Ancestry of Edmund Fanning born Ireland about 1620 died Connecticut America 1683, the Immigrant Fanning Ancestor. Possible parents of and ancestry in Ireland.
Who were the parents of Edmund Fanning of Stonington Connecticut and what is his Irish ancestry??
Location map of Connecticut, USA (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Lots of folk in America and probably Canada as well can trace their family tree back to Edmund Fanning who was born in Ireland about 1620 and died in Connecticut in 1683.
DNA tests as well as family documents have proved these lineages.
But in family trees there are several different parents given for this Edmund.
So far I haven’t seen any proof or reliable sources to back up what so many have on their family trees. It may be that there is no supporting documents and that we will never know for sure who they were.
But if anyone out there can back up his claim as to Edmund’s parents I’d love to hear from you. Or if you have any ideas on the matter please contact me.
I have been looking around on the internet and especially in some of the old books on archive.org for references to this Edmund.
The parents of Edmund are commonly given as Nicholas Fanning and Ellen Cantwell in family trees on Rootsweb World Connect and Ancestry.com.
WikiTree has the Parents of Edmund as Nicholas Fanning born Ballingarry, Tipperary Ireland 1593 died there 1653; Ellen Cantwell born Tipperary 1598 died 1699.
This tree goes further back:
The parents of Nicholas are given as William Fanning born Ballingarry Tipperary 1560 and Catherine Purcell born Ballingarry 1564;
The father of this William Fanning was William Fanning born Ballingarry 1532 died Farranrory 20 Sept 1579
His father was Oliver Fanning born Garynegrye 1500 died 1600
His father was William Fanning born Ballyclaghin Co Kilkenny 1472 died Ballingarry 1538.
There don’t seem to be any sources for this tree.
Nicholas Schenck and Walter Frederic Brooks however believe Francis Fanning was Edmund’s father but again it is hard to see why they believe this.
The following is a post by Jon Fannon (Dec18, 2008 in Ireland Roots Tipperary) where he gives an outline of what he thinks is the ancestry of Edmund Fanning, the immigrant ancestor of many American Fannings.
“Edmund of Conn. line however is : Conn. Edmund (b.1620) was son of Francis (b. about 1588 was a sheriff and mayor in Limerick also) and Francis is possibly the brother to Simon fitzClement. (Clement had 3 sons. 1st came Simon, then Edward or Edmund, and 3rd Francis) Edward fitzClement had a son Nicholas who also was sheriff or mayor. Francis fitzClement had two sons Thomas and Edmund. Francis Fanning with Edmund fitzFrancis Fanning and Thomas fitzFrancis Fanning along with Nicholas Fanning are documented forced to leave limerick to Ballengyre by the English in 1651 or 1653 I cant remember right now, and then was again named in some sort of reconciliation from the Queen in 1660 I believe. Its presumed Edmund went on to Conn. sometime after 1653, possibly in 1660. Keep in mind for this hundred year period there was a Fanning as sheriff or mayor in Limerick most of the time. Wether or not it was a cousin a brother a nephew, it seems there were no shortage of Fanning law men, and to complicate this more their names were repeated generation after generation causing a lot of confusion. ”
From the Surnames of Ireland by Edward Maclysaght we have this paragraph on the Fanning name and origins:
“A name of Norman origin prominent in Co Limerick where Fanningstown, formerly Ballyfanning, indicates the location. They were formally of Ballingarry, Co Tipperary where in the fifteenth century the head of the family was, like Irish chiefs, officially described as “Captain of his nation“.”
Walter Frederic Brooks thought that Edmund’s father was Francis Fanning.
“Alderman Francis Fanning, the third son of Clement, served as sheriff in 1632-3, and as mayor of Limerick in 1644”
“At the time of the Confiscations in 1653-54 Francis Fanning’s estates were forfeited, and he received sentence of transplantation to Connaught. Francis also had a son Edward who also received sentence of transplantation at the same time….his name is given as Edward Fitz-Francis Fanning.
This Edward or Edmund Fanning, son of the above mentioned Francis Fanning, ex-Mayor of Limerick, emigrated in 1653 or soon after to America and settled in Connecticut.” pages 31-32 Vol 1 History of the Fanning Family by Walter Frederic Brooks.
I do find it strange that Edmund and his children did not call any of their descendants Nicholas or Francis although a daughter of Thomas is called Frances. Edmund named his sons Edmund,Thomas, John, William and James.
Nicholas Schenck has a similar lineage to Walter Brook:
“The first Fanning who came to this country was Edmund Fanning – born in Ireland in (about)1620 – of the Fannings in Ireland – Limerick, Tipperary, Kilkinny, Clare – the name is on record from 13th Century to confutation under Cromwell in 1652. Vast estates were established to the Fannings.
Edmund – the emigrant American ancestor – who settled in Connecticut about 1653 was the son of Francis Fanning, 1841 Mayor of Limerick, Ireland – Connaught Certification Office of Exchequer, Dublin. His name is given as Fitz – Francis Fanning. Fit-Francis means son of Francis – Fitz is French or Norman meaning ‘son of ____’.
