Arthur Moore and Begg's & Armstrong: John Caldwell - not one, but two bleach yards.
← Older revision
Revision as of 14:02, 16 May 2015
(3 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 49:
Line 49:
There is much to be said about the Caldwell’s and there narrative concerning the 1798 Rebellion in Ireland. The topic has captured the attention of many historians. The early eighteenth- century social, economic, political and cultural history of Ballynacree-Skein and the Caldwell account cannot be separated; nonetheless, it is not dependent upon it either. There are various historical sources which can shed light on the history of this location, which until now have received little or no attention. There is no single narrative - no definitive account, or proper history of Ballynacree-Skein and rightly so; nonetheless, the research conducted so far remains unsubstantiated with little or no critique. In 1993, for instance, the Ballymoney Chronicle published an article that had detailed research conducted by the local historian – Marcus McCollum. It stated that ‘Balnamore Mill stands overlooking the quiet and peaceful village below, steeped in history that takes you back more than 200 years. That history begins in the days when Balnamore was a Corn Mill, built in what was then an unpopulated area called Harmony Hill”.<ref>Ballymoney Chronicle, 31 July 1993.</ref>
There is much to be said about the Caldwell’s and there narrative concerning the 1798 Rebellion in Ireland. The topic has captured the attention of many historians. The early eighteenth- century social, economic, political and cultural history of Ballynacree-Skein and the Caldwell account cannot be separated; nonetheless, it is not dependent upon it either. There are various historical sources which can shed light on the history of this location, which until now have received little or no attention. There is no single narrative - no definitive account, or proper history of Ballynacree-Skein and rightly so; nonetheless, the research conducted so far remains unsubstantiated with little or no critique. In 1993, for instance, the Ballymoney Chronicle published an article that had detailed research conducted by the local historian – Marcus McCollum. It stated that ‘Balnamore Mill stands overlooking the quiet and peaceful village below, steeped in history that takes you back more than 200 years. That history begins in the days when Balnamore was a Corn Mill, built in what was then an unpopulated area called Harmony Hill”.<ref>Ballymoney Chronicle, 31 July 1993.</ref>
−
McCullum was right to suggest that the Corn Mill or more appropriately Harvey’s Mill, was more than 200 years old. One of the earliest written documents detailing the existence of Harvey’s Mill, was recorded by William Petty during the Down Survey throughout 1665 to 1666. In 1873, the Downs Survey was transcribed by the Rev. George Hill. Hill’s work documents the quarter-lands BallynacreeBegg, BallynacreeBegg Mill and 89a. 1r. 24p. of land, which was unnamed at that time. In 1718 this unnamed quarter-land later became known as Ballynacree-Skein. During 1718, all three quarter-lands had measured almost 277 Irish acres and this land holding was known as Ballinacree. In 1637, BallynacreeBegg had measured 86a. 2r. 32p. in Irish acres; likewise, the land surrounding BallynacreeBegg Mill had measured 88a. 2r. 32p. in Irish acres. In 1718 BallynacreeBegg Mill or Harvey's Mill, later became part of Ballynacree-Skein. James and Margaret Harvey’s ownership of BallynacreeBegg, BallynacreeBegg Mill and Ballynacree-Skein, can be traced to a bond issued to Robert Harvey of London, on the 16 November 1638. This bond was valued at £500 and was granted by the executors of the Earl of Antrim - Randall MacDonnell’s estate, following the latter’s death in 1636. The Earl of Antrim had many creditors following his death and the debt that he owed to Harvey was repaid using the 277 Irish acres of land at Ballinacree. It’s not clear what Margaret Harvey’s relationship was to James Harvey; nonetheless, it’s reasonable to assume that the latter was a descendent of Robert Harvey. The oldest structure in Ballymoney is the surviving tower within the old Church of Ireland graveyard. It was built in 1637, the same year that Harvey’s Mill at BallynacreeBegg was
