Ballynahonebeg OLIVER Leases  (SEE also SEAVER-OLIVER-JACKSON page)

There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don't know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don't know we don't know.

Donald Rumsfeld.

I am being a bit cheeky quoting Rumsfeld in this context, but I couldn’t have mangled it better myself. It is where we are with respect to the OLIVERs of Ballinhonebeg. As it stands right now, I don’t know whether Arthur OLIVER of Ballinahonebeg will turn out to be a brother of David OLIVER (d 1800) of Ballyrea or a brother of his son David OLIVER (d. 1806). Nor do I know how they will all tie into oral histories of the OLIVER family. Certainly, there does seem to be a strong likelihood of a connection between Arthur & David OLIVER. Going from the information in the SEAVER-JACKSON leases, this would also lead us to suspect a link to Benjamin OLIVER of Lislooney and from there a generation or two earlier to William OLIVER of Lislooney.

And there is another thread that connects to Ballinahonebeg. According to Blin BROWN, the Eliza OLIVER who married David JACKSON was a cousin of the Rector of Loughgall and he built Rookford for his son [1] . Interestingly, there is a Rookford Road just a short distance east of the town of Milford, Co. Armagh. Rookford House still shows on current maps on Rookford Road, just south of Monaghan Road. On the 1830s maps, this intersection is right at the juncture of Ballynahone Bridge and at the top end of the townland of Ballynahonebeg at a bend in the road that has been taken out since then.

There is a connection here to an aspect of Amy LLOYD’s [2] history which alleges: Lady Lifford was a cousin to Elizabeth Oliver. Elizabeth Oliver had one sister, Maria who married Vincent (sic "Viscount") Lifford*, Dean of Armagh, and two brothers. Benjamin lived at Ballanahode, Rookford, and William.

Part of Amy LLOYD’s information seems to be inaccurate. Viscount Lifford did not marry a “Maria” (unless that was a middle name). Instead, the 2nd Viscount Lifford AKA James Hewitt [3] who was the Dean of Armagh [4] married a second wife named Alicia OLIVER [5] She was the daughter of the Venerable John OLIVER [6] & Elizabeth RYDER [7] .

According to Burke’s Irish Family Records, Alicia OLIVER had two sisters: Susanna OLIVER (1764-Aug 31, 1830 unmarried) & Elizabeth OLIVER (1770-1848) m. William DISNEY and secondly Robert Rogers ALDWORTH. She also had brothers Rev John OLIVER (who emigrated to Leicestershire, England), Admiral Robert Dudley OLIVER, Charles Deane OLIVER (1771-1829), Richard OLIVER (1776-1791) and Rev. Silver OLIVER (1778-1851), Rector of Loughgall, Co. Armagh (1778-1851).

So now, to link Amy LLOYD’s history with Blin BROWN’s version, we can see that Alicia OLIVER who was the wife of Viscount Lifford was also the sister of Silver OLIVER, Rector of Loughgall and also they had a sister named Elizabeth OLIVER – but there was no mention of either a Benjamin or William OLIVER (although these two names are associated with Ballinahonebeg in this time frame). Did that Elizabeth OLIVER marry a Benjamin or William? This can’t be ruled out. Also worth noting, Alicia, Elizabeth & Silver OLIVER were respectively niece and nephew to Robert OLIVER and Jane SILVER of Castle OLIVER, Co. Limerick (which also ties into Blin’s descriptions of family connections) [8] . Clearly, the nature of these relationships still requires more research and they may or may not prove to be true – although the link of Rookford to Ballinahonebeg makes these conjectures even more tantalizing.

