Pery Square Tontine, 1848-1906

  • Reference code: IE LA P73 
  • Extent: 34 Items

Scope & Content

System of Arrangement:

Items 1-11 were part of the first collection acquired by Limerick Archives, while 12-38 were transferred to Limerick Civic Trust by a descendent of one of the winners of the Tontine and then held on loan by Limerick City Archives.

Subjects

Pery Square Tontine

Creator(s)

Pery Square Tontine Company

Biographical / Historical Note

A tontine is an investment scheme through which shareholders derive some form of profit or benefit while they are living, but the value of each share devolves to the other participants and not the shareholder’s heirs on the death of each shareholder.

The tontine is usually brought to an end through a dissolution and distribution of assets to the living shareholders when the number of shareholders reaches an agreed small number. One of the best documented is the tontine that developed six of the handsome late Georgian buildings around Pery Square, in theNewtownsection ofLimerick,Ireland.

The tontine was proposed in 1834 and the buildings were completed in 1838. The tontine company was finally fully subscribed and created in 1840. There were 89 shares and the list of subscribers printed in 1841 was headed by Edmond Pery, the first Lord Limerick. He took 18 shares, each tied to the life of a different person, ranging in age from 2 to 27. Ten were 10 or younger.

Seven were his own children. Two of the other subscribers named essentially public “lives”, the Prince Consort Albert, then aged 22, and Princess Augusta, daughter of the Duke of Cambridge, then 18. The long term payoff for this tontine was that the share owners tied to the six last surviving lives took full ownership of one of the six houses.

The shares were negotiable as long as the life related to that share continued. In 1882, fifty shares were still outstanding, held by 13 people. They shared the income of the company, primarily rents less expenses, which in 1882 came to roughly £ 225 (£ 15,100 in 2005 terms.) The tontine was wound up in 1913, triggered by the death of the seventh last of the named lives. Two of the six houses ended up with descendants of the original shareholders.

Archival History:

Papers were donated by Limerick Civic Trust to LimerickCityArchives

 

Administrative Information

  • Access Restrictions: N.A. 
  • Use Restrictions: N.A. 
  • Related Materials: N.A.

Collection Content

  • Share Register for the Pery Square Tontine relating to properties 1-6 Pery Square, Limerick, providing an account of shares in the Pery Square Tontine Company, including the name of the shares’s proprietor, details of subsequent transfers of the share under administration and probate with names and addresses of those involved and notes on the payment of dividends; ‘Acting on the advice of Messrs Barrington and Co. solicitors to the Company (conveyed by letter 25 April 1890) the directors decided to pay the dividends on this share to Mrs E.H. Braine, daughter of Captain Andrew Vincent Watson’. (9 July 1890, 41ff); includes notes on the death of nominees; ‘ Share No. 61- Lord Inchiquin Nominee died 8 April 1900’. ( 61ff). The Register relates to the following share numbers and original proprietors. 3,6,10,13,14,16: Honourable Henry Edmond Sexton Pery : 20,22,23,28,31,34,36,37 : Daniel Barrington; 40, 41,and 44: Henry Watson, 48, 50 and 52 : Mathew Barrington; 55 : Richard Williams, 58, 60 and 61 : James Pain, 63 : James Barry; 68 and 69 owned by Thomas William, 71 : William Percy, 72 : Hector McKern; 73 : William McKern, 75 : Thomas Philip Vokes; 79: Montiford Westropp; 80 : Brabazon Connor; 84 : James Seaword; 85: George Gibbons Williams; and 86: John Watson O’ Mahony. 
  • Extent: 130 ff
  • Access Rules: N.A. 

  • Rental of the property of the Pery Square Tontine at No. 1- 6 Pery Square listing tenants and rent details; includes notes on arrears and Accounts of the Tontine, costs of repairs and other expenses with a dividend account included from 1833,1884,1885. 
  • Extent: c. 70 ff
  • Access Rules: N.A. 
  • List of share holders’ nominees noting whether alive or dead and with new alternating numbering systems assigned to the share. 
  • Extent: 2 pp
  • Access Rules: N.A. 

