History of the Diocese of Meath (vol. 1)

Each story keeps the passage it was read from. Open one to read the passage as the book has it, and, where the companion has written its own telling, that too.

1. Glebe at Rathfeigh detained by the parishioners

   Rathfeigh · townland · Meath · 1622

   At Rathfeigh, between Ratoath and Kentstown, fifteen acres of glebe land were reported as being detained by the parishioners themselves rather than returned to the church.

   Read the passage

   The bishop notes several instances in which houses and lands belonging to the church had been seized by laymen, and seemingly there was no redress to be had. In Rathfeigh (between Ratoath and Kentstown) there were fifteen acres of glebe " now detained by the parochians." In Ardbraccan, under the very eyes of the bishop, there was no glebe house, for although there was " a manse house commonly called the vicarage house/' it had been taken from the parson, and " now his majesty's f armor of the impropriacon

   246 HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF MEATH

   Internet Archive historyofdiocese01healiala, Chapter 124

2. Prebend of Galtrim recorded in Vatican Records

   Galtrim · townland · Meath

   The Vatican Records mention a 'prebend of Galtrim', evidence of an apparent attempt to establish a chapter structure in the diocese similar to other Irish dioceses.

   Read the passage

   themselves, they were always ready to apologise, to make excuses, and to pray for pardon, well knowing that it was often politic for the King to overlook their offence, particularly as their action was in all probability taken with the connivance of the government officials in Ireland. There seem to have been attempts from time to time to reduce the number of the electors. Although there was no cathedral, the State Papers mention twice a " prebend " of Skryne, to which " James of Spain, cousin of Queen Alienor, Queen of England," was appointed in 1283 ; and the Vatican Records tells us of a " prebend of Galtrim." This would seem like an attempt to form a Chapter, similar to that which existed in other dioceses, but it does not appear to have been very successful. It is by no means probable, however, that the whole body of the clergy were ever allowed a real voice in the choice of a bishop. The second party was the Archbishop of Armagh. He had the right of consecrating the Bishop of Meath, because he was one of the prelates belonging to his province, and this was supposed to give him a certain power of veto and of interference if there seemed to be any doubt as to the validity of the election. Of one of these archbishops it is said that " he was an inveterate enemy to such Englishmen as were preferred to bishoprics in this kingdom, and laid them under all the difficulties in his power." We shall see presently how he stretched his prerogative so far as to consecrate his own nominee in defiance of both King and Pope.

   The third party was the King. He required and endeavoured to enforce that his licence should be obtained before any election was held, and he generally had some nominee of his own that he wished to advance ; for it was a matter of importance to him that the bishop

   Internet Archive historyofdiocese01healiala, Chapter 39

3. Rector of Paynestown and Multifarnham licensed to live in England

   Fearbranagh or Multyfarnham · townland · Westmeath · 1615–1622

   Gilbert Purdam, rector of Paynestown and Multifarnham, two parishes far apart in the diocese, held the King's licence to remain in England for his health, making him the only clergyman listed as non-resident in both the 1615 and 1622 visitation reports.

   Read the passage

   benefice sequestrated. At Strokestown, in the same neighbourhood, the rector, Robert Burton, is reported as " homo otiosus et indignus " as well as nonresident. He, too, was deprived, and a curate was appointed to perform the duties of the parish. In several other cases it is the same. But action such as this was of no avail if the successors of these deprived clergy were not bound to a stricter performance of their duty. That it was possible so to bind them was practically demonstrated shortly afterwards by Bishop Bedell in the neighbouring diocese of Kilmore. But Bishop Montgomery proved himself very lax in this respect, and so we find that in 1662 there were many of the Meath clergy who lived in England, or in distant parts of the country, and who sometimes made most inadequate provision for the performance of their duty. Comparing the two lists we find only one name returned in both as nonresident, Gilbert Purdam, Rector of Paynestown and Multifarnham, two parishes almost as far asunder as they could be in the diocese, who had the King's licence to remain in England for the sake of his health. All the cases of non-residence, therefore, which are noted in the Report of 1622, except this one, are due to the permission or connivance of Bishop Montgomery. At the conclusion of Bishop Montgomery's Report we are told that " the number of preachers in this diocese is 35, resident 3. The number of reading ministers is 40." This proportion of preachers to readers is about the same as in 1622. The preaching ministers were more efficient, and better educated than the readers, and it is worthy of notice that it is amongst these that we have the greater number of non-residents. Three residents out of thirty-five was certainly an appalling state of things. In this respect

   230 HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF MEATH

   Internet Archive historyofdiocese01healiala, Chapter 118

4. Rectory of Trim held by Bishop Robert Draper

   Trim · town · Meath · 1600–1620

   The rectory of Trim, with four churches annexed, was worth about £150 per annum and held by Robert Draper, an ancient master of arts and learned preacher who kept hospitality and remained resident.

