Thursday, April 4, 2019

Jacksons of Co. Longford, Dublin & Kings Co.


 About 300 years ago, a young clerk, probably bored out of his gourd while transcribing records, doodled on a page in the land index of the Memorials of Deeds at Henrietta Street in Dublin.


I stumbled across this at end of a day spent researching the Jacksons of Co. Longford. Since I had not come up with much that day, this was a welcome treat – albeit inconsequential.

Like so many Jackson lines in the early post-Cromwellian years, the first known lease-holder of this Co. Longford family was named: Richard Jackson. There are many Richard Jacksons, but there is no proof (as yet) that the Jacksons of Co. Longford are connected to any of them. Even so, I have included a list of possible suspects in a table at the end of this post.

The starting point for the Co. Longfort Jacksons comes from Benthams Abstracts, where Richard Jackson was described as being of Tinenane, Co. Longford. In later deeds, Tinenane aka Tenenare was referred to as Cullivore. This shape-shifting of names leads people like me down all sorts of dead-ended rabbit holes. I finally learned that the double-barreled name of Ballindagny and Cullyvore – aka Tinenane – actually refers to a single townland in the Mostrim Parish, Barony of Ardagh, Curiously, this townland is just to the west of Edgeworthstown. It is not beside other townlands which Richard Jackson and his son Philip Jackson leased in  1715. Unlike Tinenane, the townlands of Culloge, Cam and Monadarragh, are all east of Edgeworthstown.



ROD: 24-379-14080 1715 Jul 1 Image 519. Btw Robert MONTGOMERY of Anarea, Co. Monaghan Esq. & Capt. David FAIRFIELD of Rawaldren Co. Longford of the one part and Richard JACKSON and Philip JACKSON & sd the said Richard’s son of Cullivore Co. Longford of the other pt.  Whereby said Robert MONTGOMERY and David FARFIELD demised to Richard & Philip JACKSON town and lands of Cologe  [Culloge, Parish of Mostrim, in the Barony of Ardagh], and Munadaragh [Monadarragh], together with the proportion of Cambog [Cam], Suitable for the said Lands and Appurtenances thereunto belonging and situate in the Barony of Ardagh and Co of Longford to hold to the said Richard and Philip JACKSON… rent of 48 pounds .. WITNESS: Roger JONES George JACKSON Laughlin CULLEN and Hugh CARNEY all in Barony Ardagh Co. Longford Gent. Richard JACKSON [SEAL] in presence of George JACKSON James WILDE.
NOTE: In the 1670s, John NUGENT held lands of Monadarragh and Hugh FARRELL and John NUGENT held Cowloge aka Cologe  aka Culloge,
NOTE: David and Elizabeth FAIRFIELD had a son David born circa 1695 in Ardagh, Co Longford.
SEE ALSO: ROD: 16-1-6720 also on 1715 Jul 1: David FAIRFIELD of Ravaldrin Co. Longford Gent & Robert MONTGOMERY of Anarea, Co. Monaghan Gent. 1 pt & Mungo CAMPBELL of Stokestanme  (?) Westmeath of the other pt – leased Curragh or Bogg part of lands of Camiagh [Cam], Monnederragh [Monadarragh], Clanaheelagh [Clonwhelan], in Barony of Ardagh, Co Longford, for ever at 1 peppercorn yrly if requested and a fine of £10 every 21 yrs. NOTE: Mungo CAMPBELL was a merchant from Glasgow.


In land conveyancing there is what is called a “negative search”, done to rule out any unexpected or spurious claims to title. It can be just as important to be able to prove what did not happen as well as what did happen. Out of the 37 post-1641 land  confiscations in the Barony of Ardagh, there were no Jacksons mentioned in the Cromwellian Land Grants. Thanks to the Down Survey – so called because it was done by surveyors laying down a chain - it is at least possible to track the earlier ownership of the townlands where Jacksons held leases in 1715 so we can start to close the gap.