  • File relating to Share Number 10 in the Pery Square Tontine, held by Henry Edmund Pery and concerning the death of his nominee Thomas Cockayne Maunsell. 
  • Extent: 4 Items
  • Access Rules: N.A. 
  • Account of dividends paid on Share number 13 in the Pery Square Tontine, originally held by Henry Edmund Pery. 
  • Extent: 1 p
  • Access Rules: N.A. 
  • File relating to share number 52 in the Pery Square Tontine, originally held by Mathew Barrington concerning the death of a nominee ‘ I have now only one life, Col. Butson, who I am glad to say is quite well. (p1, 21 October 1906, 2pp) 
  • Extent: 3 Items
  • Access Rules: N.A. 
  • File concerning share number 72 in the Pery Square Tontine, including a letter confirming the ‘existence of the life of Hector McKern’ and subsequently his death certificate death certificate. 
  • Extent: 4 Items
  • Access Rules: N.A. 
  • Letter from G.D. Scott, Curate, Rathlin, Bray confirming that Georgina Lyne was still living, in relation to share number 82 in the Pery Square Tontine. 
  • Extent: 2 pp
  • Access Rules: N.A. 

  • File relating to share number 84 in the Pery Square Tontine, confirming the death of Charlotte Emily Fraser
  • Extent: 4 Items
  • Access Rules: N.A. 
  •     Draft minute of a meeting of the Pery Square Tontine. 
  • Extent: 1 p
  • Access Rules: N.A. 

  • Copy Assignment - Harry Rhys Maunsell, Henrietta Maunsell and Emma Elizabeth Fredericka Warren agreed to assign No. 1, 2, 3 Pery Square to Sophia M. Vanderkiste, for a yearly rent of 18 17 s 6 d.
  • Extent: 5 pp
  • Access Rules: N.A. 
  • Document concerning costs on the sale of [..] from A. Blood Smyth solicitor to Sir Vincent Nash for payment of costs amounting to £1062,17,0. 
  • Extent: 2 pp
  • Access Rules: N.A. 
  • File of correspondence between F. Hammersley Broxhead, Bordon Camp, Hants and Vincent Nash House & Land Agency Offices 85 O’Connell Street Limerick concerning the life of Mrs Sarah Hammersley and the effects on Nash’s shares in the Pery Square Tontine Company.
  • Extent: 3 Items
  • Access Rules: N.A. 
  • File relating to the interest held by Sir Vincent Nash in no 3 Pery Square and its sale by Sir Vincent Nash, Shannon View, Castletroy County Limerick to Dr John F. Devane no 3 Pery Square, Limerick. The file includes an Agreement of Sale, Abstract of Title, the Purchasers Requisitions of title and solicitors correspondence between Messrs P.J O’Sullivan & Son Solicitors 88, O’Connell Street Limerick and John D. Ryan LLB. Solicitor 41 Patrick Street Limerick concerning the sale. 
  • Extent: 10 Items
  • Access Rules: N.A. 
  • File concerning no 4 Pery Square and its use by the British Army, the file contains a list of deficiencies and fixtures for the house, a lease agreement between Sir Vincent Nash of Shannonview House Kilmurray Limerick and Major G.J. Bell Chief Land Agent Ireland on behalf of his Majesty’s Principal Secretary of State for the War Department and correspondence between Messrs Nash & Sons, Estate Agents, O’Connell St. Limerick and Lieutenant J Sanderson R.A.S.C. Castle Barracks, Limerick.
  • Extent: 4 Items
  • Access Rules: N.A. 
  • File relating to the sale of share no 86 in the Pery Square Tontine Company originally held by John Watson Mahony and sold by his widow Sarah Jane Mahony of Farmleigh Stillorgan Co Dublin to James Nash of 85 George Street Limerick. File contains correspondence from Mahony to Nash and the original share agreement.
  • Extent: 4 Items
  • Access Rules: N.A. 
  • File relating share numbers 32 and 33 in the Pery Square Tontine Company, originally owned by Francis Connell Fitzgerald and sold by his widow Mary Jane Fitzgerald of Lower Mallow Street Limerick to James Nash Glentworth Street Limerick for £10. File contains receipts of payments made by Connell Fitzgerald to ‘The Tontine Company Pery Square’ as well as the original share certificates and the signed share transfer agreement.
  • Extent: 15 Items
  • Access Rules: N.A. 
  • Copy of an Indenture between Sophia M. Vanderkiste, widow of one part and Sir Vincent Nash of 85 O’Connell Street, Deputy Lieutenant of the other part. Six separate indentures of lease made on 8 August 1840 between Daniel Barrington for one part and Henry Watson for the other six plots of ground in Perry Square called one two three four five and six, Pery Square. The several leases were granted to Watson in trust for the Pery Square Tontine Company formed for the purpose of erecting six dwelling houses the capital of the company consisted of ten thousand six hundred and eighty pounds divided into eighty nine shares of one hundred and twenty pounds each with the conditions of each member recorded in the Charter Party of 11 August 1840, enrolled in the Chancery Court 5 February 1841. Sophia M. Vanderkiste as beneficial owner doth hereby grant and assign into the said Sir Vincent Nash all that and those the plot number three Pery Square. Registered at the Registry of Deeds, Dublin 8 January 1919. 
  • Extent: 5 pp
  • Access Rules: N.A. 
  • File relating to the sale of share no 86 in the Pery Square Tontine Company originally held by John Watson Mahony and sold by his widow Sarah Jane Mahony of Farmleigh Stillorgan Co Dublin to James Nash of 85 George Street Limerick. File contains correspondence from Mahony to Nash and the original share agreement.
  • Extent: 4 Items
  • Access Rules: N.A. 
  • File of receipts of deposits made by Connell Fitzgerald ‘being due on one share to The Tontine Company Pery Square’ each receipt is signed by [..] Mahony.
  • Extent: 12 Items
  • Access Rules: N.A. 
  • Share certificates for share numbers 32 and 33 of the Pery Square Tontine Company confirming that Francis Connell ‘is a proprietor of the property and concerns of said Company’ (p1)
  • Extent: 2 Items
  • Access Rules: N.A. 

