The Silver Bowl: 1875 Will of Ellen Dickie

From the collection of Nigel Dickie.

1875 June 3 - Will of Ellen Dickie[1]

In the name of God, Amen. I Ellen Dickie of Carrickastuck[2] in the County of Louth spinster being sick, but of sound mind, do this third day of June the year of our Lord 1875, make, put down and declare this a last will and testament, in manner and form of it [?]; that is today first I give and bequeath unto my brother John Dickie[3] the legacy or loan of £100 to be paid him within six months after my decease. Also I give and bequeath unto my sister Mary Dickie[4] all my right, title, and interest in that part of the lands of Carrickastuck in the County of Louth now in our joint possession. And as to all the rest, residue and remainder of my estate and effects, whatsoever and whatsoever and of what nature and kind [?] not herein before he deposed of after payment of all my joints debts and financial and testamentary expenses and the aforesaid legacy I give devise and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto my aforesaid sister Mary Dickie her executors, administrators, and assigns to and for her own absolute use and benefit and disposal, and I do hereby appoint my brother the Rev. Joseph Dickie[5] of Rathfriland in the County of Down Presbyterian minister, to be executor for carrying this my last will and testament into effect. And hereby revoking and making void all former or other wills and Testaments by me at any time heretofore made, I do declare this to be my only last will and testament. In witness whereof I the said Ellen Dickie, the testatrix, have to this my last will and testament fit my hand this day and year first above written.

Ellen Dickie

Signed by the testatrix Ellen Dickie in the presence of us present at the same time, who have hereunto seen and subscribed our names as witnesses this third day of June 1875.

John D. Bell[6]. William Stitt[7].

KANE GRAVEYARD: DICKIE In loving memory of James Dickie, of Killen, who died August 26th 1835 aged 64 years. And of Euphemia Patterson his wife who died September 30th aged 66 years. Also of their children, William died September 12th 1827, aged 14 years, Margaret died March 5th 1828 aged 19 years , Samuel died May 24th 1877, aged 58 years, Eleanor, died March 29th 1878, aged 61 years, Mary died March 3rd 1884, aged 82 years. And also of Margaret Junor Dickie, wife of the above named Samuel Dickie died 3rd June 1905, aged 70 years. NOTE: I find it curious that according to PRONI will data, that brother John died on the date given to Eleanor, and there is no mention of his death on this grave marker. Without other documentation, it makes Eleanor’s alleged death date as recorded on the grave marker suspect – especially given the date of her will.

[1] Ellen DICKIE (abt 1817-1878) aka Eleanor DICKIE.

[2] Carrickastuck SEE: http://www.thesilverbowl.com/maps/Carrickistuck.html Carrickistuck aka Carrickastuck is a townland of 229 acres in the Parish of Philipstown. At the time of the 1740 Census, it was in the Parish of Castletown (NOTE: I do not know when the Parish boundaries and/or names changed). On its north eastern border is the river of Castletown, on the south-east, the townland of Philipstown; on the south, Barronstown, to the west Clonaleenan and Annaghvacky and to the north-west, Cavananore. The families connected to these lands also had significant business and family connections with people living in these neighbouring townlands.

[3] John DICKIE (abt 1816-1878) Letters of Administration of the personal estate of John Dickie late of Carrickastuck County Louth Farmer deceased who died 29 March 1878 at same place were granted at Armagh to the Reverend Joseph Dickie of Rathfryland County Down Presbyterian Minister a Brother of said deceased.

[4] Mary DICKIE (1802-1884) The Belfast News-Letter (Belfast, Ireland), Tuesday, March 4, 1884

DICKIE - March 3, at 6, College Park East, Belfast, the residence of her sister, Mrs Patterson, Mary, eldest daughter of the late James Dickie, Esq., of Killen, Dundalk. Funeral will leave on to-morrow (Wednesday) morning, at nine o'clock, for the Great Northern Railway, thence by ten o'clock train for Dundalk.

[5] Rev. Joseph DICKIE (1809-1883) Freeman's Journal and Daily Commercial Advertiser (Dublin, Ireland), Monday, April 9, 1883 PRESBYTERIAN NEWS. The death is announced of another minister of the Irish Presbyterian Church, namely, the Rev Joseph Dickie, the venerable senior pastor of Third Rathfriland Presbyterian Church, who was called away on Friday night last in the 74th year of his age. Mr. Dickie had been for a lengthened period the sole pastor of the congregation, but for some time past had the assistance of the Rev J Morrell, who now succeeds him. His funeral takes place today at eleven o'clock.

[6] John D. BELL. This is probably John Dobbin BELL (1839-aft 1911)

[7] William STITT. This is probably William Alexander STITT (1869-?), son of William STITT and Margaret HOLMES.