LIBRARY

UNIVERSITY Of
CALIFORNIA

SAN DIEGO

ppetenmpis

LI
UNI

Sfi

THE

HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES

OF THE

COUNTY OF THE TOWN

OF

CARRICKFERGUS.
FROM THE
EARLIEST RECORDS TILL 1839.
ALSO,
A STATISTICAL

SURVEY OF SAID COUNTY.

McSKIMIN.
BvjSAMUEL
L
r

How many

foolish tales

and

idle

dreams,

Mere phantoms

of the brain, would we believe,

If History did not ope her useful page,
And sever truth from fiction
!

NEW

EDITION,

WITH NOTES AND APPENDIX.

By

K.

J.

M'CRUM,

F.R.S.A.

ALL RIGHT* RESERVED.

.'ifieltast

[Link] & SON, JAMES [Link],

DAVIDSON & M'CORMACK.

PRINTED BY

DAVIDSON & M'CORMACK,

NORTH GATE WORKS,
BELFAST.

PREFACE TO NEW EDITION.

IN

submitting a new edition of my great-grandfather's work

no apology is needed. Since the first was

to the public,

published, 97 years ago, many changes have taken place in

the government of the people, new manners and customs have
arisen, and a new generation not acquainted with the history of
their town.
I have endeavoured to the best of my ability to bring the
history of the town, with the various changes and improvements
which have taken place, down to the present time. No record

has been kept since Dean Dobbs wrote the last in the Old Book
of Records, and my information has been gathered from State

Papers in the Linen Hall Library, various newspapers published

since 1839, old Directories, and many other sources, as noted.
No alteration, with the exception of a few words in brackets,

made

has been

in the text of the original work, neither has there

been any interference with the disposition of the notes. The

additional notes have been inserted in brackets, so that they may
be

at

once known.

Part

has been arranged into chapters, the ninth has been

in that portion the notes have not been placed in

I.

added, and

brackets, as I

am

solely responsible for both text

and

notes.

pages have been added to the text, as noted.

Part III. has been printed verbatim, with an introductory

In Part

II.

many

many additional pages.

Part IV. nothing has been

note, also

To

added

to text save

words in

brackets.

Appendix were many additions for

These have been placed in their proper
All the Appendixes have been reproduced and a new
order.
Appendix added, which will, I hope, prove interesting to present
In

my

great-grandfather's

text, also corrections.

and succeeding generations.

In conclusion, the work has been a labour of love, and

readers

have contributed
past,

my work

in

any way

to

if

keep on record the times that are

has not been in vain.

ELIZABETH
CARNMONEV, December, 1909.

2058142

J.

M'CRUM.

ORIGINAL PREFACE.
years have elapsed since the publication of the first
In the interval, the Author has been
edition of this Work.

NINETEEN

studiously engaged in collecting materials for the

which he has been so successful, that he is now

present,

in

enabled to

in a much more complete and enlarged

it to the public,
form than he ever expected it would have attained.
To render the work as perfect as possible, neither time,
new engravings of the
labour, nor expense has been spared

give

most remarkable objects described contribute to its embellishment, while its utility is considerably enhanced by the great
additional information that has been gleaned from rare and
The valuable Records of Carrickfergus,
unpublished sources.

County of Antrim, have been carefully

and Records contained in Public
together with private Libraries, and Manuscript Colhave not been neglected and, in several instances, the

as well as those of the

consulted.
Offices,

lections,

The

Inquisitions

as well as those of the living, have

been reluctantly but successfully explored, to procure additional
information.
repositories

of the dead,

He

is fully
apprised, however, of the unpopularity of his
works
of a similar nature have never met with much
as
subject,

encouragement here; yet, "with little assistance from the learned,

and without any patronage of the great," he lays his work before
the public, trusting that

and

interesting

it

will

be found to contain much new

matter to general readers, and not a

little

to

the lovers of historical inquiry, local topography, or antiquarian

research.

CONTENTS.
PART

I.

CHAPTER

I.

CONTEXTS by italics.
SECOND CENTURY 1318.
14.
Pages i
NAME DALAKADIA NAME OF BAY KING
EARLY
SETTLERS EARLY
FERGUS DUNS MONKSTOWN NOTE JOHN DE COURCY ESTABLISHES A COLONY NAMES OF COLONISTS NOTE DE LACYS AT
CARRICKI ERGUS ARRIVAL OF KING JOHN, JULY, 1210 NOTE DE
LACYS PARDONED GARRISON OF THE ENGLISH ARRIVAL OF EDWARD
BRUCE. MAY, 1315 SIEGE OF CARRICKFKRGU.S ARRIVAL OF KING
ROBERT BRUCE DEATH OF EDWARD BRUCE NOTES.
Additions by Editor arc signified in

CHAPTER

II.

1526.
'3331574DEATH OF WILLIAM DE BURGO THE FORDS XOTE ^LAXDEBOY
LORD DEPUTY DARCY ARRIVES FAMILY OF DE BURGO ASSUME
IRISH NAMES SCOTS BURN THE TOWN SAVAGES KILLED BY MAC
([Link]
ENGLISH SETTLERS PAY "BLACK RENT" JOHN BAYNE,
MAYOR STAXTON.
MONASTERY SCOTS
GOVERNOR FRANCI SCAN
DEFEATED NOTE ARRIVAL OF EAR'L OF ESSEX [Link] STREET
GOVERNOR'S PLACE NOTE CHIEFS MAKE SUBMISSION TO THE
KARL OF ESSEN SIR BRIAN M'PIIELLIME (O'NEILL) AND ROWRY
OGG M'OuiLLiN EXECUTED NOTE re the Assassination.

CHAPTER

III.

2735.
15751636.
Tows ATTACKED BY SORLEBUOYE MACDOXXEI.L ARRIVAL OF SIR HENRY
SYDNEY STATE OF THE COUNTRY QUEEN ELIZABETH TO WALL THE

TOWN

CAPTAIN
LOOVYD PILLORIED IN THE MARKET-PLACE
TURLOUGH LYNOGH O'NEILL REQUESTS TO BE MADE A FREEMAN
BRECHON LAWS WINE SOLD AT NINE Cow SKINS THE HOGSHEAD
Two MERCHANTS PLUNDERED MARKETS TROOPS MUTINIED REDIIAI.L
NOTE LETTER FROM SIR ARTHUR CHICHESTER TO LORD
MOUXTJOY NOTE CON" O'NEILL CONFINED IN THE CASTLE His
ESCAPE NOTE THE
EAGLE WING," BUILT AT GROOMSPORT,
SAILS FROM THE BAY

NOTE.

CHAPTER

IV.

36 47.
16391641-2.
CONDUCT OF CHARLES I. OATH AGAINST THE COVENANT lilack Oath
TRUEMAN HANGED AND QUARTERED EARL OF ANTRIM His REQUEST
REGARDING THE (iooos AND LANDS OF THE COVENANTERS 8,000
ROMAN CATHOLIC TROOPS AT CARRICKFFRGUS TREATY WITH THE
SCOTS REBELLION OF 1(141 CAPTAIN RODGER LYNDEX DEFENDS THE
GARRISON FRIAR M'DoNNKU. CONFINED ARRIVAL OF ARMS AND
AMMUNITION PLACES OF REFUGE NUMBER OF PROTESTANTS SLAIN
IN
THE .REBELLION NOTE MASSACRE OF ISLANDMAGEE STYLES,
NEW AND OLD MEMORABLE MASSACRES OF COUNTY ANTRIM
"
POLITICIAN'S CATECHISM," THE BASIS OF ALL THE MISREPRESENTATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED ON THE PRETENDED MASSACRE
DIFFERENT ACCOUNTS OF THE MASSACRE NOTE.

X.

CHAPTER

V.

16421649.
4859SCOTTISH TROOPS LAND AND TAKE CHARGE OF THE TOWN AND
CASTLE GENERAL ROBERT MUNROE VISITS EAUL OF ANTRIM AT
DUNLUCE CASTLE, WHO is SEIZED AND CONFINED IN CARRICKFERGUS
CASTLE MUTINY OF THE SOLDIERS MEETING OF THE FIRST
PRESBYTERY NOTE EARL OF LEVEN LANDS WITH TROOPS
ESCAPE OF THE EARL OF ANTRIM RETURN OF THE EARL OF ANTRIM
AGAIN CONFINED His SECOND ESCAPE FOUR SCOTCH MINISTERS
ARRIVE PROVISIONS FOR THE ARMY Money for the Scotch Army
SACRAMENT ADMINISTERED
IN
ST.
NICHOLAS'S
CHURCH THE
COVENANT TAKEN PROCLAMATION AGAINST MAYOR FINED NOTE
GENERAL MUNRO AT
CARRICKFERGUS SURPRISES
BELFAST
MARQUIS OF ARGYLE ARRIVES ENGLISH TROOPS ARRIVE IN THE
BAY SCOTCH TROOPS DEPART TOWN BETRAYED TO GENERAL MONK
FOR THE COMMONWEALTH GENERAL MONK REWARDED NOTE
MUNRO ASKED TO TAKE THE COVENANT NOTE LETTER TO THE
LORD OF ARDS His ANSWER GARRISON SURRENDERED ARTICLES
FOR THE SURRENDER OF THE TOWN AND CASTLE VENABLES
APPOINTED GOVERNOR.

CHAPTER
1650

VI.
60

1689.

71.

MINISTERS OPPOSE THE COMMONWEALTH CONFINED IN CASTLE NOTE

THE ENGAGEMENT QUAKERS ARRIVE NOTE MUTINY OF THE
GARRISON THEIR SURRENDER COMPANY OF MILITIA RAISED PLAN
TO SURPRISE THE TOWN 1,000 MEN ARRIVE NOTE DUKE
SCHOMBERG NOTE SlEGE OF CARRICKFERGUS BY DUKE SCHOMBERG
BATTERY AT WINDMILL HILL DIFFERENT ACCOUNTS OF THE SIEGE
SURRENDER OF THE GARRISON ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT NOTE
IN THE RECORDS OF RICHARD DOBBS, MAYOR.

CHAPTER

VII.

7292.
16901775.
ARRIVAL OF KING WILLIAM RECEIVED BY WILLIAM CLARK, OF GRANGE
DEPARTURE FOR BELFAST NOTE ARRIVAL OF THE DUKE OF
ORMOND MADE FREE OF THE TOWN PERSONS TRIED FOR WITCHCRAFT NOTE PRISONERS TO STAND IN THE PILLORY WHIGS AND
TORIES ADDRESS FROM THE GRAND JURY TO QUEEN ANNE SECOND
ADDRESS TO QUEEN ANNE HER DEATH DRY SUMMER EXECUTION
OF MATHEW MOILER His GREAT HEIGHT WOOD'S HALFPENCE
NOTE THE BLACK FROST THE ROT YEAR ANOTHER COMPANY
OF MILITIA FORMED BARLEY MEAL SUMMER TOWN BESIEGED BY
COMMODORE THUROT .VOTES PUBLIC THANKS TO COLONEL
JENNINGS AND LIEUTENANT BENJAMIN HALL HEARTS OF STEEL
TORNADO.

CHAPTER
17781838.
ARRIVAL OF PAUL JONES

VIII.
93

Io6

His DEATH NOTE DUKE OF RUTLAND

ARRIVES Is PRESENTED WITH THE FREEDOM OF THE TOWN
WILLIAM KIRK KNIGHTED UNITED IRISHMEN TRIAL OF WILLIAM
ORR NOTE PRISON SHIP AT GARMOYLE STATE OF THE TOWN
THE COURT7TH JUNE, 1798 THE REBELLION COURT-MARTIAL IN
HOUSE TROOPS ARRIVE MEETING IN THE TOWN HALL AGAINST
THE UNION WITH GREAT BRITAIN ORDER ISSUED BY GENERAL
NUGENT ARMS GIVEN UP Trial of the Carnmoney Witch
HOSPITAL
SNOWSTORM FEVER
1810 GREAT
1808,
Assizes,
ESTABLISHED TOWN AND QUARTERS NUMBERED .VOTES King

XI.

George's Visit
Procession of

Formation of the Royal Irish Constabulary

First

Orangemen Catholic Emancipation Bill Passed

ir>//tam IV. Proclaimed King STORE KEEPER AND ARMOURER OK
THE CASTLE DISCHARGED BRANCH OF NORTHERN BANK OPENED
NEW MARKET NEW ROAD FROM BELFAST OPENED GREAT STORM
MR. DANIEL O'CONNELL'S BILL TO DISFRANCHISE THE BOROUGH.

CHAPTER
18391874.

IX.

107117.

This chapter and notes are additions to original work.

THE " BIG WIND " MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACT ADDRESS TO QUEENVICTORIA BICENTENARY YEAR OF PRESBYTERIANISM DR. COOKE
M' COMB'S PRESBYTERIAN ALMANAC FIRST MUNICIPAL COMMISSIONERS
NEW JAIL ON CRUMLIN ROAD, BELFAST FAILURE OF THE POTATO
CROP FIRST SOD OF RAILWAY TURNED JUDGE ATTENDS SERVICE
IN ST. NICHOLAS'S CHURCH
RAILWAY OPENED TO CARRICKFERGUS
QUEEN VICTORIA VISITS BELFAST GALLANT DEED OF CAPTAIN
M'FERRAN ROCK SALT DISCOVERED, AND COAL VISIT OF BRITISH
ASSOCIATION OUTBREAK OF CHOLERA TOWN IMPROVEMENTS ACT
PASSED CASTLE MADE HEADQUARTERS OF MILITIA GOVERNMENT
RENT THE COURT-HOUSE FOUNDATION STONE OF JOYMOUNT
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH LAID OPENED FOR PUBLIC WORSHIP BY DR.
COOKE TOWN FIRST LIGHTED BY GAS SALE OF COMMONABLE
LANDS PEACE AT THE CRIMEA CELEBRATED REVIVAL YEAR SHIP
" DOROTHEA WRIGHT " LAUNCHED
LARNE AND STRANRAER SERVICE
BEGAN FIRST REGATTA AMATEUR ROWING CLUB ESTABLISHED
REFORM BILL PASSED WATER INTERESTS SOLD WM. JOHNSTON,
M. R. DAL\VAY ELECTED SHIELS INSTITUTION.
ESQ., M.P.
1875

1899.

IJ 8

129.

GREAT COMMONS VISIT OF CANADIAN ORANGEMEN FOUNDATION STONE

OF WOODBURN ORANGE HALL LAID COMMONS LET FlRST ISSUE
OF THE " CARRICKFERGUS ADVERTISER " THE " CARRICKFERGUS
FREEMAN " SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE'S VISIT " WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE " VISIT OF THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES (NOW
KING AND QUEEN) OPENING OF HARBOUR FIRST SPIKE OF THS
HARBOUR JUNCTION RAILWAY CAMBRIDGE'S GUNPOWDER MAGAZINE
DEFEAT OF HOME RULE BILL ADDRESS FROM THE MUNICIPAL
PROCESSION
VICTORIA ORANGE
COMMISSIONERS
TO
QUEEN
MEETING OF THE GRAND ORANGE COUNCIL OF THE WORLD DEAN
SEAVER VISIT OF LORD WOLSELEY SURPRISE VISIT OF DISGUISED
BOATS TO THE LOUGH CYCLONE ADDRESS TO THE MARQUIS OF
DOWNSHIRE WORKING MEN'S INSTITUTE FORMED LORD SALISBURY
BILL TO LEVY RATES PASSED FOUNDATION STONE OF EDENORANGE HALL LAID FIRE IN JOYMOUNT BLEACH WORKS
FOUNDATION STONE OF KNOCKAGH ORANGE HALL LAID VISIT OF
THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES CLIPPERSTOWN RECREATIONGROUNDS OPENED VISIT OF LORD ROBERTS FOUNDATION STONES
OF NEW MASONIC HALL LAID HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY IN
CARRICKFERGUS NEW LIFEBOAT YACHT BUILDING THE RECHABITE
ORDER NURSING ASSOCIATION.
1900

1909.

131

139-

URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL ELECTION OF COUNTY COUNCILLORS

LAST HALF-YEARLY SESSIONS FINAL COMMISSION OF ASSIZE
BANQUET IN TOWN HALL ADDRESS TO TIIF. EARL OF SHAFTESBURY
MEN LEAVE FOR THE BOER WAR IN SOUTH" AFRICA PRESENTATION TO
" CARLTON HOUSE
BOUGHT BY COL. CRAIG
SIR GEORGE WHITE
FOR Y.M.C. A. MEETINGS IN SUPPORT OF Cor.. M'CALMONT AND

FIRST

XII.

KING-KERR DKATM OF OUEEN VICTORIA CURFEW Biir.i.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE Rov.u. |R~ISII CONSTABULARY TRANSFERRED TO
LARNE VISIT OF THE DUKE OF CONNAUGIIT S.S. " \YIIITEABBEY "
LOST GAELIC -.LEAGUE ESTABLISHED ORANGE HALL IN LAXCASTERIAN
STREET T. \Y. RUSSELL, M.P., ADDRESSES A MEETING PEACE INSOUTH AFRICA CELEBRATED CORONATION CELEBRATIONS POSTPONED
FIRE AT WOODBURN WEAVING FACTORY PRESENTATION OF FIRE
ENGINE BY COL. CRAIG WALKING BOOM VISIT OF KING AND
OUEEN TO BELFAST URBAN COUNCIL PRESENT AN ADDRESS NEW
VICTORIA CEMETERY OPENED LAVEKIY'S BRICK \\'ORKS SECOND
VISIT OF ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTKJUARIES VISIT OF LORD CIRENFEI.L
Miss RENTOUI.'S LECTURE TECHNICAL SCHOOL OPENED TRAGEDY
IN THE OLD COURT-HOUSE
LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY OF
THE UNION HALL UNION HALL AND MUSEUM BURNT OPENING OF
NEW YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION HALF. HY COL. CRAIG
HISTORY OF THE ASSOCIATION IN CARRICKFERGUS STRIKE IN BELFAST
FIRST TOWN COURT OPENED EMPIRE DAY.
DK.

PART

II.

140-163.
ANCIENT STATE OF CARRICKFERGUS, 1550 CHURCH OF ST. NICHOLAS
GREAT PATRICK ANCIENT CASTLES WYROL TOWER OR PRISON
THE " PALACE " TOWN \\"ALLED wrin SODS AGENTS TO THE
QUEEN NOTE Petition TOWN WALLED .VOTE GATES NOTE
CASTLE WORRAIGH THE STOCKS NAMES OF TENANTS CarrickO'N'eill's Castle
CUSTOM HOUSE
fergus Gaol Ke moved, 182?
CUSTOMS NAMES OF FARI.Y SETTLERS HOUSES BUILT IN THE
[Link]
MANNER DAVYS' CASTLE SIR ARTHUR CHICHESTER
" \()TK DIFI [Link] ACCOUNTS OF THE
BUILDING OF " JOYMOUNT
TOWN AND CASTLE THE QUAY ENGLISH TENANTS OF THE
CORPORATION NOTE -S.\i.K OF THE CUSTOMS TO THE CROWN
NOTE AMOUNT OF CUSTOMS NOTE IN THE RECORDS CHURCH
BELL RECAST, 1671-2 Custom Officer Withdrawn FRANCISCANMONASTERY HUGH MACGILMORE SLAIN NOTE PALACE COUNIY
ANTRIM JAIL BUILT ON THIS SITE NOTE.

163210.

PRIORY OF \\"OODIU;RN HOSPITAL OF ST. BRIDGET NOTE BRIDE-WELL

NOTES MILITARY FORCE DESCRIPTION OF TOWN NAMES OF
COURT-HOUSE JAIL CARRICKFERGUS
THE STREETS CENSUS, 1X2
New Appendix) Population, Area <nnl Number of
JAIL (Sec
Houses, ;$.//, u)oi NOTICES re THE REMOVAL OF COURT OF
NICHOLAS' CHURCH
MARKET
HOUSE NOTE ST.
ASSI/.ES
AND
TABLETS.
PASSAGE NOTES MONUMENTS
UNDERGROUND
NOTES GARDNER MONUMENT NOTE, PAGES 187-103
179-180
Text
THE
Class
Windows
in
and
Stained
Monuments, Tahlets.
CHICIIESTER MONUMENT NO'I'E re the Cliichesler 1'attlt NOTE
NOTICES OF EVENTS Additional Notices in Text, 204-210.
i

METHODIST

CHAPEL

NOTICES

NOTE

NORTH

S-IREET

210238.
CHURCH

PRESBVI'ERIAN

I'nitarian
Church Joymmint Presbyterian Church
to
Church CASTLE Alterations
Church Independent
Draw-well CONSTABLES OF THE CASTLE NOTE Officers
Castle
in
Charge GOVERNORS NOTE ADDITIONAL NOTICES. 225-227
THE
CASTLE NOTE SEALS NOTE CUSTOM
OF
FOUNDING
FREE SCHOOLS
HARBOUR
SURVEYORS
HOUSE
Coastguards
NOTE SOCIETIES NOTE CHARITIES Shiels Char liable Institullaptist

tion

Legacies.

PART

III.

241248.
COUNT*

CORPORATE

.VOTE

Municipal

Commissioner

and

I'rbait

XOTE

Councillors ST. NICHOLAS

RECTORS Rectory
re Rectors
Additional Xotices, 2 \~ PRESISYTEKIAX CLERGYMEN
XOTICES in
Text. 252-25; COVENANTERS
.\OTE ROMAN CATHOLIC [Link]
XOTICES in Text, 258-2(10 CHARTER MAYORS ALDERMEN
RECORDERS SIIKRII s To\vx CLERK. COXONEKS S \VORUHEAKEK
(lUH.D or MERCHANTS
MAYOR'S ROUE S \VORD AND MAC i:
i

XOTE

XOTE

Baiting

of

MAYOR'S

FEAST

Bulls

XOTICES

Wean

Harbour Masters TREASURERS

MENT FREEMEN ADMISSION
OF
Additional

S-^ift

SALARY 01
MAYOR
and Towi Clerks
BURGESSES TO PARLIA-

Coroners

re

XOTE

FREEMEN

Samuel

M'Skimin

Xotices in Text, 282-28}.

PART

IV.

287-376.
OXVXER OK THE DISTRICT PRIOR TO THE ('[Link] BY THE ENGLISH
BOUNDARIES CROSSMARY, and Landlords RIDING THE FRAXCIIISE
RENT XOTE DIVISION OF LANDS COMMONS LANDS S LI EVE-TRUE
KNOCKAGII TROOPER LAND Son. BASALT XOTE re Bauxite
Coal PEAT XOTE Salt Defences of Ji el fast Lough COPELAND
BRHVC.S
ISLANDS THE
SANDIUNK XOTE LOUGH
MOURN E
[Link] XOTES
NOTELiGNACANOTBWooBBUUi AND
ORLAND AND [Link] COUNTRY SKATS XOTE HAMLETS
Valuation
AVu' I\oads XOTE CESS AND TAXES
Lands
of
(

XOTE CROPS XOTE

OF
CHEESE CENSUS TAHLES
Inhabitants
SCHOOLS XOTE Old
TRADES POPULATION',
7901
Dead SOCIETIES XOTE VOLUNTEERS OLD CUSTOMS [Link]
MANUFACTURE LINEN AND COTTON SI-INNING DISTILLERIES TAXYARDS MARKET Bank and XOTE Post Office Midland Railivay
OR
FORTIIS
COACHES Fishery Oysters XOTE MOUNDS
Cairns CAVES ANCIENT CASTLES WEAPONS Coining and Coins
XOTES TOKENS Key of the Irish Gate.
XOTEKilroot

.\[acliines

\\"[Link]

Agricultural

PAID

Society

XOTE

XIV.

Illustrations.
Those marked with a
*South view of the

star are reproduced

Town and

Castle,

from the old

plates.

showing Custom House.

PAGE.

FRONTISPIECE

The Common

SAMUEL McSuiMiN AND E. J. M'CRUM.

Seal of Carrickfergus, from an old wood-cut

North Gate, Carrickfergus, photo, by A. R. Hogg ...

Plan of Belfast Lough, showing French ships of war lying
...
...
Kilroot
High Street and the County
A. R. Hogg
...

...

in

West

Street

off

...

...

...

...

...

...

121

...

...

...

140

...

...

...

150

...
...
...
*The Chichester Monument
...
...
...
Interior of St. Nicholas' Church
Norman Columns in St. Nicholas' Church, drawings by

W. Carey

...

of the Castle

...

...

from the West Pier

...
Plan, 1776
*
Map of the County Palatine
Chart of Belfast Lough, 1690

The Old Gallows

*Ruins

...

...

208

...

...

214
216
228
228

...

...
...
...

230

...

231

...

238
243
250
254
264
286

...
...

...
...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

294

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

311
319

Cloughnacarty (Castle Lugg), from

an old wood-cut
...
...
...
...
Duncrue, with the ruins of the Church of Killyann
...
...
Key of the Irish or West Gate ...

J.

...

"The Three Sisters "

of the Castle of

...

155

150
178
184
196
205

...

Castle,

Ground

...

154,

...

...
...
showing West Tower
Norman Window in East Tower, Carrickfergus Castle
...
Aperture in Castle, from an old wood-cut
Seal of the Port and Customs
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Mayor's Seal
Ancient drawing of the town of Carrickfergus, 1612
West View of St. Nicholas' Church, photo, by A. R. Hogg
Interior of St. Nicholas' Church, showing Sepulchre Tomb
North Street Presbyterian Church ...
...
...
Sword and Mace, drawing by J. W. Carey
...

of

88

...

..'.

Joymount, from drawing in British Museum (J. \V. Carey),

...
...
...
...
...
between
...
...
...
...
"*Court-House and Jail of Carrickfergus
...
...
...
*Old drawing of St. Nicholas' Church
...
The Gardner Monument, photo, by A. R. Hogg ...

View
View

35
92

...

Antrim Court-house, photo by

Plan of Carrickfergus, taken 1550

*View

...

...

...
...
...

371
373

376

XV.

&cfcnowle&0ment0.
My

thanks are due to Sir James Henderson,

best

Bart.,

M.A.,

the Governors of the Linen

B.L., and H. Trevor Henderson, Esq.
Hall Library, Belfast
James Bell, Esq., Carrickfergus and James
Boyd, Esq., Town Clerk, Carrickfergus, for the use of papers and
;

books.

To

Brereton and

Dr.

J.

C.

Pinkerton,

Church

Esq.,

Rev.

Belfast,

for

many

W.

T. Latimer, B.A.,
for several of the notes of the Presbyterian Churches
and to Robert
"
Birds and
Patterson, Esq., F.L.S., .M.R.I. A., for the notes of the
Fishes."
of the notices of St. Nicholas'

to

Thanks to the following for the use of photographs, maps, blocks,

and drawings R. M. Young, Esq., B.A., J.P. Editor of the Ulster
Journal of Archccology, for block of Norman window; J. W.
Richard M'Giffin, Esq.,
A. R. Hogg, Esq.
James
Carey, Esq.
James Bell, Esq. and James Weatherup, Esq., CarrickBoyd, Esq.
:

fergus.

XVI.

TO THE READER.
This
First

is

Work

in the

and Present

is

Four Parts, or

divided into

manner of Annals

the

The

Sections.

Second relates

to the

Ancient

Third treats of its Corporate

Fourth of its Trade, Customs, Statistics,

Stale of the District; thf

Origin and Privileges:

and Antiquities.

the

ERRATA.
" fas " read "
for."
"
"
from bottom, for " is
read
was."
211, seventeenth line from bottom, for "is" read "was."
211, third line from bottom, "installed," not "ordained."
- 232, eleventh line from bottom, " Stevenson," not "
Stephen-

Pn^e

4.

fifth

line,

for

168, fourth line

son."
352,

fifth

line,

for

" are " read " were."

371, foot note, read "almost all waters."

372, eleventh line from bottom,

"

" Bruch."
Bruce," not

HISTORY,

&c.,

OF CARRICKFERGUS.
PART

I.

CHAPTER

I.

ancient accounts of Carrickfergus present

legends, being involved in at

little

THEcommon

but

least

traditionary

share of that obscurity, which appears inseparable from our national history.
It is, however, believed to have
been early inhabited; and an eminent author even supposes it

have been the first place in this kingdom peopled by the

from North Britain, 1 near three centuries before the
nativity of Christ, and before the Fir-Bolgs, or Belgae (another
branch of the Scythian nation), are said to have arrived in this
to

Celtes

island

from South

Camden

peopled by Britons
is

explicit, that

Britain.

likewise
;

and Spenser,

Scythians were the

kingdom, and confirms

customs and manners.
this

it

was
View of

Ireland

that

affirms

in
first

his

"

settlers in the

originally
Ireland."

north of

by an examination of

their

The assertions of these historians receive some support

from the proximity of the western parts of Britain to the
northern parts of this island, the high land of which could be
easily discerned on a clear day ; and when we consider the
imperfect state of navigation in the early ages, in boats made
of twisted willows and the skins of animals, these assertions
are farther confirmed.

is

That such were anciently the common modes of conveyance,

evident from the works of several learned authors.
Caesar

ordered his soldiers

1

Petty 's
R.I. A., vol.
1
1

Political

to

make such

Anatomy.

i.

Ledwich's Antiquities.
O'Connor's Dissertations.

boats

Macpherson's

as

he had seen

Dissertations.

in

Tran.

the

Britain,

keels

of light timber, the other parts of osiers,

Lucan, the Roman poet, who flourished

covered with hides. 1

A.D. 65, mentions the like boats as being used by the Britons;
and Solinus Polyhistor, who flourished about the same time,
"
also says,
the sea between Britain and Ireland is unquiet
and tempestuous, and yet they sailed over it in wicker boats,
encompassed with a swelling covering of ox hides/'
To a people who possessed such slender means for a
voyage, a short passage must have been an important object,
and equally so a commodious landing-place, which it is
probable this bay presented in a greater degree than any part
of the adjacent coast; and perhaps, this place at that time,
from the wind, or some other cause, might have presented fewer
obstacles to the landing of such navigators, than any part of
the circumjacent shore.
Concerning the first

reached us
settlers nothing has
followed the same roving habits as the other

doubtless they

Scythian tribes, living by their flocks, in woods and caves,

without any fixed residence
but until about the beginning of
:

the second century,

we have no document

that notices this place,

name of Dunsobarky.
one of the oldest maps of this kingdom, annexed to
"
O'Connor's Dissertations," entitled,
Scotia Antiqua, or a

when we

find

it

first

distinguished by the

In
"

of

map

Ireland

geographer,"

is

it

agreeable
laid

to

down by

the

time

of

the above name.

Ptolemy,

the

Also, in a

"

Seward's Hibernian Gazetteer," called, "A map

of Ireland previous to the i3th century," it is laid down by
the same name, and at the same place, as in that of the second
2
3
century ; and in both placed in Dalaradia, an ancient division
of the county Antrim, the people of which were commonly

map

affixed to

called
1

Dalaradians, from the country, but by foreign writers

Ccesar's Commentaries.

The general inaccuracy of those maps place it opposite to the Mull

of Cantyre, an error which seems to have been continued till lately.
Peter Heylin, a geographer, who wrote so lately as 1640, describes it by
"
the name of
Rock-Fergus." and adds, that it is opposite to Cantyre.
In a map of the county Antrim, lately engraved for a physician of
Belfast, possessed of much antiquarian knowledge, in which the ancient
names of places are given, it is laid down in its proper place,, by the
name of Dun-sobarce. In a map of ancient Ireland, annexed to the
"Chronicles of Eri," edited by Roger O'Connor, Esq., Carrickfergus
is laid down in its proper place by the name of Ditn-sobhairee.
This name is said to have been taken from a chief called Rhwda.
and Dal, a part or portion and comprehended the S. and S.E. parts of
Ware's Antiquities.
the county Antrim.
:!

Scots,

or

Scuits,

name denoting

their

Scythian or

Celtic

origin.

The above name appears to be a compound of two words

purely Celtic; the dun, din, dune, or don, primarily signifying
a mount, hill, high ground, or insulated rock, 1 and sobhar, or
sobarky, strong, powerful, or the like; which countenances the
former account that it was first inhabited by a Celtic people;
and the language of a people is generally the best criterion of
their origin.

This name

is

believed to have related merely to the insulated

rock on which the present castle stands

an opinion that is in
;
some measure strengthened by its not being noticed by Ptolemy,
who has mentioned the bay of Carrickfergus by the name of
Vinderius; as he
this

is

least

at

pretty

correct

its

is

noting maritime towns,

indeed is easily

which

proves
obscurity
accounted for, by referring to the manners of the Celtes, who
were literally roving barbarians ; hence we conclude that the

ancient
that

name was

there

retained

till

the arrival of the English,

and

were no buildings here deserving the name of a

town, prior to their time.

From the settlement of the English we find this place

called Crag-fergus, Carig-fergus. Carreg-fergus, Karreg-fergus,
Rock-fergus, Knock-fergus, and Carrickfergus ; the former part
of which seems derived from the Welsh, and

signifies

a rock

or stone; carrig or kairrig in the Irish language has also the

same meaning; but as many of those employed by Henry II.,

"
were Welshmen, who gave
in the conquest of the kingdom,
2
Welsh names to places," it is in all likelihood derived from the
former language.
Besides, it is highly improbable that an

English colony, settled by the right of conquest, would give a

of the
to any settlement of theirs in the language

name

conquered country.

The latter part of this name is evidently taken from the

account of a king called Fergus, who is said to have been lost
3
in a storm, near this place, 320 or 330 years before Christ.
Tradition says he was the first king of Scotland ; but as the
name of Scotland, as applied to that country, was unknown

Hence the names of many of our mounts

Gent. Mag., Vol. XCII.
both here and in neighbouring parishes, as Dun-eru, the
blood
Dunainoey, i.e.. Dun a niagh, the fortress of the
Dunathrry. the middle fortress, &c.
plain
-Hanmer's Chronicle.
3
Hanmer's Chronicle.
1

and

raths,
fortress of
;

for

upwards of a thousand years

the supposition
of his being a Scottish prince is doubtless incorrect.
We are
"
also informed that he was an Irish chief
famous for his skill
in blasoning

after Christ.

of armes.'' 2

Having shown as fas as possible who the primitive settlers

were, also the ancient names of the place, we proceed to the
remarkable events connected with its general history.
to

History and tradition are for some time equally silent as

For,
any event tending to illustrate our present inquiries.

if

we except

the romantic tales concerning Fin

Eryn and Fin

Mac

Coylle, alias, Mac Comhal, two famous chiefs who are

said to have flourished about the latter part of the third century,
and their descendants in the fourth (one of whom, Sperenagh
3

said to have governed this place),

we find nothing
worthy of notice till A.D. 697, when this part of Ireland was
invaded by the Cruthne, or island Picts, in conjunction with

Claw,

the

is

British

On

Picts.

this occasion

a desperate battle was

fell Aodh, or

fought at Lemnha, near Carrickfergus, in which

4
Hugh, king of Dalrieda, also Conquar Mac Echa
chief

commander of

We

Mac Maldwin,

the Picts. 5

are not informed as to the result of this engagement

but history mentions that

Aodh was succeeded by one Duncha

1
Pinkerton's Enquiry into the early
Ussher, Prim., page 734.
History of Scotland.
2
Campion's History of Ireland. Tradition says, that the cause of
Fergus* coming hither \vas to drink of the water of thn well, now within
the tower of this castle, for the cure of leprosy that he was lost during
a storm, off the rock on which the castle now stands, and his body,
being found on the beach, was interred at Monkstown, alias Monksland,
about three miles west of the town of Carrickfegrus, where is a buryingplace, and ruins of a small chapel.
[* The supposed bones of king Fergus were exhibited in after times
by the monks of that religious house, to many Irish and Scotch votaries
who made pilgrimages to his grave. See Montgomery Manuscripts,
New Edition, pp. 427, 428. For an account of the storm and shipwreck,
see Stewart's Metrical Version of Boece's Chronicle, vol. i, p. 41.
In 1880, the ruins of this chapel consisted of the western gable,

which was 16 feet high, and the foundations, which measured in the
by 17 feet, all traces of which have disappeared. The burialground is now under cultivation, and few interments take place.]
interior 63
3

Hanmer's Chronicle.
Dalrieda comprehended a
which was included the Route,
4

large tract of the county Antrim, in

or Root, which is said to be merely a

Ware's Antiquities.
corruption of this name.
5
Tradition affirms
vide Anthologia Hibernica.
Annals of Ulster
that this country was originally inhabited by a people called Pehts, who
resided in caves. They are said to have been very strong, but small in
Little pipes resembling our tobacco-pipes, that are sometimes
stature.
found in digging, are still commonly called Peht-pipes, from an idea that
they belonged to these, people.
:

in the government of Dalrieda, who in 710 defeated the Britons

of Cumberland, who had invaded his dominions; 1 but nothing
is recorded that has any relation to this place, until about 960,

when

was plundered by the Danes of Lough Cuan,

it

Lough Strangford.
Darkness
centuries

for

northern tribes,

nth

alias

again pervades our history during several

of the proceedings of the Danes and other
who arrived in this island from the 8th to the

which is easily accounted for

little is known;
destroying, during their ravages, all records that
related to the country, so that we are seldom enabled to trace
century,

their

by

3
any settlement of those barbarians.

The next important event in Irish history is the invasion

of the kingdom by the English in 1172; and shortly after we
Henry II. granting particular districts to his favourites
among others, the entire province of Ulster to John De Courcy,
find
"

to enjoy in that land all that

to

reserving
to

have

appears
of his grant;

he could conquer with the sword,

King homage and

the

no time

lost

fealty.'"

De Courcy

in attempting to gain possession

as, in January, 1177, he set out from Dublin

with his brother-in-law, Sir Armorick St. Lawrence, and a band
"of volunteers," consisting of 22 knights, 50 esquires, and about

who were afterwards increased to about 700,

In four days from his departure from Dublin,
he reached Down without opposition, where he found ample
300 foot
all

soldiers,

chosen men. 5

provisions and other necessaries for his army ; O'Donnell, or,

as he is called by some, Dunlenus, the chief of that district,

having

fled at his

approach.

O'Donnell soon after recovering

and receiving reinforcements from " Roderick

the monarch," attacked the invaders, but was defeated; and
from

his

panic,

being also worsted in several other engagements, De Courcy

was at length enabled to establish himself at Down.
In the

summer of 1182, he entered Dalrieda, and defeated Donald

O'Loghlin, alias O'Neill, king of that country, who fell in
and soon after began to erect castles and forts to secure
The same year he established a colony at
conquests.

battle
his

"
1

5
6

Annals of Ulster

ride Anthologia Hibernica.

Keating's History of Ireland.
XYarner's History of Ireland.
Campion's History of Ireland.
Lodge's Peerage. Cox's History of Ireland.
Hanmer's Chronicle. Lodge's Peerag*.
:

Carrickfergus, the chief of whom were the Sendalls, Bensons,

1
Jordans, Copelands, Russells, Whites, and Savages.
These colonists appear for some time to have made little

The smallness of their number,

progress in building a town.
and the unsettled state of the country, from the ravages of the
natives, and the dissensions that took place between the rival
families of De Courcy and De Lacy, and, after the disgrace
of the former, between the latter and William Marshall, lord
of Leinster, 2 were sufficient obstacles to retard the progress of
an infant colony. In 1203, Hugh De Lacy the younger was

appointed lord justice by King John; who, in May, 1205,

him earl of Ulster, bestowing on him the estates of the
brave John De Courcy, who, through the machinations of the
De Lacys, was then a prisoner in the tower of London. 3 Three

created

years after, we find Hugh De Lacy lord deputy ; and he,

with others of the same family, deeming this a proper season
to get rid of all their enemies, caused John
of Rathenny and Kilbarrock, natural son of

De

Courcy, lord

John De Courcy,
of Ulster, to be murdered ; * the Lacys accusing him
of being a spy upon their actions, and of reporting the same
5
to the king.
This event caused a general discontent and
late earl

confusion amongst the English settlers ; the Irish chieftains,

considering this a fit time to expel the English from their
respective districts, revolted, on pretence of oppressive taxation ;

and a general commotion took place throughout the kingdom.

Hanmer's Chronicle. Lodge's Peerage.
County Down. Ware's Annals. Gill's MSS.
1

'

Harris' History of the

At present none of the

descendants of the above persons reside here. Jordan's-tou'ti, parish of

Carnmonoy, bordering" on Carrickfergus, is alleged to take its name from
the above Jordans.
Copcland-tvater, in this parish, is also believed to
take its name from the early settlers here.
A tract of land, Middle
Division, is still called Whit Js- land*
probably from having belonged to
the above mentioned White, or descendants
and that land just outside
North-gate, was till lately called Sendall's-park. Some vestiges of two
The site of the castle
castlesf that belonged to this family still remain.
of John Savage is still known but of this more hereafter.
2 Cox's
History of Ireland. Davis's Historical Tracts.
Cox's History of Ireland.
4
Davis's Historical
Lodge's Peerage. Cox's History of Ireland.
,

:i

Tracts.
'

Campion's History of Ireland.

Hanmer's Chronicle.

Cox's History of Ireland.

[*\Vhite's-land, now White's Gate.

tSendall's castles the ruins of these castles have long since disappeared.
In 1838, in levelling the ground for a new road into the town from
Belfast by the Governor's Walk or Place, the foundations of the Castle of
Patrick Savage were discovered, and part of the ancient wet ditch by which
the town was formerly encompassed, as seen in the plan of the town in 1550.]

In order to suppress the flame of rebellion, and to inquire

into the oppressive conduct of the De Lacys, King John landed
at Waterford, with an army, on the 8th June, 1210; which so
intimidated the Irish, that upwards of twenty of their chiefs did
homage to him in that city, among whom was O'Neill, the
1
The De Lacys, conscious of their
powerful potentate of Ulster.
villanies and oppressions, fled, on the news of the king's arrival,
to Carrickfergus ; where Hugh and his brother Walter embarked
2
in a vessel for France.
Soon after their departure, king John

arrived at Carrickfergus,* in pursuit of them, accompanied by

Cormac O'Connor. 3 alias Crovederg, King of Connaught,

"
4
5
prisoner, who was now in his train,
captived in triumph."
In a letter of king John's given in RYMER'S FOEDERA,
the

following

particulars
"

Carrickfergus

being

now

of

his

majesty's

And when we were

proceedings

his

are
at

at Cracfergus, that castle

a certain friend and relation of ours from

taken,

Gahveya, named Duncan de Karge, informed

that he

us,

had

taken prisoners the aforesaid Matilda, and her daughter (the

wife of the son of Roger Mortimer), and the aforesaid William
the younger,

and

his wife,

Lacy, and Reginal

De

and

his

two

sons.

Breosa, had escaped."

Hugh De
And we sent

But
"

John De Courcy. and Godferd t De Cracumbe. with

and servants, and two galleys ; who, when they were
brought to us, Matilda herself began to speak of making a
settlement with us ; and offered 40,000 marks for the life and
limbs of her husband, and of herself and followers ; so that
her husband should give us peaceable possession of all his castles
and lands. And so it was agreed on between us at that time.
But after three days she repented of that settlement, and said
that she could not adhere to it."
"After this, when we had
retired from Cracfergus, and about to return to England."
for them

bailiffs

1
'

Cox's History of Ireland.

Keating 's History of Ireland.

MSS.

Cox's History of Ireland.

'Speed's Chronicle.

[* On Monday, July igth, 1210, King John arrived at Carrickfergus

from Downpatrick, beseiged and captured the castle, into which he
threw many of De Lacy's barons and adherents, seized on their lands,
and granted them their liberty only when he had wrung from them the
He placed in the castle a garrison
last penny they were able to pay.
under the command of De Serlande, and sailed from Carrickfergus on
the 2gth of July, in a ship of Bayonne, which carried him to Holy wood,
from thence he travelled to Dublin. Cox's Lit. Pat., Vol. i ]
[tGodferd was King of Man and father-in-law to John De Courcy.]

here drops the subject, but PRYNNE gives farther

particulars in an extract of a letter written by some person
"
then in the train of John he says,
Coming at length, into
the province of that country, called Meath, they besieged, and

RYMER

in

took,

and

a certain

Matilda, the wife of W. De Breosa,

with his wife.
They having privately

fort,

his son William,

escaped from him, and afterwards being again taken in the

island Maig (Magee), were brought before the king ; (we saw
them bound in chains), who sent them to England. All of
these

persons,

by the

king's

orders,

perished

by

hunger."

SPEED, also mentions the circumstance, and says, that Matilda

had sent to the queen from Ireland the singular present of
400 cows and a bull, all white but their ears, which were red ;
this present, it is added, did not make her peace, as she and
her son were sent prisoners to Windsor, where they were starved
to death.

In the meantime the

De Lacys

proceeded to France, and

entered themselves as gardeners with the Abbot of St. Taurin ;

but an unskilful manner in handling their working tools soon
discovered them to be no regular workmen.
Being questioned
by the abbot, they confessed their rank, and he became a suitor
to the king in their behalf, obtaining their pardons on paying
large fines; Walter 2500 marks for Meath, and Hugh 4000
marks for Ulster. 1
Those and numerous other dissensions, which it is not now
our office to notice, doubtless retarded the erection of a town ;
hence, although Sir John De Courcy had placed settlers here,
we find the town mentioned as being founded by Hugh De
2
Lacy the younger, in i2$o; from which period it appears to
have remained long the chief seat and garrison of the English
in Ulster, and continued in their possession, when all, or at
least the greater part of Ulster, was overrun by the Irish.
Maurice Fitzgerald, a Welshman, who came over to Ireland
with Henry II., is also said to have founded the town, when
lord deputy, in 1242;' but as De Lacy was successor to De
Courcy, both in title and estates, as earl of Ulster, and is also
said to have founded a monastery here, in I232. 4 he was

probably
1

2
s

the

person

to

whom,

at

least

chiefly,

Campion's History of Ireland. Hanmcr's Chronicle.

Anderson's Constitutions of Masonry.

MSS. Countess

of Antrim's library.

Hanmer's Chronicle.

it

owes

its

The

foundation.

clashing of these accounts, perhaps, proceed

from the fortifying of the town, incorporating of the settlement,

or other attentions paid to the town by Fitzgerald, when lord
deputy, in which office (save a short interval) he continued
from about 1230, to I245- 1 This is the more likely, as he was
very vigilant while in

office, in

strengthening the English

ments; causing several castles to be

2
those of Sligo and Ley.

built,

settle-

among which were

silent as to any event of moment regarding

1274; in which year the Scots landed on the
adjacent coast, to assist the O'Xeills against the English, and
proceeded, according to the barbarous warfare of those times,
"
"
towns and villages, killing man, woman, and child ;
to burn
after which they carried off their booty to Scotland, before a
sufficient force could be collected to oppose them.
Soon after,
an army was raised in Ulster and Connaught, with which
Richard De Burgo and Sir Eustace Le Poer invaded Scoltand,

History

this

place,

is

again

till

Even those persons who sought

ample retaliation.
refuge in caves, are stated to have been smoked out like foxes,
and put to the sword. 3
making

Though Carrickfergus is not specially mentioned as one

of the towns burnt by the Scots, it is more than probable that
it shared in the
ravages of this time, as in the following year
we find the mayor, and other inhabitants, addressing a letter

Edward

to

"

I.,

respecting a rebellion lately suppressed, which

was kindled by some

"

Irish and English

amongst
former are noticed, " Od. O'Neill, king of
This
Renelyon, and Common O'Kathran, king of Reach."*
"
letter states, that those persons were instigated by
the lords

they say

chief of the

the

Henry De Maundevill, Robert De Maundevill, Thomas

1

1
3

Ware's Antiquities.
MSS. Countess of Antrim's library.
Anthologia Hibernica. Cox's History of Ireland.

the son

Ware'? Annals.

The

latter places this event a year earlier.

*
Leland, in his History of Ireland, presents us with a list of Irish
chiefs summoned by Henry III., about 1240, to assist him against the
"
Scots ; amongst them we find
Bren O'Nel, regi de Kinelun, i.e., Kenel
"
O'Chatan, i.e., O'Cathan." The former
t'ogain xivc TiroweH," and
of those persons was evidently an O'Neill, prince of Tyrone; the latter

with the
plainly O'Cachan, alias O'Kane (a sept in alliance
O'Xeills), and both doubtless of the same septs noticed above; perhaps
the same persons.
The superior chief of the O'Cachans resided at Benbraden, near
Dungivon a branch of the same family held the castle of Dunseveric,
London Gentleman's Magazine.
so late as the time of Cromwell.
as

10

of Richard, Thomas De Maundevill, Martin De Maundevill,

"
and William De Corrs, of the army ;
and that they had
"
committed
murders, burnings, robberies, and other transgresseneschal of
sions, especially to the lord William of Warrin,
1

Ulster, from whom they burned five towns, three mills, and two
thousand cratmochs- of corn, by which they reduced the said

seneschal yearly fifty-seven marks rent."

They also state, that
persons had rescued some hostages held here by the
English ; and that the sole cause of this rebellion was the

those

seneschal's having distrained them for debts due to the crown.

"
It is added, that they were at length subdued by the
help of

God," the said seneschal, and Hugh Byset ; many of them being
taken prisoners, some of whom were executed here in prison,

and others pardoned by his majesty.

None of the De Lacys appear openly implicated in this
rebellion ; yet feuds and jealousies seem to have been still
increasing between them and the government, which at length
broke forth into open war.

In 1312, the lord justice Mortimer

sent a force against them, under the orders of

John Birmingham ;*
on which Walter, Robert, and Aumery De Lacy fled into
Scotland, where they invited lord Edward Bruce, brother to
Robert Bruce, king of Scotland, to invade their country and
become their king. 4
Alluring as these proposals were, the Scots appear to have
been cautious in their acceptation.

In the following year they

some armed boats

to plunder the coasts of Ulster, and

to discover the strength of the disaffected.
far they
succeeded in the latter, we are not informed; but meeting with
sent out

How

rather a rough reception, they retired home ; soon after which

lord Edward Bruce arrived on the coast of Ulster in person,

with a stronger force, and took

"

the castle of Man, and the

"
O'Donnell prisoner ;
and now, seeing the weakness of
the English power, he returned to prepare a more formidable

lord

expedition.

This success of lord Edward gave additional strength to

This person was in all likelihood William Fitz-Warrin, seneschal
See Davis's Historical Tracts.
Crannoch or crannog, was a dry measure for holding corn, composed of twigs lined with the skin of a beast, and was alleged to
contain the grain of seven score sheaves of corn.
Ware's Antiquities.
''Close Rolls, Tower, London.
4
Lodge's Peerage. Leland's History of Ireland.
Cox's History of Ireland.
[""This name is now usually spelled Bermingham.]
1

cf Ulster.
-

'

the Irish malecontents, who kept up a correspondence with his

brother king Robert Bruce, imploring his aid against the
common enemy, and expressing their willingness to receive a
1
Their wishes on this head were probably
prince from Scotland.
complied with as soon as possible; for in May, 1315, lord
Edward Bruce, having now obtained the consent of the

Scottish parliament, embarked about 6000 men at Ayr, and,

with the three banished De Lacys, landed on the 25th same
month at Olderfleet, near Larne, accompanied by the following

persons

lord

Mowbray,

Thomas Randolph,

Sir

John

Soulis,

the earl of Moray, Sir Philip

John Stewart, lord John

Sir

Campbell, John Bisset, John Menteith, John De Bosco, Sir

Fergus of Ardrossan, Ramsay of Ochterhouse, and other
-'

distinguished persons.
Numerous Irish chiefs

now

flocked to

B race's

standard, all

whom

pledged their utmost assistance, entered into treaties

with him, and gave hostages for their due observance of the
same." Proceeding southward with his new allies, his progress
was marked by the destruction of the English settlements,
amongst which were the towns of Belfast, Newtown, and
of

On the 2pth June, he stormed and plundered

Dundalk and Ardee, with other places of less note; but being,
about the 22nd July, opposed by Sir Edmond Butler, justiciary
of Ireland, and Richard earl of Ulster, with his vassals, he
Greencastle.

retreated into Ulster, accompanied by his most

powerful ally, O'Neill, prince of Tyrone, and halted near
Connor. 4
In the meantime, the earl, despising the Scots and their
precipitately

adherents, and confiding in the number

refused the assistance of the justiciary,

and valour of

his forces,

who immediately

retired

to Dublin, leaving the entire conduct of the war to the former ;

who, pursuing the enemy, attacked them in their quarters on

zoth September, but was totally defeated.

In this battle,
De Burgo, Sir John Maundevill, Sir Allan FitzWarrin, John Stanton, and several other persons of note in
the

lord William

the English army, were taken prisoners and sent into Scotland ;
while the fugitives, under lord Poer of Dunville, sought safety
Leland's History of Ireland.
-Sir David Dalrymple's Annals of Scotland.
Lodge's Peerage.
Camden's Britannia.
Sir David Dalrymple's Annals of Scotland.
4
Leland's History of Ireland.
Sir
Spenser's View of Ireland.
David Dalrymple's Annals of Scotland.
1

::

in the castle of Carrickfergus,

where lord William Maundevill,

and John, bishop of -Connor, had also taken refuge.

Bruce, being now relieved from all apprehensions of an
immediate attack from the English, sent lord Randolph home
for reinforcements, and again resumed warfare by laying siege
J

to the castle of Carrickfergus, which he pressed with vigour.

His utmost efforts were, however, unavailing, it being bravely

defended by its garrison ; and seeing no hope of his being able
to force its submission,

about the beginning of December he

Lord Randolph arriving, same time,

relinquished the siege.
with 500 fresh troops, Bruce again proceeded southward, and
penetrated into the counties of Meath and Kildare; but the
ravages of the armies the preceding year had rendered the

country desolate, and he was obliged to retreat to Dundalk,

where he held his court for some time as a sovereign prince ;
after which he again resumed the siege of Carrickfergus castle. Soon after, Thomas lord Maundevill hastened to its relief

with a considerable body of troops, and, on the loth April

succeeded in gaining admission into the castle.
Early on the

made a desperate sally on the

apprehended no danger, their only
time being sixty men, commanded by Neil

following morning, Maundevill

Scots,

who appear

guard

at

that

to have

man of uncommon intrepidity.

Fleming, perceiving that the Scottish army would be completely surprised, and probably route'd, unless they had time to
prepare for defence, resolved to sacrifice himself and party for
Fleming, a

He immediately despatched a messenger to

inform the army of their danger, and placing himself at the
head of his little troop, boldly advanced to meet the assailants.
"
"
Now, of a truth," cried he, they shall see how we can die for
our Lord." His first onset checked the progress of the enemy
but he soon received a mortal wound, and his party were cut
their preservation.

to pieces.

Maundevill, having divided his forces, in order to

surround the Scots, now advanced in person, with his best troops,
through the principal street of the town; and was met by Bruce,

who had probably been alarmed by the messenger

him by Fleming.
In the front of Bruce's party was
Gilbert Harper, a man renowned in the Scottish army for
strength and valour; who, knowing Maundevill by the richness
with his guards,
sent to

'Sir
Ireland.
'-Sir

David Dalrymple's Annals of Scotland.

Ware's Annals.
David Dalrymple's Annals of Scotland.

Cox's

History

of

of his armour, rushed forward and felled' him to the ground

with his battle-axe; in which situation he was despatched by
-The English, disheartened
lord Edward Bruce, with a knife.
to
by the loss of their commander (and the Scots continuing
pour in fresh forces, amongst which were 200 Irish horsemen),
fled towards the castle, closely pressed by the enemy; upon
which the garrison were obliged to draw up the bridge, lest the
Scots should enter with them;
leaving their unfortunate

comrades to the mercy of those ruthless

Soon

after,

the

garrison

offered

assailants.

to

within

surrender

and an agreement to that effect was entered into,

which
they were to give up the castle on the 3ist May,
by
limited time,

The time elapsing without relief, they were

required to surrender according to contract, and thirty Scots
advanced to take possession of the castle, but were immediately
unless relieved.

prisoners ; the garrison declaring they would defend the

place to the last extremity. About this time king Robert Bruce

made

Lochroyan [Ryan], and soon after

2
with
a reinforcement to his brother.
Carrickfergus

embarked

at

landed

at

The siege was now more closely pressed than ever, yet the
garrison held out to the end of August, before they surrendered.
Prior to this event they had endured the utmost horrors of
famine, eating hides ; and it is even said that they devoured
the thirty Scots

who were taken

prisoners, as just noticed.

"

marched southward with a

Securing this place, Bruce
barbarous army, inflamed to madness by the violent cravings
of nature." On approaching Dublin, he stopped for some time
4
at Castleknock ; but finding the citizens prepared for a vigorous
defence, he entered the county of Kildare, and advanced near
fire and sword the country through
which he passed/'
In the meantime the lord justice, Roger Mortimer, landed
in Ireland with fresh forces, which excited Bruce's apprehensions
for his safety; and in May, 1317, he again retreated into Ulster,

Limerick, laying waste by

which had been so desolated by the ravages of the preceding

years, that his army suffered dreadfully for want of provisions ;
1

1
*

David Dalrymple's Annals of Scotland. Barbour.

David Dalrymple's Annals of Scotland.
Cox's History of Ireland.
Sir David Dalrymple's Annals
Sir
Sir

of

Scotland.

*Leland's History of Ireland.

Cathedral.
*

Cox's History of Ireland.

Mason's History of

St.

Patrick's

14

and the few wretched inhabitants endured such privations, that

and eaten by the living, i
At this time the English forces appear to have been equally
incapable of offensive warfare, from the famine,- revolt of the
In May, 1318, Bruce
natives, and dissensions among themelves.
advanced to Fagher, near Dundalk, where he was attacked by
Sir John Bermingham, his army totally routed, and himself
slain ; and being found amongst the dead, his head* was cut oft
by Bermingham, and presented to Edward II., who for his
The fugitive Scots, broken,
services created him earl of Louth. 3
dispirited, and pursued by their enemies, made the best of their
way northward, destroying all castles, forts and habitations that
had been left.
From hence the few survivors embarked for
the dead are stated to have been raised

their native country, leaving Ireland in a state of desolation

exceeding anything recorded in her former history.
Soon after the defeat of lord Edward Bruce, his brother

Robert

arrived

in

Carrickfergus

with

reinforcements

learning the total failure of the cause, he returned home.

again came over, accompanied by the earl of Menteith.

but

He
and

other Scottish nobles, in order to conclude a treaty with the

but the justiciary and council not arriving as
English;
5
appointed, he returned to Scotland.
1

Cox's History of Ireland

-At this time wheat sold at 23 shillings the cronage, and oats at
six shillings
and all other provisions dear in proportion. Cox's History
;

of Ireland.
[*

Bruce 's head, after the barbarous fashion of the day, was pre-

served in
3

salt.]

Cox's History of Ireland. Bruce 's grave is

Peerage.
" the
pointed out by a large stone on the hill of Fagher, as that of
last Irish king."
Barbour states, that it was the head of Gilbert Harper
that was cut off, his body being mistaken for that of Bruce, by the
richness of his armour.
4
Barbour.
Spenser's View of Ireland.
'Universal History. Camden's Britannia.
[Edward Bruce so fat ingratiated himself with the Irish that theycrownel
him King at Knocknemelan, near Dundalk, where he held his Court for .-on;e
Lodge's

still

time.

Lodge's Peerage.]

[In contradiction of the above, Taylor, in the Pictorial History of

Scotland, states that the coronation of Edward Bruce as King of Ireland
He draws his
took place at Carrickfergus on the 2nd May, 1316.
information from Barbour, who is the author of a metrical history or
genealogy of the Kings of Scotland, and who lived about the same time

and Edward Bruce. Both accounts have been given, and if

by Taylor be true Carrickfergus may be considered a royal town,
and the place where the last King of Ireland was crowned.]
as Robert

this

CHAPTER

II.

the Scots were completely expelled from the

kingdom, yet Carrickfergus, having endured the miseries
of war for upwards of three years, must have been

THOUGH

It enjoyed, however, but

nearly, if not wholly, depopulated.
a short repose; for, in 1333, it was, with the rest of Ulster,

thrown into the deepest confusion by the death of William De

Burgo, third earl of Ulster, governor, who was murdered on
the 6th June, by his own servants, as he returned from hunting,
"
at
the fords," 1
Robert Fitz-Richard
near this town. 2
Maundevill gave him the first wound.
The murderers are
said to have been instigated by Gyle De Burgo, wife of Sir
Richard Maundevill, in revenge for the earl having imprisoned
her brother Walter, and other relations. 3
Immediately after this event, the widow of the late earl
of

with

Ulster,

her

infant

daughter

Elizabeth,

into

fled

England; and the powerful sept of the O'Neills, of Tyrone,

and their feudatories, taking advantage of the confusion of

who were now without a head, crossed the river

Bann, and entering the -pale, seized their ancient possessions as
far as this town. 1
This district, and a large tract of country

the colonists,

Northward of this town, and at the extremity of the ancient

boundaries of this county, is a ford called Johnston''s-ford; a little nearer
the town, also on the boundaries of this district, Bcltye-ford; and in the
same direction, but nearer, is Clubb's-ford : might not those places be

"

"* noticed above?

[*This event took place between "Craigfcrgus and Newtown
at the ford across the Lagan, the site of the future Belfast."
See
Lodge's Peerage, vol. i, p. 124. Annals of Ireland. Annals of Lough
the fords

Cee, vol.
3
s
*

i,

p. 617.]

Lodge's Peerage.
Lodge's Peerage.
Lodge's Peerage.

Davis's Historical Tracts.

its name from Dalaradia, to North

Lower Clan-Aodh-Buidhe, from being possessed by the sept
of Aodh, or Hugh O'Neill, the yellow; which name it retained

northward, thence changed

or

for several centuries

hence Clanbuy, Clanboy, Clandeboy, or

Clanneboy.

On

news of the
called by
was
parliament
the

murder reaching Dublin, a

John Darcy, lord deputy, by

earl's

Sir

advice of which he sailed on the

first July for Carrickfergus,

"
he destroyed the
with the assistance of the people,
and
their
murderers
abettors,"
putting upwards of three

where,

to the sword; and in all pardons granted

"
about this time, the following clause was inserted
Excepting
2
the death of William, late earl of Ulster."
By an inquisition

hundred of them

taken before Sir John Morris, escheator of Ulster, on the 8th

December, yth Edward III., it is declared, that, there were
divers

lands belonging to the late earl in

Ulster,

which are

situated in the Irish parts, so that no person could come near

the same, or receive any profit thereout, because the Irish in

those places would not permit any of the king's ministers, or

The deputy, immediately after this
any English there.

chastisement

ravaged

the

of the rebels,
Scottish

isles,

sailed

and

from hence for Scotland,

did

otherwise

considerable

execution against the Scots. 3

Notwithstanding these excursions of the deputy, the Irish
continued masters of all the northern parts of Ulster, except a
district about this place; and the powerful family of the De
"
and no
Burgos, seeing their chief cut off without male issue,

man

left to govern or protect that province," joined heartily

with the Irish, seized the late earl's lands, assumed Irish names,

and became completely Irish in manners, language, and apparel. 4

Some younger branches of the family divided their seniory
between them, one of them taking the name of Mac William
ought er, and the other Mac William tighter, i.e. the further and
the nether

Mac

William.

The inferior branches of the family

Mac Hubbard, Mac Walter, Mac

also adopted Irish names, as

David. &c. 5
to

For some years the English government in Ulster appears

have been almost totally superseded by the Irish; who were
1

2
3
4

Davis's Historical Tracts.

Lodge's Peerage.
Cox's History of Ireland.
Davis's Historical Tracts.
Davis's Historical Tracts.

Harris's History of the County

Down.

also assisted by the Scots, whose interest it was to keep up a

as, besides the plunder obtained on those

constant warfare;

occasions, they were also supplied with provisions, in reward

In 1338, an order was sent by the lord
for their services.

deputy to the constable of this castle, to punish all those who

could be found carrying provisions to them. 1
In 1361, Lionel, duke of Clarence, lord deputy, third son
of Edward III. who in 1352 had married Elizabeth,* only
child and heir to William, late earl of Ulster, arrived in Ireland

men

Being heir by his wife to the

began to attempt the
the
latter
and
we
are
of
informed
he succeeded in
;
recovery
"
"
the maritime parts of Ulster
from the enemy ;*
recovering
but as we do not find that he was able to bring the O'Neills,
or their allies, even to a show of submission, it is likely his
conquests were very limited, both in their extent and duration.
In such a state of warfare and confusion as that which
had prevailed since the invasion of Bruce, the state of the
inhabitants must have been miserable almost beyond description.
with about 1500

and

titles

at arms.

estates of her father, he soon

were, however, destined to still further calamities ; for, in

4
1386, the Scots came and burned the town; but as the castle
is not noticed as sharing in this conflagration, it is probable that

They

it not
only resisted the efforts of the enemy, but also served as
an asylum for the few inhabitants who still survived.
Soon
after, we find the mayor and burgesses requesting assistance
from the lord deputy (Robert de Vere, marquis of Dublin) to

declaring that they were unable of themdeputy, in his order of the 2oth April, the

rebuild their town,

The

selves.

"

following year,

directs,

by the advice of our

justices

and

Thomas Alwayn,

treasurer of Ulster, to remit to them

"
the rents of the corporation,
to build and repair the said towne,
others,"

totally

burned by our enemies and the enemies of our Lord

5

the King, the Scotch."

This building, or repair, was perhaps scarcely completed,
when it again shared a like fate. In June, 1400, the English
fleet,

commanded by

the constable of Dublin castle,

MSS. Lambeth

Library.
ancestress of Edward IV., through
passed into the possession of the crown.]
1
Davis's Historical Tracts.
Lodge's Peerage.
s
Davis's Historical Tracts.
[* Elizabeth,

*
5

engaged

Close Rolls, Tower, London.

Close Rolls, Tower, London.
3

whom

the earldom

i8
that of the Scots, off Strangford, county of Down ; but the
former being defeated, the Scots and Irish again ravaged the
1
This town appears to have
English possessions in Ulster.
been again destroyed about this time; for in the patent office,
art. 74, part 7, is the following notice, which in all likelihood
"
has an allusion to this event.
The King, &c. to all &c., health.
The Maior, &c. and three burgesses of the Towne of CragFergus, in Ireland, have supplicated us, that whereas the said

towne had been totally burned by our enemies, and they had
As the said Towne was
resolved on rebuilding it again, &c.
\vont, before the destruction mentioned above, to paye to us
annually, 100 shillings for our protectinge it, WE have excused
the said Maior, Burgesses, &c. from payinge the said revenue
due to us, for the space of one whole yeare.
Witness, &c.
Seconde day of July, 1402."
From the confusion of those times, we are not informed
how far the above persons succeeded in rebuilding the town ;
but from their slender means, and the predatory visits of the
Irish and Scots, with whom it would seem they were in a state
of constant warfare, we may fairly infer that their progress
was both slow and imperfect.
In 1408, we find this warfare still continued with all the
horrid rigour of that age. This is strikingly exemplified in the
case of two brothers of the name of Savage, who were taken
prisoners, and a ransom soon after paid for their liberation ;
yet they were murdered by an Irish chief called Mac Gilmore,
who in the following year was killed by the Savages in the
church of the Franciscans, Carrickfergus. 2
In 1430, the bounds of that part of the kingdom commonly
3
called the English pale, extended no farther than Down; and
"
in 1460, we find all Ulster, save
some few Places on the Sea4
and the English settlers
Coast," in possession of the Irish;
who remained, obliged to compromise with them for their safety,
5
1471, only
by paying an annual tribute called "Black rent."

manor of Carlingford were subject to the

crown of England; 6 and in 1476, the revenues of the pale were
in such a miserable state, that a standing army of 140 horsemen.
the revenues of the

'

Cox's History of Ireland. Leland's History of Ireland.

Ware's Annals. Cox's History of Ireland.
Anthologia Hibernica.
Cox's History of Ireland.
Cox's History of Ireland.
Harris's Hibernica.

the annual expenses of whom were valued at

^500, was thought
too great for the revenue of the Irish government. 1

Under
their

all these privations,

the English appear to have

still

protected on all emergencies by the

castle ; its lofty and massy walls being
easily defended.
Except
in the extreme case of Bruce's invasion, it
appears to have

kept

footing here,

successfully
domestic.

resisted

the efforts

of

all

enemies,

foreign

and

This year we find John Bayne mayor; on the

June, same year, he was joined in a commission with
Patrick Holyborton, and Henry Pole, captain of the " Fleet"
to form "a league and friendship'"' with Donald Gorme, ea^'
1481,

22(1

of Ross, and lord of the isles, 2 who at this time resisted the
claims of James V. to those titles and estates. 3
1497, a dreadful famine raged in Ulster; and in 1500,

we

find Ulster in open rebellion against the English, which was

same year suppressed for a time, by Gerald, earl of Kildare,
lord deputy.
Autumn, 1503, the above deputy took the castle
of Belfast from the Irish, which he " demolished," and came to
Carrickfergus, where he placed a numerous garrison, leaving
one Stanton constable of the castle, and governor. 4
In the two following years we find Ulster suffering under
the awful calamities of famine and pestilence
a wet summer
and autumn are assigned as the cause of the former. 5 In 1513,
:

a body of Scottish troops, under James Hamilton, first Earl of

Arran, landed on the adjoining coast; they sailed from the Firth
of Forth on the 2oth of July. His Majesty James IV. was on
board, at the time of sailing, to animate the commanders and
men ; and continued in the ship Michael, until the fleet passed
the Isle of May.
Regardless of his instructions, on the departure of his Majesty, Arran landed his troops near Carrickfergus,
which town he took and burned, with several villages, on the

same
Irish

coast, in revenge for some depredations committed by the

It appears, from
on the people of the Isle of Arran.

respectable evidence, that this descent of the Scots was marked

Sir David Lindsay, a Scottish poet,
the utmost barbarity.
"
in his "History of Squayer Meldrum"
has celebrated in strains

by

from

far
1

*
*
*
1

fanciful,"

the

actions

of

the

Harris's Hibernica.
Close Rolls, Tower, London.

Lodge's Peerage.

Ware's Annals.
Ware's Annals.

Cox's History of Ireland

said

"

Squayer,"

in

20
protecting, on this occasion, the priest and friars from the
ruthless soldiery ; and his deliverance of a virgin from violence.

Speaking of the landing of the Scots, he says

" And as
they passit be Ireland coist,
The Admiral #irt 'and his oist,
And set Craigforgus into fyre,
And safet nouther barne nor byre

was

greit pitie for to heir

Of the pepill the xvailfull chci:>.
And how the land folk were sp\vilyeit.
Fair woman under fute were fulliyait.
But this young Squayer bauld and wright,
It

Savit

all

women, quhare he might.

All preistis and freiris he did save,

Till at the last he did persave,

Behind ane garding amiabill,

Ane woman's voce right lamentabill."

The " Squayer " then proceeds to rescue the young lady from
two men. Soon after, Arran steered for Ayr, and landed his

plunder

1522,

Ulster;

(See M'Skimin's Appendix.)

Scots again plundering the coasts of
and two years afterward, John Allen, master of the

in safety.

we

find the

"

laws were not obeyed twenty

was garrisoned by the
town
compass."
forces under Thomas, the tenth earl of Ormond, 4 who same
year marched hence into Belfast, at which place his army is
"
stated to have
waded over on foot ; 5 by which is doubtless
meant, crossing the ford, where the Long Bridge at that town
reporting to the king that his

rolls,

miles

now

in

1545. this

is.

Sir James Crofts, lord deputy, arrived here, and

soon after proceeded with part of his forces against the island
of Rathlin, or Raughery.
The expedition proved highly

1551,

unfortunate ; his army was repulsed with considerable loss, and

himself and captain Bagnal taken prisoners by James and Col
1

*
1

Lindsay's Squayer Meldrum.

Ware's Annals.

Pinkerton's History of Scotland.

Davis's Historical Tracts.

About November, 1545, Sir Anthony St. Ledger, lord deputy,

embarked 1,500 men at Dublin, under the command of Sir John Travers
and the earl of Ormond, for the purpose of assisting the earl of Lencx
in Scotland.
They came to anchor at Olderfleet, where a storm coming
on, they were obliged to cut their cables and masts, and make for the
but were again driven back to the Irish coast, where, being
Clyde
unable to proceed further, they landed their men. The troops were then
marched to Carrickfergus, from which place they soon set off for
Dublin. The weather was very severe, and the Lagan frozen over, and
yet the men passed over on foot to Strangford, and from thence to
Dundalk. Travers, with his division, proceeded by the Ards, where he
had several skirmishes with the Irish. Stanhurst. (Sf e M'Skimin's App.)
;

Hollinshed's Chronicle.

21

Mac Donnell he also lost one of his vessels. The

deputy and Bagnal were soon after exchanged for Sorley-buy
Mac Donnell, brother to the above Mac Donnells, who, at the
time of their capture, was a prisoner in the castle of Dublin. 1
In December, the following year, Hugh Mac Neal Oge,
or Collus

of Clandeboy, submitted to the English government

gratified

monastery,
"
2

priests

granted him the

he

that

his

which so

Franciscan

majesty,
"
to keep there secular
Carrickfergus, with leave
certainly a great favour at that time, all religious

houses having been previously suppressed.

1555, the Scots, under James Mac Donnell, again landed
on the neighbouring coast, and laid siege to this town, which
About the
they continued to invest till the following year.

beginning of July,

1556,

the

deputy,

Thomas

Ratcliff,

lord

Fitz-Walter, marched from Dublin with an army, accompanied

by Sir Henry Sidney, and Thomas earl of Ormond. On the
1 8th
same month, they arrived here, and defeated the Scots

Henry Sidney killed James Mac

many also were taken prisoners.
Sir
after,
John
Stanley, who had distinguished
Immediately
himself in this battle ; was made lieutenant governor of Ulster ;
and the deputy " having decreed something to the advantage of
with

great

slaughter;

Sir

Donnell with his own hand

the publick peace in the Citv of

Knockfergus" and

left

ample

stores for the garrison, returned to Dublin.

About the beginning of October, 1558,

the lord deputy,

Thomas

Ratcliff (by the death of his father, now earl of Sussex),

arrived here from his expedition against the Scots, during which

he had taken Rathlin, and placed a garrison and colony there;

but lost one of his ships on its rocks during a storm, in which
were some citizens of Dublin. He also ravaged Cantyre, Arran,
and the Comraes, and burned all such villages on the coast of
Ulster as belonged to the Scots. 4
1568, February i5th, a large party of Scots, commanded
5
by Owen Mac Gillaspiche, landed on the opposite shore of
"
"
and
to
a new
enthrone
Down,
proceeded
Castlereagh, to
1

Ware's Annals. Cox's History of Ireland.

Cox's History of Ireland.
Cox's History of Ireland. Ware's Annals. Perhaps it is from the
above "decrees," that tradition states "a parliament was held here."
4
Cox's History of Ireland. Ware's Annals.
2

5
From MSS. in the possession of the author, it is believed that this
person was Gillaspig Due Mac Donnell, a natural son of Nisse, and
grandson of Nisse leogh Mac Donnell.

of Clandeboy.
On the night of the i8th same month,
captain Peirs, governor, and part of the troops of this garrison,
marched hence with the utmost privacy, in order to surprise the
Scots; and, crossing the river Lagan, succeeded in taking

king

shelter in a wood, unperceived by the enemy who were at that

"
"
or in other words, plundertime busied in
collecting a prey ;

The following morning,

ing the English settlements.

captain

from the wood, attacked the Scots with vigour,

and obtained a complete victory, above 200 of the enemy being
On the part of
killed, amongst whom was their commander.
the English fell Richard Hunt, much regretted as a brave
"
1
torne in Titters."
soldier; and the ensign was
In September, the above year, Sir Henry Sidney, lord
Peirs, issuing

deputy, arrived here ; to whom Turlough Lynogh of Tyrone,

a powerful Irish chief, who claimed to be chief of the O'Neills

on the death of

Shane,* came and made his sub-

his brother

2
mission, begging the deputy's pardon with great humility.
the same time, some Scottish hostages were executed; 3

At
and

before leaving this town, the deputy passed some decrees for
its

which see Appendix, No. i.

This submission of Turlough Lynogh appears to have

better government, for

been of short duration, as in the following year we find him

invading the pale; and the deputy, about the same time, writing
to the council in England, informs them that captain Selbie,

and Bawmforde,
with

fergus

"

fifty

Clerke of the Checke," going from Carrickwere three times chased by the

horsemen,

.rish.

1570,

we

find the Irish

still

in

open

rebellion,

and

collected

about this town, near which they were attacked and defeated
"
Service, was by the
by captain William Peirs, who, for this
1

Letters of Sir Henry Sidney.

Shane O'Neill was killed by Captain William Peirs, near Cushendun, who cut off his head and pickled it in a pipkin, for which he was
rewarded by Queen Elizabeth with 1,000 marks.
Sunday, June aist, 1908, a cairn was erected at Cushendun to the
[*

memory
2

of

Shane O'Neill.]

He had

also made his submission the foregoing year.

April, 1567,
"
Henry Sidney, writing to the queen, says,
Turloghe Lynoghe
sheweth himselfe a devote Subjecte to your Highness, dailie Embrouynge
himself in the Blood of the Rebells Followers."
He had previously
killed Alexander Mac Donnell, brother to Sorleybouy, and one of his
sons and was married to the widow of James Mac Donnell. Letters

Sir

of Sir
'

Henry Sidney.

Cox's History of Ireland.

Cox's History of Ireland.

Letters of Sir

Henry Sidney.

23
In the following year,
Queenes Order liberally Rewarded.''
we find this town noticed as an " important place for crubing
'1

the Irish." 2

n the 2pth May, the corporation addressed a letter

deputy Fitzwilliam, complaining of the conduct of
Thomas Smyth, governor in the absence of captain Peirs. They
state that he had abused them, and hindered their trade; and
I

573

to the lord

"

conclude by requesting leave to sell their

wynes, aqua vita,
"
to any, as well rebells as
cloth, saffron, salt, and such lyke,"
"
It is added, that the inhabitants
others."
are become So pore,
as the third parte of the said Towne is ruynate."
On the 6th
June, the deputy returned a polite answer to their memorial
for both papers, copied from the records of this corporation,
:

n.

see Appendix, No.

Immediately

the

after,

of Carrickfergus

records

we

give them in full.

June, was the Towne

"

following

as they

appear in the
and interesting,
yeare the 2d daye of

notices

are brief

1573, In this

of

Knockfergus for the most parte

destroyed by fier, by reason of Captain Smyth's departure out
of the Same with his force, not leaving Sufficient force to defend
the

Same,

Sur

by

Brian

M'Phellime

(O'Neill)

&

his

Co-

partners."

Same Yeare, aboughte the 2oth of August, came the

honourable the Earle of Essexe 3 * into this land, as Lord

In the
right

Ware's Annals.
Ware's Annals.

Life of Sir

Thomas Smyth.

Walter Devereux, Earl of Essex, has betn appointed captain general

and governor of Ulster, and was at this time the chief of a band of military
adventurers.
He had indentured with the queen to raise and maintain 200
and for this purpose he had morthorse and 400 foot soldiers, for two years
gaged his estate in Essex to the queen for ^"10,000. Her majesty was also
and all fortifications
to keep up an equal number of troops in said province
were to be made at the equal charge of the parties. To encourage adventurers, each horse volunteer, who would serve gratis two years, was to have
400 acres of land, at two pence per acre ; and each foot soldier 200 acres,
on the like terms. Leave was also granted to cut timber in the woods of
to transport the growth of the country, for seven years, free of
Killulta
The earl was to
duties
and to import all English goods, custom free.
plant his land with 1000 English settlers.
The lateness of the season when he landed, and the rawness of his
troops, prevented any great exploit being performed so soon as his friends
could have wished.
Hence, many became dissatisfied. Lord Rich soon
after returned to England, as did Sir Henry Knowles, and many others, on
different pretences.
On the first December, he wrote to the earl of Sussex
for fresh supplies
but his enemy, the earl of Leicester, counteracted every
However, he made some advances into the
application of this kind.
;

24

Governour

Province

accompanied with
Towne of Knockmany
"
Rich and other
The
Earl
of
with
the
Lord
Essexe,
fergus."
after many perils, the
Gentlemen embarked at Liverpoole
ship he was in made Copeman's Island (Copeland Js/es), from
whence in a pinnace he reached Knockfergus. Lord Rich made
Killcliffe Castle, and was then conducted to Inch Abby (Maister
of

the

of

Ulster,

a lusty Gentleman, and landed in this

Malbie's house), from whence, with a. guard of 150 horsemen,

fifty kerns that went on foot through the woods, he was
conducted safely to Knockfergus ; among these were thirty bows,

beside

with a bagpipe ; the rest had darts." ]

Besides those already noticed, who on the 6th September
made their submission and offered their services to the

were Rory Oge M'Quillin O'Donnell, and the captain of

The earl brought with him some troops, both

earl,

Killulta. 2

horse and foot, and was accompanied by lords Darcy and Rich,
Sir Henry Knowles, and four of his brothers, relations of said

country, drove the island Scots out of Clandeboy, and

"took the

castle of

from Con O'Donnell"; but, making little progress, and

receiving many angry messages from court, he resigned his command, and
Cox's
retired to Dublin, where he died of a broken heart, Sept. 22, 1576.
MSS. Lambeth Library. Life of Sir Thomas Smyth.
History of Ireland.
Camden's Annals of Queen Elizabeth.
Within these few years there were some vestiges of the house in which
he dwelt in Carrickfergus, at the south end, east side of Essex-street, otherThe
wise Cranagh-bawn
the former of which names was taken from him.
walk adjoining the house was also called, from him, Governor's walk lately
changed to Governor's place. A double row of elm trees remained on this
walk till 1820. At the west end was an embattled bastion, called Essexmount perhaps from its being raised by him. The last of its battlements
and embrasures fell in the winter of 1801 but a small part of the west side
Liffer

(Lifford)

of the bastion still remains.

Essex-street, or Cranaghbawn, was formerly
called "the street to Essex's mount."
[No trace of the bastion now remains,]
[""Several of Essex's officers remained in this country, so that the enterprise
was not entirely fruitless as a colonising experiment. Of these are noticed the
founders of the noble families of Downshire, Templeton, Massereene, and also
Dalway, Dobbs, &c.
The Earl of Essex gives a general picture of the entire country in these
words " At my arrival here I found the countries in arms, and no place out
of the hands of the Irish rebels or Scots, but only the town of Knockfergus,
which the townsmen meant to leave and abandon, having prepared all things
for their journey into the English Pale; but the townsmen, taking heart by the
bruit of her Majesty's army to be sent under me, staid their determination, and
have now settled themselves in their habitation." See Carew MSS., 1515:

I574-]
1

Holingshed's Chronicle.
Holingshed's Chronicle.

25

Michael Carves, and Henry, William,

1
three sons of lord Norris.

earl,

Soon after the

came and made

arrival,

Guile,

Hugh

arrival,

his

services

O'Neill, baron of

Brian MThellimy (O'Neill)

his submission, congratulating the earl

and offering

Irish chiefs.

earl's

and John Norris,

These

as did

Mac

on

Gillespie,

Dungannon, and

appear to have been

friendship, as Brian

visits

purposes than those of

his

Mac

several other

made

for other

had previously

driven off all his cattle,! to the amount of thirty thousand, into
the interior of the country ; and now, seeing that the earl's forces
were not so numerous as had been reported, again rebelled,

and joined Turlough Lynogh O'Neill, and the above Hugh,

3
open rebellion.

in

The records of Carrickfergus, of this date, contain

1574.
the following interesting memorandums, which we deem highly
authentic, although in direct contradiction to all historical
we know of we therefore give them verbatim.
1574, Certaine Butlers delivered by the maior of Knockfergus
by Commission from the Lord of Essexe, unto Burkes, Clerke

authorities that

"

of the Victualls, which Butlers were by the Sayd maior taken

upp in this Towne, the 8th daye of Novembre last past, by
the commandment of the Sayd Earle, Mr. John Norryes being
Generall under the Sayd Earle heare; which 8th daye, Sur
Brian MThellime, (O'Neill) knight, chiefe of Clandeboy, &
Rowry Ogg M'Quillin, chiefe of the Route, were at Belfaste

& his Butlers, taken up by the Sayd Commandment as aforesayd, and delivered by Mr. Maior, which beareth
date the 5th of February." "June 1575, In this Sayd month
Sur Brian MThellime (O'Neill), & Rowry Ogg M'Quillin, were
The records are silent as to the
executed in this Towne." 4 *
"
Annals of
charges against those persons ; but Camden, in his

taken prisoner,

Cox's History of Ireland.

Camden's Annals nf Queen Elizabeth.
t Brian Ballagh O'Neill having preyed the cattle of the inhabitants of
Carrickfergus, they offered to ransom them by giving him a certain quantity of
wine, silk, saffron but Brian, getting hold of the wine beforehand, he "drank
the same wine," and restored not one of the cattle, which was A "greate
See
hyndrance and impediment to the sayd poore townesmen." MSS.
2

M'Skimin's Appendix.
3
Camden's Annals of Queen Elizabeth. Cox's History of Ireland.
4
Camden, in his Annals of Queen Elizabeth, states that the above
Brian and Rowry Ogg were half brothers, and that they were taken in
"
an engagement in which "two hundred I>ish were slain.
Leland, in his
History of Ireland, quotes an Irish manuscript, which has the following
strange account: "Anno 1574, a solemn peace and concord was made

26
Elizabeth," informs us that Brian had treacherously
"
and also secretly
an English captain called "Moore
formed a treaty with Turlough Lynogh O'Neill, and the
"Hebridian Scotts"

Queen

killed

earl of Essex and Felim O'Neill.

However, at a feast wherein
the earl entertained that chieftain, and at the end of their good cheer, O'Neill
and his wife were seized ; their friends who attended were put to the sword
before their faces ; Felim, together with his wife and brother, were conveyed
"
to Dublin, where they were cut up in quarters.
Review
of
the
Wars
in
in
his
Civil
Ireland, has the following
Curry,
notice on this subject, which he says is copied from an Irish manuscript in
"
Walter,
Trinity College, Dublin ; likely the same alluded to by Leland.
earl of Essex, on the conclusion of a peace, invited Bryan O'Nial, of Clandeboy, with a great number of his relations, to an entertainment, where they
lived together in great harmony, making good cheer for three days and
nights ; when on a sudden, O'Nial was surprised with an arrest, together
His friends were put to the
with his brother and wife, by the earl's order.
sword before his face, nor were the women and children spared ; he was
himself, with his brother and wife, sent to Dublin, where they were cut in

between the

quarters."

We have laid these accounts before the reader, without comment. We

acknowledge that we prefer the account given in our records they were not
written to serve any party, and appear, throughout, merely matter of fact.
[* The assassination of Sir Brian MacFelim O'Neill is also noticed in the
Annals of the Four Masters, at the year 1574. Two hundred of O'Neill's
followers, in attempting to save him, were put to the sword.]
;

CHAPTER
mentioned

III.
"

"

General John Norryes

sailed hence with a body of troops to the island of Rathlin
or Raughery, which he took from the Scots by assault,
August, the

IN
with

its

castle,

a garrison in

it

last

year,

1
ravaged the country, killed 240 men, and

to secure his conquest.

left

On the 6th of September following, Sorlebuye Mac Donnell

The garrison,
attacked this town with a considerable force.
"

consisting of
captain Norryes' and Baker's companies," also
such of the inhabitants as were able to bear arms, at length

succeeded in repulsing the Scots, after a desperate engagement,

which captain Baker and several other officers, and about

in

were killed, with Wolston Elderton, alderman,

3
Graf
town-clerk, and fourteen other inhabitants.
ton,
Gregory
In October, same year, Sir Henry Sidney, lord deputy, arrived
here with 600 horse and foot, and soon brought Mac Donnell
to submission, which was followed by that of Mac Mahon,
4
O'Donnell, Mac Guire, and Turlough Lynogh O'Neill.

100

soldiers,

Respecting the

visit

notice in our records.

"

of the deputy, we find the following

Octobre 8th, 1575, The 8th daye of

month Sur Henry Sydneye, of the most noble Order

Knyght, Lord Deputye Generall of Irelande, came unto this
Towne and made Peace with the Skotts, & delivered the
Rawghlins to ther Custody, and called home the Ward ther
5
The deputy, writing to England, on the i4th
resydent."
November, an account of this expedition, has the following
on coming near
interesting account of his journey hither
this

"

In the Confynes of this Countrie, (as I take

Belfast, he says,
6
at
it) I was offered Skermishe by Mac Neill Brian Ertaugh,
1

Records of Carrickfergus.

Camden

says 400 of the inhabitants were

in our records.

As in every other case, we prefer the account given

Camden's Annals of Queen Elizabeth.
3

killed.
2

Records of Carrickfergus.
Ware's Annals.

'The

garrison consisted of a ward and 40 men

who, for want of prohad been under the necessity of eating their horses. One of the
causes assigned by the deputy for its evacuation was the want of fresh water.
Letters of Sir Henry Sidney.
At present there are two fresh water lakes in
Rathlin, and several never-failing springs.
6
This person appears to have been Neal Mac Brian Terlagh O'Neill,
father of Con, of Castlereagh
Grand Inquisition of the County Down.
visions,

28

my

Passage over the Water

at Belfaste

which

cawsed to be

answred, and passed over without Losse of Man or Horsse,

oure
yet, by Reason of the Tydes extrordanarie Retorne,
Horsies swamme, and the Footemen, in the Passage waded
"
The Towne of Carickfergus, I found moche
nye depe."
decaied and impoverished, no Ploughes going at all, where
before were manye, and great Store of Kyne and Cattle,
beloynge to the Towne, nowe few or none lefte, Churche and

Howsies, saving Castells, burned; the Inhabiteants fled, not

leaft
rive
Howseholders
of
Couentenance
above
any

remayninge

so that their miserable

State,

and

servil

Feare,

to be pittied, yet the So comforted to heare of her Majesties

gracious Disposition to wall thir Towne (whereby they assured

was

themselves of Saffetye and quiett Dwellinge hereaftere), so that

Hope hathe, and doth procure, and drawye dyvers to resorte

and boy Id
1576.
records:

there."

In April,

"In

we

the

find

Cowrt

following

notice

in

our

Savidg, John Savidg,

My
with others were f yned for neglecting ther duty in not answering
to assist the maior, being misused in the Streate, by Captain
Soon after, a commission was sent
Loovyd & his Soldiours.
this

said

hill

'

to the mayor, the bishop of Down and Connor, and captain

William Peirs, " Seniscall of the Country," to make an inquiry
"
into this
Garboyle." By this court the soldiers were sentenced

and put out of this garrison; and captain

be disarmed in the market-place, as a note of
infamy/' and afterwards pilloried, with the following label on

to be punished,

Loovyd

"

to

his breast:

"For

assulting the maior, smytitig the Bishopp,

and for mutiny/' and afterwards banished from the town. 2

About the same time we find Turlough Lynogh O'Neill
requesting to be made free of this corporation ; but he was
afterwards dissuaded from it by his wife (widow of James
Mac Donnell), who alleged that he would not be able to keep
the oaths of admission; 3 a thing certainly not unlikely, when
we consider how often he had previously been engaged in
rebellion.

1578.
treatrrous

2
3

The
and

government

hostile

having

attempts,"

Letters of Sir Henry Sidney.

Records of Carrickfergus.
Letters of Sir Henry Sidney.

being

received

intended

account
against

"of
this

29
town, on the i6th June the lord deputy and council wrote to
the mayor, informing him of the same, and warning him to be
"
"
and to furnish them immediately
careful and circumspecte ;
1

with a state of the town, ammunition, and provisions, and also

of the people capable of bearing arms, who were directed to
"

redie and order the Walles, Towres, Rampiers, and dyches,"

as far as in their power, as for the contrary they should answer
their

at

extreme

peril.

In the records of Carrickfergus of this date,

1581.
the following interesting notices ; as they are short,
give a copy.
find

we
we

"A

By

Grey.

the L. Deputie.

Wereas we are geven to understand, that contrarie to

the Lawes and statutes of this Realme, ther ys a yearlie exacton

ymposed upon

that hir majesties

Town

of Carigfergus, called

Brcync Balafs Erick. claimed by the Lord of that Countrey,

which Irishe exaccon as it is forbidden by hir majesties Lawes,
not to be used or such lyke amongst hir majesties good subjects

so in lyke sorte
majesties
the same

and

all

v in pies,

we

straightlie

chardge and comand you

in hir

name not to yeld thereunto henceforth ; but for that

may be suppressed as a custome forbidden by Lawe,
other wrongful challandges and exaccons, as Loughe
and other Irish buyngs forbidden by Lawe. and tacken

by force and extercionable meanes, we also will and comaund

you to see the same suppressed and not heareafter to be used,
as for the contrarie doings you will aunswree at your extreme
perills, geven at hir majesties Castell of Dublin the Tenthe
of Aprill 1581.
"
To our welbeloved the
majesties
"

Towne

maior and Inhabitants

A. Grey.
"

By

Wereas we are geven

and Inhabitaunts of

of hir

of Carigfergus"

hir majesties

the

Lord Deputie.
by the maior

to understand

Towne of

Carigfergus, that

Records of Carrickferpus.
The above mentioned custom appears to have been a fragment of the
Brechon law trick, or eriach, signifying a fine, or recompense, paid for a
murder committed. See Sfens^r's Vie-w of Ireland.
3
Lottghyempie, or loughhimpy, was a fine paid by an trtnagh to the bishop
See Davis' s Historical
his diocese, on the marrriage of any of his daughters.
2

Tracts.

the

[Brian O'Neill was engaged at the time he was killed in driving from
prey of cattle belonging to the freemen of Carrickfergus,

Commons "a

'

they have byn often prayed and spoyled as well of kyne and
horses as of other goodes by Con Mac Neal Oge, whiche goodes

up and downe the contrey without any

are dispearsed

to the poore Inhabitaunts

thoughte good to authorise

restitucon

for the recovery of which we have

you and every of you to take up all

such kyne and horses, as were taken from the said Towne, and
which they shall fynd in the custodie of any hir majesties

and the same so taken up to converte to the use of

whome the said Goodes were taken for doinge

subjects,

the partie from

be your warrant ; geven at hir majesties

Castell of Dublin the loth of Aprill, 1581.
"
To our welbeloved the motor of his majesties Toii-ne of
Carigfergus and the aldermen of the. same ; and the

whereof

this

shall

inhabitants thereof"

In 1582 there "came out of France in one summer three

Barkes of forty tones a piece, discharged their lading of excellent
good Gascoygne wyne at Carrickfergus, the whiche they sowlde
for ix.

cowes skynnes the hoggeshead."

The records of this year furnish a curious account

of several marauding excursions made on the inhabitants by
"
Hugh Mac Phelimy O'Neill, Cormac O'Neill,
capten of
1583.

Kilulta," Donald Gorme Mac Donnell, and others ; for a full

account of which, in answer to their complaints, see Appendix,
No. III.

1585.

This year, two merchants of Carrickfergus were

"

plundered by
Agnus Mac Connell (Donnell}, and his People,"
on which a complaint was made to queen Elizabeth ; who,
amongst other things, wrote to king James of Scotland on this

His majesty, in his answer, dated St. Andrew's, August

same year, declares that he will have justice done in this
"
incursions and
business, and forbid the parties from making
Inroads upon that Country of Ireland," and that all persons
doing the like should be deemed guilty of treason ; and that he
would give orders to " Mac Allen," to treat them as such
Our records of May this year, contain a letter from
1591.
subject.
8th,

the lord deputy Fitzwilliam, to baron Slane, Sir

Henry Bagnell,

directing them to meet and settle the difference

between the inhabitants of this district, and Charles Egerton,

and

others,

and the

chieftains of Clanaboy continued for nearly two centuries to exact, in

for his death, a cattle fine from the unfortunate burgesses.
In

punishment

Elizabeth's time this

1

manuscript

was ^40 per annum.]

Queen Elizabeth

letter of

to

King James.

the constable of her majesty's castle here.

letter see Appendix, Xo. IV.

For a copy of said

proclamation was issued here by Christopher

governor of the Clandeboys, &c., respecting the holding
As this document, copied
of markets within his government.
from our records, is highly interesting by throwing light on the
1592.

Carleill,

general state of the counties of Down and Antrim, prior to its

being issued, we have given a correct copy of it, in Appendix,

Xo. V.

Captain Thomas Lee, writing to the queen, says,

1594.
the

English

forces

amounted only

in

"

Knockfergus and the Claneboyes,"

and 25 horse. 1 Even those appear

to 100 foot,

to have been ill paid ; as, in October the following year, the
troops here mutinied for want of provisions, and, taking their
arms, proceeded to leave the town.
meeting of the inhabitants

was immediately held

Charden, bishop of

them some

cattle off

to provide for their relief

when John

Down and

Connor, then residing here, gave

his manor of Kilroot, which put a stop to

this mutiny. -

Xovember 4th, James Mac Sorely Mac Donnell

1597.
came near this town with a body of armed men, daring the
garrison; when Sir John Chichester, governor, marched out to
attack the enemy, with such troops of the garrison as could lie
On this movement, Mac Donnell retreated ; and Sir
spared.

John, in the pursuit, fell into an ambuscade of Highlanders,

3
placed in the glen of Altfrackyn. The party were instantly
surrounded, and nearly cut to pieces ; and Sir John, being
taken prisoner, was beheaded by Mac Donnell, on a stone, near
"

the Glynn." 4
The distracted state of the country at this time, is
1600.
evident from an extract of a letter from Sir Arthur Chichester
1

Curry's Review of the Civil Wars in Ireland.

Records of Carrickfergus.
Altfrackyn is the Old Mill Glen, near Red-hall, on the estate of Richard

Gervas Ker, Esq.

[The Red-hall property remained in the family of Kerr until the I5th of
January, 1869, when it and other properties of David Stewart Kerr were sold
by order of the Landed Estates Court. The purchaser of Red-hall and part
In 1902 Red-hall was bought
of Aldfrick and Forthill was John Macauley.
by W. J. Porrit, of Torside and St. Ann's-on-the-Sea, in Lancashire.]
4
In the following reign, Mac Donnell, having
Lodge's Peerage MSS.
obtained his pardon, and being in Carrickfergus, went to see the family
monument of the Chichesters, in St. Nicholas' Church and seeing the effigy
of Sir John Chichester, asked "how the deil he cam to get his head again?
for he was sure he had ants taen it frae him."
Lodge's Peerage.
;

32
to the lord deputy Mountjoy, dated from Carrickfergus in May,
"
in which he says,
divers Gentlemen and others did daily fly

from the Rebels, and resort unto him with their Goods, to the
Number of 1200 Cows, and more would come, but that he
That to free himself of the
doubted their Faithfulness.
to
Mac
Imputation
keep James
Sorley an Enemy till he had
him
Brothers
he had imployed Colonel
on
his
Death,
revenged
Egerton to invite that Rebel to Submission, but received only
temporizing Answers ; whereupon, according to his Lordship's
Directions, he had written and sent a Messanger of purpose to
the Lord of Clantier an Islander Scot, to

James

Mac

stir

him up against

possessing

Sorley,
wrongfully
Inheritance in those Parts of Ireland;

offering
"
so as he

his

rightful

join the
would after
to

Queens Forces under his command,"

"
but still,
yield due Tribute and Obedience to her Majesty ;
as the king of Scots threatened to march against the said lord,
he feared that he would not be able to embrace this advantageous
"
That he had received Con Mac Xeal,
offer.
Sir Arthur adds,
the son of Xeal Mac Brian, and his Horsemen, into her Majestys
Pay, and would shortly waste his Father's Country, whence
Brian Mac Art (O'Neill) and some 400 Bonnaghts, (or hired
The lord deputy, in his
Soldiers), were maintained and fed."
answer to the above, of the i5th June, directs Sir Arthur to
"
receive no more Irish,
but such as would simply submit and
"
and
that he should treat with the Island
give good Pledges ;
1
Scots, and Shane O'Neill.
August, same year, the lord deputy, and all other English
commanders in Ulster, in order to suppress the rebels, proceeded
to burn the houses of the Irish, with all corn and other grain,
that they could not at that time use or carry off.
In furtherance
of this work of destruction, about the above period, Sir Arthur

Chichester. with the troops of this garrison, laid waste all the
Those burnings
country within twenty miles of this town.*

were succeeded by a dreadful famine, in which many thousands

of the wretched inhabitants died of hunger ; and the miseries of
the few who survived, appear to have been attended with acts
too horrid for recital.
1

Moryson, from

whom we

quote,

says,

Moryson's History of Ireland.

Sir Arthur Chichester was preparing for the plantation he spared
neither "house, corn3, nor creature
of what quality, age, or sex
slew
all four-footed animals in their
he
soever;
farmyards, hurned the stacks
of grain, and in the spring time mowed down the growing crops."]

[*When

33
that in the following year, Sir Arthur Chichester saw children
eating their starved mother; and adds, that many people were
found dead about the fields and ditches, with their mouths

green

by eating herbs,

by which they had endeavoured to

1
prolong their wretched existence.

1601.
Early in June, Sir Arthur Chichester marched
hence with troops in garrison, and on the i8th same month,
and receiving a
joined the lord deputy near Blackstaff;

reinforcement of 200 foot for this garrison, he returned here

a few days after. 2
About this time we find this corporation
"

"

to Sir Arthur Chichester,

statutes
presenting a number of
governor, for his approval; for which see Appendix, No. VI.

In July, same year, Sir Arthur Chichester proceeded hence

against Brian Mac Art O'Neill, and took his castle of Castlereagh ; and in the following year, he marched with a part of
the garrison to Lough Neagh, and crossing it, joined the lord

deputy near Dungannon, and assisted in building the fort of

3
Mountjoy, of which he was made governor.

Con

1603.

O'Neill, chief of south or upper Clandeboy,

was that of Castlereagh, was confined here the

cause of his detention was as follows. Having about Christmas,
1602, a "grand Debauch" at Castlereagh, "with his brothers,
friends, and followers," he sent his servants to Belfast for more
wine; but in returning, a quarrel took place between them and
some English soldiers, near the Knock church,! and they lost
their wine.
Con inquiring into this transaction, learned from
themselves that their numbers exceeded that of the soldiers
on which he swore " by his father, and the souls of his
ancestors," they should never be servants of his till they had
whose

castle

"

buddagh Sassenagh soldiers." On this threat they

armed, and attacked the soldiers, several of whom
were killed in the affray; and Con was soon after taken up

beaten the
returned,
as

an

abettor,

and

sent prisoner to Carrickfergus castle.

The

was soon mitigated by a

permission to walk through the town during the day, attended
by a soldier, who returned him to the provost-marshal at night.
of

severity

He

at

his

length

first

confinement

obtained his

liberty

Thomas Montgomery, master

1

Moryson's History of Ireland.

Moryson's History of Ireland.
Moryson's History of Ireland.
[t Now Holy wood.]

2
3

of

in the
"

following manner.
"
which traded

barque

34
thither

with meal

for the

garrison,

was employed by

endeavour to

Hugh
1

Con's escape.
Having got letters conveyed to Con, acquainting him of the
steps about to be taken, he began by making love to Annas

Montgomery,

his relation, to

effect

Dobbin, daughter of the provost-marshal; and marrying her,

through her effected Con's escape, who was conveyed on board
2*
Montgomery's vessel, and landed at Largs, in Ayrshire.

February 25th, we find the corporation presenting

"
Greeffes" to the lord deputy, Sir Arthur

1605,

number of

Chichester, against the provost-marshal, the constable of his

majesty's castle, and the receiver of the king's customs; for
which, with his answer, see Appendix, No. VII.
July 2pth,
the following year, the lord deputy, from his camp at
"
Monaghan, directs the mayor to levy Ten good and marketable
beeves," on this corporation, for the use of the army ; for which
"
6s. 8d. each, in
beeves they were to receive
harpes," as
from
should
come
as
soon
England.
money

^i

1 2th, five dissenting

ministers having been
by Henry Leslie, Bishop of Down and Connor,
not subscribing the Church Canons, resolved, with others, to

1636, August

deposed
for

at Belfast

"

proceed to N^w England. Having got a vessel called the EagleWing," of nbout 115 tons burden [built at Groomsport], on the
9th of September the Rev. Robert Blair, Rev. John Livingston,
Rev. Robert Hamilton, and the Rev. John M'Clelland, with
about 140 other persons, amongst whom was John Stuart, Provost

In 1605, Con obtained his pardon

family.
the suit of the above Hugh Montgomery, and James
for iheir effecting of his escape, and this service, he had pre;
viously made over most of his lands to them, of which they immediately
obtained a new pa ent from the crown. April 25, 1606, we find Con granting the land j of Ha lyioskoye, in the Galltugh, between Castlereagh and
homas Montgomery, probably the above-mentioned Thomas, for
Belfast, to a
Grand Inqtiisition of the County Down.
his share in effecting his escape.
1

MSS.

of the

from James I.,

Hamilton hut

Montgomery

a<

MSS.

of the

Montgomery family.
who effected his escape. She had appointed a boat
come from Bangor, and one day she came int the castle (she having access
him when she would) with two cheeses, the inside being taken out and filled
with cords, by which he might let himself out of the window at such a time
[^It was Con's wife

to
to

when, by moonlight, he might see the boat ready. In it he was conveyed to

Bangor church, and hid in an old steeple till he was conveyed to Scoiland.
In 1637. Uichard Spearpoint, Mayor, made a surrender of the third part
of the customs to ihe Crown for ^3,000, which was to have been laid out in
the purchase o lands for the use of this corporation; but no lands were purchased.
.1,300 of this m6ney was lent on interest to John Davys, of Carrickfergus, who bougi t an estate, and when called to account by the corporation
Gills MSS.
ivy. he brought them in one shilling in debt.
respecting the

35
of Ayr, sailed from our bay; but, meeting with violent storms
when near Newfoundland, they were beaten back, and returned
on the 3rd November. They were soon after obliged to fly into

Scotland from the persecution raised against them by the said

bishop.
1

Stafford's Letters.

Life of Rev.

John Livingston.

THE COMMON SEAL OF CARRICKFERGUS

CHAPTER

IV.

1639, we find noconnected with Carrickfergus, that we deem of

sufficient interest to lay before the reader in this division
the last mentioned period until

FROM

event

In the above year, this place was highly conspicuous

in the events of that period. The impolitic conduct of Charles I.
having goaded the Scottish Covenanters into acts of resistance

of the work.

to the measures of the crown,

in the counties of

been

many

Down and

of them sought an asylum

Though Charles had

Antrim.

at length unsuccessful in his attempts to force

upon the

Scottish nation,

hostility to the

Covenant,

episcopacy

and compelled to relinquish

still

its

all

open

adherents in Ireland justly

dreaded molestation from that quarter; Earl Strafford, whose

conduct had been already marked by intolerance and oppression,
Nor were their fears ill
being continued Lord Deputy.
founded, for, about the beginning of May, [Link] foot and 500horse were ordered to Carrickfergus, to press upon the Scottish
settlers an oath against their revered Covenant ; or, in the

smooth language of Strafford, to look on, whilst the oath was.

proceedings created the greatest alarm
and disaffection, and some incautious persons near Larne,
having been betrayed by a spy into intemperate language, were
administered.* These

taken prisoners in May, and sent off to Dublin for examination.

of these persons named Trueman, was soon after
transmitted
here for trial,
found guilty, and executed.

One

Respecting this affair, which even Strafford, in his letter to"

"
"
extreme vain ;
Sir John
foolish," and
secretary Coke, calls
afterwards
Earl
of
made
the
Massereene,
Clotworthy,
following
That one
deposition on the trial of the Earl of Strafford.

Trueman, an Englishman, who dwelt near Carrickfergus, was

sent about the country to find out those who were attached to
"
that he spake with one Captain Giles, who feigned
the Scots
:

-"

This was the "Black Oath," for a copy of which see "Reid's
[
History
of the Presbyterian Church," vol. i., p. 247.]
tradition. Hume's History of England. Strafford's Letters. Adair'sMS^

37
himself a great friend to the Scottish nation; and said, that
he conceived that they were greatly distressed, and wished that
he could use means whereby they might be eased; hence he
discoursed with Trueman, who was but a silly fellow, and got
from him words whereby he discovered a goodwill to the Scotch
"
nation, and some discourse about the Castle of Carrickfergus ;
and at length " he got Trueman's letter to recommend him into
Scotland, whither he pretended a desire to go, to serve under
their command."
Giles afterwards produced this letter on
Trueman's trial, who a few days after suffered death as
*
related.
On the scaffold he made a speech, in which he
disclosed how he had been betrayed by Giles, and, pointing to
Scotland, he said that his death would yet be avenged by that
He was hanged, and being cut up in quarters, they
country.
were placed over the four gates of the town, and his head on a
MS. About this time the Earl
pole on the top of the castle.
of Antrim resided in Carrickfergus.
Writing to the Lord
him that his cousin,
on
the
i6th
of
he
informs
Deputy,
May,
"
Sir Donnell Gorme M'Donnell, had arrived from
Kentire and
Ila," with at least 100 gentlemen of the same name, besides
their servants, in all about

He

requests that the

"
off
the goods and

300 men, for his Majesty's service.

Deputy would order them to be maintained
lands of those that have estates in this

kingdom and have forsaken it, that are well known

Covenanters."
His request was not complied with. 2

be

to

Early in this year rumours were industriously

that
the disaffected in Scotland intended to invade
circulated,
This report was made the
the northern part of this kingdom.
1640.

pretext for raising 8,000

in July were assembled

Irish

Roman

Catholic troops,

who

Carrickfergus, and afterwards

distributed along the coast opposite Scotland. Ships of war also
cruised in the channel to alarm the Scots, and if an opportunity
offered, to land these Irish troops near the entrance of the
at

For some time the soldiers were employed in casting

Clyde.
up entrenchments, as if to repel an invasion! ; but the real
object was to land them in Scotland, to oppose the Covenanters.

The
of

plan, however, failed

his

affairs

in

England,

Cox's History of Ireland.

the King, from the desperate state

being obliged to enter into an

Strafford's Letters.

Strafford's Letters.

Some entrenchments

cast

up by them

at Olderfleet still remain.

38

ignominious compromise with the Scotch insurgents, so that this

army was rendered useless. The raising of those troops highly
incensed the English parliament, and heightened the discontent
It was discovered that had his
of the Protestants in Ireland.
Majesty's plan

succeeded,

12,000

additional

Roman

Catholic

were to have been embodied for an invasion of England,

to assist the king against the parliament.
Disappointed in this
soldiers

grand

project,

Charles

now

entered into negotiation with the

men into his service, but

king of Spain, to take 4,000 of these

the parliament objected strongly to this measure, and they were

disembodied in September. l
On the 24th January, a treaty was entered into1641.
with the Scottish commissioners in England, for 1,500 auxiliary
His majesty Charles
troops to garrison this town and castle.
I. objected to the third article, as prejudicial to the interest of
the crown; but at length yielded to it on the remonstrance of

He perhaps relinquished his objections

the more readily that it had been agreed he was to have the
appointment of all the officers of this army, by which measure

the said commissioners.

he hoped to get rid of the most troublesome persons in Scotland,

and also please their countrymen at the same time. 2 On the
6th August, this year, another treaty was entered into with the
Scots, by which the number of troops was to be augmented to3
For a copy of the first treaty, which only differed
io,ooo.
from the second in the number of men to be employed, see

Appendix, No. VIII.

1641.

Saturday, October 23rd, about ten o'clock on this

night, Colonel

Arthur Chichester, governor, received intelligence

of the intended rebellion, on which he ordered fires to be kindled

on the eminences near the town, and the drums of the garrison
to be beaten,
1

to

warn the neighbouring Protestants of

their

Godwin's History of the Commonwealth Charles

Strafford's Letters.
secret instructions to the Earls of Ormond and Antrim, requiring

had sent

army should not be disembodied.

November, 1641, his Majesty then at Edinburgh, created his enemy,,
the Marquis of Hamilton, a duke, and General Lesley, whom he had previously appointed chief commander of those troops, Earl of Leven. The latter
was so transported with this unexpected and unmerited honour, that he pro" he would never after bear arms
tested upon his knees
against he king."

that this
2
In

He soon forgot his promise. Nalson. On the 8th of April, 1642, his Majesty
sent a message to parliament, declaring his intention to go to Ireland to command those troops against the rebels, on which both Houses presented
petitions that he would not then visit Ireland ; he then relinquished his purCox's History of Ireland.
pose.
3
Memoirs of the Dukes of Hamilton.
Cox's History of Ireland.

39
In the course of the following day great numbers of
danger.
Protestants arrived from the country, bringing with them their

Some of these were immediately armed,

most valued effects.
formed into companies, and commanded by the most respectable
gentlemen who had fled here for safety ; while from the crowded
state of the

town many families

left

it

by sea for Scotland.

On

the evening of the 24th, Colonel Arthur Hill arrived, having

escaped from his house with difficulty.!
Sir Henry Mac O'Neill was to have surprised Carrickfergus, but from the early vigilance of the governor no attempt
brother of Sir Henry's, Teigh
of that kind was made.

O'Hara, and some other leading persons among the Irish, being
sent for by the governor, were made prisoners on their arrival,
About the same time, Art Oge
lest they should join the rebels.
O'Neill, of the Fuagh (Fevagh), came in to testify his loyalty,
but on his being dismissed he joined the rebels, and drew many
to their ranks.

On

the 25th, Colonel Chichester proceeded with about 300

to Belfast, leaving Captain Roger Lyndon, with only 50
to defend this garrison.
At Belfast he was joined by 150 men

men

from Antrim, and on the following day he set out for Lisburn,
but an alarm arising, that the rebels had marched from Glenavy
This alarm
to attack Carrickfergus, he returned to Belfast.
proved to be merely an attack on the house of Mr. Spencer,

Trumery,

in

Chichester was

which

now

the

rebels

joined by Sir

were

beaten

Colonel

off.

Thomas Lucas,

Sir Arthur

Tyrningham, Captain Blunt, and Captain Armstrong ; on the

27th he marched to Lisburn, which had been appointed a
general rendezvous of the Protestants, who on this occasion
amounted to about [Link] men, but without order or discipline.
On the 28th, Colonel Chichester, with his own division, Lord
Conway's horse, and a troop under Captain Edmonston,
proceeded towards Dromore to reconnoitre, and saw at some
distance several parties of rebels in woods and bogs, but
that they could not be attacked without great
disadvantage, on the following day they returned to Lisburn ;
and on the 3ist, all the Protestant corps returned to their former

perceiving

quarters.
1

About

this

Carte's Life of the

Duke

time,
of

Alexander

M'Donnell,

alias.

Ormond.

This person married a daughter of Cahal O'Hara, Creabilly, and

from him the Shanecastle family cf O'Neill are descended. MS.
[

Ibid.

* Near Lough

Neagh. ]

4o

an experienced soldier, being sent for to Scotland, by

Friar Patrick O'Donnell, a Jesuit, landed at Olderfleet.
His
arrival coming to the ears of Colonel Chichester and Lord
Collkitto,

Montgomery, a party of horse was despatched to bring him

On

prisoner to Carrickfergus.

his being taken

he made

many

fair promises and protestations of his innocence, and attachment

to the government, and Archibald Stuart, agent to the Earl of

Antrim, becoming security for his behaviour, he was liberated,

and immediately joined the disaffected in the Route.
Soon
Friar O'Donnell was detected carrying a letter to Sir
Phelim O'Neill, on which he was made prisoner, and confined
here on the 23rd November.
At this period, a large quantity
of arms and ammunition arrived at Carrickfergus, from Carlisle,
after,

for the use of the Protestants. 1

Next to Carrickfergus, the chief places of refuge for the

Protestants, in the county of Antrim, were the towns of Belfast,
Lisburn, Antrim, and Larne; with the castellated houses of
2

Edenduffcarrick, and Carncastle.

But by the beginning of December, the Roman Catholic troops
of Bryan M'Cormic, Art Oge O'Neill, Con Oge O'Neill, and

Temp lep at rick,

Ballycastle,

Toal O'Neill, were so completely masters of the country, that

they ravaged the houses of the Protestants, within sight of
Even within view of Carrickfergus the rebels
those places. 3
wasted the country with fire and sword, leaving not one house
4
standing on the lands of Captain Roger Lyndon ; and in the
interior of the county of Antrim, 954 Protestants are stated to
have been butchered in one morning, and about 1,100 or 1,200
5
afterwards, during the course of the rebellion.
In the meantime, several regiments were embodied from the

Protestants who had fled to the above places.

Those of Sir
John Clotworthyj Lord Comvay, Colonel Arthur Chichester,
Archibald Stuart, and a body of horsemen under
Adair,

2
3
4
5

life of the Duke

MSS. Rawdon Papers.
MS. Rawdon Papers.

Carte's

of

Ormond.

Temple's

Irish Rebellion.

Belfast News-Letter, 176.

Depositions of Dr. Robert Maxwell.

which the Irish bore against everything

and cattle belonging to the latter were
wantonly squandered and destroyed, which caused a scarcity of food, and the
refusal of the rebels to bury the mangled corpses of their victims caused a
Reid's History, vol. i.,
pestilential fever to break out, and many died."

["Owing

to the reckless malice

British, the valuable stores of corn

P- 329-]

of Ballymena, are particularly mentioned for their valuable

services against the enemy. 1
On the evening or night of Sunday, January 8th,*
1642.

some horsemen belonging to one of the newly raised corps,

attached to the garrison of Carrickfergus, sallied out to the
neighbouring district of Island Magee, and massacred a number
of Roman Catholic

Magee
came

The oral history of Island

inhabitants.
that
were horsemen, who
declares
the
assassins
clearly
from Carrickfergus, and that this horrid deed was
2

for
the
murderous aggressions
retaliation
perpetrated in
committed by the Roman Catholics in other places. It is also
stated on the same traditional authority, that this massacre began
at the isthmus which connects Island Magee with the parish of
Braidisland, where a small rivulet is called Slaughter-ford, in
memory of the tragical event; that some of the sufferers were
driven over the Gabbons, a dreadful precipice on the south east
part of the island; and that several Roman Catholics were
preserved in a corn kiln by a Dissenter named Hill, some of
whose descendants still reside in the parish.
That " this deed of dreadful note " was perpetrated in
retaliation for similar excesses committed by the opposite party,
is

amply confirmed by the

historical evidences still in existence

We

shall therefore notice

relating to that unfortunate period.
a few of the most memorable massacres that preceded that of
Island Magee ; limiting our inquiries to those of the County

of Antrim.

On
"

Irish

the night of the 2nd January, 1642 (New Style), some

Highlanders "^ belonging to a newly raised regiment,

Cox's History of Ireland, MS.

It is to be observed that prior to September, 1752, the year in Great
Britain and Ireland, usually began on the 25th March, instead of the 1st
However, it appears that there was often no regular period for its
January.
commencement, which has been the cause of much confusion in modern
Those who began the year in March, generally, antedated events
history.
thus with them the year 1000 commenced 25th March, 999.
Others began
the year on the 25th December
and some at Easter, and varied the beginof
the
as
Easter
varied.
ning
year
Gentleman's Magazine, 1788.
1

"

In

" Morrison' !
History of Ireland" frequent mention
1

"
Style" and

is

made of " Old

New

Style," in treating of events which took place in 1601-2,

and in " Thurloiv's Slate Papers" some of the official letters are dated " Old
"
New Style" and in many old books we find dates marked
Style" some
Hence our Chronology is still in confusion from the
thus, 1701-2, or 170^.
uncertainty of dates.
2

MSS.

Trinity College, Dublin, lettered,

t Irish Mountaineers.

"County

of Antrim."

42

commanded by Archibald
company, and some

Stuart,

British

rose

of the

on

same

Captain
corps,

Glover's-

who

were

quartered in the parish of Billy, and massacred of them to the

number of sixty. The same night was also marked by a similar
"
Irish Highlanders" under the
bloody transaction. A body of
orders of Turlough
O'Cahan, Alister M'Coll M'Donnell
and
M'Coll
M'Donnell, surprised a party of
James
(Collkitto),
Archibald Stuart's regiment, under the command of Captain

Fergus M'Dowell, who were stationed at Portna, on the Bann

side, and massacred between sixty and eighty of them in their
On the 5th the same body
beds, without the least resistance.
of rebels continued their ravages through the Route, putting all
In their
Protestants to the sword from Portna to Ballintoy.
progress they made a furious attack on the mansion house of
the latter place, which was bravely defended by Archibald Boyd,
Mr. Fullerton, and a few Protestants who had escaped thither ;

and the

rebels finding that there was little chance of its speedy

surrender, after firing a few shots from their cannon, retired toCraigbalinoe. On the following day they proceeded to Dunluce,

and summoned

that fortress to surrender, but Captain Digby,

governor, refusing to comply, they burned the village of Dunluce
and proceeded towards Oldstone, or Clough. By the way they

were met by Art Oge O'Neill with his company, and uniting
their forces, they advanced against the castle of Oldstone.
"
Walter Kennedy, governor, parlying with the rebels, declared,
that he would never surrender a M'Donnell's castle to an

on which Colonel M'Donnell (Collkitto) advanced,

swearing by the Cross of his sword, and the honour of a
gentleman, that none in the place should suffer in body or

O'Neill,"
"

and

Immediately after, the women

goods," the castle was given up.
and children found in the fortress were taken down the valley
towards Glenravil water, and butchered on the banks of that
1
river by Toole M'Hugh O'Hara.
The accounts of these massacres would probably reach
Carrickfergus in a day or two after their perpetration, when
the tidings could not fail to excite a deep interest, and while
the feelings of the inhabitants and soldiers were yet agitated
and warm, stir up a spirit of retaliation, which unfortunately

appears to have burst forth immediately after in the horrid

Their thirst for vengeance was perhaps
affair in Island Magee.
1

MSS.

Trinity College, Dublin, lettered,

"

County Antrim."

43
heightened by the circumstance that many of those then doing
military service in Carrickfergus were from the lower part of
the County of Antrim, who had been driven from their homes
by the rebels, and who, probably, at this time expected to hear
of the murder of some relation or friend.
This conjecture is

measure confirmed by the fact that, on an inquiry

after, it appeared that these very persons who
committed the massacre in Island Magee, were from the
Yet as if the truth regarding
neighbourhood of Ballymena.
in a great

some years

this transaction did not sufficiently disgrace its perpetrators,

has been

it

made

the subject of the grossest misrepresentation.

It
even continues to be mentioned as the first massacre committed

unhappy period, the cause of all the subsequent murders,

and the sufferers stated to have amounted to upwards of 3,000

at that

persons

!*

We

shall here farther inquire into this transaction,

particularly as to the time

it

happened, and the numbers slain ;

facts of the case from sources

and afterwards point out the

little

known to the public.

The earliest account in which

the Protestants are charged

as being the aggressors in the barbarities of 1641-2, appears in

"
an
entitled
THE
POLITICIAN'S
pamphlet
anonymous

CATECHISM," by R. S., printed and published in London, in

1662; twenty-one years after the events are said to have
A short paragraph
happened, which it pretends to describe.
in this tract has been the basis of all the gross misrepresentations
It is as follows.
that have been published on this subject.

the beginning of November, 1641, the English and

Scotch forces in Knockfergus, murdered, in one night, all the

"About

inhabitants of the territory of Island Magee, in number above

three thousand, men, women, and children, all innocent persons,

when none of the Catholics of that country were in

arms or rebellion." To this article is added the following note.
"
This was the first massacre committed in Ireland, on either

in a time

Here we plainly perceive gross misstatements, it being

notorious that the rebellion began on the 23d of the previous
October, and that the 24th of that month was marked on the

side."

part of the

Roman

Catholics,

of the period in question.

"

by

all

the sanguinary atrocities

View of the
See Memoirs of Captain Rock.
Question, by Sir Francis W. M'Naghten, pages So and 81.
1
Borlase's Irish Rebellion.

Roman

Catholic

44
worthy of remark, that the season chosen for the
publication of this slanderous and anonymous pamphlet, was
truly auspicious; the tide was turning fast from Puritanism to
Popery ; the Roman Catholics were a considerable body at court,
It

is

and both

the

King and

the

Duke

evinced their partiality for that

of York had by several acts

faith.i

Some years after the publication of this pamphlet by R. S.,

was bound up as an appendix to Lord Clarendon's " HISTORY
OF THE AFFAIRS OF IRELAND," * doubtless, for the purpose of
giving its falsehoods weight and publicity, by their being
attached to a work bearing on its title the high authority of
his lordship's name.
it

Of the slanders thus propagated the Protestants of that

time appear to have been well aware.
Sir Audley Mervin,
of
the
Irish
House
in
of
Commons,
speaker
addressing the Duke
of Ormond, i3th February, 1662, says, "The Roman Catholics
of this kingdom may get a reputation and credit to those
pamphlets which they have dispersed through Europe, that his
Majesty's Protestant subjects first fell upon and murdered them."
The next notice we have observed, on the same side, is
"

THE GENUINE HISTORY

contained in a small work entitled,
OF IRELAND," said on its title to be written by Hugh Reilly
In this tract it is
Nary), printed in London, in 1742.
that the massacre in Island Magee happened early in

(Dr.
said

November, 1641, and that the number of sufferers amounted to

between two and three thousand persons ; but it is admitted that
the rebellion began on the 23d October, 1641.
Incorrect as these accounts are, as to the time and the

number murdered, they are nevertheless repeated in a work

"A DIALOGUE OF THE REBELLION OF 1641,"
"
MEMOIRS
published in 1747 ; and also in a book entitled
OF IRELAND, IN A LETTER TO WALTER HARRIS, ESQ.," printed

entitled

in 1757.

of Lord

similar statement

Clarendon,

Dublin

printed

in

Roman

Catholic,

IRELAND,"

in

in

in

his

published

in

Hume's History

is

also given, on the authority

"

DESIDERATA CURIOSA HIBERNICA,"

1772; and likewise by Dr. Curry, a
"
REVIEW OF THE CIVIL WARS OF
1775.

Francis

Plowden,

Esq.,

an

of England.

was in 1720 that the pamphlet of R.S. was reprinted by H. Wilford,

and bound up as an appendix to the work of Lord Clarendon. See " Fiction
[* It

Unmasked,"

p. 166.]

45

English

Roman

Catholic Barrister, also asserts the same in hisHISTORICAL VIEW OF THE STATE OF IRELAND,"
1803, in which, when noticing the bloody affair in

"

ponderous

printed in
"
Island Magee, he says,
the truth of the fact is supported on
"
the high authority of Lord Clarendon ;
thus taking the

advantage of the falsehoods of the pamphlet of R. S., for his

Lord Clarendon says
lordship's work states the very reverse.
"
the rebellion began on a
the
sudden, upon
23d day of October,
1641, without the least pretence of quarrel or hostility, so much
"
and that within the space
as apprehended by the Protestants ;
of ten days from the breaking out of the rebellion, the Roman
"

had

Catholics

massacred

an

increditable

number

of

Protestants."

Dr. Milner, an English Roman Catholic Prelate, has also

"
the same erroneous statement, in his
INQUIRY," published

made

Lord Clarendon as his authority; although, in

lordship's work is a complete refutation of his
A still later work, by an Irish Roman Catholic,

in 1803, giving
reality, his

assertions.

contains similar information; he gravely tells his readers, that,

he will not disgust them with an account of that atrocious

down

the terrible vengeance inflicted by the

sanguinary enemies. This is saying pretty plainly
that the Protestants were the aggressors.

massacre, nor set

Irish

on

their

"

REMONparticularly worthy of remark, that the

STRANCE," of the Roman Catholics, presented to the King's
Commissioners at Trim, in March, 1642, takes no notice of any
It

is

murders committed in Island Magee; nor

of them in the

"

HUMBLE APOLOGY "

is

of the

any mention made

Roman

Catholics

to his Majesty, for their taking up arms ; nor yet in the second
"
REMONSTRANCE," presented to the king. From their silence
this head, we may fairly infer, that had their accounts of
the massacre been true, as to time and numbers, it would have

on

formed a chief
but in them all.

feature,

not only in one of these documents,

It is not a little remarkable that Protestant writers should"

have inadvertently fallen into a portion of the same error, as
to numbers, and have ascribed this massacre to the fanaticism
of the Scotch Puritan soldiers, when it appears from several
historical documents, that no Scotch troops arrived at Carrick"
l
LIFE OF THE
Carte, in his
fergus till the following April.
1

Duke

Thurloe's Statt Papers.

of

Ormond.

Cox's History of Ireland.

Carte's Life of the

46

DUKE OF ORMOND,"

mentions the massacre as committed by the

garrison of Carrickfergus, but speaks with uncertainty as to the

main

"

Dr. Leland, in his

HISTORY OF
dispute.
IRELAND," says that thirty families were massacred, but states
it to have been committed
early in January, 1642, "when the
points

followers

of

in

O'Neill

had almost exhausted

their

barbarous

Since the time that Leland wrote the minor Protestant

malice."

appear to have contented themselves with merely

quoting from one or the other of those authors.
Some years after the suppression of the rebellion of 1641-2,
this massacre, among other matters, attracted the notice of
government, and about 1650, an inquiry concerning it took
historians

place.

Bryan Magee, son of Owen, whose family was among

the chief sufferers, deposed, that about the 8th of January, 1641

(1642, according to our present calculation), he was living in

father's house in Island Magee, when nine of the family

his

were murdered by twenty persons, reputed Scotchmen, and their

goods carried off by them. That on the same day, in the house
of his next neighbour, Daniel Magee, the same Scotchmen (as
one who escaped told him,) killed Daniel, and ten other persons;

and that they

all

retired to Carrickfergus with prisoners

that Colonel Hill not being in the garrison, the

them out of the gate, and killed three of them.

but

Scotchmen took

Elizabeth Gormally, deposed seeing Bryan Boye Magee, son

of the Magees, followed by drummers of the garrison of Carrickfergus, on the Monday after the great murder, committed about
the end of December, and after the breaking out of the rebellion.

Finlay O'Donnell, deposed that

country,

that

the

chief

actors

in

it

was the report of the

this horrid business

were

Scotchmen,* who came from

the neighbourhood of Ballymena.

Another deponent also stated the same report, with the name of
the leader of the murderers, who it is said was from Ballymena.

Some of

the deponents also gave the sirnames of several of

the assassins, with the weapons used by them ; and relate that
one of the ruffians stabbing at a female with a dagger, killed
an infant in her arms.

The deposition of James Mitchel, of Island Magee, a

Dissenter, corresponds exactly, as to the time of the massacre,
1
by stating that it was in the afternoon of Sunday, 8th January.
*

In some parishes of the County Antrim, the people still distingiish the
by the terms of Scotch and Irish.
MSS. Trinity College, Dublin, lettered, "County Ai trim."

different religious persuasions

1

47

While we must all deplore this horrid deed, we must also

reprobate that malignant spirit which even yet continues to
advance such gross exaggerations, which we think is sufficiently
apparent, even from the general population of the parish at
In 1599, Fynes Moryson states, that the Island of
Magee was desolate; and between that time and 1641, there was

that period.

tranquility, Tyrone's rebellion having rendered the greater

of
Ulster literally a desert.
part
By the returns of the census
of 1819, Island Magee then only contained 1,931 inhabitants;
little

and by that of 1821, 2,300 persons, probably eighteen or twenty

times the number of people at the period of the massacre; and
we see that some of them were Dissenters, and that a number
of

Roman

Catholics were preserved.

Before taking leave of this subject, it may not be amiss to

remark how easily 30 could be altered to 3,000, the number in
the pamphlet of R. S. ; in which pamphlet the small peninsula
"
of Island Magee is called a territory," & word generally understood to signify a large tract of country, rather than a mere
stripe,

without either hamlet or village.

Judging, therefore, by

the depositions of the survivors, the probability is that thirty

individuals were not under the number who suffered. *
Froude and Reid also emphasise the following points
I. That only
most lost their lives on the occasion referred to. Froude's
2. That the raid was made in January, 1641-2.
i., p. 117.
Ibid, i., p. 117.
3 That the Scotch Presbyterian soldier- were not in CarrickReid's History of the Presbyterian Church
fergus until the following April.
[

~*

thirty people at the

English in Ireland,

in Ireland, vol

i.,

p.

328, note.]

CHAPTER

V.

2d,f two thousand five hundred Scottish

under
the command of General Robert Munroe,
auxiliary troops,
landed at Carrickfergus ; and, agreeable to previous stipulations,
the town and castle were delivered to their charge. 1
On the
27th of the same month, General Monroe marched with a
considerable body of those troops for Malone ; and on the
following day he was joined by the united forces of Lord
Con way and Colonel Arthur Chichester, consisting of [Link] foot,
and 5 troop of horse. Proceeding to Lisburn, they were met at
that place by 800 foot, and 2 troops of cavalry, under the
orders of Lords Clandeboy and Ards ; and dividing their forces,

1642,

April

Munroe advanced with 1,600 foot, and 5 troops of horse, to

the pass of Kilwarlin, where he defeated the forces of Lord
Iveagh, amounting to 2,500 foot, and 60 horse, 150 of whom
were slain. After this encounter, Munroe again united his forces,
and on the 3oth reached Loughbrickland, where he took an
and killed 60 rebels. 2 May 3d, he advanced towards
Xewry, near which town he was for a short time opposed by

island,

a body of insurgents,

wood ; and

whom

he defeated at the entrance of a

"

put 60 men, 1 8 women, and

a garrison of 300 men,
and
there
;
leaving
under Lieutenant Colonel Sinclair, on the 6th he proceeded to
Armagh. The city was then held by Sir Phelim O'Neill, who
aware of the approach of Munroe, evacuated the place, having
previously massacred a considerable number of Protestants, and
set fire to the city and its venerable cathedral. 3
On the yth he
set out on his return to Carrickfergus, and passing into the
County of Down, he ravaged the country of Lord Iveagh, and
entering Newry, he

2 priests to death

"

the Dufferin, or Mac Cartan's country, taking 4,000 cattle, with

other plunder, which were to have been equally divided among

Cox says April I5th.

Thurloe's State Papers.
MS. Cox's History of Ireland.
3
Life of the Rev. John Levingston.
Warner's History of the Irish
Rebellion.
Carle's Life of the Duke of Ormond.
|
1

49
the different portions of the army on their arrival at CarrickBut the night before this division was to have taken
fergus.
place, Munroe shipped all off to Scotland, to the great discontent
of the other corps who had served with him, and who, in
l
consequence, never after liked to serve under his command.

On the 1 6th June, Munroe being strengthened by the forces

of Sir John Clotworthy, made another plundering excursion,
with a force of 3,450 foot, and 5 troops of horse.
Proceeding
northward he burned Glenarm, and drove off the cattle from the
country, and in his progress was met by the Earl of Argyle's
from Rathlin, which island, they had taken from
2
and compelled him to retreat over the river Bann.
Visiting the Earl of Antrim, at his castle of Dunluce, he was
entertained by him with great hospitality; the earl offering his
Yet on a signal
services to maintain the peace of the country.
regiment

Collkitto,

"

on pretence that
Munroe' s followers made the earl prisoner,
some of his tenants were in the rebellion, but in reality to gratify
the passion of a great man in Scotland, and his own service."
He also plundered his castle, and seized his estates, not permitting
his agent to receive any rents, though repeatedly ordered to
that effect

by the king and

Irish parliament.

Sending the earl

prisoner to Carrickfergus, he placed Argyle's regiment in his

castle, and remained in that neighbourhood inactive for several

weeks, while his army suffered so

some of the soldiers returned

that

much
home

for want of provisions,

in

a state of mutiny

4
;

Irish are described as being so distressed from the same

"
5
that
cause,
they eat their own dead." This dreadful calamity

and the

pestilential fever, which swept away vast

numbers, 2,500 persons being said to have died of this pestilence,
6
in Carrickfergus alone, in four months.

was followed by a

July ioth,* in this year the

Scottish forces,
1

of

first

here, consisting of five ministers

met

Presbytery held in Ireland

who had arrived with the

on the previous April, and four ruling elders.t

Warner's History of the Irish Rebellion.

Carte's Life of the

Duke

Ormond.
2
3

Cox's History of Ireland. MS. Warner's History of the Irish Rebellion.

Carte's Life of the Duke of Ormond.

MS.

Adair's

Cox's History of Ireland.

A MS. quoted in " HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS relative to the

Ibid.

OF BELFAST," printed 1817.

[* M'Skimin follows Kirkpatrick

TOWN

in giving ioth July.

Reid and Latimer
follow Adair in giving ioth June.]
MS. in the Armagh Library, says 20 elders, and 4 deacons.
t

names were Rev.

Their

regiment
Peebles,

Hugh Cunningham,

of

Glencairn's

Rev. John Baird, Campbell's regiment ; Rev. Thomas

Eglinton's regiment ; Rev. James Simpson, Sinclair's

regiment ; John Scott, John Aird, and three others whose names
are not given.
Mr. Baird preached from Psalm 51, last verse;
a

moderator was appointed, and Mr.

Soon

Peebles chosen clerk. 1

Presbytery, at the request of the different

parishes, sent out ministers to the following places, giving them
"
a right of Tithes" in their respective stations;! Ballymena,
after,

Antrim,

this

Carncastle,

Templepatrick,

Larne,

Belfast,

Carrick-

Ballywalter. Portaferry, Xewtownards, Donaghadee,

At the same time
Killileagh, Comber, Holywood, and Bangor.
"
divers ministers and others, who had taken the Black oath,\
and been instrumental in ensnaring others," on being sent for
"
sinful defection,"
by the Presbytery, came and owned their
and made similar declarations in their parishes, on which they
were received into communion. 2
August 4th, the same year. Alexander Lesley, Earl of
fergus.

Leven, commander in chief of the Scotch auxiliary forces, landed

remainder of these troops ;
on which

at Carrickfergus with the

he and Munroe soon after

the river

Bann

set out for Derry, and in crossing

they had a smart skirmish with the Irish, under

Donnell Geulagh O'Cahan.

They penetrated into
after
a
returned
their former quarters ;
and
short
to
Tyrone,
stay
and the Earl of Leven soon after sailed for Scotland. 3 About
this time the country was so completely exhausted by the
plunderings of the Scottish army, that their forces were obliged
General

Adair's MS.
t This was no more than, merely, reinstating them, for so early as the
reign of James I. they joined both churches and tithes without their using the
church liturgy, "with the same privilege as the rest of the Established Clergy."
Lelantfs History of Ireland, Vol. II.
1

This was an oath against the Covenant, that had been imposed on the
Presbyterians by Earl Strafford. [See Reid, vol. I, p. 247.]
2
Adair's MS.
The Scottish soldiers then serving in Ireland consisted of 16 regiments,
who were mostly raised in the southern counties, and on their enlistment each
Scalding. The
private was promised eight shillings (Scots Money,) per day.
Earl of Leven's, Earl of Lothian's, Col.
names of these regiments were
Sir Duncan Campbell's, of Auchinbreck, Isle of Slait, Col. James Montgomery's, Earl of Cassillis', Lord Sinclair's, Earl of Lindsay's, Col. Lander's,
Lord Lowden's, Earl of Eglinton's, Col. Dalzell's, Laird of Lare's, Col.
Hume's, Marquis of Argyle's, General Robert Munroe's, and Lord Glencairn's.
[The date of the erection of the first session in Belfast is 1644.]
:

Spalding.

D. Cur. Hib. Vol.

II.

to be supplied with provisions from home.

In the latter end
of December, the Earl of Antrim, who had been confined six
months in the castle of Carrickfergus, effected his escape into
1

England.
"Having obtained the General's pass for a sick
man. two of his servants carried him on a bed, as sick, to the
shore, and got him boated for Carlisle, whence he went to
York."

Early in the spring Munroe began to muster his

and about the beginning of May he
moved from Carrickfergus with 2.000 foot, and 300 horse, and
making forced marches chiefly by night, he arrived unobserved
by the enemy in the vicinity of Charlemont, when he was
1643.

forces for active service,

discovered by the Irish General Owen Roe O'Neill, who was out
On this discovery a smart action took place between
hunting.

the Scots and O'Neill's guards, and that active officer effecting
his retreat into Charlemont, and Munroe having no artillery to
besiege the fortress, burned Loughgall, and returned here soon
after.

In the

latter

end of May. the Earl of Antrim, returning to

Ireland, from a conference with the

Queen at York, arrived in

of Man, off Newcastle, county of Down,
and sent his servant on shore to learn if a landing could be
effected with safety.
Munroe, having received a message from
a

smack from the

Isle

the parliament that the earl might be expected to land in that

quarter, was at Newcastle at this time, and made the servant

prisoner ; who being threatened with instant death, discovered

the private signal between him and his master, which being made,
On his
the earl came on shore, and was immediately secured.

person were found papers respecting his intention of sending

troops to Scotland, to assist Montrose; on this discovery, the
earl with his servant was transmitted to their former quarters in
the castle of Carrickfergus,
Wallace, a decided Puritan.

and given

The

in charge to

servant,

named

Captain

Stewart, was

soon after tried for assisting in the former escape of his master

from hence, found

In

Armagh,
1

2
3
4

July.
in

guilty,

and executed.

Munroe made another excursion by

night

into

hopes of surprising O'Neill, who from the smallness

Carte's Life of the

Baillie's Letters.
Carte's Life of the
Carte's Life of the

Duke

of

Ormond.

Duke of Ormond
Duke of Ormond.

Letter from General Robert Munroe.

Carte's Letters.

Spalding.

5-'

of his army was unable to oppose him in the field, and who
being thus harassed by a superior force, left a garrrison in
Charlemont, and retired with about 1,600 men into the County
of Longford. 1

About the end of October, the Earl of Antrim, having found

means to seduce a Lieutenant Gordon, attached to one of the
Scotch regiments, then in this garrison, again effected his escape,
letting himself down by ropes over the walls of the castle.
A servant of Lord Chichester conveyed him on foot to Charle-

by

mont, where he was well received by Owen Roe O'Neill ; from

thence he proceeded to Kilkenny, where he was offered a
command by the Supreme Council, which he then declined ; and
setting out for England, on the i6th December, he joined the
king at Oxford, where in January following he was created
2
Lieutenant George P. Gordon, formerly
Marquis of Antrim.
mentioned, was soon after married to the Earl's sister, Rose

M'Donnell
a love

was therefore probably connected with

This Gordon was a brother to the Earl of

his escape

affair.

Sutherland.

February 2oth, four regiments of the Scottish

embarked on their return home. The remaining
corps suffering much from want of maintenance, a meeting of
their officers was held at Carrickfergus in March, to concert
measures for their immediate departure to Scotland. At the time
of their deliberations, four Scotch ministers arrived from the
General Assembly, to preach about the country ; and at a
Presbytery held here on the first of April, they communicated
a letter from the said Assembly to the ministers of the army,
directing them immediately to administer the sacrament to the
4
On the same day, a vessel arrived at our quay with a
troops.
charitable contribution of provisions, sent by the inhabitants of
1644.

auxiliary troops

Zealand, for the use of the distressed Protestant inhabitants ;

but the cargo was seized by Munroe, for his army, and the
5 *
people left to their starving fate.
1

Desiderata Cur.
Spalding.

I lib. Vol. II.

Carte's Life of the

Duke

of

Ormond.

Douglass's Peerage.

Carte's Life of the Duke of Ormond.

Adairs MS.
Carte's Life of the Duke of Ormond.
[*At this time the Committee of the House of Commons ordered
^30,000 to be shipped by the 3oth April, 1644, from hence to Carrick10,000 to be paid to
fergus, for the use of the Scottish army.
John Campbell, Commissary of the Scotch Army, or in his absence to
Major-General Munro, for the use of the said army, and that the
4
'

53

Agreeably to the instructions of the General Assembly, on

the 4th April the troops were assembled in the church of St.
Nicholas, and the sacrament administered to them by the Rev.

John Weir, and taken by all except Major Dalzell.

Many
persons of the town and neighbourhood also attended, renounced
Soon after, Messrs.
the black oath, and took the covenant.
Adair and Weir visited Braidisland, Belfast, Antrim, Ballymena,
l
Coleraine,
Billy, Dunluce, and Derry, preaching and adminis2
tering the covenant.
On these events being known in Dublin, on the i5th April,
the government issued a proclamation forbidding the taking of

the covenant, a copy of which was sent to the Mayor of Carrickfergus, and to all colonels of the army, ordering them not longer
From the influence
to delay publishing their order to that effect.

of the Scottish army here at that period, this order was not then
* was
afterwards
complied with ; for which neglect the mayor
the Irish House of Lords, and fined. 3
on
the
morning of the i4th May, General Munroe
Early
inarched from Carrickfergus for Belfast, which he entered
without opposition, the North gate being opened to him on his

summoned before

approach, by the serjeant of the guard who had it in charge.

Belfast, at the time of this surprise, was held by Colonel Arthur
Chichester, and in it were then met the principal Protestant
officers

serving in Ulster,

who were

deliberating whether they

Lord Admiral (Warwick) do nominate some fit person to accompany

.10,000 to be sent to the Scottish army in Ireland. It is referred
to the Committee of the Goldsmiths' Hall to reward John Davis for
See
"his pains and travels to Carrickfergus to see it safely delivered.
Calendar of State Papers, pp. 80, 201, 230, 566.]
1
The first person in Coleraine who took the covenant, was the Rev.
the

Vesy, minister of that parish, who acknowledged the sinfulness of the

''
and the cursed course of conformity," in which he was followed
black oath,
Though Vesy at this time exby the mayor and many of the inhabitants.
pressed great contrition for his former conformity, yet he soon after began to
sow dissention among the Presbyterians, by the erection of a Presbytery in
the Rootc, in opposition to that of Carrickfergus, which at that period managed
the affairs of the Presbyterians in Ireland.
Defeated in this project, in 1645
he and some others equally disaffected, accused the Presbytery to the Parlia"of bringing in a foreign jurisdiction against the
mentary Commissioners,
"
laws of Ireland
but after an inquiry held this charge was dismissed as false
and frivolous, on which he was for some time suspended from the ministry.
In 1660, he again conformed to the tenets of the Episcopal church, was maHe
chaplain to the Irish House of Lords, and died Archbishop of Tuain.

Thomas

AdaiSs MS.
3

Ware's Bishops.

MS.
[*Roger Lyndon was

[See note in Appendix.]

Adair's

mayor at this time, and he was obliged

lo dive security that he would see the Covenant burnt.l
3
Carte's Life of the Duke of Ormond. Journals of the Irish House of Lords.
the

54

would act under Munroe, in his new commission just received

from the English parliament, appointing him chief commander
Astonished
of the English and Scotch forces in the province.
at the conduct of Munroe, the officers immediately waited on

He replied
him, to learn the cause of his surprising the town.
that Colonel Chichester had not only forbid the taking of the
covenant, but also published a proclamation to that effect, in
who had taken

w'hich all

the

he had refused to admit

same were declared

Scottish

soldiers

into

traitors

his

that

garrison,

He
where he deemed it necessary to place his countrymen.
concluded by ordering the immediate departure of all troops
from the town, except those who had arrived with him that
on which Colonel Chichester, with his family, and
;

morning
some of

men, set out for Dublin.

Munroe, having thus secured Belfast, marched with four
regiments for Lisburn ; but Sir Theo. Jones, governor of that
town, was so well prepared against surprise, that he was obliged
his

to return to Belfast without effecting his purpose ; where leaving

in command, he retired to his headquarters at
Colonel

Hume

Carrickfergus.1645. In the spring of this year, a division of the Scottish

troops amounting to 1.400 men, returned to their native country,
to assist in opposing the Marquis of Montrose, whose surprising

seemed about to overwhelm the interest of

A few weeks after, these men were

victories at this time

the Covenanters in Scotland.

cut to pieces by Montrose, at Straden. near Aberdeen, on which

Munroe was called home with the remaining corps, but he

continued in his quarters, inflicting on the miserable inhabitants

"
the most notorious extortions and oppressions ever laid upon a
3

people."

The Marquis of Argyle arrived here with orders

1646.
from the Scottish Parliament, recalling their forces from this
kingdom

which order,

however,

appears to have been only

partially carried into execution, Munroe still retaining possession

of the principal garrisons in the counties of Down and Antrim. 4

About

November,

considerable

reinforcement

of

English

troops arrived in the bay of Carrickfergus. under the direction

of British parliamentary commissioners ; but the Scotch, being
1

'-'

'''

Carte's Life of the

Carte's Life of the
Carte's Life of the

Duke of Ormond.
Duke of Ormond.
Duke of Ormond.

Douglass's Scotch Peerage.

Carte's Letters.
Borlaise's Irish Reliellion.

55

on the eve of relinquishing the cause of the English parliament,

and embracing that of the king, refused to permit them to
land*
1648. In June, Sir John Macdougal, Sir William Coghran,
and [Alexander] Crawford, Scottish commissioners, came over to

hasten the return of their troops, to aid the cause of his Majesty
(Charles I.) by an invasion of England; and soon after,

General Sir George Munroe, with 1.200 horse and 2,100 foot,
embarked for Scotland. - These proceedings gave great offence

kingdom, who hated the

and were resolved he should have no assistance unless he

to the rigid Presbyterians in the latter

king,

subscribed the covenant.

On

this

force landing, the ministers

and exhorted the people

railed against them from their pulpits,

not to give them the smallest assistance

great excesses.
They
under the Duke of

the soldiers being thus

;
without proper quarters, were guilty of
at length joined the other Scottish troops
Hamilton, at Kendal, and on the i8th

August were defeated

at Preston,

exasperated, and

left

effected his retreat to Stirling,

was entered

by Oliver Cromwell. Munroe

where on the 8th October a treaty

which it was agreed that his army should

Detested on account of their former excesses, and

into, in

be disbanded.

had been engaged, they made their way

Glasgow and Ayr they were beaten and

the cause in which they

to Ireland,

and

at

3
plundered by the inhabitants.
While these events were passing in Britain, the affairs of
the Scottish auxiliaries still remaining in Ireland, were equally

unfortunate.
Those persons who still adhered to the interests
of the Commonwealth, were highly exasperated at the perfidious
conduct of the Scotch, in sending their troops, paid by the

Government in Ireland, to fight against the English Parliament ;

and those who remained here, being now discontented, and few
in number, plans w ere formed to wrest from them such places
as they yet retained in Ulster, the chief of which was Carrick3
To obtain possession of this place was now a matter
fergus.
of considerable interest to the Commonwealth ; and general
Robert Munroe having offended major Knox. captain Brice
Coghran, and some other officers of Glencairn's regiment then in
r

Carte's Life of the Duke of Orniond.

Memoirs of the Dukes of Hamilton.
Hume's History of England.
Memoirs of the
Thurloe's Slate Papers.
4
Cox's History of Ireland.
Montgomery's MSS.
1

2
:!

Dukes

of

Hamilton.

S6
garrison, they, fearing he would join Sir George Munroe then
on his way from Scotland with his disbanded troops, mutually

agreed to betray the town to General Monk then at Lisburn. In

consequence of their information, on the night of the i3th
Sir Robert Adair with a troop of horse was
from
Lisburn on this special service.* Taking an
despatched

September,

unfrequented tract across the mountains, he arrived at the

North gate about daylight, which having been purposely
left
and surprised
open, he entered without opposition

Munroe in his bed, who was soon after sent

1
The English parliament were so
prisoner to England.
well pleased with the conduct of Monk, that on the 4th October
General

him governor of this garrison, and

^500.* About the latter end of
December, General Sir George Munroe landed in the northern
part of the County of Antrim, and soon after attached himself
to the party of the Duke of Ormond, who still espoused the
following, they appointed
also presented him with

2
royal cause.

1649. Early in this year we find Carrickfergus garrisoned

the
by
Parliamentary forces, commanded by Major Edmond
Ellis.
About the latter end of June, Sir George Munroe, by
the direction of the

Duke

of Ormond, appeared before the town

with a body of Irish troops.

Though there could be no doubt
of his hostile intentions, the Presbytery then met here, sent out
a message to learn if he would take the Covenant, t he replied,
"

The Devil
'

Robert being a Scotchman entered on this service with great

and the Presbytery afterwards refused to admit him to their
though an elder, until he explained that he had been compelled to

Sir

reluctance

sittings,
Adair'' s
act.
1

take the Covenant and you too/' which answer amply

MS.
MS.

Cox's History of Ireland.

Adair's MS.
Charnock's Biographia Navalis.
Adair's

[*They also directed all the ministers in London and ^'estminstcr

"
thanks to (iod on next Lord's Day for this great
mercy of
surprising the said garrison, and taking the Scots prisoners." Com.
to return

Journals, Vol.

6,

37-41-]

The first was the National

[fThere were three Scottish Covenants
Covenant, 1581 it was simply an abjuration of popery and an engagement to
1638 The National Covenant was renewed
support the protestant religion.
with an added bond by which the subscribers bound themselves to adhere to
the true religion, and labour to recover the purity and liberty of the Gospel as
formerly professed and established before certain innovations had been introThose who signed this
duced.
1643 The Solemn League and Covenant.
;

document pledged themselves to maintain the Reformed religion, to "extirpate

Popery and Prelacy, to preserve the liberties of the kingdom, and to lead holy
lives personally."

Latimer's History, p. 93.]

57

On the 29th June, the

design against the place.
wrote
to
in Belfast, accusing
the
Lord
of
then
Ards,
Presbytery
him as the origin of all their evils. They also reminded him that

testified his

he had formerly been forward to renew the Covenant, and had

also promised to do nothing without their approbation and advice
"
Who could have believed that your Lordship would
they add,

have avowed a Commission from the King, when he yet refuses

as much as his Father, to secure Religion, but follows wicked
counsel, and so avowedly to violate that Article of your Declaration ; or that you would own a wicked association of Irish Papists,

and under cover of strengthening, should have betrayed

that

We

garrison of Belfast.
ship (though the Lord

must be faithful in warning your lordknows what heaviness it is to us,) that

the Lord will reward you if you repent not for such a betraying
of the faithful servants of God, who would have plucked out
their eyes for you, and the Lord will visit your famalie with
sudden ruin, and irrepairable desolation, for that you have been

so grand an instrument to destroy the work of God here. We

exhort your lordship, in the name of the living God, to whom
you must give an account, in haste to forsake that infamous and
in, and adhere to your former profession,
the calamities that will ensue will be laid to your

ungodly course you are

otherwayes
score.

all

The Lord himselfe and

all

the faithful will set themselves

against you, and we will testifie of your unfaithfulnesse to ihe

World so long as the Lord shall give us strength." His lordship,
in his answer, dated Belfast, June 3oth, says that he is not the

author of the distractions in the country, and that he wished to

secure the garrisons of the north from Sir George Munroe, and
to advance religion according to the Covenant. The Presbytery,

dated from Carrickfergus, July 2d. declare, that

were
aware
of the connexion between his lordship and
they
fully
"
Munroe, who lyes before this garrison to destroy it," that they
could not perceive how he was for the good of religion and the
in their answer,

Covenant, and that they would

"

denounce judgment

"

upon him

the Lord perswade your heart to return." 1

On the following day his lordship, with a body of troops, joined
Sir George Munroe before this town, and the garrison being now

and

his party,

"till

closely pressed without any hopes of relief, surrendered on the

4th July, on honourable terms.
Immediately after, all persons

were ordered to give up their arms on pain of being plundered

1

Montgomery's MSS.

