Gc 941.6202 M193m 1815108

REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION ALLEN PUBLIC LI B AF ? jX.,,| ,n ,. |

3 1833 00729 8901 Digitized by the Internet Archive

in 2010 with funding from Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center

http://www.archive.org/details/historyofmagheraOOmait ' HDST0IRY

MHEMRFELT,

W. H. MAITLAND.

REPRINTED FROM THE MID- MAIL

TTS' ii o

The Mid-Ulster Printing Work? .

1815108

F Ma it land, W H. ~~ 42955 town .54 History of Magheraf elt .. Cooks 1916.

Reprinted from the Mid-Ulster mail.

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B 13700 NL 31-5200

The publication of the following sketches, in reference to ,

was suggested by the celebration in 9 3 of 1 1 the tercentenary of the Irish

Society, which was constituted to undertake the Plantation of Co. London-

and which granted various estates to twelve of the London Companies.

I regret that, owing to circumstances over which I had no control, the

information is not as full as I would have wished.

With gratitude I desire to acknowledge ray indebtedness to Mr.

Maxwell Given, C.E., ; Mr. J. Yv. Kernohan. M.A., one of the

Hon. Secretaries of the Presbyterian Historical Association ; and to Mr. J. i.

Donaghy, B. A., Solicitor an 1 Registrar of th: Counly C vart, ire vahuble

notes. W. II. MAITLAND.

MA.GHERATTELT, AUGUST, 19 6.

1 BI3700

HISTORY OF MAGHERAFELT.

Magherafelt, according to tlic Census of , , Coleraine, Tyrone, Fer- 1911, is a town of 1,233 inhabitants. It is managh and Cavan falling into his hands, situated in the southern end of County owing to O'Neill, Earl of Tir-owen, with Londonderry, is the recognised capital of several other chiefs, having rebelled against that portion of the county, lias ;x nourishing the Crown of . They were finally market, and is situated in the of subdued and attained of High Treason, and their Loughinshollin. It is 35 miles distance from possessions made over to the British , 38 miles from Londonderry, and 114 Crown. Ulster had been notorious for afford- ing miles from . shelter to rebellious subjects, and the King determined to put an end to such a The name Magherafelt, according to some state of things by inducing English and authorities, means the "Plain of Fegads Scottish Protestants to settle amongst a Fort," while others have it "The Plain of penplo "so turbulent as the Irish were." At Felta." It was anciently "Tafelta," the hist was the only part con- house of Felta. When it first took shape it templated as tho field of operations, but Sir is difficult to say with certainty. It is con- John Davys persuaded the King to extend it sidered by some to be a town of great anti- to the whole of Ulster, and the London quity owing to the old church, whose exist- Companies were asked to undertake tho ence can be traced as far back as the year Plantation. On the 29th March, 1G13, the 1425. How long prior to that date the well- Charter was granted incorporating the Irish known authorities, Reeves and 'Ware, do not Society and making over to them sub- state, but it was then considered the ancient stantially the whole, of . church of Magherafelt. Very little, how- Amongst other things the King provided for ever, is known of Magherafelt prior to the the appointment of a Recorder of London- "Plantation days-" No doubt there must derry, a sword bearer, and Sergeants at Mace. have existed houses, probably of c:tge work, Prior to the issue of the Charter, on 1st belonging to the native Irish, scattered round August, 1G09, it was resolved by the Society the old church. There is a tradition that St. to send four wise, grave and discreet citizens Patrick considered it of such importance that to visit and view the site of the suggested he worshipped in the old church and plated a Plantation. This deputation consisted of stone at the bottom of the well opposite the John Broad (goldsmith), John Munns church gate. It was believed that if the (mercer), Robert Treswell (painter, stone was lifted out the well would go dry, stainer), and John Rowley (draper). They and remain so until replaced. In 183G the accordingly came over, viewed the land and inhabitants actually believed that some time made their report, which was favourable- It previously the well had become dry because might have been otherwise, but care was tho stone had been removed for cleansing taken that it should be favourable, for we are purposes, and had not been put back. Tho told in the "Story of the Irish Society," well was then tho chief water supply for tho published bv the Irish Society's directions town, and the people declined to try any in 1913, that Sir Arthur , tho experiment upon it. This well is still in Lord Deputy in , had been instructed existence, but as the water has been con- to use the greatest care and discretion as to demned it is seldom, if ever, used. those with whom the deputation should view the land, and their conductors were to be There was a prevalent idea that it men of such understanding and experience was originally intended to build the town in that they should be able, "both by discourse Megargy, almost two miles distant from its "and reason, to controule whatsoever any present situation, and in support of that view "man shall reporte, either out of ignorance it is pointed out that portion of that town- "or malice, and to give the undertakers land, comprising a number of houses, is called "satisfaccon when they shall be mistaken or "Tho Oldtown." However, the generally "not well informed of any particular." accepted theory is that Magherafelt (whoso ancient name was identified by the late Sir Arthur Chichester faithfullv carried Bishop Reeves as "Teoffigalta") took out his instructions, for Sir John Davys, ono practical shape with the "Plantation," and of the King's Commissio

HISTORY OF MAGHERAFELT.

To givo a faint notion of the condition of Salters' portion, however, must have offered the country round Magherafelt, we learn great facilities for the building of houses, aa from "Hill's Plantation of Ulster," that the it would appear to have been well covered Commissioners left on 21th with woods. In a report made by a depu- August, 1609, and marched towards the tation appointed by the Irish Society to visit County of Coleraine (now Co. Londonderry). the plantation of Ulster in 1836, they stated The Mountains of Sleivgannon (Slievegallion) "thero must have been large forests on the not being passable with carriages, they were "Estate, as from records of the Society of all constrained to pass by Desert Linn and Glan- "the orders for timber, most of them were conkeane, neur to Killctragh, the greatest "given on the Woods of Salters Town and the fastness of Tyrono.The road by Desert Lynn, "Society regularly paid salaries to tho however, although leading through woods and "Rangers and Caretakers of the Woods." In wilds, was level and had at least one rare Mitchell's Life of Hugh O'Neill we are told attraction for Chichester and Bodlcy as that the deep woods and thickets of Glan- conducting them to the celebrated lake dwell- conkcano (the name of that valley through ing of Lochinnis-O'Lynn, on which they were which the Moyola winded its way to Lough determined to erect a Fort for the protection Neagh, then the most inaccessible fastness in of coming settlers in that district- A Fort all Tyrowen) afforded shelter for O'Neill and was built, and in 1041 was held by Shane his followers, where he defied the armies of O'Hagan- The lake is partly in the England for a whole winter. It is also said of and partly in that of Annagh that a "Martin" could hop from bough to and Moneysterlin—the latter being a bough, from to the Lough; that a corruption of Mainister ()• Fhloinn, and person could walk from Magherafelt to Cole- derived from a religious house, founded by a raine on tree stumps, and in later years, that Chieftain of the O'Lynns. This position was bells had to be attached to tho necks of evidently one of importance, as it gave its cattle grazing on Megargy Rocks in order to name to the district now known as the locate them, so dense was the wood- Barony of Loughinshollin. About the year 1615 the Salters' Co. sent After the return of the four "wise and over an agent and workmen to commence grave men" to England, and the presen- building a Manor House and Bawn, and other tation of their report, the lands were divided preliminary works for planting their estate into twelve portions of nearly equal value, with settlers. in such a manner that each portion renre- sented an expenditure of £3,333 Gs 8d. That To ensure that the County might not in amount was afterwards found insufficient, future be peopled wholly with Irish, the Irish and in 1615 a further sum of £1,606 10s Od Society (which was the parent Society) re- was paid by each of the Companies. The solved to send out twelve boys from Christ's Salters had five Companies associated with Hospital, together with other poor, to bo them, viz. —The Wool-men, The Dyers, The apprenticed, and the settlers were precluded Saddlers, The Cutlers, and The Joiners, and from taking Irish apprentices. the amount which each of these contributed towards the purchase of the Salters' portion, The trades, which were considered proper was as follows :—Salters' Co., £L>,931 8d to introduce were : —Weavers of Common 6s ; The Woolmon (purchased by the Salters), Cloth, Fustians (Corduroy) and New Stuffs, £30; The Dyers, £870 0s Od; The Saddlers, Trimmers of Hats and Hatband Makers,

£585; The. Cutlers, £337 10s Od ; The Joiners, Locksmiths, Farriers, Tanners, Fellmongers £246—Total, £4,999 16s 8d. It may here be (dealers in skins), Ironworkers, Glass Makers, stated that according to the report of the Pewterers, Coast Fishermen, Turners, Morley Committee on the Irish Society, and Basket Makers, Tallow Chandlers,, Dyers London Companies, in 1890, the Land and Curriers, and skilled workmen of these Commission advanced £230,596, as the price trades were sent over. of the Salters' Estate, which was sold in 1885- Means were also taken that as far as pos- On 17th December, 1613, at a Court of sible the customs of the Irish should not bo Common Council, Mr. Alderman Cockaine, followed, as one of the articles of the Plan- the Governor of the Irish Society, and the tation stipulated that the undertakers "shall Master and Wardens of the several "use tillage and husbandry after the manner Companies being present, the divisions were "of the English Pale." Pynnar, in his numbered, and the numbers put on twelve survey, explained this to mean that the lands separate pieces of paper, which were rolled should not be tilled with ploughs attached and tied up separately and brought into the to horses tails, and Sir Arthur Chichester Council Meeting in a box, from which the gave a description of their manner of working drawing took place. The different Companies in a report in which ho stated:— "Their then entered into possession. Settlers "short Irish ploughs wero drawn by the tail. shortly afterwards began to arrive, and it "Their team consisted commonly of "five or six whmiis that frames of houses wore sent over "horses, all placed abreast, having neither with the settlers by the Companies. Pho "cords, chains nor lines whereby to draw,

HISTORY OF MAGHERAFELT.

"but every horse by his own tail, and to every "Shipwrights, 4 ; Sawyers, 9 ; Tymber "man a horse." The cruel practice was "Squarrers, 4; Waymen, 8; Tymber and subsequently prohibited by Act of Parliament. "Wood Sellers and Rafters of tymber and

The Charter also directed the formation of "Wood, 12 ; Cottmen from the Woods to the the County of Londonderry—and the Barony "Leape, 9; Lathe Renderers, 20; Overseers of Loughinshollin—which was taken from Co. ''thereof, 3 ; Ffloters of tymber from the

Tyrone. "Leape, 3 ; English and Irish men employed "by Mr. Nugent in the Woods for the fellingo In the year 1613 two members of the Irish "and squaringe and bringingc down of Society were sent over to make inquiry as to "tymber, 32."' the erection of fortifications at Deny and Coleraine, and in the course of their report The work of the Plantation was not allowed they stated that the prices of provisions in to go on smoothly, for according to the Ulster were 15s for a cow or bullock (about "Story of the Irish Society," already referred one halfpenny per lb.), Is -Id to 2s for a sheep, to, an Irish conspiracy to surprise and destroy 2s for a hog, lid a bushel for bailey, 4d a the new Plantation was discovered in 1615. bushel for oats, and lG.s a barrel for strong However, the organisers of the conspiracy beer. were arrested and brought to justice afteV trial at Derry, six "Gentlemen of the North," King James, wishing to be informed as to "who were near kinsmen of Tyrone," were the progress made by the several Companies, found guilty of treason and executed. directed surveys to be made. The following Another appears in "Carew's Survey":—"Hereafter survey was made in 1618 by Captain Nicholas Pynnar, "followeth a declaration of what is done in who reported that he found Sayer (probably "the Woods of Glanconkeyne, in. the Barony Hugh the first lessee agent) "of Lough Enish-O-Lyne, granted to the or upon the proportion of the Salters' Co. "At Marifelt there is "Londoners. There is 400 loads of tymber a Bawn of "eighty feet square of "feld and square!, and most of it drawne to lyme and stone, with "two Hankers, and the ('astle is now in "the Bann Syde ; 400 trees wch lye ready "building, being 60 feet long and 20 feet "felled ; about 20 Irish houses tatched with "chimneyes buylte at the woods for dwellings "wide. This is now 3 stories high, and the "roof ready to be set up. The walls of the "for workmen ; a house wherein Mr. "Hilliocko dwelleth beinge of four bayes, a "Bawn are not as yet above 10 feet high. "storie and half high with a fflourc, two "Near unto the Bawn there are seven houses "chimneyes, covered with horde. About 200 "of slight cage work, whereof 5 are inhabited "duzen of Birtch poles felled for buyldinge of "with poor men, the other two stand waste." "scaffoldinge and burning of bricke and tyle. According to the the Muster Roll of County "About 100,000 lathes already riven in the Londonderry, there were on the "Woods. By estimation, there have byne Salters' Proportion— Mr. Sayer— 16 men; 12 muskets- "digged upwards of 40 sawe pitts, in such and 4 Halberds. "places from whence tymber could not bo "drawn. Ffoure men contynually imployed A further survey was made in 1622, from "aboutc making of cashes to drawe tymber which we learn that on the Salters' pro- "of the woods to the Bann. About 300 horse portion there were 6 freeholders, one free- "load of Wattles lying ready in the Woods- holder res'ident ; 12 British men, and 348 "Two frames of houses of six bayes apice in natives. The Survey also states :— "Thi.s- "hand, and neere finished by Moore and "proportion lies in the fastness of Killetra, "Wilson. Tymber for one ship ready squared "where it is very fit for the strengthening "and sawen; for another, tymber felled and "of those parts. There was a Castle and "squard. Great store of firewood for burn- "Bawn erected between Mayharyfelt and "inge of brickes and tyle ready cutt at the ", at the two Bade Moans. "water syde. Ffoure and twentio oxen The "Drapers Proportion, which, with Mayhary- "eontynnually imployed in the Woods for "felt, being finished, and Freeholds of the "drawinge of tymber to the watcr-syde. In "said Manor well planted in a convenient "the Countie of Colrayne wo neither found "Place, and large Paces cut through the "nor understood of anie thinge done or in "woods for highways, will be a great security "hand to bo done by the Londoners towards "to those parts, and increase of traffic from "the p'fonnance of the Articklos of the "the inland countrys to the said Lough "Plantation. Their agents receive the rents "Neagh." The Castle referred to is evidently "there and in the barony of Lough Enisli-O- Salters' Old Castle. "Lyn from the natives, and seeke not to "remove them, w'ch makes the said natives (It will be seen that Salterstown was a displanted, "to conceive that they shall not be more important place than Magherafelt in "w'ch is a great hindrance to the Plan- 1622.) "tation of that Countie, and ane vile example "to their neighbours. Workmen and The following note is attached:— "This "Labourers imployed in the Woods:— "Manor House and Bawn begun by the

HISTORY OF MAGHERAFELT.

"Company of Suiters', and builded to the first expeditiously, and on the 28th February, "story has so remained these six years, the. 1634, a fine of £70,000 was imposed on the "timber rotting and decaying being now used London Corporation and the Irish Society, "for a Pound for Cattle." the Charter was cancelled, and the surrender of the estates was ordered. These demands From the Photo it will be observed that not having been immediately complied with, Magherafelt, in 1622 was not a very pre- proceedings were taken in 1638 ; the Charter tentious place, as it only consisted of a Bawn, was revoked, and the lands seized by the the house used as a cattle pound, and ten King- Subsequently the fine appears to have frame workouses six of which were occupied — been commuted to £12,000 which was paid two were vacant, and two were in course of to the King, and the companies "pardoned" construction. The names under the occu- fur having broken the terms of the Charter. pied houses are: —Thomas Cooper, Anthony Avery, Silvester Fleetwood, Ellis Rodfern, The companies presented a petition to the Joice Everet, and John Redferm Those in Long Parliament to have the judgment, Saltortown are :—Daniel Hall, Thomas Jack- which had been obtained against them, son, Richard Evans, Edward Young, John cancelling the Charters, set aside. The Howgrave, Widow Travels, Rowland 'Way- prayer of the petition was granted, Parlia- bank, Walter Walton, "Sir. Birkett, ment characterising the sentence as not only minister; Matthew Hill, Mr. Finch Miles unjust, but unlawful, and on the 10th April, Shingleton, The Pitts, Richard Averv, 1602, a fresh Charter was granted by Charles Thomas Taylor, Edward Foster, Robert the Second— the Salters' Company's being Scott. It is interesting to note that dated 5th June, 1663. at the present time Robert Averall, who resides in Union Road, and John Redfern, The work of the Plantation, as will bo , both are direct descendants of gathered from the foregoing, was very slow, the Averys and Redfems respectively, who owing to the trouble caused by the revocation came over at the time of the Plantation. In of the Charter, and the consequent dispos- 1624 the Commissioners of Inquiry appointed session of the Companies and their tenant** to report as to the further progress made by In addition, the natives looked with anything the several Companies in carrying out the but a kindly eye on the "Foreigners," and Plantation Scheme, stated that 'of the fifty were determined to get rid of them at the three and a half belonging to the first opportunity. This came in the form of Suiters' Co., eleven were planted with British, the terrible Rebellion of 1041. That it was and forty-two and a half with Irish— there well planned may be gathered from tho being 147 Native Irish Tenants. following, which is culled from Sullivan's account. "On the night appointed, without Charles the First sent articles to the "failure or miscarriage at any point save one :— Common Council on 27th May, 1625 "That "—Dublin Castle—out of 'all, at which each of the twelve Companies woe to make "simultaneousness of action was designed, six Freeholders of one Balliboe (i.e.— (JO "the Confederate rising was accomplished. acres), at least upon every portion, and ten "In one night the people had swept out of leaseholders for lives, to whom they were to "sight, if not from existence, almost every set lands— at ninopence the English acre to "vestige of English Rule throughout tho freeholders, and twelve pence to leaseholders, "three provinces." and the rest of their lands they might set to the natives (Irish), who were conformable in So far as is generally known, there is no religion with them, took the oath of alle- published account of the outbreak, which giance and supremacy, learned their deals principally with local details- Tho language, wore their fashion of apparel, and following, however, has been obtained from a resorted to their Churches. The freeholders very reliable source. It appears that on were, according to the original condition of Saturday evening, 2nd October, 1641, a the grant, bound, amongst other stipulations, message was received in Magherafelt that to build a house, enclose it, dwell therein the Irish had takert Moneymore that morn- with their families, and keep arms lor defence. ing, and were on their way to attack They were established for the purpose of Magherafelt. The people of the town were ensuring a sufficient number of Protestant then called to arms to the Castle, provided Jurors to assist in the business of the County with about 15 guns, and preparations were at the general Assizes, and to further the made to withstand the attack. A Mr. Protestant Religion by their residence. The Waring took command of the defenders. Six Freeholds were:—Ballvdrum (Ballin- Two hours after the receipt of tho news a drum), Cusheney (Coolshinney), Anna party of 200 Irish, under the command of Knaugh (Ballynenagh), Mova

