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| Tom Prior worked as a land agent and financial adviser but most of all, for a less exploited and more ecumenical (though still Protestant) Ireland.((Teddy Fennelly, //Thomas Prior//, pp.viii.)) Ireland in his day suffered dire conditions (see [[national_and_social_context|Irish context]]). Thanks to English policy, famine and diseases of poverty were constant threats. The worst years during his lifetime were 1740-41, when it is estimated that approximately 912,000 Irish died of hunger, around 38 per cent of the population.(([[wp>Irish_Famine_(1740–41)]])) Tom Prior worked closely with other reform-minded Anglo-Irish, notably the satirist author [[wp>Jonathan_Swift|the Rev. Jonathon Swift]], and he had a close friendship with the philosopher [[wp>George_Berkeley|Bishop Berkeley]].((See e.g., A. Luce and T. Jessop (eds. //The works of George Berkeley, Bishop of Cloyne//, New York: Thomas Nelson, 1948-57, vol. 5, three letters to Thomas Prior)) Prior and his friends resented the English ruling class' attitude that the Anglo-Irish were inferior, and suffered from English economic policies. In 1699 the English, to protect their own wool industry, had passed an act of parliament prohibiting the Irish from exporting any woollen goods: that 'crushing blow for the Irish economy' ruined the Irish wool industry and members of the Anglo-Irish ruling class as well as the impoverished native Irish.((Teddy Fennelly, //Thomas Prior. His Life, Times and Legacy//, Ireland: Arderin Publishing, 2001, ch.2.))\\ | Tom Prior worked as a land agent and financial adviser but most of all, for a less exploited and more ecumenical (though still Protestant) Ireland.((Teddy Fennelly, //Thomas Prior//, pp.viii.)) Ireland in his day suffered dire conditions (see [[national_and_social_context|Irish context]]). Thanks to English policy, famine and diseases of poverty were constant threats. The worst years during his lifetime were 1740-41, when it is estimated that approximately 912,000 Irish died of hunger, around 38 per cent of the population.(([[wp>Irish_Famine_(1740–41)]])) Tom Prior worked closely with other reform-minded Anglo-Irish, notably the satirist author [[wp>Jonathan_Swift|the Rev. Jonathon Swift]], and he had a close friendship with the philosopher [[wp>George_Berkeley|Bishop Berkeley]].((See e.g., A. Luce and T. Jessop (eds. //The works of George Berkeley, Bishop of Cloyne//, New York: Thomas Nelson, 1948-57, vol. 5, three letters to Thomas Prior)) Prior and his friends resented the English ruling class' attitude that the Anglo-Irish were inferior, and suffered from English economic policies. In 1699 the English, to protect their own wool industry, had passed an act of parliament prohibiting the Irish from exporting any woollen goods: that 'crushing blow for the Irish economy' ruined the Irish wool industry and members of the Anglo-Irish ruling class as well as the impoverished native Irish.((Teddy Fennelly, //Thomas Prior. His Life, Times and Legacy//, Ireland: Arderin Publishing, 2001, ch.2.))\\ |
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| | Thomas Prior, as a member of the gentry, had a country estate (Rathdowney) and also a town house in Bolton Street, Dublin.(('Thomas Prior, Rathdowney. Philanthropist, Founder Member of the R.D.S.', Rathdowney Review, 1992, pp.76-77 in Murray-Prior file, Rathdowney Visitor Information Centre and Historical Museum)) |
| ====== Royal Dublin Society ====== | ====== Royal Dublin Society ====== |
| Today, [[wp>Thomas_Prior|Tom Prior]] is honoured in Ireland primarily for his role in 1731 when he was the key founder of the (from 1820, Royal) Dublin Society.((James Meenan and Desmond Clarke, 'The RDS 1731-1981', in James Meenan and Desmond Clarke (eds) //RDS. The Royal Dublin Society 1731-1981//, Gill & Macmillan: Dublin, 1981, p.3; {{https://www.rds.ie/|Dublin Society}}; //The Royal Dublin Society 1731-1981//, Gill & Macmillan: Dublin, 1981, p.3.)) The Royal Dublin Society is still active today, with a 'philanthropic work programme that spans across science, the arts, agriculture, business and equestrianism'.((Desmond Clarke, //Thomas Prior//; www.rds.ie)) While 14 men founded the Society, Tom Prior chaired its meetings and was 'its most active promoter and dedicated servant'.