The Cluxtons of Kildare

The Cluxton name seems to have arisen in County Kildare and County Louth, near Dublin.
It appears that all of the Cluxtons are descendants of James Clugston, Gentleman, of Kilcullen Bridge, County Kildare, who had a will probated in 1760
(Source: Public Record Office of Northen Ireland, Index to Perogative Wills, 1536-1816).
I was unsure if the Cluxtons were actually Clugstons, or Claxtons.
Worldwide, most Claxtons come from Claxton, Norfolk, England.

But research done by B. Kinane for his dissertation has proved that some Irish Claxtons and Cluxtons are actually Clugstons.

See also Claxton surname in Ireland.

See Cluxton deeds, and records from Kilcullen Bridge for many of the primary source documents used on this page.
See Cluxton and Claxton records for newspaper reports relating to this family.

From a 1764 memorial of a deed made in 1758, “James Claxton otherwise Clugston” was the eldest son and heir of James Claxton late of Sigganstown, Kildare.

His grandchildren mostly used the “Cluxton” spelling. “Claxton” was also used.
James Cluxton of Kilcullen Bridge, Kildare, died around 1854. In the 1854 Griffith’s Survey, his wife’s surname was written as “Clugston”. He was the tax commissioner of Kildare, and owned a 50 pound freehold there. The freehold was granted on 3rd March 1749.

The earliest known ancestor of this family is James Clugston of Jigginstown, Kildare, d 1747 Kilcullen Bridge. He must have been born in the 1680s or 1690s.
Where did he come from? The name “James Clugston” is most common on the eastern coast of County Down. He is known to have owned land in “Lurgan Linney, County Down” from Mr Forde, through Margaret Claxton otherwise Johnston. The Forde estate is centred in Seaforde, County Down. I have found no other mentions of anywhere called “Lurgan Linney”, but a deed from the year James died shows the land was in Ballyhaffry, south of the Forde estate.

In Irish deed #86996 (v127 p336 img 179, 1747.10.9), Hamilton (Lord Viscount Limerick) leased to Patrick Baily the 48acres of land in Ballyhaffry, Upper Iveagh, County Down, known as Jordans Park or Clugston’s holding, for the lives of Patrick aged about 60, and his sons John Baily aged 20 and William Baily aged 11. The deed was witnessed by William Johston gent of Deerpark near Bryansford, County Down, and James Johnston his son, + Christopher Miller of Downpatrick.

Irish deed #31465 21 Feb 1723, is a deed from Rev Dean John Burdett of Ballymaney Co Kildare  to James Claxton of Giginstown Co Kildare, and Michael Claxton of Fofaney Co Down.

Fofaney and Ballyhaffry are all in Kilcoo Parish.

Ballyhaffry is small (360 acres) and includes the village of Bryansford. In 1863 there were only 20 houses in Bryansford. Deed #93585 (1749.10.17) mentions the parts of Ballyhaffry known as Dugglass holding (held by John Dugglas) + houses in Bryansford: James Small, James Nugent, John Paxtons old house. Bounded NE by Richard Pray, NW by the townland Burrinbane, W by William Steels holding, S by the High Road through the Street of Bryansford.

James had a grandson, Bailey Cluxton, who was a “gauger” in Cork.
https://books.google.de/books?id=GgH1q8OhdmQC&pg=PA89
A gauger was responsible for estimating how much alcohol was brewed in the region, and determine the excise to be charged.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/24616048?seq=1
He was not the first Clugston to work as a gauger. Edward Clugston was a gauger in Loughrea, County Galway in March 1689.
Edward Clugston died 1710.9.13 Kilkenny (far from Galway — this indicates that he was highly mobile). Edward’s brother Samuel Clugston, gent, died in 1707 at Islandmuck, near Seaforde. Samuel’s wife Hanna remarried in 1710 in Kilbeggan, County Meath. He also had a son named Edward. These are the only known Clugstons who moved into southern Ireland. It seems likely that the oldest son would inherit the farm, while younger sons would work in inland revenue or join the clergy.
The extremely English name Edward indicates that the father had married into the English gentry. This explains why there is no trace of Presbyterianism in this branch.

Which family did he marry into? We have a few clues.

On 1721.1.19 James Claxton of Sigginstowne, Co Kildare, was the first witness to the deed of the probate of Colonel Andrew Armstrong of Mouristown, Co Kildare (Irish deeds vol 41, p 105, #24775, image 345 at FamilySearch). Other names mentioned in the deed, or with known connections to the Cluxtons, are marked in bold on his tree below.

Andrew Armstrong 1576-1671 b Mangerton, Scotland = Elizabeth Johnston
   (Elizabeth dau of M Johnston, Esq)
   (Moved from Scotland to Co Fermanagh around 1600)
    Archibald Armstrong
    Edmund Armstrong d. Stonestown, Kildare = Mary Hamilton
        (Mary dau of William Hamilton of King's County)
        (Edmund served in the cause of Charles II and was captured in 1657)
        Colonel Andrew Armstrong 1642-1722 b. Stonestown d. Morristown
          = Lady Westray ____ Sandilands of Scotland
        Hugh Armstrong 1642-1724 d. Stonestown unmarried
        Charles Armstrong
        William Armstrong 
            Edmund Armstrong   
        Margaret Armstrong b. 1673
          = Colonel Milo Bagot 1660-1739 of Newtown, Kings Co. High-sheriff.
           (Milo son of Edward Bagot of Harristown, King's Co.(High Sheriff for Kildare and King's Co., 1667-80) = Catherine Colbourne of Great Connell, Co. Kildare)
           Charles Bagot of Paddock = Temperance Browne (of Riverstown)
               Milo Bagot, High-sheriff of Kings Co
                 = Sophia Wetherall of Castletown
               Daniel Bagot, High-sheriff of Kings Co
                 = Sarah Clibborn
               Andrew Bagot (died unmarried)
               Eliza Bagot = Ulysses North Esq
           Mary Bagot = Thomas Walsh Esq of Hallaboys
               (died without issue)
           Elizabeth Bagot 1702-1739.10.23
             = Warneford Armstrong of Ballycumber High-sheriff of Kings Co 1738 m1719.3.15
              Margaret Armstrong = Francis Browne (of Riverstown)

More details are in Burkes’ Peerage (1838)
https://books.google.de/books?id=6AtBAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA340

Note that two of Margaret Armstrong’s descendants married into the Browne family. We know that James Clugston’s wife was Margaret Johnston, but I wonder if he may have had an earlier marriage to a Browne. It does not seem possible for him to have married into the Bagot family (their tree is too well known).

“This family of Brownes, originally from Essex, settled in the city of Cork in the mid 17th century. In 1699 Edward Browne married Judith daughter and heiress of Warham Jemmett and was Mayor of Cork in 1714. He purchased Riverstown which became the family seat. His eldest son the Reverend Jemmett Browne became Archbishop of Tuam in 1775. ”

The Browne family is:

Thomas Browne (settled at Cork in 1660)
    Edward Browne 1714: Mayor of Cork
      = Judith Jemmett
       Rev Jemmett Browne ~1703-1782.6.9 b. Cork d. Tuam Church of Ireland Bishop of Killaloe

Daniel Browne Esq of Riverstown d.1740 
  = Temperance Perry -1764.8.11 d. Riverstown Kings Co
    Elizabeth Browne 1707.7.16-1707.8
    Robert Browne 1709.4.5 -1783.8.30 of Sigginstown = Elizabeth Paul of Dublin m1731
        (Elizabeth dau of Jeffery Paul=Elizabeth, Deed v66 p452 #47482)
        Jeffrey Browne
    Alice Browne 1711.2.11 - 1756.6.5 = John Bagot -1753 m1745
      A portait of Alice
    Francis Browne 1713.12.7-1783.8.30 b London d. Kildare. Barrister. High Sheriff of Kings Co 1748. = Margaret Armstrong
         Daniel Browne
    John Perry Browne 1715.2.9 - 1758.2.24 d. Kildare
    Anne Browne 1717.12.6
    Hannah Browne 1719.5.20
    Temperance Browne 1720.7.5 = Charles Bagot
        (Charles son of Margaret Armstrong = Milo Bagot)
    Sarah Browne 1722.3.13
    Margaret Browne 1726.5.29

In 1659, John Browne was titulado in Jigginstown. Robert Browne owned land in Sigginstowne and in Loughbrowne Co Kildare. In 1791 the land in Loughbrowne was leased by James Cluxton and his sons James and Henry.

James rented a house garden and cabins in Newtown, Kilcullen Bridge, in 1722. Possibly this move was triggered by the death of Colonel Armstrong.
After his death, the land went to his eldest son James. In 1749 James Junior obtained a lease for 3 named lives. The lease was renewed when one of the named persons died. To minimize the fees incurred by a change, the people named on the lease were sometimes very young. The chosen names provide a lot of information.

