It seems like Ireland has always had a lot going on, and often not much to the benefit of the Irish. The Squibbs, many of whom were wealthy, landed, gentry in England, had a presence in Ireland as well, although for just a brief time in the long history of Ireland.
Of particular interest to me are the ones that were in southern Tipperary, in lands between Cahir and Clogheen. A Col. John Squibb was listed as a co-owner of Castlegrace, just east of Clogheen, in Pender's Census of 1659. Castlegrace is reported by the Down Survey website (http://downsurvey.tcd.ie/) to have been owned by Thomas Butler, who held the title Baron Cahir, both in 1641 and 1670. So, why is John Squibb listed as running the place in 1659?
History is essential to understanding genealogy. In the 1640s "Adventurers" from England and Scotland invested money in Cromwell's army and navy to invade Ireland and replace the Irish with English settlers. In return for their investments and back pay, the Adventurers and soldiers received the vacated Irish land. It would make sense then, that this Englishmen, John Squibb, received land as either an Adventurer or soldier. But Castlegrace was not allotted to the army and John Squibb was not listed as an Adventurer. It seems likely then that he bought his shares from one of the original Adventurers. But why was Butler the owner again in 1670? The first Duke of Ormonde, James Butler, had fought against Cromwell. That definitely was cause for him to lose the land. But he was Protestant, and a friend to King Charles II. Perhaps Castlegrace was returned to the Butlers when Charles II became king and Squibbs went to the other various farms they were associated with in the late 1600s.
These were turbulent times for the new English settlers. Castlegrace hosted a garrison which was to protect the settlers from the Irish. Colonel Robert Thornhill is also mentioned with respect to Castlegrace. Perhaps both Squibb and Thornhill got their military titles as part of this garrison. Thornhill may have been married to Squibb's daughter. Thornhill is credited with the improvements at Castlegrace, including a grist mill. He is also "credited" with the destruction of the Catholic church at Shanrahan, east of Clogheen, in 1657. Most of the English settlers in this area would have lived in Cahir where it was safer.
In 1665, Hearth Money Rolls were taken, to determine taxes based on the number of hearths/chimneys. Neither Squibb nor Thornhill were listed at Castlegrace. John Squibb is listed with 4 hearths (a large number) at Burgesse, to the north of Castlegrace.
A Thomas Squibb is listed in the 1695 Couny Palatine of Tipperary (http://www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/tipperary/xmisc/palatine-1695.txt). It appears that he had 31acres in Ballyboy, just west of Castlegrace, that were passed along to a son Matthew. Matthew filed forfeited estates claims for it as well as for a lease on Ballylomastney, just north of Ballyboy, and a 1698 deed on Garrycloher and Clonemore, south west of the town of Cahir. Judging from these claims, it appears Thomas had died just before 1700.
Then we have Elizabeth Squibb, who became quite famous in 1718 when she accused James Cotter of rape. Cotter was subsequently hanged, that hanging stirring up a lot of trouble. Reading A.K. Groeger's book The Trial and Execution of James Cotter opens the possibilities that it wasn't rape, and Cotter was railroaded by vengeful Quakers. Elizabeth probably wasn't Quaker herself, but her mother's family were well known and powerful Quakers. Her mother was a Godfrey, and they lived at Knockgraffon, just north of Cahir. James Cotter was married to a daughter of George Mathew, who lived at Tubrid, just south of Cahir. Elizabeth Squibb could easily have crossed paths with James Cotter while visiting relatives. Elizabeth mentioned an unnamed brother in testimony. Newspaper accounts mentioned that her father had other children.
And then we have Robert Squibb, the founder of the Squibb family in the United States, who came to Pennsylvania in 1718. Although we don't have direct evidence of him being in Tipperary, there is a some circumstantial evidence. Robert Fairson has pointed out that Robert Squibb roomed with William Weldon during his early years in Chester, Pennsylvania. The Weldons were also from southern Tipperary. There were earlier connections to the Squibbs there. An Elizabeth Squibb married James Bamford in 1662, and Anne Banford married John Weldon in 1693. Robert Squibb and William Weldon may have been related. But even if they were not related, it does point to the possibility of Robert Squibb being from southern Tipperary Ireland.
Bob Mesenbrink
December 7, 2015
Of particular interest to me are the ones that were in southern Tipperary, in lands between Cahir and Clogheen. A Col. John Squibb was listed as a co-owner of Castlegrace, just east of Clogheen, in Pender's Census of 1659. Castlegrace is reported by the Down Survey website (http://downsurvey.tcd.ie/) to have been owned by Thomas Butler, who held the title Baron Cahir, both in 1641 and 1670. So, why is John Squibb listed as running the place in 1659?
