Condition of the poorer classes in Ireland: first report: appendix A and supplement

 

Dromore (part of) &c, Pop.14,911	Dromore (part of) &c, Pop.14,911	Dromore & Garvaghy,Pop,18,497	Drumara (part of) Pop,10,129,entire parish
Rev. Samuel Crory P.M.	Rev. William Filgate	Rev. Hugh McConville, P. P.	Rev. Michael McCartan, P.P.
Cannot tell the number of deserted children, but I have known or heard of none that perished within the last three years	There are 13 at present supported by vestry assessment, I know of none having so perished.	No more than two or three supported by Vestry cess, I have not heard of any who perished through neglect.	Five supported through assessment
I cannot tell, this I consider to fall more within the knowledge of the Curate and Rector of the parish.		I could not ascertain the number, perhaps eight who are supported by their mothers.	There are about ten or more I know the general practice is for the reputed fathers to dis-own such children so that they may evade the law for their support
I cannot tell, I have not heard of any  making applications for support	Cannot state the number but most are generally supported by the sources already mentioned.	Twenty perhaps more, they are generally supported by the charitable contributions of those who are themselves not far removed from poverty.	I am informed there are about fourteen.
I cannot tell exactly how many old and infirm persons may be in the parish but such characters are generally supported by money collected in the different places of worship or by the charity of their neighbours.	I cannot state the number supported by money from the houses of worship and by the collection of potatoes, meal and sometimes money.	Forty or more, many whom reside in town, and receive a little aid, weekly from the poor's fund.	I suppose about eighty or ninety, they are supported partly by begging and partly by collections in the houses of worship made occasionally
I cannot tell how many labourers in the parish may be in the habit of leaving it to find work elsewhere, but in the part where I live in the parish very few leave it. And those who do leave it go mainly to England and Scotland for the harvest time only.	Few if any.	Very few, some young men go to Scotland in the harvest season.	In the harvest season about 50 or 60 persons leave their dwellings to seek employment elsewhere, of about 20 to 30 pass over to England or Scotland.
Few married men leave the parish and those who do leave it and in their absence their wives generally support themselves and children by begging.		I do not know an instance, but one or two, of a married man leaving his family to seek employment, those two went to America and one of them sent for his wife and children.
Cannot tell the number but beggars generally get provisions and sometimes half pence	Cannot state the number, alms mostly given by the farmers in provisions in the town in money	There are not many resident, but a great many strolling beggars, alms are usually given in provisions, especially in the country	About 30, chiefly in provisions given by the farmers.
No such thing exists here as letting lodgings to strolling beggars, where they get liberty to stay all night they have to pay nothing in the morning.	I believe those called strolling beggars are seldom called upon to pay for their nights lodgings.	There are eight or ten in the town who charge 2 pence to beggars or others for a night, beggars are not charged for lodgings in the country.	The householders afford lodgings to beggars, not for money but from a feeling of Christian charity, the number i cannot exactly ascertain.
None that I have ever heard of	None have as I am convinced.	None that i have heard of.	No one has ever came , to my knowledge.

 

Dromara, Pop.10,129	Dromara, Pop.10,129
Rev. H. E. Boyed	Rev. Michael McCartan, P.P.
There are only five deserted children supported by assessment on the land, none are known to have perished by neglect	Five I am told supported by assessment, none are known to have perished
Only one.	10 or upwards, I know the general practice is to disown them, that their reputed fathers may escape from the burthern of their support, hence the burthern of rearing those unhappy beings generally devolves on the female who often has no resource but to beg.
There are about 14 widows with their children on the poor list who receive assistance from charitable resources.	I am informed there are about 14, partly by fines levied at the Petty Sessions and partly by begging
There are about 80 resident poor who are incapable of working, and who are supported by collections and the assistance of their neighbours.	About 80 or 90, they are supported partly by begging, partly by alms and partly by their children's aid, by alms I mean collections made sometimes in the houses of worship.
The number of persons who seek for work in any other country is very small, probably not exceeding 20 in the season, they are generally the younger sons of small farmers and go to Scotland from the convenience of the passage.	In the harvest season, about 80 or 90 persons leave their dwellings to seek employment elsewhere, of whom 30 to 40 pass over to England or Scotland.
About 30 subsist by begging, and receive alms both in money and provisions.	Some of them are married, they are supported by their husbands earnings or credit.
	About 40,chiefly in provisions given by farmers.
There are some few cabins in which beggars are received for the night, they pay for the lodgings by giving a share of their provisions.	None are in the habit of letting lodgings for money, they are lodged by the farmers from feelings of humanity and charity.
None	None that ever I could learn.

