In the late 1600s and early 1700s there
was a strong association among the Jones,
Peers and Close
families of Armagh and Antrim through business and marriage. An early
example is found in a 1667 deed from William Brownlow which states "the said Sir William doth authorize and
appoint John Jones Clearke, Richard Pierce and William Close or any of
them" T970/7 (4)
[Pierce also spelled Piers or Peers].
This William Brownlow deed is comprised of multiple leases to various tenants in the Manor of Brownlowderry in the Barony of Oneiland, Co Armagh. Although none of these leases were to anyone named Jones many of them were witnessed by Captain William Jones (who married into the Brownlow family). Others were witnessed by Thomas Jones (T970/8), John Jones (T970/71) and Richard Close (T970/56 and T970/100) all dated around 1667 (4)
This William Brownlow deed is comprised of multiple leases to various tenants in the Manor of Brownlowderry in the Barony of Oneiland, Co Armagh. Although none of these leases were to anyone named Jones many of them were witnessed by Captain William Jones (who married into the Brownlow family). Others were witnessed by Thomas Jones (T970/8), John Jones (T970/71) and Richard Close (T970/56 and T970/100) all dated around 1667 (4)
The JONES family of Northen Ireland.
- John Jones who married Grizell Morison in Lambeg, Antrim in October 1677
- William Jones of Loghans who married Anne Burtons of Lisburn, Antrim in October 1679
- Samuel Jones who married Susanna Robinson of Lisburn, Antrim in Sept 1689
- Thomas Jones who married Anne page of Lisburn, Antrim in June 1690
- William Jones who married Margaret Riccaby of Belfast, Antrim in January 1693
- In deeds:
- Transcript copy of sworn deposition. Hugh Jones, Dungannon 1652 D1923/1/1D
- Thomas Jones et al - 1656 Sale of military debentures. Endorsement transferring sale to William Waring D695/117
- David Jones, senior private soldiers under command of Capt. John Baret 1656. D695/120
- 1659 a John Jones is a tenant in a dwelling in Antrim D562/8
- Bond of Valentine Hollingsworth to John Jones in 1674 D959/10/1/3
- In correspondence:
- Letter in 1662
related to the uprising in Lurgan 1641 from John Jones to his cousin
William Waring D695/143
- a letter from Mr Jones to John Peeres Postmaster Jul 1689
The first evidence of Valentine Jones in Ireland can be found in the 1665 Hearth Money Roll for the Barony of Onealand where he is in the townland of Kilmcmurerty (Kilmoriarty), Drumcree parish in the Barony of Oneilland, Co. Armagh along with Thomas Jones. Hearth Money Rolls were a list of those taxed based on the number of hearths in their house. Also in the same barony are: John Jones of Tawneglasny; Captain William Jones of Clanrole parish; Thomas and William Jones of Lisnesky in Seagoe parish. (36) All these communities were around the town of Portadown, Co Armagh.
1666 Hearth Money Roll for the Parish of Antrim: John Jones (4); for the Barony of Belfast: John, Richard and Roger Jones (45)
Captain William Jones is in Sir William Petty’s census of 1659 in Shankell as is his father-in-law Sir William Bromloe [Brownlow]. In 1652 a William Brownlow lease also lists Captain William Brown's wife Elinor and sons: Brownlow, Roth [Rath], Arthur and Henry.
In Chancery Court Records in Jan 1663 Valentine Jones was a plaintiff in a suit with several others against Francis Irvine. (6)
Map of the Barony of Oneilland
(outlined in blue) (37)
All this evidence shows that Thomas, Valentine, William and John Jones lived in the Barony of Oneilland in the 1650s and 1660s. How they were related has not been determined but they would all have been adults at this time. Thomas and Valentine Jones of Kilmoriarty were possibly brothers or father and son. It is plausible that this Valentine Jones was Valentine Jones I. However, I have no proof.
Valentine
Jones I
Valentine Jones I married Elizabeth [possibly Blunt or Brunt]. They are my 7th great grandparents. It is suggested that Valentine and Elizabeth had three children evidenced by a reference to his son Valentine II who "had a sister Sarah and brother John James " (1)
Valentine Jones I died in 1694. His will, probated 9th March 1693/4 "To wife Elizabeth all his lease and interest in the lands of Hacknehaye and Ballydonaghy in Seagoe parish. To his daughter Sarah Jones £50 on her marriage and £5 yearly until her marriage. Executors: Anthony Obins of Portadown, Meredith Workman of Mahon. Witnesses: William Brooke, James Atkinson." Ref: T281/1/8 (4)
Hacknehaye and Ballydonaghy in Seagoe parish are located just south of Portadown, Co Armagh. So it is probable that the family was still in Co. Armagh at the end of the 17th century.
******
Valentine Jones II
Valentine Jones II was the eldest son of Valentine Jones I and Elizabeth and was probably born about 1673 in Co Armagh.
He married Margaret Peers of Carrickfergus, Co Antrim on 7 December 1699. Their marriage is recorded in the Lisburn Parish Records. It is likely that Valentine Jones moved from Kilmoriarty to Lisburn at the time of his marriage to Margaret as he is a witness to a deed in 1707 as Valentine Jones of Lisnegarvy [later called Lisburn] (42)
Valentine and Margaret had several children following their marriage. There are baptisms and deaths recorded in the Irish Birth/Baptism Records – Co. Antrim & Co. Down, c. 1660-1930 for children fathered by a Valentine Jones:
- Elizabeth Jones 1701-1710
- Mary Jones 1703-1703
- John Jones 1705
- Honora Jones 1707-1707
- Jane Jones 1708
- Edward Jones (born 1709)
- Valentine Jones III born 1711.
