Particulars and Valuation of the Town Parks in the Lisburn District. (part 2)

SOME EXTRACTS

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

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

-- -- -- --

LIV.

-- -- -- --

PARTICULARS AND VALUATION OF THE TOWN PARKS

IN THE LISBURN DISTRICT.
PARISHES OF
DERRIAGHY, LISBURN, & LAMBEG.

(Continued.)

The original from which the following record is taken is in the possession of the Technical School, Lisburn.

Reference.

R.B.	Registered for Borough.
R.C.	Registered for County.
R.B.C.	Registered for Borough and Co.
Q.B.	Qualified for "Borough but not registered.
Q.B.C.	Qualified for Borough and County but not registered.
W.	Widow or sister of qual. voter.
L.	Living on the land.
L.M.	Do. and about a mile from town.
H.	Has been householder or voter.
X.	Within the Borough.

In the original, where more than one lot went to make up a holding the area of each separate lot in acres, roods, and perches is given. Here the aggregate area only is recorded in acres. The first figure following name represents the number of separate lots in the holding; the second figure signifies the aggregate number of acres. Where there is only one figure it represents the number of acres in the holding.

Lisburn -- East of Hillsborough Road.

Patk. Seldon -- X -- 1.
Wm. Gregg -- X -- 4 -- RBC -- 15.
Sam. Douglas -- X -- 2 -- RB -- 9.
John Clarke -- X -- 2 -- 3.
James Smith -- X -- 3 -- 8.
George Whitla -- X -- 5 -- RBC -- 11.
Dr. Thompson -- X -- RBC -- 5.
Thos. Shaw -- X -- 3 -- H -- 9.
George Wilson -- X -- 2 -- QB -- 4.
Edward Hogg -- X -- 5 -- 6.
Mr. Coulson -- X -- 5 -- RC -- 7.
Hu Mulholland -- X -- RBC -- 4.

Lisburn -- Lisnagarvey Townland.

John Magennis -- X -- QB -- 2.
Geo. Morrow -- X -- QB -- 2.
Wid. Can -- X -- W -- 2.
George Pelan -- X -- RB -- 3.
Rainey Boomer -- X -- QB -- 4.
Hy. Mulholland -- X -- 3 -- RC -- 5.
Dr. Musgrave -- X -- RB -- 3.
Danl. M'Veigh -- X -- QB -- 3.
Richard Murray -- X -- RB -- 3.
John Pennington -- X -- RB -- 3.
David Beatty -- X -- 3 -- RC -- 5.
Wid. Bell -- X -- 3 --  W -- 5.
Jos. Blackburn -- X -- ML -- 3.
John White -- X -- QB -- 2.
Jas. Major -- X -- QB -- 3.
John Dixon -- X -- 2 -- RB -- 3.
John Moore -- X -- 2 -- QB -- 3.
John Major -- X -- 2 -- RB--4.
John Hill -- X -- 2 -- RB -- 5.
Richard Murray -- X -- RB -- 3.
Jas. Hogg -- X -- 6 -- RBC -- 12.
Robt. M'Clure -- X -- 2 -- QB -- 7.
Danl. M'Veigh -- X -- QB -- 3.
Matthew Mussen -- X -- 2 -- RBC -- 5.
Erskine Neely -- X -- 4 -- CB -- 6.
Dr. Whiteford -- X -- RBC -- 5.
Jas. N. Richardson -- X -- RBC -- 7.
Wm. Graham -- X -- RC -- 2.
Rev. Jas. Stannus -- X -- 2 -- 12.
Richard Greer -- X -- 3 -- RBC -- 4.
John Pennington -- X -- RB -- 1.
Jas. Smyth -- X -- 4.
Wm. Black -- X -- 2 -- QB -- 4.
Dr. C. Cupples -- X -- QB -- 3.
Henry Magee -- X -- RB -- 3.
John Magee -- X -- QB -- 2.
Hugh Boyd -- X -- RB -- 3.
John Fleming -- X -- QB -- 3.
Dr. Cupples -- 7 -- RBC -- 15.
John Major -- X -- RB -- 3.
Wm. Johnston -- X -- QB -- 3.
Quaker School -- X -- 11 -- 20.
          Let for £23 16s per annum; leased in perpetuity.
Rev. E. Cordner -- 4 -- QB -- 8.
Dr. Stewart -- QB -- RC -- 4.
Major Stewart -- 2 -- 6.
Mrs. Mead -- W -- 2.
Chas. Casement -- 2 -- RBC -- 4.
James Knox -- QB -- RC -- 2.
Infirmary -- 3 -- 3.
Rev. P. Fletcher -- RB -- 1.
Rev. E. Thompson -- QB -- 4.
Dr. Turner -- RB -- 2.
Wid. Mulholland -- W -- 2.
Dr. Stewart -- 3 -- RC -- 4.
Wm. Phillips -- 3 -- QBC -- 5.
Geo. Boomer -- 3 -- RC -- 6.

Lisnegarvey -- East of New Mail Coach Road.

Rev. Jas. Stannus -- 2 -- 11.
Miss Waring -- 2.
Jas. M'Keown -- L -- 1.
Chas. Casement -- 2 -- RBC -- 5.
Archd. Trail -- 2 -- RBC -- 9.
Mr. Richardson -- RC -- 5.
Archdeacon Trail -- 7 -- RBC -- 21.
Samuel Kennedy -- 4 -- RC -- 11.
Wm. Colbeck -- 3 -- RB -- 6.
Cap. T. Fulton -- RC -- 4.
Capt. Smith -- 4 -- 7.
Hy. Mulholland -- 2 -- RC -- 4.
John Richardson -- 3 -- RC -- 6.

Glenmore -- Lambeg Parish.

Wm. Pelan -- 4 -- ML -- 3.
Moses Hill -- 4 -- LM -- 4.
Rt. Williamson -- QC -- 8.
Infirmary -- 3 -- 5.
Dr. Stewart -- RC -- 3.
Mrs. Hogg -- W -- 3.
Robert Seeds -- QC -- 4.
Jas. Richardson -- RBC -- 4.
Jonathan Richardson -- QC -- 4.
Rev. P. Fletcher -- 5 -- RB -- 14.
Rev. Ed. Thompson -- 2.
Capt. Fulton -- RC -- 3.
John Richardson -- 3 -- RC -- 6.
Lambeg Glebe -- 7 -- 16.
Matthew Pelan -- 3 -- LM -- 3.
Chas. Casement -- 2 -- RBC -- 5.
Mr. Legg -- 2 -- QC -- 5.
Wm. Colbeck -- QC -- 1.
Samuel Kennedy -- 7 -- RC -- 6.
Mrs. Higginson -- W -- 2.
Susana Wheeler -- 6 -- W -- 7.

Lisnatrunk -- Lambeg Parish, County of Down.

Wid. Nowell -- 4 -- W -- 3.
John Bidulph -- 3 -- 6.
Geo. Campbell -- 9 -- L -- 13.
Warren Clarke -- 4 -- L -- 3.
John Campbell -- 7 -- L -- 7.
Robert Campbell -- 5 -- L -- 7.
Wid. Rainey -- 7 -- LM -- 7.
Mrs. Murdock -- 5 -- LM -- 10.
Geo. Cahoon -- 9 -- LM -- 10.
Jas. Mussen -- RC -- 2.
Robt. Allister -- 2 -- QB -- 3.
Wm. Major -- 2 -- QB -- 4.

Largymore -- Parish of Lisburn, County of Antrim.

Geo. Moore -- 3 -- QBC -- 14.
Mrs. Bell -- 3 -- W -- 7.
Mrs. Hancock --  W -- 3.
Hugh Seeds -- RC -- 3.
Wm. Hodgen -- QB -- 3.
Wm. Murray -- QB -- 3.
Dr. Thompson -- 3 -- RBC -- 5.
Wid. Singer -- W -- 4.
Wm. Mussen -- 1.
Francis M'Gaghey -- 8 -- QB -- 11.
Wm. Coulson -- 4 -- RBC -- 20.
Geo. Pelan -- 3 -- QB -- 4.
John Woods -- RC -- 3.
James Thompson -- 2 -- RC -- 7.
John Clarke -- 6 -- QB -- 8.
Edward Herron -- 2 -- RB -- 4.
A. Lawson -- 2 -- QB -- 4.
Benj. Neely -- QB -- 4.
Robert M'Clure -- QB -- 4.
Edward Dickey -- QB -- 3.
Daniel M'Veigh -- QB -- 3.
Dr. Dixon -- RB -- 2.
Alex. Brownlee -- QC -- 2.
Francis Turner -- 4 -- QB -- 5.
Wid. Pelan -- 3 -- W -- 5.
Wm. Walsh -- 2 -- LM -- 4.
James Farrell -- 2 -- 3.
Henry Bell -- 2 -- RBC -- 2.
John Mackey -- 2 -- QB -- 3.
Rev. A. Craig -- 4 -- 3.
Jas. Dornon -- 5 -- QB -- 7.
Geo. Emmerson -- 2 -- 5.
Benj. Neely -- 2 -- QB -- 4.
Wm. Dillon -- 7 -- RC -- 11.
Jas. Turner -- 4 -- H -- 6.
Jane Edgar -- 2 -- W -- 3.
Wid. Bannister -- 3 -- W -- 4.
Edward Bannister -- 15 -- LM -- 37.
R. Boomer -- 5 -- QB -- 12.
W. Boomer -- QB -- 3.
Andrew Craig -- 5 -- L -- ll.
Geo. Simpson -- 2 -- QB -- 3.
David Reid -- QB -- 3.
Saml. Smith -- 4 -- QB -- 11.
Mrs. Boyes -- 5 -- W -- 8.
John Woods -- 4 -- RBC -- 6.
Wm. Sands -- 2 -- 1.
Edward Farrell -- 7 -- 14.
Chas. Weldon -- 2 -- QB -- 3.
Edward Ilivion -- RB -- 2.
Patk. Rogers -- 3 -- RC -- 5.
Edward Thompson -- 3 -- QB -- 2.
Hu Anderson -- 2 -- QB -- 3.
Dr. Cupples -- 4.
Hu Mulholland -- 2 -- RBC -- 4.

Largimore -- West of Old Hillsborough Road.

