Higginson of Carnalea

THE HIGGINSONS OWNED 81 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY DOWN

The first recorded representatives of the family in Ulster were the brothers Nathaniel and Nicholas, sons of the Rev John Higginson (1546-1624), Vicar of Claybrooke, Leicestershire. Nathaniel was despoiled of his property, Knockballymore Castle, County Fermanagh, and Nicholas of his estate at Belturbet, County Cavan, in the Irish Rebellion of 1641.

EDWARD HIGGINSON (c1636-c1713), of Lisburn (grandson of the Rev John Higginson, of Leicester), a colonel in Lord Conway's Regiment (Rawdon's Troop of Horse), settled at Ballinderry, County Antrim, where he built Mosslands House.

He married Mary, daughter of Robert Savage, and had issue,

PHILIP;
THOMAS, of whom hereafter. 

The elder son,

CAPTAIN PHILIP HIGGINSON (1685-1783), of Mosslands, Ballinderry, married Eleanor Talbot, and was father of

PHILIP TALBOT HIGGINSON (-1819), Lieutenant, 73rd Regiment, who wedded, in 1764, Margaret, daughter of Richard Taylor, by whom he had an only child, JANE, who espoused her cousin, the Rev Thomas Edward Higginson.

Colonel Higginson's younger son,

THOMAS HIGGINSON (-1756), of Mosslands, Ballinderry, settled in County Wexford, and married Mary Colley, and was father of

THE REV DR THOMAS HIGGINSON (1722-89), Rector of Lisburn, Vicar of Ballinderry, who wedded Ann Moore, of Boley, County Wexford, and had issue,

THOMAS EDWARD, his heir;
Eliza, m H Marmion, of Lambeg;
Maria, m J Johnston, of Dublin;
Letitia, m Captain Greydon, HM Dragoons.

Dr Higginson's son and heir,

THE REV THOMAS EDWARD HIGGINSON (1767-1819), Incumbent of Lambeg, espoused, in 1788, his cousin Jane (maternal first cousin of the Earl of Shrewsbury), daughter of Philip Talbot Higginson, Lieutenant, 73rd Regiment, Usher in Court of Exchequer, and had issue,

Thomas Edward, b 1789, lawyer, East India Co; m F Clay; dsp;
Philip Talbot, Capt. Royal Irish Fusiliers; dsp;
HENRY THEOPHILUS, of whom we treat;
Margaret, m Rev Edward Leslie, Rector of Annahilt.

The third son, 

HENRY THEOPHILUS HIGGINSON JP (1798-1869), of Carnalea House, Crawfordsburn, County Down, Captain, Derriaghy Yeomanry, High Sheriff of Carrickfergus, 1849, married, in 1825, Charlotte, only surviving daughter and heiress of John McConnell, of Belfast (son of James McConnell, by Elizabeth his wife, only daughter of Dr Andrew Bogle, of Strabane (one of the claimants of the dormant Earldom of Menteith), by Charlotte his wife, daughter of James Potter, of Mount Potter, County Down), and had issue,

JOHN McCONNELL, of Carnalea;
Thomas Edward (1828-50);
Charles Henry, of New York and Norfolk, Virginia, USA (1830-69);
Theophilus, CB, Colonel, Indian Army (1839-1903);
Henry Talbot (Dr);
Charlotte Potter; Jane; Dorothea Josepha.

Mr Higginson was succeeded by his eldest son,

JOHN McCONNELL HIGGINSON JP (1826-91), of Carnalea House, and Tudor Hall, Holywood, Registrar of the Diocese of Down, Connor & Dromore, who wedded, in 1850, Susan Arabella Gertrude, only daughter of Robert Conry, of Clonahee, County Roscommon, and Lisbrack, County Longford, Captain, 90th Regiment, and had issue,

HENRY HARTLAND, his heir;
Charles William Shaw;
Thomas Edward;
Robert Conry;
Gertrude Arabella; Charlotte Augusta.

The eldest son,

HENRY HARTLAND HIGGINSON (1855-1908), of Carnalea House, Major, 2nd Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment, wedded, in 1886, Elizabeth Mary, youngest daughter of Andrew Armstrong, of Kylemore, County Galway, and St Andrew's, County Dublin, and had issue,

HENRY CLIVE HIGGINSON (1887-), of Carnalea House, County Down.

I am keen to acquire images of Carnalea House, Crawfordsburn, County Down.

First published in July, 2012.

Bellamont Forest

THE EARLS OF BELLAMONT OWNED 5,321 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY CAVAN

This is the parent stock whence the noble houses of COOTE, Earls of Mountrath, and COOTE, Lords Castlecoote, both now extinct, emanated. 

This noble family derives its origin from

SIR JOHN COOTE, a native of France, who married Isabella, the daughter and heir of the Seigneur Du Bois, of that kingdom, and had issue,

SIR JOHN COOTE, Knight, who coming into England, settled in Devon, and married a daughter of Sir John Fortescue, of that county.

