Lt. Col. Edward Alleyn, of Kinneigh

Lt. Col. Edward Alleyn of Kinneigh was a Cromwellian soldier and settler of Co.Cork Ireland.

It appears that he claimed to be the great-grandson of John Alleyn, brother of Edward Alleyn the actor and founder of Dulwich College. In 1642 a young soldier named Edward Alleyn attempted to be made a warden of Dulwich College following the founder's death but was rejected on the grounds that kinship could not be proved. There is at Dulwich (MSS. vi. 127) an affidavit, dated 6th June 1642, of Edward Allen, son of Thomas Allen, cousin-german of the founder, denying the validity of the claim of this candidate (also named Edward Alleyn) to be of kin to the Founder, as great-grandson of John, his brother; John Allen, son of the last-named, having died without issue and unmarried.

However there does appear to be evidence that this Edward Alleyn (of Kinneigh) was godson and de facto adopted son of the actor, even if his claim of actual kinship could not be proved. In the actor's diary, 27th January 1621, is, "M'd this day I took a poor fatherless child Ed: Alleyn."

He is also mentioned in the actor's will: "PART. I will my copyhold lands in Lambeth Marshes to Edward Alleyn, my godson, and his heirs male, and, for want of such issue to John Alleyn, the son of Mathias Alleyn (the actors cousin), and his heirs forever."

In the church of Macroom, Co. Cork, there is a tombstone bearing the arms of Browne quartered with those of Alleyn, with the following inscription : — " Here lyeth the body of the Reverend Richard Browne B.D. who was Rector and Vicar of this Parish 45 yeares during which time he was allwayes Resident : on the 27" day January in the year of our Lord 1712, he chearfully resigned His Spirit to God who gave it in sure hope of a Resurrection to Eternal Life Being 69 yeares of Age. He was marryed to Mary daughter of Collonelle Edward Alleyne 43 yeares by whom he had 11 sons and 9 daughters."

The Colonel Edward Alleyne mentioned therein is believed to have been commander of the Fort of Kinsale. The tradition in the family of Browne (now represented by S' George Garde Browne, Esquire, of Oolcower House, Macroom) is that through Colonel Alleyne they are of kin to Edward Alleyn, the Founder of Dulwich College ; the strong probability is that Colonel Edward Alleyne, commander at Kinsale, and the Edward Alleyn described in 1642 as "young and a soldier," are'one and the same person.

Lt. Col. Edward Alleyn of Kinneigh was grandfather of Edward Alleyn who built Ballyduvane House at Clonakilty in 1719.

Citations:

• The history of Dulwich College, down to the passing of the act of Parliament dissolving the original corporation, 28th August 1857, William Young, Pg 17, 22. http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/william-young/the-history-of-...
• Burke's Landed Gentry of Ireland, 1958, 4th Edition, "Alleyn of Whitehall" entry, Pg 14.