1749: James Claxton son of the first James, Jeffrey Brown son of Robert Brown of Sigginstown, and Daniel Brown son of Francis Browne of Riverstown Kings Co.
(James died Sept 1758. Jeffrey apparently hadn’t died but was replaced by Arthur anyway)
1787: Bailie Claxton brother of the deceased James, Arthur Claxton son of George Claxton of Kilcullen Bridge, Daniel Brown son of Francis Browne of Riverstown Kings Co
(Arthur and Daniel had died by 1801)
1801: Bailie Claxton of Kilcullen Bridge gent, James Cluxton eldest son of Bailie, Samuel Cluxton 2nd son of Bailie
(Bailie died in 1801)
1812: James Cluxton, Samuel Cluxton, Bailie (age 3) eldest son of James
(Samuel died in 1818)
1818: James Cluxton, Bailie eldest son of James, Samuel (age 7) 2nd son of James

The Brownes of Riverstown are described here:
http://landedestates.nuigalway.ie/LandedEstates/jsp/estate-show.jsp?id=2792

There is an early photograph of Kilcullen Bridge, dating from 1861:
https://www.rct.uk/collection/2500852/kilcullen-bridge

Who could James be? Several of the Armstrongs had senior positions in the army of King Charles II, who was the chief persecutor of the Covenanters. The Clugston Belfast merchants were covenanters and were attainted for being Presbyterians. So it is doubtful that James was actually a Clugston.

In contrast to the Clugstons, who were for the most part staunchly Presbyterian, many of the Cluxtons were Roman Catholic. In 1836 the tax commissioner and his son Bailey were described as “liberal Protestants”, and in 1842, Bailey married a Catholic. From what we know of his life, it appears that he had no religious convictions whatsoever.
The other Cluxton family in the 1901 census, also in Kilcullen, also had a Roman Catholic mother.

The Battle of Kilcullen Bridge

Inspired by the American Revolutionary War, the United Irishmen, comprising both Protestants and Catholics, sought to throw off English rule. The rebellion began on 24 May 1798. Rebels engaged with the army at 7am in the
Battle of Kilcullen. The rebels killed 30 cavalry and two government captains. An old woman stabbed Captain Erskine to death with a rusty knife. The government troops base was at Castlemartin, adjacent to James Clugston’s land (see below). Two hours later, the cavalry killed 150 rebels near the ford across the River Liffey. This is so close to the Clugston property that there would have been corpses on the farm. Many of the dead would have been people the Cluxtons knew.
This, together with subsequent atrocities (some rebels were burned alive in New Ross) goes a long way to explains the anti-Tory attitudes later expressed by the Cluxtons. I had not realized that the later Protestant-Catholic animosity in Ireland was, in part, a tactic by the English to suppress rebellion.
In the “1798 Claimants And Surrenders”, Bailey Claxton, Farmer of Kilcullen Bridge, made a claim for £190s9d6 for “House damaged, furniture, books”. He was granted £160s9d6, a very large sum.

The Wickedest Man in the World

It is possible that many people in Ireland with the surname “Claxton” or “Cluxton” are actually “Clugston”. One example is Frances, the second wife of Richard Parsons, known as “the wickedest man in the world”. Her marriage record gives her surname as “Cluxton”. Additionally, the poem “On Lady Ross” (published in “The Bath Miscellany, for the year 1740”) begins “Let All the Beauties of the World give Place/To all commanding Cluxton’s heav’nly Race/Sprung from a God, the lovely Ross appears,/In all the Beauty of her tender Years”.

Her sister Mary married Thomas Carter(1690-1763) ). In 1730 Thomas Carter leased Castlemartin in Kilcullen Bridge, Kildare, which he finally bought in 1761. This is immediately adjacent to the Clugston estate, purchased in 1749.

However, the Irish deeds show that Frances was the niece of Major General Thomas Pearce. The Pearce family came from Norfolk. We conclude that Thomas Claxton was also from Norfolk, and was not a Clugston.

The family is:

Thomas Claxton = Lucy Pearce
    (Lucy was the sister of Major General Thomas Pearce)
    Mary Claxton = Thomas Carter ~1690-1763.9.3 MP m. 1719.10.12
        (Master of the Rolls in Ireland 1731-1754)
    Lucy Claxton = James Johnston bap 1655.9.9 – 3 May 1737.5.3 Secretary of State of Scotland 1692–96 m 1716
        Lucy Johnston bap 1717.7.7 Twickenham = General George Preston
        General James Johnston 1721.5.21-1795.11.26 =(1) Charlotte Montagu
    Frances Cluxton ??-1772.5.25
      =(1) Richard Parsons, Earl of Rosse d. 1741.6.21 m 1719 (married after 1719.10)
      =(2) Viscount Robert Jocelyn 1688-1756.12.3 m 1754.11.15 Lord Chancellor of Ireland

Kilcullen Bridge was never very large. It is hard to believe that James Cluxton, Tax Commissioner, would be unrelated to his neighbour, Mary Claxton, whose husband was in charge of the Chancery records. The Tithe Applotments ~1830 only record 28 Claxtons, and almost all are in Queen’s County (now called County Laios).

Allegedly, Frances and Mary were joint heirs of Thomas Claxton; thus, he had no sons. So the family name was not propagated after their deaths. This also means that James Clugston was not Mary’s brother. At most, they could have been cousins.

We do know that Clugstons had been to Dublin, because
John Clugston, merchant of Belfast, wrote a petition to the Duke of Ormond from Dublin in 1667. Note that these marriages took place in 1719, and John Clugston was Sovereign of Belfast just seven years later. So the Clugstons were of the right social class to marry aristocrats.

Additionally, there are some early references to “Cluckston” in Dublin.

(This could possibly be the Provost of Wigtown, William Clugston=Mary Houston)
William Cluckston = Mary
    Sarah Cluckston 1670.2.10 St Michan, Dublin
    Elizabeth 1672.2.19 St Michan

Cluxton 1736.1.26 buried St John, Dublin

Margaret Clugston = Garrat Jacob m 1738.10.5 St Andrew, Dublin

?? Clugston -1809.8.29 of Georges St buried. St James, Dublin

Edwardi Clugston = Anverata
    Anna Joanna Clugston 1801 b. St Andrews, Dublin

Michael Clugston, merchant of Belfast, moved to Connecticut in the 1690’s. His children used the “Cluckstone” spelling. It is possible that Michael may have been born in Dublin.

In the 1766 Religious Census, Mrs Jane Cluxton was a Protestant in Carlingford Town, County Louth. Carlingford is on the coast north of Dublin, only about 5km away from County Down. There was a good road from Carlingford to Newry. She was the daughter of Thomas Clugston. Rev Josias Clugston of Larne was her brother.

In 1756, “County of Louth at a Commission of Array held at Carlingford in the lower half Barrony of Dundalk in and for the County of Louth aforesaid the 18th day of September 1756 by Virtue of his Majestys Commission of Array the Several undernamed Protestants of said Barrony took the Oaths apointed by the Instructions to the said Commission Annexed.”. The list of names includes Henry Cluxton. (http://www.jbhall.freeservers.com/1756_commission_of_array.htm)

In 1773, Henry Cluxton was deputy surveyor at Warrenspoint, which is halfway between Carlingford and Newry.
https://books.google.de/books?id=_s9OAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA76&lpg=PA76&dq=cluxton

Richard Claxton was buried on 1843.10.13 at Kilbroney, Rostrevor, Down (Catholic burial). This is near Warrenspoint.

In March 1776, John Rothwell married Clugston, widow, at Kells.
https://archive.org/stream/irishmarriagesbe02farr
The town of Kells is in County Meath, where the Rothwell family owned a large estate. No Clugstons are known from Meath, so she must have come from elsewhere.

Perogative Wills

(Source: Public Record Office of Ireland, Index to Prerogative Wills, 1536-1816).
James Clugston, Kilcullen Bridge, Kildare Gent, 1760
George Claxton, Kilcullen Bridge, Kildare. Publican 1788. Intestate.
Baillie Cluxton, (no address given), 1801
James Cluxton, Kilcullen Bridge, Kildare, prerogative will lodged (not probated) in 1816-1818.
Samuel Cluxton, Kilcullen, Co Kildare, 1818.

Though the wills were destroyed, we know the contents of most of them.
The 1808 will of Mary Jane Cluxton (nee Supple), wife of Baillie Cluxton, has survived.
In 1784 will of Henry Claxton, mariner of Kilcullen Bridge has survived.

The most intriguing of these is George Claxton, the publican. Which inn was his?
From the deeds, the inns in Kilcullen Bridge, with their owners, were:
* The Crown Inn.
Francis Harrison,leased to James Meyler, in 1723 to William Meyler, in 1773 to Patrick McMahon.
* The Red Lyon Inn, which had become the Robin Hood Inn by 1760.
Rowland Ottiwell, in 1741 & 1747 leased to Robert Harris, innkeeper.
After his death his widow Mary married Denis Delany in 1760.
* The Garter Inn
John Smyth was innkeeper. He sold it to James Cooper in 1762.

