Chapter I
The Manor of Finagh, Country Tyrone
Its early history - The Earl and Countess of Castlehaven - Sir Pierce Crosbye - Sir William Ussher and John Ussher - Hugh, Lord Glenawly, and his family
The first notice of the name of Finagh occurs in the Plantation map of 1609 (III. 17) where it appears as the name of one of the ancient districts, which in the rein of Queen Elizabeth (1591), when Tyrone was divided into baronies, were comprised in the barony of Omagh. For the purposes of the Plantation this barony, exclusive of the Church lands of Termonmaguirk, and a few townlands attached to the Fort of Omagh, were divided into three large proportions, Finagh, Brade, and Fintonagh, and five small proportions, Rarone, Edergoole, Garvelagh, Claraghmore, and Cornabracken (App A).
At the Plantation, Finagh and Rarone were granted to Lord Audley* and Elizabeth, his (second) wife, at a rent of STG 16 a year, and constituted the manor of Hely. Brade was granted to Sir Mervyn TUCKETT, Lord Audley's eldest son. Fintonagh to this second son, Sir Ferdinando TUCKETT. Garvelagh and Claraghmore to his son-in-law, Sir John DAVIES, married to his daughter Eleanor; and Edgergoole and Cornabracken to another son-in-law, Edward BLOUNT, esq., married to his daughter Anna (App B).
{ * George TUCKETT, eleventh Baron Audley, of Helaigh, in Staffordshire., married (1) Lucy, daughter of Sir John MERVYN, of Fonthill, Wilts, and (2) Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Andrew NOEL, of Brooke, Rutlandshire, grandfather of first Earl of Gainsborough. The barony of Audley went into abeyance between the daughters of the eighteenth Lord in 1872. The Earldom of Castlehaven became extinct on the death of the fifth Earl in 1777. Vide Lodge's and Burke's peerages.}
page 2
These grants were all made in 1611-12. In September, 1616, Lord Audley was raised to the Earldom of Castlehaven in consideration of his military services in the Netherlands, France, and Ireland, and more particularly at the siege of Kinsale, where he was severely wounded. He enjoyed his new dignity however only for a few months, as he died early in the following year, near Drumquin, county Tyrone. (App C).
His widow, who was joint patentee of Finagh and Rarone, married in 1619 Sir Pierce CROSBYE,* (cupbearer). The conditions of the Plantation having been found not to have been complied with on this property, probably on the report of Nicholas PYNNARr and his brother Commissioners (App D), the Countess and Sir PIERCE made a surrender and received a re-grant of the same in 1619. (App E).
At an Inquisition held in Dungannon in 1631 (App F) these lands were again found to be forfeited for the same reason, and were again surrendered and re-granted, this time to Sir P CROSBY alone, though the Countess his wife was still living. The rent was raised on the occasion of this grant to STG 32 (App G).
Lastly, a grant of the same lands was made to Sir P. Crosbye in 1637, upon the Commission of Defective Titles (App H). It was, probably, on this occasion that the quit-rent of the manor of Finagh was raised to STG 43 15s and 15s for "four fairs and market in the town of Ballynalla)." These rents were added together and paid as for the manor, until they were extinguished last year (1880) by the Commissioners of Woods, for twenty-eight years' purchase. "Ballynallan" was, no doubt, a clerical error in the Quit-Rent Book in the Custom House in Dublin, for "Ballyculla", now probably Cooley, between Sixmilecross and Beragh. The fairs which are at present held at Sixmilecross take place on the 19th day each month.
In this year (1637) Sir PIERCE conveyed Finagh and Rarone to Sir William Ussher, and in the Civil Survey Report, connected with the Down Survey (1657) these lands, with several townlands in the small proportion of Edergoole (including Beach, Letfern, Legacorry, and Moylagh,* now part of my property), were reported to have been in the possession of Sir William USSHER, knt., Protestant, in the year 1641 (App I).
{* Son of Patrick CROSBYE, esq., Queen's County, rewarded in Queen Elizabeth's reign for his loyalty and ability, by a grant of M'Morrough's lands. Sir PIERCE was a minor at his father's death. He served at Rochelle under the Duke of Buckingham. On his return, in 16290, his regiment was ordered to be placed on the Irish establishment by Charles I. He incurred the displeasure of Stratfford, was prosecuted in the Star Chamber, and confined in the Fleet prison, but escaped beyond the seasons, where he remained until Strafford's trial, when he appeared as a witness against him. He died without issue in 1646, having bequeathed all his estates to his cousins, Walter and David CROSBYE, sons of his uncle John.
