Irish Deeds 1717-1877
The Registry of Deeds was
begun in 1708 with the express purpose of registering property in order to
exclude Catholics from direct ownership. The Penal Laws which were not always
thoroughly enforced were not relaxed until 1782 so there are hardly any
Catholic records prior to that date. Luckily all the records are
intact and none were affected by the explosions in the national archives at the
Four Courts in 1922.
The
records are searchable with the help of two major indexes: one for surnames;
one for locations. The index based on surnames, "The Grantors' Index"
was begun in 1708 and is arranged by name of the Grantor - the person, or
persons, selling the property.
The index based on locations, "The Lands' Index" was begun in 1832. and can be searched by townland organised by either county
or barony. When a deed was signed
and witnessed a copy, "Memorial", was made and sent to the Registry of Deeds. These
memorials were then transcribed into the large ledgers which are now used for
genealogical research. Registration of a
deed usually happened within a month of the event. Although Registration was
recommended it was not a legal obligation so not every transaction was recorded.
Having
found a reference to a John Reilly amongst the Irish papers at the Society of
Genealogists, my
brother Mike and myself, visited the Registry of Deeds at Kings Inn Buildings,
1717 Reilly to Peppard Registered 1
February 1717 Noon.
Book 20 p211 10447
Deed of conveyance dated 20 December 1717 between Walter
Reily of Castletown, Kilpatrick Meath Gent one part and Jacob Peppard of the
City of Dublin Esq. Reciting whereas John Willett Gent son and heir of Richard
Willett late of Islington in the County of Middlesex in Great Britain dec’d did
by deeds of lease release bearing date 10 & 11 May 1708 in sum of £130
sterling to him in hand paid by the said Jacob Peppard Town & Lands of
Cloghmacae als Cloghmacone situate in the Barony of Mayergallen Meath. The said
John Willats Walter Reilly alleges the said Richd Willet did by indenture dated
27 February 1691 demise all his lands in the Kingdom of Ireland unto the said
John Willet his executors from the day next for 99 years And whereas the said Walter Reily also alleges
that the said John Willet by indenture dated 4 march 1691 in consideration of a
marriage to be soon afterwards between him the said John Willet and Hannah
Holford one of the daughters of Thos Halford Citizen and Baker of London and of
a marriage portion of £800 to him the said John Willet in hand paid did in the
lifetime of the said Richd Willet grand and assign for the term of 99 years
unto Humphry Willet of London Merchant to Wm Hunt Citizen and Haberdasher after
the deaths of the said John Willet and Hannah then in trust for the maintenance
and education of such child or children and the said John & Hannah are now
dead and left three daughters Mary, Hannah and Martha Willet to whom the
interest on the term of 99 years
Whereas the said Walter Reilly that married the said Mary Willet and in
her is entitled to one third part of the said term Walter Reilly has purchased
Martha’s part. Said Walter Reilly & Mary his wife or by the said Willet & John Reilly her husband Humphrey Willet & Wm Hunt [ended here
in my notebook]
1717 Reilly to Kean
[19/76/9707]
Deeds of lease and release indented bearing date 5
& 6 Sept 1717 between 1)John Reilly of the City of
Dublin Gent and Edward Kean of the same City Gent John
Reilly released in
sum £200 sterling formerly paid
by the said Edward Keen for which the
said John Reilly together with
Terence Reilly of the
sd City of Dublin Brewer effected unto him the sd Edward
Keen a bond and warrant of attorney
for confessing judgment bearing date 1 June 1714 of the
penalty of £400 was entered
in the Court of Common Pleas
Michelmas Term in the
second year of his majesty
......ground situate west side of Capell
street in the suburbs of the City of Dublin together with a
large Malt House erected by the said John Reilly inheritance
invested in the said John Reilly by virtue of deeds of lease and release by Thomas Pleasants of the
sd City
Alderman 30 June 1715
Also property on south side of
Abbey street and
Malt House and House late in possession
Mrs Lyons widow,
house late possession of Wm Dowy
Carpenter and all
said premises the sd John Reilly
hath by his indenture and lease of 5 March 1715 demised to
Thomas Duffy Gent
house late occupied by Widow Byers Abbey Street south
side 99 years
from 29 September 1711
Witnessed
Mem.Wit.
