Henderson of Norwood Tower

THE HENDERSONS OWNED 52 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY DOWN

JAMES HENDERSON (1766-1834), of Castlereagh, County Down, married Amelia Magill, and was father of

JAMES HENDERSON (1797-1853), of Newry, County Down, Proprietor, Newry Telegraph, who wedded Ann Peacock, and had issue,

JAMES ALEXANDER, his heir;
William;
George, b 1814;
Henry, b 1820;
Isabella; two other daughters.

Mr Henderson was succeeded by his eldest son,

JAMES ALEXANDER HENDERSON JP (1823-83), of Norwood Tower, Strandtown, Belfast, Mayor of Belfast, 1873-4, Proprietor, Belfast Newsletter, who wedded Agnes, daughter of Alexander Mackay, Junior, of Mountcollyer Park, Belfast, Joint Proprietor of the Belfast Newsletter, and had issue,

JAMES, of whom presently;
Alexander Mackay, b 1850; Major, RIR;
William, 1852-75;
Trevor (Sir), KBE, of Norwood Tower (1862-1930);
Charles Westbourne (1865-1935);
Jane; Anne; Agnes; Catherine Mackay; Florence Elizabeth.

Mr Henderson was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR JAMES HENDERSON JP DL (1848-1914), of Oakley House, Windsor Park, Belfast, who married Martha Pollock and had issue,

David, b 1881;
James, b 1889;
OSCAR, of whom hereafter;
George York, MC (1893-1917), k/a;
Richard Lilburn, b 1895;
Mary Agnes Florence Elizabeth, b 1899.

Sir James, Lord Mayor of Belfast, 1898, and the first High Sheriff of the city, was credited with the building of the new City Hall.

He was born at Mountcollyer Park, Belfast, the home of his grandfather, Alexander Mackay; took a law degree at Trinity College, Dublin; was called to the Irish Bar, 1872; editor of the Newry Telegraph, 1873-83. 

He became managing proprietor of the Belfast News-Letter and Belfast Weekly News; was appointed President of the Master Printers’ Federation of Great Britain and Ireland; was made a Freeman of the City of Belfast in 1912; and was knighted by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland at Viceregal Lodge, Phoenix Park, Dublin, in January, 1899.

Sir James's younger son,

COMMANDER OSCAR HENDERSON DSO CVO CBE RN (1891-1969), married, in 1920, Alicia Mary Henry.

Commander Henderson served in a destroyer during the 1st World War and he was second-in-command of HMS Iris at the famous Battle of Zeebrugge, in April 1918, when a British force blocked the Mole by sinking a ship across the entrance.

Commander Henderson assumed command when the Captain was killed, and he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his part in this epic He became Comptroller and Private Secretary to the 3rd Duke of Abercorn, 1st Governor of Northern Ireland, and was awarded a CVO and CBE for his services. 

Norwood Tower (Image: Mrs Primrose Henderson)

During the 19th century, the Hendersons lived at Norwood Tower, Strandtown, County Down, a large mansion in its own grounds.

This rambling Tudor-Revival mansion had two gate-lodges, each about a quarter of a mile apart.

The first lodge was a little beyond the entrance to Clonaver House, the Hendersons' former dower house, which was sold to James Girdwood; while the second lodge was almost opposite the entrance to Ardvarna House.

The gate lodges were both battlemented; while the house, set in a landscaped park, was dominated by a lofty, castellated tower.

The grounds of fifty-two acres extended to the top of Circular Road and Sydenham Avenue. 

It was assumed that Norwood Tower or its dower house, Clonaver, would pass to Oscar Henderson when (Mary Agnes) Florence Elizabeth Henderson, his aunt, died.

She decided, however, to bequeath the estate, together with a majority holding in Belfast News Letter shares, to the Musgrave (baronets) side of the family. 

Drawing by the Rev J McConnell Auld

This was a bitter blow to Oscar and his family.

They could do nothing about the property, but they did succeed in buying back the News-Letter shares. 

Commander Henderson and his wife Alicia had two sons,

1. Captain Oscar William James (Bill) Henderson OBE DL (1924-2010); educated at Brackenber House School and Bradfield; married, in 1949, Rachel Primrose Forrest, daughter of Colonel John Forrest CMG, of Belfast, in 1949, and had issue, three daughters.

2. Robert Brumwell (Brum) Henderson CBE DL (1929-2005); educated, like his brother, at Brackenber House School, Belfast, and Bradfield; took his degree at Trinity College Dublin.

Commander Henderson's first wife was Joy Duncan whom he married in 1952.

Brum Henderson became a career journalist in the Belfast News Letter from 1951-59; was appointed general manager of Ulster Television in 1959; managing director, 1961; and Chairman, 1983-92.

He was appointed CBE in 1979 and received an honorary doctorate of Literature at the Ulster University, 1982.

Brum published a number of books, including Midnight Oil (1961), A Television First (1977) and Amusing (1984). He was a director of ITN from 1964-66; a Deputy Lieutenant of Belfast; a director of Reuters and of the Press Association; and gave many years of service to the Newspaper Society.

A golfer of distinction, he was once runner-up in the Irish Open Championship. They had two daughters. 

Brum married, secondly, in 1970, Patricia Ann, daughter of Matthew Davison, of Belfast.

They lived at Ballynahinch, County Down.

