JOYNT is a
French Protestant Huguenot surname. The earliest record of the name in Ireland
goes back to William Joynt, born c. 1623, a sheriff of Co. Limerick, who
was appointed commissioner for putting into execution the Poll-Money Ordinances
of 1660 and 1661. He probably settled at Lismollane, near Cahirconlish. Two of
his children were probably Christopher Joynt and Deborah Joynt, born
1650s. Deborah married Lewis Roberts and had a son, William Roberts, born
c.1699. William Joynt’s wife may have been a Hampson.
Christopher Joynt (1654-1706)
Christopher
Joynt of Tiermore, near Askeaton, Limerick, left a will dated 1706 in which he
named his wife (Anne Stokes?), four children and brother-in-law, Robert Stokes
of Cork City. His children were Dudley, Ellen, Alice and Anne, born late 1680s
or 1690s. Ellen may have married Francis Taylor c.1709.
Dudley Joynt (1694/1704-1760) and Rose Galbraith (born c. 1700)
Dudley
Joynt married Rose Galbraith, 19 May 1729. Rose was the daughter of Major Hugh
Galbraith of Cappard, Galway (an officer in William III’s army). Major Hugh
Galbraith abducted his wife, Catherine Persse, daughter of Rev. Dudley Persse,
Dean of Kilmacduagh, 1662-1700 and Archdeacon of Tuam, 1662-1670 and his wife
Sarah Crofton, daughter of John Crofton of Lissardorn Castle, Roscommon. Dudley
Joynt leased lands from Wyndam Quinn at Ballivohir (10 October 1746) near Beagh
Castle on the banks of the River Shannon, north of Ballinacourty where he
lived. Ballinacourty was a townland next to the townland of Beagh in the parish of Ballysteen (Iverus). Dudley Joynt died 28 June 1760 aged 56 at Ballinacourty and is buried in
a vault next to Beagh Church (in the modern townland of Ballysteen). His eldest son,
Christopher Joynt (born c.1731), inherited and by his marriage settlement (1
April 1761) with Margaret Cummone from Mount Buda, Limerick, settled the land
upon his wife. Margaret remarried 1770, Michael Adams of Farihee. Christopher
Joynt died 19 May 1761, aged 30, without issue, and the land was divided between his four
brothers (Hugh, James, William and Dudley). Two daughters were Rose and Alice.
The children were born 1730s and 1740s. Dudley Joynt
married Mary Lacy, 14 February 1768, the daughter of Elizabeth Lacy of
Rathkeale.
Hugh Joynt (born c. 1732) and ? Davenport
Dudley Joynt’s second eldest son, Hugh
Joynt, of Askeaton, conveyed his quarter interest in the inherited property
to his sister-in-law, Margaret Cummone Joynt in 1769. He leased a house, garden
and park called ‘Gortenourish’ in Askeaton (20 August 1771). He sold a property
at Mullogh, southeast of Shanagolden, and a house and farm in East Greaves to
his son, Dudley Joynt. His wife’s surname may have been Davenport. He died
before 1804. His children: Dudley, Christopher and Thomas Joynt.
James Joynt (c. 1734-1809) and Mary Ardesoif
Dudley Joynt’s third eldest son, James Joynt, born c. 1734, died between April and July 1809, and lived in Hollymount, Loughrea, Galway. His first wife was Mary Ardesoif (possibly the daughter of Abraham and Dinah Ardesoif, née Plummer of Athenry, Galway). A marriage settlement deed dated 12 September 1781, links him with the Annesley family. His third wife (1781) was Jane Amelia Annesley.