  1. Connlisse & Tinemare aka Tinnynarr on the eastern border of Ballindagny and Cullyvore was held in 1641 by James Farrell (Catholic), Conne Connel (Catholic) and  Andrew Nugent (Catholic) NOTE: By 1670, these lands were held by Sir James Shaen  (Protestant).
  2. Cam was owned in 1641 by John Nugent (Catholic) [of Castlenugent] and then in 1670 it was owned by Edmund Nugent (Catholic).
  3. Monadarragh was leased by John Nugent [of Castlenugent] in 1641.
  4. Culloge was leased by Hugh Farrell and John Nugent [of Castlenugent].
  5. In 1670, Sir James Shaen (Protestant) held title to 13 townlands in Co. Longford. Six of them were contiguous with the townlands leased by Richard Jackson in 1715.

It is significant that the Nugents and Farrells continued to lease land in the parish of Mostrim long after the post-Cromwellian land confiscations. Since they were Catholic, there were likely mitigating circumstances which protected them. Their names also surface in future leases concerning the same townlands where Jacksons held leases. Finally, Sir James Shean, who leased several townlands after the confiscations, gave up his Co. Longford leases sometime around 1665. Who leased or bought them next? Were these next owners connected in some way to Shaen either through family, business or military service?

Sir James Shaen aka Shane was the Surveyor General of Ireland, and was married to Lady Frances Fitzgerald, daughter of George Fitzgerald. He had a leg up early in life after his father Francis, a blacksmith, was knighted by Sir Arthur Chichester (1563-1625). Francis Shaen was known for his insensitive and culturally repressive actions against the previous Irish gentry.

In reward for all these services, Francis Shane was honoured with a knighthood by Chichester, and King James I. rewarded him with several grants of lands in Galway, | Longford, Meath, and Westmeath. (See Pat. Rolls, 10 Jac. I., p. 244.) Sir James Shane, or Shaen, in 1657, bought confiscated lands of the ancient Irish proprietors in Leinster and Munster for £3,000, which, in 1665, were worth £3,500 a| year. SOURCE: Irish Builder and Engineer Vol 35

Connections between Shaen and the Farrells, one of the pre-Cromwellian families with lands in the Parish of Mostrim, sheds light on their circumstances:

January 27, 1609.—James O’Farrell being in London on behalf of his estate and other poor inhabitants in Ireland, and being impeded in his movements in that behalf by the heirs and executors of Sir Nicholas Malby, and also Sir Francis Shaen, presents a petition to Lord Salisbury, showing that the inhabitants of the County Longford are heavily charged for beeves and taxes, and having already paid £400 out of £600 arrearages, prays that the King may be pleased to discharge further arrearages and growing rents, and promising to yield to the King as much as will be yielded out of any ploughland in Ireland.” SOURCE: The History of Co. Longford. James P. Farrell. 1891 page 48.
Pat. 6, XXII., page 132.—“ General pardon to Richard Nugent, Knt., Lord Baron of Delvyn.-—26 September. 6th.” LIX. 8.-—“ King’s letter for an inquisition to ascertain the several former estates of the O’Ferralls, and other inhabitants of Longford County, and for a re-grant of the same to them respectively, reserving a rent of £23, English, mentioned in the grants of these lands, formerly made to Lord and Lady Delvin, which grants have been surrendered; and reserving such other rents, services, etc., as are due to the Crown for said lands ; also reserving, for the defence of the Castle of Bellabeg, such portion of land as shall be thought meet, and for settling the controversy between Sir Francis Shaen, Knt., and the O’Farralls and said other inhabitants of Longford, concerning the rent of 120 beoves, payable by them to said Sir Francis, as farmer of the Manor of Granard; Sir Francis to receive for the arrear of 1% years, 20s. for every beef ; for every beef due before that time, 10s., English, in satisfaction of all arrears. Said Sir Francis Shaen being but lessee for years, the Lord Deputy to further him in the future collection of said rent.— 16 May. 6th.” SOURCE: The History of Co. Longford. James P. Farrell. 1891 page 57-58.

