@Can anyone shed any light on the parentage/birthplace of Rev Richard De Courcy, M.A. Born in Ireland in 1743. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin. Having received Deacon's Orders he became curate to the Rev Walter Shirley in 1767 but because his theological views incurred the wrath of Dr Smythe, the Anglican Archbishop of Dublin he was refused ordination and inhibited from preaching. At the invitation of Lady Huntingdon he travelled to England and joined the latter's band of preachers After some time he was ordained by the Bishop of Lichfield. In 1770 he became curate of Shawbury, Shropshire, and in 1774 vicar of St Alkmonds, Shrewsbury a post he retained until his death in 1803.
It is said that his son john, who died shortly before Richard, was a midshipman and may have been a victim of some naval fatality.
In the Scottish National Portrait Gallery there is a painting of Rev Richard De Courcy by John Spilsbury which carries the title "The Rev Mr Richard De Courcy, chaplain to the Rt. Hon Lord Kinsale" It has been suggested that Rev De Courcy was a distant relative of the aforementioned Lord Kinsale, but I have yet to find any evidence of this. Can anyone assist?
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