Rental ledgers relating to the estate of Col A.C. Wolseley Cox, Clara, King's County. Folios record the rental period, the amount of rent, the poor-rate if chargeable, and the amount paid by cash. The observations column records most of the particulars of lease, and can include details of marriages and deaths of tenants, memorials of leases, and other personal observations on tenants and their character. Map reference numbers are also noted and these may refer to the Map of Clara and Raheen, King's County, estate of Colonel Wolseley Cox (P96) listed below.

Alphabetical surname index at rear of of each volume, although that for Vol.3 is blank. Vol. 3 in general is sparse in details in comparison to the preceding volumes.

Survey and valuation of the Digby estate completed by Michael Cuddehy, land surveyor, for Lord Digby, on 3 January 1798 and a further valuation on 25 June 1799 listing lands in the barony of Geashill that are out of lease. Townlands surveyed in the initial valuation are listed in Cuddehy's accompanying note as Annaharvey, Ballymooney, Ballyknockan, Ballycue and Ballyduff, although only those of Ballycue and Ballyduff are extant. The valuation is tabular, listing tenants' names, a description of their holdings (e.g. 'moory pasture', 'oat field', 'big fallow field' etc.), a measurement in A.R.P (acres, roods, perches) and a yearly value.

The second list entitled 'Lands in the Barony of Geashill out of lease except the parts disposed of as herein 25 June 1799' contain a list of the townlands Annaharvey, Ballymooney, Ballycue, Bluebell, Ballyduff , Dalgan, Ballydownan, Curragh, Killellery, Ballyavill, Cappincur, Kinockballyboy, Ballinagar, Killleigh, Scrub, Killeenmore, and Killurin. Each description is accompanied by a reference number for a map by Cuddehy which is not extant. There are also comments by Cuddehy on certain plots such as 'Darby Smollen declared tenant' in respect of a plot in Ballydownan and he notes that Cuddehy himself is proposed for a plot in Ballymooney of 149 acres.

Linen-backed map of Clara and Raheen, King's County, the estate of Colonel Wolseley Cox. Hand-coloured and numbered with sites from 1-99, although the key to the sites is not extant.

Scale 220 foot: 1 inch.

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. Some letters illegible due to fading. Contains many letters relating to ongoing sale of the Purdon Estate, Philipstown (Daingean) as well as letters relating to the Geashill Cattle Drive.
Includes letter to R. F. Barry, Esq., Crown Solicitor re The King v Adams and 45 others Geashill Case: 'I give you on annexed page particulars of the rail fare paid by the 45 defendants to take them to Kingsbridge for their trial in December last. There were 46 charged, but one, Thomas Hynes, was a prisoner and was conveyed up by the Authorities. Two witnesses were also brought up, namely, Father MacDonald and Dr. Barry of Philipstown, and both were examined. I also include their single fares. The accused and the witnesses had, of course, to be conveyed to Green Street, and I put £1 down for this though it would not probably nearly cover it as several of them took cars from the station. There can be no controversy however about the railway fares. I also give the figure of the return fares in case these are allowed. The parties had to come back, and as a matter of fact, were kept in Dublin two days; but I do not think these expenses are payable. I trust you will be able to kindly have whatever they are legally entitled to paid to them through me.' (29 March 1915)

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)

Original incoming and copy outgoing correspondence relating to the administration of the Geashill Estate. Matters referred to include Matters referred to include repairs to tenants’ houses; employer’s liability insurance premiums; cleaning of sewage at Geashill Garda Barrack; repairs to boiler at Clonad Saw Mills; a visit by Lord Digby to Ashford Castle and Birr Castle; the possibility of three phase electricity to Clonad in the future; queries on the rights of Lord Digby to buy land in Ireland at the same rate of stamp duty as an Irish citizen under the Irish Nationality & Citizens Act 1935-1937; and the death of George Muir on 22 September 1950.

Includes letter from Offaly County Council to Goodbody Solicitors regarding the felling of trees on Digby estate to "give clear passage on public roads for buses and in other cases to prevents damage to road by overhanging trees". (24 November 1948).

