Tonson
Richard Tonson settled in Ireland in the latter half of the 17th century. He bought the Spanish Island estate in county Cork. Sir Bernard Burke states that his grandson, another Richard Tonson, was left a large property in 1718 by a friend of his grandfather's, Major Anthony Butler. As this Richard Tonson had no heirs he left his estates to a cousin of his mother's, Colonel William Hull, who took the surname Tonson and was created Baron Riversdale of Rathcormac in 1783. He married Rose Bernard of Castle Bernard, county Cork. Two of his sons succeeded as the 2nd and 3rd Barons. Ludlow Tonson, 3rd Baron and Bishop of Killaloe died unmarried in 1861. The title became extinct and his estates were inherited by William Thomas Jonas Stawell, second son of Colonel Alcock Stawell of Kilbrittain Castle. At the time of Griffith's Valuation the Reverend Lord Riversdale held lands in the parishes of Kilmaleery and Kilnasoolagh, barony of Bunratty Lower, county Clare and at least fifteen townlands in the parish of Rathcormack, barony of Barrymore, county Cork.
Associated Families
Houses
| Name | Townland | Civil Parish | PLU | DED | Barony | County | Map Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bride Villa | Bridgeland East | Rathcormack | Fermoy | Rathcormack 150 | Barrymore | Cork |
OSI Ref: W807 910
OS Sheet: 44 Discovery map: 81 |
|
| Lisnagar | Lisnagar Demesne | Rathcormack | Fermoy | Rathcormack 150 | Barrymore | Cork |
OSI Ref: W797 915
OS Sheet: 44 Discovery map: 80 |
|
| New Court | Reenamurragha | Aghadown | Skibbereen | Aghadown South 313 | West Carbery (East) | Cork |
OSI Ref: W080329
OS Sheet: 141 Discovery map: 89 |
|
| Butler's Gift | Baurnahulla | Dromdaleague | Skibbereen | Bredagh 299 | West Carbery East | Cork |
OSI Ref: W126457
OS Sheet: 119 Discovery map: 85 |
Archival sources
- J.H. Montgomery & Son, Solicitor’s Collection, includes rentals of Lord Riversdale's estate 1838, 1840-1842, abstracts of accounts & disbursements 1840-1843. Small Collection Index No 88, M.1142; National Archives of Ireland
- Copy of a grant of Arms by Garter to William Hull of Dunkettle, Co. Cork, to take the name and arms of Tonson in accordance with the will of Richard Tonson late of Dunkettle, Dec. 31, 1773. GO MS 103 p.100; National Library of Ireland
Contemporary printed sources
- ''GRIFFITH'S VALUATION OF IRELAND'[Primary Valuation of Tenements]', 1850-1858. : Barrymore Barony, 126 (Bridgeland East), 134 (Lisnagar Demesne)
- LEET, Ambrose. ''A directory to the market towns, villages, gentlemen's seats, and other noted places in Ireland''. Dublin: Printed by B. Smith, 1814 : 270 (Lisne-gar)
- LEWIS, Samuel. ''A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland''. London: S. Lewis & Co., 1837: II, 494 (Lisnegar)
- WILSON, William. ''The Post-Chaise Companion or Travellers Directory Through Ireland''. The author: Dublin, 1786 : 225 (Rathcormuck), 229 (New Court)
Modern printed sources
- BURKE, Sir Bernard. ''A genealogical history of the Dormant, Abeyant, Forfeited and Extinct Peerages of the British Empire''. London: Harrison, 1883: 534
- HAJBA, Anna-Maria. ''Historical Genealogical Architectural notes on some Houses of Cork. Volume I: North Cork''. Whitegate: Ballinakella Press, 2002: 84, 246