George Clanchy and William Cane 7 Sept 1717
1717 Reilly to White Registered 23
December 1717 at 4 pm [20 p184 1025]
5 & 6 December 1717 between Walter Reily of
Castletown Kilpatrick in Meath Gent and Mary Reily als
Willet his wife of the one part and James White of Pitchford Kildare. Witnessed by Hugh Reilly of Ballenlogh in
County Westmeath Esq. and Michael Byrne of the City of
1718 [21/554/12486]
Memorial of a deed poll dated 2 January 1718 registered
the 19 Dec 1718 Henry Arkwright
of Dublin Esq. at the request of Thomas
Jackson of same City consideration sum of £330
to be paid to John Reilly on
a tenement wherein
Terence Reilly Brewer then
dwelled situate in Proper Lane in Oxmantown
in the suburbs of this City all the
Malthouses Brewhouses and outhouses belonging to Henry Arkwright
Wit.
1723 Reilly to Reilly registered
7 November l732 before noon [71/107/49314]
Mem and indenture deed of assignment of a
lease for which deed bears date 6
November 1732 between
John Reilly of
Wardhill als Hill of Ward in County Meath Gent John
Reilly of the City of Dublin Esq. land called Agheivee
in Cavan a
lease made between Thos.Nesbit
of Lismore Cavan
and John Reilly of Ward Hill
Witn by Rich Nugent of
1733 Earl of Fingall to Reilly [Book 75 page 214 52631]
Earl of Fingall to Reilly Registered 11 day February
1733.
Indenture and lease dated 4 January 1733 between
Justin Plunkett commonly called the Rt Hon Earl of Fingall on the one part and
Walter Reily of Castletown in Meath Gent of the other part Demise sell and farm let unto Walter Reily
his executors all that and those the Town Lands of Robinstown with its
appurtenances situate in the Manor of Killiskear and County of Meath 250 acres
of plantation and as now held by John Reilly and his under tenants for 99 years
from 1 November 1732 yearly rent of £75.12s.
Witnessed
1740 Macartney to Reilly Reg 10 Feb 1740 5pm [103/72/70686]
Memorial of a declaration of Trust dated 9 Feb. 1740 made
by Wm.Macartney of Newrath Meath yeoman
and Martha Reilly
of Robinstown Meath
widow and relict
of John Reilly
decd reciting that Wm. Macartney
7 Feb 1740 did exhibit his bill
in the Chancery side of his Majesties Court of Exchequer
in Ireland against Martha Reilly
Hugh Reilly of
Ballinlough in Westmeath Esq. and others as a protestant
discoveries for the recovery of the benefit of the lease of
Robinstown aforesaid and the several
leases made thereof as by the said
Bill may appear by which said
declared and trust
by Wm. Macartney acknowledged
confessed declared that the said Bill so
styled by his was and is in Trust and for the sole use and
benefit and behoofe of Martha
Reilly and thereby by his
administration declared covenant and agreed to and
with the said
Martha Reilly her adms that on obtaining a decree in the said cause he the said Wm Macartney will convey
and assign such decree
or decrees to Martha Reilly and will at
any time or
times hereafter execute and
effect such writing deed conveyance for
the purpose aforesaid as council learned on the law on behalf of Martha Reilly herself shall
reasonably advise devise
or require him Macartney
shall not at
any time or
times hereafter consend to have
the said Bill dismissed or in any
manner release or put a stop to the
said Bill without
the consent first hand in writing
from the said Martha Reilly and thereby the said Wm Macartney bound him his
heirs executors and administrators to the Martha Reilly her executors and administrators
£2000 sterling to perform covenant promise and agreement
and appoint authorize
and empower Martha Reilly as his
true lawful prevocable attorney
Witnessed by Hugh Reilly of Castletown Meath Thomas Walshop
Dublin yeoman 9 Feb l740
1743 Reilly to Reilly as above [110/196/76547]
John of Ward
Hill and John Reilly Dublin
registered 18 May 1743
Wit Rob't Farrell of
City
1744
Lucas & Reilly Registered 3 July 1744 [116/27/793l6]
Dated 21.2.1743 Between Lucas and John Reilly Dublin
gent mentioned land but not in Robinstown.
1752 Dillon to Dillon
[159/99/106129] Registered 30
December 1752 at 3pm [183/514/123700] 1752
Richard Dillon of Dillonsgrove in
1755 Reilly to Reilly [178/270/118855] Registered 12
November 1755 at 11 a.m.
