In last September I undertook a literary project, which I think could be
greatly aided through the medium of "N. & Q.," as there are few families in
the empire that are not connected with its details, and who might therefore
be expected to feel interested in them. The project I allude to is a
publication of King James's Irish Army List of 1689-90. King I must call
him in reference to that list. Those that appear upon it were many his
creedmen, and all his devoted adherents. The list, of which I have a copy
in MS., extends over thirty-four pages octavo. The first two are filled
with the names of all the colonels; the four ensuing are rolls of the
regiments of horse; the four next, of the dragoons; and the remaining
twenty-four record the foot: each regiment being arranged, with the
colonel, lieutenant-colonel, and major at head, and the captains,
lieutenants, cornets or ensigns, and quarter-masters, in columns, on each
respectively. To every regiment I proposed to append notices, historic and
genealogical, to the extent of, perhaps, eight hundred pages or more, for
the compilation of which I have ample materials in my own MS. collections.
These notices I propose to furnish under him of the name who ranks highest
on the list; and all the scattered officers of that name will be collected
in that one article.
After an especial and full notice of such officer, to when the family
article is attached, his parentage, individual achievements, descendants,
&c., each illustration will briefly glance at the genealogy of that family,
with, if an Irish sept, its ancient localities; if an English or Scotch,
the county from whence it branched, and the period when it settled here.
I would next identify each family, so illustrated, with its attainders and
forfeitures in 1641;
With the great Assembly of Confederate Catholics at Kilkenny in 1646;
With the persons denounced by name in Cromwell's ordinance of 1652, "for
_settling_ Ireland;"
With the declaration of royal gratitude to the Irish exiles who served King
Charles II. "in parts beyond the seas," as contained in the _Act of
Explanation_ of 1665;
With (if space allowable) those advanced by James II. to civil offices, as
sheriffs, &c., or members of his new corporations;
With those who represented Irish counties or boroughs in the Parliament of
Dublin in 1689;
With the several outlawries and confiscations of 1691, &c.;
With else claims that were subsequently (in 1703) preferred as charges on
these forfeitures, and how far allowed or dismissed;
And, lastly, as far as attainable, their achievements in the glorious
engagements of the Spanish and French Brigades: {31}
All statements throughout being _verified by authorities_.
Already have I compiled and arranged the materials for illustrating the
eight regiments of horse upon this roll, viz. Tyrconnel's, Galmoy's,
Sarsfield's, Abercorn's, Luttrell's, Sutherland's, Parker's, and Purcell's;
a portion of the work in which, according to my plan, the illustrations
will be appropriated to the families of--
Aylmer.
Barnewall.
Butler.
Callaghan.
Cusack.
De Courcy.
Dempsey.
Everard.
Gernon.
Hamilton.
Kearney.
Lawless.
Lutrell.
Matthews.
McDonnell
McNamara.
Meara.
Morris.
Nagle.
O'Sullivan.
O'Kelly.
Plunket.
Prendergast.
Purcel.
Redmond.
Rice.
Roche.
Sarsfield.
Sheldon.
Synnott.
Talbot.
&c. &c.
And this section (about 100 pages) is open to inspection on appointment.
The above is but a tithe of the surnames whose genealogical illustrations I
propose to furnish. The succeeding portions of the work, comprising six
regiments of Dragoons, and upwards of fifty of Foot, will offer for notice,
besides numerous septs of the O's and Mac's, the Anglo-Irish names of--
Barry.
Bellew.
Bermingham.
Burke.
Cheevers.
Cruise.
D'Alton.
Daly.
D'Arcy.
Dillon.
Dowdall.
Eustace.
Fagan.
FitzGerald.
FitzMaurice.
FitzPatrick.
Fleming.
Grace.
Keatinge.
Lacy.
Nangle.
Netterville.
Nugent.
Power.
Preston.
Russell.
Savage.
Segrave.
Taaffe.
Trant.
Tyrrel.
Wogan.
_Cum multis aliis._
My inquiry touching Lord Dover, who heads the List, has heretofore elicited
much curious information; and I confide that all who can afford literary
assistance to the undertaking, by letters, inspection of documents, or
otherwise, will promptly communicate on the subject.