Lodges Peerage III page 326} (S Crosbie Earl of Glandore)}
page 3
In 1662, the Countess of Castlehaven was still living, having survived her second husband, Sir Pierce CROSBYE, deceased in 1646, and she and her nephew and heir apparent (Baptist third Viscount Camden) were declared innocent Protestants (ie not concerned in the Rebellion of 1641)_, and as such entitled to the land originally granted to her ladyship, and asserted by her to have been in her possession at the date of the Rebellion, totally ignoring the conveyance to Sir W Ussher in 1637 (Decrees of Innocents, Ross vi, 51). Sir William, however, retained possession of the property (Deed of Conveyance, penes me).
In the Appendices (J and K), will be found an inquisition held at Koragh, in 1639, and a list of denominations. Also lists of the inhabitants of Termon M'Goork (Termonmaguirk), for the second Pole Money (Pole Tax) , and the Hearth Money Roll for A.D. 1666; an extract from the Subsidy Roll of 1663, showing who in the parish were liable for rent and stock; and a list of five persons in the baronies of Omagh and Strabane, liable for tithes, and of tenants and rents of certain Church lands (App. L). Also a short history of the parish (App. M).
In 1672, John USSHER, who had succeeded his father Sir William, sold the property to Hugh Lord Glenawley. Lord Glenawley was the son of Dr. Archibald HAMILTON, consecrated Bishop of Killala in 1623, and Archbishop of Cashel in 1630. In the Rebellion of 1641, this prelate was obliged to fly for safety to Sweden, where he died at Stockholm in 16549. His second son, Hugh, who accompanied his father in his exile, obtained the title of Baron Lunge in Sweden, and on his return to this country was created Baron of Glenawley in Fermanagh, in 1660.
At an Inquisition held in Ballygawley 26th January 1628, the small proportion of Moyenner, originally granted to William TURVIN, esq., was found to be in the possession of Dr. Archibald HAMILTON, who had forfeited his right by non-compliance with the Articles of the Plantation; but on surrender received a re-grant in 1629. At a later Inquisition held in Dungannon 17th June 1661, Hugh Lord HAMILTON as found to be in peaceable possession of the same, having succeeded his elder brother, Archibald who died unmarried.
page 4
Lord Glenawley being thus possessed of the Manors of Fynagh and Moyenner, died between 1676 and 1678, leaving a son and two daughters, who after their brother's death became his coheiresses. The elder, Arabella Susannah, married Sir John MAGILL, of the County Down; and the younger, Nicola Sophia, married in 1687 Sir Tristram BERESFORD of Coleraine. In 1695 these ladies divided their property. Rynagh, with some exceptions became the separate property of the elder, and Moyenner of the younger. The advowson of Termon was still held jointly. Having survived their husbands, these ladies were married secondly - Lady Magill to the Lord Viscount Dungannon, and Lady Beresford to Lieut.-General Richard GORGES, of Kilbrew, county Meath.
In 1705 Lord Dungannon and his wife sold Fynagh and their share of the advowson of Termon-Magquirk to my ancestor Robert LOWRY, esq., of Aghenis. The following is an Abstract of the Conveyance from Mr John USSHER:-
On the 3rd day of February, 24th Charles II., 1672, John USSHER of the City of Dublin esq., assigned to the Rt. Honble. Hugh, Lord Baron of Glanawly, for the sum of STG 3,400, all that the Mannor of Fynagh, and Court Leete and view of Frankpledge thereof, with all that belongs to view of Frankpledge, and a court in nature of a Court Baron usually kept within the said Mannor, &c, with all the tounces and proportions of lands by the generall survey of all lands within the County of Tyrone, now or lately called the greate proportion of Fynagh, and the advowson of the Rectory and church of Termonmaguirk, and also all the towns, villages, hamlets, ballyboes, sessioghes, &c., of --
Laraghlinsie, alias Derrieviagh, alias Derriveagh Namoyle, alias Nameda
Moylebegge Moylemore
Naganydoone Derrchrien, alias Derrychrieigh
Anaghdarragh Menesboghe
Derrybeir, alias Derryseir Cavan
*Eskermore Droymneent
Lismoniteryillagan Anaghmichnime
Ateniskidossagh *Radargan
Aughneyappall Killthonalta
Nassenoga Loegga Buntvisse Leabiskeaileaghe
Mullaghmickgaggin Armaghbriegge
Cloghernaghduffe Garvithstohye
Meenaghdoobie *Barhah
Breandrom
Listone Cavanmore
Knockainaboll Gorsliawe
Knockaneeivaghane Kilthame, alias Kilthome
* Garvaghy Sramore
Cluainanorarame Dromgawe, alias, Dromgoisse, & Dromgan
Nocknashemer Livigarriagh
Knockigowill Knokannnasheade
Knockaschossane Cenenadwalie
Deloynme Sheamullagh
Carricknagappoll Carricknastogg
Aghafadda Carricknastogg
Aghafadda Coolesker
Lisrandmaghboy Knockeytonvas
Killrian Tnarnemachagh .