The term “publican” merely means “someone who sells liquor”, it is broader than “innkeeper”. So I think George actually sold liquor from the Cluxton grocer’s shop in Kilcullen Bridge.

Tithe aplottments and Griffith’s Valuation

The Tithe aplottments give:
James Cluxton, Greenhills, Kilcullen, 1827, and Killashee, 1825.
Bailie Cluxton, Kilcullenbridge.
Michael Cluxton, Ardoyne, Fenagh, Carlow, 1825 and 1833.
William Cluseton, Carnalway, Kildare.

In Griffith’s Valuation (completed in Kildare in 1854), Bailey Cluxton’s wife Anne Kearney still had possession of part of the Cluxton estate. She had houses on opposite ends of the town.

On the eastern side of the road on the northeast of Kilcullen Bridge:
“Anne Clugston” leased Kilcullen Main St 22.27 “Ruins and Garden” from J H Lewis, and leased 22.28 (rent 11 pounds) to Michael G Hanrahan. (Total 51 perches)
This is on the eastern side of the river.

On the western side of the road on the southwest of Kilcullen Bridge:

In the townload of Castlemartin, her name is written as “Anne Clunton”(surely a mistranscribed “Cluxton”), where she leased Castlemartin 4, (also Landlord J H Lewis), rent 41 pounds; she sub-leased three houses on it (a,b,c). Total 76 acres. She also owned the row of houses in Castlemartin 7 (total area about 3 roods), at the south-west corner of the town, which is Main Street, Kilcullen, from J H Lewis, and sublet 2-11.
For comparison, the grounds of Castlemartin were worth 269 pounds, and the castle itself 149 pounds.

The Heirs of James Clugston of Kilcullen Bridge

James Claxton of Sigginstown in his will of 8 May 1747, bequeathed his land in Portarlington to his second son Samuel. In 1752, Samuel granted this to James Claxton younger, son of testator.

The will of James Clugston of Kilcullen Bridge, written on 1758.9.3 and proved in Feb 1760, had witnesses Math_s Welsh, John Crabtree, and Richd Poole.
A brief abstract exists in Sir William Betham’s collection, which mentions his brothers Samuel and Bailie, his sisters Catherine Clagsten and Margaret Graves, and his wife Beninga Meshean. There is a longer abstract in the Crossle collection, which adds a sister Ann Clugston.
It does not mention any children.

He was not sure if his brother Samuel was still alive.

In 1758 James made a lease of Lurgan Liney, Co Down to Richard Poole. Witnesses were Robert Douglass Henry Claxton Ann Clugston of Kilcullen Bridge.
Ann, who married in 1766, is known to have been the eldest daughter of James. Teen marriages did happen, but she must have been born before 1752.
Henry married a widow in 1759 so he is likely born before 1735. It is odd that Henry isn’t mentioned in James’ will.

Irish deed #258553 states that James Cluxton died in Sept 1758, and that Baillie Cluxton, who was his heir at law, took over the lease in 1787. Since Baillie was his brother, this proves that James had no living children by that time.
Ann Clugston has living descendants, so she even if she had died by 1787, Baillie would not be the heir. James b1745 (see below) could not be her father, so she must be the sister of James, mentioned in his will.

In 1758 Lurgan Liney, Co Down was in the possession of Margaret Claxton otherwise Johnston. James claimed it on her death as eldest son and heir of James Claxton. I presume this was his mother.

By his death in 1747, James of Sigginstown had bought Deer Park Portarlington Queens Co from Charlotte Louise Piozet (she had acquired that land in 1726). James bequeathed these lands to his second son Samuel. This is due west of Kilcullen. It’s not at all obvious why he purchased this land.
In 1766, Samuel sold these lands to Henry White of Dublin.

Henry White shows up in several deeds.
In 1779 and 1780, Henry White’s clerk was James Claxton, who died by 1784.
In 1778 James Claxton gent was a witness to one of Henry White’s deeds; this is probably be the same man but could be his father.

Morristown is NE of Nass, not close to Kilcullen.

James Claxton of Sigginstown, Co Kildare
    James Clugston d 1759 of Killcullin Bridge buried Pollardstown
       = Benignes Meshean
    Samuel Claxton of Morristown, Kildare. 2nd son
        (1766: Sold lands in Deerpark, to Henry White)
    Bailie Clugston
    Catherine Clugston
    Margaret Clugston = ____ Graves
    Anne Clugston

In 1759, Henry Claxton, Peruke (wig) maker of Kilcullen bridge married Judith Johnston, who had previously married ____ Blackwood.
(Also appears as: “Marriage License Bonds, Diocese of Ossory, Claxton Henry and Joan Blackwood, 1759”)
Since she was a widow, Henry could hardly be a teenager. He had been a Peruke maker in Mar 1758.
In 1764, Henry Claxton and Arthur Claxton, both of Kilcullen Bridge, were witnesses to the will of Richard Moony of Blackrath Co Kildare.
In 1768 Henry was still a peruke maker, and had an apprentice (John Kelly).
In 10 Mar 1770 there was land formerly occ by Henry Claxton (which suggests he died in 1769)
In Dec 1774 there was land formerly occ by Henry Claxton.
In 1774, George Claxton lived in Newtown, Kildare. He owned the Turf House.
Presumably this is George Claxton d. 1788, Kilcullen Bridge, Kildare. Publican.
In Dec 1776, Arthur Claxton died in Gormanstown, Kilcullen.

In 1782, James son of James Claxton died of fever at the Stand House at the Curragh in Kilcullen, and his brother Henry had been falsely accused of murdering him. In 1791 his rent was in arrears (Deed v439 p25 #284195). The land he was renting was previously owned by Robert Browne of Sigginstowne.
Samuel Cluckston died at the Curragh in 1779. This could potentially be Samuel Claxton of Morristown, but could be their brother.

(Comparing lease #223808 and #242262 shows James Claxton of Dublin, clerk of Henry White who appears on several leases, died between 1780 and 1784).

Henry Claxton of Kilcullen Bridge, mariner, died in 1784. He is the right age to be from the Curragh.

James Clagston of Coolelan Co Kildare was born ~1745 and was witness to the lease change in 1787. He could not be a son of Baillie, because Baillie had a son James who must have been born by this time (he arranged a cunning property deal in 1802).
Since Baillie inherited the property of his deceased brother James, his older brothers must not have had children.
This only leaves Henry as a possible father, but this would require a first marriage of Henry.

The lease was also for the life of Arthur son of George Claxton of Kilcullen. George is likely another son of Henry; he was a publican who owned the Turf House in 1774 and died in 1788.

We also know

        Henry Claxton. Peruke (wig) maker of Kilcullen bridge
           = Judith Blackwood m 1759.5.31 (dau Simon Blackwood of Graige Queens Co)

Thanks to Dr I. Broinowski for providing information on the family of Anne Cluxton and Humphrey Gray. Extensive details about the Gray family are preserved in a family notebook made in 1917. It states that “Humphrey Gray, b1744, Lt ___ Rgt Retired early m 1st Anne daughter of James Cluxton, Co Kildare, at Ross Co Waterford in 1766”.

“Royal York Rangers. Humphrey Clugston Gray, Gent, to be Ensign, without purchase, vice Hunt. 11 March 1813” — The London Gazette, 13 March 1813.

Henry Claxton of Kilcullen Bridge was a mariner on HMS Robust, under Captain Alexander Hood. Henry’s will of 1779 mentions his wife Letitia, but does not mention any children. He apparently died in 1784.

The history of this family is an extraordinary fall from grace. James Cluxton was Tax Commissioner of County Kildare, and his signature appears on all of the Tithe Applotment records for County Kildare. He had a large freehold. But his son Bailey mismanaged the farm, killed a servant, and died in prison. The family fortune was lost. Bailey’s children ran a pawnbroker’s shop in Dublin.

James Cluxton born 1823 died 1877.10.19 54 Church St Dublin North.  Death witness Eliza Conlon. Probate granted 1878.5.18. By that time his wife, Dora Manseragh McKeon, was married to John McKeon, mechanical engineer, of Seville Place, Dublin.

