_First Earl of Roscommon_ (Vol. ii., p. 325.).--There was, in the
burying-ground of Kilkenny-West, some thirty-five years or more ago, an old
tombstone belonging to the Dillon Family, on which was traced the genealogy
of the Roscommon branch from one of the sons of the first earl (if I
remember right, the third or fourth), down to a Thomas, who had, I have
heard my father say, a son called Garrett, who had issue two sons, Patrick
and Thomas. Patrick was always, in that part of the country, _considered
the heir_ to this title. Patrick and Thomas had issue, (living or dead I
know not), but should imagine dead; as, had they been living, they would no
doubt have come forward when the late earl claimed the title, as he claimed
it as being descended from the youngest son of the first earl, whereas
Patrick and Thomas were certainly the descendants of one of the elder sons
of the first earl; and therefore, had the sons of either Patrick or Thomas
come forward, it would no doubt have been decided in their favour. On this
account, it was several years before the late earl's claim was fully
confirmed, as it was thought that some of the descendants of the elder
branches might come forward. This would have attracted my attention earlier
had I not been abroad.