Sous-série 122 - Quaker Marriage Certificate of Henrietta Sophia Pike and Reginald Ryley

1 p.; manuscript; colour ink on card

An illuminated certificate solemnizing the marriage of Henrietta Sophia Pike and Reginald Ryley. The couple were married in the Quaker Meeting House on Grattan Street in Cork on 9 September 1875. Individuals from many prominent Quaker families in Cork are listed among the witnesses to the marriage including the Penroses of Woodhill, the Haughtons of Cleve Hill, and the Beales of Patrick’s Quay. Perhaps the most famous Irish business founded by Quakers is Bewley’s established in 1840, initially as tea and coffee merchants. Both Sophia Bewley and Joseph Bewley are also listed among the ninety-one witnesses.

Henrietta Sophia Pike was one of seven daughters of Ebenezer Pike (1806-1883), a prominent local shipowner (he was the chairman and managing director of the Cork Steamship Company). As a committed member of the Religious Society of Friends, he was deeply engaged in various acts of philanthropy. Most notably, in November 1846, he was appointed to coordinate the efforts of the Quaker relief committee established to help deal with the Great Famine. He personally constructed a soup kitchen (using boilers sourced from his shipyards) in his premises on Adelaide Street from where he freely distributed food and relief. For additional biographical information on Ebenezer Pike see https://www.dib.ie/biography/pike-ebenezer-a7336