John Long -- 2.
Teal M'Keown -- 3 -- QB -- 4.
David Finlay -- 2 -- QB -- 4.
John Dowdd -- 4 -- H -- 5.
Capt. Boyse -- 2 -- L -- 3.
Miss Kelly -- 3 -- QB -- 4.
Saywell Clarke -- 4 -- QB -- 5.
Jas. Pattison -- 3 -- QB -- 4.
Wid. Pelan -- W -- 3.
Thos. Pelan -- 2 -- QB -- 2.
Saml. Smith -- 2 -- QB -- 3.
Edward Herron -- 2 -- RB -- 5.
Hu Mulholland -- 2 -- RBC -- 4.
Mrs. Hancock -- W -- 3.
James Ward -- 2 -- RBC -- 4.
Messrs. Boyd, Vitriol Works -- 5 -- 18.
Richard Sorby (a grove) -- 4.
John M'Dowell -- 3 -- QB -- 3.
James Tuton -- 2 -- H -- 2.
Major Parker -- QB -- 4.
Archd. M'Ateer -- 2 -- QB -- 3.
Wm. Wilson -- 2 -- L -- 2.

Ballynamullen.

Hy. Mulholland -- 2 -- QB -- 5.
Dr. Dixon -- 3 -- RB -- 6.
Alex. Brownlee -- 4 -- QBC -- 4.
Patk. Reed (quarry) -- 6 -- L -- 5.
Wid. Sloan -- 2 -- L -- 2.
Robt. M'Call -- RBC -- 4.
John Sinclair -- 6 -- L -- 8.
Wm. Walsh -- 6 -- LM -- 6.
Jas. Murray -- 3 -- QB -- 4.
Adam Wilson -- 2 -- QB -- 2.
Wm. Wilson -- cottage -- L.
Miss Crawford -- W -- 3.
Thos. Wright -- 2 -- 3.
Richard Foots -- 4 -- RB -- 5.
James Ward -- 3 -- RBC -- 6.

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


'TWAS PRETTY TO BE IN BALLINDERRY.

The Editor is indebted to Francis Joseph Bigger, Esq., Belfast, for drawing his attention to the fact that this ballad by Mr. Graves -- referred to in article LII. -- is only a new version or adaptation of a much older poem. Mr. Bigger writes:-- "This song is far older than Mr. Graves' day. The air, 'Ballinderry,' is far older still. Petrie considered it one of the oldest Irish airs extant."

Edward Bunting in his "Ancient Music of Ireland," 1840, states:-- "The air 'Ballinderry' is very ancient, author and date unknown, procured from Doctor Crawford, Lisburn, 1808." Bunting gives the score of the music and the first verse of the ballad as current in his time, with notes on its antiquity and variations.

It's pretty to be in Ballinderry,
     It's pretty to be in Aghalee,
It's prettier to be in bonnie Ram's Island,
     Sitting under an ivy tree.
          Ochone, ochone!
          Ochone, ochone!
Oh! that I was in little Ram's Island,
Oh! that I was with Phelimy Diamond.

          Cronan, or Chorus.

          Ochone, ochone!
          Ochone, ochone!
He would whistle, and I would sing,
Till we would make the whole Island ring.
          Ochone, ochone!
          Ochone, ochone!

The ballad has been a favourite performance from time immemorial with the peasantry of the Counties of Down and Antrim, the words being sung by one person, while the rest of the party chant the "Cronan," or chorus.

There are numerous other sets of words sung to "Ballinderry," such as:--

     'Tis pretty, to he in Ballinderry,
     'Tis pretty to be at Magheralin.

Or

     'Tis pretty to be in Ballinderry,
     'Tis pretty to be at the Cash of Toome.

Mr. Graves in his "Irish Songs and Ballads," 1880, states that his poem, "'Twas pretty to be in Ballinderry," was suggested by reading the stanza given in Bunting's collection.

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

Extracts from two old manuscript books in the possession of Mr. George H. Sands, C.E., Lisburn and Dunmurry.

ORDERLY BOOK, GARRISON OF LISBURN, 1803.

In General Orders, 6th August, 1803, it states that the Garrison of Lisburn shall consist of the Lisburn Cavalry, Lisburn Infantry, Ballinderry Infantry, and Broomhedge Infantry.

General Order.

All strangers who cannot account for themselves to be apprehended and sent under a secure guard to Belfast; if taken in a house, the master to be also sent prisoner. All places suspected of having concealed arms or ammunition to be searched. Frequent patrols of Cavalry and Infantry to be sent out, and such guards mounted as may be considered necessary. All parties searching for arms must be accompanied by an officer, who will be accountable.

Then follows instructions as to guards, parades, &c. The word or sign for each day is given, the name of company on duty, and name of orderly officer for the day, general notes and instructions by the Officer Commanding, and copies of some letters. There is a cash account for the year 1822, in which the men appear to have been served with trousers, for which they had to pay 8s per man. The Oath of Allegiance is given under date 1831.

-- -- -- --

LISBURN CAVALRY ACCOUNT BOOK, l798.

This book contains a general troop account and a separate account for each trooper. In article xxiv. will be found the names of the men in the troop as taken from this book.

Robert Redman Belshaw, in his "Irish Protestant Letters," published in New York, 1855, contributes a poem on John Jefferson, Sen., Aughnanoe, being the last then living -- 1852 -- of the Lisburn Company of Cavalry in 1798. The first verse runs:--

The snows of more than eighty years have fallen on his head,
And all the men with whom he ranked are numbered with the dead;
Of the Lisburn Corps of Cavalry he now survives -- the last --
The only one remaining here, a witness of the past.

Next Week: Report on Municipal Corporations, 1833.


(This article was originally published in the Lisburn Standard on 26 October 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.)

Particulars and Valuation of the Town Parks in the Lisburn District. 1829.

SOME EXTRACTS

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

-- -- -- --

Edited by JAMES CARSON.

-- -- -- --

LIII.

-- -- -- --

PARTICULARS AND VALUATION OF THE TOWN PARKS

IN THE LISBURN DISTRICT.
PARISHES OF
DERRIAGHY, LISBURN, & LAMBEG.

1829.

The original from which the following record is taken is in the possession of the Technical School, Lisburn. Cottages and gardens are not included in this valuation.

In the original, where more than one lot went to make up a holding the area of each separate lot in acres, roods, and perches is given. Here the aggregate area only is recorded in acres. The first figure following name represents the number of separate lots in the holding; the second figure signifies the aggregate number of acres. Where there is only one figure it represents the number of acres in the holding.

The original document specifies the annual value of each holding and the value per acre. In Clogher the value per acre ranges from 26s to 42s; average 32s.

Maghrelave, 32s to 37s; average 35s.
Tamna, 28s to 80s; average 50s.
Knockmore, 20s to 55s; average 34s.
Old Warren, west of Longstone Lane, 28s to 60s; average 37s.
Old Warren, east of Longstone Lane, 20s to 60s; average 40s.
Lisburn, east of Hillsborough Rood, 25s to 80s; average 48s.
Lisnagarvey, 30s to 70s; average 46s.
Lisnagarvey, east of New Mail Coach Road, 30s to 60s; average 50s.
Glenmore, 30s to 52s; average 40s.
Lisnatrunk, 23s to 55s; average 33s.
Largimore, 30s to 70s; average 46s.
Largimore, west of Old Hillsborough Road, 20s to 70s; average 47s.
Ballynamullen, 40s to 60s; average 48s.

Reference.

R.B.	Registered for Borough.
R.C.	Registered for County.
R.B.C.	Registered for Borough and Co.
Q.B.	Qualified for Borough but not registered.
Q.B.C.	Qualified for Borough and County but not registered.
W.	Widow or sister of qual. voter.
L.	Living on the land.
L.M.	Do. and about a mile from town.
H.	Has been householder or voter.
X.	Within the Borough.

It will be found that the reference X is somewhat difficult to understand even if it is always correctly used, which is doubtful. Although all Lisnagarvey is within the borough, only about half the names are marked X, and none of the names are so marked in Glenmore, Lisnatrunk, Largymore, or Ballynamullan. Clogher, which is not within the borough, has almost all the names marked X.

The reference in the original reads -- "X -- Within the borough." If it read "Residing within the borough" it might be more intelligible. Thus, Charles Shields, Clogher -- X -- 4 -- RB -- 10, would mean that his holding of 10 acres consisted of four separate lots, that he was registered as a voter for the borough, and that although holding land in Clogher he resided within the borough, his name also appearing in Tonagh -- within the boundary -- as Charles Shields -- X -- 2 -- RB -- 5.

It is well known that down to within recent date in country towns, and indeed in many places the custom is still prevalent, that practically every business and professional man was also on a small scale a farmer. They resided within the precincts of the town or borough, and while carrying on their usual avocation, held and worked a portion of land either for pleasure, convenience, or profit in the immediate vicinity.

Other examples of individuals holding land both inside the borough and outside of it, and having holdings in several townlands:-- John White, Clogher -- X -- 2 -- QB -- 4, Lisnegarvey -- X -- QB -- 2. Henry Bell, Clogher -- X -- 2 -- RBC -- 3, Tonagh -- X -- RBC -- 3, Old Warren -- X -- 4 -- RBC -- 5, Largymore -- 2 -- RBC -- 2. Hu Mulholland, Old Warren -- X -- RBC -- 5, Lisburn -- X -- RBC -- 4, Largymore -- 2 -- RBC -- 4.

The compiler would appear after he had gone some two-thirds through the work to have ceased to use the reference X.

The Borough of Lisburn, according to a map dated 1833, in possession of Mr. Geo. Sands, C.E., comprised parts of Glenmore, Knockmore, and Largymore, and all of Lisnegarvey, Tonagh, and Old Warren.

In the report from the Commissioners on Municipal Corporations in Ireland, 1833, volume iii., is a map of the borough of Lisburn, entitled "The Ancient Boundary from Local Enquiry." This map only specifies the townlands of Old Warren, Tonagh, Lisnegarvey, and Lambeg South as being within the borough boundary. It is also stated that by an Act of William IV. in respect to members to serve in Parliament a small portion of County Down was included.

Volume ii. specifies the number of voters registered as 91. The constituency in 1883 was composed of £5 -- Irish currency -- inhabitant Householders under Act Geo. III., and £10 -- British currency -- householders under Reform Act William IV.

The Boundary Commissioners, 1833, proposed new limits which were much more confined than the "ancient limits." Thus, the borough would appear to be comprised within a line starting about Longstone Lane, thence to new R.C burying-ground, Intermediate School, Friends' School, railway bridge, Belfast Road, J. N. Richardson's old beetling engine-house beyond the Island Mill, point where Young Street joins the Old Hillsborough Road, Piper Hill, Manor House, and back to Longstone Lane.

Population of Lisburn in 1831, exclusive of the part of the Parliamentary borough lying in the County of Down --

Males ......................	2,427
Females ...................	2,791
	5,218
Houses inhabited .....	804
Uninhabited .............	49
Building ...................	10
	863

Clogher Townland -- Derriaghy.

