Stephen Tobin, son of John Tobin and Elizabeth Brien/O'Brien, was born in 1825 in Newcastle, County Tipperary, Barony of Iffa and Offa West, Civil Parish of Templetenny or Newcastle, Poor Law Union of Clogheen, Province of Munster, Ireland.
His wife Mary Driscoll was the daughter of Timothy Driscoll of Co. Cork and Mary White of the Cork/Tipperary border area.
They married in 1857 at Clonmel, Tipperary.
The origins of the four surnames will be briefly outlined:
TOBIN, DRISCOLL, O'BRIEN, and WHITE.
His wife Mary Driscoll was the daughter of Timothy Driscoll of Co. Cork and Mary White of the Cork/Tipperary border area.
They married in 1857 at Clonmel, Tipperary.
The origins of the four surnames will be briefly outlined:
TOBIN, DRISCOLL, O'BRIEN, and WHITE.
ORIGINS OF THE NAME TOBIN IN IRELAND
This surname derives from St. Aubyn-du-Thenny in Upper Normandy, France, first called de St Albino or St Aubyn (St Alban), a very tiny village north west of Paris. Following the Norman Conquest it is thought that in England in the early 1100's, they established a caput (chief manor house) called Place Barton at Ashton in Devon, the heiress of which married Sir John St Aubyns. Sir John was the heir of the St Aubyns family of St. Aubyn-du-Thenny in Normandy and was possessed of the considerable estates of Pickwell, Georgeham, Berynarber and Paracombe in north Devon. Place Barton became the seat of the Chudleighs in the 14th century.
In 1204, William de Santo Albino (gaelic) or de St Aubyn was one of the early Norman settlers who was granted lands around Kells in County Kilkenny. He was described as Lord of Stamacharty (Stonecarthy, barony of Kells).
'A' marks St-Aubyn-du-Thenny in Normandy, France
In 1204, William de Santo Albino (gaelic) or de St Aubyn was one of the early Norman settlers who was granted lands around Kells in County Kilkenny. He was described as Lord of Stamacharty (Stonecarthy, barony of Kells).
William also possessed lands in Slieveadagh in County Tipperary. His descendants held ½ knight fee in Killamery in the 13th century and after. They soon acquired nearby Ballagh which became Ballytobin, and about the same time became lords of Cumsy (Cumsinagh) in Co. Tipperary, where some still exist today. The Tobins became so influential in Co. Tipperary that in mediaeval times the head of the family was known as Baron of Coursey (not an official title). Clyn in his Annals, stated that in the 14th century the Tobins were a turbulent sept more dreaded by the English settlers than the native Irish.
The first recorded spelling of the surname as 'Tobin' or 'Tóibin' in Gaelic, was in 1350 in "Medieval Records of Co. Kilkenny" during the reign of Edward III.
Several Tobins of Cumsy married into the chief Norman family in Southern Ireland, the powerful Butler clan that virtually ruled Ireland for 600 years -the Ormond, Mountgarrett and Dunboyne lines, and other junior Butler lines.
The first recorded spelling of the surname as 'Tobin' or 'Tóibin' in Gaelic, was in 1350 in "Medieval Records of Co. Kilkenny" during the reign of Edward III.
Several Tobins of Cumsy married into the chief Norman family in Southern Ireland, the powerful Butler clan that virtually ruled Ireland for 600 years -the Ormond, Mountgarrett and Dunboyne lines, and other junior Butler lines.
From these bases William's descendants soon mushroomed, and by the 1440’s, there were three major Tobin clans established in S.E. Tipperary, in addition to the senior line in Kilkenny.
The three families held many townlands in Tipperary and Kilkenny.
By the early 1300’s the family had already formed a lineage or clan in Tipperary and often were ‘beyond the law’ in their attacks on other colonists there.
Tobins, known as Barons of Cumsey, had land crossing the line between Tipperary and Kilkenny.
Thomas Tobin of Killaghy, the head of the family, was granted the land, April 20th 1540. (Killaghy near Mulliahone, Tipperary.)
Ballytobin is near Callan, Kilkenny.
Two other cadet families were:
Tobin of Kilnagranag- first leader, Walter Mor Tobin;
Richard Tobin I of Caherlesk 1541
Author Rev William P. Burke published a book in 1907, "Clonmel" on the history of Clonmel in southern Co. Tipperary, in which (page 429):
Author Rev William P. Burke published a book in 1907, "Clonmel" on the history of Clonmel in southern Co. Tipperary, in which (page 429):
The Names of the Gentlemen inhabiting the County Of
Tipperary with the extent of their Lands by estimacon as followeth (c.1550):
Lands houlden of the Mauners of Knockgraffen (5kms N of Cahir) and
Kilshielan
James Tobin and his kinsmen, the compsie
in the canthred of Clonemell …..£150
(NOTE- the name
Tobin is found in the records in Latin as De Sancto Albino, Anglo-Norman St Aubyn. The family was settled in Compsy
barony early in the thirteenth century. September 19th, 1242, Henry III issued a mandate to
Maurice FitzGerald, justiciary to clear the pass of Cumsy between Fethard and
the borders of Ossory by cutting the wood of Thomas de St Albin. In 1334
John Tobin lord of Compsy “was treacherously slain in his own chapel by the
sons of Walter Tobin whom he had
trusted.” Two years later, “a duel was arranged between the kinsmen of John and
the sons of Walter Tobin. Both parties pledged themselves to the Justiciary to
fight; but the sons of Walter fearing the issue of their treachery, declined
the contest.” Clyn
Tobins also spread to Waterford and Cork.
Castletobin -- site of an early Anglo-Norman enclosure [ringfort] of the Tobin family, who were given large grants of land in the Callan area at an early date. The castle stump still remains according to O'Kelly. Location: townland of Castletobin, parish of Callan.
The families lost their lands in the Cromwellian settlements and were relocated to Counties Mayo and Gallway (Ballymoe) in about 1656.
For more thorough information on the Tobin history in Ireland, see the website:
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~irlkik/ksurnam2.htm- go to Tobin and click on Tobin History written by Dennis Walsh
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~irlkik/history/tobin.html
Tobin Crest or Standard
The crest or standard is either royal blue with three white oak leaves or three azure blue leaves. The motto inscribed in Latin is Noli me Tangere, which translates as “Do not touch me”. It originated from the House of Killaghy, in Co. Tipperary. Killaghy was the name of the castle, where the main Tobin line lived for over 450 years, until Cromwell defeated Ireland and they were disposed of their family home.
The Transplantation to Connaught 1654-58, by Robert C Simington, Irish Uni Press for the Irish Manuscript Commission 1970, revealed the following Tobins of Tipperary were transplanted by Cromwell, order dated February 1655-56:
John and Katherine Tobin (widow of James Tobin) of Killaghy- assigned 942 Irish acres (H 552-profitable) in Parish of Templetogher (no 117 on map of Galway), Barony of Ballymoe, Co Galway; and 942 Irish acres (H209) in Aghagower (no. 3 on map of Mayo), Barony of Murrisk, Co Mayo
The Transplantation to Connaught 1654-58, by Robert C Simington, Irish Uni Press for the Irish Manuscript Commission 1970, revealed the following Tobins of Tipperary were transplanted by Cromwell, order dated February 1655-56:
John and Katherine Tobin (widow of James Tobin) of Killaghy- assigned 942 Irish acres (H 552-profitable) in Parish of Templetogher (no 117 on map of Galway), Barony of Ballymoe, Co Galway; and 942 Irish acres (H209) in Aghagower (no. 3 on map of Mayo), Barony of Murrisk, Co Mayo
Thomas Tobine of Killnegesna (?Killynagranagh)- assigned 1000 Irish acres (H559) in Parish of Templetogher (no 117 on map of Galway), Barony of Ballymoe, Co Galway
James Tobin of Ballydavid- assigned 115 Irish acres (H115) in Parish of Kilseily (No. 80 on map of Clare), Barony of Tulla, Co. Clare
James Tobin of Garrangibbon- assigned 273 Irish acres (H261) in Parish of Kilmeen (no 89 on map of Galway), Barony of Leitrim, Co Galway
David Tobin of Caherlasy, Co. Kilkenny- assigned 300 Irish acres (H230) at Kilcroan (No 60 on map of Galway), Barony of Ballymoe, Co Galway.
Cromwellian Transplantation Maps- Simington
James Tobin of Ballydavid- assigned 115 Irish acres (H115) in Parish of Kilseily (No. 80 on map of Clare), Barony of Tulla, Co. Clare
James Tobin of Garrangibbon- assigned 273 Irish acres (H261) in Parish of Kilmeen (no 89 on map of Galway), Barony of Leitrim, Co Galway
David Tobin of Caherlasy, Co. Kilkenny- assigned 300 Irish acres (H230) at Kilcroan (No 60 on map of Galway), Barony of Ballymoe, Co Galway.
Cromwellian Transplantation Maps- Simington
Co. Galway- Nos. 117 and 60- top right
No 89- lower right between 104 & 58
Co Clare- No 80 centre right
Co Mayo- No. 3 bottom left near Galway.
ORIGINS OF THE DRISCOLL NAME IN IRELAND
The surname Driscoll comes from the Irish O hEidirsceoil, grandson of Eidirsceol (from eidirsceol, meaning “go-between” of “bearer of news”);
They were a Sept possessed of Bearra, now the Barony of Beare, in the County of Cork, from which they derived their surname from Eidersceoil, Chief of Bearra.
By the 9th century, Milesian tribes of the Eóganacht dominated much of the area and the Corcu Lóegde were pushed into SW Cork, into an area which later became part of the diocese of Ross, roughly defined by the towns of Roscarbery, Skibbereen, Schull and Baltimore. The first mention of a name resembling Driscoll in the Annals of Inisfallen wherein the death of Conchobar Uí hEtersceóil in 1103 is reported. He was the king of Corcu Lóegde.
Map of Cork
County Cork was part of the ancient kingdom of Desmumhan, and home to pre-Milesian (viz. descended from Milesius of Spain whose sons invaded and possessed Ireland 1000 yrs BC) tribes of Fir Bolg or Erainn, such as the Corcu Lóegde. They were Celts who were settled in Ireland well before the arrival of the Gaels. Before the eighth century, Cork was populated mainly by tribes of Erainn descent, including the Corcu Lóegde tribal grouping.
By the 9th century, Milesian tribes of the Eóganacht dominated much of the area and the Corcu Lóegde were pushed into SW Cork, into an area which later became part of the diocese of Ross, roughly defined by the towns of Roscarbery, Skibbereen, Schull and Baltimore. The first mention of a name resembling Driscoll in the Annals of Inisfallen wherein the death of Conchobar Uí hEtersceóil in 1103 is reported. He was the king of Corcu Lóegde.
O'Driscoll territory in the 1500's
For the next 500 years the O’Driscoll were a powerful family. They were a seafaring people engaged in fishing, trading and piracy, as their lands consisted mainly of rocky peninsulas and islands not suitable for farming. They constructed a number of great castles, the ruins of which can still be seen. Baltimore became the seat of the family and gets its name from their castle of great house (Baile an Tighe Mór).
In 1213 the O’Driscolls moved into the Bearra peninsula only to be taken over by the O’Sullivans two to three hundred years later. In the 16th century there were two branches of the Corcu Lóegde: the O’Driscoll Mór of Collymore and the O’Driscoll Óg of Collybeg. They gained a reputation for their ferocity, from their constant fight against the encroaching Eoghanancht, Anglo-Normans and the English, however this became a losing battle and the family struggled to retain their lands and power, and were ultimately completely dispossessed.
In 1213 the O’Driscolls moved into the Bearra peninsula only to be taken over by the O’Sullivans two to three hundred years later. In the 16th century there were two branches of the Corcu Lóegde: the O’Driscoll Mór of Collymore and the O’Driscoll Óg of Collybeg. They gained a reputation for their ferocity, from their constant fight against the encroaching Eoghanancht, Anglo-Normans and the English, however this became a losing battle and the family struggled to retain their lands and power, and were ultimately completely dispossessed.
They would lose their lands to the English monarchs in the 17th century, and became tenants of their forefathers’ lands in SW Cork. However, the family and the name remain inextricably linked to their old homeland, and even today, the majority of Driscolls still live in SW Cork.
