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Archiver > Scotch-Irish > 1998-08 > 0903731928


From: Brian Orr <>
Subject: SIBBET, LAURIE
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1998 16:38:48 -0400


Hi David

I have a few books on Irelands troubles of the 18/19C including Speeches
from the Dock and the report of Robert Emmets trial and execution. Very
briefyly he was b 4.March.1778 , third son of Dr Robert Emmet of Dublin.
His elder brother by sixteen years, Thomas Addis Emmet , was a major figure
in the United Irishmen and associate of Wolfe Tone. After university Robert
went to France in 1802 and planned a rising in Ireland. Returned with the
aim of rising on 23 Jul 1803 but an accidental explosion in one of the
munitions manufacturing sites in Patrick St , Dublin,alerted the
authorities. The rising was a disaster and a rabble of a crowd murdered
Lord Kilwarden,Chief Justice, and his nephew Rev. Mr Wolfe. Emmet was
arrested 25 August and put on trial 19 September. He made no defence and
was found guilty by the jury without leaving the court room. He mad a
stirring speech from the dock and was executed at noon on the 20th
September. As was custom in those days for alleged treason, after being
hung his body was taken down ,stretched across the block and his head
severed which the axeman then held aloft with the cry " This is the head of
a traitor. "

What has this to do with Laurie Sibbert ? Not a lot Im afraid. Ive had a
scan through `Speeches` and cant find a reference to him, but then he
could well have been a friend at Trinity College, a social contact of the
family in Dublin, or an associate in France.
I will have a look in other books and let you know if I find anything. The
Robert Emmet rising was 1803; if your relative definitely fled to /
arrived in the US in 1800 he might have been associated with Thomas Emmet
and the failed 1798 Rebellion which would then have given cause to flee.

Brian Orr
Remembering William Orr also executed by the same government for the same
cause 14 October 1797

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