Ballyculla The modern name is Cooley Tateanberan, alias Derrybroghes
Lisilima Derrybraghlieske
Listulla Knockadwell
Sramore Tullaghtabon
Aginagarrhy, alias Aghnagartie, alias Aghnagerrha Benaghgawns
Rassada Knocknedomaye
Beaghdowe Keeranbane
*Banchran Meenebreake
Rodday Teanyanalt
Seyfine Meenahalle
Dreynane *Tyllneal, lias Tyllyoneale, alias Carragh
Knocknanarragh *Lishinkon
Anoosnagh, alias Ossnagh Lisawaddy
Goroosnagh Altatotan
Knockgeilgeagh *Ballyhallaghan
Cavenehossnie Aghaclaaghe
Ardlochra Shemnollagh
*Derryowgre, alias Derryowre Cornegnowe
Lismore *Ballykeile
Droymore Mullankeanan
Ramacran, alias Ramarca, alias Ramacawe Gowland
Derryewran Knocknaneinfin Knocknahony
Sranasenkeagh Aghanaskeagh Knocknaskologe
Stranagrey Knockkindomoche Gargagha
Clomonrra, alias Clemore Dromemalloy Anaghaneighboy
Garwagha Lisnaganonagh Tallenglogge
Lisnamraher Knocknahorny Breandrom
a.. These names are either the modern ones, or are sufficiently like them to be recognizable. Tullymeal is a subdenomination of Sixmilecrss, formerly called Koragh.
Shrairnagan Monenamuckie Tawnaghamolley Lauley
*Brackagh, alias Amrackagh Tonergergbegg Teignill Neahawishbeaga
Seygollan Algrome Dromnamill Corraghbracke
Carrathane Attanabony Eskerimuldowne Esganagnowe
Clare Shranagrey Lisnaseedy Liscahill
Knaghleame *Aghanaglea Knocknageiroge Drosheny, alias Donisheny
Ballyntreany, alias Ballyntreana *Cavanrevagh, alias Cavariagh Carrarody
Knocknanoisse Cluanilsboggan Knockacoyle *Glaninny
Shrasorloboye *Tonregeoghe, alias Gortfin Knockavenisin Legatukanie
Reland Altneneagh Gorttry *Dromlester, alias Dromlaster
Gornakessagh Seskanurna Lorgangemoe Artaghomogagh
Lorgameangonagh Alyanagh Loramore Esvanacroaty
*Cloghfine, alias Cloghanie Anaghnadamoye Lisnonine Cullelagh, alias Cuillagh
Dowrakingtonie Cuillaghbegg Knockarrboye Cuillaghloghie
Magharreboye Annaghadaiwe Mollaghnemanus Anaghnaslatoye
Knocknaskologe Annaghnagolpaghe Daucloghe Anaghnakirke
Killmacmeenie Sraunurnie Knockadowley Pollarnakellydowey
Shrabreake Sragarrawe Knockangorme Srakelle
Radowed, alias Radawaid Knockacarnanie
And also all that proportion of lands by the general survey of all lands within the said county of Tyrone aforesaid, now or lately called the little proportion of Rarone, and also all towns villages hamlets balliboes sessioghes of lands parcels or lands tenements and hereditaments of -
*Dowgerie Knocknahorny Rosse Shenn Inish
Downallame Meyrnevenie Shemnallaghe Nacamebana
Sranaglacka Knockanery Knocknebun Knockantentie
*Rasnowly (?Renelly), alias Nasirclasa Aghnakeeragh Anaghskeangh
Lemania *Killodrone, alias Killadrowe Cornacreagh
Knockanewaghan Tullybeerin, alias Rarone Tullyaneasla
Lislagh, alias Lisloist Knocknost Knockabackame Lisgarwa
Anaghaneighboy Knocknamoulest Tullyantempany Camerocine
Coraneerey Knocknaloghie Eotraan Ruskaowye, alias Raskawa
Lissagoway Tawnaghnendressoge Tryansmealagh Moybribinenowine
Knockamuckley Desert Anaghnamraher Nekoeloga
Lissara, alias Lissearne Nehinriny Gortyrencha Cavanaduffe
Lissnagatte Carranaghbane Knockachoyne Carrickduffe
Knockagailgarnie Crewodaragan Redane Knockamensin
Fferamsegart Knockanaboghill *Lissboye
Derreebreye, alias Derrenchoughy Cavanagholcaire
Gortaghcaire Cavanahenimurry Knockachoyne Attemanusylasse
