Thomas Tyquin, Tithe Martyr

Source: Noel MacMahon, "In the Shadow of the Fairy Hill, Shinrone and Ballingarry - A History", pp 108-111.

After the passing of Catholic Emancipation in 1829, it was reasonable to expect that there would be an improvement in the economic and social life of the country. However, this was not to happen quickly. Catholic tenant farmers and cottiers considered it most unjust that in addition to paying their rent, they should still be forced to pay an annual tax on the produce of their land, known as the Tithe, towards the upkeep of the Protestant Established Church. Moreover, they resented the manner in which the Tithe was assessed and collected. It was levied on tillage, on which the majority of people depended for food and rent, whereas the large "graziers", invariably Protestant, were exempt from paying the tax. Another reason for discontent was that the valuing of crops for Tithe purposes was left to the despised Proctors, or tax collectors, who got a percentage of the money they collected and often valued unfairly in their own interests. The Tithe varied from district to district and from time to time and was paid in kind, in corn mostly and potatoes. (Ignatius Murphy, The Diocese of Killaloe 1800-1850, p 14)

In November 1835, Mr. Smith, agent for the Rev. William Brownlow Savage, Rector of the Union of Shinrone, Kilcommon and Kilmurry, filed two bills for tithes against Mr. Thomas Tiquin, a prominent businessman from Rusheen, Kilcommon. The foundations of the mill and house where Tiquin and his family carried on a successful milling business can still be seen at the Three Roads in the townland of Rusheen. The total sum claimed amounted to one pound, twelve shillings and eight pence. Tiquin refused to pay the tithes and a court case followed. Despite being defended by the eminent Q.C., Mr. Rolleston of Glasshouse, Tiquin lost his case, was arrested, and confined in the barracks at Shinrone, before being transferred to Newgate prison now known as Kilmainham. The details of the court case remain unclear, but it seems that Tiquin was convicted on a legal technicality, which was regarded as being most unjust at the time. Furthermore, the fact that legal costs were awarded against Tiquin aroused considerable anger amongst those demanding reform of the Tithes. The trial and imprisonment so affected Tiquin, that despite being 'one of the finest young men in the King's County, upward of six feet two inches in height, and the idol of his neighbourhood', he died shortly after his imprisonment. (Valentine Trodd, Midlanders, pp 13-14)

Daniel 0' Connell and the Catholic Association, realised that the indignation which the trial and death of Tiquin had aroused could be used to bring added pressure on the Government to abolish the Tithes. The coffin, borne in a plain hearse, drawn by four black-plumed horses, left Dublin on Thursday evening. Four placards were attached to the hearse bearing the inscription, "Funeral of Mr. Thomas Tiquin of Shinrone, in King's County, who died on Thursday 30th May, 1837, while under imprisonment in the Four Courts, Marshalsea, Dublin. For The Tithes". The funeral was followed by Mr. Rey, the Assistant Secretary of the Catholic Association, along with two other associates.

While on its way to Shinrone, stopping over in Kildare on the Thursday and Mountrath on the Friday, thousands of people, on foot, on horseback and in cars, carriages and gigs, accompanied the cortege. On the Saturday, Tiquin's two brothers, together with his wife Maryanne and other relatives arrived in Roscrea to await the arrival of the funeral from Mountrath. The Catholic Association had arranged that the funeral should proceed through Shinrone and Dunkerrin, but the family decided that the remains should be taken directly from Roscrea to Birr and then on to the family burial grounds at "All Saints" in Banagher.

On the Saturday, while hundreds prayed in the chapels of Shinrone and Roscrea for the "victim who so nobly sacrificed himself for his country", hundreds of friends and neighbours from Shinrone proceeded to Mountrath, Castletown and Borris-inOssory to accompany the remains to the church in Roscrea. Among the cortege were Fr. 0' Meara and Fr. Kelly, Roscrea, Fr. Dore, C.C. Shinrone, Fr. Nolan, Dunkerrin, and Fr. Cleary, P.P. Kilcolman.

On the Saturday night, the funeral made its way to Bin where the Roman Catholic Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Kennedy, after addressing an estimated crowd of seventeen to eighteen thousand people, advised them to disperse quietly. It was Bishop Kennedy, then Fr. Kennedy, together with Thomas Lalor Cooke who had been responsible for stopping the Greenboys march on Shinrone in 1828.

