Ancestry of Butlers of County Wexford Ireland: Butlers of Co. Wexford- Ch.2: Pierce Butler of Kayer (c.1540-1599)

Pierce Butler of Kayer (ie. Clough-ne-Caher or Cloghnageragh), was the second son of Richard Butler 1^st Viscount Mountgarrett. It is difficult to determine when he was born. The dates of the three or four marriages of Lord Mountgarrett are confusing and it is not certain whether Eleanor/Ellen Butler was his first marriage (ie. c.1520, before his remarriage in 1535), or his last (ie. married after 1542). Eleanor had 11 children by Mountgarrett including six sons. Burke's Peerage and Baronetage 106th Ed. states that Eleanor was his 4th wife and that she was living 4 June 1575, no ref given. However, Lodge and Butler family historian Theobald Blake Butler argued that Eleanor was his first wife. As second son Pierce was married in 1563, he was most likely born during the early 1540's. 'Piers Butler of Fasagh Bentry' was also described in 1573 as a 'rash young man', which would seem to preclude a birth in the early 1520's, unless the description was not related to this Pierce. Notably Pierce's wife Margaret Devereux was born after 1543.

The 'Visitation Wexford 1618' described:

The arms of Butler: Clonekeragh, Barons of the Kaire Co Wexford, descended from Pierce Butler, Baron of the Kaire, second son of the 1^st Viscount Mountgarrett, the same Arms and Crest as the house of Ormonde. The Arms of Butler (Wexford) Or, three covered cups gu. A chief indented az. [1]

Pierce Butler's marriage to the daughter of Sir Nicholas Devereux of Balmagir Co. Wexford

Pierce is said to have married first Joan daughter of Sir James FitzGerald Earl of Desmond.[2]

He married before about 1563 [3], Margaret Devereux, daughter of Sir Nicholas Devereux of Balmagir, one of the most distinguished men in county Wexford, and a descendant of one of the first Norman families to settle in County Wexford in the late 12th century. Devereux was rewarded with a knighthood for his services to the crown, and was styled the 'White Knight'. Sir Nicholas Devereux and Pierce’s father, Viscount Mountgarrett, had joined in a commission of martial law for the territories of Fassaghbentry and Le-Moroes country.

In fact, Lodge quotes a document which states they were married before June 1563:

The following entry from “The Peerage of Ireland” , 1798:

“Pierce, ancestor to the family of Caher (Kayer)- by deed dated 2 June 1563, his father enfeoffed John Devereux, Dean of Fernes, and others, in the manor and lands of Caher alias Clounegeragh, etc, to the use (in part) of his said son Pierce and Margaret Devereux, his wife, for life, and the remainder, in which Caher was included, to his heirs male. And he deceasing 30 June 1599 had three sons Edward, James and Thomas, besides daughters- Edward who succeeded was 22 years old at his father’s death, built the house of Caher; married Catherine daughter of Sir Richard Masterson of Fernes; died 9 September 1628 and left two sons and two daughters, Pierce, Richard, Mary Joan.” [4]

Pierce’s sister (also Margaret) married wife Margaret’s brother, also named Nicholas Devereux, eldest son and heir of Sir Nicholas.

Margaret and Nicholas (Junior) Devereux’s mother was Catherine le Poer/Power, daughter of Richard Power 1st Lord Power, Baron of Curraghmore Co. Waterford and Catherine Butler, daughter of Piers 8th Earl of Ormond and sister of Viscount Mountgarrett, so thereby Pierce and his sister Margaret were 1st cousins to their respective spouses' mother.
When Sir Nicholas Devereux married Catherine le Poer in 1543, as a marriage settlement he received 'a sheep from every sheephouse and a cow from every cowhouse in the county' (Waterford). He was knighted for his services to the crown in subduing the Kavanaghs and Irish clans in Co. Wexford and protecting the settlers in his native county. Nicholas, son of Sir Nicholas Devereux of Balmagir and Eleanor Keatinge, had livery of his estate 21st May, 1540, succeeding his grandfather as his father died Vita Patris. He had been a ward of the Lord of Wexford, the Earl of Shrewsbury, who put him to school in England where he was a schoolfellow of Lord Burghley's. Adamstown Castle, built by his forefather in 1418, was rebuilt in 1556 by Sir Nicholas Devereux. The Devereux family had settled in Co. Wexford when they accompanied Strongbow into Ireland in the 12th century and had been a prominent family from that time until recent times. The memorial stone of 'Sir Nicholas Devereux Knight of Balmagir Co. Wexford' is described in the Journal of the Royal Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland, 4th Series Vol. 8 No. 73, July 1888, pp.408-413 (article by Gabriel O'C. Redmond M.D.) Sir Nicholas died 25th October 1576 and his wife Katherine 5th February 1581.

The memorial inscription on the Devereux tomb at Adamstown Castle reads:
Pray for the souls of Nicholas Devereux, Knight, and the Lady Katherine Power, his wife, who built this castle, Ad 1___ (1556).
Unusually the inscription is continued from the front to the reverse side of the stone:
"__IOC cujus anime propitietur Dnus"
which translates as:
Upon whose souls may God have mercy.
The supporters of the arms appears to be rat like creatures, but are probably meant to represent talbots, a sort of hunting dog which is described in their coat of arms.

Kayer:

The manor of Kayer covered much of the modern parishes of Bree, Davidstown and Glynn and was variously called Cloughnageragh, Kayer, Keir, Caher etc. The de Dene family occupied these lands since the early 13th century and in 1247 William de Dene was recorded as baron of Keyer, and was Chief Justicier of Ireland. Faulk Furlong inherited Kayer in 1374 from his mother Ismay Dene, and his father Stephen Furlong was custodian during Faulk’s minority, however, by 1497 it was once more in the hands of Faulk Dene Baron of Kayer. His son sold Kayer to Sir Richard Butler in 1537, and according to Lodge the estate was given to Pierce and Margaret as a marriage settlement in June 1563.

