Biography of Thomas Butler 6th Earl Ossory 1634-1680

In December 1629 [his father] James Butler 1st Duke Ormonde (age 19) and [his mother] Elizabeth Preston Duchess Ormonde (age 14) were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Richard Preston 1st Earl Desmond and [his grandmother] Elizabeth Butler. They were second cousin once removed.

On 8th July 1634 Thomas Butler 6th Earl Ossory was born to James Butler 1st Duke Ormonde (age 23) and Elizabeth Preston Duchess Ormonde (age 18) at Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny, County Kilkenny.

John Evelyn's Diary. 12th May 1650. Complaint being come to the Queen and Court of France of the affront we had received, the President was ordered to ask pardon of Sir R. Browne (age 45), his Majesty's Resident, and the fellow to make submission, and be dismissed. There came along with him the President de Thou, son of the great Thuanus [the historian], and so all was composed. But I have often heard that gallant gentleman, my Lord Ossory (age 15), affirm solemnly that in all the conflicts he was ever in at sea or on land (in the most desperate of both which he had often been), he believed he was never in so much danger as when these people rose against us. He used to call it the bataile de Vambre, and remember it with a great deal of mirth as an adventure, en cavalier.

On 14th November 1659 Thomas Butler 6th Earl Ossory (age 25) and Emilia Nassau Beverweert Countess Ossory (age 24) were married at Den Bosch. He the son of James Butler 1st Duke Ormonde (age 49) and Elizabeth Preston Duchess Ormonde (age 44).

In 1660 [his daughter] Elizabeth Butler Countess Derby was born to Thomas Butler 6th Earl Ossory (age 25) and [his wife] Emilia Nassau Beverweert Countess Ossory (age 24).

John Evelyn's Diary. 6th July 1660. The King received a congratulatory address from the city of Cologne, in Germany, where he had been some time in his exile; his Majesty (age 30) saying they were the best people in the world, the most kind and worthy to him that he ever met with. I recommended Monsieur Messary to be Judge Advocate in Jersey, by the Vice-Chamberlain's mediation with the Earl of St. Albans; and saluted my excellent and worthy noble friend, my Lord Ossory (age 25), son to the [his father] Marquis of Ormond (age 49), after many years' absence returned home.

In 1662 Thomas Butler 6th Earl Ossory (age 27) by writ of acceleration6th Earl Ossory. [his wife] Emilia Nassau Beverweert Countess Ossory (age 26) by marriage Countess Ossory.

On 14th March 1665 Henry Bennet 1st Earl Arlington (age 47) was created 1st Baron Arlington of Arlington in Middlesex with a special remainder allowing it to pass to both male and female descendants. [his sister-in-law] Elisabeth Nassau Beverweert Countess Arlington (age 31) by marriage Baroness Arlington of Arlington in Middlesex.

On 29th April 1665 [his son] James Butler 2nd Duke Ormonde was born to Thomas Butler 6th Earl Ossory (age 30) and [his wife] Emilia Nassau Beverweert Countess Ossory (age 30).

