| Pilson Manuscripts | Public Record Office of Northern Ireland |
|---|---|
| Collection | |
|---|---|
Identifier |
D/365 |
Description |
Seven manuscript volumes and one typescript copy of a volume, 1775-1863, comprising the records of Mr. Aynsworth Pilson of Downpatrick. One of the volumes is merely an account book recording transactions, 1826-62, and another is entitled ''Memoirs of notable inhabitants of Downpatrick''. It provides much detail about 79 inhabitants of the town including Pilson himself who, we are told, had an income of £430 per annum by 1844. This probably had much to do with his father who had a distillery and tan yard which latter business he made over to his only son in whose hands it apparently prospered. In his early years, Aynsworth Pilson took part in public affairs, but he was not prepared to subordinate his private interests to them. Thus, after a connection of about twelve months with the Volunteers he resigned as he found he could not give sufficient attention to his tan yard. In later years he served on several local committees, such as Poor Law, Library, etc. He seldom travelled far from home and consequently his diaries relate almost exclusively to his own private affairs and to those of Downpatrick and its neighbourhood. To people from that district Pilson's volumes should be of considerable interest. All the events, large and small, of a country town in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries are noted. |
Strengths |
An excellent source for students of local history for an important provincial town. |
Physical Characteristics |
8 volumes, 1775-1863, occupying 3 PRONI boxes. |
Languages |
English |
Contents Date Range |
1775 - 1863 |
Collection Type |
Collection.Archive.Text. |
Accrual |
Policy: Closed
Method: Indefinite Loan
Periodicity: Closed |
Access |
The collection is stored in secure, closed accommodation and can be requested for on-site consultation using an in-house document ordering system. Access is supervised and for research and/or reference purposes only. |
Description or Catalogue |
See PRONI reference D/365 for a catalogue of the papers which is available for consultation in PRONI's Public Search Room. |
Publications Note |
Archive Collection |
| Collector | |
|---|---|
Name |
Edwin D. Hill |
History |
Resident, Ballynascreen, Greenisland, Co. Antrim. No further information available. |
| Owner | |
|---|---|
Name |
Edwin D. Hill |
History |
Resident, Ballynascreen, Greenisland, Co. Antrim. No further information available. |
| Location | |
|---|---|
Name |
Public Record Office of Northern Ireland |
Address |
2 Titanic Boulevard |
Website |
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Access Control |
The Record Office is open to the general public on weekdays between 9.15 am and 4.45 pm, with late night opening until 8.45 pm on Thursday evenings. The Office is closed on the main public holidays and is closed annually for two weeks late November/early December. All readers are required to register their membership on their first visit to the office for which some form of identification will be asked. Registration and admission to the office is free of charge to the public, although certain commercial users (i.e. solicitors, journalists, television reporters and professional genealogists) are subject to a fee. Disabled access facilities, self-service microfilm and a chargeable copying service are provided. |
Role |
Government agency with responsibility for official and private records |
Phone |
0442890534800 |