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Archiver > FERMANAGH-GOLD > 2009-07 > 1246650444


From: Ruth McLaughlin <>
Subject: Re: FER-GOLD Protestant reaction to 1829 Emanicpation
Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 15:47:24 -0400
References: <mailman.371.1246518053.5940.fermanagh-gold@rootsweb.com><4A4D7D0B.7050803@shaw.ca>
In-Reply-To: <4A4D7D0B.7050803@shaw.ca>


A really interesting document — thanks for the read. Got me wondering
if such leases exist for the Earl of Erne and Enniskillen? You are so
right about the causality of emigration — it's a real composite of so
many factors.

Does this mean only peerage types owned land ("in fee"?)? I am unclear
how many folk leased and how many owned in Fermanagh — say in contrast
to Sligo that Barry Bradfield referred to yesterday. I can't figure
out who was worse off generally speaking — plantation or Cromwellian?

Ruth
(Ottawa)

On Thu, Jul 2, 2009 at 11:37 PM, loddydawe <> wrote:
>
> I have also been interested into why my wife's ancestors left the
> beautiful country of Ireland circa 1830. I am not altogether convinced
> that the reason was because of the Emancipation Act or solely because of
> it. Having read the 1781 lease between Walter Stinson and Hugh
> Montgomery (see Vynette's records) you will see that the landlord had
> essentially feudal type control over the leaseholder.
>
> The maintenance of buildings and outbuildings on the property,
> maintenance of thoroughfares, ditches, hedges, etc., etc. were the
> responsibility of the lessee; the grains that he grew on the property
> could only be milled at the landlord's mill and for a fee of course - oh
> yes, even had to pay for the maintenance of the mill itself. On top of
> that the mining of the peat used for heating their homes was also
> controlled. Mineral rights and mining for same was allowed but my
> suspicious mind tells me that the landlord was encouraging such
> exploration but betcha as soon as any lucrative mine was discovered, the
> right to mine would expire with the next lease. The types of crops and
> orchards were prescribed down to the type of thorn to be used for the
> perimeters of the land and fines could be levied if the work or crops
> was not produced.
>
> The rent as follows: /"shall and will yield and pay for and out of said
> demised premisses[sic] unto the said Hugh Montgomery his heirs executors
> and administrators Yearly and every year during the said term the clear
> yearly rent or sum of nine pounds [illegible] with six pence in the
> pound receivers [illegible] good and lawful money of Great Britain the
> same to be paid half yearly by two even and equal portions (that is to
> say) on every twenty ninth day of September and Twenty[cut off] Day of
> March in every year during said term together with five men horses and
> cars and for each man horse and car not [illegible] demand, one shill’g
> in lieu thereof at the election of Hugh Montgomery his heirs or assigns
> to be paid as duties to the said Hugh Montgomery his heirs executors and
> assigns clear rent over and above, all and all manner of taxes
> assessments country-charges, and all other imposition whatsoever, known
> or unknown, ordinary or extraordinary, charged or to be charged on the
> said premises or any part thereof or on the rent thereout or hereby
> reserved by Act of Parliament or otherwise howsoever, (quit rent and
> Crown Rent only excepted) and that if it shall happen the said yearly
> rent and duties or any part thereof shall be in arrear or unpaid by the
> space of twenty-one days next after any or either of the said days or
> times whereon the same ought to be paid as aforesaid." /Nine pounds
> including all the extras on top does not sound like a lot of money but
> it certainly was in those days. I would hazard that after the tenant had
> paid the milling charges, maintenance responsibilities, fines etc., the
> tenant would net very little out of the arrangement. The lure of free or
> almost free land in the Americas would have been immensely tempting. The
> political situation would have been a factor but I think it was more of
> a culmative effect. Those were very tough times and it got tougher after
> they left Ireland. The conditions they faced in Canada was no bed of
> roses either.
>
> Jim
>
> Please post messages in plain text.
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