Newcastle

Newcastle was enfranchised by James I, and following the traditional pattern, was incorporated with a portreeve and 12 burgesses; it had the right to create freemen but that appears to have fallen into desuetude, although its memory still existed, and by the late eighteenth century the 13 electors were all non-resident. In 1783 it was a small town with about 200 inhabitants and the barony was said to be well inhabited with persons of independent properties. It belonged to the Butler family, Earls of Lanesborough. They sold it to David La Touche between 1776 and 1779, allegedly for £7,000. The £15,000 compensation for its disfranchisement at the Union was paid under the will of David La Touche.