Beecher/Becher
Burke's ''Irish Family Records'' and Smith both indicate that the Beechers were originally a Kent family. Fane Becher was granted over 12,000 acres in county Cork during the reign of Elizabeth I. Henry Beecher was granted land in West Carbery in 1669 and is recorded as the purchaser of land from Lord Kingston and Sir William Petty. In 1778 Mary daughter of John Townshend Becher of Creagh and Annisgrove, county Cork, married William Wrixon of Cecilstown, county Cork. She succeeded to the estates of her brother Henry Becher of Creagh. Their eldest son William Wrixon of Ballygiblin assumed the name of Becher and was made a baronet in 1831. He married an actress, Miss O'Neill, and had a number of children. Griffith's Valuation records Sir William Wrixon Beecher holding an estate in the parishes of Castlemagner, Clonfert, Kilmeen, Knocktemple and Subulter, barony of Duhallow, county Cork. Sir Henry Becher, who succeeded his father in 1850, was among the principal lessors in the parishes of Castlehaven, Aghadown, Creagh and Tullagh in the barony of West Carbery, county Cork. Sir William Becher also held land in the parish of Kilvellane, barony of Owney and Arra, county Tipperary. The estate of Sir Henry Wrixon Becher of Ballygiblin amounted to 18,933 acres in county Cork and 358 acres in county Tipperary in the 1870s. Michael A Becher held townlands in the parish of Kilmeen, barony of East Carbery and in the 1870s Michael R. A. Becher of Ballyduvane, Clonakilty owned over 2,000 acres in county Cork. In 1854 lands and mining interests, the property of Edward Baldwin Becher, were offered for sale in the Encumbered Estates Court, and includes a report on the mines of Coolaghmore and Coolaghbeg. The Freeman's Journal provides details of the purchasers of lots sold at auction, though it indicates that some lots were sold by private contract. In the 1870s the Becher estate in Cork (a combination of the Wrixon and Becher estates) amounted to over 18,000 acres while he also held lands in Tipperary. The estate of the representatives of the late John Beecher amounted to over 1600 acres in the 1870s. At the time of Griffith's Valuation, Edward and George Beecher were among the principal lessors in the parish of Kilcoe while Richard Beecher was the lessor of townlands in the parish of Skull. Eliza Beecher held several townlands in the parish of Kilgarriff, barony of Ibane & Barryroe, at the same time. In October 1851, 17,000 acres, the estate of Richard H. Hedges Beecher, was offered for sale in the Encumbered Estates Court. Lot 1 included the owner's house at Hollybrook. A sale of the remaining lots took place in February 1852 and included the house at Lakelands, leased to Richard O'Donovan Beecher. In April 1858, the house and demesne at Hollybrook were again offered for sale. The Freeman's Journal reports their purchase, in trust, by Robert Johnson. An extensive family history of both the Becher/Beecher and Wrixon families is given by Grove White and published in the ''Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society'' (1907) under Ballygiblin. The spelling Becher and Beecher are used almost interchangably thoughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Associated Families
Houses
| Name | Townland | Civil Parish | PLU | DED | Barony | County | Map Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glen | Glen Middle | Clear Island | Skibbereen | Cape Clear 314 | West Carbery (East) | Cork |
OSI Ref: V957213
OS Sheet: 153 Discovery map: 88 |
|
| Glenview | Smorane | Creagh | Skibbereen | Skibbereen Rural 309 | West Carbery (East) | Cork |
OSI Ref: W143350
OS Sheet: 142 Discovery map: 89 |
|
| Creagh House | Creagh | Creagh | Skibbereen | Skibbereen Rural 309 | West Carbery (East) | Cork |
OSI Ref: W 075311
OS Sheet: 141, 150 Discovery map: 88 |
|
| Oldcourt House | Oldcourt | Creagh | Skibbereen | Skibbereen Rural 309 | West Carbery (East) | Cork |
OSI Ref: W085318
OS Sheet: 141 Discovery map: 89 |
|
| Lough Hyne Cottage (Becher) | Barnabah | Tullagh | Skibbereen | Tullagh 316 | West Carbery (East) | Cork |
OSI Ref: W092288
OS Sheet: 143 Discovery map: 89 |
|
| Aghadown House | Aghadown | Aghadown | Skibbereen | Aghadown South 313 | West Carbery (East) | Cork |
OSI Ref: W049332
OS Sheet: 141 Discovery map: 88 |
|
| Gortnascreeny House | Gortnascreeny | Caheragh | Skibbereen | Gortnascreeny 306 | West Carbery (West) | Cork |
OSI Ref: W069461
OS Sheet: 119 Discovery map: 85 |
|
| Ballygiblin | Ballygiblin | Castlemagner | Kanturk | Roskeen 163 | Duhallow | Cork |
OSI Ref: R456 034
OS Sheet: 24 Discovery map: 73 |
|
| Assolas | Assolas | Castlemagner | Kanturk | Greenane 164 | Duhallow | Cork |
OSI Ref: R427 028
OS Sheet: 23 Discovery map: 73 |
|
| Castle Hyde | Castlehyde East | Litter | Fermoy | Castlehyde 129 | Condons & Clangibbon | Cork |
OSI Ref: W785 985
OS Sheet: 35 Discovery map: 80 |
|
| Abbey Cottage | Abbeystrowry | Abbeystrowry | Skibbereen | Skibbereen Rural 309 | West Carbery (East) | Cork |
OSI Ref: W100340
OS Sheet: 141 Discovery map: 88 |
|
| Lakelands | Kilnaclasha | Abbeystrowry | Skibbereen | Woodfort 311 | West Carbery (East) | Cork |
OSI Ref: W138363
OS Sheet: 141 Discovery map: 89 |
|
| Hollybrook | Maulbrack | Abbeystrowry | Skibbereen | Skibbereen Rural 309 | West Carbery (East) | Cork |
OSI Ref: W123366
OS Sheet: 141 Discovery map: 89 |
|
| Carriganear | Maulbrack | Abbeystrowry | Skibbereen | Skibbereen Rural 309 | West Carbury (East) | Cork |
OSI Ref: W115368
OS Sheet: 141 Discovery map: 89 |
|
| Ballyduvane | Ballyduvane | Kilgarriff | Clonakilty | Kilkerranmore 47 | Ibane & Barryroe | Cork |
OSI Ref: W358409
OS Sheet: 135 Discovery map: 89 |
|
| Ballyduvane House | Ballyduvane | Kilgarriff | Clonakilty | Kilkerranmore 47 | Ibane & Barryroe | Cork |
OSI Ref: W357404
OS Sheet: 135 Discovery map: 89 |
|
| Milane House | Milane | Fanlobbus | Dunmanway | Milane 126 | East Carbery (West) | Cork |
OSI Ref: W176506
OS Sheet: 107 Discovery map: 85 |
|
| Rock Castle | Knockroe | Inishannon | Bandon | Knockroe 8 | East Carbery (East) | Cork |
OSI Ref: W560542
OS Sheet: 111 Discovery map: 86 |
|
| Killeena | Creagh | Creagh | Skibbereen | Skibbereen Rural 309 | West Carbery (East) | Cork |
OSI Ref: W070304
OS Sheet: 150 Discovery map: 88 |
Archival sources
- H.R. Moulton Collection, includes marriage settlement of Edward Beecher, Rock Castle, Co Cork & Mary Baldwin, daughter of William Baldwin of Castle Townsend, Co Cork, 16 Feb 1811. D.3698 ; National Archives of Ireland
- "Photostat" copy of a grant of lands in the barony of West Carbury, Co. Cork, to Henry Beecher, (c. 1669). National Library of Ireland, D. 8789 ; National Library of Ireland
- Encumbered Estates Court Rentals (O'Brien, Becher [Beecher], 10 October 1851, Vol 11, MRGS 39/004, (microfilm copy in NUIG) ; National Archives of Ireland
- Encumbered Estates Court Rentals (O'Brien, Becher [Beecher], 20 February 1852, Vol 13, MRGS 39/006, (microfilm copy in NUIG) ; National Archives of Ireland
