Robert PARKE (1671-1741)

This Robert Parke married Jane Delafausille of Sligo. The Articles of Marriage were dated 26 September 1719. In 1725 he and his father, William Parke of Dunally, Co. Sligo are in a land Memorial deed detailing the disposition of County Leitrim lands throughout the lives of Robert and Jane Parke and thereafter.

SOURCE: LDS film #0522821 of Memorial #74023 dated 14 and 15 June 1725,

Vol. 105, Page 404, Registry of Deeds, Dublin, Ireland.

NOTE: This Memorial also lists Charles Parke as third son of William

Parke of Dunally, and Roger Parke of Dunally, Co. Sligo.

 

This Robert Parke lived at Rathbraghan House located south of Dunally and about 1000 yards from Bleachgreen House, Rathbraghan, Sligo. BLEACHGREEN HOUSE was owned by the Dunally Parkes and was the residence of the Bleachgreen (Rathbraghan) Flax Mill. Indentures were made by ROGER PARKE and WILLIAM PARKE and ROGER CHARLES PARKE with various lessors and occupants from 11 November 1772 down through the years until approximately October 1852. The mill operator in 1857 was Thomas McDonnel and the mill probably operated until the late 1860s or early 1870s. In late 1908, Bleachgreen House was rented by THOMAS PARKES of Castlereagh, Co. Roscommon soon after his marriage to MARY BRIDGET CASSIDY of Kilcar, Co. Donegal. All of their children, including this submitter, PATRICK BENEDICT PARKES, were born there and the house was finally purchased by LOUIS PARKES (submitter's brother, now deceased) on 18 August 1971. Louis' widow, Agnes Dillworth Parkes, is the current owner. An implausible but fascinating story about Bleachgreen is that one lessor or occupant became an officer in the English Navy, served at sea with Captain Bligh, and took part in the famous mutiny on the Bounty.

 

RATHBRAGHAN HOUSE, where ROBERT PARKE lived, also owned by the Dunally

Parkes, was the residence of the Rathbraghan Corn Mill situated on the

Ballytivnan river. This mill went out of operation before 1870 as it is not

listed in Slater's directory of 1870. It is mentioned in Pigot's Directory

(1824). It was in use in the 1850s because it is listed in Griffith's

Valuation, with WILLIAM GREEN as tenant.

 

For some reason, this Robert Parke is referred to in Dunally estate papers as "The Unfortunate Robert."

 

This Robert Parke became classified as William Parke's eldest son when first son, Roger Parke, died.

 

 

Estimated date of marriage is based on memorial of marriage settlement dated 21

September 1719.