Original bundle of letters and papers concerning the 4th Earl’s patents for a machine which he had invented for removing leaves and other matter from turbines, 1901-4; together with notes on his experiments with electro-plating, 1908. [Not in chronological order.]

Papers about Birr Church of Ireland church and parish, including historical compilations of the rev. Dr Samuel Hemphill, Rector of Birr, covering the period 1612-1903. The compilations consist of a small quarto notebook containing MS. Copies of 1642 depositions concerning the neighbourhood of Birr; another containing a history of Birr Church of Ireland church (taken from vestry books, parish registers, etc), 1760-1903); and two succession lists of Birr incumbents, 1612-1912. The sub-section also includes a series of printed annual reports on the parish and on the diocese of Killaloe and Kilfenora, 1900-10.

Letters and tradesmen’s accounts to the 5th Earl relating to seeds, shrubs, trees and planting, including 3 letters from Augustine Henry [botanist renowned for his flora-collecting explorations in central and western China], 1908-10. One of
Henry’s letters, dated 26 July 1909, is about [Chinese?] plant specimens at Birr; it has been photocopied by PRONI, T/3498/4.

Four envelopes of tradesmen’s accounts to the 5th Earl, including a few to Lady Rosse, from London, Dublin and Birr tradesmen (primarily the first) for all manner of goods (among them a pendant brooch supplied by C. Faberge,
1910), but excluding accounts for major items connected with Birr Castle and gardens [for which see M/25 and 33 respectively], 1910-18; together with 7 volumes of Birr Castle house-keeping books kept by Lady Rosse/de Vesci and (in one case) her sister, Countess de la Feld, 1910-30. [See also T/30. Not in chronological order.]

Preprinted acknowledgment postcards sent by return by prisoners-of-war in German camps on receipt of relief parcels organised by the Birr Castle scheme. Personal details recorded include name, rank and internment camp.

Bundle of deeds and copy deeds constituting a re-settlement of the Rosse estate by the 4th and 5th Earls (1898), with sequel releases and appointments of new trustees of the settlement.

Small folio volume recording turf-cuttings on the bogs of the Rosse estate.

Envelope of legal papers about the estate, including non-contemporary copies of deeds back to 1909, and counsel’s opinions on cases concerning repairs to tenanted houses, rates on such houses, the claims of J. Laurie, a dismissed steward [see Q/389], etc, etc.

Two boxes of letters from ‘D’ -principally Darley, Orpen & McGillycuddy/Synnot, solicitors, Dublin, who write mainly in their capacity as solicitors to the Rosse estate, but who also acted for other employers of Garvey as well.

‘K’ and ‘L’ - a very miscellaneous lot, but including Colonels Kingscote and Lodwick (two more of Garvey’s employers -[see Section V/21-2]).