These are some examples of abstracts of wills and deeds. The pre 1800 are taken from the abstracts made by P.Beryl Eustace from wills and deeds held in the Registry Office in Dublin. Each abstract contains the names of people and places that are mentioned. Those with post 1858 dates are from the abstract books held in the National Archives in Dublin. The wills for which the post 1858 abstracts were created were amongst those that were destroyed in the fire in the Four Courts in 1922.

Pre 1858 abstracts can be helpful even for those whose ancestors did not make wills – here we have domestic servants mentioned, there are placenames which may or may not be phonetic variations on those we find in the 1851 Townland Directory. Connections can be seen from one county to another – here, William Clinch was from Dublin, but Simon Clinch from Co. Antrim is mentioned and Christian a widow in Newcastle.

The following are arranged chronologically

Clinch, William, Loughtown Co. Dublin, Esq.,
2 April 1705. Narrat 3/4 pp. 20 July 1711
Leaves all to James Clinch then in France “if the law would permit him live in Ireland”. Appoints William Clinch, son of John Clinch a butcher in Oxmanstown near Dublin, his heir if said James Clinch cannot enjoy legacy. Grandchild Thos. Connor. Kinswoman Margaret Hickey. Charles Fagan and Ferdinando Hickey, kinsmen, and Richard Nowlan, overseers.
William Clinch, son of Lawrence Clinch of Killdonane, Co. Dublin. The son of Simon Clinch, Grange, Co. Antrim. Domestic servants Maurice Tannan and Nicholas Tarran. A legacy to Christian Clinch, a widow in Newcastle, she to pay two hens yearly to Loughtown house as an acknowledgment.

Loughtown, Hanistowne and Newcastle Co. Dublin,.

Witnessed by: John Balthurst, Coolentragh, Co. Wexford, Farmer.
Memorial Witnessed by: Mich. Doyle, John Connell, Dublin, Gent.
6, 336, 2227
Margarrett Hickey (seal)

Mount Alexander, Hugh Earl of
21 Jan 1716. Full 2 pp. 23 March 1716
Brother Henry Montgomery and his son Thomas. Cousin James Montgomery of Rosement and his son William. Cousin Edmundston Montgomery, brother of said James. Cousin Mrs. Jane Shaw and her daughter Sarah Shaw als Montgomery. Cousin Mr. Justice Caulfield and my very good friend Charles Campbell Esq. To assist extx.

My faithful servants Mrs. Jane Meredith (extx) and Mr. John Meredith. James Johnston , mariner, tenant of a house in Donoghadee, John Hepperson, glover another tenant.

Lands held from the Primate, and from the Bishop of Down (situation not mentioned). Land in parish of Kilmore. Mount Alexander and lease of land adjoining, held from Mr. Ross of Portovo. Rent out of Cherryvally “with the Hourse Course reserved to me”. Privileges etc., of Manor Cumber als Mount Alexander. Ballyhays, Ballymony, Carnyhill. Rents of Manor of Donoghadee. House etc., in Dublin.

Witnesses: Patt Hamilton, Hugh Clement, Alex Laing, and John Meredith.
Memorial Witnessed by: Will Parry, Dublin Gent. John Gregson.
18, 207, 8855
Jo. Meredith (seal)

McCutchion, Adam
Belfast, Co. Antim, merchant
3rd May 1712. Narrate 3/4 p., 3rd Jan 1718

His two eldest children Thomas and Jane. Daughters Isabell and Margaret. Brother James. Brother Robert’s children. His sister Craig, her son Archibald. His brother in law Archibald Craig. His brother in law Robert Allen. Joseph Innis and William Stevenson, two of his trustees.

Bellygrass and Bellytruston, Co. Down.

Witnesses: Rev. Samuel Ross, Londonderry, James White, Belfast, cooper and John Hamilton, then apprentice to said William Stevenson.

