Private acts of parliament

We hold a small collection of local interest private acts of parliament ranging from 1695 to 1905.

An individual (wealthy, influential & male) who wanted to undo some family arrangement about property or who wanted a divorce for example, had to finance a private act of parliament to achieve this. In 1744 Thomas, Lord Caher is petitioning to sell some property to clear debts and complete a marriage settlement for his son and heir, James Butler.