Mr. John Jackson [1] , Creggane Dundalk
Dear Johnny,
I received your letter of the 13th inst and from the Content can perceive that your friends in Cavananore [2] seem very anxious to get Joe Coulters [3] – property into their Clutches. I also think that they seem eager to go to Law; from the declaration of Mr. Birch [4] relative to the Bonds due to your Aunt and Uncle Coulter [5] , however I differ widely in Opinion from Mr. Birch relative to that property but I cannot now say any thing positive on the Subject, but as I before advised you I shall do so now, that is have a full and fair Case laid before Couns:l for Advice and go agreeable to his directions. I think your Mother need not shew Mrs Coulters [6] will until Birch [7] leaves the Country & then I think she may let Saml Bradford [8] see it – but by no means let him keep it – In Order to enable me to leave a full Case before Counl you must send me a true copy of your Uncle John Coulter’s [9] will also a Copy of your Grandfather Bradfords [10] Will and a Copy of Mrs. Coulters Will all of wch must be carefully compared with the Orig:ls to prevent any Mistakes as a few words either – Omitted or Incerted wch the Originals do not contain might Materially Alter the Meaning for wch reason they must be perfectly correct --- You must also let me know whether your Uncle Tom Bradford [11] renounced the burthen of the Execution of your Uncle John Coulters will – I already know that your Aunt Betty [12] obtained Administration to your Uncle Tom [13] however this is a Question of Great Nicety and Will take some time to give it that consideration which it requires. But if your Mother [14] wishes to have proper advice on the Subject and that I shall be furnished with the proper Documts I shall State a Case in the best manner in my power & get her the best legal Advice that can be had here, but if she is Satisfied to Comply with Mr. Birch and his friends demasnds relative to the Property no advice will be necessary – My reason for writing to you sometime ago relative to Mrs. Coulters will was that I forsaw that your Aunt Betty’s friends wd be making the enquiries wch have taken place & I thought it best to put you & your Mother on your Guard ag:st them. I shall write to you again in a few days if any thing further – Occurs but on rect of this let me know how your Mother intends to Act. My love to all friends,
I am Dr Johnny Yr Affectionate Uncle Geo Jackson 7 Pitt Street 16th Feby “99
I wrote you a few days ago very fully about Smyths [15] Suit – for fear that letter has Miscarried I now inform you that the Suit is now over - [1] John JACKSON (1780-1817) son of the deceased David JACKSON(d. 1796) & Margaret BRADFORD (1739-1820). He is my 3rd great-grandfather and he is 19 years old at the time of this letter. [2] Cavananore, CO. Louth. This puts the involvement of the JACKSON family with this land back into the late 1700s. [3] It is possible that this is Joseph COULTER (1704-1796) of Dowdallshill, CO. Louth. He was the son of Thomas COULTER (1658-1754) and Anne MAFFETT (1671-1736). These were the COULTER family of Carnbeg. I have long thought that Barbara COULTER (wife of John BRADFORD and hence grandmother to John JACKSON must be tied into the Carnbeg COULTER family. If this is who this person is, then this is another link to strengthen that hunch. [4] Mr BIRCH? This could be one of several. [5] As far as I can tell, these would be an aunt and uncle who are more likely one family branch sideways. [6] This may be the wife of Nathaniel COULTER. All I know of him is that he had a daughter Mary COULTER. He was a brother of Barbara COULTER. Barbara COULTER (wife of John BRADFORD) died in 1795. I have doubts that her will could be kept under wraps that long, but it is not impossible. [7] It is possible that this reference is to Thomas Ledlie BIRCH (1755-1828) of United Irishmen fame. Once again, we are in hunch territory, but permit me to take an even larger step. George JACKSON Sr. had a daughter Mary JACKSON who married a J. GILMORE. She is of the same generation as a Mary JACKSON who married a James BIRCH (d. 1727). It does not stretch credulity to have one be a first husband, the other a second husband. The proven family connection to Thomas Ledlie BIRCH is through Elizabeth BIRCH (1733-1812) who married firstly William BREAKEY(d. before 1760) and then Alexander GILMORE (1735-1773) and who was a half sister of Thomas Ledlie BIRCH. The family trees are complex here – it may take more time to unpuzzle. [8] Samuel BRADFORD Abt 1739-1818) son of John BRADFORD & Barbara COULTER and brother fo Margaret BRADFORD who married David JACKSON. [9] John COULTER – I can’t track him. He is mentioned in a lease of 1768 to be of Cavananore. It is clear that he is related to Barbara COULTER, but I have no record of him. He may very well be a brother. 1774. The County Armagh Probate records indicate a will for a John COULTER of Cavananore. I have not seen this will and do not yet know where it might be accessed nor whether it is connected.. [10] John BRADFORD (1705-1789) of Cavananore – husband of Barbara COULTER. [11] Thomas BRADFORD (1739-1790) who married Elizabeth BREAKEY. [12] Aunt Betty = Elizabeth BREAKEY (1758-1844) wife of Thomas BRADFORD. [13] Thomas BRADFORD (1739-1790) husband of Elizabeth BREAKEY. [14] Margaret BRADFORD (1739-1820) wife of David JACKSON & mother of John JACKSON [15] SMYTH? Presumably this is a reference to the case involving SMITH in the letter of November 27, 1798. |
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