References to Edward Jones
being the eldest son of Valentine Jones II can be found in two
Memorials from the Registry of Deeds: the first in November 1740 (2) and the second in June 1742 (3) .
Both Valentine and Edward Jones owned
land or had business in
Carrickfergus, Co Antrim as they both held the position of mayor or
sheriff at various times:
1725–1726 Valentine Jones and Ezekiel
D. Wilson, dep Willoughby Chaplin, Nathaniel Byrt
1743–1744 Willoughby Chaplin, Edward Jones, Davys Wilson
1744–1745 Willoughby Chaplin, Edward Jones, Davys Wilson
1748–1749 Edward Brice, Edward Jones, William Macartney
1753–1754 Valentine Jones (Sen) and Willoughby Chaplin John Seeds, Ezekiel Wilson (38)
1743–1744 Willoughby Chaplin, Edward Jones, Davys Wilson
1744–1745 Willoughby Chaplin, Edward Jones, Davys Wilson
1748–1749 Edward Brice, Edward Jones, William Macartney
1753–1754 Valentine Jones (Sen) and Willoughby Chaplin John Seeds, Ezekiel Wilson (38)
Edward Jones was the executor of the
will of John Welsh, Dean of Connor, Co Antrim who died in 1753 along
with John Peers, his brother-in-law.
No further records of Edward Jones
after 1754 so it is probable that he died shortly thereafter. There is
a record of probate for Edward Jones of Ballmoney, Co Antrim in 1759
however, there is nothing to confirm that this is the same Edward Jones.
Valentine Jones II must have been widowed after the birth of his second son Valentine as he married Mary Close on 6th November 1715 in Blaris, Lisburn. [There is a record in Blaris, (Lisburn) Parish of this marriage on 6 November 1715 to Miss Mary Close].
One clue that Valentine Jones [II]
was a widower when he married Mary
Close is a will made 1 March 1716/1717,
proved 12 November
1717 for Mary Jackson (nee Peers) of Lisburn, County Antrim a widow. (4) in which Valentine Jones is mentioned as her
brother-in-law.
Valentine (II) and Mary Close are my 6th great grandparents. They had a least five children who survived to adulthood:
- Richard Jones son of Valentine Jones baptised 2nd April 1718/19 in Lisburn. Mary Close's father was Richard Close naming her first born child Richard would be traditional. As there is no further mention of him he probably died in infancy. (29)
- Conway Jones born in Lisburn in 1721. In a Memorial from the Registry of Deeds, Conway Jones is described as the third son of Valentine Jones (5). He was a doctor. Conway Jones married Mary Wray Todd in 1753. Conway died in 1778.
- John Jones baptised 1722
- Samuel Jones baptised 1726
- Henrietta Jones born
1729, married Edward
Gayer, who were my 5th great grandparents
- Mary Jones born 1733.
Will dated 22 September 1779. Probate granted to Charlotte Archbold and
Catherine Gayer 20th June 1780.
- Catherine Jones born 1735
(married William
Watts Gayer the older brother
of Edward Gayer), and
- Charlotte Jones born 1737
married Richard Archbold abt. 1757. He died in 1767 in Lisburn.
In 1731 Valentine Jones took a lease for 931 years on Ballyhomra and Magheradartin from Wm. Todd, Dublin, esq (43)
I have not found a record of his death but there is a record of will for a Valentine Jones in 1761.
****
Valentine
Jones III
Valentine Jones III (born
1711 in Belfast) son of Valentine Jones II and Margaret Peers married
in 1727at the age of 16 Mary Rochet
(born 1713). A bill
in the Chancery Court of Ireland (6) dated 8th of
June 1728 shows Valentine
Jones (Jun) and Mary his wife as minors and Valentine Jones (Sen) as
their guardian. 
Note: The Chancery Court records show only the list of cases not the issue or outcome of a case.
The marriage of Valentine Jones III and Mary Rochet (Mary Rochet, was the daughter of Louis Rochet, a Huguenot from Picardy who settled in Lisburn and died the year after his daughter married) produced:
- Valentine Jones IV (abt.1731),
- Jane Jones (1732) married
abt 1765 to John Galt Smith (1731-1802)
- Mary (or Mary Anne)
Jones (abt 1733 - 1810). Married Robert Harrison
- Ellen Jones (unconfirmed as a daughter of this marriage)
- Louis
Jones (1735) a.k.a. Lewis Jones. He was an attorney in Belfast
and became a Freeman in 1754.
- Margaret Jones (1765-1848)
- Edward Jones Agnew (1767-1834) entered TCD in 1785 at the age of 18. He became the M.P. for Atrim 1792-97. He never married but had several illegitimate children. His will was dated 1759.
- William Agnew (illegitimate). Inherited Kilwaughter Castle and
its estate. Died in 1891.
- Maria Agnew (illegitimate b. 1829 to Eleanor Galbraith).