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 27th October 1666. Thence to talk about publique business; he tells me how the two Houses begin to be troublesome; the Lords to have quarrels one with another. My Lord Duke of Buckingham (age 38) having said to the Chancellor (age 57) (who is against the passing of the Bill for prohibiting the bringing over of Irish cattle), that whoever was against the Bill, was there led to it by an Irish interest, or an Irish understanding, which is as much as to say he is a Poole; this bred heat from my Chancellor, and something he [Buckingham] said did offend my Lord of Ossory (age 32) my ([his father] Lord Duke of Ormond's (age 56) son), and they two had hard words, upon which the latter sends a challenge to the former; of which the former complains to the House, and so the business is to be heard on Monday next. Then as to the Commons; some ugly knives, like poignards, to stab people with, about two or three hundred of them were brought in yesterday to the House, found in one of the house's rubbish that was burned, and said to be the house of a Catholique. This and several letters out of the country, saying how high the Catholiques are everywhere and bold in the owning their religion, have made the Commons mad, and they presently voted that the King (age 36) be desired to put all Catholiques out of employment, and other high things; while the business of money hangs in the hedge. So that upon the whole, God knows we are in a sad condition like to be, there being the very beginnings of the late troubles.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 31st October 1666. The Prince and Duke of Albemarle (age 57) have got no great credit by this year's service. Our losses both of reputation and ships having been greater than is thought have ever been suffered in all ages put together before; being beat home, and fleeing home the first fight, and then losing so many ships then and since upon the sands, and some falling into the enemy's hands, and not one taken this yeare, but the Ruby, French prize, now at the end of the yeare, by the Frenchmen's mistake in running upon us. Great folly in both Houses of Parliament, several persons falling together by the eares, among others in the House of Lords, the Duke of Buckingham (age 38) and my Lord Ossory (age 32). Such is our case, that every body fears an invasion the next yeare; and for my part, I do methinks foresee great unhappiness coming upon us, and do provide for it by laying by something against a rainy day, dividing what I have, and laying it in several places, but with all faithfulness to the King (age 36) in all respects; my grief only being that the King do not look after his business himself, and thereby will be undone both himself and his nation, it being not yet, I believe, too late if he would apply himself to it, to save all, and conquer the Dutch; but while he and the Duke of York (age 33) mind their pleasure, as they do and nothing else, we must be beaten. So late with my mind in good condition of quiet after the settling all my accounts, and to bed.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 15th November 1666. Presently after the King (age 36) was come in, he took the Queene (age 56), and about fourteen more couple there was, and began the Bransles. As many of the men as I can remember presently, were, the King, Duke of York (age 33), Prince Rupert (age 46), Duke of Monmouth (age 17), Duke of Buckingham (age 38), Lord Douglas (age 20), Mr. [George] Hamilton (age 59), Colonell Russell (age 46), Mr. Griffith, Lord Ossory (age 32), Lord Rochester (age 19); and of the ladies, the Queene, Duchess of York (age 29), Mrs. Stewart (age 19), Duchess of Monmouth (age 15), Lady Essex Howard, Mrs. Temples (age 17), Swedes Embassadress, [his sister-in-law] Lady Arlington (age 32); Lord George Barkeley's daughter (age 16) [Note. Assumed Elizabeth], and many others I remember not; but all most excellently dressed in rich petticoats and gowns, and dyamonds, and pearls.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 19th November 1666. Here we walked to and again till one dropped away after another, and so I took coach to White Hall, and there visited my Lady Jemimah, at Sir G. Carteret's (age 56) lodgings. Here was Sir Thomas Crew (age 42), and he told me how hot words grew again to-day in the House of Lords between my Lord Ossory (age 32) and Ashly (age 45), the former saying that something said by the other was said like one of Oliver's Council. Ashly said that he must give him reparation, or he would take it his owne way. The House therefore did bring my Lord Ossory to confess his fault, and ask pardon for it, as he was also to my Lord Buckingham (age 38), for saying that something was not truth that my Lord Buckingham had said. This will render my Lord Ossory very little in a little time.

Around 1670 Colin Lindsay 3rd Earl Balcarres (age 17) and [his sister-in-law] Mauritiade Nassau Countess Balcarres were married. She by marriage Countess Balcarres. He the son of Andrew Lindsay 1st Earl Balcarres.

Around 1671 [his sister-in-law] Mauritiade Nassau Countess Balcarres died.

On 4th September 1671 [his son] Charles Butler 3rd Duke Ormond was born to Thomas Butler 6th Earl Ossory (age 37) and [his wife] Emilia Nassau Beverweert Countess Ossory (age 36).

In 1672 Thomas Butler 6th Earl Ossory (age 37) was appointed 477th Knight of the Garter by King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 41).

