The Depositions against Pierce Butler of Kayer on his role in the 1641-1649 Catholic Confederate Rebellion
The depositions taken in late 1653 and 1654 described Pierce Butler of Kayer as ‘deceased’, viz. William Stafford described on 26 December 1653: “Peirce Butler of the Clough, deceased”.
In the depositions Pierce was denounced for his leadership and involvement in the following events:
- taking possession of the Castle of Enniscorthy [1]
- besieging Duncannon fort and ordering the execution of a number of prisoners [2]
- banishing 30 or 40 Protestant people from Enniscorthy and taking their goods and chattells [3]
- burning the Castle of St. John’s near Enniscorthy, home of Lord Lowther [4]
- signing a warrant to burn Limericke/Limbrick House of Lord Esmonde (Commander of Duncannon Fort) [5]
- attacking the Castle of Tintern with the Colclough brothers and others [6]
- along with Lord Mountgarrett, ordering all Protestants to leave Wexford Town, whereupon, about 80 drowned, when cast off a ship taking them from Wexford Town for England [7]
- forcing one Deponant to accompany them to the siege of Duncannon against his will and then injuring him to disable him, to prevent his informing on them [8]
The following are examples of the Depositions concerning Pierce Butler, recorded in the inquisitions following the initial outbreak, and following the rebellion:
Edward Harris, late of Kilgibbon, in the Parish of Clonmore, [9] yeoman, deposes that there are now out in actual rebellion: Sir Morgan Cavanagh of Clonmullen, Kt, Mr Stafford, gent, Colonel Pierce Butler of Clonekerry, Dudly Cockly (Colclough) of Monarte gent., Captain George ffarrell neere Enniscorthy, etc….
And further this deponent deposeth and by virtue of his oath saith that Nicholas FitzHarris of Mackmine in the Parish of Clonmore aforesaid gentleman about All Holluntide last, came into the deponents house and farm of Kilgibbon aforesaid being part of the farm of Mackmine aforesaid accompanied with one Edmond McHugh of Kilgibbon aforesaid yeoman and many others whose names this deponent cannot for the present set forth and forcibly seized upon this deponents estate and took away and detained and still by himself or others any his directions detained from this deponent these particular goods, cattle and estate following (then lists cattle horses, hay, hogs, poultry, bees, timber, value ₤195), the benefit of the deponents lease of the farm of Kilgibbon aforesaid with the deponents expense in improving the same (value ₤110). (He continued with other grievances)
Sworn 20 March 1642-signed Edward Harris, John Stearne Wm Aldrich
Similary, Andrew Martin of Muchwood, yeoman, dated 8 February 1642 [10]also swore that was robbed, despoiled, and lost by the present rebels, his goods and chattels (naming horses, cows sheep etc). He then listed all of the great gentlemen from the County of Wexford who had turned rebel, including Peirs Butler of Cloghinkiragh, Esquire, and Nicholas oge mcFitzHarris of Mackmine, gentleman.
Examination of Nicholas Rochford, dated 27 July 1642 [11],
That soon after certain others of the gentry of the said County of Wexford declared themselves to join the rebellion, viz. William Browne of Malrancan a Collonell amongst the Rebels, Peirce Buttler of Clonskerrogh Collenell amongst the rebels, Nicholas Stafford of Ballmcchatharn Governor, etc, etc
That within few days after the aforesaid gentlemen had declared themselves so in rebellion the townsmen of Wexford joined themselves likewise unto the said rebels and made captains among themselves to command the several inhabitants within the several parishes of the said Town.
(Rochford then describes how they built a trench around the town 8 foot deep and 24 foot broad and cleared the whole wall side 8 foot from all houses, and fortified and armed the town and harbour.)
William Stafford of Tamon, gent.[12] Dated 17 January 1653/54,
concerning Peirce Buttler of Clough in the Co. of Wexford, Esquire, deceased:
The examinant deposeth and saith that the said Peirce dwelt at Clough in the said County in the Irish quarters the first year and the whole time of the rebellion, and did not thence remove into the English quarters as the deponent conceives he might have done, among the English and Protestants living near him but not without loss of his estate as the deponent conceiveth.
The examinant saith that when the Lord General Cromwell was approaching towards the town of Wexford with his Army, the said Peirce with his cattle, and stock fled into other Counties to decline the English Army; His cause of knowledge is for that the deponent did see the said Peirce and his stock in the County of Kilkenny, flying from the English as aforesaid.
He saith that the said Peirce was appointed a Colonel by Nicholas Stafford of Ballimakeharne Esquire, then Governor of the said County, and by virtue thereof the said Peirce raised some men, who he afterwards employed in besieging Duncannon Fort, then garrisoned by the Lord Esmond, and the English and saith that the said Peirce was active in and did abet the said war to his utmost and that the said Peirce was present at Duncannon Fort (as he heard) when the same was summoned by Hugh Rochford and the then high sheriff, and the said Peirce and others, as Colonel William Browne and Nichas [ _ ] of [ _ ] told the deponent.
The examinant deposeth that he hath seen the said Peirce personally present at several public meetings of the Irish in the first year of the rebellion and since in order to the advancing and putting forward the same.
The examinant deposeth that he hath seen the said Peirce present at and voting in, the electing of members out of the County of Wexford to serve in the several general assemblies and assemblies.
He deposeth that he is confident that the said Peirce did take the oath of association being a man of a great estate, and active and zealous in the Catholic cause and for that the deponent hath seen his Name in the printed book of the said oath and the several names alphabetically therein specified.
The deponent saith that the said Peirce was a Colonel of Foot as aforesaid, and further saith that the said Peirce was a member of the County Council in the years 1641 and 1642; and in the years 1643 and 1644; a Commissioner of Civil Causes in the said County and likewise in the years 1644 and 1645, a Commissioner of setting delinquents or English estates, and enquiring after the four partes- and one of the Supreme Council for a season the certain time he cannot remember- and frequently a member of the General Assembly. The deponent cause of knowledge is for that the said deponent hath seen and known the said Peirce to act in them several capacities.
The deponent saith that Walter Lacie servant agent to Sir Henry Wallop then keeping the castle of Enniscorthy the said first year, was dispossessed by the said Peirce Butler, which said Peirce did both [ _ ] cease and possess himself of the said castle and but of the arms and goods therein belonging to the said Sir Henry Wallop. The deponents cause of knowledge is for that the said Walter told the deponent thereof, and after the said Walter complained to the County Council that part of his goods were detained as the goods of the said Sir Henry Wallop, whereupon the said Walter had orders to be restored to his own goods and the possession of that castle still continuing with the said Peirce till he was thereof removed by order.
This account from Richard Shortall of Enniscorthy, gent aged about 40 years, concerning Peirce Buttler of Clough in the County of Wexford, Esquire, deceased, dated 16 January 1653/54.[13]
(Hore notes: in Clonmore Parish, Barony of Bantry.
Clough is adjacent to the castle of Kayer on the River Boro, hence the original name Cloghnageragh )
The Examinant deposeth and saith that he well knew the said Peirce for many years; and that the said Peirce did live at Clough in the County of Wexford in the Irish quarters, the first year and the whole time of the rebellion, and did not thence remove into the English quarters, as the deponent conceives, he might have done, amongst the English living near him.
The deponent saith, that the said Peirce hearing that the Lord General Cromwell with his Army were come to Arklow, did depart with his cattle and goods from Clough into other Counties. The deponents cause of knowledge is for that the said Peirce told the deponent of his said departure, and would have persuaded the deponent to accompany him the said Peirce in his said recess.
He deposeth and saith that the said Peirce did in the first year of the rebellion contribute his person, and the utmost of his ability to the promoting the war against the English, his cause of knowledge hereafter appears.
He deposeth and saith that the said Peirce did act and abet the rebellion against the English, in the first year thereof; and in testimony of his forwardness the said Peirce did raise and command a party of men of the County of Wexford, to besiege Duncannon Fort, defended by the Lord Esmond against the Irish; and that the said Peirce was not only present at the summoning thereof the said fort, but was the Commander in Chief that summoned the same. The deponents cause of knowledge is for that the deponent coming with letters from the Lords Justices and Councill at Dublin directed to the Lord Esmond the deponent was with the said Letters taken before the said Peirce and by him examined, and that thereupon the said Peirce did call together all the officers under his command, in nature of a council of war, whereof the said Peirce was president, who gave judgement against this deponent to be imprisoned for a night and a day which imprisonment the deponent accordingly suffered.
And further saith that the said Peirce did summon and take the castle of Enniscorthy in the said first year of the war (Hore’s note 7- this took place on June 6 1643. Vide infra), then kept by Walter Lacie servant to Sir Henry Wallop; and did from thence take and carry away the lead that covered the said castle to the value as the deponent conceiveth of one hundred pounds sterling; The deponents cause of knowledge is for that the examinant lived near the said castle and did see the said lead of some part thereof taken away by the said Peirce as aforesaid. And further saith that the said Peirce was at the meetings of the Irish in order to the carrying on the rebellion. His cause of Knowledge is for that he hath seen the said Peirce present at and president and the most active man at the said respective meetings of the Irish, as at Enniscorthy, at and against Duncannon and elsewhere, as well in the first year of the rebellion and sithence
The examinant deposeth and saith that the said Peirce was a member of the County Council the first year of the rebellion. And afterwards a continual member of the General Assembly. The examinants cause of knowledge is for that he hath seen the said Peirce act in them capacities. And the further cause of the deponents knowledge is for that the deponent did see a warrant signed by the said Peirce and others of the County Council in the first year of the rebellion, directed to Eneas Keinsley and Anthony Cavanagh, empowering and requiring them to burn the house of Limerick (belonging to the Lord Esmond, and then inhabited by his Lady), and to cease on the goods and cattle within and without the said house, for the use of the Irish public.