Married Thomas Collins Simon in 1844 at Hastings in Sussex. She died May
8 1857, of scarlatina, at the Rectory, Ballysax, Curragh Camp, Maria,
wife of Thomas C. Simon, Esq., and only daughter of the late Edward
Jones Agnew, Esq., of Kilwaughter Castle, County Antrim. (30)
"Edward
Jones Agnew was only a child
when he inherited Kilwaughter [Castle], and for the next 12 years the
estate was administered by agents while he attended Harrow and then
Trinity College Dublin. It was only in the late 1780s that he came to
County Antrim and took responsibility for Kilwaughter". "Edward
took the name Agnew as a tribute to his mother". "Edward Jones Agnew
never married (nor did his sister Margaret with whom he lived) but had
several children with the daughter of a tenant farmer: she and other
members of her family were later sent to Baltimore, Maryland with the
promise of an annual stipend." (25) Note: Edward was not an
"only child" although he was the only son.
Valentine Jones III was a
merchant based in Belfast. He "was
engaged in commerce with the West Indies. He was also a wine merchant,
and his office and stores were in Winecellar Entry, and extended from
Rosemary Lane to High Street or nearly so. His business connections
were spread over the whole of Ulster, and his operations seem to have
been as profitable as they were extensive." " Mr Jones held a
conspicuous position among his fellow townsmen... He signed the address
and petition to the King in Nov 1775 on the state of affairs and the
rupture with our American colonies....... He was an active promoter in
establishing several public institutions, including the Linen Hall and
the Belfast Charitable Society....(he) originated the building of a
range of houses on the East side of Donegall Place, in one of which,
that adjoining the Imperial Hotel, he lived and died in 1805." (1)
He died in 1805 just 3 years before his son, Valentine IV. His gravestone stated "..... (he) lived respected and died lamented by numerous descendants and friends on the 22nd day of March 1805, aged 94 years and was here buried in the same grave with his Son-in-Law John Galt Smith who died on the 14th Dec’r 1802 Aged 72 years And of Margaret Smith, daughter of John Galt Smith who died on the 1st Feb’y 1844 Aged 69 years. Also of Edward Smith Son of Edward James Smith who in Monte-Video South America on 4th January 1844 was after a short illness cut off in the prime of his life aged 33 years And of their mother Jane Smith Daughter of Hugh Crawford of Orangefield, Banker who died 9th December 1838 Aged 71 years. Also of her Husband Edward Jones Smith Son of John Galt Smith, Grandson of Valentine Jones died 15th August 1859 being on the anniversary of his birth day Aged 79 years"
****
Valentine
Jones IV
Valentine Jones IV (1728- 1808) was the son of Valentine Jones III and Mary Rochet. He was born in Belfast but spent 33 years in Barbados where he married Katherine (Kitty) Moore (1733-1806) (17) and had:
- Valentine Jones V
(1754),
- Mary
Anne Jones (1765-1845). She died in Gloucestershire where she
had
resided with her great nephew Valentine Jones Graeme
- Catherine "Kitty" Jones (1768-1811) married Roger Moore in 1808
This inscription on the gravesite in the Clifton St Cemetery in Belfast,
"Here
lies interred Mrs Katherine Jones daughter of John and Mabella Moore of
Moorgrove in the County of Antrim and Wife of Valentine Jones of
Belfast (Formerly of Barbados ) who in every Christian hope and pious
expectation closed a mild and innocent life on the twenty eighth of
October 1806 aged seventy three years.
Here
also was interred the above named Valentine Jones who died on the
twenty sixth of October 1808 at Portpatrick having recently completed
his 79th year If the fulfilment of the moral and religious the relative
and social duties of life constitutes a good man, this was one
In memory of John Moore Son of William and Sarah Ann Moore of Ardmore in the County of Antrim who departed this life on the 27th day of February 1817 aged 17 years. Also in memory of Margaret Sister to the above named John Moore who departed this life on the 12th day of January 1821 Aged 18 years.
In hope of a blessed resurrection here lieth the body of Catherine Moore relict of Rodger Moore Esq who departed this life 27th November 1811 aged 73 years in life they were most united and in death are not divided" (24)
In memory of John Moore Son of William and Sarah Ann Moore of Ardmore in the County of Antrim who departed this life on the 27th day of February 1817 aged 17 years. Also in memory of Margaret Sister to the above named John Moore who departed this life on the 12th day of January 1821 Aged 18 years.
In hope of a blessed resurrection here lieth the body of Catherine Moore relict of Rodger Moore Esq who departed this life 27th November 1811 aged 73 years in life they were most united and in death are not divided" (24)
****
Valentine
Jones V
Valentine Jones V (1754-1833) son of Valentine Jones IV and Kitty Moore. He married Elizabeth Graeme in 06 Mar 1777 in Barbados. Their son Valentine VI was born in Oct 1781 in Barbados (17). Their daughter Elizabeth Margaret was born 14th September 1800 in Bristol, England
Valentine Jones V was appointed commissary-general and superintendent of forage and provisions in the West Indies in 1795. However he misappropriated funds and commited fraud. "In the Court of King's Bench, on the 19th of June, 1809, Valentine Jones, Esq., late Commissary-General in the West Indies, was brought up to receive the judgment of the Court, having been found guilty of fraud and peculation*, to the amount of eighty-seven thousand one hundred and seventy-nine pounds, being but a moiety of the sum of which the country had been defrauded by his collusion with Mr Mathew Higgins. Judge Gross, after commenting upon the enormity of the offence, said that whatever other proceedings might be instituted, it was the duty of the Court to pass such sentence as would be likely to prevent future peculation, and therefore adjudged him to be imprisoned three years in his Majesty's jail of Newgate, and be incapacitated from serving his Majesty in future." From the Newgate Calendar and Valentine Jones Trial
* [misappropriation, especially of public funds]
****
Valentine
Jones VI
Valentine Jones VI was the son of Valentine Jones V and Elizabeth Graeme. He was born in 1781 and educated at Eton and Jesus College, Oxford (matriculating in 1802)
In 1822 he took his mother's name and became Valentine Jones Graeme. "Whitehall, April 15th1822: "The King has been pleased to give and grant unto Valentine Jones, of Oldbury-Court, in the county of Gloucester, Esq. Captain in the 10th (or the Prince of Wales's Own) Royal Regiment of Light Dragoons (Hussars), His royal licence and permission, that lie and his issue may from motives of grateful and affectionate regard to the memory of his maternal uncle, Thomass Graeme, late of Oldbury-Court, aforesaid, Esq. deceased, take and use the surname of Græeme, in addition to and after that of Jones, and also bear the arms ofGraeme...." (26)
He served in the 18th and 10th Light Dragoons and became a Captain in 1831 and later became Colonel of an infantry regiment by purchase (27). Later attaining to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel (18) and then Major in Sanford's Regiment in 1758.
