From Millicent Craig In 1747, Sir Charlemont of Ireland (James Caulfield) set out on a journey to Egypt. Charlemont, a wealthy young man, had read the accounts of travelers who had gone before and was intrigued by the privacy rules that prevented them from drawing or painting religious rites or women. He wanted to return with visuals of life to add to his accounts of the voyage. On the journey he stopped in Greece where he met a young draughtsman, Richard Dalton. Charlemont invited him and his friends to join his party and to be the official image maker of religious rites and of people, particularly of women who were confined by the Ottomans. Outsiders were not allowed to view these subjects, let alone draw them. Dalton, who was about 27 (and reportedly born in Cumbria in 1712*) accepted the challenge. As they traveled about, the party frequently remained concealed from view while observing the events that Dalton captured with pen. He provided Charlemont with ample drawings, many colored that became the cornerstone of Charlemont’s numerous publications. Most were lost from the library at Charlemont Castle and only a few remain. Four of Dalton’s works are on display at Trinity College, Dublin, not because of the quality of his artistry, but because of the rarity of the subject matter. Two of the images are presented below.
Dalton produced a separate account with engravings of his travels to Egypt and asked for Charlemont’s patronage to publish but was refused. The whereabouts of this account is currently unknown but Dalton’s career took a highly visible turn during the reign of George III. George III had negotiated (prior to becoming king) for the 17th Century collection of historical and scientific drawings known as the Museo Cartace that had been assembled by Cassiano dal Pozzo. After dal Pozzo’s death the collection was purchased by Pope Clement XI in 1704, and then it went to his nephew Cardinal Albani. The drawings arrived in London in 1763. The collection was reorganized by the now Royal Librarian, Richard Dalton. Dalton kept a large number of folios for his own collection and after his death in 1791 they were purchased by Charles Townley. After WWI another part of the collection was dispersed from the Royal Library at Windsor. Dalton met Pennsylvania born colonial artist, Benjamin West in Venice in 1762 and he commissioned on behalf of George III a painting entitled Cymon and Iphegia based on an episode in the Decameron. This was the beginning of a 30 year relationship between West and the monarch. West’s talent was immediately recognized and he became the royal painter of portraits (and of historical scenes) and ultimately President of the Royal Academy. George III was renowned for his art collections and as a patron of the arts. His reign was overshadowed by the economic and financial loss of the American colonies. Richard Dalton left no issue. A painting that depicts a genteel scene with Dalton, his wife Esther and his orphaned niece, Mary Le Huelle (whom Dalton adopted), is on display at the Tate Gallery in London. It was painted by Johan Zoffany circa 1765-1768. Index notes on Dalton show that he compiled Views and Engravings in Greece and Egypt, 1790-91. Whether this was the account for which he originally sought patronage of Charlemont or whether this was the result of a journey that he took prior to his death in 1791 is not clear. Your editor has not located a biography of Richard Dalton. Editor’s Note: Our appreciation is extended to James O’Shea of County Cork for sending a copy of Charlemont’s voyage that was printed in the April 2005 issue of History Ireland. Benjamin West’s biography can be viewed at: http://wwar.com/masters/w/west-benjamin.html * Dr. Lucy J. Slater notes that there was a baptism of a Richard Dalton son of John Dalton at Stanwyx, Carlisle, Cumberland in 1715. She also writes that there was a grammar school in Carlisle that specialized in teaching the trades during the 18th C. and it may have been here that Richard learned the trade of draughtsman/engraver. |
compiled by Millicent V. Craig In the Spring 2000 issue of the DGS Journal, Vol.32, there appeared the story of Aimee Irene d'Alton, "Mademoiselle X" as described in the book, "Lettres d'Amour a Aimee d'Alton a Alfred de Musset (1810-1857)", by Leon Seche and published in 1910. In researching her ancestry and descendents of her extensive family, it became quite clear that military life was their main pursuit from the time her grandfather, William (Guilhaume) Dalton, left Ireland and entered the French Army. In 1819, General d'Alton had commissioned Sir William Bentham of the Irish Herald's Office to research his paternal line*. In the document there are several generations of the General's Irish ancestors that seem to follow the lines of the King James' Army List of 1689. Another section of the report lists Daltons from the time of William the Conqueror but the two parts do not appear to connect and therefore the latter section will be omitted from this extraction. Aimee was from an upper class family and many d'Alton men were Officers in the French Army as well as titled. Some of the military died quite young in insurrections and in World War I. Several young Dalton women married titled members of French families and others, as the O'Shee's, had brought their titles from Ireland. Information on family members who are mentioned in the Seche book is for the most part in agreement with the data presented here. In the sketchy Irish pedigree that precedes the birth of William (Guilhaume)D'Alton, it is evident that William was descended from the main line of Daltons in Ireland as outlined in the King James Army list and later in "Illustrations" published by the noted historian and genealogist, John D'Alton, of Dublin. The ancestry of William (Guilhaume) D'Alton extends back to about 1500 in Ireland. It is suggested that use of this data be subject to further documentation but can serve as a guideline for additional study. Some of the pedigree material accompanied a History of Military Service for General Alexandre d' Alton that was prepared in Ireland to prove his entitlement to title. Through the years, the spelling of Dalton changed many times and the spellings as they occurred chronologically have been maintained in this report. Ancestry William (Guilhaume) d'Alton was Aimee's grandfather. He was born 9 Sep 1734 in Seskin, Ireland, parish of Noitroch, Kilkenny. Seskin is now identified in the Parish of Killamery. He died 7 Nov 1809 at Boulogne by the Sea and had been a Captain in the Brive Infantry. On 16 Sep 1766, William married Marie-Louise Coillot at Brive. She was born in Boulogne by the Sea and was a descendent of the Saint Beuve family. Her father was Jean-Francois Coillot and her mother was Louise-Charlotte Dempster. The couple reportedly had 17 children but only five were listed on the pedigree. 1. James-William d'Alton was born in 1772 and died in 1801. He was an Adjutant Colonel in the French Army and died on the way to Brescia in Italy. He was 29 years of age and no family was listed. 2. James-Wolfran (Willfrand) d'Alton (Baron) was born in 1773 and died in 1815. He was Receiver General at Aix la Chapelle and married Francoise O'Shee on 17 Apr 1801. She was born 23 Dec 1779 at Landrecies, Cambai, Aisne, France. The O'Shee’s presence in France began with the emigration of Martin O'Shee, Francoise's great grandfather, b. about 1665 in Camas, Limerick, Ireland and who died in Aire, Artois France in 1727. The pedigree of the O'Shee family extends back to the 7th Century in Ireland and includes knights and members of the local nobility. Children of James-Wolfran d'Alton and Francoise O'Shee:
3. Alexandre d'Alton, Aimee's father, was born April 26, 1777 in Brive. On 30 Oct 1803, he married Reine Elisabeth Ferdinand Baton at Saint Claude de Diray, Chateau de Noziers. Reine was born at La Bosse (Oise). Alexandre was a Lieutenant-General and was titled a Baron in 1809. He participated in many military campaigns as an officer in Napoleon's Army. His name is inscribed with Napoleon's Generals in the Arche de Triomphe, Paris. He died at Versailles in 1859. 4. Helene Dalton married Walter Hussey, a Major in the British Army. 5. Edouard Dalton died in 1793 at Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He was a Captain in the French Infantry. Although no birth date is available, he was very likely in his early twenties. Aimee's Immediate Family Alexandre D'Alton and Reine Elisabeth Baton had four children : 1. Aimee D’Alton was born on 20 Sep 1804 in Paris according to the pedigree information. (The book of "love letters states that she was born in Hambourg on 20 Sep 1811, a seven year discrepancy). Through her lifetime she was the secret love of, and inspiration for the poet, Alfred de Musset. In later years she married Alfred's brother, Paul de Musset in Paris in 1861 and died in Paris in 1880. They had no issue. 2. Laetitia D'Alton was born in 1810. She married Pierre Henri Chatard. (no date given). and died 19 Nov 1874 at Versailles. They had three children: Louise Chatard; Alexandre Chatard, b.1835 and died in Algiers in 1859. He was an Officer in the Infantry; and son Alfred Chatard. 3. Alfred d'Alton was born 20 Nov 1815 in Paris. He is listed as General Count. He married Anne Charlotte Josephine de La Tour (de Bonnafos) on 30 August 1849. Anne was born at Metz on 21 May 1825. Alfred died on 3 May 1866 at Stephansfeld (Lower Rhine). The marriage of Alfred D'Alton and Anne Charlotte Josephine de La Tour produced three children and a large family of descendents. The children are:
4. Constance Ernestine D'Alton was born in Paris in 1821. She married Jean Alphonse Limoges who was born in Le Bugue in 1800. He was a prefecture councillor. He died on 6 Oct 1878 in Perigueux and Constance died in Perigueux on 18 April 1893. They had one child, Bertha Germaine Limoges. Editor’s Note. I have recently received a pedigree of General D’Alton from the Herald’s Office in Dublin along with several other pedigrees that I will bring to the AGM in Dublin on July 30, 31 2005. |
This concludes the extractions of Daltons in the history of Ireland by DGS member K. T. Mapstone of Mississippi. They cover the period 1467 to 1544. Our thanks to K. T. M1467.15 : Christopher Plunkett; Pierce, son of Pierce Dalton; James Oge, the son of James Dalton; and the son of Petit of Mullingar, ie. the Prior of Mullingar, died of the plague AC1467.15 : Christopher Plunket, Piers, son of Piers Dalton and James the Younger, son of James Dalton’s son were killed by the plague, and the Prior of Mullingar, namely Petit’s son, also died of it M1467.16 : John, the son of the Dalton, was slain by his own tribe. AC1468.38 : A great rail by Tadc, son of Calbach (O Conchobair Failgi) on Cravagh by the Inny, in which more than twenty men and nearly forty of their packhorses were taken from them. Dalton, who insitigated the expedition, and Mag Eochacain were wounded, but Tadc carried off the prey. M1472.12 : A great attack was made by O'Kelly upon Muine-Liath. The English of Westmeath, viz., the Tuites, Petits, Tyrrels, Darcys and Daltons, came up with him. O'Kelly was defeated; Donough O'Kelly and many others were taken prisoners and a party of their foot soldiers and kerns were slaves AC 1472.12 : O Cellaig made a great attack on the Moneylea. The Galls of Western Meath - Petits, Tyrrels, d'Arcy's and Dalton - caught up with them and O Cellaig was defeated. Donnchad O Cellaig and many others were captured, and many of their footmen and mercenaries were killed. AC1475.12 : O Domnaill made a circuit in Connacht and made peace between O Ruaire and O Raigillig. Thence he marched to Fenagh, wher Mag Ragnaill met him and they both proceeded past Slaib Cairbe and through Mag Tethba and Moybrawne, and the Abbot of Lara was killed in their following by an aroshot from Rathreagh. From here he passed westwards through Moybrawne and they rested and encamped that night at Caircne of Meath, where the Dillons and the Dalton came in and made peace with them. Thence he went on to Offaly and Cairbre of Leinster, where O Conchobair (Failgi) came to meet him. On the other part came Meath Galls, and the lands were destroyed in the fighting. Peace was afterward made and ODomnaill returned home by way of Athlone. M1475.12 : A circuitous hosting was made by O'Donnell, ie. Hugh Roe, the son of Niall Garv, accompanied by Maguire, O'Rourke, and the chiefs of Lower Connaught. They proceeded first to Beal-atha-Chonaill, to rescue Brian, the son of Felim O'Reilly, who was O'Donnell's friend and confederate, and to make peace between O'Rourke and O'Reilly. O'Reilly came to Beal-atha-Chonaill to O'Donnell who reconciled O'Rourke and O'Reilly with each other and also Brian, the son of Felin; and Philip O'Reilly was given up to O'Donnell, to be detained and kept by him as a hostage for the observance of this peace, besides such others as he himself wished to demand. After this O'Donnell marched to Fenagh-Moy-Rein, whither MacRannall came to him. From thence he went to Annaly to assist the sons of Irial O'Earrell who were his friends and he spoiled and burned Annaly, excepting only that part of it which belonged to the sons of Irial, whom he left in power and might. He afterwards proceeded through Westmeath, and burned the castle-towns of Delvin, and all the circumjacent country. He remained for one night encamped in Cuircne, in Meath; and the Dillons and Daltons came into his house, and made peace with him. M1478.18 : Faghtna O'Farrell was slain by the son of Edmond, son of Hubert Dalton. AC1478.28 : Fachtna, the son of O Fergail, was killed by Edmund son of Hubert Dalton U1482.12 : Maileachlainn, son of Brian, son of Edmund, son of Thomas Ua Ferghail, was slain by William the Rough, son of Maurice, grandson of Piers Dalton, and by Laisech, son of John Ua Ferghail, a month before Christmas, on Thursday, A.D. 1482.) U1486.48 : The Dalton, namely, Edmund, son of Piers Dalton, resigned his lord-ship to his own son, that is, to Thomas Dalton, this year. LC1487.9 : The Dalton, i.e. Edmond, son of Piers, died. U1487.45 : The Dalton, namely, Edmund, son of Piers Dalton, died this year. U1488.17 : Margaret Dalton, daughter of Andrew Dalton, namely, wife of Ua Ferghail, that is, wife of Domnall the Tawny, son of Domnall, son of John, son of Domnall Ua Ferghail, died this year. U1491.14 : The wife of Dalton, namely, wife of Thomas, son of Edmund, grandson of Piers Dalton, went off with the son of Ua Mechair this year. U1495.16 : Nicholas Dalton, namely, son of Edmond, son of Piers Dalton, was slain by Fergus, son of Edmond, son of Laisech, son of Ros Ua Ferghail and by the descendants of Henry Dalton. U1495.40 : The Dalton, namely, Thomas, son of Edmond, son of Piers, son of another Piers Dalton, was taken and Henry, son of John, grandson of Piers Dalton, was slain about November Day by Conn, son of Art, son of Conn Ua Mael-Shechlainn and by Maelruanaigh, son of Ua Cerbaill. U1496.14 : The Dalton, namely, Thomas, son of Edmond, son of Piers Dalton, was liberated for 300 marks and for 14 score cows in pledge for the district of Baile na ngédh, by Conn, son of Art, son of Conn Ua Mail-Sheclainn and by the grandson of Ua Cerbaill. M1544.2 : Rory O’Melaghlan was slain at Clartha by Richard Dalton and his kinsmen in a nocturnal assault; and it was in the interest of Kedagh O’Melaghlan they committed this slaughter. Source: University College Cork, Corpus of Electronic Texts, http://www.ucc.ie/celt |
Registration cards contain much genealogical information about the individual. From the physical characteristics one can tell whether some were ineligible for the draft. This list was compiled by DGS member K. T. Mapstone in the course pf her Dalton research. FLORIDA DADE COUNTY GADSDEN COUNTY HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY LIBERTY COUNTY PINELLAS COUNTY WASHINGTON COUNTY MARYLAND |
The following list was provided by Geoffrey Copus of England who has done an extensive search on his branch of Chesfield Daltons. 1. Baptisms 1558-1812 Very few entries in the register during the period 1627-36, none at all in some years. 1616 May 5 Samuel son of Abraham and Alice Dalton 2. Marriages 1558-1812 Register missing 1727-54. 1592 Aug 20 John Delton and Joane Master 3. Burials 1558-1812 No entries in register 1729-39. 1656 Oct. 29 Alice Dalton, widow |
2006 AGM Announcement and Response During the month of May 2005, all North American members of the DGS were sent an announcement concerning the first American AGM to be held in New England in 2006. If you did not receive an announcement, please let me know. In order to tabulate the responses and present them at the DGS’ Dublin meeting in July 2005, be sure to send your reply by the first of June 2005. DGS members living outside North America and who are interested in the details and possible attendance, please be in touch. You are most welcome. Millicenty@aol.com DNA Announcements Two announcements of interest to all participants in the Dalton International DNA Project and to those who will be participating in the project have been recently been made.
To learn more about this Project go to: www.familytreedna.com and click the link to Genographic Project. Please remember that this is a deep ancestry migration study. By the time you read this notice, your personal DNA page at Family Tree DNA should contain this link “Join the Genographic Project”. If not, it will be there very soon. Answers to every possible question can be found at the National Geographic web site by keywording into the Genographic Project. If you are not already participating in the Dalton International DNA Project, please be in touch. The DGS is in the process of expanding this project from its current base of about 60 DGS members. Millicenty@aol.com The Passing of a Friend Word was received of the sudden death of a DGS friend, Lewis Owen of Sunnyvale, CA. Lewis and your Am. Sec. were think tank graduates with a penchant for “futurism”. At our monthly brainstorming sessions we analyzed the latest developments in genetic genealogy and what impacts they would have on tradition and society. Lewis contributed anonymously to the DGS publications and we will be forever grateful for the opportunity to have known him and for the contribution to our work. We miss seeing Lewis on the daily AOL buddy list. |