This Edmund or Edmond – emigrated to America in 1653 (authority) of John O’Hart, Edmund Irish antiquity and author of Irish Peogries – Clentus of Ireland and is found at Fisher Island in 1655 and 1657, later at Groton – Connecticut (near New London) 1664 – now called Ledyard – where he had a farm called Groton Farm – which remained in possession of family for 150 years – where he lived until his death in 1683. “
My interest in Edmund Fanning’s ancestry comes from the fact that my Fanning family here in Australia are linked to this Edmund as shown in a DNA test. So we must be descendants not from Edmund but from his relations who stayed in Ireland.
When I was in Ireland I visited Ballingarry and was told about a Fanning castle in Farranrory. We found what is left of the castle and spent a few hours climbing around it and taking photos. Then when I was briefly in the National Library I found a pedigree for the Fannings who lived in this castle. So I would like Edmund to be related to the Farranrory Fannings!!
In terms of names in our family Edward and William have been used over and over, never a Nicholas or Dominick and only my grandfather was called Francis, which I think is a bit too far down the track to be relevant.
If anyone has any info on the ancestry of Edmund I’d be most interested to hear from you.
Farrenrory Castle in Co Tipperary was home to William Fanning an Anglo-Norman. He owned 1,000 acres there in 1650. Included are photos of the castle and surrounding buildings and land as of 2012.
Above are views from Fanning Castle tower house in Farenrory Ballingarry Co Tipperary.
On my recent trip to Ireland and Co Tipperary I thought I would have a look around Ballingarry as there are Fannings documented living there in medieval times.
There were different Fanning families at Ballingarry, Mohober, Farrenrory, Garynegre, Gortfree and Glengall. In 1305 William Fanning was leased the Manor, Castle and lands of Mohober.
The earliest mention of Farranrory I have come across so far is the following:
“25th April 1555 Inquisition taken at Clonmel
The jurors say that Nicholas Richard and John Fanyng Fitz Geoffery of Ballyngarry, Teige Beare O’Howlaghan and Dermot O’Treassy alias O’Twee of the same, kearns, advised procured and abetted by Geoffrey Fanyng gent, willfully burned a house at Ferenrory conmtaining 40 cows with 60l of William Fanyng gent and also a girl called Sawe Iny Canlyen who was in the house.” From the Calendar of Ormond Deeds.
Dec 20 1579 Edmund Fanning of Farrinrory, gentleman, son of William fanning late of the same grants to Thomas….
Richard Fannynge of Farrenrory pardoned 1589 Fiants of Elizabeth
Dec 13, 1592 Edmund Fanning of Faren Rory is mentioned in a commission.
In 1641 in the Down Survey William Fanning of Upper and Lower Ffarrenrowry owns lands.
1654-56 In the Civil Survey the castle at Farrinrory is inhabited by William Faninge, gent and papist.
1654 William Ffanninge of Farrenroe has been issued a certificate of transplanation.
Even though death was the punishment for not leaving I have read that the transplantation scheme was a bureaurocratic nightmare and not everyone left for Connaught, some stayed on without their estates.
In the Hearth Money Rolls 1665-67 a David Fanning de Fearanrory has one hearth and 2s.
1670 the lands of the Fannings at Farranrory are owned by Sir George Ingoldsby, Earl of Anglesey, Protestant.He most likely got it from Ltn Jessy. While the soldiers of Cromwell were rewarded with land many sold their estates on.
When I got back to Dublin I looked up the pedigree of a William Fanning of Farrenrory in the National Library and found this document:
Pedigree of a William Fanning of Farranrory Co Tipperary National Library Dublin
John D’Alton in his Illustrations Historical and Genealogical of King James’s Irish Army List of 1689 outlines some of the family lineage of the Fannings of the Ballingarry area and of Kilkenny:
Richard Fanning captian King James’s Irish Army List 1689 p621
Farrenrory Castle is described in the Ordinance Survey Letters by John O’Donovan. These letters are now online at Ask About Ireland.
In Oct 1840 it was described in the Ordinance Survey Letters as ” a round castle measuring 17′ 6″ in diameter on the inside and its walls well grouted 9ft in thickness and about 40 ft in height. It is three stories high; the third floor rested on a stone arch still remaining the others were of wood and have long since disappeared, as usual. The doorway which is on the N.W. side is pointed and constructed of cut lime stone. The windows are all constructed of cut lime stone and are some quadrangular, some roundheaded and some pointed. ( See Dic Noyer’s Sketch)
(Vol 1 Tipperary page 559. So far I haven’t been able to find the sketches.)
In William Healy’s “History and Antiquities of Kilkenny” published in 1893 there are these pages relating to the Fannings of Farrenrory and Ballingarry:
William Fannynge of Farranrory and Kilkenny died in 1590. (From History and Antiquities of Kilkenny William Healy). In John D’Alton’s book “Illustrations, Historical and Genealogical of King James’ Irish Army List” 1861, William Fannyng who died in 1590 is described as “the settler”.
It seems that these Fannings who lived at Farranrory originally came across from Kilkenny. I have read that they came to Kilkenny from Waterford, not sure if there is any way of knowing if this is true.
I have also seen a family tree which has Edmund, the brother of William Fanning of Farranrory who died in 1590, being the the Edmund Fanning who settled in Connecticut. Again, who knows?
