Arrears of tithe in Myshall, Co Carlow

This article deals with the list of arrears of tithe that Mr Barlow and his sister Nanny believed was due to her late husband, who had been Rector of Myshall in County Carlow.

The list is to be found in a notebook held at North Yorkshire County Record Office and has been listed as "Rental of an Irish estate(?)".  As any information relating to Irish genealogy is always welcome because of the destruction of records in 1922, I think it worthwhile posting here.

As it is not easy to transfer the columns of figures and abbreviations into a blog post, I shall list only the names - anybody wanting more details, please feel free to contact me!

I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the transcription, so please consult the original.
[The Rudby-in-Cleveland PCC Minute Book 1920-32.  NYCRO PR/HTR: MIC 1207]

Mr Barlow's Notebook

The North Yorkshire County Record Office holds a book used by the Rudby Parochial Church Council as a Minute Book, which had originally been used in the 19th century as a notebook by the Revd R J Barlow. 

The book opens with Mr Barlow's jotted "Notes on Humbolts Cosmos Vol 1."  (A few notes relating to Cosmos also appear in another of Mr Barlow's notebooks, in the possession of Hutton Rudby Primary School).

These extend over several pages, and are then followed by twelve pages of names and figures set out in columns, the first headings being  "Myshall", "Arrears May 1st 1833", and "half yearly".  This text was hitherto described as "rental of an Irish estate (?)."  However, a comparison with the Tithe Applotment Book for the townlands of the parish of Myshall in County Carlow (1827) shows that the arrears in question are arrears of tithes.


Mr Barlow and his family

The Revd Robert Joseph Barlow (ca1802-1878) was born in Dublin and educated at Trinity College.  He acquired by purchase the living of Rudby-in-Cleveland (the principal village of the parish being Hutton Rudby) and he was instituted vicar on 3 January 1831.  He remained in the parish until his death on 23 June 1878. 

Mr Barlow's sister Nanny was the wife of the Revd Hector Francis Vaughan, who was Rector of Myshall from 1825 until his death aged 47 in March 1834.  Nanny Vaughan later lived with her brother Robert and two unmarried sisters, and was at Hutton Rudby vicarage for the 1851 and 1861 censuses.  She died on 26 October 1867 aged 66, and was buried in Hutton Rudby churchyard.

Barlow's (draft?) list was evidently drawn up after the publication in English of Alexander von Humboldt’s Cosmos; an English translation by Elizabeth Juliana Leeves was published in four volumes between 1849 and 1858.

At the side of one page Barlow left a note of wages due for work in Hutton Rudby for the sixteen days beginning Tuesday February 7 – a combination of date and day which occurred in 1854, 1865 and 1871.  The year 1854 seems the most likely date for the tithe arrears list.

It is not clear whether this was an attempt to claim tithes unpaid in the Tithe War, or whether they were to be claimed from the later incumbent.

Robert Barlow's stipend was not large and he and his sisters depended for their comfort on allowances made them by their elder brother James, who had luckily inherited a fortune from a childless cousin of their father.  Unfortunately after James's death in 1843 (the result of an accident) it emerged that his estate was heavily encumbered by mortgages.  The annuities that would have replaced the allowances could not be paid and Robert Barlow and his sisters lost a major part of their income.

It seems likely that the household's financial difficulties prompted the idea of claiming arrears of tithes due to Mrs Vaughan, as the Revd Vaughan's sole heir and Executrix.  It is not known whether Mr Barlow actually attempted to make the claim;  it seems unlikely that he would succeed twenty years after the event.

The total arrears of tithe due to Mr Vaughan on 1 May 1833, according to Barlow's notes, amounted to £161-3s-4d.  The tithe applotment books show that the total rectorial composition was £400-0s-1d annually.  Most of the landholders in arrears seem to have owed 18 months' tithes, though some owed more – for example, the Police Office at Myshall owed 3 years' tithes.

It is evident that Mr Barlow worked from the Applotment Book in producing his list of tithe arrears.  Against the names of the landholders or their successors, he listed in a first column the arrears due on 1 May 1833, followed by a column of abbreviations and notes, and lastly a column recording the half-yearly amount due to the Rector. 