He deposeth and saith that the examinant was personally present in the town of Ross in the first year of the rebellion when and where he did see the said Peirce amongst other gentry of the Country take [] the said oath of association before the Lord of Mountgarret; the names of the other gentry that did take the oath at that time with the said Peirce as the deponent remembers were Sir Morgan Cavanagh knight, Eneas Keinsley of Ballincargie, Thomas Rosseter of Rathmacknee, James Buttler of Bellabora, and Edmond Buttler the Lord Mountgarrets eldest son with others whom the deponent doth not remember.
He deposeth and saith that the said Peirce was one of the Nuntius/Nuncios his faction or confederacy that was sent or came into Ireland from the Pope, and believes that the said Peirce being an eminent man and a powerful man did treat with the said Nuncio for supplying the Irish with monies (to promote their rebellion) whereof the said Nuncio had a vast sum; his cause of knowledge is for that he heard the same by the general report of the Country, and further for that the said Peirce Buttler was generally called Catholic Peirce signifying his zeal and affection to the said Nuncio and his faction.
The examinant cannot depose, other than that he hath delivered in the preceding part of his deposition in his answers to the 4th, 5th and 6th Interrogatoryes- with that that the said Peirce had the title and command of Colonel of Foote for the Irish interest against the English in the first year of the rebellion and afterwards.
The deponent saith that he hath seen the said Peirce his servants constantly in arms, attending and accompanying their master as well the first years as sithence
He saith that one George Jabelin, an English tailor, was servant and tenant to the said Peirce, in the first year of the war and ever sithence, and that the said George is resident at or near Clough the said Peirce his late habitation.
The examinant deposeth and saith that in or shortly after the first year of the rebellion, the said Peirce did seize and carry away from the castle of Enniscorthy to the Clough, a small brass piece and a small iron piece of ordnance belonging to the said castle of Enniscorthy; The deponents cause of knowledge is for that Walter Lacie the keeper of the castle told the deponent thereof; And showed the deponent where the said pieces of ordnance had grated upon, or broken the castle wall as they were thrown down from the top of the said castle of Enniscorthy .
He cannot depose, other than that he hath heard and verily believes that the said Peirce was one of the Council that passed sentence of death against Lieutenant John Esmond and fourteen soldiers of the English party belonging to the fort of Duncannon taken prisoners at the tower of Hooke and further saith not.
Examination of William Penrust , yeoman aged 50 years, re Jospeh and Danyell Ferrall. Dated 28February 1654 [14] (Notably the Ferrall’s the Colclough’s and Pierce Butler jointly owned properties in the 1641 Civil Survey in the Barony of Scarawalsh)
That the said Joseph did contribute his person and endeavours toward the forwarding the said Rebellion in the first beginning thereof: and was with Peirce Buttler of Clough esquire about Christmas 1641, and the Whitsunday after at which time the said Peirce, with the said Joseph and divers others in arms in his company did betray the Castle of Enniscorthy out of the possession of Walter Lacie and several English therein, who kept the same for the proprietor thereof Sir Henry Wallop knight. And that the said Peirce Buttler was entertained and harboured at the said Josephs house before, at and after the betraying of the said Castle, in which action the deponent is confident the said Joseph had an hand, for that he was zealous for the Catholic cause and a great familiar to the said Peirce Buttler, and very intimate with him. That the said Joseph was and this deponent hath seen him at several public meetings of the Irish held at Enniscorthy in the first year of the Rebellion and since in order to promote the said Rebellion against the English. The said Joseph died about the year 1646, leaving behind him his eldest son and heir Danyell Fferall: which said Danyell this deponent did see to march in arms with the Irish towards Duncannon Fort, when the same was besieged by the Irish in the first year of the said Rebellion….in 1649, Danyell was made a Captain in Colonel Danyell Cavanaghs Regiment and in that capacity went to Spain with Colonel Cavanagh (viz son of Sir Morgan Cavanagh)
Examination of Art Brien (alias Art McTeig of Eniscorthy) yeoman aged 38yrs, re Joseph and Danyell Ferrall (his son), dated 28 February 1654 [15]
That he well knew the said Joseph and Danyell for that they dwelt at Enniscorthy where this deponent’s residence was sometime of the rebellion. He did see the said Joseph at the public meetings of the Irish held at Enniscorthy in the first year of the rebellion and sithence; and saith that Joseph was much in favour with Peirce Buttler of Clough Esquire who betrayed the Castle of Enniscorthy and took the same from Walter Lacie who was in actual possession thereof for and in behalf of Sir Henry Wallop the proprietor of the same in the first year of the rebellion. That Danyell, being under the protection of the Lord General Cromwell after his reducing the said Castle of Enniscorthy to his obedience, did a short time before Christmas 1649, attempt the betraying, and did with several others he had procured to his faction, betray the Castle of Enniscorthy and cruelly murdered Capt. Todd, wear the clothes of said Capt Todd, and continued as Governor thereof till the same was surrendered upon conditions, etc…
In the following deposition, Pierce is now described as of Moneyhore, and is listed as one of the leading men in the Council:
Deposition of Donatus Conner, late of Artcramen in Co Wexford, clerk and minister, dated 28 October 1642[16]
After describing the loss of goods and chattels, and ‘church livings’, he described how he was put in prison in a most odious dark and loathsome dungeon exceedingly fraight with the stincking odour of prisoners and others most loathsome unto him which indeed had poisoned and killed him as he thincketh, but that God gave him strength and power to survive and overcome that heavy calamity. He was then given warrant to go before Lord Mountgaret, Lord Gormanston and other of the Rebellions Council at Kilkenny where he stayed three months, while they attempted to seduce and draw him from his Protestant religion to Mass and the Popish Religion, etc.
He then went on to depose that the great Council or men that sat in Council with for and amongst the rebels there were 1st the Lord Mountgarrett, the Lord of Gormanston, the Lord Netterville, Sir Edward Butler knight (created 1st Viscount Galmoy in 1646), Sir Richard Butler knight, Peirce Butler of Monihore in the County of Wexford Esquire, and the said Phillip Hore, Richard Bealing son in law to the Lord Mountgarrett, examinator and speaker there, David Roth titulary Bishop of Ossery, the titulary Bishop of Downpatrick, and divers other titulary Bishops and abbots, and divers other Jesuits and friars, etc…
He continues to relate the aims of the Council. He deposed that the rebels from time to time divulged that the cause of their insurrection was for that ten thousand at least of puritants in England and Ireland, had put their hands to a note to hang all the papists at their own doors unless they came to their church with them within a shirt time, and so the rebels would excuse their said Rebellion and bloody acts therein committed and therefore they alleged it was time for them to rise to prevent the danger the puritants intended them etc.
Donatus, who claimed he was a former Catholic priest (‘but by the light of God’s truth become a Protestant’) continued to recount the widespread rumours spread by Catholic priests, of acts of cruelty committed by the English, which he denied and then attributed these same acts to the rebels:
That the Romish Priests sent over from Dublin, by the state, as banished men not long after the beginning of the Rebellion, had published their arrival beyond sea falsely and publicly divulged or caused to be divulged over France and Spain, that the English had committed divers outrages and cruelties in Ireland upon the Roman Catholics and namely ripping up women great with child and putting the children into the fire and other supposed barbarous acts, by which this deponent is credibly informed and assured, the Rebel Irish in this Kingdom were guilty of and had manually exercised against the Protestants.
That the rebels commonly averred that they would not (if they might be pardoned) and everyone called home to his own living, submit unless that all the Church land and livings of Ireland were restored to the Churchmen of the Romish religion and that they might enjoy that Religion freely; and that the protestant religion might be quite rooted out of this Kingdom of Ireland; and the rebels also have publicly and as much frequently depraved and vilified the protestants Religion and all protestants. And this deponent further saith that it was generally reported by and amongst the Rebels in Kilkenny that the Pope of Rome had engaged himself to give ₤50,000 per annum for the maintenance of the wars in Ireland against the Protestants so long as the war should continue and that the rebels here expected ₤60,000 more from certain colleges and religious houses to that end.
He concluded by saying that he continued a prisoner at Kilkenny until this October, but then the great God in who he trusted offered him a way by which he escaped.
Diary commenced by Captain Aston (re the siege of Duncannon Fort held by Lord Esmond): [17]
“Munday the last of Feb. Colonel Butler sent a Letter unto his Lordship purporting a further Cessation of Armes, as also a Parley with four of our best men of quality, and then with eight men, and by and by a messenger sent from Colonel Butler arrived to desire private Conference with his Lordship (Esmonde) in person, which his Lordship refused; for that he would have no conference at all with any one of them, without publique notion to myself and Captain Weldon.”
The following paragraph concerns Lord Esmonde’s contemptuous reply to Pierce’s request to meet for discussions, during the siege of Duncannon Fort:
A letter from Lt Haward dated March 29, 1642 [18]
“The Lord Esmond granted a Cessation of Armes for five dayes at the request of the Rebels, for he always kept them in play, and after that they sent for a Truce for 14 dayes more, but my Lord refused, then they desired a Parley with four of our best men with four of theirs, which we accepted of, and as we were marching towards them there came a messenger desiring from Colonel Pierce Butler that he might meet with my Lord, and conferre with him, but we sent him word that they had no man of quality good enough for him so to conferre with, yet if he would come to the Fort he should speake with him, but we heard no more of them.”
Captain Astons’ diary of the events at the fort:[19]
“ The Fort at that time (22 Feb 1641/2) was besieged by more than 1000 rebels and very nearly abandoned. Aston finds “good old Lord Esmond” the Governor, with 100 men in a dreadful state of destitution and misery, and “the Enemy” under Lord Mountgarrett, Colonel Butler, Lieut. Colonel Maylor and Sergeant Major Butler, lying with musket shot without…. On the 8th he sallies forth with Lieutenant (George) Butler and 120 muskets and pikes and is driven back.
