The Silver Bowl: 1779 October 26

1779 Oct 26 29 Belfast Newsletter

County of Down

WARNING: Since I first posted this newsclipping, I have done more work on the JACKSONs near Saintfield, I discount the nature of the connections made initially between this Thomas JACKSON and the Dr. Thomas JACKSON of Dundonald.

Whereas on Thursday the 30^th of September last, as Thomas Jackson[1] of Ravera[2] in said County, was returning Home from the fair of Ballynahinch[3], he was overtook by Gawen McBratney[4] of Raphry[5] in said County; who then and there without Provocation, knocked down and fractured the Skull of said Jackson with a loaded Whip, of which he died in the space of about eight hours.

NOW in order to bring said Mr. Bratney to condign Punishment, (who absconded the Night he committed the said horrible Murder) we whose Names are hereunto subscribed, do promise to pay the respective Sums to our Names annexed, to the Person or Persons who shall within 12 calendar months from the Date, apprehend and lodge in any of his Majesty’s Goals in this Kingdom, the said McBratney; who is aged about 24 years, heavy made, wore pale short Hair, about 6 Feet 1 inch high, thick lipp’d, wants one of his upper fore Teeth, and stoop shouldered. Given under our Hands, October 16^th, 1779.

	l	s	d
Wm & Pat Jackson[6]	2	5	6
James Portis[7]	1	2	9
Jas Jackson	1	2	9
Jannet Jackson[8], Widow of the deceased	2	5	6
James Jackson[9]	1	2	9
John Jackson[10]	1	2	9
William Jackson[11]	1	1	9
John Jackson	1	2	9
	11	7	6

[1] Thomas JACKSON. According to Ros Davies' Co. Down, Northern Ireland Family History Research Site there was: Thomas Jackson probated WILL 1779, Dundonald, Parish. Father John Jackson 1667, mother Catherine McKinney. WARNING: I doubt this is him.

[2] Ravera/ Ravara, Parish of Killinchy, Barony of Castlereagh Lower is at Ballygowan. Both Ravera and Raffrey are locations in Sam Hanna Bell's books eg "December Bride" and "A Man Flourishing". SOURCE: Linda Leonard email Oct 18, 2011

[3] Ballynahinch, Parish of Magheradrool, Barony of Kinelarty.

[4] Gawen McBRATNEY

[5] Raphry now Raffrey, Parish of Killinchy, Barony of Castlereagh Lower is near Saintfield

[6] William and Patrick JACKSON – I would assume from the way their names are placed in this ad that they are related either by blood or business connections. There was a Patrick JACKSON who was a farmer of Toye ; claimed £19 . 6.10 compensation from the government for the loss of a cash, clothes, provisions & jewellery from his home during the 1798 Rebellion, claim paid. SOURCE: Ros Davies site http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~rosdavies/SURNAMES/P/PlPo.htm

[7] James PORTIS. A Mr. PORTIS was owner of estate Caldwally near Newtownbreda 1777. SOURCE: Ros Davies site http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~rosdavies/SURNAMES/P/PlPo.htm

[8] Jannet JACKSON, widow.

[9] James JACKSON – this is possibly a son, James JACKSON (1720-1792) of Ballyregan. WARNING: I doubt this is him.

[10] John JACKSON – NOTE:: There was a John JACKSON at Killinchy mentioned in the 1796 Flax Growers List.

[11] William JACKSON. I don’t know who he was, but there was a William JACKSON of High St, Newtownards; a bridler; leased a plot of ground from Jane Jackson then Gilbert Jackson of Ballymiscaw 17 Apr 1740. SOURCE: Ros Davies site http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~rosdavies/SURNAMES/P/PlPo.htm SEE: Registry of Deeds: 97-376, -68765 & PRONI T808/8267-8282 WARNING: I doubt this is him.