Villiers Stuart/Stuart (de Decies)

The introduction to the Public Record Office Northern Ireland list of the Villiers Stuart papers states that the the marriage connections which most influenced the history of the Villiers Stuart estate are: the marriage, in 1677, of Katherine Fitzgerald, owner of the Dromana estate, to the Honourable Edward Villiers, son and heir of the 4th Viscount Grandison; the marriage, in 1739, of Lady Elizabeth (Fitzgerald) Villiers, who succeeded to the estate in 1766, to Aland Mason of Waterford; and the marriage in 1802 of Lord Henry Stuart, 5th son of John, 1st Marquess of Bute, and Lady Gertrude Amelia Mason-Villiers, heir of George, 2nd Earl of Grandison. This last couple had three sons, Henry created Lord Stuart of Decies in 1839, William Villiers-Stuart of Castletown, county Kilkenny and Charles. In 1833 William Villiers Stuart married Catherine Cox, sister of Sir Richard Cox, 8th Baronet, and daughter of Michael Cox. At the time of Griffith's Valuation William V. Stewart held land in the parish of Macloneigh, barony of West Muskerry, county Cork. In 1851, Lord de Decies estate included lands in the parishes of Aglish, Ardmore, Clashmore, Kilmolash, Lisgenan or Grange and Ringagonagh, barony of Decies-within-Drum and Affane and Whitechurch, barony of Decies-without-Drum, county Waterford. In July 1853 a perpetual annuity and a charge on the estates of Michael Cox of Castletown, county Kilkenny, which were by then vested in William Villiers Stuart, were advertised for sale. The former Cox estate was comprised of 12,479 acres in the baronies of West Muskerry, Ibane, Barrymore and East Carbery, county Cork, and 1,826 acres in the baronies of Iffa and Offa East and Slievardagh, county Tipperary plus 6,877 acres in county Kilkenny. Lord Stuart de Decies of Dromana, county Waterford, owned over 7000 acres in county Waterford as well as 24 acres in county Cork in the 1870s, while the representatives of his brother William Villiers-Stuart owned 1,404 acres in Cork.

Associated Families

Houses

Name	Townland	Civil Parish	PLU	DED	Barony	County	Map Ref
Mistletoe Castle	Greencloyne	Youghal	Youghal	Youghal Urban 340	Imokilly	Cork	OSI Ref: X093 791 OS Sheet: 67 Discovery map: 81
Seafield	Seafield	Youghal	Youghal	Youghal Urban 340	Imokilly	Cork	OSI Ref: X096 767 OS Sheet: 67 Discovery map: 81
Drumroe House (Waterford)	Drumroe Lower	Lismore & Mocollop	Lismore	Drumroe 63	Coshmore & Coshbride	Waterford	OSI Ref: X093975 OS Sheet: 29 Discovery map: 81
Ballingowan House (South)	Ballingowan East	Aglish	Dungarvan	Dromana 22	Decies-within-Drum	Waterford	OSI Ref: X114922 OS Sheet: 29 Discovery map: 81
Bleach	Bleach	Aglish	Dungarvan	Dromana 33	Decies-within-Drum	Waterford	OSI Ref: X109921 OS Sheet: 29 Discovery map: 81
Villierstown House	Villierstown	Aglish	Dungarvan	Dromana 33	Decies-within-Drum	Waterford	OSI Ref: X100931 OS Sheet: 29 Discovery map: 81
Ardsallagh House	Ardsallagh	Clashmore	Youghal	Ballyheeny 99	Decies-within-Drum	Waterford	OSI Ref: X093814 OS Sheet: 37 Discovery map: 81
Laurentum	Ballyheeny	Clashmore	Youghal	Ballyheeny 99	Decies-within-Drum	Waterford	OSI Ref: X131831 OS Sheet: 37 Discovery map: 82
Bayview (Clashmore)	Shanacoole	Clashmore	Youghal	Ballyheeny 99	Decies-within-Drum	Waterford	OSI Ref: X118805 OS Sheet: 37 Discovery map: 81
Rockview (Clashmore)	Shanacoole	Clashmore	Youghal	Ballyheeny 99	Decies-within-Drum	Waterford	OSI Ref: X113805 OS Sheet: 37 Discovery map: 82
Glencorran	Ballyeelinan	Lisgenan or Grange	Youghal	Clenwilliam 96	Decies-within-Drum	Waterford	OSI Ref: X212804 OS Sheet: 38 Discovery map: 82
Cappagh (Decies-within-Drum)	Cappagh	Lisgenan or Grange	Youghal	Glenwilliam 96	Decies-within-Drum	Waterford	OSI Ref: X157778 OS Sheet: 40 Discovery map: 82
Clashanahy	Clashanahy	Lisgenan or Grange	Youghal	Grange	Decies-within-Drum	Waterford	OSI Ref: X155782 OS Sheet: 40 Discovery map: 82
Seaview (Decies)	Rathnameneenagh	Ringagonagh	Dungarvan	Ringville	Decies-within-Drum	Waterford	OSI Ref: X286858 OS Sheet: 38 Discovery map: 82
Dromana	Dromana	Affane	Dungarvan	Dromana 33	Decies without Drum	Waterford	OSI Ref: X092950 OS Sheet: 29 Discovery map: 82
Monyvroe	Monyvroe	Affane	Dungarvan	Dromana 33	Decies without Drum	Waterford	OSI Ref: X112963 OS Sheet: 29 Discovery map: 82
Ballyguiry	Ballyguiry West	Dungarvan	Dungarvan	Carriglea	Decies without Drum	Waterford	OSI Ref: X202913 OS Sheet: 30 Discovery map: 82
Curraghamoreen House	Curraghmoreen	Kilmolash	Dungarvan	Dromana 33	Decies without Drum	Waterford	OSI Ref: X127942 OS Sheet: 29 Discovery map: 82
Johnstown House (Decies)	Ballymulalla East	Whitechurch	Dungarvan	Keereen	Decies without Drum	Waterford	OSI Ref: X165926 OS Sheet: 30 Discovery map: 82
Clonkerdin House	Clonkerdin	Whitechurch	Dungarvan	Whitechurch 36	Decies without Drum	Waterford	OSI Ref: X156941 OS Sheet: 30 Discovery map: 82
Killea House	Killea	Killea	Waterford	Killea 91	Gaultiere	Waterford	OSI Ref: S680018 OS Sheet: 27 Discovery map: 76