His lineal descendant,

JOHN COOTE, heir to his uncle, 28th Abbot of Bury St Edmund's, wedded Margaret, daughter of Mr Drury, by whom he had four sons,

Richard;
FRANCIS, of whom we treat;
Christopher;
Nicholas.

Mr Coote's second son,

FRANCIS COOTE, of Eaton, in Norfolk, served ELIZABETH I; and by Anne, his wife, had issue,

SIR NICHOLAS COOTE, living in 1636, who had two sons,

CHARLES, his heir;
William (Very Rev), Dean of Down, 1635.

Sir Nicholas's elder son,

SIR CHARLES COOTE (1581-1642), Knight, of Castle Cuffe, in the Queen's County,

Served in the wars against O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, at the head, as Captain of the 100th Foot Regiment, with which corps he was at the siege of Kinsale, and was appointed, by JAMES I (in consequence of the good and faithful services he had rendered to ELIZABETH I), provost-marshal of the province of Connaught for life. 

In 1620, he was constituted Vice-President of the same province; and created, in 1621, a baronet, designated of Castle Cuffe, Queen's County. Sir Charles distinguished himself, subsequently, by many gallant exploits; but the most celebrated was the relief of Birr, in 1642. Being dispatched, with Sir Thomas Lucas and six troops of horse, to relieve that garrison, and some other fortresses, it was necessary, in order to effect the objective, to pass the causeway broken by the rebels, who had thrown up a ditch at the end of it. 

Sir Charles, leading thirty dismounted dragoons, beat the enemy, with the loss of their captain and twenty men; relieved the castles of Birr, Borris, and Knocknamase; and having continued almost forty hours on horseback, returned to the camp with the loss of only one man.

This is the surprising passage through Mountrath woods which justly caused the title of MOUNTRATH to be entailed upon his son.

Sir Charles married Dorothea, youngest daughter and co-heir of Hugh Cuffe, of Cuffe's Wood, County Cork, and had issue,

Charles, 1st Earl of Mountrath;
Chidley, of Killester, Co Dublin;
RICHARD, 1st Baron Coote, ancestor of the EARL OF BELLAMONT (1st Creation);
Thomas, of Coote Hill;
Letitia.

The younger son,

RICHARD COOTE (1620-83), for his hearty concurrence with his brother, SIR CHARLES, 2nd Baronet, in promoting the restoration of CHARLES II, was rewarded with the dignity of a peerage of the realm.

Being the same day that his brother was created Earl of Mountrath, Richard Coote was created, in 1660, Baron Coote, of Colloony.

In 1660, his lordship was appointed Major to the Duke of Albemarle's Regiment of Horse; and the same year he was appointed one of the commissioners for executing His Majesty's declaration for the settlement of Ireland.

He was, in 1675, appointed one of the commissioners entrusted for the 49 Officers. 

In 1676, the 1st Baron resided at Moore Park, County Meath, and Piercetown, County Westmeath.

His lordship married Mary, second daughter of George, Lord St George, and had issue,

RICHARD, his successor;
Thomas;
Lætitia; Mary; Catherine; Elizabeth.

Following his decease, in 1683, he was interred at Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

RICHARD, 2nd Baron (1636-1701), Governor of County Leitrim, 1689, Treasurer to the Queen, 1689-93, MP for Droitwich, 1689-95, who was, in 1688, one of the first to join the Prince of Orange.

In 1689, he was attainted in his absence by the Irish Parliament of JAMES II.

His lordship was created, in 1689, EARL OF BELLAMONT, along with a grant of 77,000 acres of forfeited lands.

His lordship was Governor of Massachusetts, 1695, and Governor of New York, 1697-1701.

The King had sent Lord Bellomont to New York to suppress the "freebooting."

Unfortunately he was responsible for outfitting the veteran mariner William Kidd, who turned into "Captain Kidd," who terrorised the merchants until his capture in 1698.

According to Cokayne "he was a man of eminently fair character, upright, courageous and independent. Though a decided Whig he had distinguished himself by bringing before the Parliament at Westminster some tyrannical acts done by Whigs at Dublin."

His lordship wedded, in 1680, Catharine, daughter and heir of Bridges Nanfan, of Worcestershire, and had issue,

NANFAN, his successor;
RICHARD, succeeded his brother.

His lordship was succeeded by his elder son,

NANFAN, 2nd Earl (1681-1708), who married Lucia Anna van Nassau (1684-1744), daughter of Henry de Nassau, Lord Overkirk, in 1705/6 at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church, London.

He died at Bath, Somerset, from palsy, without male issue, when the family honours devolved upon his brother,

RICHARD, 3rd Earl (1682-1766), who, in 1729, sold the family estate of Colloony, County Sligo, for nearly £17,000.

In 1737, he succeeded his mother to the estates of Birtsmorton, Worcestershire.

Macaulay described him as "of eminently fair character, upright, courageous and independent."