Dr. Whiteford -- X -- RBC -- 1.
John White -- X -- 2 -- QB -- 4.
Wid. Joseph Beatty -- X -- 3 -- W -- 6.
Robert Blackburn -- X -- 4.
John Smith -- X -- OB -- 3.
John M'Namara -- 4 -- QC -- 8.
John Ferguson -- 2 -- RB -- 5.
John Tuton -- X -- 2 -- 7.
Dr. Whetherhead -- X -- RBC -- 5.
Robt. M'Connell -- 4 -- L -- 9.
Rt. Parkinson -- X -- 3.
Henry Bell -- X -- 2 -- RBC -- 3.
Jamas Corken -- X -- 8 -- QB -- 4.
John M'Connell -- X -- QB -- 2.
Wm. Graham -- X -- 5 -- RC -- 12.
Ralph Briggs -- ML -- 1.
John Briggs -- 5 -- ML -- 11.
Chas. Shields -- X -- 4 -- RB -- 10.
Wm. Chapman -- X -- 3 -- H -- 6.
Jas. M'Donnall -- RC -- 4.
Alex. Blackburn -- 2 -- RC -- 3.
Jos. Blackburn -- 3 -- ML -- 4.
Henry Maguire -- 5 -- ML -- 9.
Jas. Stephenson -- 2 -- ML -- 3.
Geo. Emmerson (Hertford Arms) -- 2 -- 15.

Maghrelave Townland -- Derriaghy.

Geo. Moore -- 2.
Robt. M'Analey -- QB -- 4.
Chas. Casement -- RBC -- 3.
Jas. Dawson -- 3.
Geo. Emmerson -- 7 -- 22.
John Johnson -- 2 -- 4.
John Matthews -- QB -- 2.
Henry Dickey -- QB -- 2.
Hugh Boyd -- 3 -- RB -- 2.

Tamna (or Tonagh) Townland -- Lisburn.

Wm. Corken -- X -- 3 -- L -- 4.
Edw. Flemming -- X.
Jos. Blackburn -- X -- 2 -- 6.
Wm. Moorhead -- X -- QB -- 3.
Edw. Phillips -- X -- 3 -- QB -- 6.
David Beatty -- X -- 2 -- RC -- 5.
Wm. Nuckle -- X -- 5 -- L -- 4.
Wid. Richardson -- X -- 2 -- W -- 5.
Wid. Smalley -- X -- W -- 2.
Robert M'Call -- X -- 2 -- RC -- 4.
Adam Dickey -- X -- QB -- 4.
Thos. Pattison -- X -- 3 -- QB -- 3.
George Whitla -- X -- 2 -- RBC -- 4.
Thos. Corless -- X -- 2 -- 2.
Ever. Phillips -- X -- 2 -- RC -- 2.
Jos. Scandret -- X -- 2 -- RB -- 2.
Saml. Gamble -- X -- 5 -- RBC -- 18.
Mrs. Singer -- X -- 3 -- W -- 5.
Jno. Singleton -- X -- 2 -- QB -- 4.
Dr. Wetherhead -- X -- RBC -- 3.
Jas. N. Richardson -- X -- 3 -- RBC -- 7.
Henry Bell -- X -- RBC -- 2.
James Hanna -- X -- 5 -- QB -- 5.
Jas. Ferguson -- X -- 4 -- H -- 6.
John Crosley -- X -- RBC -- 4.
Mrs. Higginson -- X -- W -- 2.
Mrs. Jno Carleton -- X -- 4 -- W -- 11.
Jas. Mussen -- X -- 5 -- RBC -- 7.
Robert Garrett -- X -- RB -- 3.
Cap. John Fulton -- X -- 4.
John Yarr -- X -- 2.
John Moore -- X -- 2 -- QB -- 3.
Richd. Green -- X -- RBC -- 3.
Thos. J. Smith -- X -- 3 -- QB -- 2.
Benjamin Neely -- X -- 2 -- QB -- 3.
Charles Shields -- X -- 2 -- RB -- 5.
Alex. Blackburn -- X -- RC -- 6.
Rev. T. Thompson -- X -- RC -- 2.
Wid. Querry -- X -- 1.

Knockmore Townland -- Derriaghy.

Andw. Briggs -- 6 -- ML -- 6.
James Christy -- 3 -- -ML -- 3.
Jas. Steenson -- 5 -- ML -- 5.
John Herman -- Cottage.
George Moore -- X -- 4 -- QBC -- 19.
Hugh Bell -- H -- 4.
Dr. Turner -- X -- 4 -- QB -- 6.
Robt. Stewart -- X -- RBC -- 4.
Robert Ekin -- X -- 3 -- QB -- 6.
Jas. Kennedy -- X -- QB -- 5.
Wm. Drake -- X -- 4 -- 4.
Jas. N. Richardson -- X -- RBC -- 5.
Robt. Graham -- X -- 2 -- QB -- 5.
Wm. Anderson -- X -- QB -- 2.
Robt. Blackburn -- X -- 2.
Jas. Ferguson -- X -- H -- 4.
Francis Turner -- X -- 5 -- QB -- 5.
James Sterritt -- X -- QB -- 2.
Richd. Dawson -- X -- QB -- 3.
John Clarke -- X -- RB -- 4.
Geo. Pentland -- X -- 4 -- 8.
Saml. Kennedy -- X -- RC -- 5.
Robt. Stewart -- X -- 2 -- RBC -- 6.
Wid. Curran -- X -- 7 -- ML -- 13.
James Toush -- 11 -- ML -- 9.
Wm. Jefferson -- 5 -- ML -- 3.
Wid. M'Cann -- 4 -- ML -- 6.
John M'Cann -- 2 -- ML -- 2.
Wm. M'Gann -- 4 -- ML -- 3.
John M'Gann -- 7 -- ML -- 7.
Geo. Smith -- 2 -- 5.
Wm. M'Gowen -- ML -- 4.
James Hull -- 2.
Jos. Tolerton -- 2 -- QBC -- 7.
Wm. Hodgen -- RC -- 5.
John Orr -- X -- 8 -- 10.
Wm. Morrow -- X -- 5 -- ML -- 6.
John Wheeler -- X -- 2 -- 5.
O. Cunningham -- X -- 5 -- ML -- 13.
Robt. Gordon -- X -- 3 -- ML -- 3.
John Brady -- X -- 2.
Wm. Lackey -- X -- 1.
John Lackey -- X -- 4 -- L -- 3.
Frans. Benson -- X -- 4 -- 8.
Robt. M'Cown -- X -- 5 -- 7.
Geo. Hodgen -- 7 -- ML -- 6.
Patk. Rogers -- X -- 2 -- QB -- 3.
John Crossley -- X -- 2 -- RBC -- 5.
John Ferris -- X -- 8 -- L -- 3.
Robt. Aiken -- X -- QB -- 5.

Old Warren, Parish of Lisburn -- West of Longstone Lane.

John Hill -- X -- 3 -- RB -- 7.
John Herdman -- X -- 5 -- H -- 7.
Jas. Stewart -- X -- RB -- 3.
Jas. Magennis -- X -- QB -- 5.
Wid. Singer -- X -- W -- 1.
Hector Allen -- X -- H -- 6.
James Neil -- X -- 1.
Robert Graham -- X -- RB -- 3.
Margt. Johnson -- X -- 3 -- W -- 5.
Jas. Lapping -- X -- 2.
Wm. Coulson -- X -- 3 -- RBC -- 9.
John Brady -- X -- 2 -- QB -- 5.
Dr. Musgrave -- X -- 3 -- RB -- 6.
Thomas Bell -- X -- QB -- 3.
Wm. Flemming -- X -- 2 -- RC -- 3.
James Stirrit -- X -- 2 -- QB -- 3.
Rodney Cahoon -- X -- 2 -- QB -- 5.
John Dixon -- X -- 4 -- QB -- 6.
Mr. Higginson -- X -- QB -- 5.
Mich. Savage -- X -- 2 -- QB -- 4.
Wm. Singleton -- X -- QB -- 3.
Saml. Kennedy -- X -- 2 -- RC -- 6.
Edwd. Gribbin -- X -- 5 -- L -- 3.
John Gillen -- X -- QB -- 2.
Jas. M'Donald -- X -- RC -- 1.
Wid. Thompson -- X -- W -- 1.
Jas. Hodgen -- X -- RC -- 1.
Hu Anderson -- X -- 2 -- QB -- 3.
Wid. M. Thompson -- X -- 2 -- W -- 1.
Henry Bell -- X -- 4 -- RBC -- 5.
Thos. Rogers -- X -- RB -- 2.
Robt. Garrett -- X -- 3 -- RB -- 8.
John Johnson -- X -- 2 -- W -- 3
John M'Dowell -- X -- 3 -- QB -- 4.
Robt. Townley -- X -- 3 -- 6.
John M'Gough -- X -- 3 -- QB -- 4.

Old Warren -- East of Longstone Lane.

Henry Hicks -- X -- 3 -- QB -- 8.
Robt. Johnson -- X -- 8 -- QB -- 12.
Nathl. Johnson -- X -- 6 -- L -- 10.
Wm. M'Donally -- X -- 3 -- QB -- 4.
Saml. Sergeant -- 4 -- QB -- 4.
Wm. Innis -- X -- 5 -- 4.
Wm. Black -- X -- 1.
Mr. Higginson -- X -- QB -- 7.
Jas. Johnson -- X -- 4 -- QB -- 10.
Rt. M'Gullagh -- X -- L -- 2.
Neil Fairy -- X -- L -- 2.
Wid. Brady -- X -- W -- 2.
Wm. Matthews -- X -- 1.
John Singleton -- X -- QB -- 2.
Mathew Mussen -- X -- RBC -- 5.
Hy. Higginson -- X -- 2 -- QB -- 3.
John Herron -- X -- 2 -- 3.
Wm. Graham -- X -- 5 -- RC -- 8.
James Hodgen -- X -- 6 -- RC -- 6.
John Cox -- X -- 3 -- 4.
James Dean -- X -- 1.
Wm.. Boomer -- X -- 3 -- QB -- 6.
Hu Bell -- X -- H -- 3.
Jno. Mulholland -- X -- 3 -- H -- 6.
Thos. Pelan -- X -- QB -- 4.
Hu Mulholland -- X -- RBC -- 5.
Wm. Matthews -- X -- 2 -- 4.
Jas. M'Cann -- X -- QB -- 2.
John M'Cann -- X -- 2.
John Fulton -- X -- 4 -- 11.
Mr. Burney -- X -- 4 -- QB -- 7.
Mr. Whitla -- X -- 2 -- RBC -- 2.
Wm. Dillon -- X -- 2 -- QBC -- 4.
John Laverty -- X -- 2 -- 2.
Geo. Whitla -- X -- RBC -- 5.
Richd. Carleton -- X -- 2 -- W -- 7.

