John Henry Colclough

Alfred Webb

A Compendium of Irish Biography

1878

Colclough, John Henry, a member of one of the old Protestant families of the County of Wexford, was born about 1769. He was perhaps forced into Insurrection of 1798 by his tenants, and he acted as one of the leaders at the battle of New Ross. Upon the re-occupation of Wexford by the royalists, he fled with his wife and his friend, Bagenal B. Harvey, to the Saltee Islands. A poor farmer, the occupant of the island on which they landed, concealed them in a cave, and refused to give information as to their whereabouts until tortured by the lash. Colclough and Harvey were tried by court-martial and executed on Wexford Bridge, 28th June 1798. He suffered with equanimity, saying before his execution, "I have only one favour to ask of you, which is that you will not take off my coat and waistcoat, as I have only an old borrowed shirt under them, and I wish to appear decently before the people." He is described as of full middle size, long visage, his hair tied behind; of cheerful aspect and pleasant manners. He is buried in St. Patrick's burying ground. Wexford.

Sources

331. United Irishmen, their Lives and Times: Robert R. Madden, M.D. 4 vols. London, 1858-'60.

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