Oliver Bond
Bond, Oliver, a prominent United-Irishman, was born in Ulster about 1762.
He commenced business as a wholesale woollen draper in Pill-lane, Dublin, and in in 1786 removed to the house now 9 Lower Bridge-street.
Five years afterwards he married the daughter of Henry Jackson, ironfounder, a leading member of the United-Irishmen.
He soon rose to be one of the most opulent and respectable merchants in Dublin.
He entered enthusiastically into Irish politics.
On 1st March 1793, he, together with the Hon. Simon Butler, was committed to Newgate, and fined £500, for reflections on the House of Lords. On their liberation in August they were presented with congratulatory addresses.
In 1797 we find him exceedingly active in administering the oath, and enrolling and arming men.
The meetings of the Leinster Directory were usually held at his house. There, on 19th February 1798, the famous resolution was passed:
“We will pay no attention to any measure which the Parliament of this kingdom may adopt, to divert the public mind from the grand object we have in view; as nothing short of the entire and complete regeneration of our country can satisfy us.”
Through the treachery of Reynolds, Bond’s house was surrounded by military on the morning of the 12th March 1798, and fourteen members of the Leinster Directory were seized.
Bond was tried and convicted on 24th July. He was defended by Curran and Ponsonby.
It was mainly to prevent the execution of so beloved and venerated a man that Thomas Addis Emmet and other state prisoners entered into the compact with government, which will be found detailed in Emmet’s life.
He survived the commutation but five weeks, dying suddenly in prison of apoplexy, 6th of September 1798, aged 36.
He was interred in St. Michan’s graveyard, Dublin.
His large property was not confiscated; and his widow and family removed to the United States.
Mrs. Bond died in Baltimore, 15th September 1843.
Sources
110. Dublin, History of the City: John T. Gilbert. 3 vols. Dublin, 1854–’9.
331. United Irishmen, their Lives and Times: Robert R. Madden, M.D. 4 vols. London, 1858–’60.