Ancestry of Butlers of County Wexford Ireland: Butlers of Co. Wexford- Ch.11: Walter Butler of Munphin Pt.2

Walter Butler’s situation in County Wexford in the period of King James II:

During his lifetime, Walter Butler was held in great respect and, although Walter remained staunchly Catholic and loyally supported King James II, he maintained very good relations with many Protestant members of the community.

In a report commissioned in 1676 on “Considerations how the Protestants of Ireland may disable the Papists there both for intestine rebellion and also for assisting a French invasion as the state of the parties now stands”[i],the statistics given in the document reveal that of the 225,000 families in Ireland, 15,000 live in houses of above one chimney, and of those rich families, 8000 are Protestants having four times the wealth and arms of the other 7,000 Papists; and the 7,000 rich families of Papists are governed and advised by about 20 of their lawyers, 30 merchants and about 50 gentlemen, who have been in foreign parts and service and have been conversant with the court of England and other courts, men of good parts and carriages and popular in their counties, etc. The long report on the statistics of horse and arms ownership and the numbers of Papist men and clergymen etc., recommended that these lawyers, merchants and gentlemen be arrested in the event of any rebellion, French invasion, etc. Walter Butler Senior was one of those 150 ‘advisors’ referred to.

On 10 February 1671 and 26 August 1686, Walter Butler was appointed a Justice of the Peace. His brother Edward Butler (of Cloghast ie. Clohass) was appointed on 10 February 1672. [ii] Whether they had trained in law is debatable. In the preface of John Venn’s Alumni Cantabrigienses, [iii] headed Inns of Court, and speaking of students enrolled in the seventeenth century, the majority of whom entered the clergy, Venn wrote, in reference to “many of the sons of the country gentry”- “their typical career was to reside for a year or two at the university and then to enter one of the Inns of Court. More often their only object was to secure some qualification for the post of Justice of the Peace in their own county.”

However, a check of the records of the Inns of Court found they did not include Walter Butler or his brother Edward. The Grays Inn Admission Register 1521-1887 (Joseph Foster, 1889) Folio 655 August 12, 1611, has their grandfather Edward Butler of Monehore Ireland Esq., son and heir of Peter Butler 2^nd son of Richard Butler Viscount Mountgarrett. Walter may have been educated in Dublin, or even in France.

Walter is frequently recorded acting on the behalf of others in legal matters concerning finances and property transactions, which appears to indicate that he had legal training.
A letter written by Walter Butler is in the Manuscripts of the Marquis of Ormonde (Volume 6, page 426), in which he states that he has acted on the behalf of the Duchess of Portsmouth, Louise Réne de Penancoët de Kérouaille, the Catholic French mistress of Charles II who was granted the title of Duchess of Portsmouth in 1673. Her pensions and money allowances were enormous- in 1681 alone she received £136,000. In 1682 she visited France which may have been the reason for the following letter:
1682, August 22, Dublin- Walter Butler to Henry Gascoigne (secretary to the Lord Lieutenant, the Duke of Ormonde).
Enclosing petition and letter to Dr Taylor requesting some satisfaction for the charges and troubles he has been at about the Duchess of Portsmouth's concerns here. When her Grace sold her interest in Lord Kingston's grant to the King she made particular provision for the writer's satisfaction. He knows that she will get the matter referred to the Lord Lieutenant, and hopes his Grace will not be against it, as others will soon snap away all the forfeited lands found in those inquisitions. He suggests that Gascoigne should obtain help from Mr Mulys, who is Dr. Taylor's great friend and promises Gascoigne, if he can procure the King's letter to pass the grant, forty guineas for his trouble besides what the fees of the letter cost. (Abstract)

Whether the above petition and letter relates to Walter's subsequent land grant the following year is not known, but the following would suggest so:

Roll, 35^th Ch.II, first part: Wexford, 14: WALTER BUTLER, of Munphin, esq- Ballinturner and Tominenowlye, 352 A, 4l; bar. Scarwalsh,
Date 8^th May 35^th year- Inrolled 22^nd June 1683
(The 15th Annual Report 1825)

Colonel Walter Butler Snr played a significant role in the Jacobite War of 1688-1691 in Ireland, the struggle for the crown between Catholic James II and Protestant William and Mary.

Following his accession to the throne 6 February 1865, James began to implement his plan to forcibly convert the English people to Catholicism.[iv] In April 1687 the King, using his dispensing powers, issued his first Declaration of Indulgence, to allow Catholics to command several regiments without having to take the oath mandated by the Test Act. He began by taking measures to secure Papist control of the Army by replacing Protestant officers with Catholics, and increased his standing army from 7,000 men to 20,000, to prevent any further rebellions such as the Duke of Monmouth and the Duke of Argyll’s rebellions in mid-1685; to place seaports in the hands of trusty Papist governors; to make arrangements with Louis XIV for financial support and military support if required. The position of Lord Lieutenant of a county was that of the King’s personal representative, and many in England deserted and abandoned King James once it was clear how the wind was blowing. The Lord Lieutenants of counties, who refused to help pack a favourable Parliament needed to repeal the Test Act[v], were dismissed, and Catholics installed in their place. The municipal corporations governing towns, and the benches of magistrates were drastically remodelled so as to secure the fullest representation of Catholics.

Office holders at court were replaced with Catholic favourites. This even extended to the King’s Protestant brothers-in-law, Henry Hyde 2^nd Earl of Clarendon and Laurence Hyde 1^st Earl of Rochester (of whom more later). Dissatisfaction with this remodelling of the whole social structure, and fear of the rising power of Papists, grew.

In October 1687 James gave orders for the lords lieutenants in the provinces to provide three standard questions to all members of the Commission of the Peace: 1. Would they consent to the repeal of the Test Act and the penal laws; 2. Would they assist candidates who would do so; and 3. Would they accept the Declaration of Indulgence. During the first three months of 1688, hundreds of those asked the three questions who gave hostile replies were dismissed. Corporations were purged by agents given wide discretionary powers in an attempt to create a permanent royal electoral machine. On 24 August 1688, James ordered writs to be issued for a general election, but withdrew the writs upon realising in October that William of Orange was going to land in England. He wrote to the lords-lieutenant to inquire over allegations of abuses committed during the regulations and election preparations as part of the concessions James made in order to win support. [vi]

During this remodelling period under James II, we find Walter Butler Senior receiving several significant appointments. He was appointed Lord Lieutenant for Co. Wexford in 1687; he represented the County of Wexford as the Member of Parliament in James’s Irish ‘Patriot’ Parliament of 1689; and was appointed Governor of Wexford Castle 1689-1690.

