George Paulet (1553–1608)

[9] Paulet began at Derry by buying land from Docwra, who had built a town there more than thirty years after the destruction of Randolph's settlement.

Docwra incurred the hostility of Charles Blount, 8th Baron Mountjoy (who became Earl of Devonshire), Lord Deputy of Ireland, by supporting Donnell Ballagh O'Cahan, Sir Cahir O'Doherty, and Niall Garve O'Donnell, who he thought had been ill-treated.

Devonshire died 3 April 1606; but he had previously approved the sale of Docwra's property to Paulet, whom he knew well.

Sir Richard Hansard, who commanded for the Plantation of Ulster at Lifford in Donegal, recounts that O'Doherty left Burt Castle, on Lough Swilly, at the end of October to superintend the felling of timber for building; but that this gave rise to a report that he was in rebellion.

Paulet made an unsuccessful attempt to seize Burt in the chief's absence, and reported everything to Chichester.

On the night of Monday, 18 April 1608, O'Doherty, at the head of fewer than a hundred men, seized the outpost at Culmore by a trick, and surprised Derry itself an hour before daybreak.

Paulet was killed by O'Doherty's foster-father Phelim Reagh MacDavitt, and the city was sacked and burned.

Sir Josias Bodley, not however an eye-witness, reported that Paulet fell fighting valiantly; but the English government spoke of his cowardice.

Paulet's wife was with him at Derry, and the contemporary tract Newes from Ireland concerning the late treacherous Action; (London, 1608) says he had children there also.

Lady Paulet was held captive by the O'Doherties for a short time; but her husband's death left her in poverty, which was partly relieved out of the Tyrone forfeitures.