Ancestry of Butlers of County Wexford Ireland: Butlers of Co. Wexford- Ch.16: Walter Butler Junior of Munphin Pt.4- Last years

THE LAST YEARS OF WALTER BUTLER JUNIOR OF MUNPHIN’S LIFE

Walter Butler Junior of Munphin and wife Mary’s misfortunes continued, culminating in a disastrous event in June 1721 which would lead to Walter's premature death, leaving poor Mary with numerous young children to care for.

Following his father’s death in 1717, Walter Junior was involved in a continual series of property disputes in the Chancery Courts which deprived him of his inheritance and income.

PROPERTY DISPUTES FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF WALTER BUTLER SENIOR

Following the death of Walter Butler Senior in September 1717, his son Walter was embroiled in several suits in the Chancery Courts.[i] In several of the cases, Walter’s wife Mary and his mother-in-law Mary Long were also named as defendants.

Equity Exchequer Bill Books 1718-1719 Volume 21 page 99 [ii]

14 Feb 1718 BILL:

Eustace Power
Complainant

James Butler (viz. of Garryhundon, co-executor of Walter Butler Senior’s Will)

Walter Butler (viz. Junior)

Mary his wife

Mary Long

Edward Kenney[iii]
Defendants

14 February 1718, page 99

Equity Exchequer Bill Books 1717-1718 (LDS film 2262647)

Walter and “Mary his wife” were named in several Exchequer Bills following the death of his father, including:

Vol 21, page 97

BILL dated 13 Feb 1718

Walter Butler (of Poulstown)

Coll Walter Butler

And Mary Butler

Previous Bills:

Vol 20 1717-1718

P98- 19 Nov 1717

Eustace Power

Walter Butler

James Butler

Theobald Butler (Councillor-at-law and co-executor)

P112- 7 Dec 1717

James Butler Esq, Exec. of Walter Butler

William Wilkinson

P137- 31 Jan 1717/18

James Butler Esq, exec. of Walter Butler

Eustace Power

Edmond Power

Edward Kenny

William Hack

P180 2 May 1718

Eustace Power

James Butler

Edward Kenny

William Hack

Walter Butler

Mary his wife

Patrick Cogley

John Davy

Ian Brenan

James Cavanagh

Owen Redmond

Garrett Redmond

William Cowming

& Owen Conner

(NB. James Cavanagh, Patrick Cogley and Garrett Redmond were all witnesses to Walter Butler Senior’s Will; Edward Kenny was named in several cases due to a transaction between Walter and his neighbour Kenny in the past century. This case is detailed below)

P190- 10 May 1718

William Flower esq.

James Butler

Walter Butler

31 March 1724 [iv]:

John Davis

Walter Butler

Mary his wife

John Higginson, Adm. Of his wife Ann Smart his wife

Thomas ffischer

Ann his wife

& Mary Lampbeth Spinster

Petts.

William Lors Arch-Bishop of Dublin

Alexr Cumin

John Cumin

James Cumin

Thomas Cumin

Mariana King

Defts.

One of the suits brought by a neighbour Eustace Power, over a long standing property dispute, revealed the progeny of Walter and Mary up until the date of the suit, 19 November 1717, and also named Walter Butler Senior’s three executors of his will:[v]

Eustace Power of Moyddy (Moyeady) Co Wexford, farmer;

Shows that on 3 Nov 1716 he brought a bill of complaint against Walter Butler late of Munfin Co Wexford deceased, and others (named) that Col. Edward Kenny and Frances his wife owned Collatten ( Coolatin,) in barony of Scarawalsh.

In 1684 Kenny demised lands to Colonel Walter Butler of Munfin Co Wexford, Senior, for life.

Colonel Butler in June 1710 set all farm of Moyedy to Suplt. for 31 years but now Col. Butler confederating with (names) con (?) to deprive Suptl. of his Interest. Col. Butler hearing that lease was lost brought action for trespass and on 1^st October 1716 caused his steward to enter Suplt.’s farm and drive his cattle to Shurlogh and then to Munfin.

Proceedings- Soon after Butler died 28 September 1717 possessing the premises.

Walter Butler (Snr) left issue an only son Walter Butler who had two sons viz. Walter and Piers Butler and three daughters.

Walter Butler Senior by his will left Walter Butler his heir as one of executors along with Col James Butler of Garryhundon and Ballintemple and Theobald Butler called Sir Theobald Butler of Dublin Councillor-at-law.

Suplt. Begs writ etc.

Another series of suits involving a Robert Dixon and his wife Mary Lambert over a dispute concerning Walter’s father’s supposed non-payment of a debt dating back to 1691, continued from 1719 to late 1722.

On 23 November 1719, James Butler Esq. (Walter Butler’s executor) had sued Robert Dixon, Mary his wife, Aran Lambert (son?) Thomas Houghton and Richard Murphy [vi]- Thos Houghton lived at Ballyorrel

In 1722, Robert Dixon and his wife, filed suit against Walter Butler, and William Bridges who now owned the Munfin property, on behalf of her son by her previous marriage to Lambert:

23 October 1722 [vii]

Robert Dixon Esq

Mary Dixon als Lambert his wife Adm. of Pat Lambert

William Bridges

Joseph Merriot

James Butler

Walter Butler

Michael Connor

(Notably, Sir Walter Butler Bart (of Poolestown?) also sued William Bridges 20 June 1720. [viii]

Equity and Exchange Bill 23 October 1722 (or 1723) [ix]

Robert Dixon and Mary his wife

William Bridges

Suplt. Robert Dixon and Mary Dixon also Lambert his wife of Calverstown Co Kildare adminix of her late husband Patrick Lambert late of Domine Co Wexford;

Show that Walter Butler late of Munfin Co Wexford in 1691 executed a Bond to the said Patrick Lambert of £800 payment of a loan of £400 lent by him to said Walter Butler, who neglecting to pay in due course the said Patrick entered judgement against said Butler in 1691 and died in 1695 intestate with__ (? out?) receiving any satisfaction. Suplt’s demanded payments from James Butler executor of said Walter Butler but he insists that Walter Butler (who died 1714 -?) had in his lifetime discharged said debt.

James Butler (the executor) conveyed all the lands which the said Walter Butler had possessed to William Bridges who insists against Suplt said action and who says that Suplt was paid by Walter Butler and that he was given release though such a thing was never mentioned by James Butler his executor. In 1720 Suplts took out judgement against Walter Butler the heir of the said Walter Butler Snr.

Begs answer (etc.)

(NB there is no townland named Domine in Co Wexford.)

The suit dated 23 October 1722 reveals the fate of Walter Senior’s remaining properties following his death:[x]

James Butler (the executor) conveyed all the lands which the said Walter Butler had possessed to William Bridges.

It would appear that the properties conveyed to William Bridges included the family home of Munphin, as a record exists of “The Lease and Release on Lands in Wexford dated 1^st/2^nd July 1762 to William Bridges of Mountfinn Co. Wexford”,[xi] and the later Griffiths Valuation of 1853 [xii] lists the owner of the Munphin/Lower Mountfin property (402 acres and house) as Rev. Henry B. Bridges.

Sadly, the now impoverished Butler family had lost their family seat of Munphin, although the family would continue to be recognised as such.