James Clugston of Sigginstown d 1747 Kilcullen
    James Clugston d.1758.9 of Kilcullen Bridge Gentleman. Brother of Baillie.
    Samuel Clugston Gent
        (1766: Morristown, Kildare)
    Ann Cluxton 
      = Lt Humphrey Gray b 1744 m 1766 Ross, Co. Waterford
        (Ann was the oldest daughter of James Cluxton)
        (After Ann's death, Humphrey Gray remarried Sarah French)
        Basil Gray 1768.1.4 b Roscomroe, Kings Co.
          = Elizabeth Kelroe of Kilkenny 1770.11.28 m 1790.11.14
            Humphrey Cluxton Gray 1792-1817 b Banagher d Grenada Lt Royal York Rangers
            William Denis Gray 1793 died young
            Magdalene Annie Gray 1794 died young
            Basil Gray 1795 died young
            Denis Basil Gray 1796 midshipman RN, later an MD. died young
            Gertrude Gray 1799
            Anne Gray 1801
            Basil William Gray 1803 died young
            Eliza Gray 1804 died unmarried
            Basil William Gray 1805
            Magdalen Gray 1806 died unmarried
            French Gray 1808
            Jane Maqarel Catherine Gray 1810
            Amelia ("Emily") Gray 1812-1860 = John McCreery of Larella Hill Kilkenny
        Eliza Gray (died young)
        Margaret Gray 1770-1787
    Bailie Cluxton d.1801 Kilcullen Bridge 1783:Merchant 1801:Farmer
      = Mary Jane Supple (will made 1808.5.18, proved 1815.1.20)
        (Married before 30 Oct 1783)
        ( Her will has survived)
        (Mary Jane sister of Elizabeth Supple=Byfield, Phillip Supple of Cork, merchant, who  sold butter in 1794, and of James Supple, merchant of St Croix in the Carribean cousin of James Supple of City of Cork revenue officer, Phillip Supple of Kilnonan Co Cork)
        (1774: Baily Claxton was a Gauger for the Cork Excise in Douglass https://books.google.de/books?id=GgH1q8OhdmQC&pg=PA89)
        (This is probably how he met Mary Jane Supple)
         Ann Cluxton
           = Skiffington Haslam 1767-1843.9.19 Gent m 1796 
             (Skiffington son of Andrew Haslam of Maryborough baker)
             (1801,1808: Maryborough)
             (1824 Pigot's directory Maryborough: Haslem Scrivington, ironmonger)
             Jane Haslam alive in 1808
             Thomas Haslam alive in 1808
                 (1846 Slater's directory Maryborough: Haslem Thomas, ironmonger and oil and colour man)
         James Cluxton d.1855  Tax commissioner of Kildare
           = Elizabeth Butler of parish of Timolin spinster m1809.1.10
            (Betham genealogical abstracts: James Cluxton farmer of Kilcullen Bridge)
            (James lodged will in 1818.12, residence was Kilkullen Bridge, Kildare)
            Bailey Cluxton 1809-1851.2.16 farmer
              = Anne Kearney (or Karney) 1809-1888 m 1842.3.30
                (In 1849.3.24 Bailey was convicted for beating his servant to death, and sentenced to 10 years transportation, see below)
                (1850.5.31 sent to Spike Island. 5'10 3/4, blue eyes brown hair pale. )
                (3 of their children died in infancy)
                (Ann dau of John Karney 1780-1864.9.8 = Kate 1790-1842.8.1)
                James Cluxton 1842-1877.10.10 Gentleman
                  = Dorothea Beard 1844-  m. 1868.5.16 Registry office, Naas.
                    (Both living at Kilcullen before marriage)
                    (Dorah son of John Beard gentleman)
                    (Witnesses: Ebenezer Wilson, Georgina M W Wilson)  
                    Maria Emilia Cluxton 1875.11.10 b Kilcullen
                      (I don't know where I got this birth info from)         
                John Bailey ("Bailey") Cluxton 1846-1920.2.9 d. Calverstown farmer & returning officer
                  = Bridget O'Neil 1845-1936.9.14 d. Calverstown. m 1874.6.24 Naas 
                    (In the marriage record, Bailey is "of Fonststown")
                    (Bridget dau of Patrick and Mariella)
                    (Bridget's death witness: Son Patrick)
                    (Bailey's death witness: daughter Florence)
                    (1901:"Claxton" Calverstown 5, Ballyshannon, Kildare)
                    (14 kids, 13 living in 1911)
                    (the dead child is Jane)
                    James Joseph Cluxton 1877.2.10-1943 d. Dublin North pawnbroker
                      = Ellen Patricia Mullineaux nurse m1922.7.18 Crookstown RC church, Kildare
                        (Marriage witnesses: James Connell, Bridget Cluxton)
                    John Bayley ("Bayley") Cluxton 1876.1.13- b.Calverstown dealer in pork
                      = Bridget Theresa Whittle 1879- 1948 d. Baltinglass Carlow m 1910.4.19
                        (Bridget dau of John Whittle farmer)
                        (1910: Dunlavin)
                        (Marriage witnesses: Patrick Cluxton, Katie Whittle)
                        (1 child, 0 living in 1911)
                        (one child 1910-1910)
                    Catherine Agnes Cluxton 1880.11.15
                      = William James Alford m 1904 Baltinglass
                        (1906: 1 Castle View Terrace, Rathfarnham, Dublin)
                        Catherine Florence Alford 1906.6.3 b Calverstown
                    Marcella Cluxton 1879.12.29 b Calverstown m 1913 Baltinglass
                    Mary Anne Cluxton 1882.7.20-1959.7.16 b Calverstown
                       = Daniel Melia 1884-1960.11.23 m1926.4.28 Crookstown, Athy,Kildare
                        (Marriage witnesses: George Burke, Florence Cluxton)
                    Eliza Cluxton 1883.8.10 m 1912 Baltinglass
                        (1911: living with parents Bailey&Bridget)
                    Bridget Cluxton 1885.5.14 b Calverstown
                    Patrick Cluxton 1885.11.19 b Calverstown m 1914
                    Jane Cluxton 1890.6.15-1890.6.30 b&d Calverstown
                    Florence Cluxton 1889.3.17 b Calverstown
                      = Joseph Lawrence Copeland m 1928.6.16
                    Samuel Cluxton 1891.11.17-1945.2.1 b Calverstown d Bronx, NY
                      = Josephine Condron 1898-
                        (Became a US Citizen in 1923)
                        (1940: Bronx, New York)
                    Charles Cluxton 1893.10.9-1918.10.30 b&d Calverstown, Kildare. Carpenter
                    Christina Cluxton 1896.12.20 b. Calverstown
                    Thomas Henry Cluxton 1899.7.6 b Calverstown m 1920
                Catherine Clugston 1849-
                  = Frederick William Reimer m 1875.9.30 New York
                    (1877: 9th Ave 14th&15th St NY)
            Samuel Cluxton 1811-
               (Was 7 years old in Nov 1818. Deed v734 p262 #500597)
               (1865: Uncle of James Cluxton, in deed 1865 v7 #190)
        Samuel Cluxton 1792-1817.11.20 d. St Croix, West Indies
            (Mistranscribed as "Francis Cluxton born on Ireland died (25) 20.11.1817 (Reg.Avis)" where "Reg.Avis" means "Dansk Vestindisk Avis St. Croix"
--  "A list of the names of Inhabitants of the Danish Westindian Islands (The Virgin Islands) from 1650 – ca. 1825", Hugo Ryberg, (1945))
            (Will probated Nov 1818 Kilcullen Prerogative Court)

Thank to S. Kane for discovering this will, which links the Cluxtons to the Danish West Indies Colony at St Croix (now the US Virgin Islands).
The 1806 will of James Supple, merchant of St Croix mentions his sister Mary Jane and her two sons. He states that if she dies before him, her son Samuel should get three-quarters of the estate, and her son James one quarter. “I make this difference on account of her son James having taken a tricky advantage of his Mother and besides I think Sam will be more deserving tho I hope James will do well. Mrs Mary Jane Cluxton lives at Kilcullen Bridge in Ireland.”
James Supple married Jane Callanan in St Croix on 1770.10.22. He “sailed in the Fanny trading ship from New York in August 1806 and is supposed to have been lost in the hurricane which happened in that month”. (https://books.google.de/books?id=_zRKAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA2278&lpg=PA2278).

The “tricky advantage” is clearly deed #362621 which records a lease made in 1802.7.25 between James Cluxton, son of Bailey Cluxton of Kilcullen Bridge deceased, and Mary Jane Cluxton, widow, where he leased her own house to her at peppercorn rent. Witnesses included Skiffington Haslam.
James Supple’s will shows that Bailey had no other sons.

The will of Mary Jane Supple = Bailie Cluxton, probated 20 Jan 1815, has survived.
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D219125
“I will and bequeath unto my son Samuel Cluxton all my Real and Personal Property both in Great Britain Ireland and the West Indies of any kind whatsoever except…” “in case my son Samuel Cluxton aforesaid should die without issue or before he is of age I will and bequeath to my daughter Ann Haslam aforesaid and her children the whole of my property…”

There is a Samuel Cluxton who became a US citizen on 9 Oct 1868. His witness was James Farrell of 432 E 14 St, New York.

