History: The 1833 Tithe Applotment in Ireland 1825-1835

Tithes were a common practice in Christian churches. Parishioners donated a portion of their income (tithe comes from a tenth) to help support their parish church and local diocese. This became a standard practice during medieval times. The problem in Ireland came when the Catholic Church, which most of the population belonged to, was disenfranchised, and all of the monies were given to the Protestant Church of Ireland, which was the formally recognized state church after the Cromwellian reformation. Now Catholic parishioners were required to pay a tithe to support the Protestant state church, which they did not attend. Meanwhile they supported their own Catholic clergy with donations. This unfair tithe fell heavily on the back of poor Irish farmers.

The Tithe Applotment Books began in 1823, recording land quality and corn prices on which each farmer was made to pay cash based on the quality of their land and the price of corn. The farmers were outraged by this.

In 1829, the Roman Catholic Relief Act was passed. Led by Daniel O'Conner, and supported by the Marquess Wellesley (Hugh Allen's neighbor)This did away with the remaining Penal Laws of Cromwellian times. Catholics could now be represented in the government with members allowed seats in Parliament. Catholic farmers hoped this would be the end to Protestant Tithes.

When the Tithes remained, violent "Tithe Wars" broke out across Ireland.
When efforts of civilian collection were thwarted, police began enforcing the tithes, often seizing livestock or property if monies were not paid.

In 1838, tithes were reduced and were to be paid to landlords as part of the yearly rent. Of course, most landlords just raised the rent to cover the tithe.

It was 1871- decades after our ancestors left for America- before the tithes were abolished.