On his death the earldom expired. 

The last Earl was succeeded in the barony of Coote by his first cousin once removed,

CHARLES, 5th Baron (1738-1800), KB PC, son of Charles Coote, MP for County Cavan, 1761-6, son of the HON THOMAS COOTE, a Justice of the Court of the King's Bench of Ireland, younger son of the 1st Baron.

THE HON THOMAS COOTE (c1655-1741) was the father of

CHARLES COOTE (c1695-1750), of Coote Hill, County Cavan, High Sheriff of County Cavan, 1719, MP for Granard, 1723-27, Cavan County, 1727-50, who wedded, in 1722, Prudence, daughter of Richard Geering, and had issue,

CHARLES, his heir;
Frances; Elizabeth.

His only son,

SIR CHARLES COOTE (1736-1800), KB PC, of Coote Hill (afterwards renamed Bellamont Forest) married, in 1774, the Lady Emily Maria Margaret FitzGerald, daughter of James, 1st Duke of Leinster, and had issue,

Charles, Viscount Coote (1778-86);
Mary; Prudentia; Emily; Louisa.

Sir Charles succeeded his cousin, Richard, in 1766, as 5th Baron Coote; and was created, in 1767, EARL OF BELLAMONT (3rd creation).

1st Earl of Bellamont KB

His lordship was created a baronet, in 1774, designated of Donnybrooke, County Dublin, with remainder to his natural son, Charles Coote, of Dublin.

Following his death in 1800, the titles became extinct as he left no legitimate male issue, though he was succeeded in the baronetcy according to the special remainder by his illegitimate son Charles, 2nd Baronet.

BELLAMONT FOREST, near Cootehill, County Cavan, now sits amid approximately one thousand acres of parkland and lakes.

Bellamont is generally acknowledged to be one of the finest 18th-century Palladian houses in the British Isles.

(Image: Timothy Ferres, 2021)

It is thought to be one of the earliest brick houses in Ireland.

An article published in Country Life in 2010 tells the story of Bellamont and some of its owners:

Despite its historical importance as the first and most perfect Palladian villa built in Ireland, Bellamont is relatively little known, whereas the Cootes, who built it, were very well known, not to say notorious, in their day. 

The first to make his mark in Ireland was Sir Charles Coote, a military adventurer who died in battle at Trim, County Meath, in 1642, leaving estates in four counties to his four sons. 

His youngest son, Colonel Thomas Coote, was granted the O’Reilly lands in County Cavan at the Act of Settlement in 1662. 

He married a Miss Hill from Hillsborough in County Down and founded the town of Coote Hill (now Cootehill). 

On his death in 1671, his estate passed to his nephew, also Thomas Coote, who became a Lord Justice of the Kings Bench in Ireland, and was made a Knight of the Bath ‘in testimony of his good and laudable service in suppressing tumultuous and illegal insurrection in the northern parts of Ireland’. 

He also established Cootehill as a prosperous linen town, which, by 1800, was attracting buyers from Belfast, Dublin and London. 

On marrying his third wife, Ann Lovett, in 1697, Coote became the uncle-in-law of Sir Edward Lovett Pearce, a cousin of Vanbrugh, and by far the most important architect working in Ireland in the early 18th century. 

According to architectural historian Dr Maurice Craig (Country Life, May 21 and 28, 1964), it was Pearce who built Thomas Coote’s new house at Cootehill in 1729-30, the design of which was reputedly based on Palladio’s Villa Rotonda at Vicenza and Villa Pisani at Montagnana. 

Its name was later changed to Bellamont Forest by Coote’s grandson, Charles, who inherited in 1764 and became the Earl of Bellamont in 1767. 

The new Lord Bellomont was a complex figure, being variously described as a man of ‘the highest refinement’, but also as a ‘tyrant’, ‘madman’ and ‘a person of disgusting pomposity’. 

An inveterate womaniser, he sired at least six illegitimate children, all of whom were provided for in his will. 

On his death in 1800, the estate passed to these descendants who lived on at Bellamont Forest, becoming gradually ever poorer. 

In 1874, Edward Smith JP, having amassed a considerable fortune from the coal trade between Liverpool and Newry, bought Bellamont Forest and lands for £145,000 (equivalent to £16.5 million in 2019). 

Image: Timothy Ferres, 2021

The mansion, built between 1725-30 for the Hon Thomas Coote, is four bays square, built over two storeys, with a mezzanine floor and a basement.

It is built of red brick with ashlar facings, and has a Doric limestone portico, with pediments over the windows.

There are both excellent formal reception rooms and beautiful entertaining rooms, coupled with a comfortable family atmosphere.

Image: Timothy Ferres, 2021

It provides extensive bedroom accommodation for both family, guests and staff, and in addition boasts the former linen hall.

The gardens have also been developed and greatly enhanced and act as further entertaining space.

A particular feature is the walled garden.