 

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LEASE OF LAND from Lord Hillsborough to William Gray, dated1759 expired 1832

THIS INDENTURE

 

Made the eighth day of October in the Year of our Lord one thousand. Seven hundred and Fifty Nine BETWEEN THE Right Honourable Wills, Earl of Hillsborough, of the one part and WILLIAM GRAY OF MULLAGHDRIN in the County Down, Farmer of the other part; WITNESSETH, That the said Earl of Hillsborough, for and in Consideration of the yearly Rents, Duties, Conditions. Covenants, Reservations, Provisoes and Agreements, herein after referred and mentioned and on the Part and Behalf of the said WILLIAM GRAY and his Heirs (and his and their Assignes, in case he or they should be permitted by the said Earl of Hillsborough his Heirs or Assigns, to alien, set or assign the Whole or any Part, of the Premisses herein after mentioned to be hereby demised, according to the Condition relating to such leination or Assignment herein after mentioned) to be paid, done and performed and particularly in Consideration that the said William Gray and his heirs (and his and their Assigns in case as aforesaid) shall during this Demise, inhabit on and occupy the  premisses, hereinafter mentioned to be hereby demised.  HATH demified, granted, for, like as by these Presents DOTH demise, grant, set and to farm let unto the said William Gray in his actual Possession now being, by Virtue of a Bargain and Sale to him thereof made for the whole Year, by Indenture, bearing the Day next before the Day of the Date of these Presents, and by the Force of the Statute for transferring Uses into Possession, and to his Heirs, ALL That part and parcel of Land Situate Lying in the Town Land of Mulloghdrin in the County of Down aforesaid containing by Admeasurement EIGHTEEN ACRES, THREE ROODS AND THIRTY FIVE PERCHES Plantation Measure as by a MAP hereunto annex’d;  together with all and singular the Rights, Members, Incidents, Appendances and Appurtenances whatsoever unto the said demised Premisses or any Part or Parcel thereof, belonging or in any wise appertaining. (Excepting and always reserving out of the Demise unto the said Earl of Hillsborough, his Heirs and Assigns, all manner of Game and other Royalties, Mines, Minerals, Coals and Quarries of Marble, Freestone, Limestone, and Slate, Water Courses, Mosses or Turbarys for cutting of Turf, all Bog-Timber, Wood, Under-Woods, Oak Ash, Elm, Birch and Alder Trees, and every other Sort of Tree growing, standing and being, or which shall hereafter grow, stand and be on the demised Premisses; with free Liberty of Hunting, Hawking, Fishing and Fowling on the same at proper Seasons)  TO HAVE AND TO HOLD all and singular the said demised Premisses, with their and every of their Rights, Members, Incidents, Appendances and Appurtenances (except as before excepted) unto the said William Gray and his Heirs (and to his and their Assigns in Case as aforesaid) from the first day of May last, FOR THE NATURAL LIFE AND LIVES OF HIM THE SAID WILLIAM GRAY AND JOHN GRAY, ELDEST SON OF THE SAID WILLIAM GRAY AGED ELEVEN YEARS AND OF ARCHIBALD GRAY SECOND SON OF THE SAID WILLIAM GRAY AGED NINE YEARS AND FOR AND DURING THE NATURAL LIFE OF THE LONGEST LIVER OF THEM.  He the said William Gray and his Heirs (and his and their Assigns in Case as aforesaid) YIELDING THE PAYING therefore and thereout yearly and every Year during the said Term, unto the said Earl of Hillsborough, his Heirs and Assigns, at the Hillsborough Castle in the County of Down the clear yearly Rent of TWO POUNDS SEVENTEEN SHILLINGS STERLING, current and lawful Money of Great Britain; together with ONE SHILLING AND FIVE PENCE STERLING of like Money yearly for Receiver’s Fees, by even and equal Portions in the Year, (that is to say) the Feast of Allsaints and the Feast of Philip and Jacob – free and clear, over and above and of and from, and without any Deduction, Defalcation or Abatement of any Part or Parcel thereof, for or in respect of any Taxes, Assessments, Sub-sidies, or Impositions whatsoever, ordinary or extraordinary, imposed or to be imposed by Act of Parliament, or otherwise (Quit-

