Jacksons of Steeple

 

Steeple is a townland in the Parish of Antrim, Co. Antrim. It is just north of the current town of Antrim. This family has pricked my curiosity on two counts.

 

Firstly, there is the mention of the first George JACKSON being a Gent and also a Peter JACKSON being associated with the leather trades (cordwainer in 1683). There are a significant number of JACKSONs in the leather trades and of a similar social status: Gilbert JACKSON (1677-1723) in Co. Down; Joseph JACKSON (father of Richard JACKSON 1769-1836)  in Co. Monaghan; Robert JACKSON (abt 1650-1711) of Crooked Staff in Dublin and Richard JACKSON active in shipping tanned goods in the late 1600s in Drogheda.

 

 

 

PRONI REFERENCES:

PRONI: D2489/8 1734-1934 Three boxes of documents relating to the Clarke family, The Steeple, Antrim, Co. Antrim, and the related Jackson family, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim. The documents include miscellaneous leases, title deeds, correspondence, marriage settlements, receipts for stocks and shares, income tax returns, insurance policies and material relating to the Irish Land Commission concerning the land of the Clarke and Jackson families in Antrim. There are also wills of George Jackson, The Steeple, Antrim, 12 Oct. 1734; James Jackson, Loonburn, Co. Antrim, 18 Sep. 1770; Amy Jackson, The Steeple, Antrim, 4 July 1775; Thomas Mercer, Gloucester Street, Dublin, 23 Sep. 1800; and James Clarke, Ballymena, Co. Antrim, 24 July 1810.

NOTE: CLARK-JACKSON connection: 348-124-232454. 1782 Jun 27 His will: Thomas JACKSON formerly of Holywell but now of town & of Antrim. 22 Oct 1772. Full 1 ¼ p. 27 June 1782. My wife Rose Jackson. My son Thomas Jackson exor. My daughter Rose Jackson. My two grand-daughters Rose Clark and Elinor Clark. My son William Jackson exor.

My freehold lease of Holywell. My lands of Ballynadrentagh [1251 acres in Parish of Killead, Co. Antrim]. Witnesses William HOLMES & Robert YOUNG both of town & Co Merchants & Hugh O’NEIL of the same Linnen Draper... & Thomas DAWSON of Carmony, Co Antrim, Farmer  NOTE: There is a townland currently named Holy Well in the Parish of Antrim. It is on the northern border of the townland of Steeple.

1772 Oct 22 348 124 232454 Registry of Deeds:

NOTE: Ballynahadrentagh is near the Belfast International Airport. (see map). By the time of Griffiths, there were no JACKSONs there – but there were SUFFERNs – and given internmarriages a few decades earlier, this could be meaningful. SEE: Baptisms at First (Millrow) Presbyterian.

Beaufort Journal. Rev. Daniel A. Beaufort’s travels.

·       Wikipedia:  Daniel Augustus Beaufort LL.D. (1739–1821), was an English Anglican priest and geographer, born on 1 October 1739 at East Barnet, as the son of Daniel Cornelis de Beaufort and Esther Gougeon, French Huguenot refugees. He was rector of Navan, County Meath, Ireland, from 1765 to 1818.  He would have been known to the JACKSONs because: In 1790 he was presented by the Right Hon. John Foster to the vicarage of Collon, co. Louth. He afterwards built the church at Collon, where he remained until his death in 1821. He was successively collated to the prebendal stalls of Kilconnell, in the diocese of Clonfert, (3 October 1818), and of Mayne, in the diocese of Ossory (20 April 1820).  

·       SOURCE: Dictionary of Irish Architects: His design for Collon church (1811-13), inspired by King's College chapel, Cambridge, is probably the best known of his architectural enterprises.

·       PRONI MIC250/1 1787-1788  NOTE: Mention of JACKSONs near Steeple, Co. Antrim  Near Antrim saw, close to Mr Jackson's at Steeple, a round tower with four windows at top and a pointed cone roof, as usual, but with more large windows than common. I was told by a man in Antrim that the entrance is on the ground and that there is some way of climbing up in it and that there was once a great burial ground about it.

