George Gore (judge) facts for kids

George Gore (1675–1753) was an important Irish landowner and judge. He worked as the Attorney General for Ireland and later became a judge in the Court of Common Pleas (Ireland). Even though he tried very hard, he didn't get a higher position. However, his second son, John, who became Lord Annaly, later became the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland.

George Gore's Early Life and Education

George Gore was the second son of Sir Arthur Gore, 1st Baronet from Newtown, County Mayo. His mother was Eleanor, the daughter of Sir George St George. George went to Shrewsbury School and then to Trinity College Dublin. He started college in 1691 and earned a law degree in 1709. He began studying law at Middle Temple in 1698 and became a lawyer in Ireland in 1700.

Career as a Lawyer and Judge

George Gore was a member of the Irish House of Commons, representing Longford Borough. In 1714, he was chosen to be the Attorney General. This was a very important legal job.

In 1720, he became a judge in the Court of Common Pleas. He took this job because he had asthma, which made his previous role too difficult. His son Arthur also suffered from asthma and later died from it.

Trying for a Higher Position

Soon after becoming a judge, George Gore started trying to get promoted to a Chief Justice position. He had the support of William King, a powerful Archbishop in Dublin. In 1722, when another important judge left Ireland, Archbishop King wrote to the government. He explained that many Irish judges were sick or overworked, and he thought George Gore would be a good Chief Baron. However, George Gore was not chosen for this role, and despite his best efforts, he never became a Chief Justice.

Historians believe he didn't get promoted because he wasn't considered a very skilled lawyer. His friends liked him a lot, but they never praised his abilities as a judge.

Retirement and Later Years

In the 1740s, George Gore's health, which was never very strong, got worse. He retired in 1745. His retirement caused some discussion because he insisted that his nephew, Robert French, take his place. The government didn't want to appoint French because he wasn't a good lawyer and wasn't very popular. However, they eventually agreed.

George Gore's Family Life

George Gore married Bridget Sankey. She was the daughter of John Sankey and inherited a lot of money, which made George Gore very wealthy. They had eight children together. Here are three of their sons and one daughter:

• Arthur (died 1758)
• John Gore, 1st Baron Annaly, who became the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland
• Henry Gore, 1st Baron Annaly (another important title)
• Bridget (died 1762), who married Rev. Cutts Harman, a church leader.

Burial and Monument

George Gore was buried in his family's special burial place in the church of Tashinny, in County Longford. Inside the church, there is a very large white and grey marble monument called the 'Annally Monument'. It has a long Latin message carved into it, which tells us about George and his family.

The message says that the monument is for George Gore and his wife, Bridget. It explains that Bridget's father, Henry Sankey, helped the King during a civil war and was rewarded with the lands around the church. Bridget had eight children and passed away on September 13, 1727, at 39 years old.

The monument also says that George Gore, the youngest son of Arthur Gore, was made Attorney General because he helped his country. Because of his health, he became a judge in the Court of Common Pleas and was a fair and honest judge for 25 years. He retired in 1745. He spent his later years improving the lands he received through his marriage. He passed away in 1753 at 79 years old.

Finally, the monument mentions Arthur, George's son, who died in 1758 after suffering from asthma. It also mentions Bridget Harman, George and Bridget's only surviving daughter. She was very smart and loved by her friends. She died on November 22, 1762, at almost 39 years old.