   Read the passage

   The rectory of Trym, with four churches annexed to it, hath likewise sustained some decay in this rebellion, but is worth per ann. about £150 sterling. Incumbent, Mr. Robert Draper,2 an ancient master of arts, a learned preacher, and a

   2 Robert Draper was also Bishop of Kilmore, and on account of the poverty of his See, was given the Parish of Trim to hold in commendam with his bishopric.

   Internet Archive historyofdiocese01healiala, Chapter 112

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Trim in Meath, this was the rectory held by Robert Draper, an ancient master of arts and a learned preacher. The rectory had four churches annexed to it and was worth about £150 a year, though it had sustained some decay in the rebellion.

5. Vicarage of Ardnurcher left waste

   Ardnurcher · townland · Westmeath · 1600–1620

   The vicarage of Ardnurcher, once valued at £50 in time of peace, had by this account become almost entirely waste, with no incumbent serving there.

   Read the passage

   The vicarage of Ardnurcher, in time of peace valued at £50, now in a manner it is quite waste. No incumbent. The King's Majesty, patron.

   There are besides in the Diocese of Meath about 30 or 40 other vicarages and rectories, some few of 40 marks, some of £20, and some of 20 marks or £10 yearly value, filled, especially in East Meath, by English-reading ministers, and some of the country birth, born in the Pale, which shall be compelled to do some good in their churches. But the greatest number of churches in the Diocese of Meath (about 120) belonged to the suppressed abbeys and religious houses and so the tithes are come to His Majesty's hands and are for the most part granted to Papists by lease for years, or in fee farm, who place curates of their own choosing, without sufficient maintenance ; neither do they keep in repair (as they are bound by their estates) the chancels of their churches, which is a thing the Bishop cannot remedy, being debarred to sequester the fruits of their impropriate parsonages.

   Internet Archive historyofdiocese01healiala, Chapter 112

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere close to Ardnurcher there was a vicarage that in time of peace was valued at 50 pounds. By this account it is, in the source's words, "quite waste." There is no incumbent. The King's Majesty is the patron. The wider picture in the Diocese of Meath is grim. About 30 or 40 other vicarages and rectories remain filled, some worth 40 marks, some 20 pounds, some as little as 10 pounds a year, many served by English-reading ministers or men born in the Pale. But around 120 churches belonged to the suppressed abbeys and religious houses. Their tithes have come to His Majesty's hands and are mostly granted to Papists by lease, who place curates of their own choosing without sufficient maintenance and do not keep the chancels in repair, a thing the Bishop cannot remedy.

6. Bishop Munis founds church of Forgney

   Forgney · townland · Longford

   Bishop Munis, a kinsman of Patrick's, founded the church of Forgney.

   Read the passage

   Several other contemporaries of Saint Patrick are associated with Meath, among whom may be noted Trena, the founder of Kildalkey ; Breccan, the founder of Ardbraccan ; and Bishop Munis, a kinsman of Patrick's, who founded the church of Forgney. Lomman, too, who has already appeared in connection with Trim and the founding of the church there, is also associated with the parish of Portloman in Westmeath.

   All these names represent to us the missionary work of the first teachers of the Gospel. In most cases little more remains to us than the record of their existence, and the story of the Church of Ireland is so much a thing apart from that of the rest of Christendom that they are not commemorated by the ordinary historian. But in their day they did good and faithful work in planting the standard of the cross amidst a barbarous people. It was a thing to be expected that Meath, politically important as it was in those early days, would receive special attention at the hands of the missionaries. The existence of so many places where the names of early teachers are commemorated shows that this was indeed the case. The impossible stories with which their lives are embellished have led many to regard them as mythical creatures. These wild fancies, however, should be regarded as the reflection of a later age which delighted in the miraculous, and often took very ordinary events and retold them in such a way that the story lost all resemblance to its original form. The critical instinct of modern times naturally rejects these flights of the imagination, but we should remember that in some of the most impossible stories there is a foundation of fact, and that the old writers never thought of inventing characters as the modern novelist does. They laid hold on historical personages for their characters. The names, therefore, are not mythical,

   Internet Archive historyofdiocese01healiala, Chapter 10

7. Bishops of Clonmacnoise at the Synod of Kells

   Clonmacnoise · townland · Offaly · 1152–1188

   Murtough O'Maolidhir, Bishop of Clonmacnoise, attended the Synod of Kells and survived until 1188, though he had resigned his see some years before; his successor Tighernach O'Broin died in 1172.

