sheriffs and citizens of Limerick on the other part. This important instrument sets out the ancient liberties and franchises of the city, and orders the the limits to be bounded by great stones or other notable signs. The charter was followed by a grant of mills and water courses, and lands in the county, to Sir James Fullerton.' Patrick FitzDaniel Arthur, was the first mayor under the new charter; and William Fitz Martin Creagh, and George White were the last of the bailiffs, and the first of the city of Limerick sheriffs. The indenture excepted and reserved his majesty's castle of Limerick, commonly called the King's castle, with the precinct thereof, one lower middle room under the common gaol of the said city, and all that the site of the late abbey or monastery of St. Francis, and all the pendances of the same, as a place convenient for holding sessions and assizes for the county of Limerick.

The rigors of the law were now enforced with terrible vengeance-the alternative of apostacy or civil degradation was again offered to the citizens of Limerick, their magistrates, &c. as it was in other parts of the kingdom.

The merciless rigors of a bloody code were inflexibly executed; in the year 1611, Cornelius Douan, Bishop of Down and Connor, together with Patrick Locheran, priest, were for the faith hanged and quartered, the 1st of February.-Sir Arthur Chichester being Lord Deputy.-Analecta.

In this year David Comyn was chosen mayor, but Edmund Sexten was in the same year, chosen also; David Fitz Walter Ryce held the office of sheriff for six months. Christopher Creagh and Patrick Lyseiaght, the one for the entire time-the other for the five remaining months of the civil year. The cause of this was that Donat O'Brien, Lord of Thomond was made President of all Munster. Comyn who was true to his faith, was deposed from his office of Mayor, because he refused peremptorily to go to church, and take the oath of supremacy, he was seconded by Daniel Rice, one of the sheriffs, who also refused. Edmund Sexten was chosen mayor, and Patrick Lyseiaght and Christopher Creagh, who conformed, were made sheriff's.3 Catholics, nevertheless, in defiance of the government were chosen mayors by the corporation; but they were presented with the oath, which the moment they refused to take, they were deprived of office. The same thing occurred in the next year, 1612, when William Meagh or Mead was chosen mayor, and Patrick Fitz Henry White and John Skeolan were sheriffs. They held office for four months. Christopher Creagh was then appointed mayor, he held office for eight months-and took the oath, but did not go

great stone standing in the Hedge called Legancampyne, and from the said stone to Craggenecorbally, mearing with the Lord Bishop's and Brienduffe's land, and so along the highway till it comes to the heap of stones called Lishdermode Ikallie, and so to Shanane, in the highway, betwixt Tirevowoughtragh on the west, and Tirevowoughtragh on the east. The great castle of Crattlaghmoell on the north of the Shannon standeth right over against this way, mearing Tirevowoughtragh west, and Tirevowoughtragh on the east. We, the said Earl of Thomond, and others of the Commissioners before named, having measured from the exterior part of the wall of the said city of Limerick to the bounds, mears, and limits before expressed, do leave and include as well all the towns, castles, and hamlets before-named, with all and singular their members and appurtenances, as all other towns, lands, fields, roads, meadows, pastures, commons, and appurtenances to the same belonging, between the bounds aforesaid and the walls of the said city, to be of and in the county of the city of Limerick, and within the compass of the three miles granted by his Majesty by his Highness's charter to the mayor, sheriffs, and citizens of Limerick. In witness whereof we, the said Earl and others of the said commissioners, to this part of this Indenture to be retorned and remain in his Majesty's High Court of Chancery in Ireland, among the records of the same, have set our hands and seals the day and year above written-Thomond, Barnard Limic, Ffra Barkeley, Thomas Browne.

1 Report of Commissioners of Public Records.

2 Thus the name is spelled in contemporary MSS.

* Arthur MSS.

