Tag Archives: Dirricrevy

Armagh Plantations, Dirricrevy and Dromully Manors, 1622

(4) The Manors of Dirricrevy and Dromully (3,000 acres).


These proportions were granted to Lord Saye and Seale. His Lordship did not, however, take possession so the lands were passed to Sir Anthony Cope, Knt. July 5, 1611, but whether by purchase or because of the original grantee’s defection is uncertain. Carew informs us that Sir Anthony had sent over a sufficient overseer and assistant, both of
whom were resident in 1611. A fair castle of free stone was then in process of erection upon which 14 or 15 workmen and 9 carpenters were employed, 16 mares and horses being engaged upon the transport of materials from a quarry some eight miles away. This castle, commonly called Castleraw, survives in a somewhat fragmentary condition in the townland of Ballyrath in the Dirricrevy proportion and is not to be confused With the bawn of lime and stone described by Pynnar eight years later who, curiously enough, makes no mention of the castle, contenting himself with noting 2 water-mills and 1 windmill with 24 houses erected near the bawn. The latter with the houses and mills was situate, however, on the portion known as Dromully close to the lake where its walls now enclose a garden.

In 1622 the castle at Ballyrath is referred to as “a house of lime and stone three and a half storys high” wherein Anthony Cope, Esq. resides with his wife and family. At that time the bawn on the Dromully proportion had “four good flankers three of which contained small buildings of lime and stone 2 ½ storys high in one of which William Pierson dwells” the latter the ancestor of the Pearsons of Loughgall and Kilmore parishes. On the two estates there were then 72 men furnished with arms and 40 Irish families.

Sir Anthony Cope of Hanwell in Oxfordshire is believed to have purchased these lands for the benefit of his second and third sons, Anthony and Richard, but if so he took out the Patent in his own name and by his will settled his County Armagh property upon his son Anthony. There must, however, have been some kind of family arrangement for Richard was subsequently of Drumilly.

Sir Anthony was born in 1548 and in 1606 admitted to Gray’s Inns. He was High Sheriff of Oxfordshire three times between 1582 and 1603, and also served as a Member of Parliament for Banbury and Oxford. Having presented to the Speaker a Puritan revision of the Common Prayer Book and a bill abrogating the existing ecclesiastical law he
was committed to the Tower and there remained from February 26, 1586, until March 23. 1587.

In 1606, and again in 1612, he entertained James I at Hanwell and in June of the year previous to the King’s second visit was created a baronet. He died at Hanwell and was buried there in the family vault July 23. 1615.

Sir Anthony was succeeded at Hanwell by his eldest son William for whom he had purchased an estate in County Tyrone. Sir William, however, did not retain his Irish property, which by 1633 had passed from his ownership into other hands. Five years later he died leaving a son John, ancestor of the succeeding baronets down to the eleventh baronet at whose death in 1851 the title reverted to the Rev. William Henry Cope of whom later. Anthony Cope, second son of Sir Anthony above, was the builder of Castleraw alias Ballyrath and possibly of Drumilly also, leaving with other issue a son Henry who succeeded him at Castleraw but later moved to Loughgall and was the ancestor of the Copes of the Manor and of a son Anthony who settled in Dublin and was the direct ancestor of the above mentioned Rev. Sir William Henry Cope, from whom the present and 15th baronet. Sir Anthony M.L. Cope descends.

Castleraw was badly damaged in the Civil War of 1641 and is not believed to have been repaired. It seems to have been of the fortified manor-house type and was enclosed by a ramparted trench much of which remains in tolerable order.

Drumilly an interesting old mansion. occupies a fine position on a hill overlooking the lake, its crannoge and the old Drumilly bawn, with an excellent prospect of the Loughgall Manor House on a like eminence on the opposite shore. In the Civil War of 1641 Richard Cope the then owner was taken prisoner with his wife and two sons at Monaghan, in which county he also had lands, and imprisoned at Carrickmacross. His son Walter returned to Drumilly and after the Restoration is believed to have built the present house. He was resident there in 1673 when visited by Archbishop Oliver Plunkett whom he describes in a letter as ” a man of gentle birth and much learning.”