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HISTORY OF MAGHERAFELT. with such good effect that O'Hagan was most anxious about the fate of his pro- forced to retire in the direction of Desert- perty returned from England about 1656, martin, and took that place. Mr. Waring, but died on the 13th February, 1657, anticipating that O'Hagan would return, and was interred in the Old Church, took eleven of the best armed of the defenders Magherafelt. The monument, which is of red that night under cover of darkness to marble, and which should prove interesting Castle, which was held by a small to antiquarians, contains the following garrison, under the Command of Henry inscription : Conway, M.P., and who had plenty of arms H.S.E., and ammunition. Mr. "Waring informed Mr. RADOLPHFS WHISTLER, Conway of the attack on Magherafelt, requested assistance and a supply of arms. Armigeri, Mr. Conway refused to comply. Mr. Waring Qui Obut., 13th February, 1657. then decided to return to Magherafelt, but (Here is buried Whistler, Esq-, only six of his followers would oecompany Radolphus him, and early on the morning of the 25th who died 13th February, 1657.) October, they set out on their return This Monument was removed to St. journey. they reached Aghagaskin When Swithin's Church on the 13th February, 1858, they were informed that the Irish had for its better preservation by the then rector, returned in force the previous day, captured Rev. Charles King-Irwin, father of the Magherafelt, and burned the Church, Castle, Venerable the Archdeacon of Armagh. Mi-. houses. Mr. Waring and his comrades and Whistler was evidently succeeded by his then took refuge in Edward Brerc's house, in nephew, Mr. Gabriel Whistler, who had the Aghagaskin, and having fortified it, awaited lands leased to him at £100 per year, payable developments- O'Hagan, with his force, half-yearly, and one fat bullock, or £8 in arrived in the evening, attacked the house, liru thereof, lie must have experienced but were repulsed with a loss of several killed enormous difficulty in getting tenants to and wounded- He then abandoned the attack settle upon the lands, as is shown by a letter and took his departure. Mr. Waring re- written in 1C91, in reply to an application turned to Magherafelt, which he found in a for rent from the Salters' Co-, which also terrible plight. About 50 men, women and gives a description of the effect of the children were wandering about in great Rebellion, the seige of Derry, and the trouble misery from cold and hunger, O'Ha-gan's caused by the revocation of the different army having stripped them of the greater Charters. part of their clothing. Not having the means to assist them, Waring instantly set He wrote as follows :— out Bellaghy Castle, taking all again for the Honoured Landlords,— I lately received inhabitants with him for food and shelter. a letter from Mr- Redmayne, your Clerk, They were followed by about 200 Irish, who wherein he writes that he had presented carried weapons—but not firearms, but were my letter to you, and that you were pleased unable to get to close quarters with the to order him to give this answer to me refugees, owing to the latter being armed that you were credibly informed that my with guns. On approaching the Mnyola losses in Ireland wore' not what I had in they met another party of the Irish my letter represented unto you, and that both foot charged — and horse—who them I had got 2 or £3,000 by insurances upon but a volley from the guns sent them off in a your Estate-_ There I beseech you to give panic, leaving several killed and wounded me leave to inform you that I am not used behind them. At last the refugees reached to write or tell lies, and that what I wroto Bellaghy Castle, where they were received to you is true to a tittle to the utmost of and afforded food and shelter. my knowledge, and to the best information The havoc wrought by the Rebellion can I can have, and that my losses there are be better imagined than described. One many hundred pounds more than I repre- sented to you- as to account, published in 16.44, gives an idea, for And my gains by insurances, it states: —"All the country presented a in all my lifetime I never made, nor "deserted appearance— there being only was concerned in any assurances what- soever "eight persons in Loughinshollin." The out- of the value of so much as one shilling. break caused the settlers to seek refuge in And that neither directly nor Derry, Colerainc, and indirectly by myself or any other i ever got so principally in Derry— and it appeals each of much as the value of one shilling by any the 12 Chief Companies sent two pieces of insurance whatsoever. If tlris does Ordnance to Derry to assist during the not satisfy you I will give you my oath of Robollion, in addition to four ships laden with the truth of it, in any words whatsoever all kinds of provisions. that you shall please to nut it. Aad if you please to send for my brother, who At the termination of that fateful time lives in the City, and is also your tenant, Ralph Whistler, who became lessee of the to attend you, he will clear me from this Saltors' Estate in 1620, naturally became aspersion (for such I cannot but take it to

—

HISTORY' OF MAGHERAFELT.

be) and set me right in your thoughts as camo over and petitioned against the pro- inquire ceedings of the to that: or if any of you please to Court of Star Chamber- The parliament referred it to of my kinsman, Mr. John West, a Grand Scrivener, at the Stocks Market, or my Committee, of which my late uncle and brother-in-law, Mr. Peter Joye, Merchant your then tenant's brother was. After have more than six months' attendance and of your City, they will satisly you 1 not been concerned in anything of that examination, the parliament upon report nature, they being partners to most of my of the Committee, in May, 1641, camo to twenty-two of concerns that have occurred in your City resolutions, all which I have, heard, but are too long now to trouble you with, for many years past. My brother, I made some insurances, but what I know the 18th of which is in these words in "Resolved that upon the whole matter the not, nor was I ever concerned with him Mr- sentence in the Star Chamber was it to the value of a halfpenny. arbitrary unlawful and unjust, and tho Redmayne also says you were pleased to resolve is That the opinion of this order him to write that what loss had 22nd — happened was upon improvement that house is that they think fit that both tho citizens of and those of the New was upon their land, and not on the land London Plantation in Ulster and all undertenants, itself, and that your rent was in the nature to and all those put out of possession shtll bo of a ground rent, and therefore ought^ restored to tho samo state they were in be paid without any manner of delay. You before the sentence in the Star Chamber, may call it what you please, but sure I am great and accordingly the Parliament addressed it is a land rent, an Irish and a the King to regrant the lands to the City, rent, as affairs have happened there, and hath for it was in the King's hands by the I beg leave to inform you what rent it surrender of their Charter. The King been, and what hath been the fate of that declared he would restore them and ordered estate ever since it was first granted to the Company, and my uncle and I have been a patent to be made accordingly, but whilo the Companies' tenants were attending to your tenants. In the year 1615, King October, 1641, broke out the £,:ea. James the 1st granted the Irish lands to rebellion Ireland. Within a few day3 your City. In the year 1617 your in all houses whatsoever in the County of Company had their portion of land settled the of Derry upon them. From that time to the year Londonderry, except the City hands and the town of Coleraine, and one poor 1627, you kept the lands in your own tenant's house that stood in tho woods, and managed them by three succeeding and so of all the province of Ulster, except- agents, who let them to tenants for ing the great towns of strength wero thirtv, and to others for forty years, at burnt, and the Protestants that could not £122 in the whole, as by rent roll I have, make their escape to some place of out of which the agent's salary and other strength were murdered, and all tho stock public charges being paid or never received, they had, both of live and dead goods, as I was more than 30 years since credibly taken away, and from that time to informed, and believe you may find by were year 1656 there was not so much as a your book £80 was paid in the year 1627. the single inhabitant (Protestant) on your The Company, for £100 of a fine and the lands, no upon any other of the Companies' perscnt rent, granted the lease to my late lands that I ever heard of. In tho year uncle who held it, but to the year 1631, the Crown, when an information was exhibited by tho 1656 all the lands being in Cromwell having the government he, then Attorney-General, on behalf of King and upon application, granted a Charter to tho Charles the 1st, in the then Court of Star of all their lands again, and then my Chamber, against the , upon City uncle, your then tenant, went over and pretence of not performing agreements and the leaso Covenants concerning their Irish lands, suddenly after died there, when came to me, and in the year 1057, I went and that coming to a bearing suddenly aver and got a few straggling people to after the Court of Star Chamber, lined tho come upon your, lands, but all I could get City £70,000, and ordered all their lands out of it, for four years, until 1660, was in Ireland to be seized into the King's £134 above the public taxes laid upon hands, which was immediately, accordingly but it. then claimed 4 years done, and the City and other Companies' The Company rent, from 1656 "to were pleased tenants turned out of possession. The City 1660, and to accept £160 for it, which was more by of London finding the Court against them, £26 than ever I made out of it. In tho and to get clear of that monstrous fine of King Charles the 2nd returned, £70,000, compounded with tho King and year 1660 and your lands were again in tho King's gave all their lands in Ireland to the King, being void, and and accordingly their patents were made hands, Cromwell's patents King Charles the 2nd, void in the Court of Chancery, and tho in the year 1662, King had the possession and profits of all upon application from tho City, and in promise and their lands until, in the year 1640, a pursuance of his father's granted your Parliament was called in England, where- declaration by patent, again upon tho Companies' tenants in Ireland lands to the City. In tho year 1663,

a HISTORY OF MAGHERAFELT. the City or the Irish Society granted your writ you the truth of what hath befallen, proportioo to you, for until then you nor I and beg your pardon that I have been so had not title to it, and from that year, for tedious, but in less I could not lay before many years your full rent and the public you the misfortunes that have attended taxes could not be made out of it. But it our unhappiness there- I only further is true what could not be got, the Company entreat that you will please to do to me a.s was pleased to abate, as by your books will you would be done by were you in my con- appear, but until the year, 1077, I got dition, and that you will give mo leave to little out of it above what you had and subscribe myself, the taxes, and what I did I laid out with Your humble servant, many considerable sums I carried from England to re-build the tenants' houses GABRIEL WHISTLER. that were burnt in the rebellion. It is Matters remained in any tiling but a satis- true, by the year 1677 I had got it planted, factory state after the quelling of the and it turned out to advantage, but being Rebellion, and the succeeding of James II. to in taxes it was settled low ; and that we the Throne did not tend to smooth them. should have no more troubles there, I laid The appointment of the Earl of Tirconnell (a out the most of it in rebuilding the two strict Roman Catholic) to the office of Lord chief houses, and making them strong for Lieutenant of Ireland, created a great deal of a defence for the Protestants, of that unrest amongst the Protestants, and they County to fly into in case of a sudden solicited the services of William—Prince of massacre, as the great rebellion was, which Orange—who landed in England in 1688. The houses are now again burnt- But so soon large majority of the people in Ireland were as the late King came to the Crown, he put Catholics, and they assisted King James. the Government and arms in Ireland into Civil war, with all its horrors, again broke Popish hands, and thereby put the Protes- out, Magherafelt being taken by part of the tants in fear, so that trade and rents began followers of King James, who, according to to cease, and the people that had anything Lewis, used the Old Church as a barrack, considerable to remove out of that King- which saved it from being burned. The Castle dom, and no it continued until the happy had been destroyed, and they plundered the revolution. But when the late King town and caused the settlers, who were not James was in Ireland, and summoned his able to leave for England or , to lice Parliament, as he called them, there, that to the mountains and to Berry City — parliament, by public act, which 1 have number of them taking part in the memor- made void your charter, and granted all able siege in 1689. your lands to King James, not so much as saving the right of one single person. The Castle at Salterstoun, which had been time fatal And at the same happened that erected by the Salters' Co. at the time they seige at into almost all the Derry, which got possession of their Estates was, during that people of that County had either the Rebellion of 1641, held by a small guard purse or strength, and were not fled into of probably about twenty men. They were were England or Scotland, went and attacked by Sir Phelim O'Neill, who captured beseiged 1G weeks, and wherein many the Castle, and held it until 1643 or 1644, of which 1 have above thousands died, when the advance of the British forces com- sixty whoso hands I now dearly want. pelled him to retreat into - And when that siege was raised the Irish, Beforo leaving he burned the Castle and out of malice, burnt almost all the whole Church. The latter, it is said, was situated country, some few houses excepted, and a short distance from the Castle— about two drovo and carried away all their cattle fields length. The keeper of the Castle and goods, left only few poor, and and a the rector, Mr. Birkct, escaped across the ready perish for naked people to want. lake in 1641, but they and their families sure I truly sensible of " And am, were you subsequently died of starvation at Carrick- the miseries that Kingdom has suffered, fergus. and wherein the County of Londonderry by that seige, and therein the loss of the The Castle and bawn were rebuilt about people, and by fire and robbery of their 1677 by Gabriel Whistler—the then lessee of houses and goods have lost more than any the Estate, but it was- again destroyed by County in Ireland, you would rather think the army of James the Second in its retreat them object* lit to be relieved than take after the relief of Derry. The ruins of this anything from them for what is past. It second Castle arc those now existing. was not in your nor my power to hinder what hath happened. War, fire and the After the defeat of James at the Boyno, * sword had done it, and I am a very great matters became normal for a time, the loser by it, never to bo repaid. Never will settlers who returned applying themselves to that Kingdom, in 20 years of peace, be put improving their property and making and into the condition they were before theso repairing thie roads. The method by which calamities happened, besides the vast losses theso were repaired in those days would seem to the owners. In the meantime I have very novel to us in this twentieth century.

8 HISTORY OF M AGHERAFELT.

There was an Act passed, entitled: "The Six when Major Thomas Ash was appointed Days Labour Act," which enacted "that for Supervisor of the Highways, and Richard "every plough land in tillage or pasture, Handsbury and Andrew Morton, assistants. "occupied by a person in the same parish, In 1721 Thomas Trotter, sen., and Wm. "and every one keeping a plough, shall send Allison, were chosen overseers of the highway "to the place appointed i'of the amendment leading from the Market House of - "of the highways in that parish one cart felt to Moncymoro, and at a special meeting "furnished, etc-, with oxen, or horse and two of the Vestry held, pursuant to an Act of "able men-" And this was further enforced Parliament, for the repairing of the highways, by Queen Anne, c. 9, sec. 2, which enacted on the Gtli October, 1736, a Wm. Doherty was that the major part of the parishioners who appointed Director of the said Parish, and it shall meet yearly in Easier week may agree was resolved— "that a sum, not exceeding to divide the whole way or keshes to be made, "£2, be paid Mr. Doherty for his troulbe, as as and allot so much of the highway can be "the parishioners shall judge he deserves it, finished by the six days' work in that year, "and that sum to be levied off the parish." and to continue yearly till the whole high- This sum was paid yearly for many years. In way was repaired, and section 3 stipulated 1763 this system was abandoned and replaced that no person was to be obliged to travel by Grand July Presentment. two miles beyond the limit of his parish* to work at any highway. The non-existence of an easily obtainable successive record of Magherafelt from tho From this it is apparent that it was the Plantation days is a real want. It would bo duty of the vestries who met during Easter of the utmost interest and very much prized- week to have the roads made and kept in An effort was made to obtain information repair by the parishioners themselves, as from the Records in possession of the Salters' each person (a labourer excepted) was to Co., for tho purpose of enabling, as far as give six days free labour, and in order that possible, such an account to be prepared, but the work would be properly done the it proved unsuccessful, the Company not Vestries appointed Overseers of the High- seeming anxious to impart the necessary ways. In 1717 Major Thomas Ash, Captain data, or allowing it to bo abstracted. There- Thomas Hammersly, Johnston, Killy- Wm. fore these notes are not as full as tho com- faddy, and John Bunting, Killyncese, were piller would have wished. appointed. This was continued till 1720,

c j sHUw.ToW*.

^7/ MSCr^Av/

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ii3A @

(Copy of a drawing on Vellum, in possession of the Suitors' Co., without date, but which, on examination, appears to be copied from a book now in possession of the Drapers' Co., entitled: "A true survey of the present estate of the Plantation of the County of London- deny, taken by Sir Thomas Phillips, Ki., hy virtue of His Majesty's Commission under the greate seale of Ireland," bearing date the 30th daye of July, 1G22, and addressed "To the most high and mightie Monarch, Charles the First."

>num cj IrrUna <7he Gentlew&man of Ireland.

Jfie^U'dl' Trjfh Mh

OLD 1 1,!i.- II TYPES

(from an enj. 0, by i of the iiroiiriutors of the "Belfast Evening Tolegrnp!

—— A

MA G HERA FELT 1 50 Y EA R S A G .

The next reliable account \vc have of tlio mentioned as the occupiers, none of the town of Maglierafelt is that contained in the names are extant to-day, except that of Terrier (Rental) of the Suiters' Co., issued in Semple, represented by Mr. John Somple, respect of the half-year ended 1st November, woollen draper, Rainey Street. But it 1752, which gives a description of the princi- seems that although his ancestors were pal occupiers : amongst the first settlers, they took up their abode in Aghagaskin, and their deseendante Wm, Allison—A thatched house of two continued there till a comparatively storey and a garden. short time ago. They have been interred in the Wm. Reynolds' Executors—A low thatched Old Church Burying-ground. house- In 17GG a Parliamentary Return as to the Rev. Mr. Wallace—A tenement the house — Religious Denomination of the families in down- 'each parish in Ireland was callod for, and the Widow Fulton—A low thatched cabin. Rector was tho person on whom devolved the making of tho return. Tho following, for Executors of Thomas Trotter, sen.— Magherafelt Parish, was taken on the 28th shingled house one storey and a half high. day of March, 17G0, by Rev. James Richard- Wm. Ash—Two shingled houses, each two son, "Parish Minister of Magherafelt," from stones high; one shingled honse, one and a 1738 to 1771. He returns 625 families alto- gether, and classifies thus:— half stories high, and a malt kiln, part of ifc them "Protes- shingled and part thatched- tants of he Established Church, 148; Protestant— Dissenters, 274; Papists, 203. He Wm. Fleming—One shingled house, two adds: 'No Popish Priests or Fryars reside stories high, and two of a storey and a half in this Parish-" each- Wo give the names as returned and classi- Robert Ivilpa trick—A cabin. fied, and it will be noticed that many of them Robert Semple—The like. are represented at the present day, after a century and a half- Mrs. Warburton—Three shingled houses of one storey and a half high, and three low Protestants—Rev. James Richardson, cottages of one storey. rector; Edward Betty, Samuel M'Elroy, Abraham Keightly, Robert Brodly, Robert John Campbell, Trent—A shingled house of Itedfern, Benjamin Redfern, James Lenox, two stories. Margaret M'Connel, Widow ; James Holdcu, Thomas Burney—A thatched cabin. William Lenox, William Nodwell, Matthew Nodwell, William Nodwell, younger Richard John Boggs—The like. ; Hawthorn, Tracey Dawson, James Leckey, Wm- Hall—Same. Henry Hall, George M'Calla, John Downing, Robert Nelson—Same- Joseph Reynolds, John Reynolds, William Winchester, Mary Reynolds, Widow ; Henry John Nelson—Same. Reynolds, Alexander Lawson, John Johnston, James Neyser—Same. Archibald Brodly, Thomas Redfern, Roger Alexander Brady—Same Palmer, Jane Brown, Widow ; Elizabeth l'ullerton, Richard Dawson, William Haw- Wm. Given—A shingled house two stories thorn, Daniel Reynolds, Gerard Carloton, high. Elisabeth Campbell, Widow ; Daniel Widow Burnett—A small shingled house of M'Quilkin. George Nowles, Thomas one storey and a half high. M'Murray, Elisabeth Conyngham, Widow; Thomas Man, James , Jane Graves, Thomas Trotter—A shingled house of one Widow ; Thomas Lawson, Henry Hall, Joseph storey. Donnison, James Kane. Henry York, George George Houston—A cabin. Foster, Samuel Murdagh, John Leckay, younger Joseph Mallard, Nicholas Logan—Same- ; William M'Lane, Edward Marlin, William Marlin, James Robert Berkley malt house, shingled- —A Collins, Daniel M'Gonigill, Henry Dornan. Robert Rainey—A singled house two Georgo Burrows, John Buntin, Samuel Pue, stories high. Anthony Buntin, Mary Williams, John Hill- man, Michael Buntin, Charles Greer, Olivia From the foregoing it would appear that Fox, Charles Brown, John Hamersly, James Magherafelt was not a very important town, Purdoc, Ralph Brodly, Thomas M'Gurk, as it only consisted of thirty-two houses, a Thomas Graves, Richard Murdock, William Malt tfiln and a Malt House. Of those Brown, Francis Morgan. Alexander Brown,

; 10 HISTORY OF MAGHERAFELT.

William Peacock, John Brown, John Boggs. M'Garvey, John Creighton, Adam Vance, Thomas Barnett, Joseph Bennett, Robert James Little, John Patterson, Matthew Brown, James Carothers, Richard Stanley, Lindsay, William Lee, Joseph Warden, Thomas Deacon, Bartholomew Clark. John William Marks, William Dempster, William Devlin, Randlo Cox, Michael Stanley, James Proctor, Thomas Rooney, James Caldwell,

Cox, Elisabeth Lawson, Widow ; Richardson Arthur Forbess, David Duncan, Matthew Williams, James Miller, Thomas Richardson, Harbison, Thomas M'Clatchy, Thomas Lee.