Illustration of gate lodge courtesy of the Rev McConnell Auld.    First published in March, 2011.

The White Knights

The family of FITZGIBBON, the chief of which was styled the White Knight, is descended from the FitzGeralds, progenitors of the great houses of Kildare and Desmond.

From the same origin are descended the KNIGHTS OF GLIN (the Black Knights), and the Knights of Kerry (the Green Knights).

These titles were conferred by the Earl of Desmond, as a Count Palatine, on junior branches of the House of FitzGerald, in the like manner as Hugh Lupus, Earl of Chester, created his inferior barons.

MAURICE FITZGIBBON, THE WHITE KNIGHT, son of GILBERT FITZJOHN, was knighted in the field by EDWARD III in 1333, immediately after the defeat of Scottish forces at the battle of Halidon Hill.

He married Katharine Bruce, and had issue,

DAVID, his successor;
Maurice.

The 1st White Knight died in 1357, and was succeeded by his elder son,

DAVID FITZGIBBON, 2nd Knight, father of

JOHN FITZGIBBON, 3rd Knight, who married Isabella Butler, and had issue,

MAURICE FITZGIBBON, 4th Knight, who wedded Margaret O'Brien, and had issue,

JOHN;
MAURICE MOR.

The eldest son,

JOHN FITZGIBBON, 5th Knight, was father of

MAURICE MOR FITZGIBBON, 6th Knight, who wedded secondly, Ellice, daughter of William, 8th Baron Barry, and had issue,

John;
MAURICE OGE.

The 6th White Knight died in 1496, and was succeeded by his younger son,

MAURICE OGE FITZGIBBON, 7th Knight, of Michelstown, County Cork, who died in 1530, and was father of

MAURICE FITZGIBBON, 8th Knight, who died in 1543, and was succeeded by his son,

JOHN FITZGIBBON, 9th Knight, who was murdered by his cousins Thomas and Gibbon at the instigation of their half-brother,

JOHN OGE FITZGIBBON, 10th Knight, who died in 1569, and was father of

EDMOND FITZGIBBON, 11th Knight (c1552-1608), father of

MAURICE OGE FITZGIBBON, 12th and last White Knight (c1597-1611), who wedded Thomasin, daughter of Sir Thomas Browne, though the marriage was without issue.

There have been several claimants to the title.

The EARLS OF CLARE claimed to have sprung from the White Knights.

First published in May, 2019. Coat-of-arms courtesy of European Heraldry.

Tandragee Castle

THE DUKES OF MANCHESTER WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY ARMAGH, WITH 12,298 ACRES

WILLIAM LADDE, of Hanging Houghton, in the parish of Lamport, Northamptonshire, settled lands there on his son in 1447.

He was succeeded by his son,

RICHARD MONTAGU, otherwise LADDE, of Hanging Houghton, who died before 1484, leaving, by Agnes his wife, a son and heir,

THOMAS MONTAGU, of Hemington, Northamptonshire, who wedded firstly. in 1485, Agnes, daughter of William Dudley, of Clopton, Northamptonshire; and secondly, ca 1512, Mary, daughter of William Lane, of Finedon, in the same county.

He died in 1516, and was succeeded by the son and heir by his first wife,

THE RT HON SIR EDWARD MONTAGU (c1488-1557), Knight, a distinguished lawyer, who married thrice; and the eldest son of his third marriage,

SIR EDWARD MONTAGU (c1530-1602), Knight, of Boughton, Northamptonshire, espoused Elizabeth, daughter of Sir James Harington, of Exton, Rutland, by whom he had six sons,

Edward (Sir), ancestor of the Dukes of Montagu;

Walter (Sir);

HENRY, of whom hereafter;

Charles (Sir);

James, Bishop of Winchester;

Sydney (Sir), ancestor of the Earls of Sandwich.

The third son,

SIR HENRY MONTAGU (c1563-1642), Lord High Treasurer, was raised to the Peerage, 1620, in the dignities of Baron Montagu of Kimbolton and Viscount Mandeville; and further advanced, 1626, to an earldom, as EARL OF MANCHESTER.

He wedded firstly, in 1601, Catherine, second daughter of Sir John Spencer, of Yarnton, Oxfordshire, third son of Sir John Spencer, of Althorp.

The eldest son and successor,

EDWARD, 2nd Earl (1602-71), KG, KB, was five times married; the eldest son of his second wife,

ROBERT, 3rd Earl (1634-83), JP, espoused, in 1655, Anne, daughter of Sir Christopher Yelverton Bt, and had numerous issue, of whom the eldest surviving son, 

CHARLES, 4th Earl (c1662-1722), who married, in 1690, Doddington, daughter and co-heir of Robert Greville, 4th Baron Brooke, by whom he had issue,

WILLIAM, his successor;

ROBERT, succeeded his brother as 3rd Duke;

Doddington; Charlotte.

This nobleman opposing the measures of JAMES II, was one of the first who espoused the cause of the Prince of Orange, and he took an active part in the campaign in Ireland, being present at the battle of the Boyne, and the subsequently unsuccessful siege of Limerick.

In 1696, his lordship was appointed Ambassador to the Republic of Venice; in 1699, accredited Ambassador to the court of France; in 1701, he was constituted Secretary of State for the Southern Department.

