The Moores of Ardee

County Louth Archaeological and History Society

The Moores of ArdeeAuthor(s): L. P. MurraySource: Journal of the County Louth Archaeological Society, Vol. 7, No. 4 (Dec., 1932), pp.472-484Published by: County Louth Archaeological and History SocietyStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/27728361 .

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Cfje Jfloores? of &rbee*

by Rev. L. P. Murray, E.I.

MONASXERY LANDS OF SX. JOHN'S OF ARDEE : 1540-1612. Xhere is no record to show how the Monastery lands were disposed

of immediately after the Dissolution (Dec. 6th?31st Henry VIII), but

they were soon afterwards set, for a term of years, to John Plunkett

(probably of the Beaulieu family) and Xhomas Walshe (one of the Com

missioners). We find, some time later, that the Hospital was let to Edward

Sutton for 21 years, in consideration of his being deprived of the office of Surveyor General (Pat. Rolls 6. Ed. VI). On the 12th March, 1554, Queen Mary granted the Monastery and its appurtenances?all the property in the town and fields of

Atherdee, Manfieldstown, Hunterstown, Granges of Shanlys, Blakestown and

Richardstown,?to George Dowdall, Archbishop of Armagh (Cal. Patent Rolls). Dowdall died in 1558, and the property fell back into the hands of the Crown. It

was probably set temporarily, from time to time, for periods of years. In 1563 we find (S.P. F.lizabeth) that George Gerland, who had been granted a patent of

lands elsewhere, surrendered that patent and received in compensation the fee

farm grant of certain lands of the House of St. John of Ardee. On July 15th, 1579,

Queen Elizabeth made a grant of the Hospital, all its lands, and the tythes of the

parishes, to Edward Moore, for 41 years, at an annual rent of ?115 os. 4^. (See Inq.,

1605). Before the termination of that lease (in 1605), the whole property was

declared by the King's Escheator to be in the King's hands?but, as the result of

subsequent negotiations, it was conveyed, in the year 1612 (June 4th), by letters

patent, to Edward's son and successor, Garrett Moore, for ever, subject to a yearly

rent of ?yg Ss. \d. and twenty pecks of corn.

XHE HOUSE OF MOORE.

Xhere were three families who played, more than any others, a prominent

part in the history of Ardee and its neighbourhood during the course of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries?the Moores, the Ruxtons and the Dawsons. Xhe Moore

genealogical table is here appended, the names of the proprietors of Moore Hall,

Ardee, being noted in heavy type :



John Moore marr. (i) d. of Robert Washington; marr. (2) Margaret Brent of Kent.

(Benenden, Kent)

Sir Edward of Mellifont marr.

widow of Sir W Brabazon.1

1 Brent Moore

Henry ol Bailyracken, Co Meath. Sheriff of Louth, 1587-8

Sir Garrett of Mellifont. marr. Mary Colley,

made Earl of Drogheda 1616.

William of Barmeatb.

marr. Eva Cashel of

Dundalk.

Edward, Thomas and Arthur,

(died young)

Henry, Earl of Drogheda

died 1675.

Charles 2nd Earl.

"I

Garrett of Ardee.

died 1665 (childless)

1 Charles

Henry died 1714 3rd Earl

1

Charles, Viscount Drogheda.

(killed at

Portlester,

1643)

Sir James of Ardee marr. Jane, daughter of Lord Blaney

I who marr. (2) Sir Robert Sterling.

Sons and daughter (Alice) died young or unmarried.

Randall of Ardee marr. (1) Jane, daug. of the Earl of Meath

: (2) Priscilla Armitagc of Ardee.

Brabazon Moore of Ardee and Mt. Xerrible died 1721.

Mary, marr. Col. Wm. Ponsonby

I of

Bessborough

Brabazon,

Earl

of Bessborough

Henry 4th Earl, childless

Edward

5th

Earl, (drowned

1758)

Henry

died 1794.

William of Moor Hall, Ardee, marr.

Lucy Parkinson of Ardee (daughter of Rev. Edward

and sister of Robert of Red House)

Randall Moore.

Mary.

Charles 6th Earl and Marquess, died 1821

Lieut. William.

Charles 7th Earl and 2nd Marquess.

Henry. Henry Fras. 8th Earl.

