Alexander Cairnes

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Sir Alexander Cairnes, 1st Baronet (1665 – 30 October 1732) was an Irish politician and banker.

Background[]

He was the oldest son of John Cairnes of Donoghmore, co. Donegal, and his wife Jane Miller, daughter of James Miller, MD.[1][2] His younger brother was William Cairnes.[3] During his military service, he became friend with John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough.[4]

Career[]

Cairnes served in the British Army and took part in the Battle of Blenheim.[4] For this, he was created a baronet, of Monaghan, in Ireland by Queen Anne of Great Britain on 6 May 1708, with a special remainder to his youngest brother Henry.[5] In 1710, Cairnes entered the Irish House of Commons for Monaghan Borough, representing it until 1713.[6] Subsequently, he was returned for Monaghan County until 1727, when he stood also for Monaghan Borough.[6] He was elected for both constituencies, however chose the latter and sat for it as Member of Parliament until his death in 1733.[6] Cairnes was appointed Keeper of Phoenix Park in 1712.[3]

Thomas Sheridan thought him "an eminent Banker", but Jonathan Swift dismissed him as "a scrupulous puppy" and "a shuffling scoundrel".[2]

Family[]

On 17 February 1697/98, he married Elizabeth Gould, daughter of John Gould and sister of Sir Nathaniel Gould, at St Peter le Poer in London, and had by her a daughter and a son, Mary and William Henry.[2]

Elizabeth died at Monaghan before 4 June 1731, when the administration of her estate was granted to her husband. Cairnes died at Dublin on 30 October 1732 and his son having predeceased him, was succeeded in the baronetcy according to the special remainder by his brother.[2] His daughter was fostered and educated by Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough.[4]

Mary Cairnes (died 28 August 1790) married Baron Blayney, and at the time of Cairnes's death, she was a childless widow. She subsequently remarried, in 1734, to Col. , who was Member of Parliament for Monaghan County in the early 1740s. Murray died on 29 June 1743 leaving his wife with several daughters. One of the daughters, Elizabeth, married Robert Cuninghame, 1st Baron Rossmore, and another, Harriet, was the mother of Warner Westenra, 2nd Baron Rossmore, who succeeded to his maternal aunt's husband's barony by special remainder.[2]

References[]

  1. ^ Burke, John (1841). A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Extinct and Dormant Baronetcies of England, Ireland and Scotland (2nd ed.). London: Scott, Webster, and Geary. p. 95.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Cokayne, George Edward (1906) Complete Baronetage. Volume V. Exeter: W. Pollard & Co. LCCN 06-23564. p. 7
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "ThePeerage – Sir Alexander Cairnes, 1st Bt". Archived from the original on 24 May 2009. Retrieved 21 June 2009.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c Graham, John (1841). Ireland Preserved or The Siege of Londonderry and Battle of Aughrim. Dublin: Hardy & Walker. pp. 303–304.
  5. ^ "No. 4430". The London Gazette. 22 April 1708. p. 7.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Leigh Rayment – Irish House of Commons 1692–1800". Archived from the original on 1 June 2009. Retrieved 21 June 2009.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
Parliament of Ireland
Preceded by
Sir Thomas Prendergast, 1st Bt
Sir Richard Vernon, 3rd Bt 		Member of Parliament for Monaghan Borough
1710–1713
With: Sir Richard Vernon, 3rd Bt 		Succeeded by

Richard Pockrich
Preceded by
Robert Echlin
Member of Parliament for Monaghan County
1713–1728
With: Alexander Montgomery 1713–1723
Thomas Coote 1723–1727
John Montgomery 1727–1728 		Succeeded by

John Montgomery
Preceded by

 		Member of Parliament for Monaghan Borough
1727–1732
With: 		Succeeded by

Sir Henry Cairnes, 2nd Bt
Baronetage of Great Britain
New creation Baronet
(of Monaghan)
1708–1732 		Succeeded by
Henry Cairnes
Retrieved from ""