I asked around in Ballingarry and was directed to the house of Martin Maher who I was informed by a local man in the street “is into all that crarp”. Martin was very helpful and assured me that there is nothing left in terms of buildings associated with the Fannings in Ballingarry or Mohober but that at Farrenrory there is a round towerhouse in Pollard’s Field.
After getting lost the usual number of times we found it. The castle was up a drive and just visible from the road. It was unfortunately surrounded by layers of mud and cow poo which we sank into. Afterwards we went to visit a fourth cousin and had to turn up in our socks. Although, they being farmers didn’t seem to mind. “Where there’s muck there’s money ” they told us.
The townland of Farranrory was owned by William Fanninge of Farrenrory, son of James Fanning according to the pedigree above, in 1641 recorded in the Civil Survey. It was described as a good little castle with a good thatched house and some cabins. In the Down Survey 1655-6 it is depicted along with five houses surrounding it. Farranrory became the property of Lieutenant William Jessy of the Cromwellian army, who is recorded with two hearths in the Hearth Returns for 1666/7. He was most likely an absentee landlord.
The following description of the tower house/castle comes from the Slieveardagh site which sourced their information from Richard Clutterbuck’s thesis. I wish we had had this with us when we were looking over the Tower House:
“Location: Farranrory is situated in the east of Slieveardagh on the hills overlooking the Munster River Valley. The land is used predominantly for pasture today and was estimated to be mostly pasture in 1654 (Civil Survey I, 115). The site is approximately 4.2km northeast of Ballingarry parish centre.
Farrenrory castle is sited at an altitude of 210 metres on ground sloping gently to the southeast. The site has a south-easterly aspect and is sheltered by the hills. A small stream tributary of the Munster River runs approximately 40 metres to the east of the tower house cutting a small valley in the shale bed rock. The tower house is 190 metres north-west of a road which runs east-west into Co. Kilkenny.
Road up to the tower house from Farranrory Rd
A lane connects the site to the road and probably served the original settlement and the modern farm yards and houses as well as continuing up the hill as a lane to the fields.
Fanning Tower House Original Entrance on the west side
Description Farrenrory Castle is a free standing tower house with a circular plan. The castle is constructed of coursed limestone surviving to the level of the second floor above which it is derelict. The interior has mural chambers (vaulted chambers in the thickness of a wall), stairs and an internal vault. The exterior ground level of the structure has a very slight base batter (thicker at the base).
The gable of a derelict farm house is attached to the west side of the tower house, partially obscuring the original entrance (Fig. 45, Plate 19). The tower house has a maximum external diameter of 10.4 metres and an internal diameter of 5.2 metres for the main ground floor chamber.Farrenrory survives to an approximate height of 8 metres.
None of the original woodwork or door survives in the interior of the tower house and was probably salvaged for a later building. This robbing resulted in the breach in the ground floor embrasure (an embrasure is an opening in the defences of a castle used for shooting at attackers) and also the destruction of the tower above the second floor. Farrenrory tower house has a major structural crack in its facade and may be in danger of collapse.
The derelect farmhouse attached to the tower house on the west sideFanning Tower House Farrenrory Ballingarry showing the structural crack on the west side
The tower house was entered through pointed-arch cut limestone door located in the western quadrant of the tower. The door frame has two orders one of which accommodated a yett (a gate or grille of latticed wrought iron) held in place by chains through holes in the left jamb and the apex of the door frame. The gable of the later farm house obscures the right hand side of the jamb.
Dedication plaque above main entrance, now blocked up.
A dedication plaque is set in the wall above the door; unfortunately this plaque is illegible. Presumably is a dedication to the builder and owner of the tower house, probably a member of the Fanning family.
The main entrance leads to a small lobby area. Two inward opening pointed-arch doors led from the lobby to a mural chamber and a secondary lobby. There is a cruciform musket loop with downward splayed expanded terminals directly in front of the main entrance. This is set in a single flag of limestone and is reached by a recess in the main ground floor chamber.
Cruciform musket hole
There is also a murder hole in the lobby ceiling which drops from a mural chamber in the first floor.
The small ground floor mural chamber probably acted as a guard chamber or storage space. This chamber has a vaulted roof and has two recesses in the walls for cupboard space.
The secondary entrance lobby gives access the main ground floor chamber and the vice (spiral staircase) through inward opening door set in pointed-arch limestone frames. The jambs still retain some pivot holes and hanging-eyes for the heavy wooden doors as well as the holes in the jambs for the cross bolts. The chain for the yett can also be drawn through an aperture from this lobby.
The ground floor main chamber is circular in shape with coursed shale walls and three deep set embrasures for windows. The embrasure in the south-west quadrant has been broken out. The floor of the chamber is obscured by rubbish and debris from the walls and corbel roof (corbels are stone brackets). The chamber originally had a wooden ceiling.
The embrasures are vaulted, still with the impression of the wicker-work centring. Narrow slit windows are round-headed and constructed of dressed limestone with splayed ingoings. The exterior of the southern light has carved spandrels with a triple-leaf motif. On either side of the lights are musket loops. These are deep apertures splayed at an angle to the windows, although their exits on the outside of the tower house have been removed and blocked. Portions of the vaulting of the southern embrasure have collapsed where it corresponds with the first floor embrasure overhead.
