SIR NICHOLAS MALBY

The following account of Sir Nicholas Malby is taken from the Dictionary of National Biography, Vo. XXXV., p. 395:

Malby, Sir Nicholas (1530?-1584) president of Connaught, descended from an old Yorkshire family of that name, was b. probably about 1530.  In 1556 his name appears in a list of persons willing to take part in the plantation of Leix, in Ireland.  (State Papers, Ireland, Mary I., 21)  On 6 August, 1562, he was found guilty of coining, and with three of his associates, was condemned to death (Machyn, Diary, p. 290).  He was, however, reprieved on consenting to serve under Ambrose Dudley, Earl of Warwick, in France (State Papers, Dom. Eliz. XXIV., 41).  His letters show him to have been a man of education and intelligence, and in April, 1563, he is described as Warwick’s secretary (Cal. State Papers, Fr. VIII., 294).  He served with credit during the war, and in 1565 was sent to Spain, where he was commended for his judicious conduct by Phayre, the English minister at Madred (Ibid IX., 520).  On his returen to England he was sent to Ireland, and was shortly after appointed sergeant-major of the army by Sir Henry Sidney (Cal. Fiants Eliz. No. 1191).

After the death of Shane O’Neill in 1567, he was stationed at Carrick-fergus in order to assist Captain Piers in keeping the Scots of the Glynns in check (Ibid No. 1196).  He was reproved by the lord justices for distraining Sir Brian MacPhelim O’Niell’s and other Irishmen’s castles for cess, but his conduct was justified by Sir Henry Sidney (State Papers, Ireland, Eliz. XXII., 28.37).

His position was a difficult one, and he complained that he had to feed his men at the cost of his carcass (Ibid XXIII., 37-39), but he displayed considerable tact in his management of Sorley Boy MacDonnel (q. v.), and Sidney, on visiting the north in October, 1568, found the charge committed to him in very good state (Ibid XXVI. 12).

In July, 1569, he was sent to the assistance of Sir Peter Carew (q v.) against the Butlers (Hooker’s “Life of Sir P. Carew, ed. Maclean,” p. 92) and in a skirmish near Carlow, he was severely burt by a fall from his horse.  He was warmly commended for his bravery and military skill by Sir W. Fitzwilliam and Sir Edward Fitton, and on 22 March, 1571, he obtained a grant of the office of collector of customs of Strangford, Ardglass and Dundrum (Cal. Fiants., Eliz. No. 1772).

In the spring of 1571 he visited England.  He strongly advocated colonizing the north of Ireland with Englishmen as the best means of preventing the growth of a Scottish power in those parts (State Papers, Ireland, Eliz. XXIII., 37).  And on 5 Oct., 1571, he obtained a grant of MacCartan’s county, corresponding to the modern barony of Kinelarty, in County Down, on condition that he planted it with civil and loyal subjects before 28 March, 1579.  On his way back to Ireland in February, 1572, he captured a Spanish ship in the Channel (Ibid XXXV., 22, 23).  On 10 April, he received a commission to execute martial law in MacCartan’s county, but the indiscretion of Thomas Smith in publishing his scheme for the plantation of the Ardes Upper Clandeboye, by putting the Irish on their guard, placed insuperable obstacles in the way of realizing his plan.  He succeeded in reducing Sir Brian O’Neill to temporary submission in October, 1572, and in the following month captured that chieftain’s youngest daughter, but, notwithstanding his utmost exertions in conjunction with Smith, and at a later period with Walter Devereaux, Earl of Essex (q. v.) he failed to establish himself permanently in the country assigned to him (Ibid XXXVI
II, 26, 38; XXXIX., 45; XLII., 58; XLVIII., 57).

His efforts were, however, warmly appreciated by
Essex, and though, as W
aterhouse said, a man of few word and an ill courtier, but of great reputation among soldiers (Ibid XLIX., I) he was chosen by him to report to the privy council on the situation of affairs in the north in December, 1574 (Ibid XLVIII., 66).

He returned to Ireland on 5 May, 1575, with special instructions for the Earl of Essex, and with an order for his own admission to the privy council (Cal. Carew M. S. S. II., 4-7).  He had made a good impression on Leicester and Walsingham, who recommended him to the queen for the government of Connaught, but several months elapsed before this recommendation took effect (Collins, Sidney Papers, I., 70).  During the summer of that year he took part in Essex’s expedition against Sorley Boy, and may possibly have assisted at the massacre of the MacDonnells on the island of Rathlin (Devereaux, Lives of the Earls of Essex, I., p. 108-17).

