ANCESTOR MADE PIKES AND FOUGHT IN ’98

Leinster Leader 25 July 1942

ANCESTOR MADE PIKES AND

FOUGHT IN ’98

Mr. Wm. Lee (69). Rathangan, who died on Sunday is the third and last brother of the well known local family of Lee, blacksmiths, to pass away within a year. Blacksmiths in Rathangan for more than 200 years, an ancestor forged pikes for the Pikemen of ’98 and fought in the battle of Rathangan when the Yeomen, after being defeated and driven, with heavy casualties from the town, were reinforced, returned, and defeated the insurgents some of whom were afterwards hanged in the streets. Deceased was a very popular man, a member of the former brass and reed band and an upright, intelligent and very industrious citizen; three sons are in England at present. Deep sympathy is felt with Mrs. Lee and her family in their great sorrow and loss. The remains were removed from St. Patrick’s Church, Rathangan, for interment in the Old Cemetery, on Tuesday. Rev. M. Doyle, C.C., officiated.

 The chief mourners were –Mrs. M. A. Lee (widow), Miss Mary B. Lee (daughter), Mrs. Pringle (sister) and family (Annsboro). Mrs. Maria Mulpeter (sister), and family (Mulantine); Mrs. Fitzgerald (sister) and family, Friarstown.