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.)

Extracts from the Records of Old Lisburn XXXIII.

SOME EXTRACTS

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

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

XXXIII.

-- -- -- --

FROM

THE "LISBURN STANDARD."

28th December, 1895.

(Condensed Extracts.)

Some years before the sad turmoils of 1798, and long afterwords, Mrs. Kelly, who resided in a house at the head of Bridge Street, kept a shop for the sale of books and stationery. She was also proprietor of a lending library. The historic camp of Blaris was then the quarters of five or six hundred soldiers, and that increased demand for farm produce, etc., gave new life to Lisburn markets. Among the best clients of Mrs. Kelly were the rank and file quartered at the camp.

In the course of the month of December, 1835, James S. Major, who then managed the grocery and hardware concern in Bow Street, and of which his uncle, Parker Major, was proprietor, issued a circular addressed to the principal merchants and other traders of the town, requesting them to meet at he King's Arms Hotel -- John Moore proprietor -- to consider the propriety of reducing the then long hours of business houses. From seven o'clock in the morning till ten at night was the usual period of labour. J. S. Major proposed that the hour of closing should be eight o'clock, and, after considerable discussion the resolution was passed.

In January, 1836, the idea of forming a News-room was introduced, and a committee formed, of which William Graham was chairman, John Millar, treasurer; and Hugh M'Call, secretary. The original subscribers numbered eighty-four.

LISBURN NEWS-ROOM.
1836.


Names of Original Subscribers.

John Chapman.	William Halliday.
John Millar.	John Roberts.
George Pelan.	Henry Mulholland.
John Sitherwood.	Alex. Williamson.
William Graham.	Henry Bell.
John Jefferson.	John Pennington
Richard Jefferson.	Jonathan Boomer.
Thomas Beckett.	Thomas Gillespie.
Parker Major.	J.R.Baxter.
James S. Major.	John Lawson.
Hugh M'Call.	F. H. O'Flaherty
John Reid.	George Stephenson.
Adam M'Clure.	Felix Powell.
John Sefton.	John M'Lachlin.
John Hicks.	J. Bradshaw.
George Boomer.	William Elliott.
J. Hennessy.	Henry Bayley.
H. J. Mauley.	William Barbour.
Rev. Mr. Killen.	Robert Neill.
William Shane.	Hugh Nevin.
George Major.	William Fulton.
John Moore.	Rev. E. Leslie.
C. W. Alderdice.	Francis Weldon.
Edward Gibson.	Dr. C. Cupples.
Henry M'Carry.	Dean Stannus.
James Thompson.	William Gregg.
H. B. Magee.	John Macrecy.
James Magee.	John Hanlin.
Alexander Bell.	Dr. Weatherhead,
James Patterson.	William Hunter.
John Woods.	Gilbert White.
William Hicks.	Robert Mussen.
John Gillen.	William Caldbeck.
Henry Mulholland.	John Vernon.
Richard Mulholland.	John M'Dowell.
Surgeon M'Donald.	John Birney.
George Boomer.	Lucas Waring.
David Beatty.	Rev. H. Smith, P.P.
H. T. Higginson.	James Ward.
John Crossley.	W. S. Hunter.
Thomas Johnston.	Jos. Caldbeck.
Samuel Kennedy.	William Dillon.

LIST OF THE MAZE RACES. 1839.

This old list of the Maze Races is printed on one side of a single sheet of flimsy paper, measuring nine inches by fourteen. There is a rough racing block at the top of the sheet, and on the reverse side is a poem or ballad entitled, "The Baby's Dream." The printer is James O'Neill, No. 8 Pottingers Entry, Belfast. The names of the owners and horses, with age and weights, given on the list are omitted here.

Monday, July 22.

Hunter's Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each. P.P. £30 added to the winner, by Mr. Maxwell of Finnebrogue, for the produce of either Turcoman or Robin. To run on Monday of the July Corporation Meeting at the Maze and Downpatrick alternately. Colts 8st. 7lb.; fillies and geldings, 8st. 4lb. To continue for three years. Five entries.

Sweepstakes, 15sovs. each 5ft. for hunters. Race horses admitted, to which the Governor will add £50, second horse to save his stake, and receive £10 out of the other stakes should 6 start. Two mile heats. Highest weighed horse carrying not less than 10st. Eleven entries.

Sweepstakes, 10sovs. each, 5ft. for maiden hunters that never won plate, prize or stakes, previous to the day of entrance. One mile and three-quarters heats; three yrs. old, 8st.; four years old 9st. 10lb.; five years old, 10st. 7lb.; six years old, 10st. 12lb.; aged, 11st. 31b. to mares and geldings. £25 added; second horse to save his stake. Four entries.