Indenture Deed dated 3 November 1755 between Hugh
Reilly Ballinlough Westmeath Esq. executor of Walter Reilly late of Castletown,
Kilpatrick Meath gent dec’d, Martha Reilly widow and administrator of John
Reilly late of Robinstown Meath Gent deceased, John Reilly Dublin Gent, Willet
Reilly of Mulligar Westmeath Merchant
1757 Reilly to Reilly [188/242/125400] Registered 9 August 1757 at 6 pm
Reilly to Reilly
Dated 4 December 1755
1) Martha Reilly of Robinstown in Meath widow
2) John
Reilly City of Dublin Gent the eldest son of the said Martha Reilly
reciting whereas George Edmond Howard of the City
of Dublin Esq. by his Indenture lease bearing date 4 December 1755 sum of £800 to
him advanced and
paid by Willet
Reilly of Mullingar in County
Westmeath Merchant demised and set unto Willet Reilly all that those town and
lands of Robinstown 400 acres in parish of
Kilskeer Meath at
a yearly rent
of £246.l5s payable half yearly
Witnessed: Chapman Huddleston Harper Horvey both of
Memorial wit. Chapman
Huddleston and Cooper Carr.
1758 Reilly to Reilly [199/474/132976]
Memorial indented deed of mortgage bearing dated 4 September 1758 between Jn Reilly of City of
Dublin gent Martha Reilly of the sd City widow reciting transfer and
make over unto Martha Reilly all the
townlands of Robinstown
252 acres situate in the Parish
of Killskeer Meath term of
3l years granted by George Edmond Howard of the City
of Dublin Esq. to Willet Reilly of Mullingavin Westmeath merchant lease dated 4
December 1755 subject to Jn Reilly paying unto Martha Reilly the yearly sum of £40 by half yearly
payments during her life
witnessed by Harper Harvey Dublin
gent Chas.Farrell
Doc of Physk 21 July 1759
1759 Reilly to Brown Registered 20
June 1759 at 5pm [200/72/132581]
A memorial lease dated 20 June 1759 between John
Reilly of the City of Dublin Gent
of the one part, and Anthony Brown of Dysartaly in Westmeath, Gent, whereby
the said
John Reilly demised unto the said
Anthony Browne all that and those the town and land or Robinstown
containing 395 acres
in the Parish of Kilskeer Meath to hold unto the
said Anthony Brown his exec. and adm. 1
May 1759 for 26 years yearly
rent of £296.l5s payable half
yearly on 1 Nov and 1 May.
Witnessed Christopher Abbot Dublin
writing clerk was this morning signed
and sealed by
John Reilly in the presence of Christopher Abbott & Thos Dollard 20
May 1759 at 5 pm.
1790 Reilly to Cruise [427/4/277022]
6 September 1790 John Reilly City of Dublin Yeoman
on the one part Joseph Cruise of the City of Dublin Esq. of the other part
reciting that whereas Hugh Reilly late of Newgrove in the County of Meath Esq.
dec’d did in his last will executed 6 October 1784 amongst other legacies and
bequests bequeath unto John Reilly by the name of the one of the children of
sister Honora the sum of £100 the will did nominate and appoint ….Corbet his
niece Mary Reilly the legacy of £100 was signed over by John Reilly and Joseph
Cruise. Witnessed K J Doherty
Daniel McNamara
1793 Glaman to Nugent 24 May 1793 [480/316/304667]
Mary Glanman widow exec. of Thomas Glanman
William Nugent of Ushers Quay butter
merchant lands Hartstown
and Coatstown Meath held and
possessed by Hugh George O'Reilly
and Fran's Reilly to hold to
William Nugent for l0 years yearly rent
of £500 paid 1 May and 1 Nov between
landlord and tenant duly
executed by Mary Glanman and William Nugent wit Hugh
George O'Reilly George Cullen Timothy O'Brien City of Dublin gents
Memorial wit. Timothy O'Brien Robert Walsh Monday
6 March 1794 1pm
1797 Donaldson to Reilly Deed
23 October 1797 [512/156/333097]
Between Richard Donaldson Esq. a Major in His
Majesties Ninth Regt. of Dragoons of the first part Maria Rebecca Reilly
of the City of
Signed in presence of
JoshCruise City Dublin Esq. Mary Reilly
of New Row
Co. Meath
spinster dated 20 December 1797.
1806 Reilly to Donaldson [580/194/393868]
Deeds and lease release 7 and 8th April
1806 made between Thos.Reilly of Bury
St. Edmunds in
Suffolk England Esq. Richard Donaldson of Clonmellon Co.
Westmeath in Ireland Esq. indenture articles of agreement 5 April
1806 made between Richard Donaldson and Maria Rebecca
his wife and Thos.Reilly of the other
part of lands of Hartstown and Coatstown to said Richard Donaldson his heirs
etc without impeachment of waste as to
trees or timber yearly rent of £400 British
currency. This Memorial witnessed
by E.Sparke of Bury
St.Edmonds and James Menzies Dublin Gent attorney.