Upon the accession of GEORGE I, his lordship was constituted in the Lord-Lieutenancy of Huntingdonshire, sworn of the Privy Council, appointed one of the Lords of His Majesty's Bedchamber; and, finally, in 1719, created DUKE OF MANCHESTER.

His Grace was succeeded by his elder son,

WILLIAM, 2nd Duke (1700-39), KB, who espoused, in 1723, Isabella, daughter of John, 2nd Duke of Montagu, but had no issue.

His Grace died in 1739, when the honours devolved upon his brother, 

ROBERT, 3rd Duke (c1710-62), who married, in 1735, Harriet, daughter and co-heir of Edmund Dunch, of Little Wittenham, Berkshire, and had issue,

GEORGE, his successor;

Charles Greville;

Caroline; Louisa.

His Grace was succeeded by his elder son,

GEORGE, 4th Duke (1737-88), Master of the Horse, 1780, who wedded, in 1762, Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Sir James Dashwood Bt, of Kirtlington Park, and had issue,

George, Viscount Mandeville (1763-72);

WILLIAM, his successor;

Frederick;

Caroline Maria; Anna Maria; Emily.

His Grace was succeeded by his elder son,

WILLIAM, 5th Duke (1771-1843), who wedded, in 1793, the Lady Susan Gordon, third daughter of Alexander, 4th Duke of Gordon, and had issue,

GEORGE, his successor;

William Francis;

Jane; Georgiana Frederica; Elizabeth; Susan; Caroline Catherine; Emily.

His Grace, who filled the offices of Governor of Jamaica, Collector of the Customs for the Port of London, and Lord-Lieutenant of Huntingdonshire, 1793-1841, was succeeded by his elder son,

GEORGE, 6TH DUKE (1799-1855), of Kimbolton Castle, Huntingdonshire, who married firstly, in 1822, Millicent, daughter of Brigadier-General Robert Bernard Sparrow, of Brampton Park, Huntingdonshire, by his wife, the Lady Olivia Acheson, eldest daughter of Arthur, 1st Earl of Gosford, of Gosford Castle, County Armagh, by which lady he had issue,

WILLIAM, his successor;
Robert, of Cromore House, m Ellen Cromie;
Frederick;
Olivia.

His Grace espoused secondly, in 1850, Harriet Sydney, daughter of Conway Richard Dobbs, of Castle Dobbs, County Antrim, and had further issue,

Sydney Charlotte;
George Francis.

The site of Tandragee Castle in County Armagh - formerly spelt Tanderagee - once belonged to the O'Hanlon Clan, one of the most powerful clans in the history of Ulster.

(Image: GreyHobbit)

THE CASTLE, Tandragee, County Armagh, was rebuilt by the 6th Duke of Manchester in the Baronial style about 1837.

At one end of the Castle stands a solid machicolated tower; while the opposite end has a gabled block somewhat similar to a Tudor manor-house.

A notable, corbelled "look-out" turret is at another corner.

Image: Roy Vogan ( www.royspics.com )

In the interior, the entrance hall had a grand marble fireplace with Italian woodwork; while the ceiling panels displayed coats-of-arms of families formerly connected with the Castle.

The 7th Duke was appointed a Knight of St Patrick (KP) in 1877. As Prime Minister, Benjamin Disaeli appointed six Conservative peers to the Order: The Duke of Manchester; The Marquesses of Waterford and Londonderry; and the Earls of Erne, Mayo and Portarlington.

The site of Tandragee Castle in County Armagh - formerly spelt Tanderagee - once belonged to the O'Hanlon Clan, one of the most powerful clans in the history of Ulster.

*****

Two villagers, Samuel (Tucker) Croft and Edward Kelly, decided to start a football team in an organised league and approached the Duke of Manchester for a playing field.

The Duke, along with various other businessmen from the town decided to back them and both Samuel and Edward were invited to the Castle to discuss the question of a playing field.

Level fields were few and far between, and the right to use the old pitch on the Scarva Road was finally granted as long as it was required for a football team.

Tandragee Rovers was established in August 1909 and the pitch, secured from the Duke, was duly named Manchester Park.

The newly formed team also decided to adopt the coat-of-arms of the Duke of Manchester  as their club badge.

The motto "Disponendo me, non mutando me" dates back to the time of HENRY VIII, and is the most ancient of all the Montagu mottos.

It is said to have originated with Sir Edward Montagu, the executor of the King's will.

The arms are still used as the Club's badge.

In 1911, the 9th Duke brought John Stone, an eminent Scottish professional from Sandy Lodge Golf Club, London, to lay out a private golf course on his estate at Tandragee. In those days, there was no clubhouse and Mr. Stone, his wife and their two daughters collected fees at the Gate Lodge where they had set up residence.

The Duchess of Manchester, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, even designed some of the original bunkers which were laid out in the shape of the Great Lakes and these remain to this day. The golf club received notice to quit the Duke's estate, to take effect from 12th November, 1949.

Tandragee Castle remained a seat of the Dukes of Manchester until 1939.

In 1943 it became home to a garrison of the US Army.

The Montagu connection with Tandragee and Northern Ireland ended in 1955, when the 10th Duke sold the Castle to the founder of Tayto Crisps, Thomas Hutchinson.

First published in November, 2009.

Adam of Blair Adam

THE ADAMS WERE THE LARGEST LANDOWNERS IN KINROSS-SHIRE, WITH 2,896 ACRES

The surname of ADAM is of great antiquity in Scotland, as proved by many documents in the public record.

