Bartholomew Teeling. 1798. (part 2)

SOME EXTRACTS

FROM THE
RECORDS OF
OLD LISBURN
AND THE
MANOR OF KILLULTAGH.

-- -- -- --
Edited by JAMES CARSON.
-- -- -- --

LIX.

-- -- -- --

BARTHOLOMEW TEELING.

1798.

Some Extracts from "Sequel to Personal Narrative of the Irish Rebellion" of 1798, by Charles Hamilton Teeling, 1832.

(Charles H. Telling was a brother of Bartholomew, and participated in the Rebellion.)

Of the several armaments equipped by the French Republic for Ireland, the only force destined to make a landing on her shores was that small veteran band stationed at Rochelle, under General Humbert.

Impatient of delay, and without waiting the co-operation of others, he hurried his slender expedition to sea, and on the 22nd day of August, 1798, anchored in the Bay of Killalla.

The whole force of this invading army, which spread consternation throughout the British realm, consisted of about 1,000 men, a few pieces of light artillery, with an extra quantity of arms and ammunition.

Humbert selected as his aide-de-camp in the present expedition a young officer, an Irishman Bartholomew Teeling. He was a refined scholar, and the mildness of his manners and his patrician bearing, as the French minister expressed it, formed a pleasing contrast to the blunt and soldier like deportment of the Republican general. Two other Irishmen accompanied this expedition -- Captain Matthew Tone, brother to the celebrated Theobald Wolfe Tone, and O'Sullivan, a gentleman from the South of Ireland, who had the good fortune to escape the fatality of the campaign.

From Killalla Humbert marched on the following morning with a small detachment to Ballina, leaving the main body of his troops to receive and arm the peasantry of the country who flocked to his standard. The celerity of his approach and the terror, which his landing had inspired procured him an easy conquest. After some opposition the garrison, a portion of which consisted of veteran cavalry, fled; and Humbert, leaving a small force to maintain possession of the town, returned to his headquarters at Killalla.

Humbert from Ballina proceeded to Castlebar, which he captured, and on taking possession of the town despatched his aid-de-camp, Teeling, with an escort and flag, bearing proposals of capitulation to the commander of the British troops. Refused access to General Lake, he was compelled to accompany the British army for many miles in its retreat, and frequently threatened with death for daring to be the bearer of any commission from the enemy to the commander of his Majesty's forces.

At length presented to General Lake, addressing that officer in English, he communicated to him his message, viz.:-- "Humbert, General-in-chief, actuated by the desire of stopping the effusion of blood, offers honourable terms of capitulation to General Lake, and the British officers and soldiers under his command." Lake received the message with sullen displeasure, and expressed his resentment for the language in which it was conveyed. "Such is the language of my General," was the reply; "and if even less courteous, it would be my duty to convey it." General Lake hastily rejoined, "You, sir, are an Irishman; I shall treat you as a rebel -- why have you been selected by General Humbert on this occasion?" "To convey to you, sir, his proposal in a language which, presumes, you understand. As to your menace -- you cannot be ignorant that you have left with us many British officers prisoners at Castlebar." Lake hastily retired. In a little time General Hutchinson came forward, and apologising for the conduct of the British troops, requested that it might not be unfavourably represented to General Humbert. He added that General Lake was much concerned at the occurance, and begged it might be attributed to the true cause, the laxity of discipline in a moment of much excitement; that General Humbert's officer was now at liberty to retire, with an escort in attendance to convey him beyond the British lines.

"I can excuse, for the reasons assigned," replied Teeling, "the personal rudeness I have experienced; but I cannot suppress my abhorrence of the atrocious and cold-blooded massacre of my escort. I shall return to General Humbert, but not without my flag."

The flag was restored, but the acceptance of the escort declined.

General Humbert received his aid-de-camp with the warmest expressions of satisfaction at his return.

The fiery temper of Humbert's mind was not at all times easy to control, and on this occasion he gave vent to his feelings in no very qualified terms of indignation. He spoke of reprisals for the murder of his escort, and the insult offered to an officer of his staff. "No, General." replied, Teeling, "it is by your magnanimity you must take revenge on our enemies." The generous rebuke struck at once on the feelings of the fiery Humbert. Embracing his officer, he exclaimed, "You have preserved my life more than once to-day! . . . Select of our prisoners whom you please, and send them to their runagate commander." This concession was cheerfully embraced, and several British officers, on the moment, were permitted to retire fro Castlebar.

The victory of Castlebar placed in the hands of Humbert a large supply of military stores, arms, standards, and cannon, with a vast number of prisoners, many of whom joined his ranks. So rapid was his success that in the course of six days after his landing he was in the possession of the towns of Killalla, Ballina, Castlebar, Newport, Westport, Foxford, and Ballinrobe.

On the night of the 7th September Humbert halted at Cloon, refreshed his troops, and indulged them with two hours' repose.

He then pushed vigorously forward, and took up his position for action on the field of Ballinamuck, Colooney, near Sligo.

Humbert supported to the last the high reputation of a soldier. Not desiring to survive the disaster of the day, he determined never to make personal surrender. Turning to his aid-de-camp, who fought hand to hand by his side, "Allons, mon brave camarade," he exclaimed, "Nous mourrons ensemble!" -- and it was not until this intrepid soldier was actually borne from his saddle by the British dragoons who surrounded him that his brave companion in arms, Bartholomew Teeling, surrendered his sword. The French troops, were admitted prisoners of war -- the Irish received no quarter.

Teeling was removed to Dublin to be tried by court martial. Matthew Tone, who had been arrested the day after the battle, was also recognised as an Irishman detained for trial, and hanged about September 27th. Theobold Wolfe Tone was captured on board the French man-of-war Hoche, and committed suicide in prison on the 11th November, 1798.

On the 20th of September Teeling was brought to trial at the royal barracks in Dublin, before a court-martial.

Mr. William Coulson, an inhabitant of his native Town (Lisburn), was produced to identify the person of the prisoner; to prove that he was a natural born subject of the King, and had assumed a different name. It was customary in the French armies to assume a "nom de guerre," in conformity with which Teeling, on entering the service, adopted the name of Biron. The proposed information was rendered unnecessary by the candid declaration of Teeling, who at once avowing his native country and his name, protested against any desire of concealment, or of resorting to any measure incompatible with the open and manly line of defence which ha conceived it his duty to adopt.

When called on to enter on his defence, he stepped forward with the same serene and unruffled countenance, the same dignity of deportment and self-possession which he had evinced throughout the trial.

"Sir," said he, "I am accused of high treason, inasmuch as being a subject of these realms I was found in alliance with the enemies of the King. I admit, as have already done, that I was born an Irishman. But circumstances forced me from the land of my birth. I became a subject of France. I embraced the profession of soldier, and entered the service of that country which afforded me its protection. It is scarcely necessary to observe to this honourable court that as a soldier and a man of honour it was my duty to obey the orders of my superiors without privilege of inquiry; and that disobedience of them must have been followed by infamy and death. In obedience to such an order I repaired to La Rochelle, embarked with my general as his aid-de-camp, and was landed in Ireland. You will decide, sir, whether I can fairly be considered as an Irish subject deliberately rebelling against the State of which he was a member, or joining an invader as a traitor against that State. That I acted as a French officer I admit; nor do I fear that it can prejudice my case in a court of soldiers to say that I did my duty to the utmost of my power. I did what I conceived my duty. I did not desert my post. I did not endeavour as a conscious traitor to save myself by flight. I did not endeavour to waste unnecessary blood by fruitless resistance. I surrendered upon the confidence of being treated as a prisoner of war. To the privilege of the conquered the general under whom I served, and to whom I immediately belong, has put in a claim on his own and in my behalf; and to that privilege permit me to repeat my pretensions.

"One word more, sir, and I have done. The witness who supported the prosecution has borne evidence to what he terms my humanity, in a manner which seemed to have produced an influence on the court. Perhaps it scarcely becomes me to claim any merit upon such a ground. Certainly I did not pursue it under the influence of any selfish impression allianced with future consequences. I was merciful for mercy's sake, and from the conviction that it should ever influence the conduct and the decisions of power.

"Sir, I shall trouble this court no further. I feel grateful for the candour and indulgence which I have experienced. I know the high character of the great personage in whose breast my fate may perhaps find its final decision. To you, sir, and to him, if it shall so happen, I do submit that fate; and, let the issue be life or death, I shall await it with the confidence which becomes a man who has no doubt that his case will quit this court accompanied by every advantage which it can derive from a just and generous consideration."

The trial closed. The court, after some deliberation, pronounced sentence of death, and the sentence was finally approved by his excellency the Marquis Carnwallis.

On the 24th September, at two o'clock, Bartholomew Teeling, in the twenty-fourth year of his age, suffered death on Arbour Hill, and conducted himself on the awful occasion with a fortitude impossible to be surpassed, and scarcely to be equalled. Neither the intimation of his fate, nor the near approach of it, produced on him any diminution of courage. With firm step and unchanged countenance he walked from the Prevot to the place of execution, and conversed with an unaffected ease while the dreadful apparatus was preparing. With the same strength of mind and body he ascended the eminence. He then requested permission to read a paper which he held in his hand; he was asked by the officer, whose immediate duty it was, whether it contained anything of strong nature? He replied that it did; on which permission to read it was refused, and Mr. Teeling, silently acquiesced in the restraint put on his last moments.