By Father Bonaventure Baron Jan 1645:[20]
“As soon, therefore, as the supreme council of the Confederates had made every preparation for the siege (of Duncannon), and appointed two of their own body, Galfrid Baron and Nicholas Plunkett, to act as commissioners during the operations, they ordered General Thomas Preston to proceed with the forces destined for the expedition. He therefore marched from Waterford after the feast of the Epiphany 13th Jan, at the head of 1200 infantry, most of which were drafted from the regiment of Richard Butler Lord Mountgarret, and others from that of the Wexford regiment commanded by Colonel Sinnott. A troop of horse numbering 80, belonging to Robert Talbot’s cavalry, (Hore’s note 4- In command under Preston were Colonels Butler, Sinnott, and Warren, with Laloo, the Engineer General.) accompanied this little army, which appearing before Duncannon on Monday, January 20th , lost no time in pitching tents within a musket shot of the fort, where the cavity of the Valley afforded shelter against the wind and severity of winter.
The Examination of James Kerke of Bristol, Master of the good ship The Lambs of Bristoll, had and taken at Plymouth Co. Devon- 15 March 1641/2 [21]
The Deponent refers to the Fort as the Castle of Duncannon and informs us that it was about to be surrendered to the Rebels, so that these supplies only just arrived in time ie 22nd Feb last- sent with 200 soldiers, powder, muskets, shot etc for 100 men “for the relief of Duncannon Castle, lyeing on the river of Waterford, which was besieged by 1300 Rebells, where he arrived on the 24th day of the said month of ffeb and the day following landed the said souldiers and ammunition, and thereupon the said Rebells fled; and saith that the souldiers in the said Castle were in great misery for want of provision, and intended to have yielded up the said Castle the Munday following.” Etc
(mentions a Capt. Cole of Bristol and his ship).
Note 3: From a Tract called “More good and true News from Ireland” by Master Robert Cole, Merchant “200 men under Captains Anthony Weldon and Thos Aston on Thursday the 23 Feb, 1642, arrived from Bristol before the Fort of Duncannon wherein we found the noble old Lord Esmond, Governor thereof, with 100 men resident for the defence thereof; the enemy lying within musket shot thereof. The Enemies Commanders under their General the Lord Mountgarrett, are Colonel Butler, Lt.Col. Maylor, and Serg. Major Butler.”
The above mentioned Serg. Major Butler is further mentioned in a deposition given by William Whalley, late of Rosse in the County of Wexford who named James Butler, Sergeant Major of the Rebells. [22]
A further deposition again refers to Serg. Major James Butler as Commander of his troop, and his brother named Pierce. The true identity of these brothers is unknown (see bottom of page for possible identities):
Duncannon Fort 1642 Capt Aston’s diary:June 8 1642 [23]-
“Then I commanded my men to give fire upon them by ranks, which the enemy (Sergeant Major Butler being their Commander) answered very boldly. The skirmish continued very hot between us for the space of 2 hours, til at last (it pleased God that divers if their men falling to the ground) their courage began to fail them, which we well perceiving, came up boldly, giving fire upon them as thicke as we could, and forced them to retreat, pursuing them for about ¾’s of a mile, where we discovered another company of the Rebels about 100 of them that were coming to second them; we then retreated towards the Fort, but as we were thinking that Sergeant Major Butler had maintained fight against us, and kept his ground; but presently I commanded six of our horsemen to ride up unto them, which the enemy no sooner beheld them approaching, and withal fearing that the Sergeant Major had lost his ground, and been forced to retreat, but they retreated also down a hill into a bottome, whom our horsemen followed, until such time as they discovering another company of Rebels, with colours flying, being about 100 of them: Then our horsemen made a stand, but immediately a great storm of rain arose, so as we could not pursue any further attempt against them, they having then the advantage against us, by reason of their firelocks, I caused the Drums to beat a retreat, and brought off every man of ours, not one of them (thanks be given to God) being so much as touched by any shot that came from the enemy that day, but ‘tis conceived that divers of the Rebels were slaine and hurt, for when, as we had beaten them off from the place where they maintained skirmish against us, we found in severall places great store of their bloud, as also a piece of Sergeant Butler’s Buff coat, which was shot from his body that day: Moreover, at the same time we took Sergeant Butler’s own Saddle-nag, with his furniture, and one Petronell (a horse pistol), his rider being his brother Pierce Butler, trusting to his footmanship more than to his valour, escaped, or otherwise he had been taken, together with his horse.”
George Charleton, late of Gorey, Joiner, deposeth: [24]
“That about the 14th November last (viz 1641), he was robbed, &C, of goods and chattels to the value of £102 by Luke Birne in the Co. Wicklow, gent, the first known and notorious Rebell in that County, and about 500 Rebells his souldiers under his command. And about two daies after this Deponent, his wife and 3 children were all robbed and stript of their clothes by Mahowne More of Cloneskyn in the said Co. of Wexford, Yeoman, Enogher O’Quidd of Gory, Art McDermott Ower of Gory, and others in their County. And about a fortnight after this, the Deponent being in the towne of Wexford, was by one… Cheevers, Mayor of said towne and a papist priest ordered to goe with the Rebells to assaulte H.M.’s fforte of Duncannon, whereupon this Deponent was forced for safety of his life yet against his will to goe against the said Castle where he was commanded and thither brought by one Jasper Bowlan of Wexford gent, Captain of this Deponent and of the rest then by the said Maior, prest for that service, and by Wm Roche (a Romish priest); and this Deponent being kept there a souldier, but indeed a prisoner, observed that there was in the league against Duncannon aforesaid one…. Esmond of Johnstowne in the same County, gent, Captain of 100 Rebells, one Browne of Balleranken, Esq, a Parliament man and yet a Captain of 200 Rebells more, Dudley Cokeley (Colclough) of Monart, Esq., another Captain of the Rebells there, one… Mayler of Maylerstown, gent, another Captain one Rochford of … Esq., then High Sheriff of the said County, another Captain there, Piers Butler of Clonekerry Esq, another Captain, one Roche of Rochtowne, Esq., one Ralph Waddington of Enniscorthy, Esq., a fallen Protestant, and a Justice of the Peace and Captain of 100 Rebells, one … Codd of Codstowne, Esq., a Captain of 300, one Walter Lacy of Enniscorthy, gent, formerly a protestant but lately turned Papist, who had formerly the keeping of Enniscorthy Castle and had delivered it to Sir Morgan Cavanagh of …. in Co. Carlow Kt, a grand Rebell, and one Mr … Devereux of the Deepes, Esq, another Captain of the aforesaid, finding him to be an Englishman, suffered one of theire souldiers to wound this Deponent in his left knee (of which he is lamed) saying that he is an Englishman and will discover us if he have liberty, and that by the meanes and persuasion of the said Mr Devereux who begged for his liberty, this Deponent after 12 days restraint, was suffered to passé away and fly to his wife and children, and they are now all at Dublin in great want and misery. And further saith that it was a common report amongst the Rebells aforesaid that they had a Commission from the King for doing what they did, and that they would not have an Englishman to live amongst them and unless he would turn to Masse and be sworne to be true unto them, or to that effect. And he did heare one of the Souldyers of Sir Thomas Esmond say that the said Sir Thomas his Master had sent 60 Souldyers and 80 lbs of powder to the said Luke Birne the Rebell and his Company against the Castle of Carnow in the County of Wicklowe.”
Dated 24th Jan 1641-2
(NB.- many of the men he named as ‘captain’ were in fact colonels, including Pierce Butler of Clonekerry)
Herbert Hore wrote: [25] “From the evidence of other depositions we find that shortly before the period of the first attack on Duncannon, which took place about Christmas 1641, the celebrated Colonel Preston, afterwards Lieut. General of the Irish forces, paid a visit to the County and stayed a night at St. John’s near Enniscorthy, then the residence of Ralph Waddington Esq., who had turned papist. Colonel Preston does not appear to have been present at his siege of the Fort, which was presided over by Colonel Pierce Butler of Clough as Commander in Chief, and who summoned the Fort to surrender.” (then lists the other Irish Rebels at the siege, including Col. Sir Morgan Cavanagh Kt)
Christopher Murphy of Duncormuck ,[26] aged 40, deposes that he was at the beginning of the rebellion, servant to Mr. Nic. Maylor of Duncormick, and about Christmas 1641 the same Maylor went as Captain of a Company against the Duncannon Fort, and as Lieut. Col to Pierce Butler, under whom this Examinant marched as a private Soldier, and shortly was made a Sergeant to Capt. Thos Roche in the service of the Irish against Duncannon.
Lord Esmonde writes from Duncannon Fort to Lord Ormond [27]- this letter is not dated, but must have been written after June 6 1643, the date of Pierce Butler’s coup de main on the Castle of Enniscorthy.
“… I am of the opinion Peirce Butler who commands the Castle of Iniscorthy at your Lordships Cominge into the Countrie, if you send for him, will put it into your handes, he owes your Lordship the tribute of much dutie, if his heart, as many mens are, bee not too much hardened.”
Hore notes: It is highly improbable that Butler, in spite of his kinship to Lord Ormond would surrender the Castle; at any rate, Esmonde’s suggestions were never acted upon, as we know that it was not until the advent of Cromwell, then the common enemy, that Lord Ormond moved towards Wexford.
This deposition, which is given in full, adds some important items to our knowledge of this place during the year 1642, and shows the manner in which the Castle was surprised on June 6, 1643.
Deposition of Jonas Rushworth of Enniscorthy [28] aged fifty one- dated 5 January 1653/54
“ Jonas Rushworth saith that he lived in Enniscorthy in the year 1641, in the beginning of the Rebellion, where divers English also resided, being tenants to Sir Henry Wallop, Kt, and knoweth that about 8th January in the same year (ie. Jan 8 1642) one Mr Piers Butler, late of Clogh, deceased, came in armes in a hostile manner with divers men at armes in his company, from whom (whence) the said Butler banished the said English to the number of 30 or 40 persons, amongst whom, there was one Mr William Swanton, agent to Sir H. Wallop, who after they came to Wexford was drowned with his whole family at the Barr, going forth to sea in sight of the said town. (Hore notes: this occurred towards the latter end of Jan 1642. The ship that carried these poor Protestant emigres is said to have been purposely scuttled near the bar of Wexford Harbour).
