R.I.C.
George DAVIS served in the Royal Irish Constabulary from 1875 to 1891. George was under 19 years at his enlistment, although his first posting did not come until he was over 19. The normal minimum age of entry was 19 years. Usually, a man would only be eligible to enlist at a younger age if he had close relatives in the force – George’s older brother John was in the R.I.C.
George was a Constable, aged 34 years when he was pensioned from his position in Tipperary South Riding on 5th September 1891. His annual pension was £21, 12 and 7. After his death, a final payment was made to his widow, Mary B., in November 1912.
Post R.I.C. occupations and residences
We can see from the children’s birth and death records that George worked initially as a shopkeeper after he left the R.I.C.
A January 22nd 1892 Irish Examiner newspaper article on the hearings for applications for spirit licences shows that a Francis O’CALLAGHAN’s licence at 13 Nile Street was transferred to George DAVIS.[1]
The first of the DAVIS children born at that premises was John Francis, in 1894.
Curiously, George’s brother-in-law James FURLONG had been a publican after his R.I.C. service, and brother John DAVIS and family had lived over public houses in the 1901 and 1911 census.
There is no reference to George in the 1893 directory but in the 1897 Guy’s Directory George was listed at Nile St.
Nile St is now part of Sheares St, and the N22.
Guy’s 1866 Map of Cork
It was while living in the city at Nile St that babies Timothy, George Leo and John died in 1894 and ‘95. Having then moved west to Magazine Road, Madge was the first child born there in 1899.
1903 Guy’s almanac and directory
By then George did clerical and accounting work and was an insurance agent.[2]
Census records
In the 1901 Census the family of five were living at 23 Magazine Rd, Huggardsland Townland, in five rooms. There were four windows to the front of the house. There were two ‘Out Offices.’ It was considered a 2nd class house.
Neither George nor Mary B. spoke or wrote Irish.
In the 1910 Guys Almanac George DAVIS was on Magazine Rd at a house called Marysville, listed between the Auburn and Eileen Villas which were probably terraced houses.
In 1911 the family of nine were living in six rooms at 50 Magazine Rd. There were no outbuildings. There were four windows to the front of the house. It was considered a 2nd class house.
The family moved to Wolfe Tone St sometime between April 1911 and October 1912. This appears to have been a significant move down in the quality of housing and from what was a more middle-class area back to the old working-class north Cork. We can only speculate on what prompted this move. Was it to be nearer Mary’s aging father Timothy O’/CALLAGHAN and sister Babe’s (O’Callaghan) FURLONG’S family?
Death of George DAVIS
George DAVIS died on 14 October 1912, at 97 Wolfe Tone St, of bronchitis, 21 days certified[3]. He was just 55-years-old. He was recorded as a Constabulary Pensioner. His death was reported by his oldest daughter, Mollie DAVIS[4], present at death.
George was buried at the old Garrycloyne cemetery, on 16 October 1912.
George Davis death notice – Cork Examiner
Tuesday Morning, October 15, 1912
DAVIS – On October 14th, at his residence, 97 Wolfe Tone St, George Davis, ex – R.I.C, deeply regretted by his sorrowing wife and family. On whose soul, Sweet Jesus, have mercy. R.I.P. Funeral from Cathedral on to-morrow (Wednesday), at 1 o’clock, for Garrycloyne.
George DAVIS left £413, 19s, 2d to his widow Mary B. in the settlement of his will on 16 November 1912. This was worth the equivalent of about £45,000.00 in 2018. Compared to other effects in the family this is a substantial sum.
[1] The only record I can find for a Francis O’Callaghan is that of a Gentleman who lived at 5 North Mall (1891 Cork directory) and died in 1894. Primary benefactors William Adams and John O’Callaghan.
[2] My uncle Jack HYLAND claimed George was paying in the money for half the people he was meant to be collecting insurance money from. Whether this is true or not, there is a suggestion that the family believed George DAVIS was good hearted.
All residence data images sourced from http://www.corkpastandpresent.ie/places/streetandtradedirectories
[3] A number of George’s children were also badly affected by respiratory conditions.
[4]Later Mollie HYLAND, my grandmother.
In Search of Thomas Davis 