28
1798 (11 July) letter written by John Sheares on the eve of his execution.
Estimate:
€1,500 - €2,000
Sold
€3,200
Timed Auction
The Eclectic Collector - Timed Auction
Size
11 by 8.75in. (27.9 by 22.2cm)
Description
Description: " It is now eleven o'clock and I have only time to address My Julia in a short eternal farewell". Mainly concerning his wife and family and his parents and sisters. The trial was on 12 July and he was executed on 14 July so it appears in his distress that he gave an incorrect date on this letter - it should read 13 July.
Note: John and Henry Sheares were the sons of Henry Sheares, a liberal banker from Cork who also sat in the Irish Parliament.. Henry attended Trinity College Dublin, bought an officer's commission and then studied as a lawyer, being called to the bar as a barrister in Michaelmas term, 1790. John had qualified as a barrister in Michaelmas term, 1789.In 1792 the brothers went to Paris and were swept away by the popular enthusiasms of the French revolution. They met leaders such as Brissot and Roland, both of whom were to be executed in 1793.They joined the United Irish movement on their return to Dublin in January 1793, when it was still legal. However, France declared war on Britain (and by extension, on Ireland) in February 1793. The Society's initial aims of securing 1) Catholic Emancipation and 2) universal suffrage were unsuccessful. Its stance became more radical, and in turn the Irish administration banned it in 1794. The Sheares brothers principally organised the movement in Cork, while continuing with their legal careers. During 1793 the brothers also joined the Dublin Society of the United Irishmen. On the arrest of most of the United Irish "Directory" members in March 1798, John was chosen as a replacement on the approach to the outbreak of rebellion. His main act at this point was to decide on the date - 23 May.The Directory fatally stayed in Dublin, where the United Irish had less support. Already quietly betrayed by informers and spies they were arrested on 21 May and indicted on 26 June. The brothers were tried as the rebellion was at its height, and were hanged, drawn and quartered. They were buried at St Michan's nearby. Visitors are brought to their coffins on a tour of St. Michan's vaults.
Note: John and Henry Sheares were the sons of Henry Sheares, a liberal banker from Cork who also sat in the Irish Parliament.. Henry attended Trinity College Dublin, bought an officer's commission and then studied as a lawyer, being called to the bar as a barrister in Michaelmas term, 1790. John had qualified as a barrister in Michaelmas term, 1789.In 1792 the brothers went to Paris and were swept away by the popular enthusiasms of the French revolution. They met leaders such as Brissot and Roland, both of whom were to be executed in 1793.They joined the United Irish movement on their return to Dublin in January 1793, when it was still legal. However, France declared war on Britain (and by extension, on Ireland) in February 1793. The Society's initial aims of securing 1) Catholic Emancipation and 2) universal suffrage were unsuccessful. Its stance became more radical, and in turn the Irish administration banned it in 1794. The Sheares brothers principally organised the movement in Cork, while continuing with their legal careers. During 1793 the brothers also joined the Dublin Society of the United Irishmen. On the arrest of most of the United Irish "Directory" members in March 1798, John was chosen as a replacement on the approach to the outbreak of rebellion. His main act at this point was to decide on the date - 23 May.The Directory fatally stayed in Dublin, where the United Irish had less support. Already quietly betrayed by informers and spies they were arrested on 21 May and indicted on 26 June. The brothers were tried as the rebellion was at its height, and were hanged, drawn and quartered. They were buried at St Michan's nearby. Visitors are brought to their coffins on a tour of St. Michan's vaults.
Condition
Fold marks, stains and overall toning, but very legible
