James Dumas (1742 - 1782)

Born 1742 in Cloghereen, County Kerry, Ireland [uncertain]

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 7 Feb 1782 at about age 40 in Cloghereen, County Kerry, Ireland

Biography

James was born in 1742 and died in 1782^[1]. His date of birth was before the date of his father's will which was in 1747.^{[2] [3]}

This deed of 1765 ^[4]refers to a mortgage held since 1730 between James father Henry and William Godfrey. The deed in 1730 describes James father as Henry of Stonyford, Kerry. Henry refers to this Deed in his will. " I hereby declare that my will is that my beloved son James shall have five hundred and forty pounds due to me from Mr William Godfrey of Callonaferry for which I have a mortgage, which mortgage is to be given up to said James Dumas before my decease with all interest due thereon to this day"^[5]

Under this marble is deposited the remains of James Dumas who departed this life the 7th day of February Anno Dom 1782 aged 40 years - Killarney Church, Kerry, Ireland.^[6] He may well have been named after James Dumas.

"Died suddenly last Thursday at Clohereen near Killarney, James Dumas Esq brother of Mr Sherriff Dumas."^[7][8]

From sources we know he had the following children, Frances, James, John Craig and Peter Dumas.^{[9] [10]}

There is a great deal of speculation regarding which Peter Dumas is his son. It seems most likely the Peter Dumas who is his son is Lieutenant General Peter Dumas of the 99th.

The following information^[11] confirms the will of James was written in 1780. His wife was Anne, and the following children were mentioned, Frances, James and John Craig Dumas. The Betham Abstract mentions a fourth son, Peter. He may have been omitted from the will written in 1780 because he was not born until 1781.

James Dumas of Cloghereen County Kerry, d. 18 Apr, 1780. Probate 21 May, 1783. wife Anne, dau Frances, Son, James, John Craig, Peter. brother: Major Dumas.^[12]

Annuity of twenty pounds a year from ANNE DUMAS, under the will of James Dumas, bearing date the 18th day of April, 1780. Charge of four hundred pounds created by said will for FRANCES DUMAS, daughter of said JAMES DUMAS. Charge of four hundred pounds created by said will for JAMES DUMAS, son of JAMES DUMAS. Charge of four hundred pounds created by said will for JOHN CRAIG DUMAS, son of said JAMES DUMAS.^[13]

This information confirms four of the five siblings that were referred to in the will of Sir James Henry Craig. Perhaps the 5th was already deceased.

It also suggests that his wife was indeed Anne. She cannot be Ann Upton (nee Dumas) as it is clear she was deceased in 1771 by her will. Ann Upton was the sister of Margaret Frances Dumas who married Hew Craig. It would seem a possibility this Anne to be a daughter of a Craig however unlikely as the only daughter of Hew Craig and Margaret Frances Dumas where a record has been located is a Margaret Jane Craig b 1755. The mystery grows when looking at the wills of Hew Craig and Margaret Frances Craig (nee Dumas), as there is no provision for any daughter of this couple suggesting any daughter was probably already deceased. It could also be possible that John Craig Dumas carries as his middle name the maiden name of his grandmother, the unknown wife of Henry Dumas, rather than the name of his mother.

Sources

1. ↑ Saunder's Newsletter 16 Feb, 1782
2. ↑ Betham Abstract 290 57
3. ↑ England & Wales, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858
4. ↑ https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSJW-JSCP-4?i=47&cat=185720
5. ↑ England & Wales, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858
6. ↑ Grave transcription, http://www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/kerry/cemeteries/killarney-kilmankilloge.txt
7. ↑ Limerick Chronicle, 14th February 1782
8. ↑ The Hibernian Chronicle, 11 Feb, 1782
9. ↑ Cork Examiner 16 Feb, 1859
10. ↑ Betham's Abstract 51
11. ↑ Cork Examiner 16 Feb, 1859
12. ↑ Betham's Abstract
13. ↑ Cork Examiner 16 Feb, 1859 -Schedule Referred to in the foregoing Notice

• County Kerry Past and Present by Jeremiah King (1931)