   Read the passage

   The Bishop of Clonmacnoise, Murtough O'Maolidhir, was also present at the Synod of Kells. He survived until the year 1188, but seems to have resigned his see some years before his death. His successor, Tighernach O'Broin, died in 1172. Little is known of either of these prelates.

   Internet Archive historyofdiocese01healiala, Chapter 30

8. Bishop William Silk buried at Killeen abbey church

   Killeen · townland · Meath · 1450

   William Silk, rector of Killeen in the Diocese of Meath before becoming bishop, died in 1450 and was buried in the abbey church of that parish.

   Read the passage

   William Silk or Sill succeeded, having obtained commendatory letters to the Archbishop of Armagh from the " General Council of Basil." This Council sat from 1431 to 1447, and it is interesting to note this point of contact between an event of such importance in the history of the Western Church and the Diocese of Meath. There was a sharp struggle for power during all the time of the sitting between the Council and the Pope, and this superseding of the papal "provision" by an act of the Council is not without its significance. Silk had been rector of Killeen in the Diocese of Meath, and on his death, which occurred in 1450, he was buried in the abbey church of that parish.

   After his death, William Ouldhall, a Carmelite of Norwich, was appointed, and held the See until 1459. During part of that time he was Chancellor of Ireland. He died and was buried at Ardbraccan.

   Internet Archive historyofdiocese01healiala, Chapter 77

9. Breccan, founder of Ardbraccan

   Ardbraccan · townland · Meath

   Breccan, a contemporary of St. Patrick, is noted as the founder of the church at Ardbraccan.

   Read the passage

   Several other contemporaries of Saint Patrick are associated with Meath, among whom may be noted Trena, the founder of Kildalkey ; Breccan, the founder of Ardbraccan ; and Bishop Munis, a kinsman of Patrick's, who founded the church of Forgney. Lomman, too, who has already appeared in connection with Trim and the founding of the church there, is also associated with the parish of Portloman in Westmeath.

   All these names represent to us the missionary work of the first teachers of the Gospel. In most cases little more remains to us than the record of their existence, and the story of the Church of Ireland is so much a thing apart from that of the rest of Christendom that they are not commemorated by the ordinary historian. But in their day they did good and faithful work in planting the standard of the cross amidst a barbarous people. It was a thing to be expected that Meath, politically important as it was in those early days, would receive special attention at the hands of the missionaries. The existence of so many places where the names of early teachers are commemorated shows that this was indeed the case. The impossible stories with which their lives are embellished have led many to regard them as mythical creatures. These wild fancies, however, should be regarded as the reflection of a later age which delighted in the miraculous, and often took very ordinary events and retold them in such a way that the story lost all resemblance to its original form. The critical instinct of modern times naturally rejects these flights of the imagination, but we should remember that in some of the most impossible stories there is a foundation of fact, and that the old writers never thought of inventing characters as the modern novelist does. They laid hold on historical personages for their characters. The names, therefore, are not mythical,

   Internet Archive historyofdiocese01healiala, Chapter 10

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere around here, Breccan founded a church in the early days of Christianity in Ireland. He was a contemporary of Saint Patrick, one of several early missionaries whose names are remembered in Meath. Trena founded Kildalkey, Bishop Munis founded Forgney, and Lomman was associated with Trim and Portloman. The record tells us that in most cases little more remains than the fact of their existence, and that the ordinary historian does not commemorate them. But the book says they did good and faithful work, planting the standard of the cross among a barbarous people. Meath, being politically important in those early days, received special attention from missionaries, and the many places where early teachers are commemorated shows this was so. Later ages embellished their lives with impossible stories, full of the miraculous, and some have taken these wild fancies to mean the figures themselves were mythical. But the old writers did not invent characters as a modern novelist does. They took historical personages for their characters, so the names are not mythical. Beneath the later embellishment there is a foundation of fact, and Breccan's name belongs to it.

10. Commonwealth schoolmasters appointed at Trim and Drogheda

    Trim · town · Meath · 1657–1658

    During the Commonwealth period, schoolmasters and a schoolmistress were appointed and paid salaries at Trim, including Thomas Watson, John Tunbridge, and Elizabeth Pressick, and Laurence Jones was appointed schoolmaster at Drogheda.

