Richard, afterwards Lord Sunderlin; Edmond, of whom this memorial is written; Anthony and Benjamin, who died young; and two daughters, Henrietta and Catherine, who survived their brothers.
Edmond was born in Dublin, 4th of October, 1741. At an early age he was sent to a celebrated school in Molesworth Street, kept by Dr. Ford, where his brother Richard had preceded him. Among their school-fellows was Robert (Captain) Jephson, subsequently author of Braganza and other tragedies, with whom a very sincere and durable friendship was formed. Here likewise about the same period were found the future first Marquis of Lansdown, Lord Sheffield, General Blakeney, and others, afterwards of some note in the world. A favourite amusement of the boys was the performance of plays. Such was their reputation in this line, that much of the fashion of Dublin was found among the audience, and something of its gravity; more especially Lord Chancellor Jocelyn, who was observed to be no niggard of his praise. Macklin, the celebrated actor, sometimes conducted these exhibitions. In 1749, Julius Cæsar was brought out in very good style, two of the Jephsons taking the parts of Brutus and Cassius; Marcellus, by the late Lord Lansdown; Casca, by General Blakeney; Anthony, by the late Rev. Thomas Robinson; Portia, by Richard Malone. Edmond was then too young to exhibit in public, but succeeded in due time to similar honours; and it is believed that in his instance, as was the case with Jephson, Shakspeare and the drama were never afterwards forgotten.
