Sir Edward Crofton, 1st Baronet facts for kids

Sir Edward Crofton (1624–1675) was an important Anglo-Irish politician who supported the King during a time of big changes in England and Ireland. He was known as a Royalist, meaning he was loyal to King Charles II.

Who Was Edward Crofton?

Edward Crofton was born in 1624. His family, the Croftons, had moved to Ireland in the 1500s and settled in County Roscommon. His father, George Crofton, was also a politician. George was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Askeaton in the Irish Parliament of 1639. Edward inherited a family home called Mote Park, which his father started building. This house stayed in the Crofton family for many years.

Edward's Education

Edward Crofton went to Trinity College, Dublin on February 15, 1640. This was a major university in Ireland at the time.

Becoming a Baronet

On July 1, 1661, Edward Crofton was given a special title: the 1st Baronet in the Baronetage of Ireland. This was a reward for his strong support of Charles II of England during the English Civil War and when the King was brought back to power (called The Restoration). In the same year, 1661, he also became a Member of Parliament for Lanesborough in the Irish House of Commons.

Edward's Marriages

First Marriage

In 1647, Edward Crofton married Mary Ware. Mary was the daughter of a famous historian named Sir James Ware. Sadly, Mary passed away in 1651, and they did not have any children.

Second Marriage

Edward married again in 1661. His second wife was Susanna Clifford, from Devon. They had one son, also named Edward, who became his heir.

Susanna's Later Life

After Sir Edward Crofton died, his wife Susanna married again. Her second husband was a well-known lawyer named Garrett Dillon. Susanna died before 1689.

Images for kids

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  Sir James Ware, a famous historian and the father of Crofton's first wife Mary