Peter Metge facts for kids

Peter Metge (born around 1740, died 1809) was an important Irish politician and judge who lived in the 1700s and early 1800s. He was known for being quite a lively person. He was also famous for his love of duels and for his unusual personal life.

Peter Metge's Early Life and Family

Peter Metge was born in Athlumney, a place in County Meath, Ireland. He was the second son of Peter Metge and his mother, Anne Lyon. Anne Lyon passed away in 1792. People believed she was related to the famous Bowes-Lyon family.

His grandfather, Peter de la Metgée (1665-1735), was a French Huguenot. Huguenots were French Protestants who faced religious persecution. He had to leave France and came to Ireland after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685. This event took away the rights of Protestants in France.

Peter Metge also had a younger brother named John Metge. John later became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Ratoath. After the Act of Union 1800, he was an MP for Dundalk.

Education and Early Career

Peter Metge went to Trinity College Dublin. He earned his degree, a Bachelor of Arts, in 1763. After college, he began his legal training. He joined the Middle Temple in 1762. This is one of the places in London where lawyers are trained. He became a lawyer in Ireland, joining the Irish Bar, in 1769.

Peter Metge's Personal Life

Peter Metge first married Sophia Crofton. She was the daughter of Sir Marcus Lowther-Crofton, who was the 1st Baronet of The Mote in County Roscommon. Sophia and Peter had two children. Sadly, their son Peter died at age 17, and their daughter also passed away when she was young.

Sophia died in 1777. A few years later, Peter started a long-term relationship with a woman named Eleanor Archdeacon. Not much is known about her. However, Peter sometimes called her his wife. They had at least six children together. It is not clear if they ever had a formal marriage ceremony.

After he retired from his job as a judge, Peter Metge mostly lived in Bath, a city in England.

Peter Metge's Career in Law and Politics

Peter Metge was active in both law and politics. He was a member of the Irish House of Commons. This was the parliament of Ireland before 1801. He represented Ardee in 1776. Later, in 1783, he represented Ratoath. His brother John took over this role after him. The Lowther family, related to Peter's first wife, had a lot of influence over this seat.

Becoming a Judge

Peter Metge became the Third Serjeant in 1782. This was a senior legal position. For a short time, he was also a judge of the Irish Court of Admiralty. This court dealt with cases related to the sea. He also served as Portreeve (like a warden) of Navan in 1754. In 1783, he became a Bencher of the King's Inns. This is a society for lawyers in Ireland.

At the end of 1783, he became a Baron of the Court of Exchequer (Ireland). This was a very important court. He retired from this role in 1801 and passed away in 1809.

When Peter Metge died, he left his property to the children he had with Eleanor Archdeacon. Eleanor had already passed away by then. He seemed to consider her his second wife. However, there is no clear proof that they were legally married. Peter's mother, Anne, who died in 1792, did not leave him anything in her will. Family stories say this was because she knew about and did not approve of his relationship with Eleanor.

Peter Metge's Character

People described Peter Metge as a strong-willed person. He was known for being easily angered and for his love of duels. His brother John also enjoyed duelling. While fighting duels was somewhat common back then, Peter was seen as unusual because he even fought his own brother-in-law, Sir Edward Crofton, 2nd Baronet.

Some people had different opinions of Peter Metge as a judge. Edward Cooke, a statesman, did not think highly of him. He said Peter was "as insolent as he is ignorant." However, Lord Charlemont reportedly thought very well of him. Peter's kind side was shown by the great care he gave to his children with Eleanor Archdeacon.