Concepta? After so many years dealing with me, I'm sure I've earned your pain in the arse award more than once! I was intrigued by the following excerpt today from Cavan itself, on the Phillips surname. I was unaware of there being Phillips there (besides the C of I Cpt Michael Phillips from Belturbit). These family Phillips seem to be Catholic? Have we researched Catholic Phillips records for my gg-grandparents Peter Phillips and Francis/Mary Lovett-Phillips in Cavan City? Dick Webber -----Original Message----- From: JOwenG@aol.com [mailto:JOwenG@aol.com] Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2004 8:35 PM To: IRL-CAVAN-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [IRL-CAVAN] ANGLO-CELT - NOVEMBER 17, 1848 ANGLO-CELT NOVEMBER 17, 1848 CORONER'S INQUEST ON THE LATE MR. EDWARD PHILLIPS Last week we recorded the death of Mr. PHILLIPS, on Thursday evening, at his residence, Main-street, Cavan. For twelve or eighteen months previous to his decease, Mr. PHILLIPS was unable to leave the house, owing to debility, and occassional fits of weakness superinduced by intemperance. Two nephews and a niece lived with him for many years, conducting his business, and managing his affairs generally during the time, he himself was incapable. They are quiet, industrious young people; and have earned for themselves characters for respectability and integrity which stand above suspicion. These and others, including Dr. BRICE, were present when Mr. PHILLIPS breathed his last. The deceased was reported to have had a good deal of ready money, all of which, it was stated, he had locked up in an iron chest in his bedroom. This was the generally received opinion, but like all opinions based on mere hearsay, appears to have had no foundation. Mr. PHILLIPS had no family of his own, but had a number of relataives, including a half-brother, Patrick PHILLIPS of Clinlarra, near this town, a nephew in Bailieborough, Patrick PHILLIPS, son of Mr. PHILLIPS of Clinlarra, and another nephew in Longford, also Patrick PHILLIPS. The deceased died about five o'clock on Thursday evening, and in an hour or so after, Mr. PHILLIPS of Clinlarra, called upon Mr. C. PHILLIPS, one of the nephews who resided with deceased and demanded the keys of the aforesaid chest, &c. They were at once given him, with the understanding that the box and other trunks should be opened in the presence of witnesses next day. Up to this time there were strangers constantly in the room where this chest was, and after ascertaining that the chest was secure, MR. PHILLIPS went away, taking the keys with him. The corpse was then laid out, and waked for two nights. Next day (Friday) Mr. PHILLIPS returned, and in the prsence of the Right Rev. Doctor BROWNE, Roman Catholic Bishop of this diocese, the supposed treasure-chest was opened, but found to contain nothing save some papers and other things of no value. A strict search was instituted about the premises, but the anticipated guineas were "non est inventi". All parties expressed themselves satisfied, and separated, convinced that the deceased had not the possessions attributed to him by a gossipping public. The body was waked Friday night also, to which there was free acess, and on Saturday it was buried, being attended to its last resting-place by a large and highly respectable funeral. After the usual vulgar gape of astonishment at the poverty of the "old bachelor", the matter was quickly forgotten. ON Monday or Tuesday, however, a letter was served on Head-Constable MOORE of this town calling for an inquest on the body of the deceased, by Mr. Patrick PHILLIPS of Bailieborough. The letter alleged that it was generally rumoured that deceased came to his death by unfair means. The Head-Constable at once intimated the fact to Mr. BERRY, the corner, and on Wednesday Mr. BERRY came to Cavan for the purpose of having the body exhumed and holding an inquest. All the friends of the deceased met the coroner by appoint- ment, save the individual who preferred the charge, and it was found he had left Cavan for Bailieborough on the preceding day, apparently to avoid the inquest he had called. Mr. BERRY asked each of the friends if they supposed any means were used to procure deceased's death. Each of them, including Mr. PHILLIPS of Clinlarra, who is father of the Bailieborough man, and who held the keys and had the box opened, and Mr. PHILLIPS of Longford, protested in the strongest manner against any such supposition. Each and all of them declared they were perfectly satisfied the deceased died a natural death, and that he had always received kind and affectionate treatment from the nephews and niece who resided with him. Mr. C. PHILLIPS and his brother (the nephews referred to) said that as the matter was now buited abroad it would be better proceed with the inquest, to exonerate their characters from any unjust suspicions. They also said it was very unfair for the man who had called for the inquirty to be absent. The conorer condemned this individual's conduct in strong terms, and said from what he had heard he was fully convinced that it was only a waste of public money to proceed with the investigation. On the nephews insisting that the inquest should be proceeded with for sake of their characters, the coroner acceded to their request, and named Monday next as the day, he being then in a bad state of health. The friends of deceased then left the room..... If Mr. PHILLIPS of Bailieboro' supposed his relateive was foully dealt with, why did he not call for the investigation before the man's remains were interred? He had ample time from Thursday to Saturday..For own parts we have not the slightest reason for believing that the deceased was poisoned, or died otherwise then from natural causes....Another subject reamins to be noticed. Why should the county be put to the expense of this farcical inquest. Our burdens are heavy enough without the addition of extras laid on by unthinking men. We venture to assert if Mr. PHILLIPS of Bailieboro' was liable for the expense of this inquest--if it prove to be, what it obviously is--an effusion of spleen, we should never have heard of it. =======================================================