Terrys in Spain and Latin-America: Exile and rise of an Irish merchant family

Abstract

This paper examines a Cork merchant family, Terry, with particular attention to the causes of their exile to Spain about 1700. Their significant sway in the civic and commercial affairs of Cork City at the beginning of the 17th century, and their downfall by the mid 17th century due to the impact on Catholic families of The Cromwellian Wars are detailed. After their exile to Spain, the success of this Irish family is linked to the recognition by the Spanish crown of their proofs of nobility, and the rights they gained to trade with the Indies. Their descendants quickly rose to influential positions in Spain and in South America where they moved to during the 18th century.