Achmet Borumborad: Difference between revisions
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''' Achmet Borumborad''' ([[Floruit|fl.]] 1769–1786),<ref>Registry of Deeds, Dublin. Memorial 277-76-175483. Date: 01/05/1769.</ref><ref>[https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSH3-99BD-J?i=528&cat=185720 Registry of Deeds, Dublin. Memorial: 375-438-251556. Date: 01/06/1786]</ref> or '''Achmet Borumbadad''', was the [[assumed name]] of an eccentric<ref name = DIB/> medical [[con-artist]], or [[Quackery|quack]], operating in late 18th-century [[Dublin]], who succeeded in gathering financial support for the construction of a [[Hammam|Turkish |
''' Achmet Borumborad''' ([[Floruit|fl.]] 1769–1786),<ref>Registry of Deeds, Dublin. Memorial 277-76-175483. Date: 01/05/1769.</ref><ref>[https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSH3-99BD-J?i=528&cat=185720 Registry of Deeds, Dublin. Memorial: 375-438-251556. Date: 01/06/1786]</ref> or '''Achmet Borumbadad''', was the [[assumed name]] of an eccentric<ref name = DIB/> medical [[con-artist]], or [[Quackery|quack]], operating in late 18th-century [[Dublin]], who succeeded in gathering financial support for the construction of a [[Hammam|Turkish bath]] on the banks of the [[River Liffey]]. Purportedly a doctor, he claimed to have been born in [[Constantinople]] (Istanbul) from which he had subsequently fled.<ref name = DIB>{{cite journal| last = O'Riordan | first = Turlough |url = https://www.dib.ie/biography/borumborad-achmet-joyce-patrick-a4363 | publisher = [[Royal Irish Academy]] | journal = [[Dictionary of Irish Biography]] | date = 2009 | doi = 10.3318/dib.004363.v1 | title = Borumborad, Achmet (Joyce, Patrick) }}</ref> In reality, he was the [[List of fictitious people|fictitious creation]] of Patrick Joyce of [[Kilkenny]] (who had possibly spent his youth in the [[Levant]]),<ref name="Craig, p.294">Craig, p.294</ref> or possibly William Cairns of Dublin. Adopting the persona of a native [[Turkish people|Turk]], his unusual dress style, [[turban]], and exotic affectations attracted much attention in the city at the time,<ref name=CHTM/> and he was noted as "the first Turk who had ever walked the streets of Dublin in his native costume."<ref name = chapofdub/> |
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==History== |
==History== |
Revision as of 07:43, 17 February 2024
Achmet Borumborad (fl. 1769–1786),[1][2] or Achmet Borumbadad, was the assumed name of an eccentric[3] medical con-artist, or quack, operating in late 18th-century Dublin, who succeeded in gathering financial support for the construction of a Turkish bath on the banks of the River Liffey. Purportedly a doctor, he claimed to have been born in Constantinople (Istanbul) from which he had subsequently fled.[3] In reality, he was the fictitious creation of Patrick Joyce of Kilkenny (who had possibly spent his youth in the Levant),[4] or possibly William Cairns of Dublin. Adopting the persona of a native Turk, his unusual dress style, turban, and exotic affectations attracted much attention in the city at the time,[5] and he was noted as "the first Turk who had ever walked the streets of Dublin in his native costume."[6]
History
Ballroom and Baths, Finglas
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/St_Patrick%27s_Well%2C_Finglas_12.jpg/220px-St_Patrick%27s_Well%2C_Finglas_12.jpg)
Borumborad's (a.k.a. Joyce's) presence in Dublin was first noted in the year 1769, whilst promoting the healing properties of baths and "a pump house" in the modern-day suburb of Finglas, County Dublin. Borumborad was convinced of the healing powers of the local St. Patrick's Well which fed the Finglas baths.[7][8][9][5] The Dictionary of Irish Biography notes he was probably operating a medical practice of some description in the city, although no records attest to any recognised medical qualification he may have achieved.[3]
On 1 May 1769, Borumborad (styled as "Achmet Borumbadad of ffinglass in the County of Dublin, Doctor of Physick") acted as grantor in a Deed of Mortgage to one George Taylor of the City of Dublin, Tallow Chandler, concerning "all that the Spring of water or well situate on the Lands called part of Cardiff's Castle (modern day Cardiffscastle) near the Town of ffinglass called St. Patrick's well together with that small piece of land adjoining the same part of the said lands as now enclosed [..] together with all buildings and improvements thereon made, built and erected by the said Achmet Borumbadad". The mortgage was valued at £150.[10] Four months later, on 9 September 1769, Borumborad was involved in a 'further deed of Mortgage' with the same George Taylor whereby a further consideration of £140 was mentioned, involving the same well in Finglas, but with the addition of "all buildings and improvements erected and made on the said premises now called and known by the name of the Ballroom and Baths".[11] Borumborad subsequently sub-leased the lands to Taylor in a Deed of Assignment dated 7 November 1769, for the residue (remainder) of an 18-year lease he himself had been leasing from one "Richard Shew of Ffinglass aforesaid, ffarmer".[12] It is unclear when Borumborad had initially begun leasing the land from Shew.