Robert Garven, Patrick Hillman, Edward Robert Clark, John Johnston, Elder ; John

Tipper, Francis Garven, William Taylor, Johnston, Younger ; James Millikin, Rowley Francis Searson, Thomas M'Vey, Robert Mullen, William Dobbin, Duncan Campbell, Nolson, Alexander Montgomery, George Matthew Johnson, John Buntin, James Armstrong, Margaret Newton, John Jennings. Johnston, John Brown, John Johnston, John Ralph Brunkard, Edward Brown. Wilson, Thomas Robinson, John Stuart, Hugh Christophilus Reynolds, Hugh M'Elhone, Stuart, Thomas Staunton, Henry Barry, Adam Hendry, Richard Williams, Robert James Steel. Elizabeth Foster, Widow; John Dawson, Georgo Rodgers, James Brown. M'Cullogh, James Sloss, James Sloss, Arthur Tracey, Sarah Badger, Widow; Younger; John Johnston, Alexander M'Kay, William Badger, John Leckey, Margery Huey, David Duncan, Samuel Crossan, David Widow; John Redfern, Joseph Redl'crn, John Duncan, Younger; William Taylor, James Morrow, John Nelson. Mary Mullen, Widow; Duncan, William Buntin, James Hodge, John Whiteside, Hugh Mullen, Archibald Robert Lee, Alexander Christey, Robert Williams, William Cuddy, Thomas Maxwell, Joseph Richey, John Ditty, John Rodgers, Richard Garven, Joseph Evans, Cannon, James Brown, Andrew Richey, Phillis Warburton, Widow ; Alexander William Berryman, John Graves, Daniol Bradey, Thomas Johnston, Jeremy Hainey. Given, Widow Gravos, John Staunton, Mary ; Thomas Brodley, James M'Garvey, Mary John Laurence, Catherine Given, Widow

Vance, Widow ; Edward Whiteside, Jane Milium Gi-.«n M:r£.ret Trcttsr. Widow,

Whiteside, Widow ; John Mullen. Andrew William Berfoot, Catherine Maghlin. Sarah Frazier, Hugh Rodgers, Thomas Man, Duncan, Widow; Mary Duncan, Widow; Ezekiel Richardson- Mark Morrow, James Booth, William Barry, Henry Car, William Mills, William Ray. Dissenters—James Semple, James Bowman, Matthew Boden, Maiy Campbell, Widow, Matthew Johnston, Hugh G;irven, William David Armstrong, John Greer, James Greer,

Dickey, William . William Robinson, Elizabeth Johnston, Widow ; John Murphy. Georgo Stuart, Thomas Johnston, Neal William Peacock, Isabella Burney, Widow;

M'Mullen, Thomas Dale, John Stuart. Esther Brunkard, Widow ; William Steel,

Samuel Stuart, David Evans, Joseph Evans, Samuel Laird, .. John M'Neill, Michael Matthew Evans. Samuel Evans, Robert Wallace, Hugh Wallace. James M'Crackin, M'Erlain, Adam Robinson, Joseph Boll. William Mullen, Robert Houston, Andrew Thomas Shannon, Samuel Shannon, Hugh Shannon, Matthew Taylor. James Taylor, Con, Robert Wiley, John Wiley, William Thomas Ramsay, Duncan Swainey, Matthew Dool, Hugh Miller, James Taylor. Joseph Kyle, James Maghlin, David M'Garvey, John Pattison, John Brown, Hanna Duncan, Stitt, John Hunter, Hugh Graham, David

Widow ; Thomas Ditty, James Brown, Mulholland, Cornelius Costin, Mary Semple, Robert Steel, Thomas Eaken, Jane Eaken. Widow Archibald M'Ginnis, John Richey, ;

AVidow ; James Rickey, Alexander Graves, George Patterson. Thomas Ditty, Robert James Gilmer, Robert Gilmer, William Steel, John Lewis, John Glenholmes, Joseph M'Garvey, Moses Thompson, James Brown, Thompson, James Ditty, Joseph Thompson, Matthew M'Kee, Mary Purvis, Widow; John M'Murdey, David Jennings, John Francis Morton, Margaret Morton, Widow; Graham, Anne Fulton, William Scott, Andrew Morton, William Gray, Stuart Matthew Allison, Jeremy Lindsay, George Morton, James M'Mullen, Alexander Wier, Lindsay, James Houston, Robert Conning. Moses Moor, James Cathcart, George Badger, Andrew Richey, William Car, Nathaniel William Badger, Joseph Paul, George Camp- Mitchell, William Stitt. Maiy Johnston, bell, Jacob Wilson. Thomas Caulfield, James Widow ; William Kirkpatrick, Alexander Paul, Andrew Hays, Adam Costin, William M'Crackin, George Woods. John Tomb, Stuart, John Eaken, William Hunter, James William Trotter, Abraham Matthews, Stitt, Kennedy Henderson, Samuol Crawford, Alexander M'Mullon, Andrew Little, George Sophia Birkby, Widow; James Willox, Jane Benderman. William Ditty, George Wright,

Garven, Widow; Thomas Woodworth ; John Benjamin Brown, John Brown, James Brown, Caldwell, James Crawford, Noal Campbell, William Brown, Mary Ann Brown, Widow; Neal M'Erlain, John Finlay, Alexander Martha Taylor, Widow; Andrew Davidson, M'Cool, William Farlow, Alexander Semple, William Duncan, Robert Armstrong, Mary

Ann Reed, Widow ; James Long, Hercules Loughey. Widow ; Samuel Bates, Georgo Douglas, Thomas Dunlop, Georgo Eaken, Graham, William Graham, David Reed, Alexander Wiley, Francis Davison, Robert William Dunlop, Adam Burrows, David Crawford, John Watson, Andrew Fullerton. Graham, Robert Burrows, John Ditty, John William Parks, William Clownish, Edward Ditty, younger; Samuel Ditty, John Waller,

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MAGHERAFELT 160 YEARS AGO. 11

John Waller, Younger ; James M'Naught. Daniel Crawford, Duncan Gilmer, Patrick James M'Naught, Younger Robert Gilmer, John M'Gown, George Smith, Owen M'Master, Hugh Broun, William Eaken, Donnell, Patrick Quinn, John M'Fillone. Thomas Wallace, Robert Love, John M'Kee, Patrick M'Mahon, Hugh M'Navall, Col- Thomas Maghlin, George Philipps, John M'Teig, Daniel M'Gorrary, Eveng Brodley, Askin, Mary Wilson, Widow- Patrick Smith, Daniel Mulholland, Phelemy Daily, John Docherty. Cornelius M'Gonnigill, Papists—Bryan M'Teig, Cormick O'Neill, James M'Gonnigill, John Scullion, John Patrick Jiulge, John O'Neill, Plielemy O'Neill, , Daniel O'Cahan, Francis M'Crystall, Edward Tole, Edward M'Williams, Bernard John M'Donnell, Alexander M'Donnell, M'Cann, Patrick M'Teig, Roger O'Lagan, Charles M'Camel Cormick M'Nichol. Henry Tole, John M'Atier, Darley Morion, Alexander M'Nichol. Patrick Shields, Mary James Dowdal, Patrick Mulderig, John Henry, Widow; John Conwall, John Henry, Griffin, John Morrow, Patrick Griffin, Torlagh Thomas Hagan, Richard M'Allester, John M'Laughlin. Roger M'Gillan, Owen Diamond, Daniel M'Guire, James M'Quaid, O'Hemphey, Neal O'Devlin, Archibald Richard M'Quaid, James Brodly. Edward M'Donald, Tolo Gilmore, Owen M'Williams, Keenan, Edward Laverty, Bryan Kerney, William Gilmor, John Dowdal, Robert Brodjy, Daniel Kerney, Dennis Keenan, James Hugh Cossily, Maurice O'Murray, James O'Cahan, Edward O'Cahan, Bryan O'Cahan, M'Quillan, Daniel O'Neill, Patrick Nocher, Andi-cw M'Nichol. Christopher M'Kay, Neal Dennis M'Elhone, Roger M'Camel, John Quigley, John Smith, Daniel O'Donnelly, M'Gonnigill, Patrick Conary, James M'Atier. Edward Keenan, Francis M'Teig, Phelemy Thomas Henry, Cormick O'Lagan, James Devlin, Manasses Mulholland, Patrick O'Lagan, John Morgan, Daniel Mulholland, Coshilley, John O'Cahan, James O'Cuhan. Nicholas Ledan, Ferdinand Devlin. Hugh Younger; Michael M'Eldoon, Neal Keenan, M'Cann, Dennis Conary, Bryan M'Kelvey, Murtagh Keenan, Dennis M'Canna, Bryan James M'Laughlin, Andrew M'Laughlin, Car, Charles M'Quaid". Richard Mulholland. John M'Teig, Thomas M'Teig, Bryan M'Teig. There are twenty townlands comprised in Phelemy Cahan, John Gillaspey, George the Parish of Magherafelt, and of the names Lawson. Henry Taminey, Owen O'Morron, given in the abovo Census, we find that in Hugh Corr, Adam Ward, Bridget Henry, seventeen townlands they are still extant, as Widow; Owen Toner, Michael M'Cann, follows : Philemy Conary. Mary Follarty, Robert Aghagaskin—Keightly, Bradley, Coshilley. Roger M'Corley, Connor M'Analley, Redfern, Lennox, Johnston, Bowman, O'Neill, Bryan Devlin, Roger Lorcan, Hugh Mul- Keenan- konnan, Jolui Scullion, Cormick O'Neill, Allen Annaghmore—Dawson, Stuart, Bell. M'Quaid. Lewis Walsh, Daniel O'Lorcan. Ballymoghan—Evans, Steele, Eakin, Richey, Manasses Mulgrue, Mieliael O'Connor, Huston. Michael Mulgrue, Bryan M'Gonnigill, Jane Ballyheifer—Harbison. Morron, Widow ; Maurice Ward, Roger Farril, Fergus Ward. Patrick Taminev, Ballynocker— Winchester, Weir. Marks. Margaret O'Neill, Widow; Oloshnev M'Ginni's, Coolsliinney—Nodwell. Dornan, Burrows. Owen Kelly, James M'Gurk, Bryan M'Gurk, Wiley, Duncan, Caulfield, Stitt, Douglas- Gilldoe Trolan, Georgo M'Camel, Dennis M'Carrol, James Flanigan, William Chievers, Dunarnon—Bradley, Johnston, Dobbin, M'Kee. Patrick Chievers, Thomas Coshillev. Hugh Coshilley, Patrick M'Navall. Manasses Dunamoncy—Brown, Lees, Love- M'Navall, Thomas M'Navall, Hugh M'Navall, Drumrainey—Redfern, Carleton, Staunton, Dominick Dawdall. Henry O'Neill, William M'Gurk. Stevens, Owen Mulloy, Francis Morron. Thomas Kelly, William Mulderig, Daniel Killyfaddy—Shannon, Duncan- Coshilley, Patrick Walsh. Peter Brodl.y, Lcckagh—Boden. Neal O'Boyle, John M'Owen, Miles M'Owen, Megargy—Kane, Badger, Vance, Dickey, Michael Short, Thomas Mulholland, Bernard Ditty, M'Guckiu. Mary Dunn, Henrv Madden, Purvis. Paul, and Wright. Edward Bovle Patrick Slano, Michael Mullaghboy—M'Gonigle, M'Navall, Bridget M'Canna, Charles MagherafehV-Keightly, Greer, Peacock-, Diamond, Michael Walsh, Nicholas Walsh, Devlin, Semple,, Thompson, Caldwell, Johns- Bryan M'Alpin, Bryan M'Corrcy. William ton. Walsh, Donnelly. Barnett, Daniel Mulderig, Matthew Boylan, Torlagh M'Allester, Owen Hughes, Dennis Tamnadace—Mann, Garvin, Robinson- M'Toig. Thomas M'Teig. Edward M'Laughlin, Tullylinksay— Brown, York, Dale-

VOLUNTEERS— OLD AND NEW.

In consequence of the introduction of tho Ephesians, from tile 10th to the 18th verses, Home Rule (Ireland) Bill into the House of and were read by the Rev. G. W. Lindsay, Commons in the year 1912, and the great A.M. The 46th Psalm, 2nd version, having prospect of it becoming law, Unionists, not been sung, prayed was engaged in by the alono in Ulster, but throughout Ireland, Rev. AY. E. Maguire. An eloquent address formed Unionist Clubs, so that they would was given by tho Rev. G. Gillespie, M.A., be in a position, if a Home Rule Parliament from the 1st verse of the 46th Psalm—"God was forced upon them, to refuse to recognise is our refuge and strength, a very present its authority. The Unionists iu and around help in trouble." The Hymn—"O God of Magherafelt were not behind in this respect, Bethel," having been rendered, and the and Clubs were formed in Magherafelt, benediction having been pronounced, the Ballymoghan, Megargy and Aghagaskin. solemn service was brought to a close by the In order to impress the people of Great entire congregation singing the National Britain that the Unionists were in earnest Anthem. The congregation, at whose head in their opposition to the Bill, a solemn marched Mr. Gordon, the Revs. George League and Covenant was drawn up for Gillespie, G. YV. Lindsay, E. Ritchie, and W. signature by each person, male and female, E. Maguire, went to the Town Hall, where who was opposed to Home Rule, and the ample provision had been made for the sign- 28th September, 1912, called Ulster Day, ing of the Covenant by the men—Mr. Gordon was fixed as the on which Covenant signing day the first, and he wa s followed by the should bo signed. The following is the clergy, after which the men signed. The account of the proceedings of that day, and women marched to tho Union Road Lecture which appeared in "The Mid-Ulster Mail'' of Hall, wliere the Covenant was signed by 5th October, 1912:— them. The arrangements were admirably carried out by the Hon. Sees., Mrs. James MAGHERAFELT. Brown and William Semple. Both halls remained open till 8-30 for the The utmost enthusiasm and determination purpose of enabling those who could not attend the characterised the holding of Ulster Day in service to sign the Covenant, as follows: — this town. The weather was all that could be desired. From a very early hour Union Being convinced, in our conscience, Jacks were flown from almost all tho that Home Rule would be disastrous to Protestant business establishments and the material well-being of Ulster, as well private dwelling-houses—as many as six as to th whole of Ireland, subversive of flags being displayed from some. The our civil and religious freedom, Empire's emblem also floated proudly from destructive of our citizenship, and the various Protestant churches. The perilous to the unity of the Empire, we, country people suspended work for the day whoso names are underwritten, men of and flocked into the town, and on every Ulster, loyal subjects of his Gracious band appearances wore not wanting, that as Majesty King ., humbly relying far as the Protestant people of this district on the God whom our fathers in days oi were concerned, they were determined that strife and trial confidently trusted, do they would not submit to be governed by an hereby pledge ourselves * in Solemn Irish Parliament. All the Loyalists business- Covenant, throughout this our time of houses were closed from 11-30 till 2 o'clock, threatened calamity, to stand by ono end tho town presented the appearance of another in defending for ourselves and having donned its Sunday aspect. Mr. John our children our cherished position of Gordon, K.C., M.P., arrived by the 11-13 equal citizenship in the , a.m. train from Belfast, and received a very and in using all means which may be found warm reception. He was the guest of Mr. and necessary to defeat the present conspiracy Mrs. James Brown. At 11-30 people began to set up a Homo Rule Parliament in to enter the 1st Presbyterian Church, whore Ireland. the United Religious service was held, and And in the event of such a Parliament at 12 o'clock, the hour for commencement, being forced upon us, we further solemnly the sacred edifice was filled in eveiy part. and mutually pledge ourselves to refuse The service commenced by the singing of the to recognise its authority. 100th Psalm, after which the Rev. E. In sure Ritchie, B.D., engaged in prayer. Tho confidence that God will defend the — right, Hymn "0 God our help in ages past," was we hereby subscribe our names. then rendered. The special lessons were the And, further, we individually declare that 85th Chap, of Isaiah and 6th Chap, of we have not already signed "thiB Covenant.

— —

VOLUNTEERS- OLD AND NEW. 13

The meu.utl „ of tne Clubs were drillted and The Magherafelt Volunteers v^.t part in supplied with arms, and they subsequently the Volunteer display in Londonderry on the wore called the "." 10th and 11th August, 1780, where tho Volunteers of the whole County were in- The Nationalists throughout Ireland also spected by Lord Charlemont ; they and the formed Volunteer Clubs and drilled. The Kilroa Companies being led in tho march past formation of these corps naturally recalls to by Col. Robert Stewart, and it is reported memory the Volunteers of former days, when that "promptitude and exactness were exhi- Ulstermen nocked to the standard in a time bited to a degree that reflected tho highest of National danger. The first occasion on "horair both on the. abilities-of the officers which we find the word "Volunteers" "and iiirv expertness and attention of tho specially applied to military force, raised for "privates. The different battalions presented such purposes, was is 1715, when "The Stuart "arms as his Lordship passed along—the Pretender" landed in Scotland. The- next was "officers saluting with much grace and in 1745, when a second "Pretender scare" took "propriety." It also appears that on tho 7th place; then in 17G0, when the report was August, 1780, the Castlodawson and Vintners, circulated that "The French are in the Bay-" Bellaghy Corps, numbering 410 men, were re- It was about this time that the people of viewed by Col. Jones at Glengorm. Magherafelt considered they should do their At a meeting of the Loughinshollin part in making provision for the protection Battalion, held on tho 3rd May, 1782. in of their hearth and homes, and also to assist Castlodawson, Major Downing—in the absence the Government in every way possiblo of Col. Staples, and Lieutenant-Col Dawson— when attacked, and with those, objects occupied the chair, when the following Volunteer Corps were formed, and the "First Resolutions were passed- (They are taken Magherafelt Volunteers" were amongst the from the Belfast News-Letter of" Friday, May first in Ireland to become association, which 10, to Tue? '.ay, May 14, 1782.) Resolved— took place in June, 1773, their uniform being "That at this awful and important hour, when scarlet, faced with black. The officers were: the fate of Ireland, as a Nation, is depending, Captain, A- Tracy ; lieutenant, Richard it would bo a dereliction of our rights longer

Dawson ; ensign, R. Montgomery. The fact to delay a publication of our sentiments. \\'e that there was a "First Company," shows that are now in full possession of the several Magherafelt possessed at least a second com- opinions and demands of our countrymen, pany. That they were skilful and able to hold armed and unarmed of the- Volunteers and of their in competition with the other Corps, own tho people of Ireland. Wo therefore, with is evidenced by the fact that they possessed hearts beating high for the honour of our two silver medals a no mean achievement— — King and tho good of our country, do accede both obtained in the year 1781 one for skill — to tho resolutions of the- delegates assembled with broadsword, and the other for the best at Dungannon, on the loth day of February target shot at 100 yards. This latter modal last, as breathing the true spirit of loyalty, was won by a Patrick Fagan. The former liberty and toleration, and will use every con- modal was oval shaped and contained tho stitutional effort in support of such measures following engravement : —Obverse side —Two as may tend to promote the undoubted Cavalrv swords in Saltire over the letters liberties of this Kingdom. Resolved M.I.V.Y. (Magherafelt Independent Volunteer That tho interests of and Ire- Yeomary). 1781. for skill with Broadsword. land are inseparable, and that any attempts Reverse' side—Pro Rege et Patria—below two to disunite them deserve the execrations and sprays of in the field and a harp resentment of every friend to both. Resolved royally crowned. The rim was raised, and —That as we are willing to share her fate, so there "was a ring suspender. This medal, it is our determination to be free. Resolved is at present in the Belfast Museum, situated That the thanks of this Corps bo given to in portion of the Free Library.' It seems that those worthy, and independent members of in 1782 the Volunteers were organised into Parliament who strenuously supported tho Battalions and Brigades, and it i s probable rights and liberties of Ireland, and that we that the Magherafelt Companies formed part are happy in having this opportunity of of tho Loughinshollin Battalion, commanded expressing our most grateful acknowledg- by Colonel .Staples and Lieutenant-Colonel ments to the Right Hon- Thomas Conolly, our

Dawson. The Volunteer Regiments would be General ; Col. Staples and Lieut-Col- Dawson composed of from ten to twelve companies in for their generous donations, steady support, each Regiment, and the number of men per and particular attention to this battalion Company varied from 60 to 100- Generally from its first formation. Resolved—That with a Company was raised in each Parish heartfelt pleasure we reflect that the where tho number of Protestants rendered strictest harmony has ever subsisted in this such possible, and where necessary two and in battalion, and that our sentiments have, on some cases three Parishes combined to form a his and every occasion, entirely coincided Company- In towns it was usual to form one with those of our worthy commanders whoso or more town Companies in addition to a absence at this time is owing to their indis- Parish Company. pensable duty in Parliament. Resolved—