The Cope estate was largely increased in the 18th century by the acquisition of the Manor of Mountnorris in April 1738 and the Manor of Grange O’Neiland in the same year.

from from “County Armagh In 1622 A Plantation Survey”
Edited byT. G. F. PATERSON, M.A., M.R.I.A. published in Seanchás Ardmhaca

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Plantation Survey, 1622, Co. Armagh and Co. Tyrone

A brief survey of the present estate of the plantations in the counties of Armagh and Tyone, taken by the Ld. Caulfield and Sir. Dudley Diggs and Sr. Nathaniel Rich, Knts. Anno DnI 1622.


County of Ardmagh.

The Precinct of Oneylan, allotted to English Undertakers.

(1) William Bromlow Esqr. hath 2 Proportions, vizt. Dewcorran
containing 1500 acres, upon which is built a good. howse or Castle of stone, and Brick, lay’d with lime, 3 stories high, wherein himself, his wife, and Familie, now inhabite; This house is compassed with a strong Bawne of lyme, and stone, 159 foot long, 93 foot broad, and 14 foot in height, with a fair Flancker square to the South East; and he is purposed to make another opposite; he hath made neer adjoyning a good Village, consisting of 40 howses, inhabited with English Tenants, on both sides the streete, in which a good Windemill stands.
1500 acres.

He hath also an other proportion; called Ballynemony, where he hath built a howse of lyme and stone, standing within an Island; In which, one Wilfred Trueman dwelleth, and holds this howse & 60 acres of land in Fee Simple.
(60 acres) (Should actually read 1000 acres)
Upon both Proportions.
Freeholders, vizt.

3 Haveing 10 acres apiece
5 haveing 60 acres apeece.

Leaseholders, and Cottagers.
1 haveing 140 acres.
1 haveing 200 acres.
2 haveing 120 acres apeece.
2 haveing 100 acres apeece.
2 haveing 60 acres apeece.
4 haveing 50 acres apeece.

The rest some have 40 acres, some 30, some 20, some 11, and some less, but all have some Land to their houses for 21 yeares and some for longer tearmes ; they are able to bring 160 men into the ffeild, armed with Pikes, Callivers, or other Weapons; and he hath in his Castle Shott, and Pikes for fiftie men; But there are on these Proportions, (as we are crediblie informed) 24 Irish Families.
(2) Three miles from thence, the Lord Grandison hath a Proportion called Kirnarn, containeing 1000 acres, which he purchased of James Matchett; upon which there is builded a smale Timber Howse thatched & compassed about with a Ditch, & a quicksett hedge ; But we are informed his Lordship intends very shortly, to build a stone howse & a Bawne upon it.

In this howse there now liveth two poor Servants; and upon this proportion there are planted; vizt. — .

Freeholders 10, vizt.

1 Haveing 200 Acres.
2 haveing zoo acres apeece.
1 haveing 60 acres.
2 haveing 50 acres apeece.
3 haveing 40 acres apeece.

Leaseholders for 21 yeares, or 3 lives, vizt.

1 haveing 120 acres.
1 haveing 60 acres.
6 of 20 acres apeece.
3 of 15 acres apeece.
1 of 14 acres.
1 of 7 acres.
1of 6 acres.
1 of 5 acres.

There is also a Water Mill upon this Proportion, and every Tenant is armed with a Muskett or a Calliver, or a Pike; There are upon this Proportion (as we are crediblie informed) 8 Irish Families.

1000 acres

(3) 2000 ,acres.

Mr. Obbins hath 2000 acres, called Ballevoran, upon which there is built a convenient dwelling howse of Brick, covered with thatch, about which there is a Bawne, but a yarde & Garden inclosed with a Pale. But the Gentleman himself is now prisoner in England, and his wife yet lives in the house was not at home, at our being there. But there are planted upon this Land, (as we are informed by the neighboures)

Freeholders and Leaseholders 7. and about 30 scattered English Families.
The Estates of these are uncertain in regard to title of the land. is not yet setled.
There are upon this proportion (as we are credibly informed) 18 Irish Families.

(4) 3000 Acres (should read 2000 acres) & 1000 acres

Anthony Cope Esqr. hath 3000 Acres, called Dirricrevy, and Dromully, upon the first containeing 2000 acres he hath built a strong howse of lyme and stone. 3 Stories and ½ high, wherein he Inhabiteth with his wife & Familie.

Upon his other Proportion containeing 1000 acres, he hath a very strong Bawne, well built of lyme & stone, 180 foot square, and 14 foot high, with 4 good Flanckers, upon three whereof are built smale Buildings of lyme and stone 2 stories and ½ high in the best of which one William Peirson dwells, and in the other there are under Tenants.

