| Sharman Crawford Papers | Public Record Office of Northern Ireland |
|---|---|
| Collection | |
|---|---|
Identifier |
D/856 |
Description |
Estate and political papers of the Crawford, Sharman and Sharman-Crawford families of Co. Down, c.1717-1920. Of particular significance are the papers of William Sharman-Crawford (1781-1861), MP for Dundalk, 1835-1837, and Rochdale, 1841-1852. Consisting of correspondence and memoranda, 1830-61, this section of the collection charts the development and progress of Crawford’s political career and interests. A keen supporter of Catholic Emancipation and later a federalist solution to the Irish Question, he is chiefly reknowned for his work in support of the tenant farmers of Ireland and, in particular securing the legal recognition of the Ulster custom of Tenant Right. His papers also demonstrate his radical approach to such issues as the Franchise and the Corn Laws. The papers are rich in correspondence on these and other important issues of the day. His correspondents include major figures such as Grey, Peel, Russell, Stanley, Graham, Hume, Cobden, Bright, Napier, Cardwell, Sheil, O'Connell and Smith O'Brien. There are also a large number of informative memoranda written by Sharman-Crawford on a wide range of issues such as the economic position of Ireland and, in particular, the drain on the economy (estimated at £1.5 million per annum) caused by absenteeism. The collection also includes a series of devotional memoranda reflecting Crawford’s later preoccupation (after 1852) with religion, which illustrate, for example, his reasons for withdrawing from the Established Church of Ireland in favour of Unitarianism. The second major constituent of the collection comprises rentals, accounts, leases, maps and correspondence for the several estates which came into the hands of the Sharman-Crawford family, at Rademon, Crawfordsburn and Banbridge in Co. Down, and at Stalleen in Co. Meath. These cover the years c.1830-1900. A group of testamentary and trust papers relating to the clients of Arthur Sharman-Crawford, solicitor, includes such families as Gordon, Angerstein, Bellingham, Holmes-Houston, Adams, Forbes and Burr, c.1800-1900. |
Strengths |
The principal strength of the collection centres on the important political correspondence included, much of it emanating from leading political figures. |
Physical Characteristics |
c.2,500 items comprising correspondence, volumes, maps, testamentary papers, etc., occupying the space of 23 PRONI boxes. |
Languages |
English |
Contents Date Range |
1717 - 1920 |
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 calender reference D/856 for list of the collection. The catalogues are available in PRONI's Public SearchRoom. |
| Collector | |
|---|---|
History |
Solicitors, Linenhall St., Belfast. |
| Owner | |
|---|---|
Telephone |
+44 (0)28 9032 1080 |
Fax |
+44 (0)28 9032 4177 |
History |
Solicitors, Linenhall St., Belfast. |
| Location | |
|---|---|
Name |
Public Record Office of Northern Ireland |
Address |
2 Titanic Boulevard |
Website |
|
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 |