  • Transfer deed of share numbers 32 and 33 in the Pery Square Tontine Company from Mary Jane Fitzgerald of Lower Mallow Street Limerick to James Nash Glentworth Street Limerick for £10.
  • Extent: 1 p
  • Access Rules: N.A. 
  • Copy of an Indenture between Sophia M. Vanderkiste, widow of one part and Sir Vincent Nash of 85 O’Connell Street, Deputy Lieutenant of the other part. Six separate indentures of lease made on 8 August 1840 between Daniel Barrington for one part and Henry Watson for the other six plots of ground in Perry Square called one two three four five and six, Pery Square. The several leases were granted to Watson in trust for the Pery Square Tontine Company formed for the purpose of erecting six dwelling houses the capital of the company consisted of ten thousand six hundred and eighty pounds divided into eighty nine shares of one hundred and twenty pounds each with the conditions of each member recorded in the Charter Party of 11 August 1840, enrolled in the Chancery Court 5 February 1841. Sophia M. Vanderkiste as beneficial owner doth hereby grant and assign into the said Sir Vincent Nash all that and those the plot number three Pery Square. Registered at the Registry of Deeds, Dublin 8 January 1919. 
  • Extent: 5 pp
  • Access Rules: N.A. 
  • Printed copy of an Indenture made between ‘Daniel Barrington of the one part and Henry Watson of the other part that Barrington doth demise grant set and to farm let unto Watson that plot or piece of ground marked number 3 Pery Square Limerick’ explains the foundation of the Tontine Company, declares ‘Watson doth hereby declare that the lease or demise is executed to him IN TRUST for and to the only use and benefit of the several and perspective persons and their successors or assigns respectively forming and constituting the Society’ requires Barrington to perform all duties of landlord such as repairs when necessary. The original document was prepared by P.J. O’Sullivan & Son Solicitor’s 88 O’Connell St Limerick. 
  • Extent: 4 pp
  • Access Rules: N.A. 
  • Pery Square Tontine Co. probable dates of death of nominees 1840-1907 which records approximately 67 deaths as well as the ages of the deceased and the [dates] they died. 
  • Extent: 1 p
  • Access Rules: N.A. 
  • Handwritten note by an unknown source which refers ‘copy lease 8 August 1840 [..] lease 999 years of 4 Pery Square, also mentions Mr Blood Smith. Note is written on the back of a printed, unaddressed unsigned, undated letter from James Nash & Son House & Land Agency Offices 85, O’Connell Street Limerick which asks for ‘immediate payment of rent due by you to last gale day in this matter’ (p2) 
  • Extent: 2 pp
  • Access Rules: N.A. 
  • Letter from [..] Michael Sellers & Co, Solicitors, A. Blood-Smith 47 George Street Limerick to Sir Vincent Nash George Street Limerick informing him that ‘I enclose the original deed of assignment dated 22 May 1914 copy and lease.’
  • Extent: 1 p
  • Access Rules: N.A. 
  • File of receipts confirming items received from William Leahy & Son and from Leahy & O’Sullivan Solicitors including Articles of Agreement 11 August 1840 Vanderkiste and Watson and 22 May 1914 Maunsell & Ors to Mrs S. Vanderkiste Original Assignment.
  • Extent: 2 Items
  • Access Rules: N.A. 
PDF File: P73/29. Undated  
  • List of legal documents concerning the Pery Square Tontine Company including ‘Articles of Agreement 11 August 1840’, Assignment dated 17 December 1918 Mrs Sophia M. Vanderkiste to Sir Vincent Nash.
  • Extent: 1 p
  • Access Rules: N.A. 