James Joynt’s children from his first marriage: James Galbraith Joynt, a Sgt. Maj. 1804, a Lt. 1805, served at Copenhagen during the Peninsular War period, 1801, retired on half pay from the 103rd Regiment in 1818 after fighting in the War of 1812, Lietenant Colonel of the Richmond Militia, Ontario, Canada;
John Persse Ardesoif Joynt born c.1770, also known as John Plummer, died 30 March 1841 at New Orleans, Louisiana, married Elizabeth Lancaster who died at Ashgrove, 30 November 1826, four children: James John Persse (born c.1808), Anne (born c.1813 died 17 November 1831 buried at Drumcree), Charlotte (married William Joyce, 1824) and Sarah Lancaster married James Joynt in Hull, Canada, 24 September 1835 of Richmond, Upper Canada;
Andrew Joynt, born c.1773 in Galway, died 29 July 1847 in Ontario, Canada, married Mary Power, daughter of John Power, 7 February 1796 who died 11 May 1803, later married Mary Stack the widow of John Stack of Ennis, 10 July 1803, a cloth merchant of Limerick and Ennis, moved to Canada c.1820, father of James Joynt;
Rose Joynt married April 1789, Lt. Anthony Lennon, later a linen manufacturer of Athlone. Rose and Anthony Lennon had a daughter, Thomasina Lennon, born c.1810 married her cousin, James John Persse Joynt, 1829.
James Joynt and his third wife, Jane Annesley, had two children:
Richard Annesley Joynt (married Jane Frazer, daughter of Col. James and Jane
Frazer of Conville, Cork, one surviving child Richard Annesley Joynt, born
c.1817 a student at Dublin University in 1832) and Dudley Joynt, died 1849,
married a Persse of Spring Garden and later a Frazer, sister of his
sister-in-law, from whom he had six children: Anna, Margaret, Harriet, Isabel,
Eliza and Charles Robert Joynt (born c.1825, married a daughter of Lawrence
Smith and settled on the Annesley land in Ballysax, Kildare). James John Persse
Joynt died 7 October 1878 at Belfast, Antrim. He married his first cousin, Thomasina, in Armagh who died aged 22 and was buried at Boyle, Roscommon. There
was one child, William Joynt, born c. April 1830 buried Drumcree, April 1832.
He later married Margaret Ann Joyce of Clonmore, Tyrone, 14 September 1831. She
died 19 August 1860 aged 58. Of this marriage there were six children: Alice,
born c.1832 died 7 May 1908 married Samuel Mendary in 1869; Mary Eliza, born
c.1835 died unmarried at Belfast, 14 July 1895; James Lancaster, born c.1838
died at Belfast 15 October 1910 married Hannah Sophia; John Persse Joynt buried
5 March 1867, probably unmarried; Cardwell born c.1843 buried Drumcree and
William living in New Zealand in 1878. James Joynt left a will 1878-79.
William Joynt (1738-1782/4) and Elizabeth O’Donnell
The fourth son, William Joynt, a tallow chandler, married Elizabeth O’Donnell lived at Rathkeale in Co. Limerick and died 1782-84. They had ten known children: Dudley (bapt. 29 March 1766 at Rathkeale; died by 1782); Margaret (private bapt. 27 June 1767); Ann (private bapt. 17 May 1768, buried 22 July 1768 at Rathkeale); Ann (bapt. 5 November 1769); Elizabeth (bapt. 12 December 1776); William (bapt. 24 February 1777); John (buried 24 February 1777 St. John’s Church, Limerick City); Rose (married David Herbert of Limerick City, 30 August 1786 and later Anthony (Michael) Sheehan of Ennis, whose will mentioned sons Michael, Anthony, John and James Sheehan); James (buried 5 June 1785); John O’Donnell (married Mary? Ready, 4 September 1808); Hugh and another.
The eldest surviving son, William Joynt, buried 11 January 1835 at St John's, Limerick City, married Mary Hehir, 13 November 1795. In the 1820s, he is described as a chandler living at Broad St. in Limerick City. There are six known children. The eldest is William Joynt who died c.1843. This William Joynt jun. owned a salt house and store in Broad St. Limerick City from 1820-1824. From 1827-1828 he had a house and premises in Sir Harry's Mall. Four others died young (buried 17 February 1806, 22 September 1812, 4 October 1812 and 8 August 1816 all at St. John’s). A daughter, Clarissa Joynt, married Michael Arthur, 9 December 1826. Griffith's Valuation (1852) lists a Montague Joynt leasing a house, office and yard from the Commissioners of Charitable Bequests at 1 Broad St. at Irishtown in the parish of St. John's worth £17 a year. Listed as well is a William Joynt who leased a house at 6 Sir Harry's Mall at Englishtown in the parish of St. Mary's worth £15 a year.
