Barbara Verschoyle

Barbara Fagan Verschoyle (died 25 January 1837), was a land agent and philanthropist in Dublin.

Early life Born Barbara Fagan in the early 1750s to Bryan and Elizabeth Fagan in Dublin, Verschoyle was the sixth daughter of eight in the family. Her father was a land agent for the FitzWilliam estate in Dublin and brewer for the brewery on Usher's Island in Dublin.

When her father died in 1761, her mother continued running both businesses until her own death in October 1789.

The FitzWilliam estate at this time was undergoing significant development in the Merrion street and surrounding area.

In 1750, there were believed to be about 35 breweries in the city.

Family Barbara Fagan took over the family business at some point after her mother died, certainly by 1796. The Catholic Fagan married a Protestant merchant, Richard Verschoyle of the Verschoyle family.

Her husband was born in Donore, County Meath in 1751 to Joseph and Margaret (Mottley) Verschoyle. His paternal lineage was Huguenot. He died in 1827 in Brighton, Sussex, England.

With the loss of the Parliament in Dublin in 1801 there were economic difficulties in the city. However, the estate value continued to rise. Verschoyle was able to convince FitzWilliam to donate land for a church in Booterstown and the 1812 Italianate church was erected and paid for by Viscount FitzWilliam. Verschoyle also oversaw the transformation of adjoining land into a girls school and she donated personal funds to assist in the running of it each year. In 1826, she oversaw the construction of the parish school. In 1816, FitzWilliam died and the estate passed to his heir, George Herbert, 11th Earl of Pembroke. Verschoyle continued in her role as agent until her husband died. At that point, she retired.

References and sources