PRONI HAS.... marriage settlements, wills, and papers bearing on Dawson family finance and general matters of title, 1682-1906, which include: feoffments granted by Richard Dawson 'of Anagh, Co. Monaghan', on the occasion of the marriage of his daughter, Frances, and Walter Dawson of Armagh, 1682; marriage settlements of John Dawson, eldest son of Walter Dawson of Armagh, and Elinor, daughter of James Dawson of Ballynacourty, Co. Tipperary, 1716, of James Dawson and Janet Fa[u]lkner, 1720, of Richard Dawson of Dublin, merchant, and Elizabeth Vesey, daughter of the late Archbishop of Tuam, 1723, of Ralph Dawson of Tamlaghtmore, Co. Tyrone, and Anne, daughter of John Walker of Liskyborough, Co. Armagh, 1734, of Thomas Dawson, later Viscount Cremorne, and Lady Anne Fermor, 1754, and of Richard Dawson, younger brother of Viscount Cremorne, and Anne, daughter of Sir Edward O'Brien, Bt, of Dromoland, Co. Clare, 1758, and papers relating to the marriage settlements of the Hon. Vesey Thomas Dawson and his elder brother, the 3rd Lord Cremorne, later 1st Earl of Dartrey, 1840-1841; wills and probates of members of the Dawson family, 1701-1897; mortgage from Rev. John Maxwell of 'Falkland', Co. Monaghan, to Alderman Richard Dawson of Dublin, on Maxwell's lands of 'Coolemulthilly', etc, Co. Monaghan, 1750; deeds relating to the charge of Colonel Charles Rawdon and Colonel John Dawson Rawdon on the Dawson estate, in consequence of the marriage of Colonel Charles Rawdon to Henrietta, niece of Viscount Cremorne, 1793-1849; rentals, correspondence and other papers relating to the Co. Monaghan property at Glaslough, Co. Monaghan, and elsewhere, of the late Rev. Francis Dawson, 1831-1842; mortgages, declarations of trust, schedules, etc, relating to the London town house in Stanhope Street, and the Irish estates in Cos Monaghan, Louth, Armagh and Waterford, of the 2nd and 3rd Lords Cremorne, 1820-1839; and deeds of settlement and trust relating to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Earls of Dartrey, 1875-1921. Title deeds, leases, etc The first group of title deeds, leases, etc, relate to lands in the baronies of Trough and Monaghan, Co. Monaghan, 1636-1844, and include: papers relating to Alderman Richard Dawson's purchase in 1748 of the lands of 'Fegullion', Drumcondra and 'Durnahinch', in the barony of Trough, 1663-1748; papers relating to the Cavan Cope estate, in the barony of Trough, bought in 1740 by Alderman Richard Dawson of Dublin, 1636-1742; title deeds and other papers relating to other Dawson purchases in the barony of Trough, 1640-1771; title deeds and other papers relating to Alderman Richard Dawson's purchase of lands of Tetoppa, in the barony of Monaghan, 1703-1748; conveyance from Robert Leslie of Glaslough to Alderman Richard Dawson of lands in the barony of Trough, 1737; purchase calculations of, and conveyance to, Alderman Richard Dawson of the lands of Ballynahone, Leitrim, Killeef, Tamlat, etc, 1743 and 1751; and expired leases of lands in the baronies of Trough and Monaghan, 1819-1844 Next come title deeds, leases, valuations, etc, relating to the Willoughby estate in the barony of Dartrey, Co. Monaghan, and in Co. Fermanagh, 1669-1867. They include: title deeds of the Willoughby/Montgomery family and their connections by marriage, the Coles of Florencecourt, Co. Fermanagh, some of them concerning lands in the barony of Dartrey which were bought by Alderman Richard Dawson, and all of them relating to lands in Co. Fermanagh, including the will of Nicholas Willoughby, 1669; the marriage settlements of Hugh Willoughby and Mary Anne Creighton, 1706, of John Cole and Florence Wray, of John Cole Junior and Elizabeth Willoughby, 1728, of Cromwell Price and Mary Willoughby Montgomery, 1741, and of Alexander Montgomery of Ballyleck, Co. Monaghan, and Catherine Willoughby Montgomery, 1746; papers relating to the letting of 'Carrow' demesne, 1746-1747; papers relating to Hugh Willoughby Montgomery's mortgage to Alderman Richard Dawson of Annaveagh and other lands in the barony of Dartrey, and in Co. Fermanagh, which were subsequently sold to Dawson, 1741 and 1745; conveyances, valuations, bonds, etc, relating to the sale to Alderman Richard Dawson by the husbands of the co-heiresses of the late Hugh Willoughby Montgomery of 'Carrow', of lands in Dartrey and Fermanagh, including a valuation of 'Carrow' demesne, and a survey of the Willoughby estate, 1746-1766; expired leases of most of the Dartrey lands purchased by the Dawsons from Hugh Willoughby Montgomery, 1702-1802; and title deeds and leases of 'Marnaharn' on the Willoughby estate in the barony of Dartrey, 1710-1867. A further group of title deeds, leases, legal papers, etc, 1654-1857, relate to the lands in the baronies of Dartrey and Cremorne, Co. Monaghan, specified in Cornet Richard Dawson's patent of 1667. These include: deeds of sale to Cornet Richard Dawson and his fellow-soldiers of debentures for lands in the baronies of Dartrey and Cremorne, 1654-1659; power of attorney to Cornet Richard Dawson from members of Colonel Robert Venables's troop of horse, authorising him to act for them in respect of their claims for payment in land, 1661, with a copy of the claim and a statement of the lands earmarked for Venables's troop, 1662, and further sales of lands to Dawson, 1662-1666; patent confirming to Dawson lands in the baronies of Dartrey and Cremorne, 1667; leases of Drumintin and Cassan, Co. Fermanagh, 1664-1749, of 'Dernamoyle' and Dyan, 1667-1720, of Dromore, which later became part of the Dawson Grove demesne, 1662-1719, of land in the parish of Aghnamullen, 1750, of tenements in the town of Drum, 1668-1844, of Drumgoole, 1668-1844, of Cordressogagh, Co. Cavan, 1668 and 1723, of Drumany, Mucklagh and Knockbane, 1669-1800, of Dromyarkin, Co. Fermanagh, 1676-1723, and of Racreeghan, 1857; legal case papers relating to the lawsuit, Francis Dawson -v- Francis Dawson, one of them the nephew of John Dawson of Dromore and the other his grandson, involving the lands of Dromore, 1764-1776; and papers relating to the Dawson title to Aghateeduff and Doohat, 1668-1773. There are also some title deeds, leases, rentals, etc, relating to lands in the same baronies (Dartrey and Cremorne), 1665-1867, acquired by the Dawson family subsequently, mainly between 1673 and 1750. Accounts, rentals, receipts and miscellaneous papers relating to the Dawson estates in Co. Monaghan, and to Co. Monaghan generally, 1674-1952, include: receipts to Richard Dawson of Annagh as sheriff of Co. Monaghan, 1674-1675 and 1686; a valuation of the barony of Dartrey for purposes of county cess and county presentments, 1700; Thomas Dawson's commission of the peace for Co. Monaghan, 1758; quit rent receipts to the 1st Lord Dartrey for his lands in the baronies of Cremorne, Monaghan and Trough, 1779-1791, and for lands in the barony of Dartrey, 1779, 1781-1783 and 1864; statement of accounts between Lord Dartrey and his agents, Edward and William Mayne, 1801; volume containing a verbal survey and rental of Lord Cremorne's Co. Monaghan estate, 1802; papers relating to the glebe of Ematris parish, 1826-c.1940; Irish Land Commission sale papers, Louth Assizes case papers, accounts and correspondence relating to the Dawson family estates, c.1880-c.1940; rentals and accounts between Captain C.A. Windham and Lady Edith-Anne Windham-Dawson, daughter and heiress of the 2nd Earl of Dartrey, and Messrs Martin & Brett, solicitors, Monaghan, relating to the Dawson family's remaining land in Louth and Monaghan, 1932-1952; and valuations, inventories, catalogues and other papers relating to Dartrey House and demesne, including papers concerning its assessment for rates and demolition in 1946, and other papers which relate to the financial background to these events, c.1931-1945. Louth estate papers The Louth estate is represented by title deeds, leases, etc, 1710-1872, mainly of the lands of Russellstown, Rathneestin, Tullyhorn, etc, purchased by Alderman Richard Dawson in 1753. These include: title deeds of Kilcurly in the barony of Dundalk, 1710-1771; title deeds and other papers relating to Arthurstown, etc, part of the estate of the Tenison family of Thomastown, which was mortgaged to Alderman Richard Dawson, 1710-1771; title deeds and other papers, 1710-1780, relating to the lands of Russellstown, Rathneestin, Tullyhorn, Roodstown, Richardstown, etc, sold by William Brownlow of Lurgan to Alderman Richard Dawson in 1753; Primate's leases to, and sub-leases from, the Dawsons/Cremornes of the lands of Corstown, Co. Louth, held under the See of Armagh, 1762-1836; quit rent receipts to Alexander Henry, Viscount Cremorne's Co. Louth agent, relating to lands in the barony of Ardee, 1784-1795; deeds of settlement relating to Tullyhorn which Viscount Cremorne settled on his niece, Henrietta Dawson, and the children of her marriage to Colonel Charles Rawdon, 1793-1818; letters to Colonel John Dawson Rawdon, MP, relating to Tullyhorn and Rathneestin, 1850 and 1853; Chancery bill relating to the cutting of turf on 'Booley', part of the 2nd Lord Cremorne's estate in the barony of Ardee, 1827; and orders of the Church Temporalities Commissioners relating to the tithe rent charge on the 1st Earl of Dartrey's property in the parishes of Dunbin and Stabannon, 1872 Armagh estate papers The Armagh estate is documented by title deeds, leases and other papers relating to tenements in Armagh city and to lands in Co. Armagh, chiefly the Blackwatertown estate in the parish of Clonfeacle, held under the See of Armagh, 1714-1872 and 1920. These include: legal opinion relating to the late Walter Dawson of Armagh's lease of the tolls and customs of the markets and fairs of