Parsons, Sir, William, 1st Baronet of Bellamont

Sir William Parsons, 1st Baronet of Bellamont, was born around the year 1570 to James Parsons and Catherine Fenton. In 1602 he succeeded Sir Geoffrey Fenton as Surveyor General of Ireland. He was later knighted for his work as Surveyor General and was created a baronet on 10 November 1611. In 1639 he represented the county of Wicklow in Parliament and was constituted Lord-Deputy, first with Lord Dillon in 1640, and again with Sir John Borlace, Master of the Ordnance. Sir William Parsons was married to Elizabeth Lany of Dublin, who was notably the niece of Sir Geoffrey Fenton. In 1643 he was removed from government, and imprisoned on charges of treason. Sir William Parsons died at Westminster in February of 1650. His grandson, Sir William Parsons, succeeded him as 2nd Baronet of Bellamont.

Sir William Parsons (d.1650) married Lady Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Mr. Alderman John Lany, of Dublin, and niece of Sir Geoffrey Fenton. He received the honour of knighthood, and was created Baronet of Bellamont, co. Dublin in 1611. He was succeeded by his grandson, Sir William Parsons (d.1658), who married Lady Catherine, daughter of Lord Arthur, Viscount of Ranelagh. He was succeeded by his son Lord Richard Parsons (d.1702, created Baron of Oxmantown and Viscount Rosse 1681), who married firstly Lady Anne Walsingham, secondly Lady Catharine Brydges, daughter of George, Lord Chandos, and thirdly in 1685 Lady Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Sir George Hamilton, and niece of Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough. His eldest son Lord Richard Parsons (d.1741, created Earl of Rosse 1718) succeeded to his father’s viscountcy, and was created the first Earl of Rosse in 1718. He married Lady Mary, eldest daughter of Lord William Paulet. His eldest son, Lord Richard Parsons (d.1764) succeeded his father as the 2nd Earl of Rosse, and died without issue, causing all honours to expire, and the Sir William Parsons, 4th Baronet of Birr Castle, became head of the Parsons family.

ISAAR (CPF): International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families, 2nd edition (2011).

Jennifer Lee, May 2018.

Burke, John Bernard. A Genealogical and Heraldic Dictionary of the Peerage of the British Empire. London: Henry Colburn, 1851.