He accompanied Sir Henry Sidney into Connaught in Sept, 1576, and having been knighted by him on 7 Oct. (cf Cal. Carew M. S. S. II., 149, where 1578 is evidently a mistake for 1576.)

[Note by the Secretary—Shaw’s Book of Knights, p. 77, has the following: “Sir Nicholas Malby, chief of the Commissioners of Connaught – Knighted at Athlone (Ireland 7 Oct. 1576.”]  He was appointed colonel or military governor of that province (Collins, Sidney Payers, I., 129).  As soon as he had established himself firml in his government, Malby proceeded against John and Ulick Burke, sons of the Earl of Clanricarde.  It was in the dead of winter, but for twenty-one days, he harried their countries with fire and sword, sparing neither young nor old (State Payers, Ireland, Eliz. LVII., 40).  The vigor he displayed, and the success that attended his efforts, drew from Sidney, who was at first doubtful of his qualifications for the post, unstinted praise (Collins, Sidney Papers, I., 151, 166).

His strict observance of military discipline and his impartial administration of justice gained for him the respect of the soldiers and natives alike (Bagnell, Ireland under the Tudors, II., 339).

On 19 May, 1577, he was placed on the commission for ecclesiastical causes (Cal. Fiants, Eliz. No. 3047).  In October, after arranging a feud between O’Conor Don and MacDonough, he, at O’Conor Sligo’s request, attacked the castle of Bundrowes and having captured it from O’Donnell, restored it to O’Conor Sligo.  Bt not having much confidence in the loyalty of the latter, he appointed Richard MacSwnie sheriff of the county of Sligo.  He had hardly turned his  back when O’Donnell invaded the county, slew the sheriff and besieged Bundrowes, compelling him to retrace his steps.  He drove O’Donnell out of the county, but was unable to overtake him.  (Annals of Loch Ce, LL., 415-19.)  At Sligo, on his way back to Roscommon, he came to terms with Brian O’Rourke, but the arrangement did not last long, owing to O’Rourke’s refusal to expel certain coiners he maintained.  In April, 1578, Malby invaded his country, captured his chief castle, and put the entire garrison to the sword (Collins, Sidney Papers, I., 249).  In connection with this episode, and considering his own antecedents, it is curious to find Malby about this time interceding with Walsingham for his friend Thamas Bavand of Liverpool, suspected of coining (State Papers, Ireland, Eliz. LIX., 48).

In the autumn of 1578 he repaired to England, returning to Ireland in May, 1579, with the higher title of president of Connaught (Cal. Carew M. S. S., II., 154).  After the failure of Essex’s colonization project, his grant of MacCartan’s country had been, by Sidney’s advice, revoked )Collins, Sidney Papers, I., 76) but in consideration of his recent services, and the losses he had formerly sustained, he on 12 April, 1579, received a grant of the manor and lordship of Roscommon, together with an annual rent of £200 out of the composition paid by the O’Farrells, and certain lands in Longford (Morrin, Cal. Pat. Rolls, II., 17).  During his absence in England his officers and soldiers behaved badly, but Connaught remained tranquil (State Papers, Ireland, Eliz. LXVI., 67, 68).  So firmly established, indeed, was the peace of the province, that on the outbreatk of James Fitzmaurice’s rebellion in July, Malby, with six hundred well-furnished troops, marched to Limerick to co-operate with the lord justice, Sir William Drwry (q. v.).  Owing to Drwry’s illness the task of suppressing the rebellion devolved mainly upon him.  He displayed commendable zeal in prosecuting the rebels and on 3 October he defeated Sir John and Sir James of Desmond at Monasteranenagh in county Limerick (Ibid LXIX., 17-52, LXVIII., 45).  He strongly suspected the Earl of Desmond of disloyalty, and after several uneffectual efforts (Ibid LXIX., 52; I., IX.) to secure his co-operation, treated him as a rebel, while Desmond, without much reason, complained that Malby’s severity was a chief cause of his rebellion (Ibid LXIX., 70; LXXVII., 52).

On the arrival of the Earl of Ormonde in November with a commission to command the army in Munster, Malby returned to his charge in Connaught.  He belonged to the Leicester faction, and for this and other more personal reasons bore no good-will to Ormonde, whom he subsequently charged with misrepresenting his services in Munster, and with abetting disorder in Connaught.  With the exception of Richard Burke, called Richard of the Iron, or Iron Dick, none of the Connaught chiefs had shown any active sympathy with the Munster rebels.