It is not for us in the present day to hazard a conjecture whether strict justice be always and under all circumstances true policy; but we will suppose, for so far we may suppose safely, that the severity of Teeling's fate was rendered necessary by the peculiar state of the times.

Luke Teeling, father of Bartholomew, was imprisoned for four yearn, first on board the Posilethwaite Tender, and afterwards at Belfast and Carrickfergus. He was a United Irishman and a prominent leader amongst his co-religionists. He appears to have suffered great privations, both in health and fortune, and was released early in 1802. See detailed account in the "Sequel to Personal Narrative," "Madden's United Irishmen," and "Musgrave's Irish Rebellions."

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

NAPPER TANDY -- 1740-1803

Extracts from the "Recollection's of Hugh M'Call."

Napper Tandy, who was a prominent United Irishman, figures in Paris in 1790 and for some years afterwards. He was the son of James Tandy, a linen manufacturer, who lived in Bridge Street, in a house on the south side, and near the entrance to Market Lane. He was called "Croppie" Napper Tandy.

The fashion at the close of the eighteenth century was to wear the back hair very long, and tie a portion of it with a black silk ribbon, the "queue," as it was called, hanging over the coat collar. The united Irishmen cut off the queue, hence the origin of the term "Croppie."

A portrait of Harry Munro shows that he continued to wear his queue even to the day of his execution in June, 1798.

In "Ireland and Her Staple Manufactures." 1865, Mr. M'Call refers to the Tandy family:--

The Lisburn troop of Volunteers numbered in its ranks many of the principal merchants and traders. There were Harry Munro, Thomas Ward, William Coulson, R. Carleton, George Tandy, brother of the famous James Napper Tandy, B. Teeling, and many other merchants. The Volunteers were suppressed in 1793.

What evidence Mr. M'Call may have had for claiming Napper Tandy as a native of Lisburn is not now known. Other authorities quote Dublin as the city of his nativity.

It is quite evident, however, that a branch of the Tandy family was long resident in Lisburn and neighbourhood, and occupied a position of some social and mercantile prominence.

In 1635 a Philip Tandy conducted a school in Lisburn. About 1658 Major Rawdon, writing from Hillsborough, says:--

Dr. Jeremy Taylor preached excellently this morning. Mr. Tandy is also considered a rare preacher, and is liked in the parish.

Tandy joined in a charge against Dr. Taylor, which is thus referred to:--

I fear my time in Ireland is likely to be short, for a Presbyterian (Tandy) and a madman have informed against me as a dangerous man to their religion and for using the sign of the Cross in baptism.

Bowden in "A Tour Through Ireland," 1791, writes:--

I was also introduced in Lisburn to Councillor Dunn, to a Mr. Tandy, brother of the celebrated patriot in Dublin, and to several other public-spirited gentlemen, to whose obliging attention I am infinitely indebted.

In the Record Office, Dublin, is to be seen the will of George Tandy, 1798, Lisburn.

The Hearth-Money Rolls, Lisburn Town and Parish, 1669, record the name of Mrs. Tandy as paying tax on six hearths.

Authorities -- Wills' "Irish Nation," Musgrave's "Irish Rebellions," Madden's "United Irishmen," Teeling's "Personal Narrative," and Leckey and Froule, the English historians.


Chambers Biographical Dictionary, 1897.

James Napper Tandy -- 1740-1803 -- born in Dublin, became a prosperous merchant there. A Presbyterian, he took an active part in corporation politics, and was the first secretary of the Dublin United Irishmen. In 1792 he challenged the Solicitor-General for his abusive language, and was proclaimed by the Viceroy. For distributing a "seditious" pamphlet against the Beresfords he was about to be tried in 1793, when the Government learned that he had taken the oath of the "Defenders." He fled to America, crossed to France in 1798, shared in the ill-fated invasion of Ireland, and at Hamburgh was handed over to the English Government. In February, 1800, he was acquitted at Dublin. Again put on trial, April, 1801, at Lifford, for the treasonable landing at Rutland Island, he was sentenced to death, but permitted to escape to France, and died at Bordeaux.


The Dictionary of National Biography

states that he owed the name of Napper either to his mother or to the connection that had for many years subsisted between his father's family and that of Napper, of County Meath. In 1695 the lands of the Tandy and Napper families in that county adjoined each other.

In 1775 Napper Tandy declared himself warmly on the side of the American colonies in revolt, and tried to institute in Ireland a boycott of goods of English manufacture. He threw himself heart and soul into the Volunteer movement of 1780, and had command of a small volunteer corps of artillery. On May 27, 1782, when Parliament met in Dublin to receive the decision of the Ministry touching to legislative independence, the duty of guarding the approaches to the house was assigned to Tandy and his corps of artillery. He also took an equally prominent part in the Volunteer Convention, November 10, 1783, when the Bishop of Derry and a large muster of the Volunteers proceeded through the streets of Dublin on their way to the Rotunda.

With the decline of the Volunteer movement his influence began to wane. His enthusiasm for the principles of the French Revolution was unbounded. In later life he gave way to the lure of drink, and it is stated that when with the French force invading Ireland "Tandy, after being on shore about eight hours, was carried back to his ship in a disgusting state of intoxication." Sir Jonah Barrington, who knew him personally, in his "Historie Memoirs" thus estimates his character:--

His person was ungracious, and his language neither graceful or impressive but he was sincere and persevering, and though in many instances erronous and violent, he was considered to be honest. His private character furnished no grounds to doubt the integrity of his public one, and, like many of those persons who occasionally spring up in revolutionary periods, he acquired celebrity without being able to account for it, and possessed an influence without rank and capacity.

The posthumous fame he acquired as the hero of the popular ballad, "The Wearing of the Green," was remarkable.

I met with Napper Tandy, and he took me by the hand.
And he said, "How's poor old Ireland, and how does she stand?"
'Tis the most distressful country, for it's plainly to been seen
They are hanging men and women for the wearing of the green.

(Next Week: A. T. Stewart.)


(This article was originally published in the Lisburn Standard on 30 November 1917 as part of a series which ran in that paper each week through 1917 and into 1918. The text along with other extracts can be found on my website Eddies Extracts.)

Bartholomew Teeling. 1798.

SOME EXTRACTS

FROM THE
RECORDS OF
OLD LISBURN
AND THE
MANOR OF KILLULTAGH.

-- -- -- --
Edited by JAMES CARSON.
-- -- -- --

LVIII.

-- -- -- --

BARTHOLOMEW TEELING.

Extracts from "Recollections of Hugh M'Call."

Luke Teeling, a linen merchant and bleacher, resided in the house afterwards occupied by Robert M'Call, and which house is situate in the south side of Chapel Hill, immediately adjoining the chapel.

His eldest son, Bartholomew, familiarly called Bartley, left his home in 1792, went over to France, and some time after introduced himself to Napoleon, then First Consul, who appointed him lieutenant in his bodyguard.

Teeling landed at Killala, in the County of Mayo, with the French troops. The British army met them at Castlebar, and the French invaders chased them out of the town. The two armies met several times, but at Colooney, County Sligo, Teeling was taken prisoner and brought to Dublin.

He was brought before Major Sirr, the chief military authority of the city, and who had been in command from 1793 till Teeling's arrest in 1798. Sirr could not really assure himself that his prisoner was Teeling, formerly of Lisburn. He had him brought into his parlour several soldiers in plain clothes being stationed in the hall to prevent any attempt at escape.

The major, knowing that in the Dublin Linen Hall were often to seen merchants from Lisburn, sent his servant thither to say that a gentleman of that town was anxious to see a Lisburn merchant. William Coulson, founder of the Damask Factory, came to Sirr's house, and at once recognised Teeling, and shaking hands with him, thus unquestionably proved his identity.

Teeling was immediately tried and found guilty, as several members of the English army had seen him leading one wing of the French troops at Colooney, near Sligo. He was hanged next day at Arbour Hill, Dublin.

Thomas O'Hagan married a very pretty daughter of Luke Teeling. She was his first wife. Belfast had the honour of sending two Lords Chancellors to the Irish Woolsack -- O'Hagan and Napier -- and one to the English -- M'Calmont Cairns.

The will of Bartholomew Teeling, Lisburn, 1775, may be seen in the Record Office, Dublin, probably the father of Luke Teeling.

Extracts from "Ireland and Her Staple Manufactures," 
by Hugh M'Call, Third Edition, 1870.

Bartholomew Teeling was one of the malcontents who attended the linen markets with Henry Munroe. This young gentleman had joined the United Irishmen when he was little beyond the years of boyhood, and soon became one of its most zealous members. Wild, wayward, and warm-hearted, that juvenile patriot entertained all those romantic ideas of nationalism which led enthusiastic Irishmen to indulge in the dreamiest visions of reform. His father was very extensively connected with the staple trade, and, about 1796, stood at the head of a prosperous business as an extensive bleacher. The family resided in the house situate immediately adjoining the Roman Catholic chapel; and a field at the back of the garden is still known to the older inhabitants of Lisburn as "Teeling's Mount."

