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Purcells in Ireland (1200-1600)

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Contents

Welcome to Purcells in Ireland (1200-1600)

The most famous branch of the Purcells in Ireland (1200-1600) were the Barons of Loughmoe, County Tipperary. They were descendants of Hugh Purcell, who arrived with the Anglo-Normans at the end of the 1100s.

We have 2 current goals:

  • Tipperary: to clarify the pedigree of the Barons of Loughmoe from generation to generation (baron, spouse, children)
  • Kilkenny: to identify the pedigrees of two important Purcell branches at Foulksrath and Ballyfoyle. These two branches were neighbours, north of the town of Kilkenny, but located in two different baronies.

Unresolved questions:

  • Do the Purcells of Ballinrosse, Co. Tipperary, refer to Ballinroe, near Loughmoe and Templemore?
  • While we can suppose there was intermarriage between the neighbouring Foulksrath and Ballyfoyle branches, did this extend to the Loughmoe branch?
  • Were all 3 branches on friendly terms over the centuries?
  • Were the barons "interchangeable" as the need arose? (i.e., could an heir of Foulksrath serve as Baron of Loughmoe upon appointment (presumably by the Earls of Ormond) or in the absence of a successor?

For reference, but not the main focus of our research, two Purcell branches emerged in later centuries, in Dublin and Limerick.[1]

We welcome your research and sources. Please post a comment on this page or, if you prefer, send me a private message.

Thank you!

To get us started:

Some Useful Sources

  • Some known castles of the Purcells of counties Tipperary and Kilkenny (not necessarily belonging to the same branch of the family):
  • Chief Anglo-Norman families in Kilkenny: Butler, Grace,[4] Walsh,[5] Fitzgerald, Roth,[6] Archer,[7] Cantwell,[8] Shortall [Forstall],[9] Purcell,[10] Power, Morris, Dalton or d'Alton,[11] Stapleton, Wandesford, Lawless, Langrish, Bryan, Ponsonby.[12]
  • See my homepage for a list of reliable Irish sources

The First Purcells

The Irish Purcells are descended from Walter Purcell, one of the Earl Marshal's men, who held Kilmenan, co. Kilkenny, before 1205. There are no certain references to him after 1229-30, and it may be presumed that he died soon after that date. He was father of Hugh Purcel, [presumably the 1st] Baron of Loughmoe, co. Tipperary.[15]

In 1171 an earlier Sir Hugh Purcell [apparently Walter's father] was a knight who participated in the Norman invasion of Ireland, and around 1204 his grandson Sir Hugh [d.1240/1[16]]married Beatrix,[17] daughter of Theobald FitzWalter, Chief Butler of Ireland.[18] As part of his marriage, Hugh received from FitzWalter the town of Loughmoe. Sir Hugh founded, in 1241, a Monastery of Franciscans or Grey Friars in Waterford.[19][20]

Several very early Purcells (Hugo, John son of Hugo, Thomas) are mentioned in the Register of the Abbey of St Thomas, Dublin.[21]

From historian Thomas Carte:[22]

  • Beatrix Walter, daughter of Theobald FitzWalter, married 1) Thomas de Hereford (no issue) and 2) Sir Hugh Purcell:
    • "Hugh Purcel [sic] her second husband kept possession of several ploughlands in Corkytyn, Dromilchi, Caneris, and Gertnecloyth. This occasioned a suit for those lands, which Theobald le Botiller, great grandson to Theobald Walter, claimed as his heir, setting forth the deed of settlement and his own descent, as is contained in a plea roll 24 E. I. m. 68, preserved among other records in Bermingham's tower. Purcel pleaded that the lands in dispute had been released by Theobald Walter to Sir Hugh Purcel his grandfather."[23]

From The history, architecture, and antiquities of the cathedral church of St. Canice, Kilkenny:[24]

  • "The founder of the Purcell family appears to have been amongst the Norman adventurers who came over with William the Conqueror. They were early seated in Oxfordshire, and amongst the notable manors of that county Camden mentions Heyford-Purcell, "so named of the Purcels, or de Porcellis ancient gentlemen the old owners."
  • The first of the name whom we find in Ireland was a knight, stated by Hanmer to have been lieutenant of Strongbow's army, and to have been "slaine by the Waterfordians," not, however, it would seem, without leaving sons to receive the reward of his services and perpetuate his name in the conquered country.
  • In the end of the 12th, or beginning of the 13th, century. Sir Hugh Purcell married Beatrix,[25] daughter of Theobald Fitz Walter, first Chief Butler of Ireland, and appears to have received with her the important property in Ely O'Carroll. in the modern county of Tipperary, which her father had bestowed on her as a dower in marrying her first husband, Thomas de Hereford; for we find this Hugh granting to the Abbey of St. Thomas, Dublin, the advowson of the church of Lochmy (Loughmoe) in that district; and his descendants held the position of Barons Palatine of Loughmoe, till the representative of the house in the 17th century, who was one of the Commissioners deputed to draw up the famous Conditions of Limerick, forfeited his estates and titular barony by following King James to France.
  • "The county of Kilkenny branch of the Purcell family may be presumed to have descended from Walter Purcell, probably brother to Sir Hugh, who is a subscribing witness to the charter of William Marshall [Earl of Pembroke], the younger, to his burgesses of Kilkenny, in the year 1223."
  • "In 1277 Walter Purcell was denounced as a favourer and maintainer of Irish enemies, the O'Brenans, O'Morthes, and MacKormans, and it was therefore ordered that he should be attached and brought before the Justiciary at Dublin to answer for having "act and part" with such "felons and incendiaries." "

From Knights' Fees in County Kilkenny, the section titled "Partition of 1317: Share of Hugh le Despenser and Alianora his wife":

  • Philip Purcel has 1/4 knight's fees at Aghuryl (Aghnyrle), most likely Urlingford, barony of Galmoy; and also 1/4 knight's fees at Balligauenan (Ballygennan), possibly Ballygeehin, parish of Aghaboe, barony of Clarmallagh, Co. Leix.

From The Irish Landed Gentry When Cromwell Came to Ireland:[26]

  • "Walter Purcell was Baron of Bargy, an extensive tract extending into Kilkenny, Queen's County, and Carlow, and stretching from the base of Slieve Margy or the Bargy Hills near the town of Carlow to the rich lands on the western bank of the Nore, and including the northeastern portion of the present county of Kilkenny. It was originally possessed by the O'Breunan Clans. Frequent feuds took place, and we find by the Patent and Close Kolls, in 1318, Symon Purcell with other gentlemen receiving special license from King Edward II. to hold parley with the O'Brennans ; and in 1327, being then High Sheriff, he was slain with twenty others by that Sept."

From the annalists Clyn and Dowling':[27]

  • "In the year 1327, Symon Purcell (one of those whom Edward II licensed to parley with the O'Broenains [O'Brennan], and who then held the office of sheriff of Kilkenny) was, together with nearly 20 others, slain by that sept. And the year after, the O'Brennans, descending from their hill-fastnesses in Fasachdinin [just north of the town of Kilkenny], devastated the lowlands with fire and sword."

From Rev. William Carrigan, The History & Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory (1905):[28]

  • "Simon Purcell was lay patron of [Fennell parish, adjacent to the city of Kilkenny] about the year 1300. He was probably the ancestor of the Purcells of Ballyfoyle castle (lords of the manor of "Phinnell" in the 17th century), and was apparently the Symon Purcyl, Sub-Sheriff of the County Kilkenny, who, with 20 of his followers, was slain by the O'Brenans, on Trinity Sunday, 1327 ... The parish of Fennell became merged in that of St. John's, Kilkenny, at the Reformation."

Excerpted from "English Settlers in 14th Century Ireland":[29]

  • "There was the danger that daughters as heiresses could take land away from the family. and there are examples in Ireland of families marrying near relatives to prevent this. The Freyne and Purcell families had a variant on this: these neighbouring families intermarried for several generations. Three Freyne-Purcell marriages have been found: Geoffrey to Mabel Purcell (by 1247), Geoffrey to Joan Purcell (widowed by 1333)[30] and Katherine Freyne to Maurice Purcell (before 1379); there could possibly have been more. Purcell family members occur regularly in the Freyne circle as witnesses, and were tenants of Odo Freyne in Kilmadum, (Dromercher in Gowran). Around 1395, Geoffrey Freyne enfeoffed them with Kilmadum."

From The History of Clonmel:[31]

Purcell, ally of Strongbow, governor of Wexford, slain by the Danes ca.1200[35]

Working theory. To summarise the above entries in a pedigree:

  • Hugh, born ca.1140, arrived in Ireland with Strongbow in 1171, killed by Danes ca.1200
    • His sons were Walter (born ca.1160), Hugh (born ca.1165) [possible conflation with his nephew Hugh]
      • Walter (b.1160) m. sister of King John [apparently an illegitimate half-sister, with common father Henry II, who d.1189] and had a son Hugh (b.ca.1185) who married Beatrix FitzWalter and had a son John
      • A later Hugh, grandson of the previous Hugh b.1185:
        • "In February 1296/1297, King Edward I granted to this Sir Hugh Purcell "free warren in his demesne lands of Corkteny [Corketeny]" and in other demesne lands in counties Tipperary, Kilkenny and Limerick. The second Sir Hugh ["Baron of Loughmoe"] was Sheriff of Tipperary in 1295. As "Hugo de Purcel", he was summoned to sit as a baron in the Irish Parliament held in 1295, but he did not thereby become a peer of the realm but instead remained a feudal baron."[36]
        • "In February 1301/1302, the King wrote to Hugh, and to Philip, Maurice and Adam Purcell, as well as many other subjects in Ireland, including Edmund Butler (6th Butler of Ireland), informing them that he wished to be provided with a strong force of men-at-arms for his war in Scotland."[37]
        • 1314: David [MacMahon], bishop of Killaloe quit-claims to Sir Edmund le Botiller a messuage and five carucates of land in Kennety [Kinnitty], which he recovered in right of the church of Killaloe from Hugh Purcell. Witnesses: Herbert de Marisco, Peter de Cantewell, John de Barry,[38] knights.[39]
        • 1317: Witnesses: Thomas de Cantewell, Adam Purcel, knights[40]
        • "The Purcells’ sense of themselves as ... “Englishmen born in Ireland” ... persisted to a greater or lesser degree in the middle of the 14th century. John Purcell, son of Walter Purcell and grandson of the second Sir Hugh of Loughmoe, was Baron of Loughmoe and Lord of Corketeny. In 1339, John held several knights’ fees in Corketeny."[41]

Purcells in Medieval Limerick (1200s-1541). Although this later became a separate branch of the family, there are many names from the 1200s-1300s which also appear in Kilkenny and Tipperary:

Barons of Loughmoe

Loughmoe Castle was the family seat from the 1200s to the 1700s.

Note: The following "incomplete list" comes from the Wikipedia page Barons of Loughmoe. Each name has been expanded upon with information and hyperlinks based on my own research:

Lord of Loughmoe:

Barons of Loughmoe -- citing the approximate year each one inherited the title. Names in bold are the apparent direct male line, from unverified sources:

  • Richard Purcell, 1st Baron of Loughmoe (1328). He was granted the title by James Butler, 1st Earl of Ormonde.[42] Note: A younger Richard is often mentioned in the Ormond Deeds covering the period 1420s-1430s-1440s, usually in conjunction with the Earl of Ormond.[43]
  • Phillip Purcell
  • Geoffrey Rothe Purcell (c.1397) Note: "Geoffrey son of Peter Purcell" and "Edmund Roth Purcell" are mentioned separately in the Ormond Deeds in the first decades of the 1400s.[44]
[not from Wikipedia list, but appears to fit here] Sir Alexander de Raymond [Redmond], Knight of The Hall, m. Joan, daughter of Sir James de Porceval or Purcell, Knight, and titular Baron of Loughmoe; and dying in 1409 left, besides daughters, three sons: Walter, Robert, Pierce.[45]
  • Thomas Purcell (c.1430)
  • Peter Purcell – on 13 August 1461, he was granted by Edward IV a life annuity of 10l from the lordship of Waghterard in Ireland, former title of James, Earl of Ormonde, and afterwards of James, Earl of Wiltshire
  • James Purcell (c.1456) – He married a Butler and died after 1465. "James fought in the 1460s in support of the Butler lordship against troops of the Earl of Desmond".[46] An elegy written for him[47] describes something of the turbulence of the period and the Purcell attacks against such neighboring families as the O'Meaghers of Ikerrin, the O'Kennedy's of Ormond and the Hacketts of Middlethird.[48][49]
  • John Purcell (c.1466)[50]
  • [NOTE: Some researchers includes here a James, son of Thomas]
  • Richard Purcell (d. 15 September 1624), married Mary Pluncket of Killahara.[59] In 1607 Richard was tried and found guilty for the manslaughter (but not murder) of his brother-in-law, Adam Tobin, while the latter was High Sheriff of the County of Tipperary in 1606.[60] Richard was the father of
  • Theobald Purcell (b. 1595 flourished 1630 died 1644), married Ellen Butler, daughter of James Butler, 2nd/12th Baron of Dunboyne, and Margaret O'Brien.[61] Theobald was one of the two members of the 1634 Parliament for the County of Cross Tipperary (the church lands of that county) and was described as an "Irish Papist". Theobald or Tibbot took part in the Rebellion of 1641 on the side of the Confederate Catholics. Loughmoe was attacked during the Rebellion and is listed as "destroyed" and "out of all manner of repayre."[62][63]
  • Col. Nicholas Purcell (1651-1722), landlord and distinguished soldier, alternately known as 13th/15th Baron of Loughmoe. The fact that Nicholas' mother Elizabeth was sister of the Duke of Ormond allowed her, albeit with great difficulty, to recuperate a portion of the family's lands before her death. In 1689, Nicholas received once again the (interrupted) title Lord of the Barony of Loughmore [sic] from King James II.[66][67][68]

From The Purcell Society:[69]

  • "Holy Cross Abbey in Co. Tipperary. James Purcell, Baron of Loughmoe (alive in 1465) is buried there. At the Reformation [Dissolution], Henry VIII dissolved this ancient Roman Catholic (Cistercian) abbey. The last abbot prior to the Reformation was Abbot Philip Purcell (d.1563), a younger brother of a later James Purcell, Baron of Loughmoe. Until the Reformation [Dissolution], Philip is said to have sat in the Irish House of Lords as a lord spiritual."

Lords of Foulksrath

This lineage comes from Carrigan's History & Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory (1905), adding other sources as footnoted:[70]

The Purcells took over Foulksrath from their relatives the De la Fresne family[71] in the 1400s and built a castle tower there ca.1510. Carrigan cites the lineage as follows, from father to son:

  • James, m. Johanna Shortall,[75] d.1552, buried at St. Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny[76][77][78]
  • Robnet, pardoned 1549, m. before 1552 Johanna FitzPatrick and was pardoned (Fiants of Edward VI) "for marrying Johanna Fitz Patricke ... of the Irish nation. And grant of English liberty to the said Johanna, and her issue."[79] (NOTE: A later Johanna FitzPatrick, born ca.1540, married Sir Thomas Purcell, Baron of Loughmoe, Co. Tipperary)
    • 1549: Pardon to Thomas Purcell, Baron of Loughmoe, James fitz Robenet Purcell, of Amydde, John Purcell, of Gragyfraghan ... Philip Purcell of Ballycormick, Richard Purcell fitz Philippe, of the same, and Richard Cantwell, of the same, kerns.[80]
    • 1549: Pardon to John, Theobald and Philip Purcell, gentlemen, of Foulksrath, presumably Robnet's younger brothers. Pardon also to Patrick Purcell, of Fennane.
    • 1593: William Purcell fitz Robert of Kilkenny, yeoman, heir to certain Ormond estates. Document prepared by Sir Richard Shee, legal advisor to Thomas, 10th Earl of Ormond. Witnesses: Thomas Cantwell et al.[81]
  • Thomas, b.1591, m. Ellen, daughter of Edmond St, Leger of Tullaghanbroge; forfeited his estate under Cromwell and was transplanted to Connaught in 1653

"Robert Purcell died on the 6th January, 1635, leaving the property to be enjoyed for a brief period by his son, Philip,[87] then 40 years old, [b.1595; younger brother of Thomas b.1591] and married; but a revolution soon swept over the land, and the Foulksrath branch of the Purcell family having, like most of the others, lost their patrimony by confiscation for their connexion with the rising of 1641, it was granted to a person named Bradshaw."[88]

Lords of Ballyfoyle

Combining various sources -- Carrigan, Sheffield Grace, Ormond Deeds, etc.[89] the order of the Lords of Ballyfoyle is as follows, generation by generation:

  • (ca.1390s) Thomas fitz Maurice Purcell [wife Catherine Grace] is the first Purcell with any connection with Ballyfoyle.
  • ...
  • 1480: Walter Purcell, Lord of Ballyfoyle
  • ...
  • Patrick d. before 1561
  • Geoffrey d. 1586
  • Philip d. 1 Oct 1601 [wife Elizabeth Cantwell, later Tobin, d. after 1625]
  • Edmund (b.1584) was age 17 and unmarried in 1601 [killed 1625 by Sir Edmund Blanchville]
  • Pierce, last Baron of Ballyfoyle, forfeited lands under Cromwell

The information below comes from Carrigan's History & Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory (1905), unless footnoted otherwise. Carrigan did not specify an exact lineage:[90]

  • 1347: Simon son of Walter Purcell grants to Maurice son of Walter Purcell the advowson of the church of Fynel. Witnesses: Thomas de Cantewell, John de Blanchuile, knights, Oliver de la freyne, David le Grase. [Records of Abbey of St. John the Evangelist, in the city of Kilkenny][91]
  • 1362: Maurice Purcell grants to Nicholas Broun, chaplain, vicar of the church of Mothyll, et al., the advowson of the church of Fynel as above.[92]
  • (ca,1390s) Thomas fitz Maurice Purcell is the first Purcell with any connection with Ballyfoyle. He is presumed to be descended from Sir Hugh Purcell, who came to Ireland with Strongbow, in 1170, and was soon after "slaine by the Waterfordians," leaving two sons, (a) Sir Walter, ancestor of the Loughmoe family, and (b) Sir Hugh, Junior.
  • "We must also presume [Thomas fitz Maurice] to be descended from Simon Purcell, Sheriff of the Co. Kilkenny, who was slain by the O'Brenans on Trinity Sunday, 1327."
  • 1396: Thomas fitz Maurice Purcell [wife Catherine Grace] received a grant from Geoffry fitz Roger de la Frene, of all the lands which Geoffry held in Drumhirthir.
    • Thomas FitzMaurice Purcell of Ballyfoyle married ca.1400 Katharina Le Gras (Grace). Katharina was the brother of John Grace, Baron of Courtstown, who was the grandfather (via his son Anselm) of Oliver Grace, Baron of Courtstown. Anselm (born ca.1420) was married to Alicia Morres, daughter of Sir James Morres of the de Marisco family.[93]
  • 1404: Thomas enfeoffed land to Walter fitz Roger Purcell, James fitz Henry Purcell, Thomas, Phillip, and John fitz Roger Purcell, William fitz Thomas Purcell, and John fitz Fulco Purcell, in tail male.
  • 1417: Thomas executed a deed of conveyance to Walter, son of Roger Purcell, of all his lands.
  • 1480: Walter Purcell, Lord of Ballyfoyle[94]
  • 1537: Freeholders of Co. Killkenny complain that Patrick Purcell of Ballyfoyle is charging coyne and livery. Patrick still alive in 1545.
  • 1549: Edmund Purcell of Ballyfoyle, horseman, receives a pardon.
  • 1549: John Cantwell of Cantwelliscourte, gent., was pardoned May 18th, 1549, about which time his property in the Barony of Gowran was estimated at £60, or at about the same value as the estate of Geoffry Purcell of Ballyfoyle, at the same date. A John Cantwell, who appears to be different from him, was Sheriff of Co. Kilkenny in 1569, and was murdered soon after by Geoffry Carraghe Purcell, who was himself slain for the crime by the Earl of Ormond in 1571.[95]
  • 1560: Geoffry Purcell is lord of Ballyfoyle. He died after 1572, the year in which Nicholas Fanning, of Claraghevryckyn [Clarabricken, in the barony of Gowran], Co. Kilkenny, horsekeeper, was pardoned after conviction, for having, with Peter Purcell of the same place, horsekeeper, stolen three cows from Geoffry.
  • 1586: Philip Purcell succeeded to the lordship before 1586, at which date he enfeoffed Thomas Purcell fitz Richard, and Walter Archer, of New Ross, of certain lands.
  • 1596: Philip's residence at Ballyfoyle is mentioned in a list of the principal residences in Co. Kilkenny. He received a pardon, Aug. 6th, 1601, and was dead before January 9th, 1606. By his wife Elizabeth Cantwell, otherwise Tobin, who was still living in 1625, he had a son and heir, Edmund Purcell, killed by the Blancheville brothers in 1625. (Elizabeth's surname Tobin apparently came from a 2nd marriage post-1606)
  • Edmund (born bef.1590) was still a minor when his father died (1606). His guardian procured "his maintenance and education in the English religion and habits, and in Trinity College, Dublin, from the 12th to the 18th year of his age." However, records show that Edmund remained Catholic, and his name is one of the first on the honoured list of "relievers and maintainers of Priests, Commissaries, Friars, and Jesuits," forwarded to the Government from the County and City of Kilkenny, in 1610 or 1611.
  • Edmund Purcell met his death, Aug. 16th, 1625, under tragic circumstances. By most accounts, Sir Edmund Blanchville, the lord of Kilmodimogue, and his brother, Leonard Blanchville, were responsible for the murder, which occurred as Edmund Purcell and his brother Patrick Purcell were riding on horseback near Kilkenny City. The Blanchville brother were pardoned in 1629.[96][97]
  • Margaret, died 1624, daughter & heiress of Pierce Purcell, the Baron of Ballyfoyle.[98][99]
  • "Under the Cromwellian regime, Philip Purcell, being an Irish Papist, was declared to have forfeited his estate of Ballyfoyle,[100] which was thereupon granted, with Ballyfoyle castle, to one of Cromwell's followers named Tobias Cramer." [Nicholas Purcell is listed below Philip on the confiscations for Gowran barony[101]]
  • Philip[102] was the son of Edmund Purcell and Margaret Cantwell. For more context on Philip, see the profile of his wife Ellen's father Richard Butler, 3rd Viscount Mountgarret.[103]

Some Purcells to Discover

Col. Brien Purcell Horan (A Brief History of the Purcells in Ireland, 2020):[104]

  • "In the 15th century, proof of noble birth was an important factor in obtaining ecclesiastical preferments, and the papal records of that period pertaining to Ireland abound in references to the noble ancestry of priests and prelates, including various Purcells. Typical are the references to Patrick Purcell, later Archdeacon of Cashel, who is described in documents issued in the names of successive popes (Pius II in 1459 and Paul II in 1465) as "by both parents of a noble race of barons and dukes" (1459) and subsequently (1465) as "of a noble race of princes, barons and knights."[105] The Purcells were barons and knights, but not princes. The fact that Archdeacon Purcell is also described as emanating from a “race of princes” may suggest a maternal descent from Gaelic princes and kings." [Note: The same "Patrick Purcell" is "Canon of Kilmanagh" further down this page]

The Purcells in this section most likely belonged to one of the above 3 branches (Loughmoe, Foulksrath, Ballyfoyle):

  • ca.1250: Sir Hugh Purcel, Sir Robert Purcel, Sir Thomas de Kantewelle, witnesses.[106]
  • 1331: Witnesses: Thomas de Cantewell, knight. Walter Purcel.[107]
  • In a 1403 case involving many members of the Cantwell family, the key witness was Richard Purcell, chaplain, parish priest, of Tyllaghtyrym, in the Ossory diocese.[108]
  • "During [Thomas Snell's] Episcopate the Council of Constance was held; and we learn from the Acts of the Council, that William Purcell took part in its sessions as "Proxy of Thomas [Snell], Bishop of Ossory,"[109] at the beginning of 1416."[110]
  • Two different John Purcells served as Bishops of Ferns[112] (Co. Wexford) in the decades before and after 1500:
    • John Purcell, appointed 4 October 1457; died before October 1479[113]
    • John Purcell, appointed 13 April and consecrated at Rome 6 May 1519; died 20 July 1539[114]
  • Abbot John Purcell of the Abbey of St. Thomas the Martyr in Dublin (the abbey founded by King Henry II in atonement for Archbishop Thomas Becket's murder and which had received numerous grants from the early Purcells of Loughmoe) was pardoned after 1487 for supporting the claim of Lambert Simnel,[116] pretender to the throne of England.[117]
  • "Thomas Fawte was Canon of Kilmanagh (Co. Kilkenny), shortly before 1462. After his death the Canonry was for some years in dispute between Patrick Purcell and John Strong. Patrick eventually succeeded in establishing his title at Rome, and in being acknowledged as the true and lawful Canon of Kilmanagh, in 1465."[118] [Note: The same "Patrick Purcell" is "Archdeacon of Cashel" higher up on this page]
  • 1533: Lease by the Abbot and Convent of Jerpoint to Thomas Purcell of Kilkenny, merchant, of the tithes of Kilry.
  • 1540: "Richard Cantwell was the last Prior previous to the Reformation. On the 21st March, 1540, he surrendered the Priory ... All these possessions were confiscated by Henry VIII, and portion of them, together with the Priory itself, was granted to the Mayor and citizens of Kilkenny. The same monarch made provision for the late Prior, Richard Cantwell, by appointing him Curate and Chaplain of the parochial church of St. John the Evangelist, Kilkenny ... he [Henry VIII] also granted a yearly pension of 40s. to Thomas Marshall, 40s. to Robert Purcell, and 40s. to Robert Rothe (apparently Canons of the Priory)."[122]
  • 1543: "Philip Purcell, Abbot of the Abbey of the Holy Cross, and his kinsmen Patrick Purcell of Ballyfoyle, Co. Kilkenny ... and James Purcell of the Garrans, Co. Kilkenny, were among the signers of an address to King Henry VIII praising James Butler, 9th Earl of Ormond in the following terms:[123]
    • "His intent hath been and is to his power and possibility so to put away Irish usages, extortions, and abuses ... He helpeth to bring up at his charges...[the] children [of the signers]...after the English sort...all the Irishry in effect do bear [him] more mortal hate, encompassing his destruction above any man living."
  • 1550: Pardon to Philip Purcell, provost of Holy Cross[124] [son of Thomas, Baron of Loughmoe, b. ca.1480.
  • 1553: Pardon to Peter Purcell fitz Philip of Thurles; Walter Purcell of the same; Surrowe or Hugh Purcell of Ballyamoryn; Thomas Purcell of Thurles; and Rory O'Mulryan, of the same, chaplain.[125]

From the Fiants of Elizabeth:[126]

  • 1600: Brownstowne, (Loughmoe) co. Tipperary: Pardons to gentlemen Richard Pursell, Edw. Pursell fitz Thomas, Tibbot Pursell fitz James, John Pursell fitz William, and to Jeffery reogh Pursell, yeoman
  • 1600: Roadston: Pardons to gentlemen Richard more m'Shane Pursell, Edmond fitz Richard Pursell, Edmond and Peirse fitz Morish Pursell, James Pursell fitz Patrick, James fitz Jeffery Pursell, Tho. fitz Peirs Pursell, Geoffrey reogh Pursell. Also yeomen Thomas Pursell fitz Theobald, Patrick duff Pursell fitz Richard, James boye Pursell
  • 1600: Clonedotie (Loughmoe): Pardons to gentlemen Srowe [sic] Pursell, Richard Pursell, Geoffrey Pursell, of Ballivrestie.
  • 1600: Richard Pursell, of Lissin Itagert, yeoman, Wm. fitz Rich. Pursell, James m'Shane glisse Pursell, Edw. fitz Jeffery Pursell, yeoman, James leigh Pursell fitz Rich., and John ro Pursell fitz Rich., yeomen, Rich, fitz Tibbot Pursell, of Rahelty, John Pursell fitz Tho., of the Gradges, Oliver Fanning, Patrick Comerford and Henry Comerford, of same, yeomen. James Pursell, Patr. Pursell, Tho. Pursell, Rich. Pursell fitz John, John fitz Jeffery Pursell, Redmund and James Pursell fitz Jeffery, and Tho. Pursell fitz Philip, of same, yeomen.
  • 1600: John Pursell fitz Thomas, and John m'Thomas Tobin, of same, gentlemen, , of Roadston, Patr. duff Pursell fitz Rich., James boye Pursell
  • 1600: James fitz William Pursell, gentleman, of Ballicormick (near Portumna & Borrisokane), co. Tipperary.
  • 1600: Edmund fitz Nicholas Pursell, of Ballisallagh [Co. Kilkenny]
  • 1601: Pardons to Patrick Pursell, of Broffe, gentleman, Ellen Lacy, his wife, John Pursell fitz Patrick (p.146)
  • 1601: Cloneston: Geoffrey, Patrick Roe, Thomas, James, all sons of Robbenet Pursell (p.168)
  • "Beale Langton, was born ye 3rd day of November anno 1610, whose godfather was Mr. Thomas Purcell, of Garryduff [near Ballyfoyle], and godmother Ellinor Purcell, Waton [Walton, Watton, Wadton, Watoun] of Grove's wife." [Thomas and Ellinor appear to be siblings][127]
  • "Oliver Waton of Watonsgrow, gent.," received a pardon, 18 Nov., 1602. He died May 11th, 1620, leaving by his wife, Ellinor Purcell, a son and heir, Edward Waton, then 36 years of age; and another son, Richard Waton ... The date of Ellinor Waton, otherwise Purcell's, death is April 24th, 1625."[128]
  • Carrigan devotes a paragraph to the Purcells of Clone (west of Foulksrath) during the years ca.1550-1650.[129]
  • 1608: Death of William Purcell of Co. Waterford. His son and heir is Richard Purcell.[130]
  • 1616: Funeral Entry for Nicholas Purcell, sometime sheriff of Dublin, deceased 29 Sep 1616.[131]
  • 1650s: Purcells transplanted from Tipperary[132] to Connaught included John Purcell (of Loughmoe), Richard Purcell (Agrall), Robert Purcell (Castletown), James Purcell (Clonmackog), Thomas Purcell (Rogerstowne), Peirce Purcell (Loredglowne), Willyam Purcell (Loredglowne), James Purcell (Cuockaneroe), Peirce Purcell (Killcaky).
  • 1650s: Purcells transplanted from Kilkenny[133] to Connaught included Thomas Purcell (of Ballysallagh), Philip Purcell (Ballyfoyle), Thomas Purcell (Foulksrath), Edmond Purcell (Esker), James Purcell (Cloune), John Purcell (Lysmane), Thomas Pursell (Sellerstown), Edmond Purcell (Kilkerrill)
  • Some Purcell names from the 1659 Census of Ireland:
    • Peter Purcell, gentleman, of Burrismore, Barony of Galmoy, Co. Kilkenny (p.413)
    • John Purcell, gentleman, of Gowran, Co. Kilkenny (p.415)
    • Patrick Purcell of Knocktopher, Co. Kilkenny (p.422)
    • Theobald Purcell, gentleman, of Ballyraggett, Co. Kilkenny (p.424)
  • 1661. "To be restored to their former estates" in the Act of Settlement: Philip Purcell of Ballyfoyle.[134]

These Purcells do not appear to be connected to the Tipperary & Kilkenny branches, but are included here for the benefit of other Purcell researchers:

From The history, architecture, and antiquities of the cathedral church of St. Canice, Kilkenny:[135]

  • "Sir Philip Purcel was amongst the knights summoned in 1335 to join the Irish Justiciary's army, then proceeding to assist the King [Edward III] in his Scottish wars."
  • 1385: "Adam and Thomas Purcell were appointed "Custodes Pacis" in the Liberty of Kilkenny, with power to assess all men for arms and horses, hobblers and footmen, according to the quality of their lands, to defend the Marches against the enemy."
    • "It is impossible to determine to which of the Kilkenny branches of the family they belonged, for, besides the Purcells of Foulksrath, there were 4 other houses of the name in that county, viz., those of Ballyfoyle, of Lismain, of Ballymartin, and of Clone, near Rathbeagh."
  • 1392: "Thomas Purcell was again appointed, cum aliis, a justice of the king's peace in the baronies of Oskellan, Shill'r [sic], and Obargon, in the Liberty of Kilkenny, with power to fine all rebels, and to restrain all idle men and kerns found in the act of taking meat, hay, corn, or other victuals from the lieges of the king."

Research Notes

  • Important: As of today (September 2021) there is still no proven connection between the Purcells of Kilkenny/Tipperary and the English composer Henry Purcell (1659-1695) -- apart from a common ancestor: the Norman Purcells who arrived in England at the time of William the Conqueror. The gateway ancestor to Ireland was Sir Hugh Purcell, who arrived with Earl Marshal ca.1170. His grandson, another Sir Hugh Purcell, inherited Loughmoe after marriage to Beatrix, daughter of Theobald FitzWalter, 1st Chief Butler of Ireland and ancestor of the Earls of Ormond. William Healy (see "Sources" below) discusses this in more detail.

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Another known branch were the Purcells of Cromlyn, County Dublin, also descended from Sir Hugh Purcell (son-in-law of Theobald FitzWalter, Chief Butler of Ireland) via the Purcells of Croagh, County Limerick. See the Cromlyn lineage here (Burke's): By some accounts, another branch later settled in Ballyculhane, west of the city of Limerick. See Rev. Patrick Woulfe's Irish Names and Surnames (1923):
  2. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loughmoe_Castle
  3. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballynahow_Castle
  4. ↑ "The Graces of Courtstown", from Rev. Carrigan's History of the Diocese of Ossory (1905):
  5. ↑ http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~walsh/
  6. ↑ https://sites.rootsweb.com/~irlkik/ksurnam2.htm#rothe
  7. ↑ "The Archer Family: Early Documented History":
  8. ↑ "The Cantwells of Cantwellscourt", from Rev. Carrigan's History of the Diocese of Ossory (1905):
  9. ↑ "The Forrestall Family: Early Documented History"
  10. ↑ "The Purcell Family: Early Documented History"
  11. ↑ The family name was variously spelled Daton, D'autun, Dalton, d'Alton, Datoun:
  12. ↑ John O'Hart, Irish Pedigrees: The Origin & Stem of the Irish Nation, (P. Murphy & Son, New York, 1915), p.844
  13. ↑ Wikipedia: Foulksrath Castle
  14. ↑ Edmund Hogan, Priest of the Society of Jesus, The description of Ireland : and the state thereof as it is at this present in anno 1598, citing the Kilkenny Journal of Archaeology:
  15. ↑ Irish Manuscripts: Knights' Fees, County Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny:
  16. ↑ Col. Brien Purcell Horan, p.20:
  17. ↑ Lodge's Peerage (1789), Vol.4, p.142:
  18. ↑ Theobald Walter, 1st Chief Butler of Ireland
  19. ↑ Wikipedia: Barons of Loughmoe
  20. ↑ Possibly referring to the same Hugh:
  21. ↑ First published in 1889, re-issued by Cambridge University Press in 2012:
  22. ↑ Thomas Carte (1686-1754), The Life of James, Duke of Ormond, Vol.1 (Oxford University Press, 1851), pp. xxxv-xxxvi:
    • archive.org/details/lifeofjamesdukeo01cartuoft/page/n45/mode/2up
  23. ↑ For more on this legal claim brought by Theobald le Botiller against Hugh Purcell in 1296, see the Calendar of Ormond Deeds, Vol.2, item 430, pp.336-337:
  24. ↑ James Graves, The history, architecture, and antiquities of the cathedral church of St. Canice, Kilkenny (Dublin: Hodges, Smith, & Co, 1857), pp.263-4:
  25. ↑ Lodge's Peerage (1789), Vol.4, p.142:
  26. ↑ The Irish Landed Gentry When Cromwell Came to Ireland, p.165:
  27. ↑ Clyn's Annals, published by the Irish Archaeological Society, pp.19-20).
  28. ↑ Carrigan, Vol.3, p.263:
  29. ↑ Angela Mungham, thesis submitted 31 March 2006 to the Department of History, Durham University. "English Settlers in 14th Century Ireland: A case study of 12 landed families of South Leinster/East Munster," p.133:
  30. ↑ "Geoffry de la Freyne" was slain by the O'Mores in 1333, leaving widow "Johanna Purcell, heiress of the Obargi" (Ibercon).
  31. ↑ William P. Burke, History of Clonmel (N. Harvey & Co., Waterford, Ireland, 1907), Chapter 3:
  32. ↑ "The Irish famously employed "Cethernacht" or Kern as light infantry. These usually made up the bulk of Gaelic and even later Anglo-Norman Irish armies during the Middle Ages to Renaissance eras. Traditionally armed with javelins and swords while wearing no armour, in later periods they were equipped with caliver muskets while still using little to no armour. They were notably effective while employed in tandem with heavily armed "Galloglaich" or anglicised Gallowglass. They could provide effective support to heavily armed troops as well as endlessly harassing enemies in difficult terrain." See also:
  33. ↑ Undoubtedly the relatives of Sir Richard Rothe MP (1550-1622), trusted advisor (and 3rd cousin) to Thomas, 10th Earl of Ormond, during 40 years.
  34. ↑ The likely relatives of Gerald Wale (Wall, Val, du Vall), of Coolnamuck, Co. Waterford.
  35. ↑ Samuel Lewis, Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1837):
  36. ↑ Col. Brien Purcell Horan, p.21
  37. ↑ Col. Brien Purcell Horan, p.22
  38. ↑ Possibly 4th Lord Barry and eldest son of David Barry of County Cork.
  39. ↑ Ormond Deeds, Vol.1, entry #499, p.199
  40. ↑ Ormond Deeds, Vol.1, entry #525, p.216
  41. ↑ Col. Brien Purcell Horan, p.23
  42. ↑ Wikipedia: Loughmore [sic]
  43. ↑ Calendar of Ormond Deeds:
  44. ↑ Calendar of Ormond Deeds
  45. ↑ John O'Hart, Redmond family genealogy, Co. Wexford:
  46. ↑ The quote is from The Purcell Society. The Butlers who were fighting were most likely Edmund MacRichard alongside his son Sir James Butler of Polestown.
  47. ↑ Poems on Marcher Lords: from 16th-century Tipperary manuscripts. Edited by Anne O'Sullivan, assisted by Padraig O'Riain. Irish Texts Society; Vol. LIII (1987). ISBN: 1870166531.
  48. ↑ Verbatim from A Brief History of the Purcells of Ireland, pp.26-28:
    • This James Purcell, Baron of Loughmoe was a celebrated soldier and cattle-raider in Co. Tipperary and was an example of the odd contemporary term "degenerate Englishman," a disparaging phrase used by London during this period to describe members of the English nobility and gentry of Ireland who, like James and his Butler wife, adopted Gaelic customs, spoke Irish fluently, and kept an Irish bard or poet in the household to record their exploits and sing of them. London deeply deplored cultural enrichment of this sort.
    • James’s father, Thomas Purcell, Baron of Loughmoe, had seized by force two messuages and four ploughlands in Magowry and Skehanagh, Co. Tipperary, from the St. John family and enfeoffed James Butler, Earl of Ormond, of them. These had formerly been Purcell lands. The St. John family regained these lands only by resort to the courts. Circa 1465, James Purcell was described as having repeated his father’s actions by again seizing the same St. John lands in Magowry and Skehanagh with force and arms, in manner of war, with banner displayed, contrary to law and against the peace of our sovereign lord the King. [Apparently referring to Edward IV of York, briefly deposed in 1470-71, but otherwise serving as King from 1461-1483.] The italicized language contains a very serious charge, because an allegation of using force, in manner of war, with banner displayed and against the King’s peace, was an accusation of waging a private war. This was considered a grave defiance of royal authority. Only the Crown was empowered to wage war. James Purcell, who in the same document is said to be “maintained and supported by divers English rebels and other Irish enemies of the King that he will not obey any process of the Common Law,” was ordered to surrender himself to the King’s judges in Ireland until the issue of title to these lands was decided. [Statute Rolls of the Parliament of Ireland, ed. by Henry F. Berry (Dublin, H.M. Stationary Office, 1914), pp. 411-415]
    • James Purcell is the subject of an extraordinary Gaelic funeral elegy which in the early 1500s was reduced to written form in the northeast of Co. Tipperary by an unknown scribe. The manuscript is entitled, in Latin, "In Obitum Jacobi Pursell Baronis de Lughma" [“On the death of James Purcell, Baron of Loughmoe”] and is now preserved in the British Museum (British Museum Add. Ms. 33993). The funeral elegy describes James as having curly red hair and ruddy skin, as being a descendant of Charlemagne and of Geoffrey Roth Purcell and as having desired to reconcile Normans and native Irish.
  49. ↑ "Four elegies for marcher lords of Ely have been translated from the Irish. It is believed that they were written by a poet living near Cashel in the late 15th or early 16th century. The introduction suggests that they were (along with other verse and prose in the manuscript) written for a John Cantwell of Moycarky, son of John Cantwell, archbishop of Cashel (died 1482). The archbishop is the subject of the first elegy, whilst James Purcell of Loughmoe, Tadhg [Teige] O'Carroll of Rathenny and Philip Hacket of Balysheehan, probably families related to the Cantwells, are the others."
  50. ↑ Sir Purcell [1445-1518] was a good man and acted with justice and impartiality to his tenants. His wife [unidentified] unlike himself was a cruel and miserly woman. No evictions took place in the locality while Sir John had possession of the estate. When Purcell took the land of Graigue it was boycotted and nobody worked on it for many years. Then the land was divided into farms or small holdings. Afterwards some of these farms were subdivided and thus the entire districts consists of small farms. Tithes were gathered in the district. Each farmer had to give one tenth of his annual produce to the tithe gatherers who were known as proctors in my district. Many tithes were gathered to support the Protestant church. The landlord, though a good man, acted with special power over his tenants. He punished them severely if they hunted on his grounds or crossed through his land. Most of the people say it was his wife who urged him to act thus.
  51. ↑ From A Brief History of the Purcells of Ireland, p.29:
  52. ↑ From A Brief History of the Purcells of Ireland, p.3:
    • "In the 16th century, the position of Abbot of the Holy Cross (Co. Tipperary) passed to Philip Purcell, brother of James Purcell, Baron of Loughmoe [when?]. Philip (who died in 1563) was the last abbot of this ancient Cistercian monastery prior to its dissolution by King Henry VIII at the Reformation, and he sat in the Irish House of Lords as a lord spiritual, styled on occasion as Earl of Holy Cross."
  53. ↑ Calendar of Ormond Deeds, Vol IV, 1509-47:
  54. ↑ Wikipedia: Thomas Purcell, Baron of Loughmoe
  55. ↑ From A Brief History of the Purcells of Ireland, p.30:
    • "Thomas Purcell succeeded his father James as Baron of Loughmoe. In 1569, he was one of the signatories of a letter to Queen Elizabeth praising Thomas Butler, 10th Earl of Ormond for restoring law and order in Co. Tipperary. In the same year, he fought against “Irish rebels” in Co. Kerry. This was the period of the first Desmond Rebellion, which lasted from 1569 to 1573. The Earl of Ormond and his followers, including the Purcells, defeated the Earl of Desmond at the battle of Affane, a private pitched battle in 1565.
  56. ↑ From A Brief History of the Purcells of Ireland, p.32:
    • It is likely that Thomas Purcell added the massive central and north wings to Loughmoe Castle, transforming it from a fortified keep to a comfortable manor house. The carved initials “T.P.” and “I.F.P.” were still visible on the mantelpiece of the great hall of the south tower of Loughmoe Castle in 1984. These were the initials of Thomas and his wife, Joan FitzPatrick.
  57. ↑ On the "List of those who took up Arms for the Catholic Faith". From the History of Ireland in the Reign of Elizabeth (Author: Philip O'Sullivan Beare):
  58. ↑ Ralph Purcell, elder brother of Richard, appears to have been the husband of Margaret Tobin, sister of the murdered Adam Tobin, sheriff of Tipperary. Siblings Margaret and Adam were likely descendants of Thomas Tobin, Lord of Compsey. See the Calendar of State Papers for Ireland, 1606-08, pp.113-5:
  59. ↑ Killahara is the castle beside the Protestant Church [2020] in Dovea:
  60. ↑ The details of the murder can be found in the Wikitree profile for Richard Purcell and also in the Calendar of State Papers for Ireland, 1606-08, on several pages (search for "Purcell") but specifically pp.30-31:
  61. ↑ John Lodge, The Peerage of Ireland, Vol. 6 (publisher J. Moore, 1789), p.225:
  62. ↑ In the 1641 Depositions (fol. 261v, item #1610) Theobald Purcell alias Baron of Loughmoe is accused -- along with [Richard Butler 3rd] Lord Montgarret and Richard Butler of Kilkash -- of attempting to "root out all English protestants in this kingdome of Ireland that would not conforme themselues to the Church of Rome". Their sworn accusers were " Edward Butler of Clare in the County of Tipperary Esquire, Pierce Cantwell of Muckarky in the County of Tipperary gentleman, James Butler son to the said Edward, together with the eldest son of the said Cantwell whose name this deponent knoweth not".
  63. ↑ The "Pierce Cantwell" mentioned in the previous footnote was the 5th son of John Cantwell of Mokarky, a lifelong ally of Thomas, 10th Earl of Ormond.
  64. ↑ Wikipedia: James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormond
  65. ↑ Wikipedia: Barons of Loughmoe
  66. ↑ "The Jacobite Peerage Baronetage, Knightage & Grants of Honour by the Marquis de Ruvigny & Raineval":
  67. ↑ Possibly the tombstone of Nicholas Purcell, in Saint Canice's Cemetery, Kilkenny:
  68. ↑ From Col. Nicholas Purcell's Wikipedia profile:
    • "Nicholas Purcell married Ellis Browne sometime around 1688; she was 20 years his junior. Ellis Browne was the daughter of Sir Valentine Browne who had a high command in the army of King James II and was created Baron Castlerosse and Viscount Kenmare by the King. Valentine's ancestors included great-grandfather Gerald, 15th Earl of Desmond. In 1689 Col. Nicholas Purcell represented the County of Tipperary in the Parliament in Dublin."
    • "During the [late 1680s], Colonel Purcell's wife and children evidently lived in France. The will of Lieutenant Pierce Power of Thurles, [likely descended from Sir Piers Poer,] dated 26 June 1689, not only lists the amounts of money owed him by Colonel Purcell, but also mentions the fact his daughter, Cecily, was living with Mary Purcell of Loughmoe."
    • Family connections: "Lt. Col. Robert Purcell, Lieut. Thomas Purcell, Coronet Anthony Purcell, Lieut. Theobald Purcell of Moyarde (member of the Peace Party), Cornet Hugh Purcell, Capt. John Purcell of Coneby (Kilkenny)" served alongisde Col. Nicholas Purcell in Ireland ca. 1690. "The regiment was raised mostly in Tipperary."
    • "Of Colonel Purcell's children we know the following. His only son fell into a vat of boiling water and died. Of his three daughters it is only known that two of them married. Catherine, his second daughter married a member of the Gaelic nobility, Domhnall, the O'Callaghan. His third daughter, married a man surnamed White from Leixlip who apparently by 1705 was not yet eighteen. The Purcell-Whites were the last to live in Loughmoe and did so until approximately 1760."
  69. ↑ https://www.purcellfamily.org/photographs
  70. ↑ Rev. William Carrigan, The History & Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory (1905), Vol.2, pp.197-198:
  71. ↑ https://sites.rootsweb.com/~irlkik/ksurnam2.htm#freney
  72. ↑ Phlip is mentioned in a quit-claim of 1528:
    • "Robin (Robinetus), son of Thomas son of Philip Purcell of Foulksrath in county Kilkenny, quit-claims to James, son of said Philip, all his right in the towns of Cowlcrahyn, Rowystown and Synganaghe."
    • Witnesses of note included Master James Cantwell, Official of Ossory, and Peter Cantwell.
      • Ormond Deeds, Vol.4, item 138, p. 126
  73. ↑ In 1537 Philip Purcell was, amongst other landholders of the county, presented by the "verdyt of the Commyners of the Towne of Kilkenny" as an enforcer of unlawful and oppressive exactions.
  74. ↑ 1526. From this generation, or the next: Thomas Butler, son of the Earl of Ormond, receives grant of land in Foulksrath, Co. Kilkenny, from Elena Walsh alias Brenaghe, former wife of Thomas Purcell.
  75. ↑ Possible connection to the following James Shortall (born ca.1464):
    • James Schorthals, Baron of Ballylarcan and Ballykeefe. The Schorthals, later shortened to Shortall, are thought to have arrived in Ireland around the time of the Norman invasion in 1169. A Robert Schorthal was granted Ballylarkin, sometime between 1202 and 1218. James Schorthals was Baron of Ballylarkin when he erected the family monument at St Canice's [Cathedral in the city of Kilkenny] in 1507. He is also responsible for building the square crossing tower of the Black Abbey. James died shortly after 1534, aged c.70 years. His son Oliver Shortall was Lord of Ballylarkin in 1549-1562. Oliver was married to Honorina Grace, the daughter of John Grace and Honoria Walsh. [This John Grace was the son of Sir John Grace, the "Iron-Belted"].
  76. ↑ A family history website explores the tombs of Purcells in Kilkenny and Tipperary, and says this about James Purcell (d.1552):
    • "A Purcell grave slab on the floor of St. Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny. This is the tomb of James Purcell of the Garrans, Co. Kilkenny (died 1552), a younger son of Philip Purcell of Foulksrath Castle (alive in 1491). James had at least 9 sons and many Kilkenny Purcells likely descend from him. The upper shield or coat of arms shows the boars’ heads of the Purcells. The lower shield is the coat of arms of his wife, Johanna Shortall."
  77. ↑ One of James' 9 sons was Patrick of Lismaine, adjacent to Foulksrath, and his descendants are as follows:
    • "Lismain castle, over the Nore, was almost perfect till 1820, when most of it was taken down. It belonged to a branch of the Purcell family. Patrick mc James mc Philip Purcell of Lisvaen [Lismaine], gentleman, was pardoned Dec. 24th, 1571. Peter or Pierce Purcell, of Lismaine, son of Patrick, was one of the Constables of Fassadinan in 1608; he died Feb. 10th, 1623-4. Peter's son and heir, Richard Purcell of Lismaine, died Sept. 18th, 1635. John, son and heir of Richard, was only 10 years old at the time of his father's death, so that he was bom in 1625. He forfeited under Cromwell, and was transplanted to Connaught; but managed to recover his property in 1663-4."
  78. ↑ James' funeral monument (1552 at St. Canice's, Kilkenny, is catalogued by Paul Cockerham & Amy Louise Harris in Kilkenny Funeral Monuments 1500-1600: A Statistical & Analytical Account (p.181). Published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy: Archaeology, Culture, History, Literature, Vol. 101C, No. 5 (2001):
  79. ↑ Fiants of Edward VI:
  80. ↑ Fiants of Edward VI, Deputy Keeper of the Public Records in Ireland, 6th Edition (1874), p.69, item 398:
  81. ↑ Ormond Deeds, Vol.6, item 85, p.60:
  82. ↑ The funeral notice for "Robnett Purcell" calls him the eldest son and heir of Jeffrey Purcell; says they descended from the Purcells of Pilltowne; he married Ellen, daughter of Purcell of Lismaine, Co Kilkenny; says their eldest son was Philip (not Thomas).
  83. ↑ Robnet's wife was named Ellenora; buried together in Coolcraheen, Co. Kilkenny.
    • Paul Cockerham. “'My Body to Be Buried in My Owne Monument' : the Social and Religious Context of Co. Kilkenny Funeral Monuments, 1600-1700.” Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy: Archaeology, Culture, History, Literature, vol. 109C (2009), pp. 239–365. The specific reference appears on p.357:
  84. ↑ According to Carrigan (Vol.3, p.411), Robert Purcell of Foulksrath's daughter married James Butler (d.1638), son of Theobald, son of Edmund, son of Theobald, son of James, son of Theobald, son of Sir James Butler of Polestown (1440-1487).
  85. ↑ Robnet (1571-1636) of Foulksrath had a daughter Ellinor Purcell who married Edmond Fanyn [sic], born ca.1590, of Co. Tipperary, the likely son of William Fanning, given that Robnet ("constable") and William (freeholder) were neighbors in the Barony of Gowran in 1608:
  86. ↑ 1609: Lease of the Earl of Ormond and his feoffees to Robert Purcell of the lands of Kilmacar and Tonicheny [Tomakeany], Co. Kilkenny, for 21 years. (Renewed for Kilmacar in 1633)
  87. ↑ In 1640, "Philip Purcell of Foulkesrath" held 550 acres in Co. Kilkenny, including one castle. Based on the 1654 plantation measure for Co. Kilkenny, as listed on p.347 of The Ormond Lordship in County Kilkenny, 1515-1642, a Ph.D thesis (1998) by David Edwards for the University of Dublin's History Department.
  88. ↑ James Graves, The history, architecture, and antiquities of the cathedral church of St. Canice, Kilkenny (Dublin: Hodges, Smith, & Co, 1857), p.265:
  89. ↑ Ormond Deeds Vol.5, p.117:
  90. ↑ Rev. William Carrigan, The History & Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory (1905), section focusing on the Parish of Ballyfoyle, Vol.3, pp.464+:
  91. ↑ Ormond Deeds, Vol.1, entry #798, p.337
  92. ↑ Ormond Deeds, Vol.1, entry #798, pp.337-8
  93. ↑ Sheffield Grace, Memoirs of the Family of Grace, Vol.1 (Weed & Rider, 1823), see pedigree on p.2:
  94. ↑ Richard J. Hayes, Manuscript Sources for the History of Irish Civilisation (1965), Vol. 3-4, p.519:
  95. ↑ Carrigan, Vol.3, p.276:
  96. ↑ Carrigan, Vol.3, pp.468-469:
  97. ↑ Context: Sir Edmund Blanchville's wife was Margaret Butler, niece of Piers, 8th Earl of Ormond. This family relationship might have played in Edmund's favor when he was pardoned.
  98. ↑ John O'Hart, Irish Pedigrees: The Origin & Stem of the Irish Nation, (P. Murphy & Son, New York, 1915), p.369
  99. ↑ "Gilpatrick O'Brenan of Rath Kyle Castle, the last recognized Chief of his name; Sheriff or Justice of Fassadun in 1612, and Esquire of Fassadun in 1615; m. Margaret (d. 1624), heiress and daughter of Pierce Purcell, last Baron of Ballyfoyle; [Gilpatrick] d.1628."
  100. ↑ Philip Purcell of Ballyfoyle was a major landowner in Co. Kilkenny, with 3,040 acres to his name, including 2 manors and 3 castles. Based on the 1654 plantation measure for Co. Kilkenny, as listed on p.345 of The Ormond Lordship in County Kilkenny, 1515-1642, a Ph.D thesis (1998) by David Edwards for the University of Dublin's History Department.
  101. ↑ The Irish Landed Gentry When Cromwell Came to Ireland, p.262
  102. ↑ Philip Purcell of Ballyfoyle Castle was one of the leaders of the Catholic Confederation in the 1640s. Philip was the son of Edmund Purcell (ca.1590-1625) of Ballyfoyle and his wife Margaret Cantwell. Edmund Purcell, on horseback, was slain in 1625 in Kilkenny by a blow to his neck from a Blanchville (Blanchfield) sword during a quarrel with Sir Edmund Blanchville."
    • From a history of the Purcell family, which also cites historian Rev. William Carrigan's belief (The History & Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory) that Edmund Purcell and Margaret Cantwell are the couple buried in the main tomb of St. John's Priory, Kilkenny:
  103. ↑ Cantwell connections: Given the geographic proximity, Philip's mother Margaret Cantwell likely came from the Cantwellscourt branch, and was a possible daughter of John Cantwell (ca.1575-1650). Later (1650s), when Philip's daughter married Captain John Cantwell (b.1625), she was therefore marrying her 1st cousin once-removed -- with common ancestor being the John who lived ca.1575-1650.
  104. ↑ See footnote on p.3:
  105. ↑ Calendar of State Papers, Ireland, vol.11, p.393 and vol.12, p.414.
  106. ↑ Ormond Deeds, Vol.1, item 105, p.45
  107. ↑ Ormond Deeds, Vol.1, item 630, pp.267-8
  108. ↑ Ormond Deeds, Vol.2, item 377, pp.270-271.
  109. ↑ List of Bishops of Ossory over the centuries:
  110. ↑ Rev. William Carrigan, "The Bishops of Ossory During the 15th Century", from The History & Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory (1905), Vol.1, p.63:
  111. ↑ Calendar of State Papers – Papal Registers relating to Great Britain and Ireland, vol.8, p.109 and vol.11, p.42:
    • In 1463, King Edward IV and Jordan Purcell, Bishop of Cork and Cloyne, together sent a petition to Pope Pius II, alleging that the resignation of Jordan submitted to the Holy See was a forgery and praying that Jordan be restored to full powers in his diocese.
  112. ↑ Another list of the Bishops of Ferns:
  113. ↑ "Under John Purcell (1459-1479), Franciscan friars acquired a foundation in Enniscorthy, which was dedicated 18 October, 1460."
  114. ↑ "John Purcell, whose troubled episcopate ended on 20 July, 1539."
  115. ↑ Calendar of State Papers – Papal Registers relating to Great Britain and Ireland, vol.11, pp.193-194.
  116. ↑ Wikipedia: Lambert Simnel, pretender to English throne in 1480s.
  117. ↑ Various sources:
    • Calendar of State Papers, Ireland, vol.13, p.831
    • Register of the Wills and Inventories of the Diocese of Dublin, 1457-1483, ed. by Henry F. Berry (Dublin, Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, 1898), pp. xxxvii, 72-74, 213
    • John D'Alton, Illustrations of King James's Irish Army List (1689) (2nd ed.), vol. I, pp. 272-273
  118. ↑ Carrigan, Vol.1, p.253:
  119. ↑ https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15564b.htm
  120. ↑ Calendar of State Papers – Papal Registers relating to Great Britain and Ireland, vol.13, p.148:
    • Thomas Purcell received a dispensation from Pope Sixtus IV to become Bishop of Waterford and Lismore in 1483, because Thomas was the illegitimate son of a bishop and an unmarried woman related within a proscribed degree of kinship.
  121. ↑ Calendar of State Papers – Papal Registers relating to Great Britain and Ireland, vol.13, p.717:
    • John Purcell, Bishop of Ferns and papal nuncio, acted to advance the career of Thomas by appointing him as Canon of Ferns in 1479.
  122. ↑ Carrigan, Vol.3, p.253:
  123. ↑ "In their address to the King, the signers also affirmed their loyalty to the House of Tudor. This is another example of how the Purcells would stress their Englishness (their English blood, their speaking English as their principal language, and their following English customs, such as riding with an English saddle) when it suited them, while at the same time remaining completely at ease in the Irish language and culture surrounding them."
  124. ↑ Fiants of Edward VI:
  125. ↑ Fiants of Edward VI:
  126. ↑ Fiants of Elizabeth, 1600, from the 17th report of the Deputy Keeper of the Public Records in Ireland (1885), p.137, item 6440:
  127. ↑ Carrigan, Vol.3, pp.303-4:
  128. ↑ Carrigan, ibid
  129. ↑ Rev. William Carrigan, The History & Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory (1905), Vol.2, p.325:
  130. ↑ Kearney, H. F. “The Court of Wards and Liveries in Ireland, 1622-1641.” Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. Section C: Archaeology, Celtic Studies, History, Linguistics, Literature, vol. 57, Royal Irish Academy, 1955, pp. 29–68, See chart on p.54:
  131. ↑ Funeral Entries Vol.3, published online by the National Library of Ireland:
  132. ↑ The Irish Landed Gentry When Cromwell Came to Ireland, pp.346+
  133. ↑ The Irish Landed Gentry When Cromwell Came to Ireland, pp.355+
  134. ↑ The Irish Landed Gentry When Cromwell Came to Ireland, p.435
  135. ↑ James Graves, The history, architecture, and antiquities of the cathedral church of St. Canice, Kilkenny (Dublin: Hodges, Smith, & Co, 1857), pp.263-4:




Images: 2
1659 census: Slevardagh (Tipperary)
1659 census: Slevardagh (Tipperary)
Marriage of Purcell & Morres
Marriage of Purcell & Morres
Collaboration


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