The Hearth Money Rolls for the Parishes of Ramoan and Culfeightrin

THE HEARTH MONEY TAX IN IRELAND (1662-1793)

The records of the Hearth Money Tax (known as the Hearth Money Rolls) are amongst the most valuable genealogical records of the 17th century, giving us some insight into the inhabitants of the district, their location and distribution, and even a little of their social status. Indeed they provide the most complete lists of the people of the land that are available before the 19th century surveys.

The Hearth Money Tax was begun by Acts 14 and 15 of King Charles II. It was a new tax of 2 shillings yearly on every hearth or fireplace in a house. Granted by Parliament to the King in compensation for the loss of certain lucrative feudal rights, and together with increased Custom and Excise duties, and a new Quit Rent, it raised the Royal income considerably. Charles was thus enabled to rule Ireland, without calling another Parliament.

The Hearth Tax, like all taxes was resented, especially as it entailed the inspection of houses. Furthermore it was considered unfair. The Quit Rent fell only on landlords who were able to pay, but the Hearth Tax was oppressive on the poor and for that reason it was abolished in England in 1689. However it was continued in Ireland till nearly the end of the 18th century – “a shameful affliction on the poor peasant to whom even two or three shillings in the year for such a tax was a burden and a wrong”.1

Henry Grattan finally succeeded in having Parliament abolish the Hearth Money Tax in Ireland in 1793, “and thus the peasant was encouraged to build a comfortable cottage in place of his hovel”.2

The Hearth Money Rolls are lists of persons paying the Hearth Tax. They list householders in a Barony, Parish by Parish, on a townland basis. The tax was collected over areas known as “Walks” and based on a town, but covering not only the town but also large areas surrounding it. They are not, of course, of all householders for the very poor were exempt from the Tax and others, no doubt, by their ingenuity escaped the attention of the “Smoke Man” as the collector was called in Ireland.

The original Hearth Money records are not extant. They were destroyed in the Four Courts, Dublin in June 1922 together with other invaluable historical material. Fortunately several transcripts had been made and it is from one of these kept in the P.R.O.N.I. that the Rolls for two Parishes in the Barony of Cary for 1699 were copied. I am grateful to the Staff of the P.R.O.N.I. for their help in making them available.

An obvious difficulty in studying the Rolls is to locate and identify some of the townlands mentioned. Apart from the inconsistency in spelling which is common in most old documents the fact that errors in transcription cannot now be checked since the destruction of the originals adds further to the problem. Nor should the difficulties of the “Smoke Man” himself be forgotten, working as he did amongst the mainly Gaelic-speaking and often resentful occupiers. Besides, townland boundaries could alter and they could be subdivided or united to and absorbed by neighbouring townlands. The names in brackets, therefore, after the townlands only may be their modern Ordnance Survey equivalents in some cases.

H.M ROLL CO. ANTRIM 1669 – CAREY (CARY) BARONY

PARISH OF ROMOAN (RAMOAN)

Ballycastle
Countice of Antrym, 4. Gar’ll O’Hagan, Neile Jameson, Patricke Blacke, 2. John Murthline, 2. Thomas White, Allex Hall, John Gray, 2. Arch Smith, Dungan Mongomery, Patricke O Madicin, Jugagh Pursell, Andrew Stewart, 2. Andrew Stewart, 2. Donnogh McConnoghy, Wm Smith, 2. Owen O Mullen, 2. Andrew McCamly, Donald McCowne, John McGowan, John Henry.

Upper Moyarget Down (Moyarget Upper)
Donald McCoy, Walter Stewart, Donald O Bruan, Dermot O Murry, Cormuck O Muldricke, John Boyd, Eiver McGaghy, Widdow McCart

Lower Moyargett (Moyarget Lower)
Thomas Mountgomry, 2. Arch McAllister.

Terryloskin (Turraloskin)
Gilbert McCollu, Allex Read, James McCarragher.

Coolekenny (Coolkenny)
James Given, Andrew Lyle, James Glasse, Patricke McConnochy.

Ballylig
Daniell Bane McNeale, Daniell McNeale, Thomas McMoyle, John Jameson, John Jameson.

Tubberkilly (Toberbilly)
Neale McKae, Widdy Mongomery, Charles Stewart

Cloghanmurry
Adam Hill, Robert Woodside, Adam Hill

Capecastle (Cape Castle)
John Hill, Martin Woodside, John fforgy, John McCrea, John Stewart.

Mahermore (Magheramore)
John Stewart, Allister Stewart, Wm. Kelsa, Laugh McKelsa, Robert Stewart, David Stewart, James Stewart.

Corwelly (Corvally)
Edmund oge McGye, Donnald Stewart, Angus McAllister, Brian O Harra, Gilmo McMullin, Daniell McNeale, Widdow Gray

Acklack (Aghaleck)
Ector McNeale, Jenkin McCormucke, Gildone McCole.