A Bill dated 4 May 1725 indicates that Walter was leasing property a couple of miles west of Munfin at Sroughmore, near Templeshanbo, known as Sroughmore House, from Col. Caesar Colcough who was a witness to Walter Butler Senior’s will. The Chancery suit was brought by Christopher Devonshire Esq. against Caesar Colclough of Mocurry (Duffrey Hall) and Tintern, and several of Colclough’s lessees in Scarawalsh including “Walter Butler of Shramore”, for the recovery of a debt owed by Colclough:

CHANCERY COURT AND EXCHEQUER BILLS [xiii]

(NB Transcript is handwritten and difficult to decipher at times)

AD 1725 Exchequer Bill

Christopher Devonshire esq. v. Caesar Colclough, Wm Doran, Simon Kavanagh, Henry Grant, Hugh Redmond, James Barry, Patrick Doran, Adam Colclough, Ignatus Freyng, Richard Fennelon (or Donovan?), Richard Bayley, James Holmes, James Redmond, Walter Butler, Thos Haughton, Cornel Donovan, Patrick Doyle, Henry Archer, James Bryne, Richard Wolsley, Robert Park, Onesipherus Gamble, Elizabeth Gamble als Rogers and Edward Rogers.

4^th May 1725

Christopher Devonshire Esq. says that he recovered in the Court of Exchequer a debt of ₤569-10-8 against Caesar Colcough of Tentern Co Wexford Esq. who neglected to pay your ___ (Viator?) the said debt.

The jury (?) found that said Colclough was seized of the following

Moherry, Schannagh, Moynart, Foyeland (?), Asquition etc……… Your suppliant hoped to get possession of said lands but Caesar Colclough Sen(?) pretended to have a lease of the lands of Moherry, Heile(?) and Mossard(?) prior to said judgement and Wm Doran a lease of Ballybrin and Simon Kavanagh a lease of Scahannagh, Henry Grant a lease of Knockduff, Hugh Redmond a lease of Clonbrine(?), James Barry a lease of Kylane(?), Patrick Doran a lease of Whelaghprior(or gower?), Adam Colclough a lease of Kilfoyley(?), Ignatius ffreyngs(?) a lease of Mangan, Richard Donovan a lease of Ballyshanane(?), Richard Bayley a lease of Coo__(?), and James Holmes a lease of Mandoran(?), James Redmond a lease of Ballyloskey, Walter Butler a lease of Shramore, Thos Haughton a lease of Balleyorrell(?), Cornel Donovan a lease of Garranstackle, Harry Archer a lease of Ballyhoage(?), Richard Wolsely Robert Parke Onesiphuris Gamble Elizabeth Gamble als Rogers his wife and Edward Rogers a lease of Moynart Foyeland(? Forgeland) Asquition etc, so that your suppliant cannot bring an ejectment for a recovery of a moiety of said lands

4^th May 1725

(A second Bill brought by the Gambles in reply, named the lands Colclough possessed as the following for which he received more than ₤100 rent:

Moherry, Ballybreen, Scahanagh, Kuodkduffe(?), Glaslacky, Clonebrin, Kylane(?), Whelagegower(?), Killbeyley, Curraghduffe, Mangan, Ballyruanane, Coolroe, Kiamdoran (or Mandoran?), Kiainteigue, Ballylosky, Shramore, Ballyorrell, Garronstackle, Gallbally, Kersgat, Keile, Rosard, Ballyhoge, Junacurry(?), Moynart, Forgeland, Asquition, Ballynewry, Pullenstown, Clonejordan, Currigrage, Kioyisbegg, Munglass, Came (Caim?) Killtoagle, Ballybilou, Ballydigon, and Ballintogher

NB Shramore is no longer spelt that way in modern townland maps/names- it refers to Sroughmore, which is located in Scarawalsh, about a mile from Templeshanbo, and a couple of miles West of Munfin. The other lands named above surround Sroughmore.

There are no further Bills naming Walter Butler.

Interestingly, the Will of Dudley Colclough of Moyhurry (Mocurry)[xiv], Additional Notes by Chevalier Grattan Flood, explains that Father Michael FitzHenry was Pastor of Enniscorthy and Templeshanbo from 1686 to 1715, a student of the Irish College Lisbon and ordained in 1685. Patrick Colclough evidently gave him a house and land at Shraughmore, and he registered himself as Parish Priest in 1704, aged 43, residing at Shraughmore, his sureties being Dudley Colclough and Roger Talbot Castle Talbot. Fr FitzHenry fled to Santiago in 1705, journeying via London and Lisbon, but he returned in 1708 when there was a brief lull in the persecution. From this Will, it would seem that he was labouring in the district round Templeshanbo in 1712, and he was confirmed in his holding at Shraghmore. I can find no trace of him after the year 1715, and I presume he resigned or died at that date. This is the more likely inasmuch as Father Thady Grannell appears as Parish Priest in 1717.

The Colcloughs, closely allied through friendship and kinship with the Butlers for several generations (including Mary Colclough, the wife of Walter’s uncle James Butler), granted a house and land at ‘Shraughmore’ rent free to Fr. Michael FitzHenry, Pastor of Enniscorthy and Templeshanbo (near Sroughmore) from 1686 until his death in 1715, and registered as Parish Priest for Templeshanbo in 1704, (albeit in exile in Spain between 1705 and 1708 to avoid persecution). Sometime after Fr. FitzHenry’s death, Walter took over the lease. Adam Colclough of “Sroughmore House”, son of Caesar Colcough, signed the articles of marriage between his sister and her intended on 15 July 1766.

An interesting letter recently discovered in the attic of Wraxall House in Wiltshire reveals that Walter's eldest son Walter continued living at Shroughmore until at least 1766, but in dire poverty (see section on the children of Walter and Mary, below).
(ref: Wiltshire and Swindon Archives: 2943B-2-8-3)

(In the 1853 Griffiths Valuation, Shroughmore was ¾ owned by William Humphries, and the remainder by Hamilton K.G. Morgan. Most of the land was leased into nine separate properties.)

ARREST AND IMPRISONMENT

Thirty two years after Walter was attainted as a youth, and thirteen years after returning to live in Wexford, he was arrested for treason and imprisoned in Wexford Gaol for a full year before he was released.

The Evening Post, Thursday July 19, 1722:[xv]

Mr. Walter Butler, who was committed in June 1721 to Wexford Gaol in Ireland, for Treason against King William and Queen Mary, is set at Liberty, but to continue in that Kingdom.

Why he should be arrested after living peacefully in Wexford for so long, is difficult to comprehend. He may have been reported to the authorities by someone holding a grudge, possibly due to the property disputes in which he was embroiled following the death of his father. The reason why he was still being charged with treason following the Amnesty Act of 1709 is also a mystery. His imprisonment was catastrophic for his health and the financial circumstances of Walter and his family.

On 23 December 1721, Walter wrote a Petition to the Lords Justices of Ireland:[xvi]

To their Excellencies the Lords Justices of Ireland

The Humble Petition of Colonel Walter Butler

Humbly Shewith

That your Petitioner was on the 26^th day of June last apprehended on a Warrant from Henry Kenny and Patrick Aylmer Esqs, two of his Majesties Justices of Peace for the County of Wexford, for high Treason alleadg’d to have been committed by your Petitioner against their late Majesties King Wm and Queen Mary, and was thereupon sent to the Common Gaol of the said County where your Petitioner hath ever since remain’d closely confin’d.

That your Petitioner made severall applications since his said confinement to their late Excellencies the Lords Justices of Ireland and to his Grace the Duke of Grafton now Lord Lieutenant of this Kingdom setting forth your Petitioner’s long Service in the Imperial Army under the Command of Prince Eugene of Savoy in the quality of a Captain of Curasseers against the late French King, and your Petitioner’s returning into this Kingdom under the Protection of a Lycence under the Great Seal of Ireland, and praying to be admitted to Bail until his Majesties pleasure in your Petitioner’s said Case should be known.

That your Petitioner’s said applications have prov’d ineffectual and it hath pleas’d God Almighty to visit your Petitioner with a Dropsicall Disorder occasion’d as your Petitioner verily believes by his long confinement and the Loathsomeness of it and for want of air and exercise and the said disorder which hath attended your Petitioner for some months past is now come to such a head that your Petitioner’s life is thereby look’d upon to be in imminent danger as may appear to your Excellencies by the annexed affidavit and Certificate.

