Copyright ©2010.

©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 Coyle’s 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.