recorded
by William Petty, some 378 years ago. <Ref> Ibid., p. 473; George Hill, ‘An historical account’, p.473; [Anon.], Ballymoney old church graveyard an illustrated guide 2008, ‘Ballymoney town-hall: arts museum and tourist information’, (www.visitballymoney.com/files/Ballymoney_Graveyard_Guide.pdf) (accessed 5 April 2015). </ref>
+
McCullum was right to suggest that the Corn Mill or more appropriately Harvey’s Mill, was more than 200 years old. One of the earliest written documents detailing the existence of Harvey’s Mill, was recorded by William Petty during the Down Survey throughout 1665 to 1666. In 1873, the Downs Survey was transcribed by the Rev. George Hill. Hill’s work documents the quarter-lands BallynacreeBegg, BallynacreeBegg Mill and 89a. 1r. 24p. of land, which was unnamed at that time. In 1718 this unnamed quarter-land later became known as Ballynacree-Skein. During 1718, all three quarter-lands had measured almost 277 Irish acres and this land holding was known as Ballinacree. In 1637, BallynacreeBegg had measured 86a. 2r. 32p. in Irish acres; likewise, the land surrounding BallynacreeBegg Mill had measured 88a. 2r. 32p. in Irish acres. In 1718 BallynacreeBegg Mill or Harvey's Mill, later became part of Ballynacree-Skein. James and Margaret Harvey’s ownership of BallynacreeBegg, BallynacreeBegg Mill and Ballynacree-Skein, can be traced to a bond issued to Robert Harvey of London, on the 16 November 1638. This bond was valued at £500 and was granted by the executors of the Earl of Antrim - Randall MacDonnell’s estate, following the latter’s death in 1636. The Earl of Antrim had many creditors following his death and the debt that he owed to Harvey was repaid using the 277 Irish acres of land at Ballinacree. It’s not clear what Margaret Harvey’s relationship was to James Harvey; nonetheless, it’s reasonable to assume that the latter was a descendent of Robert Harvey. The oldest structure in Ballymoney is the surviving tower within the old Church of Ireland graveyard. It was built in 1637, the same year that Harvey’s Mill at BallynacreeBegg was
surveyed
by William Petty, some 378 years ago. <Ref> Ibid., p. 473; George Hill, ‘An historical account’, p.473; [Anon.], Ballymoney old church graveyard an illustrated guide 2008, ‘Ballymoney town-hall: arts museum and tourist information’, (www.visitballymoney.com/files/Ballymoney_Graveyard_Guide.pdf) (accessed 5 April 2015). </ref>
That being said; it was difficult to reconcile McCollum’s use of the term unpopulated when he had referred to Harmony Hill in his article. There was evidence to suggest that this location was larger than 40 acres; furthermore, there was evidence to suggest that there was once a thriving community at Ballynacree Skein, which was established long before John Caldwell’s tenure during 1764 to 1799.
That being said; it was difficult to reconcile McCollum’s use of the term unpopulated when he had referred to Harmony Hill in his article. There was evidence to suggest that this location was larger than 40 acres; furthermore, there was evidence to suggest that there was once a thriving community at Ballynacree Skein, which was established long before John Caldwell’s tenure during 1764 to 1799.
