Marble and Stone Memorials - Patterson Memorial, St. Mary's Parish Church



At the back of St Mary’s Church is an impressive granite memorial with an obelisk on top.  It commemorates the Patterson family of Dungarvan.  The monument is signed by the makers: ‘Farrell & Son Glasnevin’.  They were well-known monumental sculptors in 19th century Dublin.  The firm was run by John Farrell and his son Peter and they were described as ‘Tombstone manufacturers, Marble Merchants and Sculptors’.  John was the brother of the sculptor Terrence Farrell (1798-1876).

The memorial has white marble panels which contain the following inscriptions:

Erected to the memory of Edward Patterson A.B., London University, Eldest son of Edward Patterson, who died on the 27th day of September 1859 aged 25 years.

In memory of Edward Patterson who died the 15th of May 1856 in the 60th year of his life, his daughter Elizabeth Catherine who died the 11th November 1852 aged 14 years. His son Michael who died July 1831 aged 2 years. J……. Mary Agnes Patterson died 11 January 1865.

It is striking to note the young ages at which all the family died. 

Who were the Pattersons?  Edward the father, was a pawnbroker who had a house in Blackpool according to Slater’s Directory 1846.  In the official Returns relating to pawnbrokers’ year ending 1844 Edward is noted as having registered as a pawnbroker on 4 March 1831.  He had sold 35,139 ‘Tickets’ and had lent sums amounting to £6,139.6.4 .  In 1836 it was noted that Edward was resident in Blackpool and had a valuation of £10. By 1856 his address was Devonshire Square.  He may also have had shops in Clonmel and Fermoy as an Edward Patterson pawnbroker is listed for these towns in the 1844 returns of pawnbrokers.

How many children were in the Patterson family?  The memorial lists three and in the Letters of Administration (5 April 1860) for the estate of Edward junior his next of kin is noted as Rev. Michael Joseph Patterson of Dungarvan.  It noted that Edward died (a Bachelor) in Clonmel and left an estate valued at under £4,000.