Tuesday, 23.

Royal Corporation Plate -- Sweepstakes, 5gs. each, for County of Down bred hunters, that never won a Racing Plate or stake; 50 gs. added by the Corporation to the winner, and 10gs to the second horse, who will save his stake. Two mile heats. Three entries.

Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, 3ft. for hunters; race horses admitted; second horse to save his stake. One mile and a half heats; £25 added.

Wednesday, 24.

Queen's Plate of £100 -- late Irish currency [-- ? --] Four mile heats. Three entries.

Hunters Sweepstakes of 15 sovs. each, 5 forfeit for horses foaled in, and bona fide the property of freeholders, or residents of the County of Down. To which will be added the Challenge Cup -- value 100gs. -- given by the Earl of Hillsborough. One round of the Hillsborough course. Heats. Three entries.

Free Handicap -- Hunters Sweepstakes of 5 sovs. each. Race horses admitted, second horse to save his stake. £25 added.

Thursday, 25.

Castlereagh Cup -- Hunters -- Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, h-ft. and the Challengeable Cup given by Viscount Castlereagh. To become the property of the winner three successive years. Six entries.

Sweepstakes of 15 sovs. each, 5ft. £10 added, second horse to save his stake. Three mile heats, gentlemen riders. Three entries.

Friday, 26.

Queen's Plate of 100gs. weight for age. The winners of the Queen's Plate on Wednesday to carry 4lb extra. Four entries.

Hunter's Sweepstakes of 5 sovs. each, 2ft. Race horses admitted. One mile, £25 added.

Saturday, 27.

Downshire Stakes -- Sweepstake of 5 sovs. each. P.P. for County of Down bred hunters. £50 added by the Marquis of Downshire. Four mile heats. Five entries

Consolation Stakes -- Hunters sweepstakes of 3 sovs. each. 1ft. for the beaten horses which have run during the week and saved their distance in any race. Second horse to save his stake, to which will be added the Ladies' Purse. To be ridden by gentlemen or jockies as the Governor may please.

The Brownlow Cup and Hillsborough Claret Jugs, are to be challenged before nine o'clock on Monday evening of the meeting.

          Hillsborough, Governor.
July, 18th, 1839.


RECOLLECTIONS OF HUGH M'CALL.

Mr. Hugh M'Call was born in Lisburn in the year 1805, and died in the town of his nativity in 1897. In politics he was a liberal, of what may be termed, the old school, and an ardent supporter of the rights of the Irish tenant-farmers. He was a most prolific writer and fluent speaker, and his literary attainments were far beyond the average. For over half a century he was a constant and industrious contributor, in prose and verse, to the daily press and other publications. In 1855 was published "Our Staple Manufactures: A Series of papers on the History and Progress of the Linen and Cotton Trades in the North of Ireland," by A Manufacturer. The author was Mr. M'Call. A second and enlarged edition appeared in 1865 under the title -- "Ireland and her Staple Manufactures: Being Sketches of the History and Progress of the Linen and Cotton Trades, more especially in the Northern Province." These were followed by a third edition in 1870, and!* fourth was in preparation, and almost reedy for the press when the hand of death intervened. His other works were "The Cotton Famine of 1862-63, and "The House of Downshire." In 1899 was published "Some Recollections of Hugh M'Call, Lisburn," for private circulation only. Printed by J. E. Reilly, "Standard" Office, Lisburn. This little volume contains some seventy pages and is full of interest to North of Ireland readers. Only items, referring directly to Lisburn and district are extracted and here recorded

Extracts from the "Recollections."

Hugh M'Call was born in the year 1805. His father, Robert M'Call, then resided in Chapel Hill in a small house, which was pulled down many years ago. Some of the adjoining houses were associated with persons of great interest to Lisburn history. Not far away lived Mr. Betty, the father of the celebrated young actor, Wm. W. Betty; and in the month of August, 1803, the boy, then under thirteen years of age made his first appearance on the stage at Belfast.

W. H. Betty, of Chapel Hill, Lisburn, owned a large bleachfield near Ballynahinch. In the course of his business travels in England  he met Miss Staton, daughter of a wealthy landowner -- James Stanton, of Hopeton, County of Salop -- and to that lady he was married in October, 1790. He brought his handsome bride to Lisburn, where she was received with the utmost attention in the homes of the local gentry and merchants.