In February, 1580, Malby invaded his country and drove him to seek safety among the islands in Clew Bay.  After suffering the most terrible privations, Richard of the Iron submitted to the garrison at Bunishoole (Ibid LXXII., 39).  During the siege of Carrigfoyle, Malby assisted the operations of the lord justice, Sir William Pelham (q. v.) with supplies from Connaught (Cal. Carew M. S. S., II., 238).  In August O’Rourke, animated by the expectation of foreign assistance, rebelled and dismantled the castle of Leitrim.  Malby immediately took the field against him, repaired and garrisoned the castle, and routed the rebels (Ibid II., 297).  Then hastening to Dublin to the assistance of the lord deputy, Arthur, Lord Grey of Wilton (q. v.) against Valtinglas and Fragh MacHugh O’Byrne (q. v.) he witnessed the disastrous defeat of the English forces at Glanmalure (State Paper, Ireland, Eliz. LXXV., 79, 82).  But the news that O’Rourke was again in arms compelled him, in spite of ill-health, to return at once to Connaught (Ibid LXXVI., 15; Cal. Carew M. S. S., II., 310).  To those who complained that he used the sword too sharply in his government, he replied that if the queen did not use it more sharply she would lose both sword and realm (Ibid II., 314). O’Rourke fled at his approach (State Papers, Ireland, Eliz. LXXVII., 54) but a new danger instantly presented itself in the rebellion of John and Ulick Blick Burke, who, at the instigation of the catholic bishop of Kilmacduagls, had proclaimed a religious war, and were making wild efforts to relieve the Spaniards at Limerick (Ibid LXXVIII., 41).

Even after the capture of Limerick the situation was sufficiently alarming to cause Grey to send reinforcements to Malby (Ibid LXXVIII., 59) but by the end of January, 1581, the later announced that he had been so far successful against the rebels that they dare not look abroad, but, like wild wolves, keep to the woods and mountains.  O’Rourke, as usual, took advantage of the situation, and invaded Roscommon, but Malby sent Captain Brabazon against him, and O’Rourke at once sued for peace (Cal Carew M. S. S., II., 320).  Toward the end of February a body of six hundred Scots invaded the province to co-operate with the Burkes, but Malby had timely notice of the arrival and before the latter could join them he attacked them, and after killing a number of them, drove them across the Moy.  At Strade Abbey, in the county Mayo, he decided a controversy between Richard of the Iron Burke and Richard MacOliver, allowing the title of MacWilliam to the former, and making the latter the sheriff of the county of Mayo.  (See Malby’s graphic description of his journey in State Papers, Ireland, Eliz. LXXXI., 421; and also in Colton M. S. S., Titus, B. XIII. Ff. 320-5.)

Important as were his services, it was grievous, Grey complained, to see good Sir Nicholas Malby so thanklessly used (State Papers Ireland, Eliz. LXXXII., 48).  He was anxious to lay his case before the Queen personally, and in May he agreed to a short peace with the Burkes (Ibid LXXXVIII., 10) but to the outbreak of hostilities b etween Turlough Linneach O’Neill and Sir Hugh O’Donnell in July, he was ordered to the assistance of the latter.  He marched as far as Lifford, and having destroyed the town, effected a junction with the lord deputy (Ibid LXXXV., 47; Annals of Loch Ce LL., 441).  Towards the close of November he went to England to report on the general situation of affairs in Ireland.  But, so far as he was personally concerned, his visit was not successful.  His enemies charged him with violent, tyrannical and corrupt conduct in his administration, and Elizabeth showed a disposition ot listen to the charge.  He returned to Ireland on 21 May, 1582, and was warmly welcomed by his brother officers.  During his absence Connaught, except for some slight disturbance, created by MacWilliam, had remained tranquil.  Early in July, however, Con O’Donnell, at the instigation of Turlough Linneach, invaded Sligo.  Malby complained that the order forbidding his to raise men by cessing them on the country rendered his powerless to meet this danger.  But O’Conor Sligo behaved well, and at Malby’s approach O’Donnell decamped in such haste that some of his men were drowned in crossing the Erne (State Papers, Ireland, Eliz. XCIV., 15-20-32).

After this nothing occurred during his lifetime to disturb the peace of his government.

The fear of Malby, wrote Bonraby Gooche to Burghley in March, 1583, keeps all in good order, his “common dalliance” is “veni, vidi, vici.”  (Ibid C., 14.)