1 Sir William Brabazon was Vice-Xreasurer of Ireland. He was father to Lord Ardee, and ancestor to the Earl of Meath. His widow, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Clifford, was married four times. Her last husband, Sir Edward Moore, who survived her, afterwards married

the daughter of Sir William Southwell.

Xhe Moores and the Brabazons were closely connected by marriage alliances. It will be

noticed, later down in the genealogical table,

that Sir Edward's great-grandson, Randall, married

a daughter of the Earl of Meath, and that their son was named Brabazon Moore.



474 THE MOORES OF ARDEE

THE MOORE GRANT. The list of the lands and possessions?the old property of St. John's Monastery?

granted to Moore are detailed in many deeds and inquisitions?but they are most

clearly set out in the grant of 1612. For the sake of clearness they may be grouped

roughly under three headings : A lands etc. in Ardee ; B farms, manors etc. in the

neighbourhood ; and C tithes of churches, parishes and advowsons.

A?LANDS, ETC., IN ARDEE.

i. The precincts of the Hospital and Church, cemetery, garden, pigeon

house, 10 acres arable and one acre pasture adjoining the new mill.

2. 15 acs. arable called the Ashfield.

3. I acre pasture near Friar's Gate.

4. 1 acre arable, called Little Park, leading to Red Moor.

5. 1 \ acres park near Rathbridge. 6. 5 acres pasture in Knockenny.

7. 2 acres arable and one furze adjoining Ardballagh.

8. Park outside West Gate.

9. 2 acres?Horsepark?adjoining the Mill.

10. 15 acres arable in half-ploughland at Killemoch (Kildemock). 11. Weir of Babesland.

12. Eel-weir of the Curragh.

13. Water Mill in Ardee.

14. White Park, iy\ acres in fields at Ardee.

15. 2 acres arable in Ardballagh, near Ardee.

16. Messuage and garden in Ardee lately tenanted by Geo. Bane.

17. Messuage and garden in Ardee lately tenanted by John Kanny. 18. Garden on west side of towncross lately tenanted by John Murray.

19. Messuage lately tenanted by John Murray. 20. ,, ,, ,, ,, Owen Maldoune.

21. ,, ? ,, ,, Pat Crofie.

22. Two gardens lately tenanted by Henry Kyneagh and Pat Crock.

23. Messuage lately tenanted by Thomas Rowe.

24. ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Maur. Fell.

25. ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Laughlin McCoale.

26. ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, John Laughlin.

27. ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Robert Cassel.

28. ? ? ,, ,, ? Hugh McEnlis.

29. ,, ,, ,, ,, ? Pat Keary.

30. ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, John Millar.

31. ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Terence McConnell.

32. ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Walter Kentile.

^. Two messuages lately tenanted by Walter Moy.

34. 13 acres in Ardee lately tenanted by Murdoch McCoune, with custom of

toll boat at Manueldstown.



XHE XOWN OF ARDEE IN 1677. Xhe building at the bottom of the map to the right of the bridge

probably represents Moore Hall.

(From a Map of the ''Commons" of Ardee, dated 1677, made by Robert Richardson for the Corporation.)



THE MOORES OF ARDEE. 475

B.?MANORS AND LANDS.

1. The manor and town of Shanlis, containing 8 cottages, 113 acres arable,

20 meadow, and customs.

2. 26/8 chief rent from 40 acres arable lately tenanted b}^ James Clinton.

3. Town and lands of Punchestown?40 acres arable.

4. Lands of Mullaghcloe, 8 acres arable with customs.

5. Knock?40 acres, pasture.

6. Nurlestown (Hurlestown ?)?15 acres, arable.

7. Beghelstown?messuage and 1 acre arable.

8. Town and lands of Blackston?120 acres arable.

9. Babeston?40 acres arable, 20 pasture and customs.

10. To pay annually out of same ?35 17s. 4^. and maintain an able horseman.

C.-(i) TITHES OF TOWNS OF :?

Mallenstown and Mullaghcloe. Two Lest rames.

Arthurst own and Rathbody. Rathoore.

Cow ley.

Piperstown.

Serrelstown.

Dowestown.

Hoathstown.

Richardstown.

Stakillen.

H arris ton.

Babestown.

Redmoor.

(2) TITHES OF PARISHES AND CHAPELS OF :?

Moorestown.

Knock.

(3) TITHES OF :?

Shanlis.

Habbergerston and Hanellstown.

(4) RECTORY AND PARSONAGE OF

Maghercloe (Magheracloone) in Farney. Half Rectory of Rosse and Maghross ;

Village and Town of Crabragh, cont. 50 acres, with moiety of parsonage

of Donaghe (Donaghmoyne), all in Co. Monaghan. (5) IN ARDEE :

Tithes of Mullaghdisselline, al. Mullaghdisserne. ,, ,, Spencer's Crock, al. Spencer's Rock.

,, ,, North of Ardee, lately tenanted by Win. Cappocke. ,, fourth part of par. of Ardee.

,, ,, town of Ballytrusse.

?6 acres of land in Ardee.

i)



476 COUNXY LOUXH ARCHAEOLOGICAL JOURNAL.

(6) EIGHX CHAPELS APPROPRIAXED XO SAID HOSPITAL:?

Mooreston. Shanlis.

Knock. Shorlestown (Chariestown). Richardstown. Mapestown.

Stakellen. Tallanstown.

with the tithes and altarages due to Vicars and Curates of said Rectories

only excepted.

It was a goodly grant, but was only a small portion of what the Moores got from the dissolution of the Monasteries. An Inquisition of 1628 sums up their

whole grants as follows :?

1.?Manors of Mellifont and Ballymascanlon, containing 6 castles, 500 messuages,

100 toft' (crofts ?), 5 mills, 6 dovecots, 100 gardens and 51,000 acres of land.

2.?Xhe impropriate rectories, and parochial and rectorial tithes of Bally

mascanlon, Faughart, Dunany and Parsonstown, with advowson of the Vicarages

of said parishes.

3.?Lands, tithes, etc., of St. John's of Ardee. (As above noted.)

SIR JAMES OF ARDEE. We are told (Chancery Decree, 1657) that m I^23 ^r Garrett Moore devised

the lands of the Ardee Priory to Henry Blaney and Nicholas White, in trust for

his second son James. Xhis was evidently the marriage settlement on the occasion

of the marriage of James to Lord Blaney's daughter Jane. In default of heirs

male the lands were to revert to his eldest son, Charles, who inherited the Mellifont

and Ballymascanlon estates. In 1639 the lands were let to Sir Faithful Fortescue.

James died the same year, leaving only a daughter, Alice. His widow, Jane Blaney, married Sir Robert Sterling. Under Sir Garrett's settlement of 1623 the lands

reverted to Charles Viscount Drogheda, who settled them on his second son, Garrett

of Ardee. (See genealogical table).

SIR GARREXX OF ARDEE. In 1655, however, during Cromwell's Protectorate, Sir James' wife, joined with

her new husband, Sir Robert Sterling, brought an action in the Courts of Chancery to claim the rights of her deceased daughter Alice, and Sir Garrett was obliged to

pay them ?2,000 from the lands of the Priory of Ardee and the lands of Shanlis,

Gausland, Mullacloagh, Blaickston, with other lands mentioned in the deed of 1639.

In the books of Survey and Distribution (1666) Sir Robert Sterling is shown as

possessing some small parks in Ardee, estimated as 10 acres. Xhe acreage and

proprietorship of the property of St. John's Monastery is not shown, but Lady Jane Moore is credited with 106 acres in Mullacloo (included in Ardee). She had 406 acres in Shanlis, 76 in Gausland and 192 acres in Blakestown (given in Kildemock

parish).




Sir Garrett of Ardee died without issue in 1665?after making a will in 1664,

by which he left the Ardee property to his brother Randall (Randall of Ardee?see

genealogical table) for life, with remainder of part to the latter's wife, Lady Jane Moore.

SIR RANDALL OF ARDEE. As we have seen, Randall of Ardee was first married to Lady Jane, daughter

of the Earl of Meath, and secondly to Priscilla Armitage of Ardee. He was attainted

by King James' Parliament in 1689, and his estate, worth ?5,000 a year, sequestered.

This sequestration, of course, never took effect.

