My wife's ancestors - Fitzwilliam - Contents

Thomas Fitzwilliam, 4th Viscount Fitzwilliam

4th Viscount, 1700.
Used here with the kind permission of the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.

Thomas Fitzwilliam, 4th Viscount Fitzwilliam,
born est c.1645.
See wikipedia and genealogics.
He stayed Catholic.
He succ as 4th Viscount apparently 1675.

He mar 1stly to Mary Stapleton [born pre-1636, descendant of Edward III].
In 1686 the old Catholic church at Booterstown was constructed, almost certainly under the 4th Viscount's protection.
He supported King James in the Williamite-Jacobite War 1689-1691.
[Complete Peerage] says he was outlawed 7 May 1689 but shortly after restored.
He fought with the Jacobite army at the Siege of Limerick 1691, at which the Jacobite cause was finally defeated.
[Mount Merrion 300] says that his name is mentioned in the Treaty of Limerick, and he was one of twelve Catholic Peers who were allowed to retain their lands. Though he does not appear in this text of the Treaty.
Still owner of the mill of Donnybrook.
He could not take his seat in the Irish House of Lords in 1695 because he would not renounce the Catholic faith.
Mary died pre-1699.
4th Viscount had issue by 1st wife:

1. (dau) Fitzwilliam.
   She mar her 1st cousin Stephen Fitzwilliam Browne.

   
   

2. Richard Fitzwilliam, 5th Viscount Fitzwilliam,
   born c.1677.
   He is described as "about 17 years old in 1694".
   [PP, vol.1, family tree] has him as born 1679.

4th Viscount mar 2ndly, shortly before 7 Oct 1699, to Elizabeth Pitt [dau of George Pitt].
She was apparently relation of George Pitt, 1st Baron Rivers.
4th Viscount apparently spent time living in England, and Merrion Castle fell into disrepair [Mount Merrion 300].
His will dated 24 Apr 1704. The will notes his son Richard is now married.
In his will he appoints Honora Belasyse, widow of George Neville, 12th Baron Abergavenny, as guardian of his dau Mary. Her niece had recently married his son.
He died Feb 1705 (new style year), age est c.60 yrs. Dating this is tricky:

• [Complete Peerage] says died 20 Feb 1704. Date of will shows it must be 1705 new style.
• 2057/D5/18 says died Sunday night, (looks like 25) Feb 1704. This does not fit Feb 1705 new style, in which 25 Feb was Wed. It does not fit Feb 1704 new style either, in which 25 Feb was Mon.

His will says he wants to be buried "with my Ancestors" at Donnybrook chapel.
Will pr Apr 1705.
Elizabeth may be "The Lady FitzWilliam" who died 4 Feb 1717.
4th Viscount had issue by 2nd wife:

1. Mary Fitzwilliam.
   She had a huge inheritance.
   She mar 1719 to George Talbot [grandson of John Talbot, 10th Earl of Shrewsbury].
   They had issue:
   1. George Talbot, 14th Earl of Shrewsbury, born 1719.

Mary Stapleton, 1679.
Used here with the kind permission of the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.
[Wilkinson, 1925] said a portrait of Mary Stapleton "hung for many years in the diningroom at Mount Merrion". This would be a different picture since this one was given to Cambridge in 1816.

4th Viscount in [Complete Peerage].

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Will of 4th Viscount

• Copy of will in 2057/D5/18.
  • See p.1. And closer.
  • See p.2 and p.3 and cover.