Armagh, which Primate Lindsay declared invalid, 1714; Primate's leases to the Dawsons/Cremornes of lands in the territory of Clonfeacle, Co. Armagh, 1779-1836, and of tenements in Armagh city, 1795-1860; deeds of mortgage on tenements in Armagh city and on lands in Cos Armagh and Louth, held by the 1st Earl of Dartrey under the See of Armagh, 1872 and 1874; and Irish Land Commission and Estate Duty Office rentals of the Armagh estate of the late 2nd Earl of Dartrey, 1920 and 1921. Tipperary estate papers A small group of title deeds, etc, 1666-1851, relate to the lands of Abbeville, Lacken, etc, in the barony of Lower Ormond, Co. Tipperary, acquired by the Dawson family c.1850. They include: mortgages, deeds of settlement, Encumbered Estates Court abstract of title, etc, relating to the Abbeville estate and to the Hemsworth family, from whom it was purchased Waterford estate papers There are also title deeds, rentals, etc, 1687-1924, relating to the much more substantial manors of Templemichael [and Mountain Castle?] near Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, which were purchased by Alderman Richard Dawson from John, Earl Grandison in 1750. They include: leases, renewals, fee farm grants, etc, from the Grandison and Cremorne families, 1720-1924; accounts, rentals, writs, Chancery decrees, bills of costs, etc, 1751-1776, relating to the co-ownership of the Dawson and Holmes families of the property, which was partitioned in 1801; accounts between Viscount Cremorne and his Co. Waterford agent, Robert Mayne, and papers relating to the appointment of Mayne's successor, 1799-1804 and 1811; deeds, rentals and other papers relating to a mortgage of the Co. Waterford estate granted by the trustees of the 3rd Lord Cremorne, 1829-1842; deeds and papers relating to the conveyance by the 6th Duke of Devonshire to Lord Cremorne of the impropriate tithe rent charge on Cremorne's estate in the parishes of Kilgobnet, Colligan, Fews and Dungarvan, 1840-1841; and conveyances by the Church Temporalities Commissioners to Lord Cremorne, now 1st Earl of Dartrey, of the tithe rent charge on his estate in the parishes of Kilgobnet and Rossmire, 1872. Miscellaneous deeds there are a few miscellaneous title deeds, etc, to lands and property in Cos Cavan, Longford and Meath, and in Chelsea, 1639-1868 Dawson's Bank Papers of 1760 relate to Dawson's Bank, and to the measures taken by Richard and Thomas Dawson to provide security for the losses to its clients after its failure in that year. They include: deeds of trust, etc, making the debts of Dawson's Bank a charge on the Dawson estates in Cos Waterford and Armagh, 1760 and 1765; and papers of Richard and Thomas Dawson, possibly as executors or bankers of Daniel Cunningham, apparently of Messrs Cunningham & Beatty, wine merchants, 1768-1769 and 1778. Indentures of return The archive also includes the indenture of the return for the borough of Armagh, in 1847, of Colonel, later General, John Dawson Rawdon, son of Colonel Charles Rawdon and Henrietta Frances Dawson, and second husband of the 2nd Lord Cremorne's widow. The site of Armagh Roman Catholic Cathedral This summary omits one document which merits special mention and relates to the Co. Armagh estate, most of which (as has been seen) was held under the Church of Ireland Primate. It is a cancelled lease of 1840 (shortly afterwards replaced by a lease which was executed) from the 3rd Lord Cremorne/1st Earl of Dartrey to the Rt Rev. William Crolly, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh, of a part of the townland of Knockadrain called Desart as a site for the intended Catholic cathedral. The duration of the lease is 21 years and the rent is £700 a year. As with many Catholic churches erected post-1829, Armagh cathedral was built on an elevated site with the clear intention of dominating its Church of Ireland opposite number. Leases of non-urban property granted by the Church of Ireland ran for a maximum of 21 years, so the duration of the lease granted by Lord Cremorne implies strongly that the head landlord of the site was the Church of Ireland Archbishop. If this was the case, it is an amusing irony that the rival cathedral was built on the Church of Ireland Primate's land. This episode, though it relates to the Armagh estate, had its Co. Monaghan parallels. According to Peter McKenna, Lord Cremorne's first act after his coming-of-age in 1838 had been to grant a perpetuity lease of a site near Monaghan town for the building of a Roman Catholic seminary (apparently at a time when other Protestant landowners had been approached in vain with the same request), and he also gave a site and some money for the building of a local Catholic church at Monage, near Dawson Grove. Needless to say, these actions may have been motivated by political calculation quite as much as by religious tolerance