McElroys in Drumgooland Parish
in the 18th & 19th Century
In 1965, my father commissioned the Ulster-Scot Historical Society to search for evidence of Henry McElroy's ancestors and family in Drumgooland Parish, County Down, Ireland. The data uncovered is reproduced here. A summary of the data is available on the page McElroy Ancestors in 18th century Drumgooland Parish
In addition, Phillip Westerman has kindly provided me with a copy of the list of communicants from 1841 from the Church Records for Leitrim Presbyterian Meeting House in Benraw Townland.
PRONI refers to the Public Records office of Northern Ireland.
Survey of Castlewellan Estate (Annesley-Glerawley lands) 1727
Leitrim, Drumgooland Parish: Muckleroy's Quarter 126 acres arable 3 acres bog
Nil for McElroy/Muckleroy in Benraw and Legananny
Manor of Castlewellan estate of Wm. Annesley 1742
List of Tenant's names (owned by Annesley-Glerawley family)
PRONI T.1025/113
William McIlbouy | Leitrim | |
William Mcilroy | Leitrim | 31 acres |
Bryan Macilroy | Leganany | |
John Mackilbouy | Benraw | 10 acres |
Daniel Mackilbouy | Benraw | 47 acres |
Patrick MacIllroy | Leitrim | 32 acres |
John MacIllroy | Leitrim | 29 acres |
Annesley Estate records
Leitrim (D.1503/1/14)
Lease dated 21st January 1774 - between Viscount Glerawley and Samuel McElroy, Farmer of Leitrim of parcel of ground 27 acres 2 roods in Leitrim, now in possession of said Samuel. For term of lives of said Samuel, Elizabeth his daughter aged one year and Wm. Woodson, son of John Woodson of Leitrim. Rent of £22 13 9 p.a.
Lease - Earl of Annesley 9th March 1813 to John McElroy Senr. Farmer of Leitrim of 14 acres 2 roods 12 perches. Rent £29 3 0 for term of lives of James Dodds, son of Wm. Dodds of Monnisland, aged 10 years. William, son to John Dodds of Ballymacaraney, aged two years and Sarah McElroy, daughter to lessee, aged 16 years. Small map attached to lease shows John's land adjacent to Robert McElroy. (Noted - expired).
Lease dated May 1812 of 9 acres 2 roods 30 perches. Rent £19 7 6 from Earl of Annesley to Robert McElroy Jr. of Leitrim, Farmer. For term of lives of John Dodds son to John Dodds Senr. Monnisland. Aged 4 years Wm. Deyell son to Robert Deyell of Leitrim aged 7 years and Sarah McElroy daughter to lessee. Aged 10 years. Map attached to Lease shows Robert McElroy adjacent to John McIlroy. (Expired)
Lease - Earl of Annesley to Andrew McElroy of Leitrim, farmer November 1806 of 5 acres 1 rood at rent of £6 16 6. For term of lives of Thomas Holmes, aged 25 year, Andrew Holmes, son to said Thomas Holmes, aged 3 years of Leitrim and Andrew McComb, son to David McComb of Drummaroad, aged 4 years. (Noted on lease - expired)
Lease - Earl of Annesley dated May 1812 to Wm. McElroy, farmer of Leitrim, of 5 acres at rent of £9. For term of lives of the said Wm. McElroy, lessee, Wm. McElroy Jr., aged 7 years and James McElroy, aged 5 years, sons of lessee. (Expired)
Lease - Earl of Annesley to John McElroy Jr. of Leitrim, Farmer, dated May 1812. Rent £8 14 0 5 acres. For term of lives of said John McElroy Jr., Lessee, Wm. McElroy, aged 16 years and John McElroy Jr., aged 14 years, sons of Lessee.
Lease - Lord Glerawley to Alexander McElroy, Leitrim, Farmer, dated 1st February 1777, of 31 acres 1 rood 4 perches. Rent £1312 5. For term of lives of said Alexander McElroy, Alexander son of said Alexander McElroy, aged three years, and John Gibboney, son of Alexander Gibboney of Kilkinamurry, aged 8 years.