HENRY ADAM, a military man, living in the reign of WILLIAM THE LION, King of Scots, was father of

ALEXANDER ADAM, Laird of Roscobie, near Forfar, in the reign of ALEXANDER III of Scotland, who was father of

DUNCAN ADAM, living in the reign of ROBERT THE BRUCE, who had four sons, the youngest of whom,

DUNCAN ADAM, accompanied James, Lord Douglas, in his expedition to Spain en route to the Holy Land, with the heart of King Robert of Scotland; from whom is stated to have descended,

JOHN ADAM, who accompanied JAMES IV of Scotland to Flodden Field, and there lost his life, 1513.

His son,

CHARLES ADAM, seated at Fanno, Forfarshire, ca 1549, married Margaret Ferguson, by whom he had issue,

CHARLES, his heir;
David, progenitor of Adams of Kingsbarns, Fife;
two daughters.

The elder son,

CHARLES ADAM, of Fanno, wedded Isabel Bisset, by whom he had several sons and daughters.

The second, but eldest surviving son,

ROBERT ADAM, about the end of the reign of Queen MARY, married Isabel, daughter of James Hunter, and was father of

DAVID ADAM, of Fanno, who wedded his cousin, Jean Hunter, by whom he had a son and successor, 

ARCHIBALD ADAM, of Fanno, who sold his patrimonial lands in the time of CHARLES I, and acquired those of Queensmanour in the same county.

He married Mary, daughter of John Hay, of Montrose, and died in the reign of CHARLES II, leaving issue,

CHARLES, his heir;
JOHN, successor to his nephew, of whom hereafter;
Alexander; Patrick; Phyllis; Mary.

The eldest son,

CHARLES ADAM, of Queensmanour, married Elizabeth, daughter of John Wishart, of Logie, Forfarshire; and had a son and successor,

JAMES ADAM, of Queenmanour, who sold the paternal estate.

He died unmarried and was succeeded in the representation of the family by his uncle,

JOHN ADAM, who married Helen, daughter of William, 3rd Lord Cranstoun, by whom he left a surviving son,

WILLIAM ADAM (1689-1748), an eminent architect who purchased several estates, particularly that of Blair, in the county of Kinross, where he built a house and village, which he named Maryburgh.

Mr Adam married Mary, daughter of William Robertson, of Gladney, and had, with other issue,

JOHN, of whom we treat;
Robert, architect to GEORGE III; MP for Kinross-shire, 1768;
James;
William;
Janet; Helen;
Mary, m Dr John Drysdale, Dean of the Chapel Royal;
Susanna, m John Clerk;
Margaret.

Mr Adam was succeeded by his eldest son,

JOHN ADAM OF BLAIR ADAM (1721-92), of Maryburgh, who wedded, in 1750, Jean, daughter of John Ramsay; by whom he had, with other issue, a son and successor, 

THE RT HON WILLIAM ADAM OF BLAIR ADAM (1751-1839), Lord Chief Commissioner of the Jury Court in Scotland, Lord-Lieutenant of Kinross-shire, Baron of the Scottish Exchequer, MP, who wedded Eleanor, daughter of Charles, 10th Lord Elphinstone.

His second son,

ADMIRAL SIR CHARLES ADAM OF BLAIR ADAM KCB (1780-1853), a distinguished naval officer, married was succeeded by his son and heir,

THE RT HON WILLIAM PATRICK ADAM CIE DL (1823-81), colonial administrator, politician, Companion of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire; whose eldest son,

CHARLES ELPHINSTONE ADAM (1859-1922), Barrister, military officer, was created a baronet in 1882, designated of Blair Adam, Kinross-shire.

Sir Charles died childless in 1922, when the baronetcy became extinct.

His estate devolved upon his nephew,

CAPTAIN CHARLES KEITH ADAM DSO RN (1891-1971), Lord-Lieutenant of Kinross-shire, 1955-66.

Captain Adam was raised in Australia but returned to Scotland to manage the estate.

His son, Keith Robert Adam (b 1944), is the present owner.

The estate comprises 200 acres today.

BLAIR ADAM HOUSE, is located near Kelty, in Fife.

William Adam purchased the Blair Crambeth (subsequently Blair Adam) estate in 1731 and shortly afterwards built the modest five-bay two-storey house which forms the centre of the present building.

By 1736, Adam had enlarged the house by the addition of harled single-storey wings, originally of three bays, which continued the line of the original block.

Both were extended by John Adam in 1775, the south wing being heightened and given a bowed end.

The north wing was made an L-shape by the construction of a block across its end which stretches back to the west and joins it to the office range.

This range, originally very plain, was remodelled in 1815-16 and a low rubble-walled tower was built behind it.

First published in December, 2013.

1st Baron Waveney

The family of ADAIR was settled in Scotland, and later in Ulster, for many generations, and, according to tradition, derived its descent from a junior branch of the noble house of FitzGerald, Earls of Desmond. 

WILLIAM ADAIR, of Kinhilt, Wigtownshire, who was served heir to his father, Ninian Adair, of the same place, in 1608, married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir James Gordon Bt, of Lochinvar, and settled in Ballymena, County Antrim.

He died in 1626, and was succeeded by his son,

SIR ROBERT ADAIR (1583-1655),of Ballymena, County Antrim, who was served heir to his father and grandfather, in the Scottish estates, 1629.