Records of Pierce Butler of Kayer

Pierce/Piers is named in the Carew Manuscript [5] date 1596:

The ENGLISH PALE:

“On the south-west of the Slane are four English baronies, called Fort (Forth), Barge (Bargy), Shelberre (Shelburne), and Shelmalen (Shelmalier), and an Irish barony called the Duffree (the Duffry, part of Scarawalsh). The principal men in the English are Browne of Malrancon (Mulrankin), Devoureux of Balmagir, Chevers of Ballyhale, Forlong of Horton, FitzHarryes of Kilkevan, (the) Bishop of Fernes, Sir Thomas Colclough of Tyntern, Sir Dudley Losthowse (Lofthouse) of Kilclogan. In the Duffrey dwell Sir Harry Wallop at Iniscorth (Enniscorthy), Piers Butler, the Viscount Mountgarrett (2nd).”

Map- Co. Wexford, Barony of Bantry

Kayer and Clough on the River Boro, SW of Enniscorthy (now Wilton)

The lands extended past Templescoby to Moneyhore (W. of Enniscorthy)

A further reference in Carew Manuscript [6] date 1603 but written 1574:

A Survey of Ireland: (headed in Sir George Carew’s handwriting: “A general survey of Ireland, written by some ignorant person; nevertheless in many things his report is good, but his errors in misnamings is infinite, and so are his ommissions. It appears to be written circum 1574, but the additions may be supposed to be inserted about 1597”: “Wexforde.. hath in it towns of name: Wexforde, Rosse, Towmounde, Eyniscorfe, Fernes, Arklowe, Fidure, the Banno, Clumme. Men of power and name: the Deveroxes, of which the chiefest, Sir Nicholas Deveroxe, was spoiled of late by the Cavanaghes of a great part of his inheritance; Brownes, of which the chiefest, of Melrakan (Mulrankin), was slain by the Cavenaghes; Sinot, the chiefest, spoiled of Sinott’s lands; Roches, of which the chiefest, Alexander Roche, of Roche’s lands; Chevers, chief, Christopher Chevers; Staffords; Peirs Butler, who hath a portion of the country called Fassasse Bentry (Fassathe Bantry), reported to be a rash young man; Nevills; Kee(t)inges; Lemporte; Towrner. Men of Power and name, all faithful but such as be noted otherwise: Suttons, Feeffaris, a malefactor, matched with the Cavenaghes in Carloo (Carlow), and holding with them; Mayllers; Rossetters; some of the Powers; Whites; Forlonges, malefactors matched with the Cavanaghes; Hores; Hayes; Doddes. Irishry beyond the river of Slanye (ie. in Scarawalsh): Edmond Dove, chief of the King’s slaghes; McErado, chief of that name; the Morrowes, a sect of base and evil-disposed people (viz. McMurrough/Kavanaghs); Masterson, seneschal of Wexford, upon these.

NB. Theobald Blake Butler attributes the description of “Peirs Butler… reported to be a rash young man” to Piers Butler of Old Abbey (ancestor of the Galmoy line.)

The survey named a number of families who had a long association with the Butlers, and were long established families of Co. Wexford, viz. Kavanaghs, Devereux, Cheevers, Staffords, Keetings, Rosseters, Whites, Hores, Furlongs, Masterson, Roche.

Pierce Butler's involvement in the Desmond Rebellion of 1568

1566: Pardon to Peter Butler son of Visc. Mountgarrett Fiant Eliz No 851 [7]

Mountgarrett’s son, Pierce Butler was involved in the Desmond Rebellion of 1568 in a battle fought for Kilkenny city, along with his cousins. The rebellion extended into Co. Wexford. This may explain why he was described as a “rash young man”.

The brothers of Thomas 10^th Earl of Ormond participated in two rebellions in the latter part of the 16^th century. The Butlers of Cloughgrennan (Co. Carlow), viz. Thomas’s eldest brother Sir Edmund Butler, plus younger brothers Piers and Edward, joined with the Earl of Desmond (Sir James FitzMaurice Fitzgerald) and rebelled in protest at the ‘plantation’ policy of settling English immigrants on their lands. With the Butler’s encouragement, they were joined by the Kavanaghs who resented the incursion of English soldiers and settlers on their lands, and the Queen’s undertaking to subdue them. Much loss of life and destruction of property and live-stock resulted from the rebellion, which was subdued by the intervention of the Earl of Ormond himself. In 1569, Queen Elizabeth ordered the Earl of Desmond to pay ₤50,000 in compensation. The Butlers would once again rebel in the 1590’s in support of the Earl of Tyrone.

Herbert Hore quoted a number of reports from the period:

1569- James FitzMaurice (Earl of Desmond), son of the Earl of Kildare, and the Butlers- the names of most of them are given in the Petition against them- headed by Sir Edmond Butler, brother to Lord Ormond, were out in rebellion the summer of this year. The Butlers came to Enniscorthy during the fair there on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, August 15, in great force, and committed horrible atrocities. The spoils and cruelties they perpetrated on this occasion are too numerous to mention. The inhabitants for many subsequent years had a horror and dread of the name Butler. The Four Masters say: ”It would be difficult to enumerate or describe all the steeds, horses, gold and silver, and foreign wares they seized upon at that fair.” [8]

A letter from Francis Agard to the Chancellor said, “ The Queen’s treasure was seized, the castle sacked and plundered and the inhabitants abandoned to the licence of the soldiers.”[9]

The Lord Deputy, Sydney wrote: “the said Butlers committed owtrages too horrible to heare, approved before us conteining (the account of the) lamentable slaughter of divers Her Highnes’ good subjectes, the drowning of divers, the horrible rapes of young maidens and wifes before their parents and husbandes faces, and the taking of a number of prisoners not yet all ransomed nor restored to their Liberties.” [10]

1570- The following “Petition” to the Queen, among the Irish Statutes of this time gives the names of the Butlers and others who took part in the raid on Enniscorthy on Aug 15 1569.[11]

“Petition against the vile and ingrate traytours MacCartie More, lately Earl of Clancartie, Sir Edmond Butler Kt, Edward and Piers, his brothers; Piers and James Butler, sons to the Viscount Mountgarrett; James and John, sons to Piers Butler of the Grallaghe; Walter, Tibbott, Piers, and John, sons to Edmund Butler of Pollestone; James Fitzgerald son to Sir Morishe fitzDesmonde, the senior of Imokylle, the White Knight, with divers others wicked and disloyall traytours against innocent orphants and pore oppressed people, resounds before the throne of God for vengeance.

