The EMERSON TENNENT/SUFFERN/HERDMAN connection
Some background on Sir James Emerson Tennent, Bart. (1804-1869), author, one-time MP for Belfast and Colonial Secretary in Ceylon 1845-50), can be found in a photo-essay on Andrew Nicholl in the Gtr. Belfast section of www.bbc.co.uk/ni/yourplaceandmine website.
JET's older sister Eliza Emerson married William Suffern, and their daughter Elizabeth married James Herdman, founder of Sion Mills. Therefore JET was the maternal great-uncle and godfather of Emerson Tennent Herdman of Sion House who was named after him.
JET took on the Tennent surname in 1832 after he married Letitia Tennent, daughter of the William Tennent whose bank later merged to become the Northern Bank.
JET (James) was the youngest of four children. Two other Emerson siblings, George and Arbuthnot, were born between him and the oldest, Eliza. Their parents were William Emerson – Merchant; born Ardmore, Co. Armagh in 1759; died Belfast on May 1, 1821. Buried at Ballylesson, Co. Down; and Sarah Emerson – daughter of William Arbuthnot, of Rockville, Co. Down; died Dec 17 1851; buried at Ballylesson, Co. Down.
TENNENT, Sir James Emerson, LL.D Tempo Castle, Co Fermanagh. S. of William Emerson Esq., a Merchant in Belfast by the youngest d. of William Arbuthnot Esq., of Rockville, Co Down. B at Belfast 1804. M 1831, Letitia, only d and heir of William Tennent of Tempo House, Co Fermanagh on whose death in 1832 he assumed the name of Tennent and succeeded to estates in Sligo and Fermanagh. Educ. at Trinity College, Dublin. Called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn 1831, but never practised. Was Sec to the India Board, Sept 1841-July 1845 and Civil Sec to the Colonial Government of Cylon from July 1845-Dec 1850. Sec. To the Poor Law Board. Author of Travels in Greece. A History of Modern Office. Letters from the Aepart etc. Dept Lieut in the Countries of Fermanagh and Sligo and a Magistrate for Antrim and Down. A Conservative but in favour of free trade; thought some of the burdens of agriculture should be relieved and tenants be legally entitled to security for Improvements. Sat for Belfast from 1832 until the general election 1837 when he lost his seat but was subsequently seated on petition; re-elected in 1847 but unseated on petition; re-elected 1842 and held his seat until 1845. First returned for Lisburn Jan 1852 without opposition. Accepted Chiltern Hundreds Dec 1852. Sec. To the Board of Trade 1852-67. Died 6 Mar 1869.
MARRIAGE OF MISS GOSSELIN (date unknown but before 1862) to MR ALEXANDER HERDMAN, eldest son of John Herdman, second of the three brothers who founded Sion Mills.
On Tuesday last one of the most interesting events which have occurred for some years past in Cavan, took place in the parish church. Miss GOSSELIN, daughter of Major GOSSELIN, of the Cavan Militia, was married to A. F. HERDMAN, Esq., Donegal-square, Belfast. Every person in town seemed to take a special interest in the matter, and in the gallery of the church, during the ceremony, were many respectable spectators, who drove miles to witness the event, thereby manifesting their respect for the family of the bride. The bridegroom too, had great respect manifested towards him, as a considerable number of his friends came from Belfast. In fact the bridegroom party occupied the Farnham Arms Hotel for several days....and Sir Edward COEY, on the part of the company, formally thanked the proprietor ere leaving. Amongst those who stopped at the Farnham Arms, were:--Sir Edward and Lady COEY, Mr. and Mrs. John HERDMAN, Dr. MAGEE, Mrs. and the Misses HERDMAN; the bridegroom and brothers; Mr. and Mrs. THOMAS, Dr. MORGAN, Mr. and Mrs. MANEELY, Mr. PARR, Mr. John HIGGINS, and Mr. VALENTINE.....The ceremony was performed by the Rev. F. CRAUFORD, uncle of the bride, assisted by the Rev. J. GRAINGER. The bride was attended to the altar by ten bridesmaids, viz:--the Misses GOSSELIN (2); the Misses HERDMAN (3); the Misses HASLETT (2)j; the Misses CRAUFORD (2); and the Misses STAFFORD....The hospitable entertainments terminated at half-past four o'clock, when the happy couple started for Dublin, en route for Switzerland; and the proceedings terminated by a grand ball in the County Court-house.
(Miss Gosselin' s younger sister Mary married Alexander Herdman's 1st cousin, John Herdman of Carricklee, Strabane, son of James Herdman who founded Sion Mills)
Richard Langtry, fl. 1850