The Complaint

of the Bovtefev.

and the

soldiers,

who had

just surrendered,

were solicited to join

his service. 1

On

the settlement of those affairs regarding the troops, his

Lordship was joined by the Lagan forces, and proceeded to

Londonderry, to which place he laid siege ; but on the 8th August
'

he was obliged to raise the same by Owen Roe O'Neill 2

November 2d, the above year, colonel Thomas Dallyel r
governor, agreed to surrender the town and castle, by the i3th

December, to the parliamentary forces of Sir Charles Coote and

Robert Variables, even before the foot of the latter came up. 3
1
For the ariicle of capitulation, see the detached
Montgomery's MSS.
papers at the end of this book.
2
Cox's History of Ireland.
3
Articles agreed upon between the Ri^ht Hon. Sir Charles Coote,
knight and baronet, iord president of Connaught, and Colonel Robert
Venablcs on the one part, and Colonel Thomas Dallyel, the governor
of the town and Castle of Carrickfcrgus, on the other part, for the
surrender of said town and castle, November 2, 1649.
I. That the said Colonel Dallyel, shall and will surrender into the handsof the said Colonel Venables, or any other of the chief commanders of the
parliament forces, the town and castle of Carrickfergus, and that the artillery,
except such as shall be spent before the surrender of the same, shall be
delivered up as aforesaid, and the surrender is to be made six weeks after the
signing of these articles, being the I3th day of Deceml>er next ensuing by
twelve of the clock.
II. It shall be lawful for the said governor, with the rest of his officers
and soldiers to march out of the town with flying colours, drums beating, and
all the marks of honour whatsoever, and that no soldier of what nation soever,
though he had been formerly in the enemy's service, shall be questioned by
any cause or pretext whatsoever.
III. That the governor, with all officers and souldiers under his command, without exception, shall have free liberty to march out with their wives
children and seivanls, horses, arms, bag and baggage, or any other their

goods whatsoever, into any place or garrison, now kept for their parly, and
that there be a safe and free conduct for this effect.
IV. That all officers and soldiers resolving to go out of this kingdom
shall have free passage and shipping for their transportation.
V. That all officers and soldiers resolving to live in the country, shall
peaceably enjoy their own, without being troubled with any cost, or any
other extraordinary burthen for one whole year, and afterwards they shall
enjoy them as the other inhabitants of the country do.
VI. That no officers or souldiers shall be arrested in his person, or goods^
for any thing taking by them in garrison, since the last taking of the town
before
and that all claim by way of debt, to any of the inhabitants of the
town, shall be void for one whole year.
VII. That the prisoners taken at Coleraine, shall suffer no danger in their
person, but be capable of being ransomed or exchanged according to the
usual custom.
VIII. That a cessation may be, that no hostility be committed by either
;

party, until the performance of these articles ; and if any quarrels do happen
l>etwixt private persons, it is not to be interperated a breach of these articles,
but it is to he judged and punished by an equal number of officers on both sides.
IX. That after the signing of these articles it shall be lawful for
the governor, to send lieutenant colonel Munroe to Sir George Munroe*

59

Venables was immediately appointed governor by Sir Charles

Coote; and, on the 6th December, defeated Munroe near
Lisburn.

major general to the army under the command of the Marquiss of

Ormond, to go and come, and not to be interrupted by any of the
parliaments party, but is to have a pass, if desired, throughout the
quarters.

X. That what provision of victual no\v

in

the

castle,

that

was

taken from any of the inhabitants, shall be delivered to the true

owners.
XI. That the frigate in the harbour shall be delivered to the true
owners.
XII. That the officers and soldiers shall be permitted to carry with
them, twenty days provisions for their march.
XIII. The straitest and nearest way to Cloghwaghter, or any
party or army the governor shall think fit, and that horses be provided
for carrying said provisions, and the officer's and soldiers baggage.
XIV. That they of the garrison shall neither fortify, demolish, or
destroy in and about the same, or take any forces, horses or foot, or
any victuals, arms, ammunition or warlike provisions, or in ways join
in acts of hostility, unless they be assaulted by the garrison, before
the day appointed for the delivery of them up
and in the mean time
there is no act of hostility to be done to the said garrison, or any
belonging them, by the forces of the parliament by sea or land.
XV. That the day before the surrender of the garrison, the countryshall be ordered to pay unto all officers six weeks pay, according as
they usually received, and the soldiers a months, as they received,
and that in the mean time none of the said garrison shall entermeddle
with, or molest any person, residing within tho same.
XVI. That before the surrender of the garrison, a feild officer shall
be given on each side.
XVII. That the hostages given on the behalf of the besiegers, shall
be sent to Charlemont or Enniskillen, and there to remain until our
safe arrival at Cloghwater, or at any other place according to these
articles, at which time he is to return safe hack with the convoy of
horse, whereupon both hostages are to be delivered bark.
Lastly, all these articles are to be truly and really observed by both
parties, provided always that if in the mean time such an army or
party shall march into these quarters to the relief of said garrison
as shall overpower the said party besieging, and thereby become
masters of the feild in these quarters of the country, then these articles
In confirmation
shall be void, and the garrison in its former condition.
and ratification of all which, to be truly and really performed, on both
parts, we have hereunto interchangeably set our hands and seals, this
2d day of November, 1640.
Signed and sealed,
;

DALLYEL.

Cox's Historv of Ireland.

Borlase's

Irish

Rebellion.

CHAPTER

VI.

This year the Presbyterian ministers of the counties

Antrim, displayed considerable opposition to the
Commonwealth of England, by their preaching and praying in
1650.

of

Down and

favour of the royal cause. To deter them from the like practices,
they were summoned, in May, before colonel Venables, on which
some of them fled, or kept out of the way; but those who
appeared,

boldly

declared

their

attachment

to

king,

lords,

and commons, as the only legal authority. They were then made
prisoners, and those of the former county confined at Belfast,
the

latter

at

Carrickfergus.

Same

year,

George

Sexton,

formerly quarter master general to the Irish army commanded

by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Clogher, and who had been
taken prisoner by Sir Charles Coote, at Letterkenny, was executed
here. 2

In March this year a council of war was held at

Carrickfergus by the officers of the parliamentary forces, who
passed an act of banishment against the Presbyterian ministers ;
on which many fled to Scotland, but some remained in secret
1651.

about the country.

This act declared that the chief cause was

their keeping alive the interest of the king among the people,
and representing those in power as traitors and breakers of the

Covenant, z

The ministers and gentlement of the Presbyterian

1653.
church of Ireland were assembled here, being summoned before
the Commissioners of the Rump colonels Venables, Barrow,
1

Presbyterian Loyalty.
Desiderata Curiosa Hibernica.

A Sample

of Jet Black Prelatic

Calumny.

['Nearly 70 Presbyterian ministers were then ejected from their livings in

Ten were imprisoned in Carrickfergus Castle, and seven were conUlster.
The ministers confined in Carrickfergus were
fined in Curlingford Castle.
Thomas Hall, Lame: William Keyes, Belfast; John Douglas, Broughshane ;
Robert Hamilton, Killead James Cunningham, Antrim; John Couthart,
Drumal ; John Shaw, Ahoghill ; James Shaw, Carnmoney; Hugh Wilson,
Castlereagh ; and Robert Hogsyeard, Ballyrashane. Besides these there were
Latimer's
Andrew Wike (Baptist) and Timothy Taylor (Independent.)
-,

"History of the Irish Presbyterians," p. 138.]

[tFor a list of the gentlemen to be transported from Carrickfergus.
Broadisland, Islandmagee, &c., see Reid's History o/ the Presbyterian
Church, Vol. 2, app. 5.]

6i

and majors Morgan and Allan. The cause of

summoning was to get them to take, instead of the oaths of
allegiance and supremacy, an oath called the Engagement, by

Jones, and Hill,

this

which they were to abjure king, lords, and commons.

When
assembled, they loyally refused to take the oath, and declared
that the then ruling government was a usurpation
upon which
:

the

commissioners

formed a design of transporting them to

Munster, and had a ship lying

off for that

purpose

but accounts

Cromwell having dissolved the Rump, the design was

arriving of

abandoned.

Among

those gentlemen

who

refused to take the

was Arthur Upton, esq., ancestor to Lord Templeton. 1

About 1662, some Quakers settled at Crossgreen, near
Carrickfergus ; and in the following year, we find a remarkable

oath,

instance of their being persecuted here, in the case of Miles

Grey, who was taken up and cast into prison by Colonel
Charles Meredith, for exhorting in the street. On the following

day he was banished from the town, and beaten by George

2
Spring, gaoler, as he drove him thence.
In April, the garrison, consisting of four com1666.
soon
panies of foot, mutinied for want of their pay, but were
It is likely, however, that their grievances were not
redressed; for the mutiny again broke out with greater violence
on the 22d of the following month.
Choosing one Corporal

quelled.

Presbyterian Loyalty.

Lodge's Peerage.

that of England in
[In 1661, the parliament of Ireland followed
and in passing an act for
restoring the former government and worship,
in every
burning the Solemn League and Covenant, the magistrates
in the Kingplace being directors and witnesses. The only magistrate
dom who hesitated to burn the Covenant was Captain John Dalway,
Mayor of Carrickfergus. On the agth July, 1661, he was brought on
his knees to the Bar of the House of Lords and fined .100 for not
but on producing a certificate that
the Covenant to be burned

causing
he had duly complied with the order of Parliament, the fine was to be
Lords'
remitted, and he was discharged on payment of his fees.
Journals, Vol. i, 273.]
2
was intended
it
Rutty 's Persecutions of the Quakers In 1680,
and a transferred
to build a Quaker meeting-house at Crossgreen
a buryingfor
lease of ten perches of ground, for this purpose, and
and John Woods, to John
ground, was obtained from Robert Hoop
The witnesses to this lease were, William
Handcock and others.
Mathias Calvart, and William Porter.
Patrick Agnew,
Pickin,
ceased to meet
However, no meeting-house was built and the Quakers
here about 1684, having fallen into disrepute from the improper
conduct of some of their members, particularly one Ralph Sharpley.
The patch of ground alluded to, served for some time as a burymgon the bank of a small rivulet, near
It
the above sect.
;

<round

to

'Prospect

lay

it

was enclosed with a hedge, and long known

Quakers' burying ground.

as

the

6J
Dillon for their commander,
they prepared for defending themThey drew out a list of their grievances, inviting other

selves.

garrisons to join them, and sent a copy to the earl of Donegal),

then in the town; upon which he waited on them, and did

them to order, but without effect. On the

same month, the earl of Arran, son to the duke of
Ormond, arrived at Carrickfergus in the Dartmouth frigate,
with four companies of foot guards; and on the zyth, his

his utmost to bring

25th

In the
grace of Ormond arrived with ten troops of horse.
evening, a general assault was made on the town, the earl of
Arran attacking it by sea, and Sir William Flowers by land ;

on which

the mutineers retreated into the castle, with the loss

of Dillon, their commander, and two others.

The assailants
had two killed and six wounded. Same evening, the earl of
Donegall and the mayor effected their escape from the town
and so many of the mutineers deserted, that their number nas
reduced to 120 men. On the next day, they hung out a white
flag, and desired to capitulate; and on the earl's assurance of
;

safety,

one Proctor and another mutineer were

castle wall, to treat

to

let

down

of terms; but the earl refusing to

short of unconditional
submission,

any proposal
returned into the castle.

the

listen

they

The

mutineers, however, although they

provisions, surrendered at discretion the

had still a month's

same day, about 2 o'clock.

On
executed,

the 3oth.
and the

o persons were tried, nine of whom were

sent to Dublin, whence they were
companies to which they belonged were also
1

others

The
transported.
reduced.
Two companies of the guards being left in garrison,
his grace returned to Dublin, on which the House of Commons
appointed a deputation of their body to wait on him with their
1
The corporation received
thanks for suppressing this mutiny.
the thanks of government for their loyalty on this occasion,
and gave a splendid entertainment to the earl of Arran and
;

company of militia being raised for the

defence of Carrickfergus, the mayor for the time being yvas
2
For the letter of his appointment,
appointed to the command.
in the following July, a

see Appendix. Xo. IX.

In the MSS. of Henry Gill, esq..

we

find

1 Cox's
History of Ireland. Carte's Life of the
Journals of the Irish House of Commons.
2 Records of
Carrickfergus.

some additional
Duke

of

Ormond.

and

interesting particulars of this mutiny, from which it

appears that the above soldiers had been treated with the most
cruel neglect; having been
kept without pay upwards of three

months, and the inhabitants having long refused to credit them.

For some time prior to the mutiny,
they had existed wholly
on such fish as they could find on the shore, and even sea
plants, which they boiled.
Just before proceeding to extremes,
they waited on Hugh Smyth, treasurer of this
and
corporation,

humbly requested two

shillings

and

six

pence for each man;

but he refusing any aid, they proceeded as

just related.
nine men being ordered for execution, the common

On

the

hangman
that "he

refused to do his office, and left the town,

declaring
would rather be hanged himself, than hang men who had been
so badly treated."
However, James Spring, an inhabitant of
the town, performed this hateful office, on being
promised, bySir William Flowers,
$ for each man; not one farthing of
which he ever received.
Mr. Gill adds, that had this mean

wretch possessed the humanity of the common hangman, ?.he

men would have been saved; as a reprieve came for all, a few
hours after they were executed.

This summer, the regular army being all drawn to

1670.
an encampment on the Curragh of Kildare, the town and castle
of Carrickfergus were garrisoned by the militia company of
1

this

Anthony Horsman, mayor, commanding.

1688.
About the beginning of March, a number of
protestant noblemen and gentlemen assembled at Hillsborough,
the chief of whom was lord Blaney.
At this meeting they
"
formed a design against Carrickfergus," then held by those
place,

attached to king James ; but it failed through treachery. 2

records of Carrickfergus of the above year contain
"
Decemb r the 2d being Sunday 1688,
following notice.

The
the

The

Lord Eveagh and two other Captains entered this Towne with
3 Companies of new raysed foote unarmed, and then parte
resceaved armes, and had the Castle delivered unto them
George Talbot Capt." of
and next day the Said Capt."
r
Patrick Barnwall, Capt." Newgent, and
Talbot, Capt." S.
"
Shurlock, marched towards Dublin with their ComCapt
(according

to

order),

Granadeers, then

by

panies."
1

Records of Carrickfergus.

Memoires

of

Capt."

Governor;

Ireland.

64
In January, a plan was formed by the protestants1689.
of Belfast and neighbourhood, to surprise this town and castle,
then held by the Roman catholic troops, commanded by the
earl of Antrim.
This design was intended to have been effected

by 150 protestant soldiers, of Sir Thomas Newcombe's regiment,

advancing to Carrickfergus, pretending they had been sent toassist in garrisoning the town; and, when admitted, to seize
the gates, and receive the other protestants.
When about to be
it was laid aside
by the timidity of some
on
which
the
soldiers
who had embarked in
;
the above scheme deserted. This, with some other circumstances
that transpired about the same time, gave such an alarm to the
adherents of James, that they evacuated Belfast.
Another
plan was soon after laid by the protestants, to obtain possession
of this garrison, with no better success.
On the night of the
2ist February, same year, 1000 men* marched from Belfast,
commanded by Colonel Bermingham, but the stratagem by which
they had hoped to gain possession, failing, a cessation of arms
was agreed upon between the parties. Soon after, the protestant
forces in the adjacent country, overpowered by those of the
3
opposite army, either dispersed or removed to Colerain.
On the 1 5th of the following April, colonel Mark Talbot
marched hence with part of the troops in garrison, and being
joined by other detachments, the whole amounting to near

carried into execution,

of

their leaders

5000 men, proceeded to the Ards against captain Henry

Hunter, who had collected an irregular force of the peasantry,
amounting to near 3000 men, to oppose the plunderings of the
catholic troops, under col. Bryan Magennis and col. Francis
Hunter, having no intelligence of the enemy's motions,
"
and the Irish
was surprised near Comlir (perhaps Comber) ;
himself
Hunter
at
the
come
to
cou'd
all
Sword,"
put
they
3
the
isle
Man.
to
of
escaping

Wahup.

Faithful History of the Northern Transactions.

Mark Talbot, Lieutenanttheir arrival at Carrickfergus,
Colonel to the Earl of Antrim, desired to know the meaning of their
" He was told that
they came to demand the place for the
coming.
Prince of Orange, to check the insolencies and robberies of the
soldiers, and to put the town and castle, and the stores contained in
them, under the command of a protestant Governor." Harris's Life of
King William, Vol. 2, p. 233.]
2 A Faithful
Mackenzie's
History of the Northern Transactions.
Narrative of the Siege of Derry
1

[*On

Memoires

of

Ireland.

65

Tuesday August

i3th,

the

same

year,

duke Schomberg*

arrived in the bay, with a fleet of about 90 vessels, having on

board near 10,000 men, and same evening began to disembark

The army remained

Groomsport, near Bangor.
the
their
during
night, upon
arms; and the
"
to
following day the duke sent forward a party of 250 men,
see what posture the enemy were in about Belfast."
At the
same time the Irish troops in Carrickfergus burned the suburbs

his troops at

in

the

field

"

apprehending a siege."
Thomas Maxwell, governor of Carrickfergus for
king James, on hearing the duke was coming to besiege the

of the town,
Colonel

giving his charge to col. Mac Carty

More, whose regiment, and that of Cormac O'Neill, he left for
its defence.
The duke took possession of Belfast, from which
garrison, left the town,

the

enemy had

retired

towards Lisburn.

On

the

2oth, five
"

and
regiments of foot were sent to besiege Carrickfergus ;
next day seven more went, who almost surrounded it," and
3
began to cast entrenchments, and plant cannon and mortars.
The following journal of this siege is copied from a work
entitled "An Impartial History of the Wars of Ireland,"
written by George Story, an eye-witness.

"The Town

desired

a Parley, and sent out Lieutenant

Propositions in Writing; He presented them

very submissively, and the Duke went into a Tent to read them ;
but when he found they desired time to send to the late King

Gibbons,

with

for Succours, or leave to surrender, he sent the Paper out, and

ordered the Lieutenant to be gone, and then their Cannon plaid
directly at the

Tent where he left the Duke, doing some Damage

Duke was gone abroad. Our cannon were

thereabouts, but the

[*The same day, Duke Schomberg writes a letter to King William,

and describes the departure of the troops from Hoylake, and their

He said, " The enemy has a

in the Bay of Carrickfergus.
loss in their
tolerably large force of cavalry, but they have suffered
battle of which
infantry : that of Enniskillen having been killed in a
Rouck (Rooke)
your Majesty will learn by way of Scotland. Captain
whom I met in Ireland, told me he had sent an account of it to the
Duke of Hamilton. I believe your Majesty will approve of strict order
taken that the soldiers do not pillage as they desire to do. The
arrival

being

'

presbiinhabitants are all protestants (' gens de la religion ') mostly

"Is glad to learn that the cavalry
teriens'; there are few papists."
has given the King
regiment, composed of French refugee officers,
Calendar of State Papers, 1689-90, p. 220.]
satisfaction."
1
Ireland.
Story's Impartial History of the Wars of
2

Memoirs

Story's Impartial History of the

of

James

II.

Wars

of Ireland.

66
as ready as theirs, for we begun to play upon my
gall's House in the Town, on which the Enemy

Lord Donehad planted

two Guns which disturbed our camp. Before next morning our
men drew their Trenches several Paces nearer the Wall, which
occasioned very warm firing on both sides all Night; We lost
some men, and had two Officers wounded ; and a Drummer,
that made his escape over the Wall, gave the Duke an Account
that there were about thirty killed in the Town that Night.
Thursday the 22d was employed in running the Trenches
nearer, the Mortars and Cannon still playing upon the Town,
and upon the Half-moon, that was to the Right of the Castle.
This Day came a Fleet of about Fifty Sail into the Lough,
which brought over four Regiments of Foot, and one of Horse.
The day and night were spent in smart firing, four Regiments
of Foot mounting the Trenches.
Friday the 23d, the Besieged desired another Parley, and
would have marched out with Bag and Baggage, Drums
beating, and Colours flying, &c. ; But the Duke would allow
no other Terms, but to make them Prisoners of War. During
this Parley, the Duke visited all the Trenches, and observed
the Walls of the Castle, and a poor Dutchman was shot from
the Walls, making his Returns to Reproaches against the Prince
of Orange, our King, saying, That their King was a Tinker
he was not nimble
King, he had nothing but Brass Money
enough at getting off when the Parley was over, and so lost
:

his

Life for his Jests sake.

After

this the

Duke gave

orders

Engineers and Gunners to go on as vigorously as

Before we had only two Batteries, one in the Windpossible.
mill Hill (with Mortars,) before the castle, Westward ; the other
for the

of four Guns against the North-gate. The Duke then ordered

a very large Mortar to be placed under the Walls, upon a New
Battery, near the Lord Donegalls House (with two Small Guns)
which did great Execution: This Night was spent in continual

and small Shot, and next morning the Town was

over smothered with Dust and Smoak occasioned by the

firing of great
all

Bombs; Collonel Richards was carried to Belfast, being

wounded in the Trenches the Night before; and there was one
Mr. Spring that made his escape out of the Town, who told
That all the Soldiers lay continually on the Walls,

the Duke,

Bombs only plagued the Protestants in Town as

Mackarty Moor, and Owen Mackarty, were the only

so that the
also that

6?

two

that hindered the

resolved, if

we stormed

Town
the

to be surrendred; and that

they
to retire all to the Castle, in

Town,

order to which they had laid in great store of Corn, Beef, Salt,
and other Provisions proportionable. He gave also an account,
that they were straitned for Ammunition, having
only at first
30 or 32 Barrels of Powder, with other things suitable. This
Afternoon several of them were observed to be buisy on the
top of the Castle; it was believed at first they were planting

Guns

there, but we understood afterwards, that they were

pulling off the Lead to make Bullets.
Sunday the 25th, The Siege continued, and the Breaches

were made wider, particularly one a little to the East of the

North-gate, and yet the Irish were very industerius in making

what we beat down in the day.

Next morning our Guns plaid furiously, and the Breach
(notwithstanding all their cunning) was increased; which the
Irish seeing, and fearing that our men would enter, they found
out this stratagem, (viz.) They got a great number of Cattle,
and drove them all as near the top of the Breach as they could
force them to go, keeping themselves close behind them; and
this served in some measure to secure the Breach; for several
of the Cattle were killed by our shot, and as they fell, the
Irish threw Earth, Stones and Wood upon them; but this they
thought would not hold long, and so they desired another
Parley, which the Duke would not hear of, but ordered the
mortars and Cannon to play without ceasing, and the Men of
War had orders to play their Guns from the sea upon the
Castle, which so terrified the Irish, that at Six a Clock next
morning, they put out their white Flag again, and sent their
Proposals to the Duke, which at length he agreed to, having
more business before him, and the Season of the Year
beginning to alter. He gave them leave therefore to march out
with their Arms, and some baggage, and they were to be

up

at Night,

conducted with a Guard to the next Irish Garrison, which then

was Newry."

Articles of Agreement between Frederick Duke of Schomberg.

General of Their Majesties' Forces, and Col. Charles Mackarty
Moore, Governor of Carrickfergus, August 27, 1689.
I. That the Garrison shall march out with flying Colours, Arms,
to-morrow by Ten a Clock.
lighted Matches, and their own Baggage,
1
II. That in regard the Garrison are in such Disorders, none
admitted into the Town, but such a Guard as we think fit to send to
1

68
"

When firing ceased on both sides, several of our Officers

went into the Town, and were treated by the Irish with Wine
and other things in the Castle, and the Articles were scarce
agreed
the

to,

Camp;

Mackarty Moor was in the Duke's Kitchen, in

which the Duke smiled at, and did not invite him

till

; Saying, if he had staid like a Soldier with his men,

he would have sent to him; but if he would go and eat with

to

Dinner

Servants in a Kitchen, let him be doing.

We took possession of the Stores, the Irish had but one
Barrel of
into the

Powder

left,

Sea to save

On Wednesday
Irish

marched

out,

tho some say they threw several more

their Credit.

the 28th of August, about Ten o'Clock, the

Sir William Russel, a Captain in

and had

Collonel Coy's Regiment, with a Party of Horse, appointed

for their Guard; but the Countrey people were so inveterate
against them (remembering how they had served them some
days before) that they stript most part of the Women, and

forced a great many Arms from the Men; and took it very ill
the Duke did not order them all to be put to Death,
But he knew better things ; and
notwithstanding the Articles

that

of the Gates,
which shall immediately be delivered to us,
according to the Custom of War.
III. That the Garrison shall march out to-morrow by Ten a
Clock, and be conducted by a Squadron of Horse to the nearest
Garrison of the Enemy and there shall be no crowding nor confusion
when they march out.
IV. That nothing be carried out of the Town, which belongs to
the Protestants, or other Inhabitants.
V. That the Governor obliges himself to deliver all Cannon, and
other sort of Arms, Munition, Victuals of any kind, into the hands of
such a Commissary as shall be ordered by us to receive them to-morrow

one

morning.
VI. That

if there
be any thing due from the Garrison to the
Inhabitants of the Protestant Religion, it shall be paid; and what has
been taken from them shall be restored.
VII. That a safe Conduct for all the Inhabitants of the Countrey,
and such of the Roman Catholic Clergy that came for shelter to this
Garrison, shall be allowed, that they go to their respective habitations,
together with their Goods, and there be protected, pursuant to King
William's Declaration, bearing date the 22d of February last past.
VIII. That care shall be taken of the sick and wounded men of
the Garrison that cannot go along with their Regiments
and that
when they are in a condition to follow the rest, they shall have our
Pass.
;

SCHOMBERG.
'The London

Gazette, No. 2582, informs us that at the time of

this surrender, there were only 14 pieces of cannon mounted, no
ammunition, 250 barrels of oats, 315 stone of wool, but no provisions.
Wool was formerly used to cover soldiers from the effect of small arms.

69

so rude were the Irish Scots, that the

in

among them, with

Duke was

his Pistol in his hand, to

forced to ride

keep the Irish

from being murdered. The poor Irish were forced to

fly to
the Soldiers for protection, else the
Country people would have
certainly used them most severely; so angry were they one at
another, tho they live all in a Countrey. However, this was laid
at the General's Door,

by the great Officers in the Irish Army,

That he had lost his Honour, by engaging
in so ill a Cause.
The Governor of the Town was Mackarty
Moor, but Owen Mackarty had a great Ascendant over both
him and the Garrison. The Garrison consisted of two Regi-

and they would

say,

ments of Foot, lusty strong Fellows, but ill clad, and to give
their due they did not behave themselves ill in that
Seige.

them

They had about One Hundred and Fifty killed and wounded
in Town, and we had near that number killed, and about
Sixty
wounded."

Leaving Sir Henry Inglesby's regiment in garrison here,

army marched for Belfast on the 28th, and the heavy
artillery was shipped for Carlingford.

the

From a very rare pamphlet entitled "A Journal of what

passed in the North of Ireland," the following is another
account of the siege:
"The garrison no sooner saw our fleet
than they burned the suburbs, and seized the Protestants in that
place,

made

defence.

fast the gates, and put themselves in a posture of

in the afternoon on Tuesday, August

About three

1 3th, the General with part of the fleet that was with him put
into Groomsport, and that evening landed all the soldiers, and
forthwith sent parties to Killileagh, Hillsborough, Lisnagarvey,
and Belfast, in which places they found not one papist to resist

This night the General, with the

them.

rest

encamped near

Bangor.

Wednesday, i4th, early in the morning his Grace decamped

encamped there until the remainder of the fleet
came, which was not until the ipth, and then they landed their
men at Belfast, where having refreshed themselves, on the 2oth
they marched towards Carrickfergus, eight miles the general
at the same time ordering the men of war, which were seven or
as they saw the
ight. to draw up before the town, and as soon
army by land come before it to play on it with their cannon

to Belfast, and

Story's Impartial History of the

Wars

of Ireland.

accordingly they began at six in the afternoon, and continued

firing until the enemy had raised their batteries one upon the

East and another on the North side of the town, where a vast
number of horses and other cattle, all of which fell into the

an encouragement to go further.
Captain George of Lord Lisburn's regiment

soldiers hands, as

courage and bravery fetched

with

great

off

very great booty.

The batteries being finished, the cannon and mortars began
to play that night, and continued playing until next morning,

when the general for want of a trumpet, sent in the morning

a drum into the town, to demand a surrender upon discretion,
which they refused to do otherwise than with bag and baggage,
drums beating, trumpets sounding, and colours flying, and a
convey to conduct them safe to their own party.
The parley was no sooner over than there came into the
camp 500 horse from Enniskillen, some without boots and
pistols ; others with pistols, but without carabines ; some with
one pistol and a carabine, without sword; others without all.
The general himself until twelve at night, was marching
and
down in person, giving necessary orders, and going over
up
the batteries, and no more concerned at the enemies' bullets
humming and whissing about his ears, than if it had been music
of peace.
I saw myself several of the enemies' ball to fall
close to him, and go over into the trenches.
I stood all night in the camp, to please my eyes and ears
with the sight and noise of our bombs and cannon, and small
shot, which played continually on the town, like incessant
showers of hail, with which they beat down the gate on the
north side of the town, and great part of the wall adjoining,
and much of the half-moon by the castle ; and a drummer and

who stole out said it killed their principal gunner, by

dismantling a piece of cannon upon him when he was leveling
at our battery, on the half-moon.
About five next morning,
I returned to Belfast, and found that a Protestant may already
others

and without any danger, march through the whole

province of Ulster, without a staff in his hand, not a papist
being anywhere to be found in it except about 2,000, who are
safely

to the

fled

Red Glen*

or Glenarrif,

between the mountains.

Red-Bay, or Glenariff, the place where the Irish halted for the
night after their leaving Carrickfergus, is still pointed out on the
banks of the Six-mile-water, Ballyboley.
first

about 20 miles north of this place, for fear of being despoiled

by the Protestants (who they had so served already); they have
few arms except Pikes and Skeans. To our great surprise and

no

less joy,

we found

of provisions.
army, but it

We
is

the country full of corn, and all manner

have no certain account of the enemies'

confidently

reported

that

they

are

now

at

Lurgan-Race, and have made from thence to Newry.

The

country

all

hereabouts offer their service as one

man

to the general, to go against the enemy, as yet but here and

there a man has been accepted.
On the afternoon of the 23rd the garrison sent out an
officer

with an order of surrender, upon the terms offered them,

so, otherwise than upon discretion,

but the general refused to do

and that unless they sent out

all

the Protestants safe and well,

he would put every papist to the sword, he should take, this

they also rejected, and the cannon and bombs, have played all
night, and this morning as I am writing hereof I saw the town
on fire, so that by the next you may here of its surrender." l

Our records of this date contain the following additional

information respecting this siege:
"When King William's Army under General Schomberg
invested this Towne (being possessed by the Irish) the 2oth of
August, 1689, I was upon the first appearance of the army
committed Prisoner in the Vault next to the mayn Guard, and
next day was committed to the common Gaole, into which I

had this Book, and the Towne Chest, (wherein all the Records,
Deeds & Charters of the Towne were), brought into the Gaole,
where they remayned till the Towne was delivered the 2yth,
and the English entered: next day I delivered the Sword
the
(which was hid by my Serjant) to General Schomberg, in
markett place, whoe was pleased to restore it unto mee; and
I

continued

till

the 29th September, 1690.

RICHARD DOBBS, mayor."

1

M'Skimin's Appendix.

CHAPTER

VII.

1690, Saturday June i4th, about 4 o'clock afternoon,

* landed at this
king William
quay from the Mary yacht,
attended by prince George of Denmark, the duke of Ormond,
the earls of Oxford,

Mr.

Scarborough, and Manchester, the hon.

Boyle, and many persons of

distinction.

He

walked

"

part of the town," and, about half an hour after

landing, set off in Duke Schomberg's carriage to Belfast, near
which place he was met in state by the sovereign and burgesses.

through

The former presented a very loyal address to his majesty, in

name of the corporation, and other inhabitants, which his
2
Concerning
majesty received with much seeming satisfaction.

the

this

visit,

Adam

a Life written by himself,

great-great-grandfather, William Clarke, was an

Dr.

"My

in

Clarke,

says:
estated gentleman, of Grange, in the County of Antrim,
appointed in 1690, to receive the Prince of Orange,

and was

when he

He had received the principles of

Carrickfergus.
and
as
he
could
not uncover his head to any man,
George Fox,
before he came near to the Prince, he took off his hat and laid

came

to

on a stone by the way-side, and walked forward. When he

met the Prince, he accosted him thus,
William, thou art
I thank you, sir,' replied the
welcome to this Kingdom.'
Prince; and the interview was so satisfactory to the Prince
that he said, You are, sir, the best bred gentleman I have ever
met.'
His son John married Miss Horseman, of Carrick-

it

'

'

'

fergus.
[" *In the first week of June King William left Kensington, and
eight days afterwards he sailed from Hoylake, near Liverpool, under
the convoy of six men of war, commanded by Sir Cloudsley Shovel,
His Majesty being on board the yacht Mary, and the noblemen and
his landing
gentlemen composing his suit in the other vessels."
at Carrickfergus the King immediately mounted and rode on horseback
through the main street of the town, which was lined on both sides
with innumerable crowds of people, who bid his Majesty welcome with
continual shouts and acclamations." From a rare work entitled
"
Villare Hibernicum," 1690.]
*A large stone at the point of the quay is still called "King

"On

William's stone." from his having set his foot on it when landing.
2 Records of
Records of Belfast.
Carrickfergus.
'M'Skimin's Appendix.

73

The

1704,

Ormond arrived here, and was

Edward
This
Clements, mayor.
by
presented his grace, by the hands of Edward
duke

of

entertained

splendidly

corporation also

Lyndon, recorder, with the freedom of the

value

iS.

place, in a gold box,

March

1711.

Janet Mean, of Braid-island,

3ist,

Latimer,

Irish-quarter,

quarter,

Carrickfergus,

Carrickfergus,

Janet

Margaret Mitchel,

M'Calmond, Janet Listen,

alias

Seller,

Millar,

Kilroot,

Janet
Scotch-

Catharine

Elizabeth Seller, and

Janet Carson, the four last from Island Magee, were tried here,
Antrim court, for witchcraft. Their alleged
crime was tormenting a young woman called Mary Dunbar,
in the county of

about eighteen years of age, at the house of James Hattridge,

Island Magee, and at other places to which she was removed.

The

circumstances sworn on their

trial were as follow:

person being, in the month of February,
1711, in the house of James Hattridge,* Island Magee, (which
had been for some time believed to be haunted by evil spirits)

The

afflicted

found an apron in the parlour

floor, that

had been missing some

On the
time, tied with five strange knots, which she loosened.
following day she was suddenly seized with a violent pain in
her thigh, and afterwards fell into fits and ravings; and on
recovering, said she was tormented by several women, whose
dress and personal appearance she minutely described.
Shortly

and on recovering,
them
also.
The accused persons being brought from different parts
of the country, she appeared to suffer extreme fear, and
It was also
additional torture, as they approached the house.
after, she

was again

she accused

seized with the like

fits ;

women of tormenting

five other

her, describing

deposed, that strange noises, as of whistling, scratching, &c.

were heard in the house, and that a sulphureous smell was
observed in the rooms; that stones, turf, and the like, were

thrown about the house, and the

coverlets, &c. frequently taken

and made up in the shape of a corpse; and that

once walked out of the room into the kitchen, with a

off the beds,

a bolster
night

gown about

it

It

likewise appeared in evidence, that

some of her fits, three strong men were scarcely able to hold
her in the bed ; that at times she vomited feathers, cotton yarn,
in

Records of Carrickfergus.
[*The man whose house was supposed to be haunted by evil
was Mr. James Haltridge (not Hattridge), son of the Rev.
Haltridge, Presbyterian clergyman of Islandmagee.]

spirits

John

74

and buttons; and that on one occasion she slid off the
and was laid on the floor, as if supported and drawn by
an invisible power.
The afflicted person was unable to give
any evidence on the trial, being during that time dumb; but
had no violent fit during its continuance.
The evidence sworn upon this trial were, Rev.
Skevington, Rev. William Ogilvie, William Fenton, John
Smith, John Blair, James Blythe, William Hartley, Charles
pins,

bed,

Hugh Wilson, Hugh Donaldson, James

James Haltridge, Mrs. Haltridge, Rev. Patrick Adair,
Rev. James Cobham, Patrick Ferguson, James Edmonston, and
Lennon, John Wilson,
Hill,

Jamison.
In defence of the accused,

it
appeared that they were
mostly sober industrious people, who attended public worship,
could repeat the Lord's prayer, and had been known to pray

both in public and private; and that some of them had lately
received the communion.

Judge Upton charged the jury, and observed the regular

attendance of the accused on public worship ; remarking, that
he thought it improbable that real witches could so far retain
form of religion, as to frequent the religious worship of
God, both publicly and privately, which had been proved in
favour of the accused.
He concluded by giving his opinion,
"
that the jury could not bring them in guilty, upon the sole
He was
testimony of the afflicted person's visionary images."
followed by Justice Macartney, who differed from him in
"
and thought the jury might, from the evidence, bring
opinion,
them in guilty ; which they accordingly did."
This trial * lasted from six o'clock in the morning till two

the

afternoon; and the prisoners were sentenced to be

imprisoned twelve months, and to stand four times in the

in

the

l
pillory in Carrickfergus.
Tradition says, that the

people were much exasperated

against these unfortunate persons, who were severely pelted in
the pillory, with boiled eggs, cabbage stalks, and the like, by

which one of them had an eye beaten out.

For some time both before and

year,

Carrickfergus

after

the

last

noticed

appears to have been distracted by the

[*The Rev. William Tisdall, D.D., Vicar of Belfast, was present,

and an account of the trial, written by him, appeared in the "Hibernian
for January, 1775.]
Magazine,"
1

From

work

a rare manuscript lately published by the author of this

price 5d.

75

and

of

Whig
Tory; the former almost exclusively
dissenters, the latter chiefly belonging to the established church.
The violent tories were distinguished by the name of high-flyers;
factions

and

were

obedience

strenuous

and

advocates

for

the

doctrine

of

passive

as

promulgated by the noted

They openly accused the whigs of an intention to

Sacheverell.

non-resistance,

pull down the only true protestant church, and of a design to

subvert the constitution. 1
shall briefly notice a few of the

We

most remarkable incidents that took place here in connexion

with these bickerings of political and religious party.
About 1708, the repeal of the Test Act, by which the
dissenters laboured under several disabilities, became a favourite
object with that sect; and at a meeting of the quarter sessions
grand jury of this county, it was unanimously agreed to address
her majesty respecting its repeal. This address was afterwards
signed by three of the resident burgesses, and other inhabitants,
it
was
some of whom belonged to the episcopal church
:

presented to her Majesty by the earl of Pembroke, graciously

received, and published in the London Gazette of May 24,
2

i7o8.

Such a

distinction did not pass unnoticed

by the Tories

who immediately

industriously propagated, and afterwards

in
the
published
Flying Post for Sept. 30, 1708, and entered
in the records of the corporation, that the said address was

published without the knowledge of the corporation, and was

"
"
not the address
made at this Quarter Sessions ;
and, in a
"The
of
Conduct
entitled
about
this
time,
pamphlet published
it
was asserted, that the address was
Dissenters,"
"
clandestinely procured
by the Rev. Patrick Adair, dissenting
"
few of the
minister of Carrickfergus, and only signed by a
"
afterwards
were
which
falsehoods
publicly
Town-jury ;

the
"

contradicted in a paper signed by each juror.

1
These feuds were probably not a little owing to the conduct of
the established clergy of that time.
Bishop Burnet, in his History of
His Own Time, vo'l. 2, p. 315, says, that the greater part of the
"
Enemies to the Toleration, and soured against the
clergy were
Dissenters."

Presbyterian Loyalty.
'
3

Records of Carrickfergus.
Presby^
the jurors were, William M'Hendry,
James Watson, William Fairfoote, John Brown, William Bell, James
Irwin, David Morison, Josiah Hamilton, John Campbell, John Jackson,
terian

Conduct of the Dissenters.

Loyalty.

The names

of

James Morison, John Mathews, Daniel M'Kirk, William Jafrie. John

Macomb, the other juror, was dead at the time of signing this second
The burgesses who signed were, John Brown, James Irwin,
paper.
and David Hood. Presbyterian Loyalty.

76

About the same time another circumstance occurred,

that

gave room for a further display of party rancour.

The
government being apprehensive that the Pretender meditated
the invasion of some part of these
kingdoms, an array of the
militia of this place was ordered, in common with those of the
Soon after, the Rev. Edward Mathews,
county of Antrim.
curate of Carrickfergus, circulated a report, that the Rev.
Patrick Adair had left the town when the militia were about to
be sworn in, although requested to stay by the Mayor, who
dreaded a disturbance among the dissenters, on account of a
false report having gone abroad, that "they must all Swear to
be Churchmen."i
This statement, on the authority of Mr.
"

Mathews, also appeared in the pamphlet called The Conduct

"
of the Dissenters ;
but was immediately contradicted, not only
by Mr. Adair, but also by Richard Horseman, mayor, and
William Wilkinson, a respectable inhabitant. 2
These false
might be expected, led to some disagreeable incidents.
Mr. Mathews and Mr. Adair, meeting soon after at the south

reports, as

end of

had such warm words respecting the above

when the former is said to have

Essex-street,

statement, that blows ensued,

been overcome. 3
Tradition likewise

affirms,

summer of 1714.
force the Dissenters'

that in the

the tories went so far as to take

up by

Catechism, when exposed for sale in the market-place, and even

threatened to nail up their place of worship ; and that a
military officer, proceeding to put this threat into execution, fell
dead on Gravott's bridge, West-street.

The rancorous spirit of intolerance and persecution appears

to have been pretty generally abroad about this time.
On the
1 7th July, same year, the Grand Jury of the county of Antrim,
assembled

at

assize,

with other gentlemen and freeholders of

said county, prepared an address, to be presented to her Majesty

Queen Anne.

In

address they highly approved of the

strongly reprobated any secession from
the established church ; and declared their unshaken loyalty to
"
her
Sacred Majesty," in opposition to those who, as they said,

before-mentioned

this

test

THE PEOPLE."
to their Sovereign Lord
"
with the utmost
declaring that they would.
"
whom they
zeal and indignation pursue those factious spirits
would "transfer

it

They concluded by

2
3

The Conduct

of the

Dissenters.

Presbyterian Loyalty.
Tradition of old Inhabitants.

77
represented as endeavouring to undermine the throne. 1
Her
majesty died on the ist August following, and this address*
fell to the

ground.

The news of

her Majesty's decease was received here

by
those parties with very opposite sensations.
Some of the whigs
"
flew to the parish church, and began
a
ringing, on its bell,
"

while a party of the leading tories, who were at

merry peal ;
dinner in a Mrs. Young's, in High-street, are reported to have
been affected in a very different manner. 2
The death of the queen, the accession of the House of
Hanover, and the introduction of the whigs into power,

completely cooled, or at least silenced, the intemperate zeal of

the tories ; and from this time we learn no more of the excesses

of either faction
all

; the progressive growth of liberality banishing

such paltry distinctions. 3
In a manuscript of this date, written in Carrick1714.

fergus, we find the following memorandums: "1714, after a

mild winter such an excessive dry and hot summer followed, as
was not then in the memory of man. From early in May to

the

1 6th

July, not one drop of rain.

It

destroyed

all

the grass,

and occasioned an extreme scarcity of water for the cattle,

which farmers had often to drive several miles.
For want
of food and water the cattle mostly went dry, and many of
them died.
The harvest proved early but not plentiful,
especially in oats and summer barley, the latter entirely ruined."
It is added that butter was then selling in Belfast at
24. per
which

it is observed is
very dear.
In April, this year, Mathew Moiler, a dragoon, was
1715.
The circumstances
executed here for a robbery and assault.
were as follow. On the evening of the robbery, he had observed

ton,

a countryman receive some money for barley sold in this town ;

on which he waylaid him near Bridewell, knocked him down,
and abused him much, and took from him two pence halfpenny;
amongst others are signed the names of
Davies, and John Bashford, who probably
belonged to Carrickfergus.
[*This address with all the names of the supporters is printed in
the Belfast News-Letter for November soth, 1792.]
2
Tradition of old Inhabitants.
3
Customs often continue when the cause from which they
The fanaticism of Sacheverell gave rise
originated has long ceased.
to a new head-dress, which was worn by the ladies attached to the
Within our memory, several women here wore what was
tory faction.
was particularly distinguished by a
it
called the Sacheverell cap
little peak in front, formed by a large plait on each side.
1

MSS.

Henry

To

Magee,

this paper,

John

78

man having expended all save that sum. After sentence of

death was passed on him, he sold his body to W. A. Cunningham, surgeon, and lived well on the money while it lasted. He
was a very tall man; and as he walked out to execution, he
the

placed himself against the south side of the Irish-gate, and

requested one of the by-standers to mark his height, which was
done.
The mark remained there on a stone for many years,
a monument of his insensibility of mind, as well as the gigantic
1
stature of his body.

The

corporation protested strongly against Wood's

about
which a national outcry had been raised.
halfpence,*
"
He seems." say they, "the great Alchymist who has found out

1724,

"

the Secret of turning Copper into Gold ;

and they declare,
"
it is a shame
to enrich a single Stranger, who must build
2
his Fortune on the Ruins of an unfortunate People."

that

1732, April 25th, the duke of Dorset (lord lieutenant of

Ireland,) the dutchess of Dorset, lord Forbes, and Sir Molden
Lambert, landed at the Ranbuy, being driven into this lough by

a storm.

Dobbs,

During
esq.

their stay, they

sailed for Pargate.

1737,

lodged at the house of Arthur

They embarked on the 28th same month, and

3

Samuel and Richard Chaplin, merchants of

this

place, fitted out a ship, and commenced a very promising whale

fishery in the bay of Killybegs, and near St. John's point,
4
county Donegall.
They continued this fishery several years.

In the journals of the Irish House of Commons, of 1739, we

1

Records of Carrickfergus.

Tradition of old Inhabitants.

without a small copper coinage,
and as much inconvenience had arisen from the want of halfpence and
farthings, Walpole, as the head of the Treasury, had issued a patent
to William Wood, of Wolverhampton, who had extensive iron and

[*As Ireland had been

of

late

copper works, authorising him to coin ^90,000 in copper for circulation

A cry arose in Ireland against these coins. The profits
in Ireland.
of the undertaking were calculated to put ^40,000 into the pockets
It was asserted that they were
of the King and Duchess of Kendal.
so small and of such base metal that the ninety thousand would be
Both houses of the Irish Parliament
worth little more than nine.
which proved
presented to the King addresses on the subject,
"
Dean Swift, in five letters called the
Drapier Letters,"
unavailing.
inveighed in homely, powerful language against the evil results of the
Wood coinage. "As far as the true value of these halfpence," said
"
he,
any person may expect to get a quart of two-penny ale for thirtyIn the end the King found it prudent to cancel the
six of them."
patent to Wood, who received as compensation a grant of .3,000 a
year for twelve years.]
2
Records of Carrickfergus.
3
London Gentleman's Magazine.
Gill's MSS.
*
London Gentleman's Magazine. Tradition.

79
find the following notice:
"Resolved, that it
this Committee, that the sum of .500

of

is the Opinion
be granted to

Samuel Chaplin, to enable him to prosecute the

Discovery he has made of a Whale Fishery on the West Coast
of this Kingdom." Mr. Chaplin died about this time, and no
part of the above grant was ever received by his family.

Lieutenant

February 1738, the Belfast Xews-Letter of this date

records a very remarkable instance of what was then deemed
an exhorbitant price for provisions.
James Granger, dealer,
Scotch-quarter, having advanced the price of his oatmeal from
is. id. to is. 4d. the peck, or 18 Ib. ; the
people were so much
enraged that they dragged his effigy, as a mark of disgrace,
through the streets and lanes of the town.
On the evening of Dec. 26, a great frost com1739.

The frost
accompanied by a high piercing wind.
till the isth
February, and was afterwards called
the black frost, from the unusually dark appearance of the ice,
and because the sun seldom shone during its continuance. 1
The following particulars of the great frosts of 1684-5,
and 1739-40, are copied from the MSS. of Henry Gill, Esq.
"On the 26th of December, 1739, tne a ^ r sensibly altered, and
became cooler, with a fresh breeze of wind which encreased
every day, until the 29th of the same month, when it did blow
violently, as also the day after; and what was most extraordinary, that it froze most intensely during the time of the
high winds ; and the cold was so exquisite, that it was almost

menced,

continued

impossible to face it, or even to keep warm in the closest room,

Said frost continued without any
although with plenty of fire.
sensible thaw, until the i5th February following.
The oldest
man now living, does not remember so intense a frost, for the
frost that came on in the year 1684, on the i6th
December, and continued until the i7th of March following,
the air after a few days was mild, considering the vast quantity
of snow and frost; but during the continuance of the above
frost it continued extremely cold."
1741, a very cheap year,
wheat sold for 45. per cwt. and beef at id. per Ib.
1744. The autumn of this year was uncommonly wet and
cold, and much grain was spoiled in the fields, all over the
north of Ireland; from which this was called the rot year.
Provisions were scarce and dear the following spring, and a

great

Gill's

MSS.

Tradition.

8o
considerable mortality arose
1
quality of their food.

among

the cattle,

from the bad

In January, an additional company of militia was

of which Davys Wilson was captain.
In October, same year, an alarm prevailed, that the Pretender,
then in Scotland, intended to land a body of highlanders on
1745.

formed

at Carrickfergus,

the adjoining coast, as a diversion to prevent government from

sending troops out of Ireland against him.
Accordingly, on
the 28th of the month, this town and castle were garrisoned by
the militia of the place, and a

The

latter,

company of Belfast volunteers.

who had been armed, clothed and disciplined at

own

Linen yarn at this

expense, continued here ten days.
time sold so low as from 3d. to 4d. per hank. 2

their

1747.

About October, oatmeal sold here

at

43.

lod. per

cwt. of 112 Ibs.

apth, there happened an extraordinary high

Near the Water-gate it swept away the road, part of the
town wall, and several houses, and left the quay a heap of
I

75> January

tide.

ruins.

1750 April loth, nine men and one woman were lost near
In July, same
the White-house, by the over-setting of a boat.
year, vast quantities of herrings were taken off the Black-head.
1752.

October

12,

Richard

Taylor,

Andrew Granger,

Samuel M'Cullen, and Daniel Kirk, inhabitants of this place,

were killed at the castle, by the bursting of an old cannon ; the
gunner having wadded it with wet hay, to cause a loud report.
September 2d was rendered memorable by a
1756.
remarkably high wind, which did considerable damage to the
This caused a dearth
ripened grain, much being shaken off.
the following year, during which oatmeal sold at three shillings
and sixpence per 18 Ibs. and potatoes at two shillings per
bushel.
Both were scarce, and Barley meal was the general
food of the lower classes ; hence this was called the barley meal
summer. On the day of the above storm, the Patriot Club of
the county Antrim met in this town; Arthur Upton, Esq. one
of the representatives in Parliament for Carrickfergus, in the
chair.
Forty two members were present, and "A plan of
"
association was formed and subscribed."
declaring their
the
and
readiness to defend
Constitution," but at the same
King
1

2
1

Tradition of old Inhabitants.

MSS.
Record of Carrickfergus.

London Gentleman's Magazine.

Tradition

of

old

Inhabitants.

8i

time expressing their determination inflexibly to oppose " all

measures tending to infringe the sacred Right of the Pea-pie''
1760.
Thursday, February 21 st, about 10 o'clock A.M.,

commodore Thourot

arrived

in

this

Le Bland,

ships; Belleisle, 44 guns,

bay,
32,

with the following

and Terpsichore, 24;

and detaining two

1
fishing boats belonging to the Scotch quarter,
land
to
between
800
and
at
Kilroot point,
men,
proceeded
700
about two miles east of Carrickfergus.

As the men landed, they were formed into two divisions,

and immediately advanced by different routes to attack the
town ; the one crossing the fields towards the North-gate, and
the other by the Scotch-quarter, or Water-gate.
At this time the troops in garrison consisted of a detach-

ment

General

of

Strode's

regiment

(62d,

mostly

recruits)

commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Jennings who, on the first

report that the men who had landed were enemies, sent out a
Same time, some French prisoners
party to reconnoitre them.
who had been confined in the castle, were sent off to Belfast,
under an escort of 40 armed inhabitants, commanded by Mr.
;

James M'llwain.
About the same

period, Willoughby Chaplin, mayor,

waited on Colonel Jennings, to learn if he meant to defend the
He replied, that from the smallness of his force, and
place.

the ruinous state of the

castle,'

he deemed resistance rather

Mr. Chaplin said, that he must defend the

unnecessary.
garrison, or his conduct should be reported to government; on
which the Colonel retired into the castle, and made the best
disposition possible for

Hercules

and joined the

its

defence.

and a few other

Ellis,

Mr. Chaplin, Lieutenant

inhabitants, entered the castle,

military.

time the parties were warmly engaged in the

Scotch-quarter, and near the North-gate, which was for some
General Flobert, comtime defended from the town wall.

By

mander

this

in chief

of the enemy, being wounded in the

leg,

about

the centre of the Scotch-quarter, was carried into the house of

Mr. James Craig. This party entered by the Water-gate, and
after

some

firing in

High-street,

were joined in the Market-

John Steen, Wm. Cullogh, Wm.

Daniel Caughey, John Davison, and Henry Bishop.
2
There was a breach towards the sea of near 50 feet wide, and
Tradition of old Inhabitants.
not a cannon mounted.
3
As the enemy advanced in High-street, the follo%ving remarkable
circumstance took place, which we record, ns perhaps an unequalled
1

Fishers detained by Thourot

Scott,

82

by the division that had forced their way down Northofficer and several men.
street,
now
advanced
in the most determined manner to
They
assault the castle, and forced the upper gate, which had not

place,

with the loss of an

been

sufficiently

entrance.

They

secured
were,

by the troops

after

their

hurried

soon driven back with

however,

loss.

period of the action, the gallant officer who led the

advanced division, was slain ; * and the assailants were obliged

At

this

to take refuge under cover of the adjoining houses,

wall north of the castle.

Of

this cessation the

and an old

brave garrison were unable to take

any advantage, having expended nearly all their ammunition.

A parley was therefore beaten, and the garrison capitulated
upon honourable terms, stipulating that the town should not be
The capitulation* was signed by Colonel Jennings,
plundered.
and Colonel Dusulier, in the house of William Wilkinson,
M. Thourot was present on this occasion
he
High-street.
spoke English fluently, and was very polite, but appeared much
fatigued, and slept for a short time in the house of Mr. Jame
:

Cobham. 2

'

instance of heroism and humanity. The parties being engaged, and the
English retreating, Thomas Seeds, a child, son of John Seeds, Sheriff,
ran playfully between them which being observed by the French officer
who commanded the advanced division, he took up the child, ran with
it
which happened to be its father's, and
to the nearest door,
immediately returning, resumed his hostilities. Tradition of old
;

Inhabitants.
1
On the gate
It was he who took up the child, as just related.
being forced open, he was the first who entered; at which time he was
observed to kiss a miniature picture that he took from his bosom. He
fell between the gates.
He is said to have been of a noble family, by
name D'Esterees; and is described to have been a remarkably fine
In
a work
lately
looking man. Tradition of old Inhabitants.

"

NAVAL A\D MILITARY ANECDOTES/' he is called

published, entitled,
the Marquis De Scordeck, and said to have been a native of Switzerland.

[*In Part I. of Volume X. of the Ulster Journal of Archaeology

Dr. John S. Crone gives the Articles of Capitulation.
On May 5th, 1760, the Rev. John Wesley paid his third visit to
He accepted an invitation from Mr. Cobham, a
Carrickfergus.
merchant in the town, to stop at his house, where he had an
Here Wesley
opportunity of meeting Lieutenant General Cavaignac.
learned full particulars of the landing of the French, and wrote soon
"
neither hurt nor affronted man,
after that they, when in the town,
Wesley's
woman, nor child, nor did any mischief for mischief's sake."
Journal, Dent's Edition, Vol. 2, p. 507.
2
On this dav the mayor was invited to dinner by the French
after which, the glass having circulated pretty freely, Thourot
officers
requested Mr. Chaplin to sing a song who, after some intreaties "from
The
the different officers, complied, and sung, with much spirit,
;

The number of

who surrendered amounted to 10

10 corporals, 5 drummers, and 102 rank
and file. They had only two killed and three wounded. One
was killed on the half-moon; and from the wound being in
the back of his head, it was believed that he had been shot
accidentally, by some of those who fired from the top of the
ii

officers,

troops

Serjeants,

castle.

The enemy had about 50

officers;

killed,

among whom were

and about the same number wounded.

three

Their killed

were buried close by the castle, in the ground now occupied as

a garden by the ordnance storekeeper.
It is said that M. Thourot wished to land at White-house,
and surprise Belfast; but that the general objected, fearing to
be harassed by a garrison left in his rear.
On the first alarm of an enemy intending to attack the
town,

some

generally

timid

shut

people
their

up

fled;

doors

and those who remained,

and windows, and quietly

In the evening, guards were stationed on the

and sentinels placed on the
houses of some of the principal inhabitants, to prevent their
being plundered; yet many houses were broken into, and
l
and even the church
despoiled of their most valuable effects;

remained within.

different roads leading into town,

enemy were

mayor, was

its

plate.

intoxicated in houses,

fifty resolute

Friday.

During the night, so many of the

and about the streets, that
men could have made them all prisoners.

was robbed of

Early

morning, John Hagan, servant to the

Woodburn bridge. He had been

this

killed near lower

British Grenadiers." Thourot heard him out with perfect good nature;
but some of the officers, who understood English, were rather ruffled.
1
Two French soldiers going into the house of an old woman called
Mave Dempsey, one of them took her silk handkerchief, and was
when Mave, who was a pious Roman
putting it into his pocket
Catholic, presented her beads at him, doubtless expecting that he would
be struck with compunction by such a forcible appeal to his conscience.
" dat be
" Ah " said the
good for
soldier, with a significant shrug,
It was observed, that the
your soul dis be good for my body."
French soldiers never lost their national politeness. On one occasion,
in taking a lady's ear-rings, the soldier who requested to have them
made as many bows, scrapes, and motions with his hand, as one of
our most consummate dandies, on entering a drawing-room.
'On the 2ist of the following October, the Irish House of
Commons granted full compensation to the inhabitants for their losses
about ^600 of
by the French. The sum granted was ^4,285 12 o
which was afterwards returned to government. Among the items was
In June, the following year, an additional
17 for the church plate.
200 was paid to Mr. John Campbell, surgeon, for his losses.
journals of the Irish House of Commons. Parish Registry.
;

84

hiding his master's plate, when called on by a sentinel to stand ;

but hastening his pace, he was fired at and shot.
The few
casks of gunpowder remaining in the magazine were taken out
and staved in the outer yard of the castle.
soldier passing

in the act of smoking,

a spark blew from his pipe into the

powder, by which accident four or five of his comrades were

blown into the sea.

The town being inadequate to supply the enemy with the
David Fullerton, dissenting
provisions wanted, the Rev.
minister, and a French officer, were sent to Belfast on this day,
with a flag of truce, and a letter to the Sovereign of that town.
In this letter they demanded provisions to the amount of about
;i2oo, declaring, that if not immediately sent, they would
burn both Belfast and Carrickfergus. After some deliberation,
an answer was returned, that their wishes would be complied
with as soon as possible ; and a part of the provisions demanded
were shipped on board two lighters, but the weather being
rough, they could not sail that evening.

On this day the French liberated the greater part of the

The only
prisoners confined in the county of Antrim gaol.
person confined in the prison of the county of the town of
Carrickfergus, was a

woman, for

the murder of her bastard

whom

they would not liberate, expressing the utmost

detestation of the crime with which she stood charged.
child,

Saturday.

This morning, a flag of truce arrived from

Belfast, letting the French commander know the cause of delay,

and that the lighter would sail, if possible, with the evening
tide.

One of

the lighters accordingly sailed that evening, but

was stopped by a tender in Garmoyle. Some parties of very1

irregular militia, who had assembled at Belfast and Bellahill.
1
The following corps of militia had assembled at Bellahill, under
the care and direction of Robert Dahvay, esq. by whom both officers
and men were treated with great hospitality : Island Magee, Raloo,
Glynn, Templecoran, Kilroot, Bellahill, and liberties of Carrickfergus,

amounting to 200 men. These assembled on Friday they were mostly

armed, and commanded as follows
captain, Mariott Dalway, esq.
lieutenants, Rev. James Dunbar, Messrs. Patrick Allan and Edward
Hudson. Larne, 115 men, of lord Antrim's regiment; captain, Adam
lieutenants, Messrs. James Agnew and James Blair
Johnston, esq.
arrived on Friday.
Glenarm, 120 men, of lord Antrim's regiment
lieutenants, Messrs. John Mitchell and
captain, James Myres, esq.
arrived on Sunday,
William Higginson ensign, Rev. Thomas Reid
armed, and in uniform. Belfast News-Letter, 1760.
[Fifty-five men of the Carnmoney Volunteer Company, commanded
by Henry Langford Burleigh, were at Carrickfergus on the 25th of
Belfast News- Letter, March 28th, 1760.]
February, at Thourot's invasion.
;

being seen this day by the enemy's scouts some miles from the
town, created much alarm and late in the evening, the
not having arrived as expected, they
became
provisions
impatient

and exasperated,

and another

flag

of

truce

was

despatched to Belfast, with a letter from Mr. Fullerton to the

Sovereign, letting him know that if the provisions were not
sent down early next morning, they would burn Carrickfergus,
put the inhabitants to the sword, and march to Belfast.

These threats had the desired effect; for, early on Sunday

some cars arrived from Belfast, with part of the promised
provisions, and a number of live bullocks, with which arrived,
as drovers, some of the inhabitants who had guarded the
French prisoners to Belfast.
The lighter that had been
detained, also arrived about the same time, and the enemy were
very busy this evening in getting provisions and fresh water on
board.

Monday, they continued actively employed as above, and

evidently were in some confusion; it was believed they had
received notice of the troops marching against them.
Tuesday, the last of the French re-embarked

from our

about 4 P. M., carrying along with them Willoughby

Chaplin, mayor, George Spaight, port-surveyor, and the Rev.
quay,

David Fullerton. The latter gentleman, being much indisposed,

was afterwards put on shore at Kilroot; the others were on
board the Belleisle when taken on the following Thursday.
Both were treated by M. Thourot with the utmost politeness.
On the 2;th, the French ships lay still at their anchorage, the
wind blowing so hard from the N. W. as to prevent them
getting out of the bay.
They sailed about one o'clock on the
morning of the 28th, during a strong northerly wind;

at

time the lights of the English squadron, then bearing

the channel, could be discerned from the high lands

which

down
near

Donaghadee.
They had scarcely left the town, when the advanced guard
of the English forces arrived from Belfast, whither the
'The French forces consisted of volunteer draughts from regular
French
which draughts were commanded as follow
regiments
Guards, Le Comte De Kersalls, commandant, M. De Cavenac, colonel
Swiss Guards, Cassailas, commandant
Regiment of Burgundy, De
commandant
Roussilly,
Regiment of Camkise, Frechcan, commandant Hussars, Le Comte De Skerdeck, commandant Voluntaures
:

Estrangers,
2
Tradition.

Belfast

commandant.

News-Letter,

60.

86
following regiments had been marched, with all speed, from
of the kingdom
Pole's, Anstruther's, Sandford's,

different parts

and Seabright's foot;

and

Mostyn's,

and Whitley's

Yorke's

dragoons.

The French squadron was

28th,

off

Brilliant

the

of

Isle

frigates,

under

Commodore Thourot
hour and a half.

attacked and captured on the

by the yEolus, Pallas, and

Mann,

was

the

command of Captain

Elliott.

which lasted an
The French had nearly 300 killed and

wounded; the English, 3

killed in the action,

killed,

31 wounded.

M. Thourot was born in Boulogne. His paternal grandfather,

was a native of Ireland, and an officer in the army of
James II. With that monarch he fled to France, where he died. His
widow survived but a very short time, during which she gave birth to
a son, in Boulogne, who was left to the care of her family, and went
by their name of Thourot.
Remaining in Boulogne many years, he
became acquainted with one Farrell, an Irish smuggler, who claimed
His son (afterwards commodore Thourot), who
relationship with him.
was then about fifteen years of age, embarked with Farrell for
Limerick
but, stopping at the Isle of Mann, a dispute took place
between them, and young Thourot hired himself to a gentleman of
Anglesea. This person was an experienced smuggler, and had several
captain Farrell,

vessels in the trade, in one of which Thourot sometimes went.

Upon
one occasion, he was sent to Cariingford, where he remained almost
a year, to manage some business of importance.
At Cariingford he
and instead
acquired a tolerable knowledge of the English language
of returning to his master, set off for Dublin, with only a few shillings
in his pocket.
There he entered into the service of lord B
with
,
whom he lived nearly two years, under the name of Dauphine. He
next entered into the service of the earl of Antrim, and went with the
family to Glenarm, where, falling in with some smugglers, he soon
joined them, and made several trips between Ireland and Scotland.
Having acquired some money, he proceeded to Edinburgh, where he
became acquainted with a Mr.
and .was for some time master
of one of his sloops, called the Annie, which traded to London.
;

From

1752, he traded between England and France, and

Boulogne, where at last he was arrested as a smuggler.
Having remained for some time in prison at Dunkirk, he was transmitted to Paris, where he underwent an examination as to the most
means of checking the contraband trade. Through the
effectual
interest of M. Tallard, the son of his godmother, he not only obtained
his liberty, but also the command of a sloop of war
and in 1750,
chiefly

1748

till

to

knowledge of the channel, was selected to command the

squadron, which was captured as above. Annual Register, 1760.
M. Thourot's watch, a single cased gold one, was till lately in
the possession of a gentleman near Belfast, and keeping time accurately.
[Commodore Thurot was early killed in action. He was sewed
up in one of the silk velvet carpets of his cabin and cast into the sea.
On the ist March some bodies came to land between Eggnerness
and Barrowhead on the Galloway Coast. Thurot was known by his
He was buried with
uniform and by the initials on his body linen.
full military honours in the old Churchyard of Kirkmaden, Sir Wm.
British Battles by Land
Maxwell, of Montrcith, being chief mourner.
and Sea. ]
2
Captain Elliott's Despatch to the Lord Lieutenant.

owing

to his

89

On

the ist March, the Pallas frigate arrived in this bay,

at our quay part of the French prisoners* taken,

and landed
amounting

to

immediately

15
sent

following April.
to Cork.

officers,

to

The

and 216 private men.f

Belfast,

where they

They were

remained

till

the

other vessels proceeded with the prizes

Soon after, the garrison received the thanks of both houses

of parliament, for their gallant conduct on this occasion. On
the 1 2th March, the gentlemen of this town and neighbourhood
returned their public thanks to Colonel Jennings, and the officers

and soldiers under his command, for their decided bravery ;

and they also received the public thanks of the grand jury
of the county Antrim, at the lent assize following, for their
The
conduct ;
excellent
signed
James Leslie, foreman.
weavers' guild, Carrickfergus, returned their public thanks to
Lieutenant Benjamin Hall, for his personal bravery, and
presented him with the freedom of their guild, in an elegant
silver box.

1 6th.
William Martin, a soldier of the 2gth
been
was
to
have
executed in Carrickfergus this day,
regiment,
for the murder of Hugh M'Clugan, on the 2oth of the preceding

1763, April

October, in a quarrel at Belfast ; but the grenadier company to

which he belonged, then quartered in Belfast, resolved to effect
his liberation.
About one o'clock in the morning of the above
day, they entered this town

and proceeding to the

gaol, broke

open the dungeon doors with sledges, and took out said Martin,
and Robert M'Gulliaham, who was to have been executed same
In the adjoining cell was
day, for a burglary in Lisburn.
Sarah Dogherty, under the like sentence for poisoning John
M'Aravy, in Belfast. She was very clamorous to be released;
but on learning her crime, they refused any assistance, and

The prisoners released were

she was hanged next morning.
carried out of town, when their irons were struck off, and the
and confined
prisoners taken after Thurot's defeat,
See a pamphlet reprinted in
received very bad treatment.
the Ulster Journal of Archceology, Vol. X, Part III.]
a list of 25
[t The Belfast News-Letter of March 7th, 1760, gives
officers and 416 men who were landed at the quay.]
1
Tradition of old Inhabitants.
Belfast News-Letter,
1760.
a ballad was written and published here by a
[*

in

The French

Belfast,

Immediately after,
" in
" The
1764,
William Magennis, called
Siege of Carrickfergus
a play was published in Belfast, bearing the same title; and in 1770
of
name
the
a pantomime was presented on the Belfast stage, by
;

"

Thourot, or the Siege of Carrickfergus."

9o

None of
party returned to Belfast, as silently as they came.
the prisoners were retaken ; but seventeen of the soldiers soon
after deserted, to escape punishment for this rescue. 1
About the beginning of this year, the peaceable
of Carrickfergus, in common with those of the
surrounding country, were alarmed by the Hearts of Steel, an
armed body, who, under the specious pretext of redressing

1770.
inhabitants

grievances, such as the high rent of lands, had organised a very

extensive system of depredation ; burning houses, houghing

&c.

cattle,

They

also levied contributions for the support

of

by sending letters about the country, ordering

those to whom they were addressed to lay the sums therein
named at such and such places, on pain of having their property

their association,

destroyed.

In March, they burned a house in the North East Division,

the property of Edward Brice, and destroyed the trees and
fences on said farm ; and escaping punishment for these and
other depredations, they sent, in February,
letters into this town, directed to William

1771, threatening

Boyd and Robert

In these letters, the above

respectable inhabitants.
persons were directed to lay a specified sum of money, on a
certain night, at a place called the Priests Bush, on the
Martin,

Commons;
town

or in default thereof,

they threatened to lay the

in ashes.

There being no military here at this time, late on the

evening that the money was to have been left, 70 volunteer
inhabitants, well armed, proceeded, by direction of the mayor,
to the Priest's Bush, and succeeded in apprehending Stafford
Love, a leader, and seven other Hearts of Steel, who had come
receive the money.
The prisoners were brought to this
town, but were allowed to escape; two of them were nephews
About this time, a house was
to William Boyd, just mentioned.
to

burned

Dalway.

in

the

Middle

Division,

the

property

of

Marriott

1772.
May Qth, George M'Keown, John Campbell, John
Clark, and James M'Neilly, Hearts of Steel, were executed here.

1
Belfast News-Letter. Records of the County of Antrim. Tradition
of old Inhabitants.
The amount of the value of this house was afterwards laid on
the county by assessment. As Roman Catholics were not implicated in
III.,
these depredations, it was levied, according to the statute of
"of the Protestant inhabitants." Records of Carrickfergus.

Wm.

The

last person suffered for the

burning of the house in the
Middle Division, Carrickfergus ;
the others belonged to the
county Antrim, and suffered for acts committed in said county.
On the 1 6th same month, Hugh M'llpatrick, John Black,
Thomas Stewart, and Thomas Ward, Hearts of Steel, were
likewise executed ; and on the 1 9th of the following September,
John Blair, a leader of the Hearts of Steel, likewise suffered.
These persons were also from the county Antrim. From this
time, all burnings, and other atrocities of the like nature, ceased.
Many who were accused of the crime of being Steel-men, fled
J

to America.

1775, September 2d, about two o'clock, P.M., a large black

cloud, of an ominous appearance, was observed suspended over
Divis mountain, near Belfast.
short time after its first

separated into two distinct parts, the one taking

the northern side of said mountain, the other lowering towards

appearance

it

At Shankhill bridge it commenced its work of

by carrying off ten cocks of hay from the adjoining
meadows, and also such corn as was cut; the reapers flying
from the fields in the utmost terror.
Keeping a north east
and
course, it did considerable damage near Whitehouse;
Shankhill.

destruction,

entering the lower part of the parish of Carrickfergus, carried

away all the hay and corn that were cut in the fields it passed
over, having twirled them in the air in a most singular manner.

Near lower Woodburn bridge, it tore several large trees out of

and at the Windmill-hill some persons who were passing
were lifted from the ground, and thrown into an adjoining
root,

Continuing its devastations, it swept a considerable

quantity of corn and hay from the adjacent fields; several hayricks were entirely carried away, and appeared to gambol as
Some houses were also injured; at
they took their departure.
Duffs-hill it entered the door of a house that was open, and
ditch.

rear, leaving the front standing.

and Braid-island, it seemed to gain vigour.
Kilroot
Crossing
In the latter, it conveyed away a hay stack that was nearly
completed, while the people who had been putting it up were

carried

at

away

its

dinner; and at

Lame

lough,

it

lifted

up the waters

M'Neilly most solemnly declared that he was innocent.

his sister, disguised in his clothes, committed

which he suffered.
2
Tradition of old Inhabitants.
Belfast News-Letter.
the Countv of Antrim.

said

till

that

the

they

It

act

was
for

Records of

appeared

and transported them to a

Having touched a small part of Island
did also much damage, it was at length lost

like floating white clouds,

considerable distance.

Magee, where

it

in the channel.

This tornado was succeeded by vivid lightning, and most

tremendous peals of thunder, accompanied with a heavy fall of
rain and hail.
The hail, or rather masses of ice, fell in a
several pieces measured
of
great variety
irregular shapes
upwards of six inches in circumference. The ground over which
1
this hurricane passed scarcely exceeded half a mile in breadth.
:

1
Belfast News-Letter. Tradition of old Inhabitants. The part that
took the northern side of the mountain, did some damage in the
upper part of the parish of Templepatrick. Belfast News-Letter.

NORTH GATE, CARRICKFERGUS.

CHAPTER

VIII.

2oth, the Ranger, an American vessel,

April
the celebrated Paul Jones, arrived at the
entrance of Carrickfergus bay, and hoisting signal for a
pilot,
a fishing boat belonging to the Scotch-quarter went
alongside,

1778.

commanded by

the crew of which were immediately made prisoners. 1

These
men the commander examined separately, respecting the force
of the garrison, and the number of guns carried by the Drake,

an armed vessel then lying opposite the castle; and being

informed of her force, he lay off till night, when he entered the
bay with an intention to board the Drake by surprise. Flood
tide, and a brisk gale during a snow shower, prevented his
laying the Ranger alongside the Drake; on which he left this
and proceeding to Whitehaven, he landed there at 12

bay,

on the night of the 22d, with about fifty men, spiked

the guns on the batteries, burned several vessels in the harbour,
and retired without the loss of a man. At 10 o'clock on the

o'clock

morning of the 23d, he arrived off St. Mary's isle, near

Kirkcudbright, and landed with about forty men, intending to
take lord Selkirk prisoner ; but learning that his lordship was
from home, he walked for some time on the beach, while his
lieutenants and men visited the castle of lord Selkirk, and
demanded his plate; which was delivered to them by lady
Selkirk.

Early on the morning of the 24th, he again appeared at

The Drake had sent out a boat, with
an officer and six men, to reconnoitre; but they were captured

the entrance of this bay.

Soon after, the Drake

by the Ranger, off the Black head.
bore down upon the Ranger, and an engagement ensued, about
mid-channel. Captain Burden, who commanded the Drake, was
killed early in the action

Fishers

James

Peelin,

lieutenant Dobbs, second in

David Milliken, John

and David M'Calpin.

taken,

Davison,

command,

John

Burchall,

94
l

was mortally wounded;

and the vessel being much cut up in
her rigging, the men, who were mostly young hands, got into
confusion, and she was forced to strike to the Ranger, after an
and fifteen minutes. The Drake had two
and twenty-five wounded; the Ranger three killed,

action of one hour

men

killed,

and

five

The comparative

wounded.

force of the vessels, with

was nearly equal. The Drake carried twenty

four
guns,
pounders the Ranger eighteen six pounders, besides
swivels.
On board the Ranger were 155 able seamen, some of
whom were Irishmen one a native of Carrickfergus the Drake
had fewer hands, most of whom were ordinary seamen. Shortly after the action, Paul Jones liberated the fishermen,
giving them a boat, with provisions to carry them home, and
respect to guns,

also the main-sail of the Drake.

On

his arrival at Brest, lord

was sold for the benefit of the captors ; but it

by Paul Jones, who, in March, 1785, returned
safe to lord Selkirk, and even paid for its carriage home.

Selkirk's plate
was bought in
it

all

1
This gentleman was son of the Rev. Dr. Richard Dobbs, Lisburn,
and brother to the Rev. Richard Dobbs, Dean of Connor, and Francis
He was a volunteer on this occasion, and
Dobbs, barrister at law.
joined the Drake a little before the action, early in which he received
a mortal wound.
While alive, he was treated with great kindness by
Paul Jones he was much esteemed, and had only been married a few
;

A
days.
Lisburn.
2

monument

From

Paul Jones,

is

erected to his

accounts of the Fishermen

memory

the parish church of

who were taken by Paul Jones

in his letter to lady Selkirk,

" more than her

the Drake had

in

dated Brest,

May

8th,

1778,

complement of officers and

men, besides a number of Volunteers who came out from CarrickLieutenant Dobbs was the only
fergus." This is a direct falsehood.
person on board who did not belong to her she being really short of
Her first lieutenant, Studdard,
her complement of officers and men.
had been interred the evening before at Carrickfergus, and lieutenant
Jelf, and six men, were prisoners on board the Ranger, as already
mentioned. From accounts of the Fishermen who were taken by Paul
says,

full

Jones.

From

London Gentleman's
accounts of the above Fishers.
Paul Jones was the son of Robert Craik, an officer of
His mother was a servant
excise, of Arliggling, county of Dumfries.
and as Mr. Craik did not wish that he should take his name, the one
At the age of 13 he
he was known by was that of his gardener.
and in the service of the United States, displayed
sailed for America
uncommon intrepidity, for which he received the thanks of Congress,
and a gold medal. In 1788, he entered into the service of Russia. He
died at Paris in 1792, and the National Assembly ordered a deputation
He left a considerable sum of
of their body to attend his funeral.
money, which was remitted to his sisters in Scotland. Monthly
Edinburgh Magazine.
Magazine.
In 1905,
[Paul Jones was buried in St. Louis's Cemetery, Paris.
his grave was discovered by General Porter, U.S. Ambassador to
France his bones removed to Annapolis, U.S.A., and buried with full
3

Magazine.

military honours.]

95

August 3d, commodore Gower, in the Hebe frigate,

on board which vessel prince
William Henry, his majesty's third son, was a lieutenant. It
being expected that he would land, the Carrickfergus Royal
Volunteers addressed the commodore, requesting him to permit
them to receive his Royal Highness under arms, and to be his
guard of honour while on shore. To this request a very polite
answer was returned, that if his Royal Highness landed, he
"
wished to be quite private,
as had already been done at
1785.
arrived in

Carrickfergus bay,

He

Portsmouth."

did not land.

About 4 o'clock this morning, several

of an earthquake were felt in this town: tables,
chairs, &c., were observed to be agitated during its continuance.
The like was also felt about the same time at Holywood, in the
1786. August nth.

slight shocks

county of

Down 2

1787.

August

7th,

Charles Manners,

Duke of Rutland,

quay from Bangor,

accompanied by lord Hillsborough, the bishop of Down and
He was received on the
Connor, and other eminent persons.
quay by the different members of the corporation, and presented
by the mayor with the freedom of the town in a gold box,
In the evening, his
accompanied with a suitable address.
Excellency and suite, with a numerous company of gentlemen,
were splendidly entertained by the corporation; on which
occasion his excellency conferred the honour of knighthood on
William Kirk, esq., then mayor. Seventeen gentlemen who were
present at this entertainment, were presented with the freedom
lord Lieutenant of Ireland, landed at this

of this corporation in silver boxes. 3

1796.
September i6th, William Weir, Dunmurry, James
Fitzgerald, Sandybay, and James Brady, Lisburn, were brought
prisoners to Carrickfergus, and lodged in the county Antrim
gaol, charged with offences of a treasonable nature, as United

Those were the first persons confined in this kingdom,

Same month, William
belonging to those memorable societies.
Orr, John Alexander, John M'Clelland, Hugh Dinsmore, and
Robert Saunderson, with several others, were lodged in the same

Irishmen.

prison,

on similar charges.
April 28th, oatmeal sold here at from is. sd. to
per peck of 18 Ibs. ; potatoes, from 6d. to 7d. per

1797.
is.

6d.

bushel; and new milk, id. per quart.

London
2
3

Gentleman's Magazine.

MS.

Belfast News-Letter.
Tradition of old Inhabitants.
Records of Carrickfergus.
Belfast News-Letter.

96

About this time, a considerable ferment prevailed throughout this kingdom, of which Carrickfergus was not without its
share.
Some of the troops quartered in the castle, having been
detected in a confederacy with the disaffected, several of them
were confined; two deserted; and some inhabitants, accused of
seducing the military from their allegiance, either fled, or were

committed to prison.
June yth, Judges Yelverton and
Chamberlaine arrived with a special commission, when some of
the prisoners charged with treasonable practices were arraigned ;
they

accordingly

declared

themselves

for

ready

trial.

The

crown lawyers signifying that they were not prepared, the

judges soon after returned to Dublin without doing anybusiness here, save administering the oath of allegiance to 333
persons, in the county of Antrim hall.

At the assizes held on September i8th following, many

prisoners charged as above, were liberated, on taking the oath
of allegiance, and giving bail; and a few were transmitted to
Dublin.

William

Insurrection

Orr*
of

Act,

was

found

administering

the

guilty,

oath

of

under the
a United

Irishman to two soldiers of the Fifeshire Fencibles, in Antrim,

[* William Orr was a respectable farmer from Farranshane, near
Antrim, whose trial excited remarkable interest. He was defended by
Curran, the greatest forensic orator whom Ireland has ever produced.
At seven o'clock in the evening the jury retired to consider the verdict,
and they remained in their room until six in the morning. How they
It is recorded that numerous
spent the night is a matter of history.
bottles of whiskey were passed through the window into the jury
room. At first the jury could not agree to a verdict, But ultimately
those in favour of an acquittal were, by intimidation, it was suggested,
forced to concur in a finding against Orr. When the sentence of death
was passed the judge wept freely, the people sobbed, but Orr stood
unmoved. At the close of Judge Yelverton 's sentence he was taken
back to gaol, there to await the final scene. Saturday morning, the
In the houses blinds were
i4th of October, dawned clear and bright.
drawn, shops closed everywhere signs of sorrow and mourning were
visible.
At about 3 o'clock William Orr emerged from his prison cell
a carriage was provided to drive to the place of execution. He expressed
the wish to have the company of the Rev. Wm. Staveley, Knockbracken, Co. Down, and the Rev. Adam Hill, Ballynure, upon his
journey to the scaffold, and these gentlemen were permitted to sit with
him in the carriage. The High Sheriff on horseback preceded the
carriage, and the Sub-sheriff also on horseback followed it. The whole
proceeded in solemn, slow procession from the gaol to the place of
When
execution, about three-quarters of a mile from Carrickfergus.
and after
the gallows was reached, Orr shook hands with his friends
"
I am no traitor
the rope had been put about his neck, he exclaimed
I die in the true faith of a PresbyI am persecuted for my country
" After the
terian
execution, the body was taken from the gallows
to a house called "Wilson's slatehouse," after a man of that name
who was its occupier, and every means adopted for the restoration of
:

97
death.
From the respectability of this
man, the acknowledged severity of the act under which he was
found guilty, and the weighty influence of the Union System
at this period, great interest was used to avert the sentence;
but although a respite was granted, it was carried into execution
on the 1 4th October. A large military force attended, but the
number of the people was considerably less than is usual on like
At the place of execution he distributed a printed
occasions.
declaration, wherein he declared his innocence; and concluded
"
"
"
by hoping that his virtuous countrymen would bear him in
their kind remembrance, and continue true and faithful to each
"
been to all of them."
other," as he had
The
1798.
spring of this year was marked by alarms
and agitations; persons being almost daily brought in prisoners
from the country, charged with seditious or treasonable practices.
Those persons were lodged in the gaol, or in military guardhouses, and were generally liberated, on giving bail to appear
when called upon, and taking the oath of allegiance.
Early in May, 14 persons of this town and neighbourhood
were taken prisoners, and without any specific charge, put on
A few days
board a prison-ship, then lying in Garmoyle.

and received sentence of

guard was stationed in the market-house; the Carrickfergus yeomen cavalry were placed on permanent duty ; the
inhabitants were ordered to put up their names on their doors,
to be called over as often as the military might deem it proper ;
after, a

the arrival of strangers to be immediately added, and announced

to the mayor or commanding officer ; and none to be out of their

houses from nine o'clock in the evening

till

five in

the morning.

including bleeding, but without avail, as the neck was broken.

is on the land side of the road opposite the Gallows Green,
and is still standing. The body was then placed on a cart bedded with
straw, and a start made for Ballynure. The corpse was brought by the
road up the mountain-side, past Duncrue, over Briantang brae, and
across the commons of Carrickfergus, through Straid to Ballynure
Meeting-house, where the body was dressed and coffined, and the wake
held.
On Sunday his remains were buried in the old churchyard of
craft he
Templepatrick by his Masonic brethren, of which honourable
was a member. The government, in consideration of the death of her
Orr's
with
on his widow. Mourning rings,
settled an
life,

The house

husband,

annuity

hair set in them, and the words "Remember Orr," were constantly
Even the black crape cap which was drawn over his face on
worn.
the scaffold was cut into pieces and distributed to his friends. Memorial
cards were printed secretly it was death to be found with one of them
in 'q8.
Not in Ireland alone was Orr mourned, but in the capital of
of Fox's birthday, two
England. At a public" dinner given in honour
The memory of Orr basely murdered" and
of the toasts were
"
the Irish Cabinet soon take the place of \\ilham Orr. ]

May

98

All persons were strictly commanded to surrender every kind

fire arms, pikes, swords, or ammunition, under pain of
Soon after, considerable quantities of arms
execution.

of

military

were brought in here from the country, having been surrendered

to persons appointed to receive them.

Early this morning, a number of

Thursday, June 7th.
blacksmiths were brought in prisoners, suspected of making
Same morning, about nine o'clock, the drums of the
pikes.
Fencible regiment, quartered here, beat to arms, an express
1
The
having arrived that the country was in open rebellion.
and
about
town
were immediately shut,
fifty
shops in the
suspected persons were arrested and confined in the castle;
guards were placed on the different roads leading from the town,
and no persons were suffered to depart without a written pass-

Tay

by the mayor, or commanding officer. On the same

about
70 inhabitants offered their services to co-operate
day,
with the military ; they were accepted, and were commanded by
gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood. Their only uniform
port, signed

was a black cockade worn on the hat.

About three o'clock, noon, a strong detachment of the army,
with two pieces of cannon, marched for Ballyclare, where the
insurgents were said to be assembled.
They returned on the
following day without seeing the enemy, bringing with them
several prisoners, and having burned or destroyed some houses
in

Ballyclare,

insurgents,

of

those

who had been

said

to

have

been

leaders

of the

defeated in the battle which took

Very few persons from Carrickfergus were in arms on the 7th, either at Antrim or Dunagorehill; but on the night of the 7th, a number of persons under
arms assembled on the Commons, who were to have proceeded
place at Antrim, on the 7th.

that night to the grand rendezvous on Dunagore-hill.

mean time two

disastrous

stragglers arrived,

news from Antrim

suspended, and

all

who had been

on which

In the

there, with the

their deliberations

were

returned to their homes.

Early on Sunday, about 300 of the military, with two

pieces of cannon, set out for Ballyclare: where they burned a
number of houses, and also burned and destroyed some others
in Doagh and Ballyeaston ; and in several instances those
unconnected with the rebellion were the chief
1

sufferers.

The

Three days before, a woman had given information that such an

event would take place on the above day, but she was not credited.

99
country at this time, about the above places, appeared almost
deserted
scarcely a man was seen, and very few women or
:

In the evening the military returned, many of them

loaded with plunder, taken from the houses that had been
burned or demolished. On this and the following day, some
children.

guns and pikes were brought in and surrendered.

Tuesday. Early this morning, 200 of the Tay Fencibles
marched for Belfast, to replace a part of the troops of that
garrison, who set off about 10 o'clock, same morning, to attack
the insurgents in the county of Down, who were said to be
This evening, the noise of an
encamped near Saintfield.
heard
was
here, between the army and the
engagement
distinctly
At the same time, the Lancashire
rebels near Ballynahinch.
Fencible dragoons landed at our quay; and the packet-boat
from Portpatrick arrived with the mails, the insurgents having
taken possession of Donaghadee and Bangor.
The mails
continued to be landed here till the following October.

On Wednesday morning, the dragoons who had disembarked, marched for Belfast; on Thursday the Durham
Fencible dragoons landed;
and early on the i8th, the
Sutherland Highlanders, a Fencible regiment 1,100 strong, also
arrived from Scotland 1 both regiments immediately proceeded
to Belfast.
A few days after, the Royal Scots also landed at
:

our quay, and set forward on the same destination. The country
people who came into town about this time, commonly wore a
piece of red riband in their hats, as a badge of loyalty.

The

inhabitants who had been made prisoners on the first

were mostly liberated before the i8th June, and the
guards were taken off the roads soon after; but many persons
still remained in confinement from the adjacent country, and
prisoners were daily brought in on various charges connected

alarm,

with the rebellion.

About the beginning of July, a court-martial assembled in

county of Antrim court-house, for the trial of persons
charged with rebellion. By their sentence, four persons received
None of
dreadful flagellation, and one lad was executed.
nor was a
these persons were inhabitants of Carrickfergus
the

house burned or destroyed in the county of the town, during

the rebellion.

On
1

the 28th August, intelligence

was received of the French

In this regiment were 104 persons of the

name

of

John Mackay.

IOO
having landed at Killala; and the troops in this garrison were
ordered to be ready at a moment's warning.
September pth,
the Essex Fencible dragoons landed here, and on the i3th, the
Breadalbane Highland Fencibles ; both, immediately on landing,

marched for Belfast.

The action between the English and French

Tory Isle, was heard distinctly in this town; and on
the 2ist same month, L' Ambuscade and La Coquille, two French
October i2th.

fleets, off

prizes taken in the action, arrived in this bay, under convoy of

his Majesty's ship Magnanime.

1799.
inhabitants

On

the 25th February, a numerous meeting of the

held in the town-hall, who entered into

was

resolutions against a legislative union with Great Britain; and

at the same time the thanks of the meeting were returned to

Ez. D. Wilson, Esq., M.P., for opposing that measure in

parliament. March nth this year, a meeting of the magistrates
of the counties of Antrim and Carrickfergus, was held in this

who unanimously resolved (from the disturbed state of the

former county), to declare both out of the peace.
On the
following day an order was issued by General Nugent, commanding the northern district, for all persons to put up the
names of the inmates of their houses on some conspicuous place,
and that no persons should be out of their doors, one hour after
and that all arms should be
sunset, nor before sunrise;
immediately delivered up, under pain of military execution.
This year was remarkably cold and wet, and the
frost and snow setting in earlier than usual, the crops were
In the following
very defective both in quantity and quality.
spring, markets advanced rapidly ; in May, oatmeal sold at
town,

per peck, and the potatoes at 2s. 8d. per bushel ; and in
June, the former, of a very bad quality, sold at from 75. 4d.
to 8s. per peck, and the latter at 35. 6d. per bushel; all other
55. 8d.

provisions were high in proportion.

The

succeeding year was almost equally disastrous to the

from an excessive dry summer; the potato crop was
particularly defective, as, by reason of the drought, few came
In November,
to perfection, save in the middle of the ridges.
oatmeal sold at 55. 8d. per peck, and potatoes at 25. 8jd. per
bushel; and in the course of the winter, provisions nearly
resumed their former enormous prices.
Early in the spring,
Indian
of
corn
and
meal,
large quantities
rye flour, were
crops,

imported by the government, or on a bounty

which served

IOI

much

to allay this famine.

During these

years, subscriptions

were entered into by the landholders, gentlemen, and ladies of

Carrickfergus, for the support of their poor. The subscriptions,
in 1800, from January till August, amounted to
.403 35. 5d.
About November, 1801, oatmeal sold at is. lod. per peck, and
potatoes at 8d. per bushel.*
In April, potatoes sold at three shillings per bushel,
1812.
and in July, oatmeal advanced to 6s. lod. per peck.

1813, December 25th.

which continued hoary

On

all the

evening a frost commenced,

following day, and by the 3oth
this

had become very hard. In January it increased, and on the

4th of that month, the ground was covered with snow, of which,
on the nights of the 8th and pth, there fell a considerable
it

quantity.
[*

At

On
the

the loth, nth, and i2th,

spring

assizes

at

it

snowed almost without

Carrickfergus,

March,

1808,

Mary

was put forward on the charge of witchcraft.

fellest fortune-teller e'er was seen,
A witch that, for sma' price,
Cou'd cast her cantrips, and gi'e them advice."

Butters, Carrickfergus,

" The

A
Belfast News-letter of Friday, the 2ist August, 1807, notes:
melancholy event took place on Tuesday night in the house of Alexander
Montgomery, tailor, at Carnmoney Meeting House. Montgomery, it
appears, had a cow which continued to give milk as usual, but of late
no butter could be produced from the milk. An opinion, which had
been too long entertained by many people in the country, was

The

unfortunately instilled into the mind of Montgomery's wife, that

whenever such circumstances occurred, it was occasioned by the cow
In this opinion she was fortified by the
having been bewitched.

concurring testimony of every old woman in the parish, each of whom

contributed her story of what she had seen and known in former times.
At length the family were informed of a woman named Mary Butters,
who resided at Carrickfergus. They accordingly went to her, and
brought her to their house, for the purpose of curing the cow. It is
not known what stratagems she employed to work her pretended
enchantment, but the house had a strong sulphureous smell, and on the
fire was a large pot in which were some milk, needles, pins, and
crooked nails.
Montgomery's wife, son, and an old woman named
Margaret Lee were suffocated, but Mary Butters, the sorceress, being
thrown out on a dunghill, where she received some hearty kicks, .soon
after recovered, and was sent to Carrickfergus jail.
At the inquest
held on the igth August, at Carnmoney, on the bodies of Elizabeth
Montgomery, David Montgomery, and Margaret Lee, the jury stated
that they came by their death from suffocation, occasioned by a woman
named Mary Butters, in her making use of some noxious ingredients,
in the manner of a charm, to recover a cow, the property of Alexander
Montgomery. At the assizes, Mary Butters, the witch of Carnmoney,

was discharged by proclamation.

At the spring assizes at Carrickfergus, March, 1810, Hugh

Kennedy, Bernard Kane, William M'CIurkan, Bryan Harrigan, and
James Brown, were indicted for attempting to rob the house of the
Rev. John Thompson, Carnmoney, and for assault on Mr. M'Clelland.
The prisoners were all acquitted, but ordered to find bail. Belfast
Magazine.}

IO2

from which time the roads were choked up, the

many places being upwards of twenty feet deep. The
frost continuing, the cold was at times very intense; it was
remarked that the greatest cold was always about sunrise. On
intermission

snow

in

the morning of the i3th, the thermometer stood at 14, which

was the greatest cold observed. On the 25th and 26th there

were showers of snow,

some snow

fell

there

and rain, and on the 2pth and 3oth,

was also a very severe frost.

sleet,

February ist and 2d, there were frequent showers of snow,

and a slight thaw; and on the 4th, the roads having been
beaten by horses and foot passengers, and cleared by men in
various places, the stage coaches from Larne to Belfast, that
had been stopped from the loth January, began to run. Some
carts also passed from hence to Belfast same day ; this journey,
On the 8th and pth,
however, was one of extreme difficulty.
the thaw continued, with showers of snow and hail, and from
were frequent heavy falls of
yet some of the snow that fell in
the beginning of the storm, remained in low grounds till the end
of March.
Loughmourne was entirely frozen over for several
weeks, during this frost; and people passed on foot between
the counties of Down and Antrim, upwards of half a mile below
the latter
rain,

till

the

i4th,

there

and a gradual thaw;

the quay of Belfast.

Lough-Neagh was so completely frozen
over, that multitudes of people walked, and some rode, on the
ice,

to Ram's-Island.

1814.
September nth, between 8 and 9 o'clock at night,
a luminous bow, shaped exactly like a rainbow, appeared in
the horizon.
It was of a whitish colour, extended nearly north
and south, and continued visible about an hour.
The night
was calm and bright, particularly in the north there was no
:

moon

light.

1816.
September 24th, this night, between the hours of
8 and 9 o'clock, a bow appeared in the air, stretching east to
west.
It exactly resembled that noticed above, and continued,
with some variation in brightness, till about ten o'clock; its

end veering a little more eastward than when first

its west end was longest visible.
The night was
calm and clear; northward it seemed as if day was breaking.
Both summer and autumn of this year were cold and wet

eastern

observed

hence the crops were retarded in ripening, far beyond their

usual season.
On the i6th September, the reaping of corn
commenced here, but very little was cut before the middle of

November many had not even begun

In December, much grain still remained in the
Markets
fields, and some was even to be seen out in January.
of course advanced. On the i5th May, 1817, oatmeal sold at
55. 5d., and wheatmeal at 45. 2d. per peck; both were bad in
October, and on the ist

their harvest.

quality.
rye flour

The

ports being

now

open, a considerable quantity of

was imported into Belfast from America, which was

On the nth June, oatmeal sold at 6s. ^d. per

The
peck, and all other provisions were high in proportion.
calamity occasioned by this dearth, was much heightened by
many tradesmen and labourers being destitute of employment,
of much service.

and a typhus fever

reduced

setting in early in the spring of 1817,

of the working classes to a state of the greatest
In September and October the fever increased to an

many

misery.

alarming degree, and a meeting of the most respectable inhabitants of Carrickfergus was held, who entered into a subscription
for the relief of the poor, and to establish a fever hospital, which

was opened on the 4th November, during which, and the two
following months, the fever raged with the greatest violence.
From February, 1818, the fever gradually declined, and on the
1
The distributions to the poor
3d June the hospital was closed.

same time; the committee appointed for their

having expended ^815 73. 5jd. Of this sum, ^120 was
obtained from the government ; the Assembly of this corporation
gave ^164 out of their funds; the Marquis of Donegall gave
;ioo; and Sir Arthur Chichester, representative in parliament
also ceased about
relief

for this place, ^50.

1818.
The summer of this year was remarkably warm:
the following was the range of the thermometer in the shade,

on the days annexed. May 25th, 70; June

nth, 78! ; 1 2th, 83, about three o'clock,
greatest heat observed for

The

harvest this year

many

72;

6th,

P.M.,

pth,

73;

being the

years; July i6th, 76.

was remarkably

early

many farmers

had done reaping on the 8th September, and on

the 1 4th December the weather was so very mild, that gooseberries were shaped in most gardens near the town.
in this parish

in the Middle
of patients admitted was 114, 108 of whom
were dismissed cured, the other 6 died there the greatest number of
It was computed that
patients in the hospital at one time was 26.
about 600 persons had the fever in this parish, 61 of whom died
between March, 1817, and June, 1818 and several fell victims to it
soon afterwards, some in 1819.

'This hospital was about one mile from the town,

Division.

The

total

number

104

February i9th, from 8 till 10 o'clock on this night,

1819a bow was seen in the horizon, extending north-east by southwest; it exactly resembled those already noticed, and appeared
The night was calm
brightest about half-past nine o'clock.
and a bright Aurora Borealis, northward.
September i5th,
same year, a bow similar to the above, appeared in the air
between 8 and 9 o'clock at night.
It stretched north-east by
south-west, and was neither so large nor so bright as any of
the ones already noticed; the south-west end appeared forked.
On the following night a similar bow appeared, at the same
hour; on the 22nd of this month, another bow was seen at
the same hour and place as the two former; and the like
The three last were
appearance was also observed on 24th.
a
fainter
than
that
seen on the i5th.
each
degree
gradually
houses
1820.
The
of
the
town
and quarters were
April,
numbered, and a wall separating the Governor's walk from the
street removed, and the walk and land thrown into one street.
In 1821 a large elm that grew in this walk was blown down.
This was the last of a double row that had been cut down the
season before.
1821.
this night

April 1 7th, a beautiful lunar rainbow was observed

It seemed to stretch nearly east
about 12 o'clock.

and west; near

it the clouds were remarkably black, but at a

From the 24th
distance clear; the moon also was shining.
May till the 9th July, only two slight showers fell in this

on the 5th June and 6th July; and about the

the latter month, hoar frost was to be seen every
of
beginning
morning on the mountains.
1822.
On the ist November, the following were the
parish,

viz.,

Oatmeal from is. 6d. to

prices of provisions in this town.
is. 8d. per peck, potatoes from 5d. to 6d. per bushel, beef from
ijd. to 3d. per Ib. and fresh butter rod. per Ib. of 18 oz.
The old gallows, which were situated at
[August 29, 1819.
Gallows Green, Lower Woodburn, being no longer required, were sold
by public auction, and brought 5/10.
August, 1821. King George IV. visited Ireland. He was presented
with a most loyal address from the Corporation of Carrickfergus.
1822.
The splendid body of police, known as the Royal Irish
Constabulary, dates from this year, when an Act of Parliament
constituted the

force.

Three lodges of Orangemen walked in procession

July 12, 1823.
in Carrickfergus, being the first procession of that kind here.
A body of Orangemen proceeding to walk were
July 12, 1825.
drum
dispersed by the Mayor, who took a sword from the Tyler their
;

was

also broken.]

March 29th, on this night between the hours of

and
nine
o'clock, a luminous bow appeared in the air
eight
stretching east and west, and exactly resembling those already
described. The summer of the above year was
remarkably warm
and dry, very few showers having fallen from early in May till
the 8th of October.
On the roth of June the thermometer in
the shade stood at 82; on the i4th at 84, and on the 26th
at 85.
During summer the grass became so parched, on dry or
poor soils, that the cattle suffered much for want of food; and
in autumn many cows, particularly on mountain tracts, were
1826.

suddenly attacked by swellings in their throats, of which many

died.*
The wheat crop was remarkably abundant; but
potatoes, barley, and oats were far from an average produce
:

and thin, that it could not

be reaped in the usual manner, but was pulled up by the hand.
Flax except in boggy grounds was a complete failure; and hay
was so very deficient that in the following spring it sold from

the latter in

many places was so

short

By the loth of July, oats were reaped

of the county of Antrim; and harvest was
On the iQth July, the
generally over by the i2th of August.
English and Irish monies were assimilated at Carrickfergus,
and were for some time the cause of much complaint and
45.

6d. to 55. per cwt.

in several parishes

confusion, between buyer and

1827.

March and

seller.

April,

of

this

year,

were cold and

tempestuous, with frequent falls of snow on the 24th of April,

the snow, in many places, was from six to eight feet deep. May
:

was remarkably
1832.

On

fine.

the

zoth

August,

procession

of

the

Emancipation Bill was passed. On the I3th

received the Royal Assent, and thus became law.
By this Act
Catholics obtained the right of sitting in either the Lords or the
to hold
entitled
Commons, upon taking a certain oath and became
any civil, military, or corporate office, except the position of Regent,
[In 1829, the Catholic

April

it

Lord Chancellor, and Lord Lieutenant.]

William IV. was proclaimed King with great
[July 7, 1830.
pageantry. The Marquis of Donegall, Mayor John Campbell, WillowSuffolk, Sheriffs, with the Aldermen and
field, and John M'Cance,
to the
Burgesses, all on horseback and wearing cloaks, proceeded
Castle Gate, and there caused the Proclamation to be read by the
Town Clerk. After this the Mayor drew his sword of honour, each
gentleman in company drawing his sword. Until this time the Mayor
When all was over the
merely carried the Rod of Mayorality.
great guns at the Castle were fired.]
* It is not a little
remarkable, that after the dry and warm summer
of 1748, a similar fatal distemper prevailed amongst the cattle.
London Gentleman's Magazine,
;

io6
Guilds and other inhabitants took place, in
of
the passing of the Irish Reform Bill.
Each
consequence
Guild bore a flag, with a suitable motto, and several persons
wore ribands of orange and green. The parties walked through
Incorporated

the streets of the town, accompanied by a band of music, and

afterwards dispersed in the greatest harmony.
The Cholera Morbus made its appearance here in July.

In the same year 73 persons emigrated from the parish to

America.

In March and April, 1834, the army and military stores

were removed to Dublin and Charlemont, and the
storekeeper and armourer discharged.
1836, April 7th, a branch of the Northern Bank, Belfast,

in the castle

was opened

in this town.

1837, April 25th, the new market in North Street opened,

site of an old distillery.

on the

new

1838, August 2nd.

road, or entrance,

Workmen began
into the

to level

town from

and open a
by the

Belfast,

Walk or Place.
In levelling the ground, the
foundations of the castle of Patrick Savage were discovered,
and part of the ancient wet ditch by which the town was

Governor's

formerly encompassed, as seen in the plan of the town in 1550.

ancient urn was found, part of a human skeleton, and a
few old coins. The road was opened to the public at Christmas.

An

On

tide at night,

November there was an extraordinary high

which did much damage.
For some hours the

road

to

the 28th of

leading

Belfast,

near

the

seventh

milestone,

was

wall that had been erected the previous summer.

impassable.
to keep off the tide, was thrown down, and the road covered

with sand and seaweed.

[In June,
1833, Mr. Daniel O'Connell brought in a bill in
Parliament for the disfranchisement of the borough, which was read,
and ordered to be read a second time on July 3rd. This bill did not
nass.

December 31, same year. A dreadful storm is recorded coming

from the N.W., which did" considerable damage, blowing down chimneys
and the like. There was also a very high tide. In Belfast several streets
were flooded as far up as Skipper Street, and boats plied in Tomb
Records of Carrickfergus.]
Street, where the water was six feet deep.
and the
[With this Chapter the first part of the old edition ends,
the Belfast
following additional "annals are culled from the pages of
News-Letter, Northern Whig, and the Carrickfergus Advertiser. ED.]

CHAPTER
"Big Wind" of 1839

THE

but there are

still

those

is

left,

IX.

now passing
scattered

who date many events of

on Sunday night, the
storm of wind commenced from

country,

About eleven
violent

as

it

o'clock

increased,

changed to

direct

S.W.

into tradition,

up and down the

their lives therefrom.

6th January, 1839, a

the W.N.W., which,
It

appeared

at

its

greatest height from three to six o'clock on the morning of the

seventh, and at daylight the clouds presented a singular, brazen,
and terrific appearance. It suddenly calmed about two o'clock

snow shower. In the town several houses

were unroofed, and many damaged; and in the country corn
and hay stacks were thrown down and trees broken or torn up
by the roots. In Belfast Lough eight vessels were wrecked or

in the evening, after a

sunk, in Larne Lough five. The oldest person living had never
witnessed a storm so awfully furious.
It was general throughout the counties of Down and Antrim, and the greater portion

of the Kingdom.
In 1841-2", Carrickfergus was deprived of
with

all

its

mediaeval

its

old Corpora-

the

Municipal
grandeur, by
Corporation Act passed in 1840, whereby the body politic of
the borough, Mayor, Sheriffs, Burgesses, and Commonality,
tion,

was

dissolved, and the powers and duties vested in the Municipal

Commissioners elected under the provisions of that Act. They
also had control of the Corporate property.
In April two women named Mary Moody and
1841.
Elizabeth M'llveen were imprisoned in Carrickfergus, under
sentence of death for murder. Owing to the intercession of the
Very Rev. Dean Chaine, who went to Dublin for that purpose,

Lord Lieutenant, in a letter dated 22nd April, 1841,

commuted their respective sentences to transportation for life.*
Wednesday. December ist. A meeting was held in the
Court House, Carrickfergus, to prepare an address to Queen

the

Victoria, congratulating her majesty

Belfast News-Letter

on the birth of a Prince.

io8

Conway R. Dobbs, Esq., High Sheriff, proceeded to London

and presented the address.
At the County of Antrim Assizes 150
1842, March 8th.
persons were placed in the dock for unlawfully walking in an
Orange procession on the previous i2th of July. For want of

accommodation

in

the

jail,

the prisoners were find

^5, according to their circumstances.*

The same year was memorable in

the annals

-io and
of

Irish

Presbyterianism. On the loth of June, two centuries previously,

the first Presbyterian ecclesiastical court was formed, and in this

bicentenary year, Dr. Cooke,t the Moderator of the General

Assembly, preached a commemoration sermon from the text
which formed the subject of the discourse at the meeting of the
"
first Presbytery, Psalm li. 18,
Do good in thy pleasure unto
build
thou
the
walls
of
This was also the
Zion,
Jerusalem."
text from which it was suggested that each minister should
in his own pulpit on the Sabbath succeeding the
As a memorial of the goodness of
Bicentenary Anniversary.
God to the Church during those two centuries, a Bicentenary

preach

Fund was

established, and ^14,000 was contributed, which

for
the cause of Presbyterianism in the South
expended
West of Ireland.

was
and

1843, 2 5 tn November, the first Municipal Commissioners^

of Carrickfergus were elected, consisting of eighteen members.
Mr. William Burleigh was chosen chairman. The meetings of

[* Belfast

News-Letter.

Wm.

Cooke

was accompanied by
M'Comb, Esq., the
poet-laureate of the Presbyterian Church, and the compiler of M'Comb 's
Presbyterian Almanac, the first issue of which appeared in 1840.
After Mr. M'Comb's death in 1873, the Almanac was continued by Mr.
James Cleeland, Arthur Street, until 1889, when the last appeared. On
the above occasion Mr. M'Comb was stirred up to compose one of the
happiest of his metrical productions
+ Dr.

"

Two

hundred years ago, there came from Scotland's storied land,

To Carrick's old and fortress town, a Presbyterian band;
They planted on the castle wall the banner of the blue,
And worshipped God in simple form as Presbyterians do."
J The office-bearers of the first board of Municipal Commissioners
were Peter Kirk, John Legg, James Barnett, John Coats, Paul Logan,
John M'Gowan, Samuel Davis Stewart, William Walker, William
Burleigh, Daniel Blair, Richard Battersby, James Cowan, Alexander
Johns, William Kirk Martin, Stephen Richard Rice, Richard Thompson,
James Wilson, Russel Ker Bowman Chairman, William Burleigh
Town Clerk and Solicitor, David Legg Treasurer, Henry Adair
Ballast Master, Alexander
Harbour Master, James Stannus, jun.
:

Jones.]

109
these Commissioners were held quarterly.
For 53 years these
Commissioners had charge of the Corporate property.
After the conclusion of the Assizes,
1845, July 29th.
Justices

Perrin

and

Ball,

having

arrived

in

Belfast

from

new Penitentiary, Crumlin Road,

some
members
of the Grand Jury.
accompanied by
They
Carrickfergus,

visited

the

every portion of the spacious buildings and the

arrangements made for the carrying out the separate system
of confinement, while the health and moral and physical
After a
training of the prisoners were properly attended to.
minute survey their lordships expressed their perfect satisfaction
inspected

with the entire arrangements.

The
prisoners,

Penitentiary was now ready for the reception of

and those now confined in the House of Correction,

number of those convicted at the last sessions of

Ballymoney and Ballymena, were to be transferred thither

including a

immediately.*

The same year the potato crop failed. The summer gave
promise of an abundant harvest; but at night a dense vapour
rested upon the earth, and unusual effluvia, the smell of
decaying vegetable matter, made many a one to hush his mirth.
Strangely and mysteriously
food of the people was gone.

this

To

blight came, until the staple

meet

this evil, the

surrounding

gentry and persons of independence applied themselves, soup

kitchens were established, and everything that could be done was
done to relieve the suffering and starving men, women and
children.
America sent over supplies; and the Indian meal,
hitherto unknown, was landed in large cargoes on our shores.

This food, with the employment given to the farmers with their

and to the labouring classes, in making the railway,

placed them in a position to support themselves.
These sad events hastened the passing of a measure for
This Bill, which was
abolishing the duties on foreign grain.

horses,

the
passed in June, 1846, practically gave untaxed bread to
nation.

November

6th,

was

same

year, the

near

turned,
Carrickfergus
Viscount Massereene and Ferrard.

first

sod of the railway to

Whitehouse,

by

the

tenth

in Carrickfergus Gaol were not removed to Belfast

that
when, under the new Act, 84 were removed from
establishment on the ist September, 35 of whom were convicts.

[*The prisoners

till

18:50,

Belfast News-Letter.]

no
On Sunday Judge Crampton attended
1846, March i5th.
Sermon by the Very
divine service in St. Nicholas's Church.
Rev. the

High

Dean of Connor.

The Judge was

in his robes, the

Sheriff with all his servants in full livery.

Many

of the

grand jury and leading members of the bar were present.

The Belfast and Northern Counties
1848, April nth.
Railway was opened to Carrickfergus, Randalstown, and
Ballymena, and on the ist September the mails were despatched

by

rail.

Same year, Tuesday, May 2nd, a large and influential

meeting was held in the Courthouse of County Antrim for the
purpose, according to requisition, of expressing loyalty to the
Throne, a determination to uphold the Legislative Union, and
abhorrence of the detestable efforts of the Confederate leaders
to create

an

insurrection.

The same day

address

to

the

the Carrickfergus Presbytery presented an

Lieutenant, the Earl of Clarendon,

Lord

declaring their loyalty and attachment to the institutions of the

country.

1849, Saturday, August nth, Queen Victoria arrived in the

Lough in the Yacht Osborne, on her first (and last) visit to
Belfast ; and left on Sunday morning.
She was saluted on
her departure by the Carrickfergus Castle battery.
On Monday, in the Grand Jury Room, a number of the

most respectable inhabitants sat down to dinner to commemorate

her Majesty's visit to Ireland.
S. R. Rice, Esq., High Sheriff,
took the chair.
1851,

January

lyth.

Captain

Robert

M'Ferran,*

* On that
day Captain M'Ferran was a passenger in a train from
Belfast to Carrickfergus.
The day was stormy, with snow showers,
and while the engine was detached from the carriages and shunting at
what was then known as Carrick Junction, the carriages, which
contained many passengers, owing to the force and direction of the
On the incline between Carrick Junction and
wind, got into motion.
Carrickfergus the speed increased rapidly, and matters were assuming
a most dangerous aspect.
Captain M'Ferran at once grasped the
situation, and, assisted by some fellow passengers, he, at great personal
risk, mounted to the top of the carriage in which he was a passenger
and made his way along the tops of the other carriages to the brakevan. By careful manipulation he so guided the runaway carriages into
the station that the majority of the passengers were unaware of the
risk they had run, and that they had performed part of the journey
To signalise their
from Belfast without the aid of a locomotive.
appreciation of this gallant deed, the directors granted him a free pass
on the line for life in the form of a massive silver medal, which bore
" Presented to Mr. Robert M'Ferran of
the following inscription
:

Ill
native of

Carrickfergus, obtained widespread celebrity for a

deed
whereby he saved a train full of passengers from
gallant
destruction on the Northern Counties Railway.
The then Marquis of Downshire,
1852, August 4th.
anxious to develop the mineral resources of the county, made
trial

borings in search of coal near Carrickfergus.

to the north-west of the town, rock salt, not coal,

about 600 feet from the surface.

At Duncrue,
was struck at

December

8th.
It is stated that below the stratum of salt,
of
100
feet
thick, at Duncrue, the borers came on a
upwards
stratum of coal.*

The

Association which visited Carrickfergus in

to consider the search for coal at Duncrue a
seemed
September
British

chimerical pursuit.

1853, January 3ist.

meeting was held in the Town
Hall, in pursuance of an order from his Excellency the Lord
Lieutenant, issued in compliance with a memorial from certain

householders within the borough of Carrickfergus, praying that

the provisions of the Act I., George IV., should be adopted and

This was an Act to light,

carried into effect in the borough.
watch, and pave streets, and cleanse towns corporate, and

market towns in Ireland.*

1854, March i5th. An outbreak of cholera occurred which
increased in extent and virulence.
From Thursday up
to Monday night there were upwards of twenty deaths in

Carrickfergus.

year the Town Improvements Act was passed

The Belfast Mining Company were
1855, January i2th.
with
their
succeeding
operations at Duncrue Salt Mines. It was
proposed to construct a tramway from the mouth of the shaft

Same

to Belfast, for conveyance of the salt previous to shipment, the

depth of water at Carrickfergus not being sufficient to enable

ships of large burden to load there.*

Same year, Carrickfergus Castle was

made the headquarters

of the Antrim Artillery (Militia) in the North of Ireland. This
force mustered upwards of 600 men, and the Castle not being
the
adapted to accommodate more than seventy or eighty of
force, the

men were

billeted

on the inhabitants.

conduct
by the Directors to mark their sense of his intrepid
on the
stopping a train between the Junction and Carrickfergus,
this
death
After Captain M'Ferran's
privilege
i;th January, 1851.
was extended to his widow."
*
Belfast News-Letter.

Belfast,
in

April 1 3th, the Government took over the Courthouse, which

accommodated 250 men, and thus relieved the innkeepers of

The hospital connected

the nuisance of the billeting system.
with the old County Antrim Jail was also chosen, and fitted up
as an hospital for the regiment.

On

the i4th June (1855) the foundation stone of

Joymount

September 2ist, 1856, it was

Presbyterian Church was laid.
opened for public worship by the Rev. Henry Cooke, D.D.,
LL.D. Previous to the building of the church the congregation
worshipped in the County Antrim Courthouse.
September lyth, the town was first lighted by gas. On the
front of the Market House (now Petty Sessions Court) three
"
V " and
jets of lights, a crown in the centre, with the letters
"
"
R at the sides were erected. The large square opposite was
completely filled with persons, who, through the kindness of the
directors of the Gas Company, were plentifully supplied with
ale.
At half-past six a company of fifty gentlemen sat down to
supper in the Town Hall.
In 1856, the Municipal Commissioners obtained, in the
Encumbered Estates Court, a conditional order for the sale of

head rents payable out of premises in the town and county of

Carrickfergus, and of commonable lands, consisting of five
small plots of ground along the road leading from Carrickfergus
to Belfast, and of the Great Commons. This order was opposed

by the freemen, and the case carried by appeal

to the

House of

Lords, which, in 1866,* decided against the freemen.

May 29th (1856) was the day appointed for the celebration

of peace at the Crimea.

The Royal Antrim

Artillery, according

to orders received, fired the great guns of the Castle.

1857, Monday, i6th March, between six and seven o'clock

morning, Mr. W. M'Mechan, one of the parliamentary

in the

candidates,

addressed the electors of Carrickfergus

off

King

The town at this time was in a state of bankruptcy through

freemen as
litigation between the Municipal Commissioners and the
to the ownership of the corporate property, caused by an attempt to
sell

the lands of the Great

Commons.

An

appeal against the decree

was allowed on condition that ^"400 bail or cash be lodged in court.

The matter was delayed until the Ballot Act came into force, and
the result was that a board was elected, nominated by Mr. Dalway,
who had always taken the part of the freemen, and the Commons
This litigation, it is
the appeal being dismissed without cost.
stated, cost the community over ^"30,000.
part of these lands was
sold to the House of Downshire, and the remainder let, thus adding to
600 a year at
the income of the town an increased rental of some
that time, though somewhat less after the reductions in the land court.
let,

He urged on his hearers the great necessity of

having a harbour and pier well mounted with guns to prevent
the Americans from making a sudden rush upon them.
It was
William's stone.

remarked that

this gentleman seemed fully alive to the old

"that
the
adage,
early bird gets the worm"; but, though he
was early at business, he was altogether too late in the field,

which was previously occupied by Mr. Gary Dobbs.

1859, February 24th, the High Sheriff, M. R. Dalway,
Esq., in compliance with a requisition signed by nearly 60 of
the clergy and gentry, called a meeting in the Courthouse, " for
the purpose of considering the means at present available by
the Irish people for acquiring an education intermediate
between the National Schools and Queen's Colleges, and for
taking such measures in reference to the matter as may seem
best."

April 30, on Saturday, at one o'clock, Marriott R. Dalway,

High Sheriff, arrived at the station, accompanied by his

Esq.,

accomplished bride, where he was met by his numerous tenantry,

who unyoked the horses from the carriage, and drew it through
the town to Ballyhill, amidst the rejoicings of the people. An
additional

number of the tenantry and

others of the surrounding

neighbourhood were assembled to give a hearty welcome to the

newly-married couple.
year a great religious revival took place. The
On
held here was in the Methodist chapel.
ipth June, the Rev. Mr. Murdock, Methodist

The same
first

meeting

Sunday, the

by the Rev. George Alley, Larne, conducted

morning which lasted three hours, in the afternoon
two hours, and in the evening three hours nine hours in all.
Revival meetings were held during the summer in the Rev.
Mr. White's, North Street, and the Rev. Mr. Warwick's,
minister, assisted
services in the

Joy mount.
In September, the number attending Mr. Warwick's revival
class

was
1860,

Thomas

1 1 6.

At the spring

assizes,

Battersby, Esq., J.P.,

March

i3th, the

High

Sheriff.

Oakfield, had the pleasing duty

of presenting to the Lord Chief Justice Monahan a blank

of white gloves,
calendar, with its usual accompaniment, a pair
there not being a single
with
lace,
embroidered
gold
elegantly
prisoner for trial at the assizes.
built of best
ship of 200 tons burden,
1861, July 1 3th.

H4
Irish oak, was launched from Mr. Robin Johnston's shipyard in
"
Dorothea Wright."
Carrickfergus, and named the

1862, October ist. The railway line from Carrickfergus to

Larne was opened, and the railway companies interested in the
traffic between the ports of Larne and Stranraer commenced to
run a small sieamer, the Briton, which was withdrawn early in

1864-*

A company f was formed to construct a tramway

1863.
from the Harbour down Castle Street, High Street, and along
C. A. W. Stewart, Esq.,
the shore to the Scotch Quarter quay.
was appointed chairman. The projects of this company fell

through.

1865, September 2ist.

Bay.

The

racing

commenced

The
at

first

one

regatta

o'clock,

came

off in the

under the direction

and supervision of Marriott R. Dalway, Esq., J.P., Commodore.

Same year an outbreak of Fenianism occurred in Ulster.
"
Fenianism represents all that could be
It has been stated that
produced in the way of insurrection in 1865, and is as far below
the movement of 1848 as that was below the rising of 1798.
In October a
There have been many seizures of firearms.
held
after
the
Sessions
for
the purpose
was
Court,
meeting
Petty
of considering the propriety of making some representation to
the Government as to the insufficient way in which the Castle
was protected, and to urge upon them the necessity of sending
some additional soldiers to take charge of it.
A seizure of firearms and pikes, in
1866, February 3rd.
casks and cases, took place after the Fleetwood boat was berthed
in Belfast.
On the 24th of the same month the Habeas Corpus
Act was suspended in Ireland.

* In
August, same year (1864), a scheme was mooted for the
re-establishment of this service, but it was not until the year 1871 that
the negotiations for the re-opening of this route were brought to a
In July, 1872, the first vessel the Princess
successful termination.
Louise a paddle steamer, began the service, followed at an interval of
three years by the Princess Beatrice, built by Harland and Wolff of
Belfast.
Early in 1875 these steamers commenced to carry letters for
the Post Office, and have continued this service to the present day in
a most satisfactory manner.
t The seal of the Company is now in the possession of
Esq., J.P., who has also the key of the West Gate.

J In 1864 the Carrickfergus Amateur

W.

Rowing Club was

and this was the first regatta held under

Club was not established until 1886.

its

auspices.

Carruth,

established,
Sailing

The

1867.

Reform

Bill * introduced

by the Government was

passed.

Same year the water interests of the town were sold to

the Belfast Water Commissioners.!
1868, Monday, April 27th. Great rejoicings took place in
all parts owing to the release of William
Johnston, Esq., M.P.,
from Downpatrick Jail; he having been
imprisoned three
months for having defied the New
Party Processions Act, by
heading the Orangemen in their demonstration at Bangor on the
1 2th
of July previously.
In the evening tar barrels and
bonfires were lighted, and on
every hill there was a splendid
display of fireworks.

November

2ist.

The

election of Marriott

Robert Dalway,

Esq., as a member of Parliament for the borough was celebrated

at Mounthill.
Tar barrels and bonfires were lighted on all the

surrounding

hills.

December

iSth.

All places of business in Carrickfergus

* This Bill conferred the

franchise in boroughs on the occupiers of
dwelling-houses rated for the relief of the poor, and on lodgers who
rented unfurnished rooms valued at
10 a year as a minimum.
In
counties ^5 yearly value of property and
12 of valuation gave a vote
to holders and occupiers.
tWhen the Belfast Water Act was going through Parliament it
was pointed out to the freemen the seriousness of the project to the
town of Carrickfergus. A public meeting of the freemen was held in the
Courthouse, with the late Mr. James Stannus as chairman, when the
whole scheme was discussed and resolutions were passed condemnatory
all

of the project.
Mr. Barry Martin Smyth, solicitor, and his brother,
were employed to draft a memorial to the House of Lords, praying the
House to reject the measure, as it would be ruinous to the interests of
This action stirred up the Board of Municipal
Carrickfergus.
Commissioners, and they also forwarded a memorial to the House of
Lords, opposing the memorial of the public meeting and praying that
the Bill should be passed, as it had been approved by the Commissioners.
The result was that, largely owing to the memorial of the Commissioners, the Bill passed the Lords against the freemen. "The reason of this
action of the Board was that many of its members were interested in
public works and saw a chance of reaping large remuneration for their
Interest
some of them, it is stated, received ten or twelve thousand
pounds through the transaction. It was also stated that, had the then
Board acted in a patriotic spirit instead of a personal and selfish one,
they could, by citing the Lyndon Grant, have prevented the measure
passing, and put an end for ever to the claims of the Belfast Water
Commissioners, and the terror of wholesale eviction now going on
would never have existed." "Municipal Corruptions," by Mr. James
;

Logan, in the Carrickfergus Advertiser.

[The Lyndon Grant. On the i5th of September, 1681, John Lyndon

received a lease for ever of 515 acres for the sum of ^31 8s. id., with
the condition that he was to supply and keep in order the Western
water for ever.]
Mills, and supply the town of Carrickfergus with

1x6

were closed during the interment of the

late

Rev. Dr. Cooke,

Belfast.

Robert Torrens, Esq., presented a

1869, January 23rd.
* in the Court House
against the return of Marriott

petition

Robert Dalway. Esq., as a member for the borough.

Same

year

for

Bill

the

Disestablishment

of

the

Episcopal Church passed, f

There was a grand display of fire1871, March 22nd.

works in honour of the marriage of the Princess Louise, and at
half-past seven o'clock a salute of four guns was fired from the

Rowing Club
1873,

Pier.

April

The

2th.

first

contested

election

Guardians for the district took place, and considerable

was taken in the proceedings.

for

interest

old people will remember the unfavourable season of

With the exception of the famine year, it was the most

Many

1872.
in
recollected
Ireland's
unsatisfactory
period
agricultural
history for the previous half century.
June and July were
unusually cold and ungenial, the growth of herbage was

prevented for lack of heat, and every variety of stock suffered

more or less by the backward state of the weather. In May,
1873, ten shillings the hundred-weight were paid for potatoes
for table use.
* The
petition opposed the return of Mr. Dalway on the ground of
Mr.
practices, namely, treating, bribery, and intimidation.
Justice O'Brien, in giving judgment, stated that Mr. Dahvay had been
and that
duly elected, and in accordance with the Act of Parliament,
"
he should report to the Speaker to the following effect
First, that
the sitting member, Marriott R. Dalway, Esq., whose return has been
complained of by the petition in this matter, was duly elected, and
returned to serve in Parliament for the borough of Carrickfergus, and
that no corrupt practices had been proved to have been committed by,
or with the consent or knowledge of, the successful candidate or with
any of his agents, at such election and he felt bound to make an
order that each party pay his own costs."
tin March, 1868, Mr. Gladstone moved, in his place in Parliament,
a series of resolutions to the effect that the Irish Protestant Episcopal
Establishment should cease, that the endowment of the Roman Catholic
College of Maynooth should be discontinued, and that the Regium
Donum should be withdrawn from the Presbyterian Church, full
compensation being made for the life interests of the existing
These resolutions were adopted by a large majority of
beneficiaries.
and a Bill known as the Suspensory Bill was
the Commons,
but though the proposal was readily
introduced to legalise them
adopted by the Lower House of Legislation, it was negatived by the
A dissolution of Parliament followed. Mr. Gladstone was
Lords.
sustained in the new house by an increased majority of supporters, and
in the end the Disestablishment Bill became the law of the land.
corrupt

Friday,

June

6th.

William

Johnston,

Esq.,

M.P.,

Ballykilbeg, delivered a lecture in Joymount Presbyterian

Church, after which he was presented with an address from

the Carrickfergus Orangemen, in acknowledgement of his able

and successful labours in the House of Commons in having the

Party Processions Act repealed.

December 23rd. A meeting of the Town Commissioners

was held to call attention to the suit pending in the Court of
Chancery, instituted by the Municipal Commissioners in the
year 1868, against the Belfast Water Commissioners and the
Marquis of Downshire, for a declaration that the said Water
Commissioners are bound to supply the inhabitants of the
town of Carrickfergus with water from and out of the river
Woodburn, and praying that they should be ordered to execute
the necessary works for that purpose.

The Conservative working men mani1874, March 5th.

fested their delight that the Protestant cause had been successful
at the election of M. R. Dalway, M.P., and that the ConservaGovernment had entered into office, by burning tar barrels.
There was a display of fireworks from the Scotch Quarter Quay.
A violent storm swept over the town
1875, January 2oth.
At eleven o'clock the wind rose high, and at
and district.

tive

The gable at the Superintwelve the storm was at its height.

* was blown in, and
tendent's house at the Shiels Institution
houses received more or less injury.
February 6th. A meeting was held in the Masonic Hall,

many
High

purpose of considering what further steps

of the
regarding the letting of the lands

Street, for the

should be taken

Great Commons, f

A meeting of the freemen,

February 2oth.
in the Old Mill at Woodheld
was
inhabitants
and
burgesses,
Saturday.

the
lawn, for the further consideration of the vexed question of

*Charies Shitls, a native of Killough, Co. Down, and a successful

merchant, was born in 1782, and died in 1861, leaving
There are twenty-four
:QO,OOO to found the "Shiels Institutes."
circumstances
houses, which are open to respectable persons in reduced
There are similar Institutes in Killough,
resident in County Antrim.
Dungannon, Armagh, and Dublin.
" That this
meeting condemns
tit was proposed and seconded
to themthe persistent efforts of a party to confiscate and appropriate
and that it
selves and friends that which is our common property,
to have a Royal Commiss
pledges itself to take the preliminary steps
brought down to enquire into same."
Liverpool

u8
Commons,* which was
hands of Mr. Dalway.
1876, July iyth. A Canadian deputation from the Grand
Orange Lodge of America paid a visit to this town. They
came to take part in the Orange Conference to be held in
Derry, and to visit the various localities intimately associated
with the career of William the Third, Prince of Orange.
Her Majesty's Steam
1877, Tuesday, September 25th.
Yacht Halok arrived in the bay, having on board Rear-Admiral
Augustus Philimore, R.N., who was on a special tour of
distribution of the lands of the Great

left in the

inspection to the different coastguard stations in Ireland.

The foundation stone of Woodburn
1878, July 1 2th.

Orange Hall was laid by Samuel Graeme Fenton, Esq., J.P.

1879, January zoth. A meeting was held by the Harbour
Commissioners to consider the question of expending ^12,000
on extending and otherwise improving the harbour.
A petition! was lodged in the Court
1880, May 8th.
* About the
beginning of March these lands were let to
and fences put up, which were afterwards pulled down by some
who were opposed to the letting of the Commons lands.
A written placard was posted
Saturday, March 2oth.
Market Gate, calling on the Commons party to assemble on
at the Commons,
The
spades, &c.

from

them,

and

tenants,

persons

on

the

Monday

with guns, pikes, swords, pitchforks, hatchets, turf

party indignantly denied that it emanated
proclaimed that it was one of the tricks of the

Commons

On Monday two bands arrived from Belfast and proceeded

opposition.
to the Great Commons, followed by a large number of persons.
The
Commons party mustered in strong forces armed with bludgeons, and
There were
kept strict watch that no one trespassed on the farms.
about 2,000 persons present.

A memorial was prepared for presentation by the

April 3rd.
Municipal Commissioners to the Lords of the Treasury, praying their
assent to, and confirmation of the action of the Commissioners in
It contained the following
distributing the Commonable lands.
" That in the
year 1855 the then Municipal Commissioners of the said
borough presented their petition to the late Encumbered Estates Court,
praying for the sale of certain lands and premises therein mentioned,
and which were so vested in their corporate capacity for the purpose of
paying certain charges and encumbrances affecting the same.
April 24th. A telegram was received in Carrickfergus from London,
announcing that the Lords of the Treasury had given their consent to
the recent allotment of the Great Commons, and empowering the
Municipal Commissioners to grant leases for sixty-one y^ars to the
:

tenants of these

On

Commonable

lands.

Saturday, nth June, the Treasurer of the Carrickfergus

Municipal Commissioners attended at the Courthouse to collect the
first rents from the tenants of the Great Commons.
t The grounds on which the petition is issued are in ten paragraphs.
The first and second paragraphs are formal, and in the third it is
and corrupt
alleged that Mr. Greer was guilty of bribery, treating,

121

House, against the return of Mr. Thomas Greer as member for

Borough of Carrickfergus, by Mr. M. R. Dalway.
1 88 1,
November i9th.
A new lamp* and

the

drinking
fountain were erected by the Municipal Commissioners at the
head of High Street.

November yth, Tuesday.

Three fishermen were
accidentally drowned by the capsizing of their boat, by a squall
in the lough, two miles off Kilroot Point.
The names of the
fishermen were Robert Davison, Thomas Weatherup, and Robert
1882,

Reid.
1883, In June of this year the first number of the "Carrick"
was published.
fergus Advertiser f and East Antrim Gazette

The petitioner prays

practices before, during, and after election, &c.
that it may be determined that Mr. Greer was not duly elected, and
that the election and return were null and void.
Thursday, June 3rd. The trial of the election was opened in the
Courthouse before Mr. Baron Dowse and Mr. Justice Harrison.
Admission to the Courthouse was by ticket, owing to the limited
accommodation.

The

Mr. Marriot Robert Dalway, D.L.,

Mr. Thomas Greer, on the
ground of bribery, treating, personation, and undue influence, used
either by Mr. Greer or those employed on his behalf.
His Lordship, having dealt with the facts of the case and with the
" The conclusion he had come to was that
law on the subject, said
it was not an
and that the result was that
act of corrupt treating
both he and his learned brother would, have to report to the Speaker
of the House of Commons, that Mr. Greer had been duly elected."
Mr. Baron Dowse said that he wished just to add, that in their
certificate to the Speaker of the House of Commons, they would not
only state that Mr. Greer had been duly elected, but that there was
no proof that either candidate had been guilty of corrupt practices, and
that no corrupt practices prevailed at the last election.
In the evening Mr. Greer was drawn in triumph through the
principal streets of the town, in an open carriage, by his enthusiastic
supporters, and afterwards drawn to his residence at Seapark, where
he addressed a large crowd assembled on the lawn in front of his
sought

to

unseat

petitioner,

the

member,

present

house.

The numbers

polled

Thomas

at

this

election

Greer, Esq. (C.),

were

...

...

Marriott Robert Dalway, Esq. (L.),

*

...

591
554

37

The

of cast metal, standing on a concrete base, and

equal in strength to the light of 200 candles. " It is
Great
the site of where a large cross stood called

structure

the lamp is
erected near

is

Patrick."
t The late Rev. James Warwick published a paper called the
"Carrickfergus Freeman," which he discontinued a number of years
before his death, which occurred in 1882.
1883, Mr.
I5th June,
"
" Advertiser
from Market
James Bell issued the fir%t number of the
It was
Place, which was distributed free up till September, 1884.

afterwards
Street

transferred

and North

to
Street.

pages of that newspaper.

the

present

offices

at

The following annals

the corner of High

are taken from the

122

October 5th.
fergus,

Sir Stafford Northcote, M.P., visited Carrick-

and was entertained by Thomas Greer, Esq., M.P.,

After luncheon the party drove to Carrickfergus

Castle and were conducted through it and to the top of the
Tower by Colonel James Craig, 2nd Brigade. N.I. Division
* were
Royal Artillery. On returning to the yard the party

Seapark.

photographed by Mr. Magill, Donegall Place.

A meeting was held in the
Tuesday, November 2oth.
Courthouse,

Carrickfergus,

in

relation

to

Women's

Suffrage,

under the presidency of Mr. M. R. Dalway, D.L. There was.

a large attendance. Addresses were delivered by the Chairman,
Miss Biggs (London), Miss Todd (Belfast), the Rev. A.
Armstrong, and Mr. John A. Bowman (Lame), and the following resolution adopted

"
:

That the exclusion of women who are

possessed of the statutory qualifications for voting in the election

of members of Parliament, is injurious to the community at
large."

Mr. M. R. Dalway, D.L., wrote to the

1884, February.
Postmaster General, pointing out the advantages of Carrickfergus as a mail packet station, and stating that the town
occupied a more central position than either Belfast or Larne,
and that when the new Harbour Works were completed, Carrickfergus would be the best port for the mail service between the
North of Ireland, England, and Scotland.

The Redistribution of Seats Bill, passed this year,

deprived Carrickfergus of the privilege of returning a Member
to the Imperial Parliament.
Their Royal Highnesses the
1885, Monday, April 27th.
Prince and Princess of Wales (now King and Queen) and
Prince Albert Victor paid a visit t to this town.

*The party included the Duke of Abercorn, Marquis of Hamilton,

Marquis of Headford, Earl of Kilmorey, Earl of Yarmouth, and
Countess Yarmouth, Earl of Belmore, Viscount and Viscountess
Crichton, Lord and Lady Arthur Hill, Sir Thomas and Lady Bateson,
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir James M'Garell Hogg, M.P., George E. Kirk,
High Sheriff, and many others of the town and neighbourhood, who,
preceded
by the Orangemen, walked round the Quay and on arriving
"
at
King William's Stone," the Rev. J. Hamilton Bennett and Sir
Stafford Northcote stood thereon, when an address from the Orangemen
of the district was read by Mr. Bennett.
t This visit was not only embraced as a fitting opportunity for the
presentation of addresses of loyalty and welfome by the inhabitants,
but for the naming of the piers forming the new harbour, and the
Extensive
driving the first spike of the Harbour Junction Railway.
and a
preparations were made for the performance of the ceremonies,
;

123
1

886,

March

i2th.

Colonel Magendie,

Her Majesty Queen

Victoria's Chief Inspector of Explosives, visited Carrickfergus,

and

officially

Messrs.

inspected the

Cambridge

&

Co.,

gunpowder magazine belonging to

which

is

said

to

be the largest

licensed private magazine in Ireland.

June 8th, same year. Much interest was manifested by the

people of Carrickfergus in the debate on Mr. Gladstone's Home
Rule Bill. When the news arrived of the defeat of the Bill,
a feeling of thankfulness pervaded the entire community.
In
the evening bands paraded the streets and all passed off peacefully.

Very

serious rioting took place in Belfast, seven lives

grand stand was erected on the pier for the accommodation of the
The Royal Party arrived by special train about 2-50 p.m.,
spectators.
and were received at the station by Mr. Marriott R. Dalway, whowore the uniform of a Deputy-Lieutenant, and Mr. D. Digby Johns,
Town Clerk Mr. Pardo A.' Kirk, High Sheriff, and Mr. Robert
On their arrival a Royal Salute
Kelly, Sub-Sheriff, were also present.
The
of twenty -one guns was fired from the cannons at the Castle.
distinguished visitors then proceeded in carriages through Railway
Street, Albert Road, West Street, Market Place, and Castle Street, to
the Harbour, where Mr. M. R. Dalway, D.L., presented a most loyal
address from the Municipal Commissioners and Harbour Commissioners,
which was read by Mr. D. Digby Johns, Town Clerk.
Her Royal Highness then proceeded to name the Peirs, the East,
Simultaneously
the Albert Edward, and the West, the Alexandra.
with the naming of the Piers, a Royal Salute of twenty-one guns was
fired from the fleet.
The next ceremony was the opening of the new Harbour by His
Mr." L. L. Macassey, C.E., presented him with a
Royal Highness.
It bore an
etched in gold and colours.
special steel hunting knife,
" Presented to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales on
inscription on one side
the occasion of his opening the new Harbour of Carrickfergus, 27th
His Royal Highness then cut the cord and declared the
April, 1885."
Harbour open, amidst "renewed cheers, the band playing "St. Patrick's
schooner Susan,
Day." The first vessel to enter the Harbour was the
commanded by Captain Robert Donald, and under the direction of Mr.
Thomas Hamilton, Harbour Master.
the first spike of t
Following this came the ceremony of driving
new Harbour Junction Railway. For this purpose His Royal Highness
was presented with a wrought steel plate-'.ayer's hammer of tn<
;

:"

Presented to H.R.H. the Pi

ne%vest design, with inscription
of the Carn
of Wales on the occasion of his driving the first spike
As the Royal
fergus Harbour Junction Railway, 2jih April, 1885.
Partv left the dais on the return to the station, the band played
and Royal
National Anthem, and cheers were given for the Queen
was fired
Family- As the train left Carrickfergus another salute
were indulged
the Castle, and unmistakable expressions of loyalty
until the train was lost to view.
bv
On arriving at Larne Harbour the Royal Party were received
introduce<
Mr. James Chaine, M.P., and Lord Waveney immediately
from that bo
the Town Commissioners to the Prince, who received
At a quarter to five the bow of the Osboi
a most loval address.
the Rifles playing the Natio
swung out" from the pier, the band of
.

Anthem.

124
Avere lost

and, in addition, a large

number were dangerously

wounded.

The Municipal Commissioners of Carrick1887, March.

fergus forwarded an address to Queen Victoria congratulating
Her Majesty on attaining the fiftieth year of her reign.
This anniversary was most suitably
1888, July 1 2th.
celebrated in the neighbourhood by the loyal brotherhood of
Orangemen and their friends.*
1 8th same month.
This town was the scene of an event of
unusual interest and importance to Orangemen and Loyalists

Not only was the triennial meeting of

throughout the world.
the Grand Orange Council of the World held here, but the

members of
to

the

Orange

the

celebrate

Institution

tricentenary

of

and
the

their friends

defeat

of

assembled

the

Spanish

Armada, and the bicentenary of the landing of the Prince of

Orange at Torbayt

The

procession when it left the town numbered close on 10,000,

They marched first
being made at the Methodist Church.
through Albert Road, to the North Gate, into North Street, High
and
West
and
the
thence
Street
Woodburn
Street,
Road, to a field,
by
which had most kindly been granted to the Orangemen for the
The chair was taken by Bro. W. H. H.
occasion by Bro. Elliot.
Lyons, County Grand Master, who, having addressed the meeting,
called on Bro. the Rev. J. Hamilton Bennett to move the first resolution,
"
which was as follows
That, at our anniversary this year, 1888,
we devoutly thank God for the signal defeat of the Spanish Armada in
I588,and for the Glorious Revolution of 1688, gratefully acknowledging
that it was by His arm alone by which these deliverances were wrought
for our nation, and our religion, and ascribing to Him the honour
the

start

The first notice we have of Orangemen in

when on the i2th July three lodges walked in
In 1825 a number of Orangemen proceeding to walk were
procession.
their
dispersed by the Mayor, who took the sword from the tyler
drum was also broken. At present the Carrickfergus District numbers
due

to

His

name."

Carrickfergus

is

in

1823,

ten lodges.
T On the arrival of the 9-50 train from Belfast, the Grand Lodge
Officers of Antrim, together with the delegates and guests who had been
invited to the Council, were met by a contingent of the Orangemen of
The whole company, including the Earl of Erne, Grand
the district.
Master of the Orangemen of Ireland, formed in processional order,
Parish
and, headed by the Constitutional Flute Band, proceeded to the
Church, where divine service was held. The prayers were read by the
Rrv. Dr. Kane, and the Ven. the Archdeacon of Connort preached
The brethren, on leaving the church, formed once more
the sermon.
into processional order, and proceeded to the Harbour, where the
Earl of Erne stepped upon the stone on which the Prince of Orange
is said to have first set his foot upon his landing at Carrickfergus.
The Rev. J. Hamilton Bennett, D.M., Carrickfergus, said it became
his duty to wish his Lordship a hearty welcome on that occasion, and
him to tell his Lordship that the Orangemen,
take
that he'

might

upon

12 5

About 10-45 a m a number of large

1889, August 5th.
the Lough, several being attended
by torpedo
-

ships entered
boats.*

Lord Wolseley visited Carrickfergus.

1890, gth October.
His Lordship and party proceeded to the Castle, and a careful
inspection was made of the troops stationed there.
At half-past four o'clock, the
1891, Monday, July 6th.
workmen employed on the Belfast Waterworks, Woodburn,

not only of Carrickfergus, but of the whole country round about, were
entirely opposed to anything in the nature of an effort to repeal the
Union between Great Britain and Ireland. The Earl of Erne, in reply,
thanked them, and the procession then proceeded to the Town Hail,
where the Triennial Council was opened under the presidency of the
Earl of Erne.
After the business of the Council had been transacted,
the Worshipful Grand Master and brethren of the County Antrim
Grand Lodge invited the delegates and a large number of local gentlemen to dinner in the Town Hall, which was gaily decorated with flags.
+ The Archdeacon of Connor was a very prominent Orangeman, and
was incumbent of St. John's, Malone, Belfast, and Grand Chaplain of
the County Grand Lodge of Belfast. He died at Glencoe, Antrim Road,
the residence of his son-in-law, January 28th, 1907. At the time of his
A memorial window was erected to
death he was Dean of Connor.
Three of
his memory by public subscription in the Belfast Cathedral.
Dean Seaver's sons are clergymen, and one of the remaining three is
Mr. Henry Seaver, Architect and C.E., Belfast. The Rev. Jonathan
Seaver is vicar of St. Mathews, Surbiton, London the Rev. William
and the Rev. Richard Seaver is
Seaver, vicar of Spondon, Derby
;

rector

of

St.

John's.

Memorial, and Mr.

J.

The Rev. N. E. Smith, of Drew

Malone.
Thompson M' Donald, of Glencoe, Antrim Road,

are his sons-in-law.

*They came

in straggling fashion until they

reached the man-of-war

a
Carrickfergus and Greypoint, where they lay for
Immediately
couple of hours, but did not appear to cast anchor.
afterwards a torpedo boat shot out from the ships and was soon
The official in charge was the bearer of a 'arge
inside the Harbour.
" On Her
To
Immediate.
Majesty's Service.
envelope addressed
His Worship the Mayor or Chief Civil' Authority of Carrickfergus."
He inquired for the Mayor, but that functionary not being visible, the
missive was handed to the coastguard for delivery. It was in precisely
similar terms to that delivered to the Mayor of Belfast, and was signed
After the letter had been delivered, the torpedo
by Admiral Tyson.
boat made off, and the ships got under weigh and left the lough about
two o'clock. They were all disguised, their funnels being painted
The following are believed to be the names of
various way*.
The Bellisle, turret ship, the Traveller, twin screw tug, t

between

roads,

ships

the name of the gunboat

Cvclope Hecate, and Gorgon, all turret ships
boats (fo
or despatch vessel, could not be ascertained, and the torpedo
There was much excitement in Carrickfergus
are known bv numbers.
would be exchanged
at the time, 'and it was unknown whether shots
between the fortress and the fleet. It was afterwards stated
manoeuvres.
these vessels was in connection with the naval
;

visit of

126
heard a loud rushing noise, which proved to be a whirlwind *
of wonderful velocity.

A meeting f of the Municipal

1892, January 22nd.
Commissioners was held to consider what steps the Board should
take respecting their interests in the event of a Local Government
Bill being introduced for Ireland.

An

address was presented to the Marquis of

coming of age, by the Carrickfergus and
Straid tenantry, when on this occasion his lordship entertained

July 5th.

Downshire on

his

In the evening
2,000 of his tenantry at Hillsborough Castle.
on the Cairn Hill and at Straid.

bonfires were lighted

The Working Men's Institute was

1893, January 2ist.
formed for the benefit of working men of all denominations in
the neighbourhood.

Tuesday, May 23rd. The Unionists of Carrickfergus and

took advantage of the visit of the Marquis of Salisbury

district

to organise a very effective and enthusiastic demonstration at the

railway station as the special train which carried his Lordship
The band played the
to Belfast passed at 12-45 from Larne.

National Anthem, and all present joined heartily in singing

while the train steamed slowly through the station.
On Thursday, 25th, a deputation of the Unionists of

* The
cyclone passed over the upper reservoir, raising an immense
column of water in its vortex^and carrying it away across the country.
The water-spout fell as a deluge of rain on the Bryantang road, above
a public-house, and rushed foaming down the overflow course of the
The storm deviated from a straight line
above-mentioned reservoir.
after crossing Bryantang road, and spent its fury after unroofing a
house on the road to Ballynure. No serious injury was reported.
TAt this meeting the following resolution was adopted: "That
this Board, anticipating that a Local Government Bill, on the lines of
the English Local Government Act, will be introduced for Ireland,
forward to the Chief Secretary for Ireland a statement showing the
and County of the
position of Carrickfergus as a Municipal Borough
Town, and request that, in the event of such a Bill being introduced,
the County of the Town of Carrickfergus be constituted an administrative County of itself."
was held, and the following
On the 5th of May another
" That meeting
resolution was passed
we, the Municipal Commissioners of
the County of the Town of Carrickfergus, regard the Local 'Government
:

Bill

the

for

Ireland

wants of

now

this

before Parliament as a fair measure, suited to

and we trust the Government will make

country,

the Commissioners should

ment."

receive the careful attention of the Govern-

127

Carrickfergus presented an address of welcome to his Lordship

in the Town Hall, Belfast.

The Municipal Commissioners promoted a Bill in

1894.
Parliament which gave them power to
levy rates for sanitary

and other purposes.

vote

A meeting of persons qualified to

1895, February i2th.
was held in the Courthouse, Town Hall, in order to
pass a

approving of the expense of promoting a bill in

Parliament, to levy rates for sanitary and other purposes, to be
paid out of the Commissioners' rents arising from corporate
Daniel Bowman, Esq., Chairman.
property.
1895, June 22nd. The foundation stone of a new Orange
Hall was laid at the east end of Eden, parish of Kilroot,
resolution

by

the late M.

On

W.

E. Dobbs, Esq., D.L., J.P., Castle Dobbs.

the 27th February following it was opened
by Mr.

Dobbs.

A serious fire broke out in Joymount

1896, April 27th.
Bleach Works, which completely demolished a large building
and destroyed a considerable quantity of goods, the damage
being estimated at ^2,000.
Same month the foundation stone of the Knockagh Orange
Hall was laid by Bro. William H. Arbuthnot.

June 26th. The Royal Society of Antiquaries paid a visit

to the town, and were conducted through the Castle and St.
Nicholas Church by W. J. Fennell, Esq., M.R.I. A., who gave a
most interesting description.

Same month

the

new Recreation Grounds, Clipperstown,

were opened.
Field
Marshal Earl Roberts, V.C.,
August 27th.
Commander-in-Chief of the Forces in Ireland, paid a visit to
the town. He was accompanied by Major-General Geary, C.B.,

Commanding Troops,

Belfast District.

September 4th. The foundation stones of a new Masonic

Hall * were laid in Victoria Street in presence of an imposing
assemblage of members of the order and the general public.

* For

years the Freemasons of Carrickfergus held their

upper floor of a house in Lancasterian Street. Feeling
they were not in a place worthy of the order or suited for its
ceremonies, a number of brethren formed a committee in 1895, and

assemblies

many

in the

the sanction of the Provincial Grand Lodge was obtained to build a

new Masonic Hall. Funds were raised from Lodges 43, 282, and
Chapter 253, also by personal subscriptions and collections from those

128

lifeboat *

of the latest design and

modern improvements was presented to the
inhabitants of the town by T. B. Dryburgh, Esq., London.
The Marquis of Dufferin and Ava,
1897, April 1 4th.
Lords
accompanied by
Bangor and De Ros, and Major

September i8th.
with

fitted

all

Sharman-Crawford,

visited

Carrickfergus

for

the purpose of

inspecting the fine fleet of yachts which were being built in Mr.
John Hilditch's ship and yacht-building yard.
The Belfast District (Xo. 17) of the
August 7th.
Order
of
Rechabitesf arrived in the town, and were
Independent

The foundation stones were laid by Bro. Thomas

D.P.G.M., Bro. James Barr, V.W.P.S.G.W., Bro. Col.
James M. M'Calmont, and Bro. A. J. A. Lepper, l.P.P.M. The
architect was S. P. Close, C.E., and the contractor Ezekiel Caters.
The new Hall was opened and dedicated on July 2nd, 1898.
The history of Freemasonry in Carrickfergus is very interesting.
For a number of years there was but Lodge 43, and there being a
great many unattached members in the town, enough to form another,
In
they applied to the Grand Lodge in Dublin for a warrant number.
looking up vacant numbers, 282 was found to have formerly belonged
The je\vels belonging to this Lodge when in
to Carrickfergus.
Carrickfergus were formerly in the possession of the late Marriott
Dalway, Esq., Bellahill his son, the present Marriott Robert Dalway,
Esq., D.L., J.P. (of Bellahill, and Lome, Victoria, Australia), before
leaving for Australia, in 1886, gave them into the charge of Lodge 43,
On examining the
there being no other in Carrickfergus at that time.
" Harmonie " was found on
them, which is the name
jewels the name
of the present No. 282.
An interesting story is told of the old warrant that it was taken
to Baltimore by a company of soldiers who were stationed at Carrickit was brought back, but was afterwards destroyed by fire.
fergus
A new warrant was made for the present Lodge, dated 1817.
outside the craft.

Valentine,

states that Thourot, when he visited Carrickfergus in

it was afterwards
1760, carried off the flag belonging to Lodge 282
restored to Carrickfergus by Captain Elliott after he had captured the
French fleet off the Isle of Man and slain Thourot in the engagement.
This flag is (or was) now in the possession of Mrs. Letts, the daughter
of the late Rev. James Warwick, Carrickfergus.
In olden times, on St. John's Day, 24th June, the Freemasons

Tradition

The custom has long

walked in procession, with flag and regalia.
since ceased.
*
A demonstration took place at^ the
September 26th, Saturday.
Mrs. G. E. Kirk,
pier, and the christening ceremony performed by
The religious services were conducted by the Rev. George
Thornfield.
Chamberlain. The boat was named the Zaida.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution
November nth.
established a branch at Carrickfergus, and a new boathouse built out-

26th, by Mrs. J. M. M'Calmont.

origin in 1835, at Salford, England,
but its influence was not felt in Ireland until eleven years laier. The
Belfast District very largely owes its origin to the wave of earnest
over the North of Ireland in 1859, and in
religious fervour that swept
The first meeting of
this present year District No. 17 held its jubilee.
Ruler
the Order was held on December ist, 1859, the District Deputy
side the East Pier

TThe

was opened, on the

Rechabite Order had

its

129
joined by the Carrickfergus Fortress Tent, No. 2091, and the
whole, numbering about 1,000, formed in processional order, and
accompanied by a number of bands, and carrying the banners

of the various lodges, marched through the principal streets of

the town to the Recreation Grounds. -The sight was a novel

one

in Carrickfergus,

many

and the presence of the

coloured dresses,

among

fair sex, with their

their sterner brethren, as well as

the boys and girls, also wearing their sashes, who had thus early
joined the temperance crusade, made it equally pretty and

imposing.
1 3th same month.
formed.

The

Jubilee Nursing Association was

In 1898, by the Irish Local Government Act the County

Town of Carrickfergus was abolished and merged in
By the same Act the Board of Municipal
County Antrim.
Commissioners was dissolved, and the duties taken over by an

of the

Urban

District

Council consisting of

18

members,

and the

Towns Improvement (Ireland) Act, 1854, made

apply to the town forming the Urban Sanitary District.
1899, Monday, January i6th. The first election under the

provisions of the
to

provisions of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898, was

The Municipal Board formerly
held in the Town Hall.

of twenty members, each member representing 500

but as the population of the County of the Town
decreased, it was necessary, under the new Act of Parliament,
consisted

electors,

Board should consist of eighteen members.* Under

the former franchise the qualification was limited to those who
10 and upwards, but under the recent Act
had a rating of
that the

all

those

who pay

January 3oth.

rates

were entitled to

vote.

public meeting was held

in the

Union

father of the
appointed on that occasion was Bro. Joseph Moneypenny,
well-known and respected Belfast City Chamberlain, F. W. Moneypenny,
M.V.O. and the first District Treasurer was Mr. Robert Carswell,
founder of R. Carswell & Son, Ltd., Belfast, father of Alan Carswell,
The Independent Order of
the present head of the firm.
J.P.,
Rechabites is the oldest temperance fraternity and the wealthiest
The Carrickfergus Fortress Tent, No.
friendly society in the world.
2019, was not established until 1891.
Thomas Vint,
*The names of the first Urban Council were
Char!
James Logan, Robert A. Carnaghan, Alexander Miscampbell, Edward
M. Legg, William Gorman, William Byrtt, Austin Cornwall,
Thomas Jack,
Davy, Arthur B. Francis, John Hagan, John Patterson,
Walter Carruth, David Black, James M'Cullough, Paul Rodgers, Henry
M'Cavana. Chairman, Thomas Vint.
;

10

130

Hall
J.P.,

of the candidature of Thomas Houston, Esq.,

Carnmoney, as a County Councillor* for the

in support

Ashley,

town of Carrickfergus.
On the 4th February there was another meeting in favour
of Alexander Miscampbell, Esq., Governor's Place, Carrickfergus, as a County Councillor for the town.
May 26th. The eightieth anniversary of the birthday of
Queen Victoria was celebrated here in the customary manner, f

Thursday, June ist. Mr. Henry Fitzgibbon, Q.C., County

Court Judge, attended at the Courthouse, Town Hall, to dispose
of the business of the Half-yearly Sessions, which were the last
to be held at Carrickfergus.

the bench by Messrs. Charles

His Honour was accompanied

to

Robert
MacMurray, Esq., J.P., and William Gorman, Esq., J.P. Mr.
Charles H. Brett, Clerk of the Peace, was also in attendance.
J.

Johnstone,

High

Sheriff,

July 14. The final Commission of Assize + for the County

of the Town of Carrickfergus was opened in the Record Court-

* The
polling for a County Councillor and two District Councillors
to represent Carrickfergus took place on ist April.
The urban electors
who had votes for the County Council Candidates voted in the Courthouse and Town Hall.
The numbers polled at this election were
for
Mr. Miscampbell, 789
for
Mr. Houston, 785.
For Rural
Councillors, Mr. David G. Whiteford, 338, and for Mr. Thomas
:

M'Allister, 322.
t At half-past eleven a.m. the recruits and duty men of the Antrim
Artillery, under the command of Major and Adjutant Paris, paraded in
review order, and ten gun detachments with Sergeant-Instructor

and Company Sergeant-Major

commanded by
Forsyth
Gresley,
Lieutenant R. N. Hill, marched to the Castle. The remainder of the
men proceeded to Joymount Parade, where they were lined along the
sea wall.
At twelve o'clock a Royal salute of twenty -one guns was
opened from the Castle batteries, and on the firing of the seventh gun
the men on Joymount fired a feu de joie, the Artillery band playing
" God Save the
Queen." After the last gun of the salute was fired,
the men returned to camp headed by the band.
The
$
County of the Town of Carrickfergus has, under the
operation of the Local Government Act, been merged for Assizes
in
County Antrim, and the i4th July, 1899, witnessed the final
purpose
The Grand Jury and Municipal Comcommission of the Assize.
missioners, who managed its affairs, being replaced by Urban, Rural,
and County Councillors.
Mr. Charles James Johnston, who had the privilege of being the
a fitting one to bid adieu in
High Sheriff, thought the occasion
" with all
a public manner to the old system
its greatness," while at
the same time to welcome the new "with its possibilities," and on
Saturday night, the ijth July, 1899, gave a banquet in the Town Hall,
Carrickfergus, to the "going judges of Assize," Lord Chief Baron
Pallas and the Right Hon. Mr. Justice Andrews, and the past Grand
Jurors, together with a large number of prominent gentlemen of the
last

town and neighbourhood.

Belfast, before the Right Honourable Mr. Justice

Andrews. His Lordship, in addressing the Grand Jury, said,
"
he had pleasure in informing them that there was no bill to go
before them, he warmly congratulated them upon the creditable
state of the County of the Town of Carrickfergus, thanked them

house,

for their attendance,

and

relieved

them from remaining any

longer.''

July 2 pth.
meeting of the Carrickfergus tenantry ot
the Earl of Shaftesbury was held in the Town Hall, to prepare
an address to be presented to him on the occasion of his

This presentation was

marriage.
Belfast Castle.

made on

the 3ist August, at

160 men of the Special

1900, Sunday, 25th March.
Service Section of the Antrim Artillery, under the charge of

Major Elmitt, left Carrickfergus for South Africa. Some time

before leaving a concert was held in the Albert Hall, at which
presentations of pipes and tobacco were made to the men.
On Wednesday, loth of July, 1901, 80 men of the abovementioned section returned to Carrickfergus, and were entertained
by the inhabitants of the town to breakfast in the old court-house.
After breakfast the men formed on parade on the drill-ground
at the barrack, and were addressed by Colonel M'Calmont, M.P.,
and Major-General Leach, V.C.
June 6th. The inhabitants of Carrickfergus celebrated the

Flags
occupation of Pretoria in a most enthusiastic manner.
were hoisted and bunting displayed in profusion in every public
thoroughfare in the town, while bonfires were lit at the Scotch

A torchlight
Castle Gardens, and elsewhere.
the
Good
was
Templar
procession
organised, accompanied by
Brass Band and the Carrickfergus Flute Band. The greatest

Quarter

Pier,

enthusiasm

prevailed

everywhere,

the

streets

being

crowded.

an advanced hour, and everything

rejoicings
in
most
a
off
peaceful manner.
passed
8th.
General Sir George White, V.C. G.C.B.,
June
Friday,

The

lasted

till

visit to
&c., the gallant defender of Ladysmith, paid a brief
inhabitants
the
from
a
and
received
presentation
Carrickfergus,
of the town and district at the railway station.*

*A large platform was erected on the left of the station on which

the presentation was made. A naval guard consisting of 60 men from
H.M.S. Calliope was drawn upon the platform, and when the General.
the
Lady White, their daughter, and party, set foot on the platform
men" presented arms, and the bugle sounded the general salute. The

132

September
Mrs.

Skeffington

paid a

Colonel James Craig, J.P., and the Hon.

Craig, of Carlton Hall, Carlton-on-Trent,

yth.

Carrickfergus in order to present the

"
"
as
Carlton House
(which they
a
for
Men's
Christian
purchased
Young
Association) to the
trustees, free of rent for ever.
Notts,

to

visit

Deeds of the building known

1900, September 2pth.

meeting was held in the Town
of the supporters of Colonel J. M. M'Calmont as
The chair was
Parliamentary candidate for East Antrim.*

Hall

taken by John M'Ferran, Esq.

Colonel M'Calmont,
most enthusiastically received, addressed the meeting.

who was

October, 5th. Dr. King Kerr addressed, in the Courthouse,

one of the largest meetings held in connection with his East
Antrim campaign.
The news of the death of Queen
1901, January 22nd.
Victoria was received here with profound sorrow. After ringing
the curfew,t the bells of St. Nicholas Episcopal Church and
the First Presbyterian Church were tolled for about an hour.

Flags were unfurled

at half-mast

on the tower of the

Castle,

Town

Mr.
Hall, and on the shipping in the Harbour.
Thomas Vint, J.P., as Chairman of the Urban District Council,
sent a telegram of condolence to
Sir Francis Knollys,

the

Marlborough House.

The Earl and Countess of Shaftesbury,

Mr.
Thomas H. Torrens, J.P., his Lordship's
accompanied by
agent, arrived at the Town Hall at 12-30, and were received by
Mr. Thos. Vint, Chairman of the Urban Council, who
March 22nd.

introduced those who had received invitations to meet them.

Lord and Lady Shaftesbury then inspected the old charters,
minute books, drawings, seals, &c., Mr. Thos. Vint and Mr.

James

Boyd,

Town

of

consisted

presentation

accompanying

it

Clerk,

was placed

explaining

the

contents

of

the

and the address

silver
salver,
a cylindrical red morocco-covered case.

solid

in

After the departure of Sir George >Vhite and party, Mr. Thomas
Chairman of the Urban District Council, entertained a very
company in the Town Hall.
The number of votes at the election of a Member of Parliament

Vint,
large
*

for East

Antrim were

Colonel M'Calmont
Dr. King Kerr

...

...

...

...

3,582
2,653
P.2Q

one of the old customs of feudal times that is still kept

Other bells are the labour bell, the state bells,
Carrickfergus.

t This

is

up in
and the market

bell.

c.
In the afternoon the Earl and Countess
Shaftesbury proceeded to the Barn, where they partook of
luncheon with Mr. John M'Ferran, and afterwards drove to
inspect the Castle, Parish Church, and New Parochial Schools.

charters,

Up till July, 1901, Carrickfergus was the headquarters of

Royal Irish Constabulary, Carrickfergus District, which

the

included Glenarm, Larne, Ballyclare, Greencastle, Whiteabbey,

and Doagh stations. On the 24th July the headquarters were
transferred to Larne.

Monday, ipth August. His Royal Highness the Duke* of

Connaught, Commander-in-Chief of the forces in Ireland,
landed at Carrickfergus from His Majesty's ship Malampus,
which arrived in the Lough the previous evening. The principal
object of his visit

have been

was to inspect the new Ordnance Stores which

on the site of the old County Antrim Jail.

built here

November i2th. The S.S. Whiteabbey, a Carrickfergus

owned boat, laden with coal from Preston to Carrickfergus, was
sunk

Groomsport by the force of a great gale. A crew of

who were all from Carrickfergus, were lost.
In 1902 this boat was raised and taken to Belfast to be
off

nine men,

repaired.

December

27th.

meeting was held in Minorca School in

order to establish a branch of the Gaelic League in Carrickfergus.

1902, January.

The

in Lancasterian Street

Hall

old Parochial Hall and Schoolhouse

was sold to the

trustees for

an Orange

of ^200, rent free for ever.

May 26th, Monday. Mr. T. W. Russell, M.P., addressed
a public meeting in the Albert Hall on Compulsory Purchase
The meeting was under the
and Government Land Bill.
at a cost

Labourers' Union,
auspices of the Ulster Tenant Farmers' and
a branch of which was recently established in this neighbourhood.

June 2nd, Monday.

he

News of

the restoration of peace in

*The Duke and party inspected the Castle Garden

viewed the
saw the large guns, and afterwards
"
"

Battery, where
of the

interior

Castle.
He evinced much interest in a book which is preserved
the Castle. This relic of a disturbed period appears to be a^book bound
in morocco, and it bears on the cover the inscription, "Kennedys
Works." On opening the clasp, in the absence of leaves and prints
a number of cartridges
it contains a revolver on one side, and

matter,

on the other.
1872.

It

was given up

at the surrender of

arms about 1865 or

134
South

was

Africa

received

with

much enthusiasm by

the

inhabitants of Carrickfergus.
Flags and bunting were displayed
from many of the business and private houses, and salutes were

by the military from the Castle Gardens. Bonfires were

lighted in several streets of the town and surrounding districts.
27th same month, owing to the illness of His Majesty, King

fired

Edward VII., the coronation celebrations were postponed. The

Urban District Council forwarded a telegram of sympathy to
Sir

Francis

Knollys.

Buckingham

Palace.

The

coronation

Committee representative of the town and district of Carrick"

fergus also forwarded a letter
humbly expressing their
sympathy, hoping and praying that His Majesty may be
speedily restored to health, and that Her Majesty Queen
Alexandria and the Royal Family may be sustained and
comforted in their time of great anxiety."
August pth. The Coronation of King Edward VII. was
celebrated here.
The bells of the Episcopal Church and other
churches were rung during the time that the coronation
ceremony was proceeding in Westminster Abbey. At 12 noon
a Royal salute of twenty-one guns was fired, and immediately
afterwards the public assembled in Victoria
In the evening there was
National Anthem.
Dress Parade, accompanied by several Brass
was fired as a signal for lighting of bonfires,

Place sung the

Grand Fancy
A gun
and the ringing

Bands.

of the church bells as a signal for a general illumination of

houses.
There was a grand display of fireworks at Joymount

and elsewhere.

most disastrous fire

1903,* Saturday, 7th February.
occurred in the Woodburn Weaving Factory, situated about a
mile inland from Carrickfergus, damage being done to the

^25,000. The Belfast Fire Brigade was telephoned

and a four horse engine or steamer was despatched with
full complement of men and apparatus, which did the journey
of eleven miles in the short space of an hour.

extent of
for,

*
September loth, same year, Colonel James Craig, J.P., and the
Hon. Mrs. Skeffington Craig, in the Town Hall, formally presented to
the Urban Council of Carrickfergus a manual engine and fire escape,
with all appliances, for the use of the inhabitants and neighbourhood.
In May, 1908, they exchanged the manual engine for a splendid
steam fire engine, which has proved to be very beneficial to the town
and district.
In 1903 Colonel Craig also presented 10 iron seats to be placed on
the sea front and elsewhere to accommodate the public.

135

The walking boom

attracted a wonderful amount of

and neighbourhood, and a local walk
took place, from Larne to Carrickfergus, on the
2yth June.
A large crowd witnessed. the start at Larne, which was performed
by R. H. H. Baird, Esq., J.P., Belfast.

June.

interest in Carrickfergus

Same

Monday, July 26th, their Majesties' visit to

marked in Carrickfergus by a liberal display of
bunting from many of the principal business establishments
and private houses. On the Castle Tower the Royal Standard
floated during Sunday and Monday, and the local Coastguard
Station and Rowing Club Boathouse were decorated with flags
and streamers. The Urban District Council of Carrickfergus
year,

Belfast was

presented a most loyal address of welcome to their Majesties on

this occasion of their visit to Belfast.
The deputation consisted

of Mr. Charles M.

Legg and Mr. William Gorman, J.P.

The Urban District Council
gth.

of
1904,
July
Carrickfergus held a special meeting to present Mr. and Mrs.
H. G. Legg, Carrickfergus and Capetown, with an illuminated
i

address in recognition of the generous gift of ^1,000 for a

for the town.

new cemetery

The Naval Manoeuvres began in the

8th, Monday.
The opposing sides were called respectively the " Red "
and "Blue." The Blue occupied the Irish Coast with a base
August

bay.
at

Carrickfergus.

There

were three

battleships

and

three

second cruisers on the Roads opposite the Castle.

The Right Rev. Thomas Welland,
1904, December loth.
D.D., Bishop of Down, Connor, and Dromore, conducted the
service of consecration of

new

"

Victoria

"

Cemetery, off
G. Legg, of Capetown and
It
Carrickfergus, to the inhabitants of the town and district.
from
mile
distant
a
and
is
about
five
acres,
comprises about

Larne Road, the

gift

the

of Mr.

Hugh

Carrickfergus.
the

1905, April yth. Messrs. Henry Laverty & Sons purchased

valuable property known as Wilson's Meadows and

proceeded to erect extensive brickworks.*

* In
an old and
taking this step the Messrs. Laverty were renewing
valued association with Carrickfergus, the firm having been founded by
The extent to which it developed
the late Mr. Henry Laverty in 1868.
was such that it became increasingly difficult to conduct it from
to Belfast.
Carrickfergus, and in 1888 it was found necessary to remove
After the death of Mr. Henry Laverty, the founder of the firm, the
business was converted into a private Limited Liability Company,
and Hugh
having as its heads Messrs. John, James, William,

136

The Royal Society of Antiquarians of Ireland

July 2nd.
paid a visit to the town ; the Castle and St. Nicholas Church
were visited, and an interesting description was given by

W. J. Fennell, Esq., M.R.I. A. In the evening the party were

entertained by Sir Hugh and Lady Smiley, at Drumalis, Larne.
October

6th.

General

the

Right

Hon. Lord Grenfell,

G.C.B., G.C.M.G., commanding the forces in Ireland, made a

brief inspection of the Old Courthouse, Ordnance Stores, and
the Castle.

At a luncheon subsequently given

Daniel

Sir

Mayor,

Dixon,

M.P.,

his

in Belfast

Lordship's

by the Lord
health was

enthusiastically toasted.*

November

Miss L. Rentoul, Belfast, delivered her

27th.
"
lecture on
The Apotheosis of Liquor," in the
Hall, under the auspices of the First Presbyterian

well-known
Albert

Church Young People's Guild, the Rev. Alexander Cuthbert,

A.M., presiding.

When the news of the return of

1906, i pth January.
Colonel M'Calmont as member for East Antrim was received
Bands
Carrickfergus the greatest enthusiasm prevailed.
a
the
and
nine
o'clock
and
between
town,
paraded
eight
and
the
was
formed
torchlight procession
proceeded through
in

principal

supposed

streets.

In the middle of it a coffin was carried,

the remains of Colonel M'Calmont's

contain

to

opponent, Major Beddoes.

The

rendezvous was Victoria Square,

Laverty, and its career since has been one of continuous success. The
firm has also been engaged carrying out large contracts in Dublin and
Their brickworks are considered second to none in
Londonderry.
Ireland, and the patent kilns are capable of dealing with 200,000 to
230,000 bricks per week.
" his
* In the course of his
stay in
reply to the toast he said,
Belfast had been short, and he hoped the officers present would take
to heart the great military lesson that he had learned during his visit
to Carrickfergus.
In the i4th century an Irish officer with a small
garrison was charged with the defence of Carrickfergus Castle, which
was besieged by an opposing force. The garrison was reduced to the
last extremity
there were no more rations left, and so hopeless was
their
that the Scotch besieging force arranged for the
position
Thirty Scotchmen of the besieging force
capitulation of the place.
Now this was the military
were by the terms allowed to come in.
When he
lesson which he wished the officers present to take to heart
got them inside, the Irish officer shut the gates, killed the thirty
Scotchmen, salted them down, and issued them as rations and thus
he was able to hold out with his garrison until the siege was raised.
The strong military instinct a matter in which he always tried to
educate his officers was very much displayed in that incident."
;

'

'

137

where the

coffin

was consigned to the flames amid the cheers of

the assembled crowd.

Same month,

a Technical School, under the

Agricultural
Ireland, was opened in rented

and Technical Department,

premises in West Street.

On

February 2nd.

the return of Mr. Glendinning as M.P.

for North Antrim (who, with Mr. M'Keen, owns the

important
works at Woodburn), the employees, together with almost all the

neighbourhood, celebrated the event by bonfires.

May
Ballyhill,

1 4th.
A young man named William Hart, of
was brought up before the Magistrates at a Special

Court of Petty Sessions in the

Town

him was being concerned

the

Hall ; the charge against

death of William Martin,
The prisoner was returned for trial at the July
Crossmary.
Assizes, and was found not guilty.

October nth.

Two

Courthouse.

in

serious tragedy took place in the

recruits

named

respectively

Johnston

Old
and

M'Clean had a dispute early in the day, and at night Johnston

stabbed M'Clean in the left side with a fixed bayonet. He was
immediately arrested, and M'Clean was taken in the ambulance
where he died next morning

to the Military Hospital, Belfast,

at six o'clock.

1907, Wednesday,

March 22nd.

fire

broke out in the

and Museum, High Street,

premises of the Union Hall
which involved the total destruction of the building and
material injury to the Post Office premises which adjoined.
August

5th.

detachment of the Rifle Brigade arrived

Carrickfergus, and proceeded to the Castle to relieve the

guard supplied from the staff of the Antrim Royal Garrison
Artillery which had been doing duty there since the serious
in

was formed in Carrickfergus under the name

and Scientific Society," Alexander Johns, Esq.,
Its objects
Treasurer; William Maloney, Esq., LL.D., Secretary.
" To communicate useful
\vere
knowledge, to teach the greatness and
goodness of the Creator, as these are revealed in all His works, and to
The
and goodwill among men."
inculcate temperance,
sobriety,
erection of a public hall was contemplated, and money collected for the
the
money
purpose, but having fallen far short of the amount requisite,
was expended in the purchase of the present property of the Society
been
has
which
known as the "Union Hall," High Street,
destroyed.
These premises are held rent free for ever, and consisted of a reading
other
several
and
of
and
apartments which
museum,
room, library,
were let. These premises are being rebuilt, provision being made for
a Technical School.
of

*In 1853 a
"

the

society

Literary

disturbances *

The

had been without a

Boer War, when the
detachment supplied from the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Irish
Rifles
was withdrawn.
Large quantities of arms and
ammunition are stored in the Castle, which were practically
in

Belfast.

company of regular troops

Castle

since

the

unguarded.

A meeting in connection with the

1908, January 22nd.
forward movement of the Young Men's Christian Association
was held in the Parochial Hall ; the chair was taken by Wm.
The meeting was addressed by Sir
Gorman, Esq., J.P.
Algernon Coote, Bart., President of the Union of Y.M.C.A's
in Ireland, and Chairman of Executive.
A Temperance Demonstration was held in
June 5th.
Victoria Square, under the auspices of the Independent Order
of Good Templars, Independent Order of Rechabites, Total
Abstinence L.O.L., No. 1537, and the Irish Temperance
The meeting was to express satisfaction with the
League.
Bands paraded the
Licensing Bill then before Parliament.
town, and the whole proceedings passed off peaceably.
Colonel James Craig, J.P., and the Hon.
August yth.
Mrs. Skeffington Craig opened the New Mission Hall and
Annexe to the Young Men's Christian Association! premises
in Market Place, which they had given some years before.
* Belfast

had been

experiencing

an

unusual

number

of

trades'

In consequence work was suspended in

many places,
disputes.
The dock labourers' dispute with the
principally around the docks.
Belfast Steamship Company caused the carters to come out in
The strike, which began on the 27th
with the dockers.

sympathy

The carters gained an

continued until the i6th of August.
appreciable advance of wages, and an improvement in the general
while the masters successfully asserted their
conditions of their work
claim to employ non-members of the Carters' Union. The direct cash
losses sustained by the Belfast community are estimated by the special
" Tribune " to amount to
,7,000 in the case of
correspondent of the
10,000 lost by master carriers, and between
wages lost by the men,
.30,000 and ^"40,000 lost by the general body of merchants and
Claims for compensation amounting to over ,30,985 have
retailers.

of June,

boen lodged against the Corporation of Belfast. The City had also to
pay for the upkeep of 3,500 soldiers.
tThe Carrickfergus Y.M.C.A. was established in 1873. The
first meeting in the
beginning was on a small scale, the members
house of Mr. J. K. Mitchell, Governor's Place, but in 1877 premises
were taken in West Street, where a cafe was organised in a small
more
way. Later it was found that this branch of the work required
room, and a larger house was rented in High Street, where the work
of the Association was developed in many directions.
Mrs.
the President, Colonel Craig, and the Hon.
In
1900,

Skeffington

Craig,

purchased the present premises

in

Market Place,

139

Monday, i6th November.

meeting was held in premises

purpose of considering the
advisability of forming in Carrickfergus a branch of the East
in

Governor's

Place

for

the

Antrim Liberal Association.

W. H. Davey,

The meeting was addressed by Mr.

"
M.A., B.L., Editor of the
Ulster Guardian."

1909, Tuesday, 4th May.

held in the Petty Sessions Court.

The

first

Town Court* was

Monday, 24th May, Empire Day. This day was celebrated

whole-hearted fashion throughout the
Addresses
country.
were delivered in the schools to the children,
alluding to the

in

duty of patriotism and love of country, after which the Union

Jack was saluted, followed by the singing of the National

Anthem.
together with

and rooms are

an adjoining

of rent for ever.

contains

site, on which the present Mission Hall

so that the Association might have a home free
The new building, in addition to the Lecture Hall,
dining-room, parlour, recreation rooms, bedrooms,

built,

spacious

and Secretary's office.

The door of the "NT ew Hall was opened by Colonel Craig with a
beautifully engraved gold key, presented by the builder, Mr. Ezekiel
The proceedings inside
Caters, and supplied bv Mr. James Graham.
the Hall were presided over by Sir Robert Anderson, Lord Mayor of
Belfast.

The expenditure involved amounted to ^1,000, and of this sum

Colonel Craig and the Hon. Mrs. Skeffington Craig have given
500.
It
was through Colonel Craig's generosity that Mr. F. W. A.
MacCormac was appointed General Secretary, and his salary paid for
three years.
Since his appointment the movement has made rapid and
wonderful progress.
In the evening, the members of the Young Men's Christian
Association presented an illuminated address in album form to Colonel
in
President,
Craig,
grateful appreciation of the prayerful and
practical interest he had always shown in the welfare of the Association,
signed by the Vice-President, members and associates.
* In recent
years the police found difficulty in dealing with various
offences, and the Urban Council decided to have the Court constituted.

Mr. Thomas Vint, who is Chairman of the Council, was present in

that capacity, and the other magistrates 'occupying the seats on the
bench were
Mr. Robert MacMurray, J.P., Chairman of the ordinary
Mr. H.
Petty Sessions Court, and Mr. Joseph M'Caughan, J.P.
:

Blackburn, solicitor, said he was instructed by

on their behalf and explain the offences which
The fines imposed would be
the Town Court.
the Council, and the Clerk, Mr. David Law,
costs imposed.

the Council to appear

could be dealt with at
lodged to the credit of
would be paid by the

HISTORY

OF CARRICKFERGUS.

&c,,

PART

II.

CHAPTER
IN

I.

proceeding to notice the ancient state of Carrickfergus,

have, for the information of the reader, annexed a plan
of the town, taken about 1550; and shall commence this

we

part of the work with

its

The town appears

elucidation.

protected on the north and west by a

broad trench, or wet ditch

and without any regular streets,
consisting chiefly of a number of castellated mansions, called
by the names of their respective owners, among which are those
:

of Sendall, Russel, and Savage; families who arrived here with

John de Courcy. The small houses, or cabins, were probably
of clay: as the records of 1593 mention, as a remarkable event,
in

"

lyme

West- Street

off

on

&

"

stoane

&

was made fayer

parte thereof was in rotten
street

"

beginning to be erected that yeai

the grounds of which were about said time let
It is added that said
condition of the like being built.

houses of

The

Stronge, wheare before the moste

ruinous clay howses
Cottages."
church of St. Nicholas, save the spire, appears nearly

&

&

and the tower or keep of the castle seems as at

day; but there are no half-moons at the entrance, which is
merely defended by a wall in front, planted with artillery. In
the present market place is observed a large cross, called Great
Patrick
south-west of which is a lofty building, with a double
row of battlements in front, called Machne Coole; 2 and nearly
as at present,

this

This plan was taken from one found amongst the MSS. of the
Dean Dobbs, and is believed to have been copied from a plan
preserved in Lambeth Library.
1

late

2
Perhaps properly Mach-Coole, the reputed father of the northern
hero, Fin, literally Fioun, i.e., fair haired; the former name being often
added to that of Fioun as a surname, and pronounced Mac Cowl, or
Mac Coul; hence Fin, or Phil, Mac Coul, of whom tradition still

142
in the

same

direction, three castles, belonging to the family of

(Wills), and the castle of Patrick Savage.

castellated buildings are those of Dobbin's, Sindall

Wyles

The

other

(Sendall),

the pile of buildings seen near

Rusall, and Stiphinson
"
old Trench," was called
Sindall's Hall, or old howse."
:

an

"

On

"

Wyrol tower or Prison," also called the

old Gatehouse," the jail and court-house of this county ; and
near it, on the north, the dissolved monastery of St. Francis,
the east

is

"

called

"

The

Pallace, late a Freer's

Howse," from which the

date of this plan is pretty correctly ascertained. The abbey was

suppressed at the general dissolution of monastic houses in
1542 ; the town began to be walled with earth or sods, in 1574;

and between those times

perhaps about 1550.

plan must have been taken ;

Respecting this walling with sods, we find
this

the following in the records of that time:

Sheriffes,
x

Octobre ioth, 1574,

was ordered and agreede by the Maior,

Burgioses, & Cominality, that ther should be a
of Sodds or Turffe rounde aboughte the Towne, for

This present day

V amour

"

it

the defence or better Strengthening of the Inhabitaunts of the

same, whiche should be finished by the hole Corporacon, the

fower mounts at the fower Corners of the Towne excepted,

which was made & compiled at the charge of the Prince, whiche
V amour, as aforesaide, was finished within one monthe after the
decree made."
It is

probable that the completion of this walling gave very

additional security to the harassed inhabitants, as in the

2
and soon after
following year the Scots assaulted the town ;

little

we

find the corporation entering into an agreement with the lord

deputy Sidney, respecting which there is the following entry in
"
our records.
Octobre 8th, 1575, at his honor being heare. We,
the maior, & Corporacon, for the better futhering of the

Walling of this Towne, take in bargaine of his Honor to wall

from her Majesties Castell on the North East, unto the mount

many marvellous stories. Why this building was called as

above we can only conjecture perhaps from its antiquity or singularity,
as it seems to differ from those adjoining, and Fin is believed to have
been a giant capable of the greatest human exertions
or are we to
believe that this building was really the castle, or hall of TURA, and
"
that it was from hence Fin went to
all
Scotland with his o\vn
people
hands? " See Campbell's edition of Ossian.
1
V amour. This is evidently of French extraction Yan-mour or
A-vant-mour, a term of fortification, signifying a wall in front.
2
See page 27.
records

143

My II, 1 along by the Sea Syde at 5 Sh. Sterg. the foote,

foote
to be made 7 foote in the foundation, 4 foote in
every
the topp of the wall,
16 foote in heyght, as apereth by the

of the

&

Indentures of the bargaine bearing date 2ist of Octobre." The

owners of this ground to receive 6d. per running foot for their
loss of the same. 2

This walling was soon laid aside by a complication of

was the removal of Sir Henry Sidney,
who resigned the office of lord deputy in September, 1578.
Sir William Drury, and Arthur lord Grey, his successors in

causes, the chief of which

office,

were kept so very busy in the south by the invasion of

the Spaniards, and the rebellion of the earl of Desmond, that

very little attention was paid to the affairs of the north; nor
does any thing farther appear to have been effected in this
3
way, during the government of Sir John Perrot.
The corporation, however, did not lose sight of this
business; for on the icth June, 1594, they sent to England
William Lyndsey, recorder, and Humphry Johnson, alderman
:

who amongst

other things, were to press her majesty respecting

*
the walling of the town. Those agents
appear to have rested
with
Sir Henry Sidney,
their claim chiefly on a contract made
the
estimated
when lord
and
expence of finishing the
;

deputy

To this sum her majesty objected, from the

heavy burthens of the late wars ; on which the agents said, that
the corporation would wall the town, within three years and a
walls at

^1500.

" mount of the

1
Myll," is meant one of the mounts or
By the
shore. The water
ramparts of defence that stood by a mill, close to the
" River." It
that turned it is seen in the annexed plan, marked
passed
tenanted by
though that
part of "The Friar's Garden," now [then]
Mr. A. Cunningham, and beneath the [the then] present grand jury
room of the county of Antrim Courthouse, and emptied itself into the
sea at the west side of the Water gate hence the name of said gate.
;

of the English of Elizabeth's time,

[* Among the first necessities
their desire to introduce the habits of the country, were mills and
brewhouses. In the Calendar of State Papers, dated July, 1574, it is
have one windmill set up at Carigfergus, for that the
stated
mill there cannot serve to grind for the victualling of 1,000 soldiers,
without the which we shall not be able to furnish them except we
t
be forced to grind with querns at excessive charges, besides
This water-mill was probably the one
wastes that fall thereby."
built at
but the windmill was
in

"To

mentioned

in

the above note

this period, the stump of

Belfast side of the town.]

it

still

probably

remaining at Windmill

till,

Records of Carrickfergus.
Cox's History of Ireland.
the agents to the Queen,
[*For a copy of the petition of

"Young's Old

Belfast."]

and

two years after, pay to her majesty and her

40 per annum ; the crown in the mean time to give
the corporation ^300, and resign to them a third part of the
customs of the port, valued at ^7 10 o per annum; also her
majesty's part of the imposts of this port, then valued at twenty
half,

also, in

successors,

marks yearly. All these overtures were, however, rejected by

the cautious Elizabeth, on the ground that she did not know the
value of the customs nor imposts but she afterwards instructed
:

the lord deputy and council in Ireland, to consider the offers

of the corporation, and the value of the customs and imposts,

and what proportion they bore

annum;

per

also to let her

to the offered perpetuity of

their opinion, how Carrick-

^40

know

fergus could be best fortified; and if widening the ditch on

the north, and introducing more water into it, would answer
that purpose.
That she really considered the town deserving

of favour, from the marked attention of the inhabitants to her

"
interest
going forth to any service, with their Garrons and
:

servants without any wages."

Her majesty concludes this letter
"
to the lord deputy as follows
But amongst other things
:

movinge favour, we heare a report worthie to be esteemed, which

is, that there is neither man, woman, nor child, infected with
Papistrie, a thinge which we doubte cannot be truly said
1
any other greate Towne in that Realme."

in

The

walling being now left, in a great measure, to the

of the lord deputy, the agents besought Robert, Earl of
Essex, to use his interest with Sir William Russel, then chief
governor of Ireland, in their behalf; who, in April, the following year, wrote to him, requesting his furtherance of the
will

'

'

of Carrickfergus.
Still the work seems not to
benyfyte
have been proceeded in, as, on the i2th November, 1596, we
find the corporation, in a letter to the lord deputy, complaining
of their expense " in repairinge the rampier or Towne walles
being made with soddes, everie winter the same doth fall down

to our greate ympoverishment." :

All efforts of the corporation regarding the walling were
again frustrated for several years, by the rebellion of Hugh

O'Neill, earl of Tyrone, and the landing of the Spaniards in

In the latter end of 1607, we find the corporation
Munster.

addressing a letter to the lord deputy, Sir Arthur Chichester,

1

Records of Carrickfergus.
Records of Carrickfergus.

MS
complaining that much of her late Majesty's grant to them still
remained unfulfilled, amongst which the walling of the town is
particularly mentioned,
behalf.

and humbly requesting

his aid in their

This memorial proved more successful than the former.

deputy, in his answer, dated February 28th, 1608, informs
them, that his Majesty had consented to furnish 100 men to
"
assist in walling the town ; the corporation to find
a hundred
" "
and
sufficient men
to arme, muster, and keepe in
good able
"
readines for the defence
of the town, and every other service
that might be required of them; but neither officers nor men

The

to receive any pay. 1

He concludes, "yf anie out of a trobled
brayne or factitus spirit should goe about to hinder or give
opposition to what his majestic is so gratiouslie pleased to doe

for you,

me knowe him

lett

that I

may make him

tast the frute

of his follye." A letter from Sir Folk Conway, mayor, then

in Dublin, dated March ist, orders the mustering of the men
" 3
to be furnished by the corporation "on the ist of Octobre;
from which period we hear of no delays or interruptions, the
walls being speedily completed.
These walls were mostly erected without the trench or ditch,
and flanked with seven bastions.
noticed in the ancient plan
:

about six feet thick on the top

towards the land, and about eighteen feet high; coarsely but
strongly built in that manner called grouting; the corners of
3
different from any
the bastions of cut yellowish freestone,
are

They

still

pretty entire,

The

records of Carrickfergus are silent as to any additional

sum of money to be paid to the crown for this walling ;
yet, in April, 1714, Francis Bernard, her Majesty's solicitor general,
sued the corporation for an alleged arrear of a contract of
40 per
annum, from 1690. Defence being taken by the Corporation, we find
no further notice of this suit. Records of Carrickfergus.
1
Records of Carrickfergus.
3
Till of late years the \valls * and corners of the bastions were
pulled down with impunity ; but a complaint being made by the mayor
and sheriffs (in 1815) to baron M'Clelland, one of the judges of
assize, one person was obliged to build up such part as he had taken
down since this time the walls have received comparatively little

charge, or

damage.

now

is a fragment on the north side

This fragment appears to be in a line with the
much larger portion which may be seen a few hundred yards farther
Benn
between.
eastward, " and the old North Gate stands midway
" in 1611
regarding
gives the
Report of the Plantation Commissioners
" labourers are
He notes that
the building of the walls.
employed in
also
breaking of limestone at a place called the "White heade,"
about 40 myles from Knockfergus in breaking of freestones." Under
II

[*A11

of the Albert

left

Road.

of the old walls

i 46

The land side was also

stone found in this neighbourhood.
strengthened by a wet ditch, now filled up.
There were four gates, anciently distinguished by the
Glenarm or Spittal gate, Woodburn or West1
and
gate, Water-gate,
Quay-gate, Spittal-gate, now North-gate,
and West-gate, now Irish-gate, were formerly entered by drawbridges the draw-bridge and deep trench of the latter remained
within memory, and part of the arch * over the former is yet
standing.
Water-gate and Quay-gate were defended by battleIn 1739, the mayor and corporation
ments over them. 2
petitioned the duke of Devonshire, then lord lieutenant of
Ireland, to have the walls and gates repaired, and stated that
"
no manner of Repaires had been done to the walls, Gates, or
following names

"

the Draw-Bridges, since the year 1715;

but it does not appear
3
that this petition was in the least attended to.

most material notices

the account of its
former state and progressive advancement.
In the records of

Having

laid before the reader the

respecting the walling of the town,

this

corporation

respecting

we

find the

we resume

following regulations established

its police.

"The loth, of Januarie 1600 it was condesended &

agreed by the hole Corporacon that all such Aldermen of this
Towne

as are

now devyded into several Quarters or Wards, are

men in eatche of there Severall quarters

to have there able

provyded with some convenient wapons as unto them shall be

thought meette, which is to be accomplished by the last of this
Januarie 1600. And who shall want such meete and convenient

wappons beinge appointed by the Aldermen

shall

be fyned

at

the discression of the Aldermen of the said Ward, and what

Alderman & Deputie shall not give a good reason why they are
not then

furnished

offending, the

be fyned

in 2Sh.

at

Ster.

eatche

and

14

Daves So

his deputie in

Cushendun

i2d

is freestone or red sandstone, also at Cultra,

in walls, church,
either of those places.]
1
This name is believed to have been taken from its being the
way which led to the hospital of St. Bride.
[* In 1849-50 an alteration was made in the arch by an erection
on either side of a smaller arch for the convenience of foot passengers,
There is a tradition
one of the arches is built up, see page 92.
concerning the Old North Gate or archway, that it will stand until a
wise man become a member of the corporation.]
*
From an ancient plan of the town.

the

and
and

sea at

shall

Alderman

it

has been stated that the yellow freestone used

castle

Gill's

came from

MSS.

M7
thone half to the maier,

Ster.

and

that the

&

Statute in thabsence of the maior

&

thother half to the Sheriffs,

Aldermen or there deputies

&

shall

Sheriffes

by Vertue of this
have full power

any person or persons for any disorder

& to enlarge them at there pleasure,
So as there offence hath not bene before the maior for the tyme
beinge and that the aldermen & there deputies shall from tyme
to tyme everie frydaye or Saterdays cawse the Streetts to be
authorittie to comitt

within there Several

Wardes

made

And

cleane in there Severall quarters,

if

anye of the

Sayd Aldermen or there deputies Shall refuse so to doe the

Aldermen to be fyned at 2 Sh. Ster. & the deputie in i2d, ster.

And who Shall infrindge this order Shall be furder punished at

the maiors pleasure, and this Statute to remaine in force from
tyme

to tyme."
these

From
same

time,

it is

and similar regulations established about the

evident that the town was increasing in size and
shall therefore briefly notice its state at the above

population ; we
period, with the names of the principal inhabitants,
their tenements direct from this corporation.

At the

north-east

end of High-street,

anciently,

who

King

held

street,

near the front entrance of the present court-house of the county

of Antrim, stood an antique square building called Castle1

It was also called

elected there,
from
the
being
always
Mayorality-castle,"
mayor
and the assizes and courts being held in the same place. The
entrance into this building was by a projecting stone staircase,
in front of which were stocks, for the punishment of petty
On the ground floor
delinquents, and near the top a clock.
were the cells for criminals; on the second the jailor's and
debtor's rooms ; the mayor's courts and assizes were held on

Worraigh,

"

then the prison of this county.

the third story.

The road leading eastward, was by the north-west and rear
of this building, and on the north-east of said road were the
houses of Thomas Dobbin, and Owen Magee; in the rear of

which was the dissolved monastery of

"

Store-house for Victuals

"

St.

Francis, then called

for the troops of this garrison.

The Wyrol Tower, seen in the ancient plan.

In a MS. account of Ulster, in the possession of
Richard Dobbs, Dean of Connor, supposed to have been

the late Rev.

copied from a
and written in 1598, is the
manuscript bearing that title in Lambeth,
" The towne walled
partly with
following notice of Carrickfergus.
There are in it two Wardes; the one
Stone, and partly with Sodds.
2

148
South-west of Castle-Worraigh was a castellated building
between those
Borlet's or Birkett's hall or castle 1

called

buildings was a straight passage eastward, and on the south of

said passage the dwellings of Thomas Whitager and John
From the latter, on the south-east side of High-street,
Dyer.

was an irregular range of castles and houses, mostly detached

from each other, and belonging to the following persons
William Dobbin's castle (then tenanted by Sir Moses Hill),
:

Thomas Dobbin, Edward Russell, Christopher Russell, Richard

Spearpoint, Phelimy Roe Magee, Thomas Stevenson, John
Savage, John Lugg, John Dalway, Thomas Dobbin, and
The latter stood on the north-east part
captain William Peirs.
"
of that ground formerly called
Lyndon's Garden," now held
by the Board of Ordnance, and occupied as a garden by the
In the letters patent of James I.
store-keeper of the garrison.
confirming the boundaries of the lands granted to this corpora2
tion, the dwelling of captain William Peirs is called a Bawn.
and is excepted from the jurisdiction of this body corporate. 3

per annum. Adjoining was the Town Guardon the ground now held by the executors of
Henry Gill, in right of a lease granted to him for ever, in
I 735On the north-west, or opposite side, same street,
commencing near Castle-Worraigh, were a similar range of

and valued
house.

at 25.

It stood

in the Castell, in the south ende of the

in the Nonth ende of the Towne."

Towne, the other

in the

Abbye,

In 1775, this building was taken down by order of the Grand

Jury of this county, for the purpose of widening the passage to the
Scotch quarter. It was then called Byrt's-barn, perhaps corrupted from
Byrket's-bawn : as, from the form and situation of the building, it had
not the least resemblance of its having been a barn.
2
Bawn, originally signified an inclosure for sheep or cattje but,
with the English settlers, a house environed by a wall or ditch, hence
"
sometimes called a fort.
In
of Ulster," taken in
Pynner's
" Survey
Stone and clay," and of others
1618-19, mention is made of Bawns of
"
merely
Clay and Straw."
3
January, 1570, the crown granted to captain William Peirs a
messuage or tenement for ever, on the east and west of her majesty's
castle, to hold by fealty
which, in 1594, he sold to John Usher.
Hence its exception from the other lands. This must be the ground
noticed above, held by the board of ordnance, and part of that on the
west of his majesty's castle.
In 1608, we find it in the possession of
Richard Newton, who sold it to John Davys, who took out a new
deed in his own name, at the annual rent of
i
6 8.
He afterwards
made a freehold of it to John Lyndon, at
12 per annum, whose son
Edward gave a deed of it for ever to the government, at the yearly
October 4th, 1739, the foundation of Officer's barrack
rent of
29.
was laid upon it, but proceeded no farther. Lodge's Collections.
Letters Patent of James I.
Gill's MSS.
1

I.

Smart

ftyn

[Link] EW WEST STREET, CAHHICKTEBGVS.

COURT-HOl'SE AND JAIL OF CARRICKFERGUS.

detached
follows:

castellated mansions and houses, inhabited as

Michael Newby, Nicholas Wills, Richard O'Conlin,

little

Folk

Sir

Conway,

Morgan Woods,

James

Byrt,

Anthony

Dobbin, Nicholas Dobbin, and James Savage. The latter was

the corner house towards North-street, and was sold about this
time to said Nicholas Dobbin.
A little southward from the house of James Savage, stood
1

Great-Patrick, already noticed; and a few perches distant, on

the west, the castle of Humphry Johnson. 2 The
ground north
of this building, as far as what is now called Lancaster-street,

was

at that

north

side

time called
"

North-gate,

The

"

The Raven's Acre ;

of the present

distillery

"

and from the

(now markets),

to

near

Garden-Combe."

only houses noticed at the same date in North-street

at the north-west corner of said lane,

and Back-lane, are two

fronting North-street, held by Dudley Yerworth, and James F.

Dobbin.

There were no houses from North-street to Cork-hill, then

"
Old Rampier," on which were held the fish and horse

called the

markets.
the east end of West-street, fronting the present gaol *
Carrickfergus, was the house of Thomas O'Cahan, and

On

of

contiguous, on

In the
west, the castle of Nicholas Wills.
were the houses of Clement Ford, and John
"
"
View in West-street ; that of the
Scully, seen in the annexed
latter was the chief Inn of this town.

same

its

direction

Fronting West-street, north-west corner of Cheston's lane,

or street, stood the castle of Robert Sendall; some vestiges of
which still remain. From this castle there appears to have been
only one dwelling, that of Thomas Powell, on the south side of
West-street, to the house of Sidney Russel, at the north-east

1
On removing a part of the pavement of the market-place, near
the south end of North-street, in September, 1818, a square foundation
was discovered, believed to have been the base of Great-Patrick.
2
A part of this castle (massy vaults), were standing within memory,
and was then called O'Neill's castle, and said to have been once the
residence of the potent O'Neill's of North Clandeboy. It is certain that
this family had possession here.
So late as the i3th Charles II. we
find Sir Henry O'Neill letting off a tenement in this town, for 95

MSS.
to John Davys, of Carrickfergus.
[*This castle was situated a little above the Y.M.C.A. Buildings,
nearer the churchyard gate.]
[* This gaol was removed in 1827.]

years,

'52
1

corner of Cranagh-Bawn, or Essex- street.

The houses on the
opposite side of West-street, were those of Dermot Haynes,

then

called

Plunkett,

the

Thomas

"

swan" William

Butcher,

Peirson, and Robert

Wills.

or

Butler,

The

last

John

of these

extended to the stream that now crosses West-street, coming

from a passage or entrance to the church, which was soon after
"

Pendleton's-hole.''
East of said stream were the houses
of William Jordan, Thos. Witter, and Richard Witter; the
house of the latter was soon after sold to Richard Horsman.

called

At the south end of Essex-street, on that ground now held

by the trustees of the charity of Henry Gill, stood the castle
of Patrick Savage.
Eastward was a narrow way called
on
the north side of which were the
Washingstone-lane,
dwellings of Robert Lyndon, Henry Ockford, and William
Wishart.

Nearly opposite the Custom-house, was a castle then

by Robert Sendell ; the ground north, as far as his
castle, West-street, was held by him, but it does not appear that
it contained
any houses. The only tenements mentioned on the
opposite, or east side of Cheston's-lane, were those of
Thomas
and
At
the south end
O'Cahan,
Lugg,
James Savage.
of said lane, fronting Castle-street, was the house of Richard
held

Newton

commonly

and adjoining, on
called

its east,

Castle-Moyle,

the castle of Charles Wills,

Newcastle.
Where the

or

south end of the old prison of this county now stands [stood] was
the castle of James Russel; and near it, on the south, the
houses of Michael White and Bryan M'Manus.
The entrance
into the king's castle appears to have been nearly as at present,
defended by two towers or half-moons.

Neither Irish nor Scotch quarters are noticed at this period ;

but some plots of ground appear to have been laid out in them,
In the
mostly called by the names of their respective owners.

former are noticed Wills's Park, Barley-hill, the Scribe's Garden,

and in the latter Lang's garden, Duff's garden, Gillans'
No
acres, Millmount acre, Crooked garden, and Wheat garden.

&c.,

houses, bawns, or castles, are noticed in the county at this period.

Crannagh-Bawn,

name from

i.e.,

the castellated

of said street.
There was
within these few years.

the

Wood

mansion

Fort,

is

alleged to have taken

of Patrick Savage, at the south

a double row of venerable elms near it,

its

end
till

'53

Such appears

to

have been the

state

of the town and

1
suburbs, at the commencement of the i7th century, immediately
after which it rapidly increased both in size and trade.
By a
"
return of the amount of
Customs of Prohibited Goods, and

the Three pence per pound for other goods, due by Common
Law," for seven years prior to 1609, it appears to have been
the third port in Ireland for trade, being only exceeded by
Dublin and Waterford. 2 The advancement of the place was

a great degree to the attentions of Sir Arthur

Chichester, then lord deputy ; who, having obtained large grants
of land from this corporation, not only got the walls of the

owing in

town completed, but an ample confirmation of their chartered

privileges by James I.
Amongst these privileges the chief was,
the third part of all customs of goods imported or exported,
between Fair- forelands, alias F airhead, county Antrim, and
3
Beerlooms, alias Beerhouse, county of Down. All persons were
from
the
prohibited
importation of any merchandise within this
space, save at the quay of Carrickfergus (Belfast, Bangor, and
Olderfleet excepted), under pain of forfeiture of the goods to

the corporation. 4
This corporation, however, also received the
third part of the customs of the ports excepted as above.
March
third
find
off
the
we
the
12, 1634,
part of
corporation letting

the customs of Bangor and Donaghadee to Thomas Whitager,

5
alderman, for 21 years, at the annual rent* of ,20.

Those valuable immunities, and the patronage of the lord

deputy, presented an ample field for English adventurers, and,
between 1602 and 1612, many settlers arrived here from
Devonshire, at the request, or under the protection of Sir

Records of Carrickfergus. An ancient plan of Carrickfergus.

Cox's History of Ireland. It must, however, have been of considerable commercial importance prior to the above time.
Harris, in
1

his History of the

place of trade in
Hollinshed, in his
of Ireland." The
from the amount
the total sum was

of Down, informs us that it was the principal

and
Ulster, before the reign of Queen Elizabeth
" haven-towns
Chronicle, ranks it amongst the chief
low state of commerce, at the above time, is evident
of the customs for the seven years just alluded to :
only ^399 6 7 Cox's History of Ireland.

County

3
Beerlooms, at Cloughan bay, opposite to which are the North and
South Rocks, near Portaferry. Gill's MSS.
*
Charter of James I.

[* In

two payments

Nicholas's Church.
5

if

lawfully

demanded

Records of Carrickfergus.]

Records of Carrickfergus.

at

the

porch

of

St.

154
Arthur. 1

Between those times we find persons of the following

surnames receiving grants of lands and tenements from this
corporation.
They probably arrived as above, as such names
are

not previously noticed in the records:

Ellis,
Davy's,
Cooper, Gale, Hillman, Harper, Hooper, Lang, Bowman, Parks,
Clark,
Markham, Tomson, Cuppach, Wilkison, Hodgson,
Balf, Mathews, Liddel, Gravott, Bashford,
Vaughan, Langford, Bole, Gibson, Murdeck,
Several families, evidently Irish,
M'Farrell, and Adraine.
also settled here about the same time, some of whom are
noticed as from Drogheda
O'Kane, O'Kelly, M'Carne, Taaffe,
and Fitzsimmons. 2 Those persons immediately began to erect

Humpston,

Story,

Kilnpatrick,

In granting plots for building in the town, the persons

"
"
are usually bound to build in the
of brick
English manner,"
and lime, or stone and lime, or of Cadge-Work, well Tiled or

houses.

Slated, with handsome Lights, well Glazd," and always bound to

3
keep the street opposite in repair.
In 1606, Sir Hercules Langford began to erect an elegant
mansion on that ground now occupied by part of the present
Market-house (now Petty Sessions Court House and Town
On the family of the Langfords ceasing to reside in
Hall).
this building became the property of John
4
Davy's, and was afterwards called Davy's's Castle.
About the latter end of 1606, and in the three following
years, Sir Arthur Chichester purchased several lots of ground

Carrickfergus,

on the

east of Castle Worraigh,

Hart,

Thomas

Stevenson,

from Thomas Whitager, Carew

Owen Magee, and William Dobbin.

At the same time he

also obtained a grant of the ruined abbey

Francis adjoining, and in 1610, he began to erect a
magnificent building on those grounds, the north part of which

of

St.

was

built

on the south end of said abbey.

This mansion was

called Joymount, in honour of Sir Arthur's late patron, Lord

Mount joy, and was not finished till 1618, as appeared from that

date over the great entrance on the south

east.

The

oral

Dubourdieu's Statistical Survey of the County of Antrim.

Records of Carrickfergus.
Records of Carrickfergus.
4
Gill's MSS.
October 14, 1754, this castle began to be taken
down by order of Charles Davy's, Esq., and its oak timber was taken
2
3

to Dubfin.

Gill's

MSS.

must have been a very large building

the late E. D. Wilson,

Esq., informed the writer, that he recollected 17 families dwelling in it.
5
Records of Carrickfergus. Tradition of old inhabitants.
It

155
history of this place says, that

it was built
by the celebrated
and
was
a
Inigo Jones,
large building, 112 feet in front, with
two wings extending northward, the same length, having 365
In front of the chief
windows, 52 doors, and 12 chimnies.
entrance was a gate-house with lofty turrets, between which and
the main building was a court, from whence was an ascent of a
few steps to a fine terrace that extended the entire length of
the front, in the centre of which was the hall-door.
The

following

account

of

is given by an anonymous
here in 1634.
"The only grace
the lord Chichester's house, which is a

Joymount

who landed

English traveller,
(says he) of this town

is

very stately house, or rather like a prince's palace; whereunto

there belongs a stately gate-house and graceful terrace, and
walks before the house, as att Denton, my lord Fairfax' house.

very fine hall there is, and a stately staircase, and fair
fine gardens,
dining-room, carrying the proportion of the hall
:

and mighty spacious orchards, and they say they have good
*
fruite."
Some difference taking place between the
noble family of Chichester and the inhabitants, the family
ceased to reside here about 1724, from which time the building
was suffered to go to ruin. In the latter end of 1768, it began

store of

to be taken

down, and

its

oak timber was divided amongst

who were

attached to the interests of the family ; but its

marble chimney pieces, and the like valuable articles, were

those

taken to Fisherwick * Lodge, Staffordshire. 2

Anthologia Hibernica. We believe the gentleman who gave the

above account was called Egerton,* and that his MS., from which it
is taken, is at this time in the possession of Sir William Betham.
By
letters patent, 2Oth Charles I., Joymount was erected into a manor,
leave
and
and Ballynafeigh, county of Down, attached to said manor,
granted to hold a court every three weeks for the recovery of small
It was, however, found
debts, a seneschal to preside in said court.
at length
very inconvenient to have Ballynafeigh annexed and it was
dated the
separated from Joymount, by letters patent of Charles II.,
2ist of his reign. 'Gran ts of Charles I. and II. to the Chichester family.
[* Sir William Brereton, not Egerton.]
The manor of Joymount, however, continued long after. In a lease
of a tenement on the south side of High-street, from the Earl of
Cunningham, dated Nov. 14, 1770,
Donegall to the late Mr. William
" And also
is the following clause
Rendering and Performing the
usual Suit and Service, at the Court-Leet, and Courts-Baron, to be
1

held within the

manor

of

Joymount."

Court-Baron was a court which every lord of a manor held with

his own precints, in which grants of land were made, and surrenders
accepted, &c.
the lam
[*It is said that the Chichester family exchanged
Staffordshire,
belonging to the Monastery of Massareene for Fisherwick,
which had been the origi'nal seat of the Skeffington family.]
2
Tradition of old inhabitants. Gill's MSS.

'56

The following account of the ancient state of the town,

"
Travels of
Joymount, and King's Castle, is taken from the
Mori. Jorevin de Rochford" published at Paris, in 1672, who
"
visited the town in 1666:
Knockfergus is a strong town,
and one of the most ancient in the kingdom it is situated,
as it were, at one of the ends of the Island, at the entry of
:

a gut environed by mountains, whereby it is sheltered from the

winds ; having, besides, a port, enclosed by a great mole, but
with large flints, composing a large quay, in the form of a
semicircular,

of vessels.

by the side of which there are always a number

entrance is defended by a large castle, on the

The

upon a rock, that renders it difficult to be

There are garrisons in both town and castle ; as there
I was well entertained,
are in all the strong places in Ireland.
both in fish and flesh, for a shilling a day.
They took me
into the great castle, which is enclosed by very thick walls,
and defended by round towers placed all about it, having in
the middle a large keep, or donjon, over whose gate are many
pieces of cannon; these command the city, and also the port.
About a month before my arrival, the garrison was in arms
he being informed
against the Viceroy, who had not paid them
of this, equipped six large ships of war. and 3.000 land forces,
It resisted three months,
with which he besieged this castle.
Avithout the guns being able to do anything ; but the provisions
and ammunition failing, they were obliged to make conditions
with the Viceroy, who caused five or six of the most guilty
leaders to be punished.
At the distance of about 100 paces,
in the city, near the sea side, are still to be seen some old
towers of an ancient castle.
Another day, I went to see the
it is a
at
the ends of the town,
which
is
one
of
great Palace,
as
as
windows
I
think,
great square pavilion, having,
many
there are days in the year ; the top is turreted, and defended
with balustrades
the entry is handsome.
You first come into
sea-shore, elevated

scaled.

the outer great court,

having a gallery over

surrounded with the

officer's

lodgings,

from whence there is a view of the

sea, and all over the town ; then you advance to a draw-bridge,
between the little turrets, which accompany a small pavilion
rising over the gate of the draw-bridge ; this leads from the
Its
first to the second court,
and faces the grand edifice.
staircase is admirable; and its gate or door much more so,
on account of many pieces of sculpture and engraving with
it,

157

which it is ornamented.
The town has, properly, but two
in the largest, there is a
principal streets
market-place ; where
is also a town-hall and
parade: a small river runs through the
:

middle of

it,

and empties

itself at the port.''

The

following account of Carrickfergus and Belfast, will,

probably, be interesting to the reader: it is extracted from

William Sachervell's " Voyage to I-Columb-Kill" in

June,
1688; and published in London, in 1702. By contrary winds,
the vessel was obliged to take shelter in Larne
Lough. The
author then proceeds
"

blew very hard for a whole week

;
during which time,
took the opportunity of visiting Car rick-Fergus and Bell-Fast;
two considerable towns in the North of Ireland. The first very

It

and the capital of the County of Antrim, but of little

and ruinous. The only considerable things in it, are the

ancient,
trade,

Earl of Dunagairs house, a noble building; a monument to

Lord Chichester, in the Church, with the statues of himself,
lady, brother, and children, with columns, and an inscription,
which are very fine in their kind. He was Lord Lieutenant of

the

King James the First's time; and his Lady daughter

famous Sir John Ferret, who had some years before been

Ireland, in
to the

his predecessor.

The

chancel has been the burying-place of the

O'Neills, kings of Ulster; and was almost filled with banners

of that ancient family. Fergus's castle is an old building, but
still firm and entire.
The tower is lofty, and, at present, a
to
The town is walled round,
this
Ireland.
of
magazine
part

and has constantly a garrison in it. At the foot of the castle

is the rock on which Fergus was shipwrecked, after he had so
gloriously restored, if not planted, the Scottish Nation in the
North parts of Britain. I found the Earl of Dtmagall in town ;

he received me with all the fondness and humanity that could

He invited me to Bell-Fast,
be expected from a great man.
whither he was going, with the Earl Orrery, and Lord
Dungannon. Bell-Fast is the second town in Ireland, well-built,
The quantity of butter and
full of people, and of great trade.
sends, into foreign parts, is almost increditable.
have seen the barrels piled up in the very streets. The new
the present
Pottery is a pretty curiosity, set up by Mr. Smith,
a man of great
his
and
Leathy,*
Capt.
predecessor,
Sovereign,

beef which

it

*This author
occasion,

relates, that

ship-wrecked on the

one
Captain Leathy, of Belfast, was, on
Isle of Man, where he lost 13 of the

'58
ingenuity.
is

house,

The castle, so they call the Earl of DunagaUs

not of the newest model; but the gardens are very

spacious,
fish-ponds,

with great variety of walks, both close and open ;

groves ; and the irregularity itself, was, I think,

no small addition to the beauty of the place. I stayed in the

town two nights, and then returned to the Yacht."
The quay, that had formerly been of wood, 1 began to be
made of stone about 1627, and cost ^1,100, besides much
2
labour not charged by the inhabitants, for their men and horses,
Houses also began to be erected in the Irish and Scotch
quarters, which at this time were merely called the East and
West Suburbs. About the same period we find the following
additional names of persons noticed in the records as inhabitants
of this town, most of whom were tenants of this corporation.
From their names, we conjecture the persons came from

England immediately
Walsh,

Hall,

after those lately mentioned

Horseman,

Penry, Smyth, Pike, Cathcart, Cunny,

Willoughby, Taylor, Burnes, Redworth, Williams, Edgar, Joy,
Hynes, Mason, Richison, Warton, Orpin, Pendleton, Turner,

Roy,

Bulworthy, Tennison, Ashworth, Duff, Hinch, Addison, Tracy,

and Butler.
Those
contributed

which appear to
privileges
to the advancement of the town,

commercial
so

much

have
were

however soon relinquished by the corporation in the following

manner
On the arrival of the Earl of Strafford in this
kingdom, as chief governor, his great object appears to have
been an improvement of the national revenue, by consolidating
all the customs of the realm, whether granted to corporations or
:

and that he was told by the people, when he came on shore,

that he had lost that number of men, for they had seen so many lights
towards
the Church.
going
Afterwards, there is a long story of the
singular pranks of the Manx fairies, on James II. going to Ireland.
The author had been, for some years, Governor of the Isle of Man.
1
Records of Carrickfergus.
In the Records, under the date of
"
1575, we find the following notice
Aprile, In this Courte was
Michael Savidg for breaking downe of the Timber of the Peere &
"
occupying it to his owne use fyned at 20 Sh. Sterg.
[About 1776 the Earl of Donegal! gave the site of this mansion
of Joymount to complete the plot of ground for the County Antrim
Courthouse and Jail, now headquarters of the Antrim Royal Garrison
In the Mureum of the Union Hall,
Militia and ordnance stores.
which was burned in 1907, was a pillar out of Joymount, presented
by the late Mr. James Stannus.l
crew

Gill's

MSS.

'59
1

individuals.
This he deemed the most ample way of relieving
the pressing necessities of the crown; and early in 1637, we
find the earl writing to John Coke, secretary to his
Majesty, as
"
There is also a grant forth of the customs of
follows
:

Farm to that Corporation, which may be

worth some three hundred pounds a year more, which the
Committee of Revenue here desire may be brought back to the
Crown, I crave his majesty's direction we will have it well
worth the money." The secretary, in his reply, dated September
"
For the Grant of the Customs of
5th of the same year, says,
Carrickfergus, in Fee

Carrickfergus, his majesty concurreth with the Committee of

to have it
and requireth you and them to proceed

Revenue
therein."

The

treaty, or sale, for the surrender of the third

part of the customs, appears to have been concluded prior to

the date of this last letter, for ,3,000, which was to have been
laid out in the purchase of lands for the use of this corporation ;
but no lands were purchased.
The trustees in this transaction
were Arthur Chichester, Arthur Hill, and Arthur Lyndon. 3 For

Appendix, No. 10. ,1,300 of this money were

John Davy's, of Carrickfergus ; but we have
not learned how the other sum was disposed of. The rebellion
of 1641-2 prevented any settlement or inquiry being made

this treaty, see

on

lent

interest to

When John Davy's

respecting this money for several years.
was called to account by this corporation, respecting said money,
he brought them in one shilling in debt. 4 June 24th, 1659, we
find the resident burgesses and freemen presenting a long list
of grievances to the Assembly, in which they notice this money,
and declare, " that neither stock nor interest had been paid by
"
eminent men had gayned & purchased to themany," while
selves vast Estates, and the poore Sort Scarce able to feede or
5
As the records take no
maintaine their famalies with foode."

farther notice of this business,

no

it is

likely the complaints received

redress.

On
1

2
3
4
5

the

above surrender of the customs,* Carrickfergus

Leland's History of Ireland.

Straff ord's Letters.
Records of Carrickfergus.
Gill's

MSS.

Records of Carrickfergus.
1,300 out of the
[*In 1616 Sir James Hamilton was granted
rent of the customs of Ireland, in consideration of the surrender of
the customs in the ports of Lough Coyne and Bay of Knockfergus.
Theobalds.
Calendar of State Papers (Carew), p. 128.]

i6o
declined in trade, the stones of the quay were suffered to be
away by vessels, and some of the merchants who had

carried

been settled here removed to Belfast, 1 which had now become

the chief place for the receipt of the customs. The following is
a correct return of the amount of the customs of Carrickfergus,
in the

annexed years
1803
1805
1807
1810
1812
1816

10
9

308
472
307
413
629
409
518

1819
1820
This sum is nearly
annual salaries of the
near

401 12
i

10

18 io
10

17
ii

62

5^

from the duty on coals. The

of the port (1820) amount to

all raised
officers

1,000.

In

our

records

we

find

the

following,

respecting

the

improvements of this town, signed by the initials of the name

"
of the then mayor, Richard Dobbs
1671, 1672, mem. that
in the years of My mayorality, the way out of the north street
:

was first paved; the wall that brings the

water through the church-yard was built at the town charge;
the town pump was set up by Benevolence; The Sword and
Standard in the Church new furbinshed; and money ordered
to the church-yard

for re-casting the Bell."

Before proceeding to the modern state of the town, we

some account of the former religious foundations

return to give
of the place;

and of the military force of the garrison

at

different periods.

In 1232, a monastery of Franciscan, or Grey Friars, was

founded here ; but it is rather uncertain who was the founder,

though the merit is commonly ascribed to Hugh De Lacy, Earl

of Ulster. 3 1243, The Earl of Ulster, Gerald Fitz-Maurice and
1

Gill's

MSS.

Return of Customs, from Surveyor's Books*

In
1667 the customs of the port amounted to
[* In
3,065.
1833 the last officer of the customs was withdrawn, there being no
port duties to collect.]
3
Archdall's Monasticon.
Ware's Antiquities.
Though we are
without any record of religious houses being here before the above time,
" W.
as
must
have
been
of
there
such,
prior
yet
Cragfergus," is a
subscribing witness to a charter granted by Sir John De Courcy, to the

Richard

De

interred

in

Burgo, "ended the way of all

1408, Hugh
monastery.

this

and were

flesh,"

Mac Adam Mac

who was never christened, and hence

was called Corbi" and who had " caused Forty Churches to

Gilmore, an Irish robber,

"

be destroyed," took refuge in an oratory of this abbey, where

he was slain by some of the family of Savage. Mac Gilrnore

had previously murdered " Patrick Savage, a Gentleman of great

Esteem in Ulster," and also his brother Richard, although he
had received 2,000 marks for their ransom. It is stated that
Mac Gilmore had before robbed the windows of this oratory of
their iron bars, through which his enemies entered when they
slew him.
1497, Neile McCaine O'Neill reformed this friary
to the order of the

was

strict

observance." *

1510, This monastery

was held

in such repute, that a general chapter of the order

in it-i

with
for

"

its

After the suppression of monastic houses, this building,

appurtenances, six acres of land, adjoining, remained

some years

in the possession of the crown,

Edward VI. in 1552, to Hugh Mac

In 1592, we find this corporation
abbey and

its

till

granted by

Neill Oge, of Clandeboy. 2

granting a lease of the

lands to Christopher Carleisle, governor of this

A plot of ground
town, and seneschal of the Clandeboys.
for the purpose
same
was
to
also
time,
him,
adjacent
granted
of erecting a corn-mill for the whole he was to pay ten shillings
:

This deed expresses, that said abbey (then called the

Palace *), was in the possession of Carleisle, and that some of
"
Four of
its turrets were
fallen, damaged, and ruineated."
the witnesses make their mark, one of whom is Alexander
yearly.

abbey of Cannons Regular, Downpatrick, about A.D. 1183. Archdall's

Monasticon.
Annals of the Four Masters
[* The event is thus entered in the
:

" The
monastry of the Friars in Carrickfergus was obtained for the
Friars Minor de Observantia by Rescript from Rome, at the instance
of Niall, the son of Con,son of Hugh Boy O'Neill, and sixteen
brothers of the convent of Donegall took possession of it, on the vigil
the first festival of the B.V. Mary in autumn, having obtained
authority for that purpose."]
1
Cox s History
Marleburrough's Chronicle. Archdall's Monasticon.
of Ireland.
2
Ware's Annals. Archdall's Monasticon.
[*See article by \\'m. Pinkerton in Ulster Journal of Archeology.
In it two engravings are given, one is from the Cottonian
Vol. xii.
about the year 1540, and the other dated 1610.
of

collection,

constable
fames I. on the 4th September. John Dalway was appointed
a salary of four
Abbev, then called the "Kine's Palace," with
a
8d.
at
day each.
under him 20 wards,
shillings a day, and he had
s reign,
Its last constable was George Woods, who, in that monarch
a sum for the loss of that office, which was abolished.)
was

of the

granted
12

162

Haynes,

sheriff.

Soon after

lands in possession of Sir

them to

Sir

this,

we

find this

abbey and

its

Edmond

Arthur Chichester. 2

Fitzgerald, who assigned

About the same time it was

its lands
granted by the crown to Sir Charles Wilmot, Knt.
are then called four acres, with mills adjoining. 3 It is, however,
believed to have been still retained by Sir Arthur Chichester, as
:

he soon after obtained a grant in his own name from James I.*
Oral tradition states, that when the monks * were obliged to go
hence, they fervently prayed that the place might be ever after
the habitation of thieves.
If such was their prayer, it has of
late years

been granted in a very remarkable manner

the present county of Antrim gaol.*

as

on

its

site is built

About half a mile west of the town of Carrickfergus, on

the west bank of the river of Woodburne, is the site of the
priory of Goodborn, or Woodborn. This building was dedicated
to the

Holy

Cross,

burgh, in Scotland
Druin la croin*
1

and was a daughter of the abbey of Dryand it is also supposed to have been called
The monks were Premonstratenses, white

Records of Carrickfergus.
Archdall's Monasticon.

'Lodge's Collections.
Grants igth James I. to Sir Arthur Chichester.
were expelled, the
Elizabeth's
the
religions
[* During
reign
government seized on all the sacred properties of the convent, and
five of the friars were cast into prison.
Though the Franciscans were
expelled according to law from their ancient monastry, yet they
continued till 1870 to appoint monastic officials to preside over their
" Conventus De
Carrickfergus." O'Laverty's Down and Connor.]
4

[*
*

Removed

in

1896.]

ArchdalPs Monasticon.
Abbey.

Tradition says

[* The site of the Church of

from the Scotch Quarter Quay.
were being sunk to convey brine

St.

Mary

it

is

was

also called

Mary's

supposed to be not far

About ten years ago, when pipes

to the salt works, the workmen cut

through a graveyard near the land end of that quay, and it has been
stated that high tides expose human bones under the gardens at that
In the Calendar of -Documents, Ireland, p. 186,
end of the town.
about the year 1224, Reginald, Bishop of Connor, in a letter to the
" The House of St.
states
Mary's of Carrickfergus, endowed
King,
by John De Courcy to the use of the Canons of the Premonstratentian
Order, is by extortion and malice reduced to such poverty that it can
now with difficulty maintain three canons. Andvenus Bruis, clerk,
abusing the kingly dignity, has taken violent possession of the
Church of St. Nicholas of Carrickfergus, and other churches conferred
on the canons by the said John, and confirmed by the Pope, the
and the canons will be deprived of the
Metropolitan and the Bishop
Wherefore the Bishop
on them.
right unless the king takes pity
to be restored.
implores the King to cause what has been substracted
The King's enemies had despoiled the Abbot of all the moveables of
to
the
adhered
his house, because he had faithfully
King in the war,
and placed such stores as he could in the Castle of Carrickfergus.
Royal Letters No. 799.]
;

The founder of

canons.

but

who

this priory is not

positively known,
believed to have been some of the Bissets, a family

is

it

63

from Scotland about A.D. 1242, for the murder of

In the reign of Henry III. Allan de
Galvia, Duncan de Carrig, and the Bissets, were granted lands
In 1326,
here, some of whom were probably the founders.
friar Roger Outlaw, prior of Kilmainham, and lord chancellor
of Ireland, granted a lease of certain lands to Longadel Manster,
and dates the grant, " Apud abbatiam de Woodeborne" l
fled

Patrick, Earl of Athol.

By

a report made February

ist,

1540, the annual value of

March ist, 1542,

shillings.
Gilbreath M'Cowragh, the last abbot, resigned the priory into
the hands of the king's commissioners, and retired to Island
this priory, besides reprises,

Magee.

The abbot was

was ten

then seized of a certain parcel of land

"

lying about the priory,

containing by estimation fifteen acres,
"
and the tythes of said parcell of land ; 3 the rectory of Entroia,

or Antrim, with a cartron of land 4 adjoining, and the tythes

of sixteen townlands near the same; also the tythes of the like
number of townlands in the Reuts, belonging to the rectory of
Killaloy, alias Killalog (Killdallog) ; likewise the rectory of
Cnolille and Carnmoney, in the same county, and the tythes of
two townlands in Island Magee, called Ballyprior magna and
"
Capella de Dounemale," alias
Ballyprior -parva* and the
Clundumales, with fifteen acres of land near the same.*
For some years after the dissolution of this priory, it was,
with lands adjoining, held by the crown, on which lands were

grazed the horses belonging to the troops of this garrison.

In

1596, we find the corporation requesting the lord deputy, that

said lands might be passed to them by the government; but it
7
appear that their request was complied with.
his
in
here
was
held
an
12, James I.,
inquisition
Majesty's castle, by virtue of a commission from the court of
Exchequer, before Sir Roger Langford and Sir Thomas Hibbots,
A jury
to inquire into the right of the crown to certain lands.
Neal
M'Dormach
foreman,
O'Neill,
they found,
being sworn,

does

not

November

Archdall's
Archdall's
Grants of
4
A cartron
*
Archdall's
'Terrier of

s
'

Monasticon.
Monasticon.

MSS.

igth James I. to Sir Arthur Chichester.

of land contains 60 acres.

Monasticon.
1604.

MSS.

Records of Carrickfergus.

164
"

that in the 34th Henry VIII., the monks had all

voluntarily
quitted said abbey," and they had all since died in Island
1

This priory, with the lands encompassing

Magee.

it,

were

soon after granted by James I. to Sir Arthur Chichester: 2 they

are still free of tythe. 3
From vestiges that remained within
*
memory, the priory appeared to have been extensive, and of a
square form; some traces of mills, that were attached, are still
to be seen.

In a Terrier, of 1604, preserved in the archives of the

Down and Connor, we find this priory afterwards
"
giving name to a rural deanery, by the title of the
Deanry of
attached
of
to
which
were
Vodburne," (Woodburn)
Maglennie

bishoprics of

Ecclesia de Entroia,
following churches and chapels
Ecclesia de Sthilowden, Ecclesia de Dunegure, Monasterium de
Muckamore, Ecclesia de Ballymartin, Ecclesia de Ballywalter,

the

Capella

Carmigrame,

Duach,

Ecclesia

Ecclesia

de

de

Rasie,

Capella

de

Ballenalinnie,

Ecclesia

de

Ballyrobart, Capella de
Ecclesia de Killebride,

Ballichor,

and

Ecclesia

de

of them the dean paid ecclesiastical dues to

the bishop.
By a return from the sees of Down and Connor,
presented to his Majesty's commissioners at Dublin, July i,
"
is noticed as charged with
1622, the "Abbac de Woodburne
Ballinure.

For

all

"

procurations

2,

upon impropriate,"

to the bishop.

Adjoining the east suburb of the town is the site of the

hospital of St. Bridget, an ancient monastic foundation, said
to have been for the reception of lepers. 4
Some remains of
the chapel attached to this hospital remained within the last
forty years, and persons were interred in it within memory. The
1

Records Rolls Office, Dublin.

Grants of James I. to Sir Arthur Chichester.
in 1822, by the rector, to subject these
lands to the payment of tythes, but it failed
Sir Arthur, in his grant
from the crown, having been also granted the tythes, and those of
2

An attempt was made,

lands adjoining, included in the same grant.

[*Traces of the foundation are still to be seen, and a few years
ago a number of the carved stones of the buildings were turned up
Some of these are at the Mount, the
during agricultural operations.
residence of the late James Smily, and four at the Church of St.
It is stated that the houses in the Irish Quarter were
Nicholas.
built with the stones from its ruins.]
4
Tradition of Old Inhabitants.
Leprosy was formerly common in
this kingdom, owing to the people living so much on flesh, particularly
swine's, and their neglecting to deprive it of its crude juices.
Numerous leper houses were erected throughout this kingdom.
" Natural
Ledwich's Antiquities. Dr. Boate, in his
History of Ireland,"
says, leprosy arose from the people eating salmon when out of season.

lands adjoining are

called the Spittal

still

this year [1823] free of

tythe.

There

is

Parks* and were till

no record when this

was founded, or by whom. In the 36th of the

reign of
Elizabeth, this hospital and the lands attached, were
granted by the crown to Richard Harding, for 30 years. They
hospital

Queen

were afterwards granted by James I. to Sir Folk

Conway, at the
yearly rent of thirteen shillings and four pence. He soon after
assigned them to Sir A. Chichester, who obtained a new grant

from James

I.

at

the annual rent of eight shillings and ten

1
Some silver coins have been found

pence halfpenny farthing.

here of Edward III.

little

to Gleno,

is

north of the town, on the east of the road leading

a well, neatly enclosed with cut stone, now called

Here formerly stood an hospital dedicated to

"
Bride, called the
Spittal House," which was granted same
time as St. Bridget's hospital, to Richard Harding, for a like
term of years.
In the deed to Harding, it is called " parcell
the Bride-well.
St.

antique hereditament,"

and

chiefly

consisted of a small

plot

"The

2
All records or traditions of this
Fryar's Garden.
are
silent
the
place
hospital, which was probably
respecting
attached to some large religious house; hence the silence

called

The lands in which this well is situated are the

regarding it.
property of the Marquis of Donegall [now Lord Shaftesbury],
and until this year were free of tythe; but a modus had been
till

lately paid for

On

them

to the rector

by the marquis.

Commons,* Middle Division, is a

na Brathair, i.e. the Rock of the Friar, where
the

place called Craig

are some traces of

small circular buildings, perhaps the vestiges of monastic cells.

About two miles N.W. of the town, same division, are some
ruins of two ancient churches, one of which is called Killyann,

Of the former of
Anne's church; the other Carnrawsy.
Terrier alluded
the
In
whatever.
learn
these we can
nothing
"
Eeclesia de Rasie, hath
to, of 1604, we find the latter, called
i.e.

seem to have been connected

[* Spittal Parks and Spittal House
with the same religious house.
They may have derived their name
from having been the property of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem,

who were called Hospitallers.]

MSS. Grants of James I. to Sir Arthur
2
MSS. of the late Dean Dobbs. Records
1

[*It is said that mass

time of persecution.]
the
[* 1827, in October,

wer- taken down by

Burleigh Hill.]

J.

was

Chichester.

of Carrickfergus.
celebrated here by friars during the

ruins of the ancient church of Carnrasey

Robinson, nephew of the late \Vm. Burleigh,

66

some Orchards," and then held by a Mr. Opinshrall (believed

to be Opinshaw).

there stated to be part of the rural

It is

deanery of Magheramorne, and paying in ecclesiastical dues to

Some
Henry V.

the bishop, proxies 205., refections 205., and synodals

silver coins were found near it a few years ago, of

25.

The
those of the former were coined at Calais.
its
West
of
the
ruin
now
of
is
notice,
only part
deserving
end, consisting of two parallel walls, seventeen inches asunder,
which probably once served to support a kind of steeple; such
and VII.

walls being sometimes attached,

reared in the i2th century. 1

for that purpose, to chapels

At the Stony-glen, Knockogh, were within memory some

"
"
ruins of a religious cell, called
a large
the Priest's House
gold ring was found at it a few years ago, on the inside of
:

which

is

a cross, with the inscription,

"

I love

God."

From

Carrickfergus becoming early the chief fortress of

the English in Ulster, the military force kept up was usually
considerable.
The following lists of corps and commanders are
given by Fynes Moryson, in the annexed years
Chichester commanding

Sir Arthur

1599 Horse commanded by Neal M'Hugh

Foot
Sir Arthur Chichester
Sir Richard Peircy
.

60 1 Horse

Foot
Foot

<

Ditto

Sir Francis

Captain John Jephson

Sir Arthur Chichester
Sir Fulke Conway

Captain Egerton
Captain Norton
Captain Billings
Captain Phillips
Sir Arthur Chichester

1603 Horse
Foot

Captain Eington
Captain Norton
Sir Arthur Chichester

Anthologia Hibernica.

30
200
100
100
100
25

100
200
150
100
100
100
100
35
200

Conway
150
Captain Roger Langford TOO
Captain Thomas Billings 100
Captain Henry Sackford 100

i6 7

In 1740, the garrison consisted of

five

companies of

foot,

and two troops of horse. 1 The barracks for the horse were
the west end of the Irish quarter, the foot were quartered

at
in

the castle.

The town

of Carrickfergus, at present, has a

much

better

appearance than at any former period, and extends along the

northern shore of that bay to which it gives name, nearly a mile.
Within the walls the streets are generally narrow, and are
called

the

by

following

names

West-street,

North-street,

Essex-street,

Lancaster-street,

Castle-street,
High-street,
2
or
Butcher-row,

Cheston's-street,

Antrim-street,

alias

Gaol-lane,*

Church-lane, Back-lane,* Governor's-place, and Joymount-court.

The houses are built either of stone or brick, mostly of the
former, and

commonly

slated

many of

the best houses have

few still present an

antique appearance: the greater part of these are built in
"
"
frames of oak, in that manner formerly called
Cadge-work ;

been built within the

last thirty years.

some of them had

originally
feet into the adjoining street.

windows that projected

several

That part of the town lying without the walls is called

the Irish and Scotch quarters. The latter is on the east of the
town, and its streets and rows are distinguished by the following
names:

Joymount-bank, Scotch-quarter, and the Green,

alias

Green-street.

This quarter takes its name from a colony of fishers who

from Argyle and Gallowayshire, chiefly during the

arrived

persecution in Scotland, about

1665;*

their

descendants

still

It is believed that the Irish quarter

retain their original calling.
had its origin soon after. In November, 1678, we find the Duke

of Ormond, then lord lieutenant of Ireland, and council, by

their
ordering all Roman Catholics to remove
proclamation,

'Gill's

MSS.

Butcher-row was the common name till lately, when its ancient
name was resumed. It appears to have been taken from the butchers
of the town, about 1670, all living in this street. Lancaster-street takes
a few years
its name from a Lancasterian school being opened in it
" the houses at the back of the church.
ago it was previously called
Was called Gaol-lane till about two years ago. It was also
from a person of that name, about
sometimes called
3

Dawson-street,

On
having built a cotton factory in it.
county of Antrim gaol.
Lancasterian Street.]
[* Now called Lower
Tradition of Old Inhabitants.
1800,

its

east

side

is

the

without the walls of forts,

68

cities,

and corporate towns

1
;

a few

years after which we find the name Irish quarter noticed in our
The streets of this
records, instead of that of West Suburb.

quarter are called Irish quarter south and west ; their west ends
are joined by a street called Brewery-lane, or Davy's-street.

few houses a short distance from those places are dignified with
the names of Pound-lane, Tea-lane (and Sailors'-row).
In 1740, the town, within the walls, contained only 130
and in
dwelling-houses, and the quarters the like number;
the
total
the
town
and
number
of
within
1797,
dwelling-houses

suburbs was 452. By a return made to the government in 1800,

there were 477 dwelling-houses in the town and quarters, 38
inhabitants of which paid hearth and window tax. 3 May, 1811,
an account was taken of the number of houses as aforesaid,

when there were 503 houses actually inhabited, 18 of which

were licensed for the sale of spirits, and 13 for groceries. May,
1813, an account was taken by order of government, of the
number of houses, inhabitants, and the like, in the town and
suburbs ; they were found to be as follows
:

Town

Totals

Town

in

Quarters

J>

and

the]

69

170

The military quartered in the town and castle, with their

wives and children, and the persons in the county of Antrim
gaol and court-house, are included; they amounted to 346
Neither gaol, court-house, castle, nor a house occupied
persons.
in the town as a barrack, were ranked as dwelling-houses.
In forty-eight families of fishers were found
males and

no

105 females in all other parts of the town or suburbs, the

females exceeded the males.

At the east end of High-street is the county of Antrim

court-house, a neat edifice, the front of which is of cut stone,
This building was founded March i, 1779.
on
the
north, is the prison belonging to the same
Adjoining,
which
Those
county,
began to be built the preceding year.
In 1792,
buildings cost .5,785 6 4: Richard Drew, architect.
a wing was added to the south of this prison.
November 21,
1815, the first stone of a west wing was laid to this gaol, and
soon after two wings were added to the rear of the original
building. The different yards attached were also much enlarged,
and in them were built a chapel, infirmary, retiring room for
the judges, bath, gaoler's lodge, guard-room, and execution
room. 1 These additions were finished November i, 1819, and
cost near
This prison
16,000: Alexander Wilson, architect.
In
is now capable of containing, properly,
340 prisoners.
sinking the foundation of the Jail, in 1776, a bell and several
Two large
gold rings were dug up, and many human bones.
oak coffins were discovered resting on massive beams of the
same wood. Their appearance was such as to induce a belief,
that they contained the remains of some eminent persons
with balustrades.*

perhaps, those of De Lacy, Fitzmaurice, or De Burgo, already

In 1805, a cross composed of
noticed as being interred here.
in
metal
was
a
bright
dug up
garden adjoining the Jail. On

was a round space with the remains of two pins,

The
for fastening to it some stone or relique.
carvings on it were plain and neat, and exhibited a considerable
skill in workmanship.
1815, in clearing off the earth when

its

centre

probably,

Now plastered over and balustrades removed.]

October 27, 1815, an inquisition was held here, by a jury of the
county of Antrim, to ascertain the amount of the damages that the
following persons would receive by their grounds being taken for part
This jury awarded as follows
of the said improvements.
20 o o
160 o o Henry C. Ellis
Marquis of Donegall
Andrew M'Nevin
70 o 8 William & A. Cunningham 60 o o
60 o o William Cunningham, jun. 25 o o
Rev. Richard Dobbs
[*
1

about to lay the foundation of the South-east wing of this

prison, several large oak coffins were discovered of a square
form, many human bones, and a large stone cross neatly
A few years ago, a large gold ring was found by Mr.
carved.
Adam Cunningham, in a garden adjoining, on the outside of
which was engraved, " Amat diet Pater atque Princess;" i.e.
"

He

loves to be called Father

and Prince."

For some curious

information respecting the number of prisoners, and expenses

of this gaol in different years, see Appendix, No. XI.*

On the south-west of the same street are the court-house

and gaol of the county of the town of Carrickfergus, built
about 1613- x In 1727, a part of its eastern end was taken
down and rebuilt by Hugh Darnley and John Gibson. 1 The
entire building is at present in a ruinous state, and the criminals
have of late been kept in the prison of the county of Antrim 5
March, 1817, baron M'Clelland, one of the judges of assize,
refused to hold the assizes for Carrickfergus in the court-house,
it being in such a shattered condition;
since which t'me the
assizes

have been held

in the civil bill court

of the county of

Antrim court-house.
Prior to 1776, this prison and court-house belonged to the
county of Antrim ; but in this year the grand jury of that
it to those of Carrickfergus, who in return gave
Castle Worraigh, their court-house and gaol.* with the ground

county ceded

[*Sce also additional Notes.]

1841,
[Population area and number of houses from 1841 till 1901.
1881,
10,009;
1861,
1871,
9,39~;
9,379;
8,520;
9,422;
1851,
the
Act
in
Government
the
Irish
Local
County
1898,
1891, 8,923.
By
of the Town was abolished and merged into County Antrim, and the
to
its
limited
of
was, in 1901,
the
town,
boundary,
population
owing
Area, 26,097 square miles, or 16,700 acres, of which 12,483
4,208.
are arable, 3,998 uncultivated, and 129 in the town. Lough Mourne 90
Number of houses in 1871,
acres is 556 feet above high sea level.
1,738; 1881, 1,828; 1891, 2,009; I 9 OI 2 .49-]
1
In the charter granted by James I. to Carrickfergus, the loth
of his reign, ground for a gaol, about to be built for the county of
Antrim, is excepted from the jurisdiction of the corporation of Carrickfergus.
2

Gill's

MSS.

10
still kept in it, and there is a gaoler who has
for his
per annum, an inspector ^"5, and an apothecary who is paid
attendance.
4
In 1699, Charles Davy's was granted fifteen acres of land by this
On its
in repair.
corporation, free of rent, to keep Castle Worraigh
claim to its timber
being about to be taken down, E. D. Wilson laid
and other materials but the corporation, at a meeting held April 5,
to them.
They,
1775, declared, that said castle or gaol belonged
his claim, and
however, ordered, that Mr. Wilson, on relinquishing
*

Debtors are

Iff
adjoining, to the
for a

County of Antrim.

tenements

Hercules

Ellis,

at

similar

^250,

They

also bought in their

the house

of captain
purpose,
the house of the heirs of the Rev.
viz.

Philip Gayer, at
50, and a tenement claimed by the Misses
at ten guineas; by which transfers
they also lost an

Craig,

annual rent arising out of said tenements, of 35. 4d. 1 At the

same time the earl of Donegall, with his wonted liberality, gave
the site of his ruined mansion of Joymount, to
complete the
plot of ground for their intended court-house and gaol; since
which time, these grounds have been considered as part of the
county of Antrim

and the former court-house and prison of

that county, in that of Carrickfergus. 2

"

build or rebuild a new Gaol and Court60, to assist to

paying
house," should have a deed for ever of the lands he then held, for
These are the
keeping this building in repair, which he accepted.
lands on the left of the road leading to Belfast, called Ballynascreen.
Records of Carrickfergus.
1
Records of Carrickfergus.
2
Previous to these arrangements, an attempt had been made to

get the courts of assizes removed to Antrim we shall

notice it, and several like trials at different times.
judges of assize, without any leave or instructions from
to that effect, resolved to hold the courts of assize

therefore briefly
July, 1613, the
the government
at the town of

Antrim.
The corporation presenting a memorial on this subject to
Sir Arthur Chichester, then lord deputy, he strictly commanded the
judges, then at Downpatrick, to hold the assizes at the usual place,

which was accordingly done.

1707, Sir Robert Adair, of Ballymena, petitioned her majesty queen
Anne, to remove the county of Antrim assizes, sessions, and diocesan
Her majesty referred his petition to the chief
school, to Ballymena.
governor of this kingdom, who referred it to the judges of assize upon
which a suit commenced between the parties. Henry Davy's, mayor,
The
took defence for the corporation, and Sir Robert was defeated.
the mayor
expense of this suit cost the corporation ^159 13 85
160 for his trouble, but the corporation refused to pay him.
charged
1712, Sir Robert again made a similar attempt, and again lost his
suit
the expense to the corporation was
19 16.
April, 1753, a few of the nobility and gentry of the county of
Antrim petitioned the lords justices, that the courts of assize might be
removed to Antrim, as the gaol and court-house at Carrickfergus were
too confined, and out of repair.
May igth, this corporation also
presented a memorial to the lords justices, in which they asserted, that
the cause of complaint originated with the grand jury of the county of
Antrim, they having granted no money towards the repairs of either
court-house or gaol for many years past. That if the county of Antrim
really wished to enlarge said buildings, the corporation were willing to
They also said in their
give them sufficient ground for that purpose.
memorial, that the assizes for the county of Antrim had been held
We learn
here, "since circuits were first appointed in this kingdom."
no more of this business.
;

is

The market-house * stands near the centre of the town, and

a decent building, two stories high, with three arches in
Above the middle arch

front.

three

castles

embattled,

with

are the arms of the corporation

three ravens in the field; the

an eagle expanded. This building was founded

July 22,
Charles Davy's granted
1755, and was built by subscription.
the ground to the corporation for ever, at the
yearly rent of
five shillings; to its erection the earl of
Donegall gave
device,

September 6, 1771, the earl of Antrim, and his son, lord Dunluce,
then sheriff of the county of Antrim, the grand jury of said county, and

some

freeholders, petitioned the lord lieutenant to remove the courts of

assize to Antrim, as a new prison and court-house were about to be
The lord lieutenant declined to interfere, on which this business
was left to the lord chancellor and judges, who also declined to interfere,
and the design %vas abandoned.

built.

February 26, 1774, lord Dunluce, John O'Neill, and W. I.

Skeffington, in the absence of the members for Carrickfergus, obtained
leave to bring in a bill into the House of Commons, to remove the
assizes to Antrim.
Petitions against their removal were soon after
presented from the towns of Belfast, Larne, and Carrickfergus, being
examined at the bar of the House of Commons, and the charter of
queen Elizabeth and James I. being produced, the bill was discharged.
Messrs. Yelverton and Isaac were the lawyers for this corporation.
This suit cost ^36 17 io
10 of which was paid to Daniel Kirk, for
his expenses in taking the charters to Dublin.
At the assizes, the same
year, 12 of the county of Antrim grand jury signed a memorial, that
that they might
the assizes might be removed to Antrim, and
remain ; but the corporation were so much on the alert, that the
Messrs. Dobbs and Burleigh were law agents
design was abandoned.
for the corporation on this occasion, and were each presented with a
The
gratuity for their services, and the freedom of the corporation.
following are the names of the jurors who signed for the assizes to
remain
C. R. Dobbs, Ed. Crymble, Ed. Brice, George Porter,
;

Stewart Banks, James Wallace, William Higgison, Nicholas Stewart,

Hugh Mac Collum, Henry L. Burleigh, and Shem Thompson.

March 13, 1813, twenty-three persons of Belfast petitioned the

judges of assize and grand jury of the county of Antrim, that the
but the grand jury of the county
assizes might be removed to Belfast
This corporaof Antrim opposed the design, and it fell to the ground.
tion had previously held a meeting, on the 3d of March, and appointed
a committee, with power to draw money from their treasurer, to oppose
Records of Carrickfergus. Journals of the Irish House
the removal.
Belfast News-Letter.
of Commons.
Sessions Court[*This building is now the Town Hall and Petty
house. The arms of the corporation are removed and the arches built
The ground floor is used as a Petty Sessions Court-house, above
up.
is the Town
Hall and office of the Town Clerk, in it is kept the
old records, the freeman's roll, and the seals of the corporation.
mace
Hanging in a frame in the Town Hall is the old sword and
Robert Gardner.
1837,
presented to the old corporation by Colonel
a new market-house, erected off North Street, on the site
;

April i5th,
of an old distillery,

was opened

for

public business.]

174

and the

late

held in

it

On

E. D. Wilson, the
each Saturday.

like

sum. 1

Markets [were] are

a rising ground, near the centre of the town, stands

CHURCH, said to have been founded on the site of

the parish

a pagan temple. 2

It is dedicated to St. Nicholas,

and appears

to have been anciently attached to the Franciscan monastery

already noticed, to which it probably served as an oratory, or

chapel.

subterraneous passage,* by which they communicated,

the entrance into the church was beneath the

to be seen

is still

communion table.
The form of the building is that of a cross, consisting of
a chancel, nave, and two aisles; the extreme length,* inside, is
132

feet,

but unequal in width, being 25 feet at the west end,

and only 21 feet at the chancel. North, or Donegall aisle, is

30 feet in length, and 23 in breadth; and Freeman's, or Wills's
On the outside, the
aisle, 32 feet in length, by 18 in breadth.
walls are strengthened by buttresses; the corner stones are
mostly of a cut yellowish stone, very different from any found
1
Gill's MSS.
Records of Carrickfergus. There was no markethouse here prior to the above time but a little east of the present
building was a small house, called the Weigh-house.
'GUI's MSS.
[* In all the changes and repairs of the church this passage has
been searched for and never found. The entrance to this was supposed
to be beneath the communion table.
On the passage being opened it
was found that the archway which was looked upon for generations
as the means of communication with the Franciscan Priory was only
a tomb or sepulchre, where some nobles of the city had been interred.
This idea was further strengthened by the discovery in the recess of
two sculls (male and female) which had lain there for centuries.
That their end had not been peaceful may be gathered from the fact
This entirely upsets
that one of the sculls had been cleaved open.
the old theory.
The investigations have been carried out so
systematically and carefully that there cannot be any possible doubt
but that the deductions are correct, that there is no underground
;

passage.]
[* The measurements of the inside of the church are not correct.
Dr. Brcreton has very kindly taken them
extreme length of church,
from inner step of west door of the tower to the east gable, 141 feet
j
inch
length of church, 126 feet
length of floor of tower, 15 feet
breadth of
breadth of nave at east end, 2 1 feet 2 inches
i
inch
nave at west end, 25 feet 7 inches length of north transept (Donegall
aisle), 32 feet 10 inches; breadth of north transept, 21 feet 5 inches;
length of south transept (Will's aisle), 23 feet 5 inches; breadth of
It will be seen from the above that
south transept, 20 feet 5 inches.
The church was originally much
the ground plan is very crooked.
larger, having double aisles on each side of the nave, and possibly
what is now the choir forming a Lady chapel in the rear it was
repaired and changed to its present cruciform shape by Thomas Cooper
about 1614.]
:

'75

The two

here.

buttresses, at the south-east comer, are, at

each angle, ornamented with little
pillars rounded in front, from
the quoin stones.
They appear to have been formerly surmounted by some object, perhaps a cross, or image of the
patron
saint.

There are two entrances, one on the west, another on the

The latter is near the chancel, to which part of a vestry-

north.

room, built by the late Dean Dobbs, in 1787, serves as a porch.

This entrance is by a small door with a pointed arch, re-opened
on the vestry * being completed. On its west side is also a like

door-way built up. The west door is strictly of modem date,

being made when the present steeple was completed. Formerly
the only entrances were on the south, by two small doors, which
were built up on those above being opened. The door east of
aisle had a pointed arch; the other, near the west
was
entered
end,
by a small porch, and had a semi-circular

Freeman's

door-way.

The chancel window* is pointed, and of stained glass, which

represents John the Baptist baptising Christ in the river Jordan.
Two small round windows in the west end are also of stained
These windows did not originally belong to this church,
glass.
but were brought from the private chapel of Dangan-house,
county of Meath, and were presented to this parish, about 1800,
by the late George Burleigh, of Burleigh-hill, Esq. The former
window was also of the pointed kind, and larger than the
present one;

it

was divided by two mullions,

that ramified into

six trefoil-headed lights.

The windows of the nave are also of the pointed kind, and
divided by mullions which ramify near the top into trefoilheaded lights. There are five of those windows on the south
side,

and three on the north

end,

is

in a mutilated state,

but one on each side, at the west

and now nearly square.

The windows of the aisles are of a square form, divided

the north aisle had four windows, the south three
mullions
by
the south window of the latter is divided by four mullions, all
the others by two. On the west side of Freeman's aisle is seen
;

the outside frame of a very large window, built up

is of cut stone, with a pointed arch.

to

the frame

vault of the Dobbs family, the entrance

[* Under this vestry is the
which is in the floor of porch, but is now covered in by the tiling.]
[*This window is now in the south transept.]

At the west end of

this building was formerly a steeple,

L
the clock was first set up in 1678.
on
Andrew
bell was given to the parish by
Willoughby

with a clock and bell;

The

"

Androv Willovby mayor h p 84." In 1778,

engraved,
the old steeple was taken down, and the present steeple and
octagon spire erected; the former by a Mr. Brown, who received
^277 10 ; the latter by a Mr. Newbold, who was paid
^264 97. A new clock was also set up at the same time,
and the bells of the former steeple. The following sums were
subscribed towards the erection of the steeple and the spire;
Earl of Donegall,
the remainder was defrayed by the parish.
it

is

^130 o o; Barry Yelverton, Esq., ^100 E. D. Wilson, Esq.,

^37 i 4, also a quantity of oak timber; Conway R. Dobbs,
;

^n

12; Mariott Dalway, Esq.,

Esq.,
7 6; Rev. Richard
Dobbs, dean of Connor, ^10 ; Rev. Isaac Haddock, curate,
2
^5 5 oj ; Richard Fletcher, Esq., 100 barrels of lime.

Concerning the founding of this church there is neither

nor tradition ; but, from its pointed door-ways and
windows, it seems certain that it could not have been built till
the twelfth century. The following fact is corroborative of this
On digging a grave under the chancel table in 1740,
opinion.
a cut freestone was discovered, on which was a cross, and on
one of its angles, anno n64. 3 This date is supposed to relate
to the period of the foundation of the church; and it appears
to have been connected with the monastery of St. Francis, which
strengthens the probability of a religious house being here prior
to the arrival of the English, or any record of the like being
founded in this place.
The aisles are alleged to have been
built at a later period than the body, though doubtless of
record

considerable antiquity.
Both are laid down in the ancient plan
annexed to this work further particulars are given in describing
the inside of each aisle.

Of

late years a considerable

repairs of the building, so that

uniform than

at

its

sum has been expended in the

interior is now more neat and

any period within memory.

It

pews,* besides 15 in a gallery in the west end.

1

*
3

contains 62

On

the south

Records of Carrickfergus.
Parish Register.

Gill's MSS.
It must however be observed, that
stone now bears the above date in plain figures, Mr.
date was 164.
[*There are now 85 pews and ten in the gallery.]

although
Gill

says

this

the

wall, near the chancel,

the

late

is

a mural

Dean Dobbs, with

descriptive of his character

monument

the

following

to the

memory of

inscription,

rruiy

SACRED

To THE MEMORY

OF

THE REV.D RICHARD DOBBS, A.M.

DEAN OF CONNOR;
WHOSE LIFE WAS DEVOTED TO A FAITHFUL

&

ZEALOUS DISCHARGE OF PASTORAL DUTIES,

THRO A PERIOD OF NEAR FORTY YEARS.

POSSESSED OF A TEMPER CALM AND DELIBERATE
His CALMNESS WAS THE RESULT OF FIRMNESS
OF MIND; AND HIS DELIBERATION wis-DOM. His PIETY WAS UNAFFECTED AND SINCERE
THE AFFECTIONS OF HIS HEART STRONG AND
PERMANENT
HE WAS CALLED

To

RECEIVE THE EVERLASTING REWARD

OF HIS PIOUS & CHARITABLE LABOURS
ON THE IV, TH DAY OF FEBRY. [Link]
IN THE LXI, YEAR OF HIS AGE
MULTIS ILLE BONIS FLEBILIS OCCIDIT.
Beneath the floor, in the same place, is interred Rose,
marchioness of Antrim, second wife of Randal Mac Donnell,
marquis of Antrim, and only daughter and heiress of Sir Henry
O'Neill, of Edenduffcarrick, alias Shanescastle, by his wife
1
The marchioness
Martha, daughter of Sir Francis Stafford.

was interred, agreeably to her own request, close by the grave

of her grandfather, Sir Francis Stafford. 2 On her lead coffin
are quartered the arms of the noble families of O'Neill ami

Mac

Donnell, with the following inscription:

THE MOST HONOURABLE THE LADY

MARCHIONESS OF ANTRIM RELICT OF THE
MOST HONOURABLE RANDALL Me
DONNELL MARQUIS & EARL OF ANTRIM VISCOUNT DUNLUCE AND SOLE
'Tradition of Old Inhabitants.
Lodge's Peerage.
Her grave was
Tradition of Old Inhabitants.
tinguished by a rod marble flag on the floor.
2

formerly

dis-

i8o

DAUGHTER AND HEIR OF SIR HENRY

O'

NEILL OF EDENDUFFCARRICK IN THE

COUNTY OF ANTRIM, WHO DEPARTED
THIS LIFE AT EDENDUFFCARRICK AFORESAID
ON THE 27,th DAY OF APRIL ANNO
DOMINI 1695. IN THE 64 YEAR OF HER AGE. 1

The

chancel was formerly hung with armorial bearings of the

whom she was related but on the 1 2th of

noble families to

2
January, 1754, the roof fell in, and destroyed the whole.
*
On a slab on the floor is the following inscription in

Roman

capitals:

HERE LYETH THE BODY

OF EDMOND DAVYS ALDERMAN
TWICE MAYOR OF CARRICKFERG-US WHO DEPARTED THIS
LIFE THE [Link] DAY OF JULY
ANNO DOM 1696 IN
THE 73 YEAR OF
HIS AGE.

HERE ALSO LYETH MARY,

HIS WIFE KATHERINE. ANN,

MARTHA, EDMOND, EZEKIEL,

AND NATHANIEL, SONS AND
DAUGHTERS OF Y,6 SAID
EDMOND AND MARY.
BEING DESCENDED OF A BRANCH
OF THE ANCIENT FAMILY OF GUSTANNA
NORTH WALES.
Near

this stone t is a flag with the

name of James Dobbin

engraven on it, who died 1757, aged 75 years; with the other
names of that family. On the right, on entering the church,
near the above inscription, is the grave of that great benefactor
of the poor, Henry
strange to

tell,

who died September 16. 1761; and

monument nor inscription mark where

Gill,

neither

1
July 5, 1605, Henry Leslie, archdeacon of Down,
funeral sermon in this church.
Sermon by H. Leslie.

will's

preached her

MSS.

This slab is now beside the Chichester Monument.]

ft This stone, with others, was removed when the church
refloored in 1872, and cannot be found.]
f*

was

remains
At a little distance, against the north wall,
a slab of black marble, with this inscription:
rest his

is

HERE LIETH THE BODY OF

ROBERT OPENSHAWE MINISTER,
DEAN OF THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH
OF S.t SAVIOURS OF CONNER
IN THE COUNTY OF ANTRIM. TO
THE TOWNE OF CRAGFERGUS PASTOR.
AND CHAPLAYNE TO THE RIGHT
[Link] LORD CHICHESTER BARON OF
BELFASTE & LORD HIGH TREASURER
OF IRELAND

DIED

1627.

Nearly opposite, against the south wall, is a marble tablet,

with a clumsy figure of Hope leaning against an urn, beneath
which are inscribed the following lines :--

THIS MONUMENT is ERECTED

BY A FEW OF THE FRIENDS OF

SAMUEL DAVYS STEUART

OF CARRICKFERGUS M. D.
WHO
FROM A LONG AND INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE
OF HIS WORTH, OFFER IT AS A FAITHFUL
TRIBUTE TO HIS SACRED MEMORY.
IT IS CONSECRATED BY THE TEARS OF THE
POOR AND THE PRISONER, TO HEAL WHOSE
BODILY DISEASES, AND TO IMPROVE
WHOSE MORAL CONDITION, HIS EMINENT
PROFESSIONAL TALENTS, HIS ENLIGHTENED
UNDERSTANDING. AND THE FEELINGS OF
HIS BENEVOLENT HEART. WERE APPLIED.

DIED NOVEMBER 4-th

AGED 36 YEARS.

little

door-wav.

is

1817.

west, against the same wall, nearly over a former

a stone* with this inscription:

he
[*This stone has the arms of Couper and Ratcliffe impaled.
arms in the church are seven in number, besides the arms
carved on the Chichester monument. Over the north door are the arms
"1

coats of
of

Carrickfergus.

Couper and
Chichester

and Legg.

wall of the choir are the arms of

In the Donegal aisle are the arms of
In the XYill's aisle are those of Gardner
places.
the gallery door are the Royal Arms of James I.

On

Ratcliffe

two
Over

in

the

south

impaled.

i8a

HERE LIETH THE BODY OF THOMAS

COUPER ALDERMAN AND Twis
MAIRE OF CARICKFERGUS DESESED
THE 20,th OF AUG.t 1625

in

On a
Roman

large slab *on the floor, near the pulpit,

is

inscribed

capitals

HERE LVETH
THE BODY OF HENRY
CLEMENTS OF STRADE
ESQ. AGED 52 YEARS
WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE
THE 2,d DAY OF NOVEMBER
1696 BEING THEN
MAYOR OF CARRICKFERGUS.
West of the above on the
inscription to the memory of
her family: the date is 1674.

floor,

is

a large flag t with an

others of

Mary Williamson, and

In the south wall, near the west end,

inscription

is

a stone with this

HERE LYETH Y.e BODY

OF RICHARD LANG
WHO DEPARTED THIS
LIFE Y.e [Link] OF MAY
1620.
HERE ALSO LYE-TH Y.e BODY OF JAMES
LANG WHO DEPARTY.e [Link] OF OCTOBR
ANNO 1687.
HERE ALSO LYETH LETTICIA HIS
WIFE WHO WAS INTERRED Ye 4-th
OF JUNE 1/05. A DAUGHTER OF
JOHN BULWORTHY ALDERMAN
AND TWICE MAYOR OF
ED

CARRICKFERGUS.
arms were repainted in their proper colours in the year 1895,
same time the swords and helmet of the Chichestcr
monument were cleaned and varnished. The epitaphs on the above
monument were originally in painted letters, which had begun to fade.
They were engraved by the late Countess of Shaftesbury at the request
All these

and

at

the

of the late rector, the Rev. George Chamberlain.]

[*This slab cannot be found.]
[t Removed and cannot be found.]

1*5

Nearly opposite, against the wall,

following

is

a stone bearing the

THIS FONT, A SILVER

FLAGON, THE TABLES
OF THE COMMANDMENTS
LORD'S PRAYER, &
CREED. WERE GIVEN

TO THIS CHURCH BY

SAMUEL DAVYS
ALDERMAN
ANNO DOM. 1714.
The

font alluded to has been long since removed.

The south aisle is called Wills s or Freeman's aisle; Ihe

former name from an ancient family of this place, now extinct
;

the latter
it

from

appears,

seats being formerly in

were obliged to attend the

it

for the freemen, who,

mayor

to church every

Sunday, the aldermen, or their deputies, keeping a list of

1
who were perhaps made to pay a small fine.
defaulters,

On

all

the right of the entrance into the aisle are the seats of

the mayor, aldermen, and burgesses.

Over the mayor's seat, at
the top of a pillar that supports two circular arches, above the
is

passage,

the following inscription*:

THIS WORKE BEGAN A. D. 1614. MR. COOPER THEN

MAIOR. AND WROUGHT BY THOMAS PAPS
FREE MASON, MR. OPENSHAWE
BEING PARSON, VIVAT

REX

JACOBUS.
Against the east wall is a mural monument of white marble,
memory of Andrew Gardner, and others of his family.

to the

On

the

vertex

inscription as
1

is

his

crest,

and beneath, the arms, with the

on page 184.

Records of Carrickfergus.

tablet with
south wall of nave.]
"

f*The

this

inscription

is

now

at

west

end

of

the

Robert Gardner was younger brother of John, and grandson cf

John Bulhvorthy, who was mayor of Carrickfergus in 1654. He was
an agent in London, by which he acquired a very great fortune, but
was unfortunate in the South Sea (Inible). loosing then the most of all
he had, so that he died in but low circumstances, and his affairs very
much incumbred however he was a man of great hospitality, doing
;

many
to

offices

him."

of

Gill's

sincere

friendship,

to

all

those that

made

application

MSS.

to a
[Robert and John Gardner were sons of Andrew, who was married

On
follows

stone *

in

the

86

passage opposite,

is

inscribed

as

HERE LYETH THE BODY

OF ANDREW GARDNER BURGESS
WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE Y.e
4th OF

FEBRUARY

1682.

HERE LYETH Y.e

BODY OF JOAN HIS WIFE WHO
WAS BURIED Y.e l8,th OF MARCH
1694.

On

a slab * adjoining

HERE LYETH THE BODY

OF MARGRET CATHERWOOD AND
AGNES DAUGHTER TO
ANDREW GARDNER.

MARGRET O'BRIEN DEPARTED

THIS LIFE THE 28. JAN. 1728-9

AGED
Against the west wall

is

50 YEARS.
a tablet,! with the following:

HERE LYETH Y.e

BODY OF ELIZBETH HILL WHO
DEPARTED THIS
LIFE Y.e 9th OF DECB.
1726,

AGED

50

YEARS.

HERE ALSO LYETH

BODY OF ANN

Y.e

HER DAUGHTER
WHO DEPARTED
Y.e [Link] OF NOVB. 1720

AGED

22 YEARS.

of William Catherwood. Ball wester, Dnnajhadee (1630).

His son was
styled "laird Catherwood of Ballyvestor."
By this marriage the Gardner
lands of Knockagh came into the possession of the Catherwood family.]
[* These two tablets or stones are now on either side of the
sister

Chichester monument.]
[fThis tablet cannot be found.]

i8 7

The following additional tablets have been

placed in the
church, also stained glass windows.
In Wills's or Freeman's

on the

aisle are

four additional tablets,

right

IN MEMORY OF

DAVID LEGG,
SOLICITOR AND TOWN CLERK
OF

WHO

CARRICKFERGVS.
DIED 20TH MARCH, 1854,

AGED 51 YEARS.
ATTACHED FRIENDS
ERECTED THIS TABLET

A FEW

AS A MARK OF THEIR ESTEEM.

Another on the same side

To THE MEMORY

OF
STAFF SURGEON

WHO

JOHN MILLAR.
DIED AT GLASGOW.

MAY

3RD. 1850.

AGED 55 YEARS.
IN AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE
THE OFFICERS WHO SERVED WITH HIM
IN THE 43RD LIGHT INFANTRY.
OF WHICH REGT. HE WAS SURGEON
FOR

8 YEARS.

HAVE ERECTED THIS MONUMENT.

HlS REMAINS REST IN
LIGHTHILL CEMETERY, AT GLASGOW.
Facing is a large memorial window
To THE GLORY OF GOD AND TO THE
DEAR MEMORY OF WlLLIAM ROBERT
BURLEIGH.

WHO

DIED APRIL

This window, a design

his

in

many

2TH. A.D.,
colours,

87

was erected by

widow.

To

the left

WHO

SACRED
TO THE MEMORY OF
ROBERT HANLY.
LIVED ESTEEMED AND DIED REGRETTED.

MAY

it.

1831.

2.

88

THIS MONUMENT WAS ERECTED BY

LORD GEORGE A. HILL.
REPRESENTATIVE FOR CARRICKFERGUS. AS A MEMORIAL OF
HIS RESPECT AND REGARD.
IN LOVING

MEMORY OF

SURGEON MAJOR

DAVID REDMOND TAGGART. M.D.,

ROYAL ANTRIM ARTILLERY,
AND CORONER COUNTY ANTRIM AND CARRICKFERGUS.
"

DIED IOTH APRIL. l886, AGED 47 YEARS.

UNTIL THE DAY BREAK. AND THE SHADOWS FLEE AWAY."
In the Donegall aisle are two tablets, one

SACRED
TO THE MEMORY OF

BLAYNEY TOWNLEY WALSHE. ESQR..

LATE LIEUT. COL. ROYAL ARTILLERY.
WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE JAN. 29TH. 1839, AGED 62.
ALSO OF ANNA, HIS WIFE.
WHO DIED IN DUBLIN, JAN. 18, 1840, AGED 49.

The

other to

MARGARET.

FOURTH DAUGHTER OF THE LATE

GEORGE SPEAR.
OF CARRICKFERGUS.
DIED i3TH MARCH. 1895.
EVERY GOOD WORK HAD HER KINDLY HELP. AND EVERY
DESERVING OBJECT HER ACTIVE SYMPATHY AND SUPPORT.
THIS TABLET IS ERECTED BY A FEW LOVING FRIENDS. TO
"
PERPETUATE HER MEMORY.
SHE STRETCHED OUT HER
HAND TO THE POOR. YEA, SHE REACHED FORTH HER HANDS
TO THE NEEDY." PROVERBS XXXI. 2C.
Also a stone slab against the wall
HERE LIETH THE BODY OF THE

REVD. HILL BENSON.

DEAN OF CONNOR.
HE WAS BORN THE 3RD OF OCTOBER. 1704, AND
DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE 2 1 ST OF APRIL, 1 775.
THEY THAT BE WISE SHALL SHINE AS THE BRIGHTNESS OF
THE FIRMAMENT AND THEY THAT TURN MANY TO
RIGHTEOUSNESS AS THE STARS FOR EVER AND EVER.

189
east

Large

texts,

Scripture

window.

jewel

which was erected,

with

several

by the late

Thomas

window,

in 1872,

Greer, Esq., and Margaret, his wife.

On
The

the south side of the choir or chancel are four windows.

at the east end, is erected to the

memory of the late
Edward
fourth
son
of Richard Dobbs,
Dobbs,
Conway
Esq.,
Dean
of
Connor.
Born
formerly
apth August, 1773, died i8th
first,

Also of Maria, his wife, born

March, 1870.

died 29th April,

This window

1869.

(Subject:

Faith,

ist

May, 1778,

Hope and

Charity.)

placed by their sorrowing children,

them reverenced examples of Faith, Hope and Charity.

The

is

next

window

to

is

1900.

the Ascension.)

The

in

memory of Charles Arthur

Erected by E. Wilson, Esq.,

Wellesley Stewart. Esq.

(Subject

the

who

memory of
Connor.''

"

To

God and

in loving

the late Very Revd. George Bull, D.D.,

(Subject: Call of St. Peter, St. James,

Dean of

third

window

is

the Glory of

and

St.

John.)
"

In loving memory of John Boyd

who died 2/th November. 1859. and of Barbara, his
the Transwho died 22nd May, 1865.
(Subject:

Fourth

window,

Gilmore,
wife,

figuration.)

On
the

first,

north side of choir or chancel there are two windows,

.

at east end,

memory of Anne
6th Nov.,
Very Rev.
1

88 1.

is

"

To

the glory of

God and

in loving

Bull, born A.D., 3oth Jan., 1823, died A.D.,

This window is erected by her husband, the

of
George Bull, D.D.. Dean of Connor. Rector

"He that cometh unto Me shall

Carrickfergus and Raloo."
never hunger and he that believeth in Me shall never thirst.'and Fishes.)
John vi. 3^. (Subject: the Miracle of the Loaves
"
The second window, In memory of Alexander Johns, who
died

3th May, 1866; and of

Emma,

his wife,

who

died 9th

March, 1857." This window is a design of conventional foliage.

"
To the Glory of God
In the nave is a memorial window
and in loving memory of John Chaine, M.A., sometime Dean
of Connor, and Julia his wife, also Mary their daughter. This
window is placed by Rebecca. William and Margarette Chaine.
; '

A.D., 1892.

Me, &c.")

(Subject:

"Suffer

little

children to

come unto

190

Also a monument

ERECTED BY JAMES STEPHENS

MEMORY OF HIS FATHER,

STRATFORD STEPHENS,
WHO DIED 24TH JANUARY, 1848, AGED 48 YEARS.
AND IN AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE OF HIS DEAR MOTHER,
MARGARET STEPHENS,
WHO DIED l8TH APRIL, 1873, AGED 67 YEARS.
DEEPLY REGRETTED BY HER CHILDREN FOR WHOM
HER LOVE AND DEVOTION WERE UNBOUNDED.
IN

The

other stained glass

window (John

the Baptist baptising

Christ) was formerly the east window of the church, and was
presented by the late George Burleigh, Esq., Burleigh Hill,

about 1800.

tablet

SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF

HENRY ECCLESTOX.
YEAR OF HIS AGE WAS DROWNED
WHO IN THE 38
OFF THE ISLE OF BARBUDA, IN THE WEST INDIES.
HlS BARQUE THE " LANCASHIRE WlTCH " HAVING BEEN
WRECKED IN A HURRICANE ON THE 1 8TH AUGUST, 1851.
THIS TABLET IS ERECTED BY HIS WIDOW.
JANE ECCLESTON.
IN REMEMBRANCE OF A BELOVED HUSBAND
AND AFFECTIONATE FATHER.
"
FAR, FAR HE LIES FROM HOLY GROUND,
DEEP IN HIS CORAL BED;
THE SEA WEEDS WRAP HIS CORSE AROUND,
THE WAVES ROLL O'ER HIS HEAD."
"
AND THE SEA GAVE UP THE DEAD WHICH WERE IN IT."
REV. \x. 13.
ALSO HIS DAUGHTER GEORGINA. WHO DIED IOTH MAY, 1845,
AGED 3 YEARS.
a marble
Additional tablets in the chancel
surmounted by naval trophies, bearing the following:
:

tablet,

SACRED TO THE MEMORY

OF
LIEUTENANT JAMES EVERARD;
WILLIAM TODD, ROBERT HENDERSON. AND JOHN BOYD,
SEAMEN OF THIS PLACE LATE BELONGING TO
His MAJESTY'S SLOOP " XIMROD."
;

WHO WERE DROWNED

IN

BELFAST LOUGH,

BY THE UPSETTING OF A BOAT, AUGUST I5TH, 1825.

As A TRIBUTE OF RESPECT FOR
AN AMIABLE YOUNG MAN, AND HIGHLY MERITORIOUS OFFICER,
AND FOR THE WORTHY GOOD SEAMEN.
THE CAPTAIN, OFFICERS, AND SHIP'S COMPANY OF THE XIMROD
HAVE ERECTED THIS TABLET.

SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF

JOHN EDWARD KIDLEY, M.D.,

WHO DEPARTED

THIS LIFE

6TH APRIL, 1852,

AND
FRANCES ANNE KIDLEY,
WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE
I;TH JUNE, 1852,
SON AND DAUGHTER OF JOHN KlDLEY,
OF FOWNHOPE, HEREFORESHIRE, ENGLAND.

ALSO
JANE MAXWELL,
RELICT OF SURGEON MAXWELL,
WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE
27TH DECEMBER. 1844.
ALSO OF SARAH ELIZA KIDLEY,
RELICT OF JOHN KIDLEY, ESQ.,
OF FOWNHOPE, HEREFORDSHIRE,
WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE
IST JANUARY, 1855.
Brass tablet

To THE GLORY OF GOD

AND THE BELOVED MEMORY OF
GARTH OGLE,
LIEUTENANT ROYAL FUSILIERS,
BORN AT CARRICKFERGUS, 1877,
AND ACCIDENTALLY DROWNED
NEAR PRETORIA. 30TH OCTOBER. 1901.
WHILST SERVING WITH THE MOUNTED INFANTRY
IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN WAR.
THIS TABLET IS ERECTED BY HIS PARENTS,
MAJOR GENERAL F. A. OGLE. C.B.. AND

AGNES HIS WIFE, AS

A TRIBUTE OF AFFECTION

192

TO A GALLANT YOUNG SOLDIER,

A STAUNCH FRIEND, AMD A DEVOTED SON.
Tablet

NEAR THIS PLACE LIES INTERRED

THE BODY OF
CAPTAIN CHARLES STEWART,

5TH (LORD MOLESWORTH'S DRAGOONS)

SON OF ALEXANDER STEWART, OF WESTER,
CLUNY, PERTHSHIRE,
AND ISABELLA STEWART, OF BALLNAKILLIE.
HIS WIFE.

HE

DIED 4TH JUNE, 1774, DISTINGUISHED

ALIKE IN HIS MILITARY AND PRIVATE CAREER,
BY HIS FIDELITY TO THE PATH OF DUTY AND BY HIS

DISPLAY OF EVERY AMIABLE AND CHRISTIAN VIRTUE.

ALSO TO THE MEMORY OF

ROSE HIS WIFE,

WHO DIED IITH FEBRUARY, 1779, AGED 92 YEARS.

SHE WAS DAUGHTER OF RODGER HALL, ESQ., OF NARROW
WATER, Co. DOWN, AND GRAND-DAUGHTER OF
SIR TOBY POYNTZ, KNT., OF ACTON AND
BRENAGH, Co. ARMAGH.
IN LOVING

MEMORY

OF

ROBERT ROWAN,
LATE CAPTAIN 5 2ND
OXFORDSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY,
BORN I7TH MARCH, 1780, AT BELLI SLE.

COUNTY ANTRIM,
DIED 6TH JANUARY, 1863, AT CARRICKFERGUS.
AND OF
HENRIETTA MARIA. HIS WIFE,
BORN 20TH NOVEMBER, 1814, AT WATERFORD,
DIED gTH MARCH. 1879. AT CARRICKFERGUS.
"
IN THE WORLD YE SHALL HAVE TRIBULATION j
BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER. I HAVE OVERCOME
THE WORLD." JOHN XVI. 33.

193

MEMORY OF
DAVYS BOWMAN,

IN LOVING

WHO

DIED 2ND FEBRUARY, 1904,

AGED 44 YEARS.
"
HE ASKED LIFE OF THEE
AND THOU GAVEST HIM A LONG LIFE,
EVEN FOR EVER AND EVER."
Brass tablets,

To THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN

LOVING MEMORY OF WlLLIAM JOHNS,
OF JOYMOUNT COURT, CARRICKFERGUS,
WHO

DIED

MARCH

26xn, 1898.

AGED 80 YEARS.

To THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF

ANNE C. DARBY.
WIDOW OF THE REV. JONATHAN LoVETT DARBY,
RECTOR OF POYNTZPASS,
DIED JANUARY STH, 1888, AGED 68 YEARS.
Tablet,
"

In memory of the Revd. Bennett W. Johns, Curate of

Carrickfergus, through divine grace a shining model of a
Christian pastor, and a meek and lowly servant of the Lord

This monument is raised by his brethren in

Jesus Christ.
the ministry and a sorrowing flock, to record for a perpetual
example the faith and integrity of a man of God, whose
animated zeal was not

less

powerful to win souls than his

In the
gentleness and loving kindness to retain them.
inscrutable Providence of the Most High His faithful servant

was called from His blessed labours whilst

his usefulness

of promise.

was

Attacked by malignant fever in Dublin, he

died 2yth May, 1841, in the second year of his ministry, and
The will of God be done."
25th year of his age.
Brass tablet,
full

To THE GLORY OF GOD

AND IN LOVING MEMORY
BENNETT WM. JOHNS.

OF

SECOND SON OF THE LATE WlLLIAM JOHNS.

OF JOYMOUNT COURT. CARRICKFERGUS,
DIED AT SYDNEY, X.S.W.,

25TH JULY. 1899. AGED 37 YEARS.

14

194

The

north aisle *

the private property of the marquis of

From its
Donegall, being formerly the chapel of his family.
ruinous state it has lately been shut out from the other parts
Near its entrance are two seats belonging to
of the church.
is

Over the entrance, inside, is a tablet of white

surmounted
marble,
by a coronet on the tablet is an inscription
to the memory of Arthur Chichester, third earl of Donegall,
who was killed in Spain. The following is a copy
nobleman.

this

MEMORISE PERENNI

ARTHUR COMITIS DE DONEGALL VICE-COMITIS CHICHESTER

DE

CARRICKFERGUS, BAR.S DE BELFAST; COMITAS ANTRIM,

LOCOM TENENTIS, URBIS CARRICKFERGUS PRjEFECTI,

ET SERENISSIM^ ANNJE ANGLIC, &c. REGIN^E COPIARUM
IN HlSPANIAS MISS ARUM LfiGATI ;
Qui IN BARCELONA URBE HISPANICA JACET,

CALPE QUO TEMPORE AB

VIRIBUS OPPUGNABATUR,
IN URBEM FELICISSIMUM INTULIT AUXILIUM, QUA SALUTEM
OBSESSIS, OBSESSORIBUS RUINAM & DEDECUS COMPARAVIT
ANNO 1705, IN CATALONIAM PROVECTUS APUD OBSIDIONEM
BARCELONA DE RE MILITARI INSIGNITER MERITUS EST
POST URBEM CAPTAM GIRRON^E & LOCORUM ADJACENTIUM
PR^EFECTUS CONSTITUTUS SUMMA VIGILANTIA & VIRTUTE
BELLICAS RES ADMINISTRAVIT ET CUM EX ADVERSO BARCELONA
A DUCE ANDEGAVENSI (REGE CATHOLICO TITULARI) RE-OBSESSA
& A REGE CAROLO 3,d DEFENSA ESSET SE CUM PLURIMIS
COHORTIBUS IN URBEM CONJECIT ADEOQUE REM AUSTRIACAM
PERICLITANTEM RESTITUIT Ifil PROPUGNACULI MoNJUICH
PR^FECTURAM SUSCIPIENS TAMDIU HOSTIUM AGGRESSUS
SUSTINUIT DONEC NUMERO & REPETITIS CONATIBUS OPPRESSUS,
ANIMO VEL IN ARTICULO MORTIS INVICTUS FLORENTIBUS LAURIS

SEPULTUS

ILLE,

ANNO

UNITIS HlSPANIARUM

1704,

& GALLIC

ANNO 1706, io,mo DIE APRILIS ^TATIS SUJE 40

Cui JURE MATRIMONIALI ET HoNORIBUS SUCCESSIT
ARTHURUS FILIUS EJUS NATU MAXIMUS
POSUIT E SUMPTIBUS PROPRIIS UXOR SUA FIDISSIMA
DOMINA CATHARINA E GENTE FORBESIANA FILIA

[* This aisle is not now in a ruinous

restored and open for public worship.]

state,

but

is

thoroughly

;f *y StrnntS

THE CHICUESTKR MO^TMKXT.

&

PS* fit*

UNICA ARTHURI COMITIS DE GRANARD, VICE-COMITIS

DE GRANARD & HAMLIN, & BARONIS DE CLANIHU. X

The west windows of this aisle are built up, the east
windows shattered and broken, and there are many holes in the
roof.
Of the numerous armorial bearings and trophies of this
family that once waved gracefully from its walls and ceiling,
scarcely a fragment now remains [now restored].
Against the north end is a stately sepulchral monument of
marble and alabaster, belonging to the noble family of

Chichester, of which the annexed plate is a true representation.

On the dado, over the sarcophagus, are two niches, in which
are the effigies, in alto relievo, of Sir Arthur Chichester, first
lord baron Belfast, and his lady.
The effigies front each other,
and are in a praying posture, with long robes and ruffs ; between
lies in effigy their infant son, Arthur.
On the plinth of
the sarcophagus, is the effigy of Sir John Chichester, in armour,
also in a praying posture, but somewhat mutilated, the hands
having fallen off. In front of the pediment is a death's head,
"
EN ME
surmounted by a coronet, beneath which is inscribed

them

TRIUMPHANTEM."
relievo,

with

the

little

motto:

Near the base are large

f cllowing inscription

lower are the family arms, in basso

"

HONOR SEQUITUR FUGIENTEM."

tablets

of black marble,

with the

SACRED TO GOD AND ETERNAL MEMORIE.

SR ARTHUR CHICHESTER KNIGHT BARON OF BELFAST, Lo,
HlGH TREASVRER OF IRELAND GOVERNOVR OF THIS TOWNE &
OF THE COVNTRIES ADJOINING DESCENDED OF THE AVNCIENT
& NOBLE HOVSE OF THE CHICHESTROS IN THE CVNTIE
OF DEVON, SONNE OF SIR JOHN CHICHESTER OF RALEICHE KT.
& OF HIS WIFE GARTRVD COVRTNEY GRAND CHILD OF SR EDWD.
CHICHESTOR & OF HIS WIFE ELIZABETH DAVGHTER OF JOHN
BOVRGCHEIR EARL OF BATH. AFTER THE FLIGHT
OF THE EARLS OF TIRON & TERCONNEL
OTHER ARCH TRAYTORS THEIRE ACCOMPLICE

1
Monjuich, or Monjuick, where this nobleman fell, was an almost
impregnable fort that secured the land side of the city of Barcelona.
On his death, King Charles of Spain wrote a letter to queen Anne,
London Gentleman's
extolling his courage, and lamenting his loss.
Magazine. MSS.

198

SETTLED THE PLANT ACON OF THIS PROVINCE & WELL &

HAPPILY GOVERNED THIS KINGDOME IN FLOVERISHING ESTATE
VNDER JAMES OVR KING THE SPACE OF n YEARE
&: MORE.
WHILST HE WAS LD DEPETIE & GOVERNOVR
THEIROF, RETYRED HIMSELF INTO HIS PRIVATE GOVERNMENT
& BEING MINDFVL OF HIS MORTALITIE REPRESENTED VNTO
HIM BY THE VNTYMELY DEATH OF ARTHVR HIS SONNE THE
ONLY HOPE OF HIS HOVSE, WHO LIVED NOT FVLL 2 MONTHS
AFTER HIS BIRTH, As ALLSOE OF HIS NOBLE AND VALIANT
BROTHER
SR JOHN CHICHESTER KNIGHT, LATE SERJEANT MAIOR OF THE
ARMYE IN THIS KINGDOME & THE PRACEDENT GOVERNOVR
OF THIS TOWNE, HATH CAVSED THIS CHAPPELL TO BE REPAIRED
& THIS VALT & MONVMENT TO BE MADE AND ERECTED AS
WELL IN REMEMBRANCE OF THEM WHOSE STATVES ARE EXPRESSED
& THEIRE BODYES INTERRED, As ALLSOE A RESTING PLACE FOR
THE BODY ITSELF & HIS MOST DEAR & BEST BELOVED
WIFE THE NOBLE & VERTVOVS LADY L-ETTICE. ELDEST DAVGHTER
OF SR JOHN PERROT, KNIGHT SOMETYME WORTHYE
DEPVTIE OF THIS KINGDOME WHICH THEY SHALL HEAR
REST IN PEACE VNTILL THE SECOND COMING OF THEIR
CRVCIFIED REDEEMER WHOME THEYE MOST CONSTANLY BELEIVE
THERE TO BEEHOLD WITH THEIR BODILY EYES TO THEIR ENDLESS
BLESSEDNESS & EVERLASTING COMFORT.
&:

GLADIVS MEVS NON SALVABITME.

FATVM MORTIS A DOMINO INJVNCTVM

EST.

IF THAT DESIRE, OR CHANCHE THEE HITHER LEAD

VPON

THIS MARBLE

MONVMENT TO TREAD

LET ADMIRATION THY BEST THOUGHTS STILL FEED

WHILE WEEPING THOV, THIS EPITAPH DOEST READE
&: LET DISTILLING TEARES. THY COMMAES BE.
As TRIBVTE DVE, VNTO THIS ELIGIE.
;

EPITAPHE.

WITHIN THIS BEDD OF DEATH, A VICEROY LYES.

WHOSE FAME SHALL EVER LIVE. VlRTVE NERE DYES
FOR HE DID VIRTVE AND RELIGION NORIS-HE
& MADE THIS LAND LATE RVDE, WITH PEACE TO FLOVRISH.
;

199

THE WILDEST

BE POWER DID TAME

RESELL,
BY TRVE JVSTICE GAYNED AN HONORD NAME ;
THEN NOW. THOVGH HE IN HEAVEN WITH ANGELLS BE,
LET VS ON EARTH STILL LOVE HIS MEMORIE.

&

BY HIM

INTERED, HlS NOBLE LADYE IS,

PARTAKE WITH HIM IN HEAVENLY BLISSE,
FOR WHILE THE EARTH, VNTO THEM WAS A SEAT,
BLESSED THEY WERE, BEING BOTH GOOD AND GREAT.

WHOE

WlTH THEM DOTH REST, THEIR ONE & ONLY SONNE,

WHOSE LIFE WAS SHORT, AND SOE HIS GLASS SOONE RVN ;
THE HEAVENS NOT EARTH, WAS HIS ALLOTTED RIGHT,
FOR WHICH HE BADD THE \VORLD SOE SOONE GOODNIGHT.
IXTOMED BY THEM HERE ALLSOE DOTH REMAYN,
His WORTHY BROTHER, BY BASE REBELS SLAYN,
AS HE IN MARTIALL, & BRAVE WARREL1KE FEIGHT,
OPPOSDE THEIR CVRIE IN HIS CVNTREYS RIGHT.
6c IN MEMORIALL OF THEIRE ENDLESS PRAISE,
THIS MONVMENT IS LEFT TO AFTER DAYES.

Beneath

this aisle is a vault

* formed of cut
stone, formerly

used by this family for interment

ing personages
Sir John

November

in

it

are interred the follow-

Chichester,

beheaded

by

the

Mac

Donnells,

which is broken down, is

the blade of a small sword, with some lime.
Arthur Chichester, only son of Sir Arthur Chichester, first
lord baron Belfast, born September 26, 1606, died October 30,

same

4.

1597; near

his coffin,

year.

daughter of Sir John Perrot, and wife of Sir

Arthur Chichester. first lord baron Belfast, who died November
interred January 10, following.
27. 1620
Letitia.

[* This vault is twenty feet long, by fifteen feet wide, the roof
forming a semi-circular arch of cut stone, six feet in the centre the
In 1854,
door which opened into the church is now bricked up.
August i6th, Lord Hamilton Chichester was interred in the vault
he was brother to the Marquis of Donegall, and Uncle to the late
Countess of Shaftesbury.
1860, September 24th, the Marchioness of
Donegall, mother of the late Countess of Shaftesbury, was also interred
here.
These coffins have all been removed to the mausoleum at Belfast
Castle, Cave Hill, which the Third Marquis of Donegall (who died in
and
father of the late Countess of Shaftesbury, built as his place
1883),
;

of family sepulchre.]

20O
Sir Arthur Chichester,
in

first

who

lord baron Belfast,

London, February 19, 1624 interred October 24, 1625.

Mary Denham, second wife of Sir Edward Chichester,

who

viscount Carrickfergus,
interred soon after.

On

a small

died at Belfast, February

2,

died

first

1637

marked, ^Etatis 25, obit 8,th January,

coffin, E. C. Dec,ber 3,d 1642; on
resting on the latter, is marked D. C. qui

coffin is

1631; and on another small

a very small
obiit 8,th

coffin,

The

January 1638.

inscriptions

on these

coffins are

raised on the lead.

Arthur Chichester,*

March

first

earl of

interred

Donegall

died at Belfast,
left ^50 to

He

1675.
May
the poor of Carrickfergus, and ^200 to those of Belfast.
small coffin, marked C. C. March n,th 1701, setat. 25
16,

1674

2oth,

much

shattered.

Arthur Chichester, second earl of Donegall, died December

13, 1705, aged 72.
A small coffin, marked F. C. 1708. This is believed to
contain the bones of lady Jane, lady Frances, and lady
daughters of Arthur, third earl of Donegall, who
were burned in the castle of Belfast, by the carlessness of a
Henrietta,

servant, April 24, the

On

same

year.

merely inscribed, Aetatis suse 50 aged 38,

and
on
another, I. E. C. Obit Feb.r 27,th 1719; on a
1716;
"
The son of the Honorable John Chichester Obyt June
third,
the

a coffin

1737."

i,st

is

large coffin, covered with crimson velvet,

escutcheons, has a

follows

gilt

plate on

its lid,

on which

and numerous
is

engraved as

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE AND ILLUSTEROUS

KATHERINE COUNTESS OF DONEGALL DOWAGER OF
THE MOST NOBLE AND PUISSANT ARTHUR
CHICHESTER LATE EARL OF DONEGALL
VISCOUNT CARRICKFERGUS, LORD CHICHESTOR BARON
OF BELFAST. DIED JUNE i5,th 1743,

AGED

73 YEARS.

[*The funeral of this nobleman was one of the greatest, not in

numbers, but in the order and formality to be expected at the obsequies
of a military man of high rank, and the owner of the town from
The eighty-eight poor men which followed were
which it issued.
But most who
indicative of the number of years the Earl had lived.

201

This was lady Catherine Forbes, only daughter of Arthur

and second wife to the third earl of Donegall.

earl of Granard,

She died at Abinger, in Surrey, as above, and was interred here

on the night of the loth of August, the same year, about 12
1
Her daughter was also interred in the same vault
o'clock.
soon

Hon John

after.

Chichester,

Donegall, died at Bath, June

i,

son of the third earl of

1746, aged 45, interred October

loth, following.

Hon. Elizabeth Chichester, daughter of John Chichester,

died February 12, 1748, interred June 26, the same year.
Arthur Chichester, fourth earl of Donegall, died September
interred on the 7th of the following
28, 1757, aged 64 years

October.

vast

number of gentlemen, and

his late tenantry,

attended on this occasion.

Edward May,

Sir

father-in-law to the marquis of

bait.,

Donegall. He died in London, July 23, 1814, aged 63 years

interred here the loth of September following.
At the time of
his death

he was member of parliament for Belfast. 2

relict of Sir Edward May, Bart.

Elizabeth May,

She

died in London, March 26th, 1823; interred April 27th, same

year, in the vault with Sir Edward.
June i4th, 1825, Lord
Spencer Chichester, third son of the Marquis of Donegall, who

died at Richmond, England,

May

was

27th, this year,

laid in

the family vault with military honours.

1658 Sir Henry O'Neill, who died at Blackhall, England,
where he was born, was brought to Ireland and interred near

communion

the

1678

table.

Dame Martha
and

O'Neill,

daughter

of

Sir

Francis

She died
at Ballymagerry, April, 1678, lay in state at Shanescastle, and
Avas interred near the chancel with great pomp.
Rose. MarStafford,

relict

of the

-first

Sir

Henry

O'Neill.

were conspicuous were distinguished persons

in the country, many of

of the deceased
the Sovereign and Burgesses of
Belfast closed the procession of perhaps the greatest funeral that ever
left that town.]

them

relatives

Parish Register.
Lodge's Peerage. This lady was distinguished
She kept two annual
her piety, charity, and conjugal virtues.
fasts, the one for the death of her husband, the other for the burning
of her country seat
Gentleman's ^lagazine.
for

The

notices respecting these persons were mostly taken from the

the remainder from the register of this parish, and

coffins in the vault

Lodge's Peerage.

2O2
chioness of Antrim, noticed page

141,

was interred July 4th r

1695.*
It

hoped the following events, connected with thisbe deemed interesting they have not been noticed

is

building, will

in its description.

John Coutok,*

1303

rector,

let

off

this

church for three

In
Mercer, at the annual rent of 45 marks.
this indenture, which is dated at Dublin, Mercer is bound tocomplete the repairs of the chancel, as he had begun it ; and to
years to Robert

pay papal

le

tythes,

and

all other charges.

1569 The mayor held his courts in the church, castle

October 8, 1575, Sir Henry
Worraigh being out of repair.
arrived
in
Sidney
Carrickfergus, and gave ^94 9 6 towards
its

repairs.

1581

The following order was

issued by the lord deputy

Grey.
"

A. Grey.

By

the L. Deputie.

Forasmuche as the maior and inhabitants of Carigfergus

are to bringe home this somer their Churche tymber out of the
woodes of Belfast This are ernestlie to will and require you,
such tyme as they have occasion to travell thither, for ihe
same, to permyt and suffer them with their carriadges to bring
it to
Carrigfergus, so as they may by your good sufferance

at

fynishe their Churche work as they have begonne; wherefore

we require you not to faile, and so we bid you far well

Dublin the io,th of Aprill 1581.

"
To the Lord of the Woodes."

We

find the mayor, in the name of the corporation,

1596
"
to procure a dayes
requesting the lord deputy and council
"
eatche
the
in
from
of
troops
garrison, to repair :he
paye
In this memorial it is stated that the congregation
church.
"
could not be contained in the
queare" and that the body of
"
"
"
was not
the
was
then
uncovered
so as the audianc
churche,"
so numerous as otherwise it would have been.

1600 On the 2d of December we find the mayor requesting

from the governor of this town some of the money granted to
"
that the
build the town walls, to repair the church, and
1

MSS.
The name

[*
*

of this

man was Cantock,

Records Rolls Office, Dublin.

Records of Carrickfergus.
Records of Carrickfergus.

not Coutok.]

203

nominated Papists maie be compelled either to come to churche

or to avoide the Towne."

The mayor,

1606

in a letter to the lord

deputy Chichester.

requests assistance towards repairs of the church, which, he says.

"
was burned and spoyled by the Rebells." He suggests, that

should be laid on the adjoining country for

"
not able to repayre the ruynes
purpose, as they were
thereof, by reason of the povertyes sustained in the late warr."
cess, or collection,

that

1699. May 15, the Assembly ordered, "that all cutters of

Turf on the commons do bring in four pence, per schore load,
in

mony. towards repairs of the church."

were planted in the church-yard. 3

1702
In
a
of
this date we find the following
1712
manuscript
"
memorandum
The following things were done to the

The

present trees

Church, the time of Sam.l Davys, Alderman, was Mayor, Anno

1712. The church being very much out of repair, and in danger
to be ruined, he got it repaired, roofcasted without, and flaged
within ; he gave a silver flagon, a font, and the tables of the

Commandments. Lords Prayer, and Creed, to the Church. The

Church being irregular, he had them put in order,
and ordered a seat for his family going to the Chancel, and a
seats in the

He procured fifty pound

from the Government, by the Bishop of Down's means, for the
building a seat for the officers of the army, and a gallery for
the soldiers.
He promoted the erecting the alter peice. and
opening the east window that was built up a little with stone
and lime he got the wall built about the back part of the
Church by subscription."
the roof of the chancel fell in, and
1754. January 12
soon after the church was new roofed by James Bashford. of
seat in the south ile for his servants.

Belfast. 4

At a meeting of the Assembly on the 3d of April,

they agreed to purchase an organ for this church, the salary of
the organist to be paid out of the rents of some commonable
lands then about to be let.
E. D. Wilson. Esq.. proposed to
1808

2
3

Records of Carrickfergus.
Records of Carrickfergus.
Records of Carrickfergus.
Gill's

MSS.

[In February, 1760, on the invasion of the town by Thurot, the

church was robbed of its plate, and the following October the Irish
House of Commons granted ,17 for to replace it.]

204
give a free house for the organist; but the Assembly rescinded
on the 2ist of the following May. 1

this resolution

the west part of the roof of the church fell

1812, May 1 6
save the north aisle was new roofed the same summer.

in

all

In July, the Marquis of Downshire gave a donation of

to assist in its interior repairs.

1818
state, in

Many

^100

of the seats in this church being in a ruinous

all were taken down, and soon after made

December

new and uniform, agreeable to an act of vestry of the 2ist of

July. The floor was new flagged same time, the gallery in the
west end taken down, and the pulpit removed from the south
Several of the large windows were likewise

to the north side.

made new, and

the others repaired.

The expenses of the
were paid by the claimants; but the seats of a
few persons who refused to pay, or were unable, were publicly
sold by the church-wardens, William Corcoran and Samuel

different seats

Nelson, and the surplus

of the

after paying for the repairs

former owners.

(if any),

seats, given to their

1820 A gallery was put up in the room of the former

one; to its erection E. D. Wilson, Esq., gave ^100; the
remainder was defrayed by the parish.

The
Church

following are some additional notices regarding the

Pillars at the front entrance of the churchyard were

and a new gate hung.
The bell of the church was cracked.
1832, February 15.
It was soon afterwards recast in Belfast, and again put up in
its former place on the i3th September.
"
1839.
During the night of the Big Wind," in January,
the weather-cock on the top of the church steeple was blown
down, and was replaced, in 1841, by the present ball and cross.
The church was reroofed throughout; the roof
1872.
being raised some feet higher than the old one. The church was
also refloored and replastered, under the direction of L. L.
At this time the door into
Macassey, Esq., C.E., architect.
the vestry from the church was enlarged, thus cutting across
the tomb of the founder, and the lid of a stone coffin (supposed
The seats of
to be that of a bishop) was found in the wall.
the church, which were formerly in the centre of the nave and

1831.

erected,

Records of Carrickfergus.

2O 5
aisles,

with a passage by the wall, were altered to their

present

position.

The late Thomas Greer, Esq., and

1875, October 2.
Margaret, his wife, presented the clock fitted in the spire of
the church.
This clock was manufactured by Cooke & Sons,

INTERIOR OF CHURCH,

SHOWING CHANCEL WINDOW ERECTED

1872.

York, to replace the old one which had only one hand on each
dial, and was of primitive construction, having been manufactured in 1796, at Comber, County Down.
The old organ was removed from the gallery, and
1876.
a new organ placed in a chamber built for it at the north side

of the choir.
1879.
supplied.

new heating system under

the church floor

was

2O6

The

1887.

xe-opened

(it

small, old

had been

built

window near the reading-desk was

up) to admit more light, and two

ventilators placed in the walls, one

on either

side.

carved oak pulpit was erected by the Misses

1891.
Johns in memory of their brother, Alexander Johns, Esq.
1892.

The Rectory on

March.

Road was

North

the

completed.

The North Road Cemetery, near the Rectory, was

1893.
furnished with new drainage.

A handsome reading-desk and chair of carved oak

1894.
were erected to the memory of Miss Marianne Johns by some
of her friends.
Same year, the late A. J. A. Lepper, Esq., gave the sum
of ;i,ooo to free the parish of Carrickfergus from that of
Raloo.
1895.

Part of the churchyard wall (about 75 feet) at the

east side, which

at

had

was re-built ;
was furnished with handsome
gas standards, and an additional

fallen the previous December,

the same time the chancel

encaustic tiling, a brass railing,

chalice and patten, all being gifts to the church by the late Wm.
Higgin, Esq., who also built the steps to the Donegal Chapel.

Some time

in the

same year the panelling of

the gallery
and the

Avas renewed, the ancient tablets in the church restored,

various coats of arms painted in their proper colours.

1897.
floor

was

The organ was

tiled throughout.

and
vestry was

repaired,

The

in

1899 the church

also repaired, being

newly ceiled and sheeted with wood.

The new

school-house or parochial hall was built.

given by the late Countess of Shaftesbury
for ever at the rent of one shilling per annum.
There is also a

1900.

It is situated

on a

site

room off the hall which was erected by Colonel Craig and
Hon. Mrs. Skeffington Craig to the memory of their infant
son.
The building was opened for school purposes in October,
same year.
Almost the whole of the south side of the church1901.
wall
and was again rebuilt.
fell,
yard
1902. A set of handsomely bound books was presented by
the present Earl and Countess of Shaftesbury for the use of the
class

the

church.

1904. The church clock was repaired.

In 1907 the church was thoroughly repaired

under the

209
direction of S.

P. Close, Esq., C.E., architect, and E. Caters,

Various ancient architectural remains which were
embedded in the walls were brought to light. The position of
these were noted by Sir Thomas Drew, in his very instructive
Esq:, builder.

made to the Lord Bishop Knox in 1872. He states:

have searched diligently in St. Nicholas's Church for any
trace of its distinctive character, and failed to find it.
In the
absence of record to the contrary, and with the external evidence
report
"

am

afforded, I

induced to believe that the present fabric at least

a wholly English foundation, dating from a period not earlier

than the occupation of Carrickfergus, and the erection or
occupation of the Castle by De Lacy in 1230.
is

"

We may presume that the church was begun at or near the

middle of the thirteenth century, and it may be mentioned in
support of the theory that my attention has recently been directed
by one of the most accomplished of archaeologists, Mr. Sharp, to
the singular coincidence that some of the architectural details of
Carrickfergus have not, in his wide experience, an exact parallel,
save at Byland Abbey, in Yorkshire, built by De Lacy,* invader

of Ireland."
"

The nave

had, on each side, five pointed arches, springing

columns opening into side aisles, and opposite the
eastward arches on each side would appear to have been lateral
chapels, two on the south and two on the north, which occupied
When these
very nearly the area of the present transepts."
columns were stripped, in 1907, it was found that the arches
were semi-circular and not pointed. This portion has been paid
great attention to, and four beautiful early Norman columns have

from

circular

been restored.

The

aisle

space marks the original

and chancel have disappeared, but the

Behind these columns and arches

site.

sat the congregation of the early days.

"

The westward

beginning is marked by a beautiful

which the late works have discovered
embedded in the walls, and from which a chancel arch sprung."
This clustered column has been restored, the chancel still retains
clustered

column,

[* In the Calendar of Documents, Ireland, about the year 1224, it is

stated that a parish clergyman, Andvenus Bruis, had taken possession
of the Church of St. Nicholas, Carrickfergus, and other churches
conferred on the Canons of the Premonstration Order by John De
Courcy. As De Courcy became Earl of Ulster in 1181, and forfeited
his titles in 1203, we come very near the period of the founding of

this church.]