May it therefore please your Excellencies to make such an Order in the premesses for your Petitioner’s releife as your Excellencies in your great wisdom clemency and compassion shall think proper.

And your Petitioner will ever Pray &c.

Signed Wa: Butler

Attached:

The Humble Petition of Colonel Walter Butler

23 December 1721

The Attorney and Solicitor Generall being consulted by My Lord Lieutenant about Col. Butler’s affair were of opinion that his Grace might recommend to his Majesty to grant him a Licence under the Great Seal for his enlargement and for his remaining in the Kingdom.

Walter’s release followed a recommendation from the Duke of Grafton, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (illegitimate son of Charles II and the Duchess of Cleveland), in a letter dated 12 July 1722, to Lord Carteret, Secretary of State Southern Department:[xvii]

Having laid before his Majesty Some Representations which I have received from the Lords Justices of Ireland and other persons of Distinction in behalfe of Walter Butler Esq who appears to have been outlawed in that Kingdom in the year 1689, but to have lived for many years last past inoffensively towards the Government and without receiving any molestation from it till about the month of June 1721, at which time he was apprehended on account of the said Outlawry in 1689, and committed to the Gaol of Wexford, where he has continued ever since, and is now reduced by his Long Confinement to a very dangerous state of Health; His Majesty has been graciously pleased to consent that a Licence be granted under the Great Seal for his Enlargement and Continuance in Ireland, which the Attorney and Solicitor General of that Kingdom have given their opinion that His Majesty may Legally grant, I therefore send your Lordship His Petition &c and desire that you will please to obtain the proper warrant from his Majesty for granting to him such a Licence as is before mentioned, and being sensible that this Gentleman’s circumstances are such that he will not be able to receive the benefit of his Majesty’s gracious Intention unless it be conveyed to him without Expense, I must recommend to your Lordship that this Licence be granted to him in forma pauperis.

“Persons of distinction” had used their influence to gain his release. It was noted that the licence should be conveyed without expense due to “this Gentleman’s circumstances”, and that it be granted in “forma pauperis”, indicating that he was unable to pay the normal fees for receiving this kind of licence. Walter at this time was 48 years of age and unfortunately his health, which had been reduced to a dangerous state by his long confinement in gaol, would not fully recover. A “dropsicall disorder” would suggest he had a stroke, although his signature on his petition looks firm. In today’s world he would probably be justified in seeking compensation for wrongful imprisonment.

Letter to Catherine O'Brien from the Butlers

The year following his release, Walter and his mother-in-law Mary Long responded to a letter from Mary’s niece Catherine O’Brien nee Keightley (daughter of Thomas Keightley) offering help via her son Sir Edward O’Brien 2nd Bt. and her mother Lady Frances (Keightley nee Hyde). The letter from Mary reveals their terrible financial circumstances and the heartache and depression she was experiencing. This letter was final proof of the kinship between Walter Butler and Mary Long nee Keightley.

The letter, from Walter Butler was dated 21^st May (1723):[xviii]

Addressed:

For Mrs O’Bryin at Dromoland neere Six Mile Bridge In ye County of Claire.

(On the side of the envelope: M. Long to Sale for England.)

Madam,

My mother shewed me your very obliging letter, I must owne yt (that), my sons loss of time, is a great concern to me, but all men are not equally qualified to perform their just obligations, if Sr Edward should be inclined to comply with your kind thoughts, I’m both willing and pleased- my son were in a way of improving- and when I can know where Sr Edward intends to travel, and when he is tired of my son, I will at their going off recommend him to any parte in Europe and to persons of distinction and interest that will doe for him in the army which I looke on to be the easiest way for me to provide for him, besides he is, inclined yt (that) way I can further say yt (that) I’m very thankfull to you, and am with much respect

Madam

Your most humble Servant

Wa. Butler

The heartfelt endorsement on the bottom of Walter’s letter, by Mary Long:

Yours my Deare Nice (niece) I recev’d by yesterdays poste all I can say is its good like yourself, kind and obliging, sensible of your friends misforthings (misfortunes) and though I am very sensible you have run thrugh a burden of hard yousage yet you have a prospect of surmounting them all & in spite of your Enemeys to end your days with Ease and plenty. I wish I could say as much but Gods will bee done and give me patience and resignation to phinish mine to his honner and glory and my Eternal happiness. When I showd my Sonn Butler your letter he sade (said) he would take upon himself to oner (honour) ye obligation to you and when he hears from you an account of Sr Edwards resoloutions and inclinations of letting his cosen travel with him, will take all ye mesues (measures) imaginable for putting his sonn in a way of getting his bread and I can assure you your cosen is sensible beyond what I can say for her of your true conserne for her and hers and I am sure I am so. I am almost as sure that you will believe me with ought (out) more words.

The next matter is to oner (honour) my obligations to your mother and only my falt (fault) which has not proceeded from want of Respect to her but realy my trubbles and misfortunes of late have been ___ ____ upon my old spirits that it has quite turnd me to all manner of thought but ye prospect of going ___ upon my numurus family. I am finally resolved to wright to her and try if she can forgive my long silence having never wright to her but one since the death of my Deare Brother (Thomas Keightley) what you tell me of her kind Enquiry after me and mine shows so much goodness in her that I cannot Express it and as to what you tell mee concerning her inclination of taking one of my children up when you see her and find it can sute with her surcumstances and inclinations. I am sure I should with joy and pleasure put your old acquantance Mrs Maley and my pet into her hands and I am sure bough (both) her Father and Mother is of my mind; she is, this May, 15 years old, and I have done my best to give her all the learning this little hole is capable of. Neither time nor paper will give me leave to add more than that of my being sincerely Yours

(signed) M. Long

A Postscript was added:

I beg you my Deare Nice (niece) seale and send ye inclosed. What I have said for myself is matter of fact and a great truth.

This refers to a separate letter written to Catherine’s mother Lady Frances, which Mary asks her niece to forward on.

Sir Edward O’Brien was 18 years of age in 1723, and Walter and Mary’s eldest son Walter must have been about 17 years of age (ie. born c.1706) to have required a travelling companion. Whether young Walter did indeed get his wish to join the army is unknown, although it is known that he was still living at Shroughmore in Templeshanbo by 1766. Purchasing a commission for him may not have been a financially viable proposition at that time, given subsequent events.

Catherine’s letter had indicated that Lady Frances had made inquiries about the family, and had offered to ‘take up’ Mary’s 15 year old granddaughter to live with her in England and sponsor her. Mary tells Catherine that she has done her best to give her “all the learning this little hole is capable of”, and that if it would “suit her circumstances and inclinations”, they would be very grateful. This also reveals that Walter and Mary’s eldest daughter was born in May 1708. Whether they accepted Lady Frances’s offer is unknown, but it would seem likely they would grab the opportunity to further their daughter’s prospects. Maybe Mary took the child with her on her trip to England following the letter.

Mary Long’s attached second letter which was addressed to Lady Frances Keightley, prompted a quick response, as the following letter from Lady Frances to her daughter Catherine, dated 22 June 1723 discloses:[xix]

“I am in great concerne for your poor Aunt Long and her numerous family. I could not read her letter without a real griefe. I wish I was in a capacity to be any help to her I am here.