Batchelors Quay, Dublin
Borumborad won the support of a number of Dublin medical professionals, and subsequently lobbied Parliament for money to build 'Hot and Cold Sea-Water Baths'[13] along the quays of the River Liffey, together with free medical attention for the poor who attended.[13] In October 1771, he finally opened his new Turkish baths on Batchelors Quay (modern day Bachelors Walk). In 1771, the House of Commons Journals make note of financial support given to 'Dr Achmet' for his baths, and notes are recorded for several following years after.[4] The baths were a great success, with Jonah Barrington (judge, lawyer and prominent Dublin socialite) proclaiming that "a more ingenious or useful establishment could not be formed in any metropolis."[5]
On 2 October 1772, George Townshend, acting as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (days before he relinquished the post to his successor), wrote a letter to the then-monarch (George III)'s secretary, requesting that he grant letters patent to Borumborad "for the Sole Use, Benefit & Advantage of his new(ly) constructed Baths & apparatus" in Dublin.[14] Within the correspondence, Townshend noted that "the Whole Faculty of Physicians & Surgeons of the City of Dublin who viewed his (Borumborad's) said New Baths & Apparatus, have taken the Utility of the Same unto their most serious Consideration, & have thought proper, by a Certificate signed by them [..] to Signify their fullest Approbation thereof & to recommend & declare the Memorialist, as the Founder thereof, to be a Person worthy of Publick Encouragement in which Opinion I concur....". It is unclear whether George III granted the letters patent or not.
On 25 December 1774, Borumborad (now styled as "Achmet Borumbadad, Doctor of Physick, Proprietor of the Dublin Baths") began leasing a plot of land from Simon Vierpyl, a statuary (sculptor),[15] consisting of a dwelling house and adjacent plot of land fronting 52 feet in total along Batchelors Quay.[16] The adjacent plot of land had previously been used by Vierpyl as a portland stone yard. The term of the lease was for 149 years at the yearly rent of £73 (above taxes), and included a covenant whereby an additional rent of £5 per annum would be levied "in case a bridge shall be built across the River Liffee (sic) eastward of Essex Bridge from the time such bridge shall be completely furnished".[17] Although the area was named as Batchelors Quay in this 1774 deed, it is worth noting that at least as early as John Rocque's 1756 map entitled An Exact Survey of the City and Suburbs of Dublin, the area was already known by some as Batchelors Walk, a precursor to the modern spelling of Bachelors Walk.[18]
On 12 January 1778, Borumborad was admitted to the County Kildare "Knot", or Assembly of the Brethren, of the group known as The Friendly Brothers of Saint Patrick.[19] Borumborad was admitted at the level of a Novice, and was not allowed to progress any further as he did not "profess" himself a Christian.[19]
In September 1778, Borumborad sub-leased the lands at Batchelors Quay to one William Marshall, Esquire, for the remainder of the term of 149 years, subject to redemption on payment of £2,093. 10s. 0d on a date six years later in September 1784.[20] An indented deed drawn up in April 1784, witnessed that Marshall reassigned the lease back to Borumborad "in consideration of the sum of £600. 17s. 1d (being the sum then due upon the foot of the said recited mortgage for principal interest and costs)".[21] It is known that Borumborad also engaged in property developments in Abbey Street Lower around the same time.[22]