(To be Continued.)


(This article was originally published in the Lisburn Standard on 19 October 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.)

Find My Past - the TV show

The folks at findmypast.co.uk are taking to the airwaves with a new TV series called - aptly enough - Find My Past the TV show.

Each week, in a 10-part series, it take three members of the public on a journey to discover how they are related to someone from a significant historical event, by searching the records on findmypast.co.uk. It follows each of them as they uncover who their ancestor is and the part they played in history before uniting the participants to find out how they are connected.

The show, which will be presented by the BBCs Chris Hollins, is to be screened on Thursdays from 20 October 2011 at 9pm on the Yesterday channel: (Freeview channel 12, Sky 537, Virgin Media 203).

The list of episodes is:
Episode 1: Dunkirk
Episode 2: Titanic
Episode 3: Battle of Britain
Episode 4: Bounty
Episode 5: D-Day
Episode 6: Ripper
Episode 7: Shot at Dawn
Episode 8: Suffragettes
Episode 9: Tay Bridge
Episode 10: Royal Scandal


Links:
Find My Past the TV show
Yesterday TV

Kilwarlin and Hillsborough, 1866.

SOME EXTRACTS

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

-- -- -- --

Edited by JAMES CARSON.

-- -- -- --

LII.

-- -- -- --

KILWARLIN AND HILLSBOROUGH,

1866.

This little volume of 32 pages was published in Liverpool, and the cost of publication defrayed by the Downshire family. It is set forth that it was "Privately printed, for presentation only," and the author signs himself "A Former Resident."' The volume is the result of a large amount of careful research and observation. The first 21 pages deal with Kilwarlin, and. the author Las taken considerable trouble to define accurately the past and present boundaries of the territory. The remainder of the book contains a history of the Hill and Downshire family, with a poem entitled "Hillsborough Town," describing the festivities that took place in that town on the occasion of the marriage of the Marquis in 1837.

Mr. George Allen, the Estate Office, Hillsborough is the possessor of a copy of this book, which contains in addition to the printed matter valuable and copious manuscript notes from the pen of Mr. Smyth, of the same office, dealing with the genealogy of the Downshire family. J. W. Kernohan, M.A., Presbyterian Historical Society, also possesses a copy of the volume.

The following note is printed at the foot of page 23:--

"Some years ago the writer compiled a Pedigree History of the Earls Conway of Lisburn, showing the descent of blood, property, name, family honours, &c., with illustrations. It was intended to follow it up by tracing in like manner the family history of James Hamilton, Earl of Clanbrassil and Viscount Clanboye; but the former was not printed, and the latter was never completed."

EXTRACTS.

Kilwarlin was one of the great territories of the County of Down, some of which have become modern Baronies. Dymmok's Treatise on Ireland, 1600, refers to it as "Mac Roris Cuntry."

Killultagh, or Derry-Killultagh -- the oak-wood of Ulster -- was described in 1515 as "the great, forest Keylultagh."

In 1586, Lord Burghley in his Description of Ulster says:-- "Kilwarlyn, boundinge uppon Kilultagh, is a very fast a woodland, the capten thereof by sirname is a McGenis, called Ever McRorie." The Irish Inquisitions, 1631, No. 29, state that it comprised forty-five townlands, but the Maze was said to contain two and a half.

Killultagh in the County of Antrim includes tho Parishes of Crumlin, Glenavy, Ballinderry, Aghagallen, Aghalee, Magharemesk, Lisburn, Magheragall, Tullyrusk, and part of Derriaghy.

In the early part of the Seventeenth century, old Bryan McRowry Megennes lived at Edenticullo, probably in a part of that which is now the Large Park. The Large Park appears to have been formed out of portions of three townlands Edenticullo, Crumlin, and Clogher. The Small Park is taken wholly out of Crumlin or Hillsborough. The Large Park contains 985 acres and the Small Park 68. Griffith's Valuation, 1839.

Bryan McRowry Magennis alienated in 1611 to Colonel Moyses Hill seven townlands. His son and grandsons in the following 25 years alienated the remainder of the property. Irish Inquisitions, Nos. 31, 54, 59, 60.

In the Down Survey by Sir William Petty, 1655, the name Kilwarlin is restricted to a parish. The Chapelry of Crumlin had formerly been a portion of the large parish of Drumbo, but in Petty's time it was the parish of Kilwarlin or Crumlin, now Hillsborough. Larcom's History of the Down Survey.

Drumbo -- The hill of the cow.
Crumlin or Camlin -- The crooked glen.
Ballykeel -- The place of the wood.
The Maze -- The place of the plain.
Bally-keel-agh-ardtifinny -- The place of the wood at the white hill.
Carnbane -- The white stone heap.
Carnreagh -- The royal stone heap.
Carnalbanaugh -- The stone heap of the Highlanders.

Spencer's Bridge is so called from, the house of Captain Henry Spencer, which stood on the Antrim side, and is mentioned by Petty. He was a contemporary officer in Queen Elizabeth's army with Sir Fulke Conway and the governor of the Fort of Innisloughlin.

Barrack Hill was a street of Hillsborough in which there were barracks; the Warren Gate originally led to a rabbit warren, and at the Union locks the Lagan blends with the canal. The Hollow Bridge is over a defile so deep that there is a descent even; to the crown of the arch, and such names as McKee's Bridge, Halliday's Bridge, &c., are derived from neighbouring residents. Rock's Hill, the hill with projecting rocks, is often improperly pronounced Rogue's Hill; and there is a Gallow s Burn at the entrance to Dromore, where executions formerly took place.

Speed's map of Kilwarlin is dated 1610.

The term "Hillsborough" referred originally to the town, not to the parish. Harris in his History, so late as 1744, calls it Crumlin Rectory, "the Chappel of St. Malachy at Hillsborough." The term Hillsborough seems to have been first applied to the Manor 1651, then to the Fort 1661, yet still there was no town, or even village. When Sir Wm. Brereton -- Brereton's Travels, by Hawkins -- passed it by in 1635 he found nothing to notice.

The visit of King William III. to Hillsborough is referred to. Authorities -- Diary of Dean Davies, by Caulfield; Three Months' Royal Campaign in Ireland, 1690, by Samuel Mullenaux, M.D.; A True and Impartial History, 1691, by Rev. George Storey.

The ancient family mansion appears to have stood just to the south of the limits of the Small Park. Harris records that it was destroyed by fire, and that barracks were erected on its site. The remains of these were visible up to 1825, and the street which led past them on the way to Moira was called Barrack Street or Barrack Hill. It contained the residence of Mr. Hugh McCay, attorney, and of Miss Stott, who was murdered along with her maidservant in 1825. In it also was the Quaker Meeting House, which on the Ordnance map 1837, is represented as standing alone. About 1826 the street was obliterated, the Moira road being made to diverge southward from its contact with the park wall. The triangle included by Barrack Hill and its continuation, the new piece of road, and the line to Dromore, was added to the private grounds. Near the bridge at the bottom of Barrack Hill stood the old church of Crumlin, and its graveyard, or "God's Acre," formed part of the present Small Park and of the pleasure grounds attached to the house. The ruins were visible in 1744, but the church had been removed to its present site in 1662 by Colonel Arthur Hill. The present beautiful structure, however, was not erected till 1773. It is a becoming memorial of the munificence of the first Marquis. There was a large willow tree, sometimes called the Kate Rush Tree, which marked the site of the old graveyard. It was blown down in the great storm of 6th January, 1839, when portions of human bones were exposed amongst its roots. There is a tradition that the tree was named after a "simple" girl named Kate, who wandered about the country. She amused herself by constantly plaiting rushes, till her proper surname was almost forgotten. She also walked on foot to Crumlin with all the funerals of the neighbourhood. On the day when she was carried to her own last resting-place, about 1792, a young man stuck at the head of her grave a willow twig, which grew into a great tree, hence the name the "Kate Rush" Tree.

It would appear from Harris that the lower part of the town was first built, and the upper portion not much more than a century ago. Between them was a hill so precipitous before it was cut that the wonder is why it was made the street of a town, or why people thought of erecting houses at its sides.

Harris further refers to the intention of Lord Hillsborough to build a new mansion house and a new town -- the town to be built in the form of a large square, with a stately market-house in the centre. A very expensive brewery, with malt-houses, consisting of two large squares, was erected by the late Lord contiguous to the town, which hitherto had not been converted to that use.

Prior to 1800 there were frequent contentions between the Broomhedge men and Hillsborough or Kilwarlin men over the right to get turf from the Maze Moss. They usually fought with quarterpole and singlestick. In 1775 some bayonets stolen from Hillsborough Fort were used. David Gray, of Broomhedge, was stabbed. Tom Bulger, of Hillsborough, was executed for the murder.

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

'TWAS PRETTY TO BE IN BALLINDERRY.

This beautiful ballad is from the pen of Alfred Perceval Graves. It appears in his "Irish Poems" -- Countryside Songs and Ballads -- 1908, and is set to music in "Songs of Old Ireland." Padric Gregory considered it worthy of a place in his "Modern Anglo-Irish Verse," 1913. Mr. Graves was the son of the Protestant Bishop of Limerick. He has produced numerous poems, songs, and ballads. "Father O'Flynn" was written by him. He was an Inspector of Schools, from which position he retired in 1910.

'Twas pretty to be in Ballinderry,
     'Twas pretty to be in Aghalee,
'Twas prettier to be in little Ram's Island,
     Trysting under the ivy tree!
               Ochone, ochone!
               Ochone, ochone!
For often I roved in little Ram's Island,
Side by side with Phelimy Hyland,
And still he'd court me and I'd be coy,
Though at heart I loved him, my handsome boy!

"I'm going," he sighed, "from Ballinderry.
     Out and across the stormy sea,
Then if in your heart you love me, Mary,
     Open your arms at last to me."
               Ochone, ochone!
               Ochone, ochone!
I opened my arms, how well he knew me,
I opened my arms and took him to me;
And there, in the gloom of the groaning mast,"
We kissed our first and we kissed our last!

'Twas happy to be in little Ram's Island,
     But now 'tis as sad as sad can be:
For the ship that sailed with Phelimy Hyland,
     Is sunk for ever beneath the sea,
               Ochone, ochone!
               Ochone, ochone!
And 'tis oh! but I wear the weeping willow
And wander alone by the lonesome billow,
And cry to him over the cruel sea,
Phelimy Hyland, come back to me!