Bartholomew Teeling had been brought up to assist in the mercantile pursuits of his father, and attended to the bleaching of cloth and the purchase of brown linens, but, in an ill-starred hour, he went over to France, and got a commission in the Imperial Army. When the mad and mischievous project of sending French soldiers to aid the Irish in the equally insane war against England had been matured, Teeling was appointed aide-de-camp to General Humbert, and in that capacity he embarked with the troops and landed at Killala in August, 1798.

The first battle that took place between the invaders and the British army was fought at Castlebar. By mere chance the French troops were victorious and took possession of the town, but the commander, finding he could not maintain his position prudently sent terms of capitulation to General Lake.

As the aide-de-camp of the Gallic chief Teeling was appointed to convey the message, and, accompanied by an escort bearing a flag of truce, he rode forward to overtake the retreating troops. No sooner, however, had he arrived within range of the enemy than his flag was fired on and his escort shot. This disgraceful breach of the rules of honourable warfare was indignantly resented by the officer, who, having himself been taken prisoner, immediately demanded an audience of the commander. When he stood before General Lake and delivered his message, he complained bitterly of the insult offered his flag and the murder of his escort. "By the tone of your voice, I believe you to be an Irishman," said the General, "and I will treat you as a rebel." "Do as you please sir," replied Teeling, "but recollect that my commander is General Humbert, and that several British officers are his prisoners at Castlebar." The unexpected reply startled the British commander; he at once felt that the lives of these officers were in imminent peril, and after some parleying Teeling was permitted to return.

Capture and Death.

When he arrived at the quarters of the French army and informed his chief of what had occurred, the latter felt so much incensed that he threatened to shoot every English prisoner be had in custody. But Teeling immediately appealed against that terrible decree to the nobler feelings of the commander. "No, General," said he, "you must rather take revenge on your enemies by your magnanimity." The effect of this generous sentiment was to cool down Humbert's indignation, and ultimately Teeling succeeded in obtaining freedom for six British officers and having them escorted for seven miles beyond Castlebar.

After the defeat of the French troops at Colooney all the Irish found in their ranks were charged with high treason. Teeling was among the prisoners, and ordered for trial by court-martial. Some difficulty arose in consequence of the Crown not being able to identify the accused, even with the assistance of a treacherous ruse by which Major Sirr sought to accomplish that object. At length the notorious informer Burke -- a pet of Castlereagh -- was brought forward as V Government witness. This man swore that under a feigned name he had joined the French army as a volunteer, and marched with the troops from Castlebar to Colooney, during which time the prisoner acted as an officer under General Humbert. On this evidence Teeling was found guilty and sentenced to death.

The fate of the condemned youth called forth immense sympathy in Dublin and throughout the provincial towns, but especially in those parts of Ulster where his name was so much associated with that chivalrous love of country which the native Irish look upon as the noblest of all virtues. Considerable influence was used in the hope of obtaining a remission of the sentence, but the authorities were inexorable, and the imperious Cornwallis refused to meet a deputation of mercy. In vain were all appeals to the Viceroy, and the plea that the condemned aide-de-camp had been the means of saving the lives of the captive officers at Castlebar made no impression on the chief of Dublin Castle. "The law must take its course," was the reply of the Lord Lieutenant.

On the 24th of September, 1798, Bartholomew Teeling was taken from his place of confinement in Kilmainham to Arbour Hill, where a gallows had been erected, and where thousands of people were assembled to take a last look at the condemned. Dressed in the Irish uniform, and leaning on the arm of Brigadier-Major Stanley, he walked to the place of execution with the solemn step and thoughtful aspect which so well became a man about to be hurried into the eternal world. He died almost without a struggle. General Humbert, in alluding to his conduct during the march from Killala, said: "In all the towns through which we passed Teeling, by his bravery and generous disposition, prevented the insurgents from proceeding to the most criminal excesses."

Dictionary of National Biography.

Bartholomew Teeling, United Irishman, was the eldest son of Luke Teeling and of Mary, daughter of Jolin Taaffe, of Smarmore Castle, Louth. He was born in 1774 at Lisburn, where his father, a descendant of an old Anglo-Norman family long settled in County Meath, had established himself as a linen manufacturer.

The elder Teeling was a delegate for County Antrim to the Catholic Convention of 1793, better known as the "Back Lane Parliament." Though not a United Irishman, he was actively connected with the leaders of the society, and was arrested on suspicion of treason in 1796 and confined in Carrickfergus prison till 1802.

Bartholomew, who was educated in Dublin at the academy of the Rev. W. Dubordieu, a French Protestant clergyman, joined the United Irish movement before he was twenty, and was an active member of the club committee.

In 1796 he went to France to aid in the efforts of Wolfe Tone and others to induce the French Government to undertake an invasion of Ireland.

His mission having become known to the Irish Government, he deemed it unsafe to return to England, and accepted a commission in the French army in the name of Biron.

In the autumn of 1798 be was attached to the expedition organised against Ireland as aide-de-camp and interpreter to General Humbert, and embarked at La Rochelle, landing with the French army at Killala.

During the brief campaign of less then three weeks' duration which terminated with the surrender of Ballinamuck, Teeling distinguished himself by his personal courage, particularly at the battle of Collooney.

Being excluded as a British subject from the benefit of the exchange of prisoners which followed the surrender, though claimed by Humbert as his aide-de-camp, he was removed to Dublin, where he was tried before a court-martial. At the trial the evidence for the prosecution, though conclusive as to Teeling's treason, was highly creditable to his humanity and tolerance, ono of the witnesses deposing that when some of the rebels had endeavoured to excuse the outrages they had committed on the grounds that the victims were Protestants, Mr. Teeling warmly exclaimed that he knew no difference between a Protestant and a Catholic, nor should any be allowed. (Irish Monthly Register, October, 1798.)

But despite an energetic appeal by Humbert, who wrote that "Teeling, by his bravery and generous conduct in all the towns through which we have passed, has prevented the insurgents from indulging in the most criminal excesses," he was sentenced to death by the court-martial, and notwithstanding the recommendation to mercy by which the sentence was accompanied, he suffered the extreme penalty of the law at Arbour Hill on September 24, 1798.

(To be Continued.)


(This article was originally published in the Lisburn Standard on 23 November 1917 as part of a series which ran in that paper each week through 1917 and into 1918. The text along with other extracts can be found on my website Eddies Extracts.)

Index to the Prerogative Wills of Ireland, 1536-1810.

SOME EXTRACTS

FROM THE
RECORDS OF
OLD LISBURN
AND THE
MANOR OF KILLULTAGH.

-- -- -- --
Edited by JAMES CARSON.
-- -- -- --

LVII.

-- -- -- --

INDEX TO THE 
PREROGATIVE WILLS OF IRELAND,
1536-1810.



Edited by
SIR ARTHUR VICARS, F.S.A.,
Ulster King of Arms.
1897.

-- -- -- -- --

Extracts from the Preface.

The wills in Ireland may be said to consist of two classes, Prerogative and Diocesan. Those proved in the Prerogative Court are the most important, containing, as they do, testamentary demises from all parts of Ireland, and generally referring to the more important members of the community.

They commence in 1536, and continue to 1858.

Before 1857 wills used to be proved in the Consistorial Court -- that is, the Court of the Bishop or Ordinary within whose diocese or jurisdiction the testator dwelt -- but if there were effects to the value of £5 in two or more dioceses the will had to he proved in the Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland, which was the Supreme Court in matters of which the ecclesiastical jurisdiction had cognisance.

The Consistorial Courts dealt with the assets of deceased persons who were domiciled in the diocese, and had no personal estate outside of it.

As the number of wills proved in the Prerogative Court increased considerably after 1810, it was thought better not to continue the Index further.

Classification of Wills in Ireland in Public Custody.

Prerogative wills, 1536-1858, deposited in the Public Record Office, Dublin.

Diocesan wills, 1536-1858, in Public Record Office.

Unproved wills, dealing with real property only, from 1708, at Registry of Deeds, Henrietta Street.

Wills from the Inquisitions -- Henry VIII. to George I. -- Public Record Office.

A few very early wills in the Royal Irish Academy and in Trinity College Library.

Further and full information regarding Irish wills may be found in "A Supplement to 'How to Write the History of a Family,'" by Phillimore, 1896.

-- -- -- -- -- --

Some Local Wills.

The book under review contains upwards of 40,000 names of deceased testators. All those connected with Lisburn, Hillsborough, and Ballinderry have been extracted and recorded here. A number of other names of possible local interest are also given. The genealogist, however, in search for information, is referred to the volume itself, which may bo seen in any of the large public libraries.

                                   A.
1799    Jane Agnew, Mossvale, Co. Down, widow.
1767    Richard Archbold, Esq., Lisburn.
1804    Guy Atkinson, Lisburn.