Before every parliamentary session, Borumborad would give a large party, at which wine and song "ministered to the good temper of the Members (of Parliament)".[13] As historian Maurice Craig contends, "On one occasion, hoping for a larger grant for an extension, he gave a particularly grand entertainment to nearly thirty of the leading Members. Unfortunately, while the Turk was in his cellar bringing up another dozen to finish the good work, a comparatively abstentious Member (Sir John S. Hamilton)[23][24] got up to leave. He was pursued by some of the keener drinkers, who with wild cries protested that he must stay to drink the last dozen. He hastened his steps in what he believed to be the direction of the street-entrance, and (since it was dark and the evening well advanced) fell precipitately into the Doctor's great cold bath".[13] Some of the other MPs also fell into the water after Hamilton,[24] and it is considered that Borumborad lost influence with the group after the incident.[24] Parliamentary support was withdrawn for his baths in the months that followed, and his reputation suffered as a result of a rumour that was spread amongst the citizens of the city that Borumborad had "...personally strangled the Christians in the Seven Towers of Constantinople".[23]
In April 1784, Borumborad assigned the remainder of his lease at the Dublin Baths along Batchelors Walk to the Wide Streets Commission for the sum of £3,515. 16s. 6d.[25]
Later life
Borumborad appears in a memorial of an Indorsement dated 1 June 1786, concerning the sale of the Conniving House tavern in Sandymount, "formerly in the possession of Michael Donnelly and lately in the possession of Richard Cranfield",[26] an associate of Simon Vierpyl's.[15] At this stage Borumborad was known as "Achmet Borum Badad (sic), Proprietor of the Royal Baths in the City of Dublin".
True identity
Borbumborad fell in love with, and married, the sister of a well-known surgeon anatomist named William Hartigan, who lived at 8 South King Street (and later Kildare Street).[23] Borumbadad eventually revealed his true identity to this woman after being required to shave his beard and convert to Christianity in order to prove his devotion to her.[27][6][3] An account of this event was recorded by a friend of the Hartigans named Miss Owen.[23] Borbumborad (Joyce) subsequently vanished from the historical record, and his fate thereafter is unknown.
Writing his memoirs in the late eighteenth century, Jonah Barrington noted that "I regret that I never inquired as to Joyce’s subsequent career, nor can I say whether he is or not still in the land of the living." A 1956 article written by Desmond Ryan in the Irish Press, as well as the work of historian Richard Robert Madden, claim that the name Patrick Joyce may also have been a pseudonym, and that the man may actually have been a Dublin-based tradesman by the name of William Cairns.[5]
Impact on literature
James Joyce's 1939 novel Finnegans Wake includes a character named "Afamado Hairductor Achmed Borumborad", an Indian sahib and aural surgeon whom the character of Anna Livia Plurabelle (ALP) consults on behalf of Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker (HCE).[28][29][23] Spurr contends that the character of Borumborad (along with another character named Kavanagh) represents a hybrid figure recurring throughout the book which identifies the Irish with Indians as objects of colonial domination under the British.[29] The character had an address at Sydney Parade, Dublin.[30]
See also
- Ahmet Ben Ali, a merchant and presumed con-artist (purportedly from Tunis) who visited Dublin between 1780 and 1783[31]
- List of fictitious people
- Sake Dean Mahomed, a Bengali traveller, surgeon, entrepreneur who lived in Cork during the 1780-90s
- Turkish Baths, Lincoln Place, a separate Dublin establishment which opened in 1860
References
- ^ Registry of Deeds, Dublin. Memorial 277-76-175483. Date: 01/05/1769.