On 22nd April 1672 Henry Bennet 1st Earl Arlington (age 54) was created 1st Earl Arlington, 1st Viscount Thetford and 1st Baron Arlington of Arlington in Middlesex with a similar remainder, and in default of heirs of his body, to his brother Sir John Bennet (age 55) and the heirs male of his body. [his sister-in-law] Elisabeth Nassau Beverweert Countess Arlington (age 38) by marriage Countess Arlington. See Viscountcies of England Created with a Special Remainder.

In 1673 [his son-in-law] William Stanley 9th Earl of Derby (age 18) and [his daughter] Elizabeth Butler Countess Derby (age 13) were married. She by marriage Countess Derby. She the daughter of Thomas Butler 6th Earl Ossory (age 38) and [his wife] Emilia Nassau Beverweert Countess Ossory (age 37). He the son of Charles Stanley 8th Earl of Derby and Dorothea Helena Kirkoven Countess Derby (age 43). They were half third cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.

John Evelyn's Diary. 26th March 1673. I was sworn a younger brother of the Trinity House, with my most worthy and long-acquainted noble friend, Lord Ossory (age 38) (eldest son to the [his father] Duke of Ormond (age 62)), Sir Richard Browne (age 68), my father-in-law, being now Master of that Society; after which there was a great collation.

John Evelyn's Diary. 31st May 1675. I went with Lord Ossory (age 40) to Deptford, Kent [Map], where we chose him Master of the Trinity Company.

John Evelyn's Diary. 22nd May 1676. Trinity Monday. A chaplain of my Lord Ossory's (age 41) preached, after which we took barge to Trinity House in London. Mr. Pepys (age 43) (Secretary of the Admiralty) succeeded my Lord as Master.

John Evelyn's Diary. 6th September 1676. Supped at the Lord Chamberlain's (age 58), where also supped the famous beauty and errant lady, the Duchess of Mazarine (age 30) (all the world knows her story), the Duke of Monmouth (age 27), Countess of Sussex (age 15) (both natural children of the King (age 46) by the Duchess of Cleveland (age 35)) [Note. A mistake by Evelyn. Jame's Scott's mother was Lucy Walter, Anne Fitzroy's mother was Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland], and the [his daughter] Countess of Derby (age 16), a virtuous lady, daughter to my best friend, the Earl of Ossory (age 42).

John Evelyn's Diary. 15th October 1677. Returned to London; in the evening, I saw the Prince of Orange (age 26), and supped with Lord Ossory (age 43).

John Evelyn's Diary. 19th July 1678. The Earl of Ossory (age 44) came to take his leave of me, going into Holland to command the English forces.

John Evelyn's Diary. 21st November 1679. I dined at my Lord Mayor's (age 50), to accompany my worthiest and generous friend, the Earl of Ossory (age 45); it was on a Friday, a private day, but the feast and entertainment might have become a King. Such an hospitable costume and splendid magistrature does no city in the world show, as I believe.

John Evelyn's Diary. 4th December 1679. I dined, together with Lord Ossory (age 45) and the Earl of Chesterfield (age 45), at the Portugal Ambassador's (age 53), now newly come, at Cleveland House, a noble palace, too good for that infamous.... [Note. Probably a reference to Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland (age 39)] The staircase is sumptuous, and the gallery and garden; but, above all, the costly furniture belonging to the Ambassador, especially the rich Japan cabinets, of which I think there were a dozen. There was a billiard table, with as many more hazards as ours commonly have; the game being only to prosecute the ball till hazarded, without passing the port, or touching the pin; if one miss hitting the ball every time, the game is lost, or if hazarded. It is more difficult to hazard a ball, though so many, than in our table, by reason the bound is made so exactly even, and the edges not stuffed; the balls are also bigger, and they for the most part use the sharp and small end of the billiard stick, which is shod with brass, or silver. The entertainment was exceedingly civil; but, besides a good olio, the dishes were trifling, hashed and condited after their way, not at all fit for an English stomach, which is for solid meat. There was yet good fowls, but roasted to coal, nor were the sweetmeats good.

