Matthew Pennefather Cornet
1618 – 1688
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About
Matthew Pennefather came to Ireland as a cornet of horse, the most junior commissioned rank in a cavalry troop, and founded the family at Rathsallagh. He lived from 1618 to 1688, which is to say he arrived with one regime and died under another and kept the land through both.
Research notes
THE PENNEFATHER FOUNDER: Cornet Matthew Pennefather (1618-1688); per Burke's LGI 'Pennefather of Rathsallagh' (read in print, July 2026): 'the first of this family who settled in Ireland... a Cornet in the Army, SON OF ABRAHAM PENNEFATHER, and younger brother of Abraham Pennefather, of Hanbury-on-the-Hill, co. Stafford. He acquired by patent, 1666, the estates of Clonegoose, Ballylanigan, &c., co. Tipperary' (Landed Estates gives the grant as 1667 - patent/grant dating, both recorded). To Ireland c.1648 with Cromwell's army; Quartermaster, Earl of Mountrath's regiment 1662; lived at Gort McEllis Castle nr Cashel; buried at the Rock of Cashel. Two sons: MATTHEW his heir (our line) and John, of Compsey (whose heiress dau. m. her cousin Kingsmill Pennefather). The one-Matthew/two-Matthew question is CLOSED: two. Updated July 2026. [DIRECT ANCESTOR OF THE COMPILER: flag added 24 Jul 2026 by walking the tree from Aynsley, so that this marker is reliable and can be searched.]