·       http://www.thepeerage.com/p17344.htm#i173440

PRONI: MIC 500/4 :  5 May 1665 Certified Copy Grant of Charles

  • 10 Mar. 1718 Rev. Peter Jackson Vicar of Louth to Archbishop of Armagh. Killancoole, Co. Louth. Petition and Opinion requesting the uniting of the parishes of Louth and of Killancoole,Co. Louth.  
  • [c.1718] Rev. Jackson and Archbishop of Armagh. Notes on the Case about reuniting Louth and Killancoole.  
  • 16 Jan. 1723 Case and Opinion of Francis Bernard saying that the Vicarage is in the gift of Primate while the Rectory is in the gift of the Crown. The  
  • Crown has won the case against uniting.
  • 25 June 1722 Letter Rev. Theo. Bolton, Dublin to [ ? ][enclosed in D562/523]. Apologising for not sending Mr Jackson's paper sooner and containing a Query about the tythes of the Monastery of Louth or of the Rectory and saying that if they are part of the Monastery they go to the Vicar.  
  • [c. 25 June 1722] Review of the Case. Mr Jackson, Vicar of Louth] about the Crown's rights in tythes of Louth and querying the distinction between tythes of Rectory and tythes of former Monastery.
  • [c.June 1722] Case of Parish of Louth by Rev- Peter Jackson, Vicar of Louth giving a detailed history of tithes in the parish of Louth quoting Leases and Patents 1540 onwards.  
  • 18 Jan. 1723 Case of and Opinion on by Francis Bernard. Rev. Peter Jackson Vicar of Louth. Re-uniting Rectory and Vicarage of Louth.
  • [c.1723] Francis Bernard's Opinion on legality of Union. Vicarage and Rectory of Louth.
  • 28 Apr.[1724] Brief for Counsel. Re-v- Peter Jackson Louth. Vicarage of Louth. Legality of Union. Co. Louth.
  • [c.1724] Francis Bernard's Opinion. Rex. -v- Jackson. Re-uniting Louth Vicarage - Rectory [enclosed in D562/529].
  • [c.1724] Reasons against passing Bill ... for better serving the Right of Advowson and Presentation to Ecclesiastical Benefices.
  • [c.1724] Comment on the Case (21 pages) of Rex. -v- Archcbishop of Armagh and Re-v- Peter Jackson.
  • 16 Feb. 1718 Case of and Opinion of Cornelius Callaghan. Rev. Peter Jackson Vicar of Louth. Rectory of Louth, etc.

PRONI D2489 Notes: William McCULLOCH red’d from Peter JACKSON £210 Deed 399.489.264507 19 Sept 1788 Between William McCULLOCH of Ballygilly, Co. Antrim Doctor of Physic & Peter JACKSON [Gent] of Steeple, Co. Antrim ... John McCULLOCH late of Antrim, apothecary., deceased.

PRONI D556/197 Wallace Estate Papers 1624-1892. The calendar description:

25 May 1816 Title from 1707 to 1816 relating to Birch Hill [a townland adjacent to Steeple] near Antrim & lands of Byefield - proposed purchase by William Lyon from Samuel Bristow.1 Mar. 1707 Renewable lease for lives of Called Park Hill (adjoining tenants given) East: John Donnell, James Donnell and Jane Connell; West: John Bell, John Gray and George Jackson; North: Sir Arthur Langford and South: John Duffields, executors of Forrest Shortriggs from Viscount Masserene to Roger Bristow.  

My Notes from 2006 diary: Lease of Birch Hill lying in the 16 towns near town of Antrim; 120 acres – one of the boundaries is land owned by “Mrs. George JACKSON of the Steeple, formerly Peter JACKSON his father’s to hold to [several names} ... of Peter JACKSON and Thos JACKSON and the survivors ...NOTE: I need to revisit this.

 

PRONI WILLS

Surname

Forename

Address

Index

Notes

Record

Jackson

Amy

The Steeple, Antrim

Pre -1858 Will

1775 Will

D/2489

Jackson

George

The Steeple, Antrim

Pre -1858 Will

1734 Will

D/2489

Jackson

James

Loonburn, Co. Antrim

Pre -1858 Will

1770 Will

D/2489

Jackson

Jane

Larne, Co. Antrim

Pre -1858 Will

1803 Will

D/300/1/5/27

Jackson

Peter

Steeple

Pre -1858 Will

1703 Will

D/2489

 

