Joseph Scriven, the man who penned 'What a friend we have in Jesus' and great grandson of Edward Scriven
Scriven family of Kilmacud House
Edward Scriven married ML Elizabeth Barclay
born circa 1725 30 May 1754 born circa 1726
died 14 May 1794 Dublin died circa April 1783
Dawson Street Dawson Street
Edward Scriven born circa 1729 was an attorney and land agent of the Corporation of Dublin. He
married Elizabeth Barclay, daughter of John Barclay of Dublin. Elizabeth was a Quaker and married
without consent, she was denied and disowned by the society later that year. Originally they lived
at Skinners Roe and were living at 14 Dawson Street by 1774. Edward was bankrupt in 1778 and
Robert Emmet of Stephen’s Green was his assignee. After selling property including the leasehold
interest in his house and furniture at Kilmacud plus 100 doz bottles of Claret and 80 acres at Balally,
he exited bankruptcy the following year. He handled the tenders for the take down and re-building
of Essex Street Bridge and the building of a sheriffs jail in 1779. Elizabeth died and was buried at
St Johns on 2 Apr 1783 and Edward died 14 May 1794 at Dawson Street. His house at 14 Dawson
Street and his library was sold after his death which included a rare copy of Cambrensis Eversus and
a copy of The Antiquities and History of Ireland written by Sir James Ware.
1 William Barclay Scriven eldest son born circa 1755 married Catherine Chamney circa 1775.
They were living at Dawson Street and discharged their footman for being drunk and
disorderly in December 1777. He applied for the job of Register of the Circular Turnpike
Road in 1779. Catherine died and in August 1781, the contents of their house at 62 St
Stephen's were put up for sale. It is thought that William died in 1782 at Quebec while
serving with the British forces.
1 John John Scriven, only son born circa 1780 joined the Royal Marines of Ballymoney,
Co Down, served in Canada during the War of 1812, and attained the rank of captain.
He married Jane Medlicott daughter of Joseph Medlicott ML 1816. The family moved
from Ireland to England in 1826 and returned in 1834 to live in Dublin. John died
21 Dec 1850 in Dublin and Jane died 29 Aug 1866 aged 77 at Balbriggan.
1 William Barclay Browne Scriven eldest son baptised 18 Nov 1817 at St John’s
graduated Trinity MB in 1842, and MRCS London 1842. He was a traditional
physician who converted to homeopathy and became a member of the British
Homeopathic Society, and a Physician at the Dispensary of the Irish
Homeopathic Society. He married Sarah Hamilton, daughter of Henry Hamilton
of Hampton Hall, Balbriggan at Balrothery Church on on 19 Jan 1854. William
practiced Hydropathy from 40 St Stephens Green. Sarah died 23 Dec 1901 at
Rochford House, Balbriggan. William died on 12 Sep 1906 at Rochford House,
his son George the informant.
1 Son Scriven born 1 Aug 1855 at 40 St Stephen's Green.
2 Son Scriven born 30 Jun 1859 at 40 St Stephen's Green.
2 Joseph Medlicott Scriven, second child born at Ballymoney Lodge, Banbridge, Co
Down baptised on 10 Sep 1819. He attended Trinity before attending Addiscombe
Military School in England. He returned to Trinity College and graduated BA in 1842.
In 1845 Joseph moved to Canada, settling at Woodstock, Ontario. He was a poet
and author of the poem "Pray without ceasing" which became the hymn "What a
Friend We Have in Jesus". He died 10 Aug 1886 in Ontario possibly by his own hand
or possibly a tragic accident.
3 George Scriven third son born circa 1821 ensign with the 19th Native Infantry died
at Tannah near Bombay 25 May 1841.
4 John Enraght Scriven, fourth son born circa 1823 in County Down graduated Trinity
in 1845. He was a civil engineer and promoted use of Turkish baths for animals,
disapproved of washing sheep before they were sheared and was a member of the
Ulster Chemico Agricultural Society. He married Emily Jane Close, daughter of
Henry Samuel Close of Newtown Park at Monkstown Church on 17 Jan 1860. John
died a widower on 21 Feb 1872 at Denver, Colorado.
5 Catherine Anne Mary (Kate) Scriven, eldest daughter born circa 1826 married Rev
James H Janvrin of Jersey. They were living at Winchester in 1851. Catherine died in
Paris 4 Mar 1864 of Typhus fever.
