Duckett Burial Grounds – A Trilogy – Part I

There are three identified burial grounds of the Duckett family, two are located in Co. Carlow and one in Co. Kildare. The largest of these burial grounds consists of a walled burial ground located in a field on the roadside of the R418 in the townsland of Newtown, Knocknacree, Co. Kildare, just across the Carlow/Kildare county border, an area known locally as ‘The Frolic’. The burial ground consists of eight marked graves and overlooks the remains of Duckett’s Grove Gothic mansion located in Rainestown, Palatine, Co. Carlow. In this burial ground lies the remains of William (Dawson) Duckett (2) who was the last blood heir of Duckett’s Grove as well as other members of the Duckett family. The following is an account of all marked graves within the Duckett walled family burial ground;

*Location map of the walled Duckett family burial ground from the John Sweeney Collection.*

*Photograph from the John Sweeney Collection: The exterior of the walled burial ground with Duckett’s Grove Gothic mansion in the distance.*

*Photograph: The interior of the Duckett burial ground from the John Sweeney Collection.*

William (Dawson) Duckett (2) 14^th April 1822 to 22^nd June 1908

The death of William (Dawson) Duckett (2) occurred 13 years after his marriage to his second wife Maria Georgina Thompson. He was the last blood heir to Duckett’s Grove and the eldest son of John (Dawson) Duckett (1) and Sarah Hutchinson Summers. He was the grandson of William Duckett (2) and Elizabeth Dawson Coates. He died at Duckett’s Grove on Monday 22^nd June 1908 and is buried in the Duckett family burial ground along with his first wife Anna Maria Morony Duckett who died in 1894. The death and interment of William (Dawson) Duckett (2) was reported in the Carlow Sentinel and the Nationalist and Leinster Times dated Saturday, June 27, 1908.

“The remains, which were enclosed in lead and massive oak coffins, were interred in a brick-lined vault in the family burial ground and was carried to and from the hearse by employees wearing crapes, who walked in procession followed by the chief mourners ………..” – The Carlow Sentinel, Saturday, June 27, 1908.

*Article from The Carlow Sentiniel reports the Death of William (Dawson) Duckett (2). From the John Sweeney Collection.*

*Article from the Carlow Sentiniel on Saturday, June 28th, 1908 reports the death of William (Dawson) Duckett (2). From the John Sweeney Collection.*

*Article from The Nationalist and Leinster Times dated Saturday, June 27, 1908 reporting on the interment of William (Dawson) Duckett (2). From the John Sweeney Collection.*

*Photograph from the John Sweeney Collection: Grave of William (Dawson) Duckett (2) – buried beside the grave of his first wife; Anna Maria Duckett.*

The inscription on the headstone of William (Dawson) Duckett (2) is as follows:

William Dawson Duckett DL born 14th April 1828 died 22nd June 1908 at Duckett’s Grove

“Verily verily I say on to you he that believeth on me hath everlasting life St. John . VI 47-Acts. XV1.3 “There for being justified by faith we have peace with God true our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans V 1-3. “There is therefore now no condemnation to those which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit” Rom VIII 1-2. “Repent ye for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” St . Matt 111.2. Erected in loving memory by his wife Marie Duckett.

*Photograph from the John Sweeney Collection: Scroll memorial in Rutland Church dedicated to William (Dawson) Duckett (2).*

Also buried in this family tomb are:

Anna Maria Duckett – first wife of William (Dawson) Duckett (2)

*Photograph from the John Sweeney Collection: Plaque inscription;* *In memory of Anna Maria the beloved wife of William Duckett Esqr Duckett’s Grove died May 12th 1894.*

*Photograph from the John Sweeney Collection: Grave of Anna Marie (Marony) Duckett first wife of William (Dawson) Duckett (2).*

John (Dawson) Duckett (1) 10^th August 1791 to 27th September 1866

The death of John (Dawson) Duckett (1) occurred one Thursday 27th September 1866. He was appointed Justice of the Peace (J.P.) and High Sheriff for Carlow in 1819. He was father of William (Dawson) Duckett (2) and husband of Sarah Hutchinson Summers Duckett. The death of John (Dawson) Duckett (1) was reported in the Carlow Sentinel on Saturday September 29th, 1866.

“Through his lengthened days he was possessed of the love and esteem of all who knew him, and of him it may with truth be said, he was “an honest man”. ………..” – The Carlow Sentinel, Saturday, September 29th, 1866.