1669 Hearth Money Rolls for Antrim

Surname

Forename

Townland

Variant Spelling

Parish

Barony

JACKSON

Patrick

Steeple

Steeple Towne; Stiple

Antrim

Antrim Upper

JACKSON

Robert

Dunadry

Dunathery

Nilteen Grange

Antrim Upper

JACKSON

David

Ballymoney Town

Ballymoney Towne

Ballymoney

Dunluce Upper

JACKSON

Ffranc aka Francis

Ballymoney Town

Ballymoney Towne

Ballymoney

Dunluce Upper

NOTE: One of the brothers of the JACKSONs of Kirkby Lonsdale and later of Coleraine was a Francis JACKSON (1632-1680)

NOTE: I suspect that the name Patrick should be Peter. There is a will 1703 for a Peter JACKSON of Steeple.

 

Tithe Applotment 1825 & 1833

Name

Townland

Parish

Note

Jackson, George

Loon Burn

Kilbridge

1833 Loonburn had no substantial buildings. Three decades later, in the Griffiths Valuation, a George Jackson had title to about 170 of the 286 acres in the townland. He likely sub-leased to tenant farmers.  He also leased 40 acres directly from the Marquis of Donegal.

Jackson, Samuel

Landhead

Ballymoney

1825

Jackson, John

Ballynamenagh or Cummingstown

Ballymoney

1825

Jackson, Thomas

Ballyhemlin aka Ballyhimlen

Billy

1826 NOTE: A Thomas JACKSON was a freeholder in D/1364/L/1

 

Jackson Freeholders in Antrim

Forename

Place

Date

PRONI Ref

Notes

Thomas

Antrim

1776

D/1364/L/1

 

John

Great Patrick Street

1837

D/2966/5/1

Merchant

Robert

May Street

1837

D/2966/5/1

Gentleman

John

Great Patrick Street 

1832 Oct 19

D/2472/1

Merchant

Robert

May Street 

1832

D/2472/1

 

John

Nelson Street

1835

D/2472/1

Provisions Merchant.

John

Tomb Street

1835

D/2472/1

Cooper

John

Henry Street

1836

D/2472/1

Merchant

John

King Street 

1836

D/2472/1

Writing Clerk

Thomas

Great Patrick Street

1837

D/2472/1

Architect

 

 

 

Griffiths Valuation 1862

Surname

Forename

Townland

Parish

County

 

Jackson

James

Tirgracey

Grange of Muckamore

Antrim

A leased house with a modest valuation.

Jackson

Jane

Ballyarnot

Grange of Muckamore

Antrim

The holdings were clustered on the western border of the townland, and were small acreages with modest house values.

Jackson

Samuel

Ballyarnot

Grange of Muckamore

Antrim

Jackson

William

Ballyarnot

Grange of Muckamore

Antrim

Jackson

George

Loonburn

Kilbridge aka Kilbride

Antrim

Loonburn had no substantial buildings. George Jackson had title to about 170 of the 286 acres in the townland. He likely sub-leased to tenant farmers.  He also leased 40 acres directly from the Marquis of Donegal.

NOTE: RTE broadcast (short) O’Neills & Shane Castle

 

Repository :

Public Record Office for Northern Ireland

PRONI Reference :

D300/2/1/105/1

Level :

Item

Access :

Open

Title :

Conveyance of the farm of Loonburn in Lisnalisk

Dates :

18 April 1829

Description :

Conveyance of the farm of Loonburn in Lisnalisk, Co. Antrim, containing 83A 3R 39P I.P.M. demised by the Marquess of Donegall to Jackson by lease dated 1 April 1828, for three lives renewable forever, at the yearly rent of £13.0.9½. Lives: Martha and John Armstrong of Artnagullion, Mary B. Jackson, daughter of lessor. Consideration: £80. Luke Jackson, Loonburn, Co. Antrim to James Armstrong, Artnagullion, Co. Antrim.

 

 

Repository :

Public Record Office for Northern Ireland

PRONI Reference :

D300/2/1/105/3

Level :

Item

Access :

Open

Title :

Conveyance of the lands of Loonburn, Lisnalisk

Dates :

21 November 1890

Description :

Conveyance of the lands of Loonburn, Lisnalisk, Co. Antrim. Chancery Division, estate of Geo. A. Jackson to James Hollinger, Loonburn, Co. Antrim.