Bailey Cluxton of Kilcullen had a son James=Dorothea Beard b1842 d1877 who was a gentleman (and literate). But there’s another James son of Bailey born 1841. It seems as though this is an illegitimate son.

Monasterivin is on the border between County Laios and Kildare. This suggests the Queen’s County Claxtons may be related.

Bayley Cluxton farmer
    James Cluxton 1841?-1905.2.23 d. Monasteverevin Ag labourer, illiterate
      = Maria Coffey 1837-1923.8.23 d. Skirteen m 1874.9.10 Monasterevin RC chapel, Kildare. illiterate.
      (1874, 1901, 1911: Skirteen, Monasterevin Kildare)
      (Mary dau of John Coffey labourer)
      (Wedding witnesses Michael Kavanagh, Bridget Liney)
      (1901 says both born in Kildare, 1911 says Maria was born in Queens County.)
      (1911: Athy widow, 3 kids, 2 living in 1911
      (Maria's death witness: dau Esther Fitzpatrick)
      Mary Anne Cluxton 1875.5.13-1877.Q2 b Marys Lane, Monasteravin d. Athy
      Esther Cluxton 1877.7.29- b Monasterevin, Kildare
         = Patrick Fitzpatrick 1873- m 1899.9.15 Monasterevin, Kildare
      James Cluxton 1879.1.3-1943 Convicted 1918. b Kildare Laois (Queen's). Labourer. 5'7 3/4, brown hair blue eyes.

James Cleixton 1830-1905.2.23 d. Monasteverevin. labourer. Widower.

This appears to be a second marriage of the tax commissioner.

James Cluxton farmer
  = Elizabeth Bayley
    Jane Cluxton 1831-1900.11.1 Dressmaker d. 4 Grattan Pde Drumcondra Dublin
      = Hugh McKiernan cooper
        m 1850.7.28 St Marys CofI, Dublin North
        (Hugh son of James McKiernan)
        (1850: Both resident 13 Abbey St Dublin)
        (Marriage witnesses: James Dowling, Anna Walker)
        (1860: 52 Watling St Dublin)
        (Jane's death ("age 59" which cannot be correct) witness: son Samuel Kiernan)
         Thomas McKiernan bap 1853.12.19
         Samuel McKiernan 1858-(or 1861-) b Dublin cooper
           = Rachel Anna Farrell 1873- m1892.6.27 Greptones Rathdown Co Wicklow
             (1900.11.1, 1901: 10 Portland Place Dublin)
             (1911: 206 Cloncliffe Rd Drumcondra Dublin)
             (Rachal dau of Alfred Farrell lodging keeper)
             (Witnesses: Alfred Farrell, Henry Joseph Evans)
         Hugh McKernan 1860.8.3 bap 1860.9.10 St James Dublin d. 1886.5.14 d. 13 Tortland St Dublin. Death witness: mother Jane McKiernan)         
    Fanny Cluxton 1833-1907.10.22 b Kildare d. 1907.10.22 Napier, Hudson's Bay, NZ
      = Alfred Ellery 1834.1.29-1889.3.8 b Romsey, England d. Clive, Hawkes Bay, NZ    m 1854.4.21 St James Church of Ireland, Dublin
        (Before marriage, both living at Cooks Lane St James parish, Dublin)
        (Witnesses: Samuel H Walker, Ann Larkin)
        (Alfred son of Thomas Ellery = Mary Ann Frooks)
        (1861: Brightside Bierlow, Yorkshire, England)
        (Fanny Ellery, 1907/
        Mary A Ellery 1860 b Ireland
        Elizabeth Ellery 1865-1909.7.15 b Geelong, Victoria d. Whangerei NZ
          = Harry Nelson 1856.Q1-1911.10.29 Holyhead, Wales d. Whangerei NZ
    Anne Cluxton 
      =1 ____ Larkin
      =2 Thomas le Burn land surveyor m. 1872.3.20 CoI St Audoen, Dublin
      (Thomas son of Edward le Burn, bleacher. Widower. 35 Bridgeforte St)
      (Witnesses: Joseph Lowidge, Jane McKiernan)
      (Anne Leburn d1875 age 51 in Dublin South).


(Probably daughter of James = Dorothea Beard, but might be dau of James Claxton=Anne Doyle of Carlow since marriage witnesses were Doyles)
James Cluxton farmer
    Elizabeth Cluxton 1873- b. Kildare
      =  Mauritius McNally b. Dublin 1865-1937.Q1 m 1890.9.2 St Agatha, Dublin d. Dublin North
        (1890: Elizabeth was living at 46 Portland Row. Maurice son of Maurice McNally dead)
        (Marriage witnesses: Charles Loffie? Doyle, Annie Doyle)
        (1901: 31 Richmond Place, Mountjoy, Dublin)
        James Valentine McNally

Ellen Cluxton = John Mooney m 1840.2.24 St Michael & John

Maria Cluxton = Patrick Mooney
  Catharina 1835 Dublin Saggart

Elizabeth Sallins Claxton d.1813 Buried St Michael & All Angels churchyard, Clane, Kildare
John Claxton d1812 Buried St Michael & All Angels churchyard, Clane, Kildare

“On the night of the 16th instant, a party went to the house of another woman, who lives in the parish of Carrough, and took from her a gun. They proceeded from her house to Ballyvollan, where they broke into the house of a man named Cluxton, from whom they demanded his fire-arms, but did not obtain any.” — Saunder’s newsletter, 24 Dec 1821. (This was in the Barony of Clane, Kildare, northwest of Naas).

Cluxtons in Canada

“William Cluxton. Born at Dundalk, County Louth, in 1819, he lost his father when he was only six years’ old, and his mother before he had passed
his twelfth year. On her death the orphaned family was scattered, and he went to reside with an uncle who carried on a business at Cootehill, County Cavan. His uncle soon urged him to emigrate to Canada. He found himself among friends three
miles from the small village of Peterborough of that time.”
— “The Irishman in Canada”, N.F. Davin (1877), p364 (https://archive.org/details/irishmanincanada00daviuoft/page/364)
“Son of the late George and Ann Cluxton. B. in Dundalk, Louth, 31 Mar 1819, Ed. at Coote Hill, Cavan. Came to Can. when very young.” –“The Canadian Parliamentary Guide” (1873)
https://archive.org/details/canadianparliame1873unse/page/152?q=cluxton

After a successful career, he was elected to the Canadian Parliament as a conservative.
The uncle is clearly Charles Coulter, husband of Jane Cluxton. https://soc.genealogy.ireland.narkive.com/ThVYbvOf/william-coulter-family-from-dundalk-county-louth-ireland-c-1794-1850; https://www.jstor.org/stable/20533929?seq=1; http://news.rootsweb.com/th/read/GENIRE/2004-07/1090326291

In the 1833 Tithe Applotments there were only 10 Coulters in County Louth. They were probably all descendants of Samuel Coulter 1755-1803.6.13 of Carnbeg near Dundalk. He was a Presbyterian.

The father is the same age as the tax commissioner, so he could be a descendant of the Kildare Cluxtons. Alternatively he could be descended from the Cluxtons of Newry. Note that William Cluxton was Wesleyan Methodist, and there were Methodist Cluxtons in Banbridge, County Down, with connections to Dublin (for example, Kennedy Cluxton moved from Banbridge to Dublin)

Jane Cluxton b County Louth = Charles Coulter -1832
   (6 children born Ireland. Family emigrated to Peterborough, Ontario about 1830)
     William Coulter 1814.12.7 b Dundalk = Eliza Lince 1826- b Dublin
         Anne Jane Coulter 1845.11 b Peterborough, Canada
         Charles Lince Coulter 1848.9.24-1909.2.22 b Peterborough d. Philadelphia
         ... and many other children
George Cluxton d. 1825 = Ann ____ d. 1830 b Ireland = ?? b Ireland
    William Harold Cluxton 1818.3.31-1901.2.16 b Dundalk, County Louth d. Peterborough Ontario. Merchant
      = Mary Ann Payne 1823-1879.10.31 b England
        (Orphan. Emmigrated to Ontario in 1832 with his uncle)
        (Bio: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Cluxton)
        (1861: Peterborough, Ontario.)
        (1871: Peterborough, Ontario. Wesleyan Methodist)
        (1891: Peterborough, Ontario. Methodist. Annie was Church of England. Produce merchant )        
        William Henry Cluxton 1840-1927 b Ontario
           = Mary C Clark 1839-  m1865.1.30 Toronto
            (1871: Peterborough, Ontario)
            (1910: Peterborough, Ontario)
Cambridge)
        Jane Cluxton 1842- b Ontario
        Ellen E Cluxton 1844-
        George Cluxton 1846- b Ontario. Merchant. 1881: Sawmill Owner
         = Mary Eliza ("Minnie") Cottingham 1855- m 1872.2.8
            (1881: Somerville, Victoria North, Ontario)
            William Harold Cluxton 1872.12.25-1964.1.7
            Albert Cluxton 1875-
            Lawrence George Cluxton 1874.2.20 -1959.7.20
            Herbert C Cluxton b Canada 
              =(2) Alberta C L Davis 1889- m 1912.12.25 Boston
            Royal Cluxton 1878.12.1
              = Gertrude Rease 1879- m 1917.7.12 Genesee, NY, USA
                (moved to Montreal in 1928)
            Charles Cluxton 1880-
        Frederick C Cluxton 1850- b Ontario
        Alfred R Cluxton 1851- b Ontario
        Ada Henrietta Cluxton 1854- b Ontario
        Sidney A Cluxton (male) 1856- b Ontario
        Annie Amelia Cluxton 1866 b Pererborough
           = John Carlon 1864- m1893.9.5 Peterborough, NY
                (John son of Rev Cecil Baylis Carlon of Trinity College,                            
        Henrietta Cluxton 1859- b Ontario (in 1861, not present in 1871)
        Clara Cluxton 1860- b Ontario (in 1871, not present in 1861)

Emma Cluxton 1869-1870.9 d. Peterborough, Ontario died of spinal diseases

In the 1810 County Louth Spring Assizes, Joseph Cluxton was paid 2 pounds 18s 6d for destroying vermin, apparently at the gaol in County Louth.

