The Murray of Broughton Estate 1730
The following report of Thomas Addi in 1730 on the Murray of Broughton estate in southwest County Donegal is from the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland: D.2860/25/3.
'The severall answers and remarks made by Thomas Addi of Donnaghadee: With respect to the estate of Allexander Murray of Broughton Estate, in the County Donnegall; Pursueant to the severall memorandums given unto him by said Allexander Murray Esquire at his house in Cally the 29th day of April 1730'
6 Largy More
Is a large farm of about two thousand acres; and about 160 acres of it is arable and meadow. The rest is a mountainy pasture and good grazing ground. It is 3 miles from Killybegs and is situated between Largy Sollagh and Muckross.
7 Muckross
This is likewise a large farm containing eight ballyboes. Most of it good course grazing ground and but a small quantity for ploughing, except the point next to the sea, on which the house is that Robert Murray lives in. The office houses are almost all down. It is 5 miles from Killybegs and is situated between Largy More and Tawney.
Croa and Tawney
This is a good grazing farm and some good arable ground and a neat little dwelling house, now in possession of Roger Ellis, its under lease, during the life of Mr John Nesbitt of Tyrone, who is now near 70 years of age, and I think they will be worth £46 per annum at the expiration of the lease. They pay now but £13 per annum. It joins Muckross on the northwest and the river of Tawney on the southeast.
8 Magumna and Kiltarney and the fishing of Oye Nea and Lochris
Magumna is a fine spot of ground, all under grain and hay. It contains about 20 or 25 acres and is called one Ballyboe. I look upon it to be worth about £9 or £10 per annum. Kiltarney is a large farm, very improvable, but is at present in very bad order and boggy. If it were well drained there would be a good quantity of meadow in the farthest end of it. It lies between Ardara, Als Wood Hill, Megumna and lochris; and is 8 miles from Killybegs, and is called 8 Ballyboes which is a quarterland.
I also enquired into the value of Oye Nea fishing and Lochris fishing and am credibly informed by the salters and packers and others that they caught four tun of salmon this year at six tierces to the tunn, each tun being worth twelve pounds sterling in reason and sometimes eighteen pounds; the four tun amounting at that rate to forty-eight pounds sterling; the expenses of making a box 10/-; £7 for a boat, nets and men in a year; six shillings for each tierce and 4s 6d for salt to cure tierce of slamon and twopence per tierce for salting and packing; so that the charge on the aforesaid dour tun of salmon as near as I can learn is £20 6s 0d and there remains a preofit to the tenant this year £27 14s 0d. And as Mr Cunyngham's land is on one said of the river and Mr Murray's land on the other side, fishing is half to Mr Murray and half to Mr Cunyngham so that half the said profit this year is £13 12 0d, but I observe that there is a broad strand and the current of the river runs much nearer to Mr Murray's land than it is to Mr Cunyngham's land. This is where they fish with boats, but where the box is fixed is above the strand, and the box is directly in the middle of the river.
9 Derrylane and Teelin Fishing
This farm contains four Ballyboes. It is 7 miles from Killybegs and is meared on the southeast with the river Teelin, on the northwest with Kilcarr, bishop's land, and a amall strip of bishop's land between it and the sea. It is a pretty good farm for grazing and some spots indifferent good for grain, intermixed with rocks. I am told that Roger McGuire sets all of it that he does not use himself for forty shillings a quarter Ballyboe, which at that rate is £32 per annum for the four Ballyboes. I had this intelligence from one of his own tenants or cotters.
The River Teelin
Is between Mr Murray's land and the Bishop's land: one third of the salmon fishing to the said Mr Murray, and one third to the minister and one third to the bsihop. They fished this year with two boats in partnership. McGuire holds the bishop's part and Mr Murray's for this year and Mr Wilson, the minister, the other third. They caught 24 salmon while I was looking at them, and I heard that McGuire caught 7 score this year at one draught. I find this to be true from his own mouth. He says he had a good fishing this year but could not or would not tell how many tunn, for he said they were not packed up. but I found they sent 4 tunn to Killybegs besides two tierces of white trouts. Charges on the same for 2 boats, men and nets, £14; casks £7 16s 0d; for salt £6; and salting and packing 4s 4d; so that the whole charge (except the rent) is u28 4s 0d. Their free profit this year for the rent is £19 16s 0d at £12 per tunn and 20s 0d for the two tierces of trouts, makes £20 16s 0d; and one third part of that is £6 18s 8d which may be for Mr Murray's rent and Mr McGuir's trouble and attendance.