 

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rent, Crown and Chief-rent, only excepted) and the first half Year’s Payment to be made on the Feast Day of Phillip and Jacob near ensuing the Date of these Presents.  AND also YIELDING AND PAYING, AND delivering, unto the said Earl of Hillsborough, his Heirs and Assigns, at Hillsborough Castle aforesaid, on the twenty fifth Day of December, yearly and every Year during the said Term FOUR FAT CAPONS OR ONE SHILLING AND SEVENPENCE sterling, in lieu thereof, for Duties at the Choice and Election of the said Earl of Hillsborough, his Heirs and Assigns, that he the said William Gray and his Heirs (and his and their Assigns) and also YIELDING AND PAYING to the said Earl of Hillsborough, his Heirs and Assigns, at the Death of every Chief Tenant of the Premisses, or any Part thereof, by Virtue of these Presents, his, her, or their BEST BEAST, OR BEST PIECE OF PLATE, OR THE SUM of ONE POUND STERLING, in lieu thereof, at the Choice and Election of the said Earl of Hillsborough, his Heirs and Assigns for an Herriot.  AND the said William Gray doth for him and his Heirs (and his and their Assigns in Case as aforesaid) covenant, promise and agree to and with the said Earl of Hillsborough, his Heirs and Assigns, that he the said William Gray and his Heirs (and his and their Assigns in Case as aforesaid) shall and will from Time to Time, and at all Times hereafter during the said Term, well and truly satisfy, content and pay the said reserved yearly rent, Receiver’s Fees, Herriots and Duties) all Taxes, Subsidies, Contributions, Country Charges, Assessments and Impositions whatsoever and at the place herein before-mentioned, as the same shall become due and payable by Virtue of these Presents;  and pay, bear and discharge (over and above the said yearly rent, Receiver’s Fees, Herriots and Duties) all Taxes, Subsidies, Contributions, Country Charges, Assessments and Impositions which now are o hereafter shall be charg’d or imposed on the said demised Premises or reserved yearly rent or any Part thereof, or on the said Earl of Hillsborough, his Heirs or Assigns, by Reason thereof, by Act of Parliament or otherwise.  AND if the said reserved yearly Rent, Receiver’s Fees, Duties and Herriots, or any of them, or the Arrears of them or any of them together with all such Costs and Charges as the said Earl of Hillsborough, his Heirs or Assigns, shall be at or put to for or by Reason of the not paying the said reserved yearly Rent, Receivers Fees, Duties and Herriots as shall be at any Time in Arrear, and of taking such Distress or Distresses, and keeping the same until disposed of according to Law; PROVIDED nevertheless, and upon Condition, that if a sufficient overt Distress countervailing such Rent, Receiver’s Fees, Duties and Herriots as shall at any Time be in Arrear, cannot be had, found, or come at on the demised Premisses, that then and in that Case it shall and may be lawful, to and for the said Earl of Hillsborough, his Heirs and Assigns, into the said demised Premisses or any Part thereof, in the Name of the Whole, to re-enter, and the same to have again re-possess, detain and enjoy, as in his or their former Estate, this present Indenture, or any Thing therein contained to the contrary thereof, in any wise notwithstanding.  AND the said WILLIAM GRAY for him and his Heirs (and his and their Assigns in Case as aforesaid) doth covenant, promise, grant and agree, to and with the said Earl of Hillsborough, his Heirs and Assigns, that he the said William Gray and Heirs and their Assigns in Case as aforesaid) and their Under-tenants and Cotters inhabiting on the demised Premisses (if any such should be permitted) shall do Snit and Service to the Courts-Leet and Courts-Baron of Hillsborough (in which the said Lands do lie) and shall pay the Senechal of the said Manor his usual and accustomed Fees and Perquisites AND that the said William Gray and his Heirs and his and their Assigns in Case as aforesaid) and his and their Under-tenants and Cotters (as aforesaid) inhabiting on the demised Premises, shall from Time to Time, and at all Times during the aforesaid Term, grind all such Malt, Corn or other Grain as shall be expended on the demised Premises, or that he or they shall grind for Sale, at the Mills at BEGNY and pay the accustomed Toll for Grinding thereof .  AND if any Inhabitant of the said