The eldest son, William Joynt, married Arabella Lane (daughter of Richard Lane, chandler and merchant of Limerick City), 2 March 1824 at St John’s and had six children:
William Lane Joynt, bapt. 6 January 1825, leased a house, office and yard in 1852 from Mary Unthank at 36 Thomas St. Prior's Land in the parish of St. Michael's worth £25 a year; married Jane Russell (daughter of merchant John Russell; she died 25 July 1875) 13 May 1854, Lord Mayor of Dublin; in 1867, a Crown & Treasury solicitor for Ireland; c. 1870 he owned 1042 acres of land in Co. Limerick; died 7 January 1895 and buried at St John's Church of Ireland, Limerick City;
Mary Joynt (bapt.19 February 1826, married William Homan 1847);
Arabella Joynt (bapt. 19 December 1826 at St. Mary's Cathedral, Limerick City died at Limerick 1870);
Rose Galbraith Joynt (bapt. 13 June 1830 at St. Mary’s, married John Raleigh James 22 February 1855);
Elizabeth Joynt (bapt. 12 February 1832 at St. Mary's married John William De Courcy in April 1856)
Jane Joynt (bapt. 13 October 1833 at St. Mary's married Michael Glynn of Killruch, 2 May 1858).
On 13 May 1837 Arabella Joynt was fined a pound for taking unfinished articles of lacework in pawn. From 1846 to 1856, Arabella Joynt, née Lane owned a pawnbrokers at 4 Sir Harry’s Mall in Limerick City.
Christopher Joynt (c. 1764-1809) and Susanna Dartnell (born c. 1770)
Christopher Joynt, the second son of Hugh Joynt and a Davenport, born c.1764, was a tallow chandler and shopkeeper of Rathkeale. He married before 11 December 1792, Susanna Dartnell, the second daughter of Edward Dartnell and Elizabeth Greatraks. He died 4 November 1809.
Christopher and Susanna Joynt had nine children, baptized at Rathkeale:
Edward (bapt. 18 February 1796);
Dudley Galbraith/Gilbreath, called Gilbert (bapt. 18 February 1797) married Grace Ferguson, 1827;
Christopher (bapt. 9 March 1798);
Catherine (bapt. 21 June 1801);
Susanna (bapt. 18 February 1803);
Hugh (bapt. 3 February 1805, died before 1806);
Hugh (bapt. 17 June 1806, married Mary Fitzpatrick, died 1864, went to Canada then New England);
Ellen Dartnell (bapt. 7 February 1808, died unmarried 18 June 1883 in Dublin);
Susan (bapt. 21 January 1809).
Dudley Galbraith Joynt (1797-c. 1867) and Grace Ferguson
Dudley Galbraith Joynt and Grace Ferguson had
four daughters: Catherine Joynt (born c. 1830-1907) married Michael Fitzgibbon
(1822-1898), Grace (born 1835), Susan Joynt (1838-1905) married Richard
Fitzgibbon (1830-1900) and Mary (born 1840). Dudley G. Joynt emigrated to the
US before 1855 and lived in the State of New York where he died c.1867. Two
daughters emigrated as well, Grace and Mary Joynt.
Christopher Joynt (born 1798) and Elizabeth O’Connor
Christopher Joynt (bapt. 1798), a
stonemason, married Elizabeth O’Connor in the Roman Catholic church at
Rathkeale, 29 July 1819. The witnesses were David Ferguson and Elizabeth’s
sister, Ellen O'Connor. There would seem to
have been a brother Timothy O’Connor as well. Six children are known:
Christopher (born c.1821), Alice (bapt. 18 Jan. 1823 - witnesses Charles
Ferguson and Ellen Joynt), Ann (born 1 January 1829), Margaret (born c.