He wedded Jane, daughter of William Edmondstone, of Duntreath, in Stirlingshire.

Sir Robert died in 1655, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

WILLIAM ADAIR, of Ballymena, who died in 1661, leaving, by his wife, Anne Helena, daughter of Colonel Walter Scott, of Hartwoodburn, an only son,

SIR ROBERT ADAIR (1659-1745), of Kinhilt and Ballymena, who raised a regiment of foot for WILLIAM III, and received the honour of knighthood from that monarch on the field after the battle of the Boyne.

Sir Robert married four wives; by the first of whom, Penelope, daughter of Sir Robert Colville, Knight, he left a son,

WILLIAM ROBERT ADAIR, of Ballymena,  a captain of horse, who died in 1762, leaving by Catherine Smallman, his wife, a son and successor,

ROBERT ADAIR, of Ballymena, who espoused, in 1753, Anne, daughter of Alexander McAuley, of the city of Dublin, and died in 1798, leaving, with other issue, and elder son,

WILLIAM ADAIR (1754-1844), of Ballymena, Flixton Hall, Suffolk, and of Colehayes Park, Devon, who wedded, in 1784, Camilla, daughter and heir of Robert Shafto, of Benwell, Northumberland, and had issue,

ROBERT SHAFTO, his heir;
William Robert, died at Harrow School;
Alexander, of Hetherton Park;
Camilla.

Mr Adair was succeeded by his eldest son,

ROBERT SHAFTO ADAIR (1786-1869), of Flixton Hall, Suffolk, and Ballymena, County Antrim, who wedded, in 1810, Elizabeth Maria, daughter of the Rev James Strode, of Berkhamstead, Hertfordshire.

Mr Adair was created a baronet in 1838, designated of Flixton Hall, Suffolk.

By his wife he had issue,

ROBERT ALEXANDER SHAFTO, his successor; 

Hugh Edward.

His elder son,

SIR ROBERT ALEXANDER SHAFTO ADAIR, 2nd Baronet (1811-86), of Ballymena Castle, married Theodosia, daughter of General the Hon Robert Meade, second son of John, Earl of Clanwilliam; sometime MP for Cambridge.

Sir Robert was elevated to the peerage, in 1873, in the dignity of BARON WAVENEY, of South Elmham, Suffolk.

In 1865, Adair began the construction in the demesne of Ballymena Castle, a substantial family residence in the Scottish baronial style. The castle was not completed until 1887, and was demolished in 1957 after having lain empty for some years and being vandalised; the site is now a car park. In 1870, Adair donated a People's Park to Ballymena, engaging fifty labourers to work for six months landscaping it.

The barony expired on his death in 1886, while he was succeeded in the baronetcy by his younger brother,

SIR HUGH EDWARD ADAIR JP DL, 3rd Baronet (1815-1902), of Ballymena Castle, who wedded, in 1856, Harriet Camilla, daughter of Alexander Adair, and had issue,

Hugh Alexander (1858-68);
FREDERICK EDWARD SHAFTO, his successor;
ROBERT SHAFTO, succeeded his brother;
Camilla Beatrix Mary.

Sir Hugh was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

SIR FREDERICK EDWARD SHAFTO ADAIR JP, 4th Baronet (1860-1915), of Ballymena Castle, who died unmarried, when the family honours devolved upon his brother,

SIR ROBERT SHAFTO ADAIR JP DL, 5th Baronet (1862-1949), who married, in 1890, Mary, daughter of Henry Anstey Bosanquet, and had issue,

Robert Desmond Shafto, died in infancy;
ALLAN HENRY SHAFTO, of whom hereafter;
Camilla Mary Shafto.

Sir Robert was succeeded by his only surviving son,

MAJOR-GENERAL SIR ALLAN HENRY SHAFTO ADAIR GCVO CB DSO MC JP DL, 6th and last Baronet (1897-1988), who espoused, in 1919, Enid Violet Ida, daughter of William Humble Dudley Ward, and had issue,

DESMOND ALLAN SHAFTO, predeceased his father;
Robert Dudley Shafto (1923-25);
Bridget Mary; Juliet Enid; Annabel Violet.

Sir Allan's only son,

Captain Desmond Allan Shafto Adair, born in 1920, died in 1943 at Italy, killed in action.

When the 6th Baronet died in 1988 the title became extinct.

Ballymena Castle

The Adair family owned extensive estates in Ballymena and have been described as the "founding fathers" of the town.

The town is built on land given to the Adair family by CHARLES I in 1626, on the provision that the town held two annual fairs and a free Saturday market in perpetuity.

The Adairs were Scottish lairds from Kinhilt in south-western Scotland. The Ballymena estate was temporarily re-named "Kinhilstown" after the Adairs' lands in Scotland.

The original castle of Ballymena was built in the early 17th century, situated to take advantage of an ancient ford over the River Braid.

In 1865, Adair began the construction in the demesne of Ballymena Castle, a substantial family residence in the Scottish baronial style.

It was a large Scottish-Baronial building to the design of W H Lynn; of rough-hewn ashlar, with a tall tower in the manner of Balmoral Castle.

Some of the rooms had stained-glass windows, commemorating various members of the Adair family.
 
The Castle stood high above the Braid River near where the Leisure Centre is today.

The Adairs were relatively good landlords and they prospered, as did the growing town of Ballymena.

The original Ballymena Castle, built by the Adairs, was burned down in 1720.

Work on the Victorian mansion began in 1865 and, by 1869 it had been completed and was ready for occupation.

In 1955, this castle, which had been unoccupied for some time, was badly damaged by fire, and in
1956 it was declared unsafe and was subsequently demolished.

The Adairs owned 6,546 acres in Victorian times.

The land for the People's Park was donated in 1870 by Lord Waveney.

He financed and planned the landscaping, which took six months.

The park is a good example of a public park of that era, which includes maximum variety of areas, through the device of using twisting paths on the undulating ground and strategic planting.

There are stout stone walls, round the park (with modern realignment in places); and a shelter belt of Scots pine on the sides of the prevailing winds.

The lake, the ‘Park Dam’ was made from an artificially dammed mill pond, half of which was later drained to make a flat area for games.

There is a statue, known as the ‘Big Woman in the Park’ of 1872 on top of a hill; ‘Todd’s Hill’; and a notable cast iron drinking fountain of 1909.

Many changes have taken place over the years, such as the introduction of tennis courts, a children’s playground, paths and the making and selling off the bowling green.

Plans for refurbishment of the park were drawn up in 1997, as former assets had become obsolete or worn out.

The individual additions have not, so far, imposed on the original concept of the park. The park-keeper's lodge was designed and built by Lord Waveney.                           

Former residences ~ 55 Green Street, W1; Anmer Hall, Norfolk.

First published in March, 2010. 

Granston Manor

THE EARLS OF UPPER OSSORY WERE THE SECOND LARGEST LANDOWNERS IN THE QUEEN'S COUNTY, WITH 22,510 ACRES

This most ancient and noble family was descended from Heremon, the first monarch of the Milesian race in Ireland; and after they had assumed the surname of FITZPATRICK, they were for many ages Princes of Ossory, in the province of Leinster; from whom, in a direct male line, descended

BARNABY FITZPATRICK (c1485-1575), last Prince of Ossory, on his submission to HENRY VIII, who was created, 1541, Baron Upper Ossory.

He wedded, about 1530, Margaret Burke, eldest daughter of Piers, 8th Earl of Ormond, and had issue,

BARNABY, his successor;
FLORENCE, successor to his brother;
Grainne.

His lordship was succeeded by his elder son,

BARNABY, 2nd Baron (c1535-81), companion and favourite to EDWARD VI, whose letters to that monarch are still preserved.

He served as a volunteer in France, under HENRY II, against the Emperor; and after his return he behaved with great bravery against Sir Thomas Wyatt the Younger, and was knighted in 1558.

His lordship espoused, in 1560, Joan, daughter of Rowland, 2nd Viscount Baltinglass, and had issue, an only child, MARGARET.

He died without male issue, when the title devolved upon his brother,

FLORENCE, 3rd Baron (d 1613), who married Catherine, daughter of Patrick O'More, of Abbeyleix, and had issue, six children, of whom

Geoffrey;

THADY, successor to his brother;

JOHN, father of 1st BARON GOWRAN;

Joan.

The eldest surviving son,

THADY, 4th Baron, wedded Joan, daughter of Sir Edmund Butler, of Cloughgrenan, and had issue,

BARNABY, his successor;
Dermot;
Turlough;
John;
Margaret; Catherine; Onora; Joan.

His lordship died in 1627, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

BARNABY, 5th Baron, who wedded Margaret, eldest daughter of Walter, 11th Earl of Ormond, and had issue,

BARNABY, his successor;
Edward;
James.

His lordship died ca 1638, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

BARNABY, 6th Baron, who espoused Catherine, daughter of Sir Edward Everard, and had issue,

BARNABY, his successor;
John.

His lordship died ca 1666, and was succeeded by his elder son,

BARNABY, 7th Baron (d 1696), who married Margaret, daughter of Pierce, 1st Viscount Ikerrin, and had issue,

Barnaby, dsp;
Kieran, died in infancy;
John, died young;
Catherine; Mary.

His lordship, an adherent to JAMES II, was outlawed in 1690, and shortly thereafter his title was forfeited.

His kinsman,

COLONEL THE HON JOHN FITZPATRICK, of Castletown, Queen's County (son of Florence, 3rd Baron Upper Ossory), wedded Elizabeth, fourth daughter of Thomas, Viscount Thurles, and sister of James, 1st Duke of Ormonde, and had issue,

Edward, died unmarried;
RICHARD, his successor;
Arabella.

His second son,

RICHARD FITZPATRICK (c1662-1727), married, in 1718, Anne, second daughter and co-heir of Sir John Robinson, 2nd Baronet, of Farmingwood, Northamptonshire, and had issue,

JOHN, his heir;
Richard, m to Anne Usher;
three daughters.

Mr Fitzpatrick was raised to the peerage, in 1715, in the dignity of Baron Gowran, of Gowran, County Kilkenny.

His lordship was succeeded by his elder son,

JOHN, 2nd Baron (1719-58), who wedded, in 1744, the Lady Evelyn Leveson-Gower, daughter of John, 1st Earl Gower, and had issue,

JOHN, his successor;
Richard;
Mary, m to 2nd Baron Holland;
Louisa, m to 2nd Earl of Shelburne.

