He was a native of mid Down and details of his early life in the latter half of the eighteenth century are sketchy.
He received episcopal consecration on 2 September 1793, and the following year succeeded his distant cousin Hugh as Bishop of Down and Connor.
[1][2] In 1814 he made a report to Rome on the state of his diocese (served by around 35 parish priests and a few curates) which although vague gives some indication of the state of the diocese.
[4][5] A notice of his death, circulated in many Irish newspapers noted that "the Catholic Clergy of that diocese [Down and Connor] have been under the scriptural jurisdiction of this amiable Prelate for 31 years, during which he has presided over them with the politeness of a Gentleman, the abilities of a Theologian, and the meekness of a humble and exemplary Christian.
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