Blazon of Arms: Argent, an ancient galley, sails furled sable (black).
Translation: Argent (white) denotes Peace and Sincerity. The galley is symbolic of
Venture to foreign lands. The sable furled sails signify Constancy.
Crest: A cormorant proper (the emblem of charity)
William Casey, a Skibbereen historian
and genealogist, wrote the following in his paper
on “Aughadown House”;
“From ancient times the O’Driscoll’s
ruled much of West Cork. Over the
centuries the O’Driscolls’ power and
land was reduced by the arrival of other Irish septs
such as the O’Mahony’s, the
O’Donovan’s, the McCarthy’s and the O’Sullivan’s. By the
1400’s the fiefdom of the O’Driscoll’s
was reduced to an area bordering both sides of the
Ilen River. This included Collybeg, an
area on the west side of the Ilen River, which
roughly equates to the civil parish of
Aughadown. The east side is called Collymore.
Despite the loss of territory, the
1400’s were good for the O’Driscolls. They earned huge
revenue by the selling of fishing
rights in Roaringwater Bay. This prosperity coincided
with a building boom which included a
number of O’Driscoll castles and the friary on
Sherkin Island. Collybeg appears to
have been the ‘poor relation’ with just one castle at
Rincoliskey.
The 1500’s saw a turn in fortunes for
the O’Driscolls. In 1537, the conclusion of a long
feud with the city of Waterford,
brought disaster. In revenge for the looting of a
Portuguese ship bound for Waterford,
the men of that city raided O’Driscoll territory
and, using cannon, they damaged or
destroyed many important buildings including the
O’Driscoll headquarters in
Baltimore(Dun na Sead – the fort of jewels).
However, the greatest challenge facing
the O’Driscolls, and indeed the whole of Gaelic
Ireland, was the growing influence of
the Tudor monarchs over Ireland. Wishing to
control Ireland and to introduce
English laws and customs, the English devised the policy
of ‘surrender and regrant’. Under this
system, Irish chieftains could surrender their land
and titles held under Irish law and in
return were granted back their lands and given
English titles. Thereafter, they would
be bound by English law. In 1573 the new
O’Driscoll chieftain, Fineen, took up
the English offer and became Sir Fineen
O’Driscoll. He is commonly remembered
by his nickname ‘Fineen the Rover’.
For those who chose to resist English
rule, the punishments were harsh. A clear example
of this was the policy adopted by the
English after the failed Desmond rebellion of the
1580’s.
The lands of the Earl of Desmond and his allies, including the O’Mahonys of
Kinalmeaky, were confiscated and given
to English colonists. The new landowners
undertook to settle or ‘plant’ English
on the confiscated land, thus these attempts to
supplant the native Irish with English
settlers became known as ‘plantations’.
During the Desmond rebellion the
O’Driscolls remained a loyal ally to the English, and
their position was relatively secure.
However, this would not continue.
The demise of their territorial power
occurred at the end of the Elizabethan-Irish
wars, which resulted in the Irish
defeat at Kinsale in 1601. The O’Driscoll clan lands
were passed over to Lord Castlehaven
by the victors.”
Later in the article it states in
part;
“In 1601 a Spanish fleet landed in
West Cork. Its intention was to aid the O’Neill
rebellion. It appears the personal
inclination of Fineen O’Driscoll was not to rebel.
However, with a Spanish garrison
stationed at the O’Driscoll castle in Castlehaven and
with the urging of his family and his
neighbours, the O’Driscoll chief joined the other
local Irish chieftains in rebellion.
The defeat of the Irish and Spanish forces in the Battle
of Kinsale had an immediate and
disastrous impact on the local chieftains. The English,
under George Carew, brutally
suppressed the rebellion in West Cork and the lands of the
rebels were confiscated. While Fineen
O’Driscoll received a personal pardon, much of
the O’Driscolls’ power and land were
lost forever. A large part of the O’Driscoll land
ended up in the possession of a Cork
merchant and land speculator named Walter
Coppinger, who in turn rented parts of
it to English settlers.
The land confiscations in West Cork
opened up opportunities for new plantations.”
Over the centuries, the dispossessed O'Driscolls gained much notoriety for their exploits around the port of Baltimore.
In another article by William Casey,
entitled the “Finn Family History” it states in part;
“The parish of Aughadown forms part of
the ancient fiefdom of the O’Driscoll
clan, whose headquarters was at
Baltimore. The power and the riches of the O’Driscoll’s
reached their height during the 15th
and 16th centuries when they sold fishing rights to
Spanish and other Continental fishing
boats, to the rich fishing grounds off the West Cork
coast. They survived and prospered
during the turmoil of sixteenth century Ireland by
remaining on friendly terms with the
English despite disputes with the rulers of
Waterford City and accusations of
piracy made against them by English officials. The
dawn of the seventeenth century saw a
dramatic change of fortunes for the O’Driscolls’.
They sided with the Spanish against
the English during the Battle of Kinsale in 1601. The
defeat of the Irish and Spanish armies
broke forever the power of the Irish chieftains of
West Cork. Over the following decades
the ownership of the land of West Cork fell into
the hands of English Adventurers and
Planters who differed from the native Irish, not
only in race, but also in religion.
Despite the passage of centuries, the gap between the
new
Anglo-Irish landowner and their native Irish tenants would never be bridged.”
Motto
The O’Driscoll motto is:
ADVERSIS IMMERSABILIS UNDIS.
meaning: UNCONQUERED
IN STORMY WATERS,
The names of Cornelius and Timothy are common in the Driscoll clan.
Recommended reading: the book by Ó Murchadha, D. Family Names of County Cork, Collins Press, 1998.
ORIGINS OF THE OBRIEN NAME
Originating from the Dalcassian clan, known as the Ui Toirdealbhaigh, which was not of outstanding importance in the area of Thomond, the Sept rose to the High Kingship of Ireland under the leadership of Brian Boru from whom they took the surname O’Brien, dividing into several branches and possessing a great part of Munster, of which they were frequently kings. The name is so common that it comes sixth in the statistical list relating to Irish surnames. For a time, like all Irish names the O was dropped, but now it is rarely found without the prefix O. (The O means ‘descendant of’).
Brian Boru (941-1014) had a remarkable career as High King of Ireland. A brilliant leader, warrior and tactician, he finally died on the field at the battle of Clontarf when the Norsemen were finally subdued. The first O’Brien to adopt the surname was Donagh Cairbre (1194-1242) son of Donal who submitted to Henry II. The main line, from Brian Boru, have been peers of the realm under three titles- Earls and marquises of Thomond, Barons and Earls of Inchiquin and Viscounts Clare, and have all played a prominent part in Irish history through the centuries.
The current head of the O'Brien Clan, Lord Inchiquin is Conor O'Brien, Prince of Thomond, 18th Baron Inchiquin, 10th Baronet of Lameneh and 32nd in direct descent from Brian Boru, and one of 20 recognised Irish clan heads. His estate once included Dromoland Castle in Clare which was sold to become a hotel in 1962, and Bunratty Castle which he has leased out to an American. He still lives nearby at Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co Clare.
Recommended reading: Morgan Llewelyn, Lion of Ireland, 1981 (life story of Brian Boru)
Recommended reading: Morgan Llewelyn, Lion of Ireland, 1981 (life story of Brian Boru)
ORIGINS OF THE WHITE FAMILY IN IRELAND
The White family from England came over to Ireland with the invasion in 1171, with Walter White and his brother William. They were followed by other branches from England, Wales and Scotland down through the centuries, and were common in many counties in southern Ireland. The Whites of Leixlip Co. Kildare were closely associated with the Ormond Butler line, acting as stewards for the Earl of Ormond. They intermarried with numerous prominent Anglo-Norman families, including Hamilton of Abercorn, Dillon of Costello-Gallen, Butler of Galmoy, Moore of Drogheda, Taaffe of Carlingford, etc, and held prestigious positions such as Master of the Rolls.
Whites were also common in the counties of Waterford, Tipperary, Cork, Limerick, and Wexford for many centuries.
Coat of Arms for White of Ireland- three roses, two and one, separated by a chevron
Argent/White of Silver denotes Peace and Sincerity
Gules/Red- the Martyr's colour, signifies military, fortitude and magnamity
The Chevron (triangular shape) denotes Protection, often granted as a reward to one who has achieved some notable enterprise
Engrailed Line/Invecked line signifies Earth or Land
Red Rose signifies Beauty and Grace
Origins of the Whites:
The following information on the origins of the White family is taken from Volume 9- Notes & Queries of the Waterford & S.E. Ireland Archaelogical Society Journal.
“The family of
White originally crossed to England from Saxony in the 5th century, and were
then known as Vitus, Wite, or Weight (Bede). They held a distinguished position
in Wales in the reign of Henry II., where Ethebert Whyte governed the southern
province as Justiciary or Proconsul. His son, Chevalier Gautier (Walter) White, and his
brothers assisted “Strongbow," Earl of Pembroke, in the invasion of
Ireland. The Whyte family established themselves in Co. Waterford and different
parts of Ireland (Abbe MacGeoghan, History of Ireland, Ancient and Modern, pub 1758-63)). Sir Nicholas White, Master of the Rolls, in
reign of Queen Elizabeth, and owner at that time of Duncannon Castle
There is a
pedigree of Sir Nicholas White's family in the College of Arms, London, with
White crest and coat of arms (hand and dagger as crest, coat of arms a chev.,
gu. between three roses).”
Historical and Topographical Notes etc. on Buttevant,
Castletownroche, Doneraile, Mallow and places in their vicinity, by Colonel
James Grove White. pub. Cork, Guy and Company, 1906-1915. Book 3- White of Kilburne p231+
“Origin of the noble family of Whites of
Ireland” by Ware (pub. 1762).
The Knight ‘Ware’, printed under his
dictation in London in
1657, gives the origin to the many Whites in Britain and Ireland. The Venerable Bede in his History of the Nation Eclessiastique Angloise:
1657, gives the origin to the many Whites in Britain and Ireland. The Venerable Bede in his History of the Nation Eclessiastique Angloise:
….
of Germanic tribes populis fortioribus is of Saxonibus, Anglis, Vitis
(…. of Germanic tribes is of powerful nations of
the Saxons, Angles, and Vites.)
Ware concludes that White is a Saxon name
derived from "Vitus, Wite or Weight, according different variations in arrivals this
name since the establishment of Vites in England at the beginning of the fifth century”
P240
The Family of White came to
Ireland with Strongbow in the year 1170, and distributed themselves
in different parts of the Island. The branch from which the "Whites
of Kilbyrne" are descended, remained in the County of Waterford,
settling in the City of Waterford, in Clonmel, near Dromana, and other
localities.
A pedigree, entitled
"White of Waterford" (1235 Philip White of Mocollop Co Waterford) having
the same armorial bearings as that borne by the White Family of Kilbyrne, is preserved
in the Ulster Office, Dublin. It commences at the time of Strongbow, and ends
with Nicholas White of Kingsmeadow, Co. Waterford, grandfather of Sir Nicholas
White, Master of the Rolls in reign of Queen Elizabeth.
The origin of the Family is
given by Monsieur l'Abbe MacGeoghegan, in a work published at
Amsterdam in the year 1758-63 (History of Ireland, Ancient and Modern”, of
which the following is an extract, and which shows that the family originated
from a Saxon tribe named " V i t u s , " established in England in the
fifth century.
Sir Gautier (Walter) Whyte
removed with his brother (William) into Ireland in the reign of Henry II., his father
being Governor and Justice of South Wales.
From Sir Walter Whyte are descended the different Families of White throughout Ireland.
From Sir Walter Whyte are descended the different Families of White throughout Ireland.
Burkes
Genealogical & Heraldic History 4th Edition 1958:
Whyte of
Loughbrickland – pp.762/63
Lineage- the following is derived partly from a
pedigree registered in Ulster Office 1765 (Gen. Off. Dublin Castle MS 165 Reg.
