Joseph Deane (1674–1715) was an Irish politician and judge who became Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer.
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He was born at Crumlin, Dublin, son of Joseph Deane and his wife Elizabeth Parker, daughter of John Parker, Archbishop of Dublin. His grandfather Major Joseph Deane was a close associate of Oliver Cromwell and a cousin of Richard Deane the regicide. For services to Cromwell the Major received large grants of land in five counties. On the Restoration of Charles II he managed to retain much of the property including Crumlin and Terenure. While the judge's brother Edward inherited most of the Deane property including Terenure, the judge inherited the Crumlin estate.
He was called to the Bar and sat in the Irish House of Commons from 1703 to 1714 as member for Dublin. He enjoyed the friendship of the powerful William King, Archbishop of Dublin who recommended him as a man of great sense, knowledge of the law, honesty and good temper. Deane was made a Privy Councillor and on the accession of King George I became Chief Baron.
Barely eight months after taking office Deane died suddenly in May 1715 just after returning from his first circuit. According to the picturesque story his death was due to catching cold while watching a total eclipse of the sun; Elrington Ball more prosaically states that it was probably due to gout.[1] He was buried in St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin.
Deane married Margaret Boyle, sister of Henry Boyle, 1st Earl of Shannon. Their only son died young and the judge's estates passed to his five daughters all of whom married into the aristocracy.[2] They were: