Paul Davys

Sir Paul Davys (c. 1600–1672) was an Irish politician and civil servant, who held office as Clerk to the Privy Council of Ireland and later as Secretary of State (Ireland). He was a man of considerable influence in public affairs who enjoyed the close friendship of James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde.^[1] His surviving sons, William and John, both attained high office. He was the grandfather of Paul Davys, 1st Viscount Mount Cashell.

Background

He was born in Kill, County Kildare.^[2] His father, John Davys, was a small landowner who seems to have lacked influential connections. Elrington Ball suggests that Paul's rise to prominence was due to his first marriage to Margaret Ussher, granddaughter of the highly respected official Sir William Ussher of Donnybrook, Clerk of the Council.^[3] His second marriage to Anne Parsons made him a member of an influential New English family.

Career

Paul succeeded his wife's grandfather as Clerk of the Council, partly due to the premature death of his own father-in-law Arthur Ussher, who as Deputy Clerk would no doubt have succeeded his father, but who drowned trying to ford the River Dodder during the serious floods of 1628.^[4] Paul seems to have been an able and conscientious official; Ball refers to his "long and painful service" as Clerk.^[5] He was elected to the Irish House of Commons as member for Enniskillen in the Parliament of 1634, and for Donegal in that of 1639.^[6] He was in favour with the Lord Deputy of Ireland, Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford; more important, he gained the lifelong friendship of the Duke of Ormonde, who did all in his power to advance Davys, and later his sons.^[3]

After the downfall of the Royalist cause in Ireland, Davys might have been expected to retire into private life. In fact he seems to have retained some political influence under the Commonwealth, and is said to have been close to Henry Cromwell. Rumours about his loyalty were certainly strong enough for his friend Ormonde, at the Restoration, to defend Davys as one who had "ever been loyal to the true cause".^[3]

These doubts about his loyalty did not hinder his further career: he sat in the House of Commons for Kildare in the Parliament of 1661, received large grants of land, mainly in County Donegal,^[6] and became a member of the Privy Council. No doubt through Ormonde's influence he became Secretary of State. There appear to have been complaints about slowness and inefficiency, since Ormonde, rather defensively, argued that his "old-fashioned" ways were suited to Ireland.^[3] He retained office until his death in 1672; in his last years he was probably living at his son William's house at St. Catherine's Park, Leixlip. He died 7 December 1672, and was buried in St. Audoen's Church, Dublin.

Family

By Margaret Ussher, who died in 1633, he was the father of-

• James, who died young
• Sir William Davys, Lord Chief Justice of Ireland.^[7]

He remarried Anne, sixth daughter of Sir William Parsons, 1st Baronet of Bellamont; their children were-

• George (died 1660)
• Sir John Davys, who like his father was Secretary of State, and was the father of-
  • Paul Davys, 1st Viscount Mount Cashell^[8]
• Ursula (died 1673), who married Sir Francis Blundell, 3rd Baronet^[9]
• Elizabeth, who married firstly Sir Thomas Bramhall, and secondly Sir John Topham .^[10]

Reputation

Elrington Ball describes him as a "remarkable man" who held office during forty turbulent years but was able to retain the confidence of each successive Government.^[3]

References