It was three o'clock on Sunday when the funeral reached the "All Saints Well" burial ground, Banagher, where Tiquin was laid in his grave. On its way to the burial ground. the hearse had to stop for half an hour to allow the people from Shinrone, Cloghan, Banagher, Roscrea, Lockeen and Durrow to arrive. It is estimated that in all, 200,000 people took part in the funeral on that day. (Leinster Express, 10th June 1837)

In 1838, the following year, the Tithes were abolished. Tiquin became known as The Last Tithe Martyr' and it seems certain that just as the march of the Greenboys was influential in hastening the passing of Catholic Emancipation, the imprisonment and subsequent death of Thomas Tiquin accelerated the abolition of the Tithes.

Report in the Leinster Express - 10th June 1837.

THE FUNERAL OF THOMAS TYQUIN,
THE "TITHE MARTYR."

Has been the stock in trade of the O'Connell journals for the last week, and hence-with their wanted veracity- they have this discusting blasphemios exhibition protrayed in the most extravagant terms as a subject of" the great sympathy" and excitment through the country ." But the Martyrdom" of Tyquin, at the shrine of agitation, has not been sufficient to excite the people any further than to exhibit the folly and mischevious tendency of the advise of those unprincipled persons, which have never yet effected any substantial service for their duped fellow countrymen- who, in the various relations of life, are the most intolerable tyrants and self knaves, if we view them as magistrates, landlords, traders, or even patriots. We are convinced, that were it not for the influence of the Roman Catholic Clergy possesses over the people,and which they abused to such a ruinous extent, the funeral of Tyquin would have been even a greater failure, and the best proof we can offer in corroboration, is the following fact:- The Rev N. O' Connor, P.P. of Maryborough-whose pious and exemplary conduct on all occasions, has been acknowledged by men of all creeds and parties- declined to countenance the up becoming and unchristian display: and the result was, that the remains of Tyquin passed through the town, without having attracted the smallest attention, or a single individual having joined the procession, which consisted of two suspicious and rather ill-looking persons, on an old jaunting car proceeding at a slow pace at the rere of the hearse, on which, and on the coffin on a placard conspicuously displayed-:

"Funeral of Mr Thomas Tyquin, of Shinrone in the King's County, Tithe Victim, who died on Tuesday 30th May, 1837, while under imprisonment in the Four Courts' Marshalses, Dublin, for Tithe. The funeral will leave Dublin on Thursday Morning at 7 o'clock and proceeding through Rathcoole and Naas will arrive at Kildare, where the body will remain all night, and thence be conveyed on Friday to Mountrath and on Saturday to Roscrea and Dunkerrin.

THE FOLLOWING BOMBAST WE EXTRACT FROM THE WEEKLY REGISTER:-

The General Association very properly determined to do honour to the brave men's memory, a committee was appointed to make arragements for conducting his funeral to its destination at 9 o'clock on Thursday morning the funeral started from Michael's Hill the residents of the undertaker, Mr. Martin and proceeded out the city on the road to Kildare under the direction of the active and intelligent assistant secretary of the General Association. Mr. T. M. Ray. The body was borne by a hearse and four, and followed by several vehicles companied by gentlemen anxious to show a mark of respect to the memory of one, who had proved ready to suffer all things for conscience sake. As the procession proceeded to Rathcoole it was joined by considerable numbers of the country people amounting to several 1000's, who accompanied it till within a mile of Naas, where it was met by the very excellent and zealous clergyman of that parish, the Rev. Gerald Doyle, his curate, the Rev. Mr. Hackett; Christopher Flood, of Yeomanstowns, Esq., and several of the parishioners of the reverend gentlemen. Nearer the town the Rev. Mr. Kearney, P.P. of Lelane, and the Rev. Mr Tierney, P.P. of Prosperous, joined the funeral procession.

"The procession moved off from Naas at such a rapid pace as soon forced most of the pedestrians to fall behind, though some of them continued to run along with the horses even to Kildare. At Newbridge,as at Nass and Rathcoole, the bell tolled the good mans knell, and warned the people of the arrival of the funeral, who crowded with a melancholy interest around the hearse that contained the remains of the last victim, as they called him with a sorrowful emphasis.

"When we passed the Curragh the greater part of the horsemen returned, and the funeral reached Kildare accompanied by several vehicles and a few equestrians shortly after 6 o'clock. Here the hearse and the gentlemen accompanying it remain all night, and will proceeded towards Mountrath at an early hour of the morning".