As for Sir John Shaen, since he died in 1695, and since Richard Jackson was already living at Tenenare sometime before 1715, there is a gap here of up to 20 years. David Fairfield and Robert Montgomery fill in at least some part of it.                                                                                                                                                                                 
Although according to Oscar Wilde, Burke’s Peerage: … is the one book a young man about town should know thoroughly, and it is the best thing in fiction the English have ever done! it still has its research uses. According to Burkes, Robert Montgomery married into the well heeled and influential Leslie family of Co. Monaghan, and had an ancestor from Ayreshire who had served in the mid-1600s army. It is possible that his and the Jackson families would have known each other from shared army experience. This is not such a stretch. SEE: 1653 Presbyterian Removals.

Other than the 1715 lease, there is one other mention that links Robert Montgomery and Richard Jackson in Edgeworthstown aka Mostrim:

ROD: 45-440-28854 Image 236 1724 Jul 23. BTW Richard EDGEWORTH of Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford Esq of 1 pt & Robert MONTGOMERY of Anarea Co. Monaghan Esq of the other pt. EDGEWORTH demised land in Edgeworthstown held by Patrick ROACH Innholder … WITNESS: Willoughby PERRY of Edgeworthstown Merchant & Richard JACKSON of Tinenare Co. Longford, Gent … NOTE: This Richard EDGEWORTH was the grandfather of the celebrated author, Maria EDGEWORTH Her novel Castle Rackrent is well worth reading as a fictional satire of  Anglo-Irish landlords.

The next links worth mentioning connect Robert Montgomery with the POOLE family. This is of consequence because two of Richard Poole’s daughters married two sons of Richard Jackson - Philip Jackson married Jane Poole and George Jackson married Mary Poole. Both Robert Montgomery and the Pooles held lands in Thomas Court & Donore, a part of the suburbs of the City of Dublin connected to the clothing trades.

ROD: 85-109-59267. 1729 Apr 18. Image 62 BTW Jacob POOLE of City of Dublin Clothier of 1 pt & Robert MONTGOMERY of Newmarket in Liberties of Thomas Court & Donore Co. Dublin Clothier whereby Jacob POOLE demised to Robert MONTGOMERY house then in occupancy of Robert MONTGOMERY bounded on the East by another holding belonging to Jacob POOLE and on the north by Mr. WINRIGHT’s holding together with the use of the Shore on the Premises … for 99 years. WITNESS: Moses BRUGUIERE of City of Dublin Merchant & Robert BOYTON then clerk to John SMITH Public Notary

Contemporary satellite photos show that the old Tenter Fields, where clothiers once dried their cloth, have become mostly light industrial and are just to the west of the streets of Newmarket, Jackson Alley and Poole Street. All are within a couple of blocks of each other, so it is no surprise that families of the Montgomerys, Jacksons and Pooles all had several members described as Clothiers and the like. This is a topic for a whole other post.

In the meantime, I have compiled a page on Jacksons mentioned in Dublin Deeds and it is worth following the names of POOLE and JACKSON. My research on these interconnections is incomplete, but in time it will likely find connections between the Descendants of Richard JACKSON of Tinenare, Co. Longford, Robert JACKSON of Crooked Staff - Descendants and/or Michael JACKSON, Clothier of Pimlico.

But back to Co. Longford. Because Richard Jackson could afford the annual rent of £48 for a lease held jointly with his son Philip for three townlands of Culloge, Cam and Monadarragh, we know that he was part of that class referred to as “gentleman farmers”, a class that often saw the twin occupations of both farmer and clothier. In 1722, one of Jackson’s leases mentions a Mill and Mill race, a not inconsiderable asset to add to the farmland, and which was likely used for grinding grain. Going from Griffiths maps, it would appear that this mill was on the border of Abbey Lands, so it could have predated Richard Jackson’ occupancy. Regardless, it  meant that he not only oversaw the growing of crops, owned milling infrastructure, but also likely charged others for the benefit of milling their crops.