His lordship was created, in 1751, EARL OF UPPER OSSORY.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

JOHN, 2nd Earl (1745-1818), who espoused, in 1769, Anne, only child and heir of Henry, 1st Baron Ravensworth, and had issue,

Anne, b 1770;
Gertrude.

His lordship died without male issue, when the titles expired.

His natural son, however,

JOHN WILSON (1811-83), succeeded to the family estates and, in 1842, and assumed the surname of FITZPATRICK.

He wedded, in 1830, Augusta Mary, daughter of the Rev Archibald Edward Douglas, and had issue,

BERNARD EDWARD BARNABY, his successor;
Gertrude; Augusta; Florence; Cecilia; Edith; Olivia.

Mr Fitzpatrick, High Sheriff of Queen's County, 1836, MP for Queen's County, 1837-69, Privy Counsellor, 1848, Lord-Lieutenant of Queen's County, 1855-83, was elevated to the peerage, in 1869, in the dignity of BARON CASTLETOWN, of Upper Ossory, Queen's County.

His lordship was succeeded by his only son,

BERNARD EDWARD BARNABY, 2nd Baron (1849-1937), KP CMG PC, of Granston Manor, who married, in 1874, Emily Ursula Clare, only surviving daughter and heir of Hayes, 4th Viscount Doneraile, though the marriage was without issue.

His lordship, High Sheriff of Queen's County, 1876, MP for Portarlington, 1880-3, Privy Counsellor, 1908, Knight of St Patrick, 1908, died in 1937, when the barony expired.

The Castletown Papers are deposited at the National Library of Ireland.

P

GRANSTON MANOR, Abbeyleix, Queen's County (Laois),was a large rambling house, partly late-Georgian and partly later.

It had two storeys with an attic roof.

The entrance front comprised five bays with a Wyatt window above a balustraded portico.

The entrance front is is at the end of the house, which is considerably deeper that its width, with lower wings.

There is a long garden front with single-storey projections and balustrades.

The interior was renovated during the Edwardian era, mostly by the 2nd Lord Castletown.

The hall became part of an adjoining room, thus becoming a hall-cum-sitting room.

A new oak staircase was built.

The drawing-room was greatly enlarged.

Following the death of the 2nd Baron in 1937, Granston passed to his nephew, Lieutenant-Colonel G H J S Smyth, who assumed the surname of FitzPatrick.

Granston was sold to the Harper family in 1947, who re-sold about 1961.

It was acquired by Mr and Mrs H Duncan-Collie, but was almost totally gutted by fire in 1977.

First published in August, 2011.

The Cunningham Baronetcy

THOMAS CUNNINGHAM, of Crookedstone, in the parish of Killead, County Antrim (believed to have been son of Patrick Cunningham, of the same parish, whose will was dated 1696), married Elizabeth ______, and died ca 1728, leaving issue,

Hugh, of Dungonnell, dsp;
WILLIAM (Rev), of whom presently;
a daughter, m Hugh Mosman;
a daughter, m Josias Cunningham;
a daughter, m Samuel McMaster;
Ann; Elizabeth.

The younger son,

THE REV WILLIAM CUNNINGHAM, Minister of Limavady, County Londonderry, 1720, wedded Margaret Bradshaw, and dying in 1740,  left issue,

Thomas;
George;
SAMUEL, of whom presently;
Thomas.

His third son,

SAMUEL CUNNINGHAM (c1697-1789), of Crookedstone and Dungonnell, espoused firstly, in 1727, Mary, daughter of Samuel Thompson, of Muckamore, County Antrim, and had issue,

William, of Ahoghill and Greenhall;
SAMUEL, of whom presently;
John, of Dungonnell;
Margaret; Sarah; Mary; a daughter.

He married secondly, __________, widow of Francis Brown; and thirdly, Mary ______.

Mr Cunningham's second son,

SAMUEL CUNNINGHAM (c1742-1812), of Crookedstone, wedded, in 1765, Mary, daughter of John Barber, of British, Killead, and had issue,

Samuel;
John;
William, merchant, of Belfast;
James, of Belmount, Antrim;
Thomas;
Thomas;
Josias, partner with his brother Barber; wholesale tobacco merchants;
BARBER, of whom we treat;
Sarah; Mary; Elizabeth.

The youngest son,

BARBER CUNNINGHAM (1787-1841), of Belfast, a partner with his brother Josias in the firm of Josias and Barber Cunningham, espoused, in 1818, Margaret, daughter of David McClure, of Killead, and had issue,

JOSIAS, of whom hereafter;
Samuel;
David McClure;
Agnes McClure; Agnes McClure.

The eldest son,

JOSIAS CUNNINGHAM (1819-95), of Glencairn, Belfast, who founded the firm of Josias Cunningham and Company, Stockbrokers, in 1843, married, in 1855, Jane Agnes, daughter of James Davis, solicitor, of Belfast, and had issue,

JAMES (1857-1924), of Glencairn, Stockbroker; died unmarried;
JOSIAS (1861-1929), of Glencairn, company director; died unmarried;
SAMUEL KNOX (Rt Hon), of whom hereafter;
David (twin), died 1864;
Margaret; Jane Agnes; Emily; Mary Elizabeth; Anna Wise; Sarah Catherine.

