The Undertakers

Principal undertakers in the Plantation of Ulster — Scottish applicants, grants in the escheated counties, and plantation progress in Fermanagh (from the Register of the Privy Council of Scotland and related surveys).

The Scottish Undertakers

The 1st list of Scottish applicants for Ulster lots was completed by September 14, 1609.

The following is the list as given in volume VIII of the official edition of the Register of the Privy Council of Scotland:

The Second List

The Scottish Undertakers who were actually granted allotments in Ulster were those on the list made up in 1610 by the King and his English Privy Council sitting in London. The following schedule is taken from vol. IX of the register of the Privy Council of Scotland.

Undertakers For 3,000 acres each......(County)

Undertakers For 2,000 acres each......(County)

Undertakers For 1,500 acres each......(County)

Undertakers For 1,000 acres each......(County)

The allotments of lands by King James to the Scottish, English and native "undertakers" in the six escheated counties of Tyrone, Armagh, Cavan, Londonderry, Fermanagh and Donegal are shown in the tabulations given below. Where transfers or reconveyances of the estates were made prior to 1620, the fact is also noted.

The following were the precints or baronies set apart for the Scottish undertakers, and the allotments to each individual, for nearly all of which grants were issued in 1610.

COUNTY FERMANAGH;

PRECINCT OF KNOCKNINNY - 9000 acres

PRECINCT OF MAGHERABOY -9000 acres

2)1500 acres to Robert Hamilton (son of Gilbert Hamilton of Raplock), Portions sold to Archibald Hamilton, 1st December, 1614 and balance sold to Malcolm Hamilton.

PRICINCT OF CLANCALLY -5000 acres

PRICINCT OF LURG AND COOLEMAKARNAN -9000 acres

PRICINCT OF CLINAWLY -2246 acres

PRICINTS OF COOLE AND TIRCANNADA -4500 acres

GRANTS TO THE NATIVE IRISH

PRICINCT OF CLINAWLY

PRICINCTS OF COOLE AND TIRCANNADA

In a report commissioned by the king in 1611, we have this picture of Fermanagh.........

Precinct of Knockninny;

Lord. Burley, 3000 acres, in the county of Fermanagh; took possession in the summer 1610, returned to Scotland, left as his agent, Captain Meldrame. who is non-resident. Lo. Burley hath sent over 24 persons, freeholders, tenants, and servants, resident. One large house built of 14 rooms; oaks felled and squared, and preparations for building; 60 barrels of barley and oats sown and reaped last harvest; 70 cows brought out from Scotland which belong to the tenants; and a boat of eight tons built for his lordship's use. Sir John Wyshard, Laird. Pittaro, 1500 acres; possession taken; returned to Scotland; done nothing. He is since our return from the north arrived and brought with him 15 persons well armed; he hath set up two ploughs sowing wheat and intends to go forward with building. Mr Balfore, La. Mountwhany, 1500 acres; appeared in person, brought over eight freeholders and lease-holders with four women servants. He felled 200 oaks, provided lime, and brought over a dozen horses and mares for work, with household stuff. La. Kinalle, 1000 acres; not appeared and none for him; nothing done. James Trayle, 1000 acres; took possession, returned to cotland. Sent over four persons to make freeholders, &c. Some timber and other material provided, and six horses and mares out of Scotland. George Smolhome, 1000 acres, taken possession, returned to Scotland; no agent, nothing done.

Precinct of Mageaiboy;

Sir John Home, Knight, 2000 acres; has taken possession, returned to Scotland, nothing done, nor any agent present. Robert Hamylton, 1500 acres; has been here to see the land, but has not taken possession, and nothing done. But since our return [to Dublin] he is arrived in Fermanagh (as we are informed) with 18 tenants and artificers for planting; with 60 head of cattle, 10 horses and mares for labour; is felling timber and providing materials for building. William Fouler, 1500 acres; taken possession; returned to Scotland, done nothing. James Gybb, 1000 acres; the like. Jerhome Lindsey, 1000 acres; took possession by attorney, done nothing else. Alexander Home, 1000 acres, the like. John Downebarr, 1000 acres, taken possession, returned to Scotland, and sent over six persons, whereof two freeholders, one leaseholder, one tenant for years, and two tenants at will; some building in hand; eight horses for work brought over, with money to provide materials.

Precincts of Clancally and Lurg and Coolemakernan

Thomas Flowerdew, 2000 acres; is resident, has brought over two freeholders and five fine copyholders; he cast a trench about an old Rath, and is building an English house, of 50 feet long and 22 broad, providing materials. Edward Warde, 1000 acres; has not appeared, nor any for him; nothing done. Thomas Plumsteed has made over his portion to Sir Hugh Worrall; nothing done. Thomas Chiney, 1000 acres, has not appeared, nor any one for him; nothing done. Henry Gunning [Honynge], 1000 acres; has taken possession, but nothing done. John Sedborough, 1000 acres, is resident with his wife and family; has brought over two freeholders, one leaseholder, and three copyholders; felled timber, raised stones, set up an oven, and two chimneys in his house, and intends to go in hand with his bawne. Robert Calvert, 1000 acres; is resident; has built a house after the English manner. Has two families of English, unto whom he will give estates. Six other families have promised to come unto him at May next. Robert Bogas, 1000 acres; has not appeared, nor any for him; nothing done. John Archdale, 1000 acres; the like.

Enniskellin

There is a fair and strong wall newly erected of lime and stone, 26 foot high with flankers, a parapet, and a walk on the top of the wall, built by Captain William Colle [Cole], constable thereof, towards which he had 200 lbs sterling from the king. A fair house begun upon the foundation of the old castle, with other convenient houses for store and munition, which, besides the laying out of the captains own money, will draw on some increase of charge to the king. The bawn is ditched about with a fair large ditch and the river on one side, with a good drawbridge. The King hath three good boats there ready to attend all services. A large piece of ground adjoins the fort with a good timber house, after the English fashion, built by the captain, in which he and his family now dwell.

A NOTE HOW THE PLANTATION GOES FORWARD IN FARMANOCH, AND WHAT THE UNDERTAKERS HAVE DONE THERE AND THEIR PROCEEDINGS:::

For all the rest some of them came and saw the land and went their ways, and what order they took, I know not, and what is above written is all that I have seen.

Phillip Gatisfeth

22nd Setember, 1611

ABSTRACT OF NICHOLAS PYNNER'S SURVEY IN 1619 --COUNTY FERMANAGH

-SCOTCH UNDERTAKERS-

Precinct of Knockninny:

Total in Knockninny Precinct, 6 freeholders, 76 lessees; able to produce 178 men with arms.

Precinct of Magheriboy:

Total in Magheriboy Precinct, 20 freeholders, 58 lessees, 14 cottagers; able to produce 257 men.

-ENGLISH UNDERTAKERS-

Precinct of Clancally

Total of Clancally Precinct; 5 freeholders, 44 lessees, 8 cottagers; able to produce 96 men with arms.

Precinct of Lurg and Coolemakernan

Total for Lurg and Coolemarkernan; 21 freeholders, 28 lessees, 4 cottagers; able to produce 136 men with arms.

-SERVITORS-

Precinct of Clinawly

Precinct of Coole and Tircannada

This content is Copyright Ulster Ancestry, Family and Ancestral Research.

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