- ^ Registry of Deeds, Dublin. Memorial: 375-438-251556. Date: 01/06/1786
- ^ a b c d O'Riordan, Turlough (2009). "Borumborad, Achmet (Joyce, Patrick)". Dictionary of Irish Biography. Royal Irish Academy. doi:10.3318/dib.004363.v1.
- ^ a b Craig, p.294
- ^ a b c d Fallon, Donal (1 March 2018). "The curious story of Achmet Borumborad and the Turkish Baths". comeheretome.com. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
- ^ a b "Chapter XIX. Dr. Achmet Borumborad". www.chaptersofdublin.ie. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
- ^ "The Ottoman, Finglas, and What Might Have Been". Glasnevin Heritage (Facebook group). 23 March 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
- ^ "Finglas, County Dublin". neesonirelandtours.com. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
- ^ "Finglas Heritage Trail" (PDF). dublincity.ie. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
- ^ Registry of Deeds, Dublin. Memorial: 277-76-175483. "...and witnessing that the said Achmet Borumbadad in consideration of the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds Sterling to him in hand paid by the said George Taylor, the receipt whereof the said thereby acknowledged and thereof did acquit and discharge the said George Taylor, his executors, administrators, did grant, bargain, sell, transferr, assign and make over unto the said George Taylor all that the Spring of water..." [1]
- ^ Registry of Deeds, Dublin. Memorial: 276-301-177367. "...reciting the original deed of mortgage made on the premises hereinafter mentioned by the said Achmet Borumbadad to the said George Taylor for securing the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds ster and witnessing that the said Achmet Borumbadad in consideration of the further sum of one hundred and forty pounds ster to him in hand paid by the said George Taylor did grant, bargain, sell, assign and make over unto the said George Taylor all that spring of water..." [2]
- ^ Registry of Deeds, Dublin. Memorial: 275-386-178090. "A Memorial of a Deed of Assignment... witnessing that the said Achmet Borumbadad for the considerations therein mentioned did grant, bargain, sell, assign and make over unto the said George Taylor all that the Spring of water... to hold unto the said George Taylor, his executors, administrators and assigns for the residue of a sum of eighteen years of a Lease made by Richard Shew of Ffinglass aforesaid, ffarmer, to the said Achmet Borumbadad in said Deed of Assignment mentioned, at and under the yearly rent and covenants thereof..." [3]
- ^ a b c d Craig, p.293
- ^ Derbyshire Record Office, Derby, United Kingdom. Reference: D3155/C/5558. "Dublin Castle, 2nd Octr 1772. My Lord, Achmet Borumbadad, of the City of Dublin, Doctor of Physick having laid before Me, a Memorial praying for the Reasons therein mentioned that Letters Patent may be granted to him for the Sole Use, Benefit & Advantage of his new constructed Baths & apparatus as in his said Memorial mentioned, I referred the Same to His Majesty's (George III) Attorney & Solicitor General, to Examine the Alligations (sic) thereof, and report his Opinion what was proper to be done therein, And His Majesty's Solicitor General, having reported to Me, that He is of Opinion that I may recommend it to His Majesty to grant the said Letters Patent & having annexed to his said Report a Draught of a Letter which he apprehends will be proper to be laid before H. M. (His Majesty) to be signed for that Purpose, I transmit herewith to your Lordship the said Memorial, Report & Draught of a Letter, And as the Whole Faculty of Physicians & Surgeons of the City of Dublin who viewed his said New Baths & Apparatus, have taken the Utility of the Same unto their most serious Consideration, & have thought proper, by a Certificate signed by them (a printed Copy of which is annexed to the said Memorial) to Signify their fullest Approbation thereof & to recommend & declare the Memorialist, as the Founder thereof, to be a Person worthy of Publick Encouragement in which Opinion I concur, I desire your Lordship will lay the said Several Papers before H. M. & make it my humble Request to H. M. that H. M. will be graciously pleased to comply with the Prayer of the Memorialist And if H. M. shall approve thereof, I desire your Lordship will move His Majesty for His Royal Letter accordingly. I am, with great Respect, My Lord, Townshend" [4]
- ^ a b Devine, Ruth (2009). "Vierpyl, Simon". Dictionary of Irish Biography. Royal Irish Academy. doi:10.3318/dib.008815.v1.
