Small Sources 41: This list of 69 tenants in 55 properties is from a rental (NLI Ms 11, 491 – 8) among the Farnham Estate papers and shows tenants with properties in County Cavan during a period from 1717 to 1785, and also the date of their leases and a synopsis of the lease terms. See our article here for a detailed account of rentals and their relevance. All of the properties would appear to be within the Barony of Castlerahan (based on the townland names) in Cavan and the areas rented vary from 23 to 187 acres noting that the acreage is not stated for many. It would appear that these are first-time tenants as a series of conditions related to the tenancies are imposed by the estate as follows: Royalties: Turf bogs reserved. … Building within 4 years a good farm-house 80 ft. long 16 ft. wide and 10 ft. high; Orchard 1 acre, penalty £2 added rent; Ditching within 7 years 200 perches 5 ft deep and 6 ft. wide, penalty £2 added rent; not to alien (i.e. Sub-let) more than 15 acres under penalty £10 added rent. Bound to mills penalty 5s. a Barrel. Not to commit or suffer to be committed any waste in woods under penalty of £10 for every time waste is so committed. Power for landlord to examine buildings and to repair them if not repaired within 6 mons. after notice. Tenant to have half of the trees they plant.
A search of the Tithe Applotment books (1823-37) shows that at least half of these settler names were still in Cavan, and many in the same townlands at that time. If you are interested in information on the specific families listed, our e-book title ‘Sources for Irish Family History 2021 lists 6,500 books and articles on over 2,500 Irish families. The sources listed contain a wealth of information on the history and genealogy of the listed families. The full details of the book are described in one of our blogs.
This detail indicates that the Farnham estate was more intensively managed than most estates and imposed conditions to ensure that their tenants built houses, established effective boundaries, drainage systems, orchards and woods. They are also obliged to 
use the mill owned by the landlord for any milling, and also to give the landlord half of all the trees they planted. All of the lease conditions (which are detailed in the document) are generally identical to this, although the sizes of houses and the penalties vary. The document also specifies the 3 lives whose duration defined the length of the lease. See our rentals article for more information on this.
From a family history viewpoint leases-for-lives are very valuable. For instance, the lease of John and James Morrow below states: Lives of James Morrow one of the lessees, Hugh Porter son of John Porter of Clogagh aged 8 years, and John Elliott son of John Elliott of Lisnamandra aged 2 years; while that of Robert and William Johnston states: Lives of Willm. Johnston Lessee, Robt. Johnston the younger and James Johnston they being three sons of Robt. Johnston the elder; first lessee mentioned. Further information on lease and rental arrangements is in our blog on Rentals.
The measures to enhance farming on the estate are probably the influence of Robert Maxwell First Earl of Farnham, who was a keen agriculturalist and worked to improve the farming and other practices on the estate. This was maintained by later generations. An account of the great divide in lifestyles between landlords and their tenants is in our blog entitled ‘Eye-witnesses to our ancestors‘ which summarises the accounts of travellers to Ireland in the period covered by this document. Farnham estate residence is now a hotel and wedding venue and a short history of the estate is available on their site. The images are reproduced courtesy of the National Library of Ireland (call number NLI Ms 11, 491 – 8). Ancestor Network will offer 1 free hour of research by a professional researcher to conduct further research on these individuals or others in these estate papers. Click here and quote ‘Cavan SS41’ in the subject line.
Tenant(s) Holding (Date of Lease)
John Gray & John Blackstock Cladagh (1747)
John & Wm. Biers & John Hawthorn Cladagh (1747)
Bernard Parr Carignaveagh (1748)
Thos. Hinds Cornasure (1748)
Wm. Griffith Carn (1752) Carn
Thos. Wilson Fintavin (1752)
Henry MtGomery Clogagh (1752)
James Greer Cath..? (1753)
Fras. Walden Carigaclevan (1751)
John Porter Keenagh (1778)
Christ. Plunket Clare (1782)
Thos. Nugent Cormeen (1784)
Owen Reilly Lacken alias Killavally (1784)
Thos. Babington Shanoe (1784)
James Mullen Lacken (1785)
John Enery Toboy, Corniry etc (1717)
James Tuite Ennaugh, Cormodiduffe & Drumsheel (1717)
Luke Stanford Mullaghmore & Dugary (1717)
Edwd. Reily Greanghadusan (1737)
Rev. John Charlton Derry (1737)
John Morrison Lackan (1743)
James Cochran Galencorragh (1747)
Robt. & Jos. Henery Polmoled (1747)
Saml. Moore Lismagurl? (1748)
Robt. Johnston part Fintavin (1748)
Robert Byers Part of do. (1748)
Thos. Reilly Corraghabreden (1748)
Aughtry Morran Kinfinly & part of Carnarome (1748)
Wm. Stratford Treaghduff (1749)
Jno. McNeal Fintavin Mill & lands (1756)
Danl Newell Drumhallagh (1757)
Freeman Wilton Derrin (1757)
John Parr Greaghlaugh (1769)
Hugh & Jos. Porter Lissenery and Pottenacopple (1760)
John Makemson and William Spinks West part of Togher (1767)
Charleton Spinks & Thos. Burrowes East part of Togher (1767)
James Grier Cullabuy (1768)
Thos. Acheson South part of Shanoe (1769)
James McDowell Carnagh (1719)
Hugh & Jno. Porter Cloughagh (1743)
Robt. & Willm. Johnston Ardlougher (1744)
Wm. Edwd. & Hugh Hunter Aghnaclifin (1747)
John Kellet Corraroark (1744)
James Smyth Dromony (1769)
James Brand Tivenenan (1743)
Sam. Watson Part of Fintavin (1748)
John Hinds Palare (1748)
Thos. Reilly Sleangola (1749)
Thos. Harwood & Wm. Harwood Teydeghan (1770)
Wm. Love Pt of Clare (1782)
Ann Plunkett Do. (1782)
Con O’Neal Part of Cormeen (1782)
Wm. Porterfield Part of Clare called Clarebeg (1782)
John Morrow & James Morrow Part of Derrylurgan (1782)
Saml. Hunter and Thos. Henery Pt. of Cornahill (1786)
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- Petty Sessions– the records of local courts
- Catholic Church records
- Grand Jury Presentments – records of local councils on payments for public works and staff
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- Middle names – the use (or non-use) of second or middle names in Irish records
- How comprehensive are Irish Civil Records?
- Census returns in Gaelic or Irish language
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