BRABAZON MOORE OF ARDEE. Brabazon Moore, Randall's son by his first wife, succeeded. Early in his career

he got into serious financial difficulties. In November 1701, he mortgaged to

Richard Tisdall1 for the sum of ?1,000, the lands of Shanlis (300 acres), Gaulstown, alias Ballygowan (80 acres), the impropriate tithes of Mosstown, 40 acres in Knock

with the great tithes thereof, 15 acres adjoining Hurlestone (commonly called

Cloyd-or-Cack), and a house and garden in Winetavern Street, Ardee.

By 1709 things had got worse. To secure Richard Tisdall ?3,000, he mortgaged in addition to all the lands in the above list?the great tithes of Ardee parish, the

House and Demesne worth ?160 a year, and several tenements in Ardee. The

witnesses to this mortgage were William Moore (his cousin), now of Castlebelling ham, William Fortescue of Newragh and John Foster of Dunleer.

The process of erosion was unusually speedy. On May 23rd 1711, for the

consideration of ?100 down and a yearly rent of ?120, he granted to John Foster,

gent., of Dunleer, a 99 year lease of the rectorial (otherwise called impropriate) tithes of the parishes of Mosstown, Tallanstown, Charlestown, Mapastown

al. Maperstown, Stickillen and Richardstown, all the Glebe Land in the said parishes, and all the interest of Brabazon Moore to the tithes of the said parishes. At this

time, both Brabazon and his son Randall were living at Mount Terrible, County

Monaghan.

In 1714, the inevitable crash came.

as follows :?

To Robert Johnson . . ?3500 o o

,, same, for interest . . 260 o o

,, Margaret Hall . . 13 14 1

,, Thomas Sweetlove 17 3 4 ,, Aldm. Jno. Graham 23 o o

,, Lord Weymouth . . 2100 ,, Widow Wilcocks . . 1200 ,, Thomas Fitzsimons 400 ,, Abraham Eastwood 150 ,, Richard Cunningham 212 o ,, John Fottrell . . 600 ,, Theophilus Taaffe . . 080

At that time he owed ?3,933 18s. $d

To William Shewell ,, Mary Doherty ,, William Hatch ,, Mary Fowke ,, Thomas Clemens ,, Harry McArdle ,, Alice McMahon ,, Joseph Randall ,, Robert Emaret ,, Henry Saunders ,, Theophilus Taaffe

?0 10 12 o

17 4 4 o

4

4 i

20 o

o o

14 o o

17 6

?3929 8 5

1 Richard Tisdall, who belonged to the Louth family of the Tisdalls of Bawn, was M.P. for Dundalk and Louth, and was Registrar of the Court of Chancery. He seems to have specialised in mortgages on encumbered estates?a profitable avocation for which his position in the Court of Chancery gave him special facilities.



478 COUNTY LOUTH ARCHAEOLOGICAL JOURNAL.

In one part of the deed it is stated that he owed ?3,930 18s. ^d.?but the total of the amounts is given, further down, as ?3,933 18s. $d. We cannot account for the error. We make out the total to be ?3,929 8s. $d.

With the assistance of some financiers, who probably knew their own business

best, Brabazon's cousin, William of Castlebellingham (son of Henry, the 3rd Earl? see genealogical table) made a praiseworthy attempt to keep the estate in the family.

By a deed, dated 12 /13 January, 1714, Brabazon Moore of Mount Terrible and his son Randall?in consideration of ?3,930 185. $d. to be paid to the creditors?granted for ever to William Moore all the lands, rents, possessions, etc., in Ardee, Shanlis,

Blakestown, Ballygowan, Mullaghcloe, Gwitherstown and Cloodecacagh, the house and lands of Shanlis (then tenanted by Benjamin Blumfield), Knockacleva, Black Park and White Park, Knockconnery, along with the tithes of Ardee, Shanliss, Stickillen, Richardstown, Mosstowne, Mapestowne, Xallanstowne, and Charlestown,

all in Co. Louth ; the tithes of Cappragh, Donaghmoyne, Magheracloone and

Magheross in Monaghan, along with extensive possessions in Co. Xipperary, Carlow,

Wicklow and Kildare?subject to a life annuity of ?100 to Brabazon, ?300 to Randall, and ?60 to Brabazon's wife, Susanna, which had been secured by her marriage settlement. Xhe witnesses to this agreement were : John Broughton of Clintonreagh, Co. Louth, Gent ; Allan Sheriott of Dublin, Yeoman ; John Barron of Ardee, Gent. ;

Jno. Xaaffe of Ardee, Gent. ; and Joseph Randall of Mount Xerrible, Co. Monaghan, Yeoman.