History is essential to understanding genealogy. In the 1640s "Adventurers" from England and Scotland invested money in Cromwell's army and navy to invade Ireland and replace the Irish with English settlers. In return for their investments and back pay, the Adventurers and soldiers received the vacated Irish land. It would make sense then, that this Englishmen, John Squibb, received land as either an Adventurer or soldier. But Castlegrace was not allotted to the army and John Squibb was not listed as an Adventurer. It seems likely then that he bought his shares from one of the original Adventurers. But why was Butler the owner again in 1670? The first Duke of Ormonde, James Butler, had fought against Cromwell. That definitely was cause for him to lose the land. But he was Protestant, and a friend to King Charles II. Perhaps Castlegrace was returned to the Butlers when Charles II became king and Squibbs went to the other various farms they were associated with in the late 1600s.
These were turbulent times for the new English settlers. Castlegrace hosted a garrison which was to protect the settlers from the Irish. Colonel Robert Thornhill is also mentioned with respect to Castlegrace. Perhaps both Squibb and Thornhill got their military titles as part of this garrison. Thornhill may have been married to Squibb's daughter. Thornhill is credited with the improvements at Castlegrace, including a grist mill. He is also "credited" with the destruction of the Catholic church at Shanrahan, east of Clogheen, in 1657. Most of the English settlers in this area would have lived in Cahir where it was safer.
In 1665, Hearth Money Rolls were taken, to determine taxes based on the number of hearths/chimneys. Neither Squibb nor Thornhill were listed at Castlegrace. John Squibb is listed with 4 hearths (a large number) at Burgesse, to the north of Castlegrace.
A Thomas Squibb is listed in the 1695 Couny Palatine of Tipperary (http://www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/tipperary/xmisc/palatine-1695.txt). It appears that he had 31acres in Ballyboy, just west of Castlegrace, that were passed along to a son Matthew. Matthew filed forfeited estates claims for it as well as for a lease on Ballylomastney, just north of Ballyboy, and a 1698 deed on Garrycloher and Clonemore, south west of the town of Cahir. Judging from these claims, it appears Thomas had died just before 1700.
Then we have Elizabeth Squibb, who became quite famous in 1718 when she accused James Cotter of rape. Cotter was subsequently hanged, that hanging stirring up a lot of trouble. Reading A.K. Groeger's book The Trial and Execution of James Cotter opens the possibilities that it wasn't rape, and Cotter was railroaded by vengeful Quakers. Elizabeth probably wasn't Quaker herself, but her mother's family were well known and powerful Quakers. Her mother was a Godfrey, and they lived at Knockgraffon, just north of Cahir. James Cotter was married to a daughter of George Mathew, who lived at Tubrid, just south of Cahir. Elizabeth Squibb could easily have crossed paths with James Cotter while visiting relatives. Elizabeth mentioned an unnamed brother in testimony. Newspaper accounts mentioned that her father had other children.
And then we have Robert Squibb, the founder of the Squibb family in the United States, who came to Pennsylvania in 1718. Although we don't have direct evidence of him being in Tipperary, there is a some circumstantial evidence. Robert Fairson has pointed out that Robert Squibb roomed with William Weldon during his early years in Chester, Pennsylvania. The Weldons were also from southern Tipperary. There were earlier connections to the Squibbs there. An Elizabeth Squibb married James Bamford in 1662, and Anne Banford married John Weldon in 1693. Robert Squibb and William Weldon may have been related. But even if they were not related, it does point to the possibility of Robert Squibb being from southern Tipperary Ireland.
Bob Mesenbrink
December 7, 2015
Hi Bob,
ReplyDeleteI note that "Her mother was a Godfrey, and they lived at Knockgraffon". Margaret Godfrey died at Knockgraffon in 1686, her daughter Mary married Thomas Squibb in 1683 and had a daughter Elizabeth by 1686.
Maybe a little too old for your Elizabeth?
Best wishes
John
Hi John, Thanks for the comment. I do think that is her. She isn't my ancestor though, as my ancestor was Robert Squibb, who may have been a younger brother. It's been awhile since I looked at this, but as I recall this information is from Godfrey genealogy. It seems like that type of information might list Elizabeth's siblings, and wonder if you have seen such a thing.
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