10 The Corporation of Killybegs
I have made my observations in a particular manner on all the parks, houses and gardens in this corporation. It is an exceeding fine harbour for shipping nd into the lough there falls two fresh water rivers. William Stevenson of Killybegs fishes in the lough of Killybegs for salmon by licence of mr James hamilton, but what he has paid per annum I cannot learn. But I heard Thomas Stevenson say that he has seen 6 score salmon taken in the said lough at one draught. Captain Hamilton says he forgot to charge William Stevenson in the former rentrolls for said fishing and that he heard James Nesbitt value it at 22s or 42s per annum; but which he could not remember. I heard William Stevenson say that he never paid Captain Hamilton anything for said fishing except a bottle or two of wine in the year.
This corporation is governed by a provost and twelve burgesses, and holds two fairs in the year. The custom of the fairs etc is received by the provost as due to him by ancient custom. They return two members of parliament for the said corporation.
The land and tenements are as followeth viz.
1. Mr. Daniel holds the White House and 4 parks adjoining the sea at £8 4s 0d per annum. I think they are worth £9 per annum.
2 Widow Blain holds 1 house and garden as per map and the part that lies between James Arrald's Park and Andrew Hamilton's at £2 6s 0d per annum. The house is in bad order and the park far from the town. I think them worth that rent, and if cattle and grain gave as good a rate now as in 1728 or 1729 they are worth £3 per annum.
3 John Warren holds 1 backhouse and garden as per map and the park between John Cannon's park and David Magee's freehold park at £3 per annum. I think it is dear enough.
4 Mr. Lawrence holds one small house and garden situated between widow Brown's tenement and the tenement formerly Joseph Pue's; and he holds the park with it which is adjoined to Collector Millen's freehold park at £2 5s 0d per annum. No lease; those were formerly held by David Magee at 30s 0d per annum.
5 Widow Brown and her son James holds from year to year two houses and two gardens situated between Mr. Lawrence and William Stevenson, has also two parks, viz one between Mr. Lawrence's park and John Cannon's; and the other at the head of the Lough. Those were formerlv held by Patrick Brown at £2 10s 0d per annum and they now pay £3 2s 6d.
6 John Cannon holds from year to year one small cabin, a small garden and one park, which were formerly held by his father at 20s per annum. The cabin lies next the back road as per map and the park is between the two parks that are held by widow Brown and John Warren. These are now set at 30s and I think them well set.
7 Neal O'Donnell holds from year to year one park and one small cabin at the head of the lough, formerly held by Owen O'Donnell at 20s per annum and they are now set at £1 6s 0d per annum and well enough.
8. Mr. Lawrence holds one park and tenement which formerly was held by Mrs. Hamilton, the widow of Robert Hamilton. He has a lease of this for 21 years from May 1725 at 30s per annum and has built a good house on the premises which he now sets for £4 per annum to Dennison and Law. Ditto. Lawrence holds without lease two tenements near Mr. Daniel's garden which formerly belonged to McAtier and Conyngham. The two cabins are down. The park which formerly belonged to Ninian Murray adjoining to widow Blain's park is now in possession of Andrew Hamilton. I think this park is worth 20s per annum and am of opinion that the two small tenements are each of them worth 16s per annum if the cabins were built.
9. Daniel Keeve holds from year to year one cabin and garden and one park which formerly was held by Brian O'Cain at 23s per annum and Keeve paid in the year ending at May 1728, 30s per annum and in the year 1729 he paid but 24s per annum as per the rentroll. This house and garden lies backward between Patrick Scott's and John Warren's and the park is near the head of the Lough joining to Fergal McAward's park.