Memorial Witnessed By: James White, Robert Armstrong.
John Johnston (seal)
his wife Jane Johnston (seal)
als. McCutchion, a legatee
Joseph Innis (seal)

****

ROBERT McCARROLL Ballycastle B. Carey Co. Antrim, gent. (VI)
8 Aug. 1720. Narrate, ¾ p., 14 Feb. 1722.
His son Lessly McCarroll. His daughter Christian McCarroll.
Robert McCarroll, pretended son of Charles McCarroll deceased.
Nephew Williams McCarroll, eldest son of his brother Simon McCarroll.
Mr. John Dunlop of Garteonny, Andrew Steward of Park and his
nephew William McCarroll, guardians and overseers of will.
Rodon, Malnedivan and Cullkenny in parish Ramoan B. Cary Co.
Antrim.
Witnesses : William Ettenby, Thos. Fitzpatrick Simon McCarroll and Wm. Mccarroll, all of Ballycastle, Co. Antrim.
Memorial witnessed by : Arthur Workman, Lisburn Co. Antrim Wm. McCarroll, Ballycastle.
37, 259, 22639.
Wm. McCarroll (seal) (Testator’s nephew)

****

CORNELIUS CRYMBLE, “of Knocker in the county of Antrim or Carrickfergus, Esq.”
23 March 1717. Précis, ½ p., 4 May 1723.
Wife Ann Crymble, exor. Son William Crymble. Grandson Cornelius Crymble, son of Charles Crymble of Ballyclare.
Wm. Murray, tenant in Liberty town of Carrickfergus. David
Crafford, Belfast, gent., exor. All his estate lands and tenements.
Witnesses : Patrick Adair, Liberty of Carrickfergus gent Alexander McDowell of same, farmer Gerald Byrne Dublin, gent.
Memorial witnessed by : Alexander McDowell, Alexander Hutchinson, clerk to Robert Donnaldson of Dublin.
Gideon Jacques (seal)
35, 433, 23131
Ann Jacques (seal) als. Crymble, wife of said Gideon

JOHN MATHEW, Dunmurry, Co. Antrim, farmer.
23 Jan 1717. Précis, part in full, ¾ p., 7 May 1723.
To be buried in the churchyard of Drumbegg. His wife. His son Gilbert Mathew, exor. Legacy to son George Mathew if he return home exor. Legacy to son Arthur at his return home. My firearms to be divided among my three sons.
Rebecca Robinson, daughter of Joseph Robinson and Ann Mathew his wife. Wm. Legg of Malone.
The Black Mountain. The seven acres whereon Mr. Malcom dwells.
Glanhead. 14 acres whereon his son Gilbert then lived [situation not mentioner).
Witnesses : James Harrison, John McCormick.
Memorial witnessed by : Robert Smith, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, gent.,
David Gillespie, Downpatrick, Co. Down, gent.
38, 44, 23197
Gilbert Mathew (seal)

RICHARD WILSON, Belfast, Co. Antrim, gent.
2 Dec. 1711. Full, 1 ¼ p., 30 May 1723.
Wife sole extx. Son Richard Wilson. Son William. Son John. Daughters Elizabeth, Barbara, Mildred.
Estate or lands of inheritance in the Co. of Tyrone. Liskittle. Tullylegg, Tierglassogitrah, and Tierglassogoutragh.
Witnesses : Matt. French; then of town of Belfast, Clerk, Nathaniel Byrtt, Belfast, gent., David Wilson, Dublin, gent.
Memorial witnessed by : David Wilson, John Downing, Dublin, gent.
36 437 23453
Richd. Wilson (seal)