Lease - Earl of Annesley to Robert Trix McElroy of Leitrim, farmer dated May 1812, 4 acres, rent £6 60. For term of lives of Henry McElroy, son to Alexander McElroy of Kilkinamurry, nephew to Lessee, aged 9 years. David McElroy, son to Lessee, aged 6 years, and Rose McElroy, daughter to lessee, aged 8 years. (Noted on lease - expired no date)
Lease - Lord Glerawley to Wm. McElroy of Leitrim, farmer, dated 13th November 1776 of 57 acres 3 roods 30 perches. Rent £25 7 6 for term of lives of said Wm. McElroy, Andrew his son, aged 16 years and David, his son, aged 10 years. (Noted on lease - expired no date).
Lease dated May 1812 Earl of Annesley to Robert Woodrow, Leitrim, farmer of 2 acres 3 roods 30 perches. Rent £5 11 7. For term of lives of said Robert Woodrow, Henry McElroy, son to Alex. McElroy of Kilkinamurry, aged 9 years, John McGibney son of John McGibney of Leitrim, aged 1 years. Sketch map attached to lease shows Robert Woodrow adjacent to Robert McElroy.
Legananny (D. 1503/1/13)
Lease dated 1810. Annesley to Daniel and John McIlroy. Farmers, 9 acres 2 roods 20 perches. Rent £11 11 0. For term of lives of John McIlroy Jr., son to John the lessee, age 12 years. Bernard McIlroy son to said John, age 8 years. Miss Elizabeth Biers daughter of Wm. Biers, Newcastle, age 10 years. Small map attached to Lease records above farm adjacent to land in occupation of James and John McIlroy.
Lease 19th October 1754. Landlord Annesley to Wm. Muccleroy of Benraw, of farm of land in Legananny of 34 acres 1 rood 0 perches. For natural lives of Patrick Muccleroy, eldest son of said Wm. Muccleroy, age 22 years. John, second son of said Wm., age 20 years, and Mary, 2nd daughter of said Wm., age six years.
Lease 19th October 1754. for 4.5 acres 2 roods 0 perches, same lives.
Lease dated 28th December 1808. Annesley to James and John McElroy, Legananny, Farmers. 15 acres 24. perches. For term of lives of John McElroy, son of aforesaid James, aged 30 years. Patrick, son to aforesaid John, aged 9 months and James Hanaty.
Lease - Annesley to John McElroy. Legananny dated 28th December 1808, 7 acres 2 roods 16 perches. For term of lives of John McElroy Jr., age 9 years, Barney McElroy, age 5 years, sons to said. John McElroy and George Wm. Law.
Lease - Annesley to James and John McElroy Legananny 26th August 1811, 9 acres 2 roods 15 perches. For lives of Patrick McElroy, son to John, the lessee, age 3 years. Barney Hanaty and Elizabeth Biers.
Lease - Glerawley to Bryan and John McIlroy, Legananny. Farmers. 2nd January 1780 of 18 acres 3 roods. For 31 years. Yearly rent £7 2
Lease - 19th October 1754. Annesley to Wm. Muccleroy, Legananny, Farmer, 4.5 acres 2 roods 24. perches. For term of lives the lessee, Samuel, 4th son, age 17 years, and Robert, youngest son of said Wm., age 11 years.
Benraw (D.1503/1/8)
Lease - Annesley to Wm. McIlroy of Benraw. Farmer, 10th March 1800, of 20 acres 0 roods 17 perches. Rent £20 2 1 For term of lives of said Wm., Patrick, his son, age one year, and James Conalty.
Lease - Annesley to Wm. McIlroy 13th August 1806 of Benraw. Farmer 17 acres. Rent £17 0 1 For term of lives of Patrick McIlroy, aged about 7 years, Anna, aged 3 years, children of aforesaid William.