14 HISTORY OF MAGHERAFELT.

That our Chairman do immediately enclose important Constitutional questions are depend these, our resolutions, to James Dawson. ing in the House, to avoid both Ministerial Esq.. Secretary to the Dungannon Meeting Vergorgo and popular oduim, are unworthy of Resolved—That Col. Staples and Lieut-Col future confidence, and that therefore on every Dawson bo requested to confer with the othei subsequent election we will support with our delegates of the Ulster Volunteers on all votes and interest such candidates as are most Constitutional measures and questions that distinguished for integrity and patriotic may tend to the redress of grievances and conduct. injured rights of Ireland- Resolved—That (7) That the interests of Great Britain and our Chairman shall have these, our resolutions Ireland are indissolubly united, and by our published in the Duhlin Evening Post and being admitted into an equal share of tho Belfast News-Letter. benefits of the British connection, tho bonds of mutual interest and cordial affection will bo A meeting of the inhabitants of the Parish rendered firm and permanent. of Magherafelt was held in Magherafelt on Monday, the 5th day of May, 1782, pursuant (8) That the thanks of this meeting be to publick notice. Mr. Henry Patterson presented to our worthy Chairman for his ( presided, when the following resolutions were very proper conduct in the chair. passed (they are taken from the Belfast News (9) That tho following gentlemen :—Major Letter of May 14, to May 17, 1782.) Paterson, Rev. Mr. Downing, Rev- Mr. Chambers, Rev. Mr- Henry, Rev. Mr. Wilson, Resolved— (1) That the welfare of the people Mr. Henry Paterson, Mr. Caldwell, Captain ought to be tho groat design of every Govern- Tracy. Mr. Robert Crawford, Mr. Samuel ment. Crawford, Mr. Andrew Torrens, Mr- Thordoro Williams, (2) That when the servants of the Crown hy Mr. Hugh Crawford, Mr. Thomas their corrupt influence attempt to undermine Pollock, Mr. Abraham, Matthews, Mr. Richard the rights of tho people, it becomes the indis- Dawson Mr. Samuel Strean, Mr. pensable duty of each individual to use every Quinten Dick, Mr- John Glenholme. and Mr. Constitutional effort in their defence- Samuel Brown (five to be a quorum) bo appointed a Committee to convene the in- (3) That most cordially approve of and we habitants of this Parish when they shall think accede to the Resolutions entered into at it necessary, and to correspond with the Com- Dungannon by the delegates of tho Volunteers mittees of the other parishes, who may assembled on the 25th February last, and tho associate for similar purposes. solemn declaration of tho High Sheriffs, Grand Jurors, Freeholders and inhabitants of The Volunteer Yeomary raised in 1797, was the City and County of Londonderry, con- under tho supervision and control of the War vened at the last Assizes, both which Reso- Department, but the information in reference lutions and Solemn Declaration merit and to this foi'ce is in the possession of tho shall receive our most determined support. Government, and is not available unless by (4) That we have with admiration beheld special permission of the Secretary of State- the efforts of those distinguished and _ The people of tho district had to provide for illustrious citizens who formerly composed tho expense of supplying men to the Militia, the minority of the Irish Parliament in assert- for in 1795 the General Vestry which met ing with such uncommon ability and during Easter week, resolved that a sum of unwearied zeal, the rights of Ireland, £36 bo levied for six substitutes for tlu> rejoicing that their able reasonings, seconded Militia—this being the number appointed by by the voice of the people, have forced con- the Governors of the County raised viction on every mind, and brought both to b© by the Parish, and on the 1st August, 1803, a Houses of Parliament unanimously to speak meeting was held pursuant to public notice, the sentiments of the people in stating and "in order to take the sense of the Parish claiming the ancient rights of this Kingdom- "whether they would raise their quoto of men rights which ought to be asserted at every "for tho 'Army of Reserve' by Parish, Cess or risk, and to be torn from us only with our "ballot. great lives. It was determined, by a "majority, that it should be raised by Cess, (5) We rejoice that those obstructions which "and that £150 be applotted and levied off so diverted the rays of royal benincenee have "said Parish by tho acre, and that Richard been removed by placing around the Throno "James (he was tho first Clerk of the Union) men of tho most approved worth, and who "and John Graham—the present Church- possess the entire confidence of tho people, "wardens, are empowered to applot and levy and we trust a similar change of men and "same—Yeomanry to be exempt." measures will take place in this Kingdom. which, we are persuaded, would produce tho On tli3 5th October following tho npplot- most happy results- rnent for tho raising of tho Cess for this (6) That such members as act contrary to purpose was read at a meeting of the Vestry, the inclinations and tho interests of their approved and ' finally ascertained"—viz-, constituents, or endeavour by absence when £140 18s lid. Tho account was as follows:—

— —

VOLUNTEERS- OLD AND NEW. 15

ARMY OF RESERVE ACT, 1803. wardens were, on tho 5th November, 1807. empowered to give a sum not exceeding 20s John Graham, Magherafelt. Dr- t> any person who would bring forward a 11 Amount of allotment £146 18 Militia Volunteer. There is no record in the Contra. Cr. Vestry Book whether that amount had ever To paid for a band £0 2 7i been claimed- In 1810 £91 was assessed for „ Parish Lists and Advertisements 1 4J raising 8 men to serve on the Londonderry „ Cash paid Sergeant of Artillery Militia, and as substitutes for such, 8 men for Recruits 10 10 as might be drawn at the ensuing ballot, and ,, Paid Win. Thompson for 2 od an aero was directed to be applotted and Recruits 10 10 levied off the parkh for that purpose, also a „ Other Itecruits-4 Recruits 1 1 8 poll tax of 3s 4d. It was further resolved ,, For Cockades—13 in number 7 0J "that whero the head of a family, not himself ,, My Expenses attending different "liable to bo drawn, shall pay a land tax Meetings at Dungannon 10 3^ "amounting to 3s 4d, his or her eldest son ,, Paid Horse hire, etc, for a man "liable to bo drawn, shall bo exempt from the to Derry 1 5 3i "poll tax mentioned, and as a punishment for ,. Allowed the* Recruits Marching "those wiio refused to pay either the land tax Money 14 1 "or poll tax, on or before the 8th May. 1811, „ Cash lost*by a Recruit Rejected 2 17 11* "and who should happen to be drawn to serve, ,, 8 Guineas each to 13 men 100 4 "it was decided that they were not to recoivo „ Deficiency returned by Collector "any part of the money or derive any against H- Paterson, Archi- "benefit-" bald Hamilton and James Patterson, Esqrs. 12 17 G INTERESTING COMMISSIONS. ,. Postage on letters to Major Cameron about subsistence 8 4 the Collector 4 11 „ Foes paid Dear Sir,—In the instalments of the ,. on 48 acres Cess Yeomanry— above History, giving the names of the not known time of at residents of Magherafelt Parish in 17GG, I Applotment 1 14 noticed the name of my great-grandfather, ,, Balance in hands now paid 10 2 1 James Duncan, and it may bo of interest to state that he was tho father of John, and 18 11 £146 tho grandfather of James and Robert On the 30th October, 1807, a meeting of the Duncan, who were successively managers of Vestry was held by Order of the Lord tho Northern Bank and tho Salters' Estate at Magherafelt- These Lieutenant, when it was resolved that tho were Ulstermen who made good at home, without going to sum of 120 guineas, for the/ purpose of raising a now country. 12 men for the Militia, be levied, and two men wero appointed for each townland for the pur- I notice in a later instalment a reference to Subscriptions, pose of Collecting Voluntary the Yeomanry Corps established by tho Act amounting to not less than 2s Gd per man 42, George III., and I append copies of two from liable those who were to serve, but had Commissions conferred on my maternal grand- land, and those to contribute no who refused father, Robert Steele, which will bo of wore to be of any benefit from the deprived interest to the descendants of the men who Parish Assessment. Tho account presented served in these Corps upwards of 100 years was as follows: ago. MILITIA CESS. It will be noticed the first Commission of 1802 is to raise and arm tho Bellaghy Parish Cess £141 G 8J Amount of Contributions 30 7 G Infantry, and the second is to raise and arm the Bellaghy and Yeomanry. The original Commissions are in my posses- £171 14 2i sion. Both are signed in ink, but I cannot Cash paid Bounty for 12 men £13G 10 make out the signatures. „ Enlisting 12 men 12 „ „ Band 13 8i Yours, etc-, ,. „ Recruit who did not Pass 1 14 li JOSEPH COURTNEY DUNCAN. „ ,. Applottors' Fees 10 „ Passing 12 men 13 ,

,, ,, Paper lor 12 men 2 G June 17, 1914- Balance 19 10 10i

£171 14 2J

The balance appears to have been handed to tlie new Churchwardens. And to encourago tho raising of men to servo, the Church-

16 HISTORY OF MAGHERAFELT.

BY THE LORD LIEUTENANT GENERAL BY THE LORD LIEUTENANT GENERAL AND GENERAL GOVERNOR OF AND GENERAL GOVERNOR OF IRELAND. IRELAND. NORTHUMBERLAND. RICHMOND.

WHEREAS an Act was passed in the Whereas an Act has passed in the Session of Parliament, hold in tho 42d. Session Parliament, of held in the 42d. Year of tho Reign of His lato Majesty Year of His Majesty's Reign, entitled, Georgo the III., entitled, "An Act to Act to "An enable His Majesty to accept onablo His Majesty to accept and continue and continue the services of certain tho Services of certain Troops or Troops or Companies of Yeomanry in Companies of Yeomanry in Ireland-" And Ireland-" And whereas His Majesty has _ Whereas His Majesty has been graciously been graciously pleased by His Warrant pleased by his Warrant under His Royal under His Royal Sign Manual, Bearding Sign Manual, bearing Date at His Court at Date at His Court at James's, Saint on the Carlton House, on the 10th day of Feb- 20th day of September, 17B6, to give to Us ruary. 1820, to give to Us full Power and full Power and Authority to Issue Authority to issue Commissions in His Commissions in His to such Persons Name Name to such Persons as We shall deem as we shall deem expedient for His expedient for His Majesty's Service, for Majesty's Services, for levying Armed levying Armed Corps within this Kingdom, Corps within this Kingdom, for tho for tlie Preservation of the Public Peace, Preservation of the Public Peace, and to and to quell Insurerction and resist quell Insurrection and resist Invasion. Invasion. Now we, deeming it expedient Now Wo, deeming it expedient for tho for the Purposes aforesaid, to raise an Purposes aforesaid, to raise an Armed armed Corps in the County of London- Corps in the County of Londonderry, to bo derry, to bo called tho Bellaghy and Castle- called tho Bellaghy Infantry, and having dawson Yeomanry, and having Trust and Trust Confidence, and in tho Courage and Confidence in the Courage and Loyalty of Loyalty of Robert Steele. Esquire,, do by Robert Steele, Esquire, do by Virtue of tho Virtue of the said Authority, in Hi's said Authority, in His Majesty's Name, Majesty's Name, and in Conformity to the and in Conformity to the above recited above recited Act, by these Presents, con- Act, by these Presents, constitute and stitute appoint and the said Robert Steele, appoint the said Robert Steele, to be First Esquire, to be second Lieutenant to that Lieutenant to that Corps, commanded by Corps, commanded by T. Spotswood, Captain James Henry, and called tho Esquire, and called tho Belbighy Infantry Bellaghy and Castledawson Yeomanry (but not to take Rank in His Majesty's (but not to take Rank in His Majesty's Army except during the Time the said Army except during tho Time the said Corps shall, in consequence of their Corps shall, in consequence of their voluntary Offer, be called out into actual voluntary O/fer. be called out into actual Service.) You are therefore carefully and Service.) You aro therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of second diligently to discharge tho Duty of First Lieutenant, by exercising and well- Lieutenant, by exercising and well- disciplining both the inferior Officers and disciplining both the inferior Officers and Soldiers of that Corps. Soldiers of that Corps.

And we do hereby command them to And we do hereby command them to obey you as their second Lieutenant, and obey you as their First Lieutenant, and you aro to observe and follow such Orders you aro to observe and follow such Orders and Directions from Time to Time, as you and Directions from Time to Time, as you shall receive from your Captain, or any shall receive from your Captain, or any other of your superior Officers, according other of your superior Officers, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, in to the Rules and Discipline of War, in pursuance of tho Trust hereby reposed in pursuance of the Trust hereby reposed in vou. Given at His Majesty's Castle of you. Dublin, the 22d- day of August, 1802, in Given at His Majesty's Castle of Dublin, tho forty-seventh year of His Majesty's the 28th Reign. day of March', in the tenth Year of His Majesty's Reign.

By His Grace's Command- By His Grace's Command-

Robert Steele, Esquire, to bo Robert Steele, Esquire, to bo First Lieutenant in the Lieutenant in tho second Bellaghy and Castledawson Bellaghy Corps of Infantry. Corps of Yeomanry-

HIS LIONOUIl JUDGE TODD, K.C

Recorder of l-< ndondcrry.

THE LATE T. G- OVEREND, K.C.,

• Recorder of Londonderry.

I1IS HONOUR JUDGE JOHNSTON, K.C.

Recorder of the Counties of Fermanagh aud .

;

THE TERRIER OF 1752.

The following, culled from "The Terrier,'' BALLYDONNELL (DONNELL'S TOWN.) published by the Suiters' Company for the George Henderson, Wm. Baxter and half-year ended 1st November, 1752, may Partners, John Workman, Bryan Kelly and prove interesting, as showing the condition Partners, 245a. 3r. Op.; rent, £27 19s 6d. of the townlands owned by the Company at In this town are two tolerable farm-houses, that period, the principal occupiers, the area the remainder cabins. Part of this was the and rent payable, and tbe description of the domain of Salterstown Castle mostly arable class of bouses then in existence. It seems — and pasture, except some moss. that the Creaghs (or creats) were nomads who wandered about the county with Hocks BALLYMULTREA (O'MULTREA'S TOWN.) and herds, building buts where tbe pasture Andrew Bell, Widow Tracey, Bryan was plentiful, and removing from place to M'Guckin, Widow Taylor and Others, 258a. place as necessity arose. Thc were governed ; v rent, £29 2s OR by a chief. The meaning of each townland is given and was obtained from tbe Ordnance In this town stands the walls of Salterstown Survey Office, Phoenix Park, Dublin:— Castle, which was burnt in 1688, with two tolerable farm houses and a corn mill groat ; AGHAGASKIN (OR O'GASKIN'S FIELD.) part shrub of wood, whins and some bog. Thomas Kempton and George Stewart, BALLYGILLEN MORE (MAGILLIAN'S 127a. 2r. Op.; rent, £15 12s Did. TOWN.) The Trustees of tbe Dissenters, 53a. lr. Op.; William Ramsay, lOGa. 3r. Op.; rent, £30. rent, £2 Os Od. One good farm house and some poor Irish James Bowman and James Semple, creats in this townland. The greatest J art of 63a. lr. Op; rent, 13s 2d. £4 it is shrub of wood, rocks, bog and souie Widow O'Neill, Benjamin Iledfern, and moss.

Abraham Keightly, 132a. lr. Op. ; rent, £8 3s 8d. BALLYGILLEN-BEG (MAGILLIAN'S TOWN.) Edward Beatty and Thomas Graves, 75a. Philemv Gorery, Miles M'Phillonc, John 2r. Op. ; rent, £8 Os 8Jd. O'Cahan, and Rodger O'Coshally, 192a. All low cabins in this townland. Great 3r. Op.; rent, £17 5s lOd. part of the land moss and scrub of wood and All poor creats in this townland; bog. mostly shrub of wood, bog and moss. AITGHRIM (THE RIDGE OF THE HORSES.) BALLYDERMOTT (DF.UMOT'S TOWN), AND EDENREACU1 (GREY BROW OR James M'Cleery, Henry Fullerton, Richard BRAE.) Lennox and Partners, 197a. 3r. Op.; rent,

John Downing, Esq., 331a. 3r. Op. ; rent, £18 5s 10id. £25. One small bleach-yard and tolerable farm- On one of these townlands there is a good house in this townland. The rest poor house built by Rev. Simon Roe, the rest, poor cabins. Most of the land scrub of wood, cottages, inhabited by poor Irish. moss and bog. BELLAGHERTY (AGHERTY'S TOWN.) BALLYMULDERG (O'MULDERG'S TOWN.) Patrick O'Mullan. Wm. Johnston, Charles John M'Williams' Executory Philip O'Neill, Bryan M'Guiggan and Partners, O'Donachey and Partners, Phelamy Donachy Patrick O'Cullian, Francis Banderman, Ralph and Partners, 232a. 2r. Op.; rent, £23 Os 9d. Beattv, Henry M'Conwell, Anthony Berri- is tolerable farm- In this townland one man, 377a. 3r. Op.; rent, £35 3s 4id. bouse, possessed by M'Williams' Widow In this townland is one good farm-house the rest poor Irish creats. Great part of and one other tolerable house, the rest land scrub of wood, moss and bog. cabins and Irish creats; very little arable BALLYCUMLARGYE (TOWN OF THE land, being mostly covered with shrub of CROOKED SLOPE OR DECLIVITY.) wood, rocks, moss and bog. John M'Geown and David Crosit, 120a. BALLYNEILL-MORE (O'NEILL'S TOWN.) 3r. Op; rent, £11 14s 5Jcl. One good farm-house and very good offices, On this townland is one tolerable farm- built by the late Mr. Neire, when he was bouse, the rest cabins. Only a small part ranger of the Society's woods; the rest cabins moss, the rest arable and pasture. and Irish creats.

;

HISTORY OF VAGlTttRAKEI.T.

BALLYHAVOR (IVORSTOWN.) DRUMRAINEY (RIDGE OF THE FERNS.)

Owen M'Gurk and Partners, 53a. ; rent, Robert Birkby, 99a. 3r. Op. ; moss, 45a. ; £G 6s 101d. rent, £8 19s 9£d. Thomas Stanton and Partners, 49a. 2r. Remainder of this townland let in small rent, £4 6s Id. parcels to the town. Great part of this town- 50a. 2r. land shrub of wood and bog. The moss Arthur Forbes and Partners, ; supplies the inhabitants of the town of rent, £3 12s 9d. Magherafclt and some of the country with Two cabins and Irish creats—29 acres of firing. moss reserved. BALLYMOGHAN-MORE (O'MOGHAN'S DUNARNON (ARNON'S DUN OR FORT.) TOWN.) Wm. Creighton, 61a. 2r. ; rent, £6 13s 3d. 72a. rent, Widow Gilmer and Partners, Mrs. War- George Patterson and Partners, ; burton, 303a. 2r. Op.; rent, £20 14s 0<1. £7 5s 0d. Moss reserved, 51a. 2r. Two small farm-Louses in tin's townland, . and some poor cabins; most of the townland A small tanyard and three small farm- shrub of wood, rock, moss and hog. houses—very little arable land. THE BOG.) BALLYMOGHAN-BEG (O'MOGHAN'S DUNAMONEY (FORT OF TOWN.) Wm. and John Lees, John Brown, Wm. Fleming, Robert Wilson, 213a. 2r. Op.; rent, and Partners, James Samuel Thompson £27 18s 10<1. Campbell, Thomas Shannon, ami Samuel In this townland and part of Ballyhavor Finloy's Executors, 244a, 1?\ Op. : stands a corn mill and wind mill with two good £24 19s 2^d. farm-houses, some cabins and Irish creats. One tolerable farm-Louse and offices, the The wind mill belongs to the Rev. Robert rest poor cabins. There is :3:5a. 2r. Op. of moss. Bryan and the rent £5. -MORE AND REG KILLYBOGAN (WOOD OF THE BOG.) (O'RONAN'S TOWN.) Wm. Porter, Andw. Brook, David Cullen Win. and John Johnston, Executors of Rowley Hill, Esq., Ida. and Partners^ 177a. 3r.; rent, £18 10s 4J.d. Or. Op.; rent, £12 (Is (Id. reserved. Rev. Robert Bryans, Priest O'Cor, 29a. 2r. Op.; £2 10s Od. Some moss for the mills, rent £20. In this townland a

80a. -iv. Op. ; £10 0s 7i

r THE TERRI ER OF 17. ,2.

MOYMUCKLE-MTJRRAY (MACGIL- ROSHURE (POINT OF THE YEW). MURRY'S PLAIN). Henrv and Job Palmer, 127a. Or. Op.; John Harris, 38a. Or. Op. ; rent, £5 4s 6d ; rent, £9. David Adams and Partners, 99a. Op. Or ; rent, £12 2s Od; John M'Cord, 39a. 3r. Op.; Two small farm houses. All arable and rent, £5 9s 4d. pasture except 30 acres of moss, bog, and moor. Three tolerable farm houses in this town- land, and some cabins. All arable and pasture except some moss and bog, about TILLINKISIE (LINCHY'S HILL). 12 acres. William and Ben Brown, Mantis Mulhol- POLEPATRICK (PATRICK'S HOLE OR land, James M 'Naught and Partners, CAVERN). William Akein and John Tomb, Edward Whiteside and Partners (Forge Dam), Richard Whiteside, 40a. Or. Op. rent, ; 270a. Or. Op.; rent, £23 Is lljd. £5 10s Od. All cabins The remainder of this townland let to the poor and Irish creats. people of Mngherafelt. Very little arable land, being mostly shrub of wood, bog and rocks. One- tolerable farm house. All arable pasture.

