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Astle
of "Ardristan" |
The following information has been taken from "History and Antiquities of the County of Carlow", by John Ryan published in 1833, page 356 & 357.
ASTLE. --- This family now exists but in descendants from females. It was, however, one of respectability and we shall not omit it here.
The Astle family has been long of considerable wealth and distinction in Staffordshire. Beaumont Astle, Esq., was an officer of the army engaged under William III. in the reduction of Ireland, and in the maintenance of civil and religious liberty. Early in the last century he settled in the county of Carlow. He married as his first wife --- --- --- ---, by whom he had one son, Henry, who died without issue. His second wife was Catherine, daughter of --- --- Berkeley, Esq., of the county of Carlow. The Berkeley family is on of great distinction in England, and the Irish branch of it was highly respectable. The name is mentioned in the foregoing pages. They possessed considerable property in our county ; the townlands of Ardristan and others belonged to them. This property was sold by a member of the family, (the last male of it, we believe), to Thomas Burgh, Esq., of Bert House, county Kildare, whose descendants, lord Downes, now possesses it. On the 18th September, 1727, Henry Berkeley, Esq., (brother of the above named Catherine), demised and granted for ever, to Beaumont Astle, Esq., (then a Captain of Dragoons), part of the lands of Ardristan. Captain Astle built a dwelling house on this estate, and called the seat Beaumont. It is now called Ellengrove, and is tenanted by Edward Eustace, Esq. Captain Astle had issue by his second marriage : Beaumont, a solicitor, who died without issue ; Marmaduke, who died without issue ; Abigail, who died without issue ; Lettice, married Ralph James, Esq., of Urelands, county Wicklow ; Catherine, married to --- --- James, Esq. Captain Astle married as his third wife, Elizabeth, daughter of --- --- D'Abbadie, Esq., by whom he had issue as follows : 1, William, a Captain in the Carlow regiment of militia, who died in 1809 at Tuam, where the regiment then lay. He died without issue ; and thus the name became extinct. 2, Anne, married to John Ryan of Broghillstown, in county Carlow, Esq. 3, Mary, (bap. 20 April, 1740) ; 4, Grace.
The will of Captain Astle, the elder, (who, we understand, had attained the rank of Major in the Carabineers), is dated, 2nd April, 1770 ; it was proved, 11th May, 1773. His widow survived him, as appears by the following entry in the registry book of the union of Aghade: "Burials. April ye 17th, 1776. The widow Astle at Ardristen."
Captain William Astle, above named, was a man of more than ordinary spirit. A circumstance which occurred at Nenagh, where the Carlow militia was quartered in 1793, is worthy of mention. A difference having occurred between a Mr. Watson (who was a recruiting volunteer, in expectation of a commission), and the colonel of the Carlow regiment, a hostile message from the former was the consequence. The colonel, however, did not notice the application ; but Astle was resolved not to let Mr. Watson off so easily. They fought in the yard of the head inn, then kept by one Pyne, when Astle was wounded in the breast. Captain John Newton, afterwards lieutenant colonel of the regiment, was Astle's second on the occasion. Captain Astle, though a very inoffensive man, was in his time, principal in tow or three hostile meetings. He was a keen sportsman, and was particularly fond of fowling. He had some of the best dogs in the kingdom. On his death, two of them brought the very high price of eighty pounds.
I have tried to reproduce the information in the exact form in which it appeared in the book. I have endeavoured to be accurate, however it is possible that errors may have occurred in transcription. Data should be verified against original sources. A copy of this book can be found in the Carlow Library, County Carlow and at the LDS Library Film # 1441050.
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