WILLIAM OF ARDEE. Xhe new owner, William of Ardee, was Sheriff of Louth in 1717, and M.P.

for Ardee in 1719. In 1718 he married Lucy Parkinson. In consideration of a

marriage settlement of ?2,000 paid by Edmund Parkinson, he settled portion of his lands on trustees, entailing them on his children, with an annuity of ?200 to his wife after his death. Xhe parties to this marriage settlement were Rev. Edward

Parkinson1, Lucy Parkinson, Robert Parkinson of Ardagh, Blayney Xownley of Piedmont and Hamilton Xownley of Ardagh. Xhe trustees for the children were

Christopher Armstrong of Co. Kildare, William Chapman, and Rev. Arthur Forbes, clerke, of Newstone, Co. Meath. A son and daughter, Henry and Mary, were born

in 1718.

Either as the result of the purchase, or for other reasons, William, in turn,

found himself in financial difficulties. In 1717, he sold some houses in King Street,

Dublin, which he had inherited from his father ; and he mortgaged to Richard Xisdall of Ardee, for ?1,400, at 7 per cent, per annum, the following lands and

property : 5 tates in Co. Monaghan that had been leased to Benjamin Blumfield of Shanlis Grange

at an annual rent of 40 /

1 Rev. Edward Parkinson received a grant of land in Ardee before 1665, and was Vicar of Ardee from that until 1721. Arthur Forbes and William Chapman were Parkinson's nephews. Robert Parkinson of Ardagh was Lucy Moore's eldest brother, who inherited the greater portion of his father's property. Xhat Lucy Moore had a second son, who took the name of Parkinson,

would appear from Rev. Edward Parkinson's will (1721).




400 acres in Shanlis, in occupation of Nathaniel Elwood at an. annual rent of ?70 ;

30 acres of the townland of Gausland, als. Ballygowan, leased to Brian Hand at an annual

rent of ?25 ; The great tithes of Mosstown, leased to Anthony Foster at a yearly rent of ?20 ;

40 acres in Knock, with tithes leased to Edward Singleton at a rent of ?7.;

15 acres adjoining Hurlstone, called Claydecock or Baronsland, with the great tithes, leased to Peter Dowdall, elk., (P.P. of Ardee), at a rent of ?30 ;

15 arable acres in Kildemock, leased to William Baron, Aldn., at a rent of ?5 ;

House and Garden in WTinetavern Street, Ardee, leased to Robert Wilson at a rent of 45 /- ;

Part of the tithes of Ardee as well as tithes in other dioceses.

This was the beginning of the break-up of the big estate. The ?2,000 received

as a marriage settlement, with the ?1,400 mortgage money, may have delayed the

final crash, but they could not stem the torrent of accumulating debts. The obli

gations imposed by the deed of 1714 proved too heavy, and the break-up was inevitable. In 1721, Brabazon Moore of Mount Terrible (who had sold the

property to William) died ; and, in the following year, his son Randall took pro

ceedings against William Moore?apparently to recover the balance of the annuities

due to himself and to his father by the deed of 1714. The proceedings were taken

by Randall Moore of Mount Terrible and Pakenham Smith, Gent ; and the de

fendants were William Moore, Lucy Moore (n?e Parkinson), and their two children,

Henry and Mary, by their trustee, Rev. Arthur Forbes. A decree was granted

(July 5th, 1729) by consent, awarding Randall Moore ?2,152?his arrears of ?100 and ?300 a year?charged on the town and lands of Shanlis (400 acres), Blakestown

(200 acres), Mullaghcloe, and all the lands of the Monastery of St. John. In addition,

all the lands, except the Mansion House and 27 acres, were to be vested in John Foster of Dunleer for 100 years for the following trusts :

1.?That Randall be paid ?300 per year, and that the remainder of the

profits go in discharge of the ?2,152 arrears, until it is paid.

2.?That William Moore make a lease of all lands, messuages and houses,

except the Mansion House and 27 acres, to John Foster.