The third son,

THE RT HON SAMUEL CUNNINGHAM (1862-1946), of Fernhill, Belfast, wedded, in 1898, Janet Muir Knox, eldest daughter of Dunlop McCosh, Solicitor, of Dalry, Ayrshire, and had issue,

Josias, stockbroker;
Dunlop McCosh, of 22, Broomhill Pk, Belfast;
James Glencairn, OBE DL;
SAMUEL KNOX, of whom hereafter.

The youngest son,

(SAMUEL) KNOX CUNNINGHAM QC (1909-76), Ulster Unionist politician, barrister and business man, was educated at RBAI, Fettes College, Edinburgh, and Clare College, Cambridge, where he was heavy-weight boxing champion.

Mr Cunnungham was engaged in business in Northern Ireland between 1931-37; called to the Bar of Middle Temple, 1939; and the Inn of Court of Northern Ireland, 1942.

He later became a QC.

During the 2nd World War he served with the Scots Guards, and in 1943 and 1945 he unsuccessfully contested the parliamentary seat of Belfast West.

In 1955 he contested and won the parliamentary seat of South Antrim, a seat which he held until his retirement in 1970.

Cunningham's fame rests chiefly on his distinguished parliamentary career.

Between 1958-59 he was PPS to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury; and between 1959-63 held his most important and influential position as PPS to the Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan.  

This was a unique position for an Ulster Unionist and for four years Knox Cunningham worked in the centre of power at Westminster.

It was in Mr Macmillan’s 1963 resignation honours list that Knox Cunningham was awarded with a baronetcy, designated of Crookedstone, Killead, County Antrim, for his distinguished services to the Prime Minister.

When the Labour Party came to power under Harold Wilson in 1964, Sir Knox pressed and probed with innumerable questions and interventions in debates and he had many verbal clashes with Harold Wilson himself in the House of Commons.

For three years Sir Knox was a member of the United Kingdom Parliamentary Delegation to the Council of Europe and Western European Union at Strasbourg where he put Ulster’s case to the Europeans.

Sir Knox was on the right wing of Ulster Unionism and was a powerful critic of Terence O’Neill’s political reforms in Northern Ireland.

Sir Knox died without issue in 1976, when the title became extinct.

FERNHILL HOUSE was built in the 1860s by John Smith, a wealthy Belfast butter merchant.

The site had to be cut out of the rock-face.

It comprises two storeys, a mixture of Classical and Italian Renaissance style, with a fine Greek-style portico.

In 1898, Fernhill was acquired by Samuel Cunningham, a member of a leading family involved in the grain and tobacco trade.

The Cunninghams owned about 133 acres of land in the Shankill and Ballygomartin areas of Belfast.

Cunningham was a stockbroker, chairman of the Northern Whig and a leading member of the Ulster Unionist Council and the Ulster Provisional Government from 1911 onwards.

The original Ulster Volunteer Force of 1912-14 drilled in these grounds before the 1st World War.

The stables at Fernhill were always stocked with the finest race horses: Tipperary Tim was winner of the 1928 Grand National.

In October, 1994, the Loyalist ceasefire was proclaimed at Fernhill House.

Glencairn ca 1860 (historic OS map)

THE GLENCAIRN ESTATE originally covered more than 100 acres of land at the bottom of Divis Mountain. 

It included four houses - Glencairn and Fernhill, which stood on either side of a sloping valley, Glendivis, situated between the Ballygomartin River and Glencairn Road (just beyond the present entrance to the park), and Four Winds, located further along the Glencairn Road. 

The largest houses, Glencairn and Fernhill, were also served by modest mid-19th century gate lodges. 

In 1899, Samuel Cummingham moved into Fernhill House, which had great views of Belfast, the Mourne Mountains and even the family's home country of Scotland. 

The Cunningham family eventually moved to Glencairn House and lived on the estate for most of the 20th century. 

Glencairn and Fernhill were surrounded by extensive lawns, gravel pathways, mature trees, formal gardens, vegetable plots, a croquet lawn, shrub borders and a rock garden. 

An ancient rath or fort, around 120 feet in diameter with ramparts and a surrounding trench, was located behind Fernhill House. 

The trench was filled in and used as a ring for training horses while the Cunninghams lived on the estate. Both Glencairn and Fernhill Houses were damaged during the 2nd World War. 

When Colonel Cunningham returned home after the war, he found Glencairn House empty and abandoned and his family living in part of Fernhill House. 

The estate was eventually acquired by the Belfast Corporation (now the council) in 1962 and re-opened as a public park. 

Parkview Care Home, a sprawling two-storey building, now occupies the site of Glencairn.

Glencairn House (Image: Richard Graham)

BY THE LATE 18th and early 19th century, the Cunninghams had clearly established themselves as merchants and businessmen.

Samuel’s brothers John, William, James, Thomas, Josias and Barber, were all directly involved in business and commerce.

John Cunningham (of Glenwood, a house which is roughly in the same location as the present day Glenwood Primary School) and Thomas Cunningham were partners in the firm of J & T Cunningham at Mill Street, Belfast.

Glencairn (Image: Richard Graham)

James Cunningham was a grain merchant; William was a merchant at Belfast; Josias and Barber (the youngest brothers) were partners in a firm of wholesale tobacco importers based at Rosemary Street, Belfast.

Barber Cunningham, a tobacco merchant, was the father of Sir Josias Cunningham DL, one of the most well-known members of this family.

Sir Josias firmly established the family’s fortunes.

First Published in June, 2010. I am grateful to Richard Graham for use of images of Glencairn.