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

THE RETURN OF PHELIMY HYLAND.

This sequel to "'Twas Pretty to be in Ballinderry" was written by James N. Richardson, author of "O'Neill of Munster," 1880; "The Baron's Dream," 1887; "Reminiscences of Friends in Ulster," 1915; "The Quakri at Lurgan," 1887; "The Quakri at Lurgan and Grange," 1899. Mr. Richardson is a member of the Society of Friends, is closely related to several well-known Lisburn families, was born in 1846, represented the County of Armagh in the Imperial Parliament, 1881-1885, and resides at Bessbrook, Newry.

'Twas pretty to be at Ballinderry,
     'Twas pretty to be at Aghalee,
'Twas prettier still at bonnie Ram's Island
     Trysting under the ivy-tree.
And oft I've been in bonnie Ram's Island,
Side by side with Phelimy Hyland,
And there he'd court me and I'd be coy,
Tho' I always loved him, my handsome boy.

"I'm going," he sighed, "from Ballinderry,
     "I'm going," he sighed, "from Aghalee,
     "Out and across the stormy sea.
So if in your heart you love me, Mary,
     Open your arms and come to me.
I opened my arms, how well he knew me,
I opened my arms and took him to me,
And there as the sun was falling fast
We kissed our first and we kissed our last.

'Twas happy to be in bonnie Ram's island,
     'Twas happy in Aghalee,
     But now 'tis as sad as sad can be,
For the ship that carried Phelimy Hyland
     Is sunk for ever beneath the sea.
And 'tis I that wear the weeping willow
And wander alone by the lonely billow,
Calling over the cruel sea--
Phelimy Hyland, come back to me.

The long years rolled o'er Ballinderry,
     The long, long years o'er Aghalee,
And the boys and the girls again were merry
     Trysting under the ivy tree.
But I never went to bonnie Ram's Island
Since the day I parted Phelimy Hyland--
Phelimy Hyland, mine no more
Till perchance we meet on the farther shore.

One winter's day to Ballinderry
     I tramped in the rain from Aghalee,
When I heard a voice behind me, "Mary,
     Open your arms and come to me."
I opened my arms, how well he knew me,
I opened my arms and took him to me,
For sure but it was Phelimy Hyland
Back from years on a desert island,
Grey with sorrow and salt with sea,
True and faithful and back to me.

And there we blessed the Name together
     Twist Ballinderry and Aghalee,
In the lone-end damp, in the wintry weather,
     He bared his head and I bowed my knee.
And the word passed round of Phelimy Hyland,
Up and down unto far Rathfriland,
Of him who was saved from the cruel sea,
True and faithful and back to me.

And we sent for the priest to Ballinderry
     Because there was none at Aghalee,
And again my heart grows light and merry
     And again I visit the, ivy tree.
Set in the waves of wild Lough Neagh,
And again I go to bonnie Ram's Island,
Side by side with Phelimy Hyland,
And Phelimy Junior on my knee.

(Next week: The Town Parks of Lisburn, 1829.)


(This article was originally published in the Lisburn Standard on 12 October 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.)

The House of Downshire, 1600 to 1868. (part 7)

SOME EXTRACTS

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

-- -- -- --

Edited by JAMES CARSON.

-- -- -- --

LI.

-- -- -- --

THE HOUSE OF DOWNSHIRE:

A Sketch of its History from 

1600 to 1868,

By HUGH M'CALL.

1881.

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

EXTRACTS (Continued).

The fourth heir to the family title and the several estates, and who was known as

"The Big Marquis,"

was bora in Hillsborough on the 6th of August, 1812, and spent his boyish days at the Castle. From mere childhood he exhibited points of character widely different from those of his father, and this not less in physical appearance than in sturdy determination of purpose. As a lad he seemed full of life and spirit, and many tales were told about his feats of strength, few youngsters, even of much maturer years than those to which he had attained, having been able to match the young lord in athletic sports. And yet he was the very reverse of being quarrelsome; on the contrary, he displayed all the kindliness of feeling and natural good temper which marked his whole career in after life.

On the 6th of August, 1833, was celebrated the twenty-first birthday of the sturdy nobleman afterwards known as the fourth Marquis of Downshire. The gathering of the clans that took place in October, 1809, when that Peer's father attained his majority, was very large, but the assemblage fell far short of the immense multitude that turned out on the later occasion.

According to the ancient custom, there was the immense bullock and quite a flock of sheep in course of being cooked before enormous fires. These, with what seemed to be a mile in length of dinner-tables spread over the park grounds, formed one of the sights that, in the early part of the day, attracted its crowd of spectators. Bradshaw and Moreland provided for the  occasion ample supplies of "the wine of the country," and that of a quality which Doctor Paxton, who was no ordinary judge of aqua vitæ;, said, "Would have stirred up the blood of an anchorite." Barrels of ale, the number of which might have puzzled Cocker himself to enumerate, were set up in every quarter; and out of all sorts of vessels, glass, delf, and wood, the foaming beverage was drunk in copious quantities. The dinner passed off in the very spirit of the feasts at which the feudal princes of old entertained their followers while celebrating some signal victory. It is to be regretted that the baronial feasts, which tended to draw closer together the bonds of kindliness between the landlord and his people, are rarely heard of in these days.

In the year following the entertainment Lord Hillsborough was High-Sheriff of Down. On the 30th of October, 1834, he presided at the great Protestant meeting held in a large field near Hillsborough -- probably one of the greatest gatherings ever seen in the county. Dr. Cooke, the Demosthenes of the General Assembly, was there. Lord Hillsborough sat as one of the representatives of Down for several sessions in the Imperial Parliament, and was a strong supporter of Sir Robert Peel.

In August, 1837, he married Lady Carolina Stapleton, eldest daughter of Viscount Combermere -- a gallant soldier who, as the reward of his brilliant services in leading England's troops to victory during the wars against Napoleon, was raised in 1814 to the British peerage. The young Countess was exceedingly handsome, quite equal in personal appearance to all that has been heard of the long line of beautiful women that for more, than two centuries had graced the halls of Hillsborough Castle. We have seen that from the days of Sir Moyses Hill each successive heir of the ancient house added to the extent of this family prosperity, the result of which accumulation was that the fourth Marquis succeeded to a principality the income of which exceeded that of any dozen of those petty princes of Germany, many of whose descendants, as a popular writer has stated, "cling like limpets to the rock of Britain's Exchequer." According to a Government return relative to the extent of properties held by the landowners of the United Kingdom, the Downshire estates consist of 74,680 acres in Down, 15,779 acres in Wicklow, 13,928 acres in King's County, 9,544 acres in Antrim, 2,077 acres in Kilkenny, and 1,355 acres in Kildare. The English estates of the same house include 5,287 acres in Berkshire, and 281 acres in Suffolk, making a total territorial area of 122,995 acres, all of which, according to the same official account, is valued at £99,742 per annum. Such was the extent of lands in England and Ireland, and the income thereof, to which the new heir became entitled on his accession in April, 1845. The Celtish Isle of the West was then in a state of unwanted prosperity; its population, which in 1805 was 5,396,456, had increased during the fifty years to 8,520,000 -- a ratio of progress exceeding that noted respecting any other nation in Europe. Agricultural enterprise had been carried on during the intermediate period with the utmost activity; the linen and cotton manufactures of Ulster were in the healthiest condition, general commerce was equally prosperous, and altogether it seemed as if brighter days had at length dawned on the home of the Hibernian.

Mr. George Stephenson succeeded Major Matthews as agent for the estate, and after him came Mr. W. E. Reilly. This gentleman held office for more than one-quarter of a century, and in times when no law save the unwritten codes of justice interposed between the arrangements of landlord and tenant in Ulster, Mr. Reilly was, perhaps, the most popular agent that ever ruled in the rent office of any other Irish estate. Faithfully did he discharge his duties to the noble Marquis, but in doing so he never forgot to keep in view the industrial immunities of the tenants, and in every case he protected their rights with the same sense of official equity as he guarded the interests of the landlord. After the much-lamented death of this worthy agent, Major Rowan was appointed to the situation; but very different was his mode of dealing with the tenants as compared with that of Mr. Reilly's administration, and he was not popular.

The Old Commodore.

The first public appearance of the young Marquis of Downshire after his accession to the family title and estates was that on which he took the chair at an indignation meeting held on the 20th of August, 1845, in a field situate on one of the hills that rose above the Lisburn station of the Great Northern Railway. Mr. James Watson, the popular proprietor of Brookhill, had been deprived of his Commission of the Peace, as well as his deputy-lieutenancy of the county, because of having attended a meeting of the Orange leaders held in Lisburn early in the July of that year. Sir Robert Peel's Government was then nearly as much under the control of the Young Irelanders as Lord Melbourne's Cabinet had been by the Tribune of the people -- Daniel O'Connell -- and his followers, some years before, and to repudiate every form of Orangeism throughout Ulster was a leading point of its policy. "The Old Commodore,: as Mr. Watson was called, had been a steady friend of law and order for half a century. As captain of the local corps of yeomanry he had led one section of the loyal troops at the battle of Antrim in June, '98. where his horse was shot under him and he himself narrowly escaped a similar fate. Residing as he did at Brookhill, and keeping up the fame of a country gentleman, a worthy magistrate, and an enthusiastic lover of turf and field sports, he enjoyed universal popularity with peer and peasant, and the action of the Irish Government in depriving him of his magisterial honours caused widespread indignation. And in that feeling the Conservative party was heartily joined by many Liberals, all of whom held the chief of Brookhill in the highest respect. When arrangements had, been made by Mr. Watson's friends for the purpose of getting up a meeting of sympathisers in Lisburn great difficulty was experienced in obtaining a field in which to hold it; some gentleman who had formerly professed much friendly feeling towards the Orange system were actually afraid to lend the use of their townparks for that purpose. Mr. David Beatty was applied to, and at once gave the committee full permission to erect a platform, for the speakers and hold the meeting in his large grazing field, a spot since famed as Watson's Hill. It was estimated that fifty thousand people, including nearly all creeds and classes, attended that great convention; seventeen magistrates stood together on the occasion and joined in the general denunciation of the course taken by Lord Haytesbury and the other authorities of Dublin Castle. Many magistrates in the South of Ireland had before that time taken active part in the meetings held under the leadership of Daniel O'Connell, M.P., the object of which was to demand a repeal of the Legislative Union, and if those Justices of the Peace had not been superseded it was considered most unjustifiable to make a political martyr of Mr. Watson.

The demonstration was one of the most enthusiastic ever seen in the North of Ireland; hundreds of the people who attended on that day had travelled on foot from different parts of this and the next county, and those that were present and are still denizens of this lower world will not forget how much the stalwart presence of the noble Marquis, as he presided over the vast concourse of people, added to the imposing appearance of the meeting.