Window on the second floor
The vice is accessed through an inward opening segmented pointed-arch door from the secondary lobby and was lit by a single narrow window. The first floor was reached through a pointed-arch door directly off the vice. A mural passage (a passage in the thickness of a wall) from the vice leads to the chamber with the murder hole. The passage is lit by slit windows and has a small gun loop next to the murder hole over the ground floor main entrance.
The wooden floor of the second storey was supported on corbels. The floor has three deep embrasures each with narrow ogee-headed windows of dressed limestone.
On each side of the lights are apertures for gun loops. These pierce the wall as small circular holes created by two shaped pieces of limestone. The first floor has a vaulted ceiling which is now in a dangerous state of repair.
Ceiling of second floor
The second floor can still be reached by the remains of the vice though some of the steps have been removed. This floor as too dangerous to inspect but appears to have been larger then the lower floors. The original walls partially survive and contain the remains of a number of windows around its circumference and a slop stone on the north-east side of this floor.
Slop stone for carrying away kitchen waste Farrenrory Fanning tower house
The remains of the second floor are obscured by the growth of grass, ivy and a tree. The tree is probably destroying the internal vault with its roots.
Interior from second floor
There is no apparent garderobe or a fire place in the tower house, although these may have been contained on the second or upper floors. (there is a garderobe or medieval toilet) There is no evidence for a bawn or wall around the tower. However, the area around the castle has been used as a farm yard with stone out-houses and these may have robbed and obscured any original bawn walls.”
Richard Clutterbuck’s article on Farranrory tower house from Trowel printed with his kind permission.
There is also a description and evaluation of Farranrory in the Archaeological Survey of Ireland from a 2003 visit:
National Monuments Service description of Farranrory Tower House
Martin Maher edits the Ballingarry Journal and is involved with Ballingarry.net a fantastic site for the Ballingarry area and people with excellent articles on the history of the area. He gave me a copy of the 2004 edition which has a photo of Farrenrory Castle with this information :
” Farranrory Castle (also known as Prout’s Castle) is situated about three miles from Ballingarry village and about half a mile to the west of the Munster River. It was a round castle, three stories high, the third floor rested on a stone arch still remaining; the others were of wood and have long since disappeared. The doorway on the northeast side was pointed and constructed of cut limestone, as were all the windows. The Fannings, who were the greatest landowners and most numerous Norman family in the area occupied the castle for many years. The ruins of the castle which are situated on Pollard’s land can still be viewed.”
Dr Thomas McGrath writing in Landlordism in Ballingarry Parish in 1650 and 1850 describes the various Fanning holdings differently:
“In comparision to the Butlers, the Fanning Family, who were also of Anglo-Norman origin, were of minor importance though they were well established in Ballingarry holding 4,454 acres. Nicholas Fanning held 1600 acres at Ballingarry. Jeffry of Glengall held 474 acres consisting of Glengall(1184) Grawn(100), Ballaghboy(150) and Gortnassy(40). William Fanning of Farrinrory held 1,980 acres: Farranrory(1,000), Cappagh(680), and Kilmackenoge(300). Edmond Fanning of Gortfree held 400 acres therein.”
I don’t know if there is any connection between my Fanning ancestors and those at Farrenrory as there are no records after about 1680 to make any connections. There don’t appear to be any Fannings living in the Ballingarry area today or during the 1850’s (Griffith’s Valuations) and they may have moved to the Thurles area. There is mention made on the Ballingarry.net site of a Mr Fanning setting aside land for the new Ballingarry Church before he sold his land to Mr Jacobs. The new church was built in 1731 so there was a Fanning around at or just before this time.
Visitation Book of James Butler 1754
The Fannings who lived at Lissaroon are said to arrived there in 1741 but from where we don’t as yet know. Perhaps some one reading this may know what happened to the Ballingarry Fannings. Certainly in our family the names William and Edward appear frequently.
It was a highlight of my time in Co Tipperary climbing around this castle. The first time we were there it was raining and I discovered that all the photos I took had a big raindrop in the middle, so we had to go back the next day. This time armed with gumboots (in Ireland they call them wellingtons) kindly lent us by Eileen Creed our Cashel B&B (Ard Ri House- highly recommend) host and her husband.
It was also a lovely sunny day so much more enjoyable. I loved the land around the castle, very pretty and protected, my kind of place. We climbed up on top and sat up there and surveyed the surrounding countryside and imagined what it must have been like living there.
While exploring the castle ruins it was great not to have to worry about snakes !! Thank you St Patrick. At home it would be highly prized snake habitat. To be honest we didn’t see a lot of wildlife in Ireland and Spain compared to back home which is a bit sad. I guess centuries of occupation have taken there toll. The downside of all that history. At least while driving around Ireland I got a break from seeing roadkill which is so prevalent on my drive to work on the Pacific Highway in NSW.
Entrance to the road leading up to the tower house
Fanning Tower House Farrenrory Co TipperaryFanning Castle Farrenrory Arrow Loop WindowFanning tower house Farrenrory interior arches
Richard Clutterbuck mentions that ” the multiple gun or musket loops place this tower house in the sixteenth century when hand held guns became numerous in Ireland.”
