Add MS 89177/9/4

Papers relating to tenants of the Marquis of Clanricarde’s Portumna and Woodford estates in County Galway, Ireland, papers concerning the family seat of Portumna Castle, and other papers.

Includes:

Memorial of 19 October 1885 from Portumna tenants, signed by around 120 of them, requesting abatement of thirty per cent in rents (items 2 and 3); memorial from Woodford mountain tenants of 19 February 1881 to J H Blake, agent (item 31), and appeal of 31 July 1882 (item 33) from the same tenants, referring to their memorial of winter 1880 (perhaps item 30), to which they did not get a reply, and reiterating the conditions they have endured; and appeal for sympathy for the arrears situation of 30 tenants of Craughwell of 24 October 1882 (item 28).

Papers relating to Conry's Appeal in group of huts case: certificate of dismissal of 2 February 1894 (item 5); typewritten copy of letter from Edward Tener of 24 January 1894, detailing the need to get possession of the Blacksmith's Forge (item 6). (See also Add MS 89177/9/9 for papers relating to Conry’s appeal).

Various papers, such as rate sheets and printed abstracts relating to the Portumna and Loughrea Unions. [See also Loughrea Union rate estimate sheet in Add MS 89177/9/8].

Letter from John I Burke, Chicago, Illinois, regarding suggestion of the creation of a manufacturing city as a means of solving the Irish employment problem, with the support of the landlords as shareholders (item 18).

Letter of 12 December 1881 from Patrick Killeen, 103 High Street, Peckham, requesting lease of parent's farm, in parish of Meelick, County Galway, Ireland (item 22).

List of proposals for vacant farms at Portumna with offers and comments compiled by J H Blake at the Rent Office, 9 May 1876 (item 24).

Letter addressed to 'Dear Hibby' from family member regarding Irish tenants (item 26), relating to letter of 17 December 1879 from tenants of two mile ditch, a memorial requesting that the family use their influence with Clanricarde (item 27).

Correspondence of 1874 to1876 largely between J H Blake and James Timmons, regarding Timmons’ proposals to take over the gardens at Portumna Castle, including accounts of expenses and receipts, draft memorandum of agreement and terms, and detailed accounts of work done (items 35 to 41).

Letter of 4 June 1876 from Lord Sligo regarding payments to coachmen (item 21).

And abstracts of labour at Portumna Castle from March and May 1881 (items 8 and 32).