Line 57:
Line 57:
In addition to him gaining the estate at Ballynacree-Skein, John Caldwell had also gained a number of leases to locations throughout the Barony of Kilconway. These leases had included the quarter-land of Lislagan <Ref>Right Honourable Alexander MacDonnell Earl of Antrim, to John Caldwell merchant, Ballymoney, County Antrim, 1743, (PRONI, D2977/3A/3/2/27/3). (Henceforth cited as PRONI, D2977/3A/3/2/27/3).</ref> and the Corn and Flax Mills at Ballybrake’s, <ref> Right Honourable Randal William McDonnell, Earl of Antrim to John Cramsie, merchant, Ballymoney, County Antrim, lease for three lives or forty-one years for half of the lower quarter-land of Ballybrakes, County Antrim, (PRONI, D2977/3A/3/2/2/9). (Henceforth cited as PRONI, D2977/3A/3/2/2/9).</ref> which were built by James Lesly. <ref> Arthur Young and Arthur W. Hutton, Arthur Young’s tour in Ireland, 1776-1799 (Facsimile of 1892 edn., Whitefish, M.T., 2007), p. 161. (Henceforth cited as Young and Hutton, ‘Young’s tour of Ireland’). </ref> John Caldwell had leased and in some cases he had also built, a number of tenements throughout Ballymoney and in particular there was one tenement on a street named Piper-Row that later became John Caldwell's town residence. The term Piper suggests that these where very fine houses in an affluent area within the town. <ref>Right Honourable Alexander MacDonnell Earl of Antrim to Alexander McCook butcher, Ballymoney, County Antrim, 1738, (PRONI, D2977/3A/3/2/10/104B). (Henceforth cited as PRONI, D2977/3A/3/2/10/104B). </ref> On the 21 January 1789, John Calderwood and John Caldwell then purchased a joint-tenure which enabled them to make use of the land, buildings and industries located on the quarter-land of Mill-Quarter in Ballymoney. The term industry at this location had referred to the Ballymoney Flax and Corn Mills; likewise - as part of their tenure, John Calderwood and John Caldwell had gained ownership of the Mill-Quarter dam, Milliner’s houses and ten acres of land.<ref>T3541/6/6; Right Honourable Randal William MacDonnell, Earl of Antrim, to John Caldwell merchant and John Calderwood merchant, Ballymoney, County Antrim, 1789, (PRONI, D2977/3A/3/2/29/2). (Henceforth cited as PRONI, D2977/3A/3/2/29/2). </ref>
In addition to him gaining the estate at Ballynacree-Skein, John Caldwell had also gained a number of leases to locations throughout the Barony of Kilconway. These leases had included the quarter-land of Lislagan <Ref>Right Honourable Alexander MacDonnell Earl of Antrim, to John Caldwell merchant, Ballymoney, County Antrim, 1743, (PRONI, D2977/3A/3/2/27/3). (Henceforth cited as PRONI, D2977/3A/3/2/27/3).</ref> and the Corn and Flax Mills at Ballybrake’s, <ref> Right Honourable Randal William McDonnell, Earl of Antrim to John Cramsie, merchant, Ballymoney, County Antrim, lease for three lives or forty-one years for half of the lower quarter-land of Ballybrakes, County Antrim, (PRONI, D2977/3A/3/2/2/9). (Henceforth cited as PRONI, D2977/3A/3/2/2/9).</ref> which were built by James Lesly. <ref> Arthur Young and Arthur W. Hutton, Arthur Young’s tour in Ireland, 1776-1799 (Facsimile of 1892 edn., Whitefish, M.T., 2007), p. 161. (Henceforth cited as Young and Hutton, ‘Young’s tour of Ireland’). </ref> John Caldwell had leased and in some cases he had also built, a number of tenements throughout Ballymoney and in particular there was one tenement on a street named Piper-Row that later became John Caldwell's town residence. The term Piper suggests that these where very fine houses in an affluent area within the town. <ref>Right Honourable Alexander MacDonnell Earl of Antrim to Alexander McCook butcher, Ballymoney, County Antrim, 1738, (PRONI, D2977/3A/3/2/10/104B). (Henceforth cited as PRONI, D2977/3A/3/2/10/104B). </ref> On the 21 January 1789, John Calderwood and John Caldwell then purchased a joint-tenure which enabled them to make use of the land, buildings and industries located on the quarter-land of Mill-Quarter in Ballymoney. The term industry at this location had referred to the Ballymoney Flax and Corn Mills; likewise - as part of their tenure, John Calderwood and John Caldwell had gained ownership of the Mill-Quarter dam, Milliner’s houses and ten acres of land.<ref>T3541/6/6; Right Honourable Randal William MacDonnell, Earl of Antrim, to John Caldwell merchant and John Calderwood merchant, Ballymoney, County Antrim, 1789, (PRONI, D2977/3A/3/2/29/2). (Henceforth cited as PRONI, D2977/3A/3/2/29/2). </ref>
−