15

the old

window openings, and successful

efforts

have been made

to restore the beauties of the drop arches over the windows.

"
On the north side, in a very usual position, a sepulchre
also
built up, was injured by the alterations in 1872, and
tomb,
'

'

a coped stone, bearing a sculptured crozier, which it contained,

removed from it." This tomb has been disclosed, and where

damaged

it

was

rebuilt in the

same

style as the ancient portion.

This necessitated narrowing the vestry door, and rebuilding the

jambs and heads which had originally been built of cut stones.
The stone work of all the windows has been exposed and
renovated ; also an ancient doorway in the south aisle of the
choir.
In the Will's aisle a pointed window, a large Gothic
arch and pillar, have been discovered in almost perfect condition ;
also the ancient piscina, a little ornamental basin (with a drain
leading to the earth), wherein the sacred vessels were washed,
was found under the south window; it is now protected by a
brass

rail.

In 1908 Colonel and the Hon. Mrs. Skeffington Craig gave

^50

to help to

pay

debt of

off the

of the church in 1907.

In West-street, north

for the renovation

,100

Wesleyan Methodist chapel,

by subscriptions, and opened

side, is a

was

founded in 1811.

It

for public worship

l8l2. 2

by the Rev. Charles Maine, November

built

12,

In 1838. December, a Methodist chapel,* Scotch Quarter,

3

Methodism owes

its

in this place,

origin,

to

some

soldiers of the

Highlanders (42d regiment) by whom a class meeting was

established about 1752. Amongst the first inhabitants \vho joined them
in society were Samuel Hay and John Sloane.
In 1765, their number
in this parish amounted to 30 persons, and in 1823 to about 80 persons.

Royal

Traditions of Old Inhabitants. MSS.

[* On i7th March, 1883, the foundation stones of a New Methodist
Chapel, in West Street, were laid by Mrs. Daniel Bowman, Mrs.
Thomas Girvan, Mrs. David Gray, Mrs. John Bowman, Mrs. William
Burrows, and Mrs. John Rowan. The plot of ground on which the
new church stands was purchased by Miss M. C. Wheeler, for the
sum of ^360, and presented to the worshipping society. In addition to
giving a handsome subscription to the building fund, Mrs. George
Rlackwell, Liverpool, presented the baptismal font, and Mr. Andrew
i$o to purchase a new
Carnegie gave ^125 and Mr. G. E. Blackwell

organ, which was opened January, 10,07.

The following are the names of some Methodist clergymen wo find
1884, Rev.
1843, Rev. E. Cobain
officiating in the annexed years
Andrew Armstrong; 1890, Rev. George Alley; 1804, Rev. C. H.
1890. Rev. Robert
Crookshank, M.A.
1895-6, Rev. J. W. Jon^s
1902, Rev. Richard Cole; 1905, Rrv. Robert Jamison; 1907,
Byers
Rev. Horatio Collier 1909, Rev. James Cathcart.]
:

was opened for public worship.

This chapel

is

now used

as a

school-room.

On
to

the west side, North-street, is a Meeting-house belonging

dissenters, of the presbytery of Templepatrick,

Protestant

and synod of Ulster

it

is

said to have been built about a

century ago.

On Sabbath, April ist, 1827, public worship was held for

the last time in the old meeting-house, North Street, and on
the following day that building began to be taken down.
On
first stone of the present meeting-house was
of the former one by the late Rev. James
Seaton Reid, who gave the sum of .50 towards its erection.
It was opened for public worship on the 8th February, 1829,

May

the pth, the

on the

laid

site

on which occasion the opening services were conducted by the

late Dr. James Morgan, Belfast, and upwards of ^80 received
towards liquidating the debt remaining on that building, which
had cost ^2,000.* From the taking down of the old house
1
On the first
occasionally in the

of dissenters in this place, they met

Irish quarter, now held by Mr. Robert
Hanly. A small meeting-house was afterwards erected a little southeast of the present, where they continued to meet till the above house
was built. In 1740, a Thomas Robinson, for the sum of ^"5 in hand,
made over the ground of the present Meeting-house for 999 years to
Robert Moore, James Craig, David Legg, and James Cobham, at one
penny yearly rent, in trust for the congregation. This was part of a
lease granted by
Tarys, of Whiteha,ven, Cumberland, to Mathew
Robison, of Carrickfergus, July 24, 1719, for 999 years. In 1742, Mary
Wilson, Nat. Byrt, and Dan. Kyrk, attempted to break the lease.
Messrs. Gunning and Mackpeace, of this town, were nominated commissioners, to report upon the merits of this case, and the suit was

settlement

West

mills,

Wm.

abandoned. Tradition of Old Inhabitants. MSS.

[*This rebuilding cost ^2,400, the balance of which was paid
t8431861.
a cost of

in

Rev. James White's house was purchased as a manse at

Rocklands manse was purchased in
it is a freehold.

.650

1906.
1

88 1.

The

Albert

Lecture

Hall and Schools were erected at a

cost of ^"1,240.

A handsome tower was built on the church, and a bell, the gift
of the late Captain William Porter, erected therein.
Two memorial windows were erected by Captain
1897, May 21.
William Porter, J.P., and his second son, Mr. Robert J. Porter,
solicitor, to the memory of Captain Porter, sen., and Mr. Thomas
Johnstone, and his son Robert. Same year the congregation contributed
666 to the Twentieth Century Fund.
Two more memorial windows were erected by Mr. Robert
1909.
Porter,
J. Porter, solicitor, to the memory of his father, Captain
J.P., and one by the other members of the Porter family in memory

Wm.

of their mother.

On Sabbath, September isth, the sum of ^599 5s. 6d. was

1907.
This amount was raised by
collected for the repairs of the church.

212
the opening of the new the congregation worshipped in the
County of Antrim Court-house, the Rector having refused them

till

the use of the Parish Church.

1835, September 3rd, the Rev. James Malcolm was ordained

minister of a Unitarian congregation in Carrickfergus, which
had been formed about two years before, through the exertions
-

of the Rev.

Wm.

Glendy.

first stone of a Unitarian meetinghouse in Joymount Bank was laid, and on the 3rd of the
following September it was opened for public worship by the
Rev. George Harris, Glasgow, and ^74 taken up at a collection

1836, September 6th, the

made

'

to assist in finishing the house.

1838, June iyth, Mr. Malcolm demitted his charge, and on

the ist of the following October the Rev. J. X. Porter* was

the free-will offerings of the people

^448 55. 6d. \vas handed in at
the vestibule of the church in cash, and the balance paid later.
This
was a record collection for the oldest church in the General Assembly.
Miss Scotland gave the sum of
100 to provide free seats for the
:

poor.]

Mr. Porter was

of 23 years minister of Joymount

accepted a call to \Varrington, in
Lancashire, where he remained until 1872, when failing health induced
him to resign he died in 1875.
The Rev. William Smyth and Rev. Leonard Hunges were ordained
ministers in succession.
Subsequently, services were conducted by
different ministers, but none of them were ordained to the congregation.
At present the services are conducted on Sabbath evenings by the Rev.
J. M'C leery, Raloo.]
[In 1852 the Presbytery of Carrickfergus reported to the General
Assembly that on the 25th November, 1851, they formed a second
[*

for

Bank congregation, and

upwards

in

1863

congregation in Carrickfergus, to the pastoral charge of which, on

the 3rd of March, 1852, they ordained the Rev. James Warwick.
Mr. Warwick officiated in the third congregation, Ballynahinch, where
his labours were highly appreciated, and from whom he received a
He was ordained in thevery complimentary address and gold watch.
County Antrim Court-house, where the congregation worshipped from
1851 until 1856.
In 1855 the congregation obtained a lease (for Si years, from the
Marquis of Donegal!) of a plot of ground at Joymount, on which
to build a church, the foundation stone of which was laid on the
i4th June, 1855, by the Rev. Henry Molyneaux, Larne, and opened
for public worship by the Rev. Henry Cooke, D.D., LL.D., September

late

2ist,

1856.

Mr.

W arwick
r

died 24th July, 1882, and

was succeeded by

S. E. Stewart, B.A., of Cairncastle, County

his death Mr. Stewart was Moderator of the

the Rev.
Antrim. At the time of
Carrickfergus Presbytery,

and Chaplain to H.M. Forces in Carrickfergus. He died August 27th,

1907, and was succeeded by the Rev. John Young Minford, B.A.,
Carrowdore, son of the late Hugh J. Minford, Parkgate, County
Antrim, who was ordained January 3Oth, 1908.]
[In 1863 a Baptist congregation was formed in Carrickfergus, and
Under his ministrythe Rev. William Hamilton was the first pastor.
1

2I 3

chosen pastor in his stead, and on the 4th of same month was
ordained.

Adjoining Quay-gate,

is

a chapel belonging to Indepen-

by subscription. It was founded September u,

1820, on ground given for that purpose by Henry C. Ellis,
Esq., and opened for worship by the Rev. Richard Cope,
L. L. D. September 16, 1821. l
Adjoining, on the south of the town, is an ancient CASTLE

dents, erected

belonging to the crown, occupied as a military garrison, and

the local Baptist congregation on the Albert Road increased in numbers.
Mr. Hamilton died July, 1888, and was succeeded by the Rev. Alfred
G. Haste, who was ordained June 28th 1889, and resigned January,
Rev. Albert Woodward succeeded, and his ministry lasted from
1893.

July 1895.
(He resigned to go to Oswaldtwistle,
Rev. M. V. W. Dawson, M.A., followed, from February,
1896, until August,
1896, and the Rev. J. Stanley Flook, from
February, 1897, until April, 1905. At present the church is without a
pastor, and the usual services are conducted by supplies from Belfast.]
1
The first pastor here of this sect was the Rev. George Hamilton,
who died 1817. He was succeeded by the Rev. Wm. Flinter, who
removed hence in 1822. Their present minister is the Rev. J. Hanson.
[Rev. J. Hanson was succeeded by the Rev. John Assy in 1834;
from 1852 till 1858 the Rev. James Duggan
1861, Rev. W. D.
Corkin
1863, Rev. VV. Fletcher; 1865, Rev. Edward Towcock, who
was in the same year succeeded by the Rev. William Graham. Mr.
Graham was a native of County Tyrone, and was born in the year
1822.
His early life was spent amongst the Primitive Wesleyans.
When 22 years of age he was appointed to their ministry, and in
coming to Carrickfergus was given an invitation to become the pastor
of the old meeting-house at the Quay Gate, on the West side of the
Castle Parade, and was solemnly recognised at a service held on the
i8th October, 1865.
The Revs. James Bain. Straid, Robert Sewell,
Derry, John White, Belfast, David Querne, Ballycraigy, J. Johnston,
and
James Stirling, Armagh, took part in the service. The
Newry,
congregation increased in numbers, and a new church was built on the
Albert Road at a cost of .1,500, the foundation stone of which was
A new
laid in 1878, and the church opened for public worship in 1879.
Mr. Graham
gallery has been added since, and a heating apparatus.
He was
resigned in 1887, and died July 27th, 1888, aged 66 years.
succeeded by the Rev. James Lyon, Hackney College, London, who
was ordained March 2gth, 1888.
In 1890 the fine hall was built, with class-room and vestry, and
in 1897 a pulpit was erected in the church, bearing the following
" In
loving memory of William Vint, John Jack, James
inscription
Herdman, and Hugh Todd, for many years associated with this church
as deacons."
A mission hall was erected in Fden, upon a site bequeathed
1898.
by the late George M'Ferran, Esq., for that purpose.
12 a year, has been capitalised,
The head rent of the church, of
and paid off, thanks, in a great measure, to the generosity of the
late Miss Penelope Ridley, Rocklands.
Half an acre of ground on the North Road was secured,
1901.
on a lease in perpetuity from Lord Shaftesbury, on which to build a
[Link], which was opened May 11, 1902.]

June, 1893,
Lancashire.)

till

214
magazine to the northern

district.

stands on a rock that

It

* cf
projects into the sea, so that, at common tides, three sides
the building are enclosed by water.
The greatest height of the
rock is at its southern extremity, where it is about thirty feet,
shelving considerably towards the land, the walls of the castle

following exactly

its

different windings.

VIEW OF THE CASTLE FROM THE WEST

Towards the town are two

towers, t called

PIER.

from

their

shape

1
half-moons, and between these is the only entrance, which is
defended by a strait passage, with embrasures for fire-arms.
About the centre of this passage was formerly a draw-bridge ;

a part of the barbican that protected the bridge can still be seen.
dam, west of the castle, is believed to have been originally

made

to supply the ditch at the entrance with water.

the half-moons

Between

a strong gate, above which is a machicolation,

or aperture, for letting fall stones, melted lead, or the like, on
[* Since the

is

opening of the new Harbour

in

washed by the tide.]

[tThe towers were

1885, only

one side

is

originally complete circles, but have been

altered to their present shape some years ago.
number of the old
yellow sandstones, with the mouldings still to be seen on them, are
A gracefully
built into the new straight wall of the east tower.
carved stone, supposed to be the top of a small window, is also seen
built high up in the modern masonry.
The upper portion of the eastern tower was evidently used as a
A modern
chapel, and the altar window facing due east still remains.
fireplace has been built across the north window, which can only be
seen from the outside. When M'Skimmin wrote the above description,
he was evidently not aware of the use that had been made of the
upper portion of the tower, but on another page he gives a survey

by George Clarkson, who has noted

and chapel."]

this

"

fair

and comley building

1
On the south are traces of a semi-circulat gate that led into the
inner yard.

217
Inside this gate is a portcullis, and an aperture *
for the like purpose as that just mentioned ; the arches on each
side of this aperture are of the Gothic kind, and the only ones
the assailants.

In the gun-room of these towers

observed about the building.
are a few pieces of light ordnance. A window in the east tower,

NORMAN WINDOW
inside, is

IN

EAST TOWER, CARRICKFERGUS CASTLE.

ornamented with round

pillars

the columns are five

feet high, including base and capital, and five inches and a
half in diameter. The centre column seems to be a rude attempt
[* The aperture mentioned inside the gate is
now no ordnance in the gun-room. When the

built up, and there are

castle was used as a

garrison the apartments over the vaults were occupied by the officers.]

2l8
at

the

Ionic

the

flank

columns

have

the

of

leaves

the

This window,
Corinthian; their bases consist of two toruses.
the corners of the building, the arch over the entrance, and loopare of the same kind of yellowish stone, noticed in the
angles of the bastions of the town-wall, and buttresses of the
church.
holes,

Within these gates is the lower yard, or balium; on the

guard-room and a barrack ; the latter was built in
1802. ll Opposite these are large vaults, said to be bomb-proof,
over which are a few neat apartments occupied by the officers
of the garrison, ordnance storekeeper, and master gunner. These
rooms were built on the site of former barracks (that held five
companies of foot) at the same time as the barrack opposite.
A little southward are the armourer's forge and a furnace for
heating shot ; near which, on the outer wall of the castle, is a
right, are the

small projecting tower, called the lion's den.

Southward, on the right, is the passage into the inner yard,
or upper balium, by a gate with a semi-circular arch, above
which is a long aperture, circular at the top.
Inside, this
aperture opens considerably ; and, on each side, are niches in
the wall, apparently to protect those who defended the gate
northward of which are several like apertures, and, on the south,

a square tower, near which is a small door, or sally-port, with

semicircular arch, and ornamented.
The openings above this

and in the wall, appear to have been originally intended

for the discharging of arrows ; the top of the wall overhead
seems to have been formerly garrated for a like purpose.
Within this yard, which is encompassed by a high wall, is

gate,

a small magazine, built a few years since, several store-houses,

and the keep, or donjon, a square tower 90 feet high. Both
the south and east sides of this tower face the inner yard, its
west wall forming a part of the outside wall of the building ; its
north wall faces the outer yard.
The walls of the keep are
eight feet ten inches thick ; the entrance
semi-circular door in the second story-

entrance

is

a small door.*

now

built up,

is

on the

On

the

east

left

by a

of the

by which was formerly

1
It is opposite those houses that the mayor of Carrickfergus is
[was] annually sworn into office.
[*The door to the left of the tower which was built up is now
opened, and access may be had to the top of the tower by the stone

stairs.

In the armoury are a number of Boer rifles captured at the late

the two
war, and several of the rooms are used for military stores
;

2I 9

a passage in the S. E. corner, by helical stone stairs, to the

In this passage were loopfloor and top of the tower.
holes for the admission of air and light ; and opposite each

ground

story a small door that opened into the different apartments.

At present the ascent to the top is partly by wooden stairs
inside.
The ground story of the keep is bomb-proof, with small
It is believed to have been
looking into the inner yard.
anciently a state prison, and is now the principal magazine in
this garrison; several rooms in the other stories are occupied as
slits

an armoury, and for other military stores.

tower are two small houses; that on the
the mouth of the passage ; the other, on the
to

have been intended for a

On
S.
S.

the top of the

E. corner covers

W.

corner, seems

sentinel.

The tower is divided into five stories ; the largest room

was formerly in the third story, with semi-circular windows. It
was called Fergus's dining-room, and was 25 feet 10 inches
On a stone over a chimneyhigh, 40 feet long, and 38 broad.
piece in this room, was an inscription, believed to be in the
much obliterated, that it could not be
1
This stone
most
plain at a little distance.
appeared
was taken down on the repairs of the room in 1793, but the
The corner stones of the
characters could not be deciphered.
a projecting belt on the
ancient
and
tower,
windows, loop-holes,
Irish character, but so

read

it

north

and

west,

are

of

the

same

yellowish

stone

already

mentioned.

Within the keep was formerly a draw-well,* 37 feet deep,

the water of which was anciently celebrated for medicinal pur"
in all Scurbutuck disorders, the fame and
poses, especially
well drawing numbers to it, to the no small
3
advantage of the Town."
Respecting it we find the following
"March 16, 1695,
curious entry in the records of this place:
success of this

small houses on the top of the tower have been removed.

Fergus's
dining-room has been divided into two apartments, the floor above
removed and the two stories divided into three.]

MSS.
The draw-well mentioned has been cleaned

'Gill's
[*

out, a wall has been

and covered with a trap door. In June, 1843, the late

James Stannus, Harbour Master, in cleaning out this well,
discovered a seal with a large wooden handle
it was of yellow brass,
in the centre was a three-masted ship with her sails furled, above the
main mast was the Irish harp, on either side of which was an anchor,
See Old Series Ulster
serpent, leopard's head, and Port Carrickfergus.
Journal of Archeology, Vol. 5., in which is a copy of seal.]
built

round

it

Mr.

'Gill's

MSS.

220
Ordered, that new buckets be provided for the Castle Well, and
same be cleared, and the holes stopped, at the charge

that the

of the corporation ; and that Morgan Grogan and Moses Garvan,

be appointed to deliver the water out of said well, upon whom
a yearly salary is to be settled."
"
a great quantity of old Iron

On

this cleaning

taking place,

was taken out of it of an

uncommon make," from which time " it was observed the water
failed in performing those Cures it had been famous for."
The
"
water came out of
a Crevice in the face of the Rock, not any
"
"
kind of Earth being nigh it ;
it was light, and of
a Sweetish
1

taste.''

This well

The

now

is

nearly filled

up with

rubbish.

1567
given in a
"
The buildings of the said castle
survey by George Clarkson
on the south part is three towers, viz. the gate-house, tower in
the middle thereof, which is the entry at a draw-bridge over a
following notice of this castle

is

and in said tower is a prison and porter lodge,

;
over the same a fair lodging, called the constables lodging ;
in the courtain between the gate-house and west tower in
corner, being of divers squares called Cradyfergus, is a
dry moat

and
and
the
fair

and comley building, a chapel, and divers houses of office, on

the ground, and above the great chamber, and the lords lodging,
all

which

is

now

in great decaie as well in the couverture being

lead, also in timber

it

will

and

glass,

and without help and reparation

soon come to utter ruin."

In the grants of the

i3th of Queen Elizabeth, to Sir

Castle of Belfast, Castle Mowbray,
Castle Toome, and the Monastery of Massereene, &c., he is to
"
hold them
b y the service of one knight" as of the Castle of

Thomas Smyth, of

the

Carrickfergus. In the grant of James I. to Sir James Hamilton,

of the Abbeys of Bangor, Holy wood and the Copeland Isles ;
he is to hold them by fealty, as of the Castles of Dublin and
Carrickfergus; and in the deed of Sir James Hamilton to Con.
O'Neill and Sir

Hugh Montgomery,

of lands in the county of

"

Down, they are to hold them in free and common soccage"

"
as of the Castle of Carrickfergus ; also in a re-grant from
to Geo. Sexton, of
2
is to be observed.
condition
the
like
lands in the same county,
As a part of this castle formerly served for a prison to the
of Antrim, it was probably that prison just noticed in

Con. O'Neill and Sir

Hugh Montgomery,

county
1

Gill's

MSS.

Grand

Inquisition of the

County Down.

221
the half -moons

the assizes for that county were likewise held

In the charter of James I. the castle is

within the castle.

declared to be in the county of Antrim, to which the judges of

assize are to have liberty to pass at all times to hold assizes for
"

the same county.

This
fair lodging," occupied by the conis
believed
to
have
been
that in the second story of the
stable,

The

constable was always a person of high rank

appears from the following account of those who
held the office
Until the reign of Edward IV. he was (save in
the minority of the heir) always nominated by the earls of

east tower.

and

trust, as

Ulster,

the castle being part of their hereditary possessions.

earl of March and Ulster, son and heir of Richard

Edward,

Plantagenet, duke of York, ascending the throne by the title of

the earldom of Ulster devolved to the crown. 1

Edward IV.

Several important privileges were formerly attached to this

1568 The charter of queen Elizabeth declares, that

office.

"

by reason of his office," he is a freeman of this corporation,

and the mayors were always sworn into office before him of
It also appears from our records, that he received
his deputy.
the king's share of the customs of this port ; and that he and his
warders (20 Englishmen) had annually 100 cows grazed free
He had also the best fish out of each
by this corporation.
that
arrived
from time to time within our liberties,
boat
fishing
by the
is

title

of the

"

tythe of fish."

1326, August 1 8, Thomas Smocke appointed constable, who

He was bound to
the first * we have discovered in the office.

supply

this

castle

provision, and had a liberty of

him by the lord deputy and council for

with

^28 6 8 granted to
3
its defence.
1

1327
John de Athye was
salary of 100 marks, at which
Robert Savage, to deliver Bryan
his custody, for the security of
to be kept in this castle

till

appointed constable, with a

time a writ was directed to
Fitz-Henry O'Neill, then in

the peace, to said constable,

further orders.

Records Rolls Office, Dublin.

Records of Carrickfergus. This

fish continued to be taken by the

when the custom was
military officer commanding here so late as 1755,
abolished, through the exertions of Henry Eilis, Esq.
De Serland. See Calendar
[*i2i5, the first constable was William
a

of Documents, Ireland.]
3
Records Rolls Office, Dublin.

222
1 34

we

Edward Savage.

William Mercer, the same year;

learn no particulars. 1

1343 In May, this year, an order was sent to William of

Epworth, treasurer of Ulster, to pay Reyneldo De Richmond,
constable,
40 per annum, as his salary, for said office.
1388 The castle in the hands of the crown, by the death
of Edmond Mortimer, earl of March and Ulster, and by reason
of the minority of his son Roger. 2
Robert Lang
1389, October 14.

appointed

constable.

Same

year Lang's grant was revoked, and a mandate sent to

Lang, Edmond Savage, and William Mueve, to deliver the keys

De Malshel, nominated to the office.

1390 On the 20th of February, an order was sent by
the king to the justiciary of Ireland, John De Stanley, to get
In this order the
said castle repaired, and to keep it secured.
"
castle is described as in a wretched state,
totally destitute and
desolate of defence," to the great danger of the loss of said
3
castle and of the country adjoining.
1400 Peter Dobyn, constable. The castle in the hands of
the crown, by reason of the minority of Edmond, son and heir
of Roger Mortimer, earl of Marche and Ulster.
His salary,
for the first year of office, was the profits of the water-mills of
to Sir Gilbert

Carrickfergus.

1406 Sir Stephen Scroop, lord deputy, by this warrant,

dated from Drogheda, appoints Geoffrey Bentley constable, with
a salary of ^40 per annum, until Edmond, son and heir of

Roger Mortimer, a minor, should be of

is

said that the castle

"

age.

In

this

warrant

it

stands in danger of destruction unless

some remedy be quickly applied." 4

1408 Nicholas O'Roll, constable. 1427 The castle again
hands of the crown, on the death of Edmond, earl of
Marche and Ulster, who died at Trim, 1422, and during the
Sir
minority of Richard, duke of York, his cousin and heir.
James Whyte, constable. In his petition to the crown, he said,
that he had received news of O'Donnell, with his Scots, coming
"
to destroy this castle,
to the great damage of the Whole
Country of Ireland." That he had kept the custody of said
castle for two years without fee or reward, save 10 marks; but
in the

s
4

Lodge's
Records
Records
Records

Collections.

Rolls Office, Dublin.

Rolls Office, Dublin.
Rolls Office, Dublin

223

was unable to keep it longer without relief, which, it appears,

was immediately granted by the lord deputy and council. 1
William Falconbridge, constable.
1461
1494 An Irish
parliament which sat at Drogheda, before Sir Edward Poynings,
knt. declared, that none but an Englishman could hold this
office.

Charles Egerton, constable.

1591

This person

rilled

up the ditch that enclosed the castle towards the land, and
raised up heaps of earth on the quay close to its walls.
By his
advice several inhabitants erected dwellings on those places, to
be exempt from the taxes of the town ; but the corporation
complaining to the lord deputy, they were ordered to contribute

of the town, as the other inhabitants. 3

In the 45th of the reign of queen Elizabeth, Sir Roger
Langford, knt. was appointed constable, and afterwards by
James I. joint constable with Sir Faithful Fortescue, each having
the fee of 33. 4d. per day, and 20 wardens under their command
to the support

1661, March 14, Sir Thomas Fortescue was made

constable, with the salary of 6s. 8d. per day, and 8d. a piece
for 20 warders. 5
Nathaniel Foster, constable. 6 1672
1671
at 8d. each.

William Petty states the constable's salary at 23. 6d. per

he mentions a clerk of the stores
day, but notices no warders
at is. 8d. per day; and a matross, at 8d. per day.
1704 Sir
James Ware, in his Annals, takes no notice of a constable, but
Sir

mentions a store-keeper, at
and a matross at ^13 13

The
Stewart

^40

per annum, a gunner at

18

5,

9, yearly.

last person who held the

Banks, of Belfast, esq.

office

He

of constable,

was

attended

annually,
(agreeably to the charters of Elizabeth and James. I.) in the
castle, to see the mayor sworn into office, but performed no

* now attached to this

castle, are a
persons
governor, with a salary of .180 10 per annum: this office has
7
a store-keeper, with a house, garden,
long been a sinecure

other duties.

3
4

6
5

Lodge's
Lodge's
Records
Lodge's
Lodge's
Records

The

Collections.
Irish Statutes.
Collections.
of Carrickfergus.

Peerage.
Peerage.
of Carrickfergus.

[*At present the

Ordnance Stores are:

officers

in

Captain A.

charge
J.

of

Fisher,

the

and Army
charge; sub-

Castle

officer

in

conductor (W.O.), L. Welsh principal foreman, W. Booth.]

7
Fynes Moryson, in 1598, states the annual salary of the governor
it appears that the office was usually held with that of
at
182 10
The following are the
governor of this town and the Clandeboys.
;

224

and ^300 per annum; an armourer,

and a master gunner ^54, yearly.

The

j8, his assistant,

following events, connected with this building, have

not been previously noticed

earl of Strafford,

lord deputy, writing to

1639 Thomas,
"
the council in England, says
also humbly conceive, that
it is necessary in those doubtful times, his majesty's Castle of
Carrickfergus, a place of Good Consequence to the Security of

We

that part of the Country, and near decayed, be repaired, at

least So far as the present affairs require."
Same year, in a
letter to Secretary Vane, he says, after mentioning the above

"It will be equally fit now as then, to repair the

Castle of Knockfergus." 1
1674 The castle was ordered to be furnished with 20
matter:

pieces of cannon.

3
It mounted 30 pieces of ordnance.
1711
January n,
1754, about fifty feet of the outer wall, on the south, fell down.

Same

new roofed with lead, and

4
March
Thomas
17, I755by
Covy,
1769 The Board of Ordnance ordered a survey of the
"
state of this castle, in the report made, it is stated
The large
was

year the tower began to be

finished

and square Tower, which is used as a Magazine and Ordnance

Store House, is in good Repair, and is an exceeding good
5
Building for that service.
1771
Many of the Hearts of Steel were confined here.

names

we

of such persons as

find

previously noticed in this work

William Piers; 1574, Sir Nicholas

in
:

that office,

Earl

1463,

Malby

1584,

who have
of
Sir

not been

Douglas

1568,

Henry Bagnell

Arthur Chichester
Sir Hugh Clotworthy
1620,
1625,
Edward, Viscount Chichester
1628, Arthur Chichester, Esq.
1639,
Sir Arthur Chichester; 1642, Robert Munroe
1649, Edmund Ellis;
Thomas Cooper; 1661, Sir Thomas
16:56,
1649, Thomal Dallyal
Fortescue
1668, Arthur, Earl of Donegall
1675, Arthur, Earl of
1682, Lord Aungier
Donegall
1689, Thomas Maxwell; 1690, Col.
Charles MacCarty Moore;
Lord
Francis,
1763,
Convvay
1728,
Nehemiah Donellan
1810, Francis Dundas
1809, Francis Dundas
Sir
Baldwin
Sir
Moncreif.
1828,
1823.
Leigton
Henry
1883, Fourth Marquis
[From 1828, Third Marquis of Donegall
of Donegall
Fifth
of
1889,
Marquis
Donegall
1904, Sixth Marquis
It may be added that
of Donegall, who is now five years of age.
1604,

Sir

the youthful Marquis

ancient fortress.]
1

:1

is

at

Strafford 's Letters.

Essex's Letters.
Journals of the Irish

all

times entitled to free quarters in this

House

of

Commons.

MSS.

Gill's

r>

Journals of the Irish

House

of

Commons.

225

The tower of this castle was made into a barrack,

outer walls repaired, and furnished with 27 pieces of
artillery.
January 22, the corporation held a meeting, and
to
petition the lord lieutenant against the tower being
agreed
1793

and

its

converted into a barrack, as it endangered the safety of the

In the following year,
town, the petition was not attended to.
a well was sunk on the north side of the great tower; but the
water was brackish.

1797
Early in April, a general rising of the United
Irishmen being intended, a plan was formed to seize the castle.
Several of the conspirators belonged to the R. I. Artillery and
Fifeshire Fencibles, then quartered in it; the names of those
the former were
Magee, Darby, M'Connell, M'llrevy,
M'Clure, Adams, and Mansfield of the latter, Reid and Dean.

of

were Roman Catholics, the others Protestants.

Mansfield became informer ; but afterwards deserted, was taken,
Reid
and transported. His comrades were also transported

The four

first

and Dean, who were non-commissioned

were not taken.
In the
1799
J.

Smith,

Wm.

latter part

Falloon,

officers,

deserted,

but

this year, Luke Teeling, Rev.

O'Pre, Bernard Magennis, and

of

Hans

Wilson, state prisoners, were brought from Belfast, and

confined in this tower.
-

1814 A small square tower, on the south, was taken down

and rebuilt. 1815 The lead covering was taken off the keep,
and it was arched with stone, and covered with Roman cement.
This roofing cost ^482, besides cement, and its weight rent the
north wall

James Boyd, architect.

1834 During the months of March and April the arms,
ammunition, and other military stores were removed from the
castle to Dublin and Charlemont, the cannon dismounted, and
A
the storekeeper and armourer discharged on pension.
:

Serjeant's party

was

remained as a garrison, which, in June, 1839,

also withdrawn.

The following

are some additional events

regarding the

which have not been noticed in this part

In 1 2 10 King John visited Carrickfergus, and

castle

The castle
to have stayed in the castle.
in the hands of Hugh de Lacy.
1252. The castle was
Queen Consort.
16

made

is

thought

was afterwards placed

part of the dowry of Eleanor,

226
1316.
1603.

Edward Bruce besieged the castle.

Con O'Neill, Chief of South of Upper Clandeboy,

was confined here. It is thought that the small tower called the
lion's den was the place of his confinement, as it is the only
tower that has a wall shelving down to the water. This tower
was rebuilt in 1814.
The castle taken by General Munro, and the Earl
1642.

of Antrim imprisoned.

The castle surrendered to Sir Charles Coote and

1649.
Colonel Robert Venables, and Sir Charles made Governor by
the Commonwealth.

Castle sustained a siege of six days' duration from

1689.
the troops of Duke Schomberg, when they surrendered on the

23rd of August.
1745. The town and castle were garrisoned by the Militia,
and a company of the Belfast Volunteers. The latter, who had
been armed, clothed and disciplined at their own expense,

continued here ten days.

The town and

1760.
Commodore Thurot.

castle

besieged

by

the

French

In 1855 Carrickfergus Castle was made the head-quarters

of the Artillery of the North of Ireland. The Antrim Artillery
Militia mustered upwards of 600 men, and the castle not being

adapted to accommodate more than seventy or eighty, the men

were billeted on the inhabitants.
1857, August 1 8th, six twenty-four pound guns were placed
in the castle on the grand battery, under the superintendence
of Captain Munro of the Artillery Staff.
The guns available
for active service at this time were:
six 64 pounders, seven
32 pounders, six 24 pounders, and i mortar.
1889, October, a tunnel was made through the solid rock

on the south-west side of the castle, through which a tramway

was to run to the East Pier. The tunnel is five feet in diameter,
the mouth of which is secured by a heavy wooden door.
At
the end of the tramway at the East Pier head a large crane
was placed for the discharge of torpedoes and other war
material, and another crane was placed at the mouth of the
tunnel inside the castle, for the purpose of lifting material for
storage above. A tank was made in the castle yard for steeping
Another aperture was made in the castle wall, also
guncotton.
on the west side, but further north than the tunnel, for the

227

purpose of running

off the

water from the tank into the town

sewer, which empties itself into the old harbour.

It

in the

has been stated that notwithstanding the expense entailed

this tramway, it has been used but once within

making of

memory

these twenty years.

1898, September i6th, four

new guns were placed

The weapons

castle for drill purposes.

are

rifle

in the

muzzle loaders,

each weighing 6| tons, and 7 inch bore.

A few years ago, while some alterations were being made
in the Castle Gardens Battery beside the entrance, an opening
to an underground passage was discovered leading from what

was formerly the shore to

How

under the entrance towers.

say, as it has never been
built of large field stones, with a slab

far this passage led

It
fully explored.
The entrance

roof.

is
is

right

we cannot

now

filled

up.

This year the training of Royal Antrim Artillery

1901.
Militia took place at Lough Swilly, the guns in the Castle
Garden Battery not being of the latest type for drill purposes.
From the want of proper literary memorials, the founding *
of this building is lost in the depths of antiquity ; but according
it was erected
by Fergus I. king of Scotland, about
320 years before the Christian era. This account is, however,
fabulous, as there is no evidence of this country having castles
of lime and stone for many centuries after the age in which
Some have supposed it to
Fergus is said to have reigned.
have been founded by the Danes ; but they built only the
castles of Dublin, Cork, and Waterford; 1 and the first castle
reared of lime and stone by the Irish, was the castle of Tuam,
in 1161, by Roderick O'Connor, the monarch, which was called

to tradition,

by

his people,

who were

astonished at

its

novelty, the wonderful

[For a list of the regiments that have garrisoned the castle in the
different years, see New Appendix.]
In the Calendar of
[*This castle was founded before 1215.
The King (John) commands Philip
Documents, Ireland, it is stated
de Ulcot to discharge from his custody all the prisoners taken in the
Castle of Carrickfergus who are not knights or gentlemen, taking from
them fines according to their condition and ability. The same year
the King commands William de Serland, constable of Carrickfergus,
to admit and receive Geoffrey de Marisco, the King's Justiciary, into
the King's Castle there, with any force he may wish to place in it
:

for the defence of the castle, and neighbouring parts, acting in all
things touching the castle and its custody by the advice of the justiciary
according to the King's honour and advantage.]
1
Cox's Historv of Ireland.

228
castle.

Indeed, the Irish seem to have had a marked aversion

to stone buildings their poets or bards inveighed bitterly against

the erection of such, from a belief that they would one day fall
:

into the

hands of

having made peace

their enemies.

In 1177, John

De Courcy

Mac Mahons, presented

which Mac Mahon
himself,
by

with the

with two castles built

their chief

soon after

INSIDK VIEW OF AN AIEKTURE ABOVE THE GATE

OF THE INNER YARD IN CARRICKFERGUS CASTI.E.
FROM AN OLD WOOD CUT, 1839.
"

it
was contrary to his Nature to>
demolished, declaring that
3 "
Con
live within cold Walls, while the Woods were so nigh.
O'Neill, who was created earl of Tyrone by Henry VIII.,.

2
3

Ware's Antiquities. Lyttleton's History of Henry

O'Connor's Dissertation.
Cox's History of Ireland.

II.

22Q
cursed

who should even

all his posterity

was not

erect stone houses

and

the beginning of the fifteenth century, that the

Irish began to erect castles of lime and stone. 1
The erection of this castle has, with a greater degree of

it

till

probability, been ascribed to

arrived during the reign of

more

De Courcy

some of those English

Henry

II.,

or John.

who

settlers

This

is

the

a colony here, and secured

likely,
his conquest of the maritime parts of Ulster, by building castles
and forts 3 ; hence we infer that he was probably the founder
as

settled

This hypothesis receives support from its

the
remaining long
hereditary property of the earls of Ulster,
the first of whom was John De Courcy.
It has besides all the
of this building.

great characteristics (as high towers, massy walls, and semicircular door-ways and windows) of the Norman castles, known
to have been erected in
early

English

settlers

England
in

this

at the

country

above period. 4

The

secured

their

also

5
the first of the kind reared in
possessions by similar fortresses
this kingdom was at Carrig, county of Wexford, by Robert
6
In the
Fitz-Stephen, shortly after the landing of Strongbow.
:

county Wexford, the square castles on the coast, are still called
.Strongbow's castles ; the projecting fascia, or fillet in the keep,
is one of the great characteristics that distinguishes the Norman

We

also deem the following

castles.
corroborative of what has been advanced.

circumstances

The

highly
* of
antique seal

the seal of the town on

[* The old seals are three in number
P a S e 35 nas a representation of the castle in high relief within the
central area.
The second is of the port and customs of the town,
and bears upon the shield three harps of the Brian Boru type. The
this seal is supposed to
third is called the Mayor's Seal, noted above
be really Italian, being the official seal of the Chamberlain of Aquila,
In 1183 there was an
Brother Bernard of the Franciscan Order.
Archdeacon of Down named Bernard, and the seal is synchronous with
his age.
See article by Mr. Vinycomb in the Royal Society of
Antiquarians Journal for March, 1893.
at
1906, November, an interesting relic was put up for sale
Brighton on the gth inst., in the shape of a circular seal box made
The
for the Antient and Loyal Corporation of Carrickfergus, 1787.
The
box weighed 5^ ounces, and realised
$ IDS., after keen bidding.
name of the purchaser was not disclosed.]
1
Lyttleton's History of Henry II.
:

2
:i

Gill's

MSS.

Hanmer's Chronicle.

Lodge's Peerage.
plan of an ancient

castle in Grose's
Military Antiquities, page 336, exactly represents the castle of Carrickfergus.
5
Grose's Antiquities of Ireland.
6
Hav's Rebellion in the Countv of Wexford.
4

Rees's

Cyclopedia.

230

mayor of this corporation is a spread eagle, exactly similar

to the crest of the noble family of De Courcy, senior baron
of Ireland; and several silver coins of Henry II. have been
the

found about the building.

In the works of the celebrated Dean Swift (Dublin edition,
1762) is a humorous letter from the Dean to George Falkener,
printer, in which the following pleasant allusion is made to
"Before his descent upon the
Fergus, the supposed founder:
Pickish Scotland, he raised that famous structure called to this

SEAL OF THE PORT AND CUSTOMS OF CARRICKFERGUS.

day Carrickfergus, after his name, the most mysterious piece of

architecture now on earth (not excepting the pyramids of the
Egyptian Masons, and their hieroglyphics, or signs), as any
skilful free-mason

may

easily perceive by measuring it according

built it as a lodge for his College
of Free-masons, in these days called Druids."

to the rules of the art.

Near the quay

site

is

of a former one,

MSS.

He

the custom-house, built in 1797, on the

founded in I639: 1 in it resides the

231

The following are the names of such

surveyor of the port.
gentlemen as we find presiding over the customs, in the annexed
William
years:
1639,
John
comptroller.
Parry,
1652,
Dawson, collector. 1667, Roger Lyndon, customer, Samuel
Weby, surveyor. 1683, Thomas Calcot, surveyor. 1704,
Edward Lyndon, customer. 1709, James Spaight, surveyor.
1720, George Spaight, surveyor, died May, 1770.
1740,
Charles Macartney, collector

about this time, the revenues of

the port of Larne were separated from those of Carrickfergus.

Same year,
1770, K. A. Price, surveyor, died January, 1774.

MAYOR

S SEAL.

Sir William Kirk, surveyor

superannuated 1813, and was
succeeded by Thomas Millar.
In January, 1825, the office of port-surveyor was abolished,
and that of principal coast-officer * substituted.
:

1827, May, the custom-house was given to the water-guard.

[* The following are the names of those we have noticed as
commanding the coastguards, or coast-officers
1843, Captain John
:

Bowie, R.N., Inspector and Commander of Coastguards; 1852, Captain

Horatio Blair, R.N.
1854, Captain Little
1856, Captain George H.
Commander J. E. Elliot, R.N.
Gardner, R.X.
1861-5,
1858,
Commander William Swinbourne 1868-70, Commander H. G. Belson,
R.N".
E.
R.
Mathus
Commander
1889,
1877, Captain Hopper; 1884,
Commander Fullerton 1890, Captain Rocheford, R.N. 1892, Captain
Fanshaw 1894, Captain C. T. Twiner 1895-6, Captain R. R. Brook
1897-9, Captain Saumery Dacre Lacy
1900, Captain James Cuddy,
R.N.
1907-9, Commander
1902-7, Commander H. L. Risk, R.N.
Dawes.]
;

232

The quay

is

on the

S.

W.

of the

castle,

and

is

neat and

convenient, having been much improved within the last thirty

years.
Upwards of ^1,400 have been expended on it. ^500

of which were granted by the Irish parliament, in 1783, and

64 17 6 by the Assembly, in 1804.
In 1821, the dock being much choaked with mud and sand,
a number of gentlemen in the town, with the approbation of

the mayor, associated for its improvement.

sum of money
was subscribed for this purpose, and each vessel unloaded at

the quay ordered to pay 2d. per ton register, or a subscription

of one shilling per ton, and afterwards one penny per ton for

two

Vessels coming into the harbour by contrary winds,

years.
or to get ballast, to pay one penny per ton register, except their

owners belong to
is.

this

town

id. for every ton shipped.

all

vessels taking ballast to

Those monies are

still

pay

collected,

and applied to the cleaning and improvements of the harbour *

In the town is a free-school,! supported by the subscription
of ladies and gentlemen of the place; and also a daily
Lancasterian school, maintained in a like manner This last was
Another free-school has been
opened February i, 1820.
established, agreeably to the will of the late E. D. Wilson,
:

Esq., who bequeathed forty guineas per annum, for ever, to

pay a Protestant schoolmaster to teach 40 children reading,
writing, arithmetic, and psalmody ; the master and children to
attend every Sunday at church.
May 23, 1788, a Sunday school was opened, which
continued for several years, and then ceased.
April. 1811, a
similar school was formed; and on the 22d of the following
[*

See

New

Appendix.]

Free Schools mentioned have given place to National

In latter years Dr. William Maloney kept a private school in
Governor's Walk, an institution which in its days occupied a very high
William
position among the educational establishments in Ulster.
Larmour had a private school at Joymount Bank, and afterwards in
In 1857, a site was secured for a model
the rear of the Union Hall.
and maritime school on the Belfast Road. Mr. J. M'Neill Stephenson,
who was formerly teacher in the Old Lancasterian School, was first
master.
After Dr. Maloney, Miss Gunning kept a private school in
Governor's Place.
About 1878 Miss Nelson established a boardingschool for young ladies in High Street, which she discontinued, about
In iqoi the Misses Douglas opened a
1900, owing to ill-health.
ladies' school in Joymount.
The National Schools in the town an*
about twelve, male and female, and are under the National School
Board at the present day all education in these schools is free. In
1894 a School Attendance Committee was formed, the first officer was

[tThc

Schools.

Mr. Thomas Feeney.]

2 33

March, an excellent sermon was preached by the present rector,

in aid of its funds
^24 were collected. A neat and spacious
school-house has been given by the marquis of Donegall
the
:

number of children who attend

are about 400.

In the county

of Antrim gaol, is [was] also a daily and Sunday school. 1

Branches of the following societies * exist here
Hibernian
Bible Society, Ordnance Bible Society, Hibernian General
Missionary Society, and Methodist Missionary Society. Contributions are also received by persons for the Hibernian Church
Missionary Society, and in aid of the funds of the Society for
promoting Christianity among the Jews. There is a society for
and also a society for lending
distributing clothes to the poor
:

Until about 24 years ago, the free-school of the diocese of Connor

in this town.
To its support the bishop of the diocese gave
10 per annum the beneficed clergy of the diocese
the marquis
i-\ 5
of Donegall ^3 3 4, and the earl of Massereene
i
The difficulty
6.
of collecting this money was said to have increased of late' years hence
the school was discontinued for want of exertion, though formerly much
cost and pains were taken to establish it.
In 1728, the Rev. Owen

was held

Lloyd, dean of Connor, and rector of this parish, granted, for

25 10,
an acre of land, to build a school-house for this school
and on the
i6th of September, 1734, the Assembly granted
10 to the Rev.
i-\
Philip Gayer, curate, as a reward for his trouble in getting the school
fixed here, and the deed perfected for said acre
pursuant to an act
;

Between the years 1729 and 1735, the

assembly, July 4, 1726.
grand jury of the county of Antrim also granted
100, in instalments
of
A large house was
20, to build a school-house on this ground.
but they were never
accordinglv built, with six windows in front
glazed, and the house was suffered to fall down without being finished.
The stones of it were drawn away to build the houses opposite the
custom-house, and the rector seized on the land, which he retains.
Receipt-Books of the late School. Records of Carrickfergus. Records
of the County of Antrim. Tradition of Old Inhabitants.
In the Dublin Gazette of August 5th, 1823, it was announced that
the Commissioners of Education had consolidated the Free Schools of
the dioceses of Armagh and Connor, and that the school of the latt?r
was to be held at Ballymena. The yearly salary of the master was
afterwards settled at .120, seventy of which was payable in the
Diocese. To the erection of the School-house at Ballymena, the Grand
Jury of the county of Antrim, have already granted ^369 43. 8d. by
instalments of ^"46 35. id.
The District
[* At present the societies in Carrickfergus are
Nursing Society, Church Clothing Society, General Clothing Society,
and the
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
following Masonic, Orange, Temperance and Friendly Societies
CarrickMasonic, Royal Arch Chapter, No. 253, Lodges 43 and 282
fergus District L.O.L., 10 Lodges; Independent Order of Oddfellows,
Independent Order of Rechabites,
M.U., Friendly Society, No. 3783
Fortress Tent, 2091 Independent Order of Good Templars. The Young
Men's Christian Association, the East Antrim Constitutional Association
-and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution have also branches, which
.are well and ablv conducted.!
of

2 34

out small books, chiefly religious.

Both of these are managed by

ladies.

The

charitable

gifts

of individuals to the poor of this

parish are very numerous, perhaps more so than in any place

of the like extent in Ireland, as will fully appear from the

following report

1590 George Carleton bequeathed ^30, in trust, to the

"
maior and corporacon of Knockfergus to cause to be builded
upp and erected an hospitall house of stonne within the walls
of Knockfergus, aforesaid, to receyve the poore wearyed
souilders at their cominge from their journeys to be dry in
and
that over the dore thereof ye be graven uppon a free-stone,
"
The Legacy of Robert Smith." l It does not appear that any
such house was built, nor do we learn what became of the
:

money.
1672

^30

John Mathews, tanner, Scotch quarter, bequeathed

to the

divided.

poor of the parish;

its

interest

to be annually

Hercules Davys, esq., left .200 for the relief of

17
poor persons of this parish, which legacy was lost to them about
1718; his son and heir Hercules having died in England so-,

3
poor that no part could be recovered.
About 1705, Richard Tennison, bishop of Meath, born in

Cheston's lane, or street, left by his will, in trust to the rector

and church-wardens, two houses on the east side of said street,
for the poor of this parish.
In 1729, the curate and churchwardens let these houses off for 21 years, to Henry and William

O'Hare, relations of the said bishop, who soon after made a

transfer of them, or a kind of sale, the trustees remaining calm
4
spectators of the nefarious transaction.

1718

Samuel Davys, esq., bequeathed ;ioo, the interest

amongst the poor housekeepers of the

to be distributed annually
5

parish.

1761,

March

Men Decayed

23, Henry Gill, esq., bequeathed

in thir Circumstances,"
per

^10

"to 14 Aged

annum

each,

and also houses and gardens to such of them as might not have
a residence.
This sum, by an increase of the funds of the
1

:i

4
5

Records of Carrickfergus.
Records of Carrickfergus.
Parish Registry.

Records of Carrickfergus.
Records of Carrickfergus.

235

He

also
14 yearly.
charity, has been lately augumented to
left ,200, in trust to the dean of Connor, and rector and

church-wardens of Carrickfergus, for the time being, the interest

go annually to the use of the poor housekeepers of this

to

and ^500,

parish

in trust to the governors of St.

Patrick's

found a ward, to be called " GILL'S WARD,"

for the keeping of 12 lunatics or ideots.
For an extract from
1
his will, and state of the charity,* see Appendix, No. XII.
hospital, Dublin, to

Francis Lee, of Tanderagee, left in trust ^100 to

1779
the rector of this parish, for the time being, the interest to be
In 1783,
distributed annually to the poor of Carrickfergus.
his heirs refused to

pay the

which the rector entered a

suit cost the parish

^n

legal interest of this

and recovered the

suit,

sum ; upon
same

this

9 o|.

1782 William Adair, esq., of the parish of St. James.

3
Westminster, left in trust ^2000. t in consolidated three per cent.
[* The property of this charity produces at the present time an
annual income of about ^"300, which is almost double what the yearly
produce was at the time of the bequest. The entire income is applied
by the trustees in accordance with the terms of the will of the donor,
but as the charity is a private one, no accounts are published at

present.]
1

Of

truly benevolent person, little information has been

that little says, that he was the son of a serjeant in the
army and that early in life he kept a stall in Carrickfergus markets,
That his stall was distinguished
selling salt, tobacco, and small wares.
for its neatness, and every month visibly increased in value, until he
opened a small shop, where the same good fortune attended him. The
accounts add, that he soon became an extensive woollen-draper, and
that many of the gentlemen of the county of Antrim bought their
He was many years store-keeper of
clothing from him at the assizes.
the garrison.
In 1760, a malicious report was propagated, that he
had refused ammunition to the troops, when they were attacked by the
French which was immediately contradicted by Col. Jennings, in the
Belfast News-Letter.
In 1712, he was admitted a freeman, and in
May, 1720, he was chosen a burgess of this corporation, and in 1729,
served the office of sheriff. April 10, 1739, he was elected an alderman,
was the same year chosen mayor, and in the following year was
treasurer of the corporation.
He is described as of middle size, and
He died a bachelor, at an advanced age,
very neat in person.
September 16, 1761, and left the greater part of his fortune as already
noticed.
A curious book, written with his own hand, is often referred
to in the course of this work, and appears highly authentic.
2
Parish Register.
3
William Adair was son of the Rev. Patrick Adair, dissenting
minister of Carrickfergus.
At an early age he was sent to Glasgow
but his father dying, he left the university without taking a
college
On leaving college he
degree, in rather embarrassed circumstances.
resided for some time here, with Willoughby Chaplin, esq., by whom he

obtained

this

was recommended

to

Robert Gardner', an eminent army agent, London.

236
annuities, to the Adairs, owners of the

Ballymena estate, county

of Antrim, to go annually for the benefit of the poor freemen
of Carrickfergus, and to be divided as the proprietor of the

Ballymena

estate, for the time

19 old freemen receive annually

Peter Kirk, esq., Carrickfergus.

being

may

direct.

At present,

^3

8 3 each, by the hands of

It is worthy of remark, that it

was difficult to get people to accept of Gill's or Adair's charities ;

but at present, applications are numerous.
1792 Hercules Ellis, esq., bequeathed .150, in trust to
the rector and church-wardens of this parish, and the proprietor
of the Straid estate, for the time being, to be put out to interest
to proper persons ; the interest to be applied annually for the
use of the poor of Carrickfergus.

1801
John Lee, grocer, Scotch quarter, bequeathed -ioo
to the Presbyterian congregation of this place ; the interest to
defray the expenses of sacramental elements.

1813 Mrs. Martha Thompson, Dublin, left ^100 to the

"
one debenture in the Five per
poor of Carrickfergus, being
Cents.," and "to be under the direction of E. D. Wilson, esq.,
Sir William Kirk, and the church-wardens, for the time being,''
the interest to be distributed every Christmas
2
less orphans and widows of said parish.

1820
divided,

in

among

the father-

E. D. Wilson, esq., bequeathed

8s. yearly, to be
loaves of bread, at Easter, Whitsunday, the ist

^8

of September, and Christmas, to such of the poor as attended

most regularly the service at church.
Mr. Gardner took him into his counting-house, where he conducted
himself so well, that in a few years he was admitted to a share in
trade, and on the death of Mr. Gardner, he succeeded him in his
business.
He appears to have been a man of strict integrity, as he
paid some small debts contracted at college, with interest, as soon as
He was
able, also some of his father's, in a like honorable manner.
never married, and left a part of his fortune as related above.
[tThis money is invested in Consols, and some time ago the
interest admitted twelve aged freemen receiving ^5 a year.
At the
Mr.
present rate of interest only ten pensioners receive ^5 yearly.
Henry Johns, Director of the Belfast Bank, has, since the death of
Mr. Coates, paid the money every half-year, on the first Saturday in
February and August. Up to the present there have been enough old
freemen to receive the pension, but as Carrickfergus is no longer a
borough, no new freemen have been made since July, 1884, when Mr.
In the
T. D. Johns, Solicitor, Town Clerk, admitted thirty-three.
course of time some change will have to be made as to the distribution
of this charity.]
1

Registry, Prerogative Court, Canterbury.

Dublin Gazette.

2 37

1822

Mrs.

Anne Wilson, Scotch

quarter,

left

.200

ia

of the Established and Dissenting Churchea

of Carrickfergus, for the time being, for the use of the
poor
of the parish; the interest to be distributed
It isannually.
thought, that by a residue of this lady's property, the charity
will be augmented to ^300.
This charity amounted to
trust to the ministers

^317

95.

2(1.

1824, July 5th, Jane Lee, dealer, Scotch Quarter, died,

aged 80 years.
By her will she bequeathed ^100 in trust tothe poor of Carrickfergus, its interest to be divided
amongst

them

also
Protestant
annually;
$ per annum to the
She
Episcopalian Church, to purchase sacramental elements.
left several legacies to individuals ;
and the residue of her
fortune,

amounting to ,600,

in trust to the

Mayor of

Carrick-

fergus, the Protestant, and Protestant Dissenting Ministers, for

the time being, Davys Bowman, Esq., and Mr. George
M'llwrath, the interest of which she directed to be divided

the Scotch-Quarter who had dealt with John

Lee (her brother) or the donor; and who had regularly paid
their accounts
those whose accounts remained unpaid to be

among persons of

excluded, even to the third generation, unless they or their heirs,,

paid to the trustees what was due to her and her brother John.
Those persons, or their heirs, who had paid their accounts,

might be admitted by the trustees at any time to her charity,

though non-resident ; but the idle, dissolute, and debauched,
were to be for ever excluded from it. In September following,
her death, some children found a
house, on which a strict search was made,
after

more were discovered,

The

in

few guineas in her

and upwards of 200
various holes of the wall and floor.

it
impossible to distribute the sum
agreeable to her bequest, the money was paid into the Court of

executors

finding

Chancery.
18^8. July i4th, Miss Margaret Spaight, died, aged 91.

By

her will she bequeathed

the Rector

^300. Irish currency, in trust toand Churchwardens of the parish of Carrickfergus.

for the time being;

poor of said parish.

its

interest to

be distributed yearly to the

Several ladies and gentlemen also give small sums monthly,

or weekly, to certain poor persons of the parish ; yet strolling
beggars are more numerous than formerly.

238

The

following are some additional notices of charities to

the town:

86 1.

Charles Shiels, born in 1782, a native of Killough,

County Down, and a successful Liverpool merchant, left the
sum of ^90,000 for the purpose of building 24 comfortable
1

houses for respectable persons in reduced circumstances, which

are open to residents in County Antrim.
These houses are

and each inmate receives .10 a year, with fire and

on
condition
of raising ;io a year towards his or her
light,
own support.
There are similar institutions in Killough,
Dungannon, Armagh, and Dublin. Present trustees, 1909, Rev.
George Chamberlain, M.A. ; Samuel P. Close, A.R.H.A. ; Rev.
F. C. Henry, P.P. ; Philip Jordan, J.P. ; Rev. Alex. Cuthbert,
M.A. ; W. A. Woodside, J.P.; H. I. Johns, J.P. ; Edward
rent free,

Captain Conway Higginson; H. J. M'Bride, J.P. ;

Gordon ; Superintendent, Archibald Lisk ; Medical
Dr. Samuel Killen.
Meet first Monday in January,

Coey, J.P.

Secretary, T.
Officer,

April, July, October.

Colonel James Craig, J.P., Carlton Hall, gives the

of

[All

annually to the several different churches, in

sum

all

these legacies to the poor of Carrickfergus were invested in

Government stock but in 1871-2 the Churchwardens placed them in

United States and Russian bonds, since sold and invested in Northern
Counties Railway (Midland) stock, in the names of the Rev. George
Chamberlain, M.A., Dr. Arthur Bailie Frances and Thomas Gorman,
;

J.P-]

HISTORY,

OF CARRICKFERGUS.

&c.,

PART

III.

forms a county corporate, distinct from the

of
Antrim, and is first mentioned in the judges'
county
commission; the assizes for both counties are always
district

THIS

opened on the same day.

and civil bill acts,

For some

special purposes, as the

attached to the barony of Lower
Belfast, county of Antrim, and then gives title to one of the
grand divisions of the said county the decrees of the assistant
militia

it is

barrister, however, as far as relates to Carrickfergus, are signed

The sessions for the town and

of this county.
in
held
session
week, and the crown and
county
always
all other business transacted as at other sessions, civil bills
by the

sheriffs
are.

will be observed that the period treated of in this part was

" The
1842, when the corporation, which was styled
Mayor,
Sheriffs, Burgesses, and Commonalty, of the County of the Town of
Carrickfergus," was dissolved, under the provisions of the Municipal
Reform Act, and a board of Municipal Commissioners was constituted,
in
whom were vested the corporate property. Up till 1894 the
[It

before

Municipal Commissioners were without rating powers, but in that

year they promoted a bill in Parliament which gave them power to
The borough formerly
levy rates for sanitary and other purposes.
returned two burgesses to serve in parliament, but after the union
On the passing of the Redistribution of
with Great Britain only one.
Seats Bill in 1884, the County of the Town was amalgamated with the
East Division of County Antrim, which is now represented by Colonel

James Martin M'Calmont.

In 1899 the Municipal Commissioners and Grand Jury were, under
the Irish Local Government Act, 1898, replaced by Urban, Rural and
County Councillors, and the provisions of the Town's Improvement Act,
1854, made to apply to the town forming the Urban Sanitary District.
Under the same Act the County of the Town has been merged for
Assize purposes in County Antrim, and the i4th July, 1899, witnessed
the final Commission of Assize in the Record Court, County Courthouse, Belfast, before the Right Hon. Justice Andrews. On Thursday,
i,
1899, Mr. Henry Fitzgibbon, Q.C., County Court Judge,
attended at the Court-house, Town Hall, Carrickfergus, to dispose of
the business of the Half-yearly Sessions, which were the last to be
His Lordship was attended to the bench by
held at Carrickfergus.
the last High Sheriff, Mr. Charles J. Johnstone.]

June

17

The mayor and recorder both preside on the bench

excepted.
on these occasions. For a curious paper of enquiries, formerly
presented to the grand jury at each sessions, see Appendix, No.

XIII.

The

length and breadth of this county, at present, are

point, or tongue
nearly equal; at a mean about four miles.
of land in the West Division, still runs the length of its ancient

boundaries, near five English miles.

have not been able to discover the exact period when it
was first incorporated as a county, though it is said by king

We
1

It is certain that sheriffs were appointed by Henry II.,

John.
in those counties and cities held by the English, who were
2
confirmed by John on his visit to Ireland, the i2th of his reign
:

some of these princes must have created it a county. This is

put past all doubt, by the circumstance, that no counties were
erected in Ireland from the i2th of the reign of the latter,
3
until I556; and long prior to that period, it is mentioned as a
The sheriffalty was formerly held
county, having a sheriff.
with
that
of
the
the most ancient
county of Antrim
jointly
:

patent existing respecting them, is dated September n, 1325,

"
The king to his
the 2oth of Edward II.
the words are
:

John de Athye, greeting, know ye that we have

committed to you the office of Sheriff of the counties of Carrick*
In the Down
fergus and Antrim, to hold during' pleasure."
beloved

"

Survey, it is called the

County Palatine of Carrickfergus."
Counties palatine were erected immediately after the conquest of
"
the country by the English, and were endowed with
great
"
priviledges," in order that the inhabitants, who were
subject
to continual! invasions," might defend them against "the wild
Irish."

In the

ecclesiastical

division,

the county

forms but one

parish in the diocese of Connor, which, in our ancient records,

"

always called SANCTI NICOLAS." The rectory was formerly

in the gift of this corporation, and continued so till the 2oth of
is

July,

1609,

ecclesiastical

'Gill's

when James

I.,

his

charter

establishing

the

MSS.

Ware's Antiquities.

Davies's Historical Tracts.

Harris's Hibernica.

in

government of the sees of Connor and Dromore,

Spenser's

View

of Ireland.

Sir

John Davies mentions the erection

of counties palatine in Ulster, about the time of king John.

\VEST

VIEW OF

ST.

NICHOLAS

CHURCH.

245
1
It is taxed in
deanery of the former place.
the king's books, the i5th of James I., at eight pounds.
For
some further particulars, see Appendix, No. XIV. In a Terrier,
preserved in the archives of the bishoprics of Down and Connor,
dated 1604, it is called " Ecclesia de Carrickfergus," and

united

to the

it

represented as having

paying

in

"

no

ecclesiastical

glebe,
to

dues

but some Orchards

;"

and

the

bishop, proxies 20,5

In a return preserved in the

and synodals 2,s.

of
the
registry
Prerogative Court of the sees of Down and
Connor, dated 1633, the living is valued at .120 per annum.
It is now believed to be worth
^420 yearly, including two
* of excellent land near the
fields
town, which is the only glebe

refections 20,3

there

is

no glebe house.

The present rector t has the

Gwynn, who usually agrees with

tythes let off to the Rev. John

the people from year to year
:

the only tythes taken are those of hay and grain ; no others are
claimed.
They are rarely taken in kind. Beneath is a correct
list of the rectors, since the
junction of the parish with the
deanery of Connor, and a few before that time.

[1303
I 573

1590
1596

John Cautok.]
-

Darsye.

Edward Edgworth.
John Tedder. J

In the patent of erection of the deanery of Connor are the

Ralow, Invermore, Moylusk, Derriaghy, Ballyfollowing parishes
ovan, Ballvedward, Blaris, and Knockfergus.
Ballyovan, Blaris, and
Ballyedward were lost to the deanery in 1633 we do not learn when
:

Derriaghy was separated from it. MSS. of Dean Dobbs.

[*The two fields and all tythes were disposed of at the
disestablishment of the church in 1869. There was no rectory or glebe
house until 1892. The rectory is situated on the North Road, a short
distance from the urban boundary.
It is erected on an acre of land
held by lease for ever from the late Countess of Shaftesbury at a
los.
On the building and laying out of the
yearly rent of
"j
grounds a sum of ^1,444 45. was expended;
~$o being a government
The
the remainder was raised by voluntary subscriptions.
loan,
rectory is a commodious and handsome structure of red brick, and was
built by Ezekiel Caters, Esq.
the architect being S. P. Close, Esq.,
;

stipend for the living of St. Nicholas's is now ^"305,

with the Rectory.]
[TThe Rector at this time was the Rev. John Chaine, who lived

A.R.H.A.

The

at

Seapark.
The Rev. John Gwynn lived at Rosebrook he was a Professor of
Divinity, T.C.D., and was for 61 years Rector of Ballynure and
Kilroot.
Stephen Gwynn, M.P. for Galway, is his eldest son, and
Mrs. Joseph M'Caughan, Windmill Hill, is a grand-daughter.]
[JThe name of this man was Charden, not Tedder. In 1594 the
troops in Carrickfergus mutinied for want of provisions, when John
;

246

1599

Hugh

1609

Miles Whaly.

1615

Robert

Griffith.

Openshaw,

to

chaplain

the

lord

deputy

Chichester; appointed September 23.

1628

Richard Shugborrough, alias Shugburgh, chaplain

appointed to the rectory and prebend of
In the following year, he was also
Kilroot, September 23.
presented by the crown to the living of Ahoghill.
to the lord deputy,

1658

He

Robert Price, chaplain to the lord deputy Strafford.

loyal man, and a great sufferer for the royal

was a very

July 27, 1660, he was consecrated bishop of Leighlin

and Ferns; he died in Dublin, May 20, 1666.
1660 Francis March, appointed February 8. June 19,
1 66 1, he was advanced to the
deanery of Armagh, and after
wards made bishop of Limerick, from whence he was translated
to the see of Kilmore and Ardagh, and afterwards to that of
Dublin, where he died November 16, 1693.
cause.

George Rust, August 3, was appointed to this

rectory.
June 6, 1662, the rectory of Island Magee was
attached to the deanery of Connor, to which it remains annexed.
November 8, 1667, he was promoted to the see of Dromore,
where he died December, 1670, and was buried in that
cathedral, in the same vault with his patron, Jeremy Taylor,
bishop of Down and Connor.
1

66 1

1667
priest,

in

November
1679,

was

Patrick Sheridan, the son of Denis Sheridan, a

the diocese of Kilmore, who became a protestant.
9,

he was appointed

rector,

and on the i9th of April,

he died in Dublin:

made bishop of Cloyne;

November, 1682.
1679

Thomas Ward appointed

for incontinence.

He

April 41 ; deprived in
expended a considerable sum in

1693,
repairing the roads of this parish.

Charden, Bishop of Down and Connor, gave them some cattle of his
manor of Kilroot, which put an end to the mutiny. He had been a
clergyman at Exeter, "a noted preacher," and in high esteem for
his edifying sermons, of which some were published and preached at
He was appointed by
St. Mary's, Oxford, and at St. Paul's Cross.
Queen Elizabeth Bishop of Down and Connor in 1593.
first
Elizabeth,
Bishop John Melliman, Chaplain to Queen
Reformed Bishop of Down and Connor; Bishop Hugh Allen,
recommended by the Queen as a zealous man and last of the Bishops
He died at Kilroot.]
of Elizabeth's time was Robert Humpeton.
;

247

1694
1706

George Story.*
Martin Baxter, December 24, was appointed

1710

Owen

1743
1753
1775
1802

rector.

Lloyd, appointed February 28, died 1743.

John Walsh; died 1753.
Hill Benson; appointed June nth; he died
1775.
Richard Dobbs; died February, 1802.

Thomas

Graves.

In

he exchanged livings

1811,

with the Rev. Theophilus Blakely.

1811

Theophilus

Blakely.

In

1824

Achonry, having exchanged deaneries

William Green, dean of that place.

with

he

removed

the

Very

to

Rev.

1825
Henry Lesley, late rector of Ahoghill, having
exchanged livings with Wm. Green, late dean of Achonry
:

inducted January 29th.

The following
1839,

March,

are

the

some additional
Rev.

notices of clergymen:

John Chaine inducted

into

the

rectory of Carrickfergus in the room of the Rev. Henry Leslie,

At the same time the rectory of Islandmagee was
resigned.

disunited from the said deanery and

The Very

Rev.

made

a separate living.

Dean

Chaine removed, in
Lancashire, where he died

1855,

to
20.

June
aged 60 years, and was succeeded by the Very Rev.
George Bull, D.D., Dean of Connor.
Dean Bull died March 24th, 1886, aged 73 years, and was
succeeded by the Rev. George Chamberlain, M.A.,t who was
In
appointed by the Board of Nomination Rector in April.
September, 1908, Mr. Chamberlain resigned on account of ill
Claughton-in-Lonsdale,
1862,

and on 25th November the Rev. F. J. M'Neice, B.D.,

was appointed by the Board of Nomination to be Rector.
health,

Since the settlement of

Protestant

Dissenters

in

Ulster,

the following persons have been pastors to the congregation in

this

town

[* George Story was a chaplain in King William's army, and

wrote the " History of the Revolutionary War."]
the a8th
T On
March, 1907, a deputation, representing the
parishioners of St. Nicholas Church, waited on the Rev. George
Chamberlain, at the Rectory, to present him with an illuminated
address and a casket containing two hundred and fifty sovereigns, as
a tribute of esteem and affection from the congregation and other

friends in Carrickfergus.
The casket is the gift of a member of the
congregation, and is a beautiful specimen of antique silver work.]

248

i6n

Mr. Hubbard, or Hubbart. This gentleman, who

"
gracious and able minister," separated from the
established church, and became minister of a dissenting congreAfterwards, from the persecugation in Southwark, London.
tions raised against them, both pastor and people removed to
Carrickfergus, under the patronage of the Lord Deputy
Chichester.
He died in 1623, on which the English members
of the congregation returned home. 1 The Rev. George Dunbar,
who soon after settled at Larne, is said to have preached here
some time after Mr. Hubbard's decease.
1626 James Glendenning.
In the following year he
removed to Oldstone, where he is said to have awakened the
is

noted as a

"

people

with terrors."

1646.
John Gregg, who is believed to have settled here
a few years prior to this date. In the Records of Carrickfergus
for 1648, we find, amongst the items of the annual expenses
for the Corporation,

one yeare

"

^4,

for

"

Mr. John Gregg's Chamber, for

believed, that like most other dissenting

ministers, about this time, he enjoyed the tithes of the parish in
;

hence

it is

which he was placed.

This

is

rendered more than likely by the

circumstance that a few years before,

we

find in the Corporation

6, rent, paid annually, for the house held by the

expenses,
rector of the parish, and in the above year there is no item of
such a kind. On the surrender of the garrison in July, 1649

(see

those

page

who

he spoke boldly against the Lord of Ards, and

broke their covenant," for which he was threatened,

56),
"

and he and the Rev. Robt. Cunningham, Braidisland, fled in a

Down. In 1653 we find him at Maybole,
in
and
Scotland;
June, 1657, he was again chosen by the conof
gregation
Carrickfergus, but from his being deemed disSoon
affected to the government, he was not permitted to settle.
after, he became minister of Newtownards, where he died,
boat to the County of

July, 1670.

1657 Timothy Taylor, an independent minister attached to

the army, was for several years resident here, and held a landed
property in the Middle Division ; in the records of Carrickfergus
he is several times noticed as Presbyterian minister of this
'Life of the Rev. Robert Blair.
Presbyterian Loyalty.
Lives of the Puritans.
"
Life of the Rev. Robert Blair.
'Adair's MS. A Sample of Jet Black Prelatic Calumny.
terian Loyalty.
Thurloe's State Papers.

Brook's

Presby-

After the restoration he was silenced for non-conand in 1668, he removed to Dublin, as colleague to the
Rev. Samuel Mather, where he died in 1681. He was a man of
considerable abilities, and author of several religious tracts. 1
parish.

formity,

1674

Thomas

Robert Henry;
Hall,

ordained April 22nd, by the Rev.

Larne, in the house of John Crawford, near
In 1688, when this town was held by Roman

Ballyclare.*
Catholic troops, he was taken prisoner while in the pulpit, by an
Irish officer named Ramsey, and kept some time in confinement.

In 1692, he was called to the dissenting congregation of CapelDublin, where he died in i699- 2

street,

Archibald Ross; he died 1699. 3

Patrick Adair, son of the Rev. Patrick Adair, Carn1702
castle, and afterwards of Belfast ; ordained Dec. 9th ; died

1694

June 1 2th, I7i71718 James Frazer; ordained June

garden, on the west side of North-street.

8th, in

He

Captain Davis's

died August i9th,

I747-

1756

David Fullerton.
This gentleman was ordained
March nth. He was highly respected by

the church-yard,

in
all

classes of society.

In 1766, being charged with incontinence, he

demitted contrary to the advice of his most respectable hearers,
who very generally believed him to be innocent. Soon after, he

went to Jamaica, and joining the episcopal church in that island,

6
obtained a living near Kingston, where he died about I7891770 William Blakely ; ordained Dec. i2th, "libelled" for
drunkenness;
1

Adair's

From

brought to

MS.

Ware's

trial,

and found

guilty,

Nov. 3Oth,

Irish Writers.

Established
of
the
Clergy,
persecution
this period were rarely ordained in the
dissenting
Adair's
MS.
to
which
had
been
called.
parishes
they
2
Adair's MS.
Tradition.
Robert Henry's eldest son, Hugh,
became a banker in Dublin and in 1715, was one of the burgesses in
Parliament for the borough of Antrim ; he died 1743. His son, Joseph,
of Straffan, County Kildare, 1764, married Catherine, eldest daughter
of John Earl of Moira, by his first wife Helena, youngest daughter to
John first Earl of Egmont. Their son married Emily Elizabeth, sister
to the late Duke of Leinster, and their daughter was married to Patrick
MS. Lodge's
Plunkett, M.D., brother to the present Lord Plunkett.
the
rigorous
ministers about

Peerage.
3

Records of the Synod of Ulster.

Records of the Synod of Ulster.

MS.

Tradition.

252

1779

')

* ^emitted Dec.
2nd, in the same year.

He

retired to his

native place, Ballinahinch, and became buckle-beggar, where he

died March, 1810. One sermon of his has been printed.

1783

John Savage; ordained March 4th; died Dec.

i9th,

1822, aged 67 years, much regretted.

1823 James S. Reid. July 20th, the congregation gave him
a call, at which time he was minister of Donegore. He accepted

and was installed on the ipth August, t

synodical
sermon, preached by him at Cookstown, in 1828, has been pub-

the call,
lished.

The

following are some additional notices of Presbyterian

clergymen, also the name of the present minister:

In 1642, June icth, the first Presbytery held in Ireland

of five ministers and four elders, who had
arrived with the Scottish forces on the previous April.
Their
names were: Rev.
of
Glencairn's
Hugh Cunningham,
Regiment ; Rev. John Baird, Campbell's Regiment ; Rev.

met

here, consisting

Thomas

Peebles, Eglinton's

Regiment

Rev. John Scott and the

Rev. John Aird.

Four elders from the constituted sessions in
the four regiments then at head-quarters, viz., Argyle's,

and Hume's, whose names are not given.

James Glendinning, A.M., was a native of Scotland, and

Eglinton's, Glencairn's,

was educated at St. Leonard's College in St. Andrew's. In the

book of the Diocese of Down and Connor, in 1622,

visitation

is returned as incumbent of the adjoining parish of Coole

or Carnmoney, and as serving the cure there, though at the
same time the parish church is described as being in ruins. It

he

is

in

probable, therefore, that he resided altogether for three years

In 1627 he removed to
Carrickfergus as a lecturer.

Oldstone, where by his preaching he originated the revival.

*June, 1770, the Assembly of this Corporation granted to the
congregation, for ever, a plot of ground Red-worth's Tenement, situated
on the east side of North-Street, 50 feet in front, and 164 feet in rear,
at the yearly rent of 155., for the purpose of building on it a house for
20 towards
At the same time they also granted
their minister.
22 155. for a like
building said house; and on August 3d, 1776,
purpose.
Sept. 24th, 1789, a surrender was made of this lease, and
a new one granted, for ever, on paying a pepper-corn yearly, and ^8
Records of Carrickfergus.
arrear on the former lease remitted.
[Dwelling-houses are erected on this site, and at the rear are
stables for the use of the congregation.]
t Of the seat-holders who voted on this occasion, 179 were for
giving him a call, and 39 for trying probationers.

255

George Dunbar, A.M., was for a length of time minister

of Ayr; he first preached in Carrickfergus after the removal
of Glendinning, but finally settled in Larne, where he proved a
most diligent minister.
The Rev. Timothy Taylor had been a Presbyterian minister,
but he joined the Independents, and was afterwards pastor of
Church of Duckenfield, Cheshire, from which place he
removed to Carrickfergus, where he had a salary, as an

the

teacher, from the Cromwellian government, of

At
per annum, and was chaplain to Colonel Venables.
this period he always signed after his name, pastor of the

Independent

^200

church of Carrickfergus

and

in the records

of the town he

is

He held a respectable property

Presbyterian minister.
under the corporation of Carrickfergus, within the town, and in

called

the Middle and North-East divisions, which long after his time
was held by a Hopkins Taylor, perhaps a son.
He was

confined in Carrickfergus through Blood's plot.

The Rev. William Keys is said
1670.

to

have been

Presbyterian minister about this time, but to have removed to

Belfast in 1672.
He had a salary of
140 a year from
"
Cromwell's government. Latimer, in his
History of the Irish
Presbyterians," states that he was never minister of Carrickfergus, but supplied the place every second Sunday.
At different times the people of Carrickfergus petitioned
the

Presbytery to obtain a settled minister, and

names of Baptist Boyd,

Dalway mentioned
In

Wm.

we

find the

Mayne, John Jowland, and Robert

as their commissioners.

1673
congregation called Archibald Hamilton,
formerly of Benburb, but he settled in Armagh.
Presbytery of Antrim, at meeting on 7th April, 1674,
resolved
"the next meeting is to be at John Crawford's house,
the

near Balliclare, upon Tuesday, the 2ist of this instant, at eleven

in the forenoon."
The Presbytery met on 2ist, as appointed,

and heard some of Mr. Henry's pieces of trial, also transacted

business.
Afterwards they adjourned till next
Mr.
when
delivered
his popular sermon by way of
day,
Henry
trial.
Then he was ordained the presiding minister being Mr.
Hall but the following were present also: Masters Patrick
their ordinary

Adaire, Robert Cunningham, John Haltridge, John Anderson,

John Douglas, Adam Getty, John Shaw, David Cunningham,

Richard Wilson, Thomas Gowan, Anthony Kennedy, William
Shaw, Patrick Shaw, Joseph Hamilton, Robert Kelso.

256

At

this time the

High Church party rode rough-shod

over

the Presbyterians, maintaining that they violated the laws of

the land by presuming to ordain ministers, and hence the
ordination of Mr. Henry took place in Mr. Crawford's house.

Archibald Ross, who had been licensed by the Presbytery

of Irwin, was ordained here in 1694.
He is mentioned as one
of the trustees for the Regium Donum in the patent dated
September, 1699.
Patrick Adair,

who assisted to present an address to King

was the grandson by his mother to Sir Robert
Adair, Ballymena ; the Rev. Wm. Adair, Ballyeaston, was his
uncle by his father. His son, William Adair, who died in 1782,
William

III.,

bequeathed the ^2,000 to the Adairs, the proprietors of the

Ballymena estate, in trust for the poor freemen of Carrickfergus.

Mr. Frazer died in 1748. He was licensed to preach by

the Presbytery of Armagh in Lurgan, in March, 17 10, between
ii and 12 o'clock at night, by Mr. Hutchinson of Armagh.

Such precautions had then to be used for fear of persecutions

by the civil and ecclesiastical rulers of Ireland. Mr. Frazer
got into trouble with some members of his congregation, who
blamed him for favouring Mr. Dalway, but a committee of
Presbytery vindicated, and acquitted Mr. Frazer of endeavouring
to procure one seat more than another for Mr. Dalway.
In 1760, when M. Thurot appeared in the lough with three
French frigates, Mr. Fullerton was sent to Belfast with a flag
of truce, and a letter to the Sovereign, in which the French
commodore threatened to burn the town if not immediately
At his ordination he subscribed the
supplied with provisions.

"I believe the Westminster Confession of

following formula:
Faith contains a good system of the Christian doctrines, which
I subscribe as the confession

of

my

faith."

Mr. Savage was ordained by the Presbyter}- of Templepatrick; he was a licentiate of the Dromore Presbytery, and

had subscribed the Confession of Faith when licensed.

Rev. James Seaton Reid, D.D., was born in the year 1798.
at Lurgan.
His father, Mr. Forrest Reid, kept a GrammarHe was the youngest but one of seventeen
school there.
children (Dr. Killen states he was the twenty-first child of his
Dr. Reid entered Glasgow College in 1813, was
parents).
by the Presbytery of Letterkenny (of which his brother,
Edward Reid, of Ramelton, was then a member) in
Here.
1818, and was ordained in Donegore, zoth July, 1819.

licensed

the Rev.

257
age of 23 or 24, he conceived the idea of writing the
History of the Irish Presbyterian Church; after he removed to
In 1834
Carrickfergus, in 1823, the project first took shape.
the first volume was published, the second appeared in
June,
at the

1837, and the following

the Synod of Ulster its

month the author was appointed by

Professor of Ecclesiastical History.

In November, 1838, he resigned the ministry of Carrickfergus,
and in 1841 was appointed, by the Crown, Professor of
Ecclesiastical

and

third

last

half finished

and Civil History in Glasgow University. The

volume of his great work was little more than
when he died, at the seat of Lord Mackenzie,

The
Eelmont, near Edinburgh, in 1851, aged 52 years.
unfinished volume of history was completed by his successor in
the Chair of Ecclesiastical History in the Assembly's College,
Belfast, the late Rev.

W. D.

Killen,

D.D.

In consideration of

valuable contributions to literature, the Crown, since his

death, settled a pension of ^100 per annum on his family.

his

Rev. James White succeeded Dr. Reid, and was ordained

on 3ist December, 1838.
Mr. White was born in 1816, and
was the second son of the Rev. Patrick White, of First Bailieboro".
He had six sons, all of whom became Presbyterian

On

clergymen.

the

2ist

September.

1888,

the congregation

him with a purse of 300 sovereigns.

He died
December nth. 1889, and on the 3oth same month the Rev.
John Stewart, formerly minister of Broughshane, was installed.
Mr. Stewart had been a licentiate of the Route Presbytery. On

presented

the

8th March, 1898, he resigned to go to Rathgar, Dublin.

1898. Rev. Alexander Cuthbert, M.A., was

Mr. Cuthbert was a native of Coleraine, and had
been minister of Glascar before going to College Square Church,

July

26,

installed.

Belfast.
a small congregation of Covenanters, who have a
meeting-house in the North East Division, erected about 20
He
years ago; their first minister was the Rev. John Paul.*

There

is

has published several works on polemic divinity.

[* The Rev. John Paul was born near Antrim in 1777, and became
Reformed Presbyterian minister of Loughmourne on September nth,

He published, in 1826, "A Refutation of Arianism," in reply

sermons of Dr. Bruce. Dr. Paul died on i6th of March, 1848,
aged 71 years, and was interred at Loughmourne. He was succeeded
by the Rev. William Close, who was born on the i7th January, 1822,
and was originally a minister of the Eastern Reformed Covenanting
Church, but at a meeting of the General Assembly, held in Belfast, in
18
1805.

to the

258
Until lately

we

are without any information regarding such

as officiated here as parish priests.
chancellor of Connor, to the Irish

Roman Catholic gentlemen

By a return made by the

Lords' Committee in 1731, it appears, that there was neither

Tradition conpriest nor chapel in Carrickfergus at that time.

and adds, that for several years after, Roman

Catholic priests seldom visited this parish ; and that when they
did, mass was celebrated on the bleak commons at a place still
firms this report,

In 1791, a small chapel* was founded

called the Priest's bush.

in the

Middle Division,

to assist the building of which, the vestry

1
In 1826, a new chapel was
granted ^5, April 3rd, I792.
erected by subscription, adjoining the town, on a plot of ground
called Barlev-hill.
On the 8th of October it was consecrated by

the

Right

diocese,

Rev.

Catholic clergymen
are, in 1732,

William Crolly, titular bishop of the

PATRICK'S Chapel. The only Roman

Dr.

and named
-

St.

known
-

to officiate here since the reformation

Moore; 1739, -

- Cairns;
1757,

Edward M'llea; 1761, Felix Scullion; 1788, J. M. V. M'Carey,

1802, Thomas Cassidy ; 1813, Constantine Boyle;
1814,
Daniel M'Mullan; 1820, Arthur O'Neill.

The following

not

are

As to the Roman
much more known

some additional notices:

Catholic clergymen alluded to there

is

of them than their names, and the fact

that they officiated through an extensive district.

In 1717, James Sheil officiated, and in 1729,

Bour Boylane;

these were Franciscan Friars.

In compliance with an Act for Registering Popish Priests,

we

find that at a general Session of the Peace, held at Carrickfergus, the 1 2th of July, 1704, Edmond Moore was stated to

have

charge

of

Tickmacrevan.

Ralbo,

Kilwaughter,

and

1893, he was received as a minister in full standing, on the

recommendation of the Presbytery of Carrickfergus and Synod of
Belfast.
Mr. Close retired on the 3rd August, 1897, owing to illhealth, and the Rev. W. G. Lundie was ordained assistant and
successor on yth December following.
He resigned 28th January, 1003,
and removed to First Ready, Co. Armagh. Rev. S. M. Shaw succeeded,
and was ordained July 26th. 1903.]
but this temporary massf* Father M' Garry fitted up this chapel
house was abandoned after Father M' Garry was suspended, and the
priest used to assemble the people for mass at the foot of Briantang
Brae, where in bad weather they were accommodated with the use of
a house, this continued up till 1826.]

June,

Parish Registry.

259

Moore was then 58 years of age,

;
he
was still in office in 1732, when
Glenarm,
Of Cairns nothing is known, and the same
age.
In 1764, Felix Scullion was described as a
Carrickfergus

and he

in

86 years of
of M'llea.

who

in

summer

said mass in the fields,

lived

parish priest

and during the winter

house of some parishioner.

James Mathew Vincent M'Carey

in the

was a native of the

the Dominican
Convent of Coleraine; ordained in the Dominican Convent,
Lisbon, in 1781, appointed to Larne and Carrickfergus, 1787.
In 1782 he erected the chapel of Ballygowan and a temporary
parish of Culfeightrin, and became a

chapel at Carrickfergus.
"

The Sure Way

member of

In 1797 he published a

Heaven

little

volume,

''

Belfast), and in
January, 1798, delivered a very loyal address to his parishioners,

to

(printed

in

He died at the General

published.
Hospital, Belfast, in 1833.
Rev. Thomas Cassidy was said to be a native of Moyagall,
in the parish of Maghera, County Derry.
He died about 1812
which was

afterwards

or 1813.

The

records

give

the

following

who became chaplain of

account

of

Father

At
1814:
that time the medical officer of the gaol was one Dr. Stewart,
whom Father M'Mullan had the misfortune to offend by
M'Mullan,

the

jail

in

speaking disparagingly of his skill, and by recommending some

of the prisoners to get medicine and advice from Mr. Forsyth,
a surgeon in Carrickfergus.
At the same time the chaplain had

imprudence, encouraged by the loose discipline then

to drink punch with some debtors, whom he had
known in Belfast, and who had formerly been in respectable
the

observed,

Dr. Stewart brought the case under the notice

summer assizes in 1815, and again at the
in
1816.
Father M'Mullan admitted the charge,
assizes
spring
but denied having brought the whiskey into the prison, or knew
circumstances.

of the judge

at the

in.
The judge dismissed him from the
the
he
parish in 1817.
resigned
chaplaincy;
Constantine
O'Boyle, a native of the parish of
1813,
Duneane. He held the parish only a short time, for, in the year
1814. he accepted the curacy of Drummaul, under his uncle,

how

it

was brought

the Rev. Peter O'Boyle.

John M'Greevey removed to the parish of Lower

had been appointed to Larne and Carrickfergus,
he
Mourne;
1814,

26o
but some of the people objected to him because he was redhaired.

1814, Daniel M'Mullan. a native of the parish of Loughinisland; he became the chaplain of the County of Antrim Gaol.

Died

Kilmore, May 2oth, 1829.

1817, Arthur O'Neill, a native of Killymurris, in the
parish of Finvoy, where he was born i4th May, 1783, ordained
2nd August, 1808; he became chaplain of gaol. Died October
at

28th. 1851.

1823.

and was buried

in Carrickfergus.
curate.

Henry M'Laughlin appointed

After the death of Father O'Neill the parish was

administered by his curate. Father John M'Erlain. until Easter.
1852, when the Rev. John Cunningham was appointed parish
He was a native of the townland of
priest of Carrickfergus.

Moneyscalp. Kilcoo.
1869, November. Rev. John M'Curry.
1870. September 7th. Rev. Charles S. Quinn.
native of the parish of Lower Creggan. Co. Armagh.

He

was

Previous

to his appointment to Carrickfergus he officiated in the parishes

of Belfast. Ahoghill. and Saul.

Father Quinn remained in Carrickfergus until October ist.

when he was appointed to Duneane; he removed to

1889.

Moneyglass in 1890. and is still alive.

During his ministry
the chapel was restored in 1874, and a cemetery purchased.
He was succeeded by the Rev. Wm. Dempsey. who removed

November 24th, 1899. and is now at Downpatrick.

Father O'Boyle followed, but he removed to the Sacred
Heart, and died in one year.
Father F. C. Henry, from October, 1905.

to Newcastle.

Having laid before the reader the

we resume the account of

district,

its

chartered

origin

and

The

corporate antiquity of the place is further and

demonstrated, by the ancient rent paid to the crown,

immunities.

amply

Ecclesiastical state of the

which was "the rysinge of one mann, with a bow without a

Its charter, with thisstringe. and an arrow without feather/'
clause respecting the rent, were retained till the 7th of Queen
'

Elizabeth, when Sir Henry Sidney. Lord Deputy, causing the

mayor to lay it before him, "detayned the Charter," declaring it
was not proper that any body of men should have such
Four years after, he obtained fo~ the corporation a
privileges.
1

Records of Carrickfergus.

26l

new
in

charter from the queen, in which " her

highness promised,
lieu of the. former charter, the
walling of the Towne,

buyildinge of the Peare, and also such auncient lands as by

former Charter were held and enjoyed."
Elizabeth's charter

then proceeds to relate how much Carrickfergus had suffered

from the rebellions of the Irish, and the inroads made by the

Scotch ; and of their gallant resistance, exceeding the other cities

and towns of Ireland; and of the ecclesiastical obedience of all
the inhabitants, and their usual repairinge to the Churche, and
embracinge GOD'S true Religion and Service, a matter very
In confirmation thereof, and in hopes of
acceptable to Us.
their continuance in their good cause and carriage
by them."
The charter of incorporation, as a county and free borough,
then proceeds pretty

much

like that

of James

I.,

her majesty's

successor.

This charter being found imperfect and obscure in many

places, about 1608, the corporation petitioned his majesty James
I. for a more
ample explanation of their privileges, which was
It is more full and explicit than the former,
granted in 1612.

and begins with the following preamble: -"James by the grace

of God, of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, king,
defender of the faith, &c., To all whom those present letters
shall come greeting.
Whereas our most loving sister Elizabeth,
late of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, queen, by her
charter under the great seal of Ireland, bearing date at Dublin,
the 20th day of March, in the nth year of her reign, did give
and grant for her, her heirs and successors, unto the mayor,
burgesses, and commonality, of Carrickfergus, in the
County and town of Knockfergus, in our province of Ulster,
and to their successors for ever, many privileges, liberties,

sheriffs,

markets, fairs, jurisdictions, forfeitures, customs,

commodities, cognizences of pleas, immunities, grants
and other benefits and hereditaments, as by the said Letters
Patent in the Rolls of the Chancery of our realm of Ireland,
franchises,

profits,

enrolled and therein recorded, remaining, more plainly doth and

may appear." The charter then proceeds to ratify "all and all
privileges as wholly as it is in the same Lettres
Patent, or in any of them contained, or in as ample manner and
form as they themselves or their predecessors at any time hath

manner of

had, held, occupied, used, or enjoyed, or ought to have by

means of any Lawful permission use or Custom." This charter
then declares, that the place is a county corporate, by the name

262
of the County of the Town of Carrickfergus ; to be governed by
a mayor, sheriffs, burgesses, and commonalty.
It excepts from
"
their jurisdiction his Majesty's castle,
and a Certain other
"

"

for a Gaol or prison thereto to be built

for the county
place,"
of Antrim, "and within the county of Antrim." The mayor is
ordered ever after to be elected on the first Monday after the
feast of St.

John the Baptist, and

to be

sworn into

office in

the

before the constable of the castle, or his deputy.

He is
appointed clerk of the market, and a justice of peace for the

castle,

county of Antrim, with power to hold two courts of record each

week, on Monday and Friday, and leave to appoint a deputy,
with power in "all things whatsoever which doth appertain to

mayor of the Town aforesaid." In case of his

mayor is to be elected by the aldermen only. The
aldermen are limited to 17, and are to be chosen for life: no
limited number of burgesses is mentioned.
Leave is given to
the office of
a

death,

a recorder, either for

a magistrate,

"

he

his life or years ;"

also appointed

is

and may. with the consent of the mayor, and a

majority of the aldermen, "depute one of the aldermen" to be

The sheriffs are ordered to be elected by the
deputy.

his

same time as the mayor, and to be sworn into

Michaelmas, but before the aldermen
they are empowered to hold courts, and have leave to account in the court
of Exchequer by commission, and to pay only ^i 6 8.
corporation, at the
office

at

Leave is given to the corporation to elect a town clerk, "as

often as need shall require:" coroners are to be elected annually,
"
on the same day as the mayor." " or upon any other days when
it

shall

seem most expedient.''

The sword

bearer

is

to be chosen

"

"

so often as it shall
by the mayor, sheriffs, and aldermen.'"
"
seem fit ; and the sergeants at mace are to be appointed, from

third part of all customs

time to time, by the corporation.
are granted for the use of the corporation, from Beerlooms.
county of Down, to Fairhead, county of Antrim ; with power to
sell lands, and make bye-laws when assembledprovided the laws are not in opposition to those of the nation.
Leave is given to admit others to their freedom, with power to

buy and

disfranchise such persons as are refractory ; and no person to be

arrested in the house of the mayor, sheriffs, burgesses, or free-

men, save for treason or felony. All wrecks of the sea are also
granted, between Fairhead and Eeerlooms, save in the pool of
Garmoyle. with the right of ferry from hence to the county of

263
with leave to have a guild * of merchants, and the
Power is given to
incorporation of other trades and callings.
send two burgesses to serve in parliament. Such other parts of

Down

this charter as are

as

we proceed;

deemed worthy of

notice, shall

also the difference between

it

be mentioned

and the common

usage of this corporation

Agreeably to the charter of James

I.,

the government of the

vested in a mayor, sheriffs, aldermen, burgesses,

corporation
and commonality. The mayor is elected annually, from the
aldermen, on the first Monday after midsummer, 1 and enters
is

at Michaelmas.
He is chosen by the aldermen,
is a magistrate for this county,
and
and
commonalty,
burgesses,
and for that of Antrim. The aldermen are 17, and elect each
"
other.
By the charter, they are to be, from time to time,
"
the
and
unto
the
assisting
helping
mayor," and chosen from
free burgesses, or inhabitants;'' but there is no record of any
person being elected an alderman, on the claim of being an

into

office

inhabitant

though

several

non-residents

have

been

elected

aldermen, without having been previously burgesses, some of

whom were minors. 2
The sheriffs are chosen from the
burgesses, in the same manner, time, and place, as the mayor,
and are sworn into office, in open court, on Michaelmas day.

There was formerly no limited number of burgesses; but the

3
Assembly, about 150 years ago, restricted its number to 24,
The charter of James I. authorised a guildry under the name
"[*The two Masters and Fellows of the Guild
Merchants of the
Town of Knockfergus," and sanctioned the formation of various
Such guilds as existed in modern
subordinate guilds or fraternities.
times were those of the Hammermen, the Weavers, the Carters, the
Tailors and Glovers, the Butchers, the Trawlers and Dredgers, the
Hookers, and the Shoemakers or Cordwainers. The charters are five
in number, the first dated 2oth March, nth Queen Elizabeth,
1569;
of

May, 44th Queen Elizabeth, 1602 the third charter is

7th James I., 1610, and is illuminated in colours;
and the fifth dated i4th
charter of nth July, 7th James I., 1610
December, loth James I.. 1613.]
There have, however, been instances of the reverse. July i, 1816,

charter of 8th

dated 7th

July,

Sir William Kirk, knt., deputy mayor, after the election of the sheriffs,
the election of the mayor for four weeks.
adjourned
2
when only
April 25, 1732, lord Conway was elected an alderman
wa>
14 years of age.
August 2, 1808, the marquis of Downshire
elected an alderman, being a minor; but neglecting to take the
oaths, the aldermen a few years after rescinded their election.

necessary

'MSS. Records of Carrickfergus.

Tradition says that the burgesses
Records of Carrickfergus.
were anciently elected by the freemen but there are no notices of it
Some attempts at the like were made in September,
in our records.
1754. and September, 1802; but both failed.
Gill's
3

264

who

mayor, who has always a vote in

of the present aldermen, and

elect themselves, save the

their

election.

For a

list

burgesses, with their residences,

and time of appointment,

see

Appendix, Xo. XV. [1822].

The mayor, aldermen, and burgesses, form a council called
the Assembly, who make such bye-laws, according to charter, as
2
For
they deem proper for the government of the corporation.
some ancient bye-laws, see Appendix, No. XVI.
Assemblies of the different members of the corporation were
-

formerly held every three months; but for many years prior to
1769, there appears to have been no regular notices of the like.

In the above year, we find the following entry in our records

Ordered, that no assembly shall be held unless Public notices
be fixed up, at least ten days before such Assembly shall be
:

"

"
This time was afterwards enlarged
September 24.
that
for the future no grants made of lands or
1787, Resolved,
tenements by this corporation, or disposing of any money, shall
be good and binding, unless made at some Assembly, of which

held."

14 days previous notice shall be given of the time and place,

and the purpose for which said Assembly shall be holden. and
unless thirteen members of the Assembly shall be present, one of
whom shall be the mayor." Again, in 1814, w e find the
:

"

1814, September 23, Resolved, that

following in the records:
in
future no election for Aldermen or burgesses of this
corporation, shall be a good
Notice be given of the time

and valid election, unless 14 days

and place such election shall be so

holden."

The mayor,

for the time being, is always one of the Assembly.

being sworn into office, at the assizes, and on other public
occasions, he wears a scarlet robe, and a sword and mace are

On

carried before him, the former

a serjeant at mace.

The

first

by the sword-bearer, the

robe was given by

Wm.

latter

by

Hill, esq.,

September, 1754, some of the aldermen tendered their votes

but their votes were
mayor on an election for burgesses
September 25, 1822, on the
rejected by him as a gross innovation.
flection of Mariott Dalway, lord Edward Chichester, Joseph Macartney,
and Andrew Alexander, to be burgesses, the aldermen's votes were
to

1
In
the

Records of Carrichfcrgits.
accepted.
2
Former!}' the commonalty sent

either

four

or

two members

to

each Assembly, who were chosen annually by the commons, and signed
"
every official act, as
Representatives of the Commons :" the earliest
In
we find the following notice
notice of the like is dated 1576.
" That the Commons1701,
in the records
of this Corporation do Convene
as soon as they may Conveniently and nominate one two or three of
their members to be their representatives at all future Assemblies."
\Ve do not learn when the freemen lost this right.
:

265
to

Solomon Faith, mayor,

the gift of Col.

engraved

in 1677.

The sword and mace* were

On

Robt. Gardner, in 1712.

"Anno Domino 1712, Honorem

SWOKD AND MACli.

From a drawing
Gardner Armigeri,
Domini 1712, Donum."
Roberti

in

Honorem

the former

Civitatis suae

by

].

Civitatis,

is

Donum

W. Carey.
suae

Anno

of the finest specimens extant, and

The
for the House of Commons.
sword and mace, all that are left of the old Corporation's regalia, are
now hanging in a frame in the Town Hall.]
[*

The mace is considered one

it was taken specially

a model of

266

By the charter, the mayor may hold two courts of record each
week, "to hear, examine, and discuss, all and all manner of
actions, suits, complaints, and demands, of all and all manner
of debts, to what sum or sums soever
they do or shall amount
unto;" but only one court is occasionally held. The mayor is
from Fairhead

.also vice-admiral of the seas

to Beerlcoms,

and

can. on behalf of the corporation, claim "all Wrecks of Sea."

"happening, found, or to be found, within Beerlooms, and Fair-

head, and within the Towne, and county of the Towne afore"
for ever."
He is also empowered to issue attachments
said/'
against ships, or their cargoes, or against persons on board ships.*
for the recovery of debts, contracted any where within his
jurisand is entitled to hold a court of admiralty, 1 which

diction;

should, like all other courts of admiralty, proceed according to

the forms of the maritime law but though this authority is still
exercised, the proceedings have been confounded with those of
:

common law court.

always executed by the
Serjeants at mace.

the

However,

its

water-bailiff,

judgments have been

in exclusion of the other

The mayor was

formerly a military as well as civil officer,

of
a
being captain
company of militia, raised for the defence of
this place.
When those militia were called out, they always
received sixpence per day from the government for their trouble.
They were called out on all state occasions, such as the king's

and one of the first acts of each mayor

was reviewing their company their number was commonly about
2
sixty rank and file.
Formerly the last public act of each
mayor was going in procession, at the head of the different

birthday, and the like;

members of the corporation, to church, to hear divine service

from whence they proceeded to the castle, where the mayor elect
was sworn into office ; after which a bull was fastened to a ring
in the market-place, and baited with bull-dogs.
In the evening
the mayor always entertained a large number of the different
members of the corporation in the town-hall, which banquet was
;

called

"

the Mayor's feast"

The

"

Mayors

"

feast

was. until

[*The "Silver Oar" which was part and parcel of the town
It
regalia has long since disappeared, and its use perhaps forgotten.
was used when arrest was made on board ship in the lough without
"
" Silver Oar
no bailiff could arrest a sailor or other
producing the
person in any vessel for the recovery of debts.]
'Charter of James I.
2
Records of Carrickfergus.
3
Records of Carrickfergus. Tradition of Old Inhabitants.
;

267
about twelve years ago. annually celebrated with a very
considerable degree of Corporation pomp.
In the records is
th3 following memorandum of the plate belonging to the body
"

was used on this occasion,

Two silver bowls
one
three
small
silver
wine bowls, a
bowl,
gilt,
large
double silver salt, a silver ladle/' In 1696, we find the celebrated
Dean Swift * one of the guests at the " Mayor's feast of Henry
Clements. Those processions and feasts have long ceased, and
corporate, which

double

''

the baiting of bulls!

An

animal

is

still

was discontinued about two years ago.

upon the same day. and divided

killed

amongst the poor; each claimant also receiving a loaf of bread.

The annual salary of the mayor was anciently the corporation
20
share of the customs of this port, if it amounted to
in
he
had
also
the
wine
his
house,
of
annually
privilege
selling
from which he was prohibited in 1601, under pain of the
In 1612. we find aldermen White and
forfeiture of his stipend.
Taaffe fined for selling wine during their years of office ; but
their penalties were remitted at the request of Sir Arthur
Chichester.
1624 -The customs were taken from the mayor;
60 per annum; and in
in June. 1659. his salary was raised to
:

1767, augmented to

^ico.

There were formerly numerous perquisites attached to the

In many of the old
office, amongst which were the following:
leases of this place, the tenants were bound to furnish yearly a

number of fat hens or capons to the mayor each Christmas, or a specified sum of money in lieu. The owner of the
West-mills was also bound to "Grind all such Grain as shall be
As
spent from time to time in the Mayor's house. Toll free."
certain

clerk of the market, he

had also the tongues of

all bullocks, or

cows, killed on Friday, whose flesh was sold in the markets on

Saturdays. When the Trooper-land was unoccupied, he claimed
its grass as a perquisite, and had anciently a field near the

[* Dean Swift lived at Kilroot from March, 1605, till May, 1696,
and had as his clerical neighbours, Dean Story, who was a chaplain
in King William's army, and the Rev. John Winder, vicar of Cammoney.]
[t 1812, November yth, Arthur Chichester gave a bull to be baited,

Before the fun was over the

order to revive that humane sport.
Mayor came and ordered the mob to disperse, and William Reid, giving
Records of
his worship some insolence, was committed to prison.
in

Carrickfergus.]
1

Records of Carrickfergus.

268

town

free,

a correct

which was afterwards let off to Richard Conlin. 1

of mayors, see Appendix, Xo. XVII.

For

list

The

recorder appears to have been always elected for

life,

by the entire body corporate. Formerly he inspected all leases of

houses or lands, previous to their being signed by the mayor,
and usually signed first, as a proof of his approbation; his fee
on those occasions was

35. 4d.

he also claimed

each person admitted a freeman. 2

.a

sum from

like

At present

his only duty is

attending at the quarter sessions, as a magistrate of this county :

on those occasions he explains the law, and pronounces the

judgments of the court. His deputy is not a magistrate in right
of

office.

for

20 per
1593, the salary of the recorder was
years past it has been only half that sum.

annum; but

many

On

the 8th

of April, 1819, a motion was made in the Assembly, to augment

his salary; but it failed.
In February, 1820, a like motion was
made, and the Assembly agreed as follows
"Resolved, that
the Treasurer do pay Mr. Dobbs, the Recorder, his expences
:

attending the Sessions, until such time as the Assembly shall be

The
fixed sum for his trouble."'

enabled to determine any

following

is

correct

list

of such

gentlemen as have been

recorders since 1593, with their deputies:

1593

William Lynsey
-

1596
1602

appointed April 30.

Tookfield.

Sir Thomas Hibbots, chancellor of the exchequer,

appointed October n.
1630 Sir William Sambridge; Roger Lyndon was appointed

deputy, October 19, 1639.

1641

Roger Lyndon; Henry Clements, deputy.

Sir John Lyndon; John Dobbin, deputy; 1668. Henry

1657
Clements, deputy.
1663 Sir Audley Mervin, knight, chosen recorder, but was

never sworn into

1697
1697

office

Sir

John Lyndon continued.

John Lyndon; resigned March 15.

Edward Lyndon, son of Sir John; elected

Sir

Andrew Clements, deputy.

1704 Edward
Lyndon,

continued;

deputy; 1723, John Chaplin, deputy.

1

Records of Carrickfergus.
Records of Carrickfergus.

Francis

April 8;

Clements,

269

George Macartney; elected June 6; George Spaight,

1727
deputy.

Edward Smith;

1740

Gill,

Henry

deputy;

Ellis,

deputy.

John Ludford; appointed February 19; Willoughby

1759

Chaplin, deputy.

1765

J6hn Ludford; resigned April

1765

George Hamilton; elected October 9; Hercules

afterwards George Macartney Fortes, deputy.
George Hamilton; resigned December 8.

deputy

1777

i.

Ellis,

Barry Yelverton, afterwards lord Avonmore, appointed

i/th; James Craig, deputy; Alexander Gunning,
Both those gentlemen acted as magistrates in the
deputy.
absence of the mayor.
1778

January

1806

The

Conway E. Dobbs
first

act of the

William D. Burleigh, deputy.*

new mayor

is

swearing the

sheriffs-elect

was always nominated

by the mayor, and called the mayor's sheriff ; but when in court,
the sheriff elected by the different members of the corporation,
into

office.

Formerly, one of the

sheriffs

always took the right of the mayor's sheriff. So lately as 1743.

we find the mayor appointing one of the sheriffs. 2
6 13 4
In 1 60 1, the salaries of the sheriffs were settled at

any other fee:" and in July, 1624, we find the

"Ordered, that from hencefollowing notice in the records
forth the Twenty Nobles allowed yearly from the Towne to the
Sheriffs, and the Three Pounds allowed them yearly for entertayning ther Attorneys at his Majestys Courts att Dublin, shall
be resumed into the Townes hands and be no more allowed, and

each, "without

from henceforth shal rest contented, and onely have

from the Towne all such fynes as shal growe due for Batteryes
& Bloodsheds within this Towne & Countye for their stipend."
10 each,
November, 1732, their salaries were augmented to
3
20 each, which still continues.
and in March, 1797. to

the sheriffes

The sheriffs are empowered by charter, to account annually in

the court of exchequer, by attorney, on paying to the officers of
the said court ^i 6 8 yearly, which appears to have been
[*

have not been able

2
3

to obtain the

when

names of Recorders and

was dissolved.]

the corporation
Records of Carrickfergus.

Deputies up

till

1842,

Records of Carrickfergus.
Records of Carrickfergus.

their

formerly adhered

In 1731,
to, though occasionally in dispute.
find the sheriffs merely swearing their accounts before the
mayor of this place, prior to their being forwarded to Dublin

we

and

in 1740,

it

appears they paid just

^i

8,

on passing

their

For many years prior to 1787, the sheriffs are said

to have made no return to said court whatever.
Some time in
1797, a writ for the amount of fees and fines, was issued from
accounts.

the court of exchequer against the sheriffs, the settlement of

which cost
45 18 z\, paid by the Assembly out of the rents of
the corporation.
This affair was no sooner settled, than the
sheriffs relaxed into their usual inattention ; and every year
tipstaffs came from Dublin to arrest the sheriffs, but were

In
usually obliged to return without effecting their purpose.
Thomas Kirk, one of the sheriffs, was arrested by

August, 1814,

the deputy serjeant at arms, on an order from the court of

Exchequer, and taken to Dublin, where he remained till

December, when he was liberated on paying ^35. A like order

in
was issued against his coleague, Robert Magowan;
attempting to settle which, he paid the following sums, and was
at the trouble and expense of three journies to Dublin:
fees
for four years accounting, to the officers of the pipe, ^72 16;
to the serjeant at arms,
for reducing a custodian, ^37 5 ;
;
to the pursuivant, for the like, .25 12 7 ; to an attorney, ^21
174; and fines to the amount of .200, still remained against

^50

him

his

at

Thomas

death,

in

1817.

Miller, sheriffs,

In

1815,

John Campbell and

went to Dublin, and accounted

totted,

of Exchequer, and paid

31 10, as fees for one
In 1817,
year of office: and in 1816, they paid a like sum.
they again paid as before; but understanding soon after that
they had been imposed on, they complained to one of the
in the court

judges, who caused several of those harpies to repay them a

3
These sheriffs were afterwards allowed
considerable sum.
the assembly, for their expenses in the first two years ;
1820, the extra trouble and expense of the
sheriffs in going to Dublin, and passing their accounts, was

^50, by
and

in

January,

Records of Carrickfergus. Gill's MSS.

January, 1820, the Assembly ordered ^150 to be paid to his
w'dow, out of the rents of the corporation, for losses sustained by Mr.
1

Magowan.
3
The following
annexed

are

the

officers since that

sums paid by the

time

sheriffs

yearly

to

the

271
settled

at

40 yearly.

The

sheriffs

receive

still

[received],

annually, one shilling from each vessel trading hither, by the

name of chapman gill; which money is [was] collected for the
purpose of burying mariners, or others who may be [were]
cast ashore within this district.
Tradition says this money was

formerly collected by the monks of some of the monastic houses

of this place, as spiritual service money
hence, probably.
:

chaplain or chapel geld, or gelt

money for the chaplain or

chapel; geld or gelt, being formerly a name for money. For a
list of sheriffs, see the same Appendix as
Mayors.
There are two coroners the charter declares that they are to
be elected yearly by the corporation, on the same day as he
ma\or, "or upon any other day when it shall seem most
expedient," and enter into office the same time as the mayor;
:

but these

many

years past they have been always elected for

salaries attached to those offices, and

There are no annual

life.

their only perquisites arise from the

their usual fee for each inquest is

number of inquests held

i

which

8,

is

obtained

from the county by presentment to the grand jury at assi/,e.

Formerly, the sheriffs, on going out of office, became coroners
for the following year, save when the same persons continued
sheriffs two years, in which case the assize, or quarter session
grand juries appointed two burgesses to be coroners, no other
One of the coroners was
being deemed eligible to said office.
" 2
"
perhaps from his
speaker of the commons ;
anciently called
To

the Chief Baron

Secretary, Lord
urer's office

Pursuivant

f'.erk of the Pipe

Comptroller
Foreign Opposer
.

Summonster
Usher

First

Fruits office
Chief Baron, further.

ance and stamp

Clerk in second Remembrancer's office
.

for

To

Nil!

the

certificate

same

entering

account

of

o jq
o

i^

68
i

Same
Stamp

o 13

ing

of

transcript
for

totts

examining

foreign accounts
Puisne Barons, each

transcript

o
6

Records of Carrickfergus.
Records of Carrickfergus.

026
068
026
4
o 13

034
oil
070
6

Teller of the Exchequer o

Waifs and Estrays

Rent of office

o$

for

Auditor General
Clerk of the Pipe
Chief Baron for sign-

Same
6

for certificate

sheriffs'

Opposer

schedule

o
o
o 13
o 14
o 13

for

Summonster
Foreign

Comptroller of the Pipe o

1

Treas-

o 10

io.\

o
o

272
being their orator at public meetings. The present coroners arj
* and
Adam
Frazer.

Cunningham

John

the charter, the corporation may "from time to time, and

"
as often as need shall require,"
appoint one honest and discreete

By

man to be town-clerk," who is also clerk of the peace for the

county and town, and returns all estreates to the court of Exchequer; though it appears, that in 1747, and some years after,
he made no returns of estreates. 1 The town clerk was formerlyby the different members of the body corporate, on a
regular notice by the mayor to that effect, and was always chosen
for life the present officer was appointed at a numerous meeting
of the corporation without one dissentient voice. In former times
elected

he was also chamberlain of the corporation, and was free from

levies and assessments.
In 1606, his salary was settled at
^4 per annum; but in 1740, we find it only ^2. About 1760. it

all

to ^7 10, the present salary [1839].

December
1773, at a meeting of the aldermen, it was raised to ;io per
annum; but at the first Assembly after, it was again lowered,

was augmented

4,

2
The
having been raised without consent of the burgesses.
is
a
correct
list
of
the
town
with
the
clerks,
following
years of

appointment
1574, Gregory

Grafton;

Thomas

1590,

Henry Sibthorp ; 1588.

Vaughan ; 1596. Richard
Newton; 1602, Dudley Yerworth; 1610, Richard O Kane
1663, Edward Yeo; 1666. Hugh
1651, Richard O'Cahan
Smyth; 1707, Edward Williamson; 1720. James Kirk; 1765,
Butler;

1577,

Thomas

Daniel Kirk;

Robert
[*

1786,

Magowan;

Daniel Kirk, son of the former;

1818,

Adam Cunningham

1806,

Adam Cunningham.! 3

died 2gth December,

1837,

and on the

251)1

Samuel Parkhill and George P. Price were appointed

J. K. Jackson
1863, A Markham
1865, Dr. Dill
1852 till
Dr. Taggart died loth
i8b8, Surgeon-Major D. R. Taggart, M.D.
1886, when Dr. Arthur Mussen, the present coroner, was
April,

January,

1838,
1863,

appointed.]

MSS.

Gill's

Records of Carrickfergus.

died 2gth December, 1837, when David

and James Stannus, jun., offered themselves for the
office of town clerk, and a poll being demanded by the latter, the
election continued from the 25th January (1838) till the 27th, when
Mr. Stannus gave in, 301 having polled for him, and 495 for Mr. Legg.
David Legg died 2Oth March, 1854, and was succeeded by Robert
Bowman. In 1865 Thomas Digby Johns, solicitor, was appointed
he retired in 1885 (died 1894), when the present Town Clerk, James
Mr. Boyd is also Clerk of the t'rban District
Boyd, was appointed.
Council and Petty Sessions Clerk.]
3
Records of Carrickfergus.

[fAdam Cunningham

Legg,

solicitor,

273

The

charter declares, that the mayor, sheriffs,

time to time, as often as it shall

and aldermen,

may "from

be needful,"
appoint a sword-bearer; and he has commonly been appointed
by the Assembly, though in some instances by the mayor for
the time being.
His only duty is carrying the sword of state
before the mayor, at assizes, and on the mayor's being sworn

^5

into office; his salary is

per annum, without any fees.
find the following persons sword-bearers in the annexed
years

We
:

1666, Robert Savage; 1672, James Savage; 1684, James Byrt ;

1721, Nathaniel Byrt, son of James; 1749, Daniel Kirk; 1780,
Hugh Clements; 1787, Barry Martin; 1797, Thomas B.
1

Martin; 1817, John Smyth.

There are four sergeants

the

mayor,

at

mace.

The

charter says, that

and commonalty, may " from

and
name, choose,
appoint" those persons, but,

sheriffs,

burgesses,

time to time,
with the exception of one, who is also water bailiff, they have
been usually nominated by the mayor, though in some cases by
the Assembly.
Their salaries are ^4 per annum each.
One
of those persons is authorised by charter to be water bailiff, and
appears to have been always chosen by the Assembly, who
formerly let off, at an annual rent, the joint offices of water

and harbour master. The rent for these offices varied

^2 10 to ^3 per annum. The following extract from
the records shows one of those appointments:
"February 2ist,
bailiff

from

1684,

the

said

James

Byrt,

shall

diligently

exact

attend,

measures shall keep, planks, posts, and other necessaries, fit for
mooring, loading, & unloading of Vessels, shall have in

Key, Sluce. and Water course thereto, the said

James Byrt, at his proper coast and Charges shall forthwith
The water bailiff and
sufficiently amend, scour and clean."
harbour-master has long ceased to pay for these offices ; he
the present water bailiff was appointed by
receives no salary
2
The bailiwick extends from Fairhead to Beerthe Assembly.
readiness, the

The usual fee for

pool of Garmoyle excepted.
their
vessels
or
a
writ
cargoes, or persons on
executing
against
board vessels, is us. 4|d. The following are the names of
house,

the

those noticed in the records, as water bailiffs*:

Records of Carrickfergus.
Records of Carrickfergus.
[*In 1842 James Stannus, jun., was appointed water bailiff, or
harbour master; 1858, Alexander Jones; 1892, David Robb
1908,
Captain Robert Shaw, the present harbour master.]
2

19

274
1509, John
Nathaniel

Lugg;

1673, John Byrt ; 1684, James Byrt ;

Byrt; 1760, John Seeds; 1790. Alexander
Gunning; 1809, Daniel Gunning; 1814, Hugh Cunningham.
For a table of the ancient and present fees of the different
offices of the corporation, see Appendix, Xo. XVIII. [1700,
1722,

1800].

There

is

likewise a treasurer of the corporation,

who has

been always appointed by the Assembly. Formerly, the mayor,

for the time being, was the only treasurer; but in 1767, Hercules
Ellis was appointed treasurer, with an annual salary of ^10,
which in 1770 was altered to one shilling to every pound

John Seeds was afterwards appointed, who was

succeeded by Alexander Gunning,* esq., the present treasurer,
received.

appointed September 20, I786.

The corporation formerly appointed a trumpeter, at a

i 10 per annum, and a
yearly salary of ^2 10, a fiddler, at
drummer, at -i 5 :~ with the exception of the drummer, who
warned out the militia on state or extraordinary occasions, we
have not learned what their services were.

By the charter, the corporation is empowered to send two

burgesses to parliament; and from this place being so earlycreated a corporate district, it probably possessed that privilege as
soon as assemblies w ere ordered to be held by the English in this
r

The numerous

feuds to which it was so much exposed,

are believed to have retarded the sending of members for many
years, as none are noticed in the rolls of parliament prior to

kingdom.

Indeed, previous to the reign of queen Elizabeth, the

1559.
other parts of Ulster appear to have been in a similar state.
In 1295, Sir John Wogan, lord justice, held a parliament, or

more properly an assembly of the noted persons of such parts

as were possessed by the English.
Only 27 members were
a
list
of
are
whom
present,
given by Cox, in his History of
Ireland
the only person from Ulster is Richard de Burgo,
earl of Ulster; from which it would seem he represented that
:

province.

In an Irish parliament, held at Westminster, in 1376,

f* Alexander Gunning died October i^th, 1823, and was succeeded

by Henry Adair, who was appointed April igth, 1824. The following
arc the names of those we find succeeding
1842, George Shean
1884, James
1877, Russel Ker Bowman
1852 till 1863, James Wilson
1886, George Gray; 1896, Robert Alexander; 1902, Henry
Boyd
the
solicitor,
Blackburne,
present Treasurer.]
1
Records of Carrickfergus.
2
Records of Carrickfergus.
:

275
1
only 12 counties, and 9 cities or boroughs, in the whole kingdom, sent members thither. Ulster at this time was either out of

the English power, or so miserably poor and uncivilized, from

2
the incessant broils, that not one member is noticed from it.

In the subsidy granted by the Irish parliament to the king in

1420, of which the names of places, and proportion levied, are
3
given, no notice is taken of Ulster.
The sending of members to the great council of the nation,

was besides

in these times often a compulsory act, their conIn the tenendi

having to pay them for attendance.
Parliament, signed by King Henry II., it is ordered, that the
expenses of two citizens or burgesses do not exceed half a mark

stituents

This regulation was afterwards altered in the reign

of Edward II., knights of the shire had five shillings per day,
and citizens and burgesses two; which sum was considered such
a grievance, that the people strove to evade sending members, or
agreed with them on easier terms. The wages were afterwards
raised: in 1614, knights of the shire had thirteen shillings and
four pence per day, citizens ten shillings, and burgesses six
Their wages were recoverable from
shillings and eight pence.
sheriffs, mayors and bailiffs, in the Exchequer; the king, at the
end of each session, usually concluded by desiring the commons
to sue for their fees.
In the parliament which met in 1613,
Thomas Hibbots and Humphrey Johnston, citizens, represented
Carrickfergus, and attended between the i8th of May, 1613,
and 24th of October, 1615, 147 days: their wages amounted to
per day.

^98.

The custom continued

till

about 1662, when

it

finally

ceased. 3

Previous to the union with Great Britain, this corporation

always returned two burgesses to serve in parliament; but since
that period only one is returned.
It is a very honourable trait
in the history of this place, that its representatives in parliament
have often distinguished themselves, by standing forward in

defence

of the

rights

and

liberties

of the nation.

On

the

1
The following is a list of such counties and cities as sent
members thither
Counties Dublin, Louth, Kildare, Cork, Carlow,
:

and
Limerick,
Meath,
Waterford,
YVexford,
Kilkenny,
Kerry,
Cities
Dublin, Drogheda, Waterford, Limerick, Cork,
Tipperary.
Kilkenny, Ross, Wexford, and Youghall. AnlhoJogta, Hibernica.
2
Anthologia Hibernica.
s
Cox's History of Ireland.
4

Ware's Antiquities.

Anthologia

Commons.

Hibernica,

MSS.

Journals

of

the

Irish

House

of

276
important question of free trade, both members warmly supported that measure; and also showed their firmness on the
motion for -parliamentary reform, in 1793. In 1799 and 1800.
the representatives, Ezekial Davys Wilson and Noah Dalway,
strenuously opposed the legislative union with Great Britain.

Both ranged

in the ranks of those virtuous senators

that measure to the last.

On

who

resisted

the question of the criminality of

the duke of York, the then member, James Craig, distinguished

himself ; and also in supporting the bill for the relief of the
Roman Catholics. For a list of the members sent from this
corporation,

from the

earliest period, see

Appendix, Xo.

XIX.

The

corporation has the privilege of making freemen at

will
the mayor can open a court, on giving 14 days' public
notice, for the admission of those eligible, any where within the
:

liberties.

Courts for the purpose were formerly held at the

which were kept open by adjournment until
had the necessary claims were duly admitted. 1

quarter sessions,

such

as

Tradition says that birth, marriage, and servitude, were the

ancient claims to the freedom of this corporation, and that all

who were admitted

without such claims, were either elected by

the freemen then present, or admitted by special favour.

charter is obscure as to the manner of admission ; but

The
the

and serving an apprenticeship of "seven years," within the franchises, as legal and ancient
claims, but take no notice of marriage, and declare that all
records, in 1657, mention birthright,

"otherwise admitted free." shall pay a fine of ,10.

In 1598, the freemen were reduced to sixteen;

in 1669,
they amounted to 139; in 1683, to 302; and in 1712. to near

one hundred and forty of whom belonged to Belfast. 2

About this time it was customary to make non-residents free, by
merely sending them a ticket to that effect ; and, as a matter of
3
In 1740,
courtesy, the commissioned officers of the garrison.
the resident freemen are said to have been reduced to about 60 ;
and in the following year, we find 120 ticket freemen of this
500

4
place residing in Killultagh.

Records of Carrickfergus.

MSS. Records

of Carrickfergus.

Presbyterian Loyalty.

Records of Carrickfergus.
September, 1741, the Killultagh ticket freemen marched in here
with beat of drum, to poll at an election for a burgess to serve in
This proceeding highly exasperated the resident freemen,
parliament.
and a scuffle took place in the streets between the parties, in which
the Killultagh men were worsted, and had their drum broken.
They,
4

277
i74 2 October n, Willoughby Chaplin, mayor, opened a
court at the quarter sessions, and admitted 170 persons to the
freedom of the corporation; and at an adjournment of the
>

same

he admitted 77 persons, and 17 afterwards.

sessions,

These sessions were dissolved

in January,

1743.'

During

this

court, eight or nine persons, residing in the village of "Strade,

presented" themselves to be made free, but were "objected

against by Several of the freemen, as they did not pay taxes to

Town, which objection was approved of by the mayor, who

this

declared it was his own opinion that they ought not to be

"That part of
admitted, and accordingly they were rejected.'
2
the village of Strade is within the franchises of this Town.'"
'

Willoughby Chaplin, mayor, also admitted a number of

no claims are noticed, and all
3
objections were "determined by the mayor only.''
1744

inhabitants to their freedom

1757
Henry Ellis, mayor, opened a court for the
admission of freemen; but a tumult arising in consequence of
his proceeding to admit some of his tenants from Strade, or
Straid, whom some of the old freemen objected to, on the
alleged ground of non-residence, he adjourned the court to an
adjoining stable, where he admitted the persons who resided on
1

The persons thus

admitted were afterwards called stablemen, and their freedom
Straid

land,

was fully

and a number of

established.

others.

however, polled, and made a considerable majority in favour of Francis

Clements, who was in consequence returned by the sheriffs, Nathaniel
In November, the same year, Robert
Byrt and Robert Chaplin.

Dalway, the unsuccessful candidate, and the resident burgesses and

freemen, petitioned the House of Commons, complaining of an undue
election and return, and against non-resident freemen voting at elections.
The House, after a committee of inquiry had made its report, declared,
and " that ticket
that neither of the candidates were duly elected
freemen made by the mayor of Carrickfergus only, or by the mayor
and sheriffs, without the concurrence of the other constituent parts of
the corporation, have not any right to vote for the electing members
to serve in parliament for the county of the town of Carrickfergus."
Tradition of Old Inhabitants. Journals of the Irish House of Commons.
1
Records of Carrickfergus.
:

2
3
4

Gill's

Gill's

MSS.
MSS.

Tradition of Old Inhabitants.

These persons are said to have been the first who were admitted
from Straid land. This is an error. In June, 1711. eighteen persons
from Straid polled at the election of a mayor, and Thomas Barry and
" Resided within the
David M'Clurgh, freemen, made oath, that they
mears and bounds of the Liberty of the Corporation, as the Meares
and Bounds of the Same were Generally Known and Reden to their
Certain Knowledge's." Records of Carrickfergus.
5

2 7S

1758 Willoughby Chaplin, mayor, admitted a number of

persons to the freedom of this corporation; they were afterwards called oustermen, because the mayor was ousted of the
the late mayor not having been present at the
These freemen underswearing into office of the mayor-elect.
went a strict scrutiny, but were established, because they had

mayoralty,

1
"polled prior to the scrutiny.

Early in 1769, E. D. Wilson, mayor, opened a court, after

and admitted 45 inhabitants to be freemen, who were

night,

afterwards called lanternmen.

They were broke soon

after,

there having been no previous notice for admitting persons to

the right of franchise.
The same year, he opened a court,
after a regular notice, and admitted 413 persons to be freemen.

Hercules Ellis, mayor, opened a court in the

1775
market house, and admitted a number of persons to the
franchises of the corporation, who were called market-housemen;
soon after he also held a court in his parlour, where the freeman's oath was taken by a number of persons. The latter were
called -parlourmen, and, with the others, were disfranchised,
there having been no regular notice given for the admission of
persons entitled.
1780, September, E. D. Wilson, mayor, admitted 55
persons to the freedom of the place ; and the following year
Sir William Kirk, mayor, about the like number.
September.

1787, the latter admitted 263 persons, and in the following

December, E. D. Wilson 195, making a total of 1200 freemen.
At those admissions many were admitted on the claim of being
six months resident, and having paid parish taxes ; all objections
were decided by the mayor.
1802, June, E. D. Wilson, mayor, admitted 487 persons to
be freemen of this place. Soon after an information was filed

against those persons, for not being

custom, and some of them FOOLS.

made freemen

agreeable to
defence being taken,
September, 1803, Sir William Kirk,
they were disfranchised.
166
admitted
persons to be freemen: the fee of
mayor,

No

admission at those times was four shillings and four pence.

1807, July, Xoah Dalway, mayor, admitted 426 persons to
the franchise of the place.
In this court, freemen's sons, sons-

an apprenticeship within
freeholders of this county, and grandsons of

in-law, those serving, or having served

this corporation,
1

Tradition of Old Inhabitants.

279
freemen, by the father's side, were admitted as of right; also
some others by special -favour, being long resident. Freemen's
sons, though not born in wedlock, were also admitted, and some
persons married to daughters of freemen,

An

was made

bom

in a like

manner.

in this court

by several freemen, to
the admission of persons residing on Straid land and Little
Ballymena, which the objectors alleged to be without the
franchises, as the persons, nor lands, paid no taxes to this
A suit was soon after filed in the court of King's
county.
Bench, by the Rev. Edward May, and three other persons,
against such of the above freemen as resided on the disputed
lands, and soon after against the whole of those made at that
time, on the alleged ground, that the mayor and freemen had no
objection

right to admit persons to their freedom, without their first having

memorialed the Assembly to that effect.
This suit was tried in the county of Antrim court, on the
2ist of March, 1810, before baron M'Clelland, and a special
"

that the lands of

jury of said county, who returned a verdict,
Straid and Little Ballymena were without the franchises, though
still belonging to the corporation of Carrickfergus.
The free1

men, residing on those lands, who had been made within seven
years, were accordingly disfranchised
they amounted to about
eighty ; but the right of freemen's sons, and sons-in-law, was
:

fully established.

The

This

suit cost the parties

main

upwards of ^4.600.

of placing the
admission of freemen wholly in the -power of the Assembly.
1809, September, E. D. Wilson, mayor, admitted 16
persons to their freedom, all claiming by right; in August. 1811,
plaintiffs

lost

their

object,

that

and servitude, and in

would have admitted others,
had not the town clerk and his deputy absented themselves, and
carried off the books of entry, on the morning of the i2th, prior
to the mayor-elect being sworn into office.
67.

on

like claims, viz., birth, marriage,

September. 1813, 221 persons.

He

1814, September, the Marquis of Donegall, mayor, opened

a court for the admission of such persons as were legally
entitled to their freedom.
Proceeding to admit some freemen's
1
The great cause of this verdict was the roads and bridges of
The following are
these lands being made by the county of Antrim.
the names of the jury
James Watson, James L. Moor, William
:

Sherman, Robert Williamson, Charles Dickey, Alexander Davison.

Henry Clark, Edward Curtis, James Ferguson, William Williamson,
James Dickey, John M'Cance.

a8o

who

sons

held lands within this corporation, but who, it was

bounds of franchise,

affirmed, were not then residing within the

such a clamour arose against this measure, that he closed the

Only ten were made, none of whom were objected to.
1818,
September, Sir William Kirk, deputy mayor,

court.

admitted 59 persons to the freedom of the place.

Eight of
* was admitted
in court by the freemen, one
by
special favour, the others claimed by right ; two of the latter on

them were elected

the claim of their grandfather having been free, one of them by

his mother's side.

1819, September, the Rev. Richard Dobbs, mayor, held a

court for admitting such persons to be freemen as claimed by
right
only ten were made, all of whom had paid cess to this
:

The freemen now amount

county.

admitted as of right, pay

to

stamp duty

about

800.

others,

^3.

Those

On the 1 2th of September, Sir Arthur Chichester,

1829.
the following strange notice, which was posted
issued
mayor,
on the door of the Market-House. " I hereby give notice, that
a Meeting of the Assembly will be held at the hour of Ten
in the forenoon of Saturday, the Twenty-sixth instant,

o Clock,
at

the Market-House,

in the

said

Town, for the purpose of

considering the Claims of such Persons as have lodged their

Petitions with me, for Admission to the Freedom of this

The said Petitioners are requested to attend on

corporation.
that day, at the above hour, prepared with the necessary proofs
of their respective claims. Dated this twelfth day of September,
1829^ Arthur Chichester, Mayor."
[*

The author of this "History," the

the same day a paper, of which

On

late

Samuel M'Skimin.]

is a copy, was
and though both
posted on the door of the county of Antrim Hall
these papers were in the handwriting of the town-clerk, they were
merely copied by him from others drawn out by a gentleman of the
town, "learned in the law."
" I
hereby give notice, that I will, on Monday the twenty-eighth
instant, at the hour of eleven o'clock in the forenoon, hold a Court
in the Court-House of the said Town, for the purpose of admitting
such of the persons who have lodged Petitions with me to be admitted
to the Freedom of the said Corporation, as shall have been found

the following
;

Arthur Chichester, Mayor.

Dated this i-fth day of
Ent. Adam Cunningham, Town-Clerk."
so
contents
of
these
notices
were
The
very different from any ever
and
issued on the like occasions that they excited no little attention
they were at once viewed as an insidious prelude to destroy the
Freemen, by placing their Right of Admission in the hands of the
Aldermen and Burgesses, who with three exceptions were absentees,
and two of these three under the direct influence of the Marquis of
Donegal), under whose auspices a similar attempt had been made in

entitled

thereto.

September, 1829.

On the 2;th of July, the Marquis of Donegall,

1830.
mayor, opened a court for the admission of Freemen, but a
riot being got up, no persons were admitted by him.
August 27th, Lord Edward Chichester, Deputy
Mayor, opened a court in the street, which was kept open by
adjournment, until 373 persons were admitted to the right of
franchise.
Some of these were minors, a few by special favour,
who were even non-residents; and others were admitted on the
claim of servitude, all of whose claims were false.
1831,

November nth, agreeable

1837,

to public notice,

posted

eight days before, Peter Kirk, Esq., mayor, opened a court for
the admission of persons to the freedom of the Corporation,

no were admitted, all of whom claimed by right; none

All claimants were strictly
were found entitled by servitude.
examined by the court, as also by the Freemen, previous to
when

admission.

1810.
A
the 24th,

numerous meeting

of the Freemen was therefore held on

who entered into spirited resolutions against the projected
and appointed a Committee of seven of their body, " to
innovations
take legal advice as to the proper steps to counteract the said attack
upon their Corporate Rights and Privileges."
Agreeable to the intimation in the first notice, on the a6th the
Mayor and a fe\v members of the Assembly arrived from Belfast, and
immediately after his Worship sent for one of the claimants (a pet),
who he earnestly entreated to submit his claims for admission to the
"
would certainly be approved of." Immediately after
Assembly, as he
his Worship and friends entered the Market-House, where the Sergeants
at Mace called over the names of the Petitioners
but though they were,
Defeated in this grand scheme
mostly, within call, none answered.
the meeting was adjourned to the county of Antrim Hall, followed by
a dense multitude who had remained in the street.
Here the names
of the petitioners were again called over, and they were again requested to submit their claims to the Assembly, but none attended the
call
His Worship was now told that the Freemen saw the drift of
his proceedings, and that no persons should then, nor at any other
time, lay their claims before the Assembly, as the Old Freemen were the
only judges of the claimants for admission, the Assembly having no
After a good deal of noise
right whatever to meddle in their affairs.
and confusion, the court finally broke up, evidently much disappointed,
and in sober sadness the members sought their way to Belfast.
On the a8th, his Worship the Mayor arrived agreeable to his
notice of this date, accompanied by the Sheriffs, and several aldermen
from Belfast, and opened his court in the county of Antrim Hall. On
the names of the Petitioners being called, their claims for admission
were examined by the Freemen his Worship acknowledging the right
claimed, by asking such Freemen as were present, if they were satisfied
that the claimants should be sworn.
Thirty-three persons were in this
manner admitted to the right of franchise, all of whom were at least
twenty-one years of age, were resident, and claimed by right.
;

282

The
freemen

following are some additional notices regarding the

1839, December, Marriott Dalway, Esq., Mayor, opened a

court for admission of freemen, when 131 were enrolled.
1852, July, August, September, the
254 David Legg, Town Clerk.

number admitted were

1858, April, Robert Bowman, Town Clerk, opened a court,

and the number enrolled were 160, many of whom claimed by
birth.

1864, August,

136 were admitted to the freedom of the

corporation.

court,

Robert Bowman,

October,

1865,

and 91 were

Town

Clerk, opened

enrolled.

1873, February ist, Thomas Digby Johns, Town Clerk,

opened a court for the enrolment of freemen, under a commission
from the Lord Lieutenant, dated ist September, 1870. The
number admitted on this occasion was 161. May 24th, Mr.

Johns held a court

in the

Town

Hall, for the examination of

and enrolment of freemen of the borough ;

135 claims were lodged, and 91 admitted.
1876, March nth, Saturday, Thomas Digby Johns, Town
The
Clerk, opened a court for the admission of freemen.
conditions under which applicants claim are birth, marriage and
servitude.
There had been no claims lately under the third
condition.
The oath now was that of allegiance, while the
former one was so solemn, strict, and binding, that many
applicants left the table on hearing it read, and refused to
subscribe it.
The claims lodged were 51; only 39 put in an
appearance, 38 of whom were admitted and one rejected as

the claims, admission,

This

under age.

is

the

first

enrolment ever held in which

agents did not interfere, and this accounts for the

unprecedented smallness of the claims. The Ballot Act was the
political

great change, and a certain portion of the

finding that a vote was now of no commercial
value, could not see the force of paying the fee of admission,
\vhich was only seven shillings in all.

cause

of

the

community,

1878, February 2oth, Mr. Johns, Town Clerk, opened a

for the admission of freemen, when the only person
enrolled was Hugh Cunningham Kelly, Seaview House, Greencourt

island,

who claimed admission by

birth.

July 6th, a court was opened in the Town Hall for the
enrolment of freemen, when the number admitted by Mr. T. D.

Johns was 96.

1880, July 29th, 176 were admitted at this court by Mr.
Johns, Town Clerk; many of whom claimed by marriage.
1883. December ist, a court was opened for the enrolment
of freemen, when on this occasion 56 were admitted by Mr.
Johns.

1884, July 1 2th, Mr. Thomas Digby Johns, Town Clerk,

the Court-house, and opened the last court * for the
admission of freemen, in pursuance of the warrant of the Lord
sat

in

Lieutenant,

directed

to

him for

that

purpose,

in

September,

1870.

In the charter of queen Elizabeth, leave is given to have a

guild of merchants, called "free Merchants of the Staple,"
which in 1593 were restricted by the Assembly to twenty, and

no others were suffered to buy or

The

privileges of this
charter of James I. in the same
10.

under a penalty of
were confirmed by -the
"manner and form," as those of
sell here,

guild

Dublin; and the mayor of the corporation, on going out of

became, the following year, "mayor of the staple." Two
of the burgesses were also chosen annually as wardens, and
called "constables of the staple." May, 1622, a new charter was
office,

granted to those "Staplers," with similar

liberties as those

of the

town of Sligo.
The usual fine paid for admission into this
It is believed to have been continued till the
guild was ;io.
sale of the customs in 1637.
The trades and callings are united in seven guilds ; their
affairs are regulated by a master and two wardens, chosen
annually.
They meet every three months, and dine together at
Christmas, at which time the marquis of Donegall presents each
[*At previous courts each freeman, on his admission, was obliged
Some time ago the
pay a fee of 5/- and i/- for his certificate.
Municipal Commissioners of the Borough abolished the fee, consequently
a large addition to the roll at the present court was expected.
Only
a number very much smaller than usual.
fifty claims were lodged
These
freemen.
of
Thirty-three were admitted to the privileges
in fact it may
privileges have of late years been very much curtailed
be said the only privileges a freeman enjoys at present is the right to
Freemen formerly claimed their
vote for a member for the borough.
right to shares of the Great Commons, but the latter having been
taken by the Commissioners, and let for the benefit of the town, these
rights no longer exist, and all freemen and ratepayers now derive a
to

benefit indirectly, as the revenue goes for the benefit of the corporation.]
1
Lodge's Collections.

284
with two guineas.
The Hammermen trade have long
ceased to accept this gratuity.
This corporation has been often represented as fully under
the influence of the Chichester family; 1 but it is certainly not
trade

However, the
subject to the controul of any family or party.
marquis of Donegall has a very considerable influence, especially
in the

Assembly

and many have free houses* and lands from

Of late years he has

been extending his influence, by dividing his lands here into

him, evidently for electioneering purposes.

smaller portions.

Before taking leave of corporate

affairs

it

may

not be amiss

how

the records are kept, which are so very often

referred to in this work. The chief part of them is lodged in a

to notice

strong oaken chest,

Town

Chest," t

made

which

is

in

1602, and

commonly

for the time being.

It has three locks
one of the keys
by the mayor, and the others by two of the aldermen ; it
:

rarely

opened.

While

the

Commons

continued

"The

called

usually kept in the house of the

to

mayor
is

kept

is

very
a

send

representative to the Assembly, one of the keys was kept by

The remaining records are kept by the town clerk and

them.

the treasurer for the county.

1

Hibernian Magazine, 1784. Anthologia Hibernica, 1793.

[*i834, April 26th, John Mulholland, bailiff, began giving out 96
or 97 notices to quit to the tenants of the Marquis of Donegall \vho
held free grounds and houses from him for electioneering purposes.
There are now no guilds of any kind, and the lands of the
Marquis of Donegall, are, through the late Countess of Shaftesbury,
arl of
daughter of the third Marquis of Donegall, the property of the
Shaftesbury.

The charters, records, and old

t This chest has disappeared.
freeman's roll (which measures 6 inches wide and is the length of the
Town Hall) are, with the latter freeman's roll, kept in the Town Hall.]

HISTORY,

&c,,

OF CARRICKFERGUS.
PART

IV.

of the maritime parts of Ulster by

1182, this district was held by an Irish
chief, called O'Heoghy, surnamed Dunslave, i.e. of the
It is, however, more than probable that he was
mountains. 1
to the conquest

the

PRIOR

English,

merely a vassal, or follower, of the O'Neills,* paramount lords

of the province ; which opinion receives support from its being
formerly claimed by that branch of the O'Neill family who
2

Indeed, the
claims of the Irish chieftains to their former possessions were
invariably revived on every attempt to cast off the yoke of the
resided

at

Castle

Clanboy,

alias

Castlereagh.

invaders ; and they were often so far successful, that for many
centuries the English were rather nominal than real masters of
Ulster.
This is strikingly exemplified in the records of our
corporation, from which it is evident, that though Carrickfergus
was the chief hold of the English in those parts, and the seat of

the governor of a large and populous district of the province,

in
yet, so lately as 1581, some of the Brelion laws were still
force here,
chief

and the inhabitants paid a yearly

who claimed
From several

held,"

and the

the district.

tribute to the Irish

allusions in our records, to lands "auncientlie

appears that the lands in this county were

like, it

These
its inhabitants on their first incorporation.
the
of
the
are
have
obtained
believed
to
patronage
through
they
4
earls of Ulster, who had a royal liberty within the province,
granted to

which we allege to have been Carrickfergus, since

it

was the only

county palatine in Ulster. This opinion is strengthened by the

report of baron Finglas, who, in his Discourse on the Decay
of Ireland, written about 1534, mentions this county as one of
1

Campbell's Strictures.
See page 151-]
Harris's History of the County of Down.
Records of Carrickfergus see page 29 of

|*
2
3

Davies's Historical Tracts.

this

work.

288
the five shires in

formerly belonging to

Ulster,

its

powerful

earls.
Still, from the frequent invasions and intestine commotions,
the extent or bounds of those lands remained long vague and

However, on the suppression of the rebellion raised

Shane
a greater degree of confidence took place, new
O'Neill,
by
grants were made of the escheated lands, and former charters
and deeds confirmed, or renewed in a more ample manner, to
such as had been forward to assist in its suppression.
The
uncertain.

languid

state

of

agriculture

exemplified in the following

about

this

period

is

document taken from our

strikingly
records.

"H. Sydney.
By the L. Deputie.
Whereas the inhabitaunts of Cragfergus hath certayne
Corne growing on the ground besides the said Towne of
Cragfergus, which they and ther adherants hath sowed to ther
no small chardges we comand that no persons of what Estate
degree or condition he or they be of, do not take any part of the
"

said corne without agreeing with the owner, thereof, as for the
and everie one of you. will aunswer at your

contrarie doinge you

extreme

perill.
"

To

geven

all

lovinge

at the

Newry

and singular
subjects

to

the 24th July, 1570.

hir majesties officers, mynesters,

whom in case it shal or may

appertayne, and to the Victaylors, and

and all others, being in Solde."

How

everie of them,

far this order served the interests of the husbandman,

it is, however,
likely that it added to

we cannot now determine;

his security, as soon after we find the corporation expressing a

desire to have their ancient lands laid off within known and

To further their wishes on this head, in autumn,

1594, two accredited persons were dispatched from hence to the
queen, requesting her majesty would order a survey of the lands
certain limits.

to be made, that they might be divided

amongst the inhabitants,

as had been promised during the government of Sir

1
Their request was immediately complied with
Sidney.

Henry
on the

2th October, same year, her majesty ordered the lord deputy to
have the lands surveyed, and soon after the following persons
nominated commissioners by the deputy for that purpose. Sir
1

Geoffery Fenton,

Sir

Edward Moore,

Charles Calthrop. esq.,

Folk Conway, John Dalway, esq.,

Those persons were
Gregory Norton, and Charles Egerton.
Sir Arthur Chichester,

Sir

Records of Carrickfergus.

289

and sett oute by

bounds and limits
of the lands "auncientlie belonging to the corporacon of Carrigfergus."
By this inquisition the corporation was confirmed in
instructed "to view, survey, ly-mite, assigne,
Oathe, of one good and sufficient jurie," the

1
nearly all the lands within its present franchise, also a large
on its north that extended to Gleno, long since totally lost
to it.
On the west were also included the lands of Straid, and

tract

Little

Ballymena,

otherwise

Lisglass,

lately

declared

to

be

As

those lands were formerly within the

as the cause of their being declared without, was

without the franchises.

liberty, and
their occupiers

paying cess and tythe to the parishes of the

county of Antrim, we subjoin a short account how this originally

took place.
Being anciently commonable, and at the extremity
of the parish, the people of the county of Antrim who resided
near their mearing, encroached upon them by grazing their
About 1620, the lands of Little Ballymena were intruded
on by the tenants of William Penry. In 1630, a deed of those

cattle.

encroachments were granted by the corporation for ever, to his

son of the same name, at the yearly rent of ^2. In this deed is

"And it is artickled and agreed by the said

Penry, his heirs, executors, adminasterators, and assigns, and
tenants, of the premises, that they shall do Suitt and Service to
the Courts of this Towne, and corporation of Carrickfergus, and
within the County and Towne, and the county aforesaid, or
the following clause

W.

and all such Cuttings, Taxes, Savings, or other

County Charges, and Impositions, that any other shall pay for
such, or out of like quantity or proportion of Land, valued out
and rated." Some years after, those lands were relinquished by
The most likely cause was the
said Penry, or his heirs.
either of them,

rebellion of 1641-2, which caused such a general poverty here,

we find the few surviving tenants of the corpora-

that soon after

When
tion resigning their lands being unable to pay any rent.
some of those lands were again let, in 1652-3, at about 4d. per
that
acre, the deeds usually provide, that "if it should happen
the said lands are laid Waste by Insurrection or Invasion,'' the
said persons are "not to pay any thing out of the before demised
Be this as it may as to Little Ballymena, in 1698,
premises."
of the
its lands were granted to Charles Crymble, by the name
1
The exceptions are the ancient abbey of St. Francis, the ruined
the hospital of St. Bride, with a
abbey of Goodburn, or Woodburn
with free grazing for the horses of
portion of land belonging to each
;

the garrison.

2O

Inquisition.

290
encroached lands of Ballymena; and in 1708, this deed was
Charles
perfected to him for ever, at the annual rent of ^2.
Crymble, previous to his death in 1756, bequeathed this
property to his son of the same name, who, dying in 1775, left
it

to his grandson Charles, a minor, who, dying in 1797, without

issue, it went, agreeably to the will of his grandfather, to

male

who sold it in 1820.

The encroachments made on Straidland were

his cousin T. B. Adair, esq.,

similar; the
"
"
place frequently mention lands
usurped
from them by the tenants of John Dalway, who resided on their
borders.
In 1635, the Assembly, in order to preserve their

of

records

this

ground from the

like encroachments,

granted a lease of three

commonable lands (about 120 Irish acres), to

William Bashford, Ralph Kilman, and William Cathcart, the
persons who are said to have made the encroachments, by
the title of the encroached lands of Straid. At the expiration of
shares of the

the above lease, these lands were, in 1670, let to Henry Clements
Straid, by the former title, and, 1722, the deeds were

of

perfected to Francis Clements, of same place, and six score

acres adjoining were also granted to him same time both for
at the yearly

ever,

rent of six pounds,

By

English money.

marriage, Straidland, with that adjoining, became the property

of Walterhouse Crymble, and afterwards of his son Edward,

who dying in 1789, bequeathed them to his nephew, Henry C.
1
Ellis, esq.
[now Lord Downshire's].

The
the

oral history of the district says, that formerly,

public

sending his

when

were made and repaired by each farmer

quota of men and horses for a certain number of

roads

days, to work at the same, the holders of those lands residing

in the county of Antrim repaired the roads that ran through

them

and when

cess

came

to be levied in lieu

of labour,

it

was

claimed by the parish of Ballylinney, and continued to be

It is also added, that on the introduction of cess
paid to it.
to repair the roads, such as ran through those lands were for
first

some

years nearly impassable, till their landlord obtained

with the county of Antrim grand jury to get them
repaired by that county ; being refused in Carrickf ergus,
The holders of a few
through some electioneering enmity.
interest

farms profited by. this confusion,

either county.
1

Records of Carrickfergus.

and even yet pay no

cess to

29 I

Tythe of those lands was

in all likelihood claimed

by the

rectors of the parish of Ballynure, as they became arable, on

the ground that the people paid their cess to the county of

Antrim; they are still paid to that rector. A confusion somewhat similar appears on lands adjoining the North East

within the parish or " Tough of Brayde"

the mountains of Orland
island," which was formerly called
1
but the inhabitants
water," pays no rent to this corporation,
Division.

tract

pay both cess and tythe to this county, and have always, without
dispute, enjoyed the right of franchise.
Adjoining the same is
a townland called Crossmary,* 253 perches in length, by 207 in
breadth, held by the marquis of Donegall from Mariot Dalway,
esq. ; the inhabitants pay their tythe to the rector of CarrickThe parishes
fergus, and their cess to the parish of Kilroot.
have no other connection save in the tythe.

The boundaries, as established by the inquisition ordered

by Elizabeth, only continued in force till 1609, in which year an
inquisition was held by order of James I., and by it much lands
on the north and west, that had formerly been confirmed to the
2
Notwithcorporation, were excluded from its jurisdiction.
1

MSS.