He married Patience Elizabeth Spencer on 17th Aug 1833 and died shortly after on the 7th September 1833 at the age of 52 in Oldbury Court Estate, Gloucestershire, England (19). Patience Elizabeth Spencer Jones died in 1865 without re-marrying.
John Jones of Dromard
Although some sources (1) suggest that John Jones was the son of Valentine Jones I, I have not been able to prove that. He may have been the son of Valentine Jones or Thomas Jones who were recorded in the Hearth Money Roll of 1665 in Kilmoriarty, near Portadown. A William Brownlow deed of 1667 was witnessed by a John Jones (T970/71). The family of John Jones settled in Dromard (a.k.a Drumard) which is just a few miles west of Kilmoriarty where Thomas and Valentine Jones were first found. Dromard was in the parish of Kilmore, Co. Armagh.
In later years there were two Dromard communities - Dromard (Primate) and Dromard (Jones) In the 1659 Census and the Hearth Money Roll of 1665 there was no mention of the separate communities. I have not found an explanation why there were two adjacent communities with the same name but is possible that one was settled by Protestants at the time of the Irish Plantations and that the other was Catholics who managed to stay in the area.
John Jones was probably born about 1660/1665 and would have married about 1685 (aged 20 to 25 years). His son Valentine would have been born about 1685. This age estimate is based on the knowledge that John Jones leased lands to his son Valentine Jones in 1715 when Valentine would have been an adult.
In the same register there is also a record of a Valentine Jones who's will was dated 1759 (no proof that this will is for the Valentine Jones from Dromard)
Records have already proven that John Jones had a son Valentine. He also appears to have had a son John Jones as evidenced by other records:
There are will abstracts of individuals in the Stewart Kennedy Notebooks Ref: T700/1 for "John Jones, Drumiad, probate. 1731; John Jones, Drumiad, [will] signed 1765, probate 1769; and Meredith Jones, Drumiad, Kilmore, [will] signed 1742, probate 1745".(4) Drumiad is a variation of Dromard/Drumard
The Jones family appears to have settled in Dromard as various references to them can be found into the 1820s
Although some sources (1) suggest that John Jones was the son of Valentine Jones I, I have not been able to prove that. He may have been the son of Valentine Jones or Thomas Jones who were recorded in the Hearth Money Roll of 1665 in Kilmoriarty, near Portadown. A William Brownlow deed of 1667 was witnessed by a John Jones (T970/71). The family of John Jones settled in Dromard (a.k.a Drumard) which is just a few miles west of Kilmoriarty where Thomas and Valentine Jones were first found. Dromard was in the parish of Kilmore, Co. Armagh.
In later years there were two Dromard communities - Dromard (Primate) and Dromard (Jones) In the 1659 Census and the Hearth Money Roll of 1665 there was no mention of the separate communities. I have not found an explanation why there were two adjacent communities with the same name but is possible that one was settled by Protestants at the time of the Irish Plantations and that the other was Catholics who managed to stay in the area.
Map to show the proximity of Dromard
(Jones) {DJ}; Dromard (Primate){DP} and Kilmoriarty {K}
John Jones was probably born about 1660/1665 and would have married about 1685 (aged 20 to 25 years). His son Valentine would have been born about 1685. This age estimate is based on the knowledge that John Jones leased lands to his son Valentine Jones in 1715 when Valentine would have been an adult.
- In 1700 there is a record of John Jones leasing 122 acres of
townland in Drumard, for the lives of Edward Jones and Francis Hobbs. (31) Francis Hobbs was a resident of Ballytrew in
the Parish of Kilmore, Barony of Onealand in 1665 (36)
- In 1715 John Jones leased 30 acres of his leased lands to
Valentine Jones for the lives of Edward Jones and Francis Hobbs (31)
- In 1731 in a memorial of a lease and release "John Jones of Dromard in the parish of Kilmore, Co. Armagh, gent and Valentine Jones (gent) his eldest son and heir apparent of the said John Jones of the one part and Arthur Graham of Ballyhendan in the parish and county aforesaid of the other part....". Witness to the deed was Valentine Jones of Lisburn (28)
In the same register there is also a record of a Valentine Jones who's will was dated 1759 (no proof that this will is for the Valentine Jones from Dromard)
Records have already proven that John Jones had a son Valentine. He also appears to have had a son John Jones as evidenced by other records:
- Two records in the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland
mention a John Jones
- In the UK, Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioner Admissions and Discharges, 1715-1925 there is a record for "John Jones of Armagh, aged 64, birth year about 1685, admitted 4th Aug 1749. 7th Regiment Hargrave's".