Keanduffe Anaghagh Aghaseda Meenawilter
Knock Ideragreny Urbalshenny *Drumdoffe
Knockarado +*Corballintackin, alias Agharone Anaghduffe
m'hurmy eelaghselogaghe Achorr Knocknegortane, alias Knocknegurrulane
Cavancorra Rarellan Killineene Tully Iderdagh
Cavanagarvaine Eskeeraneenagh Nahany Bewollteggie Knocknaskeagh
* These names are either the modern ones, or are sufficiently like them to be recognizable
+ Corballintackin does not appear in the Ordnance map, but Curr does, and it is conjectured that Curr is a corruption of the first syllable of the word. The next word Acorr certainly represents the modern townland of Curr, or part of it. Ballintackin was an ancient name of the district, in that part of the parish, as shown on the map of 1609.
Mullagheirnarry *Rarower Knockantharnaine Lisnahanna
Eskor Boreaklagh Kinsoghtan Cornacananon
Gortvaghie Lisnakolly Knockaroydy Dulbunduffe
Urballaghody Shenmollagh *Cavanriagh Sranaseadoge
Gortnakessagh Branarr Tyrwonye alias Tyrynehorrowe Lisboiskackhurlin
*Ramacowe alias Ramacone Knockorboy Dulbembegg Dowernagh
Dulbemmore Mullassageally and Knocknaclohie Knockeydowell
And all the lands &c., lately in the tenure or occupation of the said Sir William USSHER knight, or his tenants of ffarmo+ esteemed two third parts of the touns &c., of Racassan alias Lischoppaine, and also all waifes, strayes within the premises or any part thereof, all and singular within said premises, and situate lying and being in the precinct or Barony of Omagh in the County of Tyrone (with the various appurtenances set forth at length, including "as well sweet as salt woods,") to the use of the said Hugh Lord Baron of Glanawly and his heirs and assigns for ever. John USSHER appointed his loving friends Andrew LINSIE of Springtoune and Wm. MOORE of Garry both in the said county, to be his true and lawful attorney and attornies, in this behalf to enter into peaceable possession of the premises, or any part thereof in the name of the whole, and peaceable possession livery and seizing to make and deliver, to the said Hugh Lord Baron of Glenawly.
This is signed by John Ussher and witnessed by ? Hn SMILGAN, John HAMILTON, Godwin SWIFT, Pat. HAMILTON, ? Het. ROORKE and Ja. BELLINGS.
A memorandum is endorsed that on the fourth day of March 1672, livery and seizing and possession of the within mentioned lands and premises was given to Lord Glenawly by Wm. MOORE, esq., by virtue of the within letter of attorney in present of John YOUNGE and ? Forlay REAK X (his marke), Allan MOORE, Henry ? Emette, John ? DRUMMOND, GeorgeMONCRIEFFE, and Charles YOUNG.
(+ Sic in orig)
page9
I have taken the list of denominations from the original deed of feoffment, dated 3rd February, 1672-3. By far the greater number are obsolete, and I think forgotten. Some few are those in the map No. III., 17, of the escheated lands in Ulster, of 1609.
Evidently the copyist wrote them phonetically, and is not always consistent in his spelling. Sixmilecross, the modern name of a village on the estate, I can only trace back to 1695. It was anciently called Koragh, or as given in the list Carragh, the alias of Tullyneale, which still survives as the name of a hill above the village.
