The Pilkingtons were an English Protestant family, who originated from Lancashire, with Richard Pilkington, the first of the family to settle in Ireland, in Westmeath and Offaly in the late 17th century. This was the beginning of family in Ireland and the establishment of Pilkington at Tore House, Co. Westmeath. According to Burke’s Landed Gentry Richard Pilkington acquired ‘extensive property’ in Westmeath and King’s County (Offaly) at the end of the 17th century and settled at Rathgarrett or Tore (Ref, Landed Estates). 

Another branch, although researchers have stated is not a direct branch to the Lancashire family, the Pilkington family of this branch were associated with Gower Hall, Kilrush, Clare [See Thomas & Francis Pilkington at end of this page].The Pilkington's purchased lands in Co Clare in early 1700s and the family began to establish themselves. They were land free holders and held vast estates in Co Clare and associated with Ballykett House Estate, Kilrush, formally the residence of the Hickman family, Gower Hall, where Richard Pilkington was there in 1805 and Water Park House, Ennis where Thomas Pilkington and his wife Anne Keane lived.  

According to a Pilkington family history by Fr. Niall Hayes, the Pilkingtons had several holdings. Church records in relation to births, marriages and deaths support this and include evidence of estate holdings the Pilkington family maintained.  The holdings are recorded as: 

Ahaga, Kilmihil

Knockalough, Kilrush

Termon, Kilrush

Ballykett, Kilrush

Newtown West, Kilrush

Rahaniska, Kilrush

Baunmore, Kilrush

Associated with Gower, there is Francis, Thomas, Pyne, along with Susanna and Sarah Pilkington.  

Francis and Thomas Pilkington are both referenced in the Limerick Chronicle in 1783, for the advertising of the estate of George Quin, of Quinsborough, held in part by James Guthrie, along with Thomas & Francis Pilkington. 

1 Francis Pilkington, born c1741, of Gowerhall, married Mary Guthrie in Aug 1773. Marriage recorded as follows: 

Limerick Chronicle. 30 August 1773. Married last Saturday at Corrofin, Co. Clare, Mr. Francis Pilkington of Gowerhall to Miss Mary Guthrie, dau of Mr. John Guthrie of Corrofin, both in the said county.  

Francis died in October 1801, recorded as follows: 

Ennis Chronicle. 22 Oct 1801. Died last Wednesday at Cragleigh, Francis Pilkington, late of Gower, Esq. 

2 Thomas Pilkington, born (1742 - 1817), married (First) to Susanna Brew in 1775, Killaloe Diocese, MLB. Susanna is referenced in the Registry of Deeds (314-218-214163) as a named leased person in a agreement between Jane Chartres Brew (wife of Tomkins Brew) and Richard Brew, his brother, dated 25 Aug 1762. Susanna married Thomas Pilkington of Craigleigh, (1742 - 1817 Ref: Ennis Chronicle) of Lower Killaloe on the 4 July 1775. Children: 

i Richard Pilkington, married Maria Blood, daughter of the late Neptune Blood of Roxton, on the 07 August 1805 (Ref: Pilkingtons of Gower House, Kilrush & Clare Journal, 1805).  Richard was in ownership or occupied Gowerhall in 1814 (Ref: Leet's Directory, 2nd Edition 1814). Richard died in July 1863 (Ref: Kilrush COI burial Records). Children: 

Maria Pilkington, is stated to have married M.S. Maxwell, Lieutenant in the 98th Regiment, in August 1829, Kilrush (Ref: Clare Journal and Ennis Advertiser, 1829), however, an article in the same paper, on later date, stated the following: 

Clare Journal and Ennis Advertiser. 13 August 1829 - The marriage of Lieut. Maxwell and Miss Pilkington has not taken place. 

Maria got married later in October 1838 to James Kinnon, Esq., of Carto, Galway (Ref: Clare Journal and Ennis Advertiser). 

Francis Pilkington (1823 - 1896) of Craigleigh, Clare. Francis married Elizabeth Walshe (1838 - 1893) and the couple had no children (Ref: Kilrush COI Cemetery). 

ii Thomas Pilkington, (1784 - 1838), of Craigleigh. He married Anne Keane, of Beechpark, Ennis, in 1819, daughter of Robert Keane and sister of Francis Nathaniel Keane and the notorious Marcus Keane. (Ref: Limerick Chronicle, February 1819). 

Robert Keane, built Beech Park circa 1800 and established a land agency. The Keanes of Hermitage, near Ennis, descend from Robert's second son Francis. His sixth son Marcus of Beech Park married Louisa daughter of Nicholas Westby of Kilballyowen and took over his father’s land agency (Ref: Landed Estates)  

Thomas and his wife, Anne, are associated with Waterpark House, Ennis, Clare. On his death in 1838, his lands at Gortmore and 2 divisions of land at Clare Abbey, went up for public auction with enquires to Marcus Keane, Beechpark, Ennis (Ref: Clare Journal & Ennis Advertiser, April 1838). Known children: 

Thomas Pilkington (1822 - 1884) married Mary Haughton, on the 02 September 1858, daughter of Alfred Haughton of Kildare in the Church of Athy, COI, Kilkdare. Thomas (Magistrate) and Mary lived at Waterpark, Ennis, with a summer residence at Kiltrellig Lodge, West Clare. Children of Thomas & Mary: 

• Henrietta Pilkington (1859-1931 m. Richard Tweedy) 

• Thomas Henry Pilkington (1860-1916 m. Florence Green) 

• Alfred Haughton Pilkington (b.1861) 

• Charles Osburne Pilkington (b.1866) 

• William Frederick Pilkington (b.1869) 

• Francis Conyngham Pilkington (1876-1943 m. Eileen Molony)

• Anne Lilian Pilkington (1863-1961) 

• Mary Edith Pilkington (1865-1935)

• Francis Sandham Ely Pilkington (1873 - 1953 m. Rosa Robertson MacFarlane)

Susanna Pilkington, born 1823, married Rev. John Nash Griffin on the 05 Aug 1845, Parish of Drumclife, Ennis, COI. Witnesses: Robert Griffin & Thomas Pilkington. 

Maria Pilkington, married John Haughton 1858.  

Mary Anne Pilkington, married Robert Griffin, barrister on the 17 September 1851, Kilferagh, COI, Kilkee. Children: 

• Susan Pilkington Griffin, eldest daughter of Robert Griffin Esq, attorney. She died 1856, at Kiltrellig (Ref: Clare Journal and Ennis Advertiser). 

There is a marriage of Susan Haire nee Pilkington, who married William Reynolds, on the 14 November 1850, parish of Drumcliff, Ennis, COI. She is the daughter of Thomas Pilkington, Esq., of Ennis. It is unclear where she fits in. 

iii Francis Pilkington, of Craigleigh. Death in 1810, recorded as follows: 

Ennis Chronicle. 07 Nov 1810. Died on Sunday evening after a lingering illness in the prime of his life, Mr. Francis Pilkington, son of Thomas Pilkington Esq., of Craigleigh in this co. 

Thomas Pilkington married (Second) to Jane Evans. 

3 Pyne Pilkington born circa 1740, married Catherine [Unknown] and had a son:

i William Pilkington, christened on the 06.04.1768.  William married Jane O’Donnell on the 8th of February 1796.  William and Jane lived in Rahaniska, Kilkee, for a short time following their marriage, prior to moving to Newtown West to what would become the Heaphy house.  Their move to Newtown was a result of the death of Burton Brew in 1800 and the leasing of parts of the Brew estate of Newtown west. William Pilkington left Newtown in 1816 when his eldest daughter Abigail married Jonathon Brew of Newtown.  William and Jane moved to Baunmore and were there when their daughter Anne married Burton Brew of Newtown, in 1823. William was in Ballykett Estate when he died on the 20.04.1843, aged 75 years. Possible death for Jane is in 1867, Kilrush, aged 90. William and Jane had the following children: 

Abigail Pilkington, born 1796, died 1843, Newtown West. Abigail married Jonathon Brew (1798 - 1845) in 1816 [See Brew Page] with children: 

• Jane Brew

• Eliza Brew

• William Brew

• Burton Brew, married his cousin, Jane Brew, of Newtown, Kilrush. 

• Catherine Brew

• Susanna Brew

• William Brew

• Anne Brew, married Conor Griffin, Tullaroe, Kilrush. 

• Margaret Brew

• Francis Brew

• Jonathon Brew

• Richard Brew

• Abigail Brew 

Catherine Pilkington, (1798 - 1866) Catherine married Arthur O'Donnell, of Doonmore, in 1818. Children: 

• John O'Donnell (b. 1820 - d. 19 Dec 1886). Married Mary Anne Kelly. Children:

Arthur O'Donnell, born c1861

Jane O'Donnell, born c1862. Married James Kelly. 