"The
[Hargrave's] regiment remained in Great Britain until 1734, when it
proceeded to Gibraltar. Lord Tyrawley having been removed to the fifth
horse (now fourth dragoon guards) in August, 1739, his lordship was
succeeded in the colonelcy by Major-General William Hargrave, from the
ninth foot.Leaving Gibraltar in 1749, the regiment proceeded to
Ireland, where it was stationed six years".(32)
- In the Co Armagh Poll Book of 1753 (34) there is an entry for John Jones of Dromard
- In Griffiths Valuations 1747-1864 a William Jones and a Samuel Jones were still living in Dromard (Jones)
Lease from John Jones (Sen) to John
Jones (Jun) for the lives of
Edward Jones and Francis Hobbs lease of 19 1/2 acres of Dromard. 1791
There are will abstracts of individuals in the Stewart Kennedy Notebooks Ref: T700/1 for "John Jones, Drumiad, probate. 1731; John Jones, Drumiad, [will] signed 1765, probate 1769; and Meredith Jones, Drumiad, Kilmore, [will] signed 1742, probate 1745".(4) Drumiad is a variation of Dromard/Drumard
The Jones family appears to have settled in Dromard as various references to them can be found into the 1820s
- Meredith Jones of Drumard in 1742 in the Diocesan and Prerogative Wills & Administrations Indexes, 1595-1858
- Mar 5th 1792 Meredith Jones, Drumard, Armagh. accepted into an
apprenticeship as an apothecary (33)
- William Jones of Drumard 6th Feb 1815 in the Diocesan and Prerogative Wills & Administrations Indexes, 1595-1858
- 1814 William Jones (Sen) and William Jones (Jun)
- 1818 Thomas Jones
- 1818 Thomas Jones for 3 lives Thomas and William Jones and Samuel McKee
- 1820 William Jones for 3 lives: Anne, William and Sarah Jones
¶ ¶ ¶ ¶
¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ ¶
¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ ¶
¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ ¶
¶ ¶ ¶ ¶
The earliest references that I found that are relevant to a Piers family in Co. Antrim starts with Captain William Piers of Carrickfergus who came from Yorkshire in 1566 at the bidding of Queen Elizabeth I. He married Ann Holt, of Holt Castle, County of Chester. By 1568 he was Governor of Carrickfergus and Senechal of County Antrim. He was mayor of Carrickfergus in 1572 and died in 1603. (21)
The next record of a Peers/Piers is Thomas Peers/Pierse, Vicar of Derriaghy Matriculated TCD in 1627 and
became Vicar of Derriaghy in 1634. He died in 1641.
"The
first name on Leslie's list of vicars is that of Thomas Pierse
(Peers, Peirs or Piers), who is recorded to have served the cure at
Aghagallon, Ballinderry, Magheragall and Magheramesk as well as
Derriaghy being appointed here on 27th November 1634 It could however
be inferred from an entry in the Royal Visitation of 1633 that he had
been inducted to Derriaghy as early as 1617; perhaps he held the
appointment twice. A daughter, Mary, married John Waring of
Waringstown."(7)
"John [Waring] married Mary Peers the
daughter of the Rector of Derriaghy " (8) .
There is a discrepancy regarding the name of Mary Peers father i.e. "William Waring's mother was a daughter of Rev John Peers, rector of Derriaghy" (9)
I have not found a link between Captain William Piers and Thomas Peers. Although Captain William Peirs had a son Thomas he was a Franciscan monk (46)
Revd. Thomas Peers, Piers or Pierse is believed to have had at least two sons and two daughters:
There is a discrepancy regarding the name of Mary Peers father i.e. "William Waring's mother was a daughter of Rev John Peers, rector of Derriaghy" (9)
I have not found a link between Captain William Piers and Thomas Peers. Although Captain William Peirs had a son Thomas he was a Franciscan monk (46)
Revd. Thomas Peers, Piers or Pierse is believed to have had at least two sons and two daughters:
- Richard Piers married Margaret Byrt of Carrickfergus (21)
- Mary Pierse married John Waring in 1618 (15) and had three sons William, John
[or Thomas] and Paul and several daughters.
- William Waring (1619-1703), Sheriff of Co. Down married firstly in 1656 Elizabeth Gardiner and had
- Samuel Waring b. abt 1657. Married Grace Holt
- William Waring (1658-1658)
- Mary Waring b. 1661 married Richard Close (1633-1720).
After the death of his first wife
Elizabeth in 1661 William Waring
married Jane Close
(1650-1724), 2nd daughter of John
Close The
relation ship between Richard Close and John Close is not known. They
were possibly cousins or nephew and uncle. (1618 - ).Children
from the marriage of William and Jane: Jane, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Sarah,
Anne, Frances, Thomas, Henry, William and Arthur.
