Page:A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Colonial Gentry Vol 2.djvu/439

 BL'llKI'rS COLONIAL GI'lN'l'IfV, 813 parent stock in poisessioiis and powers, that it has been wrongly deemed the senior stem. The history of tins hraneh, onee possessed of snch vast territories, forms one of the most romantie chapters in the Tioixsiliide.i of Fa7nitit^s. In the BtHtk of Pedijiwea (vol. x), in Ulster's OtUee, Dublin Castle, the arms are stated to have been j,'rauted toDliver Martin, by KicuAUD I, iu the Holy Land. I'a.ssing over early individual members of the family, such as Tliomas Martyn, living in Gahvay, 1310 ; Jeffrey Martin, who hold lands of the Earl of Clam-iearde in 1334 ; Tliomas, who had property in Oahvay, I3lj5 ; Kiehard, who likewise luld lands, 1390; Peter, high slierifE of Orahvay, 1-1'JM, and Sir Kichard Martin, who in 1533 received a grant of "three places" iu the "King's Water," near Galway, the unbroken record begins with KoBEET Maetin, who in 1590, was possessed of the lands, now held by his lineal descendant and heu-, Robert Jasi-eu Martin, of Ross, the head of the family. lie was high sheriff lfiU7, and d. during Ids year of otiice, as mayor of Galway, aotli April, 1621, and was s. by his eldest son, Jaspee Maetin, who was found by inquisition, made in 1635, to hare died 12th April, 1629, seised of the lands of Ross and other denominations in the West of Galway, all of wliieh descended to his son and heir, Robeet Maetin', of Ross, high sheriff 1614, who adhered to the cause of Chaeles I. Upon the conquest of Galway 1624, he was dispossessed of his house in the town of Galway, and his property in the suburbs, by Sir Charles Coote, com- manding the Parliamentary troops, who occupied it. This house and the other property of Mr. Martin were granted to Edward Eyre (judge advocate of the force under Sir Charles Coote), who was also intruded into the recordership of the town, by the expulsion of the gentleman who held that office. Mr. Martin made an effort to be restored to his house and property on the restoration of Chaeles ] I, but without success, though he held the King's warrant under his own signature to that effect i^see Journals of the Irish Mouse of Commons, vol. i, p. 439). Robert Martin d. 1701, leaving issue, I. Jasper, of Ross, from whom descends the family of Martin, of £oss (see Bueke's -Landed Gentry). II. James, of Maghery, co. Galway, m. (articles dated 22ud Jime, 1667), Mary, eldest daughter of Marcus D'AJiCY, of Cloghei-ane, co. Galway, and d. s. p. III. Richaed, of whom we treat. The third son, Captain Richaed Martin, of Birch Hall, and Dangan (surnamed " Mimble Dick"), whom Hardimun the historian of Galway de- scribes as one of the most remarkable men of his time in Ireland. He was Cajitain iu Lord B.iphin's Regiment in King jAMEi ll's Irish army. He had received grants under the Acts of Settlement after the restoration of Charles II, of immense estates in Iho counties of Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Clare, and Sligo, those in the west of Galway being largely a part of the confiscated posses- sions of the O'Maherties. He fought at Aughrim and other battles but received a full pardon 2(ilh July, 169.'), and on .'jth J uly, H)98, by royal letters jjalent from King William, his vast territory west of tle town of Galway, containing a quarter of a million statute acres, exclusive of his other estates, was erected into the manor of Clare, otherwise Claremont. As he was notoriously what was then called a "rank Papist," the grant of this princely manor caused a great outcry, so great that on ITtli January in the same year the Irish Parliament presented an address to the lords justices praying that his letters jiatent might be revoked, and the lords justices promptly undertook to " lay the matter before the king and do every- thing agreeable to the desire of the House," but such was " Nimble Dick's " iutluencc at court that even these measures were of no avail, and, subject to bloody feuds with the fierce O'Elaherties, he remained in un- disturbed occupation of his possessions. He is stated to have been the owner of the largest estates in tee simple, of any gentleman in the tlirce kingdoms. He was b. cirra 1635-8, made his will 14th Februai^, 1730, which was proved 13th May, 1731, m. Catherine, daughter of Robuck Feench, of Dm'as Park, co. Galway, and had issue, I. Robert, suruamed " the Brave," b. circa 1682, was assassinated by his hereditary enemies, the O'Flaherties, 1705, «. ;). An altar and cairn of stones mark the spot where he was found stabbed in the back on the road to Birch Hall from LemonUeld. II. Anthony, of whom presently. I. Chi-istina, a nun (in rehgion Theresa). II. Anuable, m. first, Edmond Fitz- pateick, of Loughmore, Aran, who d. 1717-8, leaving a son, Rickard, M.P. for Galway, who (/. *■. p. 1761. She m. secondly, 1718, Michael 0'Fl,- HEETY, of Park, CO. Galway (heir to the historian Roderick O'Flaherty), and had issue, a son, Michael, d. s. j). III. Mary, »«. 25th March, 1703, Patrick Kirwan, of Cregg Castle, co. Galway, and had issue. IV. Margaret, m. Martin Blake, of Cummer, co. Galway, son of Andrew Blake, and had i.ssue. V. EUzabeth, will dated 11th March, 1 737, proved 18th October, 1739. TI. Jane, «». John Sicereett, of Ballin- duft' Castle, co. Galway, and had issue. The younger son, Anthony Martin, of Clare, and of Birch Hall, and Dangan, Lord of Chire (otherwise Claremont), b. 168J, m. Bridget, only daugh- ter of Martin Kiewan, second son of Martin Kirwan, of Cregg Castle, co. Galway, and niece of Patrick KiEWAN above-mentioned,