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RECORDS OF 1824.

Mail" of In the issue of "The Mid-Ulster rector of ; Vcsey, Rev. Thomas account of 22nd March, 1913, the following A., rector, Glebe House ; Walker John, Esq., Magkerafelt in 1824, from Pigot and Co.'s agent to tho Belfast Northern Bank, Charity Hibernian Provincial Directory, was Street; Wilson, Rev. James, Eahview. published:— MERCHANTS, TRADESMEN, Etc MAGHERAFELT IN 1824. Physicians—Evans, Robert, Bread Street. Magherafelt is a small neat market and Surgeons—Shannon, Dr.; "Wilson, William, post town in the county of Deny, 91 miles Diamond. north by west of Dublin, by the post road, 2 Attorneys—Chambers, miles from Castledawson, 4 from Moneympre, David, Broad Street; Dickson, Thomas, Charity Street; Gausscn. 5 from , 7 from Cookstovn, and 28 from Charles, Belfast. In the year 1680 Hugh Rainey, Esq., Diamond- left an annuity of 175 pounds per annum for Surveyors of Excise—James, Richard, Esq-, the support and education of as many boys, Broad Street. deducting the salary of tho as the sum (after Coroner—M'Kee. David (and high coustablo housekeeper) would schoolmaster and the of tho barony). allow ; the number is generally from 12 to 14 ; they aro maintained three years, afterwards Linen Inspector—Boyle, Henderson, Esq., apprenticed, with an extra suit of clothes and Charity Street. fifty shillings, which are placed in the hands Publicans, &c—xUexander, Isaac, Pass of their master, and, at the expiration of their Brown, Win., Pass; Campbell James. Charity service, given to them towards their beginning Street; Cochran, John, Charity Street; business. Here is also a Sunday school for Cousley, John Pass, Devlin, John, parish children of all religious denominations. Tho clerk; Donnelly, Charles, Castle Street; church is a neatstono edifice, with a lofty Ferguson, Win., Broad Street; Hagan, John, spire, of which the Rev. Thomas A. Vc.sey is Pass; Holden, Richard, Broad Street; Hut- the present rector. Here are also a Presby- cthinson, James, Charity Street; Johnston, meeting-houso and a Catholic chapel. terian James, Diamond; M'Falls, Thomas, Diamond; In the centre of the town stands the market- M'Quade, James. Charity Street; Marks, possessing a good clock, and over it is house, Wm., Castlo Street; Mason, Wm., Charity of the is a ballroom. At the lower end town Street ; Thompson, Sarah, innkeeper ; Walsh. tho Sessions' House, where the sessions aro Michael, Pass- held twice a year for civil bills and criminal offences; adjoining it is the Linen Hall- A Shopkeepers, Traders, &c-—Adams, Joshua, court loot is also held here every month for watch and clock-maker, Broad Street; Arm- the recovery of debts under forty shillings. strong. John, wheelwright. Broad Street; Tho proprietors of this town are the Marquis Cochran, Robert, grocer, Charity Street of Londonderry and Sir Robert Bateson, who Cullin, Mary, haberdasher. Charity Street hold it under a lease from the London Com- Dawson, Arthur, grocer and spirit dealer, pany. The general market is held on Thurs- Castle Street; Duncan, David, woollen draper. day, and a good one for linen on the second Charity Street; Duncan, John, grocer, Broad Thursday in every month. There aro fairs Street ; Duncan, Robt-, grocer, Broad Street on August 25th, October 29th, and December Duncan, W., grocer, Charity Street ; Graham, 29th- The population is 1,100. David, woollen draper and haberdasher. Charity Street; Graham, John, haberdasher; Post Office—Post Master, Mr. Thomas Hughes, James, grocer and ironmonger, Broad Dickson. Tho Dublin mail is despatched to Street; Hull, John, grocer and -baker. Cookstown at twenty minutes past ten in tho Diamond; Johnston, Michael, tanner, Bally- morning, and arrives at half-past three in the heifer; Johnson, Samuel, grocer, Charity afternoon. The Londonderry and Belfast Street ; Kirkpatrick, John, carpenter and mails leave at three quarters past three in glazier, Corn Lane; Kirkpatrick, John tho afternoon and arrive at half-past seven in grocer, Charity Street; Leo, Hugh, grocer. the evening. A by-mail to Tobermorc and Pass; Love, John, grocer and hardware Maghera at half-past seven in tho evening. dealer, Charity Street; M'Davitt, Margaret, Letters for England go by Dublin, those for woollen draper, Charity Street ; M'Ginnis, Scotland by Belfast. Charles, tailor, Pass; M'Kee, Thomas, wheel- Gentry and Clergy—Ash, Miss, Charity wright, Charity Street; M'Lernon, Thomas, grocer, Street; Bamber, George, Esq., Millbrook Castledawson Street ; Oakman, Boll, Humphrey, Esq., Warwick Lodge Walter, baker and flour dealer, Castle- Bryan, Josh-, Esq., seneschal, Broad Street; dawson Street; Richardson, Henry, boot Paterson, Captain Thomas; Paul, Rov. Thos.. and shoemaker, Pass; Sands, Robert,

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RECORDS OF 1824. 21

grocer, Charity Street; Smith, George, centre of the town, are of a good descrip- wheelwright, Castlc-Dawson Street; Vance, tion and uniform, but towards the out- James, watch and clock maker, Broad Street skirts they are of an inferior quality and Walker, John, linon buyer, Charity Street; chiefly inhabited by the lower classes. "Wilson, Mary Jane, haberdasher; Workman, The Pass consists of two-storied houses, James, painter and glazier, Broad Street. inhabited by publicans, dealers, etc- Castledawson Street, which was situated Coach, &c—Belfast, the Union Day Coach, on tho Belfast Road, was almost inhabited from Thomas M'Falls, Diamond, every Mon- by tradespeople, the houses mostly one- day, Wednesday and Friday, at seven in the storey and thatched. Meeting Street morning, and returns on alternate days, at consisted of a single row of houses, the eight in the evening. majority of which were two-storey and inhabited Goods may be conveyed to any part of the mostly by tradesmen,'" and, though kingdom, by hiring cars for the purpose. substantial, were not very neat or clean. * * * Magherafelt The Government, in the early part of the contained 221 houses, of .which there were 49 one-storied, Nineteenth Century, considered it so impor- 141 two- storied, and 31 tant to preserve tlio traditions, etc-, of the three-storied houses. They were mostly Country, that they decided to publish an of a neat and substantial description and exhaustive accou it of each parish in Ireland. generally possess a good yard and garden. With that object in view they, in 1829, Up to' about the year 1790 many of the appointed a special staff to v?sit the different houses were built of wood, and polishes and obtain all available information most of them shingled (wood instead of slates), It; scorns the officials were engaged for a but the only shingled building remaining number of years in that work, and in 1836 was tho Presbyterian meeting-house, one of them, a Thomas Fagan, visited which had been built in 1736. Magherafelt. When their mission had been completed the particulars in respect of the Magherafelt was neither Parish of Templemore, near Deny, was, it a commercial nor manufacturing town, the seems, ike only cue printed, owing to the cost only manu facture being that of linen far exceeding that contemplated. The ; and its trade— except the purchase of linen, pork labours of that highly paid staff, lie in the and grain, was carried Royal Irish Academy, Dublin, and can be on by retail- The want of water power was a consulted by any one interested in the history disadvantage, thero being of their locality. nothing more than an inconsider- able rivulet, which barely afforded water The following is an abridged account taken power for the brewery, situated at a short from Mr. Fagan's information : distance from the town.

Magherafelt consists of four principal The town is well and regularly supplied streets, which meet at the extremities of a with butchers' meat of good quality. Beef square called "Tho Diamond," in the sold at from 3id to 5d per lb-, and mutton centre of the town- from 4d to 5d per ib. Mutton was be- coming scarce and sheep almost disappear- Tho principal street is Broad Street, ing from the country. Poultry, fruit, milk which is 110 yards long and 90 feet wide. and butter were also well supplied and at Charity Street (now Rainoy Street), so reasonable prices. Vegetables—except called from the Charity School being leeks and onions, and occasionally a few situated in it. It is 390 yards long and 50 cabbages—were rarely offered for sale- feet wide. Meeting Street extended for There was not any market gardening nor 280 yards from the Diamond. Castle- dairying. The grazing for cattle let at dawson Street (now Church Street) extends from £2 10s Od to £3 5s Od for each cow 200 yards from Broad Street- The for the Summer's grass. Diamond is an oblong square 180 yards by 45 yards- The houses in it are tolerably Belfast was the great Market for Pork, regular and uniform and of a good and a considerable number of pigs were . description. They are all either one or driven there for sale. A good many pigs two storey and mostly inhabited by and a few young heifers were bought by respectable merchants and shopkeepers. dealers for exportation. A little flax had Tho houses in Broad Street are, with a been shipped this year (1836) for - few exceptions, of an excellent descrip- A lot of oats and wheat, bought in tho tion and fairly uniform. The street is market, was transported by lighters from prettily terminated by the Church and Ballyronan to Belfast and . There parsonage. About the latter there are was no regular provision for the poor, some 'Plantings' which added greatly to except tho usual collection on Sundays, in the appearance of tho town. Tho houses addition to the interest of £100, which was in Charity Street, as approached from the distributed annually to poor Protestant

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22 HISTORY OF MAGHERAFELT.

roomkeepers. Tlio Presbyterians distri- The tanning of leather was one of the trades buted their collections amongst their own thought fit to be introduced at tho poor, the Roman Catholics likewise, but Plantation- Where tho first Tanyard was the (the then established is purely a matter of conjecture, Established Church) distributed equally as there is no record extant—so far as is amongst all. known, which contains that information- In the year, 1836, the Tanyard was situated on The inhabitants were not very prone to tho premises now occupied by Mr. Frank amusement. They had, however, a sub- Harbison, Ballyheifer where at one period a scription pack of hounds, which met twice very extensive and lucrative business was weokly during the season, and cockfighting carried on- There was also a Tanyard took place on Easter Monday- They were situated in the townland of Dunamon. a littlo sociable and hospitable, united in them- below tho house now occupied bv Mr. James selves, and attentive to strangers. The Badger, jun-, in tho year 1752, but the trade upper classes, though they could not bo in both places has ceased for a considerable termed rich, were affluent and comfortable, period. and being much alike as to circumstances, probably made them so intimate. The Tho Brewery.—There is no satisfactory evi- dence middle classes and those in business were available, as to when the Brewing of Malt, comfortable in their circumstances and etc., first took plaeo in Magherafelt. manner of living. They were industrious, In 1752 the town possessed botli a Malt House quiet, peaceable and very obliging, and and a Malt Kiln, but it is not known where there was no town where there was more they were situated. Tho Brewery, at a later domestic peace or security, and where the date, was situated in Union Road, at the laws or their officers were more feared or premises now occupied by Mr. Matthew respected. Evans. It was established in 1825, its machinery being propelled by a breast water wheel Timber and slates were procured from twenty feet in diameter, and two feet three Ballyronan. These were brought by water inches broad- One copper contained forty, and from Belfast to Ballyronan; their carriage the other twenty-five barrels, and the Mash v to Magherafelt costing three-halfpence Kieve as eight feet in diameter and four feet per cwt. The usual cost of pine timber at deep It is said that there was an underground BaJlyronan was Is 9d per cubic foot, and passage from Rose Lodge to where the Brewery menial from 2s 5d to 2s 6d per foot- was situated, and also that Old Dick Donnelly, Slates were usually sold at Ballyronan: who resided in Church Street, constructed Countess. £6 15s Od per thousand, and an underground passage from the Ladies, £3 17s Od per thousand. Bricks at Brewery to the garden on the opposite side of the tho kilns, which were situated in Bally- road, where, it is alleged, distilling took place scullion Parish, cost 10s per 100, and lime, so that it would escape the notice of the Gauger. when laid down, cost Is Id per barrel. The object suc- Stones of an excellent description were ceeded for a time, but eventually Mr. Bryans abundant everywhere about the town- (who owned the brewery), was found out, English coal at Ballyronan cost 24s to 28s prosecuted by the Government and heavily per ton, and Scotch 18s to 20s per ton. fined. Subsequently it gave place to the Turf, however, was chiefly used and cost, coach factory. The old brewery chimney is when laid down, from £2 15s Od to £3 5s Od still in existence. per 100 gages. In about eighteen or corn twenty years time the town, and indeed The mill was situated in the town- land of tho entire estate, would be badly off for Polepatrick, and belonged to tho Cassidy family. firing, as tho bogs will bo nearly all cut It is at present rented by Messrs. about that time. Cudden, of Killynease. The house for boiling yarn was The Orangemen were very numerous and situated in Kiliyfaddy on Messrs. Walker's premises, but well armed, and celebrated' of it has not been used for a considerable July- Tho Freemasons celebrated the 24th number of years. There was another June. On Patrick's Day, 1825, the Ribbon- boiling house erected at Leckagh, men attempted to walk through the town- and belonged to tho late Mr. They were, ho>vcrer, warned not to come, James Harbison. It also has shared the fate of but they persisted, and about twenty of Mr- Walker's. the tradesmen fired at them, dispersing In 1836 the people of the parish were killing of their number. them and one chiefly of English or Scotch descent (chiefly Scotch), and tho principal settlement took According to the report of Mr. Fagan place after the and Siogo the machinery and manufactories of the of Derry. Amongst those, it seems, who Parish of Magherafelt consisted of a Tanyard, came over with King William's army were a Brewery, a Corn Mill, and a house for representatives of tho fami)y of Ash, some of boiling and bleaching yarn. whom held high commands in his army-

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RECORDS OF 1824.

The Johnstons who also Barred in the same Bishop of Deny) was the first orginator of army, settled in the parish about the limo binning in tin- County. year 1700, and the first house they erected was standing in Ballymoghan in 1836. The following information was also obtained in 1836 by Mr. Fagan, from persons in each of In Mr. Fagan's record the following names the townlands named : predominate : With the exception of tho Old Church in In Aghagaskin the names of Kcightley, Magherafelt, the Parish could not lay claim Bowman, Redfern, and Scilly. In 'Parana- to any other Old Ecclesiastical Buildings. It dace those of Kane and Love. In Bally- seems, however, that there were two old nockor, Garvan, Reynolds, Scilly and Bradley. burial grounds unconnected with any place of In Tullylinksay, those of Stewart, Nodwell, Worship- One was situated in the townland Brown and M'Night. In Annaghmore, of Ballymoghan-More—called Killowcn—from Pickeram, Kirkwood, Love, Hawthorn, Evans, which the hill, known as Killa-owen Hill, Bell, Dawson and Nodwell. In Killyneese. derives its name. The other was situated in Bell, Bradley, Loes. York, Foster, Love and Annaghmore, called "Tho burial garden." Kelly. In Ballyheifer, Bradley, Donnelly,. The one at Killowen was said to be one of the Halferty, Connor and Keenan. In Killyfaddy, oldest Irish burying-grcunds, and registered Duncan, Stewart, Lees, M'Atoer. In Bally- in Rome. About the year 1736, a limestone moghan, Steele, Brcwn Gilmour, Shannon, quarry was opened near it, and continued to Quigley, Badger, M'Master. In Cooishinney, bo worked until 1770—when the base of the Burrows, Wiley, Dornan, Duncan. Ferris and burial-ground was reached, it was found that Farrel In Dunamoney, Brown. In Megargy, the limestone extended under it- In work- Duncan, Noghor and Can-. In Dunarnon, ing the quarry from that period to 1815, and Bradley and Donnelly- In Muliaghhoy, when overturning the earth at tho top of tho Iiidsay, Wilson Redfern and Kielt- In limestone, large quantities of human bones, Shanemullagh, Hillman, Morrow, Dawson and coffin boards, lings, clasps and nails were Kane. found- Many of the bone; were in a good state of preservation, and .some of the legs, Tho Castle, which was described in the thighs and jaw bones were of more than Survey of 1618 as being then in course of ordinary size. One. arm bono, it is said, erection, was destroyed dining tho Rebellion exceeded in length and strength any ever seen of 1641. It was rebuilt in 1677 by Gabriel before hy the persons who found them. One Whistler—the then lessee of the Salters' of tho skulls foujd fitted over the largest head Estate. It was again destroyed at the time in tho neighbourhood, and some of the jaw of the Seige of Derry by portion of James* bones fitted over the chin of persons visiting army. In the lease of 1699 the said Gabriel the place- The bones were all re-buried in the Whistler agreed "to repair and, if need be, quarry pit, and the graveyard is now quite "now build the Castle or Fort in Maghera- obliterated. On tho north extremity there "felt," and in the Journal of Col. Thomas was an old spring well which was very deep Ash, there appears an entiy in tho year 1703 and on tho north-west side was Killa-Owen of sand, lime, etc., having been drawn by him Hill. for ita repair. It seems tho Castle was situated in tho Diamond, for in lowering it in The Annaghmore burial-garden was totally 1799, 1811 and 1815 large portions of tho demolished, and is now under tillage. Cellar Walls of an Ancient Castle were dug up. The site is now partly occupied by the The remains of an old castle in Annaghmore Diamond, and partly by the range of houses was dug up about the year 1825, and the site situated from what is commonly known as cultivated. It was situated in the holding of "Hull's Corner," to Mr. Felix Ferran's the Stewarts. There was no tradition of dwelling-house, and Mr. Ferran, in making who its founder was, or who the later inhabit- improvements rome short time ago, came ants were. Notwithstanding this there is a upon a wall five feet broad, which is sup- story that about the year 1614 it was in- posed to be portion of tho walls of tho Old habited by a savage tribe of people called Castle- Gibseys or Giboies who waylaid the neigh- bouring people, carrying them to the oastly From the "Terrior" (rental) of 1845, issued and murdering them there, and that it was by tho Salters' Company, it appears there destroyed by fire by the . No were twelve quarries situated on the Estate, corroboration of this story could be obtained, and in Ballymoghan and Goi-tagilly there but it is probable that the castle was wore two lime kilns working. The one in besieged and burnt to tho ground during tho Ballymoghan was let to James Steele at £50, Rebellion- A number of human bones were and the one in Gortagilly to a man found when the foundations wore being named Steele at £80, but subsequently, on removed. The remains of an old paved road,

Robert M'Kee acquiring it, the rent v. as which, it seems, had been the main leading reduced to £30- It is also stated in the road from Castledawson, Desertmartin, Terrior that the Earl of (who was also Magherafelt, and Moneymore to Dublin,

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2i HISTORY OF MAGHERAPELT.