*Death notification of John (Dawson) Duckett (1) as reported in the Sentinel newspaper on Saturday, September 29th, 1866. From the John Sweeney Collection.*

On the following week, Saturday, 6th October 1866 the Sentinel reported on the funeral of John (Dawson) Duckett (1)

“The remains were enclosed in a suite of coffins, the outer one covered with black cloth, with gilt handles and shields, the latter bearing the name, age, &c., of the deceased. Shortly after 12 o’clock the mourning procession moved off slowly……” The Carlow Sentinel, Saturday, October 6th, 1866.

*Funeral notification of John (Dawson) Duckett (1) as reported in the Sentinel newspaper on Saturday, October 6th, 1866. From the John Sweeney Collection.*

Photograph from the John Sweeney Collection: Memorial (located in Rutland Church) to John (Dawson) Duckett (1), his daughter Elizabeth Dawson Duckett, his son John Dawson Duckett his wife Sarah Hutchinson Summers Duckett and his third daughter Sarah Dawson Duckett.

John (Dawson) Duckett (1) – (10th August 1791 to 27th September 1866) for whom Duckett’s Grove Gothic mansion was re-designed circa 1825 – Father of William (Dawson) Duckett (2)

*Photograph from the John Sweeney Collection: Plaque inscription;* *John Dawson Duckett Esqr of Duckett’s Grove died September 27th 1866 aged 75 years.*

*Photograph from the John Sweeney Collection: Grave of John (Dawson) Duckett (1) – father of William (Dawson) Duckett (2).*

Sarah Hutchinson Summers Duckett – wife of John (Dawson) Duckett of Duckett’s Grove (1) of Duckett’s Grove and mother of William (Dawson) Duckett (2) of Duckett’s Grove

Photograph from the John Sweeney Collection: Plaque inscription; Sarah Hutchinson Summers Duckett relict of the late John Dawson Duckett Esqr of Duckett’s Grove died in Dublin February 14th 1879 aged 82 years.

*Photograph from the John Sweeney Collection: Grave of Sarah Hutchinson Summers Duckett wife of John (Dawson) Duckett (1) and mother of William (Dawson) Duckett (2).*

Elizabeth (Dawson) Duckett – eldest sister of William (Dawson) Duckett (2) and eldest daughter of John (Dawson) Duckett (1)

*Photograph from the John Sweeney Collection: Plaque inscription; Elizabeth Dawson Duckett eldest daughter of John Dawson Duckett Esqr died 1st Feb 1839 age 18.*

*Photograph from the John Sweeney Collection: Grave of Elizabeth Dawson Duckett – sister of William (Dawson) Duckett (2).*

Sarah (Dawson) Duckett – youngest sister of William (Dawson) Duckett (2) and third daughter of John (Dawson) Duckett (1)

*Photograph from the John Sweeney Collection: Plaque Inscription; Sarah Duckett third daughter of the late John Dawson Duckett of Duckett’s Grove died in Dublin March 12th 1879 aged 53 years.*

*Photograph from the John Sweeney Collection: Grave of Sarah Duckett youngest sister of William (Dawson) Duckett (2).*

Joseph Fade Duckett – son of William Duckett (2) & Elizabeth Dawson Coates and brother of William (Dawson) Duckett (1) of Russellstown Park and John (Dawson) Duckett (1) of Duckett’s Grove

Photograph from the John Sweeney Collection: Plaque inscription; Josephs Fade Duckett Esqr of Rochelle Co Dublin third son of the late William Duckett Esqr of Duckett’s Grove died June 2nd 1875 aged 78 years.

*Photograph from the John Sweeney Collection: Grave of Joseph Fade Duckett third son of the late William Duckett Esqr of Ducketts Grove.*

John Dawson Duckett – youngest son of John (Dawson) Duckett (2) and Sarah Hutchinson Summers Duckett and brother of William (Dawson) Duckett (2) last heir of Duckett’s Grove

*Photograph from the John Sweeney Collection: Plaque Inscription; John Dawson Duckett youngest son of John Dawson Duckett Esqr died at Bath June 2nd 1841 aged 14 years.*

*Photograph from the John Sweeney Collection: Grave of John Dawson Duckett youngest son of John Dawson Duckett Esqr died at Bath June 2nd 1841 aged 14 years.*

An appreciation;

To Anthony Joyce who over a period of approximately two years, voluntarily cleaned and restored this historic and valuable heritage burial ground of the Duckett family. This is an excellent example of restoration and preservation of a historic burial ground on private land.

Duckett’s Grove burial ground before and after restoration by local man Anthony Joyce. Also, Anthony Joyce with is certificate of award presented to him by Castledermot History Group for his achievement and commitment to local history and heritage by restoring this historic and heritage burial ground. Photographs from the John Sweeney Collection.

Article by J. Doyle – Founder, Owner and Administrator of DuckettsGrove.ie