Archival sources

Encumbered Estates’ Court Rentals (Burke), Lawder, Cox, 12 July 1853, Vol 35; National Library of Ireland
Villiers-Stuart Papers, comprised of c.9,500 documents and volumes, 1215-1945, relating to the estate, family and political affairs of the Fitzgerald, Villiers, Mason, Aland and Villiers-Stuart families of Dromana, Co. Waterford, Viscounts and Earls Grandison and Barons Stuart de Decies. 1215-1945. T3131 & MIC464; Public Record Office, Northern Ireland
Estate, family & political papers of the Fitzgerald, Villiers, Mason, Aland & Villiers-Stuart families of Dromana, Co. Waterford, Viscounts & Earls Grandison & Barons Stuart de Decies, [1215-1950]. GB MIC464, T3131, IE BL/EP/VS http://booleweb.ucc.ie/index.php?pageID=448 ; University College Cork, Boole Library Archives
Villiers-Stuart Papers include FitzGerald and Grandison estate and financial papers: Miscellaneous estate and business letters to the 1st Earl Grandison, relating to the settlement of all his estates on the daughter of the late Viscount Villiers, the affairs of his property in and near Youghal, and his sale of the manor of Templemichael to Alderman Richard Dawson, 1740-1741, 1751. Ms. 24,602 ; National Library of Ireland
Lismore Castle Papers, Collection List 129; National Library of Ireland
Map of part of the estate of Henry Villiers Stuart in the County of Waterford by Samuel Chaloner, Clonmel. Folio sheet, coloured, 1826. Manuscript map: 16 J. 6 (5) ; National Library of Ireland
Maps and surveys of Slievegrine and of other parts of the Co. Waterford estate of the Villiers - Stuart family, 1828-1829, 1888, 1890 including a small booklet (1888) containing survey tracings of the estate of Major Chearnley at Kilcoony, Co. Waterford, etc. Villiers-Stuart Papers, Ms. 24,676 ; National Library of Ireland
Letters and papers of Henry Villiers-Stuart, Sir William Homan and Henry Denehy concerning the Waterford election of 1826, also relating to Slievegrine, Co. Waterford, 1825-1833. Villiers-Stuart Papers, Mss. 24,682-24,689 ; National Library of Ireland
Letters and papers of Henry Villiers-Stuart, Lord Stuart de Decies, concerning local politics and administration in Co. Waterford, 1826-1866. Villiers-Stuart Papers, Mss. 24,690-24,692 ; National Library of Ireland
Catalogue of books at Dromana, compiled by William Villiers-Stuart, 1833, also insurance policy on contents of the house, 1876. Villiers-Stuart Papers, Ms. 24,677 ; National Library of Ireland
Pedigree of Villiers of Ballyneboley, Co. Waterford, and Kilfeacon, Co. Limerick, c.1670 -- 1783. Genealogical Office: Ms.173, pp.104-8 ; National Library of Ireland
Accounts, receipts, papers and correspondence, relating to the trustees of the Dromana estate during the minority of Ion H. F. Villiers-Stuart, including correspondence of Colonel S. F. Kirkwood, agent of the estate, 1908-1921. Villiers-Stuart Papers, Ms. 24,679 ; National Library of Ireland
Labourers' accounts, Dromana, large bundle, 1885-1893. Villiers-Stuart-Papers, Ms. 24,674 ; National Library of Ireland
Release concerning the payment for Labouchere drainage on sundry townlands of the Dromana, Co. Waterford, estate 1861. Villiers-Stuart Papers, Ms. 24,660 ; National Library of Ireland
Miscellaneous Dromana (Co Waterford) leases and agent's correspondence, 1787-1809. LE3; James Hardiman Library, University of Galway
Dromana (Co Waterford) plans, surveys, rentals and papers, 15th cent-18th cent. Ref. 1641; Reading University Library, Special Collections
Villiers Stuart Estate & Family Papers, 17th-20th centuries. MSS 24600-24779 ; National Library of Ireland
Irish Tourist Association Survey Files, Barony of Decies within Drum; Waterford County Library

