The gate way was the entrance into the Music Hall, where Daniel Graisberry was injured when the floor collapsed

Emily Weddall’s great great grandfather Daniel was the son of William and Elizabeth Graisberry,  was born at Drumcondra, Dublin in 1740. He studied and completed his apprenticeship under the King’s Printer, Hugh Greirson. Newly qualified Daniel Graisberry formed a partnership with a man named Williamson, at 10 Back Lane. The address is no longer in existence, but according to the maps of the time it was around the Christ Church area of Dublin.

If the Graisberry family were not wealthy until their son Daniel married they certainly were afterwards. Daniel Graisberry married Mary Kennedy in 1765. The Freeman’s Journal newspaper contained the following in the Births, Deaths and Marriages column:

Marriages.
Mr. Daniel GRAISBERY, Printer to Miss KENNEDY, with a handsome Fortune.

In 1782 a curious incident occurred, Daniel Graisberry was injured when the floor of the Music Hall in Fishamble street collapsed, during a guild meeting. By the time the press got the story his condition was grossly exaggerated and his death was announced in the newspapers. He lived on and was father to at lest a dozen children, his son Daniel (probably his eldest son), would become his heir and Emily’s great grandfather. Daniel Graisberry died in 1785, just hours after his mother.

Sources

Freeman’s Journal (Dublin) July 19 to July 23 1765, Sat., 13 July 1765 – Tues., 16 July 1765

View of Athlone Barracks, as it is today. In 1819 John Burke had the protection of the Athlone army, after he was kidnapped by the Ribbon-men

In 1819 Emily’s grandfather, John Burke was kidnapped by the Ribbon-men and taken to a secret location, where he was forced to pledge allegiance to them. He refused, to his peril as Emily’s father recounts the incident to a court  in 1855…

“In the year 1819 the Ribbonmen brought him to their appointed place of meeting and wanted him to swear to be loyal to them. He said no “I have taken the oath of allegiance to be faithful to my King and country, you are rebels and I cannot be faithful both to you and my king”. We will shoot you said they. His reply; “I will die here an honest man for my king and county.” He saw a rush at him with a screwed bayonet, which he received in his chest. The would inflicted was severe having torn the flesh out the breast, the bayonet entering between the chest and the rib. He was taken for dead and brought home. He bade them defiance, wrote to the Lord Lieutenant, and for ten days would not yield. In the meantime a military party was sent from Athlone for his relief.”

John Burke survived and lived on for another two decades. This refusal to go against their principles even in the face of  death would follow through to his son, William John and to his grand daughter Emily, even though she would be taking be the other side to the Crown.

Sources

The Cambridge Chronicle and University Journal Isle of Ely Herald and Huntingdonshire Gazette. May 12 1855. Page 7

Emily’s grandfather John Burke was a devout Catholic, according to her father William John.  In his time people usually sided with their own faith, be he was broadminded and in many ways ahead of his time. He was happy to entertain people of all religions at his house near Kinvara, the Protestant rector of the parish was a frequent visitor.

John Burke was loyal to the King, even under the pressure he declared his allegiance; “I have taken the oath of allegiance to be faithful to my King and country…” This proclamation almost cost him his life.

Sources

Sheffield Independent 10 December 1870. P 12

Cambridge Chronicle and Journal 12 May 1855. P7