1831), Dudley and Hugh. Alice and perhaps her brother Christopher Joynt as well
emigrated to America.
Margaret Joynt (1831-1899) and Michael Dollaher (c. 1817-1863/4)
Margaret Joynt married Michael Dollaher (born
1817), 18 October 1847 at St Michael's in Limerick. She emigrated to
Tasmania in 1865 aged 34, a widow with five children, via the Grassmere.
Her children, born in Ireland, were as follows: Hanorah (bapt. 13 October 1845,
married John Grant in Franklin, Tasmania, 19 January 1866); Anne (bapt. 1
October 1850); John (born c.1853, married Emma Snow in Hobart, 21 June 1898);
Elizabeth (born c.1857, married Robert Lillye in Hobart, 3 February 1879);
Margaret (bapt. 19 April 1859, married Henry John Smart in Hobart, 21 February
1882) and Michael (bapt. 15 April 1861, married Sarah Bateman). Margaret
Dollaher, née Joynt remarried at Franklin, 21 September 1866. From her second
husband, Denis Donovan, she had one son, William, born at Castle Forbes Bay, 16
December 1866. Margaret Donovan died at St John’s Park, New Town, 27 July 1899.
Pigot's Directory of Ireland, published in 1824, gives the following information about Rathkeale. The public buildings are the church of the establishment, a small but neat edifice, at the entrance of the town, on the Newcastle road; and the Catholic chapel, an unadorned but commodious building, erected about eleven years ago. The greater part of Rathkeale is the property of J. Piggott, esq. of the county of Worchester. The market, which is held on Saturday, is well supplied. Among the professional gentlemen there were three attorneys and one junior attorney; two doctors and two surgeons and apothecaries. There were two corn merchants and millers. Among the shopkeepers and traders: a china and earthenware dealer, three bakers, five hardware dealers, a wheelwright, ten linen drapers, a grocer, fourteen publicans, a boot and shoe maker, an oil and colourman, a grocer salt manufacturer and tanner (David Ferguson - a witness to the marriage of Christopher and Elizabeth Joynt), a carpenter and builder, two leather sellers, a parish clerk, a watch and clock maker, two pawnbrokers, an inn and livery stable keeper, four woollen drapers, three grocers and spirit dealers, a printer, a grocer and innkeeper, a grocer and stamp distributor, a saddler, an apothecary, a tobacconist and tallow chandler, a bolting miller, a haberdasher, two millwrights, a coach maker and an ironmonger. A car left from Rathkeale for Limerick at six every morning returning at three in the afternoon. Another car left Rathkeale for Newcastle at three every afternoon and returned at six every morning.
Samuel Lewis, Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1837)
RATHKEALE, a market and post-town, and a parish, in the barony of LOWER CONNELLO, county of LIMERIC , and province of LEINSTER, 14 miles (S. W. by W.) from Limerick, and 93¾ (W.) from Dublin; containing 8800 inhabitants, of which number, 4972 are in the town. It was a place of importance from a very early period, being the site of a priory of Augustinian canons of the order of Aroasia, founded and endowed with 12 marks annually by Gilbert Harvey, in 1289, and farther endowed by Eleanor Purcell, a descendent of Harvey, who also caused it to be dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The town and neighbouring district formed part of the possessions of the Earls of Desmond, who had three strong castles in the town, one of which was intended to guard the passage of the Deel. After the battle of Monasternenagh, fought in 1579 between Sir Nich. Malby and Sir John Desmond, the latter fled to this place, whither he was pursued and forced to retreat to Askeaton, where he was again defeated by Sir Geo. Carew. On the landing of the Spaniards at Smerwick, in 1580, the queen's forces, commanded by the Lord-Deputy Grey, the Earl of Ormonde, and others, assembled here, and on the Lord-Deputy leaving the place, Capt. (afterwards Sir Walter) Raleigh remained behind in ambush and surprised a number of the Irish who had collected to plunder the deserted camp, for which gallant service the corporation presented him with the freedom of the town, and he in return repaired the castles of Rathkeale and Matrix. In 1654, the town was fixed on for the place of election for the member to represent the counties of Limerick, Clare, and Kerry in Cromwell's parliament, into which he proposed to introduce 100 members for Ireland: but though the corporation is frequently noticed in history, nothing is known of its origin, charter, or constitution, further than that it was disfranchised by Cromwell, on the ground that the town had refused his army a sufficient supply of provisions, and its privileges were never after restored.