 

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demised Premisses, shall grind any such Malt, Corn or other Grain at any Mill or Mills than the Mills of Begny then and in such Case the said William Gray and his Heirs (and his and their Assigns in Case as aforesaid) shall for every such Offence or Default, forfeit and pay to the said Earl of Hillsborough, his Heirs and Assigns, the Sum of ten Shillings Sterling, for every Barrel of Wheat, Barley, Bear, Oats, Malt or other Gran and so in Proportion for a greater or lesser Quantity or Measure, as often as the same shall happen: AND that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Earl of Hillsborough, his Heirs and Assigns, from Time to Time to distrain on any Part of the Premisses for the same, and to fell and dispose of the Distress of Distresses so taken for Payment thereof, according to Law.  AND it is further agreed by and between the Parties to these Presents that the said William Gray and his Heirs and their Assigns in Case as aforesaid) shall at the Desire and Request of the Proprietors, Tenants and Inhabitants of the neighbouring and adjoining Lands, or any of them, join with the Person or Persons requiring the same, and be at equal Expence with such Person or Persons, in making sufficient Fences or Ditches between the said demised Premisses and the Lands of the Tenants Person or Persons requiring the same.  AND the said William Gray doth for himself and his Heirs (and for his and their Assigns in Case as aforesaid) covenant, promise, grant and agree to and with the said Earl of Hillsborough, his Heirs and Assigns, That he and they shall and will plant or sow their Proportion of such Fences or Ditches with Quicks or Furze, where the same will grow, and preserve their Share of such Ditches or Fences, and of the Quicks or Furze planted or sown thereon, from being destroyed, provided the making of such Fences or Ditches, and sowing and planting Furze or Quicks thereon, do not exceed two Shillings per Perch;  AND that  the said William Gray and his Heirs (and his and their Assigns in Case as aforesaid) shall and will permit and suffer the said Earl of Hillsborough, his Heirs and Assigns, his and their Agent or Steward, or such other Person or Persons as ---(folded) they shall appoint under Hand and Seal for the Purpose, as often as he or they shall think fit, to perambulate the Outmears and Bounds of the demised Premises, and likewise survey the same.  AND the said William Gray for himself and his heirs (and for his and their Assigns in Case as aforesaid) doth covenant, grant and agree to and with the said Earl of Hillsborough his Heirs and Assigns, That he the said William Gray and heirs (and his heirs and their Assigns in Case as aforesaid) shall and will and his Heirs (and his or their Assigns in Case as aforesaid) shall and will at his own proper Cost and Charges plant on the demised premisses the Number of Trees required by the Statutes and Laws of this Kingdom to be planted, and preserve the same from being destroyed and save, indemnify and keep harmless the said Earl of Hillsborough, his Heirs and Assigns, of and from all Penalties and Forfeitures on account thereof.  AND the said William Gray his Heirs etc. shall and will at his own proper Costs and Charges build and finish, or cause to be built and finished in THREE Year from the Date of these Presents, upon the said Ground and Soil hereby mentioned or intended to be demised, one good and substantial Dwelling House of Brick or Stone, and Lime, of THIRTY FEET LONG AND FOURTEEN FEET DEEP in the Clear and SEVEN FEET HIGH and also that he or they shall and will at his or their own proper Costs and Charges build and finish, a Barn SIX FEET HIGH, FOURTEEN FEET IN LENGTH, and FOURTEEN FEET wide, of STONE AND LIME  AND also that the said William Gray and his Heirs etc. shall within THREE years from the Date of these  Presents at his and their own proper Costs and Charges, enclose with a good and sufficient Fence or Ditch quick’d ONE ROOD of the Premises for an Orchard, and plant the same with Fruit Trees;  and also that the said William Gray and his heirs and his and their assigns etc. shall within THREE YEARS from the date of these presents at hit and their own proper costs and charges enclose with a good sufficient ditch or fence quicked or sown with furze seed TWENTY PERCHES of Ground on the Demised

