politician secretary of state civil servant
He was born in Kill, County Kildare. His father, John Davys, was a small landowner who seems to have lacked influential connections. Elrington Ball suggests that Paul"s rise to prominence was due to his first marriage to Margaret Ussher, granddaughter of the highly respected official Sir William Ussher of Donnybrook, Clerk of the Council.
He was the grandfather of Paul Davys, 1st Viscount Mount Cashell. Paul seems to have been an able and conscientious official Ball refers to his "long and painful service" as Clerk.
He was elected to the Irish House of Commons as member for Enniskillen in the Parliament of 1634, and for Donegal in that of 1639.
After the downfall of the Royalist cause in Ireland, Davys might have been expected to retire into private life. In fact he seems to have retained some political influence under the Commonwealth, and is said to have been close to Henry Cromwell.
Number doubt through Ormonde"s influence he became Secretary of State. There appear to have been complaints about slowness and inefficiency, since Ormonde, rather defensively, argued that his "old-fashioned" ways were suited to Ireland.
He died 7 December 1672, and was buried in Saint Audoen"s Church, Dublin.
By Margaret Ussher, who died in 1633, he was the father of-
James, who died young
Sir William Davys, Lord Chief Justice of Ireland. George (died 1660)
Sir John Davys, who like his father was Secretary of State, and was the father of-
Paul Davys, 1st Viscount Mount Cashell
Ursula (died 1673), who married Sir Francis Blundell, 3rd Baronet
Elizabeth, who married firstly Sir Thomas Bramhall, and secondly Sir John Topham. Elrington Ball describes him as a "remarkable man" who held office during forty turbulent years but was able to retain the confidence of each successive Government.
Rumours about his loyalty were certainly strong enough for his friend Ormonde, at the Restoration, to defend Davys as one who had "ever been loyal to the true cause".
These doubts about his loyalty did not hinder his further career: he sat in the House of Commons for Kildare in the Parliament of 1661, received large grants of land, mainly in County Donegal, and became a member of the Privy Council.