In a deed to John Dalway, in 1608, of the lands of Ballynure, is

" And
the following notice respecting the boundaries of this county.
from thence directly between the said Tough of Ballynure, about half
a mile through the Playnes to the Three Stones called Slevjne-Trier ;
and from thence, about one quarter of a mile between the said
Cynnament and the lands of the Corporation of Craigfergus, aforesaid,
a
directly to the Long-stone called Carncain, and from thence about
quarter of a mile between the said Cynnament and the lands of the
Corporation, aforesaid, directly through the middle of a certain moor,
or bog, called Sheskenmaddy, and from thence about half another mile,
between the said Cynnament and the lands aforesaid, directly by the
middle of the head 'of a small river called the Nell River, and from
thence directly to a passage or Foard called Aughonaghavalley , and
from thence to the Long-stone, called Carne-bally-foanc, alias, Carnardthe FoulMidlgn." The Nell River is evidently that stream now "called
The Standingfoard; and the latter Long-stone, is that now called
Stone." In a rent roll of the Corporation of Carrickfergus, dated 1706,
of which
Crossmary is also called the Glen of Ballyhill, the tithes
were then held by this Corporation, who received in lieu the yearly

sum

of sixteen shillings, sterling.

at the present time

[*There are several landlords in Crossmary
Lord Shaftesbury, the representatives of the late Mr. George E. Kirk,
tenants pay tithe to Lord
D.L., and Mr. Edward Rowan Legg. The
Shaftesburv.]
2
In a' Latin copy of this Inquisition are the following exceptions,
A tenement,
not noticed in the English one given in the appendix.
Arthur
value ;s vearly belonging to John Ossop a tenement held by
of Wm. Peirs, annual value, 2s.
a
Bawn
6s.
value,
Starky yearly
near that, intended for a jail, no value mentioned.
a
of
:

piece

ground

292
standing, Straid and Little Ballymena continued still to be the
property of the corporation; and in 1637, we find the Assembly

Richard
to
off
three hundred acres near Gleno,
53,
Shugburgh, rector of this parish, at the yearly rent of
The following were the mearings of the lands granted to him.
"
Which three hundred acres are to begin upon the lands near
Ballywhyllyn. whereon the mill stands ; and so along the Vally
betwixt the highway, and the river of Glenowe. to and towards
a certain dwelling house wherein Donald Magee now inhabits,
and so along the said Vally called the Vally of Glenowe, and
letting

^n

adjoining to or being

upon the Land

called

Carrancale,

or

l
These lands are now the property of lord
Mulloghmorne."
Dungannon [now Baron Hill Trevor's].
Tradition states, that to prevent any encroachment on their
lands, it was formerly customary for the mayor, sheriffs, and

the different incorporated trades, to ride the franchises at least

once every seven years, but the custom has long ceased.
June

1722, the franchises were ridden by John Chaplin, deputy

8th,

mayor; the records furnish no

were again ridden by Henry

In July, 1740, they

This riding was
mayor.

particulars.
Gill,

agreeable to the boundaries established by queen

He rode from the foot of Copeland-water to Beltye.
to the Raven's-rock, and Gleno, alias Johnston' s-ford ; through
Raloo and the village of Straid; from thence in a direct line
strictly

Elizabeth.

to Bruselee- #*//, taking in Straidland, and that part of Little

2
Ballymena that pays rent to the corporation.

The

next riding was in 1768. by the late earl of Donegall.

also rode agreeably to the boundaries of Elizabeth,
mayor.
in
the
same line as ridden by Mr. Gill, touching the
exactly
water-wheel of Gleno corn-mill, and keeping about fifty perches

He

north of the

Standing-stone,

and putting

his

wand of

office

one of the windows of the mansion house of Straid. 3

The last riding was by Sir William Kirk, knt., mayor,
August ist, 1785. His differed much from those noticed, and
into

was neither
Elizabeth
franchise.

mentioned,

conformity to the boundaries established by

James I., yet still remains the acknowledged
For a more full account of the Inquisitions
and the riding of the franchises in 1785, see
in

nor

Appendix No. XX.

1

'

Records of Carrickfergus.
Tradition of Old Inhabitants.
Tradition of Old Inhabitants.

295

The annual

rent * paid

by the corporation to the crown for

and six pence, which sum is paid
Several lots of lands f within the
however, subject to the payment of quit rent. The

their lands, is seven shillings

at the custom house, Belfast.
county-, are,

marquis of Donegall pays yearly 135. 4d. quit rent for

St.

Hospital, with a hall or castle adjoining, as for the

heirs of lord Conway ; and also
2 77! for a lot of ground
Bride's

Lord Blaney pays is. 6d. quit

of ground near his majesty's castle, as
for the heirs of lord Conway; and the marquis of Downshire

called Birketf s-hall, or castle.

rent, annually, for

lot

pays a yearly quit rent of five shillings for 320 acres of land
1
in the North East Division.
We have not learned how those
grounds became subject to the above rents, though doubtless by
forfeiture to the crown, as by quit rent is meant the rent arising
In the Down
out of the forfeitures of the lands in 1641-2. 2
made
in
to
ascertain
the
survey,
1655,
quantity of lands
forfeited to the government by said rebellion,
are marked forfeited, adjoining the

county
stream

and 54

acres, 2 roods,

1 1 1

sea

and 32 perches,

acres in this

and

Silver-

at the foot

of

Copeland-water, a part of which lands were on the east or

all those grounds previously
Kilroot bank of said water
:

belonging to Richard Taaffe, junior,

had removed to Drogheda. 3

(formerly Taaffe's) pay quit

We

who before

the rebellion

do not leam that those lands

rent at present.

rent formerly paid to the crown for these lands was seven
six pence, which sum was paid at the Custom-house,
" Received from the
The following is a copy of the receipt :
town
of
sheriffs
and
of
the
Carrickfergus, by Sir
mayor,
burgesses
Wiiliam Kirk, Knight, the sum of seven shillings and six pence, for
one year's crown rent, due His Majesty the loth of October last, for
I say received the 26th April,
the fee farm of said town
1805.
[*

The

shillings
Belfast.

and

Rent, 75. 6d.

8d.

Fee,
8s.

2 d.

C. SALMON, Col."
record has been kept of the time when the corporation ceased paying
this money, and at the present time His Majesty receives no rent for
these lands.]
St. Bride's Hospital, said
[t Xo rent is now paid for these lands.
to be for the reception of lepers, stood on the east of the road leading
Birkett's Hall, or Castle, stood at the end of High Street,
to Gleno.
near the Court-house, and was taken down in 1775 in order to widen
Lord Shaftesbury is the present owner of
the street at this corner.
the
these lands, a Mrs. Stewart of the plot near the Castle, and
the other lands.]
present Marquis of Downshire
1
Book of Survey, Surveyor General's Office, Dublin.

Xo

Campbell's Strictures.
Down Survev. Records of Carrickfergus.

296

We now

return to the reign of Elizabeth, to show how the

proceeded in the distribution of their lands ;
concerning which we find the following entries in the records
of that time.
"
J
f J u ty> Mr. John Savadge, maior, Richard
595> 7 tn

corporation

Thomas & John Dier, sheriffs, yt was then ordered & agreed
by the consent of the hole Assemblie, that all suche persons
whiche shoulde hereafter be admitted to the Liberties &
Freedome of this corporacon before suche tyme as there weare
a devesian made unto the freemen of Suche Landes as by hir
Majesties Grant and letter appointinge So to be devided
amongst them bearinge date at Nonsuche the i5th October 1594,
That then they & everie of them So made free, if they Shall
clame or desire to have suche proportion of landes as other
freemen of ther like qualitie Should have allotted unto them,
that then they are to pay Suche Somes of mony as other the
freemen have alredie payd in their Sutts for obtainynge the

Same

as the

chardges thereof appearethe in Recorde."

The

names of the persons to whom what is called the first division

of lands was made, with the sum paid by each, to defray the
1
expences of the agents sent to London and Dublin, are as
follows

Whole Shares.
John Savadg

2.

Rycharde Thomas
John Dyer

\.
i.

William Lynsey
William Pyrce
William Dobbin

2.

Thomas Stephenson

2.

James Dobbin

Humpry Johnson

2.

Willm. Underwood

i.

Mychaell Savadg
John Dallwaye

2.

Thomas Wytter

i.

2.

Hugh M'Charne

i.

2,

Thomas M'Manus

Allice

Thomas Wyddow

Halfe Shares.
Robert Wylls & his wife

2.

2.

i.

Roberte Magye
John Longe
John Dishforde

Rycharde Dowdall
John Keppocke

i.

i.

i.
i.

i.
i.

i.

Though this was the first legal, or at least authorised division of

the lands, yet the grounds in or near the town appear to have been
divided, or at least taken possession of by the chief persons of the place,
prior to this time.
April, 1576, we find the following notice in our
Records : " Whosoever shall be made free of this Towne Shall
a
dinner
to the Sayd Towne, and yf he be entered as a
presentlie pay
hole Share to pay besides his dinner
Sterl.
yf he be entered halfe
Share 4osh. Sterl. yf he be entered quarter Share 2osh. Sterl. and
yf any such freeman so made be of greater wealthe, to pay over &
above at the discretion of the maier & Courte."

^4

297

Owen Magye

i.

Rycharde Newton

i.

Quarter Shares
Old Mr. Stephenson
Bryan O'Carr

s.

10.
10.
10.

Jenkyn Wynsloe
Owen O'Chushenan
Farrell Foxe

10.

Gildony O'Kelly

10.

John O'Hanan
Hughe O'Lynne

10.

10.

10.

George Savadg
Phillipp Kelly
Pheleme O'Havran
Tyrloe M'Laughlin

10.
10.
10.

&

Is-

abella Piers, his wife

10.

Roberte Stephenson
Robert Conlan

10.

John Savadg, Oge

William Bathe

10.

Duffe Wylles,
Isabella Sendall

Xy.

10.

10.
alias,

10.

July 6th, 1 60 1, lands were again allotted by the corporation to the

following persons, who paid the sums annexed to
their names
"

\Vhole Shares.
Sir Arthur Chichester

Willm. Ledall
2.

Capt. Gregorie Norton

Mr. Hill
Mr. Birte

2.

Mr. Hooper

i.

Newton

Sheriff

Sheriff

Fathe
Halfe Shares.

Henrie Spearpoint
Dudley Yearworthe
Mighell

Whyte

Rowland Mathews
Walter Hollman

2.
i.

i.

2.

Rychard Butler
Ralf Storie

Thomas Bashford
Willm. Storie
John Thomas
Nicholas Dobbin
Robert Lin don

i.

John Clarcke
Willm. Bathe
Deremed Haines
Willm. Prince
Thomas Gravet

i.

Morgan Woodes

i.

i.

i.

Som. Tot.

xos.

^29

10 o."

In 1603 another division of lands took place, which were

distributed as follows.
"

Number of Quarter Shares.

Sir Arthur Chichester
4.

Bryane O'Carr
William Bath

i.

2.

John Wills'

2.

Tho. Hibbot

4.

4.

Phillip Kelly
Gildony Kelly, and Eliza-

2.

Thomas

2.

Moyses Hill
John Thomas
Willm.

Tubman

Owen Magye

i.

4.
2.

2.

Richard Xewton
Gravott

of Quarter Shares.

2.

Wyddowe Vaughan
Wyddowe Prince
Thomas Stephenson
John Clarke
Walter Holman

Number

Murtagh Woods
Mr. Dalwaye

2.
2.

4.
2.
i.

beth Peirce

2.

Conlan
Captn. Norton

4.

Mr. Byrte

4.

John Savadg
George Savadg

4.

Wyddow

i.

i.

298

Number of Quarter
Edmond Hussy

Number of Quarter Shares.

2.
Rych. Conlan
i.
John Hannyn
2.
Henrie Ochforde
2.
Henrie Spearpoint

Shares.
i.

Mr. Hooper
Willm. Story

4.
2.

Ayles Story
Dudley Yearworth

2.

John M'Carne

2.

Willm. Lydall
Thomas Bashford

2.

2.

2.

Rowland Mathews
Dermott Haynes
Mychall Whyte
Thomas M'Manus

John Scully
Rych. Fath

2.

Rych. Butler

2.

2.

Wyddowe Kane

Willm. Long
Henrie Thomson

2.
i.

Mr, Dobbin
Nicholas Dobbin

Sendall

i.

Farrel Foxe

Robert Lyndon

2.

John Magye

i.

John Lugg
Rychd. Beaumont
Willm. Savidg
Mr. Johnson

2.

Thomas Wytter.

2.

2.

Sydney Russel
James Savadg
John Cappoch

2.

Wydowe

2.

2.

4.

"Lands granted by the Corporacene

2.
2.

2.

4.
2.
i.

2.
2.

in regard of Service

&

above their shares.

Partyes following, over
Mr. Johnson 60 achres ; to Mr. Lougg 40 achres ; to Mr.

done, to these

To

2.

Lyndon
Alice

achres.

60 achres.

Woodburn

More

Moyses Hill, in right of his wife

Captn. Roger Langford, on the west of
to

river in lieu of his

Soon

aforesaid 4 Shares."

porcone or Share of the lands

lands were also granted to

after,

Robert Elice, and others. 1

October 28th, 1606, it was agreed that the lands west of
Woodburn river, below the Knockogh, should be divided, for

which purpose they were laid out into ten lots, eight of which
contained four aldermen's whole shares, each ; the others three
like shares each.

The

in breadth, extending

great lots varied

from the sea

from 66

to 68 perches

to the base of the

Knockogh

Above the lands of the

ancient abbey of Woodburn, lay

the share of Capt. Langford, just noticed ; the first lot laid off
meared with them, the others inclining still more westward. 2
hill.

Number of Quarter Shares.

4.
Capt. R. Longford
Sr. Arthur Chichester
4.

"

Records of Carrickfergus.
Records of Carrickfergus.

Number

of Quarter Shares.

Clement Ford

2.

John Longg

?.

2og

X umber

Number

of Quarter Shares.

John Savadg
John ScullyGeorge Savadg
William Savadg
John Hannyne

Rowland Mathews
James Bradye
^ Bryan O'Carr

Henry Thomson
James Savadg

Wyddowe

Wm.

of Quarter Shares.

John Plunkett
Robert Elice
XJCaptn. Norton
1 James Byrte

4.

Sendall

Story

Thos. Cooper
Willm. Long
Robert Lyndon

Robert Magye
^John M'Carne
JlMr.

Dallwye

4-

J Rich. Newton
rt

T?;^K

2.

T?ofK

2.

The

Lo. Bishop
Thos. Hibbotts

2.

Jenkin Winslowe

Wyddowe Conlan
Humfry Johnson

4.

Thos. Walsh
John Clarke

J.

Magye, of the Gat,

I.

Patrick

2.

Long
Wyddowe Vaughan
Wyddowe Baymond
Jasper Happer

I.
I.

2.
2.

2.

Thos Gravott

2.

Phillip Kelly

2.

2.

Rich. O Kane
Patrick Flynne
Sydney Russel

2.

Walter Holman
Leonard Gale
Henry Ochford

John Hooper
Thos. Stephenson
Farrel Foxe

John Magye

Tubman
Edmond Hussey

Willm.

Thomas Wytter

I.

Gildony Kelly

I.

Moyses Hill

4-

Willm. Lyddall
Thos. Bashford
Richard Conlan
Henrie Spearpoint
Dudley Yeareworth

2.
2.

2.
2.
2.
2.

2.

Rych. Butler
John Wills

2.
2.

Dermot Haynes

Christopher Doran
extent

2.

Morgan Woods

Thomas M'Manus
Owen Magye

John Redworth
John Thomas
John Conlan
Margrett Dobbin
Nich. Dobbin

The

2.

2.

of

ground

here

called

an

alderman

or

burgess's whole, half, or quarter share, appears to have been

varied accordingly to the nature of the soil, and also at the
different times

of

its

being laid out.

the lands in the country,

On

the

a whole share was

division of
102 perches in

first

and 99 perches in breadth; and half and quarter shares

due proportion. These, however, were rarely, if ever, in an
entire lot, consisting of a number of detached portions of about
Afterwards we find a whole share of the
9 or 10 acres each.
length,

in

Records of Carrickfergus.

300
lands varying from 200 to 600 perches in length, and from 19^
No regular
39 perches in breadth, usually the latter.

to

the lands was then noticed ; that

North East Division, is merely called "the
lands between Glenarm highway and Copeland water ;'' the
Middle Division is said to be "the lands between Glenarm way
and the river of Woodburn;" and the West Division named
divisions or

now

entitled

distinctions of

the

West of Woodburn ;" at present, part of said

on the east bank of the river of Woodburn.
Within the town 84 feet fronting any of the streets, were
called an alderman's whole share; 42 feet half a share; and 21
feet a quarter share, to extend back so far as not to encroach on
lands

"the

Division

is

any share

laid out.

The deeds granted

as above are mostly for 61 years, and

when some whole shares were sold a few years after, they were
called 40 acres, and when near the town, they were sold at the
same number of pounds: the leases commonly begin with the
"
To all Good Christian people, greeting in
following preamble
our Lord God everlasting, know Ye that We the Maior,'' &:c.
In many of them is a clause that the lessees are not to mortgage
and that
or sell for more than 21 years, save to the mayor, &c.
they are to have free grazing on the commons and the number
Where the
of cattle to be thus grazed is mostly specified.
it
is
sub-division
now
division
or
are,
present
bye-roads
"
there is always to be left and reserved a
mentioned, that
:

highway for the use of all people who are Corporators,

and joining." There is also a clause to "entrench & enclose the
in
same lands at the discretion of the maior and burgesses
some of the deeds the breadth and width (5 feet broad by 4
deep,) of such enclosures are named, and the number of years
within which it is to be perfected, or in default, the persons are
to forfeit a certain sum of money annually, till the same is
"
by vertue of the
completed. These grants commonly end with
In 1607-8, lands were
Gift and Grant of Queen Elizabeth."
2
also granted to a number of persons on the like terms.
The grants here enumerated included the greater part of
Several
those lands then deemed capable of being made arable.
lots however were not accepted by the persons to whom they
were laid out, and soon after we find them granted to others.
About the same time many also sold their right to their share
sufficient

''

Records of Carrickfergus.
Records of Carrickfergus.

for mere trifles, especially in the West Division: the shares of

the following persons were bought
by Sir Arthur Chichester:

Thomas
Johnson,

John Hooper, Clement Ford, Humphrey

Thomas Welsh. Moses Hill, William Long, William
Richard Hampson, Widow Byrt, Michael White, the
Stevenson,

Taaffe,
lands laid off to the
in all to

769

new grant
'

land

Lord Bishop, and

acres, of

in his

several others, amounting

which Sir Arthur afterwards obtained a

own name

for ever, by the

name of

Lettice-

[Scoutbush and the adjoining lands].

Soon after, the corporation began to let off large lots of

what was then called the "commonable lands." To Sir Arthur
Chichester they granted from the Deer's-lane to the ford of
Bruselee; and April 12, 1607, the grounds of the great and
little Knockogh were let off to
John Savage, Clement Ford,
Walter Hillman, and Richard Conlin, for 61 years.
Soon
after,

the

three

first

persons

sold

their

shares

to

John
January 1653,
renewal of this lease in his own name, on the back of which was
written the following clause
"It is meant that as long as ther
Dwelleth any Inhabitants either at the Tongue, Duncrew, or
Carnrasy, and payeth rent unto the town and Corporation ;
That then and during the same time Notwithstanding any Wars
or Invasions the party within mentioned shall pay and discharge
the annual Rent, within expressed."
Conlin's share is yet held
Willoughby, and

Andrew Willoughby had a

in

by

his heirs.

1616.
Division,

Thomas Cooper was granted 150

now called the Nine score acres; and

acres,

in

West

1620, and

1635. the lands of Straid and Little Ballymena were let off as
already noticed. In April. 1636, the grounds of Ardboley, and

Bally lagan, were

first let off in lots of 40 acres, at 4d per acre;

April, 1652, their owners being all dead, they were
granted to Roger Lyndon, with three shares of 40 acres each,
near Loughmorne, that had formerly belonged to Christopher

and

in

Northward of
Forde, John Edgar, and Edward Johnston.
those lands, mearing with Magheramorne. were 250 acres of
commonable lands that had been let a short time before to

Mathew Johnson, Richard Spearpoint, Thomas O'Cahan, John

In 1685, these lands, being
Parks, and Thomas Whitager.
waste, were

let

to

John Dalway.

To Edmund Davys was

granted part of the lands of

were
leased about same time
which
80
acres
of
Seskinamaddy.
1652.

Records of Carrickfcrgus.

302

John Bullworthy; and in 1661, those of Slieve-true, called

358 acres, were granted to Roger Lyndon, at the yearly rent of

to

10.'

portion said to contain 1500 acres, consisting chiefly of

part of each division, was set apart for

mountainous

the

commonage of grazing and turbary

but for many years very

;
progress appears to have been made in agriculture; as
Sir William Petty, in 1655, states the county to contain only

little

2
165 acres, 2 roods, 32 perches, of profitable ground, by which
he probably meant that part deemed capable of being made

arable.

Though

the above

commons

are called

1500

acres,

much
numerous encroachments made upon them.
The
real contents

at this

time are believed to be

less,

their

from

right

of

grazing on those grounds is confined to resident freemen ; but

the turbary has been always cut promiscuously by persons
residing within the franchises.
By custom, a person occupying
a plot of this turbary for three years, it is considered to be his
property not occupying for three years forfeits such property.
:

September

26th,

1747,

it

was agreed

at

a meeting of the

corporation, that those lands should be let off, save 200 acres
reserved for turbary but on the 24th of the following October,
this
resolution was rescinded. 3
September pth, 1754, the
:

commonalty agreed that they should be mostly let

Macartney, Belfast, because he had supported

off to

William

their claim to

; but the mayor suddenly adjourned the court.

and thus defeated the intention of the freemen. 4
Indeed, from those grounds the mass of the body corporate
receives no advantage whatever.
Even those who live on their

elect the burgesses

mearings are
the landlords

than might be reasonably expected

property adjoining, setting their lands

less benefited

who have

high, in proportion as the tenants are likely to be benefited bycommonage. Besides, the grounds are always overstocked with

so much that many prefer paying for grazing elsewhere,

In some
rather than have their cattle stinted in their growth.

cattle,

places there is excellent grazing, with traces in many parts of

ditches and regular ridges, evidently capable of being again
brought under cultivation. Let us hope that the crooked policy
1

3
'

Records of Carrickfergus.

MSS.

Lambeth Library.

Records of Carrickfergus.

'Gill's

MSS.

33
of keeping lands
that they may be

in such a state
let off,

and

may

and
good of

speedily disappear:

their rents applied for the

the community.
August i8th, 1808, several plots of commonable grounds, by the different road sides, were let off to the

who held lands adjoining. Noah Dalway,

Marquis of Downshire, Henry C. Ellis, Sir William Kirk,
Misses Lyndons, Misses Shaw, James D. Wilson, and James

following persons

From the rents arising out of the entire lands, the

different officers of the corporation are paid their salaries, and

Addison.

the Assembly can apply the surplus to any public use that
Its exthey think fit, for the benefit of the corporation.
penditure has generally met the approbation of the public; but

when lands or tenements are out of lease, if the tenant is on

good terms with the Assembly, he is certain of a good bargain.
The lands* are said to amount to 9,500 Irish acres; and in
2
For a list of the tenants
1793, the valued rent was ,51 54of the corporation in 1674, 1731, and 1722, see Appendix, No.

XXI.
The
during

air

of this district

winter;

but

is

whether

at all times variable, especially

so

much

so

as

render

to

it

particularly distinguished from the adjoining maritime country,

we cannot determine, as no registry of the weather is kept.

Westerly winds are the highest and most general at all seasons,
and the coldest winds are invariably from the north-east.
Frosts are rarely of long duration, and snows seldom remain
long on that part near the shore, while the high lands often
continue for weeks to exhibit all the chilling features of winter.
ridge of high ground runs the entire length of the parish,

beginning on the east

at Duff's-hill,

and terminating nearly west

to time taken place on

resident burgesses and
freemen complaining loudly to the Assembly of" the like but though
In September, 1811, the like
redress was promised, none took place.
but
complaints were made, and a list made out of 106 encroachments
after a good deal of fudge, and an expence to the corporation of
business
one person was ejected in 1812, and the
of
1

these

Numerous encroachments have from time

Commons. June, 1777, \ve find the

upwards

ended

^100,
encroachments have

Several

been

made

since.

Records

of

Carrickfergus.
in a
[*The lands of the Commons were let in 1867, and brought
rental at that time of over ;6oo, on the security of which the
Commissioners obtained a Government loan to construct a new harbour.
For some particulars regarding these lands see pages 112, 114, also

New

Appendix.]
1

MSS.

Records of Carrickfergus.

34
by south with the Ree-hill. Near this extremity is Slieve-true,
summit of which rises to the height of about uoo feet above
the adjoining bay, and is the highest ground in the parish. The
view from this hill in a clear day is remarkably fine
in the
distance are seen part of the mountains of Argyle, Wigton, and
Ayr shires, the Isles of Arran and Mann, mountains of Mourne,
part of the town of Belfast and adjoining bay, and the fine
A large
shelving country from Castlereagh to Donaghadee.
tract of the county of Antrim is likewise seen ; Loughneagh,
the town of Antrim, and several mountains in the counties of
Derry and Tyrone.
A little south-east of the above hill, is another, detached
from the ridge, called Knockogh, anciently Knocksciagh, i.e.
the

the hill of the white thorn

growing beneath

its

a considerable quantity of that plant

is finely infracted, and here and

brow, which

This

there covered with natural shrubs.

hill rises

903

feet

above

the prospect from its top has been also much admired,
embracing a bird's-eye view of the bay and adjacent shores ;
the bay

and the ground near

its

base being pretty

as to resemble a bowling-green,
Beneath its south-east brow

Trooperland, from

is

level,

appears so

flat

a tract of ground called the

being formerly used as pasturage for the

It contains about 125 acres,
horses attached to the garrison.
its

and since dragoons ceased to be regularly quartered here, has

been always held by this corporation.
The following brief
notices respecting these grounds, are taken from the records of
this place.

3oth, 1728, the corporation were required by

to
fence, drain, and repair the roads to those lands,
government
which they refused, as it was without any precedent.
April,

October

11771, two troops of dragoons were ordered here to take

possession of them, but the Assembly refused to give them up.
May, 1772, a like demand was made by General Gisborne, but
the Assembly replied, that the lands were the property of the

corporation, and belonged to them by charter, and had only

been allowed by indulgence to the troops while quartered in this
The House of Commons ordered the charter of
garrison.
to

Carrickfergus

be

laid

before

them,

and

the

Assembly

instructed the recorder to take defence, the expense to be paid by

we learn no more of this business. Since
their treasurer
:

1793, the grounds have been subject to cess and tythe, as other
lands of the parish formerly, a field containing 3 acres and 34
:

305
perches, was held by the
called the Dean's meadow.

rector

instead of tythe;

it

is

still

The soil of this district possesses a considerable

diversity,
especially along the shore, in which tract is found brown ochre,
brick clay, potter's clay, pipe clay, or light blue
clay, and deep
blue clay
the latter is found beneath a submarine
peat-bog ;
strata of brick clay, and deep and light blue
clay, are also
found within the sea mark. In boring a few years ago to find
:

water for a

pump within the town, the workmen sunk to the

1
80
of
feet without finding sufficient water; the strata
depth
were alternately a stiff yellow clay, and gypsum, or alabaster.
In sinking a pump in the country, above a mile from the town,
on an elevated situation, at the depth of 50 feet, the strata were
same as just noticed ; nor has any boring been ever made SD
deep, in searching for coals in any part of the coast between
Lisburn and Glenarm, as to penetrate these strata of clay which
contain the gypsum ; so that we are as yet unacquainted with the
the

rock upon which they repose, by any direct observation, but

there are reasons to believe that graywache slate is the funda-

* is found near the

town, and
Pipe clay
a
considerable
formerly
quantity was exported to England, and
to a pottery at Rostrevor; 1 but it has long ceased to be an
mental

article

stratum.

of export.
the lands

As

extend from the shore northward, they

gradually become calcerous, resting on a white chalky limestone.
The chief exception is in the north-west part of the West

where the soil is argillaceous, or of a light moory

and generally incumbent on strata of trapp, or gravel.
Near the northern extremity of the other Divisions are also some
tracts reposing on a similar basis, several parts of which appear
Division,

nature,

to preclude all improvement.

The different kinds of

stone observed, are, ist, basalt,

2d, limestone of
green stone, and all the modifications of trapp
two kinds ; the fundamental stratum grey, and graduating into
:

the other white, and in reality indurated chalk,

Those flints are
with gun flints, grey, red, and black.
contained only in the whitish limestone; those observed in the

sandstone
filled

northern branch of
if

Woodburn

river,

are generally shivered, as

they had undergone some operation by

Hill,

fire.

[*This pipe clay was supposed to have been found at Windmill

now the property of Joseph M'Caughen, Esq., J.P.]
1

Harris's History of the County of

21

Down.

306

The

basalt * makes

appearance along the shore, the entire

is most visible opposite the West
Divison, and is generally lost in the sea beyond low water mark.
Greyish sandstone is also found in similar situations ; in some
places its grain is very compact, and it is then called freestone.
Sandstone nearly similar to the above, but rather of a bluish
colour, is also found in the banks of Woodburn river, especially
on the southern branch, about two English miles from the town
.

its

extent of the coast, but

it

In it are imbedded various marine shells,

of Carrickfergus.
some of which are utterly unknown to the writer amongst them
have been observed Ostrea Crista galli, Gryphaea in curva,
:

Corbula complanata, with some species of Terebratulae, hitherto

The sea urchin (Echinus
only found in a fossil state.
coronalis), called the horse elf-stone, is also found in the same
with

the Trochus,

place:

its

whorls turned contrary to those

found on our shore the I sis asteria, or star-stone, is likewise

found here.
Several species of Ammonites, vulgarly called
snake-stones, are likewise found imbedded in the same manner ;
and those tapering substances called Belemites. Several shells
of the pecten kind are found in a fossil state, and numerous
fragments of a shell that has been alleged to be the Pinna
marina.
Zeolite of a dead white colour is observed in many
the nodules vary from one fourth of an inch to nearly
places
an inch in thickness, and are rarely an ounce in weight. This
fossil is composed of argillaceous, siliceous, and calcareous
Its most remarkable
earths, with a large quantity of water.
property is, that it forms a gelatinous mixture in the course of a
few hours, with any of the mineral acids (most readily with
in the fire, it swells, and parts with its water of
spirit of nitre)
a
property from which it derives its name. It is
crystallization,
alleged to arise from the decomposition of volcanic products,
:

[* At the Irish Hill, Straid, which was formerly within the liberty,
valuable deposits of iron ore and bauxite (alum clay) were discovered
by the late George G. Blackwell, of Liverpool, and the late Alexander
Sutherland, of Carrickfergus and Larne. The alum clay occurs in the
form of seams lying between sheets of tertiary basalt in County
This deposit of bauxite is one of the most valuable in the
Antrim.
For
world, and contains upwards of 57 per cent of valuable alumina.
the past 30 years large quantities of bauxite have been exported to
Kngland, Scotland, and" the United Kingdom. Mr. Blackwell was one
of the first authorities on minerals in the United Kingdom, and it
\vas owing to his exertions that this valuable product was developed
and exported in such large quantities.
At Boneybefore, a number of years ago, Potter's clay or Fuller's
arth was raised and exported by Mr. Blackwell to Liverpool.]
<

in places

whose fires have been

long since extinguished ; it
abounds in Iceland, in the Isle of Bourbon, in the
irregular
basalt of the Giant's
Causeway, and in most districts of the
1

-county of Antrim.

The southern brow of the Great Knockogh exhibits in

several places irregular basalt.
This is most strikingly seen on
.the south-east
part, where the basalt forms the summit in the
manner of layers, the north-east end
like
massy wedges.

Beneath those

is

usually terminating
a stratum of that loose kind of

friable trapp rock, called

by geologists amygdaloid, intermixed

always with nodules, or thin layers of zeolite: steatite, and
sometimes calcareous spar.
Curved and waving lines of this
kind, run in the fissures of the rocks.
Under the amygdaloid is
again the basalt (but not in wedges), resting on limestone. The
base on which the white lime rests, is
always, as far as has been
observed, the grey lime formerly mentioned, and the sandstone.
In the most easterly brow of this hill, about 600 feet above the
level of our bay, is a stratum of soft,
greenish earth, supposed

to be a marine

soil,

in

which are found

petrified fossil shells,

such as already mentioned at Woodburn.

The green earth is

very peculiar; it was examined by the blow-pipe, with care, by
that admirable man, Smithson Tennant, late professor of
Chemistry at Cambridge, who conceived it to be identical with
the green earth of Verona.

He

did not determine what the

colouring principle of this earth or sand consisted of, but he

ascertained that it did not arise either from Iron or copper, as

had been previously imagined by superficial observers. The

stratum on which the white lime almost always rests, is called by
the quarry men Mulatto; the colour of which is found to depend

upon an intermixture of the green earth. A similar earth is also

observed on the northern branch of Woodburn river.
The ruin which is progressively taking place, even on the
Vast
rocks of our mountains, is strikingly visible at this hill.
heaps of the rocks that once formed its rugged pinnacles, have
yielded to the extremes of the seasons, and have formed minor
at

hills

its

base,

motion, to "cast

thus proving that nature is ever busily in

figures in another mould."

new

Trials were formerly

made

for coal * in several parts of the

Hamilton's Letters on the County of Antrim.

In August, 1852, the then Marquis of Downshire, anxious to
made trial borings in
-develop the mineral resources of the county,
At Duncruc, to the north-west of
-search of coal near Carrickfergus.
1

f*

and according to tradition, some were discovered ; but as

none were presented to public inspection, it is believed this
report was unfounded.
Limestone is found in many parts ; when burned, it iscommonly sold from is. id. to is. 4d. per barrel. In the
commonable grounds of the Middle and North East Divisions,
parish,

raised promiscuously by all those who are freemen.

Three kinds of gypsum, or alabaster, are found here, viz.
granular, fibrous, and laminated; they are found between high
and low water mark, along the whole extent of the coast. The
veins are irregular, varying generally from one fourth of an
inch to about one foot and a half in thickness
it is found in
indurated clay, which is regularly stratified, the strata dipping
That found in the bluish clay is of a whitish
south-west.
colour, that in the red clay of a reddish colour; the former is
most esteemed, and is sold at a higher price than the latter. The
1
*
gypsum is raised by all those who choose, and for at least nine
months of the year, gives employment to a considerable number
of persons ; it is mostly taken to Belfast and exported. Of late
2 to 125. per ton.
years the price has varied from
Opposite the ruins of an old barrack, Irish quarter, on
digging in the strand at low water, about thirty perches from
the shore, is found a stratum of peat, in which are found
imbedded the trunks and leaves of trees, and hazel nuts. The
trees are alder, sallow, and hazel, mostly the two last, and lie
north-east and south-west.
On most of these the common moss
or fog still adheres, among which is found the shell of the
it

is

common

snail.

Some of

this

timber

is

in a petrified state

the

petrifaction
very hard and white, and seems to begin at the
Those parts that still remain
centre, and branch into veins.
is

wood, are often perforated by the razor-fish, solen vagina. The

shells of the nuts are commonly entire, and unchanged.
Some
are transparent, and of a crystal or greenish colour, resembling

common window

glass

others are brownish,

found on the adjacent beach.

the to\vn, rock salt, not coal, was
In December, below the stratum
the borers came on a stratum of
[* The raising of gypsum or

many

The

like

petrifaction

the pebbles
of the nuts

struck at 600 feet from the surface.

upwards of 100 feet thick,

of salt,
coal.]

alabaster has been

discontinued

for

years.]

Several notices have been given by the mayor to cease raising

In 1821, the Assembly offered to let off
alabaster but without effect.
the alabaster of the district, but there were no proposals.
1

have been formed from the circumference to the

many that we have seen, the outside was almost

to

appears

centre, as, in

completely encrusted, while the inner was hollow.

Some notice
of these nuts has been printed in the transactions of the
Geological Society of London.

The stratum of peat in which those are found, is commonly

but a few inches from the surface, and varies from six inches to
Some of this
thirty in depth ; the stratum beneath is blue clay.
when dried and burned, emitted a

peat,

bluish flame,

and had a

disagreeable smell, resembling sulphur. Where the peat is firm

.and compact, nuts are found, but not
when the peat
petrified
is soft and broken, at least one half of the nuts found are
petrified, or partly so,

and many of them are

filled

with pure

.semi-transparent carbonate of lime, as if the kernals had been

Peat, timber, and nuts, are found on digging in
petrified.

several places of the opposite shore, from Hollywood to Bangor,

but neither in the least degree petrified:
the soil is not
calcareous.

The

peat, being found in such a situation, offers a wide

of speculation to the naturalist, and is the more curious, as
no peat is found near the town, save a small stratum that is
field

seen about a quarter of a mile from the shore, in the bed of

Woodburn river, above w^hich are at least five feet of gravelly
earih.
Some have alleged that the peat and trees were driven

down

by some great convulsion, and afterwards

This opinion appears
of this bay.
it
that
seems
more
the
sea, which has been
extravagant
likely
at
some
distant period
this
has
on
coast,
always encroaching
the

settled

Lagan

river

the

creeks

in

covered a peat bog at this place, the softness of which rendered

it more
easy to be washed away, and has now left the present
stratum.

This hypothesis receives support from the following fact.

east and west of the town the sea is from four to six feet
deep each tide, where, within memory, were houses and gardens ;
and opposite where the nuts are found, the encroachments of the
Several lots of ground,
*ea have been very considerable.
formerly let off by the corporation, have been carried away ; one

Both

of which extended near 200 yards from the present shore. A

little south-west of this town the sea is carrying away a piece of

ground, the substratum of which is composed of stones smoothed

the stones have the appearance of those seen in the
;

t>y friction

3io
bed of Woodburn river. Within our memory, roads,* and even
parts of fields beyond them, have been washed away by the sea r
and embankments and walls raised to protect others, which seem
destined ere long to share a similar fate.
The mineral waters of this parish, though not numerous,
afford considerable variety.
Adjoining the eastern part of the

town, in the bed of a small

water,

name

river, is

a well of purging nitrous

commonly called Miss Spaight's well, from a lady of that

having caused an arch to be erected over it for its-

preservation. This arch has fallen down, and the well is nearly
lost by the river flowing over it during floods.
During an
of
about
the
its
waters
were used
epidemic
dysentery
year 1741-2,

with success,

when made

into a posset with milk. 1

Dr. Rutty,
History of the Mineral Waters of Ireland, has distinguished this well with peculiar commendation, and given itsanalyzation in his work, from which it appears that calcareous
in

his

predominant salt, with which is combined "marine

some limestone, and a little sulphur." In the spring of
1786, when a violent flux prevailed here, it is also said to have

nitre is the
salt,

been useful to numbers. 2

On a rising ground, about one mile east of this spring, and"

about the same distance from the sea, in a stiff yellow clay soil r
is a, spring of salt water, said to be the only saline spring in
Ireland

the taste of

its

water

is

exactly that of a solution of

gallon of water from this spring yielded two

ounces and thirty-six grains of sediment ; so that it is nearly of
salt

water.

the

same

strength

as

Lymington

and

Harrowgate

waters.

[*A number of years ago a piece of low-lying ground at tlieentrance to the town, called Gallow's Green, was to be let this ground
was continually getting less by the action of the tide. Notices were
put up asking for proposals for the lands, on condition that they
Two proposals
should be enclosed by a battery for their protection.
;

were received, one by Lord Donegall, from the late Mr. Torrens and
The former
the other by the late Mr. Thomas Greer, Seapark.
proposal stated that Lord Donegall was the owner of the land adjoining
the roadway along the front of the sea near to the ground in question,
Mr. Greer
8 IDS., and to build a battery.
for which he offered
his offer was accepted, but,
8, and build a battery
proposed to pay
for reasons best known to himself, refused to build the proposed battery,,
This transaction resulted in a loss to the town
or to accept the lease.
;

James Logan, in Carrickfergus Advertiser.

lands are almost washed away, and a considerable amount
of county cess has been paid to protect the roadway in that place.]
1
Rutty on the Mineral Waters of Ireland.
1
Belfast News-Letter, 1786.
"
Ruttv on the Mineral Waters of Ireland.

of nearly

The

.200.

3"
About 80 years ago, an attempt was made to discover rock salt *
1
here, but the design was abandoned without a fair trial.
Near the west bank of Loughmourne is a spring of
sulphureous chalybeate water, once in great repute for curing
various diseases, great numbers having resorted to it during
summer, and tents being frequently pitched near it for entertainment.
is

However,

it

has long since

now a mere puddle, though

retain their

former

qualities.

It

to

was

good name, and

appearance its waters

lost its

all
first

brought into notice in

173I-

Riductd /n>m GrtmUli

The lough t

Colliia'i

"Crttt

liritai*',

Caaftif

or bay of Carrickfergus

Pilot," I

is

believed to be the

salt was discovered on the property of the then

[* In August, 1852,
made for coal. For
Marquis of Downshire when search was being
some particulars of the different mines, see New Appendix.]

MSS.

Gill's

London Gentleman's Magazine.

In connection with the defences of Belfast Lough,

[t 1889.
of a fort,
at Kilroot Point, a site was laid off for the erection
of Duffern
a similar site of three acres was given by the late Marquis
when
side, and the forts
and Ava at Greypoint, on the County
constructed will completely command the entrance to Belfast Lough.
The defence of the Lough in this way has been talked of since t
i

Mav,

Down

312
1

Vinderius of Ptolemy, and is both safe and commodious.

Its
breadth at the entrance is about seven English miles,
reckoning

from Blackhead, county of Antrim, to Cross, or Light-house

one of the Copeland isles, 2 near Donaghadee; the depth

isle,

removal, about 1885, of the submarine mines which were connected with
Carrickfergus Castle. Three maxim guns will be placed at Kilroot and
three at Greypoint.
Since the above was noted, twenty years ago, no
further effort has been made to complete the defences of the Lough.
In the Castle Gardens Battery the guns are lying awaiting the time
when the government may think fit to complete the forts.
The tender of Messrs. Henry Laverty & Sons, Belfast, for the
building of a battery at Kilroot Point, Belfast Lough, for the defence
of the Lough, has been accepted by the War Department, October,
1909.]

[The illustration of the Government Survey of Carrickfergus Bay is

reduced from the one given in Captain Grenville Collin's " Coasting
Pilot."
He commanded His Majesty's yacht the " Mary."
The only other Government Survey of the Bay was made by
Captain Beechey, R.N., who had the honour of piloting the late
Queen Victoria to the Belfast Harbour, in 1849.]
1
Harris's History of the County of Down. Ware's Antiquities.
2
The Copeland isles are situated on the south side of this bay, and
take their name from an English family called Copeland, who settled
on the adjoining coast in the latter end of the i2th century. A townland opposite, in Down, is still called Ballycopeland.
These isles are
three in number, and known by the following names
Big isle, Cross,
or Lighthouse isle, and Maw, or Mew isle
the latter is named from
the number of sea-mews or gulls which resort upon it.
The islands
are considered to be in the parish of Bangor, county of Down
the
inhabitants worship at Donaghadee.
and
is
to
have
been
called
believed
Neddrum,
anciently
Big isle
contains about 220 acres of land, mostly arable, let at ^,1 10 per acre,
and is well watered the chief produce is corn, barley, potatoes, and
flax.
The barley is of an excellent quality, and this year ten tons
were exported. The soil is a stiff yellow clay, resting on graywache
Their chief fuel is peat
slate, mixed in some places with quartz.
Some kelp is made during summer.
brought from the Down shore.
On the west is a small bay called Chapel bay, from some vestiges of a
church being there here the inhabitants bury such dead bodies as are
In 1743,
cast on shore:
they bury their own dead on the mainland.
:

1811, eight dwelling houses and 51

In the last 21 years
inhabitants: at present they amount to near 100.
February i4th, 1810, Mary
only ii persons died, and 70 were born.
Strahan, an inhabitant, died on this isle, aged 105 years; she had spun
There is a schoolmaster on
flax till within a few days of her death.
this island who has 28 scholars, for each of which he receives 5d. per
this isle contained six families; in

week.
Cross, or Light-house isle, contains about 30 acres, and is rented
by the government for keeping a light-house upon it a great part of
In 1742, it contained one family, and in 1811, two
the land is arable.
Larks are often found dead here in
families, or fifteen inhabitants.
considerable numbers, being killed by flying at night against the LightThe dry measure in these islands is called the Hoggart, and
house.
;

contains ten bushels.

Mew

it
lies
formerly called Goose isle, is not inhabited
rocky, covered with a light stratum of earth. In September,
contained 16 head of thriving young horned cattle.

low, and
1811,

it

isle,

is

3*3
of the water between those places varies from 12 to 14 fathoms
the tide sets in from the north.
From the entrance it narrows
and grows shallow by degrees. Opposite the town of Carrick:

it is about five miles in breadth, and from six to seven

fathoms water in mid channel, narrowing pretty gradually to
the Long bridge, Belfast, which may be said to be its termina-

fergus

though the tide flows considerably above said bridge.

this bay is a ridge of black
rocks, called the Briggs, which run out about 400 yards; they
are always covered at high water ; at their northern extremity
On the north side of the bay, near the
is a large buoy.
entrance, about a mile off the shore, is a reef of rocks called in
some charts the North Briggs, but commonly the Clachans. At
a little distance they resemble an irregular hamlet they are
Their name is probably derived from the
covered each tide.
Between the Big
Erse, clachan, signifying the stone circle.
isle, one of the Copeland isles, and Donaghadee, is also a
tion,

Near the southern entrance of

dangerous rock called the Deputy, on which are about nine

feet water at low ebb.
About a mile south-west of Carrickfergus quay, is a sandbank,* nearly a mile in length, on which are about eight feet
water at ebb.
The Speedwell, a Scotch ship, was wrecked on
1
January i3th, 1789.
during the reign of king William III.
during a storm, the Savage sloop of war drifted upon it, and

it

to the abbey of Bangor, on the

of the abbey, they were granted,
to Sir James Hamilton, to hold by

Those islands anciently belonged

Down

coast.

On

November

the

dissolution

27th, 1612, by James I.,

castles of Dublin and Carrickfergus.
They became
60
afterwards the property of James Ross, Portavo, when they paid
fealty

from the

At present they belong to David Ker, esq., Portavo.

yearly rent.
Notes
Harris's History of the County of Down.
Lodge's Peerage.
taken by the Author on the spot, in 1811.*
[*For some further particulars regarding the Copeland Islands,
see

New

Appendix.]
is simply
[*In 1905, 60,000 tons of "Carrickfergus gravel," which
the trade name for the class of sand required for mixing with the
concrete and the other departments of work indispensable to track
for use in the Belfast Tramway
laying, were raised from this sandbank,
Works, the track being relaid, and the horses being replaced by
The powerful suction dredger Triton proceeded every tide,
electricity.
raised in two hours
day and" night, to the sand bank; 600 tons being
and a half. A jetty was erected at the North Twin Island, to which
of
the dredger was moored, and the sand pumped into an enclosed area
between four and five acres, which had been temporarily acquired by
i
the contractor.
Owing to the scarcity of water, there being only 3
fathoms at low tide, two journeys only were made in the flay, bringing
back 600 tons each time.]
1
Harris's Historv of the County of Down.

3H
received considerable damage; and in the winter of
1799, the
William, of Maryport, a coal brig, struck upon it, and was
lost
the crew were saved.
The above are the only vessels
known to have suffered materially upon it, though several others

have grounded.
All sea weed growing or cast on shore within this countyis the
property of the corporation, and was formerly let off by
the Assembly.
May, 1741, we find Willoughby Chaplin taking
a lease for seven years, of all wreck, or tangle, growing or cast
on shore within the franchise, at the yearly rent of ^3 5. In
the following year James Carr, cooper, Edengrenny, opposed
the right of the corporation, but they entered a suit against him,

and he

ws

defeated. 1

For many years

past, the corporation

have relinquished their claim, each person taking what

cast on shore opposite his property.

may be

About two miles and a half north of the town of Carricka lake of fresh water called Loughmorne,* literally
It covers about 60 Irish
Loughmor, i.e., the great lough.

fergus

is

acres of land; very little water runs into it, but a stream runs
out which turns a cotton mill in the driest season. The greatest
length is about an Irish mile, and, at a mean, near half a mile

broad

it

is

altitude

like

said to be the largest sheet of fresh water of the

in Ireland, being 566 feet above the level of

Its water is supposed to be formed by a

Carrickfergus bay.
large spring near its centre, as there is no appearance of any
This opinion is somewhat confirmed
rising near its margin.

from a place near the centre being seldom frozen during winter,
and said to be remarkably deep. The water is clear, and well
1

Records of Carrickfergus.
[*This lough is situated 596 feet above high sea level, and was
sold in 1881 to the Belfast Water Commissioners, an Act of Parliament
having been obtained by them. This stream formerly turned the mill
now known as Taylor's. When the Commissioners took over the lake
they proceeded to drain it, thus revealing the remains of five crannoges,
which were at that time investigated by the Belfast Naturalists' Field
During the
Club, and some implements of stone and iron found.
drought of the summer of 1901 the water was again lowered, and
Mr. G. E. Reilly, Woodburn, made further search amongst the cairns
of stone surrounding the wooden piles, which at one time supported
the ancient lake dwellings, with the result of finding some fine
specimens of bronze ornaments. Many other little things were found,
but the most interesting is the remains of a smelting-pot, made of a
was
composition of lime and bone ashes. The remains of a female elk
found some years ago, and the canoe now preserved in the Belfast

Museum. This is the second complete canoe

several fragments of others have been found.]

found at Loughmorne

stored with eels

and pike;

we know of no

other fish being in

about forty years ago, but
none were ever taken. During winter it is much frequented by
wild fowl; and though a fine sheet of water, its beauty is

Some carp were put

it.

nearly

lost,

as

its

into

it

shores are entirely destitute of planting.

this lough, there is the following
that it was once a large town, when one

Concerning the origin of

vulgar tradition

evening an old
being refused in

man came into it requesting a

"
many houses, he said, although

would be a lough ere morn" and

lodging; and
it was a town

an adjacent
were
soon
alarmed
people
by the ground sinking, and eels rising about their hearth stones,
when lo in an instant the town sunk, " and like the baseless
The tradition
fabric of a vision, left not a wreck behind."
adds, that since that event, the place has been called Lough-

then,

it

witness the coming event.

hill to

retired to

The

inorne.

About forty perches from the western bank of this lough,

a glen called Lignaca. literally, Luiggnaca, i.e., the misty
pool'; into which a small river falls, forming a fine cascade.

is

This stream, after running a few perches in the glen, enters

the ground amongst limestone, and is lost ; but it is said to
rise about a mile and a half south from where it is lost, at a
place called Sulla-tober. perhaps properly, Sallagh-tober, i.e.,
the Sallow well.
It is. however, evident, that if it is Lignaca

water that

rises here,

it

must receive an additional supply

in

progress, as the quantity issuing from Sulla-tober considerDuring winter,

ably exceeds that entering at the former place.

its

or in floods, the subterraneous funnel above Sulla-tober

unable to vent the water on

its

passage

thither,

and

it

is

often

then often

with great force through the crevices of the limestone

Several attempts have been made to ascertain
whether Lignaca * and Sulla-tober waters really communicated,

rises

thereabouts.

but without success.

On

Saturday, 22nd Juno, 1907, James M'CulIough, of James

Sons, Ltd., emptied into Lignaca 10 Ibs. of oil of peppermint,
to see if the water which came out at Sullatober was really the water
from Lignaca. Mr. G. Klliot, of Sullatober Bleach and Print Works
Co., Ltd., took samples of the water every two hours on Saturday
and Sunday, up to 8 o'clock p.m., and found no trace, but on Monday
morning, at 7 o'clock, he telephoned to Mr. Pirrie, Managing Director
of James Taylor & Sons, Ltd., to say that it had arrived, and could bo
traced all over the works.
Samples of the water were taken out of
the boiling well and submitted to Mr. Robert Barklie, Government
Analyst, and the result of the analysis was that the water undoubtedlycontained "oil of peppermint."]
[*

Taylor

&

The rivers and streams of this country are numerous, but

none of them of considerable magnitude:
they are, however,
of great importance to
society, most of them being rendered
useful instruments to assist

human industry, and made, as

were, to toil in the different manufactories of this place.

it

Woodburn,* alias Wud-burn, i.e., the mad river, 1 is the most

remarkable, both for its size and beauty; probably possessing
as much natural and delightful
stream in Ulster.
scenery as
any

It rises

from

several springs in the western

part of the county,
consists of two branches, the southern one of which was

and

formerly called the Tang, or Tongue river; the other

Altcnackle: these unite about a mile and a half from the
[*

These rivers and glens are now the property of the Belfast
extensive reservoirs were constructed in
in 1874 further extensions were made.

Water Commissioners. In 1865

the district of Woodburn, and
All the

waters of these streams are collected

in

large reservoirs,

the

number of million gallons which they contain are

Doris Land, 66
Lower Woodburn (South), 107
Middle Woodburn, 460
Upper
Woodburn, 367; North Woodburn, 81
Loughmourne, 444, and
:

Copeland, 133. The water from Carrickfergus to Belfast is conveyed

through a conduit of brickwork nine miles in length.
Under the Belfast Water Act, 1899, about 519 acres in the townland of Commons, 380 acres in the townland of Middle Division, and
998 acres in the townland of West Division have been acquired by
the Belfast City and District Water Commissioners.
These lands all
drain into the reservoirs from which the surrounding districts and a
Almost all
large part of the City of Belfast arc supplied with water.
the farmhouses and buildings have been levelled.
In the townland of
Commons 28 tenants were disposed of their farms, and the Aldoo
National School
was also acquired, the schoolmaster receiving
In the Middle Division 24 tenants were
compensation for his loss.
The names of the
disposed, and in the West Division 68 tenants.
landlords from whom the tenants held their lands were
Earl of
Shaftesbury, Marquis of Donegall,
Marquis of Downshire, Lord
Blaney, Baron Hill Trevor, Captain W. F. E. Massey, Urban Council
of Carrickfergus, Marriott Robert Dalway, Edward Rowan Legg,
Davys Duncan Wilson, George Edmonstone Kirk, Mrs. Susan O'Rorke,
and Austin Cornwall. Landlords and tenants in all cases have received
Since 1882 Carrickfergus has a free supply of 40,000
compensation.
gallons of water per day from the Belfast Water Commissioners.
The western glen, a romantic and picturesque gorge, is now easy
of access by the path which the Commissioners have made, and the
A number of years
bridge and step ladders which they have put up.
ago access could only be had to the cascades by wading up the stream,
bushes.
These falls,
in
the
sides
and
by
rocky
overhanging
closely shut
like many others in the country, are due to the step-like character of
the alternations of the harder and softer beds of the great basaltic
plateau, from whence these rocks have derived the designation of
"
" from
In many cases dykes penetrating the
trappe, a stair.
trap
softer beds have given their character to our local falls, and also
produced the sudden turns and windings to which the streams owe
:

their picturesqueness.]
1

Gill's

MSS.

The

scenery of both is truly charming, their banks being

places covered with a profusion of natural shrubbery,
and each have a fine cascade, with several lesser ones. That

town.
in

many

in the

falling

northern branch

is

down a ledge of

particularly picturesque; the stream

infracted rocks, whose summits are

clad with shrubs, entwined with the clambering ivy.

The sheet of water at either cascades is not very large,
and consequently does not send forth that stunning noise which

renders some rather disagreeable.

It is, to use the words of a
"
learned author,
a uniform murmur, such as composes the mind
to pensive meditation

"

and

stealing at last

of the quiet vale/' falls into the bay a

town.
In

its

course from the cascades

it

little

"

along the mazes

north-west of the

turns * two large cotton

two extensive cotton printfields with water, and

and flax mill at the town. Being a
mountain stream, after heavy rains or thaws it rises very
June 27th, 1747,
considerably, and runs with great rapidity.
a man called Andrew Craig was drowned crossing it at its

mills, supplies

also turns a flour, corn,

upper bridge, during a

flood.

August

5th,

1810,

it

rose so

suddenly, after a water-spout which fell on the Commons, that

it carried off
a number of cows which were grazing on its
banks.
None of the cattle were drowned, being all cast on
the holmes, or bottoms.
Orland water takes

its

rise

from Loughmorne, and taking

an easterly course, is soon after taken off, and turns a corn

and cotton mill. Scotch quarter.
Sulla-tober river takes its rise about one mile and a half
north of the town of Carrickfergus, from beneath limestone,

and keeping a southern course, supplies a cotton printfield with

water, and assisting to turn a cotton mill, empties itself into the
sea.

Scotch quarter.

Silver

and

stream,

The other streams are Copeland

Red river; none of these

the

water,

require

particular notice.

Black trout, white trout, parr, eels, and stickle-back, are

found in all of those streams; young salmon also ascend some
of them, particularly Woodburn. for the purpose of brooding
but from the havoc made on them in ascending, their numbers
:

all waters are the property of the Belfast Water

[* Not now
Commissioners, and the cotton mills and printfields have given place to
and spinning mills.]
print, bleach and dye works
;

3'S

now inconsiderable. The flounder is also sometimes tak^n

Woodburn river; and the dologhan is occasionally taken
during autumn, in the Red river.
The corporation are proprietors of the fishery of all the

are
in

rivers within their liberties,

Chaplin

which

in

1705 they

in the records is the following

"

let off

to

memorandum on

John
this

2th February, 1705, ordered, that John Chaplin,

burgess, have a deed from the town of the salmon fishery, from
Boneybefore to the Coneybery point, paying yearly sixpence,
1

subject.

and to Mr. Mayor, Recorder, Sheriffs, and Town-clerk, two

salmon each, yearly, and to every burgess one, when caught."
A piece of ground was also granted same time to him, for the
purpose of drying his

nets,

without any additional

cost.

Though the country is now without any planting that can

be called a wood, there still remain evident traces of its having
had

such, where it is believed no trees would grow at present.

In the peat bogs of the Commons and Ardboley, oak, fir,

sallow,

and hazel

On

of hazel nuts.
traces of

There

fire

are frequently dug up, with quantities

the trunks of the two former are often visible

trees

the heads of the trees usually

lie

south-west.

no tradition respecting the formation of those bogs,

or the timber found in them ; they have probably remained
is

there since the general deluge.

The natural wood and shrubs

observed

are,

oak.

hazel,

Crack Willow, (Salix fragilis;) Common Sallow. (Salix

eaprea;) Grey Willow, (Salix aquatica; ) Holly. (Ilex; ) Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Whin (Ulex Suropaeus;) Native whin, or
Furz; Common Heath, or Heather; Ling, (Erica citicrca; )
yrtilBuckey -briar, (Rosa arvensis;) Blaeberry, (Vacciniam
lum;) Blackberry, Dogberry, Raspberry, Honey-suckle, and
ash,

vy.

Viewed from the shore near the town, the country presents
an agreeable landscape, from the numerous enclosures, plantings,
The
gentlemen's seats, villages, hamlets, and farm houses.
principal seats are, Prospect, the seat of Henry C. Ellis, esq. ;
Thornfield. the seat of Peter Kirk, esq. ; Burleigh-hill, the seat
of the late George Burleigh, esq. ; St. Catherines, the seat of

William D. Burleigh, esq., and Oakfield, the seat of the Rev.

John Dobbs. Near the latter is Glynn Park, a highly improved

On the shore is Seathe property of James Craig, esq.

park, the beautiful seat of William Stewart, esq. ; and near
it on a rising ground, Scout-bush, the mansion of James Craig,
villa,

3'9
esq.

There are also several other places

highly improved, as

Woodville, or Boley-house, Farmhill, North-Lodge, &c. [1839].*

The villages and hamlets are all of modern date; of the
former are Edengrenny, or Eden;
Boneybefore, and ReillysIn 1821, Edengrenny contained
town, or Clipperstown.
34

Of hamlets, are Fairdwelling houses, and Boneybefore 23.

view, Woodburn, Torytown, and Gallows-row.
Until 1798,
Torytown was called the Wren's egg, from a large stone near

THE THREE SISTERS.

it; and Gallows-row received

of the former Gallows. t

its

name from being near

the site

Many
comfortable
tenants.

of the farm houses present an appearance

:

they

Where

are

all

kept

in

repair

truly-

by the occupying

the tenants are under indulgent landlords, the

[* Since the above period mentioned, many of the houses have

been sold, and are now occupied by different gentlemen. Thornfield is
the property of (. K. Kirk, Esq., D.L., J.P., a grandson of the late
Peter Kirk, Esq., M.P.
Other seats in the neighbourhood are
"Rhanbuoy," built in 1856, by Robert Bowman, Esq., then " Town
DunClerk, now the property of J. H. Lepper, Esq., B.A., B.L.
loskin," Milebush, built by the Rev. Hammond Dawson, who died
in 1874, leaving the property to his wife for life, and afterwards to
his niece, Mrs. Anna Medici Echlin, wife of John Godfrey Echlin, Esq.,
"of Ardquin, Portaferry, Co. Down, the present owner.
"T^osganna
about 1876 the late William Higgin, son of the late Bishop Higgin,
He had been
of Derry, built the house at Kilroot named Rosganna.
in the flax spinning industry, and on retiring from that business he
Mr. Higgin died
and his son erected the Avoniol Distillery, Belfast.
" was built in
"Castle Rocklands
October iqth, 1901.
187*. by the
it is now the property of W. A. Woodside,
late Rev. James Warwick
"Orlands," Kilroot, was built by J. B. Lyons, father of
Esq., J.P.
:

320
houses are mostly neat, and in decent repair; where the reverse
is the case,
they are wretched hovels.

has been observed, that " the civilization of a country is

best known by the state of its public roads;"* In this particular,
It

considerable progress has lately been made.

New

bridges have

W. H. H. Lyons, Esq., sold to Archer's, who were printers and

paper merchants in Belfast. James Logan afterwards became proprietor
with the intention of converting it into a hydropathic establishment,
with brine and other baths.
In 1901 the Most Rev. Dr. Henry,
Roman Catholic Lord Bishop of Down and Connor, purchased Orlands,
with its grounds of 140 acres, and commenced building operations in
order to convert it into a convalescent home, and to extend the scheme
" Villa
over the grounds on the
System for the reception of Consumptives," who are now treated on the open-air principle known as the
Nordrach system. The " Barn," built by James Cowan, Esq., father
of the late Mrs. J. K. Riddell, the well-known novelist, who was born
"
"
there.
Bessfield,
formerly the home of the Bashfords, restored by
R. J. Porter, solicitor, and many others which have been built within
these seventy years.]
1
August 2gth, 1819, the old gallows, being no longer required, was
sold by public auction, and brought 53. lod. !
" Gallows Green " was at one time of considerable
extent,
[t The
and was formerly commonable land. At the present time it is being
washed away by the tide its memory is still cherished by the natives,
who derive considerable pleasure in pointing out to visitors that portion
"
" old
of the beach where the
gallows
stood.]
[* Before the passing of the Local Government (Ireland) Act the
maintenance of the roads and footpaths was under the control of the
Grand Jury, and the cost was met by a rate for cess ; but the cleansing
was undertaken by the Town Commissioners, and paid for out of
Previous to the acquisition of rating powers the
the Borough income.
amount of money available for cleansing was small. Such a state of
Under the Local Government Act the County
affairs has now passed.
Council are trustees of all roads, but, by arrangement, the maintenance
may be undertaken by Urban Councils in their own districts. In
addition, the County Council may declare certain roads "main roads,"
and in that case half of the cost of same for maintenance, sweeping,
Within the past seventy
watering, &c., is contributed by the county.
;

In 1852 the
years many changes and improvements have been made.
In 1855-6 the shore
turnpike at the Copeland water was removed.
road from Carrickfergus to Larne was constructed, Sir Charles Lanyon,
A number of years after the road starting at Prospect,
engineer.
was
running north to what is known as the new road, near Duncrue,
made. In 1887 the Monkstown road, between the Knockagh and County
first
In
the
1903
Mearing, and in the same year the Gobbins road.
were completed at a cost of
granolithic footpaths in North Street
Board
of Works,
the
from
of
loan
,1,200,
260; and in 1907 a further
was obtained to construct other new granolithic footpaths in the town
In 1900, .5,800 was obtained as a loan from the
and quarters.
Board of Works, and a new sewerage scheme completed.
P. E. Deane, the contractor for the
1903, September 18, Mr.
new granolithic pavement in North Street, found, while excavating
several lengths of old wooden
opposite the First Presbyterian Church,
The pipes
for conveying water to the town.
pipes, used at one time
They were bound with
were 'made of oak and very neatly bored.
were well fitted and filled with
wrought-iron bands, and the joints

puddle clay.]

3 2I

and others widened; footpaths made, hills lowered;

by the road sides filled up. The first footpaths
were made in 1809.
About 90 years ago there were only a
few wooden bridges, and persons here were granted lands to
keep them in repair few of the roads were then gravelled, and
those in many instances only about two yards wide.
Goods
were usually conveyed in sacks or bags on horse-back.
All houses and lands within this county are subject to
parish and county cess, which is applotted on a valuation of
been

built,

and

gullies

made in 1793. The inequality of those applotments has been for some years a matter of complaint, and,
about three years ago, persons were appointed at the quarter
sessions to make out a new key, or valuation of the properties ;

the properties

but this design was never carried into execution.

1739, the
70; in 1770, .118 3 2\;
county cess was somewhat less than

10 8;

,311

1818,

included.

the collector's

fees,

9d.

per pound,

not

Formerly there were two applotters of the county cess for

the town, and two for each division, appointed yearly by the
2
at present only two are [were]
quarter session grand jury:
appointed in like manner. The parish cess is [was] commonly
it the streets of
applotted by the church wardens, and from
the town and quarters are [were] repaired.
The assessed taxes of the parish for the year ending 5th
and for the year
January, 1818, amounted to ^1244 10 8,
In 1816, the value
Z6i
1821,
7
9^.
January,
5th
ending
of stamps sold in the stamp office in this town, amounted to

.71437;
.366
,241

13

in l8l 7> to

62 7 2 9

Amount of

4.

in 1819, to

revenue,

by

^485

tanyards,

>

in l821
in

'

1821,

Amount of
1822, ^461 13 9^.
the
at
distilled
distillery
of
revenue paid and quantity
spirits
.15,184
duty
here in the annexed years
gallons,
1819, 50,970
16 3; 1820, 5,059 gallons, duty .1,507 3 a|; 1821, 16,560
gallons, duty .4-933 I0
5

10.

By

licenses in

Records of Carrickfergus.

December Qth, the County of the Town of Carnckfergus.

in the Larne
which comprised the Carrickfergus Electoral Division
was valued bv the Guardians
Union, exclusive of the Commons,
laid
[Link]
the
18,676 7 s. 6d., on [Link]
Valuator at the sum of
"*
to
TV*,778 3 s
a rate of lod. per pound, which amounted
was
31,72* i. .which
valuation of houses and lands in ,901^
Valuation of Urban District.
included the townland of Commons.
f* 1842

1909.

8,820 155.
Gill's

MSS.

Inhabited houses, 1,820; uninhabited, 258.]

322

The lands of

this county are all let by the Irish acre; the

granted by the Assembly have been generally for 99
years.
Formerly the leases granted by the different landholders
were for 61 years, or 41 years or three lives; and, as such

leases

leases expire,

the landholders are adopting the plan of short

for 21 years and one life, or 31 years and one

commonly

leases,
life.

many farms were wrought

Anciently
exists

still

worked

in

[existed] in
this way.

the

in rundale,

Middle Division, which

and one
is

[was]

As such leases expired, the landlords

in the new leases, which forbade this

a clause
This
practice.
prohibition served the cause of agriculture and
industry, and likewise prevented many petty quarrels that arose
out of this pernicious practice.
introduced

During the late war, land rapidly advanced in value: on

the fall of leases the rents were mostly doubled, and in some
instances trebled.

Its

farms for which

fines

value

is

now

retrograding fast, so that

were cheerfully paid on the renewal of

time deemed of little more than half the

the leases, are at this

value of the present rents.

Town

parks are not included in

^4

to
j per acre,
they are usually let from
and good ground for setting potatoes, is often let off by the
to .13 per acre
square perch (without manure) from

this statement

^8

[1839-]

The
though

Many

it

agriculture of this county is still generally imperfect,

1
has been much improved within the last twenty years.

tracts,

previously covered with rushes, whins, or heath,

have been reclaimed into arable land, or planted with ornamental

or forest trees, which now add not a little to the general
appearance of the country.
Farms of arable land commonly vary from 10 to 40
acres ; but in the mountainous tracts, where the inhabitants rear
young cattle, or take them in as grazers, the farms are often

much

larger.

In the

interior

of the parish, the fences are either made

In 1800, a farming society was formed, composed of the landed

gentlemen resident in the to%vn and neighbourhood, who offered rewards
for the best crops, cattle, and the like
its
meetings were soon
:

discontinued.*
[*In October, 1842, the County of the Town of Carrickfergus and
Kilroot Agricultural Society's first cattle show was held in Mr.
Burnett's distillery yard, now markets.
This show was held annually
until the formation of the North-East Agricultural Society in Belfast,
when the show was discontinued.]

323

with earth sods, or what

termed the dry stone wall or ditch;

is

pretty generally the former.

made up of

usually

earth,

Near the town, the inclosures are

faced at the base with stone, and

planted with white thorn ; their rear with ash, fir, or other trees.
The former fences in the vicinity of the town were the broad

bank of great breadth, overgrown with

whins and blackberry brambles, which took up the space of
from three to four common ridges of ground. These have been
mostly removed, and replaced by a narrower ditch and bank,
such as just described.

ditch, with high earthen

The

crops cultivated are wheat, barley, oats, flax, and

Of the first very little is sown, oats being the general

potatoes.

the kinds sown are Blantyre, Poland, and potato oats.

Angus-shire, and a kind called American oats, were sown by
some persons a few years ago, but they are now nearly laid

crop:

aside, being less productive

oats

are most

esteemed

than either of the former.

farmers sow

the

Potato

from fourteen to

fifteen pecks on the acre ; and from fourteen pecks eight bolls
have been produced, each boll containing ten bushels. In 1810.
a field of these oats sold by auction at ^25
per acre; and

the purchaser was said to have

had a

fair remuneration for his

trouble.

Blantyre

is

still

sown by many, and is rather on the incommonly eighteen pecks, or nine

is mostly sown in April, and the

crease: the quantity sown is

*
bushels per acre.
Barley

crops are generally productive.

Of
its

sown; that produced is esteemed for

and improves much on its yarn being boiled. It is,

flax very little is

quality,

however, alleged, that at least one half of that

the parish

is

brought from Belfast.

The

now used

within

uncertainty of the

crop from bad seed, and the difficulty of getting proper ground
for sowing it, have produced a great decline in the cultivation
of this most useful plant.
The potato crops are generally good; especially on the
heavy grounds near the town. In setting, that called the lazy-

bed t way is generally adhered to, very few being set in

by the plough for though the quantity produced by the
:

bolls

[*At the present time barley

are not used as measures

common

is

in

very rarely grown, and pecks or

the cwt. being the
the district
;

measure.]

[tThe

lazy-bed system of planting potatoes

on very retentive

soil.]

drills

latter

is

now

obsolete, except

3-'4

mode

is often most abundant, their

quality is usually indifferent,,
This has been
being soft, or hollow within ; perhaps both.

from improper management, the drills being

too deep, thus giving too much moisture to the root.
persons therefore prefer a mixed mode for potatoes,

made

said to arise

Many
viz.

ploughing and harrowing the ground previous to spreading the

manure. These are always set in ridges, and taking them on an

The
average, as to quantity and quality, are the best crop.
breadth of the ridges is usually about three to the perch,
including furrows.
The planting of potatoes begins about the end of March^
and continues till June; generally from the middle of April
till the same date in May ; and the raising time from about
We can makr
the 1 2th of October till the end of November.
no remarks on the kinds planted, nor their produce, they are sovarious, and called by so many names.
Change of seed from
to
and
from
to
light
light, is deemed useful.
heavy soil,
heavy
It has been observed that those kinds brought from Scotland
have been very productive.
* are
This
Turnips
rarely sown as winter food for cattle.
believed
to
be
retarded
the
is
much
practice
by
plunderings of

From

nightly depredators.

the

same cause

neither beans nor

peas are sown.

The-general rotation! of crops

the lazy-bed manner over the
after this process they
oats
:

two or three years

season after the oats.

There

ist,

potatoes planted in
;
3d, oats ; 4th,
the land to lie

or set potatoes on
In the former case it is often so

in a state

exhausted as for the

is.

dung 2d, oats

commonly permit

first

of

lea.

season to produce

little

it

the

much

but weeds.

however, occasional exceptions to the above; as when

sown with wheat or flax, or laid down for meadow.

are,

a part is
Prices of ploughing}; and harrowing, when performed near
in the interior of the parish,
2 per acre
the town, are about
:

where the land

is

light,

about half that sum.

Sea-wreck, or sea-weed, is much used as a manure by those

who live near the shore, and is esteemed a powerful
It is often spread on the grounds as
invigorator of the soil.

farmers

brought

from the sea

manure meadows

to

but

Turnips arc now very extensively grown.]

At present the usual rotation of crops is: ist,
and 4th, upland hay.]
3rd, oats
potatoes or turnips
or week.]
[t Ploughmen arc engaged by the day

the

most

f*

[t

oats;

2nd.

325

approved method
it

letting

to

is

mix

potatoes are set

way,

if

The

late

it

manure, and
Unless used in this

in layers with other

a heap to ferment and

lie in

upon

it,

rot.

the quality

is

very inferior.

Mr. John Campbell was the first person here who used
.sea-weed as a manure; he also first introduced the use of cow
in a like way, about 1740, prior to which time it was
usually carried to the sea mark to be washed away, or suffered
to remain in heaps on vacant ground.

dung

Lime *
is

is

spreading

likewise used as a

it

manure ; the most general way

in this manner from

over the lea in autumn

eight to fourteen score barrels per acre is the common quantity.

It is then deemed best to let it lie for two or three years after,

without breaking

up the

soil by either the spade or plough.

with other manure for setting potatoes on ;
in either case three or four good crops of oats are successively

Some however mix

it

taken.

Common
stables,

half.

higher.

manure, or that gathered from streets, roads, or

has advanced much in price of late years ; perhaps one

It

now sells from lod. to is. 3d. per load, and sometimes
Some is annually exported from our quay to the west

of Scotland, and north of England.

The plough! now in common use is that called the Scotch
plough, usually drawn by two horses, sometimes without any
-driver.
This plough was first introduced about twenty-two
Some, however, still work with what is called the
years ago.
Irish plough, a very clumsy implement, drawn by three or four
About sixty years ago this plough was
horses with one driver.
The
four
or six horses, with two drivers.
usually drawn by
2 10 to ^3.
usual price of the Scotch plough is from

That called the Scotch cart is in general use near the town.
was first introduced about the same period as the Scotch
In the country,
6 to ;io.
plough: the usual price is from
It

the

common wheel

their price is

from

car

^3

is

to

preferred, with iron axle-trees

^5. Ninety years ago there were

still

at the period mentioned, about 50

[* Lime is less used than
barrels per acre is generally applied.]
machines for the saving of
[+ Within the past seventy years many
The chilled or digging plough, drawn
labour have been introduced.

have a threshing
by two horses, is now used, and many farmers
also a reaper and
machine, which has taken the place of the flail
binder, a machine for churning, and now a machine for milking
At the
cows and a potato digger have been put on the market.
present time nearly every farmer has a spring vehicle.]
;

only two wheel cars within this parish, and neither chaise nor
gig ; the slide car, which has now nearly disappeared, being
the only vehicle of conveyance used in this way.
Much of the
farmers' carriage was performed by loads on horseback.
The meadows are mostly natural, and clothed with the

common
notice

among which

grasses,

Dr.

by

Richardson.

the fiorin, first brought into

Manuring with sea-weed is the
is

common mode used

for their improvement

it
is laid on in
September or October. Irrigation is also used by a few, and,
as far as has been observed, with complete success.
Some
hay-seeds are also sown; chiefly those called rye-grass, and
white hay-seed.
Clover-seed is likewise sown; but the quantity
:

The
is usually sown with grass-seed or flax.
preferred ; as, in pulling the flax, the ground is
loosened, which gives the clover more room to spring up.
Hay
and straw, when not sold in the rick by lump, is usually sold
is

very limited, and

latter

mode

is

by the truss :* twelve score of pounds weight of the former is

deemed a truss, and nine score of the latter. Straw is sometimes sold by the threave, that is, the straw of two shocks of
corn.

There is no planting of fruit trees that can be properly

an orchard.
There are, however, some gardens and
patches so planted ; and from their being pretty productive,

called

there

is little

doubt of ample success under proper management.

for planting and inclosures is becoming

within the last twenty years many thousands of

more

taste

common ;

young

have been planted in clumps and screens near the different

gentlemen's seats
they are rarely registered, as the planters
generally hold their lands from the corporation.

trees

The following rates of wages f have been paid in the

annexed years by the farmers.
Men Servants' wages per year, with diet, ^3 8 3
1755.
Mowing, per day, with

diet.

without

Cutting turf, with diet,

without diet,

diet,

009
004
o

[* The truss and the threave are rarelv spoken of in the district
hay, straw and flax at the present time are sold by the cwt.]
[t The wages paid by farmers to their men servants are no\v
20 to
25 per year, with diet.
Mowing, per day, with diet, 2/6;
without diet, 3/6. Setting or raising potatoes, with diet, 2/6; without
Women servants are paid 8 to 12 per year, with diet.J
diet, 3/-.
,-

32

Reaping, with

diet,

without

6^

o
Setting or raising potatoes, with diet,
without diet, ...
o
cow's grazing, same price as in 1811.
[1909, ^3.]
81 1.
Men Servants' wages, with diet, ^12 to
13

4"
6

8^

diet,

A
1

Women

Servants'

wages, with diet, 3 to

Mowing, per day, with diet,
without diet, (75. ;d. per acre) per
day,
Cutting turf, with diet, from is. id. to
without

Reaping, with

diet,

diet,

without

600

diet,

Setting or raising potatoes, with diet, i3d. to o

without diet, is. 8d. to o

cow's grazing from the 2oth

from

to the

May

2oth November,

4 to ;i2.

Men

1822.

[1909, ^10 to
20.]
Servants' wages, with diet,

Mowing, with
Reaping, with

to

3d. to o
25. id. to o

is.

per day,

diet,

without

diet,

diet,

o 10

Setting or raising potatoes, with diet, tod. to o

without

diet,

without

diet,

cow's grazing, same price as in 1811.

Of

the breed of horned cattle

such a mixture, that there

is

little can be said ; they are

seldom a trace to be observed of

stock.
However, some attention is beginning to
be evinced in this particular branch ; an Ayrshire bull and some
cows have been imported, the crossing of which will probably
improve the present breed. The price of milk cows now varies

any particular

from

4 to

12.

considerable

[1909,

^10

number of

to

20.]

cattle are reared

by those who

Much milk
tracts, or near the commons.
New milk sells at two
is also brought into town to be sold.
pence per quart, and butter-milk at three quarts for one penny ;
live

on the mountain

being just double the price they were thirty years ago.
In the town and suburbs is made a considerable quantity
of excellent cheese, often fully equal to the best imported from

England. In making it a number of persons receive the milk

of each other's cows, a week or so in rotation, during the season

328
for making cheese, from May till November ; the milk being
regularly measured, and an account kept of that delivered. The
number of persons in each join is commonly from eight to

cows probably from twelve to fourteen ; the joins

Each join has vats, tubs, pans, and the like
which
are
implements,
kept up at the expence of the whole.

twelve

from

their

five to seven.

The

cheese

is

commonly made

the milk of that day

coloured with anetta
:

is

steeped.

last

in the

Of

morning, soon after

years it has been

late

season the price varied from

five

A considerable quantity of
pence to seven pence per pound.
this cheese is sold in the owners' houses; but the greater part
is taken to Belfast.
A few now continue the making of cheese
about Christmas ; but it is very inferior in quality, easily
distinguished by a peculiar softness and cold taste, and is called
fog cheese. The quantity of cheese produced by each cow is
till

uncertain, as it depends on the quantity of milk she gives ; and

the persons connected are very reserved on this subject.
Howfrom
our
own
we
the
to
be
ever,
observation,
allege
quantity

about 3 cwt. each cow, which, at 6d. per pound, amounts to

^8

8.

Of

[At present no cheese is made in the district.]

horses nothing can be advanced
few high priced ones
:

are kept; and those bred are few, and neither remarkable for
size nor beauty.

The number of sheep kept here have diminished much within

the last forty years ; chiefly owing to the losses sustained by
Those that remain are mostly grazed on the commons,
thieving.
and have nothing in their appearance to denote superiority in
size,

fleece,

or

flesh.

[Sheep stealing

is

now

extinct.]

During the late war, great numbers of swine were kept,

most of which when killed, were sold in Belfast.
Many of
these were reared within the parish ; but the greater part were
bought from drovers, of that size called shots. Those reared at
present are comparatively few, and usually kept for home use
i 2
when sold, the usual price is about
per cwt. [55;- to 6o/-J
The wild animals found here are foxes, badgers, hares,
;

rabbits, hedge-hogs, weasels, martins,

Norway

or

common

rats,

mice, and common or fetid shrew.

Foxes and badgers are much rarer than formerly, being nearly
short
extinct.
[Foxes and badgers are now extinct.]

common house

mice,

field

time
foxes

were
both
At the
were numerous.

ago

there

otters
lent

and

assizes.

martins
1769.

and
was

329
1
The caterpillar
granted to Thomas Cryes, for killing foxes.
of the sphinx qtropos, vulgarly called the Connough-worm, is

here during the latter end of summer, or

is about three inches in length, of

seen

occasionally

it
beginning of autumn
a greenish colour, faintly
:

feet

and

with yellow,

striped

having many

always found amongst long grass on the margin of

is

Cows
brooks, or adhering to the branches of the wild sallow.
eating of the grass that it passes over, are believed to be affected
with that fatal distemper called the connough.
Having never
known

whether

the

truth

of

this

been

has

circumstance

demonstrated for actual observation, we are inclined to think

that the report
is

is

founded on ignorance, and that

this reptile

really innoxious.

Birds are numerous, and some of them rather rare in the

For a catalogue of such as have been
parishes.

adjoining

observed, either as natives or visitors, see Appendix, No. XXII.

In 1 68 1, an account was taken by order of government, of
the persons within this county fit to bear arms, between the ages
1 6 and 60
their numbers were 496, besides the aldermen,

of

burgesses, and the different officers of the corporation.

January,
1692, a similar return was made, when the numbers were 469,
exclusive of the above mentioned members of the corporation.

In the

last

return,

71

persons are noticed as being

Roman

the

quarter

Catholics. 2

By

return

of the different

constables

to

grand jury, in April, 1723, of all freemen fit to carry

between
16 and 60, their numbers were as follow. In the
arms,
town, 108; Irish quarter, 52; Scotch quarter, 96; North East
sessions

Division, 64;

Middle Division, 87; West Division, 106:

total,

543-*

In 1725, the number of dwelling-houses within

this parish

was 546. 4
1765.

following

This

parish

religious

dissenters, 2004,

contained

denominations

Roman

3052
:

viz.,

inhabitants,

of

protestants,

catholics, 209, methodists, 30.

In 1793, 408 persons were returned by an amended

3
3

Records of Carrickfergus.
Records of Carrickfergus.

MSS.

Dobbs on

'

MSS.

the

Tradr of Ireland.

the

809,
list.

33

between the age of 16 and 45, able and eligible to serve in the
militia.

February, 1800, the number of houses within the parish,

paying taxes, was 169; houses exempt, 724: total 893. Amount
of window tax, ^250 14 ij ; hearth tax, ^55 115; inhabitants,

4414; freemen, 900; persons

1

resident

who

could be freeholders,

04.*

April, 1810, 779 persons were returned by the constables,

between the age of 16 and 45, eligible to serve in the militia.
Neither yeomen nor sea fencibles, nor a few other sea-faring

people, were included.

1813, an account of the number of houses and

within this county, was taken by order of the
government; the table on page 331 is the substance of the

May,

inhabitants

made by Mr. Adam Cunningham and the author, who

were appointed by the Grand Jury, at Assize.
return

SCHOOLS
Nov.

1834,

Masters and Mistress

IN

1834.

33'

332

o
p;

n
H=

JM'ol

OOvO 4. -U

(Ji

Houses Building.
Houses Ruinous.
Houses Uninhabited.
No. of Houses, 4 Stories
.

K>

OOUJ

(si

K>

vl

OC

Ul

U>

M U)

"<
KJ

~ ~
ON O

ONU)
*.

(0

4^.

^4

ts)

3 Stories.

2 Stories.

Story.

4^.

Total Inhabitants.
^J

^4 OsU>

Males.

O4^^-OJ

MO

OOVO

"4^-4 ONU> Ul OO
-j vo ONNO rr. hi

"to W
vO vO

-f>.

^4 VO
O Ui
<-"

TJVmolec
reiiiiics.
Protestants.

Roman

Catholics.

Schools.
uncerON

tain.

uncer-

At School

Male.

At School

Female.

No. of Persons between 80 and 90

between 70 and

80.

between 60 and

JO.

years,

between 50 and 60.

between 40 and

Under
OO

K)

(O

ON

50.

I.

Twins.

Dumb.
Blind.

Linen Weavers

3 of

Woollen Weavers.
Diaper Weavers.
Cotton Weavers.

them Females.

333
Table continued.
M

^J

334

RELIGIOUS POPULATION,
DISTRICTS.

August

i2th,

1831.

535

Both the dwellings and clothing of the mass of the people

have been much improved within memory, especially the latter.
This improvement in dress has been in a great measure owing
to the introduction of cotton cloths, the cheapness of which is
particularly conspicuous amongst the females, and has enabled
the servant to appear on Sundays, fair days, &c., nearly as
"

"

unprofitably gay

The food of

as her mistress.

the working and lower classes consists chiefly

of potatoes, oatmeal, flour, milk, and occasionally butter, flesh,

and fish. Tea is much in use; and from the present cheapness
of food, we recollect no time when the working classes were

much real
exception we know

generally enabled to enjoy so

provisions.

The only

comfort, as to their
of cotton

of, is that

weavers, who, from the very reduced rate of their wages, suffer
This is clearly seen by the following instance
great privations.
of their prices: 174 yards of 10 hundred calico is now worked

[Cotton weaving is now extinct.]

In and near the town, the fuel used is mostly English coal,
which is commonly preferred to the Scotch during summer the
for 12 shillings

Peat sods, or tours, are

price varies from 175. to 205. per ton.
in
the
the only fuel of those who live
country when the former
are brought to town for sale, the usual price is from 25. to
:

2s. 6d.

per kish.

few years ago, the price was from

35. 4d.

to 45. 2d.

The inhabitants are not subject to any peculiar disease,

though bilious and nervous disorders are thought to be more
Many persons live to an advanced
prevalent than formerly.
age, as

may be

seen by the following

Jane Carnaghan,

died

near 100 years of age she got a

died
John Morrison,

John Logan,

...

list

IO

army

of

James
aged

II.

100.

IO 5...

949593939594-

...

i~9.

q 9-

...

i79<>,

9&94-

I79 1

James Addison,
-

when

aged 94.

,Ann King,

set of teeth.

1732,

I74 2

106

aged

new

been in Derry during the siege by the

died 1753,
Margaret Fitzpatfick,
...
Elizabeth Bell,
1763,
...
Catherine Wilson,
1779,
...
Samuel Davison,
1780,
...
i/ 86
James M'Gill,
...
Thomas Barry,
1/86,
J 7 8 7>
James Penny,
...
Andrew M'Dowall,
1788,
...
Widow M'Gowan,
1789.
...
William Semple,
1790,

Margaret Ouinn,
Richard M~Comb,

1715,

1792.

*l

hc

liafl

336
John M' Go wan,

Thomas Godfrey,
Mary Campbell,
Margaret Mellan,
Felix

Hannah,

William Lappin,
John Tennant,
John Connor,

Mary

M'Gill,
M'Gill,

Catherine

Hugh Hannah,
Jane Deavy,

James Millar,
Samuel Davison,
Sarah Millar,

Andrew M'Dowell,
Jane M'Quillan,
Margaret Jamfrey,
Jane Deavy,

Edward M'Quillin,
John Browne,
James Dorman,
Jane M'Cullough,

The
inhabitants

following

who have

Samuel M'Skimin,
Jane Birnie,

Thomas Herdman,
John Herdman,
Samuel Wilson,
Elizabeth Thompson,
John Boyd Gilmore,
Alice Legg,

Alexander Johns,

Thomas Gorman,
James Woodside,
James Campbell,
William Laverty,
John Allen,
Samuel Catherwood,
Joseph Hamilton,
John Robb,
John Laverty,

Thomas

Lalor,

James Stannus,
Mary Moore,
Mary Elizabeth Simm,
Isabella Cooper,

Hugh Catherwood,
William Catherwood,
William Porter,
William Larmour,
Jane Alexander,
John Mitchael,
James Kirk,

are

died

337

Cunwuy Richard Dobbs,

James Craig,
David Bell,
John Morrison,
Frances Gorman,
James Hagan,

Anne Legg,
Joseph Legg,
Jane Miskimmin,
Andrew Forsythe,
Elizabeth Weatherup,

James Simms,
Letitia M'.Master
Jane Carnaghan,

Ellen

Kirk,

James Miskimmin,
Marriot M'Kay,
Henry Laverty,
John Jack,
Jane Millar,
Agnes Boyd,
Robert Semple,
George M'Ferran,
Robert Hilditch,
Anthony M'Brinn,
Elizabeth Legg,
C. A.

W.

Stewart,

Richard Gorman,

Nancy Jack,
William John Thompson,
William Donald,
William M'GifTin,
Ann Penny,

Thomas

Girvin,

James Miscambell,
Sarah Vint,
David Pasley,
John M'Intosh,
Elizabeth

M'Gowan,

Johnstonc Bowman,
James Shannon,
Ellen

Millar,

William Henderson,
Margaret M'Alister,
Barry Martin Smyth,
Charles M'Brinn,
Jane Logan,
Sarah Gorman,
Elizabeth Jane Scott,
Agnes Davy,
William Porter,
John Gardner,
David Boyd,
Barry Gorman,
Elizabeth

Herdman,

-March,

1886,

338

kingdom do fewer breaches of

the public peace take place.

It

rare to find any person in the prison of this county for a

criminal offence, and only two capital convictions have taken
is

neither of the convicts

place since 1772:

the parish.
Between the

had resided long

in

members of the different sects the utmost

and no where in Ireland are religious
or political distinctions less known.
In 1798, and some years
when
ran
in
most places, very few
preceding,
parties
high
excesses were committed here, and those of a trivial kind.
There is no society * of a literary or scientific kind ; no
harmony always

prevails,

nor even a

library, book-club,

The only

social

companies

weekly

in the large

called

the

together,

Rock

and

common news-room

are,

a musical

society,

room of the market -house

Harriers,

who

in the parish.

sometimes

who meet

a sporting club
hunt and dine

company called the Coterie, who

and sup together in the county of Antrim

dancing

occasionally dance
court-house.

The only eminent person we have discovered to be a native

of this place, is Richard Tennison, who died bishop of Meath.
He is said to have been the son of Thomas Tennison, a
burgess of this corporation, who served the office of sheriff in
Here
1645, and resided in Cheston's lane, alias Butcher's row.

he received the

first

rudiments of grammar, and in 1659 he

entered Trinity College, Dublin, on leaving which he kept a

Soon after he took priest's
school for some time at Trim.

and was made rector and vicar of Laracor ; likewise

and vicar of Augher palace, both in the diocese of Meath.
He was afterwards appointed chaplain to the earl of Essex,
then lord lieutenant, and through his interest, in 1675, obtained
the livings of the deanery of Clogher, rectory of Louth, and
vicarage of St. Patrick's, Drogheda, and the vicarage of
Donoughmore, near Navan. February, 1681, he was promoted
to the sees of Killala and Achonry, and February, 1690, was
translated to the see of Clougher, and from thence to that of
About this time he was made a privy
Meath, in June, 1697.
died
and
Councillor;
August 24th, 1705. He is stated to have

orders,
rector

different clubs and societies mentioned at

In 1853 the first society, to be
extinct.
Literary and Scientific Society of the Union Hall
[*

are

"

The

now

the above period

formed was the

"

(see

There are numerous other reading and recreation rooms.

Antrim Stag Hounds Hunt Club is the only sporting club

page

137).

The East
at present.]

339
been an eminent preacher, and to have converted
many dissenters
to the established church. 1

The

inhabitants have at all times evinced a due share of

which has been always conspicuous when the

of the nation appeared to be concerned.
On those
occasions they have ever been amongst the foremost to declare
public

spirit,

interests

their approbation or disapprobation of the measure in

question;
and have invariably supported the popular side, as far as in
their power.

This disposition of the people was strikingly manifested on

the memorable volunteer arming in 1779; which arming originated here in the following manner.
Two volunteer companies
having been formed a short time before in Belfast, seventeen

of

persons

this

place

associated

deputation to Mariott

as

and sent a
him
to become
requesting
volunteers,

Dalway, esq.,
Mr. Dalway having cheerfully complied with
their request, their numbers were soon augmented to 72 men,
their

commander.

who proceeded

to elect the following gentlemen for their other

Stephen Rice, John Haddock, Thomas Legg, John

The uniform
Moore, William Craig, and James Craig, jun.
"was scarlet, faced with green, and all were clothed and
An elegant stand of colours
disciplined at their own expense.
was presented by James Craig, sen., and a plot of ground near

officers

Tiis

majesty's castle was given by H. C. Ellis, for a parade.

December 2ist, 1779, the Assembly granted ;i2o out of

the revenues of the corporation, in trust to Mariott Dalway, to

purchase sixty stand of arms for this company ; and on the ist
in
July, they also granted ^60
2
Same year, the
for a like purpose.
attended a volunteer review at Belfast.

of the following

Thomas Legg,

trust

to

company

At a full meeting of this corps on the i2th March, 1782, a

number of resolutions were entered into, expressive of their
of
approbation of the resolutions adopted by an assembly
at Dungannon, the i5th
of
volunteers
of
the
Ulster,
delegates
of the preceding month. 3
In November 1783, this county delegated two gentlemen of
Belfast as their representatives to the NATIONAL CONVENTION,
which met in Dublin; and at the Dungannon meeting in 1793,
1

'-

Tradition of Old Inhabitants.

Records of Carrickfergus.
Belfast News-Letter.

Ware's Bishops.

340
William Finlay, Esq., Carrickfergus, represented this place, and
was one of the committee of that body.
To the Roman
Catholic petition presented to his Majesty, January 2d, 1793*
were the names of Christopher Teeling, and Lawrence

M'Deimot, for Carrickfergus.

1784 June 22d, the following corps of volunteers were
reviewed on the Commons of Carrickfergus, by Marriot Dalway,.
Belfast

Esq.

ist

Company,

Belfast

Artillery,

Belfast

Dragoons, White-house Company r

Larne
Dunagore Independants,
Independants,
Holywood
Company, Carrickfergus Volunteers. Several of the corps had
Belfast

Volunteers,

Light

the preceding evening in Carrickfergus, and were

on the inhabitants, who vied with each other in their

arrived
billeted

attentions to them.

September

7th, this year, the Carrickfergus.

Company, consisting of 145 members, Straid

Company 35, and Dunagore Independant 60, met on the
English-man's mountain, and formed themselves into a battalion,
called the REFORM BATTALION, of which Marriot Dalway was

Volunteer

Henry C.
Bowman, Adjutant; and W. Cunningham,.

chosen Colonel, Charles Adair, Lieutenant -colonel

Ellis,

Major;

J.

Quarter-master.
at Belfast.

In July, 1785, this battalion attended a review

In the

NORTHERN STAR Newspaper, of January

i2th, 1793,
following notice regarding the CARRICKFERGUS
TRUE BLUES, " Extract of a letter from Carrickfergus,
The volunteers of this place, called the
January 8th, 1793.

we

find

the

True Blues, have

lately

been presented with two

field

pieces-

(four pounders) by Marriot Dalway, of Ballyhill, Esq., which

to
they are getting mounted on carriages, and enlisting men

This spirited corps arose from the ashes of the

Battalion, and do indeed inherit its principles; being
to carry their arms, and wear their uniform until
resolved
firmly
a complete reform in the representation of their country in

work them.

Reform

parliament be obtained: tithes and unmerited pensions totally

abolished the constitution restored to its primitive purity, and
entirely freed
in execution;

from
all

its present corruption in principle and abuse

which they hope to see effected without a

Upon these grounds, and for these purposes, they

are daily increasing in number, and find great advantage from

revolution.

Belfast Newt-Letter.

the novel but effectual method lately struck out for

raising
National Soldiers, by issuing proclamation against them." *
February, 1874, a violent contested election took place here
a burgess to serve in parliament, which produced much
-discord amongst the members of this volunteer
company. May
for

ist, a full meeting was held, at which three of their members

were expelled for improper conduct at the election. It was also
agreed, same time, that its officers should be elected annually
from that period.
The former ^ officers were immediately re-

chosen, with the exception of the

first lieutenant, whose place

few days after, the captain lieutenant
up.
other officers
resigned, as did the third lieutenant and adjutant
were immediately elected in their room.

filled

they

May

2 pth,

the officers

who had

resigned,

re-chosen, with 24 other persons, formed a

<Tarrickfergus Royalists, of

company immediately

and the

company

officer

not

called the

whom

19 members of the former

In order to give additional

joined.

the earl of
dignity to this corps, officers were not wanting
Donegall was chosen colonel ; C. R. Dobbs, lieutenant colonel ;
:

E. D. Wilson, major

and

Cobham,

Stephen Rice, captain

Thomas Legg,

Edward

Craig, lieutenants; adjutant,

James
William Hay ; ensign, Daniel Kirk. On the 25th July, they
attended worship in the dissenting meeting-house of this town,
after

which they repaired to

his

where each

majesty's castle,

member took the oath of allegiance. The clothing of the corps

was scarlet, faced with blue; their arms were furnished by the
earl of Donegall

candidate

and the hon. Joseph Hewit, the unsuccessful

presented them with two splendid stand

at the election,

of colours.!
This company amounted to upwards of 100 men, but did
not attend reviews as other volunteers at that time

they ceased

1
to assemble about I786.

some
Notwithstanding the secession of the officers, and
soon
was
the
members of the old company,
augmented to
corps
jo men. Thev attended reviews at Belfast, Xewtownards. and
r

*This was one of the articles for which the proprietors of the
Northern Star were afterwards prosecutor! by the Attorney-General.
"Annals of Ulster," by Samuel Miskimm, with
[+ Seo new edition
notes by E. J. M'Crum, 1906; \Vm. Mullan, James Cleeland, Belfast,
publishers.]

in the house of the major, b

part of their arms was lodged
the castle gate. January gth, 1703,
near
a
house
in
were
stand
kept
50
unknown.
<hey were carried off by some persons
1

342
Broughshane, and, with the Straid Volunteers, and DunagoreIndependents, formed what was called the Reform Battalion?
of which Mariott Dalway was colonel.
Their reviews and field days were commonly held on time*
which had been fortunate to the protestant interest. On those
occasions, orange lilies, or cockades of that colour, were usually
worn, as emblems of their attachment to the constitution of the

country.

August

ist,

1787, they. held a field day at Bellahill,

ai

which 84 members were present, who were splendidly entertained by their captain. At this time it was resolved that from
henceforth no meetings of the company should be held on daysthat could serve to keep alive religious or political distinctions.
1

This corps ceased to assemble about 1790.

At this time the public mind began to be agitated by the
passing events of the French revolution, which, presenting a
most fascinating appearance, were deemed highly worthy of

Under

imitation.

the

influence

of

this

reforming

spirit,,

volunteering again commenced in Ulster; and in 1792, a

volunteer corps was arrayed here, called the Carrickfergus True
Their clothing was blue, and they were armed and
Blues.
clothed at their

The

own

following

Brice, captain;

expence.

gentlemen

were chosen

officers

Edward

James Craig, captain lieutenant; John Chaplin r

Kirk, second lieutenant; Edward Brice,

year they attended a review at Belfast, and
another at Broughshane: their numbers never exceeded 48.
first

lieutenant;

jun., ensign.

Hugh

Same

In Octoljer a meeting of the company was held in the

absence of the captain, after which an inflammatory paper was
In one of these
circulated as the resolutions of said company.
resolutions it was declared, that they would not be dictated to
by "monarchs nor mobs, lords nor levellers" and that they

conceived, under God, the citizen soldiers of the country

its

best

defenders.

Soon after, another meeting was held, and the following is

a copy of the resolutions, as published in the Belfast NewsLetter

"

Carrickfergus True Blues.

"At a full meeting of

1

this

Belfast News-Letter.

Company

in the

Market-house of this

343
town, on Thursday the ist of November, 1792, Captain Brice
in the chair

The

Resolutions of the

being read,

and third Dungannon Meeting

and respectively considered and debated,
first

Resolved, that we heartily concur in the sentiments therein

contained ; and do pledge ourselves firmly to our country, and to
each other, to carry the same into execution, in the fullest and
speediest manner in our power, consistent with the principles of
the constitution of this kingdom.

That we will also exert our utmost endeavour to procure a

ALL the grievances complained of in the resolutions of
the NORTHERN WHIG CLUB.
That we will also support the civil magistrate in the legal
redress of

execution

of his

office,

against

of

offenders

every

religious

persuasion.

That we

happy prospect of the speedy repeal

penal laws, and the FULL EMANCIPATION of our brethren,
the Roman Catholic subjects of this kingdom, and we shall

of

rejoice at the

all

further the same with our best powers and abilities.

Signed, by order of the company,

HUGH

KIRK, Secretary."

February, 1793, the lord lieutenant issued a proclamation

against the assembling of armed bodies, from which period
this

company ceased

to meet, in

common

with others throughout

the kingdom.
In the latter end of

1796, an invasion of the kingdom

being apprehended, a meeting of the inhabitants was called by
the mayor, at which meeting it was resolved to raise a troop of

yeomen cavalry. The following gentlemen were elected officers,

and approved of by the lord lieutenant
Henry C. Ellis,
:

captain; Francis Shaw, lieutenant; Alexander Gunning, cornet.

On the death of Mr. Shaw, Philip Fletcher was appointed
lieutenant, and on the resignation of Alexander Gunning, Barry
Martin, cornet.

This troop consisted of 60 members, and were armed,

March 27th, 1797, the
clothed and paid by the government.
200 out of the revenues of the corporation,

Assembly granted
to form a stock purse for this corps.
They were several times
be embodied in 1813.
to
ceased
and
on
duty,
permanent
placed
At the time of the cavalry being arrayed, an effort was also

344

made

to enrol a company of yeomen infantry ; but the United

System had become so popular, that the attempt proved abortive.
September, 1803, an infantry corps was formed, consisting

of 75 members; it ceased to be arrayed in 1815.

Same year, a
corps of sea fencibles, consisting of sea-faring persons, was
embodied, commanded by a naval captain; they continued to

meet once each week for some years.

All classes of the people may be truly said to be pretty
free from superstition, yet a few relics of it still exist, which are
fast

We

declining.

shall

briefly

notice

such

remnants

of

popular superstition as are occasionally observed, but rarely, if

ever, credited by any enlightened members of the community.

There

is still

but

craft;

commonly
witches

is,

for

a belief in charms,* and the power of witcheffects of its power we are

the marvellous

referred to a distant period. The received opinion of

that they are old wrinkled hags, who sold themselves

to the devil to obtain a part of his occult art. such as the

power

of taking the milk or butter from their neighbour's cows, or

If we credit the same
riding through the air on a broomstick
!

Satan was formerly more openly familiar with the

here
than he is at present, appearing frequently in
people
various shapes.
However dark the night, (and according to the
accounts,

it was
mostly in dark nights that he appeared) we
are informed the persons were always able to discover his cloven
foot, on the detection of which he was sure to vanish in his

best accounts,

favourite element,

fire

belief yet prevails of the existence of fairies, and their

non-appearance at present is alleged to arise from the general

circulation

of the scriptures.

Fairies

are

described

as

little

who were always clad in green, and who inhabited the

Numerous stories are related of
mounds
called forths.
green
spirits

being seen at those places, "dancing ringlets to the circling

The large hawwind," to the music of the common bagpipe.
thorns growing singly in fields, are deemed sacred to fairies, and

their

are hence called gentle thorns.

Some fields east of this town
"
were formerly called The Fairy fields." Fairies are sometimes
said to have kept up good neighbourhood with human beings.
but are described as being very vindictive when offended. They

were also believed to have been

women when
[*

lying in childbed,

These superstitions have

all

much given to carrying off

for the purpose of suckling

died out.]

345
their

children are also said to have been often taken

young ;
away, prior to

their being christened, the elves

leaving some
grinning imp in their place, which continued crying till it either
died or vanished in a flame up the
chimney!
Though such

relations are now, commonly, confined to ancient

dames, yet
the former lucky preservatives are still
occasionally used as a
cautionary measure, viz. placing a bible beneath the head of
the mother while she remains in bed, or under that of the child

while unchristened.
The husband's small clothes are also
sometimes laid over her feet for a similar wise purpose.
In

Thuringia they hang the father's breeches against the wall to

keep off fairies from the infants. A few other vestiges of
superstition regarding fairies still remain; if an article is
mislaid, it is said the fairies have got it ; if milk is spilled, that
something had a dry heart for
Brownies,

now

the same family.

it.

alleged to be extinct, were another class of

They are described as large rough, hairy

sprites, who lay about the fires after the people went to bed ;
hence, perhaps, the adage, "as lazy as a brownie."
warning spirit, in the likeness of an old woman, called

Ouna, or the Banshee,

wailing, shortly
certain families.

is

said to have been

anciently heard

before the death of any person belonging to

At present this spirit is almost forgotten. The

place where she was alleged to be heard wailing, was ever

amongst woods or plantings, the time night hence, might not
the noise heard have been that of an owl, or the whistling of
the wind amongst the trees?
Formerly, a spirit was said to have his abode in this castle,
called Button-cap, from his wearing a cap with a large button
in front.
He was said to appear on the cannon before any
commotion from his not appearing of late years, his very name
:

sinking fast into oblivion.

Wraiths are still talked of as being seen. These are described as the shadowy likeness of a person, appearing a short

is

Other warnings, or
appearances, are also believed to exist as death-warnings, such
as strange noises, the shadowy likeness of a waving napkin, &c.
It is believed that the luck of a cow, or any other animal,

time before the decease of the real person.

can be taken away by a look or glance of the eye of certain

people, some of whom are said to be unconscious of their eye
"
having this effect. It is called the blink of an evil eye," and

346
the

charm

When

is

believed to extend in

some instances

to children.

this is alleged to occur, the persons are said to

be

''over-

and it is supposed that the person will not

recover, unless some charm is used to counteract its effects.
There is an opinion that certain people are able to take
milk from a cow without touching her, or the butter from the
looked, or overseen,"

When churning, or making

milk, letting the milk remain.
cheese, fire is never suffered to be taken out of a house during
that

The
common

operation.

calving,

it

is

first

time that

cow

is

milked after

to put a piece of silver in the

bottom of

the pail, and to milk upon it.

Salt is in daily use with some in
a similar way, to prevent witchcraft.
Horse shoes are nailed

on the bottom of the churn for a like purpose; and old nails
from horse shoes are sometimes driven in churn staffs. Some

hang a flint stone with a hole in it above their byre doors, or at

the heads of the cows, to keep off the witches ; elf-stones, that is,
the heads of the arrows of the ancient Celts, are used in a like
manner, and

made
tree,

if

cows are

ill,

and deemed

to be elf-shot, they are

Rowan
to drink off them, the stones being tied in a cloth.
(mountain ash), and the herb vervain, are alleged to be

preventatives against witchcraft.

Certain days are deemed unlucky

few persons will remove

from or to a house or service on Saturday, or the day of the
week on which Christmas was held that year. On new year's
day, and May day, fire is rarely permitted to be taken out of
Persons going on a
houses, lest they should lose their luck.
thrown after them,
shoe
a
man's
old
have
sometimes
journey
that they may come speed in the object of their pursuit.
Crickets coming to a house are believed to bode some
change in that family, but are commonly deemed a good omen.
A stray dog or cat coming and remaining in a house, is deemed
a token of good fortune.
Cradles are never taken

empty from one house to another

and some women deem it unlucky to wean a child in May.
Mothers, when givingr a child 'the breast for the last time, put art
door with a
egg in its hand, sitting on the threshold of the outer
The
this is usually done on Sunday.
leg on each side:
tobelieved
is
seventh son of a family, if no female intervene,
;

have the power of curing the evil.

To crack or break a looking-glass is deemed very unlucky.
Mirrors were formerly used by magicians in their divinations,.

347
hence probably this belief.
believed to forebode death.

The howling of

a dog at night

The people who

follow the fishing business retain a

of superstitions, but are not communicative to
others on this head the following have been observed.
Meeting
different

class

persons in the morning, especially women when bareTo

footed, is deemed an omen of ill fortune for that day.
name a dog. cat, rat, or pig, while baiting their hooks, is

certain

surmised to forebode
spit
first

on the
fish

first

taken

and

ill

last

off the

luck in that day's fishing. They always,

hook they bait, and in the mouth of the

hook or

line.

Previous to casting their

dip them three times, and each time the person

dipping gives a kind of a chirp with his lips resembling a young
bird.
The wood of the hawthorn is never used in their boats,
lines or nets they

being deemed unlucky.

Of the ancient customs * of the inhabitants few can

now be

traced, being either lost by the change of settlers, and internal

However we shall
commotions, or eradicated by civilization.

proceed to notice all customs that we have been able to discover,

by record or tradition, as well as such as are observed at

either

The following extract from our records shows the

"
October,
archetype of a custom that continued for many years.
all
manner
of
that
the
hole
and
ordered
Court,
1574.
agreede by
present.

Skoldes which Shal be openly detected of Skolding or evil!

wordes in manner of Skolding, & for the same shal be condemned before Mr. Maior & his brethren, Shal be drawne at the
Sterne of a boate in the water from the ende of the Peare
rounde abought the Queenes majesties Castell in manner of
ducking, and after when a Cage shal be made the Party so
shal be therein punished at the discretion
appears that a cage was got soon after, and

condemned for a Skold

of the maior."

It

manner noticed; and that regular

scolds, and their names laid before the
The cage, or ducking stool, stood on the quay ; in

delinquents punished in the

lists

were kept of

all

grand juries.
a deed granted to John Davy's, July 6th, 1671, is the following
"
One small plot of land or house stead, situated
notice of it.
the north-east, adjoining to the Ducking-stool,
on
the
upon
Key.

on said Key. now standing.

'

was another custom

was

[* Riding the franchise or "fringes"

to prevent any encroachments on the lands.

The

last riding

by Sir William Kirk, Knt., August ist, 1785.]

1
Records of Carrickfergus.
of Castle Worraigh.
[The pillory and stocks stood in front

this

was

then

Peace and war were formerly proclaimed here with great

pageantry; the following was the order of the procession,
November 5th, 1739, Henry Gill, mayor. " The mayor called an
assembly of the aldermen and Burgesses, as also caused the
Trades to be warned, and when the aldermen Burgesses &c.

were assembled, the mayor attended by the Recorder, Sheriffs,

Aldermen, Burgesses, &c. all on horseback, in their Formalities,
proceeded to the Castle gate, and there caused the Proclamation
to be read by the Town Clerk, after the proclamation was read
the mayor drew
company drawing

his
his

Sword, of honour, each gentleman in

Sword, until this time the mayor merely

Rod

of Mayorality.
went to the Tholsell, north Gate and west
Gate, where the proclamation was Read, after each Reading the
People who attended in great multitudes gave three Huzzas;

carried the
"

After

Avhen the

this they

Ceremony was over the mayor invited the Gentlemen

on the occasion to his House, where many Loyall

that attended

Healths were Drank, Particularly Success to his majesties armes

by sea and land, at which time the great Guns at the Castle

were Fired."

similar procession took place

May 28th, 1756,

When peace was
against the French.
a procession also took place, but the mayor and

on war being declared

proclaimed,
other members of the cavalcade had their

These customs have been

laid aside

many

1
swords sheathed.

years.

kind of punishment was formerly

inflicted occasionally,
called Riding the S/ang, meaning riding upon a sting, that is,
receiving chastisement for some offence of which the common

law did not take any cognizance.

On

those occasions some low

who

represented the delinquent, was mounted on a long

pole carried on men's shoulders, and in this way he was taken
about the streets, the liearers occasionally halting, and he making
fellow,

loud proclamation of the person's real or alleged offence, the

crowd huzzaing. They afterwards repaired to the residence of
the offender, where a grand proclamation was made of his crime.
or misdemeanor; after which the company dispersed, giving
three hearty cheers.
Near the town is a fine spring of water called Bridewell, or
St.

Bride's well.

Formerly, persons visiting

prison, at the north-cast end of High

William Gorman, Esq., J.P., stand on this

the

'Gill's
2

Gill's

MSS.
MSS.

street.
site.]

this

well

hung

The premises

a
of

349
small rag on a thorn near

it, and dropt a common

piri'into the
These were originally the
offerings made by superstition,
as worshipping at wells and fountains
continued till the reforantion.
The custom appears to be of eastern
Mr.

well.

origin.

in his

Travels in Persia, vol. I.

page 177, informs us
that in that
country he saw rags tied to a tree near a
"
well, as
Charms, which passengers coming from Ghilan, a
province remarkable for Agues, had left there., in the fond
expectation of leaving their disease on the same

Hanway,

'

spot."

Women of the
whom they dislike,

lower class,

they chance to meet a person

spit hastily on the ground.
There appears
just cause for supposing this also an eastern custom.
Dr.
Clark, in his Travels in Turkey, says, " The malediction of the
if

Turks, as of other Oriental nations, is

frequently expressed in
no other way than by slitting on the ground.
Although the people are generally protestants, yet if a
person is suddenly deranged, or a child overseen, the lower
orders rarely apply to their own minister for relief, but to some
Roman Catholic priest, and receive from him what is termed a

This book, or paper, is sowed in the clothes of

worn as an amulet about the neck; if
lost, a second book is never given to the same person.
It has
also been observed that if a protestant of
any denomination,
male or female, is married to a Roman Catholic, the protestant,
priest's book.

the afflicted person, or

three

out of four, becomes a Roman Catholic, and

a zealous one. The Roman Catholic very seldom

times

generally

becomes a protestant.
There are no remarkable customs observed at marriages cr
christenings, but of late small arms are sometimes fired at night,
near the residence of the new married couple.
In the town, a
married woman is always called by the surname of her husband ;
but in the Scotch quarter, and the interior of the parish, she
[At present her husband's
usually retains her maiden surname.
surname.]

On

the death of a person, the nearest neighbours cease

Within the house where the
the corpse is interred.
deceased is, the dishes, and all other kitchen utensils, are
removed from the shelves, or dressers; looking glasses aie

working

till

covered or taken down, clocks are stopped, and their dial-plates

Brand's Popular Antiquities.

35

deemed very infectious, the corpse is

Except
This sitting with
always kept one night, and sometimes two.

covered.

in cases

the corpse

is called the Wake, from Like-wake,

(Scottish), the
meeting of the friends of the deceased before the funeral.
Those meetings are generally conducted with great decorum ;
portions of the scriptures are read, and frequently a prayer is

pronounced, and a psalm given out fitting for the solemn occasion.
Pipes and tobacco are always laid out on a table, and spirits or
other refreshments are distributed during the night.
If a dog
or cat passes over the dead body, it is immediately killed, as it
believed that the first person it would pass over afterwar 3s,
would take the falling sickness. A plate with salt is frequently
set on the breast of the corpse, and is said to keep the same from
"
Salt was originally used in this way as
an emblem
swelling.
1
of the immortal Spirit."
Until lately, it was customary to ring the bells of the
church on the decease of any grown person, which ringing was
is

called the passing bells, i.e. the bells that solicited prayers for
the soul passing into another world.
This custom is nearly
discontinued, and when the bells* are tolled at present, it seems

merely to
distance

let
is

the public
the

short,

know

that a person

corpse

is

usually

is

dead.

carried

When
on

the

men's

shoulders.

Formerly, sprigs of boxwood were served about at funerals,

It was carried
prior to the removal of the corpse for interment.
in the hand, and on the coffin being lowered into the grave, each

This custom ceased about 40 years

person cast in his sprig.
Tradition
that
prior to 1740, rosemary was used for
ago.
says,
the same purpose, but that this plant being all killed by the
severe frost of that year,

boxwood was taken

as a substitute.

Evergreens were anciently used at funerals as an emblem of the

"
that though the Ixxly be dead.
soul's immortality, to signify.
1

Brand's Popular Antiquities.

[*At the present time the bells rung are The Labour Bell, rung
at 6 o'clock, morning and evening, for six months, beginning on St.
Patrick's day, or on the Monday of the week on which St. Patrick's
day falls, until October The Curfew, rung at 9 o'clock every night
The Market Bell, rung every Saturday morning at
except Sunday
< o'clock
The Funeral Bell usually tolls two strokes at intervals, for
about half an hour previous to funerals The State Bells, rung or> the
death of any old inhabitants, at the request of relatives that is, both
large and small church bells rung together from 7 o'clock until 9
All other customs at funerals and at different times
o'clock at night.
of the year have died out.]
;

35'
is Ever-green and
This custom
always in life."
was probably introduced here by the English settlers, as in
Yorkshire, Rosemary is still carried in the hand at funerals, and
cast into the grave in the manner described.
In France, and
some parts of England, it is common to put a branch of
Rosemary into the hands of the dead, when in the coffin; and
it was
formerly carried in the hand as an emblem of the soul's
This plant was also used at weddings; and on
immortality.
the bridegroom's first appearance it was customary for the
bride's maids to present him with a branch of it bound with a
riband.
In France it is common to burn it in hospitals to

yet the soul

2
prevent infection.

The new year is

common at other times.

ushered in

with better cheer than

Presents are

made

is

to children, which

are called new year's gifts, and some cautious housewives will
not permit the refuse of their kitchen to be carried out on this
lest they lose their luck.
If candlemas day be fine, it is deemed an ill
weather for that season hence the adage,
"If candlemas day is fair and clear,

day,

omen

of the

There'll be two winters in that year."

Shrove Tuesday,* called also Fasten s e'en, or pan-cake
Formerly the barbarous
eve, it is customary to eat pancakes.
was
at
cocks
sticks
of
practised on this day.
practice
throwing
1

On

devoted bird was tied to a stake, and persons standing off

his brutal owner
perches, threw at him with a staff,

The

a few

The
was killed.
receiving one penny for each throw till he
custom ceased about 1794.
Shamrock is worn on the i;th of March, in honour of St.
and whiskey is taken by many, with the ceremonial of
Patrick
;

"

common

drowning the shamrock." On the first of April it

send persons foolish errands, who are called April fools. Palm
the Sunday before Easter.
twigs are carried in the hand
is

to

Brand's Popular Antiquities.

London Gentleman's Magazine. Philip's History of Vegetables.
Hrande.
,,
c
I he tormer
name.
* Shrove-tide
appears to have been the original
or Shrive, signifying confession
Shrove
the
from
is
derived
Saxon,
part
and tide time i.e., the time of confession. The custom of throwing
at this
at cocks' on this day is said not to be of great antiquity
-with- cock
season school-boys formerly used to entertain their masters
as a perquisite the runfighting the master presiding and claiming
of throwing at cocks
away fowls might not the barbarous practice
have originated in the master exposing in this way the fugitive
2

352
Branches of the common sallow, if budded, are carried in the
hands for palms. On Easter Sunday it is fashionable to have
some new article of dress ; and eggs are used in profusion.
Easter

Monday

is

a day of very general festivity, and on

In the afternoon, if the weather

cock-fights are usually held.

it

is

young men and women resort to a green south of the town

the Ranbuy, and joined in some rustic sport, which
concludes by their return into town late in the evening, playing
thread the needle. Same day, children dye eggs various colours,
and repairing to some gentle declivity, trundle them till they
This appears to be a remnant
break, on which they are eaten.
fine,

called

of an ancient custom in the Christian church, of presenting eggs

at this season, as emblems of the resurrection ; there being a
striking analogy between the matter of an egg, which is capable
of being brought into life, and revival from the dead.
The
custom is referred to in the ritual of Pope Paul V., made for the

use of the people of these kingdoms, in the following words

"Bless, O Lord, we beseech thee, this thy Creature of Eggs,
that it may become a wholesome sustenance to thy faithful
:

Servants, eating it in Thankfulness to thee, on Account of the

Resurrecion of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 They have been called
Pace or Pasch eggs, from the Latin Pascha, signifying Easter ;

and

it is

believed that the Christians borrowed this custom

from

the Jews.
The practice still prevails in the Greek church at
Easter.
The Russians dye and present eggs to each other at
this time, saying,

of a truth."
egg,

"

The

"

It is so
risen;" the answer is,
meanest pauper in the state, presenting an

Jesus Christ

and repeating the words,

is

Christce raseress,

may demand

"

salute of the empress.

Lovers to their mistresses, relations to
a
each other, servants to their masters, all bring enamelled eggs."

In some places in England, they are covered with gold leaf. In

Persia, painted eggs are presented about the same season, in

remembrance of the origin and beginning of things.

On May eve. young boys and girls resort to the fields and
gather May-flowers, which they spread outside of their doors.
Sprigs of rowan tree were formerly gathered same eve, and
1

stuck above the inside of the out-door heads, to keep off the
witches.
The herb yarrow, (mil-folium) is gathered to cause
1

3
4

Brand's Popular Antiquities.

Brand's Popular Antiquities.
Dr. Clark's Travels in Russia.
Harmer's Observations.

Brand's Popular Antiquities.

353

young

dream of

girls to

who have cows,

rise

their future husbands.

very early on

Some females

morning, and proceed to

the nearest spring well, and
bring home a portion of its water.
This is called, "getting the flower of the well," and those \vho
it

practise

believe

that

their

May

cattle

are thus

secured

against

charms for that season. Until of late years, straight tall trees
were brought from the country by young men, and planted on
this evening for a May pole; which
appears to be a remnant
of the following custom. Anciently a large
company of young
men assembled each May day, who were called May-boys.
They wore above their other dress, white linen shirts, which
were covered with a profusion of various coloured ribbons,

formed

and fantastic knots. One of the party was

and another queen, each of whom wore a crown
composed of the most beautiful flowers of the season, and was
attended by pages who held up the train.
When met, their
first act
was dancing to music round the pole planted the
preceding evening ; after which they went to the houses of the
most respectable inhabitants round about, and having taken a
into large

called king,

short jig in front of each house, received a voluntary offering

from those within. The sum given was rarely less than five
In the course of their ramble the king always
shillings.

presented a rich garland of flowers to some handsome young

"
"
till the
the queen of May
woman, who was hence called

following year.
"
the
jolly god

The money

collected

"

was mostly

sacrificed to

the remainder given to the poor persons of

the neighbourhood.
This custom ceased about eighty years ago.
If St. Swithin's day is wet or showery, it is expected that
;

the weather will continue so for six weeks;

the reverse is expected for the same time.

if

dry same day,

In harvest, when the last of the farmer's corn is about to

be cut, a small portion of the best is plaited and bound up.
The men then stand at a certain distance, and throw their hooks
This is
at it till it is cut, on which they give three cheers.
generally called winning the churn, but in some parts of the
It is carried home and laid above
parish it is called the hare.

door

the

the

name of

the

first

young woman who

enters

be that of the wife of the young man

1
who has put it there. A like custom is observed in Devonshire,
thence.
and in all likelihood it came here with the settlers from
afterwards,

it

is

said, will

Gentleman's Magazine, 1816.

24

354

On

winning the churn, the reapers are usually regaled with

a special feast, also called the churn.
Formerly this feast
consisted of a profusion of homely fare, such as bread, cheese,
butter, cream, &c, and generally concluded with a dance, the
master and mistress joining without distinction in the general

Of late years, this rustic feast has been corrupted by

festivity.
the introduction of tea and whiskey, and the former simplicity
of the entertainment is in a great measure lost.
This feast is believed to be the fragment of a very ancient
custom, formerly held by both Jew and heathen, and afterwards
adopted by the early Christians, who rejoiced and feasted on
getting in the fruits of the season. The sample of plaited corn
is believed to have been the
offering made to the tutelar deity
of harvest. 1

All-hallow eve, hallow e'en, is kept in festive merriment ;

apples and nuts are eaten, and young men and women place
nuts in the fire in the name of their sweethearts.
This custom
is

described by Gay
"
Two hazel nuts
:

And

to each

nut

threw into the flame,

I gave a sweetheart's name

This with the loudest bounce

That

in

me

sore

amazed;

a flame of brightest colour blazed."

Several other innocent fooleries are also practised on this

night, rather out of sport than a belief in the truth of them.

Same
or

evening, boys armed with a short stick, or mall, knock

batter at the doors of the different houses, which they

continue

Formerly cabbages were used for

This night was anciently kept as a harvest home
or thanksgiving for having safe housed the fruits of
; and
prior to the invention of bells, the people were
till

a late hour.

that purpose.
festival,

the field

by a knock on the door, with an

2
night signal, or wakening mallet:
hence, might not the knocking now practised be a vestige of
this ancient custom?
Formerly a custom prevailed, which was termed calling

convened

to nocturnal prayers

instrument

called

the

A short time before Christmas, young men or

assembled each morning about five o'clock, and proceeded
music to the houses of the most respectable persons, where
One of the party then bade
played some lively tunes.

the Waits.

Brand's Popular Antiquities.

Brand's Popular Antiquities.

boys
with
they

good

355
to each

morning

and ending by

of those within, beginning with the master,

calling out the hour of the morning,

and state
These visits were continued till some days
after Christmas, when they called in daylight, and received a
donation in silver, which was always spent in the ale-house.
This custom ceased in 1796, or 1797, when all nocturnal
The practice appears to have been
meetings were prohibited.
a remnant of the wanderings of the ancient minstrels.
In the
city of Westminster they still retain regular grants of their
of the weather.

office,

the

by the

title

of

time

inhabitants

of Waifs.

Henry
and

lately

They date
and

their profession

from

serenade

the
during
punished some unlicensed waits, in a.

II.,

winter

regular judicial proceeding.

Late on Christmas eve, young men and boys assembled and

collected carts, cars, gates, boats, planks, &c., with which they
block up the Irish or West gate of this town. There is a vague
tradition that the custom originated in the protestant inhabitants
shutting the gates on the Roman Catholics, when they went out
to

mass on Christmas

This

eve.

is

incorrect,

probably

several old inhabitants informed the writer that

was practised during

rancour

is

totally

their

unknown

Within memory,

it

youth.

Be

this

as

it

no such

as
act

may, party

at present.

was common with boys

to

assemble

school house on the morning before Christmas,

-early
and to bar out the master, who was not admitted till he promised
at

their

a certain number of days vacation.

Early on Christmas day,
the boys set out to the country in parties of eight to twelve,
armed with staves or bludgeons, killing and carrying off such
These were taken to their
fowls as came in their way.
the following day. To this
respective school-rooms, and dressed
feast many persons were invited, who furnished liquors, or
other necessaries: the entertainment usually continued for
several days.

became

less

As

civilization increased, those

popular, and the decline of

this

marauding feasts
custom was much

hastened by the discovery that the cooks often purloined the

best fowls to themselves.
the Christmas holidays it is yet common with young

During

dressed with paper

boys to assemble at night, fantastically
different
the
to
houses, each
to
and
ornaments,
proceed
'Gentleman's Magazine, 1821.

356
repeating in turn the words of some character in the well known
Christmas rhymes. After those orations, halfpence are solicited,

and usually given, which are spent in liquors or sweetmeats.

Formerly great numbers of men and boys resorted to the
fields on this day, to play at shinny, which game was sometimes

warmly contested between the inhabitants of

different

town-

the custom has almost entirely ceased, and a few boys

only assembling to this diversion.
Small wooden boxes are bought by children at this season,

lands

which are called Christmas boxes; into these they put halfpence, or such other small presents as are received at this time,
which are also called Christmas boxes.
Indeed Christmas is
particularly remarkable as a season of presents, hilarity, and
good cheer, and the meanest person may be said to fare

Geese, mutton, and pies, are

sumptuously on this occasion.
most sought after ; and, in short, every appendage connected

with good eating and drinking. Some burn large candles, called
Christmas candles, during the nights of festivity. The general
"
salutation at this time is,
a merry Christmas, and a happy

new

year."

Until of late years, branches of holly were put up against

the seats and walls of the church at Christmas, w here they
remained till Shrove Tuesday.
There is no tradition here
r

this custom.
The learned Dr. Chandler, in his
Travels in Greece, informs us that it is a remnant of druidism
"
"
the houses," says he,
were decked with evergreens in
December, that the Sylvan spirits might repair to them, and
remain unnipped by the frost and cold winds, until a milder

respecting

season renewed the foliage."

Formerly the sexton also carried
small branches of holly to the houses of the most opulent
persons belonging to the established church, who placed it on
the top

of their kitchen shelves, where

same length of time

it

remained for the

as in the church.

The following things are generally observed here as

prognostics of the weather, on which the moon is believed to
have great influence at all seasons. If the new moon appears
with her disk nearly upright, or what is termed on her back,
rough weather is considered during her time. Saturday's change
is

thought to forebode storms and rain

hence the remark,

"

At the full and

Saturday's change is enough in seven years."
quarters of the moon's age, change of weather is expected.

357
\\

hen a

weather
"

appears about the moon, called a brough, stormy

looked for within twenty-four hours; hence it is

circle
is

a far

said,

off

brough and a near hand storm."

If small

floating white clouds appear, which are called cat hair, rain is
looked for next day ; and when a meteor is seen at night, called

a shot

star,

thought that

is

it

it

will

be wet or stormy the day

following.

The singing of the red-breast in the evening on the top of

a tree or bush, is deemed a token of fine weather.
Swallows
low
are
believed
to
indicate
the
reverse.
rain;
high
flying
flying

The

seen abroad in the evening,

or bum-clock,

dor-beetle,

is

When the roaring of

supposed to forebode good weather.
Strangford bar is heard in this lough by the fishers, they
If
conclude that the wind will blow hard from the south.
Scotland is distinctly seen with the naked eye, and the Copeland
islands appear high, a gale is expected from the eastward.
When

the sun appears nearly encompassed by a circle, severe

is expected, and the wind from that direction where

weather

the breach was in the

in the clouds,

If a figure appears in the morning

of a rainbow, which the fishers call a

circle.

like part

Dog, they expect stormy weather;

reverse

if

seen in the evening, the

hence their adage.

"

dog
dog

A
By some

at night is a sailor's delight,

in the

morning

this

is

will

called a

appearance
is seen near the moon, which they
weather is looked for by them.

bark before night."

w eather-gaw.
r

call Ihirlbassey,

If a star

tempestuous

It is deemed unlucky for persons to remove their effects

from one house to another, on a Saturday; or, to begin any
work of importance on that day. We have also heard the like
the week on which Christmas
objection made against the day of
In sickness, it is deemed an ill omen if
was held, on that

year.
the afflicted person is better

"'

on a Sunday: hence, the adage,

If Candlemas-day is fine.

Sunday's ease was never good."

their proverb says.

expected immediately after
Candlemas-day be fair and clear,^
There'll be two winters in that year."
the following
It was formerly believed, that the markets of
streams arose
or
rivers
the
as
in
proportion
year, would advance
old.
in their waters, on the night between the new year and the
considered
is covered with snow, at Christmas, it is
f the

rough weather

"

ground

is

If

358
will be healthy
hence, the saying, if
green Christmas makes a red church-yard."
Dogs
howling, at night, is considered an omen of the death of some
If a dog or cat
person of the family to whom they belong.

coming season

that the
reverse,

"A

is immediately killed, from a

any person they would afterwards pass over, would
take the falling sickness.
Crickets coming to a house, or
removing suddenly from it, is commonly believed to forbode
some change in the family of that house. The three last days
of March are named the borrowing days; and they are expected
to be cold and stormy
hence, the adage, still repeated by old

passes over a corpse, the animal

belief that

people,

"

The first of them is win and weet,

The next of them is snow and sleet
The other one was pickry-bane,
To freeze the birds' neb till the stane. "
;

The

origin of those days is said to have been, the Israelites

lorrowing jewels, trinkets, &c. from the Egyptians, before their
flight

from Egypt.

A
from a
into

it

never removed from one house to another empty,

taken empty into a house, the child put
would not thrive. The virtues attached to a four-leaved

cradle

is

belief, that, if

shamrock, are

still

talked of by

by means of

believed,

it,

some

the

lucky finder

is

to acquire the gift of seeing things,

invisible to other eyes.

The employments of the people have been so fully given

in the tables inserted in this work, that the following additional
notices are all that we deem requisite on that subject.
Tradition states that the woollen manufacture was formerly
this place; but until of late years the

of some consequence in
linen business

people,
cloth

was that which

much being done both

was mostly sold

chiefly gave
in spinning

in Belfast

employment
and weaving.

to the

The

and within the parish were

four linen bleachfields, the last of which ceased about eighteen

These have been superseded by cotton mills and
years ago.
printfields

there are

now

three of each, all of which are pretty

Two

of the former are the property of Mr. Jamesthe

other
of Mr. How. The printfields belong to Mr.
Cowan,
Stewart Dunn. Mr. Saml. Hay, and Mr. Geo. M'Cann [1839].

extensive.

The first cotton cloth made in the parish, was about 1790
Soon after, some
yarn was brought from Whitehouse.
calico webs were given out to be worked by persons in this
;

the

359
town, chiefly on commission. In May, 1796, Mr. Robert Hanly
gave out calico webs on his own account, which first placed this
business here on a permanent footing.
Cotton printing was
commenced within this parish, by the same gentleman, in the

summer of 1804.

The

following were the prices paid

for

in 1796.

weaving calico

Length of Yards.

Prices of Weaving.
i
6
o.

Ten hundred,

96,

Nine hundred,

96,

9.

Eight hundred,

96,

o 19

6.

Prices in 1811.

Ten hundred,

116,
116,

o 17
o 15

o.

Nine hundred,
Eight hundred,

116,

o 12

o.

o 17
o 12

o.

o.

Prices in 1823.

Twelve hundred,

174,

Ten hundred,
In

174,
there were within the

1807,

town

o.

muslin weavers.

Irish quarter, 10
3 cord weavers, and 14 calico weavers.
muslin and 83 calico weavers. Scotch quarter, 3 muslin and 27

Total, 15 at muslin, 3 at cord, and 124 at

time there were 15 linen weavers in the town
November, 1809, there were 190 looms at work

calico weavers.
calico.

and

this

quarters.

in the
1

At

town and suburbs:

in

May, 1811, they were reduced

to

New

60.

[See
Appendix.]
Within the town and quarters are a distillery, brewery, and
two tanyards. A market * is held in the town on Saturdays.
[In

April,

1836,

branch of the

Northern

Bank,

Belfast,

was

Mr. Johns
died in 1866, and was succeeded by Mr. David Pasley as manager,
who died February i3th, 1003, aged 87 years. Mr. William Smyth
\vas the next manager he retired October 5th, 1906, and was succeeded
by Mr. Isaac Graham, the present manager.
In 1895 a now Post Office was opened in High Street, to replace
The following are the names of those
the old one in Market Place.
we find in charge in the annexed years: 1839, George Erskine
till
1861
Robert Alexander;
Nelson;
1858-61,' Mathew
1852-8,
Miss Nelson, who resigned, and was succeeded by
November, 1883
since 1892, Miss
Miss Percy, who removed to Portrush, July, 1892
opened here.

The

first

manager was Mr. Alexander Johns.

O'Gorman.]

Street was
[*In 1837 the old distillery and malt kiln in North
opened as a market.
the corn mill kiln and distillery in Irish
In January,
1824,
It is stated the proprietor, John
Quarter were advertised for sale.
6.000 in erecting an extensive distillery, ready for
Thompson, spent

work, dwelling house, yard, and loading quay erected.

36

which is much better attended than formerly.

Fairs * are also
held on the i2th May, and ist November.
In the spring of 1811, a stage coachf called the Commerce,

began to run through this town from Lame to Belfast, on

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; at present two stage
coaches run between those places on same* days. Eight jaunting
cars pass hence to Belfast on the mornings of said days, and
return in the evening
several of these also run to Belfast
:

every day

the fare

is

only

8d.

is.

The

first

regular conveyance

from hence to Belfast was a jaunting car established by Mr.

William Wilson of this town, about 1796; the fare was 2s. 2(1.

The FISHERY} of
employment to many

the bay furnishes an important source of

it
is computed that near 300
persons
:

people are employed in this way, including those who spin

hemp for nets, gather bait, attend markets, and cadgers. In
September, 1819, the number of boats and persons employed
as

were

Boats, 27; men, 123; of these 102 were

95 of those men could read and write, 26 could read,
only were illiterate. A few of those persons were only

fishers,

married

and

fishermen occasionally.
Their fishing boats are of very different descriptions, and
for distinct purposes.
Seven or eight boats usually sail from
the

quay

these

are

smack

rigged,

and follow trawling or

October, 1865, this old distillery was taken by Mr. Nelson Boyd,
of Belfast, and converted into chemical works, which have given place
to works for the manufacture of salt.
Alexander Gunning was the proprietor of a brewery in West Street.
1841, John Legg carried on the business of a currier and tanner
in the Scotch Quarter, and for a great many years James Woodside
his sons, William Allen Woodside, J.P., and David Allen, in \\Ysi
Street, succeeded in the business
they were also ship owners.
;

Alexander Hunter was a soap and candle manufacturer in High

and North Street.
*At present the fairs are held first Saturday in February, first
day in May, first Saturday in August, and first day in November.]
t The two stage coaches mentioned were the Larne Royal Mail
These coaches had their stopping
and Magee's Larne Day Coach.
place at Mr. Henry's Inn in Antrim Street, opposite the jail, which,
with Mr. Samuel Erskine's, in the same street, and Mrs. Sinnott, in
High Street, were the principal hotels.
In April, 1848, a branch of the Northern Counties (now Midland)
was opened to Carrickfergus, and in 1862 the railway line was opened
In 1890 the path was made along the railway to Taylor's
to Larne.
Avenue, and in 1896 the line was doubled from Greenisland to CarrickStreet

fergus.

at the Scotch Ouartor

industry is now obsolete
one boat for long line fishing, and three fishermen in
the Scotch Quarter there are three or four trawlers at the Town Quay.
In 1856 there were fifty long line fishers and seven boats, six other
boats were in the herring and other fishing.]
J

Ouay

The

there

fishing

is

36

When fishing for plaice

<lredging.
for oysters, dredging, or drudging.

it

is

called trawling

when

These boats commonly carry four hands each, and their

from ^30 to ^70
a trawling net costs about
The
nets
are shaped like a bag, and mostly made here,
,/~6.
of the material called Usher's hemp: they are from 10 to 12
fathoms in length ; their meshes about three inches and a half,
save near the beam to which the net is fastened, where the
meshes are about one inch and a half.
The beam varies in
length from 24 to 32 feet.
Plaice and oyster are the fish sought after by these boats,
clams,
though occasionally skate, sole, and lythe are taken
mussels, and other shell fish, are caught in the dredges with
price varies

Some plaice are taken at all seasons, but are

usually most plentiful from the beginning of September till
January, after which they are said to retire into deeper water.

the oysters.

If the weather

is

rough

at

any season, they remove, or bury

themselves in the sand.

Plaice are

now

less

plentiful than formerly

within the

25 years, two hundred were frequently taken at a haul

at present two or three hundred are deemed a tolerable day's
fishing, though the numbers vary from a few to four hundred.
The prices of plaice are equally irregular, varying from i8s.
to -Q\ 2 9 per hundred of six score.
The gradual decline of
these fish has been alleged to arise from the frequent use of
the trawl, which often brings up large quantities of spawn,
from which circumstances it might be proper to limit the use
of this net to certain seasons.
The trawl net was first used
here about 52 years ago, prior to which the plaice were caught
last

by the hook.
* are
the bay.
chiefly taken on the eastern part of
from the beginning of September till May, or in the common
phrase, in every month that has an R in its name, after which
the fish assume a milky appearance, and are then out of
season.
The oysters are taken up by a strong bag net, called a
drudge, the mouth of which is kept open by an iron hoop or
Oysters

oyster fishery, which formerly gave employment

and
1901 occupied only two boats, employed six men,
It has been stated that the disproduced ^64 worth of oysters.
appearance of the oysters, herrings, and other fish in the lough, as they
were wont to appear, is owing to the sewage matter and dye stuffs
from Belfast flowing down the lough, and the subsequent contamination
of the water, also falling clinkers from passing vessels.]
[*

to

The once famed

many men,

in

362
bar, of

an oblong shape, and about three feet and a half in

is about four feet in length, and made from

The net
length.
the refuse of tow.

The number of

oysters taken daily by each boat when

uncertain,
dredging,
very
frequently varying from a few to
three hundred.
These oysters are generally large some have
is

teen taken that weighed two pounds, being six inches long, and
four in breadth ; the average weight is about one pound four

Their
ounces, and near five inches long and four in breadth.
price varies at present from 8s. to i8s. per hundred, of six
score.
In 1800, their usual price was from 45. to 75. ; they
were then more plentiful, from eight to twelve hundred being
frequently taken by one boat at a fishing.
These fish are found on beds of sand,

commonly in deep
amongst a substance technically called clutch. In some
of them have been discovered pearls as large as a pea; the
same are also found in the horse mussel (Mytilus Modiolus),
water,

dredged promiscously with the common oyster.

has been observed that the oysters on the northern side
of the bay are the largest, owing to their being seldom disturbed.

that are
It

Of

some have been taken as far up this lough as Green

near two miles from the town of Carrickfergus.
The Scotch quarter boats are different from those described,

late

islarfd,

both in their equipments and employments. They are from 17

to 21 feet in keel, and from 6 to 8 feet wide: tonnage from
2 to 3 tons.
Each boat has two lug sails, viz., fore and main,
and have also booled oars, six of which they use in winter, and
four in summer. 1
One of these boats costs about ^30, and
their tacklings, as nets, lines, hooks, &c., near the same sum.

The
as

nets of each boat are in five shares, sometimes belonging to

persons ; the share consisting of forty eight yards, the

many

meshes an inch square, and an hundred and fifty deep. These

nets are hempen, and well barked with oak or sallow, to make

them durable.
Both the number of boats and hands employed varies with
the season ; during winter, the boats fishing seldom exceed nine
Booled oars arc those which row two at one beam
upon each
oar is fastened a piere of oak timber, the length of such part of the
which timber enables them to
oar as is worked within the boat
Between each
balance the oar, so that they row with greater ease.
beam of the boat is also fastened a piece of timber called a stretcher.
or footspur, against which they place their feet when rowing, to enabfrthcm to have a more complete command of their oar.
1

363
or ten, with from seven to eight persons in each ; at this season
they commonly fish with lines.
Every fisherman's line has eight

and eight hooks upon

score

two fathoms between each

it,

hook.

Shooting, or setting their nets or lines, is always done

with the tide if lines, as they shoot them they are all fastened
:

Between each line is suspended a stone or sinker.

together.
The former is about 7 pounds in weight, the sinker is a stone
of about 56 pounds weight, and one is usually attached to every
second line.
To the lines are also fastened a number of
bladders for buoys, which are tanned and tarred, to render them
impervious to water.

Some

alterations

within

lx>ats

present they

memory
are all

have taken place in the equipment of

formerly woollen sails were used, at

hempen canvass

for the

grapple they

have substituted the anchor.

The
season

time these

boats

set

o'clock in the morning,

hours.
If the weather

to

off

during the winter months

it

fish
is

changes with the

commonly about one

and they are usually out about twelve

is

moderate, they remain at anchor

all

that space, between setting and hauling their lines or nets; if

stormy, after setting, they go on shore at Castle Chichester, or

From February till November they fish

the
during
day, except for herrings, which are always caught by
The hours of employment are pretty much the same at
night.

more northward.

all seasons,

when no accident

occurs.

In summer, the number of boats fishing are from 16 to 20,

and from 4 to 6 persons in each; they fish occasionally (as in
The fish taken are chiefly cod, ling,
winter) with lines or nets.

Cod is the principal

lythe, or pollack, and herrings.
caught from November till March, and is then best in
season ; but the young ones are considered always in season
the cod are taken between Light-house isle and island Magee,
hake,
fish

40 fathoms water.
These boats also fish for

in about

lobsters,

which are taken by

baskets
putting pieces of fish, as plaice or eel, into wicker
with strait mouths, that admit the lobsters, but prevent their
return.
They are in season from May till October. Crabs
are also caught in the baskets with the lobsters.
The common baits used here for taking fish by the hook,
the fishers
are, lug, or sea worm, and a shell fish called by
buckie.

(Buccinum Undatum).

The former of

these

is

dug out

364

of the sand

at

low water; the

latter is

baskets, called -pots, in a similar

Herrings are usually caught

of

late years are rather

in

July and August

taken in small wicker

manner as the lobsters. 1

from May till December, and

more abundant than formerly,

all other fish,

especial ly

save cod. are scarcer.

To

discover herrings at night, the fishers make a noise with their

feet against the anchor in the boat ; if the fish are near, the
.shock of the water causes

This

by

their

When

them

observed by the curl

is

to dart off with great rapidity.

the surface of the water

made on

movement, and is called flushing, that is, starting them.

numbers are very great and compact, they are

their

termed a ball: sometimes, when a ball is flushed, the upper fish

are forced out of the water by the movement of those below,
in which case the confusion of the body increases, and the
upper fish, alarmed, shoot over each other for a considerable
space, with such rapidity, that their motion has been mistaken
for flying. An instance of this phenomenon is recorded, where
ths fish being close to the shore, a few were forced in their
flight on the land, and taken.

For a complete list of the fish caught in this bay, with

and local names, and observations on their former
and present numbers, see Appendix, No. XXIII.

their Linnsean

Notwithstanding the exposure of the fishers to the fury of

and waves, at all times and seasons, very few have
been lost. February, 1746, six fishers were lost during a storm;
in 1791, two others; one in 1797 ; and five on the 5th January.
1820.
By the humane exertions of the Rev. Robert D. D.
the winds

Wilson, and other gentlemen of the town, a handsome sum was

collected for the wives and children of the latter persons.
This district still exhibits numerous monuments of the

which

as

inhabitants,

primitive
yet

remain.

raths

They

are

and barrows, twenty four of

called

promiscuously

mounts,

moats, or jorths, and are believed by some to l>e the abode of

fairies, an opinion that has contributed not a little to their

a general observation, that from one mount

always seen, and to the truth of this remark only
one exception has been observed here, which probably proceeds
preservation.

another

It is

is

Formerly the persons who fished in this bay were obliged to

out a licence from the mayor: in the records is the following notice.
" October
future
3oth, 1727 agreed that no person or persons for the
shall presume or Take upon them to Fish in any part of the Seas,
from the
belonging to this Corporation, until they take out a licence
Mayor." It appears by the same authority that freemen paid annually
1

35. 4d., all others 6s. 8d.

365

from one or more being

levelled,

as several have been rased

within memory.

The mounts present very different appearances; some high,

and rather tapering to the top, others comparatively flat, and
hollow in the middle, surrounded by a trench, and evidently
intended for defence. These are always situated near a stream
or rivulet ; but very little attention seems to have been paid to
their situation, the summits of many being lower than the
ground adjacent.

The conical mounts were probably reared in remembranc

of those who fell in battle this opinion is strengthened by the
name of one of the largest, called Duncru, i.e., the fortress of
:

perhaps alluding to some battle fought on the spot.

opening a part of one of those mounts about twelve years

blood,

On

ago, a place was discovered on the north-west side resembling

a lime kiln, but without cement.
In the bottom were found

of wood, and some bones alleged to be human.

Within a circle of large stones at a few yards distance, were
found a number of urns containing ashes, the same kind of
Over each urn was a large flat stone,
charcoal, and bones.
bearing evident marks of fire, and near them the skulls, and
other bones of animals, which had been probably offered in
sacrifice ; the urns were all much broken, evidently from the
weight of their covering. Part of a deer's horn was also found ;
this was anciently a symbol of hunting, which it was customary
to bury in a warrior's grave. 1
The urns were coarse, and of a
ashes, charcoal

reddish colour outside,

resembling

common

flower- pot

all

were dark, as if some substance had been burnt

in them
their mouths were rather straight, and round the
When
outside of each was a raised circle, regularly embossed.
whole, each urn seemed capable of holding about six quarts.
Lately, in making an incision into one of those mounts,
some bones, and cinders of charcoal, were found about 10 feet
their insides
:

below the surface, also a row of short oaken stakes. Spenser,

"
in his
View of the State of Ireland," supposes such mounts to
have been erected as monuments of those who fell in battle
2
and the custom is believed to have been originally Scythian.
Scandinavian
and
other
as
the
Picts.
This is the more probable,
:

tribes

who

arrived in this country, followed the practice.

By a
deity, the body was

law of Odin, the Gothic legislator and

1

Dissertations on Ossian.
Mac Curtin's Vindication of the Antiquity of Ireland.

3 66

ordered to be burned, and the ashes collected in an urn, and

laid in a grave. 1
Herodotus, who flourished 413 years before
Christ, mentioning the tombs raised by the Scythians to their
"

kings, says,
they laboured earnestly to raise as high a
for them as possible."

Lucan, the
to this custom,
"

Roman

poet,

when he

who

flourished

A.D.

65,

mount
alludes

says,

Under a mountain

raised by hands, they keep.

Kings' sacred ashes, that securely sleep."

The custom
"

High

Of

is

also referred to in the Iliad

in the midst they raised the swelling

bed

rising earth, memorial of the dead."

M. Guthrie, in her Tour through the Taurida, mentions

Tumuli similar to those described; and Dr. Clarke in his
Travels in Russia, says they are numerous all along the road
from Petersburg to Moscow, and that such as had been opened
contained bones of men and horses, and sometimes warlike
weapons. Maria Graham, in .her late Letters from India, notices
sesing similar mounts in that country ; and Brown, in his
Western Gazetteer, also notices similar
state of Indiana.

artificial erections in the

Tradition ascribes the erection of those here to the Danes,

an opinion by no means improbable, as they are known to have

In Essex, on the borders of
reared such in England.
Cambridgeshire, are a number cf conical hills exactly resembling
those described, known to have been reared by Canute, king of
the Danes, on a field of battle, in in6. 2

Such of the flat mounts, r raths, as have been levelled,

confirm the belief of their having been intended merely for
defence.
Their ramparts, or breastworks, were formed of the

common

soil

near where they stood

within the rampart the soil

was deep and blackish, differing materially from the other parts.
Some ashes, and cinders of charcoal of wood, have also been
found within them ; and in one which was opened a few years
ago, there was found a cave, which extended nearly round the
It was composed of large stones laid
inside of the rampart.
across others, and seemed to have been intended for a store, or
place of refuge.
Giraldus Cambrensis

expressly

Ledwich's Antiquities.
-Gentleman's Magazine, 1822.
1

ascribes

the

erection

of

36?
those mounts, or forts, to the Danes ; and Mac Curtin, in his
Vindication of the Antiquity of Ireland, says, " the Danes,
about A.D. 852, began to build strong forts over all the

kingdom, the Irish do call them rat/is or lies; they were so near
one to another, that one might see one rath from another, all
over the whole kingdom."
They are said to have been
proportioned to the property and power of the toparch: round
them the clan resided, and within them they retreated from
1

From

danger.

their

being the residences of the chief, they

some of their names still

became courts of judicature;

also

allude to the custom, beginning with Lis, corrupted from Lois,

"
it was common
Spenser says
signifying a court.
among the
Irish to make assemblies upon a rath or hill, there to parley

about Matters and

Wrongs between Township and Township.''

the ancient boundaries of this corporation is a large mount
called Lisglass, i.e., the green court.
The name moat, by which

On

they are often mentioned, is a corruption of the Irish mo/a,

signifying a mound, and corresponds with the ancient name
2
rathe, or raid, primarily signifying a place of security.

Three cairns remain within

of

hills

called
three,

the largest

Sleive-true,

is

this parish, all on the summits

situated in the West Division, on a hill

the mountain of
i.e.,
no mention. 3 This heap is
the base, and about 20 feet high;

Slieve-triar,

literally

but of what three there

77 yards in circumference at
but was formerly evidently

commonly

called

the

is

larger

than

at

present.

White Cairn, perhaps from the

It

is

stones

being covered with a grey incrustation.

On its summit is a large stone six feet in length, and five
feet and a half in breadth at the north end, but little more

than two feet at the south

it

is

about two feet in thickness.

This stone was doubtless anciently a cromleigh, i.e., the stone of

bowing or adoration ; religious rites being performed there of
old, from a belief that the souls of the dead resided at those
places.
Formerly, like all cromleighs, it was supported by other
but about fifty years ago, it was cast down to its
;
present position, in consequence of a man having dreamt that
money was hidden under it. The search, however, was unsuccessful; nothing being discovered but a badger, which was
large stones

unearthed in the course of the operation.

1

2
3

Anthologia Hibernica,

Ledwich

Antiquities.

At the base of this hill aro three vory large stones, called the
three brothers, which still serve for land-marks.
[See also O'Lavcrty's Diocese of Down & Connor, Vol. 3.]

3 68

A little west of Sleive-true is the Rea-hill, probably

On it is
corrupted from Reagh-hill, i.e., the hill of the king.
a cairn, the base of which is 7 5 yards in circumference ; its
stones have been mostly carried away to build houses, or
enclose

fields.

horse market and race are held on this

hill

annually, on Christmas day.

[Not now held.]
About one mile north-east of Sleive-true is a cairn exactly
similar to those just noticed, called Cairn-na-neade, literally

Cairnadde, the coped heap. In the northern part of the North

East Division is a place called " The Priest's Cairn."

There

is
no record nor oral tradition respecting these
but
that
;
they were burying places, is confirmed by the
following circumstance. On clearing off a part of the cairn on
Sleive-true * about 26 years ago, for the purpose of erecting a
school house, an earthen urn was discovered, but unfortunately
it was broken
by the workmen in their hurry to get it up, as

cairns

In this they weiv

supposed it to contain money.
disappointed, as only some blackish substance adhered to it.
Cairns are numerous on the mountains and hills of the
they

county of Antrim, and are said to have been erected as

memorials of the dead. On the Fairhill, in the adjoining parish
"

of Ballynure, is the site of a cairn called

Quigley's cairn ;
Cairnlough, near Glenarm, takes its name from a cairn that
formerly stood there, within a small lough

on a high

hill

in

the parish of Ardclines, is a cairn called Cairn-Neal, from one

of the O'Neills, who fell in battle, and was interred there ; by
the conical hill of Slemish, near Broughshane (slaibh-mios), is
a cairn called Cairnalbonack, which is said to have been reared
'

by every person of an army of Scots casting a stone in passing ;

on Collenwarcl hill, and on the Cave hill, are similar heaps,
the names of which are lost; and on Knockleade there is a
"
the heap of the
large cairn, called Cairn-an-truagh, i.e.,
"
three ; another, on Great Aura, marks the place where the
Mac Quillans were defeated by the Mac Donnells ; and there
is one on the S. E. side of the mountain of Trostan, erected
by the Mac Donnells and Mac Aulays, called Caslin Sourhvbuy.~
[*

Of

the cairns mentioned few no\v remain

Duncrue

is

in

a good

The schoolhouse on Slievetrue was built in 1803.

state of preservation.
hy the late James Craig, M.P., Scoutbush
owing to its exposed
situation it was allowed to go to ruin.]
Tradition of Old Inhabitants.
;

Drummond's

Giant's Causewav.

369

The erection of cairns * appears to be of great antiquity

and some have been intended for other purposes than those
above mentioned.
Cairns are noticed in scripture as being
reared over the bodies of Achan and Absalom, and one as a
memorial of a solemn covenant between Jacob and Laban.
;

Cairns are found in the interior of North America, 1 in Siberia.