to church. George FitzJames Creagh and John Lyseiaght were sheriffs for eight months. Meagh, White and Skeolan were deprived, because they were of the Catholic religion; the others were allowed to fill their places becaused they conformed. Still a struggle was made, and again the Catholics were defeated by the law, which sought to enforce the taking of the oath on the Catholic believers. Dominick FitzPeter Creagh, John Fitz William Arthur, and George Woulf were appointed, the first named, mayor, the others sheriffs; they held office for three months; but all were deposed on the 19th of December, for refusing the oath of supremacy; and in their places were chosen William Haly, mayor, David Bourke and Thomas Power, sheriffs. Thus defeated so often in their attempts to have a Catholic mayor occupy his proper place at the head of civic affairs, persecution continued also to rage, and the part taken by the Protestant party forced the Catholic mayors out of office in the next year, when Michael Walters was mayor of Limerick, Nicholas FitzNicholas Stritch, and William Roche of Cahirivahalla, were sheriffs. They held office for five months, when James FitzJames White was chosen mayor, William Roche, the above mentioned, Peter FitzPeter Creagh, were sheriff's for thirty-three days. James Galway was the third mayor, David Bourke and Thomas Power were sheriffs for two months, Arthur Fanning and Christopher FitzDominick Arthur, were sheriffs for four months. All these, without exception, were of the Catholic faith; and all were likewise disturbed and removed from office, because they refused to go to church, and fulfil the duties which an odious and obnoxious law sought to force on them. We may well imagine the state of the city, under these circumstances; we may well imagine also, the state of the law, which in a Catholic city sought to deprive the Catholics of the power of choosing mayors of their own form of belief. For the fourth time the same. thing occurred in the year succeeding, and with a similar result. William Stritch was for the second time chosen mayor of Limerick; James Fitz Henry Whyte and Walter FitzRichard Arthur were sheriffs; they held office for 14 days. Symon Fanning was chosen mayor in place of William Stritch, and George Sexten and George Rochfort, sheriffs. David Comyn was chosen mayor the second time, Nicholas Fitz Henry Whyte, sheriff'; James Galway was for the fourth time chosen mayor, James FitzJohn Stritch sheriff, Christopher Creagh, mayor, Patrick Lyseaight, Sheriff. The two last mentioned conformed.

The battle of the Mayors appears to have ceased in this year, when Dominick Roche was the second time Mayor, and John Fitzjohn Stritch, for for the second time sheriff, and Richard Lawless, sheriff also. These all conformed. But the Catholics were not to be beaten down. It was owing in fact to this resolute spirit on the part of the Catholics, that Sir George Carew on an occasion already mentioned, had proceeded so severely against the Mayor, Sir Geoffry Galway, Bart. The instructions given to Sir Oliver St. John, afterwards created Viscount Grandison, who in this year succeeded Sir Arthur Chester, subsequently created baron of Belfast, was to enforce with rigor the fine inflicted on Catholics for absenting themselves from the Protestant service.

Arthur MSS. and White MSS. 2 Arthur MSS.

CHAPTER XXII.

INQUISITIONS-CORPORATE SPOLIATION.

WHILST the wars of the Mayors were raging within the walls of the city, several grants were made, viz. of the cocquet of Limerick, &c. to William Bruncor. An appointment of officer of Customs, and a grant of the king's mills were made; a view of the revenues of the " wears," &c. was also taken, and on the 18th of March, 1615, a most important inquisition was taken before Sir Francis Aungier, Knight, and the celebrated Sir John Davys, the king's Attorney General, with the following "good and lawful men of the said county of Limerick," viz. Henry Barkley of Ballycahan, gentleman; James Rawley of Ballingowley, gentleman; Connor O'Heyne of Caherelly, gentleman; Donell M'Mahawne of Cragan, gentleman; John Oge Gerrald of Ballinard, gentleman; Richard Wall of Cloughtreade, gentleman; Richard Purcell of Ballincarrigy, gentleman; John FitzEdmonde of Gilleterstown, gentleman; Dermode M'Tighe_of_Twogh, gentleman; Walter Brown of Camus, gentleman; Thomas FitzJohn of Ballynemoug, gentleman; Teigh O'Brien of Gortboy, gentleman."

1 Repertory of Patent and Close Rolls of Chancery.

2 Ibid, 1612. Ibid, 1613-14-15.

3 Crown Rent Roll, 1613.

4 It appears from this inquisition that "the Mayor and Bailiffs of the city aforesaid, tenants of the Weares of the city of Limericke aforesaid, called the Fisher's tent, lying from the Lex Weare, on the east, as far as the river called Castle Donnell, on the west part, by the yeare, 8s. 103d.