Ballingarry Fanning Castle Farrenrory Interior
Ballingarry Fanning Castle Farrenrory, the garderobe or medieval toilet which emptied down to the outside of the castle.Back of the castle, toilet waste exit?Internal stone staircase
Taken from Robert Simington’s Civil Survey of Co Tipperary 1654 are the names and holdings of Fannings in Co Tipperary at that time. Early Fanning surname variations were: Faning, Faninge, Fanninge.
Map of Co Tipperary 1654Thomas Faninge JurorThomas Faning of Gragenorea Gent JurorParish of BallingarryHoldings of Nicholas Faninge of Ballingarry & Jeffry Faninge of GlangaleHoldings of Jeffry FaningHoldings of Wm. Faninge of FarrinroryWm. Faninge of Farrinrory & Edmond Fanning of GortfreeIndex of English Protestants and Papists 1654
Source: “The Civil Survey AD 1654-1656 County Tipperary Vol 1” by Robert C. Simington. Can be read at askaboutireland.
Three maps of Co Tipperary Ireland showing Thurles and Ballingarry and surrounding areas.
These maps are from the very interesting and informative Ballingarry Parish site and show the area that the Fannings came from. They show the relative proximity of Ballingarry to the Thurles area where the Fannings lived from the mid 1700s to the present day.
According to this site “Before Oliver Cromwell came to Ireland the land of Ballingarry belonged mainly to the Lismolin branch of the Butler family, three Fanning brothers, the Earl of Ormonde and a Marnell family of Lisnamrock. The only castle which was intact after the Cromwelliam campaign was at Farranrory.”
Slieveardagh Hills MapMap of north Tipperary showing proximity of Thurles to BallingarryMap of Tipperary 1906
Richard Fanyn (Janyn) was among the first of the family in Ireland. He was a witness to Geoffrey FitzRobert’s charter to Duiske in 1204 [Duiske charters, no. I.] As Richard Fannynge he witnessed the charter of William Marshal I to Kilkenny between 1207 and 1211 [Chart. Priv., p.34 ; Liber Primus Kilk., p.74]. He was killed fighting on the side of Richard, Earl Marshal, in 1234 [Cal. Doc. Ire., i. 2212]. Richard may have been the original enfeoffee at Clomantagh, barony of Crannagh, Co. Kilkenny, as suggested by the descent of the 1/2 knight’s fee there.
Richard Fanyn was succeeded by his son Thomas, who held half the fee of a knight at Glothementhau according to the 1247 feodary (see notes below). In the record he is given as Thomas, son of Richard Janyn (Fanyn). Glothementhau is likely the equivalent of Clomantagh, for in 1300 John Fanyn was lord of Clomantagh. In that year, after an inquest held at Kilkenny, which found that John held the manor of Clomantagh of the Earl of Gloucester, in chief, and had then nothing in the manor except one messuage worth yearly 16d., license was given to him to grant to the parson of Clomantagh and his successors in perpetual alms a messuage in Clomantagh, next the church, late of Master Henry Fanyn [Cal. Just. Rolls, i. 336].
In the 1317 feodary Thomas de Fanyn (Fannyn) had succeeded to the half knight’s fee at Cloghmantagh. He was still there in 1343 when his lands in this neighborhood are mentioned [Ormond Deeds, i. 764], but was dead by 1348 [Ormond Deeds, i. 808-10].
Clomantagh is noted in later times to be held by the Butlers.
Notes on the feodaries
The 1247 feodary (The de Valence Purparty) was taken from “Chancery Miscellanea“, P.R.O., London (File 88/4, no. 70), collated with a list in the Calendar Patent Rolls.
The 1317 feodary (share of Hugh le Despenser and Alianora his wife) was taken from “Chancery Miscellanea“, P.R.O., London (File 9/24). Variants of this records (possibly of a later date) are from the British Museum, Additional Manuscripts MS. 4791.
Primary sources:: Knights’ Fees in Counties Wexford, Carlow and Kilkenny, Irish Manuscripts Commission, with commentary by Eric St. John Brooks, Dublin Stationery Office, 1950. Calendar of Ormond Deeds, Volume I, Edmund Curtis, ed., Dublin, 1932.
Extracts from the Calendar of Ormond Deeds, Vol. I -VI, Edmund Curtis, 1932-43.
