Hi Lester, the term free burgess is really redundant. Burgess means a free man. I don't believe that it was an "office" but a status of a man. A freeman had the right to vote for the members of the Irish parliament and may have had other privileges including the right to "own" land rather than lease. When I have a minute I will try to find out more about the rights and privileges if I can, but I think that will give you a direction. Janet ----- Original Message ----- From: <IrPalatine@aol.com> To: <WEXFORD-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, July 09, 2000 9:16 AM Subject: [WEX] Re: WEXFORD-D Digest V00 #83 > In a message dated 07/09/2000 9:06:41 AM Central Daylight Time, > WEXFORD-D-request@rootsweb.com writes: > > > reojan@home.com > > Hopefully you can help me with a definition. Two of the Hartricks in New > Ross were listed in 1839, as "Free Burgesses of Ross." Would you be so kind > as to give me a thumbnail description of the office and it's responsibilities. > > Lester J. Hartrick > > Visit the Hartrick Clan Website at: > http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~hartrickclan > > > ============================== > Personalized Mailing Lists: never miss a connection again. > http://pml.rootsweb.com/ > Brought to you by RootsWeb.com. >