10. Widow Brown and William Stevenson hold from year to year one garden next to the pound as per map. The house is down. They also hold one coarse park adjoining to the common on one side and William Magee's holding on the other side. This park and tenement were formerly held by Joseph Pue at 20s per annum and in the year 1728 and 1729 they were set for the same rent, though the house is down; but if it was up it would be worth 30s per annum.
11. William Stevenson, Thomas Stevenson and William Magee hold from year to year two tenements and two parks, and Patrick Scott's waste cabin and garden, (but,) the two parks are now made into three. William Stevenson's tenement is bounded on the one side with Mr. Daniel's holding and on the other side with James Brown's holding and Thomas Stevenson's and William Magee's tenement is between the mount and Scott's waste cabin and garden; and Scott's waste cabin and garden is adjoining to James Rodger's freehold. I look on those holdings to be cheap set. The three parks are situated between Shane Gallagan's holding and Joseph Pue's holding. They are now set at £4 10s 0d. per annum.
12. Patrick Keshedy holds from year to year one tenement and one park which was formerly Edmond Keshedy's holding. The rent in the year 1720 was 20s per annum and is now 30s per annum. The tenement lies near the back road between McBrairty's holding and Marren's and has a very small garden. The park is joining to Shane Gallaghan's on one side and Patrick Hagerty's on the other side. I think these holdings are dear enough.
13. John McBrairty holds from year to year one tenement adjoining to Patrick Keshedy's holding backward. It has a pretty good garden, was set in the year 1720 at 10s per annum and is now at 15s per annum which I think is enough.
14. Shane Gallaghan holds from year to year one tenement and park. The tenement lies backward and has a very small garden and bad; and the park is very rocky and coarse. It lies between the parks now held between Thomas Stevenson and Patrick Keshedy. They were set in the year 1720 at £1 5s 0d and are now at £1 10s 0d. I really think them set at the full value.
15. Adam Greenlaw holds from year to year the farm of Castle Cummin near Killybegs. This farm contains about 30 acres of land good for grazing, for turf and for meadow but not for grain. Neither is it well enclosed, but it is meared as followeth, viz. Drinbeigh; Drimbarity; Meinahoughan and Fintragh on one side; and a small rivulet on the other side which parts it from the bishop's land now held by Widow Pain. It was raised in the 1.720 from 24s to £6 per annum and I think its cheap at £6 considering the conveniencey of the farm.
16. Robert Laing holds from year to year two small cabins. One of them was formerly possessed by James Lafferty and is now down. The other was formerly possessed by Mary Scott. That held by Lafferty paid in the year 1720, 5s per annum and Scott's paid 4s per annum and Lafferty was waste from May 1728 and at May 1129 Robert Laing took them both. Sanders McIlvane told me that he agreed for them at 10s per annum with Mr. Hamilton and as they have no gardens I think them well set.
17. Fergal McAward and another cotter holds the two tenements and two parks which-are charged in the rentroll for 1729 to George Conyngham. These tenements are very small and face the small rivulet that divides the bishop side. from the corporation. They paid in the year 1720, £1 15s 0d per annum and now they pay £2 per annum for said holdings which I think is sufficient. Their gardens are very ordinary ground and but little.
18. The fairs at Dunkineely, viz. two in the year; with the anchorage at Killybegs, has from the year 1720 to 1729 been held by George Conynghan at £4 per annum and then he gave them up. But Mr. Hamilton set them for the year 1730 to Robert McMullin of Carntullagh, who is the son-in-law to George Conyngham. The 5th of October 1730 there was a fair held at Dunkineely. Bron(?) McCulloch and I wen re and in the fair I reckoned that 25 tents and stalls or selling drink and merchant goods. For each of those there is 12p paid as custom. There was also a great number of oxen, cows and young cattle: the custom of as many of those as are sold is 4p a head; and all other small carriages in proportion as the law directs. I think the custom of the said two fairs may be set for £4 per annum and the anchorage at 30s or 40s per annum.
Pray, does the grazing of Dunkineely belong to. Andrew Hamilton and the fairs the property of Mr. Murray. ?
