Search the Catalogue

CSO/RP/OR/1831/71

File of documents on the subject of land agitation in parts of County Roscommon. Includes letter from Maj Gen Sir Thomas Arbuthnot, [assistant adjutant general], Athlone, [County Westmeath], to [Gen] Sir Frederick Stovin, Military Secretary, Royal Hospital, [Kilmainham], Dublin, reporting on the disturbed state of County Roscommon; remarking he met with [Arthur] Crossley, Stipendiary Magistrate, and discussed with him the outrages that lately occurred in the parish of Taghmaconnell and others; stating that the lower orders are unwilling to give up their arms and reflecting on the doubtful power of the magistrates to enforce an order to that effect; also noting the efforts made to entice tenants to resume work and the negative consequences for some of those who accepted such terms. Also includes copy of notice demanding an abatement of rent from ten named landholders.

28 Feb 1831-9 Mar 1831

1831

CSO/RP/OR/1831/72

Letter from William Foster, magistrate, Clones, [County Monaghan], to Lieutenant Colonel Sir William Gosset, Under Secretary, clarifying the details surrounding the theft of a horse belonging to Mathias Brady; concluding the man in possession of the horse, Mr Fingan, was not aware it was stolen; noting also that the seller has fled the country.

6 Mar 1831

1831

CSO/RP/OR/1831/73

Letter from [Maj Gen] Sir John Byng, [Commander of the Troops in Ireland], Royal Hospital, Dublin, to Lieutenant Colonel Sir William Gosset, Under Secretary, transmitting an extract of a letter from Maj Campbell, 21st Regiment [of Foot], Gowran, [County Kilkenny], to Lieut Col Augustus Cuyler, reporting on persistent rumours of public meetings at Graigue and stating that no further seizures of cattle have taken place nor have any tithes been paid; remarking the rector of Graigue is not taking any immediate steps to seize cattle for non-payment of tithes until the 1st of May.

15 Mar 1831-17 Mar 1831

1831

CSO/RP/OR/1831/74

Letter from William Bell, Newbridge, [County Kildare], to Lieutenant Colonel Sir William Gosset, Under Secretary, complaining that large numbers of people are regularly meetings near the Curragh every Sunday; offering to attend and report on the proceedings, upon receipt of travel expenses; also stating there are ‘plenty of Arms’ in the countryside round about.

14 Mar 1831

1831

CSO/RP/OR/1831/75

Letter from Tomkins Brew, Chief Magistrate, Ennis, [County Clare], to Lieutenant Colonel Sir William Gosset, Under Secretary, relaying a claim that a consignment of arms and ammunition have been landed on the banks of the River Shannon, near Labasheeda, in County Clare; suggesting that contact be made with George Studdert, High Sheriff of Clare, to ascertain the truth of the matter; adding that agitator dressed in ‘Laurels & a Green sash’ has been actively campaigning for Maurice O’Connell. Enclosing letter from Thomas Steele, Milltown [Malbay], to Brew, stating he has spoken to McNamara on the question of the arms at Labasheeda and relaying the claim that they have been distributed amongst the people.

13 Mar 1831-15 Mar 1831

1831

CSO/RP/OR/1831/76

Letter from seven magistrates of the Petty Sessions of Tipperary, County Tipperary, to Lieutenant Colonel Sir William Gosset, Under Secretary, offering the benefit of the doubt to Denis Bohan, who was found with a gun in his house, following replacing as herdsman for Mr Ryan; recommending nonetheless that his fine be remitted on grounds of his ignorance of the gun. Also memorial of Bohan, herdsman, Ballyvistea, County Tipperary, to Henry William Paget, Lord Lieutenant, requesting relief from payment of a fine of £10 following conviction of having a gun under suspicious circumstances; alleging the weapon was concealed by a servant boy named William Wallis.

9 Dec 1830-19 Mar 1831

1831

CSO/RP/OR/1831/77

Letter from [Sir William J] Brabazon, Brabazon Park, [County Mayo], to Edward Geoffrey Smith Stanley, Chief Secretary, reflecting on the state of the district and the illegal acquisition of arms. Also cover sheet.

28 [Mar] 1831

1831

CSO/RP/OR/1831/78

Letter from Francis Blackburne, Attorney General, Leinster Street, Dublin, to Lieutenant Colonel Sir William Gosset, Under Secretary, enclosing a letter from James Scott, KC, Delgany, [County Wicklow], reporting that the country is in an unsettled state and indicating that intimidation is rife in counties Tipperary and Kilkenny; stating that amongst the most common outrages tried by the courts were manslaughter, robbery and the posting of threatening notices; stressing that Kilkenny is in a state of alarm over tithes and church cess and noting the conflict has a decidedly religious complexion; recommending for the consideration of government a man named Bradshaw, a witness to a shooting and proposing he might be provided with a situation in the police or given other relief; also noting the case of a second man, who assisted with the provision of evidence in a case.

31 Mar 1831-1 Apr 1831

1831

CSO/RP/OR/1831/79

Letter from Lieut Thomas Bodkin, Chief Constable, Dunshaughlin, [County Meath], to an unnamed recipient [but likely the Chief Secretary’s Office], reporting on the destruction by fire of three houses and four horses belonging to a Mr Radcliff in the parish of Tara; remarking that it was a malicious attack and a previous outrage on the same lands attracted the offer of a large reward.

12 Apr 1831

1831

CSO/RP/OR/1831/80

Letter from Richard Burke, [magistrate], Thornfield, Castleconnell, County Limerick, to Lieutenant Colonel Sir William Gosset, Under Secretary, calling attention to the danger of the disaffection so manifested in County Clare crossing the River Shannon into Limerick; stressing the villages of O’Brien’s Bridge and Mountpelier [Montpelier] are connected by a bridge, exposing the latter to the threat of outrage; suggesting that a greater force of police or military is necessary to protect that place; noting come local instances of arms seizures and turning up of land; seeking the aid of government for protection.

9 Apr 1831

1831