The practical importance of landlord residence had never been so fully brought out as it was during the never to be forgotten time of 1847 and '48, when dearth, disease, and death swept like so many "destroying angels over every province in Ireland. Then it could be seen what were the vital advantages of residence. Samuel Richardson, brother of the Jonathan Joseph Richardson, an ex-M.P. for Lisburn, was then busily engaged in the Island Flax-spinning Mill, but he found time to visit three times a day the fever patients that lay in great numbers under tents erected on the mound opposite the Manor Hospital. While engaged in contributing to the spiritual as well as the temporal wants of those poor people he caught the fever, and only survived the attack a few days.

All that time the absentee proprietors of some hundreds of thousands of acres in the Northern province were living far away from the cry of distress that rang through town and village, and seemingly little concerned about the terrible visitation that had fallen on the people.

Famine, 1845.

The first attack of the potato disease in Ireland came over the fields in the autumn of 1846. It was, however, only a partial failure. The estimated area of land under that crop for the same season rather exceeded 1,300,000 acres, and the loss ran up to about three millions of money. Next year the extent of Ireland's potato lands was fully equal to that of 1845, and until the end of July the appearance of the growing crop was all that could be desired. But, as if by some influence beyond human ken, the fields were suddenly struck by blight, the tops or vines became blackened, and the greater portion of the bulbs rotted in the ground. No pen could portray the dread results of that national visitation. The tens of thousands of small farmers in the South and West of Ireland who depended for their winter's food on the produce of their potato lands were left all but destitute, and incredible numbers died of direct starvation. The Parliament of that day did all that Imperial power could accomplish for arresting the combined influences of famine and fever; but so intense were these afflictions that they revelled, as it were, in destructive power, and seemed to defy man's attempts to arrest the calamity.

In common with his brother residents, the Marquis of Downshire was at his post throughout the winter of 1846-47. He visited the farmhouses and cottages within several miles of Hillsborough Castle, sparing neither his purse nor his person in energetic exertions for the relief of the people. I have stated that, besides his seventy-five thousand acres of land in Down, the Marquis owned large estates in Antrim, Wicklow, and the King's County, and in each of these he gave gifts, of food, clothing, and money, and that benevolence was exercised as well outside as within the boundaries of his own estates.

In course of a public meeting called to arrange about extending the means of relief he uttered the memorable words:-- "I will stand by the people and attend to their wonts, even should I be obliged to mortgage part of my estates for that purpose." It has been estimated, and this on correct data, that the Marquis of Downshire expended between fifteen and twenty thousand pounds in alleviating the distress that prevailed in the famine years. During those dread seasons a noble marquis whose large estates bordered those of Downshire lands resided as usual at his Entresol in Paris, far away from the scenes of sadness and sorrow that existed on his Irish property, and when appealed to by his agent for a contribution towards the local relief fund he only subscribed seven hundred and fifty pounds. The annual rental of that absentee peer was about sixty thousand; he ruled over the estate for eight-and-twenty years, and during all that time he paid but one visit to his Antrim property.

On the entire face of the country in almost every district the brand of poverty was seen on both man and beast. Horses and horned cattle seemed to have had their share of privation, from the effects of which many of them did not revive for many months.

Workhouses were so much crowded that temporary places had to be fitted up for the residence of the poor. In July, 1847, there was a relief roll, the aggregate number on which reached the highest point ever known in the annals of any other nation's pauperism, namely, 3,020,700, or nearly 45 per cent. of the total population of this island. A great decrease had taken place during the succeeding twelve months, at the end of which the figures were 2,043,000 persons; but in July, 1849, the number of Ireland's poor who received rations was 2,142,766, a considerable increase compared with that of the previous return. These figures are taken from Sir George Nichol's work on the Poor-Law as it was carried out by local taxation and Imperial funds during the years of extreme destitution. The number of people actually supported in the union workhouses in Ireland on the 1st of July, 1844, was 620,747; in 1850 the decrease was above one-half, say 307,970; and during the succeeding ten years self-support had become so general that on New Year's Day, 1860, the total census of Ireland's pauperism had fallen to 44,929 persons.

Tenant-right Question.

The first great demonstration that took place in Ulster on the tenant-right question was held in the Old Theatre of Belfast during the memoral year 1848, and the utmost enthusiasm prevailed. Every seat in the pit was crowded with the farmers of this and the next county; the boxes had their full complement of occupants, many of these being of the fairer part of creation; and the stage formed the platform on which appeared, the gentlemen who were to address the meeting.

Captain Crawford, J.P., of Red Hill, was voted to the chair, and after a few words expressive of the honour conferred on him in electing him to the position of president of the large and highly respectable meeting, he added that as a landowner he had the utmost pleasure in taking his seat. He thought the time had come when the money which the Irish tenant had in the soil should be made as sure to him as if he had invested it in shares in the Ulster Railway or in the stock of one of their local banks. After some further remarks the chairman called on the Rev. Dr. Montgomery to address the meeting. The pastor of Dunmurry was received with loud cheers; indeed, it required some special tact on the part of the chairman to get the wild enthusiasm of the farmers cooled down. At length silence prevailed, and never in all the course of his busy life did the doctor advocate any cause with such brilliant eloquence as he did that of the right of the Ulster landholder to a full enjoyment of the fruits of his own industry. "With me," said the doctor, "this is no ordinary subject. I am the son of a farmer. My earliest recollections are circled around every bush and bramble that reared its head on those broad acres tilled by my respected parent." The original advocate of the farmers' rights spoke for more than an hour, and amid plaudits equal to any ever run out from the "gods" in the old Thespian palace.

From that day the agitation for tenant-right continued to take a leading place in public affairs, but as a r$le landlords and agents gave it little countenance. There seemed to be a lot of dread that a portion of the old feudal power would pass out of their hands if the tenants become more independent.

The early summer of 1850 brought considerable strength to the tenant-right cause, and meetings of farmers on different estates became pretty general. A deputation was appointed from North-East Ulster to go over to London and lay the state of affairs before Government, and, among others, Mr. John Ferguson, of Ballinderry, was selected to represent the Hertford estate. On arriving at the British capital they sought and had interviews with Lord John Russell and his colleagues, and also with Sir Robert Peel. In all these instances they were received with the utmost courtesy, and in course of discussion they stated that on the Downshire, the Hertford, the Londonderry, the Brownlow, and other estates in Ulster the principle of tenant-right was fairly recognised; but they were desirous of having what had been only a mere custom fully certified by law. A promise was given that the whole matter would be laid before Parliament, and with that assurance the deputation returned home in good spirits.

The tenants of the Hertford estate resolved to have a pubic meeting in Lisburn, and for that purpose sought the use of the Assembly Room. Their request was kindly granted by Dean Stannus, agent of the property, and in June, 1850, a very influential turnout of tenant farmers, merchants, and others, took place -- Dr. Dill, of Blaris Lodge, in the chair. The speakers on that occasion were Mr. John Ferguson, Mr. Millar, Dr. Hume, Mr. M'Call, and Mr. Joshua Lamb. In course of the same month another influential meeting of tenant-right men was held in the Music Hall, Belfast.

Among the many interesting and really historic evidences of the respect in which the fourth Marquis of Downshire was held by the farmers on his estate, one of the most remarkable was that of the dinner given to him by the Kilwarlin tenants on the 13th of November, 1851. That great event came off in the Assembly Rooms of the Corporation Arms, Hillsborough. The room had been very tastefully decorated for the occasion. Laurels, holly, and roses were placed round the walls in graceful festoons, and the mottoes "Geade Mille Failthe to our Landlord," "The House of Hill," and "Live and Let Live." About three hundred covers were laid, and among those present were several Belfast and Lisburn merchants, and others who had joined with the tenantry in paying a mark of respect to the noble Marquis. The turnout was exceedingly numerous; every seat had its occupant, and the dinner passed off with the greatest good humour.

After the removal of the cloth Mr. Hercules Bradshaw. J.P., Culcavey Cottage, was called to the chair. On his right was the guest of the evening, and on either side the Rev. Dr. Cooke, of Belfast, and the Rev. Henry Montgomery, D.D., of Dunmurry, took up their places.

The usual loyal and patriotic toasts having been given and duly honoured, the chairman called on all present to fill their glasses to the brim. He would wait until every person present was prepared to give full play to the toast. When full arrangements had been made under that practical chemistry in which the people of Hillsborough have long been adepts, the chairman proposed, in his own stentorian tones, "The health of the Marquis of Downshire, one of the best of Ireland's landlords."

Addresses from Lisburn.

The marriage of Lord Downshire's daughter, Lady Alice Hill, to Viscount Kenlist took place in the autumn of 1867, and the event was signalised by the tenantry of nearly every townland on his lordship's different territories presenting to their landlord congratulatory addresses. Some exceedingly handsome wedding gifts were also presented by them to the young bride, and for the time being the Castle at Hillsborough rejoiced in more than its wonted scenes of festivity.

While all this series of affairs was going on, a young merchant of Lisburn suggested to a friend that it would be a graceful compliment to the noble Marquis, for whom the people of the town entertained so much respect, if an address were got up there congratulating his lordship on the auspicious event. No time was lost in making arrangements for acting on the hint thus thrown out. A committee was formed, and a document was prepared and signed by men of every creed and class in Lisburn and its neighbourhood. When all had been settled Mr. David Beatty, secretary, wrote Lord Downshire apprising him of the proposed presentation. To that letter his lordship replied, and having expressed his great pleasure at the attention about to be paid him, appointed Thursday, the 31st October, at half-past one o'clock, for receiving the deputation.

Accordingly, at that hour the following gentlemen, who had driven up to Hillsborough, were received by his lordship at the Castle:-- Mr. John Dr. Barbour, J.P.; Mr. Jonathan Richardson, J.P.; Mr. John Hamill, J.P.; Mr. R. Jefferson (chairman of the Lisburn Town Commissioners), Dr. Musgrave, the Rev. Mr. Pounden, Mr. David Beatty, Mr. Hugh M'Call, and Mr. W. Graham. The members of the deputation were severally introduced to the noble Marquis by Mr. Richardson, and were afterwards ushered into the library, were Lord Hill-Trevor joined the party.

After spending a very enjoyable hour or so, the deputation rose to leave; the Marquis accompanied his guests to the entrance hall, and, with a few graceful words respecting the honour his Lisburn friends had conferred on him, he shook hands with each member as they left the Castle.