William Waring's relations are shown in a page from Betham's Abstracts (48)
William Waring's relations are shown in a page from Betham's Abstracts (48)
- Another daughter of Rev Thomas Peers (name unknown) married Rev
Meredith Gwyllim. Vicar of Ballinderry, Glenavy, Maghergall and
Magherameske (22)
- John Piers was a merchant in Carrickfergus in 1685 (21).In The History of Market Square, Lisburn "This included the construction of a Market House, c.1630s, depicted in the John Peers’ trade token of c.1660." (10) Very Rev. W.P. Carmody, in Lisburn Cathedral and its Past indicated that John Peers, Postmaster of Lisburn was the son of Rev. Thomas Peers, Rector of Derriaghy (47). It was this John Peers who was the patriarch of the Peers family of Lisburn.
- A John Peers/Piers was
the postmaster of Lisburn in 1689 (9)
- John Peers was a defendant in a Chancery Court case in 1694 and 1696
- John Peers was a churchwarden of Lisburn Cathedral in
1700.
- John Peers, gent 1701 was listed in the Index to the Prerogative Wills of Ireland 1536-1810.
- John Peers was the probable father of Margaret Peers who married Valentine Jones II. (11)
- Margaret Peers.
- Married Valentine Jones II 7 December 1699. She died between
1711 and 1715
- John Peers
- Mary Peers
- According to the Will of Mary (Peers) Jackson, proved November 1717, Mary had a sister Jane, and two brothers: Edward and Richard. "Mary Jackson of Lisburn, County Antrim widow, to be buried in Derryaghy church, all to only child Mary Jackson, if she dies a minor then to brother Richard Peers, children of dead brother Edward Peers and children of brother-in-law Valentine Jones, clothes to sister-in-law Jane Peers…. Administration to Valentine Jones of Lisburn in trust for Mary Jackson minor daughter of testatrix." (4). Not mentioned are brother John Peers and sister Margaret (Peers) Jones as both predeceased their sister Mary (Peers) Jackson
- Edward Peers
- Edward was a churchwarden of Lisburn Cathedral in 1710 and 1711 Edward Peers married Jane Close in Lisburn in 1711.
- In the Chancery Court records (6) 14th Jan 1712 both Valentine Jones and Edward Peers (as well as others) are defendants brought by Alexander Woodall.
- In Feb 1713 a deed of Lease between Edward Peers of Lisburn and Samuel Lewis Crommelin was registered. The lease was witnessed by Lewis Rochet, gent of Lisburn & Edward Close gent of Lisburn. (13). Names associated with Valentine Jones. There are no other memorials for anyone maned Peers in the Grantors Index for 1708-1729.
- Edward died shortly just a few years after his marriage as his will was proved in 1716. Edward and Jane Peers had a least three children:
- Mary Peers b. 1712. Mary married The Very Rev. John Welsh in
April 1737. Marriage settlement (16)
Witnessed by Valentine and Edward Jones. John Welsh died in 1753 and
executors of his will were John Peers and Edward Jones (14)
- John Peers 1715-1781
- Edward Peers Will 1781
- 8th July 1725 Jane Peers (a widow), was a plaintiff in a case along with Valentine Jones Esq, Edward Close, Gent and Samuel Close (Clerical). Chancery Court Ireland, Court of Chancery Records,Bill Books 1725-1731 (6)
- 22nd Dec 1730 Jane Peers, Valentine Jones, Samuel Close and others are defendants in a case brought by Francis Lord Conway.Chancery Court Ireland, Court of Chancery Records,Bill Books 1725-1731 (6)
- Jane (Close) Peers died in
1742 Ireland, Indexes to Wills, 1384-1858
- Richard Peers (4) -
no further information
"Richard
Close, the first of the family who settled in Ireland, was the younger
son of a respectable house in Yorkshire, and held a commission in the
army, sent from England, in the reign of Charles I. into that kingdom,
where he remained after the termination of the civil wars, and became
one of the lords of the soil, as we find him seised of four tates, or
townlands, in the county of Monaghan, temp. Charles II. After the
restoration he fixed himself at Lissnegarvey, (now Lisburn), in the
county of Antrim, where a Protestant colony been located under the
protection of then Lord Conway. There he lived and died, leaving a son
and heir, Richard Close, esq. who inherited the Monaghan estates". (39)
Probable children of Richard Close:
- Eldest son and heir Richard Close
- William Close was mentioned in the 1659 Census of Ireland in Lisnegarvie (Lisburn)
Richard Close (1633-1692) and Mary Waring of Waringstown, in the county of Down ( - died about 1707) of Lisburn, Co Antrim. Richard Close is a defendant in a Chancery Court record in Feb 1675, June 1682, March 1706, Aug 1708 as the plaintiff in a suit against Jane and William Close (and others). Richard Close is named as a defendant in an Exchequer Court record in May 1688, along with William Waring.
The information about the children of Richard and Mary Close were found in various sources (15) which often conflicted with each other. Therefore it is advised to be cautious in accepting the accuracy of the following information.
- Richard Close (1681-1716) Matriculated to TCD in 1696 aged 17. He
married Rose Hall. Richard
was named as his father's heir. He is a plaintiff in the Chancery Court
in 1694 along with his mother Marya widow who is his guardian.
Richard
is the plaintiff in the Exchequer Court with his mother Mary (a
widow) and others in December 1705. He is the plaintiff in the
Exchequer Court with his guardian Roth Jones in 1708 against his sister
Jane and brother William.