                                   B.
1793    Richd. Barnesley, Lisburn, merchant.
1786    Elinor Barton, Lisburn, spinster.
1786    Henry Bell, Lisburn, linen draper.
1746    Robert Bell, Lisburn, merchant.
1760    Susanna, widow of R. Bell, Lisburn.
1726    John A. Bernicre, Lisburn.
1790    Henry Betty, Lisburn, linen draper.
1682    Capt. Lancelot Bolton, Lisburn.
1790    Jas. Boyes, Stoneyford, linen draper.
1697    Randall Brice, Lisburn, Esq.
1791    Eliza. Bridge, Plantation, spinster.
1702    Arthur Brooke, Lisburn, surgeon.
1695    Francis Brooke, Lisburn, M.D.
1672    Ay. Bunting, Ballinderry, yeoman.
1810    Hy. Burdon, Lisburn and Calcutta.
1788    R. Burden, Lisburn, linen draper.
1679    Captain John Byron, Lisburn.

                                   C.
1767    Mary Campbell, Ballinderry, alias Haddock.
1789    William Carleton, Parish of Blaris.
1772    John Carson, Hillsborough.
1707    Henry Charters, Lisburn, merchant.
1784    Thomas Clark, Ballinderry, gent.
1706    Humphry Clarke, Ballinderry, gent.
1744    Elizabeth Close, Lisburn.
1742    Henry Close, Plantation, farmer.
1781    William Close, Plantation, gent.
1632    Edward Conway, Viscount Killultagh.
1732    Francis Conway, Viscount Killultagh.
1737    Daniel Cormier, Lisburn, gent.
1801    Wm. Coulson, Lisburn, linen draper.
1728    Lewis Cromelin, Lisburn.
1737    Alex. Crommelin, Lisburn, gent.
1756    Anne Crommelin, Lisburn, widow.
1726    Samuel Crommelin, Lisburn.
1743    Samuel L. Crommelin, Lisburn, gent.

                                   D.
1788    Isaac Davis, Ballinderry, farmer.
1775    Samuel De Lacherois, Hilden, Esq.
1637    Marmaduke Dobbs, Lisnegarvie, gent.
1775    Rev. Richard Dobbs, D.D., Lisburn.
1802    John Douglas, H'borough, merchant.
1667    Bishop Jeremy Taylor.
1807    Robert Duncan, Lisburn.
1719    William Dynes, Mullacartan, gent.

                                   E.
1802    William English, Magheranesk.

                                   F.
1750    Wm. Fairlie, Lisburn, gent.
1744    Jeremy Falloon, Ballinderry Hotel.
1804    Jane Fletcher, Lisburn, widow.
1727    Eliza. Forbes, Ballinderry, widow.

                                   G.
1760    Cathne Gayen, Blaris,
1800    Edward Gayer, Derriaghy, gent.
1755    Rev. Philip Gayer, Derriaghy.
1743    Lewis Geneste, Lisburn.
1690    George Gregson, Lisburn, merchant.
1742    Thos Gurnall, Plantation, malster.

                                   H.
1718    Catherine Hackett, Lambeg, widow.
1766    Benjamin Haddock, Ballinderry.
1707    John Haddock, Carranbane, gent.
1785    Rev. Isaac Haddock, Hillsborough.
1793    Christopher Hall, Tonagh.
1772    James Hall, Ballinderry, farmer.
1755    Bryan Hamill, Derriaghy.
1757    Susanna Hamilton, Lisburn.
1763    Jacob Hancock, Lisburn, merchant.
1793    Jacob Hancock, Lisburn.
1757    John Handcock, Lisburn, merchant.
1784    John Handcock, Lisburn, merchant.
1766    Robert Hardy, Ballinderry.
1774    John Hastings, Lisburn, merchant.
1809    Samuel Heron, Lisburn, attorney.
1780    Rev. Thomas Higginson, Ballinderry.
1665    Arthur Hill, Hillsborough, Esq.
1699    Michael Hill, Hillsborough, Esq.
1682    Moses Hill, Hill Hall, Esq.
1693    William Hill, Hillsborough, Esq.
1756    Roger Hodgkinson, Lisburn.
1775    Sarah Hodgkinson, Lisburn, widow.
1781    James Hogg, Lisburn, merchant.
1773    William Hogg, Lisburn, merchant.
1667    William Hoole, Lisburn, gent.
1723    Anthony Hopes, Ballinderry, farmer.
1690    Jennett, widow of Wm. Hull, Lisburn.
1690    William Hull, Lisburn, gent.
1771    Jas. Hunter, Lisburn, linen mercht.
1805    James Hunter, Ballinderry.
1794    John Hunter, Lisburn, Esq.

                                   J.
1710    Michael Jackson, Lisburn, gent.
1734*  Michael Jackson, Lisburn, gent.
1804    John Johnson, Lisburn, Methodist preacher.
1709    Isa. Johnston, Lisnetrunk, widow.
1711    Jane Johnston, Lisburn, widow.
1779    Conway Jones, Lisburn, M.D.
1780    Mary Jones, Lisburn, spinster.
1761    Valentine Jones, Lisburn, Esq.
1789    Rev. Frans. Jonston, Tullycross.

                                   K.
1791    Elizabeth Kennedy, Lisburn, widow.
1769    John Kennedy, Lisburn, merchant.
1762    Moses Kinkead, Hillsborough.

                                   L.
1793    Hugh Lang, Carnmeen.
1741    George Lang, Derrydrumuck.
1738    Margt. Leatnes, H'borough, widow.

                                   M.
1723    Murdock M'Call, Derriaghy, tanner.
1811    John M'Dowell, Lisburn, tobacconist.
1749    Joseph M'Kibbon, Hillsborough.
1763    Nicholas Magee, Lisburn.
1807    Edw. Magennis, Lisburn, merchant.
1720    Adam Maitland, Hillsborough.
1796    Henry Marmion, Lisburn, gent.
1707    Wm. Muslin, Lisburn, innkeeper.
1720    Arthur Maxwell, Drumbeg, Esq.
1757    Hamilton Maxwell, Drumbeg, Esq.
1682    James Maxwell, Drumbeg, gent.
1794    Bryan Mercer, Hillsborough, gent.
1799    Wm. Montgomery, H'borough, Esq.
1671    Edward Moore, Lisburn.
1771    John Moorehead, Dunmurry.
1775    Jas. Moorhead, Milltown, linen draper.
1797    Thomas Morris, Lisburn, Esq.
1780    John Mussen, Lisburn, apothecary.
1690    Isabella Mussenden, H'borough, wid.


                                   O.
1728    Thomas Oates, Lisburn, surgeon.
1790    Edward Obre, Lisburn, Esq.
1665    John Olphert, Lisburn, quarter-master George Rawdon's troop.

                                   P.
1716    Edward Peers, Lisburn, Esq.
1789    Edward Peers, Lisburn, brewer.
1701    John Peers, Lisburn, gent.
1781    John Peers, Lisburn.
1691    Sir Henry Ponsonby, Hillsborough.

                                   R.
1792    Elizabeth Ravenscroft, Ballinderry.
1684    Sir George Rawdon, Lisburn.
1753    Thomas Read, Tullanacross.
1743    Philip Robinson, Lisburn, merchant.
1726    Lewis Rochett, Lisburn, merchant.

                                   S.
1785    Thomas Seeds, Lisburn, gent.
1774    Andrew Shanks, Lisburn, merchant.
1753    James Sloan, Lisburn.
1690    Ralph Smith, Ballymacash, gent.
1751    Alice Smyth, Lisburn.
1730    Mary Smyth, Lisburn, widow.
1714    Patrick Smyth. Lisburn, gent.
1736    Ralph Smyth, Lisburn, Esq.
1781    Joseph Speer, Lisburn, merchant.
1773    John Spence, Magheragall.
1772    William Spence, do., linen draper.
1759    Henry Stanhope, Legmore, gent.
1709    Richard Swinerton, Lisburn, gent.

                                   T.
1798    George Tandy, Lisburn.
1766    Adam Tate, Sprucefield, linen mercht.
1667    Jeremy Taylor, Bishop of Down.
1775    Bartholomew Teeling.
1692    Mary Thelwall, Hillsborough, widow.
1745    John Towle, Hillsborough, gent.

                                   U.
1767    John Usher, Aghalee, linen draper.

                                   W.
1798    James Waddell, Springfield, Esq.
1703    Godfrey Walker, Mullacarteen, gent.
1627    James Walshe, Castle Robin, gent.
1768    George Warren, Hillsborough.
1786    William Waters, Aghalee.
1772    James Watson, Brookhill.
1785    James Watters, Aghalee.
1729    Anthony Welsh, Lisburn, gent.
1735    James Whittle, Lisburn.
1800    David Wilson, Lisburn.
1773    William Wilson, Lisburn.
1757    John Wolfenden, Dunmurry, gent.
1743    Richard Wolfenden, Lambeg, linen draper.
1777    Richard Wolfenden, Lambeg, mercht.

Specimen of Old Will.

Prerogative Will, 1682.

I, Captain Lancelot Bolton of Lisburne, in the County of Antrim, being sick and weake of body but of sound memory and understanding, do hereby make my last will and testament in manner and form following, and trusting through the merits of Jesus Christ to be saved. I commit my soul to Almighty God, my Creator, and my body to be decently buryed as either of my Executors shall think meete. Imprimus -- I will that all debts justly due by me be first paid, with my funerall expenses. Item -- The surplicsage and remainder of all my Estate, goods and chattels, movable and immovable, reall and personal, leases, debts due me, arreares of pay, and all other my Estate whatsoever belonging to me, I give to my Exors. hereafter named, to be by them distributed and disposed of to my brother, Capt. Richard Boulton, and my sister, Anne Webster, as my Exors. in their discretion shall think meete. Item -- I do humbly request and do hereby nominate my very good Lord, the Right Hon. Edward Earle of Conway, and my very good friend Richard Mildmay, Gent., his Lordship's receiver, Exors. of this my last will.

