Re: Robert Battersby, of Hickory Lodge, Meath, Ireland

I believe I can identify the Robert Battersby in question.According to the 1858 & 1870 editions of Burke's Landed Gentry, under "Battersby of Lislin & ashgrove," Robert Battersby was the eldest son of Edward George Battersby (b ca 1785; d 1856), of Hickory Lodge, Co Meath, by his wife, Elizabeth Ryan (b ca 1780-90), daughter of the Rev Wm Ryan (d ante 1805), of Spafield & Kilvemnon, Co Tipperary, by his wife, Anna Maria Long (b ca 1740-50; living 1805), daughter of Edward Long (d at Cork City, 1773), of Lacken, near Ardfinnan, & of Cahir Abeey, near Cahir, both in Tipperary, by his wife, Elizabeth Mauzee (d 1799, Clonmel, Tipperary). Edward G. Battersby & Elizabeth Ryan were married Nov 1809, so I would place Robert's year of birth ca 1810-15. Robert had 2 younger brothers: Wm Ryan Battersby (b ca 1816), who also came over to Canada & settled in Ontario. He married Harriet Phelan in 1842 at Woodhouse in Norfolk Co. William must have died by 1881, since his widow harriet was then residing with George Land & John & Sarah Murray in Hamilton, Ont, re the 1881 Census. She is described in the Census as a widow, 60 yr old, & born in Ireland. Since she wasn't living with any of her children, I therefore doubt that she & Wm had any. Robert Battersby's youngest brother , Lt-Col Jenyns Charles Battersby (1819-1899), emigrated to the States rather than Canada & settled in New York City. He fought in the Civil War & gained some recognition as an artist. He married a widow, Jula McClellan of Quebec, & they had five daughters: Mary, Virginia, Fanny, Sabinia & Martha. I would very much like to make contact with the descendants of the five Battersby girls from New York City. Robert Battersby's father, Edward G. Battersby, had the following siblings: 1. Haynes Wade Battersby (1765-1841); 2, Lt-Col Wm Battersby (1767-1837); 3. Thomas Battersby (d ante 1858); 4. Robert Battersby (1793-1824); & four sisters (no dates): Frances, Mary, Abigail & Catherine Battersby.
Edward G. Battersby& his siblings were the children of Robert Battersby (1721-85), of Bobsville (west of Kells), Meath, by his wife, Marianmne Wade. Edward G. Battersby's brother, Lt-Col Wm Battersby (1767-1837), of Bobsville, married at Longfield House, Cashel, Co Tipperary, in 1794, Anna Maria Long (1776-1856), who was the niece & namesake of the Anna Maria Long who married Rev Wm Ryan. William & Anna Maria Battersby had 15 children, but apparently, no descendants beyond their grandchildren! Anna Maria (b 1776) was the daughter of Colonel Richard Hutchinson Long (1740-1814), of Longfield, Aerdmayle, Cashel, Tipperary, by his Indian mistress (while in the employment of the East India Co), Hedjeba, allegewd to have been a princess - daughter of the Rajah of Arcot. I, Count Caragata of Toronto, am a gt-gt-gt-gt-grandson of Col Richard Long, by his wife, Charity Moore (1760-1842), of Barne, Tipp. You mention Leslie, Arthur, Henry & John P. Battersby in your message. According to the 1912 edition of Burke's Landed Gentry of Itreland, they were 2nd cousins to Robert Battersby, the subject. All four above mentionmed Battersbys were grandsons of John Battersby, Edward G. Battersby's uncle. Info on the four from BLGI: 1. Leslie Patrick Battersby, Lieut in Ryl Navy, settled in Cda, married & had issue, (perhaps he was known by his middle name of Patrick -no other Patricks listed in the 1912 edition of BLGI); 2. Henry Battersby died & had no children; 3. John Palmer Battersby, capt in Ryl Nabvy, settled at Ancaster, Ont, married & had issue; 4. Arthur Battersby, married S E Maskalyne.

Thank you for all the fascinating new information on Edward & Elizabeth Battersby & their eldest son Robert. Cheers!! Count Caragata