Peerage Record – 11708

     William Persse was born circa 1728 at Roxborough House, County Galway, Ireland^G.¹ He was the son of Robert Persse and Elizabeth Parsons.^2,3 He married, firstly, Sarah Blakeney, daughter of Colonel John Blakeney and Grace Persse, circa 1750 at County Galway, Ireland^G.^3,2 He married, secondly, Sarah Persse, daughter of Francis Persse and Sarah Skerrett, before 18 September 1787 at Ireland^G.² He died on 11 January 1802 at Corbally, County Galway, Ireland^G.^3,2,4
     He held the office of High Sheriff of County Galway in 1766.¹ In 1777 he formed the Roxborough Volunteers.¹ He was an Irish Patriot who did much to attempt reformation of Irish Parliament.¹ He was a correspondent of George Washington, to whom he sent a number of plants.¹ He lived at Roxborough, County Galway, Ireland^G.³

     Sarah Blakeney was the daughter of Colonel John Blakeney and Grace Persse.¹ She married William Persse, son of Robert Persse and Elizabeth Parsons, circa 1750 at County Galway, Ireland^G.^1,2 She died before 1787.^3,2
     From circa 1750, her married name became Persse.¹

     Colonel John Blakeney was the son of Colonel Robert Blakeney and Sarah Ormsby.¹ He married Grace Persse, daughter of Henry Persse and Mary Stratford, on 29 January 1745.^1,2 He died on 21 July 1747.¹
     He held the office of Justice of the Peace (J.P.) for County Galway in 1727.¹ He held the office of High Sheriff of County Galway in 1727.¹ From 1727 Colonel John Blakeney held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) for Athenry.¹ He gained the rank of Colonel in the Galway Dragoons.¹ He purchased Abbert, Monivea, County Galway, Ireland^G, on 14 May 1734.¹ He held the office of High Sheriff of County Galway in 1738.¹ He lived at Abbert, County Galway, Ireland^G.³

     Grace Persse was the daughter of Henry Persse and Mary Stratford.^1,2 She married Colonel John Blakeney, son of Colonel Robert Blakeney and Sarah Ormsby, on 29 January 1745.^1,3
     From 29 January 1745, her married name became Blakeney.¹

     Sarah Persse was born after 1744.² She was the daughter of Francis Persse and Sarah Skerrett.¹ She married William Persse, son of Robert Persse and Elizabeth Parsons, before 18 September 1787 at Ireland^G.¹ She died on 30 January 1792.¹

     Thomas Persse married Jane Persse, daughter of Francis Persse and Dorothy Blakeney.¹ He died before 22 November 1817.¹
     He lived at Ballyglass, County Galway, Ireland.¹

     Sarah Skerrett is the daughter of Anthony Skerrett.¹ She married Francis Persse, son of Henry Persse and Mary Stratford, in 1744 at County Galway, Ireland.¹
     She lived at Drumgriflin, County Galway, Ireland.² From 1744, her married name became Persse.¹

     Henry Persse was born circa 1739 at Roxborough House, County Galway, Ireland^G.¹ He was the son of Robert Persse and Elizabeth Parsons.¹ He married unknown wife (?)² He died on 29 June 1805 at Aughnacloy, County Tyrone, Ireland, without issue.¹ He was buried at Castleboy Cemetery, County Galway, Ireland^G.¹
     He was commissioned on 6 August 1761 with the rank of Ensign, in the service of the 31st Regiment of Foot.³ He gained the rank of Lieutenant in 1762.³ He gained the rank of Lieutenant in 1769 in the 46th Regiment.³ He fought in the American War of Independence between 1775 and 1777.³ He retired from the military on 6 June 1777.³ He gained the rank of Brevet Captain in 1793 in the Galway Militia.³

     Robert Persse was born after 1730 at Roxborough House, County Galway, Ireland^G.¹ He was the son of Robert Persse and Elizabeth Parsons.¹ He married Anne Brooke, daughter of Sir Arthur Brooke, 1st and last Bt., on 14 June 1756.¹ He died in 1758, without issue.²

     Anne Brooke was born illegitimately before 1740.¹ She was the daughter of Sir Arthur Brooke, 1st and last Bt.² She married Robert Persse, son of Robert Persse and Elizabeth Parsons, on 14 June 1756.¹
     From 14 June 1756, her married name became Persse.¹