Col. Walter Butler of Munfin was named as an alderman of the borough of the Town of Wexford in 1687 [vii]:

Charter of the Town Of Wexford- dated 24 Dec 3 James II (1687) [viii]

“We constitute and make our well beloved Sir Lawrence Esmond, Bart; Sir Abel Ram, Knt; Walter Talbot, Esq; Patrick Colclough, Esq; Walter Butler Esq; Anthony Talbot, merchant; (plus 14 others named); to be the 24 modern aldermen of the said borough; (and names others); to be made and to be the modern 26 free Burgesses of the aforesaid town or borough of Wexford, to continue in their said office of Aldermen and free burgesses of the borough aforesaid during their natural lives, unless by reason of any provision in these presents expressed, or for any other reasonable cause, they shall be respectively removed, or any of them removed by the Mayor, and the rest of the Common Council of the borough aforesaid, or by the Mayor part of them, and we will that they shall be removable by the Com. Council or the part of them.” etc.

Similarly, he was named on the list of burgesses for New Ross on March 5 1687. Notably, Walter’s name on the list of burgesses for 5^th March was his last appearance of the list.[ix]

An account of the ceremony for the handing over of the Charter for New Ross by King James gives us an insight into the grandeur of the occasion and the level of importance in which Walter was held at that time:

AN ACCOUNT[x] OF THE RECEPTION OF A NEW CHARTER FROM KING JAMES II TO THE TOWN OF NEW ROSS, COUNTY WEXFORD, IN MARCH 1687 [xi] By P. D. Vigors

(The New Charter[xii] [from King James the Second] was, with great solemnity, published in the Town Hall. The following is the copy of a letter (bound up in the 2^nd col.) describing its reception):-

Ross, (10?) March, 1687.

Honn^d Sir,

It was my intention to write on y^o the 5^th current as promised in my preceding letter, but that day unexpectedly as I was preceding to put my foot in stirrup observing great preparations here with persons of quality to meet his Majesty’s Charter graciously granted & confirmed upon this Corporation, & out of curiosity to inspect y^e method, progress & designe of soe great preparations and Magnificent an Assembly, I resolved to bestow my attendance that day to be duly informed of the solemn reception allowed to congratulate the welcome appearance of y^e said Charter w^h was by my remarks and observations as hereunder.

In the first place I had the honor to heare the sound of Drums, y^e harmonious voice of violins, the voice of virgins & the musical strain of pipes. Then appeared the New Mayor Patrick White Esq, a person of commendable presence excellently mounted on a stately grey gelding attended by fifty proper comely young men all decently clad in white, marching before him to the Soveraignes house, of w^ch number the Mayors second sonne a young man of vigor and courage was leader.

Secondly. The Mayor and Soveraigne were saluted by the Records, Luke Dormer Esq, Patrick Colclough Esq High Sheriffe, Captn Walter Butler, Edward Fitzharris Esq, Robert Carew Esq, and divers other Justices of the Peace, their [ ] and numbers of other Gentlemen who came expressly about ten of the clock in the morning from the country to wait on the Mayor and to attend him t o receive y^e Charter, and then assembled together all the Burgesses and M[embers] of the Corporation to augment that number, My Lord Chiefe Justice New[gent], Alderman Edward Roth, Mr Jesper Roth, and Mr Nicholas White, only excepted that being caused by their absence.

Thirdly. Those persons of note with allowance and place to each other according [to] their respective merits and qualities marched and rid out of towne with the [fifty] white boys above mentioned with white rods in their hands like sheriffs [ ] before them, and then met with the companies of trades belonging to [said] Corporation, each company under y^e conduct and charge of a Cap[taine] with Collors flying, fiddlers and fifers playing, &c.

Fourthly. The Mayor &c. betooke themselves in state to the bounds & liberties of y^e Corporation where they did not long continue when Robert Leigh Colclough Esq, William Hore Esq, Patrick Lambert Esq, Walter Hore Esq, Mr Amb[brose] Sutton, the Subsheriffe, his two proper sonnes and above one hundred of other Gentlemen divers whereof were Sqr Leigh Colcloughs tenants and servants did approach guarding the Charter which was inclosed in a large stately case gilt with gold, and upon one of Sq^r Leigh Colcloughs best geldings by his chiefest gentleman, the Sq^r being the only person on [ ] in surrendering the old Charter and obtaining the new with [many additional] Imunities and priviledges, The Mayor returned his wors[hip] that great service which allowed at that time soe great Joy [ ] and content to y^e Corporation.

Fifthly. When that friendly salutation was over as aforesaid all [the companies] of trades marched, first fower in a breast, then the same [colors] flying, after y^m y^e Porters commanded by the Master porter, then [y^e serjeant] at mace, y^eWaterbayley, the Corporation Bailiffs before the Sov[eraigne], [then the] Soveriagne by himselfe before the Mayor, Recorder, High Sheriffe, [Sqr Robert] Leigh Colclough, then all the persons of note with their respective [attendants], [then the said Burgesses and the freeman of the Corporation according to] their qualities attended by their servants and numbers of others exceeding in all above three thousand persons young and old, in which [order] walking and riding they soon met a troop of wellmounted Dragoons belonging to Capⁿ Huetson and Lieut. Daniel O’Neall commanded them by Quarter Master Deney, who bestowed three volley shots to welcome y^e Charter. Sq^r Leigh Colclough and to shew his respects to the Mayor then did in good order march before them all, and Sir John Ivory Knight his Majestys Governor of the Royall fort of Duncannon being undisposed sent several of his relations and servants well mounted and accoutred in excellent good order with his groom and lead horses to demonstrate his respect to that assembly.

On their approach toward the Corporation they were met and saluted by above sixty young women well dressed, and dancing with their pipers before them, saying in Irish, “De Nahe waister Meare agus vat bonne 1u roe Rey Shames,’ then appeared a number of angelical young virgins carrying in their hands laurels gilt with gold, consisting of above sixty in number, the best mens children of the corporation very richly clad and decently ordered, and richly clad dancing a part with themselves with a garland valued twenty guineas and music playing for them, and were attended by persons appointed to guard them from the crowd, and also waited on by all y^e children male and female, so that none abided in the part of Rosse but two lame persons and a blind man, except the best sort of ladies and gentlewomen that attended in Balconeys and windowes to behold the manner of that Assembly on return of the Mayor and his attendants &c., who betooke himselfe to the Townehall where he and the Burgesses were sworne which required five hours attendance, that Court being never so much nor better crowded. The late Soveraigne surrendered the Rod, Maces, Towne Seale, Books of record, and all other things to the Mayor, and then the Court adjourned till nine of the Clock y^e day following, then the Mayor was attended on to the Market Cross where wine and ale was in good plenty for all manner of persons, and the Mayor having a glass of wine in his hand drank a good health to y^e King, and when pledged by the Burgesses &c., parted to his house to treat y^e Recorder, High Sheriff, Esq Leigh Colclough, & y^e rest which was honourably and gently done.