The descendants of the last Earl of Bellomont sold Bellamont Forest in 1874 to Edward Smith, a wealthy coal merchant.

The Dorman-Smiths sold the estate to Bryan Mills in 1981; and they sold it in 1987 to John Coote.

Mr Coote died in 2010, and in 2015 Bellamont Forest was purchased by its present owner, John Manuel Morehart.

The mansion, outbuildings, and demesne were completely restored in 2021.

First published in August, 2013.   Bellomont arms courtesy of European Heraldry.

Stewart of Ramelton

THE STEWART BARONETS OWNED 7,547 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY DONEGAL

The Stewarts of Ramelton are said to descend from the Earls of Galloway and the Lords Blantyre. They were the first of the Stewarts to be raised to the Baronetage, in 1623; and from them sprang the Viscounts Mountjoy and the Earl of Blessington.

GENERAL THE RT HON SIR WILLIAM STEWART, 1st Baronet, of Newtownstewart, County Tyrone, and Ramelton, County Donegal, went over to Ulster in 1608 as Captain Commanding a company of Scottish troops sent to serve in the Province.

He is stated by William Douglas of Glenbervie in his Historical and Genealogical Tree of the Royal Family of Scotland and name of Stewart (1750) to have been a son [or grandson] of Archibald Stewart, 3rd Laird of Fintalloch who died ca 1596, and whose family descended from Sir William Stewart, 2nd of Garlies, the ancestor of the Earl of Galloway.

He was in great favour with JAMES VI and I, and became an undertaker for the plantation of escheated lands in the province of Ulster, 1610.

He was Knighted in 1619, and created a Baronet in 1623, designated of Ramelton, County Donegal.

In the rebellion of 1641 Sir William and Sir Robert Stewart, Governor of Derry, routed Sir Phelim O'Neill near Strabane, and in other places.

Sir William received large grants of land from the Crown in counties Donegal and Tyrone.

He was a Privy Counsellor in the reigns of JAMES I and CHARLES I, and having served as a military officer in the troubles of Ireland, received in satisfaction for arrears of pay due to June, 1649, one debenture of £4,329 (equivalent to £636,500 in 2024); while his son, Sir Alexander Stewart, was allotted for his services a debenture for £2,599.

Sir William married Frances, second daughter of Sir Robert Newcomen, 1st Baronet, of Mosstown, County Longford (by Catherine his wife, daughter of Sir Thomas Molyneux), and had issue,

ALEXANDER, his successor;

Thomas, of Fort Stewart, Co Donegal; ancestor of ANNESLEY, 6th Baronet;

Catherine, m 1631 Sir J Montgomery, of Rosemount; son of 1st Viscount Montgomery.

Sir William died in 1647, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR ALEXANDER STEWART, 2nd Baronet, a distinguished military commander, who wedded, ca 1648, his first cousin, Catherine, daughter of Sir Robert Newcomen, 4th Baronet.

Sir Alexander was a Covenanter heading the Logan forces, and fell at the battle of Dunbar, 1650, on The King's side, having by his wife had an only son,

SIR WILLIAM STEWART, 3rd Baronet (1653-92), who was advanced to the dignities of Baron Stewart of Ramelton, County Donegal, and Viscount Mountjoy, County Tyrone (see armorial bearings at top), in 1683, being constituted at the same time Master-General of the Ordnance for life, and Colonel of a regiment of foot.

He served in Hungary at the siege of Buda (1686), and upon his return to Ireland was raised to the rank of Brigadier-General with the pay of £497 10s a year.

His lordship undertaking, with the Lord Chief Baron, Sir Stephen Rice, 1688, a mission from Lord Deputy Tyrconnell to JAMES II, then at Paris, was, immediately upon his arrival in that city, thrown into the Bastille, and there confined until 1692, when, being released,  he waited upon WILLIAM III in Flanders, and lost his life, in 1692, in the battle of Steenkerque (or Steinkirk).

Sir William espoused Mary, eldest daughter of 1st Baron Coote of Coloony, and had issue,

WILLIAM, his successor;

Alexander, ancestor of 1st Earl of Blessington of 2nd creation;

Charles;

Mary; Catherine.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

WILLIAM, 2nd Viscount and 4th Baronet, Lieutenant-General in the Army, and Master-General of the Ordnance, who married, in 1696, Anne, younger daughter and eventually heiress of Murrough, 1st Viscount Blessington.

This lady brought into the Stewart family the Boyle estates in counties Wicklow and Kildare, and the Manor of Silchester, in Hampshire.

By her Lord Mountjoy had issue, with five sons and four daughters (died young),

WILLIAM, his successor;

Mary, m 2nd Baron Tyrawley.

His lordship died in 1728, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

WILLIAM, 3rd Viscount and 5th Baronet (1709-69), who was created, in 1745, EARL OF BLESSINGTON (first creation).