2
and numbers of them
Iceland, and other northern counties ;

be

(l>elieved

to

Western

Isles.

monumental)

are

seen

in

Scotland

and the

The

Scottish highlanders. a Celtic people, say

"
to the heads of clans, by way of compliment,
I will add a

stone to your cairn ;" meaning that they will honour the person,
after his death, by contributing to rear his monument. 4
There are no natural caves within this parish, and but few

of the

artificial

kind have been discovered.

In the southern

brow of the Knockagh hill, are three cavest cut out of the
rock, which, from the difficulty of ascent to them, appear to
have been intended as places of refuge.
At the base of the same hill are also several other caves.'
which seem to have been used at some distant period for
habitations, a small crevice being in each, evidently ntended
as a fire-place.

burn

Adjoining the cascade on the southern branch of WoodThe

river, are two caves hewn out of the face of a rock.

upper one

is

called Peter's cave

both can be entered with some

but are not spacious.

Caves were anciently used

difficulty,

habitation,

being

the

secret

They were

inhabitants.
"

also

places of refuge and

winter dwellings of the

as

and
used

as

stores

and

granaries.
"

and they
long after the arrival of the English in this island ;
for
the
as
also
used
to
have
been
dead, as
receptacles
appear
3
numerous human bones have been found in some of them.

[*As a revival of an old custom, on Sunday, 2ist Juno. iQoS, a

was erected at Cushendun to the memory of Shane O'Neill. See

cairn

page

22.]

Bartram's Travels.
Henderson's Journal of a
-Bell's Travels through Siberia.
dence in Iceland.
3
Johnson's Tour to the Hebrides.
1

Encyclopedia Britannica.

Resi-

as O'Haughan's
[+The most western of these caves is locally known
Cave. Eneas O'Haughan was one of four brothers, robbers, who were
They ascended and descended by
long a terror to the 'neighbourhood.
the" Deer's Lane to the house of a Mrs. Jacques.]
,

Anthologia Hibernica.

25

37

The tradition of this neighbourhood is, that these caves

were made and inhabited by the Pehts, or Picls, a branch of
the great Scythian stock, who. overran a considerable part of
Europe. Caves are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament
In the book of Genesis we
as places of burial and refuge.
are informed that Abraham bought a cave for a burying place
for his family ; and in Judges
Israel made them dens, which
caves,

it

is

said.

were

in

"

the

The

children of

mountains,

and

and strong-holds."

RUIN'S

OF THE CASTLE OF CLOUGHNAHARTY.

Other appearances have also been

have been traces of the residences of
In cutting peat on the Commons a few
rows of wooden stakes were discovered
surface.

As

the

Irish

hut,

or

observed, and alleged to

the ancient inhabitants.

eaban,

years ago, some regular

about TO feet below the

was composed of the

branches of trees fixed in the ground and covered with rushes

or grass, might not those stakes have been the remains of an
1
ancient caban preserved by the peat?
1

Anthologia Hibcrnica.

Near the same place

-was found, about 21 years ago, a row of wooden stakes

standing
upright, about seven feet below the surface, and pointed with
some sharp instrument.
From a knob that remained on the

head of each,
fasten

cattle

it

to.

was conjectured they had been intended to

These appearances at least strengthen the
"

whilst tillage, and all

-opinion that peat has generated,
attention to agriculture, gave place to war and rapine
[1839].
Of ancient castles * few- vestiges now remain, besides those
1

'

On the shore, West Division, are some

formerly mentioned.
remains of a castle called Lugg's castle, from a family of this
place, by whom the lands attached to it were held in 1576.
was anciently called Cloughloughcarly, Cloughnohearty, or
Old Stone. There is neither record nor tradition respecting
this castle.
On digging about it some years ago, large iron
Tceys were found, and many human bones.
It

the

Speed, in his Map of Ireland, published in 1610, has laid

-down a castle called Dunrock, near the w est bank of Loughmourne.
This must have been an error, as there is not the
slightest trace of it observable, nor any tradition of a castle or
fort having been there at any time.
r

At Scoutbush, about one mile and a half west from the

are some vestiges of an ancient military

town of Carriekfergus,

1
The
formerly called the Scout-guard, or Lcttice-land.
former name is believed to have been taken from its being the

post,

station of the scout major, an office similar to that of provost

marshal ; 2 the latter name is supposed to have been given from

daughter of Francis Knolles, and wife of Walter

3
The deep
Devereux, earl of Essex, and governor of Ulster.
trench by which it was formerly encompassed can still be traced.
It contains upwards of two acres of ground, and appears to
Lettice,

have been a quadrangle, flanked with bastions, and entered by

draw-bridges on the east and north.
Tradition states this to have been the favourite residence
of

general

Robert

Munro,

who

commanded

the

Scottish

It is added,
auxiliary forces here, from April 1642 till 1648.
that early in the former year it was the residence of a respect-

M >till
old wall of "Castle Lugg
remains;
[* The remains of the
has been built up to form a gable to a shed. A modern house has
been erected near the site and named "Castle Lugg;" it is no\v
orrtipird by Stuart S. Littlr. [Link].l
1
Grants of igth James I. to Sir Arthur Chichester.
8
l>s. Cur. Hib.
it

Camden's Elizabeth.

372
Protestant family called Crymble; and that a Romars
Catholic nurse, who resided with them, let down the draw-bridge
in the night, and admitted a party of rebels, who massacred

able

The elder Crymble is said to have made a

most desperate resistance, killing several of the assailants after
his bowels had fallen out, and even driving others over the

the whole family.

drawbridge.
In the

mansion,

Middle Division are some

enclosed

by

fosse

three

traces

yards

of

wide,

an

ancient

and about

three hundred in circumference.

Ancient military weapons have been often found in thisas swords, hatchets, and spear heads, all of brass, and
arrow heads of flint, vulgarly termed elf -si ones. Xo i, in the

parish

found in a bog in
These hatchets were fastened on a pole, and carried
1
in the hand as a walking-staff.
Xo. 2 represents a brass spear
A short brazen sword with
near
the
same
found
head,
place.
two edges, was found a few years ago in Loughmourne.
annexed

plate, is a figure of a brass hatchet

Ardboley.

Among

the antiquities of this district

may

be reckoned the

numerous coins * found in the neighbourhood, some of which are

Silver coins of the Alexanders, kings of
of an early date.
1

Grose's Antiquities of Ireland.

was a mint in Carrickfergus is without doubt: some
have been found, coined by John De Courcy. In tin
Calendar of Documents, Ireland, of the years 1171, 1251, p. 475, it
"
is stated
Expenses incurred in the mint, Ireland (35 Henry II.,
dated October i-fth to September 8th, 1252).
Hiring of servants and"
horses to carry ^.'2,000 from Limerick to Carrickfergus to form a
Also
in
Calendar
of Documents, yearsmint in Ulster, ^13
4."
"
From a chaplain
Pleas and profits of the mint, Ireland.
1228, 1255
"
.0 28 o.
Numbers of
of Carrickfergus for old halfpence newly clipt,
coins have been found at different times.

[* That there
silver farthings*
:

Mav, 1855, on removing the earth in North Street for

purpose of laying gas pipes, three pounds weight of base
minted for Ireland by Elizabeth, Philip and Mary, werecoins,
of
Lane.
Mr.
discovered.
Trooper's
Ferguson,
May,
1903,
unearthed a cow's horn containing 150 silver coins in a good'
state of preservation, containing groats and half-groats of Robert
Bruch, from the Edinburgh mint; groats, pennies, and halfpennies of
Edward III, from the London, Dublin, Eboracia, and Cantor mints;
also halfpennies of Edward II. and Edward the Black Prince, and a
These coins must have represented a large
halfpenny of Edward I.
money value at one time. They were purchased by the Belfast City
Council, and a special case made to hold them in the Museum of the
In 1805 some coins were found in North
Municipal Library, Belfast.
with the date,
Street, one Henry VIII. and two Philip and Mary,
1900, January iqth. in digging a grave
1556; one Elizabe'th, no date.
in St. Nicholas' Churchyard the graved igger turned up twelve coins,.
William and Anne.
In

the

[Link] OF THK-

t'HL'

RC1I OF ]\1LLYA3>',

[The foundations of the Church of Killyann can still be traced,

having the dimensions inside of about 41 feet long by 16 feet wide.
See "Transactions of the Belfast Naturalists Field Club."]

375
Scotland, and of John Baliol, have been frequently discovered
also some English coins, as those of
;
Henry
II., the other Henrys, the Edwards, Charles I. and II.,

in different places

Mary,

and James I. Several specimens of the base coin

James II., have been picked up, and also numerous
copper coins of Louis XIII. of France.
Elizabeth,
issued by

local copper tokens, issued by persons residing in

Antrim,
Lisburn, and Glenarm, have been discovered ;
Belfast,
each bearing on one side the name of the person who issued it,

Many

and on the other the nominal value (one penny.) Several tokens
are also found, that were issued by the inhabitants of CarrickOn the obverse of these is a castle embattled, and on
fergus.
the reverse the nominal value, encircled by the issuer's name.
tokens discovered are those of William Stubbs, Henry-

The

Burns. John Davadys, John Wadman, Andrew Willoughby,

and Anthony Hall. (See Xos. 3, 4, 5, in the annexed plate.)
Their dates are commonly from 1656 to 1666.
Some of the
latter have been found that had passed for two pence, all the
In 1808, a gold coin of Henry VI.
others were for one penny.
called an Angel, was found near the town wall ; on its obverse
was impressed St. Michael and the Dragon on the reverse a
shield with the arms of France and England quartered, in a
;

Several small copper coins of

ship having a cross for a mast.
also different local tokens.
been
Elizabeth
have
found;
Queen

On

the obverse of one found lately was ROBERT BRICE, and a

word much defaced ; on its centre were his arms, three stars and
two crescents in the field; on the reverse. CASTLE CHICHESTER,
On another token was inscribed JAMES SIM, of
1671, id.
HOLLYWOOD, id. On a third, on its obverse, W. R. D. M.

James M'CulIough, Scotch Quarter, has a number of

a
mound in Millnot's
when
coins
found
removing
Acre, N.E. Division, in the year 1855, viz., Nero, Comodus, Caracalla,
Cladius II., Diocletian, Constantine' the Great, (Urbits Roma) Severus
tokens of Andrew Willoughby,
Maximinus II. and Valens
II.,
merchant of Carrickfergus, found in the garden adjoining the old
in Lang's garden, and Robert
found
Franciscan Friary, Hugh Eccles
Double Turnois of Louis XIII. and his
Bruce in Julian's acres.
and Mary
brother, Gaston de Orleans, silver and copper coins of Philip
and Elizabeth found when opening up the streets in Scotch Quarter
and North Street for new sewerage system, silver and copper Edward
II. and III., William III., William and Mary, Anne and the Georges
in the old Churchyard,' and James' gun money,
I., II., III., and IV.
James (copper), and Charles I. and II. found in Castle Garden.
*The silver coin of John De Courcy (Patricia Farthing), Cragwas sold in Spinks & Sons, London, in December, 1906.
fergus
Mr.

Roman

for ^?i.]

376

1656;

reverse,

shin; on

its

reverse, Mr.

AA, GLENARM; on
its

the reverse, hands crossed, -and Archibald

token of some person in Belfast was also found,

Several other
obverse a ship under sail; reverse. 1671.

Addison.

On

On a fourth, SA, in BroughSAMUEL ANDREW, id.' On a fifth.

LISNAGARVY,

id.

tokens of persons who had resided in Belfast, have been found,

all of which are engraved in the History of Belfast, published
in 1823.

Quearns, or hand-mills, formerly used to grind corn, are

sometimes found, and preserved by the curious; and small
pipes resembling our tobacco-pipes, said to have anciently
belonged to the Pchts.

KEY OK THE IRISH OR WEST

C-ATK.

[This key was the property of the late C. A. W. Stewart,

Esq., B.L., or, as he was called, Councillor Stewart, who presented
it some
time before his death to Walter Carruth, Esq., J.P., Irish
Councillor Stewart inherited
the
which was
Quarter.
property
formerly Squire Ezekiel Davys Wilsons, twenty times mayor, and who
lived in the old house with the railings in the Irish
Quarter South.
This property formerly belonged to the Davys family." The plot of
at
the
West
or
Irish
Gate
was
let
in
to
Ezekiel Davys
ground
1729
Wilson at the yearly rent of 6d.
On the 24th of December Squire
Wilson appointed two men to watch the Irish Gate to prevent it being
blocked, which was the custom for a great number of years, until it
was removed sometime (I believe) in the forties.
The Irish Gate
(West Gate), like the North Gate (Spital Gate), was formerly entered
In July, 1886, at the assizes, a memorial was
by a drawbridge.
presented to the Grand Jury of Carrickfergus for the removal of
the Old North Gate (see page 92).
The Grand Jury in reply said
"
they were not at liberty to touch that arch without the permission
of the owners.
The Municipal Commissioners were more than the
custodians of the gate, they were the owners, and they had no power
to grant the presentment."
On being put to a vote ihe presentment
was lost, fourteen voting against it. In March, 1886, a public meeting
of the Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society was held,
at this meeting it was unanimously resolved that they regard with
the deepest regret the reported proposition for the demolition of the
Old North Gate, Carrickfergus. A communication was sent to Secretary
of the Grand Jury, Mr. Robert Kolly, which the Chairman of the
Court refused to read at the Presentment Sessions in July.]

APPENDIX
No.

The

I.

Statutes of Knockfergus, ordered and decreed to be kept

the Right honorable Sir Henrye Sydney, knt. L.

by

President

of Wales
of

Deputie

Ireland,

and the marches of the same,

and the whole counsaile of

I..

this

realme.
First.
That all and everie the inhabitaunts
of the said Towne shal be reddie to answer all
and laroms geven by the enemies, and therein to
and advice of the maior of the said Towne for the

and freemen
maner cryes
doe the

will

tyme beinge,

payne of forfeyture for everie tyme neglectinge his said

the some of 73. 8d. Sterl. to be levied for the use of
the said Towne.
Item.
That everie the said freemen and Inhabitaunts in
the said Towne shal answer all Courtes and other causes l>efore
in

dutie,

the maior of the said Towne, beinge called thereunto, in payne

of forfeyture everie tyme not answeringe the same, 35. 4d.
Sterl.

That whosoever

Item.

anie person
Sd. Sterl.
Item.

Towne),
mather,

without

That

if

an

will

officer

presume

to

forfeyt

to tak a pledge

for everie

from

tyme

js.

anie foreyner (not being free in the sayd

retayle anie wyne, cloth, silk, saffron. Spice,

alome, or anie other sorte or Sortes, of wares or

shal

merchandyse within the sayd Towne. or the liberties of the

same, in payne of forfeyture of the goods or merchandyse so
Sold, to the behalf of the maior and commonaltie of the sayd
Towne or the liberties of the same, and that whosoever shal
present anie suche goodes so bowght and sold, to share for his
labor 1 2<\.

37
Item.
That noe person or persons doe goe to anie Vessel
or Shipp small or great to buy anie kind of merchandyse,
without lycence of the maior, in payne of 75. Sterl. forfeyture.
Item.
All brawels quarrells, and frayes which shal be tothe disquyetness of the Towne, to be fyned at 205. Ster. eyther
els if the parties so offending be not worthe so muche, then

he or they to be emprisoned according to the discretion of the

maior.

All manner of actions small and great, to

Item.

come

before the maior, of sayd Towne, in payne of 75. 3d. Sterl.

Item.
That no forreyne merchaunt or other forreyner, shal

bye anie maner of wares, goods, or merchaundyces

at

hands of

man

of the contrie or other persone not beinge free, in

payne of forfey tinge the goods so bowght,-- and whosoever shal

anie

present the partie or goods so forreyne bowght and forreyne

sold, shall have for his presentment i2d. Sterl.

That whosoever shal

Item.
that

it

is set

at

by the

sell

above the price

he shal forfeyte one

his beefe

pricers. that then

quarter of his said beefe to the maior.

If anie man doe bye anie horse or beefe after the
Item.

Sone

daye at 6 of the clock in the morninge r

maior
Item.
That whosoever beinge free or forreyne shal bye or
sell anie goods wares or merchandyse to collor the same for anie
forreyne merchaunt or other, the same goods wares or
Sett untill the next

to forfeyte 75. 8d. to the

merchandyse to be forfeyted.
Item.
That whosoever dothe absent himself from anie
quest, being appointed thereunto by the
fey t for everie tyme 75. 3d. Sterl.

Town

That whosoever shal slander

Item.

woman do

his

Clerke. to for-

neighbour,

man-

unto the maior 75. 8d. Sterl.

Item.
That no freeman or woman shall keep anie persone
or persones within their howses secretlie eyther to brewe or
bak, ale. beere. breade, or suche lyke, other than suche as be

or

free.

The

forfeit

said ale, beere. breade, or suche lyke. to be forfeyt,

to paye 75. 8d. Sterl. everie tyme so

and the howseholder

1

offendinge.
1
Sir Henry Sidney was son of Sir William Sidney, and father of
Sir Philip
king Henry VIII. was his godfather, and Edward VI. his
writing
companion. He was a great favourite with queen Elizabeth
:

Campion
usually begins with "most dean- Mistres."
informs us that he was "a great searcher and preserver of Antiquities.""
Cox's History of Ireland. Letters of Sir Henry Sidney.
to

her,

he

379

No. II.

Thomas Smyth. Ma\

Petition against

2gth,

1573.

most humble wyse complayning Sheweth unto your

good Lordships your supplicants the maior of the pore and
desolate Towne of Knockfergus. that whereas your said
supplicants have of late greatly decayed by manes of the
Rebellione rownde about them made and are become So pore
In

as the third parte of the said Towne is ruynate

May it please
your Lordships that notwithstanding your suppliacants have
bycome (in consideration of their povertie and bordering among
:

the enemies) to utter their

Wynes aqua vita

and suche lyke merchandyze to any as well

cloth saffron Salt

rebell as other, in

now since Mr. Thomas Smythe's repayre hither,

he hath stopped and abarred your sayd supplicants of their
whole trade and occupying into the Contry. not suffering them
to utter their Wares, but if they So doe doth forfect the same,
wherby they are dryven unto suche skarcety of victualls and
other necessaries, as they have not whenvith to maynteyne themthe Contry

and

selves
1

daye

7th

their familyes : and further the said

of this instant Aprill demanded

Mr. Smyth the

of your sayd

supplicants the maior and his Brethern to lend unto him, for the
furnishing of his Soldiers the some of fortie pounds, the which

when they answered

consideration that he

they had not to lend, But (in

a subject of our Soverigne Ladie the
and being herein so desolate a place) did
that

is

Queen's majestie,
graunt to lend unto him twentie hogsheds of barley and ten
hogsheds of malt for his Soldiers victualing, untille he colde
make better provision, the which is more than your supplicants
are well able to doe, they being in suche great skarcety themnotwithstanding the said Mr. Smyth presently upon the
denyall of the sayd mony. did by his Soldiers forceably fetch
all your supplicants kyne out of the felds and drave them into
selves

the abbeye where he kept them, and then sounded his Drome
through the Towne with these words, all Soldiers Serving under
the Collonell
to the abbye to receve your shares of the

repayer

praye; and part of the kyne were devided that night, everie
three Soldiers having two kyne, and the next morning your said
wold
supplicants seeing their kyne redie to be kylled (which
have been the undoing of all the pore people), did demand of
the snvd Mr. Smvth to have the kvne restored, the which he

not grant unless your supplicants wold lend him some

monie, so that in the ende they were fayne to let him have
foure pence out of everie co\ve, 20 hogsheds of barley, and 10
Avoid

hogsheds of malt, which notwithstanding, your supplicants are

still threatened that this porson being spent the soldiers will
take such small store of victual Is as your supplicants have in
their

from

howsen

which

them,

if

shall

they

doe.

your

supplicants must be dryven to leave this hir Highness Towne

the which they have so long defended, which their. most lenientable case they open to your good Lordships, beseeching your

Lordships that redresse herein maye be had, so as this hir

majesties Towne may not be utterly overthrowne, being without
redress at the brink of decay.

Answer.
IT. l-'itzivllliam

T rustic

By

and wellbeloved

the L. Dcputic

We

and Counsdl.

l^efore the
greet you
receipt of your letters of the 29th of the last month, wherein
well,

you againe complaine of the misusage towards you of Thomas

Smyth (wherof we are sorrie to heare). we have addressed
Captain Piers to retorn unto you with fiftie footmen for your
better aide and defence, whoe long ere this we well hope hathe
arrived theare, and as we wrote by him in our letters unto you.
shortlie there shall another

compayne of a hundrethe Souldiers

be sent thither for a further supplie to your helpe, and doe
meane by any weies els that we maie. to further you the best we
in
and uppon Thomas Smyths repaire hither which we looke
:

for shortlie he shall be questioned with tuching the matters of

his factes wherewith you charge him
and as uppon his answere
:

we

shall

discerne

him

to

deserve

we meane

reproof,

so

to

he shall be admonyshed throughe his

correction to shonne any the like doeings henceforth; and shall
deale with him likewise to see to the correction of his men
which mysused you the Sheriff's there, as you have advertised
proscede with him,

as

and so doe, bidd you heartlie well

6th of June 1573.
Adam Dublin custos Sigilli.

To

our loving freends the Maior

_
and the rest of his brethren of
_
r ^
the Corporacon of Carnckfergus.
'

from Dublin

to fare

Robert Dvllon
v^-n
Lucas Dillon.
T

iV'\

33

No.

An

order from Sr.

III.

Henry Bagenall &c.

for restulion of the

Prayes.

The answer and

order taken tuching the peticion exhibited by

the maior and corporacon of Karigfergus as well against
Hugh M'Phelemy O'Neill as others Newry 26th March

1583Firste for the Prey by Hugh M'Phelemy (O'Neill), it is

20 of
complayned there doth remaine twenty fower cowes.
the said
logh-tavy for the restytucon of the rest of the Prey
the
as
a
for a
of
the
distress
taking
Hugh justifieth
Preys
but for that it is for;
challenge he had to the corporacon
:

bidden by the articles of the Peace that none should for any
chalenge distrayne, but leave the same to the determynnacon of
the commissioners, and that also in another article in the sem
peace concluded that for such and other like wrongfull taking
of goodes. upon the restytucon thereof the logli-lavy to be taken

and receaved of the goodes of the taker, and not any part of
the goods of the owner of them so taken, yt is therefore ordered
that the kyne to be restored of such somes of mony and other
they have prayed for logli-tavy and the same
taken by the maior of Carigfergus (for so hath
to
be
prooffe
Hugh M'Phelomy consented) and the prooffe so receaved and
that

things

the substance of their chalenges known wee order the said Hugh
to satisfye the said somes so proved by the firste of Maye next.

Item
wher it is complayned that the capten of Kilulta
took from the said towne three schore kine wrongfully without
any cause, the agent for the said Capten confesseth the taking
the reste. and justifyeth the taking as a
of 30 and

denyeth

distresse, for that certen

made by

of a Spoyle

said capten

nucthoryty

former

is

of the said Towne were at the taking

Brian M'Phelomy's sones upon the

Sr.

- for that the taking of other distresses without

as more at lerdge appeareth in the

forbiden.

article,

it

is

ordered the number of the kyne confessed

and for the

to be restored or the vallue as shal be proved;

be produced with thir valow. all which prooffs

by the maior of Carigfergus as afore in the
mencioned ; and what shal be proved before him

reste prooffe to
is

to be taken

firste
it

is

firste

article

same to l^e
of mave next.

the

satisfied

acording to the prooffe by the

Item The said Inhabitants of Carigfergus complayne that

Donell Gorme M'Donell sone to James M'Donell, the i2th of

from them eight or nine schore Cowes, for that

is proved that the sayd pray was taken by
the said Donell aforesaid (the number of the Cowes not proved
before us) the maior to take the prooffs of the owners for the
nomber, and the valow, whereof we order restytuceon presentlie
this instant tok

k appearath and

after the prooffes so taken.

H. Bagenall.
James Doudall.

Xo. IV.

An

order for the settlement of the differences between the inhabitants, and the constable of the castle, 1591.

W.

Fitzn'illiam

By

the L. Dcpiitic

&

Councdl.

T rustle

and welbeloved wee greete you well Whereas upon

the hearings of sondrie the griefs and complaynts exhibited by
the maior and corporacon of Carickfergus, and Charles Egerton
constable of her majesties castell there, the one against the
other ;
after their severall answeres
put in and further

proceedinge by pleadinges to drawe the cause to Issue, all which

we send you inclosed, we had full hearinge and perusuall of

them

whereupon for the greatest parte we found them to

upon prooffe. which we have thought good to referre to be
taken by you and in that tuchinge the custome of Ingate and
outgate, whereof the said Egerton is to have but two partes of
the Queenes custome. and the said Towne and corporacon the
thirde parte, the same by you to be put in execucion, and you
to see resticucion made of soe muche of the said third parte as
the said Egerton hath taken or delayed from them
where also
to the weaknynge of hir majesties said castell, it was complayned
that the said Charles had filled up the said diches thereof and
severall of the Townsmen, upon his assurance to be freed and
exempted from contrubusian with the Towne, were drawen to
build and dwell upon the said diches. which by us is houlden
and thought as well daingerous for the saftye of the said
:

reste

castell

as hinderfull for the said

Towne:

albeit the

same

in

not denyed by Egerton's answere. yet we requyre you

to take viewe thereof and to certifie what vou shal find therein
sorte

is

383
.am] so lickwise of the hight of
on the key side with prefers

Donge and filth by him raised

and promise of freedome and

ymunity after made (as is said), to such of the Townsmen as

will dwell and buylde on the same ; In both these
besydes your

we require you to take such prooves as the Townsshal produce before you
which together with your owne
retorne beinge delyvered to us we may thereupon take such order

*jwne viewe,

men
.as

shal be mete: having nevertheless alredy ordred that in the

all those tennants (the englishmen of his warde

mean tyme

excepted), shal contribut with the Towne as of right they ought

And tuchinge the grasinge of the 100 cowes free of

to doe;

allowed

grasinge
warders,

we

to

the

said

and his Englishmen

same performed to Egerton
none other, not permittinge him
Egerton

requiree you to see the

and his said warders, and to

under cullor thereof, to torne yt to other gayne or commoditie
In all the rest of theire cawses contayned in the pleadings on
both syds we require you to take such proffes as shal be
produced before you, and to order them yf you cane with
allowans of chardges to that partie whome you shal fynd to be
injured accordinge to your good discreasions, or otherwise
thereof and of all the rest to make relacon to us together with
:

suche

you shal take, the first of the next

whereupon wee may use suche further
proceedinges as shal be agreable to Justice and Eqytie, wherein
we pray you to have speciall care and for your doinge this shal
lie your warrant
Gevin at Dublin the 8th of Maye 1591.
deposicions

micheimes

terme

as

Jo: Armachan.

To our

trustie

and welbeloved the L. Baron Slane,

Sr.

Henry

Bagenall, knight, marshall of Ireland, Sr. Robert Dillon,

knight, chefe Justice of hir majesties courte of comon
Plees, and William Bath esquire second Justice of the

same, and to anv three of them, or two of them.

Xo. V.
Proclamation, by the Governor of Carrickfcrgus.
Whereas by reason of the greate Warres whiche of longe
in thes northeaste partes of Ullster, the
nomaine wealle as well of the Towne of Carickfergus as of
the Contrye neer abowte it. hathe in a maner bene quytte de-

tyme have continewed

384
faced and overthrowne, this Contrye being so dispeepled. as .a
greatte parte thereof lyethe styll waste for lacke of inhabitacon >

and that Peopell lyckwyse whiche be nowe replantinge in the

same by meanes of their lounge discontinewance frome cwiell
Government remaine alltogether ignoraunte of the comon and
general 1 good which wolde arysse unto all persons by mackinge
a dew and ordinary recoresse unto some establyshed markett
whearin they may at one sallfe same tym.e bothe sell and utter

from themsellves any suche comodeties as they have to departte

all. as allso buye and provyde any suche other needfull

withe

things as ther nessesity dothe require ; for redresse whereof, the

Governor of the upper and lower Clandaboyes. the Rowte, the
the

Glynes.
forces

and

and Kyllultogh,

Dufferen

within the

confered

Towne of

uppon

circumstances as unto

this
it

as

also

hir

majesties

Carickfergus, havinge consethred

present matter, and suche other

for this

tyme may be

l>elonginge,

have

thought good to nottefie and publish this resolucon thoughte

mett for this cause as a matter tendinge to the good service of
hir

majestic and the generall proffitte and comedetoy of all

is aforesaid
and whereas heretofore it hathe bene an

sortes as

ordynary cowstome, that the poore husbandman and others

beinge followers unto any Lord or cheffe of a countery, or any
other Gentell of meener quallity have bene subjecte to be
molested and arested. as well ther bodeys as any ther goods for

whom

the Debte of ther Lord or other one

thay wear dependinge

as followers or undertenaunts, whereby it enswed that the greater

partte of ther husbandemen and pore labouringe pepell are put

and doute to be so yll intreated as is aforesaid,

yf thay shoulde mack recorsse to the marckitte it is therefore
by the Governor afforesaid thoughte goode for the avoydinge
of all suche feare and doubte as affor said to give nottise that
in greatte fear

every

mane

that shal

come

to the marckett withe

any comodites
from any kinde of
whome they have
shal passe and repasse

to be solid, shal be proscekted and deffended

debts owing by them or ther Lords under

heretofore lyved, or hereafter

may

lyve.

from fryeday noune till Sonne day at night so long as thay lie
have them sellves orderly accordinge hir majesties good Subjecs.
Chrr.

Xote.
find

The above proclamation

Christopher Carleill
issued about that time.

is

governor in

Carleill.

without date, but as

1592,

it

we

was probably

385

No. VI.
Statuts to be considered of and established by the consente of
the whole assemblie, being the 6th of July, 1601
(viz.)
(The marginal

It

enacted that noe

is

man

having lande or

Howses within this Towne, shal sett or lett anie

'Zfgina'arc'in
the hand-writ- Howse, chamber, or lande to builde Howses on to
tng of -^'f an i e whore or defamed Person in which anie wine.
:

Arthur

Cht-

chickeiter,

as ale,

or

follow:)

Beere, or dishonest order sholde be either kept

soulde, neither shal anie man free or other,

Towne keepe anie whoore

Howse or Taverne:
Howse or lande so abused in

within this

as Taverner,

The owner

either within his

of the

by waile of

shal loose
I

fine to the yearlie

of the Howse or
Towne an ^ owners thereof

think this to the rente

>

of Bawdrie, and

this

manner,
value of

lande to the use of the

to be held as maynteners
not helde worthey to live in the

Towne.
enacted that the maior of the Staple for
is to be established for ever here-

It is

the

tyme being

after master of the Trinitie Yeelde

and merchaunts

of the Towne, for one yeare after he is out of his

mayoralitie of the Staple, and the yeire following
Threshurer soe as after ellecon of the maior, he is
This

is

to

be

one yeere maior of the Towne, Secondlie maior of

^e Staple, thirdlie master of the Trinitie Yeelde and
by the Table
with whom I master of the
companie of merchaunts, and the 4th
shal assent.
Theise offices to
yeare Treasurer o f the Towne
:

succeede for ever to etche person after his ellecon

as before ; excepte by Deathe, or cawse to the
contrarie to be shewed by misdemaneur; and then

newe ellecon whereby the place or

allwaise
be supliede.
maie
places
It is enacted that the maior of the Staple, Mr.
to proceede to a

leave this
the Table.
I

of the Trinitie Yeelde, Thresurer of the Towne,

Sheriffs, and Towne clerke, with 4 men for the

Comons, shal quarterlie take order for the collecteing of all the proffitts belonging to the Towne;
and after the view thereof, and knowe what they
doe arise
warrant

26

to,

to

the maior of the

the

Sherriffes

and

Towne

Town

shal

give
to

Clerke,

3 86

and receave all the somes comprehended,

and the same somes to be presentlie collected by the
Sherriffes and Town Clerke and for that heretafore
the Towne hathe loste manie greate somes by
necligence of the officers from hence forwarde, if
they shal not within the quarter make due collecions
according to the maiors warrant, or shew cawse to
the contrarie by a discharge from the maior, three
aldermen, and four of the Comons, for the tyme
collecte

being, shal be chardged with the maiors warrants

from time to time without remittall.
It is
I

enacted that

all proffitts

of Rente or

fine,

think this a Dutie,

or anie thing whatsoever shal continueallie

re(j owne to an(j for tne benefitte of the Towne;

ecree.

and a booke of accompte to be

of the Trenitie Yeelde; and for
of this Towne is to be accompted
It is enacted that the maior

kepte by the Mr.

Revenue

that the

for as before.

of the

Towne

for

tyme being shal have towards his howse keeping the some of ^20 pr. an. and the custome belonging to this Towne of the Revenue and profthe

sicons

think well

hereof.

well the Rente, Fynes,

upon the merchaunts

as

fitts,

laid

boughte

amount

after

the

date

and newe ympofor all wines

hereof,

To

to the value thereof:

shal

to

yearlie

the ende that

never maior of this towne hereafter for the tyme

being, shal sel either wine, ale, or acqua vitie to
anie straunder or others, either at his Table or in
presence, upon forfeicture of his stipende of
;2o, and to be fyned after his mayltie at the

his

discrecon of the Benche.

It is

enacted that the paiement of the stipents

of the maior,

Sherriffs,

Towne

Clerke,

and

Ser-

geants, the ymposicon newelie to be ymposed, is

to be collected in manner and forme following (viz.)
think this a
good an ibeneficial order for
I

d
mayEten?nce

upon everie Tonne of French wine foure shillings,

.....
Spamshe the tonne six shilling unleaden at the Key
.

of Carigfergus, either by Towne or privott bargaine,

and the wine soe landed to
retayled or soulde

of the general either within the Towne, and

charges.
Governr. of the Forces here,

Goverment of the
within the two

(viz.)

Clandeboyes, the Route and Glines, they shall paie

towards

the

aforesaid

chardges

out

of

etche

hogsheade as before be it more or lesse: and the

said collector! to be made by the Sheriffs and Town
clerke, and the Sherriffs to be accomptaunt for the
same as of the Townes revenue and proffitts, and
to be delivered to the Treasurer quarterlie as the T ,
I refer yt to the
,*
and of everie Towne or pnvatt bargaine of table, and for
rest
.

m
whate, mault, or anie other Graines broucrhte by ? P*rt
/ yt fit to be
i.- iu
L
i.
the person which buyeth the same is to paie fected.

ef-

sea,

towards the making of the key, for everie barrell

or wheate 4D, and for all other sorts of Graine and
maught 2D. the Barrell; and everie barque and

boate not belonging to the Towne shal paie after

the rate of the quantitie one pennie out of everie
Tonne, as often as they shal be occaconed to come
for succor or otherwise into the key.
It is enacted, that every horse,
hackney, coulte, I think well of
th:s articlegarran, mare, cowe, or Hayfer, whiche shal be

soulde or slaghtered within the Towne to be soulde

either within the Liberties or without by a free
butcher or countrie butcher, shall paie by wai of

Toule, towards the reperacons of Gatts and pave-

ments for everie heade 3d. and to him that keeps

the Toule book iD. to be paid by the buyere; and
the same to be collected by one appointed by the

maior

for

delivered

the
to

tyme being,

the

Thresurer,

and by him to be
be

to

accompted

appertayncthe quarterlie as before.

The Sherriffes for the tyme being shal
after this yeare for ther better mentinance the

of Six Pounds

thirtene Shillings 4d.

as

have^ r//iwr
some

Chi,

Chester.

without anie

other fee or Dutie in chardge to the Towne.

The next

article

following

Chichester,
I forther desre

is in

the handwriting of Sir Arthur

and signed by

Mr Maior and

his

name.

the rest to renewe the article

tyme of Mr. maiors former maioraltie

touchinge beddinge to be provided by aldermen, Sheriffes, and
Sheriffes equals, and freemen for entayrtayninge strangers and
such as shal resorte hether.
or order,

made

in the

A rtliur

Chichcstor.

3 88

Remember

to

tak

order

Fery and the wages

of mariners, and how ar
matest to have the Ferying
for the

John Dallway, maior.

Gregory Norton,

Humphrey

Johnson,

William Dobin.

John Savage.

Thomas Vaughan.
Henry Spearpoint.
Thomas Gravott.

Ja. Byrt.

Haper.
Richard Newton
Richard Fath
Jo.

Henry Ockford.

No. VII.
2Oth February 1605, the humble Petition of the agents of
of Carickfargus, in the behalf of that cor-poracon
and the answer thereof.

the

Towne

The answer is given Certaine

(Note.
,.
by the Ld. Defy. Chichester in
-,-,.
Rl
g ht
his own handwriting in the mar-

Greeffes exhibited to the

T
-^
honorable the L. Deputie
,

by Humpherie Johnsonn and

Clement Forde agents for the
Towne of Carickfergus, humblie

gin,asfo'lows:)

praieing your Lordships honorable favor for redresse whereof,

as to your Lordship (upon dewe
examination) shal seme expedient

the 25th Februaire 1605.

This shal not be taken from

the lands of the Towne.

Firste Mr. Moysis Hill provoste

within the government of

ma rshall

Carickfergus came with a warrant

of Sir Foulke Conwais livetenant

Governor of Carrickfergus aforesaid, there to have a Kearne cessed

on the said towne and contie to
attend the Provost marchall, which
is
contrarie to our Charter and

Fredome.

The said Proveste marshall

not meant that the freezd,
men nor such as are settled and di s i re th the bookinge of all the indwell within the Towne showd , , ..
...
,
-IT,
be bookt, but such only as are habitance within the said Towne
It is

Starters from one contrie or master to another, and those only

to the ende that their master or

Landlords may answer

he offends.

if

for

and
h

him for

Countie
that

booked

and threatneth

the

of the in habitance ther

they

are

not

and likewyes

his

with

him

men, am-

mated therbie hath thretnedd

our

hang
ploughe

to

the

at

ploughmen

tayle.

The said marshall hath ar3d,

rested contrie People in the Towne
by his Tipstaffe for privatt debts,
which

is

directly against
charter.

our

IIe

fre-

maye not doe

it is

it

fitt that the conthe tyme being shal

have a fish out of all such boats
,-,
T
r
i
Capt. Roger Langforde as come jnto the harbour to fish>
4th,
Constable of his majesties Castell and to sell the same at the towne

dome and

stable

thought

for

Knockfergus, in manner and

Carrickfergus contrarie to our lorme ot
long tyme continued and
charter and auntient custome of no otherwise,
Nothing is as yet showd by
the place, doth take from the poore
either partie to prove or make
_,.
,
r
Fishers of the Towne the beste
theire c
m es but it
at

good

and principall

custome for
hi<? nnipstipq nsfpll
en, which is rliirectlie contrarie to the fredome
fishe as

]
,
ay
may
be determined by the Judges of
at their next cominge
thither to whom j refer the saai

assizies

granted us by our charter, and we

have formerlie evicted Mr. Egerton
the

in

like

suit

at

the

counsell

table.
5th.

the said

The king's Customer in

Towne hath taken excesse

of customes both

and

Townesmen

from strangers
contrarie

The King's customer and that

Towne are to provide a

of the

to place certayne wher they are to

ak e thd r
met e a " d
nlries

wherebie all tradd is driven

equitie,
u
u Towne
^
within
the liberties of the
.
from the said Towne.
and no one of them to precede
6th, The said customer contrarie without the privitie of the other,
,
,,
,
,
-T.
iL
taking
b such custome as nowe is
to the use
Drugheda and other or of auncient tyme, hath byne
corporacons, dothe keepe the cus- allowable in the kingdome, and
no other
.

tome howse out of the Liberties

of the said Towne, whereby merchaunts have not ther entrese taken
in dewe howres as in other places
is accustomed, of which
they have
often complained.

The Towne having the 3d

7th,
Parte of the Kings custome and a
customer of ther owne to leveie
the same customes. and

make

en-

notwithstandinge the
Kings customer without any notice

tries

thereof,

390
geven unto our officer maketh all
of merchandize, and for
noc
customes compoundeth
the
acquainting him therewith, which
entries

is

both prejudicial! to the

Towne

and the merchaunts strangers

arrive here; whereas yf the

were

officere

made

unto, the matter

derated that the

that

Towne
there-

privie

would be so mo-

strangers should
he bye it as a merchant or have good contentment, and the
freeman it must be accordinge to
Towne be sure of what is dewe
the manner and Rules of the
Towne all which I require to unto them.
have observed.
Lastlie, whereas no man by our
If

Arthur

Chichestor.

except he be free; nor

freeman without the maiors
licence, till the Towne have hadd
the refusall of anie merchandize
there arrivinge can buy to sell againe any such merchandize
yett
charter

anie

customer or his deputie doth

usually buy and sell, with all merthe

chants coming thether, without observinge the good order established, and havinge better menes to
vent the same in the count rie,

hath mutch hindred the poore merchants and other freemen of the

Towne

in ther trade

and

livinge, to

the utter impoverishinge of

many

of them.

of all which wrongs and abuses

wee humblie praie that your Lordship wil be pleased to take notice,
and to give such order for redresse,
that wee be not hereafter molestin such sorte, but by your
Lordships honorable favor wee may
enjoy the benefite of our Charter

ed,

and privileges without disturbance

and also that your Lordship will
:

be favorable unto us tuchinge the

Townes letter diupon your honnor, as well

contents of the
rected

conserninge the abuses offered unus by Moysis Hill, as also

to

touchinge our losses in tyme of

warre: and wee shall daily pray
for longe incresse of honnor unto

your Lordship.

No. VIII.
Treaty with the Scots, Jany. 24th, 1641.

That proviscon of Victuals be

1,
presentlie sent *> [Link],
to be sold to our Soldiers at reasonable rates, answerable to

their pay.

That an Order be sent down how they shall be paid

and from whom they may require the same.
3, That they have the Command and keeping of the Town
and Castle of Carrickfergus, with power to them to remain still
within the same, or to enlarge their quarters, and to go abroad
2,

there,

into the Country,

upon such Occasions

as their officers discretion

shall think expedient for the Good of that Kingdom.

And if it
shall be thought fit that any Regiment, or Troops in that

Province shall join with them, that they receive Orders from the

Commander of our

Forces.

That Provisions of Match, Powder and Ball be presently sent to Carrickfergus; and what arms Ammunition, or
Artillery shall be sent over with them from Scotland, that the
like Quantity be sent from hence to Scotland, whensoever the
same shall be demanded.
5th, That a part of the Thirty thousand Pounds of the
4th,

Brotherly Assistance be presently advanced to us, which altho'

a just Proportion to these Men, it will amount but to
Seven thousand five hundred Pounds, yet for the better

in

furthering of the Service, we desire

may stand with your Convenience.

Ten thousand Pounds,

if

it

That they pay which was condescensed unto from the

of
December, be presently advanced to the Eighth of
Eighth
February next, against which time, we are confident they shall
be ready to march.
6th,

392

That a

man

of War, or some Merchants Ships, be sent

Bristol, Westchester, or Dublin, to Lochryan, for a safe
Convay and Guard of the Passage; because they being in
open Boats, may be subject to Inconvenichces from the Enemy,
7th,

from

whose Frigates we hear are towards that Coast.

8th, That the sending over of these Men be without prejudice to the Preceding of the Treaty, which we desire may goon without any delay.
Westm. 24. Jan. 164.1.
Ja. Prymrose.

No. IX.

The Mayor appointed Ca-ptain of Militia, July nth, 1666.

By the Lord Lieutenant General and General Governor of Ireland. To our trusty and well beloved the Mayor of the Town of
Carrickfergus, for the time being.

Ormond.

WE

reposeing speciall trust and confidence as well in the

and circumspection, as in the Loyalty Courage

rare Dilejence

and redyness of you to do his majesty good and lawful service,

have nominated constituted and appointed, and we do by
Vertue of said power and authority unto us given by his
Majesty nominate constitute and appoint you the said Mayor
of said Town of Carrickfegrus. for the time being, to be
Captain of a Company of Foot raised, or to be raised, in the
Town and County of Carrickfergus for his Majesty's service
and the Defence of this Kingdom. Which Company you are

&

to take into your charge and rate as Captain thereof,

duly
to Exercise both Officers and Soldiers in arms and as they

are thereby commanded to obey you as their Captain so you

are likewise to observe and follow such orders and directions as
shall from time to time receive from US or other your
Superior Officer, or Officers, and for so doing this shall be
your sufficient Warrant and Commission in that behalf Given

you

under our hand and seal of Arms at his Majestys Castle of

Dublin the nth day of July 1666, in the i8th year of his Majestys Reign.

G. Lane.

Captain Anthony Hall.

Hugh

Smith,

Towne

Clarke. Ensign.

393
No. X.
Sale of the third

-part of the Customs of this Port to the Crown.

Wentworth.
Whereas, Richard Spearpoint, Mayor of the Corporation
of Knockfergus, Edward Johnson and John Hall, sheriffs of
the said Corporation, and the Burgesses and
Commonality
thereof, have been humble suitors unto US, the Lord Deputy

and others

his Majesty's Committees for his Highnessess Revenues, to except and take from them, for and to the

USE

of

most excellent Majesty, our Sovereign Lord Charles,

by the Grace of God, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. his Heirs and Suchis

a good and
form of Law, of the

ressors,

sufficient

surrender to be made, in due

third part of all and singular the Customs, as well great as small, to be divided into three Parts,
and all and singular sums of Money, to them due and payable, for and concerning the Customs of any Wares, Merchandize whatsoever, from time to time, brought or carried
into the Port of Knockfergus, aforesaid, or into any other

Port, Bay, or Creek, belonging or adjacent to the said town

of Knockfergus, and being betwixt the Sound of Fairforeland in the County of Antrim, and the Beerlooms in the
County of Down, and of, for or concerning the Customs of all

Wares, and Merchandize whatsoever, from time to time, Shipped, Laden or exported, or to be shipped Laden or Exported,
of from or out of the said Port or Haven of Knockfergus, or
of or out of any other Harbour, Bay, Creek, or any other place
within the Sound of Fairforeland, and Beerhouse aforesaid,
or of any one or any of them.
And that in consideration of
the Lord Deputy and
the said surrender, so to be made,

WE

Council! would be pleased that the Mayor, Sheriffs, Burgesses,

and Commonality of Knockfergus, aforesaid, might have and
receive of his Majesty the sum of ^3000, to be bestowed

and employed in the purchase of Lands for and to the use and
behoof of them and their successors and to none other USE.
therefore having taken the premises and the long and

WE

Crown by the said Corporation,

and being desireous by all just and honourable ways and means to advance, and augment the public
the said Corporation are conutility, profit and revenues of
And do hereby order and appoint that
tented and pleased.
faithful services done to the

into consideration

394

sum ^3000, shall within two months next, after

made and perfected, be paid unto and dein
the
hands
of Arthur Chichester, Arthur Hill, and
posited
Roger Lyndon, to be by them disposed of and employed

the

said

such

Surrender

and for the use of the said Corporation, entire, the said
shall be disposed of and laid out and employed by the said Mayor, Sheriffs, Burgesses, and Commonality,
or the more part of them, for the buying, purchasing and acquiring lands for and to the use of the said Corporation,
which lands are to be purchased and acquired we do ordain
and require that
be from time to time employed for
the trust and benefit of the said Corporation, without maketo

sum of ^3000

ing any alienation or Estate thereof, other than for the term
of 21 years, and for valuable rents to be reserved to the said
Corporation, Except it be by special licence from the Lord
Deputy, or the other chief Governor or Governors, of this
Kingdom, and Council for the time being. Given at His Majesty's Castle of Dublin, the ist of January, 1637.

Adam

Loftus, chancellor, Adam Loftus,

G. Lowther, Jo. Borlase, Geo. Radcliff,
Ro. Meridith.

XI.

Annals of the County of Antrim Gaol, extracted from the

Records of that County.
August, 1666, an agreement was made between the grand
jury of the county of Antrim and the corporation of Carrickfergus, to keep the court-house and gaol in proper repair,
and find all necessaries for the safety and maintenance of
prisoners, for the sum of ;yo per annum.

From April i4th till September 2gth, 1711, the total ex11 10 5, and
pense of the support of the prisoners was
Befrom January 3d, 1712, till April nth, 1713,
4 16 3.
tween August 1/16, and April 1717, ;io 8: from April i5th,
1718, to the same date in the following year, ,15 7 ij; and
8.
from the i2th April till the 5th August, 1762, only ^i
From the i3th March, 1813, till 22d March, 1814, the expense amounted to ^1086 16 5; and from the summer assizes

1819,

till

summer

assizes

1820, the

sum of .1960

12 8

was

395

At the sumpresented for the maintenance of the prisoners.

assizes 1821,
1000 was granted to the contractor to provide necessaiies for the prisoners till the following assizes.
mer

From the
.1500 was

2oth

March, 1822, till the iQth March, 1823,

granted to the contractor for a similar purpose.

In the first years just noticed, there is no particular menof weekly allowance made to prisoners; but in 1747, we
find those confined on criminal charges receiving ten pence

tion

halfpenny per week. If convicted, their allowance was usually

reduced to six pence or seven pence, and in some cases to
three

pence or four pence weekly.

no friends to

assist in their support,

The

prisoners

who had

solicited charity

by susIn 1757, the

pending a hat or small bag from a window.
weekly allowance to prisoners was augmented to fourteen
At present each pripence, which rate continued many years.
soner receives a pint of new milk daily; 5^ pounds oatmeal,
and two stone weight of potatoes weekly, with salt, soap, and
coals; and fresh straw once in each month.
They are also
furnished with blankets, and wearing clothes.
Formerly there were few persons confined in this prison
compared with those at present, even taking into account the

low state of the population

at that period.

There

is,

however,

a great decrease in barbarous crimes, and in the increase of priIn 1729, there were 70
soners is confined to minor offences.

were pirates; and in

jail, 28 of whom
1748 there were 59 prisoners.
April, 1760, there were no
criminals in this prison, and from the i7th April till the i5th
June, 1762, only one prisoner, Dennis Homer, a noted thief.
From October i3th, 1764, till February, 1765, there was but
one prisoner, Isabel Leviston, a convict. At Lent assizes that
persons confined in

year, there

was no criminal

trial.

In the spring of 1772, there were 64 prisoners on the

criminal calendar of the county, mostly charged with being of
In September, 1783,
the association called Hearts of Steel.

At lent assizes, 1792,

there were only 19 persons for trial.
there were 36 persons for trial, charged with the following
2 for murder, 10 felony, 2 highway robbery, 4 utSummer
base
coin, 5 rescue, 7 assault, and i for riot.
tering
calenassizes, 1816, there were 72 prisoners on the criminal
dar, 5 of whom were sentenced to be hanged, 9 transported,

crimes:

March, 1817, there were 142

whipped, and 9 imprisoned.
were sentenced to be exe2
whom
of
for
trial,
prisoners
2

39 6

and 18 transported; and

cuted,

at

the

summer

assizes,

same

year, 176 for trial, being the greatest number at any period.
Five of these were sentenced to be hanged, 20 transported,
and 30 imprisoned; three of those sentenced to be transported,
and four of the latter, were females. In the prison at the same

time were also 64 debtors, and 94 others convicted and deLent assizes, 1818, there were
whom were sentenced to be executed for the following crimes
2 for horse-stealing, i cowtained under various charges.
97 prisoners for trial, 13 of

highway robbery, 2 for passing altered

bank notes, i for forgery, and i for a rape. In July same year,
there were 64 prisoners on the criminal calendar, 13 of whom
stealing, 4 burglary, 2

were charged with murder, 16 with different

stealings,

with

One of these was sentenced

burglary, and i with forgery.
to be hanged, 4 to be transported, and 19 to be imprisoned.
Lent assizes, 1819, there were 90 prisoners for trial, 10 of

whom

were females
44 were found guilty, of whom 3
were sentenced to be executed, 9 were ordered to be transAt summer assizes, same
ported, and 20 were imprisoned.
:

4 prisoners received sentence of death, and 6 to be

Spring assizes, 1820, there were 114 persons on
calendar, 99 of whom were males, and 15 females
i
of these prisoners was sentenced to be executed,
and 15 to be transported. At the summer assizes there were
4 prisoners for trial. Lent assizes, 1821, there were 96 persons on the criminal roll of the county, and at the summer
assizes 93.
In the Spring of 1823, 36 prisoners were on the
criminal calendar, 26 of whom were convicted, and 7 of them
year,

transported.
the criminal
:

received sentence of death.

From

April 1747, till August 1/71, 56 convicts were transBetween

from hence, three of whom were females.
March 1797, and May 1819, 32 persons have been executed,

ported
viz.

for murder,

burglary,

conspiracy to murder, 3

high treason, 2 ; highway robbery, 2

From May, 1818,
forgery, i; administering unlawful oaths, i.
till January, 1823, 57 persons were sent off from this prison
rape,

parricide,

At spring assifor transportation, 17 of whom were females.

1823, there were 22 males and 4 females under rule of

zes,

transportation.
Until 1720, there

is no mention of any salary to the gaoler;

but in that year his annual salary was fixed at
10, "pursuant to the Statute."
He had liberty to sell spirits. There

397

no notice of

either chaplain, inspector or doctor,

nor even
In 1747, an inspector is mentioned, (Rev.
Thomas Finlay) who was also chaplain; for both of those offices he received
10 per annum.
An apothecary occasion-

is

of an apothecary.

attended the prison about this time.

ally

In 1720, the yearly salary of the treasurer of the county of

Antrim (James Willson,) was
20, for which he appears to have
transacted nearly all the county business at assizes and sessions,
as now done by the treasurer, secretary of the grand jury,
his assistants,

and the clerk of the

now worth

The

peace.

office

of trea-

per annum; that of the secretary of the grand jury upwards of ^200 the salary and fees
received by the clerk of the peace for the year 1822, appear
by the grand warrant of that year to have amounted to .956
The following is a correct statement of the expenses consurer

is

nearly

^400

To the contractor, ^1550;

nected with the prison in 1822.
to the three chaplains, ^120; inspector, .100; surgeon, ^40;
6; jailor, ^100; to same to pay assistants^
apothecary, ^57

same for fees at sessions, ^4 3 8; do. at assizes,

school\ i 6 8 to same for prisoners convicted at do. ^57 ;
work
and
to
done,
46
9 3;
master,
carpenter
25 ;*
glazing
11 3 i; smith work, ^30 8 2; candles, ,9cooper work,
;

17

8;

to

total,

^2303!!

Since this year, when the prisoners belonging toAntrim Jail,

Carrickfergus were first confined in the County of
for every 365 days' maintento the said
was
1826.

;i3

county
paid
ance of each prisoner, and an annual salary of
20 yearly to the inspector of prisons.
jailor, and

20 to the

The gaol school was established in March, 1818, by Samuel

M.D. then inspector and physician of the prison. For some
In September a regular committee was
time he was its sole support.
1

Allen, esq.

formed

to

arrange

its

concerns, consisting of the inspector, chaplains

and several gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood.

From the formation of the school till the first of September 1821,

of the gaol

date of the last report published)

it

appears that 793 Pf' 50

"^
considerab
had attended the school, and received instruction; a very
have
who
Males
number of whom commenced in the alphabet.
(the

attended since the commencement, 910; females, 126: total, 1030.

who attended, an appeal was
expenses increasing with the number
Recently,
made to the public for aid, and liberal assistance obtained
20 per annum towards the masl
the grand jury have granted
See New Appendix.
salary.

No. XII.

An

extract

from

the Will of

Henry

Gill,

with the -present state

of his Charity.
"

AND

all

the Rest and Residue of

my

Real and Personal

Estate whatsoever, or wheresoever, I give and demise in trust to

the Persons hereinafter mentioned Trustees, and their Successors

Trustees to be by them and their Successors Trustees applied

to the use and uses hereafter mentioned
that is to say, for
the annual support and maintenance for Ever of Fourteen Aged
Men Decayed in their Circumstances, and that are not able to
get

a maintenance to themselves, and that have been either

in or inhabitants of the Town and Parish of Carrick-

Born

from

fergus,

their Youth.

AND

it is

my

will

and

desire as also

request to the present Trustees, and also their Successors

Trustees, that none be admitted to this Charity now nor any

my

time to come but such

and

ful Industrious

men

as while they were able were Carediligent in following their several Trades

occupations or Callings and were not inclined or given to Idleness

or Drunkenness in their Youthful days, or at any time after,
and that were remarkable for their Innoffensiveness and good
behaviour, and that did not at any time from Malicious Wickedness injure their Neighbours, or any other, in their Characters

or

Properties.

common beggars

AND

it

is

my

asking alms from

desire

House

and

will

that

no

to House, be admit-

ted to the said Charity.

AND in case of the removal or death of any of the above
mentioned Trustees, the remaining Trustees, or any three of

them, shall have power to elect or choose one or more in the

place or stead of those Trustees removed or dead, to make

and continue the number of Trustees above mentioned for

ever.

No

less

than three Trustees to admit any to the above

Charity."

Original Trustees
George Spaight, Henry Ellis, sen., Archibald Edmonston, Comvay Richard Dobbs, Richard Fletcher,

and Marriot Dalway.

Present

Trustees

Henry Clements

Ellis,

Rev.

Richard

Dobbs, Rev. Robert D. D. Wilson, Comvay Edward Dobbs,

Richard Dobbs, Thomas B. Adair, and Wm. D. Burleigh.
State of the Charity, 1823.

Lower Altavady,

in the liberties of Carrickfergus, let

on a

399
lease to Nat.

256

Cameron, for 31 years from February 1819,

per acre,

at

^55

3 4}.
Upper Altavady, in the liberties of Carrickfergus, let on a
lease to William Eskine, for 31 years, at
i
2 9 per acre,
26 1 6 4.

Parks near the town of Carrickfergus, let on a lease to

Robert Bashford, for 31 years from February, 1819, at
4.

52 16 n.
plot of ground near the town of Carrickfergus,
will to Mrs. Hilditch, at
$ per annum.
per acre,

A
let

let

at

house on the south side of High-street, Carrickfergus,

lease for 31 years to Mrs. Craig,
14.
tenement near Quay gate, let on a lease for 31 years to

on a

C. Ellis, esq.
^1500 lent to

Henry

14 ij.

Henry

C.

Ellis,

esq.

interest

per

annum

9-

^900

lent to the

.200

in the

Rev. Richard Dobbs, interest per ann.

Northern Bank, Belfast,

^288 10 9.

interest per

annum

Total produce,

6.

The property of this Charity produces at the present time,

1901, an income of about ^300, which is almost double what
the yearly produce was at the time of the bequest.

The entire income is applied by the trustees in accordance

with the terms of the will of the donor; but as the Charity
is a private one, no accounts are published.
Trustees,

A.R.H.A.

1909

Wm.

Wm.

Alexander Miscampbell, Esq.

Monday

in April

Gorman,

A. Woodside, J.P.
;

J.P.

Henry

S.
I.

James Boyd, Esq.

P.

Close,

Johns, J.P.;

Meets

first

and October.

No. XIIT.

A
Jury

paper formerly presented to each Quarter Sessions Grand

from which this was copied was dated October i8th,

that

j6g2.
First, to inquire whether there be any that hath imagined
the death destruction or deposing our Soverign the Lord King,
the young prince, or any of his Majesties ofspring, or any

that

hath counterfeited his

Currant

in

Majesties

Coyne, or

any

Kingdom, or hath counterfeited

this

the

CoyneGreat

Seal, or any the Seals of the four Courts, or that hath Intended the Killing the Lord Deputy of this Kingdome, or any of
his Majesties Councell or Judges Sitting in Commission, if
there be any Such they are to be presented.

Whether there be any persons that hath Maliciously either

Sett forth or Spoken in contempt of the
Religion now used and Established in the Church of this
2,

in print or writing

Kingdom.
3, Whether

there be

any person or persons that doth teach

is allowed by Gods laws,
his Majesties authority and Book of Common Prayer.
4, Whether there be any within this County that hath or
doth Receive any Bulls from Rome for the authorising him or
them to teach preach or Sett forth, by way of authority of
or preach any other doctrine than

Rome, or the Romish Religion.

Whether any person or persons hath Secretly or MaSpoken Blasphemy against the Receiving or adliciously
ministering the Holey and Blessed Sacrament.
6, Whether there be any Semenary, priests, Jesuits, or fryars maintained within this County, and the maintainers and
the Bishop of
5,

Releivers of them.
7, Whether there be any that denys the Kings authority
and Supremacy, or doe maintain the authority of the Bishop of
Rome.
8, To Enquire of all Sortes of fellonys and petty Larceny.
9, And also all Evedroppers, Idle and Loitering persons, or
of all others that hath or doth penetrate or any way offend
or trespass against his Majestys Laws; or of all that hath

the Kings peace, or have forfeyted any Recogneby keeping of ale Houses or Victualling.
10, To enquire of all Wauffs, Strays, felons, and fugative
goods, and Chattells.
n, Whether any have refused to appear before the Mayor

broken

zances,

upon Lawfull warning.

12, Whether any have Rescued either pawn, pledge, or prisoner, from any officer or if any officer have taken any pawn
pledge or prisoner.
13,

Whether any have Sold any Wine,

Clouth, or other commodities without Licence.

Silk,

Saffron,

14, If any have used the goods Merchandize of any other

person which are not free, under collour to be his owne without
the Licence of the Mayor.

any freeman hath gone abourd a Shipp, Barque, or

Bottom to forestall or Ingross any goods without
Licence, and before the Town hath denyd the Bargaine.
1 6, If
any hath Committed either frey Battery or Blood15, If

other

shed.
17, If any
to be his own.
1

8,

have entered any foreigners goods under colour

If any have Committed any frey or quarral where by

a tumult might

arise.

to be of an inquest or agreement
betwixt parties.
20, If any have Slandered his Neighbour wrongfully.
21, If any have used the Mayor or other officers with any
19, If

any have Refused

unreverend words or deeds in doing Lawfully their Offices.

22, If any officer have been abstent above ten days without
Licence.
23, If any freeman hath been abstent above a year and a
day, and hath not paid his Share of all assessments and other

taxations.
24, If

any have made any unreverend noise

in the Court,

or presence of the Mayor.

25, Whether there be any Scolds which have offended and
were not punished for their offences.
26, If any have Refused to send their Boats or men to
the Townes work being once warned.
27, Whether all persons Selling Beer ale or other Liquors

doe Sell with Lawfull Sealed measures.

28, Whether the Inhabitants of this Towne doe not every
Saturday Secure the Channells and Sweep the Streets before
their Houses and Lands.
29,

Whether any goe

into

the Country to buy corn or

meal.
within
30, Whether any have left either durt or Rubbage
the Key. in the Church yard, or any of the Towne gates.
which are ordaind
31, Whether the aldermen or burgesses

to have and wear gowns, have upon every Sundays and Holyassemblies or at
days in the Church and the Court upon the
other times of meeting, in the said Court, worne their gownes
or not.
27

402
32,

If any have been

admitted

free

which cant speak

English.
33, If any of the freemen did not attend the mayor to
Church every Sunday.
34, If any have taken the timber or other materials appointed for building the Church, Towne Walls, or Key, or other
generall work whatsoever belonging to the Towne.
35, If any freeman at a freemans Sute hath been arrested
from St. Thomas Day until the 12 day.

any freeman or his wife have not good English.

any have Spoken any Irish in the Court in the presence of the mayor, unless he were commanded by the mayor
36, If

37, If

to Interperate.
38, If

any keep any Geese

in the Streets.

39, If any keep any Cows, Calves, Sheep or Goats, either

Standing in the Streets, Church-yard, or at the Strand within

the Key.
40, If any do keep or maintaine any inmate Strangers,
Beggars, or Runagate persons.
41, If any keep any Swine, within the Towne, which goe
or pass through the Streets, or any other forbiden place and

especially unringed.
42, Whether the fishers doe usually bring their fish to the
markett to be Sold or not, or whether any hath abused them

by the way by taking their fish from them violently.

43, Whether any have Sold any Liquor in time of devine
Service or Sermon.
44, If any Butcher hath Sold any Cattle quick or Salted,
or any meate to be Slaughtered to the intent to sell the same

again.
45, Whether any Loader or Lauboureer have taken above a
halfpenny for every hoggshed either of water or any other
Commodities to or from the Key.
46, If any Sailer have taken above 2d. Sterling with meat
and Drink competent for every time goeing to the Wood, and
27d. Sterling with meat and drink for going to the Whitehead.
47, Whether the Church Wardens doe keep a true and
weekly note of all such persons as dos defyle the Church Yard.
48, If any that is not free have made any Mault unless it
be for the use of Freemen.
49, If any Killns be kept within the walls or within twenty
perches of the Mills on the outside.

50, Whether the deputy Aldermen have weekly every Monday or Tuesday geven or delivered to the aldermen a true and

perfect note of all such persons, as well of women as of men,

as doe not come usually to the Church to hear Service and

Sermon.
51, Whether any have made any pound Breach or Rescue
of Cattle or deverted any Water Course out of its Usuall and
Antient course or Currant, or hath altered any Antient mare
or mark to the Hurtt or prejudice of his Neighbour.
52, Whether all such as are Licencd to sell wine have
hanged out wine hoops before their Sellars or houses or not.
53, If any have laid any Clay or temper or made any mortar, or doe keep or lay any timber, or other materials in the
Street before their Houses or land.
54, Whether all those which are to be Licencd to Sell and
retail

Beer or ale or to keep victualing houses, have provided

with Sufficient and decent Signes, to be either

themselves

hanged before their Houses or on poasts before their Houses

for the beautifying and gracing the Towne.
55, Whether every Alderman hath a ladder in his house of
twenty foot in length, and every two freemen have a ladder of
the same length, for the preservation of the Towne from fier

and Burning.
56, Whether any Millar or Loader have stolen or after any
sort embezlled or Spoiled any corn committed to his or their
charge, or Custody or have taken /or Toull over and above
the twentieth part of any corn or graine, for grinding the
same and for carrieing of the same, to and from the Milne.

No. XIV.

Sundry Papers concerning

the Rectory of Carrickfergus.

Edward Edgworth,

Clerk, professor of Divinity to all Christian people that shall hear or read these presents Greeting in
our Lord God everlasting. Whereas the Maior, and Bvrgesses

Towne of Cragfergus have of their own free motion

me vnder the Common Seal of their Towne vnto the
and Parsonage of the said Towne of Cragfergus which

of the

Presented
Hectorie

has been long void and in their gift. Know yov that I the said
Edward in consideration of their friendly dealing herein do by
and
these
faithfvlly Promise vnto the said Maior

presents
I shal be Parson and Incvmbent
Bvrgesses, that So long as

44
thereof

will

either

thereof, or else in

Same

my

in my own person discharge the Dvty

absence svbstitvte and leave for me in the

svche a svfficient minister as shal be avthorised to minister

the Sacraments and fvlly and wholly to do svch things as to a

minister of the Gospell appertaineth.
In witness Whereof I
have herevnto svbscribed my name the seventh day of Septem-

ber 1590, and in the 32 (seconde) yeere of the Raigne of ovr

Soveraigne Ladye Elizabeth Qveene of Englande, France and
Irelande, Defender of the Faith, &c.

Edward

Commission for the

assisting of

Ederworth.

Mr. Edgeworth. Preacher.

1590.

W. Fitzwilliam.
By the L. Deputie.
Trustie and welbeloved wee grete you well
Having sent
thither our wel beloved Mr. Edgworthe, Preacher as custos of
sees of Downe and Conor, not doubting but he will
discharge it sufficientlie to Gods glorie and furtherance of his
churche, extivning of sinne and vice, and planting of true
Religion & vertue, wee wold there sholde be no slacknes in you,

those

in countenancing him in that Function, or in asisting

him by your auctoritie against open and obstinate offenders,
whome no good exortacon in publicke or private can reclaime
from their wickednesse ; wherein we wold have you neverthelesse
as we doubte not but you will, precede with temperance and

either

good discreacon as fit is with suche a people so long misled in

and so hoping that this short
looseness and impunitie;
admonicion will suffize to the furtherance of so godle a worke.
and so pleasinge unto God, we bid you farewell Given at Kilmainham the i9th of September 1590.
To our trustie and welbeloved the Governor of the
forces at Carigfergus, and to the maior and Burgesses of the same Towne.

To the Right Revd. father in God Henry by the Grace of

God, Lord Arch Bishop of Armagh, and Primate and metroWe your honours most humble Serpolitan of all Ireland.
vants, Humphrey Johnston, maior of the Towne of Carickwith all
fergus, and the Commons and Burgesses of the same,
1

In

parish

the above Edgvvorth bishop

yet he continued to hold the Rectory of this
Ware's
his death in 1595.
Bishops.

1503,

of Do\vn
till

Queen Elizabeth appointed

and Connor

due Reverance do wish you health and honour, we nominate

and present unto your fatherly Institution our welbeloved in
Christ, Hugh Griffeth, Clerk, unto the Rectory and parsonage
of the parish Church of St. Nicholas being now voyd by the
natural

deceasse of

therein,

likewise

the same

Hugh

Doctor John

Charlton,

Incumbent 1

late

to vouchsafe to admit

humbly beseeching you

unto the said Rectory, or parsonage,

Griffeth,

and him also Canonecally and lawfully to Invest Indowe and

Institute within the said parish and Church, together with all
Right and appurtances in any wise thereunto belonging, and
further to insure unto and accomplish in him all other Requisite
therein as well behalfe the pastorial functions and with all
In Faithfull wittness and Testimony hereof we have
favour.
annexed and put hereunto our Seal, Dated at Carickfergus the
2oth of November 1599 (ninety nine).

Humphery
No.

Xames

the

of

Those marked

(*)

Johnston.

XV.

Aldermen and Burgesses, with

and time of being made (1822).
have no property whatever within

their

residence

this corporation.

ALDERMEN.
Ormeau,

Sir Arthur Chichester, bart.*

Lord Blaney,

Thomas

B.

Made an Alderman.

Residence.

.Y fl tut".

Marquis of Donegal!,
Henry C. Ellis,

Adair,*

Alexander Gunning,
Rev. Richard Dobbs,

Carrickfergus,
Carrickfergus,

Thomas

Thomas Verner,*

Belfast,
Belfast,
Belfast,

Rev. Samuel Smyth,*

Carnmoney,

Lord Belfast

In the

L. Stewart,

George Bristow,*

Sir Stephen

May, bart.*

Hussars,

Belfast,

Rev. George Macartney,*

David Gordon,*
Cortland M. Skinner,*
i
Yacancv.

Antrim,
Summerfield,
Belfast,

In England,
Lisburn,

Kingsmill,*
RPV. Snowden Cupples
Hon. John Jocelyn,*
James Craig,

Scoutbush,

Richard Dobbs,*

Belfast,

in

He was

60 1

also bishop of

Dundalk,

Down and

Apr.
Sep.
Jan.
Jan.
Sep.
Sep.
Sep.
Sep.

17,

i.

i,

22,

22,

1814.
1820.
1X20.

4,

4,

29,
29,
26,
26,

jn.
If.

1821.
i

1822.

Made

BURGESSES.
R.

Sir

Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
June
Feb.

loth

1/92.
1792.
1801.
30, 1802.
30, 1802.
30, 1802.

Sep. 17,
Sep. 18,
Sep. 11,

Prospect,
Castle Carey,
Castle Blanev,
In England,

Connor.

a Burgess.
Sep. 24, i

Nov.

29,

I'

Sep. 12,
Sep. 27,

Nov.

1804.

Ware

29,

1802.

says he died

406
Henry Adair,*
John Campbell,
'Ihomas Millar,
Langford Heyland,*
Hugh Kennedy,*
Rev. John Dobbs,
Daniel Gunning,*
James A. Farrell,*
Arthur

Rev.

Loughanmoro,

Sep.

Willpwfield,
Carrickfergus,
In France,
Cultra,
Oakfield,

Aug.

Belfast,

Maheramorne,

Macartney,*

James Owens,*
John M'Cance,*
Rev. Edward Chichester,*

Belfast,

Holestone,

Peter Kirk,

Suffolk,
Culdaff,
Thornfield,

Marriot Dalway.
Lord Edward Chichester,*

Ormeau,

Joseph Macartney,*
Andrew Alexander,
2 Vacancies.

Bellahill,

Belfast,
Belfast,

15,

27,
Feb. 24,
Feb. 24,
Feb. 24,
Feb. 24,

Sep.
Sep.

16,

Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Feb.

10,

Sep.
Sep.
Sep.
Sep.
Sep.

29,
26,
26,
26,
26,

16,
4,
8,
8,

1806
1808.
1812.
1812.
1812.
1812.
1816.
1816.
1816.
1820.
1820.
1820.
1821.
1822.
1822.
1822.
1822.

No. XVI.
Ancient By-laws.
Court it was ordered by Mr. Maior &
Sheriffes with the hole Consent of the Aldermen, Burgioses &
Cominality, that all Tiplers in this Towne which have licence

June 1569, In

this

to Sell ale or beere or bread, Showd have free liberty So to doe

Provided always that every of the Sayd Tiplers Shall find in
:

every of their howsen tow beds for the lodging of Strangers,

or any Suche as Shall be appointed by Mr. Maior or Sheriffes
to be lodged.
And that every of them Shall erect a Stable

fowre horses, and that they Shall

Maior Shall appoint for their
that they Shal paie Scott 6
Lott, as

Sufficient for the Stabling of

paie any Such fine as Mr.

Tipling.

And

from time

to time Shal fall out to their Share.

lastlie

Court it was ordered that whereas John Whyt had

freedome of this Towne for his nonresidence That he
was fined by the sayd Court in the Some of forty Shils. curraiit
money of Englande That whereas he willingly payd & was
receyved againe to the f redome & liberty of this Towne.
June 1571, In this Court it was ordered, for that the maiors
Sending his officers to warne as well the Husbandmen or
Laborers as also ther Garrons to be in redinesse for the Service
of hir Majestye, that the Sayd husbandmen for fliing away
should pave for the want of everie Garron five Shills. currant
mony of Englande, and for fliing away of every such husbandIn

this

lost his

man

or laborer Twelve pence Sterl.g

February 1574, whereas ill measures of ale was found within this Towne to the great annoyance of the Poore & displeasing

407

of God,

it

is

ordered that the Sayd fault should be corrected

with punishment according, that

comitted in ill measure by anie
Ster.g

&

is

to

man

Say for the

first

fault

paie therefore izD.

the ale So complayned of, and the Second time that
Should therein offend to paie 5 Sh.g Sterl.g

any man
the ale complayned

to

&

and the third time the hole brewing or

the value thereof, the one half of the Sayd forfaytes So taken
to belong to the maior for the time being, and the other halfe
of,

thereof

to apertayne to his Substitute apointed under him,

which is apointed to Seale the Sayd Cannes & look to the
measures thereof.
July 1 2th, 1574, ordered that the Townsmen for the strength-

ening of the Watche, Shal from henceforthe find five men to

the Stand & two freemen to the Search, & that everie howse
within the Towne, Shal by the owner thereof be aunswerable to

Sayd watch whether they be in paie or not. And also that

no man within this Towne Shal after the Bell ringing be out of
his howse, and yf anie manner of person Shal be found by the
Watch to be abroad after the bell rings, then it is ordered that
the

the

Watch Shal apprehend them.

And

yf they be

men of

the

Towne

to bring them to the officers of the Towne, and yf the

be of the Garryson to bring them to the Marschialls Officers.

September, 1574, ordered, that whereas Francis Turner did

most Slanderously use this undecent wordes following viz.
"
Parson Darsye made a Sermon to his Parishioners & cryed
thrice (Soho), which he Sayd did Sygnifye I have found, And
So Sayd he a Sort of Knaves I have found you, & So I will

&

"

for
leave you, and So will I sell my howse
goe my wayes ;
Francis
the
that
it
was
ordered
wherof
the punyshment
Sayd

Shal openly before the Maior & Aldermen of this Towne Say
"
Mr. Maior & the
upon his knee kneeling viz.
rest of the aldermen I have Slandred your worshipps & for the
Same I ask God and your worshipps all forgivenes most
Francis Shal be committed
hartely;" And also that the Sayd
to the Marshialls Ward & ther remayne in bolts, So long as it
Shall please the maior and Generall.

thes wordes

SerRalph Crawly, for breaking Owen Duff's head, being

Court, condemned to paie
hole
and
maior
the
was
by
geant,
and the bludshedds to the
twenty Sh. Sterl. to the Towne,

Sherryffes.

Dudlie Yerworth was

January 1600, In this same Coort
Allso in
chosen and appointed marshall of this Corporation.

408
the foresaid Coort

it was ordered and

agreed that from hencefreeman
him
the office of Provost
any
taking uppon
Marshall of this Garryson heare residente, of what degree Soever he or they be So imployed, shall have no benefit of maricharice as a freeman to by or Sell duringe his contenuance in
the Sayd office of Provost Marshall.
In this same Courte, in the Maioraltie of Mr. John DallAvaye, with the assent, consent, and agreement, of the said
Maior, Bench, & Comons, Moyses Hill, alderman, was ffyne'd
for many his Slanders & missdemers, as well comitted & done
unto Homfrey Johnson, late maior, as also unto the Sayd Mr
Dallwaye nowe maior, for which he was ffyned in the Som of
Six Pounds thirteen Shillings & fower pence, ster. which was

forth

by the sayd Mr Hill Satysfied

&

In the afforesaid assemblie

paid.
it

was

also

condesended and

agreed, that from henceforthe no free mertchant Shal entertaine

any former or Souldier to Sell or retaile any wyne. or any other

merchanrice within the Liberties of this Towne, in paine of

forficher of Tenn Pounds, Ster. & lose of his liberties & Free-

dome.
Augt. 24th 1607, Michaell Whitt, alderman, cominge behynd
John Conlan, & Suddenly Strikinge him in the heade with a
Spade, with which blowe he fell into a Sounde, upon which

was lik to growe a great uproare & bralle betwixt the Warders
of the Castell & Townesmen, had not Mr. Witter, then deputy
maior, pacifyed the Same by comandinge Mr. Whitt to his
Howse, which comand the Sayd Whitt contemptuously disobeyed in goinge abroade at his own pleasure; for all which he
was censured to pay the Some of Twenty Six Shillings & Eight
Pence before he Should departe the Courte Howse.
July 5th. 1624. It was ordered, condesended, and agreede,
by the whole assembly, that all Such of the late made Aldermen
as have not brought in there Plate Avhich they should have
delyvered upon the Table in the Court-House the same daye
they were admitted & Sowrne Aldermen, shall at or before the
first daye of the nexte Assembly after Easter nexte, bringe in
ther Plate, or in deffault thereof that they and every of them

makinge deffault shall then and there tender and delyver in

reddye moneyes without further delaye the Som of Twentye
Nobles, Ster. the peice.
Novr. i pth, 1657, Ordered that noe apprentize now made,
or hearafter to be made, shal Serve lesse than Seven Yeares for

409
freedome as an apprentize before he bee made
free; And
none shal bee admitted unles
they come & first enter their
Indentures in the Town Bookes of Record after three monethes
of their Signeinge of the Said Indentures: for which the
Towne Clerk is to receave three Shillings and foure pence This
act is to remayne and be irrevocable.
his

June 25th Agreed at an Assembly, "that John

M'Knaight and Edward Colburne be disfranchised from their
1725,

for insulting Anthony Horseman,

esq. dep. mayor,
pth instant, in the house of Arthur Hill, and refusing then
to obey his Lawful Comands,
contrary to the oath of a freeman, and the antient Laws of this Corporation."

freedom,

the

No. XVII.

Mayors and

Sheriffs of Carrickfergus*

I 5 2 3.

MAYOKS, YEAR ELECTED.

William Fythe

1568,

Thomas Stephcnson

John Teadc

5^9,

1570,

Rychard Sendall

1571,

Edward Brown

SHERIFFS.

Thos. Unchile
Henry Fythe

These are

Nichola^ Wilis
Nicholas Rogers
John Flude
Wolston Elderton
Cornell O'Kane

'

1572, Captain William Piers

/called Bayliffs

John Teade

William Dobbin
Pattrick Savadge, junior

Wolston Elderton
John Dyer

* The
original spelling has been preserved in this list.
1
Was descended from a family of that name who arrived here
with John De Courcy, about 1182, and who had at one time three
castles within Carrickfergus
vestiges of two of those castles still
remain.
October i2th, 1702, Martha Sendall, Carrickfergus, was
married to Edward Williamson
she is the last person that I find
noticed of that family.
Records of Carrickfergus. Parish Registry.
2
He was a great
Captain William Piers was from Yorkshire.
favourite with Queen Elizabeth, having once saved her from the
fury of her sister, Queen Mary, "by conveying her privately away."
About 1566, Queen Elizabeth snt him to Ireland, and rewarded him
with several grants of lands, amongst which were the Abbey of
Tristernagh, county Westmeath. In 1568, he was governor of Carrickfergus, and seneschal of the county Antrim. It was he, says Hollinshed,
who cut off the head of Shane O'Neill, killed near Cushindun, in this
He died early in 1603, and
year for which he received 1000 marks.
was interred at Carrickfergus. LODGE states in his Peerage, that he
had only one son called Henry, who embraced the Roman Catholic
faith.
This is evidently an error, as William Piers, jun., appears in
our list of mayors.
He had also two daughters. About 1620, some
persons of this family removed to Derryaughy, and in 1633, we find
Thomas Piers vicar of that parish. In 1638, his son Richard, married
Margaret, daughter of James Byrt, Carrickfergus. In 1685, John Piers,
;

410
1573,

Thomas Stephenson

1574,

William

Piers,

Gregory Grafton
William Field, senior

Humphrey

junior

Potts

John Cockrill
1575,

William Piers, junior

Humphrey

Potts, died,

succeeded by
John Dishford
1576,

William Dobbin

William

577.

Piers,

1580,

Robert Magye
Robert Warcope
Humphrey Johnston
Mychaell Savadge
Barnabic Ward
Thomas Stephenson
Humphrey Johnston

junior

Thomas Sackforde

William Dobbin

Thomas

Sackforde,
succeeded by N. Wills
1582, Capt. William Piers
1581, Capt.

William
1584, Capt.

Dobbin

Nicholas

Dawtrey

1585,

William Dobbin

1586,

Thomas Stephenson
John Savadge

Cockrill

John Dyer
John Dishford

1578, Nicholas Wills

1579, Capt.

J.

died,

John Dyer
John Savadge
Phellimy Magyc

John Dishforde
James Dobbin
John Dyer
Rychard Thomas

Mathew Jones
John Scully
John Dishford
Mychaell Savadge
Humphrey Johnston
John Scully
John Dyer
James Dobbin

William Dobbin

Thomas Vaughan
John Lugg

Charles

James Dobbin
Roger Cooper

Eggerton

merchant, resided in that town, who is said to have been a lineat

descendant from Captain William Piers.
Until lately some of his
descendants resided in Lisburn.
Ware's Annals.
Lodge's Peerage.

[" The Captain Wm. Piers referred to was son of Richard Piers,
near Ingleton, Yorkshire, from whom Sir John Piers, of Tristernagh
His son, Henry Piers, Esq., of
Abbey, is the tenth in descent.
His greatTristernagh, conformed to the Roman Catholic Church.
grandson, Sir Henry Piers, of Tristernagh, was the author of a
Chorographical Description of the County of Westmeath, a work of
The family residence at
great merit for the age that produced it.
Tristernagh is now (1850) in a state of dilapidation, and the family
estates encumbered."
Hill's MacDonnells of Antrim, p. 144.]
1
Was a confidential servant of Sir Henry Sidney, lord deputy,
and came into Ireland with him. Edmond Packenham of the Longford
family, was married to his daughter Frances.
Lodge's Peerage.
1
Was a lineal descendant of a person of that name who arrived
here with John De Courcy.
In 1600, he possessed a considerable
property in the Middle Division, extending from the town to the
Commons. About 1670, some persons of this family removed to
Rosstrevor.
The last male descendant who resided at Carrickfergus
was Patrick Savage, shoemaker, who sold off houses in the town,
and lands in the North-East Division, to Henry Magee. Records of
Carrickfergus.

1590,

Mathew Jones

1591,

Humphrey Johnston

59 2

>

1593,

John Dalhvaye
Nicholas

William Savadge) John Dyer,

Henrie Ockforde/ Ueputy.
l

Wills,

died,

succcded

by M. Savadge
1
594, John Savadge

1595,

Thomas Stephenson

1596, Charles

1597,

Moyses Hill
Roger Cooper
Alexander Haynes
James Dobbin
John Hooper
James Rice
Robert Wills, died,
John Dyer succeeded.
Richard Thomas
Roger Cooper
2
Rychard Con Ian

Thomas Vaughan
Thomas Wytter

Eggerton

Humphrey Johnston

Rychard Thomas, died,

Henry Ockforde succeeded

Thomas Gravott
X

598i

Rychard Newton

John Savadge

Owen Magye
1599,

Humphrey Johnston

Henrie Spearpointe
s
Sydney Russel

1600,

John Dalhvaye

Rychard Newton
Rychard Faythe

1601, Gregorie
1602,

Norton

Same

John Hooper

Mychaell Whyte

Ralph

Storie,

died,

Thomas Gravott
1603,

Movses Hill*

and

succeeded

Dudley Yearworth
Robert Lyndon

See notice of the Dalway family.

^Richard Conlin, or O'Conlin, was son of Thomas Conlin.

Having no issue at his death he bequeathed his property to his niece
Ann Bunch, who was afterwards married to Ensign Garret Reiley,
to whom she had three
daughters, one of whom was married to
Marlow Reiley, another to James Rice, and the third to Dr. John
Neither of the two last had issue.
From
Coleman, Carrickfergus.
the former was descended the late James Reiley
and Ann, daughter
;

Garret Reiley, of this family, being married to Mathew Barry,

Carrickfergus, from her is descended Mrs. Ann Barry, alias, Hill.

of a

Tradition.
3

Sidney Russel was descended from the Russel who arrived here
with John De Courcy.
At his death he left a considerable property
in the Middle Division, which his eldest son Christopher sold in 1661
to Edmond Davys, and removed to Shanescastle.
About the same
time his youngest son, Richard, mortgaged his property in this town,
and went to reside at Broughshane. Records of Carrickfergus.
*
Sir Moses Hill was one of those military adventurers who
arrived at Carrickfergus with Walter Devereux, Earl of Essex, in 1573.
He also served under his son Robert, Earl of Essex, and afterwards
in
the army of his successor Lord Mountjoy, by whom he was
appointed governor of Olderfleet castle, near Larne, then a place of
In 1597, he was in Carrickfergus, and on
considerable importance. 1
the 4th November accompanied Sir John Chichester, governor, when
and
a few horse, marched out against James
he with 500 foot soldiers,
M'Donnell, who with a force of 400 foot, and 60 horsemen, braved
'Collin's Peerage.

Lodge's Peerage.

412
1604,

John Savadge

1605,

James Byrte

Thomas Wytter
Clement Foard

1606,

James Byrte

1607,

Thomas Wytter, deputy

Thomas Wytter

1608, Sir

Foulke Conway

Thomas M'Manus
Thomas Cooper
Owen Magye

Leonard Gale
Nicholas Dobbin

Dermot Haynes
Robert Elice*
Walter Hilman

the garrison to combat.

On the advance of the English, M'Donnell
retired to Altfreken, where he had placed a select body of Highlanders
in ambush, in a ravine now called the Saut-hole.
These men starting
from their concealment, and charging with great fury, the troops
under Sir John fell into confusion, and but few were enabled to effect
their escape. 1
Sir Moses fled into Island-Magee, where he remained
for some time hid in a cave, which for many years after was called bv
2
his name.
He afterwards served under the Lord Deputy Chichester,
to whom he was related.
In 1603, he was appointed provost-marshal
of the forces at Carrickfergus, with a fee of six shillings per day
and
in 1613, he was one of the representatives in parliament for the
of
Antrim.
A
fe%v
after
he
was
made
county
years
provost-marshal of
Ulster, with po%ver to proceed by martial law, and to inflict the
3
of
or
at
his
discretion.
death,
otherwise,
punishment
Lodge, in his
Irish Peerage, alledges, that he married for his first wife, Alice, sister
of Sorley Buye M'Donnell.
Tradition affirms that she was Alice,
daughter of William Dobbin, an alderman of Carrickfergus, and
\Vidow of Lewis Jones, also an alderman of the same town.
This
account is in a great measure confirmed by the circumstance, that in
1603, Sir Moses Hill had granted to him 60 additional acres of the
Corporation lands, "in right of his wife Alice;" and it is certain the
Sir
M'Donnells never had any claims to lands in Carrickfergus.
Moses also resided several years in the castle of William Dobbin,
4
His second wife was Anne, widow of
High-Street, Carrickfergus.
Sir Francis Stafford, knt.
Peter, his son by this marriage, succeeded
5
Sir Moses in 1629.
his
on
death
of
to
the
estates,
1
This person resided in Castle-street, Carrickfergus, and held a
The last of his family who
landed property in the Middle Division.
resided here was named Bryan ; he was agent to John Davys, and
In
removed from Carrickfergus to near Ahoghill.
1769,
Bryan
M'Manus served the office of high sheriff of the county of Antrim, as
did his son Alexander in 1782, who was afterwards lieutenant colonel
Records of Carrickfergus. MS.
of the Antrim Militia.
2
In the above year Sir Foulk was also lieutenant general of the
army, and governor of Carrickfergus, in which he held a considerable
In 1613, he was one
property, chiefly bought from Thomas Powell.
and in the
of the knights of the shire for the county of Antrim
Grand Inquisition of the county of Down he is called of Enniskillegane,
He died 1626. February, 1640, Edward Viscount
county of Antrim.
Conway, to whom his estates descended, mortgaged his possessions in
;

Carrickfergus
perfected
1

in

to

1647.

John Davys, for ^Tiooo,

Records of Carrickfergus.

Mac Geoghan.

Lodge's Peerage.
Commons' Journals.
Lodge's Peerage.
4
Records of Carrickfergus.
5
Lodge's Peerage.
* See notice of the Ellis familv.

which

MSS.

mortgage

was

iCcx),

1610,

Sir

Foulke Conway

Rychard

Jasper Happer
Thomas Powell

Taafle

Bartholemewe Johnston
Rychard Wytter
William Hurley
Edward Hodgsone

1611, Mychaell \\hyte

1612,

Robert Lyndon

1613,

Thomas Cooper

'

Thomas Bashford

Ine sword and mace were

Ezechiel Davis William Dobbin, dismissed

Carew Hart chosen in his
room.
William Stephenson
Clement Foard
Anthony Dobbin

first

carried before him.

1614, Capt.

1615,

Hercules Langford

Humphrey Johnston

1616, Capt.

Humphrey Norton

Thomas M'Manus
Thomas Papes

William Hurley

Thomas

Kirkpatrick

See notice of the Lynden family.

See notice of the Davys family.
3
Captain Hercules Langford was brother to Captain Roger Langford, who in the igth James I. had a grant of the lands that had
Hercules was also
belonged to the dissolved abbey of Muckamore.
"
mayor in 1623, and
began the building of the large house in the
Market place, which was finished in 1626." He bequeathed his property in Carrickfergus to his nephew Sir Roger Langford, who, May
loth, 1643, sold off the lands of Boleyhouse, called 95 acres, and 26
acres adjoining the North road, called Kelly's land, to Roger Lyndon
for ^400.
In 1661, Hercules Langford, perhaps, son of Sir Roger,
was high sheriff of the county of Antrim. In 1716, Sir Arthur Langford died, at which time he was one of the representatives in parliament
for the county of Antrim.
Gill's .1/55.
Records of Carrickfergus. MS.
4
Was one of five brothers, all of whom were officers in the army
of Queen Elizabeth, in Ireland, viz. Sir Dudley, Robert, Gregory,
Thomas, and Humphrey Norton. Sir Dudley was long chief secretary
for Ireland, which office he resigned from his age and infirmities in
Robert built Castle-Robin, near Lisburn
Gregory dwelt near
1634.
Castle-Dobbs
Thomas settled at Lochill, county of Antrim and
Humphrey erected Castle-Norton. By an inquisition on Lord "ChiSir
chester's property, held 1618-19, it appears that he granted to
Humphrey Norton (Armiger), the castle called Castle-Norton, with the
Villages and Lands thereunto belonging, viz. Templepatrice, alias,
Templeton, alias, Temple-Bally-Patrick Clougherduff, and Killnakice,
12
in the territory or Tough of Ballylinny," at the annual rent of
That Tough had been granted to Sir James
and two fat beeves.
-

Sir
In
in
trust for Lord Chichester.
1613,
of the original burgesses in the charter granted to
Belfast.
In 1616, Thomas was member of a jury impannelled to
About 1620, n
ascertain the possessions of Sir Arthur Chichester.
named
daughter of Sir Humphrey's marrying a serjeant of dragoons,
off
O'Linn, he was so highly incensed at her conduct, that he sold
from
Castle-Norton, and the lands adjoining, to Captain Henry Upton,
which time the place was commonly called Castle-Upton. From this
about ^"2500 per annum. Within
property Lord Templeton now draws
Randalstown.
memory some descendants of said O'Linn, resided near
MSS. (See Note.)
Tradition.
Strafford's Letters.

Hamilton

in

1609,

Humphrey was one

414
1617, Sir

1618,

Hill

Moyses

Thomas

Mathewe Johnston
John Redworth
Nicholas Dobbin

Witter, died,

Mychaell Whyte succeeded

1619, Sir
1620,

Hugh Clotworthy

Cornell

O'Kane

William Hurley
Edward Wilkinson

Edward Hodgsone
Inghram Horsman
O'Kane
James Savadge, died,

James Byrte

Cornell

1621,

Thomas Cooper

1622, Mychaell

Wm.

Whyte,

died,

Storr succeeded

1623, Sir

Hercules Langford

1624, Sir

Roger Langford

1625,

Thomas Kirkpatrick

1626,

Anthony Dobbin

1627,

Inghrame Horsman, died,

Mathewe Johnston succeeded
Mathewe Johnstone 4

1628,

1629, Sir
1630,

Moyses

Hill

James Byrte

1631, Sir

Hercules

Langford

1632, Cornelius Hermans, died,

Mat. Johnston succeeded
1633,

Thomas Kirkpatrick

1634,

William Penrye

1635,

Thomas Whitager

William Story 3 elected by

the Bench
Robert Savadge
John Davis
Rychard Spearpoynte
William Cloughe

Marmaduke Newton

Edwarde Mason
Edwarde Hodgsone
Andrewe Dixon
Cornelius Hermans
John Howsell

Thomas Richison
Ralph Kilman

Thomas Turner
John Edgar
William Penrie
William Cankarth
Thomas Whitager
Anthony Haull
Joshua Wharton
Clement Bashford
Rychard Spearpoynt

Marmaduke Newton
John Davis
John Parkes
William Happer
William Ayshworth

Thomas Gravott

William Bashforde
1636, Richard Spearpoynt

Thomas Richison
William Williams

1
Sir Arthur Chichester, then in Scotland, was first elected, but
on his return " he Shewinge many good
forceable reasons, as well
for the good of the Towne, as other vvyse, and withall submittinge
the came
himselfe to what fyne the Towne would ympose upon him
to a Seconde Elecone upon the i2th day of Sep. 1617." Records of
;

Carrickfergus.
2

See notice of the Clotworthy family.

From this time it is often noticed that one of the Sheriffs was
elected by the Mayor only.
4
Mathew Johnston was a son of Humphrey Johnston, who was
deputed to take out a new charter from Queen Elizabeth. In 1658 he
was very old and poor, and the Assembly, on his petition, granted him
;io 5 per annum, during his life. Records of Carrickfergus.
Arthur Chichester, Esq., was first elected, but "Shewinge many
" the said
office,
good forceable causes & reasons hinderinge to undergo
Richard Spearpoint was elected in his room on the i3th September.
Records of Carrickfergus.
3

1637, Richard Spearpoynt

1638,

Edward Johnston
John Hall
William Happer
William Penrie, junior

Roger Lyndon

1639, Sir

Thomas Gravott
Humphrey Johnston

Roger Langford

1640, John Davies

Robert Savadge
George Happer
T. Baker chosen

1641, John Davies

his

in

room
1642, Capt.

Roger Lyndone

Mychaell Savadge
John Bull worthy

1643, Capt.

Roger Lyndone

Pat.

William Bashforde
Fitz-James
Savadge
2

Same

1644,

Thomas Kirkpatrick

1645,

Mathewe Johnston

1646,

Richard Spearpoynt

F. N. Dobbin
John Savadge
William Bashforde
Thomas Tennison
John Orpin
John Boyd

James

1647, Richard Spearpoynt

Same

1648, Capt.

Roger Lyndone

James Dobbin
1649,

William Happer

1650, William

William Cathcart
John Orpin
James Crooks
Robert Welsh

Happer

1651, Capt.

Roger Lyndone

1652, Capt.

John Dallway

653, Capt.
,

Roger Lyndone

John Bulhvorthy

Rowland M'Quillan

Edmond DuvYes
Thomas Dobbin
John Bull worthy, junior
Anthony Hall
Rowland M'Quillan
John Hall
John Birte

Richard Spearpoint was mayor in 1637, when he made a

Surrender of the Customes of this Towne for three thousand pounds,
which
he ruined the Towne, by parting with one of the valueablest
by
grants that perhaps \vas ever made to any body Corporate before
me
and must do every one else that reads the History of this
gives
vile action the greatest abhorrence to the memory of So vile a man,
which ought to perish in oblivion, did no other flagrency of the fact
suffer it not to die
but to convince every man that does an unjust
action that either he or his posterity will meet with Justice retaliate
due to their name this man left behind him a Son possessed of a
corporation estate the father unjustly got, which the Son as foolishlyparted" with, and died a Beggar."- -Gill's MSS.
2
The said Pat. Fitz-James Savadge & William Bashforde, bv
the generall Consent of the Maire, Bench, and Comons, were chosen &
In regarde they were very
elected Sheriffs for the succeeding yeare.
deligent this yeare in their office, and for that they were very experte in
;

these tymes of distractions." MS.

3
"Was Grandfather by the mother, and Grand uncle by the father
to Mr. Alexander Dahvay, who married the daughter of the Laird of

Duntreath, 1696." Gill's MSS.

4
Was a carpenter by trade, and resided in High-street, in a castl*
that had belonged to Thomas Dobbin, which was afterwards called

John

Peter Taylour

Bullworthy

Thomas Dobbin
1656,

John Orpin

'6571

John Orpin

Robert Wyttcr
\\"iiliam Dobbin

Thomas Griffeth
Andrew Gaidner
Jasper Haper

Harris,"

1658, Joseph

1659,

John Davies

1660,

John Dallvvay, Esq.

1661, Capt.

1662,

John Dalhvay

James Dobbin,

1663, Hercules

John Wadman
Samuel Treherne
William Thomson
Michaell Karr
Richard Johnston
Thomas Dobbin

Rowland M'Ouillan
Thomson

\Villiam

Rowand M'Quillan
Thomas Dobbin
Same

Davies

1664,

John Dallway, Esq.

1665,

Anthony Hall

1666,

William Dobbin

1667,

Edmond Davies

1668,

Robert Welsh

Thomas Dobbin
*

Richard Johnston
John Magee
Cornelius Bashforde

Richard Westbrook
Henry Burnes
Ezekiel Davies
Richard Pendleton
William Hilditch

"'

Bulleries-castle, being a corruption of his name.

January 171)1, 1653,
he had a grant of 48 acres of land, West Division, that had been
William Jordan's; also six acres adjoining: likewise a deed of 80
acres of Seskinamaddy, which his grandson, John Gardner, sold to
Henry Clements, Straid who, in 1684, had a deed for ever in his own
i
6s. 8d.
Gill's MSS. Records of
name, at the annual rent of
Carrickfergus.
"
John Orpin was a pewterer and plumber, and of mean descent
the way he came to improve his fortune was by being one of the
Executors of the Lady Langford, by which he got considerable, but
not justly."
He died 1661, leaving his possessions here to his son
Thomas, a glazier, who died 1719, bequeathing his property to his
eldest son John, and his daughter Margaret Wisencraft, and offspring.
;

Gill's

MSS.

MS.

"

was a rich merchant, and dealt much in French

Joseph Harris
wines until alderman John Davies by buying the Country Butter gived
them a greater price, selling the wine he imported cheaper, and Mr.
Harris loosing the Ships with the Cargo, in about three weeks time,
and other losses Spoiled his trade, and reduced him and his family to
low circumstances." He died 1660. Gill's MSS.
"
*
James Dobbin was of an ancient family, yot kept an Inn and
Sold Ale; he left only one Son behind him." Gill's MSS.
* "
Was a merchant of good Account, and lived many Years in
this Towne, till brocken by bad Servents and misfortunes at Sea, to
the loss of Great numbers of people that he had
money from on
20 yearly, for five years, to
In 1676, he was granted
Interest."
the
him
he
in
the
losses
sustained
mutiny of the
May, 1666, by
repay
"
in the year 1696, he was a Chandler in Belfast,
troops in garrison
and died there." Records of Carrickfergus. Gill's MSS.
"
5
Was
Resided where the distillery then stood in North-street.
a tanner, and tho' mayor could neither Read nor write, yet was a
*

417
J669,

Anthony Horsman

1670,

Anthony Horsma.t

1671, Richard

Samuel Treherne
John Stubbs
j ohn Henderson

Same
Symon

Dobbs'

Richardson
he makes
mark.
William Bennett *
.

signing

1672,

Henry Davies

kdmpnd

Uav'es,

In
his

Thomas M'Manus
John Smvth
j ames M'Cuilogh
John Davies
George Walsh

dep.

1673, William [Link]

Anthony Horsman, dep.

1674, William Hill
1675,

Anthony Horsman, dep.

John Byrte

1676,

John Byrte

1677,

Solomon Faith*

Edward Hall

Thomas Harper

Adam

1678, tzekell
;679, Hercules

Dennison
John Smyth
John Tyso
James M'Cuilogh
William Dawson
Robert Williams
Cornelius Bashford
Richard Pendleton
John Magee

Davies
Davies

man in considerable substance, which shows

a fortune in those times, and how difficult
man." He died 1671. Gill's MSS.
1

The

family

of

Horsman

formerly

how
now

easy it was to make

by the most learned

possessed

considerable

within this corporation.

Anthony, who was mayor in the
above years, had a son called Richard, who married a daughter of
Kane's
of
John
Carrickfergus, by his wife
(mother of Cornelius
Crymble), by whom he had a son called Anthony and several
Richard
died
his
daughters.
1720, leaving
property in this place to his
son Anthony, who soon after sold part of that in the town to Ezekial
Davies and about 1726, mortgaged his lands in the country to Henry
Magee they were then valued at ^40 per annum. In 1729 he was in
such low circumstances that the Assembly gave him
10 out of the
property

funds of the corporation

and, in 1731, he resigned his place of alderin favour of Colonel Richard Kane, a native of this town, then
governor of the island of Minorca, and went out to that island. About
1764, his heirs, Beresford Horsman and John Boyse, made an attempt
to recover the lands he had so foolishly mortgaged.
December nth,
a
1769 they were publicly sold at the Exchequer Office, Dublin, bv
lt
to
decree of the Court of Exchequer bearing date June same year,
pay the Plaintiffs the Principal, Interest, and Costs, in the Decree."
The Plaintiffs were Francis Shaw and Ann Magee. alias Crymble, aliaShaw, wife of said Francis, administratrix of William Magee, Henry
Magee, and Charles Crymble. Gill's MSS. Records of Carrickfergus.
MSS. Belfast News-Letter, No. 3371.
2 See
notice of the Dobbs family.
John Jowland was first elected, but refusing to take the oaths of
Records of Carrickfergus.
20.
office he was fined
4
Solomon Faith was a captain in the army; he married Catherine
Their daughter, Jane,
daughter of William Dobbin, Carrickfergus.
was married to Edward Pottinger, whose daughter was married to A
Vesy, Lucan, near Dublin. MS.
;

man

:!

28

Henry Clements

1680,

'

Andrew Clements
John Byrtt

In 1609,

we

an Edward and John Clements settled at Straid,

from its being previously possessed by
Thomas Stevenson, of Carrickfergus. On the aoth of March, in this
Edward
Clements obtained from John Dalway, a deed of the
year,
townlands of Ballythomas, Straidballythomas, and Ballymenagh, for
which he was to pay
2 55. per annum.
At the same time John
Clements is noticed as holding lands near Straid the remainder of the
then

called

find

Thomastown,

Cynament, or parish of Ballynure, consisting of thirteen townlands,

was then held by Moses Hill and Thomas Hibbots. 1
About 1640, Henry Clements of Straid, who is believed to have
been son of the above Edward, was deputy recorder of Carrickfergus.
In 1648, we find him a captain in Sir John
Clotworthy's regiment of
foot, and in the following year in garrison at Carrickfergus, of which
town he had been chosen an alderman. He died soon after. Henry,
Edward, Andrew, and Francis Clements, are afterwards mentioned as
aldermen or burgesses of Carrickfergus
they are believed to have
been sons of the first mentioned Henry. 3
Another brother named
settled
in
the county of Cavan, got an estate there
and
Robert,
married Miss Sandford, of the Castlerea family, from whom descended
;

Lord Leitrim, father to Nathaniel, Earl of Leitrim. 3

Robert,
Henry and Edward Clements took an active and decided part
first

in

the passing events of their time.

They were of those who signed the
Antrim Association in 1688, for which the former was attainted by
King James's parliament in 1689. In 1692, Henry was one of the
and in 1699, Andrew
representatives in parliament for Carrickfergus
was high sheriff of the county of Antrim, and in 1710, on the death of
William Shaw, high sheriff of the same county, he was appointed to
succeed him ; in which office he continued the following year.
Henry
;

died in 1696, and Andrew in 1721.*

On the death of Henry, his brother Edward succeeded to the
In 1707, he resided at Clements-hill, in which year he
family estates.
served the office of high sheriff of the county of Antrim and in 1715,
;

he was appointed major of a regiment of militia dragoons belonging to

the same county, commanded by the hon. John I. Chichester. 5
He
married Eleanor, daughter of Alexander Dalway, Ballyhill, and by her
who died March, 1696, had seven sons, and two daughters, viz.
Edward, Henry, Hercules, Francis, John, Dalway,
Anne, and
Millicent.
Anne was married to Francis Ellis and Millicent to WaterIn 1716, Edward was high sheriff of the county of
house Crymble.
Antrim he died 1733."
Francis was appointed major of dragoons on the decease of his
father, and in 1721, served the office of high sheriff of the county of
Antrim. He married a Miss Pont of Liverpool, but having no issue,
and dying intestate on the 26th March, 1749, his estate devolved to his
nephews, Henry Ellis, and Waterhouse Crymble, eldest sons of his
sisters Ann and Millicent.
Henry entered into holy orders he died
1716. John and Dalway Clements were officers in Colonel Skeffington's
regiment, and served in the city of Derry during its memorable siege
,

'MS.
MSS.

3
3

Debrett's Peerage.
State of the

MS.

Antrim.
5

MSS.
MS.

Protestants.

MSS.

Records of the County

Samuel Webby

68i,

1683,

Andrew Willoughby

John Dobbin
Henry Burnes
John Davies
William Johnston
John Kerr

1684,

Edmond Davies

Edward Hall
Symon Richison

1682, Richard Dobbs

John Henderson
James M'Cullogh
John Kerr
James M'Cullogh
Richard Kane
Richard Horsman

1685, Arthur Earl of Doncgall

Solomon Faith, dep.
1686, John Davies

1687, Richard

Dobbs

1688, Richard

Dobbs

1689, Richard

Dobbs

Marmaduke Newton
Richard Horsman
Marmaduke Newton
Same

1690,

Henry Davys

Samuel Davys

1691,

Andrew Clements

Solomon Bashford
*
John Brown

William Tisdall

the former of
officer

in

whom

as well as his brother Hercules

Lord Inchiquin's regiment

of

was afterwards an

Hercules married
Susanna, daughter
Captain Francis Ellis, niece of Sir Hercules
Clements
Langford. John
(perhaps son of Edward), got that part of
the family estate called
Ballymenagh (Lower Ballymenagh), which he
foolishly sold to Charles Crymble, Ballygallogh, "for a Song, an old
10 in hand.*
horse, and
Some of this person's grandchildren reside
in Dublin, and are in
respectable circumstances.
1
Was from Lincoln at his death which happened in 1684, he left
his property in North-street, and Back-lane,
Carrickfergus, to his niece
Elizabeth, daughter of William Dobbin, who was married to Captain
James Gibbons from her it descended to Captain Henry South, Ballyeaston, and from him to Lord Macartney, and
Reynell, who
sold the same to Sir William Kirk, Knight, and the Rev. Richard
Dobbs. Records of Carrickfergus.
dragoons.

of

"The following memorandums appear in the records of Carrickfergus, immediately after the notice of the election of Mr. Dobbs
1687, Feb. Cormick O'Neile, Esq. was ellected alderman, in place of
:

^'

Andrew Willoughby."
"

TYRCONNELL.
Whereas, on the i3th day of this inst. July, a
Certificate was returned unto this board, from the mayor and Sheriffes
of Carrickfergus, dated the 27th day of June, 1687, whereby it appears
that on the said 27th day of June, Richard Dobbs, alderman, was
chosen of the sd. Towne for one year commencing at michaelmas next,
& Richd. Horseman & Marmaduke Newton, Sheriffes for the year
aforesd.
the Ld. Deputy and Councell do by this our order approve
of the choyce of the sd. Persons to Serve in the Severall offices aforesd.
Given at the
for the sd. year commencing at Michaelmas next.
Councell chamber in Dublin, the i3th day of July, 1687. A Hylton,

We

C. Granard,
Mountjoy, S. Nugent, D. Daly, Wm. Davies,
Thos. Heightly, John Dasvies, Step. Rice, Garret Moore."
3
Was a wealthy dealer in Carrickfergus he bought several tenements and lands from the Savage's and Wills's, which his heirs sold to
Thomas Gunning. -Records of Carrickfergus.
;

MS.

ford family.

Records of Carrickfergus.

Tradition.

MSS.

of the

Lang-

420
1692,

Marmaduke Newton

1693,

Marmaduke Newton

1694, Richard
1695,

Horsman

Samuel Davys

Henry Clements, died

Nov. ad. Samuel Davys succeeded
1697, Hon. John E. Chichester

1696,

1698,

Henry Davys

1699, Sir

Thomas Dancer

1700, Cornelius

Crvmble

David Hood
John M'Cully
William Dawson
James Erwin
William Tisdall
Cornelius Crvmble
Robert Williams
Cornelius Bashford
Roger Horsman
Solomon Bashford
David Hood
James Erwin
Capt. Arthur Davys
Capt. John Davys
John Chaplin
Capt. James Gibbons
Solomon Bashford
James Erwin

1
The family of Crvmble are said to have been of French extraction,
and are believed to have arrived in Ireland about 1568, with Sir Edward
Waterhouse, secretary to the lord deputy Sir Henry Sidney.
Sir
Edward afterwards settled in Carrickfergus, and in 1585, was' one of
its representatives in parliament. 1
His only child is said to have been
married to Roger Crymble, to whom, at his removal to Dublin, he
those
tenements
which
he held in Carrickfergus.
In 1621
bequeathed
2
In
they were held by Charles Crymble, son and heir of said Roger.
1612, we find Waterhouse Crymble (probably son of Roger), one of the
in
the
charter
of
Belfast
and
in
a
chief
original burgesses
1636,
mourner at the funeral of Lord Viscount Montgomery and in 1649,
he erected thecomptroller of the customs of the port of Donaghadee
3
first Custom-house at that port.
April 1646, George Crymble was admitted a free Merchant of the
2
and in 1687, we find
Staple, of Carrickfergus, on paying a fine of
the above Cornelius residing at Scout-bush, and obtaining from the
1

corporation a grant of 147 acres of land beneath the Knockogh hill,

that had been William Penry's, to whom he would seem to have been
4
related.
These lands afterwards became the property of Charles-

Crymble, Ballygallogh, who, in November, 1792, sold them to James

Craig, Carrickfergus, for ^2500.
About the same period that George Crymble is noticed, a branch of
the family settled at Ballygallogh, near Ballyclare.
In 1698, Charles
Crymble, of said place, obtained a deed from the corporation of
Carrickfergus, of the lands called Lisglass, alias, Little Ballymenagh.
2.
at the yearly rent of
He married his cousin Ann, daughter of
Cornelius Crymble, Carrickfergus, by whom he had several children.
1704, a William Crymble, and a Waterhouse Crymble, jun. are
mentioned in the records of Carrickfergus. Cornelius died 1720. 5
his eldest son
Charles Crymble died near Ballyclare in 1756
Charles is said to have married a Miss Houston he died in 1775, at
he was remarkable for his parsimonious
the advanced age of 102
His son Charles died at Ballyclare, Sept. 3d, 1765 he married
habits.
of
Ann, daughter
Henry Magee, Carrickfergus, by whom he had
The latter died unWilliam, Charles, Martha, Margaret, and Ann.

In

MSS.

Records Rolls Office, Dublin.

'

Mongomery MSS.

Records of Carrickfergus.

Ibid.

421
John Davys
Samuel Davys, dcp.
Andrew Clements
Samuel Davys, dep.
Andrew Clements

1701, Captain
1702,

1703,

John Bashford
Nathaniel Bvrte

David Hood'

Thomas Bashford
Same

Cornelius Crymble, dep.

1704,

Edward Clements

1705,

Edward Clements

John Chaplin
Thomas Bashford
John Chaplin
Thomas Bashford

1706, Richard Horsman

1707, Richard Horsman

Thomas Young
Nicholas Brown
Same

1708, Cornelius

Crymble

John Bashford

1709, Cornelius

Crymble

Thomas Bashford
Same

1710,

Edward Clements

1711, John Chaplin

Thomas Young
William Bashford
Rigby Dobbin

Nicholas

Brown

married, as did William in Dec. 1785.

June, 1780, Margaret was
married to Valentine Joyce, merchant, Belfast, to whom she had one
son and three daughters.
Charles married Clementina, daughter of
Gardner, goldsmith,
Edinburgh, by whom he had two
daughters. In 1789, he served the office of high sheriff of the county of
Antrim.
He died Sept. 6th, 1797, some years before which he had
separated from Mrs. Crymble.
Having no male issue, his estate
to the will of his grandfather), devolved to his cousin,
^agreeable
Thomas B. Adair, Loghanmore.
son of the first-mentioned Charles,
resided
at
W'aterhouse,
He married Millicent, daughter
Clements-hill, where he died in 1754.
of Edward Clements, Straid, by whom he had two sons and two
daughters, viz. Edward, Watcrhousc, Eleanor, married to Henry Ellis,
and Nancy, married to the Rev.
Lindsay, who settled near
Dungannon. Waterhouse was a lieutenant in Col. Dunbar's regiment
of foot, and fell in North America, July, 1755, with General Braddock.
Edward was an officer in the 58th Regiment of foot, and distinguishing
himself at the capture of Crown-point, was made a captain in the same
He married Lucy, daughter of James
corps by Sir Jeffrey Amherst.
Bradshaw, Lurgan, and widow of
Ogle she was distinguished
;

by the name of the handsome Quaker. They resided for some years at
Lurgan, and one summer had for their guest the afterwards celebrated
Oeneral \Volfe. A few years after a total separation took place between
He was a magistrate of
Mr. and Mrs. Crymble; they had no issue.
the county of Antrim, and remarkable for the inflexible justice of his
decisions
he died at Clements-hill, August gth, 1789, leaving his
estate to his nephew, Henry Clements Ellis, Prospect, Carrickfergus.
[The Belfast News-Letter of May ist, 1850, has a death notice of
n Martha Crymble, daughter and last lineal descendant of Charles
Perhaps a daughter of Charles, who died
Crymble, Ballyclaro.
6th, 1797.]
September
l
john Chaplin married Mary, daughter of Andrew Willoughby
their daughter, Margaret, was married to Andrew Newton, who had
Issue, Henry, married to Sarah, sister of the Rev. James Frazer,
Carrickfergus; from whom was descended Andrew Newton, Coagh.
1

;"

who

died there April 1826, in his 78 year.

J

Tradition.

422
1712,

Samuel Davys

Charles

1713,

Samuel Davys

James Wilson
Ezekiel Davys Wilson
John Brown, Jun.

1714,
1715,

Ellis

1717, Francis

Ellis

1718,

Thomas Young
Thomas Bashford

John Davys, Jun.

Samuel Davys, dep.
Andrew Clements
Samuel Davys, dep.

1716, Francis

Howard

Rigby Dobbin
Nicholas Brown
David Morrison
William Bashford
David Morrison
William Spencer

Rigby Dobbin

John Chaplin

Andrew Newton
1719, Francis Clements
Francis Ellis, dep.

1720, Arthur

Francis

David Morrison
William Bashford
David Morrison
William Magee *
William Bashford

Dobbs
Ellis,

dep.

1722,

John Lyndon
John Chaplin, dep.
Ezekiel Davys Wilson

James Ervvin
David Morrison

1723,

Anthony Horsman

Thomas Bashford
Same

1724,

Rigby Dobbin
John Chaplin,
An. Horsman, deputies

1721,

1
Arthur Chichester was
on paying a fine.

David Morrison

Thomas Bashford
chosen, but was excused from serving

first

He was

a brother of Henry Magee, and resided in a castellated

North-East Division.
In 1741, he obtained from Edwarrf
Lyndon a grant for ever of the lands of Ardboley, at the yearly rent of
He bequeathed his estate to his brother Henry, who at his death
1$.
left his property to his daughter Ann, %vho was married to Charles
On his decease she was married to Franci?
Crymble, Ballygallogh.
Shaw, and by him, who died April 1801, she had four daughters, viz.
Mary, Elizabeth, Frances, and Helen.
3
Was descended of a family who were early settled in Carrickthe first mentioned is Peter, constable of the castle in 1400.
fergus
In 1614, we find the family consisting of several branches, and possessing considerable property in Carrickfergus, chiefly, in the North-East
Division, which they soon after sold to Sir Arthur Chichester, Sir
Thomas Phillips, and Anthony Hall. About 1627, Nicholas Dobbin
removed hence to Shanescastle
and in 1688, we find William and
Humphrey Dobbin, two of the burgesses appointed by James II. in hischarter to Belfast, from which circumstance it is probable they took
In 1690, the estate of Peter Dobbin was
part with that monarch.
attainted, and June 3d, 1703, his lands were sold at Chichestcr-house,
Dublin
they consisted of the lands of Drumsough, Lenagh, Ballyhe
with
nclurgan, alias, Ferelagh, alias, Oglully, county Antrim
lands of Newton and Cunningham, county of Donegall.
Rigby
Dobbin, noticed above, resided at Duneane, where he died in 1765, as
In 1756, Nicholas Dobbin, son of
did his son James the same year.
Thomas, still held the family property of Ardoo, with the lands now
called Farmhill, and also several tenements in the North East Division,
which were afterwards sold to Edward Brice, Kilroot, who sold them
to William Finlay, Carrickfergus.
About 1760, James Dobbin, son of William, removed from Carrickfergus to London, and about 1778, his son James Dobbin, M.D., sold

mansion,

4*3
Valentine Jones
E. D. Wilson, dep.
1726, Francis Ellis

Willoughby Chaplin
Nathaniel Byrt
David Morrison

1727, Francis

John Coleman
John Chaplin
George Spaight

Clements

Dobbs

1728, Arthur

Francis Clements, dep.

1729, Francis Lord Conway
Francis Clements, dep.
I 73
John Lyndon
Francis Clements, dep.
1731, Francis Ellis,
Francis Clements, dep.

Dobbs

1732, Arthur

George Spaight,
1733, Willoughby

dep.

Chaplin

1734,

George Spaight

I 735

Willoughby Chaplin

736, Francis

Ellis

Nathaniel Byrt

William Magee

Henry

Gill

George Spaight
Willoughby Chaplin
Nathaniel Byrt
David Morrison
Clements Courtney
John Chaplin

Clements CourtneyJohn Chaplin

Nathaniel Byrt
Clements Courtney
John Coleman
Clements CourtneyJohn Coleman
Nathaniel Byrt

John Coleman

Same

Ellis

1737,

Henry

1738,

George Spaight

1739,

Henry

Nat. Byrt
Hercules Clements
Richard Chaplin
John Seeds

Gill

1740, Francis Clements

George Spaight, dep.
1741, Arthur Dobbs
1742,

John Davys
John Seeds
Nat. Byrt

Willoughby Chaplin

not appearing
*743i Capt. John Davys
to
be sworn into office, Wil;

Richard Chaplin
Davys Wilson
Richard Chaplin
Edward Jones
Davys Wilson

loughby Chaplin continued

the remaining part of the family lands at Carrickfergus, to Sir
William Kirk, Knight.
The last person of this name who resided
here was Thomas.
His son went early to sea, and was long
off

commander

a vessel in the revenue service.

He dwelt a
Records Rolls Office, Dublin. Records
Sale of Forfeitures.
Tradition.
of Carrickfergus.
1
Was related to Francis Clements. Straid. He left two daughters,
who perished on the Commons of Carrickfergus, during a snowstorm,
about 1740, going on a visit to their friend Mr. Clements. Another
woman named Mulholland was also lost with them at the same time.
Tradition.
2
Son of John Chaplin, by Mary, daughter of Andrew Willoughby.
3 "
In this year James Erwin, who was a burgess, and had served
the office of sheriff, died in great poverty, and was interred at the
When sheriff in 1700, he was ruined by
sole expence of Henry Gill.
the misconduct of his colleague, Solomon Bashford." Records of
the

of

few years ago at Milfordhaven.

Carrickfergus.
4
"In the

month of July the Repairs of the Dragoon & foott

Barracks were began at Carrickfergus, and finished in the month of
January 1737-8, Mr. Hugh Darley, undertaker, Arthur Dobbs, Esq.
then Engineer and Surveyor General." Gill's MSS.

424
Hon.
Chichester
not
John
appearing,
Willoughby Chaplin
continued
1745, Rt. Hon. Arthur Earl of Donenot
Will.
gall
appearing,
Chaplin continued
1744,

Hon. John Chichester; was dead

1746,

when elected. Willoughby Chaplin was elected in his room on

the 24th
1747, Rt.
gall

Same
Richard Chaplin
Nat. Byrt

William Macartney
Nat. Byrt

Sepr.

Hon. Arthur Earl of Donenot appearing, Willoughby

Richard Chaplin
Davys Wilson

Chaplin continued

Edward

1748,

Brice

Edward Jones
William Macartney

Was

descended from the Rev. Edward Bryce, or Brice, Presby-

terian minister of

Drimen, who was obliged

to

fly

from Scotland, for

opposing "in bitter tcarmes," John Spootwood, Bishop of Glasgow, who

had been appointed moderator of the Synod of Clydesdale. 1 About 1611,
he settled in the parish of Templecoran, alias, Braidisland, preaching
there and in the church of Ballykiel, Island-Magee alternately. 2
September 3d, 1619, he was collated to the Prebend of Kilroot, by Robert
of
Down
and
in
which
he
was
installed
Echlin, bishop
Connor,
living
on the i7th of the same month. 3 These ceremonies however did not
to
the
canons
of
the
The bishops
imply conformity
episcopal church.
were merely acknowledged as Presbyters, and in performing the duties
of their office on these occasions omitted such parts of the ceremonies
as were objected by the ministers, whose only object was to obtain the
4
legal maintenance of these parishes to which they had been called.
August I2th, 1636, he was deposed in Belfast, by Henry Lesly, bishop
of Down and Connor, for refusing to conform to the canonical forms
of episcopacy. 5
He died the same year, aged 67, leaving two sons and

two daughters.'
His eldest son

Robert resided at Castle-Chichester, where he

acquired a fortune probably, by trading to Scotland Castle-Chichester
the station from which the mails
being then a place of some trade, and
In November 1676, he died in
were despatched to that kingdom. 7
Dublin, aged 63 years. By his wife Elizabeth, who died January 1704,
he had three sons, and the same number of daughters, one of whom
was married to Thomas Knox, the first of the Northland family who
came to Ireland.* Hugh, son of Robert, died in 1687, aged 24 years
in 1675, his brother Randal was high sheriff of the county of Antrim,
and in 1692, was one of the representatives in parliament for the
1697, he died in Dublin, leaving
borough of Lisburn. In September
two sons and two daughters. 9 An Edward Brice, who is alledged to
have been also son of Robert, was a colonel in the army, and settled
lo
in Belfast, where he died at an advanced age June 28th, 1726.
About 1720, Captain Charles Brice, an illegitimate son of Robert,
Robinson, resided at Castle-Chichester. He is said to have
by
;

*
5

4
5
6

James Balfour's Annals.

Tradition.
Presbyterian Loyalty.
Registery of the Perogative Court.
Life of the Rev. Robert Blair.
Life of the Rev. John Levingston.

Sir

Inscription at Templecoran.
Thurloe's State Papers.

Ibid.

MS. Lodge's Peerage.

MSS. Commons' Journals.
MSS.

"

Richard Chaplin
John Seeds

i/49> Willoughby Chaplin

Hon. Arthur Earl of Donenot appearing, Willoughby

1750, Rt.
gall

Same

Chaplin continued
1751, Willoughby Chaplin

Same
1

1752, Willoughby

Richard Chaplin
Kzekiel Wilson

Chaplin

married a Miss Curry, by whom he had three sons, viz. Edward,

Robert, and Arthur, and two daughters, one of whom, Dorothy,* was
married to
Charles is
Ennis, of Dromantine, county Down.
Edward, married Catharine,
reported to have died about 1746.
of
daughter
George Spaight, Carrickfergus in September 1779, 1 their
In
daughter Prudence, was married to George Bateson, of London.
Edward
was surveyor of the port of Belfast, and agent for the
1761,
French prisoners kept in that town he died at Castle-Chichester, July
Robert entered into the royal navy, was promoted to the rank of
1796.
admiral, and was also created a baronet. He married in England, Miss
Kingsmill, by whom he obtained a large fortune on assuming her
name which name his brother Edward also took soon after. Sir
;

Robert died at Sidmonston, Hampshire, November 22d, 1805, in his

75th year h; left no issue. Arthur was an officer in the guards, and
;

retained the

name

of Brice.

Edward, who, it is presumed, was son of Randal, married Jane,

daughter of Richard Dobbs, by whom he had two sons, Edward and
Alexander, and several daughters. In 1748, he was high sheriff of the
He died August nth, 1742, aged 83 years. His
county of Antrim.
married first Rose, daughter of A. Stewart,
he had the late Edward Brice, and several other
He married secondly, December igth, 1758, Jane Smith,
whom
alias, Adair, daughter of William Adair, army agent, London, by
he had several children, one of whom was married to Sir John
He died in old Bond Street, London, December, 1804.
Anstruther.
Edward who succeeded to the family estate, married Theodora,
She
daughter of Thomas Mullins, afterwards created Lord Ventry.
died in Dublin, Nov. 1807; he died July gth, 1815, leaving four sons
and the like number of daughters.
*
son of Henry, by
Henry Maxwell, of Finnybrogue, Esq., eldest
of Down and Connor,
Jane, daughter of Robert Ecklin, Bishop
of Robert Brice, of
married, for his second wife, Dorothy, daughter
Col. of t
Kilroot Esq., by whom he had Robert, his heir; Edward,
married to James
67th regiment of foot and one daughter, Margaret,
Adair of London, Esq., by whom she had James, one of his Majesty ^s
of London.
Lodge s
Sergeants at Law, and Recorder of the city
In 1831, Edward Brice, of the above family,
Peerage v. 3 p. 390.
died in London aged 51
changed his name to that of Bruce. 1823,
of Acton, County of
vears, Sir Robert Kingsmill. Bart.,
<;louces
Catherine
He was son of Edward Kingsmill. of Belfast Esq., by Sir
R
his " ncl
succeeded
He
..
of
Esq.
George Spaight,
daughter
fJ
died in November, iSo^.-Gentleman s
who
first
the
Baronet,
Kingsmill,
Bruce
re
note
family.]
also
Magazine. [See
*
'The Earl of Donegall had been first elected **

son

Edward

Ballintoy,
children.

by

in

1748,

whom

'

Wlloughby Chaplin
'Tradition.

petitioned

Belfast News-Letter.

the

privy council

agamst

said

426
753. Valentine Jones,

sen. 1

John Seeds

Willoughby Chaplin continued

1755, Rt.
gall,

Ezekiel Wilsor

Same

Ellis*

Henry

1754,

Hon. Arthur Earl of Donenot appearing, Henry Ellis

Same

continued
J

Hon. Arthur Earl of Donenot appearing, Henry Ellis

continued *

756, Rt.
gall

Willoughby Chaplin

1757,

Henry Burleigh
John Seeds
Ezekiel Wilson
John Seeds

Henry Ellis*
Wilson'

1758, Hill

Same

1759, Francis Price

Will. Chaplin, dep.
1760, Rt. Hon. Arthur Earl of

Ezekiel

not
continued

gall,

Will.

appearing,

F.

Wilson

Thomas Ludford
DonePrice

Ezekiel

Wilson

John Seeds

Chaplin, dep.

which came to a trial on the 23d November, but the counci

rule, Willoughby Chaplin continued.
Gill's MSS.
Said Jones came here from Lisburn on the 28th
Sepr. 1753
when Wy. Chaplin & him had a conferrence & Concluded
matters,
after which pretending in the morning of his
sworn
into office,
being
that he had forgot the approbation at home, Chaplin and him went

return,

no
making
"

to the Castle,

but as he did not produce the approbation he was not

sworn Mayor, which I believe was settled between them, and which
I conclude to be an
unprecedented and unheard of Injustice." Gill's

MSS.
z

Sworn into office before Henry Gill, store-keeper of the castle,

there being no military quartered here at that time.
Gill's MSS.
3
June 28th, Richard Barry and Edward Brice appeared as candidates for the office of mayor; but some of Mr. Brice 's friends behaving
rather rudely, the mayor returned Mr. Barry duly elected.
Willoughby
Chaplin, the sheriffs, and several freemen, made a certificate of Mr.
Brice being duly elected, and sent a petition to the privy council to
that effect.
John Reynolds, weaver, deposed, that neither was duly
elected, on which a mandamus was issued on the 27th November, for
This election
a new election to be held on the 2oth January, 1757.
was held in the street the mayor was both judge of the court, and a
candidate
and by mutual agreement none but freemen really resident
were suffered to poll.
George Spaight, deputy recorder, was the
Edward
returning officer : Henry Ellis had a majority of 20 votes.
Brice, who lost this election, memorialed the privy council against the
In one
return, and numerous depositions were made on the subject.
" from time Immemorial been
of these it was declared, that it had
"
"to adjourn all contested Elections from the
the custom and usage
Court-house to the Street, for the greater ease of the Voters." Gill's
;

MS.

MSS.
4

was obtained against Willoughby Chaplin, in

Henry Ellis, late mayor, not attending to see him
office.
Henry Ellis served the office the remainder of the

Judgment

of ouster

consequence of

sworn into
year.

Father of Captain James Wilson, who, in 1776, was chosen one

Said
Antrim.
representatives in parliament for the county of
James died in London, March 1812.
5

of the
6

Agent

to the

Earl of Donegal!.

427
I76J, Francis

Earl
appearing, F.

of

not

Same

Price, continued
Will. Chaplin, dep.
1762, Francis Earl of Hertford, not
appearing, F. Price held over
Will. Chaplin, dep.

Same

Hon. Arthur Earl of Done-

Same

1763, Rt.

Hertford,

not appearing, F. Price held

gall,

over
Will. Chaplin,
1764, Francis Price
Will. Chaplin,
1765, Rt.
gall
1766, Rt.
gall

1767,

dep.

Same
dep.

Hon. Arthur Earl

of

Done-

Same

Hon. Arthur Earl

of

Done-

Stewart Banks
John Seeds

from
Henry
Ellis,
dep.
3d
November
Rt. Hon. Arthur Earl of Done-

Same

gall.

Ezekiel D. Wilson, dep.

1768, Rt. Hon. Arthur Earl of Done-

Same

gall.

Will. Chaplin, dep.

1769, Ezekiel D. Wilson
1770, Hercules Ellis
1771, Kenneth A. Price
1772, Ezekiel D. Wilson
1773, Henry Ellis
1774, Hercules Ellis

John Seeds
William Craig

Same
Same
Same
Same
Thomas Kirk
John Seeds

1775, Ezekiel D. Wilson

1776, Edward Brice Dobbs
1777, Ezekiel D. Wilson
1
1778, Edward Brice Dobbs
1779, Ezekiel D. Wilson
1780, William Kirk

1781, Ezekiel D.

Wilson

1782, William Kirk

1783, Ezekiel D. Wilson
1784, William Kirk
1785, Ezekiel D. Wilson
1786, William Kirk*
1787, Ezekiel D. Wilson

Same
Same
Same
Same
Same
Thomas Kirk
John Seeds, died
Robert Clements succeeded
Thomas Kirk
Robert Clements

Same
Same
Same
Same
Robert Clements

Thomas Legg
Same

1
In the summer of this year he rode the franchises of the
Corporation, agreeable to the boundaries as established in the reign of
On this occasion he was accompanied by the
Queen Elizabeth.
members of the different guilds, with their respective flags and martial
music.
2
On this gentleman going out of office, he was waited on by the
masters and wardens of the different guilds, and returned thanks for
his proper conduct while mayor.
3 In
August, 1787, Charles Manners, Duke of Rutland, arrived in
Carrickfergus, and was splendidly entertained by the Corporation.

1788,
1789,
1790,
1791,

Sir William

Kirk

Same
Same
Same
Thomas Kirk
Thomas l-t'gg

Ezekiel D. Wilson
Sir William Kirk
Ezekiel D. Wilson

1792, Sir

William Kirk

1793, Ezekiel D. Wilson

1794, Sir William Kirk
1795, Ezekiel D. Wilson
1796, Sir

Same
Same
Same.

Sir

William Craig

Thomas Kirk
Barry Martin

William Kirk
William Kirk

Ezekiel D. Wilson

Sir William
Marquis of
Sir William
Sir
William
1804,
1805, Marquis of
Sir
illiam

Clements

Thomas Kirk

Ezekiel D. Wilson
Sir

Robert

died in April.

William Kirk

1797, Ezekiel D. Wilson

1798,
1799,
iSoo,
1801,
1802,
1803,

'

Robert Clements
Thomas Kirk

Kirk
Donegall
Kirk, dcp.*

Kirk

Same
Same
Same
Same
Same
Same
Same
Same

Donegall
Kirk, dep.

1806, Noah Dal way

1807, Sir William 'Kirk
1808, Ezekiel D. Wilson
1809, Noah Dalway
1810, Ezekiel D. \Vilson

Same
Same
Same
Same
Thomas Kirk
Barry Martin died
Robt. M'Gowtui succeeded

1811,

Noah Dalway

Thomas Kirk
Robert M'Gowan
Same
Same *

William Kirk, dep.

1812, Ezekiel D. Wilson
Sir

1813,

Marquis of Donegall
William Kirk, dep.

Sir

"

On

the day of election, Thos. Legg made an objection to his

But on Michaelmas day following he refused being
sworn into office, and tendered his resignation, which was not accepted
He afterwards took the opinion of Counsel on the
by the mayor.
case, which was, that pursuant to the new Rules (He having Served
the office before), he could not be compelled to Serve, and would be
The opinion of Counsel further
punishable if he should attempt it.
Stated that the mayor and corporation Shou'd apply for a mandamus
to hold a new Election for a second Sheriff
but this was omitted, and
Thomas Kirk served the office alone for that yeare, and received the

being elected.

salaries of both Sheriffs."

MSS.

On

the night of July 23d, in this year, a partial rebellion broke

out in several parishes of the county of Antrim, and efforts were
previously made to organize an insurrection here, but without effect.
2 On
this occasion a sharp contest took place between the Marquis
and the Rev. Richard Dobbs 449 polled for the former, and 430 for
the latter.
;

September

annum, during
at an

1814, the Assembly granted Thomas Kirk ^20 per

He died May 1816,
his life, for his corporate services.

advanced age.

429
William Kirk

1814, Sir

Thomas

Same

Noah Dahvay

1816,

Millar

John Campbell

1815, Marquis of Donegall

Sir William Kirk, dep.

Same

William Kirk, dep.

Marquis of Donegall
Sir William Kirk, dep. 3
1818, Rev. Richard Dobbs
Sir

Charles V. Joyce
Andrew M'NcA'in

1817,

1819, Ezekiel

1820, Rev.

D. Wilson.

Thomas

Millar

George Burleigh

Richard Dobbs

Marquis of Donegall
R. Dobbs, dep.
1822, Lord Belfast
Rev. R. Dobbs, dep.
1823, Marquis of Donegall
Rev. Richard Dobbs, dep.
1824, Sir Arthur Chichcster, Bart.
Rev. Richard Dobbs, dep., who
died August i2th, 1825

Thomas

Edward Chichcster
Rev. John Dobbs, dep.
1826, Marquis of Donegall
Rev. John Dobbs, dep.
1827, Sir Arthur Chichester, Bart.

John Campbell

1821,

Rev.

1825, Rev.

1828,

No Election Sir A. Chichester,

Bart,
and the Sheriffs merely
held over.
:

1829, Rev.

Samuel Smith,

March.
1829, Marquis of Donegall

'

James A. Farrel
Hugh Kennedy
James Owens \[Link],
David Gordon / deputy.

dep.

from

Millar
*

Hon.

J. Jocelyn
Peter Kirk

Henry Adair

Thomas

Millar

Marriot Dahvay
Peter

Kirk

Marriot Dalway

Thomas

Millar

John Campbell

Thomas

Millar

John Campbell

Thomas

Millar

John Campbell

Thomas

Millar died on
the i5th December, 1828

John Campbell
John M'Cance (see

note)

These sheriffs paid particular attention to the duties of their

office, and to keeping the streets of the town free from nuisances,
which for many years had been suffered to remain in a shameful state.
Their proper conduct was several times publicly noticed by the judges
of assize.
2

Died June 17111, 1819, aged 77 years. He left his landed posseswhich were considerable, and entirely of his own accumulation,
second son Peter, and bequeathed ^50 to the poor of the

sions,
to his

to each
parish of Carrickfergus, to be divided in sums of five shillings
claimant.
(See notice of the Kirk family.)
3
Was son of Henry Burleigh. He died at Burleigh-hill, May i6th,
benevolence
1822, aged 78 years, much regretted as a person of general

to his
Having no issue he bequeathed his estate
hospitality.
died
nephew John Robinson. In January, 1824, his widow, Rebecca,
on the 26th same month, she was interred at
in Dublin, aged 82

and

Carrickfergus.
4
He died January
Close.
Was son of Davys Wilson, by
Having never been married, he bequeathed
27th, 1821, aged 83 years.
who soon
his estate to his second cousin, the Rev. Robert Duncan,
after took the name of Wilson.
all
8
Did not attend to be sworn into office Mr. Millar performing
the duties of both sheriffs during this year.
atti
The Mayor and his Deputy are non-resident, and rarely
;

the duties of the office

430
not appearing
1830, Rev. John Dobbs
to
be sworn into office,
the
Marquis of Donegall held over ;
;

and
Lord

in

June,

Edward

the

1831,

Rev.

Chichester

was

appointed deputy.
1831, Thomas B. Adair; neither the
mayor nor his deputy appearing
on the usual day of swearing the
into

mayor-elect

John Campbell
John M'Cance

office,

John Campbell
Marriott

Dalway

the

Marquis of Donegall held over.

Thomas

1832,

B. Adair (see note)

John Campbell
Marriott

1833, Peter

Kirk

John Dobbs not appearing

to
be sworn into office, Mr.
Kirk held over.
Peter Kirk held over.

1834, Rev.

1835,

Kirk

held

over
Henry
Adair, deputy, part of the time.
Kirk held over
1837, Peter
Henry
Adair, deputy, from ayth of May.
*
1838, Marriott Dal way
1836, Peter

1839, Marriott

Dal way held over.

Dalway

George Forsythe
John Legg
John Legg
George Forsythe
George Forsythe
John Legg
George Forsythe
John Legg
George Forsythe
John Legg
George Forsythe
John Legg
George Forsythe
John Legg

(1841-2, Marriott Dalway)

No. XVIII.

From

the

MEMOIRS

Sinclair's

SIR JAMES TURNER, an Officer of

who
landed at Car rick fergus, April,
Regiment,
of

264.2.
Edinburgh, printed, 1829.
" AFTER we had refreshed a
little, Major-Generall Monro left seven or
eight hundreth men in Craigfergus, and went to the field with the
rest,
among whom was my Lieutenant-Colonell and I
my Lord
Conway went along also with neere two thousand English. In the
woods of Kilwarning we rencountered some hundreths of the rebells,
who, after a short dispute, fled. These who were taken got bot bad
This was too much used by both
quarter, being all shot dead.
a thing inhumane and
English and Scots all along in that warre
;

for the
of one enemie cannot excuse
cruelti*
the
inhumanitie of ane other. And heerin also their revenge overmastered
their discretion, which sould have taught them to save the lives of

disavouable,

8th, 1838, in consequence of a writ of Mandamus from the

of Queen's Bench, a court was opened by the Deputy Mayor,
for the election of a Mayor and Sheriffs.
The Marquis of Donegall
and Marriott Dalway were candidates for the office of Mayor, and at
the conclusion of the poll on the third day the number of votes were
Mr.
for Marriott Dalway, 356; for the Marquis of Donegall, 151.
Dalway and the Sheriffs were sworn into office on the 25th of June.
At the conclusion of the poll for Sheriffs the following were the
number of votes for each : George Forsythe, 402 John Legg, 387 ;

May

Court

Stewart Dunn, 96; John Campbell,

53.

43*
these they tooke, that the rebells might doe the like to their
prisoners
Then we marched straight to the Neurie, where the Irish had
easilie
seized on his Majesties castle, wherein
they found abundance of
ammunition, which gave them confidence to proclaime their rebellion.
The fortification of the toune being bot begunne, it came immediatelie
in our hands; bot the rebells that were in the
castle keepd it tuo
days, and then delivered it up upon a very ill-made accord, or a very
ill-keepd one ; for the nixt day most of them, with many merchands
and tradesmen of the toune, who had not beene in the castle, were
carried to the bridge and butcherd to death, some
by shooting, some
by hanging, and some by drowning, without any legall processe and
was verilie informed afterwards, that severall innocent people
I
suffered.
Monro did not at all excuse himselfe from haveing accession
to that carnage, nor could he purge himselfe of it
thogh my Lord
Conway, as Marshall of Ireland, was the principall actor. Our sojors
sometimes
are
for
no
other
reason
bot because mans
(who
cruell,
wicked nature leads him to be so, as I have shoune in my Discourse
of Crueltie) seeing such prankes playd by authoritie at the
bridge,
thought they might doe as much any where els ; and so runne upon
;

a hundreth and

women

or thereby, who had got together in a

they resolved to massacre by killing and
drouning which villanie the sea seemed to favour, it being then flood.
Just at that time was I speaking with Monro, but seeing a fare off
what a game these godless rogues intended to play, I got a horseback
and galloped to them with my pistol! in my hand bot before I got at
them they had dispatchd about a dozen
the rest I savd.
This
execution had not the successe which Conway and Monro had
themseives
for
instead
of
the
rebells
from
their
promised
terrifieing
wonted cruelties, it inraged them, and occationed the murthering of
some hundreths of prisoners whom they had in their pouer. Sir
Phelomey Oneale, the ringleader of the rebellion, hearing of the losse
of the Neurie, in a beastilie furie burnt the toune of Armagh, where
he then was, and as much of the Cathedrall as fire could prevaile
over, and then retired himselfe to the woods and bogs.
"
My Lieutenant-Colonell stayd at the Neurie, haveing got tuo
hundreth commanded men added to his oune, till I sould bring up
from Craigfergus as many of the regiment as were comd from Scotland.
Accordingly I went thither with the armie we tooke our march through
fiftie

place below the bridge,

whom

woodes and mountaines of Morne, where severall rebells were

I do remember that there we sufferd
killed, and many cows taken.
one of the most stormie and tempestuous nights for haile, raine, cold,
and excessive wind, (thogh it was in the beginning of May,) that ever
It was not
All the tents were in a trice bloune over.
I yet saw.
or any sojor to handle his musket,
possible for any matche te keep fire,
or yet to stand yea severalls of them dyed that night of meere cold.
So that if the rebells, whereof there were 500 not farre from us, had
which
offerd to beate up our quarters with such weapons as they had,
were halfe pikes, suords, and daggers, which they call skeens, they
and
wold undoubtedlie have had a cheap market of us. Our sojors,
some of our officers too, (who suppose that no thing that is more than
hurnkan to the
ordinarie can be the product of nature), attributed this
and if that was true then I am
devilish skill of some Irish witches
sure their master gave us good proofe that he was reallie prim
the

the aire."

43*

Jan.

12,

1559,
i5 8 5.

1613,
1635,

Members of Parliament.
James Wyngfield, 1
1
Humphrey Warren,
Sir Edward Waterhouse,*
Thomas Stephenson,*
Thomas Hibbots,*
Humphrey Johnston,*
Henry

Upton/

room

in

for their attending

147 days, ,98.
of
Humphrey Johnston,

Wages

deceased.

William Sambeck,*
John Davys,'

1640, Sir

The ? e Parliaments

sat at Westwhich Ireland sent

]
Thirty Members.
he' sat in Oliver Cromwell's
1658, Colonel J. Duckenfield
Parliament, held at Westminster.
Hercules
1661,
Davys,
Arthur Upton, 12

1654, Daniel Redmond," )

1656, John Daws,"

m mster
,

'

to

,_

1
Master of the Ordnance in Ireland, and an active officer serving
under the lord deputy Sidney. Lodge's Peerage.
I
Resided at Warrenstown, King's county. Lodge's Collections.
*
Chancellor of the Exchequer.
He was from Hertford, and came
to Ireland with Sir John Perrot
at this time he dwelt at CastleWaterhouse, Ferns. October 13, 1591, he died at Woodchurch, county
Kent. Lodge's Collections.
*
;

An Alderman

of

Carrickfergus,

who

possessed

considerable

which he bequeathed to his son of the same

name, who sold it to Sir Arthur Chichester. In the records of Carrick"
Thos.
fergus of 1610, is the following notice regarding him.
Stephensone, Gent, voluntarily went upon the Sweden Viodge, where
he died." In 1612, his son Thomas was an apprentice to William
Records of Carrickfergus.
Wills, stone mason.
s
Chancellor of the Exchequer, and son-in-law of the above
at Cottendstown, county Kildare.
He
resided
Stephenson.
Lodge's
Records of Carrickfergus.
Collections.
*
An Alderman of Carrickfergus some of his descendants are now
property in that town,

paupers.

Came to Ireland a captain in the army of the Earl of Essex.

September, 1628, he married Mary, daughter of Sir Hugh Clotworthy,
by whom he had four sons and three daughters. Lodge's Peerage.
*
in
Dublin.
resided
General for Ireland
Lodge's
Attorney
7

Collections.
*

Son and heir of Ezekiel Davys, Carrickfergus.

Major in the army of Oliver Cromwell.

MS.

"A
II

Was

chosen but not permitted to take his seat, being charged

to the Government.
Secretary Thurloe writing to
Henry Cromwell, from Whitehall, September gth, 1656, says, that
John Davys is a great favourer of the royal cause, and that he must
be looked after, as he was "a most pestilent fellow;" and that hr
would send for him to Dublin, that his coming to England might be
Henry Cromwell in his answer, dated from Kilkenny,
prevented.
but
September 23d, says, he never heard of Davys before his letter,
had since learnt that he was "a very naughty man," and not fit to
sit "in that council," and that he had taken care to stop him.
with

disaffection

Thurloe's State Papers.

12
Son of Henry Upton just noticed. He was a rigid Presbyterian,
and a steady opposer of the usurpations of Oliver Cromwell. By his

433
The

1689,

charter being suspended by James II. no

members
to his
Parliament, held in Dublin
1

were returned

Henry Clements,
Henry Davys,

1692,

1695, Hercules Davys,

Henry Davys,
Edward Lyndon,
Henry Davys,

1703,

1709, Alexander Denton

I
7 I 3i John Davys,

in

room

of

Henry Davys

deceased

Arthur Davys,
1715, Alexander Dalway,
Archibald Edmonston, 1
1718,

Edward

1727,

Arthur Dobbs,
3
John Lyndon,
Arthur Upton ;* in place of John Lyndon, deceased.
Marriot Dalway,*
Arthur Upton,
Con way R. Dobbs, 6

room

in

Lyndon;

Alexander

of

Dalway,

deceased.

1742,
1761,
1768,

Hon. John Chichester,

wife Dorothy, daughter of Michael Beresford, Coleraine, he had
eight
sons and ten daughters.
His son Clotworthy, born January, 1665,
succeeded to the family estate, and in 1689, he raised a body of men,
and joining King William's army before Limerick, led the forlorn
hope1 at the assault of that fortress. Lodge's Peerage.
Son of Edward Clements, Straid, and one of those who signed
the Antrim Association in 1688, for which he was attainted by King
James's parliament, in May, 1689. MS. State of the Protestants.
*
He was second son of Archibald Edmonston, Redhall, near
His elder brother, William, being deaf and dumb, he
Carrickfergus.
succeeded to the Braidisland property, and married Anna Helena,
daughter of colone.1 Walter Scott, and relict of Sir William Adair, of
Elizabeth, the
Kilhill, by whom he had four sons and five daughters.
eldest, was married to James Montgomery, Rosemount, to whom she
whom
became lord
of
had two sons, William and Hugh, the former
of Ards the youngest daughter, Anne Ellen, was married to Alexander
Archibald died at Redhall, December 25th, 1768, aged 88
Dalway.
;

years.
1

MS.
Son

of

Sir

John

He

Lyndon.

Dublin, August 23d, 1741.

Gill's

died

'in

Great

Britain-street,

MS.

Son of John Upton, sixth son of Henry, by Mary, daughter of

Francis Upton
and one of the third generation of that family who
He was
had represented the town of Carrickfergus in parliament.
twice married, but had no issue, and deceased at Bath, September 28th,
1768.
Lodge's Peerage.
On the above occasion Francis Clements, Straid, was first returned
Robert Dalway, who had
to parliament in the room of John Lyndon.
of an
lost the election, petitioned the House of Commons, complaining
undue election and return, and the Committee appointed to examine
Another election
the same, declared that neither was duly elected.
but
took place, and George Evans was returned, and took his seat
on the 25th January, 1742, the House declared, that he was not duly
in
seat
his
on which Arthur Upton, the other candidate, took
;

elected;
the House.
8

Journals of the Irish House of

The candidates and number

of

votes

Commons.

were as follows

Arthur

Hon. Arthur Barry 192.

Marriot Dalway, 341
Upton, 441
C
hester,
Candidates and number of votes for each Hon. John
Edward Smyth, 71.
392 Conway R. Dobbs, 371 Marriot Dalway, 333
;

29

434
1776,

Con way R. Dobbs,

Barry Yelverton,
Hon. Barry Yelverton,

1783, Right
1784,

Conway R. Dobbs,
Waddel Cunningham 2
made chief baron
;

in the

of the

room

of Barry Yelverton,
Exchequer.

D. Wilson ; in the place of

declared not duly elected.

1785, Ezekiel

1790, Alexander

D.

Ezekiel

Hamilton,3
Wilson,

Waddel Cunningham,

Lord Spencer

S. Chichester,
Ezekiel D. Wilson,
Lord
Belfast; in room of Lord Spencer S. Chichester,
1798,
resigned.
i799,Noah Daiway ; in room of Lord Belfast, who succeeded
on the death of his father to the peerage.
The first member to the Imperial
1801, Noah Daiway.
Parliament.

1797,

1802, Lord Spencer S. Chichester,*

1807, James Craig
\ in the room of Lord Spencer
6
S. Chichester resigned.
1807, James Craig,
J
7
1812, Arthur Chichester,
1818, Lord Belfast,
1820, Sir Arthur Chichester, bart.
1826, Sir Arthur Chichester, bart.
1830, Lord Geo. A. Hill,*
1831, Lord George A. Hill.t
1832, Conway R. Dobbs,
;

February 7th, 1784, the Lisburn Constitution Club, consisting of

members, led by their president Dr. Alexander Crawford, and
accompanied by a large body of the freemen in the interest of
Mr. Cunningham entered the town. The members of the Club were
distinguished by a cockade of orange and blue colour, on which were
imprinted "CONSTITUTION CLUB: FOR FREEDOM OF ELECTION." They
walked through the principal streets, and distributed a printed address,
signed, Robert Bell, Secretary, in which they promised to make
compensation to all persons who might be in the least injured by
In the evening
giving their votes at the election about to commence.
At the close of this
they entertained Mr. Cunningham at dinner.
were
as
follows
number
of
votes
for
Waddel
the
election,
Cunningham,
464 Hon. Joseph Hewit, 279.
s
Ezekiel D. Wilson, 830
Candidates and number of votes
175

Alexander Hamilton, 617 Edward Brice, 368 Francis Dobbs, 55.

*
Candidates and votes for each: Lord Spencer S. Chichester, 611;
Ezekiel D. Wilson, 523
James Craig, 363.
5
Number of votes for Lord Spencer S. Chichester, 381 Ezekiel
D. Wilson, 270.
*
This gentleman was first elected in April, by a majority of 41
;

votes,

in

to

opposition

Edward

May,

Jun.

Esq.

brother

to

the

Marchioness of Donegall. Parliament being dissolved immediately after,

another election took place between the same persons, and Mr. Craig
was again chosen by a majority of 42 votes.
T
Number of votes Sir Arthur Chichester, 460 Ezekiel D. Wilson,
:

406.

* For an
extraordinary petition presented against him, see a few
pages over.
t

Lord Hamilton F. Chichester offered himself on

few days, he resigned.

but, after a brisk canvass of a

this

occasion,

435
1835, Peter Kirk,*
1837, Peter Kirk.t

No.

The Boundaries of

the

XX.