I may assure that Thomas Crawford Esq Collector of this port, a Gentleman of good education and well qualified with his Surveyor and other officers were sufficiently active on this occasion, and that all y^e Inhabitants generally throughout y^etowne and liberties were overcome with so great enjoyment that y^e like tranquillity was never more clearer observed in the people of any Corporation, the inhabitants striving which of them would entertayne and lodge those Justices of the peace and other persons of quality that made some nights stay on the Corporation, on which account the Mayor, Sq^rLeigh Colclough, Mr Henry White, Mr Richard Butler, Mr Edward Smith, with divers others were most loyally & friendly active.

[Mem^m.] It is not to be forgotten that the country people made bonfires [according as Sq^r] Leigh Colclough, past the roads with the Charter and that [y^e same] would and was intended in Corporation till forbidden from [y^e L. Lieuts] Proclamation that sometime since was proclaimed interdicting [y^e same].

Soe God bless the King and

Your humble servant

AM. Parven (?)

The new Corporation were named in the Charter thus:-

Patrick White, Esq., Mayor

Luke Dormer, Esq., Recorder

Thomas Nugent, Esq., Lord Chief Justice.

Sir John Ivory, Knt.

Patrick Colclough, Esq.

Robert Leigh Colclough, Esq.

Walter Butler, Esq.

William Hore, Esq.

Caesar Colclough, Esq.

Patrick Lambert, Esq.

Edward FitzHenry, Esq.

Robert Carew, Esq.

Richard Butler, Mercht.

Henry White, Mercht.

Thomas Crawford, Esq.

Nicholas White, Mercht.

Nathaniel Quarme, Esq.

Edward Roth, Mercht.

Nicholas Dormer, Mercht.

Nathaniel Steevens, Mercht.

Jasper Roth, Mercht.

Nicholas Kealy, Apothecary (d. ante 19 Nov 1689)

Edward Smith, Merchant.

Thomas White, Merchant.

Simon White, Merchant.

David Wadding, Merchant.

Ambrose Sutton, Prothonotary and Town Clerk

Butler, Thomas, Merchant, Bailiff

Dowle, Patrick, Merchant, Bailiff

N.B.- The above account was extracted from the Corporation Books of Ross, some years since, by Henry Loftus Tottenham, Esq., whose family have been for nearly tow hundred years intimately connected with the town.[xiii]

Philip D. Vigors, Col. 1^st December 1888.

Military Commissions:

In the Commissions in the army in Ireland on 1 March 1686[xiv], Walter was commissioned as captain of the company in Col. Thomas Fairfax’s Regiment, and was later promoted to colonel. As Col. Walter Butler, the High Sheriff, pro temp. he was one of eight selected assessors in the Co. of Wexford, appointed by James in April 1690 to raise taxes “on the personal estates and the benefit of bode and traffic, of ₤1,434, for three months”.[xv]

These appointments in detail:

In March 1686, James II re-arranged his army and replaced officers with Irish Catholic officers. This was cause of much consternation in England. Walter and his stepsons Pierce and Richard gained fast promotions during the subsequent three years.

In the list of Commissions in the Army in Ireland dated March 1, 1686,[xvi] the following commissions are relevant:

Sir Charles Fielding’s Regiment- Sir Charles Fielding to be colonel of a regiment of Foot whereof Colonel Thomas Fairfax (see Commissions March 26, 1687, below) was colonel and captain of a company therein (in the margin, not used)- list includes Walter Butler esq. as captain of the company whereof Sir Nicholas Armorer was captain.
On 1 March 1686, "Col. Thomas Fairfax (was appointed) Governor of the city and county of Londonderry and the fort of Kilmore, and captaine of the company of granadeers whereof Charles Collier was late captaine". He was temporarily replaced as colonel of his regiment by Sir Charles Feilding, however, Fairfax was colonel of his regiment by June 1686.

Vere Essex, Earl of Ardglasses’ Regiment of Horse- Viscount Galmoy captain of the troop whereof Capt. Chidley Coote was captain. (This regiment included Laurence Dempsey, the Earl of Clancarty, John Talbott, James Hamilton etc. as captains)

Arthur Lord Forbese’s Regiment of Foot- Arthur Lord Forbese colonel of a Regiment of Foot whereof Arthur Earl of Granard was colonel and captain; Richard Butler captain of the company whereof Benjamin Fletcher was captain. (also Wm Talbott capt of the company whereof Florence Carty deceased, was capt.; Lord Brittas, capt of the company whereof Capt Arthur St George was captain.)

James Duke of Ormond’s Regiment of Horse- Cary Earl of Roscommon, lieut.-colonel and captain of a troop; James Butler, son of Lord Dunboyne lieut. to Lord Kingston; John Taaffe lieut.; Charles Kavanagh lieut. to Lord Kingsdale.

James Earl of Ossory, Colonel of the King’s Regiment of Foot Guards- Wm Dorrington lieut.-colonel and captain, Bruno Talbott capt of the company whereof Viscount Galmoy was captain.

Richard Earl of Tyrconnell was promoted to lieutenant-general of the Irish forces, Colonel Justin Macarty to major-general (Macarty’s Regiment of Foot- Pierce Butler Viscount Ikerrin, captain of a company), Colonel Richard Hamilton and Sir Thomas Newcomen to brigadier. Tyrconnell would continue to head James’s army in his battle with William of Orange.

Commissions sent to the Lord Deputy: Date March 26, 1687: [xvii]

Col. Fairfax’s Regiment (NB. above on Col Fielding’s Regiment): Thos Dungan ensign to Walter Butler

Lord Forbe’s Regiment of Foot- __ Butler ensign to Capt. Richard Butler

Commissions –[Sept-Oct] 1687 to: [xviii] Pierce Viscount Galmoy to be colonel of and captain of a troop in the regiment of horse whereof the Earl of Ardglasse was colonel.

Commissions [Oct or Nov] 1687 to: Edward Butler to be captain of the troop in Viscount Galmoy’s Regiment of Horse whereof Lord Galmoy himself was captain [SP 63/340 p260] [xix] NB. Edward Butler possibly Galmoy’s son and heir.

Commissions- Date [Sept] 1688:[xx]

To Richard Butler to be captain-lieutenant of the colonel’s troop in Viscount Galmoy’s Regiment of Horse.