- Samuel Close (1683-1742) Matriculated to TCD in 1700 aged 17. Married Catherine Butler daughter of Captain James Butler and Margaret Maxwell. Will probated in 1742
- John Close (1673-1727) A captain killed at the siege of Gibraltar
- Elizabeth Close, (1678-1744) died unmarried and left her her estate to her niece Mary Peers
- Jane Close, an accurate birth year has not been
found. Burke's Commoners Vol 3 suggests that
Jane was the third daughter and Burke's A Genealogical
and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry of Great ..., Volume 1
1886,
places her in birth order after Elizabeth and before Mary. Jane married
Edward Peers in Lisburn in 1711. Edward Peers died five years after his
marriage as his will was
proved in 1716. Edward and Mary Peers had two children:
- Mary Peers b. 1712
- John Peers b.1715
- Henry Close (1682-1742) a Plantation, farmer m. Margaret Workman daughter of Meredyth Workman of Mahon. Henry Close was churchwarden of the parish of Donaghcloney in 1722 and 1723 (40)
- William Close (1679-). Matriculated TCD Apr. 17, 1696, "aged 17; s. of Richard, Generosus; b.
Warington, Co. Down." (41)
Memorial Inscription for Jane Close, wife of William Close who departed
this life 24th April 1731 aged 66 Ulster J. of
Arch.
- Mary Close (1685-1737), was the second wife of Valentine Jones
Sources:
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/L5GN-5LH
Alumni Dublinensis
A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry. Bernard Burke
https://www.stirnet.com
A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland, enjoying territorial possessions or high official rank; but univested with heritable honours by Burke, John, 1787-1848
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/L5GN-5LH
Alumni Dublinensis
A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry. Bernard Burke
https://www.stirnet.com
A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland, enjoying territorial possessions or high official rank; but univested with heritable honours by Burke, John, 1787-1848
References:
Registry of Deeds (ROD): Vol #, Page #, Memorial #. To find a Memorial go to Registry of Deeds Index Project Ireland. Insert Volume# and Image #
(1) "Reminiscences of Three Belfast Families, prepared by request, for the 2nd Vol of "Benn's History of Belfast," and Printed, in the meantime, for private circulation." (1879)
(2) ROD 100/169/70033 Image # 98
(3) ROD 106/379/74236 Image #203
(4) PRONI ecatalogue
(5) ROD161/476/109/596 Image# 256.
(6) Chancery Court records can be found on Ancestry.co.uk/search/card catalogue. Ireland/Chancery Court
(7) 1681https://www.lisburn.com/books/derriaghy/derriaghy4.html
(8) http://waringestate.com/index.php/our-work/
(9) An Ulster Parish: Being a History of Donaghcloney (Waringstown) By Edward Dupré Atkinson
(10) https://www.lisburnmuseum.com/exhibitions/exhibition-market-square-time/
(11) https://www.familysearch.org/search/tree/results?q.personId=G3L1-ZYW
(12) http://anextractofreflection.blogspot.com/2011/05/extracts-from-records-of-old-lisburn_25.html .
(13) ROD18/130/8663 Image # 401
(14) .http://lisburn.com/books/lisburn_cathedral/cathedral-2.htm
(15) https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/L5GN-5LH; Alumni Dublinensis; A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry. Bernard Burke;https://www.stirnet.com; A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland, enjoying territorial possessions or high official rank,but univested with heritable honours by Burke, John, 1787-1848
(16) Memorial 99/157/68412 Image# 388.
(17) Caribbean, Select Marriages, 1591-1905 and Caribbean English Settlers in Barbados, 1637-1800
(18) The Gentleman's Magazine. Volume 97 July - December 1827.
(19) Belfast, Northern Ireland, The Belfast Newsletter (Birth, Marriage and Death Notices) 1833
(20) From Soldier to Settler: The Welsh in Ireland, 1558-1641 Rhys Morgan, 2011
(21) "The history and antiquities of the county of the town of Carrickfergus, from the earliest records till 1839 : also a statistical survey of said county" Published 1909 https://archive.org/stream/historyantiquiti00mcskiala/historyantiquiti00mcskiala_djvu.txt
(22) 1623 http://glenavyhistory.com/places-of-worship/glenavy-places-of-worship/glenavy-parish-church-clergy-list/
(23) Dictionary of National Biography edited by Leslie Stephen and Sidney Lee https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofnati45stepuoft/page/271/mode/1up?q=Piers&view=theater
(24) https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/146512509/valentine-jones
(25) https://theirishaesthete.com/tag/county-antrim/
(26) The London Gazette 1822
(27) The Yeomanry Cavalry of Gloucestershire and Monmouth
(28) ROD 65/317/45698 Image #173
(29) Lisburn Cathedral Records
(30) http://www.stsepulchres.org.uk/burials/simon_thomas.html
(31) PRONI Freeholder records
(32) https://www.gutenberg.org/files/56220/56220-h/56220-h.htm
(33) A Return of the Name of each Person, in each year since 24th June 179I1 who has been Examined by the Governor and Directors of the Apothecaries’ Hall in Dublin, and who has received a Certificate of his proper Qualification to become an Apprentice to learn the business of an Apothecary.