Parish of Drumgooland, Co. Down
PRONI Mic.1/40
Baptisms 1779-1792
31 October 1779 | John son of William and Mary Macalroy Leitrim, Drumgooland. |
23 April 1780 | Patrick, son of Henry and Elizabeth Macalroy, Leitrim. |
21 July 1782 | Mary Ann, daughter of Wm. and Mary McElroy, Leitrim. |
11 September 1782 | Mary, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth McElroy, Leitrim. |
28 November 1782 | John, son of Samuel and Anne McElroy, Leitrim. |
26 June 1783 | James, son of Henry and Mary McElroy, Leitrim. |
14 November 1783 | Robert, son of Henry and Elizabeth McElroy, Leganany. |
14 March 1784 | John, son of John McElroy of Leitrim, and Mary Wright, his wife. |
10 June 1784 | Ann, daughter of Robert McElroy of Leitrim, and Rachel Carson, his wife. |
16 April 1786 | Elizabeth daughter of John McIlroy, Leitrim, and Jane Telford, his wife. |
25 June l786 | Martha, daughter of Samuel McElroy and Sarah Wright, his wife, Leitrim. |
22 May 1787 | David, son of Thomas McElroy, Leitrim and Isabella Malcomson, his wife. |
8 July 1787 | Margaret, daughter of Robert McElroy, Leitrim, and Rachel Carson, his wife. |
21 January 1788 | Sarah, daughter of John McElroy, Ballybrick, and Mary Livingston, his wife. |
13 April 1788 | Jane, daughter of John McElroy, Leitrim and Jane Telford, his wife. |
21 August 1788 | Rachel, daughter of David McElroy Leitrim, and Ann Carson, his wife. |
20 September 1789 | John, son of Samuel McElroy, Closkelt, and Sarah Wright, his wife. |
15 December 1789 | Patrick, son of Robert McElroy Leitrim, and Rachel Carson, his wife. |
25 March 1792 | Elizabeth daughter of Henry McElroy of Leitrim and Ann Telford his wife. |
Blank 1793-1833
Marriages 1779-1790; 1834-1837
Nil for McElroy
Burials 1778-1791
Nil for McElroy
Burials 1839-l842. Burials 1842-1896
Charles McElroy Leitrim 6th May 1887 age 76 years.
Samuel McElroy Leitrim 25th June 1896 age 92 years.
Presbyterian church registers for Leitrim not preserved prior to the 1830s.
List of Voters, Co. Down
PRONI D.654./A3/IB
Deputy Court Cheque Book 1790
John McIlroy | Benraw | 1768 (date of lease registration) |
Patrick McIlroy | Benraw | 1768 (date of lease registration) |
William McIlroy | Leitrim | 1768 (date of lease registration) |
Robert McIlroy | Leitrim | 1768 (date of lease registration) |
Robert McIlroy | Leitrim | 1781 (date of lease registration) |
Alexander McIlroy | Leitrim | 1781 (date of lease registration) |
John McIlroy | Leitrim | 1759 (date of lease registration) |
Nil for McIlroy in Legananny
Note - the lives in the above leases not noted
Downshire Letters D.607
June 12, 1798. Letter F. Canton to Lord Downshire.
"The York Fencibles and Newtownards Yeomen fell into an ambuscade in a wood near Saintfield ... Capt. Chetwynd was killed ... The Monaghan Militia and 22nd Dragoons went to revenge his death. The rebels hanged two men at Ballynahinch for not joining them and burnt a house with four children near Kate McKay's bridge.
The people have been 'warned' and I expect every moment to hear of their rising. Cleland, Lord Londonderry's agent is mustered ... Lucas Waring and Corry with twenty of my yeomen are this moment returned from Mourne with a number of prisoners and fifty stand of arms all loaded and better flints than in Newry. Marmions, McElroys etc. are amongst the number - all taken in their houses".
List of Protestant Dissenters 1775 (T.808/15307)
Hugh McIlroy, Drumgooland Parish
John McIlroy, Drumgooland Parish
Index to Dromore Grant Book 1790-1814.
PRONI T.283.B
Marriage License John McIlroy and Rose Adams of Drumgooland, 4th February 1808. Bond, giving full particulars, destroyed in Dublin in 1922.
