Major William Cadogan (1601–1661), of Liscarton, County Meath, was born at Dunster, Somerset, to Henry Cadogan of Llanbetter, Pembrokeshire.
His great-grandfather, Thomas Cadogan, of Dunster, claimed descent from the ancient princes of Wales (called Cadwgan).
He served as MP for Monaghan Borough from 1639 to 1649 and was a cavalry major in Oliver Cromwell's army.
In 1649, he ordered the destruction of Trim's old Augustinian abbey's belfry, known as the Yellow Steeple, as it had been used as a watch-tower by the Catholic rebels.
[1] As a reward for defending Trim Castle, County Meath, during the English Civil War and for putting down revolts around Dublin, he was given the governorship of Trim Castle.