Killigrew Family

Conception Bay, Newfoundland

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The Killigrew Family of Falmouth, Cornwall, England

Notes of famous forefathers

The Daw family line married Ann Killigrew, hence my research is captivating!

A gentry family owning property in Cornwall from the late 1300s. The family's criminal activities flourished under Sir John (I) Killigrew. Local officials belonged to or tolerated his closely knit syndicate of relatives, retainers, and agents, which operated freely in Ireland and throughout southwestern England. The Killigrew's were responsible for the development of the port of Falmouth from the fishing villages of Smithick and Pennycomequick. They lived at Arwenack Manor House, which was formerly the home of the Arwenack family. One of the most illustrious visitors to Arwenack was Sir Walter Raleigh, who originally conceived the plan to develop Falmouth and encouraged the Killigrews to press ahead with the project. By 1613, despite strong objections from the nearby port of Penryn, the town's identity had changed and Falmouth was born. Arwenack House still stands, overlooking Falmouth Docks.

Sir John (I) Killigrew

John (I) owned land on which Pendennis Castle was built. In 1546 he was made the first Governor of Pendennis. He engaged in piracy, and he spent some time in Fleet Prison in London with his son after they looted a Spanish ship. John died in 1567.

John (II) Killigrew

John (II) inherited the Arwenack estate from his father and became the second Governor of Pendennis. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I in 1574, and was appointed Chairman of the Commission for Piracy in Cornwall. This was a rather ironic appointment, since both he and his wife Lady Mary engaged in piracy. Mary was accused of plundering a Spanish ship in Falmouth harbour and murdering the crew, but she was acquitted by the court of which her husband was chairman! Mary's accomplices were hanged.

John (III) Killigrew

John (III) became Governor of Pendennis in 1584. He lived extravagantly, gambled and neglected his estate. He spent his final years in prison.

John (IV) Killigrew

John (IV) was knighted by King James I in 1617. He built the first lighthouse at Lizard Point in 1619. John needed money, and it was his intention to collect dues from passing ships. But so many ships passed by without paying that he was forced to abandon his scheme because it was too expensive to maintain. John had an infamous wife, Lady Jane, who was involved in the plundering of a Dutch vessel. She also had an affair with an officer of the Pendennis garrison, and John spent much of his inheritance on protracted divorce proceedings. He died in 1633 and the estate was inherited by his brother.

Sir Peter Killigrew (The Elder)

Sir Peter the Elder was the brother of John (IV) Killigrew. He was a staunch Royalist during the English Civil War and Protectorate.

Sir Peter Killigrew (The Younger)

Sir Peter the Younger continued to develop the Falmouth and he built the Town Quay (now the Custom's House Quay) despite opposition from town dignitaries. By 1690, Sir Peter was in debt. His heir, Peter, died in infancy, and his second son George had been killed in a brawl outside the Red Lion Inn, Penryn in 1678.

Martin Lister Killigrew

Sir Peter Killigrew's daughter Anne married Martin Lister, who took on the Killigrew name in the hope of continuing the line, but the marriage was childless. Martin Killigrew was responsible for erecting the pyramid that serves as a memorial to the Killigrew family. The pyramid was erected in 1738 near Arwenack. It was moved in 1836 to make way for new developments, and then it was moved again in 1871 to its present position opposite Arwenack.

Thomas Killigrew (1612-1683)

Thomas was a great-grandson of John (I) Killigrew. He was manager, playwright, and courtier. When a young man, Killigrew became page to Charles I; and later he followed the young Prince Charles into exile, returning to be his groom of the bedchamber after the Restoration. He managed to remain popular at court with his clever turn of phrase and sharp wit, although his remarks were sometimes dangerously close to the bone. Killigrew had loved the theatre from boyhood, when he used to volunteer as an extra at the Red Bull Playhouse. From the 1630s his plays, including The Prisoner, Claracilla, and The Parson's Wedding, were produced; insubstantial but amusing works with plenty of rapid repartee. He wrote nine in all, published together in 1664. In 1660 Charles II granted Killigrew and William Davenant royal patents to open a theatre free from the censorship of the master of the revels. Killigrew's troupe, The King's Servants, put on their first licensed performance that same year, and in 1663 Killigrew built the original Theatre Royal in Drury Lane to be their home. He also introduced Nell Gwynne, the future mistress of Charles II, to the theatre-going public.

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