Reliability of Mr Barlow's information

Mr Barlow’s list is potentially a useful source of information on Myshall parish.  It reflects changes in occupancy between 1827 and 1833, and contains some additional notes.  For example, against the name Mary Ann Neil of Myshall, Mr Barlow noted "B Schoolmistress"; against John Neil of Coolnashegan, he wrote "Carrier"; and against the entries for Knockbrack, he wrote "Sursfield Colclough holds Knockbrack from the Doyles".  However, the abbreviations used by Mr Barlow (eg. "Cor", "B" and "C") await explanation.     

Unfortunately Mr Barlow cannot be regarded as an entirely reliable source. 

He seems to have been impatient of the minutiae of administration and paperwork.  The most obvious example of this can be found in the errors of dates and names which have been discovered in the parish registers throughout his incumbency.  Indeed for much of the 1840s he made few or no entries in the burials and baptisms registers, and the paucity of entries in the marriages register indicates that this may also be incomplete.  He did not send the registers up to York for Bishops' Transcripts, and was rather casual in his replies to Archbishops' Visitations.  It is therefore likely that errors exist in his list of tithe arrears, and this should be borne in mind.

The Tithe Applotment Books 

[these can be viewed on microfilm at Family History Centres - in my case, the centre at Billingham]

Myshall parish, Diocese of Leighlin, Co Carlow

We the undersigned being appointed Commissioners for the parish of Myshall and Diocese of Leighlin agreeably to an Act passed in the Fourth year of his present Majesty George the fourth, Entitled an Act for the Establishing of Compositions for Tithes in Ireland for a limitted time do certify that this Book contains a just true and particular account of all lands, with their Valuations and Compositions here unto annexed in said Parish and by whom payable
Given under our hands and seals this 18th day of Decr. 1827
Adam B Feltus. George James.

To the Revd Hector F Vaughan Rector and Vicar of the Parish of Myshall
And to Adam B Feltus Esqr of Hollybrook and George James of Clonee Esqr Commissioners of Composition in said Parish

A Survey of the PARISH OF MYSHALL containing 5692 acres Irish measure Excluding Roads and Rivers Amounting in the Grass or Field value to £4,744-7-10 the Rectorial Composition £400 British.  342 Dwelling Houses and about 1880 Inhabitants Computing between 5 and 6 to each habitation Extending from Mount Leinster near the Bounds of the Co of Wexford to Killane in the Parish of Kellistown – about five Miles.  And from the Parish of Dunleckney to the Parish of Darragh [Barragh?] Above two miles.  Situate in the County of Carlow and Diocese of Leighlin
Surveyed from May to Decembr 1827 – By Richd Griffith and Robt Mores

The Book then lists the Landholders' names – Total amount of land – Amount of first quality – Amount per acre – Amount of second quality – Amount per acre – Amount of third quality – Amount per acre – Total Amount of rent – Amount of Rectorial Composition – Observations

[For details of pre-decimal currency, see post on 6 December 2012 Remarkable, but still True: A note regarding money]


Mr Barlow's list

Mr Barlow began his list conscientiously, with entries in each column and a running total.  After a few pages, his enthusiasm seems to wane and the amount of information recorded dwindles noticeably.

1.  Myshall – arrears 1 May 1833

Alice Brennan       
Joe Smith  
Michl Brien           
Michl Brophy                   
Mr Brady           
Revd Lau: Cummins            
Alice Collier       
Wm Collier       
John Nowlan Currans [sic]       
Judith Dillon   
Mr Brady   
Eliza Doyle (Widow)            
Edwd Donohoe            
Thos & Oliver Eustace        
Mr Feltus
Pat Fenton           
Wm Fenton (Jr)                   
Mary Fenton (Widow)           
Wm Fenton (Senr)       
John Fitzpatrick       
Judy Fitzpatrick (Widow)   
Edwd Jehan [?]            
P. Fallon
L Farrell           
Jas Kenidy                       
Bernard Kelly           
Maurice Cavanagh                   
P Farrell                       
J Cavanagh               
Robert Leirson                            
Lau: Morris               
C Coughlarn 
   