Peds. Vol II, pp14-20)
Walter Whyte with several of his brothers, including William, accompanied Strongbow on his expedition to
Ireland in 1170 and was knighted by Henry II in Dublin 1171. He accompanied
John de Courcy to Downpatrick in 1177 and having taken a leading part in the
subsequent conquest of Ulster was rewarded with large grants of land on the
west shore of Strangford Lough. He was one of the five barons of Ulster created
by de Courcy as Earl Palatine of Ulster. His descendants were known as the
Lords of Duffrye and built castles at Ballymorran, Killinchy, Raynhaddye and
Ring dufferin. His eldest son:
Sir James Whyte, served under Richard I in the Holy Wars 1191-92. He m. Amicie de
Beaumont, dau of the Earl of Leicester, and had issue,
Sir Balthazar Whyte who supported King John during his expedition to Ireland when the King
stayed at Ballymorran Castle in July 1210. He had issue,
Sir James Whyte, who had issue,
Maurice Whyte, m. a de Lacy of Lecale and had issue,
Walter Whyte who, with his brother Wadenus and his kinsman the de Lacys, joined Bruce
in his invasion of Irealnd 1315-18. He m. the sister of John de Mandeville of
Killeagh Castle and had, with other issue,
Nicholas Whyte, who with his brothers John and Richard fought at the Battle of
Mullingar, 1529. He had issue,
Dominic Whyte, who had issue:
1.
Nicholas
Whyte who m. a dau of the 3rd
Earl of Ormonde of whom presently
2.
Robert,
treasurer of Ulster 1388 and Prior of Kilmainham:
The elder, Nicholas Whyte had issue:
Sir Maurice Whyte who served in France under Henry IV and Henry V where at the Siege of
Rouen he led 2000 Irish, and later made Governor of Montaire under Henry VI. He
was called “The Lancastrian” having served under 3 kings of the House of
Lancaster. He m. a Fitzgerald and had issue:
1.
Bartholomew
Whyte m. Anne Cusack of whom presently
2.
Patrick,
Seneschal of Lecale 1469
3.
William, Recorder of Waterford 1485
The elder, Bartholomew Whyte had issue:
1.
Nicholas
Whyte of King’s Meadows co. Waterford m.
Elizabeth, dau of __ Power of King’s Meadows
2.
Maureice,
ancestor of the Whytes of Imokilly Co Limerick (cr. Bts in 1677 and Marquesses
d’Albaville)
The elder, Nicholas Whyte had issue:
James Whyte, Seigneur of King’s Meadows co. Waterford and founder of Whyte’s Hall,
near Knocktopher co. Kilkenny in 1518. Henry VII granted him a lease of the
Rectory of Dunkitt, co. Kilkenny 1540. He served in Scotland with James Butler 9th Earl of Ormond; on their return to London, they and 16 others died of poisoning after a
banquet at Ely House, Holborn 1546.
He m. Margaret Walsh, of co. Waterford and had issue,
Sir Nicholas Whyte, of Leixlip. Seneschal of co. Wexford and of Whyte’s Hall, Gov. of
Castle of Wexford, Master of the Rolls in Ireland 1572 m.__ Sherlock and had
issue, Andrew, Thomas (who died before him in 1588), and James, two of whom
were educated at Cambridge.
Andrew Whyte of Leixlip, m. Margaret , dau of Patrick Finglass and d.31 July 1599,
leaving issue,
Sir Nicholas Whyte,
of Leixlip, aged 16 in 1599 (inq. p.m.) m. (c.1612) Ursula Moore, dau of 1st
Viscount Moore, (b.c.1595), and d.1654 and had issue, including 4 sons;
1. Arthur
(died pre 1660),
2. Nicholas
(died 1664) ,
3. unknown son,
4. Charles
(mentioned in letter to Charles II from Emperor Leopold in 1693- Charles married firstly to
Eleanor Barnewall, dau of Sir Nicholas Barnewall 1st Viscount
Kingsland (m.1617), s/o Patrick Barnewall, s/o Sir Christopher Barnewall of
Turvey Sheriff of Dublin.; married secondly Mary dau of Sir Thos Newcomen of
Sutton Co Dublin and Frances dau of Sir Wm Talbot, who had issue John Whyte of
Leixlip m. 1704 Mary Purcell and had issue Charles Whyte of Leixlip b 1714.- the Whites of Loughbrickland.
And
4 daughters:
1)
Mary
(b. bef 1620) 16- m. Theobald Taafe 2nd Viscount Taafe & 1st
Earl of Carlingford
–issue Nicholas Taafe 2nd Earl of
C d,1690 Battle of Boyne and Francis
Taafe 3rd Earl of Carlingford (1639-1704).
2) Frances (b. bef 1617, d.1674) –m
1635. Thomas Dillon, 4th Viscount of Costello Gallen- son Thomas 5th
Visc of Costello Gallen
3) Anne (b. bef 1628)- m.
Christopher Fagan of Feldrum co. Dublin, dau Elizabeth Fagan m. George Hamilton
4th Lord Hamilton, Baron of Strabane (sons Claude and Charles became
4th & 5th earls of Abercorn)
4) Eleanor
(b. bef 1633)- m.1. Edmund Butler, 2nd Viscount Galmoye- issue
(Colonel) Piers 3rd Visc. Galmoye and (Colonel) Richard Butler (father of 4th Visc. Galmoye)
m.2. (Colonel) Walter Butler of Munfin- issue
(Colonel) Walter Butler of Munfin
St Mary’s
Church Leixlip has an ancient memorial (above) on the wall in the chancel with
the inscription:
WHITE This
Tombe was erected by the Lady Ursula White, daughter of the Lord Moore. Here
Lyeth the Bodie of Sr. Nicholas White, Knight, deceased the 24th of Februarie
1654 and his son Nicholas White Esq., deceased 31st of Decembr 1664. [in wall of chancel]
Arms of White on left and Moore on right
The
Whites of Waterford:
(Ref: Historical & Topographical Notes etc on Buttevant, Castletownroche, Doneraile, Mallow & Places in their Vicinity, collected by Colonel James Grove White, Volume III, Cork 1913- History of the Whites of Kilburne (Co. Cork) and Dromana (Co. Waterford) pp231+, 247+ )
(Ref: Historical & Topographical Notes etc on Buttevant, Castletownroche, Doneraile, Mallow & Places in their Vicinity, collected by Colonel James Grove White, Volume III, Cork 1913- History of the Whites of Kilburne (Co. Cork) and Dromana (Co. Waterford) pp231+, 247+ )
www.corkpastandpresent.ie/places/northcorkcounty/grovewhitenotes
(Cork City Council)
(Cork City Council)
1235 Philip White of Mocollop Co Waterford (near the Cork, Waterford border)
1290
Elias White, brother of Philip White
1303
Geoffrey White, son of Elias, acquired lands near Clonmel
1525
James White, Bailiff of City of Waterford, a JP in 1538
1540
James White gets a grant of lands in Co Waterford, 20 May 1540
1586
William White of White’s Island near Dromana, was attainted.
1591
Sir Walter Raleigh leased White’s Island near Dromana to Robert Balfe
1644
Captain John White commanded the Royalist Garrison at Dromana Castle (letters
from Lord Laurence Esmonde Commander of Duncannon Fort to Capt John White
commanding the Garrison of Dromana dated 27 July 1644 (during the Catholic
Confederation Rebellion)
1659
In the Barony of Decise Co Waterford (viz. near Dromana), there were 17 persons
named White
1662
James FitzRobert White, by his will dated 29 January 1662 bequeathed £40 due to
him by John FitzGerald of Dromana, Co Waterford, for the building of a hospital
in Clonmell. This James White married Catherine Power (PRO, Ireland, 1626,
LAG9)
1694
James White Senior, Seneschal of Dromana Manor Court, was father of James White
Junr of Dromana who married Grace Grove of Kilbyne in 1694. Grace daughter of John
Grove, younger brother of Major Ion who made a gift of the lands of Kilbyrne to his younger brother John, “to hold unto
the said John Grove and his heirs for ever”- John Grove made his will 18 July
1707 leaving his property to his only child, daughter Grace, then to her
husband, James White, and then to his first grandson, John White (d.1754,
buried Doneraile Churchyard) and his son James White (b.1728/29- d. 1780) of Kilbyrne
and Ardelly near Doneraile Co Cork, who lived at Kilbyne until about 178_ when
he let the house and land to two tenants. He then lived at Ballyboy Co Tipperary.
1699
Subsidy Roll of Co Cork gives Coroners of Co Waterford including Jacobus white
of Ballynagowne Esq.; and Seneschals of Co Waterford including Jacobus White,
Senior, Seneschal of Manor of Dromana (PRO Dublin)
Daughter of John White, Sarah White (b.1731)
married 1754 her cousin William White of Hogstown Co Cork (on the border of
Cork and Limerick, or border of Co Limerick and Co Tipperary (mortgaged to a Mr
Harding)- issue John Grove White, Asst Surgeon 5th Dragoon Guards
and afterwards Dispensary Doctor of Charleville Co Cork c.1805, buried
Doneraile Churchyard. James Grove White Esq. (son of James White the younger b1728 of Kilbyrne) was appointed the commissioner for the Parish of Newcastle (Tipperary) to collect the tithes in Iffa & Offa West. Born 1791 in Lough Tipperary, died 1866 in Doneraile near Kilbyrne Nth Cork (about 25 kms WNW of Fermoy) the Whites having inherited the large estate there from one of the wives' Grove family in the late 1600's.
Other Whites of Cork
After Cromwell, and the restoration of King Charles II, a Sir Thomas White came into possession of the greater part of the baronies of Bere and Bantry in SW Cork, purchasing some of the land debentures granted by Cromwell to his army officers during the civil war, and their descendants held possession for about 250 years.
William
Playfair gives the following account of White family of Cork in the British
Family Antiquity:—
" On the restoration of Charles II, Sir Thomas White settled in the South of Ireland, where
he became a purchaser of some of the land debentures granted by Oliver Cromwell
to the officers of his army during the civil wars, and had a son, Richard, who
resided at Bantry until his death in 1730; having previously married a Miss
Hamilton of Scotland, by whom he had an only son Richard, who was bred to the
law and called to the English Bar, but never practised. He married, 10th of
December, 1734, Martha, daughter of the Rev. Dean Davis, of Davistown, in the
County of Cork, and had issue by her, one son and one daughter, viz., Simon,
born 8th of May, 1739, and Margaret, born in 1738, who married, 8th of
November, 1756, Richard, Viscount Longueville, by whom she had no issue.
Simon White married, in August, 1766, Frances Jane, daughter of Richard Hedges Eyre, of
Mount Hedges and Macroom Castle in the County of Cork, Esq. (by Helena, the
daughter of Thomas Herbert, of Muckross, in the County of Kerry, by the Hon. M.
Browne, daughter of Lord Viscount Kenmare), and, dying in 1776, left issue,
Richard, the present Viscount Bantry, who was born 6th of August, 1767, and
married, 10th of November, 1799, Margaret Anne Hare, eldest daughter of Lord
Ennismore, by whom he has had issue, Richard, born 16th of November, 1800;
William Hare, born 10th of November, 1801; Maria, born 10th of November, 1805;
and Simon, born 10th of March, 1807."
Richard White was
created a Baron, 31st March, 1797, and a Viscount, 29th of December, 1800, and
Earl in 1816 for services rendered on the occasion of Wolfe Tone's expedition.
He manifested his loyalty by conveying intelligence to the authorities in Cork
of the arrival of the French fleet in Bantry Bay and lodged
and entertained in his own house at Bantry English officers during the time of
the disturbance. He also kept a vigilant look out for any further invasion.
He married Lady
Margaret Anne Hare, daughter of the first Earl of Listowel. He had issue
Richard, who married a daughter of the Marquis of Thomond, and died childless.
The third viscount was a brother of his, William Henry Hare White and the
fourth was his son and of the same name, who died without issue and the titles
became extinct. The Hon. Egerton Leigh White succeeded, who assumed the family
name and arms of White by royal licence, in July, 1897. He sold the estate to
the Congested Districts Board in 1913 for £80,000. The present occupiers are
for the most part descendants of the old race, and so, after many changes and
revolutions, they hold their own again. The Whites held possession for about
250 years. They were resident landlords, but effected no improvements; their
lands were highly rented, but the management of the estate was of a mild type,
and there were very few evictions."