John Evelyn's Diary. 26th July 1680. My most noble and illustrious friend, the Earl of Ossory (age 46), espying me this morning after sermon in the privy gallery, calling to me, told me he was now going his journey (meaning to Tangier [Map], whither he was designed Governor, and General of the forces, to regain the losses we had lately sustained from the Moors, when Inchiquin (age 40) was Governor). I asked if he would not call at my house (as he always did whenever he went out of England on any exploit). He said he must embark at Portsmouth, Hampshire [Map], "wherefore let you and me dine together to-day; I am quite alone, and have something to impart to you; I am not well, shall be private, and desire your company"..

John Evelyn's Diary. 26th July 1680. My Lord (age 46), being an exceedingly brave and valiant person, and who had so approved himself in divers signal battles, both at sea and land; so beloved and so esteemed by the people, as one they depended on, upon all occasions worthy of such a captain;-he looked on this as too great an indifference in his Majesty (age 50), after all his services, and the merits of his [his father] father, the Duke of Ormond (age 69), and a design of some who envied his virtue. It certainly took so deep root in his mind, that he who was the most void of fear in the world (and assured me he would go to Tangier [Map] with ten men if his Majesty commanded him) could not bear up against this unkindness. Having disburdened himself of this to me after dinner, he went with his Majesty to the sheriffs at a great supper in Fishmongers' Hall; but finding himself ill, took his leave immediately of his Majesty, and came back to his lodging. Not resting well this night, he was persuaded to remove to Arlington House, for better accommodation. His disorder turned to a malignant fever, which increasing, after all that six of the most able physicians could do, he became delirious, with intervals of sense, during which Dr. Lloyd (age 52) (after Bishop of St. Asaph) administered the Holy Sacrament, of which I also participated. He died the Friday following, the 30th of July, to the universal grief of all that knew or heard of his great worth, nor had any a greater loss than myself. Oft would he say I was the oldest acquaintance he had in England (when his father was in Ireland), it being now of about thirty years, contracted abroad, when he rode in the Academy in Paris, and when we were seldom asunder.

John Evelyn's Diary. 26th July 1680. Being retired to his lodgings, and set down on a couch, he sent to his secretary for the copy of a letter which he had written to Lord Sunderland (age 38) (Secretary of State), wishing me to read it; it was to take notice how ill he resented it, that he should tell the King (age 50) before Lord Ossory's (age 46) face, that Tangier [Map] was not to be kept, but would certainly be lost, and yet added that it was fit Lord Ossory should be sent, that they might give some account of it to the world, meaning (as supposed) the next Parliament, when all such miscarriages would probably be examined; this Lord Ossory took very ill of Lord Sunderland, and not kindly of the King, who resolving to send him with an incompetent force, seemed, as his Lordship took it, to be willing to cast him away, not only on a hazardous adventure, but in most men's opinion, an impossibility, seeing there was not to be above 300 or 400 horse, and 4,000 foot for the garrison and all, both to defend the town, form a camp, repulse the enemy, and fortify what ground they should get in. This touched my Lord deeply, that he should be so little considered as to put him on a business in which he should probably not only lose his reputation, but be charged with all the miscarriage and ill success; whereas, at first they promised 6,000 foot and 600 horse effective.

On 30th July 1680 Thomas Butler 6th Earl Ossory (age 46) died. He was buried in the Duke of Ormonde Vault, King Henry VII Chapel, Westminster Abbey the next day.

Before 12th December 1688 [his former wife] Emilia Nassau Beverweert Countess Ossory (age 53) died. She was buried 12th December 1688 in the Duke of Ormonde Vault, King Henry VII Chapel, Westminster Abbey.

Grammont. The [his father] Duke of Ormond's sons and his nephews had been in the king's court during his exile, and were far from diminishing its lustre after his return. The [his brother] Earl of Arran had a singular address in all kinds of exercises, played well at tennis and on the guitar, and was pretty successful in gallantry: his elder brother, the Earl of Ossory, was not so lively, but of the most liberal sentiments, and of great probity.

[his daughter] Henrietta Butler Countess Grantham was born to Thomas Butler 6th Earl Ossory and Emilia Nassau Beverweert Countess Ossory.