2 Catherine Scriven eldest daughter born circa 1756 married William Glascock, an attorney
in July 1775. They were married at Bettyville, near Stillorgan, the seat of her father.
William died in 1798.
1 Elizabeth Catherine Glascock eldest daughter of York Street married Lieut Col
Robert Ross In December 1802. Robert was born in Rostrevor, County Down to
Major David Ross, an officer in the Seven Years' War and his wife, Elizabeth
Adderley, he became Commander in Chief of the English army sent against The
United States in December 1802. Major General Robert Ross died 12 Sep 1814
after being shot and his body was preserved in a barrel of 129 gallons of Jamaican
rum aboard HMS Tonnant before being buried in Nova Scotia.
2 Walter Glascock born circa 1778 graduated Trinity.
3 William Glascock born circa 1779 attended Trinity.
2 Anne Scriven born circa 1757 married John McCartney, of Stafford Street and son of
William MacCartney on 26 Feb 1778. They had seven children before Anne died in 1793.
John secondly married Catherine, daughter of Walter Hussey Burgh, late Chief Baron of the
Exchequer of Ireland on 4 Nov 1794, ML 3 Nov 1794. He was knighted in 1799 and created
Baronet of Lish, County Armagh. John had further children including Hussey Burgh
Macartney, first Dean of Melbourne. John was an MP and died 29 May 1812.
1 William Isaac MacCartney, eldest son born 25 Oct 1780 died 31 Jul 1867 became the
2nd Baronet.
2 Maria MacCartney died 3 Jun 1869.
3 John Barclay Scriven born circa 1758 was a barrister and married Mary Ann Howell. Mary
Anne died 20 Feb 1833 at Harcourt Street and John died on 29 Mar 1835 at Harcourt Street.
1 Edward Howell Scriven eldest son born circa 1785 was a barrister. He married Charlotte
Hawkshaw ML 1812. He was appointed a commissioner of bankrupts in 1826. He died
aged 80 at Temple Howell, Roundtown on 9 Jan 1865 aged 80.
1 John Barclay Scriven eldest son born circa 1814 took Holy orders. He married
Harriet Mayne, daughter of William Waller Mayne at St Peter’s Church Dublin in
November 1837. John was Rector of Dunhoe and the couple had a number of
children. John died 3 Apr 1871 at Eaton, Bishop Hereford and Harriet died
17 Apr 1885 aged 68 at Clifton.
2 Edward Howell Scriven MD born circa 1817 died 19 Apr 1870 at Harcourt Street.
3 Marianne Elizabeth Scriven, only daughter married William Poole Henne at
Rathfarnham on 27 Jul 1853.
4 William Scriven, third son born circa 1818 married Anna Maria Fortescue,
daughter of William Henry Forterscue at St Mary’s Church, Dublin on 7 Apr 1853.
Anna Maria died 19 Dec 1887 and was buried at Mount Jerome. William secondly
married Ellen Marianne Butler, daughter of the Rev Edward Walter Butler at Zion
Church on 27 Dec 1888. Walter died 27 Dec 1894 and Ellen died 1 May 1913, both
were buried at Mount Jerome.
2 Mary Anne Scriven born circa 1796 died a spinster at Passage West on 6 Mar 1871.
3 Elizabeth Scriven born circa 1797 died a spinster at Passage West on 13 May 1869.
4 Sarah Scriven born circa 1761 unmarried in 1793.
5 Eliza Scriven youngest daughter born circa 1763 married John Evans of Stephens Green on
11 May 1787 in Dublin at St John’s Church.
1 John Evans took Holy orders and was the vicar of Rosstrevor.
1 Rev John Evans of Grassendale.
2 Edward Evans
3 Dora Evans married Thomas Disney.
Eliza secondly married Alexander Fitzgerald Crawford of Millwood, Fermanagh, son of Alexander
Crawford and Conolly Carleton. Alexander died in 1818 and Elizabeth late of Millwood and
Milltown House near Dublin died April 1845 in London.