(34) http://sources.nli.ie/Record/MS_UR_078773
(35) Centre for the Study of the Legacies of British Slavery https://www.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/person/view/2146667051
(36) 1665 Hearth Money Roll for the Barony of Onealand. https://www.failteromhat.com/armaghhearth/onealand.php
(37) https://www.townlands.ie/armagh/
(38) The history and antiquities of the county of the town of Carrickfergus, from the earliest records till 1839 Samuel McSkimin
39 A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland vol 3 p247 (John Burke, 1836)
40 An Ulster Parish: Being a History of Donaghcloney (Waringstown) By Edward Dupré Atkinson
(41) Alumni Dublinenses
(42) ROD 3/410/1126
(43) Proni D671/D/8/2/2A
(44) Irish Marriage Records – Co. Antrim & Co. Down, c.1660-1930
(45) Hearth Money Rolls and Poll Tax Returns for Co. Antrim
(46) A Genealogical History of the Present Nobility of the Kingdom, Vol ii. John Lodge 1754
(47) http://lisburn.com/books/historical_society/volume6/volume6-6.html
(48) "Ireland, Betham Genealogical Abstracts, 1179-1830", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6JXT-42Y1 : 27 October 2022), William Waring, 1702.
Registry of Deeds (ROD): Vol #, Page #, Memorial #. To find a Memorial go to Registry of Deeds Index Project Ireland. Insert Volume# and Image #
(1) "Reminiscences of Three Belfast Families, prepared by request, for the 2nd Vol of "Benn's History of Belfast," and Printed, in the meantime, for private circulation." (1879)
(2) ROD 100/169/70033 Image # 98
(3) ROD 106/379/74236 Image #203
(4) PRONI ecatalogue
(5) ROD161/476/109/596 Image# 256.
(6) Chancery Court records can be found on Ancestry.co.uk/search/card catalogue. Ireland/Chancery Court
(7) 1681https://www.lisburn.com/books/derriaghy/derriaghy4.html
(8) http://waringestate.com/index.php/our-work/
(9) An Ulster Parish: Being a History of Donaghcloney (Waringstown) By Edward Dupré Atkinson
(10) https://www.lisburnmuseum.com/exhibitions/exhibition-market-square-time/
(11) https://www.familysearch.org/search/tree/results?q.personId=G3L1-ZYW
(12) http://anextractofreflection.blogspot.com/2011/05/extracts-from-records-of-old-lisburn_25.html .
(13) ROD18/130/8663 Image # 401
(14) .http://lisburn.com/books/lisburn_cathedral/cathedral-2.htm
(15) https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/L5GN-5LH; Alumni Dublinensis; A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry. Bernard Burke;https://www.stirnet.com; A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland, enjoying territorial possessions or high official rank,but univested with heritable honours by Burke, John, 1787-1848
(16) Memorial 99/157/68412 Image# 388.
(17) Caribbean, Select Marriages, 1591-1905 and Caribbean English Settlers in Barbados, 1637-1800
(18) The Gentleman's Magazine. Volume 97 July - December 1827.
(19) Belfast, Northern Ireland, The Belfast Newsletter (Birth, Marriage and Death Notices) 1833
(20) From Soldier to Settler: The Welsh in Ireland, 1558-1641 Rhys Morgan, 2011
(21) "The history and antiquities of the county of the town of Carrickfergus, from the earliest records till 1839 : also a statistical survey of said county" Published 1909 https://archive.org/stream/historyantiquiti00mcskiala/historyantiquiti00mcskiala_djvu.txt
(22) 1623 http://glenavyhistory.com/places-of-worship/glenavy-places-of-worship/glenavy-parish-church-clergy-list/
(23) Dictionary of National Biography edited by Leslie Stephen and Sidney Lee https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofnati45stepuoft/page/271/mode/1up?q=Piers&view=theater
(24) https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/146512509/valentine-jones
(25) https://theirishaesthete.com/tag/county-antrim/
(26) The London Gazette 1822
(27) The Yeomanry Cavalry of Gloucestershire and Monmouth
(28) ROD 65/317/45698 Image #173
(29) Lisburn Cathedral Records
(30) http://www.stsepulchres.org.uk/burials/simon_thomas.html
(31) PRONI Freeholder records
(32) https://www.gutenberg.org/files/56220/56220-h/56220-h.htm
(33) A Return of the Name of each Person, in each year since 24th June 179I1 who has been Examined by the Governor and Directors of the Apothecaries’ Hall in Dublin, and who has received a Certificate of his proper Qualification to become an Apprentice to learn the business of an Apothecary.
(34) http://sources.nli.ie/Record/MS_UR_078773
(35) Centre for the Study of the Legacies of British Slavery https://www.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/person/view/2146667051
(36) 1665 Hearth Money Roll for the Barony of Onealand. https://www.failteromhat.com/armaghhearth/onealand.php
(37) https://www.townlands.ie/armagh/
(38) The history and antiquities of the county of the town of Carrickfergus, from the earliest records till 1839 Samuel McSkimin
39 A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland vol 3 p247 (John Burke, 1836)
40 An Ulster Parish: Being a History of Donaghcloney (Waringstown) By Edward Dupré Atkinson
(41) Alumni Dublinenses
(42) ROD 3/410/1126
(43) Proni D671/D/8/2/2A
(44) Irish Marriage Records – Co. Antrim & Co. Down, c.1660-1930
(45) Hearth Money Rolls and Poll Tax Returns for Co. Antrim
(46) A Genealogical History of the Present Nobility of the Kingdom, Vol ii. John Lodge 1754
(47) http://lisburn.com/books/historical_society/volume6/volume6-6.html
(48) "Ireland, Betham Genealogical Abstracts, 1179-1830", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6JXT-42Y1 : 27 October 2022), William Waring, 1702.