(http://www.libraryireland.com/WestCorkHistory/WhiteFamily.php)
NB Kilbyrne about 15 kms west of Buttevant
Mocollop is about 5 kms due south from Araglin, near the Cork Waterford border (above the border loop west of Lismore)
THE WHITES OF CLONMEL IN THE COUNTY OF TIPPERARY
Author, Rev. William P. Burke published a book in 1907
about the history of Clonmel in southern County Tipperary, “Clonmel” (Waterford 1907), in which the
White family is featured. The following extracts contain references to the
Whites of Clonmel.
Burke wrote: The
Whites had been for centuries rulers of Clonmel. There were three principal
branches which will be outlined below.
Page345
Besides the three principal branches there were
numerous other families of the name in Clonmel during the sixteenth and early
seventeenth centuries.
The Whites are found among the Anglo-Norman settlers in Tipperary under the form of “Le Blunde”. During the thirteenth century Thomas “the White” held lands in the neighbourhood of Ardmail (Tipperary) of the King in capite, rendering half a knight’s service.
The Whites are found among the Anglo-Norman settlers in Tipperary under the form of “Le Blunde”. During the thirteenth century Thomas “the White” held lands in the neighbourhood of Ardmail (Tipperary) of the King in capite, rendering half a knight’s service.
Their earliest recorded association with Clonmel is 1388 when Nicholas White, of
Clonmel, was joined with the Earl of Ormond in a commission of the peace for
Co. Cork.
John White of Clonmel, in 1397 was granted the custody of lands
in Tipperary and Limerick belonging to his idiot brother Theobald, during the
latter’s lifetime, without accounting to the exchequer for the profits.
In 1402 the manor of Cooleagh with houses
in Clonmel and other lands in Tipperary belonging to Henry White of Clonmel were granted to John Lawless in custody,
rendering account. Etc. At the same period James le Botiller seeking some
dispensation from Rome, dispatched thither Adam, prior off St John’s Dublin,
who was also provided with letters of attorney from Nicholas White of Clonmel.
Historical
and Topographical Notes etc. on Buttevant, Castletownroche, Doneraile, Mallow
and places in their vicinity, by Colonel James Grove White. pub. Cork,
Guy and Company, 1906-1915. Book 3- White of Kilburne p231+ (page 251 Notes to Kilbyrne) has the following:
1235- Philip White of Mocollop Co Waterford (Mocollop
is about half way between Fermoy in Co Cork and Lismore in western Waterford;
about 5 kms south of Araglin, and about 40 kms SW of Clonmel)
1290- Elias White,
brother (?) of Philip White
1303- Geoffrey White,
son of Elias, acquired lands near Clonmel
(NB
the name of Geoffrey features in one line of the Clonmel Whites in the late
1500’s)
Page 229 of “Clonmel”
Out of the total number of sovereigns who governed the town of Clonmel from 1371, when that
office was created, to 1608, only the following names have been recovered:
1424 John White
1526 Thomas White
1539 and 1542 John Stritche
1543 William Fagan
1565 Walter White
1581 Geoffrey White
1582 Michael Bray
1586 Geoffry White
1589 Geoffrey White
1600 Nicholas White
Mayors Under Charter of 1608
1608 John White
1609 Nicholas White
1614 Patrick White
1625 Henry White
1633 John White
1636 John White
1637 Francis White
1639 Henry White
1641 John White
1649 John White
1650-56 no mayors, the town being under a military
governor, and in 1656 the Cromwellian corporation was established.
The Names of the Ancient Burgesses of Clonmell who were Proprietors of
lands within the Burgagery of Clonmell in the yeare 1640:
James Lord Marques of Ormond
John White fz Bennet of Clonmell
Henry White of Clonmell
Ffrancis White of Clonmell
Thomas White fz Richard of Clonmell
David White of Russelstowne in ye Co. of
Waterford
John White fz Lawrence of Clonmell,
Thomas White fitz Richard fitz David of Clonmell
Pierce Bray of Clonmell, plus others (viz. Stritch,
Morony, Bray, Fagan, Wall, Lea, Walsh, Nicholas Everard of Fethard, Barron,
Laynogh, Richard Butler of Clonmell, Roch, Brenock., Swyny, Corr, Creagh,
Lincoln, Power, Donoghow, English
-Irish Papists
Act of Settlement showing old and new proprietors in Clonmel in 1666
Pages 256-257
CLONMEL WILLS in the Prerogative Courts- PRO (destroyed in the 1922 Records Office fire)
Pp341-342
1810 White, Sarah
1776 White, Judith
1741 White, Patrick
1740 White, John
1721 Tobyn, John
1716 White, Francis
1664 White, Thomas
1625 White, Catherine fitz Thomas
1622, White, James fitzRobert (this was the second
branch of the White in importance- see tree below *)
1615, Whyte, John fitzGeffry (**see Will below)
1614, White, Henry fitz Thomas
1589 White, Henry
This is the earliest will of any citizen of Clonmel,
known to exist.
“In the name of God, Amen, the 6th of
August in the year of Our Lord God 1577, I,
Henry White Burgess of the towne of Clonmell being of whole mind and
perfect memorie, understanding the assurance of death and willing to prevent
the soddaine chaunce thereof doe make my will and testament in names and frome
following,
First, I commend my soule to God Almyghtie through the
merits of Christes passion and the intercession of his blessed mother the
Virgin Mary and the holy company of heavin and my boddie to be buried in the
sepulture of mine Auncestors within the parish church of Clonmell and do make my son John White my full and general heire
of all my lands and inheritance saving of such lands that shall hereafter [be]
specified and excepted. And the said John to have and to hold and possess the
same lands and inheritance o him and his heires males of his bodie lawfully
begotten except the lands pre-excepted. And if the said John do fortune to die
without issue make of his bodie lawfully begotten then I will by this present
that my son Nicholas White shall
have hold occupie possess and injoy my said lands and inheritance to him and to
his heires males of his bodie lawfully begotten or to be begotten forever. And
if said John and Nicholas doe died without the life issue males of their boddie
lawfully begotten or to be begotten that then John White fitzPatrick my Brothers son shall have hold possess and
injoy my said lands and inheritance to have and to hold to him and his heires
males of his bodie lawfully begotten or to be begotten for ever. And for lacke
of like issue males begotten or to be begotten of the said John White my sonn
and heire Nicholas White and John White fitzPatrick I will that John White fitzPatricks Brother Nicholas
White shall have hold possess and injoy my said lands and inheritance etc.
Also I will that for the lacke of the like issue males of the said John White,
Nicholas White my sons and of the bodies of the said John White and Nicholas
White fitz Patrick, that my said land and inheritance shall remain to Michael White the said Patricks sonn to
him and his heirs etc. And if the said John White etc doe fortune to die
without the like issues males etc that then my said lands and inheritance shall
return and revert unto the rightful heires, I doe make ordaine institute and
appoint my said sonns John and Nicholas White executors of all my goodes and
cattle equally and doe leave my well loved Sir Theobalde Butler, Geffrey White
my nephew John Keating and John Bray Tutors and overseers of my wife and
children and soules porcon.
Legacies
Item in primis I leave and bequeath by this present to
my said son Nicholas white the newe slate house builded by me in the southe
side of the castle of the brode gate according the meares and members thereof
which I have purchased my selfe.
Item Also I leave and bequeath unto the said Nicholas
White tow howses or tenements purchased also by me of lawles is lands of which
howses or tenaments the one is where John murrye in his lyfe time dwelled in
the west side of the Cold sete within Clonmell and the other howse or tenement
is where James Brennock dwell at the making hereof, according the meares and
markes of the said howses.
Item, Also I bequeath and leave to my said son
Nicholas a parke called lawles is parked purchased also and bought by me for my
money, according to the meares and markes thereof. To him and to his heirs the
said three howses or tenaments and thes aid parke with all and singular
comodities profits and appurtenances of them and any of them to the said
Nicholas White and his heires males of his bodie lawfully begotten or to be
begotten to the use and behalf of them and every of them forever, yielding and
paying yearly to me the said heir or to mine heires IIIIs of good lawfull
courant money of Ireland. And if the said Nicholas White doe fortune to departe
this present life without heires males of his bodie lawfully begotten or to be
begotten then I will that the remaineder of the said tenements parkes shall be
to my said son John White and to his heirs males lawfully begotten for ever. In
witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and put my seale- henry
White
Being present at the sealeing and ferming hereof Those
whose names insu:
Mighell Bray, Richarde White, Nicholas Whyte
John White being a minor at the death of his father in
1577, his wardship was granted to Sir William Drury. He died unmarried,
probably in his minority, for the estate passed to the second son Nicholas.
The pedigree of the family until they were overwhelmed
in the Cromwellian and Williamite ruin, is as follows:
*
Pierce White and wife Anastasia Comerford appear to
have had sons David, Robert, James, Nicholas, Thomas, Rev. John, and Stephen
(not in that order- see records below), and possibly Pierce had a brother
Thomas who has sons Patrick and Nicholas (near relatives).
Records:
Fiants of Elizabeth:
1573- David White fitz Pierce and Sabina his wife; Nicholas White fitz
Pierce merchant;.
1577- Edward Quirke and Peter White- to pay a fine of a cow each.
1601- Pierce
White fitz David
Ancient Burgesses of Clonmel in 1640:
Thomas White fitz Richard fitz David of Clonmell
David White of Russelstowne in ye Co. of
Waterford
Pages 457+
CLONMEL NOTABLES: Author writes a biography of two
notable Whites: Stephen and brother
Thomas. The bios have the following information on these two men:
FR. THOMAS WHITE S.J., the elder brother,
was born c 1556-58- died 1622. The bio states that his brother was sovereign of
Clonmel and was deposed from office in 1606 as a recusant- (viz. ? Nicholas White)
Their mother was Anastasia Comerford of Waterford.
Another brother,
James White was Vicar Apostolic of Waterford.
He was uncle of Peter White S.J.
His near kinsmen
were Patrick and Nicholas White, (sons of Thomas, named in James I’s Charter of
Clonmel 1609) who were heavily fined for not attending Protestant services.
Fr Thomas White S.J. was instrumental in founding the
Irish College of Salamanca, asking King Phillip of Spain to fund it.
STEPHEN WHITE, brother of Thomas White, one of the
greatest scholars of an age distinguished for its learning, was born in Clonmel
in 1574. He was the son of Pierce/Peter
White and brother of James White,
Vicar Apostolic of Waterford.
Educated at Salamanca, he obtained his Doctorate of
Divinity in 1606, and became a professor of theology at the Universities of
Ingolstadt and Dilingin in Germany, teaching the sons of German, Austrian and
Hungarian nobility and gained a renowned reputation. He left Germany in 1622
for the Province of Champagne and taught at Pont a Mousson and Metz for 7
years. In 1629 he returned to Ireland where he spent the remainder of his life
teaching at a Jesuit house in Dublin.
**-The Third
White family:
The following in the will of John White (1615 Whyte, John fitzGeffrey) , the first mayor of Clonmel,
a notice of whose tomb has been given previously:
In the name of God, Amen. I John White fitzGeffrey of Clonmel, Alderman, being sicke in body
yet of perfect mynde and memorie thanks be to God do make my last will and testament
in maner following. First I commend my sole to God Almightye my creator and
redeemer and my body to be buryed in Saint ffrancis abbey in myne ancestors
burial. I doe appint Benett Whitt my son
and heire and my sones Thomas and Michele White myne executors together
with my wife Alson White.
Item, I leave and bequeath to my son Thomas White to hym and to his heires
mayle of his body lawfully begotten and to be begotten the house where Christopher Whit some tyme dwelled and
the house with his backe side wherein Geffrey Baron some tyme dwelled with all
the other land belonging to the same and whereof the said Baron had a layse of
my father and a parcke or orchard called Garrymorran adjacent the wales of
Clonmel. I leave and bequeath to the said Thomas
and Michele White all such lands as are to be past unto me bey grant from
his Majestie by Sir James Carroll and proctore piers to be equally divided
between them and to the heires mayle of their bodyes successively except such
parcells as are situat in Kilnalonqurty which I do will and bequeath to my son
in law John Haly and his son Nicholas Haly their hieres and assignes for ever.
