The tenant Irish came to New York before 1750 to work on large estates–Rensselaerwyck, Livingston Manor, Ticonderoge, under men named Bleekers, Schuylers, Caylers, DePeysters, Rensselaers, Livingstons, and many others.
Let me alert you to a significant new article–“Exploring Research Resources for Hudson Valley Tenant Farmers,” by Jane E. Wilcox that appeared in The New York Researcher (Summer 2014) 28-31. Wilcox describes the manor records and considers the Lease as one of the most important sources. Her article puts a checklist of records generated on these tenant farmers in your hands from both private and public/government jurisdictions.
These tenant Irish intermarried with other Irish who arrived by way of Rhode Island and New Hampshire. They also became “Dutchified” by connecting with settlers from The Netherlands and Germany.
Knowing that there are tax lists, and probate files, and court records and other record categories covering this early settlement period provide hope that your Irish ancestors are traceable. Your favorite New York genealogist , Arlene Eakle http://arleneeakle.com
PS Add the tenant Irish to other Irish categories already discussed in this New York Blog. You can use the Google search bar at the top of this Blog.