County of the Town of Carrickfergus,

by Queen Elizabeth.

as establshed

WHEREAS there was a Commission under her Majesties

great Seale
bearinge Date the loth day of June, 1601, & in the forty three yeare
of her Majesties most gracious Reigne, directed unto Us Sr.
Geffrey
Fenton Knt. Survevr. Generall, or his Deputy, Sr. Edward
Moore, knt.
Sr. Foulke Conway, knt. Charles
Calthrop, Esquire, Attorney Generall]
Sr. Arthur Chichester, knt. John
Dallway, Gregory Norton, Charles
Eggerton, Counstable of the Castell of Carrigfergus, & his ViceCounstable, Givinge and Grauntinge full power and aucthoritye unto
us or any fower of us, whereof the said Sr. Arthur
Chichester, knt.
Sr. Geffrey Fenton, knt. or his deputye as
Surveyor, and the Counstable
of the Castell, or his Vice-Counstable to be three to vewe,
survey,
Lymytt, assigne, & Set owt by the oathes of one good & Sufficient
Jury, & all other lawfull manes accordinge to our best discressiones,
certentye Scirrytt, quantitye, and nature, of all the tenamants,
of pasture, and hereditaments, aunciently belonginge to the
Corporacion of Carrickfergus, and which have alwayes or of a longe
tyme contynewed in their manurance, graisinge & possession. (Here
" the owld
it is noticed that the Commissioners are of opinion
that
Stone called Goodburn, and the hospittall of Spittell," "with some six
-akers of land, or thereabouts, auncientlye belonginge to the Pallace
knowen by the name of Saint Francis Abbey doth appertaine to her
"
yt is challandged by the said Corporacion, as past unto
Majestic,"
them by her Majestic in there charter.") Next follows the finding of
the Jury.
"
doe finde that the Landes auncientlie belonginge unto the
Corporacion of Carrickfergus, is Sittuated & bounded within the meares
& markes followinge viz. From the North East ende of the Sd. Towne
leadinge by the Sea Side, unto a Stream or Small River called
Copeland, waiter, which devideth the Townes landes & the landes
and then from the
belonginge to the Bishopp of Downe and Connor
Sea Side alongst by the Sd. watter side to a forde called Annagullmyn
North North West, from the enteringe
<alias, Clubbes-forde), beinge
of Copelande watter into the Sea, which Forde is the furdest part &
boundes of the earrable landes, meadowe, & pasture, that appertainethe
And from the Said Clubbes Forde West
to the Same Towne that wave
South West directlie alongst a meare & ditche Syde to the South end
the

comons

WE

of Loughmoorne.
And So contenewinge from thence full West South West, to a hill
Lark's hill), and to a hill called
called Carnehusshocke (alias,
'*Sir Arthur Chichester again offered himself to the electors, but
he did not come into court on the day of the election. Thomas Verner,
but after some debate he also
Esq., was proposed at the bustlings,
retired.

was war
t On this occasion the representation of the Borough
for whom
-contested bv Matthew B. Renie, a gentleman from London,
Two
for Mr. Kirk
petitions were
and
electors
446
polled
418
in which he
afterwards presented against the return of Mr. Kirk,
h
was charged with many high crimes, particularly in corrupting
formidabk
but before the day appointed. 3rd of April, for these
-electors
were withdrawn.
petitions being heard they
;

43 6
Carnesolloghe And from thence Still devidinge the Earable landes,.
meadowe, & pasture from the Comons, South-west directlie to little
Dunecrowe, and over the Forde of Larbricke, Southwest to the Forde
of Turnegrawee, allongst the back of the
Knockaghe, to a meare or

mark

called
furdest part

Faserisneey

and boundes

the Deares layne), which is also the

the Earrable landes meadowe & pasture

(alias

of

belonginge to the Towne that wave And from thence turninge Sovvthe
to a small Streame or Rever called Lysnashemer which runethe Sowthe
into the Sea, and devydethe the Townes landes and the Earles
medowe And from thence leadinge by the Sea Side North East,
unto the foresaid Towne of Carigfergus.
We do also finde, that the
Comons for graisinge, Turbrie, Heathe, and all other Fewells
reatchethe from the above-named Forde Annagullmyn (alias Clubbes
Forde), North North West over the inoorie, Heathye, & Boggie hills,
to a forde called Avalley-shione (alias Johnstownes forde) l beinge the
uttermoste parte & boundes of the Saide Comons that waye.
And from thence leadinge to an oulde Stone walle called Ralowe
And from thence directlie west South west to a Hill called Browsley,
which is also the uttermost Part & Boundes of the Comons that
waye And from thence turninge Southe to the fore-named meare or
marke called Faseris-neey (alias the Deares Layne), which is all the
boundes of the Comons belonginge to the Same Towne.
All which
landes, within those boundes markes & meares before mentioned, with
all woode underwoods, Bogges, Heathe, Meadowes, pastures Comons
of graisinge and Torburie, doth auncientlie belonge and appertaine to
the Towne & Corporacion of Carrigfergus, & ever in their manurance
graisinge & Possession.
Within which boundes there is a rewenated & decayed Abbaye
called Goodburne, & St. Brides Hospittall, called the Spittall Howse
(which is found to be her majesties), with a Small quantetye of landes
to them belonginge, which are bounded Severallye within themselves.
In witness whereof we have hereunto Subscribed our names & annexed
1601.
our Scales the i2th daye of October anno Dom
Richd. Butler
William Dobin, foreman. Richd. Conlan
Willm. Ledall
Henry Spearepoint
Humfrey Johnston
:

Robert Lyndon
John Thomas
Willm. Turkman

John Savage
Thos. Stevenson

James Birte

Thomas M'Manus
Walter Holman

Thos. Vaughan

John Lugg
Henrie Ochforde

Thos. Bashforde

John M'Carne
Brian O'Carr
John Clarke
Turlogh Hyan
Phillipp Kellie

Neall M'Collam

Boundaries as established by James

I.

James, by the Grace of God of England, Scotland, France and

To all to whom
Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith and so forth
Know ye that we of our special
these presents shall come, greeting.
the
assent of our
with
Grace, certain knowledge and mere motion,
right well beloved and trusty councellor Sir Arthur Chichester, knight
our Deputy General of our said Kingdom of Ireland, and according to
the tenure and effect of Letters Patent, of Commission, made under
our great seal of England, dated at Westminster the 26th day of
March, in the fourth year of our reign of England, France and Ireland,
and of Scotland the 4oth, to our said Deputy General and others
directed and enrowled in our Rolls of our Chancery of our said
Kingdom of Ireland and at the humble request of the Mayor, Sheriffs,
CarrickBurgesses, and Commonality, of the County of the Town of
HAVE given and granted, and by these presents DO for US
fergus.
;

Avallcy-Shione,

now

Ballyshane, or Johns-Town.

437
our

and successors, give and grant unto the said Mayor, Sheriffs,
Burgesses and Commonality, of the County of the Town of Carrickfergus, alias Knockfergus, and their successors, for ever, that the said
Town or Borough of Carrickfergus, alias, Knockfergus, with all the
lands, tenements and hereditaments, of or within the said Town or
Borough, with their appurtenances and all lands tenements and other
hereditaments, whatsoever, lying near the town of Knockfergus, alias,
Carrickfergus, at the northern side of the bay of Knockfergus, alias,
Carrickfergus, viz. being within the mares, bounds and limits following,
viz.
On the eastern side a small river called Copeland Water, is the
boundary of said land near Broden-Island, from the bay of Carrickheirs

fergus aforesaid, as far as until the said river runs into another river
called Orland Water, and from thence the boundary of the said land
extends through the middle of the said river of Orland Water, as far
as the lough called Loughmorne, and so by the south-west bank of
said lough, and so from the extreme N.W. point of said lough the
boundary of said land runs directly near the mountain called Redmountain, as far as the foard of Aghnehawly on the borders of the
territory of Bellenowre, and from thence to the head of the Red-river,
and so far. And thence, through the middle of the bog of Ceskenemeddy, and so to the long stone called Carcain, and from thence to the
three stones called Slewenkrioven, the limits of Ballinlyny, and Ballynowre, aforesaid, and to the bog on the Glynn of Altnabredagh, on the
limits of Ballinlyny, and so to the Carneshalagh, on the limits of the
territory of Carntall, and from thence as far as Altballimanagh, and
-so to Fasser-neagh, alias the Deer's-lane, and from thence as far as
the head of a certain small stream called Silver-stream, and the lands
of the town of Knockfergus, alias Carrickfergus, aforesaid, which river
beginning near Fasser-neagh, aforesaid, is the western boundary of
said lands, and runs between the same and the territory of Carntall,
and also that
aforesaid, as far as the bay of Carrickfergus aforesaid
the entire scope, ambit, and precint of land and water, within the
;

mears and bounds, abovementioned, and expressed belongs to

the Corporation of Knockfergus, aforesaid.

limits,

At a

Town of
riding of the Franchise of the County of the
on Monday the ist of August, 1785,

Carrickfergus,

pursuant to notice given by order of William Kirk, esquire,

of said town, for the time being.
found the lands at present subject to pay cess and other
the
Taxes, to said Corporation, are all situated and bounded within

Mayor

It

is

mares and marks following, viz.

From Town N.E. to the Copeland-water, bounded by the sea,
water to the Copeland bridge,
nearly N.N.W. up the course of said
bounded on the N.E. by the bishop of Down and Connor, and on the

S.W. by Ezekiel Davys Wilson,

esq.

From Copeland Bridge up said river to the foot of Cross-mury,

bounded on the N.E. by Conway Richard Dobbs, and Mariot Dalway,
West by Ezekiel Davys Wilson, esquire.
or pound, and
nearly N.N.W. to Clubb's ford,
Ferran s
from thence to a gate the entrance of the Park-moss, called
of said Moss, bounded by Mariot
gate, from which through the middle
on the
Dalway esquire, on the S. W. by Richard G. Ker, esquire,
the Ladit
to
ford, about twenty perches below

esquires

and on the

S.

From Cross-mary,

N.E.

Johnston's

1U

From' the upper end of said Moss round John Calbraith's house,
which is the farthest limit of Corporation, that way.

From John Calbraith's house about W. by Craigbuy farm, to the

Dead Wife's Grave, bounded on the N.W. by Lord Dungannon, and
on the S.E. by Mariot Dalway, esquire.
From the Dead Wife's Grave, by a stone ditch over a small river
to the corner of a ditch near the Priest's Cairn, and thence nearly
west to the old wall of Raloo, within about fifty perches of the
Standing Stone, and then between Mr. Lyndon's and Mr. Dobbs's
land, to George Patterson's house.
From said George Patterson's going nearly south and keeping Mr.
Ellis 's and Capt. Crimble's estate,
which they hold from Conway
Richard Dobbs, esquire, to the westward, and turning westwardly
along the wall that divides Me. Cann's field from the Englishman'sMountain, at which place there has been great encroachments made
on the Corporation, from said place to the Standing Stone.
From the Standing Stone along said mountain to three lying
stones commonly called the Three Brothers.
From the three lying stones about W.N.W. along a ditch on the
N.E. side of Straidanahana to Bruslee flush, or lower end of Straidanahana, which is the farthest bound of the Corporation at that place.
From Bruselee flush southerly to the Ree-hill, and along said hilf
by the march ditch, between said hill and Carntall, observing the
then turning about S.E. along the west sideturnings of said ditch
of my Lord's Mountain to the head of James Anderson's farm.
From James Anderson's farm down the S.W. side by a rivulet
called Silver Stream, which runs nearly south to the sea, and bounds
;

the Corporation all the way.

From the mouth of said stream the sea is the bounds into town.
Names of people present at aforesaid Riding.
William Kirk, esquire, Mayor.
Alex. Gunning, esq. Deputy Recorder.

Robert Clements, esquire,

Thomas

Kirk, esquire,

Sheriffs

No. XXI.

Tenants of the Corporation of Carrickfergus in 16*4, //J/ r

and 1820, with the sums paid by each.
Earl Donegall

Anthony Horseman
Anthony Hall
Andrew Willoughby
Andrew Gardner
Amos Derby
Bryan M'Manus
'

Crook's heirs
Cornet Bashford

Edmond Davys
Edward Hall
Edward Edwards
George Gravott
Henry Davy's
Henry Burns
Henry Clements

Hugh Lyndon

1674, Half year's Rent.

James Dobbin
7 19 6
t 16
John Johnstone
7

o
o

3 10

237
009
o
i

293
o
092
004^
039
050
300
o
3

18
John Lyndon
John Kane
John Orpin's executors

12

048
020

o 12 S
o 16 10

Jacob Household
James Parks
John Davys
John Powell
John Hinch
John Magee

John White
John Edgar
James Savage
John Byrte
Jasper Harper
James Dobbin
John Hall's widow
John Stubb's executors
John Purdy
John Garvan
John Dallway's execu-

tors

026
070
076

030i

009n
o
i

12

050-

034
o
i

092
o
3

15

439
John M' Bride
Mathew Grey
Michael Savage

006
020
071

executors
Nicholas Wills
Patrick Savage
Patrick M' Craven's

Mathew Johnston's

034
o
o

assignees

Robert Welsh's executors

o 10 5
o i 10
o i 6

Richard Tennison
Robert Dalway
Richard Newton
Robert Witter
Richard Conlan
Richard Russel
Robert Wills 's heirs
Richard Johnston's

on

050
n o
034
050
003
i

executors

Richard Stacy's executors

199

Solomon Faith

Salaries and

Mavor
Sheriffs

Recorder
Sword Bearer
Three Serjeants at Mace
The king's rent, with Exchequer
For receiving and delivering the
Rent of Guard-house
Militia

Drummer

Looking

to the

Church Clock

'73'-

Earl Donegall

Thomas Bashford

6 10
o 3

William Bashford
John M' Bride
Robert Byrt
James Byrt's heirs
Lord V. Hillsborough

006
048
080

Nathaniel Byrt

John Brown's heirs

Joan Coapy
Charles Crymble
Cornelius Crymble 's
heirs

Francis Clements

For Customhouse and

Watch-house
David M'Culloch
John Chaplin
Mathias Calvart
Elizabeth

Dawson

Anthony Dobbin
William Dobbin

o
o
o

10

o
i

ig

006
734
7

15

o
o

003
0068
o
034
056
i

440
Ez. D. Wilson
2
John White's executors o
f

Thomas Young
Henry Mulholland
William Jamfrey
Richard Kane, (col.)
James Keenaghan
Edward Lyndon
Henry Magee
James Morrison
Bryan M'Manus
Henry Newton
Margaret Newton

Thomas

Orpin's heirs

Jane Pottinger
John Purdy
Thomas Pemberton
Widow Powell
Garret Railey
Jane Russel
Nicholas Redworth
James Savage

Thomas Savage
James Savage

441
1820.

Year's Rent.

442
Tinnunculus, Kestril or

Wind Hover, Peepe Hawk.

Nisus, Sparrow-hawk, frequently seen.

Strix Otus,

Common

Owl, heard sometimes when flying at

night.

Corvus Comix, Hooded Crow, commonly called the Grey

never more than one pair have been seen together.

Crow

Corax, Raven, builds in the holes of the rocks at

Knockogh.
Frugilegus, the Rook, often seen in large flocks.
Monedula, Jackdaw, common ; breeds at the Knock-

ogh

hill.

Graculus, Chough, red legged Jackdaw, frequents

same places as the last, where it breeds, but is not so
common.
Pica, Magpie ; common.
the

Sturnus Vulgaris, Stare, rather

rare.

Cinclus, Waterhen, frequently seen on the banks of

remote streams, where it breeds.

Rallus Crex, Corn Craik, Land Rail, migrates. These birds

numbers about the end of April. The
earliest they have been heard calling was the iyth April, and the
arrive in considerable

latest the i4th August.

January loth, 1788, eight or ten
brace of these birds were flushed amongst the rocks at the
Knockogh, one of which was shot it was rather lean.

Rallus Aquaticus, Water Rail, very rare;

seen were shot during winter.

the only ones

Tetrao Perdix, Partridge; common.

Those
Seoticus, Grouse, Moorcock, rather rare.
seen here resort amongst the heath, where some of them breed ;
they are scarcer than formerly, and are said to pass from hence
to Agnew's-hill and Ballyboley mountains.
Coturnix, Common Quail, usually called Wet my
foot; this last name is taken from its note, which in sound it
much resembles. The earliest this bird has been heard calling

was the 3d May, and latest the 6th September they seem to delight in showery weather, calling more frequently at those
times.
These birds frequent meadows and corn fields, and are
believed to migrate, though some have been shot here during
:

winter.

Tringa Vanellus, Pewit, Green Plover, common in boggy

places, where they breed.

443

Cinclus, Pir, Purr, seen on the shore,

and breeds

in

Mew-isle.

frequents
retires in

Hy-poleucos,
the banks of

Sand Lark,
Woodburn

May, and
and Loughmorne:

arrives early in
river,

Autumn.

Labata, shot on the shore of the bay ; rare.

Charadrius Pluvialus, Grey Plover, arrives in autumn, and
remains on the hills during winter.
Hiaticttla,

bay

pretty

common on

the shores

of the

migrates.

Caladris, Sanderling,

common on

the sea shore.

Scolopax Rusticola, Woodcock, usually arrives in the latter

end of October; but some have been killed on the first of
In moderate weather they remain on the most
that month.
remote parts of the hills or mountains, but if the weather is
severe they come near the shore in quest of food.
They
generally migrate in March ; a few years ago one was shot near
the shore on the ist May.
Sportsmen describe two kinds of
this bird as seen here; the large

much
bird

kind

is

most common, and

is

darkest in colour; the other slender, and rather a rare

the tail large in proportion to its body, with shades of

a reddish brown
-

called the Jack-cock.

it is

Ar quota, Common Curlew,

plenty on the shores of

this bay.

PJuzopus, Little Curlew, seen on the shores, and

about half the size of the last.
Gillinago,

and marshes, where

often

soars

singular

in

the

drumming

years ago one was

it

is

Snipe, Heather-bleater, frequents bogs

breeds.
During the breeding season it

air to a considerable height, emitting a

few
noise like the bleating of a goat.
shot on the Commons, which was nearly

white.

Scolopax Gallinula, Jack Snipe, frequents marshy places,

but

is

much

smaller than the snipe.

Calidris,

Red Shank, sometimes

seen on the shore.

Turdus Pilaris, Fieldfare, Phelt, arrives in October, and

migrates about the end of April.
the same
Hiatus, Redwing, arrives and retires about
rarer.
time as the last, but is much
Merula, Blackbird, very common.
Musicus, Thrush, very common.
Viscivorus, Missel Thrush, often

heard

singing

444
early in the year, in the

most stormy weather.

beating off such birds as approach

in the cleft of a low tree.

its

nest;

It is

very bold,

and always builds

Phasianus Colchicus, Pheasant a few years ago some of

birds settled at Prospect, where they are now pretty
numerous.
Cuculus Canorus, Cuckoo, usually arrives about the latter
end of April.
During twenty years observation, the earliest
she has been heard calling was the lyth April, and the latest
:

these

the 30th June;

is
commonly
Is believed to migrate.

first

heard about the Knockogh-

hill.

Columba Palumbus, Wood-quest, formerly frequented the

rugged banks of Woodburn river, but is now only found in a
small glen at Prospect, where they breed.
Alcedo Ispida, King-fisher; this beautiful bird is often
shot near the town during severe winters, where it seems to
come in search of food.
Upupa Epops, Hoopoe ; one was shot on the shore near the
This elegant bird is a native of
town, September 2ist, 1809.
the south of Europe: this was the only one ever seen here.
It
is

rarely seen in

England.

Motacilla Alba, Pied Wagtail, common.

Boarula, Grey Wagtail (commonly
Yellow Wagtail) ; a beautiful bird, rather rare.

called

the

Regulus, Golden Crested Wren, the smallest bird

seen here

rather rare.
-

Troglodytes,

Common Wren,

very plenty.

Rubecula, Robin Redbreast, common.

Cinerea, White Throat, arrives late in April, and
frequents the thickest part of the hedges, where it is heard
calling cha, cha, cha. The earliest heard was on the 2ist April.

Hedge Sparrow, common.

Modularis,
-

thickets

and

Grasshopper

Locustella,

close hedges,

Warbler.

and makes a noise

in the

inhabits

summer

evenings resembling the winding up of a clock, or call of the

common

grasshopper.
Salicaria,

where

it

builds

its

nest

Sedge Bird, frequents sedgy places,

a very ingenious manner, of the

in

It imitates the notes of several birds,

dried fibres of plants.
particularly those of the sparrow and swallow ; and during the
breeding season (in June), often sings all night, if the weather
is fine.

445

ings.

Motacilla Trochilus, Willow Wren, frequents

solitary plantArrives about the end of April, and retires
in
early

September.
-

CEnanthe. White

Rump,

in

arrives

April,

and

frequents remote places; rarely more than a pair are ever seen
together.

- Rubicola,

Stone-chatter, frequents stone walls in

solitary places.
Rubetra, frequents same places
Neither of the three last noticed are numerous.

Parus Major, Large Blue Titmouse; rather

- Caeruleus, Blue Bonnet, not common.

as

the

last.

rare.

If disturbed

when hatching, it utters a singular puffing noise.

Hirunda Rustic a. Common Swallow, very common. From
observations made during twenty-six years, the earliest arrival
of these birds was on the pth April, and the latest seen on the
1

3th October.

former.

The

Riparia,

Sand Martin not so numerous

was the 5th April migrates
;

earliest seen

sooner than the

swallow

the

as the

rather

last.

Urbica, White
as

arrives

in

common

Martin, not so

Rumped

early

May, and

late

retires

in

September.

the

birds

2th

May;

seldom

difficulty

in

Apus, Swift, or Black Martin

retires

alight
rising

rarely seen before

about the same time as the last. These

on the ground, as they have a great

again,

and we have known

it flies
before they could resume their flight
tribe.
the
swallow
than
of
others
evenings
:

several taken

much

later in the

Alauda Arvensis, Laverock, Lark, very common.

Arborea, Wood Lark, common.
Minor, Lesser Field Lark, or Tit Lark; sings
descending, with

its tail

cocked; rather

rare.

Loxia Curvirostra, Cross-bill a flock of these birds were

seen in July, 1811, which is the only instance of their visiting
:

this place.

Chloris,

Green Linnet, rather common.

Pyrrhula, Bullfinch, common.

Emberha Miliaria, Bunting. Bunding,

pretty

common;

all seasons.
sings occasionally at

Nivalis,

Snow Bunting:

during severe winters.

some have been

caught

446
Citrinella,

Yellow Hammer, Yellow Yorling ; common.

Head, frequents bogs and amongst

Schceniclus, Black
reeds, where it builds.

House Sparrow, very common.

Carduelis, Goldfinch; pretty common.
Linaria, Grey Linnet; common.
Anas Cygnus, Wild Swan; a few have been seen during

Fringilla Domestica,

winter at Loughmorne.
Anser,

Wild Goose; often seen

flying,

but rarely

alights here.

Vast numbers of
Barnicla, Brent Goose, Barnacle.
these birds arrive in the bay in the latter end of September,

which mostly frequent the banks near White-house and Hollywood, feeding on sweet grass, or sleech (Zostera marina). They
begin to retire northward about the 2oth April, and are com-

monly gone by the iath May.

Boschas, Wild Duck; often shot during winter
Loughmorne, and until a few years ago, some pairs bred

at

in

the most remote bogs of this parish.

Their eggs have been
hatched under hens, and the young thus domesticated; but they
have been observed to be always shy, and easily alarmed on the
least noise ; and in the spring the drake has been remarked to
attach himself wholly to one duck for that season.
Tadorna, Shi el Drake, shot on the shore

during

winter.

Mariia, Scaup Duck, common.

Clanguid, Golden Eye, frequents the bay.

Fuligula, Tufted Duck, resembles the Widgeon ; rare.
Ferina, Red Headed Widgeon, seen on the shore
during winter, and

at

Loughmorne.

Penelope, Widgeon
morne, where it is often shot.

frequents the bay and Lough-

Clypeata, Shoveller, rare.

Crecca, Teal, frequents Loughmorne, where it breeds.
Alca Arctica, Puffin, common in the bay ; breeds at the

Gabbons.
Torda, Razor

Couter-Neb, frequents the bay.

Northern
Diver; sometimes seen near
Colymbus Glacialis,
the entrance of the bay.
Grylle, Black Guillemot, frequents the bay.
Stellatus,

Hawk,

pretty common.

Bill,

Speckled

Diver,

Arran-Ake,

Allan-

447
Minor,

Little

Grebe,

Penny

Bird,

builds

at

Loughmome.
Fulica Atra, Bald Coot, Drink-a-Penny, found on the shore
of the bay and Loughmorne, where some of them breed.
Ardea Major, Long Necked Heron; not common.

Mergus

Castor,

Dun

Diver, rare.

Pelicanus Carbo, Skart, Scart, Corvorant, Cormorant; common in the bay. This bird also frequents fresh water lakes
those here set off almost every morning for Loughneagh, and
:

return again same evening. On one being shot just as it arrived

from Loughneagh, in his crop was found fourteen Pullans.
Pelicanus Graculus, Shag ; never leaves the salt water
:

both these

last

breed at the Gabbons. 1

- Bassanus, Gannet, frequents the entrance of the

bay, especially when herrings are on the coast.
Procellaria Pelagica, Petrel, Mother Carey's Chicken ; rare.
Hamato-pus Ostralegus, Sea Pie, common.
Larus Cataractes. Skua, or Grey Gull ^
Common in the bay,
r*
f^ n
- ~
Canus, Common Gull,
an breed at the
r- 11
r
TT
"

Fuscus, Herring Gull,

!?.

Gabbons.

Indactylus, Kittiwake,

- Marinus, Black Backed

Gull, rather rare.

Crepidatus, Black-toed Gull, Dung or Dirt Bird,

about the size of the common gull. It pursues the other gulls
it is a shy bird,
for the purpose of robbing them of their prey
seldom coming near the shore.
-

young Land-rail was caught in High

it was kept in a cage during winter,
and eat of almost every kind of food offered; it was fond of
fresh meat, and became very tame, and began its notes at the
October, 1823, a
Carrickf ergus ;

Street,

usual time.

May, 1825, a

Stork,

Ardea Ciconia, was

shot.

June, 1826, a White Sparrow was killed.

In January, 1829, the following birds were shot,

which

are

rare:

all

The Water Hen, Fulica Chloropus;

Water Crake, Rallus Porzana; and a White

of
the

Linnet.

1
Rewards were formerly paid at Assize for destroying those birds
In the records of the County Antrim, in 1729, mention is made of a
who had killed 96 Cormorants
person called Jemfrey, in Island Magee,
In one season.
:

44 8

The following notes regarding the Birds have been kindly supplied
by Robert Patterson, Esq., F.L.S., M.R.I. A. They are given verbatim
Falco Peregrinus.
No longer breeds on the Knockagh.
Strix Otus.
Known now as the Long-eared Owl.
Corvus Corax. The Raven has long ceased to breed at the Knockagh.
Corvus Graculus. The Chough has long ceased to breed at the
Knockagh.

The

Sturnus Vulgaris.
abundant.
Sturnus Cinclus.
"
"

Waterhen

It

is

now

is

Starling

curious that the

common

very

and

Dipper should be called

here.

Tetrao Perdix. The Partridge is now far from common.

Tetrao Coturnix. The Quail in this district is now unknown, and
has been for many years.
Tringa Cinclus. The Dunlin does not breed on Mew Island, and
no record exists of it ever having done so.

Tringa Hypoleucos. Now called the Common Sandpiper.

Tringa Labata. The Grey Phalarope is still a very rare visitor.
Charadrius Pluvialus. The Golden, not the Grey, Plover.
Hiaticula.
The Ringed Plover does not migrate in the
ordinary sense of the word.
Caladris.
The Sanderling is rare, and can only be met
with for a very few weeks in autumn.
Scolopax Rusticola.
Phceopus.

Woodcock now breed in Ireland commonly.

Whimbrel are only to be seen for a very few

weeks

in the year.
Motacilla Rubetra.

now.
Hirundo Apus.

The Whinchat

will

scarcely

be seen

in

the

district

The Swift

and does not belong

Alauda Arborea.

to the

leaves before the Martins

Swallow

Wood-Lark has been

Tfie

and Swallow,

tribe.

extinct here for

many

years.

the Tree Pipit, which is unknown in Ireland ;

the Meadow Pipit, whose singing he describes.
Carduelis.
The Goldfinch is now quite extinct in the

Alauda Minor

is

M'Skimmin must mean

Fringilla
district.

The Brent Goose

Anas Barnicla.

may

be

attributed

to

the

scarcity

of

is

now

the

rare,

"

and

its

"

absence
(Zoster a

sleech-grass

marina) now.

The Tufted Duck is very common in winter.

The Puffin never bred at the Gobbins, but the
M'Skimmin does not include) did.
Colymbus Stellatus. The Red-throated Diver.
Ardea Major. It is curious that the Heron should be considered
Fuligula.

Alca Arctica.
Guillemot (which

" not common " 100

years ago, as 60 years ago they were plentiful.
Strange that the rare Goosander should be
Mergus Castor.
mentioned, and the common Red-breasted Merganser omitted.
The Cormorant ceased to breed at the Gobbins
Pelicanus Carbo.
about 1845.
Graculus.

Gobbins now.
Larus Cataractes.
"

The Shag

No Skua

is

not

known

to

ever bred in Ireland,

breed

at

the

and none are

common."

Canus.

Another mistake, the

Common

Gull never bred at

the Gobbins.

Tridactylus.

bred at the Gobbins.

The Kittiwake

is

not

known

to

have ever

449
No. XXIII.

list

of the Fish,

"These

etc.,

found

rolling spheres that

Their kindly influence

in the

Bay

of Carrickfergus.

from on high shed down

not these alone,

Which

strike ev'n eyes incurious, but each moss,

Each shell, each crawling insect, holds a rank
Important in the plan of Him, who framed

This scale of beings ; hokU a rank which, lost,

Would break the chain." STILLINGKLKKT.

Balccna Physalus, Fin Backed Whale; one of these was

on shore a few years ago at Kilroot.
A very large fish is
sometimes seen by the fishers, which they call a Bottle-nose;
1

cast

we could

not determine

its class.

Delphinus Phocana, Porpoise ; sometimes seen in considerable numbers during summer, in pursuit of other fish.
Orca, Grampus ; an occasional visitor during summer.
This
Petromyzon Marinus, Lamprey, Lamper-eel, rare.
fish

is

accounted poisonous, perhaps without foundation, as

was formerly esteemed a

it

delicacy.

Gastrobranchus

When

Ccecus,
Hag-fish, Sucker; eel shaped.
cod, or other fishes are taken on the hook, this fish some-

times enters into their mouths, and eats all save the skin and
bone.
They have been also seen adhering to the skate.

Raia Batis, Dun Skate, Dunny ; these are the largest of

the species that are taken here: rather common.
Rubus, Rough Skate, the back of this fish is covered
with tubercles, hence

its

name; common.

Clavata, Thornbacked Skate, pretty common.

Squalus Squatina, Monk or Angel-fish, rare.

Cornubicus, Porbeagle Shark, rare.

Mustelus, Smooth Shark, Stinkard;

rare.

Maximus, Basking Shark, seen during summer

In this situation it seems
lying near the surface of the water.
very unwilling to move, remaining till the boats are close by.
The fishers also describe a ravenous fish called the Sucker,
alleged to belong to the shark species.
Vulpes, Sea-fox, Thresher, sometimes seen off the
Copeland Isles; and heard after night making a noise with its

which

is

against the water.

- Acanthias, Piked Dog-fish, or
taken.

tail

'The
others,

whale.

frequently-

describe a very large fish, seen in the pursuit of

of the herring^ with a large dorsal fin, called the
from their description we allege it to be the Fin-backed

fishers

especially

Herring-hog

Gobbuck

45
Canicula, Spotted Dog-fish, common.
Catulus, Lesser Spotted Dog-fish, common.

of these

and said

The

be a remedy for the flux.

Lophius Piscatorius, Malegoon or Sea-Devil. This fish has
a horrid appearance; it never takes a bait, nor is taken in a
net, but is sometimes caught on a hook by swallowing other
A fish nearly as deformed as the
it is never eaten.
fish;
Malegoon is sometimes seen by the fishers, and called the
last

is

eaten,

to

Cobbler.

Cephalus Brevis, oblong Sun-fish; this is a large fish, and

appears like a large one cut through the middle; very rare,
not eaten.

Cycloplerus Lumpus, Lump-Succer, rather rare;

it is

never

eaten.

Syngnathus Acus, Horn Sand-eel, Needle-fish, sometimes

taken.

Barbarus,

Horn

Sand-eel,

longer

Pike-fish;

rather rare.

Murana

Anguilla,

Common

eel,

caught both in

salt

and

fresh water.
-

Conger, Salt-water eel; frequently taken throughout the lough.

Ammodytes Tobianus, Sand eel, caught on the shore of
the bay; is only used for bait.
Callionymus Lyra, Sooter, Yellow Gurnard, commonly

about eight inches in length, rare; it is never eaten.

Trachinus Draco, Sting-fish, seldom exceeds three inches in
length, and is found in the sand at low water, always beneath
When observed is usually killed by
a shell with its nose out.
the fishers

Gadus

not eaten.

Morhua,

White

Cod,

Common

Cod,

plentiful

throughout the lough, varying in size from one to forty pounds ;

they vary much in colour, according to the ground on which
they feed.

Gadus

Rockling Cod, merely the young of the former.

(Eglesinus, Haddock; formerly very plenty, now

rather rare.

plenty,

Pollachius, Laithe, Pollack; formerly they were very

still at times taken in considerable numbers.

and are

Carbonarius, Grey Lord, Blocken, or Glashan, freabout the entrance of the bay during summer.
taken
quently
When young, they are usually called by the latter names.

was formerly common, but

Merlangusy Whiting;

is

aiow rare.
-

Merluccius,

Hake, sometimes taken

in considerable

.numbers during summer.

Luscus, Bib, very rare. During
Jarge shoals were seen in this lough.

last

autumn

several

Ling, frequently taken; and are commonly

Some have been
during the summer months.
taken that weighed nearly 19 pounds.
A small fish is sometimes seen by the fishers that bears a resemblance to the
ling; it

Molva,

pretty

is

plenty

called Pickey.
Tricirratus, Rockling, or three bearded

Mustela, Cod-Owen, or

for

five

Cod ;

rare.

bearded Cod; used only

bait.

Brosme, Torsk, very rare.

Blennius Gatlorugine, Blenny, caught in the lobster pots;
jare.

Guntielus,

Codlick,

Spotted

Blenny;

taken on

the

strand at low water.

Gobius Aphya, Spotted Goby, found on the strand. Both

the shape and habits of this fish resemble those of the trachinus
its length seldom exceeds
draco; hence it is killed when seen:
three inches.
Coitus Gobio, Miller's Thumb, Bull head; caught on the
shore about the rocks at low water.
It frequents the mouths
of fresh waters, and varies in length from four to ten inches ;

not eaten.
Scorpius, Father Lasher: this fish resembles the last,
often confounded with it ; both are said to be poisonous.
Their disagreeable figures perhaps give rise to the report of

and

is

their

bad qualities.
Zeus Faber, Johnny Dory
is

ance, yet

In length;

has a hideous appearseldom exceeds 14 inches

this fish

esteemed a delicacy.

It

rare.

Pleuronectes Hypoglossus, Holibut ; this is a large fish

some have been taken which were one hundred and a half in
:

weight.

June, 1820, one was caught which measured six feet

in length, and near four feet in breadth.

two inches

Platessa,

Fluke,

Plaice,

caught in the bay in

considerable numbers.

Flounder, or fresh water Fluke, rather

has been sometimes taken in Woodburn river.

Flessus,
.rare in the

bay

45*

not

length

choice

fish.

Limanda,
common.

Dab,

rarely

exceeds

ten

Solea, Sole, He-Sole, rather rare;

is

inches

in

esteemed a

Arnoglossus, She-Sole, Smooth Sole, an indifferent

fish

scarce.

Maxtmus.

Turbot,

choice

fish;

sometimes-

taken.

Rhombus.

much esteemed;

Britt,

shaped

like the last,

but not

so-

rare.

Passer, Knock's-Fluke, thin

both on the left side of the head ; rare.

and

pellucid,

eyes-

Sparus Raii, Hen-fish, a choice fish ; rare.

Auratus, Bawin, Red Gilt-head, Jenny Munro; rather
rare.

Pagrus, Carf, Scarf; rare; a beautiful

fish

Labrus Tinea, Wrasse, Old Wife; seldom taken

Perca Labrax, Braze, Basse, formerly very plenty, nowvery rare; its length never exceeds twenty inches.
Gasterosteus Spinachia, Fifteen-spined Stickle-back; small

and worthless.
Scomber Scomber, Mackerel, a beautiful fish ; sometimes
taken during autumn.
Trachurus, Horse Mackerel rare.
Trigla Lyra, Piper, deemed a choice fish, and usually;

Red Gurnard, which it much resembles.

Red Gurnard ; very rare.
not so much esGurnardus, Nowd, Grey Gurnard
teemed as either of the former, but is plentier. Taken during
the summer months.
Salmo Salar, Salmon, sometimes taken ascending Woodcalled the

Cuculus,

burn

river.

Trutta,

Salmon Trout,

taken

near

the

mouths of

rivers.

Mugil Ce-pJialns, Mullet, formerly pretty plenty; now rare.

usually taken from early irr
Clupea HarengHS, Herring
;

May

to December.

Pilcardus, Pilchard

Sprattus, Sprat;

rare.

rare.

Lumbricus Marinus, Lug or Sea-worm.

The above are found on
Echiurus, Grey Lug.
digging in the sand, and used for bait. On being found, they

453
-are gutted and put into a kit, in which state
they keep better,
.and longer alive than when ungutted.
Asterias Papposa, Star-fish, found on the shore.

Splicer idata,

Star-fish,

found on the beach

at

low

-water.

Caput Medusae, seen

as the last.

Aphrodita Actdeata, Sea-Mouse, often caught when dredgang, or found in the belly of the cod-fish.
Squammata, seen on the shore at low water.

Sepia

Cuttle-fish,

Officina/is,

Ink-fish;

the

largest

taken

was about twenty inches in length; rather rare.

Media, Cuttle-fish; rare.
Loligo, Broologhan, found on the shore after storms.
Medusa Aurita, Sea-Xettle, seen frequently on the shore.
Cruciata, Sea-Nettle, found same as the last.
Cancer Pagurus, Common Crab, Croobin, usually caught
an the lobster pots
some have been taken that weighed up*wards of seven pounds.
:

Pisum, found in the Horse Mussel.

Velutinus, Flying Crab, taken in the lobster pots.
Smith
or
Crab,
Hammerman, seen
Tetraodon,

frequently on the shore at low water.

Bernhardus, Crawlish Crab; found in several kinds of
.-shells.

Phalangium, Long-Legs; rather

Prawn, rather common.
Araneus; rather rare.

rare.

Squilla,

Serratus, rare.

Mcenas, found on the shore amongst sea weeds ; is

very tenacious of life.
Astacus, Crawfish, fresh water Lobster, seen near the
mouths of rivers; very rare.
Gammarus, Lobster ; caught in baskets or pots, in the
eastern part of the bay, and sometimes taken about rocks and
stones at low water.
very large one was caught a few years
.ago, Avhich was white; it continued so when boiled.

Longicornis, taken in deep water in the lobster pots.

Echinus Esculentus, Sea Urchin ; taken up when dredging,
.and seen adhering to the rocks.
Spatagus, Sea Urchin,

so

common

caught

as the last.

Solen Siliqua, Scout, or Razor-fish.

when dredging; not

454
Vagina, Razor-fish. The two
sand at low water; the former
Pectcn Maximus, Scallop.
~|

Subrufus, Clam.

Ostrea Edulis,
some of them.

Common

Mytilus Edulis,
low water.

mentioned are found;

last

in the

is

much

the largest.

Cau & ht when dredging; are

much scarcer than formerly.

Oyster; small pearls are found in

Common

Mussel; found on the shore at

Modiolus, Horse Mussel, much larger than the last,

and is dredged up with the oysters. Pearls have been found in
some of them.
Cardiiim Echinatum, Cockle, found on the shore at low
water.

Edule, Common Cockle, taken up at ebb water.

Mactra Solida, Lady Cockle, found as the last.
-Lutraria.

Patella Vulgafa,

Common

Limpet, found in plenty on the

shore.

Ungarica, Claw Limpet, found on oyster shells

uncommon.
Turbo

Littoreus, Wilk.

Found

"|

Duplicatus, Cronlough Churn.

in plenty

not

on

the shore.

Bnccinum Undatum, Whelk, Buckey

caught in pots for

bait.

Lapillus,

Horse Wilk; adheres

stones

to

on

trie-

shore.

Pidlus.
- Reticulatum.

\
>

Found on

the shore.

Murex

Despectus, Horse Buckey. J

Corneus.

Arenaria, found at low water.

adheres to stones on the shore, and the
Balanns,
Lepas
horse mussel.

Mya

Balanoides, seen adhering to rocks and stones at lowwater.

Anatifera, the Barnacle shell fish

Islandica.

rare.

Venus

Decussata.
Exoleta.

Erycina.
Sabella Belgiea.

Alveolata.

Pholas Candidns.

-,

-Common

in the

sand

Area Glycymeris.
Strombus Pes Pelicani, Corvorant's
Trochus Zizyphinus.

foot.

Crispatus.

at

low water.

Dactylus.

Bulla Lignaria.

Umbilicalis, Cronlough Watch, found on the beach.

Ncrita Littoralis.
Glaucina.

Serpula Vermicularis.
Doris Argo, Lemon Doris.

Phoea Vitulina, Seal, or Sea Calf; often seen near the

entrance of the bay.
Several kinds of Sponge, and Coraline,
are frequently taken up when trawling.
These

regarding the Fishes are also supplied by Mr.

They are given verbatim
Gastrobranchus CCBCUS. This is the only local reference known
Thompson never met with this animal, and it has not occurred since.
Raid Rubus. This is the R. maculata of modern writers.
Squalus Maximus. An error the Basking Shark has never been
seen on the East Coast of Ireland.
Cephalus Brevis. This is the Short Sun-fish.
Trachinus Draco. A mistake should be T. vipera.
Gadus Merlangus. The Whiting is by no means rare now, while
notes

Patterson.

the

Hake

is.

Luscus.
Molva.

weighed 59

Quite common.

Thompson

records

Carrickfergus

Ling

that

Ibs.

Brosme.

This

is

the only local note of this fish

probably

a mistake.

This is the Freckled Goby (G. minutus).

The Miller's Thumb was not included in the
Gobio.
fishes of Ireland by Thompson, and no specimen is known to exist.
Probably a mistake.
This is Arnoglossus megastoma. the
Pleuronectes Arnoglossus.
Whiff.
Passer.
Merely a variety of the Flounder.
Raii.
Thompson considered this a case of mistaken

Gobius Aphya.
Coitus

Sparus

identity.

These refer to the same fish Pagellus

Auratus, Pagnis.
centrodontus, the Common Sea-bream or "Carp."
Labrus Tinea. This is the Ballan Wrasse (L. maculatus).
Scomber Trachurus. Sometimes the Scad visits us in vast numbers
" Guide to
Belfast," 1902, p. 174).
{Vide B.N.F.C.
T. cuculus, Red Gurnard, common.
Trigla Lyra.
T. hirundo. Grey Gurnard, commoner.
Cuculus.
T. gurnardus, Knowd, commonest.
Gurnardus
The Lesser Grey Mullet
Uugil Cephalus. M. chclo.

_J

common.

Consisting of Original Papers.

Knowe

all

men

to

CERTIFFICATT.
whome these presents

shal

come

to

be heard,

reade, or seene, that we Gory M' Henry, and Cahall O'Hara, Esquyers,
doe hereby testifye, that we weare present when Sr. James M'Donell,
Knight, was married unto Mary M'Neill, (by the Lord Bishope), of
Galchoane in the O'Neve, in the lands of Clanndonnels, beyonde the
Bande and that Donnell Oge M'Fee, and Bryan O'Lavertye, with
diverse others weare present at the said Marriadge and knoweth
and this is the cause of our knowledge, that Alexander
thereof
M' Donnell is the lawful Sonne and heire of the said Sr. James
M* Donnell, Knight Witness our hands this z6th of Februarij, 1609.
Cahall X O'Hara.
G. M'H.
marke.
his
;

We doe acknowledge and confess that we have receaved at Uiehands of the maior, sheriffs, and corporacon of the Towne of Knockfargus, the Patent graunted unto us by his majestic for houldinge of
our lands of Killeleagh and Killmackevett, being formerlie committed
by direcion from the late Lord Deputye, unto the trust and custodye
of the maior and corporacon of Knockfargus, aforesayde, until such
tyme as we should come to perfecte adge, and be capable of reason
and understandinge as wytness our hands this i8th of Aprile, 1616.
;

Neall O'Nealt,

Hugh O 'Neall.

Witnesses,

Hercules Langforde,

Thomas Witter,
Thomas Tracy.
Articles agreed and concluded by and between the right honble. Hugh
lord Viscount Montgomery of the Ardes, on the one part, for and
in the behalfe of all parts of the Army within the Province of
Ulster, that either are or hereafter shall be joyned under his

And Major Ellis, governor of Carrickfergus, Major

Coghrun, Govr. of the Castle, and the rest of the Officers -within
the said towne and Castle, together with the Mayor Sheriffes,
Aldermen, Burgesses, and Comons, of the other part, the fourth
day of July 1649 : (see page 57.)
be received
1, First that the towne and Castle of Carrickfergus
no officer or souldier to bo in
only by Lord Viscount Montgomery
garrisoned therein, of any but of the British, of the Counties of Downe,
and
Carrickfergus, and Antrym, resident in the said respective places
in imployment at or in the month of May last, and such as are wel!
Comand,

protestants.

other
2, That neither Mayor, Sheriffes, Aldermen, freeman, or any
inhabitaunts of the said Coporation and liberties, thereof, be prejudiced

457
ither in person goodes or estate for the
joyning with the garrison in
late defence thereof, And with all that
they be not abridged of
their priveledges interests and rights which of due do and hath

the

belonged to the said Corporation, And that no papist shall be allowed

to inhabit within the said liberties, being a thing especially cared for
in former tymes, And that their Sesses in regard of their former
burdens & present losses, destruction of their corne, cattell, housses, &c.
.may be reduced to the half of what they now pay, And also to have
the benefit of the customs for all goods to be imported and exported in
the port of Carrickfergus, and the limits thereof, for one whole year
from the date hereof. And that such of the townsmen that desire to
remove out of the country may have free and uninterrupted leave of
transportation of themselves and goods and what estate they leave
behind them may be charged with burdens in a proportion with others

remaining, and not otherwise.

That the Officers resolving to quit their present employments

charge, shall be free of all Sesses, billett, quarters, and contributions whatsoever any way chargeable or to be charged in his or their
respective estates, as well real as personal towards the maintenance
of the Army, and shall be admitted to live quietly secured in their
from
persons and "possessions, of their estates, without any molestation
And the like liberty and freedom for
the Army, or any part thereof
who have been detained
cap. Roger Lyndon, and cap. John Dalway,
the siege
by the governor and officers within the garrison, during
thereof.
that shall as aforesaid be out of
4, That such officer or officers,
have no other subscription
-employment by the quitting of their charge
or declaration imposed upon them, but what they shall voluntarly
in their possession or injoyment of
aggree, and shall not be molested
presbyterian government.
as have been within the garrison in tn
5 That such Ministers
in their
be
not
the
'of
any way interrupted or hindred
may
siege
tyme
and injoy
return to their respective congragations, and there to practise
the protection of their Minister as formerly.
or future
6 That any officer or officers resolving for the present
sea and Land,
to transpose out of the Kingdome have free liberty by
them And what effect:
in the removal of what belong to him and
him to be Sessed but in a progoods he or thev shall leave behind
of the remaining mhabitaunts, And by
portionate way, 'with the rest
3,

and

his removal he in his effects to suffer no prejudice.

to quit his charge have a monthes
7 That what officers resolving
or upon
advanced him according to the pay established by
1

pay

>

That no

officer

for the present

be questioned or molested either

*feffiSS j5S3Sjg
1

late

Coi

Siers

'

^ f "^^^^Capfain
andletter, whatsoever,

Clelnents have no officers nor sold-ers

in

those distracted

tymcs may

,n

458
three

fyles of Musquitiers of his own Company for the defence of

himself and family. And the same to
injoy their maintenance off the
quarters of the regiment of Antrym as formerly, and the said Captain
Clements one fyle for his house, And the said Major to have six
months tyme to advyse whether to hold or discontinue his
r
And in the interim not to be prejudised in his present andcharge
future
interest and that Regiment whereof he is
major.
12, And that the officers and Soldiers of Sir John
Clotworthy'sof
foot
and
of
horse
shall
have the benefite by all and
Regiment
troops
the
aforesaid
named
in
relation
singular
to their freedom from
persons
Sesse, imposition of oathes, transportation of themselves and goodes
and monthes pay, and ingarisoning the same with British in their
present quarters and garrison.
Ed. Ellis.
Robt. Hannay.
B. Coghran.
Edward Ferguson.
Clemenis.
Samuel Stewart.
Henery
-

ANSWER.
To THE

FIRST, The towne and Castle of Carrickfergus, shall be

received by the lord Viscount Montgomery and garriesoned by the
forces
of the province of Ulster only, and such as have been
protestant
in imployment therein at or in the month of May last.
the Second,
Neither the Mayor,
2, To
Aldermen, Sheriffes,
Burgesses, or other inhabitants shall be in any wise prejudged for
their joyning with the garrison in the late defence thereof, nor in any
wise abridged in the Rights and priviledges belonging to the Corporation, nor Papists shall have any allowance (more than formerly), by
any authority from wee, And especiall care shall be taken, that in
regard to the Sesse of the inhabitaunts of the said Towne, an estimate
shall be taken of the same, and accordingly their Sesse be Sessed by
deducting a part of their former burden till the same be satisfied
And as for the customes the same shall be imployed in such man.r as
may most ease the same to the inhabitaunts thereof by advyse of the
Mayor and Common Counsel!, And such of the inhabitaunts who desire
to remove out of the Countrie shall have free liberty for themselves
and goods, And what estate they leave behind shall be charged equally
with the rest remaining, and no farther.
3, The third article is granted, as to the officers of the garrison.
And likewise that Cap.n Roger Lyndon, and Cap.n John Dallaway
shall be no more charged than formerly, who likewise are included
within the agreements made for their several [Link] yet it shall be in
their choyce which both they will accept of, whether that agreed upon
with the Regim.t or the benefit of this article, as granted to the
1,

officers.

4,
5,

The
The
The

fourth article

is

granted.

fyfth article is granted.

sixth article is granted.

He nor they in the mean tyme

6,
acting nothing against the King's just authority.
shall be paid
7, The following article is granted, and the money
before the rendering up the garrison.
8, The eight article is granted.
shall have this9, To the nynth article, the officers and Souldiers
monthes arrears paid unto them, which I doe undertake to doe before
the i5th of this month, and that such souldiers who are not willing to
continue in future shall not be pressed to serve against thir wills.
the
10, To the tenth article, in regard to the garrison, urgency at
tymes doth not admit any of the artillery now in the garisone to be
removed out of it, a list shall be taken and given to the [Link] of
what does belong to the state of Scotland, and the same shall be
preserved for their use, as formerly hath been undertaken.

459
n, To

the elleventh article, as to the

requests desired by Major
Ellis and Cap.n Clements of freedome from
quartering upon their
and
to
dwelling houses,
liberty
Major Ellis for three fyles of men with
maintynance to be allowed unto them, and of one to Cap.n Clement*
for the keeping of his house, It is
granted, Provyding they act
nothing against the Army here ; And tyme of advysment descried byMajor Ellis as also granted as to the Vacancy of his place as Major.
12, To the last Article, I have formerly granted the
propositions

put

in

by Cap.n Robert Stewart and Cap.n Francis

Ellis

on Behalfe of

the Regiment of troops, To which I remit

myselfe, And I am contented
that what further benefits they may claim as
hereby granted to the
of
garrisonc
Carrickfergus, they may and shall have "the like in their
respective quarters.
Upon syncing of the within article, and satisfaction made of per
within monthes pay, the Towne and Castle of
Carrickfergus is to be
delivered up as aforesaid.

Ed.

Ellis.

B. Coghran.

Edward Ferguson.
Samuel Stewart.

Henry Clements.
Robert Hannay.
Annals of the county of Antrim,

chiefly, extracted from the records of

that County.
1668
Anthony Richardson, of the parish of Makerarhisk, having
br-cn cast into prison by Lemuel Mathcws, rector of said
parish, for
not paying tithes, and being prisoner, at times near seven years, died in
1
the Goal of Carrickfergus."
Between 1712 and 1740, the county of Antrim appears to have been
much agitated by bands of robbers called lories, or rapparees. Rewards
being offered for their apprehension, dead or alive, the following
notices appear in the records respecting their captures :
the sums were
all granted and paid at the assizes.
10 was granted to James Stewart for apprehending
April, 1713,
2 IDS.
Pat. Feney O'Hagan, a proclaimed tory, hanged at Armagh;
to Andrew Ferguson for taking Art. O'Hagan, a rapparee, executed at
2 to Samuel Duffeild, for bringing to justice Hugh
Downpatrick and

"

M'Lernon, a noted

thief.

.fg granted to Samuel Swan, Michael Thompson, and

Alexander Forbes, for taking prisoner Murtagh M'Alinden, a desperate
and notorious robber, executed at Carrickfergus.
The number of persons transported from the County of Antrim in
the annexed years:
1829, 44; 1830, 40; 1831, 57; 2832, 28; 1833, 46;
1834, 26; 1835, 38; 1836, 67; 1837, 102; 1838, 46.
to
Henry M'Auly, for apprehending Thomas Jamfrey,
1715, _$
10 to Arthur Graham, for
noted rapparee, executed at Armagh
bringing to justice Bryan M'Garrety, a proclaimed tory; Hugh
M'Lernon and John M'Lean, noted robbers, executed at Carrickfergus ;
10 to Peter Meason, of Moira, for bringing to justice Francis
Graham, a proclaimed tory. A Watch-house ordered to be erected in
1714,

the parish of Derriaughy.

10 granted to John Huston for taking prisoner Pat.
i"i6,
10 to Oliver Ancktell, for apprehending
M'Devlin, ^proclaimed tory;
10 to John Pollock for securing David
Phil. Roe Trener, a tory;
Dumbar, and Zachariah Barr, proclaimed tories. To David Hamilton
and to John John10 for bringing to justice Bryan Maguire, a tory
;

Henry Roe M'Ardle, and Bryan Crummy,

20
notorious r'appnrees, whose heads 'were put up on Dundalk jail.
for apprehending Loughhr.
2S. 2d. granted to captn. Malcolm M'Neal
Fews,

ston,

20, for killing

Sufferings of the Quakers.

400
M'Quoy, alias Pat. Morgan, a proclaimed tory, hanged at Downpatrick
and Pat. Moody, a tory, executed at Dundalk
$ as. 2d. presented
;

Gilbert Porter, and Toal O Caine, for bringing to justice Toal

Dunlap, a noted horse-stealer.
to, ordered to be raised off the
county at large, to build a Watch-house, and put up a pair of Stocks
to

in the parish of Killead.

1717, To captn. Malcolm M'Xeal,
M'Mahon, executed at Dundalk; to John

.5

for apprehending Sylvaster

M'Crea, Ballynure,
$, for
apprehending Daniel Mulholland, Henry Graham, and Farrell Agnew.

robbers, the latter of whom was exev. 'ted at Carrickfergus.

10 granted to John Hamilton, sheriff, for transmitting
year,
also ./~io to Edward
priest M'Donnell and Alice Usher to Dublin
Clements, late high sheriff, for the transmission of Henry Stafford,
capt. M'Donnell, and W. Stuart, to Dublin, by order of the government. To Bryan Hanlon,
4, for apprehending Pat. Roe O'Burn, -a
10.
proclaimed tory, executed at Dundalk ; and to Mathew Stuart,

noted

Same

to John Edmonston
taking prisoner John Greer, a noted robber
and Daniel M'Kert, Braid, ^3 each, for assisting to take prisoner
Shane Oge O'Haghinw, a notorious robber, executed at Carrickfergus;
and to James Stewart, Newry,
5, for apprehending James Hamilton,
a murderer, robber, and rapparee, executed at Downpatrick
12

for

ordered to Wm. Moore, high sheriff, for transmitting Thomas Stewart,

to Dublin, he being charged with the murder of col. Henry Lutterel,
who was assassinated in Dublin, October 22, 1717, and died the noxt
1
To James Willson, keeper of the House of Correction, at the
day.
town of Antrim, one year's salary, .15.
1
12 to Saumel, Robert, and Hugh Beggs, Braid, for im7 1 8,
10 were
portant services rendered to the county. At the same time,
ordered to the Rev. Oliver Douglass, and lieut. John Vere, for appreto Nicholas
hending Bryan Kelly, a rapparee, executed at Armagh
White,
10, for bringing to justice Daniel Magee and Duncan O'Kellv,
proclaimed tories, whose heads were put up on the county of Antrim
5 to John Mack for apprehending Cormick O'Neill, a
2oal, in 1717;
10 granted to captn. Malcolm M'Neal
tory, robber, and rapparee;
for taking prisoner Gregory Burns, a proclaimed tory, whose head was
Same
time,
1$ was ordered to Alexander
placed on the Antrim goal.
Legg, and John M'Dowell, Malone, for bringing to justice Daniel
O'Neill, alias, Agnew, a tory, Henry Graham and Edward M'Guire,
noted robbers, executed at Carrickfergus
5 to Robert M'Neight,
and John Warwick, for apprehending Wm. Tuck, a noted robber,
executed at Downpatrick.
10 were granted to James M'Kinstry,
3 to Wm. Craig,
1719,
in taking prisoner
and
5 to Robert Allen, Braid, for their assistance
10 were ordered to be paid to
the notorious Shane Oge O'Haghins
Wm. Purlevent, and John M'Dowell, for taking prisoner Denis
To Arthur
O'Haghins, a proclaimed tory, transmitted to Derry.
$ for apprehendip" Gilbert
Leverty, Daniel Murphy, Bryan Maginnis,
Agnew, a noted tory and to Mathew Munday, Alexander Stewart, and
a proclaimed
Charles Melloy,
5 for bringing to justice John Lamba,
10 were granted to John Hamilton, for killing
Same year,
tory.
;

for bringing to justice

$ to Henry Jackson and Wm. Armstrong,
Laurence Buy M'Kenna, a tory; ;io to John Johnston, Fews, for
10 ordered to Dan. Murphy,
killing John Lamba, a proclaimed tory
Richard
Rea,
and
5 to John Johnston, Fews, for taking prisoner

Lodge's Peerage this was he

so strangely at Limerick.
1

who

is

reported to

have behaved

461
and

robber

Same

rapparee.

Thomas M' Williams,

for

10

year,

killing

to

Robert

Bradagh Quinn, and Every Quigley, proclaimed

Art.

Arthur

Bashford

one year's salary.

Same
M'Manus and Thomas Dickey,

^4

Monaghan

to
to

Findlater,

and

Thomas Murphy, and apprehending

for

tories,

executed

Knogher
Adam Lamb, for bringing to justice Darby
O'Buchan, and .,'5
To John Ruxton,
Lennan, proclaimed tories.
8, for apprehending
Phill. Duff, and Donald M'Donnell, noted
tories; .-5 to John Jessopand Adam Spence, for taking prisoner Dultagh Duff O'Donnell, a
and
ordered
to Thomas Falkner, jailer,
proclaimed tory
rapparee. ^"5
at^

for

and

year,
to erect
Cage there

apprehending

were granted to Alexander

new Stocks

in

for Scolds.
repair the
ordered to be erected at Stoneyford.
1720, To Arthur O'Neill,
40, to reward those

Ahoghill,

to

the village of

Watch-house

who apprehended
Saul M'Seveney, Eneas M'Donnell, and John M'Kean, alias Johnston,
notorious rapparees of this county, executed at Omagh
$ to John
Cuppage for taking Alexander Buy M'Kenna ^5 to John Woods, for
Thomas
Green, a noted horse-stealer
apprehending
15 to Daniel
Phillips,
Ballymascanlon, and ^5 to John Hawkins, for bringing
to justice Eneas O'Haghins, a proclaimed tory and rapparee.
Soon
Eneas O'Haghins and six other robbers were executed at
after,
1
Carrickfcrgus, and the head of the former placed on the prison.
1 7 21
s ordered to Robert Tweed and John Lesson, for taking
prisoner Robert Streahorn, a notorious robber, executed at Carrickto William Ross and James Armstrong,
,$, for bringing to
fergus
;

justice

Dan.

O'Creeland

and

Edmond Murphy,

notorious

robbers,

executed at Carrickfergus
7 granted to Thomas M'Mahon, for
apprehending Para Glass, Connolly Owen Buy M'Cabe, and Edmond
10 to David Johnston, for taking Robert Sterla, a proclaimed
Laney.
torv
5 to George Booth and Bryan Murphy, for bringing to justice
John Reiley, alias, Hamilton, a tory. executed at Armagh. js 15*.
paid this year for killing otters, at 55. each.
1722, The Records destroyed till 1728. The taking of tories, or
robbers, appears continued. August ioth, 1728, James Hargrave, Jonas
Hargravc, John Hunter, Joall Rice, and Anthony Huston, *-ere
executed at Carrickfergus, and the heads of the three former placed on
:

the goal.
1730, Toal Rice, robber, also suffered.
were
April 9th, 1731, Daniel M'Auley and Neal Murphy, robbers,
executed
September gth, 1733, David Miniss and Robert Reid also,
and
Charles
in
in 1734, Michael O'Mullan, and
suffered death
1736,
;

at Carrickfergus
1739, James and
Erwin, noted tories, who had long invested Killymoris, werapprchended by John Johnston, Fews.
The Homers were the next gang of notorious celebrity who disand
turbed the peace of the country
they were often imprisoned,
In January, 1775, James Horner
effected their escape several times.
suffered death, and in August, same year, Dennis and John Horner
Dennis was hanged, but John
were capitally convicted of robbery
himself the night before he was to have suffered.

Bryan O'Brogan were executed

Wm.

poisoned

1
Eneas appears to have been the last of four brothers, who were
of the counties of Antrim and
long a terror to the peaceable inhabitants
of resort was at the Knockagn.
Carrickfergus. One of their chief places
of Gideon
Carrickfergus, at the house of a Mrs. Jacques (widow
the Deer s-Iane. Their
Jacques); thev ascended and descended by
still called AT chys bushes.
great store was in a little dell adjoining,
on the prison, a
During the time of their heads being exposed
down
Wren built her nest in one of their skulls They at length fell held
a school was then
the chimney of the grand jury room, where
a>
and were long kept in a corner to frighten juvenile delinquents
their parents when living.
successfully as they had done
!

462

COUNTY OF ANTRIM.
Number

of

persons

murder, felony, &c.

committed,

convicted,

for the last nine years.

In the year
Committed for Trial Males
Females
Male and Female Debtors
Total number committed in each year
Convicted and sentenced Death
Imprisoned or Fined the last 2 years
Transported for Life

sentenced,

&c.

for

463

Thomas Pemberton,

...

AVidow Powell,

...

o
o

s.

d.

6
O
4

.Richard Pendleton,

... o
3
Nicholas
Redworth,
... o
(Nicholas Smith)
9
Garrett Reiley,
... i
'4
James Savage's, Executors, (Wm. M'llenry) o
3
Thomas Savage,
... o
2
William Savage's (J.
... o
Brytt)
Thomas Stacey,
... o

Captain
(late

Henry

Ann
John

... o 16
Dobbin)
(Pound) o

Tennison's,
... o
Executors,
... o
Thrallcott,

Theophilus
Executors,

Execu...

Wills,

Thos.
G.
Robt.
G.
Thos.

"
3

...

M'Kinny)

o
o

...

o 3
o 6
o
o 1
o 16

9
8

o
o
o

o
8
o

Wills, (Executor,
... o
M'Kinny)
Wadman's, Exe-

cutors,

...

Robert Williams,
2

...
...
...
...

ii

ade)

...

Crooks 's Heirs,

...

8
o

Gardner's

...

Heirs,

S
i

(James
...

PAYMENTS MADE OUT OF THE ALL SAINTS RENT,

Paid Richard M'Gill, Prisoner, a week's allowance

Sword Bearer, Michaelmas salary

Militia Drummer, for said time,
Taylor,

for

said

time

George Bell, for said time,

James Preston, for repairing the Quay Gate
Nicholas Smith, for attending the Guard, from Michaelmas last to September 28th, 1709
- Nicholas
Brown, for Guard Candles
- William
Ross, for the Guard-house
John M'Keown, for a Wheel-car,
- Laid out for repairing the Church,
Joseph Mort, Michaelmas allowance,
John Hall, his salary,
- Mr.
Mayor, in part of Lady Day, 1710
January Sessions, 1709-10, public orders

The Mayor

for

6*

78 19

insolvencies,
Collection,

-Thomas

Ann Henderson, (Par2

Taylor's,

Brytt)

50

Wills, (Executor,

John White,
Bryan M'Manus,
Thomas Young,

d.

s.

Execu-

tors,

Bishop

Thomas

Welsh's,

tors,

James

South

Hugh Smith

*t>

Tisdall, Executors, o

the Sergeant's

Hatts

1709.

^Ji

10

i
i

o
10

10

o
o
o
o

17

4
6

500
o o

loj

041
i

o 15
o 15

036
6 o
i

10

15

4
o

o 10

096
'8

The Mayor, and Aldermen

Richard
of Carrickfcrgus, to Colonel

Kan:.

-Sir,

Wee the Mayor and Aldermen of Carrickfergus, beg leave to

it in our true view
acquaint you, that we have from time to time, had
to elect you an alderman of this antient corporation, but to our loss and
-great disadvantage

have met with disapointments.

descended
is

of an antint
and whose ancestors (as is well known to you), have been
this Corporation, and have beha/ed
frequently Aldermen and Mayors of
themselves on all occasions, to the satisfaction of the Same, and

And now Anthony Horseman who

Family,

in order to use
being obliged to travel abroad into foreign parts
and
endeavours to Release his Estate, which is now incumbred,

is

to.

464
made a resignation of his place of Alderman,
his request, to the Mayor and Aldermen, to Elect you in
his Room and place, and
having always had the greatest regard
and esteem for you, have this day, Elected you an Alderman of this
and
in
Town
Room and place of the said Anthony HorseCorporation,
man and we having so often heard of the tender regard you bear
towards Gentlemen in distress, do hope you will have the same for one
of the Old Rock, and especially of a family so well acquainted to you.
support his family, has

and made

it

We

and

do

therefore

recomend

the

said

Anthony

Horseman

to

your

protection and favour, always wishing for an opportunity of showing,

as well with actions as with words, how sincerely we are your most
humble Servants.
In testimony whereof wee have fixed the seal of this corporation,
and Subscribed our names this first day of June 1731.

Francis Clement, deputy Mayor.

Francis

Rjgby Dobbin.
James Stenhouse.

Arthur Dobbs.

Ellis.

Colonel Kane's Answer.

Ma/io/i in Minorca, October ntli, 1731 Gentlemen,
I
have received by the hands of Anthony Horseman a written
instrument dated the ist of June, 1731, under the seal of the Corporation of Carrickfergus, and signed by yourselves the Mayor and Alder" and now
men, in which are the words
Anthony Horseman being,
obliged to travill abroad into foreign parts in order to use bis
endeavours to release his estate which is now incumbred, and to support
his family, has made a resignation of his place of Alderman, and made
it his request to the Mayor and Aldermen to elect you in his Room and
place," which being done you further add "and Wee have so ufto-i
heard of the tender regard you bear towards Gentlemen in distress, dotherefore recomend the said Anthony Horseman to your protection and
favour."
Gentlemen, I do acknowledge the favour you have done me in thisaffair
but at the same time must desire you will excuse my acceptation of it, for I cannot answer to myself the acceptation of that honor
when the world may Judge it to the dishonor of Mr. Horseman io
Resign, and therefore with the same frankness that Mr. Horseman
resigned his room and place of Alderman to me, I now do Resign the
;

same Room and place of Alderman to Anthony Horseman, Esq. of

which he was possessed before his Resignation, and do make it my
request to the mayor and Aldermen that they will be pleased to remitt
Mr. Horseman in his Room and place of Alderman as formerly uponmy being elected Alderman. I presume my room and place of Burgess
was filled up, which I desire may continue so, it being high time I
should be removed from that rowl of record, for it is now 44 or 45
years since I was sheriff, and never moved for a step of promotion.

Altho I have no other Rank in your Corporation, but that of a Common

Free Man, and Free of the Staple, yet I shall be always ready and
willing to promote any thing that may tend to the Good of the
Corporation.
I am heartily sorry Gentlemen for the occasion of Mr. Horseman
coming abroad, and should with pleasure regard your recommendation,
and put him in a way to Retrieve his fortune, were it in my power
and here pray permit me to observe to you that there is not any person
who is acquainted with the nature of this Government but knows that
there are no Imployments here but what are Military, and that in the
If Vacancy happens in Regiments I can recommend to
King's Gift.
none but my own, and those must be half pay officers, for the King is
;

465
determined on that point. Promotions in the
Navy are made at home
by admirals abroad, but even there Mr. Horseman can have no
speedy prospect, for having served but three years at Sea, he must
serve three more as
midshipman before he can be admitted to an
examination for Lieut, and at this time there are few
ships on pay
that have not several
young noblemen on board as midshipmen, and all

pusshmg forward, so that his prospect that way must be very distant.
And as to any other business in this Island
whereby a Gentleman may

retrieve his shattered fortune, I assure

you there is as little hope of it as
in any place I Know, and therefore as it is not in
my power to serve
Mr. Horseman in such an Effectual manner as I should be
willing to
do, and that his stay here will be loosing time, I must
leave to

Recomend him back

beg

to

your Corporation.
Richd. Kane.

P. S.

he above Recomendation ^ so surprising and of such a navure

cannot forbear saying that it would have seemed both reason.-ible
and friendly in the Gentlemen of the Corporation, to have
aprised me of
their intention in order to have had my
thoughts upon it before they
sent Mr. Horseman to Minorca
But to have it so contrived that Mr.
Horseman should resign his place of Alderman to me, and then send
him hither to be supported by me, and put into a way for retrieving
an Incumbred estate, might naturally seem to the world as if it were
making a trial of my understanding, and yet I have not sent that
Gentleman back, but supported him in an inactive way of life having
neither business nor Imployment for him, nor prospect of any.
It would likewise seem as if a great merit was put
upon his
Resignation, when I was to purchase it at so high and unlimited a
and
this
after
I
had
been
so
overlooked
the
price,
long
by
Corporation.
For altho I never made any application for the rank of Alderman, yet
my pretensions to it were not the less, for it is now 44 or 45 years
'1

thai

I was sheriff and consequently burgess of the Corporation.

If the
rank of Alderman had Come to me in the usual way I should have
accepted it as a note of Honor and friendship, but did not think it
proper to accept of it to the dishonour of Mr. Horseman, and therefore
I
resigned it back to the Gentleman as in my letter of the nth
October 1731, to the Corporation.
When Mr. Horseman arrived here he passed as my Relation, and
before his arrival I reed, a letter from his Brother in law Mr. Hagan,
to acquaint me that he was coming to Minorca (who had obtained
Letters of Recomendation for his promotion, as being married to a
Relation of mine), but I wrote to prevent his coming however he did
come in the Service of the Artillery, and as he seems to be of a modest
and sober disposition with a turn for business, I wish he had some
better imployment among them, but that does not depend on me, for
all promotions are made by the board of Ordenance in London.
The affairs of the family not stopping here, I am to acquaint you
that I have lately seen a letter from Ireland which says that a sister
of Mr. Horsemans had reported that the occasion of Mr. Horseman
me of a debt that >vas
coming to Minorca, was to make a demand upon
due by me to him in right of his Grandmother. But to explain upon
that imaginary debt and upon the pretended relation the affair is 'his.
The widow Crymble, of Scoutbush, near Carrickfergus, mother to
Cornelius Crymble, married a Relation of mine, and of my name, who
which
settled a jointure upon her out of his estate at Carrickfergus,
him to
estate upon that Gentlemans Death fell to my father, and after
me. After the death of my said Relation, Ensign John Kane (not of
the family of O'Cahan's Carrickfergus), came from England (I suppose
toward the latter end of the 41 war), and married the widow of my

since

31

466
said relation by which marriage Ensign Kane became entitled to her
Jointure, and by her he had a daughter that was married to Alderman
Richard Horseman, by whom Richard had the present Alderman
Anthony Horseman and some daughters and this is all that can be
said for a pretence as to Relation.
As to the imaginary debt above mentioned, the case is this. Having
in the year 1693, come from Flanders to Ireland, the old Gentlewoman
that was wife to Ensign Kane died when I was in the north, by %vhose
death the Jointure ceased, and the Ensign Kane (who had been absent
from Ireland above 20 years), made a demand upon me for some
pretended arrears of that Jointure and being then to return to Flanders,
'and willing to have matters adjusted with Ensign Kane before my
departure, we came to an agreement and the affair was adjusted between
;

His son in law Alderman Richard Horseman, and Mr. John Smyth,
both of Carrickfergus, being present and witnesses of his release to me,
and since that time (39 years ago), I have not heard any thing more
upon that subject till now. It is natural to suppose that if Alderman
Richard Horseman had had any demand to make upon me he would
have done it before I left Ireland, rather than at any time since. And
us,

having now told Alderman Richard Horseman of what his sister had
reported, he declared he never heard his father say he had any demands
on me.
Thus having explained the true state of the Case, to show Mr.
Horsemans sister and my friends how unjustly she has charged me,
she might have thought it sufficient that her brother should be forbad
upon me, and daily touching my purse, and not busy herself dispersing
this may be made [Link]
unjust reports for injuring my Character
Mahon Novr. 24th, 1732.
to my friends in the Country.
Richard Kane.
:

No. XVIII.
Ancient Fees paid to the Officers of the Corporation of Carrickfergus
copied from the Manuscripts of Henry Gill; date 1700.
" A Dockett of
Fees, belonging to the Water Bailiffe of the
Liberties of Carrickfergus, 4th, Ed. 6th
:

ist,

him

The Water

Bailiffe is to enquire

and

find out, as

much

as in

suche rights and duties as do any wayes belong to the

Maior or Admiral, and to seize to his use, and to certifie and be
for
the same.
accountable
2d, The Water Bayliffe is to enquire of any Person that haih
taken in the Seas within the Admirals Liberties, Whales, Sturgeons,
Purposes, Baelands, Grampuses, or any other overgrown fish, and hath
not Satisfied the Mayor or Admiral thereof.
3d, The Water-Bay liffe is to have the custody of the Water
measure and weight, and to measure & weigh all and Singular goodes
& merchandizes which are to be weighed & measured within Shipboard,
to be laden, carried, transported, or brought over, that thereby the King
be not deceived in his Customs, or any of his Subjects either in false
measures or Weights and also Size and Seal every weight & measure,
& be Sealed & marked with the Admiral's Seal.
4th, The Water-Bay liffe is to have of every Boat of Fish, as Cod,
Ling Hake, Place, Mullet, Haddock, or any other dry or wet fish, one
lyeth,

all

chief Fish.
5th, The Water-Bayliffe is to have of every Barque, Ship, or
Vessel that taketh Ballast, of Sand, Gravel, or Stones, being within
the flowing or re-flowing of the Sea or Salt water, upon any of the
Shores within this Corporation's Jurisdiction for Lastage of every Tunn
of the Said ballast, three Pence.

467

He is also to have for anchoring of every ship with two Topps,

Shilling.
7th, For every Barque or Ship without Topps, Six Pence.
8th, For every small Boat that beareth Anchor, Four Pence.
gth, And for such of these Ships or Barques that cast Anchors, not
having a buoy thereto, in any navigable River, Shall forfeit to the
6th,

one

Water-Bayliffe three shillings and four pence.

loth
nth, For Grounding every Barque Six Pence, and for every
Stranger one Shilling.
i2th, And for every Vessel laden with Corne, Coal, Salt, one
measure where%vith they usually measure the aforesaid Corne, or Coal,
or Salt, and every Vessel laden with Wine, Iron, Timber, Freestone,
Hardstone, Clappboards, Deal boards, Masts, Millstones or Grindstones, for Baylinge of every one of these one shilling.
i3th, The water-Bayliffe is to have of every Boat of Herrings,
fresh or Salted, for the fishing time, one 100, be they huddled or
barrelled.
i4th, The Water-Bayliffe is to have for every Bloodshed within his
Jurisdiction happening, three shillings and four pence.
i5th, All Deodands, Fynes, Forfeitures, Presentments, Bloodsheds,
& Casualties, under 20, according to the Custom of the Admiralty are
to be divided into four Partes, whereof the halfe is to go to the Judge,
the other equally to be divided betwixt the Register & Marshall which
was So Settled in regard they have no Salaries allowed them."

Mayor's Fees.
For the admission of every Freeman, any sum not exceeding,
For giving judgment in every Action,
at present,
Signing and sealing every execution is.
Taxing every bill of costs thereupon
;

Seal of Mayoralty to any Certificate, Bill, of health, pass, &c.

For every lease granted by the Towne,
License from every fishing Boat, from a Forreyner,
From a Freeman for the same,
Mayor's Fees, as Clerk of the Market.
1
For every firkin of Butter, sold or going through the Towne,
For every load of Graine,
For a Sheep, Lamb, Swine, or Calf, dead or alive
For every Cow or Bullock, dead or alive,
a horse or mare, sold or book'd,
every sack of Meal, or Wheat, &c.
everv piece of Cloth, Woollen or Linen, if under 10 yards,
If above ten yards,
For any Shoemaker or Co%vpers standing,
every sack of Wool,
every
every
every
every
every
every

Pack

of

Wool,

sack of Potatoes, apples, or nuts,

10

o
o

o
i

c
o

SJ

006
026

o 13
o b
o 3
o

o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

o
o

o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

X
4
r

j
'

r
i

002
o o
003
o o
i

Pedlars Stall,
Clothyers Standing,

o
o

Horse draught of Timber,

Dozen of Cleft Boards,

o
o

Saunders Brenien, John Bremen, David

Samuel Woodside, Thomas Edwards, Jonn
in
behalf of themselves and others,
Getty, and Robert Murdoch,
to the House of Commons, complaining that
presented a petition
Ed%vard Clements, late mayor of Carrickfergus, and Richard Horseman,
1

In

Edmond,

October,

James

1707,

Carr,

then mayor, made the petitioners pay toll for Butter and other goods
their petition \vas
carried through Carrickfergus, and praying relief
referred to a committee, and we learn no more of this business.
Irish House of Commons.
Journals of the
:

4 68
every Load of Barrel Staves,
every Green Hide,
Every Kipp,
Every Hebeus Corpus, or Writt of Error,
For scaling every Dicker of Leather,
Recorder's Fees.

o
o

o
o
o

i
i

05

068
004

For every Freeman upon his admission,

Persusall of every deed granted by the Towne,

03

&

034

Sheriff's Fees.

For

ever)'

person attached and having given in Bail,

25.

2d.

at present,

For every person attached, and having presently agreed with

is.
now disputed,
every person committed in every action of debt,
For every person committed for Treason, Burglary, &c.
no\v
4d.
All the rest of the fees as other Sheriffs.

plaintiff,

135.

Towne

Clerk's Fees.

For every summons, or attachment,

Appearance and Bail, 4d. at present the
;

like

060-

006
expence of the

total

is,

For every Freeman on admission, IDS. 6d. at present,

Withdrawing any action before tryal is. 4d. now,
Entry of Judgment,
;

Drawing the Execution,

Drawing any deed or lease from
Recogniences taken

in

the towne,

o.

034
026
o
DIG
o
0264
006
006
004
006
046
o 6
006
006
13

Court,

Reading a Petition (except the poors),

Writing any Summonces,
Fileing Declaration or Plea,

Drawing a Warrant, syned by the Mayor,

Every Submission to an Indictment,

livery Traverser,

Drawing an order on every Petition,

Drawing a Certificate that passes the seal of Mayorality,
o i o
Copy of Declaration, plea, or Bond,
At present the total amount of fees to the Town-Clerk on an actbu
As
i.
passing through the court, and execution thereon, is about
Clerk of Peace, his fees are regulated by acts of parliament.

Sword Bearer's

Fees.

For every Freeman on Admission,

Water Bailiff's Fees.
For every Freeman on his Admission,
Sergeants at Mace.
For every Summons or attachment, Served upon a Freeman
in the town or Suburbs, 3d.
now,
Upon any not a freeman, 4d. now,
For every Summons or attachment served out of the Suburbs,
and Within the bounds of the Corporation, is. now,
On the Admission of every Freeman,
On every oath administered in Court, or in the Mayor's
room, now not for room,
;

Attorney's Fees.

One

fee in every Action, viz.

Another

fee,

if

the Tryall,
the action be
$, or above upon
or Plea,

Drawing a Declaration
Joining of Issue,
At present (1823),
i

ii.

the

whole

of

the

attorney's fees

amount

026
o

o-

006
006
022
004
004
026
026o

o
o

to

about

469

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Some account

of the noble family of Chichester.

(See Page

197).

Arthur Chichester, the first of this

family who came to Ireland
was the youngest son of Sir John
Chichester, of Raleigh Devonshire'
At an early age he entered Exeter
College, Oxford, where he remained
but a short time, being obliged to
fly into Ireland on account of some
juvenile indiscretions, where he remained till his
pardon was obtained

from Queen Elizabeth.

On his return to England he received a
commission in the navy, and in 1588, was commander of one of the
which
ships
destroyed the Spanish Armada.
Shortly after he went to
the West Indies, under the orders of Sir Francis
Drake; and on his
return sailed for Spain, as a volunteer with the Earl of
Essex, where
his relation Paul Chichester
being killed, he was presented with his
company. Afterwards he served in Flanders, and was wounded at the
siege of Amiens, and for his distinguished courage he received the
honor of knighthood, from Henry IV. King of France. Soon after he

was appointed to
Ireland, and on
Drogheda,

the

command

his

arrival

where he was

of a regiment of 1200 men destined for

was quartered for some time at
made sergeant-major-general of the army
there,

1
serving in that kingdom.
In autumn, 1599, we find

him in garrison at Carrickfergus, and

in August the following year, by orders of the Lord
Deputy Mountjoy,
he laid \vaste all the country within twenty miles of that town. June,
1601, he joined Lord Mountjoy near Dundrum, and having received a
reinforcement of 200 men, in July he took Castlcreagh from Brian
M'Art O'Neill, and in October was recommended by the Lord Deputy,
as the fittest man "in England or Ireland," to be made governor of
Ulster.
August, 1602, he took from Tyrone the fort of Ennislaughlin,
and afterwards accompanied the Lord Deputy in the pursuit of that
chieftain into Fermanagh, and in the following January expelled Brian
M'Art O'Neill out of the woods and fastnesses of Killultagh. 1
April, 1603, he was admitted a privy counsellor, and appointed
governor of Carrickfergus for life, with a salary of thirteen shillings
per day, and also governor of the fort of Mountjoy, and commandant
of the forces stationed in the Dufferin, Killultagh, the Clanebuys,
with liberty to employ
Kilwarlin, the Little-Ards, Route, and Glynns
the troops quartered in those places as he thought fit, and the
inhabitants thereof "to attend upon him, and be at his direction."
He was likewise constituted admiral of Loughneagh, by the name of
Lough Sidney, alias, Lough Chichester, with the fishery of the said
lough, as far as the leap on the river Bann.
February, 1603-4, he was appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland, which
and established the circuits of assize
situation he held twelve years
In 1609, he had a grant of the entire
for Connaught and Munster.
called
then
of
Innishowen,
O'Doghertie's country,* and rated
barony
The following year he was
worth upwards of ^1000 per annum.
granted the castle of Dungannon, with 1320 acres of land adjoining;
and in November, 1621, he had a general confirmation of all his
;

Anthologia Hibernica.
Moryson's History of Ireland. Lodge's Peerage.
From Sir Cahir O'Dogherty, son of Sir John O'Dogherty. In
we fi 11 ^ the lineal descendant of Sir Cahir, a schoolmaster,
J 779.
presenting a petition to the Earl of Donegall, to be admitted teacher of
Maudlin school, Innishowen. London Gentleman's Magazine, 1797.
-

former deeds and patents, in which was included the castle, manor,
and town of Belfast.
His grants of lands in several other counties
were also extensive.
In 1612, he was created Lord Baron Belfast;
and in 1622, was sent ambassador to the princes of the German Union.
He married Letitia, daughter of Sir John Perrot, by whom he had
one son who lived only a few weeks.
February, 1624, he died
in London, and in the following year was interred at Carrickfergus,
where his lady had been buried in 1620.
Having no surviving issue, his estates then valued worth ^TSooo
but his
per annum, devolved to his brother Sir Edward Chichester
title being limited to issue male, Charles I. conferred it anew on Sir
Edward, and also created him viscount Carrickfergus, and appointed
him governor of that town, admiral of Loughneagh, and governor of
Culmore fort. He married Anne, daughter and heir of John Coplestone, of Eggesford, county of Devon, by whom he had Arthur, John,
;

Edward,

and

Elizabeth.

He

died

July

1648,

and

was buried

at

1
Eggesford church.

"In the third year of Charles I. Arthur Chichester Esq. son and
heir apparent to Edward Lord Viscount Chichester, obtained a grant
in reversion of the government of Carrickfergus and all the forces
within the precincts, with full power to kill, burn, and destroy, by
martial law, or otherwise, all enemies to the state, whether foreign or
On the
This grant is made during his natural life.
domestic."
breaking out of the rebellion of 1641, he raised at his own charge a2
regiment of horse, and another of foot, for the service of the crown.
March, 1647, he was created Earl of Donegall, with limitation of that
honour to the issue male of his father, whom he succeeded the following
He died at Belfast, March i8th, 1674 ; he had three wives, but
year.
having no surviving male issue, his titles and estates devolved to his
nephew Arthur, eldest son of his brother John.
Arthur, second Earl of Donegall, married Jane, daughter of John
Itchingham, of Dunbroody, county of Wexford, by whom he had four
sons and three daughters, viz. Arthur, John Itchingham, who in 1715,
and 1721, was one of the representatives in parliament for Belfast;
Edward, afterwards rector of Cloneagh, who married Elizabeth,
Charles, and three daughters.
daughter of Captain John Chichester
He died early in 1682.*
a regiment of foot, in
commanded
Arthur, third Earl of Donegall,
In 1702, he went out with the army to
the reign of King William.
On the
and was made major - general of the Spanish forces.
;

Spain,

loth April, 1706, he was killed near Barcelona.

By his second wife,
Catherine Forbes, only daughter of Arthur Earl of Granard, he had
two sons and six daughters, viz. Arthur, his successor, John born 1700,
who in the parliaments of 1725, and 1745, was one of the representatives
and by his wife Elizabeth, daughter of
for the borough of Belfast
Sir Richard Newdegate, had two sons, Arthur and John, the former of
whom succeeded his uncle in his title and estates as Earl of Donegall.
to
Catherine was married in
Clotworthy, Lord Viscount
1713,
Massereene Mary died unmarried. Jane, Frances, and Henrietta, were
unfortunately burnt to death in the castle of Belfast, April 25th, 1708.*
;

Lodge's Peerage.

MS. Anthologia Hibernica.

*At page 200 it is stated that he

be an error.
3
Lodge's

died in 1705; this

is

believed to

Peerage. This awful accident was occasioned by the

carelessness of a servant who left a fire of wood burning in a room
which she was airing. At the same time there also perished a daughter
of Mr. Berkley's, rector, and a servant named Catherine Douglass;
Mary Taggart, servant, escaped through the flames. MS.

Arthur, fourth Earl of Donegall, married in 1716, Lucy, eldest

daughter and coheir to Robert Ridgway, Earl of Londonderry,' but had
no issue. He died Spetember 1757, and was succeeded
by his nephew,
Arthur, who, November iath, 1761, married Anne, daughter of James
Duke of Hamilton, who died at Bath, November nth, 1780.
By her
he had three sons and four daughters. October
25*, 1788, he married
at Bath, Charlotte, relict of Thomas Moore, of
Barn, daughter of Conway Spencer, Trumery, and sister of General Sir Brent Spencer. She
died at Fisherwick, September igth, 1789.
October i2th, 1790, he
married Barbara, daughter of Dr. William Godfrey he had no issue
either
of
the
last
by
marriages.
July, 1791, he was created Marquis
of Donegall.
He died at St. James's Square, London, January sth,
and
was
succeeded
his
eldest son George Augustus, born
1799,
by
August i3th, 1769, who August Sth, 1795, married Anna, daughter of
Sir Edward May, Bart, by whom he had a numerous issue.
December
Sth, 1822, his eldest son, George Hamilton, Earl of Belfast, married
Harriot, daughter of the late Earl of Glengall, and sister of the present
;

earl.
It is not a little remarkable that Sir Humphrey May, ancestor to
the present Marchioness of Donegall and minister to James I. for the
affairs of Ireland, was the person who procured from King James the
patent of Lord Baron of Belfast, for Sir Arthur Chichester, then Lord
1
Deputy of Ireland, the Marquis's distinguished ancestor.

Additional Notices of the Chichester Family.

Arthur, who succeeded in 1757, and became fifth Earl of Donegall, and
who was created a British peer by the title of Baron Fisherwick of Fisherwick,
Staffordshire, in 1790. and advanced in the Irish peerage to the dignity of
Earl of Belfast and Marquis of Donegall in 1791. His eldest son, George
Augustus, inherited the marquisate in 1799, and in 1844 he was succeeded by
his son, George Hamilton, the third marquis, who had represented CarrickThis peer was created
fergus, Belfast, and County Antrim in Parliament.
Baron Innishowen and Carrickfergus, in the peerage of the United Kingdom
When he died, in 1883, his British barony became extinct,
in August, 1841.
but his other honours devolved upon his brother Edward, Dean of Raphoe,
who became the fourth marquis, and who married Amelia, daughter of Henry
Deane O'Grady, Esq., of The Lodge, County Limerick, and Stillorgan Castle,
County Dublin. Their son, Gedrge Augustus Hamilton Chichester, born
June, 1822, succeeded to the marquisate in 1889, and also to the dignities of
Hereditary Lord High Admiral of Lough Neagh and Governor of CarrickMarried, in 1859, Lucy Elizabeth Virginia, (laughter of Henry
fergus Castle.
Holt Oliver, Eq., of Weston Priory, Somerset, but this marriage was annulled
In 186, he married Mary Ann Williams, daughter of
four years later.
Edward Cobb, Esq., of Wright's Lane, Kensington, and Arnold, Kent. This
lady died in 1901, and in December, 1902, he married Violet Gertrude, only
Nova
daughier of the late Henry St. George Twining, Esq., of Halifax,
He died May 19th, 1904, aged 81 years, and was succeeded in the
Scotia.
title by his son, Edward Aithur Donald St. George Hamilton, Earl of
Belfast, born 7th October, 1903, and at the time of his father's death seven
months' old. The family property in Belfast and Carrickfergus passed to the
late Countess of Shafteslmry, daughter of the third marquis, and through her
descended to the present Earl of Shaftcsbury, her son.

Some account

of the

Davys family,

family, who settled at Carrickfergus,

Soon after we
arrived from North Wales, early in the ibth century.
those who obtained
find, the names of Joseph and Ezekiel Davy amongst

The

first

persons

Lodge's Peerage.

of

this

Anthologia Hibernica, V.

4,

p. 93.

472
grants of lands from the body corporate, and at the same time they were
admitted burgesses of the borough. 1
In 1630, John Davys, son and
heir of Ezekiel, appears on the roll of aldermen of Carrickfergus, and
in 1639, he was chosen a
burgess to represent that town in parliament.
Early in 1656, he purchased from Sir John Clotworthy his large castellated mansion in Carrickfergus, which from that period was called
Davys 's Castle. In April the following year, we find Col. Thomas
Cooper, governor, recommending to Henry Cromwell, that as John
Davys was a person disaffected to the government, he should not be
permitted to live in that town, and in a mansion overlooking its guards.
August, 1656, he was elected to represent the town of Carrickfergus in
Cromwell's parliament about to be held at Westminster; but from his
being deemed so very discontented with the ruling powers, he was not
2
In 1659, he served the office of mayor for
permitted to take his seat.
the said town, and in May the following year he proceeded to Holland,
and waited on Charles II. at Breda; 3 perhaps, for the purpose of
informing him of the state of the public mind in the north of Ireland.
In 1661, he was one of the knights of the shire for the county of
Antrim. 4 He died in 1667, leaving issue Hercules, Henry, and John,
all of whom held commissions in the army.
In the manuscripts of
date 1660, we find the following notice of the above
Henry Gill, under
" This
John Davys
John Davys was he who raised himself and
:

^1300 Hundred pounds,

sterling, being part of the Corporafor which the Customs were sold, and never paid one
to the Towne, nor his successors, though he left a good
estate that he acquired by this money he unjustly got, and purchases
he made from John Savage's heirs, for which he never paid them

family by
tion

money,
penny for it

one penny."
About 1658,

the names of Edmond, Ezekiel, John, and Henry

Davys are frequently noticed in the records of Carrickfergus, as
members of the Assembly. They are believed to have been sons of
Joseph already mentioned it is at least certain that the two former
were brothers.
In 1684, Henry was high sheriff of the county
Antrim; and in 1701, John Davys served the same office. Edmond died
the
1695-6, leaving his property to his sons, Samuel and John Davys
latter was a captain in the army, and in 1705, served the office of
He died in 1711. Samuel died in
high sheriff of the county Antrim.
1719, leaving his estates to Ezekiel Davys Wilson.
About this time it becomes impossible to give a regular narrative of
several persons of the name of
the different members of this family
Ezekiel and Hercules Davys are mentioned as members of the corporaand in the records of that town of 1712, three
tion of Carrickfergus
individuals called John Davys are on the rolls of its aldermen and
In 1714, we find John Davys, jun. mayor; in Sept. i7 2 3i
burgesses.
1741, John Davys,
John Davys, sen. an alderman, died in London
5
;

burgess, son of John, died at Carrickfergus.

now return to Captain Hercules Davys, son and heir of the
In 1661 and 1695, he was one of the burgesses in
first noticed John.
Parliament for Carrickfergus, and in the former year he married Lettice,

We

whom he had two

John and Hercules. He was a very loyal man, and in 1689, he
and his son John were attainted by King James's parliament; he died
March 1711. Henry was one of the representatives in parliament for
he
Carrickfergus, in the years 1692, 1703, and 1709, in which last year

youngest daughter of Charles, Viscount Moore, by

sons,

died.

2
3

5
*

Records
Records
Records
Records
Records

of
of
of
of
of

Carrickfergus.
Carrickfergus.. Thurloe's State Papers.
*
Commons' Journals.
Carrickfergus.
MS.
Carrickfergus.
Carrickfergus.
Lodge's Peerage.

473
Hercules, son of Hercules, was father of Arthur, who, in 1709, was
of the county Antrim
in 1713 he sat in parliament for the
corporation of Carrickfergus, as did his uncle John Davys in the same
Tradition
that
year.
says,
they were among the most violent tories of
that day.
Arthur married Catherine, youngest daughter of William,
first viscount Mountjoy, and had issue
William-Henry, Hercules, Mary,
and Anne; he died 1736.'
John, son of captain Hercules, married in 1690, Anne, eldest
daughter of \Vm. second viscount Charlemont, by whom he had seven
He died intestate, in Dublin,
sons, and the same number of daughters.
March i2th, 1743, leaving two sons and four daughters alive, viz.
Charles, James, Sarah, Judith, Alice, and Jane." Charles was for several
years an officer in the army James was comptroller of the ordnance,
and in 1749, married Mary, daughter of \Vm. Pole, Ballyfin. He died
-at Glasnevin in 1761, without issue.
In 1740, Sarah was married to
Thomas O'Callaghan she died in 1745, leaving two sons and two
Alice to
Judith was married to John Tuckey, surgeon
daughters.
Michael Howard, merchant, Dublin Jane died unmarried. 1
The property of John Davys was valued at ^38,080,6.2, but his
widow relinquished her right to administer in favour of her son Charles,
In June
with whom she went to reside at Hampstead, near Dublin.
1755, she died intestate, on which her daughter Alice obtained letters
of administration, and on the ist January, 1757, she and her husband
filed a bill against her brother Charles, to cause him to account for the
assets of her father, with interest, and also for the jointure of her
After
mother, to whom it was alledged he was indebted ^1885.
several answers and rejoinders had passed, in one of which Charles
sheriff

^300 per annum, for the maintenance of his mother, the suit
being likely to be decided against him, In December, 1761, he suddenly
moved the bill to the English House of Peers, which suspended all
In April 1762, the bill,
proceedings in the Irish Court of Chancery.
without anything decisive being affected, was returned, and again
ordered
to take Charles
hancery, and a Pursuivant was
lodged in
charged

(.

into custody, for his neglect in not answering certain interrogatories before said court.
From 1762 to 1768, the proceedings in Chancery were continued
latter year
through all the protracted forms of that court, and in the
Michael and Alice Howard dying, their executors. Sir Annesley Stewart
and Edward Lucas, filed their bill of revivor, but Charles Davys dying
on the gth July, 1769, the case was for some time abated.
his will disinherited his sisters and all their offspring.
Charles

Davys

by

His personal property was admitted

to be

worth .12,185

1221 125. 3^d.

the yearly value of his estate
Dublin,
in the counties of Kildare, Antrim,

He

i$s.

8d. and

devised his estates

and Carrickfergus, to
first and
Cadwallader, Lord Blaney, for life, with remainder to his
other sons and in failure of such issue, his estates in the counties of
Antrim and Carrickfergus, to John Caulfield, and his Dublin and
To Mary
Kildare estates to the Hon. Francis Caulfield for ever.
an annuity of
300, with ^200
Davys, alias, Kelly, his wife, he left
4
executors.
each, to Faithful Fortescue and Adam Noble his
and Charles Lucas, filed a bill
June, 1770, Sir Annesley Stewart,
;

of the said Charles, but

Chancery against the trustees of the estate
widow "(who had married Emanuel Tomasyne), dying in 1774, the
the Hon.
case was again abated. In the following year Edward Lucas,
Francis Caulfield, and Lord Blanoy died.
in

his

1
*

Lodge's Peerage. MS.

MS. Lodge's Peerage.
Case in Chancery.
Case in Chancerv.

474
In 1776, Sir Annesley Stewart again revived the suit against JamesE. Caulfield, Cadwallader Davys, Lord Blaney, and Faithful Fortescue,
and on the ist August, 1777, the Chancellor referred the case to Charles
Walker, master in Chancery July 1784, the master made his report, to
which five objections were taken by Adam Noble, surviving executor of
:

Charles Davys, and Andrew Thomas, Lord Blaney, by his guardians

the Rev. Robert Montgomery, and John Montgomery.
In 1786, the
case was again heard by the Chancellor, who declared, that he did not
think the master warranted to report, specially, as he had done, and
he was ordered to report again upon it. 1
March 1790, the case was heard at the bar of the Irish House of
Lords, after which the lands of the late Charles Davys were confirmed
Andrew
to
Thomas, Lord Blaney. A great part of these lands within
the counties of Antrim and Carrickfergus, have been sold off within
these few years.

Some

account of the

Dalway

-family.

at Carrickfergus from Liverpool, August 2oth,

few
1578, a cornet in the army of Walter Devereux, Earl of [Link] after he married Jane O'Byrne, or O'Bryne, grand-daughter of
Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, and related by the mother to Shane
M' Bryan O'Neill, of the lower Clandebuy. From Shane M' Bryan he
obtained a grant of the greater part of the Tough of Bradenisland,
alias, Brinny-island (Braidisland). and the lands of Kilroot, for which
he was to pay a few cows yearly, during O'Neill's life; and with
to his tenure afterwards there was introduced the following clause
" And after
my decease my heirs shal pay to Shane M' Bryan O'Nei!!,
or his heirs, portionally, according as the rest of the freeholders of the
In Witness
said Shanes Contry shal pay by the acre or estimation.

John Dalway landed

wherof

I have hereunto put my hande,

John Dalli/th Feby. 1591.
waye." 3Leave was also given to cut timber in the woods of Shane
M'Bryan.
In 1595, Shane M'Bryan O'Neil joining in Tyrone's rebellion he
was taken prisoner and confined in the castle of Carrickfergus, where
he died.* Another account says that he was surprised and slain near
5
Ballyhill, by John Dal way's men.
On the death of Shane M'Bryan his estate became forfeited to the
crown, but on the loth of April, 1606, John Dalway obtained from King
James a grant of such lands as he held in right of his contract with
About the same time he purchased from James Hamilton,
O'Neill.
afterwards Lord Clandebuy, the Cynament of Ballynure, and on the 8th
letters
July, 1608, they were with his other possessions, erected by
Liberty was also granted to hold
patent into the manor of Dalway.
a Friday's market, and a fair in each year, at Thomastown (Straid),
within the Cynament of Ballynure.
May 28th, 1609, John Dalway made a fee farm lease for ever, of
the lands of Bradenisland, containing 2870 acres, to William Edmonston,

laird of Duntreath, at the yearly rent of .160 gs. 4d. being one mark
In this deed Edmonston was bound to furnish five
Scotch per acre.
able horsemen, properly equipped, to attend every year, for forty days,
He was also bound to furnish
the general Hastings of the lord deputy.
five davs' labour of his tenants and horses, to draw timber and slates1

Case

in

Chancerv.

MS.
MS.
*MS.

Tradition.

'

MS.

Lodge's Collections.

475
a castle about to be built by John Dahvay, near Ballynure
and
within five years lo build a mansion of " Lyme and stone, covered with
" 1
In the same
slate, which shall cost in the building
300, Sterl
deed twelve acres of land "of good arable, pasture, and meadow," are
"
also granted, for ever, to be annexed
as glebable land to and for the
Parish Church of Templecoran."
By his marrage with Jane O'Byrne he had only one child, Margaret,
for

to John Dobbs
to whom he made a freehold lease
of the lands now called Castle-Dobbs.
In 1613, John Dalway was one
of the representatives in the Irish parliament for the borough of

married about 1603,

Bangor.

On

the death of his first wife he married Jane Ewer, widow of

"
Jane, second wife of Mr.
Captain Norton, but had no issue by her.
unfaithful
to
his
bed,
Dallway, proving
Margaret Dobbs informed her
father of the intrigues of her step-mother," which caused such a breach
between them, that Margaret removed to Dublin, where her husband
3
held a situation in the Treasury.
Her step-mother, fired with an
implacable desire for revenge, prevailed on John Dalway to acknowledge
one Giles Dalway for his brother and also to make a will in favour of
Giles's two sons, both of whom were named John, for the purpose of
obtaining the favour of the old gentleman distinguishing them by the
names of John the elder, and younger. This Giles came to Ballyhill,
about 1599, and said, that he was brother to Captain John Dalway;
but John having no brother when he left home refused to acknowledge
him as a relation, but " gave him a small farm on the mountain above
;

Ballyhill."
In 1618, John Dalway being dangerously ill, expressed a desire to
see and be reconciled to his daughter, but her step-mother prevented

her getting the account till it was too late, as he was speechless when
On his decease the widow and John Dalway, the elder,
she arrived.
kept possession of the mansion house and the estate and a suit being
about to commence for their recovery by John and Margaret Dobbs,
William Edmonston offered to join them in the prosecution of their
of Bradendesign, provided they would confirm to him his bargain
declared
island.
They however considered his deed imperfect, and
"
she would
themselves certain of gaining the suit
Margaret said
lose the Horse or win the saddle," upon which Edmonston attached
himself to John Dalway, the elder, supplied him with money, and, upon
his coming of age a few years after, gave him his daughter Helen in
;

marriage.

law in the King's Bench immediately commenced between

John and Margaret Dobbs claiming the estate by virtue of
a will made by the late John Dalway, March 2oth, 1610, in favour of
and John Dalway, the elder, by a will made the 3ist
their son Foulk
In this suit Edmonston appeared as a
March, the following year.
material witness on behalf of John Dalway, the elder, and the case
for the reserved rents of
being tried by a jury, a verdict was obtained
and William Edmonston was committed till he should pay
the estate
made to the lord
his portion of the rent.
Application was afterwards
who referred the
deputy and council to put the plaintiffs into possession,
matte'r to William Jones, chief justice, Sir Francis Aungier, master of
the Rolls, and Sir Christopher Sibthorp, one of the judges of assize,
who made their award in favour of John and Margaret Dobbs; they

suit at

the parties

to the children of the said

paying yearly, certain sums therein specified

Giles.

MS.
MS.
MS.
'MS.

:!

Commons'

Journals.

On

an order for possession John Dobbs came from

into effect, but the defendants declaring " that they
had not submitted to that reference nor award," he was obliged to
return to Dublin without effecting his purpose. Soon after John Dobbs,
and his son lr oulk, set out for London, where they obtained the King's
letter, for a new grant of the lands of the late John Dalway, but they
were both lost in 1622, on their return off the bar of Chester. MarmaDublin

obtaining

to carry

it

duke Dobbs, nephew

to the late John, was now appointed guardian to

Hercules Dobbs, son of John, then only eight years old; and i 1623-4
in Chancery against John Dalway, the elder, and William
filed a
bill
i

Edmonston, praying that the trial might take place in an indifferent

"
county, as the defendants had
great influence upon the freeholders in
the County of Antrim." This suit not likely to be soon decided, was
the
advice
of
the
lord
chancellor
The
by
again left to reference.
referees were Lord Viscount Clandebuys, and Henry Lord Dockwra,
baron of Kilmore, who were empowered to bind the parties to stand to
their decision.
March gth, 1625, 6, those persons made the following
award
The house and demesne of Ballyhill, and the fee farm rent of
Braidisland, with lands in the libeities of Carrickfergus, were allotted
to John Dalway, the elder. 1
To Hercules Dobbs, the Cynament of
Ballynure, and the lands of Castlc-Dobbs, with the reversion of a
:

tenement

in Carrickfergus.
This award was agreed to, confirmed, and
a decree by the lord chancellor, Adam Loftus, December 4, 1626."
John Dalway, the elder, died 1665, leaving issue Alexander, Archibald, Henry, and Helen, the last of whom was married to Andrew
His widow was married to Col.
Clements, merchant, Carrickfergus.
James Wallace, who commanded the Covenanters at. the battle of the
Pentland Hills, in 1666, for which he was attainted. John Dalway, the
younger, entered into the army, and was afterwards distinguished by
the name of Captain John Dalway. In 1636, he was high sheriff of the

made

county of Antrim. He was married and left several children.''

Alexander married Ann, daughter of John Parks, Carrickfergus
and in 1662, served the office of high sheriff of the county of Antrim.
By his wife he had two sons, John and Robert, and three daughters,
viz. Eleanor, married to Edward Clements, Slraid, Mary to Anthony
Robert married Letitia,
Kerr, and Jane to James Shaw, Dunathie.
daughter of Captain John Dalway. John died Feb. 1687, leaving his
and at the decease of said
estate to his cousin, *Col. Robert Dalway
Robert, to his eldest son Alexander, and in default of issue to Henry,
second son of Robert. Colonel Dalway married first, Mary, daughter
of Sir John Williams, county Kent, widow of Charles, first Lord
Shelburne, and widow of Lieut. -General Henry Conyngham, of Slane.
She died in 1710, and was interred in St. Mary's, Dublin. He had a
second wife who survived him named Lettice.
Of his children, Alexander, Henry, Ann, and Eleanor are mentioned the latter was married
to Andrew Stewart, of the Castlestuart family.- Henry is said to have
married Ann, daughter of Henry Magee, Carrickfergus, who died 1746.
In 1695, Robert was one of the representatives in parliament for the
borough of Antrim, and in 1721, one of the burgesses in parliament for
His son Alexander married Ann Helena,
the borough of Newry.
daughter of Archibald Edmonston, Redhall, and had issue Robert,
Archibald, Elizabeth, Anne, Helena Emily, and Lettice, the last of
whom was married to John Hamilton, Ballyboyh county Cavan. In
1721, Anne was married to the Rev. Samuel Haliday, Belfast; and in
1

1
:f

MS.
MS.
MSS.

Bentham's Baronatage.

* Another account
says his uncle.

.1/S.

477
was married

Elizabeth

i7-.v

same town.

to

On

John

Macartney,

merchant,

of

the death of his first wife in 1694, he married

Feb. 1711, he was again married to Helen,
youngest
of
Sir
It does not appear 'that he
daughter
John Shaw, Greenock.
bad offspring by those marriages. He died in 1718, at which time he
was one of the representatives in parliament for Carrickfergus. l
His eldest son Robert succeeded to the family patrimony.
In
January 1718, he married Mary, daughter of Joseph Marriot, brewer,
Francis-street, Dublin, by which marriage he got some property in the
In 1740, he served the office of high
county and city of Dublin.
sheriff for that county.
By the above marriage he had offspring,
Eleanor died unmarried
Marriot, Ann, Eleanor, and Mata-Hittabella.
;

and

in

Mata-Hittabella was married to Noah Webb, on whose

1791
Wilson.
death she married
Robert, on the decease of his first
wife, in June 1753, married Jane, widow of Gawin Steel, of Craig's
he got a large fortune he had no
with
whom
near
castle,
Ballymena,
His will is dated June ist 1761.
An Alexander
children by her.
Dalway, who is also believed to have been son of Robert, was an

June

army, and was

killed in Scotland, in the rebellion of 1745.'"

of the burgesses in parliament for
and independent
of truly
liberal
He
Carrickfergus.
In
principles, and was much respected by every person who knew him.
17X4, he was one of the representatives for the county of Antrim to the

officer in the

In

1761,

was one
was a man

Marriott

NATIONAL [Link] which met in Dublin. He died March 7, 170^,

He was never married, and bequeathed his property
his 7ist year.
to his nephew Noah Webb, an officer in the Royal Navy, on condition
of his taking the sirname of Dalway.
May 22, 1705, Noah Dalway was
:i

in

married to Eleanor, daughter of the Rev. Con way Bonning. February

in
parliament for
1799, he was chosen one of the representatives
the legislative Union with
Carrickfergus, and most strenuously opposed
Groat Britain. In 1801. he was the first member from that town to the
He died July I7th, 1820, aged 76 years, leaving
Imperial Parliament.
sons and six daughters.
Additional notices of the Dalway family.
The children of Noih Dalway. who was married to Miss Banning:
and
Marriot. married Euphemia, dau. of Thomas Henrv, Esq.. Castledawon,
had issue Marri' t', Robert, and Euphemia (married to Kev Dr. A. L. Lee,
Rector of AhoghilM. Noali, Lieut. K.N., born 30 Ap., 1799. married, in 18-8,
and four daughters). John Bennmg,
Emily Gibbon (and had issue two sons
Henry, born I4'h Dec., 1803.
horn 3rd Dec., 1802. Capt. 2nd Queen's.
1st Gilbert M'llween, Esq
George Montague, born 1810. Anne married
and 2nd George W. Braddell, Esq, Mary Marparet married Joseph Barns,
Ellen married Peter Kirk, E>q.. D.L., M.P., J.P. ; she
K*i., Captain R.A.
Millicent Tane married ist Thomas Milter. Lsq., of
died November. 1853.
H.E.I.C.S. Jane,
second
anH
Philip Fletcher. Esq., Capt.
Carrickfergus.
who married William Duncan Davys Wilson, Esq., died at Easi bourne Ap.,
died
Baldurn
E<q.
Lucy married Henry
1892; be died Xovemlier, 1841.
Marriott Robert Dalway, born
Mahatabella died 22n'1 April, 1815.
1822.
and married in
November i7th, 1832. was educated at Taivin Hall. Chester,
Barnes 61
i8w, to Elizabeth, onlv child of Colonel Andrew Armstrong Mrs. Da
way
sons and one daughter.
Royals, by whom he had issue thr-e
five

of Muckletord, Uorsetsmre.
J.P., late Lieutenant
1

Antrim

Family Papers.
mon's Journals.
2
Family Papers.
3

ny m
Militia,

born

Lodge's Peerage.

Tradition.
Belfast Xeu's-Letter.

-~~
".
2th July, 1861, di

Exshaw's Magazine.

Com-

John, born 22 August, 1865 ;

1873: and Elizabeth, who was
Parish
Church, to Commander
1st, 1881,
Templecorran
Horace Rochfort, R.N., son of Horace Noel Rochfort, Esq., D.L.,
Marriott Robert Dal way, Esq., of Bellahill, and
Clogrenane, Co. Carlow.
Lome, Victoria, Australia, was M.P. for Carrickfergus, 1868 till 1880, J. P.
for Carrickfergus, and J. P. and L).L. for Co. Anirim. High Sheriff for
Carrickfergus, 1859; Chairman of the Municipal Commissioners, 1861-4;
re-elected December, 1873; an Independent Liberal-Conservative; first
elected for Carrickfergus November, 1808; isaJ.P. for South Bailiwick, of

born 26th November,

1862

Andrew Armstrong, born January

I3th,

Robert,

married Dec.

at

Victoria, Australia.

Some account
Robert

of the Ellis family.

in the army, and came to

married a lady of the Norton
of whose brothers had commissions in Queen Elizabeth's

Elice,

Ireland with Sir

or Ellis,

Hugh

was a captain
1

He

Clotworthy.

family, five
2
forces in Ireland.
Additional notes copied from Win. Smith Ellis's "Notices of the Ellises
of England, Scotland, and Ireland."
There can be little doubt that this
Robert Ellis was of the Stoneacre family. The Kentish families of Moore
(afterwards Earls of Dro_;heda), Beresford (Earls of Tyrone), St. Leger,
Norton, and Whyte all went over to Ireland in the reign of Elizabeth,
Thomas Ellis, of Stoneacre, who died 1583, mentions in his will his brotherin-law, Mr. John Whyte, and Robert Ellis might have been his nephew.
In 1601, he resided in Carrickfergus, and in 1606-7, ne obtained
grants, for ever, of two half shares of the Corporation lands, situated
in the Middle Division.
He had three sons, John, Edmund, and Henry
the two last are mentioned as being officers in the army.
Of Henry no
;

farther particulars have been obtained, except that he

3
left several children.

John married Mary, daughter

of

was married and

Arnold Mitchel,

and

his

father

Robert, in 1634, having settled on him his property in Carrickfergus,

he removed from that town soon after, leaving his lands and tenements

These
charge of Richard Kane and John Willoughby, attornies.
worthy guardians immediately transferred his property to one Eccles,
who in 1661, sold the same to captain Solomon Faith, who obtained a
new deed from the Corporation in his own name. In 1664, we find
Andrew Willoughby claiming said lands and tenements in behalf of the
He was informed by the Assembly that the
children of John Ellis.
leases had expired, and that the lands had been granted to others.*
in

1614, Edmond Ellis, son of Robert, was provost-marshal of the

s
a few yea^s after
forces under Sir Henry Dockwra, at Loughfoyle
we find a lieutenant Ellis granted 400 acres of land near Killmacrenan,
In an
county of Donegall, who is alleged to be the same person.
:

"

Edmund
Lord Chichester's property, taken 1621,
Edmond
de la Cane, Gent." appears as one of the jurors.
married Jane Stewart, and had issue Foulk, Edmond, Francis, Anthony,
6
and Henry, all of whom embraced a military life.
On the
Foulk married Margaret Kennedy, but left no issue.
persecution of the Presbyterians of Ulster, by Earl Strafford, in 1638-0,
of
a
he sought refuge in Scotland, where he raised
upwards
company
-of 100 men, who had also been banished from Ireland.
They are
inquisition regarding
Ellis,

2
3

4
5
'

MS.
MS.

of the Rev.

Andrew

Stuart.

Records of Carrickfergus. MS.

Records of Carrickfergus.
Moryson's History of Ireland.
MS.
Pvnner's Survev.

479
"

both resolute and religious." In 1640, \ve find a

captain
Ellis, probably, the same person, commanding a company of Irish
soldiers at \e\vburn, and assisting the Scottish Covenanters in their
invasion of England
and at the same time receiving ^'15 which had
been collected for his support at Stranrawer.
About October, 1641, he
was nominated captain in Sir John Clotworthy's regiment of foot, and
soon after \vas appointed serjeant-major of the same corps. September
:6th, 1642, he made his will at Desertmartin, county of Derry, just
before going into battle, in which he is believed to have fallen. Amongst
his property bequeathed to his wife, and his brothers Edmond and
2
Francis, were the lands of Clough Castle.

-described as

Edmond was also a captain in the regiment of Sir John Clotworthy,

of which he became major.
In November, 1646, he was chosen an
elder of the Presbyterian congregation of Templepatrick 3 and early in
1649, was one of a council of officers assembled at Lisburn, under the
orders of General Monk. In April, this year, he marched from Lisburn
with Glencairn's regiment, to attack General Sir George Munroe, who
had landed from Scotland, and was ravaging the northern part of the
On arriving near Clough he sent a message to
county of Antrim.
Munroe to learn the intention of his coming to Ireland with an armed
force.
Munroe replied, that he merely desired the restoration of lawful
From the smallness
authority, and that he would oppose all sectaries.
of his number, and the irresolution displayed by them, Major Ellis was
obliged to appear satisfied with this vague answer, and returned to his
In June, we find him governor of Carrickfergus,
former quarters. 4
which he was obliged to surrender, as already noticed, page 56, in this
work.
Francis was likewise a captain in the same corps, and in June
1649, commanded the garrison of Antrim, which town he surrendered
on honorable terms, on the 3oth of the same month, to the Lord of
Ards. 5
Vestiges of entrenchments cast up by him at this time remained
on the north side of the town of Antrim till of late years. He married
Ann, sister of Sir Hercules Langford, then an officer in Sir John
viz. Mary,
Clot%vorthy's regiment, by whom he had four daughters,
Mary, the eldest was married to
Ann, Frances, and Susanna.
Thacker. Susanna
Theophilus Burleigh, and their daughter Mary to Mr.
was married to Hercules Clements. On the death of Francis his widow
William
Burleigh, of
was married to William Burleigh, son of Colonel
the same corps, ancestor to William Dobbs Burleigh, Carrickfergus.
She afterwards petitioned the government commissioners for the arrears
Sir John Clotworthy certified that he
of pay due to her late husband.
had laid down his arms at a certain time, and kept out of the way,
The commissioners,
lest he should be imprisoned by the opposite party.
there being allegations
therefore, did not then comply with her request,
;

against him of a different nature."

Of Anthony* no account whatever

Mdair's MS.
2

has

reached

us.

Life of the Rev. John Levingston.

MS
MS.

An Account

of

the

Parish

of

Templepatrick,

by

S.

II.

Stevenson, M.D.
<Adnir's MS.

Montgomery's MS.
MSS. of the Langford Family.
r* Anthony Ellis, with Francis, Edward, and Hercules Ellis, signed
inhabitants of the garrison of Enniskillm tc
address from the officers and
his w,11, made 1745 <he year
WilHam and Mary, 1698. A Hercules Ellis, in
5

"late Captain of Dragoons in the Kegiment

of his death), describes himself as
He lived for several years after he left the army at BallyoJ Lord Rothes.'"
to whom he
the family of "his cousin, Arthur Ellis,"
heady as a member of

480
alledgcd to have passed over to
1044, \ve find an Irish captain

Scotland

named

in

Ellis,

a military capacity.
In
serving with Montrose,

who on the i6th November, was taken prisoner, and carried to Aberdeen.
He was soon after liberated 1 while several officers taken about
the same period were put to death. 2 He was afterwards a
major in the
service of the Commonwealth, and on his
retiring from service, got
3
a debenture for lands in Leinster, which were since sold.
About 1696.
an Edmond Ellis (nephew of Foulk), resided at Brookhill, near Lisburn.
In 1697, we find him one of the executors to the will of the Countess of
Longford, and in the following year high sheriff of the county of
Antrim. He is reputed to have removed to London about 1702. From

him descended

Lady Molesworth, unfortunately burnt to death in

4
London, May 6th, 1763.
son
of
the first noticed Edmond, had issue Henry, Francis,
Henry,
Hercules, and Edward, all of whom were officers in the army or navy.
He had also a daughter Jane, married in 1699, to Richard Joy, Belfast.
In 1689, we find the names of Edward, Francis, Hercules, and Anthony
Ellis, to an address from the officers and inhabitants of the garrison of
Enniskillen to King William and Queen Mary.
From their names
and stations in life, they are alledged to have been of that family of
which we are treating.
Henry, son of Henry, on retiring from a military life married,
July 7th, 1711, Sarah, daughter of Edward Clements, Straid, and
resided many years in Belfast, of which town he was made a burgess
in 1707 and in 1717, 1720, and 1722, served the office of sovereign.
5
In the last of those years he died in office, leaving four sons and two
daughters.
Francis was an officer of Dragoons, and being severely wounded,
He settled at Prospect, near
obtained leave to sell his commission.
Carrickfergus, and married Anne, daughter of the above Edward
On the
Clements, by whom he had two sons, Henry and Hercules.

landed property of considerable value.

Hercules, son of Arthur below,
this period, and was godson of his relative of the same name.
Hercules, in his will, mentions his sisters, Elinor tix Edw. Armstrong, and

left

was born during

Dailies.
Ellis (traditional son of Anthony), of Bally-heady, Co. [Link],
his wife, Jane (whose will is dated 1740), had issue Margery, wife of

Sidney

n.v

Edward

by

Ellis, of Ballyueady, who married Margaret /.art /er, of

Clonanhill (one of the most beauiiful women of Ireland, celebrated by the
barH, Carolan, in his music as "Maggie Lauder," and in honour of whom her
descenden'.s bore and bear the crest of the family a griffin seg>eant), by
whom he had issue Jane Ellis, of Dunbar, Fermanagh, who, in her will, proved
Of these Gore
1792, mentions her brothers, Edward, Hercules, and Gore.
Ellis married Mary, sister of Henry Coddiugton, Esq., of Oldbridge, County

Johnston, and Arthur

Meath, M. A., and Hercules Ellis, who was an officer in the British army at
the conquest of Canada, and married her sister, Frances Codaington, daughter
of Nicholas C. and Anne Tennison, by whom he had issue (l) Rev. Arthur
Ellis, rector of Avdea, Co. Louth (who had a son, Arthur, married to Eliza
Lord) ; (3) Hercules Ellis, Capt. 49th Regt, lost at sea; (4) Dixie Ellis, Capt.
49th Reyt. dead; (5) Henry James Ellis, Capt. 62nd Regt, dead
Nicholas Ellis, of Lisnaroe, Co. Monaghan, living January, 1866.
issue, inter alia, Hercules Ellis, Esq., Barrister-at-Law, of Dublin.]
1

:l

and

(2)

who has

Spalding.
Monteith.

MS.
MS.

The

writer could not trace the descent of Lady Molesworth

he is certain she was not his daughter

from the above person

his grand-daughter.
perhaps,
"

MS.

Records of Belfast.

48 1
death of his first . wife he married Elizabeth
who died
October, 1732; he died February 5th, 1740-1.'
Hercules entered into the Royal Navy, in which service he obtained
a considerable fortune; and on
withdrawing from service retired to
,

Innisrush, county of Derry.

February lath, 1713, he married Mary
Dobbin, Carrickfergus, niece to Captain William Dobbin, of
Moneyglass, and had issue by her Henry and Hercules.
In 1754, Henry was
admitted an alderman of Carrickfergus, and in
he
married
May, 1758^
Elizabeth, only daughter of Dr. John Coleman,
Carrickfergus, and
widow of Dr. Dobbin, Belfast. She died at Innisrush,
July loth, 1794.
Having no offspring at his decease, the family property devolved to
his brother Hercules, of Duneane, who.
May aoth, 1768,' was married
in Crumlin church, county of
Derry to Ann Murray, of Ling, in the
same county, grandchild of the galfant Adam Murray, who so
bravely
2
defended the city of Derry in its ever memorable
siege.
By her he had
issue Henry, James, Hercules, and Mary.
He died at Duneane. April
she died in the city of Derry, December 2oth, 1822',
5th, 1782
aged
70 years.
Henry was an officer of a corps of yeomen, and bravely
di fenoVd thf: village of Randalstown when attacked
the
rebels
on
by
the ~th June, 1798.
He was afterwards a captain in the Londonderry
militia.
April igth, 1829, he died at Innisrush, in his 58th year;
he was married and left several children.
In May, 1789, Mary was
married to James Wilson, Belfast.
on
Edward/"*
quitting the army, settled near Clones, county of
Cavan, where some of his descendants still reside. He is supposed to
have married Mary, daughter of Thomas Whyte, of Redhills, in the
;

same county.

We now
'

Clements.

Henry and Hercules, sons of Francis, by Miss

was a captain in the army, and being acciCarrickfergus when that town was attacked by the French,
return to

The

latter

dentally in
in 1760, gallantly

assisted

in

its

defence.

On

the

reduction

of

the

army in 1763, he returned to his native place, and married Catherine,

widow of the Rev.
Barry, and daughter of Captain Adair, son
of Sir Robert Adair, Ballymena, but had no children.
He was twice
Mayor of Carrickfergus, and paid great attention to the duties of

He died at Prospect, January isth, 1792. Henry, the

his office.
elder brother, who died April 1798, was also several times Mayor of
said town
he married Eleanor, daughter of Waterhouse Crymble, of
;

Clements-hill, by whom he had offspring

and Mar}', who died unmarried. Millicent
:i

Henry,

Millicent, Nancy,
in December,

was married

M.S. Gill's MS.

M.S. Belfast News Letter.
["'Edward Ellis acquired a valuable property about four miles from Clones,
where he built a very handsome house called Farmhill, and where his family
The family became extinct in the male line
resided for some generations.
with the death of Captain Thomas Ellis, 18
(Ex inf. Hercules Ellis, Esq.)
It appears that this Edward Ellis was not the Edward Ellis who mas
married to Mary, daughter of Thomas Whyte, of Redhills, County Cavan,
" Edward Ellis, of Dublin, who died 1773," a son of a Thomas
but another
Ellis, of Monaghan (whose will was proved 1714), by Elizabeth, widow of
1

Whyte."]

late Mrs. Hunt, of Loughanmore, nee Eleanor Margaret Adair,

the Rev. James Hunt, Incumbent of Ahascragh, County Galway,
who died 13th April, 1909, sine frole, was the last of the descendants of
Charles Adair, of Loughanmore, who was married to Millicent Ellis in 1775.
Mrs. Hunt continued to reside at Loughanmore after her marriage, her
husband having taken up his residence there, and left his benefice at
Ahascragh in charge of a curate.
a

The

relict of

482
77Si
Loughanmore, and Nancy was married to the
Rev. Dr. C. Benning.
Henry married Jane, daughter of William Burleigh, Dublin, and by
He married secondly,
her, who died in 1795, he had no surviving issue.
Jane, daughter of James Craig, Carrickfergus, by whom he had one
daughter, Jane.'"
to Charles Adair,

Some account
Robert,
arrived from

the

first

of

this

of the
family

Lyndon
who

family.

settled

at

Carrickfergus,

with Sir Arthur Chichester, probably, in a

A few years after, the names of Roger, Walter,
military capacity.
Hugh, and John Lyndon, appear in the records of Carrickfergus, all
of whom are believed to have been sons of Robert. x
Roger succeeded to the family estate in Carrickfergus he was a
captain in the army, and recorder of that town.
Hugh was collector
of the port of Bangor, county of Down
John was a lawyer, and
In 1665, he was
having obtained a seat on the bench, was knighted.
one of the members in parliament for the borough of Killybegs.
was
a
Roger
very loyal man, and in the rebellion of 1641-2, exerted
himself against the rebels, who in revenge burnt the family mansion,
and every house upon his estate. ~ In 1644, he was mayor of Carrickfergus, and neglected to burn the Covenant, as ordered by the government, was afterwards brought to the bar of the House of Lords upon
his knees, and obliged to give security that he would see the Covenant
burnt.
He died in 1669. a His eldest son was intended for the bar;
he married early in life the daughter of a Dr. Messcarry, and getting
involved in debt, was many years in the king's bench prison. 4
In 1657, Sir John was chosen recorder of Carrickfergus, which
office he resigned in 1698, and his son Edward was elected in his room.
Edward was long one of the burgesses in parliament for Carrickfergus.
He died in 1727, leaving an only son named John. George, son of Sir
Sir John had
John, married Jane, daughter of Adam Molyneux.
also a son of the same name, who being a captain in the army, and
an active and loyal man, was attainted by King James's parliament, in
5
A daughter of Sir John's is said to have been married
May, 1689.
Some descendants of
to
Hall, Mount-hall, county of Down.
the Lyndons, and of that name, reside near Rathfriland.
John, son of Edward, in 1727, was one of the members in
parliament for Carrickfergus; he resided at Glasnevin near Dublin,
where he died, August 231!, 1741-2, and having no issue he bequeathed
his estates to his relation William Lyndon, great-grandson of Captain
6
Roger Lyndon.
Some persons of this family, perhaps sons of George, settled in
In October, 1762,
the counties of Waterford, Wexford, and Dublin.

England

On the death of Mrs. Hunt the Loughanmore estate devolved upon

Major-General Sir William Thompson Adair, K.C. B.
['"Jane Ellis, daughter of Henry (Clements) Ellis by Jane Cra g, was
married firstly to Duncan Wilson, and secondly to Christian William Nicolay.
;

She died
1

187.]

MSS. Records of Carrickfergus.

Commons' Journals.
Records of Carrickfergus.

Gill's

News

Belfast

Letter.
3

Lords' Journals.
Gill's

MS.

MSS.

Records

of

Carrickfergus.

Protestants.
6

Gill's

MSS.

Tradition.

Lodge's

Peerage.

State

of

the

ahcre died in Dublin, John

Lyndon, an officer of the customs.
In
January, 1765, we find John Lyndon, county Waterford, married to Miss
hfford, daughter of William Clifford, same countv
and in 1806,
John Lyndon, a descendant from Roger Lyndon, and heir at law to
the Lyndon estates, resided at Tomduff,
county of Wexford. l
William Lyndon died in London, June,
1803, leaving his estates
:in the
county and city of Dublin, and in the county of the town of
to
the entire disposal of his
Carrickfergus,
daughters Anna and
Helena, both unmarried, with reversion to his relation George Lyndon,
Soon
after
the
Misses
-attorney.
Lyndon gave George Lyndon a letter
of sale, who in 1807, sold the estate in
Carrickfergus to the Marquis
of Downshire,
for
^17,500.
May, 1819, George Lyndon again
advertised these lands for sale, entire or in lots, but no bidders

From

.attended.
.per

this

estate

Helena

annum.
George Lyndon died

receives

Lyndon

nearly

^Jiooo

in Dublin,

September, 1775.
" To the
Tablet in the north gallery of Bromley Church, Kent
memory of Mary Lyndon, youngest daughter of Richard Ashe, Esq., late of
Died 27th June, 1780. InAshfield, in the County of Meath, in Ireland.
terred in the churchyard.
Erected by her husband, William Lyndon."
" The remains of
Tablet in the north aisle, directly under the altar
William Lyndon, Esq., by whom the memory of his deceased wife was commemorated in the above inscription, now lie interred in the same spot. He
was born in Ireland in the year 1710, and died at Chelsea, Middlesex, roth
June, 1803, aged 93 years. Erected by his daughters, Anna and Helen
Lynden. Anna Lynden, died i6th January, 1816, aged 71 years. Helen
Lynden, died in Hollis Street, Cavendish Square, London, December, 1829,
Interred at Bromley."
,aged 84 years.
:

Some
Sir

account of the Clot-worthy -family.

Hugh Clotworthy was, probably,

who arrived from England early

one

.adventurers

in

whom

of
those military
the reign of James

he received the honor of kighthood. He had the charge

stationed at Massereene, to act upon Loughneagh
For this service he was allowed five shillings per
against the rebels.
day for himself, and ten pence per day, each, for eighteen men to be
I.

of

from

armed boats

employed in said boats." In 1618, for his good and faithful services
he had a pension of 6s 8d. per day; and in 1613, 1618, and 1622, he
was high sheriff of the countv of Antrim.
By his wife Mary, daughter
-of Sir Roger Langford, Muckamore, (who died at an advanced age in
and
the
latter settled at Moneyhe
had
two
sons, John
James
1661),
Sir Hugh died February i2th, 1630.*
.more, county of Derry.
Sir John Clotworthy succeeded his father as captain of the
squadron of boats stationed on Loughneagh, and was granted fifteen
and had under his command
shillings per day for his own services,
He was a zealous Presbyterian, and one of the most active
46 men.
and loyal men of the age in which he lived. In 1634, he presented a
:!

petition to the
of episcopacy

Irish

House

of

Commons, praying

for

the abolishing

and under his patronage the Rev. John Ridge, the

Rev. Henry Calvart, and the Rev. Andrew Ferguson, nonconformists,
b
He married Margaret, daughter of Roger first
were settled at Antrim.
Viscount Ranelagh, by whom he had one child Mary, married to Sir
;

Exshaw's Magazine.

-Lodge's
3

Belfast

News

Letter.

Peerage.

MS.

Lodge's Peerage.

Rawdon

Papers.

MS.

Jet-Black,

&c.

Lodge's Peerage.

4 84
In
John Skeffington, Bart, who succeeded to his estates and titles.
1640, Sir John Clotworthy was chosen one of the members in parliament
for the borough of Maiden, in Essex, and was afterwards one of the
1

bringing the Earl of Strafford to the scaffold, who

his family with great indignity.
January, 1638,
Strafford, writing to his patron Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury, says.
"
I have given direction that the Lady Clotworthy shall be convened
before the Court of High Commission, and ere it be long." 2 In 1640,
he was one of the commissioners sent by the English parliament to
Ireland, to receive the sword of state, and garrison of Dublin, from
and the following year he was, with ten other
the Duke of Ormond
members of the House of Commons, accused by the army of high
treason.
On this accusation he went to Holland, and on his return
was permitted to take his seat in parliament, and was one of those
who acknowledged that the concessions made by his Majesty in the
chief persons

in

had previously treated

Wight, were ample and satisfactory on which he was expelled

House by Cromwell, and imprisoned nearly three yeni!.
October, 1649, Sir George Munroe burned his town of Antrim, on:
been fired at from a mount." Antrim is then
pretence "that he had
" famous for
described as a place
godliness," which was countenanced*
by landlord and people.
During those times of confusion the annual stipend received by
Isle of

11

the

the Presbyterian ministers from the state had been unpaid for five
On the liberation of Sir John, in 165:4, he laid their case
years.
before General Fleetwood and the council in Ireland, and so effectually
pleaded their cause that they were not only ordered their former
maintenance, but also restored the tithes of their parishes, along with
4
On the Restoration, which he had been active
their other revenues.
in forwarding, he was admitted a member of his Majesty's privy
council, and on the i2th November, 1660, was created Baron of
Loughneagh, and Viscount Massereene, entailing the honors, in failure
of his issue male, on his son in law Sir John Skeffington, and his
male issue, by the said Mary.
By his interest in 1661, the Rev.
James Cunningham was permitted to preach at Antrim, when alf
Presbyterian ministers were banished the country, by order of the
June a8th, 1665, the town of Antrim was by his interest
bishop.
members to
incorporated a free borough, with liberty to send two
and he was granted leave to enclose 1000 acres of land'

parliament
into a park for deer.
;

his

titles

He died September, 1665. and was succeeded

5
and estates by Sir John Skeffington.

Dobbs family.
who came to Ireland, arrived
Henry Dockwra, to whom he was afterwards

Some account
John Dobbs, the
about

first

with Sir

1596,

in

of the

of this family

deputy, as treasurer for Ulster.

He

married Margaret, only child of

of Ballyhill, by whom he had two sons, Foulk and

latter succeeded to the family property, the elder Foulk,
See
from England.
being lost along with his father on their coming
notice of the Dalway family.
Hercules married Magdalene West, of Ballydougan, county of
son named Richard, who, on the deceaseDown
her he had an

John'Dalway,
Hercules. The

only

by

Lodge's Peerage.

2 Carte.
3

Cox.

Adair's

Straff ord's Letters.

Ludlow's Memoirs.

Lodge's

MS.

MS.
Peerage.

Adair's

MS.

which happened in 1634, was not three months old.

married in London Dorothy, daughter of
Williams, a gentleman of Yorkshire, by whom he had two sons, John,
Richard, and a daughter married to
In 1664, he
Jackson.

of

hi*

father,

Richard

in

served the

1655,

office of

high sheriff of the county of Antrim.

John was designed by his father for the church but being about
1683, taken by his mother to a Quaker meeting held in Carrickfergus,
Tic joined that sect, which so provoked his father, that at his death,
in 1701, he left him only
10 per annum, bequeathing his estate,
;

360 yearly, to his second son Richard. Some time

this event, John went to England and studied physic, and
to
Ireland, settled as a physician at Youghall, but afterwards
returning
removed to Mallow, where he died in 1739, aged 80 years." He
then valued at

Tjefore

married Phoebe Savary, and had offspring Arthur, who died aged 21
married to Jacob Atkins
Elizabeth,
Mary, married to Thomas
Taverner
Patience, married to Joshua Humphreys
Martha, married
to Richard Mountjoy, and Phoebe, who died unmarried. *
Richard, born 1660, married Mary, daughter of Archibald Stewart,
of Ballintoy
by her he had issue Arthur, Richard, Marmadukc, Jane,
and Elizabeth. Jane was married to Edward Brice, Kilroot, Elizabeth
died unmarried.
He resided at Castletown, parish of Ballynure. In
1688, he was one of those who signed the Antrim Association, for
which he was attainted by King James's parliament the following
On the
In 1694, he was high sheriff of the county Antrim. 4
year.
death of his first wife, he married Margaret, daughter of
Clugston, Belfast, and had issue Margaret, married July 7th, 1729,
to George Spaight
Mary, married to Andrew Boyd, Ballymoney
He was
and Ann-Helena, married to William Ker, Ballymena.
a small
He was author of
married a third time; and died in 1711.
"
"A Brief Description of the County of Antrim.''
tract entitled
;

"'

Arthur, who succeeded to the family estate, was born at Girvan,

in Scotland, April 2d, 1689, his mother in consequence of the wars
In 1720 he served the office of high
in Ireland being there a refugee.
He married Anne, daughter of
sheriff of the county of Antrim.
whom
Captain Osburne, Drogheda, and relict of Captain Norbury, by
he got an estate at Timahoe, and had offspring by her, ConwayRichard, Edward-Brice, and Francis, and a daughter who died in

He was for many years one of the

December 27th, 1757.
and was remarkable
representatives in parliament for Carrickfergus,
6
About
for probity in all his dealings, and for his general information.
Boulter to Sir Robert Walpole,
1730, he was recommended by Primate
and soon after was appointed engineer and surveyor-general of Ireland
and on his finishing the new house of parliament in 1741, he was
and attention displayed in
presented with .250, for his great care
About the same period he was also agent to Lord
that service. 7
by means
Conway, and made an ingenious attempt to drain Loughbeg,water
soon
of a wind-mill, to which buckets were attached, but the
8
of
several
He was author
after returned by a subterraneous channel.
Ireland
work? amongst' which were, An Essay on the Trade of
an Accot
the Probability of a North-West Passage to India; and

Belfast,

MS.

4
'

Rutty 's History of the Quakers.

MS.
MS.
MS.

State of the Protestants.

"
* First
M'Donnclls' of Antrim.
published in Hill's
MS. Records of Carrickfergus.
7
Commons' Journals.
Boulter's Letters.
*
An Account of Glenavy, in 1815.

4 86

Middleton's Voyage to Hudson's Bay.

By his advice in
two vessels sailed on discovery, to endeavour to explore a.
north-west passage to India, and during their voyage named a high
point of land on the north-west of Hudson's Bay, Cape Dobbs.
In January, 1753, he was appointed governor of North Carolina,
and on the meeting of the Assembly of that state in 1754, he made an
animated speech to rouse them to a proper sense of their danger, from*
the encroachments made by the French 1 He married a second time inNorth Carolina, but had no offspring by this marriage and died in hi*
government, at Castle-Dobbs, Cape Fear, near Brunswick, sincerely
His lands in that province amounted"
regretted throughout the state.
to near 30,000 acres, which, with his share in the Ohio company, were
of Captain
May, 1741,

lost to his

family.

Richard was several years an officer in the naval service, onquitting which he entered Trinity College, Dublin, and in about three
He is said to have afterwards settled at
years obtained a fellowship.
Lisburn as a physician. The writer has some doubts as to the accuracy
for this part of his information, having reason to suppose that Richard*
was rector of said parish. He has seen a sermon published in 1762,
" A Remarkable Account
by Richard Dobbs, D.D., Lisburn, entitled
He married"
of a Noted Scripture Prophecy;" text, Revelation vi. 2.
daughter of William Young, and widow of Cornet M'Manus.
From him descended the late Richard Dobbs, Dean of Connor, and"
Francis, barrister at law, who, July i~th, 1773 was married to Jane
Francis was author of several works, and was a
Stewart, Ballintoy.
distinguished and eloquent member in the Irish parliament for the
borough of Charlemont.
Conway-Richard was many years one of the representative
burgesses in parliament for Carrickfergus, and was remarkable for his
In 1752, he was
strict attention to the wishes of his constituents.
high sheriff of the county of Antrim. He married first Anne, daughter
of Alexander Stewart, Ballintoy and by her, who died i-ebruary igth,
1765, he had issue Richard Arthur, Alexander, Randal-Conway, Mary,
married to Dean Ryder, and Frances.
His second wife was Charity,,
daughter of Robert Burrows, county Kildare, and widow of Stephen
Rice, of Mount-Rice, same county, by whom he had Edward-Brice,
She died at Castle-Dobbs, November, 1788.
Robert, and Frances.
Edward-Brice was a captain in the army, and was twice mayor of
Robert
Carrickfergus he died at Castle-Dobbs, February 25th, 1803.
entered into holy orders, and in 1798, was married to Miss W. Bristow,
Belfast
he
died
of
William
vicar
of
the
Rev.
Bristow,
daughter
December gth, 1809, aged 38 years. Conway-Richard died in Belfast,
April nth, 1811, and was interred in Ballynure.
,

Belfast News-Letter, No. 1287.

Belfast News-Letter, No. 2914.
t* Richard Dobbs, D.D., was rector of Lisburn, where he died r
May 3rd, 1775, in his Both year. Mary, relict of the said Richard,
died April, 1796, aged 82 years.
Maria, their daughter, was married
she died December i2th, 1815,
to Samuel de la Cherois, Crommelin
1

MS.

aged 57" years. Lieutenant Dobbs, their son, was second in command
Paul Jones. (See
of the
Drake," and was wounded in action against
" Millennium
Dobbs,""
page 93.) Mr. Dobbs was known in his day as
and was one of those who strongly opposed the Union with Great
three
He
laid
down
Writ.
his
on
Britain, basing
Holy
arguments
main propositions first, the speedy advent of the Messiah second, the
and third, that Ireland issigns of His coming and the manner of it
to have the glorious pre-eminence of being the first kingdom to receive
Benn's History of Belfast,
Him. His arguments fell on deaf ears
;

Vol.

ii.,

p.

19.]

48 7

The

following are

some

additional notices

Conway Richard

(died 1811) was succeeded by his son, Richard

Dobbs,
fcsq., of Castle Dobbs; married Nichola, daughter of Richard
Obins, Esq
of Portadown, and had issue
Conway Richard and Archibald Edward
(married in India to Miss

Chapman).

Conway Richard Dobbs, Esq., J.P., D.L., High Sheriff, 1841, and M.P.
l8 3 2 married, first. Charlotte
Mary Sinclair, co-heiress of
.,r
William"c
Sinclair, of Fortwilliam, and had issue one son (M. W. E.
Dobbs)

.Z>

'

and seven daughters.

Olivia Nichola married Sir
James M'Cauley Higginson, and Harriet Sydney married George Duke of Manchester.
Conway
Richard Dobbs married secondly
(1875) Winifred Susanna Morris, and died
March, 1886. His son, Montague William Edward, born 1844,
J.P., D.L.,
High Sheriff County Antiim, died April, 1906, and was succeeded by his
cousin, Archibald Edward Dobbs, M.A., J.P.
Born at Calcutta ; married
Edith Mary, second daughter of the late Sir
James T. Chance, Bart., and has
issue three sons.

Olivia Nichola, Lady Higginson, died

October, 1906, leaving the residue
of her estate to her son,
Captain Conway Richard Dobbs Higginson, Ute of

Dunloskin.
Harriet Sydney, late Dowager-Duchess of Manchester, died
June, 1907,
having had children by both husbands. Her only daughter is Lady Kintore.

DETACHED
No.

"

PAPERS.
I.

Tyrcowiel having given out commissions for above

40,000 men, Cormick O'Neale, of the County Antrim, who, at that time,
had professed himself a Church Papist, was engaged by the Government, to raise a regiment on the confines of Down and Antrim, but the
Protestant gentlemen dissuading him from it, he,
seemingly, submitted
but, as soon as his Lieutenant-Colonel, Felix O'Neale, came into the
raised
their
on
both sides the Ban,
country, they privately
regiment
and immediately marched that part of them, which quartered on this
side the river, to garrison CARRICKFKRGUS; but such as lay on the
other side could not so easily be brought over, for fear of the
Protestants in Antrim; and Cormac O'Neale, for this purpose (about
the beginning of February), attempted, by a stratagem, to make himself
master of Tuam pass (Toome ferry), but his regiment was pursued by
a small detachment of dragoons, and, being totally defeated, the
Protestants built a small fort at the pass, and garrisoned it with 60
men thereby intercepting all correspondence with the Papists beyond
1688-89.

the

Ban."
Of Carrickfergus.

" The
garrison, now, by the accession

O'Neale 's new raised men,

of

Cormac

consisted of 19 companies, besides the

country that daily flocked to the town, as being the only Popish
asylum in those parts. The Protestants began to grow jealous of the
Colonel Edmonston (by
great numbers crowded in that garrison.
command of the council of the Protestants) seized a boat, laden with
provisions, at BroadiSfand, which was intended for my Lord Antrim's
The Earl
private family, and sent it across the bay, to Bangor.
threatened to burn the Colonel's house, but he had secured it with a
also
and Bangor being
threatened, Colonel
garrison of 100 men
Hamilton made the same provision against it. The Earl of Antrim, and
his officers, having proposed a parley, which was agreed to by the
General and his council, met at Belfast, when the Irish, remonstrating
on the unreasonableness of interrupting their provision, and finding the
the
great concourse of people to be the only reasons offered by
;

4 88
Protestants, in excuse for their usage, offered to divide their numbers,
their soldiers might garrison Belfast, or any other
indifferent place
but this proposal was rejected, unless the Earl would
suffer them to be disarmed, which he obstinately refused."
The General Council thinking this compliance of Antrim to hav?
proceeded from a distrust of his strength, resolved on a bold attempt
This design was chiefly
to make themselves masters of the garrison.
promoted by Hamilton, of Tullymore, and countenanced by the

and that some of

;

General.
Mr. Hamilton, of Bangor, was particularly concerned to
forward it and Sir William Franklyn engaged in it but it was opposed
by Sir R. Colvill, Mr. Upton, and most of the country, thinking it
would expose their weakness, and hasten Tyrconnel's forces down on
them.
Having resolved to attack Carrickfcrgus, they resorted to a
Mr. Davis, an inhabitant of the town, whose hospitality
stratagem.
and good humour had rendered him much esteemed by the Popish
officers, was to make them drunk, and make them incapable of their
Circular letters were now despatched from Belfast, to summon
duty.
the country regiments to meet next morning, near Carrickfergus
who,
notwithstanding the short warning, great distance, and winter season,
appeared at the place, to the number of 3,000, having undergone the
The men would
fatigue of a rainy night's march, in very bad way.
now have fallen on the town and, from the effect of H. Davis's
liquor, on the commanders, it is generally believed it might have been
taken, by killing only the sentinels but our General and Council began
fresh consultations, and gave the enemy time to sleep themselves sober,
and to call a council of war, who resolved on a parley with the
besiegers.
Accordingly, Colonel Talbot was sent from the town, to
manage the conference but it plainly appeared their object was only
to discover our strength, and to gain time to prepare for defence
for,
having manned the walls, and lined some hedges without the town,
they took no further notice of the parley, but sallied on the suburbs,
Upon this
killing, plundering, and firing all that lay before them.
violation of the truce, it was purposed that Colonel Talbot should be
secured but he was dismissed with a safe convoy into the town. Our
General and Council now resolved on a general attack though, they
had neither cannon to batter, nor ladders to scale, nor any other
Accordingly, the army divided into
provision, for such an attempt.
several battalions, for a general assault
who, upon the first word of
of
the enemy's cannon, marched up to the very
command, in defiance
walls of the town, which they could have undoubtedly taken, if pikes
and scythes could have prevailed; but, having spent their ammunition,
and experienced the impossibility of the attempt, they were, at last,
but their
obliged to retreat, which they performed with no great loss
preservation was rather due to Providence, and the indiscretion of their
enemies, than to the care or conduct of their General or Council, who,
after they had given orders for the attack, left their soldiers exposed
to the cannon, and retired under the shelter of a barley-field and pigeonhouse, hoping, thereby, to secure themselves from the noise and danger
The news of this retreat having caused a fear at
of the enemy's shot.
headquarters, the General and his Council concluded upon a parley
and, being resolved it should end in peace, the soldiers wer^ commanded to their former quarters. In this conjuncture, it was thought
the town might have proposed their own terms: but Colonel Talbot.
being willing to return the civilities lately received, onlv insisted noon
the same proposals that had been formerly made by the Earl of
Antrim, and desired that a cessation might be punctually observed, on
both sides, till such time as fresh supplies should be sent from Dublin.
The General and his Council facing their ill success with their pretended advantages, they boasted to have gained upon the parley,
The evil consereturned, as it were in triumph, to Hillsborotigh.
quence that followed this defeat, at Carrickfergtis, so far encouraged
;

489
the Irish, that they immediately ventured upon public acts of hostility
plundering the Protestant houses at noon-day, and massacreing such
as they thought would have opposed their villanies and the Protestant
soldiers, so far discouraged by their ill success, for ever after entertained so mean an opinion of their General and Council, that, for the
future, they never yielded an exact obedience to their commander."
This Genera! was Hughj second Earl of Mount-Alexander. .4 Faithful
;

History of the Northern Affairs.

Upon this defeat, at Carrickfergus, there arrived a packet of
declarations, directed to the General and Council, at Hillsborough,
requiring all the Irish to lay down their arms, by the loth of April
and, at the same time, King William and Queen Mary were proclaimed.
Tyrconnel now began to prepare for an expedition to the North, sent
part of the provisions, for his army, to Carrickfergus by sea. One of
his ships, laden with biscuit, was driven into Dundrum, and seized by
"
Some Reflections
the Protestant garrison. Ibid. In a tract, entitled,
on the Faithful History." the articles of cessation are given at large,
Antrim,
signed, Henry Davis, Richard Johnson, Clotworthy Upton
Cormac O'Nenle, Marke Talbot the last was a natural son of the
Duke of Tyrconnel. When the town was besieged, by Duke Schomberg's army, the garrison consisted of the regiment of Mac Carty
More, and 9 companies of Colonel Cormac O'Neale's regiment. This
Tract was printed by Alderman James Malone Dublin, 1689.
;

A
the

correct

following

ment

list

of the Candidates, and number

contested

Elections,

Upton,
Mariott Dalway,
Hon. Arthur Barry,*

Dalway,

1784,

Ezekiel D. Wilson,
523
James Craig.
363
1802, Lord Spencer S. Chichester,
381
Ezekiel D. Wilson,
270
359
1807, James Craig,
Edward May, jun.
318
363
1807, James Craig,
Edward May, jun.
321
Arthur
Chichester,
460
1812.
Ezekiel D. Wilson.
406
A.
Lord
311
Hill.H
George
1830,
Lord Marcus Hill,
241
Charles Adair.
198
Sir Arthur Chichester,
46
495
1832, Conway R. Dobbs.H
Sir Arthur Chichester, 447

333

Waddel Cunningham,
Hon. Joseph Hewit,

1785, Ezekiel

D. Wilson, t

Waddel Cunningham,
D. Wilson,
Alexander Hamilton,

468
329
464
79

401
365

1790, Ezekiel

Brice.J

617
368

Francis Dobbs,

55

Edward

Chi-

192

Edward Smyth,
Conway R. Dobbs,
Barry Yelverton,
Mariott Dalway,

S.

170

Hon. John Chichester, 392

Mariott

Lord Spencer

441
341

Conway R. Dobbs,
1776,

of votes for each, at

serve in Parlia-

Burgesses to

1761, Arthur

1768,

for

chester,

James

Wills,

61

this period, it was usual for the Candidates to issue tickets

issued
for certain sums, to be paid on demand, to the freemen. Those
on this occasion, by the Hon. Arthur, were for one guinea; those of
Mr. Upton, for 55. ; and those of Mr. Dalway, for 5*.

*At

tAt

this

election,

an objection

was taken against the votes of

had been
because

they
Henry Joy and George Black, Burgesses;
in the open Court,
.admitted Burgesses in the Market-house, and not
" as had been the ancient usage." At the same election, an objection

James Gordon, a freeman, because that

a Papist."
+
Of 54 freemen who presented a memorial to Mr. Bnce, to stana
him with H
forward as a candidate, and that they would support
votes and interest, 10 polled against him

was taken against

"

he was married

the vote of

to

490
l8 33

June 4th, Mr. O'Connell brought in a Bill for the disfranchiseread, and ordered to be read a second

ment of the Borough, which was then

time on the 3d of July.

