Louisa Bailie of Ringdufferin

THE FOLLOWING EXTRACT IS FROM FROM THE DOWN RECORDER OF NOVEMBER 9TH, 1941

"TO DIE from a burning accident was the sad fate of a dear old lady, Miss Louisa Bailie, of Ringdufferin, County Down, the last survivor of a family of proud lineage, and held in affectionate respect by the whole countryside."

"The father, Major James Bailie, 87th Royal Irish Fusiliers, died in February." [1896]

"Miss Bailie was the youngest of his three daughters. She was aged 80."

"The family had been in possession of Ringdufferin for almost 300 years, having obtained a lease in September, 1668, from Henry, Earl of Clanbrassil."

"No later than last Sunday Miss Bailie attended the service in Killyleagh Parish Church, of which she was an ardent member."

"The Rev. S Mann [sic] conducted the funeral service."

*****

I HAVE BEEN researching the history of the Ringdufferin estate and the Bailies.

Major James Bailie and his family - including Louisa  -  were the last of the Bailies to live there.

Ringdufferin was purchased by the Mackie family in 1945.

I am grateful to the Down Recorder for the above information.

First published in November, 2016.