 

Repository :

Public Record Office for Northern Ireland

PRONI Reference :

D509/1558

Level :

Item

Access :

Open

Title :

Lease of 167 acres 3r. 39 per. I.P.M. for

Dates :

1 June 1805

Description :

Lease of 167 acres 3r. 39 per. I.P.M. for 61 years from 1 November 1804 - Rent: £28 p.a. plus fees of Most Hon. George Augustus Marquess of Donegall to George Jackson, Loonburn, Co. Antrim relating to Loonburn (Lisnalisk), Co. Antrim.

 

Repository :

Public Record Office for Northern Ireland

PRONI Reference :

D509/2417

Level :

Item

Access :

Open

Title :

Lease of 83 acres 3r. 39½ per. I.P.M. for

Dates :

1 April 1828

Description :

Lease of 83 acres 3r. 39½ per. I.P.M. for three lives renewable forever (See D509/1558) - Consideration: £160 - Rent: £13.-.10d. p.a. plus fees of Arthur Macdonnell, Lincoln's Inn 1st part; Barbara Staples, Glenville, Co. Antrim 2nd part to George Jackson, Loonburn, Co. Antrim relating to Loonburn (Lisnalisk)

 

Repository :

Public Record Office for Northern Ireland

PRONI Reference :

FIN/48/3/512

Level :

Item

Access :

Open

Title :

Estate of Wilhelmina Trelford Jackson, Georgina

Dates :

1925-1929

Description :

Estate of Wilhelmina Trelford Jackson, Georgina Alexander Jackson and Jane Tweed Browne (wife of Edward William Browne): townland of Loonburn, barony of Upper Antrim, Co Antrim.

 

Repository :

Public Record Office for Northern Ireland

PRONI Reference :

LPC/277

Level :

Item

Access :

Open

Title :

Lease of Loonburn, Co. Antrim from Marquis

Dates :

1 April 1828

Description :

Lease of Loonburn, Co. Antrim from Marquis of Donegall to George Jackson, Lisburn, Co. Antrim.

 

Other PRONI Bits

Record Name Notes
D1364/L/1

Thomas JACKSON, Holywell

Thomas JACKSON Antrim

At an Election held at Carrick in & for the County of Antrim the 30th day of May 1776, before Ezekiel Davys Boyd Esqr. high sheriff of said County, by virtue of his Majesty's Writt issued out of the High Court of Chancery in Ireland bearing date the first day of May instant, for the Chusing & electing two Knights to represent the said County of Antrim in a Parliament to be holden in Dublin the Eleventh day of June next. NOTE: This is the townland adjacent to the townland of Steeple. NOTE: Thomas JACKSON the elder of Hollywell, Co. Antrim in 1771 had lands in Ballynadrumlagh, Parish Killad SOURCE: ROD: 348-124-232454
MIC147/9  [c.1797]. Mr. Jackson

1795-1799. Volume of c.100 letters "Curious Original Letters", mainly correspondence of Rev. Percy Jocelyn and Anne, Countess Roden and her family

Thomas Hore, [Courtown] to "My dear Percy" [Jocelyn].

"You are both the most active and the most indolent man I know of, allways at Fermannagh and at Creggan both at the same time and yet never out of your arm Chair. Your Brother is not made surveyor of Dundalk as you wrote me word, because he wrote me word it was of Belfast ... How were you able to get this place for him - was it a traffic for that living of Lord Rodens in England? If so it is much to your credit, for you are rich enough and it cannot yet be My Lord (by the bye I do think it a wrong thing that Bishops should be called My Lord ...)"

"These are certainly times in which Clergymen should be particularly active. I mean in their profession and unless aided by the Grace of God I fear all to little purpose. As to my income, it never is in danger here for I live among my uncles tenents and they pay me when they can, and I never yet in my life had occasion to say a word to any person about my Tithes. How it is or will be in the Cy. of Cork I know not, but my heart is not at all in that Preferment and I sincerely hope I shall soon get rid of it for I never should wish to settle there and I never would accept of it and not go there. As soon as I can bring the Bishop of Cork to talk quietly, without falling into a rage I shall tell him this ..."

There can be no doubt that negotiations are going to be opened for a general peace - God grant they may be successfull for then and not till than (if I mistake not) shall we begin to see the cause of God and his Religion vindicated by the breaking out of those intestine convulsions with which France seems at this moment pregnant. ... This Mr. Jackson who is going over to Paris and on whom all our hopes depend was a friend and acquaintance of ours at Turin. He is an unhealthy nervous little fellow but I hope will be strong enough to purchase Peace for us."