((James Meenan and Desmond Clarke, 'The RDS 1731-1981', in James Meenan and Desmond Clarke (eds) //RDS.//)) Prior's biographer Teddy Fennelly agrees that Tom Prior was the 'inspiration and driving force' behind the Society's foundation. As Secretary, Tom Prior effectively 'ran the Society' for 20 years, with little 'done or achieved without his advice, help and active cooperation'. He strongly supported its system of cash incentives for agricultural and industrial innovations. The Society also actively spread its ideas through the publication of pamphlets - as they were relatively cheap and easy to distribute, they were the social media of the time. As well as writing his own papers and pamphlets, Tom Prior contributed to numerous other pamphlets published by the Society. The Society's activities were administered by different committees. Prior's influence was such that he was a member of all the committees 'except accounts, and even here he countersigned the accounts fortnightly.'((Fennelly, //Thomas Prior.//, pp.vii,x,21,37,44,63,87-88.))\\ | Today, [[wp>Thomas_Prior|Tom Prior]] is honoured in Ireland primarily for his role in 1731 when he was the key founder of the (from 1820, Royal) Dublin Society.((James Meenan and Desmond Clarke, 'The RDS 1731-1981', in James Meenan and Desmond Clarke (eds) //RDS. The Royal Dublin Society 1731-1981//, Gill & Macmillan: Dublin, 1981, p.3; {{https://www.rds.ie/|Dublin Society}}; //The Royal Dublin Society 1731-1981//, Gill & Macmillan: Dublin, 1981, p.3; [[https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Thomas_Prior|DusyDocs-Thomas Prior]])) The Royal Dublin Society is still active today, with a 'philanthropic work programme that spans across science, the arts, agriculture, business and equestrianism'.((Desmond Clarke, //Thomas Prior//; www.rds.ie)) While 14 men founded the Society, Tom Prior chaired its meetings and was 'its most active promoter and dedicated servant'.((James Meenan and Desmond Clarke, 'The RDS 1731-1981', in James Meenan and Desmond Clarke (eds) //RDS.//)) Prior's biographer Teddy Fennelly agrees that Tom Prior was the 'inspiration and driving force' behind the Society's foundation. As Secretary, Tom Prior effectively 'ran the Society' for 20 years, with little 'done or achieved without his advice, help and active cooperation'. He strongly supported its system of cash incentives for agricultural and industrial innovations. The Society also actively spread its ideas through the publication of pamphlets - as they were relatively cheap and easy to distribute, they were the social media of the time. As well as writing his own papers and pamphlets, Tom Prior contributed to numerous other pamphlets published by the Society. The Society's activities were administered by different committees. Prior's influence was such that he was a member of all the committees 'except accounts, and even here he countersigned the accounts fortnightly.'((Fennelly, //Thomas Prior.//, pp.vii,x,21,37,44,63,87-88.))\\ |
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| The Society's original aim was to improve Irish ‘Husbandry [agriculture], Manufactures and other Useful Arts’. In their championing of agricultural innovation, Tom Prior and the Dublin Society were part of a trend. Throughout Britain in the 18th century, select landowners championed new 'scientific' farming methods.((Fennelly, //Thomas Prior//, pp.17,48.)) The Society initially focused on encouraging the planting of trees as well as reclaiming the plentiful Irish bogs and mashes for agriculture. The first paper the Society considered was Tom Prior's //A New Method of Draining Marshy and Boggy Lands// (1731). He especially promoted greater Irish economic self-sufficiency both in agriculture and industry; another of the numerous papers he wrote for the Society was a //List of Commodities imported into Ireland which could be manufactured in the Country// as well as an essay on how Irish natural resources could be better utilised. He also became the authority on growing [[wp>Hops|hops]], used in brewing beer. His paper //Instructions for Planting and Managing Hops// was the basis of a highly influential treatise on hop growing. In face of the destructive English trade policies, Tom Prior strongly supported buying Irish goods rather than exported ones. In later life, he promoted growing [[wp>Flax|flax]] and its end product, the linen industry. He published //An Essay to encourage and extend the linen-manufacture in Ireland by praemiums and other means//. He is credited with helping make 'the wearing of Irish linen scarves into a political statement.'((Fennelly, //Thomas Prior//, pp.34,40,59.)) Another of Tom Prior's causes was the development of skills, taking a major role in the Dublin Society teaching people how to use more efficient agricultural equipment. \\ | The Society's original aim was to improve Irish ‘Husbandry [agriculture], Manufactures and other Useful Arts’. In their championing of agricultural innovation, Tom Prior and the Dublin Society were part of a trend. Throughout Britain in the 18th century, select landowners championed new 'scientific' farming methods.((Fennelly, //Thomas Prior//, pp.17,48.)) The Society initially focused on encouraging the planting of trees as well as reclaiming the plentiful Irish bogs and mashes for agriculture. The first paper the Society considered was Tom Prior's //A New Method of Draining Marshy and Boggy Lands// (1731). He especially promoted greater Irish economic self-sufficiency both in agriculture and industry; another of the numerous papers he wrote for the Society was a //List of Commodities imported into Ireland which could be manufactured in the Country// as well as an essay on how Irish natural resources could be better utilised. He also became the authority on growing [[wp>Hops|hops]], used in brewing beer. His paper //Instructions for Planting and Managing Hops// was the basis of a highly influential treatise on hop growing. In face of the destructive English trade policies, Tom Prior strongly supported buying Irish goods rather than exported ones. In later life, he promoted growing [[wp>Flax|flax]] and its end product, the linen industry. He published //An Essay to encourage and extend the linen-manufacture in Ireland by praemiums and other means//. He is credited with helping make 'the wearing of Irish linen scarves into a political statement.'((Fennelly, //Thomas Prior//, pp.34,40,59.)) Another of Tom Prior's causes was the development of skills, taking a major role in the Dublin Society teaching people how to use more efficient agricultural equipment. \\ |
| Tom Prior was buried in the graveyard beside the Anglican church in Rathdowney. The precise location of his grave is now unknown as his tombstone was later relocated inside the church.((Teddy Fennelly, //Thomas Prior.//pp.x,60-62.)). His other memorials are:\\ | Tom Prior was buried in the graveyard beside the Anglican church in Rathdowney. The precise location of his grave is now unknown as his tombstone was later relocated inside the church.((Teddy Fennelly, //Thomas Prior.//pp.x,60-62.)). His other memorials are:\\ |
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| **1.**{{:prior_memorial_enhanced.jpg?250|}}{{:top_of_prior_memorial.png?250|}} The Prior monument (Thomas Prior introducing Ceres to Hibernia by [[wp>John_van_Nost_the_younger|John Van Nost the younger]]), at entrance of [[wp>Christ_Church_Cathedral,_Dublin|Christ Church Cathedral]], Dublin. The sculpture was erected in 1756 and abounds with symbols of Prior’s work for Ireland.((Homan Potterton, //Irish Church Monuments 1570-1880//, [Belfast]: Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 1975, pp.31,86.)) The first photo,((Provenance: J. Godden, taken by David Godden)), with me (Judith Godden) looking at it in 1985 indicates its size, around three metres high.\\ | **1.**{{:prior_memorial_enhanced.jpg?250|}}{{:top_of_prior_memorial.png?250|}} The Prior monument (Thomas Prior introducing Ceres to Hibernia by [[wp>John_van_Nost_the_younger|John Van Nost the younger]]), at entrance of [[wp>Christ_Church_Cathedral,_Dublin|Christ Church Cathedral]], Dublin. The sculpture was erected in 1756 and abounds with symbols of Prior’s work for Ireland.((Homan Potterton, //Irish Church Monuments 1570-1880//, [Belfast]: Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 1975, pp.31,86.)) The first photo,((Provenance: J. Godden, taken by David Godden)), with me (Judith Godden) looking at it in 1985 indicates its size, around three metres high.\\ The second photo((Provenance: T.A. & M.T. M-P)) is the bust of Thomas Prior on top of the monument. The effusive praise of Tom Prior on the monument was written by his friend Bishop Berkeley - in Latin. A later member of the family copied a translation into their Family Bible:((Provenance: T.A. & M.T. M-P)){{:mp16.jpg?300|}}{{:epitath_use.jpg?350|}}\\ |