    Will signed 23 Aug., 1682.
    Witnesses  Edwd. Ellis.   Tho. Ffarewell
                    Pat. Conne.   Hen. Conly.

The will of Lancelott Boulton, late of Lisburne, County Antrim, Esq., was proved by Richard Mildmay, one of the executors named, having the right of the Earl of Conway, 14th November, 1682.

(Next Week: Bartholomew Teeling, 1798.)

* The date printed in the Lisburn Standard was 1743. After a check of the original this was proved to be 1734. Thanks to Sharon Oddie Brown for highlighting the error.


(This article was originally published in the Lisburn Standard on 16 November 1917 as part of a series which ran in that paper each week through 1917 and into 1918. The text along with other extracts can be found on my website Eddies Extracts.)

In Remembrance - "The Winners"

We stand one with the man that died;

Whatever the goal, we have these beside.

Living or dead, we are comrades all--

Our battles are won by the men that fall.

He died quick with his face to the foe,

In the heart of a friend must needs die slow.

Over his grave shall be heard the call--

The battle is won by the men that fall.

For a dead man leaves you a work to do;

Your heart's so full that you fight like two.

And the dead man's aim is the best of all--

The battle is won by the men that fall.

Oh, lads, dear lads, who were loyal and true,

The worst of the fight was borne by you;

So the word shall go to the cottage and hall--

Our battles are won by the men that fall.

When peace dawns over the countryside

Our thanks, shall be to the lads that died;

Oh, quiet hearts, can they hear us tell

How peace was won by the men that fell?

                                     Author Unknown

Published in the Lisburn Standard 31 Aug 1917 and available on Eddies Extracts
Image: A painting in oils by Niki Gulley

Curry's Glen.

SOME EXTRACTS

FROM THE
RECORDS OF
OLD LISBURN
AND THE
MANOR OF KILLULTAGH.

-- -- -- --
Edited by JAMES CARSON.
-- -- -- --

LVI.

-- -- -- --

CURRY'S GLEN.

Situated in the townland of Ballyhomra, about three miles from Lisburn and convenient to Ravarnette cross-roads, is one of the most romantic and picturesque spots in the vicinity.

The Glen extends for almost a mile, forming a connecting link between the Deneight and Hillsborough-Legacurry (Blue Gate) roads. Homra House, in the Glen, is located a few hundred yards from the latter. Near the house two streams meet, and, joining forces, from what in winter is a turbulent mountain torrent, but in summer only a sparkling, gentle rivulet.

The Glen rises steadily from Lisnoe Bridge on the Deneight road to a considerable altitude at its other extremity. It is heavily timbered practically all the way, and in the vicinity of the house the sides of the Glen descend precipitously to a great depth, where the stream wends its murmuring way at the bottom.

The water of the united streamlets working ceaselessly through the centuries carved out of the hillside this great chasm, and kindly Nature, taking up the task, has clothed its bare and rugged sides with verdant shrubs and trees and flowers, covering its nakedness and converting it into a thing of beauty.

But man intervened, and on the most beautiful point of that exquisite landscape left his mark in a monument of rain and decay.

Homra House, standing near the junction of the two streams surrounded by huge trees, and almost overhanging the precipitous side of the Glen, is now a picture of desolation and ruin. The roofless walls stand out like ghostly fingers pointing to the sky; the windows, empty and void, suggest unseeing eyes brooding over well-remembered scenes of mirth and revelry, tragedy and sorrow enacted long ago within their shadow. The setting of a wonderful story is there -- the ghostly house, the overhanging trees, the old neglected garden, the deep ravine -- all only awaiting some facile pen to weave around them a fitting tale of tragedy and romance. Could the old walls speak, who may say what tales they could unfold? Who can say what scenes during the long years they have looked upon with stony indifference? But they do not speak now in articulate language; they are silent and only suggest. To the imagination is consigned the task of trying to clothe the dry bones.

Approaching the house from the direction of the Deneight road, in the old faraway days there was a large garden, several acres in extent surrounded by an impregnable hedge, and divided by massive beech hedgerows into squares. Between the garden and the Glen was a narrow plantation of trees. Garden and plantation were there as late as 1865. There is not a trace of either now left. Passing where the large garden stood, and quite close to the house, there are still to be seen at the present time some fine old trees and the remains of flower plots and walks. Immediate adjoining the house at the rear, and away from the Glen, is a yard surrounded by a wall, and containing out-houses, wall and houses now falling into ruins. Here Nature in her activity and profusion is hastening the work of destruction and covering over the marks of decay. Following the narrow path that separates the house from the Glen, not a stone-throw distant from the building a small knoll or headland projects out boldly into the valley. Here there was a small flower garden or pleasance, known as "My Lady's Garden." The gate pillars are still standing. An ideal and beautiful spot this must once have been. In one of the bends of the Glen as late as 1841 there were traces to be seen of the fish ponds, in which, according to the practice of the day, fish were fed and preserved alive till they were required for the table.

Possibly the Earliest Tradition

regarding Homra House is to be found in Edmund Gosse's life of Bishop Jeremy Taylor, where, on the authority of Canon Lett, Loughbrickland, it is stated that the Bishop owned, and during the later part of his life often resided at, Homra House, and also occupied, and is even said to have built, a house in Castle Street, Lisburn, opposite the entrance to the Cathedral. Independent of whatever evidence Canon Lett may have had for locating Jeremy Taylor temporarily at Homra House, it may be accepted that the assumption is not unreasonable. Bishop Taylor resided during the later part of his life -- 1660-1667 -- chiefly in Lisburn, Hillsborough, and the neighbourhood, and for a considerable time was an honoured guest at Hillsborough Castle. From the centre at Hillsborough he visited, frequently on horseback, his Cathedral churches at Lisburn and Dromore. His love of solitude and retirement is well known, as evinced by his sojourn at Portmore and Magheraleave; and where, when seeking seclusion and rest, could he have had it more effectually or been more suitably located for the discharge of his duties than in the leafy solitude of the Ballyhomra Glen?

On the 23rd January, 1699, in the reign of William III., "Edward Harrison, Esquire, and his eldest son Michael," by an "Exemplification of Recovery" were possessed of the lands of Ballyhomra and Magheradartin. This "Exemplification" went to show that they had been in occupation of the lands for a considerable time previous to 1699.

The Dictionary of National Biography states that Bishop Taylor's second wife was Joanna Bridges -- 1655 -- said to be a natural daughter of Charles I. Their daughter -- also Joanna -- married Edward Harrison of Magheralin (Magheraleave?), a member of the Irish bar and M.P. for Lisburn.

The next in succession to the lands of Ballyhomra was Francis Harrison, of the city of Dublin, banker, and partner with Benjamin Burton, Lord Mayor of Dublin 1706, and M.P. for Dublin from 1703 till 1723, and who was the eldest surviving son of Edward Harrison and Joanna Taylor. He devised his estates in the counties of Down and Kildare to his brother Jeremiah and his issue male, and in default of same to his remaining brother Marsh. Francis Harrison died unmarried in 1720, and Jeremiah having predeceased him without issue, Ballyhomra, according to the terms of his will, devolved on his only surviving brother Marsh Harrison, who, dying without issue in 1727, bequeathed by will dated 1726 his estate to his elder sister Mary, wife of Sir Cecil Wray, Bart. Their daughter, Frances Joanna, married before 1725 William Todd. By Indenture of Lease bearing date 1731 William Todd demised the lands of Ballyhomra and Magheradartin to Valentine Jones, of Lisburn, for 931 years. Conway Jones, of Lisburn, the third son of Valentine Jones and Mary Close, married in 1753 Mary Wray Todd, second daughter of William Todd,, and their son, William Todd Jones, sold Ballyhomra and Magheradartin to Wills Hill, first Marquis of Downshire, in 1790. It would appear that the consideration given by the Marquis for the said lands was in the nature of an annuity to William Todd Jones and his three sisters for the term of their lives.

      Jeremy Taylor -- Joanna Bridges.

      Joanna Taylor -- Edward Harrison.

      Mary Harrison -- Sir Cecil Wray.

      Francis Joanna Wray -- William Todd.

      Mary Wray Todd -- Conway Jones.

      William Todd Jones.

The foregoing genealogical record is supported by documentary evidence in possession of the Downshire Estate Office, Hillsborough, extracted and supplied by Mr. W. H. M. Smyth, of that office.

It is not improbable that Todds Grove, situated a shirt distance from Ballyhomra, was so named after William Todd.

It is generally believed that there was an older structure on the site now occupied by Homra House, and that the present building was erected by William Todd Jones about the year 1780.

Ravarnette House, in the townland adjoining Ballyhomra, was built in the year 1789, as recorded on a date-stone in the building. It was formerly known as Agnesville, and owned by a family of the name of Anderson or Henderson. Henry Hart, father of Sir Robert Hart, of Chinese fame, became lessee in 1860: John Sinton in 1873.

