Sir Thomas Butler, 1st Baronet facts for kids

The family crest of the Butlers of Cloughgrenan, from the Baronetage of Ireland (1628).

Sir Thomas Butler, 1st Baronet of Cloughgrenan (born around 1578, died 1642), was an important Irish nobleman. He was the son of Sir Edmund Butler of Cloughgrenan and the grandson of James Butler, 9th Earl of Ormond and 2nd Earl of Ossory.

Sir Thomas held important roles in his lifetime. He was the High Sheriff of Carlow in 1612 and again in 1622. A High Sheriff was a top official in a county, responsible for keeping peace and enforcing laws. On August 16, 1628, King Charles I made him a Baronet of Cloughgrenan. A Baronet is a special title, like a hereditary knight, passed down through the family. Cloughgrenan is a small area near Carlow, Ireland. Sir Thomas also served as a Member of Parliament for County Carlow in the Irish House of Commons. He was an MP from 1634 to 1635, and again from 1639 until he passed away in 1642. An MP helps make laws and represents the people of their area.

Sir Thomas's Family History

Sir Thomas's father, Sir Edmund Butler, had other sons with his wife, Eleanor Eustace. These were Pierce, James, and Theobald. Theobald later became Viscount Butler of Tulleophelim.

Sir Thomas's father, Sir Edmund, was involved in a conflict called the Butler Revolt in 1569. This happened because the Lord Deputy of Ireland, Sir Henry Sidney, gave some of Sir Edmund's land in Idrone, Carlow, to an English adventurer named Sir Peter Carew. Sir Edmund disagreed with this decision. He was put in jail at Dublin Castle but managed to escape with help from Fiach McHugh O'Byrne, a leader from the Clann Uí Bhroin. After escaping, Sir Edmund went to Glenmalure.

Historians believe that Sir Thomas was the son of Sir Edmund and Sadhbh. Sadhbh was the daughter of Donall McCahir, a chief of the Kavanaghs of Garryhill.

The Butler Family Today

The family line of the Butler Baronets continues to this day. Sir Richard Pierce Butler, born in 1940, is the 13th Baronet. His son, Thomas Pierce Butler (born 1966), is expected to inherit the title next. Another family member, James Richard Henry Ormonde Brooke (born 1972), is a younger cousin. Many members of this family, including Sir Richard, Thomas, and James, went to Eton College, a famous school.

An important American figure, Pierce Butler (1744-1822), was also a direct descendant of Sir Thomas Butler, the 1st Baronet. Pierce Butler was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, who helped create the country. He was the third son of Sir Richard Butler, 5th Baronet of Cloughgrenan.

Today, the main family home is the Ballintemple estate in County Carlow, Ireland.

Sir Thomas's Own Family

Sir Thomas married Anne Bagenal, whose maiden name was Colclough. She was the daughter of Sir Thomas Colclough. Sir Thomas and Anne had at least one son:

• Sir Edmund Butler, 2nd Baronet of Cloughgrenan (who passed away before 1653).

See also

• List of baronetcies in the Baronetage of Ireland
• Butler baronets
• Butler dynasty