John Bellew: A Seventeenth Century Man of Many Parts

John Bellew was the quintessential old Englishmen of stock settled in Ireland since the late twelfth century. Staunchly Roman Catholic, he was educated to the law at Gray's Inn in London and on his return to Ireland in 1630 entered on his enheritance of 700 acres at Lisrenny near Ardee. By 1641 he had a prosperous law practice and an estate of 1,460 acres. He was Justice of the Peace, Sheriff of the County and, elected to Parliament in 1641, he played a part in Stafford's impeachment. The insurrection of 1641brought his advancement to an end. Suspected of collaboration with the insurrectionists, he was expelled from Parliamen and outlawed.