3.?That the jointures (dowers) of Priscilla Armitage (wife of old Randall) and of Susanna (wife of Brabazon Moore) be paid until their deaths,

and, after that, the lands encumbered shall be let by John Foster.

MORTGAGE FORECLOSED.

Meanwhile Richard Tisdall had foreclosed his mortgage in 1724 for debts of

?2,146, ?1,400, and a further ?392?and, under the foreclosure, the five tates in

Monaghan, and the houses in King Street, Dublin, which William had inherited

from his own father, were sold in 1729 for ?1,200.

Tisdall proceeded to press for the rest?but Susanna, the widow of Brabazon

Moore had recovered her dower, Randall Moore had got a decree for his ?2,100

arrears, and WTUiam Moore's wife had her marriage settlement, which was entailed.

The lands could not be sold without an Act of Parliament, because the dowers and

arrears had prior title to the mortgage.




Xisdall and Randall Moore agreed to sell part, if the Act of Parliament could

be got. Whereupon, William Moore prayed for an Act of Parliament to sell the

tithes of Ardee, Shanlis, Stickillen, Richardstown, Mosstown, Xallanstown, Mapas town and Charlestown?which was granted, with the condition that a part of the

estate, of the yearly value of ?500 was to be preserved for William Moore and his

family. Xhe tithes in Monaghan, etc., were vested from May, 1732, in Robert Parkin

son, Francis North and William Cuper of Dublin, in trust for William Moore's wife

and children, subject only to the interest of Priscilla Armitage, widow of the first

Randall, and of Susan Moore, widow of Brabazon, and to a yearly income of ?300

to Randall himself.

William Moore died in 1731. His will was in the old Record Office :

In the Name of God. Amen. I, William Moore of Atherdee alias Moorehall, recommend my body to be buried in the Church of Atherdee in a plain oak cofrin, with a pall, but no bearers. I leave to my wife the houses in King Street, Dublin, I leave all my residue to my only son, Henry, and failing his ishue to my only daughter Mary,

with remainder to my brother-in-law, Robert Parkinson, and his heirs by his present wife Diana Peppard. My estate is heavily encumbered. 16 Aug., 1731.

Witnesses: W. Ruxton. R. Marshall. Parke McNeill.

HENRY MOORE. William may be said to have been the last of the Moores of Ardee. His son,

Henry Moore, succeeded to his interest, such as it was, in the Ardee property. His

name appears, as a matter of form, in numerous quadrupartite and quinquepartite

deeds dealing with the administration of the estate. Xhe names of the marriage settlement annuitants were also given in many of the deeds ; but the Fosters were

the real owners. Some of these documents help us to trace the occupancy of the

different portions of the estate down to the end of the eighteenth century. At some time previous to 1745 it would appear that Henry Moore had, without Foster's

consent, let the lands and estate to John Barlow, Gent., of the city of Dublin. In

the list of Recoveries on Roll in the old Record Office, there was a successful recovery, in 1745, by William Foster against John Barlow, of ten messuages, ten cottages, 10 arable acres and 10 acres of pasture in the lands of Crossland, otherwise called the

15 acres plowland of Kildemock, together with the great tithes of the parishes of

Stickillen, Richardstown, Mosstown, Mapastown, Xallonstown and Charlestown.

It was to no avail that Barlow produced the warranty of Henry Moore of the city of Dublin.

In the following year, 1746, there was a further demand for recovery, by Foster

against Barlow, of the Mansion House of Ardee, with the demesne lands of the

Priory of St. John, the High Mill, the Low Mill, the Street of St. John, the chantry houses in Ardee that had belonged to the Priory (containing, in round figures, 50

messuages and 50 cottages), lands in Shanlis, Crossland, Ballygowan als. Shelly gowan als. Gawsland, Blakestown als. Blackstone, Mullaghcloe, Gwytherstown,

Cloodecacagh als. Cloodecagagh, Knockcaw als. Knock als. Knocksleave, the Black

Parke, the White Park, the Black Meadow, the Knockenny meadow, the chief




rent of ?1 6s. 8d. out of the Grange of Shanlis, the tithes of Shanlis, the tithes of

the vicarages of Mosstown als. Morestown als. Moorestown, Tallanstown, Charles

town als. Serieston als. Shorlestone and the Great and Small tythes of the parish of Ardee. We could not find the judgment given in this second action?it may

yet turn up?but we are inclined to think that it was settled by consent in the terms

of the deeds which follow.