But he was deeply wounded by Elizabeth’s neglect.  His disgrace and his debts, he declared, would kill him.  His constitution, naturally robust, had been undermined by rough service, and on 4 March, 1584, he died at Athlone.  (Ibid CIX., 6.)  “There came not to Erin in his own time, nor often before, a better gentleman of the Foreigners than he, and he placed all Connaught under bondage . . .  and executed many works, especially in the courts of the towns of Athlone and Roscommon.”  (Annals of Loch Ce, II., 459.)  “He was a man learned in the languages and tongues of the islands of the west of Europe, a brave and victorious man in battles.”  (Annals of the Four Masters, S. A. 1584.)  His official letters, remarkable for their vigorous and graphic style, fully confirm this reputation.

Malby married Thomasine, daughter of Robert Lamb of Leeds, whose wife was a Castell of the Castells of East Hatley in Cambridgeshire (State Papers, Ireland, Eliz. XCI., 59).  By her he had a son Henry, who succeeded him, and married Elizabeth, granddaughter of Sir Francis Jobson, lieutenant of the tower, and was killed apparently in November 1602, while serving in Connaught, and a daughter, Ursula, who was married to Anthony Brabazon (Irish Pedigrees, Harl, M. S. 1425, f. 157).  Lady Malby subsequently married one George Rawe.

Stevenson’s Cal. State Papers, For., Vols. VII.-IX.; Hamilton’s Cal. State Papers, Ireland, Vols. I.-II.; Cal. Carew M. S. S., Vols. I.-II.; Collins’ Sidney Papers; O’Donovan’s Annals of the Four Masters; Hennessy’s Annals of Loch Ce; Morrins’ Cal. Of Patent Rolls, Eliz.; Bagwell’s Ireland under the Tudors; W. G. WoodMartin’s Hist. of Sligo; C. O. O’Conor’s O’Conors of Connaught.)

                R.D.

 

Note. – The “Visitation of Essex” has the following item: “Persall Jobson married, first to Henry Malby of Ross in Ireland.”  Is this Captain Henry Malby, son of Sir Nicholas Malby, who is said to have married Elizabeth, granddaughter of Sir Francis Jobson?

 

A descendant writes that some years ago she read in a newspaper under the English correspondence that Dillion, the great Irish leader, was to speak at Great Maltby – suggesting that there were two towns of Maltby.  Possibly Great Maltby is in Ireland.  Northwest of Limerick the map of Ireland shows Mal Bay.  This may have been so named long before Sir Nicholas Malby was born, but it would be interesting to know certainly, as it seems not unlikely the bay was named for Sir Nicholas.

 

SIR NICHOLAS MALBY

 

 

The following account is taken from “Annals of the Four Masters,” A. D. 1584:

“Sir Nicholas Malby, governor of the province of Connaught, died in Athlone, about Shrovetide; he was a man learned in languages and the tongues of the islands of Western Europe, a valiant and battle-triumphant man, throughout Ireland, Scotland and France, in the service of his Sovereign and that was a profitable service for him, for he received a suitable payment from the Queen, the Governorship of the Province of Connaught for seven years before his death, with Roscommon and Beal-atha-na-Sleiaigheadh (Ballinasloe in Galway) in perpetuity to himself and his heirs in succession; but, however, it was from the sons of the Earl of Clarvickard he first procured Ballinasloe.”

 

SIR NICHOLAS MALBY

 

 

Note. – A thire account of Sir Nicholas Malby and Malbys connected with Ireland, follows.  It is compiled from miscellaneous notes gathered by the author.

 

SIR NICHOLAS MALBY

 

YORKSHIRE – IRELAND

 

Arms: Malby (Sir Nicholas, chief commissioned of Connaught, Knighted at Athlone, Ireland, by Sir Henry Sidney, lord deputy of Ireland, 7 October, 1576.)  Argent, on a bend between two cotises gules three garbs or. (Burke’s General Armory.)  See under Maltby Heraldry.

 

It is quite evident from these arms that Sir Nicholas Malby believed himself to be descended from the Maltbys of Cleveland, Yorkshire.  The name of his father is not known.  Sir Nicholas wrote that, his father died when he was four years old.  The Dict. of Nat. Biog. States: “Malby was born probably about 1530.”  It has seemed not unlikely to the compiler that he is the Nicholas Malby mentioned in the will of John Maltby, 17 May, 1532.  (See under that date.)  In any case it is worth noting.

 

Of his early life we know nothing.  The first record found concerning Nicholas Malby is in 1562 (Domestic Papers, p. 206).  It reads:

 

1562.  “A list of prisoners in the Tower (of London), 5 Sept., 1562, including Lady Katharine Grey, Earl of Hertfordshire, etc.  Sept. 20. – The Queen to the Sheriffs of London.  Reprieve for Tho. Borough and Nicholas Malby who are to be delivered over to the Earl of Warwick for service abroad.”  (Cal. State Papers, Dom., edit. Lemon.)