His lordship wedded, in 1733, Eleanor, daughter and heiress of Robert FitzGerald, of Castle Dodd (Castle Harrison), County Cork, and had issue,

1. William, styled Viscount Mountjoy (1734-54), dvp;

2. Lionel Robert, died young.

His lordship dsps 1769, when the Peerages expired, but the Baronetcy devolved upon his heir-at-law, 

ANNESLEY STEWART (1725-1801), of Fort Stewart, 6th Baronet, MP for Charlemont, 1763-97, who espoused, in 1755, Mary, daughter of John Moore, of Drumbanagher, County Armagh, by whom he had (with a daughter) two sons,

JAMES, his successor;

William Henry.

Sir Annesley was succeeded by his elder son,

SIR JAMES STEWART, 7th Baronet (1756-1827), MP for Enniskillen, 1783-90, and for County Donegal, 1802-18, who married, in 1778, Mary Susanna, daughter of Richard Chapell Whaley, of Whaley Abbey, County Wicklow, and had issue,

JAMES ANNESLEY, his successor;

William Henry;

Anne; Elizabeth Susanna; Sophia Frances.

Sir James was succeeded by his elder son,

SIR JAMES ANNESLEY STEWART, 8th Baronet (1798-1879), Vice-Lieutenant of County Donegal, High Sheriff of County Donegal, 1830; Colonel, Donegal Artillery; served for some time in the Inniskilling Dragoons.

He wedded, in 1830, Jane (dsp 1886), daughter of Frances Mansfield, of Castle Wray, County Donegal.

Sir James dsp 1879, and was succeeded by his kinsman,

AUGUSTUS ABRAHAM JAMES STEWART, as 9th Baronet (1832-89), JP DL, great-great-grandson of 1st Baronet, a barrister, who died unmarried, and was succeeded by his nephew, 

Armorial bearings of the 9th Baronet

SIR WILLIAM AUGUSTUS ANNESLEY STEWART, 10th Baronet (1865-94), who died unmarried, and was succeeded by his brother,

SIR HARRY JOCELYN URQUHART STEWART, 11th Baronet (1871-1945), DL, High Sheriff of County Donegal, 1905, Major, Donegal Artillery, who married, in 1896, Isabel Mary (Dromore House, Letterkenny, County Donegal), daughter of Colonel Frances Stewart Mansfield DL, of Castle Wray, County Donegal, and had issue,

William Frances (1901-44), killed in action in Normandy;

JOCELYN HARRY, his successor;

Walter Annesley;

Malcolm Geoffrey;

Alan Robert;

Isabel; Kathleen Mary; Hester Anna Lilian; Violet May; Evelyn Frances.

Sir Harry was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

SIR JOCELYN HARRY STEWART, 12th Baronet (1903-82), of Fort Stewart, Ramelton, County Donegal, who wedded firstly, in 1932, Constance Mary, daughter of D'Arcy Shillaber, of New South Wales, Australia, and had issue,

ALAN D'ARCY, his successor.

He married secondly, in 1946, Katherine Christina, daughter of James Sweeney, of Tamney, County Donegal, and by her had further issue,

Brian Jocelyn;

Terence Annesley;

Marie Jeanette; Katherine Benedicta.

Sir Jocelyn Harry Stewart was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR ALAN D'ARCY STEWART, 13th Baronet (1932-2024), of One Acre House, Church Street, Ramelton, County Donegal, who married, in 1952, Patricia, daughter of Lawrence Turner, of Ramelton, County Donegal, and had issue,

NICHOLAS COURTNEY D'ARCY, his successor;

Lindsay Stephen, born 1956;

Constance Patricia; Siobhan D'Arcy.

Sir Alan was succeeded by his eldest son,

NICHOLAS COURTNEY D'ARCY STEWART, who would be 14th Baronet (1953-).

Entrance front, Fort Stewart House (Image: UAHS, 2020)

FORT STEWART, near Killydonnell, County Donegal, is a Georgian mansion built between 1730-60 to replace an earlier dwelling to the north-east.

This is a three-storey house, double gable-ended, with a seven-bay entrance front.

There are single-storey, irregular, two-bay wings.

Garden front, Fort Stewart House (Image: UAHS, 2020)

A pilastered porch was added about 1823.

Entrance porch (Image: Buildings of Ireland)

The entrance hall is adorned by four Tuscan columns, with rib-vaulting rising from them.

Outbuildings attached to Fort Stewart (Image: UAHS, 2020)

Fort Stewart House succeeded a fortified plantation dwelling, likely a bawn, erected by Sir William Stewart about 1619.

Town Address of 9th Baronet ~ 5, King's Bench Walk, Temple, London.

The Killynether Acquisition

SELECTIVE ACQUISITIONS IN NORTHERN IRELAND

PROPERTY: Killynether Woods and Buildings, near Newtownards, County Down

DATE: 1937

EXTENT: 42 acres

DONOR: Miss J H Weir

First published in January, 2015

Ballylough House

THE TRAILLS OWNED 1,402 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY ANTRIM

The earliest record of the family of TRAILL refers to THE RT REV WALTER TRAIL, son of the Laird of Blebo, Fife, who was appointed Bishop of St Andrews ca 1385, in the reign of ROBERT III, King of Scots.