The town is situated on the mail road from Limerick to Tralee, on both sides of the river Deel; in population it is second only to Limerick in the county; it consists principally of a single street, a mile in length, with smaller streets and lanes branching from it. The river passes through the middle of the main street, and is crossed by a bridge now in a dilapidated and dangerous state. There are several large and handsome houses, most of which are uninhabited, and a few good shops; but the town in general presents a poor and mean appearance: a number of Palatines settled in the town and neighbourhood, whose neat cottages and farmsteads form a striking contrast to most of the adjacent dwellings. The market, which is large and well supplied, is held on Thursday, the fairs are on Feb. 7th, April 4th, June 1st and 19th , Aug.5th, Sept. 18th, and Nov. 18th; those of June 19th, and Sept., which are chiefly for horses, are very much frequented; those of April and Sept are for horned cattle, great numbers being sold; the remaining fairs are chiefly for sheep and pigs; all the transactions in the market and fairs are carried on in the open street. The town is a chief constabulary police station; the quarter sessions for the district are held in it in January, March, June and October; and petty sessions every Thursday. The court-house is a large and convenient old building, but much out of repair. The bridewell is one of the largest in the county containing three day-rooms, three airing-yards, and eight cells: it is under good regulations. The fever hospital, built in 1830 near the town, at an expense of £400, has accommodation for 25 intern patients; and there is a dispensary.
Rathkeale, 1850s
The parish comprises 10,705 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued at £11,868 per annum. The surface is undulating : the soil in some parts light, in others a stiff clay. About five out of eight parts of the land are under tillage; two in meadow, demesnes and plantations; and one is rough pasture and marsh; besides which there are about 120 acres of common; and 100 of exhausted bog. The system of agriculture is improving, the principal crops are wheat, potatoes, oats, and barley, with some flax and clover. The population is almost wholly agricultural, the only manufacture being that of linen on a small scale for domestic use. The flour-mill at Castle Matras has been fitted up by the proprietor, J. Southwell Brown, Esq., in the most complete manner and with the most improved machinery, which is propelled by the current of the river Deel: the mill can grind 20,000 barrels of wheat annually, and gives employment to 100 persons. A lead mine at Curraghnadaly, a mile from Rathkeale, is about to be worked : there are indications of the same metal at Mount Brown, three miles distant. The surrounding country is highly interesting, presenting a number of rich and varied prospects embellished with numerous seats and flourishing woods and plantations : the most remarkable are Beechmount, the residence of T. Lloyd, Esq.; Ballywilliam, of T. M. Maunsell, Esq.; Mount Brown, of J. S. Brown, Esq.; the glebe-house, of the Rev. C. Warburton, chancellor of the diocese; Knocknakilla, of the family of the late T. Studdart Esq.; Rathkeale Abbey, the property of the representatives of the late Geo. Lake, Esq., and the residence of J. Hewson, Esq., Wilton House, of W. K. Brown Esq.; Deansfort, of Mrs. Brown; Mount Southwell of F. Brown, Esq., Enniscoush, of J. Hewson Esq., Stoneville, of H. Massy, Esq., the Glebe Castle, of the Rev C. T. Coghlan, tbe incumbent of the adjoining parish of Kilscannel, the origin of the singular name of which has not been ascertained; and Castle Matras, or Matrix, also of J. Southwell Brown, Esq. castle, which stands about a mile from the town, was erected in the reign of Elizabeth, and is a square castellated building, 90 feet high; it was besieged by Cromwell, but the only traces of injury it retains are the marks of a few cannon shot. It stands on a prominent situation on the banks of the Deel, forming a picturesque object in the landscape, and commanding extensive views of the surrounding country, including the Shannon and the Clare and Tipperary mountains; it has lately been put into a state of complete repair, in doing which due attention was paid to observe its original character by its proprietor, who proposes to make it his permanent residence. All these are within the parish; not far distant from the town are Altavilla, the residence of T.G. Bateman Esq.; Riddlestown, of Gerald Blennerhassett, Esq.; Clonard, of J. F. Massey, Esq.; Elm Hill, of I. Studdert, Esq., Glenville, of John Massey, Esq.; Cahermoyle, of W. Smith O'Brien, Esq.; and Nantinan House, of T. H. Royse, Esq.
