Library Forum

Heck, even the lowly peasant gets a mention in the CSORP database at http://www.csorp.nationalarchives.ie/ (a full 4 pages !). Just look at this:

NAI REFERENCE: CSO/RP/1819/545
TITLE:Petition of Mary Kerin, widow, concerning her dispute with James Kenny, Archdeacon of Kilfenora, over tithes
SCOPE & CONTENT: Petition of Mary Kerin, widow, to Earl Talbot, Lord Lieutenant, Dublin Castle, requesting redress of her grievances, concerning her dispute with James Kenny, Church of Ireland Archdeacon of Kilfenora and rector of Ennistymon, County Clare. Describes dispute as originating with his seizure of her only cow, for payment of tithes. Describes Kenny's 'corrupt influence' and the actions of his 'unlawful Gang' against she and her family, including his intimidation of the local special bailiff, John Kerin. Petition certified by John Kerin, special bailiff, Ennistymond [Ennistymon] post office, County Clare.
EXTENT: 1 item; 4pp
DATE(S): [Dec 1819]
ORIGINAL REFERENCE: CSORP1819/K100

I dont think Mary Kerin can have been a lowly peasant. In the letter she writes that although a poor widow for 12 years she has married her daughters and educated her sons. (I think educating your sons may have been more than a peasant would have hoped for though better off farmers did educate their sons). She also says that she is earning her keep as a house keeper for her son and had but one cow. She has already taken the Rev James to court about the cow and got a judgement with costs which she is having trouble enforcing. She has sent men to drive off Rev Kennys stock and he has with his men retaliated to the sheriff John kerin. She cannot get a judgement against them with the local magistrate John Lysaght of Ballyvorda as he says he is related to James Kenny. Hence her petition. The means and effort she is putting into pursuing her case imply to me that she herself is educated and well connected

This document says Mary has been a widow for 12 years (in 1819) and has daughters and sons.
It gives Thomas McInerney as gardiner, Michael Spellicy as manservant and Tim Quely as herdsman all working for Rev. James Kenny.
Augustine Kerin, John Kerin and John Lysaght, Esq., Ballyvorda get a mention too.

http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclar ... n_1819.htm

Here is a transcript of the doc in the National Archives