Page 4

The following data is extracted from Herbert Family Papers.

Killarney and part of another, is no longer in the family. The late Henry Arthur Herbert of Muskross, joined by his son, broke the entail and sold the estate. Both his father and grandfather refused titles, considering it a greater honor to be Herbert of Muckross than first Lord Somebody. This beautiful estate was not acquired by conquest under Cromwell, but by inheritance and from the MacCarthy Mor, no less. It was for this reason that when the Irish patriot, O’Connel, the “Liberator,” proposed the confiscation of the landlord’s estate, Herbert of Muckross was to be allowed to keep his, although a Protestant, while Lord Kemmare, his neighbor and a Roman Catholic, was to lose his property. Herbert of Muckross was also hereditary Abet of Inniafallen! A beautiful name and tradition relates that one of his ancestors thrashed a priest at the alter for being late to celebrate mass.
Great pride of race is another attribute (or perhaps another infirmity?) of the Herbert family on both sides of the Atlantic, often breaking out with intensity in unexpected places.
Having a personal interest in the Herberts of New Jersey, and many other families of that name will be but lightly touched upon. This is not from any lack of interest but from lack of knowledge.
However, while we are so near the subject of Muckross it might be as well to point out that the Herberts of Alexandria, Virginia, are descended from this branch of the family. The late general James W. Herbert, C. S. A. of Baltimore belonged to this line.
In New Jersey we find the well-known three brothers tradition but, to date, have been unable to substantiate it. As a matter of authentic record were four Herberts in Monmouth County at a very early date. Walter and Henry of Shrewsbury were brothers, expressly so designated in a deed. Francis and Thomas of Middletown, presumed to be brothers, but what relation they were to the Shrewsbury Herberts, if any, I have not yet discovered. The names Thomas and Francis do not appear in the Walter-Henry lines neither is there a Walter or Henry in the Thomas-Francis lines.

Source: Herbert Family Papers

  Go Back