high, his eyes great, black, and lovely, … and his countenance cheerful. … He was undoubtedly valiant and wise." 247 39 93
Bolton, Sir Richard, born in Staffordshire, in Elizabeth's reign. He rose rapidly in the law, received the honor of knighthood, and having, in 1621, published an edition of Irish Statutes, and specially turned his attention to Irish legal matters, was appointed Chief-Baron of the Exchequer, and afterwards, in 1639, Lord-Chancellor of Ireland. During the reign of Charles I. the Irish Court of Chancery was in full work—726 decrees being enrolled, and the Chancellor's salary receiving an addition of £500 a-year; while the Irish Bench were directed to take upon them "together with the coif, the very same form and fashion of robes, habits, and other ornaments as are used here by our judges in England." As a friend of Strafford, Bolton was with several others impeached of high treason by the Irish House of Commons. The proceedings were eventually quashed, and it is thought that this impeachment was to prevent his attending Strafford's trial and giving evidence for him. Amid the conflict of the civil wars he continued patiently and perseveringly penning his Justice of the Peace for Ireland, and other law works. It is probable that he died in England in 1650, whither he had retired during Cromwell's government. 76 339
Bond, Oliver, a prominent United-Irishman, was born in Ulster about 1762. He commenced business as a wholesale woollen draper in Pill-lane, Dublin, and in in 1786 removed to the house now 9 Lower Bridge-street. Five years afterwards he married the daughter of Henry Jackson, ironfounder, a leading member of the United-Irishmen. He soon rose to be one of the most opulent and respectable merchants in Dublin. He entered enthusiastically into Irish politics. On 1st March 1793, he, together with the Hon. Simon Butler, was committed to Newgate, and fined £500, for reflections on the House of Lords. On their liberation in August they were presented with congratulatory addresses. In 1797 we find him exceedingly active in administering the oath, and enrolling and arming men. The meetings of the Leinster Directory were usually held at his house. There, on 19th February 1798, the famous resolution was passed: "We will pay no attention to any measure which the Parliament of this kingdom may adopt, to divert the public mind from the grand object we have in view; as nothing short of the entire and complete regeneration of our country can satisfy us." Through the treachery of Reynolds, Bond's house was surrounded by military on the morning of the 12th March 1798, and fourteen members of the Leinster Directory were seized. Bond was tried and convicted on 24th July. He was defended by Curran and Ponsonby. It was mainly to prevent the execution of so beloved and venerated a man that Thomas Addis Emmet and other state prisoners entered into the compact with government, which will be found detailed in Emmet's life. He survived the commutation but five weeks, dying suddenly in prison of apoplexy, 6th of September 1798, aged 36. He was interred in St. Michan's graveyard, Dublin. His large property was not confiscated; and his widow and family removed to the United States. Mrs. Bond died in Baltimore, 15th September 1843. 110 331
Bonnell, James, Accountant-General of Ireland, son of Samuel Bonnell, an English merchant, was born at Genoa, 14th November 1653. Two years after his birth, his father was appointed Accountant-General of Ireland, with reversion of the office to his son. His father died in 1664. The youth's education, which had been commenced at Trim, was completed at Cambridge University. He displayed a spirit of wonderful sweetness and piety; and none the less did he prosecute his studies with indefatigable diligence. For some time he acted as tutor, travelling with his charge in France and Holland. In 1684 he returned to Ireland, and took his employment of Accountant-General into his own hands, which had been since his father's death managed by others for his benefit. The toils of office were peculiarly irksome to him, and nothing but a sense of duty prevented him from throwing them off, and occupying himself with devotions and religious meditations. When upon the rumours of war in December 1688, multitudes hurried away to England, he stood firm at his post, regarding the sufferings of himself and fellow Protestants as a just chastisement for their many shortcomings in the past. His joy after the victory of the Boyne was abated by news from England of the death of his mother to whom he was tenderly attached. In 1693 he married a daughter of Sir Albert Cunningham. His desire to enter the Church was frustrated by ill health. He died in Dublin, 28th April 1699, aged 45, of a malignant fever, and his remains were interred in St. John's Church. See Notes and Queries, 2nd Series, for a rare poem by Swift upon Bonnell's life. 44* 254
Borlace, Edmund, (son of Sir John
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