Thomas Reilly in presence of James Menzies and E. Sparke 1 pm Wednesday 3 July
1806
1815 Reilly to
Donaldson dated 17
May 1815 [690/67/474015]
Between Thos.Reilly then late of Bury St.Edmonds in
Thomas Reilly is witnessed by James Menzies of the City
of
1830 Donaldson others to Reilly Registered 27.1.1830 [855/73/571074]
Indenture deed
of assignment dated
20 Jan 1830
between Richard Donaldson formerly of Tullogland (?Tulloghand) Meath
and lately of Tours in France but now of Clonmellon Westmeath Esq. Fleming Pinkerton
O'Reily formerly of
Tullogland in Co. Meath but now
of Thornhill in Co.
Dublin Esq. whereby indenture dated l5.5.1729 between the
Rev. Jonas Elwood city of Dublin Clerk and
Hannah Elwood als
Willett his wife granted to Philip Whittingham of
Castletown Kilpatrick Meath all the
lands in the lower part of the town
and lands of Castletown Kilpatrick 104 acres etc,etc.
to hold to the said Philip Whittingham
£800 reciting indenture dated 12 June 1744 Jonas Elwood and
Hannah his wife
in consideration £300 granted and leased ... pay back by June
1744 made between Rev. Michael Whittingham Kilpatrick
Meath Clerk eldest son and heir and administrator of the
Rev. Philip Whittingham then
dec'd first part said
Rev. Jonas Elwood and
Hannah Elwood and Margaret Elwood the daughter and only
surviving issue of the sd Jonah Elwood
by Hannah Elwood als Willett his late
wife 2nd part Thos.Seclife and
Hannah his wife 3rd
part Joseph Fade
?servant? of the
Leity of Dublin
Merchant Robert McMaster of the said Leity 4th part Reciting
there was due to Michael Whittingham
£1200 paid by
Joseph Fade, Robert McMaster by consent of Michael Scaife
and Hannah his wife and Jonas Elwood Hannah and Mary Elwood Townlands
and Premises deed dated 15 May 1729 and 12 June 1741 and
the same deed now recited further witnesses that the said Jonas Elwood
Hannah and Margaret Elwood grant unto Joseph Fade & Robert McMaster 20
August 1751 made
between said l)Rev.Robert
McMaster 2)Thomas Murtree 3)
Rev.Jonas Elwood Robt
Donaldson of Possextown Meath Farmer and Hannah Donaldson
als Elwood his wife and Margaret Elwood
spinster which said
Hannah and Margaret were the daughters and only surviving
children of the said Jonas Elwood
by Hannah Elwood als Willett his late decd wife of 3rd part and the Hon Major
General Thos.Bligh of the Leity
of city Dublin 3rd part 1 June 1744 on or about
15 June l77l said Thos.Bligh duly made and published
his last Will bequeathed unto his
brother Robert Bligh sole exec.
of all his personal
estates probate granted
6 Sept 1776 bequeathed to his youngest son Robert
Elphin Bligh appointed George Sealy of Bandon Co. Cork and
Edward Tighe Leity
of Dublin Exors and Edward Tighe
duly died having first willed appointing George William
Tighe exor. which same
George Wm.Tighe who declined and omitted to dispose of
the goods and chattels of the
said Thomas Bligh & Rev. Robert Blighe and admon. was
granted to Charles Hamilton about 26 May
1820 it was then vested in the said Rich. Donaldson for the term of his
natural life was then vested in the said
Francis Willet Hopkins his heirs
and assigns 1 Aug 1820
between Thomas Cherbourgh Blighe
of Buttes Meath elder son of Robert Bligh
who was the only brother and heir of major Gen.Thomas
Bligh the land passed to Fleming
O'Reilly executed by
Richard Donaldson in the presence
of Hugh O'Reilly
and William Donaldson of
Blessington Street Dublin Esq. Richard
Donaldson 27 Jan l830.
1833 Donaldson to
Between Richard Donaldson of Clonmellan Co Westmeath Esq. of the lst part Robert Donaldson of
Clonmellan in Co.Westmeath Eldest Son
of Richard Donaldson
of the 2nd
part the Rev.Cornelius Marshall
of Catlage in Co.Tyrone Clerke of the 3rd part James Jackson Marshall of
Molesworth St.Dublin Esq. 4th part - they the said Richard
Donaldson Robert Donaldson for the consideration will
consign to the
above Cornelius Marshall during
the natural life of Robert
Donaldson yearly rent
£25.15s 8d lawful
money of Gt.