Other links to Ballinahone include

• the DOBBIN family. In 1785, a James DOBBIN (wife Jane – no known maiden name) of Ballinahone had a daughter Lucy baptized [9] . This is long after James DOBBIN married Mary OLIVER in 1711 – but may be a subsequent generation. Even later – in 1844, a Mary Jane DOBBIN from Ballinahone, daughter of John DOBBIN & Mary was baptized [10] .
• Also, a Charles JACKSON of Ballynahone Bridge was interred in the St. Patrick’s Cathedral graveyard on May 5,1756 [11] (SEE also: SEAVER-OLIVER-JACKSON page – he may be connected to Robert JACKSON).
• I suspect a connection between this John JACKSON and Robert JACKSON of Ballinahonebeg (SEE also: SEAVER-OLIVER-JACKSON page.) The move seems to have been related to agrarian unrest in the region. "HAVING been favoured with instructions from JOHN JACKSON, Esq., of Ballynahonebeg House, to announce to the public that the entire set of his Household Furniture, which is principally new, select, and fashionable, Plate, Plated Ware, choice and valuable selection of Oil Paintings, prime Beds, Bedding, Carpeting, House and Table Linens, &c. &c., will positively be Sold by Auction, without reserve, about the middle of the month of August next, the particulars of which due notice will be given, as Mr. JACKSON and family are about to remove to a more congenial climate." Armagh Guardian. Armagh, 1st June, 1845.
• Blin BROWN mentioned a KIDD-OSBOURNE connection to the OLIVERs [12] . Osbourne KIDD who resided at Armagh had a lease at Ballinahonebeg [13] . The Landlord was the Executors of Benjamin KIDD. There was also a Thomas KIDD resident at Ballinahonebeg who had a lease at Umgola. Again, the owner was the Executors of Benjamin KIDD. A web page has a family history indicating: Benjamin Kidd was born 1745. Benjamin died 1823 at 78 years of age. He married Agnes Osborne of Armagh [14] . This would fit quite nicely. IGI records show her father to be Ralph OSBOURNE and that she was born abt 1749. She married Benjamin KIDD (son of Benjamin KIDD & Jane ABBOT) who had a will dated June 5, 1823. Also of note, see DEED 532-524-350700 a 1795 deed between Benjamin KIDD of Keady & Ballymorran and Wm. OLIVER jr. of Ennislare. Another OSBOURNE connection can be seen in Deed 462-370-295062 between the executor of Thomas OSBOURNE late of Ballymorran, farmer and Andrew OLIVER of City of Armagh, Chandler.  

I have footnoted the deeds beneath. As I learn more, I expect that many of the entries concerning OLIVER relations will change. Also, even though it is cumbersome, I have annotated each deed separately since I need to also post them that way. It does result in some rather tedious repetition of footnotes.

1770, Oct 31 OLIVER-OLIVER DEED: 282-336-183301. A Memorial of deed of assignment bearing date of thirtyeth day of July one thousand seven hundred and seventy between David OLIVER [15] of Ballyrea [16] in the Parish and County of Armagh farmer of the one part and Arthur OLIVER [17] Balinahone Beg [18] in Said Parish and County of the other part. Whereby the Said David OLIVER for the Consideration of the sum of three hundred and forty six pounds three shillings & eight pence to him the said David OLIVER did grant bargain sell alien & release unto Arthur OLIVER all his right & title in & to a lease for lives of the Lands of Laragh [19] & Carnacaraff [20] in the Co. of Monaghan which he holds under [________] Lowry CORRY [21] Esq. Also the mill of Creevy [22] with Eight acres of Land which he holds under the right Honorourable George Lord Shirley [23] also a part of the lands of Ballymogonan [24] in the Country of Dorone [25] which he holds by lease under John MAXWELL [26] Esq. To hold to the said Arthur OLIVER his heirs execs admons & assigns during the lives and years in said lease mentioned which said deed is witnessed by Andrew PRENTICE [27] of the City of DUBLIN Gent & this Memorial is also witnessed by the said Andrew PRENTICE & Joseph OLIVER [28] of Balinahonbeg in County of Armagh. Arthur OLIVER [SEAL] ... sworn in Armagh 29 day of October 1770.