EDMOND FRANCIS STAFFORD, Brownstown, Co. Meath, Esq.
4 Sept. 1722. Full, 1 p., 4 May 1724.
My mother and my wife guardians of my daughter Ann during her minority. Cousin Bartholomew McNaghten. £12 per ann. to “my coz. Rowen for her life … without her husband’s intermeddling therewith.” Cousin Alexander McNaghton. Cousin Edmd. MoNaghton.
Sir Compton Domvile and Archibald Stewart of Ballintoy, clerk, trustees. Kenedy Stafford, eldest son of Henry Stafford. Recites settlement of Co. Antrim lands made 1722 between ” myself and Isabella my wife of the first part, the Hon. Brigad. David Creighton and Wm. Sampson of Inch, Co. Donegal, Esq., of the second part, and Sir Compton Domvile, Bt. and Alexr. McNaghten of Dublin, Doctor of Physick, of the third part.”
Ballybog, Ballykenedys, Ballyrevan, Chreighnakeragh, Limneherty, Lisroddan, Curnary, Ballintullagh and Glenon and other lands in Co. Antrim.
Witnesses: William Forward, Castleforward, Co. Donegal, Esq., Thos. Jackson, Dublin, Esq., David Wilson, Dublin, gent.
Memorial witnessed by: David Wilson, Thos. Downam Clarke, Dublin, gent.
40, 309, 25982
Alexr. McNaghten (seal)

JOHN YOUNG senr., Belfast merchant.
29 Aug 1722. Narrate 1p. 4 June 1724.
His wife Mary Young. Eldest son Alexr. Young exor. Second son Hugh Young. His four youngest children. £100 “to the children of Gilbert McTeer by his daughter Jane Young.” Son Charles Young. Son Robert Young. Third son James Young. Wm. Millikin, son to his daughter Abigail Young by Robt. Millikin.
Daniel Mussenden, Belfast, Wm. Stevenson Ballymacarrett, exors.
Ballydian, Co. Down. Listender Co. Down. Ballynickole, Co. Down The townland commonly called the Fish Quarter [situation not mentioned. ?Co. Down].
p. 129
Witness: James Park and Thomas Stevenson, Belfast, rnerchant, James McTeer, Belfast, merchant.
Memorial witnessed by: James Park, Thomas Sturgeon, both Belfast.
Alexr. Young (seal)
39, 433, 26213
Hugh Young (seal)

****

COLONEL RICHARD KANE, Carrickfergus, in province of Ulster and Kingdom of Ireland. 29 May 1735. Narrated½ . p., May 1740.
His cousin germen John Dobbin, eldest son of his uncle James Dobbin deceased. Said Jno. Dobbin, since deceased, his sole exor.
His estate in and near Carrickfergus. The estate of Dromcashell, Co. Louth.
Witnesses : Rowley Godfrey, captain in testator’s Regiment at Minorca, Rev. Alexr.. Cornwall, chaplain to said Regiment, and Phineas Jno. Edgar, ensign in said Regiment, which said Regiment now lyes at Minorca and belongs to Brig. Reid.
Memorial witnessed by : Rowley Godfrey, Rev. Alexr. Cornwall.
97 374, 68757
Arthur Craven (seal) london, gent, exor. an residuary legatee of said
John Dobbin

MATHEW HENRY Ballymoney, Diocese of Connor, Co. Antrim innholder. Codicil 22 Dec. 1753. Full ½ p. 11 Aprl 1755.
Empowers his children to sell or dispose of houses (mentioned in his Will) if they so wish.
Witnesses: Robert Kirk, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim, merchant, John Jordon Ballymoney yeoman George Hutcheson, Dublin, attorney.
Memorial witnessed by: Robert Kirk, Allinson Campbell, Bally money, gent.
363 554 245747
Margt. Henry (seal)

****

REV ROBERT ROWAN, Mullans, Co. Antrim, clerk.
16 May 1742. Full 2 ½ pp. 20 Dec. 1769.
My wife Letitia Rowan. My daughter Margaret Rowan. My brother William Rowan of Sea Patrick, Co. Down, clerk, and Mr. Archibald McNealle of Belfast, chirurgeon, trustees and exors. My younger children Archibald, Stewart, William and Margaret Rowan, under 21 years. My eldest son John Rowan. My second son Archibald Rowan.
My third son Stewart Rowan. My fourth son William Rowan. My in estate of freeholds [situation not mentioned].
Witnesses : Rev. Skiffington Bristow, Halebrook, Co. Antrim, clerk Rev. John Brett, Ballywillan, Co. Antrim, clerk, Jas. Blair, Ballymena, Co. Antrim, Doctor of Physick.
Memorial witnessed by: Skeffington Bristow, Henry Dunkin, Dublin, William Rowan, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim, gent.
277 478 178891
Stewart Rowan (seal)

