The Hearth Money Rolls (1662) for Templeport Parish

The Hearth Money Tax was begun in 1662. It was a new tax of 2 shillings yearly on every hearth or fireplace in a house.

The Hearth Money Rolls are lists of persons paying the Hearth Tax.

They do not, of course, include all householders since the very poor were exempt from the Tax and others, no doubt, by their ingenuity escaped the attention of the “Smoke Man” as the collector was called in Ireland.   Many people preferred to live without a fireplace than pay the tax.

So the Hearth Money Rolls are a very incomplete survey of householders. However they may indicate the presence in Templeport townlands of family names that may survive until the present.

A map of the present Templeport Townlands with their alternative names may be found on the Templeport Development Association web site at: www.templeport.ie/pages/townlands.html

Thanks to Tom Sullivan, Cavan County Library for his help.
© List compiled by Richard Morgan 2008, Coras Point, Cavan & formerly of Bawnboy. 

Townland

Family Name

Given Name