On

7th of June, a meeting of the electors of the Borough was held

for the purpose of preparing a Petition to the House
of Commons, against its disfranchisement.
petition was here read which
had been forwarded from London, by John Wallace, solicitor, in order to be
and
which had been already signed by sixteen electors. Afier some
signed,
confusion, this Petition was rejected and torn, because it acknowledged the
of
the Freemen, and prayed that the rights of all other classes of
corruption
Electors should be preserved.
It was afterwards purposed, that a Petition in
in the

the

Market-House,

This election was remarkable for corruption during which, three

persons died from an immoderate use of ardent spirits.
On the evening of the first day of this election, Sir Arthur
declined the contest, and his friends set up Mr. Adair
and, on the
following day, Lord Marcus Hill was put forward as a candidate, by
the friends of Lord George Hill.
On the latter being returned, a
petition was preferred against him, on the. grounds of bribery and corruption, and also, that he was "not a burgess of this Corporation."
From an informality in the preamble to this petition, it was thrown out
by the Committee appointed to try its merits.
If On the fifth day of this election, Sir Arthur Chichester did not
appear in Court, and very few of his friends polled it was, however,
known on the previous day, that, in the course of this evening, a new
candidate would appear, on the same interest as Sir Arthur.
A
little before the hour of finally closing the Court, and after proclamation had been made to that effect, Sir Stephen May proposed himself as
a Candidate, on which James Wills, Esq., was proposed and seconded
by the opposite party, and six persons polled for him, on which ihe
usual hour having elapsed for closing the Court, it was finally closed.
A petition was presented against the return of Mr. Dobbs. This
petition was signed by Edward Chichester, Samuel Arrot, Robert
Gamble, Charles Seeds, and William Walker the four first belonging
After an investigation of several
to Belfast, the latter to Carrickfergus.
days, before a Committee, of which Daniel O'Connell, was Chairman,
Mr. Dobbs resigned, and the election was declared null and void.
;

II

Fifty-three persons were summoned to London upon this occasion, most

It is believed, that the total expense of this
of whom were volunteers.
suit, and the previous election, could not have cost the parties less than

;lO,000.

From the testimony of several witnesses examined, it appeared that

an almost general system of bribery had been practised during the late
election, and that the prices given for votes varied from five"~to twenty
pounds; and that alLthe public houses in the place were kepj open for
One witness acthe friends of either one candidate or an other.
knowledged his having received between 13 and ^1400, for electioneering
purposes,
500 of which was furnished by a Club in Dublin, called
An agent for Sir Arthur Chichester stated,
the Conservative Society.
and that he had, formerly,
that he "had bribed several hundreds,
offered ^700 for a batch of about 40 votes, which sum was however
1 '

refused.

The Committee of the House, in their Report, recommended, that

no writ for a new election should be issued by the Speaker for one
month and that, in the mean time, measures might be taken either to
alter the constituency of the Borough, or towards its total disfran;

chisemenl.

At present. May, 1833, the number of electors stand as follows

Freemen, 918; freeholders, 23; leaseholders, 5; house and landholders,
:

106

rent chargers,

Total, 1062.

support of the claims of all the Electors should be forwarded to Parliament,

signed by those who had neither received, nor been promised money at the
late election
this being agreed to, the
petition was numerously signed !
About the same time, a Petition from the Mayor, Sherifts, Aldermen,
and Burgesses, was presented to the House by Lord Belfast,
praying that the
Borough might not be disfranchised. In the mean time a select Committee
" to
of 15 members of the House was appointed to meet on the
3d of July,
make further inquiry into the proceedings of the last and former Elections for
the Borough of Carrickfergus, and into the state of the
Population, and
other circumstances of the said Borough ; with a view to the propriety of its
being represented in Parliament." One of this Committee was Daniel
O'Connell, Esq., who had been Chairman of the former Committee, and was
now put forward to reverse his former decision !
On this Committee being assembled, Mr. Lafroy, one of the members,
purposed, that the Freemen should be disfranchised, and all the other classe
of the Electors preserved.
This proposal was objected to by Mr. O'Connell
and the major part of the Commiitee, who proceeded to examine evidence.
After fifteen witnesses had been examined, all of whom agreed that there was
a constituency of about 500 Electors besides the Freemen, who had neither
received nor been promised bribes
yet the Committee decided, that the
said county of the town of Carrickfergus, " should be added to the county of
Antrim, so as to enable Freeholders and Leaseholders, with a beneficial
JO a year, or upwards, to vote at the future elections of the
interest of
members for the said county of Antrim." However, on the iyth of same
month, Peter Kirk, Esq., in his Petition to the House, prayed to be heard by
The second
council at the bar against this decision, which was granted.
reading of the bill for the disfranchisement, had been previously adjourned
to the 23d, and afterwards to the agth of July, when Mr. O'Connell [Link],
that the second reading should be postponed for three months, and the
issuing of the writ of electicn suspended for fourteen days after the meeting
of next session of Parliament, which was agreed to.
In the interim, on the i8th of January, an Assembly of the Corporation
was held, who voted ^400 to be paid out of the rents of the Corporation, to
defend the Franchises of the Borough ; and at their meeting of the 8th of
February, they appointed Messrs. Joseph Macartney and David Legg, solici:

On the 22d of same

proceed to London on their behalf.
month, a meeting of the Freemen was held, in order to take into consideration some measures against their disfranchisement, when a petition that had
been prepared to be forwarded to the House of Commons, was signed by about
in this
forty persons ; no greater number appearing to interest themselves
tors, their agents, to

affair.

On the meeting of Parliament, Mr. O'Connell gave notice, that he would

and on the
bring in a bill for the proposed disfranchisement of the Borough ;
ilth February, 1834, leave was given by him to that effect ; which bill was
read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time on the 5th of March.
a petition
February 25th, James E. Tennant, Esq., presented to the House,
from Carrickfergus against the disfranchisement of the Borough, and praying
He also gave notice, that on
to be heard by council at the bar of the House.
the 27th, he would move that the Corporation of Carrickfergus be heard as
above ; and that the Freemen be disqualified to vote at elections for
members of Parliament. On the 22d of March, Mr. Tennant obtained leave
former
for a Committee to meet on the I5th of April, for the examination of
deem it necessary.
evidence, and to call upon other evidence, if they should
The appointment of this Committee was afterwards adjourned to the 9th of
it was, on the motion of
May, and again until the gth of June, on which day
Mr. O'Connell, postponed to the 5th day of the meeting of the nextsession
to the
of Parliament and afterwards on the motion of Lord Althorp, put oft
;

28th of February, 1835.

In the meantime, the ministry being suddenly dismissed, the Parhamei
new
was rather unexpectedly dissolved on the 29th of December ; the

492
Parliament to assemble on the igth of February, 1835. On the 3d of-January,
the writ for holding an election for a Burgess to serve in Parliament, was
received ; and the loth was appointed for the day of election, wherrl'eter
Kirk, Esq., was chosen without opposition.
[Carrickfergus was disfranchised January, 1884.]

ALDERMEN AND BURGESSES OF CARRICKFERGUS,

IN

1748.

ALDERMEN.
Earl of Donegall,
Francis Clements,

\VilIoughby Chaplin,
George Spaight,
Valentine Jones,
Henry, son of Francis
Arthur Chichcster,
Francis Price,

Arthur Dobbs,
Rigby Dobbin,

Henry

Gill,

Con way R. Dobbs,

Francis Lord Con way,
Hon. Henry Conway,
Edward Brice,

Ellis,

Waterhouse Crymble,
Henry, son of Hercules

Ellis.

BURGESSES.
Nathaniel Byrt,
Edward Morrison,
Hon. Arthur Hill,

Hercules Davys,

William Magee,
Hill Wilson,
Charles Macartney,
Margretson Saunders,
Arthur Byrt,

William Lyndon,
Richard Chaplin,
Hercules Clements,

Henry Burleigh,

<jeorge Fortes,
Edward Jones,
Samuel Close,

Edward Dobbs,
Robert Maxwell,
William Macartney,
Arthur Barry,
Lord Hillsborough.

William Brow n,
Davys Wilson,
7

Ezekiel Wilson,

ALDERMEN AND BURGESSES,

IN

1833.

ALDERMEN.
Marquis of Donegall,
Arthur Chichester,
Lord Blaney,

~*Sir

^Thomas
Thomas

B. Adair,
L. Stewart,

...Orrncau,
...Belfast,

...Castlcblaney,

...Loughanmorc,
...Belfast,

September 17, 1792.

September n, iSoi.
August
30, 1802.
August
30, 1802.
1811.
i,
February

~*George Bristow,
'Thomas Vcrner,

...Belfast,

April

22,

1811.

...

22,

*Rev. Samuel Smyth,

Lord Belfast,

...Carnmoncy,

4,

1814.
1820.

4,

1820.

"*Sir

...Belfast,
...Florida,

September
January
January
September
September

29,

1821.

26,

1822

April

19,

1824.

April

19,

1824.

September
September
August
August

26,

1825.

26,

1825.

27,

1831.

27,

1831.

Stephen May,
*David Gordon, elect,

...London,

M. Skinner,
...Belfast,
~*Rev. Lord Edward Chichester, Dublin,
Rev. John Dobbs,
...Carrickfergus,

"*Cortland

"*Joseph Macartney,

...Belfast,

Peter Kirk,
~*Hcnry Adair,

...Carrickfergus,

...Loughanmorc,

493
BURGESSES.
...Lisburn,

494

"WILLOUGHBY CHAPLAIN,

MAYOR.

SHERIFFS.

RICHARD CHAPLIN,

EZEKIEL WILSON.

GRAND JURORS.
Henry Burleigh,
David Legg,
Randal Wilson,

William M'llnea,

Andrew Reynolds,

Edward Dawson,

William Jones,
Alexander M'Dowell,

William Wilkison,

Francis Blakney,
John Morrison,

James Hamill,
James Cobham,

John Blair,
James Taylor,

James Magill,

Hugh

Lappin.

"January

list,

1754."

At a General Assembly of the several Incorporated Societies of ihe

of Carrickfergus, held in the Tholsel of the said Town, on
Monday, the 2ist January, 1754, it was unanimously agreed, that an
address of thanks be drawn up, and sent to ARTHUR UPTON, Esq., one
of the Representatives in Parliament, for said Town, and the same was
drawn and agreed to, as follows

Town

"To ARTHUR UPTON,

ESQ., M.P.

4<

SIR,
We, the Masters and Wardens, of the Incorporated Societies
of the ancient and loyal Corporation of Carrickfergus, in Common Hall
assembled, beg leave to express our grateful acknowledgments, and
the high sense we have, of your behaviour in parliament.
"
To find a Representative ever watchful over, and studiously
careful of the liberties and privileges of the People, whom no undue
influence can move, no menace awe, nor ambitious views seduce, must
always give the highest satisfaction and certain security, to his constituents in particular, as well as to the Kingdom in general
and, we
congratulate ourselves upon our judicious choice of you, Sir, endowed
with all the qualifications necessary to form and complete the honest
:

and unbiassed Irishman.

" While his
Majesty's mild Government (which God long preserve)
and your known
we always shall esteem ourselves secure
lasts,
attachments to his sacred person, and the best of Constitutions, render
us easy and happy, and only leave us, thus, to express our obligations
to you, Sir, and our ardent prayers that you may long live an honour
for
to your country, and the pride and safety of your constituents
whom we subscribe ourselves, Sir, your assured friends and humble
Patriot,

servants.

"

CORPORATION OF WEAVERS.
Hugh Murphy and James

James M'llwean, Master

Catters,

Wardens.

CORPORATION OF TAYLORS.
John Hood, Master

John Ravenhill and John

Price,

Wardens.

CORPORATION OF BUTCHERS.
Francis Bleackley, Master

Alexander Veacock and John Miller,

Wardens.

CORPORATION OF CORDWAINERS.
Edward Dawson, Master

John Davison and Andrew M'Dowell,

Wardens.

CORPORATION OF HAMMERMEN.
William Thompson and William Pickin,
Wardens.
That Mr. James M'llwcan do transmit this Address

William Douglass, Master

"
to Mr.

Ordered,

UPTON.

By Order,

" CHARLES

MAKEPEACE,

Clcrl;."

495
"

COURT-HOUSE, [Link], Nov. 4, 1779.

At an Assembly of the
Mayor, Recorder, Sheriffs, Aldermen Burgesses and freemen of the County of the Town
of Carrickfergus.
the following Address and Instructions -were
unanimously agreed
on
"

To

CONWAY RICHD. DOBBS

AND

BARRY YELVERTOX,

ESQRS.

"

Representatives in Parliament for the County of the

Town

of Carrick-

fergus.
GENTLEMEN, Perfectly convinced of your integrity, and
entirely approving of your conduct, we have hitherto found* it unnecessary 10
advise or instruct you; but, when the time is
which
from its
come,
importance, calls into action the mind of every member ot the community, we should be much wanting to ourselves, and without excuse to
posterity, did we not record in our annals, and, as such,
publicly
declare to you the sentiments of free
minds, loaded with unmerited and

"

unremitting
oppressions.
"
The restraints, long since, unconstitutionally
imposed upon our
national industry and commerce,
by a sister nation, and still continued,
to
the
interest
of
the
contrary
general
empire at large, after having, in
their consequences, enabled France to rival Great Britain in the
Woollen
Trade, have their final effect in reducing this country to that deplorable
state of poverty, which has been
the
lately acknowledged by
Crown, in
the person of our present
worthy Chief Governor, unanimously proclaimed to the Throne by both Houses of Parliament,
severely felt in
the person of every individual, and as
severely in the person of an
all-gracious King, by the mortifying, but unadvoidable necessity he was
lately under, of resorting to the coffers of another state for that very
money which his Irish Parliament assured him of finding in the Irish

Revenue.
"

We are, therefore, confident, that if a FREE TRADE, the only expedient left to avert the impending ruin of the country, depended upon
the goodness and wisdom of the King, and Parliament of Ireland, that
event would immediately take place.
But, however unconstitutionally
the present restraints upon our trade were originally imposed, and however well-inclined his Majesty is to abolish them, as repugnant to
justice and good policy, we fear he cannot effect these wise purposes
without the consent of the British Parliament, a body, to whose powers
we are no strangers, but with whose justice we are totally unacquainted;
and we likewise fear, that the consent of the British Parliament
depends upon the humour of the British Minister, a character yet
unknown in the confidence or gratitude of this country.
" These
circumstances, Gentlemen, are, in our opinion, productive
of mischiefs, which can only be guarded against and prevented by the
The sense of the British Senate
suspicion and firmness of Parliament.
upon the present important object, cannot be known until after the
usual time of granting the supplies in this Kingdom shall have elapsed
and the supplies once granted, an untimely prorogation, or the offer of
an admissible system of redress may for ever defeat the present most
;

towards this Kingdom.

of his
gracious
" In purposetherefore,Majesty
that an end may not be put to the present
order,
of this unhappy country be finally
the
fate
until
Session of Parliament,
decided upon, we expect, and do, for the first time insist, that you will not
suffer any new tax, whatsoever, to take place, even for an hour, nor consent
to the continuation of the present taxes, for any time longer than si.v months ;
to the end, that if, by the expiration of that period, the present restraints on
our trade be not removed, you will then, as of necessity you must, regulate
the expense of this forlorn state, through no other medium than the ability of
in order, if for no other purpose than the honour of the nation,
the People
;

496
the only thing she has left to boast of, may not be a second time degraded,
and the King a second time insulted, by grants from his Irish Commons, of
money, which, when wanted, he may find himself obliged to raise upon his
own private credit with the British Treasury. In testimony whereof, we
have hereunto affixed our Seal of office of Mayoralty, the day and year above
written.

Signed by Order,

"DANIEL KIRK, Town

Cletk.'*

"TO THE

MAYOR, SHERIFFS, ALDERMEN, BURGESSES, AND FREEMEN,

"Of
"

the County of the

Town

of Carrickfergus.

WE return

you our warmest thanks for the approbation you are pleased toexpress of our past conduct in Parliament ; and, as your sentiments so
perfectly coincide with our own, we trust that the spirit of just indignation
with which your ancient and loyal Corporation is animated, will not be dishonoured by our future exertions.
" We are
deeply sensible of the impoverished state to which this Kingdom is reduced, by restraints upon its commerce, with as little regard to the
Constitution of Ireland, as to the general interests of the empire.
"
feel, as Irishmen, the mortifying necessity which his Majesty wasunder, of resorting to his private credit with the Treasury of another State,
for that support which he would have found in Irish Revenue, had the justice
of Great Britain been equal to the generosity of this country ; and, you may
believe, we shall be anxious to prevent a repetition of the insult.
"
are convinced that we have no other pledge remaining, wherewiih
we can negotiate for the restitution of our natural, as well as constitutional
rights, except the money of the people, of which the Representatives are only
the trustees.
'
You may, therefore, rest assured, that we shall pay the strictest
attention to the measures which you so properly recommend to us, to the end,
that when the time of six months shall
e expired, we may either add to the
grants, if our abilities shall be enlarged, or if that illiberal policy to which the
prosperity of millions of the faithful subjects of this country have been
hitherto sacrificed, shall be any longer continued, we may retrench establishments too burthensome to be endured, and, in every department of the State r
reduce our expenses t the measure of our means.
"
have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
" Your most faithful and obedient
servants,

We

We

We

"CONWAY RICHARD
"

1779.

DOKBS,.

BARRY YELVERTON."

This day, November 5th, Barry Yelverton, Esq., Recorder of the

County of the Town of Carrickfergus, waited upon Walter Burgh, Esq., with
the freedom of that Corporation in a gold box
and, at the same time,
presented him the following Address
;

" His

"To THE RIGHT HON. WALTER BURGH,

ESQ.,

Majesty's late Prime Sergeant at Law, and one of the Representativesin Parliament lor the University of Dublin.
"
SIR,
Considering ourselves, from the idea of aggregate representation, in
the number of your constituents, and living in an age when the ruling passion
of almost every gentleman is either avarice or ambition, we cannot too much
admire, or too highly applaud, the manly sacrifice you have made of rank and
emoluments, to the service of your country.
"This singular instance of exalted patriotism, while it gains you the
heart of every constituent, is rendered still more meritorious, by the example

497
which

holds out to every Representative, that there are times and occasions
when private considerations, however plausible or alluring, should
yield to
public duty ; and, by the proof which it affords, that corruption alone first
introduced, and still continues the distinction between the truly faithful
servant of the Crown, and the inflexibly honest
representation of the People.
"
have taken, Sir, the earliest opportunity of giving to
your merit the
highest testimony of our gratitude and approbation, by placing you with our
own worthy and upright Representation, among the free electors of one of the
m^st ancient, loyal, and Independent Corporations in the
kingdom of
Ireland."
it

We

"

TO THIS ADDRESS MR. BURGH RETURNED THE FOLLOWING ANSWER.

GENTLEMEN, I am happy, beyond expression, to find my public conduct
warmlv approved of by a

so

society of men, that has, at every important

been so eminently distinguished for the soundest
and patriotism.
principles,
" I receive with
pride and gratitude, the honour that you are pleased to
confer upon me, by placing me with your own representatives (worthy and
upright ones indeed) among the free electors of your most ancient, loyal, and
Independent Corporation."

of our

period

history,

and noblest

efforts of loyalty

"COUNTY OF THE TOWN OF CARRICKFERGUS.

" In
consequence of a requisition to us, signed by the Mayor, Aldermen,
Burgesses, and a number of respectible Freeholders and Freemen of this
for calling a meeting of the same, to take into consideration the
propriety of acceding to the Resolutions entered into at Dungannon, on the
8ih day of September last, relative to a more equal representation of the
People in Parliament and, also, of sending instructions to our Representatives on the same subject, a meeting of the County was, this day, held at
the Courthouse, when the following resolutions were entered into

County,

"

That we most heartily approve of, and

accede to, the Resolutions entered into at Dungannon, on the 8th day of
September la^t, and adopt them as our own ; and solemnly pledge ourselves
to each other and our country, to give every constitutional aid and support in
bur power, to have the same carried into speedy effect.
" 2. Resolved
unanimously, That as the first necessary step towards the
same, we do, by the hands of our Sheriffs, send the following instructions to
Resolved unanimously,

i.

our Representatives in Parliament

"TO THE

RIGHT HON. BARRY YELVERTON AND CONWAY RICHARD

"
'

WE.

to,

and

DOBBS, ESQS.
of the
Rep-esentatives in Parliament for the County

Town

of

Carrickfergus.
of oui having, this day, acceded
your Constituents, in consequence
into at Dungannon, on
adopted as our own, the Resolutions entered

the 8th day of September last, wi'h full confidence in your tried integrity, do
aid and support in your power,
hereby instruct and request you, to give every
to the
in Parliament, to have the same carried into speedy effect, agreeable
welfare of the People.
That the above be published in the Dublin
"3. Resolved unanimously,
the answers of our
Evening Post, and the Belfast Newspapers ; and, also,

Representatives

when

received.

" THOMAS KIRK,

\ rj,,,.-ff.
" ROBERT CLEMENTS, f J
"
That the thanks of this meeting be given
4. Resolved unanimously,
with our
to our Sheriffs, for their readiness and punctuality in complying
in the chair, to-day.
requisition, and their very proper conduct

"JOHN MOORE.

"

Carrickfergus, Nov.

33

3,

1783."

" TO THE

MAYOR, ALDERMEN, BURGESSES, FREEMEN, AND FREE-

HOLDERS

" Of the
County of the Town of Carrickfergus.
"GENTLEMEN, I have received your instructions, and assure you it will
give me a particular pleasure, if, upon the discussion of the important
question which you recommend to my attention, I shall be able to reconcile
your wishes to the general interests of the kingdom.
" I have the
honour, to be,
" Your most faithful andGentlemen,
obedient humble servant,
'

"JVov.

8,

BARRY YELVERTON.

1783."

"TO THE

MAYOR, ALDERMEN, BURGESSES, FREEMEN, AND FREE" Of

HOLDERS

County of the Town of Carrickfergus.

"
GENTLEMEN, I have received your instructions, and shall always be
happy to communicate with you on any subject of importance which may
the

occur in the discharge of

my duty in Parliament.
brg leave to assure you, that I shall most willingly support any plan
of Parliamentary Reform, submitted to the House of Commons, which may
appear to be such as will answer the great object you have in view, the
"

preservation of our excellent Constitution in

" I have the honour to
be, Gentlemen,

" Your most obedient and

"

Dublin, Nov.

8,

its

faithful

native vigour

humble

and

purity.

servant,

" CON WAY RICHARD DOBBS.

1783."

"

WE, the Grand Jury of the County of the Town of Carrickfergus, convened
at Summer Assizes, 1784, have agreed to the following Resolutions
:

"

That when questions of such political magnitude and

Resolved,
importance as a Reform of Parliamentary Representation, and the right of
suffrage, are publicly agitated, it becomes the duty of good subjects, after
due deliberation, to make their sentiments publicly known.
"Resolved, That the inequality of the present state of Representation
in Ireland, makes a Reform thereof necessary and desirable.
"
Resolved, That the remedy of an evil which time and habit have in
some measure made congenial to the Constitution, should be digested with
wisdom, conducted with prudence, and adopted with caution and temper.
"
Resolved, That a permanent, safe, and effectual remedy can only be
obtained through the channel pointed out by the Constitution for redress of
grievances ; and, that we have entire confidence in the wisdom of our most
gracious Sovereign, and of our Parliament, to form an adequate provision for
[ This resolution agreed to : six dissentients
effecting this salutary measure.
to the latter part of tf.]
"
Resolved, That we consider all attempts to accomplish this object by
means of congresses or assemblies, not recognized bv the laws, as unconstitutional and dangerous, and as having a necessary tendency to retard and
defeat the purposes for which they are designed.
\This resolution agreed to :
seven dissentients.}
"
That as every constitutional means should be used to proResolved,
mote a measure of such public utility, so we must disapprove of the tumults

and outrages which have lately prevailed in the capital, as tending to obstruct
and frustrate a measure, practicable only by peaceableness and moderation.
"Resolved, That while we feel the warmest sentiments of regard and
cordiality for our fellow-subjects of the Roman Catholic persuasion, and
heartily approve of their dutiful and peaceable demeanour, we must, at the

499
same

time, declare our decided opinion, that the extension of the

richt of
suffrage to them, at present would be attended with
many evil consequences
the end, be subversive of that
and,
liberty which it proposes to diffuse
I Ik is resolution agreed to : only one

dissentient.]

"

Resolved. That our thanks be returned to the

Sheriffs, Robert
Clements and Thomas Kirk, Esqrs., for the
propriety of their conduct, in the
answer they gave to the aggregate
at
Dublin.
meeting
" Resolved
That these resolutions be printed in The Belfast NewsLetter and The Dublin
Evening Post.

"

CONWAY RICHARD DOBBS, Foreman

"'John Moore,
John Kirk,
William Kirk,
Stephen Rice,
Francis Shaw,
Edward Craig,

Charles Crymble,
Thomas Legg,
Henry Bryan,
Robert Morrison,
David Kirk,
William Clements,

John Frazer,
Robert M'Gown,
Daniel M'Kay,
Robert Catherwood,

John Bowman."

On His Majesty's visit to Ireland, in August, 1821, the following Address

from Carrickfergus was presented to His Majesty
:

"TO THE

KING'S

MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY (GEORGE

IV.)
your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Mayor, Sheriffs, and
Recorder, Aldermen, Burgesses, Freemen, and other Inhabitants of the Town
and Corporation of Carrickfergus, and its vicinity, humbly app:oach the
throne, to offer our sincere expressions of joy and gratitude on your Majesty's
gracious visit to this part of your Majesty's dominions.
" At a time when all ranks of
your Majesty's Irish subjects emulate each

"

WE,

other, in showing their unshaken loyally, we humbly entreat your Majesty to

believe, that we give place to none, in our devotion and unalterable attachment to your Royal person.
"
Highly sensible of the many invaluable blessings we enjoy under your

Majesty's mild and equitable government, and grateful for former Royal
favours, it is our fevent wish and prayer, that your Majesty may long continue to reign upon the throne of this kingdom, and in the hearts of a loyal,
faithful,

and united People."

5co

APPENDIX,

1909.

AN APPRECIATION.
To THE MEMORY OF SAMUEL M'SKIMIX, AUTHOR or
THE HISTORY OF CARRICKFERGUS.

BY

THE

AUTHOR

(Copied from the Belfast

OF

"

RATHLIN.

News -Letter, August

To ask a tribute of a passing sigh,

And tell the reader he was horn to

"

15, 1843.)

die,

His worth to publish, and his name to save,

No column rises at his humble grav
Yet truth avers it (and afiecti<>n can),
He \vas an honest, and an upright man ;
;

And

monument but not of tone,

monument the work his own.

hath a

living

In spite of party and of partial men,

lent her guidance to his lips and pen

Truth

The pride of principle was all his pride

To stand unblemished, and be true when

patriot

And

tried,

warm, without the patriot's boast,

who knew him longest, loved him most

those

No

canting hypocrite, with secret crimes,

And durst be honest, in the worst of times.

No

false pretentions

and no

idle praise,

Allured the worthless to his will and ways

Consistent action and a noble aim,

Gave

reputation, that he well might claim.

and wished the poor to live,
Gave all his station could afford to give ;
Nor oft inquired, if to saint, or sot.
To make them happy, was the mite they got ;
\Vith mean apology, or scruple nice,
Chilled not the needy on the plea of vice,

Poor had he been

Nor let the drinking of a dram be made

A mar when misery implored his aid
;

Vet he was temperate, and wise as those

Who spurn the wretched and deride their woes.
Stern might he seem yet ne'er to merit cold,
No fee he courted, and no friendship sold.
I

knew

his friendship (and

my

heart

it

cheered),

His virtues valued, and his thoughts revered,

Whose mind was manly, and expression just,

Who

never listened to betray a trust

example, as through life he passed.
And with integrity he lived his last
What more has man in this cold world to try
But live like him, and learn like him to die.

fair

HIGH SHERIFFS OF CARRICKFERGUS AND THEIR

DEPUTIES FROM 1839 TILL 1899.
DEPUTIES.

1839
1840
1841
1842

'

George Forsythc.
John Legg.
John Legg.
William Duncan.

1843

Edward Bruce.
William Burleigh, J.P.
Stewart Dunn.

1856
i*57
1X58

V.

W.

Magill.

Thomas Mercer

Glendinning Martin.
Robert Forbes.

John Smyth.

Birnie.

-Robert Forbes.

John Legg.

W.

C. Allen.
Marriott Robert
J.

Dalway.

Thomas

James Alexander.
Andrew Forsythe.

1863
1864
1865
1866

John Borthwick.
William M'tiee, M.D.
Snowden Corken.
Samuel Greame Fenton.

18(17
1

8h8

i.X(x)

1870
1871
1872
1873
187:5

1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
188 1
1882

1883
1884
1885
3886
1887
,888
1889
1890
1891
1892
1893

W.

William Burleigh.

IHeitrick Jones Hill.

Peter Kirk.
H. T. Higginson.
William Kirk.
James Barnett.
William Kirk.
James Barnett.

So
1862
i

Jjohn Legg.

William Moore.
Charles M'Garell.
Stephen Richard Rice.

185(1
i8b<>
i

j George Forsythe.
he
Davys Wilson
when
November,
Bruce was appointed.
;

1844
1845
1846
1847
1848
1849
1850
1X51
1852
1853
1854
1855

John Legg.

D.

William

Samuel Campbell.

Battersby.

Duncan Wilson.

Rowan

Robert Forbes.

William M'Dow.

;!.

Joshua Chase.

Legg.

James Mehan.
Alexander Johns.

Thomas

Greer.
Austin Cornwall.

Alexander Taylor.
Frances Elcocke Massey.
George M'Auliffe, J.P."
Robert Alexander, J.P.
John Campbell.
William John Xicholl, J.P.
Wm. Allan Woodside, J.P.
Charles A. W. Stewart.
James Taylor Reid, J.P.
George Edmonstone Kirk.
William Bell, J.P.
Pardo A. Kirk.
John Shaw Exham, J.P.
Robert MacMurray, J.P.

Samuel Larmour.

A. J. A. Lepper, J.P.

Robert Kelly,

James Napier Hamilton.

John M'Ferran.
William Porter, J.P.

Edward W. Keean.
Colonel James Craig, J.P.

Henrv H. Boitomlev.

Robert Kelly,

Jur..

Henrv H. Bottomlov.

Jur..

<'

in

Edward

502
John Barbour Pirrie.
David Woodside.
John Wilson.
John Wilson, J.P.
Robert Kelly, J.P.
Charles James Johnstone.

1894
'$95
1896
1897
1898
1899

In
\vas

Robert Kelly, Jun.

1899, under the Irish Local

for Assizes purposes in
Sheriff abolished.

merged

High

Government Bill, Carrickfergus.

County Antrim and the office of

Biographical Sketches.
SHERIFFS.
ADAIR.

Early in the seventeenth century Captain James

Adair (whose will, dated gth March, 1685, was proved 2oth July, 1686)
settled at Loughanmore.
He had by his wife, Annabel Blair, a son
Benjamin, born 1655, who was married to Ann, daughter of Waterhouse
Crymble, of Ballygallogh, by whom he had, with other issue, a son
Thomas Benjamin, born 1705, who was married about 1736 toMargaret, daughter of Charles Crymble the elder, of Ballygallogh. They
had, with other issue, three sons
Charles, born 1737
Benjamin,
born 1738
and William Robert, born 17
who were all married
in
to
of
of
Charles,
Millicent, daughter
1775,
Henry Ellis,
Prospect
Benjamin, Lieut. -Col. of the Royal Marines to Susannah, a sister of
Rere-Admiral Wm. Prowse, C.B.
and Wm. Robert to Rose Ann,
Thompson, of Muckamore Abbey, and all had issue.
daughter of
Charles Adair had two sons, Thomas Benjamin, born 1776, who was
Maj'or of Carrickfergus in 1832, was married and had issue (as
stated below), and Henry, born 1781, who was Sheriff of Carrickfergus
in 1822, and Town Clerk for many years, and died unmarried.
The
last named, Thomas Benjamin Adair (he inherited, in 1797, the estate
of his grandfather, Charles Crymble, which he afterwards sold, see
page 290), was married, in 1806, to Amelia Sophia Leonore, daughter
of the above-named Col. Benjamin Adair, and by her had five sons,
who all died unmarried, namely Charles, who was proposed as M.P.
for Carrickfergus in 1830, being then a Captain in the 33rd Regiment
of Foot
Henry, High Sheriff of Co. Antrim in 1871
Benjamin
Rev. Thos. B.,
Clements, a Major in the Royal Antrim Artillery
and Wm. Robert, a Lieutenant in the 67th
Vicar of Templepatrick
Regiment of Foot and four daughters, of whom only the youngest,
Eleanor Margaret, was married, viz., to a grandson of the first abovenamed Wm. Robert Adair, the Rev. James Hunt, Incumbent of
Ahascragh, Co. Galway (who predeceased her). Mrs. Hunt died 13111
April, 1909, without having had issue, whereupon the Loughanmore
estate (including some property near Ahoghill) devolved upon MajorGeneral Sir Wm. Thompson Adair, K.C.B., of the Royal Marines, a
1822.

grandson of the above-named Lieut. -Col. Benjamin Adair.

M'CANCE. John M'Cance, Esq., M.P. for Belfast,
claimed descent from the Clan Macdonald, through that sept the
M'lans of Glencoe, who after the Massacre of Glencoe, on i3th
February, 1692, were scattered over the adjacent parts of Scotland.
Three brothers landed near Donaghadee, in Co. Down, in which
The first of the
county there are still descendants of two brothers.
name we find in Co. Antrim are David and William, of Mulliganstown
William
(the two children of the eldest of the three brothers)
(1693-1753) died unmarried, David (1684-1747) married Isabella, and

great

1829.

53
had one son, John (1711-1786),
Stouppe, and had issue, David

whom

in

of

Dunmurry, who married Rachel

of Upper Falls, from

(1736-1773),

direct descent is his great grandson, Colonel

John M'Cance,
Knocknagoney, Co. Down, and John (1744-1811), of Farmhill,
Dunmurry, who married Jane Charley, and had issue, John (1772-1835)',
of "Suffolk," Dunmurry, M.P. for
Belfast, from whom, by his first
wife, Maria Finlay, is descended his great grandson, John
Stouppe
of
Finlay M'Cance,
"Suffolk," and by his third wife, Sarah Law, are
descended his great grandsons, John Law M'Cance, now of Wimbledon,
London, and Joseph Bell M'Cance, of Mauricewood, Midlothian.
LEGG. John Legg, Esq., was a descendant of the
1840-1.
family of Legge or Longg, who were granted two quarter shares of
the lands of the corporation in 1606.
He was a currier and tanner
in the Scotch Quarter and resided at
Glynn Park. At his death he
left his property to his nephew, William
Rowan, who afterwards took
the name of Legg.
William Rowan Legg was a Trinity College
man with honours, and was High Sheriff in 1868. He died, leaving
the property to his brother Edward L. Rowan Legg, now in Canada.
WILSON. William Duncan Davys Wilson, Esq., who
1842.
died November, 1842, was a nephew of C. A. W. Stewart, and was
married to Jane Dal way, who died at Eastbourne, April, 1892.
His
only son, Dr. William Duncan Wilson (High Sheriff, 1867), died at
Summer Place, South Kensington, London, March 3oth, 1897 his
widow married Charles Hayward, August 2gth, 1900. Mrs. Hayward

of

died,

190

BRL'CE. In 1831 the King (William IV.) was pleased

1843.
to give and grant to Edward Brice, of Kilroot, His Majesty's royal
license and authority that he, and the issue of his father, may take
and use the surname of Bruce, instead of that of Brice and also may
use and bear the armorial designs of Bruce, instead of those of Brice,
to commemorate his descent from the noble and ancient family of
In 1851,
Bruce, of Airth, in the County of Stirling, in Scotland.
March, at the sale of encumbered estates, the lands of Edward Bruce,
in the townland of Kilroot, were purchased by Mr. Henry Russell in
Reid states (Vol.
trust for the late C. R. Dobbs, Esq., for ^[Link].
New Edition) " James Brice, grandson of Edward, had
I., p. 203.
a son John, who removed from Kilroot to the neighbourhood of
Edward, son of John, lived at CloughCavehill, early in last century.
castle or Greencastle, and was a farmer, his eldest daughter, Blanche
Brice, was married to James Killen, grandfather of the late Professor
W. D. Killen.
BURLEIGH. William Burleigh, Esq., J.P., was a
1844.
descendant of William Burleigh, a Captain in Sir John Clotworthy's
Regiment of Horse, who was wounded at the defence of Lisburn,
Born in 1797, he married in 1828, Lucretia,
against O'Neill, in 1641.
daughter of James Wills, Esq., of Plas Bellin, Co. Flint, by Lucretia
Anne Kingslev, his wife, and had issue six sons and six daughters.
Of these Miss Rebecca Mary Burleigh and Mrs. S. P. Close, of
;

Carrickfergus,

are the only

living

M'GARELL.
1848.
the son of Charles

representatives.

Charles M'Garell,
Magheramorne,
Esq.,
M'Garell, who was a successful shoe and
was
The elder son
Larne.
inn
in
an
brogue maker, and afterwards kept
died unmarried, and the younger, Charles, bestowed to Larne the
M'Garell Town Hall and the M'Garell Cemetery, and, dying childless,
he bequeathed the estate at Glynn, which he had purchased from John
the late Sir James Hogg, afterwards
Irving, Esq., to his wife's brother,
Sir James M'Garell Hogg, brother to Quintin Hogg, founder of the
Sir James M'Garell Hogg was married to a sister of
Polytechnic.
the present Earl of Shaftesbury.

54
KIRK. Peter Kirk, M.P., D.L., J.P., Thornfield, was
second son of Sir William Kirk, for many years Mayor of
Peter Kirk
Carrickfergus, \vho died June 17, 1819, aged 77 years.
married Ellen, third daughter of the late Noah Dahvay, Esq., Bellahill,
and had issue, William (High Sheriff, 1852, 1854), Charles Edmonstone,
Peter Kirk died November ist, 1856, aged 56
Ellen, Anne, and Marie.
Charles Edmonstone Kirk
years William Kirk died May i3th, 1855
died agth July, 1857, aged 26 years.
He was a Captain in the ist
Royal Regiment,' and served through Alma, Inkerman, and the Siege
1850.

the

Maria Kirk dk-d

of Sevastopol.
Ellen Kirk died August i5th, 1875.
In 1857 Anne, second daughter, married the Very
April ist, 1881.
Rev. George Bull, D.D. (who came to Carrickfergus in 1855, succeeding
Dean Chaine in the Deanery of Conner), by whom he had two
sons, who took the surname of Kirk, and under the wills of their
aunts, the late Misses Ellen and Mary Kirk, became entitled to the
Kirk property and estates, George Edmonstone Kirk, J.P., D.L., was
born at Redhall, September 25th, 1858, married, first, 24th July, 1887,
Isabel Margaret, daughter of Mr. Seawright, 80 Lancaster Gate:,
London, W. second, Agnes Beatrix Armstrong, only daughter of Sir
George Armstrong, proprietor of the Globe newspaper, London, and
has issue one daughter, Eileen Beatrice. George E. Kirk (High Sheriff,
1883) died March 23rd, 1909, on voyage from China, and was buried at
sea.
Pardo A. Kirk (High Sheriff, 1885), of St. Catherine's, CarrickDown, married in February, 1803,
fergus, and Ballywillwill, Co.
Ethel Frances, only daughter of Mr. Bailie Gage, Tirnaskea, Co.
Tyrone, Solicitor to the General Post Office, Dublin, and had issue one
Pardo A. Kirk was a retired Lieutenant in the Royal Antrim
son.
Garrison Artillery, and died in April, 1900.
;

ALLEN. W. J. C, Allen, Esq., J.P., lived at Faunornn

1858.
he was Chairman of the Ulster Bank, Belfast, and father of Andrew
J. C. Allen, Senior Wrangler at Cambridge.
;

FENTON.

1866.
Samuel Greame Fenton, Esq., was one of the
special respondents in the chancery suit of John Rea v. the Corporation
of Belfast.

GREER. Thomas Greer, J.P., of Sea Park, was married

1871.
Miss Owden, daughter of the late Mr. John Owden, a member of
the well-known and eminent Belfast firm of Richardson, Sons & Owden.
In 1880 Mr. Cireer stood as Conservative candidate for Carrickfergus in
Mr. Greer continued to represent
opposition to Mr. M. R. Dalway.
Carrickfergus until it was merged in the East Division of County
In addition, Mr.
Antrim, when he retired from parliamentary life.
Greer was for many years a member of the Grand Jury, a Justice of
the Peace for the County Antrim, first President of the Carrickfergus
Young Men's Christian Association, and a Patron of the Carrickfergus
Died September, 1905, leaving a
Literary and Scientific Society.
widow, a son (Thomas Macgregor Greer, Esq., J.P.), and three
to

daughters.

STEWART.

1881.
Charles Arthur Willoughby Stewart, B.L.,
the only son of Colonel Stewart, of Carrickfergus, and was born
January, 1815. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, where he
took his M.A. degree, and afterwards studied for and was called to
the Irish Bar in Hillary Sittings, 1839.
He was in the enjoyment of
a lucrative chamber practice, which he relinquished on the death of his
aunt, the late Miss Duncan, of Carrickfergus, to whose property he
He was agent for the Castle Dobbs and Ballynure estate
succeeded.
for upwards of 35 years, and was also agent for the estate of the late

was

Mr. \Y. D. D.
Scotch Quarter,

Wilson

\vas

unmarried,

and died

May ^th, 1899, aged 83 years.

1882.
REID. James Taylor Reid was the
Re-id, a merchant of Glasgow.
He succeeded to

at

his

[Link],

son of the late John

Barn Mills on the

the

death of his uncle, the late Alexander

Taylor, Esq., J.P., in June,
Mr. Reid died in 1883, and, as the 'survivors were ladies, the
1878.
firm was formed into a limited
liability company., Mr. John Barbour,
Chairman, and Mr. John M'Ferran, Managing director.

BELL. William Bell, Esq., J.P., Silverstream House,

1884.
Greenisland, was a native of Hillsborough, Co. Down, and was an
t-xtensive grain merchant in Belfast.
He married Jemima, daughter of
Thomas Mitchell, shipowner, Glasgow, and had issue, two sons and
three daughters. Their eldest daughter married Thomas Gallaher, J.P.,
Bally goland, Greencastle, Chairman of Gallaher, Ltd., tobacco manuBelfast,

facturers,

Mitchell

Bell, are

November,

and

his

two

sons,

William James Bell and Thomas

Mr. Bell died 22nd

both directors of Gallaher, Ltd.

1905.

M.\cMURRAY. Robert MacMurray, J.P. for County

Antrim, was born at Glaskermore, near Loughbrickland, and is a
descendant of a very o'.d and influential family.
Some centuries ago
an account was given of the Meade family it was recorded that tlic
jrd Baronet was father-in-law to the 3rd Karl of Mayo, and father of
the ist Viscount Clanwilliam in 1766.
It was the ist Earl who, by
his marriage with Miss Magill, the heiress, acquired the estates of Gill
Co.
which
his
descendants enjoy.
Hall, by Dromorc,
Down,
John
Hawkins, whose daughter married Sir John Magill, Bart., the
ancestor of the present Richard James Meade, Earl of Clanwilliam,
who entered the navy when a boy of 13, and who was promoted to
Admiral of the Fleet in 1895. A daughter of Sir John Magill, Bart.,
married Robert Montgomery, Esq., heir to the several towns and
lands of Glaskermore, Glaskerbeg, and Endal, who died, leaving his
estates to his son, Robert Montgomery, on his attaining the age of 23
He married Helena Bullock, and had issue, three daughters,
years.
who were left by his will equal shares.
Helena, third daughter,
He died, leaving two daughters
married George MacMurray, Esq.
and one son, Robert, who was heir-at-law, and on the death of his
1887.

mother entered into possession of the third part of the lands of

Robert MacMurray, Esq., married
Glaskermore and Glaskerbeg.
Diana Bennet, and had issue, George, Susanna, and Robert
MacMurray. Susanna died young; George MacMurray died 4th May,
Robert MacMurray, the present representative of the family,
1903
married Miss Eagleson, and had born to him, at Glynn Park, three
of the old Municipal and Harbour
daughters. Mr. MacMurray was one
Commissioners, and acted as Chairman of both boards for many \rar>.
;

1888.

LEPPER.

Alfred

J.

A.

Lepper,

J.P.,

Rhanbuoy, was a

descendant of one of the oldest families in the North of Ireland, settled

He was second son of
in Donegal), early in the seventeenth century.
Robert Stewart Lopper. of Trainfield, Belfast, and of Jane, daughter
of John Heron, of Maryfield, Co. Down, who was one of the founders
Robert Stewart Lepper (died 1866) was one of
-of the Ulster Bank.
the special respondents in the famous chanc'-ry suit brought by John
Rea against the Corporation of Belfast. He was the eldest son of
Francis Leppor, who, with his brother Charles, founded the Lodge
known by the name of
Mill in 1808.
(This mill continued to be
out of the hands of the family,
epper'* even after it had passed
Francis Lepper married Jane Bryson,
was burnt down in 1875.)
Jane Bryson 's mother was sist
lialf sister to Samuel Nelson's wife.
1

56
to

John Brown, Sovereign of Belfast in the years 1797, 1799, i8oo t

1801
one of the " four Johns " (John Ewing, John Holmes, and John
Hamilton being the other three; who founded the second Bank of
Belfast in 1787.
Its location was at Cooney's Court in Ann Street.
Francis Lepper was second son of John Lepper and Sophia Millicent
Maxwell, his wife, who had a large family of children. John Lepper
lived in the eighteenth century, at Joybank, \Vhiteabbey, Co. Antrim >
on the site where the present Convent School stands. He was son of
;

Dalway Lepper, who died in 1753.

of the family are buried in the old

All the above-mentioned members

Churchyard, Carnmoney. The late
Francis R. Lepper, Senior Director of the Ulster Bank, was a brother
to the late A. J. A. Lepper.
Mr. A. J. A. Lepper married, in 1874,
His
Margaret, daughter of John Herdman, of Lodge House, Belfast.
only surviving son, John Heron Lepper, B.A., T.C.D., B.L., is the
"

present owner of the

Rhanbuoy."

M'FERRAN.

John M'Ferran, Esq., was the eldest son of

M'Ferran, Esq., of Fisherwick Lodge, Doagh, County
Antrim.
He was educated at the private school of Dr. Maloney,
Carrickfergus, an institution which in its day occupied a very high
He married
position among the educational establishments of Ulster.
Miss Ellen Love, daughter of the late James Love, Esq., Ballymena,
whose wife was a sister of the late James Taylor, Esq., the founder
of the firm of Messrs James Taylor & Sons, Ltd., Barn Mills.
Mr.
M'Ferran died August, 1904, leaving four sons and two daughters.
The eldest son, Mr. H. A. M'Ferran, holds a Government office ;
the second, Mr. James L. M'Ferran, of the firm of Messrs. James.
Taylor & Sons Mr. J. C. G. M'Ferran is engaged in the electrical
profession, and Captain E. M. M'Ferran is in the army.
1890.
the late

Wm.

1891.

PORTER.

Captain

William

Porter,

J.P.,

Greenisland.

was one of the oldest shipowners out of the port of Belfast.

His
father and grandfather were also shipowners.
He was a member of
the Local Marine Board, Belfast, the Shipowners' Protection Association of London, and sat on the Board of the Belfast Corporation for
Mr. Porter died at Bayview, Greenisland, August, 190(1,
years.
aged 86 years. His family numbered ten, of whom all are married,
seven being sons and three daughters. Mr. Porter was a liberal of trieold school, and when Mr. Dalway represented the division of Carrickfergus in Parliament he was an enthusiastic supporter of that gentleman.

many

1891.
1823.

in

KELLY. Robert Kelly, Esq., J.P., Greenisland, was born

After receiving his education, he studied for the legal pro-

and was admitted solicitor in 1855. He immediately opened

an office, and thus founded the business in Donegall Street, Belfast.
Mr. Kelly was brought into prominence in the rather stirring period
of 1868, acting as agent for the late Mr. Win. Johnston, M.P., of
Ballykilbeg, who had been incarcerated for three months in Downpatrick Jail, for having defied the New Party Processions Act by
heading the Orangemen in their demonstrations at Bangor on the i2th
On that occasion the other elected Member of Parliament was
July.
Mr^ (afterwards Sir) Thomas M'Clure, the defeated candidates being
The same year Mr.
Sir Charles Lanyon and Mr. John Mulholland.
Kelly was elected to the Corporation of Belfast as one of the Councillors
Mr. Kelly died October
for Dock Ward, retiring eventually in 1892.
His son, Mr. Robert Kelly, succeeded him
3ist, 1907, aged 87 years.

fession,

The other sons are Mr. H. C. Kelly, Sub-Sheriff for

Down, and Mr. Stewart C. Kelly, proprietor of Messrs. Jorm
Oulton & Co., flax merchants.
in

the business.

Co.

57
CRAIG.

Colonel

1893.
James Craig, J.P., 2nd Brigade, N.I.
Division, Royal Artillery, is a descendant of the first James
Craig we
find living in the Scotch Quarter, who was born in
1691, died in 1767,
and left his property to his son James, who married
of
Jane,

daughter
and had issue, one son, James Craig,
Carrickfergus in 1807, and three daughters
Sarah, married to Admiral Rapier, R.N.
Jane, married to Captain
and Mary, who married the Rev. Richard
Ellis, as his second wife
Dobbs, son of the Dean of Connor. The following members of the
family served as Deputy Recorder and Sheriff: James Craig, Esq.,
appointed Deputy Recorder by Barry Yelverton. first Lord Avonmore,
January, 1778; William Craig served as Sheriff from 1769 till 1773.
James Craig, M.P., 1807, was twice married and had issue, four sons
and four daughters.
His eldest son, Robert, was drowned in the
(iulf of St. Lawrence; Thomas became the father of the present Colonel
James Craig, J.P., now of Carlton Hall, who married, in 1885, the
Hon. Margaret Clementina Skeffington. nee Dennistoun of Dennistoun,
widow of the Hon. Sydney Wm. Skeffington, and had issue, one son,
Cecil De Vere Craig, who died in infancy.

Andrew Boyd,
of Scoutbush,

Esq.,

M.P.

Prospect,

for

1894.

PIRRIE.

John

Barbour

Managing Director of the Barn

He is a cousin of Lord Pirrie, of

is
the present
Pirrie,
Esq.,
" Barn."
Mills, and resides at the
Belfast.

WILSON. John Wilson, Esq., Faunoran, is a native of

1896-7.
Ballymena and an extensive linen merchant. He is the proprietor of
the Harryville Factory and Victoria Laundry, Ballymena, and the
Whitewell Laundry and Dye Works, Belfast. In 1897, November i2th,
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Fleetwood Edwards, at the command of Queen
Victoria, forwarded to Mr. Wilson, High Sheriff, a handsome silver
medal to be worn in commemoration of the ooth year of Her Majesty's
reign.

JOHNSTOXE. Charles James Johnstone, Esq., New

1899.
Bath, Greenisland, the last High Sheriff, was the youngest son of the
He was married
late Mr. Thomas Johnstone, Whinfield, Greenisland.
to a sister of Thomas Houston, Esq., J.P., Carnmoney, by whom he
was
in the stockMr.
had three sons and four daughters.
Johnstone
He died at New Bath, January, 1901. His sons
broking business.
were associated with him in business. Mr. Johnstone was for many
years a member of the Grand Jury, and as last High Sheriff of the
County of the Town, prior to its inclusion under the Local Government
Act for Assizes purposes in County Antrim, acquitted himself with
marked

ability.

Page

130.

(See page 130.)

THE OFFICE OF HIGH SHERIFF ABOLISHED.

The case of the Queen, by the Right Hon. the Attorney-General, against
for his refusal
Captain Con way Higginson, of Dunloskiri, Carrickfergus,
to accept the office of High Sheriff for the County of the Town of
in
1896,
Carrickfergus, to which he was nominated and appointed
came on for hearing on Tuesday, May 4th, 1897, in the Nisi Prius
Court, Dublin, before the Lord Chief Justice and a Special Jury.
The prosecution, which was brought by writ of criminal inforas to the legal
mation, raised a very important as well as novel point
selection of sheriffs, and naturally created"
obligations involved in the
great and general interest.
very
'
The arguments of the learned counsel engaged for the

Crown and

5o8
the

were

defendant

-audience,

amongst

followed

whom

of the
issue

Bar.

with close attention by a considerable

a number of ladies and a large

were

representation
The real
was whether or not the Lord Lieutenant has
uncontrolled power in Ireland, of himself or the Lord
Justices acting
on his behalf, to appoint sheriffs in opposition to their
protest to fill
that office, and thereby make them
for
responsible
damages in the
event of their refusal to act in that capacity.
The defendant entered a general plea of "not guilty to the

contained

allegations

in

the writ.

Mr. George Wright, Q.C., in stating the case for the Crown,
"
said
This was a somewhat peculiar inquiry.
The defendant was
being prosecuted here by the Attorney-General by a form of procedure

that was not very usual in this country, viz., what was called a
criminal information.
It was alleged against
Captain Higginson that

when
High

called upon by law, and duly nominated

by law, to serve as
Sheriff for the County of the Town of
Carrickfergus, being called
to that office by Her Majesty's representatives in Ireland, he declined
to act.
It was called a criminal prosecution, but it was
essentially a
case brought for the purpose of vindicating the law by
seeing that it
must not be called into contempt or brought into confusion in CarrickA verdict of guilty would not involve
fergus or in any other place.
the defendant in five minutes imprisonment."

Counsel then proceeded to explain the procedure which regulated

make the appointment rested with Her Majesty, or her
Three names wr-re
representative, or those acting on his behalf.
selected, and unless there was good cause for acting otherwise the
authority to

first

name was

generally chosen.

Captain Higginson refused to act, and in a letter to the Under" that he had
secretary he explained
absolutely no connection with
Carrickfergus; he had not a foot of land in the town, and that he
a house which he would give up in April."
He further
only rented
" that
stated
he did not think it was ever contemplated that he was
to spend his small retiring allowance in that way."

The High Sheriff had to pay the Sub-Sheriff fifty guineas during
the year, and he had to provide a carriage for the judge.
He had also
to pay Crier's Fees, court fees, and supply liveries.
The carriage cost
^50, the liveries ^40, and the halbertmen had to be paid, in addition
to printing and advertising.
The decrees to be executed in one year
would amount to about twenty.
Mr. O'Shaughnessy addressed the jury for the defence, alleging
"
that
because Captain Higginson wanted to live within his means
the Crown wanted to punish him.
There was nothing more unjust or
unfair, and he confidently left the case with the jury."
His Lordship, in charging the jury, said " he proposed to put to
them three questions, but the third question would be the only one
which they would have any difficulty in dealing with.
The first
Did he refuse to accept the office of sheriff?' To that
question was
Did
To the second, which was
they would of course answer yes.
Tic refuse to take the oath of office?' they would also give an affirmative
The
third
was
Had
he
sufficient
lands
to
answer
reply.
question
the Queen and her people ?' "
His Lordship repeated the three
"
Had the defendant
questions already mentioned, adding a fourth, viz.
sufficient means to answer the Queen and her people."
The jury, after a short deliberation, answered the first two
questions in the affirmative and the other two in the negative.
His Lordship said he proposed to direct the jury what he thought
ought to be the verdict on their findings, and reserve everything for
both sides to have discussed in the Court above.
He had decided to
pass sentence himself. The jury, by direction, found a verdict of guilty.
'

'

'

59

It
I

proper that the Judge who hears

now accordingly hne you ^5."
The Attorney-General conducted

a case should
pass sentence

and

the proceedings, and the result of

this trial was to
bring about the abolition of the holding of a separate
Assize for Carrickfergus in
1899.
In 1898 it was stated that
country gentlemen have frequently
sought to evade the office of High Sheriff owing to the expense
attached.
ITlis is somewhat lessened, as in
August, 1*98, a circular \va<
issued by the Treasury stating that Sheriffs of counties
would in future
g'-t certain allowances for expenses incurred at assizes or the trial of
election petitions.
These expenses cover the cost of a carriage and
pair
of horses for the reception of the
judges, javelin men, and clerks, as
well as a fee of five guineas for each
attendance.

day's

MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT FOR CARRICKFEKGUS. 187? TILL

1885, WITH THE NAMES OF THE UNSUCCESSFUL
CANDIDATES.
1835, Peter Kirk, C.,
1837, Peter Kirk, C, 446 ; Matthew Rennie, L,
418.
1841, Peter Kirk, L C.
1847, Hon. W. H. S. Cotton, C, 311.
1852
Hon. W. H. S. Cotton; Col. VV. H. L. Fiith, L, 295. 1857, W.
Cary
Dobbs, C, 560 ?>ancis M'Dcnagh, L, 383.
1852, Robert Torrens, C, 668';
W. Median, L C, 259. 1865, Robert Torrens, C, 498 ; Col. Hon. L.
1868. Marriott" Robert Dalway, L.
White, L. 285.
1874, Marriott Robert
1880, Thomas Greer, C, 591 ; Marriott Robert Dalway, L,
Dalway, L.
Colonel
M.
Marriott
Robert Dalway,
554.
M'Calmont, 4634 ;
1885.
James
2,318 (Carrickfergus being merged in East Antrim since 1885).
;

NOTICES OF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT.

Peter Kirk.
(See account of the High Sheriff.)
Hon. Wellington Henry Stapleton Gotten was the eldest son of
Lord Combermere. On the day appointed for the nomination of a candidate
r candidates for the
representation of the borough of Carrickfergus, the
interest of the proceedings was enhanced by the fact of an unexpected opposition to the Conservative candidate, the Hon. Major Cotton, it having been
organised by the Tenant-League party in the candidature of a certain Colonel
W. H. L. Frith, of the Hon. East India Company's service, of whom
nothing had been previously known to the electors or to any person except
the parties who invited him to come forward.
William Gary Dobbs. Q.C., was the son of the Rev. Robert Dobbs,
1857.
and subsequently one of the judges of the Landed Estates Court in Ireland,
Councillor Close,
after which appointment he resigned his seat in Parliament.
1835.
1852.

the aqent for the opposing candidate, Francis M'Donagh, boasted publicly
that Mr. M'Donagh paid him five guineas a day for performing the duties of
" Gutter
a character designated in Dublin by the name of a
Agent." This
aroused the indignation of ancient Carrickfergus, that had been everything
"
close borough."
l>efore but a

" Old Carrick

cries, while o'er his brow
Rage deepens every furrow
M'DonaglVs paying money now
To make me a Close borough."
;

Polling commenced at eight o'clock for

8th Hussars, commanded by Captain
from Belfast for the election,
Reilly and Lieutenant Mussenden, had arrived
and a number of these kept a passage clear in the market place by prancing up
and down.
company of the 5th Regiment, under command of Captain.
1857, Wednesday, April 1st.
Messrs. Dobbs and
'Donagh.

The

Maunsell, were drawn up with fixed bayonets [Link] the market, while a
posse of constabulary kept the entrance, and prevented all whom they knew
were not voters from entering. At an early hour, cars conveying voters, drove
furiously through the streets, and to and from the polling booths drunken
men, and as the day advanced immense numbers of women arrived from the
country districts, who were not wanting in their endeavours to increase the
excitement by cries and cheers.
Robert Torrens was a nephew of the late Judge Torrens, and
1859.
He spent a great part
brother-in-law to the Rev. C. O'Neill, Shane's Castle.
of his life in India, where he held a high civil appointment.
Marriott
Robert
account
of
the Dalway family).
1868.
Dalway (see
See page 116.
Petition of Robert Torrens.
Before leaving for Australia in December, 1886, Mr. Dalway was presented with an illuminated address in album form, and a purse of sovereigns
from friends and admirers in Carrickfergus and County Antiim. The presentation took place at the Royal Hotel, Belfast, on Friday, i?ih December,
1886.
1880.

Thomas Greer, J. P., Sea Park. Petition against. See page 121.
Colonel James Martin M'Calmont, M.P., J.P., Magheramorne,
1885.
son of the late James M'Calmont, of Abbeylands, Whiteabbey, Co. Antrim,
and Emily, daughter to James Martin, of Ross, Co. Galway. \\ as a captain
Sth Hussars and Denbighshire Hussars, and Hon. Colonel Antrim Artillery.
In 1880 was married to Mary Caroline, daughter to Colonel Romer, of Brynceinlin, Dolgelly, and has issue, Robert C. A., captain Irish Guards, and
Has been M.P. for East Antrim since 1885. In February, 1905,
Margaret.
Colonel M'Calmont, in recognition of his services as member of the division
from 1885, was presented with a magnificent service of plate and candelabra
from the electors in East Antrim.

LINES.
The

following lines were suggested by a

Carrickfergus in Septem-

visit to

ber, 1856. of Francis M'Donagh, Esq., Q.C., the Radical candidate for the
Joymount Presbyterian Church was opened on
representation of the town.
At this time the vote of a " free elector" was worth
that day by Dr. Cooke.
anything from five shillings to ten pounds, with a cow thrown in
:

barrister, thinking of things above,

And not of earth or ermine,

Travelled a hundred miles for love
Of a Presbyterian sermon.

To

a church newly built for Mr. Warwick,

counsellor took his journey,
And on Sabbath morning arrived in Carrick

The

Accompanied by

The

his attorney.

attorney behind

him

his patron before

He

walked down the meeting-house aisle

expressive smile which his features wore,
Might the birds from the bushes beguile.
;

The

With eyes now

He

Artful

To

raised,

now

fixed

on

his

book,

an hour-and-a-half,
assuming an artless look

sat for

catch the elders with chaff.

His attorney scoured the town next day

For listeners on the morrow.

Few came
Belfast

many that stayed away,

they managed to borrow.

but, for

men

5"
"To

" he
open the church," he said,
came down,
But happening to be in the way,
As a nominee represented their town,

He

might as well drive him away."

But nothing he spoke of his native

Connaught,
Of the faith he once held or forsook,
For his heart seemed set on an elder's blue Iwnnet,
And his soul was with Dr. Cooke.
I

wish him success, tho'

I know him no more

" the man in the
I know
moon ;"
" moonshine" all till
we'er paid the old score
then he is coming too soon.
A FREE ELECTOR.

Than
But

it's

Till

SHIP

AND YACHT BUILDING.

(Page 128.)

Wooden

shipbuilding was at one time carried on to a great extent.

The
first vessel launched, of which we have
any account, was the ''David Legg,'
named after the Town Clerk of that lime, and built about 1845. Some time
after a company was formed by Bowman, Logan & Co., and a
ship named
"
"
the
was the first to be built by them. In 1861, July 131*1,
Carrickfergus
a ship of 200 tons burden was launched from Robert Johnston's
shipvard,
and named the " Dorothea Wright." Paul Rogers (his son-in-law) became
in
and
in
1870,
proprietor
July, 1874, he launched his first vessel of 160 tons
"
Mr. Rogers gained fame by building
burden, named
Accrington Lass."
and designing a large number of yachts. His first attempt in this direciion
was the " Dawn," a 6o-tonner, built to the order of Mr. M. R. Dalway, then
M.P. for Carrickfergus. Then came the "Venture," a 15-tonner, which
carried off a large number of prizes.
The most notable was the "Olga,"
In 1883-4, he obtained a lease
which, in her time, was invincible in her class.
of the foreshore, and started iron shipbuilding. The first launched was in
"
Emulator." Robert Kent, from the Clyde, took
April, 1885, and named the
over the business, but this firm not being successful, the interest was bought
1

back by Mr. Rogers.

Robert Johnston died nth September, 1891, at Upper Loch Lomond,
Paul
parish of Simonds, aged 84, leaving four sons and two daughters.
Rogers, his son-in-law, was born at Slievetrue in 1834, and died, March 8th,
1901.
By his first marriage he had one daughter, who married Henry Lynn.
Several members of the Banker Corinthian Sailing
1897, March.
Club gave the order to Mr. John Hilditch, the present owner of the yacht
The names chosen
to
build
eight boats of a particular design.
building yard,
The Wimbrel," Mr. H. Trevor Henderson " Widgeon."
were as follows
Mr. Wm. Vint; " Halcoyve," Mr. G. H. Brown ; "Feltie," Mr. George S.
"
"
Colonel Sharman Crawford ;
Clarke
Flamingo," Mr. J. B.
" Hoopoe,"Messrs.
Messrs.
Pirrie
"Merle,"
Tem,"
King;
Smyth. With the
"
Wimbrel," all the yachts have changed owners. Severa
exception of the
of these gentlemen are officers in the Carrickfergus Sailing Club.
'

COUNTY ANTRIM

(Page 171.)
JAIL.
Grand Warrant, published September 5th, 1839
It appearing to the Grand Jury that the time had arrived to take active
and immediate steps to build a new Jail and Courthouse, or increase the
accommodation in the present one, and the Irish Municipal Bill having passed
the House of Commons, whereby the power is given to separate certain

An

extract from

"

boroughs from counties in which they are situated, which, if carried into effect,
as regards Belfast, would involve the propriety of a change of site for a Jail
and Courthouse to some more central situation than Carrickfergus within the
committee was appointed to inquire into the matter and
County Antrim.

r eport at next Assiz-s."

5'-'

At Road Sessions at Carrickfergus there were two1840, June 1 6th.

presentments, one for building a new County Jail in Belfast and the other for
the erection of a Courthouse same place.
These were passed, afier a spirited
content, by a majority of three.
On the Crumlin Road, Belfast, 8 acres of ground were
1841, August 6th.
purchased, at a cost of ^4,330, on which to build a new Courthouse and House
of Correction, to contain 300 cells.
(See page 109.)
The Assizes for the County of Antrim was held for the
1850, July igth.
first time in the County Courthouse, Belfast, this
building being completed at
a cost of ; 17,000.
The Commission was opened in the Crown Court by the
Right Hon. Justice Moore.

The old County Antrim Courthouse and Jail was

1851, November 5th.
sold in Mr. Hyndman's Mart, Belfast, to Alexander Stewart, solicitor to the
Board of Works, for the sum of ,390. The buildings were purchased on
behalf of the Government for the purpose of being converted into a convict
The lowness of the purchase was accounted tor by the fact that,
depot.
according to the lease, the Government title would be better than that of any
individual as long as the buildings were intended for the purpose of a prison.
It [Link] expected that the services of the officers of the old County Antrim Jail
would be retained in the convict establishment.
1852, May 5th.
Notwithstanding that the Government had bought the
old Courthouse and Jail for the purpose of making a convict establishment, it
was impracticable, and Philipstown was selected for the purpose. This sale
was cancelled, and a yearly lease taken of the old Courthouse and Jail up to1896, when it was again sold.
Mr. Robert Forbes,* Governor of the County
1850, September 1st.
Antrim Jail, removed under the new Act 84 prisoners from that establishment
to the new Jail in Belfast, 35 of whom were convicts.
They were escorted by
a strong force of the Constabulary, under the command of Sub-Inspector [Link].
The new Jail was built at a cost of
41,000, and to accommodate 350
prisoners.

At Spring Assizes an application was granted to pay

1851, March I2th.
the Inspector and Governor of Carrickfergus Jail a pension, the former ^25 per
annum and the latter 20.
At the Assizes it was agreed that all the officers should be
July ijth.
paid up 10 the time of their discharge two mon'hs from last Assizes.
Alterations and repairs were made in the County
1856, September I2th.
Antrim Courthouse and Jail to fit them for the accommodation of the staft of
the Royal Antrim Artillery and Royal Antrim Rifles, Carrickfeigus having
been selected by the Grand Jury in preference to Antrim or Randalslown.
For a considerable time past the military authorities
1894, June 1 5th.
had in contemplation the building of a barrack in Carrickfergus. As the time
had expired for which the Government, held the Courthouse, a site for a
barrack was being looked for.
The military authorities bought the old County
1896, March 2Oth.

Antrim Courthouse and Jail for 2,500, which was apportioned between Lady
Shaftesbury and the County of the Town of Carrickfergus.
Mr. Alexander Rodgers obtained ihe contract to remove
5897, February.
the old Jail, the ground on which it was built to be clear by the 1st of May.
The new Ordnance Stores, which have been built on the site of the old
County Antrim Jail, were completed in 1900. They are used as a depot for
the supply of the Belfast Army District (including Belfast, Dundalk, Ballyshannon, Enniskillen, Londonderry, and Cavan) with stores and war material.
The buildings are very extensive, and contain great storage accommodation.

One of the last governors of the old County Antrim Jail at Carrickfergus
was Mr. James Erskine, who occupied that position for 28 years. During his
*Mr. Robert Forbes, who was the first Governor of the Belfast
September, 1865, owing to ill-health.

retired in

Jail,

term of

office

Mr. Erskine was

exceedingly popular with every person he came

in contact with, and was the

recipient of a handsome service of plate presented
to him in the year 1834
by his numerous friends and

admirers in the County

retired May, 1849,
owing to ill-health, and was succeeded by
Mr.
Robert
Forbes.
nephew,
Mr. Erskine died in
Deputy Governor.
December, 1852, leaving a family of three sons,
namely-James Erskine,
solicitor ; Pakenham Erskine,
merchant
in
Belfast ; John Erskine
grain
Rector of Wychffe, England and three
daughters, nearly all of whom have

of Antrim.

He

his

living representatives.

Page 397. State of the County Antrim

Jail from 1839 till September
1850, when all prisoners were removed to Belfast.
Total confined in Jail. 222.
1839, March 6th.
In February, 14 male
convicts left Carrickfergus for Dublin, on their
way to Van Diemen's Land.
Number of prisoners in Jail at July Assizes, 162.
Spring Assizes, March loth, 1840, number of prisoners in Jail, 997.
Spring Assizes, March 3rd, 1841, number of prisoners in Jail, 203.
Assizes, March 3rd, 1842
Capital convicts, 14 for offences at Assizes,
for
offences at Sessions, 36 ; for fines,
4;
for trial at
5 ; by magistrates, 2
112
for
trial
at
Sessions,
Assizes, 28 ; debtors, 14 ; County of
:

Carrickfergus
Total. 220.
prisoners, 5.
Assizes,
Number
of
March, 1844.
Spring
prisoners in Jail, 123.
January 24th, 1845, 25 convicts were sent to the Depot, Dublin, for transportation to Van Diemen's Land.
Number of prisoners in Jail, 155.
1846, March 2Oth.
Summer Assizes, July I7th. Number of prisoners in Jail, 83.
Number of prisoners for trial at Spring Assizes, 177.
1847, March I2th.
Number of prisoners in Jail, 155.
1848, July 28th.
Under rule of transportation in Jail, 63; for trial II ;
1849, March 20th.
debtors, 21 ; under rule of confinement 3 ; insane persons, 8.
Total confined, 162.

Prisoners, 153.
1850, March.
84 prisoners
1850, September 1st.
Belfast, 35 of whom were convicts.

were

removed

to the

new

Jail at

As there is no description left of this Jail, which was taken down in 1896,
the following may be of interest
The entrance to the Jail was by a small
postern gate, immediately to the north of the modern structure, and through
long dark passages and staircases in which no daylight appeared ; a corridor
fifteen feet wide, arched overhead ; on either side a dozen large iron doors,
with massive iron crossbars, secured with padlocks half a foot in length. These
were the doors to the cells, which were dark and gloomy.
Light was
admitted through three tiers of iron bars, embedded in the masonry of a wall
The opening on the inside was a few feet square, but tapered
five feet thick.
away until it was about three-quarters of a foot square, and so it was cell after
In a dayroom, 2oft. x I3ft., a boiler was set for cooking as prisoners
cell.
cooked their own food and each cell was provided with two beds. Two
(See page 395. ) There was also the dark cell, the
prisoners slept in each.
condemned cell, and the record cell. The dark cell was of a darkness that
could have been felt. The condemned cell was very much like the others.
The record cell, the walls of which were covered with names and initials, with
the length of terms of imprisonment to which their owners had been subjected.
After passing through a number of passages, there was an iron door leading
In one corner
into a courtyard, surrounded by high walls of massive masonry.
stood a semi-circular stone staircase, flanked with a balustrade of iron railings.
This staircase led up tu the chapel, where the condemned man received the
After ascending the stone steps,
last rites of his church before execution.
which were worn deeply away in the centre by the passage of many fett, and
from the summit looked down on a courtyard, over which by a causeway the
:

34

condemned man was conducted to an apartment, and from whence through a

window to the open street, where the scaffold was erected the houses opposite
bore the suggestive name of Drop View Terrace.
Complete classification and
inspection are indispensable in a good jail, and in this prison they were both
wanting. There was communication among prisoners of different classes and
sexes.
Females were kept spinning linen yarn, but the males were doomed to
idleness.
A schoolmaster was provided, and his services were considered
;

invaluable.

collection of the padlocks, fetters, manacles, &c., of this Jail

to the Belfast Museum.
(See Annals of

were given by the late Dr. Moore

County Antrim Jail, page 394. )

HARBOUR.
The

old harbour enclosed a water area of about an acre, with

Page 232.
600 feet of berthage ; while the new harbour is 16 acres, and 1,000 feet
additional quayage, and a depth of water at high tide averaging from 9 to 17
About the year 1867, the Harbour Commissioners added a red sandstone
feet.
extension, having a quayage of 230 feet, at a cost of
5,200.
(At this time
there were thirteen shipowners, who had 433 registered vessels coming into the
Subseharbour.) This extension ran into the sea in a southerly direction.

quently a wooden jetty, 350 feet in length, was added to this, besides a turn
in a westerly direction of no feet.
In 1881, the foundation-stone of a new harbour was laid, a loan of
12,000 having been obtained on the security of the Great Commons. This
harbour is enclosed by two piers the east, the "Albert Edward," and the
The west pier starts from the point known as
west, the "Alexandra Pier.'
Wilson's Quay, at the old Vitrol and Salt Works, and runs in a southerly
it
then
turns to the east, and extends for a further
direction for [Link];
The east pier is a condistance of 190 [feet, terminating in a pier head.
tinuation of the red sandstone one for a distance of 410 feet towards the
south
turning to the west, it runs 148 feet, and terminates in a pier head
similar to the west pier. The entrance to the harbour between the two pier heads
Each pier has a clear cartway for traffic of 24 feet, and both are
is 80 feet.
The first vessel
fitted up with mooring and storm palls at regular intervals.
to enter the harbour after it had been opened in April, 1885, was the schooner
Susan, belonging to an old and much-respected firm of merchants, Messrs.
(See page 122.) In 1891 the harbour was dredged, at a
J. & R. Alexander.
cost of
1,000, and ten years later it was again dredged at a cost of
595.
A number of years ago the owners of a line of steamers running from
Belfast to Bangor made application for permission to erect a jetty at the east
pier, to enable their vessels to call at Carrickfergus at all states of the tide.
The applicants' only stipulation was that no opposition pleasure steamers
were to be granted permission to use the jetty. The application was refused,
and no such offer has been made since.
For a number of years the harbour did not pay, because Belfast and
Lame had taken most of the trade from it, and the interest on loans and
annual expense to keep it in order have taken more than the income. The
chief benefit from the cost and care of the Harbour Commissioners seems to
fall to the War Department, on whose behalf steamers bring at times large
quantities of stores to the place for which no harbour dues are paid.
In order to utilise the harbour to the best advantage, it was thought
necessary to connect it by a line of railway with the Northern Counties line
;

Bill giving the

Midland).
necessary powers was passed in
Parliament, and what is known as the Harbour Junction Railway has been
The line is seven furlongs in length,
7,500.
completed at a cost of
In 1831 the Scotch Quarter
including the portion which traverses the pier.
Quay was erected by the Fishery Board. This quay is now under the control
of the County Council.
The amount due in July, 1908, on account of Harbour loans was
13,808 has been advanced by the Urban
11,036, and up to the present

(now

District Council, making the total indebtedness

24,844.
During the year
*98 395 vessels entered the port. Exports 14,522 tons rock salt; 6,318 tons
made salt ; 1,988 tons brick. Imports Coal, 35,488 tons.
Grains, slates,
an3 gunpowder are also imported. The harbour receipts for the year ending
1,284 2s. od. ; the balance of income over expenditure
July, 1909, were
The expenditure is exclusive of the annual
was, in July,
517 6s. 7d.
interest and instalment of principal paid on foot of the Government loans to
the Public Works Loan Board, London, and the Board of Public Works,

Dublin.

During the past year ending July, 1909, 429 vessels, of a total
The exports were Rock
registered tonnage of 20, 795 tons, entered the port.
The
salt, 13,076 tons; manufactured salt, 8,616 tons; bricks, 1,826 tons.
imports were

Coal, 37,861 tons; powder, 1,553 packages; grains, 415 tons;

;
slates, 93 tons ; tiles, 136 tons.
On and after
Carrickfergus Harbour Orders, 1862, 1865, and 1874.
May, 1901 Vessels entering with cargo and discharging, and loading
outward with more than half register tonnage, per register ton, 6d. Every
vessel entering and discharging cargo, 5d.
Every vessel entering light or in
ballast and loading outward with more than half registered tonnage, 3Jd.
rebate of
Every vessel entering the harbour in any other manner, 2^d.
25 per cent, allowed to all sailing vessels. Tug boats, when not engaged in
All
Lighters entering the harbour, 55.
towing, entering the harbour, 55.
pleasure boats, open boats, and fishing boats excepted.
The opening
In July, 1907, a band stand was erected at Joymount.
ceremony was performed by Mrs. T. D. Johns, Joymount Court, Carrickfergus.

alabaster, 4 tons; plates, 18 tons

The

SALT MINES.
Page 311. The salt trade of Carr ckfergus began in 1852. In the month
-of August the then Marquis of Downshire, anxious to develop the mineral
At Duncrue,
resources of the county, made trial borings in search of coal.
north-west of the town, rock salt (not coal) was struck at about 600 feet from
the surface.

Mr. M. R. Dalway afterwards made several attempts to discover salt in

the neighbourhood of Eden, but only succeeded in getting brine in small
He afterwards sank a shaft at Maidenmount, and found it there ;
quantities.
and this he followed up by another successful effort in
'Kay's land in the

North-East Division.
Messrs.

J.

and W.

connected with

it,

interest in this mine was subsequently acquired by

Logan, who effected many important improvements
the erection of pans at Boneybefore for the

The

including

of salt.
Afterwards Messrs. Logan
melting of the rock, and the manufacture
and the working of these two mines was carrie on
parted with their interest,
by M. R. Dalway & Co., Ltd.
In 1856, the' Belfast Mining Company was formed, and a tramway from
Duncrue to the Northern Counties Railway was made, and at Jennymount
works were erected for the conversion of the rock salt into white salt until
and the site taken over by the Northern Counties
1878, when abandoned,
Midland) for a goods yard. About 1868, Mr. D.

Railway Company (now

shaft and erected

O'Rorke sank a

salt

works

at the old distillery.

In 1887 the interests of the Belfast Mining Company were bought by Mr.
the rock salt into
\lexander Miscampbell, who erected new works to dissolve
to Clipperstown, where it was boiled, and
brine, and piping the brine down
the works
the manufactured salt put into waggons at a railway siding adjoining
Mr. Miscampbell continued
for conveyance over the various Irish railways.
were
mines
purchased by the Salt
to hold the works until 1888, when all the
These mines comprise
Union Ltd., now all managed by Mr. Miscampbell.
and Eden Salt Mines, and Irish
Duncrue, Maidenmount, Burleigh Hill,
Quarter South and Clipperstown Salt Manufactories.
opened the salt mine at Eden.
the Chemical Salt

About

1890,

Company

Tennant Bart of Peebleshire.

This was the property of the late Sir Charles
In 1892 the bait
Scotland.
-who owned large chemical works in England and

Mines Syndicate was formed by Mr. Dundas Simpson, of Edinburgh, whopurchased the rights from Messrs. Wm. Vint & Sons. Mr. Simpson erected
four steam pans, which proved unsuccessful, and the Debenture Trust took over
the business, and six furnace pans of the ordinary type were substituted.
The whole business was worked at a loss until taken over by the late Jame*
Hodkinson in March, 1903. He died, July, 1903, leaving the business to his-

who are working the mines.

Arrangements have been made, and new works are being erected, to
manufacture salt by the Tee process.
Mr. H. Tee, of St. Helen's, is the

four eldest sons,

The works, when completed, are expected to be

patentee of this process.
capable of turning out 50,000 tons per annum, and will be worked under thename of the International Salt Co., Ltd., the management being still in the
Hcdkinson

family.

Carrickfergus Salt Works Co., Ltd., have their manufactory at

The works cover 2J acres. The thickness of the bed of rock salt
at Eden is 96 feet.
Of this about 50 feet is kept intact to form the roof of the
mine, and the lower 46 feet is worked almost in one face in a series of great

The

Minorca.

spacious chambers, 30 to 40 feet high.

It has been stated that the Carrickfergus salt deposit is the result of theevaporation of sea water or salt lakes among the deposit of the new red sandstone which form the slopes of the escapements along the north of the Lagan
Valley, and, indeed, underlie almost the entire area of County Antrim.
When we consider what a small proportion of solid salt is contained in
sea water, we may calculate what an enormous quantity of water must havebeen evaporated to produce a solid bed of salt 96 feet thick. The same strata
of limestone, clay, gypsum, and rock salt in lagoons, exist from Lisburn to-

and from that to Carrickfergus and Lame.

now fully 70 years since Sir Robert Kane wrote that the strata ol
the vicinity of Belfast and Cheshire were identical, and yet, remarked Sir
If Fortescue
Robert, there is no salt to be found in the vicinity of Belfast.
Gregg, the celebrated salt manufacturer of Ballymacarrett, had known there
was salt so near Belfast, he certainly would have left behind him a largeamount of wealth accumulated by salt refining.
Belfast,

It is

COPELAND ISLANDS.
Lighthouse Isle, on which is the stump of an old lighthouse,
contains about 40 acres, and is now rented for shooting snipe, seabirds, and
This lighthouse was, in 1796, a beacon light, in which,
rabbits being plentiful.
the illumination was by coal placed in an iron grating or chaffer, and reSoon
plenished at intervals as the coal began to burn down during the night.

Page 313.

after

it

was lighted by

Mew

oil.

one vast flat rock, some 26 acres in extent, and nowhereabove sea level. On it is the splendidly-equipped lighthouse
(to replace the old one on Lighthouse Isle), completed in 1884, the tower of
which is laofeet high, and the lights flash over a radius of 18 miles. The
In thick or foggy weather huge
illuminant is gas, manufactured on the spot.
About 1846 a Liverpool paddle
sirens boom out their reverberating warning.
steamer was wrecked on the Mew Isle, during a dense fog, when coming to
Belfast on a Sunday morning in July.
Big or Great Island is separated from the mainland of Donaghadee by a
deep sound a mile in breadth. Donaghadee Pier was built about 1827, after
The lighthouse at the
the introduction of steam vessels to carry the mails.
entrance to the harbour was constructed only 50 feet in height, as it was
principally intended to guide the navigators into the harbour after they had
Island

more than 40

is

feet

passed the Copeland lights.

story is told in connection with this pier that mav not be out of placehere.
On the occasion of Daniel O'Connell making his hurried exit from
Belfast, in January, 1841, by way of Donaghadee for Portpatrick, after declining Dr. Cook's challenge to discuss the Repeal question, before starting.

from the pier O'Connell was standing on the deck of a steamer

lying in the
harbour, and there is a tradition that a Scotch piper who happened to be on
the pier struck up on the bagpipes the tune, " He'll gang nae mair tae
yon
toon," to the great amusement of the bystanders, who had assembled to see
Daniel O'Connell, whose identity had become known.
At the present time the Copeland Islands belong to Captain R. W. B.
Ker, of Portavo, Donaghadee, and Montalto, Ballynahinch.

INDUSTRIES.
'842 James and William Gamble carried on the business of
flax-spinning at Upper Woodbum, Woods & Dobson at Woodlawn, and William
Walker at Scotch Quarter. Cotton-Spinning James Cowan at Duncrue, and
In 1852 the same gentlemen carried on the
John Vance at Lower Woodburn.
business of flaxspinning, with the addition of James Taylor at the Barn,
Samuel Woods at Sullatober, and William Cowan, Duncrue. There was also a
muslin bleachgreen at Woodburn, J. & T. T. Kennedy, proprietors bleachgreen at Kilroot, Michael Andrews, of the Ardoyne Damask and Diaper
Manufactory, proprietor ; and William Walker at Joymount, afterwards
Robert MacMurray. In 1856 there were three sewed muslin manufacturers
viz., Turnbull & Co., Lancasterian Street; Sharp, Wallace & Co., West Street;
and James Robinson & Sons, Castle Street. At Woodburn, Hill Woods manuIn 1863 Mrs. Bragg was a sewed muslin
factured wadding and cotton bands.
manufacturer at Woodburn, and in 1884 Thomas Gird wood was the proprietor
of a weaving factory same place.
The works in Woodburn at the present time
-are a weaving factory and bleachworks
proprietors, County Down Weaving
Company, Ltd.; and the Duncrue Hemstitching Factory proprietors, G. & J.
Templeton. These replace the cotton-spinning and muslin bleachgreens before
mentioned, both industries, like handloom weaving, being now extinct.

Page 359-

The flax-spinning mills of Messrs. James Taylor & Sons are three-quarters
In 1858 Mr.
a mile from the Railway Station, and were founded in 1852.
An old
Taylor's sons, James and Alexander, were taken into partnership.
road leading past the mills from the Shore Road is kept up at the expense of
Mr. James Taylor, jun., died in 1871, and Mr. Alexander
the Company.
Taylor seven years later. Mr. James Taylor Reid, nephew, then assumed
He died in 1883. In 1881, the late Mr. Reid having lost the water
control.
supply for driving purposes by the Belfast Water Commissioners taking Lough
Mourne, expended several thousand pounds in the erection of a new enginehouse and engines of the latest and most improved description, so that the mills
at the present time are the most complete of their kind in Ireland.
The Sullatober Bleaching and Print Works Company was registered under
In the printing process hand and roller are
the Limited Liability Act in 1872.
combined, and bleaching is done according to the most improved methods.
-of

and cottons are

printing of handkerchiefs, and bleaching of lawns, linens,
These premises were built for flax-spinning many
for Belfast and Lurgan.
of a corn mill. Afteryears ago, and were remodelled to suit the requirements
wards they served the purpose of a spinning and weaving factory, and were
The works were originally called
ultimately converted to their present uses.
Oakfield Factory, and were, I believe, in 1819, the property of the Rev.
Bleach and Dye Works occupy the site of an old
Richard Dobbs.

The

done

Joymount

They are a branch of Sullatober Printworks.

spinning mill.
The tanning of leather, distilling of whiskey, and the making of soap and
candles have given place to the manufacture of bread there being three bakery
establishments and the manufacture of salt. The salt mines in the neighbour
.hood are the only ones in Ireland.

5*8

NOTES.
TREATY WITH THE SCOTS.

The statement on thison the 24th January, 1641, a treaty was entered
"
"
into with the Scots' Commissioners in England for
1,500
auxiliary
Page

page

38.

to the effect that

The number given istroops to garrison Carrickfergus is incorrect.

evidently a misprint for 2,500, the number actually agreed upon; and
the date was 1642 not 1641 according to our way of reckoning, as the
year began on 25th of March until 1752 A.D.
(See page 48.)
The second treaty alluded to on page 391 was not concluded till 6thScottish
None
of
the
sent over till April,
were
August, 1642.
troops
1642, and consequently they could not take part in the Island Magee
massacre on the 8th of the previous January. In this treaty there isan allusion to the fact that .7,500 would (for the men then sent to
Ireland) be the proportion of the ,30,000 promised for the entire
number. Now when the total number agreed upon was 10,000, thisgoes to prove that it was 2,500 who were sent first, as already stated.
81.

Page

GENERAL STRODE 'S REGIMENT.

The Duke

of

This regiment, the Wiltshire, was

Edinburgh's Wiltshire Regiment.
formerly the 62nd General Strode's Regiment, mostly recruits, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Jennings, and having only a small
supply of ammunition, they fired the buttons of their tunics at the
French troops. For this act the buttons of the regiment were marked
"
" of lead
These buttons ceased to>
with a
to represent a bullet.
splash
be worn in 1881, when the 62nd Regiment was linked to the 99th Regiment, now stationed at Devizes.
Colonel Hill Carter, C.B., late the Wiltshire Regiment, has
written an account of the origin of the 6and Wiltshire Regiment. The
"
On the 2ist April, 1757, the 2nd King'sfollowing is an extract
Own was constituted the 62nd foot, under command of Col. Wm.
Strode, an officer who had served under the Duke of Cumberland
;

who

on distinguished himself
by
gallant defence of Carrickfergusagainst Thurot, being appointed Lieutenant-Colonel."
Tradition statesIn 1787 the 62nd was called the "Wiltshire."
thai Colonel Jennings, in order to husband the ammunition, ordered
only half the powder from each cartridge to be fired with the bullet,,
and the other half with one of the buttons of the men's tunics,
"Such is the episode in the history of the 'Six and Twos,' which,
now the button with its splash has disappeared from the corps, requires'
The
to be re-written for the benefit of the present generation of

Major Jennings,

of the 3oth

when commanding

foot,

the 62nd,

later

his

'

!'

Springers

THUROT'S LANDING. The following estimate of the

inhabitants of Carrickfergus by the French landing and
taken and sworn to
plundering the town on the 2ist of February last,
the 23rd March, 1760, is taken from Book No. 2 of Civil Affairs,.
"
Dublin.
'759- 61 Bradford," in Public Record Office,
Page 83.
losses of the

Patrick

Allen,

Henry Clements
Dal way Clements
Robert Clements
Charles Crymble

Samuel Blair

...

10

...

16

...

13

12

...
...
...

93 15
i

132

4^

14
17 10

New York.
1909, Thursday, June nth,
Page 93.
An interesting announcement comes from Boston that the log-book of
"
Paul Jones,.
the
Ranger," which was commanded by Captain John

PAUL JONES.

has just been discovered in that

The log-book is almost entirely
city.
handwriting of the famous privateer, and forms a most valuable
addition to the few relics now
such
existing of the man who
in the

wrought

damage to British commerce during the War of Independence.

The name of John Jack, great grandfather of
Captain Thomas

Jack, has been accidentally omitted from the

list

of fishers taken.

Page J 12. CRIMEAN WAR. The only Crimean veteran that the
town can boast of is an old man named John M'Dowell, who was born
in Back Lane or Lancasterian
He joined
Street, eighty-four years ago.
the ist Battalion ist Royal Foot, now known as the
Royal Scots
Infantry Regiment, seventy years ago at Edinburgh Castle, where his
father, Robert M'Dowell, was then stationed.
John M'Dowell landed
at the Crimea on September i4th, and took part in the famous battle
of Alma on September 2oth, 1854, was in the thick of the
fight at
Inkerman on the i5th of November, same year. He was also through
the siege of Sevastopol, which lasted ten months.
John M'Dowell served his Queen and Country twenty-five years,
and was rewarded by the Government with a pension of one shilling a
Four or five years ago he received out of a fund an additional
day.

sum

of sixpence a day.

116.
MEDICAL DOCTORS. Dr. George Forsythe was
medical officer of the Carrickfergus Dispensary District to Her
His nephew, Dr. W. H. Patrick, succeeded him (I
Majesty's Forces.
believe), and at his death Dr. Josias Patrick, who died January 2nd,
and
was
succeeded
1891,
by Dr. W. R. A. M'Alister (born at Annsboro*
Dr.
House, Lurgan), who died March i3th, 1896, aged 39 years.
A. B. Frances was the next, and at present Dr. Samuel Killen.
Page 124. QUEEN VICTORIA'S JUBILEE. In 1887, the year

Page

the Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, the High Sheriff,

Robert MacMurray, Esq., J.P., received the following reply to the
Address of the Grand Jury of the County of the Town of Carrickfergus
"
of

SIR,

have had the honour to lay before the Queen the loyal and
I
dutiful address of the High Sheriff and Grand Jury of the County of
the Town of Carrickfergus, on the occasion of Her Majesty attaining
the fiftieth year of her reign, and I have to inform you that Her
Majesty was pleased to receive same very graciously.
I

am,

Sir,

your obedient servant,

of

the

County

CRASS.

To

the

High

Sheriff

of

the

Town

of

Carrickfergus,

Ireland."

HIGH CONSTABLE.

Owing to the Local Government

Act the position of High Constable has been abolished. The collection
of county cess and the rates now known as poor rates are paid together.
The last High Constable of Carrickfergus was the late James Whiteford.
He died August igth, 1904; was an engineer
Esq., of Prospect House.
and surveyor for the estates of the Marquis of Downshire. His sons
are David G. Whiteford, Esq., Prospect, and J. W. Whiteford, Esq.
Page

127.

COUNCILLORS. The present Urban

James Blackburne, William Byrtt, John
Cameron, John Campbell, James Ferry, Alexander Hay, John Hilditch.
William H. Howe, Thomas Jack, Daniel Lawlor, Charles M. Legg.
Thomas Mitchell, Samuel M'Allister, Henry M'Cavana, James L.
Thomas
M'Ferran, John Patterson, Francis W. Wisnom Chairman,

URBAN

Page

Councillors,

129.
1909,

are

The
to

above are also

Harbour Commissioners.

James Boyd, Clerk

Council and Commissioners.

ROYAL IRISH CONSTABULARY. Up

till

1901

Page 133.
district of the
Carrickfergus was the headquarters of the Carrickfergus

John Montgomery was District Inspector

number of years he removed to Raphoe, May, 1859. Op
Scott was Inspector, when he was promoted to a County

Royal Irish Constabulary.

for a great
to 1888 Mr.

W. Leathern
1888,
July,
District-Inspector C.
command of the Carrickfergus Constabulary District.
The number of men at this time in Carrickfergus were one officer and
ten men at present, one officer and six men.
In

Inspectorship.

took

over
;

EDWARD KEAN.

Page

134.
to Carrickfergus

Edward Kean,

the actor,

paid a

about the end of September, 1805.

in Belfast, and it appears that Mr. Atkins (I
suppose the manager of the Belfast Theatre) closed suddenly and left

visit

The company was

all in distress, when they went down to Carrickfergus.

had commenced and they could hire no room, but the
gaoler, pitying their forlorn case, got them the Court-House, after the
court was over, and as there was a great number of convicts, he gave
them leave to attend. The rapture and applause of the poor wretches
mingled with the rattling of their manacles and fetters was not soon
forgotten by the company.
CEMETERIES. The Victoria Cemetery, Victoria
Page 135.
Road, was provided by the Urban District Council, acting as a Burial
Board, at a cost of ^2,500, and is in their custody. ^Ji,ooo of the cost
of this cemetery was defrayed by Mr. Hugh G. Legg, of Carrickfergus
and Capetown.
The other cemeteries in Carrickfergus are St. Nicholas' Churchyard
and North Road Cemeteries, both of which are under the custody of
St. Nicholas' Parish Church, and the Roman Catholic Cemeteries at
Minorca and Prospect.

the

company

The

assizes

CHALICE. A number of years ago the Rev. \Y.

Page 160.
Dempsey, P.P., of Carrickfergus, and now of Downpatrick, bought in
Dublin a Chalice on which is the following inscription in Latin
" Paulus O'Neill curavit
Paul
pro Conventu Cragfergus fieri, 1631."
O'Neill was prior of the Franciscan Convent, and the date on the
This is the only link of connection between the
Chalice is 1631.
parish now and then of Catholic times, and of the old Convent of the
Franciscans, on the site of which was built the County Antrim Jail.
Page 167. ALBERT ROAD. The Albert Road from St. Bride's
Street, North Road, in the form of a half circle, to the end of West
:

was made about 1850-56. In a notice regarding the improve" that several houses are
ments made in the town it is stated
being
built on the Albert Road (1865), in addition to those of Messrs. Wm.
Gorman and John Kane, by Mr. David Pasley and Mr. Henry Laverty. "
Carrickfergus Freeman.
The Horse Barrack in Irish Quarter was probably built in the
summer of 1703, as on the 3rd of May, that year, Richard Kane made
a deed of that plot of ground (132 feet in front to the road), to His
About 1749 the Barrack was destroyed by an
Majesty, for 999 years.
and in 1754 a survey was made for the purpose of its
accidental fire
the estimate was ^3,071 IDS.
being rebuilt
Page 205. ALMS PLATES. About 1878 Mrs. Robert MacMurray,
then residing at Glynpark, presented the Alms Plates to the Church of
The Rev. George Bull, Dean.
St. Nicholas.
GARRISONS IN CASTLE. Detachments of the
Page 227.
different regiments have garrisoned the Castle in the annexed years
The Forfar and Kincardine Artillery Militia.
1857, December.
A detachment of the I4th Regiment.
1876.
The gist Argyleshire Highlanders, under command of
1877, May.
Lieutenant Tottenham.
The iO4th Bengal Fusiliers.
1879, February.
The Princess of Wales' Own Regiment.
1881.
Street,

5"
1

The Welsh Regiment.

The Enniskilling Fusiliers.

882.

1883.
1885.
1888.

2nd Brigade North-Irish Division Royal

The Queen's Regiment.

The Black Watch.

Artillery.

1890.
Lancashire Fusiliers.
1891.
2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.
1900.
Since this year the staff of the Antrim Roval Garrison Artillery
1901.
Rifle Brigade.
In 1862 the fixtures of the old County Antrim Court-house were
removed and the spacious halls fitted up with barrack furniture. This
Court-house is now the headquarters of the above Rifle Brigade.

COMMONS AND OTHER

Page 303.
rent of the Commons

is

LANDS.

The

present

32$-

See pages 112-114, Sale of the Lands.

Lands taken by the Belfast and District Water Commissioners,
page 316; valuation, page 321.

ESTATE OF THE MARQUIS OF DOWNSHIRE.

of the Marquis of Downshire comprises

The Carrickfergus Estate

-a

total

area of 6,506 statute acres.

contains 675 acres, the Middle Division

The North East Division

1,694 acres, the West Division

1,660, and the County Antrim or Straid

1,250 acres.
All the agricultural holdings held under judicial tenancies have
been sold to the tenants under the provisions of the Land Purchase
Act at a reduction of 20 per cent on their second term rents, and a
year's rent in each case was added to the purchase money.
The Commons, containing 319 acres, were also sold under the
provisions of the Land Purchase Acts to David G. Whiteford, Esq.,

Estates

the remaining
Prospect, Carrickfergus
by the Belfast Water Commissioners for
The rent paid by Lord Downshire
Council is ^52 195. 2d.
ESTATE OF THE EARL OF
;

portion having been acquired

the purposes of their scheme.
to the Carrickfergus Urban

SHAFTESBURY.

The Carrickfergus

Estate of the Earl of Shaftesbury comprised a

total area of 2,977 acres, the greater part of which is now sold to the
tenants, with the help and through the medium of the Irish Land

Commission.

The number of acres in the West Division were 438 acres 2 roods
9 perches, Greenisland (part of which is now sold) Scoutbush, 273
acres 2 roods 7 perches
Knockagh, 334 acres 2 roods 34 perches
;

roods 17 perches
Lisnabroghan,
(sold)
Trooper's Lane,
My Lord's Mountain, 284 acres 2
45 acres i rood 16 perches (sold)
Straidnahanna (No. i), 428 acres 34 perches
roods 28 perches (sold)
Straidnahanna (No. 2), 207 acres 3 roods i perch (sold). North
(sold)
East Division, 220 acres i rood 31 perches; Boneybefore, 216 acres
2 roods 27 perches (sold); Marshallstown, 227 acres, 2 roods 16 perches

299 acres 2

The Rea

(sold).

hill

is

also

sold.

April, 1909, Lord Shaftesbury

12 a
purchase of the head rent of
Carrickfergus Estate.

In

paid a sum of
year for all the

^336

for

lands of

the
the

NOTICES OF THE FIRST BOARD OF MUNICIPAL

COMMISSIONERS.
ELECTED NOVEMBER,
Peter Kirk, M.P., D.L., J.P., Thornfield.

1843.
(See notice of

John Legg, Glynpark, was High Sheriff.

where
James Barnett^ distiller and grain merchant,
quay are, was High Sheriff in 1853.

the

High

Sheriff.)

salt

pans at

5 22

Russel

Ker Bowman

was a grocer

and. spirit

merchant

in

Market

Place.

John Coats, J.P., born at Carrickfergus, 1805, was Secretary to the

Grand Jury of County Antrim until he retired in 1880 died in
;

1896.

Paul Logan was a shipowner he resided at the Knockagh.

John M'Gowan was a medical doctor in High Street.
Samuel Davis Stewart was a shipowner and a slate and timber
merchant.
William Walker resided at the Knockagh
he was proprietor of a
spinning mill, now known as Joymount Bleach Works.
Wm. Burleigh was a Justice of the Peace, and resided in the Scotch
Quarter was High Sheriff, 1844.
Daniel Blair was a grocer and woollen draper.
Richard Battersby resided at Oakfield he was a member of the family
of that name who were in the provision trade in Ann Street,
His brother was curate of the Parish Church, Carnmoney.
Belfast.
James Cowan was proprietor of the Barn Mills he was the father of
the famous novelist, Mrs. J. K. Riddel.
Alexander Johns was a storekeeper in the Castle, and was superannuated
in 1834
he was the first manager of the Northern Bank, Carrick;

fergus.

William Kirk Martin was a medical doctor

he had a property near

;
Bridge.
Stephen Richard Rice, High Sheriff 1849, was a Captain in the Antrim
It is probable he
Artillery and resided in the Scotch Quarter.
might have been a grandson of Stephen Rice, who was a Captain
in the Carrickfergus Royalists in 1784.
Richard Thompson was a wine and spirit merchant, and resided at the

Woodburn

Mount.
James Wilson was a flour and meal miller he resided at Millmount.
Chairman, William Burleigh.
he was a grandson of Henry Ellis, of
Treasurer, Henry Adair
of
Prospect, and Thomas Benjamin Adair, of Loughanmore, Mayor
;

Carrickfergus,

1832.

Harbour Master, James Stannus, Jun. he was a

of Anthony Carey Stannus, the well-known
;

painter.
Ballast Master, Alexander Jones
Gate.

he was a

spirit

and father
and portrait

builder,
artist

merchant at Quay

CRAIG. The following are some extracts from

Page 432.
BELFAST NEWS-LETTER, March i7th, 1807
" To the
of
Mayor, Aldermen, Burgesses, Freemen, and Freeholders
the County of the Town of Carrickfergus.
Lord Spencer Chichester having thought proper to vacate the
trust which you lately reposed in him, I beg leave to offer you my
invariable object t
services, and' to assure you that it shall be my
merit your approbation, by a steady adherence to the welfare of my
the interest and independence
country, and by a particular attention to
:

of our ancient Corporation.

I

have the honour

Gentlemen,

to

be,

humble servant,
JAMES CRAIG."
Extract from the BELFAST NEWS-LETTER, Friday, April 10, 1807
" CARRICKFERGUS ELECTION.
:At the final close of the poll on Tuesday last the numbers were
...
359
For James Craig, Esq.
...
3 l8
For Edward May, Esq.

Your

faithful,

Majority in favour of Mr. Craig

41

523
Mr. Craig was, therefore, declared
duly elected, and was conducted
from the hustings to an elegantly-decorated
triumphal car, and drawn
through the principal streets by a band of the electors, preceded by a
band of music, composed of private
gentlemen, accompanied by "the
most respectable inhabitants of the town and
neighbourhood, amidst the

reiterated acclamations of
surrounding multitudes."

Extract from BELFAST NEWS-LETTER,

April 10, 1807
the Mayor, Aldermen, Burgesses, Freemen, and Freeholders of
the County of the Town of
Carrickfergus.
Gentlemen
The high honour you have conferred upon me by
choosing me your Representative in Parliament demands my warmest
To be placed in that important position by so
acknowledgements.
respectable a body of men as the free and independent Electors of
is
a
distinction
too gratifying to be ever erased from
Carrickfergus
my
memory. My gratitude shall be best evinced by an unremitting attention
to your interests, and a faithful
of
discharge
my duty.
To the Sheriffs I return my thanks for their impartial conduct
during the poll.
I have the honour to
remain,
Gentlemen,
Your obliged and devoted servant,

"

To

"

JAMES CRAIG."
Scoutbush House,
8th April, 1807."

ANECDOTES OF OLD CARRICKFERGUS.

The

following, taken from a little book, "Waifs of Conversation,"

"
published in 1876, may be of interest as a reminder of the
good old times :"

TALLY-HO AND THE DEAN. "Tally-ho !" This was a name given
one of the Sheriffs of Carrickfergus, which, in the good old times when
had the honour of being governed by a Mayor, had no less than two High
He was a remarkable man in several ways, but one thing in
Sheriffs.
particular for which he was noted was his frequent repetition of the
He was a jolly-looking man; his
words, "Ho! ho! Tally-ho!"
rather red
and looking redder, perhaps in contrast with the
face,
flaxen wig worn in ihe fashion of his day.
A great banquet was given in
honour of a Lord Lieutenant who visited the ancient town. After dinner,
toasts of course were given.
The Sheriff was permitted to give one, and when
glasses were charged, he rose and said, "Mr. Mayor, here's to the devil."
Everybody of course was astonished, if not shocked. The president very
properly asked why he should propose such a toast. There was a Dean at the
" that he did it to
table, and the Sheriff immediately replied
please the
Dean." The Dean, shocked as he must have been before, was now indignant,
and asked how it was possible that the Sheriff could suppose it would be
The Sheriff, no way abashed, jumped
pleasing to him to hear such a toast.
" Ho ho
to his feet and said,
Tally-ho no devil, no dean no devil, no
"
dean
MERMAID OR MAYOR MADE. About fifty years ago the authentic rumour
went out that a mermaid was to be seen at Carrickfergus, and people in
to
it

multitudes flocked to the strange exhibition.

Amongst others a learned
doctor, crazed about curiosities, went down, but with the public in general was
doomed to disappointment. The excitement, however, induced the enterdecircumttance.
prising manager of the theatre in Belfast to produce it as Apiece
The notabilities of the town "Cocky Bendy," "Herring Jamie," and the
were introduced ; and so good was the
rest, and among them the doctor
his hands,
make-up that his brother, who was present, jumped up, clapped
"
Well, if that's
and with an asservation more forcible than polite, exclaimed,

not

my brother, the doctor, on the stage." The whole affair

there having been a Mayor made in Carrick.

was suggested by

THE MAYOR AND THE CANDLES. Some half century ago the arrival of
the Judges in assize towns was a matter of considerable uncertainty.
There
were then no telegraph messages flashed along the wires with intelligence of
the departure of their Lordships from one assize town, and signifying their
arrival in the next.
The civil and legal dignitaries of old Carrick were accordOn one such occasion after waiting
ingly, at times, kept in much suspense.
until twilight had set in, and expectation of the arrival of the Judges had been
given up, the Mayor and Sheriffs were doffing their robes of office, and the
halberdiers were laying aside their halberts, cocked hats, and long cloaks for
the night, when a swift messenger arrived to announce the immediate approach
of their Lordships.
In due time, and with accustomed pomp, the Judge took
his seat on the Bench ; the Mayor, Sir William
his chartered
, exercised
privilege of sitting on his right; the Sheriffs took up their less dignified
position in their box, and Johnny Mulholland, the chief halberdier, acting as
The Court was hushed in respectcrier, stood at his post on the witness table.
ful silence, and the decreasing remains of
daylight added something almost of
solemnity to the situation. The Courthouse was anything but bright, even at
mid-day, but now in the dark shade of twilight it was found necessary to have
artificial light to permit the King's Commission being read.
There was in
those times no gas, and it was now discovered that no light had been provided.
The Mayor, reproaching himself for his want of forethought, sought to
remedy it, and remembering the close proximity of Bob Willis's chandlery,
broke the prevailing silence, saying, "Johnny, run over to Bob's for two
" Indeed, Sir William
penny candles for the Court," but Johnny replied,
"
I needn't, for he
says the last you got you never paid for.

THE SHERIFF'S DILEMMA. In the last century the High Sheriff for the
County of Antrim one year chanced to be a very simple-minded man full of the
Among the other
dignity of the office, and anxious to do everything correctly.
arrangements he learned it was necessary to have a man to play the National
Anthem when the Judge proceeded to the Courthouse, a trumpet being the

few days before the assizes he proceeded to make the

proper instrument.
proper arrangements for that part of the ceremonies, and found to his dismay
that the only trumpeter in Carrickfergus had passed away, and no successor
could be found.
Ultimately, as the only substitute he could procure, he
engaged a piper and fiddler to precede his Lordship playing, no doubt to the
best of their ability, the National Anthem, but with such effect that when the
Judge was seated on the Bench he called the Sheriff before him, and in place
of eulogizing the music and returning thanks for his successful endeavours, he,

" Mr.
in an indignant manner, said
Sheriff, in consequence of the disrespect
you have manifested towards the representative of His Majesty, and the slight
thus exhibited in your substitute for the usual trumpeter, I will fine you
$o."
The poor fellow was unable to utter a word in either defence or excuse but
some friend, who knew the Judge and had learned the cirumstances, explained
the matter probably at or after dinner
and caused a hearty laugh. The fine
was remitted.
JOHN WAS HUFFED. In the olden time a woman went to visit her
husband, who was lying in Carrickfergus Jail, and had been condemned to be
hanged upon the following day. The doomed man began to give his last
;

instructions to his wife preparatory to bidding her farewell, when all at once she
the by, John, whaur
in upon the conversation, and exclaimed
"
The unfortunate man, as may be imagined,
will I plant the tatties this year ?
grew exceedingly indignant at the indifference of his wife, and exclaimed
"What need I care whaur ye plant them ? I'm no likely to need ony
angrily
"
o' them."
Ilech," replied the woman, turning to the warder with a wag of
" oor
huffed because he's gaun to be hanged in the morn,"
the head ;

"By

broke

and marched

John's
out of the

cell.

525

[THE BKLUUNGE*. Deafy M'Kee, the Carrickfergus bellringer, lived in

M'Kee was stone deaf, and on all occasions carried the

Lancasterian Street.

by the tongue. This was accounted for by the fact that on one occasion a
had extracted the tongue of the bell, and M'Kee, after
spending some
hours in parading the streets and
crying his notices, found that he had been
spending his time and energy in ringing a tongueless bell.]
bell

local wit

The old bell is still used by fishermen when a

cargo of fish is in the
harbour.
A man is paid by the hour to go round all the
streets of the town
calling "herrin' in the harbour."

BIOGRAPHY.
EMINENT PERSONS.
M'SKIMIX.

Samuel M'Skimin, the Historian

of

Carrickfergui,

was born in the year 1775, in the neighbourhood of Ballyclare, County

Antrim.
Early in life he settled in Carrickfergus, and carried on the
business of a grocer in the Irish Quarter.
In his youth he had a
remarkable taste for reading and what is not so usual in childhood,
had a memory peculiarly retentive of whatever knowledge he derived,
either from books or from conversation.
On one occasion, after having earned and saved the price of a pair
of brogues, he renounced all thoughts of them, resolved to go barefoot
through the winter, and devoted his hoarded treasure to the purchase
of a book, on which he had set his heart.
There was, about the year 1792, in the neighbourhood of Ballyclare, a club of men who had joined together for the purpose of taking
some reviews of the day. After their example, Samuel M'Skimin and
a few other boys joined together for a similar purpose. They could not
and to
afford much, their contributions were i jd. per month each
" Eckshaw's
the last day of his life he preserved the numbers of
Magazine," which fell to his lot at the annual distributions.
In 1797, after some attempts which he had reason to think were
meditated upon his life, he suddenly left Ballyclare and came to
Carrickfergus. The folly of such attempts was soon discovered and in
three months from the time of his leaving Ballyclare he was able to go
in perfect safety among the very people who had meditated his death.
I may here take this opportunity of contradicting a statement in
" United
a letter of James Hope's to Dr. Madden, published in Madden 's
Irishmen
Irishmen," as to Samuel M'Skimin's hatred of the United
" Ramble to
and his reason for leaving Ballyclare. In a sketch of a
M'Skimin and a friend (Belfast Magazine,
Antrim," taken by Samuel
" \Ve came in
sight of Ballyclare; at sight of
July, 1808), he says:
this small town,
'
Remembrance wak'd with all her busy train.'
and upwards of eleven years had elapsed since
native
It was
;

'

my

place,

could not pass the little bridge, as

1
slander had driven me hence.
t
vou enter the town from Belfast, without halting. I leaned against
a melancholy cast to me every
range wall the sight gave my mind
reminded me of some juvenile amuseobject was interesting every look
ment at mv feet was the place where I had whipped the top beneath
was
was the litt'le pool where I used to snare trout and eel close by
and a
childish plays
the hawthorn hedge, where oft I had made my
b
is
few perches distant was my native cot (on this site, I believe,

526
the Ollardale Hotel)

following lines

the scene affected me,

and was productive of the

Hail

little

stream,

still

to

me

dear

Here memory presents to view

Those happy scenes, which on thy banks
In youthful innocence I knew.

On yonder green, when school let loose

The village youth to sport and play,
The noisy groups oft, oft I join'd
In rural sport at close of day.

Beneath yon hedge

oft

have

sat,

With others, making noisy glee

The trees, the slopes, that's hereabout,
As old acquaintance here I see.
I see the cot where first I drew
The vital air in of this day,
And may
;

Whose

....

slander forc'd

me

hence to stray.

Here years rolled by most unperceived,

Free from all care, in thoughtless ease
My pastimes now, though more refined,
Have not the charm, alas to please.

Corroding care now fills my breast

Yet when sweet hope does lend a gleam,
;

And earthly joys present to view,

The scene is ever by thy stream.
My comrade, who sat patiently while I took down

the above lines, now

our journey.
I
arose, not without emotion, and
we resolved to take the upper road by Doagh to Antrim."
On his recovery from a severe illness he endeavoured to turn to
good account the stores of learning that he had accumulated^/His
first publication was an essay on Carrickfergus,
which appeared in
1808 in the Belfast Monthly Magazine and the Cyclopcedian Magazine.
"
"
The first edition of the
appeared in 1811
History of Carrickfergus
A second
as a small i2mo. volume, printed by Hugh Kirk, Belfast.
edition, much enlarged, was printed by Joseph Smith in 1823, and a
third in 1829.
Some Addenda were printed in 1833, and an Appendix

urged

in

to

renew

1839.

He communicated articles to the Gentleman's Magazine : one on

"Extinct Birds," another on the "Round Towers."
In Frazer's
Magazine appeared an article of his on "The Insurrection of 1803."
He also contributed to the Dublin Penny journal, the Northern Whig,
and interleaved a copy of
the Belfast Magazine, and other papers
"
Harris's
County of Down," thus adding a mass of most valuable
materials, intended, no doubt, for a second edition of that rare and
valuable work.
The late Rev.
Macllwaine, D.D., Incumbent of
St. George's Church, Belfast, possessed this precious collection, besides
/
which he collected a good deal of material relative to 1798, which hasS
;

been republished

in

1906.

Samuel M'Skimin was probably an only son, as there is no record *

His father, Samuel M'Skimin,
of the death of any brother or sister.
died in November, 1808, aged 54 years, and his mother, Nancy, in
* All records of the
Ballyclare Unitarian Church prior to 1839 have
The Secretary, Mr. Ledlie, brother to Mr. Ledlie of the
disappeared.
Bank Buildings, Belfast, left about 1860, taking all congregational
documents with him. His widow went to reside in Cork.

527
At the age of 27 he married
May, 1820, aged So years.
Nancy
Goodacre (April 4 th, 1802), by whom he had six children.
James
to
emigrated
Quebec, and Elizabeth was married in 1837 to Hugh
Catherwood, Knockagh, and died August ibth, 1893, aged 73 years.
Of the eleven children born of this marriage two sons and three
daughters are alive, and numerous grandchildren.
Samuel M'Skimin died February 2ist, 1843, and was interred in
St. Nicholas's Churchyard.
His collection of MSS. and books were
sold, the most curious, an annotated copy of the
Autobiography of
Newell, the informer, came into Dr. R. R. Madden 's possession, who
"
United Irishmen."
published it in the second edition of his
KANE. Colonel Richard Kane was the son of Richard Kane,
Town Clerk of Carrickfergus. At an early age he embraced a military
life, and distinguished himself at the memorable Siege of
In
Derry.
1720 he commanded at Gibraltar; and there sustained an eight months'
He died in the Government of Minorca,
siege by the Spaniards.
December loth, 1736, and was buried in the Castle of St.
Philip.
A monument is erected to his memory in Westminster Abbey, whereon
are inscribed the most striking passages of his life.
He' was the
author of a work entitled: "General Kane's Campaigns,"
giving an
account of the wars in which he had served in Ireland and Flanders.
In Hill's " MacDonnells of Antrim," Appendix, page 477, is a
copy
of the will of Colonel Kane, in which he leaves " Fifty Pounds Irish
to
the
Poore
of
the
will
is
dated
money
Carrickfergus ;"
May, 1733.
In an appendix to the will Col. Kane mentions the estate at Carrickfergus, and the lands of Carnaglass, on the north side of the town,
under a mortgage of ^30, which he paid off. This money Col. Kane
received as a fine from the Government of Ireland, in 1699, in
consideration of the lease of 999 years for a plot of ground on which
to build the Horse Barrack in the Irish Quarter.
See also mention
"
Life and Times," Vol. 2, page 381,
of Colonel Kane in
Calamy's
" True Blue
where he is described as a
Presbyterian from the North
of Ireland."

ANDREW

President of the United States. The

the
settlers
" and "Boneybefqre
" His English
Fairfront
Fairview.
called this hamlet
father, Andrew,
and his mother (whose maiden name was Elizabeth Hutchinson), lived
in a house close to the passage to the shore known as Magill's
The main road from Carrick to Eden did not run as
Crossing.
The walls of the old homestead were unfortunately
does now.
it
levelled to the ground when the railway line from Carrickfergus to
Andrew Jackson, his wife and three sons,
Larne was constructed.
Hugh, Robert, and a son named Andrew,* left Carrickfergus in the
year 1765 and settled in Warthaw, North Carolina, having landed at
Two years after Andrew
the city of Charlestown, South Carolina.
Jackson the elder died, and young Andrew grew into early manhood
in North Carolina, where he read law at Salisbury, and went soon
after his majority to Tennessee, and in due time made his home at
In 1797 he was
Nashville, where he was appointed public prosecutor.
appointed Senator for Tennessee, and some years after appointed MajorIn 1815 Genera! Jackson engaged in war against
General of Militia.
the British before New Orleans, and in 1829 was elected President of
His journey from his home near Nashville, known
the United States.
as the "Hermitage," to the federal capital was a succession of
On March 4th, 1833, he entered on his second term as
triumphs.
With the close of his second term his public career ended.
President.

parents of

JACKSON,

Andrew Jackson
"

*This Andrew
Andrew was born

is

lived at

supposed to have died, as another son named

1767, the United States claiming the

i5th March,
honour of his birthplace.

He

died in the year 1845.

In religion he was a strict Presbyterian.
Colonel Colyar's "Life and Times of Andrew Jackson."

From

SAMUEL ALLEN (page 397). Samuel Allen, M.D., and J.P. for
Co. Antrim, was son of (by his wife Frances, eldest daughter of James
Samuel Allen, a Justice of the Peace and a
Higginson, of Lisburn)
"
"
of the County of Antrim, of which County he
Deputy Governor
served as

High

Sheriff in 1790, being then resident at Allensbrook, in the

townland of Ballykeel, near Larne, a place now called Millbrook,

where he had a bleach green and a beetling engine.
He afterwardslived for a few years at Bellisle (leased to him), near Dervock, and
finally at Lisconnan, on an estate purchased by him, where he died
on the 4th May, 1820, aged 78 years, and was succeeded in the family
property by his said son, Samuel Allen, M.D., who died at the
same place on the gth October, 1835, aged 57 years, the estate then
devolving upon Henry Ellis Allen, his second son, by his wife Millicent
Mary, second daughter of the Rev. Conway Benning, LL.D., Archdeacon of Dromore, by Ann, otherwise Nancy, a daughter of Henry
Ellis, of Prospect.
Henry Ellis Allen (known among Latin scholars as
Henricus Alanus), dying at Kingstown, Co. Dublin, on the 6th of
November, 1874, aged 66 years, so much of the estate of the family
property as remained unsold became vested in his second son (by his
wife Jane, third daughter of John Rogan, of Kilkenny), viz., Samuel
Allen, LL.D., now if Lisconnan, near Dervock, J.P. and D.L. of the
County of Antrim, and its High Sheriff in 1886.

ADRAIN.

Robert Adrain, Mathematician, was born

in Carricktook part in the Rebellion of 1798,

Here he took to
the United States.
being wounded, and
teaching and eventually became Vice-Provost of the University of
of a couple of mathematical papers
Pennsylvania. "He was founder
"
and the " Mathematical Diary."
The Analyst

fergus, 3oth September,

1775.
fled to

He

REID.

Dr. James Seaton Reid,

Historian,
page 256. Rev.
brother of the Historian, was ordained minister of
Ramelton on the 8th December, 1806, and died loth February, 1838.

Edward

Reid,

of his sons, Edward Reid,

1867, and another Professor of
Belfast (James Seaton Reid).

One

Esq.,

was Mayor

Materia Medica

of

in

Londonderry in
Queen's College,

RIDDELL. Mrs. J. H. Riddell, born at the Barn, in 1832, was

a daughter of the late James Cowan, formerly High Sheriff, and was
a well-known writer of fiction.
The deceased author, Charlotte
Elizabeth Lawson (Cowan), who wrote under the name of Trafford,
married, in 1857, the late Mr. J. H. Riddell, grandson of Mr. Luke
In the following
Riddell, of Winson Green House, Staffordshire.
year she published her first book, entitled: "The Ruling Passion,"
and other works followed quickly. The "Rich Man's Daughter," the
In 1867 Mrs. Riddell became co-proprietor
last, was published in 1897.
and editor of "St. James's Magazine." For many years she lived at
Maidenhead, but removed to Houndslow in June, 1906, where she
died the following 24th of September, at the ripe age of 74 years.

STANNUS.

Anthony Carey Stannus, the Artist and painter of

was born at Carrickfergus, and was the third son of
James Stannus, builder and harbour master. Married December, 1878,
at St. Matthew's, Bayswater, London, Alice Trophy Keith, Kensington.
local

pictures,

CAMPBELL.

John Campbell, Esq., Greenisland, gave the

1883, to found a Scholarship in the
Royal Academical Institution for Model School boys of Carrickfergus
and Belfast.
This scholarship was to commemorate his year of

sum

1878.
of ;i,2oo,

Sheriffalty.

in

August,

529

Xtst of

u&0criber0.

Major-Gcneral Sir William Thompson, K.C.B., Loughanmorc

Co. Antrim, and 35 Hereford
Square, London, [Link].
Adair, Rear- Admiral K. N., 9 Blythewood
Adair,

Square, Glasgow
Samuel, Esq., LL.D., J.P., D.L., Lisconnan, Dervock
Antrim. (2).
Allen, Robert M., Esq., Joymount, Carrickfergus.
Anderson, Sir Robert, Knt., Parkmount, Belfast.
Archibold, Thomas A., Esq., J.P. Hillmount, Carnmoney.
Baird, R. T. Wilson, Esq., Ollardale, Ballyclare.
Barren, James, Esq., The Dairy, Mallusk.
Belfast Municipal Library
(George Elliott, Chief Librarian).
Bell, James, Esq., High Street, Carrickfergus.
Blackburne, Henry, Esq., High Street, Carrickfergus. (2).
Blackwell, George G., Esq. (the late), Waterloo, Liverpool
Allen,

Black, Arthur, Esq., Bloomfield, Belfast.

Bourke, Robert, Esq., Belfast.
Boyd, James, Esq., Joymount, Carrickfergus. (3).
Boyde, James, Esq., Coolmain House, Monaghan.
Brennan, Captain W. A., Acreback, Ballycarry, Co. Antrim.
Brereton, Dr. R. W., St. Nicholas' Rectory, Carrickfergus.
Browne, J. C., Esq., Derryvolgie Avenue, Belfast.
Burney, Andrew, Esq., Mossgrove, Carnmoney.
Burney, A. G., Esq., Rockmount, Carnmoney.
Byrtt, William, Esq., North Street, Carrickfergus.
Campbell, A. Albert, Esq., 4 Waring Street, Belfast.
Campbell, Hugh, Esq., Cloughfern, Whiteabbey.
Campbell, John, Esq., Irish Quarter West, Carrickfergus.
Campbell, John, Esq., M.A., M.D., F.R.C.S. (England),

Co

Crescent

House, Belfast.
Campbell, Robert, Esq., Carrickfergus.
Campbell, R. Garrett, Esq., Coolgreine, Fortwilliam Park, Belfast.
Cambridge, Robert, Esq., High Street, Carrickfergus.
Carey, J. W., Esq., Brugh, Knockdene Park, Knock.
Carrey, Wm. Thomas, Esq., Governor's Place, Carrickfergus.
Carson, James, Esq., Irish Quarter West, Carrickfergus.
Carruth, James, Esq., Ballypallady, Doagh.
Carruth, Walter, Esq., J.P., Irish Quarter West, Carrickfergus.
Caters, Ezekiel, Esq., Irish Quarter West, Carrickfergus.
Catherwood, W. B., Esq., Dairy House, Ayrshire.
Catherwood, Samuel, Esq., Joymount, Carrickfergus.
Catherwood, David, Esq., Chambers Street, Belfast.
Catherwood, Hugh, Esq., Galston Road, Hornsby, N.S.W., Australia.
Chisholm, John, Esq., 82 Royal Avenue, Belfast.
Clarke, J. A., Esq., M.D., H'igh Street, Carrickfergus.
Close, Samuel P., Esq., C.E., A.R.H.A., Fodeen, Carrickfergus.
Cochrane, Robert, Esq., LL.D., F.S.A., &c., 17 Highfield Road,
Dublin.
Coates, Frederick, Esq., Glynpark, Carrickfergus.
Coates, Charles M., Esq., Brighton Road, Coulsdon, England.
Cunningham, H. H. B., Esq., M.D., F.R.C.S. (England), Firenzie.
Malone Park, Belfast.
Cuthbert, Rev. Alexander, B.A., Rocklands Manse, Carrickfergus.
Notts. (5).
Craig, Colonel James, J.P., Carlton Hall, Carlton-on-Trent,
Notts.
(5).
Craig, Hon. Mrs. Skeffington, Carlton Hall,

U.S.A.
Craig, James, Esq., Silverton, Oregon,
Craig, James, Esq., Glenwood, Carrickfergus.

35

53
Esq., 43 Garthland Drive, Glasgow.
Crymble, Hugh, Esq., Bailee, Downpatrick.
Dalway, Marriott Robert, Esq., J.P., D.L., Bellahill, Co. Antrim, and

Crystal, James,

Lome,

Victoria, Australia.

Davey, W. H., Esq., M.A., D.L., Greenholme, Carrickfergus.

Davey, Rev. Charles, B.A., Wellington Park, Belfast.
Davidson, \Y. M., Esq., Walinor, Anclcrsonstown, Belfast.
Davidson, James, Esq., Dublin.
Deans, Alexander, Esq., Corcooghan House, Moira.
Dobbs, A. E., Esq., D.L., J.P., Castle Dobbs, Carrickfergus.
Douglas, Hugh, Esq., Eden, Carrickfergus.
Downshire, The Most Noble the Marquis of, Hillsborough Castle.
Dundee, Isaac C., Esq., M.D., Carnmoney.
Dundee, Samuel, Esq. (the late). Cedar Avenue, Belfast.
Dudgeon, A. H., Esq., 22 William Street South, Belfast.
Eames, W. G., Esq., York Road, Belfast.
Echlin, John Godfrey, Esq., Ardquin, Portaferry, Co. Down.

Thomas,

Esq., Carrickfergus.
George, Esq., H.I.M.E., 131 Limestone Road, Belfast.
Elliot, John, Esq., Ravenhill Avenue, Belfast.
Ellis, William E., Esq., LL.D., Dublin.
(6).
Ellis, Alexander, Esq., Bank House, Ballycarry.
Fernville,
Jordanstown.
Erskine, Pakenham, Esq.,
Erskine, John, Esq. (the late), Hatfield, Carnmoney.
FenneU, W. J., Esq., Deramore Drive, Belfast.
Feeney, Thomas G., Esq., Castle Place, Carrickfergus.
Fletcher, Charles A., Esq., Annalore, Whiterock Road, Belfast.
Forrester, M., Esq., Helen's Bay, Belfast.
Forsythe, Alexander, R.S.M. (W.O.), Antrim Artillery, Carrickfergus
Fulton, J. C., Esq., Inver, Salisbury Avenue, Belfast.
Elliot,

Elliot,

Galway, Miss, Garfield Chambers, Belfast.

Gibson, Andrew, Esq., Queen's Square, Belfast.
Gibson, Samuel, Esq., J.P., Summer Hill, Dunmurry.
Gibson, Rev. J. W., M.A., The Manse, Andersonstown,

Belfast.

David, Esq., St. Bride's, Carrickfergus.

Gorman, William, Esq., J.P., Market Place, Carrickfergus.
Gorman, Richard, Esq., High Street, Carrickfergus.
Gourley, David, Esq., Hydepark.
Graham, James, Esq., Market Place, Carrickfergus.
Graham, Isaac, Esq., Northern Bank House, Carrickfergus.
Grant, Frederick, Esq., Water Office, Belfast.
Green, William, Esq., Collinward House, Whitewell.
Greeves, Mrs. E. M., Altona, Strandtown.
Greer, Thomas, Esq.. Seapark, Carrickfergus.
Giffin,

(2).

Hadden, J., Esq., Ballyclare.

Haggan, William, Esq., Belfast.
Hanna, Charles, Esq., Custom House, New York.
Hanna, James A., Esq., C.E., Holywood.
Hawthorn, Mrs. S., Green Street, Carrickfergus.
Hayes, George, Esa., North Street, Carrickfergus.
Hayes, John, Esq., Belfast.
Heathcrington, Andrew, Esq., Albert Road, Carrickfergus.
Henry, Rev. F. C.. P.P., Carrickfergus.
Henry, Professor R. H., Queen's University, Belfast.
Henderson, Sir James, Knt., D.L., J.P., Oakley House, Belfast.
Henderson, H. Trevor, Esq., Norwood Towers, Belfast.
Herdman, William, Esq., Knockagh, Greenisland.
Higgin, Miss, Rosganna, Kilroot.
Hilditch, John, Esq., Carrickfergus.
Hodkinson, William, Esq., Eden Vale, Carrickfergus. (2).

53'
Hodges, Figgis

&

Co., Ltd., Messrs., Dublin.

(4).

Houston Thomas, Esq., J.P.,

Ashley House, Carnmoney.
Holmes, L. Jackson, Esq., Antrim.
Howe, \V. H., Esq., M. P.S.I., West Street, Carrickfergus.
Hogg, Alexander, Esq., 13 Trinity Street, Belfast.
Hubert, Very Rev. Father, C.P., Holy Cross Monastery, Belfast.
Hutchmson, Joseph T., Esq., Franklin, Mass., U.S.A.
Jack, John, Esq., Joymount, Carrickfergus.
Jack, Captain Thomas, Joymount, Carrickfergus.
Jamison, W. B., Esq., Technical School, West Street, Carrickfergus.

Johnston, Charles, Esq., Scotch Quarter, Carrickfergus.

Kane, David, Esq., 169 Agnes Street, Belfast.

Kane, James, Esq., Dundonald.

Kelly, Stewart C., Esq., 37 Donegal! Street, Belfast.
Kelly, Robert, Esq., Seaview, Greenisland.
Kelly, William E., Esq., J.P., D.L., St. Helen's, Westport, Co.
Kennedy, Andrew, Esq., Whiteabbey.
Kennedy, David, Esq., Glencovit. Dundonald.
Killen, Dr. S., High Street, Carrickfergus.
Kirk. John, Esq., J.P., Antrim. (2).
Kirkcr, S. R., Esq., Bencoolen, Maryville Park, Belfast.
King's Inn Library, Henrietta Street, Dublin.
Knabenshue, Hon. S. S., Esq., Schomberg, Belmont Road,

Mayo.

Belfast.

12, 14 Cambridge Street, Belfast.

Laverty, James, Esq
Laverty, John, Esq., 12, 14 Cambridge Street, Belfast.
Laverty, William, Esq., Hopefield Avenue, Belfast.
(2).
Larkin, F. C., Esq., M.D., F.R.C.S. (England), 54 Rodney Street,
Liverpool.
Law, David, Esq., Carrickfergus.
Latimcr, Rev. W. T.. M.A., Eglish Manse, Dungannon.
Latimer, Rev. W. J., The Manse. Carnone.
Leckey, Miss, Beardville, Coleraine.
Legg, C. M., Esq., Carrickfergus.
Lepper, J. H., Esq., B.A., T.C.D., B.L., Rhanbuoy, Carrickfergus.
Lepper, R. S., Esq., Elsinore, Crawfordsburn.
Letts, Rev. Canon, M.A.. M.R.I. A.. Aghadcrg Glebe, Loughbrickland.
Co. Down.
Leeburn, John, Esq., Sandymount, Carnmoney.
Loughridge, J. C., Esq., M.D., Tober, Whitewell.
,

Logan, Robert, Esq., Carrickfergus.

S. S., Esq., Castle Lugg, Greenisland.
Linen Hall Library, Belfast, F. J. P. Burgoyne, Chief Librarian.
Lynn, Henry, Esq., Albany Cottage, Carrickfergus.
Lyon, Rev. James, Xorth Road, Carrickfergus.
Mann, William, Esq. (the late), High Street, Carrickfergus.
Manchester Free Library.
Mavers David, Esq., Belfast.
M.R.I. A., Bank Bu !dings. Belfast.
Milligan, S. F., Esq., J.P.,
Milliken, Robert. Esq.. 2b Woronzow Road, London, X.W.
Millar, James, Esq., J.P., Glenshcsk, Limestone Road, Belfast.
Minford, Rev. J. V., B.A., Joymount, Carrickfergus.
Mitchell! Captain Samuel, junr., Albert Road, Carrickfergus.
Miskimmin. James. Esq.. Glcnburn Park, Belfast.
Governor's Place, Carrickfergus.
Miscampbell, Alexander, Esq.,
Cranmore Avenue, Belfast.
Montgomery. John, Esq.. Arlington,
Mother well, David, Esq., Belfast.
Motherwell, William, Esq., Shaftesbury Avenue, Belfast.
Morrow, James, Esq., 19 Rosemount Gardens. Belfast.
Little,

Morrison,

W.

J.,

Esq.,

High

Street, Carrickfergus.
S. Temple, Salt Lake City.,

Moore, Lindsay D., Esq., 551

U.S.A.

532
Samuel, Esq. (the late), Mossley, Belfast.
Samuel, Esq., Lille.
John A., Esq., Chester Road, Halifax, England.
Hugh C., Esq., Castleton Avenue, Belfast.
Musgrave, Mrs., Trinity Street, Carrickfergus.
M'Alister, Edward, Esq., Irish Quarter West, Carrickfergus.
M'Alister, Samuel, Esq., Irish Quarter West, Carrickfergus.
M'Bride, H. J., Esq., J.P., Hydepark, Belfast.
M'Bretney, W. A. J., Esq., Haypark Avenue, Belfast.
M'Cartney, Thomas, Esq., West Street, Carrickfergus.
M'Cance, Captain Henry M., Mauricewood, Milton Bridge, Midlothian.
M'Cance, Stouppe, Esq., 6 Markham Square, Chelsea, London, S.W.
M'Cance, Colonel John, Knocknagoney, Co. Down.
M'Caughen, Joseph, Esq., J.P., Windmill Hill, Carrickfergus.
M'Calla, Wm., Esq., Victoria Street, Belfast.
M'Calmont, Colonel J. M., M.P., Magheramorne.
M'Cammond, Lieutenant-Colonel W. E. C., J.P., Innisfavle, Doncgall
Park, Belfast.
M'Cammond, Robert, Esq., Knockagh House.
M'Clean, C. E., Esq., Doon, Co. Galway.
M'Clelland, Thomas, Esq., 161 Randolph street, Chicago.
M'Cormack, Robert J., Esq., Holmsted, Marlborough Park North,

Murphy,
Murphy,
Murphy,
Murphy,

Belfast.

M'Combe, W. J., Esq., 85 Royal Avenue, Belfast.

M'Crum, John, Esq., Millbank, Templepatrick.
M'Crum, Joseph, Esq., Ballyvesey, Carnmoney.

M'Cracken, Wm. M'A., Esq., 2 Idrona Terrace, Blackrock, Dublin.

M'Cullough, James, Esq., Scotch Quarter, Carrickfergus.
M'Donald, Allan, Esq., LL.D., Glenarm, Co. Antrim.
M'Dowell, W. J., Esq., Brookfield, Carrickfergus.
M'Dowell, Thomas, Esq., Glenorcky, Knock, Belfast.
M'Ferran, Captain E. M. G., Williamstown House, Carbury, Kildare.
M'Ferran, J. L., Esq., Oakfield, Carrickfergus.
Esq., The Cabin, Carrickfergus.
Esq., Greenholme, Carrickfergus.
Esq., J.P., i Wellington Place.
Esq., 51 Royal Avenue.
M'Keown, Robert, Esq., Minorca Place, Carrickfergus.
M'Kelvey, David, Esq., J.P., 85 Royal Avenue, Belfast.
M'Kinney, W. F., Esq., Sentry Hill, Carnmoney.
M'Laughlin, W. H., Esq., J.P., Macedon, Belfast.
MacMurray, Robert, Esq., J.P., Lisburn Road, Brlfast.

M'Giffin, Richard,
7
illiam,
M'Giffin,
M'llroy, Archibald,
M'llwaine, Joseph,

M'Mannus, William,

Esq.,

Davis Street, Carrickfergus.

M'Meekin, George, Esq., Roughfort, Mallusk.

M'Neill, James, Esq., M.A., (the late), Campbell College,

Belfast.

R., Esq., Lifford, Co. Donegal.

Thomas, Esq., Dover Street, Belfast.
Robert, Esq., Kennet Place, Clifton Park, Belfast.
Miss, Joymount, Carrickfergus.
Neill, Thomas, Esq., Euston Square, London.
Orr, James, Esq., Summerville, Landscape Terrace, Belfast.
O'Donaghue, Joseph Albert, Esq., Route No. i, Box 116, Portland,

M'Nulty,
M'Veigh,
M'Quitty,
Naismith,

Oregon.
O'Neill, C., Esq., Cave Hill, Belfast.
Parrington, G., Esq., 52 Shaftesbury Avenue, Belfast.
Pasley, W. J., Esq., 82 Royal Avenue, Belfast.

Patterson, Robert, Esq., F.L.S., M.R.I.A., Glenbank, Holywood.

Patterson, W. H., Esq., M.R.I.A., Granard, Strandtown.
Patton, W. J., Esq., 39 Fitzroy Avenue, Belfast.

533
Peden, Andrew, Esq., Rickamore, Templepatrick.
Peden, John, Esq., Franklin, Mass., U.S.A.
Percy, James G., Esq., Seaforth, Carrickfergus.
Pinkerton, J. C., Esq., Belfast.
Pirrie, J. B., Esq., The Barn, Carrickfergus.
Policy, William T., Esq., 131 University Street, Belfast.
Porter, R. J., Esq., Silverdale, Greenisland.
Porter, J. A., Esq., Killeen, Fortwilliam Park, Belfast.
Porritt, W. J., Esq., Redhall, Ballycarry.
Presbyterian Historical Society of Ireland.
Reilly, George E., Esq., Woodburn Glen, Carrickfergus.
(2).
Robinson, John, Esq., The Flow, Cattogs, Comber.
Ross, Alexander, Esq., Fairview, Ballyclare.
Rowan, Miss, Scotch Quarter, Carrickfergus.
Rice, Thomas, Esq., 6 Townhall Street, Belfast.
Seeds, Robert, Esq., Glentilt, Cavehill Road, Belfast.
Shaftesbury, Right Hon. the Earl of, K.C.V.O., Belfast Castle.
Shaftesbury, the Countess of, Belfast Castle.
Shanks, James, Esq., Ballyflounder, Portaferry.
Shaw, Captain Robert, Albert Road, Carrickfergus.
Sloan, A. G., Esq., Ballyworken House, Portadown.
Sloan, Rev. Isaac, Dungannon.
Sterling, Thomas, Esq., J.P., Loughside, Greenisland.
Stewart, Rev. David, B.A., Cregagh, Belfast.
Stewart, Rev. John, B.A., Rathgar, Dublin.
Stewart, Samuel, Esq., Balfour Avenue, Belfast.
Stevenson, J. M'N., Esq., Castle Place, Carrickfergus.
Swanston, Wm., Esq., Erindale, Cliftonville Avenue, Belfast.
Taggart, Wm. D. R., Esq., C.E., Carrickfergus.
Taggart, Wm. H., Esq., Battenberg Street, Belfast.
Torrens, T. H., Esq., D.L., J.P., Edenmore, Whiteabbey.
Tomlinson, W. J. C., Esq., 17 Glandore Gardens, Belfast.
Turner, John, Esq., Clifton Street, Belfast.
Turner, William, Esq., Irish Quarter West, Carrickfergus.
Tuke, John, Esq., 26 Brogden Grove, Brooklands
Tyrrell, John, Esq., J.P., Antrim Road, Belfast.
Tyrell, Thos., Esq., Glengormley.
Verner, Henry, Esq., Bloomfield, Belfast.
Vint, Robert, Esq., Carrickfergus.
Vint, Thomas, Esq., Carrickfergus
Vint, William, Esq., Ballyduff, Carnmoney.
Ward, Isaac, Esq., 24 Camden Street, Belfast.
Wallingham, Miss L. A., Edenvale, Strandtown.
Waterworth, Rev. Hugh, M.A., Carnmoney.
Weatherup, Thomas D., Esq., Carrickfergus.
Weatherup, John, Esq., Carrickfergus.
Weatherup, James, Esq., Bayview, Carrickfergus. (2).
White, James, Esq., Albert Road, Carrickfergus.
\Yhiteford, David G., Esq., Prospect House, Carrickfergus.
Willis, Miss Elizabeth, Engracia, Malone Park, Belfast.
Wilson, John G. Hill, Esq., 143 Royal Avenue, Belfast.
Wilson, James, Esq., 21 Carlisle Street, Belfast.
Wilson, Rev. James, 60 Cliftonpark Avenue, Belfast.
Woods, H. S., Esq. (the late), Bank Buildings, Belfast.
Woodside, W. A., Esq., J.P., Castle Rocklands, Carrickfergus.
Wright, Edward Perceval, Esq., M.D., Trinity College, Dublin.

Young, John, Esq., Canning Street, Belfast.

Young, Right Hon. Robert M., P.C., J.P.,
Park, Belfast.
Young, Stewart, Esq., Carrickfergus.

Rathvarna.

(2).

Chichester

534

INDEX.
Abbeys,

162,

160,

154,

Cairns, 22, 368, 369.

Castles, Fergus, 214; Worraigh, 147,
t>
Sendall's,
171;
Lugg's,
371;
O'Neill's, 151; Savage's, b; Birket's,
295Castle made headquarters of Militia,

164.

Rev. William, 256.

Sir Robert, 40, 56, 256.
Rev. Patrick, 75, 76, 172, 235,

Adair,

251, 256.

William, 235.
family of, Appendix.
T. B., 290.
Agriculture, 322,
Aldermen, 405.
Alabaster, 308.

Constables of, 221, 223.

Governors, 223, 224.

326.

Catherwood,

Royal [Link]

of,

visits,

Chapels, 22, 214, 258.

Charters, 234, 238.
18
Churches, ancient, Franciscans,
Killyann, 165
Carnrassy, 165.
modern, St. Nicholas, 174
North Street, 211; Joymount, 212;
Unitarian, 212; Independent, 213;
Roman Catholic, 258; Methodist,
210; Baptist, 212.
Chichester, Sir John, 31.
Sir Arthur, 32.
family of. Appendix.
Clements, Henry, 418.
Clergymen, Episcopal, 245-247 Presby212,
terian,
248-257; Covenanters,
Roman
213;
257;
Independents,
Catholic,
213;
258-260;
Baptist,
Unitarian, 212; Methodist, 210.
Close, Rev. William, 257.
Clock, 205.
Clot worthy, family of. Appendix.
Coins, 372, 375 Coining, 372.
Coaches, 360.
Coastguards, 231.
Coal, in, 307.
Convent, 162.
Constabulary, 104.

136-

127,

1
Antrim, Earl of, 37, 49. 5
_
Court-house, 171.

171.

170,

158,

Jail,

Area, 171.
Argyle, Marquis

of,

Assembly, 264.
Assizes, attempts

to

54.

Arms, Coats of, 181.

Ards, Lord of, 57.

final

Bank,

106,

remove,

172.

Commission, 241.

359-

Barracks, 167, 225.

Basalt, 306.
Bauxite, 306.
Bells, 132, 350.
Belfast Strikes,

New

138.
at,

Jail

109.

Big Wind, 107.

Birds, 441, 448-

Blackwell, 360.
Boats, 360.
Boundaries, 435, 437Bows, Aereal, 102, 104,

105.

Edward, 424.

Brice,

Brickworks,

135.

Cooke, Dr., 108, 112.

County, length and breadth, 242.
Copeland Islands, 312, 313.

Bull Baiting, 207.

Burleigh, 429.
Burgesses, 405.
Bullworthy, family of, 415.
Bruce, King Robert, n, 13.

Edward,
death,

13

Commons,

crowned,

14

14.

Brechon Laws,

29,

287.

founded, S;
of,
Carrickfergus,
walled,
burnt by Scots, 17, 19, 23
incorporated, 242.
143

town

186.

Caves, 369.
Census, 168, 169, 171, 331, 332.
Chaine, Dean, 274.
Chamberlain, Rov. George, 247.

Append.x.

Allen, Samuel, M.D., 397.

Antiquities, 372.

Antiquarians,

in.

112,

114,

118,

203.

Court-house, 173.
Coroners, 237.
Coronation Celebrations, 134.
Covenants, 50, 61.
Craig, Si, 122, 132, 138, 206, 210, 238,
339.

34".

34*. 368-

family of.
Crannoges, 314.

Appendix.

535
Crossmary, 291.
Crymble, 420.
Curfew, 132.
Cuthbcrt, Rev. Alexander, 257.
Customs, let of, 153, 159; ;imoimt,
ibo

sale of,

Houston, Thomas, 130.

Horseman, Anthony, 417.
Industries, Appendix.
Island-Magee, Massacre, 41-47.

Iron Scats, 134.

159.

Custom-house, 152, 250; Seal of the

Custom Surveyors, John, King,
Customs, 230

6.

Paul, 91, 94.

Johnston, of Ballykilbeg, 115,
Jones,

230.

Customs,

old,

347,

356.

Joymount,
Dalraida,

Dahvay, family

of,

Davys, family
De Courcy, <>.
De Burgo, 15.
DC Lacys, 6, 7,

of,

Distilleries,

Appendix.
Appendix.

Disestablishment Bill,
Dobbs, family of, Appendix.
Dobbin, 422.
Downshire, Marquis of, address

Knockagh,

Down

Earl

first

of,

Ellis,

Earl

of,

arrives,

tradition

Fergus, King,
Fenianism, 114.
Fire Engine, 134.

23.

concerning,

French take Carrickfergus,

Freemen, 276-283.
Freemasonry, 127.

3.

Lyon,

Commons,

137.

213.

Si.

Feast, 266.
Salary, 267.

Market House,

173.

106.

Masonic Hall,

Members
Militia,

of

80,

127.

Parliament, 432-435.
84.

Gas, town first lighted by, 113.

Gaelic League, 137.
Gaol, 151, 170, 171, 190, Appendix.
Gallows' Green, 310, 319.
Gallows sold, 104.
Gill, Henry, 234, 235.
Governors, 224.

Monuments,
Mounts, 365.
Moneypenny,

Y., 212.

J.

184,

196.

129.

Monkstown Chapel,

4.

Monasteries, 147, 160.

Mutiny of Garrison, 61.
Municipal Act, 107.

Commissioners, 108.
Munroe, Robert, 48; surprises Belfast,

263.
164,

123.

Harbour Masters,

53

165.

Harbour Junction Railway,

Harbour,

114.

Downshire's,

296-309

of,

Rev. James,

Mint, 372.
Minford, Rev.

103,

307.

206.

Fullers Earth, 306.

Hospitals,

1:2.

Mayors, 409-430.

Fish, 317, 360.

Forts, 311.
Frosts, 79, 101, 102.
Franchise, riding the, 292, 437.

Guilds,

304,

family of, Appendix.

Lifeboat, 129.
Lignaca, 315.
Limestone, 308.
Lisglass, 289.
Literary and Scientific Society,
Loughmourne, 314.

Emancipation Bill, 105.

Eminent Persons, 338, Appendix.
Essex,

158.

Church,

33-

Lepper,

Appendix.

of,

Division
3 02

224.

34.

family,

166,

Langford, Hercules, 413.

Lands,
Shaftesbury's,
Appendix.

201.

Duncru, 365, 373.

Eagle-wing,

155,

Larne and Stranraer Route,

to,

126.

of,

of,

Presbyterian

Kennedy's Works," 133.

King-Kerr, Dr., 132.
Kirk, Sir William, 95, 295.
family of, Appendix.

8.

Marquis

Manor

"

359.

Survey, 295.
Donegall, funeral of

117.

154.

2.

273.
Hearts of Steel, 90.
Hill, Sir Moses, 411.

taken prisoner, 57.

122.

M'Calmont, 132.
M'Cance, family

of,

M'Comb, William,

Appendix.
108.

M'Donnell, 30, 37, 42, 46.

536
M'Ferran, Capt. Robert, no.
M'Gilmore, 18.

Railway,

Names

of Early Settlers, 154,

Humphrey, 413.
Nursing Association, 129.

158.

Norton,

110,

109,

360.

Rebellions, 97.
Rent, 295.
Red-hall, 31.
Recorders, 268.

Recreation Grounds,

127.

Rectory, 245.
Officers

of

Corporation,

fees

Re
of,

240,

Old Inhabitants, 335-337.

Orr, Execution of William, 96.
Orlands, 210.

Ormond, Duke of, 73.

Orangemen, 104.
Orange Processions, 180.

to rs
?.

2 45-

'

Religious Denominations, 334.

V
S^liRev" 3 James

Reid

"

'

Seaton

D D"
'

'

^/',. i

RivtfS
"' 3*7-

Koaas, 320
Roman Catholic troops, 37.
Council of he World, 124.
Club l6 4"
Rowi
Tricentenary of the defelt of
"f I33
ell
the Spanish Armada, 124.
Bicentenary of the landing of
the Prince of Orange at Torbay, 124. Saltmines, Appendix.
Hall, Lancasterian Street, 133; Salt, in.
Eden, 127; Knockagh, 127; Wood- Sailing Club, 114.
'

'

>

burn, 118.
Oysters, 361.

Sandbank, 312.

O'Haughan's Cave, 369.

O'Neill, Shane, 22.
Brian Ballagh, 25.
Brian M'Phellimy, 25.

School Attendance Committee, 232.

Scoutbush, 371.
Scots plunder the town, 19.

Hugh,

Schools,

25.

Con's escape, 34, 226.

Art Oge, 39.

Turlough Lynogh,

27.

161.

Papers (News), Freeman,

Seals, 35, 219, 230,

Seats of Principal

of,

65.

231.
Inhabitants,

3 1 9-

Sieges,

2.

12,

Shaw, Rev.

68.
S.

M., 258.
Shaftesbury, Earl of, 131.
Sheriffs, 409-430, Appendix.

'

Silver Oar, 261.

Societies, 233, 322, 330.
Soil,

35-

Springs, 310, 311.

Stones, 305.
Stewart, Rev. John, 251.
Rev s E -> 2I2
-

146.

Councillor, 376.
Straidland, 290.

Potato Famine, 109.

Printfields, 358.
Priests, list of, 258,

334.

330,

Sergeants at Mace, 273.

121; Ad-ver- Shields, Charles, 238.

User, 121.
Patriot Club, 80.
Paul, Rev. John, 257.
Peat, 308.
Picts, 4 370.
Pillory, 374.
Pipe Clay, 305.
Population, 171, 334.
Port-surveyors, 231.
Post Office, 359.
Police,

233,

Schomberg, Duke,
Seaver, Dean, 125.

Settlers,

Palace,

232,

259,

260.

Priory of Woodburn, 163.

Presbyterian ministers imprisoned, 60.
Bicentenary Year, 109.
Presbytery, First in Ireland, 49.

Quakers, 61.
Quay, 158, 232, Appendix.
Quarters, 167.
Querns, 376.
Queen Anne, death of, 77.
Victoria, death of, 132.

Dean 26 7Sword and Mace, 265.

Swift

Sword-bearers, 273.

Tanyards, 360.
Taxes, 321.
Tablets in Church, 179-199.
Technical School, 137.
Tenants, 438.
Tennison, Bishop, 336.
Thourot, 81-86.
Tokens, 375.

318,

537

Town

Court, 136.
Clerks, 272.
Chest, 284.

Walls,

Belfast,

145.

Wages, 327.
Water Sold,

Urns, 365.

murdered,

Union Hall and Museum,

15.

137.

Valuation of Lands, 321.

Vaults, 175, 191.
Victoria,
Queen, addresses to, 106,
124; arrives in the Lough, no.
Victoria Cemetery Consecrated, 135.
Visits of

115.

Act,

316.
Bailiffs, 273.
Wells, 219.
Weavers, 359.

Weather, prognostics of, 356, 358.

Wesley's Visits, 82.
White, Rev. James, 257.
Whales, 78.
William, King, 72.
Wilson, Ezekiel Davys, 376, 429.
Windmills, 143.
Witches, Carnmoney, 101.
Islandmagee, 73.

King John, 7.
King William, 72.
Prince and Princess of Wales William III. lands, 72.
(now King and Queen) and Prince Women's Suffrage, 122.
Albert Victor, 122.
Working Men's Institute,
Lord Wolseley, 125.
Woodburn Priory, 162.
Field-Marshal

Earl

Roberts,

127.

Marquis of Dufferin, 128.

General Sir George White,
Earl and Countess of Shaftes-

Glens,

316.

Stones

of,

Wood's Halfpence,

Young

V.C., 131.
bury,

Men's

133.

164.

Christian

138.

His Royal Highness the Duke Zadia Lifeboat,

126.

78.

132.

of Connaught,

126.

80.

Carrickfergus, 339.

Underground Passage, 174, 227.

Urban District Council, first, 129.
of,

104.

Trades, 333, 359.

Treasurers, 274.
Trooper's land, 304.
Tythes, 291.

Earl

Marquis of Salisbury,
Carnmoney, 84.

Volunteers,

and Quarters Numbered,

Ulster,

General Lord Grenfell, 136.

128.

Association,

ANNALS OF ULSTER
BY SAMUEL M'SKIMIN.

New

Notes by

Edition, with

few Copies

left.

Price,

BELFAST

E. J.

2/3

M'CRUM.

post free.

WILLIAM MULLAN & SON, DONEGALL

JAMES CLEELAND, ARTHUR

STREET.

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