Bishop Heber, in his life of Jeremy Taylor, 1824, states that William Todd Jones was collecting material for a life of Bishop Taylor, and had a series of autograph letters to and from the Bishop, and "a family book" in the Bishop's handwriting containing an account of his parentage &c. The greater part of his family papers Jones had, on the sale of Homra House to Lord Downshire, transferred to the care of the Earl of Moira at Montalto. They are believed to have been destroyed by an accidental fire in London on their way to Lord Moira's residence. Some letters and notes made by Mr. Jones were, however, preserved, and remained in the possession of his sisters. These were subsequently supplied to Bishop Heber. The following notes are also culled from Heber:-- Michael, the eldest son of Joanna Taylor and Edward Harrison of Maralave, died without issue. Jeremiah also died without issue at Brook Hill, Lisburn. Francis was a partner in a large private bank in Dublin. He died intestate in 1729, leaving his affairs in a confused state. Marsh Harrison inherited his brother's estate. He was a captain in the army, a weak and dissolute man, and unfit to manage his brother's large affairs. Under his management the bank failed. A considerable surplus was saved from the wreck, and passed to Mary, the survivor of the family. Mary married twice -- first Colonel Francis Columbine; secondly, Sir Francis Wray. Their daughter Frances married William Todd. Lady Wray during her life gave the greater part of her Irish property to her daughter Frances and her husband, William Todd. Their daughter, Mary Wray Todd, married Conway Jones, of Lisburn -- the parents of William Todd Jones.

Jeremy Taylor.

Edmund Gosse, in his life of Jeremy Taylor, thus refers in the prefatory note to the work of William Todd Jones, and to the reminiscences of Lady Wray:--

When Heber was collecting material for the 1822 edition he was favoured with some manuscripts which he described as "amongst the most interesting hitherto recovered concerning Bishop Taylor's private concerns." They purported to be the papers of William Todd Jones of Homra, who had been occupied all his life, so it was averred, in collecting documents for a biography of Jeremy Taylor, from whom he was lineally descended "in the fifth degree." Mr. Jones died suddenly in 1818 by being thrown out of his carriage, when all his notes and manuscripts were found to have absolutely vanished. In a mysterious way, however, some of them, and particularly reminiscences said to have been contained in a letter written in 1782 by a Lady Wray, a granddaughter of Jeremy Taylor, were eventually placed in Heber's hands. Many of the statements which Heber did accept -- he did not accept all -- were quietly expunged later on by Eden. But many more have hitherto been repeated, until they form part of Taylor's accepted biography. In very careful examination of what remains of Lady Wray'e reminiscences have gradually come to the startling conclusion that they are apocryphal, and my narrative is accordingly deprived of some romantic but ridiculous incidents. It is of course always possible that the letter of May 31, 1732, may have existed, and may even have been written in good faith, though in that case with a recklessness of ignorance positively amazing.

Gosse's strictures on Lady Wray's reminiscences would appear to be confined chiefly to her remarks on the Bishop's ancestors, and her statement that Joanna Bridges was the natural child of Charles I. He does not mention the daughter -- Joanna -- and makes no comment on or reference whatever to the Bishop's descendants. He makes a curious mistake calling Lisnegarvey "Lismagarry," and evidently did not know that Jeremy Taylor had also a residence at Magheraleave, which is still standing.

This genealogical survey, covering the Downshire records and Bishop Heber's account, connects Bishop Jeremy Taylor and his descendants, through his daughter Joanna, intimately with Ballyhomra from 1665 till 1790, and goes to confirm the statement in the Dictionary of National Biography that William Todd Jones was a descendant of Jeremy Taylor.

The life of Jeremy Taylor is also dealt with in Wills' "Irish Nation" Biography, 1876, vol. 2, and Sir James Ware's works, 1739, vol. 1.

In the light of to-day some of Jeremy Taylor's acts appear harsh and arbitrary. He at one time declared thirty-six parishes vacant -- this is, he evicted thirty-six Presbyterian ministers from their livings and homes, and filled their places with men he invited over from England. Important meetings between the Bishop and the ministers in regard to this matter took place in Lisburn. No one now doubts the Bishop's saintly life and singleness of purpose, but it is a strange commentary on the fallibility of the human intellect to find him writing:--

Here I am perpetually contending with the worst of the Scotch ministers. I have a most uncomfortable employment, but I bless God I have broken their knot, I have overcome the biggest difficulty, and made the charge easy for my successor.

Jeremy Taylor's will -- 1667 -- may be seen in the Record Office, Dublin.

Edward, perhaps the only son of Jeremy and Joanna Taylor, was buried at Lisburn on the 10th of March, 1661. He could not have been more than five years old at the time.

On the 24th July, 1667, the Bishop visited the bedside of a fever patient in Lisburn. The following day he was taken ill. He lay sick for ten days in his house at Lisburn, the disease being described as a fever, and on the 13th August, 1667, he died, being about 54 years of age. His last words were, "Bury me at Dromore." His body accordingly was taken on the 21st August to the Cathedral which he built in that town.

It is rather curious that John Ward F.S.A., in "Notes and Queries," November. 1910, states that Joanna, daughter of Jeremy Taylor and Joanna Bridges, married a Mr. Jones of Lisburn.

William Todd Jones

was a celebrated character in his day. He was born in Lisburn in or about 1760, and died in 1818. In conjunction with Colonel Sherman in 1783 they defeated the Hertford office nominees, and were returned as the popular representatives to the Irish Parliament for the Borough of Lisburn. Jones was a noted pamphleteer and writer of verse. Some time about the year 1802 he appears as a prisoner in the county gaol of Cork upon a charge of high treason. Later he fought a duel with Sir Richard Musgrave, and shot him through the body. The details are given in a pamphlet dated 1802. This pamphlet, and several others by Jones, are in the Linen Hall Library, Belfast.

In "The Annual Biography and Obituary" for the year 1821 appears an account of the life of William Todd Jones, extending to four pages.

EXTRACTS.

Mr. Jones, of Ross-Trevor, was born in Lisburn about the year 1760. He was called to the bar, and soon aspired to obtain a seat in Parliament. He became a candidate to represent his native town of Lisburn, and finally succeeded, but not without some severe and expensive contests, that hurt his fortune and shackled his future endeavours in life.

He threw in his lot with Grattan and Curran, and was a strong advocate of the claims of the Catholics.

He became an object of suspicion in 1798, and experienced a variety of hardships. He applied by petition for redress, in which all his grievances were stated, to the English Parliament, but without success.

In later life he courted the shade and lived in great obscurity, sometimes Wales and sometimes in Ireland.

He died at Ross-Trevor May 10th, 1818, from the effects of a driving accident.

William Todd Jones was evidently a contentious and finally a disappointed man. Sir Richard Musgrave, author of "Memoirs of the different Rebellions in Ireland," writes very unfavourably of him; others speak in the highest terms of his ability, character, and attainments.

In 1792

Wills Hill, Marquis of Downshire, granted to Henry Clibborn, of Lisburn, a lease of Homra House and lands for three lives or thirty-one years. This lease expired October 2, 1860.

Richard Fulton was in occupation of the house and lands from 1798 till 1806. The interest in the lease was purchased in 1806 by Edward Gayer, Esq.

The Gayers or Goyers were of Huguenot extraction. Peter Goyer, a silk weaver, and a native of Picardy, acted as clerk about the year 1700 in the French Church, Castle Street, of which the Rev. Charles Lavalade was pastor. In 1780 the worship at the French Church was discontinued. An Edward Gayer was one of two brothers who were clerks of the Irish House of Lords, and resided at Derriaghy. It was at Mr. Gayer's house that the Rev. John Wesley frequently visited, and there that on one occasion in 1776 he had a serious illness. Wesley described the home of the Gayers at Derriaghy as one of the pleasantest spots in the kingdom. The ground on which the old Wesleyan Methodist Chapel was built in Market Street was granted for ever by Edward Gayer, Esq., of Derriaghy, about 1772.

Marcus Corry

appears in the Downshire estate books as in occupation of Homra House in the year 1813. It remained in possession of the Corry family till 1863, when Andrew Morrow succeeded to the property. The name of Marcus Corry, Esq., of Homra House, appears in "Ireland Exhibited to England," by A. Atkinson, in 1823.

For some years after 1863 a man named Carlisle lived in Homra House, and conducted a school there. It then became vacant, and has since gradually fallen into ruin and decay.

A tradition appears to have grown up that a Miss Corry met with a tragic death in front of her own drawing-room window. The story runs that Miss Corry returning one evening from the hunt, her horse bolted, rider and horse going over the edge of the Glen, both being killed in the valley beneath. The usual ghostly appearance on a certain night each year, when horse and rider might be seen going to their death, was of course the natural sequence. This tradition, although not quite true, has, like most traditions, some foundation in fact. The actual facts are that Miss Caroline Susan Corry, returning from a drive on an open car, was killed quite close to her home by the overturning of the vehicle.

The natural inference would, appear to be that the Glen derives its name from the Corry family, who resided in Homra House from about 1813 till 1863. Canon Lett however, makes another suggestion:--

On one of the streamlets that enters the Glen there is a pit or hollow into which the water falls, and is known locally, as the "Rumbling Hole." The Irish name for this pit or hollow is Lag-a-choire -- the hollow of the cauldron. There is little doubt but that this is how the name "Curry" came to be applied to the Glen, and not from the Corry family. This Irish word also gave a name to a neighbouring townland -- Legacurry.