During the next 200 years of the Jacksons tenancy in the Parish of Mostrim, Co. Longford, the family often had to raise funds by mortgaging and remortgaging their land. That was how financing was handled before banks developed the kinds of lending infrastructure that we have today. Much of the lending occurred between family members, neighbours and business colleagues. This is what makes the Deeds Registry such fertile ground for research, and decades of deeds reveal that  the Jackson family in the parish of Mostrim retained an unbroken presence on the land.

As one would expect from a successful “vertically integrated enterprise” – including a farm and a mill – subsequent generations rose into the professional and merchant classes. Some of the Co. Longford descendants became professionals who were based in the city of Dublin. John Jackson and William Jackson of Paradise Road in City of Dublin still held the family lands in Mostrim  more than a hundred years after Richard Jackson’s initial 1715 lease:

ROD: 822-504-553639. 1827 Jan 10. EDGEWORTH 1825-1827 Image 293 BTW John JACKSON of Paradise Row, City of Dublin Gent of 1st pt; Sidney DUIGAN[?] of Richmond Co. Dublin widow & executrix of John DUIGAN (late of Capel St, City of Dublin Esq. deceased)  of 2nd pt; Lovell EDGEWORTH of Edgeworthstown [Parish Mostrim]  Co. Longford Esq of 3rd pt. Reciting 31 Jan 1822 Lovell EDGEWORTH in consid of £500 paid by John JACKSON confirmed to John JACKSON lands of Lackan [Parish Mostrim] and [many] other lands in said deed [not listed here] in Co. Longford … on North side of Turnpike Road leading from Edgeworthstown to Longford containing 52a 3r 18p  Irish plantation measure and also all that other part of town and land of Lackin situate on South side of the said Turnpike Road containing 165a 2r 19p in Parish of Mastim [Mostrim] Barony Ardagh Co. Longford and also lands of Ballymacwilliam Oughter [Ballymacwilliam]  one of the said Cartrons of Lisserdowlin in Parish of Temple Michael Templemichael  Barony Ardagh Co. Longford containing 72a and also land known as Cartron Capple being a another Cartron and part of the Cartron of Ballymacwilliam Oughter [Ballymacwilliam] of Lisserdowlin containing 108a 3r 10p and also townlands of Cloonacasney orse Clonahusly another of the Cartons of Lisserdowlin [Lissardowlan] containing 91a 2r 27p and also townland of Tuerfin another of the Cartons of Lissdowlin [Lissardowlan]  containing 65a 14p in Parish Temple Michael [Templemichael ] Barony Ardagh Co. Longford & also lands of Aghanevin orse Whyhalman orse Eylealonan commonly called the Carton of Lissardowlin [Lissardowlan] and part of Fyhalman in last mentioned parish and Barony Co. Longford containing 93a 9p and also lands of Aughanckan another of the Cartrons of Lisserdowlin [Lissardowlan] containing 54a 3r 6p and part of lands of Cartonreagh Parish Mastrim [Parish Mostrim]  Barony Ardagh containing 74a 3r 35p and parts of Lands of Rossmine and Garryduffe in Parish Clonbrony [Clonbroney] Barony Ardagh Co. Longford and lands of Killenawse orse Killenawase and Garrynegree Coolennerigan and part of Rossmine in Parish Granard & Barony Granard cont 95a 3r 5p and lands commonly called Breeghuire orse Brehy [Breaghy ] in Parish Clontrough orse Clonbrony [Clonbroney] Barony Ardagh Co. Longford containing 80a 22p and also lands Kilderine orse Kildereene [Kilderreen ] and Shinoe orse Shiroe [Sheeroe ] with the Mill thereon or on part therof erected and built containing 63a 2r 9p in Co. Longford to hold to said Lowell EDGEWORTH … said Sidney DUIGAN Executrix of John DUIGAN deceased at request of John JACKSON granted to Lowell EDGEWORTH …WITNESS: John COLE of City of Dublin Gent & Sidney PARKER. John JACKSON [SEAL] NOTE: Sidney PARKER was a widow – see beneath

Some of the subsequent holdings of the descendants of Richard Jackson likely came about through marriage. For example, by 1832, Philip Jackson, who had married Jane Poole a daughter of Richard Poole, was residing in Ballinrahin Civil Parish of Clonsast, in the Barony of Coolestown, Kings Co.[ see also: Deeds mentioning JACKSONs & POOLEs.]