were found in the townlands cf Mullagliboy. butter were found. A brass battle axe. was Dunarnon. and Megargy, and it appears that also found in the same bog, which was sold to in making the road from Dosertmartin to a rag merchant. Moneymore in 1812, a large quantity of In different parts human bones were found beneath the surface of the district instru- ments and coins of every description in that part of Megargy called the Bleach wore found. For instance, a battle axe was found Green Fields- Those fields are at present in in Coolshinney and one in Ballymoghan. possession of Mr- Andrew Ditty, Megargy. In 1832, in Killyfaddy, a farmer in reclaiming his land found, one foot beneath the surface, In the townland of Mullagliboy a. stone a brass spur, bit buckles, with a rude and indistinct cross was found in and a set of horse's shoes different in shape from ones. a fence. Although it gave the impression of modern Two silver coins were in an accidental formation it was preserved and found Megargy about venerated. the size of a sixpence. One had a King's head in a circle, full faced and crowned with a In the same townland, on the holding of Crown fteurie— with the inscription:— John Redfern, stood a stone resembling a H.DAY. R. Angl. D.NSHZB. Reverse—the cress which had been found about 1805 r.t a crop and three- pillets in each quarter, and large hawthorn bush where, it was asserted, - round them CIVITAS, LONDON. The other coin bore that Roman Catholic worship had hec' 1 per- the same King's head. Reverse formed at some remote period. the crop and three pollets—but the in- scription on both sides was defaced. From In Ballyhcifcr, about the year 1815, a line the inscription it would appear that one of the of an old paired road was found about two coins belonged to tho reign of Edward the feet under the surface of the bog in the hold- First. ing of Mr. Frank Harbison. The road was In 1820 a boat formed of a solid piece of paved with large and small stones quite level was found in Coolshinney. It was only six on top, and the breadth of the road averaged feet long, and when found contained about 8 feet. About 210 yards of the road had been a bucketful of decayed hazel nuts- Two small raised up- (Information from John Halfertv oars were also found with it- and Robert Flanagan in 183G). There were twenty-six Forts on the Salters' In the holding in Tullylinksay. at present Estate in 1836. these being situated in the ocupied by Henry Stewart, stood the ruins of townlands of Aghagaskin, Bellaghertv. Bally- an old paper mill. Prior to 1836 it had been mulderg-More, Bal!vncill-Beg and More. occupied by a Thomas Wallace, but about the Ballygillen-Beg and More, BallyrifF, Bally- year 177G it ceased to manufacture pajcr in rcnan-Beg and More, Ballyniilligan, Drumi- consequence of the supply of water being naid, Drumenagh, Killyneese, Killyfaddy, insufficient. Lisnamorrow. Magliadonc, Roshure, Tamua- daee, Tamnadoey, Ballynenagh, Mawillian, In the same townland stood the ruins of an and Ballindrum. The following interesting iron foundry- There was no account of particulars relate to a few of them- when the foundry ceased to work", but about the year 1746 a large hammer was raised out There was one in the holding of Mrs- Rodgers of the ruins and was drawn by a number of in Killyneese, approaching an oblong shape, ment to the Old Iron Foundry, which stood size 43 yards and 36 yards- It was surrounded west of Castledawson, where Mr- Henderson's by a moat and two parapets at some former stood- It also appears that a period- It has been demolished. The inside number of bars of Iron were found in the parapet had undeigone some alterations, but neighbourhood of the Foundry that made as it stood it averaged 15 feet in height above good shoes for horses. the bottom of the moat. The area occupied by tho Foit is now under tillage. It is said In the holding of Patrick Drummond, of that the north side of the Parapet had been Annaghmore, the remains of an ancient bury- explored about 1796 in search of treasure that ing-ground called the "Burial Garden," were had been dreamt of as being there at some found, from which a large quantity of human previous time, by some of the inhabitants. bones of every description had been raised- In exploring the spot they found a cask of ojd The sito was now under tillage. butter, a pot, crook and pot-hooks about five feet beneath the surface. All the articles Cornelius O'Neill, of Aghagaskin (in whose found were subsequently converted into farm John O'Neill is the present occupier), different uses. The pit out of which the pot in reclaiming the remains of a bog in his had been taken was still visible in 1836- holding in 1827 found beneath the surface a On the north side there was a large stono a small boat constructed out of a solid piece which was supposed to cover the Treasure- of oak 8 feet by 3 feet and 2 feet deep. It After repeated dreams the stone was tumbled was greatly decayed, and was afterwards used into the Moat, and beneath it were found as a pig's trough. In the same bog some time seven of the largest frogs ever known to have provious a cask of tea and a crock of old been seen in the North of Ireland-

a

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Ml{. JOHN HA

TI1K l.ATI. :«ll!. JOHN CJLOVKR, Solicitor

MR. JAMES BROWN, Solicitor. '11110 LATE MR, ROBERT M'GUOKIN, Solicitor.

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L ..__ .

MR. VINCENT M'GUCKIN, MR- J. I. DONACHY-. It. A., Solicitor. Solicitor, and County Court Itegista

MR. L. R. HASTINGS, Solicitor. MR JAMES JOHNSTON, Solicitor

RECORDS OF 1824.

In the holding in Aghagaskin, at present Cattle took place, and continued unabated up occupied by Jaruej Bowman, there stood a to 1833- (Information from James Semple. Fort) which had been surrounded by a moat Felix Keenan, and others, in 1836.) and two parapets- The Fort was under grazing and stood on an eminence, command- In the holding of John Evans, Annaghmore, ing a delightful view of a largo portion of stood an ancient Haw-bush, locally oalled tho Deny and . There was a portion of "Gentle Bush." It was said that it had tho inside parapet removed at some former often been seen illuminated at night, and tho period, and beneath its surface were found humming of some invisible agents heard. A part of an iron gate, Mechanics Implements, Wir, Ekin, who oied some time before 1836, gun locks, etc- The Moat was afterwards dug cut two branches off tho "Bush," and within out, and several pieces of iron bars, corroded ten days lost two valuable horses, and ho by rust, were found. On the north east side attributed his loss to his action. The site on an oak-shaped grave was found. It seems it which tha Bush stood was an old Burial- was enclosed at the sides, and ends by flat ground, and round the roots of tho Bush stones sunk in the ground, and the bottom was occupied by graves of still-born and paved with small stones. It was covered by unbaptised children- About the year 1780 an oak plank of nearly the same shape and two Querin stones were found at the roots of dimensions as the grave, and at the head of tho tree- the grave stood another oak plank two feet iuches thick; long, two foot broad, and six In Tamnadace, in the farm at present occu- grave representing a modern headstone. The pied by Mr. Wm. Garvin, stood an oval-shaped feet wide, and was about five feet long by two Fort. 64 feet by 56 feet- The parapets were interior was found ten inches deep. In the composed of clay and stones. The Fort in the skeleton, seemingly of a boy—the collar 1836 was under grazing, and stood on an being reduced to bone, ribs and other bones eminence commanding a delightful" view of but crumbles. The grave was undisturbed, Cast'ledawson. in labouring the Fort about water. The absorbed in about six feet of 1820, a number of graves, human bones, and use of. It planks were taken away and made pieces of coffins were discovered beneath the was stated that the occupier, prior to Felix surface- The spot where they were found was, Koenan, attempted to demolish the fort, and it was said in 1836, to be very gentle and while in the act of doing so was deprived, to often seen illuminated at night. some extent, of his senses, and remained so during tho remainder of his life ; bis Cattle In the townland of Mullaghboy, in the hold- and Chattels, it was alleged, also wasted away. ing of Mr. John Walsh, stood an oval-shaped The occupier of the Farm in 1833 (Felix Fort, 70 feet by 50 feet, composed of clay and Keenan) used one of the oak planks—found at stones, and enclosed by a moat averaging 15 tho grave—in a Manger, and one of his best feet wide. At the west side stood an old horses died- He also attempted to demolish spring well; while at the west of the Fort the Fort, but tho succeeding day two of his stood an eminence, locally called the "Battle Cattle ran wild through the country. They Hill," on which it was said that Cannon were were with great difficulty secured and kept placed to demolish the ancient Castle of in the stable for several days- Death of his Magherafelt.

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THE VALUAT ION OF 183?.

The following were the occupiers of the Charles M'Girmi 8 6 several premises in Magheraielt in 1837 : John Risk 2 5 Felix Kennedy 1 9 4 CHARITY STREET (NOW RAINEY ST.) John Moran 2 3 Rent Yearly- John Hull 1 4 Charity School Garden £0 4 Same School 2 15 THE DIAMOND (SOUTH SIDE) Robert Sands Tenement 8 5 John Hull Tenement £3 Pork Market 25 Thomas M'Fall „ 3 13 Ben Donaldson Tenement 1 14 Wm. M'Collum ,. 2 Martha Kane „ 10 4 Wm. Gaussen „ 12 17 Dr. Shannon „ 18 . George M'Arthur „ 3 9

Matthew Bowman ,- 10 Darby M'Afee and

Arthur M' Williams ,. 13 6 Johnston „ 4

Patrick M'Crystal „ 10 Henry Waterhouse ,. 2

James Hughes ,. 12 Rov. Samuel Twigg „ 4 2 John Richey „ 1 17 Jolm Johnston Garden

John Caldwell ,. 3 11 Robert Sands „ 3 2 NORTH SIDE. Jolm Walker „ 4 19 Ulster Bank „ 3 15 Louis Walsh „ 2 10 John Graham „ 2 18

,. 1 14 6 Patrick M'Crystal George Brown >• 2 7 3 7 Mrs- M'Davitt „ Wm. Hughes .. 2 12 Jane Ash's heirs » 2 7 John Duncan „ 2 8 6 Mrs. Thompson „ 1 15 John Johnston „ 1 16 John and Hugh Wilson ,. 4 9 John Graham and John Walker Meadow G. Brown Garden Phelimy Kane and New Linen Market John Walker Tenement 2 13 Ulster Bank Office Houses William M'Collum „ 12 John Graham Hugli M'Closkey and

M'Menemy ,, 3 18 MEETING HOUSE ST- (NORTH SIDE) Anthony Mageo „ 2 14 Wm. Hughes Garden 17 James Crooks ,• 1 Ulster Bank Wm. Hastings ,, 17 Presbyterian Meeting House- John MaKraw „ 13 Thomas M'Fall Meadow £2 8 10 Heire of Peacock „ 2 Jolm Graham Garden Robert Simpson ,. 15 15 Wm. Browne ,, SOUTH SIDE. Samuel Graham's heirs 18 6 Charles M'Kenna Tenement 3 6 Patrick M'Kenna ,. 19 4 Michael Walsh ,. 3 14 John Morgan „ 2 9 Patrick M'Ateer „ 2 15 Ja.mes M'Dowell „ 1 11 John Graham ,, 4 6 John Walsh „ 2 6 John Kielt „ 19 Robert Fobes ., 2 9 Wm. Gaussen Garden 15 Andrew AUen ,. 2 9 Thomas M'Fall Thompson .. 2 19 Mrs- John Graham Garden David Graham „ 1 18 George Brown ,. MONEYMORE STREET (NOW QUEEN ST.) Wm- Hughes » Widow Hagan Tenement £3 8 Jolm Duncan „ John Graham ,, John M'Williams - 2 4 Thomas M'Fall ,. Thomas York „ 1 10 Jolm Johnston ,, James M'Kee ,. 1 9 Patrick M'Ateer James Leckv « 8 ° „ J Wm. Gaussen Garden 10 Wm. Brown „ 2 12 John Coustley „ 2 1 BROAD STREET (EAST SIDE) Henry Richardson ,• 3 15 l Thomas M'Fall Tenement £400 Wm. "Browne » i ? Wm. M'Collum Grain Market 35 Wilson Wawhinney „ 3 2 Jamee Harbison Tenement 2 16 James Shaw ,. 10 17 Michael Smith „ 18 4 -James Hughes ,, 3 6

THE VALUATION OF 1837.

John Duncan 3 19 G John Lawrence 1 Joshua AdamB 2 6 John Walsh John Daly and There wvrc Geo. Gassidy and Garden 56 11 no buildings in the South side of John Walker Tenement 4 19 Union Road, except the Office Houses be- Dr- Shannon 2 4 longing to Mr. Walsh. Bank 3 9 Northern CHURCH WELL STREET. Wm. Ferguson 3 12 John Thompson John Lawrence 3 10 (i John Walsh 1 11 Bryars Tenement £0 19 Dr. Evans 3 11 HOUSES AT CHARITY BRIDGE. Arthur Donnelly CASTLEDAWSON ST- (NOW CHURCH ST.) 1 14 (SOUTH SIDE.) James M'llwec 1 14 Michael Hynds 10 Joe and Alex. Devlin Tenement £4 13 Widow Miller „ 3 18 ROAD FROM RAINEY ST. TO UNION RD. Robert Foster ,. 19 6. NOW GARDEN ST. (WEST SIDE.) Widow Stanley „ 18 4 Garden John and Hugh Wilson- Andrew Allen „ 1 10 „ Jane Ash's heirs. Now School House Garden ,, John Walker- Miller and Badger Tenement 15 James Hughes. School Houso ,, Mrs- Thompson.

,, John Walker NORTH SIDE. ,, James Hughes.

Linen Hall and Bridewell .John . . John Greer Tenement 2 5 George Cassidy „ 4 EAST SIDE.

Richard Donnelly ., 4 18 Garden John Caldwell. John M'Williams „ 2 10 Mis- M'Davitt.

Wesleyan Chapel and Dwelling House 110 ,, Dr- Shannon.

Andrew Allen Garden 10 ,, James Walsh. John Greer „ 110 ., Robert Sands- UNION ROAD (NORTH SIDE.) Robert Sands Stackyard Mr. Bryars, New Buildings (now Rose Lodge) John Walker „ Female School 6ame „ Dr. Evans Garden Lewis Walsh „

OLD MAGHMlAFELT.

In 1837 there were no houses in either King and was provided by the Parish, as per Street or Garden Street, and mme on the Resolution of the Vestry, passed on the 13th :— north side of Meeting Street. In the year April, 1819— it being Resolved "That a sum 1858 the only dwellings in King Street were "of twopence an acre be laid on for tho pur- those, of the Rev- John Quinn, PP., and "pose of putting up a. town clock." The clock Mortimer Hyncs- In the same year in was kept wound by the Parish for a Garden Street the buildings were offices be- lengthened period at*£2 a year, and in 1830, longing to Robert Sands, two small houses £3 was paid for winding and cleaning it- In occupied by "William Hughes and Jane 1878 the clock was sold to Sir Nathaniel Henry, and which were situated where the Staples, , and at present can be seen in house at present occupied by Mr. Oliphant the farm yard at Lissan, having been put into now stands, and a school-house which is now position there bv the late Mr. Brice Galway,

1 occupied by Mr. Joseph Cowan's premises . sea-, Magheraielt- Its removal caused The remaining houses at present situated in genuine exprcs-ions of regret. Efforts to the street were erected by Mr. Hugh have it retained is some- eonspieious place in M' Lernon about the year 1880, and those in town proved unavailing, notwithstanding a King Street some time previously. The storm of protest in the Press- houses at present situated on the south side of Church Street and occupied bv Mrs- The Old Courthouse (now the Town Hall) M'Mullan, Mrs- Ramsay, Mrs- Houston, Mr- was built in 1801 partly by the Landlords and Waiter Bell Mr. Timoney, and Mr. .James partly by the County- It was 74 feet long and Johnston, solicitor, were built in 18G4 by the 22 fec-t wide, and consisted (prior to its trans- Salters' Company—they having demolished formation) of a spacious hall at- one end and the old dwellings—at a"cost of £250 each. two jury rooms at the other. The intervening The Salters' Company also erected the present space- was fitted up with jury boxes on either dispensary in 1858, and handed it over sides, which opened into the jury looms. At through their agent. Mr. Spotswood to the one end there were benches for the Chairman guardians at the nominal rent of Is per year. of Quarter Sessions, Magistrates, etc, and the The old market house was a basaltic building dock was situated at the other end, near tho erected on arches in the Diamond in 1810 bv door. Many an exciting scene took place the Salters' Company. It was 42 feet long, within those walls, for in addition to the 21 feet wide, and two stories high- On its lively legal episodes which invariaby take northern side was erected a neat oupolxora. place, election campaigns were also conducted underneath which was the town clock- The therein, and in the days prior to t lux advent of upper storey consisted of a spacious room, and the Ballot Act, the voters assembled there to was used for the sale of flax, meal, etc-, on record their votes, which took two days to market days. There was also a room for the complete, and it was no uncommon site to see weigh-master. The entrance was by five the streets lined with cavalry to preserve tho peace on those occasions. Sessions, at large archways ; two each on the northern The and southern, and one on the western side, first, were held half-yearly in June and which were closed, except on market and fair December, but this was changed afterwards days, by large iron gates. A number of the to quarterly courts- Petty Sessions were also present inhabitants entertain pleasant recol- held in it every other Wednesday, and a lections of the evenings they spent in the Manorial Court was held monthly, presided old market house, especially in connection over by the agents of the Salter's' Co., at with the interesting debates promoted by the which civil actions within the Manor, for Young Men's Christian Association, and on sums not exceeding £1 l(3s lid, were heard occasions when those who did not see eye to by a jury of twelve, with a right of appeal to eye with what turned out to be the popular tho Assizes. The Courthouse was converted side, thoy were summarily ejected. Tho place into its present shape by Mr- Geo. R- was also a rendezvous for the labouring class Tipping about the year 1890, at a cost of seeking employment, and any employer short £253 19s (Id. of hands had only to repair to tho Market The Bridewell, which is now used by the House, where he would find ample to select caretaker of the Town Hall, was built in*1839, from. on the site of the Old Linen Hall, by the Tho Market House was demolished in the County, and cost £515. It turned out to bo year 1880, Mr. Hugh M'Lemon, merchant, unhealthy and unfit for the confinement of Rainey Street, having purchased it from prisoners- It consisted of two small colls 15 tho Salteirs' Co. in that year- feet by 12 feet, and 8 feet high, one opening off the other, and devoid of furniture- The The clock which adorned the Market House cells were situated underneath the Court- was erected in the year 1820, at a cost of £70, house, and the only light was obtained from

01 J) MAGIIERAFEI/r. the corridor, in the opposite side of which sentences (instead of incurring tho expense, of were two small yards—one for males and the sending them to Deny.) The cells were used other for females. As many as twenty-eight for that purpose for some. time, and the male prisoners had been confined during caretaker was allowed remuneration for look- Quarter Sessions- ing after the male and female prisoners- This continued till about 36 years ago, when the It will probably come as a surprise to the cells were condemned as insanitary. From old inhabitants to learn that the ground that date all prisoners havo been sent to occupied by the old Bridewell, was formerly Derry. occupied bv the old Linen Hall, which waa built in 1820, and was 120 feet long and 70 The Bridge, known a.s Charity Bridge, feet wide. Sheds were erected at its Northern according to the evidence of the late Rev. side for keeping the linen dry in wet weather, Dr. "Wilson, before the Select Committee of and in the Hall were rows of wooden stands, tho House of Commons, on the Irish Society upon which the merchants stood during the and London Companies Estates, was built for market- The Hall was found unsuitable, and the improvement of tho town by the in- a new Linen Hall was erected in 1837, at a habitants, and not, a.s generally supposed, by cost of £294- The Salters' Co. contributed the Salters' Company- £140, and the Marquis of Londonderry and Sir Robert Bateson £154. It was enclosed by The premises in Broad Street occupied in a high wall, with sheds and standings inside 1837 by the Ulster Bank, are now the Post for the accommodation of the merchants. Office. Mr- Samuel H Porter's premises were The Linen Market was held oa the second formerly occupied by Thomas M'Fall, and Thursday in each month- It was then the later by Archie M'Fall, who was well known staple industry of the country, and a source throughout the district. He carried on tho of great prosperity. At that time the Messrs. business of an hotel-keeper, and the buildings Walker employed from 1,000 to 1,500 weavers are known as "'Hoiel Buildings." From a who did the work at their own homes, only a description contained in the Terrier (Rental) few residing on the premises at Killyfaddy, for 1845, it would appeal - that it was a while 100 men were employe! to prepare the. respectable and comfortable inn and well yarn for the looms. The markets appeared to conducted. It was fitted up with much have been very extensive, as the linen and internal convenience, an additional story yarn sold amounted to about £3,300 annually. added, a large room built, and new stables Owing to the introduction of machinery in erected—the whole costing £1,000- The Hotel tho large towns, the industry in rural contained 16 beds- districts ceased to a great extent, and the New Hall was converted into dwelling-houses, The house at present occupied bv Dr. Kerlin and portion of it was, until quite recently, in was, 1837, tenanted by Wilson Mawhinney ; occupied by tho Technical School- Tin- form while James Shaw resided in a house on which of the gateway, and the Salters Coat of Amis. Dr. Hunter's premises stand, and the entrance which ther presented at the time the Hall to the rere is familiarly known as "Shaws' was erected, remain to this day- Entry" to this day, the office-houses having been dwelling-houses. The New Courthouse was erected in tho year 18G9, the contractor boing Mr. Geo. II- Messrs- Glover and M'Guckin's solicitors' Tipping, Catledawson, and it cost £5,0(10. office formerly belonged to James Hughes, When the Old Courthouse became unsuitable, and in 1859 were purchased by the late Mr- it is said that the late Mr. J. J. Clark, John Glover, solicitor, from Mrs- Hughes, for Largantogher, Maghora (father of Col Clark, £300- They were described as a dilapidated D.L., Chairman of the Co- Council), in order and ruinous tenement at the yearly rent of to induce the Grand Jury to build it in £10. They were almost rebuilt by Mr- Maghora, offered a free site in that town, Glover at a cost of £500. but the people, of Magherafelt brought in- fluence to bear on the Salters' Co., and they John Duncan occupied tho business promises not only gave a free site, but also a donation now belonging to Mr- John Shiels, and Joshua of £1,000 towards its erection. The Old Adams, watchmaker, was a former in- Courthouse then became their property, and habitant of those now in posession of Mr. a the sale of their estate they transferred it Brice Galway. to the Town Hall Trustees. The court- keepers of the Old Courthouse were Sergeant John Daley was the tenant of Mr. P. J. Armstrong, John Adams and T. C Monteith, O'Kano's present premises. It was formerly auctioneer and valuer, who also had charge of the Post Office, and tho position of tlie the New Courthouse till his death. His widow- "Letter Box" is still traceable- succeeded him, and is the present court- keeper- It may be interesting to state that Mr. John Walsh's Hotel at the 1837 period provision was made in the New Courthouse was raised an extra story, and the premises for the keeping of prisoners undergoing short substantially repaired-

so HISTORY OF MAGHERAFELT.