The "Rumbling Hole" is located a few hundred yards from the house, on the main stream, in the direction of the Blue Gate road. For twenty or thirty yards above the fall the stream rushes down a sloping incline, then passes between two rocks in a cleft in the hill about three feet apart, and drops some twenty feet into a deep pool that the falling water has carved out of the rock.

Canon Lett's suggestion regarding the origin of the name of the Glen is interesting, even if not very probable, and it may be pointed out in regard to the townland that the "Rumbling Hole" is in Ballyhomra, and that Legacurry, although in the neighbourhood, is a considerable distance away. Joyce in his "Irish Names of Places" similarly attributes the name Legacurry to the Irish word Lag-a-choire.

In the "Memorials of the Dead," vol. vi., is to be found a sketch of the Corry family by Canon Lett, of Loughbrickland. In the parish churchyard, Hillsborough is a flat slab bearing an inscription to the effect that the Rev. H. D. Corry, A.B., son of Lieut.-Colonel Marcus Corry, J.P., D.L., for sometime assistant curate of Hillsborough, died at Homra House, April, 1835, aged 28 years. There is also an inscription referring to the decease of two of his sisters and mother.

Marcus Corry, of Ballyhomra and Newry, was the eldest child of Isaac Corry, Abbey Yard, Newry, and was born at Newry in 1771, and died at Marketdrayton in 1849. One of his daughters married the Rev. Charles Lett. Their son is the Rev. Cation Henry William Lett, M.A., Aghaderg, Loughbrickland. Another daughter of Marcus Corry married Archdeacon Mant, of Hillsborough, and died in 1865, as the resist of burns caused by the overturning of a lamp.

And so ends a record of the Glen extending over two hundred and fifty years. The actors appear upon the stage and pass away into the darkness, leaving in most instances no trace of their passing but a name. Some few are more fortunate, but they to are forgotten save when the searcher amongst the musty records of the past resurrects their dry bones, and for a fleeting moment makes the story of their lives live again. But the Glen! the Glen itself is ever fresh and new. The old house and the people who lived and loved and died therein were only as melting, snowflakes on its bosom. The people are gone; in time the old house too will disappear; but the stream in the valley runs on for ever, and kindly mother nature each returning year clothes anew the rugged sides of the Glen in beautiful garments, as she has done through the long centuries that are past.

Next Week: Prerogative Wills -- Lisburn and District -- 1536-1810.


(This article was originally published in the Lisburn Standard on 9 November 1917 as part of a series which ran in that paper each week through 1917 and into 1918. The text along with other extracts can be found on my website Eddies Extracts.)

Reports from Commissioners on Municipal Corporations in Ireland, 1833, Borough of Lisburne.

SOME EXTRACTS

FROM THE
RECORDS OF
OLD LISBURN
AND THE
MANOR OF KILLULTAGH.

-- -- -- --
Edited by JAMES CARSON.
-- -- -- --

LV.

-- -- -- --

REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONERS ON MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS IN IRELAND. 

1833.

BOROUGH OF LISBURNE.

EXTRACTS.

The Borough of Lisburne, or Lisnegarvie, is situate in the parish of Lisburne, or Blaris, and barony of Upper Massareene, and county of Antrim.

1. The ancient limits of this borough are very nearly co-extensive with those established by the Boundary Act, William IV., as its boundaries in respect to the election of Members to serve in Parliament. A small portion of the county of Down has been included by that Act within the limits.

2. By patent dated the 3rd January, 1627, granted to the Viscount Conwey and Kilultagh, King Charles I. created the manor of Kilultagh, within which manor the borough is situate, and gave power to the patentee to hold Courts Leet, &c.

A Charter dated 27th October, 1661, granted the right of returning two Members to the Parliament of Ireland to "the inhabitants and their successors."

3. A municipality not having been created by this charter, the borough has only existed for Parliamentary purposes. All the inhabitants originally, and in later times the great body of them, subject to the restrictions from time to time prevailing, first under the popery laws and afterwards under the several statutes George III. regulating potwalloping boroughs, in this country, have exercised the right of voting at elections for the return of Members to serve in Parliament. Since the Act of Union the Borough has returned one Member to the Imperial Parliament.

The constituency is now composed of £5 (Irish currency) inhabitant householders under Act George III., and £10 (British currency) householders under the Reform Act, William IV.

The number of voters registered up to December, 1834, was stated to us to be 91.

The charter directs the sheriff of Antrim to send his precept to the seneschal of the manor of Kilultagh.

The seneschal has always acted accordingly as the returning officer of the borough.

He is nominated by the Marquis of Hertford, the proprietor of the manor.

4. The seneschal holds a Manor Court within the borough, on Wednesdays, from three weeks to three weeks. His jurisdiction in his Court of Record, according to the course of the common law proceeding by attachment of goods, extends to £20 of the former currency of Ireland.

The form of affidavit of debt used in this court states that the cause of action arose and that the defendant resides within the manor and jurisdiction of the court, as required by the 36 George III. c. 39.

Records of all proceedings in the court are filed, and must be signed by attorneys of the superior courts. Costs are taxed by the seneschal, and recovered under his warrant. The officers of the court are a marshal and five bailiffs, who have fees on the proceedings.

The costs on attachment of goods amount to 19s 1d.

The costs to final execution,

	£	s	d
When defendant does not appear	2	16	10
When def. appears and gives bail	3	6	3
The usual Civil Bill jurisdiction given to Manor Courts by the statutes Geo. III. and Geo. IV. is also exercised. The costs upon a decree amount to	0	7	8

Court Leet.

5. The seneschal holds a Court Leet twice in every year, at periods subsequent to the winter and the summer assizes respectively, and a leet grand jury is sworn at each.

6. These grand juries exercise the jurisdiction of presenting nuisances, and appointing applotters, constables, and appraisers. They also present money to be levied on the manor.

The proceedings of the winter leet are usually confined to matters connected with the town; those of the summer leet are for the whole manor.

The manor is divided into seventeen constablewicks, and a petty constable is appointed by the leet grand jury for each. The leet grand jury is composed of landholders, who are summoned by the respective constables from each constablewick.

7. In presenting money, the grand jury either direct that it shall be levied "off the manor" at large, or confine it to some particular denomination, or denominations, as "the town of Lisburne."

The objects of their Presentments are various, as for salaries, for the repair of bye-roads, and for other works.

The amounts presented are moderate, the works useful, and no complaint exists of any mismanagement of the funds; but the legality of the proceedings for the levying of money for the repair of roads, for salaries, etc, seems very questionable.

An Act of 1705 appears to have sanctioned the presentments of the seneschal's court; but the levying of money by the presentments of the grand juries was by that early statute confined within strict limits, and, under the subsequent Acts upon the subject, the power appears to have been vested exclusively in the grand juries at the assises; we refer to the Acts George III. and the several statutes cited in and repealed by those Acts, as well as to the more modern enactments of William IV. and the statutes therein referred to.

An Act of 1719 enabled the seneschal and jury of the leet, within manors or liberties, to appoint watch-houses, and the districts which should contribute to the building, repairing, and keeping of them, and keeping the watch therein, and to provide watch-bills, staves, and halberts for arming the watch, and necessary fire and candles; to be paid for by the manors or liberties; and the Act directed that the money raised should be paid to the persons by such presentment appointed overseers of the work, to be laid out for such uses only, and to be accounted for, on oath, at the next Court Leet.

We have found the following enactments relative to the constables, appraisers, and applotters appointed by leet juries:--

An Act of 1749 recognises the appointment of petty constables at leets:

The statute relative to pawnbrokers, Geo. III., recognises appraisers as theretofore regularly elected and sworn in certain districts, or jurisdictions, and having established usage and custom, which are not to be thereby altered or abridged, save as to the appraisement and sale of forfeited pledges pursuant to that Act. The duty of the appraisers in the manor of Kilultagh is said to be the valuing of damage done by cattle trespassing on land; an Act of 1797 provided for the appointment of arbitrators for this purpose: that Act was superseded by a similar Act of 1800, and, in that, a clause saving the rights of manors was introduced; but now, under an Act of 1826 amending the former, the appointment of appraisers for the purpose in each parish is vested in the magistrate at quarter whether the appraisers of the manor courts, are now the legal appraisers in this respect.

The applotters appointed by the leet jury are said to applot the proportion of the county cess on the manor, but that appeal's not in conformity with the Act. George III.

The amount of the levy of the summer leet of 1833 on the manor was £166 6s 10d.

8. The salaries presented by the leet jury for these Officers are as follows:--

	£	s	d
Treasurer to grand jury	20	0	0
Secretary to ditto	10	0	0
Town crier	4	0	0
Ditto to purchase of coat	1	5	0
Keeping streets clear of beggars	10	0	0
Keeping streets clear of pigs	3	0	0
Ringing market bell	2	0	0
Winding church clock of town	3	0	0
Keeping town clocks in repair	8	8	0
Winding market-house clock	3	0	0
Taking care of the measures	2	2	0
Taking care of chain at quay	1	1	0
Taking care of the butter market	5	0	5
To purchase coat	1	5	0
Taking care of pump	0	10	0
Taking care of court-house	2	0	0
Taking care of market-house	2	0	0
Taking care of meat market	4	0	0
For summoning the leet jury	1	0	0

The several constables of the manor are paid by a poundage on collecting the cess, both for the county and the manor.

