Artificially arranged files of handwritten notes, invoices and correspondence relating to renovations to Bellair House.

Original incoming and copy outgoing letters relating to Ernest H Browne's management of the Bellair Estate. Matters referred to include copies of proposal to purchase tenanted and untenanted Bellair estates of William Bury Homan Mulock by the Estate Commissioners; copy of schedule of tenancies of Bellair, showing the purchase monies paid by respective tenants; copy of OS maps of Bellair.

Bellair tenants referenced include: Anne Daly; Frank Claffy, James Lambe, John Digan, Patrick Galvin, Thomas Williams, Joseph Murray, Kieran Larkin, Farrell Connolly, Thomas Daly, Margaret Larkin, Patrick Digan, Jeremiah Guinan, Stephen Quinn, Patrick Murray and James Reamsbottom.

Routine letters to clients, generally 1 per page. Badly faded and illegible in parts.
Includes letter to Fr. J. Bergin, Philipstown: 'As you are aware a Notice of every Charitable Request has to be published in some newspaper circulating in the District in which the Charity is to be applied - published in 3 successive issues of such newspaper. I had the Notice in this case published in An Claidheamh Soluis, the organ of the Gaelic League which you may have seen. I enclose a copy for reference. The copies of the paper containing the Notice have to be lodged with the Commissioners of Charitable Donations who invariably require some evidence that the paper containing the Notice has some circulation in the District. I know of my own knowledge that the paper does circulate more or less in the District. However, all the evidence the Commissioners require, as you will see from enclosed letter, its a letter from you as parish priest of Philipstown and Clonfert stating that you have seen this notice published. I shall be much obliged if you would kindly write us such a letter.' (7 February 1912)

Copies of approximately 1000 outgoing letters, averaging at 1 per page. Some letters illegible due to fading.
Includes letter to E. des. H. Browne, Charleville Estate Office, Tullamore re Sherlock Estate: ' Replying to yours of the 20th inst. It is begging the question to suggest that these tenants understood or were satisfied with the last receipts you gave, or with any of the receipts. The original rent in the time of Sherlock's predecessor was £2.1.10. I have a whole bundle of receipts in evidence of this. It was customary by the Landlord as shown by receipts to give a substantial abatement off this rent and eventually some years before Mr. Sherlock became owner and according to my instructions after a valuation was made by the agent, the rent was fixed at the figure of rent paid. The original tenant was John Fitzgerald Snr and his brother Bernard resided on the lands with him. John allowed Bernard the use of half the lands on paying half the rent., and eventually Bernard's name found its way into the rental, and ever since Mr. Sherlock acquired the estate, half of the rent was paid by Bernard. John died and was succeeded by his widow Mrs Bridget Fitzgerald on whose death John Fitzgerald Jr became the tenant, and John Jr and Bernard appear to be now tenants in common of these lands. I give you these particulars as Mr. Sherlock in court did not seem to be conversant with the facts. It is admitted that the yearly rent of £1.14.0 has been regularly paid every year. These illiterate men paid very little attention to receipts which they can hardly be blamed for not understanding: they were content so long as they paid their year's rent and heard no more about it. But now that the question has been raised they will naturally decline to pay the next gale of rent except in exchange for a proper receipt up to date.' (28 January 1914)

Copies of approximately 1000 letters, averaging 1 per page. Good legibility.
Includes letter to Rev. J. Bergin, Philipstown re Purdon Estate sale: 'You will remember this transfer. I enclose the deed, as perhaps you would like to have it. The reason I write to you about it now is that I was squaring up matters generally with Mr. Crozier, and this case was mentioned., and he states the nominal purchase money of £1 was not sent on. If you will kindly let me have this sum, I shall forward it to Mr Crozier - or perhaps you would prefer to send him a cheque direct for £1. I was very sorry to hear about the burning of the school, as it must have been a worrying matter to you.' (15 January 1916)

Lease and a draft for part of the townlands of Ballydownan, Curragh, Geashill, and Dalgan from Edward Earl Digby to the Reverend William Digby, Dean of Clonfert, for three lives from 29 September 1797, at the yearly rate of £142-8-6.

Lease of part of the lands of Dalgan and Ballydownan from Edward Earl Digby to the Reverend William Digby, Dean of Clonfort, for three lives from 25 March 1800, at a yearly rate of £20-13-0.

Lease of the Lands of Logmore [Lugmore] from Edward Earl Digby to Bartholomew Yarr for one live or 35 years from 25 March 1818, at the yearly rate of £1.15.0.
Including 'A map of Logmore in the Barony of Geashill and King's County. Part of the Estate of The Right Honorable Earl Digby. Surveyed by John Molloy 1818', hand coloured, scale 20 Perches to an Inch, with bordering land leased to John Warren, Martin Dunn, Benjamin Odlum, Thomas Buckly, Daniel Commons, Patrick Dempsey and Bernard Dunn.

Lease of part of the lands of Derrygunnigan from Edward Earl Digby to William Daly for one life, or twenty-one years from 25 March 1818, at the yearly rate of £9-0-0.
Including 'A map of part of Derrygunningham Commonage in the Barony of Geashill and King's County. Part of the Estate of the Right Honourable Earl Digby. Surveyed by John Molloy 1815', hand coloured, scale 20 Perches to an Inch, with bordering land leased to William and John Gibbs.