19. Gland Watt holds from year to year (and no lease) one house and garden and two parks as per map. The house and garden lies backward between Shane Gallaghan's holding and the tenement now held by Patrick Hagerty. And one of the parks is about an acre of good ground adjoining the back road that leads into town. The other park is situated at the head of the lough with the river on one side and the common on the other side thereof. It is also good ground but it is far from the town. Those parks and the tenement paid in the year 1720 £1 10s 0d per annum and now they pay £2 5s 0d per annum. I really think it is as much as they are worth.
20. John Lafferty holds yearly one tenement situated between David Magee's free tenement and the two cabins now held by Robert Laing as per map. This paid in the year 1720, 8s per annum and now it pays 12s per annum. I think this rent sufficient, considering the smallness of the cabin and garden.
21. Duncan McAteer holds the tenement between Andrew Hamilton's freehold and Widow Pain's freehold at 12s per annum which is a sufficient rent.
22. James Rogers holds one park and the tenement which was formerly Alexander Walker's. The park is at the head of the lough as per map and the tenement is backward from Widow Blain's holding. The house is down. They were set in the year 1720 at 20s per annum and the same now. I think they are worth 30s per annum.
THIS ENDS THE CORPORATION
11 Gortnashillagh. This farm is 16 miles from Killybegs, far from any market. I observed 60 cows grazing on it, 100 sheep, 8 horses, 10 calves and a few goats. I look upon it to be a pretty good grazing farm but very bad for any sort of grain, and produces no sort of manure within itself. It joins the land of William Conyngham Esq on the west, Glebe land on the north-west, Griffith's freehold on the south, and with the land of the said Mr. Conyngham on the east. It has about 4 acres of ground in it that is pretty level and might be made good meadow. All the rest of it is mixed with rocks and bog and some scrub. The ground is very uneven but good kindly grass. I got a man of 68 years of age to show me all the mearings, and gave him 13 pence.
12 Binroe and Carn Tullagh. Those are two very convenient farms and good land both for grazing and grain. They both range with the lough of Killybegs and have the benefit of Wrack. Sometimes plenty of herrrings. They had very good stack yards this year and I observed the following cattle grazing on the ground viz. 90 cows, 160 sheep, 36 calves, besides horses and goats, all in good order. Their shelter is very good.
Captain Conyngham of Ballyothreland fished for salmon about the end of Carntullagh and I am credibly informed that he drew 40 salmon ashore at one draught this year on the land of Carntullagh and says the fishing there belongs to him.
13 Castleraghans 2 farms. Those are two fine extensive farms 4 mile from Killybegs. They are situated between Ballymedonall, Darney and the Point and have the benefit of wrack and sand for manure, the first of which in its best kind; and in the Near Raghan there is abundance of fine white marl even with the surface of the earth. Those farms are all fit for grain and meadow, both of which make a fine appearance this year and I am told they always do so, and the grass in general is all mixed with red and white clover pr shamrock. But there are eleven tenants on them, all poor (but two). One of those farms contains 3 Ballyboes and the other contains 2 Ballyboes and a half.
I am told that after Mr. Conyngham's lease expired he took two Ballyboes from the means of Castleraghan which Mr. William Conyngham now sets as his own land to Captain Andrew Conyngham at £16 per annum. They were set about 9 years ago. William Adair, one of the present tenants, says they really belong to Mr. Murray, but was given off by Thomas Knox when he was agent for said Mr. Murray and Mr. Conyngham.
14 Cavan Fannevin & Balvoggs. Cavan is 5 miles from Killybegs. It mears with the land of Ballymedonnell on the east, the sea on the west, Castle Rachans on north, and part of Ballymedonell and the Oyley river on the south. It is a good little farm for grain. The parks are pretty well enclosed but the houses, are bad. There is a small orchard belonging to it with some good fruit trees pretty well enclosed with quicks, sally and some ash. Francis Walker and his mother lives in Cavan.
Fannevin & Balvoggs are very coarse mountain ground and only fit for rearing young cattle. They have no grain but as they buy from others; and a very bad road to them (I mean those farms last mentioned) Andrew Walker lives on them, and I think if Cavan Fannevin & Balvoggs were to be set they are worth about £17 or £18 per annum. Mr. Murray is now at war with Walker about his title to said lands.