There is also a good Windmill. and upon these proportions there are planted

2 of 100 acres apeece.
2 of 60 acres apeece.
1 of 30 acres.
1 of 15 acres.
1 of 10 acres not resident.

There are planted as undertenants upon these Free-holders lands 23, and there are

1 of 60 acres, not resident; part whereof is litt out to English undertenants. The rest Irish occupie.
2 of 60 acres apeece.
1 of 50 acres.
2 of 40 acres apeece.
1 of 30 acres.
1 of 25 acres.
2 of 20 acres apeece.
14 of sundry smale parcells.

These all have Leases, and there are besides sundry Cottagers of Occupations makeing in all 72, furnished with Armes, besides the Freeholders. .

And there are upon these proportions as we are crediblie informed 40 Irish Families.

(5) 1000 acres
Sr. Francis Annesley, hath 1000 acres, called Temore Intely purchased of Richard Rolston, upon which there is a Bawne of 1000 sodds, with a Pallisado, and moated. But all soe decayed, that it is of litle defence; within it, is a smale howse, wherein Richard
Rolstone dwelleth with his Family.

Upon this proportion there are planted of Brittish Families.

Freeholders.
1 haveing 60 acres.
1 haveing 140 acres.

Leasholders for lives 4 haveing ½ of a Tate Leaseholders for yeares
1 haveing 120 acres.
1 haveing 100 acres.
2 haveing 60 acres apeece.
3 haveing 20 acres apeece.
2 haveing 15 acres apeece.

There are upon this proportion, (as we are crediblie informed) 12 Irish Families.

(6) 2000 Acres
Sr. John Dillon hath 2000 acres called, Aghivillan, and Brochus, upon this onely is built one convenient dwelling howse of Timber rough cast with lyme, wherein himselfe, his Father, & wife, with their Familie, doe now inhabite, there is no Bawne about the Howse.

Upon this, are planted of English Families, vizt.

Freeholders 8, having 100 acres, apeece.

Leaseholders, and Cottagers, 42, who were presented to us, with their Armes, but have not their Estates yet past to them, in regard(as it was alleadged) Sr. John Dillon is newly come to, the Land, by a, late purchase.
There are upon this Proportion, (as we are crediblie informed} 18 Irish Families.

(7) 1500 acres

William Stanhowe hath 150 acres; (should read 1500 acres) called Shanagoolan; here
is not any thing built, he having been long by Suites (as he saith) held in England, but intends shortly to build, according to the directions of the Plantation, for the Which purpose, he saith he hath in readinesse 100000 Brick, and some Timber fell’d; Memorrandum he gave bonds at his comeing out of England of £300 to perform the said Building, within a yeare; which time will expire at Michaelmas next, which we hold fitt to recomend to the Lord Deputie, or
There are not above 4 English men upon the Land; but it is generally inhabited with Irish, as upon the last survey; And (as we are informed) there are upon this proportion 24 Irish Families.

(8) 2000 acres

Francis Sacheverell hath 2000 acres, called Mullalelish & Legacorry; upon Legacorry there is built a convenient dwelling howse of stone and, lyme, covered with Thatch; and about it, a Bawne of Clay & stone; roughcast with lyme 198 foot long, 19 foot

broad, 8 ffoot high with 4 open Flanckers of the same height; In which Howse himself, with his Familie, now Inhabite; But is demised from Michaelmas next, to Sr. Archibald Acheson for 21 yeares.

Upon the Proportion of Mullalelish,he hath erected a convenient dwelling howse of lyme & stone, not yet fully finished, wherein, himself intends to reside.

There are planted upon these 2 Proportions, vizt.

Freeholders 4, vizt.

1 of 90 acres.
1 of 84 acres.
1 of 60 acres.
1 of 50 acres.

Leases for lives 24, vizt.

2 of 60 acres apeece.
1 of 30 acres.
10 of 20 apeece.
4 of 15 acres apeece.
7 of 60 acres joyntly.

Leases for yeares 13, vizt.

1 of 80 acres.
1 of 30 acres.
1 of 20 acres.
10 haveing all some small parcells of land.

Cottagers 24.

There are upon these proportions (as we are credibly informed) 49 Irish Families.

(9) 15,000 acres

Mr. John Dillon 1500 acres called Mullabane, upon which is erected, a large, and fair Brick howse, which is not yet covered, nor any Bawne about it; But himself and his Family dwells in a litle howse of timber neer adjoyning, till the other is finished.

