Introduction to the Verner/Wingfield Papers
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The Verner/Wingfield papers comprise of c.2000 documents. In order to have any hope of understanding the archive, a knowledge of complicated family history, and of the confluence of different families and estates, is required.
The pivotal figure in the archive is Colonel the Hon. Edward Wingfield (1772-1859), of Corke Abbey, on the Co. Dublin side of Bray, Co. Wicklow, third son of the 3rd Viscount Powerscourt of nearby Powerscourt, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow. In 1797, Wingfield married Harriet Westenra, sister of the 2nd Lord Rossmore and granddaughter of the previous possessor of Corke Abbey. They had one child, another Harriet, who in 1819 married Sir William Verner, 1st Bt, of Churchill, Co. Armagh. On Colonel Edward Wingfield's death in 1859, his Co. Dublin estates passed to the Verners and merged with their estates in Cos Armagh and Tyrone, while his other estates (of Wingfield provenance) reverted to the Wingfields.
The material relating to the estates (and political activities) of the Verner family consists of title deeds, leases, receipts, correspondence, etc, 1641-1907. The Verner estate in Cos Armagh and Tyrone included the lands of Aghory, Annasamry, Clonmain, Copney, Derryane, Derrylee and Tullyroan, Co. Armagh, and Foremass, Lurganboy, Moghan and Tullyvannon, Co. Tyrone. The Verner papers also include a general account book and other accounts, for electoral expenses incurred during the 1880 general election for Co. Armagh by Sir William Verner, 3rd Bt.