John O'Donnell, born 1864

Margaret Anne O'Donnell, born 1865

Catherine O'Donnell, born 1869

Richard O'Donnell, born 1873

• Jane O'Donnell, born abt 1828-32, Doonmore, Clare and died Aug 1909, Kilkeedy, Co. Limerick. She is the daughter of Arthur O'Donnel. Jane married Edward (Edmond) Parker, son of Craven Parker, Briska, Clarina, (b. 31 Mar 1816 - d. Bef 1901) on the 14 Dec 1852, Killard, Kilrush, COI. Witnesses: John O'Donnell & Richard Smith. Children: 

Francis Parker (b. Abt 1856 - d. 15 Dec 1862 - Kilkeedy)

William Parker (b. Abt 1856/61 Co. Clare)

Francis Parker (b. 05 March 1864, Limerick - d. 21 Oct 1943)

Edward Parker (b. Abt 1865/69, Limerick)

Dick Parker (d. Bef 1901)

• Margaret O'Donnell, married Richard McMahon Roberts on the 17 Oct 1862, Kilrush COI, Co. Clare. Witnesses: Richard O'Donnell & William Scales. 

• William O'Donnell, married Margaret Healy (dau. of John Healy) on the 30 Jan 1864, Ennistymon COI, Co. Clare. Witnesses: Richard O'Donnell & Richard McMahon Roberts. 

Anne Pilkington, born 1800, died 1888, Newtown West. Anne married Burton Brew (1798 - 1868) in 1824 [See Brew Page], with children: 

• Elizabeth (Eliza) Brew, born 1824, married her cousin, Francis Brew of Newtown, in 1847. Children: 

Anne Brew, married William Scales in 1880. 

Burton Brew, born c1860

Michael Brew

Sarah Brew

Frank Brew

Jonathan Brew

Dick Brew

Jennifer Brew

• Jane Brew, born 1825, married her cousin, Burton Brew, of Newtown, Kilrush, and Eyre Heaphy, Clarina, Limerick [See Heaphy Page].  Children: 

Elizabeth Heaphy, born c1858, she married William Henry Parkinson, son of Robert Parkinson, of Broomhill House, Kilrush, who married Elizabeth Butler, daughter of Susanna Pilkington (See below). Note: William Henry's mother is not Elizabeth Butler, but Anne Fury, through Robert's second marriage.  

Burton Joseph Heaphy, born c1859, he married Johanna Harvey, daughter of John F Harvey, of Northfield House, Connolly. 

Samuel Heaphy, born 1860.

Frances Jane Heaphy, born 1864.

Catherine Heaphy, born 1868.

Abigail Heaphy, born 1869, she married William Young of Kilfinane, Limerick, at Kilferagh COI, 1892.  

George Francis Heaphy, born 1869. 

• Burton Brew, born 1825. 

• Abigail (Abbey) Brew, born 1828. 

• Catherine Brew, born 1833, married Richard Smith or Smyth (b.1823), Kilkeedy, Clarina, Limerick in 1853, Briska, Kilkeedy, Limerick - witnesses: John Pilkington & George Smith.  Richard was the son of George Smith (1787 - 1864) and brother to George Smith (b.c1815. M. Rebecca Corneal) and Joseph James Smith (1812 - 1879. M. Ellen Keas). George Smith - father or son, was a witness at Eyre Heaphy's wedding in 1848 with Harriet Vokes. 

Children of Catherine and Richard Smith: 

Anne Smith, born 1854, who married Edwin Smith in 1885. 

Margaret Smith, born 1855.

George Smith, born 1857.

Burton Smith, born 1859, who married Elizabeth Keays in 1904. 

Elizabeth Smith, born 1860.

Catherine Smith, born 1861.

Susanna Smith, born 1864, Clarina, Limerick. 

Abigail Smith, born 1866, Clarina, Limerick. 

William Brew Smith, born 1868. 

Susan Smith, born 1870.

Richard Smith, born 1872.

Joseph Smith, born 1873.

Rebecca Smith, born 1873.

Mary Smith, born 1877. 

• Anne Brew, born 1828, married Henry Daxon. Children: 

Susanna Daxon, who married William Brew of Miltown Malbay. 

Thomas Pilkington, born 1802. Died 1813.

Francis Pilkington, born 1804

William Pilkington, born 1805, of Termon. Died 22 of June 1891. William married (unknown) and had the following known children: 

• Catherine Pilkington, born 1848, who married married Thomas Murrihy, of Miltown Malbay, on the 28 February 1870, Kilrush, RC. 

Richard Pilkington, born 1807 - Married Honor Lillis from Moyadda, Kilrush, in 1834, RC. and Killaloe MLB. Richard died on the 25.08.1862, from a fall from his horse (Clare Journal). Honor died 30.10.1885, her son, William present at her death, of Ahaga, Kilmihil. Children of Richard and Honor:  

• John Pilkington (1836 - 1884) Married Margaret Hogan, on the 05 March 1867, Kilmihil. Children - 6 sons and 4 daughters. 

• William Pilkington  

• Jane Pilkington - Is Jane the daughter of Richard Pilkington? - she married Thomas Keane Blackall before 1855 and of Ahaga, Kilmihil. 

• Michael (Richard) Pilkington (b. c1854) Michael married his cousin, Susan Pilkington, daughter of John Pilkington, Termon  - information as below. 

Mary Pilkington, born c1807. Mary married George James Bradley of Buanmore, Kilrush with children: 

• John James Bradley, married Catherine Hannon, Kilfinane, Limerick in Kilfinane, COI, 1868. 

• Theodore William Bradley, married Norah Kelly, of Dromelihy, in Cooraclare, RC, in 1879, with children: 

Mary Kate Bradley, born 1879.

George Heeton Bradley, born 1881. 

Thomas Walter Bradley, born 1882, who married Bridget Roche, of Kilkee in 1916, Kilkee, RC.  

William Bradley, born 1884.

Bertha Bradley, born 1885.

Henrietta Bradley, born 1888. 

Elizabeth Anne Bradley, born 1890, who married Simon O'Donnell, of Shannon View, at Kilkee, RC, in 1908.  

Richard Bradley, born 1893.

Virginia Bradley, born 1897.

• Wyndham Bradley

• Hector Bradley 

Jane Pilkington, born 1810.  Jane married a man from Clarina, Co. Limerick. 

John Pilkington, born 1812, of Termon East, Kilrush, son of William Pilkington. John died 11.11.1901, his son, George present at death, Termon. John married twice, firstly to Maria Lillis in 1843, Moyadda, Kilrush, RC, and had no children with his first marriage. John second's marriage was to Marcella Blackhall (dau. of Henry Blackhall) on the 28 Nov 1848, Kilferagh, COI. John and Marcella had the following known children: 

• George Pilkington born c1849, of Termon East, he married Margaret Wheeler (b. circa 1840, dau. of Anthony Wheeler) from Doon, Co Limerick on the 18 March 1879, at Cappamore COI. George Pilkington, was a witness for Burton Heaphy (cousin), of Newtown, on his marriage to Johanna Harvey, of Connolly, Ennis. Geroge and Margaret Pilkington, possibly had one child.  George died on the 24.04.1933, aged 84 years, Susan Halpin, present at death, Termon East. Margaret died on the 22.12.1922, Susan Walsh, present at death, Termon. 

• William Pilkington, born c1851. William died in 1935 aged 84 years.

• Marcella Pilkington, born 05 April 1856. Recorded in 1901 Clare Census as working for Dr. Randal Counihan, Kilrush. 

• Mary (Masie) Pilkington. Masie married Ernest Smith and had no children. 

• Susan Pilkington, born c1860/61, daughter of John Pilkington, Termon. Susan married her cousin Michael Pilkington (b.c1854), of Kateville, Clarefield on the 19 Apr 1894, St. Michael's RC, Limerick. Witnesses - George Pilkington & Anne Brew of Cecil St. Michael must have become known as Richard, as he is referenced as such in the census records. Susan Pilkington died on the 15.04.1921, her son, William present at death, Clarefield.  Richard died on 1st March 1911, his son, William present at death, Clarefield. The following are recorded children for Susan and Richard in the 1901 census:

William Pilkington, born 1894/95. William inherited the family lands at Kateville and he married Mary Kate Leonard from Kilkee. William and Mary Kate had the following children: 

Susan Pilkington (m. J J Callinan) & Teresa Pilkington

John Pilkington, (NV) born 1896/1897. John died on the 27th of September 1910 aged 14/15 years old.

George Pilkington, (NV) born 1897/98. George never married and emigrated to Australia. 

