A brother of the Baron Kinsale, of Ireland, settled in Newport, R. I.,
about 1720. Some hold that he was married in the old country; others,
that his wife was a Newport woman.
They had a son[18], Thomas, born in Newport, who early displayed a love
for the sea. In due time he was bound an apprentice to Captain Beard.
The latter had command of a Newport merchantman and ranked among the
ablest captains of his day.
Thomas de Courcy, the apprentice, advanced rapidly in nautical
accomplishments and became a general favorite. After serving under
Captain Beard, he enlisted in the navy and participated in the honor of
taking Porto Bello in 1740.
The manner in which he succeeded to the title and estates of his uncle
is thus told by himself. He was serving aboard Admiral Vernon’s
flagship. The latter was returning to England from the West Indies.
While on the voyage they fell in with a merchantman bound from London to
Jamaica. She was spoken and on inquiry, her captain sent aboard the
flagship two late papers for the gratification of the admiral. The
latter read them attentively. Suddenly he exclaimed:
“Ah! the Baron of Kinsale is dead!”
A steward overhearing the remark quickly carried the news to a gallant
young tar in the forecastle whose name was De Courcy.
“Is he dead? Then by the powers! something will come to me,” was the
reply.
The incident was reported to Admiral Vernon who immediately sent for De
Courcy. The following conversation then ensued between the two:
“My lad, what is your name?”
“De Courcy, sir.”
“Where were you born?”
“In Newport, Rhode Island, sir.”
“Are you related to the late Thomas de Courcy, Baron of Kinsale?”
“He was my uncle, sir—he was my father’s eldest brother.”
“What induced your father to leave Ireland and settle at Newport?”
“That reason was my father’s secret, your Honor, and not mine.”
“Well, my lad, return to your station, and whatever may be your change
of condition hereafter, I hope you will continue to do your duty
faithfully till you shall be discharged.”
“Your Honor may rely on that!”
The foregoing anecdote was told by De Courcy, many years after, to
Captain Benjamin Pearce of Rhode Island who dined with him at Kinsale.
The Baron always entertained great affection for Newport, his native
place. It is told of him that no Rhode Islander ever, to his knowledge,
came within fifty miles of his residence without being invited to
partake of his hospitality. To Captain Beard of Newport his former
commander, he annually sent a cask of rare old wine. For years the
people of Newport took a special interest in all that concerned their
distinguished townsman, The Right Honorable Thomas de Courcy, Lord Baron
Kinsale.