Earl of Roscommon - Draft
The Earldom of Roscommon was conferred in 1662 on James Lord Kilkenny West and became
dormant. Patrick Dillon born 15 May 1769 the illegitimate son (later legitimised) of John Dillon
and Bridget Mullaly. Patrick married Barbara circa 1797. Barbara is thought to be the daughter
of Ignatius Begg of Belrea, Co Roscommon. Patrick died on 17 Nov 1816 at Darbaravine/Barbavilla,
Co Roscommon. Although Lewis gives the following in 1837; ’Near the shores of Lough Bodarig,
which rise boldly from the water and are agreeably diversified, is Ballycommen, formerly the seat
of the Earl of Roscommon’ and Patrick held a lease on Ballcummin house and 192 acres at an
annual rent of £189 due to expire in 1828. He was survived by their only daughter Maria born
2 Jun 1798 and had no male heir. It was reported at the time that his cousin (once removed?)
Michael James Robert Dillon son of the late Captain Michael Dillon, late of the County of Dublin
Militia was next in line to succeed him.
In 1821 Barbara Dillon, Countess of Roscommon sent a petition to King George IV, referring to
the 'fallen fortunes' of her late husband, Patrick Dillon, Earl of Roscommon. She requested that
she and her daughter Lady Maria Dillon, were each granted annual financial assistance by King
George III, as that once again they are 'reduced to the deepest distress'. Also requests that on
her death, her share of the annual pension be continued to be paid to her daughter.
Dowager Countess Barbara late of Camden Street, Dublin died aged 77 on 18 Oct 1838 and was
buried at Glasnevin. Their daughter Maria died on 1 May 1856 at Bayview, Dublin. The
administrator of her estate was Mathew Begg.
Michael James Dillon married Charlotte Talbot
born circa 1798 19 Aug 1830 born circa 1806
died 15 May 1850 died 20 Nov 1843
Fitzwilliam Lodge Fitzwilliam Lodge
Blackrock Booterstown
Michael James Robert Dillon born posthumously was the son of Captain Michael Dillon of the
County of Dublin Militia and his wife Mary Griffiths. His father was killed at the battle of Ross in
1798. He was the grandson of James Dillon and Elizabeth Plunkett through which he made his
claim. However in 1817 Thomas Dillon of Aughadgonm, Co Longford laid claim to the title and in
1820 Francis Stephen Dillon claimed the title his reason for being so late in petitioning a claim
was that he had been incarcerated for a long term at the Marshalsea debtor’s prison in Dublin.
Michael’s claim was adjudged to be valid when it was tested by the House of Lords in 1828 and
he officially became the 12th Earl of Roscommon although he had been using the title already.
Michael James Dillon, Earl of Roscommon married Charlotte Talbot of the 19 Aug 1830 at St Marys,
Bryanston Square, London. Charlotte was the second daughter of the late John Talbot. She was
the daughter of the late Earl of Shrewsbury and sister of the present Earl of Shrewsbury (Henry
John Chetwynd-Talbot); the ceremony have been previously performed, according to the Roman
Catholic church as the residence of Robert Selby (her uncle) at Bryanston Street. The Hon Miss
Turnour was the bridesmaid. They lived at Fitzwilliam Lodge from 1843 to 1850. Charlotte died
after a short illness on Monday 20 Nov 1843 at Fitzwilliam Lodge, Booterstown. Michael, 12th
and last Earl died 15 May 1850 at Fitzwilliam Lodge, Blackrock after a protracted illness. A claim
on the earldom was made in 1850 by a Patrick Dillon, head constable of Ballina, Co Mayo (RIC)
and another claim was made in 1898 by a John Dillon aged 78 born in Longford but living in
Montreal.
1 Son Dillon born 12 Sep 1831 who survived but a few hours.
© June Bow & Karen Poff - December 2024
Return to Fitzwilliam Lodge page
The Earldom of Roscommon was conferred in 1662 on James Lord Kilkenny West and became
dormant. Patrick Dillon born 15 May 1769 the illegitimate son (later legitimised) of John Dillon
and Bridget Mullaly. Patrick married Barbara circa 1797. Barbara is thought to be the daughter
of Ignatius Begg of Belrea, Co Roscommon. Patrick died on 17 Nov 1816 at Darbaravine/Barbavilla,
Co Roscommon. Although Lewis gives the following in 1837; ’Near the shores of Lough Bodarig,
which rise boldly from the water and are agreeably diversified, is Ballycommen, formerly the seat
of the Earl of Roscommon’ and Patrick held a lease on Ballcummin house and 192 acres at an
annual rent of £189 due to expire in 1828. He was survived by their only daughter Maria born
2 Jun 1798 and had no male heir. It was reported at the time that his cousin (once removed?)
Michael James Robert Dillon son of the late Captain Michael Dillon, late of the County of Dublin
Militia was next in line to succeed him.
In 1821 Barbara Dillon, Countess of Roscommon sent a petition to King George IV, referring to
the 'fallen fortunes' of her late husband, Patrick Dillon, Earl of Roscommon. She requested that
she and her daughter Lady Maria Dillon, were each granted annual financial assistance by King
George III, as that once again they are 'reduced to the deepest distress'. Also requests that on
her death, her share of the annual pension be continued to be paid to her daughter.
Dowager Countess Barbara late of Camden Street, Dublin died aged 77 on 18 Oct 1838 and was
buried at Glasnevin. Their daughter Maria died on 1 May 1856 at Bayview, Dublin. The
administrator of her estate was Mathew Begg.
Michael James Dillon married Charlotte Talbot
born circa 1798 19 Aug 1830 born circa 1806
died 15 May 1850 died 20 Nov 1843
Fitzwilliam Lodge Fitzwilliam Lodge
Blackrock Booterstown
Michael James Robert Dillon born posthumously was the son of Captain Michael Dillon of the
County of Dublin Militia and his wife Mary Griffiths. His father was killed at the battle of Ross in
1798. He was the grandson of James Dillon and Elizabeth Plunkett through which he made his
claim. However in 1817 Thomas Dillon of Aughadgonm, Co Longford laid claim to the title and in
1820 Francis Stephen Dillon claimed the title his reason for being so late in petitioning a claim
was that he had been incarcerated for a long term at the Marshalsea debtor’s prison in Dublin.
Michael’s claim was adjudged to be valid when it was tested by the House of Lords in 1828 and
he officially became the 12th Earl of Roscommon although he had been using the title already.
Michael James Dillon, Earl of Roscommon married Charlotte Talbot of the 19 Aug 1830 at St Marys,
Bryanston Square, London. Charlotte was the second daughter of the late John Talbot. She was
the daughter of the late Earl of Shrewsbury and sister of the present Earl of Shrewsbury (Henry
John Chetwynd-Talbot); the ceremony have been previously performed, according to the Roman
Catholic church as the residence of Robert Selby (her uncle) at Bryanston Street. The Hon Miss
Turnour was the bridesmaid. They lived at Fitzwilliam Lodge from 1843 to 1850. Charlotte died
after a short illness on Monday 20 Nov 1843 at Fitzwilliam Lodge, Booterstown. Michael, 12th
and last Earl died 15 May 1850 at Fitzwilliam Lodge, Blackrock after a protracted illness. A claim
on the earldom was made in 1850 by a Patrick Dillon, head constable of Ballina, Co Mayo (RIC)
and another claim was made in 1898 by a John Dillon aged 78 born in Longford but living in
Montreal.
1 Son Dillon born 12 Sep 1831 who survived but a few hours.
© June Bow & Karen Poff - December 2024
Return to Fitzwilliam Lodge page