John Massy, 6th Baron Massy facts for kids
John Thomas William Massy, the 6th Baron Massy, was an important person in Ireland during the late 1800s and early 1900s. He was born on August 30, 1835, and passed away in 1915. He was an Anglo-Irish peer, which means he was a nobleman from Ireland with British family connections.
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What Was a Baron?
A baron is a title of nobility, like a duke or an earl, but usually a bit lower in rank. In John Massy's time, being a baron meant he had a special place in society. He inherited this title from his family.
His Role in Government
John Massy had a role in the British government. From 1876 until his death in 1915, he was a representative peer in the British House of Lords.
What is a Representative Peer?
A representative peer was a special kind of nobleman. They were chosen by other Irish noblemen to speak for them in the House of Lords. The House of Lords is one of the two main parts of the British Parliament, where laws are made.
High Sheriff Duties
Before becoming a representative peer, John Massy also served as a High Sheriff. This was an important local job.
- In 1863, he was the Sheriff of Leitrim.
- In 1873, he was the Sheriff of County Limerick.
A High Sheriff was responsible for keeping law and order in their county. They also helped with elections and other local government tasks.
His Family and Wealth
John Massy became the 6th Baron Massy in 1874. This happened after his older brother, Hugh Massy, 5th Baron Massy, passed away.
A Wealthy Landowner
For a time, John Massy was one of the richest landowners in Ireland. He owned huge amounts of land in several counties:
He also owned large country homes. These included Killakee in south County Dublin and Hermitage in Castleconnell, County Limerick.
Losing His Fortune
Sadly, by the time John Massy died in 1915, most of his wealth was gone. His family's fortune had almost disappeared. Because of this, his children and grandchildren, the 7th and 8th Barons Massy, had to sell all the family's land and houses. Some properties were even taken back by the banks because of debts.
