He began his great enterprise in 1815, though it was not until 1831 that he obtained letters of naturalisation.

His application for these privileges was supported by the magistrates of Tipperary and by the Grand Jury, and they were at once granted.

In 1844 he was elected Mayor of Clonmel, and took his seat as Chairman at the Borough Petty Sessions to dispense justice.
The first person brought before him was James Ryan, who had been drunk and torn a constable's belt.

"Well, Ryan," said the magistrate, "what have you to say ?" "Nothing, your worship; only I wasn't drunk." "Who tore the constable's belt ?" "He was bloated after his Christmas dinner, your worship, and the belt burst!" "You are so very pleasant," said the magistrate, "that you will have to spend forty-eight hours in gaol." He was re-elected Mayor in the following year, very much against his wish.

He now began to buy land, for "land hunger" was strong upon him.
In 1846 he bought the estate of Longfield, in the parish of Boherlahan, county of Tipperary.