Duckett Burial Grounds – A Trilogy – Part III

This is third and final article of the Duckett burial ground trilogy. There are three identified burial grounds of the Duckett family, two are located in Co. Carlow and one in Co. Kildare. This is the second largest of these burial grounds consists of an enclosed tomb and is located in the graveyard of Rutland Church in the townsland of Rutland, Carlow. The tomb is made of granite stone and completely enclosed with large inscription plaques on each side, a roof and small door to the rear overlooking the vale of Rutland with Russellstown Park and Duckett’s Grove in the distance. In this burial tomb lies the remains of William (Dawson) Duckett (1), his wife Harriet Isabel Anne Duckett of Russellstown Park and their eldest son William Duckett Esqr.

William (Dawson) Duckett (1) died at his residence (Russellstown Park) on Friday 10th January 1868. He was the son of William Duckett (2) and Elizabeth Dawson Coates, brother of John (Dawson) Duckett, heir of Duckett’s Grove and uncle of William (Dawson) Duckett (2) last blood heir of Duckett’s Grove). He was the first member of the Duckett family to hold a public office post in Carlow when he was appointed a Justice of the Peace and High Sheriff in 1825.

“….In private life he enjoyed the friendship and esteem of rich and poor, by who his somewhat unexpected death is sincerely regretted…..”

*Death notice of William Duckett (1) , ESQ., DL as printed in the Carlow Sentinel dated Saturday 11th January 1868. From the John Sweeney Collection.*

“….The remains were deposited in a suite of coffins, the outer one being of wallnut wood, draped in black cloth, with the name, age, &c., of deceased engraved on a shield……”

*Funeral notice of William Duckett (1) of Russellstown Park, ESQ., D.L., JP. as printed in the Carlow Sentinel dated Saturday, 18th January, 1868. From the John Sweeney Collection.*

*Photograph: Rutland Church located in the townsland of Rutland, Co. Carlow. Photograph from the John Sweeney Collection.*

*Photograph: The burial tomb of William Duckett Esqr., his wife Hariet Isabel Anne and their eldest son William Gordon Duckett of Russellstown Park. Photograph from the John Sweeney Collection.*

Photograph: Tomb inscription: In this tomb. Harriet Isabel Anne the beloved wife of William Duckett Esqr of Russellstown Park who departed this life on 27th November 1852 aged 35 years. She was the only daughter of Colonel Charles Edward Gordon of The Royal Artillery, Son of Charles Gordon Esqr of Wardhouse and Kildrummie Aberdeen Shire. Also the remains of William Gordon Duckett eldest son of William Duckett Esqr of Russellstown Park who departed this life on the 25th December 1857 aged 12 years. Also the remains of William Duckett Esqr of Russllestown Park who departed this life on the 10th January 1868 aged 70 years”. Photograph from the John Sweeney Collection.

*Photograph: Small rear door of the Duckett tomb. Photograph from the John Sweeney Collection.*

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