(none)

Griffith Valuation List in 1852 list the occupants of Clasheen as William Bolton with the house and offices and 76 acres and John Bolton with 49 acres. Considering the "naming patterns" of the Bolton family and the date of the listing, I include John as the brother of William here. Because William occupied the house and offices, John must have lived elsewhere or "in residence" with brother William and his family. Another interpretation would omit this son John and assume that the John named in Griffith be the senior (the father) John. William of Clasheen is a Witness to a Deed dated 1768, Vol 309, page 474, number 206459, mf 531682, lxviii, where the Grantee was William Bolton of Ballinvalley, gentleman. The property was Ballynestra. This Deed is the first mention of this William Bolton. John of Clasheen is a Witness to a Deed also dated 1768, Vol 291, page 217, number 191101, mf 531664, lxx, where Henry Bolton, gentleman, of Ballyduff is the Grantor and William Bolton, gentleman, of Ballinvalley is the Grantee. The propery is Ballyduffbeg in the Barony of Ballagheen. The next "identified" resident of Clasheen is Martha who was born approximately in 1749. She could have married either William or John (of the Griffith List). Considering that William appear possessed the house and offices and taking into the account the "naming" practice of the Bolton's where William is the first son, one might postulate that William (23) was the husband of Martha. Placing the wedding when Martha was 20 years of age in the year 1774, William (23) would have been at least 40 years of age. Or alternatively either William or John could have had a son who was Martha's husband. Since a choice seems necessary at this point, I select the first alternative. Following the work of Adrian Cardell, additional study of the Deed Records would probably give more data to fill out the picture. But there can be little question that Clasheen (Lasglassin etc.) has been the possession of the Bolton-Lee family since at least 1710. William and Christina Lee are the 10 th generation to occupy this land! (The average age of each generation works out to be around 30 years. This a little larger than the expected average age of 25 so perhaps we have missed 1 or 2 generations along the way.)