In Dec 1689, a List of King James’s forces in Ireland[xxi], named Lord Galmoy’s Regiment of Horse at Kilkenny and Maryborough; Col Richard Butler’s Regiment of Foot at Wexford, “not armed, said to be designed for France.”

Walter Butler was appointed Lord Lieutenant of County Wexford in 1687. [xxii] He was also appointed Governor/Constable of Wexford Castle in 1689, [xxiii] a position dating back to the early 1300’s. His great grandfather Sir Richard Masterson in 1590 to c.1614, and his 2x great grandfather Thomas Masterson in 1585-1590 had also held the position in the past, and Walter’s wife’s great grandfather Sir Nicholas White preceding them in 1569.[xxiv]

Walter was appointed Supervisor General[xxv] of the Counties of Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny and Queen’s Co. in June 1690 giving the order for all Protestants to deliver up their arms.

Walter was appointed M.P. for the County of Wexford in the Patriot Parliament from May to July 1689,[xxvi] the name of the Irish Parliament called by James II. After Catholic King James II was deposed and replaced by his Protestant daughter Mary and her husband William of Orange, James fled to France for asylum and support. He landed at Kinsale in March with a small army comprised of French and Irish troops to launch his bid to win back the English crown. Because it declared that the English Parliament was incompetent to pass laws for Ireland, the parliament became known as the “Patriot Parliament”.

The parliament met in one session, from 7 May 1689 to 20 July 1689, and the parliament passed legislation on:

1.) The full freedom of worship for all Catholics;

2.) Complete legislative independence for Ireland;

3.) The full cancellation of the Cromwellian land settlement.

The laws passed by the Patriot Parliament were declared null and void six years later. The members of the parliament included several Butlers viz. Viscounts Mountgarrett, Galmoye and Ikerrin, and Barons Cahir and Dunboyne in the House of Lords, and the members for Wexford County were Walter Butler Esq. of Munfin and Patrick Colclough Esq. of Mochury, with Richard Butler for New Ross Borough, in the House of Commons; a number of Butlers represented other counties in Ireland. [xxvii]

John D’Alton wrote in his book “Illustrations, Historical & Genealogical of King James’s Irish Army List”: [xxviii]

“ Commissions 10^th April 1690- King James issued for applotting £20,000 per month on personal estates and the benefit of bode and traffic. Of this tax, he appointed the following assessors in the several counties etc”. Then names selected assessors for each county, including:

“For the County of Wexford: The High Sheriff, pro temp, Col. Walter Butler, Patrick Colclough, Walter Talbot, William Howe, Patrick Lambert, Anthony Talbot, Matthew Forde and Patrick White Esq.’s. Their applotment of £1,434 16s for the three months.”

1690- On receiving the news of the result of the Battle of the Boyne and the flight of the King, Colonel Butler, then in charge in the County, posted after him, leaving Captain Kelly in command of the Castle, to whom he sent a note to fire it and join him with his Company.[xxix]

Wexford historian Herbert Hore quoted the following from the London Gazette, Monday July 14, 1690:-

“The town of Wexford has declared for H.M. (William III) and the manner was thus, Colonel Butler, Lord Lieut. of the whole County, hearing that the late King James was gone by on Wednesday last, he posted after him, and from Duncannon wrote for his (Colonel Butler’s) son to come to him and to follow the late King into France; he wrote also another letter to Captain Kelly to come away with his Company; but this letter falling into the hands of an English merchant where Colonel Butler was quartered, he did not deliver it, but told the Captain how he was sent for, concealing that part of the letter about burning the Castle; and so soon as he and his Company were gone, the Protestants there rose, disarmed the Papists, and seized the Castle, and at their humble request H.M. is sending some force to secure them.”

“Brigadier d’Eppingher was sent from Castledermot with a thousand horse to the support of the Protestants and found on arrival the town abandoned with a good store of arms and provisions in it .

(Hore: note 1-Gazette July 24^th “Col. Eppingher has taken possession of Wexford, and from thence marches to Duncannon.”).

The newspaper article, quoted above, reveals that Walter sent his son, Walter Junior, to France to join the King.

Thomas Knox, a descendant of the great Reformer, succeeded Butler as Governor of the town in 1690. Knox obtained 1100 acres in the Barony of Forth under the Act of Settlement, 20 Chas II., and was an able and worthy man. There are many letters from him in Thorpe’s large Catalogue. Among others we find he refused to subscribe to a certificate in favour of the late Governor, Colonel Butler, for various reasons, which he recites.

“Thomas Knox, Governor of Wexford, Aug. 16, had denyed subscribing a certificate in favour of Colonel Walter Buche (sic. Butler), late Governor of this town and country, for various reasons which he recites. The first will show the temper of the rest,-- “He at several public assemblies of thousands of the people declared, that he had seen a declaration of the Prince of Orange’s in print, that he would extirpate the Roman Catholics, root and branch, not sparing infants in the cradle, &c.” [xxx]

Walter’s reputation in the Protestant community appears to have been influenced by his stepson Lord Galmoy’s infamy as a cruel and heartless adversary during the Williamite war. Thomas Knox's statement above, that Butler accused the Prince of Orange of aiming to "extirpate the Roman Catholics, root and branch, not sparing infants in the cradle", is eerily familiar with the following anecdote about Walter himself, related in a 19^th century publication, “The Book of Modern Irish Anecdotes: Humour, Wit, and Wisdom”, edited by Patrick Kennedy:

LORD GALMOY AND HIS BROTHER

Many were the acts of courtesy, mercy, and forbearance exercised by the chiefs on both sides during the continuance of the Williamite war. Some acts of a contrary character are on record, and among the names distinguished for cruelty stands out distinctly that of the Jacobite Lord Galmoy. In the north-west of Wexford, a tradition prevails that a brother (sic) of this nobleman, Sir Walter Butler, owned the estate around Munfin House, by the Slaney bank, about four miles below Bunclody. He was as unfeeling as his brother (viz. stepson), and the following detestable act of his is still related.

A poor woman and her son, a child of eight or nine years, were passing along the road near the fine old manor house just named, and the lad could not be kept from searching among the bushes and shrubs of the fence for birds’ nests, or some other things so attractive to boyish fancies. His mother being delayed longer than was agreeable to her, cried out, “Come along, you young thief! Maybe Sir Walter Butler will see you, and hang you up.” – “Very properly remarked,” said the unfeeling master, showing his face from behind one of the large trees. “If he is a thief, hanging is the only cure for him.”- “Oh, Sir, honey!” cried the affrighted mother, “I was only joking; the child is as honest as the sun.”- “So you say now to get him off, but that is not your real opinion; he was committing trespass on my property, and hanged he must be,” and unless the tradition is a lying one, hanged the poor child was, despite the despair and piercing shrieks of the wretched woman.

