Three Clerical Members of the Wynne Family

Scions of landed families, in Ireland as in England, often took up careers in the Established Church; among them were no fewer than 17 descendants in the male line of Owen Wynne of Hazelwood (Co Sligo) (died 1789). The most famous of these was Canon “Billy” Wynne, founder of the Irish Samaritans. The present article deals with three others, a father, son and grandson whose careers spanned a century, reflecting the changes in the Church of Ireland during that tumultuous time. HENRY WYNNE (1758/9-1828), Owen Wynne’s third son, seems to have considered the Church at first more as a source of income than a focus of religious devotion. Indeed, until the birth of an heir to his eldest brother in 1801 he might eventually have succeeded to Hazelwood, of which he was particularly fond (the second brother never married). Henry entered Trinity College, Dublin, in November 1776, taking his BA in 1781 and MA in 1786. The dates of his ordination as deacon and priest are unknown.

* Full article available in printed copies.

Tim Hudson

Now retired, was formerly Editor, Victoria County History, Sussex, based at the University of London, and has a special interest in religious history.