Benjamin D'lsraeli

By John Keog

In the year 1766. Benjamin D'lsraeli was born in England. There are con- flicting reports concerning his early childhood and this matter is still under investigation. It is reported that he came to Ireland with his mother at a very early age. Benjamin started to serve his apprenticeship with Richard Bayly at the tender age of seventeen. Mr. Bayley was identified with the running of Lotteries, Stockbroking, Moneylending and Insurance. His new apprentice proved himself both diligent and honest. Concerning the lottery system, by buying a lottery ticket for £7.10s, one had two chances of winning £20,000. This draw was not confined to Ireland but also extended to England. Having completed his apprenticeship, Benjamin acquired a licence on the 12th February, 1788 to run lotteries from the Right Honourable
Stephen Ratcliffe, Judge of His Majesty's Court of Prerogative in Ireland. Following this he opened an office at 105 Grafton Street, Dublin. As a result of his business transactions, D'lsraeli acquired property in Suffolk Street. Grafton Street, Summer Hill and Essex Street.
Having accumulated vast amounts of property and money, Benjamin D'lsraeli turned his interests to the country area. On the advice of a friend of his, namely Wm. Hoare Hume of Humewood Castle, he purchased Bettyfield House and lands (now Beechy Park, presently owned by Mrs. V. Burgess). Circumstances did not allow him to take up residence at once, consequently he leased the property to one George Pilsworth in 1804. After a period of five years, he took up residence himself and became one of the landed gentry.
Benjamin D'lsraeli was appointed High Sheriff of Carlow by the Lord Lieutenant in 1810, evidence of this to be found in the minute book of Kiltegan Vestry dated 16 April, 1811. As the years progressed, he transferred his interest from Lotteries to Stock- broking.
Five days before his death at Beechy Park he bequested £3.000 towards the erection of a school for the education of the poor at Bough, Rathviily. The school was built 12 years after his death. For one hundred and fifty years this lovely structure has been in use, thus fulfilling its purpose.
Benjamin D'lsraeli died 1814 aged 48 years and was laid to rest in Saint Peter's Churchyard, Dublin. In his will he also left a sum of £500 to the church wardens at Rathviily which was to be invested in Government Securities and the interest to be distributed to the poor of Rathviily Parish every Christmas. This is still the practice today. Benjamin D'lsraeli will be remembered as a man of generous nature, with the poor of the district ever present in his heart.
May he rest in peace.
REF: Dublin Chronicle,28/10/1788. Kil. Jour. Arch. Soc. Vol. V. P329.
R.S.A.I. Vol. LXXVIII 1948.