15 Ballylochan. This farm is a mile and a half from Killybegs. It's now in the possession of widow Walker and James her son by virtue of an article from Richard Murray Esq, which I could not get a sight of. It pays Alexander Murray Esq £6 per annum and that in the name of chief rent. It's a good farm for grain and cattle and is meared as followeth, viz. on the east with Glebe land, and the west with the sea, on the north with Binroe, and on the south with the Highroad. There are but few improvements but I think it's worth about £16 per annum or £18.
16 Lochris. This farm contains 5 quarters or 40 Ballyboes. It's situated 7 miles from Killybegs on the road to Boylagh, and is under lease to William Conyngham Esq. There is a great deal of good land in it for grain and grazing. Mr. Conyngham pays Mr. Murray for said land but £80 per annum; and it is now set to several different tenants for 43 or 44 years £230 per annum, 8 years of the said term is expired. But I am told by one Sheelan, who is seneschal, that Mr Conyngham has set part of Lochris with part of his own estate, but he nor no other could make this plain to me.
I am well assured that Mr William Conyngham has mortgaged his lease of those lands to Mr. Hansard of Kells for £2,100 sterling. I had this from the mouth of Mr. Hamilton of Mount Charles but-he could not tell me exactly how long since he made the mortgage. However, Richard receives the rents for Hansard.
17 Castletown. This farm is five miles from Killybegs and contains about 70 acres of land, most of it good grazing ground and some indifferent good grain, but with hard labour. They have plenty of lime stone and turf but the ground. is shallow where they plough. It marches with Castle Fine on the south-west and Aichin on the north-east. The tenants now in possession are William Erwin and partners. They tell me that Mr Law who is tenant in Aichin has for about 9 years past possessed and now possesses about four acres of the ground of Castletown which is good pasture. I saw all the mearings and am told that David Vance and Thomas Richey of Dooran can prove the same. They are both old men. I spoke and wrote to Mr. Hamilton to bring those evidences.
So I desired Erwin to graze on said ground and see who would oppose him, and heard no more of it. There are no ditches between those lands as marches.
Part of 16 Bally Duff. This farm is computed to be 6 miles from Killybegs and marches with part of Lochris. It is a good grazing farm and is under lease to William Conyngham Esq for £12 per annum; but how long this lease was granted by Mr Murray I can't learn, but 1 am well informed that Mr Conyngham has set a lease of it to Mr Hamilton of Mount Charles for 21 years at £40 per annum and Mr. Hamilton set it to under-tenants for £60 per annum. I am told it contains 8 Ballyboes.
Part of 16. The Point. This is a fine farm joining at one end to Ballycroy and the other end and sides mears the sea that leads to Donegal and McSwine's Bay. It is 3 miles from Killybegs and is all under grass and a small house on the near end of it for the herd. There are 60 oxen on it fattening and some sheep, all in fine, order. This farm is under lease for some years to Mr William Conyngham from Mr Murray at the yearly rent of £6 per annum.
And the said Mr Conyngham has set a lease of it to Andrew Conyngham of Bally Otherland for 43 years at the rent of £15 per annum: eight of the said years are expired. And the said Andrew Conyngham has set half of the said farm to Captin Hamilton of Brown Hall for £ 14 per annum so that the half he keeps stands him only twenty shillings per annum; and the herd told me that Hamilton of Brown Hall offered Andrew Conyngham £54 for the reversion of the other half of his lease.
18 Drimaghy. This farm is three miles from Killybegs and mears with Curraghafeaghan: It contains about two small Ballyboes; and part of it, about two-thirds, are indifferent good grazing but wet. The other third being about 14 acres in exceeding coarse boggy ground. They have a small quantity, viz about 7 or 8 acres, of the best of it this year under grain, which is pretty good, that is to say, oats.