In the 1815 asizes we learn Joseph Cluxton was a sub-constable at Glydefarm, Co Louth. This is very close to Tallanstown. Presumably he was a brother of George.

Ann must be a daughter of Joseph or George (possibly a sister of William Cluxton sent to Joseph after becoming an orphan?) Moved to Peterborough, Ontario after a brief time in England.

Ann Cluxton 1822-1907.9.12 b Ireland
  = Abraham Ball 1815- of County Louth Shoemaker 
    m 1844.7.3 Tallanstown, County Louth (Roman Catholic wedding)
    (1881: Peterborough, Peterborough West, Ontario, Canada)
    John Ball 1845
    Edward Ball 1848-1923
    Abraham Ball 1850.5.29-1929.12.27 b England d Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
    George Ball 1854- 
      = Margaret McFadden 1863- m 1889.10.29 Peterborough, Ontario
    William Ball 1857- 1937
      = Elizabeth Sullivan 1860- m 1881.8.14 Peterborough, Ontario
    James Ball 1855-1880
    Maria Anna Ball 1862.8.3 b. St. Marys, Sunderland, Durham, England

This next family is particularly interesting since they came to New Jersey from Canada, and they spelt their name as “Cluggston”,”Cluxton”, “Cluxtom” and the truly bizarre “Clugkston”.
Richard Cluxton married Eliza Newett in 1842 (Ireland Diocesan and Prerogative Marriage Licence Bonds, Armagh). The Church of Ireland Diocese of Armagh covers County Armagh, Tyrone, and County Louth.
They moved to Canada, and then to New Jersey.
I think it is very likely that Richard is a brother of Ann.

But note that there is another Richard Cluxton in New Jersey born 1827. Thus, there must be at least two families of Cluxtons who emmigrated there at about the same time.

Richard Cluxton 1817-1866.11.28 b Ireland d Trenton, Mersey, NJ
  =(1) Eliza Newett 1820- b Ireland
   (1850: "Cluxton", Burlington, NJ)
   (Eliza died not longer after, because Richard had remarried by 1854)
   (1860: "Cluggston", Hamilton, Mercer, NJ)
   (1870: Hamilton, Mersey, New Jersey)
   (1880: Trenton, Mersey, New Jersey)
   (1885: "Clugkston", Trenton, New Jersey)
   (1900: "Cluxtom")
   Ann Cluxton 1843- b Canada
   William Cluxton 1849.2-1917.3.22 b Canada = Ellen 1848.10-1917.30.10 b PA m about 1875
      (1900, 1910: Trenton, Mercer, NJ)
      Estella Cluxton 1878.2 b NJ (unmarried in 1910)
      Margaret Cluxton 1876.9 b NJ = Charles Archinal
      Frances May Cluxton 1882.6-1908.5.31 b NJ = William Chaffee Mixter
      William R Cluxton 1888.10 b NJ (unmarried in 1910)
    Robert Cluxton 1850- b NJ (seems to have died by 1860)
 =(2) Mary Kearney 1828.4-1904.5.16 b Ireland
   Margaret Cluxton 1854- b New Jersey
     = Robert J Wood m 1876.1.2, NJ
   Mary J Cluxton 1859- b New Jersey
      = Frank H Higgins 1858- m 1877.10.6 Burlington New Jersey
   Edward M Cluxton 1860.9 - 1928 b New Jersey
   George Cluxton 1865.1 b New Jersey

Cluxtons in Ohio

John Cluxton, born 1791 in Ireland, moved to Ohio (possibly he is the John Clugston who arrived in Philadelphia in 1819) and married Nancy Page, the daughter of a Methodist minister. He is the ancestor of most of the Cluxtons in the USA. The family kept documents, which state that John was the fourth child of Robert Cluxton. The first three children remained in Ireland. The fifth child, Rebecca (“Betsy”) Cluxton also moved to the US.

A group of Cluxtons born in Ireland in the 1820’s moved to Ohio in 1850. In the 1920 census their children state that the parents were born in Ireland North, but I think they probably came from north-west of Dublin.

Claxtons of Gormanstown, Killcullen and Lexington, Kentucky

These families are certainly related. In 1787 Arthur Claxton son of George Claxton of Kilcullen Bridge was named on Baillie Claxton’s lease; he had died by 1801. The George Claxton must be the publican who died in 1778. As he owned the Turf House in 1774, he must be born before 1755. I think he must be a son from a first marriage of Henry of Kilcullen Bridge.

(Could this be “Delany”? Dennis Delany was the innholder of the Red Lyon inn and he died by 1783. Baillie Claxton inherited ‘Heylands’s holdings’ which had been owned by William Delany. Dennis Delany bought land in Gormanstown from Henry and George Plowman, who were also witnesses to George and Arthur Claxton’s deed)

Arthur Claxton = Eleanor Dunny  (Catholic baptisms)
    George Claxton 1784.10.3 bap Kilcullen
    Marcus Claxton 1786.11.8 bap Kilcullen
    Elizabeth Claxton 1788.11.19 bap Kilcullen
    John Claxton 1790.8.15 bap Kilcullen
       = Judy Tobin m. 1815.11.28 Kilcullen.
    Arthur Claxton 1792.11.28-  bap Kilcullen
Martha Claxton = James Quin m 1787.__.31 Kilcullen 
    (Marriage Witnesses: Jacobo Hackett, Thoma Dunny, Maria Dunny).

The sons George and John apparently moved to Lexington, Kentucky, shortly after John’s marriage in 1815. See the Kentucky page.

John Claxton = Anne
    Arthur Claxton 1812.12.22

In 1770, Richard Claxton had a house on Arthur Claxton’s land in Gormanstown.
This is a different Arthur Claxton, because this Arthur died in 1776.

Arthur Claxton d 1776.12 Galmerstown, Co Kildare
    (1770: leased his land in Gormon's town to Thomas Allen)
    Thomas Claxton
        (1777: Thomas was executor of his father's will. Witnesses Richard Rawson, shoemaker, Thomas Allen, farmer, and his son Robert Allen, all of Galmerstown Kildare, and Edward Fisher, Gent of Dublin. Will dated 1776.12.11 Memorial Regd 27 Apr 1777).

Galmerstown is clearly Gormanstown (Irish: Baile Galmóir), which is part of the parish of Kilcullen, and is south of Kilcullen Bridge. It’s actually not far from Donard, Co Wicklow,

George Claxton. Labourer
  = Catherine Murphy illiterate
    (1865: Kilcullen, Kilcullen, Co Kildare)
    Thomas Claxton 1858.1.27 bap 1858.2.7 Kilcullen (Catholic)
    Catherine Claxton 1861.5.31 Kilcullen (Catholic)
    Mary Claxton 1865.12.4 b Kilcullen bap 1865.12.4 Kilcullen (Catholic)

Thomas Clexton = Mary 
   (1827: Curragh, Kildare)
    Mary Clexton bap 1827.6.18 bap Suncroft (RC), Kildare
    (Bap witnesses: Allick Westlick, Betty Sitson)

(Catholic)
On 1834.1.10, (smudged)ar Cluxton married Mary Shelan. witnesses Paul & Eliza Dulan. Clonard.
(Clonard is in County Meath, close to Johnstown at the north of Co Kildare).

Jane Cluckston = John Kilbride
    Patrick Kilbride 1861- bap Condalkin, Dublin

This man could potentially be related to George Claxton d. 1788, Kilcullen Bridge, Kildare. Publican. Intestate. But this is more likely to be  a Claxton.

