33RD GENERATION

4484. John Boxwell was born on 10 Jan 1769 in Sarshill, County Wexford, Ireland. He died on 5 Jun 1798 in Carrigbyrne, County Wexford, Ireland. John lost his life due to wounds in the Battle of New Ross as a leader of one of the rebel units in the what is known as "The People's Rising", a rebellion in 1798. The story of this battle with its devastating losses is told in Daniel Gahan's "The People's Rising, Wexford, 1798."

From The Wexford Gentry, p. 41: "Apparently John was a Trinity student, who became embroiled in the politics of the time and fell under the influence of Wolfe Tone and the United Irishmen, as did his cousin Bagenal Harvey of Bargy Castle. He left Trinity and joined the army where he was trained as a gunner. He retired early and went home to farm. When the rebellion broke out in Wexford [he] joined the rebels. He was killed at the Battle of Ross, manning an artillery field piece. It is said that though severely wounded, he insisted on being tied to his gun and continued firing at the enemy until the insurgent army retreated. He was then put on his horse and tied to prevent his falling off. He got as far as the rebel camp of Carrigbyrne and died there."

He was married to Susanna Berry on 25 Feb 1790 in Killinick, County Wexford, Ireland. Susanna Berry was born on 1 May 1772 in Ballykelly, County Wexford, Ireland. She died on 28 Sep 1850 in Butlerstown, County Wexford, Ireland. From The Wexford Gentry, p. 41: "Susannah was the ancestress of many notable Boxwells. She had moved to Wexford at the outbreak of the Rebellion, for safety, and the first intimation she had of her husband's death was the arrival of his blood spattered hourse, which had made its way home from Carrigbyrne and was brought to Wexford by a workman. It is said that, although she was six months pregnant, she gathered up her three children and drove out to Carrigbyrne to look for her husband's body. She then drove to Butlerstown, her cousins residence, and stayed there until the birth of her daughter Ann."The name of John's spouse is in doubt, as there is a conflict in records. The Wexford Gentry, p. 43 reports her as being Susanna Berry, the widow of John Boxwell who was killed at the Battle of Ross. John Boxwell and Susanna Berry had the following children:

+5643 i. Elizabeth Boxwell.
5644 ii. Mary Boxwell was born on 8 Apr 1792 in Sarshill, County Wexford, Ireland. She died on 9 Aug 1793 in Sarshill, County Wexford, Ireland.
+5645 iii. Samuel Boxwell.
5646 iv. Joseph Boxwell was born on 4 Sep 1794 in Sarshill, County Wexford, Ireland. He died on 6 Dec 1795 in Sarshill, County Wexford, Ireland.
+5647 v. William Boxwell.
5648 vi. John Boxwell was born on 26 Jul 1797 in Sarshill, County Wexford, Ireland. He died in Oct 1818 in Aboard the ship Mary Ellen. He was buried in N. E. Brazil.
+5649 vii. Anne Boxwell.

Return to Table of Contents