The said Sir Edmond, Edward and Piers, with their rabbele of traytours weare robbing, spoylinge, murderinge, and prayinge, in all places wheare they coulde: and in especiall at the faire of Enescortie, the said Sir Edmond with a great hoste assaulted and robbed the fayre, murdered dyvers merchaunts and pore people, cruellie took your Majesty’s house of Enescortie and robbed your fermour thereof…. thousands pounds of goodes, and dyvers horrible deades they committed in sondrie other places. The traitours had their messengers to and fro to stir the people with false ymaginacons and fables, sowinge in all parts suche maliciouse rumours and reportes as the like was never devised or harde of in this lande before this tyme.”

Letter from Francis Agard (J.P. and the Queen’s High Commissioner jointly with Sir Jas Barnwall, for the County) to the Lord Chancellor:

“My Verie Good Lord- Myne Espyoll hath brought me certaine word that Sir Edmond Butler with a great force of horsemen galloglass, and kerne, entred the County of Wexford and did yesterdaie take the house of Eniscorthie and a number of prisoners, and this day are aboute ffernes, and have fully determined to approach this house. If they come into this Countrey (as it is without doubt they will) the wayes will be stopped, so as your Lordship can receave none advertisement from me, I beseech your Lordship to send with all spede to encounter them here, they will do great hurte els. I have no leisure but as I shall heare further (if the wayes be not stopped) I will send your Lordship word. Thus in greate haste I take my leave.

From Newcastle McKynneghan, this Tuisday the 16^th August 1569, at 6 of the clock at night

Yor Lordship at your Comandment

Sd ffras Agard”[12]

The memoir or narrative of Sir Henry Sydney’s government of Ireland, addressed to Sir Francis Walsingham in 1583 says:

“Sir Edmond Butler, the Captain and Senschal of all the Earl of Ormond’s Countreys, utterly spoyled a great faior held at Inyscorthie, a house and town of the Queen’s in the County of Washford, I am sure that faior is farre the greatest of any in Ireland, and held yerely, and usually at a day certaine. The horrible rapes, the shamefull murders, with the total rapine of all the goods that could be carried away, were too loathsome to be written or read, There were assembled (beside a multitude of country people) the most of the merchaunts of the good town of Wexford, either in their owne persons, their wiefs, or their servants, who were ravished, killed, or spoyled, all loking for no such an unharde of harm there, whither peacably they came by water.” (the merchants had proceeded up the River Slaney) [13]

The Lord Chancellor(Weston) wrote in 1571:

”Respecting the unnaturall rebellion of Sir E. Butler”, he says the people,” (including the Kavanaghs and Kinsellaghs) were allured by him to be partakers of his traysons, and became followers and ayders of his wicked enterprises and traitorous attempts, most of them now remaining as protected persons until HM’s pleasure be known.”[14]

On Feb 28, 1570, Sir Edmond and Piers Butler made their humble submission, with a prayer for mercy, to the Lord Deputy and Council. They were committed to Dublin Castle to abide H.M.’s pleasure.[15]

Lord Ormond wrote to Lord Cecil: “I am suer you hear my brother Sir Edmond is not in his right mind.”[16]

The Erle and his brethren, who repaired to Dublin the 16^th of this month bringing with him his brothers Sir Edmond and Piers, leaving behind him sicke, as he sayeth, his brother Edward, for whose apparance he was as before bound. The Brothers being asked what causes moved them to this Rebellion and to confederated with Tirlaghe Lenogh and all the Irishry, they alledge certen speeches uttered by the Lord Deputy and certen claimes made by Sir Peter Carew.[17]

Sir Edmond and Piers (his brother) were brought as prisoners to the Castle of Dublin, following the rebellion, but subsequently released. Lord Ormonde eventually secured a pardon for all of his relatives.

In June 1570, Pierce was attainted and outlawed with forfeiture of his estates by the Irish Parliament but the Queen stayed the executions of the Butlers (Statutes at Large Ire. Vol 1, 7, SPI Eliz. Vol 1)

The Parliament, in the twelfth year of the reign of Elizabeth, passed the following Act of attainder:[18]

An Acte for the attainder of such as be or shall be indited of highe treason or petie treason, committed or to be committed formt eh first of Aprill, one thousand five hundred sixtie nyne, to the last of April one thousand five jundred seaventie one, yf thei shall not yelde theire boddies, &c. Rot. Parlcap.3.

(In part):but the wicked better acquainted with darkness then lighte, have chosen to wallowe in their onw filthe and puddle of tyranny, oppression, rape, ravine and spoile, for as yt ys manisfest and well knowen to us, the vile and ingrate traytours Mac Cartie, more latelie create earl of Clancartie; Sir Edmond Butler, Knight; Edward Butler and Piers Butler his brethren (viz. brothers to Thomas 10^th Earl of Ormond); Piers and James Butler, sonnes to the vicounte Mountegarrett; James and John Butler, sonnes to Piers Butler of the Grallaghe; Walter Butler, Tibbott Butler, Piers Butler, John Butler, sonnes to Edmond Butler of Pollestone; James FitzGerald, sonne to Sir Morishe Fitz Desmond, the seneschal of Imolillye; the White Knight; with divers outhers wicked and disloyall traytours, against whose wicked and tyrannouse course of life, the lamentable crie of manye widdowes, innocent orphans, and pore oppressed people, resounde before the throne of God his Majestie for vengeaunce, have, for the overthrowe of all thoise your Majesties mooste godlie and princelie proceadings, conspired together mooste traitourslie and wretchedlie, contrarie to their duetie of allegiaunce, to levie sharpe and cruell warre against your Majestie, and your true and faithful subjects of the Englishe pale; and for the better accomplishing of their divellishe and wiked purpose, practiced with the Kynge of Spayne, and the Scottes our auncient enemies, and outher forreyne princes and potentates, to invade this land…

After that the said Sir Edmonde, and his brethren traytorouselie entending this furious and franticke rebellion, had robbed and spoyled the enhabitaunts of the countie of Kilkenny, of their armour and weapons, to the ende to furnishe them and their confederates, and to unarme the subjects, and had committed sundrie outher haynouse uttrages in all places wheare they came, whiche sufficientlie dissaphered their conspiracie and rebellious pretence, and that they had likewise divers waies actuallue and manifestlie begune their rebellion; yet they beinge forborne to be then poresentlie, by proclamacion, denounced rebelles and traytours, had respite for 15 daies to make their apparaunce before the lorde deputie and counsel, or outherwise to be taken, from thenceforhe as enemyes and rebelles, whiche apparaunce they neglected to make, chosinge rather to be rebels, as in very deade they were, then to appeere and justifie themselves to be good and true subjexts as became, then venlie protestdinge they ment no hurte when they did all the harme they coulde, sayeinge they weare good and true subjects, when they had joined and confederate with our auncient Irishe enemyes, and outher foreyn power, to distroye all us your Majesties faithful and true subjects…

The rebels persisting in this their wcked enterprise, meant to occupie all partes of the realme, with actuall warre at ones, and for the execucion of their vile purpose, the same Sir Edmone, with baaner displaied, invaded the counties of Catherlough and Kildare, and robbed, and praied, and spoiled the poore people of their goodes and cattail, led many o theym captive, and committed divers fowle and heynouse factes;….. Edwarde Butler likewise with a great power, in vaded the countie of Waterforde, and there burned and murdered cruellie many poore people; and after the same, Sir Edmonde and his said brethren drewe the traytours of Munster, with all their force, to the siedge of the towne of Kilkenny, the spoyle and sacke whereof he promised to theym for their labour, aboute whiche, when they had spente five daies, perceiving the same to be defensible,.. they departed, and Sir Edmonde, with Cahir Mac Keadye O Moore, whome he procured to rebel, invaded your Majesties country of Leix, and there burned and murdered mooste cruellie… the said Sir Edmonde, Edwarde and Piers, with their rabble of traytours, weare robbinge, spoylinge, murdringe and prayenge in all places wheare they coulde; and in especiall, at the fayre of Enescortie, the said Sir Esmonde, with a greate hoste assaulted and robbed the fayre, murdred dyvers merchaunts and poore people, cruellie took your Majesties house of Enescortie, and robbed your fermour there of ___ thousand poundes worthe of goodes, and dyvers horrible deades they committed in sondrie outher places;…

Wee therefore moste humblie from the bottome of our hartes praye as before that yt maie be enacted, and be yt enacted by authoritie aforesaid, That everie peson or persons which ys, or hereafter shall be indited of highe treason or petie treason, committed or done sethens the furste daie of Aprill, which was in the yere of our Lords, 1569, to the laste daie of Aprill, whioch shall be in the yeare of our Lorde God,1571, and ys or shall be therof indicted within the said tyme, shall within fortie daies after they, and either of any of theym be willed, by open proclamation to be made by warrant under the greate seale of this realme, directed to sitche person or persons as the lorde deputie, ot outher govermour or governours of this realme, for the tyme beinge shall appoynte, as well in the citie of Dublin, as also in the principal citie or towne in the shire, where he or they are, or shall be sipposed by the indtement to be, or have ben dwelling, appeare at the castell of Dublin, and there yelde his or their boddie and boddies to the constables warde of her Majesties said castell, and shall not depart from thence, till he or they be discharged by order of her Majesties laws, of suche matters as ahll be conteyned in the said inditement of inditements, and whatsoever person or persons yt, in manner aforesaid, and shall not accordinglie appeere within the said fortie daies then next ensuynge, and remayne in the said castell of Dublin, ‘till he of they ne discharged in maner aforesaid, shall be attainted of the said highe treason or petie treason, whereof he or they ys or shall be indited, as effectuallie and sufficientlie to all intents, constructions and purposes, as yf he or they weare founde giltie of the same by verdict of 12 men, and judged by due course of her Majesties laws;

And be it futher enacted by authoritie aforesaid, That every person and persons, whiche shall be attainted by authoritie of force of this present acte, shall forfeite to your Majestie, your heires and successors, all souche honours, manors, lands, tenements, castells, rents, reversions, remainders, services, and all outher hereditaments, commodities, revenues, profittes, with their rights, members, and appurtenances, whereof they or any of theym be or weare seised lawfullie and justlie in fee simple, fee taile, and for terme of life to their owne use, etc.

Savinge, and alwaie resarved by the authoritie of this present Parliament, to everie person or persons, boddies polliticque and incorporate, etc.

15 Nov 1570: Pardon to Pierce Butler fitzRichard of Mountgarret for his share of a forfeited recognizance of ₤300 before Thomas Stukeley Seneschal and Edward fitzSymon Justice of the Liberty of Wexford (Fiant Eliz No 1612)

11 Jan 1571/2: Pardon to Peter Butler of Ballarigid (Ballyragget) co Kilkenny, Gent, Fine ₤10 (Faint Eliz No 2013) (Note at this time Ballyragget was the chief seat of the Mountgarret family) [19]

The Butlers paid the price for their involvement, losing possession of their huge estates in the baronies of Scarawalsh, Bantry and Shelmalier. The Earl of Ormonde regained the lands of St Johns and Kilcorbry near Enniscorthy but, instead of returning them to the Butlers, the lands were granted to Nicholas White in 1570 to hold for 31 years from 1584 at a rent of 43s. [20]

Given his supposed involvement in the rebellion, it is uncertain how Pierce managed to regain the lands of Cloughnageragh.