Item, I doe will and bequeath to my son Michel White and to his heires mayle of
his body the houses where Stephen White,
James White fitz David now is dwelling with the rents and reversions
thereof with the premises aforesaid as is sayde, together with the houses
wherein Richard Stretch, John Ffowlow now dwells in Clonmel, the remyndre of
all the said premises to my son and heire Benett
White and the heires mayle of his body, the parcells by me formerly devised
to John Haly and his son only excepted. The saide Thomas and Michel and their heires rendring payment yearly to my
said son and heire Benett and his
heires VIId sterling every of them per ann. for and out of the said lands
hereby devised.
Item, I bequeath to my wife Alson White over and besides the foresaid the two mylles
beyond the bridge called Ffahys mylles, for and duringe her natural lfyye.
Item, I doe leave and bequeath to my daughter Ann White the sum of one
hundred and forty pounds towards her preferment and advancement to marriage
with which I do chardg all my lands.
Item, I doe leave and bequeath that mine executors
shall pay unto my son in law John Haly the remayne of such marriage goods as I
promised unto him.
Item, I doe leave unto my son Thomas the arreare of what witherto accrued upon his house in
our Ladye Street wherein John Prendergast now dwelleth.
Item, I appointe Mr
Patrick White, mayor of Clonmel, Nicholas White fitzHarry, Richard White
fitzNicholas, and John Haly Trustees and overseers of this my last will and
testament and my said childrens estate, and that thereof the profits and issues
of my said land in their discretions shall take only for the bearing of the
said marriage goods of the said Ann White. I leave and bequeath to my daughter Johan her filial portion of
any I promised unto her.
Item, to my son in law John Haly my black siylke
goune.
Item, I leave all the cowes and calfs for my wife and
to my daughter Ann White.
Item, to my brother
in law Patrick White a token of the next return as my wife shall choose. I
leave to my son and heire Benett White
to be continued in the house as principal heirelooms, and for filial portion a
great pan, a scarlett goune, a measuuige pan, a great kettle and other such
like implements as shall be thought good to my said Trustees and overseers.
Item, I charge myne executors to satisfye all my clear
debts.
Item, I leave to the discretion of my wife to bestowe
a token of good will in my name upon my brother
in law Nicholas White of the next return
Item, I leave that the house and the kyll in the abbay
lane which was engaged by my brother
Patrick White for xxxli. Sterling, and by my selfe redeemed to said Patrick
according my father assignment to him, he paying xxxli. Towards the preferment
I have assigned for my daughter Ann before he shall have any claim to said
premises.
Item, my will is that my brother Benett White
shall enjoy the benefit of his farme devised upon him by my father. And for any
other deattes or doubt I refer it to be ended by the discretion of my said
Trustees or overseers. In witness whereof I have hereunto putt my hand and
seale. Dated at Clonmel the XII of May 1614- JOHN WHYTE
This last will and testament was made and declared
before us the undernamed persons:
Pat Whyte mayor of Clonmell
Nicolas White
John Haly
Bennett Whyte
Patrick White
NB. the White coat of arms with a chevron engrailed between three roses, two and one
PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATIVES OF CLONMEL
Pp314-317
For a period of two centuries subsequent, there is no
evidence that Clonmel was represented in parliament. Down to the middle of
Elizabeth’s reign that assembly in Ireland was a rather shadowy one, and it is
yet a question how far the summons lists, even of Tudor times, represent the
actual attendance.
The parliament of 1541 enacted that members should be
resident in the counties or boroughs for which they have been elected. Hence
the first representatives of Clonmel were all natives of the town:
1559, January- Henry White, Clonmell, and John Stritche, Clonmell
The Stritches gave their name to the island in the
river north of Suir Island. John Stritch was sovereign of the borough
1539-1543. In a list of the freeholders of the Cantred of Clonmel, he is set
down as holding an estate of £20 a year.
Henry White was head of the
senior branch of the family at this period. He resided in Lough Street, where
he died 5 August 1577. An inquisition held 13 Nov., 19 Elizabeth, found that he
was seized of 60 messuages in the town and suburbs of Clonmel; of a water mill
on the Suir; of 300 acres “in the plains near Clonmel”; of 6 acres great
measure in the land of Fethard called Robages land.
1585, April- Geffrey White, Clonmell, John Bray, Clonmell
Geoffrey White was sovereign of Clonmel 1581-2, 1586-7, 1589-90. His name occurs in a protest made in parliament against the attainder
of Desmond, until Ormond’s right to lands escheated in the liberty of
Tipperary, should be secured. By his wife Anastasia Comerford, he was father of
John White, first mayor of Clonmel.
The name De Bray occurs in the Anglo-Irish records
from the first invasion. In 1552, a ‘grant of English liberty’ was made to
Edmond O’Brohe’ of Clonmel with his children.
1613, April 16th- Nicholas White, Gent., Clonmell, John Bray, Gent., Clonmell
As this parliament was to determine the great issue
not only of the confiscation of Ulster, but of the enactment of penal laws
against the Catholics, the representatives chosen by the Clonmel freeholders,
were evidently picked men. During the two previous years, the English
authorities were carefully manufacturing the constituencies. But Sir Richard
Moryson, Vice-President of Munster, In October 1611, had to report of Clonmel
“No hope of any conformable”.
Nicholas White was second son of Henry White, member in 1559. He was
the wealthiest burgher of the period, and throughout the reign of James I,
suffered most from religious persecution. The epithet “constant” applied to him
therefore by his widow, was not an empty one. He died 30 August 1622.
John Bray was son of John, member in 1585, and cousin
to Nicholas White, his will proved in 1632.
1634, June 19th- Henry White, Gent, Clonmel, Geffrey Barron, Gent., Clonmel
Henry White was son of Nicholas White. He was mayor of Clonmel 1639, and died about 1642, leaving a son Nicholas who was transplanted to
Connaught in 1654.
Geoffrey Barron was expelled from parliemtn in Dec
1634 by direction of Lord Stafford
1639, February- William Smith and
Richard Gethings.
After the succession of Catholic James II in 1685.
1689, May 7th- Nicholas White, alderman, John Bray, alderman
In this, the parliament of James II, the Anglo-Irish
burghers of Clonmel make their last appearance in history. Nicholas White is the first name on the list of aldermen contained
in the new charter granted to the twon in 1687. He may be identified with
“Nicholas White, Stritch”, living in 1676 in Lough Street, east side. If so, he
was son of Soloman White, and grandson of Thomas Stritch, mayor of Limerick,
hanged by Ireton on the surrender of that city 27th October 1651.
AFTER THE SUCCESSION OF JAMES II
Page 108
The following were named in the new Charter to Clonmel as the governing
body to come into existence 29 Sept 1688
Mayor- James Butler, merchant
Bailiffs- Richard Bennison, merchant;
Patrick Brennock, merchant
Aldermen:
Nicholas White, gent
Others: Morre, Bray, Comerford, Meade, Root, Vaughan,
Butler jnr, Boyton, Hickey, Stanley, Collett, Brennock, Whitehand
Free Burgesses, including:
Thomas White, Nicholas White, Nicholas White fitzJames, Thomas White…
Recorder- Sir Theobald Butler
Town Clerk and Protonotary- James Butler fitz James
King James a week after his arrival in Dublin summoned
a parliament of a kingdom only yet half subdued. Clonmel returned as its
representatives: Aldermen Nicholas White
and John Bray, while among other members for the county we find Butlers,
Purcells, Everards and Tobins, all belonging to families that had gone through
40 years of plunder and persecution. One of the first acts was a wholesale
attainder of the Cromwellian settlers.
Register of Priests of Tipperary, 11 July 1704- 62 in
number including Luke White, son of John
White, Mayor of Clonmel during Cromwellian siege- were required to take the
oath of abjuration before 25 March 1710
P133-135
DIRECTORY OF CLONMELL, 1787
White Henry, haberdasher, Main
Street
White, James, haberdasher and
merchant, Main Street
White, Agnes, tobacconist,
Irishtown
THE EARLIEST RECORDS OF WHITES IN CLONMEL
(Page 8-12)
Pipe Rolls (3&4) of Edward I
A list of 22 baronial feuds drawn up about 1240 with services payable to the King
at time of War is found in the Pipe Rolls (the services were generally
proportioned to the value and extent of the lands conveyed,
eg. Theobald
Butler, 22 services;
Richard de Burgh 18 Knights’ services, a half and a
third;
William of Worcester 9 services, a half):
From Thomas
White, a half service
The three great feudarii created numerous sub-infeudations:
Under the Butlers- were Purcells, Graces, Morrises,
Boytons, Fannings and others
Under the Worcesters (& their inheritors De
Berminghams)- were Keatings, St Johns Mocklers, Tobins (St Aubyn), Mandevilles, Heneberys, Prendergasts.
In 1242 Maurice Fitzgerald, justiciary, was ordered to
cut down the wood of Thomas St Aubym in
the pass of Comsy, between Fethard and the marches of Ossory, “that a safe
way might be opened for merchants and wayfarers the King having heard that many
persons peaceably passing there had been
killed and others robbed”.
The Earliest documentary reference to Clonmel occurs
about 1215.
THE TUDOR PERIOD
(Page 21)
Amongst the Irish Kern brought to the siege of
Boulogne in 1544 by lords Ormond and Cahir were Purcells, Fannings,
Fitzwilliams, Cantwells, Archers, Keatings, Dobbyns, Whites, Rothes, Walls and a host of others.
(Page 24)
In 1537, a Royal Commission was issued to inquire into
the state of Ireland
Charges by citizens of interference with their trade:
Item- they fynde that Shane
FitzTybbalde Burke of Mowsky (Clanwilliam) makyth his proclamations that no
market may be solde nor shalle not be solde out of his shyre but to Jamys White and Edmund Quirke and then
paying every of them a fine ten shillings yerely.
Item- they fynde that Jamys White merchaunte useith and hathe graye merchaunts
regrateing the market, Thomas White
and John Merthye useeyth the same.
(Gray merchants went through the country buying
“hides, skins, checkers, fleges, yarn, linen cloth. wool and flockes” secretly
and not in open market, with the evil intent to sell them again.)
(page 37)
Sir William
Drury wrote: “the students of Ireland that come from Louvain are the merest
traitors and breeders of treachery that liveth. Whereof they are in these parts
about Waterford and Clonmel four principal prelates. John White is worshipped like a God between Kilkenny and Waterford
and Clonmel. He suborneth all the dwellers of those parts to detest the true
religion stablished by her Majesty.”
THE ELIZABETHAN PERIOD
Page 39
Letter from Robert Rochfort
On the eve of Easter Sunday in the year 1585, Victor White one of the principal men of the town, a pious Catholic obtained
from the governor of the gaol the favour of having the priest (Fr Kenrachtin)
spend the night at his house. But the governor secretly advised the President
of Munster an English heretic who was then in town, that if he wanted to catch
the principal men of the place hearing mass he could easily do so at the house
of Victor White early next morning, bargaining at the same time for the price
of his shameful treachery. At the hour appointed the soldiers rushed on the
house. They seized Victor, the rest hearing the noise got away. Victor who
could never be brought to the heretic conventicles tough he had suffered much,
would not betray the priest and was therefore imprisoned. And he would no doubt
have suffered the extreme penalty of the law if the priest hearing of his peril
had not freely surrendered to the President, who passed sentence of death.
(Victor White lived in Moreton Street- subsequent to
the capture of Fr Kenrachtin in Victor’s house, it was termed ‘Martyr Lane-
p57)
Page 273 Note gg
Inquisition taken in Clonmel 19 Sept 1589, found that Edmund Butler, late Archbishop of Cashel, and Commendatory
Prior of St Edmund the Martyr at Athassel, before the dissolution of the said
monastery was seized in right of said priory, of one messuage and appurtenances
in Clonmel where at present Beale White,
Widow, and Victor White fitzJames
are living, which messuage extends lengthwise from the street in the north to
the Suir in the south; of four gardens- one lying at Lough Gate, east of
Barior, two others west of Lough Gate and Barior, the fourth extending from
Walter Wall’s land on the west to the Royal Road on the east; of a piece of
land in Richards Park from the Royal Road on the east to the land of Henry White on the north, to Richard White’s land on the south, and
from the highway on the west to the land of Henry White on the east; of three acres lying west of the Cashel
Road adjoining Henry White’s lands;
of two acres and a stang in the north part of Bwolicke called Bwoin; of a stang
alongside the Fethard Road in the east; all which possessions the said prior
with the consent of the community previous to the dissolution of the priory by
deed under the monastic seal bearing date 8 August 1538, granted to James White of Clonmel, merchant, and his assignes for
the term of one hundred years reserving a certain rent.
