Clare Genealogy - Registry of Freeholders, Co. Clare, 1841

The Registry of Freeholders names people entitled to vote at elections. A freeholder was a man who either owned his land outright or who held it by lease. From 1727 to 1793 only Protestants with a freehold worth at least 40 shillings a year were legally permitted to vote. Between 1793 and 1829 both Protestants and Catholics with 40 shilling freeholds could vote, but in 1829 the franchise level was increased five-fold to10 pounds.

The list of 830 men given here has been compiled from lists of those who applied to become freeholders. The lists were printed in the ‘Clare Journal’ during September, October and December of 1841.

Applicants to the Registry of Freeholders, Co. Clare, 1841

The Registry of Freeholders names people entitled to vote at elections. A freeholder was a man who either owned his land outright or who held it by lease. From 1727 to 1793 only Protestants with a freehold worth at least 40 shillings a year were legally permitted to vote. Between 1793 and 1829 both Protestants and Catholics with 40 shilling freeholds could vote, but in 1829 the franchise level was increased five-fold to10 pounds. The list of 830 men given here has been compiled from lists of those who applied to become freeholders. The lists were printed in the ‘Clare Journal’ during September, October and December of 1841. Registry by Surname