Ordnance Survey Memoirs
The following extract is from "Ordnance Survey Memoirs of Ireland – Parishes of County Antrim II 1832 – 1838". Thanks to The Institute of Irish Studies, The Queen’s University of Belfast for permission to use this extract.
Parish of Derryaghy
Turnaroy Fort.In Turnaroy and holding of John McAreavy there stands the ruins of clay fort. Nothing of it now remains but 8 by 6 yards of the area. It is locally said that hay mown off this fort, harvest 1807, was swept away to Turnacrumble, an eminence about 1 English mile distant from it, by some invisible agents. However, the occupiers of the farm in which it is situated hold it to be a very gentle place and would not permit a scythe to be laid to its surface from the above period to the present.
Turnaroy Standing Stones
In Turnaroy and holding of John Dornan there is a standing stone 2 and a half feet high, 1 and a half feet broad and 1 foot thick. Informants John Walker and others. On a mountain in the above town land and holding of John McAreavy there stood 3 stone columns locally called the Three Standing Stones. They stood nearly in a direct line on a distance of 26 feet. One of them was broken down to the surface at some former period and the other two lay prostrate on the ground. One of the latter measured 7 feet long, 3 feet broad and 2 feet 2 inches thick. The other is 6 feet long, 2 and a half feet broad and 2 feet 2 inches thick. These to stood 8 feet distant from each other and the third 11 feet distant. This one is said to have been equal to the others in size. It is the local opinion that they were 3 finger stones cast there from the seashore by the 2 giants. However, they were evidently erected here for some particular purpose and carried from some remote distance, as none of the same description could be got near their berth. Informants Richard Drane and John McAreavy.
Bridges.
Turnaroy bridge on a leading road between Belfast and Glenavy and over a river which divides Derraghy and Shankill parishes, as also Turnaroy and Hannahstown, has 1 arch, span 12 feet. Breadth of the road on bridge 21 feet 6 inches, average height parapets 2 feet 6 inches, thickness of parapets 1 foot 6 inches, length of the parapets on either side of the road 35 yards. All in good repair and built of whinstone. This bridge was erected in 1822, engineer the late John Kidd, cost not locally known. The line of road on which this bridge is situated averages 21 feet wide clear of banks or fences and is kept up by presentment; all within the above parish.
Gentle Bushes.
In Turnaroy and holding of Widow Magaw there stands an ancient thorn locally called a gentle bush, which is said to have been often illuminated by night and different sorts of music and rejoicings heard from it.
Markets
Torneroy: markets Lisburn and Belfast; conveyance: cars and carts: prices: oats 6s 6d per cwt. Oatmeal 11s 6d per cwt, potatoes 1s per cwt; charges for conveyance; 3s per load of about 8 or 10 cwt; produce: oats and potatoes ; soil gravelly ; manures: dung ; surface: gently undulating; flax: very little ; spinning: very little, 1d ha‘penny can be earned by day; weaving: a little linen and calico but a good deal for home use; pasture land: mostly pasture (mountain); basalt in this town land; average produce: 100 bushels of potatoes per acre, 8 or 9 cwt of oats per acre.
Death Notice – Maria Watters
The following is an extract from the Belfast Newsletter dated 7th February 1879 and appears with permission of the Belfast Newsletter.
Death
Watters – February 6, at her residence, Turneroy, Maria, relict of the late John Watters, aged 85 years. Her remains will be removed for interment in Dundrod Burying Ground tomorrow (Saturday) at twelve o’clock noon. Friends will please accept this intimation.
Public Auction – Farm in Torneroy
The following is an extract from the Belfast News Letter dated Saturday 10th January 1880 and appears with permission of the Belfast Newsletter
Sales by Auction
Sale this day
Valuable farm of land for saleSituate in the Townland of Torneroy, County Antrim, by kind permission of the Landlord, Sir Richard Wallace, Bart.
To be sold by public auction, on the premises, on Saturday, the 10th day of January, at the hour of Twelve o’clock noon, all the estate and interest of Mr. James Dornan of, in, and to all that valuable farm of land, situate in the townland of Torneroy, containing 43a 1r 14p English statute measure, or thereabouts, held by lease, dated 1st November, 1823, for two lives (one of which is still in being), subject to the yearly rent of £14 1s 8d and 14s 1d for Receiver’s salary.
There is a good Dwelling House and Office Houses erected on the lands, which are in good repair, and the greater portion of the Lands are in a good state of cultivation.The Farm is situate about five miles from the Belfast markets.
For further particulars as to title, conditions of sale, &c, apply to
H & W Seeds, Solicitors, 47 Upper Arthur Street, Belfast. George Briggs, Auctioneer, Lisburn
Funding for New Roads
The following is an extract from the Belfast News Letter dated 4th February 1890 and appears with permission of the Belfast Newsletter.
Upper Belfast Presentment Sessions.