Another reference may refer to Walter Butler: Dated 8 Aug 1719: Daveran, the O’Brien’s agent wrote to Catherine O’Brien, Sr Edward’s mother:

When I parted Sr Edward he desired me to speake to Mr Mathew to cant a gray philly of Col Butlers for him and Mr Mathew being not this day att the ____ McInerhiny pressing me to buy the philly att any rate I was att last obliged contrary to my own judgement and inclination to give ₤40 for the philly which I do not think worth 30, but being guided by McInerhiny bought her to ___

Sr Edward and was obliged to draw a bill on your ___ the same payable att six daies ___

Mr Butler having instructed to have the money paid in Dublin, etc. (Note: parts illegible).[xx]

The term canted appears elsewhere in the letters relating to purchase of land, and seems to mean bid, as at an auction.

Whether this is a reference to Col. Walter Butler, or another Colonel Butler (possibly Col. William Butler) is unclear.

DEATH OF WALTER BUTLER JUNIOR AND THE FATE OF HIS FAMILY

There are no known records of the death of Walter Butler Junior or of his wife Mary, however, the following Equity Exchequer Court Bill Book record reveals that Walter died sometime in 1725, as Walter’s wife Mary is named as “Administrator of Walter Butler”, and the suit includes Mary’s mother Mary Long, still living aged 73 yrs: [xxi]

19 May 1725 - Bill

Mary Long widow, Mary Butler Adm. of Walter Butler v. William Wilkinson

He probably in May as he was named as a defendant in another Equity Exchequer Court Bill dated 4 May 1725, along with Caesar Colclough and a number of others, [xxii] which would indicate that Walter died between the two dates viz. 4^th to 19^th May. Walter’s mother-in-law Mary Long was still living at the time of his death.

Notably, a bill dated 2 March 1716 Walter Butler Esq, (snr) v, William Wilkinson[xxiii], and James Butler as executor of Walter Butler Senior, had petitioned William Wilkinson on 7 Dec. 1717 [xxiv]. William Wilkinson was the witness to a will of a Quaker, William Sparrow of Coole Co Wexford 9 Sept 1725, Quaker Records Dublin [xxv]. Whether this indicates that Wilkinson was a Quaker is uncertain. Wilkinson was also appointed as a Justice of the Peace for the County of Wexford 19 November 1708.[xxvi]

There are no records yet found of where Walter was buried. Nor is it known whether Walter’s wife Mary remarried, as she would have only been aged about 38 years. However, with a large family, and being relatively impoverished, it would seem unlikely. It would appear that she remained in Ireland, as their daughter was said to have “left Ireland” when she joined the Ursuline Convent of St. Denis in Paris in 1763, and was described as the daughter of “Col. Gauthier de Butler de Monphin”.

Mary Butler wrote to her paternal grandmother, Lady Dorothy Long in 1708, revealing that she had had four children (Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre Archives: Additional archives of the Long Family of Draycot Cerne, Wiltshire- letters of Lady Dorothy Long from Mary Long- 2943B/1/9- letter No. 10) in just under 4 years, between early 1706 and early 1709:

November 18, 1708

Honoured Madam my long silence to your Ladyship has not proceeded out of any negligence or insensitivity of the duty I owe to you but fear my letters might be troublesome to your Ladyship never having heard from Mrs Gisby to whom I writt very earnestly. Yet she would let me hear some times of your Ladyships health, for I am certain there is none wishes it more to you than I do. For which reason I can no longer hold my hand with out begging your Ladyship’s acceptance of my most humble duty and to assure you Madam it is no small grief to me that I can not have the satisfaction on hearing of you for it is a greater favour then I ought to expect to hear from your ladyship tho there is none in the world can esteem it or value it more than I would.

As to my own health I have it but very ill for I am so quick and so very sick a breeder that I am grown very unhealthy. I am now within four months of lyeing in of my fourth child. My last was a daughter to whom I gave your ladyship’s name: and I bless God she is a very fine lusty child as is my boy who now begins to walk and prattle.

This place is so dull that I hear no news worth troubling your ladyship with so Madam have nothing more to beg of you than that you will pardon this troublesome and dull Epistle and believe that Mr Butler and I are with all Duty and respect

(Page torn)

Mr Butler and I join in our service to Mr Chaworth

(Lady Dorothy Long died in 1710)

Issue of Walter and Mary Butler:
1. Walter Butler b.c. 1706
2. Daughter Butler b. 1707
3. Dorothy Butler b. May 1708
4. Pierce Butler born bet. 1709-1717
5. Eleanor/Nelly Butler born bet. 1709-1717
6. Margaret Butler b. March 1718
Others? born between 1719-1725

It would appear that their mother Mary Butler must have died before 1733, and the daughters were then placed in the care of their mother's Long relations. A letter written by Charles Browne, an associate of Sir Robert Long Bt. in 1733 reveals that the daughters were living in Paris at Sir Robert's expense (Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre Archives Ref:2943B-1-47):

Monsieur le Chevalier Long

Gentlhomme Anglois

A spa

moche Liege

Paris 7ber. 1q5th.1832

Sir,

I am very sorry I have not yet been able to hear of any ship to send away Misses Butlers. I begin now to despair of it, before we set out for Italy; which we shall do next Sunday or Monday. As what is a greater grievance I can’t well see how you can dispose of them. If you let them live in the manner they do, it’s true the expense is not great, but there is danger of their reputation by means of people who may come to visit them, if you put them into a Convent, their reputation will be safe, but the expense is ten livre per month more which is not a great deal, considering the approach of Winter and the necessity they will be then under of having some fire, but then on the other hand, Miss Nelly has that aversion to a Convent, that she will never go in willingly and possibly may make herself and the Society uneasy if you direct them to it. They may live well enough where they are, but it will be advisable, if you will give me leave to offer my sentiments, to put them entirely under the eldest sister’s care, and that, I can tell you, will make the 2nd very mutinous. The youngest is a very tractable young lady (viz. Margaret). You see, I write my sentiments very freely of their Tempers, which I have discovered to no one else; that you may direct them as you think most proper. As we go from home so soon, you will please to write to Miss Butler, what you would have them do. I have sent a Direction for fear you should have forgot it. Or if I have not expressed myself clear enough, please to direct to me at Alexanders, tho’ it will be some time before I can receive your letter. The day you went I carried Miss the ten Louis, as you desired; she would take but six, as being enough for her immediate use. I since gave her five more, which she hoped would have been sufficient to have bought each of them a gown for winter, for those they have by constant wear for want of change will soon be worn out, and are in truth much too cold for winter, so that I invited her to do so, but upon trial, she found she could not have three

(p2)gowns for less than two hundred and twenty livres, that is with the linings, fitting up and making; and she prudently forbore laying out so much of your money without your leave; you will please to signify whether you consent or no; I think they cannot do without them. The expence of plumbing [sealing with lead] your trunk and Porterage to the Customhouse and Mr Alexander’s is seven Livres, four Louis which with the eleven Louis I intend to receive of Miss Butler whom I shall wait on to Mr Alexander’s one day this week. I advise her to take up 20 £ sterling at once, that they may not trouble Mr Alexander upon every little trifle; and that sum will repay me, and maintain them here three months, if they do not buy their gowns, and should be obliged to wait too long for a passage. I have advised her to keep an account how all your money she had or will receive, since we left you, has been paid out that whenever you call for it, you may judge whether she acts in the most frugal manner. I can’t help being impertinent and offering my advice again; that; when you write to her, you would please to order in the strongest terms, what you would have done; that either of the youngest may not think ‘tis her Government of them, but be assured ‘tis yours. Sir Thomas tells me he wrote lately, I shall not pretend therefore to give you any acct of the State of Affairs at Paris. I hear we are to be so happy as to have the company of Mr Jones and his family to Lyons, who intend to make the Tour of France this Winter. I do not remember to have heard you say they were mad, before you left Paris. I believe Sir Thomas is gone to Rumbachs to night, for I met the Fellow this morning with great boots and a very earnest intreaty to Sir M_____ and himself. However I dare say He desires his compliments and much humble service to yourself and your ladies at Spa. I beg their and your acceptance of mine, I intend myself the Honour of writing before I leave this place, a short

(p3) letter to Mrs Price to beg pardon for two long ones I have troubled her with. I flatter myself with the hopes of seeing you on your other side to the Alps this winter, as am in the meantime with great Truth and Esteem

Your most obedient and humble servant

Cha^’ Browne

Direct a Mademoiselle Butler

Chez Madame Savouret

Place St. Michel

The fact that daughter Margaret, unmarried probably due to a lack of dowry, joined the Ursuline convent in Paris in 1763 at the age of 45, suggests that the family was finding life difficult as Catholics living in Ireland under the restrictive practices of the Penal Laws. This was the time that Catholics who were feeling disenfranchised, were beginning to form societies agitating for reform, leading up to the tumultuous Rebellion of 1798.