"We are not so much allarmed in this part of the Country as you seem to be ... Your Political Paroxysms shall not prevent me going to B. Park for a few days if otherwise in my power ... They tell me the North of Ireland is disaffected - is it so? It is a great happyness to be as we are here flanked on one side by the sea, for on that side at least you are sure to have no discontented papists ..."

T1213/1

James Jackson

George Jackson

1698. Lord Masserene and Samuel Shannon of town of Antrim.
Copy of Lease. Thomas Shaw about 16 years old son of Wm. Shaw of Bush. William Hartson about 6 years old son of James Hartson of Antrim. James Jackson about 14 years old son of George Jackson of Holywell. Yearly Rent of £5. Dwelling House, etc. - north side of Street, town of Antrim. Farm - 12a. 1r. 16p. north of the High Way leading from Antrim. NOTE: This may be the same George JACKSON who is often described as being of Steeple.

 

 

 

 

 

Map of Steeple in Taylor and Skinner: Maps of the Roads of Ireland Surveyed 1777.

 

BELFAST NEWSLETTER:

 

DEEDS REGISTRY:

Bk

Pg

#

Date

Notes

82

418

58399

1734 Oct 12

JACKSON-DAVIES aka DAVYS 1730-1745 Book Index 1730-45

Marriage Art: of George JACKSON of Antrim Steeple , in Co Armagh Gent of 1 pt & Luke DAVIES of Dunmore  in sd Co Gent & Armanalla DAVIES his daughter ... sum of 25 pounds... Catherine DAVIS wife of Luke DAVIS... whereas George JACKSON is possessd of one moiety of the lands of Antrim Steeple by virtue of will of his father George JACKSON, dec’d renewable lease under Lord Massarene & the other moiety of the lands of Antrim Steeple which Mary JACKSON is entitled to by virtue of the will  which would revert to George after her death or marriage...WITNESS: Clotworthy NEIL of Shanescastle Arthur O’NEIL of Antrim & Alexander DAVIS of Dunmore all in the Co. Antrim, Gent

88

463

63295

1738 Apr 18

JACKSON-JACKSON Book Index 1730-45

DEED 12 Oct 1734 between Mary JACKSON of Antrim Steeple, Co. Antrim widow & relict of George JACKSON late of Steeple Aforesaid. Dec’d on the one part & George JACKSON now of Steeple ... son of George JACKSON of the other part ... devised ½ [term] ... in townlands Steeple ...

97

7

66702

1739 Jul 3

JACKSON-DOBBIN Book Index 1730-1745

re: deed 2 & 3 March 1738 between Frances JACKSON widow of Rev’d Peter JACKSON & the late rector of Killincool in the Co. Of Lowth (Louth) dec’d the rev’d George JACKSON & the only son & heir of the sd. Peter JACKSON, George ADAMS of Heathtown in the Co. of Meath Gent & Elizabeth ADAMS otherwise called JACKSON his wife and only daughter of the sd. Peter JACKSON & Frances JACKSON & Anthony FOSTER of the City of Dublin Esq. With the will annexed of the said Peter JACKSON of the one & James DOBBIN of the City of Dublin Gent of the other ... released 8 tates of Bellelulcashell ... that is to say Kilhavan one tate, Killemurree one tate and half. Mullefinegan half a tate Tannafofan one tate; Killaughavare half a tate & Eskar half a tate all in Co. Monaghan & town and lands of Ardpatrick Co. Louth.

97

26

66832

1739 Jul 16

JACKSON Book Index 1730-45

16 May 1739 between Mary JACKSON widow ... George JACKSON late of Antrim Steeple of one part. James JACKSON of Antrim gent, one of the sons of George & Mary of the other ... rent from Holywell & profits from Whim Park being part of Hollywell lease & profits of Whapstone farm in Connor Land excepting the Park ...