5 This inquisition shows the grants of King John to the bishops of Limerick; the grants of Queen Elizabeth of St. Mary's Priory and its lands at 4d. per acre, to Edmond Sexten, and also the lands of Monksland, Clasknagilly, Branlouge and Inshymore, to the said Edward Sexten ; the grants by letters patent of King Henry III. to the Leper House, near the city of Limerick. of forty ploughlands, one ploughland of which the said master of the said Leper Hospital held when the inquisition was taken-that Gerald, Earl of Desmond held one ploughland in fee of the land called Corbally, parcel of the said forty ploughlands, that he was attainted of high treason, whereby the ploughland became seized by the Queen Elizabeth who granted the same by letters patent to Robert Annislie, one of the undertakers in the Co. of Limerick, for the yearly rent of forty shillings-that Corbally now (1615) is in the possession of Thomas Gould by conveyance and assignment of Annislie, and that no rent is paid out of it to the Mayor and commonality of Limerick. The inquisition found that Bealus, alias Courtbrack, was another of the forty ploughlands-that the Earl of Desmond held it in fee, that on his attainder it was granted by Queen Elizabeth to Robert Annislie at a rent of three pounds per annum; and that it is now (1615) in possession of the Earl of Thomond, and paid no rent to the mayor &c. The inquisition further found that half a ploughland called Farranygallogh, parcel of the said forty ploughlands, was in the tenure and occupation of the nunnery of Killone, in the County of Clare, which together with the nunnery and its possessions came unto the crown, and was by letters patent granted to the said Baron of Insequine, and is now (1615) in the possession of the Earl of Thomond for which no rent is paid to the mayor &c. The inquisition also found that two parts of two ploughlands in three parts divided in Ratwyrd, being parcel of the said forty ploughlands, came into Queen Elizabeth's hands by the attainder of John Browne, and were by the Queen granted to the said Robert Annislie, out of which £6 rent is paid to the King, and that three other parcels of land-viz. Gorteardboher, containing ten acres, Gortrebowley, five acres, Rathgreylan, fifteen acres, with three parcels of land, are accounted for one ploughland, parcel of the said forty ploughlands, and are now in tenure and possession of Phillis White, Simon ffanning, and Edmond Burke of Ballasimon, for which they pay no rent to the mayor &c. The inquisition further finds that certain other such parcels of Gowens lying south near St. John's Gate, and the land of Martin Croft, and Clownegonderiske, containing a ploughland, being part of the forty ploughlands, are now in the tenure of the mayor and commonality of the city, and that the mayor and commonality are seized of the following parcels of land being part of the said forty ploughlands: viz. Park, containing ths of a ploughland in possession of Thomas Comyn, held by him from the

*The Master of the Leper House of Limerick resided in Mongret street, in 1414.

Arthur MSS.

From the startling facts set forth in this highly important and interesting document, which constituted the only means by which the property of the

mayor &c. for 15s. Irish; Rebouge. 3ths of a ploughland, in possession of Nicholas Arthure, held from ditto, at ditto rent; Ballysoddo, ths of a part and held of John Fox from same at same rent; Dubgish, Ballymoldown, and Rathmichael, one ploughland, held by Nicholas Arthure from same at twenty shillings rent; Rathbane 4ths of a ploughland in possession of White and ffanning, heirs of Pierce Creagh, for which they pay only twelve shillings and four pence, Irish; Rathuyn, held by Nicholas Stritch of Limerick, merchant, containing the 3rd part of two ploughlands, for which he pays - rent, Irish; Crewilally, alias Ballincloughe, 4th of a ploughland held by Christopher Arthure for the rent of 5s.; Cheapman's land, alias Ardnevedoge, half a ploughland, held by Simon ffanning; the mayor, &c. were said to be seized of the following ploughlands, also being part of the 40: viz. Castlebank, 1 ploughland, held by Nicholas Arthure for 20s. Kilrusha ploughland held by Nicholas Comyn or David Comyn, alderman, at 10s.yearly rent-Farrengowen, otherwise Smith's land, 1 ploughland, held by David White,* alderman, at