Britain Townlands Hartstown
Coatstown 502 acres 38 perches
profitable land 32 acres 2 roods
unprofitable land in the barony of
Demifere Parish of Kellallan Co.Meath also all the town and lands
of Hartstown and Coatstown.
1835 Donaldson O’Reilly Memorial [1836/4/274]
8 Feb 1835 Reg 2 March l836 between Thomas Cherbourg
Bligh of Brittas in Co. Meath Esq. eldest son then
at law of
Robert Bligh eldest son then at
law of Hon Maj. Gen. Thos. Bligh
who was eldest son etc of the Hon Major Gen Thos Bligh formerly of
Brittas of the lst part Fleming
Pinkerton O'Reilly of
Mountjoy Sq Co. Dublin Esq. of the 2nd part Thos Donaldson and
William Donaldson both of Eccles St, Dublin Esq. in the
3rd Robert Donaldson of Kingstown
Co. Dublin Esq. 4th part. Fleming
Pinkerton O'Reilly released to Robert
Donaldson all that those one full and undivided moiety
or half
part of the
whole unto two equal parts being considered as divided et al of those the lower part of
town and lands
of Castletown Kilpatrick containing 104 acres profitable
land 4 acres bog + Stokes Quarter containing 33 acres 3 roods profitable lands
2 acres 3 rods & 5 perches bog all situate
in the parish
of Kilpatrick Barony of
Morgallion Co. Meath + l moiety or half
part of all other lands in part recited ?mandris? at
1 Aug 1827 and 17 Jan 1830 or
either of them to
hold the land Robert
Donaldson his heirs
forever discharged from
the mortgage to the executors by
Fleming Pinkerton O'Reilly.
1836 Donaldson
Memorial 9 Feb 1836 Reg 2 March 1836
[1836/4/275]
Between Robert Donaldson of Kingstown Co. Dublin Esq.
and Jane Donaldson Cruise his wife
lst part Thomas
Donaldson and William Donaldson of Eccles St in Co. Dublin Esq.
in the
2nd part and Joseph Francis
Hopkins of Possextown Co. Meath 3rd The said Robert Donaldson Jane Donaldson
Thomas and William Donaldson did grant release etc to
Joseph Francis Hopkins all that and those
the undivided moiety at the lower part of
the town and lands of Castletown
Kilpatrick containing 104 acres
profitable land 1 acre 2 roods bog
situate in parish
of Castletown Kilpatrick Barony of Morgallen Co. Meath to hold to the said Joseph Francis Hopkins for ever
and the
same Jane Donaldson did
by manor deed
with consent from
Robert Donaldson her husband
release etc undivided moiety
of the said lands of Castletown Kilpatrick l2 Nov
l827 - which said deed as to the executors by the
said Robert Donaldson Jane Donaldson Thos and William Donaldson witnessed by ?
Nicholas
1877 28/2 O’Reily Dewar Knill Registered 27/6/1877
Indenture dated 16/6/1877 endorsed on an indenture dated 18/7/1876 [1876 33/146] between 1, Nicholas Shelton O'Reilly; 2, Stuart
Knill, Crossletts, Blackheath and David
Erskine Dewar, 36 Spencer Square, Ramsgate concerning a sum of £9230. 15s 5d
with interest from 18/1 last was then owing in the security of the therein
within mentioned indenture of 16/8/1846 and of the therein and within written indenture .... the Nicholas Shelton O'Reilly did grant to Stuart Knill and David Erskine Dewar their
heirs etc the lands etc vested in the said Nicholas
Shelton O'Reilly.
Witnesses included 1, Sarah Thorpe, Southpool,
Torquay spinster; 2, Frederick John Smith and George Goddard clerks to Ward,
Mills, Witham and Lambert solicitors.
Notes:
[Another distinguished branch of
the O’Reilly family lived at Ballinlough County Meath. They are said to be
descended from Felim grandson of Grolla Iosa Ruadh who was treacherously
captured at Trim in 1447 by Sir John Talbot and died there of the plague
towards the close of the year. Felim’s son John lived at Ross Castle an
O’Reilly stronghold on Loch Sheclin from which he was evicted by the English. He then went to live at Kilsheel where his
grandson John married
Deeds looked at Index 126 1786-93 which were not relevant to John Reilly
420/110/274359: 421/188/274260: 422/241/275961; 422/242/275962:
424/299/276283; 424/396/276449; 427/4/277022
Sarah Tanner 2014