CASE STUDY: THE HAYES FAMILY

According to an inscription on a tombstone in Glenealy in Co. Wicklow, my 7x great grandfather James Hayes was an officer in the British Army in 1649, which is presumably how he came to acquire lands at Ballyfree. His son Edward married Elizabeth Lucas in the Tullow Church of Ireland parish in 1711. Searching the Grantor Indexes for Hayes entries, and browsing through the Place Name Index for Co. Wicklow, identified various memorials relating to Edward Hayes; and the memorial of Edward’s will, lodged on 7 June 1737, provides a fascinating wealth of genealogical information.

Edward left £500 and his holding at Ballydowling to his wife, referencing the terms of their marriage settlement. He left his Ballyfree holdings to his mother Margery and brother Andrew, provided they guaranteed to leave the property to his son John. He gave his brother Thomas £5, and forgave his debts. His son Edward would receive lands at Kilmullin when he turned 23. His four daughters would receive £30 between them for their clothing and apparel until they married. Sarah, the eldest, would receive £300 on her marriage, while Mary, Elizabeth and Anne were to receive £200 provided they married with their mother’s consent. The poor of the parish of Wicklow received £5, and his son John and his brother-inlaw Mathew Lucas were appointed executors.

Anne married Daniel Lawrence, a tallow chandler from Dublin; they became my 5x great grandparents. According to the memorial of their marriage settlement at bit.ly/fs-mem-settlement, Daniel received £100 from his father to set up a business or trade; with Anne’s £200 that must have given them a good start in married life.