On the same year that John Caldwell created his rent roll for the Ballynacree-Skein estate, a notice was advertised in the Belfast Newsletter on the 10 December 1782. The notice stated that Arthur Moore was one of six registered linen bleachers who had voted for John Caldwell to become a secretary to a brown linen seal master in Ballymoney; <Ref> Belfast Newsletter, 10 December 1782. </ref> likewise, Arthur Moore was documented on John Caldwell’s rent roll, as having been one of eleven tenants that held a lease for land on his estate at Ballynacree-Skein in 1782. Arthur Moore’s land division at Ballynacree-Skein had generated the second largest source of income within John Caldwell’s overall estate and was leased under a thirty year tenure. This lease gave Arthur Moore a legal right to make use of the bleaching green on John Caldwell’s estate and he paid £41 per annum for his tenure of that location.<ref>PRONI, T3541/6/6.</ref>
+
On the same year that John Caldwell created his rent roll for the Ballynacree-Skein estate, a notice was advertised in the Belfast Newsletter on the 10 December 1782. The notice stated that Arthur Moore was one of six registered linen bleachers who had voted for John Caldwell to become a secretary to a brown linen seal master in Ballymoney; <Ref> Belfast Newsletter, 10 December 1782. </ref> likewise, Arthur Moore was documented on John Caldwell’s rent roll, as having been one of eleven tenants that
had
held a lease for land on his estate at Ballynacree-Skein in 1782. Arthur Moore’s land division at Ballynacree-Skein had generated the second largest source of income within John Caldwell’s overall estate and was leased under a thirty year tenure. This lease gave Arthur Moore a legal right to make use of the bleaching green on John Caldwell’s estate and he paid £41 per annum for his tenure of that location.<ref>PRONI, T3541/6/6.</ref>
−
Again on the 19 October 1781, a commercial notice
detailing
Arthur Moore’s industry at Ballynacree-Skein was advertised in the Belfast Newsletter. In this advert the bleach green was described as a bleach-yard, which at that time had contained a number of furnaces. The fires used to heat these furnaces where fuelled by peat gathered from the nearby turf-bog, which was also advertised in this notice. These furnaces must have generated a substantial amount of heat and perhaps this heat was used to boil water, because there was a number of wash-mills and drying lofts on the Ballynacree-Skein estate during 1781. There was also a beetling engine, with various rubbing boards and the notice states that Arthur Moore had access to a natural water spring at this property. It is, therefore, reasonable to assert that the main purpose for this notice was to advertise the initial launch of the bleaching industry at Ballynacree-Skein in 1781. Furthermore, Arthur Moore was in partnership with John Caldwell at this time, thus, Arthur Moore was equally responsible for the formation of this industry during 1781.<ref>Belfast Newsletter, 19 Oct. 1781.</ref>
+
Again on the 19 October 1781, a commercial notice
that had detailed
Arthur Moore’s industry at Ballynacree-Skein was advertised in the Belfast Newsletter. In this advert the bleach green was described as a bleach-yard, which at that time had contained a number of furnaces. The fires used to heat these furnaces where fuelled by peat gathered from the nearby turf-bog, which was also advertised in this notice. These furnaces must have generated a substantial amount of heat and perhaps this heat was used to boil water, because there was a number of wash-mills and drying lofts on the Ballynacree-Skein estate during 1781. There was also a beetling engine, with various rubbing boards and the notice states that Arthur Moore had access to a natural water spring at this property. It is, therefore, reasonable to assert that the main purpose for this notice was to advertise the initial launch of the bleaching industry at Ballynacree-Skein in 1781. Furthermore, Arthur Moore was in partnership with John Caldwell at this time, thus, Arthur Moore was equally responsible for the formation of this industry during 1781.<ref>Belfast Newsletter, 19 Oct. 1781.</ref>
== Arthur Moore and Begg's & Armstrong: John Caldwell - not one, but two bleach yards. ==
== Arthur Moore and Begg's & Armstrong: John Caldwell - not one, but two bleach yards. ==
Line 65:
Line 65:
During 1782 to 1798, John Caldwell had separated his property at Ballynacree-Skein into five land divisions. Division two and three, in particular, had contained two plots of land. Division three had measured almost 21 acres and division 2 had measured almost 15 acres. The tenants who had lived in this area had access to a bog that was valued at 20s. per acre and this was allotted to their land division. <ref> Estimate of the value of the Quarter land of Ballynacree Skein, [Co Antrim] with the corn Mill and bleach works, 29th Oct 1798 (PRONI, T3541/6/7). (Henceforth cited as PRONI, T3541/6/7). </ref>
During 1782 to 1798, John Caldwell had separated his property at Ballynacree-Skein into five land divisions. Division two and three, in particular, had contained two plots of land. Division three had measured almost 21 acres and division 2 had measured almost 15 acres. The tenants who had lived in this area had access to a bog that was valued at 20s. per acre and this was allotted to their land division. <ref> Estimate of the value of the Quarter land of Ballynacree Skein, [Co Antrim] with the corn Mill and bleach works, 29th Oct 1798 (PRONI, T3541/6/7). (Henceforth cited as PRONI, T3541/6/7). </ref>
−
To truly appreciate the management structure of John Caldwell’s estate in 1798, and his administration of Ballynacree-Skein, it’s necessary to understand how he organised these structures during 1782; in particular, how he managed his land at Ballybrakes. In 1782, John Caldwell described Begg Meadow at Ballybrakes as a grazing field that measured 3 acres with two pieces of land attached to it. These two pieces of land had measured 7 acres in total and John Caldwell had charged himself £20 for this tenancy. John Caldwell’s entire property at Ballybrakes was divided into seven divisions. Of the seven, John Caldwell retained three for his own personal use; for instance, grazing cattle and the remaining 57 per cent of the property was put out to tenure. There was 4 tenants who had lived at Ballybrakes during 1782 to 1798. These tenants were John Cramsie, Hugh Pollock, Neil McCook and Widow O’Kane. <ref> PRONI, T3541/6/7.</ref>
+
To truly appreciate the management structure of John Caldwell’s estate in 1798, and his administration of Ballynacree-Skein, it’s necessary to understand how he organised these structures during 1782; in particular, how he managed his land at Ballybrakes. In 1782, John Caldwell described Begg Meadow at Ballybrakes as a grazing field that
had
measured 3 acres with two pieces of land attached to it. These two pieces of land had measured 7 acres in total and John Caldwell had charged himself £20 for this tenancy. John Caldwell’s entire property at Ballybrakes was divided into seven divisions. Of the seven, John Caldwell retained three for his own personal use; for instance, grazing cattle and the remaining 57 per cent of the property was put out to tenure. There was 4 tenants who had lived at Ballybrakes during 1782 to 1798. These tenants were John Cramsie, Hugh Pollock, Neil McCook and Widow O’Kane. <ref> PRONI, T3541/6/7.</ref>
The entire area at Ballybrakes was affiliated with a business managed by Begg’s and Armstrong of Begg’s & Co., a linen bleaching industry in 1799; thus, John Caldwell had owned land that had occupied two bleaching industries, which were less than 3 miles apart, but neither business was managed by him directly. Just like Begg’s & Co., the bleaching-yard at Ballynacree-Skein was managed by Arthur Moore during 1782. <Ref> Letter from John Parks to J Caldwell Harmony Hill 10 September 1799 (PRONI, T3541/4/12). (Henceforth cited as PRONI, T3541/4/12).</ref> We must, however, ask the question - why had John Caldwell found it necessary to charge himself £20 a year for a tenancy when he was already paying a rent charge of £4, 2s. and 3d. and receiving a profit of £32 14s. per annum in 1782?<Ref> PRONI, T3541/6/7; PRONI, D2977/3A/3/2/2/9.</ref>
The entire area at Ballybrakes was affiliated with a business managed by Begg’s and Armstrong of Begg’s & Co., a linen bleaching industry in 1799; thus, John Caldwell had owned land that had occupied two bleaching industries, which were less than 3 miles apart, but neither business was managed by him directly. Just like Begg’s & Co., the bleaching-yard at Ballynacree-Skein was managed by Arthur Moore during 1782. <Ref> Letter from John Parks to J Caldwell Harmony Hill 10 September 1799 (PRONI, T3541/4/12). (Henceforth cited as PRONI, T3541/4/12).</ref> We must, however, ask the question - why had John Caldwell found it necessary to charge himself £20 a year for a tenancy when he was already paying a rent charge of £4, 2s. and 3d. and receiving a profit of £32 14s. per annum in 1782?<Ref> PRONI, T3541/6/7; PRONI, D2977/3A/3/2/2/9.</ref>