(Ref: Patrick Kennedy (ed), The Book of Modern Irish Anecdotes: Humour, Wit and Wisdom, London & New York, bef. 1872, p.15 (digital version created by National Library of Scotland-http://digital.nls.uk/82549071, Accessed 20/4/14)

Notably, the editor does qualify the accusation with the words “unless the tradition is a lying one”. These sorts of myths were spread to heighten the fears of ordinary Protestant people against powerful local Catholic gentry, thereby justifying the curtailing of Catholic rights. It would be difficult to believe that a man held in such high respect in the Irish and local Wexford community would be capable of such despicable treatment of a young child. Both sides of this religious divide were guilty of spreading such fearful stories.

Due to his standing in the community and the support he had supposedly given Protestant friends during the uprising, Walter must have felt confident enough to remain in Wexford. However, his support was not universal, especially amongst the Protestant Cromwellian planters. Despite King James fleeing to France after the defeat at the Boyne, his military commanders, including Walter’s stepson, Lord Galmoy, continued the fight and suffered further defeats at Aughrim, and finally capitulating after a long siege at Limerick in 1691, following the mutual agreement to accept the terms of a treaty.

After the final capitulation at Limerick in 1691, Walter’s position was protected under the Articles of the Treaty of Limerick:[xxxi]

Article v)That all and singular the said persons comprised in the second and third articles, shall have a general pardon of all attainders, outlawries, treasons, misprisions of treason, preunures, felonies, trespasses, and other crimes and misdemeanors whatsoever, by them or any of them, committed since the beginning of the reign of King James II, and if any of them are attainted by Parliament, the lords justices and general will use their best endeavours to get the same repealed by Parliament, and outlawries to be reversed gratis, all but writing clerks fees.

Many of the officers who had supported King James, came to Walter Butler for assistance in making claims for financial assistance from the Crown, indicating that Walter must have had some influence at Court:

The Calendar of Treasury Papers, Volume 1 (1556-1696): [xxxii]

Vol XXV 1693 (or 1694) no.38: Petition of Walter Butler:

Showing that he was importuned by divers Irish officers, who came off at the capitulation of Limerick (3 Oct 1691), to solicit their Majesties in their behalf, for a competency to keep them from starving; and in consideration thereof, promised him under their hand 2s.6d. in the pound of what should be allowed by their Majesties, further showing that one Mr. Courtney had given information against several of the officers, to make room for himself and his adherents; praying their Lordships to order the number of 20 officers, (whether they be those who contracted with the petitioner, or those who informed against them), to pay him 2s.6d., in the pound out of their Majesties’ bounty, in consideration of his pains in obtaining the same.

(NB. without date, but after the capitulation of Limerick.)

The Calendar of Treasury Papers, Volume 1 (1556-1696- Preface)

The subjoined petition of Walter Butler, supposed to be about 1693 or 1694 (Vol. XXV., 38), shows how good officers were bargained for by persons having, or who were supposed to have, the opportunity of soliciting their Majesties’ favour. It runs thus:-

“The humble petition of Walter Butler,

“Humbly sheweth that your petitioner, being importuned by Major McGullycudy and severall others of the Irish officers, whoe came off at the capitulation att Limberick, to solissitt thire Majesties, in thire behalf, for a compedency to keep them from starving, and in consideration thereof the said officers promised your petitioner two shillings and sixpence out of eatch pound that should be allowed them by thire Majesties, which they gave your petitioner under thire hands, with an assignment upon any paymaster whatsoever to stop and pay to your petitioner the aforesaid two shillings and sixpence, which is redy to produce, the said officers alleaging to your petitioner that theare was not above 20 of the said officers to truble thire Majesties, giving your petitioner a list of thire names, whoe weare all found upon record as paid last yeare, and returned soe by Mr Danchford. Now soe it is that one Mr Courtny, being refused to be put upon the said list, it being filed up before, gives information against severall of the said officers, to make roome for himselfe and his cohearants, after which he confesed if he had beene put upon the said list, he would make noe such discovery, thogh now he gives out it is to prevent the King’s being cheated, which he winct at the last two years that he was upon the list and received the King’s mony, when the King paid six times the number that petitions His Majestie now,-

“Your petitioner therefore humbly prays your Lordships will be pleased to order the number of twenty officers, wheather them that contracted with your petitioner or those that informs against them, and gets the benefit of your petitioner’s labor, to pay your petitioner the said halfe croune in the pound out of thire Majesties bounty, if any theare be, and that the same may be stopt for your petitioner’s use in the hands of any paymaster that shall be ordered to pay them, in consideration of his pains and labor in obtaineing thire pretentions to be broght to this issue, the rather because they imployed Mr Killegrew to sollissitt for them last yeare, and never paid him.”

On 25 March 1699, Walter Butler swore an affidavit in favour of Sir Lawrence Esmond Bt. [xxxiii] The document states:

The Lords Justices of Ireland to Secretary Vernon.

Having received commands, signified by Lord Jersey, for a noli prosequi to be entered on a late indictment for high treason now depending against Sir Lawrence Esmond, bart., etc. For proof of his allegations the petitioners produced several certificates etc. That the late Sir Lawrence Esmond died before the late troubles, leaving the now Sir Lawrence his eldest son and heir, then a minor of tender years, and that about the beginning of the late troubles the now Sir Lawrence, being not above the age of 12 years, was sent into France for his education by the hon’ble Col. Richard Butler, his grandfather and brother of the late duke of Ormond, and that he did not return to this kingdom till after the surrender of Limerick. The petitioner has also produced the affidavit of Col. Walter Butler of Montfin co. Wexford, of March 25 ult., who deposes that the now Sir Lawrence never raised, or headed any company against their Majesties and was never in any office against them: that about March or April, 1689, Sir Lawrence was (by his relations purposely for his education and to shun the inconveniences of war then raging in this kingdom) sent into France, and the deponent’s cause of knowledge is that Sir Lawrence always dwelt in his neighbourhood, and the deponent is one of his feoffees in trust.

Sir Lawrence then stated that on 6 Feb 1692 he took the oath of allegiance.. etc.

Licence to Carry Arms:

The following proclamations refer to the right to carry and own arms in the County, over a period of time:

1678 (Hore) [xxxiv]- Sir Nicholas Loftus, Governor, John Tench and William Ivory, Esquires, nominated to carry out a proclamation dated 2 Nov 1678, ordering all persons of the Popish religion to deliver up their arms within 20 days. The Preamble states of information of a design against H.M. by the Jesuits, and of a “practice” by others to introduce Popery. No papist hereafter “to presume to ride with, carry, buy, use, or keep”, any description of arms whatsoever without licence.” (continues- further proclamations forbidding Papists to keep markets or fairs without the town, or to reside in the town unless resided there for most part of the last 12 months etc.)