***

ROBT (Robert) PATTERSON, Priestland parish and barony of Dunluce, Co. Antrim. 24th may, 1772. Precis ½ p. 12th Dec. 1810
To his son Robt. His dwelling house, offices and farms in which he, the testator, resided, and which said son Robt. Assigned to Wm. Moore, Priestland, gent., and is since deceased.
Witnesses: Rev. Jno Cameron, Park, and John Patterson, Priestland, blacksmith, and David Thompson, Ballyclough, farmer, all of the parish of Dunluce.
Memorial Witnessed by: Thos. McNaghtin, David Thompson.
625, 152, 432620
Wm. Moore (seal)
Sworn at Coleraine 27th Oct 1810.

***

MARY MURRAY, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, shopkeeper. 26 Oct. 1783. Full 1 ½ p. 27 Nov. 1789.
My daughter Deborah Murray now Rogers. My daughter Elizth. Murray; my daughter Mary; my son James. My dwelling house, office and garden in Lisburn which I purchased from James Hinley of Belfast and Danl. Craig of Donoclong and paid for in full and for which my son James obtained a new lease from the Earl of Hertford in trust for me which trust he has declared by a writing of 6 Sept. 17 7 1, I leave to said James Murray.
Exors. Jacob Hancock, junr., John Hall and said son James Murray, all of Lisburn.
Witnesses: John Hill, John Lockart and John Shaw.
Memorial witnessed by: John Sheperd and James Kennedy, both of Lisburn, Co. Antrim, gents. 407,480,272023
Deborah Rogers (seal)
wife of John Rogers
John Rogers (seal)
Sworn at Lisburn 10 Nov. 1785

***

THOMAS McCLURE, Gortnagallon, parish of Killead, Co. Antrim, farmer. 8 Dec. 1789. Full 2 ½ pp. Sworn at Ballymacmary 11 Oct. 1802
To my son William McClure £60. My sons Daniel McClure and Hugh McClure. To my daughter Mary Bell otherwise McClure £11. To my daughters Easter McClure, Sophia McClure, and Elizabeth McClure £120, share and share alike, and to said three daughters if not otherwise provided for at my death a room to sleep in with loft over if they need it, bedding etc. and one milch cow of their choosing to be grazed in summer by my two sons Daniel and Hugh McClure, and part of a meadow. When all married said part of house to said son Daniel. Said sons are to thatch the end of the house left to my three daughters.
To said sons Daniel and Hugh McClure my interest in farm of Gortnagallon and house I now live in, out-offices to be divided between them.
Exors. Mr Wm. Fisher, town of Antrim, Mr James Swan son of Mr John Swan of Killeah, and my son William McClure, with advice of Mr William Swan senr., and Joseph McNeily. I nominate Archd. Hunter of Ballymacmary instead of Mr Joseph McNeily deceased.
Witnesses: Jas. Cunningham, Thos. Hunter, Thomas Ingram.
Codicil 21 May 1791. To my son Wm. McClure the half of the third of my lands (the other two thirds of my freehold of Gortnagallon had been granted to sons Daniel and Hugh McClure) instead of the £60 mentioned in my will.
Witnesses: Jas. Cunningham, Thos. Hunter, Thos. Patterson.
Memorial witnessed by Thos. Hunter of Ballymacmary, Arch. (?Hunter) of Gortree, Co. Antrim, farmer.
551,375,363595

***

THOMAS HUNTER, Ballymacmary, Co. Antrim, farmer. 8 June 1803. Full 1 ½ p. 8 Nov. 1805.
To my wife lsabella Hunter the profit arising out of my two farms in Ballymacmary during the minority of our son Thomas Hunter, for the purpose of educating my three children. When said Thornas reaches twenty one years of age my wife is no longer
p.198
to hold the lease I hold under my father’s will but shall continue to hold the farm I purchased from Williarn Cummins and John Baryhill during her widowhood. Legacies to my son James and my daughter Sarah Hunter.
Exors. William Fisher and Samuel Martin both of Antrim, and Archd. McEwel, Gartree. Trustees Samuel Fisher and Archd. Hunter.
Witnesses: Benjm Nettleton, Gortnagallon, Co. Antrim, farmer, John Beryhill and Daniel McClure. Memorial witnessed by: said Benjamin Netticton and Robert Irwin (blank), Co. Antrim, gent. 577,347,387905
Samuel Martin (seal)
Sarah Hunter (seal)

