Description: -- "Abduction can be described as the practice of carrying off a woman with the purpose of compelling her to marry a particular man who would then have access to the available dowry of money, land or other property, tied to the woman. Abduction was a noted phenomenon of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and, within the context of the history of marriage in Ireland" **One abduction recorded herein. The joined statements of Elizabeth Lee of Wells, Co. Carlow and Peter Walsh of Cloroosk, Co. Carlow, made against James Byrne of Wells who together with about 9 other persons took Elizabeth "putt on her on horseback" to "Feloniously to Defile her or Force her against her will to Marry some one of them"The adjoining statement of Peter Walsh confirms the same.Jury charge sheets from Peter Walsh for assault against James and from Elizabeth Lee charging James "to feloniously and forcibly assault take and Carry away with an intent to Defile and Marry her" Made before Magistrate Nic Alward and Jury charge sheets signed by Richard Butler. A statement of 22nd September 1752 was settled by Huge Lee who "Quit Claims unto James Byrne against assault, damages "from the beginning of world to the day and date hereof" signed by Hugh Lee, Peter Walsh and Elizabeth Lee. (they got married!!).September 1752 was when the Julian Calendar changed over to the Gregorian Calendar jumping from the 2nd September to 14th September overnight. Many people protested about the change and the loss of days as they believed that their lives would be shortened by 11 days.* *Marriage in Ireland 1660-1925 - Mary O' Dowd and Maria Luddy - Cambridge University Press.

Very good, legible.