It is sad to think that in less than ten months after that season of festivity at the Castle of Hillsborough the nobleman so well and so favourably known as "The Big Marquis of Downshire" was numbered with the dead. He had gone over to England in July, 1868, on his usual visit to his estates there, and early in the following month went down with the family to Herne Bay, where apartments had been prepared for his lordship and suite at the principal hotel.

On the morning of the 6th of August he was passing through the great hall when he became suddenly ill, and before medical aid arrived the spirit of the great man had passed away into the unseen land.

(To be continued.)


(This article was originally published in the Lisburn Standard on 5 October 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.)

The House of Downshire, 1600 to 1868. (part 6)

SOME EXTRACTS

FROM THE
RECORDS OF
OLD LISBURN
AND THE

MANOR OF KILLULTAGH.

-- -- -- --

Edited by JAMES CARSON.

-- -- -- --

XLX.

-- -- -- --

THE HOUSE OF DOWNSHIRE:

A Sketch of its History from 

1600 to 1868,

By HUGH M'CALL.

1881.

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

EXTRACTS (Continued).

Arthur Blundell Sandys Trumbull, Third Marquis.

Years rolled on, and the dawn of the 8th of October, 1809, ushered in the day on  which the heir of the Downshire estates attained his twenty-first year. Very early that auspicious morning the good people, of the town of Hillsborough were astir; it seemed as if to them the sun appeared brighter than usual as gala-day set in, and the preparations for a baronial feast which had been going on for several days were fast coming to a close. It was pretty well known that the new lord of the soil had inherited an aggregate property which was fully double that which his ancestor, Sir Moyses Hill, originally derived from the Crown, and that in addition to lands and castles he had succeeded to quite a host of titles, which came down to him as the eventual heir of many landowners in England and Ireland. These titles were -- Earl Hillsborough, Lord Kilwarlin, and Baron Hill, in the peerage of Ireland; Marquis of Downshire, Viscount Fairford, and Baron Harwick, in the English peerage. The hereditary Constableship of Hillsborough Fort was also among local honours. In all times the coming of age of an eldest son was a marked day in the calendar of Downshire estate owners, but the one I allude to was made something extraordinary. By ten o'clock that morning crowds of strangers thronged the streets of Hillsborough, farmers, who had trudged it on foot for some miles from distant parts of the estate, and were awaiting the opening scene, found friends just arrived, and the joyousness of the occasion, together with the abundance of that peculiar wine of malt which makes glad the hearts of Irishmen, and the determination of all present to make the most of themselves for that day, gave every face more than, usual brightness. Care for the time being forget current plagues, and good-will triumphed. Very extensive arrangements had been made for that noble feast. Opposite the fire, composed of a small mountain of blazing turf, an immense bullock was being roasted; some sheep were also cooked whole, and as the dinner hour approached, endless joints of beef and roasts of mutton were placed on the long array of tables that stretched over the picturesque grounds. Interspersed with those good things whole hecatombs of turkeys, geese, and fowl were laid out by an army of waiters. The assemblage of tenants, sturdy, well-to-do men, neatly-dressed women, and pretty-looking girls that sat dawn to that rural celebration was in itself a sight well calculated to delight the most enthusiastic philanthropist. As the dusk of an October twilight fell around, a stout farmer, certainly not the worse but very much the better of his libations of the national beverage, jumped up on one of the tables, and with the voice of a stentor called out: "Silence! let every man fill his glass." That order was quickly obeyed, and the speaker continued: "Now, my good friends, we have heard much to-day of the noble family under which our fathers and ourselves have lived and prospered, and I now give a concluding toast, and that is 'The health, happiness, and length of days of the noble woman who led us to victory at the election for this county in August, 1805.'" Loud, long, and lusty was the cheer that followed those stirring words, and, in one burst of exultation roused by the remembrance of that great event, the welkin rang with the honoured name, "The Marchioness of Downshire!"

When the third Marquis came into possession of the family property the

Science of Agriculture

had still continued to be in a very backward state throughout many parts of Ulster. Land drainage was little thought of; swampy meadows threw tip "sprit" and rushes in much greater quantities than natural herbage; pasture lands suffered sadly by the overgrowth of thistles and dockweeds, and the culture of artificial grasses was of rare occurrence. A few of the forward farmers of Down grew clover and vetches for house-feeding of their cattle, but these were mere isolated cases. Agricultural implements, too, were very rude in construction. The plough was most unhandy; except the sock and coulter, it consisted solely of wood, and the men who turned over the soil were generally unskilled in that art. Primitive, however, as was the construction of the plough, the wheel car seemed to be still more of an antique. That vehicle was quite a model of the barbarous in carriage-building. The shafts were about nine feet in length, with the usual space for yoking the horse, and behind the animal was a semi-concave platform, on which was placed the agricultural produce or merchandise to be conveyed. Underneath that platform was placed a pair of iron-shod wheels, the solid portions were beech or ash; these were fastened to a wooden axle, and into each end of that axle an iron gudgeon was driven, the whole apparatus revolving on those gudgeons, which turned near the end of the shafts, on the principle now seen in the railway carriage. Ten to twelve hundred weight formed the heaviest load that any ordinary horse could draw on those vehicles, and this could only be done when the roads were moderately level. Indeed, a clumsier machine than the same wheel car could hardly have been constructed, and yet it was a great improvement on the slide cars, which had not any wheels. Half a century age the slide care was almost the only vehicle to be met with in the farmyards of Donegal. The Scotch cart, as the locomotive now in general use for the carriage of heavy goods was named at the commencement of this century, was then an object of as much curiosity in the North of Ireland as a steam engine would be at this day in the interior of South Africa, and it appeared wonderful to farmers and others that the same horse could draw a ton or a ton and a quarter on the cart with greater ease than one-half that load could be drawn on the common car.

Eight-day clocks were very rare, the people in rural districts depending for their knowledge of the time on the sundials; and in a district containing 4,000 inhabitants there were only ninety watches. In one parish which contained 6,000 acres there were 300 farmers, 1,300 labourers, 350 weavers, and 1,500 women and girls, whose chief employment was that of spinning flax. The farming implements included 220 ploughs, 1,600 spades, and as many shovels, graips, and pitchforks. A farmer of Carnban was at least twenty years ahead of his neighbours. He had an iron plough, manufactured by Ned Gribben, a Lisburn machinist; also a cart that cost ten guineas from the same maker; his spades were produced by George Pentland, one of the most ingenious of workmen, and his iron harrows were quite modern in construction.

Lady Downshire paid marked attention to the progress of scientific, agriculture, and during the minority of her eldest son she looked after the affairs of the estate with something of the financial accuracy of one who had studied commercial ethics in a merchant's counting-house.

The Dowager Marchioness died in May, 1836.

The next great event in the history of the house of Downshire was the marriage in October, 1811, of the young Marquis, to Maria, second daughter of the Earl of Plymouth. Very soon afterwards the noble pair returned from their wedding tour, and settled down at the family seat in Hillsborough, where, far away from the excitement and temptations of high life in London or Paris, they set themselves to work for the advancement, as far as the proprietor's, influence could do, of the social and material interests of the tenantry.

James the Second granted a patent for establishing a Corporation of Horsebreeders for Down, and to carry out that project a racecourse, in which the sport of brought into play, had been formed in the neighbourhood of Downpatrick. But, beyond mere preliminaries nothing effectual was accomplished. It is a matter of history that, on the occasion of his visit to Hillsborough Castle, William the Third issued an autograph letter directed to Christopher Carleton, Collector of Customs at Belfast, empowering that officer to pay out of the Crown funds £1,200 a year towards the support of the Presbyterian ministers of Ulster. His Majesty was very fond of high-bred horses, and having understood from his hospitable entertainer that the projected Corporation for the Improvement of the Breed of Horses had not been subsidised by any Royal grant, he issued a second letter to Mr. Carleton, granting £100, to be called the King's Plate, and to be competed for at a new running ground near Hillsborough.

Education.

From his boyhood the third Marquis of Downshire entertained very peculiar ideas relating to the importance of instructing the rising generation of people in rural districts, and soon after coming into possession of his property he commenced the election of a number of schoolhouses in different parts of the estate, which to this day stand as monuments of his practical philanthropy, and that great work was being carried on long before the late Lord Derby had been inspired with the idea of forming in Ireland, his noble system called National Education. The Marquis of Downshire had taken great interest in reading about the home missionary labours which were being accomplished by Joseph Lancaster, the famous Quaker, to whom the world was indebted for the discovery of the new principle of educating the children of the poorer classes. While in Belfast on one occasion he called at the bookselling establishment of Mr. John Hodgson. Standing beside the counter there were two gentlemen, one of these Mr. F. D. Finlay, the other a remarkable-looking person attired in the broadest habiliments of Quakerism. Mr. Finlay, who was well acquainted with Lord Downshire, after a few words of recognition from the peer, said: "My lord, allow me to introduce to you Joseph Lancaster, of whom I have heard your lordship speak in terms of high eulogy." The Marquis was highly pleased to meet the educational reformer, and after a friendly chat with Lancaster invited him to visit Hillsborough Castle, but the worthy Quaker was then on his way to America and could only express his thanks for the kindly attention.

One of the first of the numerous school-houses which the third Marquis of Downshire erected in different parts of his estate was that of Hill-Hall. He took particular interest in its operations, and visited there very regularly. About sixty years ago a new teacher was to be appointed for that school, and Mr. Charles Shields, a very respectable member of the profession, and who was master of the English and Mercantile School in Castle Street, Lisburn, having been requested to act as examiner of the candidates, gave his pupils a holiday on the occasion. As any of his scholars who wished to be present had been granted permission for that purpose, myself and several other boy's walked out to the schoolhouse. It was really a gala day; the sun shone out in his summer brightness, all nature seemed joyous, for lads released from school, even for a few hours, look upon a run in the country as something paradisiacal in its way. But the great attraction of the scene lay in the announcement that the Marquis of Downshire was to take the chair, and few members of the Lisburn juveniles having ever looked upon a live lord, the occasion was one of great interest. On arriving at the schoolhouse we found nearly every seat occupied; a few of the local gentry, with several farmers, and a number of the friends of the competitors, were present. As patron of the institution the Marquis presided, the seat of honour being an antique chair which had been borrowed for the occasion. His lordship did not take any active part in the examination of the candidates, leaving that matter altogether in the hands of Mr. Shields. The boys from town felt much astonished at that part of the day's performance, their ideas having been that a real Marquis should have had complete control of the affair; but instead of assuming any such power, he seemed to look on as a mere ordinary spectator. Two hours were occupied in the proceedings, and when Mr. Shields had made his selection Lord Downshire addressed the successful competitor, and, after congratulating him on the appointment, stated that "he himself and his family had many old and cherished associations with Hill-Hall, and he trusted that, as the new master of the school of that respectable district, he would effectively discharge those high and important duties which every instructor of youth was called upon to perform."