  • Document certifying that ‘John Watson Mahony is a proprietor of the property and concerns of the Pery Square Tontine Company, depending on the life of Miss Sarah Keating aged thirteen years.
  • Extent: 1 p
  • Access Rules: N.A. 

  • Printed record of the eighty nine members of the Pery Square Tontine Company under nine headings, ‘Proprietors’ Name and Address, Residence, Life named by Proprietor, Age, Residence, Father’s Name and Address, Residence, Mother’s maiden name and if she had been a Widow name of her former husband, Observations’. The date of death of approximately forty seven of the Company members is handwritten in the ‘observation’ column. 
  • Extent: 1 p
  • Access Rules: N.A. 
  • File of letters from H. O’Connor St Paul Street [Ducbie] Canada, to James Nash Esq Glentworth Street Limerick Topics discussed include: the death of Mr Daniel Doyle solicitor and the subsequent management of his business by Nash which includes no 37, 38, 39, 40 Catherine Street Limerick built by Thomas O’Grady, O’Connor’s late father in law, O’Connor maintains the properties are legally his and that he appointed Doyle to manage them, complains of Doyle’s unsatisfactory work, asks Nash to send him information on Doyle, enquires as to what Doyle did with ‘the revenues’ and that while he may have ‘acted towards his clients right towards us he acted in every way the reverse’. One of the letters is closed for conservation.
  • Extent: 2 Items
  • Access Rules: N.A. 
PDF File: P73/33. Undated  
  • File of memo noting no 4 Pery Square Limerick.
  • Extent: 2 Items
  • Access Rules: N.A. 

  • Printed copy of the Articles of Agreement under which the Pery Square Tontine Company was formed for the Building and erecting of six dwelling houses upon certain lots of ground fronting Pery Square, by virtue of six indentures of lease each being for the term of nine hundred and ninety nine years by the following -Edmund Sexton Pery, Daniel Barrington, Henry Watson, Matthew Barrington, Richard Williams, James Pain, James Barry, Thomas Williams, William Piercy, George McKern, Thomas Phillip Vokes, Thomas Wallnutt Montiford Westropp, Brabazon Connor, Francis Connell Fitzgerald, James Lyne, James Harvey, James Seward, George Gibbons Williams, John Watson Mahony, James Lyne and Rev Robert Miller as executors for Rev Cornelius William Lyne, Elizabeth O’Halloran and Ellen Homan. 
  • Extent: 33 pp
  • Access Rules: N.A.