William Cole (planter) facts for kids

Sir William Cole (born around 1571, died 1653) was an English soldier and a leader in politics. He helped set up new towns in a project called the Plantation of Ulster. He also founded a town for settlers in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Ireland. Even though he was first loyal to the King's family (the Stuarts), he became an important leader for the Parliament during the Irish Confederate Wars in the 1640s.

Sir William Cole's Early Life and Moving to Ireland

Sir William Cole was born in London, England, around 1571. He was the only son of Emmanuel Cole. William went to Cambridge University. After his studies, he became a soldier in the English Army. He fought in the Low Countries during a war between England and Spain.

In 1599, Cole came to Ireland. He joined the fighting in the Nine Years' War. By 1601, he was a lieutenant. He took part in the Siege of Kinsale in 1603. After this, he was promoted to captain. In 1607, Cole was put in charge of Enniskillen Castle. He later bought the castle in 1623. He also received land, getting 1,000 acres in 1611 and buying another 1,000 acres in 1612. In 1612, he built Portora Castle.

Helping to Build Enniskillen

In May 1612, King James VI and I gave Sir William Cole land. This land was for a new town in Enniskillen. The plan for the town included a church, a public school, a market, a jail, and twenty houses. On February 7, 1613, the town officially became a town. Cole became its first provost, which is like a mayor.

He was made a knight on November 5, 1617. He also served as the High Sheriff of Fermanagh several times. This job meant he was the chief law enforcement officer in the county. In 1616, he became a justice of the peace. This role involved keeping order and collecting fines.

In 1622, a group looked into how the Ulster plantation was going. They said Cole was a great example. He had encouraged many English and Scottish families to move to Enniskillen. In 1622, he also helped pay for the first Protestant church in the town. It was finished in 1627.

In 1633, Cole was put in jail for a short time. This happened at Dublin Castle. He had organized protests in Fermanagh against paying money to the army. In 1634 and 1639, he was chosen to be a Member of Parliament for County Fermanagh. In 1640, he was part of a group from the Irish Parliament. They went to London to complain about the King's representative in Ireland, Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford.

Role in the Irish Confederate Wars

Sir William Cole learned about the Irish Rebellion of 1641 in October 1641. A man named Rory Maguire tried to kill him at Crevenish Castle. Cole quickly sent warnings to the government at Dublin Castle administration. When the rebellion started that month, Cole successfully defended Enniskillen Castle. He stopped attacks by Maguire's forces.

In October 1641, King Charles I of England asked Cole and three other settlers to raise armies. These armies would defend the northwest of Ireland. The English Parliament started paying these forces in July 1642. They became the main part of the Laggan Army. Cole fought against the rebels in Fermanagh. By 1643, he had taken back several important castles.

In January 1644, Cole and other soldiers in Ulster did not agree to sign the Solemn League and Covenant. Instead, they stayed loyal to the King's side, led by the Marquess of Ormond. Cole again refused to promise loyalty to Parliament in May 1644. But he must have agreed to it soon after. At the end of 1644, he had to go to London. He had to defend himself against claims that he was too kind to Catholic rebels. He spoke at the trial of Lord Maguire in February 1645. This helped him get back into Parliament's good graces. Cole returned to Ireland in May 1645. He brought £10,000 to be given to the soldiers in Ulster. He defeated a rebel group near Irvinestown late in 1645.

In January 1649, during the Second English Civil War, the soldiers at Enniskillen rebelled. Most of them were Scottish settlers. They declared loyalty to King Charles and put Cole in his own castle. He was freed soon after and was in London by June. In December 1649, Parliament asked him to lead 800 men. They were to fight in the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland. But because of delays in getting soldiers, he never went. Sir William Cole died in October 1653. He was buried at St. Michan's Church, Dublin.

Family Life

Sir William Cole was married two times. His first wife was Susan Croft. They had two daughters together. His second wife was Catherine Parsons. She was the daughter of Sir Lawrence Parsons. William and Catherine had several sons. One of their sons was Michael Cole. Michael was an ancestor of the Earls of Enniskillen. Another son was Sir John Cole, 1st Baronet.