Sir Laurence Esmond

Alfred Webb

A Compendium of Irish Biography

1878

Esmond, Sir Laurence, Lord Esmond, descended from an ancient Wexford family, was born probably in the second half of the 16th century. In 1601-'2 he commanded a troop of 150 foot and horse, was knighted by Sir Henry Sidney, and served the Queen in Connaught, with Murrough O'Flaherty and Sir Theobald Burke. In 1622, being Major-General of all the King's Irish forces, he was raised to the peerage as Lord Esmond. During one of his campaigns in Connaught he fell in love with and married a beautiful Catholic lady, the sister of O'Flaherty. After the birth of their son Thomas, she carried him away to her Connaught relatives, so that he might be reared in her own faith, whereupon Lord Esmond entered into a union with Elizabeth, grand-daughter of the 9th Earl of Ormond. Lord Esmond was for many years Governor of Duncannon Fort, on the Suir. In the 4th Book of Carte's Ormond will be found full particulars of his negotiations in 1644 with the Duke regarding the custody of the fort, and of his ultimately going over to the side of the Parliament. He died 26th March 1646. From his son, before mentioned, Sir Thomas Esmond, Bart., a General of Horse in the armies of Charles I., the present Esmonds of Ballynastra, County of Wexford, are descended.

Sources

52. Burke, Sir Bernard: Dormant, Abeyant, Forfeited, and Extinct Peerages. London, 1866.

53. Burke, Sir Bernard: Landed Gentry. 2 vols. London, 1871.

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