Includes letter from the Department of Industry & Commerce in relation to an inspection carried out at Clonad Sawmills under the Holiday (Employee) Act 1929, where irregularity was observed in annual leave and that “workers not allowed 7 consecutive whole holiday within their employment years” (18 July 1950). This was responded to by the Estate Agents on 1 August 1950 confirming that this statutory would be observed at the sawmills.

Original incoming and copy outgoing correspondence relating to the administration of the Geashill Estate. Matters referred to include sale of timber; fishery rates; repairs to tenants' premises; tree seeds required for the estate; acquisition of cottage site by agreement under Labourers Acts; litigation between Lord Digby and Andrew Brazil over cattle wandering in Digby's plantation at Clonad and destroying 1500 young trees.

Includes letter to Kennedy from Digby on the death of King George IV, " Alas the sad news of yesterday has made it impossible for me to come over next week as I shall be on duty twice every 24 hours at the lying-in-state. We don't yet know when the funeral will be, but it will probably be Friday 15th..." (7 February 1952).

Original incoming and copy outgoing correspondence relating to the administration of the Geashill Estate. Matters referred to include forestry; stamp duty; tenancy arrears; damages occurred to iron gates on Lord Digby's property during the thinning of surrounding forests; sporting rights for Lord Digby's property in Glenamoy, Mayo; list of tree seads for planting on Digby estate; repairs to Lord Digby's Ford Thames truck; proposal from Bord na Mona to to purchase Digby's land in Mayo; application on behalf of Lord Digby for a salmon licence.

Includes copy letter from A T Lucas, Director of National Museum of Ireland to Digby, "You will, I feel sure, be interested to learn that the Geashill cauldron has just been placed on exhibition after a cleaning process which, I hope, has brought it to something like the pristine brilliances which you described to me. It has also been labelled in accordance with the wording you suggested. I take this opportunity of placing on record our very sincere thanks for the extraordinary lengths to which you have gone to help the Museum through the very strange vicissitudes which beset this cauldron over so many years and our deep gratitude for the final generous gesture which secured it for the nation". (5 March 1955)

Includes letter from Digby to Kennedy, "I would be inclined to resist the selling of the [Village] Green at Geashill and say that for sentimental reasons, I wish to retain it. If you thought it advisable to day, which is true, that I am proud of the fact that I am the 11th Baron Digby of Geashill and that for the dame reason I have tried to retain the castle ruins, both old and new". (14 April 1955)

Original incoming and copy outgoing correspondence relating to the administration of the Geashill Estate. Matters referred to include installation of a telephone at the Forester's Lodge, Digby Estate; proposed sale of Garda Barracks; insurance renewals; fisheries rates; accounts for purchase of timber; issuance of gun and wireless licences; arrangements for Lord Digby to meet the Irish Land Commission to discuss Geashill queries.

Includes letter to Kennedy from Digby: "Thank you for your letter of March 29th dealing with the Archdeacon and the appointment of his successor. I quite realise the difficulty with regard to anybody having to take on the Geashill Rectory, when the upkeep is bound to be great. With regards to building a bungalow rectory in the Castle grounds at Geashill, the idea does not appeal to me much, especially as now I have decided to plant all land I have got left, and which probably go onto my Schedule B Assessment, which is what I would like to happen. I should have thought that part of the rectory grounds could have been sliced off as a site for the new rectory. Unless, of course, the Garda Barracks house is to be given up by the Garda as was considered as a remote possibility last year" (1 April 1960).

Letter from Department of Posts and Telegraphs: "with reference to your letter of the 30th May to the Postmaster, Tullamore we are now arranging to provide the telephone and the usual agreement will be forwarded for signature in the next few days. The rental will be £14 16s 0d per annum which is calculated on the actual radial measurement of 3 mile 3 furlongs between the Forester's house and Killeigh Exchange. The minimum term of agreement will be for five years. The telephone will be connected to Tullamore exchange for engineering reasons" (3 July 1961).

Copy of letter to Canon A K Palmer: "I have received a letter from The Hon. Captain Edward Digby in which he says that Lord Digby and he wish to make a contribution towards the new school at Geashill and he has requested that I forward you cheque for £300" (14 August 1962).