19 Mrs. Young holds the Damland and two small parks with the mills of Drumroosk. And she says it's the same land as Mr Knox held with the said mills without alteration, but John Stewart of Drumroo says the said two parks did belong to that Drumroosk which is now held by him and Ralph Walker, and that Thomas Knox told Mr Murray at Lough Eask that said two parks would be very convenient to him with the mills, and that Mr Murray laid his hand on Stewart's shoulder and bid him let Thomas Knox have the said two parks and he would consider him for it; and Stewart said he let Mr Knox have them accordingly but had not as yet received any allowance.
20 Currochafeaghan. This farm is 3 miles from Killybegs. It is a small farm, indifferent well meared. But it is coarse grazing ground and has in the lowest part of it about six acres of coarse meadow. The whole farm is called one small Ballyboe and a half. It joins the land of Mr William Conyngham in the north-east, and in the north-west with Stragar which is bishop land; and in the south-west with Drimachy; and part of Mr Andrew's glebe land.
21 Croagh, Meinabrock, and Rachinlecky. These farms are seven miles from Killybegs. I got one Bryan Calachan, an under-tenant, to show me the mearings of those farms. I found that he had raised some bog timber, viz fir, which he sold to tenants of Killybegs, and upon strict inquiry about it I was well informed by seeing the timber etc that it was but of small value and reprimanded him for raising any timber without licence in writing from Mr Murray of Broughton; upon which he promised that he would not be guilty of the like again. He is a man that I am well assured knows the mearings of Mr Murray's land in this part of the estate very well; and is a fellow very expert and industrious in buying and selling cattle and may be of use to Mr Murray. He is by all accounts that I can hear of him, reputed a very honest man.
I find by information that there are this year six tenants living on Meinabrock, three tenants upon Croagh, and two on Rachinlackey. The tenants on each of these farms are under Cornet Steenson and John Nesbitt of Drimanoe who are both tenants to Mr Murray. I inquired what rent they severally pay and find that the tenants of Croagh pays them £18 per annum, the tenants of Meinabrack pays them £ 12 per annum, and the tenants of Rachinlecky pays them £6 per annum which in all amounts to £36 per annum. I look on Croagh and Meinabrock to be good grazing farms and very improvable for grain. Rackinlackey is a good spot of ground for most of it fit for oats and grass. I really think them cheap of £36 per annum although they are a good distance from any public road. The ground is good and I think cannot want or will not want a good tenant or good tenants for that rent or some more; for there have been several people speaking to me about them, but would not give proposals until they see Broughton, etc.
22 Carrignabochill (3 Ballyboes) Fayfannan (2 Ballyboes) Bungostin (uncertain as to the Ballyboes). Fayfannan is the nearest of those farms and is three miles from Killybegs and is joining on the north-west to the common. Carrignabochill mears in line with Bungostin on the south-east and Fayfannan on the north-west. I observe that those three farms were all set in the rent roll under the denomination of Carrignabochill. They are all coarse farms on the side of a mountain but they are very improvable by draining and adjoining to a good river that divides them from the glebe land; to which there is some good low land adjoining and is very fit for meadow and bears some good oats.
But I observe that there are eleven tenants on Carrignabochil and Fayfannan this year and Bungostin waste. I also find that the said tenants do supply many of the inhabitants and Killybegs with turf out of the last two farms mentioned, which turf they sell for two pence per load and by cutting those turf they make waste of some good grazing ground and by their turf as well as I can compute, the eleven tenants make the rent of their farm.
Bungostin is bounded on the south-east with a farm of bishop land, now under lease to John Nesbitt of Drimanoe and upon my inquiry into the mearings of Bungostin and that under lease to Nesbitt from the bishop which is called Stragarr.
I find by information that in the year 1720 or a little after it, the said John Nesbitt in company with Mr Hamilton, who is agent to Mr Murray, went to have a march made between said bishop land and Bungostin and got an old woman to show them the march to whom they administered an oath, and I am told that she swore that she and two of her brothers lived in that land a long time ago or words to that effect, and that she would show the division or mearing that was then made between her and them; and according to that mearing that she showed they made the march between Bungostin which is Mr. Murray's land and Stragarr which is called the bishop land, by cutting holes in even ground with a spade at a good distance one from another from head to foot of Bungoston. This seemed to me to be no ancient march or mearing.