 

1573.  N. Malbie has Leach in his family.

 

1576.  Knighted at Athlone, by Sir Henry Sidney, 7 Oct., 1576.*  (Vide p. 207, Metcalfe’s Book of Knights and p. 77, Shaw’s Book of Knights.)

 

1578.  July 7.  Sir Nicholas Malbie had Roscommon and Athlone.  (Vol. XCI., Irish State Papers.)

 

1575.  Sir Nicholas Malby is referred to as Mr. Maltbie by Lord Burghley in 1575.  (Vide p. 480, Carew M. S. S., edit. Brewer and Bullen.)

 

1579.  In 1579 Capt or Sir Nicholas Malby returned to Ireland with great presents from the Sovereign.  (From the Annals of the Four Masters.)*

 

* The records read:  “Sir Nicholas Malby, chief of the Commissioners of Connaught, Knighted at Athlone, 7 Oct., 1576.” (p. 77, Shaw’s Book of Knights).  And: “Sir Nicholas Malbey, Knighted 7 Oct., 1578 at Athlone.”

 

Note. – It well be seen that wo distinct dates are here given.  One by Shaw as 1576 and Metcalfe gives 1578.  Possibly an error was made in the transcribing.

 

1579.  Extracts from the Heralds’ Visitation of London or Middlesix, 1579 (3 July).  Sir Nicholas Maltby of Kilmallock.  Sir Nicholas Malby Kt., b. circ. 1530.  President of Connaught; descended from an old Yorkshire family mentioned in the Plantation of Leix (Ireland, 1556; d. at Athlone, Ireland, 4 March, 1584; and of Roscommon.  He m. Thomassine Lamb, dau. of Robert Lamb of Leeds and his w., Miss Castell of East Hatley, Co. Cambs.  His wid. m. George Rawe (or Rowe).  His son, Capt. Henry Malby m. Elizabeth, granddaughter of Sir Francis Jobson, Lieut. Of the Tower of London.  Ursula, dau. of Sir Nicholas, m. Anthony Brabazon.

 

1579.  Colonial Papers, East Indies, 1513-1616; 1579, March 20, p. 53-133:  Thomas Allen to Sec. Walsyngham.  Has received his letters for sale of the ordnance and Gabriel; the ordnance is sold but Mr. Lok’s appraisement of £150 for the Gabriel is too much.  Frobisher has bid £80 for her, “but I think ready money is out of the way with him.”  Sir Nicholas Malby may perhaps have her and pay the money.  Wishes “these men” were paid; is sore troubled with them.  Many things to be sold in Lok’s keeping.  What Lok can sell he does, but pays no man a penny.  All things should be sold out of hand, that Lok might bring in his “rear accounts” and be discharged.  One page Indorsed, 20 March, 1579, with abstract.  (Domestic Eliz. Vol. CXXX., No. 10.  Cal. P. 620.)

 

Note. – Sir Nicholas Malby was evidently in England at this time, as the Dict. Nat. Biog. states that, “in the autumn of 1578 he repaired to England, returning to Ireland in May, 1579, with the higher title of President of Connaught.”  The Gabriel is, very evidently, a ship; “these men” may have been sailors or soldiers.

 

1580.  Oct. 25.  Athlone, Ireland.  Sir Nicholas Malbie writes to Walsingham that his brother John may be sent over with charge of soldiers.

 

Note. – See Dist. Nat. Biog.  “Even after the capture of Limerick, the situation was sufficiently alarming to cause Grey to send reinforcements to Malby.”  Query.  Does this ”brother John” refer to a brother of Sir Nicholas or to a brother of Walsingham’s?  If, as it would appear, it refers to John, a brother of Sir Nicholas, this would be additional proof that they were sons of the John Maltby who made his will in May, 1532.  That Sir Nicholas had a brother we know.  See under date May, 1582.

 

1579.  Present of Connaught, 1579; Leix in Ireland.  (State Papers of Ireland, May, I., 21; Machyn Diary, p. 290; State Papers, Dom., Eliz.  XXIV, 41.  Lordship of Roscommon.  State Papers Ireland, Eliz. XXXI., 42 I.; Colton M. S. S., Titus B., XVII., ff. 320-5; Irish Ped. Har. M. S. 1425. f. 157.)

 

1582.  Aug.  Letters from Sir Nicholas Malby (p. 67, p. 278, Cal. State Papers, Dom.).

 

1582.  15 June.  Henry Malby of Ireland equities fil New Coll. Oxon. Matric.  15 June, 1582, ae. 13; one Nicholas Malby knighted, 1575.  (Foster’s Alumni Oxomensis.)

