In the _New York Herald_, September 10, 1905, is a statement by “L. W.,
London, England,” giving many details of interest concerning the
ancestry and family of Gen. Richard Montgomery. The statement appears in
the genealogical department of the _Herald_, of that date, which
department is conducted by Mrs. Clara H. Manning. The statement is in
answer to a correspondent and is as follows:
“H. W. N.’s family tradition is at fault. Gen. Richard Montgomery had no
sister Elizabeth. His only sister was Sarah, wife of Charles Jones,
fourth Viscount Planelagh, and mother of thirteen children. General
Montgomery had brothers, John and Alexander. John died unmarried in
Lisbon, 1786. His administration is in the Prerogative Court of Ireland.
Alexander, the brother, was captain in the Forty-third Regiment and
member of the Irish Parliament for County Donegal; died unmarried
September 29, 1800. His will is in the Prerogative Court of Ireland.
Lady Planelagh and her three brothers were the children of Thomas
Montgomery, of Swords, near Dublin, eldest son of Alexander Montgomery,
of Ballyleek, who married Mary Francklyn.
“Thomas Montgomery had several brothers and sisters. His brother,
Robert, of Brandram, County Monaghan, married Sarah Maxwell. This is the
nearest Maxwell connection. Thomas had many cousins. Ulster has many
Montgomerys of other lines. It is said the Earl of Mount Alexander could
ride at the head of a regiment all Montgomerys. At one time in the Irish
Parliament were six Montgomerys all over six feet in height and the
handsomest men in Dublin.... By far [one of] the most noted family of
modern times is that of the Montgomerys of Grey Abbey, County Down, a
famous military stock.
“For all this they have a pedigree made in the eighteenth century to
take them on to the famous old Grey Abbey stock of the early Ulster
settlement. As a fact, they are descended from a thrifty yeoman who
purchased Grey Abbey after the old stock had died out. No American
Montgomerys can prove any near connection with either the Montgomerys of
Ballyleek or the Earls of Mount Alexander. The nearest probable American
connection is not of the Montgomery name, being that of the descendants
of Thomas Patterson, who emigrated from County Donegal to Philadelphia
at the time of the Irish rebellion. Thomas Patterson was grandson of
Alleriah Montgomery, said by tradition to be a cousin of the general.
Her marriage certificate in the diocese of Raphoe indicates her as
coming from the vicinity of the general’s family, being about his age
and not belonging to any other of the Montgomery families in that part
of Ireland.”