Matthias Meredith (c.1660-1729)

Contrary to old family histories since disproved but still in circulation, Matthias was not descended from the brother of Richard Meredyth (d.1597), Bishop of Leighlin. However, "according to family tradition," which was then written into pedigrees and trees drawn up by the Ulster King of Arms, from the 18th century up into the 20th, the families firmly believed they were related. In fact, Matthias appears to have been a son of a Rice Meredith who almost certainly came over from Wales; was resident in Co. Wicklow in 1669; and, probably died in 1696, but otherwise may remain an enigma.

In 1689, Matthias (whose first name was misread and incorrectly transcribed as Williams rather than Matthias) was described as a "gentleman" living at Templerainy when he was attainted by the Catholic King James II. He and his neighbour, Ralph Howard of Shelton, were listed among those Protestant supporters of William III of Orange who had "absented themselves" from Ireland in 1688 and thereby in James II's eyes forfeited any right to their land. They were then ordered to hand themselves in at Dublin or be hung, drawn and quartered. Fortunately for them, James II was defeated at the Battle of the Boyne that same year and Matthias returned to Ireland and reclaimed his home at Templerainy. 

In 1697, Thomas Meredyth (d.c.1724) of Garr, in County Offaly, "sould my whole Right Title & Interest of the said Lease and Lands of Rerymore, Clounigark and Culouhanoule & Aughnakash (1,687 acres) to Matthias Meredith, his Heirs or assigns for value received and do further acknowledge that I have given an assignment and my Hand and Seal to Matthias Meredith and his heirs". This gave Matthias a not inconsiderable estate.

But, in 1713 it was Matthias' brother, Rice Meredith (1660-1732), who took out a mortgage of £1,500 on Rearymore and in 1724 Thomas (their assumed elder brother) then reverted on the original deed and now transferred ownership of the estate to Rice "out of brotherly love". This turn of phrase (and the fact that Matthias and Rice were among the witnesses at a Quaker wedding in 1691) suggests that Thomas and Rice had become Quakers and Matthias had not, or by then had reverted back to being a Protestant again. If faith had played a part in his reversal of fortune, then insult was added to injury when three years after Matthias died back at Templerainy, Rice was buried at Rearymore... as a Protestant.