He attended POPE CLEMENT VII at Avignon, 1386, and was preferred to his bishopric by papal authority without election: with Queen Anabella, he managed the affairs of Scotland, rebuilt St Andrews Castle, and died in 1401.

The Bishop's nephew,

JAMES TRAIL, grandson of the first Laird of Blebo, was Constable of Fife, 1443.

His grandson, 

JOHN TRAILL (1502-80), of Blebo, Fife, married Agnes Bruce, daughter of Sir Alexander Bruce, of Earlshall.

This John was, in 1517, one of a jury, composed of 24 of the gentry of Fife, who made an inquisition of all the lands of Fife before the sheriff.

His son and heir,

COLONEL ANDREW TRAILL, younger brother of Alexander Traill, Laird of Blebo, Fife, served the Confederate States of Flanders, as well as HENRY IV of France, with reputation.

On his return, he was appointed Gentleman of the Privy Chamber to Prince Henry, eldest son of JAMES I.

He married Helen, daughter of Thomas Myrton, of Cambo, and was father of

JAMES TRAILL, of Denino, who died in 1635, leaving by his first wife, Matilda, daughter of Melville, of Cambee, three sons, of whom

1.  James (1600-63), Colonel in the Parliamentary Army, settled at Killyleagh, County Down, where he died in 1663. He wedded, in 1647, Mary, daughter of James, Viscount Claneboye, and had issue, four sons and eight daughters, of whom the sixth, Eleanor, married her cousin, William Trail.
2.  ROBERT, of whom presently;
3.  Andrew, died unmarried.

The second son,

THE REV ROBERT TRAILL (1603-76), Minister of Elie, Fife, and afterwards of Grey Friars, Edinburgh, was taken prisoner by CROMWELL; he assisted afterwards at the coronation of CHARLES II, and was banished to Holland for nonconformity; he returned, however, in 1674, and died at Edinburgh in 1676.

He wedded, in 1639, Jane, daughter of Alexander Annan, Laird of Auchterallen, and was father of

THE REV WILLIAM TRAILL (1640-1723), Minister of Borthwick, who married firstly, in 1671, Eupham, second daughter of Provost Sword, of St Andrews, and left an only daughter, Mary.

He espoused secondly, in 1679, his cousin Eleanor, sixth daughter of James Trail, and had further issue,

James (Rev), d 1723;
William (Rev), b 1683;
ROBERT, of whom presently;
Sarah; Jean; Margaret; Eleanor; Elizabeth.

The third son,

THE REV ROBERT TRAILL (1687-1762), Minister of Panbride, Angus, married, in 1718, Jane, eighth daughter of John Haldane, of Myrton, and had issue,

ROBERT, his heir;
John;
William;
James (Rt Rev), Lord Bishop of Down and Connor;
Mary; Margaret.

The Rev Robert Traill was succeeded by his eldest son,

THE REV ROBERT TRAILL (1719-98), Minister of Panbride, who wedded Jane, daughter of the Rev Anthony Dow, of Fettercain, and had issue,

Robert (Rev), Rector of Ballintoy; died unmarried;
ANTHONY, of whom presently;
James (Rev);
John;
Thomas;
David (Rev);
Catherine Jane; Margaret Black.

The Rev Robert Traill was succeeded by his second son,

THE VEN ANTHONY TRAILL (1755-1831), of Ballylough House, Prebendary of St Andrews, Archdeacon of Connor, Rector of Skull, who married, in 1788, Agnes, daughter of William Watts Gayer LL.D, Chief Clerk of the House of Lords in Ireland, and had issue,

James (1789-1810); died unmarried;
WILLIAM, of whom hereafter;
Robert (Rev), Rector of Skull;
Catherine.

The Archdeacon was succeeded by his second son,

WILLIAM TRAILL (1791-), of Ballylough House, who married firstly, in 1824, Louisa Ann, daughter of the Rev Thomas Lloyd, of Castle Lloyd, by Elizabeth FitzGerald his wife, daughter of the Knight of Glin; and had issue, two daughters,

Elizabeth Catherine;
Agnes.

He wedded secondly, in 1836, Louisa Henrietta, daughter of Robert French, of Monivea Castle, County Galway, by Nicola his wife, sister of Sir Edward O'Brien Bt, of Dromoland, and had further issue, 

ANTHONY, his heir;
Robert Gayer, Major in the army; barrister;
William Atcheson; engineer;
Maria Nichola; Agnes Victoria.