Further Records of Pierce Butler of Kayer

T. Blake Butler [21] lists a number of other records, commissions etc :

21 January 1578: Commission to Pierce Butler to execute martial law in the County Wexford (Cal SPI see Recognizance June 1628)

26 Jan 1581/2: Pardon to Pierce or Peter Butler of Cahir Co Wexford, Gent, fine €10 (Fiant Eliz no 3801)

8 April 1585- Recognizance of Morgan McBrien Cavenagh, Peter Butler of Cahir, Dermot McEde Duff of Kinselagh, Henry Roche of Rochesland in County Wexford and Hugh Ganeagh of Clonmore in Co. Carlow for£240 for the appearance of Morgan Cavanagh.

Taken at Ferns by Sir Henry Wallop, Sir Nicholas White, and Sir Geoffrey Fenton justices of the peace.

8 April 1585- Recognizance of said Morgan McBrien Cavanagh in £340 to the former conusors to save them harmless from the foregoing recognizance.

Ferns 8 April 1585.

18 April 1585 Recognizance of Donal Cavanagh alias Spanya of Coole Mullyn Co Carlow in £200 for the appearance of Caher Cavanagh his brother.

(Calendar of Irish Council Book 1581-1586, p.162- nos. 300,301,299, made by John P. Prendergast between 1867 and 1869, edit by David B. Quinn, pub in ‘Analecta Hibernica’ No. 24 1967)

13 Dec 1589: Doubtful men in Ireland: Pierce Butler brother of Lord Mountgarrett (Cal SPI Vol 1588-98(?) p279

The following record in the Ormond Deeds is undated:

Ex Ormond Deeds letters & papers [22]

Vol 9 fol 112

Edward Comerford to Ormond

There is 2 ½ years rent due out of Tully last Easter viz. £750, £750 (etc ) which arrears being left by the Supreme Council to Mr James Butler of Tynchinch. Mr John Bagnal and Mr Piers Butler of Monehory. They have, as Mrs Butler certified after her great suffering, reduced the whole arrears to £140.

Pierce Butler of Kayer was further mentioned in documents from the 1590’s:

1591: On 20 April a Council of the Burgesses of the town of Wexford deputed Robert Talbot to present an address to Lord Shrewsbury for the protection of their Charter and Liberties: titled “The Burgesses of Wexford to the Earl of Shrewsbury”

Signed Your honor’s most dutifull & lovinge frends,’Edmond Montgarrett; Thomas Colcough, sheriff; Piers Butler; Nycolas Deverus (ie. Piers’ brother-in-law); (followed by a total of 37 influential Wexford citizens of old established and distinguished families.) [23]

1596, June 27: Occurrents from the county of Wexford. Rory Oge’s son passed over Catherlagh Bridge to join Feagh M’Hugh O’Byrne. Garrett M’Arte M’Kill, a good liver twenty years, has joined also, his grandfather was O’Murrough. The Cavanaghs show pride and alteration. One Piers Butler has sworn great friendship with Donill Spaniaghe. James Butler shall marry the sister of Rory Oge’s son. Hope of a day upon the English. 200 shot out of Ulsterpromised to Feagh M’Hugh O’Byrne.[24]

Donal Spaineach Kavanagh was a thorn in the side of authorites in Co Wexford. S leader in the Nine Years War in the 1590’s, along with the Butlers, and remained in rebellion until killed in 1631. His son Sir Morgan Kavanagh of Clonmullen Co Wexford continued the fight as a leader in the 1641 rebellion during which he was slain in 1643. This family would continue to have a close association with the Butlers of Kayer in the future.

On Oct 14, 1596: a certificate was sent to the Lord Deputy and Council from the gentlemen of the Birnes country, Wexford, and Dublin, showing the importance of the prosecution of Feagh McHugh- they state unless Feagh and his accomplices are rooted out they “may look for nothing but the loss of our lands and livings, and the rooting US out and OUR posterity for ever.”

Signed by Richard, John and Nicholas Masterson, W. and Nic Synnote, William and Robert Rauseter (Rossiter), John Roche, Piers Butler, (etc). [25]

However, on the 5 October 1596, Pierce’s arrest with the other sons of Mountgarett was ordered. This was carried out by Ormond, and Pierce was lodged in Dublin Castle on the 14^th October, the same date as the above ‘certificate’. [26]

Pierce escaped with his brother in October 1598 and on 6 November he was with Mountgarret in Kilkenny when he was expected to break out into rebellion. [27]

On 15 August 1597 he enfeoffed his estates to ‘trustees’. [28]

An Inquisition of James I, dated 24 March 1618,:[29]

Peter Butler of Cayer[30], co. Wexford, was seized (held) as of fee of the manor, castle, and town of Cayer, otherwise Cloghnekeraghe with 6 carucates of land lying in the towns of Balliorden (Ballyeden), Ballygelsny (Ballygilliestown), Monietimer, Thometheome (possibly Tholemestowne now Holmestown in Killbride parish, Glynn).Rahenduffe alias Blackerathe, and Pricehaggard with their appurtenances; 6 carucates of land with appurtenances in Clonemore, Ballyellen, Edermynbege (Edermine-Borrowmount), and Kilcorbry (Kilcarbry) in the said county; and 13 carucates in Tamplescaby (Templescoby), Moniehore (Moneyhore), Cassistown (Ballymackessy- home to the Fitzhenrys in the 1700s), Moynetinker (Moneytucker), Tomeduffe, Davideston, Cowleboyechy, Whiteboly, Rossdright, Courtnecuddy, Cloghehuddyn (Clohedan), Ballyhelin, and the ould courts of Aghtrim in the said county; and 9 carucates in Corleckan, Ballintlee, Whitechurch, Kilcowanbegg (unidentified but probably near the holy well of St. Cuan Beg near Barmoney), both Wilkenestownes, Prickedestowne (Brickettstown), Tholemestowne, Heyestowne, and Clonavolcun; of the advowson and patronage right of the rectory of the parish church of Clonemore; and of the leet court and baronial with waifs and strays &c. to the ame courts.