List of Voters Co. Down 1813-1821
PRONI D.654./IG
Leitrim
Landlord: Earl of Annesley | ||
John McElroy Senr. | Lease for lives of James and William Dodds and Sarah McElroy | 1813, 1819. |
Robert McElroy | Lease for lives of John Dodds, Wm. Deyell and Sarah McElroy | 1813, 1818. |
Robert McElroy | Lives of Henry, David and Rose McElroy | 1813. |
John McElroy | For lives of John McElroy Senr. and Jr. and William McElroy | 1813. |
William McElroy | For lives of William McElroy, William McElroy Jr. and James McElroy | 1813. |
John McElroy | For lives of John William and John McElroy Jr. | 1819. |
Landlord: Glerawley | ||
Samuel McElroy | For lives of Alexander McElroy Senr. and Jr. and Alexander Gibney | 1813, 1819. |
Henry McElroy | For lives of William Andrew and David. McElroy. | 1813, 1819 |
William McElroy | For lives of Samuel and Elizabeth McElroy and Wm. Woodrow | 1813. |
Landlord: William McElroy | ||
Andrew McElroy | For lives of William, Andrew, and David McElroy | 1813 |
Landlord: Henry McElroy | ||
William McElroy | For lives of William, Andrew, and David McElroy | 1813, 1819 |
Landlord: Alexander McElroy Senr. | ||
John McElroy | For term of lives of Alexander McElroy, John Gibbony and Alexander McElroy Jr. | 1815. |
Alexander McElroy | For lives of Alexander McElroy Senr. John Gibbony and Alexander McElroy | 1818. |
William McElroy | For lives of Alexander McElroy Senr. John Gibbony and Alexander McElroy Jr. | 1819. |
Legananny
Landlord: Earl of Annesley | ||
John McElroy | For lives of Pat. McElroy Barney Hanaty and Elizabeth Beers | 1813. |
John McElroy Senr. | For lives of John McElroy Jr. Bernard McElroy and Elizabeth Beers | 1813. |
Index to Dromore Newry and Mourne Administration Bonds to 1858
Patrick McIlroy | Kilkinamurry, Drumgooland Parish | 1828 |
John McIlroy | Leganany, Drumgooland Parish | 1854 |
Robert McElroy | Drumgooland Parish | 1799 |
Above Wills destroyed in 1922
Index to Down Diocesan Wills to 1858
nil for McElroy or McIlroy
Index to Dromore Wills 1678-1858
Alexander McElroy | Leitrim | 1812 |
Alexander McElroy | Kilkinamurry, Garvaghy Parish | 1845 |
Felix McElroy | Crocknafoil or Backaderry, Drumgooland | 1808 |
Hugh McElroy | Dree | 1834 |
James McElroy | (no address) | 1751 |
John McElroy | Leitrim | 1785 |
John McElroy | Benraw | 1797 |
John McElroy | Leitrim | 1833 |
John McElroy | Leitrim | 1741 |
John McElroy | Leitrim | (lodged) 1849 |
Samuel McElroy | Leitrim | 1787 |
William McElroy | (no address) | 1836 |
William McElroy | Leitrim | 1848 |
William McIlroy | Leitrim | 1779 |
Patrick McIlroy | Drumgooland Parish (townland not noted) | 1799 |
Above Wills destroyed in 1922
Dromara Presbyterian Church mid-18th century
Nil for McIlroy
Tithe Applotment Book, Drumgooland Parish 1829
PRONI FIN.V.122
The townlands listed are:
- Ballynagenety
- Ballymagreehan
- Gargory
- Magheramayo
Leitrim and other townlands in the Parish not noted.
Valuation of Tenements, Co. Down 1863
Leitrim
Samuel McIlroy Senr. Landlord, Earl Annesley. House office and land 18 acres I rood 10 perches. Ann. Valn. £12 15 0.
John McIlroy (John Bog) Landlord, Earl Annesley. House office and land 27 acres 3 roods 15 perches. Ann. Valn. £14. 10 0.
Samuel McIlroy (John) Jr. Landlord, Earl Annesley. House offices and land 21 acres 0 roods 10 perches. Ann. Valn. £13 10 0.
John McIlroy (Robert) Landlord, Earl Annesley. House offices and land 17 acres 1 rood 30 perches. Ann. Valn. £14. 0 0.
Charles McIlroy Landlord, Earl Annesley. House offices and land 21 acres 3 roods 25 perches. Ann. Valn. £14 10 0.
John McIlroy (John wee) Landlord, Earl Annesley. House offices and land 9 acres 2 roods 25 perches. Ann. Valn. £7 5 0.
Kilkinamurry
Alex. McIlroy, Landlord, Black. Two houses. 90 acres. Ann. Valn. £59 15 0.
John McIlroy Landlord, Black. House and 6 acres. Ann. Valn. £5 5 0.
Robert McIlroy, Landlord, Black. House offices and 24. acres. Ann. Valn. £18 15 0.
Henry McIlroy, Landlord, McKibben. House and small garden. Ann. Valn. 15/-.