Mr Traill was succeeded by his eldest son,

DR ANTHONY TRAILL JP DL (1838-1914), of Ballylough House, Provost of Trinity College, Dublin, who married, in 1867, Catherine Elizabeth, second daughter of James Stewart-Moore DL, of Ballydivity, County Antrim, a Waterloo Veteran, by Fanny his wife, daughter of the Rev Thomas Richardson, of Somerset, County Londonderry, and had issue,

WILLIAM STEWART, his heir;
James Anthony;
Robert Thomas;
Henry Edward O'Brien;
Edmund Francis Tarleton;
Alexander Frederick;
Frances Catherine; Harriet Agnes; Annie Margaret.

Dr Traill was succeeded by his eldest son, 

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL WILLIAM STEWART TRAILL DSO JP DL (1868-1959), of Ballylough House, who married, in 1896, Selina Margaret, daughter of Charles Frizell, of Castle Kevin, County Wicklow, and had issue,

ANTHONY O'BRIEN, his heir;
William Walter Alan;
Henry Austin.

Colonel Traill was succeeded by his eldest son, 

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ANTHONY O'BRIEN TRAILL OBE JP DL (1897-), of Ballylough House, High Sheriff of County Antrim, 1938, who wedded, in 1925, Marjorie, daughter of Percy Severn Anderson, and had issue,

William Anthony, b 1927; emigrated;
RICHARD SEVERN, of whom presently.

The younger son, 

RICHARD SEVERN TRAILL (1931-2016), of Ballylough House, married, in 1957, Pamela, daughter of J Peacock, and had issue,

David Severn (1958-), of Ballylough House, High Sheriff of Co Antrim, 2011;
James Anthony, b 1960;
Timothy Peter, b 1962;
Camilla Jane; Christina Mary.

Ballylough House (Timothy Ferres, 2012)

BALLYLOUGH HOUSE, near Bushmills, County Antrim, originally belonged to Archibald Stewart, of Ballintoy.

It was purchased by the Traills in 1789.

The house consists of two storeys over a basement, with a five-bay front.

The front was later given Wyatt windows.

There are battlemented, segmental, flanking walls with niches were added in 1815; and a wing was attached in the 19th century.

The 17th century demesne, which contains the ruins of MacQuillan castle (a stronghold of the MacQuillans and MacDonnells), has been in the ownership of the Traills since 1789.

The present house is from that date, with additions of 1815 and alterations of 1930.

The fine beech avenue, noted in 1846, was felled in 1942, though mature shelter belt trees and much of the ‘plantations’, quoted at the same time, remain.

There is a maintained ornamental garden to the south-east of the house, sheltered by the curving walls that screen either side of the north facing house front.

The walled garden (Timothy Ferres, 2012)

A continuation of the east of walls, backing a building, forms the north wall of the walled gardens, a substantial portion of which is fully maintained, with box edged beds and espalier fruit trees.

An uncultivated portion, the former orchard, is mown. The garden house is not in use.

Generations of good gardening make this an attractive garden with all year round interest and it is kept to a high standard.

There are two gate lodges: the unusual circular West Lodge of ca 1800, now known as The Drum; and the East Lodge of ca 1840, which is still occupied and has its own charming cottage garden.

The West Lodge, now known as The Drum, was built at the end of a long avenue of beech trees at the western edge of the Ballylough Estate in 1800 by Archdeacon Traill, two years after he bought the estate.

No records are yet available for the occupants of The Drum before 1898, when one Lizzie Taggart and her husband came to live there.

Both of the Taggarts were employed on the estate, he as a farm labourer, and she as the 'hen girl' looking after the geese, ducks and hens.

The Taggart family lived there until 1962, after which it remained vacant.

The original lodge was tiny, with two rooms linked by a stone staircase.

It had no running water, and was always inhabited by estate workers, but there are no records of the occupants prior to 1898.

The MacQuillan castle is in ruins; a crannog is in the Decoy Plantation.

The house is private but the gardens are often open for charity functions.

Several distinctive tablet memorial stones are found within the walls of Billy Parish Church.

One of the largest memorials is dedicated to Archdeacon Traill.

There is also a mural tablet in memory of Dr Anthony Traill, Provost of Trinity College Dublin; his wife Elizabth; and his son, James Anthony.

A number of other memorials are to individual members of the Traill family who served in the army.

William Acheson Traill was a pioneer of hydro-electric power and  designed the Causeway Tram system which ran between Portrush and the Giant's Causeway in 1883.

First published in September, 2012.

Dunmurry: Old Manse

The old manse (Image: First Dunmurry Presbyterian Church)

The old Georgian manse of First DUNMURRY Presbyterian Church stands immediately to the south of the church.

It is believed to date from about 1770, making it one of the oldest extant buildings in Dunmurry today.

Ordnance Survey memoirs of the early Victorian era allude to a small farm within the grounds of the church; and a "neat cottage for the accommodation of the minister for the time being."

The old manse was subsequently remodelled once or twice; the mid-19th century renovation (ca 1850) possibly being a remodelling of a manse dating from a century earlier.

Alterations to the rear of the building occurred about 1850, it is thought.

