KILDARE.
178 HARRISTOWN.
REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONERS ON
BOROUGH OF PIARRISTOWN.
Limits.
Charter.
1.
THE Limits of this Borough were by Charter to c< extend into the county of Kildare every way from the middle of the town, 100 acres in the whole."
They are at present de¬ fined by known boundaries.
2.
The borough was incorporated by a Charter from King Charles II.,
granted in the thirty-third year of his reign.
It is enrolled in Chancery.
(Rot.
Pat.
34 Charles II.
p.
1.
m.
44.)
By this charter King Charles granted to Sir Maurice Eustace, that Harristowne, Duns-towne, Carnallway, Miltowne, and other lands, containing together about 4000 acres, should constitute a manor, by the name-of the Manor of Harristowne, with power to hold a Court Leet and view of frank pledge, twice in the year, a Court Baron every three weeks, for sums not exceeding 40s.
English, and a law day, or Court of Record, when and where he pleased, to take cognizance of all personal and mixed actions, not exceeding £10 in amount of claim; all said courts to be held before seneschals to be appointed by Sir Maurice Eustace, his heirs and assigns.
This charter also granted all profits of said courts to Sir Maurice Eustace, and power to appoint officers for them, and to ha\e a prison, and to nominate a keeper.
It also empowered him to hold a market on every Saturday, and two fairs on 17th and 18th May, and 17th and 18th October, and granted to him the tolls of the fairs and markets, and a power to appoint a clerk of the market.
It declared that the town and lands of Harristown within the limits above mentioned, should be, from thenceforth, " a free borough and corporation," prescribed the mode of electing to corporate offices, and constituted the sovereign a justice of the peace.
3.
The borough returned two Members to the Irish Parliament, and the right of voting being in the members of the corporation, the body was kept up for the purpose of exercising it.
The borough was the property of the Latouche family, and at the Union John Latouche, Esq.
received the compensation (£15,000) given for the loss of the elective franchise.
The award was, in form, to the sovereign, burgesses, and freemen of Harristown, and John Latouche, Esq.
As soon as it was deprived of this privilege, the corporation was suffered to fall into disuse, and none of its offices have been filled since 1800.
Even previously to that date it exercised no municipal functions.
4.
Harristown is now a very inconsiderable village.
HENRY BALDWIN.
Inquiry, 17th September 1833, by John Colhoun.