Circa 1244 – Ralph son of Geoffrey quit-claims to Richard son of William a villate in Balygillduf and Killacheth. Witnesses: Philip de Intebergh, sheriff of Munster, John Fanyn, Henry de Capella, Geoffrey del Esse, John son of Richard, Adam de Sancto Johanne, Henry Pincera (Butler), Richard de Empdene, Robert de Beauveira, Andrew de Maydewell, Hugh del Anglurne, David Druy, William Gasam, William Ward, Thomas de Bristoll, clerk, Adam the clerk. [Vol I, p.44]
Circa 1250 – John son of Vincent de Everus, notwithstanding that he was not in seisin, grants a third part of five carucates in Douenachmor (Donoughmore) which belonged to the Lady Alice de Hereford, grantor’s mother, in dower, to Roger de Penbroc, in fee and in free socage. Witnesses: Sir Hugh Purcell, Sir William de Dene, Sir David de Kantteton, Sir David son of Godfrey, Sir John Fanyn, Sir Geoffrey de la Foreste, Sir Richard son of Ivo, Robert de Braham, Sheriff of Kilkenny, Robert de Petraponte, Robert Scorthals, Laurence de London, John Albus, Simon Albus, Robert de Bremel. [Vol. I, p.47]
May 20, 1261 – Clarice Griffyn, formerly wife of John Lagheles, in her lawful viduity, quit-claims to Milo le Bret and his heirs the manors of Knoktofre (Knocktopher), Karrek (Carrick), and Strother. Witnesses: Sirs Simon de Lasscy, Thomas son of Lionis, Thomas Fanyn, Walter de Hereford, Amaury de Lasscy, Walter son of Alured, Robert de Clahull, Geoffrey de Forestal, John de Clifford, Roger de Penbroc, Nicholas Albrici, Hugh de Belinges. [Vol I, p.62]
Between 1261-1266 – Sir William Fanyn was among the (prominent) witnesses where Ralph, Prior of St. Edmund of Athasell and the convent there, quit-claims to Theobald, Butler of Ireland, all houses with all building and closes which John de Hakeford, farmer of their church held in said vill, near the water. [Vol I, p.59]
November, 1284 – Bond of Ralph son of Adam de Caston, Nesta formerly wife of Geoffrey de Norton, Richard son of Meyler, Robert de Preston, William Devenys and Maurice son of Richard Seweyn to their lord, Theobald le Botiller, that John son and heir of said Geoffrey de Norton would grant to said Theobald all security which he should have in seventeen acres in the tenement of Baligaveran (Gowran) which formerly belonged to Symon Dyme; two acres in le Berton, and an acre of meadow in le Hamme; and the whole meadow that Sir Theobald have to the said Geoffrey at le Norhe Korrach (? north Korrack) and in four acres formerly belonging to Walter Fanyn; and five acres that said Walter formerly bought to Walter Fox lying near the gate called Quenaldtsbarre, … [Vol I, p.108]
August 23, 1305 – Know ye all present and to come that I, Eustace le Poer, knight, have given and granted to William ffanyng the manor of Moyobyra, with all its appurtenances, namely the castle, messuages, lands, meadows, etc., turbaries, homeages, services, suits of court and all else, named and to be named belonging to the said manor. To have and to hold to the said William and his heirs in heredity forever; paying yearly therefor to me and my heirs for the first twenty four years from the making of this charter fifty marks of silver, and after this term, is completed the said William and his heirs shall be forever free of the above said rent for the said manor, saving however to me and my heirs all other services of the said manor, viz. ten shillings of royal service when proclaimed, all law suits of the tenants of the said manor at my court of Carth (? Carch), and all wardships, marriages, and reliefs of the heirs male of the said William when they happen. Given at Kilkenny. Witnesses: John fitz Thomas, Peter son of James de Bermyngham, Walter Lenfaunt, Geoffrey de Poher, knights, Edmund le Gras, Hugh de Antone (? Dandon or Dundon) and Robert de Lond’ (? Londres). [Vol I, p.156]
July, 1332 – Simon de Rupe grants to John fitz Simon of Balyeth one mark’s worth of yearly rent in Balyeth in the tenement of Fedmer. Witnesses: Walter . . . John Fanyn, Patrick Fanyn, Walter Dullard and Gilbert Appilgard. [Vol I, p.274]
September 14, 1343 – John, son of William Uske, grants to Milo Cornewaleys, chaplain, two carucates of land in Cradokeston, together with common pasture belonging to the same for all farm beasts of said Milo grazing there; which carucates lie between the land of Thomas Fanyn and the land formerly Thomas Aunteyn’s in length and breadth from the land of Edmund Gras and that of Thomas Pembrok. Given at Cradokeston. Witnesses: William le Gras, John le Gras, Edmund le Gras, Thomas Pembrok, Martin Byketon, and others. [Vol I, p.324]
November 1348 – Deed of entail made by Milo Cornewalshe, chaplain. He grants to Patrick son of Fulc de la Fregne, knight, and Johanna his wife one messuage and two carucates of land in Rathcradok in the tenement of Kildreynagh, which formerly belonged to Ralph de Uske, lying between the land formerly Thomas Fanyn’s and the land formerly Thomas de Druhull’s… Given at Rathcradok. Witnesses: Robert Shorthals, John de Blaunchevill, knights, Thomas Purcel, Gilbert Shorthals and Thomas Pembrok. [Vol I, p.342]
January 22, 1410 – Henry Fanyn of Moytobry appeared before the county court of the liberty of Tipperary, at Crumpiscastell, before Robert Poer, sheriff of the same liberty. [Vol. II, p.289]
August 2, 1430 – John Fanyn gives and grants to Thomas son of Nicholas de sancto Johanne and his heirs all messuages, lands, tenements, etc., and services of free tenants together with a third part of a water-mill which are situated in Haltonwrstoun and Balispedegh. To have and to hold to him and his heirs for ever. [Vol. III, p. 74]
