My ancestors - Orpen - Contents

Orpen of Co.Kerry

Sir John Orpen,
born 1520,
of Farleigh, Somerset.
He had issue:

Robert Orpen,
born c.1553.
He mar a dau of Col. Stevenson.
They had issue:

Robert Orpen,
of Shaston (now Shaftesbury), Dorset.
He was a "merchant taylor".
He mar Mary Ley.
He died of the plague in 1645.
Robert and Mary had issue:

1. Robert Orpen,
   of Killorglin, Co.Kerry.
   He was living Killorglin c.1661.
   He mar Lucy Chichester.
   
   She was said to be "of the Donegal family". That is, she was said to be related to Arthur Chichester, 1st Earl of Donegall (born 1606, cr 1647).
   This seems likely because his 1st wife was Dorcas Hill. This would explain the origin of the unusual name "Dorcas" for Lucy's daughter.
   The dates would make sense if Lucy was daughter of Dorcas Hill.
   However, Dorcas Hill's grave mentions only a daughter Mary. And Chichester genealogies mention no daughter Lucy, or any Chichester marrying an Orpen. See discussion on pp.24-25 of [Orpen, 1930].
   
   Robert died in London, 1686.
   Robert and Lucy had issue:

   
   

   1. Dorcas Orpen,
      mar Thomas Crumpe and had issue.

      
      

   2. Richard Orpen, born 1652,
      of The White House, Killowen townland, just outside Kenmare, Co.Kerry.
      See THE WHITE HOUSE in [Houses of Kerry].
      He mar before 1688 to Isabella Palmer [dau of Rev. Thomas Palmer].
      See Palmer in pp.257-262 of [MGH] 2nd series, vol.1.
      They were ancestors of Sir William Orpen, the painter (born 1878).

The White House, near Kenmare

Ruin of The White House, near Kenmare.
From The Lawrence Photograph Collection. From here.
See other shot. From here.
Some ruin seems to survive today. See modern satellite view.

References

• ORPEN in [Burkes Irish, 1976]

Sources yet to be consulted

• ORPEN on p.975 of [Burkes LG, 1847]. This may not be accurate.
• Late 19th century family tree on p.31 of [D950/1/9]. This incorrectly thinks the Crumpe line descends from Richard Orpen and Isabella Palmer.

• The Orpen Family, by Goddard Henry Orpen, 1930.
  • This would correct the previous pedigrees.
  • Copy at St.Brigid's 300.
  • Copy at Durrus History.
  • See preview in [Co.Kerry Soc. annual report 1929]. See p.10 and p.11.

• Orpen (and p.2) in [Denny, 1923]
• William R. Drake, Notes on the Family of Chichester (1886).