Wm. Ferguson's premises occupied the Elizabethan or Tudor of architecture. ground now covered by Mr. John Harbison's It is charmingly situated *in Polepatrick, and dwelling-house and offices- They were for- formed a very pretty object in the landscape- merly the Manor office and dwelling-house, the latter evidently being intended for the Tho markets and fairs of Magherafelt date principal clerk in the office- They and the back to the year 1631. In that year a Manor House (now the Convent) ware erected licence was granted to Ralph Whistler, agent at a cost of £4000, about the year I860- or lessee of the Salters' Company, to hold a market on every Thursday at the town of The Northern Bank established their Magherafelt, and two fairs, one on the 14th branch here in the year 1835. Prior that to August, and one on tho 18th October each they had an agent. The managers, in 1837, year, and continue for two days. The were Messrs. Gaussen and Duncan. The pre- markets have continued weekly, and the fairs sent manager is Mr- W. Adamson- evidently became so popular that subse- quently it was found necessary The Belfast Bank also established a branch to hold them more frequently- in the same year in Rainey Street. The managers were Messrs Walker, and a repre- . The market in Charity Street was built about sentative of that family continued to hold th.2 the year 1836 at a cost of £431. Salters' office till four years ago, when the present The Company gave a donation manager, Mr. M- B. Redmond, was appointed. of £25 towards the cost, in addition to presenting Mr. John "Walker, on his retiring, was made a copy of their coat of arms, which the recipient of a handsome presentation from was affixed over the entrance gateway. the townspeople and others- Mr. Redmond, The Marquis of London- derry and Sir Robert Bateson (who on his taking up Mr. Walker's mantle, also were the lessees of the estate at that received public recognition in the shape of a period) contri- buted £406- The market, gold watch and chain and Mrs. Redmond a when provided, was considered sufficient for the piece of plate- acommoda- tion required without encroachment upon In 183G Mr. Fagan, who collected the in- the streets. Those hopes, however, were not formation connected with the Parish, reported fully realised, as the market became so popu- that the four principal residences about lar that within a comparatively short space of Magherafelt were Farm Hill, Glenbrook, time it was found quite unable to cope with Millbrook, and Rose Lodge- tho demands made upon it. At the present time tho markets for grass-seed, hay, straw, Hill, of Farm now the residence Mrp. pork, young pigs, flax, etc-, are held on the Stewart, and birth-place of Dr- Stewart, streets, and a short time ago the magistrates Portglenone, was then the residence of in Petty Sessions were called upon to define Captain Blathwayt, situated in Killyneese, the position the carts with young pigs should about half-way between Magherafelt and occupy in Meeting Street. Castledawson. The house was in the cottage style, but commodious. The situation was Tho corn market, situated in Moneymoro exquisitely beautiful, commanding one of the Street, was built by the landlords in 1818, and finest and most extensive views- the grain market situated in same place was built in 1830- At the centre of the east side Millbrook, now the residence of Mr- R there was a crane, and a bell rang as tho M'Guckin, solicitor, was then in the occu- signal for the commencement of tho market. pation of Mr. Andrew Spotswood, agent for These are now occupied by tho butter and the Salters' Company. situation was egg The markets- almost hidden from view by the Plantation. The house was then two storied and modern. Before the repeal of tho Corn Laws, nbouc There was a good lawn and an excellent- 60 years ago, two of the principal jrops grown garden attached- Since it became the pro- in this district, were wheat and oats, and the perty of Mr- M'Guckin tho house has been quantities offered for sale being very large, rebuilt and is lighted throughout by tho markets would extend generally irom electricity. Church Street to the foot of Rainey Street, Rose Lodge, owned by Mr- Wm. Hastings, and largo consignments would be carted to Clerk of Union and District Council, for- Belfast in addition to what was sent by merly belonged to Mr- Bryans, and during his lighters from Ballyronan. It was ulso the v tenancy he approached the Salters' Co. for a custom for a number of p3 sons to purchase grant of a long lease, as ho intended to start large quantities of coin for the puipose of a linen mill, but the Company, it seems, having it ground into oatmeal (Indian meal declined to grant him a lease suffiieently long, not being on the market at th.it time), and consequently Mr. Bryans' project had re- storing it in what was then Known as ' arts-" luctantly to be abandoned. In 1837 the markets were held by Mr. AVn. M'Colhim at a certain rent. Afteiwr.rds Glenbrook, the residence of the Cassidi Mr- Horace T- Gaussen (now of Portstowart) family, wa.s built about the vear 1830, in the ronted them. Subsequently they were held by

OLD MAGHERAFELT. 31 lessees. Messrs. Samuel Porter, James Harbi- there were 1,389 tenants compared with 191 son, and Archie At 'Fall (all of whom aie in 1752. Of those 1,389 tenancies 192 wore deceased), and at the sale of tlie estate they in the town of Magherafelt, 124 holding under were transferred by the Salters' Company to lease, and 68 annual tenancies, and tho rent the Market Trustees and under their manage- of tho town was returned at £337 13s 4d, ment they have become most successful, and being looked upon merely as x ground rent. are now lookod upon as very important- The That amount included £25 for the pig other markets in the district in 1851 were market and £35 for tho grain market. The Castledawson (held every Saturday/, Drapers- average length of tho estate was eight miles town (every "Wedesday), Maghera (every tho width four miles, and it had a frontage of Tuesday), and Moneymore (every Mondcy). four miles along - The estate The latter was a corn market- covered an area of 36 square miles. It seems the lessees were looked upon as very con- As previously stated, the holding of fairs in siderate landlords, for according to the evid- Magherafelt was, by tho licence granted i'i ence given by tho Rev- Professor Dickey be- fore the Morley Commission on tho London 1631, restricted to two annually, viz , on 1-lth August and 18th October. How long this Companies' estates in 1890, tho Bateson building to arrangement continued is not quite certain, family granted long leases the but according to Thorn's Diior.Diy for the tenants, and at the end of that time the town year 1854, the fairs were held on 26th Uay, of Magherafelt had been built to a consider- 25th August, and 29th October nai h year able extent by tho tenants themselves, tho £2,900- The fair then became so successful that it was valuation of the town then being In found necessary to hold it on the last Thurs- 1855, when the lea6© to the Bateson family days in each month. They were held on expired, the Salters' Company had a survey tho streets up to the year 1840, but this of the town made by Mr. Stewart Graham, system was found so very inconvenient by tho then county surveyor, and tho rent was the general public that representation was increased to £721 19s 7d. From that date made to the lessees (the Bateson family), who till tho yearl865 there seems to have been a provided the present Fair Hill which contains gradual increase,as in the latter year the rent about four English acres- Buyers attended from tho town holdings yielded £935 19s Id. from all the principal towns, and it was looked Tho reason given by the Company for the in- upon as a really good fair. The fair hill was crease (in reply to a memorial from the ten- afterwards improved by the fair hill trustees, ants of the town, adopted at a public meeting but notwitlistanding every inducement by the held on the 19th April, 1867), was that dur- trustees and people of the town, it began to ing the ten year's from 1855 to 1865 they had decline, and has now become extinct, a fate expended £8,000 in the erection of new which has overtaken some of the neighbour- buildings and in the purchase of tenants' ing villages- For instance, Castledawson, interests, and, in addition, £1,500 had been which in 1854, boasted of its four annual spent by them in re-building the Rainey fairs, held on the 1st January, Wednesday School. They also stated that the gross after Easter, 1st June, and 1st August, and receipts of the rental from 1853 to 1S65 was according to Thorn's Directory for the year £8,535 8s Od, and during that period tho sum 1S70, it had so improved that the fairs were expended by them in the town amounted to held on the last Saturday in each month. £16,500, independent of a further sum of Desertmartin had its quintette, viz-, 4th £4,000 in the erection of a manor house and February, 8th May, 7th June, 1st October, agent's office- It was asserted by the tenants of tho town that had the Salters' Company and 8th November ; Curran its bi-annual fair on 23rd June and 22nd November; and encouraged them by granting them long Swateragh, which had its quintette, viz., 3rd leases tho town would not, as at present, be March, 17th May, 17th July, and 3rd devoid of factories, and would have been Docember- It also seems that tolls were paid more important, and it was pointed out by by those who brought cattle and goats to tho Rev. Professor Dickey in his evidence Magherafelt fair. This custom has not been already referred to that tho Salters' Company in existence for a lengthened period. refused to grant a long lease to Thomas Bryan (who lived in Ross Lodge) for tb-,> pur- As already stated, the Salters' Company pose of enabling him to establish manu- from the Plantation down to 1853, had not facturies, and that Mr. Montgomery, who had the estate for any lengthened periods in their a coach factory in Union Road, and who paid actual occupation They adopted a system of from £14 to £15 a week in wages about the leasing to others, and the last lea-se (which year 1880, had to remove to on ihe was for 99 years) was granted to the Marquis same grounds- And the late Mr John of Londonderry and Sir Robert Bateson, and Glover, solicitor (of the firm of Messrs. expired on tho 12th May, 1853, tho rental Glover and M'Guekin), in a 'etter dated 30th being £500 annually- According to a return March, 1886, forwarding a prospectus of a made by Mr. Spotswood (agent to tho Company (Knoekloughrim Flax and Tow- lessees) on the 9th May, 1845, the total Spinning Co., Ltd), and addressed to Mr. rental was £12,670 16s 4d- At that period Andrew Spotswood, agent of tho Salters'

HISTORY OF MAGHERAFELT.

Company, stated that it was at first contem- increase of prosperity since the sale of the plated to establish the company for weaving estate it may be mentioned that, according to and spinning lirens in Magherafelt with a a letter forwarded by tho late Mr. John capital of £50,000 to £100,000, but the feel- Glover to tho Salters' Company in 1866, ing of insecurity was such that every person there were in that year 27 grocers, 18 pub- shrunk from it when it vas first mentioned. licans, 7 woollen drapers, and 4 retailers of It is the general opinion that had the com- bacon in Magherafelt, whereas now thero are pany encouraged industries by granting leases 23 grocers, 31 publicans, 15 drapers, 4 for reasonable periods, Magherafelt would, clothiers, and 1 retailer of bacon, and tho in all probability bo a more thriving centre population is 1,233, as compared with 1,295 than it is at present- Notwithstanding that in 1861- groat drawback it has held its own in the One often hears expressions of sorrow and race for "importance" in the county. Of no course had the population warranted the disappointment at the fact that portion of application of the Towns Improvement Act, South Deny—no matter hov small—was wo would now be enjoying the benefits which allowed to remain in iis origami s-tate, as the "Planters." It would be it is asserted follow in the train of found by that measure- An effort was made to have* greatly prized and immensely valued. Those tho town brought under this Act by the late disappointments were evidently felt at a Mr. Samuel Porter, J-P., the late Mr. John pretty early stage by tho deputations from the Donaghy, and the late Mr. x\Lex- Johnston the several companies who visited estates about the year 1889- A meeting was held in from time to time- As already stated, the the new courthouse, but the opposition was Salters' Company's portion was practically forest, explained tho so vigorous that the project had : to be a huge and in 1845 they abandoned. The population did not warrant cause of the scarcity of trees to be due to (1) tho destruction it, but tho scheme put forward by the pro- which was made of the moters was to include the workhouse and the woods to prevent their being a shelter to tbe townparks. The promoters evidently wished native Irish; (2) lavish waste of fuel; (3) tho inhabitants to take advantage of the offer the exportation of staves, which was once tho industry of (4) that had been made by the Salters' Company staple Ireland ; and the of £2,000 towards the bringing in of a proper demand for charcoal for smelting lead and water supply, and the improvement of the iron. And in the "Concise View" issued by drainage of the town, and also the establish- the Irish Society, it is stated that in 1685 ing of the markets as public markets- This iron works were erected on the estates of tho sum, although generous looking, was con- different companies—there were works at sidered very inadequate, as it was estimated Castledawson and Ballinderry—tho ovena that to carry out the idea it would take being kindled with charcoal, and tho fur- £8,000, and that was probably one of the naces, when onco kindled, were kept burning reasons why it was declined. At a later period from one year's end to the other, and blown Mr. Adamson, manager of the Northern day and night by bellows worked by water. Bank, had a survey made of the cost of bring- ing in a water supply, and submitted it to tho From whatever cause (tho enlightenment District Council with an offer of a substantial of tho twentieth century, or the slight in- grant towards carrying it out, but that also crease in the population) tho fact is borno in was declined, as the cost to tho ratepayers upon us that the preservation of the peace of would have boon very heavy. How the town the town and district is to-day a matter of has decreased in population through emigra- far greater magnitude than it formerly was- tion and migration may be gathered from the The Royal Irish Constabulary was formed following : —According to tho census of 1831, about the year 1836, following on tho "man the population numbered 1,430, and the in blue," who was brought into existence in religious denomination was 485 Irish Church, England in 1829 by Sir , which 587 Roman Catholics, 310 Presbyterians, and accounts for tho fact that to this day tho 54 others- In 1841 it had increased to 1560, members are often called "Peelers." which was the highest number reached- The prefix "Royal" was added in 1867 in There were 242 houses inhabited by 729 recognition of tho services rendered by them males and 831 females, and 11 houses were at the , and they are admitted uninhabited. In 1851 it was 1,390 ; in 1861, to bo the finest body of police in the world-

1,295; in 1871, 1,401; in 1881, 1,514 ; in In 1836 the force in Magherafelt consisted

1891, 1,421 ; in 1901, 1,328; and in 1911, of three members, a like number being 1,233 (595 males and 638 females residing in stationed in Castledawson. The house which 267 houses. The fall in 1911 is partly then served as a barrack is now occupied by accounted for by the fact that a good number Mr. Alex- M'lvor, Church Street— it was of the inhabitants went down to then in possession of Mr. George Cassidy. The on tho eve of tho census for the purpose of force now consists of a District-Inspector, swelling tho population there in the en- Head-Constable, two Sergeants, and seven deavour to have it placed under the Towns' Constables. Besides being Peace Officers they Improvement Act- As an instance of the now perform the duties which used to fall to

THE OLD CHURCH. MAGHERAFELT.

COL. F. P. CASSIDL J. P., Glenbrook

ST. SWTJ'HLVS CHURCH.

- ft v-

'i

INTERIOR OF ST. SWITHIN'S CHURCH.

;a

OLD MAG 1 1 ERA KELT. tho Revenue Police Before their establish- father of the present Robert M'Kenna, King ment the Select Vestry had the oversight of Street, that he went to Belfast, and when ho the good behaviour of the inhabitants, and reached Toome on his return journey ho each year they appointed Petty Constables played a challenge handball match and won- who, in all probability, assisted the military in Truly they were stalwarts in those days- preserving order, for Magherafelt had for many years the honour of having a detach- Tho Railway to Cookstown from Randals- Infantry stationed ment of Cavalry and town was made in 1857, and from that year it therein. The persons so appointed evidently became the principal means of travelling, until performed their duties gratuitously although for a considerable time tho "Irish of 1742. In that year, whether the fulfilment Jaunting Car" was a formidable rival, but those duties had become more exacting, or was eventually forced to give way- Naturally that voluntary services were more difficult to there was great interest manifested in tho obtain, the vestry ordered that £1 be granted "Carriages running without horses," and the 10s, as salary. This sum was increased to £1 people of the town and country flocked to to was and in 1747 a further increase £2 witness the first train pass up. To say that appear made, at which princely sum it would astonishment was expressed in every face is after which date to have remained till 1760, but to put the fact very mildly. It is said further entry of there does not appear any that when first made there was a "halt" at Constables having been appointed. The Killyboggin to accommodate the people round appointed :—1717, following is a list of those about that district going and coming from Wm. Maghlin, petty constable ; 1718, John Cookstown and Magherafelt markets and M'Kelvey; 1731, James Mitchell; 1719, Wm. fairs, but it ceased to exist after some time. Cleeland and James Duncan, jun-, for town James and parish ; 1732, John Girvan and The lighting of the town of Magherafelt, Gilmoro; 1733, Richard Ditty and Stewart prior to 1871, was not at "all satisfactory. Morton; 1738, Wm. Clownish, of Shane- Mr. H. E. Cartwright, J. P., agent to tho mullagh, for parish; 1739, John Fearsofi, Salters' Co., took the matter in hand, and a Ballynocker; 1740, Wm. Brown, Tullylinksay meeting was held in 1870, when it was 1741, Matthew M'Kee, Ballynocker; 1742-3-4, decided to have gas introduced. An in- Magherafelt ; 1745 to 1756, Alex- James Cox, committee was appointed, Lees, fluential working Brown, Magherafelt ; 1757, Robert and the people of the town gave every Killyneece, and James Miller, Magherafelt; encouragement, and the Salters' Company, 1758, Benjamin Redfern, for country, and from Dr. J. S. Thomas Lee, assisted. A site was obtained John M'Murdy for town ; 1759, Vesey, father of the late Dr. A. B. Yesey, Drumrainey, for country, and Wm. Brown J. P. The works having been completed, tho for town; 1760, Hugh Brown, Tullylinksay, residents celebrated tho event by illuminating for country, and Wm. Kilpatriek for town- their windows. Tar barrels were burned and military evidently took their departure The congratulatory speeches made. The public about the time the constabulary force was lamps were provided by subscription—the formed, for in 1836 Mr. Pagan remarks :— townspeople generously doing their part, and "There are not now any military stationed the Salters' Company gave a donation of hero." £300. Of course an annual contribution had to be collected to enable the Gas Company to The principal means of travelling to Belfast have the town properly lighted, but thanks early portion and Dublin was by coach, in the to the generosity of the Market Trustees, this of the 19th century. bin den has been removed to their shoulders. Who tho directors were who first took tho is not In 1836 a coach from Cookstown to Belfast matter of the Gasworks in hands passed through Magherafelt every morning locally known, but in 1876 the following (Sunday excepted) at 6-30, arriving in Belfast occupied that position—viz., Messrs. H. E. Archibald at 11 am. It left Belfast at 3 o'clock same Cartwright, J. P. (chairman); day and arrived in Magherafelt at 8 o'clock, M'Fall, James Sands, Thomas AVilson, Samuel sen. John Donaghy, p.m. Outside faro cost 4s 6d, and inside 6s fid. , John Graham, ; Thero were eleven regular carmen who plied and Thomas S. Taylor; the auditors between Magherafelt and Belfast, and were Messrs. Robert Hanna and James generally returned on the fourth clay after lligginbothorn • the treasurer was T. S. departure- Thero was also one chaise and Taylor; the hon. secretary, Archibald M'Fall, eight post horses for hire in the town. The and the solicitor, John Glover, all of whom charge for a horse and car was 8d per Irish have gone over to tho great majority. From mile per head, and a shilling per mile per head tho report submitted to the Directors on for the chaise. It seems it was the custom 24th July, 1877, it appeared that the working of some of the business people in those days of the Company had proceeded satisfactorily, to walk to Belfast and return same day— and that the manager, Mr. Lecky, had feat we, in the twentieth century, would not exerted himself in keeping all connected with think of embarking upon- It is told of the the Gas supply in good order, and by his

34 TTTRTORY OF MAGHERAFELT. efficient management had increased the In the year 1836, it is reported that a Show amount obtained by the sale of residual pro- of Cattle and Crops was held annually in ducts to £55 6s 5d. And a pleasing feature of Magherafelt. It continued for some years, the report was that the balance to tho credit but eventually became extinct. A number of of tho account enabled them to recommend a years ago an effort was mado to revive the divident of five per cent., and the carrying show, principally through the efiorts of tho forward of a substantial balance. Tho work- late Mr. Samuel Porter, J. P., who was ing of the Company on the whole proved satis- always one of the foremost in inaugurating factory. However one of tho first real draw- any project which was for the benefit of tho backs was the action of the Guardians in tho town—and Mr. Louis Smyth ; but their year 1904 in substituting Acetylene Gas for praiseworthy efiorts proved unsuccessful. In Coal Gas. At that period the Board had boon its stead, however, tho annual ploughing a substantial consumer, having paid £100 2s match, which had ceased to exist after the sale during the two years ended March, 1904. of the Estate, was reinstated, and thanks to Prior to deciding on the change, a deputation the efforts of the Committee, and Mr. Jamea from tho Gas Co., consisting of the late* Mr. Walsh, hon. secretary, it has been most Samuel Porter, J. P., and Mr. John Harbison, successful. In 1875 people of the district solicitor, appeared and endeavoured to induce * around Desertmartin and Kilcronaghau in- tho Guardians to alter their decision, but were augurated a flower, fruit and vegetable show, not successful. This evidently did not tend called tho Desertmartin and to encourage the Directors to "doughty'' Cottage Gardening Society. It was generally deeds, and in 190G the Company sold the held convenient to the Rectory, and during works, plant, etc., to Messrs. Anderson Bros., tho month of August. It continued in exis- London, in whose hands tho concern still is, tence for about ten years. Now that an annual and seven years ago they startled the United general holiday has been established, it might Kingdom by appointing a lady manager, interest those who succeeded in establishing which turned out to be the first appointment the fixture, to learn that they are only of the kind in the world. The experiment following in the footsteps of the merchants was on tho whole successful, and amongst so far back as 1877, who gave their employees other notable things, Magherafelt can, in this their annual holiday, which took place respect, boast of having set an example for generally on the third Friday in June. the unirorse.