- ^ Registry of Deeds, Dublin. Memorial: 308-472-206632. "A memorial of a lease... whereby Simon Vierpoyle (sic) of the City of Dublin, Statuary, for the considerations therein mentioned demised and sett unto Achmet Borumbadad of the same, Doctor of Physick, Proprietor of the Dublin Baths, a dwelling house, messuage or tenement situate on the Batchelors Quay in the City of Dublin..." [5]
- ^ Registry of Deeds, Dublin. Memorial: 321-460-217236
- ^ "An Exact Survey of the City and Suburbs of Dublin in Which is Express'd the Ground Plot of all Publick Buildings Dwelling Houses Ware Houses Stables Courts Yards &c by John Rocque Chorographer to their Royal Highnesses The Late & Present Prince of Wales. 1756". lib.harvard.edu. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
- ^ a b Fraser 1956.
- ^ Registry of Deeds, Dublin. Memorial: 321-460-217236. "A Memorial of an Indented Deed... between Achmet Borumbadad of the City of Dublin, Physician of the first part, and William Marshall of the same city, Esquire... subject to redemption on payment of the said two thousand and ninety three pounds ten shillings on the eighteenth day of September one thousand seven hundred and eighty four with lawfull interest." [6]
- ^ Registry of Deeds, Dublin. Memorial: 354-551-240575
- ^ Registry of Deeds, Dublin. Memorial: 328-128-217257. Date of deed: 1 October 1778. [7]
- ^ a b c d e Fleetwood 1990.
- ^ a b c Hopkins, p.186
- ^ Registry of Deeds, Dublin. Memorial: 354-552-240576. "A Memorial of a Deed of Assignment... made between Achmet Borumbadad of the City of Dublin, Doctor of Physic, Proprietor of the Dublin Baths of the one part, and the Commissioners named, constituted, appointed and empowered by and in pursuance of several acts of parliament, the first made in the thirty first year of the reign of his late Majesty King George... To hold with the appurtenances unto the said Commissioners for all the remainder of the said Achmet Borumbadad's term therein then unexpired" [8]
- ^ Registry of Deeds, Dublin. Memorial: 375-438-251556
- ^ Siggins, Lorna (20 November 1996). "The Liffey in Dublin". The Irish Times. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
- ^ Devlin & Zhang 2011.
- ^ a b Spurr 1966.
- ^ Benstock 1965.
- ^ Hart 2002.
Sources
- Benstock, Bernard (1 March 1965). "A Finnegans Wake Address Book". James Joyce Quarterly. 2 (3). Tulsa: University of Tulsa: 195–203. JSTOR 25486506.
- Devlin, Kimberley J.; Zhang, Mingming (1 September 2011). "ALP's Polyvocal Testimony in III.3: A Collaborative Interpretation". James Joyce Quarterly. 49 (1). Tulsa: University of Tulsa: 91–107. JSTOR 24598695.
- Craig, Maurice (1952). Dublin 1660-1860: The Shaping of a City. Dublin: Liberties Press. ISBN 978-1905483112.
- Fleetwood, Dr. John F. (1 September 1990). "Irish Quacks and Quackery". Dublin Historical Record. 43 (2). Dublin: Old Dublin Society: 70–84. JSTOR 30100953.
- Fraser, A. M. (1 August 1956). "The Friendly Brothers of St. Patrick". Dublin Historical Record. 14 (2). Dublin: Old Dublin Society: 34–40. JSTOR 30102639.
- Hart, W. A. (1 May 2002). "Africans in Eighteenth-Century Ireland". Irish Historical Studies. 33 (129). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press: 19–32. JSTOR 30006953.
- Hopkins, Frank (2002). Rare Old Dublin. Heroes, Hawkers & Hoors. Douglas, Cork: Marino Books. ISBN 1-86023-154-3.
- Spurr, David (1 December 1966). "Writing in the "Wake" of Empire". Modern Language Notes. 111 (5). Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press: 872–888. JSTOR 3251250.