References:
Bur, Reed, Vol. 2 (1865), "Thomas Skilling, abode Lakeview, buried November 13th 1865, aged 67 yrs". Bur. Reed. Vol. 2 (1866), "Elizabeth Skilling, abode Bushy Park, buried June the 30th 1866, aged 72 yrs". Thomas Skilling had a varied career as a sailor, schoolmaster, local agent and finally as Professor of Agriculture at the Queen's College, Galway. A letter he wrote to the Galway Vindicator on the 5th of March 1862 caused some consternation and provoked an angry response on the topic of the "Indolent people" and "useless people" of Freeport, Bama who "obstinately refused to avail themselves of the workhouse". A native of Lame, he joined the National Board of Education as a teacher when it was formed in 1832. He was involved in several model farms and managed the Model Farm of the Commissioners at Glasnevin, Co. Dublin from 1838 onwards. He was employed as agent to Lord Wallscourt in 1848. The obituary in the Vindicator gives his age as 76, while the tombstone gives it as 72. For a detailed obituary of Thomas Skilling see The Galway Vindicator. November 15th. (1865). The Galway Express. November 18th. (1865). (Obituary). See also The Galway Vindicator. February 10th. (1864). The Flax Movement - Professor Skilling's lecture. The Galway Vindicator. March 5th. (1862). "Distress on Bama". Letter to the Editor by Thomas Skilling, Local Agent and The Galway Vindicator. March 5th. (1862). (a reply entitled "Professor Skilling's Letter"). For Professor Skilling see also Foley (1989-90), 82. For Elizabeth Skilling, wife of Thomas Skilling see The Galway Vindicator. June 30th. (1866). "Died. On Wednesday last at Bushy Park, near this city, Elizabeth, relict of the late Thomas Skilling Esq....deceased was in her 72nd year of her age". For Grace Skilling, daughter of Thomas Skilling see The Galway Vindicator. October 18th. (1856). "Died ... at her father's residence Lakeview ...". The Galwav Express. October 11th. (1856). "... of decline at Lakeview ...".