This Examinant further saith that the very instant of time (the 1st or 2nd year of the warr or Rebellion) that the Earl of Ormond marched by Enniscorthy to besiege Ross, the said Butler and Mr William Browne of Malranckan, with 2 or 3 companies of armed men under their command, burnt the Castell of St Johns neer Enniscorthy, being the Inheritance of the Lord Lowther. (viz. Sir Gerald Lowther, Kt, a Protestant who owned the Manor of St. Johns, 1000 acres by the Book of Survey and Distribution).
This Examinants cause of knowledge is that he being in his own house in Enniscorthy aforesaid sae the said Companies march through the town to St Johns and likewise saw the said Castle on fire.
This Examinant further saith that about the 6th June next ensuing (1643) the said Mr Butler came to Enniscorthy with 7 or 8 men in armes of his tenants and servants, who under pretence to give Mr Lacie (who was in greate familiaritie with him) a visit, who kept the said Castle for Sir H. Wallop, entered the same with his men, surprised the said Lacie, wounded the man at the grate, and turned them all out, and afterwards possest the same for the Irish; and likewise saith the said Mr Butler was for severall years in the beginning of the Rebellion a member of the Supreme Councell held for the Irish in Kilkenny, and acted in chiefe as Commander of the County of Wexford, in the beginning of the Rebellion for several years.”
In a further examination of Jonus Rushworth, dated 18 February 1654 re Thomas Codd [29], he stated that Thomas did officiate as one of the Commissioners of the Army for the Irish against the English in or about the year 1647. His cause of knowledge is for that the deponent did see the same Thomas sitting and acting with Peirce Buttler and others the chief fomenters of the Rebellion at Enniscorthy.
Account of drowning incident in Wexford Town: [30]
Most of the Protestants of the town attempted to escape by sea in a frigate which either by accident or design, foundered when she got outside the bar, and only one person out of eighty was saved. The Protestants, it appears, were ordered to leave the town by Viscount Mountgarrett and Mr Pierce Butler of Clough. This occurred towards the latter end of January 1642. Mr John Archer, deposes that more than “threescore passengers being on ship board at Wexford intending to goe for England were wilfully cast away by the Irish owners or seamen for their wealthes sake, and as the said passengers did swymm to shore they were thrust back into the sea againe and drowned by the sailors and rebels on shore, none escaping but the sea faring men and one Papist woman who made her boast thereof at her returne to Wexford.” (NB. this included William Swanton of Enniscorthy and family referred to in other depositions.)
Deposition of Simon Bellers of the city of Dublin, gent, [31] sworn, &c, sayth that about the 1st December 1641, he being at Enniscorfy in the Co. of Wexford, was then and there, with his wife and children, forcibly deprived and expelled from their house dwelling and farmes there, and of two mills, and was then and there also forcibly robbed and dispoyled of Cowes, horses, mares, young cattle, household goods, hay, a tanyard with a great quantity of leather in it, bark, and other goods and meanes to the value of £800 at the least. In debts also this Deponent is perswaded he hath lost also £540 at least. He sayeth that the Rebels in the County that rose up in armes and deprived and despoiled him of his houses, farms, mills, tanyard bark leather and other goods, were Peirce Butler late of Clonekerry, Esq, (Hore’s note 7 -Phonetic corruption for Cloghnakeeragh, near Enniscorthy, now Wilton ie. Kayer.), Joseph Farrell of Eniscorfy aforesaid, merchant, the Lord Mountgarrett, and the friers of Wexford, but the rest he cannot name. Howbeit all the Papists in that County as he is verily perswaded rose and took up armes in the very beginning of December 1641 aforesaid, and robbed all the protestants in the Country thereabouts, and amongst the rest they robbed, expelled, and deprived Mr William Swanton, late of the Court of Eniscorfy aforesaid (Hore’s note 1-drowned in the Harbour of Wexford, with others in 1642. Vide supra), Esq, this Deponents wife’s owne father, of his houses, lands, farms, and all his Estate at Eniscorfy and elsewhere within the County, of the value of £4000 as this Deponent is verily perswaded etc..
16 Jan 1645 /46
sd. Simon Bellers.
(NB. As Colonel Butler, whom he describes as “late of Clonekerry”, attended the Supreme Council meetings in 1646 and 1647, and was alive in 1652, one would presume he meant he was no longer living there
Also note that Pierce Butler and Joseph Farrell were joint proprietors with Dudley Colclough of land in Scarawalsh in the 1641 Civil Survey, which was confiscated by Cromwell.)
The above depositions of Simon Bellers and Jonas Rushworth prove that Pierce Butler of Clough and Pierce Butler of Clonekerry are one and the same-the two depositions of Jonas Rushworth and Simon Bellers both make statements about the removal of William Swanton from Enniscorthy, yet Bellers names Pierce Butler late of Clonekerry (Kayer), and Rushworth names Mr Piers Butler late of Clogh.
The following deposition was recorded in a Waterford Court after the rebellion. It involved Captain John Colclough and Colonel Pierce Butler.
(NB. Captain John Colclough’s daughter would marry Pierce Butler’s son James)
“V
Edward Aston of Kilbarrie, in the Countie of Waterford, f.9. [32]
Sworne & examined, sayth:…
That since the beginning of this rebellion he lost…
And that Thomas Aston his father, on or about the xvii th of July last was sent, with 2 or 3 shipps and about 100 souldiers, from the fort of Duncannon to Redmond’s Castle of the Hooke to surprise (if they could) that castle…..
And further saith, That upon the vith of ffebr.1641, Pierce Butler, colonel, & John Colclough, captn, sent six of their soldiers, or thereabouts, to the land of Tyntreene (sic- Tintern) to take away the garrans belonging to the Castle of Tyntrine (sic), which were then at work upon the fallowes, within shott of the said Castle, Wch six souldiers, according to their direccons, assailed the plowmen, & unharnessed the horses & drove them away.
Whereupon the deponent, being Captn of the sd Castle, with three horsemen more & eight foote men sallied forth to rescue the said horses from the enemy, In pursuit whereof (not above a flight’s shoote sic from the place), in the hollow betweene twoe high waies, and a little out of the sight of the Castle, the Captain with the other 3 horsemen & some of his footemen were assailed by 40 or 50 of the enemy, Whoe, with the Colonell and Captain Colclough, lay in a close ambuscade, and made divers shotts as also thrusts with pykes; by one or more of wch shotts, Willm Hatch one of the souldiers was mortally wounded in his left flank and left arme, of wch wounds, within five days after, he died. They likewise tooke one Robert Stafford prisoner; The other six fled to the Castle without harme. The Captn with the other three, being furthest engaged in ye ambuscade, were forced to fly for their lives, having no other way left open but violently to breake through the enemy: whoe made as many shottes on all sides of them as tyme and their provision would give them leave, But, Through miraculous protection of the Almighty, neither horse nor man hurt, but came by another way to the Castle. And the enemy… went away and left the garrans, which the deponent again recovered.
And on the 12th ffebr. We solemnized the burial of the sd. Wm Hatch. Upon the xith of ffebr, Colonell Cavanagh also Dermont mcDowlen (a gran Rebell) sent above one hundreth or 120 of his men to thrash Mr Griffins corne at the salt mills. He likewise cawsed a guard to be kept in a knock of ffurrs over against the salt mylnes on the other side of the water.
Sd. Edw. Aston
Jur. 15 December 1642
Hen. Brereton, Will. Aldrich, Joh. Watson
Robert Tunstall late of the town of the parish of Tinterne in the County of Wexford, [33] yeoman, deposeth that on or about the last day of June 1642, and since the beginning of this present rebellion in Ireland, he lost, was robbed and forcibly dispoyled of his goods and chattels worth £56. 10s. He was also dispossessed of a lease for life of a house and garden thereunto belonging and some tiethes which were worth £7 per an., and is damnified by losing the benefit of said lease, £50. The Deponent further saith that on or about the beginning of August last, he, among other protestants to the number of 200 persons going into the Castle of Tinterne aforesaid were besieged by the undernamed persons and their forces, viz:- Hugh Rochfort of Taylorstown, High Sheriff of the said County, Jas Rochfort of the same, gent, Jas Downe neere Mullinfooky, gent, Richard Sutton of Clomyne, gent, John Roche of Bryanstown, gent, John Cocklogh of Poldarig (John Colclough pronounced Cockly), gent, Richard Stafford of Kilkevan, gent, Jas Lewis of the Graige, gent, Piers Butler of Clonkeroge, Esqre, Col Michael Stafford of Alburke, gent, all in the same County, and divers others to the number of 400 armed men, and kept close siedge to the said Castle for a fortnight where Wm. Hatch of Tinterne aforesaid, a British protestant was shot before the giving up of the said Castle whereupon he dyed, likewise during that siedge this Deponent heard severall of the Enemy call the Protestants in the Castle rogues and Traytors to the Kinge, and heard them state that they were the true subjects, and what they did by direction from his Majestie.
Sd Robert Tunstall (his mark)
Sworn &c., January 14, 1643
Amos Hatch, late of the Town and parish of Tintern, smith, dated 14 January 1642/43 [34]
That on or about the 24th day of September last and since the beginning of this present rebellion in Ireland and he lost, was robbed and forceably despoiled of his goods and chattels to the several values following (lists his goods).