- Encumbered Estates' Court Rentals (O'Brien), Beecher, 10 April 1858, Vol 51, MRGS 39/025, (microfilm copy in NUIG) ; National Archives of Ireland
- Encumbered Estates' Court Rentals (O'Brien), Becher, 5 May 1854, Vol 27, MRGS 39/0012, (microfilm copy in NUIG); National Archives of Ireland
- Landed Estates’ Court Rentals (O’Brien), Becher, (Lisballyhay & Ballyhoura), 4 July 1874, Vol 116 (20), MRGS 39/053, (microfilm copy in NUIG); National Archives of Ireland
- Collection of Co Cork leases & other legal documents, principally relating to the Bernard family but also to members of the Gookin, Buckworth, Stammers, Sealy, Beecher, Hedges, Stepney, Champagne, Fitzgerald, Daunt, McCarthy, Sanders, Webb, Bouchier & Baldwin families, 1709-1829. IE BL/SC/CB/1-30 ; University College Cork, Boole Library Archives
- Copy of royal licence to William Wrixon called William Wrixon Becher to bear the name and arms of Becher, Sept. 29, 1831. GO Ms.151, pp.189 & 199-201 ; National Library of Ireland
- Copy of grant of arms to William Wrixon Becher of Ballygiblen, Co. Cork on his assuming under Royal Licence the right to the name Becher instead of Wrixon, Nov. 24, 1831. GO Ms.107, pp.56-7 ; National Library of Ireland
- Pedigree of Wrixon, later Wrixon Becher of Ballygiblin, Cecilstown and Creagh in Co. Cork, c.1700 - 1831. GO Ms.173, pp.148-9 ; National Library of Ireland
- Detailed abstracts of wills of Becher of Dublin and of Aghadown and Shirkin in Co. Cork, 1705 - 1725. GO Ms.139, pp.87-8 ; National Library of Ireland
- Detailed abstracts of wills of Jermyn of Rugsmore and Aghadown in Co. Cork and Becher of Aghadown, Co. Cork, 1782 - 1842. GO Ms.141, p.210 ; National Library of Ireland
- "Photostat" copy of a grant of lands in the barony of West Carbury, Co. Cork, to Henry Beecher, (c. 1669). D.8789; National Library of Ireland
- Rentals and accounts of the estate of Major General Sir Richard Bourke, in Cos. Limerick and Tipperary. Daniel Barrington and Malachy Hogan agents, 1831-1834, 1837-1838. Bourke Papers, Ms. 19,790-19,798 ; National Library of Ireland
- Irish Tourist Association files, Parishes of Aughadown, Castlemagner, Skibbereen; Cork County Library
Contemporary printed sources
- HUSSEY DE BURGH, U. H. ''The Landowners of Ireland. An alphabetical list of the owners of estates of 500 acres or £500 valuation and upwards in Ireland''. Dublin: Hodges, Foster and Figgis, 1878. [available online at www.askaboutireland.ie] : 28, 484
- ''GRIFFITH'S VALUATION OF IRELAND'[Primary Valuation of Tenements]', 1850-1858. : West Carbery (East) Barony: 1 (Abbeystrowry), 15 (Kilnaclasha), 18 (Maulbrack), 65 (Glen Middle), 71 (Creagh), 91 (Old Court & Smorane)
- PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS. ''Return of owners of land of one acre and upwards, in the several counties .... in Ireland''. HC 1876, LXXX: 117, 138, 158
- ''GRIFFITH'S VALUATION OF IRELAND'[Primary Valuation of Tenements]', 1850-1858. : West Carbery (West) Barony: 4 (Gortnascreeny)
- ''GRIFFITH'S VALUATION OF IRELAND'[Primary Valuation of Tenements]', 1850-1858. : Barony of Duhallow, 1 (Assolas & Ballymagiblin)
- LEET, Ambrose. ''A directory to the market towns, villages, gentlemen's seats, and other noted places in Ireland''. Dublin: Printed by B. Smith, 1814 : 14 (Assolass), 41 (Ballygiblin), 218, 337 (Rock Castle)
- LEWIS, Samuel. ''A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland''. London: S. Lewis & Co., 1837: Abbeystrowry Parish, Vol.I, 5. Ballinadee Parish, Vol. I, 107, Ballygiblin & Assolas Vol.I, 303 Kilgarriff Parish. Vol.II, 96.
- PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS. ''Return of Untenanted Lands in Rural Districts, Distinguishing Demesnes on Which There is a Mansion...'', HC 1906, c, 177: 249 (Glen East & Gortnadrohid), 250 (Creagh), 234 (Castlehyde East), 238 (Ballygibbin)
- ''GRIFFITH'S VALUATION OF IRELAND'[Primary Valuation of Tenements]', 1850-1858. : East Carbery (West) Barony: 106 (Milane)
- SLATER, Isaac. ''Royal National Directory of Ireland: List of the principal seats''. (Manchester: 1894) : xxii, 227 (Ballyduvane), xxv, 182 (Creagh House)
- SMITH, Charles, M.D. ''The ancient and present state of the county and city of Cork. Containing a natural, civil, ecclesiastical, historical and topographical description thereof ''. First published 1750. This edition published Cork: John Connor, 1815: 54
- PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS. ''15th Annual Report of the Commissioners of Public Records Ireland,'' 1825. Vol XVI, Appendix I, Grants under Acts of Settlement: 212
- PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS. ''15th Annual Report of the Commissioners of Public Records Ireland,'' 1825. Vol XVI, Appendix III. Abstracts of the conveyances from the trustees of the Forfeited Estates and Interests in Ireland in 1688'.: 360
- TAYLOR, George & SKINNER, Andrew. ''Maps of the Roads of Ireland, surveyed in 1777 and corrected down to 1783''. Facsimile of 2nd edition. Shannon: Irish University Press, 1969: 173
- WILSON, William. ''The Post-Chaise Companion or Travellers Directory Through Ireland''. The author: Dublin, 1786 : 230 (Cree), 242 (Hollybrook)
Modern printed sources
- MOSLEY, Charles (ed). ''Burke's Peerage and Baronetage''. Crans, Switzerland: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd, 1999: II, 3076-3077
- BENCE-JONES, Mark. ''A Guide to Irish Country Houses''. Revised ed. London: Constable, 1988. : 14, 22, 79, 94 (Creagh)
- HAJBA, Anna-Maria. ''Historical Genealogical Architectural notes on some Houses of Cork. Volume I: North Cork''. Whitegate: Ballinakella Press, 2002: 37, 52
- MONTGOMERY-MASSINGBERD, Hugh (ed). ''Burke's Irish Family Records''. London: Burke's Peerage, 1976: 99-102
- ''Jnl. of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society''.: Historical and Topographical Notes, etc on Buttevant, Doneraile, Mallow and Places in their vicinity. Collected by James Grove White (c 1906). XIII, 2nd Series (1907), 177-192 (Ballygiblin)
- ''Jnl. of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society''.: O’FLANAGAN, J. Roderick. Recollections of Castle Hyde. I, 2nd Series (1895), 200-207
- Historical Manuscripts Commission Reports: Petition of Lt. Col. Phane Beecher, for compensation for his losses in Ireland due in part to Lord Inchiquin. 1648 or 1649. Portland Manuscript. 1891
- FFOLLIOTT, Rosemary. ''The Pooles of Mayfield and other Irish families''. Dublin: Hodges Figgis, 1958. : Details of Becher family in London and county Cork up to eighteenth century.
- ''Weekly Irish Times'': 11 June 1938 Castle Hyde
- ''Skibbereen & District Historical Society Journal'': CASEY, William. A history of Aughadown House. VI (2010), pp.1-10
- WALFORD, Edward. 'The County families of the United Kingdom''. London: Chatto and Windus, 1885): p.70
- ''Freeman's Journal'': Encumbered Estates Court sale reports, 6 May 1854, p.4. , 26 March 1858, p.4.
- ''Irish Independent'': O'Brien, Jim. Home to Cork's Knights Templar - Assolas. Friday, 27 May 2022, Property, pp.1-2.