2 Mervyn Archdall Nott Crawford
3 Carleton Thomas Crawford
4 William Conolly Crawford
5 Meta Crawford
6 Edward Scriven a minor in 1793 and mentioned in his father’s Will.
© June Bow & Karen Poff – March 2021
Edward Scriven married ML Elizabeth Barclay
born circa 1725 30 May 1754 born circa 1726
died 14 May 1794 Dublin died circa April 1783
Dawson Street Dawson Street
Edward Scriven born circa 1729 was an attorney and land agent of the Corporation of Dublin. He
married Elizabeth Barclay, daughter of John Barclay of Dublin. Elizabeth was a Quaker and married
without consent, she was denied and disowned by the society later that year. Originally they lived
at Skinners Roe and were living at 14 Dawson Street by 1774. Edward was bankrupt in 1778 and
Robert Emmet of Stephen’s Green was his assignee. After selling property including the leasehold
interest in his house and furniture at Kilmacud plus 100 doz bottles of Claret and 80 acres at Balally,
he exited bankruptcy the following year. He handled the tenders for the take down and re-building
of Essex Street Bridge and the building of a sheriffs jail in 1779. Elizabeth died and was buried at
St Johns on 2 Apr 1783 and Edward died 14 May 1794 at Dawson Street. His house at 14 Dawson
Street and his library was sold after his death which included a rare copy of Cambrensis Eversus and
a copy of The Antiquities and History of Ireland written by Sir James Ware.
1 William Barclay Scriven eldest son born circa 1755 married Catherine Chamney circa 1775.
They were living at Dawson Street and discharged their footman for being drunk and
disorderly in December 1777. He applied for the job of Register of the Circular Turnpike
Road in 1779. Catherine died and in August 1781, the contents of their house at 62 St
Stephen's were put up for sale. It is thought that William died in 1782 at Quebec while
serving with the British forces.
1 John John Scriven, only son born circa 1780 joined the Royal Marines of Ballymoney,
Co Down, served in Canada during the War of 1812, and attained the rank of captain.
He married Jane Medlicott daughter of Joseph Medlicott ML 1816. The family moved
from Ireland to England in 1826 and returned in 1834 to live in Dublin. John died
21 Dec 1850 in Dublin and Jane died 29 Aug 1866 aged 77 at Balbriggan.
1 William Barclay Browne Scriven eldest son baptised 18 Nov 1817 at St John’s
graduated Trinity MB in 1842, and MRCS London 1842. He was a traditional
physician who converted to homeopathy and became a member of the British
Homeopathic Society, and a Physician at the Dispensary of the Irish
Homeopathic Society. He married Sarah Hamilton, daughter of Henry Hamilton
of Hampton Hall, Balbriggan at Balrothery Church on on 19 Jan 1854. William
practiced Hydropathy from 40 St Stephens Green. Sarah died 23 Dec 1901 at
Rochford House, Balbriggan. William died on 12 Sep 1906 at Rochford House,
his son George the informant.
1 Son Scriven born 1 Aug 1855 at 40 St Stephen's Green.
2 Son Scriven born 30 Jun 1859 at 40 St Stephen's Green.
2 Joseph Medlicott Scriven, second child born at Ballymoney Lodge, Banbridge, Co
Down baptised on 10 Sep 1819. He attended Trinity before attending Addiscombe
Military School in England. He returned to Trinity College and graduated BA in 1842.
In 1845 Joseph moved to Canada, settling at Woodstock, Ontario. He was a poet
and author of the poem "Pray without ceasing" which became the hymn "What a
Friend We Have in Jesus". He died 10 Aug 1886 in Ontario possibly by his own hand
or possibly a tragic accident.
3 George Scriven third son born circa 1821 ensign with the 19th Native Infantry died
at Tannah near Bombay 25 May 1841.
4 John Enraght Scriven, fourth son born circa 1823 in County Down graduated Trinity
in 1845. He was a civil engineer and promoted use of Turkish baths for animals,
disapproved of washing sheep before they were sheared and was a member of the
Ulster Chemico Agricultural Society. He married Emily Jane Close, daughter of
Henry Samuel Close of Newtown Park at Monkstown Church on 17 Jan 1860. John
died a widower on 21 Feb 1872 at Denver, Colorado.
5 Catherine Anne Mary (Kate) Scriven, eldest daughter born circa 1826 married Rev
James H Janvrin of Jersey. They were living at Winchester in 1851. Catherine died in
Paris 4 Mar 1864 of Typhus fever.