    Read the passage

    Elizabeth Pressick Schoole Mistress at Trim . . ooio oo oo

    Laurence Jones to be Schoolmr. at Drogheda from

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese01healiala, Chapter 141

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up through Trim. Back in 1657 and 1658, during the Commonwealth, this town had schoolmasters appointed and paid salaries here, including Thomas Watson and John Tunbridge. Elizabeth Pressick served as school mistress at Trim, and Laurence Jones was appointed schoolmaster at Drogheda.

11. John Gregge, painstaking preacher and curate of Trim

    Trim · town · Meath · 1622

    The Curate of Trim, Mr. John Gregge, a Master of Arts, was singled out in the 1622 visitation as a good preacher of good life and honest conversation, described as very 'paynfull' (painstaking) in his ministry.

    Read the passage

    The clergy are spoken of, some as " reading" and some as " preaching " ministers. This was a distinction constantly observed at the time, and explains itself. The " readers " were not allowed to preach, but made use of the Homilies for the instruction of the people. Ussher singles out some of his clergy for special commendation as expositors, and speaks of them as good preachers. Among the rest, it is interesting to notice the name of the Curate of Trim, Mr. John Gregge, " a Master of Artes, a good preacher, of good life and honest conversacion, and very paynfull in his ministery." Painful, it is needless to remark, means simply " painstaking." It will be remembered with what humour Archbishop Trench remarks : " Nor can I doubt if we had more painful preachers in the old sense of the word, that is who took pains themselves, we should have fewer painful ones in the modern sense, who cause pain to their hearers."

    There is rather a surprising thing in connection with Bishop Ussher 's list, to which he does not allude, namely, that several of his incumbents did not take Holy Orders until long after the date of their appointments. We learn this from the report of a Royal Visitation, which was held in Trim, on January the 8th, 1633. In that Report, we have the date of the clergyman's ordination as well as his induction, and we find

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese01healiala, Chapter 124

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Trim, this is the town where John Gregge served as curate in 1622. The bishop's visitation that year singled him out as a Master of Arts, a good preacher, of good life and honest conversation, and very painstaking in his ministry. The record uses the old word 'paynfull,' which simply meant taking pains, not causing pain. Archbishop Trench later remarked that if there were more painful preachers in the old sense, who took pains themselves, there would be fewer painful ones in the modern sense, who cause pain to their hearers. The distinction mattered at the time. Some clergy were called reading ministers, who were not allowed to preach but used the Homilies for instruction, while others were preaching ministers. Gregge was among those Ussher commended as a good preacher.

12. Lomman associated with Portloman parish

    Portloman · townland · Westmeath

    Lomman, connected with the founding of the church at Trim, is also associated with the parish of Portloman in Westmeath.

    Read the passage

    Several other contemporaries of Saint Patrick are associated with Meath, among whom may be noted Trena, the founder of Kildalkey ; Breccan, the founder of Ardbraccan ; and Bishop Munis, a kinsman of Patrick's, who founded the church of Forgney. Lomman, too, who has already appeared in connection with Trim and the founding of the church there, is also associated with the parish of Portloman in Westmeath.

    All these names represent to us the missionary work of the first teachers of the Gospel. In most cases little more remains to us than the record of their existence, and the story of the Church of Ireland is so much a thing apart from that of the rest of Christendom that they are not commemorated by the ordinary historian. But in their day they did good and faithful work in planting the standard of the cross amidst a barbarous people. It was a thing to be expected that Meath, politically important as it was in those early days, would receive special attention at the hands of the missionaries. The existence of so many places where the names of early teachers are commemorated shows that this was indeed the case. The impossible stories with which their lives are embellished have led many to regard them as mythical creatures. These wild fancies, however, should be regarded as the reflection of a later age which delighted in the miraculous, and often took very ordinary events and retold them in such a way that the story lost all resemblance to its original form. The critical instinct of modern times naturally rejects these flights of the imagination, but we should remember that in some of the most impossible stories there is a foundation of fact, and that the old writers never thought of inventing characters as the modern novelist does. They laid hold on historical personages for their characters. The names, therefore, are not mythical,

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese01healiala, Chapter 10

13. Rectory of Galtrim and the Baron of Galtrim

    Galtrim · townland · Meath · 1600–1620

    The vicarage of Galtrim was valued at £32 sterling, its incumbent Nicholas Dalie an honest local minister able to preach in Irish, with Mr. Hussie, Baron of Galtrim, as patron.

