http://libtext.library.wisc.edu/HistPriSrc/ Via the above, use simple search and enter the phrase 'Cess Payers' This will get you to an article titled "Guardian of the poor / The Irish peasant: a sociological study", London: S. Sonnenschein & Co., 1892 It appears to me that they are members of a committee that awards contracts for community projects such as road repair, making drains,... -- Cheers, Colin Ferguson