214

385

141542

1758 Nov 28

JACKSON-JACKSON Book Index 1758-1768

Aminella JACKSON of Steeple in Co Antrim Widow of one part & Peter JACKSON of same place Gent of other pt... lands of Steeple leased to Peter.. witness Robert Clark Antrim Gent &  Luke JACKSON of Steeple Gent  Samuel HERON of Lisburn

298

312

197534

1773 May 1

Rev, George JACKSON [(1711-1782) – son of Rev. Peter JACKSON]... Fownes JACKSON... James POE

399

487

264507

1788 Sept 19

McCULLOGH William to JACKSON 1786-1793

PRONI D2489 Notes: William McCULLOCH red’d from Peter JACKSON £210 Deed 399.489.264507 19 Sept 1788 Between William McCULLOCH of Ballygilly, Co. Antrim Doctor of Physic & Peter JACKSON [Gent] of Steeple, Co. Antrim ... John McCULLOCH late of Antrim, apothecary., deceased.

William McCULLOGH for consids releases unto Peter JACKSON half ten on s. side of street in Antrim above the church together with waste half ten adjoining other half ten - the whole called Lindsays ten + 11 acres Eng measure being part of field called Cotter's hill on left of road from Antrim to Carrickfergus for lives and rent as mentioned. Ann IRWIN formerly in occupation of  part of field called Cotter's hill on left of road from Antrim to Carrickfergus. Thanks to Vancouver Mike.

399

487

264507

1788 Sept 19

McCULLOGH William to JACKSON 1786-1793

William McCULLOGH for consids releases unto Peter JACKSON half ten on s. side of street in Antrim above the church together with waste half ten adjoining other half ten - the whole called Lindsays ten + 11 acres Eng measure being part of field called Cotter's hill on left of road from Antrim to Carrickfergus for lives and rent as mentioned. Ann IRWIN formerly in occupation of  part of field called Cotter's hill on left of road from Antrim to Carrickfergus. Thanks to Vancouver Mike.

510

118

329234

1797 Mar 13

JACKSON-His will Names Index 1794-

George JACKSON of Steeple, Parish & Co Antrim to his dear mother Ann JACKSON  the provision made to her by the will of his father Peter JACKSON, dec’d funds out lands of Steeple and Kings Tenements in Town of Steeple... good friend Jackson CLARKE of Massarene right to tenement called LINDSAYS

 

 

TRINITY COLLEGE:

Given Name

Date

Age

Father

FATHER's occupation

Birth or Residence

Peter

1696-97

16

George

Generosus

Antrim

 

POSSIBLE BITS:

Armagh clergy and parishes : being an account of the clergy of the Church of Ireland in the Diocese of Armagh, from the earliest period, with historical notices of the several parishes, churches, &c . James B. Leslie. 

In 1730 a Primatial Commission was issued to Rev. John Singleton, Rev. Peter Jackson, Rev. Edward Percival, and Richard Hansard, Esq., to view the Chancel of the Parish Church of Athirdee,

The Ulster Jacksons: From Cumbia to the White House, Shenandoah and Australia. D.J. McCartney. Carrickfergus Borough Council, 1997.

  • P69: 1683, Peter Jackson, Cordwainer, was included as a Freeman of Carrickfergus. He would have been in the Cordwainers’ Company. SEE: http://www.cordwainers.org/ Their trades included tanners, livery, and shoemakers. The crest included goats – because of goatskins used in the trade.
  • In 1711, a Peter JACKSON is included in the Muster Roll in Col. Edward Jones Regiment.

Peter JACKSON and Frances FOWNES married at St. Andrews, Dublin December 22, 1711. This seems to belong here because of the mention of Fownes JACKSON as a witness in Deed: 298-312-197534.

SOURCE: The Barton Estate and Lough Bawn in County Monaghan.  Donald M. Schlegel  Source: Clogher Record, Vol. 15, No. 2 (1995), pp. 104-145  Published by: Clogher Historical Society  Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/27699393 

On October 30, 1724, Richard and Margaret Tenison, living in Thomastown, Co. Louth, leased to John Woods of Lisnisk, gent., "the fourteen tates in the Ballybetaghs of Ballyfremor and Loughwene or one of them". The lease was for lives, renewable forever on payment of a fine of 20 shillings on the fall of each life. The initial lives were John Woods, Rev. Peter Jackson (rector of KillinCool, Co. Louth), and George Jackson, son of Peter, aged 12 years or thereabouts. Yearly rent was set at 150 pounds.82 By its term of lives renewable forever, this lease automatically gave John Woods a "freehold" in the property, equivalent to ownership in some respects, so that, for example, he and his heirs were eligible to help select parliamentary representatives.