 

Note. – This is Sir Nicholas’ son, Henry, and evidently b. in 1569.

 

1582.  State Papers Ireland, June 21, 1582: Stephen White to Sir Nicholas Malby, “sorrow for” his brother Edward’s naughty dealing.

 

Query:  Does this refer to a brother of Sir Nicholas, or to his own brother?  Evidently the latter, as he would hardly write expressing sorrow for the misdeeds of Sir Nicholas’ brother.

 

1582.  July 12.  Sir Hugh O’Connell’s joy at Sir Nicholas Malby’s safe arrival.

 

1581.  April 6, Dublin. Sir Nicholas Malbie writes his eldest daughter had married Mr. Anthony, son of Sir W. Brabazon.  His son lately in hard case.

 

1582.  Vol. XCI., Irish State Papers, anno 1582, April 30, has a paper giving names of certain persons to be examined touching Sir Nicholas Malbie.  On this paper is a pedigree of Sir Nicholas Malby by Durgley, showing connection by marriage with Robert Lamb of Leeds and Robert Castell of East Hatley, near Potton in Cambridgeshire.

 

Note. – A copy of this pedigree was made at the British Museum by a brined, and as the ancient handwriting is practically undecipherable by all but an expert, a translation was added; this may not be entirely correct, but is given here as it was transcribed.

Irish State Papers, 1582, April 30th.  No. 59.

1.  Barnett in -----m.

2.  Barnett in Clidford, m. (1) ----- and (2) (it looks like Endsey of Aylesford in Cat., Kent.)

3.  Doroth, Barnett fd. Ist Hons? M. Castell of Est. Hatley, near Co. Cantab. (Cambridge.)

4.  Tho. Castell, mortgaged Barnett to Brograve.  His sister, Frd Castell, m. Robert Lam of Leedes, York.

5.  Thomasine Lam m. Sir Nicholas Mallby and according to the pedigree chart, they had two children, Henry and Ursula, as we know.

 

1582.  7 May.  London.  Sir Nicholas Malbie writes Walsingham to have Mr. Wade give his brother writing left by Malbie’s father, who died when Malbie was four years old.

 

1583-4.  Sir Nicholas Malby died March 4, 1583-4.

 

Note. – Many of these Irish Notes were taken from Vol II., Irish State Papers, By 4, 068, in Yale University Library.

 

1584.  April 14.  Dablin. Lady Thomasine Malby writes Walsingham for payment of late husband’s reckonings and for favor for her son Henry.

 

1584.  The Will of Sir Nicholas Malby, Kt., Governor of Connaught and Thomand, was proved in Perog. Court of Ireland in 1584.

 

1585.  Feb. 8.  Roscommon Castle.  Sir R. Byngham asks for wardship of son of Sir Nicholas Malbie . . .  Malbie, Brabazon and Waterhouse draw articles against Sir R. Byngham.

 

1585.  April 2.  Ross. Perrot writes, “rent received for Lady Malbie in Co. of Longford.  Her son has run from school at Oxford and taken order with Mr. Coffner’s runaway man, Marrow.” 1585.  On July 15, 1585, Queen Elizabeth issued commissions to John Marburie, Robert Ffowler and John Brown, gentlemen.

 

Note. – Was this John, brother of Sir Nicholas?  See under date 1590.  This note is interesting as it contains the names of three well known emigrant families to New England, John Maltby of Milford and New Haven; Francis Brown, John being a family given name, and Robert Fowler of ------.  The Fowlers were of Milford, Conn.

 

1590.  Vol. III., Irish State Papers mentions, “Capt. John,” evidently brother of Sir Nicholas Malby.  May 3, 1590.

 

1596.  The Will of Dame Thomasin Malbie, wid. of Sir Nicholas Malby, Kt., was proved in Perog. Court, Ireland, in 1596.

 

1596.  Dec.  Captain Henry Malby, p. 321.

 

1599.  Warrant to pay £200 to Captain Henry Malby for service and losses sustained in wars in Ireland, pp. 219-224.

 

1603.  Feb.  “Tyrone Tyrrell and most of the rebels are retired to the north.  They have slain Capt. Malby and most of his company.” p. 289.

 

Query: Is this Capt. John, brother of Sir Nicholas, or is it his son, Capt. Henry?  Probably his son, as in 1603, a brother of Sir Nicholas would have been very old.  This item is from Cal Stte Papers.

