Benjamin Michael Palmer is my great grandfather.

He was born in England, possibly Cornwall, between April and August 1850. Ben was the son of Benjamin Palmer, possibly a local Vicar or Minister, and was raised by his aunt, Mrs Abbott. (On his marriage certificate, his father's occupation is given as what looks like "Master Mariner". So .. more research needed!).

Some time before 1877, he came to Ireland, where he converted to Roman Catholicism. Oral tradition suggests that he may have been a sailor, who decided to stay in Ireland after meeting his future wife Annie, in Dublin.

They married on 14 October 1876 at St Agathas, North William Street, Dublin.

Benjamin and Annie lived at 26 Lower Gloucester Street, Dublin, until about 1886, when they moved to 25 Portland Row, Fairview, Dublin. They stayed there until 1906.

By 1911, they were living at 13 Derrynane Parade, Phibsboro, near Mountjoy Jail. They stayed there until Annie died in 1931, when Ben went to live with his daughter, Anne, at 11 Charleville Road, Rathmines, until his death. View houses

Ben appears to have had a number of business interests. In 1901 his occupation was described as "Agent, Brewers" and by 1911 it was "Accountant". He also ran a wholesale salt business in Dublin, helped by Anne, his daughter, and Alban, his nephew. Alban continued to run the business until the 1950s, when he sold it to Stafford and Sons of Dublin. There may also be a family connection to Bryant and May, the match makers.

Benjamin and Annie had four children, of which three were alive in 1901, Benjamin Norman Palmer (my grandfather), George Christopher and Anne Mary. The fourth child could have been called William.

He died in Dublin on 23 August 1936, and is buried with Anne in Glasnevin Cemetery (St Patricks MM105).

 

Benjamin Michael Palmer