2.  Myshall – arrears May 1833

Thomas Nowlan      
Garret Nowlan                       
Lau: W: Nowlan
John Fitzpatrick               
John Neil
John Neil Mason                   
Mary Ann Neil       
Police Office           
Pat Rourke   
Lau Morris
Mich: & Mrs Rourke       
Pat John   

Russecurra   

James Kenedy [or Keneely]     
Eliza Kenedy (Widow)         
Pat Kenedy           
Chas Kenedy           
Andw Nowlan

Coolnashegawn

Sim [?] Fegan                   
Edwd Murfit [?]                   
John Murfit                   
John Neil  Carrier  [sic] 

Aclare

John Fegan                   
Widow Mary Fenton   
Jas Gorman                   
O [illeg] Gorman                   
Luke Cavanagh       
Jas Cavanagh           
Jas Lawton [Lawler?]               
Thos Lawton [Lawler?]                 
Pat Laughlin 
Denis Laughlin       
Cath Laughlin             
John Murphy [?]       
Peter Nowlan              
Jas Walsh           
Cavanaghs Child   

Knockbrack

Sursfield Colclough holds Knockbrack from the Doyles

Christr Bryan                       
Ellen Clowry (Widow)         
Wm Doyle                   
Jas Fenton                   
Bridget Fenton (Widow)               
Pierce & W Fenton       
Jas Murphy (Barragh)       
Mary Fenton (Widow)
Thos Fogarty       
Bartw Kehoe                   
Nichs Kelly              
Michl Kelly

Knockbrack – arrears May 1833

Wm Rourke     
Jas Rourke     
Jas Rourke (big)          
Hugh Rourke             
Pat Ryan
Bryan Scully                
Peter Scully               
Geo & Jas Wynne  

Bollenacrea 

Pat Bryan                        

Mr Whelan        
Wm Corrigan (Sr)                   
Saml Corrigan           
Jas Corrigan        
Martin Geehan      
John Keys                   
Mattw Nowlan                    

Wm Corrigan (Junr)    

Michl Vaulam [?]

Warrens Ullard

Danl Byrne       
W [or Mr] McCausland   
Cath Bryan (Widow)       
Mr Fitzmaurice Claydah [sic - illeg] 
Edwd Kenny                   
Nichs Wale 
Dennis Dawson       
John Ready           
Sarah Dawson

Sir Richds Ullard – arrears May 1833

Michl Bryan                       

J Whelan
Saml Collins [?]   
John Cummins
John Fenton
Mary Walsh (Widow)   

Ballinrush

J J Bagot Esqre                    
Bagot
James Fitzpatrick   
Bridget Connar   
Peter Fenton
John Fenton         
Wm Hayden
Pat Healy       
Denis Kinshela          
Thos Kinshela       
Fras McDonald       
Luke Neill           
Michl Nowlan
Edward Nowlan

Cronrus

Wm Dunne's Reps                  

Bagot
Michl Dunne
Laurence Farrell   
Garret Farrell       
Patk Farrell       
Andw Whelan

Hollybrook – arrears May 1833

Richd Cullen                        
Dunne
John Fitzpatrick
Margt Fitzpatrick  
Janie Hagan & Kehoe      
Michl Kelly
John Kelly
Joseph Keating          
Pat Cavanagh           
Danl McClain           
Pat McClain       
O [Queen?Owen?] McClain   
Andw Whelan

Rahenleigh

Jas Barron             
Peter Barron             
Pat Byrne               
Wm Donohoe             
Michl Donohoe       
Thos Donohoe       
Margt Fitzpatrick    
John Fitzpatrick   
James Hogan [or Hagan]   
Pat Hogan           
Pat Hogan (Jr)   
Ellen Hogan
Michl & John Kelly   
John Kelly    
John Kelly   
John Keating           
Mattw Cavanagh       
Pat Cavanagh       
Edwd Cavanagh       
John Cavanagh       
Pat Cavanagh