Kilrobert
Bryan O Knogher, Pat McGray.

Ballyiceele (Ballyveely)
James Stewart, Daniell oge McAll, Turl O Knocker, Edmond Murchy, Widdy McGowen.

Dromeny (Drumeeny)
Daniell Stewart, Daniell Blacke, Pat McGowen, Widdy Lawmont, John Stewart, Teige O Kelley, Dormont McCarr.

Dromgowly (Drumavoley)
Daniell Bole, Barti Stewart, Robert Stewart, Allex McCloe, Widdy Duffe, Widdow McCurdy, Neale Mcffall.

Drombeg (Broom-beg)
Laugh McPhillip, Widd Laverty, John Cambell, John McCurry.

Broomore (Broom-More)
Brian McCormucke, John McCloe, John McTeere, Owen McMullin.

Drumence (Drummans)
Edmond McHole, Ewer McCann, Gilchrist McMullin, Archi McQuonn, Laugh McKneele.

Creginboy (Cregganboy)
Edmond McHole, Ewer McCann, Gilchrist McMullin, Archi McQuonn, Laugh McKneele.

Carmoone (Carnmoon)
James Rodger, Daniell McMullin, John McCooke, Robert Alliat.

Carndoe (Carnduff)
Widdy Hill

Claircastle (Clare)
Lt. McNeale, 2. Neale McCurry, John Logan, John McCurry

Kirconny (Gortconney)
Brice Dunnlapp, George Hugart, John Robinson, Widdy Blacke, William Dunsheestle.

Streanseske (Stroanshesk, Ballycastle)
Hugh Muloony.

Nobilly (Novally)
Robert Stewart, Thos Gaston, Robert ffergy, John Sharpe, Robert Adare, John Adare, Robert Wardripe.

Gortmady (Gortmaddy, or Whitehall)
John Gray, Daniell Coghran, Thomas Hill.

Glibland (Glebe)
Robert Stewart, Daniell McHenney.

Altunanum (Altananam in Drumawillin)
John McCreest, Daniell Kid.

Drumoselin (Drumawillin)
Charles O Henny, Thomas Woodside, John Boyd, 2.

Carnsamson (Carnsampson)
Mr. John Stewart, 2. John Mongomry, Thomas Hamell, John McKinley, James fforbis, Robert Dury, James Stewart.

Carnetly (Carneatly)
Hugh Montgomery, Hugh Younge, Allex Cambell, Adam Hill, Daniell McKinley, John McAllister, Gilchrist McQuonne.

H.M ROLL CO. ANTRIM FOR 1669. CAREY (CARY) BARONY

Parish of Culfactory (Culfeightrin)

Ballyneglogh (Ballynalogh)
Lady Dunduffe, Donnald McAllin, Widdy Smith, Dunkan Karmichaell, Patricke O Hayle, Allester McCloy, 2. Thomas Curteonse, 2. Gilbert McCloy.

Ballyreagh
John Hunter, Dunkan Darrogh, John McCulley, John McCulley, Wm. McCulley, Archbold Mcffarland, Malcum Mcffarland, Ector McWean, Arch McGreer

Creevagh (Craigfad)
Patricke McCormucke, Allex McCamly, Donn McCormucke, Roger Horseman, Widdow McNeale.

Cullagappack (Coolnagoppoge)
Patricke O Skelly, Daniell McCormuck, Daniell O Skelley.

Downe (Carrowndoon in Ballyvennaght)
Allexander McGee.

Redtowne (in Ballyvennaght)
Angus Clearke, Bryan O Boyle, Dunkan McCormuck, Donnell McConnell

Ballindeweight (Ballyvennaght)
Owen McCormuck, John O Skelley, Henry Miller, Widdow Skilly.

Coragh (Curragh)
Ed Togacarrogher, John ffaulkner, Daniell McCawly.

Coraghbeg (Curragh)
Widdow Stewart, Arch Stewart, John McHatten.

Ballyclogh (Ballycleagh)
John Stwart, Daniell McCurry, Robert Crafford, Angus McCurry.

Ballytrym (Ballyteerim)
Daniel McCarr, Neale McCarr, Malcum Clarty, Widdow McNeale, ffennel McCaye.

Turmone (Tornamoney)
Daniell McNeale, Neale McCae, Widdow McClare,

Knockkuliske (Knockmacolusky)
John McHeron, Andrew Hamilton, John Hamilton

Lagadaghtowne (Ligadaughtan)
Ector McNeale, Wm. O Harra, Arch McNeale

Aghensillagh (Aughnasillagh)
John McCale, John McKenery, Widd McKennery, Daniell McKennery.

Turlagh (Torglass?, Torcorr or Loughan are more obviously in sequence).
Call McCormuck, Neale McMurchy.