"…..The presentments passed were for £2717 10d and this sum included one of £520 for making 190 perches of road from Belfast to Antrim, in the townlands of Tornaroy and Divis, an equal amount for the construction of a new road or hill-cutting on seventy perches of road from Belfast to Glenavy, in the townland of Derriaghy….."
Tenders Called – Tornaroy Old Bridge
The following is an extract from the Belfast News Letter dated 9th July 1891 and appears with permission of the Belfast Newsletter.
County Notices.
List of applications to be tendered for at summer assizes, 1891.
Upper Belfast
"12 – To repair a breach and make a pipe on road from Belfast to Antrim, at Tornaroy Old Bridge, in the townland of Tornaroy – £6."
James Adams claims for Malicious Injury
The following is an extract from the Belfast News Letter dated 16th June 1896 and appears with permission of the Belfast Newsletter.
Malicious Injury Claims
James Adams claimed £15 for malicious injury to a house at Tornaroy, Derriaghy. Mr. J. Moorehead appeared for the claimant, and Mr. Joseph Donnelly opposed on behalf of the cesspayers. The claim was rejected.
Valuable Grazing Lands for Sale by Auction
The following is an extract from the Belfast News Letter dated 11th November 1898 and appears with permission of the Belfast Newsletter.
Tornaroy, Hannahstown.
Valuable grazing lands for sale by auction.
We have received instructions from Mr. Jonathan Gordon and Mrs. Ellen W. Gordon to sell by auction at our property mart, 24 Arthur Street, Belfast on Friday, 18th November, 1898, at one o’clock,
The following lands:-
Lot 1 – lands, containing 35a 0r 33p statue measure, or thereabouts, situate in Tornaroy, Hannahstown, near Belfast, held for ever, subject to an annuity of £7 to the Irish Land Commission, payable half yearly for ten years from 1st May 1897, and thenceforth to the same or such other annuity as may be substituted therefor, until the advance to £175, is paid off.
Lot 2 – Lands, containing 24a, 3r 30p. Statute measure, or thereabouts, adjoining Lot 1, held for ever, subject to an annuity of £4 16s to the Irish Land Commission, payable half-yearly for ten years from 1st May 1897, and thenceforth to the same or such other annuity as may be substituted therefor, until the advance made by the Land Commission, amounting to £120 is paid off.
Lot 3 – Lands, containing 18 statute acres, or thereabouts, adjoining Lots 1 and 2, held forever, subject to an annuity of £3 to the Irish Land Commission, payable half-yearly for ten years from 1st May, 1897, and thenceforth to the same or such other annuity as may be substituted therefor, until the advance made by the Land Commission, amounting to £75, is paid off.
The lands, which are about five miles distant from Belfast, and adjoin the county road leading from Belfast to Glenavy, are in pasture and meadow, and are well watered. They will be offered in one, two, or three lots, as may be arranged at the Sale.
For further particulars as to title &c., apply to Carson & McDowell, Solicitors, 51 Royal Avenue, Belfast.
Ferguson & Harvey, Auctioneers, 24 Arthur Street, Belfast and Lisburn.
Procession of Belfast Nationalists to Hannahstown
The following is an extract from the Belfast News Letter dated 6th June 1899 and appears with permission of the Belfast Newsletter.
United Irish League
Nationalist Demonstration.
Procession to Hannahstown.Serious disturbances in the city.
The Riot Act read.
Charges by the military.Numerous arrests.
"The procession of Belfast Nationalists to Hannahstown yesterday was arranged professedly "in furtherance of the objects of the United Irish League," but the fact that it was held practically on the anniversary of the "98" demonstration which gave rise to much serious outbreaks of disorder last year lent to it a different complexion, and rendered the parade more objectionable in the eye of loyal citizens………..
Men, women and children joined in the parade, presenting the demeanour of day excursionists rather than political enthusiasts. It was in the former capacity that most of them strode through the dust, under the scorching glare of an early summer sun, through streets, roads, and winding lanes, to their meeting place. This was the field resorted to by the rebel demonstrators of last year, skirted by the Tornaroy Road, and commanding a fine view of McCance’s Glen and Colin Hill……"
PRONI Will Calendars
The following information is taken from the will calendars in the PRONI and are reproduced with kind permission of Deputy Keeper of the Records, Public Record Office of Northern Ireland.
Owen Gribben
Date of Death 19 06 1860
Date of Grant 17 02 1864
Effects under £50
Registry: BelfastFull Abstract:
The Will of Owen Gribben late of Torneroy in the County of Antrim Farmer deceased who died 19 June 1860 at same place was proved at Belfast by the oath of Daniel Gribben of Torneroy (Lisburn) aforesaid Farmer one of the Executors.
