Carleton-L'Estrange of Market Hill

THE CARLETON-L'ESTRANGES OWNED 2,886 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY FERMANAGH

LANCELOT CARLETON, of Rossfad, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, High Sheriff of County Fermanagh, 1684, married Mary, daughter of William Irvine, of Castle Irvine, and had issue,

Lancelot, grandfather of Guy Carleton, 1ST BARON DORCHESTER;
CHRISTOPHER, of whom presently.

Mr Carleton was killed in the Civil War in the service of CHARLES I.

His second son,

CHRISTOPHER CARLETON, of Market Hill, County Fermanagh, wedded Anne, daughter and heir of the Rev George Hamilton, Rector of Devenish, and had issue,

Alexander, dsp 1745;
GEORGE, of whom we treat;
Lancelot (Rev), Chaplain of a Dragoon Regiment.

The second son,

GEORGE CARLETON JP (-1747), of Market Hill, High Sheriff of County Monaghan, espoused Catherine, daughter of John Creighton, of Aughlane, County Fermanagh, and had issue,

John, dsp;
Alexander, barrister;
CHRISTOPHER, of whom hereafter;
William, of Enniskillen;
George (Rev).

The third son,

CHRISTOPHER CARLETON JP, of Market Hill, married Henrietta Maria, daughter of Colonel Creighton, and died in 1779, having had a son, George, who died young, and three daughters, Henrietta, Vincentia, and

MARY CARLETON, of Market Hill, who wedded, in 1765, HENRY PEISLEY L'ESTRANGE, of Moystown, King's County, and had issue; of whom the second son,

CHRISTOPHER L'ESTRANGE (1776-1843), assumed the surname of CARLETON at the decease of his mother, 1830, and became of Market Hill.

He espoused, in 1808, Jane, daughter of Colonel George Jackson, of Enniscoe, MP for County Mayo, 1801-2, and had issue,

Henry, died unmarried, 1839;
GEORGE L'ESTRANGE CARLETON, his heir;
CHRISTOPHER CARLETON L'ESTRANGE, of Market Hill;
William Jackson L'Estrange;
Guy James L'Estrange (Rev);
Mary; Janette; Elizabeth Henrietta; Alice; Louisa; Sidney Fanny; Sarah.

Major Carleton, High Sheriff of County Fermanagh, 1811, was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

GEORGE L'ESTRANGE CARLETON (1811-81), of Market Hill, High Sheriff of County Fermanagh, 1876, who died unmarried, and was succeeded by his brother,

CHRISTOPHER CARLETON-L'ESTRANGE JP, of Market Hill, who married, in 1852, Charlotte Annie, daughter of Arthur Brooke Cooper, of Cooper's Hill, County Sligo, and had issue,

CHRISTOPHER ARTHUR, his heir;
ARTHUR HENRY, succeeded his brother;
Edmund;
Henry George;
Janeta Frances; Elizabeth Mary; Charlotte Louisa; Alice Margaret.

Mr Carleton-L'Estrange died in 1889, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

CHRISTOPHER ARTHUR CARLETON-L'ESTRANGE JP (1856-1900), of Woodville, County Sligo, who wedded, in 1887, Annie, daughter of Roger Dodwell Robinson, and dsp 1900.

He was succeeded by his brother,

ARTHUR HENRY L'ESTRANGE (1866-1920), of Kevinsfort, County Sligo, who espoused, in 1900, Mabel, youngest daughter of M G Newton, of Earl's Court Square, London, and widow of Ronald John Neville, of New South Wales, Australia.

First published in December, 2018.

The Green Knights

THE KNIGHTS OF KERRY OWNED 5,372 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY KERRY

THE KNIGHT OF KERRY is the lineal descendant and representative of MAURICE FITZJOHN, third son of JOHN FITZGERALD, 1ST BARON DESMOND, by Honora, his second wife, daughter of Hugh O'Connor, of Kerry.

SIR MAURICE BUIDHE FITZJOHN was created Knight of Kerry either by EDWARD III after the Battle of Halidon Hill, or by virute of his father's status as a Count Palatine, on the 19th July, 1333.

He had issue,

RICHARD, of whom presently;
Robert.

The elder son,

RICHARD FITZMAURICE, 2nd Knight, was father of

MAURICE FITZRICHARD, 3rd Knight, who married, in 1382, Margaret de Courcy, and had issue,

EDMOND, 4th Knight;
NICHOLAS, 5th Knight;
John;
Gerald;
David;
Richard.

The second son,

NICHOLAS FITZMAURICE, 5th Knight, Bishop of Ardfert ca 1408, had issue,

James;
JOHN CAOCH, his successor.

The younger son,

JOHN CAOCH, 6th Knight, was father of

MAURICE, his successor;
Nicholas;
Richard;
Edmond;
Gerald;
James;
Patrick.

The eldest son,

MAURICE FITZJOHN, 7th Knight, was father of

JOHN FITZMAURICE, 8th Knight, Bishop of Ardfert, 1495, father of

WILLIAM FITZJOHN, 9th Knight, who wedded Una, daughter of Edmond, 9th Baron Kerry, and had issue,

JOHN, his successor;
Richard;
William;
Gibbon;
Oliverus;
a daughter.

The eldest son,

JOHN FITZGERALD, 10th Knight, espoused Shile, daughter of Donal O'Sullivan More, and had issue,

WILLIAM, his successor;
Maurice;
Patrick;
Gerald;
Una; Helen; Elinor.

The 10th Knight died in 1595, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

WILLIAM FITZGERALD, 11th Knight, who married Margaret, daughter of Thomas Tobin, and had issue,

JOHN, his successor;
William;
Patrick;
Maurice;
Ellen.

The 11th Knight died in 1640, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

JOHN FITZGERALD, 12th Knight, who wedded Katherine, daughter of Thomas, 16th Baron Kerry, and had issue,

Patrick;
JOHN, of whom hereafter;
Thomas;
Edmond;
Elinor; Juliana.

The 12th Knight was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

JOHN FITZGERALD, 13th Knight, who espoused Honora, daughter of Connor, 2nd Viscount Clare, and had issue,

MAURICE, his successor;
John;
Daniel;
Thomas;
Elinor; Katherine; Honora.

The 13th Knight was succeeded by his eldest son,

MAURICE FITZGERALD, 14th Knight, who wedded Elizabeth, daughter of David Crosbie, and had issue,

JOHN, his successor;
ROBERT, 17th Knight of Kerry;
Jane; Honora; Bridget; Anne; Margaret; Marion; Mary; Barbara; Lucy.

The 14th Knight died in 1729, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

JOHN FITZGERALD, 15th Knight (1706-41), MP for Dingle, 1728-41, who espoused, in 1732, Margaret, daughter of the Rt Hon Joseph Deane, Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer, and had issue,

MAURICE, his successor;
Elizabeth.

The 15th Knight was succeeded by his son,

MAURICE FITZGERALD, 16th Knight (c1734-79), MP for Dingle, 1761-76, who wedded, in 1764, the Lady Anna Maria FitzMaurice, daughter of William, 2nd Earl of Kerry, though the marriage was without issue, and the family honours reverted to his uncle,

ROBERT FITZGERALD, 17th Knight (1717-81), MP for Dingle, 1741-81, who married firstly, in 1746, Lucy, daughter of John Leslie; secondly, in 1752, Catherine, daughter of Thomas FitzGerald, 18th Knight of Glin; and thirdly, in 1770, Katherine, daughter of Launcelot Sandes, by whom he had issue,

Robert (1772-99);
MAURICE, of whom presently;
Mary.

The surviving son,

THE RT HON MAURICE FITZGERALD, 18th Knight (1774-1849), JP, DL, MP for County Kerry, 1794-1831, espoused firstly, Elenor, daughter of Thomas FitzEdmond; and secondly, in 1801, Maria, daughter of the Rt Hon David La Touche, by whom he had issue,

Robert;
Maurice;
David;
Robert;
Brinsley;
PETER GEORGE, of whom presently;
Stephen Edward;
Elizabeth Emily; Maria; Gertrude; Catherine.

The 18th Knight was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

PETER GEORGE FITZGERALD, 19th Knight (1808-80), JP DL, High Sheriff of County Kerry, 1849, County Carlow, 1875, who wedded, in 1838, Julia, daughter of Peter Bodkin Hussey, and had issue,

MAURICE, his successor;
Robert John;
Peter David;
Brinsley John Hamilton;
Mary Emily Frances; Emily; Frances Caroline; Katherine;
Elizabeth Ann; Julia Emma Isabella; Eileeen Gertrude.

The 19th Knight of Kerry was created a baronet, in 1880, designated of Valentia, County Kerry.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR MAURICE FITZGERALD, 2nd Baronet and 20th Knight (1844-1916), CVO JP DL, Captain, The Rifle Brigade, Equerry to HRH The Duke of Connaught, who married, in 1882, Amelia Catherine, daughter of Henri Louis Bischoffsheim, and had issue,

Arthur Maurice, died in infancy;
JOHN PETER GERALD MAURICE, his successor;
ARTHUR HENRY BRINSLEY, successor to his brother;
Louise Nesta Pamela.

Sir Maurice was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR JOHN PETER GERALD MAURICE FITZGERALD, 3rd Baronet and 21st Knight (1884-1957), MC, Major, Royal Horse Guards, who espoused, in 1919, the Lady Mildred Murray, daughter of daughter of Charles, 7th Earl of Dunmore, though the marriage was without issue, when the family honours devolved upon his brother,

SIR ARTHUR HENRY BRINSLEY FITZGERALD, 4th Baronet and 22nd Knight (1885-1967), Captain, the Irish Guards, ADC to two field-marshals and the Governor of Bombay, who wedded, in 1914, Mary Eleanor, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Francis William Forester, and had issue,

John Brinsley (1914-43), killed in action;
GEORGE PETER MAURICE, of whom hereafter;
Mary Finola.

Sir Arthur was succeeded by his younger son,

SIR GEORGE PETER MAURICE FITZGERALD, 5th Baronet and 23rd Knight (1917-2001), MC, Major, the Irish Guards, who married, in 1939, Angela Dora, daughter of Captain James Rankin Mitchell, and had issue,

ADRIAN JAMES ANDREW DENIS, his successor;
Rosanna.

Sir George was succeeded by his son,

SIR ADRIAN JAMES ANDREW DENIS FITZGERALD, 6th Baronet and 24th Knight of Kerry (1940-), of Cappoquin, County Kerry, and 16, Clareville Street, London, Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea, 1984-5.

Ancestral seats ~ Glanleam House, Valentia Island, County Kerry; Ballinruddery House, Listowel, County Kerry; Rahinnane Castle, Dingle, County Kerry.

First published in June, 2019. Coat-of-arms courtesy of European Heraldry.

The Graham Baronetcy

This is the most recent baronetcy to be created in Northern Ireland. 

JOHN GRAHAM JP (1861-1924), of Dromore House, County Down, married Sarah Porter, and had issue,

James Porter (1893-1968), OBE;
CLARENCE JOHNSTON, of whom hereafter.

Mr Graham's younger son,

CLARENCE JOHNSTON GRAHAM (1900-66), married, in 1935, Margaret Christina, daughter of Robert Moodie.

Member, Institution of Civil Engineers; director, John Graham (Dromore) Ltd, engineering contractors; Chairman, Standing Committee, Ulster Unionist Council, 1947–63; NI Leukaemia Research Fund, 1952. 

Mr Graham received the honour of knighthood in 1952.

Sir Clarence was created a baronet in 1964, designated of Dromore, County Down.

His only son,

SIR JOHN MOODIE GRAHAM, 2nd Baronet (1938-2020), wedded, in 1970, Valerie Rosemary, daughter of Frank Gill, and had issue,

Suzanne Margaret, b 1971;
Alyson Rosemary, b 1974;
Lucy Christina, b 1978.

He divorced his wife in 1982.

Following Sir John's death in 2020 the baronetcy expired.

John Graham (Dromore) Limited  was established at Dromore, County Down, in 1878. They became the first Ulster firm to build a motorway in the Irish Republic, with the award of a £51m contract for a 10-mile stretch.

First published in April, 2010.

Henderson of Norwood Tower

THE HENDERSONS OWNED 52 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY DOWN

JAMES HENDERSON (1766-1834), of Castlereagh, County Down, married Amelia Magill, and was father of

JAMES HENDERSON (1797-1853), of Newry, County Down, Proprietor, Newry Telegraph, who wedded Ann Peacock, and had issue,

JAMES ALEXANDER, his heir;
William;
George, b 1814;
Henry, b 1820;
Isabella; two other daughters.

Mr Henderson was succeeded by his eldest son,

JAMES ALEXANDER HENDERSON JP (1823-83), of Norwood Tower, Strandtown, Belfast, Mayor of Belfast, 1873-4, Proprietor, Belfast Newsletter, who wedded Agnes, daughter of Alexander Mackay, Junior, of Mountcollyer Park, Belfast, Joint Proprietor of the Belfast Newsletter, and had issue,

JAMES, of whom presently;
Alexander Mackay, b 1850; Major, RIR;
William, 1852-75;
Trevor (Sir), KBE, of Norwood Tower (1862-1930);
Charles Westbourne (1865-1935);
Jane; Anne; Agnes; Catherine Mackay; Florence Elizabeth.

Mr Henderson was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR JAMES HENDERSON JP DL (1848-1914), of Oakley House, Windsor Park, Belfast, who married Martha Pollock and had issue,

David, b 1881;
James, b 1889;
OSCAR, of whom hereafter;
George York, MC (1893-1917), k/a;
Richard Lilburn, b 1895;
Mary Agnes Florence Elizabeth, b 1899.

Sir James, Lord Mayor of Belfast, 1898, and the first High Sheriff of the city, was credited with the building of the new City Hall.

He was born at Mountcollyer Park, Belfast, the home of his grandfather, Alexander Mackay; took a law degree at Trinity College, Dublin; was called to the Irish Bar, 1872; editor of the Newry Telegraph, 1873-83. 

He became managing proprietor of the Belfast News-Letter and Belfast Weekly News; was appointed President of the Master Printers’ Federation of Great Britain and Ireland; was made a Freeman of the City of Belfast in 1912; and was knighted by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland at Viceregal Lodge, Phoenix Park, Dublin, in January, 1899.

Sir James's younger son,

COMMANDER OSCAR HENDERSON DSO CVO CBE RN (1891-1969), married, in 1920, Alicia Mary Henry.

Commander Henderson served in a destroyer during the 1st World War and he was second-in-command of HMS Iris at the famous Battle of Zeebrugge, in April 1918, when a British force blocked the Mole by sinking a ship across the entrance.

Commander Henderson assumed command when the Captain was killed, and he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his part in this epic He became Comptroller and Private Secretary to the 3rd Duke of Abercorn, 1st Governor of Northern Ireland, and was awarded a CVO and CBE for his services. 

Norwood Tower (Image: Mrs Primrose Henderson)

During the 19th century, the Hendersons lived at Norwood Tower, Strandtown, County Down, a large mansion in its own grounds.

This rambling Tudor-Revival mansion had two gate-lodges, each about a quarter of a mile apart.

The first lodge was a little beyond the entrance to Clonaver House, the Hendersons' former dower house, which was sold to James Girdwood; while the second lodge was almost opposite the entrance to Ardvarna House.

The gate lodges were both battlemented; while the house, set in a landscaped park, was dominated by a lofty, castellated tower.

The grounds of fifty-two acres extended to the top of Circular Road and Sydenham Avenue. 

It was assumed that Norwood Tower or its dower house, Clonaver, would pass to Oscar Henderson when (Mary Agnes) Florence Elizabeth Henderson, his aunt, died.

She decided, however, to bequeath the estate, together with a majority holding in Belfast News Letter shares, to the Musgrave (baronets) side of the family. 

Drawing by the Rev J McConnell Auld

This was a bitter blow to Oscar and his family.

They could do nothing about the property, but they did succeed in buying back the News-Letter shares. 

Commander Henderson and his wife Alicia had two sons,

1. Captain Oscar William James (Bill) Henderson OBE DL (1924-2010); educated at Brackenber House School and Bradfield; married, in 1949, Rachel Primrose Forrest, daughter of Colonel John Forrest CMG, of Belfast, in 1949, and had issue, three daughters.

2. Robert Brumwell (Brum) Henderson CBE DL (1929-2005); educated, like his brother, at Brackenber House School, Belfast, and Bradfield; took his degree at Trinity College Dublin.

Commander Henderson's first wife was Joy Duncan whom he married in 1952.

Brum Henderson became a career journalist in the Belfast News Letter from 1951-59; was appointed general manager of Ulster Television in 1959; managing director, 1961; and Chairman, 1983-92.

He was appointed CBE in 1979 and received an honorary doctorate of Literature at the Ulster University, 1982.

Brum published a number of books, including Midnight Oil (1961), A Television First (1977) and Amusing (1984). He was a director of ITN from 1964-66; a Deputy Lieutenant of Belfast; a director of Reuters and of the Press Association; and gave many years of service to the Newspaper Society.

A golfer of distinction, he was once runner-up in the Irish Open Championship. They had two daughters. 

Brum married, secondly, in 1970, Patricia Ann, daughter of Matthew Davison, of Belfast.

They lived at Ballynahinch, County Down.

Illustration of gate lodge courtesy of the Rev McConnell Auld.    First published in March, 2011.

The White Knights

The family of FITZGIBBON, the chief of which was styled the White Knight, is descended from the FitzGeralds, progenitors of the great houses of Kildare and Desmond.

From the same origin are descended the KNIGHTS OF GLIN (the Black Knights), and the Knights of Kerry (the Green Knights).

These titles were conferred by the Earl of Desmond, as a Count Palatine, on junior branches of the House of FitzGerald, in the like manner as Hugh Lupus, Earl of Chester, created his inferior barons.

MAURICE FITZGIBBON, THE WHITE KNIGHT, son of GILBERT FITZJOHN, was knighted in the field by EDWARD III in 1333, immediately after the defeat of Scottish forces at the battle of Halidon Hill.

He married Katharine Bruce, and had issue,

DAVID, his successor;
Maurice.

The 1st White Knight died in 1357, and was succeeded by his elder son,

DAVID FITZGIBBON, 2nd Knight, father of

JOHN FITZGIBBON, 3rd Knight, who married Isabella Butler, and had issue,

MAURICE FITZGIBBON, 4th Knight, who wedded Margaret O'Brien, and had issue,

JOHN;
MAURICE MOR.

The eldest son,

JOHN FITZGIBBON, 5th Knight, was father of

MAURICE MOR FITZGIBBON, 6th Knight, who wedded secondly, Ellice, daughter of William, 8th Baron Barry, and had issue,

John;
MAURICE OGE.

The 6th White Knight died in 1496, and was succeeded by his younger son,

MAURICE OGE FITZGIBBON, 7th Knight, of Michelstown, County Cork, who died in 1530, and was father of

MAURICE FITZGIBBON, 8th Knight, who died in 1543, and was succeeded by his son,

JOHN FITZGIBBON, 9th Knight, who was murdered by his cousins Thomas and Gibbon at the instigation of their half-brother,

JOHN OGE FITZGIBBON, 10th Knight, who died in 1569, and was father of

EDMOND FITZGIBBON, 11th Knight (c1552-1608), father of

MAURICE OGE FITZGIBBON, 12th and last White Knight (c1597-1611), who wedded Thomasin, daughter of Sir Thomas Browne, though the marriage was without issue.

There have been several claimants to the title.

The EARLS OF CLARE claimed to have sprung from the White Knights.

First published in May, 2019. Coat-of-arms courtesy of European Heraldry.

Tandragee Castle

THE DUKES OF MANCHESTER WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY ARMAGH, WITH 12,298 ACRES

WILLIAM LADDE, of Hanging Houghton, in the parish of Lamport, Northamptonshire, settled lands there on his son in 1447.

He was succeeded by his son,

RICHARD MONTAGU, otherwise LADDE, of Hanging Houghton, who died before 1484, leaving, by Agnes his wife, a son and heir,

THOMAS MONTAGU, of Hemington, Northamptonshire, who wedded firstly. in 1485, Agnes, daughter of William Dudley, of Clopton, Northamptonshire; and secondly, ca 1512, Mary, daughter of William Lane, of Finedon, in the same county.

He died in 1516, and was succeeded by the son and heir by his first wife,

THE RT HON SIR EDWARD MONTAGU (c1488-1557), Knight, a distinguished lawyer, who married thrice; and the eldest son of his third marriage,

SIR EDWARD MONTAGU (c1530-1602), Knight, of Boughton, Northamptonshire, espoused Elizabeth, daughter of Sir James Harington, of Exton, Rutland, by whom he had six sons,

Edward (Sir), ancestor of the Dukes of Montagu;

Walter (Sir);

HENRY, of whom hereafter;

Charles (Sir);

James, Bishop of Winchester;

Sydney (Sir), ancestor of the Earls of Sandwich.

The third son,

SIR HENRY MONTAGU (c1563-1642), Lord High Treasurer, was raised to the Peerage, 1620, in the dignities of Baron Montagu of Kimbolton and Viscount Mandeville; and further advanced, 1626, to an earldom, as EARL OF MANCHESTER.

He wedded firstly, in 1601, Catherine, second daughter of Sir John Spencer, of Yarnton, Oxfordshire, third son of Sir John Spencer, of Althorp.

The eldest son and successor,

EDWARD, 2nd Earl (1602-71), KG, KB, was five times married; the eldest son of his second wife,

ROBERT, 3rd Earl (1634-83), JP, espoused, in 1655, Anne, daughter of Sir Christopher Yelverton Bt, and had numerous issue, of whom the eldest surviving son, 

CHARLES, 4th Earl (c1662-1722), who married, in 1690, Doddington, daughter and co-heir of Robert Greville, 4th Baron Brooke, by whom he had issue,

WILLIAM, his successor;

ROBERT, succeeded his brother as 3rd Duke;

Doddington; Charlotte.

This nobleman opposing the measures of JAMES II, was one of the first who espoused the cause of the Prince of Orange, and he took an active part in the campaign in Ireland, being present at the battle of the Boyne, and the subsequently unsuccessful siege of Limerick.

In 1696, his lordship was appointed Ambassador to the Republic of Venice; in 1699, accredited Ambassador to the court of France; in 1701, he was constituted Secretary of State for the Southern Department.

Upon the accession of GEORGE I, his lordship was constituted in the Lord-Lieutenancy of Huntingdonshire, sworn of the Privy Council, appointed one of the Lords of His Majesty's Bedchamber; and, finally, in 1719, created DUKE OF MANCHESTER.

His Grace was succeeded by his elder son,

WILLIAM, 2nd Duke (1700-39), KB, who espoused, in 1723, Isabella, daughter of John, 2nd Duke of Montagu, but had no issue.

His Grace died in 1739, when the honours devolved upon his brother, 

ROBERT, 3rd Duke (c1710-62), who married, in 1735, Harriet, daughter and co-heir of Edmund Dunch, of Little Wittenham, Berkshire, and had issue,

GEORGE, his successor;

Charles Greville;

Caroline; Louisa.

His Grace was succeeded by his elder son,

GEORGE, 4th Duke (1737-88), Master of the Horse, 1780, who wedded, in 1762, Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Sir James Dashwood Bt, of Kirtlington Park, and had issue,

George, Viscount Mandeville (1763-72);

WILLIAM, his successor;

Frederick;

Caroline Maria; Anna Maria; Emily.

His Grace was succeeded by his elder son,

WILLIAM, 5th Duke (1771-1843), who wedded, in 1793, the Lady Susan Gordon, third daughter of Alexander, 4th Duke of Gordon, and had issue,

GEORGE, his successor;

William Francis;

Jane; Georgiana Frederica; Elizabeth; Susan; Caroline Catherine; Emily.

His Grace, who filled the offices of Governor of Jamaica, Collector of the Customs for the Port of London, and Lord-Lieutenant of Huntingdonshire, 1793-1841, was succeeded by his elder son,

GEORGE, 6TH DUKE (1799-1855), of Kimbolton Castle, Huntingdonshire, who married firstly, in 1822, Millicent, daughter of Brigadier-General Robert Bernard Sparrow, of Brampton Park, Huntingdonshire, by his wife, the Lady Olivia Acheson, eldest daughter of Arthur, 1st Earl of Gosford, of Gosford Castle, County Armagh, by which lady he had issue,

WILLIAM, his successor;
Robert, of Cromore House, m Ellen Cromie;
Frederick;
Olivia.

His Grace espoused secondly, in 1850, Harriet Sydney, daughter of Conway Richard Dobbs, of Castle Dobbs, County Antrim, and had further issue,

Sydney Charlotte;
George Francis.

The site of Tandragee Castle in County Armagh - formerly spelt Tanderagee - once belonged to the O'Hanlon Clan, one of the most powerful clans in the history of Ulster.

(Image: GreyHobbit)

THE CASTLE, Tandragee, County Armagh, was rebuilt by the 6th Duke of Manchester in the Baronial style about 1837.

At one end of the Castle stands a solid machicolated tower; while the opposite end has a gabled block somewhat similar to a Tudor manor-house.

A notable, corbelled "look-out" turret is at another corner.

Image: Roy Vogan ( www.royspics.com )

In the interior, the entrance hall had a grand marble fireplace with Italian woodwork; while the ceiling panels displayed coats-of-arms of families formerly connected with the Castle.

The 7th Duke was appointed a Knight of St Patrick (KP) in 1877. As Prime Minister, Benjamin Disaeli appointed six Conservative peers to the Order: The Duke of Manchester; The Marquesses of Waterford and Londonderry; and the Earls of Erne, Mayo and Portarlington.

The site of Tandragee Castle in County Armagh - formerly spelt Tanderagee - once belonged to the O'Hanlon Clan, one of the most powerful clans in the history of Ulster.

*****

Two villagers, Samuel (Tucker) Croft and Edward Kelly, decided to start a football team in an organised league and approached the Duke of Manchester for a playing field.

The Duke, along with various other businessmen from the town decided to back them and both Samuel and Edward were invited to the Castle to discuss the question of a playing field.

Level fields were few and far between, and the right to use the old pitch on the Scarva Road was finally granted as long as it was required for a football team.

Tandragee Rovers was established in August 1909 and the pitch, secured from the Duke, was duly named Manchester Park.

The newly formed team also decided to adopt the coat-of-arms of the Duke of Manchester  as their club badge.

The motto "Disponendo me, non mutando me" dates back to the time of HENRY VIII, and is the most ancient of all the Montagu mottos.

It is said to have originated with Sir Edward Montagu, the executor of the King's will.

The arms are still used as the Club's badge.

In 1911, the 9th Duke brought John Stone, an eminent Scottish professional from Sandy Lodge Golf Club, London, to lay out a private golf course on his estate at Tandragee. In those days, there was no clubhouse and Mr. Stone, his wife and their two daughters collected fees at the Gate Lodge where they had set up residence.

The Duchess of Manchester, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, even designed some of the original bunkers which were laid out in the shape of the Great Lakes and these remain to this day. The golf club received notice to quit the Duke's estate, to take effect from 12th November, 1949.

Tandragee Castle remained a seat of the Dukes of Manchester until 1939.

In 1943 it became home to a garrison of the US Army.

The Montagu connection with Tandragee and Northern Ireland ended in 1955, when the 10th Duke sold the Castle to the founder of Tayto Crisps, Thomas Hutchinson.

First published in November, 2009.

Adam of Blair Adam

THE ADAMS WERE THE LARGEST LANDOWNERS IN KINROSS-SHIRE, WITH 2,896 ACRES

The surname of ADAM is of great antiquity in Scotland, as proved by many documents in the public record.

HENRY ADAM, a military man, living in the reign of WILLIAM THE LION, King of Scots, was father of

ALEXANDER ADAM, Laird of Roscobie, near Forfar, in the reign of ALEXANDER III of Scotland, who was father of

DUNCAN ADAM, living in the reign of ROBERT THE BRUCE, who had four sons, the youngest of whom,

DUNCAN ADAM, accompanied James, Lord Douglas, in his expedition to Spain en route to the Holy Land, with the heart of King Robert of Scotland; from whom is stated to have descended,

JOHN ADAM, who accompanied JAMES IV of Scotland to Flodden Field, and there lost his life, 1513.

His son,

CHARLES ADAM, seated at Fanno, Forfarshire, ca 1549, married Margaret Ferguson, by whom he had issue,

CHARLES, his heir;
David, progenitor of Adams of Kingsbarns, Fife;
two daughters.

The elder son,

CHARLES ADAM, of Fanno, wedded Isabel Bisset, by whom he had several sons and daughters.

The second, but eldest surviving son,

ROBERT ADAM, about the end of the reign of Queen MARY, married Isabel, daughter of James Hunter, and was father of

DAVID ADAM, of Fanno, who wedded his cousin, Jean Hunter, by whom he had a son and successor, 

ARCHIBALD ADAM, of Fanno, who sold his patrimonial lands in the time of CHARLES I, and acquired those of Queensmanour in the same county.

He married Mary, daughter of John Hay, of Montrose, and died in the reign of CHARLES II, leaving issue,

CHARLES, his heir;
JOHN, successor to his nephew, of whom hereafter;
Alexander; Patrick; Phyllis; Mary.

The eldest son,

CHARLES ADAM, of Queensmanour, married Elizabeth, daughter of John Wishart, of Logie, Forfarshire; and had a son and successor,

JAMES ADAM, of Queenmanour, who sold the paternal estate.

He died unmarried and was succeeded in the representation of the family by his uncle,

JOHN ADAM, who married Helen, daughter of William, 3rd Lord Cranstoun, by whom he left a surviving son,

WILLIAM ADAM (1689-1748), an eminent architect who purchased several estates, particularly that of Blair, in the county of Kinross, where he built a house and village, which he named Maryburgh.

Mr Adam married Mary, daughter of William Robertson, of Gladney, and had, with other issue,

JOHN, of whom we treat;
Robert, architect to GEORGE III; MP for Kinross-shire, 1768;
James;
William;
Janet; Helen;
Mary, m Dr John Drysdale, Dean of the Chapel Royal;
Susanna, m John Clerk;
Margaret.

Mr Adam was succeeded by his eldest son,

JOHN ADAM OF BLAIR ADAM (1721-92), of Maryburgh, who wedded, in 1750, Jean, daughter of John Ramsay; by whom he had, with other issue, a son and successor, 

THE RT HON WILLIAM ADAM OF BLAIR ADAM (1751-1839), Lord Chief Commissioner of the Jury Court in Scotland, Lord-Lieutenant of Kinross-shire, Baron of the Scottish Exchequer, MP, who wedded Eleanor, daughter of Charles, 10th Lord Elphinstone.

His second son,

ADMIRAL SIR CHARLES ADAM OF BLAIR ADAM KCB (1780-1853), a distinguished naval officer, married was succeeded by his son and heir,

THE RT HON WILLIAM PATRICK ADAM CIE DL (1823-81), colonial administrator, politician, Companion of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire; whose eldest son,

CHARLES ELPHINSTONE ADAM (1859-1922), Barrister, military officer, was created a baronet in 1882, designated of Blair Adam, Kinross-shire.

Sir Charles died childless in 1922, when the baronetcy became extinct.

His estate devolved upon his nephew,

CAPTAIN CHARLES KEITH ADAM DSO RN (1891-1971), Lord-Lieutenant of Kinross-shire, 1955-66.

Captain Adam was raised in Australia but returned to Scotland to manage the estate.

His son, Keith Robert Adam (b 1944), is the present owner.

The estate comprises 200 acres today.

BLAIR ADAM HOUSE, is located near Kelty, in Fife.

William Adam purchased the Blair Crambeth (subsequently Blair Adam) estate in 1731 and shortly afterwards built the modest five-bay two-storey house which forms the centre of the present building.

By 1736, Adam had enlarged the house by the addition of harled single-storey wings, originally of three bays, which continued the line of the original block.

Both were extended by John Adam in 1775, the south wing being heightened and given a bowed end.

The north wing was made an L-shape by the construction of a block across its end which stretches back to the west and joins it to the office range.

This range, originally very plain, was remodelled in 1815-16 and a low rubble-walled tower was built behind it.

First published in December, 2013.