The deponent saith that about the beginning of August last, this deponent among other protestants to the number of 200 persons young and old got in to the Castle of Tintern where they were besieged by the undernamed persons and their forces viz. Hugh Rochford of Taylorstown Esquire, and high sheriff, James Rochford gent., John Rochford and Mathew Rochford gents, James Downe of Mullinfoo[by], gent, Richard Sutton of Clonmine, gent., John Roch of Bryanstown gent., John Coklogh (Colclough) of Poldarig gent., John Deveroux of Croscale gent., Pierce Butler of Clonkeragh gent, Walter Whitty of Dungolpe gent., Richard Stafford of Kilkevan gent and divers others, James Lewis of the Graige, gent and divers others to the number of 400 armed men and kept close siege for a fortnight to the said Castle where this deponents son William Hatch was shot and killed, likewise during the time siege this deponent heard several of the enemy call the protestants in the Castle rogues and traitors to the King and that they were true subjects and what they did was by directions from his Majesty and further he deposeth not.
Richard FitzHenry to Lord Ormond, [35] in part said:
“ ..I am bound upon bindes by the Irish for hanging of three or fower of the Kavanaghs for murtheringe and Robinge of 16 English men and women and sucklinge children, and alsoe Pierce Butler and the rest of the County of Wexfords gentlemen committed me in Wexford and woulde have hanged myselfe for the same if it weare not for my Lord of Mongarett that stude for me altogether, and alsoe said oppenly in Court that it was the best thinge that ever I did in my life to Hange those murtherers soe I hereby take leave and Remaine from Coulbaick (Coolback, in Ballyanne Parish- called Coolcastle in the Down Survey and proprietors name ffitzHarris)
the 24 of March 1643(-4).”
Henry Maisterson of Moniseed, Esquire dated 11 March 1645/46 [36]
When the Rebellion began in the County of Wexford, that is to say about the fifth day of November 1641 and at divers times since, this deponent was at Moniseed and at divers other places within the said County, forcibly deprived, robbed and despoiled of his goods and chattels consisting of cattle, horses, sheep. Some hay, household stuff, apparel, carts, waines, ploughs, yokes, implements of husbandry, deeds, evidences, writings, Bonds and specialties, and had his house at Moniseed burned and his orchards and improvements wasted and spoiled to his losses and damage 3000 pounds at the least. This deponent was in November forcibly expelled and driven from his said dwelling house and from all his lands and farms within the said County of Wexford, the profits and rents and values thereof (being yearly worth three hundred threescore and ten pounds and above), this deponent hath ever since been deprived and bereft of amounting in four years past to one thousand four hundred and fourscore (1480) pounds sterling. And this deponent is like to be deprived of and lose the future rents and values of his aid lands and farms until a peace be established. And further saith that the parties that expelled robbed and spoiled him were these that follow, viz. Sir Morgan Cavanagh of Clonmullen in the County Cartherlaghe Knight and Dame his Lady, Edmund McArt their servant, Luke Birne of Killevanah in the County of Wicklow gent, Cahir mc Phelim of Clonemonaghe in the County of Wexford, Donnell Roe McOwen of Ballilosky in the Co of Wexford gentleman, Hugh McPhelim Birne of Balleinecorr in the Co of Wicklow a Colonel of Rebels, and Art Owre Kavanagh his servant Owny Cavanaghe of Skamoghe in the Co of Wexford gentleman, Barnabie Toole of Ballenebarney in the Co Wexford gentleman, with divers others whose names this deponent cannot now call to mind. And further, he, fleeing for safety of his life to the fort of Duncannon with the lord Esmond, stayed there for 7 or 8 weeks and then came by sea to Dublin with letters to Sir William Parsons knight and Baronett, then one of the Lords Justices of the Kingdom of Ireland sent from the said Lord Esmond for relief to be sent to the fort, and to signify in what state and posture the fort then stood. And from Dublin the deponent hazarding himself to go see his wife and children and to get some money which he had left amounting to 580 pounds which the Rebels still kept amongst them at Moniseed, was there by warrant sent from Marcus Cheevers and others of their County Council, apprehended and seized on by the said Sir Morgan Cavanagh and his soldiers to the number of 140 at least, and thence sent prisoner to Wexford, where he was committed to the gaol as a Protestant, and there he stayed as a close prisoner from whence he escaped, and afterwards he was seized on again and for 7 weeks kept close prisoner at Sir Morgan Cavenagh’s house (Clonmullen) in bolts of iron, which almost cut off one of his legs, from thence he was carried to Kilkenny by warrant from the Lord Mountgarrett where he was tried for his life before the Supreme Council, yet at length acquitted and set at Liberty. And from thence deponent returned into the Co of Wexford and thence escaped again to Dublin. So many of their Supreme Council at Kilkenny as he can now call to mind, their names follow, viz. The Lord of Gormanston, the Lord Mountgarret, Mr Cusack that dealt for the defective titles, Peirce Butler of Clonekeeraghe in the County of Wexford Esquire, Doctor Ffennell the Physician, the titulary Bishop of Ossery, David rooth, the titular Bishop of Downe and others whose named he cannot now call to mind
In an earlier examination of Henry Masterson, undated [37], he also stated that on leaving Dublin to repair to his house where he left his wife and children and to look for a quantity of money, the Council of the County of Wexford that is to say Marcus Cheevers of Wexford, Peirce Butler of {}, Richard Wading of Ballycogly, William Esmond of Johnstown, {} Esmond of Rathlonan, John Devereux of Deepes, Thomas Roc {of} Mallmonter, Walter Roche of Newcastle, Phillip Hore of {}, Anthony Kavanagh of Boaniredy, Enn{eas} Kavanagh of Ballyon{}, Nicholas French of Wexford priest, Oliver Eustace of Wexford, Richard Synnott of Wexford priest, granted a warrant to Sir Morgan Kavanagh of Clonmullen, Enny Kavangh of Ballycroly, High Ballag of Bollinredy, Criffin McBeane Kavanagh of Milshoge, Ed Knowles of Limbrick, with their several companies came to examinants house of Moniseed and there surprised his house, {} himself prisoner, and was imprisoned for 7 weeks at Sir Morgan Cavanagh’s home at Clonmullen (NW Co Wexford near Mount Leinster.)
He also went on to say, that he was told to prepare himself for God, that he was a heretic; that he had bolts upon him until such time as the bolts did eat into his flesh to the bones, and that Sir Morgan went to Wexford and sought leave of the Council of this County to put him to death which the Council refused him.
(NB Henry Masterson was probably Pierce Butler’s cousin through his mother Catherine Masterson)
The Examination of Edward Sinott of Rosclare, [38] yeoman aged 44 years dated 31 Dec 1653-
“…. The said Capt Rossiter with his company marched against the forte of Duncannon, and came to a place called Burkestowne within 2 miles of the said fforte the next day after, being the 28th daie of the said Month where they met with Major James Butler and his Company and saw the afternamed persons at the said Burkestowne ( names people)…….
……. Except John Roch his Companye whoe he removed to Tinteren to joyne with Capt John Devereux of Montpill to take the said Tinteren from the possession of the English.”
After the battle of Kilrush, Co. Kildare, which took place on the 15 April 1642, the rebels in the vicinity of the Fort were further scattered, Lord Esmonde writing to Lord Cork, 19 May 1642, alluding to this victory and the heads of the Rebels (Colonels Arthur Kavanagh, Sutton, and Birne, Lord Dunboyne’s brother and Lord Skerrins (Ikerrin) and Lord Mountgarret’s sons) carried to Dublin.
In the Examination of Major Edward Aston of Kilbarrye in Co Waterford, esquire, 3 February 1654,[39] he stated that Major Butler of the Co Wexford Esquire, was in arms and joined with the Irish rebels in the Co of Wexford in or about the month of July 1642 when the said Rebels besieged, summoned and took the Castle of Tintern then garrisoned by the deponent, and that the said Buttler had the title and was called a Major by the Irish at that time and had a party of armed men with him. And that Buttler did accompany the rebels in arms when they went as a guard to bring this deponent to Fethard where they were to take shipping to transport themselves to Munster.
According to Blake Butler, Pierce Butler was appointed Governor of Duncannon Fort in August 1646.
(his source was Hore’s History).
28 May 1647- Pierce with others had a commission from the Supreme Council at Kilkenny to applot £1800 to the Leinster Army. [40]
The following deposition written just before Cromwell’s invasion c.1649, mentions Piers Butler of Moneyhore.
“Sir Edmond Butler (heir of 3rd Visc Mountgarrett) was in charge of Enniscorthy at this time- that is, the early summer of this year- and wrote many letters dated from thence. A little later he was appointed Governor of the County by Ormond. On August 3, Sir Edmond Butler writes a letter to Ormond from Wexford, in which he “Recommends Piers Butler of Moneyhore to Lord Ormond.”[41]
On the 19 September 1649, Pierce Butler of Moneyhore was on a list of Commissioners appointed in the County of Wexford by the Supreme Council, in accordance with Lord Osmonde, in anticipation of Cromwell’s intended invasion. [42] They were charged with raising a general levy of men and arms- the numbers of men to be raised in Wexford- 523.
According to the 1652 petition of his son Edward, in October 1649, Pierce handed over the defence of Wexford to Sir Edmond Butler, just prior to Cromwell’s attack on the town at which he was present. [43] It was a general massacre of the inhabitants of the town, some reports suggesting that over 2000 were killed.
Examination of William Stafford of Temon gentleman, aged 30 years , dated 26/12/1653 [44]
That about the year 1644 Thomas Rosseter took a lease of the estate of Nicholas Codd Protestant for a valuable rent from the Commissioners appointed by the Supreme Council for the setting English and Protestant estates in Co Wexford whose names were Peirse Butler of Clough deceased, Richard Wadding of Balliconglye, Phillip Dernell and others which the deponent doth not now remember.
Examination of Nickolas Stafford, dated 23 December 1653 [45] re Thomas Rosceter of Rathmacknee
That Thomas Rosceter was in the first year of the war a captain of a foot company and county councillor and about the years 1643 and 1644 high sheriff and treasurer of the County of Wexford and so continued for several years. That he was of the Nuncio’s faction who was a gent from the Pope and that the said Nuncio was one night entertained by the said Rosceter at his house. That he did act and abet the war in the first years and was present at and consenting to the summoning of Duncannon, and being present with the Irish forces against that place as an officer, etc…. That Rosceter did by lease or other order from the year 1644 take the estate of Nickolas Codd Protestant into his possession and converted the same to his best advantage. The names of the said Commissioners were Peirce Butler, Philip Darinell, Nickolas Hollewood and others, etc.