 

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premises and plant the same with forest trees  and the said William Gray for himself and his Heirs etc. doth covenant,

grant and agree to and with the said Earl of Hillsborough, His Heirs etc. That if the said Dwelling House and Out-Houses, Orchard and plantation of Forest Trees be not respectively built and finished, fence’d, ditch’d, quick’d or sown with Furze-seed, and planted with Fruit and Forest Trees, at the Times and according to the Dimensions, and in the Manner Herein set forth and described, that then and upon such Neglect from the Times beforementioned for the building, making, planting and finishing the said Assigns, yearly and every Year, until the said Works shall be completed and finished, the yearly Rent or Sum of TWO SHILLINGS per Acre, clear over and above the herein before reserved yearly Rent, to be paid by the same half yearly Portions, as the said herein before reserved yearly Rent is made payable, clear and free of all Taxes and Deduction whatsoever as aforesaid, with like Powers of Distress and Re-entry.  AND the said William Gray doth for himself and his Heirs (and for his and their Assigns in Case As aforesaid) covenant, grant and agree to and with the said Earl of Hillsborough his Heirs etc. that it shall and may be proper, at Times convenient to enter—tear in paper and upon the said demised Premisses, and every or any Part thereof, to view, search and see the Decays and Want of Reparation of Fences, Buildings, Quicking and Planting, and to give or leave Notice or Warning in Writing at or on the demised Premisses of the Want of such Reparations, Fences, Building and Planting; and in Case such Reparations of the same be not made and finished within six months after the Time of such Warning given in Writing, as aforesaid, That then it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Earl of Hillsborough, his Heirs etc. to enter in and upon the said Premisses  [torn], Labourers, and Carriages to cause such Reparations to be made and finished ;  and in default of Payment of the Money so expended in said Reparations, to enter and distrain the said Premisses, and the Distresses so taken to sell and dispose in the same Manner as is herein before reserv’d for Non-Payment of the hereby before reserved yearly Rent until he and the said Earl of Hillsborough, his Heirs etc. shall be fully repaid all such sum and sums of money as shall be expended by him or them on such Reparations:  PROVIDED and upon Condition that if no sufficient overt Distress can be had or found on the said demised Premisse to answer and pay the Expence of such of Such Reparations, that then and in that Case it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Earl of Hillsborough, his Heirs etc., into the said Premisses to re-enter, and the same to have again, re-possess and enjoy as in his and their former Estate.  AND the said William Gray doth for himself and his heirs etc. covenant, grant and agree to and with the said Earl of Hillsborough his hears etc. that he the said William Gray and his heirs etc. shall and will from Time to Time, and at all Times during the Continuance of this Demise, keep the Dwelling-House and out-Houses thereunto belonging, Fences, Ditches, Hedges, Quicksets, Drains and other Improvements that now are, or that shall be hereafter made on the demised Premisses, in good and sufficient tenantable Order, Plight, Condition and Repair, and at the end of the said Term, or other sooner Determination thereof, shall and will peaceably and quietly yield and deliver up the same in the like good Order, Plight, Condition and Repair unto the said Earl of Hillsborough, his Heirs etc.: PROVIDED always, and these Presents are granted upon this express Condition, that if the said William Gray or his Heirs (or his Assigns etc.) if he and they shall be permitted to assign) or any of them shall assign, alien, sell, mortgage or dispose of his or their Interest or Term in the hereby demised Premisses, or any Part thereof, or set any Part or Parcel thereof to any Person or Persons whatsoever, without the Consent of the said Earl of Hillsborough, etc., first thereunto had under his or their Hand or Seal, that then and from thenceforth this present Demise shall be utterly void, at the Election of the said Earl of Hillsborough, his Heirs etc.  AND that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Earl of Hillsborough, his heirs etc. into the said demised

