Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Molyneux, Thomas (1531-1597)
MOLYNEUX or MOLINEL, Sir THOMAS (1531–1597), chancellor of exchequer in Ireland, was born at Calais in 1531. His parents, of whom he was the only child, died while he was young, and he was brought up by John Brishin, an alderman of Calais. When that town was taken from the English by the Duke of Guise in 1558, Molyneux was made prisoner. Having ransomed himself by payment of five hundred crowns, he removed to Bruges, and there married Catherine Stabeort, daughter of an opulent burgomaster, portraits of both of whom are in the possession of Molyneux's descendants. On account of Alva's persecutions Molyneux removed to London in 1568, and in 1576 settled in Dublin (extract from 'Memoranda,' Roll of Excheq. of Ireland, p. 4). In 1578 he received a grant in connection with the town of Swords near that city, and was employed as surveyor of victuals for the army in Ireland and as deputy to the collector of customs on wines there. He was appointed chancellor of the exchequer in Ireland in 1590, and in the succeeding year obtained the office of receiver of customs and imposts on wines. At this time he contributed 40l. towards the building of Trinity College, Dublin. In consequence of an impugnment of the legality of Molyneux's official employment under the queen, on the allegation that he was an alien, an inquiry was instituted in the court of exchequer at Dublin in 1594. Witnesses examined there, before the attorney-general, deposed that Molyneux was an Englishman, born in Calais, while that town was under the crown of England; that he was a true and loyal subject, 'of Christian religion, using sermons and other goodly exercises' (ib. p. 4). Molyneux died at Dublin on 24 Jan. 1596-7, and was buried there in the cathedral of Christ Church. He left two daughters and two sons, Samuel and Daniel, both of whom sat in the Irish parliament of 1613; Samuel became surveyor-general of buildings and works in Ireland, and Daniel (1568-1632) was Ulster king-of-arms, and by Jane, daughter of Sir William Usher, had eight children, of whom the third, Samuel, was father of William and Sir Thomas, who are noticed separately.
[Chancery and Exchequer Records, Dublin; Extract from the Memoranda Roll of the Exchequer of Ireland, privately printed at Evesham, 1850 (?), 4to; Account of Sir T. Molyneux, 1820; Carew MSS. 1589-1600, p. 255; Cal. State Papers, Ireland, 1592-6; Lascelles, Liber Munerum, vol. i. pt. ii. p. 48.]