It is unknown exactly how many children Walter and Mary had together, although described as ‘numerous’. The Equity Exchequer Bill of 19 November 1717 [xxvii] revealed that they had two sons Walter and Piers and three unnamed daughters (although the letters have revealed two were named Nelly and Dorothy). Fourth daughter, Margaret was born in February 1718.[xxviii] As Walter’s wife Mary was only about 31 years of age in 1718, with six children in eleven years, one would assume she had other children between 1718 and her husband’s death in May 1725. The fate of one daughter, Margaret, is known.

She wrote a letter to Sir Robert Long in 1755 (Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre Archives-Ref: 2943B/2/8-3), revealing that she was living in Dublin and had to give up her [unstated] business due to poor health:

Bulls head, Ushers Quay, Dublin February 4^th, 1755

Dear Sir Robert

When the highest necessity presses, there remains little or no apology for troubling a friend, if any such to be discovered, such I take Dear Sir Robert to be, therefore by this give you to understand that six years ago, I went to London to pay you a visit, and give you an exact relation of my state; I had the misfortune to miss you, and could not on account of my little support, wait longer; I presumed since to send you the compliments of Xmas, but never had the honour of an answer; since that time, a complication of Disorders seized me, they ended in a Dropsy, which continues these three years, and as the Doctor declares, will soon bring me to my end, if I don’t give up my business; which after many warnings I’m obliged to do and must be content to give up house, to secure my health; my oppression is yet heavier by two Borders from Spain, left in my care, the Parents are reduced and in all probability will never send me one pound, tho indebted one hundred and thirty; such is my condition; if my health answered, you never should be troubled by me, till then I want assistance, and hope it from your wonted [usual] Charity and the Fatherly care you took of me in my younger days, the great God give you your reward of it. I’ll detain you no longer, but beg you’ll take this into your most Serious Consideration, let me have the pleasure of a line from you, if nothing else, yet I may be Convinced once more that you have not forgot her who is with all gratitude and respect

Dear Sir Robert

Your most humble and most obedient servant

Margt. Butler

My duty to Lady Long and best respects to Lady Emma your good sisters and all your worthy family

PS. please to direct for me at the Bull head on Ushers Quay.

Daughter Margaret Butler, born in February 1718, entered the Ursuline Convent of St. Denis near Paris in 1763. Archival documents state:[xxix]

1. Archives de la Seine, 30 Quai Henri IV, Registre: 4AZ, 894 (these documents in French Archives should be in the Urseline Convent, St Denis, Paris, but which was sequestered during the French Revolution) (Document 1b)

Today 4^th October 1763, Marguerite de Butler (daughter of Col. Gauthier de Butler de Monphin, Col. of the Irish Regiment in the service of France, and of Dame Marie Long, his wife) entered the novitiate of the Ursulines of St Denis, aged 45 years and 7 months, No arrangement has been made for her dowry. She received the habit on the 19^th of December 1763 and is named Sr. Francis of Assisi.

Received for the cost of vesture 536 livres-14sols. Her payment during her novitiate is 250 per annum.

She was professed on the 19^th of December 1765. His Excellency, Christophe de Beaumont, Archbishop of Paris and His Grace the Abbot of Gouffier, our superior, were interested in her because she left all her possessions in Ireland to preserve her Religion. They each gave her 600 livres for her profession, because the community received her very willingly without a dowry.

In 1767 Mother Margaret was co-operating with her cousin Nano (Honora) Nagle[xxx] to establish the Ursulines in Ireland. Nano (Honora) Nagle, born c.1719 Co. Cork to Garrett Nagle and Ann Matthew, educated in France, returned to Dublin in 1746 with her sister Ann, where they engaged in the distribution of alms and charitable works. She decided to enter the religious life in France, but soon became convinced that her duty lay in setting up a school in Cork to instruct children in the Catholic faith, although outlawed at that time under the Penal Acts. Her brother was initially disapproving knowing the fearful retribution of the law and with much to lose, however, he was soon supportive. Commencing with 30 pupils, within nine months the school had about 900 female students. Nano then opened one for boys, all funded by an inheritance. Local authorities turned a blind eye and allowed her to continue. As her health deteriorated she began to consider the long term future of her organization and decided to take steps to establish an Urseline foundation in Cork to take over the running of her schools. Nano travelled to France in 1767 and stayed seven months with the Ursulines of St Denis to receive training in the different exercises, to make plans, and to learn French. She met her cousin Mother Margaret Butler (“Mère Marguerite de Butler de Saint-François d’Assise”) and persuaded her to leave for Cork, with the permission of the Archbishop, Christophe de Beaumont, to lead the new foundation.

2. Archives de St Denis, Paris, G.G.218: (Document 1a)

8 July 1767.

“Our Reverend Mother Superior, Anne Therese Thomas of the Conception, has assembled the Discreets (‘Inner Council’- le Discritoire) to inform them of the obedience that His Grace the Archbishop of Paris has given to our sister, Margaret Butler, to go to Cork in order to work in the Vineyard of the Lord (“probably a reference to the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard”) where she will be disposed to fulfill her zeal of which we have had proofs, which have greatly edified us.”

Copy of the Obedience of Monsignor, the Archbishop:

“Christophe de Beaumont, by the mercy of God, by the Grace of the Holy Apostolic Seat, Archbishop of Paris, Duke of St Cloud of France, Commander of the Order of the Holy Spirit, Master of the Sorbonne, and to our dear daughter, Sr Margaret Butler, the aforesaid Sr Francis of Assisi, a religious of the Order of St Ursula, professed in the Monastry of St Denis, of our Diocese.

Greetings and blessings on the witnesses who have been returned to us, of your piety, of your steadfastness and of your zeal, of which you have lead for the good of the Religion, we allow you to leave your Monastery, to take the simplest secular dress that is possible, to return, accompanied with some person of your gender (ie. Nano Nagle), to Cork Ireland to start there the establishment of a convent of religious education and there remain as long as we will judge it, ‘a propos’ (by the way) exhorting you never to lose sight of the commitments to the State of Holiness that you have taken up. Given to Paris the eighth July 1767.

Our dear sister left on 26^th August.”

Nano and Margaret, under instructions to “wear the simplest secular dress possible”, left Paris on the Feast of St. Augustine (August 28^th), after receiving Communion at the Grand Augustines (adjacent to the Seine near the Pont Neuf), and embarked from Le Havre. It was a highly dangerous endeavour, risking imprisonment as the establishment of religious foundations was still illegal in Ireland. However, Mother Margaret, who was 50 years of age, returned to her convent of St. Denis a year later, on the 9^th August 1768, as she “could not adapt to the rigours of a foundation” according to the annuls of St. Denis.

Nano continued to work hard establishing her foundation right up until her death in 1784. She had also worked tirelessly bringing spiritual and material comfort to the aged, the sick and the poor, in all weathers and despite her deteriorating health. As late as 1783, she established a home for aged women. She was deeply mourned by the community, and her life is still celebrated today.

