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Archiver > SPANISH-NOBILITY > 2004-12 > 1103574180


From: "Larry Coats" <>
Subject: Doniphan/Donovan//O'Donovan, Spain, 17th Century
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 14:23:00 -0600


This one may be unsolvable,however, I thought I would give it a try(once more anyway<g>):

According to what seems to be at least partially reliable information, there was a Doniphan/Donovan/O'Donovan,etc.,(first name possibly Robert or Alexander?)who fled Ireland and settled in Spain shortly after 1650, this being a response to the Cromwellian invasion of Ireland. It would be safe to say, I think, that this individual was also Catholic, which would explain his desire to escape the clutches of Cromwell's soldiers. I do know that the chief of this Irish clan, Donal O'Donovan, was stripped of his estates by Cromwell in 1650 and that these properties were not restored to a Col. Donal Doniphan/Donovan sometime around 1660-85 by King Charles II.

This Irish refugee, according to the oral tradition, married a Spanish lady and had Captain Alexander Doniphan, b.c. 1653(presumeably in Spain) and who died in Richmond Co. VA c. 1716-17. This Alexander apparently arrived in VA bef 1692, and he was a Captain of Horse there in 1704 and in 1716 was High Sheriff of the county. A descendant of his in KY(many years ago) claimed to have a parchment issued by the Spanish Crown by which the Doniphan immigrant was ennobled. No one, to my knowledge, has managed to locate that document or a copy of it, so maybe this is legit and maybe it isn't.

In any event, if someone would be agreeable to checking this out for me, I would greatly appreciate the assist.
Regards,
Larry D.H. Coats

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