| The second photo((Provenance: T.A. & M.T. M-P)) is the bust of Thomas Prior on top of the monument. The effusive praise of Tom Prior on the monument was written by his friend Bishop Berkeley - in Latin. A later member of the family copied a translation into their Family Bible:((Provenance: T.A. & M.T. M-P)){{:mp16.jpg?300|}}{{:epitath.jpg?300|}}\\ | |
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| **2.** Perhaps the most recent monument to Tom Prior is the one recorded by the Laois Heritage Forum: In 2017, the Forum stated that in 2016, at St Andrew’s Church of Ireland, the Square, Rathdowney, a plaque was unveiled in Thomas Prior's memory, not just as one of the founders of the Royal Dublin Society, but also as the founder of the (local) Ossory Show. \\ | **2.** Perhaps the most recent monument to Tom Prior is the one recorded by the Laois Heritage Forum: In 2017, the Forum stated that in 2016, at St Andrew’s Church of Ireland, the Square, Rathdowney, a plaque was unveiled in Thomas Prior's memory, not just as one of the founders of the Royal Dublin Society, but also as the founder of the (local) Ossory Show. \\ |
| {{:garrison_house_tom_prior_born.jpg?direct&400|}} Photo of Garrison House, courtesy Laois Heritage Forum. It is described as located just off the Square in Rathdowney.\\ | {{:garrison_house_tom_prior_born.jpg?direct&400|}} Photo of Garrison House, courtesy Laois Heritage Forum. It is described as located just off the Square in Rathdowney.\\ |
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| When Tom Prior contemplated possible heirs, there were no males who were clear contenders. His elder brother Richard had died. He did have two step-brothers from his father's second marriage to a possibly disreputable woman (given that the marriage was reputedly kept secret). Of these step-brothers, Robert Prior was considered a 'good' man but not his son John, while the other step-brother, William, 'eclipsed them all' in bad behaviour. The morally upright Thomas passed over these possible heirs because of their ‘riotous living’ (apparently more towards the disgraceful rather than mere fun-loving point on the behavioural spectrum). Instead, Thomas left the Rathdowney estate to his cousin John Murray, the son of his aunt Mary Prior (sister of Colonel Thomas Prior) who had married the Reverend Thomas Murray. The family lived at Rathdowney and were close to Tom Prior.((Teddy Fennelly, //Thomas Prior//, pp.4,81-82.)) In Thomas’s will dated 22 June 1751, his legacy was conditional on John Murray assuming or adding((need to check his will for wording)) ‘Prior’ to his surname, hence ‘Murray Prior’ was born, later to be hyphenated.((copy of the will is in JOLQ, Praed papers, OM64-01, 10/7/2))\\ | When Tom Prior contemplated possible heirs, there were no males who were clear contenders. His elder brother Richard had died. He did have two step-brothers from his father's second marriage to a possibly disreputable woman (given that the marriage was reputedly kept secret). Of these step-brothers, Robert Prior was considered a 'good' man but not his son John, while the other step-brother, William, 'eclipsed them all' in bad behaviour. The morally upright Thomas passed over these possible heirs because of their ‘riotous living’ (apparently more towards the disgraceful rather than mere fun-loving point on the behavioural spectrum). Instead, Thomas left the Rathdowney estate to his cousin John Murray, the son of his aunt Mary Prior (sister of Colonel Thomas Prior) who had married the Reverend Thomas Murray. The family lived at Rathdowney and were close to Tom Prior.((Teddy Fennelly, //Thomas Prior//, pp.4,81-82.)) In Thomas’s will dated 22 June 1751, his legacy was conditional on John Murray assuming or adding((need to check his will for wording)) ‘Prior’ to his surname, hence ‘Murray Prior’ was born, later to be hyphenated.((Rosa Praed Papers, John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland, MSOM64-01, copy of the will, Box 10/7/2))\\ |
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| ==== The Murray family ==== | ==== The Murray family ==== |