 

1618.  Dec.  Council of Ireland ordered Sir Oliver Lambert to pay to John and Sarah Paulet £30 per annum while he held the wardship of Geo. Malby as interest on £300 due by the late HenryMalby to John Paulet (p. 599.  See under date 1640.)

 

1620.  Widow of Captain Malby m. Sir Ralph Sedley and claims wardship of Geo. Malby (p. 125 Cal. State Papers).

 

1625.  George Malby knighted in Ireland by Visct. Falkland, 9 June, 1625 (p. 188, Shawe’s Book of Knights).

 

Note. – Mr. Harte writes me that this is recognized as an authentic publication.

 

New settlers in Linconell in Pynnar’s Surrey, 1619 A. D., mentions Sir George Marburie.

 

The following item is obviously under a wrong date.  It is from Mr. Gen. et Herald.  Vol. II., 1867-8, p. 174, and reads: “Thomas Onsesby, living in 1569, m. a dau. of Henry Malby, son of Sir Nicholas.  They had a son Malby Orsby and a great-grandson Malby Orsby.

 

1638.  Abstract of the Will of Sir George Maltbie, Kt., dated 6 Dec. 1638.  I confirm the agreement with James Frese concerning the redemption of my estate out of the hands of Lord Ranelage.  Burial at S. Dunstan’s in the west and £100 to be spent.  My debts in the Fleet to be paid.  Nephew and niece Paulett, £100.  Nurse Catherine Dudley, £8.  Residue to my wife.  Walter Alleyne, James Palfreyman, Witnesses.

 

Note. – See date 1666.  Administration of goods of William Maltby of S. Dunstans in West London, to Elizabeth, the relict.  Is this a connection with Sir George?

 

1639.  29 June.  Administration out of P. C. C. to Ane, the relict of Sir George Maltbie, of S. Brides, Fleet Street for that no exor. was nominated.  101 Harvey.

 

1640.  11 May. Petition of John Poulett and Sareh, his wife, sister and heiress to Sir George Maltby, Kt., dec. to the King.  Queen Elizabeth gave to Sir Nicholas Maltby, petitioner’s grandfather, in lieu of his services in reducing Connaught, the Manor of Roscommon in the said province.  It descended to his son, Captain Henry Maltby, petitioner’s father, who was slain in the service of the Crown in 1602; and then to her brother, Sir George Maltby, who mortgaged it to Viscount Ranelagh, with right of redemption; but when Sir George had secured means to redeem it, Lord Ranelagh refused to reconvey the lands; the said Sir George coming to England to sue for relief was unjustly imprisoned by one Luke Nightengale and died in great misery in the Fleet.  Lord Ranelagh still refused endeavors to obtain a grant for his Majesty to establish his possessions by which petitioners will not only be disinherited, but utterly ruinated.  They pray that the Lord Lientenant may call Lord Ranelagh before them.  Also that Lord Ranelagh grant may be stayed.  Reference to the Lord Lieutenant and order for stay of grant.  (Printed State Papers, p. 749.)

 

1649.  Samuel Maltby served in Army in Ireland since 1649, in Captain Richard Franklin’s Troop of Lord Deputy Fleetwood’s Regiment.  Since 1649 (to 1662 ?).  (p. 657, Cal. State Papers, Ireland, 1660-1662, edit. by Mahaffy.)

 

This note is of interest, being a Samuel Maltby contemporary with the emigrant William Maltby who named a son Samuel Maltby.  Also the connection in Ireland is warthy of note, as he may have been descended from John Malby, brother of Sir Nicholas.

 

1663-1665.  Cal State Papers, Ireland, edit, by Mahaffy, p. 352, says: “Queen Elizabeth by letters dated 2 June, 21st year of her reign [1579] granted to Sir Hicholas Malthby (Maltby) K., Manor of Lordship of Roscommon and the late dissolved Monasterie; also the Monastery of Longford.  In 13 Jas. I., the Roscommon property was granted to Edmond Middop.  The interest of Sir George Malthby and his heirs did not expire until 1639.”  Repudiated in 1665.  (Vide p. 600. Cal. State Paper, Ireland, 1663-65, edit. Mahaffy.)

 

It would be of great interest to know to just what this reference refers, as 1663-65 is the date at which we first find John Maltby, the emigrant, in New England, leaving a tradition of “confiscated lands, an ancestor (i.e., prob. Relative), a captain in wars for and against the crown,” the usual mixed up tradition; one being that, “the family were almost royal.”  It is very evident that the New England Maltbys were not descendants of Sir Nicholas, but it may be that they were distantly related.  Could it be that they believed themselves co-heirs to the above estate, even though not closely related.