Page 41
Charter of James I, 1608: as the whole population were constructive rebels, people
secured their civil rights against martial law by obtaining ‘pardons’.
The following pardons from Clonmel appear in the Fiants of Elizabeth:
1573- David White fitz Pierce and Sabina his wife; Nicholas White fitz Pierce merchant; Richard White fitz James yeoman. Each of these to pay a fine of one
fat cow.
1577- Edward Quirke and Peter White- to pay a fine of a cow
each.
1583- Thomas White fitz Walter and Katherine his wife
1601- Pierce White fitz David
1603- John White late sheriff of Co Waterford, Solomon White.
PERIOD 1603-1641
(page 43-44)
1609- James White and Bennet White, merchants of Clonmel- in Cadiz
(Clonmel merchant venturer, sold their merchandise, such as tallow, hides, salt
beef and pork, in Spanish or French ports, and then purchased wine, salt, hemp,
silk, tapestry or other fine stuffs for return journey. (In the Yougall records
is a sort of commercial treaty by which one of the Whites was enabled to ship
his wares free of the port dues there.)
1614, Benedict White fitz John set up in Suir Island, a mill for the tucking and finishing of coarse
woollen stuffs (a prohibition on the export of wool stimulated manufacture at
home)
1614 following licenced to keep taverns in Clonmel (despite prohibition on
manufacture and sale of beer, strong waters and the like):
James White, merchant, and Victor White his son
Richard White, merchant
John White, merchant
(page 44)
Henry White fitz Thomas, draper, died 1614: An inventory of my goodes and chattels
(Prerogative Wills, PRO)- First a big
olde measinge pan. A silver standing cupp or noll. A newe table board. A new
carpeleade. A prasneath. Ffowre pewter dishes. Two pattingers. A flocke bed, a
paire of sheets, fifty five settes, three shags, ffovrte ordynaries, one
hundred and thirty yards frize, six peeces of checkes, eighteen poundes in
moneye, ten barrels oaten malte, three barrels barley malte. There is also due
to me of Mr Nicholas White fitz Henry, 8 li sterling as by our mutual deede
indated more at large may appeare. Itm- I have in shop wares by myne estimation
ye value of 40 shillings sterling. Itm- a cheste price seven shill. Sterling.
Patent and Close Rolls of James I and Charles I-
mortgages of extensive estates made to Patrick
White fitz Thomas, James White fitz Robert, etc As the interest on these
mortgages varied from 15 to 30 %, foreclosure was the sequel; the mortgage
there for was but the transition stage to landed proprietorship. Accordingly in
the next generation the representatives of these merchants appear in the “Book
of Distribution” as forfeiting Landowners (eg. Michael White fitz Bennet of Mylerstown, Francis White, Chancellorstown)
WILLS:
Catherine White fitz Thomas- 1625
I doe leave and bequeath unto my daughter Bess my best chaine and my
best Juell. I distribute the rest of my Juells, chaines, Ringes with all my
bodilie apparel upon my brothers, sisters and their children, my foster mother
and my nurse and some poor kinder women of myne.
James White fitz Robert- 1622
I will and devise to my said wife
Catherine Power all my pewter, brass, lynen, candlesticks, householdstuff,
catle, her Jeuells, ringes and cahine of gould and all my goods and chatells my
plate only excepted.
Page 50
Early 1600’s ( near the death of
Ormond)- Tried to enforce the sovereign and principal burgesses to attend the
Protestant service. When they refused, John
White fitz Geoffrey was deprived of the sovereignty.
John White, a cousin of his
grace, Catholic Primate of Armagh- White’s mother Anastasia Comerford of
Waterford was the Primate, Lombard’s aunt), the brother of Fr Thomas White S.J. was deprived of the sovereignty of Clonmel
because he would not go to church with the president. With nine other Clonmel
and Cashel citizens were kept in Cork gaol ever since to the very great loss of
their business.
Page 51-
Everyone was bound to attend the Protestant service in
his parish church every Sunday and holiday. The penalty for absence was 12d.
which in practice came to 10s. The names
of recusants were furnished by the Protestant ministers and bills of indictments
were framed thereon. But the Grand Jurors, being all Catholics, refused to take
part in the persecution and threw out the bills. Proceedings were taken against
the Jurors.
1613, May 7- James Braye, Wm
Brenoche, Walter O’Mulryan and Thomas
White members of a Jury impanelled in Feb last at Clonmel in the County of
Tipperary before Chief Baron Methwold and Garrald Loather Esq, Justice of
Common Pleas as Justices of Assize- to pay a fine of £40 English apiece and to
be imprisoned during pleasure for refusing to join with the rest of the jury in
representing as recusants those inhabitants of Clonmell certified as such by
the minister of the parish.
May 7- Pierce Butler of Knockgraffon,
Richard Purcell of Loughmore and John
Tobin of Killogh members of the Jury Impanelled at Clonmel in Feb last
before Chief Baron Methwolde and justice Loather- to pay a fine of £200 English
apiece and the rest of the jury £40 apiece and all of them to be imprisoned at
pleasure for refusing to present as recusants divers of the parishioners of
Lisronagh (8 kms N of Clonmel) upon the testimony of one Dybsall a minister,
having no other reason to give but that it was against their conscience which
answer this Court did absolutely reject and disallow.
1616 May 8- Bennet White, Mayor of Clonmell, to be fined £20 and imprisoned
during pleasure for executing his office without having taken the oath of
supremacy.
page 57
Victor White lived in Moreton
Street which became Martyr Lane after the capture of Fr Kenrachtin in his
house. In Lough Street on the east side lived the senior branch of the White family represented at this period by John White fitz Bennet.
On 5 May 1578 a grant of the whole
was made to George Moore ‘in consideration of his services during the wars in
Scotland and Ireland’.- described as “the messuage and garden lying between the
holding formerly of William Fagan on the north, the holdings formerly of Richard White, Walter Wall, Henry White and Peter Hanraghan on the
south, Lough Street on the west, and the common wall of the town on the east.
P58
A stone slate house built about 1624 by the Commons of Clonmell, upon a part of their Common land,
and sett apart for an Hospitall for old, impotent, decayed inhabitants of
Clonmell.” This owed its existence to the charity of James White fitzRobert whose will
dated 29th June 1622 contains the bequest:
“Item, I will, bequeath and demise of the moneyes due to me of John
fitzGerald of Dromany in the Co. of Waterford Esqr towards the building of the
poore house or hospital in Clonmell aforesaid the sum of fortie pounds sterling. (Prerogative Willis PRO).
Page 218-
Charter of Clonmel in sixth year of reign of James I -1609)
In part:
The said Body be Incorporated, and composed of good,
lawful and honest persons, by the assent aforesaid, for us, our heires and
successors, do make, constitute and ordain, John White FfitzGeffrey, Mayor
of said town or Borrough of Clonmel, for and during one whole year, beginning
from the feast of St Michael ye Archangel next coming, AND we also make,
constitute and ordaine, by these presents James
White FfitzRichard and Joseph White
Ffitz Lawrence, Bayliffs of ye
said town or Borrough for ye said year,
and Pierce Bray, Nicholas White
FfitzHenry, Patrick White Ffitz Thomas, Thomas Goagh, James White Ffitz Robert, Richard
White, John Bray, Nicholas Wall, Leonard Creaghe, Edmond Wall, Thomas White, Thomas Roche, Nicholas White Ffitz Thomas, James
Daniel, Pierce Bray, Mellchior White
and Benedict White FfitzGeffry being
the best and discreetest men of and in ye said town or Borrough, which free
Burgesses being 17 together with the Mayor and Bailliffs for the time being,
shall make the common council of the town, etc.
Boyle’s Diary- Jan 1615, my Cozen John White ffitzGeffrey of Clonmel owes
me that I lent himself £31. 10s. sterling, and to his son Bennett in England other £8…… my cozen Alsen White and her son Bennett Whyte owe me by their bill £20.
THE 1641-49 CATHOLIC CONFEDERATION REBELLION & CROMWELL’S INVASION
IN 1650 & CONSEQUENCES FOR CATHOLICS IN IRELAND
P62
At the beginning of January 1642, the keys of the town were handed over by the mayor John White to the Irish
commander, Richard Butler of Kilcash. One of the first acts of the confederates
in Clonmel, as in the other towns, was to give possession of the old churches
to the Catholics. Thomas White was duly instituted Catholic Vicar of St Mary’s,
where members of his family had long ministered, and where many generations of
them lay buried.
On 24 October
1642 the confederate parliament met in Kilkenny, the representatives for
Clonmel being John White and
Geoffrey Barron.
P63 Richard Bellings, secretary to the Confederate
Council, complained bitterly that Clonmel was entirely devoted to the nuncio.
In August 1646, a treaty was concluded between Ormond
and the Anglo-Irish, only two prominent citizens, John White fitzBennet and Thomas White fitzRichard declared
themselves in favour of the treaty.
P78
Articles made between the Lord Lieutenant and the Inhabitants thereof
touching the rendition thereof, May 18, 1650:
It is granted and agreed by and betwixt the Lord
Lieut. Genll Cromwell on the one part and Mr
Michael White and Mr Nicholas Betts Comrs. Entrusted in the behalf of the
towne and garrison of Clonmel on the other parte as Follows:
1st- The said town and garrison of Clonmell with the
arms, ammunicon and other furniture of war that are now therein shall be
rendered and delivered up into the hands of his Excellency the Lord Left. by
eight of the clock this morning.
2nd- That in consideration thereof the
inhabitants of the said towne shall be protected their lives and estates from
all plunder and violence of the soldiery and shall have the same rights
libertye and proteccon as other subjects under the authoritie of the Parliament
of England have or ought to have and injoy within the dominion of Ireland
O. Cromwell
P87
The Whites had been for centuries rulers of Clonmel. Proud of their old English blood, they from time to time victualled
the royal forces operating against the Irish, and entertained the
representatives of English authority who visited the town. At this period the
head of the senior branch was Nicholas White. His father Henry had been a
member for the borough in the parliament of 1634, and his grandfather Nicholas
in that of 1613. Educated abroad, on the death of his father in 1642, he came
into the inheritance of a considerable portion of the town (estimated by
Ormond’s agent, Jn Walsh, to be £300 a year. At present about 10 times that
sum. Carte Papers, xliv.40). In 1641 when the war broke out he had not
returned, and throughout all the troubles maintained a strict neutrality-
“lived indifferentlie” as was stated. After the siege of Clonmel, Ireton took
compassion on him.
“Nicholas White sonne of Henry White late of
Clonmell Esqr, decd., whom being
in his Minority, and residing in France in the beginning of the late rebellion,
the late Lord Deputy Ireton ordered 30
li per annum to be allowed out of his father’s estate” (Return of the
Revenue of Clonmel 31 Oct 1653/4, PRO). But as he had lived in the Irish
quarters he was unable to prove “constant good affection” to the Parliament
which was at war with his King and proscribed his religion. So on the 19th
December 1653, he appeared before the Cromwellian commissioners:
(No 130) By the Commissioners of Revenue for the Precinct of Clonmell
We the said Commissioners doe hereby certify that Nicholas White of Clonmell aforesaid in the County of Tipperary
esquire, hath upon the 19th day of December 1653 in pursuance of a
Declaration of the Commissioners of the Commonwealth of England for the Affairs
of Ireland, bearing date the 14th day of October 1653 delivered unto
us in writing a particular containing therein the names of himself and of such
other persons as are to remove with him, with the quantity and quality of their
respective stocks and tillage, the contents whereof are as followeth:
31 persons, 29 acres of winter corn, 17 cows, 3
yearlings, 20 garrons.
The substance whereof we conceive to be true. In witness whereof we have
herewith set our hand and Seals the 19th day of December 1653
Sol. Richards, Chas Blount, Hen. Parish
A few days after Christmas, Nicholas White on his way to Connaught took a last look from the
heights of Ardgeeha (part of Clonmel), at the town and fields, the home of his
fathers over which he roamed as a boy and ruled as man. Having got his
allotment de bene esse or temporary
assignment, from the Commissioners at Loughre and built his cabin, he there
waited until the 25 March 1656, when by decree of the Court of Athlone, he was
granted 1004 acres amid the desolate rocks of West Clare. Here he pined during
the 4 following years until on the news of the King’s restoration he made his
way back to Tipperary. As the Cromwellians in possession would not admit him
back to the town, and there was a proclamation ordering the escaped Irish back
to Connaught, he took a small farm on the sloe of Slievenamon whence he might
behold his old home. From there he addressed several petitions to the Duke of
Ormond to be restored. The only reply he received was official sympathy, and so
step by step he sank into pauperism.
The following is the last we learn of this broken
gentleman of Clonmel:
To his Grace the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. The humble Petition of Nicholas White Esqr.
Humbly shewith. That your Grace on your Petitioners condition in regard
that your petitioners Estate (formerly belonging unto him) in the town of
Clonmell and liberty thereof is conferred upon your Grace, and your petitioner
having no place to live in was forced to take the farm of Gannaggibbon at the
great Rent which your petitioner by the sale of stock and scarcity of moneys is
no way able to pay (without taking your petitioners five milk cows being the
only relief of himself and his family). Your Grace may be therefore pleased out
of your great piety and pity to give orders to your Receiver to Remit four and
forty pound Rent due for this last year and a half and this present year to
your Grace out of the said farm. Your petitioner being destitute of all means
to pay the same or any way to subsist
And your petitioner will ever pray etc.
(Carte Papers, Bodleian, lx. No 280. No date but among
the papers for 1663.)
There is no reference from Ormond on the petition; it
is probable that the “five milk cows” the only relief of himself and his family
were taken from him also.
Through the winter of 1653/4 the outcast landowners
and town folk with their tenants and dependents, their stock and household
goods passed in endless cavalcade westwards. In vain did they pray that their
flight might not be in winter and on the Sabbath. Yet even by the following
May, all were not ‘removed’.
Upon consideration had of the petition of the Inhabitants of the County
of Tipperary as are comprehended within the Act of Transplantation, and of the
Report of the Standing Committee of Officers thereupon. It is ordered that the
Officer commanding in chief at Clonmell be and he is hereby impowered to grant
License to such of the Petitioners as he shall think fit, for the space of 6
weeks from the date hereof while they are building their cabins in Connaught to
pass to and from between Connaught and Clare and the place where they are now
respectively reside. Provided they act nothing to the prejudice of the
Commonwealth. And it is further ordered that their wives and families, such as
have not been engaged against the Parliament interest, be dispensed with from
their transplantation for the space of six weeks aforesaid and hereof all whom
it may concern are desired to take notice.
Dublin 1 May 1654
Thomas Herbert Secretary (A 85, p314, PRO Dublin)
P90-91
The plan for Ireland was to grant vacant place and
waste ground with the towns to persons professing the Protestant religion on
condition that they erected good and substantial houses thereon with 3 years
after the date of such grant. But in vain were these inducements held out;
soldiers would not turn their swords into ploughshares and the tradespeople of
Bristol and Exeter had heard evil reports of Teig and Phelim. Appeals were made
in England. The Popish recusants, it was said, were now cleared out of the
towns and not allowed within a distance of 2 miles. But in vain; only a few
came. The original scheme therefore of setting down an entirely new population
of English had to be abandoned.
Alone perhaps in the case of Clonmel, we are able to
judge how far the Cromwellian settlement was carried out in the towns of
Ireland. The poll money returns for 1660 still exist, afford a detailed picture
of the place in that year, the last of the Commonwealth.
Population: the number of adult persons resident
within the walls or town proper amounted to some 394. Outside were 476 of whom
204 were in Irishtown, 110 in the northern suburbs, 86 in the east and 76
beyond the bridge. As the total 870 included about 300 married women and widows
the gross population would be approximately 1000. Judging from the names, the
new settlers did not constitute quite a fifth of the whole. The Irish were
still in an overwhelming majority though reduced to utter impotence, social and
municipal. All merchants, shopkeepers
and artizans of the birth of Ireland, such as had escaped Connaught of the
Barbadoes, were banished outside the walls. There were two exceptions, due
probably to the character of their trade, one Edward Comerford of Bridge
Street, who imported Spanish wines, the other Walter Brennock an apothecary in
High Street. Servants, domestics and unskilled labourers in the employment of
Protestants were suffered to remain.
Outside, the population was exclusively Irish, some
remnants of the old burgher families, Whites,
Walls and Barrons, being still distinguishable in the common mass. Further, not
only were the new settlers small in number, but fewer still belonged to the
mercantile class. There were Commonwealth officials, disbanded soldiers,
younger sons of good families and mere adventures. John Booker, a drysalter in
London, joined the Parliament army and as one of the ‘49’ officers (who served
in Ireland before 5 June 1649) he was allotted in payment of his services,
certain houses in North Land, the former
property of Nicholas White. Another, Samuel Foley, younger son of an iron
founder in Stourbridge, who held rank of captain, made his abode in the old
home of John White fitzBennett in Boate
Street.
P96
In Clonmel, the Cromwellian authorities still ruled,
Thomas Batty being mayor, and Major Francis Foulkes governor. The old burghers
who had returned from Connaught and elsewhere were neither permitted to trade
nor dwell within the walls. In vain did the King’s letter of 22 May 1661
authorize them to peaceably inhabit and trade, and confirm to them their former
corporate privileges. In vain did they petition the Lord Lieutenant Ormond to
re-enter the town. John Walsh, Ormond’s agent, recommended certain of their
number for favourable consideration, but to no purpose
Those who submitted and constantly adhered to the Peace of ‘48’:
Ffrancis White fitzPatrick
John White fitz Thomas
Michael Oge White
Michael White fitz Thomas
James White fitz Nicholas
John White fitzMichell
And others, Stritch, Leynagh, Conry, Wall, Donoghow,
Rochae, Bray, Brennock,. Swyny, Morrohow, Betts, Mulrony and English
Those who by their early repentance redeemed their former failings by
submitting to the cessation in ’43 to the peace in ’46 to the Cessation with
the Earl of Inchiquin and upon all other occasions manifested their good
affection to this Majesties service:
John White fitzBennett of Clonmel 200 li per annum. (estimated
property)
Thomas White fitzRichard of Clonmell 70 li per ann.
Those who from the beginning lived indifferently and were of known good
affection to his Majesties service and died before the Cessation in ’43:
Henry White of Clonmell and Nicholas White his son, 300 li per ann.
All hope was cut off by the Act of Settlement of 1662 which enacted that “the Corporations
of Ireland are now planted with English who have considerably improved at their
own charges, and brought trade and manufacture into that our Kingdom, the
disturbing or removing of which English would in many respects be very
prejudicial. (Section 15 of Declaration). And the Act of Explanation 1665, forbade even the sale of houses in
Corporations to “Papists or Popish recusants”.
Lady Morris who had been previously married to Bennet White fitz Geoffrey, was
transplanted to Connaught in 1654 with her three young children Sir John, Harry
and Edmond. On the 22 Aug 1655, the Cromwellian court at Athlone assigned the
wretched woman 354 acres. After the restoration she obtained on 1 August 1663 a
decree of innocence and an order to enter upon the estate. She could not be
restored to the houses in Clonmel, being a Papist, and no reprise in lands
elsewhere would be granted her, having accepted from the Cromwellians lands in
Connaught. (decrees of Innocents Roll IX, Skin 82, PRO Dublin)
P98
While the restoration brought to his countrymen but
the extinction of their hopes, it raised Ormond to the pinnacle of wealth and
honour. Among the grants made to him was one of almost the entire town of
Clonmel. As lord of the manor he previously derived certain chief rents from
the burgesses. Now all feudal tenures, fee farm grants and leaseholds were
declared forfeited, and the town at its full improved value became his. The
estate, for example, of John White
was held by suit of court and a yearly rent of 22 s. Its value now may be
estimated from the fact that it consisted of 34 houses within the walls, and 21
without; 3 corn mills, one tucking mill with several gardens and parks.
Case: The problems which arose in the administration
of the Acts were perplexing. Here is a local case:
Bennett White of Clonmell in the County
of Tipperary long before the rebellion did mortgage unto Richard Earl of Corke,
the castle and town and lands of Maylarstowne (Milerstown) for 60 pounds and
died long before the Rebellion. John
White his son and heir entered and continued possession paying the interest
of the mortgage until ousted by the usurpers. Sithence which time the same is
disposed of by the now Earle of Cork it being not allotted to Adventurers or
Soldiers. The said castle and town are holder of James Duke of Ormond as of his
Manor of Clonmell. John White is a
forfeiting person.”
The question is whether the Duke of Ormond may pay the
said mortgage money to the Earl of Cork, whether the said Earl be bound to
accept thereof. And whether the said Duke may enter by virtue of the King’s
Declaration and Act of Settlement which gives him the forfeiture of all lands
held of him? (Carte Papers XXIII. 157)
TRANSPLANTATION AFTER CROMWELLIAN INVASION
Page 86
(No. 129) By the Commissioners of Revenue for the Precinct of Clonmell.
We the said Commissioners do hereby certify that Thomas White fitzRichard of Clonmell
aforesaid, in the county of Tipperary, freeholder, hath upon the seven and
twentieth day of January 1653/4 in pursuance of a Declaration of the
Commissioners of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England for the affairs
of Ireland bearing date the 14 day of October 1653 delivered unto us in writing
a particular containing therein the names of himself and of such other persons
as are to remover with him, with the quantity and quality of their respective
stocks and tillage, the contents whereof are as followeth:
Seven persons, one cow, one yearling, two swine. The substance whereof we conceive to be true.
In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and
seals the seven and twenty day of January 1653
Sol. Richards, Chs Blount, Hen. Paris
In Robert C Simington’s, ‘Transplantation to
Connaught’, there are several Whites on the transplanted list, but no Thomas White- maybe he had died- his
sons John and Michael.
The only Clonmel entries (p147):
Nicholas fitzHenry White of Clonmell, decreed 1004 acres (H 1,269) Barony of Lietrim, Co Galway: Parish of Ballynakill (No 15 on map of Galway),
David White of Rushtown, Waterford (Russellstown,
about 5 kms SW of Clonmel on the Tipperary/Waterford border) (also linked to Clonmel see Ancient Burgesses of Clonmel
further down), assigned 140 acres (H140) in Co. Clare Barony of Bunratty, Parishes
of Inchicronan (No 19 on map) and Kilraghtis (No 59 on map) (assigned
12 Feb 1655/56)
Pierce White of Rushing?, Waterford (could be Rushdale, Clonmel- over the bridge on the River
Suir, in the southern suburbs of Clonmel, but probably Russelstown- Pierce White of Russelstown named as a proprietor in the 1656 Civil Survey of Tipperary with Robert Fleming of 282 acres at Upper Logh Kent near Widdingstown)
-given 3 assignments in County Clare: (a) 300 acres (H98) in Barony of Bunratty; (b) 300 acres (H24)
Barony of Inchiquin Parish of Dysert (No 14 on map); (c) Barony of Clonderalan Parish of
Kilmurry (No 53 on map)
Cromwellian Transplantation Maps- Simington
No. 15 Lower right
Cromwellian Transplantation Maps- Simington
No 19 Top centre,
No. 59 below and adjacent to 19
No. 14 centre below 74,
No. 53 lower right between 71 and 29
(NB the other Whites transplanted came from Meath,
Kerry, Louth and Limerick and Kildare)
POST RESTORATION
P248-
POLL MONEY BOOK 1661
Borough of Clonmell
Thomas White, Labourer- 2s.
Ellen his wife, -2s.
Thomas White, servant-2s.
Nicholas White and Ellan his wife,
tobaccomonger -6s
Victor White, polty ffarmour and
Katherine his fie- 8s
Anne White servant- 2s
Andrew White, Taylor -2s.
South Suburbs of Clonmell
Thomas Toben, labourer -2s.
Ellan his wife, 2s.
Thomas White, porter -2s.
Ellen his wife- 2s
Anastace White, spinster,- 2s.
CLONMEL- CATHOLIC CHURCH ANDS ABBEY- BURIAL PLACES OF THE WHITE FAMILY
Page 265
ST MARY’S CHURCH
In the south aisle stood an altar dedicated to St
Michael the Archangel, the aisle itself being the chapel or chantry of the White family. There they prayed in
life, and at their death their bodies rested beneath its pavement.
Henry White, “burgess of the
towne of Clonemell” made his will in
1577:
“first I commend my soule to God almighty through the merits of Christes
passion and the intercession of his blessed mother, the Virgin Mary, and the
holy company of heaven, and my boddie to be buryed in the sepulture of mine
auncestors within the parish church of Clonemell”. (Prerogative Wills, PRO)
Henry White fitz Thomas in 1614 commends his soul to “the
almyghtie God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the whole company of heaven, my
boye to be buryed in myne ancestors burial within Saint Michaell’s Chappell in
the parish church of Clonmell aforesaid”. (Prerogative Wills)
James White fitzRobert in 1622 commands “my soule to Almightie
God my maker and redeemer, and my body to the buryed in the sepulture of my
ancestors within the parish church of Clonmell”.
This James
was, it seems, the last buried within the ancestral “sepulture”.
Nineteen years before, on the death of Queen
Elizabeth, Catholic service had been performed in the church and Father James White, Vicar Apostolic of
Waterford, had offered Mass there. But in the interval Protestantism had
become firmly established. St Mary’s had passed irrevocably from the Catholics,
and the Whites would not commit their bodies to desecrated soil. Accordingly on
the death of Nicholas White, the head of
the family, in 1622, his widow began the erection of a mortuary chapel
immediately adjoining the south aisle, the old place of internment. This
appears to have been completed 10th May 1623, and on 23rd
December following, the body was exhumed and re-interred in the new Chapel.
A manuscript of
1813 in the PRO, gives the following account of the White Chapel:
In the summer of 1805, the chapel
belonging to the White family
(the ancient proprietors of Clonmel) which joined the SW corner (of the
church), was thrown down. This chapel was built upon vaults, and against its
southern wall inside was erected the family tomb and monument in form of a
Roman Catholic Altar, at which, it is said, their chaplain was accustomed to
celebrate Mass. About ten feet from the ground and over the tomb, was the arms
of the Whites- an escutcheon bearing three roses and the following distich,
ET TRIAS EST NUMERO ET NATURA EST UNA COLORUM
EN UBI PRǢSIDIUM VITUS ET ARMA LOCAT.
Below this were ornaments of stone work like a canopy, on small marble
pillars and in the centre a long Latin inscription. Nothing remains now of this
chapel but the tomb and vaults beneath, the stones bearing these inscriptions
together with several other of its ornaments having been conveyed to a place
called Patrick’s Well about a mile to the west of Clonmel to mend an old Roman
Catholic Church for several years in ruins in a most romantic valley on the
estate of Simmons Sparrow Esq.
P266
To a recent writer we owe a more graceful if less
detailed description Clonmel Chronicle Oct 1877):
At the SW corner of the present church of St Mary, a little
ecclesiastical edifice, in correct architectural style, stood for centuries,
and was known as the private chapel of the White family. It cannot be more than
70 or 80 years since its removal, after it had become unroofed, and had fallen
into complete decay. The appearance it presented in its ruined stage, was
described to us not long since by one who remembered to have looked when a boy
through its broken windows. He saw the long grass and rank vegetation that
choked up the interior, hiding partly from view the richly sculptured tombs and
tablets which, in silent language, seemed to tell the old, old story- “Sic
transit Gloria mundi”! Some of these monuments were carried off to enrich other
buildings, while the western window in the present porch of St Mary’s once
lighted the ancient chapel of the Whites.
From the foregoing accounts, and the fragments
existing at St Patrick’s Well, there can be no difficulty in reconstructing the
mortuary chapel with its alter-tomb. The chapel apparently ran north and south;
its southern gable being ‘blind’, light was obtained from triple Tudor windows
in the sides. The hood-moulding of these windows terminated in fleur-de-lys and
the characteristic rose of the Whites. The altar, standing against the southern
gable, consisted of a table or slab which was supported in front by four
cylindrical columns on shallow bases and bearing three semi-circular arches.
Forming the reredos was the large inscribed stone with scrolls at the sides.
This supported a slab of similar size divided into three panels on which are
cut in low relief, the Virgin and Child, the Crucifixion, and the ascension
respectively. Crowning the whole was the deep sunk panel containing the family
arms and motto before described. On each side of the panel were placed the
classic finials which at present rest on the altar table. One third of the
inscribed slab is occupied by the sacred monogram in large interlaced test. In
the centre of this is reproduced in minute form the same monogram. It would
appear that this is a sort of heraldic way of symbolising the widow and heir as
founders.
Page 267 The inscription which occupies the remaining two
thirds of the stone is as follows:
Detail on the tomb at St Patrick's Well
The White arms are carved in bold relief- a chevron
engrailed between three roses, two and one. Round the shield is stiff conventional
foliage, the tendrils pendant at the sides being would into double true-lovers
knots. The crest is a dexter arm in armour, couped at the shoulder, grasping a
branch with three roses. Underneath in Roman letters is the motto which, it may
be observed, is divisible into two verses, a hexameter and a pentameter.
The following is a translation of the motto and
inscription:
Motto
Trinity in number. Unity in Colour
Herein White puts his faith and his arms
Inscription
Here lies Mr Nicholas White, esquire,
A man known and beloved
For his piety, stauchness, refinement and excellence
of character;
He died 30th day of August, in the year of
Our Lord 1622.
His body, on the 22nd day of December, in
the year of Our Lord 1623,
Was brought to this monument
From the chantry of his ancestors which faces the
north side of this chapel.
May God have mercy on his soul.
Barbara White, his widow, and Henry White, his son and
heir,
Have built this chapel as a perpetual memorial of the
said Nicholas,
And dedicated it to the holy name of Jesus and of His
Mother
The Blessed Virgin Mary.
On the left of the reconstructed altar at St Patrick’s
Well is a panel with the White arms, beneath which is a skull and cross bones
and the motto “Memento Mori (Remember Death). Carved on the edge is “10 Maii
1623,” the probable date of the completion of the chapel.
Page 268
Within the south aisle of St Mary’s, the ancient “sepulture” of the Whites, a tomb of the
family may still be seen. It now forms part of the floor, but doubtless was
once inserted in the side wall. Its presence there is due to the fact that it
covered the remains of a member of the family interred when the Catholics again
had possession of the old church, 1641-1650. The flag measures about six by
three and a half feet. It has the usual floriated cross, and ranged along each
side are rudely carved symbols of the Passion, the scourges, pillar, spear,
ladder, seamless robe, etc. there are two escutcheons- one charged with the
White arms and the initials. I. W.; the other shows a lion passant gardant on a
chief indented- initials T.C. The inscription which is carried round the edge
reads:
Translation:
John White lies beneath this icy marble,
As also the bones of his beloved wife Johanna,
He was Mayor twice.
First, during the viceroyalty of Wentworth.
Second, at the beginning of the Catholic confederate war.
He died 26 August 1643
The last member of the White family buried in the
mortuary chapel was probably Ellen
Comerford nee White, who in her will dated 23 August 1748 states,
“I desire to be buryed in ye Whites Chapell.
If not roume there, I leave foreteen pounds for a toume stone”.
Page 300
The Franciscan House- St Francis Priory
The Franciscans established a permanent settlement at
Clonmel in 1269. Their first location was probably a simple hut close to the
river in the most obscure corner of town.
P302
Perhaps of even greater interest, though not so old,
was the tomb of John White fitzGeoffrey,
first mayor of Clonmel. This was removed from the church very many years ago to
St Mary’s Catholic church, where it may still be seen. It consists of a deeply
sunk panel, well moulded. In the centre are the White arms. For distinction
there are two angels as supporters. These are very crude, though their drapery
shows Renaissance influence. An esquire’s helmet, surrounded by pipey foliage,
is placed over the shield, the crest being an archer demy. The inscription is:
Translation:
The arms of John White Esquire,
Sometimes Seneschal of the County Palatine of
Tipperary,
Sheriff of the County of Waterford, First Mayor of
Clonmel.
So the glory of the world passes away.
Benedict White heir of the said John, and Ellice
Got this made 1615.
Page 274
Parish Priests
Sir Piers White- at his request on 2nd
July 1526, an enquiry was held into the legitimacy of Thomas Levet, canon of
Holy Trinity Dublin. Levet was a native of Clonmel, and the evidence was taken
at St Mary’s Church before four priests, two clerks and a notary public.
Luke White- was born in 1637
and was the son of John White fitz
Benedict, mayor during the Cromwellian siege. He was educated at Nantes
where he was ordained in 1659 by Dr Robert Barry, Bishop of Cork and Cloyne,
then a refugee there. He resigned the vicarage 16 January 1700.
ANCESTRY OF THE WHITES OF CLONMEL
The richly sculptured burial tombs of the Whites of Clonmel were decorated
with the White arms carved in bold relief and was described as:
a chevron engrailed between three roses, two and one.
White arms on White alter grave in St Mary's Clonmel
compared with the Memorial in St Mary's Church in Leixlip (with White arms on the left and Moore on the right:
(Sir Nicholas White of Leixlip d.1654)
St Mary’s Church Leixlip has an ancient memorial (above) on
the wall in the chancel with the inscription:
WHITE This Tombe was erected by the Lady Ursula White,
daughter of the Lord Moore. Here Lyeth the Bodis of Sr. Nicholas White, Knight,
deceased the 24th of Februarie 1654 and his son Nicholas White Esq., deceased
31st of Decembr 1664. [in wall of
chancel]
Conclusion- Our Whites living in the area between Clogheen and the border of Tipperary/Cork/Waterford in the early to mid 1800's, probably descended from either the Whites of Dromana which is only about 20 kms SE of Araglin, or the Whites of Clonmel.
Link back to Introduction:
Links to all other chapters in this blog:
Tobin and Driscoll family in Tipperary Ireland
http://tobinfamilyhistoryaus.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/stephen-tobin-ch2-tobins-in-tipperary.html
Tobin family settle in Gerringong, NSW, Australia in 1857
http://tobinfamilyhistoryaus.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/stephen-tobin-ch3-settlement-in-nsw.html
Tobin family settle in Tallebudgera Queensland in 1870
http://tobinfamilyhistoryaus.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/stephen-tobin-ch3-settlement-in-Tallebudgera.html
Life at Tallebudgera for the Tobin Family until 1892
http://tobinfamilyhistoryaus.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/stephen-tobin-ch5-life-at-tallebudgera.html
Tobin family move back to NSW and Western Australia- deaths of Stephen and Mary
http://tobinfamilyhistoryaus.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/stephen-tobin-ch6-return-to-nsw.html
Stephen Tobin's sister Catherine Tobin- marriage to Timothy Guinea
http://tobinfamilyhistoryaus.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/stephen-tobin-ch7-sister-catherine-tobin.html
Bushrangers in the family
http://tobinfamilyhistoryaus.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/stephen-tobin-ch8-bushrangers-in-family_15.html
Stephen Tobin's sister Ellen Tobin- an Irish female orphan immigrant in 1850
http://tobinfamilyhistoryaus.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/stephen-tobin-ch9-sister-ellen-tobin.html
Stephen Tobin's daughter Katherine Tobin- marriage to Adolph Poulsen
http://tobinfamilyhistoryaus.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/stephen-tobin-ch10-daughter-katherine.html
Sons of Stephen Tobin and Mary Driscoll
http://tobinfamilyhistoryaus.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/stephen-tobin-ch11-sons-of-stephen-mary.html
Daughters of Stephen Tobin and Mary Driscoll
http://tobinfamilyhistoryaus.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/stephen-tobin-ch12-daughters-of-stephen.html
Irish Roots of Tobins, Driscolls, O'Briens, and Whites
http://tobinfamilyhistoryaus.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/stephen-tobin-ch13-irish-roots.html