A short time before Lord Downshire's death, Archdeacon Mant, rector of Hillsborough, had been indulging in Puseyite practices. The Marquis called a meeting of the principal members of the church, and the resolutions passed by those gentlemen strongly condemned the action of the very reverend dignitary. On the 11th of April, 1845, his lordship, as president of the Royal Society of Dublin, set off to that city for the purpose of attending the cattle show to be held there in the following week, and next day drove out to Blessington, the capital of his Wicklow estate. He was received, on arrival by his agent, who had a saddle-horse ready for him to ride round part of his property, but in a few minutes after mounting he fell off the animal in a fit of apoplexy, and when the agent rushed to his assistance the respected peer had already breathed his last.

(House of Downshire to be continued.)


(This article was originally published in the Lisburn Standard on 28 September 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.)

The House of Downshire, 1600 to 1868. (part 5)

SOME EXTRACTS

FROM THE
RECORDS OF
OLD LISBURN

AND THE

MANOR OF KILLULTAGH.

-- -- -- --

Edited by JAMES CARSON.

-- -- -- --

XLIX.

-- -- -- --

THE HOUSE OF DOWNSHIRE:

A Sketch of its History from 

1600 to 1868,

By HUGH M'CALL.

1881.

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

EXTRACTS (Continued).

Arthur, Second Marquis.

The eventful reign over the family property of Arthur, second Marquis of Downshire, contains within its history some political incidents which form very exciting chapters of Ireland's annals.

The Act of Union passed the Irish Parliament on the 21st of February, 1800 and was ratified by the British Legislature in the following July.

The Marquis of Downshire voted against Lord Castlereagh's Bill, and as the head of the landed proprietors of his native county it was considered a great stroke of policy to make him a special martyr. Accordingly, a clean sweep of all official honours held by his Lordship marked the commencement of the pettiest course of vindictive feeling ever perpetrated by the Administration of any great State. The colonelcy of the Down Militia was taken from him, his name was erased from the list of Privy Councillors, and he was superseded in the office which he held as Custos Rotulorum of the county. Some appointments in the Civil Service shared the like fate; but for these he cared little.

The indignities he had suffered pressed heavily on him, and rapidly undermined a naturally robust constitution. He it was who had created the Irish Militia, at a time, too, when the Government very much required the aid of influential land-lords; the loss of the colonelcy of that troop was keenly felt by him, and preyed upon his thoughts more than all else he had endured at the hands of Imperial vengeance. Before the close of that summer the health of the noble Marquis broke down, arid after a few weeks' confinement, during which his sufferings were less bodily than mental, he died on the 7th of September, 1801, a direct victim of State persecution.

The early death of Lord Downshire (he was only in his forty-eighth year), and the very peculiar circumstances by which that event had been brought about, called forth the utmost sympathy for his widow and family, and the greatest indignation a against the English Government, the Irish Viceroy, and the Chief Secretary.

Under the short reign of Arthur, the second Marquis, the property had been much improved. Many leases granted by his father, who was lord of the Downshire estates for more than half a century, had lapsed, and in arranging the future rental his Lordship equitably kept in view the tenants' investments, which were fixed on the soil, as well as the increased value given to farms through circumstances outside the control of occupiers. And so perfectly satisfied were the farmers with the justice done to them that numbers held on then; property without accepting the new leases offered them. In these cases a very high compliment was paid to their land-lord. As a matter of local history, the fact that the agriculturists on the Downshire estates considered that their industrial rights were quite as secure when they were mere tenants at will as if they held leases of their lands, was in itself a noble testimony of faith on the one side and baronial equity on the other. The old Castle of Hillsborough had many attractions; it abounded in time-honoured associations as well as in the picturesque, and the remains of Gothic grandeur to be seen around the ancient ruin never failed to stir up in the mind of the thoughtful visitor hosts of historic recollections. A writer who published a very interesting work on Down in 1802 describes the portal of Hillsborough Castle as having evidently been the grand entrance to an extensive fortification. He says -- "The room over the gateway is elegantly fitted up in the antique style. Inside the masonry of a square fort, with its immense bastions, there is a broad and beautiful green, and a wall round the rampart, which overlooks the most admirably cultivated country, and from whence may be seen a splendid view of the noble plantations in the Park." There was something sadly touching in the circumstances under which the Marchioness in 1801 had passed into the dark valley of widowhood, and yet many incidents followed to throw light on then gloom. Four sons and two daughters were left to her charge, and three months afterwards she was delivered of a fifth son, that might have been called a child of sorrow, but whom the Marchioness lived to see happily married, a colonel of dragoons, and possessed of a handsome property. In course of the year that succeeded the death of her husband she was created Baroness Sandys of Ombersley, Worcester, on the demise of her uncle, the second baron, and at the same time she succeeded to the valuable estates of that nobleman which title and property her second son, Arthur Moyses Hill, afterwards inherited. Mary Sandys Trumbull, Marchioness of Downshire, who had also become possessed of East Hampstead Park, Berkshire, was a woman of high spirit as well as superior intelligence, very benevolent in disposition, and, like most of the fair sex, exceedingly fond of having her own way. But while usually acting on that peculiarity in the character of nearly all daughters of Mother Eve, she paid marked deference to public opinion. Her leading principle, however, was that of in all cases showing the greatest respect to the memory of her  husband, and as far as possible carrying out all his projects.

Great Election, 1805.

When Viscount Castlereagh's address to the electors of Down appeared in 1805 the Marchioness of Downshire and her family were in London.

A gentleman of high standing in Down, and one of the most ardent supporters of the noble candidate, called on Lady Downshire to solicit her aid and influence on behalf of his friend. He was received with the utmost courtesy, and after declaring the object of his visit, her Ladyship said that, in making the application for her support, some great facts seemed to have been forgotten. The most prominent of these was her being the widow of the nobleman whom the English Government, with Lord Castlereagh as its instrument had persecuted even to the death. "I cannot give your friend any support," continued the high-minded peeress, "but will oppose him, and so sure as my name is Mary, Marchioness of Downshire, effectually, too."

The candidate put forward to oppose Castlereagh, supported by the Marchioness, was Colonel Meade, son of Lord Clanwilliam, one of the most Liberal of Ulster's resident landlords, and whose name as such was worthy of being associated with that of the house of Hill, so far as related to popular representation.

The time allowed to make preparations for the impending contest was very limited. Lord Castlereagh's address to the electors appeared on the 15th of July; Colonel Meade's appeal was published on the 24th of the same month -- just three days before that on which the High Sheriff had arranged for the event to come off. Immense electioneering placards, each dated Hillsborough, July 24th, 1805, were posted in every district from Newry to Donaghadee. I give one extract from those notices:-- "The freeholders' of Down are especially requested to observe, that the Honourable Colonel Meade has offered himself for its representation at the coming election, which commences on Saturday next at Downpatrick, where it is hoped every Independent voter will attend, and honour him with hi vote and interest."

I have heard men who recollected that wonderful contest speak with the greatest enthusiasm about it. They said that so great was the excitement in town and country, that during all the time of its being carried on little else could have been heard, when public affairs were alluded to, than the prospect of one or other of the candidates.

The Marchioness of Downshire had a number of very intelligent men engaged in canvassing the voters, and she herself did not spare either bodily toil or expensive journeyings day or night, and most successful continued to be her visits to farm-houses. It was said that Colonel Meade called on her one day to inquire whether she had looked after the Kilwarlin electors. "The greater number of the men were working in the fields when I canvassed that district," replied the Marchioness, "but, Colonel, I did better for you than I could have done had I met each of them, for I got all the wives to promise that their husbands would vote on the right side, and the unmarried farmers' sweethearts whom I called on assured me they would induce their friends to support the Independent candidate." Lady Downshire had studied the question of women's influence to some purpose.

On Monday, the 29th, the Courthouse at Downpatrick was open for voting, but very little business was done. Fifteen votes were given for Castlereagh and ten for Meade. It was arranged that the freeholders on each side should, bring their leases with them when they came to vote.

The polling continued on Tuesday, the 30th of July, and, amidst excitement never before equalled in Down, was carried on till Saturday, when the state of the voting was announced as -- Castlereagh, 779; Meade, 712. Immense rejoicing on the part of the friends of the candidate who had made such headway was the result. All Comber seemed aroused to ecstacy. Barrels of ale were rolled into Cow Lane and Mill Street, and the worthy people drank it out of noggins, till the men and women gossipped in guid braid Scotch that would have puzzled a Paisley bodie to interpret. Newtownards men became quite wild, and thought the battle all but won. Monday, the 5th of August, Castlereagh polled 188 and Meade 177. Then came the turning-point. The Marchioness of Downshire, with her eldest son and Mr. George Stephenson, J.P., agent of the estate, arrived in Downpatrick on Tuesday, and received quite an ovation. The presence of that lady had immense influence on many wavering voters. It was considered as an omen of success, and immediately afterwards vast numbers of electors crowded the polling-booths and voted for Colonel Meade, and from that hour until Saturday, the 10th of August, and twelfth day of the election, the scale gradually turned, and at four o'clock that afternoon the numbers were -- Castlereagh, 1,481; Meade, 1,528. On Monday, the 12th instant, Lord Castlereagh ascended the hustings and declared his intention of giving up the contest; but the friends of Colonel Meade continued to poll their men till making for him a clear majority of 450. Next day, Thursday, the 15th, the High Sheriff declared Colonel Meade duly elected, and the new member was chaired through Downpatrick, followed by some thousands of freeholders and others. The arrival the same evening of the newly-elected member and his friends in the ancient town of Hillsborough was hailed with lusty cheers, and the welkin rang with "Meade for ever." Nothing could have exceeded the enthusiasm of that turnout of the people; the street in front of the park gates was one dense mass of heads. Of the multitude that crowded the vast square, a writer who witnessed the scene has recorded:-- "The shade of the late lord seemed to smile on the procession and to say, 'The grateful tribute of affection which you have this day paid to my widow and children is to me most acceptable. You have restored to its lustre that honour of my family which had been blown upon but not tarnished.'"

(House of Downshire to be continued.)

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

In a volume entitled "Irish Protestant Letters," by Robert Redman Belshaw, published in New York in 1855, appears a number of poems by "Leamh Dhearg," Lisburn, "N. G.," Lisburn, and "Boardmills." Could any reader supply Mr. Carson with Information that would lead to the identification of these writers?


(This article was originally published in the Lisburn Standard on 21 September 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.)