The aforesaid Peter was also seized of the head-rents or chiefries, and other services as follows, viz. 10d. coming from Davideston, 3d. from Stonestowne (Ballynaglogh) in the parish of Archanerishe (Ardcanrush or Ardcomrush), suit of court and service to Phillip Furlong, his heirs, and assigns to the court of the aforesaid Cayer, from and out of the town of Cargmanan (Carrigmenan), Monsian, Ballyattin (Ballyeden), Colemaklane, Wilkeneshaggard, and Ballymolloge, in the said county; 10d. a year from the town of Bregurton, in the tenure of the said Phillip; 10d. a year from the town of Cowletymore (Muchwood- Bishop French hid in this district after Cromwell’s slaughter and sack of Wexford), in the tenure of the same Phillip; 10d. from the town of Roiessan and Ballyshett in the tenure of the same Phillip; 10d. from the town of Kealoge and Ballykevan in the tenure of the same Phillip; a birchen broome on the feast-day of the Apostles Phillip and James from the town of Craimilike in the tenure of the same Phillip. From the town of Ballyheine in the tenure of John Wadding 3d.; from the town of Davidestowne and Ushinestown in the tenure of Wil’ Furlong 10d. and suit to court of Cayer; and from the town of Balliwidder 3d.

Being so seized in his life the aforesaid Peter Butler granted in fee of the premises to James Dillon of Moiemett in Co. Meath, and to others, by a deed bearing the date 13 Oct 1598, the tenor of which deed follows in the original.

The aforesaid Peter died on the last day of June 1599; Edward Butler, son and heir of the said Peter, was then 22 years old and married.

Issue of Pierce Butler

Pierce and Margaret Devereux had several children:[31]

Sons:

1.Edward Butler of Clogh-na-Cahir, b. c 1577- inherited the Kayer estates.

2. James [32] b.c.1581, d.1629 of Dowganstown & Tullow, Co. Carlow; married Ellen Butler 1606 - issue: 5 sons- Edward, Walter, Theobald, Gilbert, Thomas. (Ancestor of the Butlers of Tullow)

3. Thomas – on 23 Nov 1612 was burgess of Enniscorthy and was one of those appointed to receive the fiant of Incorporation of the town [Cal SPI Jas I Vol 4 p303] [33]

P.H. HORE:[34] -1681- The entries in the Record Book of the Borough of Enniscorthy commence in this year. Many of these are curious and interesting besides supplying us with the name and dates of appointment of the Portreeves, burgesses, and other officers of the town. Footnote 2- the following names of the first Portreeve and Burgesses under the Charter (see Pat. Roll James I, Pt I, m6): Burgesses: John ffortune….. Thos Butler and John Browne. (Presumably these names in the footnote refer to the Burgesses in 1612 mentioned above – James I [1603-1625], not in 1681)

HORE: [35] -1641- Names of (Wexford) Members of the Catholic Confederation, from one of the Rolls of those who took the oath: Butler, Thomas, of Ballinakill; Butler, Pierce, of Caher. (Thomas was therefore Catholic.)

There are two townlands of Ballynakill in Enniscorthy Parish- one in Monart just north of Enniscorthy, and a Ballynakill near Ferns. (There are also two townlands named Ballinakill near Gorey just south of Banoge, and just SE of Ballycanew, however they are in the Gorey Parish.)

The name Thomas Butler continued in the Oylegate a few miles SE of Enniscorthy, and in Enniscorthy, in the 19^th and early 20^th centuries. A Thomas Butler and Patrick Dwyer were tried at Wexford Assizes for the murder of Butler O’Brien Esq. at Ferns in 1841. They were acquitted. [36] A Thomas Butler was living at Newtown just north of Ferns in 1853 (Griffiths Valuation), and is possibly the same person. A Thomas Butler aged 61 was still living at Newtown in the 1911 Census and had a son named Thomas.

Daughters:

A.Katherine married a Furlong (James?).

B. Joan married Oliver Keating of Kilcowan c.1612 [37]. (Their daughter Margaret married William Hore of Harperstown in 1607. [38]

C. Eleanor married Henry Davells, (Sir Henry Davells, a well reknowned soldier of the time, in north Wexford. Monart and ‘The Duffry’, a Barony annexed to Ferns. Queen Elizabeth gave it to Lord Ormond in 1580, who assigned it to the celebrated soldier Sir Henry Davells. Sir Thomas Colcough acquired it from Davell’s son Henry Davells who was a minor. [39] Henry Davells of Killaher, Queens Co. [40] He died 24 October 1634, his wife Eleanor Butler survived him. [41]

Theobald Blake Butler notes that the wife of Henry Davells is also called Margaret (see Daughter No. 9. below). However, an Inquisition in the Queen’s Co. Exchequer No 2 Chas I dated 15 Aug 1626 (Report of Record Comm. 8^th Report) at Maryborough- Eleanor Butler als Davells. [42]

D. Ellen married Edmund FitzGerald/Barron, Baron of Cluan/Clone and Brownsford 1608 (MS) (of the Desmond FitzGerald line- son and heir of David Barron also FitzGerald of Brownsford and Clone, Co Kilkenny). [43] Edmond took part in the rebellion of 1641 and was a commoner of the General Assembly of the Confederate Catholics 1642-47. He was the forfeiting proprietor pf Brownsford, Cloan etc in Baronies of Ida, Igrin and Iberon in 1653 and he had a transplanter’s certificate 1653/4 [44]

E. Helen married Thomas Butler of Weddingstown, Co. Tipperary, son and heir of John, 2^nd son of Edmond 2^nd Baron of Dunboyne. He died 28 February 1640. They had issue 6 sons and 5 daughters. [45]

F.? Margaret: Although not recorded on Lord Dunboyne’s Pedigrees, there may have been another daughter named Margaret, as indicated by the following record:

“The Hon. Thomas Power, of Coolfin, or Cullfin, County of Waterford, armiger, son of Sir Richard 1^st Lord Baron de Power and Catherine Butler dau. of Piers 8^th Earl of Ormond, married a daughter of Thomas Tobin, of Cumpshinagh, County Tipperary, Esq., by Elinor Fitzgerald, sister to James, Earl of Desmond, and had a daughter Elinor married to Thomas Butler, brother of Edmond, Viscount Mountgarrett; and a son James Power, of Coolfin, whose first wife was a daughter of Pierce FitzHenry, in the County Wexford, by whom he left a son Thomas, who, dying on the 15^th December, 1637, left issue by his wife Margaret, daughter of Peter Butler, of Monyhory, County Wexford, four sons and four daughters” [46]

Thomas Power of Coolfin was grandson of Hon. Thomas Power who was born c. 1531, therefore Thomas must have been born c.1580, which would correlate with the age of Pierce’s children. The families were already linked through the marriage of Pierce’s brother Thomas Butler with Thomas Power’s aunt Elinor (sister of his father).