Luke Teeling, who resided nearly opposite Mr. Betty's house, and who was also in the linen trade, had considerable taste for literature and the drama. He paid much attention to the young matron, and introduced her to his interesting family.

During the autumn of the succeeding year she visited her native place in Shrewsbury, and there, on the 13th September, 1791, "The Young Roscius" was born, and received the baptismal name of William Henry West.

Mrs. Betty and her son returned to Lisburn. At the age of five years the lad was sent to Peter Goyer's School, and after a rudimental course of instruction his future education was altogether in the hands of his mother, who had ample ability to discharge that duty.

His father was an excellent elocutionist and as Mrs. Betty possessed much taste for the drama, the lad became an adept in reciting Shakespeare when in his ninth year.

Bartley Teeling.

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 and 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 town. The two armies met several times but at Colooney, Sligo, Teeling was taken prisoner and brought to Dublin. His get-up was perfect, as the six years' resident in Paris had acclimatized him, and he spoke the language like a native.

He was brought before Major Sirr, the chief military authority of the city and who had been in command from 1793 till the time of Teeling's arrest. 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 Dublin Linen Hall were often to be seen merchants from Lisburn, sent his servant there to say that a gentleman of that town was anxious to see a Lisburn merchant. The late 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 -- McCalmont Cairns.

Napper Tandy.

Napper Tandy, who was a prominent United Irish man, figured in Paris in 1790, and for some years afterwards. He was the son of James Tandy, a linen manufacturer, who lived in Bridge Street, Lisburn, 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 last century was to wear the back hair very long, and tie a portion of it with 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 Munroe shows that he continued to wear his queue even to the day of his execution in June, 1798.

A school was kept by Mrs. Sweeney in the year 1812, at a house in Chapel Hill. Amongst the pupils there was Francis McNamara, who emigrated to Barbadoes, and rose to wealth and eminence as a sugar planter.

In Castle Street a school was also kept by Mr. Charles Sheals. After the fashion of those days, the master thought that the only incentive to learn was the rod, and the cry of the child was apparently the sweetest, music in his ears.

One of the scholars at that school was Benjamin Workman, who afterwards became a leading merchant in Montreal. John Corken was another, and there were many others whose names afterwards became well known in connection with the Church, the Commerce, and the Politics of Ulster.

In the year 1815 a man called Cunningham was taken in Belfast by the press-gang when he was on his way to his work. For seven years no word was heard of him.

The letters which he wrote to his relatives were supposed to have been destroyed. It is scarcely possible to realise from books or even from statements of the survivors, the difference between those days and the brighter times in which we live.

In 1817 a man was put upon his trial at Carrickfergus for passing a forged note for 35s. The note purported to be a bank note of the Belfast Bank, which was then called the "Black Bank," because the printing of its notes gave them such a black appearance. The prisoner was unable to read. He could not have known whether the note was forged or not. He asked the judge who presided at the trial whether there was no mercy for such as he was, and the judge's only reply was that he was bound to administer the law as he found it, and accordingly the prisoner was convicted and hanged.

In 1798 there were in Lisburn three brothers -- John, Hugh, and Harry Mulholland -- belonging to the family now represented by Mr. J. R. T. Mulholland, J.P. John was a United Irishman, Harry was in the Yeomanry. Both were present at the Battle of Ballynahinch, and Hugh, with Falstaff's discretion, was too prudent to join either party. The "United Irishmen" named the three brothers, "Good, Bad, and Indifferent." Harry Mulholland was buying linen cloth with the unfortunate Harry Munroe at the Lurgan market a few days before the Battle of Ballynahinch.

Harry Munroe.

Mr. M'Call was well acquainted with the history and disasters of Henry Joy M'Cracken, of Belfast, and from him came the traditional story of M'Cracken' sister giving £15 to the hangman, employed bat her brother's execution in order to obtain the body immediately after the execution, but the hangman's work had been done too well.

He used to tell with great animation the story of Harry Munroe and his betrayer -- a farmer named Holmes -- who received the rebel leader, and afterwards betrayed him to the Captain of the Black Troop; and of the unfortunate man who was hanged at Hillsborough on no bettor evidence of treason than that a token was found in his shoe bearing the words "Remember Orr."

Among those who were seized and imprisoned was John Jacobson. He was confined in the Lisburn Guard-room with a dozen others on the night before the fight at Ballynahinch. Sergeant Whyte, of the Lisburn Yeomanry, was placed in charge of the prisoners, together with ten privates, whose carbines were loaded with ball.

