Why did the Leslie family give John Allen and his uncle, Patrick Sweeney, 35 year leases on their farms rather than the year to year leases afforded to the neighboring farms?
The clue comes in death certificates!
Documents show that Patrick Sweeney and his son, Hugh, were nurserymen. Since the Dangan estate had burned and was no longer inhabited in 1875, they must have been nurserymen for the nearby estate at Summerhill.
Patrick Sweeney was elderly, about 76 years old. But his son, Hugh Sweeney, was 47 years old and still working as a nurseryman. Patrick's other sons likely assisted with the family nursery business- Michael and Luke were still living on the family farm in 1911.
In 1875 John Allen was 42 years old. His father, Richard Allen, had passed and the tenancy of the farm was left to him. His brothers Edward and Peter remained on the farm with him until about 1880.
Local workers were needed at Summerhill. The great house had suffered badly, and in 1851 Lord Langford even considered selling it to pay off his debts. But in 1870 an architect was brought in to repair it to its former grandeur. Outside of the mansion were extensive ornamental grounds.
Sources:
Summerhill historical and architectural information
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