Catherine Dean
Date of Death 11 10 1871
Date of Grant 08 11 1871
Effects under £200
Registry: BelfastFull Abstract:
The Will of Catherine Dean late of Turnaroy County Antrim Widow deceased who died 11 October 1871 at same place was proved at Belfast by the oaths of Patrick Dean (Farmer) John Burns (Farmer) and Catherine Dean (Spinster) all of Turnaroy (Dunmurry) aforesaid the Executors.
Eaver McNally
Date of Death 27 10 1876
Date of Grant 12 11 1877
Effects under £450
Registry: BelfastFull Abstract:
The Will of Eaver M’Nally late of Budore County Antrim Farmer deceased who died 27 October 1876 at same place was proved at Belfast by the oaths of Eaver M’Nally of Budore and Patrick Deane of Turneroy both in (Dunmurry Belfast) same County Farmers the Executors.
John McAuley
Date of Death 17 01 1877
Date of Grant 02 02 1877
Effects under £800
Registry: BelfastFull Abstract:
The Will (with one Codicil) of John M’Auley late of Turneygroph County Antrim Farmer deceased who died 17 January 1877 at same place was proved at Belfast by the oaths of Patrick Dean of Turneroy and James Tolan of Turneygroph both in same County Farmers the Executors.
John Burns
Date of Death 05 02 1884
Date of Grant 23 05 1884
Effects £41 15s
Registry: BelfastFull Abstract:
The Will of John Burns late of Torneroy County Antrim Farmer who died 5 February 1884 at same place was proved at Belfast by Mary Burns of Torneroy Widow one of the Executors.
Mary Burns
Date of Death 31 08 1886
Date of Grant 17 09 1886
Effects £45
Registry: BelfastFull Abstract:
Letters of Administration of the personal estate of Mary Burns late of Torneroy County Antrim Widow who died 31 August 1886 at same place were granted at Belfast to James Burns of Torneroy Farmer a Child.
Rose Megann
Date of Death 07 09 1886
Date of Grant 15 10 1886
Effects £133 19s
Registry: BelfastFull Abstract:
The Will of Rose Megann late of Ballymoney Hannahstown County Antrim Spinster who died 7 September 1886 at same place was proved at Belfast by Eliza Ann M’Quillan of Ballymoney Widow and Patrick Deane of Turneroy in said County Farmer two of the Executors.
Adam Brown
Date of Death 01 03 1888
Date of Grant 23 03 1888
Effects £64 6s 3d
Registry: BelfastFull Abstract:
Letters of Administration of the personal estate of Adam Brown late of Turnaroy County Antrim Farmer who died 1 March 1888 at same place were granted at Belfast to Sarah Brown of Turnaroy the Widow.
John Gordon
Date of Death 01 11 1899
Date of Grant 29 10 1902
Effects £265
Registry: BelfastFull Abstract:
Administration of the unadministered estate of John Gordon late of Tornaroy County Antrim Farmer who died 1 November 1899 granted at Belfast to Margaret Gordon Spinster
Catherine Gordon
Date of Death 19 08 1902
Date of Grant 17 09 1902
Effects under £208 9s 6d
Registry: BelfastFull Abstract:
Probate of the Will of Catherine Gordon late of Tornaroy Hannahstown County Antrim Widow who died 19 August 1902 at 51 Cullingtree-road Belfast granted at Belfast to Francis Carberry Dealer and Mary Carberry Married Woman.
William McClurg
Date of Death 29 08 1905
Date of Grant 27 10 1905
Effects £157 6s
Registry: BelfastFull Abstract:
Probate of the Will of William M’Clurg late of Tornaroy County Antrim Farmer who died 29 August 1905 granted at Belfast to Rose M’Clurg the Widow.
James Porter
Date of Death 10 10 1905
Date of Grant 17 11 1905
Effects £572 9s 5d
Registry: BelfastFull Abstract:
Administration of the estate of James Porter late of Tornaroy Hannahstown County Antrim Farmer who died 10 October 1905 at Ballyutoag said County granted at Belfast to John Porter Farmer.
Patrick Begley
Date of Death 19 02 1909
Date of Grant 15 03 1909
Effects £468 5s 3d
Registry: BelfastFull Abstract:
Administration of the Estate of Patrick Begley late of Tornaroy Hannahstown County Antrim Farmer who died 19 February 1909 granted at Belfast to John Begley Farmer.
John Begley
Date of Death 14 01 1913
Date of Grant 28 04 1913
Effects £294 19s 8d
Registry: BelfastFull Abstract:
Administration of the Estate of John Begley late of Tornaroy County Antrim Farmer who died 14 January 1913 granted at Belfast to Elizabeth Begley the Widow
Henry Burns
Date of Death 23 10 1916
Date of Grant 29 11 1916
Effects £201 5s 0d
Registry: BelfastFull Abstract:
Administration of the Estate of Henry Burns late of Tornaroy Hannahstown County Antrim Farmer who died 23 October 1916 granted at Belfast to Collins Burns Farmer