THE FOSTERS. In the Books of Old Titles in the Land Registry Office, there is the record of a

memorial of lease and release (quadrupartite)?dated January 15th, 1746/7? between George Rochfort and Anthony Foster of the first part ; John Barlow of

the second part ; Henry Moore of the third part ; and William Foster of the fourth

part. It is a very long document, but the purport of it is that, in order to make an

effective tenant to the Precipe (freehold ?) of the several towns, lands, tythes, tene

ments, hereditaments, premises, etc., that are listed, and in consideration of 10/

paid by Barlow to Rochfort and Anthony Foster, all these estates have been "

bargained, sold and released "

to John Barlow "

then in actual possession "?

who is to hold the same for ever?but to the end that all these properties shall be

for the different uses intended before the deed was made. The property in question is described in full :

Mansion House of Ardee. Demesne of St. John's Priory. The High and Low Mills. The Street of St. John. All the St. John Chancery (Chantry ?) Houses in Ardee.

Manor, town and lands of Shanlis. Lands of Crossland and 15 acs. ploughland near Kildemock. Town and lands of Bally own als. Shallygown als. Gawsland. Town and lands of Blakestown or Blackstown. Town and lands of Mullaghcloe. Town and lands of Gwitherstown. Town and lands of Cloodacacagh. Town and lands of Knocktleave, als. Knocksleave als. Knocke. Black Park and White Park. Black Meadow. Land and meadow of Knockcunny. Chief Rent of ?1 6s. 8d. out of Grange of Shanlis with House and Park thereon. Great and small tithes out of manor, town, lands and parish of Shanlis.

,, ,, lands of Crossland. ,, ,, town and lands of Bally gown. ,, ,, parish of Ardee. ,, ,, town and lands of Mullacloe.

Great tithes of parish of Stickillen. ,, Richardstown. ,, Mosstowne.

,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Mapastowne. ,, Tallanstown. ,, Charlestowne.

Town and lands of Cappragh or Cabragh with great and small tithes. Rectorial tithes of Donaghmoyne, Co. Monaghan.

,, Magheracloone, ,, ,, Maghercloo, ,, Magherecrosse, ,, four parishes in Co. Tipperary. ,, one parish in Co. Carlow. ,, three parishes in Co. Wicklew.



482 COUNTY LOUTH ARCHAEOLOGICAL JOURNAL.

The different uses intended were that the annuities and rights of Lucy Moore

(or Parkinson), widow of William Moore, and of her two children, Henry and Mary, were first charge. After that, the property in Shanlis, Crossland, Kildemock,

Ballygowan, Stickillen, Richardstown, Mosstown, Mapastown, Tallanstown and

Charlestown were for the use of Anthony Foster and his heirs for ever, "

freed and

exonerated from all Crown, Quitt and Composition Rents, and from all Post Corn

Curates Sallaries Proxies repair of chancel and other charges and incumbrances "

which were all to be charged on the Mansion House of Ardee. The residue of the

property was for the use of John Foster and his heirs for ever.

We are told in the body of this deed, that the portion of the settlement that

dealt with the rights and annuities of the Moores was based on a quadrupartite

agreement of July 2nd, 1746, between Henry Moore of Lisnafin of the first part, Randall Moore of Mount Terrible of the second, Lucy Moore widow of William, her children Henry and Mary and Robert Parkinson of the third, and Anthony Foster of the fourth part.

The net result of this agreement of January 1746 ?y was that, apart from the

annuities to Lucy Moore and her two children, the only interest left to Henry Moore

in his ancestral estates was the chief rent from the Mansion House and some property

in the town of Ardee, and a rent of ?1 6s. 8d. out of Shanlis Grange.

As we have seen from the deeds, Henry Moore lived for a time at Lisnafin,

Co. Westmeath, and afterwards in Peter Street, Dublin. He died on March 20th,

1790, and left to his son, Lieut. William. Moore, part of arrears of rent due

out of parishes in Co. Monaghan ; and to his wife, Florinda, the arrears of rent

from all other sources. As we shall see, his interests in Ardee had airead}-7 been

disposed of.

