec 1906.
2 Arthur-John-St George French born 24 Feb 1853.
1 Maeve Pauline French married in 1931
3 William Percy French 2nd son born 01.05.1854 at Clooniquin House, Co Roscommon
graduated from TCD with a degree in civil engineering in 1881 and worked for the Board
of works as an Inspector of Drains. He was a journalist, song writer, poet, actor and artist.
He married Ethel Kathleen Armytage-Moore of Arnmore, Cavan, 2nd daughter of William
Armytage-Moore on 28.06.1890 at St Stephens Church. Ethel died on 29.06.1891 aged
20 years at 3 St Johns Road, Sandymount.
1 Ethel Florence Cecilia, infant daughter died 6 Jul 1891.
Percy married secondly Helen May Cunningham Sheldon of Burmington House, near
Shipston-on-Stour eldest daughter of Jonathan Sheldon on 24.01.1894 at Burmington
Parish Church. Percy died on 24.01.1920 and is buried in the churchyard of St Luke’s
Parish Church, Formby.
2 Ettie Gwendoline French born 4 Nov 1894.
3 Mollie Helen French born 13 Mar 1896.
4 Emily Lucy French born 07.08.1859 at Clooniquin House, Co Roscommon was educated
privately at home. She moved to London, trained as a nurse at Bethnal Green Hospital
and moved to China in 1888 where she met Doctor De Burgh Daly who was a medical
officer to the HM Consulate. She married Charles Calthrop de Burgh Daly, youngest son
of Ulick J Daly at Ningpo China circa 1890. They moved to Newchwang in 1893 and Charles
was awarded the Order of the Double Dragon giving him the rank of Mandarin in 1896.
They returned to Dublin in June 1912 and lived at 71 Park Avenue, Sandymount. Emily
died on 13 Nov 1835 at Priory Lodge, Stillorgan and Charles died at Raford, Knocksinna
Road Stillorgan in 1947. He left over 20K in personal estate.
5 Dorothea French born circa 1856 born Co Roscommon.
6 Alice Kathleen French born 8 Jun 1857 at Clooniquin married Alfred MacDonald Bulteel
Irwin of the Bengal Civil Service at Elphin Cathedral on 30 July 1884.
1 Dorothy Irwin born circa 1892 born Pegu, Burma
2 Alice Irwin born circa 1894 born Dublin.
7 Henry Percy French born circa 1866 died in Liverpool on 3 Apr 1939 and was buried at
Mount Jerome.
8 Christina French born circa 1870 in Derby, England.
9 Christopher St George French youngest born circa 1873 died at St Joseph’s Hospital,
Victoria on 24 Jun 1940.
4 Lucy R Percy 2nd daughter born circa 1830 died on 26.03.1883 aged 53 years at 4 Crawford Square,
Londonderry the residence of her brother- in-law Rev J Potter.
5 Anna Margaret Percy 3rd daughter born circa 1831 married Zachariah Johnson MD of Kilkenny
eldest son of late William Johnson of Wexford on 15.10.1850 at Attanna Church, Queens County.
They divorced in 1872. Anna Margaret married Dr Alfred Ginders and went to live in New Zealand.
6 Sarah Jane Percy born circa 1833 married William Johnston of Kinlough House, Leitrim 21.10.1856
at St Anne’s Church, Dublin. Witnesses: Robert Johnston and Robert Percy. William died on
15.02.1888 at Kinlough House. Sarah Jane was living with her daughters Emma and Lucy at
Beverston in 1901. Sarah Jane died 22.12.1916 aged 83 years at Beverston, Dundrum.
1 Sophia Mary Johnston, 2nd daughter born circa 1861 died unmarried on 06.03.1922 aged
61 years at Beverston.
2 Emma Caroline Johnston born 1862 Cork was granted Probate of her Mother’s Will.
3 Lucy Katherine Johnston born 12.11.1868 at 65 Fitzwilliam Square.
7 John Alexander Percy born circa 1836 late Captain of H.M.’s colonial forces married Sarah Jane
Irwin only daughter of John Irwin of London on 06.05.1873 at the Parish Church, Cheshire.
8 Elizabeth Sophia Percy born circa 1840. Elizabeth was living at the home of her late sister
Catherine Potter in 1901 and in Killiney with her sister Lucy in 1911. Elizabeth died unmarried on
08.06.1923 aged 83 years at Beverston, Mount Anville and is buried at Mount Jerome.
9 Gilbert Francis Percy born circa 1841 at Carrick on Shannon a Law Agent married Elizabeth
Warren circa 1871 at Dunedin, New Zealand. Elizabeth died 1898. Gilbert died 29.07.1920 aged
79 years at Kimberley Hospital late of 62 Slockdale Street, Kimberley, South Africa.
1 Ethel Muriel Percy only daughter born circa 1879 married Noel Standfast on 27.10.1903
at Cape Town. While her husband was away in Africa, Muriel moved into Beverston with
Lucy Johnston her cousin in 1905. After her marriage she had undergone an ear operation
in London followed by an attack of acute hysteria and had been put into a home. At the
end of November Dr Goff of Tynton had been sent for as she had another attack and he
gave her a soothing medicine. There were blisters on her fingers but no bottle of acid
could be found to explain them and it was put down to religious mania. He did not think
she should be put in an asylum until she attacked him and said he was the Devil. He called
the police and two constables were dispatched to Beverston to check out a dangerous
lunatic. She was found in a violent state in her bedroom standing in her night dress with
broken glass and furniture all around. She ran to the fireplace where the fire was lit and
put her head in the grate and they pulled her away. She had broken delph in her mouth
which she was trying to eat. She was restrained and brought to St Patricks Hospital.
The medical superintendent of St Patricks stated that when she arrived at the hospital
she was in a condition of acute delirium and was violent, incoherent and dangerous to
those near her.
She had extensive burns on her hands, arms, both soles of her feet and on one breast.
There were several wounds on her legs. Everything possible was done for her but she
died on 1 Dec 1905 at St Patricks. An inquest was held the following day at the Hospital
on the remains of Mrs Muriel Standfast aged 26 years a lady of independent means but
no postmortem carried out. There were injuries that could not be explained but a verdict
was arrived at, an outcome that would not be acceptable today. The Jury found that
death was caused by acute delirious madness accelerated by superficial burns self
inflicted at her residence.
10 Jane Catherine Caroline Percy born circa 1839 married Joseph Potter on 05.07.1873 at Rossinver.
Joseph had previously been married to Mary Crosbie who had died in 1871. Jane died on
16.05.1884 aged 37 years at 4 Crawford Square, Londonderry and Joseph died 31.10.1905 aged
63 years at Glendooen.
11 William Digby Percy late of Drumliffin Glebe died unmarried on 01.05.1852.
© June Bow & Karen Poff – September 2021