Kinship:

The Nagles were related to the Galmoy line and therefore to Walter Butler Junior. Pierce Butler 3rd Viscount Galmoy was married to Ann Mathew, half- sister to Nano’s grandfather Thomas Matthew whose daughter, also Ann Matthew, married Garrett Nagle, Nano’s father.

Garrett Nagle’s cousin James Nagle [xxxi] (son of Sir Richard Nagle) married (Pierce and Walter’s brother) Richard Butler of Galmoy’s daughter Frances Butler, viz. Walter Butler Junior’s niece and therefore his daughter Margaret’s distant cousin.

The Matthews shared close kinship to James Butler Duke of Ormond through his mother, Elizabeth Poyntz widow of Visc. Thurles, who married secondly George Matthew, progenitor of the Matthew line of Thurles and Thomastown, Co.Tipperary.

James 1st Duke of Ormond married his cousin Elizabeth, granddaughter of Thomas 10th Earl of Ormond who was progenitor of the Galmoy line.

Further Letters from the Butlers to their relatives the Longs:

The letters found in Wraxall House also included 3 letters written by eldest son Walter in 1766, still living at Shroughmore in Templeshanbo, Co Wexford. His letter reveals he was in dire straits financially (Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre Archives Ref:2943B/2/8-3) and was appealing for help from his wealthy relatives:

1) Walter Butler to Sir Robert Long, 6th Baronet

Templeshanbo April 7^th 1766

Sir

About eight or ten days ago I received your favour and am most obliged to you for the pleasure you give me in hearing from you, and at the same time very much thankful to you for your present, which I never doubted your kindness and good nature in any shape, nor despaired of the true mark of your friendship, I hope, Dear Sir, you’ll be assured that I would not in any measure be troublesome to you, but the perfect necessity I am in. You are so good as to be willing to know my situation of life and how I am circumstanced, which I’ll now let you know,

I live at a place called Templeshanbo near Enniscorthy in the County of Wexford and have a small spot of ground of about ten acres at a small rent from a Gent. who is called Coll (Caesar) Colclough a representative for this County, On which spot I had but one cow and a horse and a small quantity of tillage and as the generality of this county the past year was turned for want of hay or grass, I lost both, and I protest to you Sir, it’s now equally as hard, with most of our inhabitants, for every article is prodigious dear, I now, Sir Robert, tell you my condition of life. I am only striving and struggling with perfect necessity as my Poor little charge are very helpless, But the great regard and respect that my family formerly had in this country is not quite forgot yet, for every Gent. in and about this county shew me a little still of it, by inviting me to their Houses when ere I happen to meet any, and use me with the utmost civility and respect, and friendly would detain me longer than I would chuse, I am very often hard set to part them and that is all and the only satisfaction of life I enjoyed this long time past, until I had the pleasure and satisfaction of hearing from you. I would answer your Letter before now, but was making an enquiry how you could most conveniently send me your favour, I have got a Merchant in New Ross in County of Wexford who desires that any sum paid Mr Robert Nixon Merchant in London, and said Nixon to Draw on Kenedy Cavanagh Merchant in New Ross in My favour shall be safely delivered and paid to me, and Messr Dillon and Grieve Merchants in London, could likewise Draw on Mr Rosseter Merchant in New Ross aforesaid for any sum in my favour. I only mention those two Gents as perhaps one may be more convenient to you than the others. You mention in your last to me that you suppose I am one of the sons of Mrs Butler your father’s half sister which I assure you I am their only son, and good Sir, if you have any doubt of it, I humbly beg the favour to let me know of it in your next, that I may have the pleasure and satisfaction of giving you proper assurance of it, And am, Sir Robert, your most Humble and Affectionate Servant,

Walter Butler

I will now beg the favour of you to let me know your family, ___ health

Since I began this letter, I had the unwelcome news of Coll. Colclough’s Death in Dublin who was a great friend to me.

Notably he states that he is the only son of Walter Butler and Mary Long, so his brother Pierce must have been deceased by 1766.

He also wrote: I am only striving and struggling with perfect necessity as my Poor little charge are very helpless,", which appears to indicate he was referring to his offspring (Notably his age was 60 years of age at the time of the letter).

Templeshanbo June 24^th 1766

I wrote to you about the middle of April last, I am very uneasy this time past, daily expecting an answer which gives me a good deal of trouble as various thoughts constantly fill my mind, one time I imagine my letter to you or yours to me might be miscarried, another time I fear you or any of your family should be unwell, or having any affairs in hand that would give you any trouble, These are my motives for now writing to you, I hope you’ll do me the favour of letting me know if you received such, or if any other affair to be the cause that should hinder me of the expected satisfaction of hearing from you, which I still most impatiently wait for.

I most sincerely wish you and family long life and good health, and am, Sir Robert, with the greatest affection Your

Ever Obedient Servant

Walter Butler

Templeshanbo, December 26^th 1766

[Sir Robert Long died six weeks later on 10 Feb 1767]

Dear Sir

About last April I had the pleasure of receiving a Letter from you, wherein you desired I should write to you and let you know my situation of life and how you could send to me, which I did immediately after, and expected an acct of your [son] ?… James for a long time, but received none, I wrote in about 4 or 5 months afterwards, and likewise received no answer since, which makes me imagine they were miscarried or stopped, and now, Sir Robert, my uneasiness of mind urges me to write again to you & most humbly hope you will give me now the satisfaction of hearing from you, And likewise do request you’ll let me know if you received such letters as I mention’d, Your favour herein I’ll expect most impatiently & daily, which will oblige me very much, who __ (damaged)__ Sir Robert, with my greatest esteem, wishing you your family the compliments of the season,

Your most Humble and Affectionate Servant

Walter Butler

A further letter was written in 1779, from Walter's son named Pierce (in honour of his brother) from London asking Sir James Tylney Long for help in finding a position (Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre Archives ref: 2943B/2/8-3:

November 6^th 1779

Honour’d Sir

The countenance your worthy Father Sir Robert Long was pleased to shew my Father Walter Butler, encouraged me to hope you’ll pardon the liberty I take in addressing you in this manner, being fearful that a personal application, without your permission, might be offensive, more especially as I don’t in future mean to be troublesome.

My hands, by slavish industry while youth and activity are on my side, keeps me from real distress, and my honesty and assiduity I trust will obtain me the best of Characters from my employers. The Favour I have to beg of you Sir is your interest to help me to some kind of a birth [berth], or place in any Public Office, Family, Army or Navy, so that it’s above the rank of a common soldier, sailor or slave, and you may be assured that whatever station you would be pleased to recommend me to, my whole study through life should be to act or pursue such a line as would be no discredit to my recommender.

I am Good Sir with the most profound respect

Your most Obedient

And most Humble Servant

Pierce Butler

I live at No 34 Aldgate High Street [London]

As Pierce was asking for a rank in the army or navy, it would indicate that he must have been in his early to late twenties, in which case, he was born sometime in the 1750's. This would mean either his father Walter married late in life, or this was a second marriage.

Although nothing is known about Walter and Mary’s other children, their eldest son Walter, was possibly the Walter Butler named as the administrator of the estate of Catherine Butler of Templescoby BTR Admin 320 dated 1736, which stated:

“ Catherine Butler, of Templescoby, co. Wexford, spinster, died intestate. Administration to Walter Butler, of Coolagh, co Wexford, gent., great nephew of deceased, 6^th July 1736.”
Notably Templescoby was one of the properties originally in the possession of Pierce Butler of Kayer, and after the Restoration, Pierce's eldest son Edward was leasing Templescoby from the grantee Capt. Barrington. It was also one of the properties listed in Edward's Will (BTR 70) dated 1676, which therefore appears to indicate that Catherine is part of this family.

