Born: 24 Augsut 1626, Jerpoint, County Kilkenny
Entered: 11 November 1647, Kilkenny City, County Kilkenny
Ordained: 13 March 1655,

Left Society of Jesus: 1674

◆ George Oliver Towards Illustrating the Biography of the Scotch, English and Irish Members SJ
TOBIN, JAMES, was an edifying Novice at Kilkenny in 1649. On the following year he was drafted with his brethren through the houses of the Society on the continent, where he vanishes from my pursuit.

◆ CATSJ I-Y has “Thomas”;
“Societatis Jesus Kilkenny” in title page of Officium Corporis printed in 1659, now in the Library of Black Abbey, Kilkenny (a loose note of Hogan)

◆ CATSJ I-Y has “James”; DOB 24/08/1626 Jerpoint; Ent 11/11/1647 Kilkenny Age 24;
Studied 2 years Philosophy before Ent
1666 CAT Living at Kilkenny. Preacher, Catechising, Administering the Sacraments. Teaches a few. Was on Mission in Scotland

“Between 08/09/1661 and 22/02/1665 or 1666 he signed a petition for the appointment of Rev James Cleere as Bishop of Ossory” (Arch HIB VI p56

LEFT

◆ Fr Edmund Hogan SJ “Catalogica Chronologica” :
DOB 24/08/1626 Jerpoint; Ent 11/11/1647 Kilkenny; LEFT 1674

On the Scottish Mission for three years.

◆ Francis Finegan SJ Biographical Dictionary 1598-1773
He was born at Jerpoint, Kilkenny, August 24, 1626, and studied at the Jesuit College, Kilkenny, and having completed Philosophy, entered the Society in the Novitiate recently established there.

After his Noviceship he was sent to Louvain for his Theological studies, 1651-1655, and was ordained Priest March 13, 1655.

He was designated for the Mission in Scotland, but does not seem to have arrived there until 1658, when, with three other Jesuits, he was working in the north near the Orkney Islands.

By January 1669, however, he was, apparently, once more in Flanders, as the General instructed the Flemish Provincial to send Tobin back to Ireland - a case that is probably unique in the history of the Irish Jesuits down to the Suppression.

Hem returned to Ireland about 1662, and was stationed at Kilkenny. he chafed under the obligation of religious poverty, and eventually left the Society in the winter 1673/1674.

There is some evidence that he was still living in 1692.

◆ Interfuse No 81 : Summer 1995
BACKS TO THE SEA : A LETTER FROM GALWAY 1651 BY ROBERT NUGENT

Stephen Redmond

Robert Nugent was one of the most remarkable members of the third Irish Jesuit mission 1598-1773. He became its superior in 1626/27 and ruled it with vigour and panache until 1646. He shaped it towards provincial status and led it in its commitment to the Catholic Confederation. In 1651 he took the helm again, this time as acting superior, in vastly changed circumstances. The Cromwellians controlled most of the country and were pushing west. With most communities dispersed, much of the mission (and a still active element of the former Confederation) retreated before them: Galway became a city of refuge and of contact with hoped-for allies, backs were to the sea.

The letter given here conveys something of the situation and the man. It was written to John Young who had been novice-master at Kilkenny and had gone to Rome. Apart from minimal editing it comes straight from the excellent MacErlean transcript in our archives. The original is in the Irish College, Rome.

Galwaie die 10ma. Maii 1651

Now and no sooner I understood of your safe laundinge at St. Mallos, This I receaved from the maister of your owne shipp John, who came hither. God be praised, you escaped those daungers..........

Since your parting, my Lord Fernes went soone avaie for Burdeaux; also Rice and Kuirke went within 3 daies after to Holland; I recommended them to F. Montmorencie. Tobin and Carberie alsoe went for Holland or Ostend circa 13am. diem nostri Aprilis; I recommended them to Fr. Montmorencie and to F. Quin and to your Reverence to be provided, till directions come from Picolhomini and Rome...........

Notes:
Piccolomini was the new General. Montmorencie was a former Vicar-General of the Society. Quin, another hero of the third mission, was to serve two stints as its superior. Rice, Quirke, Tobin, Carbery and Dillon were scholastics. Scarampi was Rinucinni's predecessor as papal envoy in Ireland.