Hore’s note 4- On the 30^th Dec 1689, a similar order was issued by Colonel Walter Butler, then Governor of the Castle and town, commanding all Protestants to deliver into the hands of the sheriff all arms of whatever kind they had, whether held by licence or otherwise. In the light of subsequent events the object of this is quite apparent. (ie Jacobite War.)

Document in the “First & Second Reports of the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts”: [xxxv]

1690 June 23- Order of Colonel Walter Butler, Governor of the castle and town of Wexford. Lord Lieutenant of the said county, and Supervisor General of the counties of Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny, and Queen’s County, commanding all those of Protestant religion within the said counties within ten days after publication hereof to deliver into the hands of the respective High Sheriffs of the said several counties, what arms of what kind soever they and every of them have by his licence or otherwise, &c.

1700 (Hore) [xxxvi]- Only these “persons of the Popish Religion” were allowed to bear or carry arms within the County: Colonel Walter Butler of Munphin, Colonel Dudley Colclough of Mochurry, one sword, one case of pistols, and one gun, each: Caesar Colclough of Rosegarland and Robert Lee “of Wexford” were only permitted to have a sword each.

(Hore note 2- H.M.C. Report on the Ormonde MSS, vol ii, p475- Captain Morgan Kavanagh of Borris petitioned to carry a sword, gun and pistols, “as he formerly had, being adjudged within the Articles of Limerick,” and permission was granted to him July 8 1704. P.H. MSS vol 73 p59).

There had been many Proclamations in past years against Roman Catholics generally. We find in Nov, 1678, a Proclamation that none of that religion, or so reputed, should come into the Castle of Dublin or into any forts or citadels without special permission from the Lord Lieutenant; and as for keeping markets and fairs without the walls of Wexford and other places (in which we may include Enniscorthy), “no persons of the Popish religion should be suffered to reside in those towns, or any other part of the Corporations who had not for the greatest part of 12 months past inhabited therein, nor to come to any fairs or markets with swords, pistols or any other weapons or fire-arms, and to forbear meeting by day or night in any great or unusual numbers.”… also… to “prohibit the celebration of their Popish services within and without the walls of any Corporation.”

(NB. Of all the Catholics in Wexford, only Walter Butler and Dudley Colclough (son of Patrick Colcough of Mochmury who died 1690), under the Articles of Limerick were permitted to own a gun and case of pistols.

A newspaper article in “The Flying Post or the Post Master” 1700, [xxxvii] described the terms of a Proclamation given at the Council Chamber in Dublin in March 1699, in which all Licenses and Certificates to bear Arms, previously issued, were recalled and had to be given in within ten days. They then published a list of the names of those who had complied and had handed in their Licenses, and would be re-issued with new Licenses. This list included Col. Walter Butler, along with various Butlers, and Sir Laurence Esmond, Morgan Kavanagh, Col. Dudley Colclough, George Mathew (viz. half-brother of Duke of Ormonde), etc. The Proclamation also announced that those who had neglected to hand in their Licenses by the due date, would be pursued by the Magistrates and would not be re-issued with new Licenses.

30 March 1705- Licence to Col Walter Butler of Munfin to carry a sword, a case of pistols and a gun. This order was revoked 18 March 1713/14. [xxxviii]

Retribution and Confiscation of properties:

In 1690, on the news of the result of the Battle of the Boyne and the flight of King James II, Colonel Walter Butler, then Governor of the County, ‘posted after him’ and, from Duncannon Fort, wrote for his fourteen year old son, Walter Junior, to come to him and to follow the late King into France. [xxxix] Walter Senior did not go to France with his son. However, the following year was the year of retribution when inquisitions were held and attainders applied to those who supported King James. Many legal battles then ensued as estates were confiscated.

14 May 1700: Petition of Walter Butler of Catherlagh and Wexford:

That his only son is a youth and has been in France for some years and that he may return to Ireland.

Petitioner’s estates in Ireland are very small and are of his own acquisition. [xl]

(see full transcript later)

John D’Alton also wrote about Butlers: [xli]

“In the outlawries of 1691, et seq, Visc. Galmoy was attainted on six inquisitions in Dublin, Westmeath, Kilkenny, Wexford, Tyrone and King’s Co__ Richard Visc. Mountgarrett on four, in Kildare, Kilkenny, Wexford and Londonderry__ Two on Lord Dunboyne, in Clare and Meath__ one on John Butler, son of Lord Galmoy __ On James Butler in the latter County___ On Tobias and Theobald in Dublin. In Wexford on Walter, senior and junior, and Edmund of Munfyne,[xlii] etc.”

Colonel Walter Butler qualified for amnesty under the terms of the Treaty of Limerick, signed after the defeat of King James’s forces, and must have taken the Oath of Allegiance under the terms of the Treaty: “that no person whatsoever shall have or enjoy the benefits of this article that shall neglect or refuse to take the oath of allegiance; viz:

I, A.B. do sincerely promise and swear, that I will be faithful, and bear true allegiance to their majestie King William and Queen Mary. So help me god.

Treaty of Limerick Civil Articles:

Agreed upon the third day of October, one thousand six hundred and ninety-one.

Between the Right Honourable Sir Charles Porter, Knight, and Thomas Coningsby, Esq., Lords Justices of Ireland, and his Excellency the Baron De Ginckle, Lieut-General, and Commander-in-Chief of the English Army, on the one part.

And the Right Honourable Patrick (Sarsfield) Earl of Lucan, Pierce, Viscount Gallmoy, Col Nicholas Purcel, Col Nicholas Cusack, Sir Toby Butler, Col Garret Dillon, and Col John Brown on the other part.

Article ii) All the inhabitants or residents of Limerick, or any other garrison, now in the possession of the Irish and all officers and soldiers now in arms, under the commission of King James, or those authorised by him to grant the same in the several counties of Limerick, Clare, Kerry, Cork, and Mayo, or any of them, and all the commissioned officers in their majesties quarters, that belong to the Irish regiments, now in being, that are treated with, and who are not prisoners of war, or have taken protection, and who shall return and submit to their majesties’ obedience; and their and every of their heirs, shall hold, possess, and enjoy, all and every their estates of freehold and inheritance, and all the rights, titles, and interest, privileges and immunities which they, and every or any of them held, enjoyed, or were rightfully and lawfully entitled to in the reign of King Charles II

Article v) That all and singular the said persons comprised in the second and third articles, shall have a general pardon of all attainders, outlawries, treasons, misprisions of treason, preunures, felonies, trespasses, and other crimes and misdemeanors whatsoever, by them or any of them, committed since the beginning of the reign of King James II, and if any of them are attainted by Parliament, the lords justices and general will use their best endeavours to get the same repealed by Parliament, and outlawries to be reversed gratis.