There are a number of townlands which could be named ‘Coolagh’ in Co. Wexford. Coolagh is possibly Coolaught, WSW of Enniscorthy and only a couple of kilometres down the road from Templescoby. Coolaught was on the border of the Parish of Rossdroit owned by Pierce Butler Kayer in 1641 and, of the Parish of Killegny, owned by James Butler of Tinnehinch before the confiscations (viz. 1641 Civil Survey) - a decree gave the lands of Bealaborrow, Shancolligh, Fortallstown, Tomonealy, Killegny and Knockstown to Susan (als Lutteral), wife of Edmond fitzJames Butler, (all previously owned by her father-in-law James Butler), for life, under a decree dated 16 April 1663 under the ‘Savings under the Acts of Settlement and Explanation’. [xxxii]

Coolagh may also refer to Ballinacoola, which is adjacent to Butler’s Cross Roads, part of Butler’s land grant, near the Blackstairs Mountains in the Barony of Scarawalsh, and close to Templeshanbo, and therefore very near to Sroughmore where Walter was leasing property. The prefix Ballina means “townland of”.

The fact that Catherine is described as Walter’s great aunt is confusing. That would make her the sister of Walter Butler Senior who appears to have been married to Nicholas FitzHenry as she was named 'Katherine Fitzhenry' in the 1660 petition to the king made by Katherine and her three younger brothers, and was therefore not a ‘spinster’. And as far as we know, Walter junior did not have any sisters. It is possible that the Walter Butler of Coolagh was not from this family, and may have been from the family of Walter Butler Senior’s brothers’ lines- viz. a descendant of Edward or James Butler, or another Butler line.
There may also have been a transcription error in the Butler Testamentary Records, with the Walter named “of Coolagh, Co Wexford”- at that time, Walter Butler of Garryricken, born 1703, would eventually become the 16^th Earl of Ormonde (dejure) in 1766. Garryricken is in the parish of Coolagh in County Kilkenny. Possibly, this may have been the Walter Butler who was granted the administration of Catherine’s estate. However, I have not found that Walter of Garryricken had a great aunt named Catherine.
So the identity of this Catherine and Walter Butler remains a mystery.

One is left wondering what became of Walter’s ill-fated widow Mary, left destitute with numerous young children, and daughters attaining marriageable age without suitable dowries. Some of the daughters may have married into the local gentry families in the county of Wexford, or they may have been found suitable husbands by the Longs, possibly in Paris.

For what period of time Walter Butler’s family continued living in Co. Wexford after his death is unknown, and although Walter Butler Senior’s brothers Edward and James both had issue,[xxxiii] no further records have yet been discovered of the descendants of these sons of Pierce Butler of Kayer.

A burial at St Colman's church at Templeshanbo (close to Shroughmore), albeit the C. of Ireland cemetery in Section B next to the church rather than in the churchyard may be relevant (Brian Cantwell's 'Memorials of the Dead- Co Wexford'), although in the 1700's this was a catholic Parish church:
James Butler, died 4 May 1784 aged 58 , ie. b.c. 1725/26.
Given that James was the name of Mary's father, this may be relevant.

Walter Junior’s half-brothers, Pierce Lord Galmoy and Richard lived out their lives in France in the service of their exiled Stuart kings, James II and James III, and the French kings Louis XIV and XV, Richard dying at Saint Germain in January 1725, aged 65 years, and Pierce Lord Galmoy surviving his military career and living to the grand old age of 89 years, dying in Paris in June 1740. (see separate blog on the House of Galmoy)

This family of Butlers that had played such a prominent role in the history of Wexford since the mid sixteenth century disappeared into obscurity. There are probably many descendants of this family living today who remain oblivious of the extraordinary lives lived by their forebears during this intriguing period of history.

Munphin House

(photo courtesy of the late R. Eustace, and Wexford: History and Society, (edit Kevin Whelan), Chapter 7, The Lost Architecture of the Wexford Plantation by Rolf Loeber & Magda Stouthamer-Loeber, p.183 and p.525 Note 21, Geography Publications, Dublin,1987)

1853 Griffiths Valuation map of Munphin/Mountfin House in Lower Mountfin clearly showing the outline of the above structure

The house of Munphin remained a feature of the Wexford landscape until the 1970’s when it was demolished. The 1837 Samuel Lewis “Topographical Dictionary of Ireland” describes the seat of Munphin (in the description of the district of Monart), as “the residence of Edward Cary Esq., beautifully situated on the margin of the Slaney, sheltered by a richly wooded eminence, and commanding an extensive view of the luxuriant scenery on the banks of the river”.

R. and M. Loeber wrote of Munphin/Mountfin House:[xxxiv]

It showed a degree of sophistication that was rarely found in Irish architecture of the sixteenth century. Records do not mention when Mountfin was built, but the map of the barony of Scarawalsh in 1657 possibly shows a small building at this site. The house consisting of a main square block had four tower projections. Symmetrically placed chimney stacks adjoined the towers and obstructed their defensive capacity. The house had regularly spaced windows and one classical moulded string course that broke the monotony of the wall surfaces. An asymmetrically placed hall faced the front with a drawing room on the right hand side, and a large dining room and the kitchen occupied the back portion of the main floor. Smaller rooms were in the towers.

Conclusion

The fact that the exploits of this Butler family of Munphin featured in this blog were so comprehensively documented, demonstrates the importance of this family’s place in the context of the historical events of that time. Their loyalty to King James II and to their Catholic faith remained unshakable.

Contact: butler1802 @ hotmail.com (no spaces)

Link to introduction chapter on Richard 1^st Viscount Mountgarrett

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] Equity & Exchequer Bill Books 1674-1850, Court of the Exchequer Ireland- N.A. Dublin: LDS 2001, (ref: Equity Exchequer Bill Books v.19-v.21, 1714-1719- Vault British film [2262646]); v.21-v.24, 1719-1722 [film no. 2262647]; v.24-v.28- 1722-1726 [film no. 2262648]: Vol. 20, p.112- 7 December 1717- James Butler Esq, executor of Walter Butler v. William Wilkinson; Vol. 20, p.137-31 January 1717/18- James Butler executor of Walter Butler v. Eustace Power, Edmond Power, Edward Kenny, William Hack; Vol. 21, p.97- 13 February 1718 - Sir Walter Butler Bt (of Poolestown Co Kilkenny) v. Col. Walter Butler, Mary Butler. (Notably, Sir Walter Butler Bt also sued William Bridges 20 June 1720- Vol. 21 p.113); Vol. 21, p.99- 14 Feb 1718- Eustace Power v. James Butler (co-exec), Walter Butler (Jnr), Mary his wife, Mary Long, Edward Kenney; Vol. 21, p.180- 2 May 1718- Eustace Power v. James Butler, Edward Kenny, Walter Butler, Mary his wife, Patrick Cogley, John Davys, Ian Purchan, James Cavanagh, Owen Redmond, Garrett Redmond, William Cowming, Owen Conners (Notably, Cogly, Cavanagh, and Garrett Redmond witnessed Walter Senior’s will.); Vol. 21, p.190- 10 May 1718- William Flower Esq. v. James Butler, Walter Butler; In the Irish Court of Chancery, the bills referred for the most part, to disputes about property of various kinds and attempts to prove ownership.