 

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Premisses, and every Part and Parcel thereof, wholly to re-enter, and the same to have again, repossess, and enjoy, as in his or their former Estate, any Thing herein

contained to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding.  AND the said William Gray for himself and his Heirs etc. doth covenant, grant and agree to and with the said Earl of Hillsborough, his heirs etc., that in Case any other House or Cabbin shall be built on the demised premises, other than the Dwelling-House, Out-Houses and Office-Houses herein before mentioned and described, without the Permission of the Earl of Hillsborough his heirs etc., had in Writing under his or their Hands and Seal for the Habitation of any Person or Persons whatsoever, that for every such House or Cabbin so built the said William Gray and his Heirs etc. doth for himself and for his heirs etc. shall and will pay by way of Rent, and for which a Distress or Distresses may be taken as well as for the Rent reserved by these Presents, and in the same Manner, and under the same Penalties, the sum of THREE POUNDS STERLING of lawful Money of Great Britain.  AND the said William Gray doth for himself and his Heirs etc. covenant, promise and agree to an with the said Earl of Hillsborough, his heirs etc. that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Earl of Hillsborough, his Heirs etc., his and their Servants and Labourers, Tenants and Workmen, authoriz’d by him the Earl of Hillsborough, his heirs etc. by Writing under his or their Hands, to bore, dig, and search for Timber, Mines, Minerals, Marble, Coals and Quarries of Marble, Freestone, Limestone and Slate in any Part of the demised Premisses, except the said Dwelling-House, Office-Houses, and the Orchard, Gardens, Courts and Yards thereunto belonging;  and likewise to cut, bark, strip, cord, coal and work up, all Timber and Trees excepted out of this Demise, and to carry away the same;  and likewise to cut, make save and carry away all such Turf as the said Earl of Hillsborough, his heirs etc. shall give Liberty to cut, take and save in his Mosses, within or adjoining to the demises Premisses, and excepted out of this Demise, he the said Earl of Hillsborough, his heirs etc. , allowing unto the said William Gray and his heirs etc. reasonable Amends and Satisfaction for the Waste, Spoil and Damage they shall sustain on Account of the carrying away such Mines, Minerals, Coals, Marble, Freestone, Limestone and Slate, and by cutting, stripping, cording, coaling, and working up such Trees, and diging and carrying such Turf.  AND the said Earl of Hillsborough doth for himself his heirs etc. covenant and promise to and with the said William and his Heirs etc. by these Presents, that the said William Gray and his heirs etc., paying the said reserved yearly rent, Receiver’s Fees, Duties and Herriots, and performing all and every the other Conditions, Covenants, Provisoes and Agreements on his -------------------missing------------- possess and enjoy the said demised Premisses, and every Part and Parcel thereof, freed and discharged of and from all Persons lawfully claiming, or hereafter may claim by, from or under the said Earl---------------------------------hereunto put their Hands and Seals, the Day and Year first above written.

 

SIGNED  WILLIAM GRAY          SEALED WITH WAX