One Papist, Walter’s neighbour in Wexford, fellow MP for Co. Wexford in James’s Parliament and kinsman by marriage, Patrick Colclough was attainted and sent to the Tower of London where he died January 1690/91. His son Dudley Colclough of Mochmury (Barony of Scarawalsh, near Templeshanbo) inherited and capitulated, taking the Oath.

Under the terms of the Treaty of Limerick, drawn up by Walter’s kinsman Sir Toby Butler, [xliii] and signed by Walter’s stepson Pierce Butler 3^rd Viscount Galmoy, as James II’s representative in Parliament Walter would not be penalized or lose his property. However, his son Walter, and step son Galmoy, who were both exiled in France, had their attainders confirmed in 1697, as they had not returned and taken the Oath, and were in fact engaged by the French Army, enemy of Britain, under the command of King James and known as the Irish Brigade. D’Alton wrote: [xliv] “In Oct 1692, this Peer (viz. Pierce Viscount Galmoy) laid claim to his seat in Parliament, and took the oath of allegiance, but, being required to take that of Supremacy, he refused so to do, declaring it was not agreeable to his conscience, whereupon he was excluded.

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

Links to the Butlers of Munphin Co. Wexford on this blog:

Walter Butler Senior 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 (c.1640-1717), Part II
http://butlerancestryireland.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/butlers-of-co-wexford-ch11-walter-butler.html
Walter Butler of Munphin (c.1640-1717), 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

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

[i] CSP, Dom, Charles II, Entry No [1594], page no 326 (report below headings: Commissions and Grants of Denization)

[ii] Joseph P Swan, The Justices of the Peace for the County of Wexford (with the Dates of their Appointment), the Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Fifth Series, Vol 4 No. 1 (March 1894), p68, Stable URL: www.jstor.org/stable/25508101

[iii] Alumni Cantabrigienses, (from earliest times to 1751), complied by John Venn and J.A. Venn, Cambridge Uni Press, 1924, Preface pxiv Inns of Court

[iv] Winston S. Churchill, Marlborough His Life and Times, Book 1 (Vols 1&2), University of Chicago Press, 1^st pub 1933, reprint 2002, pages 216, 270, 314. And, Wikipedia- James II

[v] The Test Act introduced by Parliament in 1673, under which all civil and military officers were required to take an oath disavowing the doctrine of transubstantion and denounce certain practices of the Catholic Church that were superstitious and idolatrous, and to receive the Eucharist under the auspices of the Church of England.

[vi] Wikipedia- James II

[vii] Philip Herbert 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. 5, p370 (Charter of the Town of Wexford 24 Dec, 3 James II; Brit. Mus., Sextens Chartulary, Adddl. MSS.19.865, p.158)

[viii] Philip Herbert Hore (ed), History of the Town and County of Wexford, op.cit., Vol 6 p370 (Charter of the Town of Wexford 24 Dec, 3 James II; Brit. Mus., Sextens Chartulary, Adddl. MSS.19.865, p.158)

[ix] P.D. Vigors, Alphabetical List of the Free Burgeses of New Ross, County Wexford from 1658 to 30 Sept 1839, From H. L. Tottenham, Esq’s MS, Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Fifth Series, Vol 1 No. 4 (4^th Quarter 1890), pp298-309, Stable URL: www.jstor.org/stable/25507755

[x] From a Letter in Vol. II of the Records of the Corporation of that time

[xi] P. D. Vigors, An Account of the Reception of a New Charter from King James II to the Town of New Ross County of Wexford in March 1687, The Journal of the Royal Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland, Fourth Series, Vol. 9, No 79 (Apr- Jul 1889), pp133-136, Pub by Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland

Stable URL http://www.jstor.org/stable/25506530 Accessed 18/11 2010; and, George Griffiths, The Wexford Chronicles, printed 1877

[xii] March 5^th 1687

[xiii] As free Burgesses, Recorders, Sovereigns, and Members of Parliament, both in the Irish Parliament before the Union, and in the British House of Commons since then.

[xiv] Cal. SP, Dom, James II, Jan 1686 to May 1687- a) Entry No 1686., 213, page No. 51, Date March 1, 1686 Commissions in army of Ireland; and b) Entry No. 1687., 1622, page no. 399, March 26, 1687, Commissions sent to the Lord Deputy.

[xv] John D’Alton, Illustrations, Historical & Genealogical of King James’s Irish Army List, pub. Dublin 1855, Pp29-32

[xvi] Cal SP, Dom; James II, Jan 1686 to May 1687, Entry No. 1686., 213, Page No. 51, Date March 1 1686- Commissions in the army in Ireland.

[xvii] Cal SP, Dom, James II, Jan 1686 to May 1687, Entry No. 1687., 1622, Page No. 399, Data March 26, 1687- Commissions sent to the Lord Deputy

[xviii] Cal SP, Dom, James II, June 1687 to Feb 1689, Entry No. 1687., 384, Page No. 77, Date [Sept or Oct] 1687 Commissions

[xix] Cal SP, Dom, James II, June 1687 to Feb 1689, Entry No 1687., 469, page No. 93, Date [Oct opr Nov] 1687 Commissions

[xx] Cal SP, Dom, James II, June 1687 to Feb 1689, Entry No. 1688., 1581, Page No. 291, Date [Sept] 1688- Commissions

[xxi] Cal SP, Dom, William and Mary 1689-1690, Entry No [2608], page no. 385, Doc Ref-SP8/6. F.190, Date Dec 1689

[xxii] P. Hore (ed), History…, op.cit, Vol. 5 p386; First & Second Reports of the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts, Vol 1 (1000-1800), Appendix to Second Report p227, 1690 June 23- Order of Colonel Walter Butler [MEMSO: Medieval & early modern sources online, (pub TannerRitchie)]

[xxiii] P. Hore (ed), History…, op.cit, Vol. 5 p362, note 4 (MSS of the O’Connor Don, M.P., Clonalis, Castlerea. 2 Report H.M.C. p223); Vol 5 p68 (London Gazette Monday 14 July 1690)

[xxiv] www.geocities.com/fairauthor/Wexford2.html - Governors or Constables of Wexford Castle from early times.