And upon further inquiry I find that said John Nesbitt has every since possessed a good number of acres of the land of Bungostin without any payment. Witnesses to prove the same are Hugh McBrairty of Binroe; Charles O'Haran of Drimachy; George Henderson of Carntullagh; Dudley McSwine of Carrignabochill; and his mother who is a very old woman now living in Carrignabochill. I got this intelligence on the 11th of July 1730 and acquainted Mr Hamilton that I had a mind to see those grounds and desired he might go with me though I saw them twice before.
On 19 September 1730 Mr. Hamilton went with John Nesbitt and me to Bungostin. I had the following evidences warned to come in, viz Hugh McBrairty of Binroe, George Henderson of Carntullagh, Dudley McSwine of Carrignabochill, and Charles O'Haran of Drimachy. The old woman was unwell; and O'Haran of Dramachy did not appear. When we got to the disputed mearing Dudley McSwine walked along the ground and showed a mearing which I really believe to be the true one and he says he will swear it, and that his mother can do the same. Upon which John Nesbitt abused him and called him several scurrilous names.
George Henderson also showed us the ground pretty well agreeing with that of McSwine ; but John Nesbitt called him off the mearing that he was showing us and showed him the march that was made a few years ago by Mr Hamilton, Mr Nesbitt and an old woman as 1 mentioned before. Upon which Henderson said the difference between those two mearings was in dispute by the tenants which lived on the land about 27 years ago, and that to avoid dispute they grazed in common, that is to say, by letting their cattle go through other, in order to prevent debates. But, on questioning Henderson further, he said that he lived in Bungostin at that time under one Hamilton of Killybegs; which said Hamilton was then tenant of Bungostin, and that McSwine will prove that Hamilton's tenants had Buchogs, or cottages . on that part of the land now in dispute, and the mearing now shown by McSwine was really the mearing which was at that time used to divide Bungostin and Stragarr.
At length John Nesbitt told me plainly he would not alter the mearing made by Mr James Hamilton, himself, and the old woman until he be obliged by law; and said further that if the bishop would not maintain the law suit he would himself.
23 Bally Arra. This farm is adjoining the upper end of Fintragh and ranges on the mountains above Fintragh. It is coarse rocky ground and but little grain, but the farm contains 8 Ballyboes, as 1 am informed. Yet it has no sort of manure and the houses are very bad. They bring sea wrack from the Point in boats to set their potatoes and draw it from the shore on carrs to the farm. Sanders McIlvane, the present tenant, says he will refer the rent to Mr Murray of Broughton. As this ground lies pretty dry, 1 think it is a tolerable good farm for grazing (but rocky).
25 2 Ballyboes of Ballyweill and 3/5 parts o! Doonan, Drumgornan and Trankeel. Those farms at £79 19s per annum and duties as in the minute, are set to Mr James Hamilton of Mount Charles. They are very good farms for grain and grass. He keeps a dairy on the 2 ballyboes of Ballyweill and has built a cow house there. This farm on one side joins the river that comes from Donegal. There is good box wrack at the foot'of the land, which they cut for kelp, and has a good quantity of it cut and making into kelp this year. 1 am told that Captain Hamilton of Brown Hall fishes for salmon in the aforesaid river by a grant from Sir Ralph Gore, though Mr Murray's land is all along one side of the river where they fish, and I am well assured that they get good quantities of salmon; but at what rent I cannot as yet learn. As to the other 2/ 5 of Doonan etc. I am told they are held by Hugh Crawford, William and widow Stewart and partners with the other two Ballyboes of Ballyweill at £26 13s per annum but no lease. Their duties shall be mentioned when I write of that farm in it's proper place as per rent roll.
Memorandum that Captain Hamilton of Brown Hall receives admiral's dues from the boats that fish for herring etc in those bays, at 3s 4d per boat as I am told, but I believe the due is 6s 8d. Query if it belongs to Mr Murray.