WE HAVE BROUGHT THE PROCESSION TO KILDARE, WITHIN FIFTEEN MILES OF MARYBOROUGH, WHERE, AS WELL AS IN MOUNTRATH, IT WILL BE PERCEIVED HOW THE "VICTIM "PROCEEDED. THE FREEMAN HAS CONTRIBUTED THE FOLLOWING :-

"TITHE VICTIMS FUNERAL"

THRID DAY - The two brothers of Tyquin arrived in Roscrea with the family of the deceased, and immediately returned, taking different directions through the country to apprise the people that the route had been changed and their earnest entreaty. It was originally intended by the association that the funeral should proceed through Shinrone and Dunkerrin. This was, however agreed on without consulting the wishes of the relatives-their burial ground being at "All Saints Well", four miles beyond Birr. Under these circumstances it was at once decided that the body should be conveyed from Roscrea agreeable to their desire, the distance to either place been much the same. Thousands and thousands along the road are in preparations along the line. The manifestation of public opinion exhibited in the King's County almost exceeds credibility.

Early in the morning the people from Roscrea and its vicinity came pouring in. Some of his own friends from Shinrone were almost momentarily joining the throng. In the chapel prayers are celebrated during the morning about 9 O'clock there was a high mass. At Castletown, three miles further on, we were joined by about three hundred, every now and then a few horsemen could be descried at a distant, and as we reach them, silently fell in.

When we reached Borris-in-Ossory, the procession consisted of cars, gigs, horseman, which proceeding at a rapid rate along the road, the crowds of pedrestians who at first taught to keep up were reluctantly compelled to return. Leaving Borris, we proceeded forward, followed by more than five hundred well-mounted horsemen, and about two hundred vehicles of various descriptions. The former comprised many respectable inhabitants of Mountrath, among them the Rev. Messrs Nolan. P.P. Conroy, C.C., Nowlan, C.C.,D, Egan, Esq., P. Lawlor, Esq., E. Cahill, Esq., Doctor Pim, and several others. As we continued along, the numbers rapidly increased, and again we were obliged to go slowly forward, as at every step made from the surrounding counties joined us - groups every moment were discernible crossing the fields- and others sitting by the wayside awaiting our approach. Now, indeed, the men of Shinrone (the victim's native place) were easily distinguished. Where ever number were collected standing across the road, the fierce, irrepressible imprecations that burst from them told but too well the nature of there feelings. This ebullition never passed the first outbreak-it was promptly and invaribly subdued by the interference of the clergymen. A little further on, accompanied by two hundred men, John New, a man we believed familiar to our readers met us - himself a successful opposer of the system which his unfortunate friend (for they were neighbours) had been immolated by. He came to honour a fellow patriot - and has sincere a one as ever breathed. This man for nine months braved the horrors of a dungeon sooner than pay one pound and five shillings tithes. He came out of it wasted and worn, but his resolution firm and unaltered: and as he triumphantly produced to the thousands who flocked around the card presented to him by the General Association, on his liberation from the prison, gratuitously admitting him a member of that body, solemnly he swore he would meet the same fate of the man who was before him, rather than pay tithes. Could the wild huzza the responsive shout greeted their declaration be heared by the tithe hunters, and then indeed would the prison gates of Dublin Marshalsea be thrown open to the tithe marthrs.

From Borris - in - Ossory forward the crowds momentarly increased. The curates of Shinrone and Roscrea advanced several miles from the last pirce to meet the procession, and brought intelligence that the chapels in their respective districts had been unceasingly occupied by the inhabititants in prayers for the victim who had so nobly sacrificed himself for his country. Multuides were in the rere making their way to join the man of Mountrath-the perseverance of the people and their patient suffering under the influence of the oppressive heat of the day, well evinced what their feelings and sympahty were. It was intended that the funeral should move very slowly in advance from Roscrea to Birr halting for a hour at the former place; they were several times requested to walk, as they would certainly overtake it in Roscrea; nothing could induced them to comply; their coats and shoes were taken off, and they ran along side without a murmur, but to attempt to shake them off was useless. Towards three o'clock Roscrea appeared in the distance, the road communicating with its literally alive with countrymen walking out to meet us. In the County Tipperary appears such a spirit of persevring but quite and constitutional resistance to tithes that it would be utterly immpossible to oppose with the most distance propect of success. Amid the ringing of chapel bells we entered the town of Roscrea; countless masses of the populance proceeded in advance of the funeral, while a line of cars intervened between a strong body of horsemen who brought up the rere, among which were included the followly gentlemen - Stephan Egan, Esq., Roscrea; Reverand Meara. Kelly, C.C., Roscrea; Dore, C.C. Shinrone; Nolan, Dunkerrin, Blake, P.P., Bowma: Doyle C.C., ditto: Egan,C.C., ditto; Cleary, C.C., Longford; Cleary P.P., Kilcolman, with several others. As the procession proceeded it filled up several streets with a compressed body of peasantry, who were receiving every quarter of an hour fresh additions to there already overwhelming numbers; The earnestness an determination of a people in a cause must be calculated by the sacrifices they suffer and the privations they endure to carry out a principal for the attainment of which they have been assiduously labouring; and it is no small sacrifice indeed for the poor man who cheerfully devotes his time and presence to the cause of his country when neither one or the other is requisite or called for. To the class of the persons who were most zealous in paying the request to the man who's exertions during his life for the welfare of his country were untiring and who's premature death will be useful beyond his anticipation in furtherence of the good cause, and the value of which in all probability is not appreciated at the present;, their time is their money and most disinterested did they spur every selfish consideration and to a man attend for the purpose of evincing there sympathy, and show how readily they would brave the same peril, although the fatal results of a disinterested patriotism unflinching consistence and hardihood were conspicuous to them in thid most appalling form. The sad spectacle of two cars following the hearse, containing the broken hearted remains of a once independant and happy family had to no effect saved to urge them on to a similar and daring and unyielding preseverance.

I have but time to say that this day (Sunday) we committed to the grave Mr. Tyquin in his family burial ground "All Saint Well". There is no riot, no disorder or confusion of any description during the sad ceremony, although the multitudes presented no novel and imposing an appearance as to call forth the mark surprise of some gentlemen who could not conceive the possibility of collecting such numbers together.

FOURTH DAY - by the time the funeral reached its destination for the night (Birr) the concorse of people were really tremendous. The procession formed in the same manner as it proceeded through the towns-pedestrians in advance, cars, and & C., Succeeding, and horsemen in the rere; with few exceptions, the towns people closed their shops through respect for the memory of the man whom they knew so well, and who had so recently led them to election victory and triumph. There could not have been less than fifteen or eighteen thousand men blocking up the narrow streets of the town. While the funeral was on its route to the chapel, where every preparation for the reception of the afflicted family of Mr. Tyquin by the cooperation and active sympathy of the most Rev. Dr. Kennedy, the Roman Catholic Bishop, had been prepared, while the multitude was yet standing around the hearse gazing at the placard- the bishop addressed them briefly, but most effectually, as to the necessity of there immediately dispersing cause of apprehension to the inhabitants. This advice was immediately adopted by them, and in a few minutes there were to be seen no traces of the stiring scene which had been but just exhibited.

About three o'clock nest day (Sunday) we set out amid a heavy fall of rain to 'All Saints Well.' Although the weather was showery and unpropitious and numbers took refuge in every place likely to afford shelter during the continuance of the rain, still to compute the vast body who accompanied us out of the town would be perfectly impossible. Like the fiery cross of Scotland, the intelligents of the place and time of his burial had spread to an extent and with rapidity hardly credible. This appeared every moment more and more evident as we advanced, and the weather brighted, the haze rising from the hills exposed the crowds who were hastening to assist in the interment of their countryman. As we gained the cross roads, the hearse was compelled to stop for more than half a hour, to allow time for the people to come up, who were hastening on from Cloghan, Banager, Roscrea, Lockeen, and Durrow. Horsemen galloped up the different roads in advance, to beg that the requested of the travelers would be compiled with, which was granted. After a reasonable time had elapsed, the funeral moved on, at every step fresh arrivals joining us. The victim was laid in his grave. I need hardly say how deeply regretted".- Freeman's Journal.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LEINSTER EXPRESS

Sir,- The Freeman of Wednesday having occupied a large portion of its columns with an account of the funeral procession of Tyquin, and the "intense interest", the narrative in the Freemans is a issue of falsehoods. Friday evening last the hearse passed through this town and though the Market House and Chapel gates were posted with placards the day previous, announcing the arrangements of the funeral, and its remaining in Mountrath for the night, it passed through unnoticed, excepting an individual here and there, gazing at the unusual sight of a hearse covered with placards, but no gathering of the people.The funeral on Saturday morning,though market day, and delayed in the Chapel 'till near 11 o'clock, proved the most miserable failure; though the correspondent of the Freeman states the concourse of 1000 giving the fall latitude of Priests, Monks, national school children, women and the usual routine of urchins, who usually attended every stir that occurs in a town they did not number 200, not including the most respectable inhabitants of the town whom Freemans did not forget to name, in junction with the Priests amounting to a Brewer and a M.D. I merely mentioned this circumstance to show that the most glaring falsehoods are resorted to, in ordered to keep up agitation, and that the country people being by the time heartily sick of the slave driving of the agitating crew that infest this country; the Priests are yoked in, in order, to goad their infatuatd slaves into oppostion against their best friends.

I am, Sir, Your obenient servant.
VERITAS
Mountrath 8th June 1837.

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