ROD: 69-423-49009. 1732 Sep 4. Btw Richard POOLE of City of Dublin Joyner one of the sons of Richard POOLE late of Earl St in the Liberty of Thomas Court & Donore and Co Dublin Gent & Philip JACKSON of Ballinrahn [Ballinrahin, Parish of Clonsast, in the Barony of Coolestown,] Kings Co farmer and intermarried with Jane POOLE one of the daughters of the said Richard POOLE  the elder, and who is also the executor of the last will of George JACKSON deceased  who intermarried with Mary POOLE one of the daughters of said Richard POOLE,  and Susannah GEORGE als POOLE of the said city widow, also one of the daughters of the said Richard the elder & Robert POOLE of Dublin Tinplate worker & son of Richard POOLE  elder.. sold lands of Coshina [Cushina Parish of Clonsast, in the Barony of Coolestown,] and Monavaine, Barony of Coolistowne, Kings Co… and lands on Earls St in Liberty of Thomas Court & lands of Ballynowland, barony of Coolistown [Coolestown] Kings Co…NOTE: George JACKSON, husband of Mary POOLE of Moneydonagh died before 1732. NOTE: See also: JACKSON-GILL Book Index 1708-1729  Joseph JACKSON, Cork Street, Liberty of Donore, Dubin, weaver 1722 Jan 11 NAMES: Joseph JACKSON; Joseph GILL; Mr. POWER; Thomas WESTON; Jacob POOLE; George CULLIN; Rebecca SMITH; Michael SMITH; Michael SMITH jr.; Hannah SMITH; Joseph ROSE; William BARRY; Bruen WORTHINGTON. PLACES: Cork St, & Earl St. both in the Liberty of Donore, Co. Dublin.

It is likely significant that about two decades later, at the time of the Griffiths Valuation, a Mathew Jackson held a lease at Kilnantoge Lower. This is a townland on the eastern border of Ballinrahin. He also held leases at Kilnantoge Upper. Although the web of connections between the Jacksons from Co. Longford and those from Kings Co. is a line of enquiry for another day, it is worth noting in this piece that Phillip Jackson’s holdings not only included lands in Kings Co. but also on Meath Street in the Suburbs of City of Dublin.

ROD: 121-511-83800. 1746 Jul 3. Image 577 Btw Philip JACKSON of Callogue, Co. Longford Gent & Richard JACKSON of City of Dublin eldest son of Philip JACKSON of the 1 pt  & Mary McCALLY widow of Monescriba, Co. Longford of other pt. Richard JACKSON in consid of 76 pounds 2s 3p paid by Mary McCALLY granted town and lands of Callogue and lands of Munadaragh [Moneydarragh] with the [?] of Cambog suitable for the said lands Barony of Ardagh, Co. Longford  .. also lands of Cusina [Cushina, Parish of Clonsast, in the Barony of Coolestown] Ballynagroland & Monevane in Barony Coolystown [Barony of Coolestown] Kings Co. & the 7th parts of four front houses two backhouses & a Deal Yard situate on Earl Street on the lane of Meaths Liberty & Suburbs of the City of Dublin. WITNESS: Susanna LUNEMAN of City of Dublin widow & Simon LUNEMAN of City of Dublin Gent. Philip JACKSON [SEAL]

Circling back to the beginning of known land transactions, and given that the Farrells were the pre-Cromwellian owners of much of the Co. Longford lands owned by Jacksons, it is intriguing to see an echo of the family names together in the same deed more than a century later:

ROD: 1835-1-133. 1832 Mar 9. Image 100 BTW John JACKSON of Schoolland Co. Longford Gent of 1 pt & Jacob WIGGINS of Motevally Co. Longford Gent of the other. John JACKSON stood indebted to WIGGINS for £100 and £120  …mtg lands of Coulogue orse Windmill Hill containing 68a in Parish Edgeworthy Barony Ardagh … total owing £260 … demised townlands of Coulogue orse Windmill Hill … WITNESS: John FERRALL of Abbey Street City of Dublin Attorney & William Robert WIGGINS of Edgeworthstown Co. Longford Gent . John JACKSON [SEAL]
So where does all this take us? Subsequent wills, census and land records reveal that there was an unbroken presence of the descendants of Richard Jackson well into the mid-20th Century in the Parish of Mostrim. Ironically, when I started to work on the research for this blog piece, I thought it would be both simple and short. Clearly I was wrong on both counts. Sigh! Even so, it is all part of unpuzzling the multiple migrations and inter-marriages of Jacksons within Ireland. More to come.

 Possible Richard JACKSONs who may connect to Richard Jackson of Co. Longford.
  • Richard Jackson (1635-1688) from Kirkby Lonsdale could have been the father of this Co. Longford-based Richard Jackson. At present, there is no information on his Richard Jackson’s descendants. The names of Richard, George and Dorothy occur in both the Co. Longford and Kirkby Lonsdale Jackson families with significant regularity SEE: JACKSONs of Kirkby Lonsdale, Westmorland and Coleraine, Londonderry.
  • Richard JACKSON (1643 - 1697). He was born in Lancashire in England and was approx. 16 when he arrived in Mountmellick. He came with William Edmundson in 1659. His family settled in Antrim and Down and later moved to Lurgan, Co. Armagh in Northern Ireland before moving south to Mountmellick. SOURCE: Email from Delores Dempsey, Manager of the Mountmellick Museum & Conference Centre SEE: The Quakers of Mountmellick: A short history of the Religious Society of Friends in the Town of Mountmellick 1650-1900 p.17. NOTE: This Richard JACKSON is not included in the Quaker Jacksons in Ireland. It is possible that the Richard Jackson (1626-1679) of Mountmellick – likely born in Eccleston, Co. Lancashire– fathered a son prior to his 1650 marriage to Margaret Keete (?-1705). It is perhaps telling that Margaret Keete had four sons – none of them named Richard JACKSON.
  • Richard Jackson (1667-?) of Seawaithe, Lancashire, son of Nicholas Jackson and Janet Edmunston. Nothing further is known of him. SEE: A Second line of Quaker JACKSONs in Kings Co.
  • Richard Jackson (1670-1742) of Old Castle, Co. Meath was a son of Anthony Jackson (1628-abt 1691), one of the Quaker Jacksons from Lancashire. One of the Co. Longford Jackson was named Anthony Jackson, possibly after a grandfather. SEE: Quaker Jacksons in Ireland. NOTE: The POOLE family who intermarried with two of the sons of Richard Jackson of Co. Longford had roots in Co. Wexford, and then in Thomas Court & Donore in the City of Dublin as did some of the descendants of Anthony Jackson.
  • Richard Jackson (1671-bef 1726) This is a long shot – he was a son of Nathaniel JACKSON (1640-1698) SEE: JACKSONs of Kirkby Lonsdale, Westmorland and Coleraine, Londonderry.
  • Richard JACKSON (1677-?), son of Alderman Richard JACKSON was christened at St. Peters Church in Drogheda by the Dean Jan 7, 1676/7. SEE: JACKSONs of Drogheda  and Jacksons of Drogheda Detective work (a rambling article I wrote some time ago).
  • Richard Jackson (bef 1680-?) Husband of Anne GORE – this is a long shot, but included because they are the parents of Rev William JACKSON (abt 1737-1795) of United Irishman fame.