There was another deposition from John Sims of the Parish of TempleShanboe (in Barony of Scarawalsh), dated 8 November 1642, [46] who stated:
That the principal Rebel at Wexford was Sir Thomas Esmond Knight, who took upon him to be the governor there (viz. rebel son of Lord Lawrence Esmonde governor of Duncannon Fort), and Mr Edward Butler of Clonnacuraghe Esquire was another great Rebel there: yet he there and Mr Edward Butler protected the Protestants there.
This statement would appear to confuse Pierce Butler with his father Edward, as there are no other references to an Edward Butler in Co Wexford, and Clonnacuraghe sounds phonetically like Clonakerage/Cloghnageragh.
Sims gives the Commissioners an account of the terror the rebels instilled in the protestant inhabitants of Wexford:
The Rebels, having robbed and stripped one Philip Rogers of Clahaman gent, an Englishman and his wife and children of their goods and apparel, and they for safety of their lives flying away to go for England, did by cold and want one of the children died in a ditch and the rest with their father, mother, one Mr Swainton a Counsellor at law, and about so many more as amounted to fourscore were all cast away and in their flying for England drowned in the sea; and this deponents wife by frights taken by the cruelties of the rebels is become very weak and in body and mind, and not like to regain her former strength; and the Rebels also robbed and stripped all the rest of the Protestants in the country thereabouts… for 6 weeks and some longer, and some of them were in the open streets there stripped of all their clothes and some died in the Churches through cold and nakedness.
To digress from Pierce Butler’s involvement in the Rebellion, the following accounts relate to the actions of those who share close kinship with Pierce Butler, particularly by the marriages of his sons- namely the Mountgarrett line, the Bagnalls of Dunleckney, and the Colcloughs of Co Wexford.
A deposition by William Whalley, late of Rodd, dated 5 September 1642 [47] recalled the names of Rebels including Sergeant Major James Butler of that Camp of Rebells. He continued to recount atrocities, including one attributed to a “Butler of Graige”:
That one Butler of the Graige and his Rebellion Company about Easter last, hanged one Stones of the Graige, his wife and daughter and his other children and kindred and ripped up the Daughter’s belly being with child and hanged her up when the child hung down out of her belly (as this deponent hath heard confessed by some of the Rebells and by one of the kindred of them that were so hanged. And saith that because the Rebells hanged a young child of about 3 years of age therefore the Lord Mountgarrett caused that Rebel to be hanged for hanging of a child so young, since which time the Rebels there have found out other ways to put young children to death, viz, by running them through with their pikes and other weapons. …And further saith that Sir Morgan Cavanagh the rebel and his soldiers sent word by this deponent to the Lord Esmond that looke how far some of their Captains heads were gotten from them, they would carry the Lord Esmond’s head and the heads of the Lords of the Counsel (of Dublin)l twice as far…; and further saith that some of the Rebels brought from about Duncannon to Ross the heads of Lt. Trevisa and the head of another whose name this deponent knows not, who they had slain in skirmish, and those heads (after they had tossed and kicked them up and down the streets of Ross, they hung them up upon the gates of Ross as trophies of their victories.
However, according to Donogh O Bane Hortnan of Neagham Co Kilkenny, [48]
examination taken 18 August 1652, which revealed that the Butler of Graige was James Butler of Tinnehinch, brother to 3rd Viscount Mountgarrett (President of the Supreme Council at Kilkenny), who was quite elderly at the time, born c.1580:
That the examinant was borne at the Graunge in Wexford and from thence came to Tynihench when he was about 10 years of age, and was footboy to James Butler of Tynihench and that he came thither 4 years before the Rebellion. Being demanded what gentleman resided or commonly resorted to the said James Butler his house, he saith Edmond Butler son to Lord Mountgarret (viz brother of James) would come with his wife and stay 3 or 4 days, and Mr Walter Bagnal with his wife and stay sometimes 5 or 6 days (viz. Colonel Walter Bagnal of Dunleckny Bagenalstown Co Carlow, one of the prominent leaders of the Catholic Confederates; executed/hanged by Commonwealth troops in October 1652 aged 38- see earlier account).
Being demanded what command James Butler had, he saith none, but that he had arms and kept men in arms for his own guard and to defend his house. Being asked what was the names of such servants or soldiers as were employed for his guard, he named with others, Garrett McCody, Richard McCody of the Graige, Garratt and Gibbon Forstall and a woman that did oversee the house had the chief command there in his Master’s absence, which such persons continued with the said James until the house were surrendered up to the English.
Being demanded what English he did know inhabiting in the town of Graige, he saith that he did know John Stone his wife and children and several others whose names he remembreth not and saith that he remembreth that when the said John Stone and his family with others were taken away and murdered there was an Englishman a carpenter who wrought with his Master was at that time likewise taken away which his Master hearing of, being then at Waterford, presently poasted away this examinant to save the said Carpenter’s life but when he came, it was too late for he was murdered amongst the rest, with which news returning to Waterford, he would not believe him, swearing he would not for ₤100 he had suffered and saith that Garrett and Gibbon Fforstall with a woman that did oversee the house had the chief command there in his Master’s absence and further saith that Walter Bagnall his wife was then in the said James Butler his house at Tinihinch; and when his Master returned from Waterford home to Tinehinch he turned Gibbon and Garrett Fforstall out of his house because they suffered the said Carpenter to be put to death and William Cody now at or about the Graige was bailiff in his house at that time. And that a servant of Henry Bagnolls (Walter’s brother) whose name he knoweth not, went with Garrott McCody to bring away William Stone from his work when he was hanged.
So this testimony would appear to vindicate James Butler of responsibility for this heinous act. James, born c 1580, firstly of Bealaboro ( in Parish of Killegny in Bantry, all of which he owned in 1641), then Tinnehinch in Co Carlow.
Brian Kavanagh, in his examination at the trial of Walter Bagenal on 16 October 1652 [49] (son of Sir Morgan Kavanagh of Borris and Polmonty and Eleanor Butler sister to James Butler and 3rd Viscount Mountgarett) stated:
That James Butler of Tinnehinch had told him that he had seen the copy of a printed book setting forth some murders acted in Ireland in which book the murder of the English at Graige is charged on him the said James Butler by Lady (Ann) Butler wife to Sir Thomas Butler Bt (of Cloghgrennan), but he the said James denied that he was guilty thereof; and hoped to find out those who gave orders for it. And that , some space after, meeting the said James Butler, the said James ‘rejoyingly’ said, Nephew I have now found out by whose order those persons were murdered, he said it was by his Nephew Walter Bagenalls order and that he found the very order under the said Bagenall’s hand which he had in his custody.
He also revealed that there had been a dispute between Walter Bagenall and Sir Thomas Butler of Cloghgrennan who had both been appointed joint governors of Co Carlow, and that Bagnall said that he would not undertake the Government unless he might govern alone, the country pretending for suppressing the Rebellion and agreed the said Bagenall should have sole Command in that County, and that soon after he had been so settled in the sole command he declared himself against the English by pillaging them; that there was a meeting of the Irish of the said County and it was agreed that Sir Morgan Kavanagh should be joined with the said Bagnall in the government of the County and they immediately set themselves with their adherents, to the siege of Catherlagh, and afterwards to Cloghgrennan. They then went to the Castle of Rathkellen near Laughlin where they seized Sir Thomas Butler, his Lady and all that were in that Castle, and after imprisoning them at Laughlin, they were brought to the City of Kilkenny.
Thomas Clarke in his examination 13 August 1652 [50] confirmed Kavanagh’s statement:
That he, discoursing with one Mr James Butler of Tinahinch in the County of Catherlagh, he the said James said he was charged with the murder of John Stone and his family, but that he was wronged therein for that it was committed by his Nephew Bagnall, meaning Walter Bagnall of Donleckny.
Ann Butler (nee Colclough), wife to Sir Thomas Butler Bt. of Cloghgrennan gave a damning deposition on 7 September 1642 [51] against Walter Bagnall and James Butler saying:
That the parties that so robbed and despoiled here were Sir Morgan Cavanagh of Clonmullen and Walter Bagnall of Donlecnye and others named, who besieged this deponents house with seven hundred men and in the dead of night burnt the outward gate of her house and at length with great violence approached and did undermine the said house so as this deponent, her husband and family were constrained to desire quarter and had only their lives promised. And after they had in this violent manner entered her house, they in no way able to resist, they set strict guard over this deponent her husband and family and brought them from their settled dwelling into the Castle of Loghlinbridge where they kept herself he husband and children in restraint for 2 weeks. And from thence conveyed them with strict guard to the town of Kilkenny. And there were brought before the Lord of Mountgarrett where Walter Bagnall and James Butler brother to the Lord of Mountgarrett, did use all means possible to move the said lord to put this deponent her husband and family to death and torture alleging that they were rank puritan protestants and desperately provoking up these words saying there but one way we or they meaning papist of protestant must perish, to which malitious provocation the said lord did not harken…. And this deponent saith that Sir Edward Butler did credibly inform her that James Butler of Tenyhinch had hanged and put to death all the English that were at Gowran and Wells and all thereabout, etc.
She recounted a story an eye witness had told her of an English woman who was nearly delivered of town children in one birth, the rebels compelled her in her great pain and sickness to rise from her childbed and took the infant that was left alive and dashed his brains against the stones and after threw him into the Barrow (River), and the deponent one day having a piece of salmon to dinner Mr Brian Kavanagh’s wife being with her, she refused to eat any part of the salmon and being demanded the reason she said she would not eat any fish that came out of the Barrow because she had seen several bodies and other carcasses of the English taken up in the weares.
