Desert (a Wilderness or Deserted Place) is a 377-acre acre townland within Leckpatrick parish in north Co. Tyrone. Located on the Derry Road between Ballymagorry and the River Foyle, Desert belonged to the Manor of Cloghogall within the extensive Abercorn Estate. The Abercorn Papers form a very large collection in PRONI, Belfast, which includes title deeds, rentals, leases and correspondence relating to the Tyrone and Donegal estates, some commencing in the early seventeenth century. The following data has been extracted from LDS microfilms; researchers should consult the comprehensive Family History Library catalogue for a description of this microfilmed archive. Alternatively, the originals may be viewed at PRONI, 66 Balmoral Ave., Belfast.
SURVEY AND VALUATION OF THE MANOR OF CLOGHOGALL (ABERCORN ESTATE) 1777
DESART:
James Docherty
John Willson
William Moor
RENTAL FOR THE MANOR OF CLOGHOGALL (ABERCORN ESTATE) 1787
DESART:
Upper:
Robert Heasty
William Moor
Humphrey Moor
James Moor
Middle & the Islands:
John Wilson
William Smith
James Smith
Joseph Smith
John Smith
Lower:
Hugh Dougherty
James McBeth
John White
John Gormley
William White
David White
TITHE APPLOTMENTS: LECKPATRICK PARISH 1827
DESART:
Lower:
John & David White
James Doherty
Widow McBay
John White
Widow Gormley
John Gormley
Upper:
Edward Loague, Jacob Moore & James Smyth
Middle:
William Smith, John Wilson & Edward Loague
RENTAL FOR THE MANOR OF CLOGHOGALL (ABERCORN ESTATE) 1833
DESART:
Tenants as per Former Leases and Occupying Leases:
John & David White
James Doherty
Widow McBeth (James Gormly)
William White
Widow Gormly
John Gormly
Widow Smyth (Francis Smith)
John Wilson (John Wilson)
John Smith (William & James Loag)
Archibald & Andrew Heasty (Patrick & Edward Loag)
& partners (James Smyth & Jacob Moor)
RENTAL FOR THE MANOR OF CLOGHOGALL (ABERCORN ESTATE) 1848
DESART:
James WhiteGRIFFITHS VALUATION: LECKPATRICK PARISH 1858
DESERT:
A List of Occupiers and Immediate Lessors: