Family History

Walter Lawrence 1729-1796

Walter Lawrence 1729-1796

Walter Lawrence 1729-1796

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This family has been seated in the county Palatine of Lancaster, from a very early period. They are described by Grigson in his fragments of Lancashire (vide Liverpool Ed. 1824) as the ancient illustrious and knightly family of the Lawrences of Lancashire, springing from Sir Robert Lawrence who was seated at Ashton Hall in that County, in the Reign of Richard 1st whom he accompanied to the Holy Land, and distinguished himself at the Siege of Acre in 1191, was created a Knight of England and obtained the Arms since borne by his descendants. A younger branch was established in Ireland temp. Queen Elizabeth.

John Lawrence with his brother Walter came over to Ireland with Sir John Perrottt, Lord President, 1571, and were engaged with that General in the Wars of Munster (See Patent Rolls). They returned to Ireland in 1584 and formed a part of the brilliant staff of Sir John Perrott who then was appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland, by Queen Elizabeth. "He arrived in the haven or port of Dalkye, about the hour of six of the clock in the afternoon of the ninth of June, 1584, in the 26th Year of Her Majesty's Reign, and upon the 21st of the same month being Sunday he took his Oath of Government at the hands of Lord Archbishop, (See Patent Rolls) Lord Chancellor, in the Cathedral of Saint Patrick". Walter the younger brother was appointed Governor of the Goal and City of Naas within the Pale (see Fiants of Elizabeth, 23rd April 1586, Rolls Office, Dublin).

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John the elder brother married a daughter of O'Madden Lord of Longford Captain of his nation and last chief of his name, by which marriage he acquired a large territory in the Barony of Longford, and County of Galway, together with the O'Madden Vault in the Cathedral of Clonfert. In consequence of the imperfect registration of the Indentures of Composition made before Sir John Perrott, John Lawrence, in common with other gentlemen surrendered his property to the Crown after the death of Elizabeth, and received it back again under Patent from James 1 (See Patent Rolls, 16. James I). John Lawrence settled at Ballymore, where he erected his Castle by regulation temp. Queen Elizabeth in the Parish of Clonfert, Barony of Longford and County of Galway.

He had issue (I) Walter his heir, (II) John, (III) Edward (IV) Peter, (V) Joseph (See Connaught Certificates) Walter Lawrence of Ballymore succeeded his father, and repaired his Castle after the death of Elizabeth. The initials W.L. 1620 was carved on one of the Castle chimney pieces and was seen as late as 1844 by persons now living. He married in 1603 Cicely, daughter of Sir John Moore, of Ball and Brieze, Co. Mayo and Cloghan Castle, King's County (an offshoot of the noble house of Moore, Marquis of Drogheda) (See Annals of the Four Masters, by O'Donovan) by his wife, Lady Mary, Daughter of De Burgh, Earl of Clanricarde, (See Patent Rolls of James I) (See also the Manuscript Pedigree of the Earls of Clanricarde, drawn up by Chevalier O'Gorman, 1747, now in the Library at Lawrencetown).

Charles Blake 1763-1845

Charles Blake Moyne and Coolcun, County Mayo, Merlin Park, County Galway, High Sheriff in 1795, D.L. and J.P. County Mayo and County Galway, born 1763, died September, 1845 buried in the Lawrence Vault at the Cathedral Church of Clonfert County Galway, eldest Son of Charles Blake, of Coolcun and Merlin Park, County Galway and Margaret, daughter of Denis Daly Esq., of Raford and Lady Ann De Burgh, his wife, eldest daughter of Michael 10th Earl of Clanricarde. Transcribed from the Lawrence Family Album.

Charles Blake 1763-1845

Charles Blake 1763-1845

Charles Blake Moyne and Coolcun, County Mayo, Merlin Park, County Galway, High Sheriff in 1795, D.L. and J.P. County Mayo and County Galway, born 1763, died September, 1845 buried in the Lawrence Vault at the Cathedral Church of Clonfert County Galway, eldest Son of Charles Blake, of Coolcun and Merlin Park, County Galway and Margaret, daughter of Denis Daly Esq., of Raford and Lady Ann De Burgh, his wife, eldest daughter of Michael 10th Earl of Clanricarde. Transcribed from the Lawrence Family Album.

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He had an only son, John Lawrence, of Ballymore and Lisreaghan, who married first in 1640, a daughter of John O'Donelan of Ballydonelana, County Galway, by whom he had two sons, Walter and James, who predeceased their father (See Obituary of Meelick Abbey in the Franciscan Library, Dublin) by which wife Christain, sister of the Right Honorable Sir Richard Blake, of Ardfry, Co. Galway, Privy Counsellor to Charles I and Speaker of the Supreme Council of Kilkenny, and II.

Mabella daughter of Killagh O'Kelly Esq. of Aughrim, Co. Galway, eldest son and heir of Freartanah O'Kelly last chief of his name (See Funeral Certificates 1638) and had a daughter Mabella, married J Kelly Esq. of Ballgh Co. Galway, III Mary, daughter of Gerald McCoghlan, eldest son and heir of Sir John McCoghlan of Cloghan, Chief of his name, and Lord of the County of Delvin Arra now the Barony of Garrycastle, King's County; the same that sat in Perrott's Parliament in 1584.

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(See Liber Menrum Publicorum Hibernie, See also Funeral Certificates) Signed Thomas Preston Ulster King of Arms, May 1st 1635, by the first marriage of her mother, Lady Honora De Burgh daughter of Richard 4th Earl of Clanricarde and first Earl of St. Albans and his wife Frances, daughter and heir to Sir Francis Walshingham, Secretary of State to Queen Elizabeth widow of the Great Sir Philip Sidney, and also of Robert Devereaux, Earl of Essex, that Queen's unfortunate favorite, sister of Ulick, Great Marquis and fifth Earl of Clanricarde, 2nd Earl of St. Albans Lord Lieutenant of Ireland 1650, (See Archdall's Edition of Lodge's Peerage) and by her had a son and heir Walter and three daughters, Honora, Christain, and Dorothy; Honora, who exercised under Royal license the office of Civil Judge or magistrate. These three ladies died unmarried.

John Lawrence is named amongst the Gentry of the county who responded to the call of Ulick 5th Earl of Clanricarde and St. Albans Governor of the town and County of Galway, and assembled at Loughrea on the 30th March, 1643, (See Granville Collections British Museum) to hear His Majesty's Declaration read with reference to the confederate Catholics then in Arms.

Walter Lawrence 1793-1873

Of Lisreaghan; Born 1st December 1793, died 21st December 1873; Son of Walter Lawrence of Lisreaghan by his wife Catherine Darcy, daughter of John Darcy, of Ballykine, County Mayo, and Margaret his wife, widow of Charles Blake, of Moyne and Coolcun, County Mayo, and third daughter of Denis Daly of Raford and the Lady Ann De Burgh, his wife, eldest daughter of Michael, 10th Earl of Clanricarde, sister of Letitia, mother of John first Baron Clanmorris, and of Anastatia, wife of Sir George Browne, sixth Baronet, of the Neale, Co. Mayo. Mr Lawrence married 1st of March 1813, Georgiana, his first Cousin, third daughter of Charles Blake, of Merlin Park, County Galway, and Coolcun and Moyne, County Mayo. Transcribed from the Lawrencetown Family Album.

Walter Lawrence 1793-1873

Walter Lawrence 1793-1873

Of Lisreaghan; Born 1st December 1793, died 21st December 1873; Son of Walter Lawrence of Lisreaghan by his wife Catherine Darcy, daughter of John Darcy, of Ballykine, County Mayo, and Margaret his wife, widow of Charles Blake, of Moyne and Coolcun, County Mayo, and third daughter of Denis Daly of Raford and the Lady Ann De Burgh, his wife, eldest daughter of Michael, 10th Earl of Clanricarde, sister of Letitia, mother of John first Baron Clanmorris, and of Anastatia, wife of Sir George Browne, sixth Baronet, of the Neale, Co. Mayo. Mr Lawrence married 1st of March 1813, Georgiana, his first Cousin, third daughter of Charles Blake, of Merlin Park, County Galway, and Coolcun and Moyne, County Mayo. Transcribed from the Lawrencetown Family Album.

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Mr Lawrence had the whole of his extensive Estates seized and sequestered on account of the Rebellion which began in the Kingdom on the 23rd October 1641 but claimed them from the usurped Powers sitting at Athlone in 1654 as his a ancient property and had a decree from said pretended Commissioners to have satisfaction for his lands according to his qualifications and had some satisfaction set out to him in other lands in the Province of Connaught by final settlement from said Commissioners to Loughrea. At the restoration Mr Lawrence claimed the restitution of his entire property, but could only get back a portion of his lands which were eventually confirmed by Patent dated 5th August 29th Year of King Charles II.

And Enrolled 26th August 1677; he died at the Castle of Ballymore in 1675 and was buried in the Cathedral of Clonfert (St. Brendan's). By his Will bearing date 23rd September 1675 and registered in the Diocesan Court of Clonfert he appointed John McCoghlan in the King's Co. and John O'Donlan of Ballydonellan, Co. Galway Gent, his Executors (they were the brothers of his two wives) and his honoured and affectionate cousin Garrett Moore, of Brieze and Cloghan Castle, King's County. His widow married 2ndly James Dean, and died in 1714 (See Obituary Meelick Abbey, Franciscan Library, Dublin).

Admiral, Sir Peter Lawrence 1702-1758

Peter Lawrence, was on the 16th July 1739, appointed Commander of the Augusta of sixty guns, one of the ships then on the Mediterranean Station, under Admiral Haddaock. We find him soon after his appointment one of the Captains present at the capture of the valuable Spanish ship, the St Joseph. In 1740 he served in the main or channel fleet, under Sir John Norris, and after his return into port, was removed into the Jersey, a ship of the same rate and force, which together with that he before commanded, formed a part of the reinforcement sent to Mr Vernon, in the West Indies, under Sir Chaloner Ogle, he was present at the Siege of Carthagena, after which he reminded in the West Indies, and received the thanks of Sir Chaloner Ogle, he was appointed Captain of the "Litchfield" by the Admiralty, 18th 1744, confirming one given by Sir Chaloner Ogle, Rear Admiral of the Red and Commanded-in-Chief at Jamaica, 11th, November, 1743. On the return of Sir Chaloner Ogles to Europe, in 1746, he took Captain Lawrence, on board the "Cumberland" as his Captain. In 1755, he retired from the service and died, at Woodfield, Eyrecourt, Co. Galway, 1758 and was interred with his distinguished ancestors, in the Mortuary Chapel, of the Cathedral Church of St Brendan's Clonfert, Co. Galway. Transcribed from the Lawrence Family Album. (See Charnock's Biographia Navalis, Vol. 4. Page, 427, and other Public Records).

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Admiral, Sir Peter Lawrence 1702-1758
Copyright managed by the Library Council

Admiral, Sir Peter Lawrence 1702-1758

Peter Lawrence, was on the 16th July 1739, appointed Commander of the Augusta of sixty guns, one of the ships then on the Mediterranean Station, under Admiral Haddaock. We find him soon after his appointment one of the Captains present at the capture of the valuable Spanish ship, the St Joseph. In 1740 he served in the main or channel fleet, under Sir John Norris, and after his return into port, was removed into the Jersey, a ship of the same rate and force, which together with that he before commanded, formed a part of the reinforcement sent to Mr Vernon, in the West Indies, under Sir Chaloner Ogle, he was present at the Siege of Carthagena, after which he reminded in the West Indies, and received the thanks of Sir Chaloner Ogle, he was appointed Captain of the "Litchfield" by the Admiralty, 18th 1744, confirming one given by Sir Chaloner Ogle, Rear Admiral of the Red and Commanded-in-Chief at Jamaica, 11th, November, 1743. On the return of Sir Chaloner Ogles to Europe, in 1746, he took Captain Lawrence, on board the "Cumberland" as his Captain. In 1755, he retired from the service and died, at Woodfield, Eyrecourt, Co. Galway, 1758 and was interred with his distinguished ancestors, in the Mortuary Chapel, of the Cathedral Church of St Brendan's Clonfert, Co. Galway. Transcribed from the Lawrence Family Album. (See Charnock's Biographia Navalis, Vol. 4. Page, 427, and other Public Records).

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He was succeeded by his only son Walter Lawrence Esq. of Lisreaghan married in 1675 his cousin Cicely, daughter of Col. Garrett Moore of Ball and Brieze in the Co. Mayo and Cloghan Castle in the King's County, the same who formed a portion of the brilliant escort which accompanied James 1st Duke of Ormond to Oxford on his way to Ireland to hold the office (for the third time) of Lord Deputy of Ireland. The University conferred on Col. Garrett Moore the honour of Doctor of Learned Law (See Charts Life of Duke of Ormond, Vol.2 Page 467) by his wife Lady Margaret De Burgh 2nd daughter of Richard 6th Earl of Clanricarde, and the Lady Elizabeth Butler, his wife, daughter of Walter 11th Earl of Ormond and 4th Earl of Ossory, Grandfather of James I, Duke of the same and by her (who married 2ndly John Kelly Esq.) left this decease 1677 (with daughter Honoria married H. Pelly Esq. of Kill, Co. Galway) two sons minors.

John d.S.P under age and Walter Lawrence Esq. of Lisreaghan married Mary, daughter of Nicholas Arcedukne Esq. Of Gortnamona Co. Galway and dying 1706, was succeeded by his eldest son. His youngest son Peter, Born 1702 entered the Royal Navy, where he soon distinguished himself as a Naval Commander. He captured the "St. Joseph" a rich Spanish Galleon. The Prize treasures on board were conveyed by an escort of Dragoons from Spithead to the Tower of London. He was presented at the Siege of Carthagena 1741, and fell wounded during that engagement. (See for further particulars "Charnock's Bioghaphia Navalis" and the State Papers of that period). He died a Woodfield, Eyrecourt, S.P. Rear Admiral in 1768, and was interred in the Family Vault at Clonfert with his distinguished ancestors.