*The Whites, the Creaghs, and the Stritches have played a remarkable part in the History of Limerick, Clonmel, and Waterford. Sir David White of Russellstown was married to Sarah Bourk, daughter of John Bourk, who was called Lord of Coshure; by his wife Catherine Fitzgerald, daughter to John Fitzgerald Earl of Desmond: they had issue-1st, Solomon White, son and heir to the said David and Sarah-was married to Margaret Walsh, daughter to David Walsh of Ballintober-had issue as follows:-1st, David White, son and heir to the said Solomon, was married to Margaret Brien, daughter to Anlon Brien of Commeragh, and had seven children -2nd, Pierce White, counted a very strong man, but never married,-3rd, Thomas White,-4th, Robert White,-5th, John White, died in France,-6th, Patrick White,-7th, James White, and lastly Stephen White, who was Colonel to King Charles I. and II. and never married. James White, above mentioned, was married to Elizabeth Butler, daughter to John Butler of Clare, grandson to the Lord Dunboyne, by his wife Julian Quirk, daughter to O'Quirk of Muskerry; the said James White had several children, but all died and dispersed by reason of Cromwell's war, except Stephen White who was taken up by his uncle Pierce White, and having no child, was made by the said Stephen sole heir of his estate and all he was possessed of. The said Stephen was married to Catherine Stritch,* daughter to Thomas Stritch who was put to death by Cromwell in Limerick along with several prime gentlemen; by his wife Christian Creagh. daughter to James Creagh of Carrighfaddagh, he had several children, whereof none live but Mary, who is married to James Stritch, son to William Stritch, and Julian Bourk, daughter to Thomas Bourk of Ballinloughane and Westown; said James and Mary have eight children, whereof Thomas is the eldest. The family of Catherine Stritch are these: first, Patrick Stritch of Limerick, son to William, was married to Catherine Bourk, daughter to Walter Bourk, by whom he had two sons named Thomas and Patrick, which Thomas was married to Christian Creagh aforesaid, and had several children, whereof only four lived-Patrick Stritch, married, had no issue, died— 2nd, James was a clergyman (Catholic) and Vicar-General of the diocese of Limerick—3rd, Francis Stritch, who died unmarried, and was crazy-4th, Catherine Stritch, who was married to Stephen White before mentioned. The said Doctor James Stritch made Mary his niece sole heiress of his substance and estate. The family of Christian Creagh are, viz.-Andrew Creagh of Limerick, commonly called Andrew Maighgagh, was married to Ellen Fitzgerald, daughter of Fitzgerald of Gurtnatuber,--had issue by her as follows:-first, James Creagh of Carrighfadda, was married to Catherine, daughter to Robert White, Mayor of Limerick, by his wife Eleanor Arthur, sister to Sir Nicholas Arthur of Limerick; he had fifteen brothers, one whereof was Pierce Creagh the youngest, who was married to Mary Brien, daughter to O'Brien Arra, and first married Bridget Rice; he had issue Pierce Creagh, Bishop of Cork, and Alderman John Creagh of Limerick, who was the eldest. Andrew Creagh the youngest was married to Catherine Fitzgerald, daughter to Edward Fitzgerald of Pallice. James Creagh's niece, was married to Pierce

John Stritch, a gentleman of fair character and inheritance, was forced to depart the town of Genes in Italy by reason of the great spoyle and pillage done to the said town by the Saracens and Infidels, A.D. 933; and Henry I. being the Emperor of Rome, the said John, with his wife and four sons, came from Paris in France and there died. In process of time his children and offspring came to Rouen in Normandy, from thence into England, and part of them came to Ireland; and by reason of the removing of them into sundry places and shires, some of them are called Stretch, Stritchee, Stretchy, Stridch, Strich, Strit, Strett, Strethem, and such now inhabiting in England, Ireland, and in other countries in Europe as the aforesaid names, and such now inhabiting in Florence and Italy, and other places of the same country. Collected by Richard Stritch, gentleman, of Limerick in Ireland.

This account of the Stritches was taken from an old piece of vellum which was three hundred years stamped and in the possession of Michael Stritch. The Italian name is Strochio.

In the Arthur MSS. the name is usually written Strech, and sometimes Stretch, There are very few of this old name now in Limerick.

The Creaghs continue numerous and respectable in Clare and Limerick.

Corporation could be identified, it would appear that jobbing among corporators, was not in these times unusual, and that the lands, which should