    Read the passage

    The vicarage of Galtrim, valet per ann. £32 sterling. Incumbent, Nicholas Dalie, an honest minister of this country birth, able to preach in the Irish tongue. Patron, Mr. Hussie, Baron of Galtrim.

    The vicarage of Skryne, valet per ann. £33 ; it is a good house for a preacher. Incumbent, one Whitbread, an aged

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese01healiala, Chapter 112

14. Trena, founder of Kildalkey

    Kildalkey · town · Meath

    Trena, a contemporary of St. Patrick, is noted as the founder of the church at Kildalkey.

    Read the passage

    Several other contemporaries of Saint Patrick are associated with Meath, among whom may be noted Trena, the founder of Kildalkey ; Breccan, the founder of Ardbraccan ; and Bishop Munis, a kinsman of Patrick's, who founded the church of Forgney. Lomman, too, who has already appeared in connection with Trim and the founding of the church there, is also associated with the parish of Portloman in Westmeath.

    All these names represent to us the missionary work of the first teachers of the Gospel. In most cases little more remains to us than the record of their existence, and the story of the Church of Ireland is so much a thing apart from that of the rest of Christendom that they are not commemorated by the ordinary historian. But in their day they did good and faithful work in planting the standard of the cross amidst a barbarous people. It was a thing to be expected that Meath, politically important as it was in those early days, would receive special attention at the hands of the missionaries. The existence of so many places where the names of early teachers are commemorated shows that this was indeed the case. The impossible stories with which their lives are embellished have led many to regard them as mythical creatures. These wild fancies, however, should be regarded as the reflection of a later age which delighted in the miraculous, and often took very ordinary events and retold them in such a way that the story lost all resemblance to its original form. The critical instinct of modern times naturally rejects these flights of the imagination, but we should remember that in some of the most impossible stories there is a foundation of fact, and that the old writers never thought of inventing characters as the modern novelist does. They laid hold on historical personages for their characters. The names, therefore, are not mythical,

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese01healiala, Chapter 10

15. Rectory of Rathfeigh held by Godfrey Loftus

    Rathfeigh · townland · Meath · 1600–1620

    The rectory of Rathfeigh was valued at £40 per annum, with Godfrey Loftus, a university-educated minister and preacher, as incumbent, and Mr. Bath of Rathfeigh as patron.

    Read the passage

    The rectory of Rathfeigh, valet per aim. £40 sterling. Incumbent, Mr. Godfrey Loftus, a university man, a minister and a preacher. Mr. Bath of Rathfeighe, patron.

    The rectory of Kilmore, valet per ann. £35. The son of Mr. Loftus also holds this living, seated within two miles of the other, by dispensation, and in this living resides and keeps good hospitality. Patron, the Lord Primate of Armagh.

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese01healiala, Chapter 112

16. Little castle at Moylough near Loughcrew

    Moylough · town · Galway · 1622

    At Moylough, near Loughcrew, the glebe house was described as a little castle located at the west end of the church.

    Read the passage

    Fifteen of the houses are dignified with the name of castles. The bishop's own residence is modestly described as " a faire house with convenient buildings and houses of office." All the glebe houses, of course, were not equally good, and nine of them are specially mentioned as " small." In a few cases the clergyman's house stood in the churchyard, near or attached to the church. Thus, at Mayne, there was " a small castle at the west end of the church," at Rathconnell, " a small castle at the east end of the chauncell," at Moylough (near Loughcrew) " a little castle at the west end of the church " at Drumrany " a small stone house at the end of the church," at Carrick, "a small house in the church yard."

    The bishop notes several instances in which houses and lands belonging to the church had been seized by laymen, and seemingly there was no redress to be had. In Rathfeigh (between Ratoath and Kentstown) there were fifteen acres of glebe " now detained by the parochians." In Ardbraccan, under the very eyes of the bishop, there was no glebe house, for although there was " a manse house commonly called the vicarage house/' it had been taken from the parson, and " now his majesty's f armor of the impropriacon

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese01healiala, Chapter 124

17. Small house in the churchyard at Carrick

    Carrick · townland · Meath · 1622

    At Carrick the parson's house was a small house standing in the church yard, according to the 1622 visitation.