Ballyloghan (Ballinloughan)
Ed McCurdy, Gilchrist McKinly, Arch McCurdy, Gillindrish McCagher, Owen O Skelley

Fferonekalwen (Farranmacallan)
John McConnell, Martin McConnell, Dan McCormuck

Toretowne (Torr)
Fferraher McCloe, John Miller, Dun Miller, Ogan Miller, Allex McCurdy, John McAllister, Do’ll McCollum, John McCaie, Dan O Kennan, Angus McAtulle, Mathew Stewart, Edmond O Hart, Angus Johnson.

Ballyiquan (Ballyukin, Knockbrack, Bighouse and Torlass Tlds.)
Neale McKenna, Donn Askelly Daniell McCreig, ffrelly McBreed, Dan McBreed, Edmond McMullard, Mr. Daniell McGee.

Denard (Doon in Cross Tld.)
Pat Adare, Wm O Hamon, Donnal McAllister, Hugh O Drinn, Jer Boy McMurry, Pat McWarnat, Dan O Money, Angus McCahir, Rodger Downy.

Bonnymargy (Bonamargy)
Mulmurry McCleere, John McCreest, John McCurdy, Angus McAlister.

Ballinagardy (Ballinagard)
Capt. Jolly, 2. Daniell Camell, Allex McDogell, Arthur Camell, Loghlin McCaghlin.

Ballypatricke (Ballypatrick)
Donkan Askelly, John Askelly, Neale Askelly, Art McCormuck, Laghlin O Laverty, Brian O Leverty, John O Grogan, John McKill, Pat Millyar.

Glenmakern (Glenmakeeran)
Pat Bane McCormuck, Owen McCormuck, Manus McCormuck, Daniell McCormuck, Terlogh McCormuck, Art McCormuck, Daniell McCormuck, Shenkin McCormuck, John O Kennan.

Glensheske (Valley of Glenshesk River)
John McPhee, Teigh McCally, Brian McGilcreest, John Lusly, Neale McDuffe, Shane O Cane, Edmond O Leverty, 2. Owin Askilly, Dan McBreed, Art McCormuck, Pat McCally, Dunk McAnully, Dan McCurry, Daniell McBreed, Neil roe Askelly, John McLease.

Ballyvardy (Ballyberidagh)
Allex McCahan, Angus McVaring, Hugh Nivian, Art McDowny, John McCaghan.

Lossid (Losset)
John McVering, Do Roe McDreg.

Maghertemple (Churchfield)
Thomas Stewart

Drumkitt (Drumahitt)
John McTaylor, Angus McVarnag, Daniell McVarnag, Daniell McCurdy.

Drumkamon (Drumahaman)
Dancy McManie, James Stewart, Robert Stewart, Alla McMaw.

Drunroan (Drumaroan)
James Dukar, Wm. Dunkan, Gilbert Nivian.

Salt Panns (in Broughanlea)
Don Stewart, 2. John Sharpe, Thomas Sharpe.

________________________
(Parish of) Raghery (Rathlin) Island
Kilramer (Kinramer)
Brian McCurdy, Pat McViccarr, George McGreyar, Allex McCurdy, Turl O’Caine.

Ballaghall (Ballygill)
Arch McCreige, Neile Mcffaire, Neile McCally, John McMulrogh, Thomas McMulrogh, Robert Alline, Pat Black.

Kilpatricke (Kilpatrick)
John McAllister, Widdy McAllister, Malcum McKinly, Neile McQuide, Arc Black

Ballynelargar (Ballynagard)
Pat McHarge, Daniell McCormuck, Wm McComent, ffinly McColt, ffinly McCormuck.

Ballycarry
Malcim McQuonne, Doniell McConald, Augustin McCow, Mr. Andrew Boyd

While converting into flats the old Cushendall rectory, recently vacated by Canon and Mrs John King, Mr. Joseph Lynn discovered the interior stud-walls of the attics to be filled with turf. Between the upright wooden standards carrying the lath and plaster, pieces of ordinary turf were stacked up, one on top of another, from floor to ceiling. When the walls were stripped, there they were, clean and fresh efficient fore-runners of the modern fibre-glass and polystyrene heat and sound insulators!

Irish Correspondence, State Paper Office
Mar. 1570

A Sir Thomas Gerrard and companions offered to plant the Glynnes and part of Clandeboy, if they were granted 100 horse and 400 foot, till the three first crops be gathered, and the Queen’sships for deference against the Scots. Also to have commission to levy soldiers, labourers and artificers in the counties of York, Lancaster and Cheshire. (Vol. XXX Ar. 22)

Antrym Assizes held at the castle of Carrickfergus on the 16th March 1615 … Who say that Shane roe O’Heale of Glynarm, Yeoman, on the 10th Decr. 1611 at Redbaie, stole a chestnut horse, a brown horse and a grey horse, worth 40s. each, the property of Owen McRobart. Acquitted.