Gravestones in Ballyrony Presbyterian Church graveyard
Robert McIlroy
SHANNAGHAN
no further particulars
Leitrim Presbyterian Church graveyard
Erected by William Henry McIlroy,
In memory of his wife,
Margaret, died 13th March 1903,
Also his sons,
Isaac, Died. 10th June 1908,
James, Died 15th May 1928.
Farm owned by McIlroy in Benraw - less than a quarter mile from this Church.
Dechomet Old Graveyard
Here lieth the body of John McElroy of Legananny, Senr., who departed this life the 10th day of April AD 1885, aged 71 years.
Drumgooland Parish Church
In Memorium
William McIlroy
Leitrim
Died. 20th Nov. 1926
Elizabeth McIlroy
Died 27th April 1938
John McIlroy died 6th Sept. 1939
Drumadonnell Graveyard
Old Burial Ground (about 2 mile from Ballyward) Nil for McElroy
Will Calendars 1858-1890
McElroy, John, effects £500. Late of Leitrim, Co. Down, farmer, deceased. Died 6th March, Will proved at Belfast 11th June 1880 by Hugh Hanna and R. Dalzell, 1879
Will of Samuel McElroy, Leitrim, Co. Down, farmer, died 4th February 1883 at same place. Proved at Belfast by Robert McMurray Gransha in said County and John Tedford of Leitrim Farmers, the executors 23rd May 1883. Effects £199 14 8
Will of Charles McIlroy (with one codicil) late of Leitrim, Co. Down. Farmer, who died 5th May 1887 at same place. Proved at Belfast 2nd December 1887 by John McIlroy (John Robin) and Robert Fee, both of Leitrim, Farmers and executors. Effects £346.
McElroy, Alexander effects £686 15 6. Late of Saint Stephen, County of Charlotte, New Brunswick, gent. died 25th November 1886 at same place. Letter of Admon with the Will annexed were granted at Dublin to James McGaw of Leitrim, Co. Down, school teacher, the attorney of the executors (Grant destroyed).
Communicants List -- 1841
Phillip Westerman kindly provided me with a copy of the list of communicants from 1841 from the Church Records for Leitrim Presbyterian Meeting House in Benraw Townland.
Names of Communicants1841 The ordinance of the Lord's Supper was dispensed in the congregation
of Leitrim on the 9th of May to one hundred and fourteen communicants.
Nine of these were admitted for the first time, all of whom were examined but one,
who produced a certificate.
Of these nine, six are heads of families & some of them are pretty far advanced in life.
The following are the names of all of the communicants at present in the congregation.
Those admitted for the first time are marked thus (1). | |||
Leitrim |
Legananny |
Slievenaboley |
|
Samuel McElroy Mary McElroy Samuel Holmes (1) Mary Holmes (1) Rose McElroy Elizabeth McElroy John McElroy Nancy McElroy James McElroy (1) Martha McElroy Henry Tedford Mary Tedford Ann Dalzell Thomas Holmes Mary Holmes Eliza Holmes Ann Holmes Jane Holmes Ann Martin Mary McCrakin John Baker |
Hugh Thompson
Thomas Holmes Jane Holmes Elanor Holmes Samuel Dalzell Sr Samuel Dalzell Jr Mary Dalzell Jane Edmonson Mary Magill Robert Steele Sarah Steele James Steele Agnes Matier William Haslitt Ann Haslitt John Davison Sarah Davison Jane Jonston John Westerman Jane Westerman Sarah Whiteside |
Samuel Hart (Sr) Hanna Hart Andrew Hart Martha Hart Samuel Hart (Jr) Elanor Hart James McCrackin Jane McCrackin John Graham Christiana Graham David McCrackin Elizabeth McCrackin Margaret McCrackin Elizabeth McCrackin Thomas McCrackin Mary McCrackin Robert McCrackin Samuel McCrackin Mary McCrackin James McCrackin Eliza Jane McCrackin |
Hugh Bradford Agnes Bradford Elanor Bradford Elanor Archer (1) John Coborn (1) Jane Coborn Robert Hart Margaret Hart Ann McCrackin Robert McCrackin Jane Simpson David Simpson Agnes Simpson Ann Bradford (1) David McCrackin Elanor McCrackin Margaret McCrackin Agnes Bradford Agnes McCrackin Sarah Jane Bradford |