JAMES McCLURKAN, 21 March 1804. Narrate 1/3 p. Sworn at Henryville, Co. Antrim. 7 July 1810. 7 July, 1810.
To his wife Hannah McClurkan otherwise Telfair during her widowhood one acre, one cow, and the upper room to herself free of rent. Rent to be paid to Mr Robt. Corry. His three sons James, Robt. and Mathew to share his land. One shilling each to his son Leslie, his daughters Isabella, Peggy and Jane. His daughter Betty, and her husband.
Exors. George Joy, Esq., Belfast, Robert Corry and Mr. Wm. Colvill.
Witnesses: William Dixon, public notary, Thomas Clark his apprentice.
Memorial Witnessed By: William Dixon, Thomas Clark.
212, 529, 140263
Benj. Ranson (seal)

***

HENRY MATHEWS, Carnbeg, Co. Antrim, gent. 30 Dec. 1763. Full 3/4 p. 23 Sept. 1814.
To be buried in the church of Clough (? Co. Down). All my judgement debts on my freehold in Carnbeg to be paid, and then all my interest in said lands of Carnbeg or Dugarry to my sister Rose McNaghten otherwise, Mathews. Small bequests to my nephew John Richey, Glenarm, my sister Sarah Hunter otherwise Mathews. The lands of Carnbeg have a rent charge for John Hunter, Ballynacree, who is to be paid his lawful demands by said Rose McNaghten.
Witnesses: Nathl. White, Ballyreagh, Robert Miller also of Ballyreagh, and Owen Magee of the Glens, all in Co. Antrim.
Memorial witnessed by: said Nathl. White, and Geo. Casement, junr., attorney, Henryville, Co. Antrim. 679,8,467343
John Dickey (sea I)
Rose Dickey (seal) otherwise McNaghten, his wife,
two of the heirs of said Henry Mathews.
Sworn at Ballymena 20 Sept. 1814.
***

CHARLES CASEMENT, Roseville, Co. Antrim, Esq. 30 Aug. 1825. Full 1 p. 22nd Nov. 1832.
To my brother-in-law Rev. Hugh Casement Carleton, Arrow, Co. Warwick, and William Whitla, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, Esq., all my property in trust for the use of my wife Mary Casement otherwise Carleton for ever. Exors. my wife Mary Casement, and said Hugh Casement Carleton and William Whitla.
Witnesses: John McComb, late of Lisbum, innkeeper, now deceased, Rev. Edward James Cardner, Lisburn, clerk, and William Holmes, Barnhill, Co. Tyrone, attorney.
Memorial witnessed by: said Edward Jarnes Cardner, aged 30 years and upwards, William Henry Sproule, Lisburn, gent.
889,453,588453
Mary Casement (seal)

Adair, William Robert
Effects Under £50
20 February 1860
Letters of Administration of the Personal effects of William Robert Adair late of Ballyalbonagh in the County of Antrim Farmer a Bachelor deceased who died 13 February 1858 at same place were granted at Belfast to Jane Adair of Ballybonough Widow the Mother next of kin of said deceased.

Lyons, Robert
Effects Under £450
20 June 1860
Letters of Administration of the Personal effects of Robert Lyons late of Bradbury-place Belfast in the County of Antrim grocer and Publican a Widower deceased who died 9 March 1860 at same place were granted at Belfast to Jane Lyons of Kensington-place Belfast aforesaid Spinster the Daughter one of the next of kin of said deceased. – See more at: https://www.from-ireland.net/genealogy/Will-Abstracts%3A-Antrim#sthash.goLsT85w.dpuf