2 Catherine Scriven eldest daughter born circa 1756 married William Glascock, an attorney
in July 1775. They were married at Bettyville, near Stillorgan, the seat of her father.
William died in 1798.
1 Elizabeth Catherine Glascock eldest daughter of York Street married Lieut Col
Robert Ross In December 1802. Robert was born in Rostrevor, County Down to
Major David Ross, an officer in the Seven Years' War and his wife, Elizabeth
Adderley, he became Commander in Chief of the English army sent against The
United States in December 1802. Major General Robert Ross died 12 Sep 1814
after being shot and his body was preserved in a barrel of 129 gallons of Jamaican
rum aboard HMS Tonnant before being buried in Nova Scotia.
2 Walter Glascock born circa 1778 graduated Trinity.
3 William Glascock born circa 1779 attended Trinity.
2 Anne Scriven born circa 1757 married John McCartney, of Stafford Street and son of
William MacCartney on 26 Feb 1778. They had seven children before Anne died in 1793.
John secondly married Catherine, daughter of Walter Hussey Burgh, late Chief Baron of the
Exchequer of Ireland on 4 Nov 1794, ML 3 Nov 1794. He was knighted in 1799 and created
Baronet of Lish, County Armagh. John had further children including Hussey Burgh
Macartney, first Dean of Melbourne. John was an MP and died 29 May 1812.
1 William Isaac MacCartney, eldest son born 25 Oct 1780 died 31 Jul 1867 became the
2nd Baronet.
2 Maria MacCartney died 3 Jun 1869.
3 John Barclay Scriven born circa 1758 was a barrister and married Mary Ann Howell. Mary
Anne died 20 Feb 1833 at Harcourt Street and John died on 29 Mar 1835 at Harcourt Street.
1 Edward Howell Scriven eldest son born circa 1785 was a barrister. He married Charlotte
Hawkshaw ML 1812. He was appointed a commissioner of bankrupts in 1826. He died
aged 80 at Temple Howell, Roundtown on 9 Jan 1865 aged 80.
1 John Barclay Scriven eldest son born circa 1814 took Holy orders. He married
Harriet Mayne, daughter of William Waller Mayne at St Peter’s Church Dublin in
November 1837. John was Rector of Dunhoe and the couple had a number of
children. John died 3 Apr 1871 at Eaton, Bishop Hereford and Harriet died
17 Apr 1885 aged 68 at Clifton.
2 Edward Howell Scriven MD born circa 1817 died 19 Apr 1870 at Harcourt Street.
3 Marianne Elizabeth Scriven, only daughter married William Poole Henne at
Rathfarnham on 27 Jul 1853.
4 William Scriven, third son born circa 1818 married Anna Maria Fortescue,
daughter of William Henry Forterscue at St Mary’s Church, Dublin on 7 Apr 1853.
Anna Maria died 19 Dec 1887 and was buried at Mount Jerome. William secondly
married Ellen Marianne Butler, daughter of the Rev Edward Walter Butler at Zion
Church on 27 Dec 1888. Walter died 27 Dec 1894 and Ellen died 1 May 1913, both
were buried at Mount Jerome.
2 Mary Anne Scriven born circa 1796 died a spinster at Passage West on 6 Mar 1871.
3 Elizabeth Scriven born circa 1797 died a spinster at Passage West on 13 May 1869.
4 Sarah Scriven born circa 1761 unmarried in 1793.
5 Eliza Scriven youngest daughter born circa 1763 married John Evans of Stephens Green on
11 May 1787 in Dublin at St John’s Church.
1 John Evans took Holy orders and was the vicar of Rosstrevor.
1 Rev John Evans of Grassendale.
2 Edward Evans
3 Dora Evans married Thomas Disney.
Eliza secondly married Alexander Fitzgerald Crawford of Millwood, Fermanagh, son of Alexander
Crawford and Conolly Carleton. Alexander died in 1818 and Elizabeth late of Millwood and
Milltown House near Dublin died April 1845 in London.
2 Mervyn Archdall Nott Crawford
3 Carleton Thomas Crawford
4 William Conolly Crawford
5 Meta Crawford
6 Edward Scriven a minor in 1793 and mentioned in his father’s Will.
© June Bow & Karen Poff – March 2021