1770, Apr 26 DEED: 282-337-183302 A Memorial of a deed poll bearing date of 26^th day of April one thousand seven hundred & seventy between David OLIVER [29] of Ballyrea [30] of the Parish and County of Armagh of the one part & Joseph OLIVER [31] of Balinahonbeg [32] in said Parish and County aforesaid of the other part whereby said David OLIVER set unto said Joseph OLIVER one hundred acres of land situate in the west side of the Townland of Laragh, Parish of Agnnamullen [33] & Co. of Monaghan therein possession of said David OLIVER & his undertenants. The said Joseph OLIVER is also to have the full one half of the water fall from the Corn Mill up & and to have Liberty of cutting a race between the Premis and Longhegis of the Dimensions therein mentioned & to fix a sluice for preserving Water   Said David & Joseph OLIVER to be at equal expense in making said sluice & watercourse subject to the yearly rent of sixty-three pounds Sterl to hold for the space of Twenty Six years or three lives mentioned in said David OLIVERs Grand Lease & also for all future renewals which said David might be entitled to by virture of said leases & said Deed Poll is witnessed by Arthur OLIVER of Balinahonabeg [34] in said County of Armagh & this Memorial is also witnessed by Arthur OLIVER & Andrew PRENTICE [35] of the City of Dublin Gent: Joseph OLIVER [SEAL] ... signed at Armagh 29 Oct 1770

1789 April 15 DEED: 505-49-322470 WILSON -OLIVER

NOTES: Deed of Assignment between Robert WILSON [36] the younger of Tandragee [37] in Parish & County of Armagh Cloth merchant of the one part and Arthur OLIVER [38] of Ballinahonebeg [39] in the Parish & County  aforesaid, Farmer of the other part. Wherin is recited that Robert WILSON the elder of Tandragee aforesaid deceased did by deed bearing date 1^st August 1765 in consideration of the sum of £370 did sell unto Benjamin OLIVER [40] his exec ... all that part of Ballinahonebeg containing 10 acres 2 roods together with the mill and water dam and water course leading from same to the River Callan ... & a liberty of washing rubbing and beetling all cloth in said  Mill which he the said Robert WILSON [41] the elder or Robert WILSON the younger his son shall have bleaching each day in case of an insufficiency of water there and said deed witnesseth that said Robert WILSON the younger in consideration of £5 sterling to be paid by Arthur OLIVER did sell transfer and make over unto the said Andrew OLIVER his exec ... all the liberty of Beetling, Washing & rubbing cloth at said mill of Ballinahonebeg which his father Robert WILSON the elder hd res^d to hold to the said Arthur OLIVER his exec ... every right title, etc. in said Mill which he might have and claim which assignment is witnessed by Joseph OLIVER [42] & John OLIVER [43] both of Ballinahonebeg aforesaid Gentlemen and this memorial witnessed by the said John OLIVER & John McDAD [44] of Lehnacollum [45] in Co. Armagh, millright. Robert WILSON [SEAL] Signed in Armagh 9 May 1796.

1796 April 1DEED: 510-33-328019 OLIVER –SCOTT Indenture of Lease between John OLIVER [46] , Mary [47] & Elizabeth OLIVER [48] son and daughters and also admons of Joseph OLIVER [49] late of Ballinahonebeg aforesaid Gent, deceased on the one part & John SCOTT [50] of Umgola, Co. Armagh [SEE Deed 328019 - same agreement extra details] 10 acres  roods 15 perches with the Mansion House and offices & all lands [?] & all other buildings and improvements thereon: Garden, Bleach Green, Bleaching Utensils & Machinery theron said premises all water & water courses, mill dams, mill tail race & waste water course & also that small park on the other side the River opposite said Bleach Green containing 3 acres & 17 perches more or less to hold for 19 years from 1 Nov ... yearly rent of £62. Witness Andrew OLIVER [51] & Thomas PRENTICE [52] both of City of Armagh, Gent. John SCOTT [SEAL] Jan. 1797.