Shortly before selling the manor, Mr John USSHER appears to have given a fee-farm grant of a large townland now called Rosvacey, to Mr James GALBRAITH gentleman, at a rent of STG 10 a year late Irish currency. Mr GALBRAITH a descendant of the lessee still holds it. A few years ago it was put into the Landed Estates Court but withdrawn. From the sale rental it appears that the then rent was STG 732 12s 2d, or deducting head rent STG 9 4s 8d., and tithe-rentcharge STG 36 7s 6d, STG 687 net; whilst the tenement valuation was STG 561, and the acreage 1,128A 2R. 26P. The owner held part of it, and there were besides fifty-six principal holders. The following is the description of the tenure taken from the sale rental.
Tenure
By indenture, dated 9th July, 1672, made between JohnUSHER, and the city of Dublin esquire of the one part, and James GALBRAITH of Roscavey in the country of Tyrone gentleman, of the other part, the said John USHER granted unto the said James GALBRAITH, all that one balliboe or townland, commonly called or known by the name of Roscavey, situate lying and being within the proportion of land called the Ballybotagh of Ballylarkin [Ballintackin], together with all the arable land meadows pasture commons feedings bogs mountains woods underwoods loughs lakes rivers rivulets building edifices commodities and appurtenances thereunto belonging, except free liberty to the said John USHER, his heirs or assigns, of fishing, fowling, hunting, hawking, as also eyries of hawks and falcons. To hold the said premises until the said James GALBRAITH his heirs and assigns for ever, by what name or names soever they be called reputed or known, with their and every of their appurtenances, with all bounds mears and other advantages thereunto belonging or appertaining, in as full large and ample a manner to all intents and purposes, as ever the said premises were at any time theretofore held and enjoyed by Hugh GALBRAITH deceased, father unto the said James GALBRAITH, to be holden of the said John USHER, his heirs and assigns, as of his manor of Ballylarkin [Ballaintackin] aforesaid, by fealty and the articles and covenants thereinafter mentioned subject to the yearly rent of STG 10 payable at the chief mansion-house of the manor aforesaid, in the hall of the said house, at the feasts of Saint Michael the Archangel and Easter by even and equal portions. Said indenture contains a covenant by the said James Galbraith his heirs and assigns, to do suit and service at the courts-leet and courts-baron of the said John Usher, to be holden for the manor of Ballylarkin [Ballintackin], and that he should not commence actions and suits against any of the tenants within the said manor out of the said courts, unless it appeared that the value of that which they purposed to sue for amounted to 40 s or more.
*{I am not aware where the "chief mansion house of the manor" was situated. There is no trace of it.}
An indenture leading to the uses of a fine dated 26th June 1695, between Sir John Magill bart. Of Gillhall in the county of Down, and Arabella Susanna Lady Magill his wife of the first part ; Sir Tristram Beresford bart. of Coleraine in the county of Londonderry, and Nicola Sophia, Lady Beresford his wife, of the second part ; and Robert King of the city of Dublin, gent., of the third part ; recites that the said Arabella Susanna and Nicola Sophia were seized in fee as copartners, and that Sir John Magill and Sir Tristram Beresford were seized in right of their wives of the manor of Finagh alias Sixmilecross in the barony of Omagh ; and of the manor of Moynde alias Ballygawley in the barony of Clogher ; and also of courts-leet and courts-baron, view of frank-pledge and all that to view of frank-pledge doth appertaine, escheats of chattels felons waifs and fugitives, and all and singular fairs markets rights jurisdictions privileges and franchises to the said manors respectively belonging and in anywise appertaining ; and also of and in the several lands of Martry Artenmulloghy Crevenagh Killindry and Tullyvannan in the barony of Dungannon ; the said Arabella Susanna and Nicola Sophia being sisters and coheirs of William late Lord Baron of Glenawly, who was son and heir of Hugh late Lord Baron of Glenawly. It then recites that it had been agreed to divide the lands &c ; and that Sir John Magill and his wife were to have the manor of Finagh, with all its royalties and appurtenances, excepting out of it Upper and Lower Cloghfin Ballykeel Aghnagar and Eskermore, and that Sir Tristram and Lady Beresford were to take for their share the excepted lands of the manor of Finagh, together with the manor of Moynde alias Ballygawley, and the lands in the barony of Dungannon. The two first parties were to present to the advowson of Termonmaguirk alternately, drawing lots for the first turn.