In 1829, the Catholic Relief Bill was passed. Catholics were admitted to Parliament and local government corporations (but still excluded from some of the higher offices). Only freeholders had the right to vote. “Freeholders” were men who either owned their land outright (in fee) or those who held it in a lease for the duration of their life (or the lives of other people named in the lease). From 1793, Protestants and Catholics with 40 shilling freeholds had been allowed to vote. However, in 1829 the rate increased to 10 pounds for everyone (stripping 40 shilling freeholders of their right to vote and increasing the influence of landlords by confining membership to the propertied or monied classes).
The Roscommon & Leitrim Gazette published these lists on various dates as voters came forward to register. In May 1829 for Co. Roscommon alone, 948 names and addresses, with details of their holding(s) were publlished and more followed as the year drew to a close.
The Roscommon & Leitrim Gazette can be searched and viewed online, for a minimal fee, at:
britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk (search under "freeholder" for comprehensive results).
