Early Life
Edward was born on the 27
th of March 1783, the eldest son and heir of Edward Brice and Theodora Mullins.
Family Life
Edward married Maria Coghlan on the 29
th of October 1807 and had four children:
- Edward, born 1811
- James Alexander, born 1826
- Marianna
- Rose
A copy of the confirmation of arms and change of surname from Brice to Bruce dated 1831 is available at the
National Library of Ireland and reads as follows:
Do·Well·Doubt·Nought
To All and Singular unto whom these presents shall come I Sir William Betham, Knight Ulster King of Arms and Principal Herald of All Ireland send greeting. Whereas His majesty has by Letter under His Royal Signet and sign manual bearing date at St James' Palace the 11th day of May 1831 signified unto His Excellency The Most Honorable Henry William, Marquess of Anglesey, Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Lord Lieutenant General and General Governor of Ireland that he had been graciously pleased to give and grant unto Edward Brice of Kilroot in the County of Antrim Esquire eldest son of Edward Brice late of Kilroot aforesaid deceased who was son of Edward Brice of Kilroot also deceased who was grandson of Robert Brice otherwise Bruce late of Castle Chichester in the said County of Antrim Esquire deceased son of Edward Brice otherwise Bruce who was a lawful son of the house of Airth in Scotland His Royal License and authority that he and the issue of his father may henceforward take and use the surname of Bruce and use and bear the Armorial Ensign of Bruce instead of those of Brice provided that such His Majesty's Concession and Royal Declaration were first recorded and the Arms duly exemplified in the Office of Ulster King of Arms in Ireland otherwise the said Royal Licence and authority to be void and of none effect.
And forasmuch as His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland has by his Warrand under his Sign Manual bearing date at his Majesty's Castle of Dublin the 31st day of May 1831 authorised and Commanded me to register the said Royal Licence and to exemplify the said Armorial Ensigns in my Office of Arms.
Know Ye therefore that I the said Ulster King of Arms in pursuance of His Excellency's said Warrant have caused the said Royal Licence to be registered in my Office accordingly and in obedience to His Majesty's Commands and in virtue of the power to me given by His Majesty's Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Ireland and by the authority of the same do by these presents assign grant ratify exemplify and confirm unto the said Edward Brice now Edward Bruce Esquire and the issue of his father the Arms following that is to say: Or a saltire and Chief Gules, a Mullet in the dexter Canton of the First. For Crest a Cubit arm holding a Scimitar Proper. And for Motto: "Do Well Doubt Nought".
The whole as above more clearly is depicted to be used and borne by the said Edward Bruce Esquire and the other issue of his father and their issue respectively for ever according to the laws of Arms without any let hindrance interruption or molestation of any person or persons whatsoever.
In Testimony whereof I have subscribed these presents and affixed hereunto my seal of Office this ____ day of June in the first year of the reign of Our Most gracious Sovereign Lord King William the Fourth by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland King Defender of the Faith and so forth and in the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight hundred and Thirty One.
It's possibly this Edward that sold Kilroot to Richard Conway Dobbs in 1850 (this Edward would have been 67). Otherwise, it was his son Edward who would have been 39 at the time of the sale.
The Kilroot archaeological report says
"at that time Edward Bruce was resident at Scout Bush", which matches the Edward Bruce of Scoutbush and Kilroot reference in Burke's for Edward b. 1783.
1783 - 1862 (63 years)
(Age ~ 77 years)