James Gervé Conroy

James Gervé Conroy (April 12, 1836 – January 28, 1915) was an Irish-born lawyer, judge and political figure in Newfoundland. He represented Ferryland on the Irish Shore in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly from 1874 to 1880 for the Anti-Confederation Party, leading the opposition to William Vallance Whiteway’s administration.

The second son of Lucas Malachi Conry and Sarah Garvey of Aughrim in County Roscommon, he was born near Boyle, County Roscommon at Roichin House where his parents worked as horse trainers; the second eldest boy of thirteen children. He was chosen by his family to join the clergy, but rebelled at the end of his training, choosing to pursue law. He was educated both in Ireland and Paris.

From 1863-1867 he taught Latin, Greek, and literature at Carlow College of St. Patrick's University; preparing students for the London University BA program. Conroy was called to the Irish and English bars. In 1870, Conroy married Elizabeth Catherine Mary Theresa O'Neill of the O'Neills of the Feeva, the only child of Charles Henry (Cáthal Ainrí) Ó Néill, a Dublin barrister and The O'Neill of Clanaboy.[1] She was the last of several generations of O'Neills to be born at Drumderg House (aka Feeva House) in The Feeva near Toomebridge, representing the line of the last Tanist of Clanaboy, Con mac Brian Ó Néill. They had one son, Charles O'Neill Conroy, born in Dublin, himself later a prominent lawyer and businessman, and educator of the future speaker of the Newfoundland House of Assembly William J. Higgins in law.

In 1872, they came to Newfoundland, where he taught school for a time at Saint Bonaventure's College in St. John's. Later that year, Conroy was called to the Newfoundland bar and formed a partnership with John Hoyles Boone. He was founder and editor of the Irish Catholic newspaper the Terra Nova Advocate. Conroy retired from politics in 1880 and was named a stipendiary magistrate and a judge in the court for the Central District. He served on the bench until his death in Montreal at the age of 78 while receiving medical treatment there. Conroy was buried in St. John's.

References

  1. ↑ Burke, Sir John Bernard. "A Selection of Arms Authorised by the Arms of Heraldry". pp. 110-114. Available online as a Google eBook http://books.google.ca/books/about/A_selection_of_arms_authorized_by_the_la.html?id=jwYUAAAAQAAJ&redir_esc=y


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