[xxv] First & Second Reports of Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts Vol. 1, p227 Appendix to 2^nd Report

[xxvi] P. Hore (ed), History…, op.cit, Vol. 5 p383; Wikipedia- ‘Patriot Parliament of 1689’ (NB T. Blake Butler states that Walter sat as MP for Carlow 25 March 1688 to 20 July 1689, as well as Wexford- source unknown)

[xxvii] Viz. Co. Clare Ennis Borough, Theobald Butler of Strangaloon; Co. Kilkenny Callan Borough, James Butler; Co. Tipperary City of Cashel, James Butler of Graingebegg; Co. Wicklow, Richard Butler

[xxviii] John D’Alton, Illustrations, Historical & Genealogical of King James’s Irish Army List, pub. Dublin 1855, Pp29-32

[xxix] P. Hore (ed), History…, op.cit, Vol. 5, p386; London Gazette, Thurs July 10 to Monday July 14, 1690 issue (no. 2574, p1 column b)

[xxx] Thomas Thorpe [a London bookseller], Catalogue of an Extraordinary Assemblage of Genealogical and Heraldic Manuscripts, pub. 1841, which includes a large section of manuscripts relating to Ireland. Item 347 in the catalogue is a collection of letters and other documents in 7 volumes relating to James II’s campaign in Ireland and his defeat at the Battle of the Boyne. The letter from Thomas Knox is part of this collection and is described on p183 (British Library) Also see P. Hore (ed), History…, op.cit, Vol. 5 p386

[xxxi] Thomas D’Arcy McGee, A History of the Attempts to Establish the Protestant Reformation in Ireland: and the Successful Resistance of that People (Time: 1540-1830),Pub 1853 by Patrick Donahoe, Boston, Chapter III, p165/6

[xxxii] The Calendar of Treasury Papers, Volume 1 (1556-1696): Vol. XXV 1693 (or 1694) no.38: Petition of Walter Butler p337, and preface p. liv-iv; MEMSO : Medieval & early modern sources online, (pub TannerRitchie)

[xxxiii] (T. Blake Butler) Cal SPI 1700-1702 p57/8; Calendar of State Papers Domestic, William III (1700-1702), Entry No. 439, page No. 87, Date July 11, 1700, Lords Justices to Secretary Vernon, Place of Writing Dublin Castle

[xxxiv] P. Hore, Ibid, Vol. 5, p.362

[xxxv] First & Second Reports of the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts, [xxxv] Vol. 1 (1000-1800), Appendix to Second Report p227 : MEMSO: Medieval & early modern sources online, (pub TannerRitchie).

[xxxvi] P. Hore, Ibid, Vol. 5, p. 549-550

[xxxvii] The Flying Post or the Post Master, Thursday March 28 1700 issue 763, British Library Newspaper Burnley Collection

[xxxviii] (TBB) HMC Ormond Vol. 2 p475; also, Privy Council of Ireland- Alphabetical List of Names of all such persons of the Popish religion within the Kingdom of Ireland who have licences to bear or carry arms in 1705. (18^th Century Collections online)

[xxxix] P. Hore, History…, op.cit, Vol. 5 p386 (London Gazette, Monday July 14 1690)

[xl] National Archives UK- SP 67/2 manuscript page numbers 324 to 326- note this petition not successful as he re-petitioned in 1703-see under Walter Butler Jnr..

[xli] John D’Alton, Illustrations, Historical & Genealogical of King James’s Irish Army List, pub. Dublin 1855, Volume 1, page102- Chapter: Galmoy’s Horse

[xlii] The above reference to the two Walter Butlers (snr & jnr) and ‘Edmund Butler of Munfyne’ is rather curious- it is uncertain who this Edmund referred to is- the only Edmond related to this line, was the brother of Edward 2^nd Viscount Galmoy, (viz. Edmund Butler of Kilmashall, Co. Kilkenny) who died in 1691, and was brother-in-law to Eleanor Lady Galmoy. His descendants would eventually inherit the Galmoy title. However, Lord Galmoy’s Regiment of Horse- list of officers included Captain Edward Butler (probably his son and heir), Captain Piers Butler, and Lt Edmond Butler (D’Alton p95)

The reference to the ‘John Butler, son of Lord Galmoy’, is also strange given that, although Lord Dunboyne has tentatively named John on his pedigree as a son of Piers 3^rd Visc Galmoy, there appear to be no records of him and he is not included in Burke’s ‘Extinct Peerages’ (unless he was illegitimate). If legitimate, at most he could have only been 15 years of age in 1691, and when the heir to the Galmoy title, Piers’ son Edward died in battle in 1709, the title reverted to Pier’s brother Richard’s son James/Jacques Butler, and then back to Edward 2^nd Visc. Galmoy’s brother Edmund’s line. D’Alton may have incorrectly named Galmoy’s son and heir Edward as ‘John’. However, there is a record in the Parish Registers of Saint Germaine that refers to a Jean Boutler fils de Monsieur Boutler Millord de Galmoy and of Madame de Cavanagh deffuncte (C.E. Lart, Parochial registers of Staint Germaine en-Laye, Vol. 1 p.54).

[xliii] Sir Toby (Theobald) Butler, Solicitor General to King James II, and Commissioner of the Revenue, was draftsman on the Jacobite side for the Treaties of Galway and Limerick after the defeat. He was spokesman for the Catholics of Ireland at the Bar of the House of Commons against the Popery Bill 1703- a famously eloquent speech. He descended from the Barons of Dunboyne and the Butlers of Grallagh and Boytonrath, Co. Tipperary. According to Hilary Murphy in Families of Co Wexford ( Wexford 1986), there was a Mass station at Munphin where the priest was under the protection of Sir Toby. He constructed a fine avenue at the rear of Munphin House for the convenience of the Catholics of Kilrush Parish to enable them to attend Mass. He died 1720- BTR 283. Refs: Burke’s Landed Gentry 1958- Blake Butler line; Thomas D’Arcy McGee, A History of the Attempts to Establish the Protestant Reformation in Ireland: and the Successful Resistance of that People (Time: 1540-1830) , Pub. Patrick Donahoe, Boston, 1853- Treaty of Limerick Civil and Military Articles, page 343 Appendix No.1; Articles related to Catholics -p.165-6; Sir Toby Butler’s speech to House of Commons, p.171.

[xliv] John D’Alton, Illustrations, Historical & Genealogical of King James’s Irish Army List, pub. Dublin 1855, p95+; D’Alton’s reference- Graham’s Derriana, p37

Thursday, 13 December 2012

Butlers of Co. Wexford- Ch.11: Walter Butler of Munphin Pt.2