In December 1701, John Boles, described as a Gentleman and then resident at Ballintrane, County Carlow, leased the properties of Mogerbane, Saucerstowne and Garrystockidonny, a total area of 501 acres from the Duke of Ormond. The leases on the properties, renewable forever, were obtained for an amount of 78 pounds, 10 shillings and 3 pence and for a rent of 26 pounds 13 shillings and 4 pence plus 4 fat weathers. Another lease dated 19 III 1716 between John Boles and James Dawson, Esq. of Ballynecurty, co. Tipperary makes it clear that Boles had previously leased and taken up the properties of Clonbrogan, Foolkstoune (or Foulkeston), Biffenna and Carraseateene (or Curraghscartene) from Dawson. The 1716 lease was for 3 lives renewable forever and added the right of woods and underwoods to the previous lease.
The land in this area was owned in 1640 by James Lord Barron of Dunboyne "by descent from his ancestors" and was passed down through his descendants. With the invasion of Ireland by Oliver Cromwell in 1649 and the later defeat of King James II forces in Ireland by those of William of Orange in 1690, much of the land was stripped from the Irish nobility and awarded to the new Protestant victors. The Hollow Sword Blade Company was an English company which made many of the edged weapons for the Crown (for every side in these wars) and which often received grants of land in lieu of cash and so acquired large holdings in Ireland including in this area. After about 1700, the Company realized their profits by selling off much of this land to new Protestant landlords who in turn brought in Protestant tenants. A lease between James Dawson, James Lees and John Boles in the Fisher Papers documents that the Hollow Sword Blade Company originally sold this land to Thomas Cupperage of Lambstown, co. Wexford, on 14 IV 1700. Presumably Cupperage leased the properties to Dawson who leased them to Boles.
|
|
The Hollow Sword Blade Company, an English company engaged in the manufacture of edged weapons for the Crown, were often granted lands in lieu of cash payments, and so acquired the greater part of the forfeited lands of Muskerry in 1703. |