Richard Claxton 1822-1883.8.25 d. Mardyke St, Athlone. shopkeeper.
    = _____ (died before 1883)
    (Death witness: son George of Mardyke St)
    George Claxton 1853 b Co Westmeath. Publican
      = Jane Louisa James 1853 b Dublin City m1877.4.18 Holmpatrick church of Ireland, Dublin
        (Jane dau of Henry James carpenter)
        (George was living in Athlone before marriage)
        (Wedding witnesses: Lynham James, Richard Phillip Martin)
        (1901: 26 Marayke St, Athlone Town, Westmeath)
        (1911: 19 Mardyke St, Athlone East Urban, Westmeath. 2 children, 1 living)
        George Henry Claxton 1886-1908.7.11 b&d Mardyke St Co Westmeath.
        Richard James Arthur Claxton 1889.11.16 b Mardyke St

A respectably-dressed woman, named Sarah Cluxton, summoned the Messrs Rigby, of Suffolk-Street, for having taken forcible possession of a house in North King Street, of which she was caretaker. The complainant stated that she was put in as caretaker of the house three years ago by Mr Finn.–Dublin Monitor, 18 October 1843, p2

James and Bayly Cluxton

There was an incident involving the Cluxtons in 1836, which was extensively reported in Irish newspapers. At the same time that Clugstons in County Down were major participants in Orange parades, the Cluxtons fought against Orangemen.

The first complainants were two policemen, who charged two very respectable men and their servant-woman with an assault. The traversers were James Cluxton and Bayly Cluxton, father and son, and Rose Brown, their serving maid. The Cluxtons are Liberal Protestants residing in the town of Kilcullen, and are fifty pound freeholders of county Kildare, and have made themselves remarkable subscribing to the Justice Rent.
– “Dublin Morning Register”, 21 October 1836

“The Jury acquitted the Cluxtons, and found the two policemen guilty. The Barrister did not pass sentence but they were forthwith committed to prison.”

The fact that their maidservant is mentioned, suggests that Bailey’s mother had died by this time. In Bailey’s later trial, it was mentioned that he had been convicted of manslaughter around 1835-1836. That seems to be a confused reference to this event.

Trial of Bailey Cluxton

Thanks to B Kinane for this information. Bailey was sentenced to transportation but he died of tuberculosis in prison at Naas Gaol, two years after sentencing. Transportation to Tasmania ended in 1853, and Western Australia was the only other place still accepting convicts in 1850. His son James Cluxton buried him in a graveyard at Pollardstown, near the Curragh, giving his death as 16 February 1851.
Bailey was 5 foot 10 1/4 tall, had blue eyes, brown hair, and a pale complexion.

MANSLAUGHTER-TRANSPORTATION. Bayley Cluxton, a respectable looking farmer, from near Kilcullen, was indicted for the manslaughter of his servant man, John Jones, on the 10th of March, at Kilcullen, by striking him divers blows with a stick, and giving him mortal bruises of which he languished until the 15th instant, when he died. There were three witnesses examined for the prosecution. The substance of their evidence was that on the evening of the 10th instant the prisoner was drinking at the public house of Isaac Scott, at Killcullen. John Jones, his servant-man, brought an ass and dray for him; asked him to go home, when he gave no answer, being subsequently informed that if Jones went home leaving the car behind him at the public-house door. The prisoner swore he would kill him. Afterwards Cluxton got into the car and drove homeward vociferating in a most uproarious manner. When he came to the house of a man named Stanley, at Sunnyhill, he drove into the yard shouting out for Stanley. The wife came out stating her husband was from home. At this juncture, John Jones walked in after his master and stood at the rear of the car. On perceiving him, Cluxton called him a robber; then getting out of the car, he took up one of the side rails and gave him a blow of it. Jones ran for refuge to Stanley’s house; but the lower half of the door being shut he could not obtain shelter sufficiently soon to escape the vengeance of his furious and brutal master.
Being baffled in the attempt, he faced around to run in a different direction; but he was met face to face by Cluxton, who had the stick uplifted in both his hands, Jones bowed his head to save it from the descending blow, and received it on the lower part of his neck and shoulders; he desired his master be easy, and then left the Yard; Cluxton resumed his seat on the car and drove along the road homeward, yelling and shouting out that he was a whole man and that he would kill every one he met; Jones went home, and being sick he went to bed; he took a small portion of porridge on that Saturday night, but did not use any food afterwards; he died on the ensuing Wednesday. Dr. Frederick Faulkner made a post mortem examination on the body of John Jones. He found bruises on the loins and the lower part of the neck; he found the chest generally diseased; one of the lungs was particularly inflamed; he considered the latter to be the immediate cause of the death; in his opinion, the inflammation of the lung was superinduced by the blows of which the bruises were the effect; there was no abrasion of the skin; but there was a light discoloration in the parts where the blows were inflicted ; the blows affected the system generally, which was debilitated; the right lung being the weakest portion inflammation set in. He considered the deceased might have lived long though labouring under a chronic disease of the chest if the inflammation of the lung had not set in. It was his opinion that the inflammation had been superinduced by the beating. When the prisoner was arrested at Newbridge he said Jones had a right to be killed 20 years ago; and he was sorry he did not do it himself then. Mr. Hayes addressed the jury for the defence, arguing that the inflammation was not the result of the blows but from the general debility of his system. The jury after about fifteen minutes absence, brought in a verdict of guilty of manslaughter with a recommendation to mercy. His lordship said he could not entertain the recommendation; the prisoner had been convicted of manslaughter 13 or 14 years before. If the jury could make out a case of mitigation for the prisoner they might forward it to the proper quarter for consideration. The prisoner here addressed the judge in a long rambling speech, about his innocence of the charge of which he had been found guilty, and of his great charity for the last 20 years toward the deceased and his family. It is fortunate for you that you were not indicted for murder. Your sentence is, that you be transported for ten years. An ejectment and an order for immediate possession were granted by Lord Chief Justice Blackburne on Tuesday against the prisoner. He owed nearly 400. rent and arrears.
– “Freeman’s Journal”, 24 March 1849

Bankruptcy of the Cluxton Estate

FRIDAY the 21st of April, 1870, At the hour of Twelve Noon, All the Estate and Interest of the Bankrupt, his Assignees, and Mortgages in and to the Lands and Premises comprised in and demised by an Indenture of Lease for three lives, renewable for ever, dated 3rd March 1749, and in the last renewal thereof described as “All that and those the Slate House and Garden, with two small Cabins, lying between John Moore, Thomas Maher, and James Meyler, deceased, their holdings, formerly held by William Owens, and, now in the possession of the said Baille Cluxton (the Lessee), situate in the Town of Kilcullen Bridge, in the Barony of Kilcullen, and County of Kildare; together with the Town and Lands called Newtown containing by estimation 27a. 3r. 8p., also situate in the Barony of Killcullen and County of Kildare; together with liberty to the said Ballie Cluxton of cutting Turf on the old Bog of Kilcullen, to be used on the premises only; subject to the annual rent of £21, and a renewal in on the fall of each life of £10 4s 4d. A Statement of Title and Conditions of Sale and Rental are lodged in the Office of the Court, and may he seen also in the Office of the undernamed Solicitor having carriage of the Sale. Dated this 25th day of March, 1876. THOMAS FAURELL, Chief Clerk. DESCRIPTIVE PARTICULARS. The Premises to be sold consist of a Farm of Land In the Townland of Newtown, containing about 27 acres, Irish plantation measure, at present in his possession. There is a substantial and commodious dwelling house and good offices on the Lands, all in a fair state of repair, with a yard and garden in the care of said house and offices. The Land is extremely good and suitable for pasture or agriculture, and Its advantageous position greatly enhances its value. It may be said to be within the market town of Kilcullen Bridge, County Kildare, and is surrounded by the county road on three sides. It is only distant a mile and a half from the Carragh Camp and ?? miles from Newbridge both excellent markets for forage and provisions. The remainder of the premises consists of a row of houses on the margin of the said Lands of Newtown, and let to weekly and yearly tenants at present producing a gross yearly rent of £4; also a substantial businesshouse in the town of Kilcullen, at present let to a tenant for a long term, at £10 per annum. Proposals for purchase by Private Contract will be received by the Official Assignee up to the hour of twelve o’clock noon on the 15th day of April, 1876. If an offer be made which ran to recommended by the Vendors it will be submitted to the Court for approval without further notice. For further information apply to CHARLES R. JAMES, Official Assignee 20 Merchants quay, Dublin; BROWN and HENRY Solicitors for Mortage having carriage of the Sale, No. 211 Bachelors-Walk Dublin, where may be seen Statement of Title, Conditions of Sale, and Rental; WM. 0. WHITE, Solicitor, No. 15 Upper Ormond Quay, Dublin.
– “Freeman’s Journal”, 11 April 1876

