1852, November 30 Dublin Evening Mail

 

Why did the OLIVERs lose this property in the townland of Lislooney after passing it down in the family for at least 150 years? This lease is part of the puzzle. Many landowners, the Olivers amongst them, were seriously impacted by the aftermath of the Great Famine when rent arrears piled up, along with unpaid estate charges and annuities that had been legally promised decades earlier in happier times. When it came to at least some of the Olivers, there may also have been some intergenerational debt issues, coupled with the impact of ill health (including the effects of alcoholism in some cases) as well as the ongoing costs of the upkeep and maintenance of buildings and property, farm animal and fields. Emigration was also a mixed blessing. Sometimes it cost families because of the loss of family labour, although on the plus side it could confer a financial benefit as a result of remittances sent home. With respect to Lislooney and the Olivers, the 1825 bankruptcy of a James OLIVER was likely part of this story.

 

 

CHANCERY[1].

MARY CAMPBELL[2], WIDOW AND EXECUTRIX of the late ROBERT KILLEN[3], deceased,

Plaintiff:

 

JAMES OLIVER[4], LETITIA OLIVER[5] (otherwise SIMPSON), his wife, BENJAMIN ROBERT OLIVER[6], JAMES WALL[7], JAMES SCOTT MOLLOY[8], Her Majesty’s ATTORNEY-GENERAL HENRY GEORGE JOHNSTON[9], and others,

Defendants.

 

Pursuant to the decree of her Majesty’s High Court of Chancery in Ireland, made in this cause, bearing date the 5^th day of February, 1852, JOSEPH MATTHEWS[10], of the City of Armagh, Auctioneer, in my certificate bearing date the 24^th day of November, instant, mentioned, will, on TUESDAY, the 28^th day of December at the COURT-HOUSE, situate in College Street, in said City of Armagh, at the hour of Twelve o’clock at Noon on said day, Set up and Sell to the highest and fairest bidder, all that and those the lands and premises of Lislooney[11], otherwise Lissluny, together with One Acre of Turf, Moss, or Bog, of Cavanapole[12], in the pleadings of this cause mentioned, situate in the Manor of Caledon and County of Armagh, for the purposes in said Decree mentioned, and which biddings, when taken, shall be submitted to me for approval. Dated this 24^th day of November, 1852.

For Master BROOKE,

WILL. HEN.

 

The foregoing lands are situate on the road from Caledon to Keady, and are within half-a-mile of the beautiful village of Tynan, one mile of Caledon, six of Keady, and six of the City of Armagh, being surrounded by the demesnes of Tynan Abbey, Mount Irwin, Wood Park, Fellows Hall, and the Rectory.

The Dwelling-House and Offices are built of stone. – There is a very extensive, Orchard, planted with 350 apple, Pear, Plum, and Cherry trees, producing £20 annually.

The soil is of the richest quality, principally laid down in Grass, and the remainder prolifically yields Wheat, Flax, Corn, and Potato Crops. The said Substratum is pure White Limestone, which could be raised in any quantity.

For further particulars, rental, and conditions of sale, application to be made to

JOHN MCKINSTRY[13], plaintiff’s solicitor, number 38, upper Rutland Street, Dublin and Armagh; and to

JOHN VOGEN[14], defendant’s solicitor, number 74, Talbot Street, Dublin, and Armagh.