August 4, 1489 – Notarial deed declaring that “in the year of our Lord 1489 by the computation of the churches of England and Ireland, in the seventh indiction of the 5th year of the pontificate of Innocent VIII, in the parish church of St. Mary of Callan in the diocese of Ossory on the fourth day of August, in the presence of me, public notary, … Thomas Fannyng, lord of Mohobbir, chief of his nation, exhibited certain letters patent of the most reverend lord and father in Christ John, archbishop of Cashel, of happy memory, signed with the seal and subscription of William Broun, notary, scribe of the court of the same archbishop, containing the process in a cause of matrimony and legitimacy between the said Thomas, plaintiff, and William Fannyng, defendant, and the sentence pronounced by the same archbishop in the said case. These he handed to be read to the aforesaid notary…
We have seen, computed, and understood the rights of a case of birth and legitimacy between Thomas Fannyng the plaintiff and William Fannyng the defendant tried before us in our diocese of Cashel, each of whom claimed to be the legitimate son of Nicholas Fannyng, once captain of his nation, which still remains open and undecided…. therefore we…, by this our final sentence delivered by the advice of men learned of law, do declare that the said William has failed to prove his case and that the said Thomas is the legitimate son of the said Nicholas Fannyng and born in wedlock publicly contracted before the church.” [Vol III, p.267]
1550’s – At inquisitions taken at Clonmel are included the names Geoffrey Fanyng, gent.; Nihols, Richard and John Fanyng fitz Geoffrey of Ballyngarry; William Fanyng, gent.; Wilfred Faning of Ballyngarin; Oliver Fanyng, juror; William Fannyng fitz Oliver of Garynegrye, kern; James Fannyng of Garransillaghe, kern; Shane Enellan Fannyng and Maurice Fannyng, late of Cahir, kerns; Richard Fanyng, of the Carrick; Richard Reagh Fannyng of Balyngary. [Vol V. various]
April 22, 1565 – Oliver Faning and James Faning of Garrynegrye, county Tipperary, grant to Sir Thomas Butler, Earl of Ormond, the castle of Moylessan with all the messuages, lands, etc., in the town and field of the same. In February, 1570, this grant (deed) was declared void because the land mentioned was in mortgage for 19l. 6s. 8d…. which money was tendered and paid by an order taken at the sessions kept at Cahsel, Feb. 27, 1570. [Vol V, p.152]
December 20, 1579 – Edmund Fanning of Farrinrory, Co. Tipperary, gentleman, son and heir of William Fanning late of the same, grants to Thomas, Earl of Ormond, half of the towns of Ballymaclaghne and Ballytarsne in county Kilkenny or Carlow, with all the messuages, lands, etc., belonging to the same, to hold to him, his heirs and assigns for ever. [Vol V, p. 303]
January 27, 1584/5 – Bond, by Richard Butler of Powleston, Co. Kilkenny, gent., and Morerteghe O’Riane of Ballyclaghine in the same, gent., to the effect that they owe 300l. to Thomas, Earl of Ormond, on condition that William Fanyng, son and heir of James Fanyng, late of Balyclaghin, his heirs and assigns, and all other persons seised or to be seised to his and their use of the moiety of the towns and lands of Ballymclaghin and Ballytarsny, Co. Kilkenny, whereof William Fanyng, father of said James, was in his life-time seised, shall abide by the award of Gerald Blanchvild of Blanchvilston, Robert Forstall of Kilfiragh, etc., concerning the right, title, and interest of the moiety of said towns, now in controversy between said William Fanyng and the Earl of Ormond.
In March of the same year, an award was made to William Faninge fitz James of Ballymclaghne, where “the Earl shall make an estate in tail of the premises (above) to said William with remainder to Oliver Faninge, William’s uncle, with remainder to said Earl. [Vol VI, p.15]
December 13, 1592 – In a commission from the noblemen, gentlemen and freeholders of the county palatine or liberty of Tipperary appears the following names: William Fanning of Ballygary, and Edmund Fanning of Faren Rory. [Vol VI, p.52]
Unfortunately the Ballingarry site I got this article from does not seem to exist anymore. The site name must have been bought by someone else. The link below goes to a FB page (last post 2017)which has none of the original wonderful historical articles about Ballingarry.
“The lands of the present Catholic parish of Ballingarry comprising the civil parishes of Ballingarry, Mowney and parts of the civil parishes of Lismalin and Crohane, were owned by twelve people c. 1650. Of these twelve, five were Butlers, either closely or distantly related members of the most important family in the region. The Butlers owned well over half the land of the parish.
The largest landowner in the parish in the mid seventeenth century was the non-resident Earl of Ormonde who held a total of 4,600 acres which was but a small portion of his total landholding. The Earl and Countess of Ormonde directly controlled over 85,000 statute acres in County Tipperary alone.
The Earl’s holdings in Ballingarry were as follows with the acreage given in brackets, Ballintaggart (1,600), Mohober (1400), Rosnharley (Harleypark-200), Gortnassy (100), and Boulintlea (Boulea-900). Pierce Butler, Lord Viscount Ikerrin resided at Lismalin where his solid castle can still be see (as can his castle at Clonmichlon in Gortnahoe parish). He held the townlands of Lismalin(664), Gragagh(700), Ballygalvan(400), Shangarry(360), The Islands and Gragaugh(598), Garrynagree(410), Garrynoe(500), Knockankitt(200), Shangarry(400), making a total of 4,232 acres. Again this was only a portion of his 26,700 statute acres in County Tipperary. Thomas Butler of Kilconnel held Crohane(1600) and Ballincurry(180) totalling 1,780 acres. Pierce Butler of Callan held 800 acres at Williamstown and William Butler of Ballykerrin held 300 acres there. People bearing the Butler name thus controlled 11,712 acres in the Ballingarry area.