1797 Jan 17 DEED: 506-95-328017 OLIVER - SCOTT

NOTES: A memorial of a deed bearing date 17^th Jan 1797 made between John OLIVER [53] Mary OLIVER [54] and Elizabeth OLIVER [55] both of Ballinahonebeg, Co. Armagh and John SCOTT [56] of Umgola, Co. Armagh. Reciting that the said John, Mary & Eliza OLIVER had deemed part of the lands of Ballinahonebeg aforesaid with the bleach mills, Mill dam, weir and water course therto belonging with several other things - Reserving thereat Liberty to convey the water from the Mills in the lands of Kennedies [57] then in the possession of William GARVINs [58] [well?] And reciting that it was intended by said parties to said lease that the Current of Water in said dam should be Cont^d to flow and run in the same bed it now occupies so that the Mill is said demise be not injured by any decision or [?] there of. Whereby the said John and Mary & Eliza OLIVER to prevent misconstruction of this said rec^d Lease and in consideration did agree with the said John SCOTT ... [water rights] Witness: John PRENTICE [59] & William SLOAN [60] , both merchants of Armagh. John SCOTT [SEAL]

1807 OLIVER – LEE [61] To the register appointed by act of Parliament for the public registry of old deeds leases etc. etc. etc. A Memorial of an indented deed of mortgage bearing date the sixth day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and seven and eight between Joseph Oliver of Tullamore [62] in the county of Armagh Gentlemen of the one part and Joseph Lee [63] of the city of Armagh Innkeeper of the other part. It recited a lease dated the twenty fourth day of April in said year one thousand eight hundred and seven whereby John Pringle [64] of Caledon in the County of Tyrone Esquire Demised unto said Joseph Oliver all that and those that part of the Townland of Kennedys [65] situate lying and being in the County of Armagh aforesaid then in the tenure and occupation of the said Joseph Oliver containing by estimation ninety four acres and thirty perches English measure be the same more or less all of all which said demised Lands and Premises are Meared and Bounded as follows that is to say, on the East by the lands of Ballynahone, on the West by Kennedys on the North by the Lands of Ballyrath and on the South by the Road leading from Armagh to Monaghan with all and singular the rights members and appurtenances thereto belonging in any wise appertaining as particularly described in the map thereoff to said Lease annexed To Hold unto said Joseph Oliver his Exors Admons and Assigns from the first day of May then last past for the term of Twenty Years Subject to the Yearly Rent of one hundred and seven pounds two shillings and nine pence payable half yearly. In which Lease is contained a Toties Quoties [66] Clause or Covenant for the Renewal thereof from twenty years to twenty years successively as long as the said John Pringle his Exors Admons and Assigns shall hold and enjoy under the Vicars Choral and Organist of St. Patrick's Cathedral of Armagh [67] the several denominations of land and appurtenances of which said demised premises are part and parcel upon the terms and conditions in said Lease expressed. And by the Deed of which this is a Memorial said Joseph Oliver Granted his Interest in said demised Premises in Mortgage to said Joseph Lee Subject to Redemption on payment of six hundred pounds Stg with legal Interest for the same on the first day of August then next ensuing which Deed ------------ Witnessed by Mr. Leonard Dobbin [68] Merchant and Mr. Thomas Appleby [69] Scrivener both of said City of Armagh, and this Memorial is witnessed by the said Thomas Appleby and by William Brother [70] of said city of Armagh Writing Clerk

                                                                                                                                         Joseph Oliver[SEAL]

Signed and Sealed in Presence of

Thomas Appleby

William Brothers

The above named Thomas Appleby maketh oath and saith he is a subscribing Witness to the Deed whereof the above Writing is a Memorial and also to the above Memorial and that he saw said Deed duly executed by both the parties thereto and that he saw said Memorial duly executed by the above named Joseph Oliver the granting party to said Deed and that the name Thomas Appleby's subscribed as Witness to said Deed and Memorial is this Dep^d proper name and handwriting

Sworn before me at arm on the County of Armagh this 10th day of February 1808 by virtue of a Commission to me directed for taking affidavits in said County and I know the Deponent

Robert Livingston [71]

Thomas Appleby

There are also four deeds that I have yet to look at that may prove to be pertinent (especially the WALKER connection since a Susanna WALKER married the David OLIVER who died in 1806):