Thomas FitzWilliam, 4th Viscount FitzWilliam

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Thomas FitzWilliam, 4th Viscount FitzWilliam (c.1640–1704) was an Irish nobleman and statesman; he was a leading Irish Jacobite, and a political figure of some importance during the Williamite War in Ireland.

Background

He was the only son of

Restoration of Charles II the FitzWilliams, with their record of loyalty to the Crown, (apart perhaps from Oliver, who was accused of divided loyalties) were in high favour with the new regime, and recovered the remainder of their lands including their main seat, Merrion Castle. Thomas' father succeeded to the Viscountcy in 1667 and Thomas himself succeeded three years later (the Earldom became extinct on Oliver's death). He also inherited considerable estates in County Westmeath
from his maternal uncle Thomas Luttrell.

Religion and politics

Thomas's father was an open and devout

Catholic Mass house at Booterstown
.

When James II succeeded to the throne Thomas enthusiastically supported his pro-Catholic policy and for the next few years he was a political figure of some importance. James appointed him to the Privy Council of Ireland, and made him a Commissioner of the Treasury. During the Williamite Wars, he was given a military command: in 1691 he raised a troop for the relief of the Siege of Limerick but was defeated in a clash with Williamite forces.[4]

After the downfall of the Jacobite cause, Lord FitzWilliam was the subject of an

Act of Attainder, but the attainder was later reversed, whether because of the family's record of loyalty to the Crown, or because of their wealth and influence, is unclear. He took his seat in the Irish House of Lords in 1695, but although he was willing to swear allegiance to William III, his conscience forbade him to join the Church of Ireland and he withdrew from the House.[4]
No further action was taken against him. He died, still in full possession of his estates, on 20 February 1704.

Family

Lord FitzWilliam married firstly Mary Stapleton, daughter of the leading Parliamentarian Sir Philip Stapleton and his first wife Frances Hotham: this was a somewhat surprising marriage, given the deep divisions about religion and politics between the two families.[4] They had one surviving son-

He married secondly Elizabeth Pitt, daughter of

William Pitt the Elder
, and himself a politician of some importance. They had one daughter-

  • Mary, who married George Talbot and was the mother of nine children including-

References

  1. ^ Cokayne Complete Peerage 2000 Reissue Vol 1, p. 287
  2. ^ Ball, F. Elrington History of Dublin Alexander Thom and Co. 1902-1920 Vol.2 p. 20
  3. ^ Ball, p.20
  4. ^ a b c Ball, p. 21
  5. ^ Cokayne p. 287
Peerage of Ireland
Preceded by Viscount FitzWilliam
1670–1704 		Succeeded by
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