26 Drumark and Drimgun. This farm contains about 2 Ballyboes and is about one mile from Mount Charles. It joins the Highroad on one side and on the other side it joins the river or bay of Donegal, and at one end it joins Mr Hamilton's farm at Ballyweill. The groud is good for grain and pasture and commodious for fishing herrings, by which they do some years make their whole rent. It's now held by Alexander and Hugh Crawford at £20 is 3d per annum and as per rent roll; and the duties were in 1729 four small barrels of oats, one dozen of hens, and 6 days work of man and horse.
27 Ross Lungas. This farm is about a mile and a half from Mount Charles. It is now held by David and Thomas Underwood at £13 6s 6d per annum and contains about one large Ballyboe. The ground is well enclosed in parks by said Underwood and is good for grain, hay and pasture, but some parts of it are spouty, where they have there meadow. There are good country houses on this farm and it also lies convenient for herring fishing. They have planted a good number of sally trees along the Highroad of which they get some plough and other timber for carrs etc.
28 Altidoe. This farm is held from year to year by Robert Murray, Hentry Corigan and James McGra. They paid to the year 1729 and then £20 10s per annum for said farm and had a minute for it at said rent (but give it up). This farm is called two Ballyboes but I look on a good part of it to be very cold spouty ground.
29 Ballyweill Island. This is a very pleasant island and contains about one ballyboe, for which Mrs. Knox pays £6 3s per annum. It had a good deal of scrub in it which they have stubbed up, and they have now a good quantity of fine oats in said island.
30. Meinakally. This farm is held by James McCallin and partners at £7 3s 6d per annum. It contains about one Ballyboe but I think the land very indifferent and shallow. It bears but very indifferent grain and grass and their cattle are very poor, as well as the people.
31 Drumkeghan. This farm contains 3 Ballyboes and is tolerable good ground. It's now held by Hugh Steen, Robert Meldrum, Thomas Crawford and partners. They paid in the year 1729 £24 12s per annum and duties as for the other Ballyboes.
32 2 Ballyboes of Ballywell. Those two ballyboes are very good land for grain and grass and have some marl, but it is deep and they say they do not use for that it does not agree with their land. They have the benefit of herring fishing. The present tenant are Hugh Crawford, William and widow Stewart and partners and they paid for rent and fees in the year 1729 £26 13s and for duties 4 small barrals of oats, one dozen of hens, and 6 days work of man and horse. They have a good quantity of oats this year. The tenants look well and seem to be to have a good bargain but they complain and offered very low as per lists for the new rents. They also say that they never knew the land that they possess to pass for any denomination but the two ballyboes of Ballyweel.
33 Drim Roosk. This farm lies near Donegal and is possessed by Alexander Murray and partners at £28 per annum. It is good mixed ground, some clay and some mossy, and lies low. It contains about 4 small ballyboes, as I am informed, but Murray says it's too dear and that you wrote to him by Mr Young that he should have it for £25 per annum - but he did not show me the letter. He gave no proposals.
34 Drumroosk. This farm also lies near Donegal and is held by John Stewart and Ralph Walker at £24 12s rent and fees per annum. Stewart has built a good house and office houses on it. The dwelling house is rough cast. This farm contains three ballyboes and a half and is good clay ground. It bears very good grain. Stewart says he built on it depending on Mr Murray's promise to be kind to him and now he refers himself to Mr Murray for a new lease. I look on him to be a very honest man and a good tenant. Walker was not at home.
35 Revlin. This farm contains about 50 acres of ground and there is about 10 acres of them under scrub. It is all very good land for grain and pasture and some meadow, very near the town of Donegal; and marches as followeth; with a small skirt of it on the left hand of the Highroad that leads from Mount Charles to Donegal; and all the rest of it is joining with the right hand of the said road on one side and the sea on the other side. It is a very commodious farm and 1 think it's worth 7s per acre but I am told that Mr Hamilton lets Mr Spence have it for £14 per annum from May 1730 and that he can get no rent from him, and while he possesses it no other will propose any rent. Mr Spence was not at home all the while I was in that country.
36 Bally Devitt Begg. This farm contains about 160 acres of land. It is a good grazing farm and some good ground for oats; and I think it may be set at or about £20 per annum.