[ii] Equity & Exchequer Bill Books- National Archives Dublin: Filmed by the LDS (ref: Equity Exchequer Bill Books v.19-v.21, 1714-1719- Vault British film [2262646])

[iii] Edward Kenny, a Colonel, was appointed as a Justice of the Peace for the Co Wexford 23 July 1685 7 21 Feb 1694- source- Joseph P. Swan, The Justices of the Peace for the County of Wexford, op.cit

[iv] Equity Exchequer Bill Books, LDS film no 2262648, Volume 25, p228, op.cit

[v] T. Blake Butler, Genealogy of the Butlers, Volume 8: Mountgarrett & Poolestown, [LDS film no. 873840]- full transcript of Bill, 19 November 1717- Eustace Power v. Walter, James & Theobald Butler.

[vi] Equity and Exchequer Bill Books, Volume21- (1719-1722), page 228, 23 Nov 1719 (filmed by LDS at Dublin Castle Records Office, British Film No 2262647)

[vii] Equity and Exchequer Bill Books, Volume24- (1719-1722), (film page no 853), 23 Oct 1722 (filmed by LDS at Dublin Castle Records Office, British Film No 2262647)

[viii] Equity and Exchequer Bill Books, Volume 21- 1719-1722, ‘Trinity 1720’ p113, 20 June 1720.(filmed by LDS at Dublin Castle, British Film No2262647)

[ix] (TBB) Equity and Exchequer Bill dated 23 October 1722 (NB. elsewhere in his “Genealogy..” Vol 8, TBB has the year as 1723) Robert Dixon & Mary v. Wm Bridges.

[x] Equity Exchequer Bill Books op.cit.; Vol.21, p.228, 23 Nov 1719- James Butler esq. (Exec. of Walter Butler Snr) v. Robert Dixon, Mary his wife, Aran Lambert, Thos Houghton, Richard Murphy (LDS- British Film No 2262647) . And, T. Blake Butler’s Volume 8: Mountgarrett & Poulestown (LDS film no. 873840), Equity & Exchequer Bill, 23 October 1722, gives full transcript of the case: Robert Dixon & Mary Dixon als Lambert his wife Adm. of Patrick Lambert v. William Bridges, Joseph Merriot, James Butler, Walter Butler, Michael Connor.

[xi] Colclough Family records http://members.fortunecity.com/chtii/colclough/app3.htm , 1762, 1^st/2^nd July, Ref quoted: RoD 219/511

[xii] Griffith’s Valuation of Co. Wexford, 1853, Barony of Scarawalsh, Union of Enniscorthy, Parish of Ballycarney, Lower Mountfin/Ballinturner, p.45.

[xiii] Chancery Court and Exchequer Bills; Copy of Original Transcripts in The Castle, Dublin

Filmed by Genealogical Society of Utah (LDS) 1950, 1959; Ms no. 669- Court & Exchequer Bills 1700-1719 and Ms No. 670 -1721-1747- FHL BRITISH FILM [257820]; also, Equity Exchequer Court Bill Books, filmed by LDS, Film no 2262648, V.24-v.28, 1722-1726, Volume 27 film page 586,Bill dated 4 May 1725

[xiv] Will of Dudly Colclough of Moyhurry in the Barony of Scarawalsh Co. Wexford, in The Past: The Organ of the Ui Cinsealaigh Historical Society, No 2 (Dec 1921) pp 139-143, www.jstor.org/stable/25519794 Accessed 18/11/2010)

[xv] The Evening Post, Thurs July 19, 1722, issue 2025, British Library Newspaper Burnley Collection

[xvi] CSP., George I, Vol.75,10, p.208; SP 35/75 f.47; 23 Dec. 1721; Colonel Walter Butler to Lords Justices of Ireland (State Papers online, Gale, Cengage Learning 2013)

[xvii] SP 63/380/761; 12 July 1722

[xviii] Inchiquin Papers, Courtesy of the National Library of Ireland, MS 45, 346/4, 21 May [1723], Wal. Butler to Catherine O’Brien, endorsed by M. Long

[xix] Inchiquin Papers, National Library of Ireland, MS 45, 348/5, 22 June 1723, Lady Frances Keightley to Catherine O’Brien

[xx] Ibid, (Inchiquin) MS45,347/3; 8 Aug 1719

[xxi] Equity Exchequer Court Bill Books, (LDS op.cit), [Film 2262648]- Vol.27, p. 28 (p.595 film)- 19 May 1725

[xxii] Ibid., v.27, film page 586.

[xxiii] Equity Exch Vol 19, p365

[xxiv] Equity Exch. Vol. 20, p112

[xxv] Irish Manuscripts Commission- Quaker Records Dublin- Abstracts of Wills.

[xxvi] Joseph P. Swan, The Justices of the Peace for the Co. of Wexford, Source; The Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, 5^th Series, Vol. 4, No. 1 (Mar, 1894), p65-72, Pub. Royal Soc. of Antiquaries of Ireland, Stable URL: www.jstor.org/stable/25508101

[xxvii] Equity Exchequer Bill Books 1674-1850- Court of Exchequer Ireland; Dublin Castle; filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah 2001 (LDS)- Volume 19-21 1714-1719, VAULT British Film [2262646]; 1717-1718 Vol 20, page 98

[xxviii] Age calculated from Convent records- Margaret Butler- age 45 yrs 7mths on 4 Oct 1763.

[xxix] (a) Achives de la Seine, 30 Quai Henri IV, Registre: 4 AZ, 894, (Document 1B); Archives de St Denis, Paris, G.G.218: (Document 1A) 8 July 1767. (b) Sister Mary Pius O’Farrell, Breaking of Morn, ISBN 1-86076-299-9 Pub 2001- pp.45-46, No. 12- Margaret Butler. (c) Sister Pius Farrell’s ‘Positio Super Virtutibus’, 3 volumes prepared in 1994 when introducing in Rome the Cause of Beatification/Canonisation of Nano Nagle- Ch. 7: The Urseline Foundation, pp.264-271 (thesis). (d) Nano Nagle- A Summary of Her Life and Work, pp. vi to xii.

[xxx] Nano (Honora) Nagle, born c.1719, Co. Cork to Garrett Nagle and Ann Mathew, cousin to Galmoy’s wife Ann Mathew; Richard Butler’s dau. Frances married Garrett Nagle’s cousin James Nagle, son of Sir Richard Nagle, Attorney General to James II and Sec. of State and War in Ireland and at Court of Saint Germain. Nano worked tirelessly, establishing her foundation, and schools for poor Catholic children (despite threats of retribution of the law), and looking after the aged, sick and poor. Her death was greatly mourned by the community.

[xxxi] James Nagle, son of Sir Richard Nagle, attorney-general and Jacobite secretary for war, who remained in James II’s service at St Germans-en-Laye until his death in 1699.

[xxxii] (TBB) 15^th Report Record Comm. I pp 301 & 311. Note Susan Luttrell married Edmond fitzJames Butler in 1620.

[xxxiii] Edward Butler m.1. Jane Bagenal dau. of Col. Thomas Bagenall (and wife Jane, transplanted to Connaught in 1655) brother of Col Walter Bagenal of Dunkeckney; m.2. Marie Hore dau of Philip and Molly Hore of Killsalaghan Castle co. Dublin, issue of Edward Butler- Pierce and other unnamed issue (BTR 70); James Butler, m. Mary Colclough dau of John Colclough of Poldarig Co. Wexford- issue: Richard, Piers, Margaret, Elinora, Joan, Paddys Pedigree No. 24 Pierce of Kayer, The Butler Society

[xxxiv] Kevin Whelan (ed), Wexford: History and Society, Ch: 7, The Lost Architecture of the Wexford Plantation by Rolf Loeber & Magda Stouthamer-Loeber, p.183, p.525 Note 21, Geography Publications, Dublin,1987, permission kindly granted by Geography Publications.

Sunday, 13 October 2013

Butlers of Co. Wexford- Ch.16: Walter Butler Junior of Munphin Pt.4- Last years