Section of ca 1830 historic OS map with manse to south of church

The Rev Dr Henry Montgomery, Minister from 1809-65, resided in the old manse; and his successors continued to live there until a new manse was built.

In 1975 or thereabouts a substantial hall was attached to the rear of the manse.

Today the old manse is incorporated within the McCleery Hall, as it is today called.

The Rev John McCleery was Minister from 1941-69.

First published in July, 2022.

Saintfield Visit

SAINTFIELD, originally called Taunaghnieve, Tonaghneave, or Tonaghnieve, now a village in County Down comprising one long street intersected by a shorter one, was sparsely inhabited woodland five centuries ago, when the entire region was owned by the Clandeboye O'Neills.

In 1605 it was acquired by SIR JAMES HAMILTON (c1560-1644), 1st Viscount Claneboye.

Sir James held this land until 1709, when he sold it to Major-General Nicholas Price, of HOLLYMOUNT, near Downpatrick, County Down, son of Catherine, daughter of Sir James Hamilton (1644-c1706), MP for County Down, 1692-3, Bangor, 1695-9 and 1703-6.

General Price purchased the newly-named Saintfield for his third son Nicholas, who lived initially on the main street of the new village on the site of the former hotel.

The Major-General's grandson Francis (1729-91), MP for Lisburn, 1759-76, moved with his family into their grand new mansion house, SAINTFIELD HOUSE, about 1750.

The chorographer of County Down remarked in 1776 that,

"It was, not many years ago, made a town by the care and industry of the late General Price, who began to improve here, opened and made the roads passable from Belfast to Down though it, encouraged linen manufacturers and other tradesmen to settle here, had a barrack fixed for a troop of horse, and promoted the repair of a ruinous, now decent parish church, to which he gave plate and other ornaments."

The Parliamentary Gazetteer apprises us that,

"Saintfield was the scene of an atrocity and a skirmish on respectively the 8th and 9th June, 1798. A number of insurgents assembled near Saintfield on the 8th June, under a leader named Jackson, and with furious resentment set fire to the house of one McKee, an informer, where eleven persons are said to have perished in the flames."

"This was the only act of atrocity, except in battle, committed by the armed malcontents in Ulster. Electing for their general Henry Munro, a shopkeeper of Lisburn, they placed themselves on the 9th in ambuscade, awaiting the approach of Colonel [Granville Anson] Chetwynd-Stapylton, with a body of York Fencibles and yeomen cavalry. Here the royal troops would have been totally routed, if the infantry, on whom the cavalry were driven back with slaughter, had not, with a cool intrepidity, extremely uncommon, if not altogether singular, at this time in Ireland, rallied and dislodged the foe."

"Stapylton, having remained master of the ground, retreated to Belfast, having lost about sixty men, including three officers, beside Mr Mortimer, a clergyman, Vicar of Portaferry, who had volunteered on this occasion."

The proprietor and lord of the manor in 1802, NICHOLAS PRICE, erected a large market-house and hotel.

The erstwhile residence of the Prices on the main street of the village became an inn or hotel; and, in 1803, a market-house was built beside the hotel.

The Market-House (Timothy Ferres, 2022)

The market-house also functioned as a court-house on the first floor, with its first sitting in 1804.

It's a rather elegant two-storey, rendered building with three bays, a hipped roof, and cupola.

The handsome clock on the facade of the market-house was made by William Spratt, of Ardmillan, near Killinchy, County Down (hence the letters "AM" after his name).

The three arched openings on the ground floor have been blocked up.

A wooden door now occupies the central arch; the two outer arches have been replaced with windows.

There is an inscribed stone panel above the central arch which proclaims:

In Usum hujus oppidi vcinuqu: hoc

forum venale sumtu suo aedificavit

armiger Nicholaus Price curante

seneshalle Joanne McBirnie

AD 1803

This translates approximately as, In the use of this town he built a market for sale at his own cost. Squire Nicholas Price. Seneschal John McBirnie. AD 1803.

During the summer months the fowl market opened at 2am, presumably a considerable boon for poachers, having helped themselves in the darkness to pheasants and other wildfowl from the landlord's adjacent demesne.

The former market-house now serves as an Orange Hall.

Price's former hotel (Timothy Ferres, 2022)

THE HOTEL or inn was built about the same time as the nearby market-house.

It comprises a square rendered block, with a fan-lighted entrance to the side, overlooking the market-house.

The elevation on the Main Street has four bays, with a large coach-arch; above which there used to be a Georgian iron lamp-bracket (which has unfortunately disappeared).

McRobert's bar, with its fascia of about 1840, nestles neatly at one side of the building.

During my highly enjoyable visit to Saintfield in July, 2022, I also visited the parish church, which has the family vault of the Prices tucked away to the side of the old graveyard.

The Price vault at Saintfield parish church (Timothy Ferres, 2022)

It's terribly neglected and overgrown with vegetation at the time of writing (July 4th, 2022).

First published in July, 2022.