Vanderplas Cork Deeds Descriptive List (Ref. U675)

rallied to the Jacobite cause and regained control of the City, which was then beseiged and taken by Williamite forces in September 1690. Some of the Old English had properties in Cork returned after the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, but the dominance of the City by the Old English merchant elite, which had lasted for centuries, was at an end. Despite the political turbulence, the economic fortunes of Cork began to improve in the first half of the 17 th century after two centuries of relative decline. Historians and geographers using evidence from maps, surveys and other sources estimate that the population of the city may have trebled from approximately 3,000 in 1600 to approximately 9,000 in 1640. The number of streets, lanes and buildings within the old walled city increased and similar developments took place in the suburbs. In the 17 th century, Cork, a Staple port since 1291, had become a major centre for the import and export of goods. Among imported goods were wine, salt and other commodities. The export of hides, pipestaves, rugs and tallow was extensive. Trade with Bristol was especially important and trade with European ports, for example Bordeaux, began to flourish. The Irish Staple ports had been established to regulate trade in staple goods, such as wool and hides, which could only be sold to foreign merchants in designated staple towns, originally Cork, Dublin, Waterford and Drogheda. By the 17 th century, the Staple was principally important in the regulation of debt. The staple officers, the mayor of the staple and two constables, had power to take recognisance of debts incurred within the staple. The recognisances were known as 'statute staple' and, when issued had the staple seal attached. If the debtor defaulted, the mayor of the staple had the power to imprison the debtor, take possession of his goods and use them to make restitution to the creditor. In Cork, a ‘Corporation of the Staple’ was set up by the James I. Charter of 1608, granting Cork the same privileges as those in Dublin and London.

Content & Structure

Scope & Content MS. parchment deeds relating to property, estates and business transactions mainly in Cork city and environs. The majority of the items date from from the period 1610-1677, with a particular concentration in the 1620s, 1630s, 1660s and 1670s. The earliest item in the collection is a 1598 lease by John Roche of a house and other property to his brother Patrick Roche fitz Morris, including 20 acres near Ballinlough and property outside Cork City’s South G ate, above St. Augustine’s A bbey ( the ‘ Red Abbey ’ ) and near the Holy Rood Church (Church of St Mary Del Nard). (U675/1) The latest item in the collection is a 1694 indenture between Ignatius Gould, alderman, of Cork, John Baggot of Baggotstowne in the county of Limerick Esquire, Stephen Gallway of Cork gentleman, and Robert Power of the Middle Temple, London Esquire, concerning the town and lands of Lehanaghmore in ‘ ye County of ye said Citty of Corke ’ (the County of the City of Cork). (U675/61) A large number of people are mentioned in the deeds, including those parties involved in the transaction, and also those acting as witnesses or in an official capacity. We find several names closely associated with the ancient Catholic merchant families of Cork, including for instance, Gould/Goold, Galwey/Gallway, Meagh, Coppinger, Martell, Morrogh, Roche, Sarsfield, Skiddy, Tyrry (Terry), Verdon, and Fitzgerald. There are also a few references to