James Cavanagh       
John & Pat Cavanagh  
John Kehoe       
John Mahon   
O [Queen/Owen?] McClain 
Pat Murphy           
Bryan Scully           
Moses Simmons

Keilmagleish

John Cloury                   
Dailey Cloury           
Martin Cloury           
Pat Cloury
Jas Coogan
Danl Headen
Edwd Nowlan 
Thos Harris           
Pat Hickey           
Thos Kearney
Pat Murphy           
Daniel Moore           
Jas Nowlan
Edwd Nowlan   
Jas Nowlan   
Peter Nowlan             
Dennis Kearney       
Nathl Rose           
Thos Swanley

Turtane – arrears due May 1833

Jas Cummins                    

Elliot
Patk Cummins   
Garret Kinshella

Ballaghmore

   
John Cloury                    

Cap Butler
Wm Cloury
Peter Fenton
Michl Fenton     
C: Waler   
Thos Hickey                 
Edwd Nowlan 
John Nowlan
Mattw Nowlan       
Timothy Nowlan            
Geo Nowlan           
Michl Nowlan       
Thos Sheal            
Willm Stone [?]            
John Sheal

Cappawater

Michl Fenton                          
Jas Thomson        

Lissaconly

Henry Watson
Pat Rourke       
Pat Cloury                
Wm McCorra                    
Hugh Murphy           
Edwd Nowlan 

 

Shangarry – arrears due May 1833

Mr O Bryan                              
Mr Feltus [?]           
John Byrne               
Nichs Byrne               
John Canfield                 
John Dayle [?]                 
Peter Fenton           
Danl Fenton
Peter Fenton (miller)  
Jas Fenton
Widow Mary Geehan           
Peter Haydon               
Martin Kealy         
Jas Morris          
Thos McClain      
Eliza Murphy                 
Thos Nowlan             
Pat Nowlan               
Pat Nowlan   mason

Rosslee and Ullardmore – arrears 1 May 1833

Jas Keppel    
John Brien & ptnrs Dennis Brien, Pat Connor       
Peter Cloury        
Michl Connor                
Widow Margt Fenton   
Michl Keagon       
Thos Lunnox [?]        
Jas Keppel       
Edwd McDonald
Pat Murphy
Pat Murphy & Dl Cloury                 
P Murphy, Nowlan & Cloury               
Jas Nowlan
Thos Nowlan   
James Nowlan   
Pat Nowlan                
Andw Nowlan

Clonee

Mr J James           
Widow Bradley       
Jas Fenton

Classganny

Jas Lucas           
John Lucas
Robt Lucas           
John Nowlan

Rahenwood and Buldoro

Thos Bradley        
Mr O Neill       
O’Murtagh Darcy’s land 
Mary Cummins (Widow)          
Luke Nowlan
Michl Tracey           
Edwd Tracey

Shraduff

Mr J James           
Michl Beany
Wm Butler
Edwd Butler       
Lawler & Prandy 
Philip Butler
Thos Butler              
Wm Butler       
Michl Philip Butler
Malachi Butler           
Edwd Cooke              
     Catherine
Geo Dixon & ptnrs           
John James
Phil: Butler for J: Jones
Widow Prandy               
Prandy & Lawler
Reagan & Roe   

Shean

Pat & Andw Carty           
Mr Dillon       
Neal Doyle
Edwd Doyle       
John Fenton       
Hugh Farrel               
Thos Murray
Peter Fox       
Saml Griffith       
Richd Martin       
Jas Kehoe       
Esther Martin                 
Joan Murphy                
Wm Marah                  
Nowlan (Widow)   
Smith (Widow)       
John Smith           
Geo Smith        

Shipley    

Knockdrimagh

Mr Langford           
Geo Brien           
Pat Cornerford           
Dennis Curran               
Alexr Doyle             
Bridget Doyle (Widow)
Annie Doyle
John & Thos Flinn   
Michl Kearney                
Thos Nowlan   
John Nowlan
Laurence Nowlan       
Jas Prendergast       
Rourke & ptnrs   
Pat Walsh           
Widow Troy