9. The neighbouring magistrates hold Petty Sessions in the town on every Tuesday.

The seneschal is not a justice of the peace, and the want of a local magistrate is much felt. Many offences of a minor character are allowed to remain unpunished owing to the inconvenience attending the prosecution, arising from the distance, at which the nearest magistrates reside. Some of the inhabitants are even willing to pay an annual stipend to a resident magistrate.

10. There is a marshalsea or manor gaol in the borough, under the custody of the marshal of the Manor Court. Since the passing of an Act George IV. it has been disused as a place of confinement for the person, and is now made use of as a place of custody for goods attached until bailed.

11. The municipal affairs of the borough are principally managed by the leet grand jury and their officers, as already mentioned.

12. There is no local police belonging peculiarly to the town; the duty is performed by the county constabulary. The provisions of the Acts of Parliament for lighting, watching &c., have not been introduced here.

Charities.

13. Several charitable bequests have been made for the use of the poor of the town, which, are placed under the control of the rector and curates of the parish of Blaris, in which the town is situate; they are chiefly disbursed by a voluntary association called the "Lisburne Philanthropic Society."

John Leigh, who died in 1720, bequeathed a sum of £200, which has long been appropriated for the benefit of the poor of the town; but the terms of his will are not now known. This money has been lent out upon the bond of Nicholas Delacherois Crommelin, dated 10th December, 1817, passed to the Rev. Snowden Cupples, rector of the parish, payable with interest at 5 per cent. Judgment was entered on the bond in Easter Term, 1825, in the Court of King's Bench.

James, Bishop of Down and Connor, by his will dated 16th July, 1774, bequeathed to the use of the poor of the parish of the Lisburne £100, to be paid to the churchwardens.

Thomas Morris, by his will, bequeathed to the poor of the parish of Lisburne the sum of £100, to be, by the rector and churchwardens, lent out for legal interest, upon good security; and the annual interest to be distributed on the Sunday before Christmas day in every year, and to be paid to only 12 of the poorest housekeepers to be found in the parish.

The principal of these two sums was invested in new 4 per cent. Government stock, on the 15th May, 1826, in the name of S. Cupples, for the Lisburne poor.

John Moore Johnston gave, by his will (12th March, 1804), a bequest, under which a sum of £83 6s 8d principal, and £5 3s 4d for interest then due, for the poor of the parish of Lisburne, was invested in 5 per cent. Government stock in the names of S. Cupples and Rowley Hall. This will contained a further bequest of £10 for the parish.

General Heron, by his will, 12th March, 1807, bequeathed to the Rev. S. Cupples, rector of Lisburne, and his successors, rectors of the said parish, £100, in trust for the poor of the parish, which he desired to be lent out at interest, on good security, and the interest to be distributed annually among the poor of the said parish in such manner as the said S. C. and his successors should think proper. On the 24th January, 1820, a sum of £90 was invested in Government 6 per cent. stock, in the names of S. Cupples and R. Hall. S. Cupples holds Edward Heron's promissory note for £25, with 6 per cent, interest, dated the 1st April, 1820.

The Rev. John Carleton, by his will, 8th June, 1818, bequeathed to the Lord Bishop of Down and Connor, and to the rector, curate, and churchwardens of the parish of Lisburne, all for the time being, and their successors, £2,000, in trust, to be lent at interest; the interest to be distributed annually, by the said trustees or their order, upon St. Thomas's day in every year, amongst the poor householders of the parish of Lisburne who are not common beggars.

This legacy was disposed of as follows:-- Sums amounting to £1,734 16s were expended in the purchase of certain chief rents, amounting annually to £90s 4s. These chief rents were conveyed, by Hugh Owens and others, trustees to the will of Adam Hunter, to William Trail and Rowley Hall, by deed bearing date the 27th April, 1820, an abstract of which is contained in the papers sent with this Report. The balance of the legacy was invested in Government stock.

There are also other funds invested in the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests for the use of the poor here, viz.:-- 1. Shanks's charity, producing £41 11s 2d yearly, but subject to deduction of £1 0s 9d commission. 2. Delacherois' bequest, producing £16 3s 11d yearly, but subject to a like deduction of 8s 1d. 3. Archdeacon Trail's bequest of £50, producing £1 15s yearly. There is also a donation of £50 from Dr. Stewart, but it had not been invested at the time of our inquiry.

The ministers and churchwardens exercise a discretion in appropriating the interest and produce of the several funds for the use of the poor, both in the town and in the country parts of the parish. They grant a portion annually to the Philanthropic Society, and themselves distribute the remainder. They keep books, which set forth their receipts and the distribution made, and their books are open to public inspection.

14. The Philanthropic Society was established about 20 years ago, for the relief of the poor inhabitants. They publish their accounts annually. For five years ending 1832 the average annual income was £443

Charitable Society.

15. In the year 1780 the inhabitants of the town and parish of Lisburne, having by voluntary contribution raised a sum of money for the support of their poor, and being desirous that a body corporate should be formed for carrying their humane design into execution under proper regulations, the Earl of Hertford, the Bishop of Down and Connor, the seneschal of the town, its representatives in Parliament, the rector, curate, and churchwardens of the parish, and the minister of the congregation of Protestant Dissenters in the town, all for the time being, and four persons named in the Act, and all contributors of three guineas a year to the charity, were incorporated under the name of "The President and Assistants of the Lisburne Charitable Society," with similar objects and under similar provisions as the charitable corporation started in Belfast in 1773, and of the class of corporations of the poor intended to have been established throughout Ireland by the Act of 1772, George III.

There is some trace of this corporation having been in operation in a short time after its creation, but its meetings have for many years been suspended, and the inhabitants now view it as obsolete; at the same time it is considered extremely desirable to have the provisions of the statute brought into operation.

Constituted as the corporation is, we see no difficulty in calling it into activity.

16. King Charles I., by letters patent bearing date 3rd January, 1627, granted to Henry Viscount Conway and Kilultagh to hold two fairs at Lisnegarvey, one on the 10th of July, and the other upon the 24th of September, and for two days after each, rent free; and also to have a weekly market on each Tuesday; together with all toll, customs, &c., to such fairs and markets belonging.

The schedule of the tolls and customs now in use consists of the following items:--

	d
For every horse, mare, &c., when sold	4
For every cow, heifer, &c., when sold	4
For every sheep, lamb, goat, or pig	1

The printed schedule states these tolls as "claimed by the seneschal of the manors of Killultagh and Derrivolgie, on the fair days being held in said town and borough."

Tolls and Customs.

17. Tolls and customs continue to be levied at two annual fairs in the name of the lord of the manor, the Marquis of Hertford, although their collection cannot be resorted to as an object of revenue, the profit derived from them not exceeding 40s in the year. The collection is attended with much difficulty, and gives occasion to very objectionable practices. For some time half the usual toll only was demanded, but it was taken upon cattle as they were brought into the fair; this having been found illegal, the entire toll is now demanded after sale; but then, if a difference arises as to whether there has or has not been a sale, it is determined by bringing the parties before the seneschal, who swears them as to the fact, and he not only assumes this power, but also the right of ordering the cattle to be impounded until the custom be paid.

18. The lord of the manor appoints the weighmaster; his fees are quite at variance with the provisions of the statutes upon the subject; he does not, however, enforce the compulsory provisions of the Act, leaving all persons the option of weighing at his scales or at any other. The amount of the charges is much complained of, but no resistance has occurred in any instance.

His charges are as follows:--

	d
Each sack, if 2 cwt. or over	2
"  ", if 1 cwt. or under	1
Hay, by the cart	2
Straw, ditto	2
Butter, by the crock	1
Potatoes, each sack	1

The weighmaster stated that he had obtained a weighing machine for hay and straw, and considered that it entitled him to charge beyond the legal fee. No charge is made for "standing," or exposing goods for sale in the market; and when the articles are not weighed no charge is made.

The market days are Tuesdays and Saturdays. A linen market has been established, at which no charge of any kind is made upon the goods exposed for sale.

19. The population of Lisburne, according to the enumeration of 1821, was 4,684; in 1831, 5,218; but this was exclusive of the part of the Parliamentary borough lying in the county of Down; the whole, by the last census, was returned as containing 5,745 inhabitants.

The particulars are stated as follows:—

Males	2,425
Females	2,791
Total	5,218
Families employed in agriculture	129
"  "  in trade, manuf., or hdcrft.	575
"  "  not in these two classes	431
Total	1,135
Houses inhabited	804
"  "  uninhabited	49
"  "  building	10
Total	863

The addition from the county of Down, added by the Boundary Act, is estimated to contain about 40 homes.

(Next Week: Curry's Glen.)


(This article was originally published in the Lisburn Standard on 2 November 1917 as part of a series which ran in that paper each week through 1917 and into 1918. The text along with other extracts can be found on my website Eddies Extracts.)