Walter Bagnall was examined twice, on 19 August 1652 [52], and on 9 October 1652, shortly before he was executed:
In his defence, Walter Bagnall said that he intercepted a letter from Lady Ann Butler which intimated that they were fortifying themselves against them, and that they refused, on two occasions, to yield up their arms and give assurance they would act nothing prejudicial against them, which was the reason they were taken. Being asked if he knew what became of John Stone and the rest of the English living in Graige, he said that after the battle of Kilrush, his wife and Coll Edmond Butlers being in Kilkenny, they came from the said battle and took their wives and went to Tinanhinch. When questioned about the English at Graige, he claimed a woman came to him and acquainted him that there were some English in her house that were threatened to be murdered and desired a protection for them, which he gave to her, and that he thinks John Stone was included in the said protection; being demanded of what became of them afterwards, he said he heard that they were taken away by some of James Butler his servants, whereof Gibbon and Garrett Fforstall were some of them, but whether they had any hand in the murder of them he knoweth not; being demanded by what order they were taken and driven away he saith he knoweth not; being demanded whither James Butler was then at home or not, he saith he knoweth not, etc. Being demanded whither the said John Stone and the rest were taken away by his this examinants orders, he saith they were not.
The reason these particular rebel actions have been outlined, is the close relationship between the protagonists in this story. Walter Bagnal’s father George (married to Joan Butler dau of the 11th Earl of Ormond), was half brother of Nicholas Bagenal the first husband of Ann Colclough, making her Walter’s aunt by marriage- Nicholas’s widow, Ann Colclough married 2ndly Sir Thomas Butler Bt of Cloghgrennan (bastard son of Edmond Butler, 2nd son of the 9th Earl of Ormond). Ann Colclough’s half brothers Dudley, Anthony and John Colclough were leading rebels in Co Wexford, a family closely associated with Pierce Butler, whose son James married the daughter of John Colclough.
Walter Bagnall’s brother Thomas Bagnal who was ordered to be transplanted to Connaught after the Rebellion, had a daughter who married Pierce Butler’s son Edward Butler. Pierce’s youngest son Walter had a close relationship with the Butlers of Cloghgrennan and Garryhundon, in particular James Butler of Garryhundon great grandson of Sir Thomas and Lady Ann, who was named executor of Walter’s will.
James Butler of Tinahinch’s land in Co Wexford (Parish of Kilegny) marched with Pierce Butler’s land in the Barony of Bantry. His wife Catherine Fleming’s first husband was Piers Butler of Duiske, bastard son of the 10th Earl of Ormond and the progenitor of the Viscounts Galmoy, who would become tied by marriage to Pierce’s son Walter Butler. The families were also very closely linked by marriage to the Kavanaghs of Clonmullen (Co. Wexford) and Borris (Co. Carlow), Sir Morgan Kavanagh of Clonmullen’s granddaughter Lucy marrying Walter Butler’s stepson Richard Butler (after her 1st husband Sir Lawrence Esmond died), and another granddaughter married Walter’s brother James Butler’s daughter. The Kavanaghs of Borris and Polmonty were married into the Mountgarrett (as before mentioned- viz. Brian Kavanagh), Ormond, Esmond, Colclough, and other prominent Butler lines.
So this illustrates that very close relationship between these families living in Counties Wexford, Carlow and Kilkenny, and the rift the Rebellion brought between these families, based on whether they were Catholic or Protestant
In A List of People Implicated in the 1641 Rebellion
From the Wexford People newspaper of the 8th and 15th June 1912, by Philip Hore (Co. Library Wexford)-
www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/wexford/xmisc/rebellion-1641.txt
uploaded by Mary Heaphy)
Indicted upon evidence and knowledge of the Grand Jury:
Butler, Pierce of Cloonekeeragh, Esq.
Indicted upon Evidence:
Butler, James, of Butlerstown, gent. (2 in south Wexford- near Ladys Island Lake, and near Tomhaggard above Takumshin Lake)
Pierce Butler, of Limbrick, innkeeper (near Kilanerin and Ballynestragh, 6 miles north of Gorey- also called Limerick in the Ordinance Maps. According to the History of Kilanerin [www.kilanerin.com/history.htm,] -On his way to Wexford Town in 1649, Cromwell passed Limbrick Castle whose then owner was Sir Thomas Esmonde who opposed Cromwell. The castle was burnt and abandoned in advance of Cromwell's arrival. However, in Richard Shortall's deposition above, he states that Pierce Butler signed the order to burn down Limbrick House owned by Lord Esmonde [commander of Duncannon Fort against the rebels, and father of his estranged son Sir Thomas] and inhabited by his Lady, in 1642.
James Butler of Ballygoan, gent. ( could be Ballingowan east of Enniscorthy and 4 kms N. of Blackwater, or, Ballygowny, east of Gorey).
Notably, a James Butler from 'Belannagh' in Co Wexford was transplanted on 12 Feb 1655-56, granted 230 acres at Kilfenora, Barony of Corcomroe in Co. Clare. This could be Ballina, of which there are several townlands in Co Wexford.
(R. Simington's Transplantation to Connacht 1654-58, pub for Irish Manuscripts Commission 1970, p.27) .
Whether the Sergeant Major James Butler and his brother Pierce Butler named in the above depositions relate to the three names above is uncertain.
In A List of People Implicated in the 1641 Rebellion
From the Wexford People newspaper of the 8th and 15th June 1912, by Philip Hore (Co. Library Wexford)-
www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/wexford/xmisc/rebellion-1641.txt
uploaded by Mary Heaphy)
Indicted upon evidence and knowledge of the Grand Jury:
Butler, Pierce of Cloonekeeragh, Esq.
Indicted upon Evidence:
Butler, James, of Butlerstown, gent. (2 in south Wexford- near Ladys Island Lake, and near Tomhaggard above Takumshin Lake)
Pierce Butler, of Limbrick, innkeeper (near Kilanerin and Ballynestragh, 6 miles north of Gorey- also called Limerick in the Ordinance Maps. According to the History of Kilanerin [www.kilanerin.com/history.htm,] -On his way to Wexford Town in 1649, Cromwell passed Limbrick Castle whose then owner was Sir Thomas Esmonde who opposed Cromwell. The castle was burnt and abandoned in advance of Cromwell's arrival. However, in Richard Shortall's deposition above, he states that Pierce Butler signed the order to burn down Limbrick House owned by Lord Esmonde [commander of Duncannon Fort against the rebels, and father of his estranged son Sir Thomas] and inhabited by his Lady, in 1642.
James Butler of Ballygoan, gent. ( could be Ballingowan east of Enniscorthy and 4 kms N. of Blackwater, or, Ballygowny, east of Gorey).
Notably, a James Butler from 'Belannagh' in Co Wexford was transplanted on 12 Feb 1655-56, granted 230 acres at Kilfenora, Barony of Corcomroe in Co. Clare. This could be Ballina, of which there are several townlands in Co Wexford.
(R. Simington's Transplantation to Connacht 1654-58, pub for Irish Manuscripts Commission 1970, p.27) .
Whether the Sergeant Major James Butler and his brother Pierce Butler named in the above depositions relate to the three names above is uncertain.