RANDALL OF MOUNT TERRIBLE. It will be remembered that, by the deed of 1729, Randall was awarded ?2,152,

arrears of income, which was charged on certain parts of the estate. On July 29th,

1732, he mortgaged to John Foster of Dunleer, for ?1,000, not merely his interest

in the ?2,152, but all other interests left to him by the deed of 1714. This seemed

to simplify matters a good deal as it left everything in the hands of the Fosters

except the life annuities and Henry's small interest.

LATER TENURES. In 1747, by a quinquepartite deed, all the property in Co. Louth that belonged

to Anthony Foster was let to Stephen Sibthorpe of the city of Dublin?for ever,

subject to certain leases,?for the use of Anthony Foster. In the same year there

was an absolute sale by Anthony Foster, of his interest in the lands of Knockacleva,

to Henry Singleton?subject, however, to an old lease made by Brabazon Moore

to Alderman Edward Singleton of Drogheda. Details of other leases and sales are

given in the Books of Old Titles. A section of the Foster genealogical table is ap

pended :




Col. Anthony Foster of Dunleer

John Foster of Dunleer (d. 1747) j marr. Mary Fortescue of Newragh

Rt. Hon. Anthony Foster of Coll?n William Xhomas, Vicar of Dunleer

I_ ? d.1784 r~" i !

John (the Speaker) William, (Bp. Cork, Kilmore, Clogher) William, M.P.,

(His wife, Baroness Oriel ? marr. Catherine d. Rev. Henry Dunleer afterwards became

~ "~

ViscountessFerrar d )

Leslie of Ballvbav

John Leslie Foster William M.P. Louth, d. 1841 (Rector, Loughgilly).

LIEUTENANT WILLIAM MOORE.

The last slender link binding the Moores to Ardee was snapped in 1783 :

Dec. 12th, 1783. William Moore, Esq., Chapelizod, Co. Dublin, Lieutenant

in the Royal Irish Regiment of Artillery, sells for ever for ?500 to James Creed of

Dublin the Mansion House of Ardee, with the Streets of St. John and Winetavern

street and also all the Chancery (Chantry ?) houses in Ardee belonging to the Priory of St. John, the Park called John Allen's Park, the Park called Widow Ball's Park

commonly called Moore Hall (Park ?) and the Pidgeon Park thereunto belonging and the several parks in fields in and about the town of Ardee, and a chief rent of

?1 6s. od. out of the lands of Shanlis Grange?all in Co. Louth.

Witness : Henry Moore.

******

We have now traced, down to the end of the eighteenth century, the history of the property and lands with which pious founders of the Pre-Reform at ion Days had endowed the Hospital and Monastery of St. John of Ardee in order to give the

brothers of the Crouched Friars an opportunity for carrying out, to the fullest extent,

their works of charity and mercy among the sick and poor of Co. Louth. We would

like to trace the tenure of these lands down to the present day?but that is a task

for someone with more local knowledge of the neighbourhood of Ardee than we

can boast of. With the data supplied in this article as a starting point, some of our

solicitors?or even auctioneers?with historical or archaeological leanings could

easily write the last chapter. It is interesting to note, however, that part of the

immediate precincts of the monastery is again being devoted to purposes similar

to those for which the property was originally donated by pious benefactors. The

ground on which the Monastery was built, and on which the monks erected their

Hospital and Church, lay along the south bank of the river Dee, and is now traversed

by Bridge Street, Moore Hall and John Street. In earlier days there probably was no bridge crossing the river at the present site?nor a roadway dividing the

E




lands to the East and West of the modern Bridge Street. Xhe monastery buildings seem to have been on what is now Moore Hall yard?where four centuries later

they were converted into the Moore family residence?and to have stretched west

ward across the present Bridge Street. Xhe church must have been very close

to the site of the present Catholic Church, and the graveyard lay to the West of it, in what are now the gardens of John Street?properly St. John Street?which

got its name from the monastery. A ford crossed the river at the west end of John Street ; and still further west?beyond the Workhouse?there was a bridge which

had probably been in existence long before the monastery was built. And the

land adjoining Moore Hall on the east?the Convent Grounds, Speer's land, the

Christian Brothers' and Parochial House Grounds?were the fields and immediate

precincts of the monastery.



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The Moores of Ardee