Other bits for idle speculation
  • There is a line of Jacksons from Mardale, Westmoreland. Albeit a generation later, their family included a Philp Jackson – an uncommon name in late-1600s Ireland. I know nothing about him.
  • A 2nd Philip Jackson b. 1724 was a son of Rev. John Jackson and Anne Castleton. This family, part of the JACKSONs of Derbyshire, Berkshire, America & Dublin would have been a few steps up the socio-economic ladder from the Co. Longford Jacksons.
  • The Quaker Jacksons in Ireland also included the names of Richard, Anthony, and Dorothy as common forenames, and succeeded as “strong farmers”. If this Co. Longford line were connected to them, they would have been a branch that had broken away from the Quaker faith. This family seems to have been consistently Church of Ireland in their religious affiliation throughout their 200 year tenancy in the region.
  • There are a few tantalizing possible connections between Chichester and various Jacksons. After Sir Arthur, the Lord Deputy of Ireland, had died sans issue his brother Edward Chichester (1568 –1648) succeeded him. Because of various family dead-ends, the family baronetcy bounced around and ended up with a subsequent Sir Arthur Chichester (1695-1757) Earl of Donegal. He was connected through marriage to the Tindalls and hence to Sir Bradwardine Jackson (1679- bef 1739), one of the JACKSONs of Edenthorpe. NOTE: Bradwardine Jackson had holdings of his own in Ireland. Furthermore, Beresford Jackson (1668-1730) of the  JACKSONs of Kirkby Lonsdale, also held leases in Co. Donegal from Arthur Chichester. There is some possible overlap  with Beresford Jackson with the mention of Bradwardine Jackson in a 1718 deed with reference to both his Chichester relations and to lands in Co. Donegal: ROD: 21-291-11549.

Other Sources:
LEINSTER.
Counties.
Lord Lieutenants.
Deputy Lieutenants.
Westmeath
Earl of Westmeath.
Edmund Nugent of Carlinston.
Mullingar
James Nugent of Welshtown.

Longford
Col. William Nugent.
Fergus Farrel.
Longford
Laurence Nugent.


A bit that I had deleted – but which has at least some entertainment value
The tug of war that went on over the ownership of several townlands in Co. Longford can be traced thanks to the work of James P. Farrell. He traces his ancestry of Farrells back to Adam of the Old Testament. Hmmmm….

But in the year B.O. 3,500 a new race appeared to claim the island in the persons of the Milesians, who had been long established as a considerable nation in Spain. The Milesians were descended from Ghaedhal or Gatelus, who was the sixth in direct descent from Noah, and Noah being the ninth patriarch from Adam, Ghaedal was, therefore, the fifteenth patriarch in direct descent from the first man. SOURCE: The History of Co. Longford. James P. Farrell. 1891 page 10.
“ The ‘ O’Ferrall’ Sept, Princes of Annally, is an illustrious family of Milesian origin ; descended from Milesius, who was king of Galicia, Andalusia, Murcia, Castile and Portugal, and who is known as Milesius of Spain. The Milesians came into this country several centuries before the birth of Christ. The three sons of Milesius who left any issue were Heber, Ir and Heremon. From Ir descended Fergus Mor, who (by Meavre, or Mab, Queen of Connaught) was the father of three sons, respectively, Conmac, Ciar, and Core ; from Ciar are descended the O’Connors of Kerry, who were kings Agri, Kerriensis (the O’Co1mors of Connaught being descended from Heremon); from Core, the O’Connors of Corcomroe, and the O’Loughlins of Burren, both territories being situate in the County of Clare; and from the eldest son, Conmac, the O’Farrells, Kings of Conmacne (this word signifying ‘the posterity of Conmac’), which contained all that territory which we now call the County of Longford, a large portion of the Counties of Leitrim, Sligo and Galway, and that part of the County of Westmeath anciently called Owircncach, but more lately, ‘ Dillon’s Country.’ SOURCE: The History of Co. Longford. James P. Farrell. 1891 page 13


2 comments:

  1. "It is significant that the Nugents and Farrells continued to lease land in the parish of Mostrim long after the post-Cromwellian land confiscations. Since they were Catholic" It was sometimes that case that Catholics that had their lands confiscated but stayed on as tenants had their leases registered as registered leases had primacy in law and protected the ownership of the confiscator. IN other words, they were forced to give up all their legal rights and accept their status as tenants

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    1. Good points - and thanks. That is an aspect that I should look at more closely.

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