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THE CASSIDI FAMILY. 181-51-08

Tlw Cassidi Family is a very old Irish refer:—Henry O'Cassidy, Esq., M.D., who one, which the following, taken from Burke's had followed his ancestrial pursuits in

Landed Gentry will show : medicine, was of Greatwood, Mullaghbawn and Drum! irk. Co Louth, and of various Lineage. —The very ancient Celtic family estates in Co- Monaghan- He was born in of \'ii Caisidc or O'Cassidy has been for ages 1050. We find 10th April, 1C90, that King seated in tho Co- Fermanagh, where the James the Second issued a Commission to village of Ballycassidy, adjacent to Ennis- him in conjunction with the High Sheriffs killen, yet locally preserves the name- Their of the Co. Monaghan pro tern, and live territory was called Cuil-na-n-Oirear (i.e. the others (mostly military persons), to make corner or angle of harbours), situate

'literature and medical science ; and kept an rcfered to, was Colonel Francis Peter 'open house for hospitality-' In 1520 Felim Cassidy, of Glenbrook, and father of Dr. F. P. O'Cassidy, son of Teige, ollav to the race of Cassidi, of Derby, and Miss Cassidi, Glenbrook. Philip Maguire, died. In 1541 died Roderick He was Colonel of the 34th Regiment, and Cassidy, Archdeacon of Clobber, eminently Musketry Instructor. He served with bis versed (as Sir James Ware informs us) in the regiment during the Indian Mutiny, was fre- historical records of his country. Besides quently mentioned in despatches, and was having written part of the Register of wounded at Cawnporo on 20th November, Ologher, he also compiled tho latter part of 1857- Ho was a magistrate for the County, 'The Annals of LT lster." Among inquisitions and for manv rears ox-officio member of the in the Exchequer is one taken at Ballycassidy, Magherafelt ' Board of Guardians- At the Co- Fermanagh, 21st September, 1030, respect- time of the Disestablishment of the Church ing 'Cormack O'Cashedy-' At this time the of Ireland he was appointed one of the family had branched out widely in the Parochial nominators of the congregation Counties of Fermanagh, Louth and and a member of the Select Vostiy of St. Monaghan, and to one of these Scions we Swithin's Church.

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THE OLD PARISH CHURCH.

Reliable information as to tbe exact year The Vestries, which were brought into in which this Chinch, now in ruins, was fust existence, had very onerous and important erected, is not at present available. Thai duties. They represented the whole Parish, it was in existence in the year 1425 is beyond and were responsible for the making and doubt, for the late Bishop Reeves mentions upkeep of the roads, the good behaviour of that Malachy O'Mulehallyn had the the inhabitants, _ the keeping in «ood con- ecclesiastical oversight of the Parish, that he dition of all public buildings, and the looking died in 142o, and was succeeded by Neal after of the health of the people. In fact O'Corre. How long, prior to that year, they discharged the duties now carried out neither Reeves nor Ware state, but at that by the County and District Council period it was looked upon as the Ancient Authorities and Board of Guardians. They Church of Magherafelt. As mentioned pre- had the power to raise money for those pur- viously, there is a legend that St. Patrick* poses, and the general way adopted was by when passing through the district, assessing a certain poundage rate per acre, worshipped in the Church, and founded the and in case any person refused to pa v the well, which is situated opposite the gate. Churchwardens (who were charged with the Readers of Irish History are aware that the duty of having it collected) were "empowered periods under review were of a very turbulent "to distrain for ye Cesses if occasion and troublesome character, and although the "required," and in addition, they had also district around Magherafelt was principally power to impose certain additional penalties. covered with forests, which proved a great Their word was law, which brooked no inter- boon to the Clansmen of Hugh O'Neill ference. The Vestry met once a year and others when heavily pressed, buildings, (generally during Easter week) and oftener such as churches, naturally came in for par- as occasion required, or by request of the ticular attention from the invaders, as likely government of the day. The Rector for tho to be used as a hiding-place by the pursued. time being was the Chairman, and those who It is, therefore, not surprising to learn that met as the Vestry represented all classes and this Church passed through many vicissi- creeds. There does not seem to be on record tudes. Unfortunately the records known to in what manner the Vestry was elected— if bo extant in connection with the Church, elected at all—same as those of the present only date from 1717, and the explanation day. The general idea is that any person given (quite a natural one) is that the Church who felt inclined could attend. How many had been destroyed on many an occasion. did so is not recorded—the minutes only con- Reeves mentions that it was in ruins in 1616. tain the signatures of a number of persons It was, however, built somo years after- present, from a dozen to twenty-four. wards; for in Lewis' Topographical Dictionary, published in 1837, it is related that the Old Church in Magherafelt was Thore was only one burying-ground, and burned down dining the Rebellion of 1641, all were interred therein. Some people and the town plundered by the insurgents. think that such a state of things should have Many of the inhabitants were murdered and continued, that we probably would have been others put to ransom. It was then rebuilt a happy family, and the penalty we now have in 1664, and it seems that in 1688 the town to pay for our departure from the old order was again plundered, the inhabitants fleeing of things would not have been exacted. Tho to tho mountains, finding shelter in Deny, Churchwardens, as now, were responsible forming part of the garrison during tho for tho good order of the Church for Service, memorable Siege. On that occasion the and providing of all necessary equipment. Church escaped destruction, as the enemy The Churchwardens for the year, 1717, were used it as a barrack. In 1699 Mr. Gabriel Major Thomas Ash and Captain William Whistler (the Salters' Company's lessee, of Watson, and the Synodsmen were James James whom M'Neill Whistler, the famous Garvin, jun., and Thomas Cornwall. A cess painter, was a descendant) covenanted to of £13 was assessed for providing necessary repair the Church and enclose the Church- articles for the Church in 1717, and on the yard with walls. It have again been must 14th April, 1718, an account of how that damaged, as it is stated the "Concise in amount was expended was submitted as View," published the by Irish Society, that follows : in the year 1717, timber was sent over from London to repair the roof of tho Church, and it is probable that prior to that date tho Records must have been destroyed, as the minutes date from that year.

THE OLD PARISH CHURCH. 37

BY CAPTAIN WATSON. shillings, at which it remained till 1798, For a Pulpit Cushion and Carpet £6 18 4 when there was a further increase to £3 10s. THE PARTICULARS. The Sexton in 1757 was "John Devlin, and the last Sexton of the Church was a David For a yard and Velvet half of £2 Devlin, a descendant of John Devlin. From For Persian to line the Cushion 3 G this it would seem that the office had been yards For 3 of Cloth for ye Carpet retained by the family. In the year 1719 the for ye Communion Table 3 3 Rev. T. Warburton was authorised to lay out For Galloon Tessels 10 8 and what poor money he had in his hands towards For making Cushion and 15 Carpet buying a Pall and Mort Cloth, which was to For Carriage to Maghera 5 i be hired out for the benefit of the poor. And from thence to Dawson's Bridge i i The Pall or Mort Cloth must have been well £G 18 cared for, as it evidently did duty for almost For 12 yards Holland for a Sui 100 years. In 18U0 a resolution 'was passed pliee, at 3s 6d per yard J2 2 ordering one of good quality to be purchased For making and fetching it 13 for use of the Parish, and to be kept by the For altering the Pulpit 3 Acting Churchwardens, with directions that it For a Pair of Hinges for ye Chancel was not to be sent out of the Parish. Every Rails 2 parishioner was to pay fivepence each time mending the lock on ye Church For they required it, the proceeds to be devoted Gato 4 to the burying of the dead of thoso not ablo To Mr. Birkby for Sacrament Wine 2 8 t» do th« like. For mending a Chest in ye Church 3 For 2 Common Prayer Books iG The entries in the Old Vestry Book are For Churchwarden's Fees and generally of a similar nature, such as the Expenses at ye Visitation 5 amounts assessed for Sexton's salary, pro- viding wine, etc., for Holy Communion, £11 expenses of Churchwardens attending visi- tation, and for the cleaning and upkeep BY MAJOR ASH—Viz., of the Church. These were added to as occasion To Wm, Anderson, for G bottles of required. The following are some examples: Wine at 2 Sacraments £0 7 G 1724. For Biead for ye Sacrament 8 40s. ordered to be levied for the maintenance of a child left To James Hayes for Glazing i 9 5 upon the Parish. To Thos. Cornwall for Pointing, etc. 6 iO 1737. That permission be given the Rev. To Con O'Neill for Carpenters Work 2 G Thomas Staples, rector, to make a road or To Mr. Palmer for a 1000 of Shingles i iO avenue through the west end of the Grave- For 1200 of Nails G yard, from the Glebo to the Town. (Presum- For 4 Bottles of Wine for ye ably this is the present Avenue to the Sacrament 4 8 Rectory.) For Bread 3 1738. That the shingles to be delivered For Churchwardens Fees and for use of the Church be viewed and valued Expenses 5 by a. Carpenter, who shall be sworn to do year's Salary, To the Sexton—a justice. ending the i4 April, ili8 i 1739. Ordered that the Churchwardens within ten days exhibit their accounts to By Major Ash £5 i2 10 Robert Rainey and Wm. M'Gown. Other- wise to be prosecuted at next visitation. ,, Capt. Watson 174G. And whereas the dues of the Parish iG i8 Clerk have for somo time past been very ill Less i3 00 paid, and for the preventing thereof for the future, it was unanimously agreed by the Remaining 03 i8 5 Parishioners, in this present Vestry assem- bled, that fourpence And it was resolved that "the amount be applotted upon and expended over and above the cess for the levied off each family in the parish yearly year, 1717, was to be paid out of ye cess for by the Churchwardens or Constable for the year ending i7i8. time being, to be collected together with the Parish rate or cess, and by them paid to the is memorandum in the year, 1717, There a Parish Clerk. that the Rev. Thomas Ashcnden, then rector of Loughgall, and who had been 174G. Ordered that Robert Rainey and rector of Magherafelt in the year, 1G85, had John Downing do enquire and have proper bestowed the Silver Chalice' and Patin to satisfaction given them how the sum of £50 the Church. The Patin is still in use in allowed to Sir Thomas Webster and James St. Swithin's Church. In 1718 the sexton's Rankin was expended, ami how the £30 salary was increased to £2, and in 1719 levied off the Parish for use of the Steeple there was a further addition to it of ten was applied.

HISTORY OF MAGHERAFELT.

1758. £3 applotted and levied oif the From other entries in the Minute Book, Parish for support of an exposed infant, and it would appear that those who were able to that it he admitted into the Foundling provide sittings in the Church for themselves Hospital in Duhln. and their families, got permission to do so. For the year 17G7 there is an entry "That levied Ordered that £20 be assessed and John Downing, of Ballymoghan, be given a till it so levied, for in gales of £5 year, was liberty to erect a seat in any part of vacant the purpose of completing and finishing ground in the Church for himself and Steeple Spire. and family, and in 1780 there is a further entry "That G feet 2 inches of ground on right side 1761. Agreed that. Robert Burrows, of door be given to Richard Dawson to Dunarnon, who was Churchwarden for year build a seat, to be finished before next 1759, having neglected or refused to settle Easter,"; and in case of failure to complete it his accounts, to be forthwith sued in the most within that time, he was to lose the ground. speedy and effectual manner, and the At the same meeting it was agreed that tho expenses to be defrayed out of the cess. (The Poors Seat, under the gallery, be given to result of the action taken agaiust hiin docs^ James and Hugh Nogher, and Edward not appear in the minutes.) ) Marlin, provided they built a seat for the 1770. £30 to be applotted for new seat- poor before next Easter. In a number of ing Church from pulpit to west gable, divided instances the time specified for building seats into £10 for three years. was extended, and in one instance, for non- compliance, the permission was withdrawn. 1779. Ordered that the Churchwardens borrow a sum sufficient to defray expenses of It appears that the seats were of the old slating and repairing roof of Church that boxed type, and the doors were bolted on the summer. inside to prevent strangers from entering, and they were so high that the youthful 1790. £4 to be levied for making a road occupants had to stand on tip-toe in order to and pipe from the main street to Church see the School Children, who were seated on gate. forms in the aisle. It was no uncommon sight for the sexton, during the service, to is by this Vestry that 1799. It determined pass up and down the aisle correcting tho occupied by Mrs. the seat formerly built and childrcns' seeming irreverence by pulling being purchased by Mr. John Mary Dawson, their ears, and needless to say this caused from the Hagan and Mr. David Jennings great amusement. heirs of Mary Dawson, be now given to the said John Hagan and David Jennings as their It must have been the custom to bury property. people of note in the Church, as there are several entries under the heading of assessed to provide meal 1800. £20 to be deaths—"buried in Church," and "buried in for the poor. Graveyard." From all inquiries that could be made, it would seem that it evidently was Resolved that the Rector, Curate, the practice to bury people in the space Churchwardens and the following, viz.—John under the seat. And in confirmation of this Hill, John Smyth, Thomas Pollock and James a number of years ago, when an application Walsh, be a committee to select and badge was made to the Board of Guardian's for the poor of the said Parish; said committee permission to bury certain persons in tho to meet in David Jennings' house on 14th spaco inside the ruins, bones were dug up, November. (In a number of Parishes a badge thus proving that the space had been utilized was purchased and given to each of the previously. poor, but whether this was done in respect of mentioned in the poor of this Parish is not In 1828, it was agreed that the sum of the minutes.) £450 shall be paid as the annual composition under 4th, Geo. 4th, chap., 99, for all the In the same year £1 16s 3Jd was incurred Tithes payable out of the Parish of Magheia- in sending a foundling to Dublin. felt. 1808. Ordered that the Sexton ring the The musical portion of tho service seemed Church bell every morning at G o'clock for to be left in the hands of the Clerk, who was the spaco of 5 minutes. paid annually for it. In 1798 there is an "£5 assessed on tho Parish fur 1809. Ordered that a sum of £21 14s 8d entry that be enabling Samuel Graham to be assessed for cost of gate at graveyard. the purpose of attend and do the business of singing." That (This is tho gate at present in use on the old annually till graveyard—the date 1809 being plainly visible sum appears to have been paid 1832, when a voluntary choir was organised. on it.) In the year 1833 a new gallery for use of tho 1817. £5 assessed to provide coflins for singers was erected, the expenses being tho poor. borne by the Marquis of Londonderry, Sir

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THE OLD PARISH CHURCH. 39

Thomaa Bateson, Rev. T. Vesev (rector), task of replacing the spire was not under- Andrew Spotswood, G. W. Blathwayt, D. taken, thanks to the successful exertions Chambers, Josiali Bryan, Robert Evans, John of the then rector, Rev. Charles King Lawrence, Henderson Boyle, Wm. Gaussen, Irwin (father of the late Venerablo David Duncan, John Hull, Homy Richard- Archdeacon Irwin, Armagh), who brought son, Arthur Dawson, Miss Ash, Miss before the Salters' Company the great neces- M'Collum, Mrs. Hughes, and Mrs. Thomp- sity of having a new Church erected. They son, all of Magherafelt. came into possession of their Estates in May, 1855—the lease to Lord Londonderry and The applotting and collection of the Cess Sir Thomas Bateson having expired. The was delegated by the Vestry to certain Salters' Company took a deep interest in tho persons each year, for which remuneration matter and promised to support the Rev. was given. Up to 1740 it would appear that Charles King Irwin and the Select Vestry in this work had been done gratuitously. In their undertaking. 1741 10s was allowed to Ezekiel Richardson, of Magherafelt, for applotting the Cess. He The last service was held in the Old Church evidently held the office for a number of pn Easter Day, 4th April, 1858. yoars, and the work apparently increased, for his salary was raised to £8, and subse- After being unroofed, the Church quently to £10. He was succeeded by a John Temporality Commissioners had charge of it, Devlin. As is generally known or should — and in 1879 it and the graveyard was vested bo this duty is in the of — now hands the by them in the Board of Guardians, and sub- County Council, having been transferred to sequently in the District Council. The tower them on the passing of the Local Govern- is in anything but a safe state, and if it ment Act, 1898, from the Grand Jury. collapsed would do considerable damage. Something should be done to preservo one of In the latter years of the reign of George tho very ancient monuments. the Third an Act was passed imposing on the vestries the appointment of Officers of The following is a list of the sucession of Health. The Vestry of that time seemingly Clergy in connection with the Old Church: did not consider it a matter of importance, as no action was taken when the Act was Year. RECTORS. passed, ( but in 1834, having received a reminder in the shape of a letter from Dublin 142-5. Malachy O'Mulchallyn. Castle pointing out their neglect, they 1425. Neal O'Corre, Sept. 27. appointed John Duncan, Win. Gaussen and 1440. Wm. O'Duigvn. John Walker, of Magherafelt, and Wm. 1534. Seneskyn M'Dowyn or M'Dvo/n. Graves and John M' Arthur, of Castledawson, 1537. Toroletus Idondgalve. to the position. The appointment to this 1616. Ezekial Smith, M.A. office continued until the Public Health Act 1633. Joseph Synge. was passed, which transferred tho duties to 1635. Michael Matchett. (Ho was put to the Boards of Guardians, and subsequently death during the 1641 Rebellion.) to tho District Council. 1657. Samuel Maher. 1663. Richard Wheelwright, M.A., . From time to time necessary repairs were 1669. Andrew Law, April 29. executed to tho Church. A north aisle was 1680. Patrick Davison, April 10; died 1685. added in 1718, and it was ornamented with a 1685. Thomas Ashenden, June 23. tower and spire in 1790, the latter costing 1686. Thomas Lawson, July 12. £30. In 1798 £90 was spent in new seating 1716. Thomas Warburton, Jany. 23. and flooring the Church. In 1822 £238 was 1736. Thomas Staples, M.A., August 4. spent in re-roofing it, in connection with 1738. James Richardson, April 29. which a sum of £20 had been lodged in the 1771. Alexander Orr, December 12. previous year in Dungannon Savings Bank, 1773. Henry Barnard, April 7. and in 1836 a Bum of £121 was also spent on 1792. Thomas Torrcns, May 7. necessary repairs. Subsequently the tower 1797. John Orr, B.A., T.C.D., May 23. began to give way, and in 1855 permission 1807. Thomas Agmondisham Vesev, B.A., was granted to the taking down of the spire T.C.D., January 31. for tho purpose of having the tower made 1844. Charles King Irwin, M.A., Oct. 29. secure. The work of taking the spire down was proceeded with, and in order to secure CITRATES. that it would be replaced in as nearly as 1633. Michael Matchett -afterwards rector. possible the same shape, when the 1708. Alexander Lawson. tower was repaired, each stone, when 1829. Thomas Twigg. being removed was numbered. However the 1849. Samuel Twigg.

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THE NEW PARISH CHURCH.

The Company offered