20s. yearly. Closinmackine, a ploughland, held by D. White, at 10s. yearly. Ardnegallagh, otherwise Knockardegallagh, Caherdavy, Shanevolley, and Farrenconmary, 1 ploughland, held by James White, Thomas Comyn and Rory Omighan, at 20s. Irish yearly; Ballygadynan, 1 ploughland, anciently held from the Mayor and by John Blunt, now held by John Arthure at 20s. yearly rent; Clonecannan, otherwise Cahernefinnellie,1 plowland held by David Comyn and Edmond Comyn, at 20s. yearly rent; Cownagh and Clonedrinagh 1 plowland, held by David Comyn, Richard White and Tiege M'Shane at 20s. yearly rent; Ballymaughtenmore, Moylish, and Ballyinaughtenbeg, 1 plowland, held by Wm. Stritch, alderman, John Arthure and William White, merchants, at 20s. a year rent; Prior's land lying north of Thomond Bridge, containing 15 acres, and Farrengkelly seven acres, both a ploughland and parcel of the 40 ploughlands, which Prior's land is parcel of the former six ploughlands, of St. Mary's House, granted by the king's majesty to E. Sexten, and was held by the said E. Sexten, yielding no rent to the mayor; Farrengkelly, the glebe land of the vicarage of or rectory of Kilaly, now in possession of Vicar of Kilaly, paying no rent to the mayor, &c. The yearly rent of the burgage within the said city is and always was only 20 marks-the king's mills, under one roof, in the west part of the city walls, betwixt the said Weir and the rock called Corrogower on the Shannon near the King's castle were sometime held by the mayor, and the said mill is the mill for which £20 Irish parcel of the sum of lxxviii six shillings and eight pence Irish, was accounted for in the Exchequer -that the said mills came into the hands of Queen Elizabeth who leased same to Richard Stretch, which mill is now held by William Stretch, alderman, by virtue of said lease ;* they find also that the following 8 ploughlands, parcel of the said 40 ploughlands, which eight ploughlands Richard de Clare did hold of the Kings of England as feoffee of the said mayor and commonality or otherwise, viz. Knocknishin containing 1 ploughland, held by the Earl of Thomond; 1 ploughland in Ballycannan; 1 ploughland in Cappagtiemore, which 2 ploughlands are also held by the Earl of Thomond; Glanegrosse, 1 ploughland, held by Donogh Teighe O'Brien of Glanegrosse aforesaid; 1 ploughland in Frybagh, held by Thomas MacNamara, Owen M'Mahone and others; a ploughland in Craltelaghmoell held by Donell M'Namara ffoyne; a plowland in Crallelaghneill held by Cowra MacLydda and James Rochfort, a plowland in Castledonnell, alias Gallelaghmore; a ploughland in Quireenboy, which 2 last mentioned are held by the heir of Edward White, and that the aforesaid 8 ploughlands, parcel of the said 40 ploughlands, and held by the said Richard de Clare, do lie so near unto the said city, and answer no rent to the said mayor and commonality, are by tradition and hearsay, from ancient men affirmed to be within the old and ancient liberties and bounds first limited to the said city in the N.W. side of the said city. The inquisition bears the signatures of Fr. Aungier, and Jo. Davys.

Morony of Limerick, her name was Margaret Creagh; she was Creagh by father and mother. The said James Creagh had another daughter by Catherine who went to France, and was married to Richard Creagh of Rochelle; he had issue as follows:-1st, James Creagh, who was captain in Sheldon's Regiment and was killed at Aughrim,-2nd, Sir Richard Creagh of Rochelle, and a daughter who died without issue.-Per Eleanor Stritch.

The above particulars of the ancient families of Whites, Bourkes, Stritches, and Creaghs, are copied from an old MS. in the possession of Miles Vernon Bourke, Esq. M.D. of Limerick, a descendant maternally of the Stritches.

In Sir Bernard Burke's Landed Gentry of Ireland, the Creaghs of Dangan, County Clare, are represented as descended from Pierce Creagh, Esq. of Adare, Mayor of Limerick in 1651, son and heir of Pierce Creagh, Esq. of Adare, M.P. for the city of Limerick in 1639, and deprived of his estate of Adare for having corresponded with the Duke of Ormond. On the restoration, he returned from France, and obtained by patent, the castle, town, and lands of Dangan, County Clare.

Helenus White, Esq. J.P. of Limerick, possesses a pedigree on illuminated vellum, which shows that Richard White, the first of his family, came from England to Limerick, in A D. 1418, and acquired great honor and reputation. He settled at Ballyneety, so called from his name (Whitestown) in the County of Limerick, says the pedigree, and afterwards acquired the estate of Ballynanty in said county. From this Richard White of Ballyneaty descended several families of the name. Richard built the Castle and Church of Ballyneaty, and began the building of the Church of Ballynanty, which after his death was finished by his son and heir, who acquired the estate of Tullybrackey, where he also built a Church. The descendants of Richard erected stately burying places in the said Churches of Ballyneety or Whitestown, Ballynanty, and Tullybrackey, and in the Cathedral Church of Limerick. Ulster King at Arms, A.D. 1716,

* Curragower mill was held by several persons from time to time, but early in 1858 it was burned to the ground and not rebuilt. It was then held by Alderman Quinlivan, who worked it for some years, as tenant to the Limerick Harbour Commissioners, who purchased it, A.D. 1839, from the Old Corporation, to whoin they gave a sum of £300, and to whose tenant, Mr. Cornelius Nash, they gave £2300, for the interest of his lease.