    Read the passage

    Fifteen of the houses are dignified with the name of castles. The bishop's own residence is modestly described as " a faire house with convenient buildings and houses of office." All the glebe houses, of course, were not equally good, and nine of them are specially mentioned as " small." In a few cases the clergyman's house stood in the churchyard, near or attached to the church. Thus, at Mayne, there was " a small castle at the west end of the church," at Rathconnell, " a small castle at the east end of the chauncell," at Moylough (near Loughcrew) " a little castle at the west end of the church " at Drumrany " a small stone house at the end of the church," at Carrick, "a small house in the church yard."

    The bishop notes several instances in which houses and lands belonging to the church had been seized by laymen, and seemingly there was no redress to be had. In Rathfeigh (between Ratoath and Kentstown) there were fifteen acres of glebe " now detained by the parochians." In Ardbraccan, under the very eyes of the bishop, there was no glebe house, for although there was " a manse house commonly called the vicarage house/' it had been taken from the parson, and " now his majesty's f armor of the impropriacon

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese01healiala, Chapter 124

18. Small stone house at Drumrany church

    Drumraney · townland · Westmeath · 1622

    At Drumrany the clergyman's residence was a small stone house situated at the end of the church, per the 1622 visitation report.

    Read the passage

    Fifteen of the houses are dignified with the name of castles. The bishop's own residence is modestly described as " a faire house with convenient buildings and houses of office." All the glebe houses, of course, were not equally good, and nine of them are specially mentioned as " small." In a few cases the clergyman's house stood in the churchyard, near or attached to the church. Thus, at Mayne, there was " a small castle at the west end of the church," at Rathconnell, " a small castle at the east end of the chauncell," at Moylough (near Loughcrew) " a little castle at the west end of the church " at Drumrany " a small stone house at the end of the church," at Carrick, "a small house in the church yard."

    The bishop notes several instances in which houses and lands belonging to the church had been seized by laymen, and seemingly there was no redress to be had. In Rathfeigh (between Ratoath and Kentstown) there were fifteen acres of glebe " now detained by the parochians." In Ardbraccan, under the very eyes of the bishop, there was no glebe house, for although there was " a manse house commonly called the vicarage house/' it had been taken from the parson, and " now his majesty's f armor of the impropriacon

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese01healiala, Chapter 124

19. Griffith Resides at Ardmulchan While Building His House

    Ardmulchan · townland · Meath · 1622

    Patrick Griffith, rector of Trubly and vicar of Athlumney, is recorded as residing at Ardmulchan while his own house was being built. This detail places a named clergyman at Ardmulchan in the early seventeenth century.

    Read the passage

    Griffith, Patrick, born in the countrey of English parents, a reading minister of good life, R. Trubly ; V. Athlumney. He resideth at Ardmulchan till his house is builded, which is now in hand with. £16.

    Hagly, William, a preaching minister, chaplen to the lo : Moore, of good life, R. Gernonstown ; V. Ardcath ; P.C. St. Kennies Duleek. £48.

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese01healiala, Chapter 126

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here in 1622, a clergyman named Patrick Griffith was living while his own house was being built. He was rector of Trubly and vicar of Athlumney, born in the country of English parents, and described as a reading minister of good life. His house, then under construction, was valued at 16 pounds.

20. Ballygarth rectory linked to Netterville of Dowth

    Ballygarth · street · Meath · 1600–1620

    The rectory of Ballygarth was valued at £65 per annum, its incumbent John Derbishire a university graduate and preacher, with Mr. Netterville of Dowth named as patron.

    Read the passage

    The rectory of Ballygarth, valet per ann. £65 sterling. Incumbent, John Derbishire, a graduate in the university, a minister and a preacher. Mr. Netterville of Dowth is patron, but this incumbent was presented to me by a lapse.

    The rectory of Paynstown, valet per ann. £50 sterling. Incumbent, Gilbert Purdon, an English minister, of long continuance. Mr. De la Field of Paynstown, patron.

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese01healiala, Chapter 112

21. Vicarage of Stamullen under Sir Garrett Moore's patronage

    Stamullin · town · Meath · 1600–1620

    The vicarage of Stamullen was held by Mr. Whitehorn, described as an honest English minister, resident there, with Sir Garrett Moore as patron.

    Read the passage

    The vicarage of Stamullen. Incumbent, Mr. Whitehorn, an honest English minister, resident. Patron, Sir Garrett Moore.

    The rectory of Kentstown, valet per aim. £40 sterling. Incumbent, Mr. Luke Usher, a university man and a minister. The Lord of Dunsany, patron.

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese01healiala, Chapter 112