The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Limerick, united from time immemorial to the rectories and vicarages of Kilscannel, Clounagh, and Clounshire, and to the rectory of Dundonnell, together constituting the union of Rathkeale and the corps of the chancellorship of the cathedral of Limerick, in the patronage of the Bishop. The tithes amount to £656. 6. 2., and of the benefice to £1247. 13. The glebe-house was erected in 1819, by aid of a gift of £100 and a loan of £1500 from the late Board of First Fruits : the glebe comprises 10 acres, in two portions, one near the church, on which the Glebe Castle stands; the other a mile distant, on which the glebe-house is built. The church is a very handsome edifice, in the early English style, with a lofty square tower, embattled and crowned with crocketed pinnacles: it was erected in 1831, near the site of the former church, and is built of black marble raised from a quarry on the river's bank near the town: it stands on a gentle eminence west of the river, close to the old site of Castle-Southwell. In the R. C. divisions the parish is the head of a union or district, comprising also part of Kilscannell parish, and the whole of the ancient parishes of Rathnasaire and Kilcoleman. The chapel, an ancient and plain building, with a new front, is in the town; in which there are also places of worship for Wesleyan Methodists and Independents. There are two free schools under the London Hibernian Society, and a school supported by Col. White : in these schools are about 140 boys and 100 girls : there are also nine private schools, in which are about 200 boys and 70 girls. At the upper end of the Main-street are the ruins of the ancient priory, already noticed; the tower and western gable are complete, and the side walls nearly so, but the building was small and its architectural details are by no means interesting. Two miles to the north of the town are the fine ruins of Liosnacoille castle, built by the Mac Sheehys, who were introduced into this part of the country by the seventh Earl of Desmond in 1420; and two miles to the south is Ballyallinan Castle, on the eastern bank of the Deel, built by the O'Hallinans; the latter was taken in 1600 from Rory Mac Sheehy, by Dermot O'Connor, in execution of a plan for delivering the Sugan Earl of Desmond to the English, but he was shortly after besieged in it, and compelled by his own followers to surrender.
Griffith's Valuation (1852) in Co. Limerick
| Occupier | Lessor | Parish | Townland | Address | Property | Annual Value |
| Margaret | William Hewson | Askeaton | Cloonreask | 59 Muscle Lane | house | 10/- |
| Michael | William Hewson | Askeaton | Cloonreask | 58 Muscle Lane | house | 6/- |
| Edward | William Gabbett | St. Michael's, Limerick City | Prior's Land | 17 Brunswick Street | house, office, yard | £33 |
| James | William Gabbett | St. Michael's, Limerick City | Prior's Land | 16 Brunswick Street | house, stores, yard | £51 |
| William L. | Mary Unthank | St. Michael's, Limerick City | Prior's Land | 36 Thomas Street | house, office, yard | £25 |
| Dudley | George Bunton | St. Michael's, Limerick City | Prior's Land | 43 Thomas Street | house, office, yard | £48 |
| William | Hugh Russell | St. Mary's, Limerick City | Englishtown | 6 Sir Harry's Mall | house | £15 |
| Montague | Comm. of Charitable Bequests | St. John's, Limerick City | Irishtown | 1 Broad Street | house, office, yard | £17 |