Upon this proportion are planted.

Freeholders

3 of 60 acres apeece.
1 of 60 acres.
2 of 20 acres apeece.
2 of 60 acres joyntly.
3 of 60 acres joyntly.
3 of 60 acres joyntly.
4 of 60 acres joyntly.
6 of 60 acres joyntly.
4 of 20 acres joyntly.
11 of 60 acres joyntly.
5 of 60 acres joyntly.

And Cottagers 7.

There are upon this proportion, (as we are crediblie informed) few or noe Irish.

The Precinct of Fewes, allotted to Scottish Undertakers.

(10) 1000 acres.

Henry Acheson hath 1000 acres, called Colemalistie. upon which is built a Bawne of Clay, and Stone 100 foot long, 80 foot broad, and 10 foot high, with 4 open Flanckers; There is no Gate to this Bawne nor any Howse within for any man to Dwell, but the Bawne lies open, and is of no use, in regard it is so ill built; There are upon this land of Brittish. vizt.

2 haveing 120 acres apeece
1 of 60 acres
1 of 50 acres
3 of 100 acres joyntly
4 of 100 acres joyntly
7 of 20 acres joyntly

All armed with sword, Pike and Calliver. On this Proportion there are noe Irish, onely he hath sett out some parte of the land to the Irish to graze on.

Cottagers 8.

(11) 1000 acres
John Hamilton Esqr. hath 1000 acres called, Magherientri, which was first Sr. James Crags, upon which there is a Bawne of Clay, and stone, 90 foot long, 63 foot broad, and 12 foot High, with 2 open Flanckers; within the Bawne there is a little old thatched
howse, wherein lyes a poore Scottish man; But there is no Gate to the Bawne.

The said John Hamilton hath an other Proportion of 1000 acres, called Kilruddan sometimes William Lawders, upon which he hath a Bawne not fully finished of Clay, and stone 100 foot long, 60 foot broad, with 2 open Flanckers; Within the Bawne there is lay’d the Foundation of a dwelling howse, of stone, and Clay: but all his Building is soe ill, that it is fitt, for nothing, but to be pulled downe, and reedified, which he saith, he will doe verie shortly; and make it a seat for himselfe, to dwell on.

He hath 500 acres more, called Edenagh, upon which there is nothing built.

Freeholders 3 vizt.

1 of 120 acres.
2 of 60 acres apeece
1 of 60 acres.
2 of 60 acres apeece.

Leaseholders for yeares 23 vizt.

2 of 80 acres apeece.
2 of 75 acres joyntly.
1 of 60 acres.
2 of 60 acres joyntly.
4 of 60 acres joyntly.
1 of 50 acres.
4 of 30 acres apeece.
1 of 20 acres.
2 of 24 acres joyntly.
2 of 24 acres joyntly.
1 of 15 acres.
1 of 12 acres.

Cottagers 40.

All armed with sword, Pike or Calliver.

On these proportions there are, (as we are crediblely informed) 48 Irish Families.

(12) 2000 acres

Sr. Archibald Atcheson hath 2000 acres called Clankamy. upon this he builded a convenient dwelling howse, part of lyme. & stone part of lyme and clay, environed with a Bawne of stone and clay 120 foot long. 80 foot broad, and 10 foot high. haveing 4 Flanckers. 3 of them being 15 foot high, and 14 foot wide. which are covered and containe 2 Roomes a peece, being 2 stories, himself with his Wife and Familie. doe inhabit in the said howse. .

He hath upon the said Proportion

Freeholders 5 vizt.

2 of 200 acres apeece.
3 of 120 acres apeece.

Leaseholders for yeares vizt.

1 of 200 acres.
1 of 180 acres.
2 of 120 acres apeece.
3 of 60 acres apeece.

All armed with sword, Pike and Calliver. On this proportion there is noe Irish, but now & then, his under Tenants sittpart of the land to grazing to Irish.

The Precinct of Orier alloted to Servitors and Natives.

(13) 1000 acres
Capt. Anthony Smith Assignee to Sr. Thomas Williams. hath 1000 acres. upon which is built a Bawne of lyme and stone. 69 foot broad, & 72 foot long, and about 12 foot high,With 3 open Flanckers. upon one of which he is building a house of stone and lyme
16 foot long, 10 foot broad. 2 stories high. and promiseth to build a 4th Flancker, & a house within the Bawne for himself to dwell upon; The Gates of this Bawne are not yet up; Not farre from this Bawne is erected a convenient dwelling house. inclosed with a . double ditch quicksett, built by Mr. Watson, who hath the lease of a Towne Land, from the said Capt. Smith; And in this howse himself with his wife & Family Inhabite.