In comparision to the Butlers, the Fanning Family, who were also of Anglo-Norman origin, were of minor importance though they were well established in Ballingarry holding 4,454 acres. Nicholas Fanning held 1600 acres at Ballingarry. Jeffry of Glengall held 474 acres consisting of Glengall(1184) Grawn(100), Ballaghboy(150) and Gortnassy(40). William Fanning of Farrinrory held 1,980 acres: Farranrory(1,000), Cappagh(680), and Kilmackenoge(300). Edmond Fanning of Gortfree held 400 acres therein.
Between 1650 and 1850 landownership in the parish completely changed. The Anglo-Norman families of Butler and Fanning (invariably described as ‘Irish Papists’) who had supported the native Irish in rebellion against the New English in the 1640s were dispossessed during the Cromwellian (if not the Williamite confiscation’s). Fanning of Ballingarry was executed. Viscount Ikerrin (with all his tenants and retainers) was transplanted.
In Slieveardagh officers in Cromwell’s army (in particular) and adventurers who had financed the war were offered the forfeited lands of those who had been in rebellion on the losing side. Many of the adventurers sold on and of course during a period of two centuries lands would have changed hands many times through the normal processes of sales, wills, legacies, etc. The denomination of townland acreage’s also changed substantially.The three biggest landowners in Ballingarry in 1850 were of New English origin and held over 2,000 acres each. “
Ballingarry Castle was recorded as being in the possession of Nicholas Faninge of Ballingarry in 1641. Faninge was part of a powerful land holding family in the parish of Ballingarry from the medieval period to the seventeenth century.
The castle was probably a tower house and residence of the Fanning’s.
Ballingarry medieval church functioned as the parish church. The church appears to have been in ruins at the end of the fifteenth century but was reconstructed, possibly by the Fanning family whose Ballingarry tower house was nearby.
Ballingarry settlement was associated with the Fanning Family in the later medieval period. In 1512 Geoffry Fannyng was described as the Lord of Ballingarry (Curtis, E. 1932-1943 Calendar of Ormond Deeds, Vol. IV, 71). Geoffry Fanning was probably the free holder called to the Liberty Court of Tipperary in 1508 as a juror (Curtis, E. 1932-1943 Calendar of Ormond Deeds, Vol. IV, 329).
The castle of Ballingarry was probably built by the Fannings. In 1654 Nicholas Faninge, an Irish Papist was recorded as the proprietor of Ballingarry and the settlement at the centre of the parish was described: “Upon the sayd lands stands a good castle with a tatcht house & some cabbins and a mill standing upon a little brooke neare the castle.” (Simington, R. C. 1931 The Civil Survey AD 1654-56 Co. Tipperary Vol. I. Stationary Office: Dublin).
The Fannings were one of a few families to retain their land after the Cromwellian confiscation’s. In the census of c. 1659 a Jeffry Fannying Esq. is returned as the principle land owner of Ballingarry townland (Pender, S. 1939 Census of Ireland c. 1659. Dublin. 295). In 1667 Jeffry Fanning paid taxes for three hearths, including an oven and a kiln (Laffan, T. 1911 Tipperary Families, Being the Hearth Money Records for 1665-7. Dublin.135).
The area occupied by Ballingarry settlement was small. The historical record and the remains on the ground show that the settlement was dominated by the Fanning tower house and other buildings owned by them.
The Fannings were associated with Ballingarry from the early sixteenth century, possibly when they built their tower house. The choice of site was influenced by the presence of the parish church. The settlement described in the Civil Survey appears to be a wealthy farmstead with services and functions for a grazier estate.
Any nucleation at the centre of the parish was sponsored by the Fanning family, either for their own use, the functions of the estate or as houses for the workmen of the estate.
The Catholic people of the Parish built a new Church at “Kilbaheen”, situated 250 yards east of the present church, in 1731, on land reserved by Mr. Fanning when he sold his property to Mr. Jacob (Visitation Book, pp133-134).
Unfortunately the Ballingarry site I got this article from does not seem to exist anymore. The site name must have been bought by someone else. The link below goes to a FB page which has none of the original wonderful articles about Ballingarry.
An inquisition was held at Clonmel Co Tipperary Ireland in 1555 into the involvement of John and Geoffrey Fanyng in the burning of the house of William Fanyng of Farenrory.
The jurors say that Nicholas Richard and John Fanyng Fitz Geoffery of Ballyngarry, Teige Beare O’Howlaghan and Dermot O’Treassy alias O’Twee of the same, kearns*, advised procured and abetted by Geoffrey Fanyng gent, willfully burned a house at Ferenrory conntaining 40 cows with 60l. of William Fanyng gent and also a girl called Sawe Iny Canlyen who was in the house. Ormond Deeds V 25th April 1555, Inquisition taken at Clonmel.
* A kearn or kern was a light armed foot soldier of the ancient militia of Ireland and Scotland.