 

The Peerage of Ireland by Lodge, Vol. 4, p. 234, says “and left Sir Nicholas Malby, Gov. of Connaught, possessed of the house of Roscommon and Athlone.”

 

O’Hart’s Irish Pedigree, Imolments of the Diocese of Innocents, gives “James Malby,” no date.

 

1818,  1 Sept. “Lady Morgan (an authoress) visted her relatives,  Sir Maltby and Lady Crofton at their country home in Sligo.” 

 

In connection with the above newspaper clipping, it may be well togive the following pedigree from Harleian Soc. Pub., 1903, p. 690.  Lincolnshire Visit.:

MORGAN OF GAINSBOROUGH

1 Morice Morgan m. Elizabeth, dau. of Wm. Forman of Gainsborough, yeom., sister of Sir Wm. Forman, the Lord Mayor of London, in 1538.

2 Richard Morgan m. Margaret, dau. of -------- Maltby.  Arms: Arg. on a fess engrailed gules, 3 garbs or. (See arms of Sir Nicholas Malby and Marbury of London.)

3 William Morgan.

 

There is a space of two hundred years between this marriage of Richard Morgan and Margaret Maltby, to Lady Morgan who visited Sir Maltby and Lady Crofton, yet it is of interest as the genealogist finds that of a truth history repeats itself, and where one family intermarries with another in the course of a few generation, another intermarriage occurs between descendants, who are distant cousins.

 

The following references are of interest in connection with these Irish notes: pp. 690-694.  Families in Ireland at the close of the 17th century, Irish Pedigrees by O’Hart, Vol. II., has this statement: “According to the M. S. Vols. F-3, 23; F-3, 27, and F-4, 18, in Trinity College, Dublin, the families in Ireland at the close of the 17th century.  The reader will find in each of these three volumes much information in relation to the genealogies of the Anglo-Irish families who settled in Ireland since the English invasion, which are not given in this work.”  Then follows the various families by name; that of Malby is given on page 694.

 

It would be of immense value could the manuscripts referred to be examined, as here might be found a clue to the immediate family of Sir Nicholas Malby.

 

In Bagwell’s Ireland, the Index gives: “MALTBY, Captain, afterwards Sir Nicholas,” and on page 129”:  “Piers and Maltby at Carrick-fergus pleaded that they had neither ships nor men to guard thirty miles of coast night and day”; also page 132.  On page 233 we find: “Maltby, a man of ability and discretion.”  Page 245 states: “great praise is due to Captain Piers and Captain Maltby for their ability and diligence.”  Again we find, p. 93: “Maltby refused £1,000 for the prisoner’s life, and a like sum for that of Tirlogh O’Brien, a noted rebel.”

 

Note. -- £2,000 was a considerable fortune in the time of Sir Nicholas Malby.

 

The Brabazon pedigree is here given as it shows the sort of families with whom the Sir Nicholas branch intermarried.  The pedigree is from O’Hart’s Irish Pedigrees, Vol. II., p. 66:

 

BRABAZON

 

Arms: Gu on a bend or. (another authority gives ar.) three mullets az. (or sable).

 

1 Anthony Brabazon m. Ursula, dau. of Sir Nicholas Malby of Roscommon, Kt., and had:

2 Maltby Brabazon, of Ballinasloe, Co. Roscommon, Esq., who d. 20th May, 1637, and was buried in Roscommon.  He m. Sarah, dau. of Thomas Burke, of Tulahery, Co. Galway, and had one son and three daughters, viz.:

3 Anthony Brabazon m. Ellice, dau. of John Dillon.  (He turned Papist, but was pardoned in 1652.)

 

Note. – Some years ago a newspaper contained an item to the effect that “Dillon, the great Irish leader was to speak at Greater Maltby.”

 

3 Ursula Brabazon m. Bernard Talbot of Raithdown, Co. Wicklow, gent.

3 Sarah Brabazon.

3 Dorothy Brabazon.

 

Note. – The record concerning Sir Nicholas Malby in 1562 has “qr/ pf :pmdpm.” After his name.  I am not sure whether this query was in the original record or if it was added by the friend who sent the copy of the record.  Appended are the few stray early notes of Maltbys in any way connected with Ireland.

 

1281.  John le Mareschel going beyond seas nominating Robert de Malteby and Hugh le Cressingham his attorneys in Ireland for two years (Cal. Pat. Rolls, p. 422).

 

1401.  Thomas Nalby, Mayor of Limerick, )Vide Ferrar’s Hist. of Limerick).