Benison
In the 18th century the Benison family were mill owners in the Ballyconnell area of county Cavan. The first family home was Mount Pleasant on the outskirts of Ballyconnell. In the 1880s, Slieve Russell House was built a little further out from the town. In the mid-19th century James Benison held land in the parishes of Tomregan and Templeport. In 1878, he owned 570 acres in county Cavan, 141 acres in county Armagh and 275 acres in county Leitrim. The Benisons had a connection with the well-known Arnold literary family when in 1890 James Benison’s daughter Josephine married, as his second wife, Tom Arnold (1823-1900), son of Dr Thomas Arnold, headmaster of Rugby School. Tom Arnold was a brother of the English poet Matthew Arnold and grandfather of Aldous Huxley. James Benison’s son John Joseph married twice, first to Marie Johnston of Arran View, county Clare and secondly to Mary Ross only child and heiress of Arthur Ellis of Slieve-an-Erin Lodge, county Leitrim and Tankerville, county Dublin. John Joseph was agent for the Lord Belmore's estate.
Associated Families
Houses
| Name | Townland | Civil Parish | PLU | DED | Barony | County | Map Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carn House | Carn | Kildallan | Bawnboy | Carn | Tullyhunco | Cavan |
OSI Ref: H297135
OS Sheet: Discovery map: 27A |
|
| Slieve Russell House | Gortawee or Scotchtown | Tomregan | Bawnboy | Ballyconnell | Tullyhaw | Cavan |
OSI Ref: H278199
OS Sheet: 10 Discovery map: 27A |
Archival sources
- Bundle of papers about sale of property at Inishmore, Co. Cavan, by executors of Robert Fawcett of Callow Hill, to Joseph A. Benison. 1905-1911. D1390/7/2; Public Record Office, Northern Ireland
- Documents relating to the Bennison family, Co. Cavan, mainly Commissions of the Peace, (1823–1912). 2001/68; National Archives of Ireland
- Two farm account books of the estate of Joseph A. Beniven, Slieve Russell, Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan, 1891–1909 1907–1916. 999/63; National Archives of Ireland
- Documents relating to property and interests of the Benison family of Slieve Russell, Co Cavan, 18th-20th centuries. 1063.; National Archives of Ireland
- Records of Clarke and Gordon, Solicitors, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, include 2 deeds re a corn mill at Ballyshannon, Co Donegal and John Myles and John Joseph Benison [1888, 1891]. D1096/65/1; Public Record Office, Northern Ireland
- Falls and Hanna, solicitors’ papers, include correspondence of John J Benison [the Belmore agent] of Slieve Russell, Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan, and Charles F. Falls re Earl of Belmore's estate, Ballyreagh, Co. Cavan, 1901-1905. D1390/21/2/2; Public Record Office, Northern Ireland
- Photocopies of genealogical notes on the family of Benison of Cos Clare and Cavan and allied families, compiled by Susan Ward. Ms 7100. ; Trinity College Dublin
- Correspondence of John J Benison [the Belmore agent] of Slieve Russell, Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan, and Charles F. Falls re Earl of Belmore's estate, Ballyreagh, Co. Cavan. 1901-1905. D1390/21/2/2; Public Record Office, Northern Ireland
- Letters to the 4th Earl Belmore (and sometimes to Lady Belmore) from the agent for his Co. Fermanagh estate, J.J. Benison, who writes mainly from Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan. 1872-1904. D3007/U; Public Record Office, Northern Ireland
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] : 29
- PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS. ''Return of Untenanted Lands in Rural Districts, Distinguishing Demesnes on Which There is a Mansion...'', HC 1906, c, 177: 203