About 2 miles distant Garrett Ld. Moore. Viscount of Droghedagh. upon his Proportion of 1000 acres hath built a good Bawne of lyme, and stone 105 foot long, 90 foot broad. and 10 foot high, with Two Flanckers, In one of which there is a good strong house of stone 20 foot square 3 stories high. in which one Townley. an English man, with his Familie, continualie reside; The Gates of this Bawne are fitt to be made stronger(Marginal sequential number not given for above entry; acreage also omitted.)
(14) 200 acres.

About 3 or 4 miles from thence is planted Lewetenant Poynes, who haveing onely 200 acres, as a servitor hath thereupon built, a fair dwelling house of brick, wherein himself and his family(?) inhabite; and hath an Orchard, Gardens, yardes, & Backsides, inclosed with a Ditch quicksett, besides a Bawne and a stable; And hath provided materialls, to build a Bawne of Brick, and hath 8 English Families that dwell in houses, in forme of a Village, neer adjoyning to the fair Mansion house.
(15) 1500 Acres

Within the same Parish about 2 miles distant upon a proportion of 1500 acres called Ballemore hath the Lord Grandizon, built one castle of lyme, and stone 33 foot in Length, and 29 foot broad, and 3 stories high, with an Addition of Building 66 foot in length, and 20 foot broad, makeing it a strong and Comodious dwelling, being compassed about with a Bawne of lyme & stone, with a Flancker on the North side, 14 foot square, and a litle Platforme adjoyning to the house, on the Rock, on the South side, with Flanckers. There are in the same Bawne, one Faucon, and 2 Fauconetts of Brasse, mounted, and Armes, within the Castle, Shott, and Pike, for 40 men, adjoyning to his howse there is a Pleasant Parke, paled round about, of 3 miles com passe.

Neer to the said Castle there is builded a handsome Church, 60 foot in length, and 24 in breadth well furnished with seates, Comunion Table, Capp, Font & a good Bell.

There is also a Markett Towne just under the Castle, with 27 Houses well built of the English fashion, makeing a fair large street, inhabited with English, furnished with Pike or Calliver.

Adjoyning to this Towne, are two Watermills, under one Roofe.

(16) 2000 acres

Sir Henry Bourchier upon his Proportion of 2000 acres within a mile of the said Castle, hath erected a strong house, or Castle of lime, and stone 60 foot long, and 1St broad, 3 stories high, which is not yet fully finished. It is compassed with a Bawne of Stone and lyme 100 foot long, IS foot broad & 14 foot high, with 2 Flanckers, being about 16 foot square; upon one whereof is built a litle dwellling house, and he is now in hand with 2 other Flanckers. And without the Bawne, there is a fair stable of lyme & stone.

(17) 1500 acres

Henry mac Shane 0 Neal, had 1500 acres, who sold his Reversion to Sr. John Boucmer & he to Sr. Francis Blundell, of whome the Ld. Caulfeildbought it, who is lately come to the possession thereof, by the death of Henry me Shane, except onely one third part held on by his Wife in Jointure.

In this there is nothing built, because Henry mac Shane in regard of his povertie was priviledged by the State; But the Lord Caulfeild hath now agreed for a Bawne, & Castle, according to the Patterne of the Ld. Grandizons, at Ballymore.

(18) 500 acres
Sr. John Davis had 500 acres, called Corinshino assigned to the Lord Audley upon the Plantation, without condition of Building, in regard the 2000 acres allotted to the said Ld. Audley, as a Servitor in Orier, was not to come to him till the death of Arthur mc Baron, and his Wife who is yet liveing. This said 500 acres is now in the hand of the Lord Grandison, by Purchase, and noe Buildinge upon it.

The said 2000 acres, was omitted in Capt. Pynnars Survey, and is now in the Possession of Arthur mc Barons Wife; after whose decease the land is to come to Sr. Pierce Crosby, in the righte of the Countess of Castle-haven, who hath yet built nothing thereon.

Continuation of paper Edited by T. G. F. PATERSON, M.A., M.R.I.A. published in Seanchás Ardmhaca

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