Edward Gonne Bell: A County Mayo Landlord in the 19th Century

Edward Gonne Bell was one of the primary Landlords in Kilcolman Civil Parish, Clanmorris Barony when the Griffith's Valuation was conducted in 1856. He dominated 11 Townlands in Kilcolman Civil Parish: Ardroe, Ballynew, Bellfield, Cloonaghduff, Cloondroon, Garryredmond (which he holds with Walter Burke), Garrywadreen, Gortfadda, Lugatemple, Parkatleva and Streamstown. (Griffith, 1847-1864; 2003, Kilcolman). Edward Gonne Bell was also documented as being a landlord in another Civil Parish in Clanmorris Barony: Crossboyne Civil Parish. The Griffith's Valuation for Crossboyne was conducted in 1856 as well. He was represented in four Townlands in this Civil Parish: Brookhill, Leedaun, Coolroe and Drumady. (Griffith, 1847-1864; 2003; 2003 Crossboyne).

According to "Return of Owners of Land of One Acre and Upwards, in the several Counties, Counties of Cities, and Counties of Towns in Ireland" the Reps of E.G. Bell resided in County Limerick, Castle Connell and held 1,636 and some odd acres in County Mayo Ireland. (Local Govt Board, 1876; 1988, p. 307).

A notation in J. F. Quinn's "History of Mayo" described the following actions involving Edward Gonne Bell's Estate: " Creditors combined in a Chancery Decree against Edward Gonne Bell who lived at Brookhill, Claremorris, and was brother in law of Robert Dillon Browne M.P. and who died shortly before. The Lands were Belfield and Cloondroon." (Quinn, 1996, p. Vol 4, Ch 11, p. 357). A date was not given for the above-mentioned action but the paragraph before noted decrees issued in May 1848 and the paragraph after listed orders for sales of estates in July 1853.

I was recently contacted by Colm Martin who is involved in a project to document those interred in the Cemetery at Stradbally North, Castleconnell, County Limerick Ireland. Edward Gonne and his wife Marie are buried in this cemetery. Their tombstones are remarkably preserved and can be viewed online at the following links:

http://historicgraves.com/stradbally/li-stby-0253/grave
http://historicgraves.com/stradbally/li-stby-0258/grave

Kudos to Colm Martin for sharing this information!

I have yet to find further details on the sale of the Estate of Edward Gonne Bell, but will add information to this page in the future when I do so.