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©Tithe
Composition Applotment Records 1833
The
term "Tithe" usually means a tax of one tenth of the profits from
farmed land.
The system of Tithes goes back to the time of the Babylonians.
It is mentioned in Genesis (14: 18-20)... "... and Abraham gave him a Tithe
of everything...". In continental Europe, Charlemagne (Charles the Great)
742-814, made such a payment state law. In England, tithes were demanded by
Pope Adrian (1st) from all lands except those belonging to the Church and Crown.
In Scotland, 1494, "The Vicar of Tain derived most
of his income from the Garbal (tithe of the grain) of the lands and touns of
Cambuscurrie, Morangie and Tarlogie which by the eve
of the Reformation had become very lucrative incomes".
In Ireland, Tithes had been imposed
on Agricultural produce and was levied on each occupier of land and had to be
yielded up, by all denominations, for the upkeep of the established Protestant
Church which was the Church of Ireland.
The procedure to have the Tithes collected, "in kind" for the Church
of Ireland became very unpopular. Under this system an agent for the Church
went around each year, inspected the crops and calculated the proportion of
each crop that was due.
From
1736, grazing land was exempted but this benefited mostly landlords. Henry Grattan
campained for a more just system but only succeeded in securing an exemption
of Tithes on Reclaimed Land for 7 years. The Tithe Composition Act 1823 attempted
to reform the collection system by converting the Tithe into a yearly fixed
payment of money rather than being paid "in kind". Two Commissioners
were appointed for each Parish to ascertain the amount and quality of land held
by each individual and to establish the amount of Tithe which should be paid.
The amount payable was calculated on the average price of Wheat and Oats over
the seven year period from 1816 to 1823. Disputes
and resentment continued, leading to the "Tithe wars" 1831-1836.
Tithes were abolished by the Tithes Commutation Act 1838, and instead, the actual
amount of Tithe was merged with the rent and collected by the Landlord on behalf
of the Church of Ireland. This process ceased with the dis-establishment of
the Church of Ireland in 1869.
The
Tithe Commissioners surveyed the Parish of Killygarvan in 1833 and record:
"Aughterlin
- Dohertystown" :
Philip Doherty, Hugh Doherty, Edward
McDaid & Mary Coyle, as occupying 106 acres 3 roods and 38 perches of land.
(Cunningham Acre =6250 sq.yards (1.2913 statute acres).
Note: Hugh Doherty acquired Mary Coyles land and McDaids was bought by my father, William Doherty in the 1950's. Philip Doherty (Hugh Pheilemy) was succeeded by grandson Stephen Duffy (1925-1999) and Stephen's niece, Donna(nee Sheridan) Devine inherited the property.
Placenames
As used by the Tithes Commissioners, 1833 in Parish
of Killygarvan:
Aughavennon, Balliboe, Anny Far, Anny Near,
Aughterlin, ( Boyles Town, Dohertys Town, Garnahallaway,
Priest Town, Coyles Town, Divers Town, Cannings Town,
Healys Town),
Ballialligan, Ballinamullen & Crieveoughter, Clondallin West, Clondallin
East, Carnafeagh, Crieve, Crucknageeha, Craig, Cravery, Drummur, Drumhallagh
Lower, Drumhallagh Upper, Drum, Faltaghs, Glebe, Gortcross, Gortflugh, Glencross,
Gortlough, Inniskil, Killygarvan Lower, Killygarvan Upper, Kerridone, Kinniger,
Kintale, Killycolman, Kinleteragh, Lougher, Laghardan Far, Laghardan Near, Mullinlaghan,
Marnakilly, Meenreagh, Newtown, Portbawn, Rindroe, Rathmullin, Saltpans, Skeog.