Richard Pilkington, born 1902. Died 04.07.1919, his mother, Susan present at death, Clarefield. 

Thomas Pilkington, born 1815.

Termon House became the residence of the Blackwell family (Tom and Masie Blackwell) after the Pilkington family. Masie Blackwell married Thomas Murray and Tom Blackwell did not marry. 

4 Susanna Pilkington, born c1753, of Gowerass (Gowerhass, Ballykett) Co. Clare. Susanna married Rev. John Butler, vicar of Kilmurry, Clonderlaw, Clare, on the 7th of July 1774, Killaloe Diocese, MLB (Ref: Clanchy's Marriage Index 1894 - 1966). 

John Butler (c1742 - 1821), was the son of Major General Theobald Butler (b.1685) & Helena O'Shaughnessy, by his second wife. Children of Susanna & John Butler: 

i Elizabeth Butler (c1775 - 1820), she marries Robert Parkinson of Broomhill House, Kilrush, with children: [See Parkinson Family]

Jane Parkinson, (1806 – 1898). 3rd daughter, married Dennis Daly, (solicitor), Kilrush, by licence on the 29th of April, 1830. Recorded as follows: 

Clare Journal. 10 May 1830. Marriage: At Kilrush Church, Denis Daly Esq, Solicitor to Jane, third daughter of Robert Parkinson of Broomhill, in this county, Esq. 

Children of Jane and Dennis: 

• Mary Daly marries Richard Williams in 1878, son of John Williams of Carnacalla, Kilrush. [See Williams Family]

• Robert Parkinson Daly (B. 27 April 1831)

Maria Parkinson (1807 – 1888). Marries Rev. Richard Brew, son of Richard Brew & Ellen Brady of Tullycrine, by licence in 1832. Children of Maria and Richard: 

• • • • Richard Brew, eldest son, and Lieutenant H.M.'s 1st West India Regiment. He married Rebecca Huleatt (Green), daughter of a clergy man on the 24 March 1859. Witnesses: Robert Brew & William F.M. Kiernan. Reported as follows: 

Longford Journal 02 April 1859. MARRIED. At Ballyvaughan Church, March 24, Richard Brew, Esq., Lieutenant in her Majesty's 1st West India Regiment, to Rebecca Green, daughter of Rev. Hugh Brady Huleatt, rector at Rathbourney, Co. Clare. 

Richard's death is recorded as follows: 

Cork Constitution 05 July 1864. DIED. At Nassau, West Indies, Richard Brew, Esq., Lieutenant, 1st West India Regiment, late of the Clare Militia. 

• • • • Robert John Brew, witness at his brother's marriage to Rebecca Huleatt in 1859. 

      • Hugh Brady Brew 

      • Arthur Brew, 4th son of Rev. Richard Brew. Arthur married Christianna M Dunkin, in June 1870, 3rd daughter of the late Samuel J Carolin, and granddaughter of the later Colonel Dunkin, R.A. and 18th Irish Royal Regiment

      • Catherine Brew (Ref: Clanchy's Marriage Index)

      • Eliza Jane Brew married David Courtney, on the 20 Jan 1858, COI, district of Scariff.

      • Alice (Ally) Brew (Ref: Crossle Genealogical Abstracts) 

      • Mary Brew (Ref: Crossle Genealogical Abstracts) 

ii Mary Butler Ref: Clanchy's Marriage Index 1894 - 1966

iii James Butler Ref: Clanchy's Marriage Index 1894 - 1966

iv John Butler, born 1798. Married Mary Fitzpatrick in 1824, Killaloe Diocese, MLB. 

v William Butler Ref: Clanchy's Marriage Index 1894 - 1966

vi Susan Butler (Ref: Kilmurry Cemetery) 

5 Sarah Pilkington, born c1751, married Thomas Brew in 1772, Killaloe Diocese, MLB. Ref: A bond of Mr. Thomas Brew of Carmane (Carnanes) and Francis Pilkington of Gower, both in Co. Clare, Gent, 18 January 1772, for the marriage of the above Thomas Brew and Mrs. Sarah Pilkington of Clare Abbey in the Diocese of Killaloe. 

Disconnect Members:

Lucinda Pilkington, born c1757, married John White, in 1779, Killaloe Diocese, MLB.  

Rachel Pilkington, born c1767, married William Brew in 1788, Killaloe Diocese, MLB.