Contemporary printed sources

PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS. ''Return of owners of land of one acre and upwards, in the several counties .... in Ireland''. HC 1876, LXXX: 135
''GRIFFITH'S VALUATION OF IRELAND'[Primary Valuation of Tenements]', 1850-1858. : Imokilly Barony, 50 (Seafield)
''GRIFFITH'S VALUATION OF IRELAND'[Primary Valuation of Tenements]', 1850-1858. : Barony of Decies-within-Drum: 2 (Ballingowan East), 5 (Bleach), 13 (Villierstown), 60 (Ardsallagh), 62 (Ballyheeny), 70 (Shanacoole), 92 (Ballyeelinan), 94 (Cappagh & Clashanahy), 111 (Rathnameneenagh)
HUSSEY DE BURGH, U. H. ''The Landowners of Ireland. An alphabetical list of the owners of estates of 500 acres or £500 valuation and upwards in Ireland''. Dublin: Hodges, Foster and Figgis, 1878. [available online at www.askaboutireland.ie] : 432
''GRIFFITH'S VALUATION OF IRELAND'[Primary Valuation of Tenements]', 1850-1858. : Barony of Decies without Drum: 6 (Dromana), 8 (Monyvroe), 46 (Ballyguiry West), 123 (Curraghmoreen), 220 (Ballymulalla East), 225 (Clonkerdin)
PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS. ''Return of Untenanted Lands in Rural Districts, Distinguishing Demesnes on Which There is a Mansion...'', HC 1906, c, 177: 295 (Dromana)
LEWIS, Samuel. ''A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland''. London: S. Lewis & Co., 1837: Vol.I, 10 (Affane Parish)
''GRIFFITH'S VALUATION OF IRELAND'[Primary Valuation of Tenements]', 1850-1858. : Barony of Gaultiere: 24 (Killea)
TAYLOR, George & SKINNER, Andrew. ''Maps of the Roads of Ireland, surveyed in 1777 and corrected down to 1783''. Facsimile of 2nd edition. Shannon: Irish University Press, 1969: 166 (Dromana)
SLATER, Isaac. ''Royal National Directory of Ireland: List of the principal seats''. (Manchester: 1894) : xxvi, 121 (Dromana)
WILSON, William. ''The Post-Chaise Companion or Travellers Directory Through Ireland''. The author: Dublin, 1786 : 247 (Dromana)

Modern printed sources

BURKE, Sir Bernard. ''A genealogical and heraldic history of the Landed Gentry of Ireland''. London: Harrison & Sons, 1904: 572-573
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF IRELAND. Special Lists.: Villiers Stuart Papers, Special List 222 (collection now in Boole Library, UCC)
''Decies: Journal of the Waterford Archaeological and Historical Society'': BRODERICK, Eugene. Protestants and the 1826 Waterford county election. LIII (1997), 45-66.
''Decies: Journal of the Waterford Archaeological and Historical Society'': LANE, Padraig. Villiers Stuart: a landlord voice on farm labourers in the 1880s. LX (2004), 179-182.
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF IRELAND. Reports on Private Collections: AINSWORTH. J.F. Report on the Villiers-Stuart Papers (from 1553), the property of Mr. P. Villiers-Stuart, Dromana, Cappoquin, relating to the families of Fitzgerald and Villiers and to lands in Cos. Waterford and Leix. No. 145
SMITH, Charles. ''The ancient and present state of the county and city of Waterford''. Third edition edited by Donald Brady. Wateford : Waterford County Council, 2008. : 46 (Dromana)
SMITH, Charles. ''The ancient and present state of the county and city of Waterford''. Third edition edited by Donald Brady. Wateford : Waterford County Council, 2008. : BRADY, Donald. Appendix III, houses mentioned by Smith. p 306.
BENCE-JONES, Mark. ''A Guide to Irish Country Houses''. Revised ed. London: Constable, 1988. : 109 (Dromana)
''Decies: Journal of the Waterford Archaeological and Historical Society'': ANON. The Villiers-Stuart papers. XXIII (1983), pp.30-32.
MacKENZIE,Therese. ''Dromana: the memoirs of an Irish family''. Dublin: Sealy, Bryers & Walker, 1906 [?]. : All
''Weekly Irish Times'': 17 October 1936 Dromana
''Jnl. of the Waterford and South East of Ireland Archaeological Society''.: Sadleir, Thomas U. The county of Waterford, 1775: principal gentry. XVI (1913), pp.49-55.
''Decies: Journal of the Waterford Archaeological and Historical Society'': RYAN, Trisha. How east met west: a typological explanation for Dromana gatelodge. LXIX (2013), pp.81-98.
''Irish Times'': LELAND, Mary. Keeping it in the family: 800th anniversary of Villiers-Stuart on the banks of the Blackwater. Thursday, 30 October 2014, Property supplement, p. 11.