T. Blake Butler suggests that this Margaret may have been the widow of Henry Davells, generally recorded as named Eleanor Butler (see Note 55). However, as Margaret’s husband Thomas Power died in 1637 leaving her with eight children, she could not possibly have been the widow of Davells who died in 1634. It would appear that Lord Dunboyne’s pedigree has Margaret as the daughter of Pierce Butler (the younger) of Kayer son of Edward Butler. However, she would appear to have been too old to be the daughter of Pierce the younger, having had eight children before 1637

I would suggest she was the sixth daughter of Pierce Butler (the elder) of Kayer & Moneyhore, named Margaret.

Carew 626: (Pierce Butler had) 2 sons and 1 daughter, Jan 1600/1 (?)

Death of Pierce Butler of Kayer

Pierce died 4 June 1599, according to inscription on his tomb; [according to SPI he was dead before 6 November 1598 [47]] He was buried in a tomb in the church of St Mary’s in New Ross, which is now a ruin. (A drawing of the tomb appears in P. Hore’s “History of Wexford”, Vol 1, page 88 -see below.) According to an Inquisition in Co Wexford he died 30 June 1599. However, the monument in his memory which was erected by his widow in December 1602 gives his death as 4 June. [48] Pierce was succeeded by his son Edward.

He hath many children and is lately deceased -SPI Jan L60.

Pierce’s wife Margaret was a defendant in a suit in Chancery19 May 1615 in which she is said to have been a consenting party to the marriage of her daughter Ellen to Edmond Barron in 1608. [49]. In this she is described as widow of Pierce Butler late of Moneyhore (Co. Wexford). She is mentioned 21 July 1629 in an inquisition on her sons Edward and James but she was probably then dead . [50]

Ruins of St Mary's New Ross c.1835 (Hore's 'History')

Pierce Butler's tomb in the ruins of the north transept, St Mary's, New Ross

(drawing by Herbert Hore, late 19th century

'History of Town and County of Wexford', Vol. 1)

Inscription around the memorial, and translation

Taken from a rubbing of the top slab by Brian Cantwell in 1898

Brian Cantwell's 'Memorials of the Dead' Co Wexford Vol 3 p321

Note the Catholic symbol at the top.

Hore described:

This tomb lies attached to the north wall; it is sculptured in relief, and abundant in curious devices. note1- The alter tomb of P. Butler and his wife is covered with the most remarkable and beautiful Catholic emblems, the “Heart and rays surrounding”. Being striking and hardly usual at the time.

Contact email butler1802 @ hotmail.com (NB. no spaces)

Link back to Introduction- Richard 1st Viscount Mountgarrett
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/butlers-co-wexford-ch1-richard-1stviscount-mountgarrett.html

Link to next chapter on Pierce Butler of Kayer's son Edward Butler of Kayer and Moneyhore
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch-3-edward-butler.html

Link to chapter on Pierce Butler of Kayer's second son James Butler of Dowganstown and Tullow Co Carlow
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2014/02/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch18-younger-son.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

[1] Sir Bernard Burke Ulster King of Arms, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, comprising a Registry of Armorial Bearings from the Earliset to the Present Time, London, 1884- Butler

[2] Theobald. Blake Butler (TBB), Genealogy of the Butlers, Volume 8 Viscount Mountgarrett etc, filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah (LDS) FHL British Film [873840] - Source “not identified”.

[3] (TBB) Vol 8: Mountgarrett etc., op.cit- Inquisition Co Wexford

[4] John Lodge and Mervyn Archdall, The Peerage of Ireland, 1798, Volume IV, p27

[5] Carew Manuscript ref.MS 600, p143- date 1596: The ENGLISH PALE

[6] Carew Manuscript ref. MS 621, p106 date 1603 but written 1574- A survey of Ireland in Sir George Carew’s handwriting

[7] (TBB) Vol 8: Mountgarrett op.cit.

[8] 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, p372 (Annuls of the Four Masters- Vol v., p1631)

[9] P. Hore. History…, op.cit. Vol 6, p373 (Flood’s “Enniscorthy”, p42)

[10] P. Hore, History…, op.cit. Vol 6, p373-374 (S.P. Irel., vol 29, No. 70, P.R.O.I

[11] P. Hore, History…, op.cit. Vol 6, p375 (Irish Statutes, 12 Eliz.)

[12] P. Hore, History…, op.cit. Vol 6, p372 (Sir Robert Weston, S.P. Irel., vol 29, No. 40)

[13] P. Hore, History…, op.cit. Vol 6, p372 (Printed in the Ulster Journal of Archaeology, vol. iii., 1855, Archer & Sons, Belfast, p97)

[14] P. Hore, History…, op.cit. Vol 6 p376 (S.P. Irel., vol 31, No. 33)

[15] P. Hore, History…, op.cit. Vol 6, p375 (S.P. Irel., vol 30 no 19 P.R.O.L; Also Halliday MSS., Historical Manuscripts Commission- H.M.C. 15^th Report, Appendix Part III., p245, which gives the submission in full.)

[16] P. Hore, History…, op.cit. Vol 6, p376

[17] P. Hore, History…, op.cit. Vol 6 p374 (S.P. Irel., vol 29, No. 70. P.R.O.I.)