About midnight a Dragoon galloped up to the Guard-room and gave an order to Whyte. The prisoners begged to know what the mounted orderly had said. The sergeant did not wish to tell them, but at length replied, "It is rumoured that Munroe and his troops are about to storm the town. A sentinel is placed on the Down Bridge to warn the troops of the barrack of Munroe's approach, and in such a case all prisoners are to be shot."

In these perilous times Mr. McGhee, the Parish Priest, was going out one night to visit a parishioner in Blaris. An Orangeman, who knew the popular priest told him of his great danger owing to the mob of Orangemen on the road, invited him into the house where an Orange Lodge was sitting, where he remained in safety, and was afterwards accompanied by a guard of Orangemen.

As a boy he knew Harry Munroe's mother, and his sister "Peg," of whom it was related that she was present at, and rode her pony in, the fight at Ballynahinch. According to her mother's story, Peg rode a gray pony and wore a grey sash. Another girl of about the same age -- Bessie Gray, of Killinchy -- insisted upon accompanying her lover, who was one of the United Irishmen, to the field at Ballynahinch. Her devotion to her lover, which cost her her life, has been celebrated in a poem by the late William McComb, of Belfast.

Of distinguished Lisburn men the name of the celebrated Captain Flack should not be omitted. He had entered the army as a private, had served through the Peninsular War, rising gradually step by step and gaining on more than one occasion the warm recommendation of his leader, the future Duke of Wellington. With pardonable pride, the soldier told the story of Wellington the night before the Battle of Badajos sitting dictating despatches to two secretaries, and ordering Flack to take up his position upon a neighbouring hill and watch the approach of the enemy. The General said he would take a few hours' sleep, but in less than two hours after Captain Flack had been sent out, and about two o'clock in the morning he saw a cloaked figure approach the spot on which he stood. He challenged, threatened to shoot, and then discovered that his visitor was Lord Wellington. His alertness was rewarded by quick promotion.

At the close of the Peninsular War, Captain Flack retired on a pension, on which he lived for many years afterwards. He spent the remainder of his years in Armagh, and perhaps this accounts for the mistake made by Maxwell as to his being a native of Armagh. He died in March, 1853.

(To be continued.)

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

REPLY TO "VERITAS."

To the Editor of the "Lisburn Standard."

Sir -- The letter from your correspondent "Veritas," in many respects is most admirable and interesting. It throws light on another phase of the Revival of 1859, and gives a valuable list of names and authorities. An under-current of personal bitterness , however, pervades it, which somewhat distracts from its value.

"Veritas" errs gravely in assuming that I was out "to discredit the great Revival of 1859, and to offend the susceptibilities of some of the readers of the "Lisburn Standard." Nothing was further from my intention. I neither defended nor condemned the Revival. I pointed out that some writers and thinkers looked upon it as "A Year of Grace," others considered it "A Year of Delusion." I passed no opinion on the merits or demerits of either.

M'Cann's pamphlet was treated as a curious relic out of the past, and my notes on it and on the "Physical Manifestations" were never intended as a history of the Revival, but simply a reference to a phase of it as expounded in an old Lisburn document.

Helpful criticism, or new and additional information, regarding any of the articles will always be thankfully received. -- Yours truly,

                      JAMES CARSON.

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

I.H.I.

To the Editor of the "Lisburn Standard"

Sir -- In Mr. Carson's notes on Old Lisburn given in yours of the 25th May, a copy of the inscription formerly on the old buildings in Market Square is given commencing with the initials I.H.I, These are somewhat unusual but I have seen them once on a stone of similar date (1708) at Slane. They may mean Jesus Hominum Index (Jesus the Judge of men) and the lettering rather confirms this by their reference to Judgments. The fire was evidently so considered at the time as confirmed by the other inscription and the Australian account.

The Wards had their book shop at the south-west corner of the Square. A portion of the scaffolding on which Henry Munroe suffered was rested on their upstair window-sills, which gave them much annoyance. It was so erected in order that it might be in view of the Munroe homestead.

The Marcus Wards and the late Isaac W. Ward ("Belfastiensis") were of this family. The late James T. Ward, of Cherry Hill, told me that his grandfather was the James Ward mentioned in Bradshaw's Directory (1819)

An old wooden tower on the Cathedral was only replaced by the present beautiful steeple about 1806. -- Yours, etc.,

              FRANCIS JOSEPH BIGGER.
Ardrigh, Belfast.

(This article was originally published in the Lisburn Standard on 1 June 1917 as part of a series which ran in that paper each week through 1917. The text along with other extracts can be found on my website Eddies Extracts.)