On Thursday in the court of Judge Harrison, the case of Cluxton, Kilcullen-bridge, County Kildare, upon a question that raised rather peculiar. It appeared that the bankrupt was a farmer. In course of the proceedings order was made his farm under a charge for the sum of £4,200. Parties claiming heirs-at-law the bankrupt father have applied the court not allow the purchase to [be] completed [on] the ground that he (the bankrupt’s father) was not legally married. The court is now investigating the matter. The bankrupt’s Bailey Cluxton; his mother’s name was Anne Kearney, and their marriage is alleged to have been solemnised at Cullens wood in 1842, by the “Rev. James Maguire,” a Protestant clergyman, described as a “couple beggar”. The predecessor of the Rev. Mr. Maguire at Cullenswood was the Rev. Mr. Schultz, a German minister. The business book of the two clergymen named, [as] well of others who similarly officiated, have come into the possession Mr. Samuels, solicitor and proctor, and that gentleman Thursday produced one the book – which contains entry of a marriage in this form “Bailey Cluxton, Farmer. Killcullen. 30th March, 1842 Anne Kearney, Witnesses — James Mason, Judith Mason.” The book in which the story appears purports contain records marriages the “Rev. James Maguire,” and the bankrupt and the purchasers of his farm contend the entry genuine: that proves the marriage the bankrupt’s parents; that the “Rev. James Maguire” was a regularly ordained clergyman the Church of England, and A. of TC.D. Consequently it is submitted that the bankrupt’s title to the farm derived under his father valid. The persons claiming to be heirs-at-law of Bailey Cluxton are understood [to] dispute the authenticity of the entry, and to raise questions to whether the Rev. James Maguire was an ordained clergyman. It stated that part of an alleged certificate of the marriage, in the handwriting of the rev. gentleman shows that he certified that the parties “was,” not “were,” married, and that he signed himself “Rev. James Maguire, A.k, T.C.D.” Mr. H. Plunkett, instructed Mr. V. Duff, attended for the heir-at-law the bankruptcy and others. Mr. G. Perry, instructed Messrs. Browne and Henry, appeared for the chargcand? the farm. Mr, Rynd, instructed by Mr. James Goff, attended for the purchaser. Mr. White, solicitor, appeared for Mrs. Anne Cluxton, His Lordship, in the course of the hearing, expressed his determination to adopt ulterior measures towards any of the parties in the case who swore to a particular state of facts which did not exist. If clear perjury was committed, would certainly have the matter disposed of another court. The case was adjourned a future day.
– “Cork Constitution”, 26 August 1876

Another news report states “The case came before the court on an application by a person of the name of Walker” and “The bankrupt had become entitled the property eldest son and heir-at-law of Bailey Cluxton, deceased, and had been in possession for great number of years. It was alleged, however, that there had been no legal marriage between the father and mother of the bankrupt. It appeared that Bailey Cluxton, his father, Protestant, and his mother. Anne Kearney, Roman Catholic.”
The court documents for this case still exist, and probably provide further information (at least, they should state who Walker is).

It looks as though this same Walker had challenged another Kearney marriage the previous year! I guess that James Kearney was the brother of Mary Kearney, and Walker was their brother-in-law. I presume that the couple-beggar records, which the judge took to preserve, were lost in the fire in the public record office in 1922. The Cluxton record is almost the only one which survived.

On the other hand, in the case of Cluxton, a bankrupt, 1875, Judge
Harrison was so struck with the enormous importance of the registers of these couple-beggars, “containing records which affected the legitimacy and rights of property of so many persons,” that in 1877 he recommended that they should be obtained by Government. He also wrote : — “ Evidence was taken before me in the course of the proceedings to establish the fact that this marriage was celebrated by a clergyman named ‘Maguire,’ who was an ordained clergyman of the Church of England and Ireland, and who celebrated marriages clandestinely in Dublin for several years before the passing of the Marriage Act of 1844, and this being established to my satisfaction, I decided that the marriage was a valid marriage, and that the Bankrupt was legitimate.” In the year 1875, Lord Chancellor Ball
wrote: — “There is no doubt that in these books may be found the only record of marriages, which, though irregular (not being either by banns or licence), were legally valid and binding, and the offspring legitimate. I have known Mr. Schulz’ book used in proceedings in which questions of this kind arose — and these are exactly similar and of equal value.” In the case of “Kearney v. Walker,” which was tried in the Probate and Matrimonial Court, London, in the year 1874, where it was sought to recall letters of administration of the estate of James Kearney, the case turned upon the validity of the marriage of James Kearney to Julia Farrell
by the Reverend Mr. Baggs, a clergyman in holy orders, who was termed acouple-beggar, at his house in Straw Market, Dublin, on the 11th August, 1834.
– “Report of the Deputy Keeper of the Public Records and of the Keeper of the State Papers in Ireland.”, volume 10. https://archive.org/details/reportofdeputyke1018dubl

Gravestone of Bailey Cluxton

The family gravestone is in Pollardtown, Kildare.

“Erected by JAMES CLUXTON in memory of his beloved father BAILEY CLUXTON who died 18th February 1851 aged 42 years. And his 3 infant children. Also the above named JAMES CLUXTON who died 10th October 1877 aged 35 years.
He is not dead but sleepeth. St Mark V 39
BAILEY CLUXTON Calverstown who died on the 9th Feb 1920 aged 74 years also his son CHARLES who died on ?2 Oct 1918 aged 24”

Bailey’s wife also erected a gravestone at New Abbey, Kilcullen.

“Erected by Mrs Cluxton, of Kilcullen, in memory of her mother
Kate Karney, died August 1st 1842, aged 52 years.
Also her father John Karney, died September 8th 1864, aged 84 years.
And her niece Eliza Hanlon
Mary Anne Melia, died 7th July 1959
Mary Anne Melia, died 16th July 1959, aged 77 years
Daniel Melia, died 23rd November 1964, aged 80 years.”

Other News Reports

James and Henry Claxton of Kildare

The Curragh of Kildare is less than 5km from the Cluxton estate at Kilkullen. Henry offered a reward of 24 pounds, so he was very wealthy.

James Clugston of Kilcullen Bridge
    Bailey Cluxton
        James Cluxton, Tax Commissioner
    James Claxton, of Curragh of Kildare
        James Claxton d 1782.9
        Henry Claxton

Arthur Claxton
    Arthur Claxton = Eleanor Dunny
    Martha Claxton = James Quin m 1787.__.31 Kilcullen

TWENTY GUINEAS REWARD. WHEREAS it has been maliciously propagated that Henry Claxton, Son to James Claxton who live on the Curragh of Kildare, near the Sand house, did in the last September Meeting murder late Brother James Claxton, of said Place, by kicking and beating him till he expired : Now in vindication of Character against so wicked a falsehood, and it being well known in that Neighbourhood that my Brother died of a malignant Fever, the underneath Certificates will appear, from a Physician of emmminence and a reputable Apothecary, both resident in the town of Kildare, will pay the Sum of Twenty Guineas to any Person who will in six Months from this Date give information against the Persons who were guilty of fabricating the said Report. Given in Hand this 13th October, 1782, HENRY CLAXTON.
A REPORT having prevailed that Mr. James Claxton died in Consequence of Beating, I, as attendant Physician, hereby certify that the same is totally false and without Foundation. MAU. KELLY, M-D. Kildare, Oct. 16.
I Do believe that James Claxton died of Fever, not of Beating, as falsely reported . E. HETHERINGTON, Apothecary, Kildare.
– “Saunders’s News-Letter”, 24 October 1782

Monday last ended the assizes for the County of Kildare, held at Athy … Patrick Kavanagh was tried for the murder of Owen Kilfoyle, and James Claxton, for the murder of Bridget Conner, and both acquitted. – “Saunders’s News-Letter”, 4 October 1773

DEATHS. At the Curragh of Kildare, Mr Samuel Cluckston. — Saunder’s Newsletter, 15 Nov 1779.

George Cluxton of Kildare

On 1839.6.23, George Cluxton was one of the signatories to a petition which began:

WE, the Undersigned, having prepared the following Requisition to the High Sheriff of Kildare, and having since ascertained that he is absent from the kingdom, request a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the County Kildare, at the Court-house NAAS, on SATURDAY, INST, at Twelve o’Clock, for the purpose stated in said Requisition: Walter Burgh, High Sheriff of the County of Kildare.
Sir — We, the undersigned, request you to your Bailiwick, on early day as may suit your convenience, for the purpose of addressing the Queen, on the subject
of the late changes in her Majesty’s Councils. Dated this 13th June, 1839, Clements P Pat O’Berne, … J A Doran George Cluxton Daniel Brennan …
“Dublin Monitor”, 20 June 1839

Walter Claxton Officer's servant = Eliza Bunyard
    Walter Claxton 1867.10.12 b Curragh Camp, Kildare.


Thomas Claxton 1826-1883.1.21 d. Arthgarvan, Kildare = Bridget ___