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What is the link between the Oxford Butlers and the Kilkenny Butlers?

Kilkenny

My husband's family is descended from the Oxford, England Butlers. There is a well documented family tree and  I can trace the line back to James Butler (born 1750, Oxford) and his father James Butler (buried on 4 May 1781, All Saints Chuch, Oxford, England). Was James Butler senior the link back to Ireland and if so, how does he tie in to the Kilkenny Butler family? There is talk in the family that " there is direct descent from the Dukes of Ormonde, as there is a  family heirloom (a brooch comosed of roses made from the hair of the three Dukes) but it is thought that the descent is probably through an illegitimate branch of the ducal family."

It sounds doubtful to me and I have no idea what has happened to the "family heirloom".

"Apparently, James Butler, 2nd Duke of Ormonde, born 1665, was impeached in 1715 after leading the first Jacobite rebellion of James Edward (First Pretender) against the Hanoverian regime.He was deprived of his titles and estates and fled to France, where he died in 1715. In 1715, some of the family went to England from Kilkenny and settled at Oxford."

The quotes have been taken from our South African Butler family history written by Mary Butler in 1986.

 

I wouuld appreciate it if anyone could shed some light on the link back to Ireland

Regards

Carolynne Butler

 

 

 

 

carriesa

2 replies

Hi Carolynne,

Thank you very much for your message. I hope that someone with information contacts you and helps you further your research. In the meantime, it may be an idea to contact the Kilkenny Family History Society to see if they can be of any assistance, however a fee may apply. Here is their email address: kilkennyfamilyhistory@rothehouse.com

Also of interest may be the Kilkenny Library?s Local Studies Department:

http://kilkennylibrary.kilkenny.ie/eng/Our_Services/Local_Studies/

Best wishes,

Genealogy Support

 

IrelandXO member

Hi Carolynne,

It has been a while since I covered the Butlers of Kilkenny in college history. Looking at the Butler family of Kilkenny directly they have no ties to Oxford,England,and are in fact descendants of Welsh Norman Barons. As far as James Butler the second Duke of Ormonde is guilty of treason that is debatable as he was never fully tried because he fled to the continent. The Duke had in fact been previously loyal to the crown,and helped put down the Monmouth rebellion,and served under William of Orange at the battle of the Boyne. When George the first ascended to the throne following Queen Anne's death it was he who accused the Duke of Ormonde of treason.

The charges against Ormonde were more than likely political bias against leading Catholics from George the the Protestant King of England once Queen Anne died. Once he went into exile in 1715 his royal titles were stripped from him,and he was removed as a Knight of the garter. However later on it was declared only English lands were forfeit for treasonous behaviour,and not Irish lands. Yet James's brother the Earl of Aran was unaware of this occurence,and never knew he could asscend to the Duchy of Ormonde. Consequentlly when the Earl of Aran died the duchy died with him.

Yet the titles containing the Marquess of Ormonde,and Earl of Ormonde would live on in the United Kingdom. I hope this information is helpful,and the link following informative http://www.geni.com/surnames/butler.

Kind Regards

Shane Burke

 

IrelandXO member

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