© B.A. Butler
Contact email butler1802 @ hotmail.com (NB. no spaces)
Link back to Introduction
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/butlers-co-wexford-ch1-richard-1stviscount-mountgarrett.html
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/butlers-co-wexford-ch1-richard-1stviscount-mountgarrett.html
Links to all chapters on Pierce Butler of Kayer (c.1600-1652) on this blog:
Pierce Butler of Kayer Part I- early life and marriage
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch-4-pierce-butler.html
Pierce Butler of Kayer Part II- role in the Catholic Confederation Rebellion
Links to all of the chapters in this blog:
Pierce Butler of Kayer Co. Wexford (the elder) c.1540-1599
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch2-pierce-butler.html
Edward Butler of Kayer Co. Wexford, 1577-1628
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch-3-edward-butler.html
Pierce Butler of Kayer and Moneyhore (the younger), c.1600-1652, Part I
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch-4-pierce-butler.html
[32] Waterford and South East Ireland Archaeological Society Journals- (pub 1895-1915), Article:Vol.13: pub 1914
Pierce Butler of Kayer Part I- early life and marriage
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch-4-pierce-butler.html
Pierce Butler of Kayer Part II- role in the Catholic Confederation Rebellion
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch-5-pierce-butler.html
Pierce Butler of Kayer Part III- Depositions against Pierce Butler after the Catholic Confederation Rebellion
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch-6-pierce-butler.html
Pierce Butler of Kayer Part IV- Land ownership by the Butlers of Co Wexford in the 1641 Civil Survey
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch-7-pierce-butler.html
Pierce Butler of Kayer Part V- Pierce and the Cromwellian confiscations
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch-8-pierce-butler.html
Pierce Butler of Kayer Part VI- sons of Pierce Butler of Kayer
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch-9-sons-of-pierce-butler.html
Pierce Butler of Kayer's youngest son Walter Butler of Munphin
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch-10-walter-butler-of-munphin-pt1.html
Pierce Butler of Kayer Part III- Depositions against Pierce Butler after the Catholic Confederation Rebellion
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch-6-pierce-butler.html
Pierce Butler of Kayer Part IV- Land ownership by the Butlers of Co Wexford in the 1641 Civil Survey
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch-7-pierce-butler.html
Pierce Butler of Kayer Part V- Pierce and the Cromwellian confiscations
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch-8-pierce-butler.html
Pierce Butler of Kayer Part VI- sons of Pierce Butler of Kayer
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch-9-sons-of-pierce-butler.html
Pierce Butler of Kayer's youngest son Walter Butler of Munphin
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch-10-walter-butler-of-munphin-pt1.html
Links to all of the chapters in this blog:
Pierce Butler of Kayer Co. Wexford (the elder) c.1540-1599
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch2-pierce-butler.html
Edward Butler of Kayer Co. Wexford, 1577-1628
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch-3-edward-butler.html
Pierce Butler of Kayer and Moneyhore (the younger), c.1600-1652, Part I
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch-4-pierce-butler.html
Pierce Butler of Kayer and Moneyhore Part II- Pierce Butler's role in the 1642-49 Catholic Confederate Rebellion
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch-5-pierce-butler.html
Pierce Butler of Kayer and Moneyhore Part III- Depositions against Pierce Butler of Kayer on his role in the 1642-49 Catholic Confederate Rebellion
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch-6-pierce-butler.html
Pierce Butler of Kayer and Moneyhore Part IV- Land Ownership by the Butlers in County Wexford
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch-7-pierce-butler.html
Pierce Butler of Kayer and Moneyhore Part V- Pierce Butler and the Cromwellian Confiscations of 1652-56
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch-8-pierce-butler.html
Sons of Pierce Butler of Kayer and Moneyhore- Edward, James, John, & Walter
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch-9-sons-of-pierce-butler.html
Walter Butler of Munphin, Co. Wexford, c.1640-1717, Part I
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch-10-walter-butler-of-munphin-pt1.html
Walter Butler of Munphin, Part II
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch11-walter-butler.html
Walter Butler of Munphin, Part III
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch12-walter-butler.html
Walter Butler Junior of Munphin (1674-1725) Part I- exile to France in 1690
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/butlers-co-wexford-ch13-walter-butler-junior.html
Walter Butler Junior of Munphin (1674-1725) Part II- Military record
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/butlers-co-wexford-ch14-walter-butler-junior.html
Walter Butler Junior of Munphin (1674-1725) Part III- Marriage to Mary Long
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/butlers-co-wexford-ch15-walter-butler-junior.html
Walter Butler Junior of Munphin (1674-1725) Part IV- Last years
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/butlers-co-wexford-ch16-walter-butler-junior.html
Younger sons of Richard 1st Viscount Mountgarrett: John Butler of New Ross, Thomas Butler of Castlecomer, James and Theobald Butler:
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2014/02/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch17-younger-sons.html
James Butler of Dowganstown and Tullow Co Carlow- 2nd son of Pierce Butler of Kayer (the elder):
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2014/02/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch18-younger-son.html
Pedigree of Butlers of Ireland, and Ancestry of Butlers of Ireland, and County Wexford:
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/the-butler-pedigree.html
The MacRichard Line- Ancestors of the Butlers of Wexford
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/ancestry-of-butlers-of-wexford-ch20.html
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch-5-pierce-butler.html
Pierce Butler of Kayer and Moneyhore Part III- Depositions against Pierce Butler of Kayer on his role in the 1642-49 Catholic Confederate Rebellion
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch-6-pierce-butler.html
Pierce Butler of Kayer and Moneyhore Part IV- Land Ownership by the Butlers in County Wexford
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch-7-pierce-butler.html
Pierce Butler of Kayer and Moneyhore Part V- Pierce Butler and the Cromwellian Confiscations of 1652-56
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch-8-pierce-butler.html
Sons of Pierce Butler of Kayer and Moneyhore- Edward, James, John, & Walter
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch-9-sons-of-pierce-butler.html
Walter Butler of Munphin, Co. Wexford, c.1640-1717, Part I
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch-10-walter-butler-of-munphin-pt1.html
Walter Butler of Munphin, Part II
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch11-walter-butler.html
Walter Butler of Munphin, Part III
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch12-walter-butler.html
Walter Butler Junior of Munphin (1674-1725) Part I- exile to France in 1690
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/butlers-co-wexford-ch13-walter-butler-junior.html
Walter Butler Junior of Munphin (1674-1725) Part II- Military record
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/butlers-co-wexford-ch14-walter-butler-junior.html
Walter Butler Junior of Munphin (1674-1725) Part III- Marriage to Mary Long
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/butlers-co-wexford-ch15-walter-butler-junior.html
Walter Butler Junior of Munphin (1674-1725) Part IV- Last years
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/butlers-co-wexford-ch16-walter-butler-junior.html
Younger sons of Richard 1st Viscount Mountgarrett: John Butler of New Ross, Thomas Butler of Castlecomer, James and Theobald Butler:
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2014/02/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch17-younger-sons.html
James Butler of Dowganstown and Tullow Co Carlow- 2nd son of Pierce Butler of Kayer (the elder):
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2014/02/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch18-younger-son.html
Pedigree of Butlers of Ireland, and Ancestry of Butlers of Ireland, and County Wexford:
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/the-butler-pedigree.html
The MacRichard Line- Ancestors of the Butlers of Wexford
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/ancestry-of-butlers-of-wexford-ch20.html
[1] Philip Hore (ed), History of the Town and County of Wexford, Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.C., London, 1900-1911- 6 volumes- (Compiled principally from the State Papers, The Public Records, and MSS. of the late Herbert F. Hore, Esq., of Pole Hore, in that County) Reprint 1978, Vol 6, pp 477, 478, 481, 492
[2] P. Hore, History…, op.cit., Vol 6 p477, Vol 3 p79, Vol 1 p313, Vol 4 p59, p60, p62, p65, p66, p70, p147
[3] P. Hore, History…, op.cit., Vol 6, p479, 480
[4] P. Hore, History…, op.cit., Vol 6 p479
[5] P. Hore, History…, op.cit., Vol 6 p477
[6] P. Hore, History…, op.cit., Vol 2 p133, 141; and see Aston’s Deposition
[7] P. Hore, History…, op.cit., Vol 6, p480, vol 5 p254
[8] P. Hore, History...., op.cit., Vol 4, p65
[9] P. Hore, History…, op.cit., Vol 6 p475 ; Trinity College Dublin, 1641 Depositions MS 818, fols 064r-065v (938)
[10] Trinity College Dublin, 1641 Depositions MS 818, fols 068r-068v (976)
[11] Ibid, MS 818, fols 138r-139v (111)
[12] 1641 Depositions Trinity College Dublin, MS 818, fols 310r-311v; fol 310r
[13] P. Hore, History…, op.cit., Vol 6 p477 ; also 1641 Depositions Trinity College Dublin, MS 818, fols 312r-313v
[14] Trinity College Dublin, 1641 Depositions, MS 818, fols 235r-235v
[15] Trinity College Dublin, 1641 Depositions, MS 818, fols 236r-236v
[16] Trinity College Dublin, 1641 Depositions, MS 818, fols 110r-113v
[17] P. Hore, History…, op.cit., Vol 4 p60 (“News from the West of Ireland” London. Printed for Wm Wright dwelling in Distaffe Lane 1642. Brit Mus, E142, 4)
[18] P. Hore, History…, op.cit., Vol 4 p62 (“Good News From Ireland” London. Printed for John Thomas 1642. Brit Mus, E142, 7)
[19]P. Hore, History…, op.cit., Vol 4 p78 (Bodlein Lib. Carte Collection, vol 3, p.254)
[20] P. Hore, History…, op.cit., Vol 4, p147 (In Latin in Sir John Gilbert’s 4th Vol of the “History of the Confederation, &c. pp189-202)
[21] P. Hore, History…, op.cit., Vol 4 p59 (“More good and true News from Ireland” by Master Robert Cole, Merchant, Brit Museum)
[22] P. Hore, History…, op.cit., Vol 1, p310 (Dep, Trinity College Dublin, F 2, 11, No.48)
[23] Ibid, Vol 4 p79 (Brit Mus., Catalogue E., 107 (36). Printed)
[24] Ibid, Vol 4 p65 ; Trinity College Dublin, 1614 depositions MS 818, fols 057r-058v
[25] P. Hore, History…, op.cit,Vol 4 p66
[26] Ibid, Vol 4 p70
[27] Ibid, Vol 6 p481-482 (Carte Collection, Vol 8, p336
[28] Ibid, Vol 6 p479 ; Trinity College Dublin 1641 Depositions MS818, fols 314r-315v
[29] Trinity College Dublin 1641 Depositions MS 819, fols 024r-024v
[30] P. Hore, History…, op.cit., Vol 5 p254 (Dep. TCD., F. 2. 11, 37; corroborated by several other depositions.)
[31] Ibid, Vol 6 p480; Trinity College Dublin, 1641 Depositions, MS818, fols 175r-175v
[32] Waterford and South East Ireland Archaeological Society Journals- (pub 1895-1915), Article:Vol.13: pub 1914
Waterford During the Civil War 1641-1653 Depositions- Edited by T. Fitzpatrick- page 91; Waterford County Library website
[33] P. Hore, History…, Vol 2, p141; 1641 Depositions Trinity College Dublin MS 818, fols 125r-126v
[34] Trinity College Dublin, 1641 Depositions MS818, fols 128r-129v (2440)
[35] P. Hore, History…, Vol 6, p482 (Carte Collection, vol 9, p624)
[36] Trinity College Dublin, 1641 Depositions MS 818, fols 176r-178v (978)
[37] Ibid, MS 818, fols 132r-133v (105)
[38] Ibid, Vol 4 p75
[39] Trinity College Dublin, 1641 depositions MS819, fols 280r-280v
[40] (TBB) Cal SPI Chas I 1633-47 p.636
[41] P. Hore, History…, Vol 6, p488-489
[42] P. Hore, History…, Vol 5, p276
[43] (TBB) Cal SPI pp 366 and 263
[44] Trinity College Dublin, 1641 Depositions MS 819, fols 265r-266v
[45] Ibid, MS819, fols 267r-268r
[46] Trinity College Dublin, 1641 Depositions, MS818, fols 104r-105v
[47] Ibid, MS 818, fols 024r-026v
[48] Trinity College Dublin, MS 812, fols 261r-162v (104)
[49] Ibid, MS 812, fols 116r-119v
[50] Trinity College Dublin, MS 812, fols 129r-130v
[51] Ibid, MS 812, fols 069r-070v
[52] Ibid, MS 812, fols 122r-125v
