Lawrence, Charles, Family Book and Photograph Album

Leather bound gilt-edged album with photographic prints of portraits of various members of the Lawrence family, the local village, and the interior of and frescoes at Lisreaghan, generally includes biographic detail on the leading family members together with a brief family history, and an account of the geography and history of Lawrencetown.  Front cover also includes an engraving of the family crest.

The Lawrence family owned extensive lands in the counties Mayo and Galway.  The former was in the townlands of Cloonbanaum, North, Middle and South, situated in the Electoral Division of Shrule, Union of Ballinrobe, Parish of Shrule, Barony of Kilmaine.  The lands in Galway were located primarily in the baronies of Clare and Longford.  The townland of Belview, where the Demesne of Belview was located was in the Electoral Division of Lawrencetown, Union of Ballinasloe, Parish of Kiltormer, and Barony of Longford.  The Lawrence family formerly owned all the lands of this townland.  The House is described in the Landed Estate Court Rental (1852) as ‘commodious and good.  There is an ornamental piece of water in front of the House.  The entire makes a very handsome Demesne’.

The extensive details on lineage included in the Album stated

'John Lawrence, in common with other gentlemen surrendered his property to the Crown after the death of Elizabeth, and received it back again under Patent from James I (see Patent Rolls, 16. James I). John Lawrence settled at Ballymore, where he erected his Castle by regulation temp. Queen Elizabeth in the Parish of Clonfert, Barony of Longford and county of Galway…. Walter Lawrence of Ballymore succeeded his father, and repaired his Castle after the death of Elizabeth.  The initial W.L. 1620 was carved on one of the Castle chimney pieces and was seen as late as 1844 by persons now living…..

Mr (John) Lawrence had the whole of his extensive Estates seized and sequestered on 'account of the Rebellion which began in the Kingdom on the 23rd October 1641 but claimed them from the usurped Powers sitting at Athlone in 1654 as his ancient property….; he died at the Castle of Ballymore in 1675 and was buried in the Cathedral of Clonfer. (St Brendan's)…..He was succeeded by his only son Walter Lawrence Esq. of Lisreaghan...’.

Includes photographs of Ballymore Castle, Lawrencetown ; the Volunteer Gate at Lisreaghan, erected by Colonel Walter Lawrence (1729-1796); the village of Lawrencetown depicting several thatched cottages and a common area ; the village of Lawrencetown depicting a street with two storey houses and some cottages, includes several horse drawn carts, with accompanying detail 'First erected about the year 1700 by Walter Lawrence …rebuilt by Col. Walter Lawrence, 1765 to promote the linen industry in the West of Ireland…'.  Also includes photographs of a portrait of John Lawrence (1698 - 1730), of Col. Walter Lawrence (1729 - 1796), of portrait of Rear Admiral Sir Peter Lawrence (1702 - 1758), with biographical detail such as 'In 1755, he retired from the service and died, at Woodfield, Eyrecourt, Co. Galway, 1758, and was interred with his distinguished ancestors, in the Mortuary Chapel, of the Cathedral Church of St. Brendan's Clonfert, Co. Galway’.  

Photographs and details of various frescoes include 'The Rape of the Sabines  A Fresco on the left hand panel in the Aurora Hall, at Lawrencetown, County Galway 1760, after Picture Da Cortona in the Capitol at Rome, born 1596, Died 1669, Right background a Temple ; Left background columns of a Temple with statue of Neptune…'  and ‘Romulus and Remus    A Fresco on the front panel in the Aurora Hall, At Lawrencetown, County Galway, 1750, after Ruben in the Capitol at Rome, Born 1577, Died 1646.   The Wolf in centre of picture with the children ; to the left allegorical figure of the Tiber…..'

Also includes images of a pair of Italian Marble Busts: Minerva & Mars.

Includes photocopy of letter from Peter Scotland, 18 Eastbourne Street, Lynwood 6155, West Australia, to the Galway County Librarian (29 January 1987) noting that the Library has included the 'family book' in its collection.

In 2022 the busts of Minerva & Mars appeared for auction in USA @ https://fineart.ha.com/itm/sculpture/a-pair-of-italian-marble-busts-minerva-and-mars-18th-century36-x-28-x-13-inches-914-x-711-x-330-cm-/a/8104-63318.s  It is understood they sold for €95,000 to the auction dealer (Cedric DuPont Antiques) for private use in his home in Miami.
A Pair of Italian Marble Busts: Minerva & Mars, 18th century; 36 x 28 x 13 inches (91.4 x 71.1 x 33.0 cm) (busts) on 36 inch high wooden bases. Each inscribed in pencil, Mars on the back of the neck, Minerva on her proper left shoulder: 53634-XA
Property from the Estate of Mildred Fender, Fort Worth, Texas
Each bust sits atop a wooden pedestal affixed with a plaque which reads: MARS [MINERVA] / By Canova / Executed at the request of / his friend & patron Walter Lawrence / of Lawrencetown. Co, Galway. / who died / 1795.
More information about Canova, Antonio <https://fineart.ha.com/artist-index/canova-antonio.s?id=500115339&ic3=ViewItem-Auction-Archive-LongDescriptionSMP-111020>. See also: Antonio Canova, Antonio Canova, Marchese d'Ischia.
Condition Report: Each bust rests on a wooden plinth measuring 36 inches high, 22 inches wide, and 12 1/2 inches deep. Please note that the marble busts are not structurally affixed to the pedestals. The overall height of each piece, including the pedestal, is 72 inches. Each pedestal bears the same inscription as the marbles, 53634-XA, in white chalk. The marble busts present very well. Sculpted partially in the round, the upper back of each figure is raw-finished, with the sculptor's chisel marks visible. Done in a creamy, off-white marble with scattered inclusions, slightly darker and more yellow in color. Each with dust and dirt accumulation in the recesses, and a few scattered surface scuffs and shallow nicks, commensurate with age. Orangey inclusions more prevalent on the back of each work. Mars: several chips to the robes draped across his chest, particularly affecting the edges and undersides of these areas. Minerva: a few small chips to the edges of the robes draped over her proper left shoulder.

It is understood the busts, together with the contents of the house, were originally sold from the Lawrence estate in c. 1912. The busts were purchased by the Master of Hounds in Tipperary who only kept them for a short time. They next appeared at auction in New York in 1915 where they were sold for $3,600, the highest price at the sale of Antiques. They were purchased by C. J. Charles of 718 Fifth Avenue according to an article in the New York Times of 5th February 1915.