[18] The statutes at large, passed in the Parliaments held in Ireland: From the third year of Edward the Second, A.D. 1310, to the first year of George the Third, A.D. 1761 inclusive. Volume 1. Dublin, 1765-69. 9 vols. The Making of the Modern World. Gale 2009. Gale, Cengage Learning. National Library of Australia. 23 December 2009 <http://galenet.galegroup.com.rp.nla.gov.au:2048/servlet/MOME?af=RN&ae=U3602217302&srchtp=a&ste=14>

[19] Theobald Blake Butler (TBB), Genealogy of the Butlers, Volume 8 Viscount Mountgarrett and Poolestown, Bart. Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah (LDS) FHL British Film [873840]

[20] P. Hore, History…, op.cit. Vol 6, p376 (Fiant, 1078, Edw. VI)

[21] T. Blake Butler, Genealogy of the Butlers, Volume 8 Viscount Mountgarrett and Poolestown, Bart. op.cit
[22] T. Blake Butler, Genealogy of the Butlers, Volume 8 Viscount Mountgarrett and Poolestown, Bart. Chapter: Butler Visc. Mountgarrett & Colaterals Ormond Deeds & Letters; op.cit
[23] P. Hore, History…, op.cit. Vol 5, p195-6 (H.M.C - Report on various MS. Collections, vol. ii. P. 310)

[24] Occurrents from the county of Wexford. Document Ref.: SP 63/190 f.222 Folio Numbers: ff. 222- Date: June 27 1596

[25] P. Hore, History…, Vol 6, p98-99 ( S.P. Irel., vol 194, No. 16, Oct 14, 1596. P.R.O.I.)

[26] (TBB) Vol. 8: Mountgarrett etc. op.cit.- Cal SPI 1596/7 p138/9)

[27] (TBB)Vol. 8: Mountgarrett etc. op.cit.- Cal SPI 1598/9 p340

[28] (TBB) Vol. 8: Mountgarrett etc. op.cit.- Inquisition in Co. Wexfor

[29] Michael Mac Eochaidh, An Inquisition of James I: Dated 24 March 1618, in The Past: The Organ of the Ui Cinsealaigh Historical Society, No 8 (1970) p68, Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25519888; their ref: Inquis. Post Mortem, No. 18 Jac.I (Wexford 24 Mar’ an’15)

[30] Caher/Kayer also known as Cloghnageragh, Cloghnagaor, Cloughnagair, Cloghnakairagh. Clogh means a stone building, a stone enclosure, a castle. In the O.S. map of 1841 there are 2 small adjoining townlands, Clough and Stonepark in this area. In 1247 Kayer was possessed by William de Den. Thomas Denn, Bishop of Ferns 1363-1400 was born there. This family built Denn’s Castle (Danescastle), Carrig-on-Bannow. About the year 1400, Sir Foulke Furlong (after whom Foulksmill is named) of Horetown held Kayer from the Earl of Pembroke. (By Michael Mac Eochaidh)

[31] Lord Dunboyne’s Pedigrees No 24 (Butler Society website- www.butler-soc.org

[32] Refer to BTR (Butler Testamentary Records) 196 and 191; and, Lord Dunboyne’s ‘Happy Families’ file Q136 (Butler Society website)

[33] T. Blake Butler, Genealogy of the Butlers, Volume 8 Viscount Mountgarrett and Poolestown, Bart. op,cit.- Cal SPI Jas I Vol 4 p303

[34] Philip H. Hore, History of the Town and County of Wexford, pub 1900-1910, Volume 6 Chap XXVII, p524- 1681

[35] Philip H. Hore, History…. , op.cit., Volume 5 p257- 1641

[36] George Griffiths, The Wexford Chronicles, printed 1877, dated March 1.

[37] (TBB) Chancery Bill No 6086; Burkes LG1 p592

[38] “Wexford Chronicles” by George Griffiths, 1877, has- ‘March 8, Oliver Keating, Kilcavan, d.1629’

[39] P. Hore, History..., op.cit. Vol 6 p540

[40] (TBB) Vol. 8: Mountgarrett etc. op.cit.- Carew 626 p136

[41] (TBB) Vol. 8: Mountgarrett etc. op.cit.- Inq. Queen’s Co; FE ADD 4820 p142 describes Henry Davells as of Killeshan.

[42] (TBB) Vol. 8: Mountgarrett etc. op.cit.- notes Andrew Whitty of Ballgere/Ballygere Co Wexford who died 10 July 1619 and left a widow Eleanor Butler who may have also been one of this family.

[43] (TBB) Vol. 8: Mountgarrett etc. op.cit.- The date of the MS appears to have been 16 Feb 1607. See Inq. Co Kilkenny No 35 Jas I

[44] (TBB) Vol. 8: Mountgarrett etc. op.cit.- Chancery Bills Nos 2697, 2789

[45] (TBB) Vol. 8: Mountgarrett etc. op.cit.- FE pp45/6. ? if MS was dated 25 May 1620- Pat Roll 21 Jas I)

[46] : http://powertree.tripod.com/PDF/IrishBldr3.PDF NB. T. Blake Butler has assigned this Margaret to issue of Pierce Butler of Kayer the younger, however, he then qualifies this by saying “This seems incorrect. She may have been the widow of Henry Davells who d. 24 Oct 1634. TCD, F. 3. 27. P44” This also cannot be correct as Thos Power died in 1637 leaving his widow with 8 children.

and http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~dnapower/history/part3.htm ) Power Et Al DNA & History Project

[47] (TBB) Vol. 8: Mountgarrett etc. op.cit
[48] (TBB) Vol. 8: Mountgarrett etc. op.cit.- Memorials of the Dead Vol 4 p321)

[49] (TBB) Vol. 8: Mountgarrett etc. op.cit.- GB No 2697

[50] (TBB) Vol. 8: Mountgarrett etc. op.cit.- Inquisition Co Wexford)

Friday 2 November 2012

Butlers of Co. Wexford- Ch.2: Pierce Butler of Kayer (c.1540-1599)